Blockchain as a new technology is constantly changing, and it can be difficult to know which books, tutorials, and courses on digital currency are still relevant or even worth your time.
After reading over 15 blockchain books and scouring the internet for recommendations from the world’s biggest crypto experts, I’ve curated a list of the best blockchain books of 2026.
Start charging that Kindle and read on to find out which titles made the cut!
Short on Time? Our Top 3 Books on Blockchain of 2026
| Book Name & Author | Why You Need to Read It |
| 1. Going Infinite by Michael Lewis | A masterful, inside look at the explosive rise and fall of a new crypto tycoon. |
| 2. Number Go Up by Zeke Faux | The ideal critical companion piece; a deep dive into crypto's wild rise and staggering fall. |
| 3. Easy Money by Ben McKenzie & Jacob Silverman | A critical, eye-opening exploration of casino capitalism, major exchange platforms, and the modern era of fraud. |
The 15 Best Blockchain Books [2026]
1. Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon
- Author: Michael Lewis
- Reading Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Topics Covered: FTX, Crypto Exchanges, and Financial Tycoons
- Best For: Readers who want a narrative-driven, behind-the-scenes look at one of crypto's biggest modern stories.
Written by the masterful author behind The Big Short, Liar's Poker, and Moneyball, this book takes you inside the dramatic rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX. While some view it as a bit sycophantic, it is undeniably an incredible piece of financial journalism that captures the chaotic energy of the recent crypto boom.
2. Number Go Up: Inside Crypto's Wild Rise and Staggering Fall
- Author: Zeke Faux
- Reading Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Crypto Scams, Market Crashes, and Web3 Criticism
- Best For: Skeptics looking for a contrarian, highly critical take on the cryptocurrency industry.
If you want the perfect companion piece to Michael Lewis's book, this is it. It offers a sharp, contrarian take that is very critical of the crypto space. It investigates the absurdity, the hype, and the ultimate fall of the market, making it an essential read for anyone who wants a balanced view of the industry's darker side.
3. Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud
- Author: Ben McKenzie and Jacob Silverman
- Reading Level: Beginner
- Topics Covered: Economics, Fraud, and Casino Capitalism
- Best For: Those interested in the intersection of celebrity endorsements, regulatory failures, and crypto economics.
Another brilliantly critical book that is well worth the read for anyone interested in crypto. The authors dive deep into how the cryptocurrency ecosystem morphed into a form of casino capitalism, examining the inherent flaws and widespread fraud that characterized the golden age of crypto speculation.
4. The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking
- Author: Saifedean Ammous
- Publisher: Wiley, 1st Edition
- Reading Level: Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Bitcoin, History, and Future Economics
- Best For: Anyone interested in traditional economics and the history of money.
Consistently one of the most popular crypto books on Amazon since it came out in 2018. The focus of this book is more on the evolution (and inevitable demise) of our current financial system and less on the technical aspects of the distributed ledger. [Image of a distributed ledger diagram] It sheds light on the theory that cryptocurrency could be the hard-money solution to our monetary problems, operating purely on mathematics where there is no trust required between central authorities.
5. The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains
- Author: Anthony Lewis
- Publisher: Mango
- Reading Level: Beginner
- Topics Covered: Cryptocurrency, Technology, and Risk Management
- Best For: True beginners who need clear definitions of complex terminology.
Many books about blockchain claim that they are beginner-friendly but fail to explain the complex terminology in a way that makes it easy for real beginners to understand. In this sense, The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains lives up to its title. It breaks down the jargon so you can truly understand how business-relevant applications are being built on the blockchain today.
6. Catching Up to Crypto: Your Guide to Bitcoin and the New Digital Economy
- Author: Ben Armstrong
- Publisher: Wiley
- Reading Level: Beginner
- Topics Covered: Bitcoin, Decentralization, and Privacy
- Best For: Finance professionals looking for an all-in-one introductory guide.
I think it’s safe to say that many finance professionals feel left behind when it comes to investing in (or fully understanding) cryptocurrency. This book serves as an all-in-one guide to cryptocurrency, including its origins, importance, and how it’s expected to revolutionize our economy.
7. Bitcoin Money: A Tale of Bitville Discovering Good Money
- Author: Michael Caras and Marina Yakubivska
- Publisher: Self-Published
- Reading Level: Beginner (Child-Friendly)
- Topics Covered: Digital Currencies and Bitcoin
- Best For: Children and parents looking for an "explain like I'm 5" approach.
Bitcoin Money certainly makes for one of the most unique books about the blockchain and cryptocurrency. It’s a story about kids living in a town called “Bitville” coming up with a method for trading with one another.
8. Blockchain Bubble or Revolution
- Author: Aditya Agashe, Neel Mehta, and Parth Detroja
- Publisher: Paravane Ventures
- Reading Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Public vs. Private Blockchains, Decentralized Tech
- Best For: Students and tech workers wanting deep case studies from Silicon Valley leaders.
Anyone that has read multiple blockchain books knows that the information can get repetitive. This book stands out by including surprisingly unique case studies and real world application scenarios behind each particular topic.
To become a true blockchain expert, you should consider checking out The Economist’s course on:
9. Digital Gold: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires
- Author: Nathaniel Popper
- Publisher: Harper
- Reading Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Cryptocurrency and Crime
- Best For: Thriller fans wanting a dramatic, historical retelling of Bitcoin's origins.
Are you a fan of thrillers? The author has written the history of Bitcoin in a way that makes you feel like you’re investigating a crime — including detailed first-hand accounts from big-name crypto pioneers about the shady start to the now booming industry.
10. The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything
- Author: Matthew Ball
- Publisher: Liveright
- Reading Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Web3, NFTs, and Applications of Metaverse
- Best For: Tech enthusiasts curious about the intersection of Web3, blockchain, and virtual realities.
Known for his in-depth essays surrounding the Metaverse, Matthew Ball wrote this book as an introductory guide to the foundations of the medium. He shares his personal ideas as to how it will be built, covering topics ranging from Web3 and dapps (decentralized applications) to the internet of things (often referred to as iot).
11. Blockchain Revolution
- Author: Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott
- Publisher: Portfolio
- Reading Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Cryptoassets, Web3, and Smart Contracts
- Best For: Those who want to look past investing and focus on the technological future.
Blockchain Revolution offers a refreshing perspective into the shift of the internet as we currently know it to the blockchain-based internet we often refer to as Web3. It provides a brutally honest account of how current financial monopolies are being challenged by rapidly changing technology.
12. Cryptoassets: The Innovative Investor's Guide
- Author: Jack Tatar and Chris Burniske
- Publisher: McGraw Hill
- Reading Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Portfolio Management, Historical Context
- Best For: Traditional investors wanting a clear entry point into crypto asset management.
Although this book is ideal for traditional investors or experienced financial professionals, it’s written in such a clear and concise way that beginners can understand the history behind crypto assets. It is highly recommended for those wanting a clear entry point into crypto asset management and safely securing their digital funds in hardware wallets.
13. Mastering Blockchain
- Author: Lorne Lantz and Daniel Cawrey
- Publisher: O’Reilly Media
- Reading Level: Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Smart Contracts
- Best For: Tech-minded individuals needing an in-depth, structural overview of the technology.
If you’re looking for an in-depth overview of blockchain technology, this book is one of the best places to start. Written by two blockchain experts, this book covers a wide variety of ideas behind cryptocurrencies and smart contracts, making it perfect for those studying computer science who might even want to build their own blockchain.
To really level up your knowledge, you could also take this:
14. Financial Services Revolution
- Author: Alex Tapscott
- Publisher: Barlow Publishing
- Reading Level: Intermediate/Advanced
- Topics Covered: Financial Industry and Compliance
- Best For: Professionals looking to understand regulatory impacts and open finance.
This book acts as a sequel to Blockchain Revolution and is geared toward those who want to understand the impact the blockchain holds over the financial industry. Each chapter contains contributions from some of the world’s top blockchain experts.
15. The Age of Cryptocurrency
- Author: Paul Vigna and Michael J. Casey
- Publisher: Picador
- Reading Level: Intermediate/Advanced
- Topics Covered: Cyber-Economy, Cryptocurrency, and History
- Best For: Readers who already grasp the basics and want to explore global economic consequences.
This well-researched book takes an in-depth and unbiased look at both the positive and negative sides of cryptocurrency and the blockchain. I wouldn’t recommend this book to a complete beginner, as it spends less time explaining the fundamentals and more time exploring the global impacts.
How to Pick a Great Blockchain Book
Books are perhaps the best way to learn more about the blockchain, whether you need a general overview, are curious about the state of the future, or want to get a solid foundation of knowledge before investing in crypto.
1. Be honest about where you need to start.
If you know next to nothing about the blockchain, you’ll likely feel lost reading about its impact on the future. Pick a book that matches your technical knowledge and understanding of the topic at hand.
2. Do background research on the author.
Every author has a different level of knowledge or expertise surrounding blockchain. Prior to buying your next blockchain book, take a few minutes to research the author online, and draw your own conclusions.
3. Don’t be afraid to take notes in the book.
This is especially important if you’re reading more than one blockchain book. You want to retain the information you’ve learned. Personally, I’ll take a paperback over an ebook any day because I love the feeling of making a book my own.
Conclusion
We can’t say for certain that there is one blockchain book that covers everything you need to know about the topic. Each of the books on this list offers its own definitions, historic accounts, and predictions of the future.
Whether you’re trying to learn about cryptocurrency for the first time or looking for new insight into the world of digital finance, we believe these blockchain books will offer you unique and up-to-date perspectives.
Have a favorite book that we missed? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below.
Want to become a blockchain expert? Read our summary on the best cryptocurrency and blockchain tutorials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you learn to invest in crypto from books?
Books are a fantastic way to learn how to invest in cryptocurrency, especially for those who do not have a lot of knowledge about the market. However, you’ll need to read at least a few books in order to gain a solid understanding of the terminology, history, and future predictions surrounding crypto. In addition to the books about blockchain mentioned on this list, you can read our list of the best books on cryptocurrency to learn more about crypto and ultimately make informed investment decisions.
Should you learn how the blockchain works before buying crypto?
Before investing in anything, you should consider whether it fits your portfolio goals and risk profile — this is especially true when it comes to cryptocurrency. The market is highly volatile and requires specific considerations. In order to understand how cryptocurrency and, ultimately, the digital finance world works, you need to learn about the blockchain.
Are older blockchain books still relevant in 2026?
Yes, many foundational blockchain books remain highly relevant. Books detailing the original mechanics of Bitcoin, the history of digital ledgers, and the core philosophy of decentralization offer timeless context. However, for topics like modern Layer-2 scaling or current regulatory policies, it is best to pair an older foundational book with a recent 2026 publication.
