I'm newer to the cryptocurrency and Steemit community and have been trying to stay active on here when it comes to learning more about cryptocurrency and building a bigger Steemit community. I am bleeding red from my trading today and realized my list of resources is quickly exhaustible. For example, APX on CoinMarketCap doesn't have any links besides their website link. Can't find social or info anywhere - BitCoinTalk had been updated when they first launched it seems. Still not sure that is a legitimate coin/asset.

My ultimate goal with learning about cryptocurrency is to help further democratize access to capital for all. I truly believe all of us on this planet should have equal access to the ability to create wealth and impact on humanity.

I left Wells Fargo last year after being forced to take advantage of my customers, along with the rest of my branch by the Branch Manager. I finally saw what I had been studying for years, taking complete advantage as unsuspecting and financially illiterate consumers as they walked into the branch.

My main passion, where I work and ultimately operate in is the US equity crowdfunding market and have been the last 3 years. On May 16th, 2016 the SEC passed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act with the focus of providing small businesses and startups with greater access to capital. Small businesses and startups are where jobs are created and innovation is cultivated. Unfortunately, the infrastructure is weak and too expensive to participate in as a non-accredited investor, the 99%.

Last week I made a $100 investment in MINDS on Wefunder...it cost me $7. Now, from what I've been learning about all cryptocurrency is that it's faster, more secure, far less expensive and more traceable than anything out currently there on the market while usually giving the currency an actual utility or function.

Am I wrong when I assume this same situation would have only cost pennies or better yet, micro-cents, to send as an investment?

We as humans have made it this far because we have the ability to create tools and master using them. To have conscious thought and think outside of the box, to create an amazing community fueled by cryptocurrency, like Steemit, for example. I'm a dreamer. I see the cryptocurrency world as the wild frontier where wealth can be built by all, but just as easily taken and the wealthy seem to have the ability to launch pump and dump attacks on unsuspecting crypto-traders trying to gain their wealth, trade by trade.

So, our best protection is to stay as educated and informed as we can on the topic, together. Below is my short list of resources - does anybody have tips on where to find the most legitimate information about coins?

Currently use:

• CoinMarketCap - for coin discovery, charts, and links to other info - etc.
• Twitter/Facebook - seem to be the first place I look for info in terms of general public social proof. My thoughts are, if the crypto has current posts and somewhat of a following on the largest social media platforms, it's a good sign the team is at least attempting to communicate with the community.
• Reddit - is the next platform I check because the cryptocurrency community tends to gravitate toward Reddit.
• BitcoinTalk.org - I go here to check on the activity further in order to see if the team is updating the core following a little bit at least.
• CryptoCompare - as an overall resource

ICOs

• Smith + Crown
• ICO Alert
• ICO Rating
• CoinStaker
• CoinSchedule

Thank you again in advance for the read and feel free to give me a follow for more posts, resources, and to continue building this community!

@crowdedmind

Looking forward to your insights!

d(^_^)b

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Disclaimer: None of this is to be taken as trading advice. The goal of this post is not to persuade others to invest in certain coins, but to be used as an informational resource for users in the Steemit community to stay informed when participating in other cryptocurrency-fueled communities. Working together, we can create a tighter and more connected community so less of us face major losses in the market and ultimately push cryptocurrency adoption forward.