Relatively new to the financial world, the cryptocurrency market is entirely digital and decentralised (without dependence on a central authority such as a central bank or government). Cryptocurrencies came into being with the creation of Bitcoin in 2009, marking the beginning of a new era in digital finance. Since then, the market has grown with the creation of thousands of different cryptocurrencies, each with its own characteristics and uses. The value of cryptocurrencies is largely influenced by factors such as government regulations, innovation in blockchain, and market trends. In the manner of the FOREX market, crypto-currencies are quoted in the form of pairs (having as counterparty another crypto-currency, or alternatively, a "fiat" currency, i.e. issued by a state). Security of transactions and protection of digital wallets are crucial aspects, given the digital and decentralised nature of crypto-currencies. The regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies is therefore constantly evolving; with many countries working on laws and directives to regulate this market (particularly in terms of money laundering prevention and investor protection). Participants in this market include individual investors, professional traders, technology companies, financial institutions and institutional investors looking to diversify their portfolios. In addition to their role as investment assets, cryptocurrencies are also used in digital payments, smart contracts, decentralised applications (dApps) and decentralised finance (DeFi).