Crypto- is short for “cryptography”, a computer technology used for securing and hiding information among other things. Currency means “money currently in use”.

Cryptocurrency is an electronic money created with technology controlling its creation and protecting transactions, while hiding the identities of its users.

Instead of trusting a bank with your money, users send money directly to each other while simultaneously recording their transactions. With so many records being maintained, transactions become efficient, permanent, secure and transparent.

The first cryptocurrency was bitcoin.

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