Crypto Guides and How-Tos for Beginners
Crypto explained in plain words: how it works, how to buy and store it, and how to stay safe.
Start here: crypto basics
What Is Cryptocurrency?
How crypto came about, where you can use it and the issues around it.
What Is Blockchain?
How a blockchain works, the main types, and mistakes to avoid.What Is a Seed Phrase?
What a seed phrase is, how it differs from a password, and how to keep it safe.Public and Private Keys
What the keys in your wallet do and why the private one stays private.7 Crypto Scams to Avoid
How crypto scams work and seven common ones to watch for.
Back Up and Restore a Wallet
How to back up a wallet the right way and restore it from the backup.
More guides:
- Start With Crypto
- Top 10 Cryptocurrencies
- What Is DeFi?
- Staking for Beginners
- 7 Wallet Security Mistakes
- All Crypto Basics
Latest guides
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About these guides
New to crypto? Start here. These guides explain how cryptocurrencies work and how to use them safely, step by step and in plain words.
Begin with the basics: what a cryptocurrency is, how a blockchain records transactions, and what a wallet really holds. A wallet does not store coins. It stores the keys that prove the coins are yours, and the seed phrase is the backup of those keys. Anyone who sees your seed phrase can take your funds.
Then move on to buying and selling, sending crypto, staking and taxes. We review the most-read guides regularly, and each one shows when it was last updated.
Crypto prices swing hard and scams are common. Never put in money you cannot afford to lose, and walk away from anyone who promises guaranteed returns.
Five safety rules
- Seed phrase Write it down, keep it offline and never share it. No real support team will ever ask for it.
- Two-factor login Turn on two-factor authentication for every exchange account, with an app rather than text messages where you can.
- Addresses Bookmark the sites you use and check every wallet address before you send. Some malware swaps copied addresses.
- Test first Send a small amount first when you use a new address or network.
- Promises Guaranteed returns, giveaways and urgent messages are the most common signs of a scam.
Guides by topic
Wallets & security
Buying, selling & sending
Investing, staking & taxes
Crypto basics
Questions about getting started
Where should a beginner start?
Start with what a cryptocurrency is and how a blockchain works. Then learn how wallets, keys and seed phrases protect your coins. Read a buying guide for your country before you spend any money, and start small. The cards in the Start here section above follow that order.
What is a seed phrase?
A seed phrase is a list of words, usually 12 or 24, that backs up your wallet. Anyone who has it can restore the wallet and move your funds. Keep it offline, never type it into a website, and never share it. Real support teams never ask for it.
How do I spot a crypto scam?
Be wary of anyone who promises guaranteed or very high returns, offers a giveaway, or pushes you to act fast. Check the website address before you log in, never share your seed phrase, and use two-factor authentication. Our guide to seven common scams shows the warning signs.
Do I have to pay tax on crypto?
In many countries, yes. Selling, swapping or spending crypto can count as a taxable event, and income such as staking rewards may be taxed too. The rules differ a lot from country to country, so check your tax authority's guidance or ask a tax adviser.
What is the difference between a custodial and a non-custodial wallet?
With a custodial wallet, such as an exchange account, the company holds the keys and can freeze or lose your funds. With a non-custodial wallet you hold the keys yourself, so you are in full control but also fully responsible for the backup. Many people use both.
This page is kept up to date by the UseTheBitcoin editorial team and reviewed every quarter. Last reviewed: October 2026. How we work: editorial policy.
All guides
Why Are USDT and USDC the Best Stablecoins for Remittances?
Using USDT and USDC as an alternative means of sending money abroad instead of conventional remittance services is an option for anyone who wishes to ...
How to Connect Ledger to MetaMask (Step by Step)
Linking a Ledger hardware wallet with MetaMask provides you with the ability to interact with supported decentralized applications (dApps), but at the same time, it ...
WETH vs ETH: What’s the Difference and When Should You Wrap?
Have you noticed that some tokens have the word “wrapped” in their name like Wrapped BTC (WBTC) or Wrapped ETH (WETH)? We are going to ...
How to Withdraw Money From Coinbase to Your Bank (Fees and Times)
I’m going to show you some options for withdrawing your funds from your Coinbase account and transferring them to your US bank account. This article ...
How to View and Download Your Coinbase Transaction History
Coinbase keeps track of all your transactions, including all of your crypto purchases, sales, exchanges, deposits, and withdrawals as they are being made. You can ...
How to Bridge to Arbitrum: The Official Bridge and Faster Alternatives
As many of you know, Ethereum can get very slow and at the same time expensive, especially when the network is busy. Arbitrum is a ...
How to Read Crypto Charts: A Beginner’s Guide to Candles, Trends and Indicators
Crypto charts can look overwhelming until someone explains them properly. I’m going to break down the basics of reading price charts and candlesticks in a ...
Understanding Flash Loans: How They Work and What They’re Used For
Flash loans give the chance to crypto investors to borrow any amount of assets and return them immediately. Flash loans are meant for use in ...
Trust Wallet Recovery Phrase: Where to Find It, Back It Up and Restore
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How to Add Polygon (POL) to MetaMask: Network Details and Steps
The process of adding the Polygon network to your wallet may be slightly different depending on the version of the wallet you are using. But ...
What Is a Crypto Wallet Address? How to Find, Use, and Check One
A crypto wallet address is a group of either a combination of various characters or numbers through which a person can receive their crypto on ...
How to Build a Crypto Mining Rig in 2026: Parts, Costs and Profitability
To build a crypto mining rig, it is necessary to obtain hardware that conducts proof-of-work calculations for a cryptocurrency network. The hardware can consist of ...
Cheapest Crypto to Transfer (2026): Real Fees Compared
Many transactions happen across different blockchains and blockchain networks every day, and one practical way of saving more and getting a better value for your ...
The Complete Bitcoin Timeline: Major Events and Milestones
Bitcoin is getting closer to 20 years, and at UseTheBitcoin, we thought this could be a unique opportunity to look back at the ultimate Bitcoin ...
- Crypto Basics
Easy-to-understand articles explaining the basics of cryptocurrency for beginners
- Crypto Taxes
Guides and information on cryptocurrency taxation, including how to report crypto earnings and navigate tax regulations.
- Investing
