Crypto, an abbreviation for the word cryptocurrency, is a form of digital currency that is anonymous and secure. Due to the nature of this security mechanism, it is tough to fake cryptocurrencies. One thing that makes a cryptocurrency unique, and possibly its most appealing quality, is that a central authority does not issue it. That makes it theoretically immune to interference or manipulation by the government.
Cryptocurrency isn’t just about Bitcoin anymore. There are over 700 cryptocurrencies in circulation, with new ones created daily. In some parts of the world, cryptocurrencies have taken on the form of physical assets, expanding their use beyond the digital realm.
Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin is a form of digital currency mined and stored in public distributed ledger known as the blockchain.
Since there is no central bank or single administrator, Bitcoin is the first truly decentralized digital money. The peer-to-peer network is decentralized. Thus all transactions take place between individual users. Before a transaction in a blockchain, a distributed public ledger, network nodes use cryptography to authenticate its validity.
Users cannot determine the balances of other users because this information is stored centrally. Due to its design, Bitcoin makes proving ownership difficult.
A programmer using the alias “Satoshi Nakamoto” published the decentralized, open-source digital money Bitcoin in 2008. Due to its widespread and consistent use from its inception, it is the cryptocurrency with the most extended history. Bitcoin’s price hit a record high of nearly $20,000 in 2017.
Ethereum (ETH)
ETH is a public, decentralized, open-source platform that utilizes a blockchain and can execute smart contracts.
Ethereum was the first successful cryptocurrency after Bitcoin. It was founded in 2013 by Vitalik Buterin and has since risen to become the second largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.
Ethereum uses its blockchain and currency, Ether (ETH). The Ethereum network went live on July 30th, 2015, with 72 million ETH pre-mined for distribution to crowdsale investors. To ensure that the network would not experience inflation as it expands.
Ethereum is a distributed computing platform that enables developers to build decentralized applications (also known as Dapps) and executes smart contracts. It uses blockchain technology to record transactions between two parties quickly and straightforwardly and doesn’t require a third party.
Tether (USDT)
Tether (USDT) is a stablecoin cryptocurrency “100% backed by Tether’s reserves” and tied to the U.S. dollar. iFinex, a Hong Kong-based business that also controls the cryptocurrency exchange BitFinex, is the owner of Tether.
Initially released in July 2014 under the name RealCoin, then dubbed Tether in November of that year. In February 2015, trading began. Tether is a digital currency that was first built on the Bitcoin blockchain and now works with the Ethereum, TRON, EOS, Algorand, Solana, OMG Network, and Bitcoin Cash (SLP) networks.
With a market worth of almost $83 billion as of May 2022, Tether was the largest stable coin and the third-largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin and Ethereum. The value of Bitcoin exchanges denominated in USDT from Tether dominated two-thirds of all Bitcoin exchanges in April 2022.
The U.S. Dollar Coin (USDC)
The U.S. Dollar Coin (USDC) is a cryptocurrency tied to a U.S. dollar’s value. It aims to solve the problems that come with using cash by giving people an alternative form of digital currency.
The USDC is a cryptocurrency backed by the U.S. dollar. Because of its peg to the dollar, its worth rises and falls in tandem with the dollar. Because of this, it is a fantastic solution for people who want to invest in cryptocurrencies but don’t want to worry about the ups and downs of exchange rates.
BNB (Binance Coin)
The cryptocurrency known as Binance Coin was first introduced into circulation by the Binance corporation. It is an ERC-20 token that runs on the Ethereum blockchain. This coin’s objective is to make it possible for traders to utilize it as a means of payment for the costs associated with trading on the Binance platform. Binance Coin has been around since 2017, and there are no significant security problems. Binance Coin is an ERC20 token based on Ethereum blockchain technology. Then it was released in 2017 as a Binance-compatible utility token. Major markets, including KuCoin, OKEx, and Huobi Pro, have it as a trading option.
It can be challenging to stay up with the latest developments in the world of cryptocurrencies. However, if you’re investing in cryptocurrencies, knowing which ones are the most promising to make the best choices for your portfolio is essential.
After all, here are the top 5 cryptocurrencies of 2022 that will be essential to keep an eye on. While some might argue that any cryptocurrency investment is a risk, these coins have shown significant potential in the past. The value of cryptocurrencies is definitely to increase dramatically over the coming years. Do your research before investing in any of these coins, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
