What potential applications does cryptocurrency have?

1. Financial services: Cryptocurrencies could be used to facilitate payments and transfers in traditional banking, providing swift and secure payments for customers with lower transaction fees than traditional payment networks or bank accounts.

2. Online shopping: Cryptocurrencies can provide a secure payment option for online purchases, allowing shoppers to pay using a digital currency rather than having to provide credit card details or other sensitive information.

3. Security and authentication: Cryptocurrencies can be used as an authentication method, meaning that users can prove their identity without having to provide any personal information or financial records. This could revolutionize the way businesses, individuals and governments manage access to records and systems.

4. Smart contracts: Cryptocurrencies can also be used to facilitate smart contracts, self-executing agreements between two or more parties that can be securely stored on the blockchain. Smart contracts could be used to automate transactions, reducing the risk of fraud, and making it possible to securely exchange valuable assets without requiring a trusted third party.

5. Trading and investment: Cryptocurrencies can also be used to buy and sell assets, including stocks, commodities and other digital assets, allowing investors to diversify their portfolios by investing in cryptocurrency markets.