Mastering Blockchain: A deep dive into distributed ledgers, consensus protocols, smart contracts, DApps, cryptocurrencies, Ethereum, and more, 3rd Edition

Develop a deeper understanding of what's under the hood of blockchain with this technical reference guide on one of the most disruptive modern technologies

Key Features

• Updated with four new chapters on consensus algorithms, Ethereum 2.0, tokenization, and enterprise blockchains
• Learn about key elements of blockchain theory such as decentralization, cryptography, and consensus protocols
• Get to grips with Solidity, Web3, cryptocurrencies, smart contract development and solve scalability, security and privacy issues
• Discover the architecture of different distributed ledger platforms including Ethereum, Bitcoin, Hyperledger Fabric, Hyperledger Sawtooth, Corda and Quorum

Book Description

Blockchain is the backbone of cryptocurrencies, with applications in finance, government, media, and other industries. With a legacy of providing technologists with executable insights, this new edition of Mastering Blockchain is thoroughly revised and updated to the latest blockchain research with four new chapters on consensus algorithms, Serenity (the update that will introduce Ethereum 2.0), tokenization, and enterprise blockchains.

This book covers the basics, including blockchain's technical underpinnings, cryptography and consensus protocols. It also provides you with expert knowledge on decentralization, decentralized application development on Ethereum, Bitcoin, alternative coins, smart contracts, alternative blockchains, and Hyperledger.

Further, you will explore blockchain solutions beyond cryptocurrencies such as the Internet of Things with blockchain, enterprise blockchains, tokenization using blockchain, and consider the future scope of this fascinating and disruptive technology.

By the end of this book, you will have gained a thorough comprehension of the various facets of blockchain and understand their potential in diverse real-world scenarios.

What you will learn

• Grasp the mechanisms behind Bitcoin, Ethereum, and alternative cryptocurrencies
• Understand cryptography and its usage in blockchain
• Understand the theoretical foundations of smart contracts
• Develop decentralized applications using Solidity, Remix, Truffle, Ganache and Drizzle
• Identify and examine applications of blockchain beyond cryptocurrencies
• Understand the architecture and development of Ethereum 2.0
• Explore research topics and the future scope of blockchain

Who this book is for

If you are a technologist, business executive, a student or an enthusiast who wishes to explore the fascinating world of blockchain technology, smart contracts, decentralized applications and distributed systems then this book is for you. Basic familiarity with a beginner-level command of a programming language would be a plus.

Table of Contents

1. Blockchain 101
2. Decentralization
3. Symmetric Cryptography
4. Public Key Cryptography
5. Consensus Algorithms
6. Introducing Bitcoin
7. The Bitcoin Network and Payments
8. Bitcoin Clients and APIs
9. Alternative Coins
10. Smart Contracts
11. Ethereum 101
12. Further Ethereum
13. Ethereum Development Environment
14. Development Tools and Frameworks
15. Introducing Web3
16. Serenity
17. Hyperledger
18. Tokenization
19. Blockchain – Outside of Currencies
20. Enterprise Blockchain
21. Scalability and Other Challenges
22. Current Landscape and What's Next