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HKUx: Blockchain and FinTech: Basics, Applications, and Limitations

Understand the design rationale of blockchain technology, its emerging platforms and applications and uncover the limitations and the opportunities enabled by blockchain applications, particularly as it relates to finance.

6 weeks
3–4 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Free
Optional upgrade available

There is one session available:

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Starts Mar 28
Ends Dec 31

About this course

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Blockchain is a core technology in FinTech. The original design of blockchain focused on the cryptocurrency "Bitcoin". Due to its specific characteristics, many companies and users now find blockchain very useful for applications in many areas, not limited to cybercurrencies, including finance, logistics, insurance, medicine and even music. However, the design of blockchain involves cryptographic technology, which cannot be easily understood by those who are not professionals in the area of IT and security.

In order to better understand what kinds of applications best fit blockchain and other forms of distributed ledger technology and the potentials of these emerging technologies, it is important to understand the design rationale, the basic technology, the underlying cryptographic fundamentals, and its limitations. This 6-week online coursewill walk you through the following:

  • The design rationale behind blockchain and the issues for such decentralized ledger (transaction) systems.
  • The underlying technology (e.g. how the fundamental algorithms - the cryptographic primitives - work together) behind and how it makes blockchain works and safe.
  • The differences of the various existing blockchain platforms and what these platforms can provide (e.g. pros and cons of the major platforms).
  • What kinds of applications (both traditional and emerging) best fit the blockchain technology and how blockchain technology can benefit these applications.
  • Blockchain does have its limitations. We will uncover the problems and the limitations of blockchain technology to enable developers and researchers to think about how to enhance the existing blockchain technology and practitioners to better address the issues when using blockchains in their applications.
  • This course will also briefly discuss the downside of blockchain with respect to the protection of criminal activities (e.g. why ransomware always ask for bitcoins as ransom, and the money laundering problem).

The course aims at targeting a wide audience: This course will provide learners a good understanding of the technological, applicability, limitations and "illegal" usage of the blockchain technology.

At a glance

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcripts: English, 中文
  • Associated programs:
    • Professional Certificate in FinTech
  • Associated skills:Algorithms, Finance, Emerging Technologies, Financial Technology (FinTech), Blockchain, Cryptography, Bitcoin, Distributed Ledgers, Cryptocurrency

What you'll learn

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  • Understand the design rationale behind the blockchain technology.
  • Understand the technological and cryptographic components of a blockchain.
  • Understand the variations and differences of existing major blockchain platforms.
  • Understand what types of applications best fit the characteristics of blockchain.
  • Understand the limitations and outstanding issues of existing blockchain technology.
  • Understand the negative impacts of, in particular, criminal activities in the context of blockchain.

Learner testimonials

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“Loved the neutral view about Blockchain technology from industry experts. Organizations, government, global bodies and regulators, all are learning fast.”

“Real exciting to explore the rapidly evolving tech and innovation. As a digital-savvy marketer, I can’t miss the knowledge of FinTech and Blockchain!”

“A highly recommended course with rich contents that introduced technology and innovation and opportunities of blockchain and FinTech!”

This course is part of FinTech Professional Certificate Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
3 skill-building courses
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
5 months
2 - 4 hours per week

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