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UW Bitcoin Research Institute

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About

The UW Bitcoin Research Institute, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, exists to output peer-reviewed academic research on bitcoin and contribute to curriculum in philosophy, economics, and interdisciplinary courses.

The Director of the institute is Dr. Bradley Rettler, Associate Professor of Philosophy. 

You can help further the work of the Bitcoin Research Institute today by making a gift. Click the button below to make an impact on academic bitcoin research. 

 

Publications

 

Books

Academic Papers

Educational Videos

Op-eds

 

Events

The Bitcoin Research Institute will run the following events. Particular event details will be posted here.

  • Annual Summer Workshop

  • Paper Prizes

  • Public Writing Prizes

  • Public Outreach Events

  • Weekly Seminars

  • Special Issues of Academic Journals

  • Book Workshops  

Why a Bitcoin Research Institute?

The state of academic bitcoin research is poor. For example, Mora et al’s (2018) prediction that “Bitcoin emissions alone could push global warming above 2°C” has been debunked in three publications in Nature and is empirically falsified but still has 400 citations. "Digiconomist" Alex de Vries calculates energy use per bitcoin transaction, despite the fact that bitcoin transactions use as much energy as sending an email. Hinzen, John, and Salah (2022) argue that bitcoin adoption will increase block time because it will prolong consensus; they are not aware of bitcoin's difficulty adjustment.

In short, academics, journalists, policymakers, and the public lack access to good research on bitcoin. The Bitcoin Research Institute aims to provide it.

UW's Distinctive Strengths

There are many reasons to house the Bitcoin Research Institute at the University of Wyoming:

  • There is interdisciplinary academic unit collaboration: philosophy, economics, School of Computing, Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation, Advanced Blockchain Lab, School of Energy Resources, Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Center for Subsurface Energy and Digital Innovation

  • Wyoming's proximity to renewable energy – wind, solar – and renewables research

  • Wyoming's positive regulatory and legislative environment for bitcoin

  • The opportunity to support Wyoming’s economic and community development through bitcoin education and partnerships and mentoring

  • Prepares students for thinking about money and finance in an increasing digital world

 

Donate

Donations to the Bitcoin Research Institute are tax-deductible. We accept bitcoin (obviously), bank drafts, and credit card. We will hold any bitcoin that is donated. Thanks to Mark Casey for the initial gift that led to the founding of the Institute. For sizable donations, donations in bitcoin (on-chain or Lightning), or for those who don't want to donate through a web page, contact Jill Higham at jhigham@uwyo.edu.

Contact Us

Bradley Rettler
Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion
brettler@uwyo.edu
(307) 766-6514