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Cryptocurrency – Coin Vs Token – Which Is Better?

Cryptocurrency Coin vs. Token

Before we jump into the comparison, let’s start with understanding the definition of cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies that are secured with encryption. This encryption is created by using cryptography, which is simply the use of encryption techniques to secure and verify the transfer of transactions.
Bitcoin is considered the first decentralized cryptocurrency. It is powered by blockchain, a public ledger that records and validates all transactions that happen on it. Even though Bitcoin was not the first cryptocurrency, its creation is extremely important as it is the first distributed and decentralized one. The creation of Bitcoin managed to start a whole market of other cryptocurrencies (coins and tokens) that are regarded as cryptocurrencies even though most of them do not fall under the definition of a “currency,” but rather try to solve a different problem in society.

Cryptocurrency Categorisation

As previously mentioned, the term cryptocurrency is not completely accurate for most cryptocurrencies. In order for a cryptocurrency to be considered a currency, it technically needs to represent a unit of account, a store of value, and a medium of exchange.
These currency characteristics are inherent within Bitcoin, and since the whole cryptocurrency industry started with Bitcoin’s creation, the rest of the cryptocurrencies began being called currencies. In order to better understand the nature of cryptocurrencies, there are a couple of categorizations. We will talk about the most common one today. Cryptocurrencies can be separated into:
Coins (Altcoins), Tokens.

Coins


Alternative cryptocurrency can also be called altcoins or simply “coins.” Altcoin simply refers to coins that are not Bitcoin. Most altcoins came to life as a fork of Bitcoin, built using Bitcoin’s original protocol with a couple of changes to its underlying codes. These changes are, even though seemingly small, what actually sets these new coins apart from Bitcoin, as they offer a different set of features to it.
A concept of modifying open source codes to create new coins is called hard forks, while a change to a code that does not create a new cryptocurrency is called a soft fork. A few examples of altcoins that came from Bitcoin’s code are Namecoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin Private, Auroracoin…
However, not all altcoins came from Bitcoin’s code. There are altcoins that have created their own Blockchain as well as a protocol that supports their native currency.

These coins include Ethereum, Ripple, Bitshares, NEO, Waves. What sets altcoins apart is that they each possess their own independent blockchain. This blockchain is where all transactions of their native currency occur.

Tokens

Tokens are considered a representation of an asset or utility that resides on top of another blockchain. Tokens do not have their own blockchains as altcoins do. They can represent basically any asset that is fungible and tradable. This could range anywhere from commodities to loyalty points.

Creating a token is a much easier task than creating a coin. This is simply because the code from a particular protocol does not have to be modified in order to create a token. Platforms such as Ethereum or Waves offer certain guidelines which, if followed, allow anyone to create a token. Creating tokens is made possible through the use of smart contracts. Smart-contracts are programmable computer codes that are self-executing as long as the terms are met. They don’t need any third-parties to operate.
As tokens built on the same blockchain have the same template, they share many characteristics. This provides a standard interface for interoperability between tokens, which allows people to store different types of tokens on a single wallet. A great example is the ERC-20 standard on the Ethereum blockchain, which has been used to create over a thousand tokens. Most (if not all) of these tokens can be stored on ERC-20 wallets.

Tokens are mostly created and distributed through an Initial Coin Offering (ICO). An ICO is simply a way of crowdfunding where developers fund their projects through the release of a new token or a promise of a token. The ICO market has been filled with successful as well as very unsuccessful projects. There were also a lot of scams on the market as people were buying anything and everything during the time of the cryptocurrency price boom of late 2017. Nowadays, the ICO market has died down compared to 2017 but is still active. However, people are a lot more cautious when it comes to where they invest their money.

Final Thoughts

The main difference between coins and tokens is in their structure, where coins are separate currencies with a separate blockchain, while tokens are cryptocurrencies that operate on top of an already-made blockchain.
When it comes to the number of coins and the number of tokens, the majority of cryptocurrencies in existence are tokens as they are simply easier to create.

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Crypto Market Analysis

Bitcoin reverses and entered into losses again

 

BTC

The Bitcoin price for today reports loses around -4.06% as the session has progressed on Monday, after initially starting the day with some gains. Following on from some decent buying seen over the weekend, as has proven to be the case on several occasions.

Upward price movements were seen across the crypto market after over-excitement produced by reports of big players interest in cryptos. The intentions of George Soros and Rothschild were mentioned, among others.

Technically, BTC/USD looks pretty vulnerable to another drop, as the price has formed a bearish pennant pattern, seen within the 4-hour time frame view. Support is currently set around $6,600. If this support is broken, we could see a downward move to the mid $5,000 region. The closer resistance is its 200 EMA, located at around $ 6.935, but the price has to cross first its 100 EMA around $6.848.

 

ETHEREUM

Ethereum’s price shows a slight increase of about 0.79% in the last 24 hours, after an exciting rise up to $ 430.24 in the today’s early hours. Over the weekend, ETH broke its 200 Period EMA in the 1 H chart, and it was quite bullish, but this morning it quickly resigned its profits to return around the 200-period EMA.  At this moment it is quoted at around  $400. Now its 200-EMA seems to become a strong support for the coming days on the ETHUSD pair.

The bullish trend line that was forming was not strong enough neither it held the price, so we will watch if it becomes resistance in the next few days.

The next visible resistance is $ 411, and above $ 430, if the price returns below $ 400, the $ 391 would be its closest support, then the 100-period EMA close at $ 386 and, below,  $ 376 (last April’s bottom price)

XRP

Ripple lost -1.42% in the last 24 H, and it is now moving around $0.48. After starting the day up 5%, the gains were quickly taken back by the market bears, reconfirming that the current trend is still firmly pointing to the downside.

XRP as BTC was receiving some renewed optimism initially after several reports raised a lot of excitement. They were suggesting that there were big players interested in cryptocurrency investing, such as George Soros, Rothschild, and others.

But the news wasn’t good enough for the XRP price, and it ran into some heavy selling that sent price close to the $0.50 level.  Now its wise to look back towards $0.45 area for support and if crossed, the likelihood of its price to visit the $0.40 level is high.

 

 

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Crypto Market Analysis

Risk aversion returning to crypto markets once again

BTC

Today, the Bitcoin price shows a decline of -2.55% in the last 24 H and its moving at the time of writing this update around $ 6587.

The Immediate support is $ 6495 and a bullish pressure not necessarily strong can send it to $ 6434 (Minimum of April 1)

The 200 and 100 SMA lines are approaching. If the 100 SMA crosses over the 200 SMA, we could be facing a reversal; however, this SMA can become an important resistance in the short term even for a probable rebound.

The stochastic is pointing down to indicate that sellers still have some energy to pressure the BTC to have more losses, although it is still far from oversold conditions which indicate weakness in the bearish pressure.

Risk aversion returned to markets once again in the face of worsening trade tensions between the US and China. Any of the parties refuses to back down and has announced higher tariff blocks between them in the last 24 hours.

That has led to a large wave of stock and commodity sales, which has motivated traders to place funds in the Dollar as a safe haven. This morning’s NFP did not bring good news for the dollar either, as only 103,000 jobs were generated in the last month compared to an expected data of 190,000. This result discourages the hopes of rising rates during the rest of the year and does not make the dollar attractive compared to the Bitcoin price.

XRP

The Ripple price lost -4.20% in the last 24 H, and it is now moving around $0.46

The XRP has not had any recovery during the last sessions above $ 0.5000. There were mainly bearish movements below the resistance of $ 0.5000 and the Simple Moving Average of 100 hours. The recent minimum was formed at $ 0.4754, and after that, its price has been moving in a range.

The most important barrier to a recovery is near the resistance at $ 0.5000 and the simple 100-hour moving average. If the price crosses this number, most likely will visit the $0.5260 and then the $0.5487.

Below that level, we find an immediate support at $ 0.4538 reached on April 1, and, below that level, there are no other supports other than the last prices reached on December 12,  at $0.3715

The stochastic is pointing up (1H graphic) and close to the 80 level, which means that the price could bounce and still move lower.

 

ETH

Ethereum price has lost -3.68% in the last 24  Hours, currently moving around $367.

A short-term bearish trend line has been formed, with resistance at $ 385 on the 1H chart. If we want to see gains in the pair, its price would have to exceed this level, and also exceed the 100 SMA level, which is located a bit higher, and approach the round number $400; but to get there, it must break the resistance at $385 and $391.

There is a positive fact that the price has managed to stay above its support at $ 362-364. The most recent minimum was formed at $364.32 before the price started to consolidate. Currently, it is trading above the $ 364 level.

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Crypto Market Analysis

Another down move down in the Crypto markets

BTC

The price of Bitcoin went down 3.66% in the last 24 hours. It reached $7,499, just crossing the 100 period EMA in the 1 Hour chart, but the price wasn´t strong enough, and it bounced back. It is now moving around the $6,916 level.

The 200 EMA seems to offer strong resistance in the path of recovery. The 100 EMA, on the other hand, couldn´t support the price in the $7,202 area and the next support is located near the level of $7,000. The MACD is dipping into negative territory indicating the presence of a bearish force. If the price breaks below the $7,000 level, $6,930 could be the next support. However, it is not far from the recent low at $6,450.

The stochastic is very close to the 20 level and showing a very strong force to go lower with a high selling pressure and still without touching oversold levels. Sellers are having a good time right now.

XRP

Right now, Ripple is undervalued from the longer-term perspective. The cryptocurrency lost over 70% since January 2017, but the massive sell-off was not because of clear fundamental reasons. In this scenario, we could see a more pronounced rebound when the cryptocurrency market starts recovering from recent lows.

The main partners in the Ripple Network are payment operators, big banks, and financial institutions, especially in the emerging markets. The market is driven by global catalysts and correlated to Bitcoin movements. So, Ripple has good upside potential, but it won’t have a chance to realise it until the global sentiment shift takes place.

XRP/USD is trading at $0.4935, losing 6.65% in the last 24 hours. The price crossed the 100 EMA easily today, also breaking the uptrend line and the $0.5000 wasn´t a problem neither. It is now looking for the next support at $0.4823. On the upside, the resistance is seen at $0.5500, that’s where the recovery stalled on Tuesday. Once it is cleared, the cryptocurrency will have a chance to get to the $0.60 level.

The stochastic is under the 20 level and seems to have still some grounds to go down further.

ETH

The price of Ethereum has been falling considerably in the last hours after reached $415, and then broke a major resistance near the area of $390-395. Then it came the strong sellers force generating a downward correction sending the price to where we have it at this time in the $375 area. There was no consideration of the significant support near the $400 level and the 100 EMA on the 1Hour chart.

If the price loses the support in the $374 area, we could be visiting $360. On the positive side, $445 would be the next resistance level and maybe above $460, the 28th March maximum.

The Stochastic is recovering a bit and trying to leave the oversold area but still below the level of 20.

 

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Crypto Market Analysis

The bearish sentiment remains firm in the Crypto world

BTC

The Bitcoin price for today reports a decline of -1.74% in the last 24 hours, the price at the time of writing this update is $6,740. The technical indicators are giving us mixed signals, but it seems that the bearish sentiment remains firm and the bears will continue to win, although if we look at the Stochastic pointing upwards, we could be feeling a bullish pressure, so the price of Bitcoin could bounce from here.

If the Bitcoin price reaches its minimum of the 1st of April, we would be forming a double bottom pattern. This would indicate a buying opportunity, taking the neckline as a reference in the $7,500 area, which would give good dividends. We find immediate support in $6,495, below $6,185.90 and then $5,876.60.

Below the current price range, the price would drop to the $5,000-$5,500 region if these few supports are broken. This scenario would make a price recovery very difficult.

An important consideration in the current market is the global uncertainty caused by commercial tensions between China and the United States, as this is one of the main factors that drives the price of Bitcoin down. Under these situations of uncertainty, traders feel less appetite for risk, and instead, put their funds in safe assets such as the Dollar and bonds. Operators have also taken this step back as an opportunity to liquidate positions, fearing that the upticks will not last long in this market environment.

The 100 and 200 periods SMA appear even distant for the price, so it seems unlikely for Bitcoin to break them. If the 100 SMA is broken, the next reference point would be the 200 SMA at $7,151. Above $7,344 and $7,500 are the next resistances for the price, if reached, it would probably set the bullish trend to an end.

XRP

The Ripple price lost -1.74% in the last 24 hours and had started another day of loses, which is normal lately for this cryptocurrency. Ripple is currently within a four week consecutive period of losses and dealing with low levels that have not been seen since December 2017. During the bull run, the cryptocurrency dropped to $3.

Technically, XRP/USD is moving in a range between $0.48-0.43. If the price goes lower, it would be facing a quick drop to the $0.20 area, within the short term, upside looks to be reached around $0.55 and then the $0.70.

The stochastic touched the oversold area and now is pointing up but this hasn’t had any influence on the price.

ETH

The price of Ethereum has gained 1.50% in the last 24 hours, but it remains on the back foot in trading on Thursday, and it’s trying to reach the support area around $370. The bears are providing added pressure, after allowing some minor upside at the start of the week.

Most of the important cryptos are in a strong downward trend right now, but there is not much in the way of fundamental drivers to attribute this situation.

Yesterday, we could see a small upward movement above $400 in price against the US dollar. However, the price couldn´t gain traction and started a downward movement from $405, first breaking the round number of $400, and then the 100 period SMA. The lower part of a very defined bullish channel with support at $395 has also been broken in the hourly chart. At this moment, the price is negotiating close to $376, and if recovery does not appear in the short term, we could be visiting the minimum of $364. A break of $360 could open the doors to $300.

 

 

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Crypto Market Analysis

BTC Testing a Dynamic Inflection Point

BTC

The price of Bitcoin reports an increase of 3.80% in the last 24 hours, moving above 7000 USD. The price of Bitcoin still couldn’t overcome a resistance around the 7110 level and is moving within a bearish channel in the 4-hour chart. However, the price bounced off the centerline of the channel and could be due to an imminent setback. The price crossed up the downtrend line in the short term to indicate a rebound in the upward pressure.

100-period Moving Average

The 100 period Simple Moving average is below the 200 Simple Moving average; it indicates that the path of least resistance is Bearish and also that sales can be resumed more easily than purchases.

BTC price is currently testing the dynamic inflection point of its 100 SMA, and if it remains as resistance, the BitCoin could make another visit to its nearest support or move to the bottom of this descending channel. Its 200-SMA line is quite close to the top of the channel, around $ 7,500, and is gaining strength as a hard resistance for the price.

Stochastics

The stochastic is bouncing off its 20 level even without showing buying pressure and quite hesitant at this time, which also indicates that the price of bitcoin could go down. The oscillator has grounds to move down before reaching oversold levels, which suggests that sellers could maintain control for a longer time.

Bitcoin ended the previous quarter with a significant decline in its price, thanks to a series of negative news at the end of the month. These include Google’s plans to ban cryptocurrency ads from its search engine and Twitter’s decision to ban ICO ads as well.

Meanwhile, the Dollar managed to stay supported by the risk flows derived from the concerns of the commercial war and the increase in interest rates of the Federal Reserve. The main catalyst for the Dollar this week is the NFP on Friday and pessimistic results could further reduce the adjustment expectations.

With that, investors could continue to wait for positive reports from the cryptocurrency industry to see if Bitcoin price could be able to stop its fall

Headlines have not been so upbeat, with countries like Chile and Kazakhstan taking adverse decisions against cryptocurrencies, and help keeping regulatory fears in play.

ETH

The Ethereum price reports an increase of 3.15% but it has not been enough for the price to reach the resistance near the level of USD 390.

The price of ETH reached a new low in the day in $ 360 to find then a buyer impulse that led the currency to touch the resistance again in the 390 The pair is trying to cross the bearish trend line near the $386, if the cross is confirmed, it could move above the resistance zone of $ 390-for an upward correction in the short term.

However, there are many upside barriers close to the mentioned resistance level at $ 390. The price is not too strong for now and could be going back looking for the minimums. Still, we must be alert to a close above the 100-period EMA in the 1-hour chart that can lead the coin up to $407 and then to $418 in the short term.

Its Stochastics is moving below the 80 level and looks quite weak and indecisive; the 200 and 100-period EMAS are quite separated which indicates weakness and indecision in the pair.

BCH

The price of Bitcoin Cash had an increase of 2.69%, moving the price to $ 680.

The pair is under a lot of pressure and trades below the $ 700 level against the US dollar. The pair crossed the bearish trend line near $660 that is now an important support. Apparently, it has been gaining strength in the last few hours and is looking for the 100-period EMA in the 1 H chart, very close to 700 USD. If it crosses this level, we will be possibly seeing a new rising wave in the short term.If the price can’t cross this resistance in the 700 USD, we could possibly see a rebound towards $662 and below in the $624 (minimum of April 1st).