The University of Austin (UATX) is making waves by teaming up with major players like the Texas Bitcoin Foundation, Bitcoin Policy Institute, Unchained, and Strive Asset Management for an exciting event: the Satoshi Papers Symposium. This unique academic gathering is all about launching the Texas Bitcoin Foundation’s debut book, “The Satoshi Papers: Reflections on Political Economy after Bitcoin.”
At the heart of this book lies a profound dialogue reminiscent of America’s historical debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, revolving around government roles in safeguarding individual and community freedoms. The Satoshi Papers provides a platform for scholars to explore the complex dynamics between money and state in our post-Bitcoin era.
Natalie Smolenski, the driving force behind the Texas Bitcoin Foundation and a fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, expressed her excitement about the convergence of economists, historians, anthropologists, and other social scientists. Their mission? To ponder over how a decentralized digital protocol could reshape our existing political and economic structures.
This book also marks a pivotal moment for the Bitcoin Policy Institute, a Washington, DC-based organization. As they’ve embarked on their publishing journey, Grant McCarty, BPI’s co-founder, highlighted the importance of fostering a robust academic discourse. He sees “The Satoshi Papers” as a perfect starting point to bridge the innovative world of Bitcoin with policy discussions.
The Satoshi Papers Symposium is set to take place on the UATX campus on April 16, 2025. Attendees will hear from the contributing authors, who are also BPI fellows, such as Avik Roy, Josh Hendrickson, Craig Warmke, and Natalie Smolenski. Moreover, UATX faculty members will actively engage with the ideas presented in the book.
Chad Thevenot, SVP of Advancements and Communication at UATX, emphasized the university’s commitment to fostering challenging and fearless debates. He considers the symposium a testament to their dedication to exploring pressing economic and political issues, with UATX proudly serving as a hub for these vital discussions.
A generous donation from Strive Asset Management ensures that UATX’s first class of students will actively participate in the symposium. Each student will receive a copy of The Satoshi Papers, thanks to the financial firm’s support. Matt Cole, CEO of Strive, believes Bitcoin deserves a place in every American’s investment portfolio, emphasizing the need for deep understanding amidst its early volatility.
Unchained, another pivotal partner, is lending its support to the symposium, highlighting Bitcoin’s transformative potential and the necessity of educating individuals on financial sovereignty. Joe Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Unchained, stated that the event is a step toward ensuring people have control over their financial assets.
On the evening of April 16th, Unchained will host a public reception along with a book sale and signing at the Bitcoin Commons, adding a touch of community engagement to the event.
For those interested in learning more about the University of Austin, it’s a new private, nonprofit university based in Texas, advocating for fearlessly seeking truth through an innovative curriculum. The Texas Bitcoin Foundation, a hub of interdisciplinary research, was founded in 2021 by Natalie Smolenski, aiming to delve into the implications of digital technology. Meanwhile, the Bitcoin Policy Institute is dedicated to informing US policy with research-driven insights. Unchained, renowned for its secure bitcoin custodial services, caters to individuals and businesses with its high-security model. Finally, Strive, founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, focuses on maximizing shareholder value, incorporating Bitcoin into everyday investment strategies.
For more details on these organizations, visit their respective websites: uaustin.org, txbitcoinfoundation.org, btcpolicy.org, unchained.com, and strive.com.
