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Cryptocurrency tips from UC students lead to big gains
Wanting students to gain real-world experience, Dan Kautz, co-founder and co-owner of real estate development and management organization K&S Companies, and Woody Uible, principal of Bartlett Wealth Management and trustee of the UC Foundation, donated $50,000 to a fund that would invest in cryptocurrencies.
Students in the fall 2022 class offered the first suggestions on how to invest the money, with the initial investment taking place in early 2023. Last fall, a new class made its own recommendations, and some funds were reallocated to based on their contribution.
“That was probably my favorite part of the class, working with real-world examples and having real-world consequences,” said Darik Page, a fourth-year student from Cincinnati.
A considerable part of the institution’s funds is invested in bitcoin, which is considered a relatively stable cryptocurrency with the largest market capitalization. The fund also invests in lesser-known cryptocurrencies.
When the initial investment was made, bitcoin was valued at under $20,000. Its value rose to over $73,000 in March 2024.
“It’s kind of crazy,” said Erica Boling, a third-year student from Westerville, Ohio. “But I also think that as cryptocurrencies are taking off, it was inevitable because the whole industry is growing.”