Welcome to BitIRA U, a resource for folks interesting in learning more about cryptocurrency and blockchain, including the societal issues impacting their growth. If you would like to learn more about diversifying your retirement savings with cryptocurrency, click here for a free insider guide to Digital IRAs.

On this page, we publish guides, reports, news updates, interviews, surveys, and more. BitIRA even offers a bi-annual scholarship for essays on cryptocurrency and blockchain. Take a look through the content library below, and let us know here about what other types of content you would like to see!

Cryptocurrency Guides

Cryptocurrency Security

Reading time: 31 minutes
Length: 6,100 words
Expert opinions: Isaiah Sarju (Revis Solutions, LLC)

This guide describes cryptocurrency security risks and ways to minimize them.

cryptocurrency on keyboard

Guide to Crypto Lingo

Reading time: 15 minutes
Length: 2,500 words

This resource defines common terms related to cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrency Regulators and Regulations

Reading time: 16 minutes
Length: 3,100 words

We’ve compiled an extensive list of some of the entities that play a role in determining blockchain’s future (including key regulations to date).

Woman in cryptocurrency industry

Women in Cryptocurrency and Blockchain

Reading time: 30 minutes
Length: 5,900 words

This directory contains a comprehensive set of resources for women entering the cryptocurrency industry.

Crypto tax shell shock

Cryptocurrency Tax Guide

Reading time: 6 minutes
Length: 1,200 words
Expert opinions: Laura Walter, CPA (“Crypto Tax Girl”)

In 2014, the IRS stated that crypto would be classified, for taxes, as property. We discuss implications for investors.

Handshake, crypto logos, and insurance text

Cryptocurrency Insurance Guide

Reading time: 7 minutes
Length: 1,400 words

Insurance companies have recognized the opportunity of crypto markets, but they have faced roadblocks to entering the market. Recently, this has been changing.

Cryptocurrency custodianship

Crypto Custody Services Guide

Reading time: 6 minutes
Length: 1,200 words

The growing crypto custody market could be the key to opening the floodgates to institutional investment in cryptocurrency. These services are relatively new but expanding rapidly.

Blockchain and the environment

Blockchain and the Environment Guide

Reading time: 15 minutes
Length: 2,900 words

The environmental impact of cryptocurrencies is a hot topic. This guide looks at ways that blockchain can support conservation efforts, optimize power usage, and encourage accountability.

Cryptocurrency Fundraising Graphic

Cryptocurrency Donor and Charity Fundraising Guide

Reading time: 9 minutes
Length: 1,800 words

How can Bitcoin and other digital currencies empower non-profits? This guide answers this question and more, surveying the crypto-for-charity landscape after the Pineapple Fund era.

Bitcoin conference

Cryptocurrency Events Around the World

Reading time: N/A
Length: N/A

See a comprehensive list of upcoming cryptocurrency and blockchain events around the world. You can filter the list by date, location, topic, and more. Find a crypto event near you!

Cryptocurrency and Blockchain for Teachers

Reading time: 11 minutes
Length: 2,200 words

Bitcoin launched in 2009, but blockchain technology has been growing every year. For teachers that want to introduce students to these concepts, this guide contains a variety of resources.

Digital currency in front of USD

Bitcoin: Currency, Security, Property, Commodity or “Mirage”?

Reading time: 5 minutes
Length: 1,000 words

Arguments are put forth for classifying cryptocurrency as belonging to one or more of established asset types.

Bitcoin wallets

Hot Wallet vs. Cold Wallet for Cryptocurrency

Reading time: 8 minutes
Length: 1,500 words

What is the best way to store Bitcoin and other digital currencies? This guide summarizes storage options available today and discusses why it’s an important topic for securing your digital wealth.

Private key and public key for cryptocurrency

Private Key vs. Public Key for Cryptocurrency

Reading time: 5 minutes
Length: 1,000 words

Cryptocurrencies use a type of encryption that produces two “keys”, a private one and a public one. To protect you digital assets, it’s of utmost importance that you keep your private key secure.

How Digital Currency Works

Reading time: 5 minutes
Length: 1,000 words

The mechanics behind all digital currencies are essentially the same. Here’s a breakdown of how they work, plus the technology that makes them possible

What Is Digital Currency?

Reading time: 4 minutes
Length: 800 words

What defines cryptocurrencies, how they’re made, and what makes them uniquely valuable compared to similar assets.

Security Reports

Digital IRA Resources

Cryptocurrency Scholarship

Want to share your expertise on cryptocurrency? We’ll give a $1,000 scholarship to hear it.

Cryptocurrency is exciting, scary, and mysterious all at once, but there’s little doubt that the digital economy is making huge waves on non-digital markets. It’s the future of currency moving towards us at full speed, getting faster all the time and demonstrating a huge capacity to change the way we conduct commerce — from the coffee down the street to the depth of your retirement portfolio.

BitIRA U is BitIRA’s open technology education mission. We are open to changing the world through further education of cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies.

Please note, as of the scholarship awarded in Fall 2019, we have paused the BitIRA U Scholarship program. Please check back here in the future to see if we have restarted it.

Crypto Innovators (Interviews)

Crypto News

More Crypto Resources