Understanding Blockchain & How Networks Work (Path Part 3 of 6)
Look under the hood: consensus, gas, smart contracts, and layer-2 networks.
This is Part 3 of the From Zero to Confident crypto learning path, following Wallets & Security. Now we open the hood and explore how blockchains actually run. You'll understand consensus mechanisms like proof of work and proof of stake, what gas fees pay for, and how smart contracts execute. We'll demystify layer-2 networks, bridges, and why different chains exist. By the end, you'll grasp the technology well enough to evaluate projects on your own instead of relying on hype.
4 modules · 16 lessons
Module 01How Blockchains Reach Agreement4 lessons
Why getting strangers to agree on a ledger is the core challenge.
How mining secures Bitcoin and what all that energy actually buys.
How staking replaces mining and secures networks like Ethereum.
Who runs the network and why decentralization matters for security.
Module 02Transactions & Fees4 lessons
Inputs, outputs, signatures, and confirmations from click to settlement.
Why fees spike, how they're calculated, and how to time transactions.
Read the public ledger yourself to verify any transaction.
When a transaction is truly settled and why waiting matters.
Module 03Smart Contracts & Programmability4 lessons
Self-executing code that runs exactly as written, without a middleman.
Fungible tokens, NFTs, and the standards that make them interoperable.
Connecting a wallet to a decentralized app and staying safe doing it.
Why code bugs cause hacks and what an audit does and doesn't guarantee.
Module 04Scaling & The Multichain World4 lessons
The tradeoff between decentralization, security, and speed.
Rollups and sidechains that make transactions faster and cheaper.
Moving assets between chains and why bridges are a common attack target.
A framework to judge tech fundamentals instead of following hype.
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