Crypto Basics

Launched in 2018, the Tezos project started in 2014 as an experiment in using a decentralized self-governance mechanism to make decisions about rewards and other factors. The network is distinguished by its high staking rewards.

Uniswap is a decentralized crypto exchange consisting of smart contracts running on the Ethereum blockchain. Uniswap uses an automated protocol to create liquidity pools that allow users to swap cryptos without a central broker.

The EOS network allows IT developers to capitalize on their knowledge while creating decentralized blockchain applications. The network supports smart contracts and zero-cost transactions, which explains why some people call it an "Ethereum killer."

Blockchain-based financial apps can't do much if they are limited to data on the blockchain. Chainlink addresses that problem by establishing conduits for verified financial feeds and other data to be imported to the blockchain where DeFi apps can access them.

Polkadot is a scalable, secure network for creating purpose-built blockchains composed of custom or off-the-shelf components. Polkadot's audacious vision has earned its DOT coin a place in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap.

Stellar is a decentralized peer-to-peer network that is optimized to support quick, inexpensive crypto purchases. Stellar makes it easy to create crypto versions of fiat funds so incompatible financial systems can interoperate.

The Tron network brings the dApp community 2,000 transactions per second and no transaction fees. Initially popular mainly in Asia, Tron has broadened its reach since purchasing the peer-to-peer content-sharing platform BitTorrent.

IOTA is a decentralized distributed ledger built specifically for the “Internet of Everything” – a unique type of network used for exchanging value and data between humans and computers. IOTA doesn't use blockchain – at least, not in the same way as most other projects.

Bitcoin Cash is a version of Bitcoin that addresses the BTC scalability problem with faster transactions. BCH works like Bitcoin, but it is a separate currency that was formed by a hard fork event in 2017. Learn all about this cryptocurrency and what it's good for.

Enjin supports the creation, distribution, storage, trade, and integration of digital assets in the form of nonfungible tokens, or NFTs. Among the most notable applications of Enjin technology is Minecraft, which uses Enjin NFTs for its internal economic ecosystem.

Widely considered the first successful altcoin, Litecoin is based on Bitcoin with a few alterations and advanced features, including the Lightning network and segregated witnesses. Litecoin allows users to make faster and cheaper transactions than Bitcoin.

A well-balanced crypto portfolio requires constant adjustment. That's why it's important to learn the ins and outs of swapping cryptos. There are a surprising number of platforms and methods. Here are our top picks.