The Bitcoin Course Curriculum: Complete Module Breakdown
Last updated: January 2026
The Bitcoin Course is a comprehensive Bitcoin security course designed to teach you how to confidently self-custody your Bitcoin. If you're looking for a Bitcoin course that goes beyond basic tutorials and actually explains how wallets, seed phrases, hardware devices, and cold storage really work—you're in the right place.
This is a complete Bitcoin self-custody course built for people who want to secure their Bitcoin long-term without relying on exchanges, custodial services, or guesswork. By the end, you'll understand how Bitcoin wallets function, how to assess your own threat model, and how to build a professional cold storage setup you fully control.
Below is the full curriculum breakdown showing exactly what you'll learn inside the course.
Course Philosophy: Understanding Over Instructions
Before we dive into the modules, here's what makes this curriculum different:
Most Bitcoin content teaches you WHAT to click.
This course teaches you WHY it works.
You won't just follow steps—you'll understand the system well enough to:
Recover your Bitcoin if something goes wrong
Make confident decisions about your setup
Troubleshoot issues without panic
Adapt as Bitcoin evolves
This is the difference between following a recipe and understanding how to cook.
Module 1: Bitcoin Wallet Fundamentals (The Foundation)
What you'll learn:
How Bitcoin wallets actually work (and why they don't "store" Bitcoin)
What seed phrases really are and why they control everything
The relationship between private keys, public keys, and bitcoin addresses
When (and why) to use hardware wallets
Proper backup and seed phrase security
Why this matters:
Most people skip straight to hardware wallet tutorials without understanding what's happening under the hood. Then when something goes wrong—a firmware update, a corrupted backup, an unexpected error—they panic because they don't understand the fundamentals.
This module ensures you understand WHAT you're protecting and HOW your wallet actually controls access to your Bitcoin.
Key lessons:
Introduction: How to Master Bitcoin Security
Bitcoin Wallets Explained: How Do They Actually Work?
Bitcoin Wallet Fundamentals: Seed Phrases, Keys, and Addresses
Bitcoin Wallet Deep Dive: Structures, UTXOs, and Coin Control
Ultimate Bitcoin Security with Hardware Wallets
Backing up Bitcoin Wallets and Seed Phrase Security
Outcome: You'll understand Bitcoin wallets at a deep level, not just surface instructions
Module 2: Bitcoin Wallet Deep Dive (The Technical Details)
What you'll learn:
How wallets and nodes interact
BIP39 standard: How seed words generate your entire wallet
Wallet fingerprints and why they matter for privacy
Bitcoin address types: Legacy vs SegWit vs Taproot
Derivation paths: How one seed phrase creates millions of addresses
Transaction fees: How they work and how to optimize them
Mempool mechanics and fee estimation
Why this matters:
This is where most people get lost. Terms like "derivation path," "BIP39," and "address types" sound intimidating, but they're actually straightforward once explained properly.
Understanding these concepts means you'll never be confused by wallet terminology again. You'll know exactly what's happening when you:
Recover a wallet on a different device
Switch between address types
Optimize transaction fees
Manage multiple wallets from one seed phrase
Key lessons:
Bitcoin wallets and nodes: How they work together
BIP39 Explained: How do seed words actually work?
Wallet Fingerprints: How to identify your different wallets
Bitcoin Address Types Explained: Which should you use?
Derivation Paths: How Wallets Generate Your Bitcoin Addresses
Bitcoin Fees Explained: Fee rates, Sats per Byte, and the Mempool
How to get transactions confirmed fast without overpaying
Outcome: You'll speak "Bitcoin wallet" fluently and understand the technical details pros use
Module 3: Bitcoin Security Models (The Decision Framework)
What you'll learn:
What security models are and why they matter
Threat modeling: How to assess your own risk
The 3 main Bitcoin security models (single-sig, passphrases, multisig)
Pros and cons of each model
How to choose the right model for YOUR situation
Deep dive into Bitcoin passphrases (when to use them, when not to)
Why this matters:
One of the biggest mistakes people make is overcomplicating their setup too early. They hear "multisig is more secure" and jump straight into a 2-of-3 setup before understanding the basics—then lock themselves out.
This module gives you the framework to make smart security decisions based on your actual needs, not fear or hype.
You'll learn:
When simple is better than complex
How to match security to your threat model
Warning signs that your setup is too complicated
How to upgrade your security as your holdings grow
Key lessons:
Introduction: What is a Security Model?
Understanding Threat Modelling
The 3 Bitcoin Security Models Explained
Which Security Model Should You Use?
Bitcoin Passphrases Explained: Deep Dive
Outcome: A clear decision framework for choosing the right security setup for you
Module 4: Building Your Professional Setup (The Implementation)
What you'll learn:
Complete hardware shopping list (what to buy and why)
Sparrow Wallet download, installation, and configuration
Coldcard initial setup and PIN creation
Firmware verification (the critical step most people skip)
Building a complete single-signature cold storage setup
Building a passphrased setup (if that's your chosen model)
Testing and verifying everything works correctly
Why this matters:
This is where theory becomes practice. You'll follow along with detailed, step-by-step tutorials to build a professional-grade Bitcoin security setup—the same setup I use for my own Bitcoin.
These walkthroughs explain WHY each step matters, so you're not just clicking buttons blindly.
You'll build confidence by actually doing the work, with clear explanations at every step.
Key lessons:
Introduction: How to use this Chapter
Shopping List: All The Hardware You Need
Sparrow Wallet: Initial Download and Setup
Coldcard Initial Configuration and Pin Setup
Coldcard Firmware Upgrade and Verification
Building a complete Single Signature Setup
Building a complete Passphrased Setup
Outcome: A complete, tested, professional cold storage system you fully understand
Course Structure: How It All Fits Together
The course is designed as a progression:
Module 1: Understand the theory (how wallets work)
↓
Module 2: Learn the technical details (what's under the hood)
↓
Module 3: Choose your security approach (decision framework)
↓
Module 4: Build your actual setup (hands-on implementation)
You're not just learning—you're building a complete mental model of Bitcoin self-custody.
What You Get With Enrollment
✅ Lifetime access to all course content
✅ All future updates included
✅ Self-paced learning (go as fast or slow as you need)
✅ Video lessons with clear explanations
✅ Downloadable resources and reference materials
Who Is This Course For?
Perfect if you:
Have Bitcoin on an exchange and want to move it to self-custody
Already self-custody but feel uncertain about your setup
Want to understand Bitcoin security deeply, not just follow steps
Are tired of piecing together information from random YouTube videos
Need a structured, comprehensive learning path
Not ideal if you:
Already have years of professional Bitcoin security experience
Are looking for multisig-specific training (course covers it conceptually but focuses on single-sig)
Want just a quick tutorial (this is deep, comprehensive training)
Ready to Master Bitcoin Self-Custody?
Two options:
Lifetime Access to The Course - $397
Complete course access
All future updates
Self-paced learning
Downloadable resources
Lifetime Access + Private Call - $547
Everything above, plus:
1-hour private video call with Cole
Setup review and Q&A
Personalized security recommendations
Still Not Sure?
Download the free guide: Top 5 Bitcoin Self-Custody Mistakes
See the most common mistakes people make and why proper training matters.
Stop piecing together random tutorials. Get the complete system.
About Cole (Southern Bitcoiner): Cole has held Bitcoin in self-custody for 7+ years and has spent the past 3+ years helping clients secure millions of dollars in Bitcoin. His YouTube channel (Southern Bitcoiner) has over 400,000 views teaching Bitcoin security. He created The Bitcoin Course to give people structured, comprehensive education—not scattered tutorials.
