# Hashing and mapping processes

Hashing is a process of mapping digital data to unique output values of fixed length, which are called hash values or hash codes. The hash function used for hashing is designed in such a way that it generates a unique hash value for each input, and even a small change in the input data produces a completely different hash value.

In the context of cryptocurrency data, hashing can be used to map and quantify the universe of crypto assets. By applying a hash function to the data associated with each cryptocurrency, we can generate a unique hash value for each asset that reflects its underlying characteristics and properties. This can be useful for analyzing and comparing different cryptocurrencies, identifying common risk drivers, and developing models for predicting price movements and other market trends.

It is important to note that hashing is a one-way function, meaning that it is practically impossible to reverse the output value to calculate the input data. This property ensures that the hash values generated for crypto assets are secure and cannot be used to reverse engineer the underlying data.

<b>References:</b>
<span>[1] <a href='https://www.twosigma.com/articles/risk-analysis-of-crypto-assets/' target='_blank' class='text-purple-1 underline'>Risk Analysis of Crypto Assets</a></span>
<span>[3] <a href='https://www.toptal.com/bitcoin/cryptocurrency-for-dummies-bitcoin-and-beyond' target='_blank' class='text-purple-1 underline'>Cryptocurrency for Dummies: Bitcoin and Beyond</a></span>