Wie kann ich Bitcoins kaufen und halten?

Good afternoon, fellow investors! Could you perhaps offer me a brief explanation on how one might purchase and securely hold Bitcoins? I've heard of the digital currency's popularity but am still a bit unclear on the process. Would I need to set up a digital wallet first? What about selecting a reputable exchange or platform for buying Bitcoins? Any recommendations for maintaining the safety of my holdings? Additionally, how would I transfer my Bitcoins should I ever need to? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!