In a recent episode of The Moneyverse Show, seasoned blockchain expert Anndy Lian shared practical insights for newcomers venturing into cryptocurrency. With over a decade of experience in the crypto world and as the author of influential books like NFT from Zero to Hero and Blockchain Revolution 2030, Lian offered a clear roadmap for beginners like Vasajit, who are eager to explore digital assets but unsure where to start.
The Foundation: Bitcoin and Ethereum
For those just dipping their toes into crypto, Lian’s advice is refreshingly simple—begin with the two most established cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). These assets serve as the bedrock of the crypto market, offering relative stability compared to the wild swings of smaller altcoins. Bitcoin, often referred to as digital gold, is a long-term store of value, while Ethereum powers the vast ecosystem of decentralized applications and smart contracts.
Lian recommends purchasing these through centralized exchanges (CEXs) such as Binance, Bybit, or Coinbase. These platforms are user-friendly and allow fractional purchases, meaning you don’t need to buy an entire Bitcoin or Ether to get started. Even small, regular investments—like $200 a month—can accumulate into a meaningful position over time.
Taking the Next Step: Decentralized Finance
Once comfortable with the basics, Lian encourages new investors to explore decentralized finance (DeFi) by setting up a non-custodial wallet like Trust Wallet, MetaMask, or OKX Web3 Wallet. Unlike centralized exchanges, where the platform holds your keys, these wallets give you full control over your assets—a fundamental principle of true cryptocurrency ownership.
Venturing into DeFi opens doors to emerging projects, staking opportunities, and yield farming, where investors can earn passive income by providing liquidity. However, Lian cautions that this space is also rife with risks, including scams and extreme volatility. His advice? Start with small amounts, thoroughly research projects, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
The Power of Dollar-Cost Averaging
For those wary of market turbulence, Lian highlights dollar-cost averaging (DCA)—a strategy where you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, regardless of price fluctuations. This approach removes emotion from investing and smooths out the impact of market highs and lows. He shared an inspiring example of a friend who consistently bought Bitcoin over five years, building a substantial portfolio despite the market’s ups and downs.
Balancing Risk and Reward
While Lian advocates for cautious investing, he doesn’t dismiss high-risk, high-reward opportunities. He recounted a personal experience where he invested in a low-market-cap project that skyrocketed from $2 million to $80 million in just days. However, he emphasizes that such wins are exceptions, not the norm. His key takeaway? Always have an exit strategy and treat speculative investments like “lottery tickets”—fun to explore, but never with money you can’t afford to lose.
The Golden Rule: Knowledge Before Investment
Lian’s final piece of advice is universal: education is the most valuable asset in crypto. Whether you’re buying Bitcoin, experimenting with DeFi, or exploring new tokens, understanding what you’re investing in is non-negotiable. The crypto market moves fast, and while opportunities abound, so do pitfalls.
For beginners, the journey starts with patience, discipline, and a willingness to learn. As Lian puts it, “It’s not about how much you invest, but how wisely you invest.”
The Moneyverse Show is available in the U.S., Australia, and Singapore.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and not financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry risks; always conduct your own research.
Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.
Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.
An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.