Nik Bhatia draws parallels between gold’s historical role and today’s digital innovations, showing how each “layer” of money, from physical commodities to digital currencies, builds upon the last. He breaks down big topics like monetary policy, central banking and how bitcoin and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) came to be, making them easy to understand.

This book is an excellent pick for anyone curious about how crypto fits into the bigger picture of the financial world. With both book smarts and real-world insight, Bhatia makes Layered Money a standout read for anyone wanting to understand how money is going digital.

Who should read this?
Great for anyone who wants to see how crypto influences the way money and monetary policy are evolving.

Where can you read/rent/buy this book?
Available on Amazon and the author’s website.

4. Cryptoassets: The Innovative Investor’s Guide to Bitcoin and Beyond by Chris Burniske and Jack Tatar

Cryptoassets offers a clear and strategic framework for understanding the broader digital asset landscape. Rather than lumping all digital tokens under “cryptocurrency,” the authors classify them into distinct categories: cryptocurrencies, crypto commodities and crypto tokens. These definitions are based on function and value proposition. It sheds light on how digital assets aren’t all created equal and how each plays a unique role in the digital economy.

The book’s investment-focused approach equips readers to evaluate these assets critically, manage risk, and build a diversified portfolio. It also places crypto in a historical and economic context, comparing the current digital revolution to the rise of the internet.

Who should read this?
Anyone looking to diversify their crypto portfolio but isn’t sure where to start.

Where can you read/rent/buy this book?
Available online and in major bookstores.

3. Broken Money: Why Our Financial System is Failing Us and How We Can Make it Better by Lyn Alden

Broken Money offers a comprehensive, yet accessible exploration of monetary history, technology and theory.

Lyn Alden unpacks how societies have defined and used money, from ancient commodity currencies to today’s fiat systems and emerging digital assets. She offers a straightforward description of how money systems work, helping readers understand both cryptocurrency and how today’s financial system came to be.

What sets this book apart is its human-centered perspective. It shows how changes in money impact individuals, institutions and power dynamics globally. It’s a thought-provoking read, making it one of the most insightful crypto books for investors.

Who should read this?
Alden told Forbes in an interview that Broken Money is “for those that are willing to take the time to get through a longer text that builds on itself from first principles up to a more complex and complete picture.”

Where can you read/rent/buy this book?
Available online and in major bookstores.

2. The Cryptopians: Idealism, Greed, Lies, and the Making of the First Big Cryptocurrency Craze by Laura Shin

The Cryptopians is a compelling narrative that takes readers behind the scenes of Ethereum’s explosive rise and the chaotic beginnings of the broader crypto ecosystem.

Laura Shin charts the evolution of decentralized networks, focusing on the revolutionary ideas and coinciding human drama behind Ethereum. From Vitalik Buterin’s vision to the power struggles among co-founders, the book reveals how idealism collided with ambition in the race to reshape global finance.

More than just a history of Ethereum, it’s a tale of innovation, betrayal and the wild frontier of digital assets. Shin’s reporting uncovers the personalities and politics that continue to shape the digital asset industry, making it a must-read for understanding crypto beyond bitcoin.

Who should read this?
Anyone wanting to understand the fundamentals of Ethereum and how different cryptocurrencies differ and evolve.

Where can you read/rent/buy this book?
Available online and in major bookstores.

1. The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking by Saifedean Ammous

The Bitcoin Standard examines Bitcoin within the context of economic history, drawing on Austrian economics to compare it with earlier forms of money like gold and fiat.

Ammous outlines how Bitcoin’s scarcity, decentralization and resistance to censorship position it as a powerful alternative in today’s global monetary system. The book doesn’t just focus on the technical aspects. It dives deep into the philosophical and economic principles that underpin Bitcoin’s rise and potential future role.

The Bitcoin Standard is widely praised for making complex topics accessible and thought-provoking. It offers a compelling argument for why Bitcoin matters in a world of inflation and centralized control.

Who should read this?
If you’re looking for a macro-level take on Bitcoin’s impact, The Bitcoin Standard is a great place to start.

Where can you read/rent/buy this book?
Available online and in major bookstores.

Bottom Line

For anyone looking to navigate the complex world of crypto, the best books on investing in cryptocurrency offer a solid foundation in both theory and practice. From The Bitcoin Standard’s economic insights to The Cryptopians’ behind-the-scenes storytelling, each book provides a unique perspective on understanding the vast landscape of digital assets.

Whether you’re building an investment strategy, exploring blockchain’s societal impact or simply trying to understand how money is evolving, these crypto books deliver the depth and clarity needed to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing financial landscape.