Description

Financial
markets represent the lifeblood of our global economy. These mechanisms promote
greater economic efficiency by transferring funds from individuals, businesses
and governments with an excess of available funds to those with a shortage.
Funds are transferred in the financial markets through the purchase and sale of
financial instruments (such as stocks and bonds). Short-term financial
instruments are available in money markets, while longer-term financial
instruments are purchased and sold in the world’s capital markets. Many
financial markets have been in existence for hundreds of years; however, the
modern era has brought along many new innovations such as securitizations,
derivatives, and cryptocurrencies.

This course covers two financial
markets: the money markets and the cryptocurrency markets. The money markets
offer financial assets that have short-term maturities of one year or less,
such as U.S. Treasury bills, commercial paper, and repurchase agreements. This
course covers the primary characteristics of money market instruments and
discusses how these instruments are utilized by market participants. This
course also provides an introduction to cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin,
Ethereum, and others. It discusses the primary characteristics of the
cryptocurrency markets and identifies the types of assets that are traded in those
markets.