Dash

Dash, which stands for the digital-cash, is a payment processing peer-to-peer cryptocurrency. Dash describes itself as being: “Digital money that’s better than cash. Dash is instant, global, and easy to use.”

Dash is unlike platform-based cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum and more like Bitcoin. Dash was built using Bitcoin’s open source code and was designed to improve upon Bitcoin in terms of transaction time and privacy. The programming of Dash was created on its own blockchain software and it has a wallet infrastructure. Additionally, the transaction fees are negligible, and transactions can occur at anytime from anywhere.

The History of Dash

Dash, initially called “Xcoin,” was launched in January 2014 by Evan Duffield. “Xcoin” then became known as “Darkcoin” and finally, in 2015, it was changed to Dash. Duffield used the open source code created by Bitcoin founder, Satoshi Nakamoto. Nakamoto made the Bitcoin blockchain code public, which allowed Duffield to make some modifications to create Dash.

Currently, the market capitalization of Dash is more than $10 billion and it is considered to be one of the top-12 cryptocurrencies traded globally.

Dash has some impressive features like PrivateSend and InstantSend, which are peer-to-peer applications. Another innovative feature that makes Dash unique is an incentive to participate in the verification process. Instead of relying on volunteers to develop and maintain the network, the community has provided incentives at the protocol level. This is a 15% share of each block reward going to a development and promotion fund.

How is Dash Regulated?

Dash is regulated through cryptocurrency participants. It is decentralized and runs on blockchain technology that is governed through master nodes.

A master node is a Dash-participant who hosts a copy of the blockchain and validates transactions on the network. To run a master node, you need to own 1000 Dash as well as have a static IP address. It is also required that you meet the minimum technical requirements. The master nodes take on some of the functions of miners thereby solving an issue that Bitcoin faced with overwhelmed cryptocurrency transactions. Dash has one of the largest peer-to-peer networks in the world with 4, 100 master nodes.

Why Does the Price of Dash Move?

Similar to other cryptocurrencies, the price moves based on new information and market sentiment. As peer-to-peer payment applications gain popularity, the demand for Dash has grown. Market sentiment is generally based on price action. You can develop an idea of where prices will trend by engaging in technical analysis, which is studying the past price action. Traders will evaluate sentiment by looking at support and resistance levels, momentum and trends as well as oscillators.

How Do You Start Trading Dash?

You might consider trading Dash as a contract for difference (CFD). A CFD is a financial product that allows you to speculate on the future direction of Dash. CFDs are only for trading purposes and will not allow you to send Dash as payment of a good or service. The benefit of trading Dash as a CFD is that you do not need to open a wallet and will be able to trade it versus a fiat currency such as the US Dollar, the Euro or Yen.

Summary

Dash is a cryptocurrency that is viewed as peer-to-peer digital cash. The creator of Dash, Evan Duffield, piggybacked on the open source code that was used to create Bitcoin.  Dash improved on Bitcoin’s privacy issues as well as speed. Some of the drawbacks include funding concerns, as well as anonymity flaws. Dash also has a lot of competition from other cryptocurrency payment processors.

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