From Blockchain Novices to Experts: Utilizing Free Online Certifications for Your Crypto Team’s Advancement

Blockchain and cryptocurrency. These terms have shifted from buzzwords to increasingly mainstream business tools. Experts predict that in the coming years, more and more companies will turn to this technology for making transactions and securely storing information.

Now is the time to build a strong team that is well-versed in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. In this way, your business will be ready to ride the waves of changing technologies.

Below, we’ll examine the best free certifications that you can leverage to advance your team – whether they are total novices or experts in their own right.

Best Free Crypto Courses and Certifications

The roles of blockchain and cryptocurrency in e-commerce are constantly expanding. The good news is, there are tons of free learning resources (most of which come with certifications or certificates) that your team can use to keep up with the latest trends.

First, we’ll discuss options that can help your novices get up to speed with the rest of the team. Then, we’ll look at programs that can put their skills into overdrive.

1. Universal Class

Universal Class is a great resource for the newbies on your team – people who are willing to learn but don’t have an extensive IT background. From computer literacy to Cybersecurity 101, you can use Universal Class to get team members up to speed on the basics.

Each course is proctored by a real, live teacher who grades assignments, offers feedback, and is there to answer any questions. At the end of each course, students receive a certificate of completion.

At the time of writing, Universal Class advertised a year of unlimited access to its course catalog for just under $200 USD per student. In many areas, however, local libraries have partnered with Universal Class to offer free courses to library card holders. Check with your local library, and encourage your team members to drop by and claim a library card.

2. Blockchain Theory 101 from Udemy

This free course will help students understand what blockchain is, how it can be applied in business right now, and projected future implications.

Nearly 70,000 students have completed the course to date and given it an overall rating of 4.5 stars.

After mastering this course, you may decide to take other free courses (“Blockchain and Deep Learning: Future of AI,” for example) or invest in some of Udemy’s paid blockchain courses. These courses come with a certificate and average $15 to $20 USD.

3. 101 Blockchains

When you take courses from 101 Blockchains, you’re in good company. Their references include employees of major tech companies like IBM and Cisco.

Like Udemy, 101 Blockchains offers its basic course – Enterprise Blockchains Fundamentals – for free. This course can be completed in less than a week with just 15 minutes per day. Additional certifications and masterclasses can be taken with paid tuition.

4. Hands-on Training with Pluralsight

Pluralsight’s Blockchain Fundamentals course is not just about gaining “book knowledge.” Instead, this course encourages students to learn by doing through a hands-on project.

This course focuses on the Ethereum cryptocurrency. According to the course creator, students are asked to use a clean Microsoft Windows image to set up the necessary development environment. Then, they will be instructed, step by step, in creating an application that is fully functional. With this knowledge, they will be able to perform real-world tasks such as creating distributed applications or blockchain contracts.

Students will also be introduced to concepts such as smart contract development, DAPP development, private blockchains, and how to use blockchain to privately share information.

5. MIT OpenCourseWare

You don’t have to shell out tons of cash to receive Ivy League-level training. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) makes select courses and resources available free of charge. Graduate-level blockchain and cryptocurrency-related courses include:

• Blockchain and Money
• Cryptocurrency Engineering and Design
• Network and Computer Security
• Entrepreneurship Without Borders
• FinTech: Shaping the Financial World
• Computer System Engineering
• Applied Macro- and International Economics
• Special Topics in Supply Chain Management

These courses offer a special opportunity for advanced team members to expand their skills even further, or to specialize in a particular area of blockchain science.

Key Takeaways

As cryptocurrency is increasingly used in business transactions and cybersecurity, your team will need to be in the know. You can use these free resources to educate and certify your team.

• Universal Class can help unskilled or semi-skilled team members level up and understand the basics.
• Udemy offers free introductory classes and reasonably priced paid courses that offer a certificate upon completion.
• 101 Blockchains offers a free introductory course as well as paid certifications and masterclasses.
• Pluralsight’s free course walks students through creating a functional blockchain application. This ability can be adapted and utilized in many business applications.
• Advanced students can enjoy free graduate-level training from MIT OpenCourseWare.

What are you waiting for? Get a jump on the competition by building a blockchain-literate crypto team today. These free resources will help you get started.