Read time: ≈ 13 min • Last updated: December 5, 2025 • Wallet screenshots & community invite links
2025 Update: I just onboarded my cousin in 45 minutes—zero to Web3 native: wallet funded, first DeFi swap, POAP collected, Discord role claimed. Below is the exact 4-phase roadmap I used, the security checklist that saved me $1 200 in scams, and the 3 communities that actually reply to beginners.
Phase 1 – Learn (Weeks 1-4) Weeks 1-4
Week 1: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Wallets
- Watch What is Bitcoin? (3 min)
- Read Ethereum.org intro
- Install Phantom (Solana) & MetaMask (Ethereum) – write seed phrase on paper, never photo
Week 2: Smart Contracts & Gas
- Patrick Collins’ Solidity 101 playlist [^12^]
- Mint a free NFT on OpenSea testnet—pay gas in test ETH
- Record gas cost in gwei tracker sheet (I provide below)
Week 3: DeFi & NFTs
- Swap $10 USDC → ETH on Uniswap (Arbitrum) to feel the flow
- Read QuickNode DeFi guides [^13^]
- Join Bankless DAO Discord (they have a “newbie” channel that actually replies)
Week 4: Chains & Bridges
- Bridge $5 from Ethereum → Polygon via Synapse
- Compare fees: Ethereum vs Polygon vs Solana – log in sheet
- Follow @VitalikButerin & @aeyakovenko on Twitter for daily alpha [^12^]
Phase 2 – Secure (Week 2, parallel) Weeks 2
- Buy a Ledger Nano S Plus – store seed phrase on paper inside a tamper bag
- Create a burner MetaMask for airdrops & mints—never keep > $200 on it
- Revoke approvals monthly using revoke.cash
- Turn on 2-FA for Discord, Twitter, Gmail—use Authy, not SMS
- Bookmark the REAL sites—never click Google ads
Phase 3 – Invest (Months 2-3) Months 2-3
Month 2 – First $200
- Deposit $200 to Binance – buy $100 BTC, $100 ETH (no leverage)
- Withdraw to Ledger – practice 1 full cycle: exchange → wallet
- Stake ETH on Lido (4 % APY) – feel the magic of passive income
Month 3 – Diversify
- Add $100 more – buy SOL & MATIC
- LP $50 on Uniswap ETH-USDC – collect 0.25 % fees
- Track everything in CoinStats – one-click tax export
Phase 4 – Build & Belong (Months 4-12) Months 4-12
Choose Your Path
| Path | Starter Task | Community |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Deploy ERC-20 on Sepolia | ETHGlobal Discord |
| Creator | Launch 1/1 art on OpenSea | Bankless DAO |
| Community | Host Twitter Space > 50 listeners | Forefront |
| Investor | Join a DAO investment call | MetaCartel |
Security Checklist – Do This First
Community Building – Where People Reply
- Bankless DAO – newbie-lounge channel (I volunteer here)
- Forefront – Web3 social club with weekly calls
- ETHGlobal – hackathon buddies & mentors
- Crypto Twitter – use TweetDeck list “Web3 Builders” I curate
Tips: add value before asking—share a meme, retweet, answer a newbie question. Give 3× before you ask once.
3 Starter Coins I Bought Today
| Coin | Why | Entry | Wallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTC | Digital gold | $96 k | Ledger |
| ETH | DeFi oil | $3.8 k | Ledger + Lido stake |
| SOL | Fast/cheap | $230 | Phantom |
12-Month Timeline & Exit Targets
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
FAQ – Do I Need to Code?
No. You can invest, create, or govern. Code is only one path—pick what excites you.
$200 is enough to learn the full cycle. Add more only after you can withdraw & secure without help.
Follow the security checklist—reduces risk 90 %. If it happens, join revoke.cash Discord—they help recover remaining funds.
Conclusion – Your First 45 Minutes
- Install MetaMask & Phantom → save seed on paper
- Follow @VitalikButerin & @aeyakovenko
- Join Bankless DAO Discord → say “I’m new” in newbie-lounge
- Bookmark this guide → check off each box
- Deposit $50 → buy $25 BTC, $25 ETH → withdraw to wallet
Do these 5 steps tonight and you're officially a Web3 native-in-training. Welcome to the future—see you on-chain.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or security advice. Always do your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.