Last update: Ing. Dagmar Schnellerová (14.02.2024)
This course covers recent developments in the area of financial innovation (FinTech), such as Blockchain, digital currencies, peer-to-peer methods of identifying ownership, and smart contracts. Its goal is to analyze the emergence of Blockchain and related innovations as highly disruptive technologies for the financial industry, business laws, accounting, and monetary economics (central banking). To fully understand the implications of such technologies, we will cover various related topics such as the nature of money, legacy payment and banking, basics of crypto technology, digital currency systems, peer-to-peer transactions, governance and regulation of emerging technologies, double-entry bookkeeping, and financial exchanges. We will also focus on several digital currencies, their "intrinsic value," the reasons for their recent popularity, and the microstructure of their trading. Finally, we will survey various ventures that have begun to capitalize on these innovations.
Registration into this compact course is open until the first day of the course.
Aim of the course
Last update: Binyi Zhang (17.05.2023)
To enhance students' understanding of the most recent and most promising financial innovations that will change the nature of the professional jobs that would be available in the future for students majoring in finance, accounting, and other business areas. The course also intends to create a bridge between business, law, and computer science. Students majoring in these areas would be equipped with a basic knowledge in each other's fields, which should enhance the quality of their communications after entry into their corresponding careers.
After completing the course, the students will be able to:
understand the nature of Blockchain technology
discuss the FINTECH applications currently being explored for a wide variety of uses and functions
examine why peer-to-peer method of identifying ownership and network-based bookkeeping creates a form of trust
analyze the reasons behind the popularity of stateless digital currencies and discuss their implications for the future of the monetary policy set by a country's central bank
apprehend the regulatory and governance challenges facing corporations, central banks, trading exchanges, and various government institutions dealing with this disruptive technology
illustrate how various corporations and banks try to co-opt the Blockchain technology into their existing business models
understand how the Initial Currency Offerings (ICOs) work and discuss why recently they became a popular form of external financing for some firms
Descriptors
Last update: doc. PhDr. Martin Gregor, Ph.D. (01.02.2024)
This compact course will be taught on May 21-23 (Tue-Thu), 2024, 14-17, in Room 109.
Course completion requirements
Last update: doc. PhDr. Martin Gregor, Ph.D. (10.05.2024)
A final online exam (pass/fail) with multiple-choice questions at the Moodle 2 platform.
It is essential for students to be enrolled in the "FinTech and Blockchain" course on the Moodle platform as a prerequisite for taking the exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and employs a pass/fail grading system.
Additionally, students must join the MS Teams platform and ensure that their camera is activated throughout the duration of the exam.
EXAM DATES: Preliminarily scheduled in the week May 27-31, 2024. The exact dates will be announced in the course week.
The test will consist of 20-25 questions for 50-60 minutes. According to the past experience, there is more than enough time.
Questions are displayed in blocks consisting of 2-4 Qs. After completing the block, it is not possible to return back (important!)
The questions are generated randomly from a wider set of tasks and the individual answers (a to e) are randomly mixed.
Some answers are formulated with the options "all answers a, b, c are correct", "none of the answers a, b, c is correct" ... since the answers are randomly shuffled, that "a, b, c" does not necessarily answer reality, take it as "all answers are correct" or "no answer is correct" (important!)
It is not possible to return to the test after submitting it.
It is necessary to click on "end of test" in the Moodle, then "Submit all and finish", then again "Submit all and finish".
The test is closed-book! Any communication between you is prohibited.
You can use calculators.
At the end, you will see the number of points for the test.
The mark that is displayed in Moodle is irrelevant, only the number of points is important.
The grade will be Pass or Fail.
We will insert your grade into SIS before June 3 (the deadline for those who are finishing their studies in June).
Entry requirements
Last update: doc. PhDr. Martin Gregor, Ph.D. (20.02.2023)
The course is suitable for bachelor and master students. Students should have basic knowledge of computer technologies, financial institutions, accounting, and business law.
