# Crypto 101: A Beginners Guide *A beginner's roadmap to navigating the world of cryptocurrency through engaging videos and resources.* By [Decoded](https://paragraph.com/@decoded) · 2025-08-17 blockchain, crypto, beginner --- ### Who is this for? I created this because I know how overwhelming it is to be a beginner in the crypto space. When I started working at [BitGo](https://www.bitgo.com/), I had a hard time with terms like "blockchain," "Web3" and "DeFi" and it was hard to know where to even start. So, I built this simple repository of videos for people just like me. It’s not about becoming an expert overnight. It’s about watching a few short, clear videos that give you the "aha!" moments you need to understand the big picture. My philosophy is simple: learn the basics first, then choose your own adventure. This collection won't tell you everything, but it will give you the essential tools and vocabulary to begin your own research. Once you have these core concepts down, you can start exploring the topics that genuinely excite you. This is your starting block—the rest of the race is yours to run. ### **The "Why" - Setting the Foundation** **The History of Money (From Barter To Bitcoin)** Money. We all use it. But is it real? I mean, you can touch a coin or bill, but who decided that’s worth anything? And what about all those 1’s and 0’s getting swapped and traded by computers thousands of times per second? How are those worth anything? We trace the history of money, from physical barter to bitcoin, and discover that money isn’t just a lie we all agree to share, it’s been built on the back of technology and invention for millennia. [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJfgWh1U-5w) If the above video interested you and/or you want to deep dive into this a bit more, you can watch this playlist reg the same: [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9DpKzAHkdgqIDcxNi8S1b1ln09Z8vkZj](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9DpKzAHkdgqIDcxNi8S1b1ln09Z8vkZj) **Centralization vs. Decentralization Explained** 1 min explainer: [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4gsFz4Equv4](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4gsFz4Equv4) ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/3fd8e286325a1a9d5dc799e1315598fb.png) **The Problem with the Current System** Before we learn what's wrong. Let's learn a few things **Inflation** [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIbNJCSCEjk) Middlemen 1 min video on the duopoly of visa and mastercard: [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LZ4fMjEeJM8](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LZ4fMjEeJM8) ### The "What" - Introducing the Technology **What is a Blockchain in Simple Terms?** [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzxKs-Jd0H4) [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSTNhBlfV_s) **What is Bitcoin ($BTC)?** [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBC-nXj3Ng4) **: What is Ethereum ($ETH)? The World Computer** [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Hu8lzoi0Tw) ### The "How" - Your First Steps into the Ecosystem **What is a Crypto Wallet?** [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQyg9pyJ1Ac) [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf28zqP_F2s) **How Do You Buy Crypto? (Exchanges Explained)** I've written an article on how did I get started to buy and store my cryptocurrency in my own wallet. You can read the article here: [https://paragraph.com/@iampritamg/getting-start-with-crypto-investing](https://paragraph.com/@iampritamg/getting-start-with-crypto-investing) PS: This is not financial advice for you to buy cryptocurrency. Please understand the risks around investing before you make your decision. ### **Exploring the Web3 Universe** **Coins vs Tokens** [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=422HORNUfkU) [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLh8jlYYvZA) [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh1ouonPl5o) **What is DeFi (Decentralized Finance)?** [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17QRFlml4pA) ### Skepticism You might feel skeptic about all this. Here are some videos that you can watch around this [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0V_zkng4go) [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKnCsUubnjc) [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYip_Vuv8J0) Why do people value Bitcoin: [https://paragraph.com/@iampritamg/why-does-bitcoin-have-value](https://paragraph.com/@iampritamg/why-does-bitcoin-have-value) How many cryptocurrencies are there? Are all of them scams? How many are alive? [https://paragraph.com/@iampritamg/the-lifespan-of-blockchain-exploring-the-vital-factors-that-ensure-cryptos-longevity](https://paragraph.com/@iampritamg/the-lifespan-of-blockchain-exploring-the-vital-factors-that-ensure-cryptos-longevity) --- *Originally published on [Decoded](https://paragraph.com/@decoded/crypto-101-a-beginners-guide)*