What is Cryptocurrency?

A Cryptocurrency, also known as crypto, or coin, is digital money that functions as a means of exchange through a computer network and is not supported and maintained by any (a government or a bank) central authority.

Individual currency ownership records are kept in a digital ledger, a computerized database that uses strong encryption to safeguard transaction records, control coin production, and verify ownership transfers. Despite their name, crypto currencies are not considered currencies in the conventional sense. While they have received several classifications, including commodities, securities, and currencies, crypto currencies are typically a unique asset class in practice. To keep the coin operating, validators are utilized in numerous cryptosystems. In a proof-of-stake method, token owners put their tokens up (collateral). In proportion to their interest in the exchange, they get power over the receipt. Due to network fees, newly minted tokens, or other compensation mechanisms, token stakes frequently obtain significant ownership of the ticket over time.

Cryptocurrency is not issued by a government and does not exist in a physical form (like paper money). In contrast to a central bank’s digital money, crypto currencies often employ decentralized control (CBDC). A Cryptocurrency is deemed centralized when it is coined or generated before issuance or issued by a single issuer. When implemented with decentralized governance, each Cryptocurrency uses distributed ledger technology, often a Blockchain, to operate as a public financial transaction database. Traditional asset classes, such as currencies, commodities, equities, and macroeconomic factors, have only minor exposure to Cryptocurrency returns.

A Cryptocurrency is an online-only marketable digital asset or digital form of money based on Blockchain technology. As the name implies, Crypto currencies employ encryption to authenticate and safeguard transactions. Currently, there are about a thousand different crypto currencies available.

Why do Cryptocurrency prices fluctuate?

Let’s look at the three primary factors that influence Cryptocurrency prices:

1. Liquidity- All traded assets, including crypto currencies; require liquidity—low liquidity signals market volatility, leading to price increases in crypto currencies. On the other hand, high liquidity indicates a stable market with frequent price movements.
2. Media and reputation- For better or worse, social media and other forms of media can influence Bitcoin price changes. The announcement of a prominent digital currency exchange being hacked might trigger a dramatic reduction in the value of digital currencies. When the Hong Kong-based exchange Bitfinex was hacked, the value of Bitcoin plunged by 20%.
3. Arbitrage- Arbitrage is the simultaneous buying and selling of the same item in multiple marketplaces to profit from small price fluctuations. It takes advantage of short-term price fluctuations in the same or comparable financial products in different marketplaces or formats. Because traders find it difficult to arbitrage disparities, prices in markets can last longer than they would in a more efficient market. This is by no means absolute, as bots may affect arbitrage, but it is another occurrence that might eventually affect exchange pricing.

MOST POPULAR CRYPTOCURRENCIES

Bitcoin (BTC) – is mentoring digital or virtual money founded in 2009 to allow quick payments. The first decentralized Cryptocurrency was Bitcoin. A central authority does not govern Bitcoin. It creates safe digital money transactions using Blockchain technology. Bitcoin makes account information and transaction history public, rather than relying on a bank to ensure that money is accessible for transfer. Before initiating a transaction, users can check the availability of cash.

• Ethereum (ETH) – is a Blockchain platform that can run various decentralized applications (dApps), including crypto currencies. The ETH coin is usually referred to as Ethereum, even though Ethereum is a Blockchain-based platform with ether as its money.
• Tether (USDT) – is a stable coin, a form of Cryptocurrency that aims for a constant value. Investors that wish to escape the volatility of crypto currencies while keeping their money in the cryptosystem utilize Tether.
• BNB – is a Cryptocurrency (token) that was launched in 2017. It was issued initially and released at an ICO (Initial Coin Offering) crowd-funding event between June 26 and July 3. 100,000,000 BNB units were sold in the token auction (50 percent of the total supply).
• USD Coin (USDC) – is a digital stable coin tied to the US dollar. The USD Coin is controlled by the Centre consortium, which was created by Circle and comprised members from the Cryptocurrency exchange Coin base and Bitcoin mining company Bit main, a Circle investor.
• XRP – XRP is a Ripple Network coin that is used to indicate value transfer. Ripple, unlike Bitcoin, issued 100 billion XRP tokens at its creation as an incentive for participants to donate computer power to maintain the Blockchain network.

CONCLUSION

Crypto currency’s primary purpose is to alleviate the problems with traditional currencies by providing currency holders power and accountability; however, one must be cautious and have a complete understanding before investing.