#OnChainInsights

The world of **cryptocurrencies** is based on **blockchain** technology, a decentralized and immutable digital registry that records transactions in blocks linked by cryptography. It operates without intermediaries (banks or governments) through **peer-to-peer** networks, where users (nodes) collectively validate transactions. **Cryptography** guarantees security: public keys (addresses) and private keys (signatures) protect ownership and transactions. Consensus algorithms such as **Proof of Work** (Bitcoin) or **Proof of Stake** (Ethereum 2.0) secure the network and prevent fraud.

The **token economy** (tokenomics) defines its value: limited supply (e.g. 21 million Bitcoin), incentives for miners/validators and utility in services such as smart contracts (self-executing programs on blockchain). These technologies drive ideals such as **financial freedom**, inclusion for unbanked people, and privacy (Monero, Zcash).

Although they are growing in adoption (companies, countries like El Salvador) and generating innovations such as **DeFi** (decentralized finance), they face challenges: extreme volatility, high energy consumption (PoW), fraud risks, and nascent regulatory frameworks. In essence, cryptocurrencies merge technical advances, disruptive economic principles, and a decentralized vision of the future of money.