الجامعة اإلسالمية العالمية
INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
ISLAMABAD
FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
Department of Accounting, Finance and Commerce
COURSE OUTLINE FALL 2025
Course Information
Course Title Intro to FinTech & DeFi Course Code FFT-252
Credit Hours 3 Course Level Undergraduate (BS FT&EC)
Instructor Information
Name Mr. Hassan Javed Office A-024
Email [Link]@[Link] Contact No. 0333-2272022
COURSE DETAILS
1: Course Description
This course explores how FinTech and DeFi are transforming global finance through digital
innovation, blockchain, and decentralized platforms. Students will learn the fundamentals of digital
payments, cryptocurrencies, Tokenomics, lending protocols, robo-advisors, and regulatory
issues, while also engaging in case studies and practical exercises such as smart contracts, portfolio
analysis, and DeFi simulations. By the end of the course, learners will understand key technologies,
apply numerical and analytical methods, and evaluate the opportunities, risks, and ethical challenges
of modern financial systems.
2: Course Objectives
1. Gain Introduce the foundations of FinTech, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and DeFi
2. Explain how digital technologies are transforming payments, banking, and financial services
3. Develop practical skills in analyzing tokenomics, portfolio risks, and DeFi applications
4. Provide hands-on experience with digital wallets, smart contracts, and blockchain tools
5. Evaluate real-world case studies of FinTech and DeFi successes and failures
6. Foster awareness of regulatory, ethical, and security challenges in digital finance
7. Prepare students to design innovative and inclusive FinTech/DeFi solutions
3: Course Learning Outcomes
• Explain key concepts of FinTech, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and decentralized finance
(Knowledge).
• Analyze digital payment systems, Tokenomics, and DeFi protocols using numerical methods
(Analytical Skills).
• Apply practical tools such as digital wallets, blockchain explorers, and smart contracts (Technical
Skills).
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• Evaluate risks, regulations, and ethical challenges in FinTech and DeFi ecosystems (Critical
Thinking).
• Demonstrate the ability to design or propose innovative FinTech/DeFi solutions for real-world
problems (Problem-Solving).
• Communicate effectively through case studies, simulations, and project presentations
(Communication Skills).
4: Course Pre-requisite/s
Business Finance, IT in Business
5: Recommended Textbooks and Other Materials
1. Susanne Chishti & Janos Barberis – The FINTECH Book (2016)
2. FinTech The Technology Driving Disruption in the Financial Services Industry (Parag Y
Arjunwadkar)
3. Campbell R. Harvey, Ashwin Ramachandran, Joey Santoro – DeFi and the Future of Finance
(2021).
6: Course Evaluation Criteria
Assignments 7.5%
Quizzes 7.5%
Project 10%
Mid-Term 25%
Final-Term 50%
7: Plagiarism Policy
All students are expected to behave ethically and honestly. Students must submit their own work.
Copying and pasting from internet sites or other sources is not acceptable. Copying work from
other students is not acceptable. Original work is appreciated, and plagiarism is discouraged and
bears consequences towards suspension from course, responsibility lies solely at participants end.
SIXTEEN WEEKS PLAN
Week Course Contents/Activities *Teaching Method Deadlines
1 Introduction to FinTech & DeFi
• Evolution of FinTech and Financial
Innovation
• From traditional finance (TradFi) to
Lecture / Class Activity
digital finance
• Introduction to blockchain,
distributed ledgers, and smart
contracts
2 Financial Systems & Digital Payments
• Digital payment systems (mobile
wallets, QR, NFC, SWIFT, RTGS,
CBDCs) Lecture / Class Activity
• Payment settlement processes
• Cost comparison of traditional vs
digital remittance numerical
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3 Blockchain Fundamentals
• Cryptography basics
• Consensus mechanisms (PoW, PoS) Lecture / Class Activity
• Smart contracts and decentralized
applications (dApps)
4 Cryptocurrencies & Tokens Economics
• Bitcoin, Ethereum, Stablecoins,
Altcoins
• The Token classification: Utility,
Security, Governance
• Token supply models (fixed, Lecture / Class Activity
inflationary, deflationary), risk and
return of cryptocurrencies numerical
etc.
• Tokenomics of Ethereum and DeFi
protocols (Uniswap, Aave)
5 Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
• Lending & borrowing platforms
(MakerDAO, Compound, Aave)
• Decentralized exchanges (Uniswap,
Lecture / Class Activity
Curve)
• Yield farming & liquidity mining
• APY calculation, impermanent loss in
liquidity pools numerical
6 FinTech Innovations
• Robo-advisors & trading
• InsurTech & RegTech applications Lecture / Class Activity
• Crowdfunding & P2P lending
platforms
7 Case Studies (Optional)
• M-Pesa (Kenya) – Mobile money
and financial inclusion
• Ant Financial / Alipay (China) –
Super-app ecosystem
• Revolut (UK/Europe) – Neobank Lecture / Class Activity
success story
• Square (USA) – From POS hardware
to Cash App
• EasyPaisa & JazzCash (Pakistan) –
Branchless banking
8 Course Revision Before Mids / Mid
Revision / Presentations
Project Presentations (Optional)
Mid-Term Examination
10 FinTech Perspective
• FinTech for Dinosaurs (Large and
Lecture / Class Activity
Older Firms)
• FinTech for Entrepreneurs
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• FinTech for Investors
• FinTech for Consumers
11 Personal Finance & FinTech Tools
• How FinTech apps help with
budgeting, savings, and investments
• Introduction to expense trackers &
automated savings apps
• Simple interest & savings growth Lecture / Class Activity
calculation with an app
• Practical: Students create a sample
personal monthly budget with a
FinTech tool (Excel/Google Sheets or
a real app demo)
12 Emerging Trends & Future of FinTech
• Central Bank Digital Currencies
(CBDCs)
• DeFi 2.0 and interoperability Lecture / Class Activity
(Polkadot, Cosmos)
• NFTs, Metaverse, and Web3 finance
• Artificial Intelligence in FinTech
13 Ethical Issues in FinTech & DeFi
• Data Privacy & Security: Misuse of
customer data, weak cybersecurity
practices
• Algorithmic Bias: Robo-advisors
and credit scoring discriminating Lecture / Class Activity
against certain groups
• Financial Inclusion vs. Exploitation:
Are FinTech apps empowering
users or trapping them in hidden
fees?
14 Ethical Issues in FinTech & DeFi
• Crypto & DeFi Ethics: Pump-and-
dump schemes, rug pulls, market
manipulation
• Environmental Concerns: Energy
consumption in Proof-of-Work
blockchains (e.g., Bitcoin mining) Lecture / Class Activity
• Regulation vs. Innovation Dilemma:
Balancing innovation with ethical
responsibility
• Students’ debate about “Should
governments regulate DeFi strictly,
or allow open innovation?”
15 Case Studies (Optional)
• MakerDAO (Ethereum) – Stablecoin
DAI Lecture / Class Activity
• Uniswap (Ethereum) – Automated
Market Maker (AMM)
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• The DAO Hack (2016) – Smart
contract vulnerability
• FTX Collapse (2022) – Centralized
exchange failure
• Terra-LUNA Collapse (2022)
16 Course Revision Before Finals / Final
Revision / Presentations
Project Presentations (Optional)
End-Term Examination
*Lecture, Discussion, Class Seminar, Case Study, Presentation etc.
Signature
Course Instructor
Signature
Head of Department
Signature
Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences
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