The Fundamentals of Crypto-Assets

Training Descrption

The Fundamentals of Crypto-Assets

Blockchain and crypto assets have become essential in the financial landscape. Between technological innovation, high-yield investments, and emerging regulations, understanding this ecosystem is crucial for finance professionals, investors, and institutions.

Behind the hype surrounding cryptocurrencies and NFTs lie major financial, economic, and regulatory challenges. The rise of this technology requires anticipating its integration into investment and compliance strategies.

This training program provides an in-depth understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and risks associated with blockchain. You will learn to analyze the crypto ecosystem, identify key players, and master the main regulations in force, from national frameworks to international standards.

Designed for investors, traders, fund managers, and compliance professionals, this training will equip you with the necessary tools to navigate this rapidly expanding market and fully exploit its potential.

Training Objectives

• Understand blockchain technology.
• Know the different types of crypto assets.
• Learn crypto terminology.
• Differentiate between crypto trading and crypto asset investments.
• Identify all key players in the crypto ecosystem:
• • BLOCKCHAIN protocols
  • “Miners” and “stakers”
  • Developers
  • Marketplaces
  • Retail and institutional investors
  • Crypto media
• Recognize and understand the risks associated with crypto assets.
• Identify the financial opportunities offered by blockchain technology applications.
• Understand the risks of the crypto world in light of the collapse of FTX and recent illicit and criminal activities.
• Grasp the challenges of crypto asset management in France.
• Learn the fundamentals of crypto regulation in France, at the European level, and internationally.

Target Audience

• Open to all audiences

Training Duration

• 2 days (14 hours)

Training Program

The Fundamentals of Crypto-Assets

I. BLOCKCHAIN Technology

• Fundamental principles of BLOCKCHAIN technology
• Genesis and foundation: BITCOIN and ETHEREUM
• Crypto-assets:
• • Cryptocurrencies
  • Stablecoins
  • Privacy coins
  • Smart contracts
  • NFTs
• Major recent technological breakthroughs:
• • From PoW (Proof of Work) to PoS (Proof of Stake)
  • From Layer 1 to Layer 2
  • Web3
  • Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

II. The CRYPTO Ecosystem

• Blockchain protocols
• Miners and stakers
• Crypto developers
• Crypto-asset marketplaces
• Individual and institutional investors
• Crypto media

III. Crypto Jargon

• Bitcoin
• • Bitcoin Dominance
  • Bitcoin Halving
  • Bitcoin Misery Index (BMI)

IV. Opportunities in the Crypto Universe

• Cryptocurrencies: An asset class?
• • Private equity funds exposed to the crypto universe
  • Registered Digital Asset Service Providers (PSAN)
  • Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs)
  • Financial investment advisors (CIF) and wealth managers (CGP): between fears and opportunity costs

V. Risk Factors

• A decentralized over-the-counter market
• The pitfalls of anonymity
• "Native tokens", "stablecoins", and "yield farming"
• Cryptocurrencies: characteristics and risks
• Marketplaces: BINANCE, FTX
• Leverage, collateral, and asset protection
• Major frauds and criminal practices in the crypto world
• • Price manipulation and embezzlement
  • Money laundering
  • Financing of terrorism

Practical Cases:

• The collapse of FTX: Business model and key risk factors
• The LUNA case
• Rogue crypto traders and their techniques: perpetual contracts and wash trading (the AVI EISENBERG case)

VI. Regulation

• Regulatory challenges in the crypto ecosystem
• • A technology that bypasses intermediaries
  • A payment method without legal tender status
  • An over-the-counter market
  • No legal status for cryptocurrencies (in France)
  • The difficulty of applying traditional audits to the crypto universe
• Regulation in FRANCE
• Regulation in Europe: MiCA directive
• AML-CFT law (Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing)

Practical Case:

Spotlight on auditing firm MAZARS' withdrawal from the crypto market