Cryptocurrency is a digital asset that uses blockchain technology to secure transactions and manage the creation of new units. Unlike traditional currencies, crypto operates independently of central banks, making it decentralized. Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency, was created in 2009 by an anonymous developer known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Since then, thousands of cryptocurrencies, like Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin, have emerged, each with unique purposes and technologies. Some coins serve as digital cash, while others, like Ethereum’s Ether, fuel decentralized applications (dApps). Crypto’s appeal lies in transparency, security, and the potential for decentralized finance (DeFi), though it also involves high risks and volatility.