Since the launch of Bitcoin in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, digital assets have developed into a distinct asset class with growing influence over global financial markets. The increasing institutional participation and increase in applications for cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based systems are challenging conventional notions and regulatory frameworks.
This course provides an introduction to the economic foundations and financial innovations driving the digital asset ecosystem, with a focus on cryptocurrencies, blockchain technologies, and decentralized finance (DeFi). Through real-world examples and recent regulatory investigations, students will analyze the underlying economics of both the successes and failures in cryptocurrency markets. Topics include centralized versus decentralized exchanges (CEX vs. DEX), crypto derivatives such as perpetual futures, and institutional investment products such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
