- Cryptocurrencies have become too big to ignore after the industry exploded in 2020 and 2021.
- Investors are wondering what to make of digital tokens after their recent crash and crypto winter.
- We asked 15 crypto experts for their top book recommendations to help you get smarter on crypto.
Cryptocurrencies are one of the most perplexing assets in the world.
Between March 2020 and November 2021, bitcoin (BTC) surged over 1259%, while ether (ETH) rose 4183%.
And while the price increases of the two biggest cryptocurrencies over a mere 20 months is certainly impressive, what’s even more astounding is how the crypto industry exploded during that period.
Altcoins and meme cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin saw tremendous growth after endorsements from the likes of Elon Musk and Mark Cuban.
Non-fungible tokens — or NFTs — became a $41 billion market and the word of the year in 2021. Decentralized finance (DeFi) saw its total-value locked explode from $630 million to over $250 billion that same year.
It was an incredible period of growth for the nascent industry — but all that has come to a grinding halt in 2022.
NFT sales have plunged over 50%. The once-hot crypto company Luna suffered a $60 billion capitulation following the crash of its stablecoin, TerraUSD, leaving its investors disillusioned and depressed.
Meanwhile bitcoin and ethereum, once the flagship tokens of the crypto industry, are down 52% and 67%, respectively, year-to-date.
Crypto is crashing, and not for the first time either. But while it may be impossible to predict this volatile market, some experts have pointed out that knowledgeable investors can take advantage of this crypto winter to make some prudent long-term investments in the space.
To help individuals better understand digital currencies and gain the knowledge they need to make smart investment decisions, Insider asked 15 leading experts what their top crypto book recommendations are and compiled the ultimate crypto reading list.
The books touch on topics ranging from bitcoin to the future of cash and decentralized finance. It also features perspectives from the likes of Nic Carter, general partner at Castle Island Ventures, and Scott Melker, a well-known crypto trader.
Below are the 27 books recommended by our experts, and their commentary on each one.
Vicky Huang contributed to an earlier version of this feature.
