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Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology Explained

Will blockchain change the world? Explore blockchain technology and the cryptocurrency market with the University of Michigan.

9,787 enrolled on this course

  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours

Consider the strengths and weaknesses of blockchain for business

The sudden rise in the value of Bitcoin (and its subsequent decline) focused the world’s attention on using cryptocurrencies for payment.

Blockchain technology powers Bitcoin and has been hyped as the next new, transformative technology.

On this course, you will uncover the technology that underpins blockchain and review its key concepts, such as decentralization and consensus algorithms.

You will assess and critique blockchain as an asset, and review the dynamics of the cryptocurrency markets. You will also explore the use of blockchain as a business solution.

What topics will you cover?

  • Introduction to Fintech
  • Introduction to Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
  • Blockchain as an Asset
  • Blockchain as a Business

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain how blockchain works
  • Describe 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 the tradeoffs of blockchain as a business solution

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in understanding cutting edge financial technologies.

This course will be of particular interest to learners with a background in finance, development, or business leadership and learning how to develop and use new financial technologies in their own context.

Who developed the course?

University of Michigan

As the #1 public research university in the United States, U-M has been a leader in research, learning, and teaching for more than 200 years, with 102 Grad programs in the top 10 — U.S. News & World Report (2019).

  • Established

    1817
  • Location

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
  • World ranking

    Top 30Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

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