Book a session

How Crypto Works, In Plain English

What actually happens when you send crypto, who really holds it, and the order to learn it all in. No jargon, no hype.

What Happens When You Send Crypto

Scroll slowly. Each step below matches what the picture is doing.

  1. Your phone signs and sends it. Your wallet uses your private key to sign the payment, which proves it came from you, then broadcasts it. Your key never leaves your phone.
  2. The network passes it along. Thousands of independent computers share the payment with each other within seconds. No single company is in charge of passing it on.
  3. It waits its turn. Payments wait in a public queue. The fee you choose decides how quickly yours moves up. A higher fee means a shorter wait, not a safer payment.
  4. It is written into a new block. A batch of waiting payments is packed into a block and added to the chain. From now on, everyone’s copy of the record includes your payment.
  5. Confirmations build up. Each new block stacked on top makes the payment harder to undo. After a few confirmations, the recipient can treat it as final.

Who Holds The Keys?

Owning crypto really means controlling the key that can move it. Whoever holds that key is in charge. Here are the two places most people keep crypto.

ExchangeYou

On an exchange

The exchange holds the key for you, like a bank holds your cash. You log in to an account to see and move your crypto.

Good for

  • Buying for the first time
  • Easy password reset if you forget your login
  • Small amounts you plan to move soon

Watch out for

  • The exchange can freeze or limit withdrawals
  • If the exchange fails or is hacked, your crypto is at risk
  • Fake “support” accounts that ask for your login

What You Can Learn

Private one-on-one sessions, in plain English, at your pace. Most people start with one of these two areas.

Crypto foundations

How crypto actually works, without jargon.

Topics

  • How blockchains workWhat a blockchain is, why it is hard to change, and what “decentralised” really means.
  • Wallets and exchangesThe difference between an account with a company and a wallet you control.
  • Buying and feesWhat happens when you buy, the fees involved, and how to read what you are being charged.

Afterwards, you can

  • Explain crypto to a friend in a few sentences
  • Choose where to keep crypto with your eyes open
  • Make a first small purchase without surprises

Security and safety

Keeping what you have, and keeping scammers out.

Topics

  • Securing your walletRecovery words, two-step codes and passwords, set up properly and stored safely.
  • Buying and sending safelyChecking addresses, test payments, and the habits that prevent costly mistakes.
  • Spotting scamsThe messages, ads and “opportunities” designed to take your crypto, and how to shut them down.

Afterwards, you can

  • Know exactly where your recovery words are and who can see them
  • Send crypto without second-guessing the address
  • Recognise and ignore the common scams

How RJ Teaches

  • Structured path

    A clear order to learn things in, from complete beginner to confident. You always know what comes next and why.

  • One-on-one guidance

    Patient, private and built around your questions. Nothing is too basic to ask, and you are never rushed.

  • Hands-on practice

    You do each step yourself, on your own device, plus practice tools like the pretend wallet on this page.

A Path From Curious To Confident

Five stops, in order. You can start at whichever one fits, and go at whatever speed suits you.

  1. What crypto is

    After this, you can explain what a blockchain is and why crypto has value to some people.

  2. Wallets

    After this, you can tell an exchange account from a wallet, and choose which suits you.

  3. Buying safely

    After this, you can make a small first purchase and understand every fee you paid.

  4. Staying safe

    After this, you can protect your recovery words and recognise the common scams.

  5. Going further

    After this, you can ask good questions about anything new, and know what to ignore.

Ready When You Are.

Pick a time that suits you in RJ’s calendar. A private, patient session built around your questions.

RJ will never ask for passwords, codes or crypto.

Loading RJ’s calendar…

If the calendar does not load, open it directly: Open RJ’s calendar in a new tab