woman holding a bitcoin sticker with text overlay that says the world's best bitcoin books for investors blockchain developers and more

11 Best Bitcoin Books for 2024 [beginner to advanced Bitcoin investors, blockchain developers and crypto enthusiasts]

Today we’re looking at the best Bitcoin books of this year.

🧠 Did you know? According to The Wall Street Journal, creator Satoshi Nakomoto created Bitcoin in 2008.

What is Bitcoin?

Simply put, Bitcoin is a decentralized currency that can be sent peer-to-peer instead of through banks or governments.

There’s a public ledger called a blockchain that records all Bitcoin transactions, of which copies are held on servers worldwide.

Bitcoin logo orange circle with capital B with two lines through it

Depending on who you talk to, the future of Bitcoin remains uncertain.

Some believe it to be the currency of the future. Others suspect it’s a bubble ready to burst and dissolve into oblivion.

Either way, we’re here for it.

And you are, too.

Today we’re showing you Bitcoin books for:

  • investors
  • blockchain developers
  • cryptocurrency enthusiasts
  • people curious about Bitcoin

And beyond.

So whether you want to invest in Bitcoin or become a blockchain developer, we’ve got some of the best Bitcoin books to get you going.

This post contains affiliate links. We may receive compensation if you buy something. Read our disclosure for more details.

TLDR: Best Bitcoin Books

🔥 Best Overall for Bitcoin Investors 🔥
The Bitcoin Standard

💥 Best for Bitcoin Newbies 💥

The Only Bitcoin Investing Book You’ll Ever Need

💸 Best for Blockchain Developers 💸

Programming Bitcoin

Best Bitcoin Books

Now let’s take a look at some of the best Bitcoin books of this year.

In this post, we’ll show you their:

  • features
  • core concepts
  • layout
  • comparisons

And more.

Our first 8 titles we’ve selected for best Bitcoin books cater to investors, Bitcoin newbies and cryptocurrency enthusiasts. After that, you’ll discover our top 3 picks for aspiring Bitcoin & blockchain developers.

1. The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking

↘️ Ideal for: curious Bitcoin investors
↘️
Topics covered: economic, political and social implications of Bitcoin

Taking a look at the historical rise of Bitcoin, this book examines Bitcoin in three scopes:

✅ economic

✅ political

✅ social

➡️ The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous is considered by many to be one of the best Bitcoin books of all time.

You’ll start by taking a journey into the past’s technologies that performed the functions of money like seashells, metals, coins and beyond.

Then you’ll immerse yourself in modern times with Bitcoin. Using function and intuition, you’ll explore how the Internet now performs the functions of money without trusting in the physical realm.

Some tables you’ll find in The Bitcoin Standard

Best understood as the first successful form of digital cash, The Bitcoin Standard argues that Bitcoin gives individuals a competitive edge over governments and politics.

You’ll also find answers to some common questions like:

✅ Is Bitcoin for criminals?

✅ Is mining Bitcoin a waste of energy?

✅ What about Bitcoin knock-offs?

And more.


2. The Only Bitcoin Investing Book You’ll Ever Need

↘️ Ideal for: Bitcoin investors
↘️
Topics covered: purchasing, what to avoid, downsides

The Only Bitcoin Investing Book You’ll Ever Need is quite a bit different than The Bitcoin Standard.

Rather than a strong history lesson, you’ll learn actionable steps you can take now to invest in Bitcoin.

➡️ In our opinion, The Only Bitcoin Investing Book You’ll Ever Need is one of the best Bitcoin books for beginners.

Getting rid of the hype, this book focuses on the facts about utilizing Bitcoin as a financial asset.

You’ll learn important lessons like:

✅ how to buy Bitcoin

✅ how to automate your Bitcoin purchases

✅ why you should avoid Robinhood when buying Bitcoin

✅ the percentage of Bitcoin transactions used for illegal activity

And beyond.

Financial gurus who have moved their assets to Bitcoin in The Only Bitcoin Investing Book You’ll Ever Need

Packed with easy-to-follow advice, you’ll gain the knowledge to buy and store Bitcoin yourself as opposed to paying a middleman.


3. A Beginner’s Guide To Bitcoin

↘️ Ideal for: Bitcoin beginners
↘️
Topics covered: different cryptocurrencies, storage, security

A Beginner’s Guide to Bitcoin is similar to The Only Bitcoin Investing Book You’ll Ever Need, but it’s a little easier on the wallet.

➡️ A Beginner’s Guide To Bitcoin is perhaps one of the best Bitcoin books for Bitcoin investors on a budget.

First you’ll read author Matthew R. Kratter’s opinions on Bitcoin being a legitimate form of currency, and how it’s different from other cryptocurrencies.

Then you’ll learn:

✅ the best way to buy Bitcoin

✅ how to securely store Bitcoin

✅ how to create a financial future with Bitcoin

And much, much more.

You’ll also learn one of the most important lessons: what you should never do when buying Bitcoin.

What Bitcoin investors are saying about A Beginner’s Guide to Bitcoin:

…This book succinctly and convincingly builds the argument for the Bitcoin future while addressing and dismantling Bitcoin’s most popular critiques…

Joel Peterson

4. The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains

↘️ Ideal for: cryptocurrency newbies
↘️
Topics covered: Bitcoin, blockchains

The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains is a bit different than the other books on our list so far.

That’s because in addition to learning about Bitcoin, you’ll come to understand the workings of blockchain technology.

bitcoins and blockchains

➡️ The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains is arguably one of the best Bitcoin books for learning about what powers cryptocurrency.

There are three core components of this book:

1️⃣ Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies – Here is where you’ll learn the history of Bitcoin, the Bitcoin blockchain and buying/selling/mining Bitcoin.

Diagram of dollar purchasing power in The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains

2️⃣ Blockchain technology – You’ll learn what blockchain is and how it works. You’ll also learn about blockchain platforms and smart contracts.

3️⃣ What to know before buying cryptocurrency – Discover insights into Bitcoin investing. You’ll also learn how to identify scams, understand cryptocurrency exchanges and beyond.


5. Bitcoin: Hard Money You Can’t F*ck With

↘️ Ideal for: Bitcoin investors
↘️
Topics covered: history of money, importance of Bitcoin

This book is different than any other on our list largely due to its bluntness.

Because of the decline in values of currencies worldwide, Bitcoin: Hard Money You Can’t F*ck With asserts that Bitcoin will be the next global reserve currency.

➡️ We believe Bitcoin: Hard Money You Can’t F*ck With is one of the best Bitcoin books for no-nonsense Bitcoin investors.

The book is separated into three sections.

First, you’ll learn all about Bitcoin, starting with how it emerged from the 2008 banking crisis.

Second, you’ll learn about money and why printing cash has historically devalued the worth of currency.

Decline of the dollar’s buying power over time in Bitcoin: Hard Money You Can’t F*ck With

Third and finally, you’ll explore the possibility of Bitcoin becoming the next global reserve currency.


6. Blockchain Bubble or Revolution: The Future of Bitcoin, Blockchains, and Cryptocurrencies

↘️ Ideal for: cautious Bitcoin investors
↘️
Topics covered: future of Bitcoin and blockchains

Blockchain Bubble or Revolution is pretty much the opposite of Bitcoin: Hard Money You Can’t F*ck With.

That’s because instead of visualizing Bitcoin as the next global reserve currency, Blockchain Bubble or Revolution explores the possibility that Bitcoin is a passing phase.

blockchain books bubble or revolution?

➡️ Blockchain Bubble or Revolution authored by Google, Microsoft and Facebook employees, is possibly one of the best Bitcoin books for level-headed Bitcoin investors.

That’s because it takes a well-rounded look at the future of Bitcoin and blockchains.

While some experts believe Bitcoin to be a scam, others see it as revolutionary as the invention of the Internet.

Starting with the history of Bitcoin, you’ll then learn how it works from a technical perspective. They you’ll explore key crypto concepts like:

✅ blocks

✅ mining

✅ nodes

✅ keys

And beyond.

Then you’ll explore public and private blockchains, cryptocurrency regulation and the future of decentralized technology.

What Bitcoin investors are saying about Blockchain Bubble or Revolution:

…If you are looking for an easy to understand overview of how blockchain works, why it matters, AND where the technology is headed from an unbiased perspective, I’d highly recommend checking out Bubble or Revolution!

Ben

7. The 7th Property: Bitcoin and the Monetary Revolution

↘️ Ideal for: Bitcoin newbies
↘️
Topics covered: wealth inequality, expenses, taxes

The 7th Property starts off with a heavy focus on the history of money, central banking and the federal reserve.

➡️ We believe The 7th Property is one of the best Bitcoin books for learning the logistics of implementing Bitcoin over fiat currency.

After learning about the cycle of centralized banking, you’ll dive right into the history of Bitcoin, what it does and how it works.

Then you’ll explore the ecosystem and properties before finishing off with criticisms of Bitcoin.

Dimensions of money in The 7th Property

8. Inventing Bitcoin

↘️ Ideal for: Bitcoin newbies
↘️
Topics covered: Bitcoin fundamentals

This short, 2 hour read will walk you through the fundamentals behind Bitcoin.

➡️ Inventing Bitcoin is possibly one of the best Bitcoin books for readers with a short attention span.

Starting with the absolute basics, you gain insight into the most common question: What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin diagram in Inventing Bitcoin

Then you’ll delve into the technology behind Bitcoin.

In the process, you’ll follow author Yan Pritzker’s personal journey into the ups and flows of their investments in Bitcoin.


The following are some of the best Bitcoin books for blockchain developers.

9. Programming Bitcoin: Learn How to Program Bitcoin from Scratch

↘️ Ideal for: Python developers
↘️
Topics covered: programming Bitcoin

Programming Bitcoin is similar to Mastering Bitcoin, but Programming Bitcoin goes a little more in depth.

➡️ In our opinion, Programming Bitcoin is one of the best Bitcoin books for Python developers.

Using Python, you’ll learn how to program a Bitcoin library from scratch by working with the foundations of Bitcoin:

✅ math

✅ blocks

✅ network

✅ transactions

And more.

You’ll code all the components you need while learning how to get data from peers, create transactions and send transactions over the network.


10. Mastering Blockchain

↘️ Ideal for: technologists, business executives, Bitcoin enthusiasts
↘️
Topics covered: Bitcoin, blockchains, smart contracts, cryptocurrencies

Mastering Blockchain is similar to Programming Bitcoin, but it goes even deeper yet.

In addition to learning about Bitcoin and blockchain, you’ll explore other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum.

➡️ Mastering Blockchain is possibly one of the best Bitcoin books for exploring other cryptocurrencies.

You’ll start with the basics like learning what blockchain is and the mechanisms behind Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Then you’ll understand cryptography and its relevance to blockchain.

After that, you’ll dive into smart contracts.

Finally, you’ll develop decentralized applications using Solidity, Remix, Truffle and more.

What Bitcoin investors are saying about Mastering Blockchain:

Recommend highly as an in depth guide to blockchain at all skill levels.

LV

11. Mastering Bitcoin: Programming the Open Blockchain

↘️ Ideal for: developers, engineers, software and systems architects
↘️
Topics covered: technical foundations of Bitcoin, stories, examples

Mastering Bitcoin is an introduction to Bitcoin for developers, engineers, and software and systems architects.

➡️ Mastering Bitcoin is arguably one of the best Bitcoin books for understanding the technical foundations of Bitcoin.

You’ll discover details about:

peer-to-peer architecture

✅ transaction lifecycle

✅ security principles

And more.

Mycelium mobile wallet in Mastering Bitcoin

With users stories, examples and code snippets, you’ll find explanations of Bitcoin keys, addresses and wallets.

You’ll also explore developments like Segregated Witness, Payment Channels, and Lightning Network.


Best Bitcoin Books: Conclusion

Today we looked at the best Bitcoin books including:

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
The Bitcoin Standard

💥 Best for Newbies 💥

The Only Bitcoin Investing Book You’ll Ever Need

💸 Best Value 💸

A Beginner’s Guide To Bitcoin

So whether you’re just getting started with Bitcoin or are ready to master the internal workings of it, we think these are the best Bitcoin books of this year.


Readers of Best Bitcoin Books are also reading:


  1. What are the best Bitcoin books?

    In our opinion there are three that stand out. Overall, we think The Bitcoin Standard is the way to go. For newbies, we like The Only Bitcoin Investing Book You’ll Ever Need. And for value, we think A Beginner’s Guide to Bitcoin is the best. To learn more about these and other best Bitcoin books, be sure to check out today’s article.

  2. Is the book Mastering Bitcoin worth it?

    Yes, we think Mastering Bitcoin is worth it. Starting with an explanation of the technical foundations of Bitcoin, you’ll discover details about peer to peer architecture, transaction lifecycle, security principles and more. With users stories, examples and code snippets, you’ll find explanations of Bitcoin keys, addresses and wallets. Learn more about Mastering Bitcoin in today’s post.

  3. Is the book The Bitcoin Standard worth it?

    Yes, we think The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous is worth it. Taking a look at the historical rise of Bitcoin, this book examines Bitcoin in three scopes: economic, political and social. You’ll start by taking a journey into the past’s technologies that performed the functions of money like seashells, metals, coins and beyond. Then you’ll immerse yourself in modern times with Bitcoin. Using function and intuition, you’ll explore how the Internet now performs the functions of money without trusting in the physical realm. Learn more about this and other Bitcoin books in today’s article.

  4. Is The 7th Property worth it?

    Yes, we think The 7th Property is worth it. It starts off with a heavy focus on the history of money, central banking and the federal reserve. After learning about the cycle of centralized banking, you’ll dive right into the history of Bitcoin, what it does and how it works. Then you’ll explore the ecosystem and properties before finishing off with criticisms of Bitcoin. Learn more about this and other Bitcoin books in today’s article.