Blockchain & CryptoAssets 

Objectives

Blockchain technology is being developed and deployed to change the way we interact online. In the future of the internet, referred to as Web 3.0, blockchain proponents imagine we will decentralise our online interactions, allowing for direct cooperation and collaboration, without the need to trust our data to centralised services.

The technology's pivotal role in asset management is exemplified by the concept of "tokenization," where real-world assets are converted into digital tokens on a blockchain. This facilitates peer-to-peer transactions, bypassing traditional financial intermediaries and democratizing access to asset trading. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, offer the ability to revolutionize financial transactions, offering privacy and efficiency without traditional banking intermediaries.

Finally, the trading of tokens and cryptocurrencies has spawned the development of decentralized finance (DeFi) a set of tools and methodologies to challenge existing financial structures and produce a more inclusive and accessible international financial system.

Find out how blockchain technology works to provide trustable shared environments and the ways this is shaping the future of finance.

General characterization

Code

200314

Credits

4.0

Responsible teacher

Hours

Weekly - Available soon

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

Portuguese. If there are Erasmus students, classes will be taught in English

Prerequisites

Basic familiarity with Python or other programming language is strongly recommended. Practical materials are designed for students from all backgrounds, but students without previous programming experience may need to dedicate additional effort to learning how to write basic smart contracts.

Bibliography

Antonopoulos, A. M., & Wood, G. (2018). Mastering ethereum: building smart contracts and dapps. O'reilly Media. Available at: https://github.com/ethereumbook/ethereumbook

 

Antonopoulos, A. M. (2017). Mastering Bitcoin: Programming the open blockchain. Second edition" O'Reilly Media, Inc.". available at: https://github.com/bitcoinbook/bitcoinbook

 

Additional bibliography distributed throughout the semester in line with the content of the topics covered in each class.

Teaching method

The course will be largely theory classes with a minor practical component. The aim is to present both the big changes possible with blockchain and a practical understanding of the technology and the smart contracts developed for it.

Throughout the semester students will complete a simple set of smart contract development exercises.

Evaluation method

To successfully finish this curricular unit, students need to score a minimum of 9.5 points. The grading is divided into two seasons. Attendance in the second is optional for students that passed the curricular unit in the first season and can be used to improve their grade.

Continuous Evaluation (1st Call)

The first season is dedicated to continuous evaluation and replaces the first Exam call. The continuous evaluation includes the following two assessment components:

  1. Exam (60%) – This is an individual assessment activity. The exam is multichoice. To successfully complete the course students must obtain a minimum score of 9.5 in the final examination The Exam is made up of 40 multiple-choice questions. You are allowed an A4 double sided cheat sheet of handwritten notes in the exam. Otherwise the exam is closed book and in person.
  2. Practical Exercise (40%) – There are two practical exercises. In each you have approximately two weeks to complete a simple smart contract development tutorial online. To grade the assessment you will then need to complete a 10 question test on Moodle covering the contents of the tutorial.

Final Exam (2nd Call)

The second grading season will take place in July and consists of a multiple-choice exam. The exam will count 100% of the grade. Please note as this exam covers both practical and theoretical components it is typically significantly more difficult than the initial exam. As such it is highly recommended that you complete the continuous evaluation assessment.

The Exam is made up of 40 multiple-choice questions. You are allowed an A4 double sided cheat sheet of handwritten notes in the exam. Otherwise the exam is closed book and in person.

Subject matter

Blockchain fundamentals

Bitcoin and cryptocurrency

Ethereum and smart contracts

Tokenisation, Proof of stake (PoS), and staking

Decentralised Finance (DeFi)

DeFi protocols

Maximal Extractable Value (MeV) past, present, future