Underlying the commercial possibilities of Bitcoin are both a fascinating, innovative and complex technical architecture and an intricate balance of market forces, social norms, and group consensus. Bitcoin has grown considerably from its original specification and it’s often unclear the extent to which Bitcoin’s rules are technical vs social in nature. This conference will bring together experts in both areas to elucidate the underpinnings of Bitcoin and examine key questions about its future. How should we best foster exploration of the design space of Bitcoin-like cryptocurrencies (“altcoins”)? What are the implications of research on markets, economic stability, currencies, and human behavior for the technical system, and vice versa? What would Bitcoin developers and researchers like from each other, and how can we facilitate more collaboration between the two groups?
Video Recordings:
Tutorial on Bitcoin technologies – Joseph Bonneau
Panel 1: Economics and policy
Keynote: Gavin Andresen
Panel 2: Altcoins: designing novel cryptocurrencies
Panel 3: Building collaborations between developers and researchers
9:00-9:45: Welcome and coffee
9:45-10:45: Tutorial on Bitcoin technologies:
Joseph Bonneau, CITP, Princeton University
[slides]
11:00-12:30: Panel 1: Economics and policy
Moderator: Ed Felten, Princeton University
12:30-1:30: Lunch, Keynote and Q&A:
Gavin Andresen, Lead developer, Bitcoin Project, and Chief Scientist, Bitcoin Foundation
1:30-3:00: Panel 2: Altcoins: designing novel cryptocurrencies
Moderator: Arvind Narayanan, Princeton University
3:00-3:30: Break
3:30-5:00: Panel 3: Building collaborations between developers and researchers
Moderator: Jeremy Clark, Concordia University
Reception
Directions/Parking/Train
Driving directions to Princeton and campus maps are available on the Princeton Visitor Site.
Please see the Visitor Parking website for information regarding parking in the appropriate visitor lots on campus. You will probably want to park in Lot 21. There is also metered parking along William, Olden, and Prospect.
When coming by train from NYC, take the NJTransit northeast corridor line from New York Penn station to Princeton. When coming by train from Philadelphia, take the SEPTA train from Philadelphia to Trenton. Then take NJTransit northeast corridor line from Trenton Station to Princeton. In either case, you must change trains at Princeton Junction and take a smaller train called the “dinky” to Princeton, or take a cab to campus. When headed home, trains leave from the Princeton station roughly every half hour. Assume about two hours to go from Princeton Station to Philadelphia, New York Penn Station, or to get to your terminal at Newark Airport. If you are going to Newark Airport on NJTransit, be sure to buy the “Newark International Airport (EWR)” ticket rather than the “Newark” ticket — you will use this ticket to ride the airport shuttle train called the “Airtrain” to your terminal.
The Friend Center is within walking distance from the Princeton train station and from most parking lots. If you wish to take a shuttle instead of walking, refer to the shuttle tracking map for details of which shuttle to take. Your stop is Friend Center.
Recommended Lodging
The Nassau Inn, Ten Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ 08542 – Phone: 609.921.7500. The Nassau Inn is within walking distance to campus. Walking directions and map to conference from the Nassau Inn.
The Residence Inn Princeton at Carnegie Center, 3563 US Route 1, Princeton, NJ 08540 – Phone: 609.720.0200.
The Hyatt Place Princeton, 3565 US Highway 1, Princeton, NJ 08540 – Phone: 609.799.0550.
Ask for the Princeton rate. You may want to confirm with the hotel that they currently have shuttle service to campus.