CoinDesk acquired by Barry Silbert's Digital Currency Group

The leading Bitcoin and blockchain media and events company CoinDesk has been acquired by Barry Silbert's Digital Currency Group.

The editorial and business teams at CoinDesk will merge with DCG's newly launched events platform, doubling its size and forming a new New York-based subsidiary, said a statement.

CoinDesk also unveiled its plans to produce Consensus 2016, its second annual blockchain technology conference, at the New York Marriott Marquis on May 2-4, 2016.

CoinDesk is the newest addition to the DCG group of companies, which includes Genesis Global Trading, an institutional-focused digital currency trading desk, and Grayscale Investments, an asset manager that manages the Bitcoin Investment Trust (Symbol: GBTC).

"We are excited to join the DCG family of companies," said CoinDesk CEO, Jeremy Bonney. "As the information needs of the blockchain ecosystem grow, CoinDesk will gain the resources and colleagues it needs to better serve readers with the high-quality, independent journalism readers have come to expect."

CoinDesk is the main source of Bitcoin and blockchain news and analysis, as well as providing its commonly cited Bitcoin Price Index and other data tools.

Barry Silbert, founder and CEO of Digital Currency Group, said: "It has been impressive to watch CoinDesk's evolution over the past two and a half years, and we are committed to investing in new products and people that will further enhance the CoinDesk and Consensus brands."

Ryan Selkis, DCG's Director of Growth, who will help lead the new subsidiary, which will operate independently from DCG.

CoinDesk's Consensus 2016 has so far confirmed as speakers: Jeremy Allaire & Sean Neville (Circle), Blythe Masters (Digital Asset Holdings), Chris Larsen (Ripple), Stephen Pair (BitPay), Chad Cascarilla (itBit), Elizabeth Rossiello (BitPesa), Greg Schvey (TradeBlock), Bill Barhydt (Abra), Marwan Forzley (Align Commerce), Brian Hoffman (OB1), and Eric Jennings (Filament).