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If you’re looking for a new investment opportunity, or perhaps a first-time investment, you may be wondering about one of the world’s newest investment options: cryptocurrency. Sometimes, opportunities come in ways that we wouldn’t expect, such as in entirely new markets like cryptocurrencies. 

The problem for many people when it comes to these currencies is not knowing enough about them to ‘safely’ (investment is never safe but it can be made safer) trade in them. However, these currencies have so much potential, which means that they really are worth taking the time to learn more about, especially if you want to invest in something but only have a small amount of funds to work with. 

What it’s important to know is that with new currencies like cryptocurrency, there are some big risks. Often, with new currencies there can be big drops in stock every so often, but then there can also be big increases too. New markets can be temperamental, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t worth investing in, because if you invest smartly, you can make the big bucks. 

Want to learn more about cryptocurrency and why it could be a good investment to make? Then read on, for everything that you need to know! 

What is cryptocurrency? 

You may have a general idea of what cryptocurrency is, but you may not be 100% sure about how exactly it works. The simplest way to explain cryptocurrency is to say it’s money on a software platform – it’s money that’s stored virtually. It’s important to bear in mind that cryptocurrency is not a new form of money, but a new software platform. 

For example, it works in a similar way to other software platforms, like Dropbox, a software platform used for sharing and storing documents and data. You pay for a subscription to the service. This platform has a database joined to it, which is stored on Dropbox’s servers. The cryptocurrency essentially replaces your money that you use to purchase a Dropbox subscription. 

Usually, the aim of cryptocurrencies is to improve some kind of software system or network. When you send money via PayPal, for instance, you are sending money electronically, which is similar to how Bitcoin, for example, works. However, that’s where the similarity tends to end, as PayPal has restrictions on which countries you can and cannot send money to, where as Bitcoin wants to change this and make everything more open

Is cryptocurrency real money?

In a word, ‘yes’ cryptocurrency is real money. Many websites now accept cryptocurrencies as a method of payment. However, not all cryptocurrencies are accepted. While Bitcoin is regularly accepted (create your account now to test this out), Ether and Litcoin are not. 

What are the risks of this kind of investment?

Each investment comes with risks, and it’s important to understand that. So, bearing that in mind, let’s look at what the risks are of this particular investment. The main risks of cryptocurrency are list below:

  • Some technologies will fail: Cryptocurrencies are software, which have been created by companies, which means that there is a chance they could fail. Remember, trading cryptocurrencies is like trading software stocks, there’s a risk that your stocks may deplete and you could lose money. Of course, there’s also a chance you could end up rich as a result – you have to take a gamble. 
  • You need to be technology savvy. You don’t need to be a major computer nerd to understand cryptocurrency, but you do need to have an idea of what you’re doing. There’s a lot to learn, so you need to have the knowledge to learn it. 
  • Insurance can’t always save you. There are some cryptocurrencies that come with less risk than others, such as Silvertoken, for instance, for more info have a browse online. If you want to protect your wealth, currencies like this that come with free insurance are a good option to choose. However, that being said, insurance can’t always save you if things go wrong, but it can reduce that level of risk in the first place. 

What cryptocurrency characteristics should you be aware of? 

Although cryptocurrencies are all based on similar technology, each currency has its own characteristics. When it comes to making trading decisions, it’s important to be mindful about what you choose to do. Below is a guide to the differences that will help you to make an informed decision when it comes to cryptocurrencies:

  • Speed of transaction processing
  • The total supply currently available 
  • Will there be a limit on the amount of the currency available?
  • Is there a need for this currency – does it have the potential to be successful?
  • Does the project have any big investors? 
  • Do the founders have a reputable background? 

These are just a few characteristics that you should look out for. Once you start to dig into each project further, you will begin to see what other things you need to keep an eye on, as well as what things are positive. This currency has so much to offer, it’s just a case of taking the time to learn more about it and how it works, so that you can be smart about how you utilize it for your own profit. 

So there you have it, a guide to cryptocurrency and how it can work as an investment option. The fact is that when it comes to cryptocurrencies and investing in them, there’s a lot to consider. The guide above only shares a small portion of what you need to know to invest wisely – it’s just a start. However, it should give you the insight that you need to begin to get to grips with what exactly cryptocurrency is and how it works. There is some fantastic investment potential there, it’s just a case of actually understanding the currency, how it works, and what the risks are, as well as what the positives are of investing in it. If you take the time to learn all of this, then you can ensure that when it comes to your investment, you are wise about the decisions that you make.