I'm really interested in the tech side of bitcoin. What’s the best way to start learning about it? What are some of the key concepts I should understand first?
There are a lot of resource online that you can use to help you learn more about Bitcoin. What matters most is your will to learn something new and also look up those resources. Most of them are few of charge.
You can start with this (https://learnmeabitcoin.com/) and then this (https://www.lopp.net/bitcoin-information.html)
Of course I there are very valuable resources out there. I am haven't been consistent in it but I'll recommend one of the best resources to help being complied by Jameson Lopp - https://www.lopp.net/bitcoin-information.html
If you are not conversant with Bitcoin technical terms, there is an article by Ray that details Bitcoin technical terms for non technical folks like you and me. - https://bncsound.substack.com/p/bitcoin-technical-terms-for-non-technical
Here another important resource for you, Bitcoiner.guide. see link - https://bitcoiner.guide/
Weird nobody mention "Mastering Bitcoin" book yet. You either could buy it or read it for free and legal on https://github.com/bitcoinbook/bitcoinbook.
From basics, you will need more advanced, if you want to go further.
Awesome Bitcoin (Github)There is a Bitcoin developers' donation portal with links to their personal githubs, projects and you can learn something from these resources.
There are lots of sources where you can start to learn about the technical aspects of Bitcoin I also have some links that I could share from basic to advanced that includes all the links provided above and how it developed.
Here's the link https://github.com/openblockchains/awesome-blockchains
If you are planning to become a developer you can start reading the DIY blockchain under that link I'm sure you will learn how blockchain works.
Other source that includes altcoins check this one https://github.com/yjjnls/awesome-blockchain