Blockchain for Beginners

5.0 (6)

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2 Days

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Cohort-based Course

Onchain is the new Online: discover why blockchain will redefine your digital future and empower you to thrive in a decentralized world.

corporate clients

Adobe
Business Fights Poverty
Eon UK PLC
Thrive@KPMG
Syzygy

Course overview

Shape the Next Internet: Own Your Digital Life & Lead the Change you want to see

Blockchains and crypto currencies are the foundation of the internet we always wanted, but never got. We are tired of getting our data extracted by corporates and of rigged-games by the elite. Bitcoin separates money from nation-states, and Ethereum gives everyone with a smartphone access to any Financial Service imaginable.


Yet, we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible; just as oil lamps couldn’t predict cars, today’s crypto landscape barely hints at blockchain’s transformative potential: they are in fact unstoppable and I will show you why and inspire you how to reimagine your digital life.


While headlines often focus on scams or meme coins, the real story lies in how blockchains are quietly reshaping industries: from social media and digital identity to commerce and even environmental regeneration. Why isn’t this front-page news?


Because decentralization challenges entrenched power structures—governments, corporations, and middlemen who thrive on centralized control. Whilst AI will disrupt our jobs, onchain organizations will accelerate the end of management as we know it.


Understanding this technology now means staying ahead as it redefines industries and careers; being part of this movement is quickly shifting from a risk to an opportunity. Will you watch from the sidelines or take part in shaping the future?


Join us to co-create the more beautiful internet our hearts know is possible. Blockchains are permissionless: just do it.

Who is this course for

01

Anyone who wants to experience big aha moments of how blockchains will disrupt society today and tomorrow, explained via 8 lenses.

02

Crypto Traders who don't self-custody their coins yet & now want to explore other real-word uses cases beyond the memecoin casino.

03

Leaders & Founders who want to be earlier than peers in grasping the next internet & how it will impact their careers and business futures.

What You’ll Gain from This Blockchain Journey

Actionable Insights

Build a clear mental model of how blockchain can transform industries and replace outdated systems. Discover its potential as a tool for decentralization, innovation, and empowerment—whether you’re a beginner curious about the future, a trader seeking real-world use cases, or a l

Aha Moments

Uncover surprising ways cryptocurrencies solve real-world problems today—from enabling financial freedom for individuals to improving collaboration in teams and organizations. Walk away with fresh perspectives on how blockchain can reshape society.

Hands-on fun

Feel the thrill of going onchain! Set up your wallet, send crypto to peers, swap coins, and mint your first NFT. Experience blockchain’s power firsthand as you take control of digital assets and explore its limitless possibilities.

This course includes

Interactive live sessions

Lifetime access to course materials

14 in-depth lessons

Direct access to instructor

Projects to apply learnings

Guided feedback & reflection

Private community of peers

Course certificate upon completion

Maven Satisfaction Guarantee

This course is backed by Maven’s guarantee. You can receive a full refund within 14 days after the course ends, provided you meet the completion criteria in our refund policy.

Course syllabus

Week 1

Apr 5—Apr 6

    Metaphor #1: Blockchains as Ritual Magic

    1 item

    Metaphor #2: Blockchains as Infrastructure

    1 item

    Metaphor #3: Blockchain as Ledger

    1 item

    Metaphor #4: Blockchain as World Computer

    1 item

    Metaphor #5: Blockchain as Permissionless Commons Culture

    1 item

    Metaphor #6: Blockchain as Anarcho-Capitalist Utopia

    1 item

    Metaphor #7: Blockchain as Dark Forest

    1 item

    Metaphor #8: Blockchain as Ponzi Scheme (Critique)

    1 item

    Setting Up Your Non-Custodial Wallet – Your Gateway to Financial Freedom

    1 item

    Connecting Your Wallet to Smart Contracts – Unlocking the Power of DeFi

    1 item

    Sending Crypto Instantly – Peer-to-Peer Transactions in Action

    1 item

    Minting NFTs – Create Your First Digital Artefact Onchain

    1 item

Post-course

    Slide Deck and Link List

    1 item

    Bonus offer: Follow-up Office Hours

    1 item

5.0 (6 ratings)

What students are saying

Meet your course leader

Marcus Druen: change maker & blockchain early adopter

Marcus Druen: change maker & blockchain early adopter

Marcus has been online since 1995 and discovered crypto’s potential in 2020.

Having spent over 10,000 hours researching blockchain and experimenting onchain, Marcus combines deep knowledge with practical insights to make complex ideas accessible. His mission is to empower participants to reimagine their digital lives.


Check out his 50+ glowing LinkedIn recommendations for a glimpse into his impact as an educator and changemaker.

antaur: my onchain pseudonymous persona

antaur: my onchain pseudonymous persona

antaur is a techno-optimist and head of research for this course.

With an Optimist NFT as their PFP (Personal Profile Picture), antaur embodies blockchain principles like pseudonymity and digital asset ownership. They actively contribute to onchain experiments like ↑ higher, a decentralized initiative to coordinate ideas, money, and people around a headless brand owned by its community.

More detailed testimonials from inspired participants

        Dear Marcus, the course on blockchain that you conducted with us was truly "time well spent." I was very far removed from the topic of blockchain. The workshop was a real eye-opener for me and inspired me greatly—I realized the potential that the technology holds. You did a perfect job of conveying that. Thank you for it.
Susanne Ratzenberger

Susanne Ratzenberger

SVP Transformation E.ON
        This was a game-changer even though I am not a beginner. He has a unique ability to break down fundamental concepts that not only deepened my understanding but also inspired me to explore the potential of Web 3.0 further. Marcus' approach to teaching is truly extraordinary—highly recommended if you want to elevate your knowledge in this space!
Dr. Alexander Bogner

Dr. Alexander Bogner

Founder & CEO Infologis

8 Metaphors of Blockchain

8 Metaphors of Blockchain

Most holistic model

This framework, inspired by Venkatesh Rao and supported by the Ethereum Foundation’s groundbreaking work, offers a comprehensive way to understand blockchains far beyond trading. I use it to make blockchain accessible for beginners while offering depth for more experienced learners.

Structure for the seminar

These 8 metaphors cover everything you need to know—what blockchains are, why they matter, and how they’re transforming the internet and society. Whether you’re curious about decentralization, financial freedom, or new digital economies, this approach will give you clarity and direction for your blockchain journey.

Deep Dive Guide

Blockchain is complex, but this seminar simplifies it with a systemic, multi-disciplinary approach. By exploring all 8 metaphors, you’ll gain a big-picture understanding and discover which areas resonate most with you—whether it’s finance, creativity, governance, or innovation. This is your starting point for building expertise in a rapidly evolving space.

A pattern of wavy dots

Join an upcoming cohort

Blockchain for Beginners

Epoch 6

$180

Dates

Apr 5—6, 2025

Payment Deadline

Apr 4, 2025

Epoch 7

$180

Dates

May 24—25, 2025

Payment Deadline

May 23, 2025
Get reimbursed

Seminar Details

8 hours over a weekend

  • Saturday & Sunday

    4 hours live course each day

    Mix of teaching incl. Q&A and onchain practice and experimentation

  • Next cohort: 23-24 November 2024

    16.00 to 20.00 GMT

    Zoom Call with step-by-step onchain onboarding

  • IT Kit

    Laptop & Mobile + stable internet

    Mix of slide presentation and on-screen showcase of onchain transactions for easy participant replication

  • Pocket Money

    None for the seminar

    I'll fund you a few $ to set-up a non-custodial wallet for the purpose of this seminar. To enjoy further onchain experiments best to set-up and account with a Tier 1 Centralized Exchange like Coinbase, Binance or Kraken. You will need this as on-ramp bridge to a bank account.

Free resource

Example of my onchain writing

I wrote this after being on Farcaster for six weeks. Farcaster is closely yet loosely aligned with Base, a Layer 2 blockchain owned by Coinbase. What's special about this article is that readers can collect it directly for a small fee. This helps creators make a direct income for the content they put out. I was chuffed to see that Jesse Pollack, founder of Base, collected it, too. I also embedded some NFTs in this onchain article, so if anyone has bought them as a result of reading this, those creators earn, too. Read. Write. Own. That's our mantra.

Get this free resource

Frequently Asked Questions

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A pattern of wavy dots

Join an upcoming cohort

Blockchain for Beginners

Epoch 6

$180

Dates

Apr 5—6, 2025

Payment Deadline

Apr 4, 2025

Epoch 7

$180

Dates

May 24—25, 2025

Payment Deadline

May 23, 2025
Get reimbursed

$180

5.0 (6)

·

2 Days