• Blockchain Explorers

  The blockchain functions as a triple ledger accounting system for any transactions occurring between any parties. Each party has a ledger balance in their wallet, as well as the public ledger consisting of the blocks which get discovered by miners and published under consensus by other miners to the blockchain. Generally transaction notes, and details including contract interactions and other features related to the currency you are using are all supported by blockchain explorers which allow you to see the details of anyone’s transactions. These are listed publicly, but have long obscure ids known as transaction hashes.

  You may need to view your transaction details when you use cryptocurrencies. This is helpful in determining if a particular transaction has been confirmed (often times 3rd parties require 6 or more confirmations before a transaction is considered permanent). You may also enter your wallet’s address and see the entire transaction history.

• Custodianship: It matters who holds the keys!

  An important decision to make when you transact with cryptocurrencies is to understand how the private keys will be managed for your wallets. For example, there are differences between exchanges with the responsibility for ensuring a wallet’s private key (This key unlocks the wallet and allows for transactions to be made) is kept secure. This responsibility could rest with the end user, normally called a non-custodial service. Or it could rest with the exchange performing as a custodian of the key. They have a user agreement, whereby the exchange adheres to industry best practices ensuring your funds will be kept secure.

• Exchanges: Buy, Hold, and Trade Crypto Currencies assets on reputable Crypto Exchanges.

  Two exchanges in the United States which are currently offering promotions for new sign ups are Coinbase and ShapeShift.

  Through the Coinbase Earn program you can watch short educational videos to earn between $15-60 USD worth of various currencies. This website will provide additional background which may be helpful in understanding how cryptocurrencies work.