Everybody is talking about crypto — but how did crypto find a way to go mainstream?
The first ever cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) was released all the way back in 2009. At first, it didn’t gain that much attention. However, within a couple of years, more people were starting to invest in Bitcoin until it eventually reached the price of $1 in February 2011, which was a defining moment which resulted in crypto in Mainstream.
From around 2014 to 2022, crypto entered its “peak era”. It was in April 2021 when Bitcoin reached an all-time high of $64,800. However, this was short-lived, as Bitcoin (and many other cryptocurrencies) experienced a drop-off shortly after in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The good news, though, is that crypto has now started to bounce back and is once again a huge part of mainstream investment. Now, according to Exploding Topics, there are:
- 22,904 cryptocurrencies in existence
- 300 million cryptocurrency users around the world
From such small beginnings in 2009, the crypto universe has certainly come a long way!
If you’re interested to learn more about how crypto continues to be a part of the mainstream today, find out below.
Crypto Gambling
One of the big reasons why crypto has entered the mainstream again is because of crypto gambling. Essentially, what crypto investors are doing is creating accounts with online casinosand then using their cryptos to play fun casino games.
Let’s say that you join Jackpot City. Here, you can play online slots with Bitcoin and different cryptocurrencies. The best part about this is that crypto gambling is safe, secure, and private — so no third parties can track the bets you place. This added element of anonymity is ultimately why thousands of people love crypto gambling.
Investment Opportunities
Some cryptocurrencies present amazing investment opportunities.
For example, when a new crypto enters the market, and you invest in it early, you can then potentially set your crypto for a huge profit in the future as it increases in value.
At this moment in time, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether are the best performing cryptos and are generally seen as safe investments. If you want to make big money, though, it’s all about investing in new cryptos that have potential.
Airlines and Hotels
Some airlines and hotels have started to accept crypto as a payment method over recent years. This is exciting, as it means you can now book flights abroad with JetBlue, American Airlines, and more, before arriving at a hotel that you also booked using crypto. Now that’s fun.
Apps and Gaming
Whether you use an iPhone or Android, you can download apps and games from the app store, which also allows you to use cryptocurrencies. Just look at PayPal, a highly popular transactions app that has recently started allowing its users to send and receive crypto between verified accounts. Is this a sign of the future? Possibly. Over the next couple of decades, it’s entirely possible that cryptos will be the default currency type for human beings and that the traditional US dollar will have faded out. Let’s wait and see what happens.
