Digital Business

Blockchain and Crypto Applications: From Decentralized Finance to Web 3

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EARN 2.0 EEUs
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Overview
Schedule
Who Should Attend
Faculty & Team
How to Enroll
Reviews
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Course Overview

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Why attend Blockchain and Crypto Applications?

Regardless of current crypto trends, it’s the underpinning blockchain technology that’s proving to be a resilient and stable foundation for building vast business applications. Yet, there’s still uncertainty about its widespread use-cases. As a result, businesses and professionals can see how the crypto space is evolving, but are struggling to capitalize on the technologies’ future potential.

Designed by the MIT Sloan School of Management, the Blockchain and Crypto Applications: From Decentralized Finance to Web 3 online short course provides you with a balanced perspective of the crypto space. Over eight weeks, you’ll gain insights into the economics of blockchain technologies, including digital assets, stablecoins, DeFi, NFTs, and Web 3 applications. You’ll consider the major trends that characterize new waves in crypto, and explore public opinion regarding cryptotechnologies and the evolving legalities and regulations. You’ll also learn about the future of blockchain technology and the possibilities that lie ahead in the crypto space — from finance to the metaverse.

Guided by diverse experiences of MIT faculty and experts in the field, you’ll draft a primer — an overview document — for an early stage project idea, which takes into account key technical, market, and regulatory challenges.

Key Benefits

Self-Paced

This course is delivered in our Self-Paced Online format which enables you to participate at your own pace within weekly modules. This course runs over 6 weeks with an estimated 6-8 hours per week of study time

Certificate

Earn a certificate of course completion from the MIT Sloan School of Management

Interactive

You will learn through a variety of formats including interactive videos, practice quizzes, presentations, assignments, and discussion forums

Support

You will have access to a Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have

Learning Path

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Course Experience

Learn more about the self-paced online experience.

Learn more about GetSmarter technical requirements.

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Why choose MIT Sloan?

Join MIT Sloan to tackle global challenges with innovative solutions at the intersection of business and technology.

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Sample Schedule

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This course runs over 6 weeks with an estimated 6-8 hours per week of study time. The sample schedule outlined below is subject to change without notice.

Module 1

The Crypto Ecosystem: From Bitcoin to Web 3

Module 2

Forming Your Perspective on Crypto

Module 3

Scaling Crypto Application: The Future of Payments

Module 4

DeFi and the Future of Finance

Module 5

NFTs: The Future of Digital Platforms and the Metaverse

Module 6

Designing for Web 3: Network Effects

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Time Commitment

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The recommended weekly time commitment for core content is 4-5 hours, taking into account the busy lifestyles of working professionals, with an additional 2-3 hours recommended for non-compulsory weekly extension activities, should you have the time. Each module is released weekly, allowing a flexible but structured approach to learning. You’ll be supported as you engage in individual activities and group discussions, ensuring you feel confident to submit your best work at each weekly deadline.

Takeaways

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Upon successful completion of your course, you will earn a certificate of completion from the MIT Sloan School of Management. This course may also count toward MIT Sloan Executive Certificate requirements.

This program begins by explaining how the cryptocurrency industry has evolved over the last decade. Looking at origins of blockchain as well as trends and terminology in the crypto ecosystem — from Bitcoin to Web 3 — you’ll be empowered to separate fact from fiction. You’ll then be introduced to industry experts as they reflect on their work in the crypto space, giving you insight into divergent viewpoints and regulatory issues.

  • You’ll unpack the potential of stablecoins, and explore public sector infrastructure and digital assets, and the future of money.
  • You’ll delve into DeFi and discover the opportunities and constraints of digital ownership and NFTs.
  • You’ll reflect on the economics and emerging technologies of Web 3, and evaluate the platforms, networks, and tokens used.
  • You’ll also explore cryptocurrency from a governance, privacy, and regulation perspective.
  • Finally, you’ll gain insight into the future of crypto and develop an early stage project idea in DeFi, Web 3, or NFTs.

Who Should Attend

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This program is designed to help participants build a realistic perspective of the crypto space with insight into the economics of blockchain. It’s therefore suited to experienced professionals and leaders who are interested in improving their current role performance, enhancing their skill set, or embarking on a new career path. Those ready to invest and launch ventures related to blockchain or crypto will benefit from the program’s focus on creating a primer for an early stage project idea.

Faculty & Team

Faculty

Christian Catalini
Faculty Director
Christian Catalini
Research Scientist
Silvio Micali
Faculty Member
Silvio Micali
Ford Foundation Professor of Engineering
Michael Cusumano
Faculty Member
Michael Cusumano
Sloan Management Review Distinguished Professor of Management; Professor, Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management
Catherine Tucker
Faculty Member
Catherine Tucker
Sloan Distinguished Professor of Management; Professor, Marketing
Antoinette Schoar
Faculty Member
Antoinette Schoar
Stewart C. Myers-Horn Family Professor of Finance; Professor, Finance
Roberto Rigobon
Faculty Member
Roberto Rigobon
Society of Sloan Fellows Professor of Management; Professor, Applied Economics
Faculty Insights
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Do Crypto Prices Actually Mean Anything?

After each high-profile crypto meltdown, there have been renewed calls for greater oversight of the space. The idea here is that if we regulated crypto players like traditional financial institutions, they would start behaving like ones. But a regulatory framework that is purpose-built for the technology would not change the underlying incentives for reckless and fraudulent. For the crypto industry to have a positive impact on society, we need to first overhaul how it measures progress — and success.
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Is Crypto's Killer App Finally Here?

Crypto is a general-purpose technology (GPT) like the steam engine, electricity, the internet, and AI. Because GPTs require a major rewiring of the economy to be useful, we inevitably overestimate how quickly they will change our lives. But when change eventually happens, it is faster and more pervasive than expected. After more than ten years of experimentation and infrastructure building, crypto is at a turning point, and might soon find its ChatGPT moment.
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What Blockchain Can’t Do

When assessing blockchain business models, it is useful to understand what blockchain can’t do. Think about the problem of tracking babies within a hospital ward and beyond. The effects of a baby being mistaken for another baby can be horrendous. Therefore, storing records that contain a baby’s current location in a way that makes these data points immutable and verifiable seems like a great use of blockchain technology. But there is a big problem with using blockchain to solve such a problem. The digital records may be immutable and verifiable, but how does someone know which digital record is attached to which baby?

How to Enroll

Applying to the Course

Enrollment for this course is done through the GetSmarter website. You can begin the application process by using the “Go to GetSmarter Site” button.

 

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Course Dates & Enrollment

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About GetSmarter

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GetSmarter™, a brand of 2U, Inc., partners with the world's leading universities to select, design and deliver premium online short courses with a data-driven focus on learning gain.

Technology meets academic rigor in our people-mediated model which enables lifelong learners across the globe to obtain industry-relevant skills that are certified by the world’s most reputable academic institutions.

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