University of Wyoming Establishes First Academic Bitcoin Research Institute

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Sujha Sundararajan

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Sujha Sundararajan

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July 29, 2024

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The University of Wyoming has launched what it calls the first academic Bitcoin Research Institute to elevate quality Bitcoin research.

Announced during the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville the new academic research division will be headed by associate professor of Philosophy and author, Dr. Bradley Rettler.

The Institute “aims to produce high-quality peer-reviewed publications about bitcoin from all academic disciplines,” he wrote on X.

ANNOUNCEMENT: The University of Wyoming has established the UW Bitcoin Research Institute. https://t.co/qDuYZGmnxo

The BRI aims to produce high-quality peer-reviewed publications about bitcoin from all academic disciplines.

First act: hiring @resistancemoney!

1/

— ₿radley Rettler (@rettlerb) July 28, 2024

Dr. Rettler has co-authored “Resistance Money: A Philosophical Case for Bitcoin,” which analyses the historical and intellectual foundations of crypto. Molly Zuckerman, president of the Association of Cryptocurrency Journalists and Researchers, called the book a “measured thought experiment into truly determining how you feel about bitcoin in the world.”

Rettler would bring his expertise to the role as director of the Wyoming University’s Bitcoin Research Institute (BRI).

“The state of academic bitcoin research is poor,” the BRI website noted. “In short, academics, journalists, policymakers, and the public lack access to good research on bitcoin. The Bitcoin Research Institute aims to provide it.”

Additionally, Andrew M. Bailey, lead author of the book will join as a faculty at the institute, starting August. The BRI will officially open in August to accommodate Fall 2024-2025 intake.

“I have long dreamed of building something together; this is a dream come true,” wrote Bailey.

Wyoming is good. And from August 2025, I'll be a Professor of Philosophy at the new Bitcoin Research Institute at the University of Wyoming. @rettlerb and I have long dreamed of building something together; this is a dream come true.https://t.co/2Nhlq8QrhP https://t.co/FLw2KfGszE

— Andrew M. Bailey (@resistancemoney) July 28, 2024

Further, the Bitcoin Research Institute aims to create faculty positions, incentivizing and rewarding academic researches. This would stimulating youngsters to pursue Bitcoin-related projects.

Besides, the BRI will also conduct events such as book workshops, weekly seminars, public outreach events, etc.

First Bitcoin Research Institute and Wyoming’s Crypto-Friendly Aspirations

The state of Wyoming has been a pro-crypto location in the US, mainly due to its Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis. She has been a long-time crypto advocate, foreseeing that the asset class is ready to embrace responsible regulation.

The Senator recently noted that maintaining Bitcoin in reserve could support the strength of the U.S. dollar. Further, during the Bitcoin 2024 conference, she also proposed buying 1 million BTC over the course of five years as the nation’s reserve.

Per the Bitcoin Research Institute’s website, the state’s proximity to renewable energy, positive regulatory and legislative environment for Bitcoin, have helped set up the academic unit.

The institute is also seeking donations from the community in both Bitcoin and fiat contributions.