CryptoGran Academy will officially launch on 1 October 2025, providing mid-life professionals with a structured and practical approach to understanding cryptocurrency and digital assets – without the hype or unnecessary risk.
According to the Hargreaves Lansdown 2024 Pension Gap Report, fewer than half of UK households are on track to achieve a sufficient retirement income. Rising living costs, inflation, and slow pension growth have left millions of mid-career workers facing a significant financial shortfall.
Simultaneously, the UK has witnessed one of the fastest rates of cryptocurrency adoption worldwide. Over the past year alone, adoption has surged by more than 30%, with nearly one in four adults now owning some form of digital asset.
Founded by Yvonne Williams – an experienced investor and coach in her 50s – the CryptoGran Academy has already piloted a beta programme with more than 30 students since June.
Yvonne initially anticipated just a dozen participants, but through simple networking and word-of-mouth, over 30 people enrolled without any marketing effort. The response exceeded expectations and confirmed the strong appetite for accessible crypto education – particularly as digital assets become more widely accepted in mainstream finance.
Yvonne Williams said: “I started crypto in my 50s to strengthen my pension. I’ve since built a six-figure portfolio, and now I’m giving others the resource I wish I’d had: a safe, no-hype way to learn.”
The CryptoGran Academy is tailored for those who may feel technophobic, overwhelmed by technology, or have no prior knowledge of cryptocurrency.
Participants are guided from the basics of “What is crypto?” through to conducting their first transactions safely – all explained in plain English and supported by round-the-clock assistance should they encounter difficulties. Importantly, the Academy fosters an open learning environment where no question is too trivial, encouraging students to ask freely and receive clear, patient guidance.
Classes run in cohorts to create a sense of community among mid-life professionals who share similar concerns about pensions, savings, and the stigma often associated with crypto. This peer-group approach helps participants see that attitudes towards digital assets are changing, while also boosting confidence and motivation as they learn together.
Yvonne added: “It’s not just about the lessons — it’s about realising you’re not the only one intrigued by this space. Crypto is moving into the mainstream, and for many of us it’s becoming an exciting opportunity rather than something to fear.
“We all hear stories of people being scammed. It’s usually due to a lack of knowledge: downloading an app, chasing a “hot tip,” or trusting someone who promises lofty returns, only to see them vanish. Very few ever learn how to do it properly.
“People don’t lose money in crypto because the technology fails — they lose it because they never learned the basics. It only takes around 20 hours of structured study to keep your hard-earned cash safe.”
Yvonne Williams is fully independent, and the CryptoGran Academy does not endorse, sell, or profit from any particular coins, tokens, or exchanges. Its focus is solely on education, safety, and equipping students with the knowledge and confidence to make their own informed decisions.
The programme covers what cryptocurrency actually is, how it integrates into the broader financial system, the various responsible ways to invest in digital assets, and the essential technology required to buy, store, and manage them securely. It also includes guidance on creating personal investment rules to avoid emotional decision-making, along with risk management strategies designed to protect savings from unnecessary losses.
Yvonne said: “Most of my students aren’t looking to gamble — they want to boost their pensions, protect their savings, and understand the opportunities in the fastest-growing sector of finance. Crypto education has been dominated by influencers and hype. The Academy is about creating a trusted, professional space where people like us can learn safely and confidently.”
The CryptoGran Academy offers straightforward, jargon-free lessons that explain how crypto works, provide practical advice on safeguarding digital assets, teach skills to identify and avoid scams, and nurture a supportive community of peers aged 40 and over.
