$ETH

"Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency secured by cryptography, operating on decentralized blockchain networks. Bitcoin, the first crypto, introduced a peer-to-peer electronic cash system in 2009, enabling trustless transactions without intermediaries. Ethereum expanded crypto’s utility with smart contracts, powering decentralized apps (DApps) and DeFi (decentralized finance). Key features include transparency, immutability, and limited supply (e.g., Bitcoin’s 21M cap). Investors face volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and security risks like hacks, but long-term adoption grows as institutions and governments explore CBDCs (central bank digital currencies). Stablecoins (e.g., USDT) peg value to fiat, reducing volatility. NFTs (non-fungible tokens) tokenize unique assets, revolutionizing art and gaming. Crypto’s future hinges on scalability, regulation, and mainstream acceptance."