How to Learn Blockchain and Crypto

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Updated on April 19, 2023
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Interested in Web 3.0? Want to know your Bitcoin from your Ethereum? With over 12,000 cryptocurrencies in the world and counting, 2021 saw a record growth year for both crypto and blockchain technology. Supporters of blockchain and crypto claim it's the way of the future and can provide a farther-reaching way for businesses and individuals to manage their money.

With more and more companies engaging with blockchain technology, blockchain and crypto skills may give you a leg up in the world of tech jobs. Check out a few different ways you can learn blockchain and crypto from home or in a classroom.

Coding Bootcamps

You may have heard of coding bootcamps, but did you know they offer great options to learn blockchain and crypto? Coding bootcamps are intensive, specific courses that are either taught at a campus or online and can last last several weeks or months. They usually offer certificates at the end of the program, which can be useful when applying for jobs.

Coding bootcamps, many of which are based out of major tech hubs like Silicon Valley, teach you the fundamentals of working with blockchain and crypto. A coding bootcamp may also provide you with career services and job placement options, making them ideal for those going through a career shift or wanting to enter the tech industry.

Find the Right Coding Bootcamp For You

Online Courses

Looking to boost your blockchain and crypto resume but not in a position to commit to a bootcamp? An online course may be perfect for you. Online certification courses can take several hours to several months and are often more affordable than a coding bootcamp. You can take some online courses for free.

Online courses are also a great option for busy professionals who want to incorporate new skills into their resume without changing careers. Because coursework can be done from home and on your own time, online courses fit into your schedule in a way that works for you. Check out some online courses to see if they might be a good fit.

  • Blockchain: Foundations and Use Cases: This 10-hour certificate course comes from Coursera, one of the largest and most respected online course providers. This course is ideal for beginners and has a 4.7-star rating from satisfied former students as of June 2022. If you are still unsure about the course, you can begin for free.
  • Blockchain Specialization: For those who already hold a technical background, this 4-month course, offered in partnership with SUNY Buffalo, is a great way to turn blockchain knowledge into a specialty. This is an intermediate course that requires prior knowledge of programming, making it ideal for those looking to enhance their resume.
  • Professional Certificate in Blockchain Fundamentals: This three-month certificate course is offered through the University of California, Berkeley. It covers not only blockchain fundamentals but also specialty training in bitcoin use. The course costs $200 or less and is an affordable option for broad blockchain education through a famous university.
  • Ethereum and Solidity: The Complete Developer's Guide: This best-selling course focuses on creating your own app by using blockchain and Ethereum. As an advanced course, it's ideal for those with prior knowledge of Python and other coding languages. With a 24-hour time commitment and a price tag below $100, it's a great way to quickly boost your blockchain capabilities.
  • Enterprise Blockchain Fundamentals: This is a beginner's crash course in blockchain from a business perspective. Students learn blockchain basics in bite-size daily chunks designed for those without prior technical knowledge. Best of all, it's completely free to all students.

Online Courses vs. Bootcamps

Bootcamps
Pros Cons
  • Bootcamps provide hands-on access to experts and professors who may have office hours to answer individual questions.
  • They offer a defined structure for those who are new to tech and want guidance as they get started.
  • Many bootcamps have prestigious reputations, which can help their graduates in getting interviews and jobs.
  • They can have a high price tag.
  • In-person programs may require you to relocate or commute.
  • For those who relocate for a bootcamp, the program's end can leave them struggling to transfer their new skills at home.
Online Courses
Pros Cons
  • They are often more affordable and even free in some circumstances.
  • Classes can be done at home, on your time, or even while working a full- or part-time job.
  • Many top universities offer online courses, giving you access to a school's curriculum without earning a full degree.
  • It can be challenging to find a well-regarded program that will provide you with all the skills you need.
  • Without classes or professors, it can be difficult to get help with a concept or project you're struggling with.
  • Unlike bootcamps, most online courses will not offer scholarship aid or accept government scholarship programs like the GI Bill®.

Coding Bootcamps to Learn Blockchain and Crypto

Southern Methodist University

  • Locations: Remote
  • Program Cost: $12,745 as of June 2022
  • Learning Formats: Online
  • Time Commitment: Part Time

Career Services
Evening & Weekend Options

Southern Methodist University (SMU) offers a 24-week online fintech bootcamp that focuses on financial technology and analysis. One of its core concepts is blockchain and cryptocurrency, specifically teaching Solidity, Ethereum, and Consensus Algorithms. The program also teaches financial fundamentals, machine learning, and programming basics.

SMU offers career support and planning to all bootcamp students. No experience is needed beforehand, and you do not need to be an SMU student to enroll in the school's bootcamps. However, alumni can receive a $500 scholarship toward their coding bootcamp.


Udemy

  • Locations: Remote
  • Program Cost: $109.99
  • Learning Formats: Online
  • Time Commitment: Self-Paced

Money-Back Guarantee
Evening & Weekend Options

Udemy's bitcoin and cryptocurrency bootcamp is perfect for beginners. The course contains over eight hours of on-demand video. Students can take the bootcamp at their own pace, making it ideal for those wanting to explore the realm of crypto. The lessons focus on how crypto mining works, what blockchain is, and how cryptocurrency differs from stocks and bonds.

Udemy offers course lifetime access upon purchase. You earn a certificate if you complete the bootcamp. If you are dissatisfied, you are eligible for a 30-day money-back guarantee. Udemy has a massive collection of over 250,000 courses and bootcamps to choose from.


University of California, Berkeley

  • Locations: Remote
  • Program Cost: $13,495 as of June 2022
  • Learning Formats: Online
  • Time Commitment: Part Time

Career Services
Evening & Weekend Options

UC Berkeley provides a fintech bootcamp, described as a hands-on virtual class for those aiming to become fintech professionals. Students learn fundamental financial concepts, including hedge funds and algorithmic trading, and fundamental programming languages like Python and SQL. The bootcamp describes itself as being project-based with the goal to equip students with strong crypto and blockchain skills.

UC Berkeley's career services include one-on-one mentoring, resume assistance, and interview practice. All bootcamp applicants must complete an assessment, although no previous experience is required. The university offers payment support and financial plans.

Blockchain and Crypto Jobs

Blockchain Developer

With blockchain growing at a fast rate, blockchain developers are in high demand. Blockchain developers are programmers who are the key players in the tech world. A blockchain developer helps code blockchain apps, often using Python and other programming languages in the process.

Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $110,140

Blockchain UX Designer

UX, or user experience, is an important part of any technology that incorporates coding skills, art, and design. Blockchain UX designers help to ensure that customers interacting with a blockchain app can easily understand and engage with it.

Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $77,200

Blockchain Project Manager

Blockchain project management combines technical knowledge and organizational skills. A blockchain project manager must understand the different parts of a broader blockchain project and make sure everyone involved is where they need to be at all times.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $159,010

What Are the Benefits of a Blockchain and Crypto Certification?

In the blockchain and crypto world, where huge amounts of money can be made and lost in minutes, education and certification are vital. Not only can they separate you from casual investors and enthusiasts, but they can also give your future employers confidence in trusting you in a fast-paced, high-stakes work environment.

Once you earn certification, you may also be able to narrow your job search to those that your certification covers. This may save you time, as you can filter out irrelevant positions, as well as potentially increase your chances of getting hired.

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Blockchain and Crypto

Are blockchain and crypto easy to learn?

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Blockchain and crypto may be challenging to some students, but there are many tools and courses available to make learning as easy as possible. Depending on your experience level, learning style, and schedule, you can find a coding course or bootcamp that can make learning blockchain and crypto easy to fit into your life.

Where can I learn blockchain and crypto for free?

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There are a variety of free blockchain and crypto courses available online offered by skilled professionals and accredited universities. Courses last from a few hours to a few weeks and vary in skill level, so make sure to do background research before you sign up for a free online course.

What is the best way to learn blockchain and crypto?

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For students who like direct communication and collaborative learning, a bootcamp may be the best way to learn blockchain and crypto. For students with busy schedules who work best in a self-paced environment, an online course in blockchain and crypto could better serve them. Do some research before deciding which way to learn blockchain and crypto is best for you.

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