I think you must be hearing the word cryptocurrency often. But unaware of what actually it means? It’s more than just the digital currency with an underlying technology that has the potential to alter the commercial sector as well as various other sectors.
Thus, it will be worth taking out time to know a little about cryptocurrency.
What is Cryptocurrency? – Explained
Simply put, we can refer to cryptocurrency as a digital asset. The term emanates from the fact that all the transactions made from the cryptocurrency are encrypted. It makes the transactions highly secure. Moreover, they are decentralized which means they are administered and managed by a central authority. Cryptocurrencies are finite and sometimes can also be equalized to valuable metals like gold & silver.
The creation of cryptocurrency happens with mining through which the process of solving complicated problems is done. Various powerful computers perform this duty to make crypto transactions successful. Put differently, cryptocurrency exchanges often lead to the introduction of more cryptocurrencies.
Moreover, A blockchain is a technology developed for managing and recording transactions, in which multiple parties keep identical records of each transaction, making it one of the most secure technologies available.
I really believe that blockchain technology is going to make a significant difference in the near future, and those of us who do appreciate it and know which aspects will be significant in the future should invest in specific cryptocurrencies that are the foundation of those aspects,
How Many Cryptocurrencies Are There?
Cryptocurrencies number in the thousands and many are now defunct. In late 2021, CoinMarketCap listed 13,669 cryptocurrencies. Additionally, markets are constantly flooded with new tokens.
Creating a cryptocurrency is extremely easy, which is why there are so many. With Ethereum’s blockchain (CRYPTO: ETH), users can write code and publish it, essentially launching any kind of token using Ethereum. Developers can use the pre existing infrastructure instead of having to build everything from scratch.
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Pros & Cons of Cryptocurrencies
Unlike traditional finances, cryptocurrencies have collective advantages.
Speed
Cryptocurrency transactions can be confirmed in minutes rather than hours. Funds can be spent however the recipient sees fit after confirmation. A transfer usually clears within a day in traditional finance.
Lower fees
A cryptocurrency transaction can often be cheaper than a traditional financial transaction. When it comes to cryptocurrency storage, you won’t be charged a monthly fee, unlike many banks. Compared to traditional international remittance services, sending money internationally is extremely cheap.
No barriers to entry
Bitcoin requires no valid ID or bank account, unlike traditional finance. The application does not require a credit check. You do not have to provide any KYC information. Unbanked people all over the world can find that extremely appealing.
Security
In comparison to cash or debit cards, cryptocurrency is much safer for online transactions. The bitcoins in your wallet can only be stolen if a hacker has your private key. Further, cryptocurrencies are typically anonymous.
Disadvantages of Cryptocurrency
In addition to the advantages of holding cryptocurrency, there are some disadvantages as well. The following are among them:
No insurance
There’s no insurance on funds held in cryptocurrency. Funds deposited in a bank account in the U.S. are typically insured through the FDIC. If the bank loses your money, you’re covered up to $250,000 per account holder. There’s not necessarily any recourse if you or your custodian loses your cryptocurrency.
No way to dispute transactions.
Unlike with cash, you can’t dispute a transaction or reverse it if you accidentally send too much or don’t receive the exchanged amount. Upon confirmation of a transaction on the blockchain, it is finalized. Recovering your money requires an agreement from the other party.
Easy to lose access to funds
The funds in your account cannot be accessed if you lose the private key. Signing and writing transactions to the blockchain require a private key. Multiple backups are a good idea for your private key.
High volatility
There is a great deal of volatility in the value of many cryptocurrencies. Retail prices would have to fluctuate to adjust for the volatility of the currency, making it challenging to use as a means of payment. Additionally, the price swing can easily exceed 10% on a given day, which is difficult to stomach as an investor.
Final Verdict: is it good to invest in cryptocurrency?
The potential value of cryptocurrency investments can’t be summed up in simply a “good” or “bad” statement. The asset class of cryptocurrency may be suitable for a diversified portfolio, but investing most or all of your money in it may not work out well for your portfolio as a whole.
Since cryptocurrencies are new, their risks are difficult to understand, which leads to a poor understanding of how they relate to other assets. It is impossible to predict how cryptocurrencies’ prices will fluctuate when other asset prices change because there is not enough historical data. It is impossible to establish a balanced portfolio that maximizes returns without exceeding your tolerance for risk because of this lack of visibility.
While cryptocurrency lacks historical data, many investors, including banks, CEOs, and institutional investors, argue that everyone should invest in it. Before investing money in cryptocurrencies, it is important to understand what cryptocurrencies are, how they work, and what value they provide over fiat currency.