FINRA Announces Launch of Crypto and Blockchain Education Program

New Educational Initiative Provides Member Firms With Essential Knowledge on Crypto Assets and Blockchain Technology

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FINRA announced today the launch of its new Crypto and Blockchain Education Program, which is designed to provide FINRA member firms and their employees with educational resources focused on crypto assets and blockchain technology.

The program will include self-paced e-learning courses, as well as a separate in-person applied learning course offered in partnership with Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.

The first release of FINRA’s Crypto and Blockchain Education Program features foundational, interactive e-learning courses that will be available through FINRA's Financial Learning Experience™ (FLEX™) platform beginning in October. The topics include:

• Crypto and blockchain terminology
• Blockchain operations and on-chain transactions
• Evolution of blockchain technology
• Types of crypto assets and related products
• Crypto ecosystem and markets
• Key considerations for FINRA member firms with touchpoints to crypto assets and blockchain technology
• Common fraud schemes with crypto asset exposure

“We are excited to offer a new Crypto and Blockchain Education Program to continue supporting our member firms as they navigate evolving products and technology,” said Greg Ruppert, Executive Vice President, Member Supervision. “Through the Crypto Hub, FINRA has focused on understanding how crypto and blockchains may impact our member firms, reflecting an ongoing commitment to FINRA Forward by providing educational resources to help them navigate this innovative technology as we collectively build for the future.”

As member firms increasingly engage with crypto assets and blockchains, the e-learning program will broaden industry knowledge and empower compliance professionals to combat crypto-related fraud. The program features application-based activities, scenarios, and self-assessment quizzes and covers a wide range of concepts, from basic terminology to fraud typologies and business activity considerations.

Learn more about the Crypto and Blockchain Education Program on the latest FINRA Unscripted podcast episode. A full transcript is available.

For more information about the Crypto and Blockchain Education Program and FINRA's Financial Learning Experience platform, visit finra.org/cryptoed.

About FINRA

FINRA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to investor protection and market integrity. FINRA regulates one critical part of the securities industry—member brokerage firms doing business in the U.S. FINRA, overseen by the SEC, writes rules, examines for and enforces compliance with FINRA rules and federal securities laws, registers broker-dealer personnel and offers them education and training, and informs the investing public. In addition, FINRA provides surveillance and other regulatory services for equities and options markets, as well as trade reporting and other industry utilities. FINRA also administers a dispute resolution forum for investors and brokerage firms and their registered employees. For more information, visit www.finra.org.