Ten top free resources for blockchain beginners
The blockchain and crypto community is growing at a rapid pace as more and more people become encouraged by the potential of this technology. It is a great time to get in to blockchain, either as a hobby, or as a career option, as the prospects look encouraging. In my blog post Five reasons why you should consider a career as a blockchain developer, I highlight some of the exciting prospects for a career in blockchain, including that the sector is expected to continue growing, and that there is currently a talent shortage.
One of the great things about the crypto and blockchain space, is that there are so many great resources available online to help beginners learn about the technology. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned blockchain developer, there is no shortage of new concepts and skills you can learn to supplement your knowledge.
For those that are new to the space, here are ten of my favourite free resources for blockchain and crypto beginners.
Podcasts
Cryptocurrency for Beginners with Crypto Casey
This podcast was actually one of the first I listened to, and it helped me learn about the basics of crypto and blockchain, and the core philosophies driving the DeFi movement. The first few episodes in particular offer an excellent primer on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Blockchain, and Defi. Crypto Casey does an excellent job explaining challenging concepts in a way that make sense for those who are new to the space.
Hash Power with Patrick O’Shaughnessy
This short three-episode series is actually part of a much bigger, fantastic investing podcast called Invest Like the Best. This one may be on the older end (launched in 2017), but it offers a simple and effective introduction to blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
Unchained with Lara Shin
This podcast starts to delve a bit more into some of the more complex concepts around blockchain and crypto but does so in an approachable way. This podcast is great if you want to begin expanding your understanding of blockchain and be introduced to some of the use cases and key players in the space. Recent notable guests include Michael Saylor, Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez, Mark Cuban, and Gavin Wood.
Online Courses
Blockchain and Money
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
This course is for students wishing to explore blockchain technology's potential use—by entrepreneurs and incumbents—to change the world of money and finance. The course begins with a review of Bitcoin and an understanding of the commercial, technical, and public policy fundamentals of blockchain technology, distributed ledgers, and smart contracts. The class then continues on to current and potential blockchain applications in the financial sector.
Blockchain Technology
Berkley University of California via edX
Developed by Blockchain at Berkeley and faculty from UC Berkeley's premier Computer Science department, this course provides a wide overview of many of the topics relating to and building upon the foundation of Bitcoin and blockchain technology. Please note that although the course itself is free, you can add a verified certificate for $100 USD.
Blogs and E-Books
The Ledger Academy, a relatively new initiative by Ledger, one of the leading producers of cold (hardware) wallets, offers some great articles for beginners in the crypto space. If you are new to the space and looking to learn about the basics of cryptocurrency, this is a great place to start.
Blockchain Council is “an authoritative group of subject experts and enthusiasts who are evangelizing the Blockchain Research and Development, Use Cases and Products and Knowledge for a better world. They offer a series of certifications, online trainings, articles, and e-books, including a free Blockchain for Beginners E-Book.
101 Blockchains Guide for Beginners
This brief beginners guide offers an introduction to the key concepts related to blockchain including blocks, transactions, proof of work & proof of stake, how these different components interact, and even briefly discusses some of the use cases of blockchain.
Video Channels
The creators of the Exodus Wallet offer an excellent YouTube Channel with a treasure trove of educational videos related to basic blockchain and crypto concepts, explanations on a number of crypto currencies and projects, and news on exciting developments in the crypto world.
Simply Explained is one of my personal favourite YouTube channels that provides easy to understand explanations of some of the world's most complex topics. This channel has a plethora of great videos on crypto and blockchain that are great for those who are new to the space and looking to make sense of the technology and some of the leading crypto projects.
If you are new to the space, I highly recommend that you consider purchasing a cold (hardware wallet) for storing your crypto.
Cold wallets are becoming easier to use than ever. Wallets by Ledger and Trezor, my two favourite wallet companies, both come with easy step-by-step guides for getting set-up and transferring your crypto over. Both of these wallets are also run by companies with great reputations and solid customer service, so if you encounter any issues, they will be happy to help you out. Most importantly, they both have great security features, and long track records of safely storing their clients’ crypto.
If you are interested in purchasing a cold wallet, such as the Ledger Nano S or Trezor One, both of which I highly recommend, please use the link below to be referred to the Ledger and Trezor websites. If you purchase a device through these links, we also receive a small commission, so you will be supporting the operations of Crypto Altruism, for which we would be eternally grateful!
Do you have any other favourite resources for beginners looking to learn about blockchain and crypto? Tweet us at @Crypto_Altruism to let us know what you think, we’d love to hear from you!
