DECRED also has a unique governance model that gives users a say in how the currency is developed. This allows for more democratic decision-making and helps to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are considered.
DECRED is also unique in that it allows for cross-chain atomic swaps. This means that users can exchange DECRED with other cryptocurrencies without having to go through an intermediary. This makes it easier to use DECRED as a payment method.
DECRED is a bitcoin-like currency that uses proof of stake, like Peercoin (PPCoin). It includes various changes on top of this base to allow for on-chain voting and updated default transaction rules that allow for new features like contract management. All of these updates are voted on by users updating their wallet software. This means users directly control the protocol instead of relying on some third party to manage things for them. They can vote with their wallets as they see fit at all times, which leads to less reliance on mining cartels or other centralized groups who might actly towards network participants (e.g. miners) in a way contrary to their best interests.
Bitcoin, on the other hand, is closer to a digital gold than a currency as it doesn't have many of the features that make DECRED useful for payments. Bitcoin Cash (BCH) includes some of these features but does not include voting or contract management abilities. Litecoin (LTC), meanwhile, is similar to Bitcoin but has faster confirmation times and uses a different hashing algorithm. It also has less total coin supply than Bitcoin. Ethereum (ETH) is a platform that allows developers to create decentralized applications using its own cryptocurrency, Ether. Finally, there is Dash (DASH), which is very similar to Bitcoin but focuses on privacy and anonymity features.
Bitcoin is limited by its proof of work mining mechanism. This has led to problems like mining centralization and high transaction fees, due to network participants bidding up on block space. These limitations also make it difficult for Bitcoin to scale as the number of transactions per second limit will quickly be reached, which creates even more competition on block space and drives transaction fees higher still. Finally, there are issues with governance because there is no way for users to directly vote on protocol changes or other proposed changes that would affect them. Thus, decisions about the future of Bitcoin are left in the hands of miners who can self interest but align with user interests.
DECRED uses proof of stake to secure its network instead of proof of work, which helps solve these problems. Users who own DECRED can vote on updates to the protocol and decide what kind of features they want added or removed. This means that the people who actually use the currency get a say in how it is shaped going forward, which is better than letting miners dictate things unilaterally.
One advantage that DECRED has over traditional currencies is that it's easier for people to buy and sell goods using DCR because there are no middlemen like banks involved in exchanges between fiat currency and DCR. Other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin are also starting to see an increase in merchant adoption, but DECRED is still relatively unknown compared to these currencies.
Another advantage that DECRED has over other cryptocurrencies is its governance system. Users can vote on updates to the protocol and decide what kind of features they want added or removed. This means that the people who actually use the currency get a say in how it is shaped going forward, which is better than letting miners dictate things unilaterally. This also allows for more innovation as new features can be added without having to wait for a consensus among all network participants.