Past MIT Courses taught by DCI

We have helped shape courses on blockchain technology and cryptocurrency at MIT. We are happy to share some of the content publicly on GitHub and free full courses through recorded videos and other materials through MIT OpenCourseWare (MIT OCW).

Cryptocurrency Design and Engineering

Course Number(s): MAS.S62 Fall 2025
Course Description: Bitcoin and other cryptographic currencies have been rapidly gaining adoption. This course explores the design of Bitcoin and other blockchains and how they function in practice, focusing on cryptography, game theory, security, networking, and system architecture. In Fall 2025, this course will be co-taught with the University of Brasilia, connecting students through projects and discussions. Our goal is to get a more global view of the potential impact and use cases of the technology. Programming assignments in the course will give practical experience interacting with cryptocurrency software. Prior programming experience is required, and exposure to computer science systems or security courses is recommended. 
Course Lecturer(s): Neha Narula and special guest lecturers
Course Materials: MAS.S62 Fall 2025 on GitHub and MAS.S62 Fall 2025 on MIT OCW - coming soon
Student Final Outcomes: Discover MIT and UnB student projects here
This course is a core project and engagement opportunity for the DCI Global Research Network new for 2025

Course Number(s): MAS.S62 Spring 2018
Course Description: Bitcoin and other cryptographic currencies have gained attention over the years as the systems continue to evolve.  This course looks at the design of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and how they function in practice, focusing on cryptography, game theory, and network architecture.  Future developments in smart contracts and privacy will be covered as well.  Programming assignments in the course will give practical experience interacting with these currencies, so some programming experience is required. 
Course Lecturer(s): Tadge Dryja and Neha Narula
Course Materials: MAS.S62 Spring 2018 on GitHub and MAS.S62 Spring 2018 on MIT OCW

Blockchain Labs 

Course Number(s): 15.S68 - Spring 2018 and Spring 2019, 15.217 - Spring 2020 and Spring 2021
Course Description: Blockchain Lab is a semester-long, project-based course that immerses students in the latest blockchain developments. Students engage in the latest developments through partnering with DCI members on various projects. As these companies attempt to integrate blockchain technology into viable business models. To see a full list of past projects, visit the Blockchain Labs Report pages. Students work closely with the faculty, as well as researchers and team members at the Digital Currency Initiative to complete projects for participating companies. Past companies include Deloitte, Fidelity, BCG and more.
Course Lecturer(s): Past instructors include Neha Narula, Simon Johnson, Gary Gensler, Michael Casey, and Luis Barros
Course Materials: Student final reports can be found on the DCI website here - 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 

Blockchain Ethics: The Impact and Ethics of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology 

Course Number(s): MAS.S67 Fall 2019
Course Description: In this course, the crucial question we will consider is: How can we positively shape the development of cryptocurrency technology? As a class we will endeavor to address this question by exploring the societal implications of blockchain technology including: cryptography, autonomous code, democratized incentive structures, and the evolution of blockchain communities. In addition to discussing the implications of the technology, students will learn about the context, history, impetus, and culture of blockchain technology, how the technology works, and the ways in which we can shape this technology through the law, societal norms, code, and markets. 
Course Lecturer(s): Neha Narula and Rhys Lindmark

Blockchain and Money 

Course Number(s): 15.S12 Fall 2018 and 15.235 Fall 2019 onwards
Course Description: Explores blockchain technology's potential use - by entrepreneurs and incumbents - to change the world of money and finance. Begins with a review of the technology's initial application, the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, giving students an understanding of the commercial, technical and public policy fundamentals of blockchain technology, distributed ledgers and smart contracts in both open-sourced and private applications. Focuses on current and potential blockchain applications in the financial sector. Includes reviews of potential use cases for payment systems, central banking, venture capital, secondary market trading, trade finance, commercial banking, post-trade possessing, and digital ID. Also explores the markets and regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies, initial coin offerings, other tokens, and crypto derivatives.
Course Lecturer(s): Past instructors include Gary Gensler and Simon Johnson
Course Materials: 15.S12 Fall 2018 on MIT OCW

Shared Public Ledgers: Cryptocurrencies, Blockchains, and Other Marvels 

Course Number(s): 6.892 Spring 2017
Course Description: This course is about the principles and core techniques of shared public ledgers, with an emphasis on Bitcoin and distributed consensus. Topics include Bitcoin, Byzantine agreement, authenticated data structures, Lightning networks, proof of stake, and new techniques to implement a shared public ledger. 
Course Lecturer(s): Silvio Micali and Neha Narula
Course Materials: 6.892 Spring 2017 on GitHub

Entrepreneurs without Borders

Course Number(s): 15.395 Fall 2016
Course Description: This course examines opportunities and problems for entrepreneurs globally, including Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Linkages between the business environment, the institutional framework, and new venture creation are covered with a special focus on blockchain technology. In addition to discussing a range of global entrepreneurial situations, student groups pick one particular cluster on which to focus and to understand what further development would entail. Classroom interactions are based primarily on case studies.
Course Lecturer(s): Robleh Ali, Michael Casey, Brian Forde, Simon Johnson, and Neha Narula
Course Materials: 15.395 Fall 2016 on MIT OCW