Wharton business school to introduce crypto, blockchain courses

One of the world’s most renowned business schools in the world has introduced an online course on financial technology, including cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Wharton School, the business chapter of the University of Pennsylvania, announced the new course via a press release on May 30. The school described the new course as a show of its commitment to offering education that’s relevant to today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

The course, named ‘Fintech: Foundations and Applications of Financial Technologies’, will feature four areas of specialization. They include an introductory course on cryptocurrencies and blockchain. The school described the course as “designed for individuals and organizations who want to learn how to navigate investment in cryptocurrencies.”

Students who take the course will learn, “how to define a currency, analyze the foundations of digital signatures and blockchain technology in cryptocurrency, and accurately assess the risks of cryptocurrency in a modern investment portfolio,” the school stated. Professors Jessica Wachter, a professor of finance at the school, will be among those who will guide the students.

The course will also be available on Coursera. It’s designed for “current students, small business owners and anyone interested in gaining a foundational knowledge of financial technologies.”

Other areas of specialization include payments, lending, crowdfunding, modern investing, insurtech, real estate and artificial intelligence.

The school, which is the oldest collegiate school of business in the world, will also outsource from experts in the various fields. They’ll include guests from marketplace lender CommonBond, investment advisor Vanguard and mobile payment processor Square.

Ronald O. Perelman, a professor in finance at the school stated: “Wharton is committed to leading the future of finance. The Fintech Specialization leverages the knowledge of our renowned Wharton faculty providing real-world knowledge to the benefit of learners around the globe.”

Wharton isn’t the only top university that has started offering crypto and blockchain courses. In Ireland, the country’s Minister of Business and Innovation recently launched the country’s first Masters in Blockchain course. The course will target ICT professionals who are looking to gain skills in blockchain technology to stay competitive in the current evolving job market.