2025-01-30 –, Event Space
Rod Roudi, Co-Founder of Bitcoin Park, opens up the 2025 NEMS with a review of 2024. The last 365 days have truly been a lesson in proof of work as our industry has exploded in size, creativity, and significance. This opening keynote sets the stage for the following two days of high signal programming focused on proof of work mining and energy.
Rod Roudi is an entrepreneur and technology professional with 20 years of experience in the industry, including management and senior management roles. He has spent the past ~7 years focusing his time, capital, and reputation on Bitcoin, the monetary network aka the blockchain and bitcoin, the reserve asset and medium of exchange.
He is also dedicated to helping educate and grow local Bitcoin communities. In 2022, he co-founded Bitcoin Park, a community-supported campus in Nashville, TN that is focused on grassroots freedom tech and Bitcoin adoption and serves as a hub for Bitcoin enthusiasts to work, learn, collaborate, and build.
His focus is also centered on Bitcoin mining where he invests in a variety of different mining operations through his firm Galactic Freedom Company and their subsequent funds.
He also co-founded a 501c3 non-profit, The 256 Foundation, based in Nashville, TN with the objective to support developers and educators with grants while they work to advance free and open-source Bitcoin mining software, firmware, and hardware solutions; develop secure and sustainable energy initiatives; and foster innovations that put more hashrate in the hands of the many.
He hosts and participates in a number of podcasts including a collaboration with Bitcoin Park x ARK Invest called Bitcoin Brainstorm: YouTube
In addition to his professional pursuits, Rod is also an early-stage angel investor and has invested in companies such as Calm, Teachable, 15Five, and others.
He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife, Helen, and four amazing children.