A 5 ECTS micro-credential course consisting of 1 study-unit "DLT5300 - Applied Economics and Tokenomics"
To apply, select the "DLT5300 Applied Economics and Tokenomics" study-unit. Get started by accessing this link.
Join this micro-credential course and discover how digital assets are reshaping the rules of money, value, and markets. This course isn’t just about theory - we’ll break down the real economic forces powering Bitcoin, DeFi, and the latest token innovations, then show you how to analyze, design, and critique token economies yourself. Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, investor, or just crypto-curious, you’ll get hands-on with the tools and frameworks top projects use to build sustainable, thriving ecosystems.
Explore how incentives, governance, and game theory drive user behaviour and network growth, and see how regulation and policy are catching up to this fast-moving space.
Curious about what makes a token valuable? Wondering how to spot the next big thing—or avoid the next big flop? This course will give you the insights and skills to navigate, evaluate, and help shape the future of digital assets.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
● Explain the economic foundations underpinning cryptocurrencies and decentralized networks.
● Analyze the design of token economies and their economic sustainability, including
supply mechanisms and governance structures.
● Critically assess the impact of tokenomics on user behaviour, network effects, and
market outcomes.
● Understand the regulatory and policy implications of tokenized economies
● Apply these economic and tokenomic frameworks to real-world case studies.
Target Audience:
● Students and professionals in economics, finance, computer science, law, and
related fields interested in digital assets.
● Entrepreneurs and product designers building or evaluating tokenized systems.
● Regulators, policy analysts, and compliance professionals seeking insight into
tokenomics and crypto-economics.
● Crypto investors and enthusiasts aiming to deepen their analytical toolkit.
Session Outline:
Topic Key Concepts:
1. Introduction to Crypto economics - Introduction to economic theories, the original idea behind Bitcoin, ideologies of early cypher- and crypto punks.
2 Money, Value, and Digital Assets - Economic properties of money, digital scarcity, and the evolution from fiat to crypto-assets.
3 Tokenomics Fundamentals - Token supply models (fixed, inflationary, deflationary), the history of distribution mechanisms (ICOs, airdrops, mining, pump.fun), and token utility.
4 Incentives and Game Theory in Blockchain - How incentives drive consensus, security, and user participation; introduction to game-theoretic concepts in crypto networks.
5 Token Design and Governance - Token classifications, governance models (on-
chain, off-chain), and voting mechanisms.
6 Valuation of Economic value drivers, valuation frameworks, and Cryptocurrencies and Tokens comparative analysis with traditional assets.
7 Network Effects and Economic Sustainability - User adoption, network growth, sustainability challenges, and economic feedback loops in tokenized systems.
8 Case Studies in Tokenomics Deep dives into leading crypto projects (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi protocols), analysing successes and failures.
9 Regulatory and Policy Considerations - Overview of global regulatory approaches,
compliance challenges, and economic implications of regulation.
10 Future Trends and Applied Project - A look into the future: Emerging trends and
learnings from past mistakes, discussion of applied project.
What You Will Gain:
● A solid grounding in the economics of cryptocurrencies and tokenized systems.
● Practical skills to analyse, design, and critique token economies.
● Insights into regulatory, market, and technological trends shaping the future of digital assets.
● A micro-credential certificate from the University of Malta, recognized in the field of distributed ledger technologies.
This course is designed to balance conceptual clarity with hands-on application, preparing participants to navigate and shape the evolving landscape of crypto-economics and tokenomics.
Application link (select the "DLT5300 - Applied Economics & Tokenomics" study-unit)
Study-Unit details can be found online.
ECTS Credits: 5
Duration: 10 sessions (Monday to Friday, between 17:00 and 19:30)
Dates: November 24 - December 6, 2025, weekdays only.
Deadline to Apply: 16th November, 2025; applications will be evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis
Requirements to Apply: a first degree in relevant disciplines
Fees: 500 Euros
Location: Online (links will be circulated via email)
Certification: Subject to a successful submission of a final assignment, participants will be awarded a course certificate worth 5 ECTS credits.