<human>:  I keep hearing about cryptocurrencies and I'm curious as to how it works. Can you provide me a basic explanation of what it is and how to buy it?
<bot>: Cryptocurrency is a type of digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend. It typically does not exist in physical form and is typically not issued by a central authority. To buy cryptocurrency, you will need to set up an account with a cryptocurrency exchange, like a broker or trading platform. Once you are signed up, you can transfer money from your bank account to the platform in order to purchase digital currencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Once you have purchased digital currencies, you can store them in a virtual wallet, or transfer them to another party for payment.