Cryptocurrencies are considered a digital asset that you can use to process payments or transfer value, but they only exist online. Imagine sending money to a friend without needing a bank or carrying cash. That's one of the main ideas behind cryptocurrencies.
Let's say you want to buy an item online. Instead of using your credit card, you can pay with cryptocurrency. It's like having virtual coins in a digital wallet on your phone or computer. These coins are called "crypto" because they use strong security (cryptography) to keep your assets safe and transactions private.
Cryptocurrencies started with Bitcoin in 2009 and have grown to include many other types. They offer a new way to handle money, making it easier and faster to send and receive payments around the world. This is why many people believe cryptocurrencies are the future of finance.