The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains
Featured Review
Recommended reading for those interested in blockchains and bitcoins
This book grabbed my attention from the first chapter. I’ve been in the industry for some time; personally, this is one of the few books I would suggest to those interested in understanding the basics of blockchains and bitcoin. Antony helps us clearly understand the theme, concisely describing the technology in a logical way, clearly presenting the concepts, and on top of that how everything fits together. Unlike Mastering Bitcoin by Andreas M. Antonopoulos, which definitely is a book for people who already have a programming background, interestingly The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains can be appreciated by readers with different backgrounds. It is an enjoyable and easy reading although a comprehensive exposure to bitcoin and blockchains.
As mentioned on the back cover, this book is a crash course in money, cryptocurrencies, initial coin offerings (ICO) and enterprise blockchains. As the one responsible for Cash and CBDC strategy at R3, not surprisingly, Antony teaches us everything we have to know from historical facts, physical and digital money, through a smooth introduction to cryptography (probably the most understandable explanation about the mechanics of Proof-of-Work), the emergence of cryptocurrencies and digital tokens to the latest thinking about the technology adoption by enterprises. By and large a delightful read for anyone who wants to understand everything about bitcoins and blockchains.