Diverse is the general idea, we want to have talks on the wide area of things for which python is used and good general development talks as well. We are also striving to be an affordable alternative for those that can't make it to Montreal for PyCon this year for whatever reason. We'll never be on that level, but we're aspiring to be a nice regional supplement like PyOhio, PyTexas, PyCarolinas, or PyArkansas.
It's hard to see that Bitcoin itself could be the undoing, but there is potential now for disruption that hasn't existed prior. While I also feel the article is a ... umm a bit overboard. The root point is that it feels like it could be possible to shake the banking system a bit. That assumes that the banking system isn't manipulating Bitcoin for it's gain as well.