Crypto Basics

All you need to know about the basics of cryptocurrency in one place. Learn how Bitcoin, blockchain and altcoins work, how to actually use them, and why it matters to you.
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Articles (538)

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Crypto Basics
Satoshi Files: Zooko Wilcox-O’Hearn
Zooko Wilcox-O'Hearn is an American computer scientist, cryptographer and cypherpunk who was involved in Bitcoin in the early days, and later created Zcash.
By Will Kendall
7mo ago
9m
Easy
Crypto Basics
Satoshi Files: Michael Clear
Michael Clear was an Irish computer science and cryptography graduate from Trinity College in Dublin.
By Will Kendall
7mo ago
10m
Easy
Crypto Basics
Satoshi Files: David Kleiman
David Kleiman was a cybersecurity expert and forensic analyst who was associated with Craig Wright.
By Will Kendall
7mo ago
15m
Easy
Crypto Basics
Satoshi Files: Gavin Andresen
Gavin Andresen is an American software developer best known for managing Bitcoin’s development after Satoshi Nakamoto disappeared.
By Will Kendall
7mo ago
11m
Easy
Crypto Basics
Satoshi Files: Wei Dai
Wei Dai is a computer scientist known for theorizing b-money: an anonymous, distributed cash system similar to Bitcoin.
By Will Kendall
7mo ago
8m
Easy
Crypto Basics
Satoshi Files: Nick Szabo
Nick Szabo is a computer scientist, cryptographer and Cypherpunk known for his pioneering work on digital contracts and currencies.
By Will Kendall
7mo ago
14m
Easy
Crypto Basics
Satoshi Files: Craig Wright
Craig Wright is an Australian entrepreneur and computer scientist who claims to be the creator of Bitcoin, although his claims are widely disputed by the cryptocurrency community.
By Will Kendall
7mo ago
12m
Easy
Crypto Basics
Satoshi Files: Hal Finney
Hal Finney was an American computer scientist, software developer and games designer.
By Will Kendall
7mo ago
10m
Easy
Crypto Basics
Satoshi Files: Dorian Nakamoto
Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto is a Japanese American man who was outed as the brains behind Bitcoin by Newsweek in March 2014.
By Will Kendall
7mo ago
11m
Easy
Crypto Basics
What Is an Application-Specific Blockchain (AppChain)?
CoinMarketCap Academy takes a deep dive into appchains — blockchains that are designed to operate a specific application.
By Ivan Cryptoslav
7mo ago
7m
Easy
Crypto Basics
Real-World Assets (RWA): Bridging the Gap Between DeFi and TradFi
Real-world assets (RWA) are the missing link between DeFi and TradFi. Learn how DeFi is bringing RWA on-chain, blending the best of both worlds!
By Ivan Cryptoslav
7mo ago
6m
Easy
Crypto Basics
TWAP vs VWAP in Crypto Trading
Crypto trading can be confusing but learning the difference between TWAP and VWAP doesn't have to be — let us help you decipher these trading indicators!
By CryptoJelleNL
7mo ago
6m
Easy
Crypto Basics
What Happens When a Crypto Exchange Goes Bankrupt?
From disbelief to anger to bargaining, emotions run high when a crypto exchange goes bankrupt. But, what to expect and how can you prepare for such events? Let's find out.
By Werner Vermaak
7mo ago
12m
Easy
Crypto Basics
What Is the MACD Indicator and How To Use It in Crypto Trading?
Feeling like a fish out of water in the world of crypto trading? Learn how to use the MACD indicator to make sense of those squiggly lines!
By CryptoJelleNL
7mo ago
4m
Easy
Crypto Basics
What Is Vote Escrow?
CoinMarketCap takes a look at vote escrow, an innovative method to make the community governance and on-chain voting more secure and reliable among DAOs.
By Daniel Phillips
8mo ago
5m
Moderate
Crypto Basics
Optimistic Rollups vs ZK-Rollups: The Ultimate Comparison
Optimistic rollups vs ZK-rollups: which one will prove to be a better solution to Ethereum's scalability issues?
By Ivan Cryptoslav
8mo ago
9m
Easy
Crypto Basics
The State of Crypto in Asia
From China's on-and-off crypto bans to Japan's growing crypto adoption, let's explore the evolving landscape of digital assets in Asia.
By Ivan Cryptoslav
8mo ago
7m
Easy
Crypto Basics
Arbitrum vs Optimism: The Ultimate Comparison
The ARB token is finally live. The duel for the king of Ethereum scaling solutions enters a new phase.
By Ivan Cryptoslav
8mo ago
6m