Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual form of currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of a central authority, such as a government or bank.
Unlike traditional currencies like the US dollar or euro, cryptocurrencies are decentralized and typically rely on blockchain technology to record transactions.
Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency, created in 2009 by an unknown person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, and since then, thousands of other cryptocurrencies, like Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin, have been developed. Cryptocurrencies can be used for various purposes, including online transactions, investment, and as a means of transferring value across borders without the need for intermediaries.