Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that are secured by cryptography. They use decentralized networks to transfer and store value, and the transactions are recorded in a publicly distributed ledger known as the blockchain. Transactions are verified by network nodes and recorded in a public distributed ledger known as the blockchain. Cryptocurrency transactions are anonymous and secure, and are verified by a decentralized network of computers. The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies also makes them immune to inflation and manipulation by governments or financial institutions.