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Table of Contents
Step inside and learn about the best blockchain books of all time.
🧠 Did you know? As of 2021, there are over 70 million blockchain wallets registered.
What is blockchain?
In the words of Euromoney, “blockchain is a system of recording information that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system.”
Data is stored in a public database. The data is the “block” and the public database is the “chain.”
What are some examples of blockchain in action?
Bitcoin is arguably the most famous example of blockchain. It’s a digital currency (cryptocurrency). These electronic funds can be transferred securely and directly from one user to another without a third party.
Total number of Bitcoin available
Another example of blockchain is Spotify. They use a decentralized database to place artists with the appropriate music tracks and licenses.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you buy something. Read my disclosure for more details.
From blockchain history all the way up to implementing your own blockchain, today’s diverse list contains 15 books for your blockchain enjoyment.
TLDR: Best Blockchain Books This Year
🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Blockchain Bubble or Revolution
💥 Best for Newbies 💥
Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps
💸 Best Value 💸
Blockchain Technology Explained
Best Blockchain Books
Now let’s take a look at the best blockchain books of all time.
1. Blockchain Bubble or Revolution: The Future of Bitcoin, Blockchains, and Cryptocurrencies
↘️ Ideal for: blockchain newbies
↘️ Topics covered: Bitcoin and blockchain technologies
Blockchain Bubble or Revolution is one of the best blockchain books ever… Just check out the over 1200 reviews.
Written by Silicon Valley employees from Facebook, Google and Microsoft, you’ll look at real-world case studies to explore core concepts of Bitcoin and blockchain technologies.
➡️ Blockchain Bubble or Revolution is the go-to comprehensive guide on blockchain and cryptocurrency fundamentals.
Assuming no technical knowledge, you’ll learn how blockchains work. You’ll also explore Satoshi Nakamoto and the history of Bitcoin.
Then you’ll discover emerging trends in blockchain technology and:
✅ when it’s appropriate to apply blockchain
✅ how blockchain, cryptocurrency and traditional banking interact
✅ how non-tech companies are implementing blockchain
You’ll also find business blockchain case studies such as gaming with Xbox and cloud services with Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Finally, you’ll look at alternatives to blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
See what blockchain developers are saying about Blockchain Bubble or Revolution:
If you want to learn the basics about crypto and blockchains this is the book to get…
– cieeeee, Blockchain Developer
🪙 Interactivity more your speed? Check out the course Become a Blockchain Developer on Educative.io.
2. Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps
↘️ Ideal for: blockchain newbies
↘️ Topics covered: blockchain basics
Blockchain Basics assumes no prior knowledge of computer science, programming, math or cryptography. Instead, you’ll learn about blockchain concepts with illustrations, metaphors and analogies.
➡️ Blockchain Basics is one of the best blockchain books for newbies.
You’ll learn the basics of blockchain such as why it’s needed and the solutions it provides. You’ll also explore:
✅ major blockchain components
✅ blockchain limitations
✅ blockchain applications
And more.
Blockchain Basics takes a completely non-technical approach to blockchain technologies, making it one of the best blockchain books for beginners.
See what blockchain developers are saying about Blockchain Basics:
The best overview of blockchain technology that I have read.
– TW, Blockchain Developer
🪙 Videos more your speed? Sign up for the video course Blockchain Basics on Coursera.
3. Blockchain Technology Explained
↘️ Ideal for: blockchain newbies
↘️ Topics covered: blockchain wallet, mining, cryptocurrencies, smart contracts
Blockchain Technology Explained is similar to Blockchain Basics in that it’s a comprehensive explanation on how blockchain technology works and the problems it solves.
But Blockchain Basics sticks closer to general blockchain concepts while Blockchain Technology Explained focuses heavily on cryptocurrency.
➡️ Blockchain Technology Explained is one of the best blockchain books for developers on a budget.
In this handy guide, you’ll find:
✅ how blockchain increases security for transactions
✅ how blockchain can be used outside of finance
✅ alternatives to blockchain
✅ other blockchain technologies
You’ll also dive into ways many companies are adopting blockchain.
Blockchain Technology Explained takes a budget-friendly approach to blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
See what blockchain developers are saying about Blockchain Technology Explained:
A good introduction to Blockchain technology with the right balance between what an introductory text should address and the pertinent technical issues.
– Ricardo Delforge, Blockchain Developer
🪙 Boost your learning with the video course Blockchain Fundamentals on Pluralsight.
4. Build Your Own Blockchain (Management for Professionals)
↘️ Ideal for: hands-on practitioners
↘️ Topics covered: building your own blockchain, distributed ledger technology
After a thorough introduction to blockchain and distributed ledger technology, you’ll get physical and build and run a blockchain from the ground up.
➡️ Build Your Own Blockchain is the best blockchain book we found for building your own blockchain. Pretty cool, right?
With Build Your Own Blockchain, you’ll actually build and run your own blockchain.
You’ll also explore:
✅ consensus algorithms
✅ mining
✅ decentralization
And you can do it all with no prior experience with blockchain technologies.
🔥 Geena’s Hot Take
You get to build your own blockchain. I mean… That’s freaking cool!
Go beyond just reading about blockchain and make it happen with Build Your Own Blockchain.
5. Mastering Blockchain: Unlocking the Power of Cryptocurrencies, Smart Contracts, and Decentralized Applications
↘️ Ideal for: finance and technology pros
↘️ Topics covered: blockchain fundamentals, cryptocurrency, Ethereum
Mastering Blockchain is one of the best technological blockchain books. O’Reilly books are classically known for their technical approaches to teaching computer science-related topics.
But they break it down into sensible, digestible chunks.
➡️ Mastering Blockchain is packed with illustrations and examples of how blockchain is used in various industries.
First you’ll explore the most obvious blockchain buzzword: cryptocurrency. You’ll learn about:
✅ cryptocurrency prices
✅ how cryptocurrency is used by criminals
✅ how Ethereum brought about Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)
And beyond.
Then you’ll learn how to scale and fork a blockchain while learning how different blockchains work.
6. Mastering Blockchain: A Deep Dive
↘️ Ideal for: blockchain enthusiasts, technologists, business executives
↘️ Topics covered: cryptocurrency, smart contracts
Mastering Blockchain: A Deep Dive is similar to Mastering Blockchain, but it’s even more technical.
➡️ Mastering Blockchain is one of the best blockchain books for hands-on developers.
Like many books on our list, you’ll explore Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies. But you’ll also:
✅ learn about smart contracts
✅ develop centralized applications
✅ discover blockchain applications beyond cryptocurrency
And beyond.
Mastering Blockchain: A Deep Dive digs into the meat of distributed ledgers, cryptocurrencies and consensus protocols. 🥩
This is a good reference resource for those developing apps in blockchain.
7. The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains: An Introduction to Cryptocurrencies and the Technology that Powers Them
↘️ Ideal for: cryptocurrency newbies
↘️ Topics covered: blockchain platforms, smart contracts
The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains is one of the best blockchain books for learning about the technologies that power cryptocurrencies.
➡️ The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains tears into the mechanics of blockchain and cryptocurrency. ⚙️
First you’ll gain an understanding of Ethereum, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. You’ll learn how payments are made and even how to place a value on cryptocurrencies.
Then you’ll explore blockchain technology. You’ll learn about:
✅ blockchain platforms
✅ smart contracts
✅ the changing cyber-economy
And much more.
Finally, you’ll learn what to look for before investing in cryptocurrencies.
8. Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies Is Changing the World
↘️ Ideal for: blockchain and cryptocurrency newbies
↘️ Topics covered: blockchain, cryptocurrency
Blockchain Revolution explores the technologies behind Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
➡️ Blockchain Revolution is considered to have “had an enormous impact on the evolution of blockchain in the world,” according to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
In addition to cryptocurrency, it examines how blockchain applies to:
✅ birth and death certificates
✅ insurance claims
✅ land titles
✅ votes
And more.
It also speculates on the future of blockchain and where it will lead us as a society.
9. Attack of the 50 Foot Blockchain: Bitcoin, Blockchain, Ethereum & Smart Contracts
↘️ Ideal for: developers curious about blockchain and cryptocurrency
↘️ Topics covered: blockchain, Bitcoin, Ethereum, smart contracts
Attack of the 50 Foot Blockchain takes an entertaining approach to blockchain, Bitcoin, Ethereum and smart contracts.
➡️ Attack of the 50 Foot Blockchain uses real-world stories to teach you about the thrilling world of blockchain.
Uncovering the history of Bitcoin, author David Gerard then brings us to present day to discover other, newer cryptocurrencies. Then he takes a look at the initial coin offering (ICO) frenzy taking over the cryptocurrency industry.
There’s also a case study on music industry blockchains.
10. The Truth Machine: The Blockchain and the Future of Everything
↘️ Ideal for: blockchain newbies
↘️ Topics covered: promises and challenges of blockchain
The Truth Machine is similar to Attack of the 50 Foot Blockchain in that it takes a story-telling approach to teaching blockchain. But you’ll find completely different anecdotes here.
➡️ The Truth Machine takes a pragmatic look at the promises and challenges of blockchain technology.
For example, The Truth Machine examines the transparency of blockchain while acknowledging job losses, shifts in the balance of power and beyond.
It also examines our economic future and the direction of humanity. You know, light stuff like that.
11. Basics of Blockchain: A Guide for Building Literacy in the Economics, Technology, and Business of Blockchain
↘️ Ideal for: blockchain newbies
↘️ Topics covered: economics, technology and business of blockchain
In Basics of Blockchain, you’ll learn the fundamentals of blockchain. Covering everything from its history to the computing stack used today, you’ll also look at the technology behind blockchain such as Web 3.
➡️ Basics of Blockchain is one of the best blockchain books covering economics, technology and business of blockchain.
Then you’ll discover:
✅ Bitcoin and crypto-assets
✅ Ethereum and smart contracts
✅ project management
After that, you’ll examine the future of blockchain in machine learning, artificial intelligence and society.
12. Blockchain 2035: The Digital DNA of Internet 3.0
↘️ Ideal for: curious blockchain developers
↘️ Topics covered: the future of blockchain
Blockchain 2035 considers the world to be in a state of financial crisis which will define the 21st century. No big deal, right? Heh.
➡️ Blockchain 2035 postulates how nation-states, corporations, and individuals will compete with each other in a world based upon blockchain over the current constructs.
It focuses on the belief that world finances will collapse under the debt bubble and will be replaced by blockchain technologies such as cryptocurrency.
The idea is that the blockchain revolution will bring about a re-architecting of everything from the monetary system to artificial intelligence. And everything in between.
13. Blockchain Wars: The Future of Big Tech Monopolies and the Blockchain Internet
↘️ Ideal for: curious blockchain developers
↘️ Topics covered: blockchain, digital governance, history of Internet protocols
Blockchain Wars examines how blockchain will be affected by big tech monopolies.
➡️ Blockchain Wars is one of the best blockchain books for learning about the future of blockchain.
First it takes a look at the structure of blockchains alongside the decentralized Internet.
Next, you’ll examine blockchain solutions in data management, finance and industrial settings. Then you’ll learn about how digital governance works.
Finally, you’ll look at the history of Internet protocols and the trends for the future.
14. The Real Business of Blockchain: How Leaders Can Create Value in a New Digital Age
↘️ Ideal for: business leaders
↘️ Topics covered: blockchain and business impact
The Real Business of Blockchain looks at the impact blockchain has on businesses.
➡️ The Real Business of Blockchain is one of the best blockchain books for leaders and managers.
First it looks at how blockchain can create new business opportunities by:
✅ streamlining multiparty processes
✅ creating and trading new assets
✅ leveraging artificial intelligence
And more.
You’ll learn how to assess how blockchain can positively impact your business while making smart investments.
15. Blockchain: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review
↘️ Ideal for: business leaders
↘️ Topics covered: blockchain insights
Blockchain: The Insights You Need brushes the surface of blockchain technology.
➡️ Blockchain: The Insights You Need is one of the best blockchain books examining the future of business.
After a brief history of blockchain, you’ll learn how blockchain relates to business. And finally, you’ll explore the future of blockchain.
Blockchain: The Insights You Need is a light introduction to the benefits of blockchain.
Best Blockchain Books: Conclusion
Now let’s wrap up our list of best blockchain books.
Today we looked at the best blockchain books including:
🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Blockchain Bubble or Revolution
💥 Best for Newbies 💥
Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps
💸 Best Value 💸
Blockchain Technology Explained
So whether you want to get your feet wet with blockchain or dive deep into Bitcoin, we think these are the best blockchain books around.
Be sure to check out our other reviews below.
Blockchain developers are also reading:
- 13 Best Cryptography Books This Year [Learn Cryptography NOW]
- 10 Best Codecademy Alternatives This Year [Alternatives to Codecademy Review]
- Is Educative Worth It? A Face-Off w/The Other Guys
- Is Brave browser worth it? (Brave browser review)
What is blockchain?
According to Euromoney, a business and finance site, “blockchain is a system of recording information that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system.” Data is stored in a public database. The data is the “block” and the public database is the “chain.” To learn more about blockchain, be sure to check out today’s article where we look at some of the best blockchain books out there.
What is an example of blockchain in action?
Bitcoin is arguably the most famous example of blockchain. It’s a digital currency (cryptocurrency). These electronic funds can be transferred securely and directly from one user to another without a third party. Another example of blockchain is Spotify. They use a decentralized database to place artists with the appropriate music tracks and licenses. To find more examples, be sure to check out the books in today’s article.
What are the best blockchain books?
We think the best blockchain books include Blockchain Bubble or Revolution? For newbies, we liked Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps. And for developers on a budget, we chose Blockchain Technology Explained. To learn more about these and other blockchain books, tune in to today’s post.
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a digital currency that is decentralized. It can be sent from user to user without the need for intermediaries. The Bitcoin blockchain is a public ledger that records Bitcoin transactions. Bitcoin miners can receive Bitcoin for completing verified transactions that are added to the blockchain. To learn more about Bitcoin, be sure to check out the blockchain books in today’s post.
What is Ethereum?
Ethereum is an open-sourced and decentralized blockchain. It’s home to digital money, global payments, and applications. Ethereum has smart contract functionality. The native cryptocurrency of the platform is Ether which is second only to Bitcoin. To learn more about Ethereum and other crytpocurrencies, be sure to check out the best blockchain books of all time in today’s post.