When you think of cryptocurrency, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is Bitcoin.
By now, Bitcoin is something that most people are aware of even if they arent exactly sure what it is.
Accepting cryptocurrencies can make sense for your business, whether you sell physical goods or whether youre a freelancer. But using a cryptocurrency as a medium of exchange doesnt mean you have to go with Bitcoin.
In fact, there are a surprising number of cryptocurrency alternatives to Bitcoin.
One of the cryptocurrency alternatives to Bitcoin thats gaining a lot of ground right now is Dash. Thats because Dash is open source and very centered on privacy.
On top of that, there are low fees that come with Dash. To tell the truth, most cryptocurrencies are going to come with lower fees than what you pay with bank and credit card transactions. However, there are cases where its even free to send Dash.
Its also nice that Dash is an instant peer-to-peer cryptocurrency. You dont have to worry about it because payments are private, and instantly appear to the person on the other side of the transaction anywhere in the world.
Theres a reason Dash is one of the most popular Bitcoin alternatives out there.
One of the oldest cryptocurrency alternatives to Bitcoin is Litecoin. This cryptocurrency has been around for several years. Interestingly enough, even though it is capable of handling a higher transaction volume than Bitcoin, it still isnt as well-known.
Litecoin makes use of open source software and the decentralized network makes use of mathematics for security. Litecoin also comes with some cool features:
Due to its availability and other features, its no surprise Litecoin is on the rise.
Peercoin is one of the most potentially inflationary cryptocurrency alternatives to Bitcoin. Theres a lot that goes into rewarding miners and there is no upward limit to how many will be mined. Minting uses Proof of Stake for security in the network, which means that Peercoin security is not impacted the same way that Bitcoin mining is when it comes to Selfish Mining.
Its also worth noting that Peercoin is derived from Bitcoin. So if you have hardware that works with the Bitcoin network, it will also work with Peercoin.
This is great for mining, but it can also allow you to accept payment for more than one cryptocurrency without the need to use different networks.
The peer-to-peer technology used for feathercoin is designed to create borderless payments. One of the cool things is that feathercoin is somewhat unique among cryptocurrency alternatives in that it has a number of features to really bypass banking.
In fact, feathercoin is working on open source projects for ATMs and Point of Sale equipment. Right now, it can be cumbersome to use cryptocurrencies. In many cases, its hard to use cryptocurrencies in real world transactions that take place offline.
That might change if feathercoins projects come to fruition. Physical, laser-etched coins and access to the cryptocurrency easily at Point of Sale terminals and ATMs really set this digital currency apart.
When it comes to mining, Quarkcoin offers the opportunity to just about anyone with a CPU. It doesnt give the advantage to special equipment or server farms. So, if you are looking for a way to mine a little bit more, the Quarkcoin can help.
Like Bitcoin and cryptocurrency alternatives to Bitcoin, Quarkcoin is peer-to-peer. You can make payments directly to the person you want to, almost instantly. Plus, there is a high level of security with Quarkcoin. Were talking nine rounds of hashing, as opposed to one hash used by most cryptocurrencies.
One of the interesting things about Digitalcoin is that it is accepted by a number of businesses. Sometimes, it can be difficult to find someone willing to accept your cryptocurrency payment if it isnt Bitcoin or Dash. Digitalcoin offers stability as well, with a block rewards produced at a lower rate than many other digital currencies.
Digitalcoin, like other cryptocurrencies, is decentralized and secure. You can send and receive the currency anywhere in the world, and its free to use.
This is another of the highly private cryptocurrency alternatives to Bitcoin. Stablecoin is distinguished by the fact that the transactions are not only encrypted, but also untraceable. While this currency isnt quite as well-used as many others, it is working hard to move forward, especially in China. If this catches in China, which is a huge economy, it could grow elsewhere.
The essential question is whether or not you should buy cryptocurrencies with the idea of capital appreciation in mind. Do you buy (or mine) these cryptocurrencies in the hope that you can sell them on an exchange and make a profit?
There are those who look at the widely-accepted Litecoin and refer to it as silver to Bitcoins gold. But does that really make sense in the long term?
While it can be tempting to think of cryptocurrencies as investments, the reality is that they might not be solid. Sure, mine cryptocurrencies. But they might be most useful as mediums of exchange. They are inexpensive, and blockchain technology allows for almost instant transfer so its possible to set up a low-cost global payment system.
The real value might be in the way Bitcoin and the way cryptocurrency alternatives to Bitcoin are changing the way we think about money and do business.
Some of the more interesting blockchain developments are Ethereum and Namecoin.
Ethereum is interesting because it is at once a digital currency and an application layer. If you are hoping to get involved with smart contracts, one of the best choices is Ethereum.
The decentralized, open source Ethereum allows developers to create their own applications. This includes smart contracts, as well as token systems. The systems can be used as part of the smart contract process. Its possible to layer on the applications using Ethereum, which means that this blockchain development could change the face of business.
Namecoin is another interesting blockchain development. Namecoin technology isnt about currencies and money. Its all about decentralizing the Internet itself. Namecoin is about increasing privacy, resisting censorship, and improving the security of the infrastructure of the Internet. This is an interesting open source project that could change the way the Internet itself works.
Innovation in the way we see money and the way we do business are the main results of blockchain technologies. Bitcoin really brought the blockchain and cryptocurrencies into the mainstream consciousness. However, what comes next in terms of the way we conduct business on a global scale could be even more exciting.
Read the original post:
Cryptocurrency Alternatives to Bitcoin - due.com
- New Bitcoin-Esque Cryptocurrency Named After Kanye West Launching [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Coinye West: A new cryptocurrency for the masses and an ode to Kanye [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency gets hip: 'Coinye West' [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- As Bitcoin Soars in Value, Alternative Cryptocurrencies, Such ... [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- AltCoins - Crypto()Currency - Cryptocurrency [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency.org [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- DimeCoin - The New Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Kanye West Sues Amazon, Others Over 'Coinye West' Cryptocurrency [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- $25,000 in Dogecoin raised to save the Jamaican bobsled team [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Gotangco: Is PH ready for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency? [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- As Bitcoin Soars in Value, Alternative Cryptocurrencies ... [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Cryptominer.de Avalon 200GH/S Bitcoin Miner Asic 55nm Mining Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency mining Rig build 1 - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Bitcoin Value and rise of the cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- LeadCoin - Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Mining [Part 2] - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Mining [Part 1] - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Know How 74: Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Worlds First BITCOIN ATM Opens in Vancouver Canada - Is CryptoCurrency the Future Currency? - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- 42 Coin cryptocurrency contest - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- What is Bitcoin anyway? [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- The rise and rise of dogecoin, the internet's hottest cryptocurrency [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Mining Rigs by plugNmine - Video [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2014]
- How Cryptocurrency, Crowdfunding And A Little Internet Altruism Saved Jamaica’s Hopes For Bobsled Gold [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Introducing Dogecoin the Greatest Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Dogecoin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2014]
- Dummy plug for GPU for cryptocurrency mining - Video [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2014]
- My first CryptoCurrency Miner up and running yet partially completed - Video [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2014]
- Thought of the Day - 01 / 28 / 2014 - CryptoCurrency - Dogecoin - What is this? - Video [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- Wall Street's Cryptocurrency Headquarters: Inside Bitcoin Center NYC - Video [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- My Take on the Profitablity of Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- Bitcoin steps a little closer to acceptance [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Bitcoin gets two hearings - and steps closer to acceptance [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Dogecoin cryptocurrency donors help send Indian athletes to Sochi [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- How To Create Your Own Cryptocurrency [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency - Bitcoin Song (by 13inlet) - Video [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Selling Dem Coins - How to convert your Cryptocurrency - Tutorial - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- Dogecoin - From joke cryptocurrency to Bitcoin rival - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- New York to Regulate Bitcoin: Is the Cryptocurrency Biz Like "the Wild West?" - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- Dogecoin: A 2014 Cryptocurrency Revolution - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- U.S. Treasury Goes Easy on the Bitcoin [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2014]
- WoW - Dogecoin The #1 Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2014]
- The Dark Horse of Cryptocurrency - Franko - Video [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2014]
- Think Bitcoin is Expensive? Try 42 Coin, The £100,000 Cryptocurrency [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2014]
- We Love DogeCoin The #1 Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Hackathon will talk Bitcoin, Dogecoin and more for coders and novices [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2014]
- Dogecoin Kiss: An original song about the world's friendliest Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Hackathon will talk Bitcoin, Dogecoin and ... [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2014]
- Dogecoin: cryptocurrency passes Bitcoin to reach the moon - Video [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2014]
- ZedCoin new CryptoCurrency - Video [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2014]
- LiteCoin Trading Robot LTC Robot Cryptocurrency Trading Robot - Video [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2014]
- Apple approves Dogecoin app after removing Bitcoin app [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency, Permaculture, and 3D Printing - Video [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2014]
- Litecoin Robot | The World's First Litecoin Trading Bot Review | Scrypt Money | Cryptocurrency LTC - Video [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2014]
- Bitcoin Slump Shows the $8 Billion Cryptocurrency Lacks Mature Infrastructure [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2014]
- WE WIN COINS - EXCLUSIVE CRYPTOCURRENCY BETTING SOFTWARE TO INCREASE WINS - Video [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2014]
- Dogecoin Value Soars $40M in Value Following Chinese Exchange Opens [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency News Round-Up: Protests at Mt Gox as ... [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2014]
- Dogecoin Soars $40M in Value Following Chinese Exchange Opens [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2014]
- Is the new cryptocurrency PotCoin worth it? A Crypto-Market-News review of PotCoin - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Expert - Lorraine Murphy - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency Con 2013 - Cathy Reisenwitz - Why a Free Society Needs a Free Money - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2014]
- How to transfer Bitcoins from one cryptocurrency exchange to another cryptocurrency exchange - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Explained The Tech Guy 1046127 - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency Hacking Hard - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2014]
- ** UPDATE ** Computer, Cryptocurrency, Games and More!! - Video [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2014]
- The glitch that will help kill Bitcoin [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2014]
- Skinny Puppy at GITMO, NSA Myths, Dogecoin and Cryptocurrency #TMS 2/15/2014 - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2014]
- PotCoin, the cryptocurrency for the Cannabis Industrie - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2014]
- cryptocurrency mining rig - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2014]
- Quark - The Best Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrencies: I Lived on Bitcoin for a Week - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrencies: The State of Play - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2014]
- AMD graphics card pricing skyrockets due to cryptocurrency mining, could kill AMD’s gaming efforts [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2014]
- Could there be a $50,000 bitcoin? [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2014]
- CRYPTOCURRENCY - Bitcoin Overview... - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2014]
- CRYPTOCURRENCY - Money Changer Den of Thieves, The Federal Reserve - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2014]
- How to Buy PotCoins Part 2: Make a cryptocurrency trading account at swissex.com to buy PotCoin - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2014]
- BitPagar cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2014]