A Beginner’s Guide to Crypto

Alchemist Republic
Alchemist Republic
Published in
3 min readNov 29, 2021

After a long hiatus, we’re thrilled to resume our blog! We vow to post articles that are worth reading and provide practical advice to our readers and hope that our words occasionally bring a smile to your face. We’ll share information that focuses on areas where genuine corporate growth may be found.

And, on that note, let’s continue from the previous post on “what is cryptocurrency.”

Digital currencies possess all the traits of conventional currencies, but they prevail only in the digital realm. This article will elucidate the basics related to cryptocurrencies you will need prior to dipping your toes in the crypto waters.

Photo by Executium on Unsplash

Basic understanding of Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses blockchain — a decentralized technology spread across many computers that manage and record transactions. They are considered more secure than centralized currencies because they are generally not issued by the authority, making them invulnerable to government interference or manipulation.
Cryptocurrency uses encryption to verify transactions, which involves advanced coding in storing and transmitting cryptocurrency data between wallets (A place where we store coins) and public ledgers (A record-keeping system). As a result, miners get paid in crypto coins, and new coins are added to circulation.

Photo by Executium on Unsplash

Mining requires a lot of energy consumption is hugely criticized due to the carbon imprint it leaves behind and its adverse effects on the environment. Many countries like; China, Iran, and the U.K. are cracking down on cryptocurrencies to shut down the mining farms due to excessive power consumption.

Types of Cryptocurrencies

According to CoinMarketCap — a market research website, more than ten thousand different cryptocurrencies are traded publicly. But, the ten largest trading cryptocurrencies by market capitalization are; Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Coin, Tether, Polkadot, Dogecoin, XRP, Cardano, Solana, and USD Coin. Bitcoin is attributed as the first decentralized Cryptocurrency.

How to invest in cryptocurrencies

To buy cryptocurrencies, you’ll need a digital wallet — an online app that can keep your currency. In short, you have to open an account with any crypto exchange, and then you can send the real money to buy cryptocurrencies. Coinbase is one popular cryptocurrency trading exchange ​where you can create a wallet and buy and sell cryptocurrencies.

Blue Baikal’s BBC token is currently listed on Dcoin, Velic, and KLAYswap.

Purchases using cryptocurrencies

Crypto purchases depend on what you are buying. Suppose you would like to use cryptocurrency at a retailer that doesn’t accept it directly. In that case, you can utilize a cryptocurrency debit card, like Bit Pay, in the U.S… Suppose you’re paying a retailer who approves cryptocurrency. You will need a cryptocurrency wallet — a computer software program that interacts with the blockchain to enable users to send and receive cryptocurrencies. Kaikas wallet, for example, is a common wallet used to store BBC token.

The most commonly used methods to transfer money from your wallet are scanning the Q.R. code of your recipient or entering the receiver’s wallet address manually. Although, the transactions are not instantaneous as they must be validated using any two validation methods (proof of work or proof of stake). Depending on the cryptocurrency, this may take between 10 minutes to two hours.

Closing Thoughts

The cryptocurrency market is volatile. So, it would be best if you were prepared for the significant ups and downs. You will most likely see dramatic swings in prices; if your investment infrastructure or mental health can’t handle the whirlwind of cryptocurrencies, then it might not be a smart choice for you.

Cryptocurrency is the talk-of-the-town right now; as evident, experimenting with something different comes with specific challenges. If you plan to invest, do your research and invest prudently.

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Alchemist Republic
Alchemist Republic

Alchemist Republic aims to change the way games are played through NFT + Defi.