Ohio State President Ted Carter’s Involvement in Bitcoin Mining Operation Raises Questions

The Ohio State University’s spring commencement took an unexpected turn when controversial speaker Chris Pan called for a Bitcoin demonstration on stage. Pan, a self-proclaimed “social entrepreneur,” faced backlash from the audience for promoting the cryptocurrency. However, things took an interesting twist when OSU President Ted Carter ended up participating in the demonstration.

Pan, who had drawn criticism for his views on Bitcoin, attempted to showcase the cryptocurrency’s resistance to inflation with a magic trick involving a metaphorical coin. Carter, who was asked to assist, ended up holding the “Bitcoin” during the demonstration.

It was later revealed that Carter has ties to the cryptocurrency industry, specifically with Bitcoin miner TeraWulf, Inc. Federal documents confirmed that Carter joined the company’s board of directors in 2021 when it became publicly traded. TeraWulf’s Chief Strategy Officer, Kerri Langlais, explained that Carter’s involvement with the company stemmed from a mutual connection through their shared affiliation with the U.S. Naval Academy.

Despite the controversy surrounding Bitcoin mining’s environmental impact, TeraWulf prides itself on using sustainable energy sources for its operations. The company’s facilities in Pennsylvania and New York utilize zero-carbon nuclear and hydropower energy, respectively. Carter’s military background, particularly his experience with nuclear power generation, has been instrumental in optimizing TeraWulf’s mining operations.

While Carter’s involvement with a cryptocurrency mining operation may raise eyebrows, Ohio State University spokesperson Ben Johnson clarified that it is not uncommon for university presidents to have external roles. Past presidents of OSU have served on boards of various companies, with Carter being the first to directly affiliate with a cryptocurrency mining operation.

Overall, the unexpected Bitcoin demonstration at OSU’s commencement shed light on the intersection of academia, industry, and technology, sparking discussions about the role of cryptocurrencies in higher education and beyond.