Crypto and the blockchain
Review

Learn cryptocurrency fundamentals from industry titans including Binance CEO, Coinbase President, and Nobel economist

Medium
  • Last updated 14/06/2025
by Chris Dixon

What you'll learn ? Overview

We found something intriguing when investigating "Crypto and the Blockchain" on MasterClass. While many assume Chris Dixon teaches this course (he's actually the author of the book "Read Write Own"), the actual instructor lineup reads like a who's who of crypto leadership: Chris Dixon (General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz), Changpeng "CZ" Zhao (CEO of Binance), Emilie Choi (President of Coinbase), and Paul Krugman (Nobel Prize-winning economist).

This course packs 19 lessons into roughly 3 hours and 40 minutes, covering everything from Bitcoin's 2009 launch to the current Web3 landscape. We appreciated that MasterClass brought together both crypto advocates and skeptics (Krugman provides the skeptical viewpoint), creating a more balanced perspective than typical crypto courses.

The curriculum spans blockchain fundamentals, cryptocurrency evolution, Web3 concepts, DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), NFTs, and stablecoins. Rather than focusing on trading strategies or get-rich-quick schemes, it provides educational context about how this technology works and where it might be heading.

At $10 per month (billed annually at $120), you're getting access to not just this course but MasterClass's entire catalog. For context, that's significantly less than most dedicated crypto courses, though you're trading depth for breadth and star power.

Show More

Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

👉

Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

👉

Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Ideal for curious beginners wanting foundational crypto knowledge, professionals needing basic blockchain literacy, investors seeking to understand the technology behind cryptocurrencies, and anyone interested in balanced perspectives from industry leaders

Instructor

Chris Dixon

Web3 Pioneer and Venture Capital Leader Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Chris Dixon stands at the forefront of web3 innovation as the founder and leader of a16z crypto, managing over $7 billion in dedicated funds. With a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen, Dixon has established himself as a visionary in blockchain technologies and cryptocurrency investments. His recently published book 'Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet' (January 2024) demonstrates his thought leadership in shaping the future digital landscape. Dixon's influence extends beyond investments to pioneering theories about technological adoption and the evolution of internet infrastructure.
Dixon joined Andreessen Horowitz in 2012 (or 2013, as sources vary) as a General Partner, where he later founded a16z crypto to focus exclusively on web3 technologies. Prior to his venture capital career, he successfully founded and led two technology startups. SiteAdvisor, an internet security company that protected users from online threats, was acquired by McAfee in 2006. His second venture, Hunch, specialized in recommendation technology and was acquired by eBay in 2011.
- Founded a16z crypto, managing over $7 billion in dedicated web3 investment funds
- Published 'Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet' (Random House, January 2024)
- Co-founded Founder Collective, a prominent seed venture fund
- Successfully exited two startups: SiteAdvisor (acquired by McAfee) and Hunch (acquired by eBay)
- Developed influential theories on technology adoption and internet evolution
- Earned both BA and MA in Philosophy from Columbia University
- Completed MBA from Harvard University
- Guest on 'web3 with a16z' podcast, appearing frequently to discuss blockchain technologies
- Interview with Jonah Peretti, founder and CEO of Buzzfeed, discussing internet innovation
- Conversation with Brian Armstrong (Coinbase) on 'Company Building in Crypto'
- Various speaking engagements on web3, blockchain, and the future of internet technologies
Dixon shares his insights regularly through his Substack newsletter, having previously published on Medium and his personal website cdixon.org. His content focuses primarily on web3 technologies, venture capital, startup philosophy, and the evolution of internet infrastructure. He crafts detailed Twitter threads on web3 topics and participates in industry discussions across digital platforms, establishing himself as a thought leader in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration1
  • 📶 DifficultyMedium
  • ⌛ Access Yearly
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

No formal prerequisites required, though basic internet and financial literacy helps comprehension


💻 Requirements

Internet-connected device capable of streaming video


💸 Hidden Costs

None beyond the MasterClass subscription


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Standard MasterClass support, no course-specific community or instructor interaction

Course content

  • Module 1: Meet Your Instructors, The History of Crypto
  • Module 2: From Trading to Blockchains, The Evolution of Blockchains
  • Module 3: What Is Web3?, How Web3 Works
  • Module 4: DAOs and Governance, What Are NFTs?
  • Module 5: The Case for NFTs, Creating NFT Communities
  • Module 6: What Are Stablecoins?, The Power of DeFi
  • Module 7: Centralized vs. Decentralized, Building in Web3
  • Module 8: Evaluating Crypto Projects, Crypto Regulation
  • Module 9: The Case Against Crypto, The Future of Crypto

Show More

Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Limited public reviews exist for this specific course, though MasterClass maintains a 4.7/5 star rating on their platform. The combination of high-profile instructors generates interest, but the relatively short format leaves some wanting more depth.

Praised points

  • Star power lineup brings credibility rarely found in crypto education
  • Balanced perspectives include both crypto advocates and skeptics
  • Production quality meets MasterClass's typically high standards

Criticisms

  • Surface-level coverage may disappoint those seeking technical depth
  • Limited practical application for actual crypto investing or trading
  • Rapid industry changes mean some 2022 content already feels dated

Testimonials

"The instructors really know their stuff, making complex concepts easy to understand." - MasterClass User

"I appreciated the balanced approach to crypto, showing both potential and pitfalls." - MasterClass User

"Great introduction for beginners curious about blockchain." - MasterClass User

"Helped demystify crypto jargon and concepts." - MasterClass User

"Concise and informative, though I wished for more practical examples." - MasterClass User

Social insights

Reddit discussions about MasterClass crypto content generally position it as a good starting point for beginners but insufficient for serious traders or developers. Users on r/cryptocurrency appreciate having legitimate industry leaders teaching but note the content stays fairly high-level.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

MasterClass accurately represents the course as an educational overview featuring prominent industry figures. No exaggerated income or success claims found.

Price History

MasterClass subscription pricing has remained relatively stable at $120-180 annually

Upsell Practices

No course-specific upsells, though MasterClass promotes annual subscriptions over monthly

Student Success

No specific success stories promoted (appropriate given the educational rather than vocational focus)

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

MasterClass platform offers polished, Netflix-style interface with excellent video quality and smooth playback

Content Accessibility

Videos stream on-demand with closed captions, downloadable on mobile apps for offline viewing

Mobile Compatibility

Native iOS and Android apps provide seamless mobile experience

Technical Requirements

Standard internet connection (5+ Mbps recommended) and modern web browser or mobile device

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

No significant complaints surfaced in our research. The main concern involves content depth rather than deceptive practices.

😬

Refund policy issues

MasterClass offers a 30-day refund policy, standard for the industry.

😬

Marketing practices

MasterClass markets transparently, emphasizing educational value over financial promises. No income claims or trading success guarantees found.

😬

Community feedback

Limited community discussion exists specifically about this course, though MasterClass generally maintains positive reputation.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $10/month as part of MasterClass's all-access pass, the course provides reasonable value for beginners seeking star-instructor credibility. However, those wanting deep technical knowledge or practical trading strategies should look elsewhere.

Conclusion

"Crypto and the Blockchain" on MasterClass delivers exactly what it promises: a high-level introduction to cryptocurrency taught by industry titans. We found the instructor lineup genuinely impressive, combining perspectives from crypto's biggest exchange (Binance), a major U.S. platform (Coinbase), a leading crypto VC (a16z), and a Nobel economist skeptic.

The course's legitimacy isn't in question, it's taught by verifiable industry leaders on an established platform. However, we must note its limitations. At just under 4 hours, it can only scratch the surface of complex topics. Think of it as attending a conference keynote rather than a technical workshop.

For $120 annually (accessing all MasterClass courses), beginners get solid foundational knowledge from credible sources. The balanced approach, including Krugman's skeptical perspective, adds intellectual honesty often missing from crypto education. Just don't expect to emerge ready to trade professionally or build blockchain applications.

We score this 7.5/10 overall, it's a legitimate, well-produced introduction perfect for crypto-curious professionals, though serious practitioners will need additional resources.

FAQs about this course

Yes, Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao, who was CEO of Binance during filming, is one of four instructors. The course also features Chris Dixon (a16z), Emilie Choi (Coinbase President), and Paul Krugman (Nobel economist).

No, this course focuses on understanding the technology and ecosystem rather than trading strategies. You'll learn what crypto is and how it works, not how to profit from it.

Released in December 2022, the foundational concepts remain relevant, though specific market examples may be dated. The rapid evolution of crypto means supplementing with current news is advisable.

No, MasterClass doesn't offer certificates of completion. The platform focuses on learning from celebrities and experts rather than professional credentials.

Chris Dixon is one of four instructors, not the sole teacher. He shares instruction with leaders from Binance, Coinbase, and Nobel economist Paul Krugman.

No, MasterClass only offers all-access subscriptions starting at $10/month (billed annually). You cannot purchase individual courses.

While free courses exist, this offers unmatched instructor credibility and production quality. However, free alternatives often provide more technical depth and practical exercises.

Review statistics

No reviews yet for this course. Be the first to leave a review!

Crypto and the blockchain screenshot
Crypto and the blockchain Review
$ 120
Total score: 8,4/10 ⭐
  • Duration1
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/2022
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessYearly
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
Show More

Our Methodology

At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

Our Rating System

Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

Our Process

For each review, we analyze all available online data to assess the course thoroughly. Our evaluation considers the quality of the content, the instructor's background, the marketing strategy, public perception, and authentic reviews from actual members, giving you a complete and balanced perspective.

Are You a Course Creator?

If you're the creator of a course we've reviewed and believe there are any inaccuracies or outdated information in our review, we want to hear from you.

How We Ensure Quality

Thorough Testing:

We implement strategies from the courses to validate their effectiveness.

Long-term Monitoring:

We track course updates and community development over time.

Crypto and the blockchain Review