IC316: Fintech and Cryptocurrencies

Module code: IC316

Module provider: ICMA Centre; Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Mohammad Shehub Bin Hasan, email: m.binhasan@icmacentre.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Pei Ling Lee, email: peiling.lee@henley.edu.my

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: na

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 19 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the major areas of Fintech, the ability to understand blockchain technology and why so many firms are implementing the technology, as well as to reflect on the history, behaviour, and impact cryptocurrencies have had on the financial sector. Students will gain a broad appreciation of recent developments in FinTech, including money and payment, digital finance, alternative finance, and importantly FinTech regulation. The module also covers cryptocurrencies, their governance, and properties behind the most popular cryptocurrencies.

The module lead at the University of Reading Malaysia is Dr Lee Pei Ling.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• discuss how and why blockchain is being utilised by many firms, as well as be able to explain how blockchain works in certain businesses
• explain how digital finance works, with relevant examples as well as understanding how alternative finance, including crowdfunding and P2P lending, are impacting markets
• discuss the main regulation within the FinTech sphere as well as evaluate the ethical issues faced 
• define what cryptocurrencies are and the impact they have had, and may potentially have in the future, on financial markets

Module content

             1.Introduction to FinTech

2.FinTech

3.Crowdfunding

4.What is money and is Bitcoin money?

5.Basics of Blockchain

6.Basics of Bitcoin

7.Bitcoin in Practice

8.Altcoins and the Cryptocurrency Ecosystem

9.Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs)

10.Central Bank Digital Currency and the Future Trends in FinTech

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The core definitions, concepts, and practical aspects of fintech and cryptocurrencies will be presented and discussed during lectures. Fintech and Cryptocurrency related case studies will be discussed and analysed during seminars.

This module may be taught in a different Semester if you are studying at our campus in Malaysia.

For students studying at our campus in Malaysia: This module may be taught in a different semester and the breakdown of study hours may differ to those set out in the Study Hours table (please refer to the Module Handbook for the correct breakdown). In addition, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA).

Study hours

At least 24 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

A minimum mark of 40%.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs