Bitcoin and crypto in general have become common topics of conversation in recent years, owing to the rapid development of the industry.
We all know someone who knows someone who has gotten rich by investing in crypto at the right time, or have/are that friend who is known as the crypto guru and can’t stop talking about coins, investment strategies, and all the developments that are happening in the market.
The point is, these days everyone seems to know a thing or two about crypto or have an opinion on it, but real crypto experts are far and few between. Knowing how to buy Bitcoin or being able to interpret some charts doesn’t qualify one as a specialist in the field.
Crypto is a vast and extremely complex domain, challenging enough to make anyone’s head spin, and it’s only becoming more intricate as it continues to evolve. Therefore, having a relative understanding of basic crypto concepts is definitely not enough to call yourself an expert.
However, you can certainly become one if you so wish. You just have to decide whether pursuing this goal is worth it or not.
Keep in mind that we’re talking about an asset class that until not so long ago was seen as a curiosity at best and an illicit tool at worst, and whose legitimacy and utility are still being questioned. So, is it a good idea to invest time and effort into studying crypto in-depth?
Growing mainstream acceptance
Despite the doubts and concerns that financial analysts have expressed about their future and the risks they pose, digital currencies have been around for more than a decade, and they show no signs of slowing down.
If anything, their march towards mainstream acceptance is accelerating, solidifying their presence in the wider financial sector.
The industry has evolved tremendously over the years, and crypto has come to represent a technology with numerous real-world applications.
There’s a growing number of companies and organizations that are now accepting crypto (mostly Bitcoin) as an alternative payment method, giving crypto holders the possibility to use their tokens to pay for different goods and services.
Moreover, the blockchain technology, which forms the backbone of all digital currencies, can be used across numerous fields, including logistics, smart contracts, government operations, healthcare, cross-border transactions, retail, real estate, and so on.
Taking note of the immense potential that crypto and blockchain hold, governments and financial institutions also started getting involved, a trend highlighted by the launch of spot crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which caused more institutional capital to flow into crypto, and the establishment of clearer regulatory frameworks around digital assets in many jurisdictions.
All these developments enhance crypto’s legitimacy and leave no doubt that these assets are becoming increasingly integrated into everyday life. Does this mean we should all become crypto experts in order to engage with this technology safely?
Not necessarily, but focusing on improving crypto literacy can pay off since this asset class seems to be increasing its global influence and will likely play a key role in shaping the future of finance.
Readily-available information
Learning about crypto used to be quite tricky. During the early days of the industry, those who wanted to enhance their crypto knowledge didn’t have many options, with obscure forums and sites serving as the only sources of information.
With crypto content being scarce and no authorities to consult in this regard, it was hard to tell if the data you came across was reliable or not.
Fortunately, that’s not the case anymore. If you want to become a crypto specialist or simply brush up on your crypto trading skills, you have all the information you require at your fingertips and plenty of trustworthy resources available that can support you on your learning journey.
The ample media coverage that crypto has been getting provides us with a wealth of reliable materials on crypto, from news and articles to in-depth analysis by industry experts.
Major media outlets such as Entrepreneur, Forbes, or CNN offer a treasure trove of up-to-date and accurate info about the crypto market, so you can get your facts from credible sources.
There are also various well-written books addressing different crypto and blockchain topics that you can read to quench your thirst for knowledge and round up your education.
The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains by Antony Lewis, Mastering Bitcoin by Andreas M. Antonopoulos, and Cryptoassets by Chris Burniske and Jack Tatar are some of the books you should add to your reading list.
If you’re serious about crypto and want to fast-track your crypto education, you have the opportunity to enroll in dedicated online courses. The absence of widely recognized certification programs in the field has caused people to be reluctant about these options.
However, in recent years, a number of reputable organizations have started launching online crypto certification courses to fill in this gap, so it’s easier than ever to find a provider that can deliver great educational services.
A competitive advantage
With crypto being everywhere these days, there’s a high chance you might come across it at some point or another – maybe even in your professional life.
Given that a lot of companies have started interacting with crypto in one way or another, many are expecting their employees to have a certain level of familiarity with digital assets.
Therefore, being educated on crypto matters can serve as an advantage and potentially unlock new opportunities in the labor market.
Also, if you’re planning on trading and investing in crypto, you should take the time to brush up on your knowledge and skills before diving into the market, as this will help you navigate the crypto space safely and confidently and manage your funds wisely.
Final thoughts
In a time where crypto adoption has become a global trend, investing in crypto education seems to make perfect sense for most individuals.
So, even if you’re not interested in crypto trading and don’t want to build a career in finance, you might still want to consider the benefits that enhancing your crypto literacy could provide you with.
