Switzerland is an international bitcoin and blockchain mecca[1], known for its crypto culture and concentration of crypto businesses. Now, it is the new home to 21 Lectures, a school for bitcoin developers founded by Lucas Betschart. The school is registered in Zug but courses are taught in the capital, Zurich.
21 Lectures[2] (named for the bitcoin cap of 21 million) is the only course for bitcoin core developers in Switzerland, and Betschart is hoping that the high-profile nature of the teachers — including James Chiang, Christian Decker and Jonas Schnelli — will attract students from around the world.
For Betschart, starting a program like this is an expression of confidence in the future of Bitcoin.
“Bitcoin itself didn't change,” he told Bitcoin Magazine. “It's still the censorship resistant, internet-native alternative to central bank money and, therefore, still very appealing to me from a technological as well as ideological point.”
He added, “People who understand the value of Bitcoin (not just the price) don't care too much about these short-term market swings.”
Schnelli, Bitcoin Core maintainer and Shift cryptosecurity expert, says, "In Switzerland, the Bitcoin ecosystem is becoming more and more established and has a growing international appeal. I am pleased to be involved in a modern and future-oriented further education with 21 Lectures."
Developing a Sustainable Business Model
Betschart says that the program’s primary goal is to get more software developers to contribute to Bitcoin’s open source projects: He and his team are “not interested in making a profit.”
A statement on the program’s website lays out its philosophy:
“We believe in the power of open source software, creative commons and that all people should be able to access information freely. This is why we publish all our teaching materials freely available to
