It’s official, Stash is stepping into the crypto game! That’s right, Stash is now enabling the ability for customers to invest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and more. To help protect you from price manipulation and potential fraud, we only offer large, established cryptocurrencies with real-world use cases that have been selected by the Investment Team. 

Cryptocurrency, also known as crypto, is a digital currency designed to work as a medium of exchange. It uses cryptography to secure and verify transactions, as well as to control the creation of new units of a particular digital currency. Cryptography is a technique to send secure messages between two or more participants. The sender encrypts/hides a message using a type of key and algorithm, and the receiver decrypts it to generate the original message.

Many cryptocurrencies are built on blockchain technology, which is a distributed ledger (book or collection of financial accounts) enforced by a network of computers. Cryptocurrencies are distinguished from normal currencies like the United States dollar because no central authority issues them, making them potentially impervious to government intervention or manipulation.

How does cryptocurrency work?

The majority of cryptocurrencies function without the backing of a central bank or government.  Cryptocurrencies do not exist as a stack of physical notes or coins. Instead, they live only on the internet. Consider them virtual tokens, the value of which is decided by how much money people are willing to purchase or sell them for.

Cryptocurrency is formed through a process known as mining, which entails using a computer to solve complex mathematical problems to earn coins. Users can also purchase the currencies through investment platforms (like Stash) which they can trade through a separate crypto account. 

Lear more about investments involving “crypto assets” on investor.gov. 

Disclosures: Cryptocurrency trading and execution services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software license agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Stash Financial, Inc.  Apex Crypto is not a registered broker-dealer or a member of SIPC or FINRA and is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department. Cryptocurrencies are not securities and are not FDIC or SIPC insured. Advisory products and services are offered through Stash Investments LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Cryptocurrency is a highly volatile investment; please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading crypto. Visit apexcrypto.com/legal.