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Forbes
26-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Broaden Your Crypto Knowledge With These 5 Best Cryptocurrency Investment Books
In the ever-evolving digital asset industry, gaining a solid foundation is crucial. Whether a curious beginner or a seasoned investor, the best books on investing in cryptocurrency can sharpen your understanding of this complex and rapidly growing market. This article explores five must-read titles. Each is a standout crypto book offering unique insights into the concept of tokens, bitcoin, Ethereum and the broader crypto economy. From monetary history to investing strategies, these books cover it all. Navigating the world of cryptocurrency can be overwhelming without the right resources. The best books for investing in cryptocurrency provide essential frameworks for understanding the nuances of digital assets. From crypto's fundamental elements to its economic potential, these curated books provide the context and confidence to navigate the space with clarity. Below are five standout reads that every serious crypto enthusiast should consider. Layered Money explores the evolution of the global financial system through a powerful new lens: money as a layered structure. Nik Bhatia draws parallels between gold's historical role and today's digital innovations, showing how each 'layer' of money, from physical commodities to digital currencies, builds upon the last. He breaks down big topics like monetary policy, central banking and how bitcoin and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) came to be, making them easy to understand. This book is an excellent pick for anyone curious about how crypto fits into the bigger picture of the financial world. With both book smarts and real-world insight, Bhatia makes Layered Money a standout read for anyone wanting to understand how money is going digital. Who should read this? Great for anyone who wants to see how crypto influences the way money and monetary policy are evolving. Where can you read/rent/buy this book? Available on Amazon and the author's website. Cryptoassets offers a clear and strategic framework for understanding the broader digital asset landscape. Rather than lumping all digital tokens under 'cryptocurrency,' the authors classify them into distinct categories: cryptocurrencies, crypto commodities and crypto tokens. These definitions are based on function and value proposition. It sheds light on how digital assets aren't all created equal and how each plays a unique role in the digital economy. The book's investment-focused approach equips readers to evaluate these assets critically, manage risk, and build a diversified portfolio. It also places crypto in a historical and economic context, comparing the current digital revolution to the rise of the internet. Who should read this? Anyone looking to diversify their crypto portfolio but isn't sure where to start. Where can you read/rent/buy this book? Available online and in major bookstores. Broken Money offers a comprehensive, yet accessible exploration of monetary history, technology and theory. Lyn Alden unpacks how societies have defined and used money, from ancient commodity currencies to today's fiat systems and emerging digital assets. She offers a straightforward description of how money systems work, helping readers understand both cryptocurrency and how today's financial system came to be. What sets this book apart is its human-centered perspective. It shows how changes in money impact individuals, institutions and power dynamics globally. It's a thought-provoking read, making it one of the most insightful crypto books for investors. Who should read this? Alden told Forbes in an interview that Broken Money is 'for those that are willing to take the time to get through a longer text that builds on itself from first principles up to a more complex and complete picture.' Where can you read/rent/buy this book? Available online and in major bookstores. The Cryptopians is a compelling narrative that takes readers behind the scenes of Ethereum's explosive rise and the chaotic beginnings of the broader crypto ecosystem. Laura Shin charts the evolution of decentralized networks, focusing on the revolutionary ideas and coinciding human drama behind Ethereum. From Vitalik Buterin's vision to the power struggles among co-founders, the book reveals how idealism collided with ambition in the race to reshape global finance. More than just a history of Ethereum, it's a tale of innovation, betrayal and the wild frontier of digital assets. Shin's reporting uncovers the personalities and politics that continue to shape the digital asset industry, making it a must-read for understanding crypto beyond bitcoin. Who should read this? Anyone wanting to understand the fundamentals of Ethereum and how different cryptocurrencies differ and evolve. Where can you read/rent/buy this book? Available online and in major bookstores. The Bitcoin Standard examines Bitcoin within the context of economic history, drawing on Austrian economics to compare it with earlier forms of money like gold and fiat. Ammous outlines how Bitcoin's scarcity, decentralization and resistance to censorship position it as a powerful alternative in today's global monetary system. The book doesn't just focus on the technical aspects. It dives deep into the philosophical and economic principles that underpin Bitcoin's rise and potential future role. The Bitcoin Standard is widely praised for making complex topics accessible and thought-provoking. It offers a compelling argument for why Bitcoin matters in a world of inflation and centralized control. Who should read this? If you're looking for a macro-level take on Bitcoin's impact, The Bitcoin Standard is a great place to start. Where can you read/rent/buy this book? Available online and in major bookstores. Bottom Line For anyone looking to navigate the complex world of crypto, the best books on investing in cryptocurrency offer a solid foundation in both theory and practice. From The Bitcoin Standard's economic insights to The Cryptopians' behind-the-scenes storytelling, each book provides a unique perspective on understanding the vast landscape of digital assets. Whether you're building an investment strategy, exploring blockchain's societal impact or simply trying to understand how money is evolving, these crypto books deliver the depth and clarity needed to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing financial landscape. Most traditional stock books aren't constructive for cryptocurrency trading because the underlying frameworks, market behaviors and asset structures differ significantly. Crypto operates on decentralized, 24/7 markets with unique volatility, evolving technology and risk dynamics that traditional finance books have difficulty addressing. The Bitcoin Standard is widely considered the best book on cryptocurrency for its clear, compelling exploration of bitcoin's economic, historical and philosophical significance. If you can understand the framework it outlines, you'll be ahead in grasping the fundamentals of other cryptocurrencies as well. Some books can be a great way to learn about cryptocurrencies, but most are not. Because the industry is young and fast-moving, much of the information quickly becomes outdated, and all research must be assessed critically for relevance and accuracy. Other great ways to educate yourself on crypto include listening to trusted, high-quality podcasts and attending reputable conferences where you can hear the latest developments and network with industry leaders. These real-time resources help you stay current in a rapidly evolving space.
Business Mayor
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Bitcoin Tax Strategies for a Runaway Fiscal Train
Lyn Alden, author of Broken Money, has made a strong case for fiscal dominance—the idea that government spending dictates monetary policy rather than the other way around. Her now-famous meme, Nothing stops this train, encapsulates the relentless trajectory of government debt and intervention. But what if something—however unlikely—could slow the train down? Enter austerity. Not that it's necessarily achievable in any meaningful sense, but for the first time in years, it's being hinted at. Markets are adjusting, not because they believe it will happen, but because they're starting to wonder if policymakers are actually serious. With the shakeup brought by Trump, Musk, and recent USAID revelations, the conversation has shifted. For the first time in a long time, there's uncertainty around whether fiscal dominance can continue unchecked. When a country is drowning in debt, policymakers have four main levers they can pull: Inflation: Quietly eroding debt (and savings) by making every dollar worth less. Economic Growth: Expanding the tax base and hoping for a productivity boom. Debt Restructuring or Default: A mix of extending, renegotiating, or outright not paying back creditors. Austerity: Cutting spending and increasing taxes—whether people like it or not. For years, the austerity lever was a joke. Now? It's at least part of the discussion – and likely part of a blended approach. And if the season of fiscal dominance continues, tax policy will be the first place where real, actionable changes show up. For bitcoin holders, this isn't just another macro shift to passively observe. Unlike inflation or debt restructuring—forces that are largely out of individual control—a tax policy change is one area where proactive planning can actually make a difference in your financial life. The right strategies could turn coming changes into opportunities rather than financial landmines. With fiscal dominance running the show, tax policy is in flux. The next 6-12 months will likely land in one of these five tax regimes—each with distinct implications for bitcoin holders. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) sunsets, and Congress does… nothing. Income taxes jump, estate tax exemptions shrink, and capital gains get more expensive. The bureaucratic equivalent of ghosting your tax bill. Congress extends the existing tax cuts without any new bells or whistles. A true 'kick the can' move, leaving the current framework in place for a few more years. This is the base case: TCJA remains, but with modifications. Trump has hinted at eliminating taxes on tips, removing taxes on Social Security benefits, exempting overtime pay, and allowing deductions for auto loan interest on American-made cars. Additional incentives for domestic production, such as reducing the corporate tax rate and reinstating 100% bonus depreciation, could also be on the table. The possibility of reducing capital gains taxes or extending estate tax exemptions may further shape tax planning opportunities. And the grand-daddy of them all… A true curveball: bitcoin gets a special status, exempting it from capital gains tax, much like gold once was. This would open up huge tax planning opportunities, from gain harvesting to retirement account repositioning. We never thought we'd say it, but talk of replacing the IRS with an 'External Revenue Service' has surfaced. What would that mean for enforcement? Audits? Loopholes? It's uncharted territory, but worth watching. Beyond these five scenarios, three unpredictable forces could upend everything—and each has significant tax implications for bitcoin holders. Imagine a sudden financial crisis. The government panics, money printers go brrrr, and emergency stimulus checks start flying. If the Federal Reserve intervenes aggressively, scarce assets like bitcoin could surge—making timing and tax planning for gains more important than ever. What was once speculation has now become policy. A U.S. strategic bitcoin reserve has been quietly established via executive order—but so far, only as a holding, not an active accumulation strategy. The implications? The federal government now officially possesses bitcoin, a major shift in its stance toward the asset. The key question: Will the U.S. transition from passive holder to active buyer? If so, this would mark the first time a major nation-state has become a consistent, strategic participant in bitcoin markets. A steady sovereign buyer would be a structural shift, potentially dampening bitcoin's volatility and reinforcing its role as a macroeconomic hedge. Would this accumulation continue even under a season of Federal Reserve balance sheet expansion? If so, it would amount to a form of money printing to acquire bitcoin—an undeniably accelerationist move. Whether accumulation begins or not, the mere presence of bitcoin on the government balance sheet alters its future tax and regulatory treatment, a factor investors must consider in long-term planning. The COVID era saw multiple supply chain pricing anomalies—lumber shortages, semiconductor droughts, and food price spikes. Now imagine those disruptions revisiting in sporadic and sustained waves. As tariffs rise and geopolitical tensions escalate, supply chains remain fragile. Shortages in key commodities could trigger rolling inflationary shocks, sending ripple effects across global markets. Bitcoin, as a scarce asset, would likely react, but with it comes new tax implications. Investors should be prepared for capital gains events resulting from price volatility, as well as potential shifts in regulatory treatment if bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a strategic reserve asset. Regardless of which tax regime or wildcard plays out, here's what you can control: Roth Conversions – Locking in today's lower rates before potential hikes. Capital Gains/Loss Harvesting – Using market dips and tax brackets to your advantage. Estate Planning – Adjusting before and/or after any exemption changes hit using appropriate structures and transfers Income Structuring – Keeping taxable events as efficient as possible. A Roth conversion lets you shift assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, paying taxes now to enjoy tax-free growth later. If you expect bitcoin to skyrocket, this move locks in today's (lower) tax rate. Convert strategically during market dips to minimize your tax bill. If you're sitting on large unrealized gains, don't wait for tax rates to rise. Selling during a year with lower taxable income could mean paying less (in some cases 0%) on long-term capital gains. Combine this with Roth conversions or other income-lowering tactics for maximum efficiency. If estate tax exemptions shrink, handing bitcoin down could become a lot more expensive. Structuring holdings in trusts or family partnerships can help mitigate that hit. Gifting bitcoin gradually—using the annual exclusion amount—can also reduce tax exposure. To achieve the best possible tax efficiency, blending different account types—traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and non-retirement accounts—is key. A well-structured mix allows for tax diversification, ensuring you can strategically withdraw funds at lower tax rates in retirement. By balancing taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free income sources, you can optimize your overall tax burden, smoothing out spikes in tax rates over time. For bitcoin holders, strategically selling from different account types based on tax brackets can make a significant impact on long-term wealth preservation. Rather than worrying about the powers that be and the levers they pull, focus on the ones you can control. Even if the fiscal train is out of control, you can do your best to keep your family's wheels on the tracks. While policymakers decide which levers to pull, your tax strategy remains one of the few things you can actually control. The window to act will likely be October-December 2025—when legislation gets finalized and before new rates take effect. Stay ahead of the storm. Book an introduction with our team of Advisors and CPAs to craft a plan that makes the most of what's coming.
