Here’s a collection of materials that will help with your basic understanding of blockchain technologies and digital currency.
Intro
New Yorker - The Invention of Money - 20-minute article/audio on the development of money and the modern banking system
Blockchain explained by Reuters
Bitcoin tech intro from Ars Technica
CoinCenter’s Background Summaries
An Investor’s Take on Cryptoassets - PDF
CoinCenter’s Paper on Bitcoin for policymakers in the US - PDF
Are you a developer? Here’s a good smart contract intro for you.
Books and Articles
2015 - Digital Gold by Nathaniel Popper
For someone with no experience in digital currencies, we always recommend starting with Digital Gold by Nathaniel Popper. Originally published in 2015, it’s getting more and more outdated, but still remains an entertaining read that gives you an appreciation of the space, quick overview of the technology behind Bitcoin and its major players.
2017 - How Money Got Free by Brian Patrick Eha
A more recent book with similar narrative.
2018 - The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking
The latest plain-language Bitcoin book.
YouTube Videos/Channels/Podcasts
Epicenter - playlist with highly technical interviews of the major crypto players.
Forbes Unchained is another good podcast.
Videos that explain Bitcoin
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5 minutes on why Bitcoin is important - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4g1XFU8Gto
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45-minute talk on why Bitcoin is important in finance - https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=ONvg9SbauMg
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How Bitcoin works in 5 minutes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9jOJk30eQs&t=32s
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30-minute explanation with moderate technical detail - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBC-nXj3Ng4
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1 hour documentary by Vice - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNssKmeXrGs
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Another side of Bitcoin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8kua5B5K3I