The past 3 years has been a fascinating journey for me of learning more and more about digital currencies and the underlying technology of the blockchain. I am often asked by people if I have good resources to give a quick non-technical introduction to the topic. Learning about bitcoin, altcoins (other types of digital currency that use the same type of technology as bitcoin), and blockchain is often described as being like Alice in Wonderland falling down a rabbit hole…once you dive in, you just keep on going as there is always more to learn.
So here is a brief list of videos – for those who prefer to learn via visual content – and articles and books for those who prefer words or want to explore the topics in more detail. These resources are all simple and not too technical. They are all also freely available online but, at Unblocked, we think it’s helpful to have them collected all in one place. There are, of course, many more. We’d be happy to have your comments and suggestions of how we can add to this list as well. Tell us what your favourite bitcoin and blockchain resources are and why they made an impact on you.
Videos:
Bitcoin explained and made simple – Guardian animation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4g1XFU8Gto
Bitcoin in 3 minutes – The Nantucket Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_a8jlyqk4g
What is Blockchain? World Economic Forum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WG7D47tGb0
BBC video on Bitcoin & The Blockchain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ky3mDUoh74
How Blockchain could change finance – Financial News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYduOfRLHq0
Blockchain Bonanza – Blockchain Explained (a fun one, nice for kids too)
Introductory Articles on Bitcoin and Blockchain:
Coindesk: What is Bitcoin?
http://www.coindesk.com/information/what-is-bitcoin/
Blockchain.info – Beginner’s FAQ
https://blockchain.info/wallet/bitcoin-faq
Coinbase – What is the Blockchain
https://support.coinbase.com/customer/portal/articles/1819222-what-is-the-blockchain-
Fortune.com – Why Blockchains will change the world
http://fortune.com/2016/05/08/why-blockchains-will-change-the-world/
Articles on Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and tokenization:
The Origins of ICOs and Tokens – Meltem Demirors, DCG
https://medium.com/@Melt_Dem/the-origins-of-icos-and-tokens-756fa6fae44f
Laura Shin, Forbes on the rise of Initial Coin Offerings and the ‘Crypto bubble’
Helen Disney – Navigating the Initial Coin Offering Minefield, ICO Crowd magazine (p.26-27)
Silicon NYC – ICOs are on the rise
http://silicon.nyc/ico-crowdfunding-blockchain-technology/
Coin Center – What does it mean to issue a token on top of Ethereum?
https://coincenter.org/entry/what-does-it-mean-to-issue-a-token-on-top-of-ethereum
Medium blog post by Balaji Srinivasan – Thoughts on Tokens (more technical)
https://medium.com/@balajis/thoughts-on-tokens-436109aabcbe
Coinbase – ICOs and the legal framework
https://www.coinbase.com/legal/securities-law-framework.pdf
Books:
Blockchain Revolution – By Don and Alex Tapscott
http://blockchain-revolution.com
The Business Blockchain – By William Mougayar
http://thebusinessblockchain.com
Mastering Bitcoin – Andreas Antonopolous
http://chimera.labs.oreilly.com/books/1234000001802
Digital Gold – Nathianel Popper
https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062362513/digital-gold
Bitcoin – The Future of Money? – Dominic Frisby
https://bitcointhefutureofmoney.com
Unblocked Events In the News
Interview with Social Butterflies:
Navigating the Initial Coin Offering Minefield (p.26-27):
PharmaPhorum:
Blockchain applications in healthcare
Article for Digital Currency Council on International Women’s Day:
What if the best female talent were attracted to work in fintech?
Please note – Unblocked Events has no conflict of interest or financial relationship with any of the organisations mentioned nor does this blog constitute a formal endorsement of the content listed.
Comment