Cryptoassets in Global Context (LAWS90216)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
November
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CSIRO’s Data61 digital research network describes blockchain technology as ‘a revolutionary new approach to database management’ that will prompt ‘significant changes in existing Australian industries’. Yet, despite significant investments of time and money by institutions around the world, we still lack robust proof of social or commercial benefit. Several years have passed since Bitcoin’s ‘Genesis Block’ was mined, but that foundational use case—digital cash without traditional intermediaries—has not challenged the legacy payments infrastructure. Where blockchain-based assets are used as monetary instruments rather than investments, those transactions are atypical in subject-matter and frequency.

All of this begs the question: if the goal of blockchain technology is to eliminate ‘trusted third parties’, why is that something to aspire to? Is the answer to that question commercial or political? And, most importantly, is it correct? The aim of this subject is to answer these questions, and to do so by situating cryptoassets in their global context—as a matter of law, economics, politics and society.

Intended learning outcomes

A student who has successfully completed this subject should be able to:

  • Identify and explain key ideas concerning the theory of money, and identify what is at stake (for countries, companies and consumers) in designing digital currency;
  • Analyse the rationale of Bitcoin, and apply the knowledge of the mechanisms by which blind consensus protocols and smart contracts work;
  • Examine and interrogate legal, political, economic and social challenges to widespread adoption of blockchain technology;
  • Critically evaluate whether blockchain technology will and should bring about 'significant changes in existing Australian industries'.

Generic skills

A student who has completed this subject will have developed the following skills:

  • Mastery of principal areas of law as they relate to blockchain technology and digital money;
  • Expert, specialised cognitive and technical skills for critical and independent thought and reflection in the context of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency;
  • Mastery of technical research skills relevant to consumer claims;
  • Problem-solving skills, applied to the critical evaluation of new applications and research relevant to the area of blockchain technologies; and
  • The ability to expertly communicate specialised and complex information, ideas, concepts and theories relevant to blockchain technologies and digital money in global perspective.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are taught at an advanced graduate level and requires a thorough background in common law. While efforts are made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, teaching and assessment activities are designed to give an advanced and integrated understanding of the discipline of law for legal practitioners, learners and researchers.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Class participation and online discussion board contributions

Throughout the teaching period15%

Group presentations

  • 15 minutes
Day 515%

Research Paper

  • 4000 words
14 January 202670%
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required.Throughout the teaching periodN/A

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • November
    Principal coordinatorAlexandra Andhov
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours34
    Total time commitment150 hours
    Pre teaching start date23 October 2025
    Pre teaching requirementsPlease refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. 
    Teaching period20 November 2025 to 26 November 2025
    Last self-enrol date28 October 2025
    Census date21 November 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 2 January 2026
    Assessment period ends 6 February 2026

    November contact information

    Teaching Staff:

    Alexandra Andhov (Subject Coordinator)

    For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details

Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment, subject quotas and waitlists.

Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options. 

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 March 2025