Understanding Blockchain As A Lawyer

October 14, 2021 | Cryptocurrencies, Cryptocurrency Frauds | No Comments

Lawyers follow blockchain developments with great interest. The underlying blockchain technology will lead to a revolution on several fronts.

From the point of view of many lawyers, blockchain will also change the legal world. Lawyers enlisted with LA Century Law recognize these changes and thus take time to understand blockchain as a whole. Lawyers often receive questions related to bitcoin, ICO, and the AFM. Thus, it is their duty to review these questions and provide an answer based on their legality.

It is striking that the media often states that it will mainly concern virtual money (bitcoin or ethereum, or other altcoins), but little is written about the underlying technology, blockchain. Here too, the financial supervisor keeps an eye on developments and (fortunately) recognizes the possibilities.

What is Blockchain?

Blockchain is the structure behind (among other things) the bitcoin network (and now various blockchain networks). It’s a tricky subject but there’s a simple explanation. The blockchain consists of an infrastructure of transactions, which are validated by the network. These transactions are performed within a blockchain network, a decentralized database in which all transactions are registered and validated. The reliability of the transactions is continuously validated by the network itself.

Nodes (computers within a blockchain network) verify all information through algorithmic calculations and then agree on it. When all nodes together have reached consensus, then they agree to the transaction and it is added to the chain of the blockchain as a valid block. Sounds complicated, but is actually simple as it is.

Blockchain: the new internet or is it just hype?

Blockchain is often difficult to handle because blockchain technology is not yet widely applied, but blockchain technology will be widely implemented in the next ten years. Sometimes a comparison is made with a ledger. Lawyers also use a third party (trusted third parties, such as a bank, notary, a broker) for a transaction, but that can change with blockchain technology.

Blockchain is a common, digital administration, in which the blockchain itself ensures the validation of every transaction. The transaction is presented online as a block and that block contains all the information about the transaction. This block is then checked by miners. The miners receive a small compensation for the work they provide. If the miners in the network decide that it is a valid transaction, the block is approved and added to the blockchain. That can be a transaction in money, but it doesn’t have to be.

The possibilities of blockchain are endless. Every transaction can take place via a blockchain; This includes providing certain services, wages, administration, everywhere that currently requires an intermediary, but broad applications can also be applied (controlling drones, robots, etc.).

The advantage of blockchain technology is that the network ensures that no fraudulent transactions can take place. These simply do not pass the control of the blockchain and the transaction does not take place. Moreover, the great advantage of a blockchain is that the transparent administration can always be found in detail. All transactions with data, balances, and properties can be found on the blockchain. That is why the term “single source of truth ” is used.

Blockchain lawyer about risks

At the moment we are still on the eve of the implementation of blockchain technology and it is regrettable that it is also being misused, but lawyers are convinced that the technology will be further evaluated and the world will have changed in ten years’ time. When applying Blockchain technology, privacy (the forthcoming European Regulation on personal data), the financial supervisor (the AFM and the DNB), errors in coding, etc. must also be considered.

By Gabriel Haleigh

Build Income through Monthly Income Investments

September 15, 2021 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

Most people earn their money through purposeful, social, planned and conscious, physical and mental activity.

Passive income, in turn, means generating income without any direct consideration. It thus represents the counterpart to active, work-based income or monthly income investments.

However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to do anything. Passive income is about making regular earnings with a one-time investment. You can either invest financially or in the form of labour.

How long it takes to build a steady passive income depends entirely on the type of income source you choose. One thing is certain. You don’t generate passive income overnight.

Monthly income investments through Cryptocurrencies

To build a passive income with cryptocurrencies, you can choose between several methods.

Mining: With mining, you make your computing power available and receive payment for it in the form of Bitcoin and the like. However, you need advanced technical knowledge and must first invest a lot of money in high-performance hardware.

Staking: Fewer resources are required for staking and, compared to mining, it is a somewhat easier method to generate passive income with cryptocurrencies. They keep money in your wallet and take on various network functions. Checking or verifying transactions is common. You will then receive staking rewards for completing it.

Lightning Node: By operating a Lightning Node, you provide payment channels through which people can carry out their Bitcoin transactions. You will receive fees for every transaction. However, this requires very extensive technical know-how.

P2P loans: To receive interest in return, you can offer your cryptocurrency assets to other private individuals. This method also offers technically inexperienced people the opportunity to earn money with cryptocurrencies.

Acquire customers: Crypto companies are interested in attracting as many users as possible to their platforms. Because of this, they are often willing to pay commissions when you generate new customers for them. You can do this, for example, through advertising, affiliate links or recommendations.

Monthly income investments: Passive Income through crypto and other forms

There are now many people who have earned a golden nose through real estate, stocks or affiliate marketing. And the list is getting longer and longer.

So it can be said that there are many opportunities for passive income. But even with the most successful people, this did not happen overnight.

By Gabriel Haleigh

Crypto Lending: Learning the Definition of this New Trend

August 18, 2021 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

Crypto enthusiasts are frequently invited to “HODL” their resources keeping them safe at a pocket before the purchase cost tag on their preferred money enjoys. But like you’d really come to feel uncomfortable about earning your hard earned money sitting at a bank using a minimal rates of interest, a frequent question is that: just how will you receive your digital money into rise?

This is really where crypto lending is sold from unlike the typical loan where you can finance buying Samsung TV no credit check. Not only does it enable savers to get attention on their paychecks of Bit coin, nonetheless it empowers debtors to recreate the price of their own digital assets using it as security for financing.

Crypto Lending Explained

After investing, among the primary challenges might be cash-flow — and there is nothing worse than needing to repeat the funds you have got tangled up in funds to get shortterm expenses and also lack of liquidity.

Let us suppose Steve has two BTC. He does not desire to market some of it because he is convinced that prices will enjoy significantly. Steve’s also stressed, if he can wind up regretting his crypto, there will become a risk he ultimately eventually ends up with less Bit coin if he buys it back at a subsequent time.

Crypto lending systems may arrive to the rescue. Ordinarily, Steve is going to receive the ability to make use of his Bit coin as security — and be given financing from stablecoins. Due to the volatility of assets that are digital, he will ordinarily need to “overcollateralize,” meaning he will need to lock more BTC compared to overall value of their capital he is receiving.

Once he has reimbursed back the mortgage, and interest, his crypto is going to be returned full — and he will earn a handsome profit when BTC wound appreciating since he called. His crypto could just be in danger when he neglected to stay informed about the loan provisions, or whether the financial importance of this Bit coin maintained as collateral dropped under the worthiness of their loan he’d received.

Thus… if did crypto lending begin to remove? It had been right across the time that savings found a screeching stop in 2020 because of this outbreak. This saw the rates of interest become slashed, and financing for bigticket items require a nose dive. Lots of individuals were searching to find different means to produce their resources benefit them. Crypto loans turned into a fast and effortless means to acquire usage of fiat currencies nearly immediately, all without attempting to sell it. All a sudden, the occasions of Bit coin and Litecoin collecting dust in a market or cold-storage were numbered.

Unlike signature credit credit cards, even unsecured loans are a great deal more stable for your own creditor, allowing the borrower to benefit from inexpensive interest prices.

Crypto currencies can be quite volatile, and which explains the reason these loans are always overcollateralized. This gives insurance to get the creditor if the price of crypto plummet. But this could negatively affect the borrower — specially if the stage that they utilize takes them to consistently maintain their loan to value (LTV) ratio.

Some of the serious bonuses most view in an crypto loan is that, unlike conventional banking, so you wont be susceptible to a own credit history being appraised. Which usually means that financing is much more accessible to folks who do not have a credit heritage, underbanked consumers that do not possess a banking account and also selfemployed workers who battle to access charge because their varying earnings do not meet a bank strict lending criteria. Repayments is also flexible.

And if it usually takes a few days because of loans to clean in the conservative financial realm, BTC loans may be virtually instantaneous. You can also manage to produce your funds liquid without triggering a taxable event — and also you’re able to fix the loan to accommodate your requirements. Users can even switch between crypto resources, and that means you might trace Ether and borrow Tether, on exactly precisely the exact same platform.

ALSO READ: Why Canadians Are Having A Hard Time Saving Money

The Way to Have Yourself a Bit Coin Loan

If you prefer the noise of an BTC loan however, you are not certain where to begin with, you’ve got just two chief options — centralized and decentralized lending systems.

Centralized eco systems like BlockFi, Nexo and also Binance need to follow certain rules and procedures to become compliant. You are going to need to make a free account by simply enrolling in the favorite platform and proceed through Know Your Client procedures which have been set up to reduce fraud and money laundering.

These programs on average have protocols in place to make certain that your security remains safe. Some protect crypto resources via insurance or maintain nearly all the electronic assets within their own custody in cold-storage , meaning they are from an online connection.

Centralized crypto lending systems will still list all withdrawals and deposits using block-chain technology, observable to everybody else, and supply a excellent way to make attention on Bit coin, along side a number of different crypto currencies along with stablecoins such as USDC along with DAI. So to put it in perspective, the ideal 67146 checking accounts rates around scarcely scratch beyond the 1 percent APY markers, yet many programs offer upto 8 percent to crypto rates of interest. It’s well worth doing your own homework to find the very best bargain — and steer clear of paying off fees.

There is more paper work involved in obtaining financing through a CeFi platform, nevertheless the simple fact there is a regulated environment — and also a customer care representative who is simply a click or a call a way — can make these programs more attracting conventional investors.

The 2nd solution for crypto lending is to proceed using a decentralized platform, also called as DeFi such as short.

What Exactly Is DeFi Lending?

DeFi lending systems are wholly decentralized, and trades are managed by code as opposed to by people. On services like Aave, Compound and dYdX, smart contracts utilize protocols and algorithms to automate advance payments.

Anybody can get into the protocols onto a decentralized fund platform, making them completely transparent, as nothing could be hidden on the block-chain. Unlike CeFi programs, there isn’t any middleman or fiscal principle, this usually means that you do not need to undergo a confirmation process just like KYC. But, DeFi interest-rates for crypto lending regularly light compared to that which centralized rivals could offer.

Finding a BTC or even ETH loan — or even another sort of crypto loans onto a DeFi stage — is extremely quick because you will never have to pass all sorts of homework. Due to contracts that are smart, a user will have to do is make an application to your loan and send the crypto they would like to utilize as security to a predetermined wallet connected with the lending stage.

The users of de-centralized lending systems are able to try to qualify for that loan of almost any size without needing to ensure their identity into another party. Loans might be encouraged from stablecoins like USDC, fiat monies, or crypto currencies like Ethereum or even BTC.

On most decentralized and centralized lending systems, you are going to have the alternative to open a checking account together with your crypto, in addition to trade tokens or simply take loans out.

Together with both kinds of financing systems in their first stages, it’s apparent this is a thrilling space to see. There exists a whole good deal of room for growth, and also the capability to get into borrowing with no typical formalities can possibly be considered described as a game changer for the individuals and also the financial services industry.

By Grace Shane

Treasury Department Takes First Step Toward Plans of Regulating Stablecoins

July 19, 2021 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

As response to Federal Reserve Chairman Powell’s warning on the freely traded cryptocurrencies, Treas. Sec. Yellen met with the country’s top regulators today. According to the Treasury Department’s announcement, the discussions will focus particularly on stablecoins, since the Federal Reserve Chairman had said that

”We are seeing cryptocurrencies having something like bank deposits, money market funds or for that matter a narrow bank, all rapidly growing without appropriate regulations.”

The focus on stablecoin is of particular interest since they are freely transferrable like cash, but have been trading in the cryptocurrencies market as well.

The Treasury Department statement said that the working group set to convene today (Monday) will delve into the regulation of stablecoins to foster its growth and innovations in order to significantly alter the rapid growth of highly volatile cryptocurrencies.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen remarked in the statement that their aim in bringing together the top regulators is to assess the potential benefits of stablecoins and to analyze their risks, as well as formulate regulations to mitigate the risks posed to stablecoin users, the trading markets and the financial systems.

The new Treasury Secretary emphasized the importance of collaboration between regulatory agencies in developing regulatory policies that can impact the rapid growth of digital assets. The discussion will also include recommendations for the development of new oversight authorities. Treasury Secretary Yellen expects to receive written recommendations in the coming months.

What are Stablecoins?

While stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency that uses the blockchain technology, they deviate from other digital money because their price value is linked to the value of another asset class like gold or of a specific fiat currency. The purpose of which is to somehow stabilize the price value of each type of stablecoin.

Stablecoins are popular with cryptocurrency investors because the stable nature of their value has made them useful even when trading outside of the volatile cryptocurrencies world. However, they also pose significant risks as some dollar-pegged stablecoins have been found as not actually backed by US dollars, but by combinations of equally volatile assets.

In February of this year, the use of Tether and its associated crypto exchange Bitfinex in New York was banned by NY State Atty. General Letitia James. Mainly because false statements have been made with regard to tether’s currency backing.

Yet stablecoins like other cryptocurrencies open the world to everyone because it dispenses with the need to pass through traditional intermediary institutions like banks, when used for sending payments.

Yet unlike other cryptocurrency of which price values have a tendency to fluctuate wildly in ways that make their values unpredictable, stablecoins enable owners to determine how much their digital asset is worth. This makes stablecoin more practical to use for everyday transactions even outside of the cryptocurrency world.

By Karson Yaara

Suggestions On How To Invest In Bitcoins

April 16, 2021 | Cryptocurrencies, Finance | No Comments

The most recent craze in the financial world is undoubtedly Bitcoin. This virtual currency has been praised by people who believe in the concept. Other critics mainly see Bitcoin as a bubble without any real value. But what are Bitcoins actually? And where can you best invest in Bitcoins?

How can you best invest in Bitcoins?
When you invest or speculate on the price of Bitcoins, you naturally want to achieve the best result. For this, it is important to apply a good strategy. First, it is important to understand that Bitcoin is very news sensitive. Negative news can directly influence the price very negatively and vice versa. When a large party is hacked, the price can immediately collapse. If a bank indicates that it will support cryptocurrencies, this can actually push the price up. If you want to take maximum advantage of investing in Bitcoin such as ‘Yvonne Catterfeld Bitcoin’, it is, therefore, wise to take these movements as much as possible. Be sure to go short on Bitcoin when you expect a drop. When things go badly with Bitcoin, it can drop dramatically. Remember that every percent drop can be a percent gain for you the right way! If you want to buy Bitcoin for the long term, it is important to time it well. The Bitcoin price often moves in waves. The hype comes back to life when mostly positive news comes out. The trick is to buy Bitcoins when the price has plummeted. That way you have the most space to make a nice profit! Investing in Bitcoins is only suitable for the investor with nerves of steel. Do not expect the price to just go up. Set realistic goals and make a plan. That way you increase the chance of success!

What exactly are Bitcoins?
Bitcoin was first introduced in 2008 as a form of virtual currency that was issued without the involvement of Central Banks. The financial crises of the past period have led to a sharp decline in confidence in the banking sector. As a result, investing in Bitcoin was seen by many people as an attractive way to generate income without the intervention of traditional banks. Bitcoins can be mined by discovering specific numbers of 64 digits using an algorithm (a Bitcoin number is somewhat similar to a prime number). When someone has discovered a Bitcoin number, it can be traded. If someone is unable to discover a Bitcoin themselves, they now have the option to purchase Bitcoins or parts of Bitcoins that are offered for sale online. Bitcoin has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. People who bought Bitcoins in the early days made huge profits. It is therefore not surprising that many people are still interested in trading Bitcoins.

Risks of investing in Bitcoins
However, there are also risks. Central Banks, including the Nederlandsche Bank, warn against the risks. The Bitcoin exchange rate is very unstable. The volatility can ensure that you achieve a high return. If you’re not careful, the high volatility can also cause you to lose a hefty amount. Another risk of Bitcoins is the fact that the Bitcoin deposit guarantee scheme does not apply. This is because there is no central issuer of Bitcoin that can be held liable. There are also a number of legal questions. The anonymity of Bitcoin makes it interesting to use the currency in malicious transactions and to finance illegal activities. So it is important to be aware of the risks when you are going to invest in Bitcoin. You can lose your entire investment. There is also the risk that you will be robbed when physically buying Bitcoins.

Timing when investing in bitcoins
Timing is very important when you start investing in bitcoins: this is because the price of the cryptocurrency can fluctuate significantly. If you had invested € 100 in bitcoin in 2020, you would have had assets of almost € 500 million by the beginning of 2021! However, if you step in at the top, you can also lose a large part of your investment. People who invested € 100 at the peak of 2017 had only € 34 at the end of 2018. The problem with timing is that this is very difficult: few people manage to predict the market properly. It may therefore be smart to apply dollar-cost averaging. You then periodically buy up bitcoins, so that you buy at both the depths and the highs. Of course, you can adjust the strategy a bit to the situation: when the price has dropped considerably, you can buy extra and when the price has risen sharply you can even sell some bitcoins.

How can you trade bitcoin safely?
You read a lot of negative experiences about bitcoin on the internet. Precisely because bitcoin is so popular, you see that many people are being scammed. In the hope of getting rich, people buy bitcoins or other crypto coins from an unreliable party. Therefore, make sure that you buy the bitcoins from a reliable party such as Bitvavo In addition, avoid scams and do not accept offers that seem too good to be true. There is no unique formula when it comes to bitcoin investments. You can certainly get a high return with bitcoin investments, but there is also the chance that you will lose a large part of your money. Therefore, only invest in crypto coins with money that you can really afford to lose.

By Gabriel Haleigh

Coindesk Clarifies Coinbase Went Public via Direct Listing Not IPO

April 15, 2021 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

Coinbase has joined the Nasdaq market, which has been drawing much interest, but Coindesk clarifies that the move is not via Initial Public Offering (IPO). CoinDesk’s Managing Director of Research, Noelle Acheson, said Coinbase went public via direct listing, which is a new option available to companies looking to get listed in the stock trading market.

According to Ms. Acheson the clarification is important as the movement to go public “could shape the narrative of the digital asset industry in the future.” However, news media has been misbranding Coinbase’s action as IPO rather than direct listing, which could affect the cryptocurrency company’s equity strategy.

Direct Listing and Its Distinction from IPO

As the Managing Director of Research for Coindesk, Ms. Acheson pointed out that the differences between IPO and direct listing are material, and the misbranding is already causing confusion in the trading market. According to her, direct listing is a new approach to going public which quite interestingly, is suited to a crypto company.

Unlike the shares of an IPO that are distributed at a pre-established price; direct listing shares do not have a pre-established share price.

The pre-established price of an IPO is set by investment bankers based on their estimation on how high the market will bear a price. Investment bankers usually receive a percentage of the total amount raised by an IPO; usually by as much as 7%. They base their estimation on preliminary expressions of interest coming from institutional investors.

In a direct listing, the market’s reaction on the initial day of trading day influences the starting price. Direct listed shares are put on display for a 10-minute period on the first day of trading, to which interested buyers enter their bids, while sellers (the existing shareholders of the company) enter their offers. After which, Nasdaq uses both information in calculating the “current reference price.”

In the case of Coinbase, Goldman Sachs as the company’s financial consultant decides with the concurrence of Coinbase, whether trading for the listing will go ahead with the current reference price. If it’s a go, applicable orders will be entered and executed at the said price once trading commences.

By Karson Yaara

A Quick Look at the Evolution of Cryptocurrency Mining Hardware

February 15, 2021 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

Many in the cryptocurrency industry believe that if not for the creative minds of computer engineers, growth in crypto mining would not have been attained. Originally, bitcoins could be mined using personal computers and laptops. Today, the most efficient bitcoin mining hardware that has stood the test of time is the ASIC bitcoin mining machine.

As the number of bitcoin users grew so did the difficulty of mining for bitcoin as a viable means of acquiring the asset. Yet observers in cryptomining like Associate Professor Rakesh Kumar of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of University of Illinois, had previously remarked that the rising dollar value of bitcoin was the strong motivating factor behind the evolution of mining hardware over the past years.

According to a recent CNBC news article, a $100 bitcoin investment purchased and held since 2009 are now assets worth several millions. Last Thursday, BTC hit another record-breaking price of $48,000, which means a 2009 $100 worth of BTC is now roughly worth $4,800,000. As the turns of events have it, bitcoin has become mainstream in the commodity trading business due to the widespread and substantial participation of traditional Wall Street investors.

Stages of Innovations in the Development of Bitcoin Mining Machines

Several years ago, innovators discovered that the specialized electronic circuit graphics processing unit (GPU) originally designed for gaming applications, demonstrated that when reprogrammed, can perform a range of computational tasks for bitcoin mining purposes.

Although the use of GPU increased efficiency sixfold, compared to using ordinary computers, hardware engineers still looked for solutions to improve cost-effectiveness in bitcoin mining.

In 2011, an integrated circuit called a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) became the next best solution to achieve higher hash rates at low cost. Still, FPGA has to be configured by a computer hardware designer, before it can transform a computer into a highly efficient mining machine; at twice the ability of the highest grade GPU to perform mathematical calculations.

However, configurations must be made on both software and hardware level, which made building a mining machine quite labor-intensive before it can run the code better and more efficiently than a GPU.

In 2013, Chinese company known as Canaan Creative came out with a pre-designed application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which quickly overshadowed the cost efficiency gains of the GPUs and FPGA-built machines. It became the much awaited turning point in the history of bitcoin mining as the innovation led to the production of ASIC computer hardware specifically dedicated and optimized to perform calculations.

Other manufacturers like MicroBT and Bitmain later developed improved versions of ASIC chips combined with highly advanced hardware that can cost-effectively calculate a 100-billion times faster than the average CPU used back in 2009.

By Karson Yaara

Gold IRA And Cryptocurrency IRA For Your Retirement Plan

December 5, 2020 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

Your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is an imperative aspect to your entire retirement plan. One of the key advantages of making use of an IRA is having complete control over it. You also have the freedom to select which financial firm to work with as well as investments. However, with this additional control, extra legwork is also needed in your part in order to set up your account according to your specifications.

The Best Gold IRA

The best gold IRA is one option. But if you would want to hold tangible gold in your IRA, this can’t be regular account as it needs to be separated. Also called precious metal IRA, a Gold IRA functions similarly to a regular IRA wherein it has comparable contribution limits as well as rules on distribution. But, rather than holding paper-based assets such as bonds and stocks, Gold IRA is reserved and allocated for holding real tangible bullion such as gold bars, gold coins as well as other accepted precious metals like silver, palladium, and platinum. Below are three pros of Gold IRAs:

TAX BENEFITS. Just like a standard IRA, Gold IRA has some unique tax treatment. One is that contributions to a conventional IRA are tax-deductible, and approved withdrawals are tax-free from Roth accounts.
GREATER CONTROL. With Gold IRA, it is constantly self-directed, meaning you can manage your holdings directly as well as make every decision in your investment.
LONG-TERM HOLDING. Because IRA is more of a buy-and-hold kind of investment that is long-term, Gold is very much fitting to an IRA wherein you don’t touch your assets until you retire.

Cryptocurrency In IRA

Another option for an IRA is cryptocurrency. The advantages of making an investment on an IRA that is self-directed will differ from one investor to another and will depend on what the investor regards as essential and important. Again, like Gold IRA, Cryptocurrency in IRA has its benefits. Below are some:

POSSIBLE TAX BENEFITS. Provided that you keep or hold your cryptocurrencies in a Digital IRA, whatever growth that your account achieves will entirely be tax-free. Your earnings may be subjected to tax when you make a distribution.
POTENTIAL LONG-TERM GROWTH. With the continuous adoption of cryptocurrencies in various industries and private enterprise, it is predicted that the value of digital currencies such as Bitcoin may reach up to 100,000 USD in a decade.
DECENTRALIZE STRUCTURE. The decentralized structure of cryptocurrencies makes them impervious to institutions that are centralized. This means that values of cryptocurrencies aren’t influenced by central banks and governments.
SECURITY. Cryptocurrency transactions are intermediated as well as verified via p2p protocol of their network of Blockchain which makes them remarkably secure and swift. Furthermore, these digital currencies are kept privately in software wallets that are heavily encrypted.

By Vihaan Shane

The Blockchain Technology And Cryptocurrency In The Sports Betting Market

November 30, 2020 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

Engaging in football betting with bandar bola is one of the most widespread gambling activities that many football (soccer) fans enjoy as it makes it more interesting and adds thrill to the already exhilarating sport. Moreover, with bandar bola, you can be sure that you are in a safe sports betting environment as it is a trusted and licensed soccer betting site in the Asian market.

The industry of gambling, which includes online sports betting and online casino, carry on to evolve to ensure individuals have an excellent gambling experience. As it is a billion-dollar industry, a lot of people are roped into various gambling markets to have a piece of the potentially lucrative betting action. However, as large sums of money are involved, operators need to look for ways and measures to make the environment safe not only for their players but also for them as well.

The Blockchain Technology And Cryptocurrency

People, for centuries, have been wagering on outcomes, and this ever-popular section of gambling is an inherent component of our culture. As most sports depend on competition, individuals feel that betting on their much-loved players, team or competitors is a good idea. With the sports industry experiencing global development, the gambling feature of it undergoes growth and development as well.

Just like other industries, the online gambling industry has now incorporated the use of the blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies due to their great security levels as well as ease of use. As online bookies keep on progressing, it is certain that cryptocurrency will significantly influence the future of the sports betting markets and industry.

Sports Betting With Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies or digital money have entered and become part of the many aspects of the lives of people. The possibility and potential of money that is decentralized is remarkable, and its use may direct towards numerous advancements in payment methods. And as mentioned, even the gambling industry, sports betting most especially, understand the possibilities that cryptocurrency and the blockchain offer, which is why it is now possible to engage in sports betting using various cryptocurrencies.

Many operators and bettors know the time it takes to process payments using legal tender, and it is somewhat long. This is one of the major reasons blockchain and cryptocurrency are used. Because of them being decentralized, digital currencies are way more fitting to be an option for payment compared to the usual payment methods using fiats. Depositing and withdrawing cryptocurrencies are much shorter and quicker, making them an asset that is really favorable and promising among many gamblers. However, when engaging in sports betting with cryptocurrencies, do note that legal regulations for both sports betting and the use of cryptocurrencies vary across the globe. Regardless, it doesn’t remove that fact that cryptocurrencies are safe and secure, which makes them suitable for sports betting.

By Vihaan Shane

Wealthy HNW People Creating a Buzz for Showing Interests in Cryptocurrencies

November 19, 2020 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

There is an increasing number of wealthy people specifically coming the High Net Worth (HNW) sector who’ve been showing greater interest in cryptocurrency. This came as a revelation of the study conducted by the deVere Group, an independent financial advisory organization who conducted a similar survey last year.

What is noteworthy is that this year’s deVere survey shows that about 73% of their respondents expressed interest in buying their own digital assets before reaching 2022; indicating a huge increase when compared to last year’s findings of only 68% who showed inclinations toward investing in cryptocurrencies.

According to the study, it is apparent that many now perceive the potential of digital currencies as the likely money of the future,. Not a few professied interests simply because they do not want to stay behind in the past.

About the deVere Group’s Cryptocurrency Survey

The deVere Group made a timely release of its latest study, as the report came out on the same day when Bitcoin’s total market cap recorded a peak of $336 billion, while bitcoin price rallied to reach over $18,000, almost duplicating the $19,763 record-high milestone achieved in December 2017.

This year’s study involved a survey of more than 700 High Net Worth individuals or HNWs coming from various regions such as Asia, Africa, UK, US, Latin America, Australia, and the Middle East. While the term Net Worth in accounting denotes the value of assets after all liabilities and capitalization have been deducted from assets, the term High Net Worth individuals in the financial markets, refer to those whose uncommitted assets amount to at least US$5 million.

The deVere Group found that almost 75% of the millionaires who responded to their survey are either owners of crypto assets or are of the mindset to invest in cryptocurrencies before the year 2022.is over.

The Increasing Interest in Crypto Assets Among High Net Worth People of Wall Street

The CEO of the deVere Group, Nigel Green remarked that it does not come as a surprise that crypto assets, particularly bitcoin, is attracting numerous rich investors; showing interests on how digital currencies work. After all, Bitcoin is constantly performing well with its year-to-date showing of 125% growth.

Among the rich HNW investors who participated in the survey, not o few are connected with the largest Wall Street Banks,. Several of whom are now trying the cryptocurrency services being offered by PayPal, which mainly offers buying, selling and holding of digital currencies and not as a form of online payment. .

Unlike before when those in Wall Street were at first skeptical of Bitcoin, many are now beginning to accept the concept of digital currencies. Even Jamie Dimon,, the CEO and Chairman of JPMorgan Chase who once said Bitcoin is some sort of a fraud is giving a different opinion. In a latest New York Times interview, Mr. Dimon proclaimed that he is now open to the concept of crypto assets but believes the blockchain technologies supporting cryptocurrencies should be properly backed and regulated.

HNW billionaire Ray Dalio, who is a hedge fund manager still expressed reservations toward cryptocurrencies specifically for Bitcoin. Nonetheless, Mr. Dalio has now expressed willingness to learn about cryptocurrencies and be corrected in his views about Bitcoin. In his tweets, he also mentioned that he still cannot envision big institutional investors, central banks, and multinational companies using digital currencies.

By Karson Yaara

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Bitcoins for Online Casino Gambling

October 20, 2020 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

The use of cryptocurrencies is now supported in many countries that even online casinos are accepting bitcoins as deposit, and in funding customer payouts. While the main advantage of using bitcoins for online gambling activities is keeping one’s anonymity intact, there are also potential drawbacks.

After all, the value of cryptocurrencies tend to fluctuate, because their values depend on the supply and demand attributable to a digital currency.

Bitcoin casinos accepting the digital coins as deposit will only assign a specific amount of casino credit for a player to use. Presumably, the value of the credit is based on the current US$ exchange value of the cryptocurrency at the time of the deposit.

The question that one would ask, is at what US$ value will an online casino convert a customer’s amassed winnings in his account? The likely answer to that is by the same U.S. dollar value that was used in determining the equivalent credit that a player received when he made the deposit.

While there is a possibility that there will be a difference between the USD value of bitcoin at the time of deposit and time of payout, bitcoins as far as online casino transactions are concerned, will have the same effect as having bought and sold bitcoins at the same rate on different dates. That way, an online casino player will refrain from hoarding his winnings and wait until the bitcoin price value goes up.

In the same way, when a payout is requested, a bitcoin casino is obliged to pay a customer at the agreed bitcoin exchange rate, regardless of any increase or decrease in the price of bitcoins at the time of the payout request.

However, it would be wise for a player to carefully review the terms and conditions of the bitcoin casino before deciding to become a member.

Are there Online Bitcoin Casinos Operating in Asian Countries?

If there is any region where the use of bitcoins for gambling is practical, it would be in Southeast Asia. While trusted online gambling operators in countries like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand use Virtual Private Network (VPN) in order to keep gambling transactions private and undetected, some are also accepting bitcoins as additional protective shield. One Asia facing bitcoin gambling site that we know of is 918kiss Bitcoin Casino.

Even in Asian countries, a traditional online casino deposit and payment system still transacts either by way of bank accounts or e-wallets. The drawback however is that in the event that an online casino customer hits a huge jackpot, the bank involved in the payout will have to report the transaction, in compliance with the international Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).

As opposed to the use of bitcoins as a medium for deposit and payouts, blockchain transactions remain confidential and anonymous. Banks and other payment processors on the other hand, are required to report details of large financial transactions to the proper government authorities; including the name of the account holder and the nature of the financial transaction.

By Karson Yaara

Cryptocurrency: things to consider when looking to buy bitcoin cash

September 23, 2020 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

With any investment in cryptocurrencies or any financial investment, it is important to consider security. This is particularly essential to brokers around the globe.

Choose your preferred payment method carefully

First of all, choosing a suitable payment method is of course particularly important. Different payment methods will be available in different places around the world, which means that you should definitely consider the speed and cost of each payment system available.

Will you have to set up your own wallet?

It is also very important to consider whether you need to set up your own wallet before buying bitcoin cash. Bitcoin cash customers need a wallet to adequately secure their money. There are wallet systems that are integrated into exchanges, but they are very prone to theft.

Comparison of costs

Fees and costs are of course always important, which is why this is an important decision criterion. It should be noted that using a cryptocurrency as a form of payment and transfer is much more reasonably priced compared to traditional methods. Costs and fees linked with bitcoin cash are commonly negligible.

Security and Protection

Security is obviously the absolute key to any cryptocurrency system, and therefore the precautions bitcoin cash has taken are extremely important. It should first be acknowledged that bitcoin cash was introduced because of concerns, both developer and community that the leading cryptocurrency in the market would be difficult to scale in the future. Therefore, the blocks in the bitcoin cash network are eight times larger than those of Bitcoin, which increases the security of bitcoin cash.

Bitcoin cash ownership is defined by bitcoin cash addresses, digital keys, and digital signatures. The keys are stored and created in the wallets of the users which are independent of the bitcoin cash protocol completely.

Every bitcoin cash transaction requires a valid signature in order to be included in the higher-level blockchain, and this can only be generated once the valid digital key is entered. Bitcoin cash aims to deliver on Bitcoin’s original promise as a peer-to-peer electronic currency by guaranteeing that users pay lower costs and fees than bitcoins while getting access to more dependable confirmations and rapid transactions.

By Gabriel Haleigh

FB’s Calibra to Offer Payment Processing Services in Lieu of Libra Cryptocurrency

August 18, 2020 | Cryptocurrencies, Finance | No Comments

The latest about Facebook’s cryptocurrency project known as Libra, is Calibra’s shift in the development of a conventional payment processing system.

The partnership with the non-profit Libra Association is no longer focused on developing blockchain technology to support FB’s Libra token. It can be recalled that the plan encountered serious opposition from legislators and regulators. During last year’s Congressional hearings, FB officials who were grilled by House Representatives failed to provide credible defense of its ability to protect potential consumers, who will consider using the Libra cryptocurrency.

Can FB’s Calibra Offer the Same Financial Services of WeChat Pay?

The opposition to Facebook’s cryptocurrency project is mostly due to the social media site’s involvement in several scandals affecting the security and privacy of user information. Nonetheless, the FB subsidiary still plans to launch a payment processing system called Facebook Pay.

In doing so, FB will be able to offer FB users the same e-wallet services that leading mobile social-app WeChat provides to its millions of app users. Although it is not yet clear if Calibra will have the same features as WeChat Pay and its QR Code payment protocols.

The Calibra platform’s digital payment system will accept government-backed currencies like the U.S. dollar, U.K pounds, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars and the likes. Eventually, Calibra’s payment systems will include Libra tokens as part of the currency options available to FB users

FB’s payment processing subsidiary is set to launch its platform in October, after Trump’s ban on the China-developed mobile messaging and social app WeChat, takes effect on September 20, 2020.

However, it is still not clear whether U.S. lawmakers and regulators will allow Facebook to operate its Calibra subsidiary as a financial services provider, Zuckerberg’s plans to capture former WeChat app users via a Calibra app, can still face regulatory pressures.

By Karson Yaara

Retail Brokers And Cryptocurrency Brokers

July 26, 2020 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

One of the quickest growing brokers online in Europe is Degiro for retail investors. When you check out degiro review, you’d see that they have a transparent pricing structure and is leading in the market in terms of commissions and fees. They are oparting at a global scale and typically provide execution direct to market instead of via a local subsidiary. Moreover, the company also offers markets in bonds, stocks, futures, options, warrants and CFDs.

Degiro has gathered various awards and recognition in different nations. In Netherlands, for instance, they were merited first place in a survey conducted in 2015 as the Financieel Dagblad’s cheapest broker. Also in 2015, they also won the Golden Bull Award wherein Dutch brokers are evaluated in diverse categories, like trading opportunities, terms and conditions, commission fees, as well as investment tools.

Who Are Retail Brokers?

In the realm of investments, a broker is a company or someone who serves as an intermediary, a middleman, between the buyer and the security seller. Usually, brokers are obligated to be registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as with an organization that is self-regulatory like the Industry Regulatory Authority. Brokers principally working with institutional investors are called institutional brokers, whereas brokers serving individual investors are referred to as retail brokers.

What Do Retail Brokers do?

Licensed sales agents working for a retail brokerage companies who are certified to sell securities are usually called “registered representatives.” They may be trained to be able to impart investment advices to clients on particular kinds of securities as well as sell securities to make commissions for their company.

Retail brokers, because of regulator restraints, purely act as an intermediary. Hence, they don’t take any position or risks in the financial markets. However, they work at the core of the market and function to be in frequent contact with top players in major financial centers, such as insurance companies, banks, huge private companies and more, which allows to obtain unique, exclusive, and thorough knowledge and awareness of financial markets. Hence, they are able to confirm market liquidity, respond quickly to the needs of their clients with professionalism and confidentiality.

Who are Cryptocurrency Brokers?

With the advent, rise and use of cryptocurrency in various places across the world, people now also invest on it, and there are brokers who deal with these digital currencies. A broker, traditionally, is an individual or a firm that serves as a financial intermediary for people who would want to exchange fiat money for a certain service or product.

Somewhat similar to a traditional broker, a cryptocurrency broker offers financial services online for users or individuals who would like to buy or sell certain cryptocurrencies. It is recommended that people who are new to buying and selling cryptocurrencies or who are new to the cryptocurrency market hire the service of a cryptocurrency broker as they could present you with the most fitting environment to buy or sell the most appropriate cryptocurrency in the market.

By Vihaan Shane

Singapore Moves Forward w/ Law Legitimizing Cryptocurrency as Payment Mode

May 13, 2020 | Cryptocurrencies, Finance | No Comments

The government of Singapore has taken a step forward in recognizing cryptocurrencies as legal tender through the Payment Services Act (PSA).

The Act, which passed parliamentary legislation last January 2020 includes cryptocurrency as among the specific payment services allowed as part of the country’s payment systems; officially categorizing digital coin payments under “digital payment token services.”

The PSA sets the regulatory guidelines that the Monetary Authority of Singapore will follow in overseeing not only cryptocurrency operations but all other payment services currently being utilized in the country’s payment system.

The list of specified payment services mentioned in the new legislation includes: payment accounts creation, local money transfers, foreign or cross-border money transfers, merchant-purchases payment services, e-money issuances, digital or cryptocurrency payment services and money-changing activities.

MAS Allows 7 Cryptocurrency Firms to Operate Pending License Approval

As a demonstration of the government’s willingness to promote new and innovative payment methods, the Monetary Authority of Singapore gave 7 cryptocurrency operators temporary authority to operate.

Within a period of 6 months, Coinbase, Binance, Bitstamp, Luno, Gemini, Wirex and Upbit can offer cryptocurrencies as modes of payment, while pending the MAS’ decisions on whether to approve or reject their respective license application.

Their immediate acceptance as part of Singapore’s payment system was in line with their early compliance in notifying MAS about their cryptocurrency operations in Singapore

By Karson Yaara

Swiss Crypto Exchange Gives Europeans Alternative Access To Gold

March 25, 2020 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

The Swiss crypto exchange Smart Valor lists the cryptocurrency PAXG and thus gives investors alternative access to gold.

The global health crisis and shaky financial movements have led people sorting to personal loans for bad credit to meet basic needs. And while global stock markets are still in the corona crisis, crypto companies are preparing to offer investors alternative ways to invest in gold.

PAX Gold – Paxos brings Gold to the Blockchain

One of these projects is the cryptocurrency PAX Gold ( PAXG ) attached to physical gold because from now PAXG can also be traded in the currency pair Swiss Franc (CHF) and British pound (GBP).

The new currency pairs were made available since March 19 after the digital trading platform Smart Valor the cryptocurrency in their quotation has taken.

The New York-based crypto companies Paxos had his tethered to gold cryptocurrency 2019 on the market brought. On Smart Valor, it can be traded in euros (EUR) and US dollars (USD) in addition to CHF and GBP. There are also currency pairs with the market-leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin ( BTC ) and the stable dollar tether ( USDT ) linked to the US dollar.

While Smart Valor speaks of being the first European crypto exchange to list the PAXG, a spokesman for Paxos confirmed to Cointelegraph that this will allow PAX gold to be traded in CHF and GBP for the first time. The cryptocurrency is also the first gold-linked asset on Smart Valor.

According to Paxos, the PAXG is also available on the Kraken, HitBTC, BitThumb and itBit crypto exchanges.

Tokenized gold as a lifeline?

Olga Feldmeier, Managing Director of Smart Valor, says the coronavirus crisis is a driving reason for the listing of PAX Gold. As the American central bank announced on March 15 that it would lower the key interest rate to 0%, savings assets are increasingly at risk of depreciation.

“With the outbreak of Corona, we could find ourselves in a new economic crisis that is taking the extracts from the Great Depression of 1930. In these times, investors need a real alternative to protect their savings. For this reason, we decided to offer tokenized gold on the SMART VALOR trading platform. ” — Olga Feldmeier |Smart Valor

Paxos emphasizes that gold was largely able to maintain its value despite the crisis since the precious metal is a so-called safe haven. The crypto company also indicates that it has approval from the New York financial services regulator.

As Cointelegraph reported, Paxos launched PAX Gold in September 2019 as the “first cryptocurrency that can be exchanged for physical gold”.

Another argument for the PAXG is the fact that the Ethereum-based crypto token is tradable around the clock. Because some big exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange closed its doors due to the corona threat, this led the crypto markets are increasingly popular because they can be reached at any time.

“When the stock exchanges are closed and a financial crisis threatens, the crypto markets suddenly become an unexpected source of liquidity for many. The cryptocurrency and tokenized asset markets are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and never take a break, even if all other markets do. ” — Gunnar Jaerv|First Digital Trust,

By Grace Shane

BTC Analysis – Will Price Stay Above $5000 In The Days To Come

March 18, 2020 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

After a very troubling week in all financial markets, bears also seem to have won on the Bitcoin (BTC) market. A sharp drop towards $ 3,800 crashes the price more than 50% in one day. And that movement makes one of the biggest and fastest crashes ever on the Bitcoin price. So before considering other investments in the Stocktrades list of dividend stocks, you may want to look at your investments on Bitcoins first and consider your options.

Strong support levels are easily broken and technical analyzes are therefore more difficult. The worldwide fear of the Coronavirus has a grip on all markets. Time to take a new look at the charts.

BITCOIN WORST CASE & BEST CASE SCENARIOS

Bitcoin analysis: filtering noise

The end of a very restless week is approaching, with the price currently hanging around $ 5,000. Again exactly on strong weekly support, to which we may attach little value.

Where we could normally expect a turnaround, we can now say carefully that it is quite possible that we will continue to go down.

One way to filter out as much noise as possible is to zoom out a lot further than usual. Hence I look at the higher timeframes. In order to get a longer-term picture, than all the noise that is currently seen on lower timeframes. Then it is somewhat possible to make a better analysis.

Bitcoin (BTC) weekly chart

To begin, we look at the weekly chart to see how the price is trying to hold out above the $ 5,000 zone. An important point for the coming days to keep.

Because this has often served as support and resistance in the past. However, the level may be a final straw from the bulls, who anxiously thumbs at good news regarding the Coronavirus and all other markets.

A piece of bullish news can ensure that the support is strong enough and that a reversal will actually take place. Which can last for a short time, but with some new power from bulls can push the course considerably.

A gloomy week ahead despite reversal?

However, it must be taken into account that it will also look gloomy in the coming week. With new drastic measures, which ensure that not only regular markets continue to crash, but Bitcoin will also respond to this. A new test to $ 3,600 is therefore not out of the question.

Support at $ 4,800, $ 4,200 and $ 3,600

On the daily chart of Bitcoin, we see that with a possible further decline, support is still at USD 4800 and USD 4200 before USD 3600 will become a reality.

Although a major flash crash to $ 2500 would not be out of the question. Should the price make the previous movements and again make a crash of 50%.

In a bullish scenario, an ascent to $ 5800 will already be very important and breaking it can give the market some peace of mind again. In addition, rapid recovery can be taken into account.

From the past, we see that solid panic on the market can also recover very quickly and bring prices to old levels within a few days. For now, it is especially very careful and then hope for a piece of good news before trading on your next cryptocurrency.

By Grace Shane

UK Cryptocurrency Firms Face Tougher Regulations Under the Brexit Regime

February 6, 2020 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

After Great Britain’s Brexit, or withdrawal from the European Union, became official last January 31, 2020, the country’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) came out with a formal announcement of its sole authority to monitor and regulate cryptocurrency-related activities.

According to the FCA announcement published last January 10, 2020, the focus of supervision will be the UK-registered businesses engaged in cryptocurrency operations and their compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF) regulations and requirements.

Even prior to Brexit, the FCA had issued a warning in July 2019 to UK-based cryptocurrency firms. As a regulatory body, it deems cryptocurrencies as “ill-suited” to offer as investment products to small investors. The FCA believes that cryptocurrencies offered as exchange-traded notes and derivatives, pose a great risk to consumers due to the widespread misinformation about them as a financial product.

The Financial Conduct Authority is the regulator for all financial services companies and financial markets in Great Britain. On the other hand, banks, credit unions, insurers, major investment firms and building societies, are under the regulatory supervision of the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), to which the primary goal of regulations is to promote the safety and soundness of those types of firms.

FCA’s List of Requirements for Cryptocurrency Businesses Based in the UK

Along with the announcement of its authority to regulate UK firms engaged in cryptocurrency operations, the FCA also provided a list of requirements with which such businesse must comply.

1. Conduct risk identification and assessment pertaining to AML and CFT

2. Development of policies and controls aimed at eliminating identified risks related to AML and CFT.

3. Apply customer due diligence by identifying and verifying customers by obtaining customer name and photograph based on an official document confirming a person’s identity, date of birth and residential address.

The FCA also stated

“We intend to proactively supervise compliance with the new regulations, and will take quick action when and where firms fall short of desired standards in ways that cause risks to the integrity of the UK market”

By Karson Yaara

China’s Cryptography Law Takes Effect : Introduction of First National Cryptocurrency to Follow

January 18, 2020 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

China’s Cryptography Law, which the National People’s Congress legislated and passed sometime in October 2019, took effect last January 01, 2020. The law intends to regulate cryptocurrency encryptions as a way of strengthening the safeguards against the threats posed by cryptocurrency operations to China’s national security.

In fact instead of combatting the blockchain technology system supporting cryptocurrency operations, the China’s State Cryptography Administration (SCA) of the Chinese Communist Party, developed the guidelines on how cryptography should be used by both the private and public sector.

According to reports, it took the SCA five (5) years to develop the initial draft that details the guidelines promulgated as Cryptography Law. Although viewed as a way of fostering the cryptocurrency business in China, it is largely perceived as a precursor to future laws that will govern the use, operation and application of China’s own Central-Bank backed cryptocurrency.

Currently called as the Central Bank Digital Currency or CBDC, its introduction will make China the first country to introduce a national cryptocurrency unit.

Overview of What China’s Cryptography Law Includes

The primary purpose of China’s Cryptography Law is to regulate encryption in its use for cryptocurrency operations that fall in line with the blockchain technology. The Cryptography legislation enumerates and describes three different types of encryption : Core, Common and Commercial encryptions.

Core and Common encryptions pertain to codes used in safeguarding all state secrets, which are further sub-categorized as “Secret,” “Highly Secret” and “Top Secret”. The Cryptography Law requires all agencies of the public sector to use core and common encryption in storing and transmitting state secrets contextual to China’s national security.

Private sector firms on the other hand have to use Commercial codes to protect their proprietary trade secrets.

In imposing the Cryptography Law, the main guiding principle is the protection of China’s national security. Therefore the new law sets forth guidelines on how cryptography should be used to help safeguard national security against cyber security threats on a nationwide scale.

Threats include encryption efforts deemed as causing harm to the Chinese Communist Party and any application that undermines public interest and the country’s national security.
That being stated, China’s Cryptography Law also gives details about punishment on anyone found using codes that threaten the state and its citizens.

Moreover, the law specifically states that companies in the business of providing cryptographic systems to consumers must first undergo examination and and authentication performed by the Chinese state.

China’s Cryptography Law Does not Bar Foreign Participation in China’s Cryptocurrency Industry

Enactment of the Cryptograph Law does not bar foreign users and providers of foreign encryption systems to participate in the country’s cryptocurrency industry.

However, international legal experts are wary of the conditions under which foreigh digital currency will work. The Cryptography Law allows a foreign cryptocurrency entity’s participation provided it merits the approval and certification of the state; albeit without any clear descriptions on how this condition can be met.

The condition also denotes that the Chinese government has the right to examine the underlying source code of any new digital currency technology, as a means of ensuring the protection of national security. It worries lawyers that in vetting a cryptocurrency company toward the issuance of a certification, the Chinese government will have backdoor access to the private and/or foreign entity’s cryptocurrency system.

By Karson Yaara

Trump Says Cryptocurrencies Are Not Real Money

November 13, 2019 | Cryptocurrencies, Finance | No Comments

Crypto currency, aka cryptocurrency, has become one of the non-cash transactions that is currently developing in the world.

Many transactions, including buying and selling in cyberspace, can use crypto assets, such as Bitcoin. One can even take out loans against their crypto assets. Although this may not work on other transactions such as car accident loans (presettlement funding).

Despite the growing popularity and acceptance of cryptocurrency, there are still quite a lot of countries that are gray about this to the point of banning the use of crypto.

Only One Real Currency?

US President Donald Trump has criticized the circulation of cryptocurrencies. In a series of tweets, Trump said he was not a fan of bitcoin et al. In fact, he called them not money.

“I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, where they are not money, and the value is very volatile because it is based on the intangible,” Trump wrote.

Trump said cryptocurrency assets that are not regulated properly will only produce bad things, such as drug trafficking and other illegal activities. Not only that, but Trump also touched on the new cryptocurrency launched by Facebook, Libra. According to him, Facebook must comply with US banking regulations such as other national or international banks. He said Facebook must have official Charter Bank licensing documents if it issued Libra.

Trump rails against Facebook’s planned cryptocurrency

Chairman of the American central bank, The Fed, Jerome Powell; Minister of Finance, Bruno Le Maire; and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney is a series of officials who do not like the presence of Libra.

“We only have one real currency in the US, and it is stronger than ever, strong and reliable. So far, the currency is the most dominant in the whole world and will remain that way. The currency is the American dollar,” chirped Trump.

There is truth about the fluctuating price of Bitcoin, Trump has a point. If you remember, the price of bitcoin has continued to decline in 2018. At the end of November 2018, the bitcoin exchange rate touched its lowest point at 4,833.09 US dollars. The price of bitcoin went up in 2019. In fact, at the launch of Libra at the end of June, a single bitcoin bit broke through more than 10,000 US dollars.

The Blockchain System In Terms of Reliability

All data is always alive and disseminated to all participants in the blockchain system, thus increasing data reliability because it does not depend on just one provider that requires secondary investment costs such as a DRC (Disaster Recovery Center) system to support operating reliability. If a node belonging to a bank fails, there is nothing to worry about. He will receive the latest data when alive and reunited.

The unit of information received and sent can be considered as a new ‘currency’ whose value is agreed upon by each bank, and this is a new treasury business opportunity for each participating bank and relinquishes bank dependency from one of the most dominant currencies at once able to hedge the original currency used.

By Grace Shane

The Effect of Cryptocurrency to Affiliate Marketing

November 9, 2019 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

Cryptocurrency through the block chain technology was created in 2008 as a transaction book register for the public. However, cryptocurrency or bitcoins were not common terms within the household up till 2017. During that year the fame of bitcoin erupted.

Individuals who are not used to cryptocurrency were immediately engaging themselves to buying and selling of the bitcoin. Starting 2017 until now, bitcoins and cryptocurrencies are heard all over the market place. Thus, crypto and bitcoins are planting a great impact on affiliate marketing.

Defining Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is a currency in digital form that is usually decentralized. Moreover, this is not governed by any units within the national government. This kind of digital currency is created to be more safe compared to cash. The reason for this is because it is very impossible for it to lose.

Also, it is not possible to fake it due to firm encryption, or the method through which it is confirmed via cryptography. And due to the penetration of the digital technology, predictions are at hand that physical coins and paper money will just be a story of the past. That would renounce the industry prepared for the digital figures of currency.

THE BITCOIN

Among all the 1,600 forms of cryptocurrencies available today, bitcoin is the most popular. In the year 2018, bitcoin popularity hit high succeeding the price escalation of above $20,000 per single bitcoin. This value attracts investors, traders, and the public.

The Way Cryptocurrency Is Being Used

By purchasing cryptocurrency, an individual is provided with a digital opener containing the address of the crypto. This can be used to authenticate and acclaim transactions. People who want to buy bitcoin can purchase it and stock it in digital crypto wallets.

Just like with the stock market, cryptocurrency worth rise and fall as people buy it and trade it.

THE TURNING UP CRAZE IN AFFILIATE MARKETING

Many marketers of the digital industry today are seeing cryptocurrency being the point of interest in the field of affiliate marketing programs. One of which is in the aspect of crypto-based affiliate programs. Cryptocurrency is not completely recognized on some online platforms such as Facebook and even Google. That’s the reason why most affiliate marketers are digging their own soil to cultivate this business within the industry.

New platform models related to crypto trading business with the inclusion of affiliate programs are showing out most of the time. One example of the trading platform is the Binance which was launched on the year 2017. Binance also emerge as the largest platform for trading cryptocurrency based on traffic. This platform offers about 20-40% long-term commission on trading fees for every referral of new customers.

There are other famous programs about affiliate marketing and these include the CoinPayments, Coinbase, LedgerWallet, Purse, and Changelly. Moreover, training for this affiliate programs are also available to guide you in making bucks. Training programs like this teaches people about the affiliate industry and this is about Affiliate Institute. On the other hand, crypto-based affiliate marketing investment doesn’t have to be grand.

By Gabriel Haleigh

SEC Dismisses Bitcoin ETF Proposal : Bitcoin Market Not Mature Enough

October 20, 2019 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) finally came out with an official decision to dismiss proposals for creating a Bitcoin ETF market. The rejection though does not come as a surprise to Bitcoin ETF proponents, given the complexity of how cryptocurrency exchanges work via the blockchain technology.

According to legal experts, the SEC’s main worries include the bitcoin market’s high level of potential for fraud and manipulation; whilst regarded by U.S. regulators as an investment tool that is yet too small and still immature to support.

Although Bitwise officials contended in its proposal that the need for a Bitcoin ETF arises from their research findings that 95% of crypto currency tradings are not legitimate, this reasoning did not work to support its case.

What Makes a Bitcoin ETF Different from Bitcoin?

Bitcoin may be the largest digital currency in the crypto money market but is still unregulated, despite its popularity as a digital asset that can be exchanged and traded for profit.

If recognized by the SEC as legitimately traded investment tool, the price of Bitcoin ETF will be monitored and tracked. That way, interested bitcoin investors need only to determine the current price and market performance of bitcoins, without having to own and trade bitcoins just to do so.

An SEC approved Bitcoin ETF eliminates the need to be invested in bitcoin, which comes with worries on how to best deal with the complexities of its storage and security features. Bitcoin digital money is unlike the more common types of ETFs, such as shares of stocks and/or commodities bonds, which simply have investors looking closely at a related price when venturing into buying or selling an ETF commodity as an investment asset.

In becoming a Bitcoin ETF, the cryptocurrency becomes a type of marketable security that investors can buy and trade based on current index price and performance. As such, bitcoin companies will be under SEC’s system of surveillance-sharing agreement, to which they will allow tracking and close monitoring of how the bitcoin digital money is moving in terms of buying and selling activities.

The bitcoin though flows in a largely unregulated environment; making the SEC hesitant to allow a Bitcoin ETF participating as a type of publicly traded investment tool.

By Karson Yaara

Key Players To Make The Blockchain Technology And Cryptocurrency Mainstream

October 14, 2019 | Cryptocurrencies, Finance | No Comments

Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin in particular, has about 14 million in distribution despite its instability. Because of its volatility, free and paid crypto signals are available in the market for real time trade recommendations and ideas to ensure users and investors do trades that are favorable to them.

Investors who are surmising the future potentials of the blockchain and cryptocurrency have pushed most of the present market cap, and this is probably to continue until a particular measure of stability in value as well as acceptance in the market is realized. Aside from the specified value, those invested in crptocurrency seem to be depending on a distinguished “inherent value” of crypto.

The public ledger of the blockchain technology underlying cryptocurrency has the capacity to disturb an extensive multiplicity of transactions, including the usual systems of payments. These ropes in bonds, stocks, as well as other financial assets wherein records are digitally put in storage and where it presently necessitate a reliable intermediary to verify transactions.

Key Market Players to Forward the Evolution of Cryptocurrency

For the cryptocurrency market to attain its subsequent stage in its progression en route for mainstream acceptance as well as steady expansion, key market players have an important role to play.

Consumers and Merchants

Cryptocurrencies offer consumers cheaper as well as quicker peer-to-peer alternatives for payment compared to those offered by the usual financial service providers, not having to supply any personal data. Although cryptos carry on to get some approval as an option for payment, volatility of price as well as the speculative investments urge consumers to not make use of crypto to buy products and services but to trade it instead.

Tech Developers

Numerous brilliant tech developers have dedicated their efforts to mining cryptocurrency, whereas others have concentrated on activities that are more entrepreneurial in nature like creating wallet services, exchanges, as well as alternative digital currencies. For the crypto market to get acceptance from the mainstream, consumers and businesses will have to see crypto as a solution that’s user-friendly as compared to the usual transactions. Moreover, the industry must develop teachnologies and protocos for cybersecurity.

Investors

Generally, investors seem to be certain of the opportunities linked with crypto as well as cryptography. The underlying technology’s “inherent value” provides investors with a reliable reason to be hopeful about it.

Regulators

The governments’ attitudes are erratic in terms of the classification, management as well as the legality of crypto. Furthermore, regulations in various regions are evolving at dissimilar paces.

Financial Institutions

For a long time, financial institutions like banks have linked individuals with money to those who require it. However, this intermediary status has been weakened, and disintermediation in the sector of banking has quickly evolved. The outcome is the emergence of Internet banking and the increased utilization of alternative methods of payments by consumers.

By Vihaan Shane

Should UK Seniors Consider Equity Release Mortgage and Cryptocurrency Investment as a Means of Increasing Retirement Funds?

October 12, 2019 | Cryptocurrencies, Finance | No Comments

Many of the UK’s elderly population are looking for ways to beef up their retirement fund while still able. The most common financial tool they have resorted to is the equity release mortgage. It is a type of loan available to older adults who are at least 55 years old or older, which allows them to take out a loan using their real property as collateral.

Overview of an Equity Release Mortgage

A loan under an equity release arrangement offers older adults the chance to borrow money that does not have to be paid off periodically and immediately. Settlement of the debt will take place at a future time; either when the senior borrower passes away or has reached a point of needing long term care in a nursing home.

The equity release scheme operates on the principle that real property appreciates in value. Therefore, the proceeds of a future sale based on the appreciated value, will more than cover the total amount due on the outstanding loan including all interests compounded through the years. The only drawback is that the lump sum payment will greatly reduce the potential value of the senior borrower’s legacy for his or her heirs.

Nonetheless, equity release mortgages in the UK are backed with a No-Negative Equity Guarantee. This feature ensures that in case the total debt exceeds the proceeds from the sale of the property, the agreement does not include a transfer of debt to the borrower’s heirs. Once the property has been sold to satisfy the borrower’s equity mortgage debt, the loan will be deemed as fully paid.

Still, to avoid equity release deals that impose unreasonable demands and conditions, it would be best for seniors to enter into this kind of agreement with the help of a professional financial adviser. The first step to take when considering to borrow money under this scheme, is to determine how much can be availed — by using an equity release calculator uk lenders use in calculating how much they can offer.

Is it Wise for Seniors to Invest in Cryptocurrency?

Often times, scrupulous individuals consider senior citizens as easy pray for their scams or illegal activities. Knowing that most retirees have some money stashed away for their golden years, scammers or swindlers often target easy-to-convince seniors.

Although cryptocurrency is receiving much attention as a lucrative form of investment, this is one type of money-making tool that retirees should not at all consider. First and foremost is the fact that the UK government is not supportive of the blockchain technology. The lack of regulatory oversight, makes the platform highly susceptible to manipulations, cyber attacks, and illegal operations.

Last year, major banks in the UK have been weeding out deposit accounts that seemingly engage in cryptocurrency trading. Banks are wary that the frequency and the amounts involved in the exchange could be indicative of money laundering activities. As a result, the crackdown on bank deposits used by cryptocurrency dealers and miners for their exchanges, involved freezing of the accounts. This was regardless of the depositors’ clean and long-standing records with the bank, and their reputation as law abiding UK subjects.

That being the case, it would be best for senior citizens not to be entangled in such transactions, lest they find their retirement money frozen for an indefinite period of time.

By Karson Yaara

How Crypto-backed Loans Benefit Borrowers and Lenders

August 25, 2019 | Cryptocurrencies, Finance | No Comments

More and more individuals are taking out consumer loans as they could be very helpful and useful, especially now that there are more lending companies and options which are alternatives to traditional loans taken from banks. For example, the American Pride Legal Funding provides automobile accident settlement loans which could be issued quickly after approval. Such loans make it easier for individuals to settle any unforeseen expenditures.

Most consumer loans are secured, which means that a collateral is needed to acquire a loan. Collaterals depend on the type and amount of loan you are getting. With the increase and progress of online lending as well as technology itself, cryptocurrency could now be used as collateral to obtain a loan.

Known as crypto-backed loans, these loans are secured or insured by crypto or digital currency assets, meaning fiat money are lent or loaned in exchange for cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, Ether, or Litecoin as security or guarantee for payment. Many crypto holders take put crypto-back loans since the loan process is uncomplicated and the fiat money is directly transmitted into the bank account or digital wallets of the borrower.

Crypto holders may find crypto-backed loans to be a very cost-effective means for managing the digital currency as necessitating access to the fiat money (typically US dollars). So how can crypto-backed loans be used? Here are some:

Compensate for travel expenditures like vacation trips
Purchasing a home or investing in real estate
Financing a business startup or business undertakings and operating costs
Consolidating or settling debts
For other personal purchases or products and services

How Crypto-backed Loans Benefit Borrowers?

Lenders don’t usually do credit history checks as well ask for evidence of payment capability. This could be regarded as a major likelihood of credit risk.

Loans could be easily and directly transferred to your bank account or digital wallet and could be withdrawn via any bank card ore bank transfer.
Lenders of crypto-backed loans could offer a borrower a lending term and condition that is flexible which could be made better for both the borrower and the lender.
Crypto holders could use various digital currencies, such as Bitcoin and Litecoin, as collateral.
Crypto assets could be preserved or kept as no requirements are needed to sell them for fiat money.

How Crypto-backed Loans Benefit Lenders?

There is a minimized risk since the total repayment or settlement of the loan as well as the interest is guaranteed and without deferments.
The system or method is fundamentally automated; moreover the exchange directly transpires in the bank account thus making it simpler to keep an eye on and track fund usage.
The range is stretched to audience of borrowers across the globe causing decentralized peer-to-peer crypto lending to be perimeter agnostic, hence loans could be extended in whichever currency that is available.
Complete legal status is given and the strong setup guarantees security of the funds.
Barriers are not present with regards to the least possible requirements for a lender. Any legally recognized entity or individual could be a lender.

By Vihaan Shane

Plus Token Scammers Still in Control of Huge Sum of Stolen Cryptocurrency

August 19, 2019 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

During the later part of June, 2019, complaints from Plus Token e-wallet users in China, South Korea and Japan about their inability to withdraw from their account, had prompted Chinese law enforcement authorities to act swiftly. Their initial investigations led to the arrest of six (6) Chinese nationals working as core team of the Plus Token mobile wallet operation.

Dovey Wan Blows the Whistle on Plus Token’s Ponzi-Like Scheme to Alert the Cryptocurrency Community

News of the arrest did not receive wide coverage, which apparently was still under investigations. However, in early July, Dovey Wan, co-founder of cryptocurrency company Primitive Ventures noticed that the Plus Token site was moving out digital money in small amounts.

The movements made use of e-wallets not registered with the company when traded with crypto exchangers Bittrex, Binance and Huobi.

Although Ms. Wan tweeted about a possible Ponzi Scheme happening at the Plus Token site, cryptocurrency exchangers were unable to identify which e-wallet to block, since there were no digital currency transactions directly related to Plus Token.

Apparently, the Plus Token scammers have taken advantage of the sophisticated blockchain system of recording transactions. In using encryptions containing public and private key codes instead of real information about traders, the blockchain system makes it difficult to immediately trace and establish the identity of persons involved in cryptocurrency transactions.

As Dovey Wan had found out and later tweeted, unidentified Plus Token operators still at large were able to transfer around 70K Bitcoin(BTC) and 800K Ethereum (ETH) early in July. Ms. Wan summed up the entire amount that Plus Token had stolen from its investors, and arrived at an overwhelming estimate of about $3.2 billion-worth of cryptocurrency. .

The major players behind the Plus Token Ponzi-scheme still has control over the stolen cryptocurrency. Since July, they have have been transferring the digital money into different crypto wallets from which they can withdraw and convert the cryptocurrency into real money.

Crypto-Analyst Firm Reports that Plus Token Scammers Used Online Mixing Services to Pre-Launder the Stolen Cryptocurrencies

A related report coming from Token Analyst, a London-based crypto-analytic firm, said that the Plus Token scammers have been using online mixing services as a means of masking the origins of their fraudulent blockchain transactions even before the scam was discovered. Doing so enabled the fraudsters to trade the stolen digital currency at legitimate exchangers since the cryptocurrency online mixers were able to mix the money in different e-wallet accounts owned by Plus Token.

That being the case, the stolen money have been laundered and made to look like legitimate funds used for conventional transactions via the blockchain platform.

By Karson Yaara

Should You Make Investments On Bitcoins?

August 5, 2019 | Cryptocurrencies | No Comments

You have probably been seeing, reading and hearing about Bitcoin. But do you have the slightest idea what it exactly is? Basically, Bitcoin is a form of digital currency. And there are many of them. Digital Currency is also referred to as a cryptocurrency.

This term was first used by an anonymous individual during the financial crisis back in 2008.

Much like Traditional Currencies but it’s all Digital

Digital currency account is much like a checking account where it can be viewed online. Simply put, it is a digital currency you can view but you cannot touch. In regards to Bitcoin, it has no physical representation since all money exists in digital form.

No one’s regulating this currency and in the same manner, the network isn’t managed by any known entities while the tokens are being exchanged between people via sophisticated software system. In other words, the entire system is decentralized and it’s operated by a computer network.

Know what You can and can’t Do

It is vital to be aware of the fact that you cannot use these tokens for paying the usual stuff you buy in the market. Truth is, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can only be used to stores online or sell it to other people. On the other hand, there is an increasing number of companies that are starting to accept Bitcoin as well as other digital currencies known to man. Soon, even the best credit card in Singapore or in any part of the world could be using crypto technology.

To give you an example, Overstock and Expedia are accepting it from their customers. Among the major features of this currency is that the entire transaction is untraceable and private. That is one of the numerous reasons why most prefer this type of money than others.

Is it Smart to Invest in Bitcoins or other Cryptocurrencies?

With the immense popularity and usage of Bitcoin, you may be wondering whether to start investing your money into it or not. Well just like when investing in stocks of other companies, this is something that will require proper judgment. Otherwise, you may just regret your decision. So before pushing through with your decision, it is essential to learn about the risks that are associated with the system.

Among the risks that you should not take lightly is volatility. This means that the value of Bitcoin can fluctuate within a day. Truth is, the rise and fall in value could be in the 30 percent region. So don’t make any hasty decisions. Think of your move first.

By Ned Shantel

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