Understanding Crypto Fundamentals

Saying that many investors were not convinced by cryptocurrencies in their first decade of existence would be an understatement.

Originally, author Thomas Jeegers was one of them. He looked into this new virtual money more than once and, each time, decided not to invest. Like many long-term investors, he was looking for fundamentals. Crypto had none — or so he thought. This book details why his perspective on cryptoassets has shifted – and why yours should, too.

Recent developments in this field have turned crypto from a speculative financial innovation to a new asset class, one with a new kind of fundamentals that offer real economic value. One that will change finance and investments. One that may be a trigger defining the fourth industrial revolution, the same way steam, electricity, and the Internet were triggers for the first, second, and third industrial revolutions, respectively.

Despite what advocates of the traditional financial establishmentlike to claim, cryptoassets were by far the best financial investment of the last decade, even risk-adjusted, and could still be so for the coming one. They should not be overlooked, regardless of one’s opinion of them.

This book answers the main questions any potential long-term investor in cryptoassets should ask:

• What are cryptoassets and blockchain technology?
• Why consider cryptoasset investments?
• When is a good time to invest?
• Where should one invest?
• How should one invest?
• Which valuation methods are appropriate?

Understanding Crypto Fundamentals includes a deep dive into the management of risks specific to cryptoassets, both financial and non-financial, and provides the tools needed for investment success in this new asset class. Upon completing the book, you will have a new perspective on cryptoassets and how you can benefit from them as an investor.


Thomas Jeegers is a CFA Charterholder and Financial Risk Manager (FRM), and has earned an MBA from INSEAD as well as multiple blockchain certifications from institutions including INSEAD and Oxford University. He has worked in finance for 10 years and is a frequent speaker at events on blockchain and cryptoassets.  

Thomas Jeegers has worked in finance for 10 years, specializing in financial risk management and blockchain technology. He is a frequent speaker at events on blockchain and cryptoassets. Thomas studied economics and computer science, and has master’s degrees from the Catholic University of Louvain and Maastricht University, as well as an MBA from INSEAD. Upon graduation, he was granted multiple awards, including one for the best master’s thesis on finance in Belgium. Thomas completed the advanced financial certifications, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Financial Risk Manager (FRM), as well as multiple blockchain certifications from institutions, including INSEAD and Oxford University. After changing his country of residence 12 times since Bitcoin’s birth in 2009, Thomas is now settled in Vienna, Austria. As a finisher of the full-Ironman European Championship in 2017, he shares his passion for triathlon with his wife Stefanie and their sonLiam.