This content originally appeared on HackerNoon and was authored by Michael Jerlis
If you’ve got a free evening and a little curiosity about making money with crypto, that’s all you really need to get started.
As of June 2025, Bitcoin is already worth $112 000. The market is booming, and more and more people are getting in — 28% of adults in the U.S. now own crypto.
There are plenty of easy and safe tools available to help you get started. Many of them are so simple that you will not even need a manual.
This article provides a clear and easy-to-follow plan. You will learn how to set up a wallet, buy your first coins, and start earning.
What Is Cryptocurrency and Why Do We Need It?
Cryptocurrency is a digital asset that exists on a blockchain. It can be used for payments, trading, earning income, or powering networks. The most well-known examples are Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), but there are now thousands of different cryptocurrencies.
So why do we need it? The main reasons are the opportunity to make money (through investing, trading, or earning rewards for helping run networks), fast value transfers without banks, and transaction fees of just a few cents — compared to the usual 1–3% fees.
But that’s just the beginning. More and more people are using crypto in everyday life: paying for online services and products, sending money across borders without middlemen, or storing savings in stablecoins to protect against inflation.
With DeFi (Decentralized Finance), you can earn interest like you would at a bank — but without the bank. NFTs (non-fungible tokens) let you prove ownership of digital content. And for businesses, crypto offers a way to accept payments from customers worldwide, bypassing the limitations of traditional financial systems.
How to Set Up a Crypto Wallet
A crypto wallet is what you use to store, send, and receive digital assets.
If your goal is to get started quickly and interact with various tokens, whether through DeFi, staking, or airdrops, software wallets are an excellent choice. They are free, easy to set up, and support a wide range of assets.
Software Wallets
If you want a simple, flexible wallet to explore the crypto ecosystem, start with a software wallet. These wallets give you full control of your assets and let you easily connect to decentralized applications (dApps).
| Wallet | Key Features | |----|:---| | MetaMask | Top choice for Ethereum-based tokens and DeFi | | Trust Wallet | Multi-chain support, easy to use | | Exodus | Beginner-friendly, built-in portfolio tracker | | Rabbi Wallet | Focused on Bitcoin and Lightning Network | | Phantom | Best for Solana-based tokens and NFTs | | Keplr | Wallet for Cosmos ecosystem | | XDEFI Wallet | Multi-chain wallet for advanced DeFi users |
\n During setup, you will be provided with a seed phrase (recovery phrase).==This is your ultimate backup. Write it down and store it securely offline. If you lose it, you will lose access to your funds.==
Hardware Wallets for Long-Term Storage
For serious investors or those planning to store large amounts of crypto for the long term, hardware wallets provide the highest level of security. These devices keep your private keys offline, protecting your assets even if your computer or phone is compromised.
| Hardware Wallet | Key Features | |----|----| | Ledger Nano X / S+ | Top security, Bluetooth support | | Trezor Model T / One | Open-source, trusted by the crypto community | | Ellipal Titan | Air-gapped, highly secure hardware wallet | | BitBox02 | Privacy-focused, Swiss-made hardware wallet |
How to Get Your First Crypto
The fastest and easiest way to get crypto is to buy coins on an exchange. All you need to do is sign up, complete verification, fund your account (with a credit card or through P2P), and buy the cryptocurrency you want.
As of 2025, there are more than 255 active spot exchanges worldwide, with an average daily trading volume exceeding $2 trillion. Leading platforms such as Binance, Bybit, and Coinbase process billions of dollars in transactions each day.
But buying is not the only option. You can also earn crypto. One accessible method is through airdrops, where projects give away free tokens in exchange for simple tasks such as following them on social media, signing up, or testing their platform. However, airdrop rewards are usually one-time and not very stable.
In 2024, crypto airdrops distributed over $20 billion in token value across more than 36 major campaigns. However, 88% of airdropped tokens lose value within months, making this a risky long-term strategy.
Another way to earn crypto is through mining. If you're looking for more consistent earnings, Proof of Work (PoW) mining is a solid option. This is the traditional type of mining used by networks such as Bitcoin. Here’s how it works: you provide computing power (via ASIC miners or GPUs) to solve complex mathematical problems and help verify blockchain transactions. In return, the network rewards you with cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, or Dogecoin.
The global Bitcoin mining industry generated approximately $3.7 billion in revenue in Q4 2024, and about $3.6 billion in Q1 2025. In May 2025 alone, Bitcoin miners earned roughly $964 million, or about $63 million per day.
The Bitcoin network hash rate reached an all-time high of 1,124 EH/s in April 2025 and, as of June 2025, is stabilizing around 890 EH/s, reflecting significant growth in global mining capacity.
Mining from scratch can seem complicated. You need specialized hardware, proper setup, a connection to mining pools (where miners combine forces to earn more consistently), and you also have to manage payouts and ensure security.
Currently, over 80% of global Bitcoin mining is conducted through mining pools rather than solo mining.
Other Ways to Earn with Crypto
Besides simply buying and selling crypto, there are plenty of other ways to make money in this space. Here are a few options you can try.
Staking as Passive Income
One of the easiest and safest options is staking. It works a bit like a bank deposit: you lock up your coins to help support the network, and in return you earn interest. Staking is great for beginners because you do not need to be a market expert.
P2P Trading and Arbitrage for Active Traders
If you want to engage with the market more actively, try P2P trading and arbitrage. The idea is simple: buy crypto on one platform and sell it on another at a higher price. To succeed, you need to understand the market well and react quickly to price changes. Many people earn consistent profits this way.
Play-to-Earn as a Way to Earn Through Games
Another beginner-friendly option is Play-to-Earn games. These games allow you to earn their own tokens through in-game activity. Of course, not all of these projects are trustworthy, so you need to choose carefully.
However, with the right approach, it is possible to earn a small income even without investing any money
Safety Tips and Risk Management
- Do not store everything on an exchange.
Exchanges are convenient, but they are not the right place to keep large amounts of crypto for the long term. It is better to use wallets where you control the private keys, such as cold wallets or decentralized wallets. This way, you are fully in control of your funds, not a third-party platform.
Never enter your seed phrase on third-party sites
No matter how convincing a support message may look, never share your seed phrase. In almost every case, it is a scam. Remember this simple rule: real support will never ask for your private information.
Protect your accounts
Use strong passwords and always enable two-factor authentication (2FA). These simple steps can significantly enhance the security of your funds and protect against hacks and theft.
Plan your returns in advance
If you are staking or mining, always calculate your potential return on investment (ROI) and payback period.
Be careful with ‘hot’ tokens
If someone promises you guaranteed returns, it is almost certainly a scam. In crypto, there are no guarantees. The market is highly volatile, and every investment carries risks. Be especially cautious with unknown tokens and hype-driven price increases.
It’s Easier Than You Think
Getting started with crypto in a single day is absolutely doable. All you need to do is set up a wallet, get your first coins by either buying or earning them, and establish an income stream such as staking or mining. You can also use a savings wallet that provides regular passive income.
In fact, the global crypto community is growing fast — as of early 2025, there are now over 580 million cryptocurrency users worldwide, up from about 420 mln a year earlier. This shows that more and more people are discovering that getting started is easier than they once thought.
Give crypto earning a try. It is simple and accessible to anyone who is willing to take the first step.
Follow us to get more step-by-step guides, earning strategies, and real-life examples.
Have you already tried earning with crypto? If yes — what was your first step? If not — what’s holding you back?
This content originally appeared on HackerNoon and was authored by Michael Jerlis
Michael Jerlis | Sciencx (2025-06-26T04:00:08+00:00) Jump into Crypto in 1 Day: Wallets, First Coins, Mining, and More. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/06/26/jump-into-crypto-in-1-day-wallets-first-coins-mining-and-more/
Please log in to upload a file.
There are no updates yet.
Click the Upload button above to add an update.