Crypto comes under many names such as cryptocurrency or crypto currency. Crypto means, it can be used to refer to any currency that exists digitally, or virtually, and uses cryptography for transactions. There is no central authority or regulatory authority to issue cryptos or cryptocurrencies. Instead, they use a decentralized system that is based on blockchain technology that records transactions and issues new units.
What’s Crypto?
Cryptocurrency, a digital payment system, doesn’t depend on banks to verify transactions. It is a peer-to-peer system that allows anyone to send and receive crypto from anywhere in the world. Cryptocurrency payments do not have the physical currency that can be used to exchange money in real life. They are instead digital entries into an internet database that describe specific transactions. All transactions made with cryptocurrency funds will be public. Cryptocurrency wallets are required to store cryptocurrency.
The cryptocurrency was named because it uses an encryption algorithm for transaction verification. Advanced coding is required to store and transmit cryptocurrency data between wallets as well as public ledgers. Encryption is intended to protect and ensure safety.
How does cryptocurrency work?
A cryptocurrency is an encrypted digital medium of exchange that is decentralized and digital. Unlike the U.S. dollar or the Euro, there’s no central authority that controls and maintains cryptocurrency’s value. These tasks are instead distributed across cryptocurrency users via the internet.
You can use cryptocurrency to buy regular goods (such as pizza, and fishing lures) or services (pay taxi), but it is another kind of investment, but not as popular as stocks or real estate. Although cryptocurrency is an emerging new asset class, it can also be very risky. You need to do a lot of research in order to fully understand the system.
A mining process creates cryptocurrencies. Let’s take Bitcoin as an example. To create a Bitcoin, it must be mined. The process of mining is a result of computers working together to solve a mathematical puzzle. The winner receives a new coin, in this instance, a Bitcoin, once the puzzle is solved. Mining equipment can be expensive. If you want to invest in crypto without mining, you can purchase cryptocurrencies via a cryptocurrency exchange.
If you have cryptocurrency, you don’t own any tangible currency. A key allows you to transfer a record or unit between two people, without the need for a trusted third party.
Examples of cryptocurrency
There are many cryptocurrencies. Some most well-known ones are:
Bitcoin:
Bitcoin was first introduced to the public by an anonymous developer or group of developers under the name Satoshi Nakamoto. Since then, it has been the most widely known cryptocurrency in the world. Many other cryptocurrencies have been inspired by it.
Ethereum:
Ethereum is an open-source global blockchain platform that allows decentralized applications (DApps) and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) to be developed. It uses smart contracts and Ether (ETH), as a native digital currency. The network was launched in 2015.
Litecoin:
Litecoin (LTC), another typical cryptocurrency, was created in 2011 from a fork of the Bitcoin blockchain. Litecoin was derived from Bitcoin’s open-source code but has undergone several modifications. Litecoin, like Bitcoin, is based upon an open-source global payments network that isn’t controlled by any central authority.
Bitcoin Cash:
Bitcoin Cash (BCH), a cryptocurrency, shares many characteristics with Bitcoin but also incorporates a few changes and features that make it stand out. It is considered to be a fork of Bitcoin. Bitcoin Cash was designed to allow for larger blocks than Bitcoin. This allows for more transactions to be made into one block.
A lot of people call Non-Bitcoin cryptocurrencies altcoins in order to differentiate them from Bitcoin.
How to Buy Crypto currency
Anyone can buy crypto currency through popular crypto exchanges like Coinbase or apps like PayPal. Brokers are also available. Click to read more about how to buy cryptocurrency.
