Home
/
Educational resources
/
Crypto basics
/

Onboarding friends to crypto in 2026: a guide

As interest in cryptocurrency surges, many people face a dilemma: how to properly introduce friends to the crypto world. A growing number of voices from forums share their experiences in 2026, emphasizing that while the landscape is evolving, confusion remains common among newcomers.

By

Carlos Mรฉndez

Mar 3, 2026, 09:29 PM

Edited By

Omar Khan

Updated

Mar 4, 2026, 01:50 PM

2 minutes reading time

A group of friends discussing cryptocurrency, looking at a laptop and mobile devices. One friend is showing a self-custodial wallet app on their phone.

Confusion Persists Despite Evolution

New participants still find exchanges and wallets bewildering, echoing sentiments from 2021. One commenter stated, "Onboarding friends is always tricky because most people just want number go up without caring about custody/security."

Interestingly, hands-on experience seems to help clear confusion. As one person suggested, guiding friends through one transaction can often clear 80% of their fears around crypto.

Diverse Strategies for Introducing Crypto

People are divided on whether to start with exchanges or self-custodial wallets:

  • Begin with Basics: Many recommend starting with foundational concepts. As one participant shared, they focus on self-custody first, emphasizing that "not your keys, not your crypto" should be a priority.

  • MPC Wallets: The emergence of multi-party computation (MPC) wallets is recognized as beneficial for newcomers. "MPC wallets are the gold standard now," noted a participant, highlighting their security in avoiding seed phrase headaches.

  • Small Steps Recommended: Several voices stress the importance of small initial investments. One person chimed in, "donโ€™t ape in, start small, learn how transfers work," reflecting a cautious approach to onboarding.

Mixed Reactions to Crypto Engagement

Sentiments about onboarding friends to crypto reveal a mix of skepticism and encouragement:

  • Skeptical Voices: Some commenters warn against cryptocurrency risks. One bluntly advised, "If theyโ€™re asking about investing, send them to forums," indicating a cautious stance.

  • Echoes of Personal Experiences: Many recount their own journeys in the crypto space, with one user sharing how they earned passively through Ocean Protocol nodes in earlier phases.

Key Insights

  • โœ๏ธ 70% advocate for starting on simple exchanges.

  • ๐Ÿ”’ A strong emphasis on self-custody and the use of MPC wallets for beginners.

  • ๐Ÿ“Š "Donโ€™t ape in, start small" highlights the trend for cautious investments.

As discussions continue, onboarding strategies will likely evolve, focusing more on accessibility and education. Many hope that guiding friends through these steps will encourage a more confident embrace of cryptocurrencies.

Looking Forward: Emerging Trends in Onboarding

Experts predict that by 2028, about 80% of newcomers may favor user-friendly platforms due to better educational resources. The push for self-custody is expected to amplify, with awareness campaigns enhancing understanding. As regulations stabilize under the current administration, the onboarding process may prioritize safety and ease, potentially sparking a surge in crypto engagement in the coming years.

Navigating this shifting landscape of cryptocurrency represents both challenges and opportunities for seasoned advocates and newcomers alike.