Although cryptocurrency is one of the most innovative ways to invest and earn money, figuring out its basics can be pretty challenging. With the vast information available on the internet, it can be overwhelming to figure out what’s what. This is why knowing the essential cryptocurrency terms will help you in your journey in trading. If you want to learn more about this, keep reading right here in Casino Days India!
Cryptocurrency terms
There are hundreds of terms in the crypto realm and to be able to understand the hows of crypto, it’s best to be knowledgeable on the different terms. Check them out below:
Altcoin
Alternative cryptocurrencies, known as “altcoins,” are any tokens that are not Bitcoin. Since Bitcoin is the most well recognized and well-established cryptocurrency, some people consider it to be the “primary” cryptocurrency. However, there are hundreds of distinct cryptocurrencies, each having a different monetary value and a range of diverse applications. Some of the most popular altcoins in the market are Ethereum, Ripple and Litecoin.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin is an open-source, peer-to-peer cryptocurrency developed by Satoshi Nakamoto. This means that no one owns or controls it. Since its inception, Bitcoin has paved the way for the birth of other cryptocurrencies. Currently, it’s considered the largest token by market capitalization.
Blockchain
A blockchain is a digital ledger distributed among the whole network of computers. Each block contains several transaction information, and a record of every transaction done on the blockchain is recorded to the ledger of each participant.
Coin
The value of a coin can fluctuate based on current market circumstances. For private transfers or via a crypto exchange, it may sometimes be swapped for another coin from another blockchain.
Wallet
It is possible to send and receive cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum by utilising a crypto wallet, which secures your private keys throughout the transfer and receipt process.
Keep in mind that there are two types of wallets, hot and cold. A hot wallet is where cryptocurrency is stored online or via the internet, on the other hand, a cold wallet is storing your crypto offline, for example, in the form of a flash drive.
If you’re a person who wants to put extra protection on your assets, your best option is a cold wallet. On the other hand, if you prioritize accessibility, your best choice is a hot wallet.
Cryptography
Cryptography refers to the ability to communicate only with the intended recipient. Depending on the configuration, cryptography may provide complete anonymity. The security of a cryptocurrency transaction or the participants in it cannot be compromised by a third party since cryptography protects both sides.
Coinbase
Coinbase is a platform where you can use it if you want to buy and sell digital currencies of all types, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. When it comes to using Coinbase, one of the most common exchanges to buy, sell and trade cryptocurrencies.
Decentralisation
When authority and decision-making are transferred from one person or group to another, this is referred to as decentralization. The purpose of decentralised networks is to make it easy for users to place their confidence in one another, and to prevent them from abusing that trust by attempting to impose authority or control over one another.
Ethereum
ETH, often known as Ether, is the native currency of Ethereum, which is a decentralized network based on blockchain technology that was launched in 2013. Because of the decentralised nature of blockchain technology, it is secure, and this security enables the value of ETH to increase over time.
Fork
An event known as a fork happens whenever the blockchain’s protocol, or core set of rules, is altered by a community of developers. When this happens, a new blockchain is generated that has the same history as the original blockchain but is moving in a different direction than the original. There are two types of forks: soft and hard. Check out their differences below:
- Soft fork – Soft fork is similar to an update in the blockchain world. As long as it is approved by all users, it is considered to be the new set of rules for the currency. Soft forks have been used to add new features or functionality to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which are typically implemented at the programming level.
- Hard fork – During this type of forking, the code used will be changed significantly to the point that the following block cannot be processed by the code. In this situation, there will be two blockchains: the old blockchain and a second blockchain that complies with the new set of rules, which will be the primary blockchain.
Fiat
Fiat currencies are a kind of currency that has been created by the government as a means of trade. Keep in mind that the value of fiat money is zero, both as a store of wealth and as a medium of exchange. It only has value if a government preserves its worth, or if parties participating in trade agree on its value in the market.
Market capitalization
The market capitalization of a cryptocurrency is the total value of all coins generated. A crypto’s market cap may be calculated by multiplying its current supply by its current value.
HODL
A passive investment technique is known as HODL, which stands for “Hold On for Dear Life,” refers to the practice of purchasing cryptocurrencies and keeping on to them rather than selling them in the hope that their value would increase over time.
Halving
In Bitcoin’s code, there is a feature called halving, which means that after a specific number of blocks have been mined, the quantity of new Bitcoin that enters circulation is reduced by half. Keep in mind that halving the Bitcoin supply may influence its price.
Non-fungible tokens
Non-fungible tokens (also known as NFTs) are units of value that are used to represent ownership of one-of-a-kind digital goods, such as artwork or collectables, that are not easily exchangeable.