Cryptocurrency and the Blockchain: A Legal Primer

Overview of Cryptocurrency and the Blockchain: A Legal Primer

A legal primer for attorneys covers blockchain and cryptocurrency technology and the fast-moving legal and regulatory landscape around digital assets. Drawing on the 2022 crypto market events (including the FTX collapse and the expansion of the SEC's Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit), the course explains how the technology works and surveys the legal issues it raises, from securities enforcement to money laundering, smart contracts, and asset valuation. It prepares lawyers to advise clients and make timely referrals to specialized experts. Note: this course is an in-progress draft build.

What you’ll learn in Cryptocurrency and the Blockchain: A Legal Primer

• Explain what blockchain is, how it works, and what makes it unique for privacy and security
• Describe the relationship between blockchain and cryptocurrency and how each is regulated
• Understand SEC crypto enforcement priorities and their impact on DeFi and non-crypto companies
• Recognize money-laundering risks with cryptocurrency, its stages, and the regulatory and law-enforcement response
• Approach the valuation of cryptocurrency using party intentions and cross-jurisdictional precedent

Curriculum

1. 1. 2022 Year in Review: SEC Cryptocurrency Enforcement Actions

   Background on cryptocurrency and the SEC, the conduct and priorities of the expanded SEC Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit, its 2022 enforcement actions, the impact on DeFi and non-crypto companies, and key takeaways.

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2. 2. Blockchain 101: Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, and the Law (Part 1 of 2)

   Explains what blockchain is, how it works, and what makes it unique for privacy and security, and introduces its relationship to cryptocurrencies, financial transactions, and real-world uses.

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3. 3. Blockchain 101: Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, and the Law (Part 2 of 2)

   Explains the relationship between blockchain and cryptocurrency, the broad range of legal issues raised, the current legal and regulatory responses, and recent related cases.

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4. 4. Regulating Blockchain

   Overview of blockchain and Bitcoin, governance and risk issues, regulation of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, relevant case law, and the future of the technology.

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5. 5. Risky Business: Cryptocurrency, Money Laundering, and Smart Contracts

   A primer on money laundering with cryptocurrency, its stages and methods, crypto regulators, law-enforcement challenges, an overview of smart contracts as software code, and key takeaways for attorneys.

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6. 6. A Guide for Lawyers on Assisting Clients in Valuing Cryptocurrency

   Explores what money is, digital currencies and whether Bitcoin was first, and how cryptocurrency should be valued using party intentions and precedent from other jurisdictions.

   Video coming soon