Cryptocurrency, or “crypto”, has been around for a while. Although it’s popularity is slowly on the rise 📈, there are many who still don’t completely understand blockchain and what it offers. What exactly is it❔ How does it work❔ Is it secure❔
In this article, we’ll answer all of these questions, plus a few more, and give you a basic understanding of what exactly crypto is.
❓ WHAT IS CRYPTOCURRENCY?
Decentralized means that the crypto isn’t issued by a central government or bank authority the way fiat currency 💵 is. Instead, cryptocurrency is created, exchanged 💫 and overseen by a distributed peer-to-peer network 🖧.
📱 As crypto is digital, it isn’t pegged to a fiat currency like USD or HKD, nor is it determined by a precious metal like gold.
💻 Cryptography is the mathematical technique used to secure each unit of cryptocurrency and ensures it can’t be copied.
Most crypto exists on a blockchain platform (see below for more info on blockchain tech).
❓ HOW DOES CRYPTOCURRENCY WORK?
While there are thousands of cryptocurrencies, many are designed to provide some kind of new feature or function on a given blockchain platform. In a secure peer-to-peer network, users can trade or transfer value globally 🌐 and almost instantly, 24/7 ⏲️. It does this without the need for a middleman like a bank 🏦 or payment processor 💱.
📈 Complete list of cryptocurrencies
Below, you can find all of the major cryptocurrencies listed by market capitalization.