Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin was released in 2009, making it the first and most significant cryptocurrency. It was invented by "Satoshi Nakamoto", whose real identity is unknown. Bitcoin consists of a monetary unit and a payment system. The digital currency (BTC) is created and managed in a global, decentralised computer network using a special software solution. The global system is like a decentralised database in which all transactions are logged in the form of a blockchain. Bitcoin attracted worldwide attention when it increased in value in 2017.

Litecoin (LTC) is a global and decentralised payment network similar to the Bitcoin network. The essential differences between Litecoin and Bitcoin are in their technology. Key aspects are the transaction speed, the maximum offering of the coins concerned and the 'algo'rithm used.

Ether (ETH) is the internal payment system for processing transactions for the global platform Ethereum. The Ethereum platform is used for distributed apps and facilitates the creation, execution, and management of smart contracts.

Ripple (XRP) is an open-source protocol based on a public database. The Ripple network supports all standard currencies. XRP appeared in 2012 and, unlike Bitcoin, is not based on the blockchain and the coin cannot be mined.

Bitcoin Cash was created from the original Bitcoin blockchain by a hard fork (a community-activated protocol or code update) in August 2017. The goal of the fork was to increase the block size and thereby significantly reduce the transaction throughput (number of transactions processed per time).
More information: https://www.bitcoincash.org

LINK is the cryptocurrency of the decentralized network Chainlink.
Chainlink verifies external data for smart contracts on the Ethereum Blockchain and then makes this data available to the public (through the Oracle Network). This allows smart contracts to access resources such as data feeds, web APIs, or even weather data. Participants of the Chainlink network are compensated via the cryptocurrency LINK (ERC677 token) if they operate Chainlink nodes and fulfill data requests.

UNI is the native cryptocurrency of the Uniswap decentralized trading protocol.
Uniswap is anchored on the Ethereum blockchain and is used to exchange ERC20 tokens. UNI itself is designed as an ERC20 token and, when used in the Uniswap protocol, enables users to exercise governance rights over the design of the Uniswap protocol.

Solana is a blockchain platform. It increases scalability for users through its faster transaction & smart contract verification time, as well as its flexible infrastructure. It does this by combining a proof-of-history consensus with the blockchain's underlying proof-of-stake consensus. Solana was created in 2018 by former Qualcomm employees Anatoly Yakovenko and Greg Fitzgerald.

Cardano is the first proof-of-stake blockchain platform based on a peer-reviewed, research-driven development process. Its technology enables the development of decentralized applications and smart contracts using a modular approach that is both secure and efficient. Supporters claim that Cardano's Ouroboros protocol improves security, scalability, and energy efficiency relative to other proof-of-work predecessors, like Bitcoin. The platform was created in 2015 by Ethereum co-founders Charles Hoskinson and Jeremy Wood.

Polkadot is a blockchain designed to connect an ecosystem of different blockchains and enable the exchange of a wide variety of data and asset types – not just tokens. To accomplish this, it's introduced several new technical features. Its network consists of two types of blockchains: The heart of the platform (known as the relay chain), which is where all transactions are continuously validated, and the parallel user-generated parachains. Polkadot uses the proof-of-stake consensus algorithm and was developed by Ethereum's co-founder Gavin Wood.

Dogecoin (DOGE) was originally created in 2013 by Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer as a "meme coin", i.e. a parody of Bitcoin and the countless other new crypto assets. Dogecoin (DOGE) has since become one of the most well-known altcoins and currently ranks 10th among all cryptocurrencies in terms of market capitalization. This open-source digital currency is, among other things, used for tipping on social media. Dogecoin is also known for participating in various charity events with its community-owned Dogecoin Foundation. Its total supply isn't capped, so there's no limit when it comes to mining DOGE.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) was anonymously created in August 2020 under the alias "Ryoshi". Shiba Inu (SHIB) runs on the Ethereum blockchain and is one of many canine-themed cryptocurrencies. SHIB is an ERC-20 token and 50% of its total supply has already been burned to promote the token's success and stability. What's unique about Shiba Inu (SHIB) is its campaign with Amazon Smile to raise funds to rescue real Shiba Inu with the Shiba Inu Rescue Association.

Algorand (ALGO) is a decentralized and scalable open-source blockchain project that aims to deliver high levels of security and fast transaction speed while keeping costs low. Silvio Micali, a professor of computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, founded Algorand in response to Bitcoin's (and other blockchains') slow transaction times. Algorand's network was released in June 2019 and has processed almost 1 million transactions per day since December 2020. The cryptocurrency uses a consensus mechanism called pure proof-of-stake and aims to be the first blockchain to operate with a negative carbon footprint. As such, Algorand is among the most environmentally friendly crypto infrastructures. Its native token, ALGO, can be used to pay transaction fees, DApp computing services, and as an asset on the Algorand network.

The Sandbox's (SAND) primary focus is successfully moving blockchains into mainstream gaming. SAND is an Ethereum-based "utility token." In the Sandbox environment, it is the only valid cryptocurrency. Here, users can create, buy, and sell digital assets in the form of a game and, in doing so, contribute content to the Metaverse. The project uses a creative "play-to-earn" model where users can be creators and players at the same time. Thanks to the introduction of the SAND token, transactions are made possible on the blockchain and decentralized governance is being promoted for future product developments.

Based on a virtual reality (VR) game, this cryptocurrency runs on the Ethereum blockchain. Today, the currency is used for every game in Decentraland. In this 3D virtual world, users can buy, cultivate, and monetize land, as well as purchase goods and services on the Decentraland marketplace. MANA is an ERC-20 token and can also be used to, for example, purchase avatars and wearables. Users are in full control and collectively determine the decision-making processes within this virtual world through the Decentraland DAO.

Aave (AAVE) is one of the most popular DeFi protocols developed through decentralized governance (DAO). Aave is a decentralized lending platform and one of the major liquidity protocols in the DeFi world. Stani Kulechov founded this open-source protocol that is based on the Ethereum network in November 2017. Aave enables the lending of cryptocurrencies. In this process, lenders provide liquidity to the market and earn interest in return. Borrowers can use their cryptocurrencies as collateral. AAVE is the Aaave protocol's governance token and was originally called ETHLEND. One of its standout features are flash loans, which are considered the first uncollateralized loan option in the DeFi space.

Polygon (MATIC), formerly known as Matic Network, was developed in 2017 by Jaynti Kanani, Sandeep Nailwal, and Anurag Arjun. Polygon is an Ethereum token that aims to improve Ethereum infrastructure and enable faster and cheaper transactions. Polygon uses a Layer 2 scaling solution, promoting mass adoption of cryptocurrencies by solving scalability issues.MATIC is Polygon's native token and is becoming increasingly important. It's used to secure the system, for staking and as a payment currency within the Polygon ecosystem.