Institutional
Reference & Benchmark Log
For each standard CoinUnited Academy sets, how a recognised body handles the same thing, with a named source, a resolving link, and the date checked.
CoinUnited Academy draws on two distinct classes of source, and this page is the first of them:
- Credentialing-body benchmark sources (this page). For each standard the Academy sets for itself as a certifying body, this log shows how a recognised credentialing authority (ISO, CFA Institute, GARP, CFP Board, and others) handles the same thing, with a named source and a link to the publisher.
- Trading-content fact sources (kept separate). Every factual claim in the courses, glossary and FAQ carries its own citation to a primary authority: regulators such as the SEC, CFTC and Federal Reserve; exchanges and standards bodies such as CME Group, BIS and ISO; and peer-reviewed research. Those citations appear inline on each course, glossary and FAQ page, and the full machine-readable list lives in the OKF mirror at /en/academy/okf/.
The two sets answer different questions. The benchmark sources below establish that the Academy's certification practices line up with recognised bodies; the trading-content sources establish that what we teach is factually correct. They are kept separate on purpose. Most links below open the specific page cited; a few deep links point to the publisher's relevant section while the exact page is confirmed.
How to read a row (left to right): the standard the program sets, how a recognised body handles the same thing, the source that proves it, the exact quote to search for at the URL, the link to open, the date checked, and the verification method.
| # | Standard CoinUnited Academy sets | How a recognised body handles it | Benchmark source | Exact quote (Ctrl+F at the URL) | Source URL | Date checked | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certify competence against an absolute standard (criterion-referenced). | ISO/IEC 17024 is the international standard for bodies that certify … | ISO/IEC 17024:2026 (overview), ISO | "is an ISO/IEC standard which specifies criteria for the operation of … | https://www.iso.org/standard/17024 | 2026-07-09 | Official standard page |
| 2 | Develop and maintain courses, exams, and recertification through … | ISO/IEC 17024 requires a documented certification scheme covering … | ISO/IEC 17024:2026 (overview), ISO | "The standard includes requirements for the development and maintenance … | https://www.iso.org/standard/17024 | 2026-07-09 | Official standard page |
| 3 | Set the passing score deliberately through the body's governance … | CFA Institute's Board of Governors sets the Minimum Passing Score … | CFA Institute: Exam results | "Whenever there is significant curriculum or population change, the … | https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa | 2026-07-09 | Official page |
| 4 | Justify the pass mark with a recognised standard-setting method … | In the Angoff method of standard setting, subject-matter experts … | Ricker, "Setting Cut-Scores: A Critical Review of the Angoff and Modified Angoff Methods", Alberta Journal of Educational Research | "SMEs are asked to evaluate each item and estimate the proportion … | https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/ajer/article/view/55111 | 2026-07-09 | Peer-reviewed journal article |
| 5 | Hold the program to published external standards for credibility. | The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accrediting … | Institute for Credentialing Excellence: NCCA | "Programs accredited by the NCCA span a wide range of professions … | https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/accreditation | 2026-07-09 | Official page |
| 6 | Ladder credentials across sequential tiers of rising difficulty (Foundation … | The CFA Program is earned by passing all three levels of examinations … | CFA Institute: How to become a CFA charterholder | "Pass all three levels of the CFA program (mastery of the current … | https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa-program/charter | 2026-07-09 | Official page |
| 7 | Tiered ladder (corroboration): a multi-level charter combined with … | The CAIA designation is earned by completing a course of study and … | CAIA Association: Frequently Asked Questions | "who complete a course of study and pass two examinations" | https://caia.org/faq | 2026-07-09 | Official page |
| 8 | Tiered ladder (corroboration): a professional certification split into … | The GARP Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification is earned across … | GARP: FRM Program and Exams | "After you pass your Part I Exam, follow up your success by registering … | https://www.garp.org/frm/program-exams | 2026-07-09 | Official page |
| 9 | Bind holders to a Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct as a condition … | CFA Institute maintains a Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional … | CFA Institute: Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct | "you are required to follow the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards … | https://www.cfainstitute.org/standards/professionals/code-ethics-standards | 2026-07-09 | Official page |
| 10 | Keep assessment objective and disclose the issuer (rather than claim independence). | CFA Institute Standard I(B) requires members to maintain independence and objectivity … | CFA Institute: Standard I(B) Independence and Objectivity | "Members and candidates must not offer, solicit, or accept any gift … | https://www.cfainstitute.org/standards/professionals/code-ethics-standards/standards-of-practice-i-b | 2026-07-09 | Official page |
| 11 | Require integrity and disclosure of conflicts of interest (corroboration). | The GARP Code of Conduct requires members to act with integrity … | GARP: Code of Conduct | "GARP Members shall act with honesty, integrity, and competence … | https://www.garp.org/code-of-conduct | 2026-07-09 | Official page |
| 12 | Make no guarantee of investment performance; treat any such guarantee … | CFA Institute Standard I(C) Misrepresentation prohibits guaranteeing … | CFA Institute: Standard I(C) Misrepresentation | "Guaranteeing either a particular rate of return or preservation of … | https://www.cfainstitute.org/standards/professionals/code-ethics-standards/standards-of-practice-i-c | 2026-07-09 | Official page |
| 13 | Keep knowledge current. (Our program commits to periodic content … | CFP Board requires certificants to complete 30 hours of continuing … | CFP Board: Continuing Education Requirements | "required to complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) each … | https://www.cfp.net/for-cfp-pros/continuing-education | 2026-07-09 | Official page |
| 14 | Offer an accessible, self-paced entry credential that can still be widely … | Bloomberg Market Concepts is a self-paced program that takes about … | Duke University Library: Bloomberg certification guide | "The self-paced program takes approximately 8 hours to complete … | https://guides.library.duke.edu/bloomberg/certification | 2026-07-09 | Reference page |