Category: Blockchains

Banking, Blockchains, content creation, cryptography, Digital Currency, tokenization, Uncategorized, XRP

Understanding Grayscale’s XRP Trust ETF Application

Yogi Nelson

by Yogi Nelson

Welcome to the BlockchainAIForum

On August 22, 2025, Grayscale filed an S-1 registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch the Grayscale XRP Trust ETF. The SEC must decide whether to approve, or deny, Grayscale’s application by October 25th. That makes today a perfect moment to examine Grayscale’s S-1 application. I’ll focus exclusively on the section labeled Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations. Keep in mind, what you are about to read is based on the representations made by Grayscale management. Let’s dive in!

Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A)

Structure and Purpose of the Trust

Grayscale, says the Trust is a passive investment vehicle designed to hold XRP. Its shares reflect the value of underlying XRP, less fees and liabilities. Furthermore, the Trust has no officers or employees; instead, it is managed by its Sponsor. Shares are issued in “Creation Baskets” and can be redeemed in exchange for XRP. No leverage or derivatives are employed, underscoring its conservative mandate.

Accounting Policies

The Trust applies U.S. GAAP investment company standards, claim Grayscale. Transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis, with realized gains calculated via specific identification. Valuation is derived from the principal market, determined annually and reviewed quarterly, with Coinbase identified as the key trading venue in recent assessments.

Financial Performance

  • 2024 Inception Period (Sept–Dec 2024): XRP appreciated from $0.54 to $2.10. Net realized/unrealized gain was $7.27 million, driving net assets to $10.45 million by year-end. Approximately 5.0 million XRP were contributed in connection with Share creations.
  • First Half of 2025: XRP rose from $2.10 (Dec 2024) to $2.32 (June 2025). Three-month net gain: $1.26 million; six-month gain: $919,000. Net assets reached $12.89 million by June 30, 2025, reflecting both price appreciation and new XRP contributions.
  • Expenses: The only recurring cost is the Sponsor’s Fee, typically settled in XRP. About 100,000 XRP were liquidated for fees in the first half of 2025.

Liquidity and Cash Handling

The Trust does not hold significant cash balances except for temporary settlement of creations and redemptions, reports Grayscale. Its model minimizes exposure to fiat and focuses solely on XRP. The Sponsor absorbs nearly all expenses except for extraordinary costs, preserving predictability for shareholders.

Market Risks and Disclosures

The Trust neither borrows funds nor invests in derivatives. It faces risks primarily from XRP’s price volatility and regulatory uncertainty. Historical data show XRP’s price ranged from $0.50 to $3.29 between September 2024 and June 2025, with an average of $1.89.

Organizational Updates

In January 2025, Grayscale underwent an internal reorganization. Sponsorship shifted to Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC (GSIS), a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group. By May 2025, GSIS became the sole Sponsor of the Trust. This change did not materially affect operations.

Business Section

Trust Overview

Formed in Delaware in August 2024, the Trust’s mandate is to provide institutional-grade exposure to XRP. The Trust will trade under the ticker GXRP on NYSE Arca. Shares will be distributed in 10,000-unit “Baskets” to Authorized Participants, which can create or redeem shares in exchange for XRP or cash.

Investment Objective and Arbitrage Mechanism

The ETF aims to mirror the value of XRP held by the Trust, less expenses. The arbitrage mechanism—where Authorized Participants exploit discrepancies between market price and NAV—keeps the share price aligned with underlying XRP value. Shares may still trade at premiums or discounts, particularly during periods of thin liquidity or divergent trading hours between crypto markets and NYSE Arca.

Characteristics of the Shares

  • Accessibility & Cost Efficiency: Investors avoid the complexity of direct XRP custody.
  • Transparency: Listed on a regulated exchange, prices are visible and liquid.
  • Security: XRP holdings are stored in cold storage by Coinbase Custody, using multi-signature, geographically distributed vaults.
  • Minimal Credit Risk: The Trust does not lend or rehypothecate assets.

Custody and Security

Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LLC is the exclusive custodian. Keys are stored offline in distributed vaults. Transfers require multiple private key shards and verification protocols, reducing single-point-of-failure risks.

Trust Activities

The Trust’s activities include creating and redeeming shares, disposing of XRP for Sponsor’s fees, and distributing assets upon dissolution. It does not actively manage XRP or attempt to generate profits beyond price tracking.

Incidental Rights and Forks

The Trust has adopted a strict policy of abandoning all incidental rights, forks, or airdrops associated with XRP. This simplifies compliance but means shareholders will not benefit from potential windfalls.

Secondary Market Trading

While NAV is based on an index of five major platforms (Coinbase, Bitstamp, Kraken, Crypto.com, LMAX Digital), shares may trade at premiums/discounts on NYSE Arca due to liquidity gaps and non-overlapping trading hours.

XRP Industry Context

The filing outlines XRP’s origins and use case as a bridge currency for cross-border payments. Key details include:

  • Supply: 100 billion XRP were pre-issued; ~59 billion are circulating. Ripple Labs placed 55 billion XRP in escrow to manage supply release.
  • Use Case: XRP enables near-instant, low-cost cross-border settlements compared to traditional methods.
  • Network Governance: Validation relies on a Trusted Node List, with Ripple Labs running 1 of 35 validators.
  • Transaction Fees: Extremely low—0.00001 XRP per transaction—function as spam protection.

Regulatory Environment

The CFTC regulates XRP futures and considers XRP a commodity. The SEC’s stance remains uncertain; a ruling that XRP is a security could dissolve the Trust. In 2025, CME launched XRP futures, subject to heightened CFTC oversight.

Valuation and Index Methodology

NAV is calculated using the CoinDesk Ripple Price Index (XRX), which aggregates volume-weighted prices across exchanges. Methodology emphasizes compliance, liquidity, and AML/KYC adherence. Variances between platforms and the Index have been minimal, averaging less than 1%.

Competitive Differentiation

Grayscale highlights advantages such as institutional-grade custody, transparent methodology, direct XRP ownership, and a competitive fee structure.

Conclusion

Despite challenges such as volatility and regulatory uncertainty, Grayscale has positioned GXRP as a cost-efficient, institutionally secure gateway bridging digital asset markets and traditional securities exchanges, says management. However, investing carries risk, hence do your own research as nothing in this article constitutes financial or investment advice.

Until next time,

Yogi Nelson

AI Agents, AI Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchains, cryptography, Digital Currency, International Finance, Productivity, Science, Yogi Nelson

Cryptography–The Secret Sauce in Blockchain Technology!

Yogi Nelson

by Yogi Nelson

Welcome to the BlockchainAIForum

Cryptography is the secret ingredient that makes cryptocurrencies work. Without it, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and every other blockchain would simply not be secure or trustworthy. In this article, we will explore how cryptography works in the world of cryptocurrencies, explained in simple terms.

🧩 What is Cryptography?

Cryptography is the science of securing information so that only intended recipients can read it. Think of it like writing a message in code. If you know the code, you can read it. If you don’t, it remains a secret. In the digital world, cryptography relies on mathematical formulas and algorithms that are nearly impossible to break without the right key.

🏦 Why Cryptography Matters for Crypto

You may wonder: Why do we need all this math? Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, meaning no single person or bank controls them. Instead, people all over the world maintain the blockchain—the public ledger that records every transaction. Cryptography ensures that:

  • ✅ Transactions can’t be faked.
  • ✅ Coins can’t be spent twice.
  • ✅ Users can keep their private keys safe.
  • ✅ Everyone agrees on the ledger’s state without trusting anyone else.

🔑 Public and Private Keys

At the heart of crypto lies the concept of public and private keys.

  • Public Key: Like your email address. You can share it with anyone so they can send you crypto.
  • Private Key: Like your password. Only you should know it. It lets you spend or move your crypto.

These keys are mathematically related but it is impossible to figure out the private key from the public key. When you want to send crypto, you “sign” the transaction with your private key. Others can verify your signature with your public key to confirm it is valid.

✉️ Digital Signatures

Digital signatures are crucial. A digital signature is created using your private key and the transaction data. Anyone can check it with your public key. This ensures no one can forge your signature or alter your transaction. They prove that:

  • ✅ You authorized the transaction.
  • ✅ The transaction hasn’t been changed.

🛡️ Hash Functions

Another critical tool in cryptography is the hash function (I don’t mean potatoes, lol). A hash function takes any input (like a document or transaction) and turns it into a short or long, fixed-length string of numbers and letters.

  • ✅ The same input always gives the same hash.
  • ✅ Even tiny changes in input produce completely different hashes.
  • ✅ It is impossible to figure out the original input just by looking at the hash.

In blockchains, hashes are used to:

  • Create unique “fingerprints” of transactions and blocks.
  • Link blocks together securely in a chain.
  • Ensure no one can change past records without detection.

⛓️ Blockchain Integrity: Chaining Blocks with Hashes

The term blockchain comes from linking blocks using cryptographic hashes. Here’s how it works:

  1. Each block contains a list of transactions.
  2. The block also includes the hash of the previous block.
  3. This forms an unbreakable chain.

If anyone tries to change a single transaction in an old block, its hash changes. That breaks the chain, making tampering obvious to everyone.

🧪 Zero-Knowledge Proofs

Some modern blockchains also use zero-knowledge proofs. These allow someone to prove they know something (like a secret or password) without revealing it. By the way, zero-knowledge proofs can improve privacy and security.

For example:

  • ✅ You prove you own funds without revealing your private key.
  • ✅ You prove you have enough balance without showing your entire account.

🏛️ Example: Cardano’s Use of Cryptography

Let’s look briefly at Cardano, a popular blockchain project. Cardano is an example of how blockchains go beyond simple signatures and hashes, using cutting-edge cryptography to enhance security and efficiency. Cardano uses advanced cryptography to secure its blockchain:

  • ✅ It uses Ed25519 for digital signatures, known for being secure and fast.
  • ✅ It employs Ouroboros, a proof-of-stake protocol that relies on cryptographic randomness to select who adds new blocks.
  • ✅ It explores zero-knowledge proofs to improve privacy and scalability in the future.

🌍 Why It All Matters

Without cryptography, there would be no cryptocurrencies.nnBanks have vaults and guards to protect money. Cryptocurrencies have cryptography. It lets people all over the world:

  • ✅ Exchange value securely.
  • ✅ Trust a shared ledger without intermediaries.
  • ✅ Protect their digital assets from theft or fraud.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • Cryptography secures cryptocurrencies without needing banks or middlemen.
  • Public and private keys enable secure ownership and transactions.
  • Digital signatures prove authenticity.
  • Hash functions link blocks in a tamper-evident chain.
  • Advanced tools like zero-knowledge proofs add privacy and efficiency.

💡 Conclusion

Cryptography is the secret sauce of cryptocurrencies. It ensures that people can use decentralized digital money safely, securely, and confidently. Understanding the basics helps you see why crypto is revolutionary—and why it will continue to evolve with even better cryptographic tools in the future.

Until next time,

Yogi Nelson

Sources:

  1. Antonopoulos, Andreas M. “Mastering Bitcoin.”
  2. Narayanan et al., “Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies.”
  3. IBM Blockchain Essentials – Cryptography Basics
  4. CoinDesk or Blockgeeks articles on cryptographic techniques in blockchain
bitcoin, Blockchains, cryptography, Decentralized, Digital Currency, International Finance, tokenization, Uncategorized, Yogi Nelson

4 Ways to Invest in Bitcoin: A Comprehensive Guide

Yogi Nelson

by Yogi Nelson

Welcome to the BlockchainAIForum

I first learn of Bitcoin in 2012; at the time I was working as a federal government bank examiner. With hubris I ignored the Bitcoin story–to say it was a bad choice is the financial understatement of the millenia! However, even if I had wanted to buy Bitcoin in 2012, it was not easy to do so. Now as Bitcoins matures from a fringe digital asset into a mainstream financial instrument, investors have multiple avenues to gain exposure. Four of the most prominent methods are: buying a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), purchasing Bitcoin on a centralized exchange, engaging in peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions, and buying Bitcoin directly on the spot market. While each path provides a stake in Bitcoin’s upside, they differ significantly in transaction mechanics, custody, risk, and security. Let’s explore each of those options, one-by-one, starting with ETFs.

Bitcoin ETFs: Indirect Exposure Through Traditional Finance

How It Works
A Bitcoin ETF is a publicly traded investment vehicle that mirrors the price of Bitcoin. Investors buy shares through a brokerage account, just as they would with an equity ETF. The ETF provider either holds actual Bitcoin (in a spot ETF) or uses futures contracts (in a futures-based ETF) to track performance.

Custody
Custody is handled by the ETF issuer and its appointed custodians, typically regulated financial institutions. Investors never directly own Bitcoin or private keys; instead, they hold ETF shares.

Risk Profile
The main risks here are counterparty and regulatory risks. The ETF depends on custodians’ ability to securely hold the underlying asset, and on regulators maintaining approval for such products. Investors are also exposed to tracking errors—where the ETF’s price diverges slightly from Bitcoin’s spot price.

Safety Considerations
From an investor’s perspective, ETFs are among the safest ways to gain Bitcoin exposure. Brokerage accounts are insured and integrated with traditional finance systems. However, they lack the decentralization ethos of Bitcoin; investors sacrifice sovereignty for convenience and regulatory oversight.

Centralized Exchanges: Accessibility with Custodial Trade-Offs

How It Works
Centralized exchanges (CEXs) such as Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken allow users to buy Bitcoin with fiat currency. The process is straightforward: deposit fiat, place a buy order, and receive Bitcoin in the exchange’s internal wallet.

Custody
In most cases, custody remains with the exchange until users withdraw Bitcoin to a personal wallet. The adage “not your keys, not your coins” reflects the risk—users trust exchanges to safeguard their assets.

Risk Profile
CEXs concentrate custodial risk. They are prime targets for hacks, and history has examples like Mt. Gox where users lost funds. There’s also regulatory and operational risk; governments may restrict access, freeze withdrawals, or impose compliance burdens.

Safety Considerations
Well-established exchanges use cold storage, insurance policies, and compliance protocols to mitigate risks. Still, best practice is to treat CEXs as access points, not long-term storage solutions. The safest move for users is to withdraw purchased Bitcoin into self-custody wallets.

Peer-to-Peer Transactions: Trust and Sovereignty

How It Works
Peer-to-peer (P2P) trading occurs when individuals directly buy or sell Bitcoin from one another. This may happen via dedicated platforms like Paxful or LocalBitcoins, or informally between acquaintances. Payment methods range from cash and bank transfers to mobile money apps.

Custody
Custody depends on the structure of the transaction. Many P2P platforms use escrow smart contracts that hold Bitcoin until both sides confirm payment. Once released, the buyer assumes custody directly, typically into a self-hosted wallet.

Risk Profile
P2P transactions carry counterparty risk. Fraud, scams, and disputes are common, particularly with fiat payment reversals. Legal risk also arises in jurisdictions where P2P Bitcoin sales are restricted or monitored.

Safety Considerations
P2P embodies Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos—users transact without intermediaries and retain control over custody once completed. However, safety depends heavily on reputation systems, escrow protections, and user diligence. In regions with weak financial infrastructure, P2P often becomes the most practical option despite higher personal risk.

Spot Market Purchases: Direct but Institutional

How It Works
The Bitcoin spot market refers to trading platforms—often institutional-grade—where Bitcoin is bought and sold at current market prices for immediate settlement. Examples include major global exchanges or over-the-counter (OTC) desks that facilitate high-volume trades.

Custody
Custody arrangements vary. Some spot desks deliver Bitcoin directly to buyers’ wallets, while others require custodial accounts. Institutional clients may rely on licensed custodians that specialize in digital asset security.

Risk Profile
Spot market transactions reduce exposure to tracking error, since trades reflect real-time Bitcoin prices. Risks revolve around liquidity, counterparty default, and settlement failures. For retail traders, access to true spot markets is often indirect, via exchanges.

Safety Considerations
Because spot desks often serve professional investors, security protocols are robust. Cold storage, multi-signature wallets, and compliance audits are standard. Retail users can replicate this model through reputable exchanges and immediate self-custody, but they must remain cautious about liquidity slippage when trading large amounts.

Key Comparisons

1. Transaction Mechanics
– ETF: Buy shares via brokerage; indirect Bitcoin exposure.
– CEX: Deposit fiat, trade on exchange; simple for retail.
– P2P: Direct trade with individuals; payment varies.
– Spot Market: Institutional-level immediate settlement at live prices.

2. Custody
– ETF: Managed by custodians; investor never holds keys.
– CEX: Custody with exchange unless withdrawn.
– P2P: Custody transfers to user upon escrow release.
– Spot Market: Custody varies; institutions often self-custody via licensed providers.

3. Risk Factors
– ETF: Tracking error, counterparty, and regulatory risk.
– CEX: Hacks, insolvency, regulatory freezes.
– P2P: Counterparty fraud, payment disputes, legal uncertainty.
– Spot Market: Liquidity, settlement, counterparty default.

4. Safety Profile
– ETF: Safest for traditional investors, least aligned with Bitcoin’s ethos.
– CEX: Convenient but should not be used for long-term custody.
– P2P: Empowers sovereignty but demands vigilance.
– Spot Market: Professional-grade security; best for institutions or experienced traders.

Conclusion

Choosing how to gain Bitcoin exposure depends on preferences, risk profile, and other factors particular to the individual. Investors seeking regulated, traditional vehicles may prefer ETFs, even at the cost of direct ownership. Retail participants often start on centralized exchanges for accessibility but should practice safe withdrawal to personal wallets. P2P markets empower financial sovereignty, especially in regions underserved by banks, though with heightened counterparty risk. Spot market purchases represent the most direct institutional approach, ensuring fair pricing and immediate settlement but requiring sophistication. Ultimately, the spectrum of options reflects Bitcoin’s growing integration into both decentralized and traditional financial systems. Whether one values security, sovereignty, or simplicity, understanding custody and risk is central to making an informed choice.

Until next time,

Yogi Nelson

AI Tools, Blockchains, content creation, cryptography, Decentralized, Digital Currency, Solana, Yogi Nelson

Solana: The High-Speed Blockchain Powering the Next Wave of Innovation

Yogi Nelson

by Yogi Nelson

Welcome to the BlockchainAIForum

Origins and Development

Solana was founded in 2017, in Solana, California, (a beautiful seaside community in San Diego) by Anatoly Yakovenko, a former Qualcomm engineer with deep expertise in distributed systems! Perhaps while surfing the Pacific Ocean or surfing other blockchains, Yakovenko recognized a fundamental limitation in blockchain adoption: transaction speed. Traditional networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum were reliable but often slowed by scalability issues. Yakovenko decided to take action!

The Solana team developed the Solana blockchain as a high-performance, permissionless network. Its first main-net beta launched in March 2020, setting new benchmarks for throughput and cost efficiency. With support from investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, Multicoin Capital, and Alameda Research, Solana quickly rose to prominence as a blockchain built for mass adoption.

What Makes Solana Unique?

At the heart of Solana’s appeal is Proof of History (PoH), a novel consensus mechanism. Unlike other blockchains that rely solely on Proof of Stake (PoS) or Proof of Work (PoW), Solana integrates PoH as a cryptographic clock that orders transactions before they enter the consensus process. This allows nodes to process transactions in parallel, reducing bottlenecks and dramatically increasing efficiency.

Key advantages include:

• Speed: Solana claims the ability to process over 65,000 transactions per second (TPS)—a level comparable to Visa’s payment network.

• Low Fees: Average transaction costs are fractions of a cent, making it ideal for microtransactions, NFTs, and DeFi activity.

• Scalability: Unlike Ethereum, which has often relied on Layer 2 scaling solutions, Solana is designed to scale natively on Layer 1 without sharding.

✅ Pros of Solana

• Blazing-fast transaction throughput supporting real-world financial and gaming applications.

• Extremely low fees, lowering barriers for developers and users.

• Developer-friendly ecosystem with robust SDKs and tools.

• Growing adoption in DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 gaming.

⚠️ Cons of Solana

• Network outages: Solana has faced several high-profile downtimes, raising concerns about reliability.

• Hardware demands: Running a validator node requires more powerful (and costly) hardware than many other blockchains.

• Centralization risk: While technically permissionless, Solana has been criticized for validator concentration compared to Ethereum’s larger decentralized base.

Who is Using Solana?

Solana has become a hub for NFTs, DeFi protocols, and gaming applications. Some highlights include:

• NFT Marketplaces: Magic Eden and Solanart compete with Ethereum’s OpenSea, attracting artists and collectors with low minting costs.

• DeFi Projects: Protocols like Serum, Raydium, and Mango Markets run on Solana.

• Web3 Gaming: Projects such as Star Atlas are building expansive metaverse-style games on the network.

• Payments: Companies like Circle integrated USDC stablecoin on Solana, enabling faster and cheaper transactions.

Even mainstream companies have dipped their toes in. For example, Stripe has piloted crypto payments on Solana, while Helium Network migrated its entire IoT ecosystem to Solana in 2023.

Future Prospects

The future of Solana hinges on whether it can resolve its stability and decentralization concerns while continuing to scale. If successful, Solana has the potential to:

• Serve as a global payment rail rivaling traditional financial networks.

• Become the default home for Web3 gaming due to its speed and low fees.

• Expand as a platform for NFT innovation, especially as artists seek cheaper alternatives to Ethereum.

• Play a critical role in DeFi infrastructure, powering everything from decentralized exchanges to lending markets.

Analysts suggest that Solana’s long-term success will depend on improving uptime reliability and building out a larger, more geographically distributed validator base. If achieved, Solana could position itself as the fastest, most affordable Layer 1 blockchain—a true contender to Ethereum’s dominance.

Conclusion

Solana has established itself as one of the most compelling blockchain projects in the industry. With its unique consensus model, ultra-fast speeds, and low fees, it provides a fertile ground for innovation across DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 gaming. While risks remain—particularly around reliability and centralization—the project continues to attract developers, investors, and enterprises.

If Solana can overcome its growing pains, it may well define the next era of blockchain adoption, moving the industry closer to mainstream scale and usability.

The next time you are in the San Diego area, drop by Solana–its beautiful and the place where Solana, the blockchain company started.

Until next time,

Yogi Nelson

AI Agents, AI Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchains, cryptography, Decentralized, Digital Currency, tokenization, Yogi Nelson

Top Blockchain & Crypto Certificate Programs in the USA: A Comparative Overview

Yogi Nelson

by Yogi Nelson

Welcome to the BlockchainAIForum

If you learn via traditional academic methods, as do I, and are interested in acquiring knowledge about blockchain and crypto, this article is for you. As blockchain transforms industries from finance to supply chain, specialized certificate and diploma programs have emerged to equip professionals with skills in cryptography, smart contracts, and decentralized applications. Below are some of the USA’s most notable offerings, featuring MIT, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, Northeastern, UCLA Extension, Cornell, and industry certifications. Did I fail to note one or more outstanding programs–of course. The list is not comprehensive, just a start. A university not listed but worthy of a mention–University of Nicosia, located in Cypress. It was the first university in the world to offer a Masters in Blockchain and Crypto! I completed three courses from there plus the MIT program. Enjoy!

Blockchain Fundamentals Professional Certificate – UC Berkeley (edX)

Format: Online, self-paced via edX.
Curriculum: Covers Bitcoin mechanics, Ethereum, and enterprise platforms like Quorum, Ripple, Tendermint, and Hyperledger.
Strengths: Prestigious academic foundation; flexible, foundational credential for broad technical literacy.

Graduate Certificate in Blockchain and Smart Contract Engineering – Northeastern University

Format: On-campus (Boston), full-time or part-time.
Curriculum: Ethereum, smart contract development, crypto-engineering, and blockchain security.
Strengths: Hands-on technical training with pathways into master’s programs and co-op experiences.

Blockchain Essentials Certificate – Cornell University (eCornell)

Format: 100% online, instructor-led; typically completed in three months.
Curriculum: Four courses — Blockchain Fundamentals, Blockchain for Business, Smart Contracts and DApps, Blockchain in Financial Services.
Strengths: Blends technical literacy with business application; taught by Cornell faculty engaged in blockchain research.

Blockchain Technology Management Certificate – UCLA Extension

Format: Professional, non-credit continuing education.
Curriculum: Blockchain fundamentals, enterprise DLT strategy, DeFi, DAOs, governance, legal/regulatory issues, and implementation.
Strengths: Targets executives and managers needing governance insight and strategic integration capabilities.

MIT Blockchain & Crypto Certifications

a) Blockchain: Disruptive Technology – MIT Professional Education: Online, 8 weeks; covers encryption, consensus, Ethereum, smart contracts, and strategy.
b) Blockchain Technologies: Business Innovation and Application – MIT Sloan Executive Education: 6 weeks; focuses on cryptoeconomics, decentralized platforms, governance.
c) Blockchain and Crypto Applications: From DeFi to Web 3 – MIT Sloan Executive Education: 6 weeks; focuses on DeFi, NFTs, Web3, and regulation.

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Blockchain Courses

Blockchain Fundamentals (Heinz College): Cryptography, consensus, governance, programming.
Foundations of Blockchains (ECE 18-435): Consensus protocols, mechanism design, and security proofs.
Basics of Cryptocurrencies, Blockchains, and Applications: Executive-level overview.
Blockchain and SQL Fundamentals (MSCF Program): SQL plus blockchain programming for finance.
Strengths: CMU integrates blockchain into graduate, undergraduate, and executive programs.

Comparative Table

Program / CertificateFormat & LevelFocusIdeal For
UC Berkeley – Blockchain Fundamentals (edX)Online / ProfessionalTechnical foundations, enterprise platformsLearners seeking reputable, flexible credential
Northeastern UniversityOn-campus / GraduateSmart contracts, Ethereum, blockchain engineeringDevelopers, engineers, technical specialists
Cornell University (eCornell)Online / ProfessionalBusiness + technical literacy, DeFi, industry casesBusiness leaders and professionals
UCLA ExtensionProfessional / Non-creditGovernance, strategy, enterprise DLTExecutives, managers, policy strategists
MIT – Disruptive TechnologyOnline / ProfessionalBlockchain fundamentals with strategic focusProfessionals driving tech adoption
MIT Sloan – Innovation & DeFi/Web3Executive / Self-pacedEconomics, DeFi, NFTs, Web3Strategic leaders in finance and tech
CMU – Various CoursesGraduate / Undergraduate / ExecutiveAdvanced technical, programming, policy dimensionsEngineers, researchers, policy advisors

Well there you have it future blockchain and crypto students. A list that will help you get started and get smarter.

Until next time,

Yogi Nelson