Crypto, a digital form of money, has grown from digital novelty to trillion-dollar technology with the power to shake up global finance and society. While the technology offers many benefits, it can also be leveraged by bad actors and pose economic risks. In the short time since its creation, hundreds of cryptocurrencies have been created and today they collectively represent trillions of dollars worth of value.
Most cryptocurrencies are designed to be secure and hard to counterfeit. They are managed by distributed peer-to-peer networks that are overseen by a community of users. These users are typically incentivized to behave in ways that benefit themselves and the ecosystem. In this way, the ecosystem of a cryptocurrency bears a strong resemblance to the unfettered free market envisioned by pioneering economist Adam Smith.
A key part of most cryptocurrencies is the blockchain, which acts as a transaction record book. Every new transaction as it occurs is logged on the blockchain simultaneously, creating a unified record that can’t be manipulated. This is accomplished using a verification technique called proof of work or proof of stake, in which participants verify new transactions to help keep the system secure.
The blockchain allows for a variety of unique applications that go well beyond the simple transfer of value. One example is Ethereum, which can be used to create tokens that represent ownership of virtual assets. These digital tokens can be used to create and manage decentralized apps, or dApps. This means that a developer can build an entire digital world, such as an online game, on the Ethereum blockchain, allowing players to buy and sell virtual goods and services in the game, participate in social interactions with other players, and earn rewards.
Another example is Decentraland, a virtual world built on the Ethereum blockchain that allows users to buy and sell land and other items in the world using cryptocurrency. Users can also use their cryptocurrencies to purchase virtual clothing and accessories for their avatars.
For those who want to invest in cryptocurrencies, beware of scams. Scammers often impersonate well-known companies to trick people into investing in their schemes. They might send you a link to an investment opportunity, or call or text you with a fake warning that your account has been compromised or your money is at risk. They may also trick you into buying and sending cryptocurrency to them to fund their scheme.
This season, Crypto gets a nice buff to his EMP, which can destroy a group of enemies by disabling Caustic’s Nox Gas Traps and Wattson’s Perimeter Security and Interception Pylon. This gives Crypto a strong late-game role in the final circle, where he can disable these traps and stun enemies while his teammates rush into attack.
Crypto is not a flanking legend like Wraith or Mirage, and instead excels at supporting his squad from the rear. As a result, he works best when equipped with mid- and close-range weapons, such as the Rampage, R301, Triple Take, or 30-30 Repeater.