Payment Systems: Cryptocurrencies

This seminar is designed to afford students the opportunity to study the regulation of new, cutting edge payment systems that employ blockchain technology. To do so, students will familiarize themselves with the current state of the law of payment systems as represented in the Uniform Commercial Code, the National Bank Act, and other relevant statutes. Students will then engage readings regarding the regulatory difficulties presented by the realities of cryptocurrency technology. We will start with the history of digital currency, then look at the laws, organizations, trends, and communities behind it to build a complete picture of the ecosystem surrounding blockchain technology. Each student will present and discuss a paper on a topic of interest within the world of cryptocurrencies generally. Each of the students will research and write a paper on cryptocurrency regulation or regulatory technology as the principle component of their final grades. Students have two options. Those taking the course for 2 units (Section 01) will write papers that meet the PW (Professional Writing) requirement. Students taking the course for 3 units (Section 02) will write a long research paper. After the term begins, students accepted into the course can transfer from Section (01) into Section (02), which meets the R (Research) requirement, with consent of the instructor. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Written Assignments, Final Paper.