The Almanac

Almanac

Guides that age well — the fundamentals, explained without hype.

Two-factor authentication for crypto accounts, ranked by strength

SMS codes, authenticator apps and security keys are not equivalent, and the gap between them is where account takeovers happen. Here is how each one fails and which to use where.

Lauren Bennett · August 21, 2026

beginner

security

Burner wallets: the case for a throwaway account

A burner wallet is a disposable account that holds almost nothing and does the risky interactions on your behalf. Used properly, it turns most wallet-drain incidents into a minor annoyance.

Kayla Peterson·August 19, 2026· 4m

beginner

security

The 25th word: how wallet passphrases work

A passphrase turns one seed phrase into an unlimited number of separate wallets, and gives you a plausible answer to someone demanding your keys. It also has no recovery path whatsoever.

Lauren Bennett·August 17, 2026· 4m

advanced

security

Multisig wallets: what they solve, and what they cost you

A multisig wallet requires several keys to approve a transaction, which removes the single point of failure at the heart of ordinary self-custody. It also introduces complexity that has lost people their funds.

Mason Walker·August 14, 2026· 5m

intermediate

security

How to verify a crypto address before you hit send

Address poisoning, clipboard malware and lookalike characters all exploit the same habit: copying an address without checking it. Here is a verification routine that takes seconds and survives all three.

Lauren Bennett·August 12, 2026· 5m

beginner

security

Token approvals: the permission that quietly drains wallets

Every DeFi app you touch asks for a token approval, and most of them ask for an unlimited one. Here is what that permission actually grants, how it gets abused, and the review routine that keeps it contained.

Kayla Peterson·August 10, 2026· 6m

intermediate

fundamentals

How to read a crypto market cap without fooling yourself

Market cap is the most quoted and least understood number in crypto. Here is what it genuinely measures, what it hides, and how to read it without fooling yourself.

Mason Walker·July 4, 2026· 8m

beginner

trading

How to Buy Bitcoin Safely (Step by Step)

A plain-English walkthrough of buying your first Bitcoin: choosing a platform, placing an order, keeping fees low, and moving coins to a wallet you control.

Mason Walker·July 3, 2026· 7m

beginner

security

Self-custody, explained for people who value sleep

Self-custody means holding the keys to your own crypto instead of trusting a company to hold them for you. Here is a calm walk through keys, seed phrases and the real trade-offs.

Mason Walker·July 2, 2026· 8m

beginner

wallets

Hot vs Cold Wallets: Which Should You Use?

Hot wallets are connected to the internet for everyday use; cold wallets stay offline for long-term safety. Here is how to decide which fits your holdings.

Lauren Bennett·July 1, 2026· 7m

beginner

fundamentals

What Is DeFi and How Does It Work?

Decentralised finance recreates lending, trading, and saving using smart contracts instead of banks. Here is how it works — and the risks you need to weigh.

Kayla Peterson·June 29, 2026· 8m

beginner

fundamentals

What actually happens during a Bitcoin halving

Roughly every four years Bitcoin's block subsidy is cut in half. Here is what the halving actually changes, what it does not, and why the mechanics matter more than the mythology.

Kayla Peterson·June 29, 2026· 8m

intermediate

fundamentals

Staking Explained: How to Earn Yield on Crypto

Staking lets you earn rewards by helping secure a proof-of-stake network. Here is how it works, what you can realistically earn, and the risks involved.

Kayla Peterson·June 27, 2026· 7m

beginner

fundamentals

How Gas Fees Work on Ethereum

Gas fees are the cost of doing anything on Ethereum. Learn what drives them, why they spike, and practical ways to pay less without risking your funds.

Lauren Bennett·June 25, 2026· 8m

intermediate

fundamentals

Layer 1 vs Layer 2 Blockchains Explained

Layer 1 is the base blockchain; layer 2 is a network built on top to make it faster and cheaper. Here is how they differ and why both matter for scaling.

Mason Walker·June 23, 2026· 7m

intermediate

fundamentals

Proof of Work vs Proof of Stake Explained

Proof of work uses energy and mining; proof of stake uses locked-up coins. Here is how each secures a blockchain and the trade-offs between them.

Mason Walker·June 21, 2026· 7m

intermediate

fundamentals

How to Read a Crypto Whitepaper

A whitepaper is a project's pitch and blueprint. Learn what to look for, which red flags signal trouble, and how to separate substance from marketing.

Kayla Peterson·June 19, 2026· 7m

intermediate

trading

Dollar-Cost Averaging Into Crypto

Dollar-cost averaging means buying a fixed amount on a schedule, smoothing out volatility. Here is how it works, its pros and cons, and how to set it up.

Mason Walker·June 17, 2026· 7m

beginner

fundamentals

Understanding Stablecoins and Their Risks

Stablecoins aim to hold a steady value, usually pegged to the dollar. Learn how the main types work, where their value comes from, and how pegs can break.

Mason Walker·June 15, 2026· 8m

beginner

fundamentals

What is a Bitcoin ETF and how does it work?

A plain-English guide to spot Bitcoin ETFs — what they are, how they track the price, and the trade-offs versus holding bitcoin directly.

Mason Walker·June 13, 2026· 8m

beginner

security

How to avoid crypto scams: a practical guide

The most common crypto scams and the simple habits that defeat almost all of them, from phishing to fake giveaways and rug pulls.

Lauren Bennett·June 11, 2026· 9m

beginner

trading

Reading candlestick charts for beginners

Understand what candlesticks show, how to read common patterns, and how to avoid over-reading noise on crypto charts.

Kayla Peterson·June 9, 2026· 9m

intermediate

fundamentals

What is market liquidity in crypto?

Why liquidity matters more than most beginners realise, how to spot it, and how thin markets amplify risk.

Lauren Bennett·June 7, 2026· 8m

intermediate

taxes

Crypto tax basics: what you owe and why

A general primer on how crypto is commonly taxed, which events are usually taxable, and how to keep records that save you pain.

Mason Walker·June 5, 2026· 8m

beginner

analysis

How on-chain analysis works

An introduction to reading blockchain data directly — the metrics that matter, what they reveal, and their limits.

Kayla Peterson·June 3, 2026· 10m

advanced

security

Seed phrases and wallet recovery explained

What a seed phrase is, why it is the master key to your crypto, and how to store and recover it safely.

Lauren Bennett·June 1, 2026· 8m

beginner

fundamentals

What are rollups and how do they scale Ethereum?

A deeper look at optimistic and zero-knowledge rollups — how they cut fees, inherit Ethereum's security, and differ from each other.

Lauren Bennett·May 30, 2026· 10m

advanced

trading

How to read the Crypto Fear & Greed Index

What the Fear & Greed Index measures, how to use it as a contrarian sentiment gauge, and where it can mislead.

Mason Walker·May 28, 2026· 7m

beginner