Cryptocurrency is a type of digital currency based on blockchain technology that enables peer-to-peer transactions.
The most popular mainstream cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT).
Cryptocurrencies can be accessed through either a cryptocurrency wallet or a trading platform. Key features of cryptocurrencies are decentralization, high transparency, and resistance to tampering.
Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, created in 2009 by an individual or group under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Since its inception, thousands of cryptocurrencies have been developed worldwide, each with unique features and uses.
Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum is the second most popular cryptocurrency, launched by Vitalik Buterin and his team in 2015. Beyond value transfer, Ethereum allows for programmability through smart contracts. Like Bitcoin, Ethereum originally utilized the Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism.
Tether (USDT)
Tether is a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, launched by Tether Limited Inc in 2014. A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value relative to reserve assets, such as fiat currency. Each USDT token is backed by an equivalent amount of assets held in reserve by the company, offering the convenience of cryptocurrency transactions while minimizing price volatility.
