How Do I Become a Blockchain Expert?
To help you delve deeper into the world of blockchain, we’ve gathered insights from CEOs and Founders who are experts in the field. From finding your blockchain tribe to attending workshops and conferences, here are six ways they suggest becoming more knowledgeable about blockchain.
- Find Your Blockchain Tribe
- Learn Blockchain Coding
- Engage in Online Communities
- Enroll in Specialized Courses
- Understand Blockchain vs Cryptocurrency
- Attend Workshops and Conferences
Find Your Blockchain Tribe
The blockchain industry is filled with mind-bending complexity. Anyone who has spent a few minutes Googling or attending a webinar knows that learning about it is like drinking from a fire hose. That is why the first piece of advice I give anyone entering the space is, “Find your tribe.”
If you’re in a major city, Crypto Mondays has over 40 chapters around the globe meeting in person regularly. If you’re put off by the bro-y nature of blockchain, Boys Club is a woman-led, “bro-free zone.” Their newsletter is a highlight of everyone’s week.
If podcasts/videos are more your thing, @CryptoOracleDAO on YouTube is a great place to hear interviews with industry leaders, as is the Bankless Podcast. The blockchain space is all about the people. Find people you enjoy being around (physically or virtually), and everything else becomes easier.
Johnny Gabriele, Treasurer and Tokenomics Consultant, CryptoOracle
Learn Blockchain Coding
I would recommend learning how to code on a blockchain if you can. That’s what I did, and it’s given me a much deeper understanding of the technology.
I started out by learning Python and JavaScript, which are both easy to pick up and useful for many different things. Then, I learned Solidity, which is a programming language for writing smart contracts on Ethereum. After that, I learned about Hyperledger Fabric and Corda—two other blockchain platforms.
Learning these languages was very rewarding for me because it helped me understand how different blockchains work, and also gave me an opportunity to contribute to open-source projects in my community.
Arvin Khamseh, CEO, Sold Out NFTs
Engage in Online Communities
Engaging with relevant online communities is one of the most effective ways to enhance your knowledge about blockchain. Platforms like Discord and Telegram host numerous blockchain-focused communities.
Research which channels and groups would be most beneficial for you to join, as these communities are a hub for blockchain enthusiasts and experts discussing the latest developments, sharing insights, and addressing questions. LinkedIn is an excellent platform to connect with respectable and influential figures in the space.
Engage in meaningful conversations and follow thought leaders for valuable updates. This can include influential figures and industry experts on LinkedIn. Subscribing to blockchain-related newsletters and blogs can provide regular updates on emerging trends.
Kishan Patel, Head of Blockchain and Digital Assets Recruitment, EC1 Partners
Enroll in Specialized Courses
One effective method I’ve adopted to deepen my understanding of blockchain is enrolling in specialized online courses. Platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer comprehensive modules taught by industry experts, providing both foundational knowledge and hands-on experience. This approach has helped to enhance my grasp of blockchain’s intricacies.
Gagan Saini, Director of Acquisitions, JIT Home Buyers
Understand Blockchain vs Cryptocurrency
The problem with Blockchain is that it is often conflated with cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrencies run on top of the blockchain like trains on rails, but many other things can run on the blockchain as well.
We can use the blockchain in similar ways to how we use the World Wide Web: for sending messages, images, digital dollars, playing games, and storing data, plus much more. One of the enormous advantages of the blockchain is that it is open-source, and anyone can see when and where changes were made.
This means anyone can verify if the information was correct when sent; if any subsequent changes were made, we can see who made them, where, and when. Many things on the internet can be falsified; from deepfake videos to photoshopped images, to scammers pretending to be your bank.
The blockchain, also known as “Web3,” allows for transparency and verification of data, which improves on the previous “Web1” and “Web2” systems.
Jeremy Britton, Chief Financial Officer, Boston Trading Co
Attend Blockchain Workshops and Conferences
Attending blockchain conferences and seminars allows you to learn from professionals, network, and see real-world applications. Look for Consensus, Devcon, and local blockchain meetings. These gatherings frequently include hands-on workshops and talks from industry professionals.
Tiffany Hafler, Marketing Coordinator, Blockchain Lawyer
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