Cryptocurrencies are the latest ‘big thing’ in the digital world and have now been recognized as being part of the monetary system. In fact, enthusiasts have tagged it as ‘the revolution of money’.

In clear terms, cryptocurrencies are decentralized digital assets that can be exchanged between users without the need for a central authority, the majority of which being created via special computation techniques referred to as ‘mining’.

The acceptance of currencies, like the US Dollar, Great British Pound and the Euro, as legal tender is because they have been issued by a central bank; digital currencies, however, such as cryptocurrencies, are not reliant on the confidence and trust of the public on the issuer. As such, several factors determine its value.

Factors that Determine the Value of Cryptocurrencies

Principles of Free Market Economy (Mainly Supply and Demand)

Supply and demand is a major determinant of the value of anything of value, including cryptocurrencies. This is because if more people are willing to buy a cryptocurrency, and others are willing to sell, the price of that particular cryptocurrency will increase, and vice versa.

Mass Adoption

Mass adoption of any cryptocurrency can shoot its price to the moon. This is due to many cryptocurrencies having their supply capped at a particular limit and, according to economic principles, an increase in demand without a corresponding increase in supply will lead to a price increase of that particular commodity.

Multiple cryptocurrencies have invested more resources to ensure their mass adoption, with some focusing on the applicability of their cryptocurrency to pressing personal life issues, as well as crucial day-to-day cases, with the intention of making them indispensable in everyday life.