Getting Started in Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency = Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), DigiByte (DGB), Bitcoin Cash (BCH). These are the true Cryptocurrencies. These are the Decentralized Cryptocurrencies (DC). They fall into this category and meet the tests of being: decentralized, having a limited/finite supply, are open-source, with open transparency, are permission-less, have immutable transactions, appreciate/inflate in value, serves as a store of value, easily serves and function as a means of exchange, and are open to everyone in the World to use. These Decentralized Cryptocurrencies are mined from solving a mathematical problem known as Proof-of-Work. The Miner who solves the mathematical problem receives a rewarded in the form of a fixed amount of Cryptocurrency also known as a Block Reward. These mined Cryptocurrencies are then sold on exchanges by the miners to recoup their cost of mining. Governance of these blockchain networks is Decentralized and provided by the miners through their collective free will by voting and adopting of changes. Consensus and validation of transactions is also provided at the block cycle time along with charging a block transaction fee.

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), DigiByte (DGB), Bitcoin Cash (BCH) can be subdivided into smaller units. For additional information on Bitcoin subdivisions see: What is a Satoshi (Sat)?, Bitcoin Calculator / Convert USD to Satoshi to BTC and What are the other known subdivision units of a Bitcoin?.

Crypto Asset (CA)

Crypto Asset (CA) are all of the other Cryptocurrency related Altcoins/Tokens, blockchains, products and services (in the “Cryptocurrency Market Space”), that are categorized as not meeting the tests of a being a Decentralized Cryptocurrency. These are all of the other blockchains, their products and service offerings, and other Crypto Altcoin/Token assets built on top of these blockchain networks to include but not limited to: Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Theta Network (Theta), Dash (DASH), Energy Web Token (EWT). Many of these other blockchains use Proof-of-Stake to maintain the security of their blockchain networks. The Crypto Assets (Altcoins/Token) that operate and run on these blockchains are not mined, but instead are typically created all at once, at the time that the blockchain and their related Altcoin/Token assets are created/enable, a significant share are then given to Centralized key-stake holders who invest in the projects and to setup the Proof-of-Stake network, and then some are sold, but not all at once, on exchanges. On a Proof-of-Stake network Cryptocurrencies are not mined, but those who have Staked their Cryptocurrency on the network to provide the consensus and validation of transactions are rewarded/paid a transaction fee in the from a Cryptocurrency Altcoin/Token assets. Governance of these blockchain networks is Centralized and typically provided through voting based on the number of shares (Altcoin/Token assets) held centrally by key-stake holders. Consensus and validation of transactions is also provided at the block cycle time along with charging a block transaction fee.

Crypto Fiat Currency (CFC) / Stable Coins

Crypto Fiat Currency (CFC) also known as Stable Coins, are exchange created coins, pegged to the US Dollar, are centralize, with unlimited supply, these include but not limited to: USD Coin (USDC), Tether (USDT), Binance USD (BUSD), TrueUSD (TUSD), Gemini Dollar (GUSD).

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) also known as a Digital Dollar (DD), are a form of Crypto Fiat Currency (CFC), and in some cases are referred to / or referenced as Stable Coins. CBDC's are minted by Central Banks and Governments out-of-thin-air (have no value and are not mined like true Cryptocurrencies). CBDC's are designed to replace the current US Fiat $ Dollar and other Fiat currency dollar systems from around the World, with built-in inflation, opaqueness, and controls. Central Banks and Governments control the CBDC's via their opaque and private network (centralized, unauditable, and with mutable / changeable / reversible tranactions) to intentionally and with built-in: devaluation (inflation), usage (what you can spend it on), access to (blacklisted), and with an expiring duration of usability (unsaveable to build/create wealth, and if you don't spend it you will lose it).

Getting Started

Where do I buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies?

Cryptos can be purchased from online exchanges or from a local Bitcoin ATM/Kiosk. When initially getting into cryptocurrencies, a good places to start are at Coinbase, Gemini, and Kraken as they offer a greater selection of cryptocurrencies than at a Bitcoin ATM/Kiosk. If a Bitcoin ATM/Kiosk is more appealing, Coinme, Coinstar, DigitalMint, LibertyX, or National Bitcoin ATM, are available in many local areas and both offer online maps to their Bitcoin ATM/Kiosks. Both of these purchase types are custodial and they hold your purchase in a custodial crypto-specific wallet.

Where can I sell Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for cash?

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can be bought and sold for cash at Bitcoin ATM’s. There are several different companies listed above that offer Bitcoin ATM services, see online Bitcoin ATM Map.

Once purchased how are cryptocurrencies stored and viewed?

Cryptocurrencies (Cryptos) are held / stored in a secure digital wallet. The wallet is much like a checking account, you can send and receive from your crypto wallet much like writing a check, and you can view your transactions online or within the desktop or mobile application much like viewing your checking account bank ledger. After you purchase your crypto you should always be sure to send/transfer your crypto purchase onto your personal local non-custodial crypto-specific wallet. (Additional information on crypto-specific wallets, type, and usage is listed below.)

Never leave your cryptocurrencies on an exchange, unless you plan to trade them. If you purchased them from a local Bitcoin ATM/Kiosk, be sure to send/transfer them onto your personal local crypto wallet. You may have to log into the vendor of the Bitcoin ATM/Kiosk to create an account to access / redeemed you cryptocurrencies. Once logged in and you have claimed / redeemed your cryptocurrencies, be sure to send/transfer them onto your personal local crypto-specific wallet.

What are some additional helpful cryptocurrency tips?

For additional cryptocurrency tips see: Crypto Tips which contains helpful tips on buying cryptocurrency (crypto) including, before and after purchase, practice safe crypto, wallets, usage, and two-factor authentication.

Why purchase Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and what can I do with them?

• Hold them as an investment as a means for protecting one’s personal wealth as a hedge against the current devaluing financial systems, see: Preparing for the Currency of Change, Our World Needs Sound Currency / Sound Money.
• When you hold the private keys to your cryptocurrencies you are your own bank.
• Cryptocurrencies are borderless, without consent or permission to spend, with no transfer amount limits, no delays in transferring funds, transaction fee are little and no need for a third-party like a bank or other financial institution to send money.
• Cryptocurrency wallets are free to create, and are anonymous as to who is the holder of the wallet.
• Used them as collateral for loans as part of smart contracts, and they can be staked to create passive income without the need to sell them.
• Earn crypto by using the Brave Browser and receive rewards Tips BAT Token from viewers for content creation.
• Some cryptocurrency offer a means of creating a passive income from staking these coins for a period of time to support and help the maintain the security of the network blockchain, known as Proof-of-Stake.
• Spend them as needed, there are many retailers who accept them, they can be used when buying gold or other precious metals, APMEX accepts Bitcoin.

Where do I place and store my cryptocurrencies after buying them?

Cryptos are stored in a crypto wallet. There are several different types, desktop and mobile wallet applications, hardware wallets, paper wallets, and online/custodial wallets. Each crypto has its own corresponding crypto-specific wallet type and each has its own unique crypto-specific addresses. Examples of the differen crypto-specific addresses and their QR codes are viewable by selecting the individual cryptocurrencies icons listed: Bitcoin BTC, Litecoin LTC, Ethereum ETH, DigiByte DGB, Dash DASH, Bitcoin Cash BCH. All of these cryptocurrencies have their own unique wallet and their individual cryptocurrencies can only be stored in their own unique wallet type, BTC goes into a Bitcoin wallet, it cannot be store in any other wallet type, and the same applies for LTC into a Litecoin wallet, DGB into a DigiByte wallet. ETH into an Ethereum wallet and it is also for all ERC-20 tokens/assets that are supported on the Ethereum platform. Desktop and mobile wallet applications like Exodus and Jaxx provide multiple wallet support for cryptocurrencies, ERC-20 tokens, and other crypto assets. Not sure of which wallet to use? The answer can typically be found through a quick online search.

Why are there different wallet types?

The different wallet types serve to provide different functions: desktop and mobile wallet applications are design for day-to-day interactions with cryptocurrencies, these are also known as hot wallets; hardware wallets functions in three ways to provide additional security, for day-to-day interacting with your cryptocurrencies via desktop and mobile wallet applications, and as a cold storage device; paper wallets function as an offline cold storage wallet, one can send additional cryptocurrencies to the paper wallet but in order to access the cryptocurrencies one must import the contents of the wallet into a desktop, mobile, or online/custodial wallet. Online/custodial wallets are web-based wallets that are hosted online; examples of these are the wallets found on exchanges and the Blockchain wallet.

Why would I place them into cold storage?

If you are not planning to use your cryptocurrencies or trade them, then it is strongly advised to place your cryptocurrencies into cold storage, either onto a hardware or paper wallet. By placing them in cold storage you remove them from potentially being stolen if your computer, mobile device, or online/custodial wallet were to be hacked or if you were to lose or misplace your mobile device. It is always best practice to only place/store onto your computer or mobile device only the amount of crypto you need or plan to use. Protect your cryptocurrencies, hardware and paper wallets like you protect cash.

What is a public key, private key, mnemonic seed phrase, and how do they relate to a crypto wallet?

Each crypto has its own corresponding crypto-specific wallet type; each wallet is unique and has a crypto-specific unique public and private key assigned to it. The public key is the public address to the wallet; this is the address you use to send cryptocurrencies to the wallet; when buying your first cryptocurrencies this is the address you use to send your newly purchased cryptocurrencies to. The private key is used when you want to transfer the whole contents of the wallet onto a desktop, mobile, or online/custodial wallet. A mnemonic seed phrase / recovery words are typically used to recovery the wallet(s) of a desktop or mobile wallet application. Protect and safe guard your private key and seed phrase / recovery words; protect them like you protect cash.

What is a block explorer? How does this relate to my wallet, transactions, and confirmations?

A block explorer is an online tool that allows you to see the transactions and wallet balances on a crypto blockchain; each crypto type runs on a given blockchain. One can use this tool to view their transactions and wallets online, Simply enter the transaction ID or public key of your wallet into the search field found on the corresponding blockchain block explorer tool, the block explorer will then query the blockchain and then will display your transaction or wallet information. As your transactions occur on the blockchain, you can observe the actives of sending and receiving (from and to your wallet) online, and your mining transaction confirmations. Example of block explorers include: BlockCypher - for Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dash, BlockChain Explorer - Ethereum, DigiExplorer - for DigiByte, and Block Explorer - Bitcoin Cash (BCH).

Why do some cryptocurrencies take longer for their confirmations and transaction settlement time to occur?

Crypto wallets run on top of a blockchain that validates their transactions and maintains, through consensus, the wallet’s last known history and balance. The different blockchains for the corresponding cryptocurrencies perform their functions at a given block period of time; for example BTC is a 10 minute block time, LTC is 2.5 minutes, and DigiByte is a 15 second block time. When viewing your transaction using a block explorer, transactions are generally consider confirmed (transaction settlement time) after 6 block time consensus confirmations from the mining pool. When you add up 6 block times for the above given blockchains; 60 minutes for BTC, 15 minute for LTC, 1.5 minute for DGB, it is the underlying architecture (block time) of the blockchain that is driving the length of time it takes for a transaction to appear and for its confirmation.

Is there a relationship between BTC, LTC, and DGB?

There is a parent child relationship between BTC, LTC, and DGB; LTC is a software fork from BTC, and DGB is a software fork from LTC. They are different from Bitcoin’s single data mining proof-of-work SHA256 algorithm, block time of 10 minutes, transactions fees that are computed based on the transaction size in bytes, and 21 million coins as follows: Litecoin, a software fork of BTC in Oct. 2011, uses scrypt as its data mining proof-of-work algorithm, process a block every 2.5 minutes, and has an increase in the number of coins to 84 million coins, a ratio of 1:4 to Bitcoin. DigiByte, a software fork from LTC in Dec. 2013, it has 5 different data mining proof-of-work algorithms (SHA256, Scrypt, Groestl, Skein, and Qubit), real-time difficulty adjustment, Segregated Witness, process a block every 15 seconds, and has an increase in the number of coins to 21 billion coins, a ratio of 1:1000 to Bitcoin.

What is Ethereum and it’s platform of components?

Ethereum is blockchain distributed ledger cryptocurrency that also supplies a platform for Dapps, Defi, Smart Contracts, and the support for ERC20 tokens including many stable coins, it uses the Ethash algorithm as its data mining proof-of-work algorithm, its average block time is 14-15 second with 6 confirmed blocks for transaction confirmation, transaction fees (known as Ether) are used to pay for gas, a unit of computational use in a transactions and are based on computational complexity, bandwidth use, and storage needs, additional gas can be spent to request priority onto a given transaction. There currently is no fix hard cap to the total number of supply of ETH, the current circulating supply is over 111 million. There current is an effort under way to develop a proof-of-stake Ethereum blockchain known as Ethereum 2.0, that will run in parallel to the current Ethereum blockchain during its development for the next several years.

Besides being a cryptocurrency what other functions does DigiByte offer?

DigiAssets a secure scalable protocol layer on top of the blockchain for the issuance of assets, digital identity, smart contracts, and tokens. Digi-ID a security protocol built on the DigiByte blockchain, uses public / private key cryptography, allowing users to effortlessly sign-in to websites, applications, and the internet of things IOT.

What is a genesis block?

A genesis block is the first block of a blockchain. The genesis block is generally hardcoded into the blockchain software, which when launched, is initially used at the creation / start of the blockchain. When the Bitcoin blockchain was launched on January 3, 2009 around 18:15:05 UTC, a hardcode message was included in the BTC genesis block, “The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks”. Bitcoin key dates: Bitcoin Genesis Block Date: 01/03/2009, Bitcoin First Trade Date: 10/11/2009, Bitcoin First Purchase Date (for pizza): 05/22/2010.

Why do some cryptocurrencies have higher transactions fees than others?

The architectural design of the blockchain (the block time, the number of transactions performed per second, along with the pending demand of transactions awaiting to be processed) drives the transaction fee (up/down) for a given crypto. The fee will vary, current average, as of this writing, BTC is 0.74USD, ETH is 0.09USD, LTC is 0.05USD, and DGB is 0.001USD.

What additional fees (cost) will I incur when purchasing cryptocurrencies?

When purchasing crypto from an exchange or Bitcoin ATM/Kiosk, there is the purchase price for the crypto, (the spot price, just like buying from a gold /silver exchange), there is typically an exchange / ATM fee, there can be a fee from your bank or credit card for the transferring of the money to the exchange to buy the crypto, and finally there is the blockchain mining transaction fee to move the crypto from the exchange / ATM to your crypto wallet.

What is a blockchain domain?

A blockchain domain is very similar to a world wide web domain name but it is registered on the Ethereum network. A blockchain domain name on the Ethereum network offers one the ability to create a decentralization and uncensorable website (an IPSF website) and can be used to replace crypto wallet addresses with a single readable name, consolidating / linking several crypto wallet addresses under a single .crypto domain name providing an easier solution to received payments, examples: paymewith.crypto or sendtome.crypto. Once a blockchain domain name has been claimed, one can link multiple crypto wallet addresses to the blockchain domain and then use the blockchain domain (.crypto) in place of the long and hard to remember crypto wallet addresses. Unstoppable Domains offers blockchain domain name registration services (.crypto and .zil), the account to manage your blockchain domain crypto wallets (linking over 50 supported crypto addresses types), and provides peer-to-peer encrypted decentralized chat.

What is staking?

Staking crypto is a means for obtaining a passive income by locking up you cryptocurrency for a period of time to support and help the maintain the security of the network blockchain, known as Proof-of-Stake. Many blockchain wallets like Exodus offer staking directly through their wallet application, and leading crypto exchanges like Coinbase, Gemini, and Kraken offer staking on them directly through your account with them.

Does Bitcoin have a market cycle or follow any patterns?

Bitcoin's market cycle is on a four year repeating cycle; for additional information see: Bitcoin Market Four Year Cycle and Bitcoin Market Cycle All Time High Dates.

Bitcoin / Satoshi Calculator

What is a Satoshi (Sat)?

Satoshi (Sat) is the smallest known unit of a single (1) Bitcoin (BTC), named after its pseudonymous creator(s), Satoshi Nakamoto. As one (1.00) Dollar is divisible into 100 Cents, a single (1) Bitcoin (BTC) is divisible into 100 million Satoshis (Sats), to the eighth decimal (1.00000000). There are 100 million Satoshis (Sats) in one (1) Bitcoin, each Satoshi is worth 0.00000001 of a Bitcoin (BTC).

What are known subdivision units of a Bitcoin?

Listed below are the known Bitcoin subdivisions, Bitcoin's latest price in USD, with the subdivisions priced out in USD Satoshi unit(s).

Desktop and Mobile Wallet - Hot Wallets

Is there a difference between desktop and mobile wallets?

Most mobile wallet application offer the same basic functions as a desktop wallet application. Desktop applications do for the most cases offer additional and more advance functions. Some mobile and desktop applications, from the same provider, allow you to pair your devices together so you can have access to your wallet(s) across both devices.

Is there a difference between full node, desktop and mobile wallets?

A full node wallet Is a crypto-specific wallet application that contains, maintains and host a full copy of a crypto-specific blockchain that it is designed for. “Desktop and mobile” wallets typically do not host a full copy of the blockchain but connect to the crypto-specific client to perform its transactions.

What is a universal / multi-crypto wallet?

A universal / multi-crypto wallet is found within software applications that hold a selection of multiple crypto addresses; examples of two these applications are Exodus and Jaxx. When setting up a universal / multi-crypto wallet application you will be presented with a mnemonic seed phrase / recovery words for the wallet that will need to be copied down and secured.

What should I do with the mnemonic seed phrase from my desktop and mobile wallet applications?

When setting up you desktop and mobile wallet applications, be sure to copy down the seed / recovery phrase for each of the applications. The order in which (the numbered order) that your seed / recovery phrase appears is important. Copy down both the associated number and the word in the order they appear. Be sure to store them in a safe place and have a backup copy stored someplace else.

Online Wallet - Custodial Wallets

Is there a difference between online/custodial and desktop and mobile wallets?

An online/custodial wallet is the type of wallet that is used by exchanges, you have access to your crypto-specific wallet public key to purchase, exchange, trade, and to send and receive cryptocurrencies to your online/custodial wallet but the exchange holds your private key to each of your crypto-specific wallets. With desktop and mobile wallets you hold both your public and private keys.

Are there any best practices when using online/custodial wallets?

As online/custodial wallets are typically used by exchanges, after one has completed their transactions on an exchange, it is advised to remove your cryptocurrencies from the online/custodial wallet(s) and transfer them to your own personal crypto-specific wallet(s). Never leave your cryptocurrencies on an exchange. If you don't hold them you don't own them.

What’s the difference between Custodial wallets vis Non-custodial wallets (Self-custody)?

Custodial wallets are wallet services offered by centralized business such as a cryptocurrency exchanges. The end-user is outsourcing the wallet custody to the business, to the third party, entrusting them with the responsibility of keeping the private keys safe and management of the wallet services being providing.

Non-custodial wallets (Software, Hardware, and Paper) provide the owner, the end-user, exclusive control and self-custody of their cryptocurrencies and their private keys. With a non-custodial wallet, the end-user are entirely responsible for securing their private keys and wallets. 

What does "Not Your Keys, Not Your Crypto" mean?

“Not Your Keys, Not Your Crypto” is an expression that embodies the principle of self-custody of one's cryptocurrency assets. It means that if you do not possess the private keys to your cryptocurrency wallets, you do not truly own the associated assets. Instead, you’re entrusting them with a third party, such as a cryptocurrency exchange.

Hardware Wallet - Cold Storage

Do I use a hardware wallet by itself or does it require a software application?

Hardware wallets are specifically built devices designed to hold and secure cryptocurrencies. When accessing a hardware wallet they are typically connected to a computer or mobile device using a USB or Bluetooth connection and are paired to a software wallet application; common hardware brands include Bitfi, CoolBitX, Ellipal, Ledger, and Trezor. When it comes time to access the cryptocurrencies stored on the hardware wallet, one has to interact with the hardware wallet by entering in a pin or password directly onto the hardware wallet device, as a security function, to release/allow access to your cryptocurrencies held within your hardware wallet. By design the software wallet application cannot directly access your cryptocurrencies stored on the hardware wallet.

Where/whom should I purchase my hardware wallet from?

It is recommended to purchase hardware wallets directly from the manufacture, see the links provided above or Crypto Links.

When setting up a hardware wallet, do they have PIN, mnemonic seed phrase / recovery words?

During the setup of a hardware wallet, depending on the manufacture, mnemonic seed phrase / recovery words need to be recorded / written down and secured, just like when setting up a software wallet, and one also needs to setup a PIN / password which is used to access / confirm the transactions request coming from your software wallet application.

How do I verify and test a hardware wallet?

See Crypto Tips - How do I verify and test a hardware wallet?

Paper Wallet - Cold Storage

How do I create a paper wallet?

There are applications you can download to your computer that will allow you to generate a paper wallet with a public and private keys and then print them in various styles / formats. When using these applications, it is always advised to download the applications from a known source location like GitHub and only access and run these applications locally when you are disconnected from the Internet. When creating wallets for ETH using MyCrypto, it allows one to create a keystore file or mnemonic phrase, used for the transferring or recovering of a wallet. A keystore file is a password protected encrypted JSON file, a mnemonic phrase is typically either a 12 or 16 word private seed phase. See: GitHub - Paper WalletGenerator and MyCrypto - Ethereum Paper Wallet Generator.

Should I be connected to the internet when generating paper wallet(s)?

For the security of your private keys, when creating paper wallets, it is strongly advised to not be connected to the Internet. Before creating paper wallets, be sure to isolate you computer, printer, and the router of your network from the Internet by turning off your WiFi connection and disconnect any Ethernet cable on your computer, shutdown your computer, disconnect your Internet Service Provider (ISP) from your router of your network by either powering off you ISP modem or disconnecting the ethernet cable between your ISP modem and your router. Once you are isolated from the Internet, attach your printer to your computer and then reboot your computer. After the reboot make sure your computer is unable to connect to the Internet. After you have created and printed your paper wallets, shutdown and then reboot your computer before reconnecting to the Internet.

Where should one store their paper wallet(s)?

Paper wallets should be stored someplace safe, safe from all possibilities of lost.

When generating a paper wallet, should I select and encrypt the private key with a password?

Some paper wallet generators allow you to encrypt your private key with a password for additional protection. The advantage of encrypting a paper wallet is if ever lost or stolen the private key cannot be recovered without your password. A disadvantage to an encrypted private key is you will need wallet generator software to un-encrypt the private key. In order to transfer or recovery the wallet, one first must decrypt / un-encrypt the private key. Before sending any funds to any encrypted wallet, one should first test to make sure you are able to decrypt / un-encrypt the printed encrypted private key back to an ordinary WIF format.

What additional formats can I save my newly generated paper wallet into?

When printing a paper wallet, one can also, at the same time frame, save the wallet into other digital formats where one can password protect the file from access, which creates a digital secure copy. Once the file has been created it can be place onto a "secure USB stick". See Crypto Tips - Can one create a hardware wallet using a USB stick?

How do I verify and test a paper wallet?

See Crypto Tips - How do I verify and test a paper wallet?

Buying Crypto

What crypto should I buy first?

The most commonly available cryptocurrencies from online exchanges are BTC, LTC, ETH, DASH, DGB, and BCH; from a local Bitcoin ATM/Kiosk mainly BTC and DASH. When buying your first crypto, one might consider buying a small amount at first and then practice with it by sending and receiving smaller amounts of it between your desktop and/or mobile wallet applications, and one might even consider practicing with paper wallets and the recovery process using the private key and/or seed phrase / recovery words. Cryptocurrencies that are easy to obtain when first starting out, and don't have long mining confirmation transaction times like BTC, are LTC, ETH, DASH, and DGB. DigiByte and DASH are two cryptocurrencies with very fast block time which allows you to quickly see your transactions and confirmations. They are both ideal for just getting started in crypto as their transaction and confirmation speeds are perfect for practicing sending and receiving cryptocurrencies between wallets, like between desktop and mobile wallets. Cryptocurrencies can also be obtain through ShapeShift, an online exchange and it is also found within many Desktop and mobile wallet applications.

Do I need to buy the whole crypto, or can I buy a portion of it?

One does not need to but a whole crypto, they can be purchased in fractional amounts. Each online exchange or Bitcoin ATM/Kiosk have their own minimum purchase amounts and they typically vary by crypto type.

How much crypto should I buy?

This is not investment advice and never invests more than you can lose; it has been stated to try to own 0.28 of a Bitcoin BTC first, and if you have the means to obtain more up to 1 whole BTC, or more. Once/while one is obtaining 0.28 of a BTC, consider others including Litecoin LTC, DigiByte DGB, Ethereum ETH, and other Altcoins / Token assets, creating a diverse and balanced portfolio.

Online and Retail Point-of-Sale

Can an online web store be configured to accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies?

Online web store can be configured to accept cryptocurrencies, there are several companies that offer services: BitPay, Coinbase Commerce, and CoinPayments.

Can local retailers accept cryptocurrencies without the need of other third-parties and fees?

Retailers can accept payments without third-party and/or fees, by simple using a mobile crypto wallet to except payments, as there are mobile and tablet apps that function as point-of-sale terminals.