CRYPTOCURRENCY – WALLETS

CUSTODIAL WALLET

• Who holds the keys? : Someone else (a custodian) — usually an exchange, payment app, or wallet provider.
• How it works : You log in with a username/password, but the service holds the actual private keys on your behalf.
• Pros :
  • Easier to use — no need to back up keys.
  • Password recovery is possible.
  • Often integrated with trading platforms.
• Cons :
  • You have to trust the custodian not to get hacked, freeze your funds, or go bankrupt.
• Example : A wallet inside Coinbase, Binance, or PayPal crypto (currently unavailable in Canada or Quebec).

NON-CUSTODIAL WALLET

• Who holds the keys? You do : The private keys never leave your control.
• How it works : You generate your own keys and must secure them (via a recovery phrase, hardware device, or software backup).
• Pros :
  • Full control over your crypto — no one can freeze or move it without your consent.
  • No reliance on third parties.
• Cons :
  • If you lose your recovery phrase or device, the funds are gone forever. Can be harder for beginners.
• Example : MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Ledger hardware wallets.

Major Types of Cryptocurrencies

Summary Table : Cryptocurrencies By Market Cap In 2025

STABLECOINS – UNITED STATES

The United States supports a special category of digital assets known as stablecoins. Unlike other cryptocurrencies that can fluctuate wildly in price, stablecoins are designed to maintain a steady value by pegging themselves to the U.S. dollar. This makes them less of an investment vehicle and more of a digital alternative to holding cash. In other words, you won’t see thousand-percent returns with stablecoins, because their entire purpose is stability rather than speculation. There are hundreds of stablecoins worldwide — denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Indian rupees, and more — but what sets them apart from traditional cryptocurrencies is that they’re tied to a fixed reference value instead of floating freely with market demand.

Stablecoins are digital assets designed to maintain a stable value, most commonly pegged to the U.S. dollar. In the United States, they play an important role in crypto trading, cross-border payments, and emerging financial applications because they combine the speed and programmability of cryptocurrency with the price stability of traditional money. Unlike volatile tokens such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, stablecoins are backed by cash, short-term U.S. Treasuries, or other high-quality reserves, making them attractive for both retail users and institutional investors.

The most prominent U.S.-linked stablecoins are USD Coin (USDC), PayPal USD (PYUSD), Gemini Dollar (GUSD), and Pax Dollar (USDP). USDC, issued by Circle, is the most widely used American stablecoin and is regulated under U.S. financial oversight. PayPal USD, launched by PayPal and managed by Paxos Trust Company in New York, is directly integrated into PayPal and Venmo, enabling stablecoin use in mainstream payments. Gemini Dollar and Pax Dollar are both issued by New York-regulated trust companies and undergo regular audits to ensure full reserve backing. Although Tether (USDT) is the largest stablecoin globally, it is issued offshore and not directly regulated in the U.S., though it is still widely used within American markets.

Regulation of stablecoins in the U.S. is evolving rapidly. Federal agencies such as the SEC and CFTC continue to debate jurisdiction, while Congress has proposed legislation to treat payment stablecoins similarly to bank-issued money. States, especially New York, have already taken the lead: the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) supervises issuers such as Paxos and Gemini, enforcing strict requirements for reserve transparency and redemption rights. This regulatory momentum reflects a broader desire to ensure that stablecoins are safe, fully backed, and resistant to misuse.

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CRYPTO- MINING

The cryptocurrency industry relies on powerful servers running around the clock to process and verify transactions. This process is known as mining, and it is carried out by specialized participants called miners. Miners use high-performance computers to solve complex mathematical puzzles that secure the blockchain network. In return, they earn cryptocurrency as a reward. Different coins can be mined depending on the network, but Bitcoin — the first and most well-known cryptocurrency — has a fixed supply of 21 million coins, meaning no more than that will ever exist.

To keep these networks running, miners operate massive data centers around the world, ensuring that transactions remain accurate and tamper-proof. At the heart of cryptocurrency is the blockchain — a digital ledger that records every transaction in a transparent and immutable way. Each block of data is linked to the previous one using cryptography, creating a chain that cannot be altered without the consensus of the entire network. This decentralized structure makes blockchain highly secure, as no single party can control or manipulate the data.

Cryptocurrency mining is the process of validating blockchain transactions while creating new coins as a reward. It works by having powerful computers solve complex mathematical puzzles — a system called proof-of-work — to secure the network and prevent fraud or double-spending. Miners compete to solve these problems first, and the winner earns newly issued cryptocurrency along with transaction fees.

In the early days, mining could be done on a personal computer, but it now typically requires specialized hardware called ASICs or large-scale mining farms that consume substantial electricity. Although mining is essential for maintaining the security and decentralization of networks like Bitcoin, its high energy use has sparked environmental concerns and encouraged exploration of more efficient systems such as proof-of-stake.

However, new technology raises new questions. Google’s advancements in quantum computing have sparked concerns about whether current cryptographic protocols used by blockchains could eventually be broken. If quantum computers become powerful enough, they could, in theory, crack the encryption methods that secure cryptocurrencies today. The good news is that blockchain networks can be upgraded with quantum-resistant algorithms, meaning that if developers adapt in time, cryptocurrencies can survive — and may even thrive — in a quantum future.

AQTN – CRYPTOCURRENCY PREDICTIONS (NOT AI Generated)

We can also say from the point of view of the Association québécoise des thérapeutes naturels, AQTN and it’s diverse set of partners, that currently in Canada none of the payment providers (credit cards, bank cards) allow for crypto transactions. VISA & MasterCard enjoy their quasi monopoly. And in the United States, this is different.

They’ve started rolling crypto out. And what’s going to ultimately happen that affects all our communities is when companies like PayPal or Square or Stripe or Moneris, when they start implementing Crypto payments :