Duke University Launches Cryptocurrency Research Initiative
Duke University has launched a cryptocurrency research initiative in an effort to better understand the technology and its potential implications.
The initiative, called the Center for Blockchain Research, will be headed by Professor Scott Murkin, who has previously worked on projects related to distributed systems and cryptocurrencies.
“Cryptocurrencies are a new and rapidly evolving field with the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives,” Murkin said in a statement. “Our goal is to explore the potential implications of this technology on a variety of issues, from financial services to governance and security.”
The initiative will initially focus on three areas: cryptocurrencies and financial stability, cryptocurrencies and the internet of things, and cryptocurrencies and the legal system.
Duke University joins a number of other institutions that have begun exploring the potential implications of cryptocurrency technology, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Princeton University, and the University of California, Berkeley.
Duke Students to Receive Training in Cryptocurrency and Blockchain technology
In an effort to provide Duke students with the skills necessary to understand and work with cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, the Duke Center for Blockchain and Digital Currency (DCBC) is hosting a workshop on Tuesday, March 6 from 6:00 to 8:00pm in the Burton D. Morgan Library.
The workshop, which is free and open to all, will provide students with an overview of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, as well as the basics of mining and investing in these technologies. The workshop will also include a question and answer session.
"Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology are rapidly evolving technologies that are generating a lot of interest among students at Duke and elsewhere," said Kirill Semenov, assistant professor at the DCBC and one of the workshop facilitators. "Our workshop will provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to understand these technologies and participate in the growing cryptocurrency and blockchain sector."
The workshop is sponsored by the DCBC in collaboration with the Duke Crypto Club, the Duke Entrepreneurship Society, and the Duke Data Science Club. Registration is required and space is limited.
Duke professors to offer course on cryptocurrency
Duke University is planning to offer a course on cryptocurrency this fall.
The course, which will be taught by professors from the university’s business school and computer science department, is an elective for students in the school’s business and economics programs, according to a press release.
“Cryptocurrency is a new and rapidly-growing area of finance and business,” said professor Dan Boneh, who will teach the course. “This class will give students the opportunity to learn about this new phenomenon, and to discuss it with experts.”
Bitcoin, the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, is a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange that uses cryptography to secure its transactions and to control the creation of new units. Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, meaning they are not subject to government or financial institution control.
Duke Fintech Club to host talks on cryptocurrency and blockchain
The Duke Fintech Club will host a series of talks on cryptocurrency and blockchain this fall.
The first talk, entitled “Cryptocurrencies: What you need to know” is scheduled for October 19 at 6 p.m. in the Duke Innovation Lab. The second talk, “Blockchain: Beyond Bitcoin” is scheduled for November 16 at 6 p.m. in the same location.
Both talks are free and open to the public.
How Duke students are learning about cryptocurrency
There is no one definitive answer to this question since cryptocurrency is still relatively new and evolving. However, some students may be learning about cryptocurrency through informal conversations with friends, online resources, or course materials. Additionally, some universities may have dedicated cryptocurrency courses or programming labs.
What is cryptocurrency? Duke students explain
Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual asset that uses cryptography to secure its transactions and to control the creation of new units. Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, meaning they are not subject to government or financial institution control.
Duke's endowment invests in cryptocurrency fund
Duke's endowment has invested in a cryptocurrency fund, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
The fund, which is managed by Galaxy Digital Investments, will focus on investing in digital assets such as bitcoin and ether. The investment is part of a wider effort by the Duke's endowment to explore new ways to invest its money.
Duke's president, Richard Brodhead, said that the fund would allow the university to "better understand how these technologies work and what their potential implications may be."
The move follows a number of other high-profile investments into blockchain and cryptocurrency ventures, including those made by Microsoft and IBM.
How will cryptocurrency affect the future of banking? Duke experts weigh in
Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography to secure its transactions and to control the creation of new units. Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, meaning they are not subject to government or financial institution control.
Some proponents of cryptocurrencies argue that they will eventually replace traditional forms of payment, such as banknotes and coins. Others believe that cryptocurrencies will only have a limited role in the future economy, and that they will ultimately be replaced by other digital payment systems.
The future of banking is likely to be affected by both the adoption of cryptocurrencies and the development of new digital payment systems. While it is difficult to predict the exact impact of cryptocurrencies on the banking sector, it is likely that the technology will continue to evolve and that banks will need to adapt their strategies in order to remain competitive.
Is cryptocurrency the new gold? Duke economists debate
Cryptocurrency is not the new gold, but it has some potential as a store of value, according to a recent study by Duke economists.
The study, which was published on Feb. 14 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that while cryptocurrencies don't have all the qualities of a traditional store of value, they could potentially be used to preserve wealth or pay for goods and services.
"What we found is that cryptocurrencies are not the new gold, but they do have some potential as a store of value," said study co-author Daniel Krawisz, an economics professor at Duke. "There are a number of reasons why this might be the case, including the fact that cryptocurrencies are difficult to counterfeit and they are not subject to government control."
However, Krawisz and his colleagues warn that cryptocurrencies shouldn't be used as a primary form of currency, because there is no central authority or digital ledger that guarantees their value.
"While cryptocurrencies may have some features that make them attractive as a store of value, they are not perfect," Krawisz said. "As with any asset, it's important to do your homework before investing in them."
What does the future of cryptocurrency look like? Duke students and faculty share their predictions
Cryptocurrencies are still in their early stages, and there is no one clear path to their future. Some experts believe that cryptocurrencies will eventually become a mainstream form of payment, while others believe they will only become more popular among criminal actors. There is no clear consensus on the future of cryptocurrencies, but they are likely to continue growing in popularity and importance.