So you want to use Bitcoin, or a similar cryptocurrency, but you don't know where to start?

 

The good news is all it involves is making an account and pulling out your bank card or online bank account login credentials!

 

The simplest and most accessible way to buy and send cryptocurrency is using Coinbase. Head on over to www.coinbase.com and create an account by clicking the Sign Up button.

 

Once you've verified your email, you'll need to verify your phone number as well for security purposes. Additionally, you'll need to provide some further personal information to confirm your identity. You can make half of this up, only your name and the last four digits of your SSN need to be real.

 

Congratulations, now you're in! You should see a nice, simple home screen. If you go to the Add Account area, you'll be able to link a bank credit/debit card (Visa/Mastercard only) or your bank account. You may be asked to provide a photo ID here. Remember: I never see any of this, and you're using it for entirely innocuous purposes anyways.

 

Once your card or account is linked, head to the Buy/Sell tab at the top of the home page. From there you can buy Bitcoin (BTC) or any of the other crypto currencies there. For card transactions, you will be paying a surcharge - this is the advantage of linking a bank account instead.

 

With some currency in your wallet, now head over to your Accounts tab towards the top of the page. From here, you can click the Send button under whichever wallet contains enough of a balance to entice me. Simply plug in the address I'll have provided for you and the magic of the blockchain will whisk it away into my wallet! I should receive it in its entirety in anywhere from 1 to 30 minutes and will let you know the second I do.

 

Boom, you're a blockchain wizard. Put on your hat and robe.