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Inefficiencies Within DeFi
Fragmented liquidity: DeFi liquidity is dispersed across multiple blockchains and protocols, making it hard for users to access substantial and reliable pools of capital.

Unstable yields: Interest rates in DeFi frequently fluctuate due to changing supply and demand, often leading to unpredictable returns for users.

Idle stablecoin capital: Large amounts of stablecoins remain inactive in wallets or exchanges, leading to missed opportunities for users to earn yield through active deployment.

More about this course
The Intermediate Track offers a deep dive into the intricacies of blockchain technology, designed to advance the expertise of those familiar with the basics of cryptocurrencies. This course consists of 70+ modules that explore the mechanisms behind decentralized applications (DApps), complex decentralized finance (DeFi) concepts, and much more.

Key Takeaways
Spark is an on-chain asset allocator that deploys stablecoin liquidity across decentralized finance (DeFi), centralized finance (CeFi), and real-world assets (RWAs).

It lets users and protocols access deep, scalable liquidity by routing capital across multiple chains and platforms like Aave, Curve, and tokenized RWA protocols.

The platform’s native token, SPK, enables governance participation, staking for protocol security, and reward accumulation through Spark Points.

Spark operates across several blockchain networks, manages stablecoin liquidity, and generates yield through efficient capital deployment.

The Digital Assets and Blockchain Industry course offers a comprehensive four-week exploration into blockchain technology and digital assets. It starts with understanding fiat systems and Bitcoin’s philosophy, then progresses to examine the evolving financial landscape, including CBDCs and blockchain scalability challenges. The course emphasizes practical blockchain applications, risk assessments, and future trends like tokenization of real-world assets and artificial intelligence. Participants will acquire skills in analyzing fiat systems, understanding blockchain, and grasping the complexities of digital finance, preparing them to contribute significantly to this rapidly evolving field.

Please note: the estimated completion time for this course is only related to the course videos. It is important that each student completes the additional reading provided in the ‘suggested reading’ sections each week.

The Blockchain Mastery: From Fundamentals to Advanced Corporate Solutions course explores the dynamic world of digital finance. Dive into Bitcoin’s origins, the transformative rise of cryptocurrencies, and the innovative blockchain technology behind them. Gain insights into recent advancements, regulatory milestones, and diverse cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Cardano. Demystify blockchain consensus mechanisms and explore topics such as DeFi, tokenomics, and smart contracts. Whether you’re a student or a professional, embark on this thrilling journey into the future of money with Prof. Schmalbach. This course offers a comprehensive understanding of the rapidly evolving landscape of digital assets and their implications for businesses and investors alike.

Since its creation in 2009, the Bitcoin journey has been volatile and often marked by price fluctuations in response to political, economic, and regulatory events.

The Bitcoin price went from $0.30 in early 2011 to an all-time high of $111,980 in 2025 – an increase of more than 37,000,000% in less than 14 years.

From the 2020 low of $3,880 to its 2025 all-time high of $111,980, Bitcoin went up more than 2,700%.

From 2011 to 2025, Bitcoin price had an annualized return of approximately 142% per year. As of June 10, 2025, Bitcoin’s market cap is roughly $2.18 trillion, and its crypto market dominance is around 64%.

Key Takeaways
A bear market is a prolonged period of declining asset prices, often driven by economic downturns or geopolitical uncertainties.

Investors can navigate bear markets using strategies like dollar-cost averaging, short selling, or shifting to less volatile assets like cash, bonds, or stablecoins to minimize risk.

Despite their challenges, bear markets are a normal part of market cycles. Historical market data shows that established markets like the S&P 500 and Bitcoin managed to reco

The Challenges in DeFi
DeFi has come a long way, but it still has problems that stop more people from using it:

Complex user experience: Many DeFi platforms require users to manage crypto wallets, gas tokens, and bridges, which can be overwhelming (especially for beginners).

Key Takeaways
Defi App is a modular decentralized finance (DeFi) platform designed to simplify the DeFi experience for both beginners and advanced users.

It lets users manage wallets, make swaps, and use different blockchains without needing to worry about gas fees or complicated setups.

The platform’s native token, HOME, powers its ecosystem, offering transaction fee abstraction, governance rights, and user rewards.

Defi App works across multiple networks like Solana, Ethereum, and other EVM-compatible chains.