What is a cryptocurrency
A cryptocurrency is digital money that no bank or government controls. It runs on a blockchain: a public record, shared by thousands of computers, where every movement is written down and nobody can erase it.
Bitcoin (BTC)The first one (2009). There will only ever be 21 million. Many people see it as “digital gold”.
Ethereum (ETH)A blockchain where apps and other tokens can be built. It’s the second largest.
AltcoinsAny crypto that isn’t Bitcoin: Solana, XRP, Cardano…
StablecoinsCryptos that are always worth $1 (USDT, USDC). Exchanges use them as “dollars” to buy and sell.
MemecoinsJoke or community coins (DOGE, PEPE). They rise and fall enormously. Extreme risk.
That’s why on the Crypto page you see pairs like BTC/USDT: the price of 1 Bitcoin in USDT (digital dollars).
Cryptos can fall 50-80 % in a few months. It has happened several times, even to Bitcoin.