APS1050H: Blockchain Technologies and Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin is a particular implementation of Blockchain technology that has led to a disruptive "product": a set of digital cryptocurrencies with the potential to compete with fiat currencies. This course will provide students with the concepts and mechanics of the Blockchain technologies starting from Bitcoin. Unlike ECE1770H, this course is not focused on middleware software design per se, but on how the Blockchain middleware can serve as a platform that supports products (cryptocurrencies, tokens) and applications that are relevant for businesses and other users. Students become acquainted with the history and typology of Blockchain technologies; develop and apply a set of selection criteria for the evaluation of Blockchain consensus strengths, weaknesses and risks; trace a likely path for the adoption of Blockchain technologies — beginning with the identification of processes where Blockchain ledgers lead to efficiencies, to the emergence of new business models where the use of cryptography is essential. For this reason, this course includes a gentle but complete introduction to cryptography that covers all the essentials from asymmetric encryption to "zero-knowledge-proof-of-knowledge" proofs. On a practical level, participants acquire a concrete understanding of Blockchain technologies through the installation, operation and modification of a number of Blockchain technologies that operate in real-world testnet networks: starting from the operation/modification of a simple Bitcoin node; moving on to the operation of Bitcoin and Ethereum wallets, and to the operation/modification of Ethereum clients or DApps providing a business service, and ending with the trading of a cryptocurrency account. For more details, please go to the Course Layout section of the Syllabus.

0.50
St. George