Rikki Barnes

The spark was ignited when I first discovered Bitcoin: a novel confluence of technology and finance, and a provocative anti-establishment vector. After that epiphany, it took several years of self-directed learning before I felt comfortable enough to acquire my first tokens in the mid-2010s. That initial investment catalysed a series of fortuitous events and engagements which culminated in me being accorded the opportunity to set up a blockchain research team for my employer, a large financial conglomerate.

Stepping into a new role of authority foisted upon me an immediate expectation of acumen and fluency in Blockchain and Digital Assets, one that could not be satisfied solely through passive learning. Upon the recommendations of fellow alumni of a course I had attended, I was introduced to the University of Nicosia’s Masters in Blockchain and Digital Currency degree.

Two decades had passed since I graduated from my first degree in Actuarial Science, and despite a fair amount of trepidation, the UNIC programme resonated with me from the get-go. The spread of subject matter lent itself to developing a broad-based, first-principle, informed appreciation for blockchain and digital assets. The balance of academic rigour, technical exposure, debates with classmates, access to industry experts, and anchored by support from a tenured and personable faculty, made this a memorable experience. I enjoyed the optionality in the course structure, the fact that one could elect to pursue research or advanced topics (catering those who are more research or course-oriented). I still marvel at the direct access we were accorded to industry luminaries like Andreas Antonopoulos and how he conjured intricately woven narratives to illuminate highly technical topics, in a way that made them accessible and enlightening. I owe a debt of gratitude to my fellow students, whose generosity and courage enlivened interactions and imbued me with a sense of awe, inspiration and purpose.

From a professional perspective, I have emerged as a more empowered, future-oriented, empathetic professional. The programme revealed just how broad the blockchain domain is, and with my degree in hand, I remain humble, open to new ideas and curious, whilst confident in the strong foundation I have developed. I joke that a course about blockchain taught me more about the inner workings of money than two decades in the finance industry had.

My team has evolved to advising upon, developing and enabling the deployment of blockchain-related technology across the breadth of our organisation, from retail through to corporate clients, and across a variety of product verticals. We also actively contribute to industry consortia, think tanks, and policy formation.

My MSc journey has helped turn a casual interest into an impassioned sense of purpose. I believe strongly in blockchain’s potential as a transformative technology, and my time at UNIC has emboldened and equipped me to play an active role in manifesting that potential. I couldn’t recommend UNIC’s Masters in Blockchain and Digital Currency programme more highly and I wish you the best on your journey.