Module ECON40D15: Fintech Regulations

Department: Economics

ECON40D15: Fintech Regulations

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• Provide an advanced understanding of the regulatory objectives and approaches related to the financial sector
• Examine the features and key risks that arise in different fintech sectors from a regulatory perspective (open banking, crypto-assets/currencies, crowdfunding platforms and asset management and robo-advisory services)
• Discuss the concerns and responses to mitigate the risks and achieve the regulatory objectives for each of the fintech sectors
• Present case studies from different countries to examine the regulatory approaches for different fintech sectors.

Content

• Regulatory Objectives, Framework and Approaches
• Regulatory approaches related to digital innovations, tools/artefacts (open banking/APIs, cloud, blockchain, artificial Intelligence)
• Open banking (regulation induced digital transformation)
• Crypto Assets/Currencies (key risks, regulatory concerns, responses, approaches and case studies)
• Crowd-funding Platforms (key risks, regulatory concerns, responses, approaches and case studies)
• Asset Management & Robo Advisory (key risks, regulatory concerns, responses, approaches and case studies)

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding the regulatory objectives, framework and approaches related to the financial sector in general and the fintech sector in particular
• Developing knowledge of the features and key risks that arise in different fintech sectors from regulatory perspectives (open banking, crypto-assets/currencies, crowdfunding platforms and asset management and robo-advisory services)
• Comprehending the concerns and responses to mitigate the risks and achieve the regulatory objectives for each of the fintech sectors
• Knowing the regulatory experiences of different countries and examining the approaches taken for fintech sectors in various jurisdictions.

• By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Recognize the key roles law and regulations play in framing financial transactions.
• Understand the principles governing financial regulations and how these are applied in case of innovations.
• Unbundle financial transactions and evaluate risks arising in different stages from a regulatory perspective.
• Recognize risks arising in different fintech sectors that raise regulatory concerns and identify the appropriate responses.
• Assess the regulatory approaches used in different jurisdictions to understand various ways in which the regulatory principles are applied in case of fintechs.

• Ability to understand financial concepts and transactions from multi-disciplinary perspectives.
• Independent learning within a defined framework of study at an advanced level.
• Independent thought in analysing and critiquing existing regulatory practices of different fintech sectors.
• Ability to seek out and use relevant information and data sources, including electronic and bibliographic sources.
• Advanced writing skills including the ability to work to a deadline and complete written work within word limits.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• A combination of interactive classroom sessions in the form of two-hour lectures, one-hour seminars and guided reading at an advanced level to achieve the aims and learning outcomes. The lectures are based on presentations and provide suggested readings that develop knowledge and understanding through the systematic course of study. Summative assessment through assignment will test students' knowledge and understanding of the subject-matter and their use of critical judgment and problem-solving and analytical skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Answers prepared by students to pre-assigned questions and readings that are presented and discussed in seminars.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University