Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual form of currency that employs cryptography for security, making it resistant to counterfeiting. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments (like the dollar or euro), cryptocurrencies operate on decentralized networks based on blockchain technology—a distributed ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers. One of the most well-known cryptocurrencies is Bitcoin, created by an anonymous person or group of people using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009. Cryptocurrencies are designed to work as a medium of exchange, allowing users to make transactions without the need for intermediaries such as banks. The decentralized nature of these digital assets offers a level of transparency and, in theory, reduced susceptibility to fraud and manipulation. However, the lack of regulation and oversight also makes cryptocurrencies a target for illegal activities and poses various risks for investors.