In a world where cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology make direct peer-to-peer transactions possible and transcend traditional financial norms, more people want to learn about them to keep up with the times.
Universities around the world are starting to offer cryptocurrency-related courses to cater to this new paradigm. Due to the growing demand, many of the best universities in the world offer crypto-related courses.
There has been a lot of hype around cryptocurrencies – mainly due to their disruptive potential – and the rise of crypto education has strongly coincided with this. According to a 2022 survey by Study.com, about two-thirds of US parents and college students familiar with cryptocurrencies thought the topic should be taught in schools as mandatory.
A recent survey conducted by Grayscale Investments, in conjunction with The Harris Poll, revealed that approximately 53% of Americans viewed cryptocurrencies as the future of finance.
These positive outlooks towards cryptocurrencies lent credence to the introduction of related courses at institutions of higher education.
Why More People Are Pursuing Crypto Education
The cryptocurrency’s decentralized nature and ease of acquisition has attracted speculative traders and long-term investors.
However, investing in digital currencies comes with significant risks, and more investors are looking to educate themselves before dabbling in the new asset class.
Some entrepreneurs and business managers looking to learn more about cryptocurrencies to transform their businesses have turned to crypto education, especially the latest crypto-based revenue generation models.
Companies are also driving demand for cryptographic education. In recent years, several top tier companies such as IBM, Oracle, Cisco, Amazon and Google have actively sought cryptographic or blockchain oriented hires to help develop innovative blockchain products. This increased demand for related courses. Some companies have gone a step further and partnered with institutions that offer courses to further cryptography and blockchain research and support related programs.
Mary Lacity, a distinguished professor of information systems at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, told Cointelegraph that corporate companies were among the early drivers of the trend.
“Initial demand to initiate these programs came from our industry partners, including Walmart, JB Hunt, Tyson Foods, ArcBest and IBM,” said Lacity.
The professor pointed out that the growing corporate clientele initially led the institution to focus on private blockchain courses. Still, the curriculum has been revamped to cover public blockchains due to changing market dynamics.
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“Our students are interested in the opportunities to build their own decentralized applications,” she said.
Regarding the future of crypto education, Lacity said that demand was strong and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.
What Cryptocurrency Courses Cover
Cryptocurrency courses often contain the essential areas that cryptocurrency users and investors are looking to understand, such as the basics of blockchain technology.
Understanding how blockchain systems work and their advantages and disadvantages is essential to understanding cryptocurrencies. Some cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin (BTC), are inherently deflationary, with mechanisms that restrict supply and increase mining difficulty. This, in turn, creates scarcity, driving up the value and purchasing power of BTC over time.
Cryptocurrencies that lack such properties have limited upside price potential due to oversupply. Details like these help students, especially investors, make better-informed decisions when exploring cryptocurrency.
Crypto education also helps students understand the risks involved when investing in cryptocurrencies, such as extreme volatility and the factors that trigger it, such as regulatory changes and negative market sentiment.
Cryptocurrency courses designed for beginners often cover the basics like obtaining and trading cryptocurrencies. Programs typically teach students about cryptocurrency mining, regulation, taxation, security measures when using custodial and non-custodial wallets, and how to spot scams.
More advanced courses related to crypto risk management often cover risk management strategies and technical analysis. These courses help students understand the deeper mechanics of the cryptocurrency market and how to avoid significant losses.
Many top universities have released cryptography-related courses at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Some programs have been integrated across departments to allow students who specialize in other disciplines to join them.
national university of singapore
The National University of Singapore is among the top public universities in Singapore, ranked 11th in the QS World University Rankings 2023. The university has a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses related to crypto and blockchain.
Among its most unique program is the Blockchain Commercial Applications course, which examines blockchain capabilities and its commercial use cases. The course is tailored for business professionals who want to integrate technology into their business to improve transparency and efficiency.
The course covers subjects such as distributed ledgers and smart contracts, blockchain resources and architecture, and the commercial application of blockchain.
The university also offers cryptocentric courses covering token design, economics, and cryptographic philosophy.
Cornell University
Cornell University is a private Ivy League university based in Ithaca, New York. The institution has a wide range of cryptocurrency related courses for beginners and advanced learners. The Introduction to Blockchains, Cryptocurrencies and Smart Contracts course is among the most notable aimed at technology students.
His program examines the inner workings of cryptocurrencies, such as the use of digital signatures in authenticating transactions. The course also has modules that cover cryptographic concepts such as zero-knowledge proofs and smart contracts.
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong Polytechnic University is a government-funded university in Hung Hom, Hong Kong. The institution offers a wide range of higher education as well as cryptocurrency and blockchain related programs.
Among the more advanced courses it offers is the Master in Blockchain Technology. The course is designed for students already well versed in cryptography and blockchain technology and teaches students to analyze, create and implement blockchain technologies in a way that supports fintech services.
university of nicosia
The University of Nicosia in Nicosia, Cyprus offers unique courses on cryptocurrencies. Among the most notable programs for advanced students is the Master in Blockchain and Digital Currency. The program aims to help students become digital currency and blockchain professionals.
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The course curriculum covers a variety of subjects including blockchain systems and architectures, digital currency programming, cryptographic system security, blockchain law and regulation, and token economics.
EU business school
EU Business School is a private business school established in 1973 with multiple campuses around the world. Its campuses in Geneva, Munich, Montreux and Barcelona, among others, offer crypto-related courses. One of the most distinguished courses offered by the institution is the MBA in Blockchain Management.
This course covers the different use cases of blockchain technology and how it can help solve many of today’s society issues such as transparency and fair trade. It also allows students to assess some of the more technical and fundamental aspects of technology.
The future of cryptographic education
People who want to get involved in the crypto industry are increasingly seeking crypto education, which is likely to increase the spectrum of courses and the number of institutions offering them.
Some cryptocurrency companies are also starting to partner with educational institutions offering cryptocurrency courses to enhance research and work with qualified students. The trend will likely continue for the foreseeable future due to the synergistic benefits.