The best Blockchain books of all time

Blockchain - the foundational technology of cryptocurrencies and many practical applications - has become one of the revolutionary inventions of the 21st century. From driving the development of Bitcoin to changing data management in finance, supply chain, and healthcare, blockchain ushers in a new era of transparency and decentralization.

To better understand this technology, the following books are indispensable sources, from international classics to Vietnamese translations currently available in Vietnam. This article will introduce the best blockchain books of all time and list the books that have been translated and are being sold in the domestic market.

The Best Blockchain Books of All Time

“Mastering Bitcoin” – Andreas M. Antonopoulos (2014, updated 2017) is considered the “bible” for anyone looking to understand blockchain from a technical perspective. The work explains in detail how Bitcoin operates, from public/private key cryptography, Proof-of-Work algorithm, to coin mining. The updated section includes SegWit and Lightning Network, highlighting the evolution of blockchain. This is an ideal choice for programmers and developers, with clear language and real-world code examples.

“The Bitcoin Standard” – Saifedean Ammous (2018) provides an economic perspective on blockchain and Bitcoin. The author compares Bitcoin to gold, criticizes the traditional financial system, and argues that blockchain can redefine the concept of currency. The book does not require technical knowledge, suitable for investors and those interested in the social impact of this technology, thanks to sharp reasoning and vivid monetary history.

“Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps” – Daniel Drescher (2017) is the perfect starting point for newcomers. The work breaks down blockchain into 25 easy-to-understand steps, explaining distributed ledgers, consensus, and smart contracts without using complex terminology. Concise, practical, this is a book for those who want to grasp blockchain gently.

“Digital Gold” – Nathaniel Popper (2015) tells the fascinating story of the birth of Bitcoin, from the perspective of Satoshi Nakamoto to pioneers like Hal Finney and Winklevoss Twins. Not focusing on technical aspects, the book vividly recreates the early days of blockchain, suitable for history enthusiasts and entrepreneurs wanting to understand the big picture.

“Blockchain Revolution” – Don Tapscott & Alex Tapscott (2016, update 2018) explore the potential of blockchain in transforming finance, healthcare, and management. With a far-reaching vision and practical examples from IBM, Walmart, the book is inspiring for entrepreneurs and managers who want to apply blockchain in practice.

“Ethereum: Blockchains, Digital Assets, Smart Contracts, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations” – Henning Diedrich (2016) focuses on Ethereum – the first blockchain to support smart contracts. The work delves into the technical, provides basic programming guidance, and is intended for developers who want to deeply understand the second-generation blockchain.

“The Truth Machine: The Blockchain and the Future of Everything” – Michael J. Casey & Paul Vigna (2018) sees blockchain as a “truth machine,” analyzing its impact on politics, economics, and privacy. With a broad language, the book is suitable for journalists and researchers who want to explore the philosophy of blockchain.

“Bitcoin: Hard Money You Can’t F*ck With” – Jason A. Williams (2020) emphasizes Bitcoin as “hard money” that cannot be tampered with, combining classical economics with practical investment strategies. With a straightforward, modern style, this is a book for investors who love economics and blockchain.

“Blockchain: Blueprint for a New Economy” – Melanie Swan (2015) provides a vision of the new economy based on blockchain, from intellectual property rights to personal assets. The book covers Blockchain 2.0 (smart contracts) and 3.0 (non-financial applications), ideal for strategists and innovators.

“Cryptocurrency: How Bitcoin and Digital Money are Challenging the Global Economic Order” – Paul Vigna & Michael J. Casey (2015) analyzes how blockchain and cryptocurrency challenge the global economic order. Combining narrative and economics, the book is accessible to general readers and investors.

Vietnamese Translations Currently Available in Vietnam

Although the number of blockchain books in Vietnamese is still limited compared to English documents, some outstanding works have been translated and distributed in Vietnam. Here is a list of books with Vietnamese translations currently being sold in the market:

“The Blockchain Revolution” (Blockchain Revolution) – Don Tapscott & Alex Tapscott was published in 2018. The book explains how blockchain transforms many industries, easy to access for newcomers. Currently available for purchase at Tiki, Fahasa, Shopee for around 200,000 – 300,000 VND.

"Blockchain: Khởi Nguồn Cho Một Nền Kinh Tế Mới" (Blockchain: Blueprint for a New Economy) – Melanie Swan was published in 2017. The work focuses on the potential of blockchain in healthcare, elections, and data, priced at about 150,000 – 250,000 VND at Tiki and Fahasa.

"Blockchain: The Essence of Blockchain, Bitcoin, Digital Currency, Smart Contracts And The Future of Currency" - Mark gates was published in 2018. This is a basic overview of blockchain and Bitcoin, priced at 120,000 - 180,000 VND on Tiki, Shopee.

"Bitcoin: Financial Bubble or the Future of Currency" - Mark gates published in 2019. The book analyzes Bitcoin from an economic perspective, priced at 130,000 - 200,000 VND on Tiki, Fahasa.

"The Age of Cryptocurrency" (Cryptoassets: The Innovative Investor's Guide to Bitcoin and Beyond) - Chris Burniske & Jack Tatar published around 2020. A guidebook on investing in crypto, priced at 150,000 - 250,000 VND on Shopee (Note: may be an unofficial translation).

Note When Buying Books In Vietnam

Vietnamese books published from 2017-2020, some of which may be out of stock at major bookstores. You should check the inventory on Tiki, Fahasa, Shopee, or online sales channels. In addition, there are unofficial community translations like “Mastering Bitcoin” shared online for free, but not legally sold. Book prices range from 80,000 to 300,000 VND depending on the time and place of purchase.

Conclusion

Blockchain is not only a technology but also a revolution in thinking, and these books - from international classics to Vietnamese translations - are the key to exploring this field. If you want to understand the technical aspects, "Mastering Bitcoin" is the top choice ( even though there is no official Vietnamese version ) yet. For beginners, "The Blockchain Revolution" or "Blockchain Basics" are excellent starting points. In Vietnam, translations such as "The Blockchain Revolution" and "Blockchain: The Origin of a New Economy" are still easily available, providing opportunities to access knowledge in the native language.