Blockchain And Bitcoin Fundamentals

Learn the key elements of blockchain and Bitcoin in this bestselling video course and accompanying PDF glossary.

Last updated 2022-01-10 | 4.6

- Have a strong understanding of what blockchain technology is.
- Understand what Bitcoin is and how it works.
- Know and use key vocabulary and concepts commonly used when discussing blockchain and Bitcoin in business situations.

What you'll learn

Have a strong understanding of what blockchain technology is.

Understand what Bitcoin is and how it works.

Know and use key vocabulary and concepts commonly used when discussing blockchain and Bitcoin in business situations.

* Requirements

* There are no requirements needed to enroll beyond having a business interest in learning how blockchain and Bitcoin work.

Description

Newly expanded with even more video content and updated for 2022!

More than 95,000 satisfied students worldwide have enrolled in this bestselling course, and have left thousands of 5 star reviews:

"Easily the best introduction to Blockchain technology and Bitcoins. George explains in such a way that he is going to give a lot of people new career goals."

- Manohar

"Great course, with an instructor who is clearly very passionate about the possibilities of blockchain technology. It only takes a couple of hours to complete, but afterwards you really feel like you have obtained a good understanding of the fundamentals of blockchains and cryptocurrencies. Highly recommended."

- Mark Wever

"I have taken several cryptocurrency courses on Udemy and George Levy's are consistently the best. Clear, friendly and well presented, the course is laid out in a logical format with easy to follow visual aids."

- Mike Collings

"Great course George.

I've been involved in the Bitcoin space since early 2013 and I can honestly say that you have made some of the more technical aspects of Bitcoin and its underlying technology very simple to understand and retain.

Thank you for this."

- Jessie Yanger

"The course is very well organized for anyone to learn the technology step-by-step to build the concept and knowledge.

Especially, when the new terminology/concept is introduced, the instructor mentioned it briefly and provide the right level of explanation at each stage of the course. This is one of the best online training course to learn the new technologies, and the way to instruct is the most efficient in the planet!"

- Hiro Aoki

"Outstanding concepts and very lucid explanations. George explains complex concepts in the simplest of ways. May be after this lesson, can explain this to my 8 year old daughter. :-)"

- Avinash Sagar

"I am extremely happy that I took the course. The blockchain concepts are very well explained. The instructor's pace, his knowledge and his way of explaining things made the course all the more interesting. I would highly recommend this course.

A big thanks to George."

- Bharat K Dontamsetti

"What I love about the course's lectures is that by the end of each lecture I understood the concept presented clearly. Also, I like the opening of each lecture, it prepares the student, for me it lowered the fear factor when approaching a new concept in Bitcoin Network and Blockchain.

The course doesn't provide only the theoretical part of Bitcoin Network and Blockchain, George Levy provides many examples which delivers the objective of the lesson (lecture).

I truly recommend this course for new comers to Bitcoin Network and Blockchain.

Thank you George Levy for the great course."

- Ali Etoom

And many thousands more...

Quickly get the working knowledge you need and earn your certificate of completion in blockchain and Bitcoin from a globally recognized blockchain and Bitcoin expert by enrolling now!

Listening and acting upon valuable feedback from the many tens of thousands of students worldwide who are currently enrolled in this course - I have added new video and valuable content including Smart Contracts, Cryptocurrency, DAOs, DACs and even video lectures on Bitcoin Cash - the new cryptocurrency born out of a Bitcoin Hard Fork.

I've also included lessons and a downloadable guide on how to best manage any possible future Hard forks in the most profitable and safe manner.

- Are you looking for a quick, highly-effective and easy way to understand blockchain and Bitcoin, without wasting countless hours sifting through unnecessary filler information?

- Do you want to get a firm grasp on what blockchain and Bitcoin are all about? Even topics such as Smart Contracts and Digital Tokens?

- Do you need to quickly learn the key concepts and vocabulary around blockchain and Bitcoin?

This effective guide will help you understand blockchain and Bitcoin, including more advanced topics such as smart contracts and digital tokens, and will set you well on your way to blockchain and Bitcoin mastery.

You'll learn the key aspects around Blockchain and Bitcoin, including:

What is a blockchain?
What is Bitcoin?
What are smart contracts?
What is a cryptocurrency?
What are digital tokens?
How blockchain and Bitcoin are related and why it's so important to know the relation.
Some common misconceptions about blockchain and Bitcoin.
What is the future of blockchain?
How to get started with Bitcoin

...and much much more!

You get lifetime access and a 30 day, 100% money back guarantee!

FREE BONUS:

I have included two downloadable and printable PDFs

Glossary including over 100 of the most important blockchain and Bitcoin terms so you can have the essential concepts and language available with you whenever you may need them.
An Infographic guide with steps on how to best manage any future possible Bitcoin Hard Forks.

This course will help you quickly master the most important ideas and topics in blockchain and Bitcoin.

I look forward to seeing you inside!

Best,

George Levy, CSBCP, GBP

Who this course is for:

The ideal student for this course is someone who wants to quickly understand and expand their knowledge of how blockchain and Bitcoin work as well as how they are applied in business.
Business people who want to learn more about how blockchain and Bitcoin are impacting the world of business.
This course does not include any code sampling elements, as such it is not meant as a course for developers who wish to learn how to program blockchain applications.

Course content

4 sections • 44 lectures

Your Blockchain and Bitcoin Journey Begins Here 2 lectures

Introduction Preview 01:22

I describe what is covered in this course including which lessons are focused on blockchain and which are based on Bitcoin, as well as how you can best take advantage of the contents.

Welcome and How to Communicate With Me Preview 01:49

Welcome to Blockchain and Bitcoin Fundamentals. In this video I introduce myself and I let you know how you can communicate with me and ask me questions. I also let you know more about what you can expect to see in the coming lessons.

Blockchain and Bitcoin Fundamentals 36 lectures

What is a Blockchain? Preview 04:22

In this lesson we will review what a blockchain is and what makes it such an innovative technology.

I also include a downloadable glossary of key blockchain and Bitcoin key terms.

What is a Blockchain?

Let's do a quick check to see what you have learned...

Important Message About Udemy Reviews Preview 01:00

Please watch this video. It has an important message about leaving a review for this course.

What is Bitcoin? Preview 03:49

A description of Bitcoin, what it is, how it works, and how blockchain technology plays into Bitcoin.

What is Bitcoin?

Let's check what you have learned in this lesson with a few questions!

The Role of Bitcoin Miners Preview 02:20

If you've ever asked yourself where bitcoins come from and how they are placed into circulation, this video is for you. We will be discussing the concept of Bitcoin mining and a very special group of nodes on the network called "mining nodes."

Bitcoin mining is how transactions are processed on the Bitcoin network, and how new blocks get added onto the Bitcoin blockchain. It is also how new bitcoins are created and added into the system

Demo: Hash Functions Preview 03:21

Bitcoin is a type of Cryptocurrency.

Because of this, Bitcoin uses cryptography to control the creation of new units of bitcoin and to verify the transfer of bitcoins between parties.

In this video demo, I describe a SHA-256 hash function which is a type of cryptographic hash function that is used during the bitcoin mining process to sign, confirm and secure the blocks on the bitcoin blockchain.

I also include a link to the free, open source SHA-256 Hash generator I use in the video so you can go try it yourself!

Demo: Block Hashes Preview 03:21

Now that you know about Cryptographic Hash functions and learned what a SHA-256 Cryptographic Hash is, let's see how block hashing works and how hashes are used in a block that will be used in a blockchain.

Demo: How Block Hashes Work in a Blockchain Preview 06:17

In this video demo, I describe how a blockchain gets built and how it preserves its integrity by using Cryptographic hashes.

Earlier, we defined that "A blockchain is a constantly growing ledger that keeps a permanent record of all the transactions that have taken place, in a secure, chronological and immutable way."

As you will see in this video, this chronological order and how Cryptography ties into the equation is what makes blockchain such a powerful technology to keep Bitcoin secure.

Notice how a blockchain links each new block to the previous block by using Hash Cryptography, and how changing a single block "breaks the chain."

Demo: How a Distributed Blockchain Works Preview 04:57

As you have learned in previous lessons, Bitcoin is a decentralized network with thousands of full nodes around the world which maintain an identical copy of the Bitcoin blockchain.

In this video demo, I show how all these multiple copies of the Bitcoin blockchain work together, and how having distributed copies of the blockchain help Bitcoin be more secure, while in the process avoiding having a single point of failure.

Cryptographic Hashing

Time to see how much you understand the concept of cryptographic hashing.

The Four Components of Bitcoin Preview 05:00

There are four main components to Bitcoin which work together in order to enable Bitcoin to run.

We've covered them in different lectures of this course, now we tie them all together into one seamless flow.

The Coinbase Transaction Preview 03:53

In Bitcoin, there is a very important transaction called the "Coinbase" transaction.

Find out in this video what it is all about and why it is so important!

Virtual Field Trip: The Bitcoin Blockchain at Work! Preview 11:11

Join me on a "virtual fieldtrip" through several leading destinations in Bitcoin, and see the Bitcoin network processing hundreds of thousands of transactions daily!

BTW, the transaction I mention in the video is:

7c537436ac7498ba42c33a72d79d04875c118574458c7895a3a8894a490f48f3

Try it out yourself and go on your own Bitcoin virtual fieldtrip!

Key Concepts in Bitcoin Preview 05:27

An analysis of key concepts in Bitcoin which you need to know about as they are very commonly used in regular business conversations.

Key Concepts in Bitcoin

It's time for a quick review of what you have learned in the previous lesson!

The Birth of Bitcoin Preview 02:40

Where did Bitcoin come from? How did it all start? Let's explore the birth of Bitcoin.

The Value of Blockchain Preview 04:27

What makes blockchain so valuable and why is it regarded as such a revolutionary innovation.

The Value of Blockchain: Cryptocurrency Preview 03:26

A bitcoin is a type of digital asset called a "Cryptocurrency." In this lesson we explore what cryptocurrencies are and some of the most popular types of cryptocurrency.

The Value of Blockchain: Digital Tokens Preview 08:03

As you continue to learn more about the value of blockchain, it's important that you learn about what a digital tokens (also known as blockchain tokens) are, and how they are used.

The Value of Blockchain: Smart Contracts Preview 03:30

You may have heard the term "Smart Contracts" before. In this lesson we explore what they are, how they work and why they are so important.

The Value of Blockchain: The Birth of Smart Contracts Preview 01:06

Smart Contracts are a very hot topic in the context of blockchain but the concept dates back well before Bitcoin was born. In this lesson, we take a look back at the birth of Smart Contracts and we talk about the "father" of the technology.

The Value of Blockchain: DAOs and DACs Preview 04:11

Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO) and Decentralized Autonomous Corporations (DAC) are a very exciting area in smart contracts and blockchain technology. In this lesson we discuss what they are as well as why they are so important to know.

Business Use Cases of Blockchain Beyond Bitcoin Preview 04:36

This lesson explores 5 business use cases of blockchain above and beyond Bitcoin.

These are real use cases in renowned organizations, with real, measurable results. The objective is to show the impact of how applying blockchain technology can cause positive change, and drive performance improvements across multiple different verticals, organizations and focus areas.

Limitations of Blockchain Technology Preview 03:20

Much is said about about the value and benefits of blockchain, however it is important to note that there are also limitations to this technology.

In this lesson I cover some of the most evident and important limitations of blockchain technology.

Common Misconceptions About Blockchain and Bitcoin Preview 05:09

Here is a list of common misconceptions about blockchain and Bitcoin. You will run into these quite regularly and it's good for you to know the truth behind them.

What is Bitcoin Cash? Preview 10:50

On August 1st, 2017 Bitcoin went through a "Hard Fork" which created a new cryptocurrency called "Bitcoin Cash."

In this lecture, I explain what Bitcoin Cash is and how it came to be, as well as how it relates to Bitcoin.

I have also included as a downloadable resource an "Infographic: Hard Fork Guide" with "Three Steps to Successfully Handling a Bitcoin Hard Fork" like the one that created Bitcoin Cash.

On Forks, Transactions and Segregated Witness (SegWit) Preview 11:42

In this video lesson I explain what Forks on a blockchain are, and I describe and compare the Hard Fork that created Bitcoin Cash with the Soft Fork which was used to activate Segregated Witness (SegWit).

I also explain Bitcoin Transactions, along with what SegWit is and how it works.

Additionally, I have provided for you a valuable downloadable Infographic with 3 steps you should follow in case of a Bitcoin Hard Fork like the one that created Bitcoin Cash.

This is a very valuable lesson loaded with important information you should know!

How Many Transactions Are There in a Block? Preview 08:02

In this lesson we will go over the number of transactions that are in a block on the Bitcoin blockchain, and we will look at a fun, informative way to view and understand the process.

The Controlled Supply of Bitcoin Preview 06:09

In the previous lesson we spoke about the fact that there will be a maximum of 21 million bitcoins mined, and that we will reach that number by the year 2,140.

Given that we currently have at the moment of this lesson, 18.6 million bitcoins in circulation... How did we get to that 18.6 million number, and how will we get to 21 million by the year 2,140?

In this video I explain to you the reasons and the math behind the current number of bitcoins in circulation, and the controlled supply of 21 million bitcoins.

On the Future of Bitcoin Mining Preview 03:01

Since only a maximum number of 21 million bitcoins will ever be available.... That means that at some point - there will not be any more bitcoins to mine. What will happen to the global network of miners?

Important Dates in Bitcoin History Preview 01:42

As you become more familiar with Bitcoin, there are several key dates in Bitcoin history which you should know about as they are very commonly discussed in various Bitcoin circles.

On Merkle Trees Preview 05:54

By now, you have learned what cryptographic hashing is, and how the Bitcoin blockchain is assembled and linked together into a chain of blocks of transactions.

It is now time to learn about "Merkle Trees", a very special data structure used in Bitcoin. In this lesson, we will explore what Merkle Trees are, how they are built, and we will see the way they are used to help strengthen the integrity of the Bitcoin blockchain.

Blockchain and Bitcoin Quick Knowledge Check

A few quick questions to see what you have learned so far...

What sets the price of a bitcoin? Preview 01:46

In this lecture, we will be discussing how the price of Bitcoin is determined. I also include some additional valuable resources as links which can further help you.

Additional Fun Ways of Looking at Bitcoin at Work Preview 08:51

Before we move onto the next section where we get started with Bitcoin. Let's take a different, fun look at Bitcoin working hard all around the world!

Getting Started with Bitcoin 5 lectures

Getting Started With Bitcoin Preview 03:18

This lesson is geared towards people who have never used Bitcoin and would like to know how they may be able to get started using Bitcoin.

Choose your Bitcoin wallet Preview 09:16

In this lesson, I will walk with you through the process of choosing a Bitcoin wallet and I present you with various alternatives along with the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Sending and Receiving bitcoins Preview 07:07

Let's explore how you send and receive bitcoins by analyzing a sample transaction between Alice and Ben.

Store Your bitcoins Safely Preview 07:25

In this lesson we will go over important safety precautions you should follow when storing your bitcoins.

I describe the differences between "Hot Storage" and "Cold Storage", and provide you with options you can use to better protect your bitcoins.

I also provide for you a series of carefully selected links featuring additional resources that contain valuable information on how to further protect your bitcoins.

Converting Your bitcoins to Fiat Currency Preview 05:20

Once you have your bitcoins, there will be times when you will want to convert those bitcoins into local "fiat" currency such as dollars, euros or yen.

In this lesson, I present to you several easy ways that you can convert your bitcoins into fiat currency.