One distinguishing feature of cryptocurrencies is that they are not generally issued by any central authority, making them theoretically immune to government interference and manipulation. Cryptocurrency is a type of payment that can be used to exchange goods and services over the internet. Cryptocurrencies use blockchain technology to function. Blockchain is a distributed technology that manages and records transactions across a network of computers.
Understanding Cryptocurrency
A cryptocurrency is a digital and virtual currency that is protected by cryptography, making it nearly impossible to forge or spend twice. Many cryptocurrencies are built on decentralized networks and blockchain technology, which is a distributed ledger supported by a diverse network of computers.
Why Were Cryptocurrencies Invented?
The cryptocurrency was first introduced in 1998. David Chaum is a cryptographer who invented the eCash and DigiCash systems. Satoshi Nakamoto developed Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency that came into existence. The global financial crisis that happened in 2008 was a terrifying event. It affected everyone, including the US. It caused the value of coins to plummet. In 2009, Bitcoin was created by a person who went by the pseudonym, Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin was the world’s first cryptocurrency. Satoshi Nakamoto was not the first to develop it. The idea behind Bitcoin was to create a new type of money that people could use and benefit from, even as the economy went through a major crisis.
The primary goal of cryptocurrency is to solve the problems associated with traditional currencies by giving currency holders power and responsibility. All cryptocurrencies adhere to money’s five properties and three functions. They are all attempting to solve one or more real-world issues.
What is the Current Status of Cryptocurrencies?
Over time, the acceptance of cryptocurrencies became more widespread. Its beginnings were not good, but it has changed significantly since then. Many companies now allow their employees to pay with these virtual currencies.
- Two companies are currently developing their cryptocurrency: Facebook and Kodak.
- Other companies are also starting to accept virtual currencies as a way to pay for goods and services.
- Some hotels allow guests to pay with cryptos, such as the Dolder Grand Hotel in Switzerland and the Casual del Mar Hotel in Malaga.
- For airlines, Surf Air already allows its users to carry out various actions with cryptocurrencies. For instance, if a customer has a profit, they can cancel their flight without paying a fee.
The National Tourist Office of Germany wants to be the first institution in the world to accept cryptocurrencies as a payment method. They believe that this new method of payment will allow them to improve their operations and profitability.
What is the Future of Cryptocurrencies?
- Over the years, blockchain technology has gained widespread acceptance. Its potential is immense, and it could reach a level of $80 million in five years.
- With the emergence of cryptocurrencies, many countries are eager to explore the digital world before their unregulated counterparts can be established.
- Due to the nature of cryptocurrencies’ development, they will likely continue to be around for a long time. This is because they are not yet as popular as traditional money.
- In 2009, Bitcoin was created by Satoshi Nakamoto, who is believed to be a pseudonymous developer. Its first decentralized version was called Bitcoin. In 2011, Namecoin was launched as an attempt to create a decentralized DNS system.
- In August 2014, the UK’s Treasury commissioned a study on the potential impact of cryptocurrencies on the UK economy. The study was to look into the role that they could play in the UK.
- El Salvador became the first country to accept Bitcoin as a form of payment in June 2021. The country’s legislature then passed a bill that recognizes the cryptocurrency as such.
India is all set to launch its pilot run of the digital rupee by December 2021. Shaktikanta Das, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, said that the digital version of the rupee is in the works and will be ready by the end of this year
Use Cases for Cryptocurrencies
Many cryptocurrencies are also used for other purposes beyond just paying for goods and services. There are various use cases for decentralized networks, such as insurance and payment processing. Cryptocurrencies are digital tokens that any physical commodities or institutions do not back. They are accepted as payment methods by natural or legal persons in most countries. Aside from being a medium of exchange, cryptocurrencies are also products with intrinsic value. Due to their potential, they are widely used in the field of blockchain technology.
Bitcoin- The Undisputed King
Aside from hyperinflation and political instability, there is also a growing interest in Bitcoin in areas where the banking system is not yet established. While many regions still rely on cash for transactions, the number of people without a bank account increases. With digital wallets, people can transfer Bitcoin without having to go to a bank.
Ethereum- The Hub of Decentralized Apps and Smart Contracts
Ethereum is the world’s leading decentralized network. Its emergence as the world’s first distributed computing platform was due primarily to introducing the ERC20 standard. Smart and utility tokens are the core technology behind blockchain-based assets, which can be used for various applications. They are easily verifiable through their ERC20 tokens.
Iota- Connecting Resources and Services in IOT
The IOTA project is an open-source distributed ledger that aims to create an environment where machines can trade services and resources. One use case for the project is the development of a connected car payment system. Through their smartphones, drivers can now pay road tolls and collect parking fees without using a credit card. They can also report road conditions to various entities, such as highway departments and road maintenance authorities.
Another example of IOTA’s Tangle is the construction of a self-sufficient community in Trondheim, Norway. Through its energy-positive design, the project aims to transform office buildings into energy producers.
Tether – Pegging Cryptocurrencies to Fiat
Stablecoins are digital currencies designed to provide a consistent and secure way to hold a stable value. They are usually linked to a specific unit of a US dollar. Other cryptocurrencies or real-world assets can back a stable coin. Its value can be used to purchase goods and services in the local area. Stablecoins are digital currencies that are pegged to the US dollar. Traders use them to move between cryptocurrencies quickly. The concept of a stable coin is that its value can fluctuate along with the value of another asset. You want to convert Bitcoin to Ethereum without losing any value. You expect the price of Bitcoin to drop so you can trade it for a stable coin like USD Coin or Tether.
The blockchain industry is the driving force behind the democratization of technology and investments. Its success will depend on the efforts of regulators and industry professionals in promoting the adoption of cryptocurrencies in the everyday world. Blockchain’s core characteristics, such as decentralization, transparency, and immutability, are often applied to various industries. A few of them are as mentioned:
- Capital Markets: For capital markets, blockchain technology unlocks the potential of capital markets to improve efficiency and lower costs. It enables faster and cheaper access to capital.
- Central Bank Digital Currencies CBDC: Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are digital money that offers central banks unique advantages, such as increased flexibility and access to funds for individual customers.
- Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Decentralized finance is the shift from traditional banking systems to peer-to-peer transactions. It is built on Ethereum, the world’s most popular blockchain.
- Digital Identity: A secure digital identity system is built on blockchain technology that securely stores and manages user data. It is designed to provide a tamper-resistant environment that allows users to protect their data.
- Government and the Public Sector: Ethereum blockchain technology enables governments to improve efficiency, lower costs, and build trust.
- Real Estate: Enterprise Ethereum enables the digital transformation of financial instruments and assets. It democratizes access to capital markets and allows real estate investors to take advantage of the rising prices.
- Law: The estimated 9.8% loss in productivity associated with manual operations at a law firm is worth $12 billion annually. An institutional-grade blockchain platform can help minimize this cost by providing transparency, reducing costs, and improving efficiency.
- Supply Chain Management: Existing supply chains are often inefficient and poorly tracked. With blockchain, it can streamline processes and provide transparency into the origin of consumer goods.
- Media and Entertainment: Piracy and fraud cost the entertainment industry around $71 billion annually. With blockchain technology, it can help preserve and protect digital content.
- Syndicated Loans: The complexity of global capital markets and the associated costs and liabilities are some of the factors that have led to the rise of syndicated loans. Blockchain can help solve these problems by eliminating these intermediaries and lowering their costs.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cryptocurrency
Advantages
Cryptocurrencies deliver on their promise of making it easier to transfer funds directly between two parties without the need for a trustworthy third party such as a bank or credit card company. These transfers are rather secured through the use of public and private keys, as well as various types of reward systems such as Proof of Work or Proof of Stake. A user’s ‘wallet’ or account address has a public key in the latest cryptocurrency ledger systems, and the private key is only known to the owner and is used to sign transactions.
Drawbacks
The semi-anonymous nature of cryptocurrency exchange makes it ideal for a variety of illegal activities, such as money laundering and tax evasion. However, cryptocurrency advocates frequently emphasize the importance of anonymity, citing benefits such as protection for whistleblowers or activists living under repressive governments. Some cryptocurrencies have a higher level of privacy than others.
Because forensic analysis of the Bitcoin blockchain has assisted authorities in arresting and prosecuting criminals, Bitcoin is a relatively poor choice for conducting illegal business online. However, more privacy-oriented coins exist, such as Dash, Monero, and ZCash, which are far more difficult to trace.
Conclusion
Cryptocurrency markets are decentralized, which means they are not issued or supported by a centralized authority such as a government. Instead, they are dispersed over a computer network. Cryptocurrencies, on the other hand, can be purchased and sold on exchanges and saved in ‘wallets.’
Unlike traditional currencies, cryptocurrencies exist only as a shared digital record of ownership stored on a blockchain. When one user wishes to send cryptocurrency units to another, they do so via the recipient’s digital wallet. The transaction is not considered complete until it is verified and added to the blockchain via the mining process. This is also how the majority of new cryptocurrency tokens are created.
