The current global financial system is riddled with inefficiencies, uneven developments, and bizarre contradictions. Blockchain technology has the potential to bring about profound changes to financial services. In this course, you will learn how blockchain technology will disrupt the core functions of the financial services industry, offering individuals and organizations alike real choices in how they create and manage value.
This course is part of the Blockchain Revolution in Financial Services Specialization
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About this Course
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Course 3 of 4 in the
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Beginner Level
Approx. 14 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
What you will learn
Identify eight functions of the financial services industry and explain how blockchain will disrupt each of these functions
Describe how blockchain will transform the roles of financial managers and the CFO
Describe the inefficiencies associated with global payments infrastructure, and the solutions blockchain technologies could offer
Identify the threats and opportunities of blockchain technology for central banks
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 3 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 14 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
INSEAD
As one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools, INSEAD brings together people, cultures and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
3 hours to complete
Rethinking Financial Services
Today’s global financial system full of inefficiencies. In this module, you’ll learn how blockchain technology has the potential to disrupt the core functions of the financial services industry, and for the better. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to describe six inefficiencies in the financial services industry. You’ll learn how blockchain technology can be leveraged to do things better, on cost, speed, risk management, innovation, and adaptability. You’ll be able to identify eight core functions of the financial services sector, and explain how blockchain can disrupt these functions—cutting out the middleman or causing them to radically change their operations for the better.
3 hours to complete
9 videos (Total 49 min), 5 readings, 4 quizzes
9 videos
Instructor Introduction8m
Module 1 Overview2m
Six Inefficiencies in Financial Services9m
The Golden Eight Part 14m
The Golden Eight Part 24m
Insurance6m
Threat and Opportunity for Incumbents8m
Recap of Module 12m
5 readings
hypothes.is10m
Rethinking Financial Services10m
The Golden Eight10m
Insurance10m
Threat and Opportunity for Incumbents10m
4 practice exercises
Six Inefficiencies in Financial Services
The Golden Eight30m
Insurance4m
Rethinking Financial Services30m
4 hours to complete
Accounting and Financial Management
Human error is a common cause of accounting mistakes. Lack of transparency allows greed to flourish. People can “cook the books” to hide their wrongdoings, and double-entry accounting can’t always handle new business models, like micro-transactions. In this module, we’ll explore how triple-entry accounting on a blockchain can solve these problems. Shareholders, auditors, and regulators could access a World Wide Ledger to check a company’s health and compliance in real time. We’ll also explore how CFOs and financial management can balance the hype and the hope of blockchain technology, and make key decisions about blockchain for their enterprise.
4 hours to complete
12 videos (Total 61 min), 5 readings, 4 quizzes
12 videos
Decentralizing the Enterprise6m
Practitioner Perspective - Andreas Wallendahl: Blockchain & ConsenSys1m
Transaction Costs and the Structure of the Firm8m
Opportunity 1: Search6m
Opportunity 2: Contracting5m
Opportunity 3: Coordination4m
Opportunity 4: Building Trust4m
Problems With Modern Accounting4m
The World Wide Ledger9m
The CFO3m
Recap of Module 23m
5 readings
Decentralizing the Enterprise15m
Transaction Costs and the Structure of the Firm10m
Opportunities for Blockchain10m
New Frameworks for Accounting15m
The CFO20m
4 practice exercises
Transaction Costs and the Structure of the Firm30m
Opportunities for Blockchain30m
New Frameworks for Accounting30m
Accounting and Financial Management30m
2 hours to complete
Global Payments and Prosperity
The global payment system is the lifeblood of world commerce. In the Internet era, the sluggish pace, high cost, and opacity of international funds transfers, both corporate and consumer, have been a source of frustration. In this module we’ll explore the ways in which blockchain technology can improve the speed and lower the cost of global payments. We’ll consider how decentralized models of finance and the emerging cryptoasset class will leave incumbents—banks and digital conglomerates alike—scrambling to avoid obsolescence and irrelevance. With stewardship and responsible leadership, blockchain will usher in a new era of financial services that is more open, inclusive, efficient, secure, and free. If we get this right, new economic systems will emerge to generate greater prosperity for the many, rather than more wealth for the few.
2 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 34 min), 4 readings, 4 quizzes
6 videos
International Clearing and Settlement5m
Rethinking Central Banking8m
Stablecoins7m
Economic Inclusion & Prosperity6m
Recap of Module 33m
4 readings
International Clearing and Settlement20m
Rethinking Central Banking20m
Economic Inclusion & Prosperity20m
Review of Global Payments and Prosperity10m
4 practice exercises
International Clearing and Settlement6m
Rethinking Central Banking8m
Economic Inclusion & Prosperity6m
Global Payments and Prosperity
5 hours to complete
Blockchain Regulation and Governance
Blockchain alone is just a tool. In order for this technology to fulfill its long-term promise, humans must lead. Rather than relying on state-based institutions, blockchain must be primarily self-governed through collaborations of civil society, private sector, government, and stakeholders in non-state networks. In this module, we discuss the idea of blockchain governance networks and explain how they can support blockchain stewardship at three levels: The platform level, the application level, and the ecosystem level. As well, you will learn about the conditions that are necessary for a blockchain-based hub of innovation to succeed.
5 hours to complete
17 videos (Total 103 min), 3 readings, 4 quizzes
17 videos
Intro to Blockchain Regulation11m
Practitioner Perspective - Andreas Wallendahl: Regulation1m
Fundamental Questions9m
Regulatory Principles10m
Practitioner Perspective - Massimo Morini: Regulation2m
Practitioner Perspective - Hariton Korizis: Regulation2m
Regulation vs. Governance9m
Practitioner Perspective - Ana Trbovich: Regulation & Governance1m
The Blockchain Stack7m
Multiple Layers of Blockchain Governance7m
A New Framework for Blockchain Governance12m
Practitioner Perspective - Rob Carter: Governance1m
Profile of a Blockchain Hotbed4m
Recap of Module 45m
The World in 2030 / What Can We Do?7m
Course Wrap-Up Video2m
3 readings
Blockchain Governance30m
Profile of a Blockchain Hotbed20m
Leadership for Transformation20m
4 practice exercises
Fundamental Questions30m
Blockchain Governance30m
Seven Conditions for Success30m
Blockchain Regulation & Governance30m
About the Blockchain Revolution in Financial Services Specialization
As the Internet was the first digital medium for information, blockchain is the first native digital medium for value. Blockchain is poised to transform the economy and society at large—redefining the ways we transact online, share ideas, and manage workflows. The financial services sector is a key lever in such transformations.
This four-course specialization introduces learners to the world of blockchain technology for financial services—including what blockchain is, how it works, and why it is revolutionary. Students learn about various categories of cryptoassets and the ways they can be transacted on a blockchain. They learn how blockchain is transforming the economy and society at large—redefining workflows, global payments, and prosperity. As an outcome of this specialization, students produce a Strategic Action Plan wherein they identify and evaluate a promising application of blockchain technology within the financial services industry.
The Specialization is taught by Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott, globally-recognized authorities on innovation and technology and authors of the best-selling book, “Blockchain Revolution.” It also includes various industry experts and practitioners who will share their experiences within the blockchain ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
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Is financial aid available?
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