In January 2009 an anonymous developer under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto created Bitcoin- the first ever decentralized cryptocurrency. Over the next decade, Bitcoin’s value jumped from fractions of a penny to over 65,000 USD in 2021. Investors flocked to Bitcoin as an alternative to traditional banking following the 2008 financial crash, and the ensuing crypto boom created thousands of other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, looking to join Bitcoin’s success. 

Despite its sweep into mainstream investing, cryptocurrencies have remained volatile, and today’s markets have seen Bitcoin’s prices fall over 50% since the start of 2022. The initial enthusiasm which launched Bitcoin’s popularity has turned to skepticism and distrust. Are cryptocurrencies on a downward path to obscurity? Or does their potential as a decentralized financial tool still have a mainstage role to play in the global economy? 

On July 6, 6pm (PST) // July 7, 10am (JST) the SVJP community will explore these and other questions to understand the history and present reality of cryptocurrencies at the July Benkyokai Webinar. Leading the discussion will be Steve Payne, Co-Founder and Partner at Architect Partners, a Palo Alto investment bank that specializes in areas such as enterprise software, blockchain, and tech services. The session will be moderated by Way