Past MIT Courses taught by DCI
We have helped shape courses on blockchain technology and cryptocurrency at MIT. We are happy to share some of the content publicly on Github.
Blockchain Labs (15.217 - Spring 2021, Spring 2020, 15.S68 - Spring 2019, Spring 2018 )
Blockchain Lab is a semester-long, project-based course that immerses students in the latest blockchain developments. Students engage in the latest developments through partnering with DCI members on various projects. As these companies attempt to integrate blockchain technology into viable business models. To see a full list of past projects, visit the Blockchain Labs Report pages. Students work closely with the faculty, as well as researchers and team members at the Digital Currency Initiative to complete projects for participating companies. Past companies include Deloitte, Fidelity, BCG and more.
Course instructors have included: Neha Narula, Simon Johnson, Gary Gensler, Michael Casey, and Luis Barros
MAS.S67 Blockchain Ethics: The Impact and Ethics of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology (Fall 2019)
In this course, the crucial question we will consider is: How can we positively shape the development of cryptocurrency technology? As a class we will endeavor to address this question by exploring the societal implications of blockchain technology including: cryptography, autonomous code, democratized incentive structures, and the evolution of blockchain communities. In addition to discussing the implications of the technology, students will learn about the context, history, impetus, and culture of blockchain technology, how the technology works, and the ways in which we can shape this technology through the law, societal norms, code, and markets. Course taught by Neha Narula and Rhys Lindmark.
15.235 Blockchain and Money
Explores blockchain technology's potential use - by entrepreneurs and incumbents - to change the world of money and finance. Begins with a review of the technology's initial application, the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, giving students an understanding of the commercial, technical and public policy fundamentals of blockchain technology, distributed ledgers and smart contracts in both open-sourced and private applications. Focuses on current and potential blockchain applications in the financial sector. Includes reviews of potential use cases for payment systems, central banking, venture capital, secondary market trading, trade finance, commercial banking, post-trade possessing, and digital ID. Also explores the markets and regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies, initial coin offerings, other tokens, and crypto derivatives. Course Taught by Gary Gensler.
15.228 B Digital Frontier: Emerging Blockchain Havens (Spring 1st. half semester 2019)
Explore digital frontiers through in depth study blockchain technology environments in Estonia and Switzerland. Course taught by Gary Gensler
15.S04 Crypto Finance (Spring 2nd half semester 2019)
Explore the crypto finance markets - market structure, participants, regulation and dynamics of this relatively new and volatile asset class. Course taught by Gary Gensler, Leonid Kogan, & Antoinette Schoar
15.S12 Blockchain and Money (Fall 2018)
Explores blockchain technology’s potential use - by entrepreneurs & incumbents - to change the world of money and finance. Course taught by Gary Gensler
6.892: Shared Public Ledgers: Cryptocurrencies, Blockchains, and Other Marvels (Spring 2017)
This course is about the principles and core techniques of shared public ledgers, with an emphasis on Bitcoin and distributed consensus. Topics include Bitcoin, Byzantine agreement, authenticated data structures, Lightning networks, proof of stake, and new techniques to implement a shared public ledger. Course taught by Silvio Micali and Neha Narula.