Getting Started with Bitcoin

The Process

How to Get Started

Learn the Basics First

Before you buy anything, take a little time to understand what Bitcoin actually is and why it works the way it does. You don't need a computer science degree. You just need enough understanding to make decisions you're comfortable with.

Our What is Bitcoin page is a good place to start. For a deeper foundation, the two books below are the best we've found.

Tip: Don't rush. Understanding first, buying second.

Choose Where to Buy

You'll need to use an exchange to buy your first Bitcoin. Not all exchanges are equal. Look for ones that are Bitcoin-focused, US-based, and have a clean track record. A few our community trusts:

River

Bitcoin only. Clean interface. Strong security. One of the most trusted in the space. Great for recurring purchases.

Swan Bitcoin

Bitcoin only. Built around the idea of regular stacking. Good for setting up automatic buys over time.

Strike

Easy to use, low fees, and built on the Lightning Network. Good starting point for new users.

Avoid

Robinhood, PayPal, and similar apps let you "buy Bitcoin" but you don't actually own it. You own an IOU. Until you control your own keys, you don't truly own Bitcoin.

Start Small

You don't need to buy a whole Bitcoin. Bitcoin is divisible into 100 million units called satoshis. Most people start with whatever they're comfortable losing -- $50, $100, $500. Get familiar with the process before you go bigger.

Tip: Many people use dollar-cost averaging -- buying a set amount on a regular schedule rather than trying to time the market.

Move It Off the Exchange

This is the most important step and the one most beginners skip. When your Bitcoin sits on an exchange, the exchange controls it. If they get hacked, go bankrupt, or freeze your account -- your Bitcoin is gone. This has happened. It will happen again.

"Not your keys, not your coins" is not just a saying. It's the whole point.

Moving your Bitcoin to a wallet you control is called self-custody. Start by learning about software wallets like Sparrow Wallet or Blue Wallet. Both are free, open source, and beginner-friendly.

Important

When you set up a wallet you will be given a seed phrase -- usually 12 or 24 words. Write it down on paper. Store it somewhere safe. Never store it digitally. Never photograph it. This is your Bitcoin. If you lose this phrase and lose access to your wallet, your Bitcoin is gone forever.

Level Up: Get a Hardware Wallet

Once you have a meaningful amount of Bitcoin, a hardware wallet is the next step. A hardware wallet is a physical device that stores your private keys offline, away from the internet and away from hackers.

Popular options our community recommends include the Coldcard, Trezor, and Foundation Passport. We'll have specific links and mini-reviews in our Resources section soon.

Tip: A hardware wallet is not a place to store Bitcoin -- it's a device to sign transactions. Your seed phrase is still your backup. Guard it accordingly.

Keep Learning

Bitcoin rewards curiosity. The deeper you go, the more it makes sense. Listen to the podcasts on our Podcast page, read the books below, and come to a meetup. The best resource is a community of people who are further along than you and willing to answer questions.

Tip: Bitcoin Twitter and Nostr are active communities. Search #Bitcoin and you'll find more than you can read in a lifetime.

Keep These In Mind

The Golden Rules

Not Your Keys, Not Your Coins

If someone else holds your Bitcoin, they control your Bitcoin. Self-custody is not optional for serious holders.

Guard Your Seed Phrase

Write it down. Store it offline. Never share it. Never type it into any website. Anyone who has it controls your Bitcoin.

Only Buy What You Can Afford to Lose

Bitcoin is volatile. Do not put money in that you need next month. Think in years, not days.

Do Your Own Research

We share what works for us. But you need to make decisions you understand and are comfortable with. Nobody here is your financial advisor.

Ignore the Noise

Price predictions, Twitter drama, influencer picks -- most of it is noise. Focus on understanding the fundamentals and let the short-term volatility wash over you.