I. What is Cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency is a digital currency based on cryptographic technology, achieving decentralized bookkeeping through blockchain. Its core disruptive feature in traditional finance is:
No intermediary transfer: Peer-to-peer direct trading, cross-border remittance arrives within 10 minutes
Code is the rule: The issuance mechanism is fixed by algorithms (e.g., total Bitcoin supply of 21 million)
Anonymity: Transactions are made only through addresses, identity information is completely hidden
II. Brief History of Cryptocurrency
In 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto published the Bitcoin white paper, and in 2009, the BTC genesis block was born. Key milestones:
In 2017, Ethereum opened the era of smart contracts
In 2021, Dogecoin sparked the MEME coin craze
In 2024, BTC spot ETF approved, price breaks $100,000
III. Core Operating Principles
1. Blockchain bookkeeping
Transaction data is packaged into 'blocks', verified through consensus mechanisms and then added to the blockchain, making it immutable.
2. Two Mainstream Consensus Mechanisms
PoW (Proof of Work): Miners compete in computing power to solve problems (e.g., Bitcoin)
PoS (Proof of Stake): Holders stake tokens to gain accounting rights (e.g., Ethereum)
IV. Examples of Mainstream Cryptocurrencies
Currency
Features
Market value (2024)
Bitcoin
The first cryptocurrency, known as 'digital gold'
Over $1.5 trillion
Ethereum
Smart contract platform, supporting DeFi ecosystem
Over $600 billion
USDT
Stablecoins pegged to the US dollar
Over $80 billion
V. Essential Differences from Traditional Currency
Dimensions
Traditional currency
Cryptocurrency
Issuing entity
Central Bank
Algorithm code
Transaction intermediary
Bank
Blockchain network
Privacy
Dependent on KYC real-name verification
Address anonymity
Asset recovery
Banks can assist
Loss of private key leads to zero
VI. Beginner's Operational Guide
1. How to buy?
Choose a platform: Centralized exchanges (like Binance) are suitable for beginners, decentralized exchanges (like Uniswap) require a wallet
Fund your account: Buy USDT stablecoin with fiat currency, or directly use a credit card to buy BTC
Place an order: Market order (real-time execution) / Limit order (set target price)
2. How to store?
Hot wallet (online): MetaMask, Trust Wallet, suitable for daily trading
Cold wallet (offline): Ledger hardware wallet, suitable for long-term holding
VII. Global Regulatory Status
Supportive: United States (BTC/ETH regarded as commodities), Switzerland (Crypto Valley)
Restrictive: China (prohibits trading), India (high tax rates)
Innovative: Hong Kong (Stablecoin license launched in 2023)
VIII. Core Investment Risks and Returns
Advantages:
24-hour trading, volatility brings high return opportunities (e.g., BTC rose over 10 million times in ten years)
Anti-inflation (Bitcoin's deflationary property)
Risks:
Risk of price crash (e.g., LUNA coin dropped to zero in 24 hours)
Loss of private key (a user lost 220 million BTC due to forgetting the seed phrase)
Regulatory policy changes (e.g., frequent lawsuits against exchanges by the US SEC)
IX. Three Tips for Beginners
Invest only with spare money: No more than 5% of household assets
First stock up on mainstream coins: BTC/ETH should account for no less than 70%
Avoid leveraged contracts: 90% of retail investors die from liquidation
Conclusion: Cryptocurrency is not a tool for 'getting rich overnight', but the key to understanding the future of finance. Starting from learning the principles of blockchain, gradually build your own investment logic to go further in this market full of opportunities and traps.