If you’re new to cryptocurrency, the easiest way to begin is by creating an account on Coinbase.com. Coinbase is one of the most established exchanges, offering a simple way to buy, sell, and transfer digital assets like Bitcoin and USDC. As you gain experience, you can explore self-custody wallets.
Exchanges vs 🌿 Self-Custody
💡 When you buy crypto, you have two main choices for storage: keep it on an exchange or move it into a self-custody wallet.
🏦 Exchange Storage: Keeping crypto on an exchange like Coinbase is beginner-friendly and requires no extra setup. Your assets are accessible via your login, but you’re trusting the exchange to safeguard them.
🔑 Self-Custody: With self-custody, you control your crypto directly using a wallet such as MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet. This gives you full control, but also full responsibility—if you lose your recovery phrase, you lose access to your funds permanently.
KYC vs 🌿 Non-KYC
💡 KYC (Know Your Customer) is the process where an exchange verifies your identity before allowing you to buy, sell, or transfer crypto. This is legally required in the U.S.
✅ KYC Exchanges – Examples: Coinbase, Kraken. You submit ID, and in return, you get regulated service, fiat on-ramps, and protection from some fraud.
🕵️ Non-KYC Platforms – Examples: Bisq, Hodl Hodl. You can trade without submitting personal info, but liquidity may be lower, and the process is more complex.
Bitcoin vs USDC 🌿 on Base
💡 Bitcoin (BTC) is the first cryptocurrency ever made, and runs on its own blockchain, the Bitcoin Network. It’s decentralized, secure, and primarily used as digital money. USDC is a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, making it much less volatile than Bitcoin.
🪙 Buying Bitcoin – Learn more about Bitcoin and the Bitcoin Network
Great for long-term holding, peer-to-peer payments, and as a hedge against inflation.
💵 Buying USDC and Sending on Base – Learn more about USDC and Base Network
Perfect for transferring money quickly with minimal fees. Base is a Layer 2 solution built by Coinbase that makes USDC transactions fast and cheap.