Fintech: Blockchain for Business and Finance from edX

This is the second in a series of courses on financial technology, also called Fintech. The course provides a business-oriented overview of blockchain technology, distributed ledgers, and cryptocurrencies.

The course is structured into four main modules.

In the first one, we will learn about cryptography. Having a basic understanding of hashing functions, encryption and decryption is essential to understand blockchain technology.
In the second module, we will dive deep into the technology of distributed ledgers, from creating transactions, to building blocks, and validating transactions.
In the third module, we will look at the business applications of blockchain technology, with a focus on financial services and cryptocurrencies. We will talk about cryptocurrencies, digital wallets and exchanges, and enterprise applications of blockchain. We will also read and discuss the latest reports on blockchain and HBS cases on Deutsche Bank and R3 Corda.
We will conclude the course by interviewing Prof. Tej Anand, an award-winning business-technology strategist, advisor, innovator, educator and practitioner who teaches blockchain technology courses in the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

After you complete this course, you will be able to understand what blockchain and cryptocurrencies are, and the enterprise applications of blockchain technology.

Financial professionals are often required or encouraged to continue their education to practice their profession. For some associations, this program may be used for Continuing Education Credits. Please check with your local or national organization if the program qualifies.

What's inside

Learning objectives

What distributed ledgers are.
When to use or not to use decentralized ledgers in your business.

The state-of-the-art of blockchain applications in finance.
After the completion of this course, you will be fluent in all aspects related to distributed ledgers. you will learn:

What distributed ledgers are.
When to use or not to use decentralized ledgers in your business.
The state-of-the-art of blockchain applications in finance.
After the completion of this course, you will be fluent in all aspects related to distributed ledgers. you will learn:

Syllabus

Week 1: Cryptography

- Hashing

- Encryption and Decryption

Week 2: Blockchain Technology

- Intro to Blockchain

- Blockchain Mechanics

Week 3: Blockchain Applications

- Cryptocurrencies

- Wallets and Crypto-exchanges

- Enterprise Blockchain applications

Week 4: Financing Blockchain Ventures

- ICOs

- Regulating Blockchain Technology

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

May help build a foundation for understanding blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and enterprise applications

Instructors from The University of Texas at Austin

Delivers a business-oriented, multi-modal course

May qualify for continuing education credits for some professional associations

Requires understanding of hashing, encryption, and decryption

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Fintech: Blockchain for Business and Finance with these activities:

Review distributed ledger concepts

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Refreshes your understanding of distributed ledgers before the course starts.

Browse courses on Distributed Ledger Technology

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Review the course syllabus and identify key concepts related to distributed ledgers.
Research distributed ledger architectures and consensus mechanisms.
Read articles or watch videos to enhance your understanding.

Practice Python programming

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Strengthens your Python skills, which are useful for working with blockchain technology.

Browse courses on Python

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Solve coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.
Review Python tutorials or documentation to refresh your memory.
Build a small Python project to apply your skills.

Solve cryptography puzzles on HackerRank

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Strengthens your understanding of cryptography, which is essential for blockchain technology.

Browse courses on Cryptography

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Sign up for HackerRank and search for cryptography challenges.
Solve at least 10 puzzles of varying difficulty levels.
Analyze the solutions to understand different cryptographic techniques.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Review 'Mastering Blockchain' by Imran Bashir

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Provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology, its applications, and the underlying concepts.

View Mastering Blockchain - Fourth Edition: Inner... on Amazon

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Read the first three chapters to gain a foundational understanding of blockchain.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter to test your comprehension.
Create a mind map to summarize the key concepts.

Write a blog post about blockchain in the financial industry

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Enhances your understanding of blockchain's business applications and improves your writing skills.

Browse courses on Blockchain Applications

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Research the latest trends in blockchain adoption in the financial industry.
Identify key use cases and provide examples.
Analyze the benefits and challenges of using blockchain in finance.
Summarize your findings in a well-written blog post.

Build a blockchain application prototype

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Provides hands-on experience in developing and deploying blockchain applications.

Browse courses on Blockchain Applications

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Choose a simple blockchain use case, such as a voting system.
Design the blockchain architecture and data structures.
Implement the prototype using a blockchain platform like Ethereum or Hyperledger.
Test and evaluate the prototype.

Contribute to a blockchain open-source project

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Provides real-world experience in blockchain development and contributes to the community.

Browse courses on Blockchain Technology

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Identify an open-source blockchain project on platforms like GitHub.
Read the project documentation and familiarize yourself with the codebase.
Identify a small issue or feature to contribute to.
Fork the project, make your changes, and submit a pull request.

Career center

Learners who complete Fintech: Blockchain for Business and Finance will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Blockchain Developer

Blockchain Developers specialize in designing and building blockchain applications. They have a deep understanding of blockchain technology, distributed ledger systems, and smart contracts. This course offers a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology and its business applications, which can help Blockchain Developers expand their knowledge and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Blockchain Developer

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts use their expertise in mathematics, statistics, and financial markets to provide in depth analysis and recommendations to a wide range of clients. They apply their deep understanding of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies to evaluate and make recommendations on digital assets and blockchain-based financial products. This course provides a solid foundation in blockchain technology and its applications in finance, which can be highly relevant to Financial Analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers are responsible for providing financial advice and services to corporations and governments. They help companies raise capital and execute mergers and acquisitions. This course provides valuable knowledge of blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and their applications in the financial sector, which can be highly beneficial for Investment Bankers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Cryptocurrency Trader

Cryptocurrency Traders buy and sell cryptocurrencies for profit. They rely on their understanding of blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and financial markets to make informed trading decisions. This course provides valuable insights into the fundamentals of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, which can be beneficial for Cryptocurrency Traders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cryptocurrency Trader

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data and make investment decisions. They leverage their understanding of blockchain technology to analyze blockchain data and develop new investment strategies. This course provides a solid foundation in blockchain technology and its applications, which can be valuable for Quantitative Analysts who are looking to specialize in blockchain-based investment strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use their expertise in mathematics, statistics, and computer science to analyze data and extract meaningful insights. They leverage their understanding of blockchain technology to analyze blockchain data and develop new insights. This course provides a solid foundation in blockchain technology and its applications, which can be valuable for Data Scientists who are looking to specialize in blockchain data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They analyze economic data and trends to make predictions about the future of the economy. This course provides a solid foundation in blockchain technology and its applications, which can be valuable for Economists who are looking to understand the economic implications of blockchain technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities for their organizations. They leverage their understanding of blockchain technology and its applications to explore new markets and partnerships. This course offers a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology and its business applications, which can be highly beneficial for Business Development Managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Chief Technology Officer

Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) are responsible for overseeing the technology strategy and infrastructure of their organizations. They have a deep understanding of blockchain technology and its implications for their organizations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology and its business applications, which can be invaluable for CTOs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Technology Officer

Chief Information Officer

Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are responsible for managing the information technology systems and infrastructure of their organizations. They have a deep understanding of blockchain technology and its implications for their organizations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology and its business applications, which can be invaluable for CIOs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Information Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are responsible for managing the financial health of their organizations. They have a deep understanding of blockchain technology and its implications for their organizations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology and its business applications, which can be invaluable for CFOs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Financial Officer

Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and mitigate risks for their organizations. They leverage their understanding of blockchain technology to assess blockchain-related risks and develop mitigation strategies. This course provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology and its business applications, which can be highly beneficial for Risk Managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. They have a deep understanding of blockchain technology and its implications for software development. This course provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology and its business applications, which can be invaluable for Software Engineers who are looking to develop blockchain-based software solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for managing the development and launch of new products. They work closely with engineers, designers, and marketers to bring new products to market. This course provides a solid foundation in blockchain technology and its applications, which can be valuable for Product Managers who are looking to develop innovative blockchain-based products.

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Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice and services to help organizations solve problems and improve their performance. They leverage their understanding of blockchain technology to advise clients on its applications and implications. This course provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology and its business applications, which can be highly beneficial for Consultants.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant