If you're looking to buy Midnight (NIGHT), a privacy-focused blockchain built to handle confidential data without sacrificing transparency, you've come to the right place. Midnight sits at the...
Buy Midnight (NIGHT) — 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 Internet Computer (ICP) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Internet Computer (ICP), you've landed in the right place. ICP is the native token of the Internet Computer — a decentralized blockchain network built to host applications,...
Buy Ethereum Classic (ETC) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Ethereum Classic (ETC), you're in the right place. ETC is one of the original smart contract blockchains with a loyal following and a clear philosophy around immutability...
Buy NEAR Protocol (NEAR) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy NEAR Protocol (NEAR), you're exploring one of the more ambitious projects in the blockchain space — one positioning itself at the intersection of AI and decentralized...
Buy Pi Network (PI) — A simple guide
Pi Network (PI) has taken an unusual path into the crypto world — built from the ground up around mobile mining and everyday accessibility, it's attracted one of the largest grassroots communities...
Buy Bittensor (TAO) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Bittensor (TAO), you're exploring one of the most unique projects at the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. Bittensor is building a...
Buy Toncoin (TON) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Toncoin (TON), you've come to the right place. TON is one of the more talked-about Layer 1 blockchains right now, originally developed with Telegram's massive user base in...
Buy Cronos (CRO) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Cronos (CRO), you've come to the right place. Cronos is the native token of a high-performance, EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain built for speed, low fees, and cross-chain...
Buy Sui (SUI) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Sui (SUI), you've come to the right place. Sui is one of the more technically ambitious layer-1 blockchains to emerge in recent years, built from the ground up for speed,...
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If you're looking to buy Avalanche (AVAX), you've come to the right place. Avalanche has carved out a strong reputation as one of the fastest and most developer-friendly blockchain platforms...
Buy Zcash (ZEC) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Zcash (ZEC), you've come to the right place. Zcash is one of the most recognized privacy-focused cryptocurrencies in the space, built on serious cryptographic technology...
Buy Litecoin (LTC) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Litecoin (LTC), you've come to the right place. Litecoin is one of the oldest and most established cryptocurrencies in the market, built as a faster, lighter alternative to...
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.
