How much capital should a beginner start with for crypto trading?

Start with a small amount of capital you are fully prepared to lose — enough that fees don't eat more than 0.5% per trade and that you can apply 1–2% position sizing. The goal in the initial phase is to refine your process and discipline, not to maximize profits.

Should I trade spot or futures as a beginner?

Spot. Spot has no liquidation risk, allowing you to learn the process without being wiped out by volatility. Only consider derivatives after you have a consistently profitable system across a sufficient number of trades on spot and understand the liquidation mechanism thoroughly.

How many candlestick patterns do I need to learn to trade?

You don't need to memorize dozens of patterns. Understand the essence of buying/selling pressure behind the body and wicks of a candle, focus on a few key patterns (pin bar, engulfing), and only trust them when they appear at important support/resistance zones.

How long until I achieve consistent profitability?

There is no fixed timeline; it depends on discipline and the number of practice hours with review. The key is to measure using journal data (win rate, actual R:R) over a sufficient number of trades, rather than expecting quick profits. This is an accumulative skill, not luck.