Waves of entrepreneurs preparing to exploit the disruptive technology behind bitcoin have studied MBA programs at the world’s top business schools.
Adam White believes that bitcoin will democratize finance. The Harvard MBA used to serve as a captain in the US Air Force and worked at Bain & Company, a leading consultancy firm. Now he’s an entrepreneur, helping to drive the nascent currency through Coinbase, a start-up that recently raised $75 million in funding.“We see bitcoin as an extremely powerful technology and it is our goal to bring the efficiencies created by the bitcoin network to the masses,” says Adam, speaking to the US House of Representatives’ small business committee.
He is one of a new wave of entrepreneurs preparing to exploit the technology behind the cryptocurrency who have studied at the world’s top business schools.
“The underlying blockchain technology has the potential to impact the global economy on the scale of the internet,” says Dan Elitzer, an MBA student at MIT Sloan who worked at Circle, a leading bitcoin start-up in the US.
The company leverages the technology behind the currency – known as the blockchain – to enable greater ease-of-use for both online and in-person payments.
The blockchain, a decentralised network where every bitcoin transfer is verified, processed and recorded, is attracting both business schools and entrepreneurs. They say it has the potential to make asset transfers cheaper, faster and more secure.
The blockchain tech relies on a complicated combination of code-breaking and crowdsourcing that bitcoin entrepreneurs say is disrupting traditional financial services providers like banks.
“The beauty of bitcoin is the blockchain… It can be applied to almost anything,” says James Angel, professor of finance at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, who has researched bitcoin.
Despite rapid falls in bitcoin prices and high-profile scandals – such as the $620 million collapse of Tokyo-based currency exchange Mt Gox – the blockchain is drawing enthusiasm from investors and banks who believe it has revolutionary potential.
For example Factom, a US start-up that helps developers build products on the blockchain, is working with the Development Bank of Singapore to store customer records in the blockchain.
David Yermack, a finance professor at NYU Stern business school who created a bitcoin course for MBA students, says there is more innovation to come in the blockchain area.
He adds that many of the major banks may also use the technology to create internal systems for transferring money between themselves or across borders.
“Mobile payment systems and the nature of money are changing very rapidly,” he says.
Coinbase’s huge funding round was led by high-profile backers including the New York Stock Exchange, BBVA, the Spanish bank, and the former chief executive of Citigroup, the US multinational banking corporation.
Coinbase believes there are inherent benefits to bitcoin – the “elimination of fraud, reduction of transaction fees and monetization of new markets”, said Adam, whose colleague at the start-up Nick Tomaino studied at Yale School of Management, a leading US business school
Nick says that the presence of high-profile investors lends credibility to the digital currency and is likely helping to accelerate its adoption.
“There is a large and rapidly growing community of developers, merchants, users, miners and investors… That believe in democratizing the financial markets,” says Nick, who worked at venture capital group Softbank Capital before joining Coinbase, in a statement.
Founded in 2012, Coinbase runs more than two-million wallets for consumers, and hosts 7,000 computer programmers who are building applications on its platform.
Dan at MIT Sloan, who also founded the MIT Bitcoin Club, believes there are already numerous career opportunities in the bitcoin industry.
He adds that he worked with MBA students from Wharton School, Harvard and Berkley’s Haas School of Business during his summer internship at Circle in Boston.
Circle's chief financial officer, Paul Camp, is a former JPMorgan Chase executive and is also a graduate of the Harvard MBA program.
Business schools are beginning to teach MBA students about the innovative bitcoin space, and some professors believe there are opportunities for start-ups to make their mark in this area.
Campbell Harvey is a professor at the Fuqua School of Business who developed a course for MBA students that explores the disruptive bitcoin blockchain.
“This decentralized technology has the potential to threaten centralized technologies like stock exchanges,” Campbell says.
He adds that his bitcoin program is geared towards entrepreneurs. “The single deliverable in the course is a business proposal in the crypto[currency] space,” he says.
He estimates that there are at least 500 bitcoin-related start-ups which employ approximately 10,000 people full-time. “Bitcoin is becoming mainstream," he says.
Campbell adds that he expects venture funding to double in the sector in 2015. “In the early days of bitcoin, companies did not have the benefit of the professional advice of these venture capitalists," he says.
James at Georgetown McDonough believes there will be more opportunities for entrepreneurs in the business of cryptocurrencies.
“There is a revolution going on in the payment space right now,” he says. But he adds: “Bitcoin is only part of the action.”
Student Reviews
Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Supportive atmosphere
The professors at Duke university exhibit exceptional commitment to the success and well-being of their students by ensuring their academic growth and fostering a supportive social atmosphere. Moreover, the entire community is recognized for its amicability and inclusiveness.
Diversity
The people or the students are without a doubt Duke's greatest asset. While all students are driven to succeed, they are also enthusiastic about a variety of hobbies. You run across a huge lot of diversity. It is the ideal example of a school with well-rounded students and the ideal balance of campus life in a metropolis.
Happy to school
All I could ever hope for is Duke University. That really epitomizes the "work hard, play hard" philosophy that elite colleges frequently pursue. Even though you'll have a lot of schooling to complete over the week, it's simple to keep focused because all of your friends are putting in similar amounts of effort. Many events taking place on and around campus on the weekends provide a great way to unwind. The combination of demanding academics and traditional college fun strikes the perfect balance.
Good schooling
Living, eating, learning, and developing who you want to be as an adult are all fantastic at Duke. I participated in student athletics, and I couldn't have asked for a better interaction with the faculty and other students. I appreciate all of the help I get from the Duke community more than anything. Furthermore, the teachers take the time to get to know you, and the lectures are diverse and demanding (if you do the same). I'd give it a 10 out of 10.
Beautiful School, Nice Classes
DU remains one the greatest and best universities that I have ever stepped in. The school is beautiful and neat. The classes are spacious and also very nice. I enjoyed attending my Lectures in those lecture halls. I also loved the Lecturers because of the good work they did. The university also has very good dorms that are given to students on first come first serve basis and they are affordable
Amazing experience
I received my B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Global Health with a minor in Chemistry from Duke University. I was able to grow as a student, scientist, and global health advocate with the help of my friends, professors, and other mentors I met along the way. A lot to learn if you look and ask, a great place to learn for those who want to learn.
whirlwind of growth and change
An amazing 2 years, with covid and everything else happening Duke has been a place of growth for me. The courses , classes were one of a kind, online and on campus. But the valuable lessons learned in the classes are irreplicable. The students are amazing here, so much diversity , I had no problem fitting in. The teachers are down right brilliant and so helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them anything. Graduated with my MBA with Duke and now my future awaits.
One of the best for Business students
Graduated with an MBA. The classes were very insightful and engaging. The staff are very easy to deal with. The teachers and students, are truly amazing people. Grateful to all the people I've met along the way at Duke. I've learnt a great deal that will help me in my future endeavors. The campus itself is a marvel, it is beautiful.
The university campus is awesome
I graduated with a masters degree in Religious Studies from Duke University. One thing I really liked about the university is its huge campus. It is spread in a large area with a lot of greenery and also have the facilities of reading rooms for single person also. My department building was very well taken care of. The library is immensely populated with books for all your needs. The faculty is very nice to students. The classes are equipped with latest technology to cater the needs of students. The University also provides room rentals for international students. They are very well maintained and priority is given to the International students for a comfortable stay there. There are weekly events conducted by the University as well as Student clubs for the entertainment of students. Anybody can take part in them and show their talents. I enjoyed my degree and I graduated in 2021 and was very happy that I had graduated from a reputed University.
Program Flexibility and Vibrant Campus Life
Duke University is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and vibrant campus life. The university offers a diverse range of majors and research opportunities, supported by world-class faculty.
What I particularly liked about Duke was its strong sense of community and the wealth of extracurricular activities available to students. The campus is beautiful, with top-notch facilities and a supportive atmosphere that fosters both personal and academic growth.
Overall, I would highly recommend Duke University for its excellent educational offerings and strong alumni network. If you're looking for a place that challenges you academically while offering numerous opportunities for personal development, Duke is an excellent choice.
