Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

National Cryptocurrency Association
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Let's be real — most people feel lost when it comes to crypto. The language sounds like another planet, the research feels overwhelming, and the loudest voices often make it seem like you need to be in finance or deep in the tech world just to keep up. But here's the truth: crypto isn't just for experts or insiders — it's for you. Whether you're crypto-curious, crypto-confused, or somewhere in between, this is your space to see how crypto can actually fit into your everyday life. Each week we'll break it down, keep it simple, and help you become crypto confident.

  1. 2D AGO

    13: NFTs Explained: 7 Questions You Need Answered

    NFTs can sometimes feel confusing, overhyped, or hard to understand, but they are simply unique digital assets with verified ownership on the blockchain. This episode breaks down what NFTs really are, how they work, and why they matter in everyday life. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, Ali unpacks NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, to explain how they establish digital ownership, why each one is unique, and how blockchain keeps transfers secure and transparent. The episode covers NFTs uses from art and gaming to access, and real-world assets (RWA's). We also explore  how understanding NFTs helps listeners approach digital assets with clarity, knowing what they are actually buying, what rights come with them, and how these tools can be used meaningfully. Ali is the approachable, curious voice behind Crypto, Explained, guiding beginners through blockchain and crypto in plain English and helping people feel confident, capable, and included in the digital asset space. What We Discuss: (00:38) Introduction: Why NFTs Confuse Newcomers                                                                                  (01:31) What Actually is an NFT?                                                                                                                      (03:01) Non-Fungible Tokens: The Definition of Fungibility                                                                      (03:42) How the Blockchain Records Ownership                                                                                        (04:23) NFTs Beyond Art: Music, Gaming, and Access                                                                                (05:43) Real-World Uses: Royalties and Gaming Items                                                                                (06:53) Tickets, Membership Passes, and Real-World Records                                                              (08:09) Understanding NFTs With the Museum Painting Analogy                                                          (09:24) Benefits and Trade-Offs: Verification and Fractional Ownership                                            (11:42) Considerations: Terms, Volatility, and Scams                                                                                    (13:02) What Happens if You Sell an NFT?                                                                                                    (14:13) Getting Started: Wallets, Marketplaces, and Buying                                                                      (16:10) Recap: The Seven Key Takeaways                                                                                                      (18:16) Closing Thoughts: Reviews and Next Episode Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natcryptoassoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natcryptoassoc/ Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.

    19 min

  2. JAN 14

    12: Crypto Smart Contracts Explained: 4 Essentials You Need to Know

    Smart contracts can sound complicated, but at their core, they are just code that executes agreements automatically. In this episode, Ali breaks down how these digital rules work and why they matter in everyday life. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, Ali unpacks smart contracts to uncover how these programs remove middlemen, enforce rules automatically, and make blockchain more than just a way to send money. She explains how smart contracts automate agreements, make rules transparent, and reduce extra steps by running directly on the blockchain. She also explores how smart contracts show up in real-world situations, from buying digital art and trading in-game items to accessing financial tools without traditional barriers. Understanding these examples helps make these programs feel practical, usable, and safe. Ali is the approachable, curious voice behind Crypto, Explained, guiding listeners through blockchain and crypto in plain English, and helping beginners see how smart contracts can actually simplify and empower everyday interactions with digital assets. What's Discussed:  (00:41) Introduction to Smart Contracts and How They Work (02:02) How Smart Contracts Run Automatically Without Middlemen (04:23) A Simple Example: Buying Digital Art and NFTs (05:29) Why Blockchains Needed Smart Contracts to Evolve (07:15) Smart Contracts Explained with the Hotel Key Card Analogy (08:41) Rules, Predictability, and Removing Ambiguity in Contracts (12:03) Real-World Uses: Gaming, Digital Assets, and Everyday Tools (15:01) How Smart Contracts Expand Access Beyond Traditional Systems (16:01) Speed and Reliability Compared to Traditional Methods (16:50) Recap and What's Next: Building on Smart Contracts Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natcryptoassoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natcryptoassoc/   Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.

    19 min

  3. JAN 7

    11: 8 Simple Steps to Keep Your Crypto Secure

    Crypto security can feel complicated, but most protection comes from simple habits anyone can learn. In this episode, we walk through eight small routines that make a big difference in keeping your accounts and devices safe. Everything stays clear, practical, and beginner friendly. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we walk through eight essential steps that strengthen your online security and protect your digital assets. You will learn how two factor authentication adds a critical layer of defense, why phishing traps are so convincing, and how to set up your tools so they work quietly in the background to keep you safe. We also explain hot and cold wallets, why test transactions prevent expensive mistakes, and how each step works together to shut down the most common scams. We also explore how bookmarking official sites, updating your devices regularly, and reviewing wallet activity each week can turn security into a simple routine that supports your crypto confidence over the long term. Ali is the curious, approachable voice behind Crypto Explained, guiding listeners through crypto in plain English and giving beginners the tools they need to feel secure, capable, and ready to explore digital money with confidence.  Tune in to Crypto, Explained by the NCA, Episode 11, to discover how curiosity can turn into confidence in the world of digital money.   What's Discussed:  (00:06) How two-factor authentication protects your most important accounts (03:51) Why phishing traps work and how to avoid them (06:21) The difference between hot wallets and cold wallets (07:17) Why test transactions prevent costly mistakes (08:04) How updates, browser hygiene, and clean devices keep wallets safe (08:58) The right way to store keys and recovery phrases offline (10:17) How to spot scams that rely on urgency or unrealistic promises (11:03) Why checking wallet activity weekly boosts long-term security   Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natcryptoassoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natcryptoassoc/

    11 min

  4. 12/31/2025

    10: Getting Started in Crypto and Gaining Financial Freedom with Karin

    Crypto is becoming a powerful tool for ownership, strategy, and long term financial confidence as it enters mainstream finance. This episode focuses on how crypto connects individual empowerment with institutional adoption and real market impact. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Karin, a crypto holder and trader to unpack how financial self sovereignty, market structure, and real world crypto adoption intersect. We break down how institutions approach crypto as an asset class, why wallets and on-chain transparency matter, and how strategy, education, and access shape sustainable participation in crypto markets. We also explore how to get started with crypto, how to keep your assets secure, and how crypto provides transparency and financial self sovereignty, helping people build confidence, clarity, and control as they engage with digital assets. Karin is a dynamic leader, consultant, and recognized voice in Web3 and institutional crypto adoption, serving in fractional executive roles, advising startups, speaking globally on crypto and DAO security, and supporting financial literacy through board leadership and industry education. What's Discussed:  (02:34) Financial dependency and lack of asset control (04:06) Learning crypto trading and DeFi (05:18) Achieving financial sovereignty (11:21) Asset custody in legal disputes (13:26) Blockchain transparency and key security (16:13) Choosing compliant crypto platforms (17:25) Audits and proof of reserves (20:58) KYC and fraud prevention (24:02) Funding, fees, and spreads (27:22) Hot/cold and custodial/non-custodial wallets (32:27) Cross-border transfers and donations (35:56) Financial inclusion via DeFi   Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natcryptoassoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natcryptoassoc/   Disclaimer: The information I share in this content is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as financial, legal, or investment advice. If you choose to reuse, quote, or repurpose any part of this material in media, print, or online, please credit me appropriately as the original source in some form or capacity. Thank you for helping ensure my contribution is properly attributed.

    40 min

  5. 12/24/2025

    9: May Zabaneh from PayPal: How Crypto Changes Value Movement

    Crypto payments are quietly reshaping how money moves, making transfers faster, cheaper, and more accessible for everyday people around the world. This episode focuses on the real value behind crypto and why payments may be the place where it matters most. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with May Zabaneh, Vice President of Product for Blockchain, Crypto, and Digital Currencies at PayPal, to unpack how crypto is moving beyond trading and into real world payments. We break down why cross border transfers are still inefficient, how stablecoins create economic stability, how people are using crypto for shopping and gifting, and what recent data reveals about growing adoption. We also explore how trusted platforms, familiar apps, and a focus on real world utility over technical complexity are helping crypto feel simpler, safer, and more usable in everyday life. May Zabaneh leads PayPal's blockchain, crypto, and digital currency initiatives, working at the intersection of traditional finance and emerging technology to improve how money moves globally for consumers and merchants. What's Discussed:  (01:10) How Global Payments Still Break Today (04:02) Why Crypto Solves Speed and Cost Problems (07:18) Growing Up With Currency Instability (11:45) Sending Money Instantly Across Borders (16:30) Why Value Matters More Than Technology (22:05) Stablecoins and Economic Stability (28:40) Crypto Gifting and Everyday Use (34:15) How Merchants Benefit From Crypto Payments (41:50) What Mainstream Adoption Really Looks Like   Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natcryptoassoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natcryptoassoc/   Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.

    33 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    8: Decoding Crypto Jargon with the NCA Team

    Crypto jargon creates confusion fast and keeps beginners from feeling confident in the space. This episode simplifies the core terms that shape the crypto world so listeners can finally understand the language without getting lost in complexity. We break everything down into plain English so the concepts feel familiar and usable. In this episode of Crypto Explained, we sit down with Gabby from NCA, a leading educator at the National Cryptocurrency Association, to unpack the crypto vocabulary every beginner hears but rarely gets explained clearly. We cover what crypto actually is, how DeFi works in everyday terms, the difference between coins and tokens, why stablecoins stay steady, what makes meme coins unpredictable, and how private keys, seed phrases, gas fees, and DYOR fit into safe navigation of the digital economy. We also explore how relatable analogies, simple definitions, and real examples help beginners learn faster and start using crypto with clarity and confidence.  What's Discussed:  (00:56) What Crypto Actually Means in Plain English (03:24) The Difference Between Crypto and DeFi (05:35) Coins vs Tokens and Why It Matters (08:11) Private Keys Explained Simply and How to Protect Them (10:39) Seed Phrases and Why They Act as Your Backup (16:04) Stablecoins, Meme Coins, and Real Utility (25:00) What DYOR Really Means for Beginners (30:29) Gas Fees and Why Some Networks Cost More (34:20) How Learning the Vocabulary Builds True Crypto Confidence   Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natcryptoassoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natcryptoassoc/   Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.

    36 min

  7. 12/10/2025

    7: 5 Crypto Scams and How to Easily Avoid Them

    Crypto scams show up in more places than people expect, and knowing how to spot them helps you stay safe online. In this episode, we break down the five major scams that target beginners and explain the simple habits that protect your digital assets. In this episode of Crypto Explained, we sit down with the National Cryptocurrency Association team to unpack how relationship scams build trust before asking for money, why pump and dumps rely on hype, how fake giveaways spread through deepfakes, what impersonation scams look like, and how phishing links attempt to steal sensitive information. We also explore how quick checks like verifying URLs, slowing down when something feels urgent, and avoiding surprise messages can help you stay secure every time you go online. The National Cryptocurrency Association provides education and real-world guidance to help everyday people understand crypto safely and confidently, empowering listeners to use digital money with clarity and control.   What's Discussed:  (1:12) Why Scammers Target New Crypto Users (4:55) Relationship Scams and Emotional Manipulation (8:27) Pump and Dumps: How Hype Turns Into Losses (10:58) Fake Giveaways and Deepfakes Explained (13:45) Impersonation Scams That Look Legit (16:22) Phishing Tactics and How They Steal Info (18:40) The Simple Habits That Keep You Safe   Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natcryptoassoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natcryptoassoc/   Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.

    15 min

  8. 12/03/2025

    6: Making Crypto Make Sense with Natalie Rix

    Crypto can feel confusing when headlines and hype overshadow the simple ideas that make the technology useful. In this episode, we bring everything back to basics so beginners can finally understand how crypto shows up in everyday life. Everything stays clear, practical, and easy to follow. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Natalie Rix, Head of Communications at Gemini, to unpack the biggest myths that keep people from feeling comfortable with crypto. We break down why scandals like FTX were driven by old fashioned fraud rather than blockchain, how crypto supports faster global payments, and why small steps like rewards or fifty dollar buys help beginners learn without pressure. We also explain how clear language, simple analogies, and real world examples make crypto feel accessible to anyone. We also explore how curiosity, small habits, and beginner friendly tools can shift crypto from something intimidating to something practical in daily life. Natalie Rix is the communications leader at Gemini, known for turning complex ideas into plain language and helping everyday people feel informed, included, and confident as they explore digital money. Tune in to Crypto, Explained by NCA, Episode 6, to discover how simple conversations can clear the confusion and help you understand crypto with confidence. What's Discussed:  (00:06) Why crypto myths spread and how they confuse beginners (03:42) The difference between crypto scams and actual blockchain technology (06:15) How global payments and remittances work on crypto rails (08:03) Why crypto can help protect value in high inflation environments (09:27) How to start small with rewards or fifty dollar buys (11:14) Why jargon blocks adoption and how simple language fixes it (13:02) How to think about ownership on chain vs traditional banking (15:48) Everyday examples of crypto showing up in real life   Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natcryptoassoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natcryptoassoc/   Learn More about Natalie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliearix  X: https://x.com/Natalie_Rix

    50 min
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About

Let's be real — most people feel lost when it comes to crypto. The language sounds like another planet, the research feels overwhelming, and the loudest voices often make it seem like you need to be in finance or deep in the tech world just to keep up. But here's the truth: crypto isn't just for experts or insiders — it's for you. Whether you're crypto-curious, crypto-confused, or somewhere in between, this is your space to see how crypto can actually fit into your everyday life. Each week we'll break it down, keep it simple, and help you become crypto confident.

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