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Ben Griffiths
Ben Griffiths
Brisbane, Australia

I built this site after years of sharing the same podcasts, videos, and books with anyone who asked me about Bitcoin. This is all of it, in one place.

If you would prefer one-on-one guidance, whether that is walking through your first purchase, setting up self-custody, or understanding how Bitcoin fits into your financial picture, I offer personal training sessions tailored to where you are in the journey.

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Buy, Store, HODL

A practical guide to buying your first Bitcoin, securing it properly, and building a long-term strategy. Australian-focused with global options.

How to Buy Bitcoin

The most straightforward way to buy Bitcoin is through a reputable Bitcoin-only exchange. These platforms focus exclusively on Bitcoin, reducing distractions and risks associated with altcoins. Globally, the most trusted Bitcoin-only exchanges include Swan Bitcoin, River, and Bull Bitcoin.

If you're in Australia, you have excellent local options. Bitaroo is a user-friendly, high-security exchange for buying and selling Bitcoin with AUD, offering advanced trading tools and Lightning Network integration. Amber is a mobile-first platform designed for easy dollar-cost averaging (DCA), supporting Lightning payments and ideal for beginners. Hardblock is another trusted exchange, known for its simple interface and auto-DCA feature.

To get started, create an account on one of these platforms and complete the setup process. Once your account is funded, you can buy Bitcoin. Always withdraw your Bitcoin to a personal wallet you control after your purchase.

Hot Wallets vs. Cold Wallets

Once you've purchased Bitcoin, the next step is to move it off the exchange and into a wallet you control. This is crucial for your security and privacy.

A hot wallet is a software wallet connected to the internet, making it convenient for everyday use and small amounts. Think of it like a physical wallet in your pocket. One of the best hot wallets for beginners is BlueWallet: open-source, easy to use, supports both on-chain and Lightning transactions, available on iOS and Android.

For larger amounts or long-term storage, a cold wallet (hardware wallet) is the gold standard. Cold wallets keep your private keys offline and safe from online threats. Coldcard is a highly respected Bitcoin-only hardware wallet known for robust security and open-source firmware. The BitBox02 (Bitcoin-only edition) is another excellent choice, offering a simple, secure, privacy-focused experience.

Why Withdraw from Exchanges?

Leaving your Bitcoin on an exchange means you don't truly own it. The exchange holds the private keys, and you're exposed to risks like hacks, insolvency, or frozen accounts.

By withdrawing to your own wallet, you take full control of your Bitcoin, ensuring that only you can access or move your funds. This is the essence of "not your keys, not your coins."

Australian Exchanges

These are Bitcoin-focused exchanges that prioritise low fees, privacy, and a Bitcoin-only experience. No altcoins. No distractions.

Exchange · AU
Bitaroo
Australian Bitcoin-only exchange. Low fees, fast AUD deposits, and a clean interface. The go-to for Aussie stackers.
Exchange · AU
Amber
Simple auto-buy app. Set up recurring purchases and dollar-cost average into Bitcoin effortlessly.
Exchange · AU
Hardblock
Australian Bitcoin-only platform with a focus on education and self-custody support.

Global Exchanges

For our UK, Swiss, and international audience. These are trusted Bitcoin-focused platforms.

Exchange
Swan Bitcoin
US-based, Bitcoin-only. Excellent auto-buy features and educational content baked in.
Exchange
River
Premium Bitcoin-only exchange with zero-fee recurring buys and Lightning Network support.
Exchange
Bull Bitcoin
Canadian Bitcoin-only exchange. Non-custodial by default, sends directly to your wallet.
Hot wallet
What: App on your phone
Best for: Small amounts, daily use
Security: Good (software keys)
Setup: 5 minutes
Cost: Free
Cold wallet
What: Dedicated hardware device
Best for: Larger amounts, long-term
Security: Excellent (offline keys)
Setup: 30 minutes
Cost: $50 - $200

Start hot. Graduate to cold as your stack grows.

Wallets — Hot (Phone)

A hot wallet lives on your phone. It's convenient for small amounts and learning how self-custody works. Think of it like a physical wallet in your pocket.

Mobile Wallet
BlueWallet
Beautiful, open-source Bitcoin wallet. Supports on-chain and Lightning. The best starting wallet.
Mobile Wallet
Muun
Self-custodial Bitcoin and Lightning wallet. Seamless on-chain and Lightning from a single balance with 2-of-2 multisig security.
Mobile Wallet
AQUA
Non-custodial Bitcoin, Lightning, and Liquid wallet by JAN3. Great for beginners and travellers. Built-in USDt support for spending.

Wallets — Cold (Hardware)

A cold wallet stores your Bitcoin offline. For any amount you'd be upset to lose, cold storage is essential. These are the most trusted options.

DIY Wallet
SeedSigner
Build your own air-gapped signing device with a Raspberry Pi. Fully open-source. For the privacy-maximalist.
Hardware Wallet
BitBox02
Swiss-made, minimalist hardware wallet. Bitcoin-only edition available. Excellent for beginners.
Hardware Wallet
Bitkey
By Block (formerly Square). Simple 2-of-3 multisig setup designed for everyday people. Very beginner-friendly.
Hardware Wallet
Coldcard
The gold standard of Bitcoin hardware wallets. Air-gapped, open-source, and Bitcoin-only by design.

Secure Your Seed Phrase on Metal

Your seed phrase is the key to your Bitcoin. Paper degrades. Metal endures.

Metal Backup
SeedHammer
Air-gapped metal engraving machine for Bitcoin seed phrases. Engraves plain text and SeedQR onto 316L stainless steel. The ultimate backup. We own one and offer it as a service.

Want your seed phrase engraved on steel? Rent our SeedHammer or book a learning session to do it yourself with guidance.

Video Walkthroughs

Step-by-step guides covering wallet setup, seed phrase backup, hardware wallet configuration, and more. Watch along and follow at your own pace.

Bitcoin Walkthrough
Getting Started with Bitcoin
Bitcoin Walkthrough
Exchange to Wallet Walkthrough
Bitcoin Walkthrough
Wallet Setup Guide
Bitcoin Walkthrough
Hardware Wallet Setup
Bitcoin Walkthrough
Seed Phrase Backup
Bitcoin Walkthrough
Cold Storage Walkthrough
Bitcoin Walkthrough
DIY Signing Device
Bitcoin Walkthrough
Understanding Bitcoin Addresses
Bitcoin Walkthrough
Transaction Fees Explained
Bitcoin Walkthrough
Security Best Practices