COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGIES AND CRYPTOCURRENCY

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
FINT 402	B	2	3	0	0	3	7.5

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	Dr. Albina Hysaj ahysaj@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Dr. Albina Hysaj ahysaj@epoka.edu.al , Wednesday, 10:00-12:00
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Master of Science in FinTech
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:	60%
Course Description:	This course will introduce the fundamental building blocks of blockchain technology as well as its application in cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, decentralized finance and non- fungible tokens (NFTs). It will begin by covering the fundamentals of money, banking, and payment systems, as well as relevant areas of computer science such as cryptography and distributed systems. Special attention will be paid to the different building blocks of the Bitcoin network and how they work together, and the unique attributes of the Ethereum platform. The course will then shift towards specific applications beyond cryptocurrency, including stablecoins, central bank digital currencies, decentralized finance, non-fungible tokens, social tokens, and Layer 2 solutions. It will wrap up with a focus on the legal and regulatory implications of this novel approach to building a financial system.
Course Objectives:	This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of digital money, cryptocurrencies, and the technologies that enable them. Students will explore how modern payment systems function, the role of cryptography in securing digital transactions, and the structure and operation of major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. The course also examines blockchain technology, different types of digital tokens, and their practical applications across financial and non-financial sectors. In addition, the course develops students’ ability to critically evaluate crypto markets, investment opportunities, and associated risks, including regulatory, market, and operational challenges. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to analyze the impact of blockchain and digital assets on the future of finance, assess emerging funding mechanisms such as Initial Coin Offerings, and understand the broader implications of digital innovation for financial systems and the global economy.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	Digital Money : Money that exists in electronic form and is transferred through digital payment systems, including bank-based and e-money systems.
2	Cryptography : The mathematical foundation of blockchain systems, including encryption, hashing, and digital signatures used to secure transactions.
3	Hash Function : A cryptographic algorithm that converts data into a fixed-length output, ensuring data integrity and linking blocks securely.
4	Digital Signature : A cryptographic method that verifies ownership and authorizes blockchain transactions using private and public keys.
5	Blockchain Technology : A decentralized, distributed ledger that records transactions in sequential blocks validated by a network of participants.
6	Bitcoin : The first decentralized cryptocurrency, designed as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system operating without a central authority.
7	Ethereum : A programmable blockchain platform that extends blockchain functionality through smart contracts and decentralized applications.
8	Smart Contracts : Self-executing programs stored on a blockchain that automatically enforce predefined rules and agreements.
9	Digital Tokens : Blockchain-based digital assets representing value, utility, ownership, or rights within a specific ecosystem.
10	Initial Coin Offering (ICO) : A blockchain-based fundraising mechanism in which projects issue digital tokens to investors in exchange for capital.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction to the course and syllabuses, presentation of the course and the assessment criteria.
2	Chapter 1. Digital Money (This chapter is focused on: How Are Interbank Payments Made?; Same Bank; Different Banks; Correspondent Bank Accounts; Central Bank Accounts; International Payments; E-Money Wallets). (Pages 80-115)
3	Chapter 2. Cryptography (This chapter is focused on: Cryptography; Encryption and Decryption; Hashes; Digital Signatures). (Pages 116-147).
4	Chapter 3. Cryptocurrencies (This chapter is focused on: Bitcoin; What Are Bitcoins?; What Is the Point of Bitcoin?; How Does Bitcoin Work?; Bitcoin’s Ecosystem; ). (Pages 148-200).
5	Chapter 3. Cryptocurrencies Continuation (This chapter is focused on:Bitcoin in Practice; Trading Bitcoin). (Pages 201-241)
6	Chapter 3. Cryptocurrencies Continuation (This chapter is focused on: Ethereum; What is Ethereum?; How Is Ethereum Similar to Bitcoin?; Smart Contracts; Forks). (Pages 241-282)
7	Chapter 4. Digital tokens (This chapter is focused on: What Are Digital Tokens?; Native Blockchain Tokens; Asset Backed Tokens; Depository Receipt Tokens; Title Tokens; How Do Asset Backed Digital Tokens Work?; Contract Tokens; Utility Tokens; Transactions). (Pages 282-303)
8	Review for Midterm Exam
9	Midterm Exam
10	Chapter 5: Blockchain Technology (This chapter is focused on: What Is Blockchain Technology?; What Is Common to Blockchain Technologies?; What Are Blockchains Good For?; Private Blockchains; Blockchain Experiments) (Pages 304-331)
11	Chapter 6: Initial Coin Offering (This chapter is focused on: What Are ICOs?; How Do ICOs work?; ICO Funding Stages; Exchange Listing; When Is a Token a Security?) (Pages 332-350)
12	Chapter 7: Investing (This chapter is focused on: Pricing; Who Controls the Price of Utility Tokens?; Risks and Mitigations; Scams). (Pages 351 - 368)
13	Assignment Presentations
14	Assignment Presentations and Review for Final Exam

Prerequisite(s):	No
Textbook(s):	The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains — Antony Lewis. Published by Mango Publishing Group, a division of Mango Media Inc., 2018.
Additional Literature:	Mastering Bitcoin: Programming the Open Blockchain — Andreas M. Antonopoulos & David A. Harding. Publisher: O'Reilly Media, 3rd Edition, December 12, 2023. ISBN-10: 1098150090 ISBN-13: 978-1098150099
Laboratory Work:	No
Computer Usage:	No
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Define key concepts related to digital money, cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, tokens, and cryptography.
2	Explain how modern payment systems, cryptocurrencies, and blockchains operate at a conceptual level.
3	Apply cryptographic concepts (hashing, digital signatures, wallets) to explain how secure digital transactions are enabled.
4	Illustrate how cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are used in practice, including payments, storage, and exchanges.
5	Analyze the structure and functioning of blockchain systems and cryptocurrency ecosystems.
6	Distinguish between different types of blockchains, digital tokens, and crypto-based funding mechanisms (e.g., ICOs).
7	Evaluate the economic, financial, and regulatory implications of cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications.
8	Assess investment risks in crypto markets, including market, liquidity, regulatory, and operational risks.
9	Formulate informed arguments about the future of digital money and blockchain technology.
10	Propose basic use cases or investment considerations based on blockchain and digital asset frameworks.

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Master of Science in FinTech Program
1	Graduates will master the fundamentals of fintech, including technological innovations, digital financial services, and disruptive business models, and apply this knowledge to create fintech solutions.	5
2	Graduates will be proficient in blockchain technologies and cryptocurrency, understanding their applications in finance, such as digital currencies, smart contracts, and decentralized finance (DeFi) systems.	4
3	Graduates will gain expertise in digital banking and innovation, including the ability to design and manage digital banking solutions, improving customer experience and operational efficiency.	4
4	Graduates will demonstrate a deep understanding of corporate finance principles, enabling them to analyze complex financial scenarios and make informed strategic decisions.	2
5	Graduates will have the skills to thoroughly analyze financial statements and assess the financial health and performance of organizations, aiding in investment and decision-making processes.	3
6	Graduates will acquire advanced skills in big data analytics, enabling them to extract valuable insights from large datasets to drive data-driven financial strategies and decisions.	5
7	Graduates will apply machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to analyze financial data, automate decision-making processes, and enhance risk management in the financial sector.	3
8	Graduates will gain knowledge in cybersecurity resilience, enabling them to understand cyber threats in financial systems and data and effectively cooperate in mitigating fraud risks in fintech operations.	4
9	Graduates will develop a strong ethical foundation and be equipped to navigate corporate social responsibility and sustainability challenges in the fintech industry, promoting responsible and sustainable financial practices.	4
10	Graduates will be capable of applying interdisciplinary knowledge to address complex challenges at the intersection of finance and technology, fostering innovation and adaptability in a rapidly evolving fintech landscape.	4

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)	1	35
Project	1	20
Final Exam	1	35
Attendance		10
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	3	48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	16	3	48
Mid-terms	1	35.5	35.5
Assignments	1	10.5	10.5
Final examination	1	35.5	35.5
Other	1	10	10
Total Work Load:			187.5
Total Work Load/25(h):			7.5
ECTS Credit of the Course:			7.5

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

The course is delivered in accordance with the approved syllabus, and the intended learning outcomes were successfully achieved.