Cryptocurrency is something confuses almost all of us and is shrouded in mystery. Let’s take it up today to understand it the best we can. Currency is money, that much is clear. All money (worldly, physical, paper/cloth) is printed/produced by the governments of the respective countries, like the Indian Rupees is made by the Indian government through the Reserve Bank of India . So, what about cryptocurrency? Well, this money is not printed at all. This is digital money. Then, how is it generated? By solving math problems. That was a doozy, wasn’t it? The “coins” are generated when computers work toward solving complicated mathematical problems. Every coin generated or traded is recorded on a public ledger (digital).

There are many kinds of cryptocurrency out there – Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, etc. These currencies are mostly acquired through trading. Once purchased they can be stored and safeguarded using software (online) or hardware (offline).
The current market value of several cyptocoins are as follows:

• Bitcoin (BTC): $54,433.99
• Ethereum (ETH): $2,277.87
• Cronos (CRO): $0.1237
• Tether (USDT): $0.9999
• BNB (BNB): $496.29
• XRP (XRP): $0.5269
• Dogecoin (DOGE): $0.09539
Cryptocurrencies can be bought through the traditional means – online brokers, using assets like stocks or bonds or through cryptoexchanges. These exchanges usually charge a fee and come with security, storage (wallet) and withdrawal features.
The top 10 cryptocurrency exchanges from around the world would be Binance, Kraken, Bybit, Coinbase, OKX, Crypto.com, MEXC, eToro, PrimeXBT, Gate.io.

• Binance
This Exchange takes just 0.1% as trading fee and is the largest among the cryptocurrency exchanges. It provides a strong security and supports around 600 coins and has a 1000 pairs available for trading. It is yet to fully comply regulatory policies.

• Kraken
Better suited for experienced traders, this US based Exchange platform has more than 200 coins available for trading. It has higher security and has more compliance to regulatory policies. It also provides margin trading services and other advanced order types.

• Bybit
Though it deals with fewer coins than Binance, it is considered to be among the leaders for futures trading as it offers a competing fee, has high liquidity, and houses options for copy trading, etc. • Coinbase
This platform has a user friendly design making it easier for beginners. It also has access to over 240 currencies. Though the trading fee is high, it compensates for it with high security, allowing public trading all the while providing educational tools for the same.

• OKX
Here, they are open for global trading with over 500 cryptocurrencies. They have a wide range of features especially low fees and their own wallet to trade.

• Crypto.com
This large platform has some attractive features like providing visa cards for spending their crypto, low fees and strong security. It deals with over 300 cryptos and requires it’s CRO tokens to access some of the benefits it offers. • MEXC
This platform serves the advanced traders with options like charging 0% fee for spot trading, giving high leverage for derivatives. It also supports new traders with features to copy trade.

• eToro
A pioneer of social trading features, this platform, though it charges a higher trading fee, has features for copy trading from other high-end traders and has only around 80 cryptos enabling the new traders to thrive.

• PrimeXBT
This platform focuses primarily on showcasing forex, commodity trading and high leverage trading (up to 1000 times) but sharing only selected spot markets and crypto selections.

• Gate.io
Though, it has complex withdrawal procedures, this platform is best for advanced traders looking for margin trades and futures. It is a place to look out for niche tokens over a wide variety of cryptocurrencies