What Is Helium (HNT) Crypto? How To Mine And Buy Helium Tokens?
Helium crypto is a unique cryptocurrency that has utilitarian purposes outside of the crypto world. It is based on a secured, open-source network which is by far the largest decentralised IoT (Internet of Things) network in the world.
Created to solve real-world problems, it has its unique consensus protocol called the PoC (Proof of Coverage) algorithm. This cryptocurrency helps to connect IoT (Internet of Things) devices using long-range WiFi. Read on to know about Helium crypto, how it works, its history, how to mine and buy Helium crypto and more.
What is Helium?
Helium is the name of a decentralised blockchain network that has the capability to facilitate communication and connectivity for IoT devices. The Helium network is a long-range wireless network that offers public WiFi coverage for LoRaWAN-enabled devices. The network is powered by the Helium blockchain, which offers incentives for individuals who install Helium routers. The users of the network are rewarded with the network’s native cryptocurrency – Helium (HNT) crypto.
Individuals can buy and sell Helium tokens freely on the market like any other cryptocurrency. The more Helium Hotspots people use, the more Helium tokens are generated.
As IoT networks become more widespread, the importance of the Helium blockchain and, subsequently, HNT tokens increases. It offers several advantages over traditional IoT networks, including broader coverage, increased privacy, security and reliability.
The History and Founders of the Helium Crypto
The Helium network was launched by Amir Haleem, Sean Carey and Shawn Fanning, a few years after the inception of Bitcoin. Shawn Fanning is a computer programmer and entrepreneur well-known for building Napster. Amir Haleem had previously worked at Diversion, a video game startup and at DICE for Battlefield 1942.
Helium Inc. was set up to build the first international peer-to-peer wireless network with the capacity to connect to different types of devices. However, it did not start as a crypto company. The founders tried to build a traditional peer-to-peer network by trying to convince individuals and businesses to join. The project was unsuccessful because they were not able to gather enough participants.
In 2017, the company made the decision to offer Helium cryptos as a reward for setting up network nodes. Instead of building a long-range network, the founders offered users the complete freedom to buy and connect their hotspots. In return, they would receive HNT tokens, which they could hold for profits.
In 2019, the network went live, with the company launching the HNT crypto on July 29, 2019.
Also Read: Terra (Luna): A Beginner’s Guide To Terra Ecosystem
How does Helium Work?
Helium is a wireless and decentralised network for IoT devices. It provides public network coverage for devices that rely on LoRaWAN. It is a point-to-multipoint media access control layer protocol with a cloud component to which wireless devices can connect. Helium is one of the largest LoRaWAN networks having more than 25,000 hotspots acting as nodes.
Helium Hotspots are special routers that can send small packets of data over long distances, reaching around 200 times the distances of conventional WiFi hotspots. Anyone can use this network to connect internet-enabled devices like smart kitchen appliances, parking metres or air-quality devices.
This network incentivises operators of Hotspots with Helium tokens for their part in helping to transmit data. Participants of the network get paid in HNT and can vote on proposed changes to the network. If the price of Helium coins increases, HNT holders can make more money, which would further encourage more people to set up HNT nodes.
The Helium blockchain uses a unique consensus mechanism called Proof of Coverage (POC). This algorithm verifies the location of Helium Hotspots, which contributes to the blockchain’s success as it depends on providing reliable wireless coverage.
Where Can You Buy Helium Tokens (HNT)?
Helium (HNT) is a relatively new cryptocurrency which is available on limited trading platforms/exchanges. As more crypto investors become aware of this currency, more exchanges are likely to start offering it.
Currently, the following crypto trading platforms offer the Helium coin:
- Binance: This is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. The benefits of purchasing Helium coins here include lower transaction fees than other exchanges and higher liquidity.
- WazirX: A part of the Binance Group, WazirX is India’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange having more than 4,00,000 users. It offers Helium crypto, among other options. It is expanding rapidly and accepts clients from around the world.
- Uphold: This is a highly innovative trading platform offering a number of cryptocurrencies, including HNT. It offers both a desktop website and a mobile trading app for easy trading. It also offers a customisable trading view and a quick one-step ordering service for investors’ convenience.
- KuCoin: This exchange is well-known for offering competitive fees and trading costs. This platform offers a range of services, including P2P exchange, multiple payment modes and many options for cryptocurrencies. It offers Helium in addition to 300 other tokens.
How to Mine the HNT?
The HNT mining process is different compared to other cryptocurrencies, which require high-end GPUs (Graphics Processing Unit). Thus, you do not have to pay expensive electric bills or go through complicated setups to start mining HNT.
Unlike other cryptocurrencies that use the traditional Proof of Work consensus mechanism, Helium uses an advanced PoC based on BFT (Byzantine Fault Tolerance) protocol. It requires miners to validate if their hotspots are providing wireless coverage.
To start mining, you will need special LoRaWAN transmitters and put them on elevated places like rooftops or balconies. The Bobcat Hotspot Miner, Rakewireless Hotspot Miner and the Nebra Helium Indoor Hotspot are some compatible devices for mining HNT. One can download the Helium app and activate the hotspot to start mining.
How to Use the Helium Token (HNT)?
The Helium network offers a unique real-world function over traditional cryptocurrencies. You can easily connect IoT devices on the Helium network with greater security and low power usage. Its decentralised structure offers a unique wireless infrastructure with sufficient data privacy.
Users of the network can mine the Helium crypto based on their network participation. They can sell off their rewards via cryptocurrency exchanges or use them to generate non-exchangeable Data Credits.
How to Choose a Helium Wallet?
According to the Helium developer team, the Helium App is the recommended digital wallet for HNT as it offers a range of uses, including pairing, hotspot set-ups, etc. Another special wallet for Helium is the Command Line Interface Wallet for a more secure experience.
Other than these options, you can store passwords for HNT by using hardware wallets and cold wallets. Wallets like Ledger and Trezor offer the most secure option for storing HNT but they can be expensive for some users. These are well suited for storing large amounts of cryptocurrencies.
On the other hand, software wallets are more convenient for beginners. Many of these are free and can be used on smartphones. Software wallets can be custodial, where the service providers manage and backup on your behalf. Otherwise, they can be non-custodial, which involves securing the private keys on your device.
Why Should You Buy Helium HNT?
Here are some reasons why you may want to consider buying the Helium cryptocurrency:
- Not purely speculative: Helium is one of the rare cryptocurrencies whose value comes from something other than speculation. In addition to earning money due to the increase in Helium crypto prices, helium holders also generate income by adding new hot spots.
- Low electricity usage: Another advantage of Helium is that it uses a unique consensus mechanism that spends minimal electricity. Compared to cryptocurrencies that have been criticised for their high energy usage, HNT uses the equivalent of a single LED bulb to run.
- High rate of transactions: The protocol behind the Helium crypto aims to achieve a high number of transactions per second. Its consensus mechanism allows network nodes to validate transactions even when the connection rates vary.
- Improves upon existing wireless coverage: One of the biggest challenges of IoT devices is their limited range. Helium has a unique radio frequency technology that lets it offer broad coverage to all IoT devices.
- Address privacy issues: A glaring problem of IoT devices is the privacy concerns of a range of devices. Helium’s decentralised nature and consensus mechanism solve privacy concerns with its high security.
Also Read: Shiba Inu Cryptocurrency: Price, Benefits And How To Buy Them?
Final Word
The Helium crypto has presented a new use-case for the blockchain. It has enabled a more power-efficient network connection with wider coverage and greater security. Its aim is to improve the existing wireless coverage of IoT devices by encouraging investors to improve connectivity and get lucrative rewards in return.
FAQs on Helium Crypto
Ans: To earn more money from mining Helium, you can use a dual-stack internet connection. It will allow faster mining when Helium hotspots are in close proximity. However, if you want to avoid sharing rewards, there should be no other Helium hotspots within 300 metres.
Ans: Data Credits are non-transferrable tokens that you can get by burning HNT. These tokens are an accepted payment method for network operations in the blockchain. One can use this to pay transaction fees and for transferring data via Helium LongFi.
Ans: A major risk of the Helium network is the possibility that ISPs (Internet Service Providers) can ban their customers from sharing their bandwidth. Helium users sharing their bandwidth could violate the terms of services between ISPs and their customers, which could result in a possible crackdown.
Ans: There are three distinct roles of the Helium blockchain. These are:
A. Challenger: This hotspot issues POC challenges after every 240 blocks.
B. Transmitter: These hotspots are responsible for sending packet challenges to nearby hotspots.
C. Witness: These hotspots are designed to verify the challenge packet.
Ans: No, every Helium miner has strong encryption that prevents someone else from using your device. Moreover, a 12-digit security phrase is used to secure your HNT wallet. You need physical access to your device and this security phrase to use the miner.
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Disclaimer: Crypto products and NFTs are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions.
Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme-related documents carefully.
This article has been prepared on the basis of internal data, publicly available information and other sources believed to be reliable. The information contained in this article is for general purposes only and not a complete disclosure of every material fact. It should not be construed as investment advice to any party. The article does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the information, and disclaims all liabilities, losses and damages arising out of the use of this information. Readers shall be fully liable/responsible for any decision taken on the basis of this article.
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