Looking to understand cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, but are overwhelmed by the flood of information online? The right books can provide structured, comprehensive knowledge from genuine experts in the field.
Whether you’re a beginner curious about Bitcoin basics or an investor seeking to understand crypto assets as an investment class, this curated selection covers the most highly rated and valuable cryptocurrency books available today.
We’ve analyzed recommendations from financial experts, technology professionals, and the crypto community to bring you the definitive reading list for cryptocurrency education in 2025.
Best Books To Read About Crypto
Below, we’ve organized the top cryptocurrency and blockchain books by expertise level, publication date, and focus area to help you find the perfect match for your learning needs.
| Book Title | Author(s) | Published | Level | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptoassets | Chris Burniske & Jack Tatar | 2017 | Intermediate | Investment Strategy |
| Blockchain Revolution | Don & Alex Tapscott | 2016 | Beginner/Intermediate | Societal Impact |
| The Book of Satoshi | Phil Champagne | 2014 | Beginner/Intermediate | Bitcoin Origins |
| The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains | Antony Lewis | 2018 | Beginner | Comprehensive Introduction |
| The Blockchain Developer | Elad Elrom | 2019 | Advanced | Technical Development |
| Digital Gold | Nathaniel Popper | 2015 | Beginner | Bitcoin History |
| Bitcoin Billionaires | Ben Mezrich | 2019 | Beginner | Crypto Culture |
| The Truth Machine | Michael J. Casey & Paul Vigna | 2018 | Intermediate | Blockchain Applications |
1. Cryptoassets
- Authors: Chris Burniske & Jack Tatar
Cryptoassets leading best book on cryptocurrency, which stands out as the definitive investor’s guide to the cryptocurrency landscape. Written from a financial perspective, the book bridges the gap between traditional investing knowledge and the unique characteristics of digital assets.
The authors expertly explain how blockchain technology creates distinct asset classes beyond just currencies, providing frameworks for valuation that have become industry standards.
This book is particularly valuable for those looking to approach crypto with investment discipline.
What The Book Offers
- A comprehensive valuation framework for different types of cryptoassets
- Clear explanations of how cryptoassets differ from traditional investment vehicles
- Practical details on cryptocurrency exchanges, wallets, and participation in ICOs
- Historical context connecting Bitcoin’s emergence to the 2008 financial crisis
- Strategies for building a diversified cryptoasset portfolio with appropriate risk management
2. Blockchain Revolution
- Authors: Don Tapscott & Alex Tapscott
This father-son collaboration presents a visionary exploration of how blockchain technology could transform not just finance but numerous aspects of society and business.
The authors argue that blockchain represents a fundamental shift in how value is created and distributed online.
While acknowledging the technology’s early stage, they provide a balanced view of its current capabilities and future potential, making complex concepts accessible without oversimplification.
What The Book Offers
- Analysis of blockchain’s potential impact beyond cryptocurrency on industries like healthcare, supply chain, and voting
- Explanations of how the technology could improve the delivery of financial services and the protection of personal data
- Discussion of blockchain’s role in developing the Internet of Things (IoT)
- Insights into how distributed ledger technology may reshape business contracts and corporate structures
- Examination of blockchain’s potential to address economic inequality and financial inclusion
3. The Book Of Satoshi
- Author: Phil Champagne
This unique compilation gives readers direct access to the writings and communications of Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
By presenting Nakamoto’s original papers, forum posts, and email exchanges chronologically, the book provides unprecedented insight into the founding philosophy and technical reasoning behind Bitcoin’s creation.
For those wanting to understand blockchain at its source, this collection is invaluable.
What The Book Offers
- The complete original Bitcoin whitepaper with contextual explanations
- Chronological collection of Nakamoto’s forum posts and communications
- Insights into the philosophical and economic motivations behind Bitcoin’s design
- Technical explanations of Bitcoin’s mechanisms directly from its creator
- Historical perspective on the early challenges and solutions in Bitcoin’s development
4. The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains
- Author: Antony Lewis
Lewis, with his background in early cryptocurrency exchange development, delivers what many consider the clearest introduction to blockchain concepts for non-technical readers.
The book systematically breaks down the fundamental elements of cryptocurrencies and their underlying technology without overwhelming jargon.
What sets this book apart is how it connects cryptocurrency to the broader history of money and banking systems.
What The Book Offers
- Clear explanations of cryptographic concepts that make blockchain possible
- Comprehensive overview of how blockchain networks operate and reach consensus
- Practical guidance on cryptocurrency wallets, exchanges, and security practices
- Context on how cryptocurrencies fit into the historical evolution of money
- Balanced assessment of blockchain applications beyond currencies, including smart contracts
To further understand how crypto projects control token supply, explore crypto burning, a strategy used to reduce circulation and potentially boost value.
5. The Blockchain Developer
- Author: Elad Elrom
While other books focus on concepts and implications, Elrom’s work speaks directly to developers interested in building blockchain applications through one of the best blockchain books of 2019. This technically-focused guide doesn’t shy away from code examples and detailed architectural discussions.
The book provides specific guidance for developers working with major blockchain platforms like Ethereum, making it an essential resource for those looking to create decentralized applications.
What The Book Offers
- Step-by-step instructions for creating your own blockchain from scratch
- Detailed explanations of smart contract development and security considerations
- Programming guidance for building decentralized applications (dApps)
- Platform-specific sections covering Ethereum, EOS, and other major blockchains
- Technical breakdown of cryptographic principles underlying blockchain technology
6. Digital Gold
- Author: Nathaniel Popper
Popper’s narrative approach to Bitcoin’s history reads like a financial thriller while delivering serious insights.
Through detailed profiles of early Bitcoin pioneers, the book chronicles how a fringe technology evolved into a global financial phenomenon.
By focusing on the people behind the technology, Digital Gold humanizes the cryptocurrency revolution and makes technical concepts accessible through storytelling.
What The Book Offers
- Engaging profiles of key figures in Bitcoin’s early development and adoption
- Insight into the cultural and ideological forces that shaped cryptocurrency
- Clear explanations of how Bitcoin overcame initial skepticism and technical challenges
- Analysis of Bitcoin’s evolving relationship with traditional financial institutions
- Historical perspective on pivotal moments in cryptocurrency’s journey to legitimacy
7. Bitcoin Billionaires
- Author: Ben Mezrich
From the author of “The Social Network” comes this captivating account of how the Winklevoss twins transformed their Facebook settlement into a cryptocurrency empire.
The book provides a fascinating insider view of early Bitcoin investment and the birth of Gemini, one of the first regulated cryptocurrency exchanges.
Mezrich’s storytelling makes complex cryptocurrency concepts accessible through the lens of personal ambition and redemption.
What The Book Offers
- Behind-the-scenes look at early Bitcoin investment strategies and risks
- Insights into the regulatory challenges faced by early cryptocurrency entrepreneurs
- The story behind the founding of the Gemini exchange and its approach to compliance
- Perspective on cryptocurrency’s evolution from fringe technology to mainstream investment
- Analysis of how traditional finance professionals initially responded to Bitcoin
8. The Truth Machine: The Blockchain and the Future of Everything
- Authors: Michael J. Casey and Paul Vigna
Casey and Vigna make a compelling case for blockchain as a transformative “truth machine” that could restore trust in our increasingly digital world.
The book explores applications far beyond cryptocurrency, examining how blockchain could reshape industries from banking to healthcare.
By balancing optimism with a pragmatic assessment of blockchain’s limitations, the authors provide a nuanced view of the technology’s revolutionary potential.
Along with reading the best crypto books, you can also tune into the best crypto podcasts for expert commentary and insider perspectives on the latest industry trends.
What The Book Offers
- Analysis of blockchain’s potential to address trust issues in digital transactions
- Exploration of use cases across finance, healthcare, supply chain, and governance
- Discussion of how blockchain could protect personal data and digital identity
- Balanced assessment of technical challenges facing widespread blockchain adoption
- Insights into how blockchain might disrupt traditional power structures and intermediaries
9. The Cryptopian
- Author: Laura Shin
The Cryptopian chronicles the rise of Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin.
The book focuses on Ethereum’s visionary founder, Vitalik Buterin, and his team, who aimed to build a revolutionary platform for decentralized applications.
Unlike Bitcoin’s focus on currency, Ethereum introduced smart contracts and decentralized organizations.
Shin explores the early challenges, including the volatile mix of idealism and financial ambition, the record-breaking ICO, and the devastating DAO hack that nearly derailed the project.
The book reveals how innovation often clashed with speculative greed, shaping Ethereum’s complex journey.
What The Book Offers
- Insight into Ethereum’s origins and vision
- Details on the founding team dynamics
- Coverage of the ICO and its impact
- Exploration of the DAO hack and its consequences
- Examination of innovation versus speculation in crypto
10. Web 3 Revolution
- Author: Hui Gong
Web 3 Revolution explores the emerging digital paradigm powered by blockchain technology, positioning Web 3 as the next evolutionary phase of the internet.
The book explains how decentralized technologies challenge traditional centralized systems across various fields.
It covers blockchain’s core features that enable cryptocurrencies to serve as investments and mediums of exchange outside conventional finance.
Key topics include NFTs, which have transformed digital ownership for creators and collectors, and the metaverse, a persistent digital world where blockchain ensures true ownership of virtual assets and identities.
What The Book Offers
- Explanation of blockchain’s core attributes
- Insight into cryptocurrencies as investments and exchange mediums
- Exploration of NFTs and their impact on digital ownership
- Coverage of the metaverse and virtual asset ownership
- Discussion on decentralization disrupting traditional systems
Gaining Crypto Knowledge Beyond Crypto Currency Books
While books provide solid foundations, cryptocurrency is a rapidly evolving field requiring continuous learning. Consider supplementing your reading with online courses from platforms like Coursera or Udemy that offer blockchain certification programs.
Join crypto communities on Reddit, Discord, or Twitter to stay updated with developments.
Many exchanges, such as Coinbase and Binance, offer “Learn and Earn” programs, in which users can gain knowledge while earning small amounts of cryptocurrency to practice with.
To complement your reading, explore the best crypto news websites that deliver up-to-date market trends, regulation shifts, and blockchain innovations.
Suggested Reads:
Conclusion: Get To Know Cryptocurrency With These 10 Must-Read Books
The right cryptocurrency books can simplify a complex topic, turning technical jargon into clear, actionable insights. They empower you to engage confidently in the blockchain revolution.
Start with beginner-friendly titles like The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains, or explore niche areas, from investing and development to the social impact of decentralized finance.
While these books offer a strong foundation, remember that the crypto world evolves quickly. Stay curious, keep learning from diverse sources, and grow with the space.
FAQs
No, many of the recommended books, like “The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains” and “Digital Gold,” are specifically written for non-technical readers. Only “The Blockchain Developer” requires programming knowledge.
Most experts recommend setting aside time weekly to catch up on developments. Books provide foundational knowledge, but blogs, podcasts, and newsletters are better for staying current with rapid changes.
While market values fluctuate, the underlying technology principles and investment frameworks discussed in these books remain relevant regardless of current prices.
While possible, it’s not recommended. Unlike traditional investments, crypto assets derive value directly from their technological utility and adoption. Basic technical understanding significantly improves investment decision-making.
While not on our main list, “Token Economy” by Shermin Voshmgir or “The NFT Handbook” by Matt Fortnow would be excellent choices for those specifically interested in NFTs.
Look for books written by authors with established credentials in finance or technology, check publication dates (newer is generally better in this rapidly evolving field), and cross-reference key concepts across multiple sources.
