TechFlow reports that the University of Wyoming has announced the establishment of the UW Bitcoin Research Institute in August. The institute aims to provide "high-quality, peer-reviewed" research on Bitcoin. Institute Director Bradley Rettler stated that current Bitcoin research is of poor quality, and the industry needs more high-quality peer-reviewed publications to ensure the public correctly understands Bitcoin's nature and mechanisms.
The institute plans to host an annual summer workshop, offer academic awards, and conduct weekly seminars. As a nonprofit organization, it will accept Bitcoin donations to support its research activities.
Notably, Wyoming is rapidly emerging as a leading Bitcoin-friendly state in the U.S., largely due to the efforts of pro-Bitcoin Senator Cynthia Lummis and Caitlin Long, founder and CEO of Custodia Bank. Recently at the Bitcoin 2024 conference, Lummis announced a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act proposal, suggesting that the U.S. purchase 5% of the total Bitcoin supply to help reduce the national debt.
