# Crypto currency 

By [Mulex](https://paragraph.com/@mulex) · 2023-01-19

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A cryptocurrency is an encrypted data string that denotes a unit of currency. It is monitored and organized by a peer-to-peer network called a blockchain, which also serves as a secure ledger of transactions, e.g., buying, selling, and transferring. Unlike physical money, cryptocurrencies are decentralized, which means they are not issued by governments or other financial institutions.

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*Originally published on [Mulex](https://paragraph.com/@mulex/crypto-currency)*