INSEAD
Introduction to Blockchain for Global Commerce

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INSEAD

Introduction to Blockchain for Global Commerce

Don Tapscott
Alex Tapscott

Instructors: Don Tapscott

4,579 already enrolled

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(29 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
33 hours to complete
3 weeks at 11 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(29 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
33 hours to complete
3 weeks at 11 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • How blockchain works, and how trust is established in a pre- and post-blockchain world

  • Nine types of digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, protocol tokens, NFTs, stablecoins, securities tokens, governance tokens, and CBDCs

  • What smart contracts are, the phases of a smart contract deal cycle, and various examples and applications of smart contracts

  • Blockchain design principles, and challenge areas associated with implementing blockchain technology

Details to know

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Assessments

36 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Web3 and Blockchain in Global Commerce Specialization
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There are 6 modules in this course

The Internet connects billions of people around the world, and is great for communicating and collaborating online. However, because it was built for moving and storing information, and not value, it has done little to change the way we do business. Now, for the first time in human history, two or more parties anywhere in the world can transact and do business peer to peer using the blockchain. In this module we introduce blockchain as “the trust protocol,” and explain how it represents the second era of the Internet. We describe how blockchain technology establishes trust—not through powerful intermediaries, but rather through collaboration, cryptography and clever code.

What's included

12 videos7 readings6 assignments3 discussion prompts1 plugin

We believe that the next era of the digital economy can be shaped around a set of blockchain design principles, which can be used for creating software, services, reinventing business models, markets, organizations, and even governments. This module frames the blockchain revolution around seven design principles. For each principle we describe a current problem to be solved, identify “blockchain breakthroughs” to these problems, and discuss the implications of these breakthroughs on the digital economy. We hope that these design principles will assist learners in contemplating their roles and their futures in the blockchain revolution.

What's included

12 videos8 readings6 assignments

Blockchain is the first native digital medium for value. Consequently, we are witnessing one of the largest transformations of wealth in human history—from paper-based analog assets to digital ones. In this module, students will learn about nine different kinds of cryptoassets, including cryptocurrencies, protocol tokens, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), stablecoins, securities tokens, governance tokens, exchange tokens, natural asset tokens, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

What's included

12 videos11 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt

In this module, you will learn what smart contracts are and how they work. We will discuss how blockchain-based smart contracts can enable individuals and organizations to reduce transaction costs, minimize the need for third-party intermediaries, and improve productivity, security, and privacy.

What's included

11 videos4 readings5 assignments2 discussion prompts

The advent of blockchain technology forces us to reconsider the upside and downside of public revelation of transactions and contracts. The implementation, application, and possible regulation of distributed ledgers involve choices that will critically affect information disclosure and economic interactions. Whether the ledger is public and permissionless, such as the Bitcoin or Ethereum blockchains, or private and permissioned, such as the Ripple or Hyperledger implementations, in principle transactions on a blockchain have a high native level of transparency. In this module, you will learn how privacy can be protected in both public and private ledgers using both procedural and technological methods.

What's included

13 videos4 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt

Like every revolutionary technology, blockchain has its upside and its downside. In this module we discuss ten implementation challenges which must be overcome as we transition to the second era of the Internet. For each challenge, you will also learn about potential solutions and what we can do to ensure the fulfillment of the blockchain’s promise.

What's included

16 videos11 readings10 assignments1 discussion prompt

Instructors

Instructor ratings
5.0 (9 ratings)
Don Tapscott
INSEAD
18 Courses136,594 learners
Alex Tapscott
INSEAD
17 Courses135,904 learners

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INSEAD

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4.7

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