This refers to money that exists only electronically, with no physical coins or notes to represent it. Transactions are recorded using a decentralized digital ledger or with blockchain technology. The idea of using digital currency is to remove banks or governments’ interference in these transactions.

Unlike regular currencies, digital ones are created and can be transferred between people online. The most used digital currency is Bitcoin, often referred to as ‘digital gold’. Ethereum (ETH) is another example, but this works on smart contracts and apps. And now gaining popularity are stablecoins like USDT and USDC, which are pegged to the U.S. dollar and used for cross-border transactions.

The currencies can be used to buy goods and services online and in certain stores. Platforms such as Binance and Coinbase allow you to trade with digital currencies. Their main purpose is to move money quickly and cheaply across countries. In short, digital currencies enable fast, global transfers, though their prices are much more volatile compared to fiat currencies.

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Related Terms

Exchange

An exchange is a website that allows you to buy or sell cryptocurrencies. There are two main categories of exchanges: Centralized Exchanges (CEX) and Decentralized Exchanges (DEX). Centralized Exchanges, such as Binance, KuCoin, or Bitget, are the most well-known type of exchange. Easy to access and use, they allow users to conveniently purchase cryptocurrencies in multiple currencies and offer superior liquidity. They also provide a wide range of features. The downside lies in the fact that these platforms are entirely

DeSci

DeSci, short for Decentralized Science, is a segment of the blockchain ecosystem aimed at fostering the decentralization of scientific research. The core premise of DeSci is that the current scientific research system is “broken.” Indeed, at present, to ensure a research paper is validated, it must be reviewed by other researchers (a process known as “peer review”). The problem? These researchers do this for free and must then pay a fortune to be featured in publications like Nature or Elsevier.

To the moon

The expression “To the moon” functions as a standard slang term used within the cryptocurrency community. People who use the term believe that digital asset prices will experience rapid growth until their maximum value is reached. The term exists as an informal expression which conveys strong feelings about a specific situation. The term exists outside technical analysis and traditional finance language, yet it remains part of the cultural identity which defines cryptocurrency communities. The expression first gained popularity during the

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