University of Wyoming launches first academic Bitcoin research institute

[ABCbits]

University of Wyoming launches first academic Bitcoin research institute

The University of Wyoming has established the UW Bitcoin Research Institute, the first academic institution dedicated to Bitcoin studies. Dr. Bradley Rettler, Associate Professor of Philosophy, has been appointed as the inaugural director.

Dr. Rettler announced the institute’s formation at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville. As a co-author of “Resistance Money: A Philosophical Case for Bitcoin,” Rettler brings expertise to his role as director... Read more here.


They definitely have good goal. And looking at their website https://www.uwyo.edu/philrelig/bitcoin/index.html, they shows some publication although i haven't read any of them. Your opinion is greatly appreciated.

[pakhitheboss]

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This is a remarkable news that you have shared with the community. I was not aware that such a big announcement was made at the Bitcoin 2024 conference. It is a prestigious university with a rich history and the best part here is that it is funded by both state and federal government. It is good to see that a lot of young undergraduates will now get the opportunity to know and understand about Bitcoin.

[God Of Thunder]

We should appreciate them as a Bitcoin/Crypto community. The most important thing is, they have to make sure that they don't teach something wrong. I do not expect my country to teach students about Bitcoin or even cryptography, but I appreciate that University of Wyoming already launched their Bitcoin research institute.

If people can learn something good from there, that will be the real success. If they hire some good BitcoinOG developers who can help them learn, that would be a good idea. I like people like Andreas M. Antonopoulos who can explain Bitcoin so well.

[hugeblack]

I think a Bitcoin study center would be useful, it would be good to add Bitcoin as part of a class for economics students or as part of a university requirement or a master's program. Inflation has become an obsession for most countries and even rich countries are starting to notice its effects so I think learning more about Bitcoin would not be bad.

[yhiaali3]

It seems like a very interesting idea although it is late in my opinion, such universities should have appeared earlier but I think due to the opposition of governments it has been delayed, but that is good anyway.

I liked some of the academic papers that the website provides online that link Bitcoin to philosophy such as:

Money without a state (Philosophy Compass)
The ethical landscape of monetary design (Philosophy Compass)
Bitcoin is king (Cryptocurrency concepts, technology and applications)
Digital value (Philosophy and digitalization)

It is really interesting and inspiring.

[Cech1337]

This is fantastic news! The establishment of the UW Bitcoin Research Institute is a groundbreaking step for both academic inquiry and the broader cryptocurrency community. Congratulations to Dr. Bradley Rettler on his appointment as director. With his background and expertise, especially highlighted in Resistance Money: A Philosophical Case for Bitcoin,” it’s exciting to see how the institute will advance the study of Bitcoin and its philosophical implications. Looking forward to seeing the innovative research and insights that will emerge from this new institution!

[TomPluz]

They definitely have good goal. And looking at their website https://www.uwyo.edu/philrelig/bitcoin/index.html, they shows some publication although i haven't read any of them.

This is a good move from a university, providing space for people to know more academic papers and other publications centering on Bitcoin. And since this is coming from an educational institution, this is adding more credibility to Bitcoin so we can tell that kind of message to people who are still rejecting Bitcoin as just another scam: Bitcoin is here to stay and is now recognized by education circle and that of the main finance as well. This is another feather on the cap of Bitcoin and can go a long way in encouraging more people to look at Bitcoin as a legitimate investment asset and a tool towards economic empowerment.

[ABCbits]

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This is a remarkable news that you have shared with the community. I was not aware that such a big announcement was made at the Bitcoin 2024 conference.
--snip--

I found this news by chance, politician appearance on the conference overshadow everything else. And i expect there are other interesting announcement that we missed.

They definitely have good goal. And looking at their website https://www.uwyo.edu/philrelig/bitcoin/index.html, they shows some publication although i haven't read any of them.

This is a good move from a university, providing space for people to know more academic papers and other publications centering on Bitcoin. And since this is coming from an educational institution, this is adding more credibility to Bitcoin so we can tell that kind of message to people who are still rejecting Bitcoin as just another scam: Bitcoin is here to stay and is now recognized by education circle and that of the main finance as well. This is another feather on the cap of Bitcoin and can go a long way in encouraging more people to look at Bitcoin as a legitimate investment asset and a tool towards economic empowerment.

I agree. Although public trust on science and research has been on decline, which reduce total good credibility from this announcement.

[KingsDen]

We should appreciate them as a Bitcoin/Crypto community. The most important thing is, they have to make sure that they don't teach something wrong. I do not expect my country to teach students about Bitcoin or even cryptography, but I appreciate that University of Wyoming already launched their Bitcoin research institute.

If people can learn something good from there, that will be the real success. If they hire some good BitcoinOG developers who can help them learn, that would be a good idea. I like people like Andreas M. Antonopoulos who can explain Bitcoin so well.

Wherever learning about bitcoin is mentioned, my fear has always been teaching the wrong things about Bitcoin. But in this situation I am sure that nothing wrong will be taught. It is called bitcoin research institute, which means its goal is about learning and researching bitcoin before giving out information. So, it will be difficult for a whole institution to be misled. There are alot of approved resources they can use and there are experts also willing to help.

[Crwth]

I hope there will be other institutes that will follow or probably universities that will establish their department or projects to increase the possible research on Bitcoin and its effects on the economy.

I believe it is applicable to other industries as well hopefully there would be other that follow along.

[taufik123]

This is a good move from a university, providing space for people to know more academic papers and other publications centering on Bitcoin. And since this is coming from an educational institution, this is adding more credibility to Bitcoin so we can tell that kind of message to people who are still rejecting Bitcoin as just another scam: Bitcoin is here to stay and is now recognized by education circle and that of the main finance as well. This is another feather on the cap of Bitcoin and can go a long way in encouraging more people to look at Bitcoin as a legitimate investment asset and a tool towards economic empowerment.

I agree. Although public trust on science and research has been on decline, which reduce total good credibility from this announcement.

The decline in public trust in Bitcoin or some technologies in the crypto ecosystem is indeed caused by several negative narratives related to crypto, including bitcoin.

Those who are still laymen or teachers who do not have extensive knowledge will only think that Bitcoin is only a volatile and dangerous currency, not seeing its technology and benefits.

Especially if in a country Bitcoin or crypto is only a commodity asset that is not very important and even a prohibited asset.

[Kemarit]

Lots of good reading materials in their website and it will really enlighten not just Bitcoin enthusiast but other non-Bitcoin guys as well.

However, I was quite surprised to see that they are just allow $$$ and not Bitcoin as donation? How ironic it is?



https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/49172/donations/new

And you can see that there is a textbox that says "Anonymous Gift"  . They should have included Bitcoin though as one means for donation.

[TomPluz]

I hope there will be other institutes that will follow or probably universities that will establish their department or projects to increase the possible research on Bitcoin and its effects on the economy. I believe it is applicable to other industries as well hopefully there would be other that follow along.

Edicational institutions, in my view, have more impact and credibility when it comes to new things and with this move from University of Wyoming certainly less people will be questioning the legitimacy of Bitcoin and even that of the whole crypto industry. I am sure that in years to come we can also see other institutions to be coming forward to help people understand the importantace of Bitcoin and how it can be a tool for many to utilize for different grounds and purposes.

[ABCbits]

Lots of good reading materials in their website and it will really enlighten not just Bitcoin enthusiast but other non-Bitcoin guys as well.

However, I was quite surprised to see that they are just allow $$$ and not Bitcoin as donation? How ironic it is?



https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/49172/donations/new

And you can see that there is a textbox that says "Anonymous Gift"  . They should have included Bitcoin though as one means for donation.

IMO it's not that ironic. Looking at other pages of the university website[1-2], they also use givecampus.com (3rd party service) to accept donation. So it's probably about convenience or re-using something they're already familiar with. Although they definitely could do better by also accepting Bitcoin, through showing Bitcoin address.

[1] https://www.uwyo.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/uw-research-institute-amk-ranch/about/donate.html
[2] https://www.uwyo.edu/research/index.html

[snowpega]

<snip>

This is a very great initiative in my point of view, as implementation of this system many students will come to know about Bitcoin and the crypto space. I really believe that all universities should introduce and educate these kinds of models to their students as after any degree every student looks for a great opportunity so that he/she can stand as a strong person and become confident in the race of life.

Besides this, one more thing that I think other online business models should be introduced to the students along with the education of Bitcoin. As we know that these days there are many online business models that a student can learn but the sad part is that they do not have any mentorship who can educate and guide the students so that they can learn and earn money through different sources. The news you shared is also a very good initiative as at least some good steps have been taken by the university and it may prove a good sign as other universities will also adopt this after noticing this news.