Blockchain Fundamentals: From Bitcoin to Smart Contracts
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Blockchain
beginner

Blockchain Fundamentals: From Bitcoin to Smart Contracts

4.8
6,120 students
4h 0m
16 lessons

About this course

Build a rock-solid understanding of blockchain technology from first principles. Learn how Bitcoin actually works — hashing, digital signatures, proof-of-work, and the UTXO model — before moving on to Ethereum, smart contracts, and the broader Web3 landscape. No prior cryptography or finance background required.

Course Content

Why Blockchain Matters

  • Centralized vs Decentralized Systems15min
  • Hashing and Digital Signatures Explained15min
  • The Problem Blockchain Solves: Trust Without Middlemen15min
  • A Brief History: From Cypherpunks to Bitcoin15min

Bitcoin Deep Dive

  • Blocks, Chains, and the Ledger15min
  • The UTXO Model and Wallets15min
  • Proof-of-Work and Mining15min
  • Bitcoin Transactions Step by Step15min

Ethereum and Smart Contracts

  • Ethereum: A World Computer15min
  • What is a Smart Contract?15min
  • ERC-20 Tokens and NFTs15min
  • Gas, Fees, and the EVM15min

The Broader Web3 Ecosystem

  • Use Cases: Finance, Supply Chain, Identity15min
  • Risks, Regulation, and the Future of Blockchain15min
  • Consensus Mechanisms: PoW vs PoS15min
  • Layer 2s and Scaling Solutions15min