Economist Education

Fintech and the Future of Finance: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, Govcoins and the Payments Revolution

Understand how the financial system works, why it is open for disruption, and who is competing and co-operating in this contested space.

Start date

05 February 2025

Price

$2,052 USD

Installment Plan

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Course duration

6 weeks

Excluding orientation

Language

English

Access resources from start date

Effort

6–8 hours per week

Self-paced learning online

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Course overview

$31.9 billion

The amount payments companies raised in investments in 2021.

Payments Dive (2021).

79%

The percentage of UK consumers that regularly make use of fintech applications for banking and payments.

Raconteur (Nov, 2021).

Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)

The fintech industry has become increasingly competitive—caught between the disruptive startups and big-tech companies that are shaking things up and the giants of finance who are protecting their turf. You need to understand fintech disruption before truly capturing its opportunities.

Economist Education’s Fintech and the Future of Finance: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, Govcoins and the Payments Revolution online short course examines the future of this industry, with a focus on debunking common myths and misconceptions. From the birth of cryptocurrencies to the transformation of payments, this course examines the tech and business models set to impact the sector—as well as those that should be approached with scepticism. You will learn how to see past jargon and technical complexity to understand how financial technologies work and what they can do for you.

Over six weeks, you will be guided through key fintech trends by The Economist’s Matthieu Favas, an authoritative source on finance. With sights set firmly on the future, you will assess the outlook for fintech and how new technologies could turn the world of money upside down.

Is this course for you?

This course is designed for professionals in the finance and technology sectors looking to better understand the fintech landscape and the technologies disrupting it. This includes those in management and leadership positions in charge of making decisions about adopting financial technologies. The course will also benefit business owners or entrepreneurs who are already running or are interested in starting a fintech business.

This course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 50 hours of learning.

Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. Economist Education and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.

Course overview

Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)

What will set you apart

On completion of this course, you’ll walk away with:

An understanding of the financial system, why it is open for disruption, and how others are competing and co-operating in this crowded space.

A comprehensive, forward-looking view of the fintech industry with insights into the newest advances in fintech, including blockchain, cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, govcoins, super-apps and decentralised finance.

The ability to recognise the threats, difficulties and possibilities posed by fintech innovation.

Unlimited access to the official Economist Education alumni group on LinkedIn and 2U’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.

Course curriculum

Gain an enhanced understanding of the financial system through the weekly modules of this online short course.

Orientation module

Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1

The financial system: an unstable status quo

Module 2

Fintech wars: big banks vs big data

Module 3

Cryptocurrencies: from blockchain to stablecoins

Module 4

Govcoins: central banks go digital

Module 5

Emerging markets: innovation unleashed

Module 6

Decentralised finance: fintech’s newest frontier

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Course founder

The design of this online short course is guided by expert contributors, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.

Matthieu Favas

Finance correspondent, The Economist

About the certificate

Explore the future of finance and earn an official certificate of completion from Economist Education.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with your digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your digital certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you upon successful completion of the course, as per the stipulated requirements.

Economist Education Fintech and the Future of Finance: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, Govcoins and the Payments Revolution online short course certificate

YOUR INFORMATION

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You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.

GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.

At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.

As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.

To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.

The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.

On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.

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