Bitcoin and Milwaukee
Why Bitcoin?
Bitcoin represents a paradigm shift in both technology and finance and could be as transformational to society as the internet. An immense amount of financial and human capital is on the move competeing to build the future. Milwaukee has an opporunity to be a hub for that talent, innovation, and growth.
Bitcoin is a new form of money that is fundamentally fair, open, and permisionless. Bitcoin is also programmable and so it is being leveraged to re-engineeer the internet itself. Simply put it's a new frontier. Like the early days of the internet, Bitcoin is attracting some of the best, brightest and most ambitious people. But there is no Silicon Valley for Bitcoin... yet.
Why Milwaukee?
Why not? The opportunity is ours for the taking. Milwaukee is large enough to have an existing tech scene, established financial services businesses, and cultural amendenties to attract world class talent. Yet Milwaukee is also small enough that a concerted and coordinated effort is possible to create a supportive local ecosystem for Bitcoin experimentation, adoption, and entrepeneurship. We also enjoy affordable living, existing and under-utilized infrstructure for the Bitcoin mining industry, as well as favorable weather for cooling mining machines.
Why now?
Bitcoin is now large enough that a groundswell of entrepenuers, technologists, and venture capitalists are making long term committments to leverage Bitcoin's potential by building apps and services ontop of it. Bitcoin is also small enough that there is still first mover advnatages to be had. If Milwaukee moves decisevely, we can claim a leadership role in this emerging industry and plant the seeds of a flourishing economy for the next generation.
What's happening?
In an attempt to catalyze the local Bitcoin scene, we are hosting bi-weekly meetups and hackathons to disucss network and build. You can find the details here.
We are actively seeking partnerhsips with other forward looking leaders in the city.
What's next?
There's lots Milwaukee can do such as: Host and sponsor Bitcoin meetups at corporations schools and public institutions around the city; Open an education/maker space in the city; Embrace Bitcoin mining and its ancillary manufacturing industry.
To attract builders and entrepenuers from around the world Milwaukee can provide a test bed for Bitcoin applications by running public Bitcoin nodes and opening up access through apps build on the Lightning Network. A node is a small computer that runs the Bitcoin software and the Lightning Network allows for nearly free and nearly instant transfer of Bitcoin. The Lightning Network also provides a platform for building software applications tied to Bitcoin.
How can I help?
Get in touch! This inititive was kicked off by a group of technologists, finance professionalls and free thinkers and is spearheaded by a local Bitcoin startup HashGuild.io. We are looking for partners, builders, educators and community leaders to help Milwaukee spread its wings.
