?>

The Beginner’s Guide to Monero (XMR) – What You Need to Know

2.1 k views
a monero focused project has raised over 250 in just 48h to start implementing monero atomic swaps

Monero is a cryptocurrency that emphasizes privacy and fungibility concerning all transactions on its blockchain network. It was created in April 2014 to make transactions private. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies developed into the crypto space were easily traceable, and Monero was created to ensure complete financial privacy.

Monero, in a nutshell

  • Monero is a secured privacy coin.
  • Its transactions are untraceable with the use of Ring signature’s privacy features.
  • It’s highly secured by a solid decentralized cryptographic network making it highly difficult for hackers to attack the system.
  • It has several privacy features like Stealth One-Time address that makes transactions unlinkable to any particular user, unlike other major cryptocurrencies.

A Brief History of Monero

Monero’s development was spearheaded by thankful_for_today, a bitcointalk forum user who forked the codebase of Bytecoin and named it BitMonero. Thankful for today’s plans on upgrading Bytecoin in block time and reward aspects, the BitMonero Community did not accept tail emission. This led to the vanishing of thankful_for_today from the project until some community members took the initiative to develop the project. Johnny Mnemonic and other developers took over BitMonero and renamed it Monero.

After two years of development, Monero was adopted by several crypto enthusiasts because of the privacy features that made it impossible for anybody outside the network to trace transactions to any user. Its market cap grew mainly as it was used by people who operated within the darknet market. Monero became the preferred cryptocurrency for transactions over the dark web to purchase guns, drugs, etc.

Along the line, Gregory Maxwell’s algorithm Confidential Transactions was inculcated into Monero, further improving privacy. This development also brought other blockchain influencers like Christopher Cantwell and Andrew Auernheimer, who started promoting Monero as a payment method.

On the other hand, hackers took advantage of the growth of Monero. They deployed several mining codes into software applications and websites, which mined them without computer users’ knowledge. Malware and Antivirus Service in 2017 later blocked this dubious act.

How does Monero Work

Most significant cryptocurrencies launched into this industry had Bitcoin as their substrate. Still, Monero was engineered from a new protocol, the CryptoNote protocol. This protocol is coupled with several privacy features that hide all transactions made, making it difficult to trace any transaction to a particular individual.

One of the privacy features used is Ring Confidential Transactions, which mixes the transaction with several other transactions making it untraceable and having any connection with any individual. Ring Signatures combines a sender’s input with the other ten inputs making the transaction untraceable. Though the idea is to secure transactions, it has to be verifiable without relieving the transaction’s exact details. The bulletproof feature has been integrated to ensure that transactions are verified without displaying the sender, amount sent, and any other information that reveals the user.

How to mine Monero Coin

Though bitcoin and most other major cryptocurrencies were created to be decentralized, most of them are not, as their blockchain network seems to be controlled by some mining pools on the network. For example, Bitcoin has been criticized several times, and most Chinese mining firms control it and its network, as they have sophisticated mining farms to increase their mining power. These mining farms are filled with the Application-Specific Integrated Circuit, which increases their chance of mining on the network.

Monero was created to be fully decentralized, hence resistant to using ASICs as mining. The hardware used in mining is x86, x86-64, ARM, and GPUs. These are straightforward operating systems that anybody can set up to mine Monero coins. As time went on, the developers of Monero introduced RandomX Proof-of-work, further strengthening the network against ASIC mining.

You can mine Monero by downloading any of their client suitable for your computer from the list below:

WindowsLinux, IOS – NB: All the above clients are 64-bit operating systems.

Forks of Monero Coin

Developers, at some point in time, always disagree on some features or use cases of a project, and this leads to the division of blockchain communities. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and most major cryptocurrencies have all undergone forks due to disagreements among the blockchain projects’ community members. Monero has also faced similar past issues, which led to the forks of coins like Monero Original (XMO) and Monero 0 (XMO). We will see two significant forks on the Monero blockchain network shortly: MoneroV (XMV) and Monero Classic (XMC).

How to buy Monero

Aside from mining Monero coin as a miner on the blockchain network, you can decide to purchase it from Over-the-Counter platforms and Exchange platforms. Below are some of the platforms you can buy Monero (XMR) from BinanceBittrex, OKX, and other major exchanges.

How much is Monero Coin

The price of XMR at the time of writing is $71.12, making it the 13th more valuable coin, according to coinmarketcap. It has a market cap of over $1 billion and a 24-hour volume of $141,387,122. XMR attained an all-time high of $495.84 on January 7, 2018, and an all-time low of $0.212 on January 14, 2015.

The Benefits of using Monero Coin

Monero Coin is used mainly in the dark web and other marketplaces that want to conduct transactions secretly. If you are thinking of making any transaction with anyone in the crypto industry and want to stay private, Monero is the ideal cryptocurrency.

Final Thoughts

Bitcoin coin symbol
Btc
Bitcoin
$62.547
price
red chart
decrease symbol0.84959%
price change
TRADE NOW

Monero is the first privacy coin to be launched in the crypto industry. It has gained mass adoption and use by several crypto enthusiasts, especially those using the dark web. Several other privacy and zero coins have been generated alongside Monero, and this clearly shows how crypto enthusiasts wish to stay anonymous in their transactions.

Previous

US Congress Plans to Hold A Hearing for Digital Currencies

Next

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) Releases A Security Token Evaluation

Written by

49 posts

Kelvin Emmra is a graduate of the University of Cape Coast-Ghana with a degree in Nursing. He has over 4 years of experience in the crypto industry and has taken several roles in the space.

VIEW AUTHOR

More author posts

Vidulum App – A Rewarding Non-Custodial Multicurrency Wallet

Many crypto enthusiasts argue that centralized institutions do not give users financial freedom and control of their own funds. This has created the need for non-custodial solutions that keep users in control of their cryptocurrencies. It’s quite unnerving to see so many digital asset wallets in this space that don’t put the end-users needs first. Would you want to trust your funds with a wallet where you don’t own the private keys? Worse yet, would you be comfortable having restrictions…

Multi-currency Crypto Wallets with Passive Income Features

Cryptocurrency wallets are useful tools that allow crypto enthusiasts quick access to their crypto assets. It's worth mentioning that this is one way the global use of cryptocurrencies can become a reality in our daily lives. However, some multicurrency wallets have moved a step further, not only as a payment tool but also to serve other unique functions in the digital financial world. Blockchain solutions have enabled crypto enthusiasts to use their cryptocurrency wallets as a haven to grow their…

Five Incredible Ways to Manage a Social Crypto Trading Community

A social crypto trading community is an online ecosystem of crypto investors that allows sharing and discussing trading ideas. The trend of taking the crypto community by storm could significantly transform crypto trading. As a result, many cryptocurrency trading platforms contemplate adding a social trading feature to their systems.  Managing the social trading community is currently the most powerful challenge social trading platforms face. Due to poor management, many platforms failed a few days after launching social trading systems. But…

Investors Moved Over 310,000 Bitcoins from Exchanges since Mid-March Crash

The market crash that happened in mid-March and popularly called “Black Thursday” was serious such that it has prompted a far-reaching shift in dynamics among Bitcoin investors. The day was unforgettable for cryptocurrency investors as the market incurred a serious selloff triggered by liquidations on BitMEX platform. A remarkable change initiated by the event is the dip in Bitcoin balance on exchanges. According to data, the amount of Bitcoin removed from exchanges after the crash was more than 310,000. Perhaps…

Halving Pressure is Separating Ethereum from Bitcoin

Ethereum has been proving itself worthy where we have Bitcoin, the decentralized currency, but when it comes to price, it is still behind Bitcoin which is the largest crypto on the market. Since January 2020, Ether, the currency undertone of Ethereum, has been distinguishing itself from Bitcoin. Its price started skyrocketing when the year started but after the halving event of Bitcoin, it seems to be pulling away from it. After the halving event, the prices of cryptocurrencies started reacting immediately,…

Masternodes: A Lucrative Passive Way of Investing in the Crypto Space

The rapid expansion of the crypto space has seen several innovative ways of generating substantial profits apart from just simply trading cryptos by buying low and selling high. One such innovative way of generating profits in the crypto space without trading is running Masternodes, which have increasingly become popular. Simply put, Masternodes are a series of servers that underpin a blockchain’s network. Masternodes maintain the blockchain by allocating the task of validating the blockchain to machines that are not previewed…

Publish your own article

Guest post article. Guaranteed publishing with just a few clicks

START PUBLISHING ADVERTISE WITH US

Browse categories

Explore trending topics in the crypto community right now.

Bitcoin

SEC Greenlights Multiple Bitcoin ETFs, Signaling Major Leap for Cryptocurrency Markets

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has made a landmark decision by approving 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This move represents a significant moment in the cryptocurrency industry, marking a shift towards greater institutional adoption and accessibility for investors. The approved ETFs include products from major firms such as BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF, Bitwise Bitcoin ETP Trust, WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund, Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust, VanEck Bitcoin Trust, Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin…

Bitcoin Should be Banned in the United States: Charlie Munger

Berkshire Hathaway’s vice chairman, Charlie Munger, called for a ban on cryptocurrency in the United States on Monday, similar to the one in China.  In an op-ed published with the Wall Street Journal, Munger argued that Bitcoin isn’t a currency, commodity, or security, but simply a form of gambling “ with a nearly 100% edge for the house. As such, the enactment of a federal law should ban such things from happening. Munger cited the Chinese communist party’s ban on…

Tesla’s BTC Positions Remained Unchanged in Q4 of 2022

According to a new earning report from automotive manufacturer Tesla, the company did not sell any of its BTC holdings in the fourth quarter of 2022. Amid speculations that the company had traded BTC during the testing bears, CEO Elon Musk revealed it was yet holding on to its BTC stash. Tesla Maintains Holdings After Initial Sell-Off In Q2 of 2022, Tesla opted to sell 75% of all its BTC. The car manufacturer received close to $950M in exchange. Notably,…

Here’s When Grayscale Debates the SEC in Court on its Bitcoin Spot ETF

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has marked a date for when Grayscale and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may present oral arguments regarding the approval of a Bitcoin spot ETF.  Each side will present its case at 9:30 am ET on March 7, with the SEC arguing against the product, and Grayscale arguing in favor.  Grayscale VS SEC The court date – revealed in a court order filed on Monday according to CNBC – is much earlier…

MORE ARTICLES

Ethereum

Ethereum’s Zhejiang Staking Withdrawal Testnet for Shanghai is Live

At 15:00 UTC on Wednesday, the much-anticipated Zhejiang testnet for staking withdrawal went live on Ethereum’s Beacon chain. Zhejiang will enable the testing of the Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) 4895 which allows for staking withdrawals. This is in preparation for the network’s next major update, the Shanghai hard fork slated to launch sometime in March. Users Can Make Simulated Withdrawals with Zhejiang In a tweet yesterday, DevOps engineer at Ethereum foundation Barnabas Busa gave details about the Zhejiang testnet slated…

Ethereum Devs Disagree Over Technical Tweak as Shanghai Upgrade Nears

Post-merge Ethereum users have been eagerly awaiting the commencement of the network’s next major upgrade, Shanghai. However, after over 3 months of prep time, it appears the Shanghai rollout isn’t going as smoothly as expected. What Exactly is the Shanghai Upgrade? In September last year, the much-publicized Ethereum Merge also known as the Ethereum 2.0 upgrade went live. Ethereum underwent some significant changes as its consensus mechanism transitioned from proof-of-work to a cost-efficient proof-of-stake system.  However, since the Beacon launch…

FTX Hacker Converts 50k Stolen ETH to BTC

Per a report from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, the attacker behind the Nov 11 FTX exploit, is converting the stolen ETH to Bitcoin. There were muted fears the seemingly inexperienced perpetrator could dump all its ETH holdings. On Sunday, the attacker dumped 50k ETH on-chain, with ETH's price dipping by almost 7%.  https://twitter.com/chainalysis/status/1594349583416840199?s=20&t=pgvQHeVytI20eKQ1ls9bxw Hacker Moves 50,000 ETH to New Address Over the past week, the perpetrator had been steadily swapping the cryptocurrencies they had carted off for Ether tokens. This…

Censorship Concerns: 51% of Ethereum Blocks Now OFAC Compliant

According to new data, over half of the blocks on the Ethereum network now reportedly comply with the US Treasury OFAC’s standards. This comes roughly a month after the platform’s monumental merge update. Phasing Out Tornado Cash The Office of Foreign Assets Control is the intelligence and enforcement agency of the US  Treasury Department. Indeed, the OFAC administers and enforces US  financial sanctions. A prime example of this is the recent, highly-publicized ban on crypto mixer Tornado Cash.  According to…

MORE ARTICLES

Trading

How to Leverage Arbitrage Opportunities in Crypto Markets

Cryptocurrency arbitrage has become an increasingly popular investment strategy as the crypto market grows and evolves. Arbitrage involves taking advantage of pricing discrepancies between markets or exchanges to profit.  Investors can leverage profit opportunities by understanding cryptocurrency arbitrage while managing associated risks. In this guide, we'll explore cryptocurrency arbitrage and how it works. A Bitcoin-related example will help us illustrate the concepts of this strategy. What is Arbitrage and How Does it Work in Crypto Markets Crypto arbitrage trading is…

The Different Types of Copy Trading in Crypto

Are you interested in trading cryptocurrencies but feel intimidated by the complexity of the process? Copy trading is a great way to get into crypto without needing to be an experienced trader. With copy trading, investors can benefit from the experience and knowledge of more experienced traders, allowing even beginners to succeed. How does copy trading work, and which tips do you need to know to succeed? In this article, we'll explore all aspects of copy trading in crypto. What…

How to Spot an Unsafe Crypto Exchange

Cryptocurrency exchanges have become increasingly popular as they provide a platform for people to buy and sell digital assets. Unfortunately, not all crypto exchanges are safe or reliable.  With the rise of cybercrime and fraud, you must learn to spot an unsafe crypto exchange before investing your money. This guide will help beginners identify and avoid potential risks when selecting a cryptocurrency exchange.  The Role of Crypto Exchanges on the Digital Assets Market Cryptocurrency exchanges play a crucial role in…

What Is Grid Trading in Crypto?

Crypto grid trading has become a popular strategy because of its ability to help traders capitalize on market volatility. Grid trading means you can produce consistent profits by taking advantage of price differences in different markets or time frames. By establishing buy and sell orders at predetermined intervals, you can take advantage of these fluctuations in an automated way. This guide will explore the different aspects of grid trading and provide an overview of its benefits, challenges, and more. Through…

MORE ARTICLES

Tech

Introducing una Messenger: A Paradigm Shift in Blockchain Connectivity

The digital landscape is set for an unprecedented transformation with the introduction of una Messenger, the latest innovation from web3 development powerhouse Wemade. This platform represents an evolution of the "PAPYRUS Messenger," serving as the cornerstone of the ambitious "unagi" initiative, aimed at catalyzing the mass adoption of blockchain technology. The "Unbound Networking & Accelerating Growth Initiative" seeks to bridge the divides between diverse blockchain services and networks, heralding a new era of interconnectedness. A New Frontier in Blockchain Communication…

Bit2Me Champions WEMIX Token in Pioneering European Listing

Bit2Me, Spain's premier virtual asset exchange, has recently broadened the horizons for cryptocurrency enthusiasts by listing WEMIX, the cornerstone token of the WEMIX3.0 blockchain ecosystem. This marks a notable achievement as WEMIX's inaugural venture into the European market, emphasizing the token's role in facilitating a range of blockchain-based activities, from gaming transactions to decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Launched with the intention to democratize access to WEMIX for the 450 million Spanish speakers around the globe, this strategic move aligns with…

CryptoVirally Expands with Fresh Crypto Marketing Offers and Cointelegraph Upgrades

In an exciting update for the cryptocurrency marketing landscape, CryptoVirally has announced a series of new entries and enhancements to its already comprehensive range of services. These updates, aimed at providing tailored marketing solutions for crypto projects, include new limited-time offers and expanded options for Cointelegraph publications. Limited Offers: A Game-Changer in Crypto Marketing  CryptoVirally's limited offers section presents an enticing opportunity for crypto projects to leverage high-impact marketing services at discounted rates. These offers, available for a limited period,…

Breaking Boundaries in Blockchain: WEMIX’s ‘una Wallet’ Sets New Standard for Multi-Chain Asset Management

The WEMIX Foundation has unveiled 'una Wallet,' a revolutionary digital wallet designed to offer unparalleled convenience and security in managing digital assets across various blockchain networks. The announcement, made on January 17, 2024, signifies a new era in the seamless integration of multiple blockchain protocols, including Arbitrum, Avalanche, BNB Smart Chain, Ethereum, Kroma, Optimism, Polygon, and WEMIX3.0. 'una Wallet' is more than just a digital wallet; it represents the culmination of WEMIX's innovative efforts in the blockchain space. It serves…

MORE ARTICLES