Blockchain Basics

Blockchain Basics is a beginner-friendly yet rigorous course designed to give you a solid grasp of blockchain fundamentals. You’ll explore how blockchains work, what smart contracts do, how to send on-chain transactions, and why concepts like decentralization and scalability matter. Ideal for developers and non-technical learners alike.

Blockchain Basics

6hrs

51 lessons

20+ languages

Beginner

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500+ students enrolled
Certificate of completion

Certification available

by

Earn a course Certificate of Completion and demonstrate your understanding. Pass the proficiency exam at the end of the course.

What you'll learn

This course will help you learn:

What blockchains are and how they work

Key blockchain components: wallets, gas, nodes, consensus

How to send transactions

The role and risks of smart contracts

How blockchains scale with L2 rollups

Real-world use cases like DEXs, RWAs, stablecoins, and NFTs

Blockchain threats like MEV and Sybil attacks

The lifecycle of a blockchain transaction

Syllabus

Course description

Build your foundational blockchain knowledge and unlock your future as a blockchain developer or web3 professional. The all-new Blockchain Basics is a comprehensive, beginner-friendly course designed to take you from zero to proficient in blockchain fundamentals in just a few hours. You’ll gain a deep understanding of how decentralized technologies work, from sending your first transaction to grasping the core architecture of blockchain systems.

This is the most up-to-date and practical blockchain fundamentals course available anywhere. It teaches you what actually matters: how blockchain networks operate, what wallets do, how smart contracts create trust minimized agreements, and why decentralization changes the game for ownership and innovation.

Blockchain Basics blends theoretical clarity with engaging, hands-on activities like setting up your first wallet, sending testnet transactions, and interacting with protocols.

Alongside technical skills, you’ll build critical mental models for understanding gas, signatures, consensus mechanisms, and the lifecycle of a blockchain transaction.

The course will also introduce you to key real-world use cases such as DeFi, NFTs, RWAs, DEXs, and stablecoins, and explain why these technologies are reshaping industries.

Even if you’re brand new to web3, this course will guide you step-by-step through complex topics with clarity. And, guide you to deeper learning based on your preferred career.

Here’s why thousands of learners choose Cyfrin Updraft to start their blockchain journey:

  • Updraft curriculum is updated constantly to reflect industry trends, the latest tools, and network changes.
  • Courses are taught by the industry’s leading smart contract developers, auditors, and blockchain educators.
  • Content is designed and built using student feedback, user research, and real-world protocol examples.
  • Over 200,000 students have used Updraft to start or grow their blockchain careers.
  • Many have gone on to become engineers, auditors, product managers, or founders in the web3 space.

Blockchain Basics is packed with helpful videos, written guides, visual explainers, and demo applications. Lessons include full transcripts, and the Updraft Discord community is always available for help, feedback, and discussion.

Whether you want to become a developer, understand DeFi, or transition your web2 skills to web3, this course is the course for you!

You will learn:

  • How Proof of Work and Proof of Stake blockchains function
  • The oracle problem and why it matters
  • Wallet setup, testnet usage, and gas mechanics
  • The structure and lifecycle of on-chain transactions
  • Intro to account abstraction and EIP-4337
  • Blockchain attack vectors: MEV, 51% attacks, Sybil attacks and blockchain reorganisations
  • The role of rollups and why L2s like ZKsync are important

When you complete this course, you’ll have a strong, working understanding of blockchain fundamentals, enough to hold your own in any conversation and to start building or contributing to web3 projects.

As a Cyfrin Updraft student, you get lifetime access to every course, along with detailed tutorials, helpful resources, quizzes, code repositories, and more. You can also join a vibrant Discord community of learners and developers ready to support your journey.

What are you waiting for? Start learning Blockchain Basics today and take your first step into the future of decentralized technology with Cyfrin Updraft!

Meet your instructors

Ciara Nightingale

Ciara Nightingale

Developer relations at Cyfrin

Jessica Young

Jessica Young

Educator at Cyfrin

Patrick Collins

Patrick Collins

Founder at Cyfrin

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Student testimonials

Hear from Updraft’s students

Here’s what our students are saying about their experience with Updraft:

If there’s one resource that blockchain engineers point to, it’s Cyfrin’s ultimate tutorials. They’re standout resources that have empowered countless developers to learn web3, Solidity, and dive deep into Web3 development.

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Chainlink

@Chainlink

Chainlink

Wanna go from curious coder to blockchain engineer? These are some of the best video courses to get you there.

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Jakub Konopka

@Asbet0s

Senior Product Designer, Ethereum Foundation

I took Cyfrin course and I’ve been working as a solutions developer at OpenZeppelin for the last few months. It was by far the most comprehensive resource and the one that really teached me the fundamentals and made me want to switch from web2 to web3.

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Gustavo Gonzalez

Solutions Engineer, OpenZeppelin

Cyfrin Updraft videos on smart contract development have been instrumental in my blockchain journey, standing out with their clarity and accessibility. Their readiness to support and engage with learners makes me excited for more of their interactive and insightful content in the Web3 space

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Francesco Andreoli

Lead Devrel, Metamask

The Cyfrin courses were a game-changer for me. They provided a well-structured and comprehensive introduction to web3 and blockchain development. The knowledge I gained allowed me to transition into a full-time role as a blockchain developer. I can't recommend these courses enough!

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Albert Hu

Founding Engineer, DeForm

I took Cyfrin’s courses, and I took them seriously. At least one hour every day, documented the progress, didn’t skip any second. Haven’t found a better web3 course since. Now I’m full-time in web3, working as Senior Developer Advocate at Ceramic Network.

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Radek

Senior Developer Advocate, Ceramic

Cyfrin have been an absolute game-changers in my journey into blockchain. Saying their courses were remarkable, would be an understatement. Thanks to their expert guidance, I gained a deep understanding of blockchain to its roots. I'm forever grateful for their role in helping me get started in web3.

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Boidushya

WalletConnect

Cyfrin blockchain and Foundry/AI courses were incredible. I've gained valuable knowledge, grown, empowering myself and others. Thank you, Cyfrin!

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Idris

Developer Relations Engineer, Axelar