Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies Fundamentals
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What you'll learn
The fundamental concepts of blockchain technology, understanding how it works, why it was created and the problems it aims to solve.
Mechanisms behind the working of cryptocurrencies through blockchain, cryptography, consensus, and decentralized transaction validation.
How Blockchain helps businesses build trust, boost transparency and unlock value by transforming how data, assets, and transactions are managed.
Explore Ethereum’s DeFi apps: decentralized exchanges, lending & borrowing protocols, and liquid staking innovations.
Details to know
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There are 5 modules in this course
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, starting with foundational concepts and the evolution of money and payment systems. Students will explore how blockchain networks function, including block validation, cryptographic hashing, and consensus mechanisms such as Proof of Work and Proof of Stake. The course delves into Ethereum's architecture, smart contracts, gas fees, and recent protocol upgrades. Learners will also gain hands-on insights into decentralized applications (DApps), token standards (ERC-20, NFTs), and use cases in gaming and decentralized finance (DeFi). Finally, the course examines real-world business applications of blockchain, highlighting its potential to transform industries through decentralization, transparency, and automation.
In this module, we will explore the core ideas and mechanisms that define how blockchain systems work. We will gain a clear understanding of the fundamental concepts and processes that form the foundation of blockchain technology.
What's included
6 videos2 readings2 assignments
6 videos•Total 20 minutes
- Course Introduction •2 minutes
- Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Introduction•2 minutes
- Trustless Systems and the Benefit of Blockchain•5 minutes
- The history of blockchain technology•4 minutes
- Decentralised Systems & Distributed Ledgers•4 minutes
- Blockchain Technology•4 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
- Course Structure•10 minutes
- Blockchain, Decentralised Systems, and Consensus Mechanisms •10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
- Practice Assignment•30 minutes
- Final Assignment•30 minutes
In this module we will learn how blockchain systems validate blocks. This includes the hash algorithms underlying protocols like Bitcoin and proof of stake processes such as those used in Ethereum.
What's included
5 videos1 reading2 assignments
5 videos•Total 19 minutes
- Mining and Validating: Proof of Work and Proof of Stake Introduction•2 minutes
- Issues in recording transactions in the Blockchain•4 minutes
- Encryption and Hash function•5 minutes
- Consensus Mechanism •5 minutes
- Smart Contract Concepts•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Mining and Validating: Proof of Work and Proof of Stake•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
- Practice Assignment•30 minutes
- Final Assignment•30 minutes
In this module, we will learn how Ethereum functions and what makes it unique. We will explore smart contracts, the role of gas, compute, and storage, and gain an understanding of both the legacy and updated Ethereum fee models.
What's included
8 videos6 readings2 assignments
8 videos•Total 38 minutes
- Ethereum Introduction•1 minute
- Ethereum vs Bitcoin•6 minutes
- Smart Contract Applications•4 minutes
- Uses of Smart Contracts•4 minutes
- Gas Fees in Ethereum•5 minutes
- From Mining to Staking•7 minutes
- Staking•6 minutes
- Burning Base Fees•4 minutes
6 readings•Total 60 minutes
- Ethereum Whitepaper•10 minutes
- What are Smart Contracts•10 minutes
- EThereum Pectra Upgrade and Fees•10 minutes
- Ethereum Treasury Companies•10 minutes
- Monero 51% Attack•10 minutes
- Ethereum Burning Transaction Fees•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
- Practice Assignment•30 minutes
- Final Assignment•30 minutes
In this module we will learn how decentralised applications (Dapps) can be deployed using smart contracts. This will include a brief introduction to tokens (ERC20 and NFTs), decentralized games (Cryptokitties, Axie Infinity), Decentralized Finance).
What's included
5 videos5 readings2 assignments
5 videos•Total 18 minutes
- Decentralised Applications and Finance Introduction•1 minute
- Introduction to Dapps•3 minutes
- ERC2O and NFTs•4 minutes
- Decentralised Games•3 minutes
- DeFi Apps•6 minutes
5 readings•Total 50 minutes
- What are dApps •10 minutes
- Most Popular Decentralised Applications•10 minutes
- Ethereum Liquid Staking•10 minutes
- PlayFi - Gaming + DeFi•10 minutes
- Mining Bitcoin at Home? •10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
- Practice Assignment•30 minutes
- Final Assignment •30 minutes
In this module, you will learn how blockchain systems can be applied across a range of business scenarios and the kinds of efficiencies and solutions they can provide. We will explore how blockchain facilitates secure transactions, enhances transparency, streamlines processes, and supports innovative business models.
What's included
5 videos2 readings2 assignments
5 videos•Total 20 minutes
- Blockchain Applications Introduction•2 minutes
- Immutability•5 minutes
- Decentralised Control, Transparency, Security and Privacy•5 minutes
- Integration of Blockchain•4 minutes
- Tokenisation and Digital Ownership•4 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
- Blockchain Applications•10 minutes
- Summary of the Course and Next Steps•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
- Practice Assignment•30 minutes
- Final Assignment•30 minutes
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University of California, Irvine
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