Blockchain: Foundations and Use Cases

Ends soon! Save on skills that make you shine with 40% off 3 months of Coursera Plus. Save now

Blockchain: Foundations and Use Cases

Instructor: ConsenSys Academy

90,051 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

846 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

95%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

846 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

95%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 5 modules in this course

This course is the definitive introduction to blockchain for both the developer and non-developer audience. Beyond the technology, this course will introduce you to some of the philosophy behind decentralization and why there is so much excitement around it. Join ConsenSys Academy and course instructor Nick Nelson in this rich-media introduction to the foundations of blockchain.

During the first three modules, you'll be introduced to blockchain and the technology behind it. In module four, we'll go beyond bitcoin and delve deeper into a next-generation blockchain called Ethereum to introduce you to what modern blockchains can do. The use cases featured in the final module are drawn from among the businesses in ConsenSys portfolio. We believe we're uniquely positioned to present you with a valuable behind-the-scenes look at the people and companies working in this space to help give you a better understanding of the business side of blockchain. Together, we'll examine businesses use cases, hear from industry leaders, and give you the opportunity to develop and analyze a use case yourself. With this course, not only will you be the one who is able to explain blockchain to your colleagues, you'll be well on your way to making educated business decisions with your new, foundational understanding of the technology.

In this module we will cover the following topics: 1. Why are People Excited About Blockchain? 2.The Brief, Brief History of Blockchain 3.The Move to Decentralization 4. Ledgers, Distributed Ledgers, and Consensus 5. What is Blockchain? The reading materials will help you to expand your knowledge of the materials presented in this module. There is an assessment at the end of this module. You need to achieve 80% or higher to pass and receive the Course Certificate.

What's included

9 videos5 readings1 assignment

9 videosTotal 20 minutes

Welcome1 minute
Introduction2 minutes
Consensys Introduction1 minute
Lesson 2: The Brief, Brief History of Blockchain2 minutes
Lesson 3: What is Decentralization?2 minutes
Decentralization3 minutes
Lesson 4: Ledgers, Distributed Ledgers, and Consensus3 minutes
Lesson 5: The Paper Blockchain2 minutes
Why Blockchain?3 minutes

5 readingsTotal 55 minutes

The Brief, Brief History of Blockchain20 minutes
Supplemental Reading: The Brief, Brief History of Blockchain10 minutes
The Move to Decentralization7 minutes
Supplemental Reading: The Move to Decentralization8 minutes
Supplemental Reading: What is a Blockchain?10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 1 Quiz30 minutes

In this module we will cover the following topics: Cryptography, Hash Functions, Public Key Cryptography and Signing, Blocks and Blockchain, the Chain, Nodes and Network. The reading materials will help you to expand your knowledge of the materials presented in this module. There is an assessment at the end of this module. You need to achieve 80% or higher to pass and receive the Course Certificate.

What's included

7 videos4 readings1 assignment

7 videosTotal 25 minutes

Introduction1 minute
Lesson 1: Public Key Cryptography4 minutes
Lesson 2: Cryptographic Hash Functions7 minutes
Digital Signing3 minutes
Lesson 4: Anatomy of a Block6 minutes
Lesson 5: The Chain of Blocks2 minutes
Lesson 6: Nodes and Networks3 minutes

4 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Why Do I Need a Public and Private Key on the Blockchain?10 minutes
Hash Functions10 minutes
Supplemental Reading: Hash Functions20 minutes
Bitcoin-Digital Signatures-Khan Academy10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 2 Quiz30 minutes

Welcome to the Blockchain in Use module. In this module we will cover the following topics: Introduction, Trust Framework and Consensus Mechanisms, Public, Consortium, Private Blockchains, Blockchain Interoperability, When to Use a Blockchain (Limitations and Misconceptions), Implications of Blockchain on Traditional Business. The reading materials will help you to expand your knowledge of the materials presented in this module. There is an assessment at the end of this module. You need to achieve 80% or higher to pass and receive the Course Certificate.

What's included

6 videos5 readings1 assignment

6 videosTotal 27 minutes

Introduction1 minute
Lesson 1: Consensus Mechanisms and Trust Frameworks5 minutes
Lesson 2: Public, Private & Consortium Blockchains3 minutes
Blockchain Interoperability7 minutes
Lesson 3: When to Use a Blockchain5 minutes
Lesson 4: Implications of Blockchain on Business6 minutes

5 readingsTotal 55 minutes

Trust Frameworks and Consensus Mechanisms10 minutes
Public, Consortium, Private Blockchains & Interoperability10 minutes
Supplemental Reading: Public, Consortium, Private Blockchains & Interoperability10 minutes
Supplemental Reading: When to Use a Blockchain10 minutes
Supplemental Reading: Implication of Blockchain on Traditional Business15 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 3 Quiz30 minutes

In this module we will cover the following topics: Introduction, Bitcoin and Ethereum, Ethereum, Smart Contracts, Cryptocurrency Tokens, Wallets and the Marketplaces, and Implications on Traditional Businesses. The reading materials will help you to expand your knowledge of the materials presented in this module. There is an assessment at the end of this module. You need to achieve 80% or higher to pass and receive the Course Certificate.

What's included

9 videos4 readings1 assignment

9 videosTotal 38 minutes

Introduction1 minute
Lesson 1: Cryptocurrency Tokens6 minutes
Lesson 2: Wallets, Exchanges & Transactions6 minutes
Lesson 3: Bitcoin and Ethereum3 minutes
Bitcoin vs Ethereum5 minutes
Lesson 4: Smart Contracts & The EVM5 minutes
Lesson 5: Decentralized Apps3 minutes
Lesson 6: Blockchain Platforms & Extensions4 minutes
Lesson 7: Blockchain Solution Architecture4 minutes

4 readingsTotal 57 minutes

Cryptocurrency Tokens15 minutes
Introduction to Ethereum20 minutes
Supplemental Reading: Bitcoin and Ethereum10 minutes
Smart Contracts12 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 4 Quiz30 minutes

In this module we will review the following use cases: Self-Sovereign Identity and Reputation, Ownership and Governance, Supply Chain and Asset Tracking, and Royalties in the Music Industry.

What's included

6 videos4 readings1 peer review

6 videosTotal 44 minutes

Introduction0 minutes
Lesson 1: Self-Sovereign Identity and Reputation8 minutes
Lesson 2: Ownership and Governance12 minutes
Lesson 3: Supply Chain and Asset Tracking15 minutes
Lesson 4: Royalties in the Music Industry8 minutes
Wrap-Up1 minute

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Uport: Self-sovereign Identity and Reputation10 minutes
Meridio: Ownership and Governance10 minutes
Viant: Supply Chain and Asset Tracking10 minutes
Ujo: Royalties in the Music Industry10 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Create a Blockchain Use Case120 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(171 ratings)

ConsenSys Academy

1 Course90,051 learners

Offered by

ConsenSys Academy

Explore more from Computer Security and Networks

Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
The Blockchain
Course
Status: Preview
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Blockchains, Tokens, and The Decentralized Future
Course
Status: Free Trial
AI CERTs
Blockchain Foundations & Smart Contracts
Course
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Blockchain Security - Foundational Concepts
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
76.35%
4 stars
19.14%
3 stars
2.60%
2 stars
1.06%
1 star
0.82%

Showing 3 of 846

Reviewed on Nov 4, 2018

I liked the course however it was quite a "SHILL" fest towards Ethereum. Very little mention of any other blockchain and the final module was just what I thought to be a big sales of some tokens.

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2019

This course gives a good start about the fundamentals of block chain and how it can be applied. The lectures are easily understandable and made as simple as it could be.

Reviewed on Dec 16, 2018

Great content and very interesting concepts in this course. Only downside was that there were so many typos everywhere. I reported a quite a few typos and could probably find more if I tried.

View more reviews

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 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.

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.