Cryptocurrencies are decentralized digital assets that utilize blockchain technology to ensure secure and transparent transactions without banking intermediaries. Unlike traditional money, their value does not depend on a government but on market supply and demand.

Bitcoin, created in 2009, is the pioneering currency and is considered a store of value. Others, like Ethereum, enable the execution of smart contracts. Although they offer speed and low global costs, their high volatility poses a significant risk. They are stored in digital wallets and are the foundation of a new digital economy based on financial autonomy.