Courses
Online courses and structured learning programs for Bitcoin developers.
Free Courses
Chaincode Labs Seminars
Format: Self-paced + cohort-based Level: Intermediate → Advanced Link: chaincode.com
The gold standard for protocol development education. Covers Bitcoin protocol development and Lightning Network development. Includes study groups, discussion sessions, and mentorship from Bitcoin Core contributors.
- Bitcoin Protocol Development — Consensus, P2P, wallet, mining
- Lightning Protocol Development — Payment channels, routing, BOLTs
Saylor Academy — Bitcoin for Developers
Format: Self-paced video Level: Beginner → Intermediate Link: learn.saylor.org
Structured course covering Bitcoin fundamentals, development concepts, and practical exercises. Free with optional certificate.
Learn Me a Bitcoin
Format: Interactive website Level: Beginner → Intermediate Link: learnmeabitcoin.com
Visual, interactive explanations of Bitcoin concepts. Excellent diagrams for understanding transactions, mining, addresses, and the blockchain data structure. Not a formal course, but one of the best learning resources online.
Bitcoin Optech Workshops
Format: Recorded workshops Level: Intermediate → Advanced Link: bitcoinops.org/en/topics
Technical deep-dives into specific Bitcoin topics (Taproot, coin selection, PSBT, etc.). Workshop materials include Jupyter notebooks with hands-on exercises.
Base58 Bitcoin Protocol Development
Format: Live + recorded lectures Level: Intermediate Link: base58.info
Courses on Bitcoin protocol development, Lightning, and specialized topics. Some courses are free (recorded), others are paid (live cohort).
Paid Courses
Cubo+ (Vinteum)
Format: Cohort-based, intensive Level: Intermediate → Advanced Link: vinteum.org
Brazilian Bitcoin development program that funds and trains open-source Bitcoin developers. Highly competitive, includes mentorship and stipend.
PlanB Network Courses
Format: Self-paced + cohort Level: Beginner → Intermediate Link: planb.network
Community-driven education platform with courses on Bitcoin development, node operation, mining, and privacy. Available in multiple languages.
Udemy / Coursera Bitcoin Courses
Format: Self-paced video Level: Beginner Various links
General-purpose platforms have Bitcoin courses, but quality varies. Look for courses by known Bitcoin developers or that focus on hands-on coding, not just theory.
Study Groups & Programs
| Program | Focus | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin Core PR Review Club | Code review | Weekly, online |
| Onboarding to Bitcoin Core | Core development | Self-paced |
| Summer of Bitcoin | Open source contributions | Annual program |
| Bitcoin Dev Project | Developer onboarding | Self-paced |