A digital currency secured by cryptography and typically recorded on a decentralized blockchain rather than issued by a central bank.
Cryptocurrencies let people transfer value over the internet without relying on a bank or payment company to keep the ledger. Ownership is controlled through private keys, and transactions are validated by a network of participants.
Bitcoin was the first, launched in 2009, and thousands of others have followed. Some, like Ether, also power programmable platforms for smart contracts. Stablecoins aim to hold a steady value by tracking a currency such as the US dollar. Cryptocurrency prices can be extremely volatile, and the space has seen scams, hacks, and exchange collapses. Legal status varies by country, from regulated trading to outright bans, so anyone interested should understand local rules and the risks before getting involved.
The first decentralized cryptocurrency, launched in 2009, which uses a public blockchain and proof of work to record transactions.
BlockchainA shared, append-only digital ledger in which records are grouped into blocks that are cryptographically linked in sequence.
Central Bank Digital CurrencyA digital form of a country's official currency, known as a CBDC, issued and backed directly by its central bank.
StablecoinA cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value, usually by being pegged to a fiat currency such as the US dollar.
WalletSoftware or hardware that stores the private keys needed to access and manage cryptocurrency and other blockchain assets.
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