These are the questions readers ask most often. The answers are short on purpose. Where a topic is bigger than a paragraph, the answer points to the relevant guide.
Is BitcoinNYC affiliated with any past Bitcoin organisation in New York?
No. BitcoinNYC is an independent guide. It does not claim to be the original organising body for any past meetup group, conference, or membership organisation associated with the name. It does not run events.
Does this site give financial, legal, or tax advice?
No. Everything here is general education. For advice that fits your specific situation, speak to a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.
Where should a complete beginner start?
Start with the page on what Bitcoin is, then the New York-specific beginner guide, then the wallet safety and investor safety guides. The learn hub lays out the full reading order.
What is the BitLicense and why does it matter?
The BitLicense is the New York State Department of Financial Services framework that licenses certain virtual currency businesses operating in or with New York. As a result, the set of services legally available to a New York resident is smaller than the set available in most other states.
Is a service safe just because it is licensed in New York?
A licence is a floor, not a ceiling. It means the regulator has supervised the firm. It does not vouch for the suitability of any specific transaction or product offered through the firm.
Why does the site not list specific exchanges, wallets, or services to use?
Because recommending specific products would create commercial dynamics this site does not allow at launch. The guides explain how to evaluate a service yourself rather than directing readers to a particular vendor.
How should I store the seed phrase for a self-custody wallet?
Treat the seed as the wallet itself. Write it on paper or stamp it onto a small metal plate. Keep it in a safe physical location. Do not photograph it. Do not store it in cloud notes, password managers that sync, or chat history. The wallet safety guide covers this in depth.
What should I do if I think I have been scammed?
Stop sending funds. Document what happened, including dates, addresses, and messages. Report the loss through official channels rather than through links in messages you have received. Treat any unsolicited "recovery" offer as a second scam.
Are crypto trading bots a real thing?
Real automated trading exists in regulated finance. The "trading bot" platforms advertised to the general public, especially through urgent direct messages and celebrity-endorsed pages, are typically scams. There is no reliable, hands-off, low-effort way to grow money in any market.
Does Bitcoin activity create tax obligations?
In many cases, yes, depending on your jurisdiction and what kind of activity is involved. Selling, exchanging, spending, or earning bitcoin can create reportable events. Keep records as you go. The tax basics page is general orientation only and is not advice.
Are New York Bitcoin meetups safe to attend?
Most educational meetups are safe and welcoming. A small minority of events are sales rooms in disguise. Read the meetup guide before attending anything for the first time.
Can I disclose my holdings at a meetup?
It is wiser not to. Numbers shared casually become numbers remembered later. There is no upside to disclosure and several downsides.
How does this site make money?
It does not, at launch. There are no affiliate links, no advertisements, no sponsored guides, and no paid placements. If that ever changes, it will be disclosed clearly.
Can I contribute or send corrections?
Yes. Use the contact page to send a note. Corrections to factual claims and broken links are particularly welcome.
Why is the site so cautious about specific recommendations?
Because the topic attracts a lot of marketing and a lot of scams. A guide that points readers at specific products at launch would risk the same dynamics it warns against.