7 Best Free Blockchain Courses Online to Learn in 2025

7 Best Blockchain Courses Online for Free

Blockchain is a new technology that is changing many industries. It is best known for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, but it is used for much more. Many companies need people who understand blockchain. In the United States, blockchain developers earn about $146,000 per year on average. This makes it a great time to start learning. There are many blockchain free courses available that anyone can join online. In this article, we share the best blockchain courses that you can take without paying anything. These are the best free online blockchain courses from top websites like Coursera, edX, Udemy, and FutureLearn. Each course below is free to access and will help you learn blockchain step by step.

Blockchain Specialization (Coursera) – University at Buffalo

Platform: Coursera – Offered by University at Buffalo (State University of New York)

Description: This is a series of four courses that give a broad introduction to blockchain. It starts with basic concepts and then moves into how to create smart contracts and decentralized applications. The courses in this specialization cover blockchain fundamentals, smart contracts, decentralized apps (DApps), and various blockchain platforms. It is an intermediate-level program, so having some programming experience is recommended. Over 124,000 people have already enrolled in this Coursera specialization, and it has a high rating of 4.6 out of 5 from thousands of learners. The content is very hands-on. Learners get to use tools like Solidity (a smart contract programming language) and even explore platforms like Hyperledger and Microsoft Azure. The course series is free to audit on Coursera, meaning you can access all materials without payment. It is one of the best blockchain courses for those who want a thorough and practical overview of blockchain development.

What You Will Learn:

• Key blockchain concepts like distributed ledgers, consensus, and cryptography
• How the Bitcoin and Ethereum networks work
• Designing and programming smart contracts
• Building decentralized applications (DApps) from end to end
• An introduction to other blockchain platforms (e.g., Hyperledger) and use cases

Blockchain: Foundations and Use Cases (Coursera) – ConsenSys Academy

Platform: Coursera – Offered by ConsenSys Academy

Description: This course is a beginner-friendly introduction to blockchain. It is created by ConsenSys, a leading blockchain company. The course is about 9 hours long and has no prerequisites. It is often described as “the definitive introduction to blockchain for both the developer and non-developer audience”. The lessons start with the basics of what blockchain is and why it’s exciting. Then they explain the philosophy of decentralization and how blockchain technology works. Later modules explore real-world use cases on platforms like Ethereum. You will also hear examples of how businesses are using blockchain. Nearly 90,000 students have enrolled in this course on Coursera, and it has an excellent 4.7/5 rating. It’s free to access on Coursera (with an option to pay for a certificate). This is among the best free online blockchain courses for absolute beginners who want a solid overview without coding.

What You Will Learn:

• The core principles of blockchain and why it was created
• The meaning of decentralization and how peer-to-peer networks work
• Examples of blockchain in use beyond cryptocurrency (e.g., in business and finance)
• An introduction to Ethereum and what modern blockchains can do
• How to think critically about use cases and even develop a simple use case yourself

Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies (Coursera) – Princeton University

Platform: Coursera – Taught by Princeton University professor

Description: This famous course from Princeton University focuses on Bitcoin as a case study to explain blockchain technology. It provides an in-depth look at how Bitcoin works and, in the process, teaches general blockchain concepts. Topics include how Bitcoin achieves decentralization, how mining works, security and privacy of cryptocurrency, and the broader blockchain ecosystem. The course is about 23 hours long and is suitable for beginners, though it goes into technical detail. Over 818,000 learners have enrolled in this course on Coursera, which shows how popular it is. Learners have rated it 4.6 out of 5 stars. The course is free to take (with an optional paid certificate). It remains one of the best blockchain courses for understanding the technology behind cryptocurrencies. By the end, you will have a much clearer idea of what makes blockchain secure and unique.

What You Will Learn:

• How Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies really work under the hood
• The mechanics of transactions, blocks, and mining
• The concept of decentralization and why it matters
• Security issues: how blockchain prevents tampering and how anonymity works
• Real-world aspects like community, politics, and regulation around Bitcoin

Blockchain Fundamentals (edX) – University of California,Berkeley

Platform: edX – Offered by UC Berkeley (Blockchain at Berkeley)

Description: Blockchain Fundamentals is a two-course program by UC Berkeley, available on edX. It provides a comprehensive survey of the core topics in blockchain and cryptocurrency. The program is developed by Blockchain at Berkeley, a student-led organization, with guidance from faculty. It is designed to be accessible to learners of any background. The first part of the program covers Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency space, including Ethereum and smart contracts. The second part focuses on broader blockchain technology and potential applications. This academic course gives you a deep understanding of both the technical and non-technical aspects of blockchain. The course is self-paced and free to access on edX (with a paid option for a certificate). Blockchain-related jobs are booming, and this program helps you develop the critical skills needed to enter that field. Many consider it one of the best free online blockchain courses for those who want an academic perspective on the topic.

What You Will Learn:

• The history and basics of Bitcoin – how transactions work and what makes it secure
• Fundamentals of cryptography used in blockchain (hash functions, digital signatures, etc.)
• Smart contracts and the basics of the Ethereum platform
• How to build simple decentralized applications and understand their architecture
• The potential and limitations of blockchain technology in various industries

Introduction to Blockchain (edX) – IBM

Platform: edX – Offered by IBM (Blockchain Essentials)

Description: This is a short introductory course from IBM that teaches the basics of blockchain technology. It is part of IBM’s Blockchain Essentials learning path, but you can take this course on its own for free. The course lasts about 3 weeks with a few hours per week of study. It starts from ground zero, explaining what blockchain is in simple terms. Then it covers some technical components required to build blockchain solutions, without going too deep. For example, you will learn about designing smart contracts and how blockchain transactions work. There are also hands-on labs where you can see a blockchain network in action (using Hyperledger fabric, which is an IBM-backed platform).

The course is one of IBM’s best blockchain free courses aimed at professionals and students who want a quick, practical overview. By the end, you should be able to explain how blockchain works and even build a basic blockchain network application.

What You Will Learn:

• The key concepts behind blockchain and why it is useful in business
• How a blockchain network operates, with real examples
• Basics of smart contracts and how they enable trust and automation
• Introduction to Hyperledger and how to set up a simple blockchain network in a lab
• Blockchain terminology and the benefits of using blockchain technology in enterprises

The Complete Course on Understanding Blockchain Technology (Udemy)

Platform: Udemy – Created by Arjun Reddy

Description: This is a concise course on Udemy that is perfect for absolute beginners. It’s only about 50 minutes long, making it a quick way to grasp the basic idea of blockchain. Despite its short length, it has a 4.6 out of 5 rating from over 4,000 learners and more than 45,000 students have taken it. The course is 100% free and includes video lessons plus a PDF glossary. It covers what blockchain is, how it started, and key terms you should know. The instructor explains concepts in very simple language. By the end, you will be able to explain blockchain to others and understand how it came about. This course also touches on Bitcoin and how mining works, but at a high level. No prior knowledge is needed at all – you just need an open mind and basic internet usage skills. If you want a quick overview, this is one of the popular blockchain free courses for beginners on Udemy. It can be a great first step before you dive into longer courses.

What You Will Learn:

• The basic definition of blockchain and why it’s considered a big innovation
• A brief history of blockchain and the story of Bitcoin
• Key terms and concepts (like “mining” and “hashing”) explained in simple terms
• How blockchain ensures trust, with an example demo of how data is stored
• The potential future of blockchain and applications beyond cryptocurrency

Introduction to Blockchain Technology and Applications (FutureLearn) – University College London (UCL)

Platform: FutureLearn – Created by UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies

Description: This is a four-week online course from University College London, one of the leading research institutions on blockchain. The course explores how blockchain can solve real business problems and how it might change social and economic systems. It starts with the origins of blockchain (from Bitcoin) and then looks at how it evolved with platforms like Ethereum. You will learn not just theory, but also see case studies of companies using blockchain for things like supply chain and data management. The course is taught by experts from the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies, which is the world’s oldest academic blockchain center. This means the content is up-to-date and credible. The level is introductory and it only requires about 2 hours of study per week for 4 weeks. It is free to join (you can choose “join free” and learn for 4 weeks, or upgrade for a certificate if you want). Learners have rated it 4.7 out of 5, and it has over 3,500 enrolled so far. This course is among the best blockchain courses focusing on practical applications and use cases. It will help you see why blockchain matters in the real world, beyond just the technical details.

What You Will Learn:

• How blockchain started with Bitcoin and then expanded (Bitcoin vs Ethereum and beyond)
• The concept of decentralisation in business processes and finance (DeFi)
• Real-world examples: how blockchain improves supply chains, transparency, and decision-making in companies
• Case studies and testimonials from companies implementing blockchain solutions
• The social impact of blockchain and what challenges it might solve in different sectors.

Conclusion

Learning blockchain can be rewarding and fun. The courses above are a fantastic starting point for anyone curious about this technology. These blockchain free courses cover a

range of topics – from technical coding skills to business applications – so you can choose the one that fits your goals. All of them are self-paced and online, allowing you to learn whenever you have time. By taking the best free online blockchain courses like these, you will gain valuable knowledge without any cost. Whether you want to become a blockchain developer or simply understand how blockchain might transform industries, these courses will guide you step by step.

Blockchain is the foundation of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Blockchain

Are these blockchain courses really free?

Yes. All listed courses are free to audit. You only pay if you want an official certificate.

Do I need technical skills to start these courses?

Some courses require basic programming, but many (like UCL, IBM, or ConsenSys) are beginner-friendly and non-technical.

What are the top blockchain-based cryptocurrencies?

Most platforms offer a certificate if you upgrade (optional). Free users can still access all core learning material.

Which course is best for beginners?

Courses by ConsenSys (Coursera) and IBM (edX) are ideal for absolute beginners with no coding background.

Can I use these courses to become a blockchain developer?

Yes — especially if you combine technical courses like UC Berkeley’s or the Coursera Specialization with hands-on practice.

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