No matter how you slice it, cryptocurrency is a product of the modern technological age and appears to be cementing itself as a staple in society. When a trend the size of this one becomes present, it is wise to fully educate yourself on the ins and outs of the terms, ideas, and possibilities so as not to find yourself behind the eight ball. Seeing as crypto is inherently digital in nature, it might seem appropriate to spend immense amounts of time with the technology-based content and other associated items. However, an age-old staple of the world could prove itself far more useful than any YouTube video or newsletter subscription. Author Nnedi Okorafor put this staple into words, “I love books. I adore everything about them. I love the feel of the pages on my fingertips. They are light enough to carry, yet so heavy with worlds and ideas. I love the sound of the pages flicking against my fingers. Print against fingerprints. Books make people quiet, yet they are so loud.”
The pairing of cryptocurrency and books may seem like more of a crossroads than a partnership. But do not be so quick to dismiss the idea. Below, you will find the best books to help you understand the ins and outs of cryptocurrency.
The Bitcoin Standard
Loic Claveau is the CMO of Prom, a brand offering a unified access point to the NFT gaming and metaverse industry. They suggest a title that delves into every detail surrounding Bitcoin’s rise, significance, and future.
“Honestly, as simple, or dumb, as it might sound, the first step in understanding anything about crypto is coming to terms with the idea that crypto is conceptually difficult. After that, it’s up to you to seek out as much information as possible to begin flushing out that concept. For me, the best starting place was the book The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous. There’s truly nothing left uncovered regarding Bitcoin. Think of it as a crash course in cryptocurrency. Anyone looking to build a solid foundation of knowledge for a difficult concept should absolutely begin their journey here.”
The Age of Cryptocurrency
The authors of this book are of the belief that while the awareness of crypto is at an all-time high, a solid grasp of what it has not followed. Embroker is a business providing a digitally-native insurance company. Their Founder and CEO, Matt Miller, advises others to investigate this book for a variety of reasons.
“In my opinion, there are few better sources of information than journalists who have worked for some of the more well-known newspapers in the country. Based on this, you can see why I found the book, The Age of Cryptocurrency, to be so impactful – it was written by two people who work for The Wall Street Journal. Whether you’re brand-new to digital currency or you’ve had your hands in it for longer than most, the writing here will serve you should you take the time to read it. From history to tendencies or even the cyber economy, there is at least a little something here for everyone, if not more.”
Mastering Bitcoin: Programming the Open Blockchain
Victoria VR specializes in blockchain-based MMORPG in Virtual reality with realistic graphics built on an unreal engine, created and owned by its users. Their Co-Founder and COO, Adam Bém, considers the array of cryptocurrency topics discussed by a college professor to be helpful.
“Have you ever heard of a college class that focuses entirely on cryptocurrency? How about a master’s degree in the same subject? That’s where our world is headed with crypto. Author and university professor Andreas M. Antonopoulos is part of this pioneering movement and wrote a book on it. Essentially, Antonopoulos has realized the vast number of different uses for cryptocurrency and thoughtfully attempts to walk readers through each of these. It doesn’t matter what your interests in cryptocurrency are, I’m sure they, or something close, will pique your attention enough to get you to keep turning the page.”
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies
Ryan Rottman is the Co-Founder and CEO of OSDB Sports, a brand offering a digital platform with the most extensive sports information on the web. He cautions others not to overlook the incredibly classic line of educational books.
“Before you make a snap judgment at my book suggestion, hear me out: If the For Dummies books had proven themselves to be anything less than beneficial to the reader, the brand would not have lasted this long. They have covered everything from football coaching to eastern Asian cooking. And they’ve done so wonderfully. This extends to how the authors have presented cryptocurrency. Not only is the book filled with relevant information, but it’s also shown in a very digestible manner. So, if you’re in search of an end-all be-all book about cryptocurrency, it’s time to climb aboard the For Dummy train.
American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road
Some readers prefer a storyline-driven approach to learning. AvantStay is a business providing the ultimate group travel experience. Their Head of Growth, Umer Usman, proposes these readers give this book a chance.
“It was around long enough, and much has been said about it, that most people are at least aware of the dark web. For anyone even remotely curious about how this sector of the internet was built this is the right book. But it goes much deeper than another crime novel. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies played massive roles in the success of the online black market. The name of the main character, Ulbricht, has become somewhat of a buzzword in the crypto community so knowing more about this, in general, will only further your crypto immersion.”
Blockchain Bubble or Revolution: The Future of Bitcoin, Blockchains, and Cryptocurrencies
Straight Up Growth specializes in delivering best-in-class growth to brands on Amazon. Their Co-Founder, Daniel Tejada, believes looking at both sides of the proverbial coin is necessary with cryptocurrency.
“Despite what the army of internet commentators might tell you, not everything about cryptocurrency is rainbows and butterflies. Like with most things involving the publicly created value of an item such as cryptocurrency, there are risks, downsides, and mistakes to be made. The authors of Blockchain Bubble or Revolution go through the pros and cons with crypto as well as a litany of related topics.”
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the combination of books and cryptocurrency. Like cryptocurrencies themselves, there is a book on crypto for every person and their unique needs. That being said, it takes personal initiative to thoughtfully consume them. Poet and novelist Ben Okri highlighted why people should pursue reading, “Reading is an act of civilization; it’s one of the greatest acts of civilization because it takes the free raw material of the mind and builds castles of possibilities.”
