FAQ

The primary foundation of Bitcoin and other notable cryptocurrencies is public-key cryptography. According to the cryptographic system, two different types of keys, such as public key and private key in pairs, can support crypto transactions. The public keys are important for identification and should be publicly visible. On the other hand, the private keys help in authentication and encryption, thereby implying that they are secret in nature.

The crypto wallets are basically platforms for secure storage of digital assets in comparison to exchanges. Users could hold a wallet through an exchange account or a custody wallet and even from outside the exchange. As a matter of fact, cryptocurrency wallets help in storing the private keys to your cryptocurrency on the blockchain.

Blockchains are designed to use cryptocurrencies as the "ink" for writing records on the blockchain. Cryptocurrencies are therefore different from blockchain, but, yet, an integral part of blockchain technology. We explain later on how a privately-run blockchain may not use cryptocurrencies, but such use of privately-run blockchains is very limiting and expensive.

The most popular and widely heard of cryptocurrency is Bitcoin. As of early January 2021, the total cryptocurrency market is over $1 trillion, and Bitcoin is around $700 billion. Believe it or not, there are over 7,800 cryptocurrencies in existence and growing. The top five, with over 80 percent of the market value, are Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Tether, and Litecoin