Almost half of people in the U.S. who don't own or use crypto say they don't understand how it all works. Nearly 70% say they'd want more information before they'd even consider getting involved. And about a third are open to learning, but the truth is… overall confidence in understanding the tech is still pretty low.

That's a huge number of people basically saying, 'I've heard the word blockchain, but I couldn't explain it even if my life depended on it.' And honestly? We get it. The word itself sounds complicated, the headlines make it feel intimidating, and the crypto hype doesn't exactly make it easier to trust. But, as crypto is becoming more mainstream, it's time that someone clearly explains what it is.

So in today's episode, we're stripping it all down. No jargon, no tech headaches, just 7 simple things you need to know about blockchain. By the end of this,hopefully you'll be able to explain it in plain English for yourself. We promise: you'll walk away from this episode with a clear, no-BS understanding of what this is all is and why it matters.

What's Discussed:

03:45 – The Biggest Myth About Blockchain, Debunked
07:10 – Blockchain Explained: The Giant Digital Notebook
12:25 – What "Decentralized" Really Means (In Plain English)
17:40 – The Google Doc Analogy That Makes Blockchain Click
22:55 – Every Transaction Is a Lego Brick That Locks in Forever
28:30 – How Blockchain Balances Privacy and Transparency
33:45 – Real-World Blockchain: How Crypto Is Modernizing Ranching

Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA):

Website: https://nca.org/
Twitter: https://x.com/natcryptoassoc?lang=en
Instagram: @natcryptoassoc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7_uritgUHlXQyVC3HKqJOQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natcryptoassoc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natcryptoassoc/?viewAsMember=true

If you've ever wondered what crypto actually is, why it matters, and why everyone has an opinion about it—this episode is for you.

With expert guest Stuart Alderoty, President of the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA) and Chief Legal Officer at Ripple, we break down what crypto is, how blockchain works, and why it's becoming part of everyday life.

You'll learn how to explain crypto to your grandma, what gives crypto its value, how it cuts out middlemen to make transactions faster and cheaper, and hear real stories of people using it for freedom, security, and opportunity.

Whether you're curious, skeptical, or starting from zero, this episode will finally make crypto make sense with this Crypto 101 crash course — no jargon, charts, or hype.

What's Discussed:

03:10 – From Wall Street to Blockchain: A Big Shift

08:25 – Quickfire Myths, Mistakes, and Must-Knows

12:10 – Explaining Crypto So Even Your Grandma Gets It

18:45 – What Actually Gives Crypto Its Value

25:30 – 5 Surprising Ways People Use Crypto Every Day

33:15 – "Trustless" Sounds Bad… Until You Hear This

39:40 – The Future of Money Is Already Here

Find more from Stuart Alderoty:

Website: https://ripple.com/company/leadership/stuart-alderoty/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stuartalderoty
X (Twitter): @s_alderoty

Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA):

Website: https://nca.org/learn
Instagram: @natcryptoassoc
YouTube: National Cryptocurrency Association

Let'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