Blockchains, Tokens, and The Decentralized Future
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Blockchains, Tokens, and The Decentralized Future
Instructor: Robert J. Brunner
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What you'll learn
Gain a comprehensive understanding of blockchain technology, including its cryptographic foundations and the importance of hashing.
Develop an in-depth knowledge of the two leading blockchain platforms, Bitcoin and Ethereum, and the challenges they face.
Examine the transformative potential of blockchain across different sectors, including finance, health care, governance, and nonprofits.
Develop a critical understanding of the regulatory environment surrounding blockchain technology.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
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There are 4 modules in this course
Dive into the transformative world of blockchain with our course, designed to navigate the complexities of digital currencies, smart contracts, and decentralized applications. Whether you're intrigued by Bitcoin, Ethereum, or the broader implications of blockchain for industries and governance, this course offers deep insights and practical knowledge to leverage blockchain technology for innovation and problem-solving. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts, it's your gateway to mastering the blockchain ecosystem and its burgeoning impact on the digital age.
The first module explores the core concepts of blockchain, the revolutionary technology powering cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. You will gain an understanding of how distributed ledgers revolutionize data security, transparency, and trust in various industries. The module continues to demystify the cryptographic building blocks that ensure secure and verifiable transactions on blockchain networks. As the module goes further, we will explore the intricacies of Bitcoin transactions, wallets, and the consensus mechanism that maintains network integrity. Later in this module, we will uncover the technical foundations of the Bitcoin network, including Proof of Work and its implications. You will gain hands-on experience with Bitcoin transactions by using a blockchain explorer. In the end, we will analyze the challenges and opportunities presented by Bitcoin, including the promising Lightning Network. By the end of this module, you will be equipped with a strong understanding of blockchain technology, its potential for disruption, and how Bitcoin fits into the larger financial landscape. This knowledge will enhance your ability to evaluate blockchain-based ventures, navigate emerging financial trends, and make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
What's included
20 videos6 readings7 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin
20 videos•Total 101 minutes
- Introduction to Blockchains, Tokens, and The Decentralized Future•3 minutes
- Meet Your Instructor Robert Brunner•5 minutes
- The Impact of the Gies Community•2 minutes
- Module Introduction: Blockchain, Bitcoin, and The Bitcoin Network•5 minutes
- Introduction to Blockchain•6 minutes
- Introduction to Hashing•6 minutes
- Cryptography in Blockchain•6 minutes
- Understanding Blockchain Transactions•4 minutes
- Blockchain Wallets•5 minutes
- Building Blocks on Blockchain•6 minutes
- Consensus Mechanisms•6 minutes
- Introduction to Bitcoin•7 minutes
- Introduction to the Bitcoin Software•6 minutes
- Bitcoin Transactions Demystified•6 minutes
- The Bitcoin Network•6 minutes
- Proof of Work: Bitcoin’s Heartbeat•5 minutes
- Navigating Bitcoin’s Digital Ledger Part 1•4 minutes
- Navigating Bitcoin's Digital Ledger Part 2•3 minutes
- Bitcoin’s Challenges and Solutions•5 minutes
- The Lightning Network in Action•6 minutes
6 readings•Total 60 minutes
- Syllabus•10 minutes
- About the Discussion Forums•10 minutes
- Online Education at Gies College of Business•10 minutes
- Updating Your Profile•10 minutes
- Module 1 Overview•10 minutes
- Module 1 Readings•10 minutes
7 assignments•Total 115 minutes
- Graded Quiz: Blockchain, Bitcoin, and The Bitcoin Network•30 minutes
- Orientation Quiz•30 minutes
- Practice Quiz: An Overview of Blockchain, Hashing and Cryptography•10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Transactions, Wallets, and Consensus Mechanism in Blockchain•15 minutes
- Practice Quiz: An Overview of Bitcoin and Bitcoin Transactions•10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Bitcoin Network, Proof of Work, and Exploring The Bitcoin Blockchain.com•10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Bitcoin's Challenges and The Promise of Lightning Network•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Getting to Know Your Classmates•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
- Welcome! Please Tell Us About Yourself•15 minutes
The second module covers the evolution and technological advancements of Ethereum, exploring its foundational concepts, the development of smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), and the significant transition from the proof-of-work to the proof-of-stake consensus mechanism. You will explore Ethereum's history, its role in creating a decentralized web, the challenges of scalability and privacy, and the introduction of zero-knowledge proofs to enhance security and efficiency. Innovations in Ethereum's ecosystem, such as novel implementations of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and cryptographic techniques like zero-knowledge proofs, are highlighted for their potential to revolutionize smart contracts by ensuring privacy, reducing transaction costs, and improving execution speed. The module emphasizes Ethereum's impact on fostering trustless transactions and its ongoing research areas aimed at overcoming the limitations of current blockchain technologies, illustrating Ethereum's pivotal role in shaping the future of decentralized finance and applications.
What's included
16 videos2 readings6 assignments
16 videos•Total 90 minutes
- Module Introduction: Ethereum, Smart Contract, and Evolving Ethereum Ecosystem•5 minutes
- Introduction to Ethereum•6 minutes
- Ethereum’s Distinctive Qualities•5 minutes
- Exploring Ethereum With Etherscan•5 minutes
- Ethereum’s Consensus Mechanisms•6 minutes
- Ethereum’s Validation Process•6 minutes
- Ethereum’s Journey to Proof of Stake•6 minutes
- Introduction to Smart Contracts•5 minutes
- The Ethereum Virtual Machine•5 minutes
- Ethereum and the Promise of Zero Knowledge Proofs•5 minutes
- Exploring Smart Contracts•6 minutes
- Understanding Ethereum’s Gas System•6 minutes
- The Disruptive Power of Smart Contracts•6 minutes
- The Ethereum Evolution: Layer 2 Solutions•7 minutes
- Ethereum Ecosystem: Expanding Horizons•6 minutes
- Alternatives to Ethereum: Exploring Layer 1 Blockchains•6 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
- Module 2 Overview•10 minutes
- Module 2 Readings•10 minutes
6 assignments•Total 85 minutes
- Graded Quiz: Ethereum, Smart Contract, and Evolving Ethereum Ecosystem•30 minutes
- Practice Quiz: An Overview of Ethereum•15 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Ethereum's Consensus Mechanism: Proof of Stake•10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Smart Contract and Zero Knowledge Proof•10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: A Deep Dive into Smart Contracts and Their Disruptive Potential•10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Ethereum's Evolving Ecosystem and Layer 2 Solutions•10 minutes
Module 3 offers a comprehensive exploration into various facets of the blockchain and Web3 technologies, highlighting their potential to revolutionize the digital landscape. Module 3 introduces Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), presenting case studies on POAP, ENS, CryptoKitties, and the Bored Ape Yacht Club. You will also explore how NFTs leverage Ethereum's smart contracts to authenticate ownership, demonstrate provenance, and manage the scarcity of digital assets, ranging from art to domain names. The discussion extends to platforms like OpenSea and Etherscan, illustrating how they facilitate interaction with NFTs on the blockchain, thereby underscoring the burgeoning diversity and creativity within the NFT ecosystem. Module 3 further explores Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), introducing Aragon as a tool for creating and managing DAOs, and introduces Web3 projects such as Ocean Protocol, Audius, and Decentraland. These lessons shed light on how DAOs offer a novel approach to governance, leveraging blockchain technology to enable a decentralized and autonomous organizational structure. Meanwhile, Web3 projects are presented as exemplars of how blockchain technology empowers users with greater control over data, enhances digital content ownership, and fosters direct creator-consumer connections. Collectively, module 3 offers a glimpse into the transformative potential of blockchain and Web3 technologies, suggesting a future where digital interactions are more decentralized, transparent, and user-centric.
What's included
14 videos2 readings6 assignments
14 videos•Total 82 minutes
- Module Introduction: Tokens, DAOs, and Web3•6 minutes
- Introduction to Ethereum Tokens•6 minutes
- Introduction to Non-Fungible Tokens•6 minutes
- Exploring Non-Fungible Tokens on Ethereum•5 minutes
- Introduction to Decentralized Autonomous Organizations•6 minutes
- Successful Examples of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations•6 minutes
- Creating Decentralized Autonomous Organizations •5 minutes
- Introduction to Web3•6 minutes
- Examples of Web3•6 minutes
- Introduction to Decentralized Applications (DApps)•6 minutes
- Key Characteristics and Types of Decentralized Applications•7 minutes
- The Challenges of Web3 and Decentralized Applications•6 minutes
- “Bad Actors” in Blockchain•6 minutes
- The Collapse of FTX•6 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
- Module 3 Overview•10 minutes
- Module 3 Readings•10 minutes
6 assignments•Total 81 minutes
- Graded Quiz: Tokens, DAOs, and Web3•30 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Introduction to Tokens•15 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Introduction to Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs)•1 minute
- Practice Quiz: Introduction to Web3•10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Introduction to Decentralized Applications (DApps)•10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: A Skeptic's View on Blockchain, Tokens, Web3 and DApps•15 minutes
Module 4 provides an in-depth look at blockchain technology’s transformative nature of decentralization and its applications in different sectors such as governance, finance, health care and nonprofits. It starts with its foundational impact on digital governance, emphasizing decentralized government, digital identities, and voting mechanisms. It showcases blockchain's versatility in sectors like healthcare, supply chain, and beyond, while also considering its integration with AI and IoT for innovative solutions. The module explores blockchain's role in promoting sustainable development, environmental conservation, financial inclusion, and economic empowerment, highlighting its potential to enhance transparency, efficiency, and access across global communities. Through theoretical and practical insights, learners are equipped to understand and engage with the complex implications of blockchain's expanding influence.
What's included
18 videos4 readings6 assignments1 peer review1 plugin
18 videos•Total 99 minutes
- Module Introduction: Decentralization in Action: Governance, Finance, Healthcare, and Nonprofits•5 minutes
- Introduction to Decentralized Government•6 minutes
- Digital Identity and Voting Systems in Decentralized Government•6 minutes
- Regulatory and Legal Considerations with Blockchain Technology•6 minutes
- Introduction to Decentralized Finance (DeFi)•6 minutes
- Critical Components of Decentralized Finance•6 minutes
- Governance in Decentralized Finance•5 minutes
- Introduction to Decentralized Health Care•6 minutes
- The Components in Decentralized Health Care•6 minutes
- Opportunities for Decentralized Health Care•7 minutes
- Introduction to Decentralized Nonprofits•6 minutes
- The Components in Decentralized Nonprofits•6 minutes
- Two Case Studies With Decentralized Nonprofits•6 minutes
- The Future of Blockchain Technology•6 minutes
- Blockchain-Specific Applications and Technologies•6 minutes
- The Regulatory Environment Around Blockchain•6 minutes
- Course Conclusion•2 minutes
- Learn on Your Terms•1 minute
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Module 4 Overview•10 minutes
- Module 4 Readings•10 minutes
- Get Your Course Certificate•10 minutes
- Congratulations on Completing the Course!•10 minutes
6 assignments•Total 61 minutes
- Graded Quiz: Decentralization in Action: Governance, Finance, Healthcare, and Nonprofits•20 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Introduction to Decentralized Government•10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Introduction to Decentralized Finance (DeFi)•10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Introduction to Decentralized Health Care•1 minute
- Practice Quiz: Introduction to Decentralized Nonprofits•10 minutes
- Practice Quiz: The Future of Blockchain Technology•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 180 minutes
- Peer-Review: A Fraud or the Next Big Thing? Analysis of a Blockchain-Based Entity•180 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
- How Was the Course?•15 minutes
Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
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Reviewed on Feb 5, 2026
A well structured and insightful course for those who wants to engage on the crypto journey. You will be pleasantly surprised how much you learn and the potential in the crypto world.
Reviewed on Jul 20, 2025
Excellent course which covers all the basics of Blockchain technology
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