Many people have taken an interest in cryptocurrency, the new digital currency, in recent years. However, there will always be skepticism and misunderstanding surrounding cutting-edge technologies. This article will dispel five of the most widespread misconceptions about Cryptocurrency.
Myth 1: Cryptocurrency Is Only Used For Illegal Activities
The widespread belief that criminal enterprises like money laundering and drug trafficking are the only legitimate users of cryptocurrency is a common misconception. This is totally false. Like traditional currencies, cryptocurrencies can be used for both legitimate and questionable dealings. Investing in or making purchases with cryptocurrency is possible, and many established businesses now accept it as payment.
While it's true that some criminal organizations have used cryptocurrency to facilitate illegal activities, this isn't a feature of cryptocurrency and is just as much of an issue with conventional currencies. Even more so, many cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms now have stringent compliance procedures in place to prevent illegal activities, such as anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) checks.
Myth 2: Cryptocurrency Is Not Regulated
The idea that cryptocurrencies are uncontrolled is another common misconception. Additionally, this is not the case. While cryptocurrency laws vary from country to country, many have passed legislation to track and limit its circulation. In the United States, for instance, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have each released statements clarifying their respective stances on cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs), and the former has also provided recommendations for the latter's tax treatment.
Cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms are also required by many nations to register with their respective financial regulators and adhere to the laws and rules of those nations. This aids in making sure the platforms are secure and safe to use and are not being exploited for criminal purposes.
Myth 3: Cryptocurrency Is Not Secure
The widespread belief that cryptocurrencies are not safe is an example of this. One reason for this is the history of hacks targeting cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets. But the blockchain technology and other cryptographic foundations make cryptocurrency safer than fiat currency.
Blockchain has no central processing unit or single point of failure because of its decentralized, distributed nature. This makes it so that hackers need to take over a sizable portion of the network to launch an attack, making it a much more difficult target.
To further ensure the safety of their customers' cryptocurrency holdings, many cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms now provide two-factor authentication and multi-signature wallets.
Myth 4: Cryptocurrency Has No Intrinsic Value
The idea that cryptocurrency has no foundation in reality is another common misconception. Obviously not the case. Similar to other assets, the value of cryptocurrency fluctuates based on market forces of supply and demand. This means that market sentiment, news, and regulatory developments can all affect how much a cryptocurrency is worth at any given time.
Also, the technology that supports many cryptocurrencies, like blockchain, has practical applications and uses. The blockchain technology that underpins Bitcoin, for instance, can be used to build a distributed, untrusted ledger of all financial dealings. Financial services and logistics both stand to benefit greatly from this development.
Myth 5: Cryptocurrency Is Only For Tech-Savvy Individuals
There's a common misconception that cryptocurrency is only suitable for highly technical people. This, however, is not the situation. While some technical know-how is required to create and use a cryptocurrency wallet, many platforms and apps now make it simple for non-technical users to acquire, trade, and store cryptocurrency.
Coinbase and Binance are just two examples of the many cryptocurrency exchanges that provide user-friendly interfaces and detailed instructions for creating an account and purchasing cryptocurrency. Bitcoin transactions can now be completed with a few taps of a smartphone thanks to apps like Square's Cash App.
Hardware wallets, physical devices that store the user's private keys, are also widely available from a variety of companies now, adding an extra layer of security for users who aren't tech-savvy. Anyone, regardless of their level of technical expertise, can use one of these hardware wallets thanks to their straightforward design.
