Blockchain technology is constantly changing, and it can be difficult to know which books, tutorials, and courses 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 in 2024.
Start charging that Kindle and read on to find out which titles made the cut!
Short on Time? Our Top 3 Books on Blockchain in 2024 |
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Book Name & Author |
Why You Need to Read It |
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1. Blockchain Revolution by Don and Alex Tapscott |
An honest and refreshing perspective on our shift into the world of Web3. |
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2. Digital Gold by Nathanial Popper |
A dramatic account of the rise of Bitcoin and blockchain technology. |
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3. Catching Up to Crypto by Ben Armstrong |
An approachable guide to the applications and future of digital currencies. |
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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.
Here are my tips on how to find the best book on blockchain for your specific needs.
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. When in doubt, start with a book that offers a general overview of the blockchain and then work your way into more specific topics.
2. Do background research on the author.
Every author has a different level of knowledge or expertise surrounding blockchain. Some may even be associated with certain cryptocurrencies. 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. Fold down the corners, jot down your own ideas on the pages or on sticky notes, and save them on your bookshelf for reference later on.
The 12 Best Blockchain Books [2024]
1. The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains
- Author: Anthony Lewis
- Publisher: Mango
- Reading Level: Beginner
- Topics Covered: Cryptocurrency, Technology, and Risk Management
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. Over half of the book is dedicated to explaining the history of our banking system, which is necessary in order to fully understand how the blockchain could change our future. Every term and concept is fully broken down so that you can actually understand what is being discussed.
2. 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 Financial Policy
I think it’s safe to say that many finance professionals feel left behind when it comes to investing in (or fully understanding) cryptocurrency and the underlying technology in which it operates.
This book serves as an all-in-one guide to cryptocurrency, including it’s origins, importance, and how it’s expected to revolutionize our economy. The author, Ben Armstrong, is known for being somewhat of a crypto influencer and has worked in the industry since 2018. Catching up to Crypto is expected to be one of the best-selling blockchain books of 2024.
3. Bitcoin Money: A Tale of Bitville Discovering Good Money
- Author: Michael Caras and Marina Yakubivska
- Publisher: Self-Published (Michael Caras)
- Reading Level: Beginner (Child-Friendly)
- Topics Covered: Digital Currencies and Bitcoin
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. This is the perfect book for children whose parents perhaps work in the industry — although some adults could certainly benefit from this “explain like I’m 5” introduction to Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and the blockchain.
4. Blockchain Bubble or Revolution: The Future of Bitcoin, Blockchains, and Cryptocurrencies
- Author: Aditya Agashe, Neel Mehta, and Parth Detroja
- Publisher: Paravane Ventures
- Reading Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Public vs. Private Blockchains, Cryptocurrency, and Decentralized Technology
Anyone that has read multiple blockchain books (hi, it’s me) knows that the information surrounding this topic can get a bit repetitive. In addition to a general overview of blockchain concepts, this book includes some surprisingly unique case studies, stories, and application scenarios behind each particular topic.
Written by a small team of leaders from Silicon Valley, Blockchain Bubble or Revolution is the perfect book for those who are either researching digital finance in school or want to build a strong fountain of knowledge.
To become a true blockchain expert, you should consider checking out The Economist’s course on:
Fintech and the Future of Finance.
5. Digital Gold: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money
- Author: Nathaniel Popper
- Publisher: Harper
- Reading Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Cryptocurrency and Crime
Are you a fan of thrillers? If so, you might want to give Digital Gold a read. While this isn’t the book for anyone who’s looking to invest in cryptocurrency, it does provide an interesting look at the evolution of cryptocurrency.
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.
6. 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
Known for his in-depth essays surrounding (and often inspiring) the Metaverse, Matthew Ball wrote this book as an introductory guide to the foundations of the Metaverse.
Something I’ve noticed in the tech world is that no two definitions of the Metaverse are the same, so keep in mind this book is based on the author’s own definition of the medium. He shares his personal ideas as to how it will be built, who will control it, and when we can see it become a reality.
It earns a spot on this list of the best books on blockchain as it addresses the challenges of the Metaverse, including the role of blockchains, Web3, and NFTs.
7. Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies is Changing the World
- Author: Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott
- Publisher: Portfolio
- Reading Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Cryptoassets, Web3, and Smart Contracts
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 (and their archaic principles) are being challenged by rapidly changing technology. This is a great book for anyone who has read books about blockchain in the past and wants to learn less about investing and more about what the future holds.
Written by Don Tapscott, one of the most influential business theorists, and his son Don Tapscott, the CEO of a blockchain-building advisory firm. Their enthusiasm and knowledge of the blockchain have provided a practical and effective guide to the future of technology.
8. Cryptoassets: The Innovative Investor's Guide to Bitcoin and Beyond
- Author: Jack Tatar and Chris Burniske
- Publisher: McGraw Hill, 1st Edition
- Reading Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Portfolio Management, Historical Context, and Predictions
Don’t let the title throw you off — although this book is ideal for traditional investors or experienced financial professionals who want to learn more about cryptocurrency and blockchain, it’s written in such a clear and concise way that even beginners could understand.
The authors provide a brief overview of the history behind crypto assets, describe what the blockchain is, and offer an introduction to the various currencies on the market today. This is not a highly technical book but rather a great introduction to the space.
9. Mastering Blockchain: Unlocking the Power of Cryptocurrencies, Smart Contracts, and Decentralized Applications
- Author: Lorne Lantz and Daniel Cawrey
- Publisher: O’Reilly Media, 1st Edition
- Reading Level: Intermediate
- Topics Covered: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Crime
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 who have worked in the space for the last decade, this book covers a wide variety of ideas behind the blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and smart contracts. This is the ideal read for those who are deciding whether to invest in the industry or want to gain a foundation of knowledge around the subject.
To really level up your knowledge, you could also take this:
Cryptocurrency course from MIT Media Lab.
10. 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
The focus of this book is more so on the evolution (and inevitable demise) of our current financial system and less on Bitcoin/the blockchain. Yet, it is still considered one of the best blockchain books because it sheds light on the fact that cryptocurrency could be the solution to our monetary problems.
The author unapologetically calls out economic crimes, argues the way of various governments, and provides a detailed historical account of central banking. This is a great read for anyone interested in economics.
11. Financial Services Revolution: How Blockchain is Transforming Money, Markets, and Banking
- Author: Alex Tapscott
- Publisher: Barlow Publishing
- Reading Level: Intermediate/Advanced
- Topics Covered: Financial industry and Compliance
This book acts as a sequel to Blockchain Revolution by Don and Alex Tapscott and is geared toward those who want to understand the impact the blockchain holds over the financial industry and how it will affect the future.
Each chapter contains contributions from some of the world’s top blockchain experts and covers topics ranging from open finance, DeFi, and Libra, to the more controversial side of regulations and compliance.
12. The Age of Cryptocurrency: How Bitcoin and the Blockchain Are Challenging the Global Economic Order
- Author: Paul Vigna and Michael J. Casey
- Publisher: Picador
- Reading Level: Intermediate/Advanced
- Topics Covered: Cyber-Economy, Cryptocurrency, and History
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 someone who has little to no prior knowledge of cryptocurrency, as the book spends less time explaining the fundamentals of crypto and more time exploring the technology, impacts, and problems behind it. However, this is one of the best blockchain books for those who are a bit skeptical of the digital finance industry.
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. You’ll even find different opinions and pieces of information from one author to the next.
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, which includes an in-depth explanation of blockchain and the technology behind it.
Interested in the powerful business applications that blockchain can offer? Try this 5-week course:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. 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.
2. 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. Read our in-depth comparison of the top blockchain courses and tutorials if you’d like to further expand your knowledge.
