Stratford School researchers partner with Steam Exchange to educate investors about cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency has rapidly increased in popularity and is changing the way we conduct business and make transactions. Cryptocurrencies provide certain advantages over traditional systems. For example, they provide transactional freedom and privacy as they operate outside the regulations of banks and governments.
However, cryptocurrency also introduces many risks to investors. These risks range from technical and legal risks to drastic market swings. It is therefore important to improve investors’ understanding of cryptocurrency and help them make rational investment decisions.
The Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business at the University of Waterloo has partnered with Steam Exchange to develop gamified learning solutions to educate potential and new investors about cryptocurrency. The research project is led by Dr. Ville Mäkelä, Professor of UX Design and Research at the Stratford School, and supported by Dr. Leah Zhang-Kennedy and Dr. Lennart Nacke. Working full-time on the project is Hilda Hadan, PhD student at the University of Waterloo.
During the partnership, the researchers seek to evaluate the current state of crypto investors and those who are interested in crypto investments—their attitudes, knowledge and needs for cryptocurrency education. Based on these results, gamified educational prototypes and content will be developed together with Steam Exchange. These approaches will be further evaluated and improved with current and potential cryptocurrency investors, to create novel solutions of the future for cryptocurrency education.
Steam Exchange is a Canadian Fintech startup with a focus on learning, innovation, and scalable digital asset solutions applied across cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and web3 integrations; led by Chris Beckford, Neville Divecha, and Viraf Chapgar. As a platform, Steam Exchange applies a hybrid approach that combines the best of both centralized and decentralized financial ecosystems.
Steam Exchange is pioneering crypto-focused learning modules that are applicable across various demographics of the investor learning curve. Gamified, AI-driven learning accompanied by traditional print, media, and in-person resources; ensuring there’s an educational approach that one can relate to. Outcomes and analysis from this research partnership will be applied toward furthering tangible and immersive educational solutions designed with cryptocurrency and the digital asset realm in mind. This partnership facilitates the spread of knowledge and user adoption across the blockchain industry. Steam Exchange is proud to work with the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business at the University of Waterloo to help unlock the potential of this ever-progressing space.
The research is funded by Mitacs and Steam Exchange. The first results of this partnership are expected to be published in Winter 2023.