Cryptocurrency for Beginners: the Ultimate Guide
The first taste of cryptocurrency for beginners is always incredibly exciting.
It’s a fresh, new, rapidly-expanding sector that’s seeing new developments constantly, creating new avenues and sub-sectors that have a booming eco-system and economy of their own.
But how do you know where to get started?
You’ve probably heard lots about the industry so far, but if you’re seriously considering getting involved, it’s important to make sure that you’ve spent the time doing your own cryptocurrency research and reaching your own conclusions.
Here at BCB Group, we aspire to connect and bank the global crypto economy, which is why we’re looking to create guides, just like this one focusing on cryptocurrency for beginners, on all of the biggest talking points in the industry.
In this post, we’re going to be creating a beginner’s guide to crypto.
What is Crypto?
Cryptocurrency is defined as any form of currency that only exists virtually or digitally, using cryptography to process and secure transactions between senders and recipients. A cryptocurrency will not have a central issue system or a central regulatory authority, giving the community greater control over the assets. Instead, crypto uses a decentralised finance system to record transactions and issue brand new units of the currency – referred to as blockchain technology.
Cryptocurrencies are the first alternative to the existing banking system, and they can provide a variety of benefits over traditional payment systems and asset classes. Consider them Money 2.0: a new type of money that is native to the internet, with the potential to be the world’s fastest, easiest, cheapest, and most universal means of exchanging value.
Cryptocurrencies can be used to purchase goods and services or held as part of an investment strategy, but they cannot be manipulated by a central authority because none exists.
What are the Different Types of Digital Currencies?
Of course, there isn’t just one single type of cryptocurrency – there are lots of different currencies that can be used for different functions or as alternative investment opportunities, making each type of currency a unique investment.
But what are the most common digital currencies that currently exist on today’s exchanges?
Bitcoin (BTC)
Up first, we have Bitcoin.
BTC is the trailblazer in the crypto industry – it was the first major currency to gain any traction and has paved the way for an entire industry and ecosystem of digital currencies across the globe.
Bitcoin was founded in 2009 and is still the most commonly traded cryptocurrency to this day – it’s a staple of the industry and tends to lead the way when it comes to movement and trends that impact value and investment.
At the time of writing a single Bitcoin is worth £24,174.60, whilst the highest Bitcoin cost ever recorded (October 2021) was £49,148.38 during the crypto market’s monumental boom towards the end of 2021.
Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum is a decentralised global software platform based on blockchain technology at its heart. Its native cryptocurrency, ether, or ETH, is the most well-known. Anyone can use Ethereum to construct decentralised protocols like smart contracts. Ethereum blockchain and Ether cryptocurrency has been central to the development of the DeFi ecosystem.
Scalable, programmable, secure, and decentralised are all features of Ethereum. It is the blockchain of choice for developers and businesses who are using it to build technology that will transform the way many sectors run and how we go about our daily lives.
Binance Coin (BNB)
Binance currency was originally an ERC 20 token on the Ethereum blockchain, but it has since become the Binance chain’s native coin. It was launched in July 2017 as part of an initial coin offering (ICO) with a cap of 200 million BNB tokens. Through the ICO process, it provided 10%, or 20 million BNB tokens, to angel investors, 40%, or 80 million, to the founding team, and the remaining 50%, or 100 million, to the various participants.
Almost half of the funds raised during the ICO were intended for Binance branding and marketing, with the remaining one-third going toward building the Binance platform and making essential changes to the Binance ecosystem.
USD Coin (USDC)
USD Coin (USDC) is a cryptocurrency backed entirely by US dollar assets. USDC is a decentralised version of the US dollar, with one USDC currency equaling one US dollar. USDC is a stablecoin since its value is supposed to remain stable.
To achieve price stability, stablecoins are frequently backed by reserve assets such as dollars or euros. USDC’s price stability stands in stark contrast to other cryptocurrencies’ famed price volatility, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
It is vital to clarify that USDC is not issued or supported by the United States government, despite its name. USD Coin is an open-source project, which means that anyone can look at the code and contribute to it.
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The information contained in this document should not be relied upon by investors or any other persons to make financial decisions. It is gathered from various sources and should not be construed as guidance. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, solicitation of an offer, or an inducement to buy or sell digital assets or any equivalents or any security or investment product of any kind either generally or in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The views expressed in this document about the markets, market participants and/or digital assets accurately reflect the views of BCB Group. While opinions stated are honestly held, they are not guarantees, should not be relied on and are subject to change. The information or opinions provided should not be taken as specific advice on the merits of any investment decision. This document may contain statements about expected or anticipated future events and financial results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business conditions, new legislation and regulatory actions, competitive and general economic factors and conditions and the occurrence of unexpected events. Past performance of the digital asset markets or markets in their derivative instruments is not a viable indication of future performance with actual results possibly differing materially from those stated herein. We will not be responsible for any losses incurred by a client as a result of decisions made based on any information provided.
