Unchained and University of Austin Introduce Pioneering Bitcoin Endowment

In a groundbreaking partnership, bitcoin native financial services company Unchained and the University of Austin are launching the first long-term endowment fund held in bitcoin. This innovative collaboration aims to raise $5 million, which will remain invested in bitcoin for at least five years. This initiative marks a significant step in integrating bitcoin into higher education, reflecting a mutual commitment to forward-thinking financial strategies.

Joseph Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Unchained, has kickstarted the initiative with a personal donation of 2 bitcoin ($138,000). Kelly’s involvement underscores his belief in the transformative potential of both bitcoin and the University of Austin. By incorporating bitcoin into its endowment, UATX is setting a precedent for other academic institutions to explore alternative and potentially more resilient financial models.

A Visionary Partnership

This endowment is more than just a financial investment; it’s a statement of shared values and a commitment to innovative thinking. UATX's willingness to embrace unorthodox ideas demonstrates its forward-thinking approach to education and finance. This partnership aims to foster stronger ties between the university and the bitcoin community through various potential initiatives, including joint marketing campaigns, events, guest lectures, and debates.

Unchained will donate a collaborative custody vault to store the endowment, ensuring its security. The firm’s robust custody model is expected to safeguard the bitcoin holdings, providing UATX with a reliable and secure investment vehicle. This collaboration is poised to bring significant benefits to both communities, leveraging the strengths of Unchained’s financial expertise and UATX’s innovative educational framework.

Building a Community

Unchained and UATX will create a symbiotic relationship that benefits both their communities and the broader industry. We hope that this partnership will integrate bitcoin into the broader academic sphere, showcasing its potential as a financial tool that challenges traditional notions about inflationary money supply and other industry orthodoxies.

The collaboration may involve extensive community engagement, with potential efforts including joint marketing campaigns, public events, guest lectures, and hosted debates. These activities could not only promote the endowment fund but also educate the public about the benefits of bitcoin and its potential to revolutionize both finance and education.

Mission Alignment

This initiative reflects the core missions of both Unchained and UATX, emphasizing sound money principles, resistance to censorship, and challenging the status quo. By democratizing access to both financial tools and knowledge, this partnership aims to provide students with the resources they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

UATX’s innovative curriculum combines the rich inheritances of the past with the most compelling ideas of the present. By integrating bitcoin into its financial strategy, UATX is taking a proactive stance towards the future of finance. This partnership embodies a commitment to providing students with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate and shape the future of technology and finance.

The communities around both bitcoin and UATX are made up of builders who don’t merely critique the existing system but rather seek to create an alternative.

This partnership encourages students to question the status quo and explore new frontiers. With this fund, Unchained and UATX are creating opportunities for students to engage with cutting-edge technologies and ideas. This initiative aims to break free from traditional educational and financial paradigms, encouraging a culture of curiosity and innovation.

Fundraising and Community Engagement

A series of high-profile events and activities are being planned to foster community involvement and raise awareness. These include hosting events in the bitcoin commons in downtown Austin and other locations nationwide to encourage open discussions and generate interest among potential donors. Through these gatherings, Unchained hopes to build a strong community of supporters who are passionate about bitcoin education and eager to contribute to its advancement.

To provide visibility and credibility, Unchained intends to feature prominent UATX speakers as well as scholars associated with Unchained. These discussions aim to inspire and inform potential donors about the transformative impact of the Bitcoin Education Fund and the importance of supporting this innovative educational endeavor. Furthermore, Unchained plans to expose UATX faculty and their research to key industry audiences, such as those attending the Bitcoin conference in Nashville. This exposure could help bridge the gap between academia and the bitcoin community, fostering collaboration and mutual understanding.

The engagement strategy includes not only direct fundraising efforts but also the integration of research findings and educational initiatives into the broader bitcoin community. By organizing seminars, workshops, and conferences, Unchained and UATX aim to create platforms for dialogue and collaboration, promoting a deeper understanding of bitcoin's potential and its impact on society. This approach seeks to inspire a generation of scholars and entrepreneurs who are equipped to navigate and shape the future of finance and technology.

Get Involved

For more information or to learn about donating bitcoin to the endowment, please contact UATX Major Gift Officer Anthony Rosario at arosario@uaustin.org or (630) 823-6268.