The primary objective of the International Banking and Finance course is to interactively examine the latest technological developments, innovations, and structural transformations in the global financial world and the banking sector, using articles, reports, and news published by reputable organizations such as BKM, Fintech Istanbul, and Blockchain Turkey. In line with the course’s learning outcomes and program objectives, the goal is for students to gain a deep understanding of open banking applications, global innovations in the field of financial technology (Fintech), and the profound relationship between blockchain technology and the financial sector. Consequently, the course aims to help students develop the ability to effectively track international literature, understand innovative tools within the global financial ecosystem, and acquire the skills to generate solutions to complex financial problems using analytical approaches.

This course begins with an analysis of the historical development of open banking practices both globally and in Turkey, as well as their place in the current ecosystem. As part of the weekly course schedule, the philosophy of Decentralized Finance (DeFi)—including its distinctions from traditional finance—DeFi products, and the processes for getting started with the system via electronic wallets are examined. The course content also covers digital assets in detail, including Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), stablecoins, Facebook’s digital currency project Libra, and the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) economy. In recent weeks, the course has taken a holistic approach—based on current case studies and industry reports—to examine the operational structures of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), the new dimensions that Metaverse banking brings to the sector, and Regenerative Finance (ReFi), which offers an approach integrated with environmental awareness.