Astra Academy

Learn Bitcoin, Lightning
& Payroll-to-Crypto

Everything you need to understand how getting paid in Bitcoin works, from the basics to advanced topics, built for the Astra P2C community.

30+
Articles
5
Learning Paths
7+
Videos
Free
Always

Getting Started

What is Astra P2C?

A voluntary benefit that lets you automatically buy Bitcoin from your net pay, safely, simply, through your regular paycheck.

Getting Started

How payroll-to-crypto works

A step-by-step look at how your employer's payroll connects to Astra, how the conversion happens, and where your Bitcoin lands.

Bitcoin Basics

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is digital money that no government or bank controls. Understand what makes it different from everything that came before it.

Bitcoin Basics

What is a blockchain?

Bitcoin's public ledger records every transaction ever made. Learn how blocks, chains, and decentralization keep it honest.

Bitcoin Basics

What is Bitcoin mining?

Miners secure the network and create new Bitcoin. Find out how proof-of-work functions and why it matters for Bitcoin's integrity.

Bitcoin Basics

What are satoshis (sats)?

One Bitcoin equals 100 million satoshis. Learn about Bitcoin's smallest unit and why thinking in sats changes how you relate to the asset.

Bitcoin Basics

What is Bitcoin's supply schedule?

There will only ever be 21 million Bitcoin. Understand the halving cycle, scarcity, and why the fixed supply matters.

Bitcoin Basics

What are private keys and public keys?

Your Bitcoin is controlled by cryptographic keys. Learn what they are, how they work together, and why your private key is everything.

Lightning Network

What is the Lightning Network?

Lightning is a second layer on top of Bitcoin that enables instant, near-free payments, making small everyday transactions practical.

Lightning Network

What is a Lightning address?

A Lightning address looks like an email and lets anyone send you Bitcoin instantly. Here's how they work and how to get one.

Lightning Network

On-chain vs. Lightning payments

When should you use a standard Bitcoin transaction versus Lightning? The trade-offs in speed, cost, and finality explained.

Payroll & Crypto

Why get paid in Bitcoin?

From protecting against inflation to building long-term savings effortlessly, explore the case for converting your paycheck to Bitcoin.

Payroll & Crypto

Tax implications of crypto payroll

Receiving part of your salary in Bitcoin has tax considerations. Here's what you need to know before your first P2C paycheck.

Payroll & Crypto

Bitcoin for cross-border workers

For remote workers and international contractors, Bitcoin means no intermediary banks, lower fees, and faster settlement.

Payroll & Crypto

How to talk to your employer about P2C

Interested in Astra but need to get your company on board? A practical guide to the conversation.

Self-Custody

What is self-custody?

"Not your keys, not your coins." Self-custody means holding your own private keys so only you control your Bitcoin.

Self-Custody

How to set up a hardware wallet

A hardware wallet keeps your private keys offline and out of reach of hackers. Step-by-step setup for first-timers.

Self-Custody

Seed phrases: what they are and how to protect them

Your 12 or 24-word recovery phrase is the master key to your wallet. Learn how to generate, store, and never lose it.

Sound Money

Dollar cost averaging with your paycheck

Getting paid in Bitcoin every week is one of the most powerful DCA strategies available. Here's the data behind it.

Sound Money

Bitcoin vs. traditional banking

Compare Bitcoin savings to a traditional savings account. Inflation quietly erodes fiat while Bitcoin has a fixed supply.

Sound Money

How to avoid Bitcoin scams

As Bitcoin adoption grows, so do scams. Learn to spot phishing, fake exchanges, and social engineering before they cost you.


Curated Learning Paths

Structured journeys from zero to confident
🌱 Beginner · 25 min

New to Crypto? Start Here

No jargon, no assumptions. Go from complete beginner to understanding why Bitcoin exists and how Astra fits in.

5 articles
~25 min total
🌱 Beginner
  • What is Astra P2C?4 min
  • How payroll-to-crypto works5 min
  • What is Bitcoin?6 min
  • What are satoshis?3 min
  • Why get paid in Bitcoin?7 min
Start this path
⚡ Intermediate · 21 min

Lightning Network Deep Dive

Understand the technology powering instant Bitcoin payments and what you can do with Bitcoin once you own it.

4 articles
~21 min total
⚡ Intermediate
  • What is the Lightning Network?6 min
  • On-chain vs. Lightning payments5 min
  • What is a Lightning address?4 min
  • Bitcoin for cross-border workers6 min
Start this path
💼 Practical · 24 min

Setting Up Your P2C Payroll

From first conversation with your employer to receiving your first Bitcoin paycheck. Full walkthrough coming soon.

4 articles
~24 min total
💼 Practical
  • How to talk to your employer about P2C5 min
  • How payroll-to-crypto works5 min
  • Tax implications of crypto payroll8 min
  • Dollar cost averaging with your paycheck6 min
Coming Soon
🔒 Security · 28 min

Secure Your Bitcoin

Learn how to take full ownership of your Bitcoin: private keys, self-custody, seed phrases, and hardware wallets.

4 articles
~28 min total
🔒 Security
  • What are private keys and public keys?6 min
  • What is self-custody?5 min
  • Seed phrases: what they are and how to protect them7 min
  • How to set up a hardware wallet10 min
Start this path
🌐 Advanced · 31 min

Bitcoin & the Global Economy

How Bitcoin fits into the broader picture: sound money, inflation, banking alternatives, and the future of work.

5 articles
~31 min total
🌐 Advanced
  • Bitcoin's supply schedule and the halving5 min
  • Bitcoin vs. traditional banking7 min
  • Bitcoin for cross-border workers6 min
  • What is Bitcoin mining?7 min
  • Dollar cost averaging with your paycheck6 min
Start this path

🎬 Videos

Tutorials, interviews, and Bitcoin education on video
Key Voices & Interviews
🎙
Coming Soon
Curated interviews and talks from leading voices in Bitcoin. Check back soon.

📄 Documents & Reading

Essential Bitcoin reading: whitepapers, books, and summaries
Whitepaper

Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System

The original 9-page paper by Satoshi Nakamoto that started it all. Published October 31, 2008, required reading for anyone serious about Bitcoin.

Download PDF Free · bitcoin.org · 9 pages
Astra Explainer

The Bitcoin White Paper Explained Simply

Plain-English breakdown of what Satoshi Nakamoto actually wrote in 2008: the double-spend problem, proof of work, the blockchain, mining, and why it still matters for everyday people. Written by Astra Academy.

Download PDF
Free · Astra Academy · 3 min read
Book

The Bitcoin Standard

By Saifedean Ammous. The definitive economic case for Bitcoin, covering the history of money, the flaws of central banking, and why Bitcoin is sound money.

Get the Book Available on Amazon · Paperback & Kindle

Astra Academy · Explainer

The Bitcoin White Paper Explained Simply

What Satoshi Nakamoto Wrote in 2008, and Why It Still Matters