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The way we do business is changing as technology develops. The realm of finance is one such sector where technology is having a huge impact. The rise of cryptocurrencies has put the conventional banking system under pressure and is presenting an alternate method of conducting financial transactions. In this article, we will examine the distinctions between regular banking and cryptocurrencies and emphasize the advantages of each.

The rise of cryptocurrency

In order to safeguard transactions and regulate the generation of new units, cryptocurrency employs encryption methods. With the development of Bitcoin, the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, it was presented to the public in 2009. Other digital currencies have since emerged, including Litecoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. Cryptocurrencies are not centralized, unlike traditional money, and are not managed by a bank or government. Transparency, security, and near-impossibility of manipulation are all a result of transactions being recorded on a blockchain, a public ledger.

The traditional banking structure

On the other hand, the conventional banking system has existed for many years and has served as the main method of managing financial transactions. In this centralized system, banks serve as a middleman between the parties to a transaction. You are effectively lending the bank your money when you deposit money in a bank, and in exchange, the bank pays you interest. Banks lend money to people and companies, charging interest in exchange, using the funds they receive from deposits.

Cryptocurrency and traditional banking: Differences

The key distinctions between cryptocurrencies and conventional banking come from the way they are built.

Centralization vs. Decentralization- Cryptocurrencies and

conventional banking vary most noticeably in their decentralized vs. centralized organizational structures. Decentralized means there is no single entity in charge of cryptocurrency. Traditional banking, in contrast, is centralized, with banks serving as go-betweens for the parties to a transaction.

Transparency- Transparency is another significant distinction. Transactions involving cryptocurrencies are transparent and nearly difficult to tamper with since they are kept on a public database known as a blockchain. While banks are not required to make their transactions publically available, traditional banking transactions are opaque.

Security- Another significant distinction is security. Cryptocurrencies are protected by encryption methods, making hacking them nearly hard. Contrarily, traditional banking institutions are open to fraud and online threats.

Advantages of cryptocurrencies

Let’s examine the advantages of each now that we have examined the distinctions between cryptocurrencies and conventional banking.

Transparency- Transparency is among the most important advantages of cryptocurrencies. Transparency and security are provided via the recording of transactions on a blockchain, a type of open ledger. This openness lowers the possibility of fraud and guarantees that business dealings are handled fairly.

Decentralization- Due to the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies, users can verify and record transactions, providing greater transparency, increased security, and lower transaction costs. You have complete control over your assets when you buy bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies since there is no need for a centralized organization or middleman.

Security- Additionally, cryptocurrency is incredibly secure. Transactions are protected using encryption methods, rendering them essentially unhackable. As a result, consumers may transact with assurance knowing that their valuables are secure.

Advantages of conventional banking

Several advantages are also provided by conventional banking systems.

Regulation- Regulation is a key advantage of conventional banking. Banks are subject to a lot of regulation and have to follow tight guidelines. This guarantees that business dealings are performed honestly and that client assets are safeguarded.

Familiarity- Additionally, most people are more accustomed to traditional banking systems. Banks have been processing financial transactions for many years and are a reliable option.

Customer service- Last but not least, conventional banking systems provide customer service. If you require assistance or have a problem with your account, you may contact customer support, who can assist you in resolving the situation.

Which is better, traditional banking or cryptocurrency

This question’s answer will depend on your unique needs and preferences. Both cryptocurrencies and conventional banking systems have advantages and disadvantages, so the choice ultimately depends on which is more appropriate for your requirements. Cryptocurrency could be a better option for you if you value transparency, security, and decentralization. However, traditional banking may be a better choice if you value regulation and customer service and prefer the familiarity of those systems.

It is also important to remember that while cryptocurrencies provide a number of advantages, there are also hazards involved. Because they are so volatile, cryptocurrencies’ values can change drastically very quickly. Additionally, there is a chance of fraud and computer attacks, and because cryptocurrencies are unregulated, investors have no protection. Traditional banking systems, on the other hand, provide consistency, security, and regulation. Your valuables are safeguarded, and if you want assistance, you may contact customer service. Traditional banking systems can be sluggish and expensive to use, and they can also be vulnerable to fraud and cyberattacks.

Final reflections

With an alternate method of handling financial transactions, cryptocurrencies have challenged the conventional banking system. Traditional banking institutions are controlled, regulated, and provide customer service; cryptocurrency is decentralized, transparent, and secure. A person’s preference ultimately determines whether to utilize cryptocurrencies or conventional banking systems. When choosing between the two systems, it’s crucial to take your needs and preferences into account even though each has advantages and disadvantages of its own. Understanding the dangers and advantages of the system you select as well as taking action to safeguard your assets are crucial.

The term “FinTech” continues to saturate the news and financial institution reporting in recent years. It’s not surprising that streamlining financial services in the age of automation is something traditional banks struggle with adopting as global markets capitalize on technology. The trade sector on a high level is already purging antiquated, traditional processes involving paper, phone calls, Excel spreadsheets and tedious, unreliable methods of tracking and invoicing.

Now that FinTech is part of the bigger financial picture, it only makes sense that more companies in the global trade market are adopting FinTech as the norm rather than an option. This presents its own set of challenges for banks to overcome as much as it presents opportunities in optimization and risk mitigation. FinTech has its own challenges to overcome as well before it can successfully replace the traditional financial processes currently in place.

To understand exactly how FinTech fits into the bigger picture, we must break it down and evaluate all angles. To start, trends in emerging finance technology include variables from governments and dominating players to emerging acquisitions positioning big tech as a disruptor and solution to trade finance. So, what are some of the top emerging trends currently found in the financial technology space? According to experts at Azlo, a no-fee digital banking platform, government regulation will weed out fly-by-night FinTech while ownership of a self-sovereign identity will become more prevalent for risk modeling. Additionally, FAANG companies are currently positioned to become major players in the FinTech space as they continue to raise the bar for consumers and businesses alike.

Azlo also maintains that banks must adopt FinTech and emerging tech to remain a relevant part of the financial industry, warning that if they don’t, European, African and Asian markets, which possess less regulation and oversight, will own the space very soon. Additionally, optics, trust and inevitable obsolescence will ultimately serve as supporting reasons behind the adoption of emerging tech in the banking space in the near future.

From a safety and risk mitigation point of view, cybersecurity requires a sophisticated and advanced system to combat various strategies hackers utilize to disrupt the financial industry. Cybersecurity goes hand-in-hand with the recent surge in FinTech and will present itself as a challenge for financial companies to mitigate. How will this risk impact banks from a cost perspective? Think of it in terms of compliance and regulation. Circling back to Azlo’s expert point that once the government starts implementing harsher regulations, the days of FinTech will take a different stance in the financial industry. An example of this is found in Mexico’s FinTech law that took full effect this year and in the Latin America markets. As noted in a November Nasdaq article: “The goal of the FinTech law was to help bring more people into the formal economy. Additionally, it would help to reduce the amount of cash in circulation, which would cut down on money laundering and corruption as well.”

Nasdaq experts also point out the significant progress FinTech has made within the Mexico and Latin America markets. “In January 2019, Albo raised $7.4 million, sparking a surge in investor interest in Mexican neobanks,” states the article. “In March 2019, Mexican neobank, Fondeadora, announced a $1.5 million round of investment, and in May 2019, Nubank, Brazil’s largest neobank with over 15 million users, announced its plans to expand into Mexico.”

Considering the reputation for cash dependency in Mexico paired with the more than 273 FinTech ventures operating in the country, it’s no surprise that FinTech is disrupting and recreating opportunities for global markets while changing the way cash flow is approached.

FinTech will not necessarily hurt the traditional banking model, as it does offer an automated and sustainable approach for customers while keeping up with what is expected of companies on a cultural scale. To remain relevant, banks should consider what customer generations are emerging while maintaining the changing ecosystem supporting efficiency, sustainability and cost-savings.

Furthermore, FinTech is changing the way investments and lending are assessed. FinTech allows for much larger sets of data, providing a new level of visibility. Possessing the ability to manage multiple information streams that reflect the health of a company is found as an unmatched solution provided by FinTech, according to Azlo. With this information, companies can further evaluate next-step approaches and what actions in place need to be revisited, revamped or completely eliminated. The name of the game is data visibility, folks, and that is exactly what FinTech is doing to redefine how finances are approached.

“FinTechs are relying on different information when underwriting consumers, looking at things traditional banks have never considered and providing more people with access to personal and business capital,” explains Donna Fuscaldo in her blog, “The Rise of Fintech: What You Need to Know & Financial Services Now Offered.”

“Traditional financial institutions may be late to the FinTech party, but they haven’t missed it altogether,” Fuscaldo writes. “Many of them are creating their own services or partnering with established FinTechs to bring services to their clients. It’s happening in every aspect of FinTech from robo advisors with Charles Schwab’s Schwab Intelligent Portfolios to digital payments with Visa’s Visa Pay digital payment service. Even heavy hitters like JPMorgan are turning to FinTech’s data to evaluate applications for loans, and Quicken Loans, the online mortgage lender, launched its Rocket Mortgage app that can churn out mortgage approvals and rejections in minutes. All of this action on the part of the traditional financial services industry make for more choices beyond just the startups.”

With cybersecurity and automation consistently creating new ways for companies to optimize their payments while maximizing data and integration, only time will tell how much regulation global governments will impose and whether that reshapes the FinTech marketplace. One thing is certain: Traditional banking will continue to be challenged to redefine how customers are served, transactions are protected and how the investment and lending sectors approach opportunities throughout the international and domestic markets.

Cryptocurrency vs. Traditional Banking: Understanding the Differences and Benefits

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