Blockchain is the technology behind cryptocurrencies. The rise of Bitcoin and Ethereum helped this distributed ledger technology amass huge popularity all around the world.
While the so-called “crypto winter” has raised plenty of questions about the future of cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology proved itself extremely useful in other fields, such as logistics, healthcare, government, trade finance and cross-border payments.
Increased capacity, enhanced security, immutability, faster settlement and decentralization are just some of the key features of this innovative technology. Companies and governments are already levering it to reduce operational costs, improve transparency and simplify complex business processes.
Earlier this year, consulting giant KPMG released its “2019 Technology Industry Innovation” report, which examined over 740 world leaders from the tech industry.
According to the survey, 41% of top managers said it was “very likely/likely” that blockchain will be adopted in their organizations within the next three years. Furthermore, nearly half of responders believed “very likely/likely” this technology will impact their business approach in that same timeframe.
A prior study by PwC outlined similar results, showing that 84 percent of executives confirmed their companies were “actively involved” with this technology.
When it comes to figures, blockchain solutions seems to be on the right track. A recent analysis by the International Data Corporation forecasts a robust growth pace in spending for the 2018–2022 period, with an estimated 5-year compound annual growth rate of 76.0%. In 2019, spending on blockchain technology is forecasted at $2.9 billion, which translates into a 88.7% increase from the previous year.
As institutional adoption gains momentum, understanding blockchain and the opportunities that lie ahead of this technology could benefit your professional development. Ready to get started?
Here are the best blockchain courses for 2019:
#1 | Blockchain and Bitcoin Fundamentals
Starting from scratch? Look no further. Blockchain and Bitcoin Fundamentals is the most popular blockchain-related course on Udemy for a good reason: it offers a comprehensive introduction to this technology and cryptocurrencies in just 2.5 hours.
This course addresses basic definitions and concepts around blockchain, bitcoin, smart contracts, tokens, and all potential business applications. It will also show you how to get started with Bitcoin and other digital currencies.
There are 37 lectures in total, averaging from 3 to 8 minutes each. Additionally, the author has included two downloadable PDFs on blockchain vocabulary and Bitcoin Hard Forks. The official price of this course is $94.99.
#2 | Blockchain A-Z™: Learn How To Build Your First Blockchain
If you’re one of those who is crazy about bestsellers, then this online course is for you. Nearly 30,000 students from all over the world have taken Blockchain A-Z™.
This distance course was developed by AI entrepreneur Hadelin de Ponteves and data scientist Kirill Eremenko with one goal in mind: teaching you how to build your own blockchain, create a cryptocurrency and a smart contract.
While there are no strict requirements to take this course, it is highly advisable to have a basic Python knowledge before jumping into it. It is available on Udemy. Blockchain A-Z™ costs $199.99, but there is a 95% discount in place right now.
#3 | MIT Blockchain Technologies
Is your organization planning to adopt blockchain technology? The MIT Blockchain Technologies course is meant for professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the impact and applications of the distributed ledger technology in an economic environment.
This course is a go-to for entrepreneurs or executives wanting to integrate blockchain into their business plans, or figuring out how blockchain better fits the organization’s goals.
This program will turn you into a blockchain specialist in six weeks. The course is based on the work of the leading MIT faculty and cryptoeconomics expert, Professor Christian Catalini. From a foundational overview of blockchain technology, its multiple use cases and limitations, the syllabus has it all covered.
As you could expect from a world leading university, the price tag for this course is way above the average: $3,500. According to the MIT, this program requires you to study from 5 to 8 hours per week. The good news is that this is a fully self-paced learning course, which means you don’t need to follow a strict schedule.
#4 | Oxford Blockchain Strategy Programme
If you’re looking for something a bit more intense within a serious academic environment, then you might consider the Oxford Blockchain Strategy Programme — a six-week online course developed by Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford in collaboration with online education provider GetSmarter.
Surprisingly, this program is a bit cheaper than the one offered by the MIT: £2,350. In this particular case, the organizers recommend studying 12–15 hours a week to complete it. Long story short, this course guides you through the multiple applications of blockchain technology, helping you identify opportunities to incorporate it to both short and long business strategies.
This distance course is divided in six modules:
- Understanding blockchain
- Blockchain and business
- Transfer of value and storage of value
- Decentralised apps and smart contracts
- Transformative business models
- Blockchain frontiers: identify future trends in the industry
#5 | IBM Blockchain Foundation for Developers
As its name suggests, this online course with certificate of completion is mainly designed for developers wanting to create blockchain applications. However, the first part of this course offers a basic foundation on this DLT technology with no programming skills required. The other three parts are focused on concepts, components, and strategies to build blockchain networks.
This blockchain developer course is available on Coursera — a leading online learning platform. The program was created by IBM, one of the strongest players in the Blockchain as a Service industry. In fact, this tech giants holds the second the second place in terms of the highest number of blockchain patents worldwide as of 2019.
In order to earn the Coursera course certificate and IBM digital badge, you would have to pass a series of end-of-section quizzes and a final exam. The entire program is just 9 hours long and costs only $50.
#6 | UC Berkeley Blockchain Fundamentals
Last but not least, the UC Berkeley Blockchain Fundamentals Professional Certificate program. Unlike other courses offered by top universities, this one is available for just $198 on EdX — an well-known open online course provider.
This learning path is accessible by anyone, without technical skills needed to get started. This program is designed to clarify essential concepts surrounding blockchain technology, the main ideas behind it and its benefits for a vast number of industries.
According to the course organizers, you can complete it in under one and a half months if you dedicate between 3 and 5 hours per week. Overall, this program is a perfect choice for professionals to get up to speed on blockchain.
- Define blockchain solutions
- Understand the mechanics behind Bitcoin
- Discover real-life cryptocurrency applications, smart contracts and Dapps
- Gain in-depth knowledge on corporate-level blockchain implementations
- Explore cryptocurrency and blockchain regulatory environments
About Crypterium
Crypterium is one of the most promising fintech companies, according to KPMG and H2Ventures. We are building a mobile app that meets the banking needs of the digital assets era.
The team is led by former General Manager of Visa Central & Eastern Europe Steven Parker, and C-level executives from global financial institutions, like Renaissance Insurance, London Derivatives Exchange, American Express etc.
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