The article is devoted to the study of the use of cryptocurrencies in the modern economy and the identification of changes in the financial system under the influence of the use of new technologies. In particular, the problems of using the most common cryptocurrencies are described, their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed, their application areas are examined. The article addresses the issue of developing a national cryptocurrency to ensure the security of its use, in contrast to existing cryptocurrencies. As a result of the analysis of the use of existing cryptocurrencies, it seems that in a number of countries they are already used, since legal regulation has been developed. In Russia, at the moment, all the necessary conditions for the introduction of cryptocurrency into everyday use have not yet been created. This is, first of all, the legislative permission to use cryptocurrency, the presence of people with special knowledge and equipment.