If you're looking to buy Abelian (ABEL), you've come to the right place. Abelian is one of the most forward-thinking blockchain projects around, built from the ground up to resist the security...
Buy Abelian (ABEL) — A simple guide
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Layer 1
A Layer 1 is a base blockchain with its own rules for recording transactions and deciding which version of the ledger is valid. Bitcoin and Ethereum are familiar examples, but base networks can make very different choices about consensus, programmability and who can run a validator.
Browse the buying guides
All buying guidesBuy Elastos (ELA) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Elastos (ELA), you're in the right place. Elastos is a unique blockchain project working to build a more secure, decentralized internet — sometimes called the 'SmartWeb' —...
Buy Moonbeam (GLMR) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Moonbeam (GLMR), you've come to the right place. Moonbeam is one of the more technically compelling projects in the Polkadot ecosystem, bridging the gap between Ethereum's...
Buy DIAM (DIAM) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy DIAM (DIAM), you've come to the right place. DIAM is the native token of Diamante, a Layer 1 blockchain built with quantum-proof security at its core — a feature that's...
Buy Initia (INIT) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Initia (INIT), you've come to the right place. Initia is a Layer 1 blockchain designed to bring order and cohesion to the fragmented world of multichain rollups — and it's...
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If you're looking to buy Moonriver (MOVR), you've come to the right place. Moonriver is an Ethereum-compatible smart contract platform built on the Kusama network, designed to make it easy for...
Buy Chromia (CHR) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Chromia (CHR), you've come to the right place. Chromia is a unique blockchain project that combines Layer-1 and Layer-2 capabilities, making it a standout in the smart...
Buy Hydration (HDX) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Hydration (HDX), you've come to the right place. Hydration is a DeFi protocol built within the Polkadot ecosystem, designed to bring efficient, low-slippage trading to...
Buy Xphere (XP) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Xphere (XP), you've come to the right place. Xphere is a Layer 1 blockchain project tackling one of crypto's biggest challenges — the scalability-security-decentralization...
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If you're looking to buy Abey (ABEY), you've come to the right place. ABEY is the native token of ABEYCHAIN, a multi-layered blockchain built for high-volume transactions with some genuinely...
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If you're looking to buy QIE Blockchain (QIE), you've come to the right place. QIE is a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain built for speed, scalability, and real-world DeFi applications — and it's...
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If you're looking to buy OHO Blockchain (OHO), you've come to the right place. OHO is the native cryptocurrency of the OHO Blockchain — a fast, low-fee, EVM-compatible Layer 1 platform built for...
What are Layer 1 cryptocurrencies?
Browse the buying guidesTheir native coins belong to the network itself; application tokens issued on top of a chain are a different kind of asset.
How it works
Native coins may pay transaction fees, reward miners or validators, and secure proof-of-stake networks through staking. A busy blockchain does not automatically make every associated token valuable: issuance, fee design and token ownership also matter. Compare actual network use with token supply, validator concentration and the costs of running the network. Layer 2 networks build on a base chain, while bridges introduce a separate mechanism for moving assets between networks.
Explore the foundations
Blockchain Explained: Follow a Transaction from Wallet to Confirmation↗
Bitcoin Explained: Send, Verify and Understand a BTC Transaction↗
Blockchain explorers: trace a transfer step by step↗
Sources and further reading
A little groundwork goes a long way
Before your next purchase or transfer, understand who controls access, where your crypto is going and what the trade will actually cost.
Protect access to your crypto
An exchange account and a self-custody wallet need different safeguards. Protect exchange logins with a unique password and strong two-factor authentication. For self-custody, your recovery backup is what lets you restore access.
Keep recovery words offline and private. A support agent or website asking for them is a reason to stop.
See a recovery example
Your phone breaks. An exchange may help you recover your account after identity checks. A self-custody wallet cannot reset your recovery phrase. Check your wallet’s official backup instructions before relying on it.
Choose the right transfer network
The asset, token version and network must be supported at the destination. A familiar ticker or a matching address format is not enough. Read the receiving platform’s deposit instructions before selecting a withdrawal network.
Check the address, any required memo or tag, fees and minimums. Consider a small test transfer first.
See a network example
Your destination accepts USDC on Ethereum. Selecting a cheaper network at the sending exchange does not make it an Ethereum transfer. Use a network both ends support; an ordinary withdrawal does not bridge tokens.
Understand the price you pay
Trading fees are only part of the cost. The spread, available liquidity and withdrawal charges also matter. A market order prioritizes execution; a limit order controls the price but may remain unfilled or fill only partly.
Check the order preview and the amount you will receive, then compare the full cost of your intended purchase and withdrawal.
Work through a cost example
Hypothetical example: a $200 trade with a 0.1% trading fee costs $0.20 in trading fees. A separate $5 withdrawal fee brings those charges to $5.20. Spread or slippage may add more; these are not quoted exchange rates.
