WalletConnect is a protocol used by many crypto wallets that allows you to easily connect with the many DApps of decentralized finance (DeFi). Simply find the DApp you want to interact with, connect with a QR code or deep link, and you’re good to go. Always remember to disconnect at the end of any session for maximum security

Ethereum is a decentralized computing platform. You can think of it like a laptop or PC, but it doesn't run on a single device. Instead, it simultaneously runs on thousands of machines around the world, meaning that it has no owner.

Bitcoin is a digital form of cash. But unlike the fiat currencies you’re used to, there is no central bank controlling it. Instead, the financial system in Bitcoin is run by thousands of computers distributed around the world. Anyone can participate in the ecosystem by downloading open-source software.

A blockchain is a special type of database. You may also have heard the term distributed ledger technology (or DLT) – in many cases, they're referring to the same thing.

If you’re interested in the Ethereum ecosystem, you need an application like MetaMask. Far more than a simple wallet, it allows you to interact with websites that integrate Ethereum.

Cryptocurrencies have some pretty unique properties. They can’t be hacked or shut down easily, and anyone can use them to transmit value around the globe without a third party’s intervention. To ensure that these features remain, significant trade-offs must be made. Since many nodes are responsible for running a cryptocurrency network, throughput is limited. As a result, the number of transactions per second (TPS) a blockchain network can process is relatively low for a technology that aims to be adopted by the masses.

When it comes to trading – whether you’re dealing with century-old stocks or nascent cryptocurrencies – there’s no exact science involved. Or, if there is, Wall Street’s top players ensure that the formula remains a well-kept secret.