EDUCATION & RESEARCH FOR PROOF-OF-WORK & BITCOIN
Satoshi Action Education is a global non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to researching Bitcoin & the Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism. Our academic and scholarly works are intended provide credible, evidence-backed research so the public understands the truth about the positive impacts of Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining for our economy, environment, grid, and society as a whole.
STAFF
Dr. Murray Rudd
Science Advisor
Dr. Murray Rudd is an environmental economics and policy researcher by training. He has BSc and MSc degrees in agricultural economics from the University of British Columbia and a PhD in Environmental Sciences (economics / rural policy) from Wageningen University (Netherlands). Prior to his move to academia in 2006, Murray was a Senior Economist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Once in academia, he held appointments as: Assistant Professor / Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Ecological Economics at Memorial University (Canada), Senior Lecturer in the Environment Department, University of York (UK), Associate Professor in Environmental Sciences, Emory University (USA), and Professor / Nippon Foundation Chair in Sustainable Marine Management and Ocean Governance at the UN’s World Maritime University, Malmö, Sweden (ORCID). Since leaving academia in 2019, much of Murray’s consulting work and independent research has focused on assessing emerging environmental science research priorities for and on the environmental science-policy interface. He recently published his first article on Bitcoin (“100 Important Questions about Bitcoin’s Energy Use and ESG Impacts”) in the journal Challenges. Murray is author or co-author on >65 articles in academic journals and has held editorial positions with the international journals Conservation Biology and Environmental Management. His research has been cited >5000 times (Google Scholar). Murray is a Science Advisor for Satoshi Action Education, providing input on economics and environmental science as it relates to policy-relevant Bitcoin production and adoption issues. He currently is editor for a Challenges Special Issue, “The Bitcoin challenge: building the evidence base to support credible environmental, economic, and social decision-making.” Links: ORCID - https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9533-5070] Google Scholar - https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=84qbofEAAAAJ] Challenges 100 questions - https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/14/1/1] Challenges Special Issue - https://www.mdpi.com/journal/challenges/special_issues]
Dennis Porter
President & Founder
Dennis brings years of political experience from within and outside the Bitcoin space. He has a long list of notable grass roots victories under his belt. He is well known for being one of the first in the Bitcoin space to popularize political engagement. He co-launched Satoshi Action Fund, his first political organization, in June of 2022. All 4 of SAF's model policies have been introduced across the country with two states thus far (Montana & Arkansas) passing Satoshi Action's 'Right to Mine' bill into law. Dennis has briefed staffers in DC on the benefits of Bitcoin mining and he has also testified before several state committees across the USA. Dennis has also been asked to testify before multiple state commissions on the benefits of Bitcoin mining. He was recently cited as a leading contributor in a government report which concluded the entire state should integrate Bitcoin mining into its energy systems. Dennis recently went on to launch his 2nd political organization, Satoshi Action Education. SAE is tasked with building an evidence based argument through research and academic works to support the claims surrounding Bitcoin mining as a tool for balancing the grid and cleaning up the environment. Since launching, SAE has played a part in multiple pieces of research making its way through the academic process.
Eric Peterson
Policy Director
Eric Peterson is the Policy Director of Satoshi Action Education. Prior to this role, Eric worked at a variety of non-profits including Americans for Prosperity, the Institute for Free Speech, and the Pelican Institute. He is a strong proponent for innovation improving the lives of individuals. He currently lives in New Orleans. Eric is also the policy director SAE's sister organization, Satoshi Action Fund.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joe is a seasoned entrepreneur who founded Cryptech Solutions, now the largest ASIC reseller in North America, in 2016. In the last six years, Cryptech has expanded to offer power, hosting, and consulting services for Bitcoin mining projects all over the world. Joe also created and continues to manage some of the largest Bitcoin mining communities on Telegram. In 2021, he co-founded DELV Innovation, a company dedicated to elevating safety and quality standards for crypto mining infrastructure. DELV offers the first fully UL-Listed Bitcoin mining infrastructure in the world, as well as custom switchgear and other electrical equipment.
Joe Stefanelli
Matthew Carson
Matthew graduated from Missouri S&T, Matthew wasted no time and immersed himself into the world of high performance computing (HPC) and Digital assets. With over 10 years of knowledge, he has an extensive experience in facilities management, from initial planning to ongoing operations. Previously, Matthew was the managing director of Northern Data Asia, a division of a publicly traded company and is now advisor to multiple companies in the high performance computing business.
Justin Ballard
Justin is an experienced energy attorney representing corporations, landowners, and individuals in complex transactional matters. Justin’s practice focuses on complex cryptocurrency and bitcoin mining issues as well as representing oil and gas clients in all phases of the industry. As a CEO, General Counsel, and Board Member, Justin has completed over $160 million in M&A transactions and scaled businesses to successful exits. Justin has a deep experience in the bitcoin mining industry having served as the co-founder and CEO of JAI Energy prior to joining Martin Legal Group. While at JAI Energy, Justin combined his experience in the oil and gas industry and his passion for bitcoin mining to form one of the largest bitcoin mining operations in the state of Wyoming and closed on one of the largest single-site transactions in terms of megawatts in the space. Prior to his work at JAI Energy, Justin spent more than a decade as general counsel and landman for multiple oil and gas operators. He served as Chief Legal Officer and Vice President of Land at Century Oil and Gas, LLC, a private equity-backed, Powder River Basin-focused operator out of Houston, Texas. While at Century, Justin successfully negotiated and closed on multiple acquisitions valued at over $16 million and was also responsible for handling all legal and land-related matters. Justin also previously served as General Counsel and Vice President of Acquisitions and Divestitures at Sponte Resources. He also spent time at Indigo Minerals and Anadarko Petroleum Corporation where he gained valuable experience in everything from midstream and gathering contracts to complex acquisitions and divestitures. Justin and his children are proud citizens of the Cherokee Nation and when not at work, he enjoys spending his free time outdoors, fishing and traveling with his kids.
David has co-founded several trading- and investment-focused ventures, including Crescent City Capital and Acacia Digital Holdings. David has extensive experience in trading, finance, and business management. As a trader, he’s worked at Eagle Seven; at Gelber Group; and at Tower Hill Trading. Additionally, for nearly 20 years, he’s managed and grown a portfolio of mixed-use real estate investment companies, focused in the Central and Southern U.S. In the Bitcoin mining space, David co-founded Evolve Energy Partners which builds and manages institutional Bitcoin mining operations in Texas, Mississippi and New York. David holds a Bachelor’s in Chemistry from Millsaps College.artner for Cresent City Capitol. Founded in 2018, Crescent City Capital is a multi-strategy cryptocurrency hedge fund. Crescent City Capital brings a competitive three-year track record, and blends technical and fundamental approaches to blockchain investment.
David Chase