Learn · Topic

Trading & Investing

Cryptocurrency trading and investing in plain English: order types, futures, position size and how to build a portfolio you can stick to.

103 guides48 beginner55 intermediate

Start with this guide

The title sits over a dark desk with a folder, blank papers, a calculator and a pen on the right, lit in orange.

Trading & InvestingBeginnerHow to roll an old retirement plan into a crypto IRAYou can move an old workplace retirement plan into a crypto IRA through a self-directed custodian. A direct transfer avoids taxes and penalties.

Vahe Hakobyan3 min readRead guide

All Trading & Investing guides

Every guide in this topic, labelled by level.

The title 'How to invest in cryptocurrency' over a dark navy desk with a hardware wallet, steel plate, padlock, and shield lit by orange glow.

Trading & InvestingBeginnerHow to invest in cryptocurrency: a beginner’s guideTo invest in cryptocurrency, verify an account at a US exchange, link your bank, place a spot buy, and move coins to a self-custody wallet for safety.4 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title How to trade cryptocurrency over a dark desk with a glowing monitor, blank keypad, blank card, and a hardware wallet.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateHow to trade cryptocurrency on an exchangeTo trade cryptocurrency, open a US exchange account, verify your identity, add dollars, place orders, and keep tax records. Sales and swaps are taxable.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

A dark desk with a glowing orange stock chart, a blank form, a pen, and blank certificates, title absent.

Trading & InvestingBeginnerHow to invest in cryptocurrency stocksCryptocurrency stocks are shares of public companies tied to crypto, bought through a US brokerage; you check the company's SEC filings before you trade.4 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title How is cryptocurrency traded? over a dark desk with a laptop, phone and monitor showing glowing orange charts.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateHow is cryptocurrency traded? A beginner’s stepsCrypto trades on exchanges that match orders, or on decentralized exchanges against liquidity pools. US exchanges require an ID check before you trade.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

Roth IRA cryptocurrency guide title over a dark navy vault with steel coins and a safe lit in orange.

Trading & InvestingBeginnerRoth IRA cryptocurrency: rules and how it worksA Roth IRA cryptocurrency is crypto held inside a self-directed Roth IRA. Qualified withdrawals of gains are tax-free, but IRS rules govern the account.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

Cryptocurrency trading strategy title over a dark navy background with glowing orange candlestick bars and a glass vault.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateCryptocurrency Trading Strategy: What It Is and How It WorksA cryptocurrency trading strategy is a written plan for entries, exits, and trade size, built around your goals and loss limits. Add alerts for 24/7.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 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 Cryptocurrency in IRA over a dark vault with a hardware wallet, steel plate, padlock and blank coins in orange light.

Trading & InvestingBeginnerCryptocurrency in an IRA: how it worksA crypto IRA holds digital assets in a tax-advantaged retirement account through a specialized custodian, and you give up control of the private keys.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

A dark navy desk with a blank retirement form, folder and calculator, lit by warm orange light on the right.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateBest cryptocurrency IRA: how to compare your optionsNo single crypto IRA is best. Compare account type, provider, fees, assets and custody, and note that IRS rules require a qualified custodian.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The guide's title over a dark navy desk with a steel padlock and shield glowing orange on the right.

Trading & InvestingBeginnerCryptocurrency risk management: how to reduce lossesCryptocurrency risk management means limiting losses from hacks, scams, volatility and mistakes by controlling keys and checking platforms carefully.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

A dark vault with a safe, blank coin stacks and a padlock, lit by orange glow, with the title Self Directed IRA Cryptocurrency.

Trading & InvestingBeginnerSelf-Directed IRA Cryptocurrency: What You Can HoldA self-directed IRA may hold cryptocurrency if its custodian permits it. The IRS treats it as property for tax purposes.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 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

How to read a crypto candlestick chart title over a dark navy background with glowing glass candlestick shapes and an orange volume bar on the right.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateHow to Read a Crypto Candlestick ChartA crypto candlestick shows open, high, low, and close for one period. Read the body, wicks, color, and volume bar; colors can vary by exchange.4 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title over a dark desk with a monitor showing glowing orange candlestick bars and a blank chart grid.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateSupport and resistance in crypto trading: what they meanSupport and resistance are price areas where crypto buyers and sellers have often reacted. They are zones, not exact lines, and traders watch breaks.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

A dark navy desk with a glowing orange price ladder and abstract bars on a monitor, a blank order pad and pen in shadow.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateWhat is a limit order on a crypto exchange?A limit order buys or sells crypto only at your chosen price or better; if it cannot fill right away, it usually rests on the exchange order book.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title What is a market order over a dark desk with a glowing orange chart and keyboard.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateWhat Is a Crypto Market Order and How Does It Fill?A crypto market order buys or sells a coin right away at the best available price. It fills against the order book, and slippage can worsen your fill.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title What is a stop loss order sits over a dark navy desk with a glowing orange terminal and abstract bars.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateStop loss orders: what they are and how they work in cryptoA stop loss order tells a crypto exchange to place a trade when a trigger price is reached. It is a conditional order, and its fill price can differ from the stop.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

A dark desk with a monitor showing a glowing orange line that steps flat, an order ticket and a pen, with the guide title above.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateCrypto stop-limit orders: what they are and how they workA stop-limit order on a crypto exchange triggers a limit order at a chosen stop price. The limit price can leave it unfilled if the market moves past it.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title What is a take profit order? over a dark desk with a monitor showing glowing orange bars and an upward arrow.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateWhat is a take profit order in crypto?A take profit order closes a crypto trade automatically when the market reaches a price you set. The price you get can differ from your target.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title How does order book depth affect a crypto trade? over a dark desk with a glowing bar chart and blank slips.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateHow order book depth affects a crypto tradeOrder book depth shows how much crypto can trade near the current price before it moves. Thin depth makes larger orders slip to worse prices.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title What is a bid ask spread over a dark navy desk with two stacks of blank coins separated by a glowing gap

Trading & InvestingIntermediateBid-ask spread in crypto: what it is and what it costsThe bid-ask spread is the gap between the best buy and sell orders on a crypto exchange. It is a cost separate from fees and widens when liquidity is thin.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

A dark desk with a glowing calculator, blank paper slips and a folder on the right, with the guide title over the empty left side.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateHow to calculate trading fees before placing an orderAdd exchange fee, bid-ask spread, and network fee to estimate the true cost of a crypto trade. Check maker or taker rates before you confirm.4 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

What is slippage in spot trading? title over a dark trading desk with a monitor showing abstract orange price bars.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateSlippage in spot trading: why your fill price differsSlippage in spot trading is the gap between your expected price and the price your fill actually gets. Thin liquidity and fast moves widen it.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

A dark navy trading desk with a glowing orange candlestick chart, keyboard, mouse, and a floating contract icon.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateCrypto Perpetual Futures: What They AreA crypto perpetual future tracks a coin's price with no expiry date. Funding payments and leverage shape the risks that traders take on these contracts.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title Spot vs Futures Trading over dark monitors with glowing orange charts, a coin and a contract envelope.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateCrypto spot vs futures trading: how they differSpot crypto trading buys the coin itself, while a crypto futures contract tracks its price without ownership. Futures settle in cash and often use margin.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title sits over a dark desk with a glowing orange chart, a blank calculator, a pen and blank cards.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateIsolated margin position: what it is and how it limits riskAn isolated margin position sets aside collateral for one leveraged trade, capping losses to that amount. The exchange can liquidate just that position.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The guide title What is a cross margin position over a dark navy desk with glowing orange trading bars and blank coins.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateWhat is a cross margin position and how does it work?A cross margin position uses your whole account balance as shared collateral for every open trade. A loss on one position can affect the others.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title 'How does leverage change liquidation risk?' over a dark desk with a glowing screen of abstract orange bars.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateLeverage and liquidation risk: how the trigger price movesLeverage magnifies losses, so a forced close triggers closer to your entry. Isolated margin limits the reach; cross margin can touch your whole balance.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title sits over a dark desk with glowing orange candlestick bars, a blank calculator and a pen.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateHow to calculate your crypto liquidation priceYour liquidation price is where your margin balance falls to the maintenance margin. Work it out from your entry price, leverage and margin mode.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

A dark navy desk with a monitor of glowing orange bars and dials, a blank clipboard and cables on the right, and an empty dark left side.

Trading & InvestingIntermediateMaintenance margin in crypto futures: what it isMaintenance margin is the minimum collateral a crypto futures position must keep. Exchanges set the rate by contract and can liquidate below it.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

Questions

Short answers to what people ask most.

Buying and selling coins to profit from price moves. Trades run on centralized exchanges that match orders, or on decentralized exchanges that trade against liquidity pools.

Open an account at a US exchange, verify your identity, add dollars and place an order. Keep records from day one: sales and swaps are taxable.

Verify an account at a US exchange, link your bank, place a spot buy and move the coins to a wallet you control. Dollar cost averaging spreads purchases over time instead of betting on one entry.

That depends on your goals and how much loss you can take. Prices are volatile and holdings have no FDIC insurance, so these guides cover position size, diversification and exit plans, not coin picks.

Spot trading buys the coin itself. Futures are contracts on its price, often with leverage, and a leveraged position can be liquidated when the price moves against it.

Yes, through a self-directed IRA. In a Roth IRA, qualified withdrawals of gains are tax-free, but IRS rules govern the account and its custodian.