Fundamentals of Bitcoin

​Join us at the Washington & Jefferson College business incubator, Ignite, for Fundamentals of Bitcoin.

​Three speakers will bring practical, policy, and institutional perspectives: Jon DiGiacomo will walk through real-world Bitcoin mining operations and what it takes to run them; Brian Hirschfield, author of Bitcoin for Institutions, will explain how institutions approach custody, compliance, and adoption; and Shekinah Apedo, founder of the West Virginia Blockchain Foundation, will outline Pennsylvania’s crypto policy landscape and the current federal bills — including the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act — plus how you can get involved with civic efforts through Stand With Crypto.

​You’ll leave with clearer answers about mining economics, institutional use cases, and the regulatory forces shaping the market. The session is concise and focused, with time for questions so you can take away practical next steps whether you’re exploring Bitcoin professionally, academically, or as an informed citizen.