1.Bitcoin
As the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC) is also the most popular and highly valued, despite high
volatility over the course of its history. Bitcoin was initially created to be used as a digital payment system,
but experts say it is still too volatile to be used for that.
volatility over the course of its history. Bitcoin was initially created to be used as a digital payment system,
but experts say it is still too volatile to be used for that.
2.Ethereum
Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum focuses not as much on digital currency as it does on decentralized applications
(phone apps). You could think of Ethereum as an app store. The platform is looking to return control of apps
to its original creators, and take away that control from middlemen (like Apple, for instance). The only person
who can make changes to the app would be the original creator. The token used here is called Ether, which is
used as currency by app developers and users.
(phone apps). You could think of Ethereum as an app store. The platform is looking to return control of apps
to its original creators, and take away that control from middlemen (like Apple, for instance). The only person
who can make changes to the app would be the original creator. The token used here is called Ether, which is
used as currency by app developers and users.
3.Litecoin
Litecoin is increasingly used in the same breath as Bitcoin, and it functions practically the same way.
It was created in 2011 by Charlie Lee, a former employee of Google. He designed it to improve on Bitcoin
technology, with shorter transaction times, lower fees, more concentrated miners.
It was created in 2011 by Charlie Lee, a former employee of Google. He designed it to improve on Bitcoin
technology, with shorter transaction times, lower fees, more concentrated miners.
4.Ripple (XRP)
Ripple is one type of cryptocurrency on the list, but it’s not Blockchain-based . It’s not meant so much for
individual users as it is for larger companies and corporations, moving larger amounts of money (its coinage is
known as XRP) across the globe. It’s more well-known for its digital payment protocol more than for its XRP
crypto. That’s because the system allows for transfer of monies in any form, be it dollars or even Bitcoin (or others).
It claims to be able to handle 1,500 transactions per second (tps). Compare this with Bitcoin, which can handle
3-6 tps (not including scaling layers). Ethereum can handle 15 tps.
individual users as it is for larger companies and corporations, moving larger amounts of money (its coinage is
known as XRP) across the globe. It’s more well-known for its digital payment protocol more than for its XRP
crypto. That’s because the system allows for transfer of monies in any form, be it dollars or even Bitcoin (or others).
It claims to be able to handle 1,500 transactions per second (tps). Compare this with Bitcoin, which can handle
3-6 tps (not including scaling layers). Ethereum can handle 15 tps.
5.Cardano
Cardano aka ADA is used to send and receive digital funds. It claims to be a more balanced and sustainable ecosystem for cryptocurrencies, and the only coin with a “scientific philosophy and research-driven approach.”
That means that it undergoes especially rigorous reviews by scientists and programmers. It was founded by
Charles Hoskinson, who is also the co-founder of Ethereum.
That means that it undergoes especially rigorous reviews by scientists and programmers. It was founded by
Charles Hoskinson, who is also the co-founder of Ethereum.
6.Doge Coin
The cryptocurrency that started out as a parody less than a decade ago has been on a wild ride this year as individual investors have piled in. Dogecoin, which traded at less than 1 cent to start the year, briefly jumped
as high as 74 cents last month, according to CoinDesk, leading up to the “Saturday Night Live” hosting debut
of Mr. Musk, the billionaire chief executive of electric-vehicle maker Tesla Inc., on May 8.
as high as 74 cents last month, according to CoinDesk, leading up to the “Saturday Night Live” hosting debut
of Mr. Musk, the billionaire chief executive of electric-vehicle maker Tesla Inc., on May 8.
7.Stellar
Stellar focuses on money transfers, and its network is designed to make them faster and more efficient, even across national borders. It was designed by Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb in 2014 and is operated by a non-profit organization called Stellar.org .
Its goal is to assist developing economies that may not have access to traditional banks and investment opportunities. It doesn’t charge users or institutions for using its Stellar network, and covers operating costs by accepting tax-deductible public donations.