Cryptocurrency- the Economics of Money and related Public Policies.
When analyzing the public policy implications posed by cryptocurrencies, it is important to keep in mind what these currencies are expressly designed, and intended to be.
They’re designed and intended to be alternative electronic payment systems!
The purpose of this course is to assess how, and how well cryptocurrencies perform this function, and in so doing to identify possible benefits, challenges, risks, and policy issues surrounding cryptocurrencies.
The course begins by reviewing the most basic characteristics, and economic functions of money, the traditional systems for creating money, and traditional systems for transferring money electronically. It then describes the features, and characteristics of cryptocurrencies, and examines the potential benefits they offer, and the challenges they face regarding their use as money.
The course also examines certain risks posed by cryptocurrencies, when they are used as money and related policy issues, focusing in particular on two issues: cryptocurrencies’ potential role in facilitating criminal activity, and concerns about protections for consumers who use these currencies.
Finally, the course analyzes cryptocurrencies’ impact on monetary policy.
