( cryptora )
Hello, I’m Isaiah. This platform serves as a space where I share my personal cryptocurrency recommendations, resources, and showcase the coins I’ve been investing in, since I started my crypto journey back in 2023. My goal is to provide both inspiration and guidance as you navigate the world of crypto.
My Investments
| Coin | Ticker | Type | Category | Blockchain Type | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solana | $SOL | High-Performance Blockchain / dApp and DeFi Platform | Third-Generation Cryptocurrency or Layer 1 | Public, Decentralized | 2023 |
| Ethereum | $ETH | Smart Contract Platform / Decentralized Applications (dApps) Platform | Second-Generation Cryptocurrency or Layer 1 | Public, Decentralized | 2023 |
| Bitcoin | $BTC | Digital Currency / Store of Value | First-Generation Cryptocurrency or Layer 1 | Public, Decentralized | 2024 |
| XRP | $XRP | Cryptocurrency (Digital Asset for Payments) | Cryptocurrency, Payment | Public Blockchain | 2023 |
| Avalanche | $AVAX | Smart Contract Platform (Decentralized Application Hub) | Platform, Smart Contracts | Public Blockchain | 2023 |
| Chainlink | $LINK | Utility Token (Decentralized Oracle Network) | Oracle, DeFi, Smart Contracts | Ethereum Layer 1 (ERC-20) | 2023 |
| Injective | $INJ | Blockchain (Decentralized Exchange Platform) | DeFi, Exchange, Smart Contracts | Public Blockchain | 2023 |
| Polygon | $MATIC | Layer 2 Scaling Solution (Ethereum Sidechain) | Layer 2, Scaling Solution | Ethereum Layer 2 | 2023 |
| Fetch.ai | $FET | AI-powered Blockchain (Decentralized Machine Learning) | AI, Smart Contracts, DeFi | Public Blockchain | 2023 |
| Peanut the Squirrel | $PNUT | Meme Coin (Community-driven Token) | Meme Coin, Community | Ethereum Layer 2 (ERC-20) | 2024 |
| Popcat | $POPCAT | Meme Coin (Community-driven Token) | Meme Coin, Community Binance | Smart Chain (BEP-20) | 2024 |
| Dogwifhat | $WIF | Meme Coin (Community-driven Token) | Meme Coin, Community Binance | Smart Chain (BEP-20) | 2024 |
| Bonk | $BONK | Meme Coin (Community-driven Token) | Meme Coin, Community | Solana (SPL Token) | 2024 |
| Moodeng | $MOODENG | Meme Coin (Community-driven Token) | Meme Coin, Community | Binance Smart Chain (BEP-20) | 2024 |
Highlights:
- XRP is a cryptocurrency that focuses on payment systems for fast, low-cost cross-border transactions.
- Avalanche is a platform designed to create decentralized applications (dApps) and custom blockchains with high scalability.
- Chainlink is an oracle network that connects smart contracts with real-world data to power decentralized applications.
- Injective is a blockchain designed for decentralized exchanges and trading of complex financial products like options and futures.
- Polygon offers scalability solutions for Ethereum, making it faster and cheaper for decentralized applications to run.
- Fetch.ai integrates AI and blockchain to automate decentralized tasks and data collection in a decentralized economy.
- Peanut the Squirrel, Popcat, Dogwifhat, Bonk, and Moodeng are meme coins, primarily created for community engagement and entertainment, and do not have substantial use cases beyond their meme culture.
Exchanges
| Exchange Name | Daily Trading Volume | Fees | Supported Countries | Security Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gemini | $500 million | 0.35% - 1.49% (varies by volume) | 50+ countries | 2FA, FDIC insurance for USD, cold storage |
| Kraken | $1.1 billion | 0.16% (maker) / 0.26% (taker) | 190+ countries | 2FA, cold storage, global regulation |
| OKX | $2.0 billion | 0.10% (spot trading) | 180+ countries | 2FA, cold storage, insurance fund |
| Bybit | $900 million | 0.10% (maker) / 0.20% (taker) | Global (except U.S.) | 2FA, cold storage, multi-sig wallets |
| KuCoin | $1.5 billion | 0.10% (spot trading) | Global (except U.S.) | 2FA, cold storage, insurance fund |
Highlights:
- Gemini focuses on regulatory compliance and security, offering FDIC insurance for USD balances, making it one of the most trusted exchanges, particularly in the U.S.
- Kraken has one of the most robust regulatory frameworks globally, offering security features like cold storage and 2FA.
- KuCoin and OKX are popular for their low fees and are heavily focused on DeFi, staking, and advanced trading features, though they are not available in the U.S.This list provides the latest data for Q4 2024, focusing on key metrics relevant for traders considering each exchange.
Trackers
| Website | Market Data Coverage | Tracking Features | API Access | Supported Platforms | User Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinGecko | 7,000+ cryptocurrencies | Price, Volume, Market Cap, Charts, Portfolio Tracker | Free, Free API | Web, iOS, Android | Over 10 million users |
| CoinMarketCap | 8,000+ cryptocurrencies | Price, Volume, Market Cap, Charts, Portfolio Tracker | Free, Paid API | Web, iOS, Android | Over 100 million users |
| CryptoCompare | 5,000+ cryptocurrencies | Price, Volume, Market Cap, Historical Data, Portfolio Tracker | Free, Paid API | Web, iOS, Android | Over 1 million users |
| Messari | 2,000+ cryptocurrencies | Price, Volume, Market Cap, Advanced Charts, Research Tools | Free, Paid API | Web, iOS, Android | Institutional & professional traders |
| Nomics | 5,500+ cryptocurrencies | Price, Volume, Market Cap, Historical Data, Crypto News | Free, Paid API | Web | Growing user base |
Highlights:
- Market Data Coverage: All of these websites cover a large number of cryptocurrencies (from 2,000 to over 8,000 assets).
- Tracking Features: Features include price tracking, market cap, volume, historical data, and portfolio trackers, with some providing advanced charts and research tools.
- API Access: Most sites offer API access for developers, with some offering both free and paid options.
- Supported Platforms: These sites are accessible on web and mobile platforms (iOS/Android).
- User Base: Sites like CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko have the largest user bases, with CoinMarketCap particularly popular for a broad global audience.These sites are widely used by both individual traders and institutional investors to stay up-to-date with cryptocurrency price movements, market trends, and other key metrics.
Aggregator
| Platform | Key Features | Supported Networks | User Base | Additional Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DexScreener | Real-time price tracking, liquidity analysis, token pair data, charts | Ethereum, BSC, Solana, Avalanche, Polygon, Fantom, Arbitrum | Active DEX traders | Comprehensive token pairing and custom watchlists |
| GMGN | Real-time price and liquidity data, market cap, price charts, token analysis | Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon | Growing user base | User-friendly interface with deep liquidity insights |
| GeckoTerminal | Real-time token data, liquidity, volume, and price tracking | Ethereum, BSC, Avalanche, Polygon, Fantom | Active DeFi traders | Advanced charting and real-time updates |
| DeFiLlama | Comprehensive DeFi analytics, total value locked (TVL), DEX analytics | Ethereum, BSC, Avalanche, Polygon, Solana, Terra, others | DeFi users and developers | Top DeFi platform ranking by TVL, multi-chain support |
| Birdeye | Real-time DeFi data, DEX analytics, liquidity pools, price charts | Ethereum, BSC, Avalanche, Polygon | DeFi traders and investors | Auto-sorting of liquidity pools, explorer for token pairs |
Highlights:
- DexScreener provides custom watchlists and an easy-to-use interface for real-time pairing of tokens.
- GMGN (Gemini) offers deep liquidity insights and a user-friendly interface, making it a great choice for beginners.
- GeckoTerminal stands out for advanced charting capabilities and real-time updates, making it useful for detailed technical analysis.
- DeFiLlama excels at tracking Total Value Locked (TVL) in DeFi protocols, offering a multi-chain overview of DeFi platforms.
- Birdeye offers unique features such as auto-sorting of liquidity pools and a token pair explorer, making it a valuable tool for tracking liquidity.
Staking
Crypto staking involves locking up cryptocurrency to participate in a blockchain network’s consensus mechanism, such as Proof of Stake (PoS). In return, stakers earn rewards for validating transactions and securing the network. This process is more energy-efficient than Proof of Work (PoW) mining and offers a way for investors to earn passive income.
Why Crypto Staking Is Good
- Passive Income: Earn rewards regularly by staking your assets.
- Network Security: Staking helps secure and decentralize the blockchain.
- Energy-Efficient: Unlike mining, staking is more eco-friendly.
- Variety: Many projects support staking, offering flexibility.
- Compounding Rewards: Re-staking rewards to increase earnings over time.Pros of Staking
- Earn Passive Income without much effort.
- Low Entry Barriers, even for small investors.
- Energy-Efficient compared to mining.
- Compounding Rewards for long-term stakers.Cons of Staking
- Locked Funds reduce liquidity.
- Market Volatility can affect the value of staked assets.
- Slashing Risk: Penalties for misbehaving validators.
- Technical Complexity for setup and management.
| Cryptocurrency | Staking Reward (APR) | Blockchain Type | Staking Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethereum | ~4% to 6% | Proof of Stake (PoS) | Gemini, Kraken, OKX |
| Solana | ~5% to 8% | Proof of Stake (PoS) | Gemini, Kraken, OKX |
| Polygon | ~6% to 10% | Proof of Stake (PoS) | Gemini, Kraken, OKX |
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Altcoin | Any cryptocurrency that is not Bitcoin. It refers to all digital currencies besides Bitcoin, such as Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple. |
| Airdrop | The distribution of free tokens to cryptocurrency wallet addresses, often as part of a promotional event or to reward token holders. |
| API (Application Programming Interface) | A set of rules and protocols that allow different software applications to communicate with each other. In crypto, APIs are used to interact with blockchain networks. |
| ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) | A type of hardware designed specifically for mining cryptocurrencies. ASICS are much more efficient than general-purpose computers for specific tasks like mining. |
| Atomic Swap | A decentralized exchange mechanism that allows for the direct exchange of cryptocurrencies between two parties without the need for an intermediary like an exchange. |
| Bagholder | A person who holds onto a cryptocurrency (often at a loss) in the hope that it will increase in value in the future. |
| Blockchain | A decentralized and distributed digital ledger used to record transactions across multiple computers in a way that ensures the records cannot be altered retroactively. |
| Block | Reward The reward (usually in the form of cryptocurrency) given to miners for successfully validating and adding a new block to the blockchain. |
| Burning | The process of permanently removing a certain number of tokens from circulation, typically by sending them to an inaccessible address. Often done to reduce supply and increase scarcity. |
| Centralized Exchange (CEX) | A platform that allows users to trade cryptocurrencies but is managed by a central authority. Examples include Binance, Coinbase, and Gemini. |
| Cold Wallet (Cold Storage) | A cryptocurrency wallet that is not connected to the internet, providing high security against hacking. Examples include hardware wallets and paper wallets. |
| Coin | A digital asset that operates on its own blockchain. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin are examples of coins. |
| Confirmation | A process where a transaction is verified and added to the blockchain. The more confirmations a transaction has, the more secure it is considered. |
| Consensus | Mechanism A process used to achieve agreement on the validity of transactions. Popular consensus mechanisms include Proof of Work (PoW), Proof of Stake (PoS), and Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS). |
| Decentralized Finance (DeFi) | A movement to create an open-source, permissionless, and transparent financial ecosystem using blockchain technology. Includes decentralized exchanges, lending platforms, etc. |
| Decentralized Exchange (DEX) | An exchange platform that operates without a central authority, allowing users to trade cryptocurrencies directly with each other. Examples include Uniswap and SushiSwap. |
| DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) | An organization that is governed by smart contracts and controlled by its members, typically without any centralized leadership. |
| Dapp (Decentralized Application) | An application that runs on a blockchain or a peer-to-peer network rather than a centralized server. Examples include DeFi apps and NFT platforms. |
| Distributed Ledger | A database that is shared, replicated, and synchronized across multiple nodes, providing transparency and immutability. Blockchains are a type of distributed ledger. |
| ETH 2.0 | The upcoming upgrade to Ethereum, transitioning it from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS) to improve scalability and energy efficiency. |
| FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) | The psychological feeling of urgency to buy into a cryptocurrency or investment because of a fear that others will benefit from its rise in value. |
| FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) | A strategy used to manipulate public perception by spreading negative, misleading, or uncertain information about a cryptocurrency or the market. |
| Gas Fee | A fee paid by users to execute transactions or run smart contracts on a blockchain network. Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain are known for their gas fees. |
| Genesis Block | The first block in a blockchain, marking the start of a new cryptocurrency network. |
| Hard Fork | A change in the protocol of a blockchain that is not backward-compatible, creating a permanent divergence in the blockchain. For example, the creation of Bitcoin Cash from Bitcoin. |
| HODL | A term derived from a misspelled word meaning "hold," referring to the strategy of buying and holding cryptocurrencies for the long term. |
| Hot Wallet (Hot Storage) | A cryptocurrency wallet that is connected to the internet, providing ease of use but potentially at a higher risk of hacking. |
| Impermanent Loss | A loss incurred by liquidity providers in decentralized exchanges (DEXs) when the price of the deposited assets changes compared to when they were initially added. |
| Interoperability | The ability of different blockchain networks to work together and communicate seamlessly. Projects like Polkadot and Cosmos focus on improving interoperability. |
| IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) | A protocol for storing and sharing files in a distributed manner across the internet, often used in NFT and decentralized apps. |
| KYC (Know Your Customer) | A process through which exchanges and financial institutions verify the identity of their users to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. |
| Liquidity | The availability of assets in the market to buy and sell without affecting the asset's price. A liquid market has many buy and sell orders, while an illiquid market has few. |
| Liquidity Pool | A pool of funds used in decentralized finance (DeFi) to provide liquidity for trading on DEXs or lending platforms. |
| L1 (Layer 1) | Refers to the base blockchain protocol that handles all transaction and data operations, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. |
| L2 (Layer 2) | A secondary framework built on top of a Layer 1 blockchain to improve scalability and reduce transaction costs, such as Polygon or Optimism. |
| Mining | The process of validating transactions and securing a blockchain network. Miners are rewarded with tokens for verifying blocks. |
| Node | A computer connected to the blockchain network that participates in the network's activities, such as validating transactions and maintaining the ledger. |
| NFT (Non-Fungible Token) | A unique, digital asset representing ownership of a specific item, art, or collectible. NFTs are typically built on the Ethereum blockchain using ERC-721 standards. |
| PoS (Proof of Stake) | A consensus mechanism where participants lock up a certain amount of cryptocurrency as collateral to validate transactions and create new blocks. |
| PoW (Proof of Work) | A consensus mechanism that requires participants to solve complex computational problems in order to validate transactions and secure the network. |
| Private Key | A secret key used to sign transactions and access cryptocurrency wallets. It should be kept private to prevent theft or unauthorized access. |
| Public Key | A publicly visible address used to receive cryptocurrency. A pair of public and private keys is used to facilitate secure transactions. |
| Pump and Dump | A form of market manipulation where the price of a cryptocurrency is artificially inflated (pumped) and then sold off (dumped) to make a profit. |
| Sharding | A process that splits a blockchain network into smaller, manageable parts (shards) to increase scalability and improve transaction throughput. |
| Stablecoin | A cryptocurrency that is pegged to an underlying asset, such as the US Dollar, to reduce volatility. Examples include Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), and DAI. |
| Staking | The process of locking up cryptocurrencies to support the operations of a blockchain network, often to earn rewards. This is common in Proof of Stake (PoS) networks. |
| Smart Contract | A self-executing contract with the terms of the agreement directly written into code, allowing for automatic execution when conditions are met. |
| Tokenomics | The study of the supply and demand mechanisms of a cryptocurrency or token. It includes factors like total supply, distribution, inflation, and staking rewards. |
| Trading Pair | A pair of cryptocurrencies that can be traded against each other, such as BTC/USDT or ETH/BTC, where the first asset is traded against the second. |
| Whale | A person or entity that holds a large amount of a specific cryptocurrency, often influencing the market with large buy or sell orders. |
| Yield Farming | The practice of earning rewards by providing liquidity to a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol, typically in the form of interest or tokens. |
( cryptora )
Copyright 2024 Isaiah Nathanael (@sprybear)