There’s a reason why people turn to books when they’re looking to learn something new. While books do take some time to read, the knowledge and insight you can gain from them is priceless. All of this applies to learning about cryptocurrencies and the blockchain technologies surrounding them as well. To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of what we think are the best cryptocurrency books of all time.
The Age of Cryptocurrency: How Bitcoin and Digital Money Are Challenging the Global Economic Order
By Michael Casey and Paul Vigna
Written by Michael Casey, Coindesk’s Chief Content Officer, and Paul Vigna, an expert markets reporter for the Wall Street Journal, this book provides an unparalleled introduction to cryptocurrency for beginners.
The book situates the rise of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies against the context of the global monetary order, explaining how cryptocurrencies are poised to upheave traditional financial and social structures. Beyond this, the book also discusses the problems associated with cryptocurrency, including its reputation for instability and how it can be used to fuel illicit businesses – problems that are still relevant today.
While it was written in 2015, it nonetheless serves as a good starting point to learn about the rise of Bitcoin, the first modern cryptocurrency, and why it is so revolutionary.
Blockchain Bubble or Revolution: The Future of Bitcoin, Blockchains, and Cryptocurrencies
By Aditya Agashe, Neel Mehta and Parth Detroja
While years have passed since Bitcoin’s inception, cryptocurrencies have only just started to gain significant mainstream traction this year. Whether you’re a curious passer-by or an investor hoping to learn about a new asset class, the most important thing is to be able to form your own opinion on the issues at hand.
This compelling read from its three expert authors aims to provide you with the understanding and knowledge you need to cut through the noise. It accessibly breaks down the technology behind bitcoin and the blockchain while providing readers with a good view of the regulatory landscape that surrounds it.
Ultimately, by the end of this book, you should be able to use your newfound knowledge to decide whether investing in any cryptocurrency is a decision you’re comfortable with. If that’s what you’re hoping to do, then check this one out – it might just be the best crypto book for you.
Digital Gold: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money
By Nathaniel Popper
What makes or breaks a story is the cast of characters behind it – including the story of Bitcoin. Even if you’re not someone who particularly enjoys reading, give this book a go before deciding to try learning from another medium.
Popper has done an amazing job writing about the rise of Bitcoin from the perspective of a colorful group of individuals who have contributed to its ascent. These include an Argentinian millionaire, a Chinese entrepreneur, the Winklevoss twins (founders of the exchange platform Gemini), and the elusive creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto.
The best books about cryptocurrency are the ones that blend economic analysis, history, and the philosophy behind money in a captivating way. Look no further – this book does exactly all of the above.
The Executive Guide to Blockchain
By Maria Grazia Vigliotti and Haydn Jones
Blockchain seems like just another buzzword until you understand it. If you’re a business leader hoping to get a better grasp of what it all means, this book provides readers with a non-technical explanation about this technology and how to harness its potential. As blockchain technologies continue to grow and the industry continues to expand, it’s more important than ever to be able to understand these digital systems and how they can help your business.
Practical and insightful, this is the book you’ll want to pick up if you’re thinking about how to prepare your company for the new monetary order.
Mastering Bitcoin: Programming the Open Blockchain
By Andreas M. Antonopoulos
If you’re no stranger to cryptocurrencies and want a deeper dive into the technology driving them, consider Antonopoulos’s guide. The book describes the foundations of Bitcoin, providing anyone willing to spend a little more time digesting information with the keys to understand cryptocurrency.
Here, everything from crypto wallets to peer-to-peer network architecture of Bitcoin to even security is covered. It hardly comes as a surprise that many describe this as the best crypto book for anyone hoping to gain a more technical perspective on the issue.
What’s Next?
While we’ve listed our five top picks, these books barely even scratch the surface of the endless sea of knowledge available out there. When you’re done, there’s still more to learn: DeFi, yield farming, and even how to contribute to this burgeoning space. No matter what you hope to learn, one thing is for sure – your best bet is to keep reading.
