We often get asked about crypto classes — how we first learned about bitcoin, what courses are the best, or how to connect with other learners — so we thought this would be a good time to outline our thoughts on education in this space.
After all, this is not only how Maria and I started Womxn In Crypto, but also how we both launched our careers — getting to know the ins and outs of bitcoin with Pomp and his team.
Whether it’s a formal online program with a built-in social component or a YouTube series to watch in your downtime, there’s so much quality content out there to explore.
Sometimes, the bear market blues provide the perfect setting to get back to your roots in crypto or even start learning about bitcoin for the first time.
Pomp’s Crypto Academy
We are biased because this is where we got our start in crypto, along with the opportunity to meet amazing people all over the world. There’s no way we wouldn’t recommend Pomp’s class!
Led by Anthony Pompliano and a handful of coaches, the course spans several topics. Students come from all different backgrounds and levels of bitcoin knowledge. Breakout groups and assignments provide room to explore. There’s even a career day for students to meet crypto company reps, and a job board that’s open to everyone.
He dips into topics like Web3, smart contracts, and Ethereum, but Pomp’s curriculum mainly focuses on bitcoin at a foundational level — so don’t expect to be learning about Doge and chatting about alts all day…
MIT Open Courseware
Gary Gensler leads this series (which you can find on YouTube). It’s a fantastic, sweeping overview of cryptocurrency and the role digital cash plays in our world.
Learning from the chairman of the SEC certainly adds to the prestige, but these classes aren’t stuffy in their approach. From ledgers to smart contracts to regulation and some topics beyond bitcoin — there’s a bit of everything, and the classes dive deep into each.
It feels like you’re sitting in on an MIT lecture, and the best part: it’s free. This model is one that I’d love to see more of when it comes to higher education in America, regarding FinTech or any other field. This course was recorded in 2018, so keep that in mind if you want up-to-date topics only.
Of course, you can also enroll in MIT’s short course (or Wharton’s), but it’s got a price tag and to be honest, I don’t know how much more it offers compared to the free YouTube classes. I would guess the benefit here might be the community aspect and learning from live lectures or practical exercises.
FinTech Bootcamps
I almost signed up for this one, but it was a big financial commitment — and I wasn’t entirely convinced that it would steer me in the direction I wanted to go. That said, I’ve heard bootcamps can be super instrumental in allowing learners to absorb a ton of information in a timeframe that suits their lifestyles and career goals. Plus, this one’s a mix of crypto, coding, and general FinTech…the perfect combo for anyone looking to make a shift within their industry or change tracks altogether.
Pretty much the same as above, so I won’t say too much else. I have a friend that completed this course and I believe it was an excellent experience for him. It sounds to me like these bootcamps all have some similarities: sprawling workshop topics, impressive accolades, necessary self-direction, and a dash of “you-get-what-you-put-in”.
Coursera
Copenhagen Business School: Digitization of Finance
I thought this series would highlight crypto, but there wasn’t a ton of that; it was mostly rooted in business. I’m so glad I took the course, though, because I didn’t have that background beforehand. If you’ve been through business school or launched your own start-up in the digital age, then I would honestly say you can skip this.
But for individuals looking to learn about the basics of digital transformation in banks and business, perhaps in order to lay out a case for bitcoin or understand the integration of digital payments across industries, this could be the class for you.
One note: Coursera is very much a DIY experience. You will need to pace your work and more or less instruct yourself at times. You likely won’t get the same sense of community as you would with breakout groups for Pomp’s, and the quizzes and projects are like a weird blend of open-book and just-roll-with-it faux homework.
Since the instructors are multilingual, there are times when American learners may feel a divide in terms of the language and instruction — but I think that step outside my traditional comfort zone was a good thing.
Stanford: Cryptography
This computer science class brings it all back to the deepest roots of cryptocurrency: privacy and encryption. It starts off fast. I got through a chunk of lectures and then had to take a break when my freelance work picked up…but it was so cool, and it got me hooked on solving ciphers.
For the first couple of lessons, it seemed like the instructor was writing in hieroglyphs all over a whiteboard. Like Good Will Hunting, only pre-recorded from the West Coast.
Do you love 90s grunge and dark academia? Are you a number theory nerd or algorithm curious? This could be a good choice for you.
The work was worth it, ultimately, because I was able to tap into an old, cherished love of secret codes and real-life puzzle sleuthing — something I’ve romanticized since I was a kid. If that sounds like you…do your thing, Dan Brown.
The Wrap-Up
Whether you’re just getting started or still learning, there’s a crypto track for everyone, and so much content online aside from this list. If nothing here sounded quite right, DYOR and I’m sure you’ll land on options suited to you.
If you’ve already taken a class or have a favorite influencer that has helped you learn about financial technology, let us know in the comments. Crypto casts a wide net, and we’re always finding something new. It’s been a wild ride so far…and we’ve loved every second of learning together.
Choose Your Adventure: Bitcoin & Crypto Classes for Everyone
Very helpful info