The difference between a digital currency and a cryptocurrency is that the latter is decentralised, meaning it is not issued or backed by a central authority such as a central bank or government. Instead, cryptocurrencies run across a network of computers. Digital currencies have all the characteristics of traditional currencies but exist only in the digital world. They are issued by a central authority.
How does cryptocurrency gain value? Like any market, the value of cryptocurrencies fluctuates based on the market’s perception of its value at any given time. These fluctuations may be rooted in some of the supply and demand factors mentioned above or can happen as a result of hidden market factors. Buy low, sell high – using the classic investment strategy, users can increase the value of crypto by buying and holding coins. The buying increases demand and hence crypto value increases.Mining – the act of mining Bitcoins or altcoins can be profitable. It also impacts the supply of cryptocurrencies.Increasing utility – as more institutions invest in crypto and accept it as a form of payment, its utility increases. As a user, you can contribute to this process. This will increase the value of cryptocurrencies over the long term. Media coverage – crypto prices fluctuate according to media coverage. Users can impact this through their social media accounts. Conclusion

Recent drops have been caused by a combination of factors, Noble theorizes, from excitement about low-quality coins, to negative remarks from Elon Musk, to China’s recent crackdown on crypto services. The accumulated response made this sell off “all the more violent,” says Noble.
But whether that growth is sustainable, and what it means long-term, is still in question. “This crypto, blockchain technology, the public interest in it right now is being driven by a kind of speculative fever,” says Dr. Richard Smith, executive director of the Foundation for the Study of Cycles, a nonprofit organization dedicated to studying recurring patterns throughout economies and cultures.