In the first year of the BSV Academy’s existence, we brought you introductory and supplementary courses on Bitcoin theory and development. With the launch of our latest stream, we focus on Bitcoin’s incentive system and the role that nodes and node operators play.
If Bitcoin’s infrastructure falls within the purview of your job role or you are one of the enterprise operators who spend large sums of money to build and operate mining infrastructure, this stream will help you position yourself for success.
Criteria for choosing Bitcoin infrastructure training
Bitcoin infrastructure focuses on the machinery and mechanics of the network and protocol, with a view to explaining the way in which the network is built and scales.
| Introductory | Intermediate | Advanced | |
| Most suited for | General public, enterprise leaders, CTOs, software developers, blockchain developers, Bitcoin developers. | General public, enterprise leaders, CTOs, software developers, blockchain developers, Bitcoin developers. | General public, enterprise leaders, CTOs, software developers, blockchain developers, Bitcoin developers. |
| Suggested entrance criteria | Having an interest in Bitcoin infrastructure. | Having a basic understanding of Bitcoin infrastructure. | Having a complete overview of all the elements that make up the Bitcoin network. |
| Outcome | Developing a basic understanding of Bitcoin infrastructure. | Gaining a complete overview of all the elements that make up the Bitcoin network. | Developing a nuanced understanding of Bitcoin’s infrastructure. |
| Fees | Free of charge, forever | TBD | TBD |
| Class hours | 6 - 8 hour modules | 6 hour modules | 6 hour modules |
| Class attendance | Online course, available on demand from the beginning of May. | Online course, available on demand. Launch date TBD. | Online course, available on demand. Launch date TBD. |
| Assessment | 5 -10 question assessment per chapter. 50-question exam as final assessment. Unlimited attempts to pass. | 5 -10 question assessment per chapter. 50-question exam as final assessment. Unlimited attempts to pass. | 5 -10 question assessment per chapter. 50-question exam as final assessment. Unlimited attempts to pass. |
| Accreditation | Upon completion, you are awarded BSV Academy’s Certificate 1 - Bronze. | Upon completion, you are awarded BSV Academy’s Certificate 2 - Silver. | Upon completion, you are awarded BSV Academy’s Certificate 3 - Gold. |
We are also planning on launching short two-to-three hour, non-certificated supplementary courses.
What is the outline of the Introduction to Bitcoin Infrastructure course?
Introduction to Bitcoin Infrastructure is focused on providing students with a solid understanding of the role that nodes and node operators play in the construction of the network. In particular, it focuses on the incentives that drive enterprise operators to invest in scaling and infrastructure. Upon completion of this course, students will be awarded BSV Academy’s Certificate 1 - Bronze.
The introductory level course follows the following chapters and subtopics:
Chapter 1 - The network’s instructions
The Bitcoin white paper
Steps to run the Bitcoin network
Chapter 2: Rules and their enforcement
Block consensus rules:
Block Size Rule
Block Subsidy Rule
Proof of Work Target Adjustment Rule
Genesis Block Rule
Transaction consensus rules:
Maximum Transaction Size Rule
Use of nLockTime and nSequence
Coinbase Maturity Rule
Transaction Format Rule
Script language rule:
The Bitcoin scripting language and its specification
Data Types
Formal Grammar for Bitcoin Script
Validity of Script Rule
Bitcoin Numeric Value Size Rule
Bitcoin Stack Memory Usage Rule
Standard local policies:
Standard Local Transaction Policies
Maximum Acceptable Transaction Size Policy
Transaction Evaluation Timeout
Bitcoin Minimum Fee Policies
“Dust” Policies
Bitcoin Standard local p2p network policies:
Bitcoin Minimal Encoding Policy
Bitcoin Numeric Value Length
Bitcoin Stack Memory Usage Policy
Chapter 3: Transactions, payment channels and mempools
The transaction and the evaluator
Version number
Output lists
Transaction lock time (nLockTime)
Payment channels
Bitcoin Transaction pools
Bitcoin Main mempool
Bitcoin Secondary mempool
Bitcoin Non-final mempool
Chapter 4: Bitcoin Block assembly
Synchronising the UTXO setWorking the working blockchains
Receiving new transactions
Creating a Bitcoin block template
The block header
The coinbase transaction
Block rewards
Mining candidate distribution and pool software
Performing proof-of-work
The first seen rule
Orphan blocks (Block reorgs)
Invalid blocks
Chapter 5: The small-world network
The decentralisation of power
Incentive-driven behaviours
Light speed propagation of transactions
Ensuring rapid receipt and propagation of new blocks
Hardware developments to meet user demand
Bitcoin miner/node Novel service delivery methods
Miner ID
Merchant API/ mAPI
Learn more about Bitcoin Infrastructure
Bitcoin mining is based on competition. By developing a solid understanding of Bitcoin’s incentive system and the role that nodes and node operators play, enterprise operators who spend large sums of money to build and operate their infrastructure can best position themselves for success.
If the field of Bitcoin infrastructure falls within the purview of your job role and you have a basic understanding of the theory of Bitcoin, BSV Academy’s Introduction to Bitcoin Infrastructure course will give you the opportunity to develop your competitive edge.
