UW Bitcoin Research Institute

Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

The UW Bitcoin Research Institute exists to output peer-reviewed academic research on bitcoin and contribute to curriculum in philosophy, economics, and interdisciplinary courses. The Director of the institute is Dr. Bradley Rettler, Professor of Philosophy.

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STUDENT RESEARCH PRIZES

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025-2026 Student Research Prize.

Erin Fitz (Colorado State University): A Behavioral Approach to Cryptocurrency Adoption in the United States

Margot Paez (Georgia Tech): Aligning load flexibility with emissions reduction: empirical insights from a multi-site study of cryptocurrency data centers

Cameron Peterson (Idaho State): Bitcoin Miner Heating: Evaluating Cost Efficiency and Practical Application

Honorable Mention:

Levi Johnson and Nolan Nachbar (University of Wyoming): Is Bitcoin Good Collateral? Evidenced by Corporate Treasury Programs

Salvador Ernesto Pineda Depaz (Cornell): Leveraging Bitcoin to Rebuild Economies and Strengthen Justice After Conflict

Anna Stenstrom (University of Alabama): College Savings and Bitcoin: expanding investment options for 529 plans

EVENTS

The Bitcoin Research Institute will run the following events. Particular event details will be posted here.

Annual Summer Workshop

Call for Abstracts open Oct 1-Dec 1, 2025. Workshop dates July 13-17, 2026.

Paper Prizes

Student Paper Prizes deadline September 30, 2025. Winners listed above.

Weekly Reading Group