Cryptocurrency is an internet-based medium of exchange which uses cryptographical functions to conduct financial transactions. Cryptocurrencies leverage blockchain technology to gain decentralization, transparency, and immutability.

Let’s keep it simple: cryptocurrency is digital cash for the digital age. It’s similar to regular money — think $$ or €€ — but it’s digital-only, so there are no bills or coins to carry around.

What can I do with cryptocurrency?

Shop: Over 100,000 merchants accept Bitcoin including Microsoft, Overstock, and NewEgg.

Dine out: Worldwide, you can dine in or carry out at thousands of restaurants using Bitcoin or Bitcoin Cash.

Donate to causes: GiveCrypto.org is a nonprofit that distributes cryptocurrency to people living in poverty. The Internet Archive, The Mozilla Foundation, and The Wikimedia Foundation (just to name a few) also all accept donations in Bitcoin.

Gift it: Cryptocurrency makes a great gift for friends and family.

How does cryptocurrency work?

Few people know, but cryptocurrencies emerged as a side product of another invention. Satoshi Nakamoto, the unknown inventor of Bitcoin, the first and still most important cryptocurrency, never intended to invent a currency.

In his announcement of Bitcoin in late 2008, Satoshi said he developed “A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.“

His goal was to invent something; many people failed to create before digital cash.

How do I sell a cryptocurrency?

Selling on an exchange is typically easy. If you already hold your crypto on Coinbase, for example, you just visit the sell page, enter the amount you want to sell, confirm, and finish. Coinbase is also the most trusted place to sell cryptocurrency with millions of customers served and over $150 billion of crypto exchanged.