Cryptocurrency: Why Has It Been So Popular Up To Now?

A lot of people are confused about cryptocurrency. Digital currencies are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people become interested in them and bid their luck investing in them. Digital currencies are significantly different from traditional currencies, although you may not be aware of them. Let’s explore some essential facts about cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrency: What Is It?

Cryptocurrency is a form of digital payment where a network of computers authenticates transactions by using cryptography. Cryptocurrency is decentralized money using block chain technology. The concept of cryptocurrencies entails online payment systems that use virtual “tokens” that are represented by ledger entries that are internal to the system that facilitates secure payments.

Unlike conventional currencies, digital currencies are not generally issued by any central authority, making them technically immune to government intervention or manipulation. Their decentralized structure allows them to remain independent of the central authorities and government. A cryptocurrency may be considered a security depending on how it is structured and how investors expect to make money from it.

Blockchain: What Is It?

An open, distributed ledger that records transactions in code is called a blockchain. It is, in reality, a checkbook distributed over millions of computers around the world. Each cryptocurrency transaction is logged in a “block” that is then linked to other previous transactions to form a “chain”.

A blockchain enables everyone involved in cryptocurrency transactions to maintain a single, unified record of all their transactions. With the blockchain, each new transaction is recorded in real time, and the new information is added to all copies simultaneously, ensuring they are accurate and consistent. To avoid fraud, each transaction is inspected using one or both of the two validation methods: proof of work and proof of stake.

Also Read: What is Blockchain Technology and How Does it Work?

Are There Many Cryptocurrencies?

CoinLore estimates that there are more than 5,000 cryptocurrencies in circulation, not just the most popular ones such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Based on CoinMarketCap’s records, these are the 10 largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Because virtual currencies come in so many forms and are valued so differently, market cap helps to identify those with the largest valuations. It is important to note that the name of a blockchain platform may differ from the name of its digital currency.

1. Bitcoin

Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency ever created in 2009 by a person known as Satoshi Nakamoto (or possibly a group). Currently, there are more than 18.8 million Bitcoin tokens on the market, which is more than the 21 million capped limits. The idea behind Bitcoin was to be independent of any central bank or government. It relies instead on blockchain technology, which provides a digital record of every Bitcoin transaction. Most cryptography forms today are based on the fundamental cryptography system created by Bitcoin and consensus (peer-to-peer) verification.

2. Ethereum

The Ethereum blockchain is similar to Bitcoin, except that Ethereum is a programmable blockchain – it was not designed to support currency, but rather to enable its users to create, publish, monetize, and use applications (known as “DApps”). The native currency of the Ethereum is ETH (ETH), and it was developed for payment on the Ethereum platform. Ether was ranked second in the virtual currency world, behind Bitcoin, as of September 2021.

3. Cardano (ADA)

As a third-generation blockchain platform, Cardano shows itself to be a serious competitor. The coin is named ADA after the mathematician Ada Lovelace. With Cardano, development is taking place in five phases, with the goal of achieving its goal of becoming a decentralized application platform (DApp) with a multi-assets ledger and verifiable smart contracts.

4. Binance Coin (BNB)

The Binance Coin or BNB is a cryptocurrency that has been issued by the Binance Exchange & Trades. Binance has became the largest cryptocurrency in the world in Q2 2022, with over $ 7.6 billion of volume. It is traded with the BNB symbol. Binance have a market cap of more than $56 Billion and comes just after the Bitcoin, Ethereum and USA Tether.

5. Tether

Tether was launched in 2014, and it has been made to facilitate the existing currencies in the digital manner. The tether moves across the bloackchain and has been made to replace the existing real world currency, that it has been pegged with the 1-1 basis, i.e. 1 usd = 1 Tether.

6. Solana

Solana is a cryptocurrency that has been created with the Smart Contract Functionality. It is traded as SOL and was established on November 2017.  Solana has been created by the Solana Labs and Solana Foundation. Solana is ultra fast and have low cost per transaction, for apps and websites to integrate them.

7. XRP

XPR also known as Proton is a public block chain which has been designed for the payment method as well as applications. The Proton provides an secure and verified accounts. Proton does away with the notion of directly sharing private keys with merchants by creating a permission-less layer that sits on top of traditional card networks and banks.

8. Dogecoin

Dogecoin is a cryptocurrency that has been created by the 2 software engineers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer. The dogecoin is addreviated as DOGE, and ofter known in the market as a meme coin. It features the face of a dog named Shiba Inu. As introduced on December 2013 and has reached the market cap of $85 Billion on May 5 , 2021. It is currently the sponsor of Warford Football Club.

9. Polkadot (DOT)

It’s an cryptocurrency that has been created with an aim to exchange the messages and perform online transactions without a third party. The Polkadot network have a chain used primarily known as “ Relay Chain “ and users have created their own parallel chains known as “ Para Chain “. It has been created by the Ethereum co founder Gavin Wood which raised over $144.3 million in October 2017.

10. USD (USDC)

As the name suggests then USD Coin is pegged to the United States Dollar. Also known as stable coin or digital dollar. It is available 24/7 which can be always exchanged for 1:1 for cash and other payment accepting platforms. It’s easier to use USDC as it can be used to purchase goods and service. A person needs an internet connection to send, receive or save USDC.

Also Read: How Blockchain Revolutionizes the Healthcare Industry in 2023

Cryptocurrency: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

The transfer of cryptocurrency involves two parties transferring funds directly, without a third party, such as a bank or credit card company as a middleman. As part of making such transfers secure, cryptography uses two types of keys: public and private keys, as well as different incentive schemes, such as proof of stake or proof of work.

Modern cryptocurrency systems create a public key for the user’s “wallet,” whereas the private key, which is used to sign transactions, is known only to the owner. Money transfers are completed with minimal fees, significantly reducing the fees charged by banks and financial institutions.

Disadvantages

A cryptographic transaction is semi-anonymous, making it ideal for a variety of illegal activities, including money laundering and tax evasion. In contrast, cryptocurrency advocates often emphasize the importance of their anonymity, citing the advantages of protection for whistleblowers or activists living under repressive regimes.

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are relatively poor choices for an illegal online business, as the blockchain technology has been used to arrest and prosecute criminals.

In spite of the increasing number of merchants who accept cryptocurrency, they still remain in the minority. Initially, cryptocurrencies must be widely accepted by consumers before becoming more widely used. Although, their relative complexity compared to conventional currency is likely to deter most people if only they are technically savvy.

Cryptocurrency: Conclusion

Cryptocurrencies’ history is very telling about its role in the future of finance. Technology such as blockchain can potentially disrupt existing financial systems, which rely on trusted parties for transactions to be monitored, verified, and authorized. Technology continues to advance, which means that more sectors are recognizing and accepting cryptocurrencies as a financial system. Eventually, cryptocurrency might replace traditional financial systems.

Various websites also provide information about cryptocurrencies, the way they work, their significance, etc. For those of you who would like to write an essay or assignment on cryptocurrency, you can always avail yourself of essay writing services.