Since the publication of Digital Gold by Nathaniel Popper in 2015, the crypto landscape has exploded with books capitalizing on tales of wealth, eccentric personalities, and high-profile scams. The 2023 titles, however, reflect a more critical tone—understandable given the year's headline-grabbing frauds like the collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX.
Here are the top three crypto books of the year, offering insights into industry crimes and blockchain’s growing role in mainstream finance.
Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon
By Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis (The Big Short, Moneyball) had unparalleled access to Sam Bankman-Fried before FTX’s $32 billion downfall. Initially framing Bankman-Fried as an effective altruism visionary, Lewis pivoted upon uncovering the fraud. The result? A gripping exposé of hypocrisy, from elite D.C. connections to Sequoia Capital’s investments. Despite a rushed ending, Going Infinite secures its place among essential crypto reads.
👉 Explore crypto’s wildest stories
Number Go Up: Inside Crypto’s Wild Rise and Staggering Fall
By Zeke Faux
Bloomberg’s Zeke Faux delivers a no-holds-barred tour of crypto’s darkest corners—from Razzlekhan’s grifts to Tether-fueled pig-butchering scams. His humor shines (e.g., buying a Bored Ape NFT for a cringe-worthy party), but the book’s strength lies in exposing systemic issues like slave labor in fraud schemes. While occasionally polemical, Faux’s reporting is unmissable.
Ethereum for Business: A Plain-English Guide
By Paul Brody
Amid 2023’s chaos, blockchain technology advanced quietly. Ernst & Young’s Paul Brody demystifies Ethereum’s real-world applications—smart contracts, supply-chain solutions, and more—for enterprises. This pragmatic guide is ideal for professionals exploring blockchain’s transformative potential.
FAQ
Q: Are these books suitable for crypto beginners?
A: Ethereum for Business is beginner-friendly; Going Infinite and Number Go Up assume some industry knowledge.
Q: Which book best explains crypto’s risks?
A: Number Go Up vividly details scams and systemic vulnerabilities.
Q: Is Ethereum still relevant after 2023’s market shifts?
A: Yes—Brody’s book highlights its growing adoption in traditional sectors.
For concise crypto lessons, check out Fortune’s Crypto Crash Course.
### Keywords:
1. Crypto books
2. Sam Bankman-Fried
3. Ethereum
4. Blockchain technology
5. FTX collapse
6. Effective altruism
7. Tether