By Rose Odack

USIU-Africa recently hosted Dr. Ana Armstrong, a senior lecturer in Finance and FinTech at the University of Greenwich, London. She shared her expertise on blockchain technology, shedding light on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and how digital finance is shaping the future.

As an award-winning fund manager and one of the "Power 100 Women" in London’s Square Mile, Dr. Armstrong explained how blockchain is revolutionizing financial transactions. She broke down its role in enhancing transparency, security, and efficiency while also highlighting how decentralized ledgers are reshaping global finance and increasing financial inclusion.

The session explored Bitcoin’s decentralized nature, mining process, and potential as a store of value, while Ethereum took center stage for its smart contract functionality—allowing developers to build decentralized applications (DApps) for industries like supply chain management, healthcare, and finance. She also discussed central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and their role in modern economies, emphasizing how governments are exploring digital alternatives to traditional currency.

Beyond cryptocurrencies, Dr. Armstrong provided an in-depth look at the broader applications of blockchain, such as digital identity verification, fraud prevention, and secure voting systems. She also introduced the concept of decentralized finance (DeFi), which is disrupting traditional banking by offering alternative lending, borrowing, and investment opportunities without intermediaries.

Additionally, she touched on the growing role of artificial intelligence in fintech, explaining how machine learning is being used for fraud detection, risk assessment, and personalized financial services. Dr. Armstrong also shared insights into the future of fintech careers, discussing blockchain development, cryptocurrency analysis, and AI-driven financial modeling.

The session wrapped up with an engaging Q&A, where students had the chance to ask pressing questions about blockchain’s future. The event left attendees inspired and reinforced USIU-Africa’s commitment to equipping students with cutting-edge knowledge in a rapidly evolving digital world.