<text variant="body1">A common authoritative record of transactions, and the data that describes those transactions, is fundamental to all business interactions. Traditionally the data, and the state of the data, has been maintained in databases and ledgers controlled by companies or governments who rely on auditors, trusted third parties and the legal enforceability of contracts to support confidence in transactional interactions and the related business velocity. <text variant="body1">Blockchain makes data, transaction records, and the business logic that can manipulate the data a fundamental characteristic of a decentralized network. This is a revolutionary capability. Blockchain is the foundational technology for the Web3 era. It is the database and operating system of the networked economy. As the world’s businesses and governments continue to digitize, their systems will run on blockchain.

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Web3 and Blockchain Fundamentals

Web3 and Blockchain Fundamentals

Instructors: Don Tapscott

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1 module

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

113 reviews

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

1 module

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

113 reviews

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Explain the meaning of terms such as “Web3,” “token,” “smart contract,” “decentralized autonomous organization (DAO),” and “blockchain trilemma”
Describe seven principles for the design of blockchain-based systems, and seven challenge areas associated with implementing blockchain technology
Identify five questions one must consider when deciding whether blockchain is appropriate for a particular problem or use-case
Describe some real-world examples of companies that have integrated blockchain into their business models

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Assessments

5 assignments

Taught in English

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There is 1 module in this course

There is a lot of hype around Web3 and blockchain. As with any disruptive technology, there are many competing sources of information. But if we look beyond the hype and mania—not to mention the fear, uncertainty, and doubt—we see something profound happening. We are witnessing one of the largest transformations of wealth in human history—from paper-based analog assets to digital ones. Blockchain represents the first native digital medium for value, and is foundational to the next generation of the Internet—also known as Web3.

In this short course you’ll learn what Web3 is, and how it differs from Web1 and Web2 in important ways. You’ll explore blockchain as the foundational technology for the Web3 era, and will learn about key concepts, such as digital assets (tokens), smart contracts, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and the blockchain “trilemma.” You will be able to describe seven principles for the design of blockchain-based systems, and seven challenge areas associated with implementing blockchain technology. You will be able to identify the questions one must consider when deciding whether or not blockchain is appropriate for a particular problem or use-case, and you will be able to describe some real-world examples of companies that have integrated blockchain into their business models. This course is non-technical (i.e. no coding required) and is intended for a broad audience. The video material for these courses includes content from our “Blockchain Revolution Specialization” and “Web3 and Blockchain in Global Commerce Specialization,” which has been remixed and re-edited for the purposes of this short course.

In this module, you’ll learn what Web3 is, and how it differs from Web1 and Web2 in important ways. You’ll explore blockchain as the foundational technology for the Web3 era, and will learn about key concepts such as digital assets (tokens), smart contracts, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and the blockchain “trilemma.” By the end of this module, you’ll be able to describe seven blockchain design principles, as well as seven challenge areas associated with implementing blockchain technology. You’ll be able to identify the questions one must consider when determining whether blockchain is appropriate for a particular business problem or use-case. You’ll also be able to describe some real-world examples of companies that have integrated blockchain into their business models.

What's included

11 videos11 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

11 videos Total 70 minutes

Course Introduction 4 minutes
What is Web3? 8 minutes
Digital Assets (Tokens) 7 minutes
Example: How a Bitcoin Transaction Works 8 minutes
Smart Contracts 5 minutes
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) 5 minutes
Blockchain Design Principles and Challenges 7 minutes
How VeriTX Used Blockchain for COVID-19 Ventilator Distribution 8 minutes
How Walmart and IBM Used Blockchain for Food Traceability 6 minutes
How Modum Used Blockchain + IoT Within the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain 5 minutes
How Filecoin is Using Blockchain to Decentralize Cloud Storage 8 minutes

11 readings Total 87 minutes

Course Instructors 2 minutes
What is Web3? 5 minutes
A Non-Technologist's Guide to the Internet of Value 10 minutes
Digital Assets (Tokens) 5 minutes
Blockchain Demo (Optional) 10 minutes
Smart Contract Use Cases 5 minutes
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) 10 minutes
Blockchain Design Principles 10 minutes
Blockchain Implementation Challenges 15 minutes
Real-World Examples and Use-Cases 10 minutes
How to Use the Blockchain Case Commons 5 minutes

5 assignments Total 51 minutes

Web3 and Blockchain Fundamentals 30 minutes
Web3 Fundamentals 5 minutes
Steps of a Bitcoin Transaction 10 minutes
Blockchain Fundamentals 3 minutes
Blockchain Design Principles and Challenges 3 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 5 minutes

Smart Contracts 5 minutes

1 plugin Total 10 minutes

Blockchain Case Commons 10 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(25 ratings)

Don Tapscott

INSEAD

21 Courses 166,001 learners

Offered by

INSEAD

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Reviewed on Aug 29, 2024

Holistic overview of Web3 from a business and technical perspective, greatly delivered

Reviewed on Mar 19, 2026

Decent content and structure but I would have preferred way less political commentary and bitcoin evangelism.

Reviewed on Jul 23, 2023

A very good professional and deep overview of Web 3 and the Blockchain.

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Frequently asked questions

Web3 is term that represents a collection of technologies, a decentralized network, the ability to digitize assets, and new multi-party business models. Blockchain is the foundation of Web3. On top of that foundation Web3 includes the prediction and decision support of AI, the measurements and actuation of IoT, and the spatial UX of AR/VR/Metaverse.

Previous foundational technologies such as railroads, electrical grids, telecommunication networks, and the internet have all defined eras. They have enabled new ways of conducting business and interacting with governments. Entirely new business and civil society models became possible. They have all been characterized by accelerated economic growth and significant improvements in the efficiency of the means of production. The era enabled by blockchain has been labeled the Web3 era.

The Web3 era will be characterized by smaller economic actors coordinating their activities to generate value with great efficiency. It will feature accelerated rates of innovation, a proliferation of new business models and configurations, and new ways of delivering public services.

A common authoritative record of transactions, and the data that describes those transactions, is fundamental to all business interactions. Traditionally the data, and the state of the data, has been maintained in databases and ledgers controlled by companies or governments who rely on auditors, trusted third parties and the legal enforceability of contracts to support confidence in transactional interactions and the related business velocity.

Blockchain makes data, transaction records, and the business logic that can manipulate the data a fundamental characteristic of a decentralized network. This is a revolutionary capability.

Blockchain is the foundational technology for the Web3 era. It is the database and operating system of the networked economy. As the world’s businesses and governments continue to digitize, their systems will run on blockchain.

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.