With virtual currencies all the rage, here are the pertinent facts you should know before you invest. Historically, no asset has been a more celebrated creator of long-term wealth than the stock market. Over time, stocks have generated a 7% annualized return, inclusive of dividend reinvestment and adjusted for inflation. This suggests an investor could double their money about once every decade, which is pretty impressive.
However, cryptocurrencies -- digital currencies that utilize encryption to generate money and verify transactions -- have left the stock market in the dust since the year began. Virtual currency investors have, in many instances, seen a lifetime's worth of gains throughout 11 months. But before you consider diving into the cryptocurrency craze, here are 16 facts you should know