Blockchain and Money (15.S12)

Blockchain beyond bitcoin

The course begins with a review of Bitcoin, then looks at what blockchain and distributed ledgers could change in finance. The lens is both commercial and public policy, so the technology is weighed alongside business and regulation.

What it covers

• The commercial, technical and policy fundamentals of blockchain
• Distributed ledgers and smart contracts
• Current and potential blockchain applications in the financial sector

Who it suits

Students exploring how entrepreneurs and established firms might use the technology, and readers who want to separate the practical from the hype, will get the most from it. The course asks which parts of finance blockchain could genuinely change, and which claims deserve the closest scrutiny.