Founded in 2025 by Dan Hersey. Nonpartisan. Rhode Island-first. Research and education on Bitcoin and digital asset policy.
RIBPI works with Rhode Island lawmakers on Bitcoin and digital asset policy. We draft bills, write fiscal analyses, and deliver committee testimony. The work is nonpartisan and Rhode Island-first. We currently operate as an unincorporated grassroots research initiative.
Who runs RIBPI and how to reach them.
Founded RIBPI in 2025. Drafts the bills, writes the fiscal analyses, and delivers the testimony. Has appeared before House Innovation Internet & Technology, House Corporations, Senate AI & Emerging Technology, and Senate Commerce on every RIBPI-tracked bill this session. Background in technology and policy outside Rhode Island; current work is unpaid.
RIBPI is currently unincorporated and operates as a grassroots research and education initiative. No outside funding, no paid lobbyists, no political contributions. If we incorporate or accept funding in the future, we will publish that here within seven days.
Three pillars of the Rhode Island Bitcoin Policy Initiative
Briefings with Rhode Island lawmakers and their staff. We sit with committee members one-on-one and answer the questions that come up between hearings. Six bills in the current session can be traced to conversations that started over coffee.
S.2021, H.7956, H.7957, H.7413, and H.7843 each carry RIBPI material in some form. Dan delivered live testimony on every one this session. We also wrote the redline opposing H.7955 and S.2648 from the same policy seat.
White papers and one-pagers, every claim sourced. Material lives on the Research page and is used by bill sponsors, opposition counsel, and statehouse reporters.
Milestones in the Rhode Island Bitcoin Policy Initiative
RIBPI founded by Dan Hersey. First conversations with RI legislators on Bitcoin policy.
S.0451 (de minimis tax exemption) drafted with sponsor; S.0373 (blockchain study commission) passed the Senate 38–0 but never received a House vote.
Six 2026 bills introduced with RIBPI involvement: S.2021, H.7956 + S.2198, H.7957 + S.2196, H.7413, H.7843, plus a policy brief opposing H.7955 + S.2648 kiosk expansion.
Dan delivered live testimony on each of the six. Coverage in RI Current, Bitcoin Magazine, Route Fifty, CoinCentral, and others.
S.2198 Sub A reported out of Senate AI & Emerging Technology with a recommendation to pass. Senate floor vote scheduled for June 10.
S.2021 hearing scheduled for June 8 in Senate Finance.
Legislator scorecard (methodology preview on the Scorecard page).
Outreach to all 113 RI lawmakers. Expansion of the Bitcoin Banking Standard newsletter.
Three concrete actions Rhode Islanders can take right now.