What does a typical week look like in this course?

<text variant="body1">Each week includes a mix of short video lectures, supplementary readings that go deeper into key topics, a dialogue practice activity, a practice assignment to check your understanding, and a graded final assignment. The course is self-paced, so you can work through each module at a speed that suits you.

Does this course teach me how to invest in or trade cryptocurrencies?

<text variant="body1">No. This course focuses on understanding how blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies work — not on trading strategies or investment advice. You'll gain the conceptual and technical literacy to understand the space, evaluate use cases, and make more informed decisions, but it is not a finance or investment course.

What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Is financial aid available?

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.

Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies Fundamentals

Ce cours n'est pas disponible en Français (France)

Nous sommes actuellement en train de le traduire dans plus de langues.

Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies Fundamentals

Instructeurs : Ali Amrollahi

Inclus avec En savoir plus

Demander à Coursera

5 modules

Obtenez un aperçu d'un sujet et apprenez les principes fondamentaux.

niveau Débutant

Expérience recommandée

1 semaine à compléter

à 10 heures par semaine

Planning flexible

Apprenez à votre propre rythme

5 modules

Obtenez un aperçu d'un sujet et apprenez les principes fondamentaux.

niveau Débutant

Expérience recommandée

1 semaine à compléter

à 10 heures par semaine

Planning flexible

Apprenez à votre propre rythme

Ce que vous apprendrez

Explain how blockchain networks function, including decentralised systems, nodes, consensus mechanisms, and block validation.
Describe how Bitcoin mining, SHA-256 hashing, and Proof of Work and Proof of Stake secure and validate transactions.
Analyse Ethereum's architecture, smart contracts, gas fees, and the DApp and DeFi ecosystem including ERC-20 tokens and NFTs.
Evaluate how blockchain creates business value through immutability, transparency, tokenisation, and decentralised digital ownership.

Compétences que vous acquerrez

Catégorie : Payment Systems
Catégorie : Distributed Computing
Catégorie : Blockchain
Catégorie : FinTech

Détails à connaître

Certificat partageable

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10 devoirs

Enseigné en Anglais

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Il y a 5 modules dans ce cours

Blockchain and cryptocurrency are reshaping finance, business, and digital ownership — but for most people, they remain difficult to understand. This course gives you a clear, structured introduction to both, with no technical background required.

You'll start with the core ideas behind blockchain: how decentralised networks function, how blocks and nodes work, and why trustless systems matter. From there, you'll explore the mechanics of Bitcoin mining, SHA-256 hashing, and how Proof of Work and Proof of Stake validate transactions without a central authority. The course then takes you inside Ethereum — the platform behind most of today's blockchain innovation. You'll learn how smart contracts work, how gas fees are calculated, and how recent upgrades like the Pectra protocol have changed the way transactions are priced and processed. In the final modules, you'll explore the growing ecosystem of decentralised applications (DApps), token standards like ERC-20 and NFTs, blockchain-based games, and DeFi protocols including decentralised exchanges and liquid staking. The course closes with a practical look at how businesses are applying blockchain to improve transparency, security, and efficiency. Who this is for: Business professionals, students, and curious learners who want to understand blockchain and cryptocurrency from the ground up. No technical or financial background is required.

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.

Inclus

6 vidéos2 lectures2 devoirs

6 vidéosTotal 20 minutes

Course Introduction 2 minutes
Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Introduction2 minutes
Trustless Systems and the Benefit of Blockchain5 minutes
The history of blockchain technology4 minutes
Decentralised Systems & Distributed Ledgers4 minutes
Blockchain Technology4 minutes

2 lecturesTotal 20 minutes

Course Structure10 minutes
Blockchain, Decentralised Systems, and Consensus Mechanisms 10 minutes

2 devoirsTotal 60 minutes

Final Assignment30 minutes
Practice Assignment30 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.

Inclus

5 vidéos1 lecture2 devoirs

5 vidéosTotal 19 minutes

Mining and Validating: Proof of Work and Proof of Stake Introduction2 minutes
Issues in recording transactions in the Blockchain4 minutes
Encryption and Hash function5 minutes
Consensus Mechanism 5 minutes
Smart Contract Concepts4 minutes

1 lectureTotal 10 minutes

Mining and Validating: Proof of Work and Proof of Stake10 minutes

2 devoirsTotal 60 minutes

Final Assignment30 minutes
Practice Assignment30 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.

Inclus

8 vidéos6 lectures2 devoirs

8 vidéosTotal 38 minutes

Ethereum Introduction1 minute
Ethereum vs Bitcoin6 minutes
Smart Contract Applications4 minutes
Uses of Smart Contracts4 minutes
Gas Fees in Ethereum5 minutes
From Mining to Staking7 minutes
Staking6 minutes
Burning Base Fees4 minutes

6 lecturesTotal 60 minutes

Ethereum Whitepaper10 minutes
What are Smart Contracts10 minutes
EThereum Pectra Upgrade and Fees10 minutes
Ethereum Treasury Companies10 minutes
Monero 51% Attack10 minutes
Ethereum Burning Transaction Fees10 minutes

2 devoirsTotal 60 minutes

Final Assignment30 minutes
Practice Assignment30 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).

Inclus

5 vidéos5 lectures2 devoirs

5 vidéosTotal 18 minutes

Decentralised Applications and Finance Introduction1 minute
Introduction to Dapps3 minutes
ERC2O and NFTs4 minutes
Decentralised Games3 minutes
DeFi Apps6 minutes

5 lecturesTotal 50 minutes

What are dApps 10 minutes
Most Popular Decentralised Applications10 minutes
Ethereum Liquid Staking10 minutes
PlayFi - Gaming + DeFi10 minutes
Mining Bitcoin at Home? 10 minutes

2 devoirsTotal 60 minutes

Final Assignment 30 minutes
Practice Assignment30 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.

Inclus

5 vidéos2 lectures2 devoirs

5 vidéosTotal 20 minutes

Blockchain Applications Introduction2 minutes
Immutability5 minutes
Decentralised Control, Transparency, Security and Privacy5 minutes
Integration of Blockchain4 minutes
Tokenisation and Digital Ownership4 minutes

2 lecturesTotal 20 minutes

Blockchain Applications10 minutes
Summary of the Course and Next Steps10 minutes

2 devoirsTotal 60 minutes

Final Assignment30 minutes
Practice Assignment30 minutes

Instructeurs

Ali Amrollahi

Macquarie University

1 Cours309 apprenants

Sean Foley

Macquarie University

1 Cours309 apprenants

Offert par

Macquarie University

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Foire Aux Questions

Yes. This course is designed for learners with no prior knowledge of blockchain, cryptocurrency, or technology. It starts from first principles — including the history of money and how traditional payment systems work — before introducing blockchain concepts step by step. No programming or technical background is needed.

The course covers the two most significant blockchain platforms in depth — Bitcoin and Ethereum. You'll also explore Ethereum's broader ecosystem, including smart contracts, ERC-20 tokens, NFTs, DApps, DeFi protocols such as decentralised exchanges and liquid staking, and recent protocol upgrades like the Pectra upgrade.

This course builds foundational literacy relevant to a wide range of roles — including business analyst, product manager, financial services professional, technology consultant, and anyone working in or moving toward Web3, FinTech, or digital asset sectors. It also provides a strong foundation for learners who plan to continue with more advanced blockchain or Ethereum development courses.

Many blockchain courses focus either on deep technical development or on cryptocurrency investment. This course is designed to bridge both worlds — giving you a grounded understanding of how the technology works, how the major platforms (Bitcoin and Ethereum) differ, and how businesses are actually applying blockchain today. The business applications module makes it particularly relevant for non-technical professionals.

To access course materials, assignments, and earn a Certificate, you'll need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. Eligible learners may also have the option to start with a Free Trial. Some courses may also offer a Full Course, No Certificate option. This lets you access course materials, submit required assessments, and receive a final grade, but you won't be able to earn or purchase a Certificate.