What is crypto currency and blockchain?

Cryptocurrency is a form of payment that can be exchanged online for goods and services. Many companies have issued their own currencies, often called tokens, and these can be traded specifically for the good or service that the company provides. Think of them as you would arcade tokens or casino chips. You’ll need to exchange real currency for the cryptocurrency to access the good or service.

What is blockchain?

Cryptocurrencies work using a technology called blockchain. Blockchain is a decentralized technology spread across many computers that manages and records transactions. Part of the appeal of this technology is its security. Those are very reliable blockchains soon I will share list of all blockchain projects next.

How many crypto currencies are there?

More than 15,000 different cryptocurrencies are traded publicly, according to CoinMarketCap.com, a market research website. And cryptocurrencies continue to proliferate. The total value of all cryptocurrencies on Dec. 17 2021, was about $2.1 trillion, having fallen off an all-time high above $4.2 trillion weeks earlier in 2025 august. The total value of all bitcoins, the most popular digital currency, was pegged at about $868.7 billion

Crypto Assets Vs Crypto Currencies

Crypto assets – Bitcoin (BTC)

Crypto assets are digital assets which use cryptographic techniques to generate a medium of exchange or property. Cryptocurrencies, utility coins, security tokens

How is virtual currency treated for Federal income tax purposes?

Virtual currency is treated as property and general tax principles applicable to property transactions apply to transactions using virtual currency. For more information on the tax treatment of virtual currency, see Notice 2014-21. For more information on the tax treatment of property transactions, see Publication 544, Sales and Other Dispositions of Assets.

Cryptocurrency – All other Alternative (ALT) Coins

Form of payment that can be exchanged online for goods and services, and utilize cryptographic techniques for secure medium of exchange

How many cryptocurrencies are there?

What are they worth?

More than 15,000 different cryptocurrencies are traded publicly, according to CoinMarketCap.com, a market research website. And cryptocurrencies continue to proliferate. The total value of all cryptocurrencies on Dec. 17 2021, was about $2.1 trillion, having fallen off an all-time high above $2.9 trillion weeks earlier. The total value of all bitcoins, the most popular digital currency, was pegged at about $868.7 billion

1. Bitcoin (BTC)

Bitcoin is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, created in 2009 by an anonymous person or group named Satoshi Nakamoto. It was designed to be a decentralized alternative to fiat currencies. Bitcoin is often called “digital gold” because of its limited supply (only 21 million coins) and its use as a store of value. Today, it’s accepted by some companies for payments, including Microsoft and PayPal, and used as an investment asset globally.

2. Ethereum (ETH)

Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum is more than a digital currency. It introduced smart contracts—self-executing agreements coded directly into the blockchain. This opened the door for decentralized apps (dApps), NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and DeFi (decentralized finance). Ethereum is the foundation of much of the blockchain-based web ecosystem.

3. Solana (SOL)

Solana is a fast and scalable blockchain platform known for low transaction fees and high speeds. It supports smart contracts and dApps like Ethereum but is considered more efficient for certain use cases, especially gaming and decentralized exchanges. SOL is the native coin used for fees and staking on the network.

4. Meme Coins (e.g., Dogecoin, Shiba Inu)

Meme coins are cryptocurrencies inspired by internet memes or jokes. While they started as humorous projects, some have gained serious attention and market value. Dogecoin, for example, was created as a joke but now has a strong community and has been endorsed by figures like Elon Musk. Meme coins are volatile and often used for speculative trading.

Current Usage of Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is now used for a wide range of real-world applications:

• Payments: Used by businesses for goods/services.
• Remittances: Sending money across borders cheaply and quickly.
• DeFi: Borrowing, lending, and earning interest without banks.
• NFTs & Gaming: Buying digital art or assets in blockchain-based games.
• Investment: Many see crypto as a hedge against inflation or traditional markets.
• And etc…

Deutsche bank’s say crypto could replace cash by 2030 as fait systems looks “fragile”