Crypto From Zero — A Plain-Language Beginner Guide to Wallets, Security, Scams & DeFi (Not Financial Advice)

Beginners rarely lose money to “the market” first — they lose it to a message. Crypto From Zero is a 30-page, plain-language PDF guide that explains how crypto actually works and how to stay safe, for curious beginners of any age. It is not a get-rich guide: it doesn’t recommend any coin, promise any return, or give financial advice.

Inside:

• Crypto in plain English: blockchain, coins vs tokens, stablecoins, addresses, private keys, seed phrases and fees

• Ground rules and the risk reality, plus a personal-rules sheet to sign

• Wallets: custodial vs self-custody, hot vs cold, a step-by-step safe setup, seed-phrase do’s and never’s (BIP-39), sending safely (networks, test transactions, address poisoning)

• Security: password managers, phishing-resistant 2FA (passkeys and security keys), SIM-swap protection, daily habits and a setup checklist

• Exchanges: order types, spreads and fees with a worked example, a regulator-first checklist and a careful first walkthrough

• Scams: a field guide to 8 common scams, a red-flag checklist and what to do if it happens (with FBI IC3 2024 data)

• DeFi basics: DEXs, liquidity pools, lending, bridges, token approvals and the risk ladder of signing

• Taxes & records basics, three checklists, account inventory and transaction-log worksheets, and a glossary

• Sources: official wallet docs, CISA, NIST, FBI, FTC, CFTC, SEC, FCA, IRS, HMRC and MiCA

Educational only — not financial, investment, legal or tax advice.