The University of Austin (UATX) Collaborates with the Texas Bitcoin Foundation, Bitcoin Policy Institute, Unchained, and Strive to Conduct the Satoshi Papers Symposium
Press Announcement
The University of Austin (UATX) has joined forces with the Texas Bitcoin Foundation (TBF), Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI), Unchained, and Strive Asset Management to organize the Satoshi Papers Symposium, an academic gathering commemorating the publication of the TBF’s initial book, The Satoshi Papers: Reflections on Political Economy after Bitcoin.
The Satoshi Papers, released by BPI and overseen by TBF executive director and BPI fellow Natalie Smolenski, draws on the 18th-century American discourse between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists concerning the government’s role in safeguarding the freedoms of individuals and communities. The volume includes an open discussion among academics regarding the connection between money and state in a post-Bitcoin era.
“The Satoshi Papers gathers economists, historians, anthropologists, and various other social scientists to collectively reflect on how a decentralized digital framework can motivate the reformation of current political and economic systems,” stated Natalie Smolenski, founder and executive director of the Texas Bitcoin Foundation.
The Bitcoin Policy Institute, a policy think tank located in Washington, DC, debuts its book publishing division with The Satoshi Papers.
“Establishing a publishing division is a natural evolution for BPI as we strive to expand the intellectual foundations of Bitcoin policy. And The Satoshi Papers is an ideal first publication—it embodies the rigorous academic discussion required to connect Bitcoin innovation and policy advancement,” expressed Grant McCarty, co-founder of BPI.
The Satoshi Papers Symposium will take place at the UATX campus on April 16, 2025, highlighting presentations by authors of The Satoshi Papers who are also BPI fellows, including Avik Roy, Josh Hendrickson, Craig Warmke, and Natalie Smolenski. Faculty from the University of Austin will analyze the arguments presented by the authors in the volume.
“At the University of Austin, we are devoted to the fearless quest for truth and vigorous debate surrounding the concepts influencing our world,” remarked Chad Thevenot, SVP of Advancements and Communication at the University of Austin. “The Satoshi Papers Symposium exemplifies this commitment by uniting scholars and students to investigate the economic and political ramifications of Bitcoin. We’re thrilled that UATX will serve as a gathering place for this essential dialogue.”
The Symposium notably promotes student engagement. Owing to a generous contribution from Strive Asset Management, a financial services firm co-founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, all students in UATX’s inaugural class will receive copies of The Satoshi Papers and invitations to participate in the discussions during the Symposium.
Matt Cole, CEO of Strive, stated, “Strive advocates that Bitcoin should be a fundamental allocation in the portfolios of ordinary Americans. Given the unavoidable fluctuations characterizing the early phase of a rapidly monetizing new asset, thorough education is crucial for investors to establish and sustain confidence in that allocation. The Satoshi Papers is an essential addition to Bitcoin education, and we’re privileged to partner in organizing the Symposium.”
The Symposium enjoys generous support from Unchained, a financial services company based in Austin that specializes in Bitcoin.
Joe Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Unchained and director of the Texas Bitcoin Foundation, remarked, “Bitcoin redefines the connection between money and government, and education is fundamental to this transition. The Satoshi Papers urges us to critically evaluate financial sovereignty—something we actualize at Unchained by ensuring individuals control their own Bitcoin. We are honored to support this symposium and the broader initiative to secure financial freedom for future generations.”
Unchained will host a public reception, book sale, and signing of The Satoshi Papers at the Bitcoin Commons on the evening of April 16th.
About the University of Austin
The University of Austin (UATX) is a newly established private, nonprofit, and nonsectarian university located in Austin, Texas, committed to the fearless pursuit of truth. Its forward-thinking undergraduate curriculum merges the rich legacies of the past with the most compelling concepts and initiatives of the present. Every student will embark on a four-year Polaris Project to create, build, or discover something that benefits humanity. The University of Austin’s first freshman cohort embarked on their journey in the fall of 2024. Discover more at uaustin.org.
About the Texas Bitcoin Foundation
The Texas Bitcoin Foundation (TBF) is a public charity focused on research and education regarding Bitcoin and political economy. Established in 2021 by Natalie Smolenski, the Foundation unites scholars from various disciplines worldwide to investigate the social and political effects of distributed digital technologies. Learn more at txbitcoinfoundation.org.
About Bitcoin Policy Institute
The Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank situated in Washington, DC. Its mission is to enlighten policymakers and the public about Bitcoin and disruptive digital innovations, providing research-based insights to guide sound policy in the United States. Learn more at btcpolicy.org.
About Unchained
Unchained is a highly regarded name in premium Bitcoin financial services, securing over 100,000 BTC through a collaborative custody approach that merges institutional-grade security with personalized service for high-net-worth individuals, families, and enterprises. Learn more at unchained.com.
About Strive
Founded in 2022 by Vivek Ramaswamy, Strive is a financial services firm with a vision to enhance client value through unapologetic capitalism. The firm has rapidly expanded to manage $1.7 billion in assets since launching its first fund in August 2022, directly competing with the largest financial institutions by empowering Americans to invest with a concentrated focus on maximizing shareholder value. Strive has recently initiated a wealth management division to provide true financial freedom, integrating Bitcoin into the portfolios of everyday Americans. Learn more at strive.com.
