WE'RE NOT MEME'N AROUND: Meme Coin investing with a twist
Welcome to the world of cryptocurrency, a space that combines technology, innovation, and the future of finance. Whether you’re here out of curiosity, opportunity, or a desire to understand what everyone’s been talking about, this chapter sets the foundation.
Crypto can feel intimidating at first. There are new terms, new systems, and entirely new ways of thinking about money. But don’t worry, you don’t need a technical background or financial degree to understand it. This course is designed to break everything down in a simple, approachable way.
Cryptocurrency is digital money that operates on a technology called blockchain. Unlike traditional money (like the U.S. dollar), cryptocurrencies are not controlled by any single bank, company, or government. Instead, they operate through decentralized networks powered by computers around the world.
This means:
Transactions can happen quickly and globally.
There’s no need for a middleman like a bank.
The system is designed to be transparent and secure.
Crypto emerged as a response to the limitations of traditional banking systems, driven by a desire for more personal control over money, lower fees, faster transactions, and a financial system not governed by a single authority. What began simply as a form of digital currency has grown into something much bigger.
Today, crypto is shaping the worlds of finance, technology, art, gaming, online business, and even social communities.
You’re stepping into a space that is not only financially significant, but also culturally and technologically transformative.
This unit helps you:
Understand how crypto works at a basic, foundational level
Learn key terms used in crypto discussions
Build confidence in navigating the digital asset world
By the end of this chapter, you’ll have a clear understanding of the language and logic that crypto operates on.
Cryptocurrency: A type of digital money that exists online and isn’t controlled by a bank or government.
Blockchain: A digital record system that stores transactions securely and transparently, like a public ledger.
Decentralization: A system where no one person or organization is in charge, control is shared across a network.
Wallet (also referred to as "Crypto Wallet"): A digital tool used to store your cryptocurrency, similar to how a physical wallet stores cash.
Exchange: A platform where you can buy, sell, or trade cryptocurrencies (similar to a stock exchange, but for digital assets).