Last modified: 16 Sep 2025 10:16
Cryptoassets underpinned by blockchain (eg Bitcoin) or another type of distributed ledger technology (DLT) have grown globally in significance and become increasingly important for individuals and businesses in recent years. This course aims to examine some of the key legal and regulatory issues concerning cryptoassets and equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed in this novel area, which is rapidly developing and evolving due to technological innovation.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 25 credits (12.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Cryptoassets can be broadly understood as cryptographically secured digital representations of value, underpinned by distributed ledger technology (DLT) or a type of it such as blockchain, which can be transferred, stored or traded electronically. They represent an important class of digital assets and have become increasingly important for individuals and businesses globally in recent years.
The novel and fast-evolving nature of cryptoassets raises several challenges in applying traditional legal and regulatory concepts to these assets and accommodating them under existing rules and regimes. There are various initiatives in different countries and at international level undertaken by organisations for reviewing the existing rules and regimes for cryptoassets and developing solutions to respond to challenges raised by cryptoassets and blockchain technology.
This course aims to examine some of the key legal and regulatory issues concerning cryptoassets and equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed in this novel area, which is rapidly developing and evolving due to technological innovation.
The issues selected for examination in the course vary depending on contemporary developments in the field. However, the indicative topics covered by the course are: the features and taxonomy of cryptoassets and blockchain technology; cryptoassets in property law; security rights in cryptoassets and debt recovery; taxation of cryptoassets; financial regulation of cryptoassets; and private international law aspects of cryptoassets.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Feedback on assessment will be normally provided within a maximum of three working weeks (excluding vacation periods) following the deadline for submission of the assessment. |
Word Count | 2000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Understand | Acquire knowledge and understanding of features and taxonomy of cryptoassets underpinned by blockchain |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Feedback on assessment will be normally provided within a maximum of three working weeks (excluding vacation periods) following the deadline for submission of the assessment. |
Word Count | 2500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Analyse the legal and regulatory issues raised by cryptoassets and the use of blockchain technology |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Evaluate solutions proposed to address challenges raised by cryptoassets and blockchain and to facilitate technological innovation |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Re-submission of failed element in re-sit diet; the failed course will be capped at grade 09 (D3). |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Evaluate solutions proposed to address challenges raised by cryptoassets and blockchain and to facilitate technological innovation |
| Factual | Understand | Acquire knowledge and understanding of features and taxonomy of cryptoassets underpinned by blockchain |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Analyse the legal and regulatory issues raised by cryptoassets and the use of blockchain technology |
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