Litecoin is one of the oldest and most well-established digital currencies. It was launched in 2011, after being created by Charlie Lee. The coin is commonly referred to as the “silver to Bitcoin’s gold” as investors often compare the two and Litecoin surpasses Bitcoin in some areas with faster transaction times and lower fees.
Litecoin has been adopted by investors and consumers all around the globe, offers unique key features, and is an interesting investment option. Let’s explore the coin’s use cases, attributes, and long-term growth potential for investors.
Litecoin Adoption and Use Cases
Because Litecoin was one of the earliest digital currencies created, it has had time to become accepted and adopted in many regions all around the world. Today, Litecoin is used in various industries, including:
- Remittances: Because Litecoin is known for its quick transaction times, it’s a popular way to send funds internationally. Many individuals use Litecoin to send remittances to family members living abroad and with Litecoin the transactions are swift and cost-effective.
- Gambling and Entertainment: Online gambling has become popular in recent years with the rise of crypto casinos allowing players to buy in, wager, and withdraw funds using digital currencies like Litecoin. Kane Pepi explains that the top Litecoin casino sites ranked here support quick and private payments and offer unique bonuses and a large selection of games. Additionally, many bettors use crypto casinos in order to gain a certain level of anonymity, which crypto offers. There are also anonymous casinos where players wager with crypto, like Litecoin and other coins, and can keep their personal information completely private.
- Donations and Fundraising: Litecoin is a popular option used for charitable giving. Many nonprofit organizations have started accepting Litecoin as a donation method because it offers secure and quick payments.
Understanding Litecoin
Litecoin users can send and receive virtual payments directly, without the need for banks or any middlemen. Litecoin is powered by blockchain tech and is categorized as a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency. While Litecoin is similar to Bitcoin in some ways, it sets itself apart in other ways:
- Faster Transaction Times: One of the most notable aspects of Litecoin is how quick it is. This means that payments happen quickly from user to user and Litecoin holders will see their transactions completed faster than when using other coins. For example, Bitcoin has an average block time of about 10 minutes. On the other hand, Litecoin has a block time of about 2.5 minutes. This is a huge difference, and for users, it means quicker settlement times.
- Lower Transaction Fees: On top of quick transaction times, Litecoin also offers low transaction fees. The two attributes go hand in hand as the coin’s quick transaction times actually equate to reduced transaction fees. The reason behind this? With shorter transaction times there is less competition for block space, which means lower processing fees.
- Scrypt Algorithm: The Scrypt algorithm is a hashing algorithm that Litecoin uses, whereas Bitcoin uses an algorithm called SHA-256. Litecoin’s Script algorithm was built to make mining accessible to a larger audience.
- Limited Supply: While this feature is similar to Bitcoin, it’s worth noting. Litecoin has a limited supply, with a capped total of 84 million coins. This is about four times the maximum supply of Bitcoin. Both coin’s limited supply is designed to create scarcity and ensure that the coins can retain their value over time.
Is Litecoin Worth Investing In?
With a solid understanding of Litecoin’s current state of adoption and key features, it’s easier to determine whether the coin is worth investing in. Here are some important factors to consider before investing:
- Market Performance: Before investing in any digital currency, including Litecoin, completing market performance research is crucial. While all cryptocurrencies are known to be volatile, Litecoin has historically experienced significant growth periods, especially during bull markets. It’s worth noting that Litecoin’s value has historically correlated with the broader cryptocurrency market. Currently, Litecoin’s value is sitting just under $80 per coin.
- Adoption and Use Cases: As shared earlier in this article, Litecoin has become popular in recent years, with adoption spreading to various industry sectors. Before investing in Litecoin, or any other cryptocurrency, it is important to review how the coin has been adopted as this may determine its long-term success in the market. Because Litecoin has been so widely adopted, it’s a good sign that the coin is here to stay.
- Development and Innovation: The ongoing development of a coin should be considered before buying in. Crypto projects that are backed by a team of experts who continue to work on the project long after launch or are more likely to succeed than those that are not. Litecoin is led by an experienced development team, along with founder Charlie Lee. The team has continued to work on improving the coin’s features over the years. For example, they recently developed and implemented the MimbleWimble protocol.
Litecoin is a well-respected digital currency that has been around since 2011. The coin shows all of the signs of a solid investment, however, the final decision to invest or not lies with the investor who must complete thorough research and weigh the pros and cons of the coin before buying in.
