Filip Đurović and the rise of the Bitcoin Club at RIT Croatia

For many people, Bitcoin starts as a topic about trading, but one meetup at the Bitcoin Club is often enough to change that perspective. Suddenly, it becomes a discussion about money, value, and long-term thinking. Leading this shift is Filip Đurović, a Global Business Management senior double-minoring in Finance and Digital Business, and the founder and president of the Bitcoin Club.

Not missing a single lecture

Filip’s interest in Bitcoin began back in high school, when he and his friends dreamed up a donation app and first explored the idea of tokenizing payments. That early curiosity grew into something much bigger once he joined RIT Croatia. In his first semester, he discovered Professor Peter Schmidt’s course Money, Inflation and Bitcoin, a senior-level class he wasn’t officially eligible to take. Determined to learn, Filip asked Professor Schmidt if he could attend unofficially. The answer was yes, and he didn’t miss a single lecture.

“That semester changed everything for me,” he says. “I studied more for that class than for any course I was officially enrolled in.” As he explored the history of money, the roots of inflation, and the technology behind Bitcoin, Filip felt inspired to take his passion beyond the classroom. That inspiration soon became the foundation of today’s Bitcoin Club.

In September 2023, Filip officially launched the Bitcoin Club, building it around three pillars: education, community, and real-world experience. With guidance from Professor Schmidt, the club began by exploring the fundamentals of money and economics, then quickly expanded into hands-on work, building Bitcoin nodes, experimenting with Lightning payments, and hosting debates and meetups that brought students together.

As the club grew, so did its reach. Over the past year, it has evolved into a dynamic student community with a growing international presence. By engaging with global student networks and industry leaders, the club developed collaborations with Cornell Bitcoin Club, Wisconsin Bitcoin Club, the Bitcoin Student Network, and Breez Technology, partnerships that opened doors to events, conferences, and new learning experiences.

Expanding opportunities beyond the classroom

The partnerships opened doors to virtual conferences with industry experts and expanded opportunities for students to learn directly from the field. This momentum led to one of the club’s biggest achievements this semester: nine students traveled to Lugano, fully funded through the club with the support of Breez Technology and the Bitcoin Student Network. “Experiences like this can be life-changing,” Filip says. Building on that momentum, the club is now exploring a new partnership with the Blockchain Association in Italy, which could bring even more opportunities to campus.

Photo: The Bitcoin Club at the Plan B Bitcoin Conference in Lugano in October

Still, for Filip, the value of the club goes far beyond Bitcoin itself. It’s about helping students stand out in a competitive job market. “What you do outside the classroom often matters just as much as what you do inside it,” he explains. Bitcoin Club provides exactly that, an opportunity to gain practical skills and hands-on experience by organizing events, connecting with industry professionals, and tackling real-world challenges.

Through continuous learning, discussion, and hands-on experimentation, students develop a strong foundation in both the economic and technological aspects of Bitcoin. He has watched new members arrive expecting trading tips, only to discover deeper conversations about money, time, and long-term thinking, experiences that become a unique differentiator when stepping into the job market.

Looking ahead, Filip hopes the Bitcoin Club remains a place where students feel encouraged to experiment, ask questions, and explore emerging technologies without hesitation. “I see the Bitcoin Club as a small innovation factory on campus,” he says. “Powered by curiosity, technology, and ambition.” With passionate leadership, strong mentorship from Professor Schmidt, and a growing international network, the future of the Bitcoin Club and its impact on students is only just beginning.