Introduction to Cryptocurrencies, Stablecoins, and Central Bank Digital Currencies

Dozent/in	Dr. rer. pol. Marcel R. Savioz; Dr. oec. publ. Thomas Moser
Veranstaltungsart	Vorlesung
Code	FS261094
Semester	Frühjahrssemester 2026
Durchführender Fachbereich	Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Studienstufe	Master
Termin/e	Mo, 23.02.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 4 Mo, 02.03.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 4 Mo, 09.03.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 4 Mo, 16.03.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 4 Mo, 23.03.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 4 Mo, 30.03.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 4 Mo, 13.04.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 4 Mo, 20.04.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 4 Mo, 27.04.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 4 Mo, 04.05.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 4 Mo, 11.05.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 4 Mo, 18.05.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, HS 4 Mo, 01.06.2026, 11:15 - 13:15 Uhr, HS 9 (Prüfung)
Umfang	2 Semesterwochenstunden
Turnus	weekly
Inhalt	This course covers monetary and technical issues associated with cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. In the first part of the course, we will study fundamental monetary questions such as: What is money? Should government play a role in money? What is the rationale for central banks? Is a competitive supply of money efficient? In the second part, we will provide an introduction to some technical aspects such as public-key cryptography and blockchain technology. We will also look at applications like Bitcoin, Stablecoins, Central Bank Digital Currency and close with an outlook on Decentralized Finance (DeFi).
Lernziele	Students will gain a basic understanding of the public debates surrounding cryptocurrencies, DeFi, and central bank digital currenciy from both a technical and economic perspective.
Voraussetzungen	A completed bachelor's degree.
Sprache	Englisch
Anmeldung	Binding registration takes place via the UniPortal; see notes below in the «Proof of Performance» field. For course information and materials, registration on the OLAT e-learning platform is required from 2 – 27 February 2026. The students themselves are responsible for verifying the course’s creditability towards their degree program. Direct link to the OLAT course: to follow
Leistungsnachweis	***IMPORTANT*** In order to acquire credits, and/or take the examination, registration via the Uni Portal within the regular examination registration period (2 – 16 April 2026) is MANDATORY. Further information on registration: www.unilu.ch/wf/pruefungen
Abschlussform / Credits	Written exam / 3 Credits
Hörer-/innen	Nach Vereinbarung
Kontakt	thomas.moser@snb.ch / marcel.savioz@bluewin.ch
Literatur	List of publications