List of some of the major Crypto-Currencies as of now:
- Bitcoin
- Ripple
- Ethereum
- Litecoin
- Zcash
- Dash
- Monero
- More are on the way
Advantages of Crypto-Currencies:
- Decentralized
- Digital
- Easy access
- Traded on exchanges
- Block-chain or similar modern database & protocol based non modifiable ledger of transactions
- Immediate settlement and difficult to reverse / refuse payment
- Lower fees
- Difficult to do identity theft for conducting fraudulent transactions
Disadvantages of Crypto-Currencies:
- Less or no regulation
- No or less audits of exchanges where they trade
- Price discovery does not follow standard financial rules
- Mining is ad-hoc and affects money supply
- Difficulty in reversal of payments in case of mistakes
- Price volatility
- Less clarity on taxation in some countries
- Anonymity
- Cutting edge technology which is yet to stabilize
- Functionally features are complex for layman to understand
