A guide for complete beginners, written for people who want to understand what they are doing before they do it. 46 short chapters, 34 diagrams, and one thread all the way through: know what you actually own, how to keep it safe, and how to report it correctly to HMRC.
Who is it for?
- You have never bought any crypto and want to start without getting caught out on your first move.
- You already have a few quid in an app and are not sure where your crypto actually lives.
- You sell or swap once in a while and Self Assessment gives you a headache before you even open it.
If you are looking for trading strategies or a list of cryptos to buy, this book is not for you: it gives none.
What you will be able to do
01
Understand
Blockchain, Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins: the ideas, without the jargon.
02
Buy
Choose a properly registered platform, make a first purchase, set up pound-cost averaging.
03
Secure
Address, private key, seed phrase: what you actually own, and how to keep it.
04
Protect yourself
The playbook behind almost every scam, and the exact steps if the worst happens.
05
Sell
Sell, cash out to pounds, and understand the fees that quietly add up.
06
Report
Capital Gains Tax and Self Assessment explained with a worked example, pooling rules, and the SA108.
Included with the book
The tracking spreadsheet
Every reader gets a tracking spreadsheet: one row per transaction, to log what you bought, sold or traded and keep the record you will need for your Self Assessment. The access code is printed in the book.
Go to the bonus pageFrequently asked questions
Is trading one crypto for another taxable in the UK?
Yes. Exchanging one crypto for another, even into a stablecoin, is a disposal for Capital Gains Tax purposes, exactly like selling for pounds. There is no rollover for crypto-to-crypto swaps in the UK, unlike in some other countries.
What is the tax rate on crypto capital gains?
18% if you are a basic rate taxpayer, 24% if you are in a higher or additional rate band. Unlike in the US, how long you have held the asset makes no difference: only your total taxable income sets the rate.
Is there a tax-free allowance?
Yes, the Annual Exempt Amount: £3,000 of net gains per year, across all your assets, not just crypto. You may also need to report your sales through Self Assessment once your total proceeds for the year pass £50,000, even without a net gain.
Do I need to report anything if I have not sold?
No Capital Gains Tax is due without a disposal. Simply holding crypto, or moving it to a wallet you control, is not a taxable event. Only a sale, a crypto-to-crypto swap, a payment or a gift triggers it.
How do I check that a crypto platform is properly registered?
Check the FCA register at register.fca.org.uk, and use the FCA Firm Checker, which replaced ScamSmart in 2026. Being registered for anti-money-laundering purposes is not a guarantee on your money, but its absence is a red flag.
Where should I store my seed phrase?
Offline, never as a photo, never in the cloud, never shared with anyone. Paper is enough to learn with small amounts; beyond that, a metal plate survives fire and water.
The author
Léo Maraval explains crypto the way someone should have explained it to you on day one: clearly, calmly, with nothing to sell.
Next in the series
BOOK 2
The Other Cryptos
Families, use cases and narratives: how to read a project before you put a pound into it.
BOOK 3
Putting Your Crypto to Work
DeFi: lending, providing liquidity, earning yield, and the risks that come with it.