Cryptocurrency and Blockchain: An Introduction to Digital Currencies (Coursera)
What is Cryptocurrency and how is it an innovative and effective method of currency?
This course was designed for individuals and organizations who want to learn how to navigate investment in cryptocurrencies. Professors Jessica Wachter and Sarah Hammer will guide you through developing a framework for agreement both Cryptocurrency and Blockchain.
You’ll learn how to define a currency, clarify the foundations of digital signatures and blockchain technology in cryptocurrency, and accurately appraise the risks of cryptocurrency in a modernistic investment portfolio.
By the end of this grade, you’ll have a deep understanding of the realities of Cryptocurrency, the intricacies of Blockchain technology, and an effective strategy for incorporating Cryptocurrency into your investment plans. No prerequisites are required, although “Fintech: Foundations, Payments, and Regulations” from Wharton’s Fintech Specialization is recommended.
Syllabus
Module i: Introduction to Cryptocurrency
In this module, you’ll define Bitcoin and understand its popularity every bit a currency. You’ll discuss the methodology behind transacting with Bitcoin and gain a deep understanding of the definition of currency and the critical importance of a shared common belief behind a unit of currency. You’ll likewise analyze the growth of centralized intermediaries that facilitate dollar transactions using cash-alternative methodologies and their role in currency.
By the end of this module, y'all’ll accept a more clearly divers understanding of why cryptocurrency and bitcoin are used equally a cash-alternative method, and how Bitcoin derives its potential value in the current marketplace.
Module 2: Rules and Structure of Bitcoin
This module was designed to analyze the problems that a decentralized currency must solve in order to be successful, and how Bitcoin meets these challenges using cryptology and blockchain technology.
Afterwards identifying the philosophy of identity backside the concept of holding rights, you’ll learn how Bitcoin utilizes digital signatures in their transactions to ensure privacy for individuals. Then, you’ll examine how blockchain technology employs Hash Functions to observe tampering attempts. Finally, yous’ll explore the creation and concept of Distributed Consensus Protocol and how Proof of Work incentivizes honest trading and stable currency creation.
By the end of this module, you’ll be able to identify the importance of digital signatures, Blockchain, and Proof of Work in the stability of Bitcoin as a currency.
Module iii: Cryptocurrency every bit an Asset Class
In this module, you’ll examine Cryptocurrency as an nugget form, and delve deeper into whether Cryptocurrency has a identify in individual investment portfolios.
Through examining the theory and data perspective of traditional finance, yous’ll understand the risks and returns on Bitcoin and its place in a more stable and anticipated portfolio. You’ll as well acquire nearly the Upper-case letter Asset Pricing Model, and central concepts of Modern Portfolio Theory such every bit Tangency Portfolio and the Sharpe Ratio. By calculating and specifying both Beta and Alpha of Bitcoins, you’ll be able to accurately measure the systematic risk the investor takes in creating a portfolio with Bitcoin.
By the finish of this module, you’ll be able to guess and clarify the values of Beta and Alpha in Cryptocurrency, and effectively optimize utility in incorporating Cryptocurrency every bit an nugget for your portfolio.
Module 4: The Blockchain Ecosystem
In this module, you’ll explore the Blockchain Ecosystem and the numerous apply cases for Blockchain in dissimilar industries.
Through examination of the key attributes of Blockchain, you’ll discover how Blockchain is built. Yous’ll too acquire about the deviation between Proof of Work and Proof of Stake, and the two interoperabilities of Blockchain. Through analyzing the different types of crypto finance, y'all’ll explore the different use cases of Blockchain in business organization, gaming, and investing.
By the cease of this module, you lot’ll have a deeper agreement of the fundamentals of Blockchain, be able to employ Blockchain in many unlike contexts, and assess how Blockchain will affect both business and order in the hereafter.
Teacher
- Jessica Wachter
- Sarah Hammer
