What Is Crypto?
Practical guides to what is crypto?, part of our crypto fundamentals series. Education only — never financial advice.
What this section covers
- Cryptocurrency vs Digital Assets Explained — Learn the difference between cryptocurrency and digital assets, where Bitcoin and tokens fit, and why the distinction matters for crypto traders and investors.
- Crypto vs Fiat Currency Explained — Understand how cryptocurrencies differ from fiat currencies such as pounds, euros and dollars, including issuance, settlement, custody, volatility and practical use.
- Coins vs Tokens Explained — Learn the difference between crypto coins and tokens, how native blockchain assets work, and why token structure matters for trading and due diligence.
- Decentralisation Spectrum Explained — Understand decentralisation as a spectrum across blockchains, tokens, exchanges and protocols, and learn which parts of a crypto system may still be controlled by central actors.
- Core Crypto Use Cases Explained — Explore the main use cases for crypto and blockchain networks, from value transfer and stablecoins to smart contracts, DeFi, tokenisation and digital ownership.
5 guides, about 20 minutes of reading, written for novice level.
Questions these guides answer
- Is Bitcoin a digital asset?
- Are NFTs cryptocurrencies?
- Are stablecoins cryptocurrencies?
- Why does the terminology matter for trading?
- Is money in my bank account already digital?
- Can crypto replace fiat currency?
- Why is Bitcoin more volatile than major fiat currencies?
- Where do stablecoins fit?
Browse
Cryptocurrency vs Digital Assets Explained
Learn the difference between cryptocurrency and digital assets, where Bitcoin and tokens fit, and why the distinction matters for crypto traders and i
- • Is Bitcoin a digital asset?
- • Are NFTs cryptocurrencies?
- • Are stablecoins cryptocurrencies?
Crypto vs Fiat Currency Explained
Understand how cryptocurrencies differ from fiat currencies such as pounds, euros and dollars, including issuance, settlement, custody, volatility and
- • Is money in my bank account already digital?
- • Can crypto replace fiat currency?
- • Why is Bitcoin more volatile than major fiat currencies?
Coins vs Tokens Explained
Learn the difference between crypto coins and tokens, how native blockchain assets work, and why token structure matters for trading and due diligence
- • Is Ethereum a coin or token?
- • Is USDC a coin?
- • Does a token need its own blockchain?
Decentralisation Spectrum Explained
Understand decentralisation as a spectrum across blockchains, tokens, exchanges and protocols, and learn which parts of a crypto system may still be c
- • Is all crypto decentralised?
- • Is decentralisation always better?
- • Can an exchange be decentralised?
Core Crypto Use Cases Explained
Explore the main use cases for crypto and blockchain networks, from value transfer and stablecoins to smart contracts, DeFi, tokenisation and digital
- • Is speculation a crypto use case?
- • What are the biggest practical crypto use cases?
- • Does a useful blockchain guarantee its token will rise?
Ready to Build Your Crypto Knowledge?
These guides complement our crypto course. Take the assessment to get a learning path matched to what you already know.