BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FINTECH

Nicola Borri, Antonio Simeone

Obiettivi formativi

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

Prerequisiti

The prerequisites set by the Graduate School.

Risultati di apprendimento attesi

Students will develop a group project, i.e. an application or a fintech startup hypothesis related to tokenization/blockchain & crypto for financial markets

Contenuti Del Corso

The aim of the course is to provide detailed tools regarding the implementation of blockchain technologies in the financial industry

Testi Di Riferimento

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”

Metodologie Didattiche

Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento

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).

Criteri per l’assegnazione dell’elaborato finale

The criteria are set by the Graduate School

Settimana 1

An introduction to blockchain technology (permissioned vs. permissionless) Consensus algorithms (POW, POS)

Settimana 2

Deep explanation of Bitcoin network (mining, hash rate) Ethereum, Algorand and Solana, and fintech application on that blockchains

Settimana 3

Introduction to cryptocurrencies and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Reference: Makarov and Schoar (2022)

Settimana 4

Business models on Defi (staking, lending & farming) Impermanent loss, liquidity pools and Defi arbitrage

Settimana 5

Token standards (utility token & security token) Crowdfunding with tokens (ICO, IEO, STO)

Settimana 6

Blockchain investment landscape Token vs Equity investment strategies

Settimana 7

Application of smart contracts to financial markets Tokenization of real assets

Settimana 8

Talk with a success fintech blockchain entrepreneur Talk with a Venture Capital, focused on fintech & blockchain startups

Settimana 9

Settimana 10

Settimana 11

Settimana 12