Modulbeschreibung

Crypto assets have become established in everyday financial life and continue to gain relevance. In this context, blockchain technology extends far beyond cryptocurrencies and, through a wide range of potential applications, has the capacity to fundamentally transform the economy and society. A solid understanding of blockchain technology and crypto assets is therefore highly relevant for current and future leaders. The course focuses on the economic aspects of the technology. Technical foundations are presented and explained, but no programming exercises are included. The course is aimed at students of business administration, international management, finance or business information systems.

Contact hours: 30

Guided self-study: 80

Independent self-study: 70

• Written assignment
• Written exam, closed book

Professional competences:

Participants can:

• identify and explain structures, dimensions, and developments in the field of blockchain and cryptocurrencies;
• discuss and critically assess the risks and opportunities of the technology and the topic more broadly;
• understand, explain, and discuss the technologies used in the area of decentralized transaction systems.
   

Methodological competencies:

Participants can:

• independently examine and critically evaluate crypto and digital assets, stablecoins, CBDCs, NFTs, DeFi, and other blockchain-related subject areas;
• analyze subfields by linking existing models with domain-specific expertise;
• based on this, develop their own measures and recommendations.

Topic Area I: Introduction and Technology

• Introduction to the topic
• What does “blockchain” mean?
• Alternatives and distinctions
• Technology architecture
• Characteristics and operating principles of blockchain
• Smart contracts, protocols, and dApps
   

Topic Area II: Cryptocurrencies and Tokens

• Distinguishing tokens and crypto assets
• Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others
• CBDCCentral bank coins
• Opportunities and risks
• Crypto market and exchanges
• Practical application (buying, selling, trading)
   

Topic Area III: Tokenization and DeFi

• Tokenization
• ICOs/STOs
• Non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
• Stablecoins
• Decentralized finance (DeFi)
   

Topic Area IV: Practical Implementations

• Blockchain companies
• Practical applications
• Real-world implementations first-hand
• Insights into the “blockchain community”

Topic Area V:  Analysis and Evaluation of Current Developments in DeFi

• Analysis of current events
• Assessment of opportunities and risks
• Development of recommendations for action

Self-study, practical exercises, presentation, discussion

• Egloff, P., Turnes, E., & Neumann, S. (2025). Navigating Decentralized Finance: From Blockchain to Crypto Assets and Tokenization. Academic Press. (ISBN: 978-0-443-27408-4)
• Slides, guest lectures, videos

The assessment / exam will be completed in the last in-class sessions. Furthermore, the written assignment as well as the oral defense (disputation) will take place during the examination period. Please therefore refer to the course schedule on Moodle.