Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to the wealth Wise Woman podcast. I'm your host, Anna,
and before we dive in, a quick reminder, this podcast
is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not
financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with
a license professional before making any investment decisions. Today, we're
(00:22):
exploring a topic that's reshaping the financial landscape, cryptocurrency for women.
A beginner's guide. If terms like bitcoin, blockchain, or ethereum
sound like a foreign language, don't worry. This episode is
designed to break it all down in a clear, approachable way.
Crypto can feel daunting, but it's an incredible opportunity for
(00:44):
women to take control of their financial futures, diversify their investments,
and engage with cutting edge technology. Whether you're completely new
or just curious, this episode will give you the tools
to start confidently in This expanded eight part episode will
cover what is cryptocurrency and how does it work? Why
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crypto matters for women and their financial empowerment, The risks
and rewards of investing in cryptocurrencies. A step by step
guide to start investing in crypto today. Common myths and
misconceptions about crypto, Real world examples of women succeeding in crypto,
building a long term crypto strategy, resources and communities to
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keep learning. Let's dive in and make crypto accessible, empowering,
and exciting. Part one. What is cryptocurrency and how does
it work? Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that
uses cryptography for security and operates on a decentralized system
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called blockchain. Unlike traditional currencies like euros or dollars, cryptocurrencies
aren't issued or controlled by a central authority like a
bank or government. This decentralization makes crypto unique, transparent, and
potentially transformative. Key concepts Bitcoin BTC launched in two thousand
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and nine. It's the first and most recognized cryptocurrency, often
called digital gold for its store of value properties. Ethereum
ETHH a platform for smart contracts, self executing agreements coded
on the blockchain with its native currency Ether. Blockchain a digital,
tamper proof ledger that records all transactions across a network
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of computers. It's secure, transparent, and decentralized. Digital wallet a
software or physical device that stores your crypto and private keys,
allowing you to send, receive, or hold your assets. When
you buy crypto, you're purchasing digital assets stored in a wallet.
You can use them to pay for goods or services
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where accepted, trade them, or hold them as an investments.
Prices fluctuate based on supply, demand, news, and market sentiment,
which makes crypto volatile but also potentially lucrative. Example, if
you buy zero point zero one bitcoin at fifty thousand dollars,
you're spending five hundred dollars. If bitcoin's price climbs to
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seventy thousand dollars, your investment is worth seven hundred dollars,
But if it drops to thirty thousand dollars, it's worth
three hundred dollars. This volatility is a defining feature of crypto,
and we'll talk more about managing it later. Crypto transactions
are verified by a network of computers nodes through a
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process called mining or staking, depending on the cryptocurrency. This
ensures security and eliminates the need for a middleman, unlike
traditional banking. Part two. Why crypto matters for women. Cryptocurrency
isn't just for tech enthusiasts or finance brows. It's a
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powerful tool for women to build wealth and achieve financial independence.
Here's why crypto is especially relevant for women breaking financial barriers.
Women often face systemic challenges like the gender pay gap,
reducing lifetime earnings by fifteen twenty percent on average, or
limited access to traditional investments in some regions. Crypto is
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accessible globally with just an Internet connection and a small
starting budget. Portfolio diversification adding crypto to a mix of stocks, ETFs,
or bonds can reduce risk and boost potential returns. It's
an asset class that doesn't always move in lockstep with
traditional markets. Empowering innovation, Crypto is tied to technologies like blockchain,
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decentralized finance DeFi, and non fungible tokens NFTs. Investing in
crypto means supporting and potentially profiting from the future of
finance and technology. Financial control crypto lets you manage your
assets directly without relying on banks or intermediaries, which can
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be empowering for women navigating male dominated financial systems. Long
term growth despite volatility, some cryptocurrencies have shown extraordinary growth. Bitcoin,
for example, rose from less than one dollar in twenty
ten to over sixty thousand dollars at its twenty twenty
one peak. For women who often juggle longer life spans,
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higher retirement costs, and career interruptions. Crypto can be a
small but strategic part of a portfolio, balancing stability with
high growth potential. Part three, The risks and rewards of crypto.
Crypto is exciting, but it's not a get rich quick scheme.
Let's explore the pros and cons to help you approach
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it wisely. Rewards high growth potential. Early investors in bitcoin
or ethereum saw returns of thousands of percent. While past
performance isn't a guarantee, crypto's growth trajectory is promising for
long term investors. Decentralization no government or bank controls crypto,
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offering freedom from traditional financial systems and potential resilience against
economic crises. Accessibility. You can start with as little as
five dollars ten dollars, and platforms are available worldwide, making
crypto inclusive. Innovation exposure. Investing in crypto means supporting blockchain
based innovations like DeFi, peer to peer lending or NFTs
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digital collectibles, which could shape the future. Risks, extreme volatility.
Crypto prices can swing ten thirty percent in a day.
You need to be comfortable with sharp ups and downs.
Regulatory uncertainty. Governments are still defining cryptoregulations, which could affect
its value, use, or legality in some regions. Scams and fraud.
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The crypto space is notorious for scams, from fake coins
to phishing attacks. Always verify platforms, wallets, and projects security risks.
If you lose your private keys or get hacked, your
crypto could be gone forever. Unlike bank accounts, there's no
insurance or recovery. Option complexity. Crypto can feel overwhelming with
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its technical jargon and thousands of coins to choose. From
sticking to established projects reduces this hurdle. A gendered perspective,
Women often prioritize financial security due to longer life spans
and systemic inequities. Crypto's high risk, high reward nature makes
it ideal as a small satellite allocation, for example one
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five percent of your portfolio, alongside safer investments like ETFs.
Part four Step by step guide to start investing in
crypto today. Ready to take the plunge. Here's a detailed
road app to start investing in crypto today, even if
you're starting with a small budget. Step one, choose a
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reputable platform. You'll need a crypto exchange to buy, sell,
or trade cryptocurrencies. Look for platforms with strong security, two
factor authentication two FA and a solid track record, low fees,
competitive trading and withdrawal fees. Check fee schedules, beginner friendly interfaces,
clear dashboards and tutorials. Examples. Coinbase great for beginners, Binance
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wide coin selection, crack In Strong security, or Bitpanda popular
in Europe. Compare two three options and read user reviews.
Step two, set up a digital wallet. A wallet stores
your crypto and private keys. Options include exchange wallets. Platforms
like Coinbase offer built in wallets, perfect for beginners, software
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wallets apps like meta mask, trust Wallet or Exodus for
more control, hardware wallets, physical devices like Ledger or Treasure
for maximum security. Recommended for holdings over one thousand dollars.
Tip always back up your wallet's seed phrase, a twelve
twenty four word recovery key and store it offline. Never
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share it with anyone. Step three start with established coins.
Begin with well known trusted cryptocurrencies to minimize risk. Bitcoin BTC,
a store of value with the longest track record, ethereum
ethh powers, smart contracts and decentralized apps stable coins for
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example USDT USDC PEG to stable assets like the dollar,
offering lower volatility. Avoid meme coins or obscure projects until
you're more experienced, as they're often speculative and risky. Start
with ten dollars fifty dollars you can afford to lose.
Step four. Secure your investment. Enable two fa for example,
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authenticator apps not sms on all accounts. Move larger holdings
to a software or hardware wallet not in exchange. Beware
of phishing emails, fake apps, or too good to be
true offers promising quick profits. Verify wallet addresses before sending crypto.
One wrong digit and it's gone. Step five automate your investments.
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Set up recurring purchases, for example ten dollars weekly to
practice dollar cost averaging. This strategy lets you buy more
when prices are low and less when prices are high,
reducing the impact of volatility. Most exchanges, like coinbase or
binance offer this feature. Step six. Monitor don't obsess. Check
your portfolio weekly or monthly, not hourly. Constant price watching
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can lead to emotional decisions like selling during a dip.
Focus on your long term goals. Example, you invest twenty
five dollars monthly in ethereum at an average price of
twenty five hundred dollars, and it grows at ten percent annually.
In ten years, your three thousand dollars investment could be
worth over six thousand, six hundred dollars, but expect volatility
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along the way. Crypto isn't for the faint hearted. Part five.
Common myths and misconceptions about crypto. Crypto is surrounded by
myths that can intimidate beginners, especially women, who might feel
it's not for them. Let's debunk the top ones. Myth one,
Crypto is only for men or tech experts. Crypto is
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for everyone. Women make up fifteen twenty percent of US
crypto investors, and that number is growing globally. You don't
need a tech background. Platforms like coinbase make it as
easy as online shopping. Myth too, you need a lot
of money to start. You can buy fractions of coins
starting with as little as one dollar. It's about building
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a habit, not having a big budget. Myth three Crypto
is all a scam. While scams exist, for example, fake
icos or ponzi schemes, establish coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum
are built on secure, transparent blockchain technology. Stick to reputable
platforms and projects to stay safe. Myth four. Crypto is
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too complicated for beginners. It can feel complex, but starting
with Bitcoin or Ethereum on a user friendly platform is straightforward.
You'll learn the jargon like gas fees or DeFi as
you go. Myth five. Crypto will make you rich overnight.
Crypto isn't a lottery ticket. It's a volatile, long term investment.
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Approach it with patients and realistic expectations, not dreams of
instant wealth. Myth six. Crypto is bad for the environment.
Some currencies like Bitcoin use energy intensive mining. However, many
newer projects like Ethereum post twenty twenty two use energy
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efficient methods like proof of steak. You can choose eco
friendly coins if sustainability matters to you. Part six Real
world examples of women succeeding in crypto. To inspire you,
Let's look at two hypothetical women who've embraced crypto. Lina
thirty two, marketing consultant. Lina started with fifty dollars in
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bitcoin in twenty twenty, adding twenty dollars monthly via dollar
cost averaging. By twenty twenty five, her portfolio grew to
two five hundred dollars despite market dips She's now exploring
ethereum and joined a women's crypto group on x to
learn about DeFi. Her small start gave her confidence to
diversify further. Aisha, forty five small business owner. Aisha invested
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one hundred dollars in a three and twenty twenty one
to diversify her savings. She uses a hardware wallet for
security and has grown her holdings to one tho eight
hundred dollars. She's also experimenting with stable coins like USDC
to earn interest through DeFi platforms, adding a passive income stream.
These stories show that women from all backgrounds can succeed
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in crypto with small, consistent steps and a willingness to learn.
Part seven, Building a long term crypto strategy. Crypto isn't
a set it and forgetted investment like a broad market ETF,
but you can build a sustainable strategy with these tips.
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Start small. Allocate only one five percent of your portfolio
to crypto to manage risk. Increase this as you gain
confidence and experience. Diversify within crypto. Don't put all your
money in one coin, spread it across Bitcoin, ethereum, and
stable coins, or other established projects like cardono Ada or
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solana ussel. Use dollar cost averaging. Invest a fixed amount regularly,
for example ten dollars weekly to reduce the impact of
price swings. Stay informed, Follow trusted sources like coindesk, coin Telegraph,
or women led crypto accounts on x. Join communities like
Women in Blockchain or Crypto Chicks for support and education.
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Secure your assets. Use hardware wallets for holdings over one
thousand dollars, Enable two FA and store seed phrases offline
in a safe place. Rebalance annually. If one coin grows significantly,
for example, bitcoin doubles, sell some to reinvest in others,
or take profits to reduce risk. Have an exit plan.
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Decide what would prompt you to sell, reaching a financial goal,
funding a big purchase, or a major market shift. Explore
DeFi and staking. Once you're comfortable, look into earning interests
by staking coins like Ethereum or using stable coins in
DeFi protocols, for example, lending on ave. Start small to
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minimize risk a gendered perspective, Women often face pressure to
avoid risky investments, but crypto can be empowering when approached thoughtfully.
By starting small, diversifying, and prioritizing security, you can harness
crypto's potential while protecting your financial future. Part eight. Resources
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and communities to keep learning. Crypto is a journey, and
learning is part of the process. Here are some resources
to help you grow your knowledge. Websites Coindesk, coin Telegraph,
and the block for news and analysis. Books, The Bitcoin
Standard by Safety and amos or Crypto Assets by Chris
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Bernisky for deeper insights. Podcasts the Pomp podcast or Unchained
for crypto trends and interviews. Communities Join women focus groups
like Women in Blockchain, Sheifi or Crypto Chicks. Check x
or discord for local chapters. Courses Platforms like Corsera or
you to me offer beginner friendly crypto and blockchain courses.
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Tools use coin market Cap or coin getto to track
prices and research coins. Pro tip follow women in the
crypto space on x for inspiration and tips. Look for
creators sharing practical advice, not hype or moon predictions. To
wrap things up, Cryptocurrency is a dynamic, evolving space that
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offers women a chance to build wealth, diversify their portfolios,
and engage with the future of finance. It's not without risks. Volatility, scams,
and complexity are real but with a cautious, informed approach,
crypto can be a powerful tool for financial empowerment. You
don't need to be an expert or have thousands of
dollars to start. A small, consistent investment and a commitment
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to learning can go a long way. Here's your action
plan to start today. Open an account with a reputable
platform like coinbase, Kraken, or Bitpanda. This week, invest ten
dollars fifty dollars in bitcoin or ethereum to get started.
Set up a recurring purchase for example ten dollars weekly
to build your holdings. Secure your assets with two fa
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and a digital wallet, software or hardware. Join a women's
crypto community and tune into next week's episode for tips
on integrating crypto with traditional investments. The best day to
start exploring crypto was yesterday. The second best day is today.
Don't let fear, myths or jargon hold you back. Take
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that first step and own your financial future. Thanks for
joining me on the wealth Wise Woman podcast. If this
episode sparked your curiosity, share it with a friend who's
ready to explore crypto. Until next time, keep building your
wealth wisely.