Crypto, short for cryptocurrency, is a type of digital or virtual money that uses cryptography for security. Unlike traditional currencies (like dollars or euros), most cryptocurrencies are decentralized and run on a technology called blockchain, which is a public ledger of all transactions.
Imagine you have magic internet money.
This money lives only on computers and phones. It's called crypto because it's secret and safe, like a locked treasure chest that only you can open with a special key.
Example:
Let’s say Sara wants to send money to Laila.
With normal money, she might need a bank to help.
With crypto, she can send it directly, fast, and safely, without needing a bank.
The Treasure Book (Blockchain):
All the money moves are written in a special book that everyone can see, but no one can change—like a magic book that keeps everything honest. That’s the blockchain.