Crypto Basics

Blockchains, bitcoin, stablecoins and the risks.

1. How Blockchains Work — A blockchain is a shared record of transactions that thousands of computers keep in sync, with no bank in the middle. Here is how blocks are added, how the network agrees on the truth and why that matters for digital money.
2. Bitcoin — Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency and is still the largest. Its supply is capped, its rules are set in code and its price is famously volatile. Here is how it works and what its recent price history looks like.
3. Ethereum and Smart Contracts — Ethereum is a blockchain you can program. Its smart contracts power lending apps, trading platforms and digital collectibles. Here is how it differs from bitcoin and how its token, ether, has behaved.
4. Stablecoins — Stablecoins are crypto tokens designed to stay worth $1. They have become the plumbing of the crypto world and now have a federal rulebook in the U.S. Here is how they work and where the risks hide.
5. Crypto ETFs and Exchanges — You can own crypto directly on an exchange, or indirectly through funds and stocks. Each path has different costs, protections and risks. Here is how they compare.
6. Crypto Risks and Security — Crypto combines extreme price swings with irreversible transactions and plenty of scams. Here are the main risks, the tax rules and a short checklist for keeping any crypto you own safe.