Hi! I'm an economics professor researching the effects of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology on the international economy. Because it is *amazing*!  You can find my research posted on my [website](http://www.ginapieters.com) .   


![IMG (1).jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmP2rBJFmSefW9Kb4isZCZfHdEVZ4MneCSgAwEAoB9scKQ/IMG%20(1).jpg)
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I was born in South Africa and lived in Joostenbergvlakte until I moved to Christchurch (New Zealand) when I was 13, then Torrance (Los Angeles, California) for high school. I received a B.S. in Physics and a B.A. in economics (highest honors!!) from UC Santa Cruz. After few months experimenting with life as an analyst on Wall Street I decisively pivoted to pursue and obtain a PhD in economics from the University of Minnesota, where I wrote my dissertation on international trade and the way goods are priced across different countries. Today I'm an Assistant Professor in Economics at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, specializing in cryptocurrencies/cryptoassets/digital-money and blockchain technologies; an honorary research associate of the Globalization and Monetary Policy Institute at the Federal Research Bank of Dallas; and an honorary research fellow at the University College London Centre of Blockchain Technologies.

It is only a matter of time before governments and central banks attempt to regulate blockchain-based developments. I want to make sure that when that happens we have a solid understanding of the effect these technologies have, or will have, on our global, interlocked economies---grounded in scientific analysis; not fear, hype, or dreams---so that we don't stifle innovation or growth. The only constant is change.