(InvestigateTV) — Security.org’s “2025 Cryptocurrency Adoption and Consumer Sentiment Report” said 28% of Americans own cryptocurrencies.

Ric Edelman, best-selling author and founder of Edelman Financial Engines, has been closely monitoring the growing interest in cryptocurrency for nearly two decades.

“This is transforming global finance at a very rapid pace! And it’s becoming easier and easier to use as the technology continues to grow and develop,” Edelman said. “About half a billion people in the world own Bitcoin! Including about 65 million Americans.”

Even with the high ownership rate, 38% of Americans don’t understand how cryptocurrencies work, according to the Motley Fool.

“Crypto is nothing more than a digital asset. And we are familiar with digital assets more than we understand” Edelman explained. “Think about the photos on your phone. That photo is a digital file. Crypto is the latest version of this technology.”

But as interest in crypto investments grows, so does the number of scammers looking to exploit new and inexperienced investors.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, victims reportedly lost an estimated $3.9 billion to crypto-related investment fraud in 2023 alone.

“The easiest way for you to make sure that you’re dealing with a legitimate investment is to work with a legitimate financial advisor,” Edelman advised. “Don’t go online searching the web on your own, trying to find a way to buy crypto. Odds are really high you will be connected with a scam artist. Instead contact your local financial advisor, financial advisors.

Edelman also warned to watch out for offers that sound too good to be true.

“So, crooks don’t like to take money through the mail. They don’t like to take checks where there’s a paper trail,” he shared. “So, they turn to alternative ways: gift cards that are anonymous cash, which can’t be traced. So, watch out if they’re asking you to do something in a hurry, urgently hurry and, by the way, only the one that can give it to you. Odds are extraordinarily high those are scams.”

Despite these risks, Edelman encourages investors not to be afraid, just be cautious and informed.

“You’ll discover it’s pretty easy to understand what it is. Just take the time to learn a little bit,” he said. “Second, minimize how much you invest. Most financial advisors recommend 2 or 3% of your investments go into this. So, if you have $10,000 to invest, you should be investing a couple of hundred bucks into Bitcoin. Don’t put your life savings into this. Recognize that it’s one thing to be prudent and it’s another to be greedy.”

Edelman also recommended viewing crypto investments like stocks and bonds and always consult with a registered and licensed financial advisor. He said that’s the safest and most cost-effective way to explore digital assets without falling victim to fraud.

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