Ever noticed how one news headline can almost wipe billions off of a company’s value overnight? (Can someone please tell Elon Musk to stop tweeting?) This is because international media coverage has tremendous power. Good coverage boosts public trust and investments, while bad coverage, well, can create havoc for any industry and damage reputations.
Studies show that positive news coverage can increase a company’s market value by up to 10% in one week. This applies to all industries: tech, energy, finance, aviation, and beauty. All this happens because, today, a reputation travels at the speed of Wi-Fi.
How Media Shapes the Crypto Market
Cryptocurrency is still a hot topic in 2025, dominating mainstream media for almost a decade. It also happens to be one of the most media-sensitive topics out there because investor confidence relies heavily on perception.
For example, when major media outlets report that Bitcoin is surging, new buyers flood in, hoping to make a quick fortune. However, when they report hacks or market scandals, prices drop within hours as many panic and lose confidence in their investments.
The stats don’t lie. Over 75% of new crypto investors say that they were or have been influenced by media or online trends. Another thing to understand is the sheer amount of misinformation that exists out there because crypto changes faster than fact checkers can keep up with. Knowing how to buy crypto properly based on research and not reactions is the best foundation. That’s because having this information separates smart investors from the emotional ones, and allows you to make more informed decisions.
Understanding What You’re Investing In
Over 425 million people hold crypto globally. Crypto is digital money that runs on the blockchain: a public, secure database that records every transaction transparently. The big three are Bitcoin (digital gold), Ethereum (programmable money), and stablecoins (crypto backed by real currencies).
Also, this is why when you know what you’re getting into, you’re less likely to panic when headlines swing. Another key statistic is that 60% of Bitcoin supply hasn’t moved in a year, meaning real investors are holding long-term.
Doing Your Homework Before You Buy
Before buying any token, it’s worth understanding what makes one crypto better than another. Look at price history, project development, and what drives its value. Things like partnerships, upcoming updates, or staking rewards.
Firstly, check the whitepaper (the project’s mission statement). If it’s full of vague words like “revolutionary” or “next gen”… that’s a red flag. Next, check out GitHub. Developers post their code there. If you can see regular updates there, it’s a clear sign that the project is alive. If it’s quiet, well, that’s usually bad.
Lastly, make sure the project you’re investing in is regularly audited. Meaning it has safety checks by experts. If it hasn’t been audited, your money may be at risk. $7.8 billion was lost to unaudited crypto projects in 2024.
Choosing a Safe, Reliable Exchange
Centralised exchanges (like Coinbase and Kraken) are regulated and user-friendly. Decentralised ones (like Uniswap) give you control but no safety net. 78% of all crypto trading volume still happens on centralised exchanges.
When looking for an exchange to participate in, look for Proof-of-Reserves, insurance, and strong security history. Also, if an exchange spends more on marketing than it does on audits, it’s best to walk away while you still can.
Never sign up somewhere because it’s trending on social media.
Verifying Your Account and Funding It Securely
Yes, it’s annoying, but KYC-verified users have 90% fewer fraud issues. Always use a strong password (no birthdays or pets’ names) and enable two-factor verification for added safety.
Consider how you’ll fund your account. Choose from bank transfers (for a low fee), credit cards (faster but pricier) or PayPal. Usually, fees can average between 0.1 and 1.5% per trade.
Making Your First Purchase (Stay Rational)
Market vs limit orders: The market buys instantly while limit orders wait for your price. Google searches for Bitcoin spike 200% during big news events. That’s when FOMO hits hardest.
Start small. The smartest investors buy regularly instead of timing the market. This is called dollar-cost averaging. Fidelity found long-term holders outperform short-term traders every year.
Storing Your Crypto Safely
Hot wallets are online and convenient, whereas cold wallets are offline and safer. Examples are Ledger and Trezor. $3.8 billion in crypto was stolen in 2022, mostly from exchange wallets. Remember, if you don’t hold your private keys, you probably don’t truly own your crypto.
Keep Learning and Think for Yourself
Crypto never stands still, and neither should your learning. By 2030, tokenized assets could reach $10 trillion globally, all the more reason to keep your head in the game.
Knowing how to buy crypto is more about the mindset you keep. Media headlines come and go, but smart habits stay.
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