For those with difficulty understanding the concept behind digital currency, Bitcoin 101 is in session. New York University and Duke University – both ranked in the recent US News & World Report’s Top Colleges and Universities poll – began offering digital currency courses this year. NYU is currently offering The Law and Business of Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies this fall while Duke is holding the class Innovation, Disruption and Cryptoventures in the spring.
NYU, Duke Not the First to Offer Digital Currency Courses
Two European universities, the University of Cumbria in Great Britain and the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, became the first to offer digital currency courses, and even accept Bitcoin for tuition (American universities have yet to do so). The University of Cumbria offers a master’s degree in digital currency while the University of Nicosia offers two degrees in cryptocurrencies.
Said NYU professor David Yermack, who co-instructs The Law and Business of Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies, the course isn’t so much about understanding digital currencies, but more so how the characteristics of finance – contracts, property and the understanding of long-held beliefs of such – are going to significantly change over the next century.
The digital currency courses have been very popular. NYU’s course has drawn 35 students this semester. Duke professor Campbell Harvey, who instructs Innovation, Disruption and Cryptoventures, told CoinDesk.com that the biggest problem he faces will be turning students away.
Businesses Continue to be Drawn by Cryptocurrency
NYU and Duke’s digital currency courses offering is the latest sign that cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are nearing the mainstream. Other evidence is the growing number of businesses that recognize Bitcoin as currency such as Overstock.com, Dell, Dish Network and most recently, Braintree, the payment service provider of eBay.
Instabill: A Cutting Edge PSP
Instabill, a provider of merchant accounts to high and low risk industries, prides itself on being an innovative payment service provider. With belief in the potential of digital currencies, Instabill began offering Bitcoin merchant accounts last spring and has been met with plenty of interest. To find out more about digital currency merchant accounts at Instabill, speak one-on-one with a merchant account manager at 1-800-318-2317 or by clicking the chat option below.
