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How Blockchain Works: A Guide for Financial Decision-Makers

Discover the finance-first side of blockchain and learn how this powerful tech is reshaping money, markets, and modern economies.

Portrait of blockchain expert Aseem Singhal, lead instructor for the 'Revolutionizing Finance: Mastering Blockchain Foundations' course, shown against a digital finance-themed background featuring stacked coins and data charts.

How Blockchain Works: A Guide for Financial Decision-Makers

  • 2 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Build your blockchain skills to stay ahead in today’s financial world

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum reshaped the way we think about money and finance. And the technology behind them, blockchain, is reshaping how financial systems work worldwide.

Join this online course to explore the rise of blockchain technology and how it’s powering financial innovation.

After just two weeks, you’ll walk away having cemented your understanding of blockchain’s role in finance, ready to make smarter decisions and spot emerging opportunities in a fast-changing market.

Grasp blockchain basics

Start by exploring the evolution of blockchain’s core principles and how they’re transforming the financial world. This week covers consensus mechanisms and decentralisation, plus hands-on experience with Bitcoin and Ethereum transactions.

This foundation prepares you to understand different blockchain types and why they matter in today’s financial systems.

See blockchain in action

By week two, you’ll unlock the power of smart contracts, self-executing agreements that are changing finance.

You’ll write and deploy contracts using Solidity, Web3.js, and Ethereum tools, while also discovering how DeFi and tokenisation are disrupting banking, trading, and business operations.

Learn with financial experts

Throughout this course, you’ll learn directly from industry professionals and engage with real-world case studies that show blockchain in action.

From exploring token-based economic models to evaluating practical use cases, you’ll develop the tools to think critically about blockchain’s potential and limitations.

You’ll build foundational knowledge, practise applying blockchain solutions, and gain insights that go beyond theory, readying you for a career in fintech, blockchain, or forward-thinking finance.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Foundations of Blockchain in Finance

    • Lesson 1: Introduction

      This lesson lays the foundation for the course by explaining the origins of blockchain, its evolution in the financial industry, and what learners can expect from the course.

    • Lesson 2: Blockchain Technology: The Essentials

      This lesson covers the core principles of blockchain, focusing on how it works and why it is revolutionary in financial systems. Learners will also get hands-on experience exploring Bitcoin and Ethereum transactions.

    • Lesson 3: Decentralized Systems and Digital Ledgers

      This lesson explores blockchain network types, the value of decentralization, and how ledgers differ from traditional databases, with hands-on work using Hyperledger Fabric and Ethereum nodes.

  • Week 2

    Smart Contracts & Real-World Applications

    • Lesson 4: Smart Contracts and Blockchain Tools

      This lesson covers smart contracts as the foundation of DApps and their impact on finance. Learners will write and deploy contracts using Solidity, Web3.js, and Ethereum tools.

    • Lesson 5: Blockchain in Financial Industry

      This lesson analyzes how blockchain is disrupting finance, from banking to stock trading, and guides learners in implementing blockchain in real-world business operations.

    • Lesson 6: Conclusion

      This lesson summarizes key takeaways and provides learners with next steps to deepen their blockchain expertise.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Define the core principles of blockchain technology, decentralized systems, and digital ledgers in financial applications.
  • Analyze the impact of blockchain on banking, payments, trading, and investment, including the rise of DeFi and tokenization.
  • Develop and deploy smart contracts on Ethereum using Solidity, while exploring blockchain platforms like Bitcoin and Hyperledger Fabric.
  • Apply blockchain solutions to real-world financial challenges, leveraging hands-on tools and frameworks to optimize business operations.

Who is the course for?

This course is ideal for finance professionals, business leaders, and decision-makers who want to understand blockchain’s role in modern finance, from fintech to DeFi. No technical background required.

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

Starweaver

Starweaver is a next generation platform that engages your workforce as no other. Combining business and technical skills, Starweaver provides real-time skill building that is in line with your business objectives and strategies, and in your associates day to day tasks and jobs.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Subscribe & save

$349.99 for one year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Start learning today

Free

Try this course - with limits

  • Limited to 2 weeks

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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