Cryptocurrency is different from regular currencies we use every day. Although cryptocurrency has existed for decades, its popularity increased rapidly in 2017. Many people want to know what cryptocurrency is, how it works, and how it can help them.
A cryptocurrency is a digital currency created and held electronically. It’s decentralized and runs on blockchain technology. Cryptocurrency is different from regular currencies we use every day. While fiat money — such as dollars, euros, and yen — comes from a centralized authority, cryptocurrency is decentralized and runs on blockchain technology. Essentially, cryptocurrency is secure and reliable because it’s run by an open source code instead of a human authority.
Most people associate cryptocurrency with Bitcoin— the first decentralized, peer-to-peer digital currency that was introduced in 2009 by a person or group under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. However, there are thousands of different cryptocurrencies in circulation today. Cryptocurrency is especially popular within the tech community because of its potential to disrupt the global financial system. It may also lead to a reduction in government control over monetary policy.
Several real-world applications have already been developed for cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies enable fast, cheap international payments and reductions in the number of transaction fees consumers pay when sending money across borders. Some governments are also exploring the use of cryptocurrencies for taxation purposes. Many economists view these applications as a logical next step for the development of modern economies. In fact, some argue that cryptocurrency will eventually become as important as email was for communication during the early days of the internet.
Despite their many advantages over fiat money, cryptocurrencies have limitations that need to be taken into consideration when using them for financial transactions. For example, cryptocurrency can’t be used to pay taxes or file your income tax returns like regular money can; instead, you must pay taxes by buying more cryptocurrency with your earnings. Additionally, cryptocurrencies are not legal tender— which means they don’t have any intrinsic value and can’t be used to pay for goods and services- in most places. This makes them risky for regular financial transactions as price fluctuations cannot be easily controlled by consumers.
Cryptocurrency has great potential for widespread financial inclusion because it offers low fees, fast transactions and international payments without government interference or control. Although there are many benefits to using cryptocurrency in your daily life, it has limitations when used for financial transactions like paying taxes or making purchases with credit cards. Anyone interested in using cryptocurrency should do their research before investing any money in this new phenomenon!