₿

Your First Bitcoin: A Practical Start

Everything you need to know before sending your first transaction — wallet addresses, wallet types, reading transactions, fees, and self-custody.

8steps · ~ 65min

Progress 0/8

Ready to use Bitcoin? This course covers the practical essentials — from understanding wallet addresses and choosing the right wallet, to reading transactions, calculating fees, and securing your coins with self-custody.

No theory, no philosophy — just the hands-on knowledge you need to send and receive Bitcoin safely.

1

Satoshi Unit

1 BTC = 100 million satoshis. Bitcoin's subdivision and notation.
2

Wallet Guide

Hot vs. cold vs. custodial comparison and scenario-based selection.
3

What Is a Bitcoin Wallet Address?

How addresses are generated and the different types: Legacy, SegWit, and Taproot.
4

Choosing a Bitcoin Wallet

Hot vs. cold, custodial vs. non-custodial — picking the right wallet.
5

What Is a TXID?

The unique fingerprint of every Bitcoin transaction and how to look one up.
6

How to Read a Bitcoin Transaction

Breaking down inputs, outputs, fees, and confirmations in a real transaction.
7

Bitcoin Transaction Fees

How fees work — sat/vbyte, estimation strategies, and avoiding overpayment.
8

Why Self-Custody Is Essential

Exchange disasters that proved why holding your own keys is non-negotiable.
Previous Course Libertarianism: Introductory Course
Next Course Bitcoin Under the Hood