What is crypto & how does it work?

Crypto are digital assets —they have no tangible form. Cryptocurrencies exist and operate on a public ledger called a blockchain, which records all crypto transactions. Blockchain encryption is designed to make all transactions immutable and secure from tampering, counterfeit, and other forms of fraudulent transactions.

What is a cryptocurrency system?

According to Jan Lansky, a cryptocurrency is a system that meets six conditions: The system does not require a central authority; its state is maintained through distributed consensus. The system keeps an overview of cryptocurrency units and their ownership. The system defines whether new cryptocurrency units can be created.

What is a centralized cryptocurrency?

When a cryptocurrency is minted, or created prior to issuance, or issued by a single issuer, it is generally considered centralized. When implemented with decentralized control, each cryptocurrency works through distributed ledger technology, typically a blockchain, that serves as a public financial transaction database.

What cryptocurrencies are available on NerdWallet?

NerdWallet has created guides to some widely circulated cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and some altcoins, or Bitcoin alternatives: Bitcoin is the first and most valuable cryptocurrency. Ethereum is commonly used to carry out financial transactions more complex than those supported by Bitcoin.