About Asad
Asad Shaikh is the founder and editor of StartCryptoNow. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) from Virtual University of Pakistan, and he has worked with cryptocurrency for nine years. That technical background helps him explain how wallets, seed phrases, and exchanges actually work, and why some crypto mistakes can't be undone.
Experience
- Research: nine years studying how blockchains, wallets, exchanges, and crypto regulation work, including US tax and reporting rules.
- Trading: hands-on experience buying, selling, and moving crypto across exchanges and self-custody wallets, which is where the practical steps in his exchange and wallet guides come from.
- Market analysis: years of following crypto markets and the news that moves them, from regulation to exchange failures.
- Teaching: explaining crypto to beginners one-on-one and in groups, which shapes the plain-English, step-by-step style of every guide.
His trading and market experience informs the site's practical guides, but StartCryptoNow never gives trading signals, price predictions, or coin picks.
He started StartCryptoNow to give US beginners the plain-English guide he wanted when he started: what's taxable, how to store coins safely, and how to spot the scams that target newcomers, without hype or coin picks.
How Asad Researches and Checks Each Guide
- Primary sources first. Tax rates, thresholds, and forms are checked against the IRS and state revenue departments, and each figure is labeled with its tax year.
- Worked examples are recalculated by hand before publishing.
- Every guide lists its sources and shows when it was published and last updated.
- Corrections are welcome. If you spot an error, contact us with the official source and the page will be fixed.
Asad is not a CPA, enrolled agent, or attorney. StartCryptoNow guides are general education, not tax, legal, or investment advice. For your own return, talk to a qualified tax professional. Read our editorial policy and disclaimer.
Articles by Asad Shaikh
US crypto taxes
- Crypto Tax Calculator 2026
- Crypto Taxes in the USA: Beginner's Guide
- Crypto Wash Sale Rule 2026
- Does the IRS Know About Your Crypto?
- Form 1099-DA Explained
- How Crypto Staking Rewards Are Taxed
- Crypto Taxes by State (all 14 state guides)
Wallets and safety
- How to Spot a Bitcoin Scam
- Crypto ATM Scams
- Hot Wallet vs Cold Wallet
- What Is a Seed Phrase?
- Is Crypto Legal in the USA?
- The CLARITY Act Explained
Exchanges and cards
- How to Buy Bitcoin on Coinbase
- Coinbase vs Kraken
- Best Crypto Debit Cards in the USA
- How to Cash Out Crypto
Contact
Questions and corrections: hello@startcryptonow.com.