š£ Calling all students! Attend
ā26 for FREE through the
' Student Pass:
šApply here: 2026.b.tc/earn-your-pass
Special thank you to team for offering this pass 3 years in a row!
Ella Hough
Gen Z marks the end of the alphabet & the āæeginning of the future. | Bitcoin at @Strategy | @GenBitcoiners |@BTCStudents | @CornellBitcoin | @CornellTPI | Nostr since: 799,194
Ironically, for a thesis about language and communication, a thesis is inherently a bit of a monologue.
After hearing my conversation with
&
on What Bitcoin Did,
reached out to read it, which meant an incredible amount on its own. Then he went a step further and wrote a deeply thoughtful article in response.
Thank you for the gift of turning my monologue into a dialogue, !
2/20/2026, 12 engagements
11/21/2025, 2 engagements
with a spot on message to Gen Z: āBitcoin is a philosophy of rational optimismā¦You do have a futureā¦.You need to plan accordingly as if you have a future. And, you need to do that in a rationally optimistic way.ā
H/t
29:00-30:20: https://fountain.fm/episode/PzLSPgOaACeD1u67fP7I?t=1733
11/1/2025, 8 engagements
š£ Calling all students - Mark your calendars for November 21st!
Wtih Bitcoin Culture Hub, The @BTCStudents Network is hosting a virtual summit designed especially for students ready to lead, build, and ask better questions about the world weāre shaping together.
šļø The summit is free, but please register here! https://www.bitcoinstudentsummit.com/
Loading quoted postā¦
10/29/2025, 7 engagements
š Across 25,880 respondents worldwide, the average trust in bitcoin was 4.67/10. Notably, 45% think bitcoin has equal risk compared to stocks.
More insights in Week 7 below š
Loading quoted postā¦
9/5/2025, 1 engagement
I believe that we can be The Sovereign Generation. If, In Yourself You Trust.
My @TEDx talk is out!
š¬
H/t @macromule & @Croesus_BTC for charts,
,
,
for feedback, and the whole TEDxCornell team, especially Bridget Santos, Ana Loter, Laila Rahbari, Gio Park, Lucy Langhart, & Avery Chen
8/23/2025, 18 engagements
Week 6 of data is live! For the past 7 weeks, we've been sharing insights from our 25-country study on financial freedom. This week, we dive into stablecoins.
In case you missed a week, you can find all the blogs and download every chart here: https://www.cornellbitcoinclub.org/repository
Loading quoted postā¦
Honored to join @sekreps on a piece for @TheNatInterestās Techland!
This article is a synthesis of the past 6 weeks of data releases from @CornellTPIās Bitcoin Research Project (via
), funded by
& The Reynolds Foundation.
H/t @Renee_C_S & Emily Day for your support.
I've been wanting to try out following.space and just made a Gen Z pack!
8/20/2025, 1 engagement
What you might think are the biggest barriers to bitcoin adoption often arenātā¦
For those who have never owned bitcoin, leading by 10%, 37% just never became interested.
For those who have owned bitcoin, leading by 19%, 42% sold to make a profit.
š
Loading quoted postā¦
From currency deprecation to curiosity, why are people across 25 countries choosing bitcoin?
Find out in Week 4! š
H/t Paul Caruso ā26
Loading quoted postā¦
On 10/31/22, I submitted my first proposal to study Bitcoin in college. 31 months later, "Bitcoin" is on my transcript.
Yesterday on What Bitcoin Did,
graciously invited me to share how that journey unfolded.
Over the years, many have asked: "What does it mean to study bitcoin?" "What classes will you take?" "Who will teach you?"
Below was my path for those curious about what studying Bitcoin can look like in college.
My thesis was titled: "Bitcoin: The Language for Discovering, Speaking, Settling, and Preserving Truth."
Immeasurable thanks to my committee: Professors Kaushik Basu, Troy Cross, and Sarah Kreps.
The full process and most of my papers are archived here: š https://github.com/21mmforthe21st/Cornell-Bitcoin-Archive (Thesis to comeā¦might turn it into a book!)
Mine was just one approach, and I hope this helps open the door a little wider for others to find their own!
8/6/2025, 7 engagements
Starting in September, Iāll be joining Strategy to focus on Bitcoin advocacy!Ā
Thank you to
for your bold vision, Phong Le and Andrew Kang for your leadership, and Shirish Jajodia, whom Iām especially thankful to work under and learn from every day.
Iām also so appreciative of
, Joty, Jeremy, Jenny, and Bonnie. Your support and kindness have meant the world.
Writing this note from Ithaca as I pack up, the message of Cavafyās poem āIthakaā is in my head. āIthakaā is less about a place and more about the process of finding your place and your purpose. Thank you to everyone whoās nudged, mentored, challenged, and cheered me on; Youāve helped me find mine.
Most excited for the journeys that lie ahead!Ā
The morality of human progress and the morality of money go hand in hand, and I couldnāt be more grateful to help advance 's 10th Rule of Life: āUpgrade the World,ā working alongside the incredible people at Strategy.
8/4/2025, 11 engagements
Week 3 of insights from the Cornell Brooks School Tech Policy Institute's Global Bitcoin Adoption Study are out!
Loading quoted postā¦
7/30/2025, 5 engagements
On average, 13% of people surveyed across 25 countries own bitcoin - just shy of goldās 16%.
More insights below from the Cornell Bitcoin Adoption Study!š
Loading quoted postā¦
Week 1 of data from the Cornell Global Bitcoin Adoption Study is out!
š¢ Across the 25 countries, only 13% know there will only ever be 21 million bitcoin.
Loading quoted postā¦
The data is in! 25,000 voices across 25 countries.
Over the next 10 weeks, weāre sharing sneak peaks into the āwho, what, when, where, why, & howā of bitcoin adoption.
š Coming up: How many people really know there will only ever be 21 million bitcoin?
Loading quoted postā¦
On-site @GridlessCompute!
6/4/2025, 18 engagements
Finally I got to meet you both! š
Loading quoted postā¦
5/28/2025, 1 engagement
Thank you for having me! Looking forward to tomorrow! nevent1qqstaz84vks9vt30sg4xk8nx04aq260e2kt5fnzlgl64s7cz2334e4cpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduurtm28
5/20/2025, 7 engagements
Thank you for having me! Looking forward to tomorrow! nevent1qqstaz84vks9vt30sg4xk8nx04aq260e2kt5fnzlgl64s7cz2334e4cpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduurtm28
What a gift to visit
and
this past week. These spaces are strengthening Layer Zero and the peer-to-peer community that is our world, translating āBitcoinā into a message that will resonate for their communities. Incredible things beyond imagination will grow from these spaces!
āAt these physical spaces, youāre not getting sold, you are getting taught, learning what I know, so that you can have the peace that I know.ā - panel
Thank you very much
, , @_austin_f, , @olegmikh1, @FulgurVentures, @FulgurventuresJ, , !
4/26/2025, 9 engagements
Thank you for having me, Ben!
Loading quoted postā¦
4/16/2025, 3 engagements
Bitcoin is an āIdea Worth Spreading.ā
Yesterday, I had the gift of sharing it on the @TEDx Cornell stage.
Iām deeply grateful to the @TEDx Cornell team for the opportunity, and to every person whose work, wisdom, and support made this possible.
āIdeas Change Everything.ā
4/13/2025, 73 engagements
Grateful to share Iāll be giving a @TEDx @Cornell Talk on April 12!
āIn her TEDxCornell talk, āIn Yourself You Trust,ā Ella Hough challenges the way we think about traditional currency and introduces Bitcoin as the ultimate time capsuleāa way to preserve not just your wealth, but your freedom to live. In a world where time is everything, Ella asks: are you really saving money, or are you losing time?ā
šļø here! https://vivenu.com/event/tedxcornell-2025-annual-conference-07868f
3/29/2025, 6 engagements
How often do you get to help shape the future TODAY? Students - exciting news! YOU have the opportunity learn from one of the best teams in #Bitcoin, @btcpolicyorg!
Apply by April 7!š
1 year ago,
and I shared our vision to strengthen #Bitcoinās Layer 0 at
ās Bitcoin Atlantis.
Last week, we sent out acceptance emails to students for
ā Layer Zero program this summer!
šŗļø 11 students & 11 communities, covering 17 countries and 6 continents.
Huge thank you to
for leading the way in bringing students into the fold!
Loading quoted postā¦
3/6/2025, 2 engagements
š¢ Bitcoin companies, students worldwide are eager to contribute to #Bitcoin and your teams!
The stats from
' Layer Zero internship application are in, featuring 20 in-depth, time-intensive questions!
While I'm certainly no expert,
, I shared tidbits I wish I knew before starting
+ a few lessons learned along the way.
Too excitedā¦I forgot to hit record. So, I fixed that. š„
š” If youāre a student looking to start or grow a Bitcoin club, this workshop covers: ā Building a strong foundation (mission, vision, branding) ā The key to successful leadership & delegation ā Creative ways to engage & grow your club ā Organizing impactful events & networking opportunities ā Collaborating with other (Bitcoin) communities ā Passing the torch!
But, remember! Thereās no one ābest wayā to start a club. The goal isnāt perfection; itās creating a space for conversations that wouldnāt happen otherwise.
Whether itās a speaker series, a reading group, or just sharing a meal, if youāre fostering community, youāre doing it right!
Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RIpPQtkWo9CYeFf-SljPmvFaDDr8QyuuMOnTQgwkx1U/edit#slide=id.p1 YouTube:
2/7/2025, 2 engagements
2/5/2025, 1 engagement
Student spotlight! In less than 2 months, Lukas Danielian (a sophomore at the University of Maryland) has created 39 š¤Æ videos, breaking down #Bitcoin concepts for other students in ways that really click.
And as if thatās not enough, heās also launching a Bitcoin club!
Check out his channel! šyoutube.com/@BitcoinWins
#CommunityisEverything
1/15/2025, 10 engagements
The future doesnāt just happen - itās built by us, by a you and a me (h/t @NSmolenski at @btcpolicyorg Summit ā24).
Thatās why we started āLayer Zero.ā This summer, step out of the classroom and into the world. Immerse yourself in communities worldwide, where youāll build real-world solutions & champion innovation.
Satoshi said "Bitcoin" twice in the white paper. "Network"? Twenty-one times. Progress happens when people come together and Layer 0 is the heartbeat and foundation of the Bitcoin ecosystem.
ā” Applications close Feb 15.
š Apply now: https://form.typeform.com/to/FXfttZrK
š Learn more: https://www.bitcoinstudentsnetwork.org/layer-zero
The future is ours to build. #Bitcoin #LayerZero
Happy happy birthday to the most incredible mom anyone could ever hope for
!
Your raising me with a āswim coach, not lifeguardā mentality didnāt just teach me how to literally swim - you coached me through life with the same determination, heart, and humor. Youāve been one of my biggest cheerleaders and fiercest advocates in all things, not from the deck but from by my side.
While other moms waited in the carpool line, you walked into school to pick me up, showing me that being present matters and what it means to show up fully for the people you love. You advocated for my homemade lunches, initiating a school policy change, taught me how to pay bills by age 10, and sat me down to make āthe spreadsheetā - the one that changed how I thought about my choices and the course of my life.
You taught me that the little things matter, like the sentimentality of a handwritten letter and how to treat every person like a friend you just havenāt met yet. And you kept me grounded with your rules: 2 fruits and 1 sweet at Pinkberry (on the Original flavor), no TV in the summer (and then only HGTV, Food Network, Curious George or The Brady Bunch), and the infamous extra-long gym shorts & flip phone. (Not my favorite then, but I see the wisdom now!)
Most of all, you showed me what it means to bet on yourself - to believe in your dreams and work for them. You are one of my greatest inspirations, strongest supporters, and favorite people.
Thank you for shaping my life in all the best ways; āYour loveās put me at the top of the world.ā Love you lots non-skimper (for today).
"Rule #2: A simple 'hello' can lead to a million things."
This time 4 years ago, I was writing college essays, trying to discover my path, answering questions like:
- What inspires you to act?
- Reflect on an idea that excites you.
I never could have imagined the P2P network Iād soon find that would show me the way ā each node is a giant whose shoulders Iāve stood on, and anything Iāve done is only possible because of the intellectual generosity and PoW of this community.
2024 has given me more than I deserve. Thank you,
, for naming me Rookie of the Year and wrapping up these past 4 years in the most incredible way.
My cup overflows with gratitude to walk this path with you all and many more to come!
(h/t āThe Good Life Guideā
's book of bumper sticker wisdom)
12/30/2024, 27 engagements
A full-circle moment for
! Ending our 22nd and final meeting of the year with
.
Jeff's model of "building the world you want to see" inspired the Club's founding, and we began this semester with a nod to his book "The Price of Tomorrow. " To end it with Jeff himself was deeply meaningful.
Thank you, Jeff, for being a north star in our Bitcoin journey, modeling how to stay grounded, act with integrity, ask better questions, foster growth & success in others, & lift up everyone around us. Your impact is immeasurable.
Fall '24 by the numbers: š 124 members šļø 11 meetings +
screening āļø 11 speakers. Thank you, thank you , Rafa, Matthew, Brian, Maggie, , , , , , !
For Spring '25, I couldn't be more grateful to pass the torch to 12 incredible new Club leaders.
12/22/2024, 10 engagements
1 min and 27 seconds later, Dollars to M-PESA! Paid my cab in Kenya using
->
->
š
(Took me longer to write this post š¤£)
12/11/2024, 15 engagements
12/11/2024, 7 engagements
A lot can happen in (less than) a year!
Last Wednesday,
celebrated their 21st meeting with a fireside chat featuring the ever-wise
, President & COO of Cathedra Bitcoin & Co-Founder of
, led by Club member Rafaela Baldeon.
š½ļø: https://t.co/lUGPg3RooG
Drew shared insights that sparked curiosity, challenged assumptions, and left us all a little wiser, explaining:
- Energy isnāt just powerāitās the foundation of every forward leap.
- Timelines of development in nuclear & the Lightning network
- How to navigate VC hype cycles (watch out for the āflavor of the monthā)
- Mental frameworks for unlearning assumptions
- Fragmented narratives & a broader crisis of meaning happening
ā¦and much more (including š recs)!
11/25/2024, 7 engagements
Happy 5 year anniversary of
's Nostr manifesto!
Last Wednesday
hosted a panel on Nostr, and we were incredibly grateful to be joined by
(Nostr Plebs), ( ) , ( ) & (Ditto).
Derek, Jeroen, Marko, & Patrick shared their:
- Nostr "elevator pitch"
- Innovations in the "Other Stuff" of "nOStr"
- How students can get involved
...and much more!
We streamed the panel on and afterwards, everyone gathered around the screen for another 30 minutes, going through it, , & https://nostrapps.com!
Special thank you to for bringing us all together!
11/20/2024, 25 engagements