$BTC The "crypto" in cryptocurrencies refers to the cryptographic technics (techniques and technology) that allow for creating and processing digital currencies. Alongside this important "crypto" feature is a common commitment to remaining decentralized; cryptocurrencies are typically developed by teams who build in mechanisms for issuance and other controls.

Cryptocurrencies are almost always designed to be free from government manipulation and control—although, as they have grown more popular, this foundational aspect of the industry has dwindled somewhat through regulatory developmentsBitcoin has not only been a trendsetter, ushering in a wave of cryptocurrencies built on a decentralized peer network—it has also become the de facto standard for cryptocurrencies, inspiring an ever-growing legion of followers and spinoffs.Bitcoin continues to lead the pack of cryptocurrencies in terms of market capitalization, user base, and popularity.

Other virtual currencies, such as Ethereum, are helping to create decentralized financial (DeFi) systems.

Some altcoins have been endorsed as having newer features than Bitcoin, such as the ability to handle more transactions per second or use different consensus algorithms.