Quick Start: Two Things That Matter Most
- Never share your seed phrase or private key with anyone, ever. Not a support agent. Not a wallet app. Not someone who says they're from Coinbase. No legitimate entity will ever ask for this.
- Use a hardware wallet for significant holdings. If you own more than $1,000 in crypto, it belongs in cold storage — not on an exchange.
Trusted Exchanges
Start with established, regulated exchanges. These have proper KYC/AML procedures, insurance programs, and fraud departments:
Crypto.com
Well-established global exchange with strong security track record and insurance program.
Get Started →Kraken
US-based exchange with strong regulatory compliance and advanced security features.
Visit Kraken →Newton (Canada)
FINTRAC-registered Canadian exchange with strong compliance track record.
Visit Newton →Secure Your Private Keys
Your private key controls your crypto. If someone has it, they have your crypto. Hardware wallets store your private key offline — completely isolated from internet-based attacks.
Ledger Hardware Wallet
Most popular hardware wallet globally. Supports 5,500+ cryptocurrencies. Comes with the Ledger Live app for easy management.
Get Ledger →Trezor Wallet
The original open-source hardware wallet. Excellent transparency — you can verify the code yourself.
Get Trezor →Beware of These Scams
Pig Butchering Scams: A "friend" or romantic interest introduces you to a "great" crypto investment opportunity. They help you set up a fake exchange account that shows growing profits. When you try to withdraw, you're asked to pay more "fees." There are no real profits — it's all fabricated.
Giveaway Scams: Accounts impersonating Elon Musk, Coinbase, or major exchanges promise to double any crypto you send. They will never send anything back.
VPN for Crypto Trading
Always use a VPN when trading crypto, especially on public networks. This prevents network-level attacks and hides your trading activity from potential attackers.
Get NordVPN →Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.