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06
Sep
2023

The Influence of Social Media on Cryptocurrency Prices: Navigating the Volatile World of Crypto Finance

Cryptocurrency has rapidly transformed the financial landscape, offering both promise and peril to investors seeking to navigate its volatile waters. In this digital age, the power of social media, embodied by platforms like TikTok, plays a pivotal role in shaping the fate of cryptocurrencies. TikTok views, as a metric of social media influence, have become a crucial factor in determining the fortunes of various digital currencies.

TikTok Views: A Force to be Reckoned With

TikTok, the video-sharing social network that has taken the world by storm, is not just a platform for dance challenges and viral pranks. It has become a breeding ground for financial discussions, with users sharing insights, analyses, and predictions about the cryptocurrency market. TikTok views, the number of times a video is watched, serve as a barometer of a user’s influence and reach within the platform. This newfound prominence of finance-focused content on TikTok underscores its importance for business success, especially in the realm of cryptocurrency.

The Social Media Crypto Revolution

The rise of social media as a driving force behind cryptocurrency price movements cannot be overstated. Cryptocurrencies, once the domain of a select few technophiles, have become a mainstream topic of conversation thanks to the reach of platforms like TikTok, Twitter, Reddit, and YouTube. As users share their experiences, investment strategies, and even warnings, the market responds in real-time, often with dramatic consequences.

TikTok Influencers and Their Impact

In the world of TikTok, influencers are akin to digital pied pipers, leading their followers down various financial rabbit holes. These influencers, armed with knowledge and charisma, can single-handedly drive the value of a cryptocurrency up or down. The mere mention of a coin in a viral video can lead to a surge in interest and investments, thereby influencing its price.

However, this influence is a double-edged sword. While TikTok influencers can elevate a cryptocurrency to new heights, they can just as easily precipitate a crash by promoting a coin with dubious credentials. The unchecked power of these influencers has prompted calls for greater regulation and scrutiny in the crypto space.

The Sentiment Rollercoaster

Beyond TikTok views and influencers, the sentiment of social media discussions can have a profound effect on cryptocurrency prices. When a coin is trending positively on social media, it can attract a wave of new investors, driving up its price. Conversely, negative sentiment can trigger a mass exodus of investors, leading to a sharp decline.

The Role of Twitter and Reddit

Twitter and Reddit, two other influential platforms in the crypto space, provide a forum for investors to voice their opinions, concerns, and predictions. On Twitter, hashtags like #CryptoTwitter serve as hubs for crypto enthusiasts to share news and engage in discussions. On Reddit, the subreddit r/CryptoCurrency boasts millions of members, making it a powerhouse of crypto-related content.

The sway of sentiment on these platforms is evident during major market movements. For instance, when Elon Musk tweets about a cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Dogecoin, it often triggers significant price fluctuations. Likewise, coordinated efforts on Reddit forums have led to the rapid rise of certain meme coins, only to see them crash just as quickly.

The Investor Dilemma

For investors, the influence of social media on cryptocurrency prices presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, access to real-time information and diverse opinions can help them make informed decisions. On the other hand, the volatility fueled by social media can lead to sudden and substantial losses.

Navigating this dynamic landscape requires a combination of caution, research, and a healthy dose of skepticism. Investors must critically assess information found on social media platforms, considering the motivations and credibility of those sharing it.

Conclusion

As cryptocurrencies continue to evolve, their relationship with social media will remain intertwined. TikTok views, Twitter trends, and Reddit discussions will continue to shape the fortunes of digital currencies. For investors, staying informed and discerning amidst the noise of social media will be the key to success in the unpredictable world of crypto finance. In this age of information, harnessing the power of social media while guarding against its pitfalls will be the ultimate challenge for those seeking to ride the crypto wave to financial prosperity.

Posted by Lora Kaety in Cryptocurrency
09
Aug
2023

Profitable Planning: Mastering Contractor Estimates for Construction Success

managing finances

When it comes to the world of construction, one key phrase stands out: contractor estimates. These estimates are the cornerstone of any successful construction project, guiding the planning, budgeting, and execution phases. Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or just stepping into the world of construction, understanding and mastering the art of contractor estimates is essential for achieving profitability and success. This is where software like Contractor+ estimates comes in, to provide proper and reliable construction estimates. In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of contractor estimates, uncovering valuable insights and strategies to ensure your construction endeavors are efficient and financially rewarding.

The Foundation of Precise Planning

The Significance of Contractor Estimates

Contractor estimates serve as the building blocks for your construction project’s entire roadmap. These estimates provide a comprehensive breakdown of anticipated costs, timelines, and resource requirements. A well-crafted estimate not only sets realistic expectations but also acts as a guide to ensure that your project stays on track from inception to completion.

Factors Influencing Contractor Estimates

Mastering contractor estimates involves understanding the myriad of factors that contribute to project costs. From materials and labor to permits and unforeseen contingencies, each element must be meticulously considered. Weather conditions, market fluctuations, and even geopolitical events can impact these estimates. A holistic approach, accounting for both immediate and potential variables, is vital to avoiding cost overruns and project delays.

Crafting Accurate Contractor Estimates

Leveraging Historical Data

One of the most valuable tools at your disposal is historical project data. Analyzing past projects that share similarities with your current endeavor can provide invaluable insights into cost patterns. Historical data allows you to identify trends, anticipate challenges, and make informed adjustments to your estimates.

Collaborative Input for Comprehensive Estimates

In the complex landscape of construction, collaboration is key. Engage your team members and industry experts to gather diverse perspectives on the project’s scope and requirements. Input from architects, engineers, and subcontractors can offer unique viewpoints that enhance the accuracy of your estimates. Embrace this collaborative approach to ensure your estimates consider a wide array of factors.

Navigating Challenges in Estimation

Contingency Planning

No matter how thorough your estimate, unexpected challenges can arise during construction. Integrating contingency plans into your estimates can safeguard your project from unforeseen setbacks. Setting aside a portion of the budget for potential changes or delays demonstrates foresight and preparedness, contributing to smoother project execution.

Adapting to Dynamic Variables

In the construction realm, flexibility is essential. Market fluctuations, material shortages, and regulatory shifts can impact project dynamics. Your estimates should be adaptable to accommodate these changes without jeopardizing the project’s overall success. By building in flexibility, you can navigate uncertainties while maintaining a profitable course.

The Path to Profitability

Precision in Pricing

Accurate contractor estimates lay the foundation for pricing your services competitively while ensuring profitability. Underestimating costs may lead to financial strain, while overestimation could deter potential clients. By finding the right balance, you position your construction business for sustainable growth.

Enhancing Client Relationships

Transparent and accurate estimates foster trust and credibility with clients. Openly sharing the breakdown of costs and timelines demonstrates professionalism and a commitment to honesty. Satisfied clients are more likely to provide referrals and repeat business, bolstering your reputation and long-term success.

Read also: How to Ask for Financial Advice?

Conclusion

In the dynamic world of construction, mastering the art of contractor estimates is a journey worth undertaking. These estimates are more than just numbers – they represent the culmination of careful planning, industry expertise, and a deep understanding of project intricacies. By leveraging historical data, embracing collaboration, and accounting for dynamic variables, you can craft estimates that not only pass plagiarism tools but also serve as reliable roadmaps to construction success. So, as you embark on your next project, remember that the power to profitability lies in your ability to master contractor estimates.

Posted by Lora Kaety in Finance
17
Jun
2023

Shining Bright: The Benefits of Investing in Jewelry

jewelry investments

In a world of ever-changing trends and fleeting fashion statements, one timeless accessory continues to capture hearts and adorn bodies – jewelry. Hyderabad jewellery offers delicate necklaces that grace our collarbones to sparkling rings that symbolize love and commitment. Surely jewelry holds a special place in our lives. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, investing in jewelry offers many benefits beyond surface-level beauty. This article explores the remarkable advantages of investing in jewelry and how it can be a valuable addition to your life.

Elevating Your Style with Timeless Elegance

Jewelry has the remarkable ability to enhance any outfit, transforming a simple attire into a sophisticated ensemble. The allure of jewelry lies in its versatility – whether you prefer classic and understated pieces or bold and extravagant designs, there is something to suit every taste and occasion. With carefully selected jewelry, you can effortlessly elevate your style and make a lasting impression, showcasing your unique personality and flair.

A Symbol of Status and Success

Throughout history, jewelry has been synonymous with wealth, power, and social status. Owning exquisite pieces of jewelry not only adds a touch of luxury to your collection but also serves as a symbol of your achievements. Whether it’s a statement necklace or a pair of elegant earrings, jewelry can be a subtle yet impactful way to communicate your success and accomplishments to the world.

Preserving and Growing Your Wealth

Investing in jewelry offers more than just an aesthetic appeal; it can be a smart financial decision as well. Unlike many other commodities, such as clothing or electronic gadgets, jewelry has the potential to retain or increase its value over time. Precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum are known to appreciate in value, making them a reliable investment. Additionally, rare gemstones and limited-edition pieces can become highly sought after, further increasing their worth. By carefully selecting high-quality jewelry, you can potentially preserve and grow your wealth for the future.

Emotional Significance and Sentimental Value

Jewelry is often associated with significant moments in our lives. From engagement rings symbolizing a lifelong commitment to heirloom pieces passed down through generations, these precious accessories carry immense emotional significance and sentimental value. Each time you wear a cherished piece of jewelry, it serves as a reminder of cherished memories, love, and the bonds you share with loved ones. Investing in jewelry allows you to create a collection that tells your unique story and becomes a part of your legacy.

Durability and Longevity

Unlike many other fashion accessories that may wear out or go out of style, jewelry is built to withstand the test of time. High-quality craftsmanship and durable materials ensure that your treasured pieces remain beautiful and intact for years to come. By investing in well-crafted jewelry, you can enjoy its timeless elegance and durability, knowing that it will continue to shine bright for future generations.

Read also: The Best Way to Finance Jewelry Business

Conclusion

Investing in jewelry goes beyond mere adornment; it offers a myriad of benefits that make it a worthwhile endeavor. From enhancing your style and status to preserving wealth and creating lasting memories, jewelry holds a special place in our lives. So, whether you’re treating yourself or seeking a meaningful gift for a loved one, consider the profound advantages of investing in jewelry. Allow its beauty to illuminate your life and become a cherished part of your journey. Jewelry isn’t just an accessory; it’s a reflection of your unique style and a celebration of life’s precious moments.

Posted by Lora Kaety in Investments
12
Feb
2023

Financial Concepts For Towing Business

Where do you start when you want to navigate the technicalities of running a business financially?

As a startup entrepreneur, you need to constantly monitor the financial health of your business. In addition, you will most likely interact with banks and lenders, investors, or other business partners. In all these cases, financial vocabulary is very important for towing san jose entrepreneurs.

The most common financial concepts for towing entrepreneurs

Cash flow

This is part of financial planning and is one of the basic elements of a successful business. It shows, over a period of time, all the cycles of your business, i.e. the high and low points, when cash comes into the business, and when it goes out.

Turnover

This is the number of sales of products/services in a certain period. Constantly monitored, it helps you have a better understanding of the evolution in relation to other similar companies on the market, growth over time, etc.

Operating profit

It is the profit the company makes from its core activity. It is calculated by subtracting the total expenses from the total revenues of a company without taking into account taxes, fees, etc.

Gross margin

This is the percentage of the company’s turnover, after deducting the cost of production or acquisition of the goods and services sold.

Debt ratio

This is the comparison between equity, money available to the entrepreneur or obtained from investors in exchange for a stake in the company, and liabilities.

towing san jose

Capital expenditure or investments

For example, if you buy a high-performance laptop or renovate your premises to make them more attractive to customers, you are recording expenses now that will create benefits for the business in the future.

Degree of concentration

This is an indicator usually expressed as a percentage that measures what percentage of business you do with a particular customer or supplier.

Principles of financial management

The golden rule in business is not to mix personal money and business accounts. This rule allows you to protect your savings and also see if the business is one that brings you profits or the opposite. But most importantly, you won’t get into trouble with the tax authorities and you won’t be sued.

This rule also applies when you use personal things for business purposes. It’s important to keep track of them. Most small business owners use their personal car to get to all kinds of meetings, but also to do many other things. Don’t forget to consult with your accountant and determine together which expenses are deductible, so you can share the cost of car maintenance. The same goes for your mobile phone or other goods.

Posted by Ned Queen in Finance
08
Sep
2022

The People Who Started Bitcoin Trading

Bitcoin Trading

 

More and more investors speculate about Bitcoin. Interest in the best-known cryptocurrency is also growing among major investors such as pension funds. But what actually happens behind the scenes?

For the most important cryptocurrency, 2021 is already an extremely turbulent year. In early January, Bitcoin – invented in 2009 – reached a new record high of more than $41,000. Since then, the digital currency, which was originally intended as a means of payment, has temporarily lost a lot of value again – with price losses of up to 20 percent within a few hours. Finally, it went back in the other direction. For example, a simple tweet by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and discussions by private investors in Internet forums were enough to drive the price up by 20 percent at the end of last week. This rollercoaster ride repeatedly brings the largest digital currency into the headlines with a market share of over 60 percent. Industry experts have been reporting a growing interest in Bitcoin for some time: In addition to private individuals, large institutional investors such as banks, insurance groups or fund companies are now also entering the market.

First “crypto fund” in Germany

Patrick Karb, Managing Director of Frankfurt-based Hauck & Aufhäuser Innovative Capital GmbH, also notes this. “We see great demand from investors, especially on the institutional side,” he says in an interview with tagesschau.de. For this reason, the private bank Hauck & Aufhäuser founded the subsidiary in September and launched the first fund in the German financial industry at the beginning of the year, which consists exclusively of digital assets such as Bitcoin. The bank is cooperating with the Berlin fintech Kapilendo, which takes on the role of crypto custodian – i.e. the one who manages and secures the extensive calculation codes that make up the e-currency.

The demand from customers, from small semi-professional investors to pension funds, pension funds, and other investment funds to MDAX corporations, is enormous. This is also due to the recent development of Bitcoin. “The topic was also widely disseminated in the media so that cryptocurrencies became more popular not only in the private but also in the institutional sector,” says Karb. Especially in the Corona crisis, alternatives are being sought – Bitcoin also serves as a refuge currency, so to speak

Predominantly men invest in Bitcoin

Currently, the proportion of institutional investors worldwide is still very low. “Of the current about 700 billion US dollars in Bitcoin, about one percent is institutional money,” Jeff Currie, head of commodities at the US bank Goldman Sachs, recently told CNBC. The majority is traded by private individuals. Among these crypto investors, according to a recent study of around 100,000 investor profiles of a large German online bank, 90 percent are men. Other typical features are a comparatively high income and a certain affinity for technology, scientists from the Frankfurt Leibniz Institute for Financial Market Research found in the study. But how does this trade actually work

Hardly any regulation

“Before we trade, we monitor the prices on the platforms Coinmarketcap or Bitstamp, for example,” explains fund manager Karb. The opening and closing of the foreign traditional stock exchanges are also relevant at the time of purchase. “We are already seeing a correlation between the crypto market and the traditional market. In many cases, the overall economic situation also affects Bitcoin,” says the banker. For example, he has also benefited from the dispute over the speculation of the Gamestop share. Especially on weekends, however, there are often less fluctuating prices. The laws of Bitcoin development are complicated overall and not always rational.

The bank does not trade directly via special crypto exchanges and platforms like https://bitcoin360ai.com/it/, because these would for the most part not have sufficient admission in Germany, explains Karb. “We wanted to avoid getting the bitcoins from sources that we can’t uniquely identify.” On the blockchain, the technology behind Bitcoin, and a kind of digital logbook, the sources of origin are unknown.

That is why Hauck & Aufhäuser acted as a broker to the Frankfurt Bankhaus Scheich, which also has an approved crypto custodian. This at least reduces the risk of money laundering, says Karb. “When we order a transaction, Kapilendo verifies it, approves it, and transmits the order. Bankhaus Scheich then stocks up on the crypto market via various exchangeswithCoinbase or Kraken and makes the Bitcoins available to us in the fund’s wallet.”

Banks can act as brokers

The software for Bankhaus Scheich or Münchener Bankhaus von der Heydt, which plans to launch a crypto trading platform for institutional investors at the end of the first quarter, is being developed by the Frankfurt-based company Blocksize Capital. It ensures that the banks can act as brokers. The technology bundles the liquidity of 50 crypto exchanges, as Managing Director Christian Labetzsch reports. Within 100 milliseconds, the best possible price is recognized and the transaction is implemented immediately.

Normally, unlike the stock market, there is no middleman in crypto trading like a bank or a broker, Leon Berghoff, a graduate of the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, explains to tagesschau.de. Exceptions in Germany are the Stuttgart Stock Exchange with the BISON app and the BSDEX (Börse Stuttgart Digital Exchange) or the Berlin crypto bank Bitwala.In most cases, however, investors set up an account directly with the stock exchange, which has both advantages and disadvantages. “Trading is much more transparent at first: You can use the trading data to see exactly what is happening on the crypto exchange,” says Berghoff. Another advantage lies in the relatively low transaction costs.

 

ALSO READ: Does Real Estate Accepts Crypto As Paymen

 

One risk, on the other hand, is custody. In regular trading, the cryptocurrency must also be stored on the stock exchange. “It can happen that stock exchanges are at the mercy of hacker attacks and the money disappears,” warns Berghoff. However, the more well-known exchanges are now more professional and better protected. The lack of regulation and state security can also become a problem for private investors.

How does a Bitcoin get to the buyer?

Leon Berghoff is a so-called quantitative trader at the startup Sixtant – and thus partly responsible for the fact that investors can buy Bitcoins at all. The company is a global high-frequency trader in the crypto sector. As a rule, such traders have contracts with crypto exchanges such as FTX, Binance, Bitstamp, or Bitso and ensure that there are always enough Bitcoins there. In return, they receive a fee.”If an investor wants to buy or sell a cryptocurrency, we are ready to be the counterparty to that trade at any time,” Berghoff explains. Since these transactions take place very often, high-frequency traders execute several trades per second. This is intended to keep the difference between the purchase and sale price low. Sixtant either borrows the coins from the respective exchange or buys them on the open market.

So that these companies, known in the financial world as “market makers”, are subsequently not exposed to the price risk due to the extreme fluctuations of Bitcoin, they also hedge against price losses within milliseconds. “We are always on the wrong side of the trade,” says Berghoff. If the market goes up, he has to sell Bitcoin – the opposite of successful investing. “When we buy bitcoins from someone, we try to sell the currency again as quickly as possible or buy a derivative with which we shorten the bitcoin.” By betting on falling prices as a counter-transaction, the risk is minimized.

Predictions by algorithms

In addition, many companies in the scene also have a department that makes profits through its own trading on the free market. The aim is to predict certain developments of Bitcoin minutes or seconds in advance, as Berghoff explains. In quantitative trading, this works automatically. As a dealer, he is employed around the clock. “Unlike a stock trader, a day as a crypto trader goes 24 hours, as the crypto exchanges are open at all times – 365 days a year,” says the expert. A lot can also happen overnight because cryptocurrencies fluctuate greatly. “This means that I first check the system and see how the algorithms acted and whether there were any technical problems,” says Berghoff. The Sixtant employees are spread all over the world to examine the system and the markets at all times.

“More screens than I would admit”

Otherwise, algorithmic trading has a lot to do with programming codes. “We get historical data for individual cryptocurrencies on certain exchanges: For example, I look at the price data of Bitcoin per minute over the past three years and try to find anomalies in it,” explains Berghoff. On this basis, he finally developed an algorithm that takes this effect into account in trading: “If it has worked in the past, we hope that it will also work in real-time.”Comparable, for example, is the so-called “Monday effect” from stock trading.

This states that Monday is traditionally the weakest day of the week on the stock market. In crypto trading, however, this is much more complex, according to Berghoff. By exploiting anomalies, attempts are made to make profits in proprietary trading. In addition, a high-frequency trader must check the codes and technical relationships on a trader’s day and correct possible errors. But he has, says Berghoff, “more screens at my workplace than I would admit.”

Posted by Laney Seward in Cryptocurrency
16
Aug
2022

The Proven Benefits of Investing in Cryptocurrencies

The crypto market has been fluctuating wildly as of late. Even so, investing in cryptocurrencies is still a worthwhile venture for those who are willing to take on some risk. The market has grown dramatically over the last year and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. 

Investing in cryptocurrencies can be scary at first, but it’s also a great way to grow your money while also helping expand the digital currency economy. Here are some reasons why you should invest in these digital currencies now and why you won’t regret it later.

Limited Supply of Cryptocurrencies

One of the biggest reasons that you should invest in cryptocurrencies is that there is a limited supply. Many cryptocurrencies have a set number of coins/tokens that will ever be created. This is done intentionally to control inflation and make the currency more valuable over time. 

There are a few different ways that this is achieved. The most common way is through a process known as mining. The mining process involves computers solving complex math equations in exchange for new coins.

Fast Transactions and Lack of Fees

One of the best reasons to invest in cryptocurrencies is that they offer fast transactions at no cost.

There are many different payment processors, but the vast majority charge a fee for each transaction. These fees can quickly add up over time, which makes cryptocurrency a better option for certain industries, like those who are into wholesale cabinets. 

Cryptocurrency is ideal for business-to-business transactions as well as person-to-person payments, as there are no fees.

The only fee that you may incur is a small fee to send the coin through a wallet or trading platform. The lack of fees associated with cryptocurrencies is a major reason why they have grown so quickly. It is much easier to transfer digital coins between individuals and businesses than it is to send money through banks.

A Growing Team of Developers

One of the best reasons to invest in cryptocurrencies is the growing team of developers. Cryptocurrencies are open-source projects, which means there is no one person in charge of the development of the coins.

Anyone can suggest changes or improvements to the coins, and the team will vote on them.

The team behind the coins usually has regular online meetings where they discuss new features and improvements. In a process, it is more like a community-base improvement that serves the greater good.

Posted by Ness Shantel in Cryptocurrency
25
May
2022

How Crypto is Changing the Future of Economy? 

If you’ve been following the news recently, you may have heard that bitcoin is going to crash again or that it has no value. These and other common misconceptions about cryptocurrency are not just false, but they obscure the real story: The way money works is changing, and digital currencies like bitcoin are leading the charge. In this article, we explore how cryptocurrency is revolutionizing the global economy.

What is Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is digital money that can be used for online shopping, transfer of value, or financing business ventures. Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc. are examples of cryptocurrencies and they are even traded in different platforms such as https://traderswithedge.com. The supply of each of these digital currencies is controlled by computer algorithms, not by central banks or other government institutions.

Cryptocurrencies are decentralized and their digital ledgers are publicly viewable by anyone. Anyone can transfer cryptocurrencies between two people without needing a financial institution to facilitate the transaction.

How Cryptocurrency is Changing Business and the Global Economy?

We are seeing a growing number of businesses accept cryptocurrency payments. This is a big change because these same businesses used to shun virtual money as too risky. Now they are welcoming crypto as a new source of revenue. There are many reasons behind this growing acceptance. One is the growing popularity of blockchain technology, which is responsible for powering transactions with cryptocurrencies.

Businesses see that blockchain is a secure, efficient way of processing payments that they may not have had access to before. They are also seeing that many of their customers are already using cryptocurrencies, and that they want more ways to pay with them. 

How You can Benefit from the Rise of Crypto?

If you buy cryptocurrency now, you can grow your investment as the market grows.

Investing in crypto is different from buying stocks or other securities, but the rewards can also be much higher. Crypto investing also offers more immediate rewards compared to other asset classes such as stocks, bonds, or gold.

And because of the reason that crypto market is still fairly new, even in this modern digital age, there are many opportunities for people to get involved and make money. It’s not too late to get started. To begin, it’s important to understand the basics. Once you know how the market works, you can make informed decisions about how to invest. There are many ways to invest in cryptocurrencies.

Posted by Ness Shantel in Cryptocurrency
18
May
2022

Bitcoin Investors Continue to Get Anxious as Prices Drop Below $30K

Since Bitcoin prices started slipping down from its highest of $68,000 in November 2021, the past week saw a price drop of $26,000, the lowest seen in the past 16 months. Today, May 18, BTC price closed at $28,947.21 USD after yesterday’s closing price of $29,716. Although Bitcoin trading in May 04 saw a surge in BTC price that ended with a $40K value, this all the more saw more BTCs being sold in the cryptocurrency market.

Factors Triggering BTC’s Increase Volatility

Cryptocurrency experts are saying the increased volatility in Bitcoin prices is a result of several factors, namely: price inflation, the geopolitical crisis in Europe, particularly Russia’s Ukraine invasion and anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s stricter monetary policy and government plans of regulating the US cryptocurrency industry.

Hope Springs Eternal for BTC Prices to Rise Again

Yet many believe the price will stabilize once BTC owners decide to hold on to their digital asset and wait for the turn around to happen. Hope springs eternal as far as BTCs are concerned since experts believe it’s just a question of when the trun around will happen. The expectation is that BTC prices can even soar to up to $100,000 apiece.

The greatest influencing factor is the Russian Ukraine conflict, which according to Bone Fide Wealth found and certified financial planner Doug Boneparth brings a tremendous degree of volatility regardless of the asset class in question. However, the volatility of the market conditions makes it difficult for investors to hold on to their investing strategies.

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency
28
Jan
2022

New Developments Transpire in US Cryptocurrency Market as Price Continues to Plummet

The slump that the cryptocurrency market has been experiencing since last week is regarded as being the worst plunge in months. Bitcoin (BTC) plummeted to $34,000 while Ethereum (ETH) sunk below $2,200. The huge price drop came after the Federal Reserve’s report on a possible government-issued digital currency. This was during the middle of the stock market’s worst week for almost two years. According to the CoinMarketCap statistics, crypto market cap went below $2 trillion between the sell-off.

The great news though came this Monday, although it wasn’t until Wednesday that the delayed recovery effect was felt. investors placed $14 million into crypto funds but mainly to take advantage of the price dip. According to the report, the inflows last week mostly went to Bitcoin-focused accounts totalling USD 13.8 million.

US Government to Issue Its Own Digital Currency

The Biden government announced plans of issuing its own U.S digital currency and has taken the first step to determine the potential impact of such plan. The Federal Reserve is asking the opinion of citizens on the possible release of a digital dollar, tentatively called the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).

Apparently the US Central Bank will issue and support the digitalized cash. Actually, if this pushes through, the U.S. will simply follow suit to China and Sweden, the firsts to experiment the adoption of cryptocurrencies

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency
24
Sep
2021

Robinhood Poised to Add Crypto Wallet to Its Stock Trading App

Popular provider of stock trading app Robinhood recently announced intentions of delving further into cryptocurrencies, by offering crypto wallets to app users. The new feature won’t be officially released until next year as the feature will be up for beta testing by next month.

During the testing stage, shortlisted Robinhood app users for will have the capability to send, receive, and trade crypto tokens by using the app’s crypto wallet. Apparently, the feature has been highly requested by users as around 60% of their users bought cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Dogecoin during the past quarter, However, Robinhood customers who do so, have been unable to send and/or trade their crypto assets elsewhere.

Robinhood’s COO Christine Brown expounded that they have developed an app feature that customers participating in cryptocurrency transactions have been requesting for quite some time. Giving in to the clamor will actually open up opportunities for Robinhood to take part in the crypto space, allowing the stock trading app to compete against leading crypto exchange site Coinbase.

Is the Forthcoming Robinhood Feature Free?

The Robinhood crypto wallet will be free as the company wants to make it easy and affordable for their users to take part in the crypto market, using a crypto wallet that works similarly to the one offered by Coinbase.

However, users should take note that they will still be required to pay related fees for any cryptocurrency transactions made using the app, including transfers of digital assets to the crypto wallet.

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency
11
Jul
2021

Bitcoin and Altcoins Prices Continue to Fall

The prices of bitcoin and ethereum continue to drop as investors give in to fears of another global economic slump caused by the quick-spreading delta variant. Although vaccines have become available, the newest COVID-19 variant appears to be much stronger than the original coronavirus strain. Moreover, most countries including the U.S. are faced with anti-vaxxers who remain vulnerable to risks of contracting and spreading the new variant that originated in India.

At present the current investing is centered on government-backed treasure bonds that financial analysts believe are the safest gambling products.

Last Thursday at around 4:00 a.m. EST, bitcoin price dropped below $32,500; but was able to slowly gain ground, which led to a current trading price of 33,316. The problem though is that with cryptocurrency trading, drops in bitcoin prices usually affect the prices of altcoins. The price of ethereum for one, has sunk and is currently trading at $2150, a price that is 8.7% when compared to the previous price index for ether.

Since May, BTC prices began to take a downward trend coming from an all time-high of $65,000 achieved in April. Some traders had hoped that the price falls were temporary and that a turnabout will eventually take place. However, others are saying that BTC prices will sink to $20,000, before institutional investors resume with their buying activities.

CNBC’s Squawk Box Interview with Galaxy CEO Links the Price Drops to China

Mike Novogratz , the CEO of Galaxy Digital who appeared as Squawk Box guest las Thursday said the BTC price drops are results of China’s war against cryptocurrencies. BTC investors in China have been selling off their digital assets, while U.S. investors are buying them. According to Novogratz, China’s crackdown on entities involved in crypto exchanges in China is all part of the “cold war” being waged against the U.S.

On Tuesday last week, another China-based company suspected of rendering software as a service for entities facilitating digital currency transactions, was shut down by China’s central bank. Shut down orders have been regularly taking place in connection with the country’s existing ban against the local cryptocurrency industry.

The price-backslides in bitcoin markets, were triggered by the state of emerg ency declared by Japan. As had been anticipated, the country’s COVID-19 cases spiked after officials of the country insisted on holding the Tokyo Olympic games. As a result trading on equity markets went on a decline, as news of Japan’s emergency declaration sowed fears of another global economic catastrophe.

Posted by Madelina Feliks
07
Apr
2021

SEC Docs Reveal Coinbase and Bakkt Behind Hedge-Fund Tycoon’s Bitcoin Venture

US SEC docs revealed billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Tudor Jones’ source of bitcoin assets are the top cryptocurrency trading houses Coinbase and Bakkt, Tudor Jones is one of the early Waĺl Street adopters of bitcoins as hedge fund investment, which he announced in May 2020. He said he invested 1% of his assets in the digital coin as he saw the potential of BTC futures as an inflation hedge against the pending “great monetary inflation” of a resulting economic fallout caused by the global pandemic.

Tudor Jones’ announcement of his bitcoin investment created the right effect. Many other Wall Street investors took his advice by investing in bitcoin futures, while the demand for BTC trended, BTC trading prices soared at record-breaking levels. As of this writing BTC trading closed at $56,467, a far cry from the $9,846 price by which the hedge fund billionaire placed 1% of his assets into BTCs.

Initially, many in the financial trading sector had reservations about Tudor’s promotion of BTC, since they remained doubtful if Tudor actually made outright investments in the cryptocurrency. .The founder of the $44 billion Tudor Investment Corporation whomused to be skeptic about cryptocurrencies, further forecasted that Wall Street was about to witness the phenomenal “birthing of a store of value,” in the crypto money.

Coinbase Prefers Not to Comment on the Revelations

As it is Coinbase Custody Trust Company and Tagomi Trading LLC the brokerage firm acquired by Coinbase in May 2020, the same period Jone made the decision to invest in bitcoins, as well as Bakkt Trust Company, are the current providers of custodial services to the family-exclusive Tudor Jones digital assets. Coinbase prefer not to respond to the revelations that linked them to the hedge fund billionaire’s BTC assets. After all, secrecy and anonymity are among the factors that have been drawing traditional investors to use the digital coin as their hedge investment.

According to Chainalysis, the said companies have played major roles in bitcoin’s bull market in 2020-2021, as blockchain’s data showed that they actively participated in trading more than 500,000 BTCs to financial trading whales during the latter part of 2020.
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Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency
12
Feb
2021

Amidst Increasing Mining Difficulty: Mining-as-a-Service Can Help

Many are now considering mining-as-a-service as a better alternative to investing in costly hardware to pursue plans of joining the bitcoin mining bandwagon.

The bitcoin market has recently been yielding price levels running between $44K and $46K. A single unit of bitcoin earned as a reward therefore already equates to such price values, which after deducting all related costs could still bring a reasonable return on one’s investment. That is, if projections are based on high hash rates, a condition denoting that a miner can quickly complete a block and present proof-of-work with very little electrical costs involved.

The reality however is that the number of people who are trading bitcoins has increased, in addition to those who have been regularly using bitcoins for their transactions. Growth, especially if phenomenal, has huge impact on the difficulty of mining for BTCs amidst a highly competitive environment. Even if an ASICS mining machine runs the calculations when searching for a block hash, the machine has to perform a massive number of guesses. sometimes replacing numbers thousands of times in order to solve and complete a block of hashes related to a particular block header.

Although there is no limit to the number of guesses made to solve a block hash, the fewer guesses made the more profitable for the miner. That being the case, one’s bitcoin mining machine could run up electricity costs before a miner earns a bitcoin reward, costs that are likely to erode profits projected under normal, less difficult circumstances.

How Can Mining as-a-Service Help Make Mining for Bitcoin More Profitable

The best way to find out whether mining-as-a-service or MaaS is the better alternative, is to try out the platform so you’ll be able to compare if you will be spending less on costs whilst earning rewards at the present difficulty level. In using this type of service, you will have the option to utilize as many bitcoin machines as you want if you’re already a professional bitcoin miner. Startup bitcoin miners though will be limited to one bitcoin machine, until they get to attain that level of mining skills commensurate to a professional miner.

Nonetheless, the main benefit of using MaaS when venturing into the business of bitcoin mining is that you will be using mining machines that run in a thermally controlled environment whilst using low-cost electricity. The provider of a MaaS platform will in turn collect a certain percentage from whatever profits earned by a customer, after the cost of electricity is deducted.

The Elevate Group for one charges a fixed rate of 20% as share of the profit. That is after deducting the costs of electricity used by the bitcoin machine/s included in the Equipment Management Agreement. Additionally, there is a 1% fee collected to cover for the cost and maintenance of the company’s dashboard wallet. To learn more about Elevate Group’s MaaS platform, check out the company’s website, as it furnishes tutorial videos and a page dedicated for FAQs about bitcoin mining.

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency
07
Feb
2021

Elon Musk’s Dogecoin Endorsement Sets Off Buying Frenzy for the D Coin

After Elon Musk said he would take a break from Twitter, he returned 2 days later with a tweet calling the Dogecoin cryptocurrency ” the people’s crypto.” As investors have been looking into other cryptocurrencies or altcoins that have the makings of the next important crypto money, Musk’s endorsement immediately had set off a buying frenzy for Doge coins.

Musk’s tweet had sent Dogecoin trades surging by more than 50%, boosting the price range of the virtual coin to between $0.054 to $0.064 from a previous $0.0012 After the buying spree occured, Musk tweeted an image of himself depicted as Lion King’s Rafiki, proudly holding the Doge dog mascot up high, whilst adding “ur welcome” as text.

Apparently, the Tesla Chief’s trade recommendations have been making an impact, his recent tweets of support for CD Projekt, Etsy and the controversial games retail giant GameStop created a positive effect. Musk’s support of GameStop had actually boosted a covert 2-year in the making plan hatched by a group of anonymous stock investors converging at Reddit’s r/WallStreetBets forum.

Background Info about Dogecoin

Dogecoin or DOGE is represented by the D symbol , and uses the image of the Shiba Inu dog that originated from the “Doge” meme. It was introduced in December 2013 by founders Billy Markus, an IBM software engineer and Jackson Palmer, an Adobe software engineer. Their goal was to create a digital payment system that will reach a demographic that is far more wide ranging than.bitcoin This explains Elon Musk’s branding of DOGE as the people’s crypto.

In July 2020, a TikTok video that aimed to hike the coin’s worth to $1.sparked an increase of Dogecoin’s price. Reddit users, likewise, gave attention to Dogecoin, as additional support to the Tesla giant’s D coin endorsement. As a result, Dogecoin soared further, bringing the increase in price at an estimated 800%.

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency
13
Nov
2020

PayPal Moves Forward w/ Cryptocurrency Services Ahead of 2021 Schedule

PayPal announced last Nov. 12, that customers do not have to wait until 2021 for them to open a cryptocurrency account, as the service is now available to use. Qualified PayPal account holders will be able to buy, sell and hold specific cryptocurrencies like bitcoin (BTC), bitcoin cash (BCH), etherium (ETH) and litecoin (LTC). Moreover, the cryptocurrency purchasing limit has been raised to $20k weekly, from the previous $15K per week mentioned in the initial announcement.

PayPal revealed its plans of offering cryptocurrency services last October 21, 2020, whilst stating the the projected rollout will take place in the early part of 2021. Paypal’s cryptocurrency services currently include selling, buying and holding of any of the aforementioned cryptocurrencies.

PayPal’s Cryptocurrency Services is in Partnership with Venmo and Paxos

As it is, the terms and conditions of Paypal’s cryptocurrency services includes a prohibition against the direct transfer of crypto money to the cryptocurrency accounts of relatives and friends, or as direct payment for goods and services purchased from accredited merchants. Apparently, that particular aspect will require the use of Venmo’s social payment platform to which cryptocurrency service involving collaboration with the social payment processor will be available only in 2021 and to PayPal’s network of 26 million merchants,

In the meantime, the availability of PayPal’s cryptocurrency services is currently being carried out through a partnership with Paxos, a fintech firm tasked to handle cryptocurrency transactions in Paypa’s behalf. Paxos is a New York-based financial technology company that uses a private blockchain network in keeping custody of cryptocurrency accounts for delivery, payment and settlement of cryptocurrency transactions. That is why withdrawing crypto money from a PayPal account using an external crypto e-wallet is not allowed.

Basic Eligibility Requirements to Open a PayPal Cryptocurrency Account

First off, a person must be a U.S. resident aged at least 18 years or older; or of the age of majority recognized by the state in which an individual resides. However, the service is still not available to residents of Hawaii.

An existing personal PayPal cash account is necessary, as a means to access the Cryptocurrencies Hub since all related crypto services will be linked to the main PayPal account. A person’s login details to his personal Paypal account will be the same credentials to use when accessing the Cryptocurrencies Hub, as the latter will form part of that person’s Cash Account.

Paypal will also verify the previously verified information submitted when the personal Cash Account was opened, before a Paypal account holder is given access to the Cryptocurrencies Hub. The payments processor also reserves the right to verify from time to time, required information such as name, address, birthday and Taxpayer Identification Number by requesting a copy of a person’s government issued photo ID, or the most recent utility bill or any other proof of current residency.

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency
10
Aug
2020

Security Researchers Explain Methodology of Crypto Exchange Hackers

Security researchers who convened at the Black Hat virtual conference, reported on how the notorious group CryptoCore was able to hack $200 million worth of crypto money. The heist, as reported by Cointelegraph last June 2020, saw several crypto exchanges operating across the globe, losing cryptocurrencies from cyber attacks perpetuated by way of a phishing campaign that lasted for two years.

The report revealed how crypto exchanges become vulnerable to hackers despite claims of having high privacy and tight security measure in place to protect their funds. Researchers enumerated three methodologies that allowed hackers to succeed in attacking five crypto exchanges in Japan, the Middle East and the U. S, .Omer Shlomovits, cofounder of KZen Networks and Aumasson, a cryptographer categorized the attacks as:

1) Insider attack or inside job,
2) Exploitation of a relationship between a crypto exchange and a customer
3) Partial extraction of secret keys.

According to the report, the approach was similar to breaking open a conventional bank vault by turning on six keys all at the same, which means the hackers had to dissect private keys into smaller pieces in preparation for their cyber heist.

Insider Attack or Inside Job

An insider, explores and exploits the vulnerability of the cryptocurrency exchange’s open-source library. Using the refresh mechanism, an inside attacker who is also a key holder initiates a refresh. Then he or she does some manipulation to alter some keys but at the same time retain some. The manipulation will cause a denial of service that permanently locks out the cryptocurrency exchange out of its own digital funds.

Another way that an inside attacker launches an incursion is to figure out private keys generated by exchange customers when initiating multiple key refreshes. This enables the inside attacker to carry out the stealing process by manipulating exchange processes using false validation statements.

Exploitation of Relationship between Crypto Exchange and Customer

Shlomovits and Aumasson said attacks could occur once the insider becomes a trusted party in a crypto exchange for which they receive their portions of the key. Any of the trusted parties with malicious intent can generate random numbers that is up for public verification. However, the researchers found out that in the case of Binance, the site skipped the checking of random values generated by trusted parties.

Extraction of Secret Keys

Malicious trusted parties use the unvalidated values in sending constructed messages to other users, who in turn, assign the unvalidated information. Exchange users using multiple key refreshers become the targets of the malicious trusted parties, for purposes of extracting private keys to use in launching the cyber hack.

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency
22
Apr
2020

Small- Scale Crypto Miners Not Optimistic Over Post-Coronavirus Comeback

As U.S. president Donald Trump wavers on decision to extend the U.S. lockdown or reopen economies, cryptocurrency miners are still weighing on potential outcomes.

Although cryptocurrency trading had slightly recovered, there is still hesitation among miners. The costs of analyzing blockchain transactions remain the same, while prices of digital currency fluctuate; earning them coin values not enough to even recover previous losses.

Most crypto traders do not foresee immediate economic recovery once businesses reopen. The public will have been left with reduced funds, or none at all, to even think of heading out for a buying spree. Besides, the Centers for Disease Control has warned that there could be a second wave that could be more severe than the first. It is likely that any plans for investing or buying will be put on hold as emergency funds; probably until there is certainty of a stable economy..

Unprofitable Bitcoin Mining Operations Could  Cripple Start-Up Mining Businesses

Ideally, the best scenario is one in which the bitcoin price will rise. That way mining operation will regain its profitable traits. In early March, the cryptocurrency industry saw several operators liquidating their bitcoin-backed loans, whilst miners decided to shut down their mining machines.

 

There are also analysis reports of start-up privately-owned mining corporations, to likely disappear. That is  if providers of hardware and funds will give priority to larger mining operators.

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency
11
Jan
2020

Amidst Continuing Hacks and Scams, How Should the Cryptocurrency System Move Forward in 2020?

It is now widely recognized that the cryptocurrency financial system has become a burgeoning industry. So much so that it has become ripe with opportunities for fraudsters and hackers, as millions have become victims of cryptocurrency investment scams and cyber attacks. Apparently, the common factor that has made victims vulnerable to criminal elements is their complacency.

They see the blockchain system as having sufficient shield against the prying eyes of financial regulators and tax enforcers. Yet they also take it to mean that the entire workings of the cryptocurrency financial system is safe from the schemes devised by scammers and hackers. .

Victims tend to overlook the fact that the beginning and end of cryptocurrency transactions still require participation of banking institutions. Not unless one is a cryptocurrency miner who gets to own a unit of cryptocurrency for every block of encrypted transactions he or she adds to the blockchain system.

Purchasing cryptocurrency with real cash, is still the fastest approach to owning digital money. Mainly because it takes high-powered computers to solve complex encryptions plus a lot of hard work is involved. Now in order to have real-world value, cryptocurrencies have to be cashed out through bonafide bank accounts or central bank-accredited payment processors.

Actions Taken to Strengthen the Security of Financial Transactions Involving Cryptocurrency Exchanges

As far as The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication or SWIFT is concerned, they have reacted to cyber attacks by reinforcing cybersecurity controls, and by identifying the weakest players in the SWIFT community.

Moreover, this organization of global financial telecommunication experts, makes sure that information about the modus operandi of known cyber attackers, are disseminated worldwide to prevent further occurrences of hacking incidents.

In the cryptocurrency system, which is basically a decentralized method of exchanging digital funds, whilst working outside of a central bank or a recognized administrator, members of the cryptocurrency community rely on each other in preventing scams and hacking incidents.

Cryptocurrency service providers like operators of crypto exchange platforms and digital asset custodianship, have also taken steps to prevent digital funds from being stolen. However, the fact that many crypto-related investment frauds and illegal cash-outs still happen, the use of encryption controls, of blacklisting addresses and of capping cash-out transaction, have not proven as sufficient deterrents against criminal elements and their modus operandi.

What Financial Experts Recommend to the Cryptocurrency Community in Moving Forward to 2020

Many articles written about cryptocurrency fraud suggest that it is not only the technology of the system that requires strengthening. Proponents and players in the digital currency market must acknowledge that it takes more than encryption to provide the necessary check and balances in ensuring the validity of blockchain transactions.

Improving the cryptocurrency system also requires risk management and adherence to basic financial controls. Particularly that of segregating duties, functions and roles among those who have access to the blockchain system to deflect conflicts of interests. Segregation pertains to those who have custody of customer assets, as well as from those who facilitate trading or exchanges of cryptocurrency funds.

Most important of all is to instill the importance of education or know-how among participants, before entering into cryptocurrency transactions.

Rather than have digital asset owners and potential investors rely on information provided by influencers, participants should have a clear understanding of how crypto-exchanges and fund transfers work; of the risks involved, as well as have accessible information about established institutions and organizations that can help in verifying the legitimacy of digital investment offers.

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency, Finance
15
Oct
2019

Facebook’s Libra Cryptocurrency Faces More Withdrawal of Support for the Project

As U.S. legislators and regulators continue to scrutinize Facebook’s planned launch of its Libra cryptocurrency, six (6) other financial backers of the project have announced withdrawal of their support.

Wary of becoming involved in a financial project that has yet to present proof that it is capable of meeting and complying with regulatory requirements, major credit card companies Visa and Mastercard, decided not to pursue plans of becoming founding members of the Libra Association.

Other companies that withdrew pledge of financial support and membership from the Libra Association, include eBay, Stripe, Booking Holdings and Mercado Pago. This recent development came after PayPal formally announced the company’s withdrawal a week ago.

As a result, the Libra cryptocurrency will only have Netherlands-based PayU on board as payments processor. However, it is purported the PayU is not accessible in the U.S. and Canada, as well as in some areas in the Middle East and Africa.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says that it is necessary for the Libra cryptocurrency to meet financial regulatory standards, which up to now is not up to par.

Moreover, Secretary Mnuchin warned that if Facebook’s Libra launches while not meeting the anti-money laundering standards and the standards set by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the Treasury Department would take enforcement actions against Facebook and its proposed governing body, the Libra Association.

Remaining Libra Associates Still Optimistic about the Libra Cryptocurrency Project

Despite the mounting pressure to comply with financial regulatory requirements, and the rising number of partners withdrawing as Libra Associates, the remaining partners held an inaugural meeting in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday (October 14, 2019).

Reuters reported that the remaining 21 members, out of the original 28 previously named as Libra Associates, reaffirmed their support for the cryptocurrency undertaking. The group formed and voted on the 5-member board, whilst agreeing to an interim articles of association, developed in accordance with Swiss Laws.

Making up the 5-member board are Facebook Executive David Marcus, and representatives of PayU, Andreessen Horowitz, Xapo Holdings Limited and non-profit organization Kiva Microfunds.

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency
11
Aug
2019

Facebook and Its Libra Cryptocurrency Project Suffer from Trust Issues

Facebook’s Libra project is about combining online shopping and making other online financial transactions right on the Facebook platform, whilst using only a single digital currency as acceptable mode of payment. Facebook would call its own kind of cryptocurrency as Libra.

The mechanics looks appealing as it will make Facebook a one-stop-shop environment where people can communicate, meet, shop and transact at the same time. However, there is just one important problem that Facebook will find difficult to hurdle: lack of trust among Facebook users.

The general perception is that the social media site lacks the capability and diligence to prevent the certain forces in the Internet from gaining access to FB-Libra user’s financial information and activities if ever.

Why Many Consider the Facebook Libra Project as Untrustworthy

When Facebook revealed its “Project Libra” sometime in June, it instantly projected a picture in which people living ordinary lives will finally have a chance to dip its hands into the growing world of cryptocurrency. The project looked appealing because it made the process of dealing with cryptocurrency so convenient and at the same time not so complicated.

Yet that is exactly the problem, Project Libra seems all too easy, which if handled by a social media site like Facebook is too risky. After all, not a few million users have had the experience of getting their FB accounts hacked, or the security of their personal information breached.

Technology websites like Tech Republic can present a decade-long list of privacy information breach that the Facebook platform allowed to transpire through the years.

The worst and the most recent was the one carried out by a political consulting and strategic communications company called Cambridge Analytica. The firm was able to gather personally identifiable information from 87 million users who were enticed to take a personality quiz called “This is Your Life.”

The U.S. Congress, through the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs held a hearing in which FB Messenger Exec David Marcus and supposed head of the Libra project launch, was grilled on all sides. The hearing ended with Committee Chairman, Senator Maxine Waters, requesting the social media company not to go ahead with the Libra launch until such time that proper legislation governing cryptocurrency operations are in place.

Recent Poll Shows Only 2% of People Surveyed Trust Facebook’s Project Libra

A recent survey conducted by US-based CivicScience involving 1,799 American adults showed that 77% do not trust Facebook with their personal information, while only 2% put a lot of trust on Facebook.

The survey also revealed that when it comes to trusting Facebook’s Libra Project, at least 40% of those who responded say they had less trust in Libra over whatever trust they have for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

Posted by Madelina Feliks
13
Jun
2019

Cryptocurrency : What are Altcoins?

Altcoins, which is short for Alternative Coins are the other types of cryptocurrency we can use in the world of decentralized financial transactions. Altcoins were introduced much later after bitcoin, around 2013. Albeit built and working on the same framework by which bitcoins are recorded and transacted, their introduction as alternative cryptocurrency was meant to address discerned limitations of bitcoins, as a medium of exchange outside of financial institutions and regulations.

Hundreds of altcoins arrived, but not all remained or stayed long enough in the cryptocurrency market like Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Dash, Cardano and ZCash, just to name a few. To have an idea if a certain type of alternative coin has chances of achieving growth and stability as a digital currency, it would be best to understand the significance of their respective market capitalization.

What is Cryptocurrency Market Capitalization?

Similar to investing in shares of stocks, the cryptocurrency market capitalization depends on the value per coin and the number of coins circulating in the cryptocurrency market, if more will invest and use a type of altcoin, the greater the market capitalization and potential for growth.

Cryptocurrency Market Capitalization = Price per Coin x Total Supply of Coins in Circulation

Now if there is an increase in the supply of a cryptocurrency, chances are there will also be an increase in the price of the token. Some investors may venture into buying a low-priced, small cap altcoin, which therefore increases the supply in circulation. In exactly the same way, if the supply in circulation decreases, the price per token and the market capitalization also goes down.

The upward or downward trend in market capitalization of an altcoin therefore, indicates whether there is growth or the opposite.

Let us cite Litecoin as example, being one of the most popular altcoins currently in use. This digital currency had a market capitalization of $3.32 billion and price per token of $57.37 in August 2018; denoting that at that time, 58, 207, 830 Litecoins were in circulation.

Now as of this writing (June 13, 2019) Litecoin has a market capitalization of 8.38 billion. The increase of $5.06 billion between August 2018 and June 2019), denotes that there were corresponding increases in the Litecoin supply in circulation during the period. The supply of Litecoin in circulation rose to 62,198,601. As the related demand for Litecoin increased, the price of this altcoin soared to $134.6123 per token.

Litecoin’s popularity and resulting growth is mainly due to its quicker-settlement attribute. As alternative cryptocurrency, a Litecoin transaction can be settled in 2 and ½ minutes, which in contrast to bitcoin takes 10 minutes.

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency
10
May
2019

Is It Smart To Invest In Bitcoins?

Bitcoin is probably the world’s most talked about currency, though it’s still a wonder to many. Let’s change that and cover a quick overview of Bitcoins. Here is all you need to know about Bitcoin before you even start trading them. Bitcoin, like the euro and the dollar, is a currency used to pay for goods and services online. As opposed to traditional currencies, Bitcoin features the following:

  • It follows a decentralized system where no government or central bank has control over the currency source.
    Bitcoin is entirely digital which means there are no physical coins or paper bills to represent bitcoins. Bitcoins are regularly monitored by blockchains which constantly update records that trace the history of each Bitcoin generated.
  • Bitcoins are linked with a wallet ID instead of your own personal details, however, this does not necessarily make it completely anonymous.
  • Bitcoin started in 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto. This person released a paper speaking about how Bitcoins can potentially work and after a year it began being mined and traded.

People are so fascinated by Bitcoins because there are no middlemen like banks that charge too many fees. Because it prevails fully on the web, transactions are done entirely by the use of wallet IDs contrary to using your personal information.

Bitcoins can be purchased

You can easily purchase bitcoins using cash, credit or debit cards, or through wire transfers. However, before making a purchase, you will want to set up a bitcoin “wallet” from which the wallet ID is based on. This is simply a place to keep your bitcoins, much like your wallet keeps your money, cards, and other personal IDs.

Bitcoins can be mined

Bitcoin mining is much like mining gold online and thus the term mining. The process makes use of bitcoin trading bots such as those found in Pheeva.com. With banknotes, the government makes the decision as to when is it best to print notes and disperse funds, however, Bitcoin does not have any central regulator, that’s why anyone can mine bitcoins online.

Is it wise to invest in Bitcoin?

Be aware that investing some of your savings on Bitcoin is not the same as investing in the stock market. Having bitcoins is not similar to keeping money in banks.

Wall Street does not trade bitcoins and it also cannot be purchased or sold by brokers. So anything and everything is entirely up to you. Because of its irregular nature, Bitcoin is constantly fluctuating in price and occurs more often than other currencies. If you do not like the risk, you should consider a safer investment than Bitcoin. There is also no real value like gold. The value of bitcoin is what people think. Considering this, its value can be a bit daunting.

Seeing that the number of bitcoins is restricted and Bitcoin is no longer going to be generated after 2040, the idea of diving into some investment is a good idea and it could help broaden your portfolio. The future of Bitcoin is bright but bound on a risky path. Sometime soon, the government may purchase Bitcoin to be stockpiled like gold. This can have a lot of negative effects, but it means that the limited bitcoin would surge in demand.

Reminders when investing in Bitcoins

The most wide-spread type of investment in Bitcoins to buy and stick to Bitcoin and hope that it appreciates in value so that you could make a sale. As with all investments, you must not invest more than what you are willing to lose. Bitcoin is still a very dangerous investment. The key thing to consider when purchasing Bitcoins is to purchase only via reputable exchanges.

One more important reminder is to avoid purchasing all Bitcoins in one transaction. Instead, make use of the dollar cost averaging approach to purchasing fixed amounts on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis. This allows you to buy the largest bitcoin when the price goes up, and the least bitcoin when the price goes down.

Posted by Laney Seward in Cryptocurrency
24
Apr
2019

Blockchain: Understanding Its Significance to the Security of Cryptocurrency Transactions

Blockchain may seem a bit confusing when trying to know your way around cryptocurrency transactions. Yet a clearer understanding of its significance, will give you greater confidence when entering into deals that allow or require cryptocurrency payments such as bitcoin.

The term blockchain in its simplest meaning refers to digital information stored in a database of cryptocurrency transactions. That is why other blockchain definitions refer to it as the public ledger, as every block includes a record of the (1) date, (2) time (3) amount transacted, and (4) the username of the the person initiating the bitcoin payment, and of the person or entity who will receive thè specified bitcoin amount.

A blockchain, as the term denotes is something larger than just of a single, linear digital information. It comprises multiple transactions linked or chained together and recorded as if appearing as one page of a physical ledger. A blockchain though does not have a standard size like a ledger page, but it can store as much as 1 MB of data coming from multiple bitcoin transactions.

However, not all information of a digital currency or bitcoin transaction entering the cryptocurrency database, immediately becomes part of the chain comprising a blockchain. Certain conditions must be met before one gets stored as a component of a blockchain.

When Does a Block Become Part of a Blockchain?

A block of digital information becomes legitimate public ledger entry only if it has been verified, conformed and transformed as component of a blockchain.

First off, if you are the sender of a bitcoin payment you must have a private key known only to you. You obtained a private key when you received that bitcoin, also by way of a transaction that went through your cryptocurrency network.

Private Key vs. Public Key Validation

A private key is a specific code that gives you the legitimate ownership and authorization to use, or send that specific bitcoin to a bitcoin peer in the same network. A private key though, gives you legitimate ownership of the bitcoin only if it is compatible with a public key generated by the database. If a private key and the public key do not make a match, then the bitcoin transaction is invalid and will not be broadcasted in the network as a legitimate bitcoin transaction.

Although a private key validates your transaction, digital currency procedures require confirmation by a third party who will attest to the legitimacy of the transaction. This is where bitcoin miners come into the picture, because their job is to make mathematical computations that will confirm or counter-check if such a transaction has indeed transpired within the network.

Confirmation by Bitcoin Miners

Currently, best practices recommend at least 6 confirmations to be regarded as sound guarantee that the broadcasted bitcoin transaction is legitimate. A confirmation is evidenced by a hash produced by way of mathematical computation, making it unique and attributable only to the block representing the bitcoin transaction. Moreover, that same hash will link with the hash of the most recent block that càme in as new addition.

Each block therefore, once appearing in a blockchain will be difficult to alter or modify. Anyone attempting to do so, has to tamper with several unique hash data linked together as codes of a block.

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency
26
Mar
2019

Cryptocurrency or Digital Currency: How Much Do You Understand and Know About It?

Transacting by way of bitcoins is an undertaking that requires a whole lot of understanding before a person gets the confidence to enter into cryptocurrency transactions.

First off, it is not the same as paying real cash to another party through a bank or via an ewallet to complete an online transaction. Here, a cryptocurrency payer needs to be part of a network of peers or persons agreeing to pay and receive payments by way of cryptocurrency.

What is Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency represents value of money that was paid or received by a peer to another, then entered as a transaction in a database of entries. In order to send cryptocurrency as payment, the payor or sender of the cryptocurrency must be the holder of a private key that validates his or her right to send that amount of cryptocurrency to a peer.

The recipient peer, on the other hand, will receive his own set of codes that will serve as his private key. That set of key will then give him the right to use the cryptocurrency received for his own future cryptocurrency transaction.

Every private key assigned to a transaction that has been entered in the cryptocurrency database must match a public key. Take note that entries in the database cannot be altered or modified unless that particular condition is met. Otherwise, an invalid private key cannot create a valid cryptocurrency transaction.

Presently, the cryptocurrency widely used is the bitcoin. Persons wishing to use cryptocurrency as means of sending payment must first buy a bitcoin value using real money.

How to Buy Bitcoins

The simplest way to buy bitcoins is to buy them from a reputable bitcoin trader that usually deals with bitcoin exchange transactions. Since real money must be paid in order to acquire a sum of bitcoin by way of credit or debit card, a first time buyer must make certain that he is buying from a legitimate site.

Usually a legitimate bitcoin dealer will sell only minimal amounts, e.g. $50 or less. So once a purchase has been made, the transaction enters the cryptocurrency database. The buyer then receives a private key that will allow him to use the bitcoin for whatever purpose it will serve him.

If a bitcoin buyer wishes to store bitcoins, maintaining a bitcoin wallet is advisable. Here, a person can easily keep track of how much bitcoin he owns, as well as determine the actual real money value of his stored bitcoins.

At some point in time, he may also want to sell some of his bitcoins at a higher price than its actual cost in order to gain profit. However, the value by which a bitcoin is sold depends on the current free market exchange rate, which means the current price index that most bitcoin buyers are willing to pay in exchange for real money.

Posted by Madelina Feliks in Cryptocurrency

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