Blockchain technology has been hyped as a disruptive force that could challenge traditional structures and business models. The latest hype is Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), which offer interesting new opportunities for companies, artists and individuals with a large fan base. Yet, blockchain technology can support much more than NFTs or cryptocurrencies. For instance, blockchain applications can improve the sustainability of supply chains, increase the efficiency of public administration, and back decentralized digital identities.
The purpose of this course is to look beyond the hype and provide a balanced picture of what blockchain can do and what it cannot. Students will learn about its technical building blocks and about areas of application in which blockchain has been successful and in which blockchain has not been able to meet expectations. By extracting reasons for success or failure of blockchain, students will investigate where and how the technology can create value. The course will answer questions such as:
- What are the core technical building blocks of blockchains and the characteristics of smart contracts?
- What are the unique technical and organizational benefits and challenges of using blockchain?
- What areas of applications have been explored so far and where and why have blockchains proven useful?
- What are NFTs and in which marketplaces can they be used?
- How can blockchains support privacy-oriented digital identities?