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)
History of cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH)
Week 2
Trading and arbitrage in cryptocurrency market
Reference:
- Makarov and Schoar (2020)
- Borri and Shakhnov (2023)
- Borri and Shakhnov (2022)
Week 3
Introduction to cryptocurrencies and Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
Reference:
Makarov and Schoar (2022)
Week 4
Application of smart contracts to financial markets
Tokenization of real assets
Week 5
Bitcoin mining, network efficiency on bitcoin network and business models on bitcoin network
o Overview of the main metrics: hash price, hardware type, energy efficiency, profitability metrics
o Business models: Hosting vs Self mining
o Unit economics and financial modeling (IRR, Payback Period and Sensitivity Analysis)
o Lightning Network, payment channels and decentralized node infrastructure
Week 6
Staking and lending
o Staking as an alternative asset class
o The risk-free rate, lockup periods, staking ratio and liquid staking
o ROA and financial modeling
o Building fixed income strategies
Week 7
Blockchain investment landscape
Token vs Equity investment strategies
Week 8
Talk with a success fintech blockchain entrepreneur
Talk with a Venture Capital, focused on fintech & blockchain startups