Author: Nikki Bryan

The cryptocurrency market continues to grow rapidly, albeit with its early-stage volatility.
According to a report by Statista, the value of all cryptocurrencies combined has grown from
$18 billion in January 2016 to well over a Trillion dollars in 2022. This new asset class has
colossal potential and has attracted many retail and institutional investors. With an
increasing demand for crypto tokens and new exchanges sprouting up almost daily, you
must know where and how to invest safely. There are plenty of cryptocurrency exchange
websites available on the internet today. However, not all cryptocurrency exchanges are safe
to use or trustworthy. Some of them might even be scams explicitly designed to take your
money. That’s why it is vital for any investor who wants to get involved with virtual
currencies to understand the risks before making that first investment. This article highlights
three of some of the best and safest exchanges where you can trade and invest in
cryptocurrencies.

1. Binance
   Binance is an online cryptocurrency exchange that was launched in 2017. It is the world’s
   top cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and is widely recognized for its low
   transaction fees. Binance is based in Malta and was launched by a group of Chinese
   entrepreneurs and investors. The platform offers a wide array of cryptocurrencies for
   trading, with most having low trading fees of 0.1%. Binance is a virtual exchange and is often
   featured among the top 3 exchanges in the world in terms of trading volume. The exchange
   generates its revenue from transaction fees charged on each trading transaction that is
   made on the exchange. It also offers its users the ability to withdraw funds in their native
   cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, such as the Chinese yuan, Japanese yen, and US dollar.
   Binance has a strong security system and is one of the safest exchanges.
   
   Why or Why Not Binance?
   Pros: Binance is a well-regulated and trustworthy exchange that offers users a wide array of cryptocurrencies for trading. Binance has a robust security system and is an excellent exchange to use if you are new to virtual currencies since it has a simple user interface and offers beginner-friendly features. Cons: Binance might be a good choice for beginners, but those who have been trading for a while might find it too simplistic.
   
2. Coinbase
   Coinbase is a digital asset exchange that allows you to buy, sell and trade cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. The exchange’s headquarters are located in San Francisco, California, and it was established in 2012. Coinbase is one of the most famous and trusted cryptocurrency exchanges by virtue of the fact that it is a public company now trading on the NASDAQ stock exchange. It is a licensed money transmitter in 32 states and compliant with Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations. Since its inception, the exchange has grown to serve millions of customers across the globe. It offers various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, and even your PayPal account in some countries. Unlike Binance, Coinbase charges higher transaction fees but still allows users to trade cryptocurrencies in fiat currencies. Coinbase is a safe exchange to use and is favored by beginners and investors with lower-risk appetites.
   
   Why or Why Not Coinbase?
   Pros: Coinbase is a highly trusted exchange and a good option if you are new to cryptocurrency trading. The exchange has a strong track record and is backed by several investors. Cons: Coinbase is not a good option if you want to trade or invest in alternative coins outside the top cryptocurrencies.
   
3. Kraken
   Kraken is a San Francisco-based cryptocurrency exchange that offers traders access to the most extensive digital currencies. It is one of the oldest and most respected exchanges in the industry. Kraken was founded in 2011 by Jesse Powell, Brian Armstrong, and Michael Gronager. Kraken is a full-featured spot trading exchange that supports more than 190 cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, enabling users to buy and sell bitcoins, Ethereum, and litecoin. The exchange also provides margin trading for a wide variety of crypto coins and lending and borrowing options for those who want to leverage their crypto holdings. The company’s mission is to be at the forefront of digital currency innovation, providing an easy- to-use platform for experienced traders and beginners. Kraken’s open-source technology makes it one of the world’s most secure and trusted exchanges.
   
   Why or Why Not Kraken?
   Pros: Kraken is an exchange with a long and trusted track record in the industry. Unlike Binance or Coinbase, Kraken allows users to trade and invest in various cryptocurrencies, including alternative coins and tokens. Cons: Kraken does not provide a digital wallet to keep your digital assets, in contrast to several of the other cryptocurrency exchanges.

Final Words

All three exchanges listed above are great options if you are looking to start trading or
investing in cryptocurrencies. They are safe and secure exchanges and have a proven track
record of conducting business. All three exchanges have pros and cons to consider. For
those of you crypto enthusiasts with different trading styles, more advanced needs and
greater risk appetites, there may be other exchanges that provide you with more advanced
options.

The digital currency world is growing exponentially and it shows no signs of stopping.
Bitcoin, being the first cryptocurrency invented in 2009, has given rise to numerous other
cryptocurrency tokens that are being used for different purposes. With such a rapid change
in the digital economy, new use cases of cryptocurrency continue to emerge. From using it
as a payment method to implementing it as a security measure, there are many ways crypto
is changing the world. Let’s look at the compelling use cases of cryptocurrency and how it is
changing the world.

Use Cases of Cryptocurrency

1. Payments
   As the first and most common of use cases, payments are the obvious for cryptocurrencies.
   Being a decentralized payment system, cryptocurrencies can be used for online transactions
   without needing a third-party service. Because of the nature of blockchain technology,
   cryptocurrency payments do not come with high transaction fees. There are no processing
   charges, additional fees, or foreign currency exchange rates. Because of their decentralized
   nature, cryptocurrencies are generally considered safe to use, especially for international
   payments. They have no intermediary banks or governing bodies; thus, they are considered
   very safe from various types of fraud. Open-source and distributed ledger technologies have
   also enabled cryptocurrency payments to be accessible to every part of the world.
2. Security
   Another important aspect of cryptocurrencies is their use as a security measure. More
   businesses are accepting cryptocurrencies as payment methods and using them to protect
   their data and systems. Because of their decentralized nature, cryptocurrencies are safer
   and harder to hack than credit cards. Cryptocurrencies are also immune to data breaches
   and hacking and do not come with arbitrary chargebacks. Because of distributed ledger
   technology, cryptocurrency transfers are verified and recorded. This is beneficial for
   businesses because they can track the entire process of their payments. And because of the
   decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies, they have no way of being shut down; thus, they
   continue to operate 24/7, even if a country’s government shuts down their own financial
   system.
3. Smart Contracts
   A smart contract is a self-executing agreement between two parties that does not require a
   third party or an intermediary to verify and authenticate the transaction. The idea of smart
   contracts was first introduced with the Ethereum blockchain. This is the second-largest
   cryptocurrency coin after Bitcoin and has many uses, from Smart Contracts to Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). Because of blockchain technology’s decentralized nature, intelligent contracts’ execution is transparent and publicly verifiable through consensus algorithms. Such a structure makes it impossible for anyone to alter the contract terms.
4. Store of Value
   Cryptocurrencies have been commonly associated with other assets such as stocks, gold,
   and real estate. They are seen as assets that can be traded or exchanged for goods or
   services in the future. This is the idea of the store of value. And the value of cryptocurrencies
   will continue to rise as more people invest in them. The most common way to invest in
   digital currency is by trading coins for other ones or by buying these coins on crypto
   exchanges. The value of the coins goes up as more people buy them, and the sellers can
   then exchange their digital money for goods or services or sell it for cash. Other forms of
   investing in cryptocurrencies include buying them for long-term storage or investing in ICOs
   (Initial Coin Offerings).

How is Cryptocurrency Changing the World?

1. Easy to Send & Receive Money
   Cryptocurrency is changing the way people think about money. Before we had fiat currency,
   meaning that country’s paper and coins, and when you wanted to buy something, you had to
   go to a bank and exchange your money for the goods or services you wanted. That process
   was inefficient, slow, and expensive. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have helped
   solve this problem by making it possible for people worldwide to send & receive money to
   each other quickly and at a low cost.
2. More Secure Transactions
   Cryptocurrency allows for more secure transactions than traditional banking methods do.
   Cryptocurrency transactions are made through computers that use encryption algorithms to
   ensure that no one else can see or change the transaction details. This means that in an
   emergency where there is no trust between parties involved in a transaction (such as with
   fraudsters), cryptocurrency transactions become much more secure than traditional banking
   methods do because they don’t require trusted third parties like banks or governments to
   validate them before sending them on their way.
3. Provide Lower Transaction Fees
   Cryptocurrencies have lower transaction fees than credit cards and bank transfers;
   furthermore, they’re usually free of charge when transferred between wallets. Bitcoin
   transactions are confirmed within 10 minutes, and Ethereum transactions take about 20
   seconds (or less). If you want to transfer money from one wallet to another, you don’t need
   an intermediary like a bank account or credit card company—you could just send them both
   directly!
4. Financially Independent
   Cryptocurrency has also helped people who did not have access to banks or credit cards
   become more financially independent. People can do business without having to worry
   about their finances and payments. This can help them start their own businesses or even
   move out of poverty if they want to.

Final Words

Cryptocurrency is a digital asset created as an alternative to fiat money. It is decentralized
and operates on a peer-to-peer basis between users through blockchain technology. Many
different cryptocurrencies are available, but the most common are Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple,
and Litecoin. With such a rapid change in the digital economy, new use cases of
cryptocurrency continue to emerge all the time. From using it as a payment method to
implementing it as a security measure, there are many ways crypto is changing the world. Its
definitely the future of finances and you’re seeing it at its infancy.

Non-fungible tokens (or NFTs) are a new type of digital asset designed for use in games,
collectible card systems, and other applications where token ownership needs to be verified
but cannot be duplicated. While many first learned about non-fungible tokens from
CryptoKitties, the technology has much broader potential. This article explores how NFTs are
changing the world and their use cases.

What is a Non-Fungible Token?
It’s a digital asset showing ownership. The term “non-fungible” is used because NFTs are
unique and can’t be exchanged for other tokens with the same token ID. For example, one
Apple share is equivalent to any additional Apple share. In contrast, one rare Pikachu
Pokémon card is not equal to another rare Pikachu Pokémon card. NFTs are used in place of
virtual goods like coins, gold, and points.

Use Cases of NFTs
Now let’s review a few current use cases for non-fungible tokens.

1. Gaming & NFTs
   The gaming industry is one of the biggest potential use cases for non-fungible tokens. The
   gaming industry is valued at over $100 billion and is expected to grow further. Gamers can
   purchase non-fungible tokens through Arcade, a decentralized marketplace where
   developers can publish and maintain their games. Arcade users can then use the non-
   fungible tokens to advance in the game. NFTs can be used in a variety of other gaming
   applications. For example, they can be used as team-based tokens, allowing gamers to buy
   their favorite team’s token and use it to show their loyalty. NFTs can also be used as a
   replacement for virtual goods, like coins and points. If you’re playing a game and need more
   tokens, you can’t duplicate them. Instead, you can use an NFT marketplace to buy necessary
   tokens.
2. Real Estate & NFTs
   The real estate industry is a prominent place to see the benefits of non-fungible tokens. For
   example, you could use them to track real estate property ownership. This is helpful for both
   real estate agents and owners themselves. If you’re a real estate agent, you can use NFTs to
   track which properties you’ve sold. This is helpful because many properties are bought and
   sold multiple times. If you sell a house, the new owner may sell it again. Using NFTs to track
   that information is helpful as an agent because you can see exactly when a property was
   sold and to whom. This is also helpful to property owners because they can see who owns
   their property and when they can expect to receive their payments.
3. Digital Art & NFTs
   Art is another industry that can be greatly improved with non-fungible tokens. Online art
   galleries can use NFTs to track ownership of individual artworks. This is helpful because it
   ensures that one user can’t sell the same artwork to two different people at once. Hackers
   and thieves often try to sell the same item to multiple people. This frequently happens with
   online auctions. By using non-fungible tokens, online galleries can ensure that only one
   person owns each unique artwork. NFTs can also help artists keep track of their artwork. If
   you create digital art and keep a record of the individual NFTs, you can easily track which
   artwork belongs to whom. Some artists have already started to use non-fungible tokens.

How Are NFTs Changing the World?

1. Provide Ownership
   There was no such thing as digital owners before NFTs. If an artist posted a photograph
   online, anybody could simply right-click, save the image, and “claim” ownership. Consumers
   may now verify they possess a digital asset owing to the blockchain technology that NFTs
   are based on. This ownership confirmation opens up a whole new market for creators and
   enterprises.
2. Easy to Trade Art Online
   NFTs will change the world of art. First, it’ll allow for the trade of art and collectibles online.
   That doesn’t mean it will change how art is created, but it will enable us to send and receive
   art in a new way. It’ll also allow for more accessibility to high-end art, and it will allow artists
   to make a living off their work. NFTs are expected to change how art is valued and
   purchased, digital or physical.
3. Advertising & Marketing
   NFTs are expected to change advertising and marketing in a multitude of ways. For starters,
   NFTs will allow for more targeted advertising. This is because companies can create
   specific tokens related to their product. With these tokens, marketing and advertising teams
   can create a token specific to the product, which means the token will be used for a
   particular product. This will allow for better and more customized marketing, which is
   desperately needed in today’s world.
4. Provide Evidence of Ownership
   Ownership proof and transparency go hand in hand together. NFTs will enable people to
   prove ownership of any asset they own. Proof of ownership has grown into a highly simple
   and seamless means of verification, with everything being stored in your wallet address and
   recorded indefinitely on the blockchain. This simplicity of proof can apply to anything as
   simple as a concert ticket or as complex as a contract for the purchase of an entire
   business.

Final Words
In conclusion, NFTs have been a game changer for the world and will continue to change it.
The world is moving towards a digital economy; with it, NFTs will completely change the
world as well.