Skip to content
Learn · Level

Beginner guides

No experience needed — plain-English guides to the core ideas.

807 guides
Crypto coin next to a computer

All beginner guides

Newest first · page 6 of 27.

The guide title over a dark desk with a glowing laptop, a blank hardware wallet and a glass block linked by light.Crypto BasicsBeginnerHow to understand cryptocurrency: a beginner’s mapYou can understand cryptocurrency without buying any: start with one network, follow a payment, and see how the IRS treats it as property in the US.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title Is cryptocurrency regulated? over a dark desk with a glowing calculator, blank forms and a folder in lime green light.Crypto BasicsBeginnerIs cryptocurrency regulated? US rules and who enforces themCrypto is regulated in the US, but no single federal law covers it. The SEC, CFTC, IRS, FinCEN and state regulators each handle a different part.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 Cryptocurrency fraud prevention title over a dark navy background with blank paper, a padlock, a hardware wallet and a shield in red lightWallets & SecurityBeginnerCryptocurrency fraud prevention: how to spot and stop scamsCrypto fraud prevention means spotting a scam before you send funds or share a key. Report losses to the FTC and the FBI's IC3. Keep transaction IDs.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 How to short cryptocurrency title over a dark desk with a monitor showing abstract falling bars and glowing green accents.Crypto BasicsBeginnerHow to short cryptocurrency: steps and rulesTo short cryptocurrency, open a margin or futures account, pick a coin, set leverage, sell, then buy back before liquidation. Keep trade records.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 Cryptocurrency IRA companies title over a dark desk with a glowing folder, blank forms, a calculator and a pen.Trading & InvestingBeginnerCryptocurrency IRA companies: what they are and how they workA cryptocurrency IRA company offers a retirement account that can hold crypto, held by a qualified custodian. It is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title How to start a cryptocurrency exchange over a dark desk with glowing gold monitors, a blank calculator and a pen.Buying & ExchangesBeginnerHow to start a cryptocurrency exchange in the USStarting a US crypto exchange means running a licensed money services business with state money transmitter licenses and AML rules for fiat operations.2 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 A dark navy vault with blank metal coins and a glass safe glowing orange on the right, left side empty shadow.Trading & InvestingBeginnerSelf-Directed Roth IRA Cryptocurrency: How It WorksA self-directed Roth IRA can hold crypto when a qualified custodian allows it. The custodian holds the assets, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title How to create a cryptocurrency exchange appears over a dark desk with a blank monitor, forms, and a pen in gold light.Buying & ExchangesBeginnerHow to create a cryptocurrency exchange in the USCreating a US crypto exchange means FinCEN registration, state money transmitter licenses, and a compliance program that keeps running after launch.2 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title How to Earn Cryptocurrency over a dark desk with a glowing monitor and blank keyboard.Crypto BasicsBeginnerHow to earn cryptocurrency: realistic ways to startYou can earn cryptocurrency by working, staking, mining, rewards, referrals, or learning programs, and you record each reward's date and value for the IRS.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The guide title over a dark navy desk with a phone, a metal hardware wallet and paper.Wallets & SecurityBeginnerHot vs cold crypto wallets: how they differHot wallets stay online for easy spending, while cold wallets keep keys offline for lower risk. This guide shows how to set up each.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The guide's title over a dark navy background with blank coins and a banknote on the right and empty space on the left.Crypto BasicsBeginnerCryptocurrency vs government-issued currency: how they differCrypto is digital money no government issues or backs; government currency is legal tender backed by a state. The IRS treats crypto as property.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title When did cryptocurrency start? over a dark navy background with a glowing lime green chain of glass blocks on the right.Crypto BasicsBeginnerWhen did cryptocurrency start? A plain timelineCryptocurrency began with Bitcoin's network in January 2009, after a 2008 whitepaper. Each coin has its own launch date and a genesis block.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title What is blockchain over a chain of glass blocks joined by glowing cyan lines on a dark navy background.BlockchainBeginnerWhat is a cryptocurrency blockchain?A cryptocurrency blockchain is a shared ledger that records transactions without a central authority. Bitcoin, created in 2009, was the first to use one.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title How to evaluate demand for Axie Infinity with its logo over glass blocks joined by blue light.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerHow to evaluate demand for Axie InfinityAxie Infinity demand is about player activity, not token price. Check Ronin addresses, marketplace buyers, breeding, and staking before you trust it.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title What are the main risks of using Kaspa? and the Kaspa logo over a dark navy background with glowing teal glass shards on the right.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerKaspa risks: keys, scams, attacks and US rulesThe main risks of using Kaspa are lost keys, exchange failure, scams, attacks and unclear rules. IRS taxes crypto as property, and the CFTC calls it a commodity.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title and Kaspa logo over a dark navy background with glowing teal glass blocks and light lines.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerHow to compare Kaspa with other blockchainsBuild one scorecard from official docs and explorers to compare Kaspa with other blockchains on design, supply, mining and speed, dating every entry.2 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 Kaspa title and logo over a dark navy background with glowing teal server racks on the right.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerHow to evaluate activity on KaspaKaspa activity shows in a block explorer as transactions, addresses, block rate and hashrate; compare them over days and inspect single transfers.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title How does Kaspa process transactions? above the real Kaspa logo, over glowing teal glass blocks on a dark navy backgroundAltcoins & TokensBeginnerHow Kaspa processes a transaction, step by stepKaspa processes a transaction when a miner validates it and adds it to a block on its proof-of-work GHOSTDAG network, which orders those blocks.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title What is Kaspa? with the Kaspa logo over dark mining machines with teal glowing fans.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerWhat Is Kaspa? How Its BlockDAG WorksKaspa is a proof-of-work cryptocurrency that uses a blockDAG ordered by GHOSTDAG for fast transactions. It launched on 7 November 2021 with no presale.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 Celestia guide cover with the Celestia logo over a dark navy background of glowing servers and glass blocks.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerHow Celestia processes transactionsCelestia orders transactions and publishes blob data instead of executing smart contracts; validators vote and light nodes sample the data to check it.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The guide title and the Floki logo over a dark navy scene with blank coins and a glass case lit in orange.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerFloki risks: what can go wrong when you hold itFloki can lose most of its value on hype alone, and its contracts and bridges can break. US taxes and overseas advertising rules add to the downside.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 A glowing violet chain of glass blocks on a dark navy background with an empty left side, under a Sei risks title.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerMain risks of using Sei: what can go wrongUsing Sei exposes you to smart contract bugs, bridge exploits, wallet drainers, staking slashing and US rules that may treat SEI as a security.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The guide title sits over a dark navy background with glowing violet glass blocks joined by light lines on the right.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerHow Sei processes a transaction from wallet to chainSei processes your transaction when your wallet signs it, a node checks it, validators order the block, and the chain records it in an explorer.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title What is Axie Infinity and what is its role with the Axie Infinity logo over a dark navy scene of glossy cards and a blue glow.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerAxie Infinity: what it is and what role it playsAxie Infinity is a blockchain game where players battle, breed, and collect NFT creatures called Axies. It runs on the Ronin sidechain with AXS tokens.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title How to compare Celestia with other blockchains over a dark navy background of glass blocks joined by violet light.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerHow to compare Celestia with other blockchainsCelestia is a data-availability layer, not a general-purpose chain. Compare it by checking current data cost, users, security model and where execution happens.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 Celestia guide cover with title and Celestia logo over glass blocks joined by violet light on a dark navy background.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerCelestia activity: how to evaluate blobs and rollupsCelestia activity is best read as rollup blobs, not raw transaction counts. Check an explorer and dashboard, then compare namespaces over time.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 Celestia guide cover with the real Celestia logo and a dark navy background showing glass cubes linked by violet light.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerWhat are the main risks of using Celestia?Celestia's main risks are data withholding, slashing, sampling assumptions, and unsettled US rules for TIA, staking rewards, airdrops. Sampling is random.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 Celestia title and logo over a dark navy background with glass cubes linked by violet light.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerCelestia: what it is and how TIA worksCelestia is a modular data availability network for other blockchains. Its TIA token pays for data, and validators stake it to secure the network.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The guide title and the Floki logo over a dark navy scene with a glowing orange orb and floating glass panels.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerHow to evaluate demand for Floki without hypeEvaluate Floki demand by checking on-chain activity, exchange volume, and holder distribution, not price alone; keep dated records for US taxes.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026 The title How does Floki token supply work? and the FLOKI logo over a dark navy background with glowing orange bars and dials.Altcoins & TokensBeginnerFloki token supply: how it works and how to check itFloki has a fixed maximum supply, and no new tokens can be minted. Its supply is spread across blockchains, so check each official contract on an explorer.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026