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Risk Warning - Notice to UK Users  

Estimated reading time: 2 mins

Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.

What are the key risks?

1.You could lose all the money you invest

The performance of most cryptoassets can be highly volatile, with their value dropping as quickly as it can rise. You should be prepared to lose all the money you invest in crypto assets.

The crypto asset market is largely unregulated. There is a risk of losing money or any cryptoassets you purchase due to risks such as cyber-attacks, financial crime and firm failure.

2.You should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) doesn’t protect this type of investment because it’s not a ‘specified investment’ under the UK regulatory regime – in other words, this type of investment isn’t recognised as the sort of investment that the FSCS can protect. Learn more by using the FSCS investment protection checker here.

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) will not be able to consider complaints related to this firm. Learn more about FOS protection here.

3.You may not be able to sell your investment when you want to

There is no guarantee that investments in crypto assets can be easily sold at any given time. The ability to sell a crypto asset depends on various factors, including the supply and demand in the market at that time.

Operational failings such as technology outages, cyber-attacks and comingling of funds could cause unwanted delay and you may be unable to sell your crypto assets at the time you want.

4.Cryptoasset investments can be complex

Investments in crypto assets can be complex, making it difficult to understand the risks associated with the investment.

You should do your own research before investing. If something sounds too good to be true, itprobably is.

5.Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Putting all your money into a single type of investment is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well.

A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments. Learn more here.

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA’s website here.

For further information about cryptoassets, visit the FCA’s website here.

8 bear market trading strategies to use in times of trouble

Want to protect your investments during market downturns? Check out these 8 bear market trading strategies to help you weather any storm and potentially grow your portfolio.

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There are plenty of certainties in life, and trading is no different. Whether you’re a novice trader or a professional, one of the few guarantees when it comes to any market is that there will be bear markets, and there will be bull markets.

It’s easy to get caught up in the highs of a bull market, but when it comes to navigating bear markets one needs to keep their wits about them. Below we outline 8 trading strategies to take with you through times of dropping price movements. 

Only invest what you’re willing to lose

The golden rule of investing: never invest more than you can afford to lose. It might sound grim, but the reality is that no market or asset is ever guaranteed to succeed so be wise with your investments. Whether in a bear market or a bull market, this golden rule should never be skipped.

Once you’ve set up your budget and determined your living expenses (rent, groceries, insurance, etc), only then can you establish how much money you can invest. Bear markets and price corrections can have a significant impact on your finances, never take a chance with your living expenses or by underestimating the importance of establishing what your risk tolerance is.

Embrace dollar cost averaging

Economic cycles will inherently go up and down, and a great way to minimize risk is to implement dollar cost averaging into your trading strategy. Ideal for traders with a 10+ year timeline, dollar cost averaging involves buying the same asset on a consistent basis no matter the price. With the varying price differences, investors typically accumulate more for less over a long period of time. 

This dollar cost averaging strategy is particularly useful during bear markets when the asset prices are typically undervalued, which leads us to the next point. 

Find undervalued assets

During a bear market, asset prices are often described as being pummeled and underpriced, presenting an excellent buying opportunity for the savvy investor. The trick here is to know what you’re looking for and to conduct adequate research. In a bear market, both good and poor companies have hammered down asset prices, ensure you do your research to determine the one from the other. 

Bear markets tend to also be a great time to accumulate more from the companies/assets you are already invested in, accumulating the assets for less than they’re worth. This is a common strategy used in the stock markets when stock prices are undervalued.

Market timing can mean everything whether you're in bear market territory or not, so make sure you have adequate information before engaging in declining markets.

Branch out with diversification

Bear markets are a great time to implement an asset allocation strategy and broaden your investment horizons. When asset prices are low (even during market volatility) it creates an excellent buy-in opportunity for investors to spread their portfolios across alternative investments such as bonds, different asset classes, cash, and stocks.

Regardless of whether it's a bear market or a bull market, always consider your risk tolerance and financial goals, and as always conduct your own research, as you explore different markets and determine whether they would be a good fit for your portfolio. 

Explore non-cyclical stocks on the stock market

Non-cyclical or defensive stocks are a type of investment that usually do well even when the overall stock market is down. These stocks are from companies that make things like toothpaste, toilet paper, and soap, items that people still use even during tough times and market downturn. They usually pay regular dividends and have stable earnings, which can make them a good choice for investors who want to reduce risk during stock market decline.

Treat bear markets like you would a bear

During a bear market sometimes the best thing to do is exactly what you’d do if faced with a real bear in the woods: play dead and don’t make any sudden moves. In the financial sense, this means moving your money to safe places and not making any sudden, irrational buy/sell trades.

This typically involves putting more of your money into safe investments that you can easily access, like certificates of deposit (CDs) or U.S. Treasury bills. By doing this, you can ride out the market's ups and downs without losing too much money

Leave your emotions out of it

On Wall Street, there's a saying that 'The Dow climbs a wall of worry,' which means that even when things seem bad, the stock market can keep going up. Applicable across all markets, as an investor, it's important to not let your emotions guide your decisions. Sometimes big problems turn out to be not so bad in the long run. Fear can make it hard to think rationally, so it's best to stay calm and carry on with your investment strategy.

Short selling

If prices are falling, there are ways to make money from the situation. One way is through short selling, where you borrow shares in a company, ETF or asset and sell them with the hope of buying them back at a lower price. Another option is using put options, which increase in value as stock prices fall and limit your potential losses. 

Inverse exchange-traded funds (ETFs) also let you profit from a falling bear market by increasing in value when major indexes go down. These can be easily purchased from your brokerage account without requiring margin accounts or advanced trading skills.

Not ideal for beginner traders, only implement these strategies if you feel confident to do so or have contacted the necessary professionals. 

In conclusion

Bear markets are an inevitable part of trading, and it's essential to be prepared with strategies to minimize losses and even profit from the situation. By only investing what you can afford to lose, embracing dollar cost averaging, finding undervalued assets, diversifying your portfolio, exploring non-cyclical stocks, leaving emotions out of your decisions, and potentially using short selling or inverse ETFs, you can weather the storm of any bear market. 

It's crucial to remember to stay calm, do your research, and seek professional advice if needed. With these strategies in mind, you can navigate a bear market with confidence and come out on top.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice or a recommendation of any kind whatsoever and should not be relied upon or treated as a substitute for specific advice relevant to particular circumstances. We make no warranties, representations or undertakings about any of the content of this article (including, without limitation, as to the quality, accuracy, completeness or fitness for any particular purpose of such content), or any content of any other material referred to or accessed by hyperlinks through this article. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on our site is accurate, complete or up-to-date.

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