2024
Blockchain and digital investments
Name: Blockchain and digital investments
Code: INF14726M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Management, Informatics
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
It is intended to explore the architecture of Blockchain technology that is changing the scenario of the financial sector. The fundamental concepts of Blockchain and fundamentals that allow the creation of distributed, non-centralized, safe and reliable applications will be studied, as well as ways to create applications on blockchain networks, through the use of smart contracts. This UC intends to:
- Know and understand the functioning of the blockchain and the consensus mechanisms
- Understand the CAP theorem and define its properties
- Define and get to know smart contracts and some of their uses (DeFi, NFT's)
- Know the main blockchain platforms (Ethereum, Hyperledger Fabric, and R3's Corda) and identify the main areas of use
- Distinguish different types of crypto assets (altcoins, pure cryptocurrencies, tokens, exchange tokens, etc)
- Identify the most relevant risks associated with crypto assets
- Know and understand the functioning of the blockchain and the consensus mechanisms
- Understand the CAP theorem and define its properties
- Define and get to know smart contracts and some of their uses (DeFi, NFT's)
- Know the main blockchain platforms (Ethereum, Hyperledger Fabric, and R3's Corda) and identify the main areas of use
- Distinguish different types of crypto assets (altcoins, pure cryptocurrencies, tokens, exchange tokens, etc)
- Identify the most relevant risks associated with crypto assets
Contents
1. Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and Blockchain
1.1 Blockchain network
1.2 Blocks
1.3 Blockchain Applications
2. Distributed consensus
2.1. CAP theorem
2.2. Byzantine Generals Problems
2.3. Consensus Mechanisms
2.4. proof-of-work
2.5. proof-of-stake
3. Transactions
3.1. smart contracts
3.2. User cases
4. Blockchain Platforms
4.1. Public and private blockchain platforms
4.2. Examples of blockchain platforms
5. Cryptoactives
5.1. Classification
5.2. financial characteristics
5.3. Investment opportunities and risks
5.4. Cryptocurrency portfolio and diversification strategies
6. Regulatory, legal and environmental aspects
7. FinTech and its implications for the financial services sector
1.1 Blockchain network
1.2 Blocks
1.3 Blockchain Applications
2. Distributed consensus
2.1. CAP theorem
2.2. Byzantine Generals Problems
2.3. Consensus Mechanisms
2.4. proof-of-work
2.5. proof-of-stake
3. Transactions
3.1. smart contracts
3.2. User cases
4. Blockchain Platforms
4.1. Public and private blockchain platforms
4.2. Examples of blockchain platforms
5. Cryptoactives
5.1. Classification
5.2. financial characteristics
5.3. Investment opportunities and risks
5.4. Cryptocurrency portfolio and diversification strategies
6. Regulatory, legal and environmental aspects
7. FinTech and its implications for the financial services sector
Teaching Methods
Throughout the teaching sessions of a collective nature, a detailed presentation will be made of the defined syllabus contents and a dialogue will be reinforced with the students about the importance of using the acquired knowledge.
Given the eminently practical and instrumental nature of the subjects, an operational approach based on the resolution of practical cases related to the realityBlockchain and digital investments will be privileged.
In order to increase contact and interactivity with the students and as a way to make available the materials to support the contents distributed during the semester, the teachers will permanently use the e-learning platform of the University of Évora (Moodle).
Given the eminently practical and instrumental nature of the subjects, an operational approach based on the resolution of practical cases related to the realityBlockchain and digital investments will be privileged.
In order to increase contact and interactivity with the students and as a way to make available the materials to support the contents distributed during the semester, the teachers will permanently use the e-learning platform of the University of Évora (Moodle).
Assessment
In the continuous assessment regime, the final grade of the course will result from the weighted average of the practical component and the theoretical component, with the following weightings:
Theoretical component:
Test 1: 20%;
Test 2: 20%;
Practical component:
Practical work: 60%;
In the examination regime, the final grade of the discipline will result from the weighted average of the practical component and the theoretical component, with the following weightings:
Theoretical component:
Exam: 40%;
Practical component:
Practical work: 60%;
Theoretical component:
Test 1: 20%;
Test 2: 20%;
Practical component:
Practical work: 60%;
In the examination regime, the final grade of the discipline will result from the weighted average of the practical component and the theoretical component, with the following weightings:
Theoretical component:
Exam: 40%;
Practical component:
Practical work: 60%;
Teaching Staff
Certificações
