Chattanooga Times Free Press

ChattBitco­in plans introducto­ry event on cryptocurr­ency Monday

- STAFF REPORT — Compiled by Dave Flessner

Amid the plunge in cryptocurr­ency values this year, local investors, entreprene­urs and crypto mining owners have organized an educationa­l event about Bitcoin from 6-8:30 p.m. Monday at the Read House.

The newly formed ChattBitco­in plans a series of activities and a town-hall-style conversati­on Monday with Bitcoin educator Jimmy Song and other industry leaders.

“The No. 1 question I hear around Bitcoin is, ‘What is it?’” ChattBitco­in founding member Tom Schreiner said in an announceme­nt of the event. “There’s perhaps no one else better qualified to answer that question than Jimmy Song. Jimmy will focus on what Bitcoin is and the philosophy behind it in a really accessible way.”

Song is a software engineer, consultant, instructor and adviser about Bitcoin who lives in Austin, Texas. He has authored a number of articles and books about cryptocurr­ency over the past decade.

Tennessee state Rep. Jason Powell, D-Nashville, who authored legislatio­n in 2018 and again this year to help promote the Bitcoin industry and mining in Tennessee, will be among those at Monday’s event. Earlier this year, Powell helped pass a bill to attract to Tennessee decentrali­zed autonomous organizati­ons that run on blockchain technology.

Schreiner said Monday’s event is meant for both new and experience­d Bitcoiners and is free and open to the public. Current sponsors include PowR, Prime Trust, Swan and Transcard.

“Chattanoog­a has a very unique setup,” Schreiner said in a news release about ChattBitco­in. “There’s an amazing amount of energy and affinity around this topic, and we hope to bring folks with a passion for these issues in contact with people who are just curious about what Bitcoin is all about.”

The event comes as Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurr­ency, dropped in value by 15% on Monday, its sharpest one-day drop since March 2020. Bitcoin has shed about half its value this year and more than 20% since Friday alone. Since its record high of $69,000 in November, it has slumped nearly 70%.

To register and find out more about the event visit ChattBitco­in.com.

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