Wyoming Blockchain Stampede Celebrates Fifth Anniversary Sept. 19

Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the 2022 Wyoming Blockchain Stampede will be held Sept. 19-23 at the University of Wyoming Conference Center in Laramie. Registration for the free event is underway at www.wyohackathon.io.

The Stampede, sponsored by the UW Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation (CBDI), features speaker panels and events exploring the next generation of digital assists; blockchain-related startups; educational programs; financial and regulatory issues; digital identity; state and federal legislation; and cybersecurity and digital identity.

“Since the inception of the Stampede, industry leaders from around the world have attended the event highlighting the opportunities, challenges and latest developments in blockchain, digital assets and cryptocurrency,” CBDI Director Steve Lupien says. “This year, we plan to examine, more in-depth, the impact of digital assets on Wyoming through legislation, economic development and education from K-12 to community colleges and UW.”

The 2022 WyoHackathon will start ahead of the Stampede Friday, Sept 9. It will be online, with winners announced at the end of the Stampede. Lupien says this year’s competition length will allow for more participants from UW and around the world, and more time for them to meet challenges for rewards offered by blockchain-related businesses.

This year’s event includes the annual Wyoming Cybersecurity Conference presented by the nonprofit CyberWyoming Alliance (CWA) Friday, Sept. 23. Partnering with the Stampede is an opportunity to provide important cybersecurity information to those involved in digital assets and highlight what Wyoming is doing to meet cybersecurity challenges, says Laura Baker, CWA co-founder and executive director.

“The theme for this year's conference is ‘It's About Identity,’” Baker says. “The conference is designed for average citizens interested in online identity and civility, managing your digital identity and community security identities. We have a great lineup of speakers, from a panel of attorneys discussing digital identity to using cyberpsychology to better manage your business to identity theft digital forensics.”

Featured keynote speakers include UW graduate Caitlin Long, nationally known crypto expert and founder and CEO of Custodia Bank, and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon. Additional speakers will be announced soon.

The Stampede also includes an IMPACT 307 startup pitch competition sponsored by Blue Ocean; a WyoHackathon winners’ presentation; and a concert the evening of Sept. 23 by Western music star Chancey Williams, a UW graduate from Moorcroft.