Resources
Resource Center
Welcome to the resource center, over time we will gather a collection of useful links and resources to help you through your crypto journey. Check back soon for more!
Crypto terms can feel like a new language. That’s why we created this simple glossary—to help you understand the words and phrases you’ll see as you learn about cryptocurrency. No need to guess or feel stuck; just look up any term you’re unsure of and get a clear, plain-English explanation.
Glossary:
Research & Market Data:Address
A unique identifier (often in the form of a string of alphanumeric characters) that represents a destination for cryptocurrency payments.Altcoin
Any cryptocurrency that is an alternative to Bitcoin (e.g., Ethereum, Litecoin, etc.).Bear Market
A prolonged period where prices are falling and market sentiment is pessimistic.Block
A batch of transactions that is validated and recorded on the blockchain.Blockchain
A decentralized, digital ledger where transactions are recorded in a chain of blocks secured by cryptography.Bull Market
A market trend characterized by rising prices and optimism.Coin vs. Token
- Coin: A cryptocurrency that operates on its own blockchain (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum).
- Token: A digital asset created on an existing blockchain (e.g., ERC-20 tokens on Ethereum).
Cryptocurrency
A digital or virtual currency secured by cryptography, often operating on decentralized networks.Decentralization
Distribution of power away from a central authority—no single entity controls the network or transactions.Exchange
An online platform where users can buy, sell, or trade cryptocurrencies for other cryptos or fiat currencies.Fiat
Government-issued currency (e.g., USD, EUR) that is not backed by a physical commodity like gold.Fork
A split in a blockchain’s protocol (rules). Can result in a new version of the blockchain (e.g., Bitcoin vs. Bitcoin Cash).Gas (Fee)
The fee paid to miners/validators for processing transactions or executing smart contracts on a network like Ethereum.HODL
A misspelling of “hold” that became slang in crypto communities, meaning to hold on to your coins long-term rather than sell.KYC (Know Your Customer)
A regulatory requirement for financial services to verify the identity of their customers, often through ID submission.Mining
The process of validating blockchain transactions and creating new coins using computational power (e.g., Bitcoin mining).NFT (Non-Fungible Token)
A unique digital asset representing ownership of a specific item (art, collectibles, virtual real estate) on a blockchain.Private Key
A secret alphanumeric code that allows you to access and manage your crypto funds. Losing it means losing access to your assets.Public Key
The publicly shareable counterpart to the private key. It’s used to generate receiving addresses for crypto transactions.Seed Phrase (Recovery Phrase)
A series of words (usually 12 or 24) generated by your wallet that acts as a backup to recover or restore your funds.Smart Contract
Self-executing code on a blockchain that automatically enforces the terms of an agreement (e.g., DeFi lending protocols).Stablecoin
A cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value, usually pegged to a fiat currency (like USD) or other reserve asset.Staking
Locking up cryptocurrencies in a proof-of-stake blockchain to help secure the network and earn rewards.Volatility
The degree of price fluctuation in a market or asset—crypto can be highly volatile compared to traditional assets.Wallet
A tool (software or hardware) for storing, sending, and receiving cryptocurrencies. Holds your private keys and addresses.
Here, you’ll find reliable tools for real-time prices, on-chain activity, and the latest crypto news—all in one place. We encourage you to cross-check data from multiple websites to get a fuller picture of what’s really happening in the market. By exploring different perspectives and sources, you can make more confident decisions on your crypto journey.
Links:
1. CoinMarketCap
- Website: coinmarketcap.com
- Description: One of the earliest and most recognized crypto price aggregators, listing thousands of cryptocurrencies with market cap, volume, and other key metrics.
2. CoinGecko
- Website: coingecko.com
- Description: A well-regarded platform for real-time price data, coin rankings, and developer/community metrics. Often quick to list emerging tokens.
3. CryptoCompare
- Website: cryptocompare.com
- Description: Tracks prices, reviews exchanges, and provides tools for portfolio tracking. Known for detailed charts and historical data.
4. Messari
- Website: messari.io
- Description: Offers in-depth research reports, analytics dashboards, and real-time market data. Especially popular with institutional and advanced traders.
5. Glassnode
- Website: glassnode.com
- Description: Specializes in on-chain metrics, tracking network health, holder behavior, and other advanced data points for major blockchains.
6. Santiment
- Website: santiment.net
- Description: Combines on-chain analytics with social sentiment data. Great for tracking how community buzz correlates to price movements.
7. CoinDesk
- Website: coindesk.com
- Description: A longstanding crypto news outlet with market indexes, daily newsletters, and frequent industry updates.
8. The Block
- Website: theblock.co
- Description: Known for investigative journalism, market analysis, and in-depth research reports. Often cited by other media outlets.
9. Etherscan
- Website: etherscan.io
- Description: The go-to blockchain explorer for Ethereum, letting you verify transaction data, wallet balances, and smart contracts directly on-chain.
Keep your digital assets safe with our concise Security Cheat Sheet. It covers essential best practices—from creating strong passwords and using secure wallets, to detecting phishing attempts—so you can protect your crypto investments with confidence.
1. Secure Your Seed Phrase
- Write it down on paper (never store it only on a computer).
- Hide your seed phrase and don’t let others know where it’s located.
- Keep multiple backups in secure locations.
- Never share your seed phrase with anyone—no legitimate service needs it.
2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
- Don’t reuse passwords across different accounts (email, exchanges, wallets).
- If you struggle with creating strong passwords, use a password manager to generate and securely store them.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- Prioritize an authenticator app (e.g., Google Authenticator, Authy) over SMS-based codes.
- Set up 2FA on all crypto-related accounts, including exchanges and email.
4. Protect Your Private Keys
- Keep private keys offline whenever possible (e.g., hardware wallet, paper wallet).
- If using a software wallet, encrypt and back up your wallet file.
5. Beware of Phishing Attempts
- Double-check URLs before entering login details—scammers often create lookalike sites.
- Never click on suspicious links in emails or direct messages.
- If in doubt, visit the official website directly (rather than clicking through a link).
6. Stay Updated
- Install wallet, browser, and antivirus updates promptly. (Windows Defender is pretty good these days!)
- Keep your operating system up to date (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android).
- Watch for official announcements from project teams about new threats or patches.
7. Use Reputable Wallets & Exchanges
- Research platforms before depositing funds (look for reviews and community feedback).
- Check if the platform has a history of hacks or security breaches.
8. Diversify Your Storage
- If you hold significant amounts, spread them across multiple wallets (e.g., hardware wallet for long-term storage, hot wallet for daily use).
- This helps reduce risk—if one wallet is compromised, you won’t lose everything.
9. Limit Exposure on Public Wi-Fi
- Avoid making crypto transactions on unsecured networks (cafés, airports).
- If you must, use a trusted VPN and be mindful of your surroundings.
10. Monitor & Revoke Token Approvals
- If you use DeFi apps, regularly check for active token approvals on blockchain explorers (e.g., Etherscan’s token approval tool).
- Revoke unnecessary permissions to reduce the risk of unwanted spending.
- If you receive a random token, be cautious—its smart contract could be malicious.
- Don’t connect your wallet to suspicious or unknown websites.
Final Tip
The best defense is staying informed. Keep learning about new threats and solutions to ensure your crypto investments remain secure. Frequent checkups on your setup—passwords, device security, and wallet backups—can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
These are only the very basics, to find out why and to dive deeper we have a range of courses you can sign up for!