Key Takeaways
- University of Wyoming launches the first Bitcoin Research Institute.
- The institute aims to improve the quality and accessibility of Bitcoin research.
- Dr. Bradley Rettler is appointed as the inaugural director.
The University of Wyoming (UW) has inaugurated the UW Bitcoin Research Institute, the first academic center dedicated to Bitcoin studies. Dr. Bradley Rettler, an Associate Professor of Philosophy and author of Resistance Money: A Philosophical Case for Bitcoin, has been appointed as the institute’s inaugural director. Rettler announced the launch at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville.
The institute’s mission is to enhance the quality and impact of Bitcoin research by creating faculty positions focused on Bitcoin studies, encouraging young scholars to engage in Bitcoin research projects, and offering workshops on relevant papers and books. It aims to provide peer-reviewed research for journalists, policymakers, and the public.
The current landscape of academic Bitcoin research is often lacking in rigor. The UW Bitcoin Research Institute seeks to address this by ensuring that high-quality, evidence-based research is available and accessible to all.
UW is uniquely positioned to lead this initiative due to its interdisciplinary academic collaboration, proximity to renewable energy sources, and a supportive legislative and regulatory environment. The institute will collaborate with various university units, including the philosophy and economics departments, School of Computing, and Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation.
Donations to the UW Bitcoin Research Institute are tax-deductible, and all BTC donations will be held, as stated on the official page.
