If you’ve paid much attention to financial markets or news in the past year, then you’re at least acutely aware of the cryptocurrency craze that’s taken place in the early stages of 2021.

Bitcoin, the original and most mainstream cryptocurrency, began 2020 at a value of $7,194.89 and surged at the tail end of the year and the first quarter of 2021, reaching a high-water mark of $64,863 in April. Likewise, ethereum, the second largest cryptocurrency, skyrocketed in value during this time frame, going from around $130 in value to begin 2020 to its current price of $2,119. While ethereum is still around its all-time high, bitcoin has since settled back to $33,475 as of July 1, but both coins’ extreme rise vaulted them into the mainstream conscience, which has since lent itself to many intriguing developments in the space. READ MORE