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The recent hype about cryptocurrency and Bitcoin has had even the most disinterested and sceptical of an investor intrigued by the exclusivity and far-reaching future prospects of it. Though Bitcoin is one form of cryptocurrency, often both terms are used synonymously for Bitcoin was the first digital currency to come into being back in 2009 and it still remains the leading giant of the market, rising above and beyond all the controversies.

This surge of interest in the mechanisms and understanding of digital currency and the multitudes of success stories coming to the fore have led even the cautious of investors to consider investing in Bitcoin, and why shouldn’t they? Bitcoin has had a fairly exciting journey right from its inception to the 9 years of rise and fall.

S o, if you’ve been thinking of investing into this currency literally made out of thin air, here are a few key points you should know before jumping into the vast abysmal sea.

1. Bitcoins are gaining popularity by the hour

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The world is becoming ever more reliant on the internet. So it comes as no surprise that Bitcoin, a secure, global, and digital currency has claimed the interest of investors. Bitcoin is open to everyone and provides an exciting opportunity to delve into an entirely new asset class. Investing in bitcoin may seem scary, but know that it takes time and effort to understand how Bitcoin works. Same goes with owning a bitcoin wallet too actually.

2. Despite being a form of digital currency, Bitcoins are not unlimited

There are only 21 million Bitcoins that can ever be created and because of this fixed supply, if the demand goes up, so will the price. Not all of the 21 million have been mined yet, but once they are, that’s it. However, each bitcoin can be divided up to eight decimal places and, according to bitcoin.org, “potentially even smaller units if that is ever required in the future.” Additionally, bitcoin transactions can be done in smaller units called “bits” and there are 1 million bits in one bitcoin. Currently, the total value of all existing Bitcoins is more than $20 billion.

3. Bitcoin has high-profile supporters

Despite the naysayers, there are notable investors which include Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss and billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper. Even Richard Branson has spoken positively about the cryptocurrency. He recently invested in a blockchain bitcoin wallet start-up, which is basically a piece of software to store and use the cryptocurrency.

4. Traditional currencies aren’t a vehicle that most mainstream “retail” investors own

You don’t take a large stake in Euros, for example. State-sponsored currencies tend to move with inflation while the primary goal of long-term investing is to beat inflation. But cryptocurrencies don’t really trade like currencies at all. One of the primary reasons for that is that there’s a cap on the number of coins that any given currency will ever have in circulation. Central banks like the Federal Reserve can and do print more money to manage inflation and support their countries’ economic policies. Bitcoin, on the other hand, will eventually have a maximum of 21 million coins in circulation, based on the algorithm that controls distribution.

5. Bitcoin provides sound and predictable monetary policy that can be verified by anyone

Bitcoin’s sound monetary policy is one of its most important features. It’s possible to see when new Bitcoins are created or how many Bitcoins are in circulation. Bitcoins can be sent from anywhere in the world to anywhere else in the world. No bank can block payments or close your account. Bitcoin is censorship resistant money. Bitcoin makes cross border payments possible, and also provides an easy way for people to escape failed government monetary policy. The internet made information global and easy to access. A sound, global currency like Bitcoin will have the same impact on finance and the global economy.

So are you still intrigued by this universal, real, yet formless currency that has taken the market by the storm?