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⇱ The Merkle Tree and Cryptocurrencies | Coursera

The Merkle Tree and Cryptocurrencies

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The Merkle Tree and Cryptocurrencies

This course is part of Blockchain Specialization

5,010 already enrolled

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

26 reviews

Beginner level
No prior experience required
9 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

26 reviews

Beginner level
No prior experience required
9 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

2 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Blockchain Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

Apply what you have learned about cryptography and hashing in previous blockchain to the Merkle Tree, which underlies the process of adding new blocks — representing new transactions — to the blockchain. This course also introduces the concepts of proof of work and proof of stake, which play an important part in ensuring the integrity of the blockchain.

This course requires the purchase of two books for the completion of assignments: Drescher, D. (2017). Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps. (ISBN-13: 978-1484226032) Antonoupoulos, A. M. (2017). The Internet of Money, Volume Two. (ISBN-13: 978-1947910065)

This first week introduces more technical concepts including how we look at the manner in which data blocks are assembled as well as how hash values and encryption are used to ensure the proper sequencing and integrity of data blocks that are added to a blockchain.

What's included

1 video1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

1 video•Total 7 minutes
  • Round Table Discussion - The Merkle Tree and Immutability•7 minutes
1 reading•Total 40 minutes
  • Blockchain Basics•40 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Hashing and The Merkle Tree•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 30 minutes
  • Merkel Tree•30 minutes

This week we will apply what we have learned up to this point about hash values and hash sequences. You will practice assembling block header hash values for a specified hash puzzle difficulty level.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 peer review1 discussion prompt

1 video•Total 9 minutes
  • John – ShapeShift C.F.O.•9 minutes
2 readings•Total 70 minutes
  • Blockchain Basics•40 minutes
  • Supplemental Video (Optional)•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
  • Block Header Hash Calculation•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 15 minutes
  • Cryptocurrency•15 minutes

Now that we have investigated hash functions and hash puzzles, we will focus on proof-of-work, which is an approach to modifying the blockchain that can be difficult and time-consuming to compute. We will also focus on proof-of-stake, an alternative to updating the blockchain in which larger nodes are modified that already represent a large portion of the blockchain. We will investigate the pros and cons of each approach and prepare to apply the principles of proof-of-work and proof-of-stake.

What's included

1 video1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

1 video•Total 13 minutes
  • Round Table Discussion - Proof of Work and Proof of Stake•13 minutes
1 reading•Total 20 minutes
  • The Internet of Money•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Proof of Work and Proof of Stake I•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 15 minutes
  • POW vs POS•15 minutes

In this final week, after comparing proof-of-work and proof-of-stake, we will explore and describe alternative approaches that combine the best features of proof-of-work and proof-of-stake in this course’s final assignment.

What's included

2 readings1 peer review1 discussion prompt

2 readings•Total 120 minutes
  • Blockchain Basics•40 minutes
  • Videos•80 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
  • POW and POS•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • The POW System•10 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial aid available,

¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.