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Institute Home Grayscale Institute Primers: The Fundamentals

Grayscale Institute Primers: The Fundamentals

A companion series to Grayscale Institute’s five-class course on the fundamentals of investing in digital assets, this collection of primers is meant to complement the continuing-education (CE) classes with a distillation of the key essentials from each class. Readers will gain key knowledge of the core concepts covered in Grayscale’s course, including in-depth knowledge of key tokens, an understanding of smart contracts, as well as an overview of the investable universe and how to deploy the asset class in existing traditional asset portfolios. The primers are complementary but will be best understood in conjunction with the classes themselves.

Understanding Digital Asset Investing

Sets the foundation for understanding the rationale, function, and investment case for digital assets; complements Class 1.

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8/27/2026

1–2 minutes
Understanding Crypto Sectors: Digital Currencies

Explains the digital assets used primarily as currencies; complements Class 2.

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8/27/2026

1–2 minutes
Understanding Crypto Sectors: Smart Contract Platforms

Explains the platforms used for globally distributed smart contract systems; complements Class 2.

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8/27/2026

1–2 minutes
Primer 4

Explains how decentralized finance (DeFi) seeks to disintermediate traditional banks and brokerage firms; complements Class 3. Watch the class and download the primer on Sep. 10.

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8/27/2026

1–2 minutes
Primer 5

Discusses enterprise-level services that augment the functionality of existing decentralized applications; complements Class 3. Watch the class and download the primer on Sep. 10.

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8/27/2026

1–2 minutes
Primer 6

Explains applications of public blockchain technology on AI, including apps and agents; complements Class 4. Watch the class and download the primer on Oct 1.

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8/27/2026

1–2 minutes
Primer 7

Discusses the functioning of decentralized media, gaming, social, and entertainment applications; complements Class 4. Watch the class and download the primer on Oct 1.

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8/27/2026

1–2 minutes
Primer 8

Provides a framework for investors to consider when integrating digital assets into a portfolio of traditional assets, such as stocks and bonds; complements Class 5. Class registration and primer release date coming soon.

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8/27/2026

1–2 minutes

Investments in digital assets are speculative investments that involve significant risk, including a partial or total loss of invested funds. Investments in digital assets are not suitable for any investor that cannot afford loss of the entire investment.

This information should not be relied upon as research, legal, tax or investment advice, or a recommendation regarding any products, strategies, or any investment in particular. This material is strictly for illustrative, educational, or informational purposes and is subject to change. This content does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or buy any security in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be illegal. There is not enough information contained in this content to make an investment decision and any information contained herein should not be used as a basis for this purpose. Readers are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals. 

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