Discover the Internet of Value

Intro to Blockchain

Trustless

Bitcoin is a digital currency that uses Blockchain, a peer-to-peer internet technology, to transfer value with no central authority or banks; managing transactions and the issuing of bitcoins is carried out collectively by the Blockchain network. Blockchain is open-source; its design is public, nobody owns or controls Blockchain and everyone can take part.

Through many of its unique properties, Bitcoin allows exciting uses that could not be covered by any previous payment system.

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Differentiated

Many believe that digital currency is the future. Cryptocurrency facilitates a much faster, no-fee payment system for transactions across the globe. Although it is not backed by any government or central bank, bitcoin can be exchanged for traditional currencies; in fact, its exchange rate against the dollar attracts potential investors and traders interested in foreign exchange trading. The exponential growth of digital currencies may be because they can act as an alternative store of value to traditional fiat money and commodities like gold.

Taxable?

In March 2014, the IRS stated that all virtual currencies, including bitcoins, would be taxed as property rather than currency. Gains or losses from bitcoins held as capital will be realized as capital gains or losses, while bitcoins held as inventory will incur ordinary gains or losses.

How do I get it?

Choose a Wallet

Hopefully you realize this digital wallet doesn’t hold actual coins (since bitcoins are intangible). What it stores are your private keys, which are strings of numbers and letters that allow access your coins. A bitcoin key looks like this: 1KnLY5SYwAoKCe4azQYnn61uADoQ1dh9xv.

Save your private and public keys in a form of media off the internet; cryptocurrency people call this “cold storage.”

Choose a Wallet

Exchange your Fiat money to BTC

A LIST of exchanges to buy/sell cryptocurrency.

Novices are advised to start with Coinbase/GDAX.

Please be aware that there are risks associated with leaving cryptocurrency on an exchanges. Please understand the risks before trading. The following exchanges are the best:

Binance
Binance is a cryptocurrency exchange and wallet with low fees that rapidly embraces Bitcoin’s forks.

Bittrex
Bittrex is one of the most popular crypto exchanges for trading altcoins in the U.S.. Its complexity can be intimidating, but the learning curve is worth it.

ShapeShift
Use Shapeshift to change one type of cryptocurrency to another if you would like to obtain altcoins.

GDAX.com
Coinbase’s GDAX is a cryptocurrency exchange that trades USD for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, allows some coin-to-coin exchange, and pairs with Coinbase.

Kraken
Kraken is a cryptocurrency exchanged based in San Fransisco on which you can use fiat currency and trade many types of cryptocurrency.

Coinbase
Coinbase is one of the more popular and user friendly choices for investors who want to buy/sell Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum.

Coinbase, which was an early leader in bitcoin-buying and remains the most popular mainstream exchange. The site has more than 13 million registered users (more customers than Charles Schwab) with more than 30 million wallets. Coinbase has raised over $200 million in funding and is bitcoin’s first “unicorn,” with a over $1.6 billion valuation.

When you register for Coinbase, you can get a wallet and buy bitcoins, all in one place, though you don’t have to get your wallet from Coinbase. Coinbase also allows for buying of ethereum and litecoin.

With this link you receive $10 of FREE BITCOIN for registering with Coinbase.

There are a number of security questions Coinbase makes you answer to get set up with an account, but once you’re approved, you buy bitcoins (or ether, or litecoins) using US dollars.

A bank transfer will take 3-5 business days.

You can BUY on Coinbase but you will pay up to 4% fee per transaction!

DON'T PAY FEES..

Use the Professional exchange that is linked to Coinbase -> GDAX.com

Steps to create a GDAX account

Go to https://www.gdax.com/

Click on the "Sign Up" button.
You will be taken to a Coinbase.com hosted page.
Sign in using your Coinbase.com email address and password.

a) If you have already verified a phone number with Coinbase, then you will be prompted to enter the Coinbase 2-Step Verification code. See here for help with 2-Step Verification.
b) If you have not yet verified a phone number, then you will be asked to enter one.

You may be asked to verify your identity, depending on which verification you have previously completed in your Coinbase account. See here for help with Identity Verification.
If GDAX supports trading with your region’s local currency (currently USD, GBP, or EUR), then you will have the option to link your bank and fund your trading account.

Digital currency is not legal tender, is not backed by the government, and digital currency accounts and value balances on Coinbase are not subject to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or Securities Investor Protection Corporation protections.

Move your coins into an offline wallet!