MOOC on Mastering Web3

Developed and delivered by the Institute For the Future (IFF) at the University of Nicosia, this world-leading course is offered in two tracks: a free Introductory Track (8 weeks) and a Advanced Track (12 weeks).

You’ll build a rigorous, practical understanding of Web3: from Bitcoin and programmable blockchains to DeFi, stablecoins/tokenization, security, and the policy and geopolitical forces shaping the sector. The course is designed to help you move beyond the hype, understand real-world tradeoffs, and engage with Web3 critically and confidently.

The Spring 2026 edition includes industry-led guest sessions with Ledger and Ripple. Learners in the Advanced track are eligible for limited partner benefits, including 60 UNIC-engraved Ledger Flex hardware wallets and five Ripple scholarships for the MSc in Blockchain & Digital Currency, each worth 50% of tuition.

Course Starts Monday 9 February

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TOP REASONS to register for the

MOOC on Mastering Web3

World’s 1st Web3 MOOC

The largest and longest-running course on crypto and blockchain, active since 2014.

Global Community & Expert Guidance

Join 150,000+ students from 120+ countries and learn from leading Web3 experts.

Blockchain-Issued Certificate

Earn a verifiable certificate recognized globally (Advanced Track).

Industry partner benefits

Upgrade to the Advanced track and become eligible for UNIC-engraved Ledger Flex devices and Ripple scholarships.

Two Learning Tracks

Begin with the Introductory Track, then continue to the Advanced Track with hands-on labs, tutorials, and projects like wallet creation and NFT minting.

Taught by Prof. George Giaglis, Dr Apostolos Kourtis, Punk6529 and industry experts such as Garrick Hileman and Jeff Bandman, the course also features industry-led sessions integrated into the curriculum.

Gain practical and theoretical knowledge across 12 weeks, covering everything from Bitcoin and Ethereum fundamentals to advanced Web3 topics and trends.

Learning Tracks

Features

Introductory Track

Free

  • Core curriculum (Weeks 1–8)
  • Live Q&A + online quizzes
  • Final exam
  • PDF Certificate of Completion
  • Student community access
  • Access during course period

one-time payment

Advanced Track

€199

or BTC / ETH / stablecoin equivalent

 

Includes everything in Introductory, plus:

  • Advanced modules (Weeks 9–12)
  • Blockchain-verifiable Certificate of Completion
  • UNIC-Engraved Ledger Flex (60 total)
  • Ripple Scholarship* opportunities
  • Daily crypto market briefings
  • Full archive + post-course access
  • Premium community (Discord + networking)

 

*Five Scholarships covering 50% of MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency tuition.

Exclusive Partner Benefits

60 UNIC-engraved Ledger Flex
hardware wallets

  • 30 devices awarded to top-performing learners based on course performance
  • 30 devices distributed via random draw among all eligible participants
  • Eligibility: Verified Advanced Track learners only
  • Retail value: €249 per device

5 scholarships for the MSc in
Blockchain & Digital Currency

Meet Your Instructors

Prof. George Giaglis
Prof. George Giaglis
Short Bio
Dr Apostolos Kourtis
Dr Apostolos Kourtis
Punk6529
Punk6529
Garrick Hileman
Garrick Hileman
Jeff Bandman
Jeff Bandman
Lambis Dionysopoulos
Lambis Dionysopoulos

What you will learn

After completion of the course students are expected to be able to:

1

Gain Practical Skills in Digital Transactions and Security: Explain how digital wallets function, including hardware wallets such as Ledger. Demonstrate how to set up Bitcoin and Ethereum wallets and apply best practices for transactions, security, and recovery. Compare cold storage and multisignature options and identify common Web3 security risks.

2

Gain Practical Skills in Digital Transactions and Security: Explore digital wallets, including hardware wallets (e.g., Ledger, Trezor), and configure multi-signature wallets like Gnosis Safe. Understand key management through Shamir Secret Sharing, optimise transaction fees, construct raw transactions, and explore security tools like Zcash and Monero.

3

Analyze Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Explain how smart contracts enable decentralized finance. Build and deploy a simple smart contract on the Ethereum testnet. Analyze DeFi in relation to traditional finance (TradFi). Outline the DeFi stack and examine key protocols such as Uniswap and Aave. Participate in a DeFi protocol by providing liquidity, staking tokens, and taking loans.

4

Assess NFTs and Digital Ownership: Explain how NFTs function, including token standards, metadata, storage, and provenance. Demonstrate how to mint an NFT on the Ethereum blockchain and list it on marketplaces such as OpenSea and Rarible, and analyze how provenance supports authenticity and digital ownership.

5

Evaluate Tokenization and Stablecoins: Explain how real-world assets and financial instruments are tokenized on-chain. Compare different levels of tokenization, outlining their benefits and main risks. Analyze stablecoin models and explain the mechanisms that support price stability. Explain how Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) function.

6

Interpret Prediction Markets: Analyze how prediction markets use incentives and market mechanisms to aggregate information. Explain how prediction markets are implemented on-chain and compare design choices using case studies such as Polymarket. Assess manipulation and security risks and evaluate common failure points and mitigation strategies.

7

Assess Geopolitics, Regulation, and Policy of Digital Assets: Examine the role of digital assets in sovereignty, sanctions, and strategic competition. Analyze how regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements influence market structure, innovation, and adoption.

8

Explore the Evolution of Web3 and Emerging Trends: Explain how blockchains evolve through upgrades and forks. Examine how scaling approaches such as SegWit and the Lightning Network extend Bitcoin. Analyze Layer 2 infrastructure, modular blockchains, and Bitcoin inscriptions. Evaluate emerging trends, including convergence with AI agents and the Internet of Things (IoT).

course

outline

The course offers two learning tracks and spans 12 weeks. It includes recorded lectures, one live Q&A session per week (also available on demand), and optional weekly exercises. Upon course completion, learners who successfully pass the final quiz are awarded a PDF Certificate of Completion in “Introduction to Web3” issued by the University of Nicosia. For participants who upgrade to the Advanced Track, a Blockchain-verifiable Certificate of Completion in “Advanced Topics in Web3” is issued.

This MOOC offers a deep dive into the foundational concepts covered in UNIC’s MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency programme. While the MOOC provides a comprehensive introduction, the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency programme delves deeper with specialized modules, research opportunities, and advanced assessments tailored for postgraduate study.

Session Session Theme Instructor
1. Introduction to Blockchain and Web3 George Giaglis
2. Bitcoin and Digital Money Garrick Hileman
3. Ethereum and Programmable Blockchains Apostolos Kourtis
4. Digital Wallet Security and Privacy Ledger
5. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Lambis Dionysopoulos
6. Prediction Markets Apostolos Kourtis & Lambis Dionysopoulos
7. The Geopolitics of Cryptocurrency Garrick Hileman
8. Tokenization and Stablecoins Lambis Dionysopoulos & Ripple
Advanced Track
Weeks 9–12 are exclusive to Advanced Track MOOC learners 
9. NFTs and Digital Ownership Punk6529 & Ledger
10. Regulation and Policy of Digital Assets Jeff Bandman
11. Advanced Topics in Web3 Apostolos Kourtis
12. The Future: Convergence of Blockchain, AI, and IoT George Giaglis

Course 

Description

Led by Professor George Giaglis, Dr Apostolos Kourtis, Garrick Hileman, Jeff Bandman, and Web3 thought leader Punk6529, with industry-led contributions from leading Web3 infrastructure providers including Ledger and Ripple, this course equips learners with the theoretical foundations and practical skills needed to navigate the dynamic world of Web3.

You will gain a comprehensive understanding of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, progressing from core principles to the technical and economic foundations of Bitcoin and Ethereum. The curriculum examines consensus mechanisms, programmable blockchains, digital wallets and security, decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins, and digital assets, while also addressing the broader implications of Web3 technologies for digital economies and virtual environments.

The course is structured into two learning tracks: the free Introductory Track (Weeks 1–8) and the Advanced Track (Weeks 1–12).

The Introductory Track covers Web3 fundamentals, including blockchain and Web3 foundations, Bitcoin and Ethereum, consensus models, programmable blockchains, digital wallets and security, decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins, and digital assets.

The Advanced Track, builds on this foundation with advanced modules on NFTs and digital ownership, crypto regulation and policy, blockchain scalability and design trade-offs, and emerging Web3 developments, including AI and IoT. Advanced Track learners receive a blockchain-verifiable Certificate of Completion in “Advanced Topics in Web3,” extended access to course materials, dedicated networking channels, and eligibility for UNIC-engraved Ledger Flex devices and 50% Ripple scholarships for the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency programme. The Advanced Track is available for €199 as an upgrade from the Introductory Track. You’ll receive more information on how to upgrade after you register.

A strong emphasis is placed on applied learning throughout the course. Quizzes, tutorials, and practical exercises bridge theory and practice, while live Q&A sessions with faculty and industry experts enable direct engagement and guidance. Participants also join a global learning community of over 150,000 learners from more than 120 countries.

This course is designed for professionals, students, and lifelong learners seeking a structured, academically grounded pathway into Web3, with the flexibility to select the learning track that best aligns with their academic and professional goals.