Financial Professional Track
Enroll below to continue to secure checkout. Online, self-paced, 18 CE credits
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What you're buying
The 14-Module Curriculum
Every module is included in your enrollment — online, self-paced, about 60 minutes each, taught by the industry's leading experts.
#1 – Bitcoin The First of the New Digital Assets
Instructor: Ric Edelman
This module provides a comprehensive foundation for understanding bitcoin and its role as the first digital asset in a new and evolving asset class. From exploring the origins and purpose of bitcoin to examining its unique features and investment potential, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to confidently navigate this transformative innovation.
#2 – Blockchain, aka Distributed Ledger Technology
Instructor: Dr. W. Scott Stornetta
This module explores blockchain, the foundational technology behind digital assets, guided by Dr. W. Scott Stornetta, a co-inventor of blockchain. From its origins and technical structure to its diverse applications and investment potential, this session equips you with the essential knowledge to understand and leverage blockchain’s transformative capabilities.
#3 – Introduction to Digital Assets and Digital Currencies
Instructor: Anders Brownworth and Lex Sokolin
This module delves into the dynamic world of digital currencies and digital assets, providing an overview of their role in payments, stablecoins, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). You’ll gain insights into the practical use of digital wallets and exchanges, explore major assets beyond bitcoin, and understand their foundational technology, empowering you to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape with confidence.
#4 – Layer 2 Protocols, Tokens, & DeFi
Instructor: Lex Sokolin
This module introduces second-layer protocols, tokens, and decentralized finance (DeFi), uncovering how these innovations enhance blockchain functionality and scalability. From understanding the difference between coins and tokens to exploring DeFi’s potential to revolutionize financial systems, this session equips you with the knowledge to navigate this dynamic landscape.
#5 – Real-World Use Cases
Instructor: Laura Shin
This module showcases real-world applications of blockchain technology, highlighting its ability to revolutionize industries like supply chain management, healthcare, and financial services. From increasing transparency and efficiency to creating new economic opportunities through NFTs, DeFi, and the metaverse, you’ll explore how blockchain is transforming global commerce and enabling innovative solutions.
#6 – Investment Thesis for Digital Assets
Instructor: Jack Tatar
This module examines the investment thesis for digital assets, providing financial professionals with insights into correlation, diversification, risk management, and valuation techniques. With a focus on portfolio strategy and the transformative potential of digital assets like bitcoin, you’ll gain practical knowledge to help you integrate this emerging asset class into client portfolios confidently.
#7 – Investment Opportunities
Instructor: Ray Sclafani
This module introduces the diverse investment opportunities in digital assets, offering a deep dive into direct and indirect investment strategies, including funds, tokens, and SMAs. You’ll gain valuable insights into evaluating digital asset exchanges, custody solutions, and blockchain-focused companies, equipping you to navigate this evolving investment landscape with confidence.
#8 – Portfolio Construction
Instructor: Ric Edelman
This module focuses on portfolio construction, exploring how to incorporate digital assets into a diversified portfolio effectively. You’ll learn strategies for allocation, risk reduction through techniques like dollar-cost averaging and rebalancing, and how to determine the appropriate investment strategies for your clients’ unique needs.
#9 – Regulation
Instructor: Del Wright Jr.
This module provides a detailed exploration of the regulatory landscape surrounding digital assets, covering key U.S. agencies, global frameworks, and emerging policies. You’ll gain insights into jurisdictional challenges, compliance requirements, and the evolving balance between privacy and security, equipping you to navigate the complexities of crypto regulation with confidence.
#10 – Operations, Compliance and Risk
Instructor: Brian Hamburger, Daniel Bernstein, Lacey Shrum
This module equips financial professionals with the essential compliance, operational, and risk management strategies needed to integrate digital assets into their practice. From understanding regulatory requirements and client communication protocols to updating firm policies and leveraging technology, you’ll gain actionable insights to confidently navigate this emerging asset class.
#11 – Taxation of Digital Assets
Instructor: René Chaze
This module provides a comprehensive overview of the taxation of digital assets, equipping financial professionals and investors with essential knowledge to navigate the complexities of crypto taxation. From acquisition and holding to disposal, you’ll learn how to identify taxable events, understand IRS reporting requirements, and effectively help clients manage tax obligations for digital assets.
#12 – How to Explain Crypto to Clients
Instructor: Ric Edelman
This module focuses on equipping financial professionals with practical strategies to explain blockchain and digital assets to clients effectively. From addressing common client objections to providing tools for confident conversations, you’ll learn how to integrate crypto discussions into your advisory practice. With actionable techniques and insights, this session empowers advisors to build trust and guide clients through the complexities of digital assets.
#13 – Crypto Custody and Security
Written and researched by DACFP staff, this module equips professionals with the essential strategies they need to manage and protect digital assets. From understanding wallet security to navigating the latest threats and scams, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to confidently engage in this new asset class.
#14 – How to Incorporate Crypto Into Your Practice
Instructor: Ric Edelman
This module guides financial professionals on effectively incorporating crypto into their practice, whether they personally embrace digital assets or not. It provides strategies to address client inquiries, integrate crypto into financial planning, and navigate compliance challenges, empowering advisors to expand their expertise and build stronger client relationships.
Meet your instructors
World-Class Faculty
- Dan Bernstein — Chief Regulatory Counsel at MarketCounsel
- Anders Brownworth — Principal Architect, applied research in central bank digital currency projects
- René Chaze — Special advisor to DACFP on digital assets
- Ric Edelman — Founded the nation's largest financial planning firm
- Brian Hamburger — CEO and Founder of MarketCounsel and the Hamburger Law Firm
- Ray Sclafani — President and Founder of ClientWise LLC
- Laura Shin — Crypto journalist, host of the Unchained podcast
- Lacey Shrum — Founder of Smart Kx and attorney at Vela Wood
- Lex Sokolin — Managing Partner and co-Founder of Generative Ventures
- W. Scott Stornetta — Widely considered the co-inventor of blockchain technology
- Jack Tatar — Co-author of Cryptoassets: The Innovative Investor's Guide to Bitcoin and Beyond
- Del Wright, Jr. — Vinson & Elkins Endowed Professor of Law, LSU Law