- The New Satoshi Emails: Early Developer Sirius Releases 120 Pages Detailing Work On Bitcoin - Bitcoin Magazine (2024-02-23)
- Read Adam Back's Complete Emails With Bitcoin Creator Satoshi Nakamoto - Bitcoin Magazine (2024-02-23)
- Confessions of a Bitcoin Believer: One Former Miner’s Journey from Zealot to Skeptic - Fortune (2021-02-07)
- They Cracked the Code to a Locked USB Drive Worth $235 Million in Bitcoin. Then It Got Weird - Wired (2023-09-24)
- Record $3.8 Billion Stolen in Crypto Hacks Last Year, Report Says - CNN (2023-02-01)
- Report: $1.9 Billion Stolen in Crypto Hacks So Far This Year - CNN (2022-08-16)
- Feds Arrest Founders of Bitcoin Mixer Samourai Wallet
- Founders And CEO Of Cryptocurrency Mixing Service Arrested And Charged With Money Laundering And Unlicensed Money Transmitting Offenses - US (2024-05-24)
- Monero Founder Refutes Allegations of Helping Interpol Trace Funds - Beincrypto (2023-03-22)
- The Impact of Throwing Russia out of Swift - Financial Times (2022-02-25)
- BRICS to Develop Blockchain-Based Payment System to Bypass the Dollar - Money Metals (2024-03-07)
- Venezuela Rushes to Mend Iran Relationship as US Sanctions Loom - Reuters (2024-03-12)
- North Korea's Lazarus Group Launders $900 Million in Cryptocurrency - The Hacker News (2023-10)
- Justice Department Announces Court-Authorized Action to Disrupt Illicit Revenue Generation Efforts of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Information Technology Workers - U.S. Department of Justice (2023-09-18)
Flag Theory - https://flagtheory.com
Feature | Custodial Wallet | Non-Custodial Wallet |
---|---|---|
Control of Private Keys | Third-party service provider (e.g., exchange) holds your keys | You control your own private keys |
Security | Dependent on the service provider's security (can be a target for hacking) | You are responsible for securing your keys (can be lost if keys are not backed up) |
Ease of Use | Generally more user-friendly with features like recovery and customer support | Can be more complex, requiring the user to manage their own keys and backups |
Backup and Recovery | Typically easier (support from the service provider if you lose access) | Requires manual backup and recovery of the private keys or seed phrase |
Privacy | Requires trust in the provider (often involves sharing personal data) | Higher privacy since transactions are not tied to personal information |
Transaction Speed and Fees | Transactions may be faster or cheaper, depending on the service's structure | Depends on the blockchain's current load and network conditions |
Risk of Loss | If the service provider is hacked or goes out of business, you may lose access to funds | If you lose your private keys or seed phrase, you lose access to your funds permanently |
Examples | Coinbase, Binance, Kraken | MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Ledger (hardware wallet) |
Wallet Type | Description | Security | Examples |
---|---|---|---|
Hot Wallets | Internet-connected, easy to access for frequent transactions, but vulnerable to hacking. | Low to Medium (exposed to online risks) | MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Coinbase Wallet |
Desktop Wallets | Installed on a computer. You control the keys, but vulnerable to malware and physical damage. | Medium (controlled by user but exposed to local threats) | Electrum, Exodus |
Web Wallets | Accessed via a web browser. Easy to use but the website controls the keys, making them less secure. | Medium (website controls keys) | MyEtherWallet (MEW), Blockchain.info |
Mobile Wallets | Installed on mobile phones. Convenient but subject to theft or malware. | Medium (subject to mobile security risks) | Monerujo, Trust Wallet, Coinomi, Edge Wallet |
Cold Wallets | Offline storage, providing high security for long-term storage. | High (offline and immune to online threats) | Ledger, Trezor, Paper Wallets |
Paper Wallets | A physical printout of private keys. Highly secure when stored safely but vulnerable to physical loss or damage. | High (offline, but physical risk) | Generated via bitaddress.org or similar tools |
Hardware Wallets | Physical devices storing private keys offline. Offers the highest security even when connected to a computer. | High (offline, never exposes private keys online) | Ledger Nano S, Trezor Model T, KeepKey |
Wallet Type | Recovery Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|---|
Software Wallet (Desktop/Mobile) | Seed Phrase (12-24 words), Backup File, Private Key | Easy access, can be used for transactions, user controls keys | Vulnerable to hacking if not properly secured (malware, phishing, device theft) |
Web Wallet | Backup File, Email/Account Recovery, Some use Seed Phrase | Accessible from anywhere, no need for physical device | Risk of hacking, dependent on service provider, service can be compromised |
Hardware Wallet | Seed Phrase (12-24 words), Backup File | Offline, highly secure, resistant to online attacks | Requires physical device, risk of loss, theft, or damage to the device |
Exchange Wallet (Custodial) | Account Recovery via Service Provider (e.g., email, 2FA, KYC) | Convenient, no need to manage private keys, easy to use | Trusting third party with your funds, exchange can be hacked, limited control over funds |
Crypto Payment Apps (Custodial) | Account Recovery via Service Provider (e.g., email, 2FA, KYC) | Easy to use, user-friendly, convenient for daily transactions | Service provider holds the private keys, potential for service downtime or issues, custodial control |
Paper Wallet | Private Key or Public Key written down | No internet exposure, highly secure against online threats, offline storage | Risk of physical damage or theft, no recovery option if lost, cumbersome for frequent transactions |
- Kicksecure Xfce ISO - Live USB
- Tails - Additional Software
- Whonix Live Mode
- Bails
- Bitcoin Core on Tails
- DTails
- Haveno in Tails
- Jade DIY Cold Storage
- YetiCold
- Independent Custody Guide
- CryptoDad YouTube Channel
Feature | Centralized Exchange (CEX) | Decentralized Exchange (DEX) | Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) |
---|---|---|---|
Control | Controlled by a central authority (e.g., Binance, Coinbase) | Peer-to-peer, no central authority | Issued and controlled by the central bank of a country |
Transaction Speed | Fast transactions, typically settled instantly | Slower, depends on blockchain network congestion | Fast, depending on the central bank's infrastructure |
Privacy | Users must submit personal information (KYC, AML) | More private, no KYC requirements, but still on-chain transactions | Transactions are traceable, government-controlled, can be monitored |
Security | Centralized risk, vulnerable to hacks and fraud | More secure in terms of hacking (no central point of attack), but prone to smart contract bugs | High security, government-backed, but can be susceptible to centralized risks and government control |
Liquidity | High liquidity due to large user base | Lower liquidity, but increasing with popular protocols | Very high liquidity due to government backing |
Transaction Fees | Fees depend on the exchange, often relatively low | Generally low fees, but can be high during network congestion | No or very low fees, as controlled by the central bank |
Asset Types | Supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies and tokens | Supports a range of tokens based on decentralized protocols (e.g., Ethereum, Uniswap) | Digital versions of fiat currencies, typically limited to the national currency |
Regulation | Regulated by government financial authorities | Less regulated, operates in a decentralized manner (but can face regulatory scrutiny) | Regulated and controlled by the central bank and government financial authorities |
Ownership | Users don’t hold private keys, the exchange does | Users retain control of their private keys | Government retains control of the digital currency |
Aspect | DEX Trading | P2P Trading |
---|---|---|
Definition | A blockchain-based platform where trades occur directly between users using smart contracts. | Direct trade between two individuals, often facilitated by a platform with escrow services. |
Automation | Fully automated using smart contracts. | Often manual or semi-automated, depending on the platform. |
Custody of Funds | Non-custodial: Users retain full control of their funds. | May involve escrow or custodial services for added security. |
Intermediary | No intermediary; transactions occur directly via the blockchain. | Platform acts as a facilitator but does not control funds (except during escrow). |
Payment Methods | Crypto only (e.g., ETH, BTC). | Supports fiat, PayPal, gift cards, and other non-crypto payment methods. |
Use Case | Quick, decentralized crypto-to-crypto trades. | Trading crypto for fiat or fiat for crypto, often across different payment methods. |
Examples | Uniswap, SushiSwap, Bisq. | LocalCryptos, Paxful, Binance P2P. |
- KYC? Not me - A directory of platforms that do not require Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, focusing on privacy.
- Bisq - A decentralized Bitcoin exchange enabling private and peer-to-peer trading without intermediaries.
- Haveno - A privacy-focused decentralized exchange for Monero (XMR) and other cryptocurrencies, using multisig escrow.
- StealthEx - A non-custodial cryptocurrency exchange for quick and anonymous swaps without registration.
- SimpleSwap - A user-friendly platform for instant cryptocurrency swaps with no account needed.
- DEX Protocols (GitHub) - A repository offering tools and information on decentralized exchange protocols.
- Uniswap - A leading automated market maker (AMM) for decentralized token trading on the Ethereum blockchain.
- SushiSwap - A community-driven DEX offering swaps, staking, and yield farming features.
- 1inch - A decentralized aggregator that sources liquidity from multiple DEXs for the best trading rates.
- Curve Finance - A DEX optimized for stablecoin and low-slippage token swaps.
- P2P Trading (GitHub) - A detailed guide on safe and efficient peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading.
- LocalCryptos - A platform for peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading with various fiat payment options.
- Bisq - A decentralized exchange that also facilitates peer-to-peer trading, ensuring privacy and security.
- CryptoScamDB (GitHub) - A valuable resource to identify scams and malicious cryptocurrency sites.
- Paxful - A global P2P marketplace supporting fiat-to-crypto trades with multiple payment methods.
- Hodl Hodl - A non-custodial P2P Bitcoin trading platform using multisig escrow.
- Binance P2P - Binance’s dedicated P2P platform for trading cryptocurrencies using various fiat payment methods.
- Remitano - A P2P trading platform with escrow services for secure trades.
- LocalBitcoins - One of the earliest P2P trading platforms, primarily for Bitcoin transactions.
Feature | Cryptocurrency | Fiat Currency | Digital Currency |
---|---|---|---|
Definition | Decentralized digital assets secured by cryptography | Government-issued currency that has physical and digital forms (e.g., USD, EUR) | Digital money that represents a traditional currency, can be issued by government or private entities |
Centralization | Decentralized, not controlled by any central authority | Centralized, controlled by the government or central bank | Can be centralized (e.g., CBDC) or decentralized (private digital currencies) |
Examples | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, etc. | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, etc. | Digital USD (e.g., FedCoin), Digital Euros, Private digital currencies like stablecoins |
Regulation | Less regulated, with some countries imposing bans or restrictions | Highly regulated by governments and financial authorities | Regulation depends on the issuer, with CBDCs being heavily regulated by governments |
Security | Highly secure via cryptography, but susceptible to exchange hacks, fraud, and wallet theft | Security relies on financial institutions, central banks, and physical currency infrastructure | Security depends on the issuer, but can be as secure as the underlying technology (e.g., blockchain, encryption) |
Transaction Speed | Varies (can take minutes to hours depending on network congestion and blockchain used) | Instant within countries, but can take longer for international transfers (e.g., wire transfers) | Varies depending on the system used, but can be fast for domestic digital transactions |
Transaction Costs | Variable, often depends on network congestion and transaction size | Usually low or none, but fees exist for certain services like international transfers | Can vary based on the platform or the type of digital currency (e.g., CBDCs may have no fees, stablecoins may have low fees) |
Ownership | Ownership is through private keys, and users are responsible for their security | Ownership is recognized through legal tender and financial systems (banks, cash) | Ownership depends on the system; CBDCs are controlled by governments, while private digital currencies can be user-owned |
Volatility | Highly volatile, with prices fluctuating significantly in short periods | Relatively stable, influenced by inflation rates, interest rates, and government policy | Depends on the type; CBDCs are stable, but private digital currencies can be volatile (e.g., stablecoins, tokens) |
Physical Form | Purely digital, no physical counterpart | Has physical (cash) and digital (bank account) forms | Purely digital, no physical counterpart (except for fiat-backed digital currencies like CBDCs) |
Global Usage | Global use, but adoption varies by country and region | Widely accepted globally, with the exception of some countries (e.g., hyperinflation or bans) | Limited to regions where issued (e.g., CBDCs within a specific country or currency zone) |
- Monero Official Site
- Monero Official (Onion) Monero Community Forum Monero Project - GitHub
- Domestic Monero Chan (Onion)
- eXch (Onion)
- Exchange (Onion)
- FairTrade (Onion)
- Feather Desktop Wallet (Onion)
- MMGen Wallet (Onion)
- Monero Churn Timer
- xmrchain
- XMR Nodes
- Monero Explorer
- Monero Observer
- MoneroResearch.info
- MoneroResearch.info (Onion)
- Revuo Monero (Onion)
- The Monero Moon
- Monero Guide
- Monero - Tutorial
- Monero Wallet Security
- Libereco Mono
- Monero Garden
- Monero Bahçesi (Turkish)
- Haveno
- Haveno RetoSwap
- Monero Policy Working Group
- Monero RCT Report - GitHub
- Chainalysis Report on Monero
- Monerica Project (GitHub) - A project promoting the adoption of Monero as a form of payment.
- XMRBazaar (beta) - Buy and sell products and services peer-to-peer with Monero.
- Monero Market - Monero Goods & Services Market.
- Monezon - Purchase items from Amazon anonymously using 800+ cryptocurrencies.
- XMR Directory - Directory for the Monero economy.
- Travala - Book travel services using cryptocurrency.
- Cake Pay - Purchase gift cards and debit cards.
- Trocador - Prepaid crypto cards.
- Coincards - Bridging the gap between retail and crypto consumers.
- Anon Shop - A quick and easy bridge between Monero and Amazon.
- Cryptwerk - Pay with XMR.
- Monero Marketplace (Telegram)
- Monero Jobs (Telegram)
- Galt Project - Core infrastructure for decentralized land ownership and tokenization.
- Bisq - Decentralized exchange.
- Haveno - Opening Monero to the world.
- LocalMonero - Buy or sell Monero anonymously.
- Moon - Pay with crypto.
- Privacy.com - Protect your payments and keep free trials free.
- Viabuy - Online account with personal IBAN and prepaid Mastercard.
- Samourai Wallet - A Bitcoin wallet for the streets.
- Anonymous Planet - The Hitchhiker’s Guide (PDF)
- XMRGuide (Onion)
- DNM Bible (Onion)
- Blockchain Dark Forest Selfguard Handbook
- Crypto-OpSec-SelfGuard-RoadMap
- Awesome Privacy on Blockchains
- Pseudonymity Guide
- Smart Custody
- EFF's Surveillance Self-Defense - Practical tips for safer online communication.
- Whonix Documentation - Extensive resources for using Whonix, a privacy-focused operating system.
- Burner Wallet - A simple, disposable wallet for small transactions.
- WalletConnect - Open protocol for connecting wallets to decentralized applications.
- Wasabi Wallet - A privacy-focused Bitcoin wallet.
- On-Chain Investigations Tools List
- Awesome OSINT Crypto Web3 Stuff
- BlockSherlock - Blockchain Explorers
- Mempool
- Blockchain.info
- TronScan
- Etherscan
- AlgoExplorer
- Solana Explorer
- Stellar Expert
- Snowtrace
- FlowScan
- Polygonscan
- On-Chain Investigations Tools List
- Awesome Cryptocurrency Security
- CryptoDeepTools
- BitcoinDigger
- Orbit
- Dao-Exploit
- Web3 Security Library - Blockchain Analysis Tools
- BTCscan
- Pleb Miners - GitHub Repository - A collection of mining tools for various cryptocurrencies.
- Immersion Plep Miner - GitHub Repository - A project focusing on immersion cooling solutions for mining hardware.
- Monero Mining Guide - GitHub Repository - Official Monero repository with resources and guides for mining Monero.
- Monero GitHub - Mining Resources - Repository for Monero with additional resources related to mining.
- Official Monero Mining Guide - Comprehensive guide on mining Monero directly from the official Monero website.
- Crypto Mining Blog - Monero Mining - Blog posts and updates on Monero mining techniques and tools.
- Monero Mining Overview - Detailed overview and best practices for mining Monero.
Others Resources
- Wired - Technology and Business News - Broad technology news with sections on financial and cybersecurity topics.
- CoinDesk - Cryptocurrency News - News and analysis on cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
- Cointelegraph - Crypto News - In-depth articles and updates on cryptocurrency and blockchain developments.
- Fortune - Cryptocurrency Section - Coverage and news on cryptocurrency markets and trends.
- The Block - Cryptocurrency and Blockchain News - Analysis and reports on blockchain and crypto-related topics.
- Money Laundering - News and Analysis - Comprehensive coverage on money laundering and financial crime.
- Financial Crime Academy - Educational resources and training related to financial crime and anti-money laundering (AML).
- Journal of Money Laundering Control - Academic journal focusing on research and issues related to money laundering.
- KYC Not Me - Insights on Know Your Customer (KYC) Compliance - Information and discussions on KYC regulations and compliance challenges.
- UNODC - Additional Teaching Tools on Cybercrime - Resources from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on teaching about cybercrime.
- ACAMS - Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists - Professional organization offering certifications and resources on AML.
- Finextra - Financial Technology News - News on financial crime, technology, and compliance.
- FATF - Financial Action Task Force - International body focused on combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
Glossary of Terms
Term | Description | Term | Description |
---|---|---|---|
2FA | Two-Factor Authentication, an additional layer of security requiring a second verification step beyond the password. | ATH | All-Time High, the highest price ever reached by a cryptocurrency or asset. |
AML | Anti-Money Laundering regulations to prevent illegal money transfers and funding. | BTD | Buy the Dip, a strategy where investors buy assets after a market correction, believing the price will recover. |
CEX | Centralized Exchange, a cryptocurrency exchange where a centralized authority matches orders and holds customer funds. | dApp | Decentralized Application, an application that operates on a decentralized blockchain network without a central server. |
DeFi | Decentralized Finance, a system using blockchain to provide financial services without traditional intermediaries like banks. | DEX | Decentralized Exchange, a platform allowing users to trade cryptocurrencies without intermediaries. |
DYOR | Do Your Own Research, an important reminder to carefully investigate and evaluate a crypto asset before investing. | FOMO | Fear of Missing Out, the emotional urge to buy an asset out of fear that it will increase in value, typically leading to impulsive decisions. |
FUD | Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt, a strategy used to spread negative rumors and misinformation to manipulate market sentiment. | GM | Good Morning, a greeting commonly used in crypto communities, particularly on platforms like Twitter. |
HODL | Hold On for Dear Life, a term used to describe holding assets through volatility instead of selling them during price dips. | ICO | Initial Coin Offering, a fundraising mechanism for crypto projects by selling their tokens to the public. |
KYC | Know Your Customer process, involving the verification of the identity of clients. | NGMI | Not Gonna Make It, used to refer to situations where poor decisions or lack of research lead to failure in crypto investments. |
NGU | Number Goes Up, referring to the phenomenon of asset prices increasing, especially during bull markets. | P2P | Peer-to-Peer, a system where transactions occur directly between users without intermediaries. |
PnD | Pump and Dump, a fraudulent scheme to artificially inflate the price of an asset and then sell it at a profit, leaving others with worthless assets. | PoA | Proof of Authority, a consensus mechanism where validators are selected by a central authority based on their reputation and identity. |
PoS | Proof of Stake, a consensus mechanism where users "stake" their tokens to validate transactions and secure the blockchain network. | PoW | Proof of Work, a consensus algorithm used to validate transactions and add blocks to the blockchain by solving complex mathematical puzzles. |
Rekt | A term used in crypto for someone who has lost a significant amount of funds due to poor decisions or market crashes. | WAGMI | We Are Gonna Make It, a motivational phrase used in the crypto community to stay positive during market volatility. |