Is this course hands-on?

Yes. Each module includes case studies, quizzes, and practical exercises to apply what you learn.

Will I earn a certificate?

Yes. You’ll receive a completion certificate for this track. Completing all three tracks grants the Bitcoin+ Security™ Certification.

Will I learn about emerging threats?

Yes. Stay ahead of hackers and fraudsters by understanding the latest exploits and security techniques.

How will I be assessed?

Through short quizzes, interactive tasks, and a final checkpoint assignment.

What tools will I use?

You’ll exploreBitcoin Core, Blockchair, and Blockchain APIs to understand real-world security in action.

Are there any prerequisites?

Basic computer knowledge is enough. Programming experience (Python, C++, or JavaScript) is a plus but not required.

What’s next after this track?

Continue toTrack 2: Bitcoin Transaction & Network Securityto advance your skills in scripting, wallets, and network defense.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

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.

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.

Bitcoin Security Foundations

Bitcoin Security Foundations

This course is part of Securing the Assets: Bitcoin Security Specialization

Instructor: AI CERTs Team

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Bitcoin Security Fundamentals: Understand how cryptography, hashing, and consensus secure transactions and prevent double-spending.
Threats & Vulnerabilities:Identify key attack vectors like Sybil, replay, and routing attacks, and learn how to mitigate them.
Network & Node Security: Explore peer-to-peer node validation, data propagation, and secure network configuration using Bitcoin Core.
Hands-On Defense Labs: Simulate attacks, analyze exploits, and apply security best practices in controlled, Python-based lab environments.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Securing the Assets: Bitcoin Security 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 3 modules in this course

Begin your journey into Bitcoin security with Track 1: Bitcoin Security Foundations, the first course in the Bitcoin+ Security™ Specialization. Designed for developers and blockchain professionals, this course introduces the principles that keep the Bitcoin network trusted, resilient, and tamper-proof.

You’ll explore how blockchain consensus, mining, and node validation work together to secure transactions, and uncover the cryptographic mechanisms—hashing, keys, and digital signatures—that safeguard assets and data integrity. Through guided labs, interactive quizzes, and real-world exercises using Bitcoin Core, Python, and open blockchain frameworks, you’ll see security in action, not just theory. By the end of this track, you’ll understand how vulnerabilities emerge, how the Bitcoin protocol mitigates them, and why its decentralized architecture remains the gold standard for digital trust. Completing this foundation prepares you to advance to the next track—Network & Wallet Security—on your way to earning the full Bitcoin+ Security™ Certification.

What's included

14 videos1 assignment5 plugins

14 videosTotal 131 minutes

Course Introduction5 minutes
Audio Book: Introduction Bitcoin+ Security5 minutes
Audio Book: Introduction to Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies58 minutes
Podcast: Introduction to Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies17 minutes
1.1 Overview and Brief History of Bitcoin Blockchain5 minutes
1.2 Philosophical and Technological Motivations Behind Bitcoin Proposition3 minutes
1.3 Blockchain Structure and Components3 minutes
1.4 Mining and Proof-of-Work (PoW) Mechanism4 minutes
1.5 Decentralized Consensus and Network Validation5 minutes
1.6 Introduction to Cryptocurrencies7 minutes
1.7 Types of Cryptocurrencies4 minutes
1.8 Cryptographic Hashing2 minutes
1.9 Public Key Cryptography and Digital Signatures in Bitcoin3 minutes
1.10 Merkle Trees and Their Role in Bitcoin Blockchain4 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 130 minutes

5 pluginsTotal 75 minutes

eBook: Module 1: Introduction to Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies15 minutes
Activity: Drag and drop15 minutes
Activity: Tab Activity15 minutes
Activity: Text Entry15 minutes
Graded Assessment- 5 Questions15 minutes

What's included

8 videos1 assignment5 plugins

8 videosTotal 67 minutes

Audio Book: Bitcoin Blockchain Ledger Security26 minutes
Podcast: Bitcoin Blockchain Ledger Security19 minutes
2.1 Hashing and Immutability in Blockchain Security6 minutes
2.2 Authentication and Authorization with Digital Signatures and Public Key Cryptography3 minutes
2.3 Security Implications and Defensive Measures3 minutes
2.4 Technical Aspects and Source Code2 minutes
2.5 Efficiency and Compact Representation2 minutes
2.6 Integrity and Tamper-Evident2 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 230 minutes

5 pluginsTotal 75 minutes

Module 2: Bitcoin Blockchain Ledger Security15 minutes
Activity: Timeline15 minutes
Activity: Tab activity15 minutes
Activity: Sequence15 minutes
Graded Assessment- 5 Questions15 minutes

What's included

8 videos1 assignment6 plugins

8 videosTotal 88 minutes

Audio Book: Consensus Protocols and Security41 minutes
Podcast: Consensus Protocols and Security23 minutes
3.1 PoW and Fraud Prevention4 minutes
3.2 Mining, Validation, and Trust in Decentralized Blockchains3 minutes
3.3 Security Benefits and Limitations of PoW6 minutes
3.4 PoS and Benefits2 minutes
3.5 Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) and Benefits3 minutes
3.6 Understanding 51% Attacks3 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 330 minutes

6 pluginsTotal 90 minutes

Module 3: Consensus Protocols and Security15 minutes
Activity: Sequence15 minutes
Activity: True/False15 minutes
Activity: Scenario15 minutes
Activity: Drag and drop15 minutes
Graded Assessment- 5 Questions15 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

AI CERTs Team

AI CERTs

8 Courses979 learners

Offered by

AI CERTs

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Frequently asked questions

Beginners and professionals looking to understand how Bitcoin’s blockchain stays secure — ideal for developers, cybersecurity, and IT professionals.

No. This track starts from the basics of Bitcoin and blockchain before introducing core security concepts.

You’ll gain a solid grasp of how Bitcoin’s security model works — from protecting the blockchain ledger to maintaining consensus and defending against network-level attacks.

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.