This comprehensive Blockchain Fundamentals course from Fall 2018 provides a deep and structured introduction to blockchain technology, starting from basic concepts and progressing toward advanced systems like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The first lecture gives a high-level overview of blockchain, explaining its core idea as a decentralized system for recording and verifying transactions without central authority. It builds the foundation for understanding how distributed systems operate.

The second lecture explores the historical and ideological roots of blockchain, from cypherpunk movements to adoption by major financial institutions like JP Morgan Chase. This helps learners understand how blockchain evolved from a niche idea into a global technology.

The third lecture focuses on Bitcoin mechanics, explaining how transactions work, how blocks are created, and how the system maintains security and consistency. It also introduces key optimizations used in the Bitcoin network.

The fourth lecture covers mining, wallets, and related infrastructure, explaining how transactions are validated and how users store and manage digital assets securely.

The final lecture introduces Ethereum and smart contracts, showing how blockchain technology extends beyond currency into programmable decentralized applications.

By the end of this course, learners will have a strong understanding of blockchain systems, cryptocurrencies, and decentralized application development.