Crypto fundamentals
Crypto fundamentals cover how blockchains work, what makes Bitcoin and Ethereum different, and the vocabulary every investor needs before touching a wallet or a trade. Start here if you are new — or if you want a clearer mental model of the system underneath the charts.
FundamentalsHow to Read a Crypto Whitepaper
Learn to read a crypto whitepaper properly. What each section should tell you, what to ask, what bad ones look like, and a full evaluation checklist.
13 min read/Heidi ChakosFundamentals
FundamentalsHow Yield-Bearing Stablecoins Work and Are They Safe?
Yield-bearing stablecoins pass returns to holders through Treasuries, DeFi lending, or derivatives. Here’s how they work and the risks to watch.
11 min read/Heidi ChakosFundamentals
FundamentalsThe Best Crypto Podcasts Worth Listening To in 2026
Discover the best crypto podcasts worth your time. Bitcoin, DeFi, macro, regulation - find the right show and cut out the noise.
11 min read/Heidi ChakosFundamentals
FundamentalsA No-Nonsense Guide to Spotting Crypto Scams
Crypto scams steal billions. Learn to spot phishing, rug pulls, pig butchering, and AI deepfakes and the on-chain tools that flag fraud before it costs you.
16 min read/Heidi ChakosFundamentals
FundamentalsUSDT vs USDC Compared: Reserves, Risks, and Which Is Safer
Which is safer, USDT or USDC? We break down reserves, depeg history, the GENIUS Act, MiCA compliance, and what it means for your money today.
11 min read/Heidi ChakosFundamentals
FundamentalsTradFi vs DeFi and The Birth of 'Invisible' Finance
TradFi and DeFi are moving closer together. Learn how custody, smart contracts, and invisible finance are changing money.
14 min read/Heidi ChakosFundamentals
FundamentalsWhat Are Crypto Prediction Markets? How Polymarket and Onchain Betting Work
How do onchain prediction markets work? Smart contracts, oracles, USDC settlement, and platform comparisons. A plain-language guide to crypto event trading.
17 min read/Heidi ChakosFundamentals
FundamentalsMiCA: Europe's Crypto Regulation Framework Explained
MiCA is now in full force across the EU. Learn what changes by the July 1, 2026 deadline, which stablecoins survived, and what it means for you.
16 min read/Heidi ChakosFundamentals
FundamentalsOn-Chain Analysis: Reading Blockchain Data to Understand Markets
On-chain analysis explained: what the metrics mean, how to read them, and which tools to use to understand crypto markets from the blockchain up.
13 min read/Heidi ChakosFAQ
What should I learn first in crypto?
Start with how blockchain works, then Bitcoin versus Ethereum, then wallets and self-custody. Those three pillars unlock almost everything else.
Are crypto fundamentals still useful after years in the market?
Yes. Cycle after cycle, the people who keep capital are the ones who understand settlement, custody, and incentive design — not just price action.