The course provides an introduction to novel financial technology. It is intended for students wishing to explore the ways in which new technologies are disrupting the financial services industry, driving material change in business models, products, applications and customer user interfaces. The course will discuss how the competitive landscape is shaping the adoption of new technologies in the field of finance. The course will focus on blockchain technology, cryptography, cryptoassets and their impact on payments, capital markets, trading, lending and insurance.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe technological innovations influencing the provision of financial services.
2. Explain blockchain technology and how it impacts the financial sector and the digital economy.
3. Discuss the challenges and opportunities in the current payment system architecture.
4. Analyse how enhanced tools of pattern recognition and decision making relate to financial services.
5. Explain in detail the current financial technology trends and applications affecting trading, asset management, lending, insurance and the general capital market infrastructure.

Research-Led Teaching

Lecture notes will be supplemented with the related state-of-the-art readings and reference materials.

Required Resources

Students will be provided with all presentation materials required for this course.

Recommended Resources

Readings and reference materials for each topic will be posted on Wattle as the course progresses. 

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction and Overview of Technological Trends Affecting Financial Services	Assignment 1 handed out. Due date is August 9, 2024.
2	Innovation in Payments
3	DeFi Foundations	Assignment 1 due.
4	Stablecoins	Assignment 3 handed out. Due date is August 30, 2024.
5	Transactions, FTs, Supply Adjustments
6	Swaps and Loans	Assignment 3 due.
7	Credit and Lending	Assignments 4 and 5 handed out. Teams for Assignments 4 and 5 to be formed. Due dates for Assignment 4 and 5 are October 4, 2024 and October 10, 2024, respectively.
8	Decentralised Exchanges	Information on team members for Assignments 4 and 5 are due.
9	Derivatives	Final project task (team research report). Presentations take place in the last week of classes. The due date for the final project is November 15, 2024.
10	Tokenization	Assignment 4 due. Information on team members for final project and information on what sector your team wishes to address are due.
11	DeFi Risks
12	DeFi Challenges	Assignment 4 (presentations) due.

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Assignment 1: Company profile report	10 %	09/08/2024	25/08/2024	1,2,3,4
Assignment 2: Company profile presentation	10 %	15/08/2024	06/10/2024	1,2,3,4
Assignment 3: Product pitch	10 %	30/08/2024	15/09/2024	1,2,3,4
Assignment 4: Innovation proposal	10 %	04/10/2024	20/10/2024	1,2,3,4
Assignment 5: Pitch of innovation proposal	10 %	10/10/2024	25/10/2024	1,2,3,4
Online quizzes	10 %	30/07/2024	25/10/2024	1,2,3,4
Final project: Research report	30 %	15/11/2024	28/11/2024	1,2,3,4
Workshop attendance and participation	10 %	25/07/2024	25/10/2024	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Course content delivery will take the form of weekly on-campus lectures (Tuesdays 1-3pm), and reinforced through weekly on-campus workshops (Thursdays 12-1pm) that focus on discussions and interactive student/team presentations. Lectures and workshops will be recorded and available via echo360 on Wattle. Regular attendance of lectures is expected. Attendance of workshops is mandatory (see assessment task 8).

Examination(s)

There is no final exam in this course. 

Assessment Task 1

Assignment 1: Company profile report

Assignment 1 is a take-home task to be completed individually. It requires you to select a DeFi/FinTech company from a provided list and deliver a concise company profile. This profile will delve into key facets of the business, including its core offerings, industry presence, competitive landscape, unique advantages, target market, positioning, and financial status. The deliverable is a written report. Specific instructions and additional information regarding this task will be provided on Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Assignment 2: Company profile presentation

Assignment 2 is a continuation of Assignment 1, to be completed individually. In this assignment, each student will have the opportunity to speak and answer questions about the company they researched in Assignment 1 during a workshop presentation in weeks 4-9. Students will also be required to ask questions and provide feedback during other students' presentations. Presentations will be video recorded, which will enable later validation and verification of assessment if required (in accordance with point 7 in the ANU Student Assessment (Coursework) policy. Specific instructions and additional information regarding this task will be provided on Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Assignment 3: Product pitch

Assignment 3 is a take-home task to be completed individually. The task entails selecting a pre-existing DeFi/FinTech product and delivering a persuasive pitch to an incumbent. The deliverable for this assignment will be a short pre-recorded video presentation. Specific instructions and additional information regarding this task will be provided on Wattle.

Assessment Task 4

Assignment 4: Innovation proposal

Assignment 4 is a group project designed to be completed by teams consisting of 2--3 students, depending on enrolment numbers. In this assignment, your group will propose a new and innovative DeFi or FinTech concept. Your innovation can either be a completely unique product or service that is not yet available in the market, or it can be a venture aimed at competing with existing players. The evaluation of your assignment will be based on the rationale and justification behind your proposed innovation, as well as your strategy for bringing it to the market. Please note that information regarding your team members for Assignments 4 and 5 is required by Week 8. There will be of two deliverables: a written report (Assignment 4) and a brief pitch to be presented in the workshop (Assignment 5).

Assessment Task 5

Assignment 5: Pitch of innovation proposal

Assignment 5 is a continuation of the group project started in Assignment 4, and it is to be completed by the same teams of 2--3 students, depending on enrolment numbers. In this assignment, each team will have the opportunity to pitch the DeFi/FinTech innovation they proposed in Assignment 4 during a workshop presentation. It is important that all team members actively contribute to the oral presentation, leveraging their individual strengths and knowledge to effectively communicate the value and potential of their innovation. Presentations will be video recorded, which will enable later validation and verification of assessment if required (in accordance with point 7 in the ANU Student Assessment (Coursework) policy.

Assessment Task 6

Online quizzes

Every lecture from week 2--11 will be accompanied with an online quiz that gives students the opportunity to test their understanding of that week's material. Each of the ten quizzes will count for one percent of the grade. Quizzes will be in the form of multi-choice questions.

Assessment Task 7

Final project: Research report

The final project is a group assignment, to be completed by teams of 2--3 students, depending on enrolment numbers. The option to have the same group members as in Assignments 3 and 4 is available but not mandatory. The project entails preparing a recommendation memo within a specific financial sector that is experiencing significant technological transformation. The memo, which should be 3000-4000 words long, will serve as advice to the CEO of a major organisation. It should present a clear and well-reasoned point of view, along with a market analysis, regarding the recommended business and technology strategy for the chosen sector. The financial sectors to choose from include payments, lending, capital markets, trading, asset management, risk management, or insurance. It is important to consider the unique characteristics, opportunities, and risks relevant to your respective organisation within the selected sector. Groups should be formed and indicate their chosen sector by Week 10. It is recommended to schedule a meeting during regular office hours with faculty to discuss the project in more detail. Detailed instructions for preparing the research report will be provided in Week 9. The final submission of this assignment will be made via Turnitin in Wattle.

Assessment Task 8

Workshop attendance and participation

Workshop (Thursdays 12-1pm) attendance and participation is mandatory. Attendance will be taken and credit will be awarded if the student attends ten or more workshops, and participates in workshop activities such as interacting with presenters and providing feedback to other students on a regular basis. Specific workshop participation requirements will be provided on Wattle.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be graded and returned on Wattle via TurnitIn.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students