Virtual currencies were truly something to marvel at last year. Whereas the stock market is historically the greatest creator of long-term wealth, with average annual gains of 7% inclusive of dividend reinvestment and when adjusted for inflation, it was left in the dust in 2017. In total, cryptocurrency market caps exploded higher by more than 3,300% in just 12 months.Though a number factors were responsible for pushing cryptocurrency valuations higher, the primary catalyst that stood above all else was the rise of blockchain technology.Image source: Getty Images.Continue reading