Crypto Finance

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This course provides an introduction to blockchain and cryptofinance. We begin by discussing how a blockchain operates without a centralized intermediary, focusing especially on the Proof-of-Work and Proof-of-Stake blockchain protocols. The course then transitions to introducing smart contracts and clarifying how smart contracts are applied to form decentralized applications that provide financial services. Specific smart contract applications that we discuss include fungible tokens, non-fungible tokens, decentralized exchanges and lending platforms.