Description
The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues are pleased to announce the launch of the Crypto Expert Series with Lamont Black (Ph.D.) This three-part series will provide you with a “MAP” for understanding the growing cryptocurrency ecosystem and close with a live Q&A with Lamont Black.
Part 1: “M” CRYPTO AS MONEY
DURATION: 45 MINUTES
Many people question whether cryptocurrency qualifies as a form of money. In this “M” series, Dr. Black explains cryptocurrency in the context of our current forms of money and how money is changing with technology. You will learn about Bitcoin as a paradigm shift in the evolution of money. You will also receive insights on stable coins and central bank digital currencies as more recent forms of the “digital dollar.” Finally, the series will encourage you to think about how methods of payment have changed in recent years and how crypto could play a role in the future of money.
Learning for M: Crypto as Money will include:
- Is Cryptocurrency “Money”?
- The U.S. Dollar and the Fed
- Bitcoin
- Stable coins
- Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
- Crypto as a Method of Payment
Part 2: “A” CRYPTO AS AN ASSET
DURATION: 45 MINUTES
Series 2 is the “A” in MAP. In this series, you will learn about relevant topics to cryptocurrency as an “Asset.” Most people now think of crypto as an asset for investing. In this series, Dr. Black explains how people are buying crypto as a digital asset and how they are adding crypto to their investment portfolios. You will learn about the role of digital wallets for sending and receiving digital assets. The series then focuses on decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). DeFi replicates many financial services including lending and borrowing of digital assets and NFTs are a growing area of importance for recording ownership of digital assets. Finally, the series will encourage you to engage with your members in a discussion about what role crypto assets can play in their financial well-being.
This series includes the following seven videos:
- Crypto as an Asset
- Buying Crypto
- Building a Crypto Portfolio
- Digital Wallets
- Decentralized Finance
- NFTs
- Crypto Investing and Financial Institutions
Part 3: “P” CRYPTO AS A PLATFORM
DURATION: 45 MINUTES
Series 3 is the “P” in MAP. In this series, you will learn about relevant topics to cryptocurrency as a “Platform.” This series includes the following videos:
- Crypto as a Platform
- Blockchain 101
- Public vs. Private Blockchains
- Ethereum and Smart Contracts
- Mining and Staking
- Applications of Blockchain
- Metaverse
- Crypto Platforms and Financial Institutions
Cryptocurrency uses a technology called blockchain. Although the mechanics of blockchain can be difficult to understand, it is important to appreciate that blockchain is a platform on which applications can be built. In this series, Dr. Black provides a “101” explanation of blockchain and explains how cryptocurrencies use this technology. The series covers public vs. private blockchains, related concepts like mining and staking, and even the growing interest in the metaverse. Also, you will learn about the diverse applications of blockchain as it relates to credit unions. Blockchain is a powerful technology that has the potential to transform financial services.
Part 4: live q&A with Dr. black
Anticipated DURATION: 45 MINUTES
In this session, Dr. Black reviews the previous three parts and addresses any questions submitted during a live session recorded previously.
MEET THE PRESENTER
Professor Lamont Black (Ph.D.) is a recognized expert on cryptocurrency and blockchain who is a regularly invited speaker for conferences, board presentations, and the media. His teaching on cryptocurrency at DePaul University covers aspects of money and investing. In his graduate course on blockchain, he works with business and computer science students to build real-world blockchain applications. Prior to joining DePaul, Professor Black was an economist at the Federal Reserve in Washington D.C., where he focused on bank regulation.