Getting To Know The 5 Types of Cryptocurrencies Based on Utility

5 min readAug 8, 2022

Cryptocurrencies have been around for more than a decade now, and in that time, they’ve undergone quite a transformation. In the early days, Bitcoin was the only game in town. But as the years have gone by, hundreds of different cryptocurrencies have emerged. And while Bitcoin is still the most well-known and valuable cryptocurrency, it’s not the only one anymore. There are now dozens of different types of cryptocurrencies, each with its own unique features and purpose.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at five different types of cryptocurrencies: infrastructure currencies, service currencies, media currencies, financial currencies, and stablecoins.

Infrastructure Currencies

Infrastructure currencies are those that power the internet and the digital economy. They include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Monero, and Dash. These currencies enable users to buy and sell goods and services online without the need for a third party. They also allow developers to create new applications and businesses on top of their underlying blockchain technology. Infrastructure currencies are essential for the continued growth of the digital economy.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Monero, and Dash are all infrastructure currencies that have made it possible for the digital economy to flourish. Each of these currencies has its own unique features and benefits that make it well-suited for different use cases. For example, Bitcoin is the original cryptocurrency and still the most widely used. Ethereum is a smart contract platform that enables developers to build decentralized applications. Litecoin is a faster and more lightweight version of Bitcoin. Monero is a privacy-focused currency that offers increased anonymity for users. Dash is a digital currency that offers instant transactions and a self-governing, self-funding model. These are just a few of the many infrastructure currencies that power the digital economy.

Service Currencies

Service currencies are cryptocurrencies that are used to pay for goods and services on a particular platform or network. There are also service currencies that are specific to certain platforms, such as Stellar Lumens, which is used to pay for transactions on the Stellar network.

Service cryptocurrencies are digital tokens that are used to access or provide a service. They can be used to pay for goods and services, or to participate in decentralized applications (dapps).

Service cryptocurrencies usually have their own blockchain, and are often based on existing blockchain platforms such as Ethereum or Bitcoin. Some popular service cryptocurrencies includ Chainlink, Filecoin, Storj, and others.

While service cryptocurrencies may have different use cases, they all share one common goal: to provide a more efficient way of accessing or providing a service. By using blockchain technology, they aim to create a more secure, transparent, and decentralized way of conducting transactions.

Media Currencies

Media currencies are cryptocurrencies that are used to reward content creators and platforms that provide valuable information or entertainment. The most well-known media currency is probably Steem, which is used to reward bloggers and commenters on the Steemit platform. Other examples of media currencies include Basic Attention Token and Livepeer Token.

Media cryptocurrencies can offer a number of advantages over traditional methods of payment, such as credit cards or PayPal. For one, they can be used to make micropayments, which are payments of less than $1. This is helpful for those who want to support content creators but don’t have a lot of money to spare. Additionally, media cryptocurrencies can be used anonymously, which means that there is no risk of having your personal information stolen. Finally, media cryptocurrencies are often faster and cheaper to use than traditional methods of payment.

Financial Currencies

Financial cryptocurrencies like VAL, Comp, Curve, KAVA, KNC, and SNX are digital assets that are used to facilitate financial transactions. These can include anything from purchasing goods and services to sending money internationally. Unlike other types of cryptocurrency, financial cryptocurrencies are not subject to the same volatile swings in value. This makes them a more stable option for those looking to use them for everyday transactions.

One of the most popular financial cryptocurrencies is Ripple. Ripple is a decentralized network that allows for instant, global payments. It has been designed to be used by financial institutions as a way to speed up and reduce the cost of international payments.

Another popular financial cryptocurrency is Stellar. Stellar is a distributed ledger platform that allows for fast and affordable cross-border payments. It is designed to make it easy for people to send money to anyone, anywhere in the world.

Finally, there is Ethereum. Ethereum is a decentralized platform that runs smart contracts. These contracts can be used to facilitate all sorts of transactions, including financial ones.

Stable Coins

A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency that is designed to minimize the volatility of its value. Most cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, are subject to wide fluctuations in their prices. This can make them difficult to use as a means of exchange or store of value. Stablecoins aim to address this issue by pegging their value to another asset, such as the US dollar or gold. This stability makes them more attractive for use in commerce and investment.

There are several different types of stablecoins, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. USD-backed stablecoins are backed by reserves of US dollars held by the issuer. They are typically issued on a blockchain platform such as Ethereum. These coins can be used to make purchases or send payments anywhere in the world where USD is accepted. However, they are subject to the same volatility as other cryptocurrencies when the value of the US dollar fluctuates. Gold-backed stablecoins are backed by reserves of gold held by the issuer. They offer the same benefits as USD-backed coins, but with the added stability of being pegged to a precious metal. However, they may be less liquid than other types of stablecoins due to the limited availability of gold.

The most well-known stablecoin is probably Tether, which is pegged to the US Dollar. Other examples of stablecoins include TrueUSD, USD Coin, and Paxos Standard.

The defi space is constantly evolving and growing. With new projects and protocols being launched all the time, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the different types of currencies available.

Not all currencies are created equal, and each has its own unique purpose and use case. By understanding the different types of currencies available in the defi space, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions about which ones to use and how to best utilize them.