Mark Tencaten - Understanding the Types of Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin had little competition when it was originally released in 2009 in the emerging world of digital currency. By 2011, however, competitors had begun to use the blockchain technology that bitcoin was built on to build their platforms and currencies, resulting in the emergence of other varieties of cryptocurrency. Suddenly, there was a rush to develop more crypto.

MarkTencaten explains that there are dozens of different forms of cryptocurrency today. While each is designed to give a distinct feature or function, the majority are based on the same principles as bitcoin:

·       A central authority, such as a bank does not issue, regulate, or back cryptocurrency.

·       A blockchain (distributed ledger) and peer-to-peer review are used to construct them.

·       Cryptography is a complex computer code that encrypts (secures) Bitcoin and other currencies.

·       Cryptocurrencies are often stored as assets in digital wallets, such as blockchain wallets, which allow users to manage and exchange their coins.

Different categories of cryptocurrency

Different types of cryptocurrency can be classified into two categories:

·       Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin and altcoins (non-Bitcoin cryptocurrencies)

·       Tokens are programmed assets that exist within a platform's blockchain.

Crypto Coins and tokens are both types of cryptocurrency, although they serve different purposes. Coins are intended to be used as a currency and are created on their own blockchain. For example, Ether (ETH) is a cryptocurrency based on the Ethereum blockchain.

"Altcoin" refers to any cryptocurrency based on the blockchain that isn't Bitcoin. The term "altcoin" was coined as a short form for "alternative to Bitcoin," and most altcoins were created to improve on Bitcoin. As demonstrated by Mark Tencaten, some examples of altcoins are Namecoin, Litecoin, Peercoin, Ethereum, USD Coin, etc. Even though most altcoins are based on the same basic structure as Bitcoin and share some of its characteristics, each one has its own set of benefits for investors. Some altcoins utilize a different method for generating and validating transaction blocks. Some may include extra features, such as smart contracts, or a benefit, such as lower price volatility.

Tokens aren't considered a currency but are built on an existing blockchain. They're programmable assets that let you create and execute one-of-a-kind smart contracts. These contracts can be used to establish asset ownership outside of the blockchain network. For example, the BAT (Basic Attention Token) is a digital advertising token based on the Ethereum network. Mark Tencaten has simplified tokens to represent worth, similar to American dollars, but they aren't quite as valuable as a $1 paper dollar. On the other hand, Tokens can be used in a variety of transactions. A token is different from a coin in how it is built within an existing coin's blockchain, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.

The reason behind many types of cryptocurrency

Since blockchain technology is open source, any software developer can utilize the source code to construct something new. That is exactly what developers have done. Mark Tencaten claims that more than 10,000 different cryptocurrencies are in circulation, and the number continues to grow. Only four years ago, the number of cryptos had topped 1,000.

The relative simplicity with which new cryptocurrencies can be generated is one of the reasons for the growth. One's source code can be utilized to create another. The Ethereum network, for example, can be used to produce your own digital currency. There are "forks" in software code that change the system for how a cryptocurrency is regulated, which can result in the formation of a new cryptocurrency. In 2017, a Bitcoin fork allowed more transactions to be monitored in a single blockchain block, resulting in Bitcoin Cash.

The rise in cryptocurrency values has prompted many developers to try to get a piece of the action. Furthermore, blockchain technology has applications beyond digital money. While some cryptos may be a speculative bubble that will eventually burst, the decentralized nature of the technology and the wide range of applications it may make in the software industry are two reasons why there are so many cryptocurrencies.

Which is the best cryptocurrency?

Bitcoin is regarded as the original cryptocurrency, and additional cryptocurrencies are referred to as "altcoins.”It's tough to tell which cryptos are the best, but Bitcoin and other of the most popular altcoins are top-tier possibilities due to their scalability, security, and range of usefulness they provide. There isn't a single "best" cryptocurrency because each has its own set of features based on the developer's needs. Here's a rundown list of some of the most popular digital coins: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Binance Coin, USD Coin, XRP, Terra, Solana, Cardano, Avalanche, etc.