Understanding Blockchain Beyond the Headlines
We've spent years watching people enter the crypto space with unrealistic expectations. Our approach is different. We focus on building genuine technical understanding before anyone touches a wallet.
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What We Actually Teach
Most training programs throw buzzwords around. We break down complex systems into understandable components. Here's what students genuinely need to know before making informed decisions.
Cryptographic Fundamentals
Hash functions aren't magic. They're mathematical operations with specific properties. We cover SHA-256, Merkle trees, and public-key cryptography in ways that stick. Students often realize the security model is more nuanced than marketing materials suggest.
Consensus Mechanisms
Proof of Work and Proof of Stake solve different problems with different tradeoffs. We examine energy consumption, security assumptions, and why certain networks chose specific approaches. The technical decisions matter more than market hype.
Smart Contract Architecture
Writing code that handles value requires a different mindset. We walk through Solidity basics, common vulnerabilities, and why auditing matters. Students build simple contracts and learn why testing is non-negotiable in this environment.
Network Economics
Gas fees, transaction throughput, and scalability aren't abstract concepts. They affect every interaction. We explore Layer 2 solutions, why they exist, and what problems they actually solve versus what they promise to solve.
Starting With Real Systems
We begin by examining existing blockchain implementations. Students interact with test networks, submit transactions, and observe how blocks propagate. It's hands-on from week one.
- Setting up local nodes and exploring blockchain explorers
- Understanding UTXO models versus account-based systems
- Analyzing actual transaction data and mempool behavior
- Debugging common setup issues that everyone encounters
Building Practical Components
Theory only gets you so far. Students create wallets, interact with APIs, and deploy test contracts. The mistakes made during development are often the most valuable learning moments.
- Writing and testing smart contracts in controlled environments
- Integrating Web3 libraries with frontend applications
- Understanding gas optimization and transaction batching
- Implementing basic security checks and error handling
Evaluating Real Projects
Anyone can read a whitepaper. We teach students to examine codebases, assess team credentials, and identify red flags. The due diligence process matters whether you're building or evaluating.
- Reviewing open-source repositories and commit history
- Understanding tokenomics and incentive structures
- Identifying common scam patterns and unrealistic claims
- Analyzing network metrics and on-chain activity
Who's Actually Teaching This
Torben Lindström
Protocol Developer
Torben spent five years working on Ethereum infrastructure before joining us. He's seen every possible smart contract mistake and knows how to prevent them. His students appreciate that he doesn't sugarcoat the technical challenges.
Kasper Vilhelmsen
Security Researcher
Kasper audits smart contracts professionally and has found vulnerabilities in major DeFi protocols. He brings real-world security thinking into every session. Students learn why certain patterns are dangerous before deploying anything to mainnet.
Enrollment Opens September 2025
We run cohorts twice yearly to maintain quality. Our autumn program starts in October with a structured 16-week curriculum.
Application Review
Submit your background and what you want to achieve. We're looking for technical curiosity rather than prior blockchain experience. Programming fundamentals help but aren't mandatory.
Opens September 1, 2025
Technical Assessment
Complete a practical exercise that tests problem-solving ability. It's open-book and designed to see how you approach unfamiliar systems. Most applicants find it challenging but manageable.
Mid-September 2025
Program Starts
Classes meet twice weekly with additional lab sessions. Expect to invest 15-20 hours weekly including homework. The workload is significant but structured to build skills progressively.
October 7, 2025
Ready to Build Real Understanding?
We're accepting preliminary interest forms now. Browse our course details and see if this matches what you're looking for.
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