Education
18 articles
Stablecoins explained: USDC vs USDT, in plain English
Both USDC and USDT are "$1 stablecoins." They behave identically 99% of the time, and are very different in the 1% that matters.
Editorial TeamHow crypto taxes actually work — a beginner's guide
Crypto isn't tax-free in most countries. The rules sound complicated until you realize they boil down to four words: "every disposal is taxable."
Editorial TeamDollar-cost averaging into Bitcoin: the simple math
DCA isn't magic. It's a strategy that beats most timing attempts because most timing attempts are bad. Here's why the math works.
Editorial TeamThe 5-minute guide to choosing your first crypto exchange
Don't overthink it. Three exchanges cover 95% of beginners' needs — and the wrong one mostly costs you fees, not your money.
Editorial TeamETFs vs spot crypto: the actual difference for a small investor
A spot Bitcoin ETF and "actual Bitcoin" both give you exposure to the price. The differences only matter at the edges — but the edges are where it counts.
Editorial TeamLayer 2 scaling explained — without the math
Layer 2s are the reason Ethereum transactions cost cents instead of $50 now. Here's the intuition, without any cryptography.
Editorial TeamWhat is staking, and is it worth it for small holders?
Staking pays you yield for helping run a blockchain. The yields are real but smaller than they look once you account for risk.
Editorial TeamCrypto credit cards: how they actually work
Crypto credit cards aren't really paying you in crypto. They're regular cards with a slightly different rewards model — and a few real catches.
Editorial TeamThe 4 questions to ask before buying any altcoin
Past Bitcoin and Ethereum, the average altcoin loses money. Four questions filter out 90% of the bad ones — without needing to read a whitepaper.
Editorial TeamHow to read a crypto headline without panicking
Crypto headlines are designed to provoke reactions. A simple three-question filter cuts most of them down to size.
Editorial TeamSending crypto for the first time — what to know before you click send
Sending crypto is irreversible. A small checklist before you press the button saves you from the most expensive mistake in the space.
Editorial TeamWhy leverage is a beginner's worst tool
Leverage isn't bad. It's just terrible for beginners — because it punishes the exact mistakes new traders are most likely to make.
Editorial TeamPrivacy coins: what they are, and why they're controversial
Privacy coins like Monero do something Bitcoin can't: hide who's paying whom. That's either an important property or a regulatory headache, depending on who you ask.
Editorial TeamCrypto in your retirement account: a calm take
Holding crypto in a 401k or IRA is now genuinely possible. Whether it makes sense for you depends on what you're optimizing for.
Editorial TeamBridges between blockchains: how they work, what to watch for
Bridges let you move crypto from one chain to another. They're useful, common, and the single biggest target for exploits in crypto.
Editorial TeamReading a crypto whitepaper without falling asleep: 5 questions
Most crypto whitepapers are 40+ pages of math no one will read. Five questions get you to the same understanding in 20 minutes.
Editorial TeamStablecoin yields: the floor of everything in crypto
The yield on USDC sets the floor for what every other strategy needs to beat. If you understand it, you understand the cost of every other crypto bet.
Editorial TeamThe 3-rule framework for a calm crypto portfolio
If you remember nothing else from anything we've written, remember these three rules. They prevent 90% of the bad outcomes in crypto.
Editorial Team