Cryptocurrency has become popular for a number of different reasons. Chief among them is the increased security and privacy compared to traditional banking and money.

Using blockchain is simply a much safer way to transact as it relies on a network of computers (or nodes) and not a single centralized server. This makes it nearly impossible to hack, control, or manipulate a blockchain.

While the industry as a whole is secure, not all cryptocurrencies are created equal. This article is going to look at some of the inherently secure coins in the cryptocurrency market today.

Bitcoin (BTC)

While many new coins have come out since Bitcoin was originally released in 2009, Bitcoin remains among the most secure options. Bitcoin is far and away the largest cryptocurrency asset on the planet, and will likely continue holding the throne for the foreseeable future.

This means that Bitcoin has a massive blockchain, with a ton of blocks and nodes. These blocks cannot be deleted, edited or manipulated due to the sheer size and scale of Bitcoin.

It also has the largest number of nodes, which only adds to its level of decentralization, and thus security. Altering or stealing Bitcoin from its blockchain is next-to-impossible due to the ledger’s transparency.

Monero (XMR)

Monero is a popular cryptocurrency as it resides in the Top 15 cryptocurrencies according to the total market cap. While there are many great features and benefits of Monero, the reason that it has become so popular and successful is its security and privacy.

In particular, it is popular because of its anonymous nature. Transactions cannot be linked or traced. Ring signatures and other similar concepts are used to hide and protect both the senders and receivers of the coins.

Even the amount being transferred is completely hidden. With a focus on decentralization as well, there is no doubting Monero is among the most secure cryptocurrencies to be involved with.

Dash (DASH)

Founded back in 2014, Dash is one of the most popular cryptocurrencies on the planet. A fork of Bitcoin, Dash (which stands for digital cash) is focused on not only being one of the fastest crypto assets out there but also one of the most private.

It does this through a function that they call PrivateSend. This function essentially makes transactions anonymous as it mixes and matches multiple transaction participants and shows them as a single transaction.

This makes it nearly impossible to know not only who is making the transaction, but the size of the transaction as well. Of course, like most cryptocurrencies, Dash transactions are also recorded on the ledger and are tamper-proof.

While normal transactions can be made on Dash, it is the PrivateSend functionality that has led many people with security and privacy in mind to invest in and use this cryptocurrency.

Zcash (ZEC)

Released initially in late 2016, Zcash often defines itself as a more secure and private version of Bitcoin. The tool that they use to increase their security is called zero-knowledge proofs.

This functionality lets users make their transactions without revealing their address or the amount of the transaction to the public. The receiver of the money is anonymous too.

Of course, these transactions are also validated and verified by blockchain nodes to ensure no funny business is taking place. They are also published and accurately recorded on the blockchain, just with shielded details.

Zcash is among the top 25 in terms of total market cap and may rise higher as more and more people want a Bitcoin-like experience, with a beefed-up focus on privacy.

Verge (XVG)

Originally known as Dogecoindark, Verge got its start as a cryptocurrency asset back in early 2016. The open-source cryptocurrency is anonymous, with a huge focus on privacy. In fact, Verge uses two different techniques to ensure their transactions are secure and private.

The first is TOR (The Onion Router), which hides the identity of users by moving communications across a network of different relays. The second is the Invisible Internet Project (I2P).

I2P encrypts all the different types of user data before ultimately having it sent across a peer-to-peer network. This helps to hide both the locations and IP addresses of those involved with the transaction.

Together, these will protect the identities of the users, as well as the details of the transaction. While the cryptocurrency sits outside the top 50 in terms of total market cap, it could get higher as more people see the security benefits it has.

With more and more people being concerned about the safety of their data, cryptocurrency is a logical place to turn. So, it is important to know the level of security a coin has before investing your hard earned money in it.

Of course, there are other options along with the above mentioned that can provide you with the benefits of privacy – PIVX, Zcoin, Bitcoin Private, to name but a few. But, at the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide which one you prefer.

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