Ways to start learning crypto for free
Cryptocurrencies can bring great profits or significant losses. Start your journey with training, here are a few ways to learn about crypto trading free of charge.
While the cryptocurrency market can undoubtedly be alluring to traders, diving into it can be daunting, especially for newcomers. Luckily, learning the fundamentals of crypto trading doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. There are numerous resources available that offer comprehensive guidance and education entirely for free.
By leveraging these resources and employing strategic learning approaches, mastering the art of crypto trading can become not just feasible but also accessible to those willing to put in the effort.
Where to start learning about cryptocurrencies
The first step in any aspiring crypto trader’s journey should probably be to understand how the blockchain works, and what tokens, cryptocurrency, and NFTs are. Consider starting by researching and learning the basic terms, as well as the slang. The definitions should be freely available online and as they are used by most experts, they should enable traders to be able to get through material much easier.
It is also recommended for traders to create a wallet for storing cryptocurrency. This way they can start practicing basic operations with digital assets. At the same time, it is worth reading up on the different types of deception or scams, in order to avoid fraudulent schemes.
In terms of things traders may want to avoid in the early stages, one of the main ones is probably giving in to success stories. Many articles and telegram channels contain cases of traders earning profits 5, 10, 20, or even 50 times their initial investment. However, you shouldn’t believe everything. People are always far more likely to publicize their profits over their losses, which can make it seem extremely easy to make money on crypto quickly.
It’s also best to avoid FOMO. Most cryptomaniacs get burned precisely because of the wrong strategy. They give in to emotions and lose money.
Free study materials worth considering
Online courses
One of the best methods to learn about crypto market analytics is online courses where authors explain the basics of this area and examine the conditional aspects. Some popular free tutorials include:
1. Coursera
Online course provider, Coursera features a course that introduces the basic concepts of cryptocurrencies. In the video, the lecturer explains to classes how decentralization is implemented in practice, how Bitcoin mining works, and how digital assets are stored. A brief explanation of altcoins is also given.
The course was created by Princeton University. Although a certificate is not issued, the resource could be considered an effective way to develop a basic understanding of cryptocurrencies.
2. EdX
The UC Berkeley course differs from other courses because, among other things, it has a section on Ethereum. In other columns, the authors talk about game theory and also offer a unique approach to highlighting security pitfalls in the context of crypto assets. Though the course can be viewed for free, if users want a certificate there is a fee of $99.
3. Udemy
This two-hour video course explains the essence of distributed systems and their place in the history of money. This course could be perfect for those who wish to learn at a slightly slower pace than is available on sites like Coinbase. It may also appeal to those who do not intend to fully immerse themselves in various aspects of the blockchain and the Bitcoin ecosystem.
4. Media
Many cryptocurrency media outlets have their own knowledge base. In particular, crypto.news has a special section dedicated to the most popular topics in the cryptocurrency market.
YouTube
Naturally, we mustn’t forget about the old method: YouTube. On YouTube, there are many educational channels about the fairly new industry of cryptocurrency. But finding a high-quality channel where everything is explained in your preferred language can be a lot of work!
Viewers should also be wary of various ‘experts’ who only want to profit from them. For example, in November 2023, SpaceX and BitOK revealed a fraudulent crypto giveaway orchestrated by scammers impersonating Elon Musk, who managed to raise $165,000 in donations. The scheme was said to involve a deepfake version of Elon Musk in live YouTube streams, which have since been removed.
Telegram
Aspiring traders can also find Telegram channels with similar information. These channels will provide the latest information and different Airdrops that can help beginners and more experienced traders.
What are the advantages of telegram channels? The fact is that information comes at one moment, from all over the world, and channels can react to this or that information faster than many sites or other sources! However, it’s important to note that there is a lot of misleading information on the service and users should be careful and check that they’re receiving correct advice.
Exchanges
Large exchanges are increasingly focusing on training beginners. This benefits both users and platforms. Crypto exchanges provide guides for free (usually), and in return, they receive new loyal users.
Major market players such as Binance, Coinbase, and Bybit have free mini-courses as well as an extensive knowledge base to help newbies understand the basics of the crypto market.
To take the first steps in trading, users are offered tools for beginners. The most popular are demo trading (test trading of fake assets), as well as copy trading – a strategy that involves copying the actions of experienced traders.
In October 2023, Coinbase’s layer-2 (L2) network, Base, launched an eight-week training course aimed at transforming traditional software developers into blockchain developers. The Bootcamp aims to be “hands-on and collaborative, so participants can feel like they’re learning with someone rather than sitting back in a lecture hall”.
How to recognize scammers and pseudo-trading gurus
The digital asset market is unpredictable. At any moment, news may come out that will trigger a panic sale of cryptocurrency.
No one, even the most professional trader, knows for sure when a promising money-making moment will appear. Moreover, no one can guarantee quick income for a beginner. Aspiring traders should be wary of learning to trade cryptocurrencies from a coach who promises instant earnings.
Trading, like any other occupation, is not suitable for everyone. It is impossible to know in advance whether a person will succeed in realizing themselves in the profession. Not everyone can understand how to trade on the digital asset exchange with the maximum level of profit.
Let’s sum it up
Beginners who want to make money from trading are an attractive audience for scammers. In order not to fall prey to unscrupulous teachers and project representatives, it is important to analyze proposals.
Even if the resources provided are free, following bad advice may lead traders to make costly financial mistakes down the line. Therefore, anyone considering studying crypto should take their time to research the sources any information is coming from to ensure they are credible.
