Cryptocurrency, also known as digital assets, is used as an investment vehicle and to purchase goods online. Since these digital currencies aren’t regulated like stocks or real money, there can be risks involved, such as extreme volatility and an unpredictable rate of return. People may lose everything they invest in cryptocurrency if it goes under and hackers have targeted these investments as a target of investment fraud. It may not be suitable for everyone and should always be treated as high-risk investments before putting large sums of money in crypto.

Crypto currency’s value fluctuates purely speculatively, unlike stocks which follow company performance and fluctuate accordingly. Market conditions can change drastically overnight with prices often shifting double-digit percentage points within hours – much like the Wild West without marshals to enforce law and order.

Investors purchase cryptocurrency with the hope of seeing its price increase so they can sell it at a profit, sometimes making substantial returns this way. While cryptocurrency may offer long-term opportunities, investing with only money you can afford to lose can be risky; to mitigate risky investments’ potentially catastrophic results it’s essential that an emergency savings fund be set aside just in case anything goes wrong with your crypto investments.

Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies exchanged online between people without using intermediaries like banks. You can buy or sell cryptos using your phone, computer or wallet without needing identification verification or credit checks from an institution – typically faster and cheaper than using banks for transactions of this nature. People also often use crypto to pay for goods and services which comes with many additional advantages compared to cash payments.

Crypto’s greatest strength lies in its global accessibility; there are no fees when purchasing or selling, making it attractive to international investors as well as people who travel frequently. Furthermore, being untied to any particular nation or government makes crypto a safer investment option than local currency alternatives.

There is also an array of crypto coins, each offering their own distinct set of benefits and drawbacks. Bitcoin may be best known, but there are thousands more with various characteristics; each designed for specific tasks – security or fast use or with built-in features to combat fraud – while still others provide rewards to users.

Some cryptocurrencies are backed by physical assets, like gold or oil, providing investors with extra layers of security. You can invest in “asset-backed” tokens which give ownership rights over an asset such as shares in a company or property; these investments often record themselves on blockchain similar to how stocks are recorded on a share registry. BlackRock recently filed to launch a bitcoin spot ETF which could give easier access to this form of currency but, at risky investments not suitable for all investors.