🔐 Cryptography for Blockchains & FinTech

Seven levels — three core modules per level, plus one optional Level 7 primer (quantum cryptography vocabulary). Core modules use ~20–25 minute segments (about two hours reading); primers are slightly shorter. Levels 2–7 each include one guided build (coral card) except the optional primer—shipping small artifacts, not only quizzes.

Who this trains

Backend and protocol engineers who need credible cryptography vocabulary: enough to read specs, review implementations, and collaborate with security teams—without pretending to be a cryptographer. Modules emphasize what breaks in production (API misuse, timing, custody, ZK positioning) as much as textbook definitions. Background (not a separate exam path): Homomorphic encryption shows up in privacy research and vendor pitches—this track treats it as context next to ZK; see Level 5. Quantum vs post-quantum: see the Level 7 primer and glossary entries for QKD vs PQC.

Level	Focus	Hands-on arc
1	Hashes, AEAD, DH framing	Small labs every module — no guided capstone yet
2	Signatures & wallet-shaped keys	Guided build: sign / verify CLI
3	Merkle & state commitments	Guided build: proof checker toy
4	Threshold & custody patterns	Guided build: quorum / policy demo
5	ZK for architects	Guided build: Circom hello
6	FinTech key ops	Guided build: secure compare + checklist
7	Hardening & horizon	Capstone + optional quantum crypto primer (QKD vs PQC)

Parallel to Hyperscale and Solana Core—reuse the shared glossary.

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Course structure

Each module uses four segments (~20–25 minutes of focused reading). Green badges mark modules with hands-on segments; Guided build cards are larger scoped labs designed as portfolio artifacts.

Levels 1–3 — Foundations through Merkle-shaped thinking.
Levels 4–5 — Threshold custody patterns and ZK vocabulary.
Levels 6–7 — Operated keys in FinTech settings and production-grade realism.

📚 Level 1

Cryptographic primitives used everywhere in chains—four segments per module plus labs.

🔧 Levels 2–5

Signatures, Merkle proofs, thresholds, and ZK introductions—with guided builds.

⚡ Levels 6–7

Operational cryptography, capstone threat modeling, and an optional quantum cryptography primer (QKD vs PQC).

📖 Resources

Glossary

Hover terms across tracks

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Hyperscale track

Consensus & protocol engineering journey

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