Is There a Difference Between Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin?

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(Newswire.net — July 23, 2020) — All Bitcoin is cryptocurrency, but not all cryptocurrency is Bitcoin. Bitcoin is the most popular crypto coin. Bitcoin arrived in the early 2000s and leaped up in both popularity and value soon after its conception.

If you are looking into investing in cryptocurrency, you have probably considered Bitcoin. You may be wondering what the differences are between Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. 

What is Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is a digital marker for money that exists outside of any federal government or single bank. It exists as an open network of information and transactions between members. Individual’s identities are protected with encryption. 

How is Cryptocurrency Different than Bitcoin?

Cryptocurrency is a general term for all sorts of digital money. There are a number of different kinds of coins, among which is Bitcoin. Bitcoin was among the first and remains one of the most valuable and popular of the cryptocurrency.

Why Use Cryptocurrency Over Other Types of Currency?

Cryptocurrency has important ideological as well as practical benefits for its users. These benefits help to explain why it has launched into such a significant industry in such a short amount of time.

Avoid Fees

Cryptocurrency helps you to avoid all the annoying bank fees typically associated with monetary transactions. Get away from overdraft fees, transfer fees, foreign transaction fees, and all other fees that go along with everyday bank business. 

Cryptocurrency does charge a transaction fee in many cases, but it rarely is above .5 and 1 percent of any given transaction. In many cases, having a cryptocurrency account is entirely free. 

You can keep the account open until you’re ready to make a transaction without having to worry about maintaining the account or any fees that might be accruing.

Privacy

One of the primary benefits of cryptocurrency since its inception has been privacy. Many people assume that you have to be conducting some kind of illegal business to need cryptocurrency, but this isn’t the case at all. 

If you’d rather keep your name, email address, and credit card information away from everyone you do business with, cryptocurrency may have a huge benefit for you. 

International Transaction

Cryptocurrency exists without exchange rates or frustrating fees for cross-border transactions. If you do a lot of business internationally, you may appreciate the simplicity and straightforward nature of cryptocurrency. 

You won’t have to wait for your transactions to be processed by a variety of banks or deal with international fees. All you need is the internet and your cryptocurrency to conduct overseas business.

Is Cryptocurrency Legal?

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency is not illegal to own, invest in, or trade in, by U.S. laws. Cryptocurrency exists outside of a nation or bank, so it may or may not be allowed depending on regulations for specific transactions or in particular areas.  

Many retailers consider cryptocurrency like Bitcoin to be unacceptable. You will not be able to pay your taxes or pay back most loans with cryptocurrency. It is generally accepted only within certain types of domestic industry, although it is much more likely to be accepted in international exchanges.

What are Some Other Kinds of Cryptocurrency?

Bitcoin is the best-known cryptocurrency, but other types of coins exist. Peercoin, Litecoin, ethereum, and feathercoin are all types of cryptocurrency known as altcoins, but they’re not Bitcoins. 

Make an Investment Into Crypto Coin

If you’re interested in making an investment into Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency, it’s best to do extensive crypto coin research. It’s not a bad idea to hire a professional to help you understand the subtleties of investing in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.