Welcome to Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association
Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association
Release Date: 10/28/2025
28: Behind Every Transaction: How Crypto Really Works
Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association
Ever nodded along when someone mentioned gas fees or layer twos, secretly hoping no one would ask you to explain? You are definitely not alone. The truth is, once you understand how crypto actually moves from one person to another, a lot of the mystery disappears. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager walks through the four concepts that explain how crypto moves under the hood, giving you the vocabulary to follow along in any conversation. We start with gas fees, the small cost of asking a global network of computers to process and verify your transaction, and why those fees go...
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27: The Latest In Crypto: Breaking Down Recent Headlines
Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association
Crypto headlines can feel overwhelming, full of noise, strong opinions, and confusing signals. This episode breaks them down into simple, clear takeaways so you can understand what is actually happening and what is worth paying attention to. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we unpack the biggest crypto headlines shaping the space right now. We break down media skepticism through the Ben McKenzie documentary, PayPal expanding its PYUSD stablecoin globally, banks like Wells Fargo exploring digital dollars, and how companies like Mastercard are integrating blockchain into everyday payment...
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26: Inside the NCA: How Crypto, Explained Was Built with Ant Lillingston | VP of Marketing, NCA
Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association
Crypto can feel confusing when the story behind it is missing. Many people hear about crypto through headlines, trends, or opinions, but rarely understand who is building it or why it exists in the first place. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Ant Lillingston, VP of Marketing at the National Cryptocurrency Association, to unpack why the NCA was created and how Crypto, Explained came to life. We break down how crypto inherited a culture of complexity and exclusion, why that created a gap for everyday people, and how the NCA is working to make crypto more accessible through...
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25: The 5 Biggest Cryptocurrencies Explained
Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association
Crypto includes a wide range of digital assets, each built for a specific function within the broader ecosystem. Understanding what each one does is key to making sense of how crypto works in practice. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we walk through five of the most widely used cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano, and break down what each one is designed to do. We cover how they differ in purpose, from storing value to enabling payments, powering applications, and supporting scalable networks. We also highlight a few additional cryptocurrencies to give you a...
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24: The Next Wave of Crypto Participation with PayPal + Karin | SXSW Panel
Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association
Crypto can feel overwhelming when it lives in headlines, hype, and technical language. But behind all of that, it is increasingly becoming something people and businesses use in real, practical ways. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Smitha Purohit, Sr. Director of Crypto Product at PayPal, and Karin Kusano, Crypto Market Strategist, to unpack how crypto is entering the mainstream through real use cases and everyday infrastructure. We break down how stablecoins are changing the way money moves, how companies like PayPal are integrating crypto into payments, and how...
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23: Reacting to Crypto Hot Takes with Ali Tager | Crypto Confidence Coach
Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association
Crypto often gets reduced to headlines, hype, or fear, leaving many people unsure what to actually believe. For most, the biggest barrier is not access, but understanding what crypto is and how it fits into real life. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, Ali Tager, your crypto confidence coach, reacts to real, unfiltered opinions about crypto from everyday people. She breaks down common misconceptions around whether crypto is real, how it gets its value, and why it can feel confusing or intimidating at first. We also explore key concerns around security, including wallets and seed phrases,...
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22: 5 Easy Ways to Start with Crypto with Stu Alderoty | President, National Cryptocurrency Association
Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association
Crypto can feel intimidating when you are not sure where to start. Many people assume they need technical expertise or a large investment before exploring digital assets. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Stu Alderoty, President of the National Cryptocurrency Association and Chief Legal Officer at Ripple, to unpack five simple ways beginners can explore crypto. We break down how crypto ETFs work through traditional brokerage accounts, how stablecoins introduce people to digital finance, and why buying a small fraction of a cryptocurrency can help people learn the crypto...
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21: Crypto Taxes Made Simple with Trish Turner, Crypto Tax Girl | Former IRS
Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association
Crypto taxes can feel overwhelming, especially when you hear terms like capital gains, 1099 forms, and reporting requirements. The good news is that once you understand the basic rules, crypto taxes become much more manageable. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Trish Turner, crypto tax expert and former head of the IRS digital asset division, to unpack how crypto is actually taxed and what that means for everyday holders. We break down when crypto is treated like property, what triggers a taxable event, how the new 1099 DA form works, and which key forms like 8949,...
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20: Stablecoins in the Headlines: What the Latest News Actually Means
Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association
Stablecoins are appearing in crypto headlines across policy, payments, and technology. From Washington regulation to global finance infrastructure, new developments are shaping how digital dollars can move through everyday financial systems. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we break down the biggest stablecoin headlines shaping the conversation right now. We unpack the policy debate around rewards on dollar backed stablecoins and the proposed Clarity Act, the growing tension between banks and crypto companies, and why companies like Polygon, PayPal, YouTube, and Visa are building new...
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19: Crypto ETFs, Explained: Bridging Wall Street and Crypto
Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association
Crypto ETFs can sound like a complicated Wall Street product. In reality, they are a simple way to get crypto price exposure through a regular brokerage account, without needing to set up wallets or learn new tools. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we unpack what ETFs are, how they work, and how crypto ETFs fit into the picture. We break down spot versus futures crypto ETFs, how ETFs compare to mutual funds and individual assets, and what makes crypto treasury companies like MicroStrategy a completely different category. We also explore why people choose crypto ETFs, the biggest benefits...
info_outlineLet’s be real — most people feel lost when it comes to crypto. The language sounds like another planet, the research feels overwhelming, and the loudest voices often make it seem like you need to be in finance or deep in the tech world just to keep up.
But here’s the truth: Crypto isn’t just for experts or insiders — it’s for you. Whether you’re crypto-curious, crypto-confused, or somewhere in between, this is your space to see how crypto can actually fit into your everyday life.
The National Cryptocurrency Association was created to help Americans make sense of crypto by sharing real stories of how it benefits your everyday life and supporting the communities with the most to gain. It’s our goal to provide educational resources to help you navigate the jargon and complexity and to make sure you stay informed with what happens next.
On this show, we’ll tackle the questions you’ve always had but maybe felt too embarrassed to ask. We’ll bust the big myths, like “crypto is just a scam,” break down the headlines so they actually make sense, and show you the practical ways crypto and blockchain are already showing up in everyday life.
So whether you’re just dipping your toes in or you’ve been curious for years but never knew where to start, this podcast is your guide. Each week we’ll break it down, keep it simple, and help you become crypto confident.
New episodes drop every week — so hit follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and together we will discover how crypto fits into your money, your world, and your future.
Find more from the NCA:
Website: https://nca.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natcryptoassoc/
X: https://x.com/NatCryptoAssoc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natcryptoassoc/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7_uritgUHlXQyVC3HKqJOQ