The most prominent are called stablecoins -- digital currencies whose value is usually pegged to some other store of value with limited volatility. Also contributing to volatility, most crypto exchanges are increasingly offering futures and options and margin trading, letting investors borrow as much as 125 times more than what they put down. ADThat depends on whether you’re talking about “traditional” crypto like Bitcoin, or the newer flavors like the stablecoins being developed by Facebook and JPMorgan. Technology geeks who believe they’re disrupting the marketplace and getting in early on the next chapter in the history of money. The biggest force in crypto today, though, are speculators -- enticed by the promise of soaring gains and willing to brave the danger of steep losses.

Source: Washington Post November 29, 2019 06:01 UTC