# University of Wyoming Creates Bitcoin Research Institute

*Author: William M. Peaster*
*Published: Jul 29, 2024*
*Source: https://www.bankless.com/wyoming-bitcoin-research-institute*

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The University of Wyoming has announced the establishment of the [UW Bitcoin Research Institute](https://www.uwyo.edu/philrelig/bitcoin/index.html) (BRI), aiming to produce high-quality, peer-reviewed publications on Bitcoin across various academic disciplines.

## **What's the scoop?**
- The BRI aims to enhance the quality of Bitcoin academic research by supporting scholars with a deep understanding of the network via funds for travel, critical feedback on projects, and beyond. 
- [Dr. Bradley Rettler](https://x.com/rettlerb/status/1817560448302031338), Associate Professor of Philosophy, will lead the institute, and the center’s first hire was Andrew M. Bailey, a researcher and co-author of [*Resistance Money: A Philosophical Case for Bitcoin*](https://www.resistance.money/).
- Notably, the institute can accept Bitcoin donations directly, and donations are allocated with 4% invested in BTC.

## **Bankless take:**
The BRI's focus on quality research is a promising opportunity to elevate the standards of Bitcoin studies and ensure that academic and public narratives around the OG blockchain are reliable and well-informed. Additionally, the institute may inspire the creation of similar crypto research efforts at other universities, which would be applaudable.