The Main Cryptocurrencies on the Market

Abstract

The open source nature of blockchain technology allows to launch new cryptocurrencies to everyone who has a bit of knowledge and experience in coding. However, even if more than 20,000 different cryptocurrencies exist, and new cryptos continuously arise, just a bunch of them represents the core of the cryptocurrencies’ market. The chapter describes the function and stresses the differences between the main cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, Ether (or Ethereum), and the so-called “altcoins” (alternative coins), including Tether, Binance USD, Litecoin, Ripple, Cardano, and Bitcoin Cash. The reading helps to achieve the awareness that not all cryptocurrencies are the same, and that differences between them are not negligible.