#CreatorPad Cryptocurrency, often shortened to "crypto," is a digital currency that exists outside the control of governments and central banks. It uses cryptography to secure and verify transactions and is built on a technology called a blockchain—a decentralized public ledger that records all transactions. This distributed ledger is maintained across a network of computers, making it transparent and difficult to alter.

The most well-known cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, which was created in 2009 as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. Since then, thousands of other cryptocurrencies, or "altcoins," have emerged, each with its own unique purpose. Ethereum, for example, is a platform that allows for the creation of decentralized applications and "smart contracts," which are self-executing agreements.

While crypto is often used for online payments, much of the interest in it comes from its potential as an investment. However, the market is highly volatile, and cryptocurrencies are not backed by any government or financial institution.