Crypto, short for cryptocurrency, has been a buzzword in recent years. It refers to a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of a central bank. Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, meaning they are not controlled by any government or financial institution, and transactions are processed through a distributed ledger technology called blockchain.<br /><br />Bitcoin, the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, was created in 2009 by an unknown person or group of people using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Since then, thousands of cryptocurrencies have been developed, each with its own unique features and use cases.