🏛️ PROPOSED: The Bitcoin Corporation Educational Trust & The Bitcoin Corporation Ltd

1. Overview

The proposed Bitcoin Corporation Educational Trust ("the Trust") would be established to promote education, research, and public understanding in the fields of lawful digital commerce, blockchain technology, and data-driven productivity systems.

The Trust would be the sole owner of The Bitcoin Corporation Ltd ("the Corporation"), which would develop and distribute products and services aligned with the Trust's mission. The Trust would ensure that the Corporation operates lawfully, transparently, and in furtherance of the public good.

2. Proposed Purpose of the Trust

The Trust would exist exclusively for educational and public-benefit purposes. Its proposed aims would be to:

1. Advance education and understanding of blockchain and its lawful applications in commerce, governance, and society.
2. Support the creation and dissemination of open educational resources, research papers, and training programs.
3. Oversee and guide the activities of The Bitcoin Corporation Ltd to ensure all commercial activities remain consistent with the Trust's educational and ethical objectives.
4. Hold and protect intellectual property, digital assets, and other resources developed by The Bitcoin Corporation Ltd for the public benefit.
5. Reinvest any profits received from the Corporation into educational initiatives, research, and lawful innovation.

3. Proposed Trustee Structure

Composition and Appointment:

• The Trust would have a minimum of three and a maximum of seven trustees.
• Trustees would include one academic or educator with expertise in law, technology, or economics, and one representative appointed by the Corporation's board.

Duties and Powers:

• Uphold and protect the educational mission of the Trust.
• Approve the appointment of directors to The Bitcoin Corporation Ltd.
• Review annual reports and ensure all profits are applied for public benefit.
• Approve any issue of new shares, transfer of assets, or amendments to the corporation's articles that could affect mission compliance.
• Maintain integrity, independence, and transparency at all times.

Remuneration:

Trustees may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses but would not receive remuneration for their service, except as permitted by law.

4. The Corporation (The Bitcoin Corporation Ltd)

Ownership and Control:

The Bitcoin Corporation Ltd is a private company limited by shares, all of which are held by the Trust.

Purpose:

To develop, market, and operate digital tools, applications, and educational systems that advance the lawful use and understanding of blockchain technology.

Activities:

• Develop and distribute educational and productivity software.
• Conduct research and training in blockchain applications.
• Enter lawful commercial agreements that advance adoption and education.
• Generate revenue from products, partnerships, and services, provided all activities align with the Trust's objectives.

Governance:

• Directors are appointed by the Trust and report annually to the trustees.
• Directors must maintain a Mission Compliance Statement confirming the company's adherence to the Trust's objectives.
• The corporation may issue additional shares only with the written consent of the trustees and only under terms that preserve Trust control.

5. Relationship Between Trust and Corporation

The Trust and Corporation would operate as distinct legal entities with interdependent purposes.

6. Funding and Asset Management

Sources of Income:

• Dividends or profits from The Bitcoin Corporation Ltd.
• Donations, endowments, and grants.
• Licensing, royalties, and digital asset revenues.
• Public or institutional funding for educational work.

Use of Funds:

• Development of educational resources, scholarships, and research.
• Public communication and outreach.
• Administrative and governance expenses necessary to fulfil the Trust's objectives.

7. Intellectual Property

• Intellectual property created by The Bitcoin Corporation Ltd is held by or licensed to the Trust for public benefit.
• The Trust may authorise use of such IP under open, commercial, or hybrid licences consistent with its mission.
• The Trust would ensure that key IP remains "mission-locked" and cannot be sold or diluted without trustee approval.

8. Transparency and Reporting

• Both the Trust and the Corporation would prepare annual reports detailing financial activity, educational impact, and mission compliance.
• The Trust would publish an annual statement of accounts and an overview of funded educational activities.
• All governance decisions would be recorded and made available to stakeholders and regulators as required by law.

9. Amendments and Dissolution

Amendments:

The Trust deed or corporate articles may be amended only by unanimous resolution of the trustees and only if consistent with the Trust's educational and lawful commerce objectives.

Dissolution:

If the Trust were wound up, all remaining assets would be distributed to Members (beneficiaries) in proportion to their shareholdings, in accordance with the Articles of Association of The Bitcoin Corporation Ltd and applicable trust law.