America's debt crisis is accelerating: Ed Siddell
ESGI Financial President and CIO Ed Siddell discusses the nation's consumer debt predicament and analyzes the gold trade on 'Varney & Co.'
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried returns to NYC as prosecutors push for jailing
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is reportedly returning for a Manhattan court hearing Friday that could seal whether or not the 31-year-old goes to jail while awaiting trial in October.
Inflation is making a comeback, Fed will raise rates again: Kenny Polcari
Slatestone Wealth chief market strategist Kenny Polcari reacts to wholesale inflation rising more than expected in July on 'Varney & Co.'
Fed is battling a 'vicious' wage growth cycle: Dana Peterson
Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management chief investment officer Brent Schutte and The Conference Board chief economist Dana Peterson discuss whether new inflation data will stop the Fed from hiking rates on 'The Claman Countdown.'
Disney is a 'dumpster fire' for capital: Lou Basenese
Public Ventures President and chief market strategist Lou Basenese analyzes Disney's stock price and reacts to consumer prices rising to 3.2% in July on 'Varney & Co.'
Wall Street bull market will continue for several more months: Scott Bauer
T3 Trading chief strategist Scott Redler and Prosper Trading Academy CEO Scott Bauer react to 'choppy' market conditions as inflation declines on 'The Claman Countdown.'
Moody's bank rating downgrades are a bit 'overblown': Phil Blancato
Advisor Group chief market strategist Phil Blancato and Whalen Global Advisors Chairman Chris Whalen analyze the financial sector selloff triggered by bank rating cuts on 'The Claman Countdown.'
SEC should be approving all spot Bitcoin ETF applications: Grayscale's Michael Sonnenshein
Grayscale Investments CEO Michael Sonnenshein discusses his firm's lawsuit against the SEC for denying its spot Bitcoin ETF on 'The Claman Countdown.'
PayPal bullish on crypto, launches dollar-backed stablecoin
PayPal on Monday rolled out a U.S.-dollar back stablecoin PayPal USD (PYUSD), becoming the first major fintech firm to introduce a digital currency for payments and transfers.
Best stocks to buy if the market dips in August
Bullseye Option chief market strategist Alan Knuckman and Sarge986 President Stephen Guilfoyle predict what's ahead for markets and whether the S&P 500 can top 5000 on 'The Claman Countdown.'
US economy is going to stay 'very hot': Ryan Payne
Payne Capital Management President Ryan Payne explains why it's a good time for investors to be bullish on the U.S. stock market.
Taylor Swift changed the entertainment industry: Jeff Sica
Circle Squared Alternative Investments founder Jeff Sica argues Taylor Swift's treatment of her employees has 'raised the bar' for CEOs on 'Varney & Co.'
Big Tech stocks are back after Fitch Ratings dip: R 'Ray' Wang
Constellation Research founder R 'Ray' Wang reveals which Big Tech stocks won't be selling off any time soon on 'Varney & Co.'
'Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde' plead guilty to money laundering hacked crypto
A husband-and-wife team dubbed "Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde" pleaded guilty Thursday to laundering money hacked from cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex in 2016.
Amazon's acceleration warrants a big stock upgrade: Mark Mahaney
Evercore ISI senior managing director Mark Mahaney analyzes Amazon and Uber on 'Varney & Co.'
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyers blast 'innuendo, speculation, and scant facts' from prosecutors
Lawyers for disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried said Tuesday that prosecutors are wrongly using "innuendo, speculation, and scant facts" to attempt to revoke their client's bail.
China trade is on in a big way, stocks could triple: Dutch Masters
Carnivore Trading CEO Dutch Masters analyzes China's economy and CBOE Chairman Ed Tilly discusses the options landscape on 'The Claman Countdown.'
Find crypto market clarity, certainty on the bitcoin 'path': Natalie Brunell
'Coin Stories' podcast host and bitcoin educator Natalie Brunell argues there's 'chaos and confusion' ahead when it comes to cryptocurrency regulation.
Bitcoin ETF approval will accelerate the crypto market: Anthony Pompliano
Pomp Investments founder Anthony Pompliano discusses the prospects of a Bitcoin spot ETF and whether crypto has rebounded from the FTX scandal on 'The Claman Countdown.'
States do not have the resources to regulate the crypto industry: Alex Sanchez
Florida Bankers Association President and CEO Alex Sanchez joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss the House Financial Services Committee’s recent push for a stable coin regulation bill.
Cryptocurrency FAQs
What is Cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency, or crypto, is a form of digital asset that is secured by cryptography and the blockchain. The most notable example of a cryptocurrency is bitcoin, though thousands of other similar assets exist. Cryptocurrencies are regarded by many as the money tech of the future due to their accessibility and un-censorable nature.
How do cryptocurrencies work?
Cryptocurrency networks, or blockchains, are independently verified by a matrix of computers that record all transactions and ensure a consensus throughout the chain. This means that all network information is recorded immutably and permanently; transactions cannot be prevented, blocked, or changed. Network participants can thus trust each other and transact without the need for a centralized intermediary.
How can I buy a cryptocurrency?
There are many markets for cryptocurrencies where you can exchange USD for the cryptocurrency of your choice. These include centralized exchanges and services such as Coinbase and PayPal, or decentralized alternatives like UniSwap where you can swap between crypto-assets. To use a centralized exchange, you’ll need to submit personal information such as your passport or driver’s license. Note that the price of digital assets can change rapidly, so timing your purchases well is essential.
Where can I keep my crypto coins?
Cryptocurrencies can usually be held with the exchange or business you bought them from. However, as these exchanges can be hacked, it is advisable to move your assets to your own personal wallet. These wallets are more secure and can be accessed from your laptop, phone, or other mobile devices.
What can I buy with crypto?
Real work adoption of crypto is still ongoing. However, more businesses are accepting crypto and you can buy goods and services as diverse as real estate, stocks, travel, gambling, websites, and much more. This trend should continue over time as cryptocurrencies become better known, accepted and trusted.
Pros and cons of investing in a cryptocurrency
You may have read the news that crypto has broken all-time highs recently. This is the main advantage, that we are early in the asset’s history and prices have generally gone rapidly upwards. However, you should be aware that volatility is significant and you can similarly lose money quickly if your timing is poor. Security is also a major issue and you must ensure you secure your crypto and transactions well or you could become a victim of theft or fraud.