Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies - The Face of the Future

This course is designed to explore the fundamentals of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies and how these potential game changers could redefine the face of the finance industry. Delegates will examine recent trends and disruptors that have shaped the current investment landscape before dealing with the applications of Blockchain in Investment management.

During the session attendees will understand how the financial services sector is being transformed by digital technologies whilst exploring the commercial and practical implications of this new technology.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Identify the possible future disruptors to the asset management industry
• What is Big Data, current and future potential applications for predictive and reporting analytics
• Explore what is a Blockchain, why it is going to change the finance world and why does it matter?
• Exam potential Blockchain applications
• Understanding the difference between Fiat monies & Cryptocurrencies
• Understand the business and regulatory implications of technology for the finance industry

09:30 Introductions

09:40 The New Face of Asset Management

• A look at the five trends that have converged to create the current landscape
• Competition, demographics, expectations, digitalisation and regulation
• How the new investment environment has affected the asset industry and clients
• Identifying future disruptors to the industry – 10 future trends
• Key risks to the asset management business 
• How can asset managers effectively utilise analytics and Big Data
• What is the role of robo-advisors and do they pose a threat to traditional advisory
• - The myth and reality
• Game changers set to redefine the industry
• Fee model transformation
• Alternatives become more mainstream, passives are core and ETFs proliferate
• Next generation clients – success will depend on the ability to reach the next generation of clients
• Who are they? Where do they come from?

11:00 Coffee break

11:15 Blockchain and Asset Management

• What is blockchain? – the second era of the internet
• What might blockchain technology mean for traditional financial services?
• The dynamics of a blockchain distributed ledger
• Blockchain and the trust protocol
• “The chain of things” – digital identity and cryptography 
• Applications of blockchain to asset and asset management
• Practical application 1: client on-boarding and profiling
• Practical application 2: model management and trade order generation
• What are some challenges to adoption?
• What are the regulatory challenges?
• A practical approach to blockchain implementation
• How can you invest in blockchain

13:00 Lunch

• A sandwich lunch will be provided and an opportunity for you to network with the trainer and other delegates

14:00 Cryptocurrencies and Asset Management - part 1

• What is a cryptocurrency?
• So what is cryptocurrency, and why would one use it?
• Will they ever become true currencies?
• Failing as a medium of exchange – why crypto-currencies will probably never be used for a majority of transactions
• Failing as a store of value – why crypto-currencies will probably never be used as a store of value
• The currency of crime?

15:15 Coffee break

15:30 Cryptocurrencies and Asset Management - part 2

• Are crypto-currency prices a bubble?
• How can you invest in cryptocurrencies
• Token launches and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO)
• How ICOs differ from venture capital and kickstarter investing
• Investing in tokens versus investing in stocks – understanding the differences
• State of regulation in the UK

17:00 Course end

Russell Hammerson

Russell Hammerson,Director, BG Consulting Group is an experienced investment professional having worked in the financial markets for over 15 years at institutions including Chase Manhattan, Citigroup and Bear Stearns. Russell has worked in financial engineering, focusing on institutional investor solutions for asset managers and Asset-Liability Committees. He has been delivering training on all areas of financial markets since 2001 to global audiences from Asset and Wealth management, and from new entry level to senior practitioners.

BG Consulting Group has been delivering bespoke training to global financial institutions for over 20 years. They have considerable expertise in Financial Training and a proven track record of delivering high quality training across Financial Services.

IA Member £350.00 +VAT
Non-Member £450.00 +VAT

Pay using a credit card online, or if you wish to be invoiced please email your full details to: Training@theia.org

PLEASE NOTE: Full payment for the course must be made prior to the course commencement date.

Any cancellation must be made in writing. For all cancellation received 15-30 days prior to the course start date, 50% of the course fee is still payable. No refund is given for a cancellation made 14 days or less prior to the commencement of a course. Transferring from one course to another is treated as a cancellation. You can substitute one delegate for another at no additional cost. In this instance, please give two business days’ notice.