Your First $100 in Crypto

Who this is for

You're about to put your first money into crypto — maybe $50, maybe $500, maybe $1,000. You don't already understand wallets, addresses, or on-chain transactions. You want to do this without getting scammed.

This path takes about 30 minutes. The order matters. Don't skip ahead.

Why this order

The first article gets your threat model right — most new holders fixate on the wrong risks. The second and third articles help you understand what you'll actually be buying and where it will live. The fourth and fifth articles lock in the decisions you need to make before you fund any account.

What you won't learn here

This path doesn't tell you what to buy. It doesn't recommend specific coins, exchanges, or strategies. The whole point is to set up the situation so that whatever you decide to do, you're doing it with the right mental model and the right setup.

When to come back

After you've made your first purchase and learned the basics, move to the [Self-custody path](/paths/self-custody/) to deepen your understanding of how to actually hold what you bought. If anything goes wrong — drainer, lost seed phrase, weird transaction — the [Avoiding scams path](/paths/avoiding-scams/) has the response playbooks.

The path

1. Start here

   Crypto Safety in 2026: Threats That Actually Matter

   The threat landscape isn't what most people think it is. This gives you the right mental model in 10 minutes.

2. What you'll likely be buying

   Stablecoins Explained: What 'Backed' Really Means

   If you're buying any crypto, you're probably buying a stablecoin first. Know what it actually is.

3. Where your first dollars will live

   Cold Wallet vs. Hot Wallet: A Decision Framework

   Even small amounts deserve a deliberate custody choice. This is the framework.

4. Make the call

   Cold or Hot Wallet? A Decision Tree

   Five questions that pick the right wallet for your situation. Use this before you open an account.

5. Read before you configure your wallet

   Seed Phrases: What They Are, What They Are Not, and How People Lose Them

   The single most common way people lose crypto is losing their seed phrase. Don't be the next story.