CRYPTO FEST 2025
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Carel de Jager
CEO and Founder at Silver SixpenceCarel de Jager is a blockchain expert, engineer, and thought leader in cryptocurrency and financial innovation.
As the Founder and CEO of SilverSixpence, a Pretoria-based blockchain engineering firm, he leads a team specializing in cutting-edge solutions for cryptocurrency trading, technical compliance, exchange solvency audits, and proof-of-reserves for major exchanges like Binance, Crypto.com, KuCoin, and Luno.
With a strong background in engineering and a passion for Bitcoin, cryptography, and energy, de Jager is renowned for bridging technical expertise with practical applications in the blockchain space. He is also a well-known speaker and educator, delivering insights on blockchain’s transformative potential to global audiences, including developers, corporates, and governments.
Education and Background
- Degree: BEng in Chemical Engineering from North-West University/Noordwes-Universiteit.
- Early Career: Began as an engineer at Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned electricity utility, where he gained hands-on experience in energy systems and simulations—skills he later applied to blockchain and cryptocurrency analyses.
- Transition to Blockchain: Since 2016, de Jager has immersed himself in Bitcoin and distributed ledger technology (DLT). He served as a consultant at the Blockchain Academy and as Research Group Leader (RGL) for DLT/Blockchain at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria from May 2022 to June 2025.
Professional Experience
- Founder & CEO, SilverSixpence (2019–Present): Founded the company to tackle complex blockchain software challenges, focusing on high-frequency algorithmic trading, payment gateways integrating crypto services, and auditing tools using Merkle Trees, applied cryptography, and full-node lookups. The firm emphasizes transparency, agility, and trust in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
- Research Group Leader, CSIR (2022–2025): Led blockchain and DLT research initiatives, contributing to technical training and policy discussions in South Africa.
- Blockchain Consultant, Blockchain Academy (Prior to 2019): Provided expertise in early blockchain adoption and education.
- Former Engineer, Eskom: Applied engineering simulations to real-world problems, including innovative proposals for using surplus energy in Bitcoin mining.
- https://careldejager.com
