Research Cryptocurrency
Research Cryptocurrency
Background
To give a brief background, cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual currencies underpinned by cryptographic systems. What does that exactly
mean? Cryptocurrency enables one to secure online payments without the use of third-party intermediaries as most of them are in decentralized
networks powered by blockchain technology.
Cryptocurrency is a digital payment system that doesn't rely on banks to verify transactions. It’s a peer-to-peer system that can enable anyone
anywhere to send and receive payments. Instead of being physical money carried around and exchanged in the real world, cryptocurrency
payments exist purely as digital entries to an online database describing specific transactions. When you transfer cryptocurrency funds, the
transactions are recorded in a public ledger. Cryptocurrency is stored in digital wallets.
Cryptocurrency received its name because it uses encryption to verify transactions. This means advanced coding is involved in storing and
transmitting cryptocurrency data between wallets and to public ledgers. The aim of encryption is to provide security and safety.
Currently, there are thousands of types of cryptocurrency in the market that is available to the public. Each cryptocurrency has a unique function
and specification. Let us explore some of the known types of cryptocurrency.
1) The most popular and valuable cryptocurrency is Bitcoin. Satoshi Nakamoto, an anonymous person, invented it and published it in a
white paper in 2008. Bitcoin, which went public in 2009, is still the most extensively traded and covered cryptocurrency. It is referred to
as digital gold due to its scarcity and its intrinsic value according to its backers. There were about 19 million bitcoins in circulation as of
May 2022, with a total market valuation of around $576 billion. There will only ever be 21 million bitcoins. Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency,
a virtual currency designed to act as money and a form of payment outside the control of any one person, group, or entity, and thus
removing the need for third-party involvement in financial transactions. It is rewarded to blockchain miners for the work done to verify
transactions and can be purchased on several exchanges. Bitcoin was introduced to the public in 2009 by an anonymous developer or
group of developers using the name Satoshi Nakamoto.It has since become the most well-known cryptocurrency in the world. Its
popularity has inspired the development of many other cryptocurrencies. These competitors either attempt to replace it as a payment
system or are used as utility or security tokens in other blockchains and emerging financial technologies.
2) Ethereum is also considered another popular option in the cryptocurrency market. In terms of market capitalization, Ether is second only
to Bitcoin. Ethereum was developed in 2013 by programmer Vitalik Buterin. Ethereum is a decentralized global software platform
powered by blockchain technology. It is most commonly known for its native cryptocurrency, ether, or ETH. Ethereum can be used by
anyone to create any secured digital technology they can think of. It has a token designed for use in the blockchain network, but it can
also be used by participats as a method to pay for work done on the blockchain. Ethereum is designed to be scalable, programmable,
secure, and decentralized. It is the blockchain of choice for developers and enterprises, who are creating technology based upon it to
change the way many industries operate and the way we go about our daily lives.
3) Ripple Lab's XRP is another form of cryptocurrency used to ease transfers between different locations. The digital currency, XRP, acts as
a bridge currency to other currencies. It does not discriminate between any fiat/cryptocurrency, which makes it easy for any currency to
be exchanged for another.
If River wanted bitcoins as payment for the services rendered to Lawrence, Lawrence does not necessarily have to be in possession of
any bitcoins. He can send the payment to his gateway in Canadian dollars (CAD), and River can receive bitcoins from his gateway. One
gateway is not needed to initiate a complete transaction; multiple gateways can be used, forming a chain of trust rippling across the users.
In stock trading, one can buy or sell stock directly, or invest in stocks Similarly, when trading in cryptocurrencies, one can buy or sell the
derivatives. crypto itself, or invest in a derivative version of it.
The key difference between them is that when trading stocks, one has This is not the case with crypto trading. It is possible to buy and sell
to do it through intermediaries. One cannot trade in stocks without cryptocurrencies without having to go through an intermediary. That’s
having to go through regulated brokers. not to say that intermediaries don’t have a role in crypto. Centralized
exchanges have made it easy for people to trade in cryptocurrencies.
Market liquidity is another major area where stock and crypto trading By contrast, most cryptos outside of the large-cap ones are illiquid.
differ. Most stocks, especially in the major indices such as the FTSE
100 and the FTSE 250, are highly liquid.
The two markets also differ in terms of security. Since the stock On the other hand, due to the unregulated nature of the
market is highly regulated, you can always be sure that the stock they cryptocurrency market, it is very easy for one to buy into scam
are buying into is legit. projects.
The crypto market runs 24/7. The stock market operates from Monday to Friday and is not open on
public holidays.
Volatility is high because it’s a new market. The volatility is lower since it’s a highly regulated market.
There are no guarantees but the potential profits are very high. Since stocks pay dividends, it acts as a cushion to investors.
Crypto trading is dependent on the location. In some countries, crypto Stocks trading is universal as pretty much all countries have a stock
trading is banned. exchange.
In crypto, the key sources of profits are staking, trading, In the stock markets, the key sources of profits are trading and
micro-tasking, and mining. dividends.
Conclusion:
Cryptocurrency has its similarities to the stock market but is a completely different financial instrument. It is an entirely different frontier that is
yet to fully be explored by the general public. It has many strengths and weaknesses. A crypto investor must be cautious in purchasing
cryptocurrencies.
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%2C%20and%20decentralized.
Script of Presentation
Page 1 We all know that Cryptocurrency has been the latest craze all over the
internet but do we really understand what it is? Good day, I am Joseph
Canayon and today I will be discussing about Cryptocurrency. In this
discussion, we will be talking about the intricacies of Cryptocurrency such
as its what makes it unique, its uses, its advantages and disadvantages.
Likewise, we will also be discussing about its comparison to another
financial vehicle, the stock market.
Page 4
To make things simple, I have provided a diagram to explain how
blockchain functions.
Page 5 Now, that we’ve understood what a cryptocurrency is and what makes it
secure. Let us dive in the methods of how one can acquire cryptocurrency.
Page 6 Now that we’ve discussed how one can acquire cryptocurrencies. Let’s get
into the most interesting part of cryptocurrency. The forms of
cryptocurrencies that exist in the market.
Cryptocurrencies might not have the risks that come with using central
intermediaries, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely free from
security issues. Cryptocurrency providers themselves admit that cyber
attacks can be an issue, with the people behind Ethereum saying that the
blockchain has reached “certain capacity limitations” that slow the rate at
which transactions can be processed. Many cryptocurrency exchanges and
wallets have been hacked over the years, sometimes resulting in millions of
dollars worth of "coins" stolen.
On the otherhand in the stock market , for an individual to buy and keep
stock, they usually has to open an account at a brokerage. The brokerage
makes trades and holds stock in the buyer’s name. A buyer also has to
disclose personal information, such as their Social Security number and
street address. Going through a brokerage provides a level of security.
In regards for volatility, One thing cryptocurrencies have been known for is
their volatility. Ethereum, for example, started 2021 at about $730 and rose
to $4,080 at the end of May. It dropped to about $1,786 in July, before rising
to $4,082 in late October.
As for the volatility of stocks, Sudden and rapid changes in stock values are
as old as stock exchanges. A piece of good news can launch a stock higher,
just as bad news can send it lower. As the terms “Black Friday” and “Black
Monday” attest, stock markets can plunge in a day. Usually, there’s an
explanation, either economic or technical (such as a program-driven
sell-off). Investors might see the value of their portfolios tumble, but total
losses are rare.
By contrast, various countries all over the world have their own regulating
body for the stock market. Companies are required to disclose all
information that can have an impact on their stock value. Investors and their
financial advisors have a good deal of information on which to base their
investment decisions.
This is a brand new technology which has already illustrated its ability to
fundamentally disrupt the global financial system.
That is all, once again I am Joseph Canayon, I hope that you have learned
alot from this discussion about Cryptocurrency.