So you’re diving into the wild crypto world and want to dodge those nasty scams, huh? That’s cool. So do we! Both for you…and ourselves. So how can I keep myself from getting ripped off if I buy crypto?

First, research is your best friend. Understand the crypto project you’re interested in—check out its white paper, team, and community feedback. CeFi offers a very limited safety net, while DeFi doesn’t have much at all.

If something smells fishy, don’t invest until you’ve figured it out. Next, stick to reputable exchanges. Don’t even think about shady platforms promising the moon. Just because your cousin’s brother’s friend is hyping a coin doesn’t mean it’s a golden ticket.  That’s how a lot of people lost everything with meme tokens in the last bull run.

When storing your digital assets, go for a secure wallet— like a hardware wallet, so hackers can’t swipe your cash. Always use two-factor authentication for accounts whenever possible. It’s a little extra security that never hurts anyone.

Keep an eye out for the classic pump-and-dump schemes, and beware of offers that are too good to be true—they probably are. Finally, play it smart and never invest more than you can afford to lose. Treat it like a funky roller coaster ride: thrilling, full of ups and downs, and sometimes a little pukey. Enjoy the ride, but don’t bet the farm on it.