Introduction to Blockchain

OCT
18
Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
 
Location: CFALA Member Center - Biltmore Court
520 S Grand Ave. Suite 655
Los Angeles, CA 90071
 
Instructor: TBA
 
Time: CANCELLED
 
Dress: Casual
   
 
Add to Calendar 10/18/2019 9:00 AM 10/18/2019 5:00 PM America/Los_Angeles Introduction to Blockchain - October 2019Online CFALA info@cfala.org false MM/DD/YYYY
An Education Committee Sponsored Event - Part of the Tech Skills for Non-Programmers Track

Overview

Distributed ledgers and decentralized architectures are quickly establishing themselves as preeminent forces in information technology. The ascent of the blockchain has the potential to be one of the most disruptive global technology trends since the proliferation of the internet. Blockchain adoption can drastically affect transaction processing dynamics, all forms of record keeping, supply chain management, and securities trade settlement. These ramifications will have pronounced impacts on all industries with a particular emphasis on financial services.

Although the blockchain is most commonly known as being the technology behind Bitcoin, blockchain’s reach and scope has much broader applications beyond just cryptocurrencies. Blockchains can effectively eliminate the need for intermediaries and 3rd parties in many forms of transactions. Some significant benefits of blockchains and decentralized ledgers consist of potentially higher levels of trust and transparency, lower costs, and new forms of capital raising.

This interactive and structured one day seminar works to supply attendees with an elementary awareness of what blockchain technology is, along with a conceptual understanding of its potentially far reaching use applications in the financial world including venture capital.

Please note, this is not a programming-based course. We will teach the fundamental concepts, but if your objective is to learn how to build an actual Blockchain implementation in Hyperledger or on Ethereum, you will not learn that in this course since business and financial professionals will likely not have to do this on the job.

This course will focus primarily on explaining the basic mechanics of public blockchains such as Bitcoin Core in a qualitative, general sense as opposed to looking at private distributed ledger implementations like the blockchain as a service (BaaS) platforms offered by the larger, technology vendors such as IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle.


Attendees may use a PC or Mac to access slides and other resources we provide for the class.

Who This Course Is For


Widespread blockchain adoption and everyday application are probably still at least a few years away. This course will help students stay prepared and well ahead of the curve for this technology’s promising further implementation. The course will be informative for those wishing to gain a fundamental awareness of the following three major use cases pertinent to the business world, specifically for the financial industry:
  1. Blockchain integration in securities clearing, settlement, and trade finance
  2. Tokenization through blockchain, STOs, and their influence on venture capital and startup funding vehicles
  3. Crypto securities and digital assets as a new, alternative asset class

Course Objectives

At completion of this course, attendees should be able to achieve the following goals:
  • Become informative and speak intelligently about blockchain types, mechanics, terminology, processes, and governance in the context of the Bitcoin blockchain
  • Learn how blockchain and token issuance may shape the future of financing for new projects and initiatives in comparison to traditional means such as angel and seed financing, venture capital, equity and debt
  • Be able to illustrate potential use case applications of smart contracts and related mechanisms for trade finance, derivatives, securities settlement and other financial instruments
  • Assess and evaluate the benefits of implementing distributed ledgers to increase efficiencies for general operational activity, information sharing, and record keeping
  • Understand the genesis and impact of a new asset class, native digital assets/currencies, and their impact on asset allocation, risk, and portfolio management
  • Intelligently assess and discuss potential drawbacks of blockchains, including the challenges of using blockchain for a specific use case implementation

Course & Contact Information
Course Prerequisites: None
info@cognitir.com
+1 908 505 5991 (US); +44 75 0686 49 85 (UK)
www.cognitir.com
 

Course Curriculum

Overview of Blockchains and Distributed Ledgers
  • Global commitment to blockchain by large financial institutions and corporations
  • Blockchain’s expectation as the next major paradigm in computing following cloud
  • Commitment and other initiatives in distributed ledger technology by major corporations
  • Boom, bust, fad aspects of blockchain implemented by struggling enterprises over the past couple years
Centralized vs. Decentralized Computing
  • Differentiation of centralized and decentralized systems including the characteristics, benefits, and shortcomings of each

Blockchain Components and Structures

  • Basic components (blocks, nodes, etc.) that encompass a blockchain including the technical terms and mechanics that drive each
  • Distinction between public and private blockchains and what the benefits and drawbacks are of each form
  • Fundamental traits and characteristics of large, public blockchains including immutability, consensus, security, and operating protocols
  • Integration of cryptography and pseudo-anonymity in public blockchains

Public Blockchain Governance and Consensus Protocols

  • Consensus protocol use in public blockchains like Bitcoin Core, including cryptography and the governance of a network of comprised of many different and unknown parties
  • Game theory and incentive structures incorporated in public blockchains

Digital Assets as a New Asset Class (“Cryptoassets”)

  • Native digital tokens and cryptocurrencies used to power networks of parties that do not know or trust one another
  • Why public blockchains include digital assets, tokens, and currencies and why private blockchains/distributed ledger systems do not
  • Digital assets and currencies as an alternative asset class and their impact on asset management, correlations to traditional assets, etc.

The Influence of Tokens and ITOs/STOs on Project/Venture Finance

  • Public blockchains and digital assets (including ICOs and ITOs) as a financing mechanism compared to traditional angel or venture funding
  • Process behind launching a financing initiative using blockchain, including white papers, token sales, terms, and risks

Blockchain Implementation in Capital Markets and Securities Settlement

  • Blockchain and distributed ledger use cases for trade settlement, international trade finance, contracts, and derivatives

In Class Team Project - Building a Conceptual Blockchain/DLT Use Case

Prerequisites:
None

Course Curriculum and Contact Information

Early Registration Fees (until October 4th)
$399 (Members) | $499 (Non-Member)
 
Registration Fees
$499 (Members) | $599 (Non-Member)

CANCELLED

 
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Parking Information

Click links for address and rates

Pershing Square Garage: Rates vary

Central Library Parking: Rates vary

Joe's Auto Parks: $12 

Pacific Center Parking: $15


More Parking Options (Click link)
 
Payment Information
We accept the following:

If you prefer to pay by check please email info@cfala.org and request to pay by check. Your registration will be completed manually and you will receive an email confirmation.

Mail check to:
CFA Society of Los Angeles, 520 S. Grand Ave, Suite 655, Los Angeles CA 90071.

*Credit card payments will only be accepted through the secure online registration, and not by phone or email.

Cancellations
Enrollee cancellations must be made in writing and received at least 5 business days before the first day of class. All cancellations will incur a $30.00 processing fee. If enrollment is canceled after the 5-day deadline, a 50% cancellation fee will be charged.
Chair:
Rama Malladi, CFA
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