**UNIC’s Fall 2026 Blockchain MOOC to Offer 1,000 Hardware Wallets and €37K in Scholarships**
The University of Nicosia (UNIC) has unveiled plans for the Fall 2026 edition of its pioneering Free MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) on Blockchain and Digital Assets. This course, which is recognized as the first university-level program of its kind worldwide, has gained significant traction since its inception in 2014. To date, it has attracted over 150,000 learners from more than 120 countries, establishing itself as one of the largest university-led initiatives in the blockchain and digital asset education sector.
The upcoming MOOC will be structured into two distinct learning tracks: a free Introductory Track spanning the first eight weeks and an Advanced Track lasting four additional weeks, available for €199. The Advanced Track will provide deeper insights into the subject matter and offer exclusive benefits for participants.
### Course Structure and Content
The Introductory Track will cover essential topics related to blockchain technology, including foundational concepts of blockchain, Bitcoin and digital currencies, Ethereum and programmable blockchains, wallet security and privacy, decentralized finance, prediction markets, and the geopolitics of cryptocurrency. Students will have access to weekly quizzes, live Q&A sessions, and a final exam, culminating in a Certificate of Completion. Additionally, participants will be entered into a draw for one of 50 Trezor Model T hardware wallets, which will be awarded to students who successfully pass the final exam.
For those opting for the Advanced Track, the course will delve into more complex subjects such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), digital ownership, regulatory frameworks for digital assets, blockchain scaling, and the intersection of blockchain with artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). This track will also include several benefits, such as:
- A Trezor Model T hardware wallet for every student who completes the course.
- Five scholarships valued at €7,400 each, sponsored by Ripple, towards UNIC’s MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency.
- 25 student-access sponsorships provided by Cardano, covering the Advanced Track fee.
- A blockchain-verifiable Certificate of Completion and extended access to course materials.
### Expert Instruction and Industry Engagement
The course will be taught by UNIC faculty members, including Professor George Giaglis, Dr. Apostolos Kourtis, and Dr. Lambis Dionysopoulos. The curriculum will also feature contributions from prominent industry experts such as Garrick Hileman, Jeff Bandman, and Punk6529. Notable guest speakers for the Fall 2026 edition will include John Greene from the Cardano Foundation, Patrick Tobler of Masumi Network, Brandon M. Procak from Ripple, Lucien Bourdon from Trezor, and Luke Martinez from Team1 (Avalanche).
Professor Giaglis, who serves as the Executive Director of the Institute For the Future at UNIC, emphasized the importance of the course's evolution over the years. He noted, "We launched this course back in 2014 because there was nowhere in the university system to learn about Bitcoin properly. Twelve years later, the subject has a regulatory regime, an institutional market, and a serious research literature, and the curriculum has had to keep pace with all three. What has not changed is that the first eight weeks are free to anyone with an internet connection, and they always will be."
### Registration and Community Engagement
Students interested in participating in the MOOC can register for the free Introductory Track, and those already enrolled have the option to upgrade to the Advanced Track. The course aims to foster a global community of learners, providing networking opportunities and access to a dedicated student forum.
Further details regarding the course outline, learning outcomes, instructor profiles, and student benefits can be found on the official Free MOOC on Blockchain and Digital Assets course page.
As the landscape of blockchain technology continues to evolve, UNIC's commitment to providing accessible education in this field remains steadfast, ensuring that learners worldwide can gain valuable knowledge and skills related to blockchain and digital assets.