Cryptocurrency is a digital form of money built on blockchain technology, enabling secure, transparent, and decentralized transactions without central banks. Key traits include decentralization, limited supply (like Bitcoin’s 21 million cap), and public traceability. Popular cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others like Solana and Dogecoin. They're used for investment, cross-border payments, smart contracts, NFTs, and more. But risks like extreme price volatility, unclear regulation, and security challenges persist. Still, it’s reshaping finance, with growing adoption by governments and companies worldwide.