Cryptocurrency, blockchains, and 12-year-old CEOs are all apart of this weekend’s first annual Wyoming Hackathon hosted in the War Memorial Fieldhouse. This event focuses mainly on cryptocurrency and blockchain development ideas.
Earlier this year Wyoming legislature passed several bills making Wyoming a leader in the world of blockchains and cryptocurrencies. Virtual currencies, utility tokens and blockchains similar to stocks are all now legal in Wyoming. These changes have made it easier for businesses to maintain records via blockchain technologies. New tax law was also unanimously passed exempting cryptocurrencies from Wyoming state taxes.
With all these new developments it’s no surprise an event like the Wyoming Hackathon is happening. The event is open to all students and people with a head for business to the event. Over 300 developers will be at the event to collaborate with participants in challenges that will be happening all weekend.
Keynote speakers at the event include Joseph Lubin, a co-founder of the platform Ethereum that people can use to set up their own cryptocurrencies and operate businesses on blockchains. George Weiksner, the 12-year-old CEO of Pocketful of Quarters will also be speaking. Kaitlin Long, Mark Gordon and other founders and developers of blockchain technologies will be speakers at the event as well.
Prizes for projects and ideas submitted during the event are drawing participants. Awards in cash and emerging cryptocurrencies will be awarded to teams completing challenges such as building apps for ticketing systems, creating digital wallets and ranking systems. Some challenges will be announced the weekend of the Hackathon. A total of over $50,000 will be awarded to teams for completing various challenges issued by sponsors and for overall winners of the event.
Workshops are also available to those attending to learn more about blockchain technologies. Sponsor will also have demonstrations as well as opportunities to learn more about the new legislation and what is true and a myth regarding cryptocurrencies.
Sponsors of the event include IBM, Bitcoin, Microsoft, Green House Data, the UW College of Engineering and Applied sciences and many others.
Registration to enter the event and complete challenges is still open and tickets to the event are available to purchase on the Wyoming Hackathon website. The public is invited to attend the keynote speeches. For more information about this event, visit wyohackathon.io/
