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

Develop a deep understanding of the theoretical foundations of blockchain technology and learn how to write smart contracts and build decentralized applications

Key Features

• Updated with four new chapters on consensus algorithms, Ethereum 2.0, tokenization, and enterprise blockchains
• Dive deep into foundational pillars of blockchain technology 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 technology is the backbone of cryptocurrencies, and it has applications in finance, government, media, and many other industries. With a legacy of providing technologists with executable insights, the third edition of Mastering Blockchain is thoroughly revised and updated with the latest blockchain research, including four new chapters on consensus algorithms, Serenity (Ethereum 2.0), tokenization, and enterprise blockchains.

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

Furthermore, you will explore how to implement blockchain solutions beyond cryptocurrencies, such as the Internet of Things with blockchain, blockchain scalability, enterprise blockchains, and tokenization using blockchain, and the future scope of this fascinating and disruptive technology.

By the end of this book, you will have gained a thorough understanding of the various facets of blockchain technology and be comfortable applying them to diverse real-world scenarios.

What you will learn

• Grasp the mechanisms behind Bitcoin, Ethereum, and alternative cryptocurrencies
• Understand cryptography and its usage in blockchain technology
• 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 technology

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

Imran Bashir has an M.Sc. in Information Security from Royal Holloway, University of London, and has a background in software development, solution architecture, infrastructure management, and IT service management. He is also a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the British Computer Society (BCS). Imran has extensive experience in both the public and financial sectors, having worked on large-scale IT projects in the public sector before moving to the financial services industry. Since then, he has worked in various technical roles for different financial companies in Europe's financial capital, London.