A simplified beginner's guide to Cryptocurrency.

in #cryptocurrency7 years ago

Now a days, the word "Cryptocurrency" is used very frequently. One gets the idea that its some kind of currency but still don't know much about it. This article will tell you in simple words what Cryptocurrency is. Following technical terms will be used throughout the article which one should know before proceeding:

Block chain:

 A blockchain is a digitized, decentralized, public ledger  in which transactions made in bitcoin or another        Cryptocurrency are recorded chronologically and publicly.

 Wallet:

 A free private database called a coin wallet. This is a password-protected container that stores your earnings and keeps a network-wide ledger of transactions.

 Cryptography  :

 Cryptography is a method of storing and transmitting data in a particular form so that only those for whom it is intended can read and process it. 

Peer-to-Peer:

 A Peer-to-Peer, or P2P, Service is a decentralized platform whereby two individuals interact directly with each other, without intermediation by a third-party, or without the use of a company of business selling a product or service. 

--source:  www.investopedia.com/terms/p/peertopeer-p2p-service.asp 

ICO:

 An unregulated means by which funds are raised for a new cryptocurrency venture. An Initial Coin Offering (ICO) is used by startups to bypass the rigorous and regulated capital-raising process required by venture capitalists or banks
--source: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/initial-coin-offering-ico.asp

What is Crytocurrency?

 Cyptocurrency is the new digital form of currency. It has become very popular recently. It is basically a virtual form of currency. There are no hard copies of it or its record. All the transaction records are available on block-chain, an online public ledger, keeping the identities of the people anonymous.

It all started from  he first and the most popular Cryptocurrency  "Bitcoin" but, now there are many Cryptocurrencies in town but still Bitcoin is still on the the top and now has a price around 14549.91 US Dollar per coin. 

Now one might say its similar to bank's credit or debit card. But Credit and Debit cards involve a third party that is the bank, whereas in Cryptocurrency its just you and the vendor. For example, If i were to buy a cup of coffee, the difference if I pay with a credit card or if I were to pay with Crytocurrency would be that the credit card transaction involves third parties as mentioned before (bank) and it would take three or more days for money to transfer to seller's account, however they will be deducted from my account whereas in Cryptocurrency, it takes just maybe 15 minutes for a transaction to be complete between two people(peer-to-peer).

Crptocurrency is mostly used for peer-to-peer transaction. It offers a secure and a fast way for P2P transactions.

Unlike banks it does not involve any third party and can easy be done in a click.

Transfer/exchanging of currency:

For exchange of Cryptocurrency, one person transfer the fund to other person's wallet or it can be transfer to some exchange such as Bittrex. Sending coins  to someone's wallet is very easy and secure, there is a lesser chance of being hacked and fee for such transaction is very low.

How to get a Cryptocurrency:

 1.Mine:

   How to mine:

         Following are the things required for mining:

  • A free private database called a coin wallet. This is a password-protected container that stores your earnings and keeps a network-wide ledger of transactions.
  • A free mining software packagelike this one from AMD, typically made up of cgminer and stratum.   
  • A membership in an online mining pool, which is a community of miners who combine their computers to increase profitability and income stability.
  • Membership at an online currency exchange, where you can exchange your virtual coins for conventional cash, and vice versa. 
  • A reliable full-time internet connection, ideally 2 megabits per second or faster speed.
  • A hardware setup location in your basement or other cool and air-conditioned space.  
  • A desktop or custom-built computer designed for mining. Yes, you may use your current computer to start, but you won't be able to use the computer while the miner is running. A separate dedicated computer is ideal. Tip: Do not use a laptop, gaming console or handheld device to mine. These devices just are not effective enough to generate income.
  • An ATI graphics processing unit (GPU) or a specialized processing device called a mining ASIC chip. The cost will be anywhere from $90 used to $3000 new for each GPU or ASIC chip. The GPU or ASIC will be the workhorse of providing the accounting services and mining work.
  • A house fan to blow cool air across your mining computer. Mining generates substantial heat, and cooling the hardware is critical for your success.
  • Personal curiosity. You absolutely need a strong appetite for reading and constant learning, as there are ongoing technology changes and new techniques for optimizing coin mining results. The most successful coin miners spend hours every week studying the best ways to adjust and improve their coin mining performance. 

--source: https://www.lifewire.com/cryptocoin-mining-for-beginners-2483064

2.Buy:

   How to buy:

       There are several ways to buy a Cryptocurrency:

  • Through exchanges such as cex.io, Coinbase.
  • Buy directly from a trader
  • Buy directly from coin manufacturers through ICO.

Now you might get the idea of what Crytocurrency is and how it works and i think these are enough for a beginner.If you wish to learn more internet will be your biggest assist. And If you like it do share and upvote.

Sort:  

Hello @raoasim
We have given you our still tinnie-winnie upvote!
You have been determined by a human @xabi to be possessing of special gem. Do join the #untalented family!

Abolishing the conditioning attached to IQ tests e.g smart, dull, bum, average and you suddenly give every human a chance to shine!

So e.g if Bill Gates did Microsoft and i can do Macro-hard, arent we both genius? Oh, we both are! Showcase your talents regardless of its nature freely with us in #untalented. Relegate all reservations as flaws are allowed and we sift even the so-called nonsense to find sense therein.

#untalented is an ongoing historical curriculum with initiatives/contests, where each participant wins something. No losers! It is also a core branch of #steemgigs, so please join the SteemGigs community on discord already containing around 700 gifted steemian family members. See this URL for more info

https://steemit.com/steemit/@surpassinggoogle/steemit-s-untalented-is-in-beta-participate-freely-because-every-participant-in-this-contest-will-win-something-no-losers

and also this URL for the discord community

https://discord.gg/CGuPyyT

If you want to vote a witness, you can vote steemgigs too. Simply go to

https://steemit.com/~witnesses

and type steemgigs into the first search box. Stay awesome!

Just incase you find any level or form of gifts, talents, attempts at out-of-the-boxness, or any steemian low in confidence about their abilities, worth, etc; please don't let it slip emptily by.

Kindly call on me! Simply reply to any such post and add @steem-untalented or #untalented to your reply and i will be there to upvote, acknowledge, strengthen and encourage them.

The @OriginalWorks bot has determined this post by @raoasim to be original material and upvoted it!

ezgif.com-resize.gif

To call @OriginalWorks, simply reply to any post with @originalworks or !originalworks in your message!

Nice information for beginners.

@raoasim great article bro, simplified and throughly written.Those who are new to cryptocurrencies will be glad to read this post.
Keep up the good work.

Congratulations @raoasim, you have decided to take the next big step with your first post! The Steem Network Team wishes you a great time among this awesome community.


Thumbs up for Steem Network´s strategy

The proven road to boost your personal success in this amazing Steem Network

Do you already know that awesome content will get great profits by following these simple steps, that have been worked out by experts?

Very good read

Your post was already approved in the group, upvoted by me and resteemed by people from the group ↕ Resteem to steemit, sorry but we don't accept the same post twice, resteem an other post, and post a new post to the group.

Wow fantastic information thank you so much

Coin Marketplace

STEEM 0.21
TRX 0.26
JST 0.040
BTC 101211.27
ETH 3680.97
USDT 1.00
SBD 3.14