Crypto 101 Daily

Learning crypto from zero, in plain language — no jargon, no hype

Coin Profiles

One coin at a time

Coin Profiles

There are thousands of cryptocurrencies, and the noise around them is deafening. These profiles cut through it — a plain-language look at each major coin: what it actually is, what it’s for, and the honest risks. No price predictions, no hype, no “next 100x.” Just what the coin is and isn’t.

A note on these profiles: a coin being listed here is not a recommendation to buy it. Inclusion just means it’s well-known enough that a beginner is likely to encounter it and want to understand it. Every profile includes the honest risks. This is education, not financial advice — always do your own research.

Start here: the two foundations

  • Bitcoin (BTC) — The original cryptocurrency, and still the one everything else is measured against.
  • Ethereum (ETH) — The “world computer” that powers smart contracts, DeFi, and much of crypto.

Other major coins

  • Solana (SOL) — The fast, low-cost platform — and its history of outages and volatility.
  • XRP — The payments-focused coin tied to Ripple, and its now-resolved legal saga.
  • Cardano (ADA) — The research-driven, “slow and careful” smart-contract platform.
  • Polygon (POL) — The Ethereum-scaling network — and its MATIC-to-POL token change.
  • Chainlink (LINK) — The “oracle” network that feeds real-world data to smart contracts.
  • Litecoin (LTC) — The veteran “digital silver” payment coin, and the relevance question.
  • BNB — Binance’s own coin: what it’s used for, and the honest risks of owning it.

Stablecoins & memecoins

  • Tether (USDT) — The largest stablecoin and the “digital dollar” of trading — plus its reserve questions.
  • USD Coin (USDC) — The regulated, transparency-focused dollar stablecoin — and its 2023 depeg.
  • Dogecoin (DOGE) — The original joke “memecoin,” and a lesson in hype-driven value.
  • Shiba Inu (SHIB) — The #2 memecoin, and the “cheap coin” supply illusion.

More coin profiles are on the way, each following the same honest format: what it is, what it’s for, and the risks.

New to crypto? Build the foundation first.

Before comparing coins, it helps to understand the essentials. Start with the Basics, learn what an altcoin is, and think through which crypto a beginner might buy first.