N_PB Blockchain principles

University of Finance and Administration
Winter 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Jan Lánský, Ph.D.
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics – Departments – University of Finance and Administration
Contact Person: Ivana Plačková
Prerequisites
Necessary: Knowledge of Programming and data structures at the Bachalor level. Advantage: basic knowledge of cryptography and theoretical computer science.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
Tha aim of this course is understanding how Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies work on practical and technical level. Students will be able design software using cryptocurrency technologies and integrate cryptocurrency technology to other software systems.
Learning outcomes
Ability to explain basic concepts: private and public key, address, block, bachelor, proof of work and share, mince-making transaction, mining and its difficulty. Ability to use basic concepts in describing common situations associated with cryptocurrencies. Ability to modify existing cryptocurrencies source codes and clever contracts, integration of cryptocurrencies into infomation systems and other programs
Syllabus
1. History, motivation, application 2. Bitcoin client 3. Elliptic curve cryptography, private and public key 4. Addresses, wallets 5. Transactions 6. Decentralized network 7. Blockchain 8. Decentralized compliance I. - proof of work 9. Decentralized compliance II - proof by share, proof by authority 10. Security and pseudo-anonymity 11. Lightning Network 12. Alternative blockchains
Literature
    required literature
  • Andreas M. Antonopoulos, David A. Harding: Mastering Bitcoin: Unlocking Digital Cryptocurrencies. Sebastopil: O’Reilly Media, 3rd Edition, 2023
  • LÁNSKÝ, Jan. Kryptoměny (Cryptocurrencies). 1st ed. Praha: C. H. Beck, 2018, 160 pp. Právo a společnost. ISBN 978-80-7400-722-4. Nakladatelství info
  • NOVÁK, Michal. Lightning network: platby budoucnosti. Praha: Braiins Publishing, 2023. ISBN 978-80-908709-4-9.
  • ANTONOPOULOS, Andreas M., Rene PICKHARDT a Olaoluwa OSUNTOKUN. Mastering the Lightning Network: A Second Layer Blockchain Protocol for Instant Bitcoin Payments. 1st ed. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly Media, 2022. ISBN 978-1-4920-5486-3
    recommended literature
  • LÁNSKÝ, Jan. Český překlad Andreas M Antonopoulos: Mastering Bitcoin Open Edition. Online. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0, 2016, 271 pp. URL info
  • AMMOUS, Saifedean. The bitcoin standard: the decentralized alternative to central banking. Hoboken, 1st ed., New Jersey: Wiley, 2018. ISBN 978-11-1947-386-2
  • https://learnmeabitcoin.com/tools
Teaching methods
Lecture using power point presentations. Study of required literature and discussion of problematic passages
Assessment methods
Oral examination with written preparation. The student draws 4 exam questions. A list of all questions is stored in the IS in the course materials.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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