{"id":43873,"date":"2020-02-14T13:34:06","date_gmt":"2020-02-14T18:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/?p=43873"},"modified":"2021-05-22T16:37:54","modified_gmt":"2021-05-22T20:37:54","slug":"how-to-learn-about-bitcoin-cryptocurrencies-and-blockchain-for-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/how-to-learn-about-bitcoin-cryptocurrencies-and-blockchain-for-free\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Learn About Bitcoin, Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain for Free"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bitcoin may or may not be the currency of the future, but cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology appear to be here to stay. Touted for its security, scalability, and decentralized structure, blockchain is likely to grow more important over the next few decades. It is increasingly used in a wide variety of industries, including but not limited to financial services, the automotive industry, healthcare, insurance, and law. Six of Forbes\u2019 top 50 Fintech companies<\/a> for 2020 are in blockchain. Governments have started to use blockchain technology to safeguard sensitive information and public records, and major banks have created<\/a> their own cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based digital coins. Blockchain will likely play a prominent role in the widespread adoption of the Internet of Things<\/a>, as it can help enhance security and resolve scalability issues. Some analysts even believe it could replace the traditional internet<\/a>.
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And yet, there is so much confusion around cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology more generally. Writer and designer Adam Greenfield, for example, referred to blockchain<\/a> as the first technology that is \u201cfundamentally difficult for otherwise intelligent and highly capable people to understand.\u201d 
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As crypto and blockchain grow in importance, it is crucial for people in all walks of life to get a grasp on the technology. Fortunately, there are a number of reliable online courses and resources from internationally-recognized universities and major producers of blockchain technology that will teach you all you need to know about blockchain, whether you are a computer scientist, an entrepreneur, or simply interested in learning about the technology \u2026 and they\u2019re available for free.
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Here are a few free online courses resources to check out if you\u2019re interested in bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain.<\/strong>
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Princeton University \u2013 Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies<\/strong><\/a>
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This Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies course<\/a> from Princeton University is focused on the conceptual and technical foundations of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The course starts out covering the basic structure of blockchain technology and how primitives are constructed. You will learn how primitives can be used to create simple cryptocurrencies, before taking a series of lessons specifically about the mechanisms of bitcoin and bitcoin mining. As you gain a technical foundation in cryptocurrency technology and how it operates, you will also learn about some of the ethical and philosophical questions surrounding crypto, finishing off with a lesson on the future of the technology and its potential political and economic ramifications.
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University of Pennsylvania <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 <\/strong><\/a>Cryptocurrency and Blockchain: An Introduction to Digital Currencies<\/strong><\/a>
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Another crypto course offered by an Ivy League institution, the Wharton Business School\u2019s \u201cCryptocurrency and Blockchain: An Introduction to Digital Currencies<\/a>\u201d is designed for investors rather than programmers. As a result, the course focuses on the economics of cryptocurrency. You\u2019ll learn about how bitcoin derives its value, what defines a cryptocurrency, how to understand cryptocurrency as an asset class, and ultimately, about blockchain\u2019s applications outside of the financial industry. By the end of the course, you\u2019ll have an understanding of how cryptocurrencies and the blockchain work and how to analyze the value of cryptocurrencies as an investor.
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University of California, Berkeley<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 <\/strong><\/a>Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies<\/strong><\/a>
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UC Berkeley\u2019s course on bitcoin and cryptocurrencies<\/a> is an introductory course to the blockchain designed for people of all backgrounds — you don\u2019t need to have a background in computer science or finance to follow along. The course discusses the emergence of bitcoin and the blockchain in 2009 and the philosophical motivation behind its invention. You\u2019ll learn about Cypherpunk, a philosophy of cryptography that draws from both libertarianism and anarchism. But the course is also more than just conceptual. It also covers the basic structures of the technology, including hash functions, Bitcoin Script, and hash commitment schemes, as well as practical concepts, like how to mine bitcoin. While it briefly covers other applications of blockchain, this course is primarily focused on cryptocurrencies. 
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University of California, Berkeley<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 <\/strong><\/a>Blockchain Technology<\/strong><\/a>
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Another course from UC Berkeley, this course on blockchain technology<\/a> is preferred for students who would like to learn about the blockchain beyond just cryptocurrencies. This is an intermediate-level course and is recommended for people with experience in computer science. Beginning with the theory behind blockchain, the course addresses the concepts of distributed consensus, the CAP Theorem, and the Byzantine Generals Problem. It then covers various kinds of consensus mechanisms used in blockchains to achieve distributed consensus, including Bitcoin\u2019s Proof-of-Work, as well as lesser known algorithms, including Proof-of-Stake, voting-based consensus, and federated consensus. You\u2019ll learn about a number of blockchain implementations, such as Quorum, Ripple, Tendermint and Hyperledger, and explore how these are impacting various industries. Lastly, you\u2019ll discuss some of the large-scale issues surrounding blockchain, such as government regulation and anonymity.
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University of Buffalo<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 <\/strong><\/a>Blockchain Basics<\/strong><\/a>
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The University of Buffalo\u2019s \u201cBlockchain Basics<\/a>\u201d course is a detailed, computer-science-based introduction to blockchain concepts. Rather than focusing on Bitcoin as most blockchain courses do, \u201cBlockchain Basics\u201d primarily looks at the Blockchain through Ethereum, the second most valuable cryptocurrency behind Bitcoin as well as a platform for financial contracts and applications. The course starts out with an overview of the structure of blockchains as well as their operation and compares different types of blockchains, from the Bitcoin network to Ethereum and lesser known blockchains. From there you will dive into the Ethereum blockchain. You\u2019ll learn about its structure, operation, protocol, and use in smart contracts. From there, you will discuss the use of algorithms and cryptographic techniques that manage the integrity of transactions and blocks (this is where you\u2019ll discuss concepts like hashing and asymmetric key encryption). Lastly, the course covers how blockchain maintains trust through decentralization and its Consensus protocol.
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Hong Kong University<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 <\/strong><\/a>Blockchain and FinTech: Basics, Applications, and Limitations<\/strong><\/a>
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Hong Kong University\u2019s \u201cBlockchain and FinTech: Basics, Applications, and Limitations<\/a>\u201d course covers the technology and applications of the blockchain from a computer science perspective. Less focused on bitcoin and cryptocurrencies than the blockchain more generally, this course covers how blockchain is being used in various fields beyond finance, including logistics, insurance, medicine, and even the music industry. Students who enroll in the course learn about the structure and design rationale of blockchain\u2019s decentralized ledger technology, including how the algorithms and cryptographic primitives operate together. Beyond the fundamentals of the technology, the course considers new applications for the technology as well as its limitations. Lastly, students will be asked to consider ethical issues surrounding blockchain.
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Linux Foundation<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 <\/strong><\/a>Blockchain: Understanding Its Uses and Implications<\/strong><\/a>
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The Linux Foundation\u2019s course on blockchain<\/a> focuses on how the emerging technology is currently impacting business and management. The course begins with an explanation of blockchain technology and how it has developed and been adapted to new areas since the emergence of Bitcoin. It also covers various methods of blockchain governance and how blockchain uses cryptography to generate consensus, immutability, and trust. It demonstrates how blockchain differs from technologies of the past and the implications for industries like accounting and trade. The final section of the course dives into specific features of blockchain\u2019s decentralized architecture that can be used to solve complex problems, as well as use cases of blockchain, complete with examples of how it is being used currently in real-world situations. 
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Linux Foundation<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 <\/strong><\/a>Introduction to Hyperledger Blockchain Technologies<\/strong><\/a>
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Another great resource from the Linux Foundation, this course is focused on the Hyperledger project, a group of open source blockchains and tools that are being supported and developed by the Linux Foundation and its partners, including IBM, Intel, and SAP Ariba. Hyperledger is rapidly advancing the development of blockchain-based technologies that can be used in a variety of businesses. Less of a computer science course than a business course, \u201cIntroduction to Hyperledger Blockchain Technologies<\/a>\u201d is more concerned with the application of blockchain than its development. Students will learn about the key features of a variety of hyperledger blockchain projects and how they can be implemented in business contexts. In effect, students will come out of the course with a practical understanding of how blockchain can be applied in context, i.e., how and when various kinds of blockchains and blockchain tools can and should be used. 
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INSEAD<\/strong><\/a> \u2013<\/strong><\/a> Introduction to Blockchain Technologies<\/strong><\/a>
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This course<\/a> from INSEAD, one of the world\u2019s largest graduate business schools, provides a general overview of blockchain technology and its applications. You\u2019ll learn to understand blockchain from a theoretical perspective and compare its strengths and weaknesses to those of the Internet as it exists today. In that, students learn how blockchain establishes security and \u201ctrust\u201d through cryptography, and as a result, can help solve some of the Internet\u2019s major problems. The course also addresses the growth and development of blockchain technology over the past decade. In that, it discusses the development and uses of public and private ledgers and the emergence of various stakeholders in the blockchain ecosystem, from the open source community that invented the technology to the venture capitalists that have poured money into it as it has grown. Lastly, the course examines some of the challenges in blockchain implementation and considers possible solutions.
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Consensys<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 <\/strong><\/a>Blockchain: Foundations and Use Cases<\/strong><\/a>
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Developed by blockchain software company ConsenSys, \u201cBlockchain: Foundations and Use Cases<\/a>\u201d is distinguished by its emphasis on use cases. The course begins with an introduction to the theory and history of blockchain, followed by a thorough explanation of the technology. From there, you will discuss the trust framework and consensus mechanisms of blockchain and consider how blockchain can be applied in business. Toward the end of the course, you will dive into various use cases drawn from businesses in ConsenSys\u2019 startup portfolio, so you can get a sense of how block chain is currently being used in practice.
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AICPA<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 <\/strong><\/a>Introduction to Blockchain: Benefits, Values, and Opportunities<\/strong><\/a>
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Offered by the Association of International Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), this course<\/a> covers blockchain technology with a special focus on how it will impact the accounting profession. As result, the course focuses less on the technical aspects of blockchain than on big picture issues and applications for the technology. It discusses four unique features of blockchain technology — censorship resistance, borderless, neutral, and open — and the implications these characteristics have for the future of various sectors of the economy and society. Throughout the course, you\u2019ll learn about applications for blockchain technology in healthcare, accounting, law, and supply chain management.
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IBM and Cognitive Class – Blockchain Essentials v2<\/strong><\/a>
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This blockchain course<\/a>, available through online education provider Cognitive Class, was developed in partnership with IBM, and includes a full overview of major issues related to blockchain as well as an introduction to the IBM Blockchain Platform and the Linux Foundation\u2019s Hyperledger, a project that has created a group of open source blockchains as well as frameworks and tools used to create blockchains for businesses. You\u2019ll learn about how the blockchain is being used in the real world currently with technologies like IBM Food Trust. Ultimately, it is a great course for people who are interested primarily in the practical application of blockchain technology in various industries.
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University of Western Ontario <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 <\/strong><\/a>The Cryptoeconomics Textbook<\/strong><\/a>
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If you want to learn about cryptocurrencies but don\u2019t want to take a full course, take a look at the \u201cCryptoeconomics Textbook<\/a>,\u201d an online resource created by the Ivey Business School\u2019s Cryptoeconomics Lab. The Cryptoeconomics Textbook is effectively a crash course on the history, technology, current uses, and future of cryptocurrencies, complete with short readings, relevant infographics and informative videos. While it won\u2019t give you a comprehensive knowledge of cryptocurrencies, the Cryptoeconomics Textbook is a great primer on cryptocurrencies for those who are completely unfamiliar with them.
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Conclusion<\/strong>
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With every passing day, blockchain is more widely adopted. Whether or not you believe in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies (and there are plenty of reasons to believe in them), blockchain technology promises to play a prominent role in our future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about bitcoin, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and countless other topics, use TUN\u2019s Online Education search tool<\/a> to track down the best free and affordable online courses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bitcoin may or may not be the currency of the future, but cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology appear to be here to stay. Touted for its security, scalability, and decentralized structure, blockchain is likely to grow more important over the next few decades. It is increasingly used in a wide variety of industries, including but not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":43882,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[661,669,612],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ace-college","category-best-online-classes","category-online-education"],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Bitcoin-Cryptocurrencies-Blockchain.jpg",830,533,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Bitcoin-Cryptocurrencies-Blockchain-224x144.jpg",224,144,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Bitcoin-Cryptocurrencies-Blockchain-300x193.jpg",300,193,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Bitcoin-Cryptocurrencies-Blockchain.jpg",830,533,false],"large":["https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Bitcoin-Cryptocurrencies-Blockchain.jpg",830,533,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Bitcoin-Cryptocurrencies-Blockchain.jpg",830,533,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Bitcoin-Cryptocurrencies-Blockchain.jpg",830,533,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Sam Benezra","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/author\/sam-benezra\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Bitcoin may or may not be the currency of the future, but cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology appear to be here to stay. Touted for its security, scalability, and decentralized structure, blockchain is likely to grow more important over the next few decades. It is increasingly used in a wide variety of industries, including but not…","featured_media_src_url":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Bitcoin-Cryptocurrencies-Blockchain.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43873"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43873\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}