# What is "cryptocurrency"?

By [hashflowlover](https://paragraph.com/@hashflowlover) · 2024-09-07

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Cryptocurrencies are a form of digital money that operates on decentralized technology, known as blockchain, without the need for a central authority or government control. Bitcoin, the first and most famous cryptocurrency, was launched in 2009 and has since inspired the creation of thousands of other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Cardano, and Solana. Each cryptocurrency operates on its own set of rules and serves different purposes, ranging from decentralized applications to smart contracts and peer-to-peer transactions.

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*Originally published on [hashflowlover](https://paragraph.com/@hashflowlover/what-is-cryptocurrency)*