5. Getting Started: Using Stablecoins
After learning what stablecoins are and why they matter, it's time to use them. This hands-on guide walks you through the practical steps: choosing a wallet, buying stablecoins, sending your first payment, and keeping everything secure.
Understanding Wallets: Not Your Keys, Not Your Coins
Despite its name, a cryptocurrency wallet doesn't "hold" your stablecoins. The coins exist on the blockchain, a distributed digital ledger. Your wallet stores the cryptographic keys that prove you own those coins and let you move them. Think of it like this: the blockchain is a vault containing everyone's money, and your wallet holds the keys to your specific box within that vault.
This distinction matters because losing your keys means losing access to your funds permanently. There's no bank to call, no password reset, no customer service. Your keys are everything.
Before You Start
A critical warning: Blockchain transactions are irreversible. Send funds to the wrong address, and they're gone. Lose your wallet recovery phrase, and you lose access forever. Start with small amounts, double-check everything, and build confidence through practice.
What you'll need:
A computer or smartphone with internet
30 minutes for initial setup
$10-20 for practice transactions (recommended)
Pen and paper for recovery phrases (essential, never use digital storage)
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