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Cryptocurrency is a digital asset that uses cryptography to secure its transactions. Cryptocurrencies are categorized as a subset of digital currencies and are also classified as a subset of alternative currencies and virtual currencies. So far, more than 100 cryptocurrencies have been created.
Different Cryptocurrencies: How To Choose One
Here are some of the different types of cryptocurrencies that are available on the market and how to choose one that suits your needs.
SHIB Coin
SHIB is a decentralized cryptocurrency that was made for the Indian market. It’s known as “The People’s Coin” and has more than 1 million users. SHIB Coin is easy to mine. It uses just three algorithms for proof of work, which means that it can be mined on an average computer with ease. Other cryptocurrencies need a lot more processing power and a higher level of technical knowledge to set up a mining operation.
To stake SHIB Coin you need a wallet. There are two options: using a web-based wallet or downloading the wallet to your computer and running it in a free operating system. When choosing a wallet to stake your SHIB coins, bear in mind that it needs to be online 24/7 in order to be able to receive payments. The other main advantages of using Shib include hassle-free payments, especially in rural areas where it is difficult to find shops that accept cash, transactions can be carried out via physical tokens or SMS, and it can be used to buy goods and services at over 100,000 shops and businesses across the country.
Ethereum
Ethereum is a decentralized platform for applications that run exactly as programmed without any chance of fraud, censorship, or third-party interference. Created by Vitalik Buterin, the Ethereum blockchain focuses on running the programming code of any decentralized application. Some people would argue that Bitcoin and Ethereum are competitors because they both use blockchain technology, but the truth is they each have their own independent goals.
Buterin’s goal was to create a platform for applications that didn’t need oversight from any third parties, while Bitcoin’s goal is to become a globally adopted currency. Ethereum can be used for payments between people and businesses using its Ether coin, but the more important usage of Ethereum comes through its ability to support smart contracts. Smart contracts are completely self-executing agreements that are written in code. They have the potential to cut out the middleman in a whole host of industries, which means less bureaucracy and increased efficiency.
Ethereum has the second-largest market cap of all cryptocurrencies in the world, which makes it a very attractive investment option. The downside is that you need to purchase Ethereum from an exchange with US dollars or some other fiat currency before you can start using it.
Ethereum Classic
Ethereum classic was created as a result of a hack on The DAO, which resulted in $50 million being stolen from it by an anonymous hacker. Since Ethereum used a blockchain and consensus mechanism based on smart contracts, the hack could not be reversed without modifying the blockchain. A decision was made to create a new fork of Ethereum with the original architecture, which is why the Ethereum Classic exists today. The developers believed that code is the law and so no changes should be made to it even if they resulted in losses for some people.
Ethereum classic is not as popular as Ethereum – but it still has a significant market cap. The main difference that makes ETC different from ETH is its consensus mechanism, which is why it’s cheaper to use. It also allows Dapps to be created on the platform using other programming languages besides Solidity.
Monero
Monero is a secure, private, and untraceable cryptocurrency that was launched in 2014. It’s open-source software, which means that anyone can take part in developing it. The main difference between Monero and Bitcoin is that Monero transactions do not contain any information about the sender, receiver, or amount. This ensures complete anonymity from the point of view of a third party. The downside, however, is that it can be used for illegal activities such as money laundering and drug trafficking because it’s harder to trace than other cryptocurrencies.
Dash
Dash was created by Evan Duffield and was first launched as XCoin on January 18, 2014. A few months later, it became known as Darkcoin, but then on March 25th, 2015 the name finally changed to Dash – a portmanteau of “digital” and “cash”. It’s marketed as an upgrade to Bitcoin because of its ability to handle transactions much faster, while still having all of Bitcoin’s best features.
Dash has a decentralized governance system that is managed by the currency’s core users. The currency has a self-funding and self-governing model that sees 10% of its mining reward go to fund developmental projects in the community. It also uses SwiftTX, which means that transactions are confirmed in just a few seconds.
EOS
EOS is a blockchain and cryptocurrency token that was launched in 2017 by Dan Larimer – the founder of Bitshares and Steemit.
EOS is not just a cryptocurrency – it’s an entire decentralized operating system that will enable the development, hosting, and execution of commercial-scale decentralized applications on its platform. It uses the programming language C++ for this purpose, making it easier for developers to access the technology without having to learn new coding languages like Solidity. EOS uses a consensus mechanism where the entire network comes to an agreement about what happened. In addition, it has decentralized ownership as well as support for vertical and horizontal scaling whereby the system improves as more users join its platform.
For those who are familiar with how Ethereum operates, EOS looks very similar to Ethereum – but there are some distinct differences. One of them is that EOS has a delegated proof-of-stake (DPoS) system and the ability to host commercial-scale decentralized applications.
Monacoin
Monacoin is a decentralized, open-source cryptocurrency that was created in Japan in 2013. Unlike other cryptocurrencies, Monacoin has no blockchain and is not based on any programming language. It’s also worth noting that there are at least two versions of the Monacoin wallet available – one forked from Bitcoin and the other forked from Litecoin. The currency was created as a fork of Bitcoin and it has recently been adopted by several merchants in Japan.
NEM
NEM is an efficient, secure and “smart” blockchain platform that was launched in 2015. It’s written in Java and provides different solutions such as the Proof-of-Importance (PoI) algorithm; multi-signature transactions, encrypted messaging and an Eigentrust++ reputation system that alerts users if a counterparty goes offline. It also features an integrated P2P secure wallet where no blockchain download is required to access the wallet’s core functions.
NEM was developed with large enterprises in mind and it aims to provide a customizable blockchain solution for different industries.
At the End
Choosing a cryptocurrency can be complicated. However, if you read this article and do your research, the process will be much easier for you. It’s also worth noting that each of these cryptocurrencies has something unique and valuable to offer and all of them are serious contenders as one of the best cryptocurrencies.