MIT Media Lab
Cryptocurrency course
Discover how to make a critical evaluation of the feasibility of a cryptocurrency project.
Start date
30 July 2025
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
“Cryptocurrency is a technology that can lead to something new in the decentralized movement of money and value on the internet.” – Gary Gensler, Former Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, MIT Sloan
The annualized growth rate of the cryptocurrency market, making it the top-performing asset class of the last decade.
Moneyweb (Jul, 2020).
Through this course, you will learn about cryptocurrency’s capabilities and limitations and its comparison to traditional finance. You will also explore how start-ups, financial institutions, big tech, and central banks are adapting to its emergence. Using real-world examples, you'll learn to think critically about cryptocurrency projects and assess their viability.
This cryptocurrency course covers the essential building blocks of cryptocurrency security, including cryptographic functions such as hash functions and digital signatures, decentralized applications, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). Guided by MIT Media Lab’s Digital Currency Initiative along with industry experts, economists, financial regulators, and internet entrepreneurs, you'll learn to assess the viability of crypto projects and understand the opportunities and challenges associated with the evolution of digital money.
After the six-week course, you'll have a deeper understanding of blockchain technology, smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), and the broader environment in which cryptocurrencies exist, enabling you to analyze the viability of a smart crypto project.
Is this course for you?
This online cryptocurrency course is ideal for anyone seeking practical knowledge and skills to assess the viability of cryptocurrency projects, particularly executives exploring new organizational needs. It is also relevant for financial services and IT professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve by understanding how crypto is applied. Professionals and entrepreneurs from diverse industries seeking growth opportunities will also benefit from a comprehensive understanding of cryptocurrency and its operating environment.
The course offers information, knowledge, and frameworks to deepen your understanding of cryptocurrencies from a business perspective. You'll also explore blockchain technology, how cryptocurrencies work, and the value they bring to organizational contexts.
Course overview
Introduction
Through this course, you will learn about cryptocurrency’s capabilities and limitations and its comparison to traditional finance. You will also explore how start-ups, financial institutions, big tech, and central banks are adapting to its emergence. Using real-world examples, you'll learn to think critically about cryptocurrency projects and assess their viability.
This cryptocurrency course covers the essential building blocks of cryptocurrency security, including cryptographic functions such as hash functions and digital signatures, decentralized applications, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). Guided by MIT Media Lab’s Digital Currency Initiative along with industry experts, economists, financial regulators, and internet entrepreneurs, you'll learn to assess the viability of crypto projects and understand the opportunities and challenges associated with the evolution of digital money.
After the six-week course, you'll have a deeper understanding of blockchain technology, smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), and the broader environment in which cryptocurrencies exist, enabling you to analyze the viability of a smart crypto project.
Is this course for you?
This online cryptocurrency course is ideal for anyone seeking practical knowledge and skills to assess the viability of cryptocurrency projects, particularly executives exploring new organizational needs. It is also relevant for financial services and IT professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve by understanding how crypto is applied. Professionals and entrepreneurs from diverse industries seeking growth opportunities will also benefit from a comprehensive understanding of cryptocurrency and its operating environment.
The course offers information, knowledge, and frameworks to deepen your understanding of cryptocurrencies from a business perspective. You'll also explore blockchain technology, how cryptocurrencies work, and the value they bring to organizational contexts.
Get this course for your team
Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.
What will set you apart
Knowledge of cryptocurrency, its limitations, capabilities, and the way it functions within the economic environment.
The skills to holistically assess a crypto project by understanding cryptocurrency within its broader context, and the ability to evaluate cryptocurrency’s economic implications.
An understanding of the evolution of money, and how Bitcoin and blockchain technology operate in moving value via the internet.
A comprehensive overview of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, crypto markets and exchanges, smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), and initial coin offerings (ICOs).
Unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Money, the payment riddle, and cryptocurrency innovation
Module 2
Smart contracts, DApps, and initial coin offerings (ICOs)
Module 3
Cryptocurrency markets, exchanges, and trading
Module 4
The viability of crypto projects
Module 5
A catalyst for change: Responses from finance, tech, and central banks
Module 6
Challenges facing cryptocurrency and the path forward
Course Conveners
Gary Gensler
Former Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, MIT Sloan School of Management; Senior Advisor to the Director, MIT Media Lab; Co-Director, MIT FinTech@CSAIL
Neha Narula
Director of the Digital Currency Initiative, MIT Media Lab
About the certificate
Acquire knowledge on cryptocurrency and earn an official digital certificate from the MIT Media Lab.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
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How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
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