Cryptocurrency essentials
Crypto made clear
Resources and know-how to help you understand crypto, how to invest in it, and its potential role in your portfolio.
Crypto essentials: Here’s what to know
Section 1
Fundamentals
Learn the basics of crypto and how it works, plus go in-depth on the most popular currencies.
Section 2
Investing in crypto
Understand why people invest in crypto, different ways to do it, and key tax basics.
Section 3
Risk and security
Know the risks, the ins and outs of volatility, and how to help protect your crypto assets.
Section 1
Fundamentals
Crypto in about a minute
This quick video highlights the basics of cryptocurrency from what makes it work to how ownership is tracked, options for adding it to your portfolio, and the risks associated with volatility.
What is cryptocurrency?
Go more in-depth on what crypto is, the different types of crypto coins, ways to invest, and important risks to consider.
Blockchain in about a minute
What is blockchain?
A more in-depth look at the digital database technology that underpins crypto, recording transactions in a way that helps ensure information is secure, transparent, and can't be changed.
What is Bitcoin?
A concise guide to the first, best-known, and largest-market-cap cryptocurrency.
What is Ethereum?
Key facts investors should know about the "smart contract" cryptocurrency, Ether.
Bitcoin vs. Ethereum
A deeper dive into the differences between these two crypto coins, what traits they share, and their pros and cons.
What is Solana?
Get the basics on this smart contract cryptocurrency, often billed as a competitor to Ether.
Understanding stablecoins
Learn how the assets known as stablecoins aim to bridge the gap between cryptocurrencies and conventional, government-backed currencies.
Don’t miss our monthly crypto webinar
Each month, join analysts and trading pros from Morgan Stanley and E*TRADE for a deep dive on cryptocurrencies and the crypto markets.
Section 2
Crypto Investing
Does crypto belong in your portfolio?
If you’re considering an investment in cryptocurrency, explore strategies for balancing its outsized potential returns with the outsized risks.
3 reasons investors consider cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency has become more visible and accessible, prompting investors to ask whether it could play a role in their portfolio.
Understanding your options for crypto investing
An overview of 5 different ways to invest in crypto from direct ownership to crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs),1 futures, and more.
All about Bitcoin ETPs
These ETPs1 let investors gain exposure to Bitcoin without buying the coin itself. Here’s how it works.
Thinking about long-term Bitcoin returns
Explore a framework for analyzing Bitcoin's potential performance and returns over a 10-year period.
What factors affect Bitcoin and crypto coin prices?
Investigate major factors that may impact Bitcoin and crypto prices, including supply, 'halving', and demand.
Crypto taxes explained: Wallets, stocks, funds and futures
Cryptocurrency may feel new, but the tax rules aren't. Learn how crypto is taxed in the U.S., what triggers federal income taxes, and why two investors with similar exposure may end up with very different after-tax results.
Crypto glossary
Get concise definitions and explanations for key crypto terms and concepts.
Volatility and risks
Understanding crypto risk and volatility
Take an in-depth look at the range of risks in crypto investing.
Why the ‘four seasons’ of cryptocurrency matter
Break down the four seasons of the crypto trading cycle and its pattern of fluctuating crypto prices.
Security and scams
Top scams to watch for
Explore the cybercrime-crypto connection and get a concise survey of top scams to guard against.
How to protect your crypto
Learn how you can help safeguard your assets with simple but prudent habits, awareness of common fraud schemes, and more.
Trade Crypto on E*TRADE
Crypto at E*TRADE powered by zerohash is just around the corner. Stay tuned.
Trading how-tos
- Crypto order overview
- Using the crypto order ticket and placing a trade
- Finding crypto positions in your account Complete View