Top 10 Crypto Books

Today, what was once a relatively unheard-of technology involving distributed ledgers and storing data is now firmly entrenched in the post-pandemic cultural milieu that we now live in.

The year is 2022, and the cat is out of the bag: cryptocurrencies seem to be here to stay. 

Many investors, Web3 developers, and avid crypto followers have mainly been self-taught considering the knowledge gap in crypto education – a gap tech educators, industry observers, and the academe has sought to fill.

Besides the wealth of online resources, crypto podcasts, courses, and video tutorials, books remain a primary source of in-depth industry insight and information for those who want to learn more about crypto.

Top 10 books about crypto

Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top 10 titles in crypto literature for you to learn more about the topic, its theoretical underpinnings, and its role in shaping the future of technology. Happy reading!

Mastering Bitcoin by Andreas M. Antonopoulos 

This book is required reading for anyone who wants to learn Bitcoin from a technical perspective in a clear, straightforward way that non-technical individuals can grasp. Code snippets are interspersed with concise explanations of the processes behind the tech. Whether you have a background in programming or not, Mastering Bitcoin will have you mastering the technical fundamentals of BTC and other cryptocurrencies.

The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous

Don’t let the title mislead you: this book is less of a primer into the inner workings of Bitcoin but rather a historical treatise on the origins of money as the first step to defining “sound money” actually is – in this case, Bitcoin. The Bitcoin Standard systematically explains the properties of sound money and why Bitcoin is the most viable solution to the problems that the current financial system and fiat have created.

 Cryptoassets by Chris Burniske

Cryptoassets is a book for those interested in developing a framework for evaluating cryptocurrencies and digital assets, as the title implies. If you wish to learn crypto portfolio management techniques to optimize gains while reducing risk exposure, tips to navigate the peaks and troughs of bubbles, bull markets, and bear markets. Moreover, Cryptoassets contains practical guides on exchanging cryptocurrencies, initial coin offerings, and identifying crypto projects worth investing in.

The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains by Antony Lewis

The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn where cryptocurrencies derive their value, how they are mined, how they work, and the disruptive potential of blockchain technology. But it’s not all rainbows and butterflies: Lewis also writes about the risks of investing in crypto, namely, the volatility, the potential for scams and security incidents, and the regulations behind investing in crypto. The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains covers all the bases as an essential manual for the use cases of blockchain technology.

 An Altcoin Trader’s Handbook by Nik Patel

Fancy yourself as an altcoin trader? An Altcoin Trader’s Handbook might be one of the titles you’ll enjoy reading. Patel goes on a deep dive about one of the most epic bull runs in crypto’s short history. This includes Patel’s in-depth analysis of altcoins and the price action they recorded before they took off in 2017. Those interested in altcoin investment strategies examining the history of altcoins would stand to learn a lot from Patel’s book.

The Internet of Money by Andreas M. Antonopoulos

The second book by Antonopoulos in this list, The Internet of Money, delves beyond the technical concepts of Bitcoin by explaining the implications of its decentralized technology on philosophy, society, and history. Antonopoulos deftly explores how Bitcoin has impacted our lives in ways we have yet to even discover, as shown through his speeches on bitcoin and blockchain technology from 2013 to 2016. 

The Cryptopians by Laura Shin

The Cryptopians, by crypto journalist Laura Shin, begins with a brief history of Bitcoin and the subsequent emergence of Ethereum. From there, The Cryptopians goes on to document the ecosystem that emerged from Ethereum, forming the backbone of what is now known as Web3. Shin explains topics such as the emergence of decentralized finance, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and how the Ethereum team is dedicated to revolutionizing how money works towards mass adoption.

The Bitcoin Big Bang by Brian Kelly

Crypto trader and CNBC pundit Brian Kelly elucidates the wonderful world of Bitcoin and other cryptos in this book. Kelly writes with an engaging, easily digestible style whether he talks about the nitty-gritty of cryptography, blockchain technology, or fiduciary policy. The Bitcoin Big Bang is an essential tome for individuals who want to learn the evolution of digital currency without an overreliance on technological mumbo-jumbo.

The Truth About Crypto by Ric Edelman

The Truth About Crypto is a practical book covering a wide swathe of crypto and crypto-related subjects, from Bitcoin, to NFTs, and other use cases of digital assets in a single, easy-to-digest tome. You don’t need to be a financial or technological whiz to learn something from this book – Edelman adroitly distills the most salient concepts for everyone to understand.

The Infinite Machine by Camila Russo

Interested in learning more about how Ethereum was conceptualized and born? The Infinite Machine does an exceptional job of hand-holding the reader through the remarkable rise of Ethereum from its creation to its rise in prominence. Russo’s telling is gripping and intense – any avid crypto follower will find it hard to put down this book.

Conclusion

There’s still plenty to unpack about cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, despite their increasing mainstream adoption – these 10 titles and SimpleSwap Blog will give you an excellent foundation from whence to begin your foray into the World of crypto.