PSFINCDAA - Certified Digital Asset Advisor (CDAA)

The Certified Digital Asset Advisor (CDAA) Program teaches the core curriculum necessary to meet the educational requirement to sit for the CDAA Certification Exam. 

This course was developed and is delivered by CFPs, for financial advisors, and includes live sessions as well as on-demand video. It is also good toward the Certified Digital Asset Advisor designation.

To become certified, you must complete the curriculum of this program and take the CDAA certification exam under the PlannerDAO.

Please visit certifieddigital.org for a full description of the CDAA designation.

Course Structure

6-week cohort-based course. Each week, students will receive approximately 2 hours of on-demand video content to go over at their leisure, in addition to a 2-hour live session to discuss questions from the videos, news from the week, and client conversations.

Module 1: Bitcoin
In week 1 we talk about the basics of the original cryptocurrency. Why it started, and how it works. We also discuss the investment theses around bitcoin. Learning this will be 50% of the necessary knowledge when it comes to digital assets, as we talk about the characteristics of public blockchains.

Module 2: Ethereum
In Week 2, we discuss the second most valuable and used cryptocurrency and network. This gets us talking about the evolution of blockchain technology, and how the success of the Bitcoin network gave us a world supercomputer. Ethereum is the network on which Decentralized Finance was first built.

Module 3: Custody/Wallets
In week 3, we talk about the new type of custody created by bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies - Wallets. This new custody is a large part of the need for different understanding, as it introduces new benefits, and new risks. Advisors will have to take a long look at their practices in relation to new custodial relationships.

Module 4: DeFi - Decentralized Finance
In week 4, we go in-depth discussing Decentralized Finance, or DeFi. The new financial ecosystem is providing the opportunity for more participation in the global economy, with more risks. This includes new lending, investing, and income generation opportunities.

Module 5: Use Cases - NFTs/DAOs
In week 5, we talk about some of the hyped use cases and terms. We hit NFTs, DAOs, and Web 3, as these are all hugely popular, and the obvious subject of interest for clients. Understanding these basics will help now, and more importantly, in the future as they are the building blocks for ownership, company structure, and asset control.

Module 6: Your Practice
In week 6, we discuss the ways to make crypto a part of the advisors’ practice. We go into the custodial options, business models like projects or AUM, funds. We also delve into the current regulatory environment.

Financial services professionals, including but not limited to:

• Financial advisors
• Financial planners
• Accountants
• Investment advisors
• Stockbrokers
• Trust officers
• Attorneys
• Bankers
• Retirement or benefits specialists
• Insurance agents
• Investors
• Recent college graduates
• Recent CFP program graduates
• Entrepreneurs
• Small business owners

Financial assistance information can be found on Rice Financial Aid's Visiting and Continuing Education Students page.