In order to strike a little bit of balance, a healthy dose of cynicism about digital assets is provided by Professor Paul Krugman — a long-time skeptic of what the crypto space has to offer.
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An educational streaming platform has released a new course covering cryptocurrencies and the blockchain.
MasterClass — which has made its name by offering star-studded content featuring the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Serena Williams and RuPaul — has tapped some of the biggest names from the industry as instructors.
Binance's CEO Changpeng Zhao and Coinbase's COO Emilie Choi are among the contributors, alongside Andreessen Horowitz partner Chris Dixon.
And in order to strike a little bit of balance, a healthy dose of cynicism about digital assets is provided by Professor Paul Krugman — a long-time skeptic of what the space has to offer.
Overall, the course is three hours and 40 minutes long — with separate tracks on offer for beginners and more advanced topics who have an understanding of how crypto works.
Topics include the history of cryptocurrencies, and why the principle of decentralization is so important. Time is also devoted to the evolution of blockchain technology, why Web3 technology is so promising, and how decentralized autonomous organizations can shake up how companies are run.
The discourse surrounding cryptocurrencies is often polarizing — with clear camps that divide supporters and critics. But in an attempt to bridge this gap, CZ and Professor Krugman take part in a debate where they share their perspectives on the biggest challenges facing the industry.
This latest offering from MasterClass couldn't have come at a better time, as the crypto markets are reeling from the dramatic and sudden collapse of FTX. Its demise has garnered countless column inches on the national news, but it's often difficult to break down technical nuances for an everyday audience.
MasterClass founder and CEO David Rogier said that cryptocurrencies and the blockchain have the potential to disrupt the financial system — even despite the current bear market. Acknowledging that the landscape is "rapidly changing" on a daily basis (meaning there is a danger this course could go out of date,) he added:
"Beyond today's headlines, the lessons of the class will help members gain insight into the system's past and potential future to help them decide how and if they want to invest in this space."
This course's arrival is an exciting development because it delivers an even-handed take on what's going on in the industry — moving beyond hype and hyperbole.
It also serves as an opportunity for Choi and CZ to break down some of the misconceptions that often cloud the crypto space, with both arguing that volatility actually serves an important purpose.
Recently released results from the second annual CryptoLiteracy survey revealed that just 9% of U.S. respondents were able to pass a quiz containing 30 basic questions about how digital assets work — despite the fact that 32% of Americans have invested in crypto.
Picture courtesy of MasterClass.