What is cryptocurrency?

Blockchain, coins and why people use them.

Cryptocurrency is digital money that lives on a blockchain: a shared record book kept by many computers, so no single company controls it. Bitcoin was the first; thousands of others exist now.

Key ideas

• Coin vs token: a coin has its own blockchain (Bitcoin, Ethereum). A token is built on top of another chain.
• Wallet: a tool that holds the keys proving you own your crypto.
• Transaction: a signed message sent to the network and recorded in a block.
• Volatility: prices can rise and fall very quickly.

Why it matters for you

Crypto offers new ways to send money and use financial apps, but it comes with real risks: price swings, scams and mistakes that cannot be reversed. Learn the basics before you put money in.

Educational content, not financial advice. Rules and products change, so verify with official sources.