Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Explained
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Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Explained
This course is part of Financial Technology (Fintech) Innovations Specialization
Instructor: Andrew Wu
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What you'll learn
Explain how blockchain works.
Articulate the key technical aspects, such as decentralization and consensus algorithms.
Describe the strengths and weaknesses of cryptocurrency as an asset and a payment mechanism.
Evaluate tradeoffs of blockchain as a business solution.
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There are 4 modules in this course
The sudden rise in the value of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and its subsequent decline, focused the world’s attention on cryptocurrencies as a means of payment. Blockchain technology powers Bitcoin and has been hyped as the next new, transformative technology.
In this course, we first discuss the technical underpinnings of blockchain and review key concepts such as decentralization and consensus algorithms. We then examine blockchain as an asset and review the dynamics of the cryptocurrency markets. Finally, we examine blockchain as a business solution, with a focus on understanding business cases in which blockchain does and does not make sense.
What's included
2 videos3 readings1 discussion prompt
2 videos•Total 14 minutes
- Fintech Innovations: Series Map and Learning Goals•6 minutes
- Fintech Innovations: Series Introduction•8 minutes
3 readings•Total 25 minutes
- Course Syllabus•5 minutes
- Help Us Learn More About You!•10 minutes
- Learning from a Case•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Introductions•10 minutes
What's included
9 videos2 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt
9 videos•Total 64 minutes
- Course Introduction•5 minutes
- Introduction to Blockchain•6 minutes
- Classifying Blockchain Technologies•7 minutes
- Identities on the Blockchain•7 minutes
- Blockchain Data•9 minutes
- Blockchain Network and Data Processing•8 minutes
- Blockchain Consensus: What is it and Why do We Need It?•4 minutes
- Blockchain Consensus: Generic Consensus Models•14 minutes
- Putting the Concepts Together: Reading an Actual Blockchain•5 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
- Case Reading: Big Winnings•10 minutes
- Case Reading: Beginning with Blockchain•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 35 minutes
- Case Discussion Participation •5 minutes
- End of Module Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 30 minutes
- Case Activity: What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Crypto?•30 minutes
What's included
8 videos2 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt
8 videos•Total 65 minutes
- Introduction to Bitcoin•10 minutes
- Proof-of-work (Mining): Concept•5 minutes
- Proof-of-work (Mining): Implementation•10 minutes
- Proof-of-Work (Mining): Business Models•10 minutes
- Examples of Alternative Consensus Protocols: Proof-of-Stake•8 minutes
- Introduction to Ethereum•6 minutes
- Smart contract: The Concept•7 minutes
- Smart contract: The Application•10 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
- Case Reading: Mining for Bitcoin•10 minutes
- Case Reading: Scoping Out Ethereum•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 35 minutes
- Case Discussion Participation•5 minutes
- End of Module Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 30 minutes
- Case Activity: Pros and Cons•30 minutes
What's included
6 videos4 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt
6 videos•Total 55 minutes
- Blockchain as an Asset: Overview of the Cryptocurrency Market•8 minutes
- Buying and Selling Cryptocurrencies: Overview; Wallet & Key Storage•13 minutes
- Buying and Selling Cryptocurrencies: Using Crypto Exchanges•9 minutes
- Key Crypto Risk Factors: Exchange Risks•8 minutes
- Key Crypto Risk Factors: Supply, Cybersecurity, and Centralization•8 minutes
- Crypto Risk Factors: Utility and Sentiment•9 minutes
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Case Reading: Studying the Cryptocurrency Market•10 minutes
- Case Reading: Risky Business•10 minutes
- Course Feedback•10 minutes
- Keep Learning with Michigan Online•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 35 minutes
- Case Discussion Participation•5 minutes
- End of Module Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 60 minutes
- Case Activity: What do you want to do with your money?•60 minutes
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Reviewed on Oct 4, 2023
The course has been incredible to start with the use of ICT, especially the impact of the industry 4.0, for this reason it has been interesting the course and thank you for the opportunity !!!!
Reviewed on Sep 25, 2021
the information is really valuable. understanding more about blockchain and crypto and the way mr ANDREW..explained really appreciat it ...
Reviewed on Apr 7, 2020
Great overview of blockchain and cryptocurrency for non-coders. This course demystified BitCoin and cryptocurrency in a couple of weeks.
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