Course duration
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
6–8 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The projected valuation of the blockchain market by 2026.
Markets and markets (Nov, 2021).
The number of unique addresses that bought or sold an NFT in Q1 2022, up from 627,000 in Q4 2021.
Chainalysis (2022).
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
While blockchain and cryptocurrencies have emerged as powerful and disruptive technological forces, their decentralized nature has created novel challenges for traditional financial authorities and regulators. However, cryptocurrencies also bring opportunities; leveraging blockchain technologies, they provide new digital pathways in the global finance system.
In the Blockchain and Crypto Applications: From Decentralized Finance to Web 3 online short course, you’ll gain a sound understanding of the future of blockchain technology and the possibilities that lie ahead for crypto. From finance to the metaverse, you’ll explore the evolution of the tumultuous and dynamic crypto space as experienced by a range of MIT Sloan School of Management faculty and experts in the field. This includes some of the major trends that characterize new crypto waves and advancements. You’ll also explore the dichotomy of public opinion regarding cryptotechnologies, and the rapidly evolving legal and policy landscape.
Is this course for you?
This program is ideally suited to experienced professionals and leaders interested in discerning hype from reality and capitalizing on real opportunities in cryptocurrency and blockchain. Whether to improve in their current role, enhance their skill set, or embark on a new career path, participants will benefit from the experts’ balanced take on the crypto space. Additionally, those ready to invest in and start their own blockchain or crypto venture will learn how to create a primer for an early stage project idea while considering technical, market, and regulatory challenges.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
While blockchain and cryptocurrencies have emerged as powerful and disruptive technological forces, their decentralized nature has created novel challenges for traditional financial authorities and regulators. However, cryptocurrencies also bring opportunities; leveraging blockchain technologies, they provide new digital pathways in the global finance system.
In the Blockchain and Crypto Applications: From Decentralized Finance to Web 3 online short course, you’ll gain a sound understanding of the future of blockchain technology and the possibilities that lie ahead for crypto. From finance to the metaverse, you’ll explore the evolution of the tumultuous and dynamic crypto space as experienced by a range of MIT Sloan School of Management faculty and experts in the field. This includes some of the major trends that characterize new crypto waves and advancements. You’ll also explore the dichotomy of public opinion regarding cryptotechnologies, and the rapidly evolving legal and policy landscape.
Is this course for you?
This program is ideally suited to experienced professionals and leaders interested in discerning hype from reality and capitalizing on real opportunities in cryptocurrency and blockchain. Whether to improve in their current role, enhance their skill set, or embark on a new career path, participants will benefit from the experts’ balanced take on the crypto space. Additionally, those ready to invest in and start their own blockchain or crypto venture will learn how to create a primer for an early stage project idea while considering technical, market, and regulatory challenges.
What will set you apart
Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
The crypto ecosystem: From Bitcoin to Web 3
Module 2
Forming your perspective on crypto
Module 3
Scaling crypto applications: The future of payments
Module 4
DeFi and the future of finance
Module 5
NFTs: The future of digital platforms and the metaverse
Module 6
Designing for Web 3: Network effects
Module 7
Key challenges for crypto: Privacy, governance, and regulation
Module 8
Building on the crypto frontier
Get more information
Faculty Director
Christian Catalini
Founder, MIT Cryptoeconomics Lab and Research Scientist, MIT Sloan School of Management
About the certificate
Discover the possibilities that lie ahead for crypto and blockchain, and earn an official digital certificate of completion from MIT Sloan.
This program also counts toward an MIT Sloan Executive Certificate, which you can earn upon completion of four programs where at least three of the four come from your chosen certificate track and at least one is completed in person. Find full details here.
Get more information
Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
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.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
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.