What is cryptocurrency?
A cryptocurrency is a kind of internet money that no bank or government issues. Its transactions are recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain, and thousands of computers around the world each keep a copy.
The blockchain in plain words
Picture a ledger that everyone can read but nobody can erase or rewrite.
A few basic terms
- Bitcoin: the first and best-known cryptocurrency.
- Altcoin: any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin.
- Stablecoin: a coin whose price is tied to a stable asset such as the US dollar.
- Exchange: a place where crypto is bought and sold.
Before you start
Crypto prices swing a lot. Only use money you can afford to lose.