An introduction to cryptocurrency reveals that it has gained popularity due to its security, transparency, and potential for financial independence. In 2009, the creator of Bitcoin, the most well-known cryptocurrency, launched it, and since then, thousands of other digital currencies have joined it. While the concept of cryptocurrency is still evolving, it is becoming increasingly accepted as a legitimate form of payment and investment.
A network of computers, instead of a single central authority, creates, transfers, and verifies transactions in cryptocurrencies that operate on decentralized systems.
Although Bitcoin is the most well-known cryptocurrency, there are thousands of others with a wide range of features and characteristics. Developer design some cryptocurrencies to serve as a store of value, similar to digital gold, while others serve as a medium of exchange, similar to traditional currencies. Additionally, they intend certain cryptocurrencies for use in specific contexts, such as decentralized agreements or smart contracts (dApps).
Introduction to Cryptocurrency: Basic Concepts
One of the key concepts underlying cryptocurrencies is the blockchain, a decentralised and distributed ledger that records transactions on multiple computers. They call it a “chain” because it consists of a series of blocks, and each block holds a list of transactions.
By encrypting and decentralizing it, the network’s nodes ensure the security of the blockchain, making it impossible to alter without their consensus and removing control by a single entity.
Another concept is the public and private keys. People use public and private keys in the context of cryptocurrencies to securely transfer money or data between individuals. They find these keys in a cryptocurrency wallet and use them to send and receive virtual money.
In the case of a wallet, the public key is like the email address you share with your friends and colleagues in order to share important information.
A wallet owner makes their public key, a special long alphanumeric code used to receive payments, publicly available to anyone who wants to send cryptos to them. This code, connected to the wallet, serves as a bank account number.
On the other hand, you alone know your private key, which acts like the password for your email account. In the same way that you can access your email account using your password, you can access the coins in your wallet using your private key, a unique code. Similar to a password, you must protect your private key at all times, as anyone with knowledge of it can access the coins stored in your wallet.
So, you have scrolled this much through the introduction to cryptocurrency article then we bet you can’t resist time travel to the past and learn about the birth of cryptocurrencies!