Perhaps you’ve caught phrases like 'Bitcoin' and 'cryptocurrency' buzzing around investment news, making impressions and sparking interest among investors. Since Bitcoin's inception, this digital currency has skyrocketed in value. In the past 24 hours alone, the recorded trading volume for Bitcoin is a staggering $25.20 billion. With the price of a single Bitcoin surpassing $34,000, these cryptocurrencies are impossible to ignore.

In this guide, you'll discover what cryptocurrencies are, how they operate and the various ways of obtaining them. This comprehensive guide provides a deep dive into the world of cryptocurrencies and their potential for future impact. Furthermore, it will explore the intricacies involved with using cryptocurrencies as a medium of exchange or an investment and the potential issues one might encounter in the process.

Understanding Cryptocurrencies

Let's start at the foundation: What exactly is cryptocurrency? While many have heard the term, few grasp its true nature. Even fewer comprehend the mechanics behind its operation. Therefore, gaining a basic understanding of this technology is pivotal before considering it as an investment.

Cryptocurrencies are akin to traditional, or fiat, currencies such as the Dollar. However, one key difference is that cryptocurrencies have no tangible form. As a digital technology, these currencies are stored in a digital wallet allowing for transactions such as transferring the crypto coins from an exchange to the wallet. It's an entirely virtual process where the coins exist only as digital entries in an online ledger.

While cryptocurrencies are lauded for their advantages over traditional fiat money, it's important to remember that they carry their own risks. Certain issues, such as security concerns and volatility, are particularly pertinent. This guide outlines the fundamental aspects and uses of cryptocurrencies in the current global financial landscape. It aims to equip readers with a comprehensive understanding that might aid their financial decisions.

Cryptocurrencies as Investment Assets

Over the years, Bitcoin has cultivated rich payoffs for its investors, generating millionaires and drawing attention as a lucrative investment opportunity. However, one must also bear in mind the high level of risk that comes with such volatile investments. While other cryptocurrencies have also gained traction, due to their highly volatile nature, they can be seen as risky investments.

Nevertheless, despite these risks, with diligent research, careful monitoring, and smart decisions, significant profits can be reaped from investing in cryptocurrencies. Some are drawn to these digital currencies because they offer a viable alternative to traditional financial systems, providing a possible solution to some of the problems associated with fiat currencies. Investing in cryptocurrency isn't just about purchasing crypto coins and waiting for their value to increase. Some investors choose to stake their coins on the network, a process called 'coin staking', which helps verify transactions and attract compensation in return.

Cryptocurrency as a Payment Method

Thanks to widespread adoption, cryptocurrencies are no longer limited to investment portfolios. English economist John Maynard Keynes once described money as a "link to the future". Value stored today can be carried forward in time and redeemed for goods or services tomorrow. Increasingly, this future-facing property of money is carried by cryptocurrencies. Various organizations now accept payments in the form of cryptocurrency, following the establishment of specific payment gateways such as Bitpay that facilitate conversions from crypto to fiat currency.

The rise of these crypto-friendly enterprises denotes a growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a valid means of transaction. Bitpay, for example, provides customers with a debit card linked to their account. Upon making a payment, the customer's Bitcoins are automatically converted into USD and used to settle the transaction. This type of automated, seamless transaction process has the potential to simplify commerce, providing an easy way for customers to use and spend cryptocurrencies. This widespread acceptance and implementation of cryptocurrency in commerce is set to drive the mainstream adoption of this novel currency further.

Functioning of Cryptocurrency

Understanding how cryptocurrencies work is crucial. Despite their growing popularity and acceptance, many people remain unfamiliar with the fundamental workings of these digital currencies. Some might even find the concept somewhat abstract and bewildering.

To put it simply, cryptocurrencies operate on a technology called 'blockchain'. This decentralized network, spread across numerous computers and servers, maintains a comprehensive, unalterable log of transactions. The blockchain is essentially a trustless, public ledger that records every transaction that has ever occurred. The blockchain consists of digital ledgers containing records pertaining to contracts, transactions, and certificates. This immutable nature of blockchain records makes cryptocurrency a more secure system compared to traditional currencies.

How is Cryptocurrency created?

Creating cryptocurrencies isn't as simple as printing more money. In contrast to traditional money, which is printed by governments as and when needed, cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, rely on a process called 'mining' to generate new coins. It’s a complex process that involves computers solving complex mathematical puzzles. During mining, these problems are solved, resulting in the creation of new blockchain blocks. Following this process, codes and algorithms are used to create the cryptocurrency and the blockchain network.

The aforementioned process is underpinned by cryptography, which ensures the effective creation and functioning of the cryptocurrency. The use of cryptographic algorithms ensures that the transactions are secure and tamper-resistant, adding an extra layer of security that is simply not present with traditional means of transaction.

Differentiating Between Proof of Work and Proof of Stake Algorithms

If the concept of mining appears complicated, understanding the underlying processes that make it possible can help. Mining and earning cryptocurrencies necessitate understanding two primary algorithm types: proof of work and proof of stake. The method of developing new coins on a blockchain depends on these systems. Let's delve into how they work:

1. Proof of Work: In this system, each block is associated with a complex mathematical problem. All computers mining the block compete to solve the problem first, and the one that does is bestowed with the block. This method effectively subscribes to a first-come-first-served approach. The greater a miner's computational power, the higher the probability of solving the block and receiving the reward.

2. Proof of Stake: Contrary to the proof of work system, in proof of stake, coins that an individual owns are staked for a certain time on the blockchain, following which compensation is given based on the amount of cryptocurrency staked. This process does not require the miner to perform any work, rather, they simply need to demonstrate ownership of a certain number of cryptocurrency units.

The Future Direction of Cryptocurrency Trading

Despite being a relatively new entrant in the finance realm, cryptocurrencies have sparked interest and gained considerable momentum. More brokers and exchanges have started offering cryptocurrency trading pairs, and dedicated crypto exchanges have also surfaced. The steady rise in popularity of these markets can be accredited to a broad range of factors. The primary one being the high potential returns on investments, which is largely fueled by the volatility of the cryptocurrency market. This trend shows no signs of slowing down, thus accentuating and consolidating the position of cryptocurrencies in the global financial infrastructure. We can only speculate where the widespread adoption and acceptance of cryptocurrencies might take us, but it's evident that they are here to stay.

Taxonomy of Cryptocurrencies

Just as physical money comes in many forms like coins, banknotes, or cheques, digital currency, too, takes multiple forms. Various cryptocurrencies exist today, and understanding the distinctions among them aids in strategizing your investments. Each type of cryptocurrency has its unique features and characteristics, thus offering a different value proposition to investors. Some might find utility in cryptocurrencies that cater to specific industries, while others might prefer ones that offer a high level of privacy and anonymity.

Bitcoin and Altcoins

Bitcoin was the first implementation of a cryptocurrency and is unanimously considered the king of digital currencies. Bitcoin is regarded as the very first and most valuable cryptocurrency. However, following Bitcoin's release, many entrepreneurs have endeavored to create their own cryptocurrencies — and several have seen notable success. The term 'Altcoin' is generally used to refer to any other cryptocurrency such as Ethereum and Tether that followed Bitcoin. Altcoins may differ from Bitcoin in every respect such as mining mechanisms, coin-distribution methods or the ability to create decentralized applications.

Mineable and Non-Mineable Cryptocurrencies

Many cryptocurrencies can be mined, where you are awarded small amounts of crypto based on the mathematical problems your hardware can solve. However, not all cryptocurrencies are mineable.

While mineable cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin use a proof of work algorithm, non-mineable ones like Binance Coin use a proof of stake system. The classification of cryptocurrencies as mineable and non-mineable is crucial in determining the type of investment strategy one might pursue. It also paints a clearer picture of the resource requirements for mining each coin, which can be significant in the case of mineable cryptocurrencies.

Trading Cryptocurrency: Three Key Strategies

When it comes to investing and trading in cryptocurrencies, it's important to be aware of the strategies available. Various strategies exist for trading cryptocurrencies, and having the know-how of these can help you choose one that best suit your needs.

1. Buy and Hold Strategy: A popular strategy involves purchasing cryptocurrencies when prices are low and retaining them until their value appreciates. This strategy is favoured by investors who are looking at a long-term horizon and can afford to wait out volatile market swings in anticipation of a large price jump on the horizon.

2. Cryptocurrency Day Trading: A day trading approach involves opening and closing your position in the same day. This provides the opportunity to capitalize on the volatile daily swings in the cryptocurrency market. However, it also requires a high level of attention and analytical skill.

3. Swing Trading: Swing trading looks to secure short-term and medium-term gains over several days to a few weeks using fundamental analysis of price patterns to predict the cryptocurrency's future. This approach aims at making use of the tendency of cryptocurrencies to experience significant fluctuations in value.

Conclusion

Cryptocurrencies offer a novel and exciting avenue for investment opportunities, albeit they are a relatively new concept in the world of finance. In a short span of a decade, these digital currencies have emerged as a popular choice for investors looking for secure and profitable avenues. While the volatile nature of these digital currencies may seem daunting, a well-diversified portfolio can potentially shield against losses and fortify your investments. The world of cryptocurrencies is vast and multifaceted, and while these digital currencies carry significant risks, they also hold immense potential for substantial rewards.

References

https://www.coindesk.com/price/bitcoin

https://bitpay.com/card

https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-cryptocurrency

https://www.bitdegree.org/crypto/tutorials/proof-of-work-vs-proof-of-stake