Instructional goals
Practical understanding of the blockchain-related digital transformation of the financial sector.
Fundamental concepts behind digital assets and the different blockchains
Talks with fintechs and financial institutions operating in the world of blockchain & crypto
Case study related to the development of a fintech startup in the blockchain & crypto world
Prerequisites
The prerequisites set by the Graduate School.
Intended learning outcomes
Students will develop a group project, i.e. an application or a fintech startup hypothesis related to tokenization/blockchain & crypto for financial markets
Course Contents
The aim of the course is to provide detailed tools regarding the implementation of blockchain technologies in the financial industry
Reference Books
The course materials will be based on collection of fintech case studies and theoretical slides. Materials will be available through the Luiss Learn platform.
“The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains: An Introduction to Cryptocurrencies and the Technology that Powers Them”
Teaching Methods
Assessment Method
Team - based project related to the creation of a fintech start-up or the development and application of blockchain technology for financial markets
The project will be discussed/submitted in the last week of classes and covers 100 percent of the valuation (pass/fail).
Thesis assignment criteria
The criteria are set by the Graduate School
Week 1
An introduction to blockchain technology (permissioned vs. permissionless)
Consensus algorithms (POW, POS)
Week 2
Deep explanation of Bitcoin network (mining, hash rate)
Ethereum, Algorand and Solana, and fintech application on that blockchains
Week 3
Introduction to cryptocurrencies and Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
Reference:
Makarov and Schoar (2022)
Week 4
Business models on Defi (staking, lending & farming)
Impermanent loss, liquidity pools and Defi arbitrage
Week 5
Token standards (utility token & security token)
Crowdfunding with tokens (ICO, IEO, STO)
Week 6
Blockchain investment landscape
Token vs Equity investment strategies
Week 7
Application of smart contracts to financial markets
Tokenization of real assets
Week 8
Talk with a success fintech blockchain entrepreneur
Talk with a Venture Capital, focused on fintech & blockchain startups