Today's financial market is difficult to surprise with a simple cryptocurrency with a standard set of functions and similar characteristics. Recently, more and more unique digital coins have begun to appear, which compare favorably with their predecessors. One such innovative cryptocurrency is Electroneum (ETN). Let's try to understand in more detail why it stands out so much among its analogues...

What currency is Electroneum (ETN)?

Electroneum (ETN) is a cryptocurrency that can be mined using a smartphone. Its mining does not require any specialized skills, knowledge or experience; there is no need to purchase expensive equipment or install ultra-efficient programs and applications. First of all, Electroneum is aimed at users who have not previously mined cryptocurrency, newcomers to the world of the crypto industry. It is thanks to its simple mining that this digital coin aims to teach inexperienced users “the basics of digital currency literacy.”

Electroneum allows any user who has a smartphone with fairly standard characteristics to earn ETN coins even in the background.

The virtual currency was developed specifically with the needs of mobile users in mind, thereby attracting a potential market of 2.2 billion smartphone holders worldwide. Unlike its counterparts in the crypto world, ETN has a modern, tailored interface that allows users to seamlessly transfer ETN coins from one user to another in the shortest possible time.

Being a full-fledged cryptocurrency, an ETN is created and transferred only electronically, without a physical shell. Just like most Bitcoin forks, Electroneum is based on blockchain technology, so it is not controlled or operated by people, computers, or governments.

Electroneum was officially introduced to the general public on November 1, 2017, and the application wallet appeared almost a month later, on December 13, 2017.

Key Features of Electroneum (ETN)

Electroneum operates on the Monero base code, which allows transactions to be carried out on a decentralized basis. Like Monero, Electroneum contains integrated privacy and security features.

Electroneum's core code functions in such a way that there is no need to use the processing power of ASICs, which have a huge advantage over CPU miners. The mining process uses a memory-linked algorithm to stimulate the intelligent processor, giving users easier access to obtain ETN.

The key feature of Electroneum is its mobile application, created specifically to attract new users. This application is available for smartphones based on Android and iOS (implemented in March 2018). The mobile application encourages the user to share knowledge about ETN with the world. For example, a good incentive to use the application, in addition to the main mining, is a kind of referral program. Any user who invites 5 friends to the project participates in a competition (along with their referrals) where they can win an additional 5,000 ETN coins.

Electroneum developers note that, first of all, this is a mobile cryptocurrency. As a mobile cryptocurrency, it is characterized by the following main features:

• simplicity and transparency of use;
• complete security;
• using an offline wallet;
• ability to scan a QR code;
• does not require special knowledge and experience;
• does not require the use of high-performance facilities;
• provides experience for cryptocurrency miners;
• does not charge fees for creating an offline wallet;
• allows you to transfer currency between different games and applications.

Electroneum (ETN) cryptocurrency rate

Since the Electroneum (ETN) cryptocurrency was introduced to the general public in its current form, its rate has changed little. Over the entire period of its existence, the cryptocurrency was able to consolidate its position and slightly improve its performance, showing slight growth. Fluctuations in the currency exchange rate are quite insignificant, without sharp rises and falls.

Under favorable conditions, the cryptocurrency has all the prerequisites for confident growth in price and further strengthening of its position.

At the time of writing the review, the cost of the ETN coin was:

1 ETN = 0.0195 USD;

1 ETN = 0.0158 EUR;

1 ETN = 1.1102 RUB.

The ETN supply is 21 billion coins.

Receiving Electroneum coins (ETN)

Electroneum can be obtained in several ways:

• purchase on a cryptocurrency exchange (at the moment, this is only possible on Cryptopia);
• mine on a GPU video card;
• mine on a CPU processor;
• extract using a smartphone (Android and iOS).

Electroneum differs favorably from other cryptocurrencies precisely in that its coins can be obtained using the most ordinary smartphone.

To start mining Electroneum, you need to install the application on your smartphone and create an account. The application will run in the background, while you can perform quite standard manipulations with your phone. In addition, to get more coins, you can play the mining game.

Mobile mining will allow the smartphone processor to take part in simulated application development. According to the developers, this does not lead to additional heating of the device or loss of battery charge. This type of mining will use a small amount of Internet traffic.

Installing an Electroneum (ETN) wallet

Like many cryptocurrency projects, Electroneum has several types of wallets. Let's take a closer look at some of its varieties.

Considering that the main focus of the Electroneum project is the creation of a mobile cryptocurrency, it is not at all surprising that the wallet is with you in your smartphone.

In order to install a mobile wallet, you just need to download the application to your smartphone. To log into the mobile application, use a single account created on the official website: https://my.electroneum.com.

The mobile application for Android smartphones is currently in beta testing. Registration for testing has been completed, so those who want to receive the coveted coins will have to wait for the full launch of the application.

Another type of wallet is to use an online wallet on the official website: https://my.electroneum.com.

Its installation is as simple as installing a mobile application on a smartphone, and, as a rule, does not cause any particular difficulties.

These are the two main, most used Electroneum wallets. In addition to the main ones, there are other wallets for this digital currency: Electroneum Wallet and ElectroneumGUIWallet, but they are not particularly popular among a wide range of users.

Electroneum (ETN) Forecast for 2018

The main goal of the developers is to improve mobile cryptocurrency in a form in which it will meet all the needs of users. Considering the fact that every second user worldwide has a smartphone, Electroneum has every opportunity for its mass use. With growing popularity, improvement of service and strengthening of its position, this cryptocurrency has every chance for dynamic development, and, accordingly, growth in its total value on the exchange. Having positive trends in its development, the appearance of cryptocurrency in the lists is possible not only on the Cryptopia exchange (where it is already traded), but also on other trading platforms.

The development team does not stand in one place, the project is steadily developing and improving its functionality. The nearest plans of the Electroneum project include the release of its own full-fledged software for game consoles and other innovative ideas. If most of the plans are implemented, then an increase in the price of ETN shares is simply inevitable...

Hello! In this article we will talk about cryptocurrency and try to give all the most important information about it.

Today you will learn:

1. What cryptocurrencies exist?
2. Why are they so popular?
3. How can you make money on them?

What is cryptocurrency

Let’s figure out what is hidden under the term “cryptocurrency”, what it is in simple words, and why it is called that way. The name Crypto Currensy itself, meaning “cryptocurrency,” appeared in Forbes magazine in 2011. And since then the name has firmly entered into everyday use.

Cryptocurrency called a special type of electronic payment instrument. Strictly speaking, this is a mathematical code. It is called that because when circulating this digital money, cryptographic elements are used, namely an electronic signature.

The unit of measurement in this system is “coins” (literally “coins”). Cryptocurrency does not have any real expression such as metal coins or paper bills. This money exists exclusively in digital form.

The fundamental feature that distinguishes crypto money from real money is the way it appears in the digital space. Thus, real means of payment must first be deposited into a specific account or electronic wallet, and cryptocurrency units appear in electronic form.

The “issue” of digital money occurs in various ways: this is ICO (initial coin offering, system), and mining (maintaining a special platform for creating new crypto-money), and forging (formation of new blocks in existing crypto-currencies). That is, cryptocurrency literally emerges “from the Internet.”

Another important difference from conventional currency is the decentralization of issue. The issuance of electronic currency involves the generation of a mathematical code followed by an electronic signature.

Only the Central Bank has the right to issue real money, but anyone can issue crypto money. In order to make transactions using cryptocurrency, you do not need to contact any third-party organizations (banks).

Payments using digital money are carried out in exactly the same way as regular electronic transfers via a cashless payment system. The only exceptions are exchanges through which crypto money can be monetized, that is, converted into regular means of payment.

The circulation of such currency occurs according to the “blockchain” system (literally “closed chain” in English). This system is a database distributed across millions of personal computers around the world. At the same time, the storage and recording of information when circulating cryptomoney occurs on all devices at once, which guarantees absolute transparency and openness of the transactions performed.

Why is cryptocurrency so popular?

The popularity of cryptocurrency is due to the demands of the time. In the age of widespread dissemination of information technology, universal means of payment are extremely in demand, which could be used to pay in the electronic space without being tied to a specific country or institution. Cryptocurrency became such a means.

For payments with virtual money, only their number is used, so the cryptocurrency does not need real expression. Digital means of payment are protected by cryptographic code, which makes them more reliable than “real” money. And due to the absolute decentralization of the emission of virtual coins, they can neither be counterfeited nor banned.

Another feature that contributes to the popularization of crypto payments is complete anonymity. When conducting transactions, no one will receive any information about the payer or recipient; of all the data, only the electronic wallet number will be used.

And also the attractiveness of cryptocurrency is that you can get it yourself. That is, digital currency can be obtained almost out of thin air. But you can also buy and sell, as well as invest in cryptocurrency. At the same time, crypto money can be exchanged for traditional money, as a result of which they can generate quite tangible income.

Types of cryptocurrencies

Digital money first appeared in 2008, and by now there are already several thousand varieties of it. There is a large category (almost 50%) of crypto money that is actually not backed by any content. These are the so-called soap bubbles. Let's not take them into account.

The most common types of cryptocurrency:

1. (BTC, bitcoin, at the moment one bitcoin is equivalent to 4200 US dollars). Bitcoin cryptocurrency, in simple words, is the very first digital currency, on the basis of which all subsequent ones were developed. Bitcoin developer (developer group) – Satoshi Nakamoto. This currency has a stated quantity limit of 21,000,000, however, it has not yet been reached.

2. Ethereum(etherium, equal to 300 US dollars). This is the development of Russian programmer Vitaly Buterin. This currency appeared relatively recently – in 2015. Now it is quite popular along with bitcoins.

3. Litecoin(litecoin, LTC, equal to 40 US dollars). The currency was developed by programmer Charlie Lee and has been issued since 2011. Litecoin is considered an analogue of silver among cryptocurrencies (and Bitcoin is an analogue of gold). The issue of litecoins, like bitcoins, is also limited and amounts to 84,000,000 units.

4. Z-cash(Z-cash, 200 US dollars).

5. Dash(dash, $210).

6. Ripple(Ripple, $0.15).

In addition to the indicated names, Darkoin, Primecoin, Peercoin, Dogecoin, Namecoin and many others are also used in electronic circulation.

The most popular of all cryptocurrencies is Bitcoin. Its name is made up of the words “bit” - the smallest unit of information and “coin”, which means “coin” in English. For BTC, or bitcoin, not only a program has been created, but also a special digital wallet in which this currency can be stored.

In addition, there are now even special ATMs where you can convert bitcoins into regular paper money, and a number of retail chains and stores accept this currency for payments along with regular bills and coins.

Advantages and disadvantages of cryptocurrencies

According to its main characteristics, digital money differs significantly from conventional money. This entails not only continuous advantages, but also some disadvantages for users.

Pros:

1. Anyone can get this kind of money using specially organized activities (mining). Since there is no single emission center and no bodies controlling this process, no one can prohibit ordinary citizens from obtaining crypto money online.
2. All operations with cryptocurrencies (so-called transactions) occur completely anonymously. The only open information in this case is the electronic wallet number. And all information about its owner is closed.
3. Decentralized issuance, in addition to the possibility of everyone earning money, also determines the lack of control over this process.
4. Each type of cryptocurrency has an issue limit. Thus, excess emission is impossible and, as a consequence, there is no inflation in relation to this money.
5. The cryptocurrency is protected by a unique code like , so it is copy-protected and therefore cannot be counterfeited.
6. There are practically no commissions for transactions, since when conducting transactions using cryptocurrency, the role of a third party in the relationship - banks - is excluded as unnecessary. Therefore, such payments are comparatively cheaper than using regular cash.

With all the variety of positive characteristics, cryptocurrency also has disadvantages.

Minuses:

1. If a user has lost the password for his electronic wallet, this means for him the loss of all funds in it. Since there is no control over transactions using digital money, there are no guarantees of their safety.
2. Cryptocurrency is characterized by high volatility due to the specifics of its circulation (volatility means frequent changes in its value).
3. In relation to cryptocurrencies, attempts may be made to exert various negative influences on the part of national monetary regulators (for example, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation).
4. As the process of mining cryptocoins becomes more and more complicated over time, mining using the equipment of individual users becomes less and less profitable.

Each of the existing types of cryptocurrencies has both advantages and disadvantages inherent in them all together.

In general, all crypto currency units are characterized by the same features as modern money, namely:

• They are versatile;
• They are a means of exchange;
• They can be accumulated;
• Perform a calculation function.

The value of digital money varies depending on supply and demand.

How to make money on cryptocurrency

Currently, there are a number of ways to make money on bitcoins and other virtual currencies:

1. Buying and selling cryptocurrency. This is done on special exchanges or electronic money exchangers. The principle of operation is to buy a currency when its value decreases, and sell when it increases. Most often, such trading is associated with bitcoins, since their cost is higher than other types of cryptocurrency.

2. Cryptocurrency investments. are made by transferring a certain amount of electronic money from one person to another in trust. Typically, brokers deal with trust management issues.

3.Extraction of electronic money (mining). Cryptocurrency mining, in simple words, is the process of extracting cryptocurrency using special software. It will not be possible to produce large volumes of cryptocurrencies on an ordinary home computer; quite significant power is required, and, consequently, the purchase of additional equipment. A powerful video card and processor are required. In addition, special devices are used - so-called mining farms, which produce cryptocurrency.

4. Cloud mining. For such digital currency production, you do not need to buy additional devices. For this purpose, there are special services where you can sell and purchase computing power. That is, the service generates cryptocurrency for you, and you pay for the power expended.

5. Cryptocurrency giveaway. Such services are usually provided for attracting referrals or entering letters from pictures (captcha), that is, in fact, for increasing site traffic. These are the so-called gateways, taps or distributors. There are also special Bitcoin games in which you can earn electronic money. Earnings on such services are small: a small portion of Bitcoin (Satoshi) is distributed per hour.

Conclusion

Thus, cryptocurrency is a new word in monetary circulation. Its emergence is due to the needs of the time. Despite the fact that crypto money has no real expression, it can participate in various market transactions almost on a par with traditional currency units.

Currently, there are a number of ways to earn cryptocurrencies, as well as options for making a profit from them, which is what the most advanced users use.

In general, cryptocurrency in its characteristics is largely similar to traditional money, however, it also has a number of fundamental differences that allow digital money to increasingly gain popularity in the modern information space.

The most precious thing in a person’s life is his health. If health deteriorates, then there is no strength to work or have fun, i.e. a person loses the meaning of life. But, one way or another, the life of most people consists of moving. First, you live at home with your parents, then you go to university and, as a rule, go to another city; work does not always work within the same city. Based on this, your medical history is scattered throughout the country, and in order for the doctor to prescribe the correct treatment for you in case of illness, you have to take many tests, the results of which you have, but are in other cities. The MediBloc project, which we will talk about, is trying to solve this problem.

What is MediBloc (MED) cryptocurrency?

MediBloc cryptocurrency (MED) is a digital currency created specifically for the medical ecosystem, which will be a resource for calculation and motivation on the MediBloc platform. The MediBloc platform is written on the blockchain, therefore it is a completely decentralized and accessible resource at any time.

Features of cryptocurrencyMediBloc (MED)

The MediBloc platform tries to solve the 2 most important problems in the medical field:

– limited access to honey. patient card;

– making diagnoses without examining the patient’s full medical history.

According to the MediBloc team, the existing model of the healthcare sector is very outdated, which sometimes leads to catastrophic consequences for people. Therefore, the project team decided to develop one single ecosystem in the medical field, which will have information about the medical history of each person. At the same time, all data will be completely secure and confidential. Only the patient will have access to the information.

Prospects for cryptocurrencyMediBloc (MED)

We found the MediBloc project very interesting, because patients, rather than institutions, are more interested in it. As a rule, it is precisely such initiatives that receive greater public support. A striking example of this is the use of various resources for exchanging electronic currencies (WebMoney, Yandex Money, etc.), because the systems are not supported by national banks, but are in great demand.

Where to buy cryptocurrencyMediBloc (MED)

It is not surprising that there is so little talk about the MediBloc cryptocurrency. After all, the largest volume of trading in MED tokens occurs on the Coinrale exchange, which is completely unpopular in the Russian-speaking segment of the Internet.

Schedule and Course MediBloc(MED)

We present to your attention the MediBloc chart, which shows the MED to Bitcoin exchange rate.

Conclusion

Friends, we forgot to say that MED tokens will be used as an incentive for patients to use the MediBloc platform.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the MediBloc platform strives to connect the parties involved in the medical process in order to make medicine more modern.

A bubble that will burst at one moment, leaving thousands with nothing, or a revolution in the world of electronic payments - the attitude towards cryptocurrencies today is radically different. Today we hear about cryptocurrencies at every turn, but not everyone fully understands what they mean and how to use them.

What is cryptocurrency - in simple words for dummies

The term became firmly established in everyday use after a publication in Forbes magazine in 2011, where the name “cryptocurrency” was mentioned, in English - crypto currency. In other words, it is a digital or electronic currency that is produced on the Internet and stored here in virtual wallets. There is simply no physical analogue.

When creating this currency, a special cryptographic cipher is used, consisting of sequential hashing and a digital signature. Hence the first part of the word – crypto.

At first glance, cryptocurrency is similar to traditional electronic payment systems. However, the differences between them are actually colossal. And the first is the method of issuing and storing money, which we will discuss later.

But first, about the advantages...

As with any concept, there are also advantages and disadvantages. Let's start with the advantages of cryptocurrencies, and among the main ones we note:

• decentralization;
• direct exchange in the absence of intermediaries;
• transparency;
• anonymity;
• small commissions for transfers, or even none at all;
• not afraid of inflation;
• ease of use.

Decentralization

When creating a cryptocurrency, there is no centralized body that deals with emissions, that is, issues title units, such as the Federal Reserve System in the USA, the Central Bank or the National Bank in the Russian Federation or Ukraine, respectively, when it comes to ordinary money. If we take payment systems like WebMoney or Yandex.Money, they are also owned and controlled by certain organizations.

In the situation with cryptocurrency, there is no such central regulator. They are based on a system - in other words, a distributed database. Depending on the popularity of a particular cryptocurrency, it is stored simultaneously on thousands, or even millions of computers around the world at the same time.

A few words about where cryptocurrency comes from

Cryptocurrency is created using mathematical calculations and is a computer-generated code. In most cases, the process looks like this.

Users send transactions to each other, which are collected into blocks that are sequentially linked and thus confirmed. With each block found, a certain number of crypto coins are issued, which are received by the one who confirmed the block.

Cryptocurrency is created using mathematical calculations and is a computer-generated code. Issued in blocks interconnected by sequential hashing.

This process is called, and those who do this are called miners. Thus, this currency is issued and stored in a decentralized manner.

Anyone can build, figuratively speaking, a mint at home and turn on a printing press, subject to certain conditions. It is enough to have a powerful computer and install the appropriate program on it.

Similar to the gold rush that hit humanity in the 19th century, today the world is gripped by a cryptocurrency rush. Entire mining farms are being created that tirelessly generate new and new coins (coins).

But that's not all. If you really want to create and put into circulation your own personal cryptocurrency. If it inspires trust among users, success is guaranteed.

By the way, it is worth noting that in some cryptocurrencies all tokens are issued at the start of the system, and are not mined gradually over time. These include, for example, Ripple, Cardano, Stellar and others.

And through classical mining, coins are mined from the following currencies:

• Bitcoin;
• Ethereum;
• Litecoin;
• Monero;
• Dash.

No intermediaries

As a rule, we exchange money (we are not talking about cash in this case) through intermediaries. These could be banks, payment systems, exchangers. They all set their own exchange rules, which can be changed at any time. In any unclear situations, your accounts may be blocked.

In the case of cryptocurrencies, there are no such intermediaries. Here, each user transfers money directly to another user's wallet from anywhere in the world.

Thus, the essence of cryptocurrencies is to eliminate the third party during transactions, that is, intermediaries represented by banks and exchangers. Another nuance is that such transfers are difficult to track, for example, by tax authorities. More precisely, all transactions in electronic cash systems are visible to anyone.

Seeing how much, from which wallet and to which amount was transferred is not a problem. The question is different - linking these wallets to a specific person is not easy. The main goal of this approach is to eliminate fraud during transactions and maintain anonymity.

In the absence of intermediaries, strictly established transaction fees also disappear. You can often transfer money, if not for free, then for a small fee.

Another question is that it is more profitable for a miner to first process those transfers that provide a larger reward. However, compared to the commissions of banks or exchange offices, here you can set the amount as a reward an order of magnitude lower.

What does cryptocurrency look like?

But in fact, nothing. There are simply no physical analogues. It is impossible to physically transfer cryptocurrency from hand to hand. In fact, these are only records of completed transactions. Let's say Vasya transferred 2 bitcoins to Gaucher - this will look like a record in the blockchain about the transaction. And Gosha will have these 2 bitcoins on his wallet balance until he transfers them to someone else.

Cryptocurrency mining algorithms

As already mentioned, all transactions in cryptocurrency systems are encrypted in a special way. Different algorithms are used for this. For Bitcoin it is, for example, SHA-256, for Litecoin it is Scrypt. Their transactions are confirmed using PoW (Proof-Of-Work, proof of work). Novacoin, in addition to PoW, also uses (PoS, proof of storage). Other cryptocurrencies, such as NXT, only use PoS.

Other hashing algorithms worth mentioning are X11, X13, X15, N-Scrypt, CryptoNote, each with its own pros and cons.

How to get cryptocurrency

In addition to the mining mentioned above, when miners receive a commission for generating electronic currencies, you can get hold of coins either by accepting them as payment for goods or services, or for cash on specialized cryptocurrency exchanges. Among the popular ones:

• Bitfinex;
• Bithumb;
• Kraken;
• Bittrex;
• Exmo;
• Poloniex.

You can also purchase digital coins using exchange offices, which will gladly exchange dollars, euros, rubles or hryvnias for popular cryptocurrencies.

There are also so-called cryptocurrency faucets that distribute tokens for free for performing certain actions - watching advertisements, solving captchas. However, you can get a very tiny amount of coins with their help.

How to store cryptocurrency

There are special cryptocurrency wallets for this. They come in many different types:

• In the form of a program for installation on a computer - in this case, your coins are stored on your hard drive.
• As an application for mobile devices.
• Online wallets that can be accessed through a browser. For example, blockchain.info.
• Hardware wallets in the form of physical media, similar to a regular flash drive.

If you buy coins on an exchange, you can keep them directly on the balance sheet of this site.

How can there be no downsides?

If there are advantages, then there are also disadvantages. In the case of electronic cash, it is important to be careful about the safety of the wallet, as well as the password to it. If access is lost, you can say goodbye to your money forever. It is unlikely that it will be possible to restore it.

It is also worth considering the irreversibility of transactions. If you mistakenly transferred money to the wrong wallet, you can return it only with the voluntary consent of its owner.

Among the disadvantages, it is also worth mentioning the ambiguous attitude of different states towards the existence of cryptocurrencies. Some consider them as a means of payment, for example, Japan, others either limit their circulation or completely prohibit any work with them.

Why is cryptocurrency needed?

Cryptocurrencies are a kind of symbol of freedom. Lack of control, transfers directly to each other - such opportunities attract many.

Therefore, given the growing popularity of virtual money, more and more stores in the world are beginning to accept them as payment. Cryptocurrencies are also increasingly used as an investment tool. However, given their increased volatility, this should be done carefully.

What cryptocurrencies are there – where did it all start and what do we have?

The first and currently most expensive cryptocurrency was released in 2009 and is called Bitcoin. It was invented by an anonymous person or a group of people hiding under the name Satoshi Nakamoto. It is with it that the very concept of cryptocurrency is most often associated.

Since that time, a great variety of different electronic currencies have appeared with original and not so original concepts, most often tailored to a specific industry. For example, IOTA for the Internet of Things.

Their number has already successfully exceeded a thousand. Most of them duplicate each other, differing only in names.

Developers are trying their best to outdo each other. This is how cryptocurrencies appear for owners of Facebook accounts (Face), the LGBT community (GayCoin). Others are dedicated to famous people and contain their names in their names - EinsteinCoin, TeslaCoin.

In March 2018, the top 10 cryptocurrencies are as follows:

1. Bitcoin;
2. Ethereum;
3. Ripple;
4. Bitcoin Cash;
5. Litecoin;
6. Cardano;
7. Stellar;
8. Monero.

Most often, new cryptocurrencies are released for specific purposes. If Bitcoin was developed exclusively for transactions and is often called virtual gold, then, for example, Ethereum is designed not only for money transfers, it already contains smart contracts. Decentralized applications are also launched on the basis of its network. By the way, the role of an analogue of silver in the world of cryptocurrencies is assigned to Litecoin.

What is cryptocurrency backed by?

It is worth noting that digital currencies are not backed by anything: neither gold and foreign exchange reserves, nor the economy of a particular state. The only thing that determines their value is demand. The higher it is, the more expensive you have to pay for a certain currency unit. In addition, the creators of certain cryptocurrencies most often set the emission volume in advance, upon reaching which the coins will no longer be issued. For example, Bitcoin has 21 million coins.

Capitalization, price and ratings

You can view the list of the most popular cryptocurrencies on specialized websites. As an example - coinmarketcap.com. Here, in the form of a table, the top most common cryptocurrencies are shown, their price, market capitalization, price chart and other indicators.

Our website also has its own, where you can find out their current value in relation to the dollar, ruble, hryvnia, and view charts.

By the way, in December 2017, the total capitalization of cryptocurrencies exceeded $500 billion. And in January 2018 it completely exceeded the figure of 800 billion. In March, this figure had already dropped to 360 billion. Bitcoin is also in the lead with a figure of 150 billion dollars.

To find out the rates of a particular currency, you should use one of the currency converters available on the Internet. For example, ru.cryptonator.com

Legal regulation of cryptocurrency

Different countries today have different attitudes towards cryptocurrencies. Japan officially recognized Bitcoin as legal tender back in the spring of 2017 and exempted sales from consumption tax. More recently, in Germany they began to treat it as a monetary unit of account.

Favorable attitude towards cryptocurrencies in Switzerland as well. In the USA and Canada they are treated as valuable property, and in Bulgaria they are treated as a financial asset. The UK treats digital money as foreign currency. Iceland prohibits its citizens from buying tokens on exchanges, but, on the contrary, they welcome mining.

Is cryptocurrency banned in Russia? - No. While officials are pondering the eternal question “to be or not to be,” everyone here carries out transactions with crypto tokens at their own peril and risk.

Russia plans to adopt a corresponding law on cryptocurrency this year. In January, the Ministry of Finance published the preliminary text of a bill according to which mining will be classified as a business activity, and cryptocurrencies will not be able to be legal tender.

Cryptocurrency is currently in the so-called “gray zone” in Ukraine. Back in 2017, 3 bills were submitted to the Verkhovna Rada here to regulate this area, but to date none of them have been adopted.

What will happen to cryptocurrency in 2018

What will happen? – Further growth and development. It’s unlikely that anyone will be able to stop this snowball. Some cryptocurrencies may fall into oblivion, others will replace them. The top 10 cryptocurrencies may change - stronger systems will displace those who have stopped in their development. However, digital money will no longer be able to disappear from our lives. Even if individual states ban them. In general, today we are talking more about the regulation of cryptocurrencies, and in 2018 active steps will continue to be taken in this direction.

Cryptocurrency is digital money, the issue and control of which is carried out on the basis of cryptographic methods. The system operates on blockchain technology, and the accounting of coins is not controlled by any authority (the principle of decentralization). Information about transactions performed is not encrypted, but is stored in open form. The immutability of the transaction block chain is ensured through sequential hashing and digital signature with a public key.

When did cryptocurrency appear?

Cryptography has been used since 1990, when the DigiCash system was created. But the payment system was not decentralized, and developer David Chom’s company ceased to exist in 1998. The term “cryptocurrency” first appeared after the development of Bitcoin in 2009, and has been established as a term since the publication of the Bitcoin system in Forbes magazine.

The main parameters of cryptocurrency include:

• Lack of a common administrative center. The system does not depend on anyone and is capable of self-organization.
• Cryptocurrency does not have a main server to store a database of transactions carried out in the system. Copies of such databases are located on the computers of participants in the cryptocurrency network. Digital coins are based on blockchain technology.
• Each participant is able to track any transaction. But he cannot receive the data - only see it.
• Transactions on the network are encrypted using a special key, which only the owner has access to. Each participant in the cryptocurrency network has a personal address (wallet) and a key (password). All transactions are encrypted.
• Commissions are paid only to speed up the transaction. There are no additional payments.
• A new block is included in the database by agreement, at the moment the miner receives the next block. At the same time, information about both the new transaction and all operations completed at the time of transfer is added to all databases.
• Hacking the system will require enormous power, namely the use of hundreds of thousands of PCs. This means that making changes to the cryptocurrency network is almost impossible.
• The new block of the transaction chain contains information about the previous block (its hash is used). This is done in order to prevent payment fraud.

Advantages and disadvantages of cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency has the following advantages:

• Anonymity. Blockchain technology makes it possible to create a network whose users are protected from attackers and regulatory authorities.
• Openness of the code. Mining (extraction) of cryptocurrency is available to everyone.
• Ease of operations. When making a transfer, minimal commissions are charged and no intermediaries are required. It is impossible to recall the operation or protest it (if the transaction has been carried out).
• Immune to inflation. The volume of cryptocurrency is limited, which excludes a decrease in the exchange rate due to uncontrolled emission.
• Decentralization. Cryptocurrency is not controlled by any authority. Transactions and payments take place without the participation of banking or regulatory structures.
• Safety. The cryptocurrency network is protected from outside interference (from the outside and from the inside). It is almost impossible to hack the system, which is due to the many participants and the presence of copies of blockchains in many people.

Disadvantages of cryptocurrency:

• No guarantee. The lack of regulation has the opposite side - no one guarantees the safety of money in an electronic wallet and its return in force majeure situations.
• High volatility. The cryptocurrency rate depends on many factors and can vary over a wide range.
• Weak security. Young cryptocurrencies are vulnerable due to a small number of participants - such networks are easier to hack.
• The danger of prohibition. Regulators in many countries have a negative attitude towards uncontrolled currency, which carries the risk of its ban.
• Impossibility of recovery. If you lose the key to your electronic cryptocurrency wallet, you will not be able to get your money back.
• Reduced mining efficiency. As the complexity of extraction increases, the profitability of this process decreases.

Today there are dozens of cryptocurrencies, and this list is regularly updated. Main cryptocurrencies:

• Bitcoin - created in 2009, the first cryptocurrency. Today, this money is accepted in many retail outlets, and the rate has reached $11,000 for one Bitcoin (at the beginning of December 2017).
• Bitcoin Cash is a cryptocurrency that separated from the base currency in August 2017. Within a week, it became one of the top three cryptocurrencies with the largest capitalization. The reasons for the separation are the desire to eliminate the shortcomings of Bitcoin, namely to improve security and increase the number of transactions.
• Ethereum - appeared in 2015, works on blockchain technology. It has great development prospects and is considered a competitor to Bitcoin.

In addition to those listed, there are other cryptocurrencies - Ethereum Classic, Litecoin, Ripple, Dogecoin, Dashcoin and others.

How to get cryptocurrency?

You can get cryptocurrency in the following ways:

• Buy from other people directly.
• Exchange on the stock exchange.
• Use exchange services.
• Charge for goods or services.
• Mining (cryptocurrency mining).

Legal component of cryptocurrencies

In 2018, it is planned to legalize transactions with cryptocurrency in order to combat illegal transactions. Deputy Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation Aleksey Moiseev informed the public about this in April 2017. At the end of May, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation proposed considering cryptocurrency as a digital product, which found support in the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. In October 2017, at a meeting with the President of the Russian Federation, it was decided that the state would regulate the process of manufacturing, circulation and mining of cryptocurrency.

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