University of Cape Town
Blockchain and Digital Currency: The Future of Money
Acquire a comprehensive understanding of crypto assets and leverage the potential they present.
Start date
29 September 2025
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–9 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
As the adoption of crypto assets and blockchain technologies accelerates, professionals must go beyond basic knowledge of cryptocurrencies. To keep up with the fast-paced developments in the finance industry, organisations need experts who can analyse and comprehend how these technologies will revolutionise the financial system in the near future. Those who can offer services that support the industry or compete with cryptocurrencies will have an edge in this rapidly-evolving landscape.
The University of Cape Town's (UCT) online short course on Blockchain and Digital Currency: The Future of Money provides professionals with a comprehensive understanding of how blockchain operates within the present and future financial system. Through a six-week course, you'll explore the emerging field of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and gain an insight into how they are shaping the future of the financial industry from an emerging market perspective. Additionally, you'll examine the ethical implications of investing in the crypto asset industry and how governance and ethics can shape new financial infrastructure to benefit society.
By completing this course, you'll enhance your skills and stay updated with the latest industry knowledge on blockchain and cryptocurrencies, enabling you to take full advantage of the opportunities it creates.
Is this course for you?
This blockchain and digital currency course is suitable for individuals interested in new forms of currency, especially those working in the financial sector, government, central banks, or involved in crypto assets personally. Those who wish to enhance their working knowledge of blockchain and crypto assets to advance their role will also benefit from this course. Even professionals who already understand blockchain and digital currencies will gain future-oriented skills that they can use immediately in their business context or role.
The course is structured into weekly modules, each with incremental deadlines that allow working professionals to improve their skills without sacrificing their work or family responsibilities.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
As the adoption of crypto assets and blockchain technologies accelerates, professionals must go beyond basic knowledge of cryptocurrencies. To keep up with the fast-paced developments in the finance industry, organisations need experts who can analyse and comprehend how these technologies will revolutionise the financial system in the near future. Those who can offer services that support the industry or compete with cryptocurrencies will have an edge in this rapidly-evolving landscape.
The University of Cape Town's (UCT) online short course on Blockchain and Digital Currency: The Future of Money provides professionals with a comprehensive understanding of how blockchain operates within the present and future financial system. Through a six-week course, you'll explore the emerging field of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and gain an insight into how they are shaping the future of the financial industry from an emerging market perspective. Additionally, you'll examine the ethical implications of investing in the crypto asset industry and how governance and ethics can shape new financial infrastructure to benefit society.
By completing this course, you'll enhance your skills and stay updated with the latest industry knowledge on blockchain and cryptocurrencies, enabling you to take full advantage of the opportunities it creates.
Is this course for you?
This blockchain and digital currency course is suitable for individuals interested in new forms of currency, especially those working in the financial sector, government, central banks, or involved in crypto assets personally. Those who wish to enhance their working knowledge of blockchain and crypto assets to advance their role will also benefit from this course. Even professionals who already understand blockchain and digital currencies will gain future-oriented skills that they can use immediately in their business context or role.
The course is structured into weekly modules, each with incremental deadlines that allow working professionals to improve their skills without sacrificing their work or family responsibilities.
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
An understanding of how blockchain technology fits into the existing financial systems, and how applications such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other crypto assets can be used.
Insight into crypto assets and digital currencies in the South African and emerging market context.
Knowledge of CBDCs that will help you stay abreast of the latest developments that are shaping the future of finance.
An understanding of the ethical considerations that are associated with the rise of the crypto asset industry. 
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
Blockchain principles
Module 2
Applying blockchain technology
Module 3
Crypto assets and the future of financial instruments
Module 4
The evolution of financial markets
Module 5
Programmable money
Module 6
Ethics and governance of a new financial system
What past students
think
Kate Barnes
Payments Strategist, FNB
I highly recommend this course to anyone involved in financial services. This is potentially the new frontier of banking, and while there's a vast amount of material to read online about crypto assets and distributed ledger technology, it's not always easy to follow, to know what is credible or relevant, or to make sense of what it means for our industry. This course brings the topic together with many related issues, such as financial inclusion or the potential impact of Big Tech on financial services. This provides an important grounding for further exploration of the topic.
Faculty Directors
Allan Davids
Lecturer, School of Economics, Faculty of Commerce, UCT
About the certificate
Gain knowledge about blockchain and crypto assets, and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Financing options
We've recently partnered with financial services firm, FeverTree, to offer you another convenient way to finance your short course education. Find out how you can apply for a short-term loan below.
How do I apply?
- You have the option of applying for a full course-cost loan agreement with FeverTree (South African citizens and short courses only)
- FeverTree works with GetSmarter to ensure your studies are financed right away, giving you the chance to join the soonest presentation
- You can find out if you pre-qualify in seconds. Send an SMS with your “Name*Surname*ID Number*Gross Salary” to 30082
- FeverTree’s application process is simple and quick – expect a 15-minute turnaround to find out if you’ve been successful with your loan application
- Even if you aren’t successful in your FeverTree application, you’ll still be eligible for the payment plan options with GetSmarter
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