What are Interest Rates?

There are two terms you must know in regards to interests rates: APR and APY.<\/p>\n<p>When a person takes out credit, they&rsquo;re charged an interest rate which is described as <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"//crypto//learn//crypto-terms//what-is-annual-percentage-rate-apr/">an annual percentage rate (APR)<\/strong><\/strong><\/a>. It determines the amount of interest paid each year based on the full loan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Investors, individuals, or institutions that give out loans aren&rsquo;t the only ones that reap the benefits of interest rates. For example, a bank pays its client an interest rate for holding their personal funds in a savings account provided by the bank. That interest rate defines how much the client will earn over one year and is also known as <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"//crypto//learn//crypto-terms//what-is-annual-percentage-yield-apy/">an annual percentage yield (APY)<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to the cryptocurrency sector, interest rates operate the same for the most part except there are a few extra intricacies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Generally speaking, the cryptocurrency market is <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"//crypto//learn//crypto-terms//what-is-volatility/">volatile. These high levels of volatility make the <strong>interest rate fluctuate significantly over a short period of time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The interest rate is related to the amount borrowed. Therefore, if the borrowed amount increases in value, then the absolute value of the interest rate will increase accordingly. With the exception of <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"//crypto//learn//crypto-terms//what-is-pegged-currency/">currency pegging<\/strong><\/a> at the time of borrowing.<\/p>","definition":"defines the percentage which is charged for taking out a loan.","status":"published","meta_title":"What are Interest Rates? Definition & Meaning | Crypto Wiki","meta_description":"Interest Rates meaning: Interest Rates - defines the percentage which is charged for taking out a loan.","meta_keywords":null,"author":{"id":1,"user_id":1,"created_at":"2023-05-03T14:30:55.000000Z","updated_at":"2023-05-11T07:18:20.000000Z","title":"Editor-In-Chief","slug":"aaron-s-editor-in-chief","description":"<p>Having completed a Master&rsquo;s degree on Economics, Politics &amp; Culture for the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers with a comparative analysis of the differences between US&rsquo; Western and Japan&rsquo;s Collective forms of capitalism, 1945-2020.<\/p>\n<p>With close to a decade of experience in the FinTech industry, Aaron understands all of the biggest issues and struggles that crypto enthusiasts face. He&rsquo;s a passionate analyst who is concerned with data-driven and fact-based content, as well as that which speaks to both Web3 natives and industry newcomers.<\/p>\n<p>Aaron is the go-to person for everything and anything related to digital currencies. With a huge passion for blockchain &amp; Web3 education, Aaron strives to transform the space as we know it, and make it more approachable to complete beginners.<\/p>\n<p>Aaron has been quoted by multiple established outlets, and is a published author himself. Even during his free time, he enjoys researching the market trends, and looking for the next supernova.<\/p>","user":{"id":1,"first_name":"Aaron","last_name":"S.","email":"aaron@bitdegree.org","email_sanitized":"aaron@bitdegree.org","email_verified_at":"2023-12-01T09:40:20.000000Z","must_verify_email":false,"is_registered_with_wallet":false,"status":"active","country":"LT","last_connected_ip":"88.119.132.125","image_id":2641,"referral_token":"05TMu2NysXOCn525","referred_by":null,"created_at":"2023-05-03T14:30:55.000000Z","updated_at":"2024-01-09T15:22:21.000000Z","full_name":"Aaron S."}}}" :chapter-list="[{"id":1,"title":"Blockchain","slug":"blockchain","updated":null,"chapter":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters\/learn-blockchain.jpg","chapter_simple":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters-simple\/blockchain-101.jpg","rating":100,"sections":[{"chapter_id":1,"order":1,"slug":"what-is-blockchain","title":"What is the Blockchain?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":1,"order":2,"slug":"decentralized-blockchain","title":"Anonymous & Decentralized Blockchains: The Cornerstone of Crypto","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":1,"order":3,"slug":"blockchain-transaction","title":"What is a Blockchain Transaction in Crypto?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":1,"order":4,"slug":"crypto-fees","title":"The Different Types of Crypto Fees Explained","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":1,"order":5,"slug":"what-is-bridging-in-crypto","title":"The Key Notion Behind the Concept of Bridging in Crypto","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":1,"order":6,"slug":"types-of-blockchains","title":"Different Types of Blockchains: What to Look Out For?","status":"published","modified_content":null}]},{"id":2,"title":"Cryptocurrencies","slug":"cryptocurrencies","updated":null,"chapter":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters\/learn-cryptocurrencies.jpg","chapter_simple":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters-simple\/cryptocurrencies-101.jpg","rating":100,"sections":[{"chapter_id":2,"order":1,"slug":"what-is-a-cryptocurrency","title":"What is a Cryptocurrency?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":2,"order":2,"slug":"how-does-cryptocurrency-work","title":"How Does Cryptocurrency Work?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":2,"order":3,"slug":"is-cryptocurrency-a-good-investment","title":"Is Cryptocurrency a Good Investment? 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Mining?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":9,"order":3,"slug":"what-is-staking-crypto","title":"An Advanced Look into What is Staking Crypto","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":9,"order":4,"slug":"what-is-proof-of-stake-vs-proof-of-work","title":"Proof-of-Work VS Proof-of-Stake: The Differences That Matter","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":9,"order":5,"slug":"what-is-crypto-mining-rig","title":"Crypto Mining Rig: What It is and How to Build One?","status":"published","modified_content":null}]},{"id":10,"title":"Crypto Terms","updated":false,"chapter":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters\/crypto-101-glossary.jpg","chapter_simple":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters-simple\/crypto-glossary-101.jpg","rating":100,"sections":["A","B","C","D","E","F","G","H","I","J","K","L","M","N","O","P","Q","R","S","T","U","V","W","X","Y","Z"]}]" current-chapter="I" current-section="what-are-interest-rates">