Beginner crypto guides since 2017

Buy your first crypto with confidence.

Plain-English guides, honest exchange reviews and side-by-side comparisons, written for people who are new to crypto.

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140+beginner guides
30+reviews & comparisons
2017founded
$0paid rankings

Exchanges we’ve reviewed

Coinbase Kraken Gemini Binance eToro Crypto.com KuCoin

Exchange matcher

Which exchange fits you?

Answer three quick questions and we’ll point you to the guide that matches where you live and what you care about.

01Where do you live?
02What matters most to you?
03Have you bought crypto before?

Your match

Editor’s picks ยท 2026

Top crypto exchanges, by what they’re best at

Full ranking โ†’
01

Coinbase

Best for beginners
  • Simple sign-up and app
  • Available across the US
  • Learn-and-earn style lessons
02

Kraken

Best for low fees
  • Low-fee pro trading interface
  • Long security track record
  • Staking on many coins
03

Gemini

Best for security
  • Security-first, regulated in New York
  • Clean app for new buyers
  • Built-in custody options
04

eToro

Best for copy trading
  • Copy other investors’ portfolios
  • Crypto and stocks in one app
05

Crypto.com

Best mobile app
  • Feature-rich app and Visa card
  • Hundreds of coins

We may earn a commission when you sign up through our links. It never changes our rankings. How we make money

The beginner path

Zero to your first bitcoin in five steps

Read these in order and you’ll know how to buy, store and report crypto safely.

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Quick answers

What beginners ask us most

Short, direct answers. Each one links to the full guide.

What is the easiest way to buy bitcoin?

Open an account on a regulated exchange such as Coinbase, Kraken or Gemini, verify your ID, link a bank account or debit card, and place a buy order. Most exchanges let you start with a few dollars. How to buy bitcoin

What’s the difference between an exchange and a wallet?

An exchange is where you buy and sell crypto. A wallet is where you hold it. Coins left on an exchange are held for you by that company, while a self-custody wallet gives you the private keys so only you control the funds. Wallet guides

What is the safest way to store crypto?

For larger amounts, a hardware wallet is safest because your private keys stay offline. Write your recovery phrase on paper, keep it somewhere secure, and never type it into a website or share it. Best hardware wallets

Do I have to pay taxes on crypto?

In the US, the IRS treats crypto as property. Selling, swapping one coin for another, or spending crypto can trigger capital gains tax, and staking rewards are generally taxed as income. Buying and holding is not a taxable event. Crypto tax guide

How much money do I need to start?

Very little. Most major exchanges let you buy a fraction of a coin, often from $1 to $10. Start with an amount you can afford to lose, because crypto prices are volatile. Investing your first $100

Free masterclass

Get started with crypto the right way.

A free masterclass from Christy Lynn for complete beginners. Plain English, no hype.

  • LEARNHow to invest your first $100, step by step
  • LEARNHow staking can earn passive income
  • LEARNHow people make money with NFTs
FREE MASTERCLASSLearn How to Successfully Get Started with Crypto in 2025

In this free masterclass, you'll learn:

โœ… The exact, step-by-step process to investing your first $100 into cryptocurrency today.

โœ… Staking strategies to make insane passive income and secrets to start making money from NFTs.

Why trust us

How we research and review

About us โ†’

Christy Lynn

Founder & editor

Christy started her first six-figure crypto business as a hobby before graduating college, and has since helped grow multiple 8- and 9-figure companies as an investor, educator and marketing leader. She founded Cryptocurrency Haus in 2017 to help beginners invest in crypto safely.

Our review process

  1. Open and fund a real account
  2. Check fees against published schedules
  3. Test deposits, withdrawals and support
  4. Re-check every guide each quarter

How we make money

Some links are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission when you sign up. Partners can’t pay for placement or change our ratings. Read our disclosure.

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FREE MASTERCLASSHow to Successfully Get Started with Crypto in 2025

In this free masterclass, you'll learn:

โœ… The exact, step-by-step process to investing your first $100 into cryptocurrency today.

โœ… Staking strategies to make insane passive income and secrets to start making money from NFTs.

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