Defcon's new badge is a security key you can see inside

Defcon's annual hacker conference traditionally offers attendees elaborate electronic badges embedded with puzzles, crypto challenges, hidden Easter eggs, and mechanical features. Each year, badge creators strive to surpass previous designs. In 2026, the focus shifts to the hardware inside the badges. Defcon commissioned hardware hacker Andrew “bunnie” Huang to design the badges, which include an innovative open source chip. This chip aims to advance security, transparency, and trustworthiness in computing. The removable chip lets hackers inspect their badge internals and continue using the badge after the conference, highlighting a new approach to secure hardware design in the hacker community.