Our most read explainers about the world of crypto

CRYPTOCURRENCIES, AND the technology on which they are built, have forced their way into the financial mainstream. Over the past year “non-fungible tokens” (NFTs) sold for record amounts, central banks flirted with their own digital currencies and even The Economist joined the hype, auctioning our cover as an NFT for charity. Below is a selection of our explanatory articles from the past year on cryptocurrencies and the innovations they have spawned.

Why have prices of cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, fallen—again? (December)
Virtual coins are especially vulnerable when investors get nervous

Why we are selling our cover as an NFT (October)
How we set it up—and decided it was worth doing

What is an NFT? (October)
“Non-fungible tokens” use cryptocurrencies’ blockchains to sell original versions of digital artefacts

Can bitcoin be bettered? (June)
Other cryptocurrencies require less energy to validate transactions, but they bring problems of their own

What is the metaverse? (May)
The limitless successor to the internet, first imagined by Neal Stephenson 30 years ago

What is the fuss over central-bank digital currencies? (February)
For central banks, digital cash offers a safer, faster and more flexible alternative to notes and coins

Is there a topic related to cryptocurrencies that you would like our writers to explain? Please send your suggestions and feedback to explainers@economist.com