The University of Wyoming Launches First Academic Institute Dedicated to Bitcoin Studies
In a groundbreaking move, the University of Wyoming (UW) has established the UW Bitcoin Research Institute, the first academic institute dedicated solely 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 inaugural director of the institute.
The announcement was made by Rettler on the Genesis Stage at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville, where he outlined the institute’s mission to elevate the quality and impact of Bitcoin research. The institute plans to achieve this by creating faculty positions for Bitcoin research, incentivizing and rewarding good academic research on Bitcoin, encouraging young scholars to pursue Bitcoin research projects, and providing workshops on related papers and books. Additionally, the institute aims to connect researchers interested in Bitcoin and provide peer-reviewed research for journalists, policymakers, and the public.
Currently, the state of academic Bitcoin research is not of the highest quality, and the institute aims to address these issues by creating and providing more accurate and rigorous academic studies on Bitcoin. The goal is to ensure that high-quality, evidence-based research is accessible to all.
The University of Wyoming is uniquely positioned to lead this initiative due to its interdisciplinary academic collaboration, proximity to renewable energy sources, and 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.
For those interested in supporting this research, donations can be made to the UW Bitcoin Research Institute, with all BTC donations being held. The official page states that donations are tax-deductible.
This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant step forward in the academic study of Bitcoin and is sure to have a lasting impact on the field.
