I was a total stranger to the crypto world until last year. Up until then, all I ever heard was stuff like, “It’s a scam,” “What problem does it even solve?” and “It’s just a bubble.” So why would I even want to get involved? I mean, with all that negativity floating around, it seemed like a world best avoided.
But guess what? I’ve realized that’s not the case at all. Diving into the crypto world turned out to be one of the most exciting and innovative experiences of my life. I’ve learned so much, and in this post, I want to share my journey and some recommendations for anyone curious about stepping into this space.
My Onboarding Experience
Honestly, I had no idea where to start. Luckily, a friend introduced me to Zealy tasks. I started out writing articles and designing infographics for a project. The goal was to be among the top 50 people on the leaderboard and earn a reward of 100 bucks. I was super excited because it felt like my first real chance to make my own money and spend it on things I wanted. I even planned out how I would spend that money. This excitement kept me consistent and focused. And guess what? I made it, I ended up in the top ten on the leaderboard!
But then, disaster struck. I sent the wrong wallet address to receive my reward, and my tokens were lost…forever! (Internal sobbing…)😭
Back then, I didn't know anything about the differences between centralized and decentralized wallet addresses, or that different networks even existed. That experience hurt, but it also motivated me to dig deeper. I decided right then to learn as much as I could. I joined communities, attended crypto events, and made sure to ask lots of questions before jumping into anything new.
Facing the Learning Curve
I won’t lie starting out was tough. Most of the articles, podcasts, and videos were way too advanced for me. They were packed with buzzwords I didn’t understand. Plus, there was so much misinformation out there, and it was hard to know what to trust. I had to doublecheck everything across multiple sources to make sure I wasn’t being led astray.
I still remember the first time I heard about Ethereum. It was at a tech meetup at my university. The speaker was passionately talking about this new blockchain technology that could do so much more than just be a digital currency. I was intrigued but also skeptical. How could a single platform handle all these different, complex applications?
Then I got introduced to "testnets" Using EVM wallets, I got to do transactions like voting, adding and removing liquidity, swapping, and even minting NFTs with test tokens. That hands-on experience really helped make everything click.
As I continued learning, I realized that Ethereum’s potential was truly groundbreaking. The idea of creating decentralized apps (dApps) and smart contracts opened up a whole new world of possibilities. But it wasn’t easy. I had to wrap my head around concepts like gas fees, Solidity, and the Ethereum Virtual Machine.
My Advice for Newbies
If you're just starting out with Web3 and Ethereum, don’t make the same mistakes I did. Take your time to understand the basics before diving in. I’ll try to break down some of the complex concepts to make things easier.
What is Ethereum?
At its core, Ethereum is an open-source blockchain platform that allows developers to build and deploy decentralized applications, or dApps. Unlike traditional apps that rely on centralized servers, dApps run on a peer-to-peer network, making them more secure and resistant to censorship. The native cryptocurrency of Ethereum is called Ether (ETH), which is used to pay for transactions and computational services on the network.
Key Features of Ethereum
Smart Contracts: These are like digital agreements that automatically execute when certain conditions are met. Imagine buying a concert ticket once you pay, the smart contract automatically transfers the ticket to you. No middlemen, no scams.
Decentralized Applications (dApps): Developers can create all kinds of apps on Ethereum, from financial services (DeFi) to games and social networks. These dApps ensure transparency and security, allowing you to interact directly without a central authority.
Community and Ecosystem: One of the best parts of Ethereum is its vibrant, supportive community. It’s a space full of innovators who are always willing to help and share knowledge. This collaboration drives new projects and improvements that benefit everyone.
Why Ethereum Matters
Ethereum is often compared to Bitcoin, but it offers so much more. Its support for smart contracts and dApps means it has the potential to transform various industries from finance to art to supply chain management. The idea of creating decentralized solutions that put power back in the hands of users is what makes Ethereum so exciting.
Getting Started with Ethereum
If you're ready to explore Ethereum, here are some steps to get started:
1. Create a Wallet: You’ll need a digital wallet to store your Ether and interact with dApps. Popular options include MetaMask and Trust Wallet.
2. Buy Ether: You can purchase Ether on cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, or eToro.
3. Explore dApps: Start experimenting with dApps, Uniswap (for trading) and OpenSea (for NFTs) are great places to begin.
4. Join the Community: Engage with the Ethereum community through forums, social media, or local meetups. Also, check out the 2077collective community on Discord (https://discord.com/invite/2077collective). They are a great help and you can check them out to avoid starting out confused, like I did.
Wrapping Up
If you’re curious about Ethereum but feeling a bit intimidated, don’t worry. Start small, seek out good resources, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Each step you take brings you closer to understanding this incredible technology.
My journey exploring Ethereum has been amazing, and I’m sure it will continue to be inspiring going forward. I hope sharing my experiences helps motivate you to start your own adventure in the world of Web3.
