The term “cryptocurrency” is made up of two words: crypto and currency. It is a new form of currency viable only by knowing the access keys. In practice they are digital representations of value without a physical attachment; which base their operation from issuance,transactions, and payment history on a computer protocol and on a decentralized network. Cryptocurrencies do not have a physical form, but are generated and exchanged exclusively through the internet. They can be bought and sold for investment purposes, such as other speculative assets such as shares, or used as a means of payment like fiat currency.
Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies whose price is designed to be pegged to another cryptocurrency, fiat currency (US Dollar, Euro, Swiss Franc, etc.), or commodities traded on an open exchange.
The blockchain is a sort of digital ledger that tracks the transactions of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. It is made of several nodes with each node recording each or several transactions and once a node is added to the blockchain, it can never be changed. The network thus works in a decentralized way, without an authority that validates the transactions and remains public for anyone to view.
Anyone can purchase, sell, or trade cryptocurrencies. Unlike other financial assets that require institutions to provide services or governments dictating who and when an asset can be sold, crypto can be traded by anyone who has a digital wallet. A digital wallet is a piece of code that has “keys” needed to trade crypto in an exchange as well as recording information relating to the trade.
This is an important question to ask, but much like other important questions in this space, it is impossible to give one answer that would apply to everyone. Crypto and other digital assets in this space are similar to other assets like shares on stock market or futures in a commodity exchange, as of now they are speculative assets. Their prices fluctuate as time goes on and it is impossible to predict future prices by using historical data. To answer this question each investor must look at their own circumstances and if they are looking to invest in the long term or more short term.
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