the decentralized politics of bitcoin
DESCRIPTION
Since Bitcoin break through into the mainstream mindspace, regulators and policy makers have taken notice and are making moves to regulate and influence Bitcoin. Similarly, grassroots activist movements all around the world have rallied to the cause and are acting as "a voice for Bitcoin". Ron will discuss the dynamics of how these various group emerge and inter-operate.TRANSCRIPT
The Blockchain Has no Politics
• Based on math
• Open Source
• No single entity controlling it
But…
• Mining pools
• Bitcoin developers
• Altcoins
• Regulators
What Regulators Want
• The status Quo
• Prevent abuse– Money laundering– Consumer protection
• To be relevant
Can You Regulate Bitcoin?
• Cannot regulate the protocol
• Can regulate the endpoints– Wallets– Exchanges– Retailers– Users
• Two certain things – Death & Taxes
Pro-Bitcoin Regulation
Difficult Regulation
We need Bitcoin orgs
• Regulators like dealing with single POC
• Gather information, coordinate, and engage regulators local businesses, and users
• Unofficial – we represent those who want us to represent them.
• Founded Sept 2012 by Gavin Andresen, Charlie Schrem, Mark Karpeles, Peter Vessenes, Roger Ver, and Patrick Murck
• Mission:To standardize, protect and promote the use of Bitcoin cryptographic money for the benefit of users worldwide.
• Engages Gavin as Chief Scientist + a few core developers
• Initial U.S focus
• Running a Chapter/Affiliate Program
• A network of local grassroots movements
• Mission:to promote the growth of Bitcoin communities worldwide by sharing knowledge and resources and by connecting local, regional, and regional organisations.
• Founded organically, bottom-up
• Members from 15 countries
• Open to join: no contracts / member fees
• Monthly meetings on skype
• A not-for-profit group focused on increasing adoption of Bitcoin and related technologies through education and engagement with citizens, media and regulators.
• Mission:– to improve understanding of Bitcoin and related
technologies with regulators, charities, businesses, media and citizens globally.
• Formed as a hodgepodge of "Bitcoin Clubs" at Stanford, MIT, and the University of Michigan in early 2014
• Mission:to form a robust network of student groups and academics for blockchain education, innovation, and advocacy.
• Founded mid last 2013
• Mission:To ensure that Israeli residents can reap the benefits of the new Bitcoin technology, including other crypto-currencies.
• Upcoming elections December 2014
Israeli Bitcoin Association
The future is decentralized!
References
• bitlegal.io• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_Bitcoin_by_country• bitcoinfoundation.org• global-bitcoin-alliance.org• collegecrypto.org• bitcoinassociation.org• iba.bitcoin.org.il