Many people regard cryptocurrency as a mysterious industry. However, over time, more people are becoming interested in it and attempting to make money by investing in digital currencies. But there are a few things you probably still need to learn about the digital currency world. 

A digital currency, or cryptocurrency, is an alternative payment technique developed using encryption. Through encryption technology, cryptocurrencies act as an exchange medium and a virtual accounting system.  

You must possess a cryptocurrency wallet in order to use cryptocurrencies. These wallets can be software that is downloaded to your PC, mobile device, or the cloud. Your encryption keys, which verify your identity and connect to your cryptocurrency, are kept in the wallets. 

Blockchain, a distributed public ledger updated and maintained by currency holders, is the foundation of cryptocurrencies. 

Through a process known as mining, which employs computer power to solve challenging mathematical problems, units of Bitcoin are created. Additionally, users can purchase the currencies from brokers, then store and spend them in digital wallets. 

When you hold cryptocurrencies, you don’t actually own anything. In contrast, you possess a token that enables you to transfer a record or a measurement unit between people without using a reliable third party. 

Despite the fact that Bitcoin has been available since 2009, the financial applications of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology are constantly developing, and more are anticipated in the future. transactions

In this article, we will discuss five things that you need to know about cryptocurrency to give you a broad understanding of the digital currency world.  

 

1. Keep the long-term in mind 

Many people get into cryptocurrency with the expectation of making quick money. However, the path is unfortunately littered with traps and scams intended to rob desperate people of what little wealth they have, and most flare out just as quickly. 

Notably, Bitcoin took a decade to reach $50,000, and the journey could have been smoother or guaranteed. The same will be valid for any token that survives in the long run, with only the most informed and steadfast Hodler reaping the most significant rewards. 

Significantly, find projects with a real-world use case, a supportive community, and a committed development team to slowly accumulate over time. Visit Finixio AI for more information on cryptocurrencies. 

 

 2. You could lose everything in a day

If you speculate on cryptocurrency, you won’t be able to sit back and watch your investment skyrocket. Over the last decade or so, Bitcoin (BTC) has seen at least eight significant crashes – or market corrections, depending on your perspective. 

After skyrocketing from $2 to more than $32 in a single day in June 2011, Bitcoin lost 99% of its value in a single day. If the average property lost the same value, it would fall from around £286,000 to £2,860. Aside from comparisons, BTC holders discovered that every £100 worth of coins they owned was reduced to just £1. 

It crashed again in August of the following year (down 56%), then in April of the following year (down 83%), and in December of the same year (down 50%). Five years later, between 2017 and 2018, the value of Bitcoin fell by more than 80%. During the pandemic in March 2020, BTC fell by 50%, followed by another 53% in May 2021 and another 50% between November 2021 and May 2022. 

There were, of course, gains in value between these drops, but it’s clear that the crypto flock’s bellwether has seen many dramatic fluctuations over time. 

 

3. Timing is everything

Despite the best intentions, most crypto community investments are motivated by emotions, which can result in poorly timed investments and lost value. When a token begins to move in the market, forces tend to work together to drive the rally higher, sucking in unsuspecting investors who can’t resist the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). 

If you must have a token, resist the FOMO and wait for the blow-off top and price consolidation. Otherwise, look for another solid project that has been trading flat but shows real promise, then rides its wave higher and profit when the time comes. 

If you want to hold a project for the long term, don’t let fear, uncertainty, or doubt deter you. 

 

4. You have to pay tax on crypto

Depending on the circumstances, cryptocurrency earnings and profits are subject to either Capital Gains Tax (CGT) or Income Tax. You must pay income tax if you ‘earn’ cryptocurrency by selling goods or services in exchange for it. However, if you profit from cryptocurrency trading, you must pay CGT. 

There is no GCT to pay on the first £12,300 you earn in any fiscal year (which runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year), and your income and tax band determine the tax you pay on anything above that. 

CGT will be levied at 10% for basic rate taxpayers and 20% for higher and additional rate taxpayers. Notably, if you owe income tax, your earnings are added to your regular income, and you must pay the standard income tax rates. 

 

5. Crypto is no friend of the environment  

Mining Bitcoin necessitates a large amount of powerful computer hardware and massive electricity. Cambridge University researchers developed the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index to estimate Bitcoin’s total energy consumption. 

The index estimates Bitcoin uses 119 terawatt hours (TWh) per year. That is slightly less than the total amount used by the entire country of Norway. 

Significantly, not all cryptocurrencies necessitate such large amounts of power. To validate transactions, Bitcoin uses ‘proof of work.’ Proof of work entails correctly guessing a 64-character alphanumeric code known as a hash (out of trillions of possible combinations) before anyone else. 

The more powerful your equipment, the more guesses you can make per second and the greater your chances of getting it right, earning you some valuable Bitcoin. Also, the greater your equipment’s power, the more energy you will consume. 

 

Bottomline   

Cryptocurrencies and the global adoption of blockchain technology are still in their early stages, with decades of development ahead. So, to ensure your best chance of long-term success, relax, dial down the FOMO, and take a more measured approach to invest in the crypto market.