The future of Bitcoin (Cash)

About The future of Bitcoin (Cash)

Blockchain applications continue to make headlines as the biggest revolution since the internet. But many observers seem sceptical about what they can bring to the world, and don’t know how the blockchain really works. How does it work? What is the difference between Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash? To what extent can Bitcoin replace fiat currencies and other centralised systems? Could there be just one form of global money? What implications does this have for the way governments manage macroeconomic stability? What impact could this have on people in underdeveloped countries?

The University of Exeter addresses these issues with a discussion panel. Joining us will be Chief Scientist Dr Craig S Wright and CEO Jimmy Nguyen from the nChain Group, answering questions from our professors in the Economics and Maths Departments, John Maloney, and Gihan Marasingha. You will also be able to ask questions at the end and network in between. Anyone with an interest in this subject is welcome, from people with no knowledge at all to experts in the crypto community.

Dr. Craig Wright is an Australian computer scientist, businessman and inventor who challenges the world with visionary ideas. Currently, he is Chief Scientist for nChain – the global leader in research and development of blockchain technologies. Dr. Wright has been involved with Bitcoin since 2009, and is one of the earliest minds behind Bitcoin. His vision is a world with wide-scale adoption of both the Bitcoin cryptocurrency and the Bitcoin network as a transformative technology platform.

Before his early and extensive work with Bitcoin, Dr. Wright had over 20 years of experience in the fields of information technology and security, and is one of the most highly qualified digital forensics practitioners in the world. He has personally conducted in excess of 1,200 IT security related engagements for more than 120 Australian and international organizations in the private and government sectors. Dr. Wright has held senior executive positions with companies focused on cryptocurrency and smart contracts, digital forensics and IT security. Among his positions, he was vice –president of CSCSS (Centre for Strategic Cyberspace and Security Science  www.cscss.org with a focus on collaborating government bodies in securing cyber systems. Dr. Wright also worked on systems that protected the Australian Stock Exchange, and has trained Australian government and corporate departments in SCADA Security, Cyber Warfare and Cyber Defence. In addition to his general security work, one of Dr. Wright’s early sector focuses was the online gaming industry – where he helped design the architecture for the world’s first online casino (Lasseters Online Casino in Australia) and advised Centrebet on security and control systems.

A prolific researcher, Dr. Wright has been a lecturer and researcher in computer science at Charles Sturt University. He has also authored many articles, academic papers and books on IT, security, bitcoin and other cryptocurrency issues. Dr. Wright is now a sought-after public speaker internationally on security, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency topics, while also presenting his research findings at academic and business conferences.

Dr. Wright holds the following industry certifications, GSE CISSP, CISA, CISM, CCE, GCFA, GLEG, GREM and GSPA. He has numerous advanced academic degrees in diverse fields, including Doctoral degrees in Computer Science and Theology, a Master’s degree in Statistics, and a Master’s Degree in Law specialising in International Commercial Law.

Jimmy Nguyen is Chief Executive Officer for the nChain Group of companies. nChain is the global leader in research and development of blockchain technologies, with a focus on igniting massive growth and adoption of Bitcoin Cash. The nChain Group now includes four business units: 1) nChain Limited – a blockchain research and development service provider; 2) nChain Holdings Limited – a intellectual property holding and commercialization company; 3) nChain Reaction – an investment entity; and 4) nCrypt – a Bitcoin wallet and exchange in Canada. (nCrypt is currently known as nTrust, but will be re-branding in 2018 to reflect its move to focus on Bitcoin). Before being appointed CEO, Jimmy served as Chief Business Officer, and Chief Intellectual Property, Communications & Legal Officer.

Jimmy joined nChain after a 21-year career as an intellectual property and digital technology lawyer. He is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional/U.S. Over the course of his private practice career, he was as partner at three major U.S. law firms – most recently Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. Jimmy represented multinational corporates and emerging companies in a wide range of sectors – including technology, entertainment & media, sports, financial services, consumer products, retail, and automotive.

With a history of excelling early, Jimmy graduated college at age 19 and law school at age 22. In 2008, Lawdragon named him (at only age 36) one of the “500 Leading Lawyers in America” and described him as a “dynamo talent.” Jimmy has also been recognized by the Century City Bar Association as “Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year” (2011), and by the Association of Media & Entertainment Counsel with its Industry Leader Award (2017). A leader in the IP community, Jimmy was formerly Chair of the State Bar of California’s Intellectual Property Law section, and co-chaired the Beverly Hills Bar Association’s IP, Internet and New Media section. A strong diversity advocate, he also co-chaired the California Minority Counsel Program and was inducted into its “Diversity Leader Hall of Fame” (2015); Diversity MBA Magazine named him a “Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executive Leader” (2015).

Professor John Maloney graduated in Economics from Cambridge University and completed his PhD in Economic History (University of Nottingham) while a lecturer at the then Plymouth Polytechnic. Outside the academic sector, he has worked as a journalist in Iran and as a researcher at the Treasury. He has been at the University of Exeter since 1990, becoming an Associate Professor in 2006, and in 2009 he received a double national teaching excellence award (colleague-nominated and student-nominated categories) from the Learning and Teaching Support Network (Economics).

Dr Gihan Marasingha received his doctorate from the University of Oxford in 2005. After this, he held a teaching position at the University of Oxford and a 3-year research fellowship at the University of Bristol. He joined the University of Exeter in October 2011 and has lectured at every level, ranging from large first year calculus lectures to small and specialised lectures in algebraic number theory.

In a student support role, Gihan founded and co-ordinates the Peer Assisted Learning Scheme in Mathematics, in which senior undergraduates guide and support the learning of first year students. This successful scheme is now entering its third year.

Gihan is the Academic Lead for widening participation and outreach for the College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences. He works closely with the new  Exeter Mathematics School, helping to shape its curriculum and outreach policy.

Schedule

5:30-6pm How does it work?

Organisers Sebastian Ploetzeneder & Jack Rogers provide basic introduction assuming no prior knowledge of bitcoin/blockchain technology.

6-6:30pm Refreshments, chance to network.

6:30-6:45pm What is the difference between Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash?

Jimmy Nguyen explains

6:45-7pm The power of Bitcoin Cash

Craig Wright talks about potential uses of Bitcoin Cash.

7pm -8pm Panel Discussion