Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Cynthia Cai
Contact via +61 (2) 9850 9161
Building 4ER, Room 508
By Appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
AFIN8014
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
The development of Cryptocurrencies, using the fundamentals of cryptography and blockchain, is predicted to have significant impact on banks, financial institutions, governments, economies and business in general. The decentralization of payment networks and the establishment of an ecosystem of various stakeholders results in various benefits and challenges that will influence their adoption and diffusion in the marketplace. This unit examines cryptocurrencies and blockchain and their emergence and role in financial markets. This unit discuss the technical underpinnings of blockchain and key concepts such as decentralization and consensus algorithms. Students will learn how these new financial instruments and technologies are disrupting traditional ways of doing business. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Assessment criteria for all assessment tasks will be provided on the unit iLearn site.
It is the responsibility of students to view their marks for each within-session-assessment on iLearn within 20 days of posting. If there are any discrepancies, students must contact the unit convenor immediately. Failure to do so will mean that queries received after the release of final results regarding assessment tasks (not including the final exam mark) will not be addressed.
Late submissions and extensions
Tasks 10% or less – No extensions will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task, except for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.
Tasks above 10% - No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Assignment 1 | 20% | No | Week 6 |
Assignment 2 | 20% | No | Week 11 |
Final Examination | 60% | No | During University Examination Period |
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 20%
The assignment will cover quantitative and/or qualitative analysis and students will be required to produce a report regarding their find(s). The report should not exceed 1,500 words.
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 20%
Students will conduct a quantitative analysis / financial modelling project and present their solutions and outcomes.
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: During University Examination Period
Weighting: 60%
A two hour open book online exam will be held during University Examination Period.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Required Text | No prescribed textbook is required. The unit will utilize various library resources, including research papers, book chapters, case studies, etc. All materials will be provided via iLearn or during the lecture. |
Recommended Readings | We will supplement the lecture materials with readings from journals and other textbooks. A list of relevant material will be provided via iLearn. |
Technology Used and Required | Necessary technology: Computer with MS Excel and Word, scientific or business calculator and internet access. |
1 | Introduction |
2 | Issues of Current Payment System |
3 | Payment Innovations upon Centralized Architectures (I) |
4 | Payment Innovations upon Centralized Architectures (II) |
5 | Bitcoin: A Blockchain Mechanism (I) |
6 | Bitcoin: A Blockchain Mechanism (II) |
7 | Bitcoin: A Blockchain Mechanism (III) |
8 | Cryptocurrencies: The System Disruption |
9 | Cryptocurrencies: Value and Investment |
10 | Cryptocurrencies: A Regulation Challenge |
11 | Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain: Social Impact |
12 | The Future: A New Payment Ecosystem |
13 | Revision |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.