The aim of the class is to present concepts, technologies, and applications related to the blockchain with a special focus on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In the end, the participant will achieve a clear understanding of the possibilities but also of the current limitations of blockchain as a base for the solution of real-world problems in finance and in other application fields where smart contracts start to be deployed. Special attention will be devoted to the impact of the wide diffusion of cryptocurrencies with respect to fiat (I.e. classic) currencies.

Knowledge and understanding: The student - by participating in the lectures and practical activities of the course - will develop the ability to understand how concepts and techniques developed in cryptography and in general in computer science may solve classic issues in finance and economy. At the end of the class, there will be a case study with a challenge among teams of students to solve a problem selected by the instructor and the students. Applying knowledge and understanding: The student - applying a problem-solving approach and leveraging the correct tools acquired in the class - will be able to address, new issues in the application of blockchain technologies at the intersection of multiple disciplines (not limited to economy and finance). At the end of the class, the case study will assess the level of maturity reached in this crucial element of the student's skills. Making judgments: The student, through the use of the methodologies acquired during the course and the examples provided in the class, will be able to tell apart the real opportunities offered by blockchain technology from the overpromising statements made by many actors in the field. Communication skills: At the end of the course the student will be able to use and communicate in a proper way a number of concepts studied in security, data management, game theory, finance, and economy. Through the various activities that will take place during the course – lessons with discussions, case studies – the student will be able to put these communication skills into practice in various contexts, by adapting the terms used to the interlocutor in the specific case, thus gaining advanced communication capabilities necessary for his/her professional career in a multidisciplinary context. Learning skills: The technical-economic knowledge acquired during the course will allow the student to autonomously understand and evaluates blockchain technologies and adapt them to specific problems. The student will develop a solid knowledge of the fundamental aspects of the subject that will allow her/him to continue to deepen the topics addressed independently and to undertake with a solid background the various post-graduate professional training courses.

The first part of the course describes the problems that motivated the introduction of Bitcoin and describes the concepts and the technology it leverages. Then the reasons for the success of Bitcoin with respect to other cryptocurrencies) are described along with its current weaknesses and medium-long term scenarios. Then we are going to study the application of the Blockchain to other problems which require consensus and in particular we will study smart contracts and the main platforms supporting them. In the last part of the course we will study variants of the Blockchain technology exploring alternative paradigms to reach the consensus that offer, in principle, a solution to the current problems of scalability and efficiency. This concludes the mandatory part of the course. After that we will work on a case study in a competitive/collaborative setting

There is no official textbook since the subject of the course is highly dynamic and any book becomes outdated very quickly. Course materials will be made available directly by the Instructor along with indications of further online resources (including youtube videos).

Acquisition will be carried out through lectures and videos provided by the instructor for approximately 45% of the study effort Collaboration, Practice, and Production will be carried out mainly through the final teamwork which requires both a presentation and a short essay about a case study that will be selected after a discussion with the participants. The combination of these three learning types corresponds to approximately 35% of the study effort. Investigation and Discussion will be carried out through simple practical exercises, papers study, and related questions that will be assigned every two-three weeks. The combination of these two learning types corresponds to approximately 20% of the study effort.

Participation in the lectures has an impact corresponding to 10% of the final score. The class includes a mid-term test whose results (if positive) have an impact corresponding to 35% of the final score. The test consists of the answer to two questions randomly selected among a predefined set The results of the group presentations will have an impact corresponding to 30% of the final score. The last 25% of the final score will be determined on the basis of the answer to a question randomly selected among a predefined set. The impact of 35% / 25% of the mid-term test and the final question might be changed (e.g., it could be become 30%/30%) depending on the number of topics that will be included in the mid-term test

The final work will be assigned (upon specific request sent to the teacher) to all students who demonstrate a serious and motivated interest to study the topics addressed by the program of the course.