Michigan Blockchain student group to hold first-ever Midwest Blockchain Conference
In the evolving landscape of digital technology, blockchain has emerged as a powerful force in industries ranging from finance to supply chain management. At the forefront of educating and advocating for blockchain’s many possibilities is Michigan Blockchain, a student organization at the University of Michigan.
Michigan Blockchain has quickly established itself as one of the most active and influential blockchain-focused student organizations in the country, helping shift the locus of blockchain activity from the coasts to the Midwest. Through an in-depth curriculum, collaborative projects, and industry partnerships, the organization empowers its members with the knowledge and tools needed to innovate and excel in the blockchain space.
Adding to its activities, this November the organization will host the first-ever Midwest Blockchain Conference, bringing together hundreds of students and company sponsors from across the nation to learn about all things blockchain and to support this vital industry.
“The goal of our organization is to help students understand and succeed in the blockchain industry,” said Evan Solomon, U-M senior and co-president of Michigan Blockchain. “We do this by providing educational opportunities, professional development, and engaging students in projects with real impact.”
Many may have seen the term used in the context of cryptocurrency, but what is blockchain exactly? In essence, blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that allows data to be recorded securely, transparently, and in a way that is inherently resistant to modification. Specifically, each block in a chain contains transaction data, a timestamp, and a cryptographic hash of the previous block, creating a linked, immutable record. This structure ensures that once data is added, it cannot be changed without altering all subsequent blocks, making the system highly secure.
Blockchain has served as a foundation for a variety of applications built around online transactions, particularly in the financial sector. Its most notable, and perhaps most notorious, outgrowth is cryptocurrency, a digital form of currency that operates independently of a central authority and relies on blockchain technology to preserve the security and privacy of transactions.
Despite being worth over $3 trillion at its peak, many have been introduced to crypto through its association with speculative bubbles, criminal scams, and regulatory challenges. And while the negative public perception might have cast a shadow over blockchain, the technology continues to gain traction and offers diverse applications beyond digital currencies.
“There’s an obvious stigma when it comes to crypto that we’re working against,” said Evan. “But there are a lot of applications being built on blockchain that have tangible utility outside of crypto, not just in the traditional finance world but also in areas like real estate, logistics, and even healthcare.”
Michigan Blockchain is working to combat the stigma surrounding blockchain by teaching students what the technology can do, as well as giving them opportunities to collaborate with industry leaders. The group brings in about 35 new members each semester, adding to a total membership of around 120 students, largely a combination of computer science, data science, economics, and business students.
New members of Michigan Blockchain first undergo a detailed educational curriculum, where they learn the ins and outs of blockchain. This includes honing their technical developer skills and learning the business side of blockchain and its applications.
“The educational component is a major benefit to students,” said Ishika Gupta, CS major and Michigan Blockchain member. “There are very few universities that offer programs or even courses related to blockchain, so the fact that our organization offers this tried-and-tested curriculum really sets us apart and is a unique opportunity for U-M to take the lead in this space.”
Upon completing their training, new Michigan Blockchain initiates are then able to choose from three separate tracks with varying avenues for involvement with the blockchain world. These include:
- Consulting, through which members provide services, from smart contract development to data analytics, to a variety of clients in tech.
- Investment, where students run and manage a 40 ETH investment portfolio, conducting research to decide where to dedicate the group’s fund.
- Governance, which allows students to play an active role in decision-making at blockchain companies.
“In cryptocurrency, token holders have voting rights in making company-wide decisions. A certain amount of these tokens are given to student-run clubs at top-tier institutions like ours, giving us a significant share of voting power for some major crypto companies,” described Evan. “Our members are writing and voting on proposals for what these companies should be doing, a really exciting part of what we do.”
This fall, Michigan Blockchain is set to further solidify its influential position by hosting the Midwest Blockchain Conference, with the support of the Michigan Ross Business+Tech program. Taking place November 8-9 at the Ross School of Business, the event aims to bring together students, professionals, and companies from across the region to explore the latest advances, share insights, and foster collaboration in blockchain.
“The conference is going to be the largest student gathering related to blockchain nationwide,” said Ishika. “We have over 25 universities, as well as top industry leaders and sponsors, participating in the event.”
In addition to a crash course in the fundamentals of blockchain, attendees can look forward to a series of panel discussions and hands-on workshops designed to deepen their understanding of blockchain’s potential and its real-world applications. The conference will culminate in a career fair, where students can interact and share their resumes with representatives from top blockchain companies.
Going forward, Michigan Blockchain leaders hope this will be the beginning of a long tradition of Midwest-focused blockchain gatherings.
“Most blockchain conferences are concentrated on the East and West Coasts,” said Evan. “We’re looking to expand the Midwest’s, and especially Michigan’s, footprint, and give students the opportunity to learn about and access the industry at a high level.”
The inaugural Midwest Blockchain Conference marks a significant step in establishing the Midwest as a center for blockchain innovation. Through this event, and its other groundbreaking programs, Michigan Blockchain continues to make its mark in this space and prepare its members for a future in blockchain.
Those interested in attending are encouraged to sign up for the Midwest Blockchain Conference.