Cryptocurrency is a tricky investment. There’s lots of money to be made, but there’s also plenty of risk of getting robbed or losing your money. To keep your investment safe and reap the most significant possible returns, investing wisely is crucial. That’s why it pays to read up on cryptocurrency investing before you take the plunge.
Cryptocurrencies are continuing to boom, reflected in the number of TED Talks discussing the subject. It certainly is an emerging market that’s rife with opportunity. But before you dive in, there are several things you should know, and the best place to start is with TED Talks.
Here is the list:
Cryptocurrency: Money that Doesn’t Exist by Peter Van Valkenburgh
Cryptocurrency is money that doesn’t exist, or does it? Coins and other forms of cryptocurrency are virtual money created by computers running algorithms that solve complex mathematical problems. These algorithms are present in distributed networks to agree on the validity of a cryptocurrency. So, cryptocurrency is just like real money, but it exists only on the internet. And just like real money, it has value because the network agrees it’s worth something. This definition of cryptocurrency isn’t very intuitive; Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency, is not backed by anything; it is purely virtual.
NFTs Are Building the Internet of the Future by Kayvon Tehranian
NFTs are the next evolution in cryptocurrency. Before NFTs, you had one cryptocurrency that paid for one service, a bitcoin that bought you a cup of coffee. But, now NFTs allow for assets to be minted for specific services, like domain names, video games, online advertising, and more. Protocol Labs are currently developing NFTs and plan to have its first NFT marketplace ready by the end of 2018.
NFTs are a promising technology for building the future internet, with applications ranging from the mundane (like paying bills) to the revolutionary (like autonomous vehicles). In this interview, NFT thought leader Kayvon Tehranian explains how NFTs work and the projects he’s working on to scale this technology.
Blockchain: The Engine of Trust by Steve Wozniak
Blockchain is the technology behind Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. It’s essentially a digital ledger of transactions shared by all computers on the network. To make it simple, think of the blockchain as a digital, encrypted block that is added to every other network block. Each block contains a hash of the previous block, which means that each block links to its parent block. Apparently, each transaction is stored with each block and linked to the previous block. This chain of blocks also called a blockchain, is then stored on all computers on the network.
Blockchain is the hottest technology buzzword of the moment and is somewhat overhyped. However, its underlying technology, called a distributed ledger, is real and useful and has the potential to change everything. Steve Wozniak was an early and avid supporter of bitcoin and has long believed that blockchain is the future.
The Digital Currency Dilemma by Blythe Masters
Investors may be frightened by bitcoin’s volatility, but Blythe Masters at Digital Asset Holdings says those issues shouldn’t stop investors from participating in the digital currency. In an interview with Fortune, Masters said that bitcoin is “entirely too volatile” but believes the technology behind it can revolutionize money.
Masters added that bitcoin’s volatile price makes it “unaffordable.” That, she says, is holding bitcoin back from widespread adoption. She also added that the technology behind bitcoin, known as a blockchain, “is incredibly compelling,” and she believes it has the potential to redefine how money is exchanged completely.
From Bitcoin to Ethereum: A Journey Through Cryptocurrencies by Kathleen Breitman
Cryptocurrencies are revolutionizing the way we think about currency. The blockchain, which underlies all cryptocurrencies, enables a secure, decentralized platform where money and information can be transferred peer-to-peer without intermediaries. One popular form of cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, which started in 2009 as an anonymous peer-to-peer currency, but has since become more popular. Today, over 2,000 different cryptocurrencies are in use, including Ethereum and Litecoin.
The Decline and Fall of Bitcoin: A Personal Perspective by Craig Wright
Bitcoin might not be a technology that everybody agrees with, but there’s little doubt that it’s both polarizing and popular. Just have a look at the recent cryptocurrency craze: Bitcoin skyrocketed in value, catapulting it into the realm of the hyper-wealthy.
At the same time, however, it’s created many controversies, and many people call Bitcoin a fraud or a Ponzi scheme. You haven’t gotten up to speed on the subject; Bitcoin is a digital, peer-to-peer currency that uses cryptography (a fancy term for secret codes) to ensure that transactions are well-guarded.
For those who’ve tried unsuccessfully to learn the basics of the cryptocurrency world, it can be challenging to find effective online cryptocurrency investing videos that explain the basics in a fun, engaging way. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our favorite TED Talks about cryptocurrency investing.