{"id":268,"date":"2024-10-10T16:32:43","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T16:32:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bmpackagedev.wpenginepowered.com\/?page_id=268"},"modified":"2025-09-28T18:10:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-28T23:10:12","slug":"start","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bitcoinmagazine.com\/start","title":{"rendered":"Getting Started With Bitcoin"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"tdi_1\" class=\"tdc-zone\"><div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_2  wpb_row td-pb-row\"  >\n<style scoped>\n\/* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer *\/\n\n\/* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer *\/\n.tdi_2{\r\n                    min-height: 0;\r\n                }\n<\/style><div id=\"tdi_3\" class=\"tdc-row\"><div class=\"vc_row tdi_4  wpb_row td-pb-row\" >\n<style scoped>\n\/* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer *\/\n\n\/* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer *\/\n.tdi_4,\r\n                .tdi_4 .tdc-columns{\r\n                    min-height: 0;\r\n                }.tdi_4,\r\n\t\t\t\t.tdi_4 .tdc-columns{\r\n\t\t\t\t    display: block;\r\n\t\t\t\t}.tdi_4 .tdc-columns{\r\n\t\t\t\t    width: 100%;\r\n\t\t\t\t}.tdi_4:before,\r\n\t\t\t\t.tdi_4:after{\r\n\t\t\t\t    display: table;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\n<\/style><div class=\"vc_column tdi_6  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<style scoped>\n\/* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer *\/\n\n\/* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer *\/\n.tdi_6{\r\n                    vertical-align: baseline;\r\n                }.tdi_6 > .wpb_wrapper,\r\n\t\t\t\t.tdi_6 > .wpb_wrapper > .tdc-elements{\r\n\t\t\t\t    display: block;\r\n\t\t\t\t}.tdi_6 > .wpb_wrapper > .tdc-elements{\r\n\t\t\t\t    width: 100%;\r\n\t\t\t\t}.tdi_6 > .wpb_wrapper > .vc_row_inner{\r\n\t\t\t\t    width: auto;\r\n\t\t\t\t}.tdi_6 > .wpb_wrapper{\r\n\t\t\t\t    width: auto;\r\n\t\t\t\t    height: auto;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\n<\/style><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\" ><div class=\"td_block_wrap td_block_text_with_title tdi_7 tagdiv-type td-pb-border-top td_block_template_1\"  data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_7\" >\n<style>\n\/* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer *\/\n.td_block_text_with_title{\r\n                  margin-bottom: 44px;\r\n                  -webkit-transform: translateZ(0);\r\n                  transform: translateZ(0);\r\n                }.td_block_text_with_title p:last-child{\r\n                  margin-bottom: 0;\r\n                }\n<\/style><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td_mod_wrap td-fix-index\"><h1>Getting Started With Bitcoin<\/h1>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-269\" src=\"https:\/\/bmpackagedev.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/MTgwMjk3NDgxMDUyNDk3MDQ2.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-bitcoin\">Why Bitcoin?<\/h2>\n<p>The value of money comes from its scarcity. When the supply is increased, its value declines.<\/p>\n<p>Bitcoin is inflation-proof money for the digital age. It\u2019s global, 24\/7 and open to everyone.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"1-get-a-wallet-and-load-it-with-bitcoin\">1. Get A Wallet And Load It With Bitcoin<\/h2>\n<p>Mobile\/Desktop Wallet: Blue Wallet (<a href=\"https:\/\/bluewallet.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bluewallet.io<\/a>)<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Download the app and create a new bitcoin wallet<\/li>\n<li>Purchase bitcoin within the app via MoonPay<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Hardware Wallets:\u00a0Trezor and Cold Card<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Buy a Trezor via the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/store.bitcoinmagazine.com\/products\/trezor-model-t\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bitcoin Magazine store<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Go to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/trezor.io\/start\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trezor.io\/start<\/a>\u00a0to onboard<\/li>\n<li>Purchase bitcoin directly within the interface<\/li>\n<li>Alternatively, buy a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoinmagazine.com\/reviews\/video-review-coldcard-mk3\">Cold Card<\/a>\u00a0and onboard via\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/coldcardwallet.com\/docs\/quick\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">coldcardwallet.com\/docs\/quick<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>Other hardware wallet options from our store include the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/store.bitcoinmagazine.com\/collections\/hardware\/products\/coolwallet-s-by-coolbitx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CoolWallet S<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/store.bitcoinmagazine.com\/collections\/hardware\/products\/ledger-nano-x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ledger Nano X<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0There are other ways to purchase bitcoin, including through a bitcoin ATM \u2014 you can check out this\u00a0map\u00a0to find the closest ATM where all you need is cash, an ID and a phone with a mobile wallet app.<\/li>\n<li>The methods for acquiring bitcoin differ in important ways and you should always consider what personal information you\u2019re disclosing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-270\" src=\"https:\/\/bmpackagedev.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/MTgwMjk3Mjg2OTczMjAzNjA2.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"2-protect-your-seed\">2. Protect Your Seed<\/h3>\n<p>Your seed phrase is the key to recover your funds on-chain if something happens to your hardware. Use a notebook or a metal\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/store.bitcoinmagazine.com\/products\/billfodl-custom-engraved-with-bitcoin-2020-logo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Billfodl<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoinmagazine.com\/guides\/how-to-keep-bitcoins-safe\">keep your private keys safe<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Make two physical copies of your seed phrase using a pencil and paper<\/li>\n<li>Stamp your seed phrase into a steel plate to protect against fire, water or other damage (you can get the necessary equipment at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/bitcoinseedbackup.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bitcoinseedbackup.com<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>Remember, if you lose your seed phrase, you\u2019ll lose the ability to access your funds if something happens to your bitcoin wallet. Reveal the key to someone else and they\u2019ll also be able to gain access. You should have a clear seed recovery plan and regularly test your process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-271\" src=\"https:\/\/bmpackagedev.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/MTgwMjk3MzgzMzQxNDY3NTAw.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"3-buy-save-bitcoin\">3. Buy\/Save Bitcoin<\/h2>\n<p>Purchasing bitcoin on a recurring basis (also known as dollar-cost averaging) is a way to reduce short-term price volatility. Saving in bitcoin versus in cash is a long-term strategy to protect your wealth from debasement.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some portals to help you dollar-cost average into bitcoin:<\/p>\n<p>U.S.: Cash App (<a href=\"https:\/\/cash.app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cash.app<\/a>), Swan (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.swanbitcoin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">swanbitcoin.com<\/a>),<\/p>\n<p>Canada: Bull Bitcoin (<a href=\"https:\/\/bullbitcoin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bullbitcoin.com<\/a>), Shakepay (<a href=\"https:\/\/shakepay.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shakepay.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>EU: Relai (<a href=\"https:\/\/relai.ch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">relai.ch<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>U.K.: Coinfloor (<a href=\"https:\/\/coinfloor.co.uk\/hodl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">coinfloor.co.uk<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>Australia: Amber (<a href=\"https:\/\/amber.app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">amber.app<\/a>)<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Always use a wallet that generates a fresh receiving address for each payment, otherwise the sender will be able to see your balance.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t have any extra capital for buying bitcoin? No problem! Some free apps you can use for earning bitcoin include\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.earncarrot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Carrot<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lolli.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lolli<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/foldapp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fold<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"4-get-a-full-node\">4. Get a Full Node<\/h2>\n<p>This is an optional step, but it is widely considered the best way to use Bitcoin.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/store.bitcoinmagazine.com\/collections\/hardware\/products\/canakit-raspberry-pi-4-8gb-starter-kit-8gb-ram\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Full nodes<\/a>\u00a0maintain a complete copy of the Bitcoin\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoinmagazine.com\/guides\/what-is-blockchain\">blockchain<\/a>, while enforcing the network\u2019s rules. They can independently validate, broadcast and relay transactions, without trusting any third party.<\/p>\n<p>Full Node: Umbrel<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Buy node hardware\u00a0<a class=\"noskim\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3dexkAi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>\u00a0or via\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/getumbrel.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">getumbrel.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Follow setup guide and download Umbrel OS<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=MSBQLToi3yc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sync your node<\/a>\u00a0to the Bitcoin blockchain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MSBQLToi3yc?si=TPzJ5DWmdOPiq-sd\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"5-avoid-scams\">5. Avoid Scams<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Make sure to avoid scams.\u00a0<\/strong>Don\u2019t fall victim to phishing scams (via email) or giveaway scams (via Twitter, Discord, etc.). Never type your seed phrase into a web browser or in an email. Never send bitcoin to someone promising you a return, not even Elon Musk. For more information,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/store.bitcoinmagazine.com\/collections\/bitcoin-books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">check out our selection of educational books<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Enjoy your new bitcoin set up!<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-268","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bitcoinmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bitcoinmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bitcoinmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bitcoinmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bitcoinmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bitcoinmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/268\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bitcoinmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bitcoinmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}