Getting Started with Bitcoin and Crypto Currencies

Since Bitcoin recently hit $10k there has been a surge of people wanting to invest.

In this article I'll describe:
What is Bitcoin and Crypto Currencies?
What is a Block Chain?
Where do I buy Bitcoin?
Where is a safe place to store Bitcoin?
Where do I trade my Bitcoin?

What is Bitcoin?
It a decentralized digital currency, there are other like it and in general they are called "crypto currencies"
Bitcoin was the first of its kind meant for a smaller scale, transaction times and fees are bigger than most other crypto.
This digital money is still faster and with lower fees to send than wire transfers, the old school way.
Bitcoin in not backed by any government, there are only so many bitcoin in circulation and a finite amount that can be "mined" to release more into the market.

What is a Block chain?
Block Chain is the technology behind bitcoin. Kind of like a digital ledger of sorts. Transactions and other information can be stored on the block chain making for real world applications in everyday life. Mining for bitcoin is a process that complex math equations are used to release more bitcoins from the block chain. Once all the bitcoins are mined then there will be no more bitcoins to add to circulation.

Where do I buy Bitcoin?
Sign up at Coinbase.com and you can use a card with higher fees and lower limits but instant access to your purchase or use a bank account with lower fees and higher limits but wont have access to purchase for 7 days. Coinbase only lets you purchase 3 kinds of crypto; Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Lite coin.

Where is a safe place to store Bitcoin?
Exodus wallet is anonymous and recommended (www.exodus.io)
there are other wallets that can be used on mobile phones too, another popular one is Jaxx.
These wallets are all limited to types of crypto.
For larger amounts a hardware wallet is recommended, either a Trezor or Ledger nano s or ledger blue.

Where do I trade my Bitcoin?
To buy different kinds of crypto you will need to sign up at bittrex.com and transfer you crypto (usually bitcoin) to exchange it for other types.
Other popular exchanges are Kraken and Poloniex.