Cryptocurrencies offer several benefits. They enable fast, low-cost transactions, provide financial inclusion for the unbanked, and offer investment opportunities due to their volatility. For instance, Bitcoin’s price surged from a few cents to over $60,000 at its peak in 2021, attracting investors. Ethereum, on the other hand, powers smart contracts—self-executing agreements coded on the blockchain—enabling applications in decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and more.