Cryptocurrency: A Practical Start - BasicCryptoLearning.com

📊 Key Investment Tickers & Symbols

These are the essential tickers you need to know for cryptocurrency investing:

Asset	Ticker Symbol	Description	Typical Fees
Bitcoin	BTC	Original cryptocurrency	0.1% - 1.5% trading fees
Ethereum	ETH	Smart contract platform	0.1% - 1.5% trading fees
Grayscale Bitcoin Trust	GBTC	Bitcoin investment trust	2% annual management fee
Grayscale Ethereum Trust	ETHE	Ethereum investment trust	2.5% annual management fee
iShares Bitcoin Trust (BlackRock)	IBIT	Bitcoin ETF by BlackRock	0.25% annual expense ratio
Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund	FBTC	Bitcoin ETF by Fidelity	0.25% annual expense ratio
MicroStrategy Inc.	MSTR	Company holding Bitcoin	Stock trading fees apply
Galaxy Digital Holdings	GLXY	Crypto asset management	Stock trading fees apply

💱 Trusted Cryptocurrency Exchanges

These are the exchanges I personally use and recommend, with my referral links for your benefit:

🏆 Top Trusted USD Exchange

Gemini - Regulated, secure, and professional

Join Gemini (My Referral Link)

Features: FDIC insured USD deposits, institutional-grade security, regulated in NY

Fees: 0.35% - 1.49% depending on trading volume

🎯 Biggest Beginners Exchange

Coinbase - User-friendly for newcomers

Join Coinbase (My Referral Link)

Features: Easy interface, mobile app, educational resources

Fees: 0.6% - 4% depending on payment method

🏛️ Bank Licensed Crypto Exchange

Kraken - Advanced features with banking license

Join Kraken (My Referral Link)

Features: Futures trading, leverage, stop losses, professional tools

Fees: 0.16% - 0.26% for spot trading, additional for advanced features

🔐 Recommended Cryptocurrency Wallets

Secure storage is crucial. Here are the wallets I personally use:

📱 Top Desktop/Mobile Software Wallet

Exodus - Beautiful interface with staking capabilities

Download Exodus

Features: Built-in staking, portfolio tracking, 24/7 support

Security: Private keys stay on your device

₿ Bitcoin-Only Software Wallet

Blockstream Green - Specialized Bitcoin security

Download Green Wallet

Features: Multi-signature security, hardware wallet integration

Focus: Bitcoin-only for maximum security

🔒 Top Hardware Cold Storage Wallets

Ledger - Industry leader in hardware security

Shop Ledger

Features: Offline storage, supports 1,800+ cryptocurrencies

Trezor - Pioneer in hardware wallets

Shop Trezor

Features: Open-source, proven security, user-friendly

💰 Understanding Fees

Cryptocurrency investing involves several types of fees:

Exchange Trading Fees

Maker Fees: 0.1% - 0.5% (when you provide liquidity)
Taker Fees: 0.1% - 1.5% (when you take liquidity)
Deposit Fees: Usually free for bank transfers
Withdrawal Fees: $1 - $25 depending on cryptocurrency

Investment Product Fees

ETF Expense Ratios: 0.25% - 2.5% annually
Trust Management Fees: 1.5% - 2.5% annually
Stock Trading: $0 - $9.95 per trade (traditional brokers)

Network Transaction Fees

Bitcoin: $1 - $50 depending on network congestion
Ethereum: $5 - $100 depending on network usage
Other cryptocurrencies: $0.01 - $5 typically

⚠️ Important Security Reminders

Never share your private keys or seed phrases
Always verify website URLs - scammers create fake exchange sites
Start small - invest only what you can afford to lose
Use two-factor authentication on all accounts
Keep most of your crypto in cold storage (hardware wallets)

🎯 Getting Started: Your Action Plan

Education First: Watch our 9 free educational videos
Start Small: Begin with $25-100 on Coinbase or Gemini
Buy Bitcoin First: Most stable and widely accepted
Set Up Secure Storage: Get a hardware wallet for larger amounts
Dollar-Cost Average: Invest the same amount regularly
Track Your Portfolio: Use exchange apps or portfolio trackers
Stay Informed: Follow reliable news sources
Never Invest More Than You Can Lose

📚 Continue Your Learning Journey

This guide is just the beginning. To deepen your knowledge:

📹 Watch our 9 FREE educational videos on YouTube
🎮 Play our 7+ interactive learning games
🧪 Practice with our trading simulator
👥 Join our community of 330+ learners
📊 Take our knowledge assessment to find your level

📊 ETF Options: The Safest Way to Start

🏛️ Major Bitcoin ETFs (Available in Traditional Accounts)

BlackRock ETFs

ETF Name	Ticker	Expense Ratio	Description
iShares Bitcoin Trust	IBIT	0.25%	Direct Bitcoin exposure, largest Bitcoin ETF

Fidelity ETFs

ETF Name	Ticker	Expense Ratio	Description
Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund	FBTC	0.25%	Competitive Bitcoin ETF with institutional backing

            🎯 Perfect for 35+ Investors Because:
            ✅ Trade in your existing brokerage account
✅ No need to learn crypto wallets or exchanges
✅ Can be held in 401(k), IRA, and taxable accounts
✅ Same tax treatment as other investments
✅ FDIC/SIPC protections through your broker

        

🏦 Setting Up Your Retirement Account for Crypto

Fidelity Retirement Account Setup

Fidelity offers excellent retirement account options for crypto ETF investing:

Account Types Available:

Traditional IRA: Tax-deferred growth, deductible contributions
Roth IRA: Tax-free growth, no required distributions
SEP-IRA: For self-employed individuals
401(k) Rollover: Move old employer plans

🔗 Ready to get started?

Open Fidelity Retirement Account

No account minimums, $0 commission on ETF trades

Why Fidelity for Crypto ETFs:

✅ Zero commission ETF trading
✅ Extensive retirement planning tools
✅ 24/7 customer support
✅ Strong research and educational resources
✅ Mobile app for easy account management

🎯 Investment Strategy for 35+ Investors

The "1-5% Rule" for Your Age Group

Financial advisors recommend 1-5% of your total investment portfolio in cryptocurrency. For a $100,000 portfolio, that's $1,000-$5,000.

Sample Allocation by Age:

35-45 years old: 3-5% crypto allocation
45-55 years old: 2-3% crypto allocation
55+ years old: 1-2% crypto allocation

💰 Trusted Exchanges for Direct Crypto

🔒 Security Best Practices

📱 Recommended Apps & Tools

Portfolio Tracking:

News & Education:

Exchange	Best For	Trading Fees	Security Rating
Coinbase Pro	Beginners	0.50%	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kraken	Security-focused	0.26%	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gemini	Regulated environment	0.35%	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🎯 Your Next Steps

Choose your approach: ETF (easier) or direct crypto (more control)
If ETF: Open account with Fidelity or your preferred broker
If direct: Sign up with Coinbase or Kraken
Start with a small amount ($100-500)
Learn and gradually increase your allocation

Remember: You don't need to understand blockchain technology to invest in Bitcoin, just like you don't need to understand TCP/IP to use the internet.

Cryptocurrency Starters Guide

All the information in one place