Wyoming Blockchain Stampede Examines Latest in Digital Asset Laws and Regulations Sept. 19

A two-day legislative committee meeting kicks off the start of the fifth annual Wyoming Blockchain Stampede Sept. 19-23.

Sponsored by the University of Wyoming’s Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation, the Wyoming Blockchain Stampede is free and open to the public. Input Output Global Inc. (formerly IOHK) is the title sponsor. Preregistration is encouraged due to limited seating. Register by visiting www.uwyo.edu/stampede.

The Wyoming Legislature’s Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology will conduct business meetings Sept. 19-20 in Room 506 of UW’s Coe Library. Visit www.wyoleg.gov/Committees/2022/S19 for the committee’s agenda and meeting materials.

New blockchain businesses will compete for seed funds at the 307 Startup Challenge to be held Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. at the UW Conference Center. The challenge is presented by UW’s IMPACT 307 business incubator and sponsored by Blue Ocean.

Stampede speakers will discuss the latest in state and federal crypto regulation and legislation, new business opportunities, financial service innovation, the metaverse, cybersecurity challenges and protecting digital identities.

Among featured speakers Sept. 22 and 23 are Charles Hoskinson, an American entrepreneur who is a co-founder of the blockchain engineering company Input Output Global Inc.; Commissioner Hester Pierce, U.S. Security and Exchange Commission; Commissioner Peter Feldman, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; Caitlin Long, founder and CEO of Custodia Bank; Julie Hill, visiting UW and University of Alabama law professor; state Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, co-chair of the Legislature’s Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology; Tyler Lindholm, state policy director, and Chris Land, general counsel, of Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ office; and Gov. Mark Gordon. Also scheduled to speak is Cal Evans, managing associate with Gresham International, a conference sponsor.

The Wyoming Cybersecurity Conference will be Friday, Sept. 23, with the theme “It’s All About Identity.” Cyber psychologist Erik Huffman, founder of Handshake Leadership, will present research findings about why people make decisions that leave them vulnerable to identity theft. Also speaking will be Derek Booth, a special agent with Mountain West Cyber Fraud Task Force, U.S. Secret Service; Shawn Reese, executive director of Wyoming Humanities; and Daniel Conway, a biometrics researcher, professor and associate director at the University of Arkansas’ Blockchain Center of Excellence. The conference is supported by Microsoft.

Those who register for the conference will be able to use their nametags for free admission to a concert by UW alumnus and country singer Chancey Williams at 8 p.m. Sept. 23 in War Memorial Fieldhouse. Students using the Wild Bunch app also have free admission to the concert. The concert is sponsored by Tacen, of Cheyenne, and supported by the Associated Students of UW and UW Athletics.