Original Article
Hello Devs! Starting a new chapter as a developer is always challenging. The tech world evolves rapidly—from building basic websites to leveraging AI tools that mimic (and even surpass) human capabilities.
When I began my blockchain journey in 2015, I struggled to find structured resources. After endless Google searches and trial-and-error, I've compiled everything you need to start your blockchain development career. I'm specialized in building dApps on Ethereum and Solana, but I have a great interest in every blockchain innovation. So without waiting any longer, let's dive in!
In this article, we will proceed with three main steps to become a blockchain developer:
- Learning the main math used in blockchain.
- Exploring different blockchain generations, from the first peer-to-peer transfer currency to the latest generation that almost matches Visa card payments (third generation).
- Sharing the blockchain books I loved and the next steps for aspiring developers.
1. Start With the Foundation: Math for Blockchain 📚
Blockchain technology relies on three core cryptographic principles:
- Cryptographic hash functions
- Public-key cryptography
- Digital signatures
Essential books to master blockchain mathematics:
"An Introduction to Mathematical Cryptography" by Hoffstein, Pipher, and Silverman
This book helped me a lot by exploring essential cryptographic techniques, including RSA, elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), and lattice-based methods, which are crucial for blockchain security.
Why It Matters:
It connects abstract mathematical concepts with practical cryptographic applications.
Key Topics:
- Classical Cryptosystems: Diffie-Hellman, RSA, and digital signatures
- Mathematical Foundations: Primality testing, factorization, and probability theory
- Modern Advances: Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), lattice-based cryptography, and pairing-based cryptography
New in the 2nd Edition:
- Deep dives into lattice-based signatures and rejection sampling
- Expanded sections on homomorphic encryption and digital cash
- 100+ updated exercises
Perfect For: Developers who want to understand crypto, not just use it.
"Elliptic Curves: Number Theory and Cryptography" by Lawrence C. Washington
This book is a deep dive into elliptic curves, which are used in Bitcoin and Ethereum key generation.
What’s Inside:
- Develops the theory of elliptic curves for number theoretic and cryptographic applications.
- Offers comprehensive coverage of fundamental theory, techniques, and applications of elliptic curves.
2. Blockchain Fundamentals: Three Generations of Innovation ⛓️
First Generation: Bitcoin
Bitcoin introduced a trustless, decentralized ledger using Proof-of-Work (PoW). Its UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) model ensures transparency in tracking ownership, while the 21 million supply cap creates digital scarcity. The real breakthrough? Eliminating intermediaries like banks through peer-to-peer transactions.
🔗 Bitcoin Whitepaper
- Read Here by Satoshi Nakamoto
Second Generation: Ethereum
Ethereum’s innovation lies in Turing-complete smart contracts. Unlike Bitcoin’s limited scripting, Ethereum allows developers to program logic directly on-chain (e.g., DeFi protocols, NFTs). The trade-off? Gas fees and scalability limits (~15 TPS) due to global state updates.
🔗 Ethereum Whitepaper
- Read Here by Vitalik Buterin
Third Generation: Scaling Solutions
Third-gen blockchains tackle the "blockchain trilemma" (security, scalability, decentralization). Solutions like zk-Rollups process transactions off-chain, batch-verify them via zero-knowledge proofs (zk-SNARKs/STARKs), and anchor proofs to Layer 1 chains like Ethereum. This achieves Visa-like speeds (2,000–20,000 TPS) without sacrificing security.
3. The Blockchain Books I Loved 🛠️
"Mastering Ethereum" by Andreas M. Antonopoulos and Gavin Wood
This book was written by Dr. Gavin Wood, one of the developers of the first version of Ethereum and Solidity. It’s a must-read! Gavin Wood is also the founder of Polkadot. The book is available for free as a PDF on GitHub.
"Mastering Blockchain 4.0" by Imran Bashir
Imran Bashir’s Mastering Blockchain series has been a staple for developers. By 2025, a fourth edition could cover cutting-edge topics like quantum-resistant blockchains, AI-integrated smart contracts, and decentralized identity systems.
Topics to Expect:
- Advanced consensus mechanisms (e.g., Proof-of-Stake 2.0, Proof-of-History).
- Layer 2 scaling solutions (zk-Rollups, Optimistic Rollups).
- Interoperability protocols (Polkadot, Cosmos, Chainlink).
DApps and Ethereum Wallets I've Built
Based on what I’ve learned, here are the dApps and Ethereum wallets I’ve built:
- X-Wallet: An Airdrop and Asset Management Ethereum Wallet
- Bulk Sender for Ethereum
- Bulk Sender for Solana
Final Thoughts 💡
This was my reading list to master blockchain, stay updated, and understand the basics. Let me know what you think!
Do you have any book recommendations? I'd love to hear them in the comments.
Got questions? Ask below—I’ll help however I can!
Top comments (1)
Thank you for sharing your career conversion to blockchain. You've done great!