BR AcademyFree course

Intro to Bitcoin: Money, Mining and Self-Custody

A free, self-paced introduction to Bitcoin for anyone curious about its origins and how to use it safely. Learn why Bitcoin was created, how mining secures the network, and how to store and send Bitcoin without intermediaries.

Beginner20 lessons4.13 hoursCertificate

About this course

Bitcoin is the world’s first decentralized money. But how does it actually work, and why should you care?

In this free, self-paced course, you’ll discover the economic and technical foundations of Bitcoin. You’ll learn why it was created, how mining secures the network, and how the 21-million supply cap and halving cycle work. Most importantly, you’ll master the skills you need to take control of your own Bitcoin: setting up a non-custodial wallet, securing your seed phrase, sending transactions, and avoiding the scams and mistakes that cost newcomers millions.

Whether you’re a curious professional, an investor doing your homework, or someone who wants to understand crypto before diving deeper, this course gives you the knowledge and confidence to participate safely. You’ll finish with a personal custody and security plan—and a clear path to advanced topics like DeFi and staking.

What you’ll learn:
– The problem Bitcoin solves and how it differs from traditional money
– How mining works, why difficulty adjusts, and what halvings mean
– How to set up and secure a non-custodial wallet
– How to buy, send, and understand Bitcoin fees
– Common scams and how to avoid them
– Tax basics for Bitcoin transactions
– Whether Lightning Network is right for you

Who this is for:
Professionals, investors, and curious learners who want a complete, practical introduction to Bitcoin—from first principles to self-custody.

What you will be able to do

Can explain the problem Bitcoin solves and how it differs from traditional money
Can describe how mining works, why difficulty adjusts, and what halvings do
Can set up a non-custodial wallet and securely generate and back up a seed phrase
Can send and receive Bitcoin, estimate fees, and understand the mempool
Can identify common scams and security risks in Bitcoin and crypto
Can calculate basic tax implications of Bitcoin transactions
Can evaluate whether Lightning Network is suitable for their use case

Curriculum 5 modules · 20 lessons

1Why Bitcoin Exists4 lessons

Why Money Exists and What Makes It Sound 12 min
The Double-Spend Problem and Trust 10 min
Bitcoin vs. Fiat: Key Differences 12 min
Why 21 Million Bitcoin and Why It Matters 10 min

2How Bitcoin Works: Mining and the Network4 lessons

What Is Mining and Why Does It Exist? 12 min
Proof of Work: Hashing and Difficulty 14 min
Difficulty Adjustment and the 4-Year Halving Cycle 12 min
Running a Node and How the Network Stays Honest 10 min

3Wallets and Self-Custody4 lessons

Hot Wallets, Cold Wallets, and Custody Models 12 min
Seed Phrases, Private Keys, and Backups 14 min
Setting Up a Non-Custodial Wallet Safely 12 min
Hardware Wallets and Security Best Practices 10 min

4Buying, Sending, and Fees4 lessons

Where and How to Buy Bitcoin 12 min
Sending Bitcoin, Understanding Fees, and the Mempool 14 min
How Confirmations Work and Why They Matter 10 min
Lightning Network: Fast, Cheap Payments 12 min

5Scams, Taxes, and What's Next4 lessons

Phishing, Rug Pulls, and How to Avoid Them 12 min
Tax Reporting for Bitcoin Transactions 10 min
Your Bitcoin Journey: Staking, DeFi, and Beyond 8 min
Bitcoin Self-Custody Plan and Security Audit 30 min

Taught by Block Relations

Research & Education · Built for professionals, investors, and curious learners who want a complete, practical introduction to Bitcoin—from first principles to self-custody.