The Rise of Cryptocurrencies!
Bitcoin changed the way people think about money. Hundreds of other cryptocurrencies have been created since and they all want to change the world!
Check out a few of the cryptocurrencies that have come along since Bitcoin;
Litecoin is a lot like Bitcoin but its transactions are processed four times faster. Litecoin mining is easier than Bitcoin mining, so users with less powerful computers can become miners.
Ethereum uses more advanced blockchain technology than Bitcoin. It’s sometimes called Blockchain 2.0. Ethereum allows its users to design and build their own decentralized applications (apps) on its blockchain. If Bitcoin wants to replace banks, then Ethereum wants to replace everything else. Ethereum developers can build dApp versions of centralized apps like Facebook, Amazon, Twitter or even Google! The platform is becoming bigger than just a cryptocurrency. So, what is cryptocurrency when it’s not really cryptocurrency anymore? It’s Ethereum! A platform that uses blockchain technology to build and host decentralized apps.
INTERESTING FACT
Ethereum has quickly skyrocketed in value since its introduction in 2015, and it is now the 2nd most valuable cryptocurrency by market cap. It’s increased in value by 2,226% in just last year - a huge boon for early investors.
Launching race between Bitcoin and Ethereum
Would you like to know more about Ethereum? Check out my What is Ethereum guide.
IOTA is a pretty special cryptocurrency, it doesn’t have a blockchain! IOTA uses a DLT called the Tangle. Miners don’t confirm new transactions, users do...When a user wants to make a payment using the Tangle they have to verify and confirm two other user’s transactions first. Only then will their payment be processed. It’s like getting students to grade each other’s homework instead of the teacher doing it. The Tangle is thought to be a lot faster than Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum! If you thought that was weird, check this out — IOTA isn’t even designed to be used by humans! It’s designed for the Internet of Things. That’s any machine with an internet connection. IOTA will help the IoT communicate with itself. IOTA actually means the Internet of Things Application. Imagine that! In the future, your driverless car will use IOTA to go to the gas station, fill up with gas and pay. All without any humans being involved.
Cryptocurrencies aren’t just for sending money without using a bank. They can do all kinds of cool things. These cryptocurrencies and many others are available to buy and sell on crypto exchanges. So, what is cryptocurrency trading?
Cryptocurrency Trading
Buying and selling cryptocurrencies has become a very big business. The total value of all the cryptocurrencies in the world is more than 350 billion US Dollars. Just under 17 billion US Dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency was bought and sold today!
INTERESTING FACT
You can trade online with crypto exchanges like Binance, Bitstamp, and Coinbase. You can also arrange to trade cryptocurrencies in-person with peer-to-peer sites like LocalBitcoins.com
Binance cryptocurrency trading platform logo
You can trade online with crypto exchanges like Binance, Bitstamp, and Coinbase. You can also arrange to trade cryptocurrencies in-person with peer-to-peer sites like LocalBitcoins.com.
A cryptocurrency market is an exciting place. Traders can make millions and then lose it all. Cryptocurrencies are created overnight and then disappear just as fast. My advice to any newbie trader out there is to only spend what you can afford to lose. I know I sound like your Grandma, but it’s true!
Crypto trading should be used as a way to support the technology and not as a quick way to get rich!
Since you started reading this guide, you’ve been getting closer and closer to understanding cryptocurrency. There’s just one more question I’d like to answer. What is cryptocurrency going to do for the world?