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.

The book is a landmark work that analyzed the historical and intellectual foundations of crypto, arguing how Bitcoin and other decentralized projects that could be utilized to counter authoritarian regimes, surveillance, inflation, and the broadening spheres of financial exclusion. According to a review by Molly Zuckerman, president of the Association of Cryptocurrency Journalists and Researchers, the book is a “measured thought experiment into truly determining how you feel about bitcoin in the world.”

The institute’s primary objectives include creating faculty positions for Bitcoin research, incentivizing and rewarding high-quality academic research, encouraging young scholars to pursue Bitcoin-related projects, and providing workshops on related papers and books.

Additionally, it aims to connect researchers interested in Bitcoin and provide peer-reviewed research for journalists, policymakers, and the public.

Recognizing the current state of academic Bitcoin research as suboptimal, the institute seeks to address these issues by producing more accurate and rigorous academic studies. It will work to ensure that high-quality, evidence-based research is accessible to all stakeholders.

The University of Wyoming’s strategic position makes it well-suited to lead this initiative. The institution benefits from interdisciplinary academic collaboration, proximity to renewable energy sources, and a supportive legislative and regulatory environment. The institute will collaborate with various university units, including the philosophy and economics departments, School of Computing, and Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation.

By fostering rigorous research and connecting scholars, the UW Bitcoin Research Institute aims to enhance understanding of Bitcoin’s implications across various fields, this initiative represents a significant step in legitimizing Bitcoin studies within academia.

This article first appeared at Crypto Briefing