Oregon Blockchain, also known as the Oregon Blockchain Group (OBG), is a student-led, faculty-advised organization based at the University of Oregon. Housed in the Lundquist College of Business, the group was founded in 2018 and focuses on educating and engaging students in blockchain technology and other emergent fields such as artificial intelligence. Oregon Blockchain operates through several specialized divisions, including venture capital, software engineering, and research, and is a member of the University Blockchain Research Initiative, connecting it with a global network of academic blockchain organizations. ^{[2] [1] [3]}​

Overview

The Oregon Blockchain Group was established in 2018 with a mission to educate, engage, and empower students about blockchain and related technologies. It provides hands-on experience and connections to the industry through its multifaceted activities. The group is student-led and faculty-advised and is housed in the Lundquist College of Business. The organization currently reports 36 active student members, representing a wide variety of academic majors. ^{[2] [1] [3]}​

History

The Oregon Blockchain Group was founded in 2018 at the University of Oregon. ^[1]​

Throughout its history, the group has participated in numerous industry events and conferences. In 2023, members attended the Solana BreakPoint conference in Amsterdam and the University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) Connect Conference in Toronto. The group's activities in 2024 included hosting the "OBG Social @ Kennedy Steakhouse." ^[2]​

The year 2025 marked a period of significant engagement with the broader blockchain ecosystem. Members of the organization attended several major international events, including:

• Consensus in Toronto
• WebX in Tokyo
• ETH Cannes
• A visit to the Solana office in New York City
• Participation in the UPenn Blockchain Hackathon
• The group also hosted a social event, the "OBG Social @ BJ's," in the spring of 2025. ^[2]

In 2025 the group also recorded a competitive achievement at an international hackathon: OBG won the track at the ETHGlobal Hackathon in Cannes, France. This event is reflected in the organization's 2025 events timeline and achievements. ^[3]​

At an unspecified date during a cryptocurrency bear market, the group's venture capital division executed a notable portfolio management action known as the "Sell Bundle" pitch. This strategy involved liquidating approximately 3.3 ETH, which was valued at around $11,000 at the time, from speculative assets. The capital was then consolidated into Ethereum as a defensive measure to preserve capital. ^[1]​

Organization and Activities

Oregon Blockchain is structured into three main branches that support its mission of education and practical application of technology: Venture Capital, Software Engineering (SWE), and Research. The organization is student-led and faculty-advised, and members gain practical experience through semester-length and multi-term engagements. ^{[2] [1] [3]}​

Venture Capital

The Venture Capital branch manages an Ethereum-benchmarked cryptocurrency portfolio with approximately portfolio with ~$50,000 AUM. ^{[2] [3]}​

Software Engineering (SWE)

The Software Engineering (SWE) division performs client-facing engineering and product work. SWE engagements may last one or more academic terms and provide students with hands-on development, deployment, and client communication experience. These projects give members experience in applying blockchain and related technologies in real-world contexts. ^{[2] [1]}​

Research

The Research division's analysts develop original hypotheses related to crypto and blockchain topics and test those hypotheses using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Members produce analysis, investment theses, and longer-form research pieces that are published and shared publicly. The organization also operates an internal research entity known as the "IF Lab" (Intelligent Futures Lab) that supports research production. ^{[2] [1]}​

Publications & Marketing

The group publishes all client deliverables, research reports, and other public-facing materials on its official website and on its Medium page; the marketing team manages the organization's social media presence, including Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter) accounts. Public deliverables and article archives are available through the official site and linked publication channels. ^{[2] [1]}​

Notable Projects and Achievements

Oregon Blockchain has achieved recognition through its participation in technical competitions and its operational metrics. The group's projects often involve the integration of blockchain with other advanced technologies. ^[1]​

On-Chain AI Hedge Fund

At the QuackHacks 2 hackathon, a team representing Oregon Blockchain developed an on-chain, AI-powered hedge fund. The project utilized Google's Gemini AI model to inform its on-chain trading strategies. For this project, the team won 1st Place in the Solana Track and 2nd Place in the Polymarket Track. This achievement highlighted the group's capability in combining artificial intelligence with blockchain technology in a practical application. ^[1]​

ETHGlobal — Cannes Win

In 2025 OBG won the track at the ETHGlobal Hackathon in Cannes, France, a recent international competition victory added to the group's notable achievements and event participation that year. ^[3]​

Key Metrics

As part of its public-facing information, the organization highlights several key performance metrics that reflect its activity and scale. These include:

• A venture capital fund managing approximately ~60,000 AUM.
• Active collaborations with more than 30 corporate partners.
• A consulting portfolio of over 5 clients. ^[2]