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VanEck Digital Assets Initiative

VanEck Digital Assets Initiative
The VanEck Digital Assets Initiative at USC Marshall School of Business is a gateway to the future of blockchain, digital assets, cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and the metaverse. As a vibrant hub, the VanEck Initiative focuses on education, cutting-edge research, industry partnerships, and dynamic events where academia meets industry. Leveraging the expertise and passion across USC for this rapidly developing sector, the VanEck Digital Assets Initiative supports:

Creation of cutting-edge courses in cryptocurrencies, NFTS, smart contract platforms and other digital assets for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Collaboration between academic experts and industry leaders to explore, analyze and begin to define the theory and practice of digital asset markets and technologies.
Education and support for student entrepreneurs seeking to leverage digital asset opportunities while appreciating the market risks and regulatory controls affecting the sector.
Understanding about the metaverse and how immersive 3D worlds, social interactivity and persistent economies will impact various business sections and entrepreneurship.

The VanEck Digital Assets Initiative at USC’s Marshall School of Business is a hub for education, research, industry partnerships, academia-meets-industry events, and promoting the ecosystem of digital assets, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens, and the metaverse.

“Blockchain is a transformational technology that will have seismic implications on the global economy. The VanEck Digital Assets Initiative will provide our students with the education, skill sets, and support network to lead this paradigm shift.”

— James Healy, Adjunct Professor of Blockchain and FinTech, VanEck Digital Assets Initiative

PROGRAMS

The VanEck Digital Assets Initiative supports the development of a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that equips undergraduate and graduate students to engage with the fast-evolving landscape of digital assets and blockchain technology.

Marshall Courses
DSO 429: Digital Transformation of Business: AI and Smart Contracts
DSO 431: Digital Innovation as Competitive Advantage
DSO 548: Emerging Technologies in Supply Chain Management
FBE 499: Introduction to Decentralized Finance
FBE 599: Decentralized Finance
FBE 504: The FinTech Revolution: Disrupting Traditional Finance
FBE 499: Bitcoin and Digital Assets
FBE 499: Blockchain: Crypto, Web3, and the Future of Business and Finance
BAEP 499: Digital Playbook for Entrepreneurs: Creating a Web3/Blockchain Startup
Other USC Courses
ITP 256: Blockchain
ITP 356: Blockchain: Decentralized Applications
ITP 366: Blockchain: Advances and Use Cases
ITP 456 Blockchain: Capstone
MINOR IN BLOCKCHAIN

NEWS + EVENTS

The initiative brings together academic experts and industry leaders to explore, analyze and begin to define the theory and practice of digital asset markets and technologies.

Technical Fluency

The VanEck Southern California Blockchain Conference

The inaugural VanEck Southern California Blockchain Conference convened visionary blockchain leaders with business students from across the region.

VEDA Hosts Annual Blockchain Conference

Industry leaders discussed blockchain, AI advancements, and the next stage of the crypto revolution.

MORE VEDA Hosts Annual Blockchain Conference
New Bitcoin ETF Trading Drives Excitement for Marshall Experts

SEC rules changes allow firms to trade Bitcoin ETFs, igniting newfound accessibility, legitimacy, and record-high trading.

MORE New Bitcoin ETF Trading Drives Excitement for Marshall Experts
Web3 Fall Forum Tackles New Technologies

Experts, academics, and students convened on USC’s campus for discussions about the future of blockchain technology.

MORE Web3 Fall Forum Tackles New Technologies
VanEck Digital Assets Initiative Names Managing Director

USC Marshall has named Eric Chung, part-time professor of information technology, as the inaugural Managing Director of the VanEck Digital Assets (VEDA) Initiative.

MORE VanEck Digital Assets Initiative Names Managing Director
VanEck Digital Assets Initiative Names Co-Directors

Professors Anthony Borquez and James Healy bring deep professional experience and wide networks to the role.

MORE VanEck Digital Assets Initiative Names Co-Directors

ALL VEDA NEWS + EVENTS

INSIGHT + ANALYSIS

Interview: Nikhil Bhatia

BHATIA, adjunct professor of finance and business economics and founder of THE BITCOIN LAYER discusses his connection with USC and vision for the analysis and understanding of the potential bitcoin presents to the global economy.

GO TO ARTICLE Interview: Nikhil Bhatia
Interview: James Healy on KABC

James Healy, Adjunct Professor of Finance and Business Economics, was interviewed by KABC on the current downward run of Crypto.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW Interview: James Healy on KABC
Interview: James Healy on KABC 7

James Healy, Adjunct Professor of Finance and Business Economics, speaks to KABC 7 about the crash of crypto.

WATCH INTERVIEW Interview: James Healy on KABC 7
Interview: Nikhil Bhatia on Opinionated with Ben Schiller

Nikhil Bhatia, Adjunct Professor of Finance and Business Economics, joins CoinDesk to discuss the future of Bitcoin.

GO TO PODCAST Interview: Nikhil Bhatia on Opinionated with Ben Schiller
Op-Ed: Nikhil Bhatia on CoinDesk

Nikhil Bhatia, Adjunct Professor of Finance and Business Economics, on the responsibilities asset managers have in relation to Bitcoin for CoinDesk.

GO TO ARTICLE Op-Ed: Nikhil Bhatia on CoinDesk

ALL INSIGHT + ANALYSIS

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Blockchain@USC

Established in 2018, Blockchain@USC is a student-run organization promoting blockchain related education through workshops, speakers series, conferences, events, research, and industry networking. Currently, Blockchain@USC has a growing community of more than 800 members from a wide range of experiences and interests in blockchain.

MORE Blockchain@USC

To learn more about the VEDA Initiative, courses, and upcoming events, EMAIL us today.

VanEck Digital Assets Initiative