Blockchain: Foundations and Use Cases

Instructor: ConsenSys Academy

Access provided by Inter IKEA

89,988 already enrolled

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 videos Total 20 minutes

Welcome 1 minute
Introduction 2 minutes
Consensys Introduction 1 minute
Lesson 2: The Brief, Brief History of Blockchain 2 minutes
Lesson 3: What is Decentralization? 2 minutes
Decentralization 3 minutes
Lesson 4: Ledgers, Distributed Ledgers, and Consensus 3 minutes
Lesson 5: The Paper Blockchain 2 minutes
Why Blockchain? 3 minutes

5 readings Total 55 minutes

The Brief, Brief History of Blockchain 20 minutes
Supplemental Reading: The Brief, Brief History of Blockchain 10 minutes
The Move to Decentralization 7 minutes
Supplemental Reading: The Move to Decentralization 8 minutes
Supplemental Reading: What is a Blockchain? 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 1 Quiz 30 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 videos Total 25 minutes

Introduction 1 minute
Lesson 1: Public Key Cryptography 4 minutes
Lesson 2: Cryptographic Hash Functions 7 minutes
Digital Signing 3 minutes
Lesson 4: Anatomy of a Block 6 minutes
Lesson 5: The Chain of Blocks 2 minutes
Lesson 6: Nodes and Networks 3 minutes

4 readings Total 50 minutes

Why Do I Need a Public and Private Key on the Blockchain? 10 minutes
Hash Functions 10 minutes
Supplemental Reading: Hash Functions 20 minutes
Bitcoin-Digital Signatures-Khan Academy 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 2 Quiz 30 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 videos Total 27 minutes

Introduction 1 minute
Lesson 1: Consensus Mechanisms and Trust Frameworks 5 minutes
Lesson 2: Public, Private & Consortium Blockchains 3 minutes
Blockchain Interoperability 7 minutes
Lesson 3: When to Use a Blockchain 5 minutes
Lesson 4: Implications of Blockchain on Business 6 minutes

5 readings Total 55 minutes

Trust Frameworks and Consensus Mechanisms 10 minutes
Public, Consortium, Private Blockchains & Interoperability 10 minutes
Supplemental Reading: Public, Consortium, Private Blockchains & Interoperability 10 minutes
Supplemental Reading: When to Use a Blockchain 10 minutes
Supplemental Reading: Implication of Blockchain on Traditional Business 15 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 3 Quiz 30 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 videos Total 38 minutes

Introduction 1 minute
Lesson 1: Cryptocurrency Tokens 6 minutes
Lesson 2: Wallets, Exchanges & Transactions 6 minutes
Lesson 3: Bitcoin and Ethereum 3 minutes
Bitcoin vs Ethereum 5 minutes
Lesson 4: Smart Contracts & The EVM 5 minutes
Lesson 5: Decentralized Apps 3 minutes
Lesson 6: Blockchain Platforms & Extensions 4 minutes
Lesson 7: Blockchain Solution Architecture 4 minutes

4 readings Total 57 minutes

Cryptocurrency Tokens 15 minutes
Introduction to Ethereum 20 minutes
Supplemental Reading: Bitcoin and Ethereum 10 minutes
Smart Contracts 12 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 4 Quiz 30 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 videos Total 44 minutes

Introduction 0 minutes
Lesson 1: Self-Sovereign Identity and Reputation 8 minutes
Lesson 2: Ownership and Governance 12 minutes
Lesson 3: Supply Chain and Asset Tracking 15 minutes
Lesson 4: Royalties in the Music Industry 8 minutes
Wrap-Up 1 minute

4 readings Total 40 minutes

Uport: Self-sovereign Identity and Reputation 10 minutes
Meridio: Ownership and Governance 10 minutes
Viant: Supply Chain and Asset Tracking 10 minutes
Ujo: Royalties in the Music Industry 10 minutes

1 peer review Total 120 minutes

Create a Blockchain Use Case 120 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(171 ratings)

ConsenSys Academy

1 Course 89,988 learners

Offered by

ConsenSys Academy

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 12, 2018

This is excellent foundation course for beginners. Especially the real time examples given in the course are awesome. I liked the decision tree logic when to implement Blockchain.

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 Jul 18, 2020

Great course to learn the fundamentals of blockchain. For someone just starting out with limited knowledge, I have gained the basic knowledge of blockchain.

View more reviews