Bitcoin Policy Institute

Yaël Ossowski is a consumer and technology advocate, policy analyst, and writer. He is deputy director at the Consumer Choice Center and a Fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. In this webinar we discuss privacy, financial surveillance, debanking, the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, and other recent policy developments. Visit our website: https://www.btcpolicy.org/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://nlszrh07ehz.typeform.com/to/Vf0JGPmA?typeform-source=www.btcpolicy.org

Zack Shapiro is Head of Policy at the Bitcoin Policy Institute and the Managing Partner at his law firm, Rains. Zack joins us today to discuss a final regulation implementation by the IRS which would redefine the category of "brokers" to include non-custodial platforms. This rule subjects developers of these platforms to stringent reporting requirements which would undermine the peer-to-peer nature of their tools. We break down what the rule is and what impacts it would have, if it goes unchallenged. Connect with BPI: Visit our website: https://www.btcpolicy.org/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://nlszrh07ehz.typeform.com/to/Vf0JGPmA?typeform-source=www.btcpolicy.org

Jack Mallers is the founder and CEO of Strike, a digital payment platform leveraging Bitcoin and the Lightning Network. BPI co-founder David Zell joined Jack Mallers to explore the overlooked nuances of Bitcoin, the regulatory hurdles faced by Bitcoin businesses, why America should embrace this transformative technology, and Jack’s vision for the future of the Bitcoin ecosystem. Connect with BPI: Read our latest report on the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: https://www.btcpolicy.org/articles/digital-gold-evaluating-a-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-for-the-united-states Visit our website: https://www.btcpolicy.org/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://nlszrh07ehz.typeform.com/to/Vf0JGPmA?typeform-source=www.btcpolicy.org

Join the Bitcoin Policy Institute's Head of Policy Zack Shapiro, Senior Vice President of Operations Stephen Pollock, and intern Zack Cohen for a year-end review of 2024. In this episode we discuss the major events of this past year including the proposals for a strategic bitcoin reserve, the approval of spot bitcoin ETFS, and the ongoing battle against self-custody in the courts. Connect with BPI and our fellows: ⁠BPI Website⁠ ⁠BPI X (formerly Twitter)⁠ Zack Shapiro Stephen Pollock Zack Cohen

Last week, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that OFAC overstepped its jurisdiction by sanctioning the Tornado Cash smart contract. Many have celebrated the victory, but what does the ruling actually mean for the future of peer-to-peer rights? Peer-to-Peer Rights Fund Executive Director Zack Shapiro breaks it down.

In the latest installment of the Bitcoin Policy Institute's webinar series, we sat down with three BPI fellows: Matthew Pines, Matthew Ferranti and Josh Hendrickson. During the conversation, we cover the many reasons the US might consider adding Bitcoin to its strategic reserves, how they might go about doing so, and what objections have surfaced to the proposal. Read the full report here. Connect with BPI and our fellows: ⁠BPI Website⁠ ⁠BPI X (formerly Twitter)⁠ Matthew Pines Matthew Ferranti Josh Hendrickson

In the latest installment of the Bitcoin Policy Institute's webinar series, we sat down with BPI's legal fellow Zack Shapiro. During the conversation, we cover Bitcoin's self-custodial regulatory landscape, the legal cases brought against Tornado Cash and Samourai Wallet, and what is at stake in this battle for self-custody in the United States. Connect with BPI and our fellows: ⁠BPI Website⁠ ⁠BPI X (formerly Twitter)⁠ Zack Shapiro

In the second episode of the Bitcoin Policy Institute's webinar series, we sat down with Andrew Bailey, Bradley Rettler and Craig Warmke who are the authors of Resistance Money: A Philosophical Case for Bitcoin. During the conversation, we touch on their connections to BPI, the process of writing the first comprehensive academically-written Bitcoin book, and what they hope to see from policymakers. Connect with BPI and our fellows: ⁠BPI Website⁠ ⁠BPI X (formerly Twitter)⁠ Andrew Bailey Bradley Rettler Craig Warmke

Margot Paez, an expert in Bitcoin mining policy, and Troy Cross, a seasoned researcher in the field, join the discussion on Bitcoin mining's environmental implications. They dive into the challenges of collecting reliable data and the need for transparent conversations around energy use. Through engaging metaphors, they compare Bitcoin mining to traditional sectors, highlighting its potential to efficiently utilize low-cost energy and reduce carbon emissions. Their insights advocate for a balanced policy approach that recognizes Bitcoin's unique role in energy management.