The University of Wyoming has launched the UW Bitcoin Research Institute, the first dedicated to Bitcoin research.
The University of Wyoming has launched the UW Bitcoin Research Institute, the first of its kind dedicated to the study of Bitcoin. The announcement was made by Dr. Bradley Rettler, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at UW, during the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville.
The institute's mission is to enhance the caliber and impact of Bitcoin research. With plans to create faculty positions, incentivize high-quality academic work, and encourage young scholars, the institute is poised to become a hub for scholarly Bitcoin research. Additionally, it will offer workshops, peer-reviewed research, and serve as a resource for journalists, policymakers, and the public seeking accurate information on Bitcoin.
Dr. Rettler, who is also the author of "Resistance Money: A Philosophical Case for Bitcoin," highlighted the current shortcomings in academic Bitcoin research, which the institute aims to correct. By providing more rigorous and evidence-based studies, the institute intends to raise the standard for academic discourse on the Bitcoin.
The institute's activities will include an Annual Summer Workshop, Paper Prizes, Public Writing Prizes, Public Outreach Events, Weekly Seminars, Special Issues of Academic Journals, and Book Workshops. These events are designed to foster a deeper understanding of Bitcoin and its implications.
In its quest to rectify the perceived inaccuracies in current Bitcoin research, the institute challenges several widely cited studies. It cites specific examples, such as Mora et al.’s 2018 environmental impact prediction and the energy use calculations by "Digiconomist" Alex de Vries, which have been subject to criticism and debunking.
As the institute begins its operations, the academic and wider community anticipates its future contributions to the field of Bitcoin research. With its comprehensive approach to correcting misconceptions and promoting evidence-based studies, the UW Bitcoin Research Institute aims to establish itself as a leading authority on Bitcoin and its role in the modern economy.
