Topics in Finance: Blockchain & Cryptoassets

Spring 2022, Wake Forest University

This course provides an introduction to blockchain and cryptoassets. We begin by discussing Bitcoin, clarifying the innovation that it provided but also highlighting why it performs poorly as a payment system. We then discuss Ethereum and smart contracts. We clarify both new opportunities and new difficulties that arise when a blockchain allows for processing of smart contracts. We conclude by discussing Decentralized Finance.