Blockchain: Business Models and Applications
36 hours
One Semester or equivalent
Hawthorn
Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
Overview
This unit will develop students’ knowledge and skills in the managing, utilizing and leveraging of information technologies to support daily operations in financial institutions. This subject provides students with an understanding of Blockchain as an emerging technology and how it will potentially affect the delivery of financial services, the potential implications for incumbent financial service providers and those seeking to disrupt them.
Requisites
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
HE Block 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-February-2025
16-March-2025
16-March-2025
Last self-enrolment date
03-February-2025
Census date
14-February-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
28-February-2025
Results released date
29-April-2025
HE Block 7
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
06-October-2025
16-November-2025
16-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
06-October-2025
Census date
17-October-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
31-October-2025
Results released date
23-December-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Critically analyse the key issues, challenges and priorities for technologies in financial services, and the new and emerging technologies in different business contexts
- Demonstrate coherent and advanced knowledge of the impact of financial technologies on financial markets, exchanges and banking.
- Synthesise prior learning including the use of research techniques to examine emerging technologies and their implications on financial services delivery
- Research and critically evaluate the role of Blockchain technologies, as well as, other technological artefacts/concepts in financial services
- Communicate and present in a proficient and professional manner as a member or leader of a group of people
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Class | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Online Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 10 - 20% | 1,2 |
| Presentation and Report | Group | 30 - 40% | 1,2,3,5 |
| Research Report | Individual | 40 - 60% | 1,2,3,4 |
Content
- Blockchain and Cryptography Fundamentals (Mining, Hash Functions, Consensus Mechanisms, Public/Private Key Cryptography and Digital Signature Algorithms, Decentralized Applications)
- Design Principles (Types of Blockchain), Interoperability, Governance and ImplementationÂ
- Smart Contracts (Design, Coding, Deployment and Execution)
- Tokenization, Cryptoassets, Bitcoin/Ethereum, Cryptocurrency Tokens and Decentralized Finance Â
- Blockchain in Financial Services: Opportunities and Threats
- Blockchain-Enabled Business Models (Financial Services/FinTech Innovation and Blockchain for Social Impact/Sustainable Development Goals)
- Distributed and Decentralized Trust, Self-Sovereign Identity, Responsible and Ethical Blockchain
- The Regulatory Environment and the Future of Blockchain-led FinTech
- Developing a Blockchain Strategic Implementation and Commercialization RoadmapÂ
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.