Introduction to Crypto, Digital Assets and the Law

Introduction to Crypto, Digital Assets, and the Law provides an accessible introduction to the technology, law, and regulation of cryptocurrencies, blockchain networks, and digital assets.

As cryptocurrencies and distributed ledger technologies continue to transform financial systems, businesses, and regulatory environments, legal and policy professionals increasingly need to understand both how these technologies work and the legal questions they create. This course develops a practical understanding of Bitcoin, blockchain technology, and digital assets before examining their legal and regulatory implications.

Beginning with the technological foundations of distributed ledger technology, the course explores how cryptocurrencies operate, how blockchain networks achieve consensus, and how digital assets are created, transferred, and governed. Building on this foundation, it examines how legal concepts such as property and contract law apply to cryptoassets, smart contracts, and decentralised systems.

The course also explores key legal and regulatory issues associated with digital assets, including governance, liability, decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs), stablecoins, and decentralised finance (DeFi). Learners will examine regulatory approaches in major jurisdictions and consider how policymakers and regulators are responding to emerging technologies.

Designed for legal professionals, policymakers, financial professionals, business leaders, and anyone interested in the intersection of law and technology, the course combines technical understanding with legal analysis to provide a structured introduction to this rapidly evolving field.

By the end of the course, you will be able to explain core blockchain concepts, analyse how legal principles apply to digital assets, evaluate emerging regulatory approaches, and identify key legal and governance challenges associated with blockchain-based systems.