Crypto 101

Cryptocurrency 101 — Wallets, Exchanges & Basics

Before buying crypto, understand how it actually works. This guide covers wallets, exchanges, security, and the key concepts beginners need first.

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Quick Links

Start with the foundational blog posts that pair with this guide.

What Is Crypto?

A plain-English breakdown of what cryptocurrency is, how it works, and why it exists.

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Wallets for Beginners

Hot wallets, cold wallets, hardware wallets — learn what you need and when you need it.

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How to Buy Bitcoin Safely

Step-by-step guide to buying your first Bitcoin on a reputable exchange without mistakes.

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Key Concepts

The essentials before you do anything else.

Start here: Cryptocurrency is digital money secured by cryptography. It runs on blockchains — decentralized networks that record transactions without a central bank. Before you buy anything: understand wallets (where you store crypto) and exchanges (where you buy it).


Wallets vs Exchanges

Two different things — both matter. Know the difference before you send funds anywhere.

Exchanges

Where you buy, sell, and trade crypto. The exchange holds your keys — convenient but carries custodial risk. Examples: Coinbase, Binance, BTCC, MEXC.

Wallets

Where you control your own keys. Hot wallets are connected to the internet; cold wallets (hardware) are offline and more secure for long-term storage.


Security Basics

The one rule that matters most.

Never share your seed phrase with anyone. Not customer support, not "verify" pages, not anyone. Store it offline. Your seed phrase is your wallet — whoever has it, controls your funds.


Learning Order

Follow this sequence. Each step builds on the last.

The recommended order for crypto beginners:

  1. Wallets and security basics.
  2. How to buy and sell on an exchange.
  3. How to read a chart (basics).
  4. Risk management rules.
  5. Trading strategies (when you're ready).

Related Blog Posts

Deeper reading on each of the topics covered above.

What Is Cryptocurrency

A foundational explainer on what crypto is, how blockchains work, and why it matters.

Crypto Wallets for Beginners

Everything beginners need to know about hot wallets, cold wallets, and keeping funds safe.

How to Buy Bitcoin Safely

A step-by-step walkthrough of buying Bitcoin on a reputable exchange without common pitfalls.

Crypto Risk Management Basics

Why managing risk matters before you ever think about strategy or profit targets.


Explore More in Crypto School

Continue building your knowledge in the right order.

Course Roadmap

See the full learning path from crypto basics to confident trading — start here if you're new.

Trading Basics

Charts, candlesticks, support and resistance — the fundamentals of reading markets.

Trading Strategies

Simple, repeatable systems for trend-following and breakout trading with risk rules built in.

Risk Management

Position sizing, stop-losses, drawdown rules — what keeps traders in the game long-term.


Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about getting started with crypto.

What should I learn first in crypto?

Start with wallets and security — understanding how to safely hold crypto is more important than which coin to buy. Then learn the basics of buying on exchanges, then market structure.

Do I need a hardware wallet?

Not always — but for long-term holdings, a hardware wallet is generally the safest option. For smaller amounts or active trading, a reputable exchange or software wallet may be fine.

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