The buzzy world of cryptocurrency — the most famous of which is Bitcoin — can be tricky to navigate. From ETFs to blockchains and cold wallets, there are many terms that can be confusing. Fortunately, Forbes’ comprehensive source of cryptocurrency news can help you make sense of all the action.
Launched in 2009 by the pseudonymous software engineer Satoshi Nakamoto, cryptocurrencies are digital assets that are exchanged on decentralized computer networks between people with virtual wallets using a protocol that publicly records transactions on distributed and tamper-proof ledgers called blockchains. The most well-known cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, whose market cap has peaked at more than $1 trillion. It has also spawned numerous rivals, from Ethereum to Ripple.
Cryptocurrency prices have soared in recent years, but their value has been volatile. Investors can profit from price appreciation if they time their purchases wisely. But the digital asset’s high levels of volatility can also cause painful losses if you don’t know how to protect yourself.
While investors are betting big on the future of cryptocurrencies, lawmakers are still deciding how to regulate this new area of the financial markets. One possibility is to create rules for exchange-traded funds that hold the asset. But that could take a while.
Republicans in Congress want to pass regulations before the midterm elections next year, which gives them a chance to campaign on the issue. But a wide range of views exists on what should be done.
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