James

¿Alguna vez has enviado una factura y has pasado la semana siguiente persiguiendo el pago? O peor aún… ¿has perdido crypto al enviarla a la dirección equivocada? Si es así, no estás solo. Y precisamente eso es lo que Request viene a solucionar.

Los sistemas tradicionales, en su mayoría, siguen dependiendo de una combinación incómoda de intermediarios, entrada manual de datos y software de contabilidad propio de otra época. A todo esto se suma el factor humano: el error siempre está presente. Request (REQ) busca eliminar estas ineficiencias ofreciendo una solución basada en blockchain para crear, rastrear y liquidar pagos.

Tanto si estás dando tus primeros pasos en crypto como si ya te mueves con soltura en las profundidades de las finanzas Web3, Request destaca por varios motivos. Vamos a verlo.

Cómo funciona realmente Request

En esencia, Request Network permite emitir una solicitud de pago segura e inmutable mediante tecnología blockchain. Piénsalo así: en lugar de enviar fondos manualmente a una dirección de wallet (con el riesgo real de que un solo carácter mal escrito envíe tu dinero al vacío digital), el beneficiario genera una factura a través de un smart contract. El pagador la aprueba con una sola transacción. Simple, limpio y mucho menos propenso a errores costosos.

Este modelo reduce errores habituales en los pagos, mejora el registro contable para todas las partes y crea lo que en finanzas se conoce como una “fuente única de verdad”. Como todos los datos del pago viven on-chain, los historiales financieros pueden verificarse de forma independiente sin necesidad de confiar en procesadores de pago externos ni de lidiar con registros contradictorios.

Y sí, el trabajo de tu contable se vuelve muchísimo más sencillo. Solicitudes de pago, importes, fechas de vencimiento, información fiscal y trazabilidad completa de auditoría pueden convivir dentro del mismo sistema basado en blockchain.

Por qué las empresas están construyendo sobre Request

Request se ha convertido en una especie de héroe silencioso dentro de la infraestructura Web3. Muchas organizaciones blockchain (desde protocolos DeFi hasta estudios de gaming) lo han adoptado porque resuelve problemas para los que los sistemas de pago tradicionales nunca fueron diseñados.

Esto es lo que lo hace especial:

• Trazabilidad fiable para auditorías. Cada solicitud queda sellada con marca de tiempo, es inmutable y verificable de forma independiente. El sueño de cualquier contable.
• Capacidades de compliance integradas. La arquitectura de Request facilita informes fiscales detallados y flujos regulatorios, algo mucho más importante de lo que parece.
• Opciones de integración sencillas. Las empresas pueden conectar Request con plataformas existentes como WooCommerce mediante herramientas como WooReq, o utilizar Request Finance para necesidades más avanzadas.
• Escalabilidad real. La red gestiona pagos recurrentes, transacciones en lote y actividad multi-chain en más de 25 blockchains distintas sin esfuerzo.

Esta combinación de automatización, transparencia y flexibilidad ha convertido a Request en una herramienta valiosa para equipos de cualquier tamaño.

Entendiendo el token REQ

Aunque Request Network se centra en simplificar la infraestructura de pagos, el token REQ actúa como el motor operativo que mantiene todo en funcionamiento. En lugar de utilizarse como moneda principal de pago (no es para comprar un café), opera entre bastidores impulsando las distintas funciones de la red.

Cada vez que alguien crea o procesa una solicitud de pago, las comisiones de red se pagan en REQ. Estas comisiones se convierten automáticamente en la moneda necesaria de la blockchain correspondiente (por ejemplo, ETH para pagar gas fees en la red Ethereum), lo que permite que Request funcione sin fricciones en múltiples ecosistemas blockchain. Es importante destacar que una parte del REQ utilizado se quema (es decir, se elimina permanentemente de la circulación), creando una presión deflacionaria natural con el tiempo.

REQ también desempeña un papel relevante en la gobernanza de la red. Los holders del token pueden participar en decisiones sobre actualizaciones del protocolo y prioridades de desarrollo, asegurando que la evolución del proyecto se base en el consenso de la comunidad y no en decisiones centralizadas. Además, pequeñas micro-comisiones en REQ ayudan a prevenir spam y actividades maliciosas, haciendo que el abuso del sistema resulte económicamente inviable.

El diseño económico del token está orientado a la sostenibilidad a largo plazo. Con un suministro total limitado a 1.000 millones de tokens y una distribución relativamente descentralizada, el ecosistema evita muchos de los riesgos de concentración que afectan a otros proyectos, reduciendo la probabilidad de grandes ventas repentinas y favoreciendo un mercado más estable.

Por qué Request importa dentro del ecosistema crypto

A medida que la tecnología blockchain y el sector crypto maduran, proyectos de infraestructura como Request se vuelven cada vez más esenciales para la utilidad real del ecosistema. No buscan reinventar el dinero, sino hacer que los procesos financieros sean objetivamente más inteligentes.

¿Quién se beneficia de Request?

• Grandes organizaciones DeFi como Aave, Fantom y Maker utilizan Request para gestionar contabilidad compleja con múltiples tokens.
• Empresas tradicionales lo adoptan para simplificar la gestión fiscal y el cumplimiento normativo, especialmente aquellas que operan en varias jurisdicciones.
• Desarrolladores usan la API de Request para automatizar desde nóminas hasta facturación recurrente, eliminando procesos manuales.
• Proyectos Web3 aprovechan Request Finance para gestionar pagos en decenas de activos digitales distintos al mismo tiempo, evitando conversiones y seguimientos manuales.
• La red también ha colaborado con Aleo para ofrecer soluciones de nómina confidenciales que mantienen el compliance sin comprometer la privacidad financiera de los empleados.
  

Además, Request ganó una gran visibilidad en 2021 cuando The Sandbox (una de las mayores plataformas de gaming NFT) eligió Request como su infraestructura de pagos. Esta colaboración no solo impulsó la actividad del token, sino que validó a Request como una herramienta con utilidad real.

Conclusión

Request muestra cómo puede ser la infraestructura financiera en la era Web3: transparente, automatizada y diseñada para una economía digital y rápida. Conecta la fiabilidad de blockchain con necesidades reales del mundo, demostrando que la descentralización sigue siendo tan relevante como siempre.

Dónde conseguir REQ

¿Te interesa lo que Request aporta? Puedes adquirir el token REQ en plataformas como Tap.

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Audius es uno de los proyectos más interesantes del ecosistema Web3. Se trata de una plataforma de streaming musical descentralizada creada para devolver el poder a los artistas. En lugar de depender de discográficas o plataformas centralizadas, Audius conecta directamente a los creadores con sus fans, permitiéndoles publicar, compartir y monetizar su música en sus propios términos. Es una plataforma donde los oyentes pueden escuchar música libremente, mientras que los artistas obtienen recompensas en la criptomoneda nativa de la plataforma, AUDIO.

Fundada en 2018 por Roneil Rumburg y Forrest Browning, Audius ha atraído a millones de usuarios mensuales y a cientos de miles de artistas, con el respaldo de grandes nombres como Katy Perry, Nas, Steve Aoki y Jason Derulo. Su misión es clara: eliminar intermediarios y permitir que los artistas sean verdaderos propietarios de su trabajo y se beneficien directamente de él.

¿Cómo funciona Audius?

A nivel técnico, Audius opera sobre una red descentralizada impulsada por nodos de contenido y nodos de descubrimiento.
Los nodos de contenido alojan y protegen los archivos musicales en nombre de los artistas, mientras que los nodos de descubrimiento los indexan para que los fans puedan encontrar fácilmente las canciones. Este sistema sustituye a los servidores centralizados por una red distribuida, ofreciendo mayor resistencia a la censura y más transparencia.

Los artistas pueden subir música directamente a Audius, decidir cómo compartirla (gratis o de pago) e incluso desbloquear contenido exclusivo para sus fans más fieles. A diferencia de las plataformas tradicionales que pagan únicamente por número de reproducciones, Audius recompensa a los artistas en función del compromiso global: canciones en tendencia, subidas verificadas e interacción con la comunidad.

Aunque Audius se construyó originalmente sobre la blockchain de Ethereum, posteriormente migró su sistema de contenidos a Solana para ofrecer transacciones más rápidas y económicas, manteniendo AUDIO como un token ERC-20. Esta configuración híbrida combina la fiabilidad de Ethereum con la escalabilidad de Solana.

¿Qué hace diferente a Audius?

Audius desafía las normas de la industria musical invirtiendo la estructura de beneficios. En el streaming tradicional, los artistas suelen recibir alrededor del 12 % de los ingresos totales. En Audius, los artistas reciben el 90 % de las recompensas directamente en tokens AUDIO, mientras que el 10 % restante se destina a los operadores de nodos que ayudan a asegurar la red.

Este enfoque crea un modelo más transparente y equitativo, que permite a los artistas conectar directamente con sus oyentes, lanzar contenidos exclusivos o gestionar sus propias comunidades. Además, la plataforma colabora con TikTok, permitiendo enlazar canciones de Audius directamente a vídeos, lo que amplía su exposición en redes sociales convencionales.

Gracias al almacenamiento descentralizado (a través de AudSP, un sistema basado en IPFS), los artistas mantienen el control sobre sus archivos musicales. Esto convierte a Audius en una plataforma resistente a la censura y realmente orientada a los creadores, algo poco habitual en el mundo del streaming.

El token AUDIO

El token AUDIO es el pilar del ecosistema Audius y cumple varias funciones clave:

• Staking y seguridad de la red: los operadores de nodos hacen staking de AUDIO para ejecutar la infraestructura y ganar recompensas.
  
  
• Gobernanza: cada token AUDIO otorga un voto en las decisiones del protocolo, dando a la comunidad voz sobre la evolución de la plataforma.
  
  
• Acceso a funciones: mantener o hacer staking de AUDIO desbloquea funciones premium, acceso anticipado a nuevas herramientas e insignias para artistas.
  

AUDIO tiene una oferta inicial de mil millones de tokens y se utiliza para recompensas de la plataforma, incentivos comunitarios y la seguridad continua de la red. Los holders también pueden ganar AUDIO adicional mediante staking o contribuyendo al crecimiento del ecosistema.

Por qué Audius es importante

Audius es mucho más que una app de música: es una prueba real de cómo la blockchain puede transformar las industrias creativas. En resumen, ofrece:

• Conexión directa entre artistas y fans sin intermediarios
  
• Reparto de ingresos transparente mediante recompensas on-chain
  
• Almacenamiento resistente a la censura para música y metadatos
  
• Escalabilidad cross-chain con interoperabilidad entre Ethereum y Solana
  

Para los artistas, supone un trato más justo. Para los oyentes, es una forma de apoyar directamente a los creadores y descubrir nuevas comunidades musicales impulsadas por crypto.

Conclusión

Audius reimagina lo que podría ser el streaming musical en la era Web3: un ecosistema justo, abierto y descentralizado donde creatividad y propiedad van de la mano. Une tecnología blockchain y expresión cultural, demostrando que la descentralización no es solo cosa de las finanzas.

Dónde conseguir AUDIO

¿Te interesa el proyecto? Puedes adquirir el token AUDIO en plataformas como Tap.

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Imagina tu red social favorita, por ejemplo 𝕏 o Facebook, pero mejorada con herramientas cripto. La posibilidad de enviar tokens, publicar mensajes cifrados, unirte a aplicaciones descentralizadas (dApps) e interactuar con NFTs, todo sin salir del feed que ya conoces y usas a diario. Esa es la promesa de Mask Network.

El proyecto construye un puente entre Web2 (redes sociales tradicionales) y Web3 (blockchain + crypto) integrando funcionalidades descentralizadas directamente dentro de plataformas familiares, sin exigir que el usuario final entienda términos técnicos como dirección IP, IPv4 o cómo una red informática enruta la información.

En esencia, Mask Network funciona a través de una extensión del navegador y una wallet multi-chain que detectan plataformas sociales compatibles y añaden una capa Web3 de funciones. Así, puedes enviar crypto a amigos desde el feed, publicar contenido que solo ciertas personas puedan ver e incluso conectar distintas blockchains sin salir de tu app social. Este enfoque recuerda a cómo un router o un protocolo de enrutamiento gestiona paquetes de datos en segundo plano: el trabajo técnico complejo permanece “invisible”, mientras la experiencia se mantiene sencilla en la superficie.

¿Cómo funciona Mask Network?

Cuando instalas la extensión de Mask Network (por ejemplo, en Chrome o Firefox), esta añade botones u opciones extra en los sitios compatibles. Según el sitio oficial, actualmente es compatible con varias plataformas sociales en las que la extensión superpone herramientas cripto como mensajería cifrada, autocustodia de activos, interacción con dApps y agregación de identidad.

La extensión del navegador funciona en sistemas operativos principales como Microsoft Windows y macOS, comportándose como un software ligero que se integra de forma natural en tu navegador.

A nivel técnico, la plataforma es compatible con múltiples cadenas EVM (así que no quedas limitado a una sola). La extensión detecta publicaciones, menciones de tickers o cuadros de chat e “inyecta” controles Web3 adicionales. Por ejemplo, puede convertir un simple tweet en un punto de propinas con tokens o en un canal para compartir archivos cifrados. Lo interesante es que no necesitas migrar a una red social nueva: tu feed actual se vuelve Web3 gracias a una capa que se siente más como una actualización cross-platform que como un producto completamente distinto.

El proceso se parece a cómo una capa de Internet Protocol se sitúa sobre el hardware, gestionando el flujo de datos en distintos entornos. Mask hace algo comparable en el mundo del social networking: la plataforma tradicional permanece intacta, pero se añade una nueva capa funcional por encima.

¿Para qué se utiliza el token MASK?

El token nativo, MASK, es el “combustible” y la llave de gobernanza del ecosistema. Con un suministro fijo de 100 millones de tokens, la escasez queda definida desde el inicio. Esto es lo que impulsa:

• Governance: los holders pueden votar cambios del proyecto o actualizaciones del protocolo.
• Participation: algunas funciones, membresías o herramientas premium se desbloquean mediante MASK.
• Utility y servicios dentro de la plataforma: ya sea para publicaciones cifradas, derechos de contenido o interacciones DeFi dentro del feed social, MASK respalda muchas de estas actividades.

Por qué traders y usuarios podrían seguirlo de cerca

Para quienes siguen de cerca el punto donde crypto se cruza con la vida cotidiana, Mask Network ofrece motivos bastante sólidos para prestarle atención. Está diseñado para funcionar dentro de las plataformas sociales en las que ya pasas tiempo. En lugar de pedirle a la gente que abandone sus redes favoritas por alternativas descentralizadas poco conocidas, Mask se integra directamente en esos entornos. Esto es relevante porque abre la puerta no solo a usuarios cripto, sino también a los miles de millones de personas que usan redes sociales cada día. Si incluso una parte pequeña empieza a utilizar funciones Web3 sin sentir que “entró en crypto”, eso se traduce en adopción real.

Luego está el ángulo de la privacidad, cada vez más relevante. Vivimos en una época donde las filtraciones de datos aparecen en titulares constantemente y cada vez más personas se sienten incómodas con cuánto saben las grandes tecnológicas sobre ellas. La capacidad de Mask para cifrar publicaciones, controlar quién puede ver tu contenido y vincular actividad a una identidad descentralizada ofrece un nivel de control que normalmente no existe en plataformas tradicionales. No es solo una función técnica, también responde a una demanda creciente de autonomía digital.

Desde el punto de vista técnico, Mask tampoco depende de una sola red. Tiene un diseño multi-chain y admite componentes modulares como dApplets, capas de identidad e integraciones de wallet. Esa flexibilidad hace que no esté atado al destino de una única blockchain y pueda evolucionar según cambie el ecosistema. Y aquí entra un punto importante: la utilidad del token MASK está vinculada al crecimiento de la plataforma. Se usa para gobernanza, desbloquea funciones premium y sostiene la participación del ecosistema. Cuanto más se utilicen las funciones de Mask Network, más central se vuelve el token dentro del sistema.

Aspectos a tener en cuenta

Ningún proyecto existe aislado, y Mask Network también tiene riesgos que conviene considerar. Para empezar, la mezcla de Web3 con redes sociales sigue en una fase relativamente temprana. La idea es prometedora, pero lograr adopción masiva es otro desafío: no depende solo del producto, también requiere confianza, distribución y tracción con el tiempo. Hoy, la mayoría de las personas no piensa en funciones sociales descentralizadas cuando navega por 𝕏, y cambiar hábitos nunca es fácil.

También existen consideraciones prácticas. Las extensiones de navegador, por su propia naturaleza, pueden abrir vectores adicionales de riesgo si se convierten en objetivo de phishing o actualizaciones maliciosas. Por eso, es importante mantener buenas prácticas de seguridad y verificar siempre lo que se instala y actualiza.

Además, MASK es un token de menor capitalización en comparación con los más grandes del mercado, y eso puede traducirse en movimientos de precio más bruscos. La tecnología no elimina la volatilidad del mercado. Por último, el éxito de Mask no depende solo de Mask: también está condicionado por cómo reaccionen las grandes plataformas sociales ante integraciones de terceros (cambios de políticas, restricciones de APIs o bloqueos), y por la evolución de regulaciones relacionadas con crypto y privacidad.

Es un proyecto con un enfoque interesante y potencial real, pero estos factores externos pueden influir significativamente en su trayectoria.

Conclusión

Si te interesan los proyectos que viven en la intersección entre redes sociales y crypto, Mask Network destaca como una propuesta creativa. Es menos “DeFi puro” y más una capa Web3 aplicada a la interacción digital diaria. Su éxito dependerá de lo bien que se integre en los hábitos de los usuarios y de cuántas personas adopten esta combinación entre social y cripto.

Dónde conseguir MASK

El token MASK se puede encontrar en apps de criptomonedas que permiten comprarlo, guardarlo y hacer seguimiento de su evolución junto al resto de tus activos digitales, todo desde un mismo lugar.

Bitcoin Crashes Below $82K in Brutal Sell-Off

After breaking through several support levels, Bitcoin is trading around $82,000, extending a punishing downtrend that has erased more than 30% of its value since October's peak at $126,000.

The cause? A perfect storm of selloffs in U.S. equity markets, which triggered a wave of risk aversion that swept through global markets. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve's cautious stance on further rate cuts has injected fresh uncertainty into trading floors. Markets still anticipate a 0.25% cut, but with recession fears intensifying, traders are hitting the exits. Crypto found itself directly in the crosshairs of this flight to safety

The damage extended well beyond Bitcoin. Estimates show around $2 billion in crypto positions liquidated, as forced selling and evaporating liquidity accelerated the downturn across digital assets. But here's a twist for you: Bitcoin is now entering territory that has historically preceded major recoveries. Let’s dive in.

Bitcoin Is Officially Oversold… And That Matters

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has officially moved into oversold territory for the first time in nine months, signaling extreme selling pressure. The last time BTC hit oversold levels was in February, right before a notable rebound. Oversold signals don’t guarantee an immediate reversal, but they often mark the beginning of seller exhaustion.

In the previous oversold event, BTC dropped around an additional 10% before bouncing. If that were to happen again, BTC could briefly dip toward $77,000 before bulls regain momentum. If the current selling eases earlier, a shorter-term bounce could happen sooner.

MVRV Points to Undervaluation

Another key indicator worth looking at is Bitcoin’s MVRV Ratio. This on-chain indicator reveals whether investors are collectively sitting on profits or losses. An MVRV Ratio above 1 means the average holder is in the green; below 1 signals most are underwater.

BTC’s MVRV now sits at 1.5, its lowest level in over two years. When MVRV enters a “opportunity zone”, it suggests two things:

• Many short-term holders are underwater
• Downside selling pressure is approaching exhaustion

Key Levels to Watch

If bearish pressure continues, it’s possible BTC could revisit the $80,000 level, with a deeper support level around $77,000, matching the RSI’s recent historical pattern.

But there’s also a realistic bullish scenario: reclaiming $92,000 could turn the structure decisively bullish, opening the door to the $95,000 region and beyond.

What Can We Expect From BTC This November?

Beyond the indicators, there’s a seasonal angle worth emphasizing: Bitcoin has historically shown strong end-of-year recoveries and rallies. Even during weaker macro environments, Q4 has often delivered rebounds driven by renewed risk appetite and improved liquidity flows.

Combine that with oversold technicals, undervaluation signals, and easing macro uncertainty if the Fed does follow through on cuts, and the current levels could start looking less like panic territory and more like potential opportunity.

The Takeaway

Bitcoin's slide doesn’t appear to be driven by broken fundamentals; it's the result of macro turbulence, risk-off positioning, and temporary sentiment shifts. Short-term chop may persist, but on the flip side, key indicators are flashing oversold conditions which have historically marked turning points.

Corrections are part of Bitcoin's DNA. It has survived far steeper crashes and consistently emerged more resilient. Whether the bounce starts today or after one final shake-out, the pattern is familiar: selling exhaustion plants the seeds for the next rally. Patient holders have seen this pattern many times, and more often than not, their patience has been rewarded.

Un mercado que madura en 2025

El mundo de las criptomonedas en 2025 no se parece en nada al de hace solo un año, algo significativo en una industria acostumbrada a cambios rápidos. Ha sido un periodo de máximos emocionantes, pero también de caídas inesperadas. El capital institucional está entrando con fuerza gracias a los ETFs recientemente aprobados. Al mismo tiempo, la incertidumbre regulatoria en Estados Unidos empieza a disiparse, ofreciendo un terreno más claro tanto para desarrolladores como para participantes del mercado.

Mientras tanto, los avances en DeFi, tokenización y escalabilidad blockchain están llevando la tecnología mucho más allá del hype y de las inversiones puramente especulativas. Está claro que el ecosistema cripto está evolucionando. La gran pregunta es qué proyectos están liderando esa transformación.

Tanto si llevas tiempo siguiendo el mercado como si acabas de empezar a prestar atención, estas son cinco criptomonedas que merecen estar en tu radar a medida que el año se acerca a su final.

1. Bitcoin (BTC): el estándar de oro

Este era previsible. A día de hoy, Bitcoin sigue siendo el ancla del ecosistema cripto, influyendo en el sentimiento del mercado, la actividad de trading y las condiciones de liquidez en toda la industria. Tras el halving de abril de 2024, la reducción en la emisión de BTC ha reforzado la sensación de escasez y ha modificado la economía de la minería.

Por qué seguir BTC en 2025

-Adopción institucional: Los ETFs de Bitcoin continúan atrayendo interés y han mantenido flujos positivos durante gran parte del año. Con el tiempo, BTC se integra cada vez más en carteras y productos de jubilación dentro de las finanzas tradicionales.

-Factores macroeconómicos: Con los tipos de interés estabilizándose, Bitcoin sigue considerándose un activo relevante frente a la inflación, la volatilidad monetaria y la incertidumbre macro.

-Escalado Layer 2: Las mejoras en Lightning Network y nuevas soluciones basadas en rollups están aumentando la eficiencia de las transacciones y ampliando su utilidad.

A noviembre de 2025, BTC cotiza alrededor de los 97.000 $, con una capitalización cercana a los 2 billones de dólares, tras haber alcanzado recientemente un nuevo máximo histórico de 126.198 $. A pesar de una corrección reciente, mantiene su posición como el activo digital dominante y un indicador clave del sentimiento general del mercado.

2. Ether (ETH): el gigante de los smart contracts

La red Ethereum sigue liderando en smart contracts, aplicaciones descentralizadas y tokenización. En ese aspecto, poco ha cambiado. Las actualizaciones del protocolo han reforzado su posición como plataforma de computación escalable y energéticamente eficiente.

Por qué seguir ETH en 2025

- Eficiencia post-merge: El paso a proof-of-stake y la amplia adopción de soluciones Layer 2 han reducido significativamente las comisiones y mejorado el rendimiento.

- Adopción empresarial: nstituciones y fintechs utilizan cada vez más Ethereum para liquidaciones, activos del mundo real (RWA) y finanzas programables. Las reservas institucionales de ETH han pasado de menos de un millón a más de seis millones durante el año.

- Exposición vía ETFs: Los productos cotizados basados en ETH han ampliado el acceso tanto para usuarios minoristas como profesionales.

ETH cotiza cerca de los 3.200 $ tras un rally histórico que lo llevó a nuevos máximos. Sigue siendo el segundo activo por capitalización y mantiene el ecosistema de desarrolladores más grande de Web3.B

3. XRP: el conector de pagos transfronterizos

XRP continúa desempeñando un papel central en la modernización de los pagos internacionales, impulsado por la creciente red de alianzas de Ripple con bancos y plataformas de pago.

Por qué seguir XRP en 2025

- Claridad regulatoria: Resoluciones positivas este año han reforzado la confianza en el estatus legal de XRP en varias jurisdicciones.

- Integraciones bancarias: La adopción en regiones de rápido crecimiento impulsa un mayor volumen de transacciones y utilidad.

-Nuevos corredores de pago: La red de liquidez de Ripple permite transferencias entre una amplia variedad de monedas fiat y digitales.

XRP cotiza cerca de los 2,3 $ tras acercarse a su máximo histórico a principios de año, y sigue siendo una de las principales criptomonedas por capitalización. Representa como pocas la convergencia entre blockchain y servicios financieros tradicionales.

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4. Solana (SOL): la contendiente de alta velocidad

Solana se ha consolidado como una red conocida por su velocidad y eficiencia, habilitando aplicaciones de alto rendimiento en gaming, DeFi y NFTs. Tras problemas de escalabilidad en el pasado, la fiabilidad de la red ha mejorado notablemente.

Por qué seguir SOL en 2025

- Interés institucional: La red Solana se utiliza cada vez más para activos tokenizados y transacciones en tiempo real.

- Expansión del ecosistema: Los desarrolladores continúan lanzando nuevas dApps, juegos y exchanges descentralizados que aprovechan su rápida liquidación.

- Mejoras técnicas: Actualizaciones recientes han aumentado el tiempo de actividad y reducido la congestión de la red.

Al igual que XRP, SOL estuvo muy cerca de alcanzar su máximo histórico, pero se quedó ligeramente por debajo. Actualmente cotiza cerca de los 142 $, consolidándose como un competidor clave entre las blockchains Layer 1.

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5. Chainlink (LINK): impulsando la economía de los datos

Chainlink sigue siendo la solución de oráculos líder, permitiendo la transferencia segura de datos entre blockchains y el mundo exterior. Es una pieza esencial para smart contracts, RWA y automatización financiera.

Por qué seguir LINK en 2025

-Adopción de RWA: Bancos y gestores de activos confían cada vez más en Chainlink para respaldar bonos, fondos y materias primas tokenizadas.

-Innovación cross-chain: CCIP permite una interoperabilidad fluida entre redes como Ethereum, Avalanche, Polygon y Solana.

-Crecimiento de integraciones: La expansión en el ámbito empresarial refuerza el papel de Chainlink dentro de la infraestructura Web3.

LINK cotiza alrededor de los 14,2 $. Aunque aún está lejos de su máximo histórico, ha mostrado mayor resiliencia durante la corrección actual en comparación con otros altcoins. Más allá del precio, Chainlink sustenta procesos de datos críticos en todo el ecosistema de activos digitales.

Por qué el final de 2025 es importante

Hasta ahora, 2025 ha sido un año clave en la historia relativamente corta del mercado cripto, y sus últimos meses parecen seguir esa misma línea. Los efectos post-halving, los flujos hacia ETFs, los cambios en la liquidez y los patrones estacionales influyen de forma directa en el comportamiento del mercado.

Los ciclos anteriores también han dejado un precedente claro: históricamente, el cuarto trimestre suele mostrar mayor volatilidad y participación que otros periodos del año.

Temas y sectores clave a seguir

Más allá de los gráficos, estas narrativas seguirán ganando protagonismo y están directamente relacionadas con las criptomonedas destacadas:

• Tokenización de activos del mundo real: cada vez más instituciones utilizan blockchain para emitir y liquidar activos.
• Finanzas impulsadas por IA: la inteligencia artificial gana peso en herramientas de trading, automatización y modelado de riesgos.
• Escalado Layer 2: creciente demanda de transacciones más rápidas y baratas en múltiples redes.
• Interoperabilidad: conexión entre blockchains para crear ecosistemas digitales unificados.

Estas tendencias convierten a los activos mencionados en indicadores relevantes de los avances tecnológicos y económicos más amplios.

Conclusión

La recta final de 2025 se perfila como un momento decisivo para el mercado de activos digitales. El liderazgo de Bitcoin, la infraestructura escalable de Ethereum, las integraciones globales de pagos de XRP, la velocidad de Solana y la utilidad basada en datos de Chainlink conforman un ecosistema cada vez más maduro.

Tanto si el mercado entra en una fase de consolidación como si se prepara para nuevos máximos, una cosa está clara: el mundo cripto seguirá ofreciendo desarrollos interesantes a medida que este espacio dinámico e impredecible avanza hacia una nueva etapa de adopción más amplia.

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Un mercado dividido tras un octubre turbulento

Después de un octubre volátil que incluyó una de las liquidaciones de dos días más intensas del año, el mercado cripto intenta recuperar estabilidad, aunque la convicción sigue dividida. Bitcoin se ha estabilizado cerca de niveles clave de soporte, mientras que las altcoins luchan contra la presión vendedora.

Con factores macroeconómicos, políticos y on-chain influyendo al mismo tiempo, el debate entre los bandos alcista y bajista sigue más vivo que nunca. Veamos qué fuerzas están inclinando la balanza a cada lado.

El escenario bajista

A pesar de datos alentadores sobre ETFs y expectativas de tipos de interés más bajos, el mercado cripto no logró repuntar a finales de octubre, una señal clásica de fatiga del riesgo. Según Farside Investors, los ETFs spot de Bitcoin en EE. UU. registraron salidas de 470 millones, 488 millones y 191 millones de dólares entre el 29 y el 31 de octubre. Esto sugiere que traders de corto plazo tomaron beneficios o se apartaron del mercado tras el desvanecimiento del llamado “Uptober”.

La narrativa de la IA

El sentimiento macroeconómico sigue proyectando una sombra larga. El rally en acciones tecnológicas, impulsado por infraestructuras de IA y compañías de semiconductores, ha reavivado el debate sobre valoraciones excesivas. La breve superación de una capitalización de 5 billones de dólares por parte de Nvidia a finales de octubre evocó recuerdos de la era dot-com.

Si las acciones vinculadas a la IA comienzan a corregir, el mercado cripto podría verse afectado por un efecto riqueza inverso, con liquidez desplazándose desde activos especulativos hacia refugios más seguros.

El impacto persistente del crash del 10/10

La caída del 10 de octubre marcó una de las mayores liquidaciones en un solo día de los últimos tiempos. Analistas señalan que este evento dejó a los traders buscando “entidades muertas” y posibles pérdidas ocultas, lo que ha inyectado cautela en el mercado.

Aunque la recuperación está en marcha, las cicatrices de esa caída siguen presentes.

El momento del ciclo tras el halving

El halving de Bitcoin del 20 de abril de 2024 (bloque 840.000) reajustó expectativas, pero también reavivó una vieja pregunta: ¿en qué punto del ciclo estamos? Históricamente, los rallies más fuertes han ocurrido antes o poco después del halving, no un año más tarde.

Algunos analistas sostienen ahora que la consolidación actual podría reflejar una fase tardía del ciclo, más que el inicio de uno nuevo.

El despertar de wallets inactivas

Datos on-chain de CryptoQuant muestran que los holders de largo plazo han incrementado la distribución neta desde mediados de octubre, con decenas de miles de BTC volviendo a circulación. También se han movido fondos desde wallets de la era Satoshi.

Aunque estos movimientos no son necesariamente bajistas por sí solos, sí añaden presión de oferta a corto plazo.
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El escenario alcista

Sin señales de euforia

El posicionamiento del mercado está lejos de niveles extremos. El índice Crypto Fear & Greed se sitúa actualmente en la franja de los 20 y ha oscilado recientemente entre “Fear” y “Neutral”. Esto contrasta con lecturas de 80 o 90, que suelen preceder a techos de mercado.

En términos prácticos, esto sugiere que aún hay margen para que el sentimiento mejore antes de que el mercado se vuelva excesivamente concurrido.

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La liquidez empieza a girar

Los bancos centrales están relajando su postura. El Banco Central Europeo ya ha pausado, el Banco de Inglaterra ha iniciado recortes y se espera que la Reserva Federal de EE. UU. siga el mismo camino con al menos un recorte adicional antes de fin de año.

Según la herramienta CME FedWatch, la probabilidad de un recorte de 0,25% supera actualmente el 70%. Históricamente, los ciclos de relajación monetaria han estado estrechamente correlacionados con nuevos impulsos alcistas en el mercado cripto, al empujar a los inversores hacia activos de mayor riesgo.

La adopción institucional sigue acumulándose

Los ETFs spot continúan siendo el principal motor de credibilidad y entradas de capital este año. A pesar de salidas puntuales, los productos globales de inversión en cripto alcanzaron los 921 millones de dólares tan recientemente como la semana pasada.

Esta presencia institucional constante aporta mayor profundidad de liquidez y una base más sólida que en ciclos anteriores, donde predominaba la especulación minorista.

El factor estacional

La estacionalidad añade otro argumento alcista. Desde 2013, el cuarto trimestre ha sido, de media, el más fuerte para Bitcoin. Con noviembre mostrando históricamente rendimientos por encima de la media, muchos traders interpretan la consolidación actual no como un techo, sino como una posible fase de preparación, especialmente si los datos macro se suavizan y vuelven las entradas en ETFs.

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Mejora del sentimiento global

Por último, la distensión comercial entre EE. UU. y China actúa como un catalizador discreto pero relevante. China ha aceptado pausar aranceles del 24% sobre productos estadounidenses, marcando la mayor desescalada hasta la fecha.

Para los activos de riesgo globales, esto funciona como una válvula de alivio, con potencial para restaurar la confianza tanto en mercados emergentes como en el ecosistema cripto.

Veredicto final

El pulso entre optimismo y cautela en el mercado cripto está lejos de resolverse. El bando alcista señala la mejora de la liquidez, el avance en políticas monetarias y el crecimiento institucional como señales de un ecosistema más maduro. Los bajistas, por su parte, advierten que el momento del ciclo, la fragilidad macro y las ventas desde wallets antiguas podrían limitar cualquier repunte a corto plazo.

En este momento, la visión más realista se sitúa entre ambos extremos. Tras el flash crash de octubre, el mercado ha entrado en una fase de reajuste. Hasta que llegue el próximo máximo relevante, el entorno actual parece definirse mejor no por el miedo extremo ni por la euforia, sino por la consolidación.

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A medida que los activos digitales se convierten en una parte central del patrimonio personal, surge una pregunta incómoda pero inevitable: ¿qué pasará con tu crypto cuando ya no estés? A diferencia de los activos tradicionales, que pueden gestionarse a través de bancos o brokers, las criptomonedas están completamente ligadas a quien posee las claves privadas.

Si se pierden las claves, los fondos desaparecen. Para siempre.

El crypto desaparece constantemente

Cada año, millones de dólares en Bitcoin, Ether y otros tokens se pierden en el vacío digital cuando sus propietarios fallecen sin haber compartido el acceso. Se estima que alrededor de 1,5 millones de BTC, aproximadamente el 7,5 % del suministro total, podrían estar ya perdidos de forma irreversible.

Con la riqueza digital formando parte de cada vez más patrimonios, prepararse para lo inevitable ya no es opcional, es una responsabilidad.

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Por qué es importante planificar la herencia cripto

En las finanzas tradicionales, la transmisión del patrimonio se gestiona mediante testamentos, fideicomisos y custodios. El crypto cambia completamente esa lógica: tú eres el banco. Tus herederos no pueden pedir un restablecimiento de contraseña ni llamar a atención al cliente.

Sin claves privadas, wallets o instrucciones claras de acceso, esos activos son irrecuperables a todos los efectos.

Un plan de herencia cripto garantiza que tus activos digitales, desde Bitcoin y altcoins hasta NFTs y posiciones en DeFi, sigan siendo seguros hoy y accesibles mañana para las personas que tú elijas. Conecta dos necesidades clave: proteger tus fondos en el presente y asegurar tu legado en el futuro.

Además, una planificación adecuada reduce la carga emocional y financiera para tus seres queridos, evitando confusión y posibles conflictos legales.

Construir la base de un plan de herencia cripto

Empieza por la claridad legal

Consulta con un abogado familiarizado con activos digitales. Un testamento o fideicomiso bien estructurado debe identificar tus holdings cripto, nombrar beneficiarios y explicar cómo pueden acceder a ellos. Dado que muchas jurisdicciones aún no tienen normativas claras sobre activos digitales, el asesoramiento especializado es clave para garantizar validez legal.

Protege tus claves… sin compartirlas de más

El mayor reto en la herencia cripto es la gestión de las claves privadas. Si falleces con tus claves, tu crypto fallece contigo. Pero dejarlas en texto plano dentro de un testamento o documento es igual de peligroso.

Algunas alternativas más seguras incluyen:

• Wallets multisignature, que requieren varias aprobaciones para mover fondos.
• Shamir’s Secret Sharing, que divide la seed phrase en varias partes distribuidas entre personas de confianza.
• Copias de seguridad cifradas o cartas selladas almacenadas en ubicaciones seguras y offline.

Documenta los pasos de recuperación con un lenguaje claro para que tus herederos puedan seguirlos incluso sin conocimientos técnicos.

Elige al ejecutor adecuado

Un ejecutor tradicional puede no entender cómo gestionar activos cripto. Designar a un ejecutor con conocimientos técnicos o a un custodio especializado en activos digitales puede marcar la diferencia. Esto reduce errores y asegura que el proceso se lleve a cabo correctamente.

En un mercado caracterizado por la innovación constante, un buen plan de herencia ofrece algo poco común en crypto: certidumbre.

Nuevas herramientas para una era digital

El auge de los llamados “protocolos de fallecimiento” basados en blockchain y la automatización mediante smart contracts abre nuevas posibilidades. Algunas plataformas permiten transferencias automáticas cuando se cumplen ciertas condiciones, como la verificación de un certificado de defunción o un largo periodo de inactividad.

Ethereum y otras blockchains ya admiten sistemas de herencia programables, pero estos deben complementar, no sustituir, a los documentos legales. La tecnología puede ayudar a ejecutar tu voluntad, pero la ley sigue siendo la base de cualquier herencia.

Algunos usuarios también utilizan “dead man’s switches”, sistemas automatizados que transfieren fondos si el propietario no inicia sesión durante un periodo determinado. Aunque ingeniosos, conviene combinarlos con documentos legales para evitar activaciones accidentales.

Planificar el futuro sin comprometer la privacidad

Mientras planificas a largo plazo, es crucial mantener la seguridad en el presente. Evita incluir direcciones de wallets, claves privadas o contraseñas en testamentos públicos, ya que pasan a formar parte del registro legal.

En su lugar, guarda esta información en archivos cifrados o sobres sellados accesibles solo para personas concretas. Herramientas como los identificadores descentralizados (DIDs) y las credenciales verificables también pueden ayudar a gestionar identidades y derechos de acceso a largo plazo sin intermediarios.

Custodial vs. non-custodial: encontrar el equilibrio

A la hora de estructurar una herencia, es clave saber si tus activos están en wallets custodial o non-custodial.

• Servicios custodial (como grandes exchanges) gestionan las claves por ti, lo que puede facilitar la recuperación si los herederos presentan la documentación adecuada. Sin embargo, introduce riesgo de terceros: cuentas congeladas, hackeos o cierres de plataforma.
• Wallets non-custodial ofrecen máximo control y privacidad, pero exigen mayor responsabilidad. Si la seed phrase se pierde, no hay plan B.

Una estrategia híbrida puede ser útil: mantener holdings a largo plazo en almacenamiento non-custodial y usar custodios de confianza para cantidades más pequeñas y accesibles.

Mantén el plan actualizado

Un plan de herencia cripto no es un documento estático. Los precios cambian, los portafolios evolucionan y las tecnologías de wallets quedan obsoletas con frecuencia. Conviene revisarlo periódicamente, especialmente tras eventos vitales importantes como un matrimonio, un divorcio o el nacimiento de un hijo.

También es importante seguir las actualizaciones regulatorias en tu jurisdicción. Las leyes sobre activos digitales y herencias evolucionan rápidamente.

Errores comunes en la herencia cripto

Incluso con buenas intenciones, es fácil cometer fallos. Los más habituales incluyen:

• Incluir seed phrases directamente en el testamento.
• No explicar el funcionamiento del plan a los herederos.
• Depender exclusivamente de exchanges centralizados.

Planificar no es solo repartir patrimonio, es garantizar continuidad. Una estrategia clara evita que tu crypto pase a formar parte de los más de 100.000 millones de dólares en activos digitales perdidos en todo el mundo.

Proteger algo más que monedas

Preparar un plan de herencia cripto no trata solo de dinero, sino de legado. En un ecosistema que valora la descentralización y la autonomía, la responsabilidad y la previsión siguen siendo esenciales.

Al planificar con antelación, no solo proteges tu patrimonio digital, también ofreces tranquilidad a quienes más te importan.

As we move into November 2025, the crypto-market is gearing up for one of its most intriguing phases yet. From spot-ETF momentum to narrative shifts, network upgrades and real-world asset tokenization, multiple catalysts are aligning. Here are six key developments to watch.

1. Seasonality & Historical Momentum Could Kick In

While "Uptober" fell short of expectations, November could tell a different story. Historically, it's been one of the strongest months for digital assets, with Bitcoin in particular averaging +42.31% gains in recent years.

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When combined with the renewed ETF narrative, increased whale accumulation, and a stronger appetite for risk assets, market momentum appears to be building. Participants are closely monitoring how these dynamics could influence sentiment, especially as trading volumes and key technical levels come into play. If Bitcoin maintains stability around the $100K zone and Ethereum shows signs of renewed strength, November could become a more active month for crypto markets compared to October.

2. Ether’s Next Move Could Set the Tone for Altcoins

The final weeks of 2025 may prove pivotal for Ethereum (ETH). Although retail accumulation has paused somewhat, wallet-level data shows large holders (1,000 to 100,000 ETH wallets) added roughly 1.6 million ETH in October (around  $6 billion),  it’s a sign that whales and larger holders are staying active as the year winds down.

If ETH begins to break out or even stabilize around current levels, it could unlock the broader altcoin market, which has been lagging for months. The playbook that many are hoping for is the following one: ETH strength leads to improved risk appetite, which in turn sparks an altcoin rotation as investors seek higher risk exposure.

Ethereum remains the accepted benchmark for gauging sentiment across the non-Bitcoin segment of the market, and its performance frequently acts as a catalyst for capital flows into smaller assets. Keeping an eye on its fundamentals (from staking yield to liquidity shifts on major exchanges) will be important. In many ways, ETH could potentially become the gatekeeper to the next phase of the market’s recovery and the tone-setter for the coming months.

3. ETF Comeback After Delays

The recent U.S. government shutdown briefly froze several crypto-spot ETF filings, leaving the “ETF narrative” in suspense. But now the pause is over for Bitwise’s Spot Solana ETF. It has finally launched with strong early inflows, and the broader momentum is returning.

With this foundation, November could reignite the ETF trade in earnest, we may finally see filings for Ethereum staking products, new spot-Bitcoin funds and renewed institutional interest. If filings begin to stack up and regulatory engagement deepens, this could mark the next major inflection for how crypto is accessed in traditional portfolios.

4. Altcoins at an Inflection Point

The broader altcoin sector enters November under pressure as the Altcoin Season Index sits near 29, signaling a reset after October’s downturn. But inflection points often follow pressure. If ETH sets the tone (as many are hoping for), mid-cap and high-beta altcoins (such as SOL, AVAX, NEAR) could begin to capture rotation flows.

Traders might want to watch for flow changes such as increased volumes, wallet relocations and new project launches. While caution is still prevailing, this may be the window where sentiment begins to swing back into “altcoin season”.

5. Major Network Upgrades

Technical infrastructure is not just background noise; it often creates catalyst-events. For example, Ethereum’s upcoming Fusaka Upgrade (scheduled for early December) is designed to increase layer-2 data capacity and reduce transaction costs.

Meanwhile, various Layer-2 ecosystems are preparing upgrades and cross-chain activations. One such upgrade, Shibarium Upgrade’s security overhaul on the Shiba Inu network. These events may ignite renewed network activity, developer interest and capital flows into ecosystems ready to scale.

6. Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization Accelerates

The tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), such as real estate, bonds, equities, is moving from niche to mainstream. For instance, according to Standard Chartered, this market is projected to grow to around $2 trillion by 2028. Institutional interest is burgeoning, and regulatory frameworks are emerging.

As November unfolds, we may see announcements of large tokenization initiatives or new platforms bridging DeFi and traditional finance. For crypto holders and ecosystem observers, this means the familiar “crypto only” narrative is expanding into real-asset integration, a meaningful broadening of the opportunity set.

The Verdict

November 2025 is shaping up to be more than just another month. Spot-ETFs potential, ETH’s path, altcoin rotation, seasonal tailwinds, infrastructure upgrades and RWA tokenization all sit in motion. Each one individually is significant; together they create a multi-vector setup.

For those in the crypto space, whether you're holding long-term, actively trading, or building the next wave of infrastructure, November is likely to be eventful. This isn't a month to coast on autopilot. Track where capital is flowing. Pay attention to which narratives are gaining momentum and which are fading. The players are moving, and the pieces are falling into place.

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2025 ha sido un punto de inflexión para la inteligencia artificial. GPT-5 de OpenAI y Claude Sonnet 4.5 de Anthropic han vuelto a elevar el listón, cada uno con el objetivo de integrar un razonamiento más sólido, mayor memoria y más autonomía en un solo sistema coherente.

Ambos están diseñados para abordar programación, investigación, redacción y tareas a escala empresarial, pero sus filosofías de diseño difieren de forma clara. Este análisis compara su rendimiento en razonamiento, programación, matemáticas, eficiencia y coste para ayudarte a decidir dónde brilla cada uno.

Visión general rápida

Claude Sonnet 4.5 se apoya en la familia Claude de Anthropic, ya consolidada. Amplía la memoria entre sesiones, gestiona contextos de hasta un millón de tokens a través de Amazon Bedrock y Vertex AI, e incorpora una gestión inteligente del contexto que evita cortes bruscos. Además, puede operar de forma autónoma durante hasta 30 horas en tareas prolongadas, lo que lo hace ideal para flujos de trabajo continuos.

GPT-5, por su parte, es el modelo insignia de OpenAI tras GPT-4, optimizado para el razonamiento agentic, donde el modelo planifica, ejecuta y coordina herramientas por sí mismo. Su sistema de razonamiento adaptativo decide dinámicamente entre rutas de pensamiento superficial o profundo, permitiendo equilibrar velocidad, coste y profundidad según la tarea. GPT-5 también ofrece variantes especializadas (Mini y Nano) para cargas de trabajo más ligeras.

Razonamiento y análisis

Ambos modelos superan ampliamente a sus versiones de 2024, pero difieren en cómo razonan.

El modo de razonamiento profundo de GPT-5 mejora de forma notable el rendimiento en tareas de lógica compleja, científicas y espaciales. Es capaz de dividir problemas en cadenas de razonamiento, probar subhipótesis y autocorregirse durante el proceso. Sin embargo, cuando este modo se desactiva, la precisión disminuye de forma significativa. Puede ser brillante cuando “piensa a fondo”, pero más variable cuando no lo hace.

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Claude Sonnet 4.5, en cambio, mantiene una estabilidad notable incluso sin configuraciones adicionales. Destaca especialmente en lógica financiera, normativa y empresarial, donde la estructura y la coherencia pesan más que los saltos creativos. Para preguntas corporativas o apoyo a la toma de decisiones, esa previsibilidad es una gran ventaja.

Si buscas un razonamiento constante y fiable, Claude lleva la delantera. Si necesitas lógica exploratoria, como pruebas de hipótesis complejas o síntesis entre dominios, la profundidad de GPT-5 no tiene rival.

Matemáticas y resolución de problemas estructurados

Según los benchmarks publicados por Anthropic, Claude Sonnet 4.5 mantiene su racha de consistencia. Ya sea calculando directamente o utilizando herramientas como Python, alcanza una precisión matemática de primer nivel, incluso en entornos restringidos.

GPT-5 también logra una precisión casi perfecta, pero solo cuando el uso de herramientas y la profundidad de razonamiento están activados. Si se deshabilitan, los resultados caen de forma notable. Depende en gran medida de su pipeline de razonamiento para mantenerse preciso.

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Veredicto:

• Claude Sonnet 4.5: solucionador matemático fiable desde el primer momento.
• GPT-5: flexible, pero requiere ajustes para rendir al máximo.

Programación e ingeniería de software

En programación, los dos modelos adoptan enfoques distintos.

Claude Sonnet 4.5 ofrece un rendimiento estable sin necesidad de configuraciones especiales. En pruebas similares a HumanEval+ y MBPP+, mantiene una alta precisión en distintas condiciones, lo que lo hace fiable para entornos de producción. Su fortaleza es la consistencia: los resultados rara vez fluctúan, algo crucial a nivel empresarial.

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GPT-5, en cambio, alcanza puntuaciones máximas más altas cuando se activa su razonamiento avanzado, especialmente en proyectos grandes o multilenguaje. En tareas de refactorización en JavaScript y Python, superó a Sonnet cuando su modo de alto razonamiento estaba activo, aunque las ejecuciones base sin ese modo mostraron mayor variabilidad.

Para programación agentic, donde la IA interactúa con herramientas externas o terminales, Sonnet 4.5 suele ejecutar con menos comandos fallidos. GPT-5, por su parte, puede encadenar más llamadas a herramientas simultáneamente, lo que lo hace más adecuado para orquestaciones complejas, siempre que esté bien configurado.

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Veredicto:

• Claude Sonnet 4.5: socio de ingeniería predecible y constante.
• GPT-5: potencia versátil, pero su rendimiento depende de la configuración.
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Coste y eficiencia

GPT-5 es claramente más económico por token, especialmente en entradas grandes. Su enrutador adaptativo también ahorra recursos al ejecutar prompts simples por rutas más ligeras.

Claude Sonnet 4.5 es más caro, pero ofrece una latencia predecible, un factor clave en entornos de producción que priorizan la fiabilidad frente a ahorros marginales. En prompts muy largos, su coste aumenta más rápido que el de GPT-5, aunque los descuentos por lotes reducen esa diferencia.

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TL;DR: GPT-5 gana en precio y escalabilidad, mientras que Claude destaca por consistencia y estabilidad en tiempos de respuesta.

Precios de los planes premium

Más allá del acceso por API, tanto OpenAI como Anthropic ofrecen suscripciones premium para usuarios individuales.

ChatGPT Plus, impulsado por GPT-5, cuesta 20 dólares al mes e incluye acceso prioritario a GPT-5, respuestas más rápidas y acceso anticipado a nuevas funciones y memoria. La experiencia unificada de ChatGPT también incorpora subida de archivos, generación de imágenes y GPTs personalizados.

Claude Pro, por su parte, también cuesta 20 dólares al mes y da acceso a Claude Sonnet 4.5, con respuestas más rápidas, mayores límites de uso y ventanas de contexto más largas. Aunque carece de herramientas multimodales integradas, se centra en claridad textual y razonamiento estructurado, lo que resulta atractivo para investigadores, analistas y escritores que priorizan la fiabilidad.

TL;DR: ambos planes Plus tienen el mismo precio; lo que los diferencia es la propuesta de valor.

Fortalezas distintas para necesidades distintas

Es tentador declarar un “ganador”, pero GPT-5 y Claude Sonnet 4.5 responden a prioridades diferentes según el usuario o el equipo.

• Claude Sonnet 4.5: ideal para fiabilidad y rendimiento sostenido. Si buscas resultados consistentes y una gestión clara de la memoria, Claude cumple.
• GPT-5: ideal para profundidad, flexibilidad y escalabilidad. Bien configurado, supera a sus competidores en razonamiento creativo, integración multimodal y uso adaptativo de herramientas.

Muchos equipos descubren que la mejor estrategia es multimodelo: usar Claude donde la consistencia es clave y GPT-5 para flujos de trabajo intensivos en datos.

En última instancia, ya no hablamos solo de chatbots, sino de colaboradores digitales completos, cada uno con su propia personalidad. Claude Sonnet 4.5 es el analista tranquilo y metódico. GPT-5 es el polígrafo ambicioso. La elección depende menos de los benchmarks individuales y más de tu objetivo final.

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Heading into the Federal Open Market Committee’s October session, a high-stakes environment is emerging for crypto markets. With the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool showing about a 96 % chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut, the market is eyeing how digital-asset prices might respond.

With macro liquidity on the radar again, these three altcoins stand out as tokens worth tracking under the spotlight of the Fed’s next move.

1. Chainlink (LINK)

Chainlink has been acting under pressure, trading inside a falling wedge, a pattern which sometimes marks the end of a downtrend. Still, some caution flags remain. Over the past month LINK has been trading downwards, though it’s gained some strength in the last week amid renewed buying interest. The key support around $17.08 remains critical, if LINK closes below that, a drop toward $16 could be triggered.

Conversely, diagnostics like the Money Flow Index (MFI) and Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) are showing signs of life, hinting at growing accumulation from larger holders. Combine this with a potentially dovish Fed decision, and Chainlink could be gearing for something special.

2. Dogecoin (DOGE)

Dogecoin enters the FOMC event with a bit of range-bound suspense. Since October 11, DOGE has been oscillating between $0.17 and $0.20, waiting for a trigger. A clean breakout above $0.21 could open the door to a move back towards $0.27, especially if risk-on sentiment returns.

Volume and whale‐level data add texture to the setup. The Wyckoff volume profile recently flipped from seller control to buyer control, suggesting strategic accumulation may be underway. DOGE may be quieting down before a move, a scenario traders should keep front of mind as the Fed’s decision could stir things.

3. Uniswap (UNI)

Uniswap offers compelling recovery stories entering the FOMC session. The token experienced a sharp drop on October 10, with the RSI falling below 30, classic oversold territory. Since then, UNI has rallied from near $6.20 toward $6.50, supported by strong volume on the breakout. Holding above $6.40 may confirm that buying interest is sustained.

For longer-term watchers, UNI’s former highs at $12.15 in August and $18.71 in December set the stage for what could become a multi-leg recovery if macro conditions cooperate. In a market where liquidity expectations hinge on the Fed, Uniswap's rebound has the potential to accelerate, particularly if altcoin capital begins rotating into DeFi infrastructure.

The Verdict

These tokens aren't just compelling because of their individual fundamentals, it's how those fundamentals intersect with the current macro picture. With markets rebounding and rate cuts looking increasingly likely, crypto stands to gain. Lower rates typically fuel risk appetite, unlock liquidity, and drive capital toward speculative plays, creating tailwinds that can supercharge momentum in well positioned altcoins.

That said, the Fed could also surprise with restraint, and even another “standard” 25-basis-point cut may be viewed as lukewarm. In such scenarios, the dollar may strengthen and risk assets could wobble. Traders and investors should therefore approach the market with discipline, track the macro context, and be prepared for either direction.

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Si operas en este sector, ya conoces la respuesta. La has vivido. Has presentado documentación, explicado tus procesos AML y demostrado cumplimiento normativo… solo para recibir una negativa. O peor aún, despertarte y descubrir que tu cuenta ha sido congelada, sin una explicación clara ni una vía de solución.

Esto no va de casos aislados ni de filtrar a malos actores. Es un patrón de aversión sistemática al riesgo que está creando barreras reales al crecimiento en todo el sector y asfixiando una de las innovaciones financieras más relevantes de nuestra generación.

Somos Tap, y estamos construyendo la infraestructura que los bancos tradicionales se niegan a ofrecer.

La economía detrás del bloqueo

Analicemos qué está impulsando realmente esta exclusión, porque rara vez coincide con los motivos que los bancos declaran públicamente.

La Autoridad Bancaria Europea ha advertido explícitamente contra el de-risking injustificado, señalando que provoca “consecuencias graves” y exclusión financiera de clientes legítimos. Aun así, la práctica continúa, impulsada por dos presiones económicas fundamentales que no tienen nada que ver con el perfil de riesgo real de tu empresa.

El coste del cumplimiento

El cumplimiento en materia de delitos financieros en la región EMEA cuesta a las organizaciones aproximadamente 85.000 millones de dólares al año. Para los bancos tradicionales, el cálculo es sencillo: atender a empresas cripto requiere conocimientos especializados, mayor monitorización y diligencia continua.

Desde un punto de vista puramente económico, resulta más barato rechazar a todo el sector que invertir en la infraestructura necesaria para servirlo adecuadamente.

La carga de capital regulatoria

Las nuevas regulaciones de la UE imponen una ponderación de riesgo del 1.250 % a los criptoactivos no respaldados, como Bitcoin y Ethereum. No es un requisito de cumplimiento, es una penalización de capital que hace que la exposición al crypto sea comercialmente inviable para las instituciones tradicionales, independientemente del riesgo real que presente cada cliente.

En el Reino Unido, aproximadamente el 90 % de las solicitudes de registro de empresas cripto han sido rechazadas o retiradas, a menudo citando controles AML insuficientes. Sean o no precisas esas evaluaciones, han servido como justificación perfecta para políticas de rechazo generalizado.

¿El resultado? Empresas que cumplen la normativa reciben el mismo trato que los malos actores, no por lo que hacen, sino por el sector al que pertenecen.

El coste real de la exclusión financiera

La exclusión financiera no es un simple contratiempo. Crea barreras operativas tangibles que afectan a todos los aspectos de la gestión de una empresa cripto.

Empresas con autorización MiCA, programas de cumplimiento sólidos y requisitos regulatorios cumplidos se encuentran sin acceso a servicios bancarios básicos. Los on-ramps y off-ramps fiat siguen siendo inaccesibles, lo que ralentiza pagos, limita el crecimiento y complica la gestión de la liquidez.

Los casos individuales lo ilustran claramente. Cuentas cerradas por recibir un pago desde un exchange regulado. Otras canceladas bajo vagas referencias a “decisiones comerciales”, sin una justificación concreta. Los fundadores tienen dificultades para separar finanzas personales y empresariales, ya que ambas se consideran demasiado arriesgadas.

La ironía es evidente. Al negarse a servir a empresas que cumplen la normativa, los bancos tradicionales no reducen el riesgo, lo amplifican. Al verse obligadas a operar a través de canales menos regulados, estas empresas afrontan mayores riesgos operativos y de cumplimiento, transacciones más lentas y menor confianza de los inversores.

Con el tiempo, esto frena la innovación y encarece el coste de operar para compañías que son legal y técnicamente sólidas.

El debanking más allá de Europa: los retos en Estados Unidos

El acceso limitado a servicios bancarios no es exclusivo de Europa. Empresas líderes del sector cripto en Estados Unidos también han afrontado importantes obstáculos.

Alex Konanykhin, CEO de Unicoin, describió cierres reiterados de cuentas por parte de grandes bancos como Citi, JPMorgan y Wells Fargo, señalando que el acceso se cortó sin explicaciones. La experiencia de Unicoin refleja un sentimiento generalizado entre directivos del sector, que consideran que las instituciones financieras tradicionales siguen desconfiando de las empresas de activos digitales pese a los recientes cambios hacia posturas más favorables a la innovación.

Jesse Powell, cofundador de Kraken, también ha denunciado la pérdida de socios bancarios de larga duración, calificando la práctica como “censura financiera encubierta”. Caitlin Long, fundadora de Custodia Bank, relató cómo su entidad fue rechazada repetidamente. Los fundadores de Gemini, Tyler y Cameron Winklevoss, compartieron frustraciones similares.

Estos testimonios revelan un patrón que muchos interpretan como aversión sistémica al riesgo. Incluso en un mercado tan grande y maduro como el estadounidense, las empresas cripto siguen teniendo dificultades para mantener una infraestructura financiera básica.

El problema se agravó tras el colapso de bancos favorables al crypto como Silvergate, Signature y Moonstone, instituciones que actuaban como puentes clave entre el dinero fiat y los activos digitales. Su desaparición dejó un vacío que pocos actores tradicionales han querido cubrir.

Por qué existe Tap

El sector cripto ha llegado a un punto de inflexión. Marcos regulatorios como MiCA aportan claridad. La adopción institucional se acelera. La tecnología está probada. Pero persiste una brecha fundamental: el acceso a banca empresarial que funcione de verdad para empresas de activos digitales.

Por eso creamos Tap for Business.

Ofrecemos cuentas empresariales con IBANs dedicados en EUR y GBP, diseñados específicamente para empresas cripto y negocios que interactúan con activos digitales. No es un producto secundario ni un experimento. Es nuestro enfoque principal.

Nuestro enfoque es claro

Construimos infraestructura para este sector

En lugar de adaptar sistemas bancarios tradicionales para acomodar a regañadientes a empresas cripto, diseñamos nuestros marcos de cumplimiento, monitorización y operaciones específicamente para flujos de activos digitales. Esto nos permite evaluar y servir adecuadamente a empresas que otros rechazan automáticamente.

Valoramos el riesgo real, no el sector

Las políticas de rechazo generalizado existen porque son baratas y simples. Nosotros seguimos otro camino: evaluar cada empresa según sus controles reales, su postura de cumplimiento y su operativa. Es más costoso, pero es la única forma correcta de servir a este mercado.

Apostamos por la normalización del sector

Cada vez que una empresa cripto legítima se ve obligada a operar sin infraestructura bancaria adecuada, se refuerzan estigmas obsoletos. Al ofrecer servicios financieros profesionales a empresas que cumplen la normativa, ayudamos a demostrar algo evidente: las empresas cripto pueden y deben ser atendidas por el sistema financiero.

No se trata de asumir riesgos que otros no quieren. Se trata de evaluar correctamente riesgos que otros se niegan a comprender.

Mirando hacia adelante

El sector está madurando. La claridad regulatoria avanza. La adopción institucional se acelera. Pero no puedes poner tu negocio en pausa mientras los bancos tradicionales se ponen al día.

Eso no es sostenible.

Como empresa, no deberías tener que rogar por una cuenta bancaria. No deberías minimizar tu actividad cripto para acceder a servicios financieros básicos. Y desde luego no deberías aceptar una exclusión sistemática con explicaciones vagas como “así funcionan las cosas”.

El sector cripto está construyendo el futuro de las finanzas. Tu socio bancario debería creer en ese futuro.

Si estás listo para trabajar con una infraestructura financiera diseñada para tu negocio, y no en su contra, aquí estamos. Habla hoy con uno de nuestros expertos y descubre cómo podemos ayudarte a acceder a la infraestructura bancaria que tu empresa necesita.

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¿Recuerdas cuando tus abuelos presumían de una cuenta de ahorro al 2 %? Hoy eso suena a otra época, especialmente cuando en cripto aparecen cifras de APY que harían palidecer a cualquier banquero tradicional. Pero antes de soñar con jubilarte el mes que viene gracias a esos rendimientos tan llamativos, conviene entender qué significa realmente el APY y por qué algunos números parecen sacados de un boleto de lotería.

¿Qué es el APY, en realidad?

Piensa en el APY como el interés compuesto llevado al siguiente nivel. Mientras una cuenta bancaria tradicional apenas se mueve, el APY mide cuánto puede crecer tu saldo en un año cuando los intereses se acumulan sobre intereses. Aquí es donde la idea de “que tu dinero trabaje solo” cobra sentido.

Un pequeño ejercicio de realidad: coloca 1.000 € en un banco con un 5 % de interés simple y al final del año tendrás 1.050 €. Predecible.
Ese mismo importe con un 5 % de APY, compuesto mensualmente, se convertiría en 1.051,16 €.

“Solo un euro más”, podrías pensar. La diferencia aparece con el tiempo. El interés compuesto crea una bola de nieve que no deja de crecer. No son céntimos: es el tipo de efecto que, con el paso del tiempo, marca distancia.

APY vs. APR: la rivalidad que conviene entender

Vale, confesión: incluso gente con experiencia en cripto los mezcla. Aquí tienes la chuleta:

APY (Annual Percentage Yield): lo que puedes ganar cuando prestas o pones a trabajar tus criptomonedas, teniendo en cuenta el interés compuesto.
APR (Annual Percentage Rate): lo que pagas cuando pides prestado, normalmente sin considerar la capitalización.

Piénsalo así: el APY es el que te “trae” rendimiento; el APR es el que te “cuesta” rendimiento.

Para una comparación más detallada, haz clic aquí.

¿Dónde aparece el APY en cripto?

“Cuentas de ahorro” cripto

Algunas plataformas te permiten depositar tokens y ver cómo crecen. Es como poner tus criptomonedas a trabajar en un empleo que sí paga. Tus activos se prestan a traders que los necesitan y tú recibes una parte.

Staking: conviértete en validador de la red

En blockchains con Proof of Stake como Ethereum o Cardano, puedes hacer staking de tus tokens para ayudar a asegurar la red. Es como ser un “vigilante digital” que cobra en cripto: la red se mantiene segura y tú recibes recompensas.

Yield farming: el Lejano Oeste de DeFi

Aquí es donde la cosa se pone interesante… y un poco salvaje. Aportas liquidez a exchanges descentralizados y, a cambio, ganas comisiones de trading más tokens de gobernanza. A veces aparecen APY que parecen números de teléfono, pero suelen bajar rápido. Estos rendimientos tienen fama de aterrizar de golpe.

Protocolos de lending: conviértete en el banco

Plataformas como Aave y Compound te dejan jugar a ser banco. Prestas tus tokens, los prestatarios pagan intereses y tú cobras. El APY sube cuando mucha gente quiere pedir prestado ese activo y baja cuando la demanda se enfría.

¿Por qué los APY en cripto son tan altos?

Mientras un banco te ofrece un 0,5 % (si tienes suerte), en cripto puedes ver cifras como 10 %, 50 % o incluso 1.000 %+. ¿Por qué?

• Los traders pagan primas altas para abrir cortos o ejecutar estrategias complejas de arbitraje. Pura oferta y demanda.
• Los proyectos nuevos suelen “tirar de APY” para atraer liquidez. Es como una promo de lanzamiento, pero con más ceros.
• El riesgo va incluido. En cripto hay más incertidumbre, y los rendimientos reflejan esa montaña rusa.
• Los incentivos en tokens inflan muchas cifras. Parte del APY puede venir en tokens del proyecto, cuyo valor puede subir… o desplomarse.

Las matemáticas detrás de la magia

Tranquila, no vamos a convertir esto en una pesadilla de cálculo. La fórmula del APY es bastante simple:

Ejemplo: un 10 % de interés compuesto mensualmente da alrededor de un 10,47 % de APY. ¿Compuesto a diario? Aproximadamente 10,52 %. En cripto, algunos protocolos componen por bloque, casi cada pocos segundos. Tu calculadora podría empezar a sufrir.

La letra pequeña

Antes de dejar tu trabajo y declararte “yield farmer” profesional, toca hablar de lo que no suele salir en las conversaciones con entusiasmo.

Primero, la volatilidad. Puedes ver un APY del 20 %, pero si el token cae un 50 %, el resultado final cambia por completo.
Luego está la pérdida impermanente, que puede morder tus ganancias cuando aportas liquidez y los precios se mueven.
Y ojo con el riesgo de contratos inteligentes. En DeFi, el dinero vive dentro de código, y si algo falla, los fondos pueden evaporarse sin despedida.

También existe riesgo de plataforma. Casos como Celsius o FTX demostraron que, a veces, el problema no es el mercado, sino la propia entidad.
Y por último: el “latigazo” del APY. Ese 100 % que viste ayer puede ser 15 % hoy. En cripto, los tipos cambian rápido por demanda, competencia, tokenomics… o simplemente porque el mercado gira.

¿Qué es un “buen” APY?

Conservador. Activos más consolidados y plataformas conocidas: 3 % a 8 %. Para quien prefiere menos sobresaltos.
Moderado. Staking de ciertos altcoins o liquidez: 10 % a 20 %. Emoción contenida.
Alto (YOLO). Proyectos nuevos en DeFi: 50 % a 100 %+… con una posibilidad real de que el riesgo sea igual de alto que el porcentaje.

Si un APY parece demasiado bueno para ser verdad, normalmente viene acompañado de riesgos igual de “creativos”.

Bola de cristal: el futuro del APY en cripto

Aquí cambia el tono. A medida que cripto madura, los APY se están pareciendo menos a boletos de lotería y más a productos financieros de verdad. Entran instituciones, hay más supervisión y el “Lejano Oeste” se va convirtiendo en una ciudad con normas.

Es probable que cripto siga ofreciendo rendimientos más atractivos que la banca tradicional, pero los días de 10.000 % de APY parecen cada vez más un recuerdo.

Conclusión

El APY en cripto es el mismo concepto matemático de siempre, pero con ropa digital y dinámicas distintas. Ya sea staking, lending o yield farming, entender el APY te ayuda a separar oportunidades reales de promesas dudosas.

El APY no es un truco para generar dinero infinito. Es una métrica que puede ayudarte a entender cómo crecen los rendimientos, pero siempre dentro de un entorno con riesgos.

Y vale la pena recordar esto: el mejor APY del mundo no sirve de nada si el proyecto desaparece del mapa. Elige con criterio, diversifica con cabeza y que el interés compuesto te trate bien.

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Imagina la escena: estás navegando por plataformas DeFi y de repente ves dos proyectos distintos. Uno anuncia a gritos “12 % APR” y otro presume de “12 % APY”. Tu cerebro probablemente piensa: “Es lo mismo, ¿no?”
Error. Y no uno pequeño.

Cuando se trata de comparar tipos de interés, APR y APY pueden parecer gemelos… pero no lo son en absoluto. La diferencia entre ambos puede marcar si tus ahorros crecen o si terminas pagando de más por un préstamo. En esta guía vamos a explicar qué significan realmente APR y APY, cómo funcionan en banca, préstamos y cripto, y por qué entenderlos te ayuda a interpretar mejor cualquier oferta.

Puntos clave

• El APR (Annual Percentage Rate) muestra el coste anual de un préstamo, incluyendo intereses y ciertas comisiones.
• El APY (Annual Percentage Yield) refleja el rendimiento anual total, teniendo en cuenta la capitalización.
• Para prestatarios, un APR más bajo implica un coste total menor. Para ahorradores, un APY más alto significa mayores ganancias.
• En cripto y DeFi, la frecuencia de capitalización puede convertir APR modestos en APY mucho más altos.

APY vs. APR: la diferencia esencial

A simple vista, el APR indica cuánto interés se paga o se gana en un año sin capitalización. El APY, en cambio, incluye la capitalización, es decir, cuando los intereses generan más intereses con el paso del tiempo.

Al comparar productos financieros, ya sea una tarjeta de crédito, una cuenta de ahorro o un pool de staking, esta diferencia importa. Para quien pide prestado, el APR revela el coste real de la deuda. Para quien busca rendimiento, el APY muestra el poder del crecimiento compuesto.

En resumen rápido: el APR habla de coste, el APY habla de crecimiento. Saber cuál estás viendo te permite comparar opciones con mayor claridad.

¿Qué es el APR (Annual Percentage Rate)?

El APR representa el tipo de interés anual que se cobra por pedir dinero prestado, o el tipo base que se obtiene al prestar, antes de aplicar capitalización. Incluye intereses y determinadas comisiones, lo que ayuda a entender el coste total del crédito.

El APR se utiliza ampliamente en tarjetas de crédito, préstamos personales, hipotecas y financiación de vehículos. Por ejemplo, si tu tarjeta tiene un APR del 18 %, pagarás ese porcentaje sobre el saldo pendiente.
Los préstamos a tipo fijo mantienen el mismo APR, mientras que los de tipo variable pueden cambiar según las condiciones del mercado.

Ejemplo: pides prestados 10.000 € a un 10 % APR durante un año. Pagarás 1.000 € en intereses. Simple, directo y sin efectos de capitalización.

¿Qué es el APY (Annual Percentage Yield)?

El APY mide cuánto crece tu dinero a lo largo de un año teniendo en cuenta la capitalización. Refleja cada cuánto se añaden los intereses al saldo, ya sea a diario, mensualmente o de forma anual, y cómo esos intereses generan nuevos intereses.

Es la métrica estándar para cuentas de ahorro, cuentas remuneradas y depósitos. Bancos y plataformas financieras suelen destacar el APY porque ofrece una visión más completa del potencial de crecimiento.

Ejemplo: depositas 10.000 € en una cuenta con un 5 % APY compuesto mensualmente. Tras un año, el saldo asciende a unos 10.511 €, ligeramente más que con un 5 % sin capitalización.

Cuanto más frecuente es la capitalización, mayor es el crecimiento, algo especialmente relevante en protocolos DeFi donde el proceso puede repetirse cada pocos minutos.

APR vs. APY según el producto financiero

Tarjetas de crédito y préstamos (enfoque en APR)

Cuando se pide dinero prestado, el APR ayuda a entender el coste real. Por ejemplo, una hipoteca con un 6,5 % APR incluye tanto el interés como ciertos gastos asociados. Préstamos personales, estudiantiles y tarjetas de crédito utilizan APR para facilitar la comparación entre entidades.
La regla general es sencilla: APR más bajo, préstamo menos costoso.

Cuentas de ahorro e inversión (enfoque en APY)

Si el objetivo es hacer crecer el dinero, el APY es la referencia. Una cuenta con un 4,5 % APY crecerá más rápido que una con un 4 %, gracias al efecto de la capitalización.
En productos como depósitos o cuentas a plazo, el APY permite comparar el impacto real de la frecuencia de capitalización.

Criptomonedas y DeFi (APR y APY juntos)

En lending, staking o yield farming, es común ver ambos términos, lo que puede generar confusión.
El APR suele mostrar la recompensa base, sin capitalización.
El APY asume que las recompensas se reinvierten de forma constante.

Ejemplo: un pool DeFi puede anunciar un 100 % APR, pero con capitalización diaria ese rendimiento se transforma en un APY mucho mayor. La clave está en entender cada cuánto se pueden reclamar recompensas y si los costes asociados hacen viable la capitalización.

Cómo calcular APR y APY

Para comparar correctamente, es posible convertir uno en el otro mediante fórmulas matemáticas.

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Ejemplo: un 12 % APR con capitalización mensual se convierte en un APY aproximado del 12,68 %.
Cuanto más frecuente es la capitalización, mayor será el APY resultante.

¿En cuál deberías fijarte?

• Si pides prestado, céntrate en el APR. Refleja el coste total.
• Si ahorras o buscas rendimiento, observa el APY. Muestra el efecto del interés compuesto.
• En cripto, revisa ambos. El APR indica la base, el APY muestra el potencial con reinversión.

Al comparar ofertas, conviene leer siempre los detalles: frecuencia, comisiones y condiciones pueden cambiar mucho el resultado final.

Errores comunes y consejos prácticos

Mito: “El APY siempre es mejor.”
Realidad: solo si existe capitalización o reinversión de recompensas.

Mito: “El APR no sirve porque no capitaliza.”
Realidad: el APR es clave para comparar costes de forma clara.

Consejo: usar calculadoras online de APR a APY facilita las comparaciones y elimina conjeturas.

Conclusión

APR y APY no son dos formas distintas de decir lo mismo. Representan enfoques diferentes para medir rendimientos y costes.
Cuando ves APR, estás viendo interés simple calculado a lo largo de un año. Cuando ves APY, estás viendo el efecto de la capitalización en el tiempo.

La diferencia se vuelve más evidente cuanto más altos son los porcentajes. A mayor tipo base, mayor será la distancia entre APR y APY.
Entender cuál estás observando te permite comparar opciones con mayor precisión. El APR muestra el punto de partida; el APY muestra lo que puede suceder cuando los rendimientos se acumulan.

Una vez que distingues ambos conceptos, muchas ofertas financieras dejan de parecer confusas. Los números empiezan a tener sentido y las comparaciones se vuelven mucho más claras.

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From Comedy Gold to Digital Ghost Town

Memecoins were once the beating heart of retail-driven speculation in cryptocurrency markets. From Dogecoin's Elon Musk-fueled rallies to the lightning-fast ascent of tokens like Shiba Inu and Pepe, these internet-born digital assets transformed online jokes into substantial market capitalizations, at least for those who managed to time the hype cycles correctly. But moving into late 2025, the atmosphere has shifted dramatically. Prices have experienced significant declines, trading liquidity has diminished considerably, and the frenzied enthusiasm that characterized previous market cycles appears to be a distant memory.

The question facing the cryptocurrency community now is whether memecoins represent a fading trend from the previous bull market, or whether they still retain potential for unexpected resurgence, like many internet phenomena before them.

When Chaos Became Currency: The Memecoin Genesis

The emergence of memecoins remains inseparable from broader internet culture and social media dynamics. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, which originated from detailed technical documentation and comprehensive visions for decentralized finance, memecoins typically began as internet humor, sustained by community engagement, viral content, and grassroots enthusiasm.

Dogecoin, widely recognized as the original memecoin, launched in 2013 as a deliberate parody of cryptocurrency speculation. Despite its humorous origins, it eventually achieved a multi-billion-dollar market capitalization through sustained community support and high-profile endorsements by the likes of Elon Musk. This success established a template that numerous subsequent projects attempted to replicate, often promising rapid returns without substantial underlying fundamentals.

During the market cycles of 2021 and 2024, memecoins transcended their status as mere digital assets to become cultural phenomena. Social media platforms amplified hype cycles exponentially, and retail traders participated en masse, with some small initial positions growing into substantial returns. However, as with most speculative market movements, the inevitable correction followed the euphoric peaks.

The Great Memecoin Correction of 2025

Since the speculative peaks of late 2024, memecoin markets have experienced sustained downward pressure. Market capitalizations that previously reached tens of billions of dollars have retraced by 60-90% across the sector. Data from CoinMarketCap indicates that aggregate memecoin market capitalization has declined from over $120 billion in December 2024 to just under $70 billion as of the time of writing, with many individual tokens experiencing severe liquidity constraints.

This market correction has highlighted the fundamental challenge facing the memecoin sector: without strong technological foundations or clear utility cases, these assets depend almost entirely on viral attention and consistent liquidity inflows. When these supporting factors diminish, price performance typically follows suit.

Many retail participants who entered positions near market peaks now hold assets that may not recover their previous valuations, and the collective market enthusiasm that previously drove exponential price increases has largely dissipated.

It Was Funnier the First Time Around: Why Most Memes Don't Make It

One primary factor contributing to memecoin market instability is what market analysts describe as the flash flood phenomenon. Cryptocurrency hype cycles don't typically develop gradually. They tend to surge rapidly and intensively, overwhelming normal market dynamics. However, this attention often disappears just as quickly, leaving limited lasting impact.

This dynamic creates a predictable pattern that most memecoins follow:

• Viral launch accompanied by community-driven price appreciation
• Explosive price movement that attracts new buyers
• Rapid attention fatigue as focus shifts to newer projects
• Market collapse within weeks or months

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Some Memes Never Get Old: What Separates Winners from Losers

What distinguishes long-term survivors like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, which maintain ongoing recognition, from the thousands of forgotten tokens? Market analysts describe this as the authority gap: the difference between temporary viral attention and sustained market credibility.

Successful memecoins typically manage to establish cultural relevance or practical utility that extends beyond initial market mania. Dogecoin has maintained its position as an internet cultural staple with a dedicated holder base and continued mainstream references. Shiba Inu expanded its ecosystem to include staking mechanisms and decentralized applications, positioning itself closer to legitimate alternative cryptocurrencies.

Without these elements, even the most viral initial launches tend to fade into market obscurity. The underlying meme concept alone appears insufficient for long-term sustainability, projects must develop narratives that communities and market participants can support even after speculative excitement subsides.

Could Lightning Strike Twice?

Despite current market pessimism, not everyone believes memecoins have reached their final conclusion. Market observers like Darkfost suggest that memecoin dominance within the broader alternative cryptocurrency market is approaching levels historically associated with trend reversals.

The memecoin dominance ratio, which compares memecoin market capitalization to other alternative cryptocurrencies, has been trending near technical support levels that previously marked significant turning points. If speculative capital rotates back toward high-risk digital assets, which is a common occurrence during liquidity-driven bull markets, memecoins could potentially experience another explosive growth phase.

The underlying logic remains straightforward: speculative capital typically seeks volatility opportunities, and few digital asset categories provide volatility comparable to memecoins. For market participants willing to accept associated risks, the possibility of disproportionate returns continues to exist.

The Many Pitfalls of Memeland: The Risks Never Go Away

Even assuming a potential market rebound, memecoins remain among the highest-risk positions within cryptocurrency markets. Unlike Bitcoin, which has established scarcity characteristics, or Ethereum, which powers decentralized application ecosystems, most memecoins lack intrinsic utility propositions. Their market value remains almost entirely dependent on narrative and sentiment factors.

This dynamic means that timing becomes critically important. Market participants who enter positions early and exit strategically can potentially achieve remarkable returns. However, hesitation often converts profitable positions into losses, as exponential rallies frequently reverse with minimal advance warning.

For newcomers to this market segment, the implications are clear: memecoins may provide entertainment and occasional opportunities, but they should not constitute foundational portfolio elements. Effective risk management practices, and the willingness to accept complete capital loss, remain essential when stepping into Memeland.

Curtain Call or Just Intermission?

So has the meme coin era truly concluded? The answer isn’t simple. Examining the thousands of failed token projects, the sector certainly resembles a digital graveyard. Most projects were never designed for long-term sustainability, and their decline represents the natural consequence of speculative excess.

Yet historical patterns suggest caution in declaring memecoins permanently finished. Their cyclical nature, driven by internet culture and speculative market dynamics, indicates they often resurface when liquidity conditions and risk appetite shift favorably. Whether through traditional meme-based narratives or emerging AI-enhanced strategies, future market cycles could still produce unexpected developments.

For market participants, the key takeaway remains consistent: memecoins are not traditional financial assets. They represent speculative instruments capable of both extraordinary gains and losses. The underlying joke isn’t over… but anyone who’s still in on the joke should remain prepared for the punchline.

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Bitcoin y Ethereum dominan los titulares, pero representan solo una de las muchas formas posibles de construir tecnología de libro mayor distribuido. Mientras la mayoría de los proyectos se limitan a iterar sobre los fundamentos del blockchain, Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR) adopta un enfoque completamente distinto, basado en una arquitectura alternativa.

El resultado es una red diseñada para uso empresarial, capaz de procesar miles de transacciones por segundo con comisiones deterministas y un consumo energético mínimo. Allí donde muchas blockchains chocan con el conocido trilema de la escalabilidad, el mecanismo de consenso hashgraph de Hedera ofrece una alternativa sólida sin sacrificar seguridad a cambio de velocidad.

Lo que realmente diferencia a Hedera es su nivel de adopción empresarial. Grandes corporaciones de sectores como finanzas, salud y gestión de cadenas de suministro han pasado de pruebas piloto a implementaciones en producción. No se trata de adopción teórica, sino de actividad real en la red por parte de organizaciones con exigencias estrictas en rendimiento y cumplimiento normativo.

Hedera se ha posicionado como una de las tecnologías de libro mayor distribuido (DLT) más orientadas a empresas del mercado actual. Pero ¿cómo funciona exactamente y por qué se desmarca del resto del ecosistema blockchain?

Lo esencial: ¿qué es Hedera Hashgraph?

Lanzada en 2018, Hedera Hashgraph es una tecnología de libro mayor distribuido que ofrece una alternativa real a la arquitectura blockchain. En lugar de organizar las transacciones en bloques secuenciales, como si fuera un archivador digital, Hedera utiliza una estructura de grafo acíclico dirigido (DAG) conocida como hashgraph, más parecida a una red de conexiones interrelacionadas.

Este diseño permite procesar múltiples transacciones en paralelo, sin necesidad de esperar turnos. El resultado es una capacidad superior a las 10.000 transacciones por segundo (TPS), con finalización en pocos segundos, frente a las 6–8 TPS de Bitcoin o las 12–15 TPS de Ethereum.

En esencia, Hedera está diseñada para abordar tres problemas persistentes de las DLT:

• Velocidad real: las transacciones se confirman en segundos, no en minutos u horas.
• Escalabilidad sin compromisos: la red puede manejar miles de transacciones simultáneamente sin encarecerse ni ralentizarse.
• Eficiencia energética: el consumo es lo suficientemente bajo como para resultar viable a nivel corporativo.

Cómo funciona Hedera: gossip y votación virtual

El rendimiento de Hedera se basa en un mecanismo de consenso único que combina dos innovaciones clave.

En lugar de difundir cada transacción a toda la red al mismo tiempo, los nodos comparten información de forma aleatoria con otros nodos cercanos. Estos, a su vez, la transmiten a otros, creando un efecto en cadena. Este proceso se conoce como gossip-about-gossip.

La votación virtual añade una capa adicional de eficiencia. Una vez que todos los nodos comparten el mismo historial de información, pueden calcular de forma independiente cómo votaría la red sobre cada transacción, sin necesidad de enviar mensajes de votación reales. El resultado es matemáticamente determinista.

Gracias a este enfoque, Hedera alcanza tolerancia a fallos bizantinos asíncronos (aBFT), uno de los niveles de seguridad más altos en sistemas distribuidos, incluso si hasta un tercio de los nodos falla o actúa de forma maliciosa.

Gobernanza: el Consejo de Hedera

Uno de los aspectos más distintivos, y debatidos, de Hedera es su modelo de gobernanza. En lugar de depender de mineros anónimos o titulares de tokens, la red está gobernada por un consejo de hasta 39 organizaciones globales.

Entre los miembros se encuentran empresas como Google, IBM, Dell, Boeing, Standard Bank o Ubisoft. Cada miembro tiene un voto igual en decisiones clave, como actualizaciones del software, estructura de comisiones o gestión de la tesorería.

El objetivo es ofrecer estabilidad, responsabilidad y planificación a largo plazo. Sin embargo, este modelo genera debate. Para algunos, reduce la descentralización; para otros, proporciona la previsibilidad que muchas empresas necesitan para adoptar esta tecnología a gran escala.

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Servicios clave de Hedera

Hedera no es solo una red de pagos. Ofrece tres servicios principales:

Hedera Consensus Service (HCS)

Permite crear registros inmutables y verificables de eventos y datos, especialmente útiles para auditorías, trazabilidad y sectores altamente regulados.

Hedera Token Service (HTS)

Facilita la creación y gestión de tokens, incluidos stablecoins, NFTs y activos tokenizados, con controles integrados a nivel de cuenta y herramientas de cumplimiento normativo.

Hedera Smart Contract Service (HSCS)

Admite contratos inteligentes compatibles con Ethereum, permitiendo desarrollar aplicaciones DeFi, juegos y automatizaciones con mayor velocidad y comisiones significativamente más bajas.

Casos de uso reales

El enfoque empresarial de Hedera se refleja en aplicaciones prácticas en distintos sectores:

• Finanzas: Standard Bank utiliza Hedera para pagos transfronterizos más rápidos y transparentes.
• Cadena de suministro: empresas como Suku y Avery Dennison emplean la red para trazabilidad y logística.
• Salud: Safe Health Systems registra datos médicos y de ensayos clínicos de forma segura.
• Gaming: Animoca Brands integra Hedera para economías digitales verificables.
• Sostenibilidad: organizaciones ambientales usan HCS para rastrear créditos de carbono y datos de impacto.

HBAR: el token nativo

HBAR es la criptomoneda nativa de Hedera y cumple dos funciones principales:

• Combustible de la red: se utiliza para pagar comisiones y acceder a los servicios.
• Seguridad: los operadores de nodos utilizan HBAR para participar en el consenso.

Una de las ventajas más prácticas de Hedera es su estructura de costes. Una transacción típica cuesta alrededor de 0,0001 USD, lo que permite casos de uso como micropagos o pagos entre máquinas.

El suministro total de HBAR está limitado a 50.000 millones de tokens, con una distribución gradual diseñada para evitar impactos bruscos en el mercado.

Cómo se compara Hedera con otras redes

• Proof of Work (PoW): muy seguro, pero lento y con alto consumo energético.
• Proof of Stake (PoS): más eficiente, pero con riesgos de concentración.
• Hashgraph: combina velocidad, seguridad y eficiencia bajo un modelo de gobernanza corporativa.

La diferencia es clara: Hedera prioriza confianza empresarial, rendimiento y claridad regulatoria, aceptando críticas sobre su nivel de descentralización.

Los desafíos por delante

A pesar de sus fortalezas técnicas y su adopción a nivel empresarial, Hedera se enfrenta a varios retos que podrían influir en su evolución a largo plazo. El modelo del Consejo de Gobierno sigue generando debate sobre si Hedera representa una descentralización real o más bien una forma de control corporativo distribuido, una cuestión especialmente relevante para la aceptación dentro de la comunidad cripto en general.

Al mismo tiempo, redes consolidadas como Solana, Avalanche y Ethereum mantienen su dominio en el desarrollo de ecosistemas, lo que dificulta que Hedera atraiga comunidades de desarrolladores tan activas como las que impulsan la innovación en otros entornos.

La plataforma también se enfrenta a un reto de adopción más amplio. Aunque destaca claramente en casos de uso empresariales, Hedera podría ampliar su atractivo más allá de las aplicaciones corporativas para alcanzar un nivel de reconocimiento que sostenga el crecimiento a largo plazo. Además, como ocurre con cualquier proyecto de criptomonedas, debe adaptarse a marcos regulatorios en constante evolución en distintas jurisdicciones, cada una con sus propios requisitos y limitaciones.

Aun así, el enfoque de Hedera en el rendimiento, la fiabilidad de nivel empresarial y el cumplimiento normativo podría ofrecerle una mayor resiliencia en determinados contextos de mercado, especialmente allí donde otros proyectos tendrían dificultades para mantener la confianza institucional.

Un ETF de HBAR en el horizonte

En los últimos meses, ha cobrado fuerza la conversación en torno a un posible ETF de HBAR. Un ETF permitiría a inversores institucionales y minoristas obtener exposición a HBAR sin necesidad de gestionar wallets, claves privadas o custodia directa, lo que reduce significativamente las barreras de entrada.

Además, la aprobación por parte de la SEC de un ETF basado en Hedera implicaría un cierto nivel de supervisión, diligencia debida y cumplimiento normativo, factores que pueden ayudar a reducir la percepción de riesgo entre inversores más cautelosos o sujetos a regulación. Esto acercaría a HBAR al ámbito de los instrumentos financieros tradicionales.

Recientemente, la Comisión de Bolsa y Valores de Estados Unidos (SEC) aplazó la decisión sobre el ETF Canary HBAR hasta el 8 de noviembre. El ETF fue propuesto por Nasdaq en febrero y la SEC ya ha retrasado su decisión en dos ocasiones. A pesar de este último aplazamiento, algunos analistas del mercado siguen siendo optimistas. Analistas de Bloomberg, por ejemplo, mantienen una probabilidad del 90 % de aprobación del ETF en el corto plazo.

El futuro de Hedera

Hedera destaca en un sector saturado precisamente por adoptar un enfoque distinto al de la mayoría de proyectos blockchain. En lugar de seguir el guion habitual, ha construido una infraestructura pensada para empresas reales: transacciones rápidas, costes predecibles y un consumo energético que no genera fricciones a nivel financiero.

La verdadera prueba no es si Hedera puede seguir haciendo bien lo que ya hace, sino si logrará mantenerse relevante a medida que el ecosistema de los libros mayores distribuidos evoluciona a un ritmo acelerado. Mientras muchos intentaban convertirse en “el próximo Bitcoin”, Hedera ha desarrollado silenciosamente una solución que las empresas Fortune 500 están dispuestas a utilizar.

Que esta apuesta dé resultados a largo plazo es algo que solo el tiempo dirá. Lo que sí está claro es que Hedera ha demostrado que existen múltiples formas de construir un libro mayor distribuido y que, en ocasiones, el camino menos transitado puede llevar a destinos muy interesantes.

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XRP is currently navigating a descending wedge pattern, a chart formation commonly seen as a bullish reversal setup. While past Octobers haven’t favored the token, shifting institutional behavior and macro catalysts could make this October a turning point.

Key Takeaways:

• XRP is forming a descending wedge pattern, a typically bullish technical setup, with a breakout above $3.02 potentially triggering a rally toward new all-time highs.
• Despite historically being a weak month for XRP, the backdrop in October 2025 is different, characterized by strong institutional inflows and the potential for ETF approvals that could override seasonal trends.
• On-chain data shows a significant shift from distribution to accumulation, with 439 million XRP recently withdrawn from exchanges, reducing immediate selling pressure and signaling holder confidence.
• The key levels to watch are $3.02 as resistance for a confirmed breakout and $2.75 as critical support; a failure to hold this support would invalidate the bullish setup.

Demand Under the Surface

Even as price action remained mixed, institutional players kept showing up in September for XRP and other tokens. Total inflows surpassed $220 million, a strong sign that big money sees value despite volatility.

Exchange net positions support the holders’ case. Throughout much of the month, holders brought assets onto exchanges, suggesting short-term selling pressure. Yet in the last week, 439 million XRP were withdrawn from exchanges, a sign that confidence is returning, and fewer coins are available to be sold. This withdrawal trend by both retail and institutional holders indicates a shift from distribution to accumulation, potentially softening downside risk.

History Doesn’t Always Repeat

Historically, October has been a rough month for XRP. Over the past decade, it has averaged a –4.5% return, making it one of the weaker months for the token.

However, past patterns may not fully apply in 2025. It’s worth taking into account that past Octobers occurred during heavy regulatory uncertainty and before institutional infrastructure like ETFs existed. With those catalysts now in play, the usual October weakness may be less relevant this year.

The Price Game: Breakout or Breakdown?

XRP currently trades at around $2.90, trapped between the wedge’s resistance and support lines. A confirmed breakout above $3.02 could set the stage for a rally toward a new all-time high.

But those gains depend heavily on support levels holding firm and positive regulatory momentum. Should ETF approval chatter or institutional inflows accelerate, XRP could build enough momentum to push through resistance.

Still, risks are real. If the breakout fails, XRP could fall back to $2.75, or even lower, invalidating the bullish thesis and repeating October’s usual pattern of weakness.

What Traders and Holders Should Watch

• $2.75 level as key support, $3.02 as breakthrough resistance.
  
  
• ETF approvals or denials could act as volume catalysts.
  
  
• Fresh large withdrawals or cold-storage movements suggest longer-term conviction.
  
  
• Bitcoin’s strength or weakness often drag altcoins with it, XRP is no exception.
  
  

For beginners, this means October is a month to stay alert. For more seasoned traders, this wedge setup is looking like one of the cleaner setups in recent years. If it resolves upward, the upside could surprise some skeptics.

Turning Point

October has historically brought turbulence for XRP, but 2025 offers a different backdrop: institutional flows, ETF speculation, and stronger token infrastructure. The descending wedge pattern gives a clear roadmap. If resistance breaks, bulls may be rewarded; if not, the old October curse could strike again.

That said, XRP’s story is still being written. This month will test whether the narrative has shifted enough to rewrite past patterns. Either way, it’s absolutely shaping up to be an interesting ride.

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Gold has got the Midas touch. The precious metal has been on a historic run, surging 45% this year to reach an all-time high of $3,789 per ounce. That kind of parabolic move has left commodities and even crypto markets looking sluggish by comparison. But in financial history, one pattern has repeated itself: when gold runs hot, Bitcoin isn’t far behind.

The question many traders are now asking is simple. Could Bitcoin be about to mirror gold’s rally, just as it has in past cycles?

Why Gold Is Surging

Gold’s meteoric rise began in February 2024 when it finally broke above the $2,100 resistance level after multiple failed attempts. Once through, momentum took over, sending the price soaring nearly 90% from that breakout point.

This rally hasn’t been slow and steady, it’s been almost parabolic. While bullish sentiment is undeniable, some caution flags are waving. The monthly Relative Strength Index (RSI), a common indicator of whether an asset is “overbought” or “oversold, is now at historically high levels. In layman terms, that means gold’s recent surge may be running too hot, increasing the odds of a short-term pullback.

For seasoned traders, that often signals a pullback is coming. Still, even with the possibility of retracement, gold’s rally has further cemented its role as a safe-haven asset during uncertain macro conditions.

The Bitcoin–Gold Correlation

Bitcoin is often referred to as “digital gold,” and not without reason. Both assets share scarcity, gold by nature, Bitcoin by its algorithmic cap of 21 million coins. Both also thrive when confidence in fiat currencies falters.

Historically, Bitcoin and gold have shown positive correlation during major risk-off periods. When fear enters the market, whether due to inflation, geopolitical tension, or financial instability, investors often turn to either or both.

But here’s a twist… During bull markets, their paths tend to diverge.

This pattern has played out at least twice before. For instance, at the end of 2016 and again in 2024, gold’s price surged first, paused, and then Bitcoin picked up the baton with explosive upside momentum. Gold effectively takes the lead, and Bitcoin follows.

With gold now parabolic and at risk of cooling off, history suggests that capital could rotate into Bitcoin next.

Is BTC Ready for Its “Catch-Up” Rally?

Gold’s surge may be nearing exhaustion, but that doesn’t necessarily mean its safe-haven narrative fades. Instead, both assets could share the spotlight: gold as the traditional store of value, Bitcoin as its modern counterpart.

Still, Bitcoin tends to move more aggressively. Where gold posts steady climbs, Bitcoin often reacts in sharper bursts, reflecting its smaller market cap and higher volatility. If capital rotation does occur, Bitcoin’s upside could outpace gold by multiples, as it has in prior cycles.

Some analysts argue that this setup makes Bitcoin uniquely positioned for the months ahead. Gold’s record highs demonstrate demand for hard assets in today’s uncertain world. Even if just a fraction of that demand flows into Bitcoin, the impact could be amplified by its relative size and liquidity profile.

As Good as Gold?

If gold begins to retrace after such a rapid climb, traders and institutions looking for a new vehicle may view Bitcoin as the natural beneficiary. Several factors strengthen this case:

• Market Cycles. Bitcoin has historically entered new uptrends when gold’s momentum stalls, benefiting from shifting capital flows.
  
  
• Scarcity Appeal. Bitcoin’s halving in April 2024 cut block rewards to 3.125 BTC, reinforcing its scarcity narrative just as gold’s surge reminded investors of the value of limited-supply assets.
  
  
• Institutional Pathways. With U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs now approved and seeing inflows, access for large investors has never been easier. The structure mirrors how gold ETFs opened floodgates for institutional adoption in the 2000s.
  
  
• Digital Hedge Narrative. For younger, more tech-native investors, Bitcoin increasingly plays the role that gold has for older generations; a hedge against inflation, currency debasement, and systemic shocks.

It’s important to remember that correlation does not guarantee causation. While Bitcoin has followed gold in previous cycles, macro conditions today are unique. Global central bank policy, shifting risk appetites, and regulatory landscapes all play a role in shaping Bitcoin’s trajectory.

Moreover, Bitcoin remains far more volatile than gold, which makes it less predictable as a safe-haven asset. Gold is measured in millennia; Bitcoin has just over 15 years of history. The comparison is instructive but not identical.

That said, the parallels are hard to ignore. When gold goes parabolic, Bitcoin often isn’t far behind. And if the pattern of divergence and catch-up repeats, BTC could be setting up for its own moment of glory.

A Golden Opportunity.

Gold’s explosive run to all-time highs has reminded investors (once again) why scarce assets matter during uncertain times. But recent historical data suggests the real story may still be unfolding. Bitcoin could be next in line.

With institutional rails now in place, a halving fresh in the rearview, and gold flashing signs of exhaustion, conditions appear ripe for Bitcoin to step out of gold’s shadow and capture renewed market attention.

The coming months may reveal whether Bitcoin once again mirrors gold’s path, or begins carving out its own.

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‍Paw-sitively Profitable

Back in 2013, Dogecoin (DOGE) launched as a tongue-in-cheek knock-off version of Bitcoin (BTC). It was inspired by Kabosu, an incredibly cute Shiba Inu dog that sadly passed away last year, though not without leaving an Instagram account full of posts to remember her by.

The picture that started the meme. Fundamentals… what? Look at this cute doggy.  Source.

Fast forward to 2020, and Shiba Inu (SHIB) popped up as a parody of the parody. Both were brushed off as silly, short-lived plays… until they weren’t. In February 2021, a certain billionaire you might have heard of, called Elon Musk, drew attention to Dogecoin through a series of tweets. One could safely pinpoint that tweet spree as the origin of the memecoin bonanza.

Now, let’s fast forward to September 2025. A $100 bet on Dogecoin at $0.0002 would be worth about $124,850 today. The same stake in Shiba Inu at launch? Nearly $25.5 million. Meme magic at its wildest.

For a time, Shiba Inu looked like the stronger contender thanks to its growing ecosystem. But 2025 has flipped the script: SHIB is up a good 24%, while DOGE barked its way to a massive 173% gain. Let’s dig into why.

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Two Breeds of Dogs

Dogecoin runs on Litecoin’s proof-of-work code, meaning it still relies on miners. It’s inflationary, has no max cap, and uses Scrypt for faster, cheaper payments than Bitcoin. That’s given it a reputation as the “fun” payments coin.

And of course, the Musk effect can’t be ignored. Elon has championed DOGE in tweets, Tesla accepts it for select merch, and even the government’s Department of Government Efficiency was cheekily nicknamed DOGE. Very few coins, memes or not, can summon mainstream buzz the way Dogecoin can.

Shiba Inu, on the other hand, was built on Ethereum. It ditched mining for staking, is deflationary thanks to aggressive token burns (over 40% gone already), and plugs into Ethereum’s smart contract universe. That makes it more versatile than DOGE on paper.

In recent years, Shiba Inu rolled out Shibarium, a Layer-2 chain for speed and lower costs, and ShibaDEX, a cross-chain DEX. The project isn’t just riding a meme, it’s trying to build an ecosystem too.

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The Dog Race Is on

For starters, both coins could ride a friendlier U.S. regulatory environment as crypto advocates step into power.

For Dogecoin, near-term ups include:

• Possible integration into Musk’s 𝕏 platform as a payments option.
  
  
• Wider retailer adoption.
  
  
• Network upgrades for scalability.
  
  
• And, of course, the constant wildcard of Musk’s next DOGE tweet.

Rumors of a Dogecoin ETF keep swirling too, which could inject serious momentum.

Shiba Inu’s playbook looks different:

• Ongoing Shibarium growth and new developer activity.
  
  
• Token burns that keep tightening supply.
  
  
• A developing metaverse with virtual land sales.

However, without a Musk-like hype machine, SHIB’s catalysts may not hit as hard.

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Elon Musk’s first Dogecoin tweet, which started it all. Source.

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So… Which Meme Coin Will Bark the Loudest?

Both coins are speculative, fueled as much by community buzz as fundamentals. Shiba Inu has a deeper ecosystem and long-term ambition. Dogecoin has clearer short-term sparks and, crucially, Elon Musk’s megaphone.

If forced to pick for the next 12 months, Dogecoin seems to have the edge. It may be the older meme, but for now it still has more bite.

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You know that feeling when the Fed announces a rate cut and suddenly everyone's talking about how "bullish" it is for crypto? Many people just nod along, but honestly have no clue why cheaper borrowing costs would make Bitcoin go up. Let's dig deep into this topic and share what the data shows – whether you're totally new to this stuff or already trading like a pro.

Let's Start Simple: What Are Interest Rates Anyway?

Okay, let's assume you're not an economics major here. Interest rates are basically the price of money. When you borrow money, you pay interest. When you save money, you (hopefully) earn interest. The big kahuna is the rate set by central banks like the Federal Reserve – this is the rate that affects pretty much everything else in the economy.

Here's the deal: when rates are high, borrowing money sucks because it's expensive. People spend less, businesses hold off on big investments, and suddenly that savings account looks pretty attractive. When rates are low, it's the opposite – borrowing is cheap, so people and businesses start spending and investing more aggressively.

A rate cut is just the central bank saying "Hey, we want people to spend more money and take more risks." And guess what falls into that "risky investment" bucket? Yep, crypto.

The Crypto Connection (Or: Why Bitcoin Doesn't Care About Your Savings Account)

Here's something that becomes clear when you think about it: Bitcoin doesn't pay you anything to hold it. Neither does Ethereum, Solana, or pretty much any other crypto sitting in your wallet. They're not like bonds or savings accounts that give you a steady income.

When interest rates are near zero, this isn't a big deal. But imagine government bonds are paying 5% with zero risk. Suddenly, holding volatile crypto that might crash 50% overnight doesn't look so smart, right?

So the math is pretty straightforward:

• High rates = "Why gamble on crypto when you can get guaranteed returns?"
• Low rates = "These bonds pay nothing, maybe Bitcoin looks interesting..."

This is probably the biggest reason why rate cuts get crypto people excited. When safe investments pay peanuts, risky assets start looking a lot more appealing.

How Rate Cuts Actually Push Money Into Crypto

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how this actually works. It's not just about psychology – there are real mechanisms at play here. Beyond simple psychology, several concrete mechanisms drive capital toward cryptocurrency markets when central banks ease monetary policy.

When central banks cut rates, they typically inject additional liquidity into the financial system. This expanded money supply creates excess capital that seeks higher returns, with crypto markets often benefiting from these flows.

Lower interest rates fundamentally alter investment opportunity costs. This is finance speak for "what am I giving up?" If I can only earn 0.5% in a savings account, the opportunity cost of holding Bitcoin (which pays nothing) is pretty low. But if savings accounts pay 5%, then holding Bitcoin means I'm giving up a lot of guaranteed income. 

Here's something interesting: when the U.S. cuts rates, it often makes the dollar less attractive to international investors. A weaker dollar historically has been good for Bitcoin, especially since many people see it as "digital gold", a way to protect against currency debasement.

Accommodative monetary policy encourages risk-taking across markets. Traders can borrow more to make bigger bets, capital flows more easily toward crypto startups, and regular folks start FOMOing into altcoins. It's like the whole market gets a shot of adrenaline.

The COVID Case Study (AKA When Everything Went Bananas)

Want to see this in action? Look at what happened during COVID. In March 2020, everything crashed: stocks, crypto, you name it. Central banks freaked out and slashed rates to basically zero while printing money like it was going out of style.

At first, Bitcoin crashed along with everything else (down to around $3,200). But once all that stimulus money started flowing through the system, crypto went absolutely bonkers. Bitcoin went from that March low to nearly $70,000 by late 2021. That's more than a 20x return in less than two years!

Now, rate cuts alone didn't cause that rally, there was a lot going on, including institutional adoption, the whole "inflation hedge" narrative, and pure FOMO. But the massive liquidity injection definitely set the stage.

Fast forward to now, and we're starting to see rate cuts again. The Fed just cut rates for the first time in years, and everyone's wondering if we're about to see another crypto supercycle. Spoiler alert: it's complicated.

Why It's Not Always That Simple (The Plot Thickens)

The relationship between monetary policy and cryptocurrency prices isn't as straightforward as it seems. Rate cuts don't guarantee crypto rallies, and several factors can throw a wrench in this supposedly reliable connection.

Take timing, for instance. Monetary policy doesn't work like flipping a switch. The Fed cuts rates today, but that doesn't mean money suddenly floods into Bitcoin tomorrow. These effects take months to work through the financial system, creating frustrating delays between policy changes and actual market movements.

Then there's the whole expectations game. If everyone and their mother already expects a rate cut, the actual announcement might barely move markets. It's already baked into prices, as traders say. But when cuts come by surprise? That's when things get interesting, and volatile.

Inflation makes everything messier. Central banks get nervous about cutting rates when prices are already rising. And if they do cut while inflation is running hot, investors start worrying about the economy overheating. This is why smart money watches real interest rates, the actual rate minus inflation, which sometimes tells a completely different story than the headline numbers.

The Advanced Stuff (For Market Nerds)

Okay, this is where things get really interesting. If you're already trading and want to understand what moves the big money, here are the deeper dynamics that separate amateur hour from professional-grade analysis.

Real rates matter more than anything else. When rates sit at 2% but inflation runs at 4%, cash holders are losing 2% annually in purchasing power. That’s the kind of environment where Bitcoin’s ‘hard money’ narrative tends to resonate, and where institutional investors have historically shown greater interest.

The yield curve tells stories that headline rates can't. This relationship between short and long-term rates reveals market psychology. When short rates exceed long rates, the dreaded inverted curve, recession fears dominate. Rate cuts during these periods often fall flat because fear trumps greed, and nobody wants to touch risky assets regardless of how cheap money becomes.

But here's what separates the pros from everyone else: they know it's never just about rates. Credit spreads show how much extra yield risky borrowers pay compared to safe government debt. Dollar funding conditions reveal whether international markets can actually access all that cheap liquidity. And bank lending standards determine if that Fed money ever makes it past Wall Street desks into the real economy. The Fed can slash rates to zero, but if banks won't lend and credit markets freeze up, crypto won't see a dime of that stimulus.

The Dark Side (Because Nothing's Ever Perfect)

Let's be honest here, painting rate cuts as some magic crypto catalyst without acknowledging the risks would be doing everyone a disservice. Easy money creates bubbles, and when those bubbles burst, crypto typically gets damaged first and hardest.

The inflation trap is real and brutal. When rate cuts work too well and prices start spiraling upward, central banks panic and slam the brakes with aggressive rate hikes. That policy whiplash absolutely crushes speculative assets, with crypto leading the carnage every single time.

Then there's the liquidity trap – monetary policy's most frustrating failure mode. Sometimes rate cuts simply don't work. Banks refuse to lend, consumers won't borrow, and all that cheap money sits trapped in the financial system instead of flowing into markets. Japan learned this lesson painfully over decades of ineffective stimulus.

Here's an uncomfortable truth: despite all the "digital gold" rhetoric, crypto still dances to the stock market's tune most days. When rate cuts happen during genuine recessions and equities crater, Bitcoin rarely stays immune. The correlation breaks down only during very specific market conditions, not during broad-based selloffs.

Finally, there's the regulatory sword hanging over everything. Crypto rallies have this annoying habit of attracting government attention, especially when retail investors pile in and inevitably lose their shirts. That regulatory risk never disappears,  it just sits there waiting for the next bubble to pop.

Strategic Approaches at Different Levels

The beauty of understanding rate cut dynamics is that you can apply this knowledge regardless of where you are in your trading journey. Here's how to think about it based on your experience level.

Starting out? Keep things dead simple. Track Fed meetings, watch inflation numbers, and brace for wild swings around major announcements. Don't get lost in the weeds trying to predict every twist and turn. Just remember that cheaper money generally makes crypto more attractive, even if the timing stays unpredictable.

Getting more serious about this game? Time to expand the toolkit. Real interest rates become your new best friend, along with the dollar index (DXY) and whatever the Fed chair actually says about future moves. Pay close attention to how crypto moves when stocks hiccup, that correlation hasn't disappeared just because Bitcoin hit some arbitrary price target.

Going full macro nerd? Now we're talking. Layer in yield curve analysis, credit spreads, and options flow data. The goal shifts from reacting to news toward positioning ahead of surprises. This means using derivatives to hedge positions and managing risk like the professionals do. At this level, it's less about being right and more about surviving when you're wrong.

The Bottom Line

So why are interest rate cuts good for crypto? Because they make safe assets less attractive, flood the system with liquidity, weaken fiat currencies, and make everyone a little more willing to take risks. For Bitcoin, that often strengthens its narrative as a store of value. For altcoins, it can fuel speculative rallies and bring more funding to interesting projects.

But here's the key insight: context is everything. Rate cuts during an economic expansion can be rocket fuel for crypto. Rate cuts during a deep recession might just keep things from getting worse. The difference comes down to liquidity conditions, market sentiment, and whether people actually believe the central bank's strategy will work.

For newcomers, the headline is simple enough: lower rates usually help crypto. For everyone else, remember that it's not just about the rate cut itself, it's about how that cut fits into the bigger macroeconomic puzzle.

The most successful traders don't just look at rate cuts in isolation. They consider the whole picture: inflation, employment, credit conditions, dollar strength, and market positioning. Because at the end of the day, markets are about human psychology as much as they are about monetary policy.

And honestly? That's what makes this whole game so fascinating, and frustrating at the same time.

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For a fleeting moment, it looked like altcoin season was finally here. Google searches for “altcoins” skyrocketed to record highs, 𝕏 was buzzing, and retail excitement seemed to return in full force. But within a week, that hype fizzled out almost as quickly as it appeared, leaving traders wondering if the long-awaited alt season was just a mirage.

A Spike That Vanished Overnight

Search interest for “altcoin” on Google Trends hit its highest score ever in early August, only to fall back to baseline levels within days. Globally, the same pattern played out, with scores dropping from 100 to just 16 in a week, mimicking a “pump and dump” pattern that you would expect from a memecoin.

Market cap data told the same story. The total value of altcoins (excluding Bitcoin and Ethereum) briefly climbed by $100 billion before giving it all back, leaving investors wondering whether the hype had any real weight behind it.

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Naturally, some saw the collapse as proof that the altcoin season had ended before it really began. Others, however, like analyst Cyclop, argue the spike shows something deeper: that “altcoin” has become the mainstream term retail uses today, replacing “crypto” in 2021. In his view, this isn’t the peak. Rather, it’s just the beginning of broader interest.

Why Google Trends Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

Relying on Google searches to measure retail demand may no longer work the way it used to. With AI tools increasingly replacing traditional search, and with concepts like “altcoins” now part of everyday investor vocabulary, Trends data might not be capturing where and how money is really flowing.

Instead, analysts point to on-chain and trading activity as better indicators of where momentum is building. And in August, that momentum was fragmented.

A Season of Winners and Losers

Data from Artemis showed only a few categories outperforming last month: Ethereum, exchange tokens, and oracles.

Beyond these bright spots, however, most altcoins struggled. The result? A patchwork “mini season” rather than the explosive, across-the-board surge that retail and social media had been hoping for.

Polygon’s co-founder Sandeep put it bluntly: "Retail is searching, but institutions aren't buying the narratives yet. Old altcoin seasons were driven by speculation and promises and narratives and marketing. Institutional money is smarter money. It cares about real utility and cash flows. The next "alt season" won't look like 2017 or 2021. It’ll be fewer tokens with actual usage, not just tokens with better marketing." Sandeep said.

The Road Ahead

That doesn’t mean altcoin season is dead, it probably just means it’s evolving.Coinbase has suggested that the next true wave could arrive as early as September, but that it likely won’t be a full-scale altcoin season.

Bottom line? The altcoin season isn’t gone; it’s just different. It’s maturing. And the next leg up may not belong to every token in the market, but only to the select few proving they can deliver value beyond mere speculation.

Dejemos algo claro desde el principio: la mayoría de las promesas cripto de “gana dinero mientras duermes” son puro humo. Internet está lleno de fórmulas mágicas que prometen 10.000 € al mes y que suelen terminar en wallets vacías y arrepentimiento.

Pero sí, en 2025 se puede generar ingresos pasivos con crypto. La palabra clave es “se puede”, no “ocurre automáticamente” ni “está garantizado”. La diferencia está en tener expectativas realistas. Hablamos de rangos aproximados del 3% al 12% anual a través de métodos legítimos, no de los cuentos de 300% que inundan las redes.

Por suerte, el panorama de ingresos pasivos cripto ha madurado desde la era salvaje de 2021. ¿Esas granjas de 20.000% APY que desaparecían de la noche a la mañana? En gran medida ya no están (aunque todavía puede aparecer alguna si te atraen las emociones fuertes).

Esta guía cubre siete métodos habituales para generar ingresos pasivos con crypto. Encontrarás opciones sencillas para principiantes con rendimientos del 3% al 8% anual, y estrategias más arriesgadas que pueden moverse en rangos más altos si sabes lo que estás haciendo. También hablaremos de lo menos glamuroso pero esencial: riesgos, volatilidad y cómo reducir la probabilidad de perderlo todo.

Si buscas esquemas de “hazte rico rápido”, mejor mirar en otro sitio. Si lo que quieres es entender qué es realista en 2025 y cómo funciona, vamos a ello.

Entendiendo los ingresos pasivos en crypto

Antes de entrar en métodos concretos, aclaremos qué significa “ingresos pasivos” en crypto. En el mundo tradicional, los ingresos pasivos pueden venir de alquileres o dividendos: inviertes y recibes pagos sin estar gestionando a diario. En crypto es similar, pero con un giro digital y, sobre todo, mucha más volatilidad.

La diferencia clave es que en inversiones tradicionales quizá veas variaciones del 5% al 10% anual. En crypto, un activo puede moverse un 50% en una semana. Esto hace que lo “pasivo” sea pasivo solo en teoría si terminas pendiente del precio constantemente.

La realidad es que los ingresos pasivos cripto existen en un espectro de riesgo. En el extremo más prudente hay productos tipo “cuentas de ahorro” cripto que pueden ofrecer 2% a 8% APY, parecido a cuentas remuneradas pero en activos digitales. En el extremo más arriesgado está el yield farming, donde a veces se ven retornos muy elevados, pero también puede haber riesgos serios ligados a fallos de smart contracts o movimientos bruscos del mercado.

En conjunto, el mercado de ingresos pasivos cripto ha crecido mucho. En 2025, más de 150.000 millones de dólares están bloqueados en distintos protocolos DeFi, y algunas instituciones importantes ya ofrecen productos de “earn”. Eso no elimina el riesgo, pero sí significa que el ecosistema es, en general, más maduro que en los primeros años.

¿Por qué la gente lo elige? Además del potencial de rendimiento, ofrece mercados 24/7, alcance global y la posibilidad de empezar con importes pequeños.

7 métodos habituales para generar ingresos pasivos con crypto

Opciones de baja complejidad (recomendadas para principiantes)

1. “Cuentas de ahorro” cripto

Piénsalas como cuentas remuneradas, pero con crypto. Depositas tus activos en productos de rendimiento de plataformas custodiales (la disponibilidad varía por país) y la plataforma los presta o los utiliza en estrategias, compartiendo parte del retorno contigo.

Cómo funciona: la plataforma usa los depósitos para prestar a prestatarios institucionales o para estrategias en DeFi. Tú recibes un porcentaje.
Rendimientos realistas: suele verse un rango aproximado del 2% al 8% APY, según activo y plataforma. Bitcoin suele tener tasas más bajas (2% a 4%) y las stablecoins a menudo se mueven en rangos superiores (4% a 8%). Cada plataforma varía, así que conviene leer condiciones.
Cómo empezar: normalmente requiere KYC. Depositas, eliges el producto y el interés se acumula a diario o semanalmente.
El “pero”: no hay cobertura tipo FDIC. Existe riesgo de plataforma (casos como Celsius o BlockFi en 2022 lo recuerdan). Conviene investigar y no comprometer más de lo que estás dispuesto a perder.

2. Staking

El staking es como recibir “recompensas” por ayudar a asegurar una red blockchain. En lugar de minería, redes Proof-of-Stake utilizan validadores que bloquean tokens para procesar transacciones.

Opciones habituales:

• Ethereum (ETH): a menudo alrededor del 2% al 4%
• Solana (SOL): comúnmente 6% a 8% efectivo con el tiempo (depende de inflación y staking)
• Cardano (ADA): suele estar en 3% a 5%
• Polkadot (DOT): el unbonding puede ser de 28 días; las recompensas varían

Dos enfoques: staking directo (más técnico y a veces con mínimos) o staking delegado mediante plataformas (más simple, normalmente con comisiones).
Punto importante: puede haber periodos de bloqueo, así que conviene considerar la liquidez antes de entrar.

Métodos de complejidad media

3. Lending cripto

Consiste en prestar tus activos a cambio de intereses. Puede ser más “manual” que una cuenta custodial, pero a veces ofrece más flexibilidad.

Lending en plataformas: protocolos como Aave, Compound o Kava permiten aportar liquidez a pools de préstamos.
Rendimientos esperados: varían según demanda. Las stablecoins pueden moverse en rangos como 5% a 15% APY, y los activos más volátiles pueden variar mucho según el mercado.
Riesgos: vulnerabilidades de smart contracts, hacks o cambios bruscos de condiciones.

4. Pools de liquidez y provisión de liquidez

DEX como Uniswap o PancakeSwap necesitan liquidez. Si aportas pares de activos a un pool, puedes ganar una parte de las comisiones.

Cómo funciona: depositas dos activos con el mismo valor (por ejemplo, ETH y USDC). Los traders pagan comisiones y tú recibes una parte según tu porcentaje.
Potencial: puede variar mucho (por ejemplo, 5% a 30% APY en determinados pares), dependiendo de volumen y comisiones.
Impermanent loss: el gran riesgo específico. Si el precio de un activo cambia mucho frente al otro, podrías terminar con menos valor que si hubieras mantenido ambos por separado. Se llama “impermanent” porque la relación puede revertirse, pero se vuelve “real” si sales en un momento desfavorable.

Métodos de mayor complejidad (para usuarios DeFi con experiencia)

5. Yield farming

Es el “juego de alto riesgo” de DeFi: mover fondos entre protocolos buscando retornos más altos, a menudo con estrategias complejas y múltiples tokens.

Atractivo: a veces se ven APYs elevados durante periodos cortos, pero tienden a ser inestables y a caer rápido.
Realidad: muchas granjas de alto rendimiento dependen de incentivos con tokens que se deprecian o de modelos poco sostenibles.
Para quién es: usuarios avanzados que entienden riesgos de smart contracts, economía de tokens y aceptan la posibilidad de pérdidas importantes.

6. Tokens con reparto de ingresos o “dividendos”

Algunos proyectos reparten parte de ingresos o incentivos a holders, similar a un “bonus” ligado a actividad del protocolo.

Ejemplos mencionados habitualmente:

• KuCoin Token (KCS): bonus ligado a comisiones para holders elegibles (según condiciones)
• NEO: genera GAS para uso en la red
• VeChain (VET): genera VTHO para uso de red

Rendimientos: variables y dependientes del éxito del proyecto.

7. Masternodes

Los masternodes son servidores que realizan funciones específicas en redes determinadas. Suelen requerir capital y mantenimiento técnico.

Requisitos: a menudo se necesitan cantidades significativas en tokens, a veces equivalentes a 10.000 € a 100.000 € o más, además de conocimientos para mantener seguridad y uptime.
Barreras: coste alto, complejidad y mantenimiento. No suele ser el punto de entrada ideal para la mayoría.

Realidad: ¿cuánto se puede generar realmente?

Veamos ejemplos hipotéticos con condiciones de mercado típicas:

Escenarios con 1.000 €

• Cuenta cripto (5% APY): 50 € al año
• Staking de ETH (3,2% APY): 32 € al año
• Lending de stablecoins (8% APY): 80 € al año

Escenarios con 10.000 €

• Enfoque diversificado (staking + lending): 400 € a 800 € al año
• Estrategias DeFi más arriesgadas: 1.000 € a 2.000 € al año (con posibilidad real de pérdidas)

Escenarios con 100.000 €

• Perfil conservador: 4.000 € a 8.000 € al año
• Yield farming agresivo: 10.000 € a 20.000 € al año (riesgo muy alto)

Comparación rápida: una cartera tradicional con 4% de dividendos sobre 100.000 € da 4.000 € al año. Crypto puede superar eso, pero con más volatilidad.

El factor volatilidad importa: podrías generar intereses, pero si el activo subyacente cae un 30%, el balance total puede quedar en negativo. Por eso mucha gente usa stablecoins cuando el objetivo principal es “yield”.

Implicaciones fiscales que conviene conocer

Los ingresos pasivos en crypto no suelen ser “invisibles” fiscalmente. En muchos países, las recompensas se tratan como ingresos y pueden estar sujetas a impuestos.

Puntos habituales:

• Recompensas de staking: pueden considerarse imponibles al recibirse, según valor de mercado
• Intereses de lending: suelen tratarse como ingreso
• Rendimientos DeFi: también pueden computar, incluso si se pagan en tokens poco conocidos

El registro es clave: fechas, importes y valor. Algunas plataformas ofrecen informes, pero la responsabilidad suele recaer en el usuario.

La complejidad varía por país, por lo que conviene revisar la normativa local si los importes son relevantes.

Riesgos y cómo reducirlos

Los ingresos pasivos en crypto no solo van de “ganar”, sino de evitar pérdidas por riesgos evitables.

• Riesgo de plataforma: plataformas centralizadas pueden fallar, ser hackeadas o congelar retiros.
  Mitigación: diversificar, investigar reputación y no comprometer capital crítico.
• Riesgo de smart contracts: el código puede tener fallos y los hacks ocurren.
  Mitigación: priorizar protocolos auditados y consolidados.
• Volatilidad de mercado: movimientos de precio pueden comerse cualquier rendimiento.
  Mitigación: considerar stablecoins para estrategias centradas en yield, o aceptar la volatilidad como parte del perfil cripto.
• Riesgo regulatorio: normas pueden cambiar de forma rápida.
  Mitigación: mantenerse informado y entender el marco aplicable en tu jurisdicción.

Gestión práctica del riesgo:

• Empezar pequeño mientras aprendes
• No usar fondos de emergencia
• Diversificar métodos y plataformas
• Mantener registros detallados
• Seguir actualizaciones y cambios de protocolos

Cómo empezar: primeros pasos

¿Quieres empezar de forma razonable? Un enfoque prudente podría ser:

• Empieza por aprender: wallets, seguridad y el método que te interesa.
• Empieza conservador: cuentas cripto o staking en plataforma, con cantidades pequeñas.
• Revisa tu exposición total: muchas guías sugieren limitar la exposición a crypto dentro de un conjunto de activos, y que las estrategias de “earn” sean una parte aún más pequeña.
• Elige plataformas con criterio: reputación, licencias cuando aplique, transparencia en comisiones, y evitar promesas irreales.
• Seguridad básica: 2FA, no compartir claves privadas, y considerar hardware wallets para importes altos.

Conclusión

Generar ingresos pasivos con criptomonedas en 2025 es posible, pero requiere expectativas realistas y gestión de riesgos. La era de los “20% garantizados” quedó atrás, pero siguen existiendo opciones legítimas para quien se informa y actúa con prudencia.

Para la mayoría, el punto más equilibrado suele estar en estrategias conservadoras: cuentas cripto, staking consolidado y, en algunos casos, lending con stablecoins. No te harán rico de la noche a la mañana, pero pueden ofrecer un retorno constante mientras entiendes mejor el ecosistema.

Y recuerda: en crypto, “pasivo” suele requerir más atención que en finanzas tradicionales. Mantente informado, empieza pequeño y no arriesgues fondos que no puedas permitirte perder.

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En nuestra economía global interconectada, los símbolos de moneda están presentes en todas partes. Aparecen al planificar viajes internacionales, gestionar un negocio de comercio electrónico, dar formato a documentos financieros o simplemente al intentar entender precios en un sitio web extranjero. Saber reconocer y utilizar correctamente los símbolos de moneda es una habilidad esencial.

En esencia, los símbolos de moneda son notaciones abreviadas que representan distintas unidades monetarias en todo el mundo. A diferencia de los códigos ISO, como USD o EUR, estos símbolos ofrecen una referencia visual rápida que trasciende las barreras del idioma. Desde el conocido signo del dólar ($) hasta el símbolo de la rupia india (₹), cada uno refleja identidad económica y contexto cultural.

Comprender los símbolos de moneda resulta especialmente útil al trabajar con transacciones internacionales, crear sitios web multilingües, dar formato a facturas o desarrollar aplicaciones financieras. No se trata solo de teoría, sino de herramientas prácticas para cualquier persona que interactúe con el comercio global o los viajes.

¿Qué es un símbolo de moneda?

Un símbolo de moneda es una representación gráfica utilizada para indicar una unidad monetaria específica. Funciona como un atajo universal que permite identificar rápidamente una moneda sin necesidad de escribir su nombre completo ni recordar códigos complejos de tres letras.

Por ejemplo, el signo del dólar ($) identifica inmediatamente al dólar estadounidense, mientras que el símbolo del euro (€) representa la moneda de la Unión Europea. La libra esterlina utiliza (£) y el yen japonés emplea (¥). Cada símbolo ha sido diseñado para ser distintivo y fácil de reconocer.

Es importante diferenciar los símbolos de moneda de los códigos ISO. Mientras que el símbolo del dólar estadounidense es $, su código ISO es USD. El símbolo del euro es €, pero su código es EUR. Los símbolos son visuales y compactos, mientras que los códigos son abreviaturas estandarizadas utilizadas principalmente en sistemas financieros y banca internacional.

Reglas de colocación del símbolo de moneda (¿antes o después del número?)

La posición del símbolo de moneda respecto a la cifra varía considerablemente entre países y culturas, siguiendo convenciones locales más que reglas universales.

En la mayoría de los países de habla inglesa, el símbolo se coloca antes del número: $100, £50 o A$75 para dólares australianos. En cambio, muchos países europeos sitúan el símbolo después de la cifra, como 100€ en Francia o 50₽ en Rusia.

Algunas monedas presentan formatos particulares. En Cabo Verde, por ejemplo, puede verse 20$00, donde el símbolo aparece antes de la parte decimal. De forma similar, en varios países de América Latina se escribe $20.00 o $20,00, según el separador decimal utilizado.

Al trabajar con documentos o sitios web internacionales, conviene verificar siempre la convención local del país y la moneda correspondiente. Este nivel de detalle transmite conocimiento cultural y profesionalidad en contextos globales.

Lista completa de símbolos de monedas del mundo por región

Europa

América

Asia y Pacífico

Oriente Medio

África

Criptomonedas

Cómo escribir símbolos de moneda con el teclado

Atajos en Windows

Dólar ($): Shift + 4
Euro (€): Alt + 0128
Libra esterlina (£): Alt + 0163
Yen japonés (¥): Alt + 0165
Céntimo (¢): Alt + 0162

Atajos en Mac

Dólar ($): Shift + 4
Euro (€): Option + Shift + 2
Libra esterlina (£): Option + 3
Yen japonés (¥): Option + Y
Céntimo (¢): Option + 4

Métodos adicionales

Para los símbolos que no están disponibles mediante atajos de teclado, puedes utilizar códigos Unicode, copiarlos desde mapas de caracteres o recurrir a generadores de símbolos en línea. Ten en cuenta que algunas fuentes no admiten todos los símbolos de moneda, por lo que es recomendable usar fuentes comunes como Arial o Times New Roman si la tipografía elegida no los muestra correctamente.

Símbolos de moneda en documentos y hojas de cálculo

Microsoft Word

Accede a Insertar > Símbolos para ver la biblioteca completa. También puedes utilizar códigos Alt o configurar atajos personalizados para los símbolos que uses con frecuencia.

Microsoft Excel

Utiliza Formato de celdas > Moneda para aplicar el formato automáticamente. Excel reconoce la mayoría de los símbolos principales y ajusta los números en consecuencia.

Google Docs

Ve a Insertar > Caracteres especiales y busca “moneda” o “currency” para encontrar los símbolos disponibles. También puedes guardar los símbolos que uses con frecuencia para un acceso rápido.

Google Sheets

Usa Formato > Número > Moneda para aplicar el formato. Google Sheets detecta automáticamente tu ubicación y sugiere los símbolos de moneda adecuados.

Símbolos de moneda más utilizados y reconocidos

Entre los símbolos de moneda más reconocidos y utilizados a nivel global se encuentran:
Dólar estadounidense ($): la principal moneda de reserva del mundo y ampliamente utilizada en el comercio internacional
Euro (€): la segunda moneda más negociada, representando a 19 países de la Unión Europea
Libra esterlina (£): una de las monedas más antiguas que siguen en circulación y con gran relevancia financiera
Yen japonés (¥ o JP¥): moneda clave en Asia y protagonista en los mercados internacionales
Yuan chino (¥ o CN¥): con una importancia creciente en el comercio y las reservas globales
Rupia india (₹): representando a una de las economías más grandes del mundo

Resumen final

Entender los símbolos de moneda va mucho más allá del conocimiento teórico. Es una habilidad práctica que facilita moverse con confianza en la economía global. Ya sea al viajar, interactuar con negocios internacionales o interpretar precios en sitios web extranjeros, reconocer y utilizar correctamente estos símbolos permite desenvolverse con mayor claridad en un entorno cada vez más conectado.

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¿Intentas contactar con alguien en Estados Unidos desde otro país? El código de país de EE. UU. es más sencillo de lo que parece, pero un pequeño error en el formato puede hacer que la llamada no se conecte. Ya seas un expatriado echando de menos casa, un profesional organizando una llamada importante o un viajero resolviendo cuestiones logísticas, saber cómo marcar correctamente puede ahorrarte tiempo, dinero y frustración.

Estados Unidos comparte su sistema de códigos de país con Canadá y varios países del Caribe, lo que genera algunas particularidades que no se encuentran en otros destinos. A continuación, te explicamos todo lo que necesitas saber para llamar a EE. UU. sin complicaciones.

¿Cuál es el código de país de Estados Unidos?

El código de país de Estados Unidos es el 1. También puede aparecer como 001, pero ambos representan lo mismo y son formas correctas de referirse al código internacional del país.

Este código 1 no solo cubre a Estados Unidos, sino también a Canadá y a muchos países del Caribe como parte del Plan de Numeración de América del Norte (NANP). Al llamar desde el extranjero, se utiliza este dígito seguido del código de área y el número de teléfono.

Así se ve una llamada internacional completa:
Prefijo de salida de tu país + 1 + código de área + número de teléfono

Ejemplo desde Reino Unido a Nueva York:
00-1-212-555-0123

Cómo llamar a Estados Unidos desde el extranjero: paso a paso

Las llamadas internacionales siguen un patrón bastante uniforme en todo el mundo. Este es el proceso:

Paso 1: Encuentra el prefijo de salida de tu país

Cada país utiliza un código distinto para salir de su red nacional:
Reino Unido y la mayoría de Europa: 00
Australia: 0011
Japón: 010
Brasil: 0015
China: 00

Paso 2: Añade el código de país de EE. UU. (1)

Después del prefijo de salida, marca siempre el número 1 para Estados Unidos.

Paso 3: Incluye el código de área

Los códigos de área en EE. UU. tienen siempre tres dígitos. No los omitas, ya que incluso los números móviles lo requieren cuando se llama desde el extranjero.

Paso 4: Marca el número local

Los números de teléfono en EE. UU. tienen siete dígitos después del código de área.

Ejemplos de formato completo:
Desde Reino Unido a Los Ángeles: 00-1-310-555-7890
Desde Australia a Miami: 0011-1-305-555-2468
Desde Japón a Chicago: 010-1-312-555-9876

En la mayoría de los teléfonos modernos, puedes sustituir el prefijo de salida por el símbolo +, lo que simplifica el proceso:
+1-310-555-7890

¿Cuáles son los códigos de área en Estados Unidos?

Los códigos de área son números de tres dígitos que identifican regiones geográficas específicas dentro de EE. UU. Originalmente se crearon cuando las llamadas eran conectadas manualmente por operadores, pero hoy siguen siendo esenciales para dirigir las llamadas correctamente.

Las grandes ciudades suelen tener varios códigos de área debido al crecimiento de la población y al uso masivo de dispositivos móviles.

Consejo útil: los números móviles conservan su código de área original incluso si la persona se muda, por lo que un número con código 212 no garantiza que alguien esté actualmente en Manhattan.

Cómo dar formato correctamente a un número de teléfono de EE. UU.

Los números de teléfono estadounidenses siguen una estructura estándar, aunque el formato varía según el contexto:

Formato nacional en EE. UU.:
(XXX) XXX-XXXX o XXX-XXX-XXXX
Ejemplo: (555) 123-4567 o 555-123-4567

Formato internacional:
+1-XXX-XXX-XXXX
Ejemplo: +1-555-123-4567

Al escribir para audiencias internacionales:
Incluye siempre el código de país (+1) y utiliza guiones o espacios para mejorar la legibilidad. Evita los paréntesis alrededor del código de área en contextos internacionales, ya que pueden generar confusión.

La longitud total es siempre la misma: 10 dígitos después del código de país, siendo los tres primeros el código de área.

Errores comunes al llamar a Estados Unidos

Incluso quienes están acostumbrados a hacer llamadas internacionales pueden cometer estos fallos frecuentes:
Olvidar el prefijo de salida: marcar 1-555-123-4567 en lugar de 00-1-555-123-4567
Omitir el código de país: asumir que basta con marcar el código de área y el número
Usar el prefijo incorrecto: marcar 011 (prefijo de EE. UU./Canadá) al llamar desde otro país
No incluir el código de área: intentar marcar solo el número local de siete dígitos
Restricciones del operador: no saber que el plan bloquea llamadas internacionales por defecto

Lista rápida de verificación:
Antes de rendirte con una llamada fallida, asegúrate de haber incluido el prefijo de salida de tu país, el número 1, el código de área completo y los siete dígitos del número local.

¿Se puede llamar gratis a Estados Unidos?

Sí, aunque no mediante llamadas tradicionales. Existen varias alternativas que no tienen coste adicional más allá del uso de datos de internet.

Opciones de llamadas por internet

WhatsApp: muy popular a nivel global, permite llamadas de voz y video
FaceTime: ideal si ambas personas usan dispositivos Apple
Google Voice o Google Meet: llamadas gratuitas entre cuentas
Facebook Messenger: llamadas de voz y video desde la app
Viber: buena calidad de llamadas y amplia compatibilidad

Lo que necesitas

Conexión a internet estable, preferiblemente Wi-Fi
Que ambas personas tengan instalada la misma aplicación
Cuenta activa en la plataforma elegida

Un punto a tener en cuenta: aunque estas opciones son “gratuitas”, la calidad depende totalmente de la conexión a internet. Para llamadas importantes, el servicio telefónico tradicional puede resultar más fiable, mientras que para conversaciones informales las llamadas por internet suelen ser suficientes.

Mejor momento para llamar a Estados Unidos desde el extranjero

Estados Unidos abarca varias zonas horarias, lo que influye en el momento adecuado para llamar.

Zonas horarias en EE. UU. (de oeste a este)

Hora del Pacífico: California, Nevada, Washington
Hora de la Montaña: Colorado, Arizona, Utah
Hora Central: Texas, Illinois, Luisiana
Hora del Este: Nueva York, Florida, Georgia

Recomendaciones de horario

Para llamadas profesionales, lo ideal es entre las 9:00 y las 17:00 en la zona horaria del destinatario, de lunes a viernes. Conviene evitar festivos federales como el Día de la Independencia, Acción de Gracias o Navidad.

Para llamadas personales, las tardes entre las 18:00 y las 21:00 suelen funcionar bien, así como las tardes de fin de semana. Evita muy temprano por la mañana o muy tarde por la noche si no conoces el horario de la otra persona.

Ten en cuenta que algunos operadores internacionales ofrecen tarifas más bajas en horarios de menor demanda. Usar un conversor de zonas horarias antes de una llamada importante puede evitar situaciones incómodas.

Números de emergencia en Estados Unidos

Si visitas EE. UU. o necesitas ayudar a alguien en una situación urgente, estos números funcionan desde cualquier teléfono:

Servicios de emergencia principales

911: policía, bomberos y ambulancias (funciona incluso desde móviles sin servicio activo)

Líneas de ayuda especializadas

988: línea de prevención del suicidio y crisis, disponible 24/7
1-800-222-1222: centro de toxicología
1-800-656-4673: línea nacional de ayuda para víctimas de agresión sexual
211: servicios comunitarios y recursos locales

Notas importantes:
Los servicios de emergencia son gratuitos desde cualquier teléfono, incluidos teléfonos públicos y móviles sin línea activa. Los visitantes internacionales pueden utilizarlos igual que los residentes de EE. UU.

Cierre: llamar a Estados Unidos sin complicaciones

Llamar a Estados Unidos se resume en una fórmula sencilla: prefijo de salida + 1 + código de área + siete dígitos. Una vez dominas este patrón, podrás conectar sin problemas, ya sea con un rascacielos en Nueva York o con un pequeño restaurante en una ciudad rural de Kansas.

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El código de país 49 es la puerta de entrada para comunicarte con Alemania desde cualquier parte del mundo, ya sea para llamar a una empresa en Berlín, a tu familia en Múnich o a ese acogedor hotel en Baviera que quieres reservar.

Usar el formato correcto al marcar puede evitar llamadas fallidas, cargos inesperados y la frustración de escuchar el clásico mensaje de “el número marcado no existe”. Esta guía explica todo lo que necesitas saber para llamar a Alemania, desde los pasos básicos hasta la solución de errores comunes que afectan incluso a quienes llaman con frecuencia al extranjero.

¿Qué es el código de país 49?

El código de país 49 es el número asignado a Alemania dentro del sistema telefónico internacional. Siempre que quieras llamar a un número alemán desde fuera del país, debes comenzar marcando este código de dos dígitos.

Los códigos de país forman parte de un sistema global gestionado por la Unión Internacional de Telecomunicaciones (UIT), que garantiza que cada llamada llegue al país correcto. Puedes imaginarlo como un código postal internacional para llamadas telefónicas. Sin él, la red global no sabría a dónde dirigir tu llamada. El código 49 cubre todo Alemania, tanto teléfonos fijos como móviles.

Cómo llamar a Alemania desde Estados Unidos (o desde el extranjero)

Llamar a Alemania sigue un proceso sencillo de cuatro pasos que funciona desde cualquier país.

Formato de marcación paso a paso

1. Marca el prefijo de salida internacional de tu país
   Desde EE. UU. y Canadá: 011
   Desde la mayoría de países europeos: 00
   Desde muchos países asiáticos: 00
2. Marca el código de país de Alemania: 49
3. Marca el código de área alemán (sin el cero inicial)
   Berlín pasa a ser 30 (no 030)
   Múnich pasa a ser 89 (no 089)
4. Marca el número de teléfono local

Ejemplos completos

Llamar a un fijo en Berlín desde EE. UU.:
011 49 30 12345678

Llamar a un móvil en Múnich desde Reino Unido:
00 49 171 1234567

Atajo en móviles

La mayoría de los smartphones permiten usar el símbolo + en lugar del prefijo de salida. Solo tienes que mantener pulsada la tecla 0 hasta que aparezca + y luego marcar:
+49 30 12345678

El error más habitual es incluir el cero inicial del código de área alemán. En Alemania, los números empiezan por 0 cuando se marcan dentro del país, pero ese cero debe eliminarse en llamadas internacionales.

Códigos de área más comunes en Alemania

Alemania utiliza un sistema de códigos de área lógico, donde las grandes ciudades suelen tener códigos más cortos y fáciles de recordar.

Recuerda: cuando llames desde el extranjero, utiliza siempre la versión sin el cero inicial.

Las ciudades y pueblos más pequeños tienen códigos de área más largos, a veces de cuatro o cinco dígitos. La norma es siempre la misma: eliminar el primer cero en llamadas internacionales.

Cómo llamar a números móviles alemanes

Los números móviles en Alemania son fáciles de identificar una vez conoces el patrón. Normalmente comienzan con estos prefijos:

015x (varios operadores)
016x (O2, E-Plus)
017x (Telekom, Vodafone)

Cómo llamar a un móvil alemán

Formato:
+49 [prefijo móvil] [número de 7 dígitos]

Ejemplo:
+49 171 1234567

A diferencia de los teléfonos fijos, los móviles no utilizan códigos de área por ciudad. El prefijo de tres dígitos identifica al operador y siempre va seguido de siete dígitos.

Consejo práctico: en Alemania, WhatsApp se utiliza de forma masiva. Si llamas a amigos o familiares, puede ser más fácil y cómodo hacer la llamada por WhatsApp con una buena conexión a internet.

Por qué tu llamada a Alemania puede no funcionar

Nada resulta más frustrante que una llamada que no se conecta. Estos son los problemas más frecuentes y cómo solucionarlos.

Errores comunes

Prefijo de salida incorrecto: usar 00 en lugar de 011 desde EE. UU., o al revés
Solución: comprueba el prefijo de salida correcto de tu país

Incluir el cero inicial: marcar 011 49 030 en lugar de 011 49 30
Solución: elimina siempre el primer cero del código de área

Omitir el código de país: intentar marcar un número alemán sin el 49
Solución: nunca saltes el código de país en llamadas internacionales

Formato incorrecto en móviles: tratar un número móvil como si fuera fijo
Solución: recuerda que los móviles no usan códigos de ciudad

Restricciones del operador: tu tarifa bloquea llamadas internacionales
Solución: contacta con tu proveedor para activar las llamadas al extranjero

Confusión horaria: llamar durante la noche en Alemania
Solución: Alemania está en GMT+2, revisa la hora antes de llamar

Comprobación rápida

Puedes probar llamando primero a un servicio de información alemán, como +49 11833, para verificar que la marcación internacional funciona correctamente.

Otras formas de llamar a Alemania

Las llamadas tradicionales no son la única opción. Existen alternativas modernas que pueden resultar más económicas y ofrecer mejor calidad.

Opciones por internet

WhatsApp: extremadamente popular en Alemania, con llamadas de voz y video
Google Voice: tarifas internacionales competitivas desde EE. UU.
Viber: llamadas gratuitas entre usuarios y buena cobertura en Europa
FaceTime: gratuito entre dispositivos Apple

Proveedores VoIP

Empresas como Vonage, RingCentral o 8x8 ofrecen soluciones de llamadas internacionales pensadas para empresas, con planes de tarifa plana que pueden resultar útiles para quienes llaman con frecuencia.

Ventajas y desventajas

Ventajas: coste bajo o nulo, buena calidad de audio, opción de videollamada
Desventajas: requiere conexión a internet y, en algunos casos, que ambas personas usen la misma aplicación

Códigos de país similares al 49

Si viajas por regiones de habla alemana o países vecinos, estos códigos pueden resultarte útiles:

Austria: +43
Suiza: +41
Francia: +33
Países Bajos: +31
Bélgica: +32
Dinamarca: +45

Consejo para viajeros: algunos operadores ofrecen paquetes de roaming europeo que pueden ser más prácticos que las llamadas internacionales si te mueves entre varios países.

Conclusión

Llamar a Alemania no tiene por qué ser complicado si recuerdas lo esencial. La regla de oro es clara: usa el código 49, elimina el cero inicial del código de área y no olvides el prefijo de salida internacional, como el 011 desde Estados Unidos.

Y si tienes dudas, las llamadas por internet pueden ser una alternativa cómoda tanto para tu bolsillo como para la calidad de la conexión.
¡Guten Tag y felices llamadas!

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Need to call Ireland but not sure how to dial correctly? You're in the right place. Ireland's country code is +353, and knowing how to use it properly can save you from those awkward moments when your call doesn't go through (and your phone bill doesn't thank you either).

Whether you're calling family in Dublin, conducting business in Cork, or trying to reach that charming B&B in Galway, this guide covers everything you need to know about dialling Ireland correctly. We'll walk you through the step-by-step process, common mistakes to avoid, and even some free calling options that won't break the bank.

What is the country code for Ireland?

Ireland's country code is 353. This three-digit number is what you need to dial when calling Ireland from any other country around the world.

Country codes are part of the international telephone numbering system, designed to route calls to the correct country. Think of them as postal codes for phone calls - they tell the network exactly where your call needs to go. Ireland's 353 code has been in use since the country established its modern telecommunications system.

For reference, Ireland's ISO country codes are IE (alpha-2) and IRL (alpha-3), which you might see used in forms, websites, or official documentation.

How to call Ireland from abroad

Calling Ireland follows a simple three-step formula that works from anywhere in the world:

International Access Code → Country Code → Local Number

Here's how it breaks down:

1. Dial your country's international access code (011 from the US/Canada, 00 from most European countries)
2. Add Ireland's country code: 353
3. Dial the local number, dropping the initial "0"

Examples in Action:

From the US to Dublin: 011 353 1 234 5678 

From the UK to Cork: 00 353 21 234 5678 

From Germany to Galway: 00 353 91 234 5678

The key thing to remember? Always drop that initial "0" from Irish area codes when calling from abroad. Irish numbers start with 0 when dialled domestically (like 01 for Dublin), but you skip this zero for international calls.

Ireland area codes (most common by city)

Here are the most important area codes you'll need when calling different parts of Ireland:

City/region - area code

Dublin - 01

Cork - 21

Limerick - 61

Galway - 91

Waterford - 51

Drogheda - 41

Dundalk - 42

Wexford - 53

Kilkenny - 56

Athlone - 90

Sligo - 71

Letterkenny - 74

Tralee - 66

Ennis - 65

Carlow - 59

Important note: Irish mobile numbers (starting with 08) don't use area codes. You simply dial the full mobile number after the country code.

How to call Ireland from a mobile phone

Mobile phones make international calling even simpler. Instead of remembering different international access codes, you can use the universal + symbol:

Format: +353 [area code] [local number]

Examples:

• To Dublin mobile: +353 87 123 4567
• To Cork landline: +353 21 234 5678

Most smartphones automatically recognise the + symbol when you hold down the "0" key. This method works regardless of which country you're calling from - no need to remember whether it's 011, 00, or something else.

How to call Ireland for free

Who doesn't love a good bargain? Several apps and services let you call Ireland without traditional phone charges:

Internet-based calling:

• WhatsApp: Free voice and video calls (both parties need the app)
• FaceTime: Free for Apple users calling other Apple devices
• Google Meet: Free voice and video calling
• Viber: Free app-to-app calls worldwide

Pros and cons:

Pros: Completely free (just uses your internet data), often better call quality than traditional calls Cons: Both parties need the same app and a reliable internet connection

These options work brilliantly for staying in touch with friends and family, though you might still need traditional calling for businesses or official services.

Common reasons why calls to Ireland fail

Nothing's more frustrating than a call that won't connect. Here are the usual suspects and quick fixes:

Wrong country code: Double-check you're using 353, not 533 or any other combination Incorrect area code: Check that the area code matches the city you're calling 

Missing digits: Irish landlines typically have 7 digits after the area code, mobiles have 7 digits after 08 

Forgot to drop the zero: Remember to skip the initial "0" when calling from abroad 

No international plan: Check with your provider; some plans block international calls by default 

Network issues: Try calling from a different location or wait and try again

Pro tip: If you're still having trouble, try calling an Irish directory service first to test your connection.

What time is best to call Ireland?

Ireland follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter and Irish Standard Time (GMT+1) during daylight saving time (March to October).

For business calls: Aim for 9 AM to 5 PM Irish time, Monday through Friday 

For personal calls: Consider that Irish folks often have dinner around 6-7 PM, so early evening can work well

Always use a time zone converter when scheduling important calls - there's nothing quite like waking up your Irish colleague at 3am because you miscalculated the time difference.

Emergency and service numbers in Ireland

In case you ever need them, here are Ireland's essential service numbers:

• 112 and 999: Emergency services (police, fire, ambulance)
• 116000: Missing child helpline
• 116123: Emotional support helpline

These numbers are free to call from any phone in Ireland and should only be used for genuine emergencies or crises.

Conclusion

Calling Ireland is straightforward once you know the basics: use country code 353, remember to drop the initial zero from area codes, and don't forget about free internet-based calling options. Whether you're planning a business call to Dublin or want to check in with a B&B in the countryside, following these simple steps will ensure your calls connect smoothly.

For the best experience, double-check the local time before calling and keep a time zone converter handy. With these tools in your back pocket, you'll be chatting away like a pro in no time. Sláinte to successful calls!

The financial revolution isn't happening in Wall Street's landmark buildings, it's exploding through smartphone screens in rural villages, urban apartments, and immigrant communities worldwide. And while traditional banks still ask for three forms of ID and a pristine credit score, fintech is rewriting the rules of who gets to participate in the global economy.

Here's the reality: 1.4 billion adults globally remain unbanked, locked out of basic financial services that most of us take for granted. In the U.S. alone, roughly 5.4% of households (about 5.6 million families) have no relationship with a bank or credit union. These aren't just statistics; they're people paying check-cashing fees, carrying cash everywhere, and building zero credit history despite working multiple jobs.

But here's where it gets interesting: fintech isn't just offering band-aid solutions. It's fundamentally disrupting how financial services work, creating pathways to economic participation that bypass traditional gatekeepers entirely. 

From mobile banking apps that require no minimum balance to blockchain-based lending that ignores credit scores, technology is democratising finance in ways that seemed impossible just a decade ago.

The question isn't whether fintech can help the unbanked, it's already happening. The real question is how fast this transformation can scale and whether it can reach the communities that need it most. 

Why so many people remain unbanked

Let's dive into the barriers that keep millions locked out of traditional banking. It's not just about money, though, of course, that’s a part of it.

The most obvious culprit? Banks themselves. Traditional institutions have built their entire business model around risk assessment, which typically means credit scores, employment verification, and documentation requirements that exclude huge swaths of the population. 

If you're an immigrant without an established credit history, a gig worker with irregular income, or someone who's been burned by predatory lending in the past, good luck getting a simple checking account with credit facilities.

Geographic accessibility plays a massive role, too. Rural communities have watched bank branches disappear at an alarming rate: since 2009, over 10,000 bank branches have closed across the UK. When the nearest bank is 50 miles away and you're working two jobs just to stay afloat, maintaining a traditional banking relationship becomes practically impossible.

Then there's the trust factor. Many unbanked individuals come from communities where banks have historically been extractive rather than supportive. Why would you trust an institution that charges overdraft fees designed to trap you in cycles of debt? For many, cash-only transactions feel safer and more transparent than navigating hidden fees and complex terms of service.

Digital literacy creates another layer of exclusion. While fintech promises mobile-first solutions, those solutions still require smartphone access, internet connectivity, and the technical knowledge to navigate increasingly complex apps. For older adults or those without consistent internet access, digital banking can feel more like a barrier than a bridge.

The demographic impact tells the whole story: immigrants, young adults building their first financial identity, gig workers whose income doesn't fit traditional employment models, and rural populations where infrastructure lags behind urban centres. These aren't fringe communities, they represent the fastest-growing segments of the workforce.

Traditional banking's limitations

Here's the uncomfortable truth about traditional banking: it was designed for a different era, when employment was stable, credit histories were linear, and financial relationships lasted decades. Today's economy doesn't work that way, but banks haven't caught up.

The FICO credit scoring system perfectly exemplifies this disconnect. Created in 1989, it treats credit like a single number that defines your financial worth, ignoring factors like consistent rent payments, utility bill history, or mobile phone payment patterns. If you've never had a credit card or traditional loan, you're effectively invisible to the system that determines whether you can access basic financial services. 

Fee structures reveal even deeper problems. The average overdraft fee has climbed to $35, while monthly maintenance fees can easily cost $200+ annually for basic checking accounts. 

For someone living paycheck to paycheck, these fees aren't just inconvenient, they can be financially devastating. Banks profit billions annually from overdraft fees alone, creating perverse incentives to trap rather than support their most vulnerable customers.

Bureaucracy adds another layer of exclusion. Opening a bank account requires documentation that many people simply don't have readily available: proof of address, employment verification, Social Security numbers, and often a minimum deposit. For undocumented immigrants, frequent movers, or those between jobs, these requirements create insurmountable barriers.

Traditional banks also struggle with personalisation at scale. They're built to serve middle-class customers with predictable income patterns, not gig workers whose earnings fluctuate wildly or small business owners who need flexible lending options. The result? Financial products that don't match real-world financial lives.

How fintech is changing the game

Sure, fintech isn’t a cure-all, but it is revolutionising finance by flipping the model: instead of forcing people to fit outdated systems, it builds systems that fit how people actually live and work.

Mobile banking & digital wallets

Mobile banking apps like Chime, Venmo, and Cash App have obliterated traditional barriers to entry. Chime offers fee-free banking with no minimum balance requirements and early direct deposit features that get workers paid up to two days faster than traditional banks. 

That might not sound revolutionary until you realise that for someone living paycheck to paycheck, getting paid two days early can mean the difference between making rent on time or facing late fees.

Venmo transformed peer-to-peer payments from a complicated wire transfer process into something as simple as sending a text message. Cash App went further, adding investing features, Bitcoin purchases, and small business payment processing to a single app that anyone can download for free.

Increasingly, platforms like Tap are also stepping in - not just as digital wallets, but as integrated ecosystems that combine spending, saving, and cross-border access for underserved users. These aren't just simplified versions of traditional banking, they're entirely different approaches that prioritise accessibility and user experience over profit maximisation through fees and complexity.

Peer-to-peer lending & credit building

The lending revolution is even more dramatic. Platforms like Avant, Earnest, and newer crypto-lending protocols are using alternative data sources and AI-driven risk assessment to make lending decisions that traditional banks couldn't even consider.

Instead of relying solely on FICO scores, these platforms analyse everything from social media activity to mobile phone payment patterns to assess creditworthiness. They're building credit profiles for people who were previously invisible to the traditional system, creating pathways to financial growth that didn't exist before.

Peer-to-peer lending removes banks from the equation entirely, connecting borrowers directly with individual lenders or pools of capital. This creates more competitive interest rates and more flexible terms, especially for borrowers who don't fit traditional risk profiles.

Micro-investment & wealth-building tools

Investment platforms like Robinhood, Acorns, and international players like Nutmeg have democratised wealth building by eliminating minimum investment requirements and complex fee structures. Acorns rounds up everyday purchases and invests the spare change, allowing people to build investment portfolios with literally pennies.

These platforms reimagine what investing looks like for people who aren't already wealthy. Educational resources, simplified interfaces, and fractional share ownership mean that someone making minimum wage can start building long-term wealth with the same tools previously only reserved for high-net-worth individuals.

DeFi & blockchain for financial access

Decentralised finance represents the most radical reimagining of financial services yet. Ethereum-based platforms allow people to lend, borrow, and earn interest without any traditional financial institution involvement. Smart contracts automatically execute financial agreements, eliminating the need for banks, credit checks, or geographical restrictions.

Crypto wallets provide financial services to anyone with a smartphone and internet connection, regardless of their documentation status, credit history, or location. While still nascent and volatile, DeFi protocols are processing billions in transactions and proving that alternative financial systems can operate at scale.

Benefits fintech brings to the unbanked

The advantages aren't just theoretical, they're transforming lives in measurable ways.

Accessibility leads the list. 

Fintech services operate 24/7 from any smartphone, eliminating the geographical and temporal constraints that keep people away from traditional banks. Someone working night shifts or multiple jobs can manage their finances during a break, not during banking hours that conflict with their work schedule.

Affordability follows closely. 

Most fintech platforms operate with dramatically lower overhead costs than traditional banks, allowing them to offer services with minimal or no fees. When you're not paying for physical branches, armies of tellers, and legacy IT systems, you can pass those savings to customers who need them most.

Speed transforms financial emergency management. 

Traditional loan applications can take weeks while fintech platforms often provide decisions in minutes. When your car breaks down and you need to get to work tomorrow, that speed difference isn't convenience - it's survival.

Transparency.  Transparency. Transparency. 

Fintech apps typically show real-time transaction data, clear fee structures, and straightforward terms of service. No more surprise fees or hidden charges that drain accounts without warning.

Using data instead of old patterns.

Data-driven personalisation means financial products that actually match individual circumstances. Instead of one-size-fits-all banking products, AI-powered platforms can offer customised solutions based on spending patterns, income volatility, and financial goals.

Safety from the loan sharks. 

Perhaps most importantly, fintech reduces exposure to predatory lending practices. Transparent algorithms and competitive marketplaces make it harder for bad actors to exploit vulnerable populations with payday loans and other extractive financial products.

Case studies & real-world applications

The real proof lies in how these technologies are working in practice across different communities and regions.

U.S. gig workers have embraced fintech payroll advances and flexible banking solutions. Uber and Lyft drivers use apps like Earnin to access their earnings before payday, eliminating the need for expensive payday loans. 

DoorDash partnered with DasherDirect to offer delivery workers immediate access to their earnings plus cashback rewards on gas purchases = financial services designed specifically for the gig economy.

Africa's mobile money revolution provides the most compelling example of fintech leapfrogging traditional banking infrastructure. M-Pesa in Kenya processes more transactions annually than Western Union globally, allowing people to send money, pay bills, and access microloans through basic mobile phones. 

Over 80% of Kenyan adults now use mobile money services, creating a more financially inclusive society than many developed nations.

Latin America's neobank adoption is exploding as traditional banks struggle to serve growing populations. Brazil's Nubank has over 70 million customers, offering fee-free banking and credit building to people previously excluded from traditional financial services. 

Mexico's Clip provides small business payment processing to street vendors and micro-entrepreneurs who couldn't access traditional merchant services.

These aren't isolated success stories: they're proof of concept for global financial inclusion through technology.

Barriers fintech still faces

Despite the revolutionary potential, significant obstacles remain.

Digital literacy and smartphone access create fundamental barriers. While smartphone penetration continues growing globally, reliable internet connectivity and the technical skills needed to navigate financial apps remain unevenly distributed. Older adults and rural populations often struggle with interfaces designed by young urban developers.

Regulatory hurdles complicate expansion and innovation. Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance requirements, anti-money laundering regulations, and licensing requirements vary dramatically across jurisdictions, making it difficult for fintech companies to scale globally. Regulatory uncertainty around crypto and DeFi creates additional complications for even the most innovative solutions.

Infrastructure gaps in developing regions limit fintech's reach. While mobile money works well in areas with basic cellular coverage, more sophisticated fintech services require robust internet infrastructure that many rural and low-income areas still lack.

Crypto and DeFi adoption scepticism remains high, particularly among the very populations these technologies could most benefit. Volatility concerns, complexity, and association with scams and fraud make many potential users hesitant to embrace blockchain-based financial services.

Cultural barriers also persist. In communities where cash has been king for generations, shifting to digital-first financial services requires not just technological adoption but cultural change. Trust must be earned through consistent, reliable service over time.

What the future holds: innovations & inclusion

The next wave of fintech innovation promises even more dramatic transformation.

Artificial intelligence will enable hyper-personalised financial services that adapt in real-time to individual circumstances. AI-powered financial advisors will provide wealth management services previously available only to millionaires, while machine learning algorithms will create more accurate and inclusive credit assessment models.

Open banking regulations will force traditional financial institutions to share customer data with fintech competitors, accelerating innovation and competition. This means better services, lower costs, and more options for consumers who have been underserved by traditional banks.

Regulatory evolution will create clearer frameworks for fintech innovation while protecting consumers. Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) may provide government-backed alternatives to both traditional banking and cryptocurrencies, potentially reaching populations that current solutions miss.

Blockchain-based financial identity systems could eliminate documentation barriers that currently exclude millions from financial services. Decentralised identity solutions would allow people to build financial reputations independent of traditional credit systems or government documentation.

The convergence of fintech with other technologies (Internet of Things sensors for supply chain financing, augmented reality for financial education, 5G networks for real-time global payments) will likely create financial services we can barely imagine today.

Conclusion

Fintech isn't just disrupting traditional banking: it's democratising economic participation on a global scale. 

From mobile money transforming African economies to gig worker payment solutions in American cities, technology is proving that financial inclusion isn't just morally right, it's economically inevitable.

However, the transformation isn't complete, and significant barriers still remain. But the trajectory is clear: financial services are becoming more accessible, affordable, and aligned with how people actually live and work in the 21st century.

The most exciting developments will emerge from collaboration between fintech innovators, government regulators, and community organisations that understand local needs.

This isn't a zero-sum game between technology and tradition—it's an opportunity to build financial systems that serve everyone, not just those who were lucky enough to be born into existing networks of economic privilege.

The unbanked aren't waiting for permission to participate in the global economy. They're already using whatever tools they can access to build financial stability and opportunity. Fintech's job is to make sure those tools are powerful, accessible, and designed with their real needs in mind.

The financial revolution is happening whether traditional institutions join it or not. The question is whether we'll build a system that includes everyone or leaves millions behind. The technology exists. The demand is obvious. Now it's up to us to make financial inclusion a reality, not just a promise.

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From Bitcoin’s meteoric rise to the nonstop influx of new blockchain projects, digital currencies have captured the imagination (and wallets) of millions of people around the world. Crypto isn't just disrupting finance - it's rewriting the rules of money.

Unlike stocks or bonds that sleep when markets close, crypto never does. It’s borderless, always on, and untethered to any one country or institution, making it a magnet for those chasing new ways to diversify and bet on the future.

But it’s not all moonshots and memes. Volatility is real. Prices can rocket, or crash, within hours. And with rules still catching up, the landscape remains wild and unpredictable.

Here’s a guide to entering the market in 2025 - everything you need to know (and why it’s important). It’s not all high risk, high reward, so if you’re jumping in, make sure you know what’s going on.

What is cryptocurrency and how does it work?

Think of cryptocurrency as digital money that exists only online. Unlike the dollars in your bank account, which are controlled by banks and governments, cryptocurrencies run on networks of computers around the world.

The blockchain foundation

At its core, digital currency relies on something called blockchain technology. Imagine a ledger book that's copied across thousands of computers worldwide. Every time someone makes a transaction, it gets recorded in this ledger, and all the computers have to agree it's valid.

This system creates trust without needing a central authority like a bank: it's essentially having thousands of witnesses verify every transaction.

Types of cryptocurrency

There are plenty of different types of crypto on the market, each serving different purposes - from payment-focused currencies to utility tokens to memecoins.

Bitcoin (BTC) is the original and most well-known crypto, designed primarily as a decentralised digital alternative to traditional money. It's often referred to as "digital gold" due to its limited supply and store-of-value appeal.

Ethereum (ETH) introduced smart contracts (self-executing agreements), which opened the door to decentralised applications (dapps). This innovation gave rise to other development-focused platforms, like Solana (SOL) or Avalanche (AVAX), which power other smart contract ecosystems.

Then there are stablecoins, such as Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), which are pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar. These aim to reduce volatility and are often used for trading, lending, or cross-border transfers.

Utility tokens, like Chainlink (LINK) or Uniswap (UNI), serve specific functions within a platform, such as paying for services or governance participation. 

Meanwhile, security tokens represent ownership in real-world assets, like shares in a company or real estate. Examples include tZERO (TZROP), which offers tokenised equity in the tZERO platform, or INX (INX), a regulated token representing equity in the INX digital trading platform. These tokens are typically issued under securities regulations and grant holders rights like dividends or profit-sharing.

Lastly, memecoins (e.g., Dogecoin (DOGE) or Pepe (PEPE)) often start as jokes or community experiments but can gain traction through viral attention.

This is by no means a complete list, but it offers a sizable overview and a great place to start. 

Crypto vs stocks

When you buy a stock, you’re purchasing a share of ownership in a company. That ownership may entitle you to dividends (a portion of the company’s profits), voting rights, and access to company reports. These stocks are regulated by financial authorities, like the SEC in the U.S., and the value of a stock typically reflects the company’s performance, market conditions, and investor sentiment.

By contrast, when you buy crypto, you’re acquiring a digital asset - not a stake in a company. Most cryptocurrencies don’t grant ownership rights, dividends, or governance over a legal entity (unless structured as security tokens). Their value is driven by a combination of factors, including:

• Supply and demand: Many coins have a limited supply (like Bitcoin), which can affect price.
  
• Utility: Tokens may serve a specific function within a blockchain ecosystem, such as paying for network fees, accessing services, or participating in governance.
  
• Market sentiment and adoption: Speculation, media attention, and global events often play a large role in price fluctuations.
  

Crypto markets are also 24/7 and borderless, unlike stock markets, which operate during fixed hours and are tied to specific jurisdictions.

Is cryptocurrency a good investment?

This question doesn't have a simple answer: the answer depends on your individual financial situation and risk tolerance. Let’s take a look at some of the potential benefits and risks. 

Potential benefits

• Growth potential: Some cryptocurrencies have delivered extraordinary returns over the years
• Decentralisation: Not controlled by any single government or institution
• Accessibility: Markets operate 24/7, and you can start with small amounts
• Portfolio diversification: May behave differently from traditional assets

Significant risks

• Extreme volatility: Prices can dramatically drop in hours/days
• Regulatory uncertainty: Government actions can dramatically impact prices
• Security risks: Hacking, scams, and lost passwords can result in total loss
• Complexity: The technology can be difficult to understand
• Limited track record: Most cryptocurrencies haven't been around long enough to establish long-term patterns

If you're considering crypto as part of your broader financial strategy, it's worth consulting with a qualified advisor who understands digital assets.

Different ways to invest in cryptocurrency

The good news is that you don't have to buy a full Bitcoin to get exposure to the crypto market. Here are several approaches, each with different risk levels and complexity.

Buy crypto directly

This is the most straightforward approach - purchasing actual crypto through a regulated platform. Note that you can buy a fraction of a cryptocurrency, spending what you want instead of committing to buying a whole coin at market value (i.e. you can buy $100 worth of BTC as opposed to $100,000 for a full one).

What you need to buy crypto through Tap:

• Download the app
• Create and verify your account
• Load funds (bank transfer, debit cards accepted)
• Buy your chosen cryptocurrency

You can safely store your crypto in unique wallets created for you within the app. Utilising top security measures and fully regulated, Tap offers peace of mind alongside crypto endeavours. 

Crypto ETFs and ETPs

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) let you invest in crypto through your regular brokerage account, just like buying stocks.

Examples include:

• Bitcoin ETFs (like IBIT, FBTC)
• Ethereum ETFs
• Broad crypto market ETFs

Benefits:

• No need to manage wallets or private keys
• Familiar investment process
• Potential tax advantages
• Professional management

Drawbacks:

• Management fees
• No direct ownership of crypto
• May not perfectly track crypto prices

Crypto-related stocks

You can gain indirect exposure through companies heavily involved in the crypto space.

Examples include:

• Strategy (MSTR): Company that holds significant Bitcoin reserves
• Riot Platforms (RIOT): Bitcoin mining company

These stocks often move with crypto prices but aren't direct replacements for owning crypto.

Blockchain investment funds

Some mutual funds and ETFs focus on companies developing blockchain technology, providing broader exposure to the ecosystem beyond just cryptocurrencies.

Advanced options (futures and options)

Experienced investors might consider crypto futures or options, but these are complex instruments with significant risks and aren't suitable for beginners.

How to choose the right investment strategy

Your approach to crypto should align with your overall financial goals and risk tolerance.

Consider your goals

• Growth seeking: Looking for potentially high returns over time
• Speculation: Short-term trading (highest risk)
• Diversification: Adding a small crypto allocation to a traditional portfolio
• Learning: Starting small to understand the technology

Time horizon matters

Crypto markets can be extremely volatile in the short term. If you might need the money within a few years, the high volatility could be problematic. As with any investment, never risk more than you’re willing to lose. 

Risk tolerance check

Some financial commentators say that because crypto can be so volatile, it's often kept as a small part of a larger investment portfolio, usually less than 10%. The right amount for you depends on your goals and how much risk you're comfortable taking.

Diversification within crypto

If you decide to invest in crypto, consider spreading your investment across different types rather than putting everything into one coin.

How to start investing in cryptocurrency: step-by-step

If you've decided to explore crypto investing, here's a systematic approach:

Step 1: Choose your platform

Research different exchanges and brokers. Look for:

• Strong security track record
• Good customer support
• Reasonable fees
• User-friendly interface
• Proper regulatory compliance

For the sake of this guide, we will continue by using Tap as an example. 

Step 2: Set up security

• Create and verify your account
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
• Use a strong, unique password
• Consider using a dedicated email for crypto accounts

Step 3: Do your research

Before buying any crypto, understand:

• What problem it aims to solve
• How it works
• Who's behind the project
• Its track record and community

Step 4: Make your first purchase

Some people start by purchasing small amounts as a way to learn about the ecosystem without overcommitting financially. On the note of beginners, well-established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum tend to receive more attention because of their track record and broader adoption.

Step 5: Monitor and learn

Track your investment's performance, but avoid making decisions based on daily price movements. Use this time to continue learning about the technology and market.

Top mistakes to avoid when investing in crypto

FOMO investing

Fear of missing out can lead to buying at peak prices. Avoid making investment decisions based on hype or social media buzz.

Skipping research

Each crypto is different. Don't assume they're all the same or that past performance predicts future results.

Ignoring security

Using weak passwords, falling for phishing scams, or keeping large amounts on unsecured exchanges can lead to total loss. Be vigilant, check that the platform is regulated. 

Misunderstanding costs

Crypto transactions often involve multiple fees - trading fees, network fees, and spread costs. These can add up quickly. Be sure to check the final transaction costs before confirming the trade so that you never get blindsided by hidden fees.

Tax neglect

Cryptocurrency is taxable in most jurisdictions. Be sure to know what the current rules are in your area, or consult a tax advisor who is clued up on cryptocurrencies. Keeping good records from the start is much easier than trying to reconstruct them later.

Is it safe to invest in cryptocurrency?

Safety in cryptocurrency investing involves multiple layers of consideration.

Platform security

Choose exchanges and brokers with strong security track records. Look for:

• Insurance on customer deposits
• Cold storage of customer funds
• Regular security audits
• Transparent communication about security practices

Personal security practices

• Never share your private keys or seed phrases
• Be wary of phishing attempts
• Use reputable wallets and software
• Keep software updated

Regulatory environment

The crypto regulatory landscape is still developing. Changes in government policy can significantly impact prices and accessibility. Stay informed and be aware.

Scam awareness

Be wary of anything that sounds too good to be true. Common cryptocurrency scams include:

• Fake exchanges or wallets
• Ponzi schemes promising guaranteed returns
• Social media manipulation
• Fake celebrity endorsements

Should I invest in crypto for retirement?

Some retirement account providers now offer crypto options, but this comes with additional considerations.

• Higher fees are common for crypto retirement accounts
• Limited cryptocurrency options compared to direct investing
• The extreme volatility may be inappropriate for retirement funds
• Regulatory changes could affect availability

So, should I invest in crypto?

Crypto markets can be volatile and unpredictable. While some early adopters have seen significant gains, many others have faced substantial losses. This isn’t a guaranteed path to wealth - it’s a volatile, evolving market that demands clarity and caution.

Before you dive in, make sure you:

• Understand the tech and the risks behind it
  
• Know your own limits (financially and emotionally)
  
• Start small - only with what you can afford to lose
  
• Diversify, don’t go all-in on any one asset
  
• Stay current: regulations shift fast, and ignorance isn’t bliss
  
  

This isn’t for everyone. Crypto’s wild swings and legal grey zones mean it’s best approached like any high-risk bet: informed, cautious, and never with more than you’re willing to lose.

Leverage in crypto trading is like adding rocket fuel to your portfolio - it can send your profits soaring or it could turn your investment into a spectacular firework display that ends in ashes. If you've been wondering whether leveraged crypto trading is right for you, you're asking the right questions. The answer isn't a simple yes or no, but rather depends on your experience, risk tolerance, and trading strategy.

Let's dive deep into the world of leveraged crypto trading to help you make an informed decision that won't leave you crying into your empty wallet.

What is leverage in crypto trading?

Leverage in crypto trading allows you to control a larger position than your actual account balance would normally allow. Think of it as borrowing money from your exchange to amplify your trading power. When you use 10x leverage, for example, you can trade with $10,000 worth of crypto while only putting up $1,000 of your own money.

The key distinction here is between leverage and margin. Leverage is the ratio (like 2x, 5x, or 100x), while margin is the actual collateral you put down. If you want to open a $5,000 position with 5x leverage, you'd need $1,000 in margin as your initial deposit.

Leverage ratios can range from conservative 2x multipliers all the way up to eye-watering 100x or even 125x on some platforms. Higher leverage means higher potential returns, but also dramatically increased risk of liquidation.

How does crypto leverage trading work?

When you open a leveraged position, you're essentially borrowing funds from the exchange to increase your market exposure. The exchange holds your margin as collateral and charges you interest (funding fees) for the privilege of using their money.

Here's the basic mechanics: You deposit collateral, choose your leverage ratio, and open a position. The exchange monitors your account balance constantly. If your losses approach your margin amount, you'll face liquidation: the exchange automatically closes your position to prevent you from losing more than your collateral.

Leveraged crypto trading typically happens through futures contracts, perpetual swaps, or options. Perpetual swaps are the most popular choice, as they don't have expiration dates and closely track the underlying asset's price through funding rate mechanisms.

Real-world examples of leveraged crypto trades

Let's examine some concrete scenarios. Imagine you open a $1,000 Bitcoin position with 10x leverage when BTC is at $50,000. Your effective position size is $10,000, controlling 0.2 BTC.

Scenario 1: Bitcoin rises to $55,000 (10% increase). Your position gains $1,000, doubling your initial investment. 

Scenario 2: Bitcoin falls to $45,000 (10% decrease). Your position loses $1,000, and you're liquidated, losing your entire margin.

(side note: Some platforms liquidate before the full 10% drop due to maintenance margin + fees, often at around an 8–9% drop for 10x leverage.)

For a more conservative example, consider 5x leverage on Ethereum. With $500 margin and ETH at $3,000, you control $2,500 worth of ETH. A 15% ETH price drop to $2,550 would result in a $375 loss, leaving you with $125 margin and approaching liquidation territory.

These examples illustrate how small market movements translate to significant portfolio impacts with leverage, both positive and negative.

Types of leverage trading: isolated vs. cross margin

Understanding margin types is crucial for effectively managing your risk. 

Isolated margin confines your risk to individual positions, so if one trade goes south, it won't affect your other positions or remaining account balance. You allocate specific amounts to each trade, and that's all you can lose on that particular position.

Cross margin, on the other hand, uses your entire account balance as collateral across all positions. While this can prevent liquidation by automatically adding margin from your available balance, it also means a single bad trade could potentially wipe out your entire account.

Isolated margin is generally safer for beginners because it limits your maximum loss per trade. While cross margin offers more flexibility and can help avoid unnecessary liquidations, but requires more sophisticated risk management skills.

What are the risks of using leverage?

The biggest risk in leveraged crypto trading is liquidation, and crypto markets are notoriously volatile. Bitcoin can easily swing 5-10% in a single day. With 10x leverage, a mere 10% move against your position equals a 100% loss of your margin, triggering automatic liquidation.

Overleveraging is perhaps the most common mistake. The temptation to use maximum available leverage can be overwhelming, especially when you see potential profits multiplied by 50x or 100x. However, higher leverage means smaller price movements can destroy your position entirely.

Emotional trading becomes amplified with leverage. The stress of watching leveraged positions can lead to poor decision-making, revenge trading, and the dreaded "risk of ruin" (losing so much that you can't effectively continue trading).

The bottom line is that market volatility in crypto is extreme compared to traditional assets. While stocks might move 2-3% daily, cryptocurrencies regularly experience 10-20% swings. This volatility, combined with leverage, creates a perfect storm for rapid account destruction. You’ve been warned.

What are the advantages of using leverage?

Despite the risks, leverage offers compelling advantages for experienced traders. The most obvious benefit is amplified returns - a 5% Bitcoin price increase becomes a 50% profit with 10x leverage. This capital efficiency allows you to maintain significant market exposure while keeping most of your capital available for other opportunities.

Leverage also allows for sophisticated strategies like hedging and short selling. You can profit from falling prices by opening short positions, or hedge your spot holdings by taking opposite leveraged positions. This flexibility is particularly valuable during crypto bear markets when traditional buy-and-hold strategies struggle.

For traders with limited capital, leverage provides access to meaningful position sizes that wouldn't otherwise be possible. Instead of needing $10,000 to trade Bitcoin meaningfully, you might achieve similar exposure with just $1,000 and 10x leverage.

Should beginners use leverage in crypto trading?

The short answer for most beginners is: probably not. Leveraged trading requires a solid understanding of market dynamics, risk management, and emotional control - skills that take time to develop. The learning curve is steep enough without adding the pressure of potential liquidation.

However, if you're determined to experiment with leverage as a beginner, start extremely conservatively. Consider 2x or 3x leverage maximum, and only risk money you can afford to lose completely. Use an isolated margin to limit your downside, and never risk more than 1-2% of your total capital on any single leveraged trade.

The golden rule for beginners: master spot trading first. Understand market analysis, develop a trading strategy, and build emotional discipline before adding leverage to the equation. Think of leverage as advanced weaponry: you wouldn't hand a rocket launcher to someone who's never held a regular gun.

How to manage risk when using leverage

Effective risk management is the difference between profitable leveraged trading and blown accounts. 

We’ll say it time and time again: position sizing is paramount -never risk more than you can afford to lose, regardless of how confident you feel about a trade. A common rule is the 1% rule: never risk more than 1% of your account on any single trade.

Stop-losses are non-negotiable in leveraged trading. Set them before entering positions, not after you're already losing money. Also, calculate your risk-reward ratio beforehand; many successful traders aim for at least 2:1 reward-to-risk ratios.

Diversification becomes even more critical with leverage. Don't put all your leveraged positions in one crypto or market sector. Spread your risk across different assets and strategies to avoid catastrophic losses from single market events.

Is leveraged crypto trading legal and available everywhere?

The regulatory landscape varies dramatically by jurisdiction. In the United States, leveraged crypto trading faces significant restrictions. Most major exchanges don't offer high leverage to U.S. residents, and some derivative products are completely unavailable.

International traders typically have access to much higher leverage ratios and more diverse trading products. However, this comes with less regulatory protection and potentially higher platform risk.

Always verify your local regulations before engaging in leveraged crypto trading. Some countries have banned crypto derivatives entirely, while others impose strict leverage limits or require special licensing for platforms offering these services.

Final verdict: should you use leverage when trading crypto?

So, should you use leverage when trading crypto? It depends entirely on whether you're ready to handle a double-edged sword that's sharper than most traders realise.

Leverage makes sense if you've already proven yourself profitable in spot trading, have ironclad risk management skills, and can sleep soundly while your positions swing wildly overnight. It's a tool for enhancement, not salvation.

Skip leverage if you're new to crypto, emotionally driven in your trading decisions, or using money you actually need for rent and groceries. The markets will still be here when you're ready.

The bottom line: crypto offers opportunities without adding leverage to the mix. Master the fundamentals first, then consider leverage as a precision instrument, not a lottery ticket. The goal isn't to hit home runs on every trade; it's to stay in the game long enough to compound your skills and capital over time.

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Du har hört historierna.
Någon köpte Bitcoin för några dollar och är nu ekonomiskt oberoende. Kanske var det en vän, ett nyhetsinslag eller den där personen som aldrig slutar prata om krypto. Och nu undrar du: Är det för sent att köpa Bitcoin?

Du är långt ifrån ensam. Folk har ställt exakt samma fråga vid varje ny prisnivå – när Bitcoin kostade 100 dollar, 1 000, 10 000 och till och med 100 000. Vissa hoppade på tåget, andra väntade och trodde att chansen redan hade gått dem förbi.

Men sanningen är: det är svårt att tajma marknaden. Det som känns "för sent" idag kan visa sig vara helt rätt om några år. Eller så är det verkligen för sent. Ingen vet säkert.

Den här guiden går igenom det du behöver känna till. Vi tittar på Bitcoins prisresa, nuläget och argumenten från båda sidor. Målet? Att ge dig en grund att fatta ett eget, informerat beslut.

En titt på Bitcoins prishistoria och marknadscykler

Att förstå var Bitcoin har varit hjälper till att sätta dagens pris i perspektiv. Så, häng med på en tillbakablick.

De tidiga åren (2009–2013)

Bitcoin började som ett experiment. År 2009 hade det inget egentligt pris – folk testade bara en ny digital valuta. Den första dokumenterade transaktionen? Någon köpte två pizzor för 10 000 BTC. Idag skulle de pizzorna vara värda hundratals miljoner kronor.

Vid 2013 hade priset nått omkring 100 dollar. De som köpte då kallades för galna. “Digitalt monopolpengar”, sa många. Men de "galna" såg sin investering öka hundrafalt.

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Source: CoinGecko

Den första stora rusningen (2014–2017)

Nu började Bitcoin verkligen väcka uppmärksamhet. Priset fluktuerade vilt – ner till 200 dollar 2015, för att sedan skjuta i höjden. I slutet av 2017 nådde det nästan 20 000 dollar.

Plötsligt pratade alla om det. Din tandläkare gav kryptotips. Kassören på ICA kollade Bitcoin-priser på mobilen. Klassisk bubbelkänsla.

Kryptovintern (2018–2020)

Sen kom kraschen. Bitcoin föll tillbaka till cirka 3 200 dollar 2018. Många som köpt nära toppen låg rejält back. En del sålde med förlust och lämnade marknaden för gott.

Men perioden lärde många en viktig sak: Bitcoin rör sig i cykler. Stora uppgångar, rejäla nedgångar – och ibland långa perioder av stillhet.

Den institutionella eran (2021–idag)

Runt 2020 hände något. Stora företag började köpa Bitcoin. Tesla lade till det i sin balansräkning. PayPal öppnade för köp. Plötsligt var det inte bara teknikentusiaster som var intresserade.

Bitcoin nådde nya toppar, föll igen, återhämtade sig. Samma mönster – men med en viktig skillnad: stora institutioner var nu med i leken.

Vad händer med Bitcoin 2025?

Bitcoin har klarat flera marknadscykler, överlevt otaliga "dödsdomar" och fortsätter att studsa tillbaka. Men var står vi just nu?

Aktuella marknadskänslor

Marknaden känns annorlunda jämfört med tidigare. Mindre hype, mer eftertänksamhet. Det finns fortfarande de som tror att Bitcoin ska nå en miljon dollar – men också pensionsfonder som långsamt lägger till det i sina portföljer.

Institutionell närvaro

Stora finansaktörer erbjuder nu Bitcoin-tjänster. Det går att köpa Bitcoin-ETFer genom vanliga mäklare. Företag håller Bitcoin som reserv. Något som var otänkbart för bara några år sedan.

Regleringsläget

Myndigheter jobbar fortfarande på hur Bitcoin ska hanteras, men tonen har förändrats. Istället för förbud handlar det nu mer om tydligare regler. Det kan skapa osäkerhet på kort sikt, men ge stabilitet längre fram.

Varför många känner att de missat tåget

Vi måste också prata om psykologin. Det finns flera skäl till att Bitcoin känns skrämmande för nya intressenter.

• Miljonärsberättelserna. Alla artiklar nämner någon som blev rik snabbt. Det är sant – men ovanligt. Lite som att vinna på lotto.
• Rubrikerna. “Bitcoin rasar 50 %!” får fler klick än “Bitcoin svänger som vanligt”. Mediebilden blir snedvriden.
• Höga priser. När en Bitcoin kostar tiotusentals kronor känns det ouppnåeligt. Men många vet inte att man kan köpa delar av en Bitcoin.

Argumenten för att det INTE är för sent

Begränsat utbud, ökad efterfrågan

Det kommer aldrig finnas mer än 21 miljoner Bitcoin. Samtidigt växer intresset år för år. Enligt enkel ekonomi kan det pressa priset uppåt.

Digitalt guld på uppgång

Många ser Bitcoin som “digitalt guld” – en värdebevarare för den digitala tidsåldern. Om den rollen blir verklighet, finns det utrymme för tillväxt.

Global adoption är i sin linda

De flesta i världen äger fortfarande inte Bitcoin. Om spridningen fortsätter, särskilt i länder med instabila valutor, kan efterfrågan öka kraftigt.

Bättre infrastruktur

Det har blivit enklare att köpa, förvara och använda Bitcoin. Teknisk utveckling leder ofta till bredare användning.

Argumenten för att det KAN vara för sent

Volatiliteten är kvar

Priset svänger fortfarande kraftigt. En nedgång på 20 % på en dag är inte ovanlig, vilket kan vara svårt att hantera.

Osäker reglering

Även om ett totalförbud verkar osannolikt, kan hårda regler sätta käppar i hjulen för tillväxten.

Miljöfrågor

Bitcoin kräver mycket energi. Klimatdebatten kan påverka intresset, särskilt bland institutioner.

Konkurrens

Bitcoin var först – men långt ifrån ensam. Nyare tekniker kan ta över vissa användningsområden.

Vanliga strategier för att närma sig Bitcoin

Månadsvis köp

Vissa köper en liten summa regelbundet, t.ex. 500 kr i månaden. Det jämnar ut priset över tid.

“Kaffepengsstrategin”

Istället för att köpa en kaffe ute varje dag, lägg undan den summan i Bitcoin. Det är pengar du inte direkt saknar.

Tidsramar

De som ser Bitcoin som en långsiktig investering (5+ år) oroar sig ofta mindre för dagliga svängningar.

Rimlig exponering

En vanlig tumregel: investera aldrig mer än du har råd att förlora. För de flesta bör det vara en liten del av portföljen.

Vad säger experterna?

Traditionella rådgivare

Vissa föreslår en liten andel Bitcoin i portföljen, som skydd mot inflation. Andra är mer skeptiska på grund av prisvolatiliteten.

Kryptospecialister

Analytiker inom krypto spår ofta högre priser på lång sikt, baserat på utbud och efterfrågan – men är också tydliga med att det kommer svänga mycket på vägen dit.

Historiska mönster

Tekniker som förändrat världen – internet, smartphones – har ofta vuxit i vågor: först en boom, sen en dipp, sedan stabil tillväxt.

Alternativ till att köpa Bitcoin direkt

Om du är osäker, finns det andra sätt att få exponering.

• Bitcoin-ETF: Går att köpa genom din mäklare, utan att hålla krypto själv.
• Bitcoin-gruvbolag: Vissa företag är specialiserade på mining. Deras aktier påverkas ofta av Bitcoinpriset.
• Blockchain-investeringar: Fokusera på företag som bygger infrastrukturen bakom kryptovärlden.

Vanliga misstag att undvika

• Att investera pengar du inte har råd att förlora
• Att försöka pricka “perfekta” tillfället att köpa
• Att falla för löften om snabba pengar
• Att slarva med säkerheten vid direktköp
• Att låta känslorna styra besluten

Hur man köper Bitcoin säkert (om du bestämmer dig)

Om du bestämmer dig för att köpa Bitcoin via Tap, gör så här:

1. Ladda ner appen
2. Skapa ett konto och slutför verifieringen
3. Öppna din personliga Bitcoin-plånbok i appen
4. Ange hur mycket du vill köpa
5. Bekräfta köpet – dina Bitcoin läggs till i din plånbok

(För en steg-för-steg-guide, se mer här.)

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(Psst: här hittar du en mer detaljerad guide)

Slutsats: Vad är rätt beslut för dig?

Så, är det för sent att köpa Bitcoin?

Bitcoin har överlevt flera nedgångar och kommit tillbaka varje gång. Tekniken väcker fortfarande stort intresse, även bland etablerade aktörer.

Men det är också en mycket volatil tillgång, och ingen vet vad framtiden bär med sig. Ditt beslut bör baseras på din egen ekonomiska situation, din risktolerans och dina mål.

Du behöver inte bestämma dig idag. Läs på, följ marknaden och vänta tills du känner dig trygg. Det viktigaste är att beslutet känns rätt för dig – inte att du följer andras stress eller hype.

If you're looking for a smart way to get more out of your money, here's a little insider tip: locking XTP tokens in the Tap app could be a game-changer. It’s a quick, no-fuss move that unlocks premium features, slashes your fees, and gives you access to exclusive perks (just for being a savvy user). We’re all about helping make your money work harder for you, without jumping through hoops.

Let’s talk about it: the power of premium tiers

Locking your XTP isn’t just about holding onto digital assets, it’s your key to real, everyday savings. Essentially, the more XTP you lock, the more perks you unlock. It really is just a straightforward tiered system that rewards you.

Real-world savings: where you'll see the difference

Lower trading fees

Every transaction costs less when you lock XTP for a premium account, creating significant savings for active traders. The higher your tier, the more you save on each trade, keeping more profits in your wallet where they belong.

Example: A trader making €10,000 in monthly transactions could save hundreds in fees annually by moving from Essential to Plus tier, and thousands by reaching Premier or higher tiers.

Cashback rewards that add up

Getting up to 8% Cashback on your purchases isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s like getting a discount every time you spend. No extra steps, just more value back in your pocket.

• Coffee runs: Daily €5 coffee becomes €4.60 with the Prestige tier (8% back)
• Weekly groceries: €200 shopping trip returns €16 with Platinum tier (6% back)
• Major purchases: €1,000 electronics purchase gives you €40 back with Premier tier (4% back)

Even at the Plus tier (€300 worth of XTP locked), your 1.5% Cashback quickly adds up, especially for regular spenders.

Fee-free ATM withdrawals

Premium tiers include greater ATM withdrawal limits, saving you those pesky fees that add up quickly:

• Prestige: Unlimited free withdrawals
• Platinum: €1,000 free monthly withdrawals
• Other Premium Tiers: free monthly withdrawals up to €500.

This benefit alone can save hundreds annually for frequent travellers or cash users.

Foreign exchange rate advantages

As a premium member, you get access to exclusive exchange rates when you're travelling or shopping internationally. The higher your tier, the better the rates, meaning you can save big on every global purchase you make.

Maximising your XTP strategy

Step 1: Calculate your spending patterns

Analyse your monthly expenses across categories like everyday purchases, trading activity, and ATM usage to determine which tier offers you the best return on your locked XTP.

Step 2: Consider your lock-up timeline

The beauty of XTP locking is flexibility - you're not permanently parting with your assets but rather unlocking access to a full suite of premium features while still maintaining full control.. Note that the lock-in time frame is one year.

Step 3: Start your journey

Begin with a tier that matches your comfort level and upgrade as you experience the benefits firsthand:

1. Download the Tap app and verify your account
2. Buy your desired amount of XTP
3. Select Upgrade from the bottom menu on the home screen
4. Choose your desired plan and follow the instructions. 

Additional premium perks

Your locked XTP doesn't just save you money, it elevates your entire financial experience:

• Priority support: Direct access to premium fast track assistance when you need it 
• Higher spending limits: Up to €30,000 monthly card spending limits for Prestige members
• Exclusive market insights: Premium crypto market newsletters and insights
• Multi-currency capabilities: Seamless management of various currencies

The bottom line

Whether you're a casual user or power trader, there's a premium tier designed to put more money back in your pocket through reduced fees, enhanced Cashback, and exclusive benefits that add real value to your financial journey.

For those willing to stake their claim in the premium territory, the rewards are clear: reduced fees, elevated features, and an experience built for those who demand more from their money.

Dear Tap Community,

We want to share an important update regarding the XTP token and Bitfinex. As part of a broader internal review, Bitfinex has decided to delist several tokens, including XTP along with other notable projects like The Graph (GRT), Notcoin (NOT), and seven others as part of their platform review. This appears to be a broader shift in Bitfinex's listing strategy rather than something specific to XTP.

What’s Next for XTP

The good news? XTP remains at the heart of everything we do! 💙 Our token continues to power all the awesome features you love - our tier structure, rewards, and the entire Tap ecosystem. This change doesn't affect our exciting roadmap or our vision for the future.

Here’s what we’re doing to keep things moving forward:

ProBit Integration in Progress:
Our dev team is already working on integrating ProBit (where XTP currently trades) into our Trading Engine. This will create a seamless trading experience right within our platform!

New Exchange Adventures:
We're in exciting talks with several exchanges to give XTP even more trading homes! While we need to keep the details under wraps for now (those NDAs, am I right?), know that we're pushing hard to create more options for our community.

Community First:
Remember to withdraw your tokens from Bitfinex before July 15, 2025, if you haven't already. We're here to help if you need guidance on this!

The Road Ahead 🛣️

Even in challenging markets, we see incredible opportunities for growth! Here's what's cooking:

• More XTP Utility: We're whipping up new ways for XTP to shine in our ecosystem
• Cool New Features: Q2 is going to bring some exciting platform upgrades
• Let's Talk More: We'll be sharing updates more frequently so you're always in the loop

We're so grateful for this amazing community! 🙏 Together, we've weathered challenges before, and we'll come out stronger this time too. The crypto landscape is always evolving, and we're evolving with it.

We’re deeply invested in the future of XTP - and we’re just getting started. 👏

The Tap Team

Cashback is essentially getting paid to shop for things you'd buy anyway. Whether you're a seasoned rewards hunter or just curious about making your money work harder, this guide explores how savvy consumers are earning while spending, without changing their shopping habits. Ready to turn your everyday purchases into extra cash? Let's dive in.

What is cashback? 

Cashback is a rewards program that gives you a percentage of your money back when you make purchases using eligible credit cards, debit cards, or shopping platforms. Think of it as a small rebate on what you spend, typically ranging from 1% to 5% of your purchase amount. 

In recent years, cashback has increased in popularity across financial services and retail, becoming one of the most straightforward and appealing customer incentives (no guesses why).

Unlike complicated points systems or airline miles, cashback offers a simple proposition: spend money and get some of it back. Cashback transforms everyday spending into an opportunity to save, whether through your credit card statement, a bank transfer, or an app balance.

How does cashback work?

At its core, cashback operates on a simple principle: when you spend money, you earn a percentage back. This percentage - known as the cashback rate - determines how much you'll receive. For example, a 2% cashback rate means you'll get $2 back for every $100 you spend.

Here's what happens behind the scenes:

1. You make a purchase with your cashback-enabled card or through a cashback platform.
2. The transaction is processed and qualified against the program's terms.
3. Cashback is calculated based on the purchase amount and applicable rate.
4. The reward is credited to your account (either immediately or after a designated period).

Cashback rewards are typically issued as:

• Statement credits (reducing what you owe on your credit card)
• Direct deposits to your bank account
• Digital wallet credits within an app
• Gift cards or vouchers for specific retailers

Most cashback programs are funded through transaction fees that merchants pay to credit card companies (typically 2-3% of each purchase). The card issuer then shares a portion of these fees with you as cashback. For retailer programs and cashback apps, the incentive is funded through marketing budgets as they benefit from increased customer spending and loyalty.

Different types of cashback programs

Credit card cashback

Credit cards are a common way to earn cashback, generally structured in three main formats:

1. Flat-rate cashback cards 

These cards offer the same cashback rate on all purchases, regardless of category. For example, the Citi® Double Cash Card offers up to 2% on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay). Note that rewards are earned as ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for cash back or other options.

2. Tiered/category cashback cards 

These offer higher cashback rates in specific categories and lower rates elsewhere. For instance, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year), 6% on select U.S. streaming services, 3% on transit and U.S. gas stations, and 1% on everything else.

3. Rotating category cards

These cards offer higher cashback (often 5%) in categories that change each quarter,  such as restaurants, gas stations, or online shopping.
For example, The Chase Freedom Flex℠  and Discover it® cash back programs require users to activate these categories each quarter, from where they can earn up to 5% cashback on purchases. 

Debit card cashback

Differing from the credit card structure above, debit card cashback typically comes in two forms:

1. Bank-offered cashback programs 

Rewards for using your debit card for purchases. These are often tied to premium or business accounts and offer lower rates than credit cards (typically 0.5%-1%) since banks don't earn the same merchant fees that credit card companies do.

Examples include: Discover Cashback Debit offering 1% on up to $3,000 in monthly purchases; while some neobanks or fintechs offer promotional cashback for debit use, but these are often time-limited (Not at Tap).

2. Cash back at checkout 

This feature allows you to withdraw cash alongside your purchase at certain retailers (e.g., Walmart, Walgreens, or pharmacies), essentially getting "cash back" at the point of sale. This isn't a reward but a convenience service.

Retailer-specific programs

Many stores offer their own cashback programs:

1. Store loyalty programs 

These provide rebates on purchases, often tracked through a membership account. Examples include Target Circle, which offers 1% in rewards on qualifying purchases, or Kohl's Cash, which gives you $10 in store credit for every $50 spent during promotional periods.

2. Receipt scanning programs 

Apps like Ibotta and Checkout 51 offer cashback when users upload receipts or link loyalty cards. Offers vary by retailer and product.

Cashback websites and apps

These third-party platforms connect shoppers with retailers and share the commission they receive:

1. Cashback websites 

Websites like Rakuten, TopCashback, and BeFrugal offer rebates when you shop at partner retailers through their portal. These sites earn commissions from retailers for referring customers and share a portion with you.

2. Browser extensions 

Honey (owned by PayPal) and Capital One Shopping apply coupons and may offer cashback (called “Honey Gold” or Capital One Shopping Credits), though amounts and eligibility vary.

However, these platforms often come with caveats:

• Cashback typically pays out quarterly rather than immediately
• Minimum payout thresholds may apply (often $5-$25)
• Some offers are region-specific or limited-time

How much cashback can you earn?

Cashback earnings vary widely across programs:

Typical credit card rates range from 1% to 2% as a baseline, with category bonuses reaching 3% to 6%. Premium cards may offer higher rates but often carry annual fees.

Sign-up bonuses can significantly boost initial earnings, sometimes offering $150-$300 back after spending a certain amount in the first few months.

Cashback apps and websites typically offer higher percentages (often 2%-10%) but on a more limited selection of retailers.

Most programs include some limitations:

• Spending caps that limit cashback on certain categories (e.g., 6% on groceries up to $6,000 yearly)
• Minimum spend requirements before cashback activates
• Redemption thresholds requiring you to accumulate a minimum amount (often $20-$25) before cashing out
• Quarterly or annual payment schedules rather than immediate rewards

How much cashback can you earn with Tap?

Looking for a cashback program that gives you Cashback rewards on your your spendings and not just at specific brands or places? Tap makes it easy. By using your Tap card, you earn Cashback rewards on your spending, from groceries to fuel and even holidays.

How much can you earn? With Tap’s flexible premium tiers, cashback rewards are tailored to fit your lifestyle: earn from 0.5% up to 8% on every eligible purchase made with your Tap card. The more you spend, the more you earn—simple as that.

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Pros and cons of cashback programs

Pros

• Simplicity: Cash rewards are straightforward to understand and use
• Flexibility: Unlike points or miles, cash can be used for anything
• Automatic earnings: Most programs require minimal effort beyond using the right card
• No devaluation: Unlike travel points, a dollar of cashback remains a dollar
• Immediate value: No need to save up for specific redemptions

Cons

• Potential for overspending: The promise of cashback can encourage unnecessary purchases
• Hidden costs: Cards with generous cashback may have higher annual fees or interest rates
• Category restrictions: Many programs limit higher cashback to specific merchant types
• Reward caps: Many programs limit how much you can earn in bonus categories
• Redemption delays: Some programs only pay out quarterly or when you reach certain thresholds

Is Cashback really free money?

Cashback isn't exactly "free", it's better understood as a discount on your spending. The funding comes from several sources:

Debit and Credit card cashback is funded by interchange fees paid by merchants (typically 1.5%-3.5% of each transaction). Card issuers share a portion of these fees with cardholders to encourage more spending.

Retail cashback programs are essentially marketing expenses designed to drive sales and customer loyalty.

Cashback apps and websites earn affiliate commissions from retailers and share a portion with users.

The most important caveat: cashback on credit cards only makes financial sense if you pay your balance in full each month. If you carry a balance, the interest charges (often 15%-25% APR) will quickly exceed any cashback earned.

How to choose the right cashback option

Finding the best cashback program depends on your spending patterns and preferences:

Analyse your spending habits: Review your monthly expenses to identify where you spend the most. If groceries and gas dominate your budget, a card with bonus rewards in those categories makes sense. If your spending is diverse, a flat-rate card might be better.

Consider fees vs rewards: Some cards with higher cashback rates charge annual fees. Calculate whether your typical spending will earn enough extra cashback to offset any fees.

Evaluate redemption options: Consider how and when you can access your cashback. Some programs offer automatic redemption, while others require manual redemption or have minimum thresholds.

For businesses: Business-specific cashback cards often offer higher rewards on categories like office supplies, internet services, and travel. If you're a business owner, these specialised options may provide better value than consumer cards.

Tips to maximise cashback

Strategically use multiple cards: You can use different cards for different categories based on which offers the highest rate for each spending type.

Stack rewards programs: Combine a cashback credit card with a cashback app or website for double dipping. For example, make a purchase through Rakuten using a cashback credit card.

Activate bonus categories: Many cards require quarterly activation of rotating bonus categories - set calendar reminders so you don't miss out.

Pay bills with cashback cards: Set up utilities, subscriptions, and other regular payments on your best cashback card (if there's no processing fee).

Watch for promotional offers: Many programs offer limited-time enhanced cashback rates or bonus categories.

Avoid carrying balances: Always pay your credit card bill in full to avoid interest charges that negate cashback benefits.

In conclusion

Cashback rewards offer a practical way to earn while you spend on everyday purchases. Unlike complicated reward systems, cashback provides straightforward value that anyone can understand and use.

Choose cards and apps that reward your existing spending patterns rather than changing your habits to chase rewards. Also, try maximising cashback benefits by matching the right programs to your spending habits and being disciplined about your purchasing behaviour.

Remember: the best cashback strategy is one that fits naturally into your financial life, providing rewards without encouraging overspending or complicating your finances.

Tired of complicated cashback programs tied to specific brands? Discover our simple Cashback program that rewards you when you spend with your Tap card, learn more here.

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Imagina que tienes euros en la cartera pero necesitas pagar en dólares en una tienda. Primero tendrías que cambiar tu dinero, ¿verdad? El wrapped crypto funciona de forma similar, pero aplicado a los activos blockchain.

Una criptomoneda wrapped es una versión tokenizada de otro activo cripto que existe en una blockchain distinta. Puedes pensar en ella como tu cripto original con una “capa exterior” que le permite funcionar en otra red. Por ejemplo, Bitcoin no puede operar de forma nativa en Ethereum porque son sistemas separados con reglas distintas.

Al “envolver” Bitcoin, se crea un token que representa su valor pero es compatible con el ecosistema de Ethereum. Esta innovación, aparentemente sencilla, se ha convertido en un pilar de las finanzas descentralizadas (DeFi), permitiendo que los activos se muevan entre ecosistemas blockchain que antes estaban aislados y desbloqueando miles de millones en liquidez cross-chain.

Cómo funciona el wrapped crypto

El proceso de wrapping implica tres elementos clave: custodios, intermediarios y contratos inteligentes.

Así es como suele funcionar:

Depósito: envías tu criptomoneda original (por ejemplo, Bitcoin) a un custodio, que puede ser una entidad o un contrato inteligente encargado de mantener los activos de forma segura.

Emisión: una vez confirmado el depósito, el custodio emite una cantidad equivalente de tokens wrapped (como WBTC) en la blockchain de destino.

Entrega: esos tokens wrapped recién creados se envían a tu wallet en la nueva red, listos para usarse.

Cuando quieres recuperar tus activos originales, el proceso se invierte, en lo que se conoce como “unwrapping” o “burning”:

Devolución: envías tus tokens wrapped al custodio.
Quema: los tokens wrapped se destruyen.
Liberación: la cantidad equivalente del activo original se devuelve a tu wallet.

Este mecanismo garantiza una paridad 1:1 entre el token wrapped y el activo subyacente. Por cada Bitcoin wrapped (WBTC) en circulación, hay un Bitcoin real mantenido en reserva por el custodio, de forma similar a cómo las stablecoins respaldan su valor.

Ventajas del wrapped crypto

Compatibilidad entre blockchains

La ventaja más evidente es la interoperabilidad. Los tokens wrapped permiten que activos de una blockchain participen en actividades de otra red completamente distinta. Los holders de Bitcoin pueden acceder a DeFi en Ethereum sin vender sus BTC, mientras que los usuarios de Ethereum pueden aprovechar el valor y la liquidez de Bitcoin sin salir de su ecosistema.

Más posibilidades en DeFi

Antes de los tokens wrapped, activos como Bitcoin quedaban prácticamente fuera del auge de DeFi. Hoy, miles de millones en activos que antes estaban inactivos pueden utilizarse para generar rendimiento, servir como colateral o aportar liquidez a pools de trading.

Funcionalidad ampliada

Cuando activos como Bitcoin se convierten en tokens ERC-20 en Ethereum, adquieren nuevas capacidades:

• Interacción con contratos inteligentes: Bitcoin no admite contratos inteligentes complejos de forma nativa, pero el Bitcoin wrapped sí puede interactuar con cualquier smart contract en Ethereum.
• Liquidaciones más rápidas: las transacciones de Bitcoin suelen tardar unos 10 minutos en confirmarse, mientras que en Ethereum pueden completarse en segundos o pocos minutos, haciendo que el Bitcoin wrapped sea más práctico en ciertos casos.

Aumento de la liquidez

Al hacer que los activos sean utilizables en múltiples blockchains, los tokens wrapped incrementan significativamente la liquidez del mercado. El mismo valor puede circular por distintos ecosistemas sin fragmentarse entre plataformas.

Tipos comunes de tokens wrapped

Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC)

El token wrapped más popular por capitalización. WBTC lleva el valor de Bitcoin a la blockchain de Ethereum, con cada WBTC respaldado por un Bitcoin en reserva. Esto ha permitido que miles de millones en BTC participen en el ecosistema DeFi de Ethereum.

Wrapped Ether (WETH)

Incluso Ethereum tiene su propia versión wrapped. El motivo es que ETH se creó antes del estándar ERC-20. WETH hace que Ether sea compatible con aplicaciones descentralizadas que requieren ese formato estándar.

Otros activos wrapped destacados

A medida que la interoperabilidad cobra mayor importancia, aparecen más versiones wrapped de distintos activos:

• Wrapped AVAX (WAVAX) en Ethereum
• Wrapped UST (stablecoin de Terra) en varias redes
• Tokens wrapped de diversas blockchains de capa 1

Cómo usar tokens wrapped en DeFi

Préstamos y borrowing

Plataformas como Aave, Compound o MakerDAO permiten depositar activos wrapped como colateral para pedir prestadas otras criptomonedas. Esto hace posible acceder a stablecoins u otros tokens utilizando Bitcoin como respaldo, sin venderlo.

Provisión de liquidez

Exchanges descentralizados como Uniswap o SushiSwap dependen de proveedores de liquidez. Al aportar tokens wrapped a estos pools, los usuarios pueden obtener comisiones de trading y recompensas adicionales.

Por ejemplo, el pool WBTC/ETH de Uniswap ha sido de forma constante uno de los mayores, facilitando grandes volúmenes de intercambio entre Bitcoin y Ethereum.

Yield farming

Muchos protocolos DeFi incentivan a quienes aportan liquidez o prestan activos. Los tokens wrapped permiten participar en estas estrategias en distintas blockchains, ampliando las opciones dentro del ecosistema.

Riesgos asociados

Riesgo de custodia

La mayoría de los tokens wrapped dependen de custodios que mantienen los activos originales, lo que introduce un grado de centralización y confianza. Si el custodio falla o actúa de forma indebida, el token wrapped puede perder su respaldo.

Por ejemplo, WBTC utiliza a BitGo como custodio principal. Aunque mantiene altos estándares de seguridad, sigue siendo un posible punto único de fallo.

Vulnerabilidades en contratos inteligentes

Como cualquier activo basado en smart contracts, los tokens wrapped pueden verse afectados por errores o exploits en el código, con el consiguiente riesgo de pérdida de fondos.

Fricción en la emisión y redención

El proceso de wrapping y unwrapping suele implicar comisiones, tiempos de espera y cantidades mínimas, lo que puede hacerlo menos práctico para operaciones pequeñas o muy rápidas.

Ataques a puentes cross-chain

Los puentes entre blockchains, que facilitan la creación de muchos tokens wrapped, han sido objetivos frecuentes de ataques. Algunos incidentes han supuesto pérdidas de millones.

El futuro de los tokens wrapped

Mecanismos de wrapping más descentralizados

El sector avanza hacia modelos que reducen la dependencia de custodios centralizados. Proyectos como tBTC o renBTC exploran alternativas con custodia distribuida o gestionada íntegramente por contratos inteligentes.

Integración multichain

A medida que los ecosistemas blockchain evolucionan hacia una mayor interoperabilidad, los tokens wrapped seguirán siendo piezas clave para crear experiencias fluidas entre cadenas. En el futuro, muchos usuarios podrían interactuar con distintas blockchains sin darse cuenta de que están utilizando activos wrapped.

Estandarización y regulación

Con una integración cada vez mayor en las finanzas tradicionales, es probable que surjan estándares más claros y una mayor atención regulatoria, especialmente en lo relativo a la verificación de reservas y la protección del usuario.

Conectando las “islas” blockchain

Los tokens wrapped han construido puentes entre blockchains que antes estaban aisladas, dando lugar a un entorno DeFi más conectado donde los activos pueden fluir entre redes. Ofrecen una flexibilidad notable, permitiendo, por ejemplo, aprovechar la velocidad de una red mientras se accede al ecosistema de aplicaciones de otra.

Aunque resuelven grandes retos de interoperabilidad, no están exentos de compromisos. La custodia centralizada entra en tensión con los principios de descentralización, y los riesgos de seguridad siguen presentes.

Mientras surgen soluciones cross-chain más avanzadas, los tokens wrapped continúan siendo los conectores esenciales que impulsan la economía cripto cada vez más interconectada de hoy.

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Ya no más “Uy, me quedé sin saldo” 😬
A todos nos ha pasado: vas a pagar algo importante y la tarjeta no tiene suficiente. Auto Top-Up se encarga de que siempre tengas saldo disponible, sin que tengas que estar pendiente.

Lo configuras una vez y puedes olvidarte

Activa Auto Top-Up una sola vez y el resto se gestiona automáticamente. Nada de recargar manualmente cada vez que el saldo baja.

Tu dinero, tus reglas 💸

¿Quieres usar fiat? ¿Cripto? ¿Ambos? Tú decides qué moneda se utiliza en cada recarga.

Siempre lista para pagar

Da igual si compras en tienda, online o estás de viaje. Con Auto Top-Up, tu tarjeta está lista cuando la necesitas.

¿Cómo funciona? ✨

Con Auto Top-Up tú tienes el control. Tú decides:

• Qué saldo activa una recarga automática
• Cuánto se recarga cada vez
• Qué moneda se usa: fiat o cripto

Imagina que vas a pagar algo importante y de repente el saldo es demasiado bajo. Molesto, ¿verdad? Con Auto Top-Up eso deja de pasar. Configuras tu límite y Tap recarga tu tarjeta automáticamente antes de que lo notes, siguiendo exactamente tus preferencias.

Así puedes empezar

• Inicia sesión en tu app de Tap
• Ve a los ajustes de la tarjeta
• Activa Auto Top-Up y elige tus preferencias
• Listo: tu tarjeta siempre estará preparada

Diseñado para tu tranquilidad 😌

Estés viajando, comprando o pagando gastos del día a día, con Auto Top-Up no tienes que preocuparte por quedarte corto de saldo. La tarjeta se mantiene recargada y tú te olvidas.

Empieza a usar Auto Top-Up hoy mismo

Asegúrate de tener la app de Tap actualizada, entra en la pestaña de tarjeta y activa Auto Top-Up desde ahí.

¿Tienes preguntas? Nuestro equipo de soporte está aquí para ayudarte a configurarlo.

Así como Bitcoin revolucionó el panorama financiero, las stablecoins están llamadas a transformar los pagos internacionales. Y ya están listas para hacerlo.

En el exigente mundo del comercio global, cada segundo y cada céntimo cuentan. Hoy existe una tecnología financiera capaz de atravesar la burocracia de los pagos internacionales, eliminando semanas de espera y miles en comisiones innecesarias.

Bienvenido a la revolución de las stablecoins: una innovación que está redefiniendo silenciosamente las reglas de las transacciones empresariales globales.

El coste oculto de los pagos tradicionales

Los pagos internacionales tradicionales suelen sentirse como recorrer un laberinto con los ojos vendados. Bancos e intermediarios financieros crean una red compleja de comisiones, retrasos y falta de transparencia que convierte una operación sencilla en un proceso costoso y lento.

Durante años, las empresas multinacionales aceptaron estas ineficiencias como un coste inevitable del negocio. Hasta ahora.

El auge de las stablecoins

Las stablecoins representan algo más que una mejora tecnológica: son una herramienta estratégica para las empresas con visión de futuro. A diferencia de las criptomonedas volátiles, estas monedas digitales están vinculadas a activos estables como el euro o el dólar estadounidense, ofreciendo una base sólida para los pagos internacionales.

Desglosando los beneficios

Transformación de la estructura de costes

Las stablecoins no solo reducen costes, los replantean por completo. Al eliminar intermediarios, las empresas pueden reducir las comisiones de transacción hasta en un 80 %. Para una empresa internacional de tamaño medio, esto puede suponer millones de ahorro anual, que pueden destinarse a innovación, expansión o talento.

Transacciones ultrarrápidas

Donde las transferencias bancarias tradicionales avanzan lentamente, las stablecoins se mueven a toda velocidad. Una operación que antes tardaba entre 3 y 5 días hábiles puede completarse ahora en cuestión de minutos. Una ventaja competitiva clara, especialmente cuando el tiempo marca la diferencia.

Previsibilidad en un mundo incierto

La volatilidad de las divisas ha sido durante mucho tiempo un desafío para los negocios internacionales. Las stablecoins ofrecen un valor estable y predecible, lo que facilita la planificación financiera y la creación de estrategias a largo plazo sin la necesidad constante de cubrir riesgos cambiarios.

La revolución de la transparencia

Gracias a la blockchain, ambas partes de una transacción pueden seguirla en todo momento. Cada operación queda registrada en un libro mayor distribuido, creando un rastro de auditoría inmutable.

Para responsables de cumplimiento y control financiero, esto se traduce en seguimiento en tiempo real, verificación inmediata y una reducción significativa del riesgo de fraude.

Un nuevo paradigma para la expansión empresarial

Las stablecoins abren la puerta al comercio global. Pequeñas y medianas empresas pueden competir a nivel internacional sin las barreras tradicionales de relaciones bancarias complejas o costes de transacción prohibitivos.

Más allá de la tecnología, el avance más relevante de las stablecoins es humano. Devuelven la confianza a un sistema financiero que se ha vuelto cada vez más opaco. Al ofrecer transacciones claras, inmediatas y seguras, están reconstruyendo el activo más valioso en los negocios: la confianza.

Empezar a usar stablecoins en tu empresa

Cómo funcionan realmente las stablecoins

Antes del “cómo”, conviene entender el “qué”. En esencia, las stablecoins son tokens digitales que operan sobre redes blockchain, pero mantienen un valor estable al estar vinculados a activos tradicionales.

A diferencia de Bitcoin o Ethereum, que pueden experimentar grandes fluctuaciones de precio, las stablecoins buscan mantener un valor constante, normalmente en una proporción 1:1 con monedas fiat como el euro o el dólar estadounidense.

Esta estabilidad se logra mediante tres mecanismos principales:

• Respaldadas por fiat: sostenidas por reservas de moneda tradicional custodiadas por una entidad.
• Respaldadas por cripto: garantizadas por otras criptomonedas con sobrecolateralización para absorber la volatilidad.
• Algorítmicas: utilizan contratos inteligentes para ajustar la oferta en función de la demanda.

Para uso empresarial, las stablecoins respaldadas por fiat suelen ser la opción más directa y comprensible, funcionando como una versión digital de la moneda subyacente con las ventajas de la blockchain.

Stablecoins populares para transacciones empresariales

Algunas stablecoins se han consolidado como referentes en el ámbito corporativo:

Stablecoins respaldadas por el dólar

USDC (USD Coin), USDT (Tether), USDP (Pax Dollar)

Stablecoins respaldadas por el euro

EUROC (Euro Coin), EURS (Stasis Euro), agEUR (Angle Euro)

Stablecoins respaldadas por cripto

DAI, FRAX, USDD

Stablecoins multidivisa

XSGD (dólar de Singapur), CAUD (dólar australiano), NZDS (dólar neozelandés)

Para la mayoría de los casos de uso empresarial, USDC y USDT ofrecen la mayor utilidad inmediata debido a su amplia aceptación y marcos de cumplimiento consolidados. Conviene analizar cada opción antes de tomar una decisión.

Empezar con la app de Tap

La app de Tap ofrece una de las experiencias de incorporación más sencillas para empresas que desean utilizar stablecoins. Ponte en contacto con nosotros y un gestor de cuenta se pondrá en contacto contigo para analizar cómo las stablecoins pueden apoyar las necesidades de tu negocio.

Te acompañamos durante todo el proceso, desde el concepto hasta la implementación, explicando cada paso y resolviendo cualquier duda.

Mirando al futuro

A medida que la tecnología blockchain madura, las stablecoins están llamadas a convertirse en algo más que una alternativa: todo apunta a que se convertirán en el estándar.

Las empresas que miran hacia adelante no solo están adoptando esta tecnología, sino que se están posicionando en la primera línea de una transformación financiera global que está redefiniendo cómo se mueve el dinero en el mundo empresarial.

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El viernes 7 de marzo de 2025, la Casa Blanca celebró su primera Cumbre Cripto, marcando un punto de inflexión en la forma en que el gobierno estadounidense percibe la industria de los activos digitales. El evento reunió a líderes del sector, responsables políticos y actores clave para debatir el futuro de las criptomonedas en Estados Unidos.

En este artículo analizamos qué se esperaba de la cumbre, qué ocurrió realmente y cómo ya está influyendo en el mercado cripto.

Qué se esperaba

Antes de la cumbre, la comunidad cripto mostraba un optimismo prudente. La administración Trump ya había dado señales de interés en los activos digitales, especialmente tras la aparición del presidente Trump en Bitcoin 2024, un movimiento que generó reacciones mixtas en el mercado.

Muchos inversores y líderes del sector esperaban que el encuentro trajera mayor claridad regulatoria, impulsara la innovación y corrigiera fricciones regulatorias del pasado. El entusiasmo aumentó aún más tras anunciarse una orden ejecutiva para crear una Reserva Estratégica de Bitcoin, lo que elevó las expectativas sobre un papel más relevante de Bitcoin en la economía estadounidense.

En los días previos a la reunión, el mercado cripto experimentó una subida general del 12 %, con el precio de Bitcoin superando los 92.000 dólares en anticipación al evento.

Desarrollo de la cumbre

La cumbre contó con la participación de figuras destacadas como Michael Saylor (Strategy), Brian Armstrong (Coinbase) y Brad Garlinghouse (Ripple), reflejando el compromiso de la administración por dialogar con actores clave del sector.

Uno de los momentos más relevantes fue la firma por parte del presidente Trump de una orden ejecutiva para crear una Reserva Estratégica de Bitcoin de EE. UU. El objetivo es reforzar la posición económica del país mediante la custodia de Bitcoin incautado en procesos de decomiso de activos. La iniciativa fue descrita como una especie de “Fort Knox virtual” para el oro digital, bajo la gestión del Tesoro.

Según datos de Arkham Intelligence, el gobierno estadounidense posee actualmente 198.109 Bitcoin, valorados en unos 17.500 millones de dólares según precios de mercado recientes.

La orden ejecutiva también instruye a los departamentos federales a revisar sus tenencias en criptomonedas y a explorar formas de adquirir más Bitcoin mediante estrategias “neutrales para el presupuesto”, sin generar costes adicionales para los contribuyentes.

Además, se debatió la posible creación de una Reserva de Activos Digitales que incluiría otras criptomonedas como XRP, Solana (SOL) y Cardano (ADA), con el objetivo de reforzar la credibilidad de estos activos.

Reserva Estratégica de Bitcoin vs. Reserva de Activos Digitales

El enfoque del gobierno estadounidense contempla dos iniciativas diferenciadas: la Reserva Estratégica de Bitcoin y la Reserva de Activos Digitales.

La Reserva Estratégica de Bitcoin tiene como objetivo mantener Bitcoin a largo plazo, utilizando activos ya incautados en lugar de realizar nuevas compras. Este planteamiento ha generado controversia debido a la volatilidad de Bitcoin y a su naturaleza descentralizada, que algunos consideran difícil de conciliar con el control estatal.

También existen preocupaciones sobre que una reserva basada en activos confiscados pueda derivar en tenencias motivadas políticamente, más que en una estrategia claramente definida.

Por su parte, la Reserva de Activos Digitales, también bajo la gestión del Tesoro, incluiría otras criptomonedas como Ethereum, XRP, Solana y Cardano. A diferencia de la reserva de Bitcoin, esta estructura podría permitir una mayor flexibilidad, incluyendo la posibilidad de vender activos.

Mientras que la reserva de Bitcoin busca consolidar su papel como activo estratégico, la inclusión de otras criptomonedas plantea interrogantes sobre la estrategia global del gobierno en materia de activos digitales. Muchos detalles aún permanecen sin definir.

Reacción del mercado al resultado

La reacción del mercado fue mixta. Inicialmente, el precio de Bitcoin subió impulsado por el optimismo. Sin embargo, cuando quedó claro que la Reserva Estratégica de Bitcoin se basaría únicamente en tenencias existentes y no en nuevas compras, el sentimiento cambió.

La orden ejecutiva firmada confirmó que la reserva incluiría solo Bitcoin ya en posesión del gobierno, principalmente procedente de decomisos en casos penales y civiles. Muchos participantes del mercado habían anticipado compras adicionales de Bitcoin, algo que no se materializó a corto plazo, aunque la posibilidad no quedó completamente descartada.

Esto provocó una corrección significativa del precio, con Bitcoin cayendo hasta alrededor de los 85.000 dólares antes de estabilizarse cerca de los 88.000 dólares, lo que supuso una caída superior al 3 % en 24 horas. En los días siguientes, el precio descendió por debajo de los 80.000 dólares.

Además, los ETF de Bitcoin registraron salidas de capital relevantes, con unos 370 millones de dólares retirados, mientras los inversores reevaluaban el impacto de la estrategia gubernamental. El resto del mercado cripto reflejó una volatilidad similar, mostrando la compleja relación entre anuncios de política pública y sentimiento inversor.

Navegando el futuro de la regulación cripto

La Cumbre Cripto de la Casa Blanca representó un hito en la relación entre el gobierno estadounidense y la industria de las criptomonedas. Si bien la creación de la Reserva Estratégica de Bitcoin supone un paso hacia el reconocimiento oficial de los activos digitales, la reacción del mercado dejó claro que los inversores esperan políticas más definidas y accionables.

Estados Unidos se encuentra en un momento clave para definir el futuro de las finanzas digitales. La cumbre envió una señal de apertura hacia el sector cripto, pero el verdadero reto está por venir: diseñar un marco regulatorio que fomente la innovación sin generar inestabilidad. Con el enfoque adecuado, el país podría posicionarse como líder en la evolución financiera global y sentar las bases para un futuro donde innovación y estabilidad puedan coexistir.

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La volatilidad de las divisas es un reto que las empresas que operan a nivel internacional no pueden permitirse ignorar. Las fluctuaciones en los tipos de cambio pueden erosionar los beneficios, aumentar los costes y generar incertidumbre financiera, dificultando una planificación eficaz.

Para las empresas que realizan transacciones internacionales, las soluciones tradicionales como la cobertura de divisas (forex hedging) suelen ser costosas y complejas. Afortunadamente, hoy existe una alternativa más inteligente y eficiente: las stablecoins.

Las stablecoins permiten a las empresas esquivar la imprevisibilidad de las fluctuaciones de las divisas al ofrecer un activo digital vinculado a monedas estables como el dólar estadounidense. En pocas palabras, hacen que los pagos transfronterizos sean más rápidos, más baratos y más fiables.

En este artículo, analizamos por qué las stablecoins son una solución ideal para afrontar la volatilidad de las divisas en la gestión financiera global.

Los retos de la volatilidad de las divisas en las finanzas globales

Las empresas globales están expuestas de forma constante al riesgo cambiario por múltiples motivos, entre ellos:

Eventos geopolíticos: guerras comerciales, conflictos o inestabilidad política pueden afectar al valor de las divisas.
Inflación y cambios en los tipos de interés: las políticas de los bancos centrales pueden provocar movimientos bruscos en los tipos de cambio.
Especulación de mercado: traders e inversores pueden generar oscilaciones rápidas de precios.

Para las empresas, la volatilidad de las divisas puede traducirse en mayores costes de transacción, ya que mover dinero a nivel internacional resulta más caro. También puede dar lugar a ingresos impredecibles, dificultando la gestión de precios para las compañías que operan en varios países. Además, si una divisa se deprecia de forma repentina, las empresas pueden sufrir pérdidas financieras al reducirse sus beneficios de un día para otro.

Muchas empresas recurren a estrategias de cobertura en forex, como contratos a plazo u opciones, para gestionar el riesgo. Sin embargo, estos métodos suelen ser caros, complejos y requieren conocimientos especializados. Se necesita una solución más sencilla y eficiente, y ahí es donde entran en juego las stablecoins.

Por qué las stablecoins son la cobertura perfecta para las empresas

Las stablecoins ofrecen una forma práctica de protegerse frente a la volatilidad de las divisas. A diferencia de las criptomonedas tradicionales, que suelen ser altamente volátiles, las stablecoins están vinculadas a una moneda fiat, lo que proporciona un valor estable y predecible.

Principales ventajas para las empresas

Estabilidad de precios: con las stablecoins, las empresas no tienen que preocuparse por cambios bruscos en los tipos de cambio que afecten a sus ingresos o costes.
Transacciones rápidas y de bajo coste: los pagos internacionales con stablecoins se liquidan en minutos, no en días, y con comisiones significativamente inferiores a las de los sistemas bancarios tradicionales.
Sin dependencia de los bancos: a diferencia de las transferencias bancarias, los pagos con stablecoins no requieren intermediarios, lo que reduce retrasos y costes adicionales.
Transacciones transparentes y seguras: al estar basadas en blockchain, las stablecoins permiten pagos auditables y resistentes a manipulaciones, añadiendo una capa extra de seguridad.

Para las empresas que operan en comercio internacional, nóminas, gestión de tesorería o e-commerce, las stablecoins representan una herramienta financiera moderna que ayuda a optimizar operaciones y a minimizar los riesgos asociados a las divisas.

Cómo elegir la stablecoin adecuada para las necesidades de tu empresa

No todas las stablecoins son iguales. Las empresas deben seleccionar la opción más adecuada en función de factores como la confianza, la regulación y la eficiencia de la red.

Principales stablecoins a tener en cuenta

💰 USDT (Tether): la stablecoin más utilizada, aunque con ciertas dudas en torno a su transparencia.
💰 USDC (USD Coin): respaldada al 100 % por instituciones financieras reguladas, lo que la convierte en una opción fiable.
💰 DAI: una stablecoin descentralizada que ofrece estabilidad sin depender de un emisor centralizado.
💰 EUROC (Euro Coin): una stablecoin denominada en euros, totalmente respaldada y emitida por Circle, que ofrece una alternativa digital estable para transacciones en euros.

Aspectos clave a considerar

Cumplimiento normativo: asegúrate de que la stablecoin cumple con la normativa financiera en las regiones donde opera tu empresa.
Red blockchain: algunas stablecoins operan en múltiples blockchains (Ethereum, Tron, Solana). Elegir la red adecuada influye en la velocidad de las transacciones y en las comisiones.
Liquidez y aceptación: es recomendable optar por stablecoins con alta liquidez y una amplia adopción en la industria.

Elegir la stablecoin correcta es fundamental para realizar transacciones globales de forma fluida, manteniendo la estabilidad y la seguridad.

El futuro de las stablecoins en las finanzas globales

Las stablecoins ya no son una herramienta de nicho; están ganando aceptación generalizada entre empresas, instituciones financieras y reguladores.

Creciente adopción: compañías como PayPal y Visa están integrando stablecoins en sus sistemas de pago.
Respaldo institucional: bancos y gestoras de inversión están explorando el uso de stablecoins para liquidaciones y gestión de activos.
Mayor regulación: los gobiernos trabajan en marcos regulatorios para las stablecoins, buscando equilibrar innovación y seguridad.
Nuevos productos financieros: préstamos, cuentas de ahorro y servicios de remesas basados en stablecoins están ampliando el ecosistema financiero.

A medida que las stablecoins evolucionan, su papel en la gestión financiera global seguirá creciendo, consolidándose como una herramienta clave para empresas de todo el mundo.

Conclusión

La volatilidad de las divisas sigue siendo un desafío importante para las empresas que operan a nivel global. Las estrategias tradicionales de cobertura suelen ser costosas e ineficientes, lo que lleva a las compañías a buscar mejores formas de gestionar el riesgo financiero.

Como hemos visto, las stablecoins ofrecen una solución sencilla, eficaz y de bajo coste para hacer frente a las fluctuaciones de las divisas. Al proporcionar estabilidad de precios, transacciones rápidas y una menor dependencia del sistema bancario, permiten a las empresas operar sin fricciones a nivel internacional.

Para las compañías que buscan preparar sus operaciones financieras globales para el futuro, las stablecoins son una opción que merece la pena considerar. Descubre cómo aprovecharlas a través de una cuenta crypto para empresas, y nuestro equipo estará enca

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Onyxcoin (XCN), anteriormente conocido como Chain (CHN), representa un avance importante en el ámbito de la infraestructura blockchain. Desde su rebranding en marzo de 2022, el proyecto se ha posicionado como una alternativa destacada para empresas que buscan construir servicios financieros sobre redes blockchain privadas. Pero, ¿qué es lo que hace que XCN resulte tan interesante? Vamos a analizarlo.

¿Qué es XCN?

XCN es la criptomoneda que impulsa el protocolo Onyx, una red blockchain flexible diseñada para mejorar los procesos de liquidación financiera. El token se utiliza tanto como acceso a servicios del ecosistema como herramienta de gobernanza dentro de una estructura descentralizada.

El protocolo Onyx permite que redes independientes se comuniquen de forma eficiente mediante estándares compartidos. Su diseño prioriza la seguridad y la flexibilidad, separando el control de los activos de la sincronización del registro. La red se apoya en un conjunto limitado de firmantes de bloques para garantizar la integridad y en un único generador de bloques para optimizar la creación de nuevos bloques.

Todo el ecosistema se gestiona a través de la Onyx DAO en Ethereum, donde XCN se utiliza para gobernanza, servicios premium y mejoras del protocolo.

El proyecto se fundó en 2014 y ha contado con el respaldo de inversores como Nasdaq y Citigroup. Desde entonces, ha evolucionado hasta convertirse en una solución blockchain avanzada y autónoma.

Características clave

• Infraestructura blockchain en la nube orientada a empresas
• Herramientas personalizables para la creación de activos
• Smart contracts mediante programas de control
• Gobernanza DAO con participación de los usuarios
• Niveles de servicio estándar y premium

Análisis de mercado: técnico y fundamental

Tokenomics

El suministro total de XCN es de 48.470 millones de tokens, de los cuales aproximadamente el 65 % ya se encuentra en circulación. De este total, 15.000 millones están reservados para la fundación y 10.000 millones para la DAO, con una asignación mensual de 200 millones de XCN para gestionar el ritmo de emisión.

Arquitectura técnica

• Redes blockchain paralelas
• Control de acceso estricto para los activos
• Validación mediante nodos de confianza
• Producción de bloques eficiente

Volumen, volatilidad y sentimiento del mercado

Volumen de negociación

El volumen de negociación de XCN puede ofrecer señales sobre el interés del mercado. Volúmenes altos o estables suelen indicar una actividad sólida, mientras que movimientos bruscos pueden reflejar especulación o reacciones a noticias relevantes.

Volatilidad del precio

El precio de XCN ha alternado periodos de estabilidad con movimientos rápidos. La volatilidad puede atraer a algunos participantes del mercado y alejar a otros. Estos cambios suelen estar influenciados por factores macroeconómicos y por el sentimiento general del sector cripto.

Sentimiento del mercado

El análisis de redes sociales, foros y cobertura mediática ayuda a entender la percepción del mercado. Las noticias positivas sobre el desarrollo del proyecto suelen generar un sentimiento optimista, mientras que la incertidumbre puede afectar negativamente a la confianza.

Pronósticos a corto plazo (1 a 3 años)

Escenario positivo potencial

Factores impulsores:

• Adopción empresarial y asociaciones estratégicas
• Mejoras tecnológicas como tiempos de transacción y costes
• Mayor interés institucional

Estimación:
Entre 0,005 USD y 0,015 USD, dependiendo del desarrollo del proyecto y de la respuesta del mercado.

Escenario negativo potencial

Riesgos:

• Incertidumbre regulatoria
• Competencia de proyectos similares

Estimación:
Entre 0,001 USD y 0,0017 USD.

Pronósticos a largo plazo (3 a 5 años)

Escenario positivo potencial

Factores impulsores:

• Uso generalizado de la tecnología Onyx
• Crecimiento del ecosistema
• Expansión general del mercado cripto

Estimación:
Entre 0,02 USD y 0,08 USD, en función del crecimiento y la innovación.

Escenario negativo potencial

Riesgos:

• Prolongada fase bajista del mercado cripto
• Competencia más avanzada

Estimación:
Entre 0,0005 USD y 0,0015 USD.

Conclusión

Onyxcoin (XCN) presenta un potencial de crecimiento ligado a su adopción y a su desarrollo tecnológico, pero también se enfrenta a desafíos que pueden influir en su evolución futura. Las previsiones varían ampliamente según el contexto del mercado, los avances del proyecto y la confianza general.

Como ocurre con cualquier activo digital, conviene informarse bien, seguir de cerca las novedades y tener en cuenta el nivel de riesgo personal. Puedes seguir la evolución y los movimientos de precio de XCN directamente desde la app de Tap para estar al día de las últimas actualizaciones.

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The holiday season, with all its glitter, cheer and tradition, can sometimes feel like a whirlwind of emotions and expenses. Between those persuasive commercials and the relentless social media ads and influencers, it can feel like an added pressure on your finances that you just don’t have the energy to fight off at the end of the year.

But fret not, taming holiday spending isn't as tricky as wrapping a bowling ball, even if your loved ones are living it up in the holiday splurge zone while you're in the "I'm on a budget" Santa hat.

We’re here to help you sleigh the festive season without sending your bank account into winter hibernation. Here are five realistic financial boundaries to implement with friends and family this festive season. 

Create a budget

Who could have predicted this? Well, it's not exactly breaking news, but a well-crafted budget is your trusty reindeer reins. And no, it's not here to rain on your festive parade, it's the voice of reason when things get a little too merry.

Planning a holiday budget may not sound like a barrel of laughs, but trust us, it's the key to unlocking financial serenity this season. Here's your step-by-step guide to make it a tad more enjoyable:

Step one: Snuggle up with your favourite holiday treat and get comfy. Plot out your budget, factoring in gifts, decorations, travel, and entertainment.

Step two: Be brutally honest with yourself about your spending limits and keep expectations in check. Keep it realistic, and don’t ignore your January Voice of Reason.

Step three: Now, manage and follow your budget as if your life depended on it. It's your financial GPS, steering you away from the treacherous cliffs of overspending. Be in the business of staying disciplined, and both your wallet and future self will be singing your praises.

Be picky with your social calendar

Finding the right balance during the holiday season can be a bit tricky, especially if you're the life of the party who never turns down a chance to celebrate. While holiday gatherings are undeniably fun, they can also put a strain on your wallet, what with buying gifts or splurging on new outfits for every Friendsgiving or seasonal bash on your invite list.

So, what's the secret sauce? Simple, really: set a cap on how many events you'll attend, and fill your calendar with wallet-friendly or no-cost activities. 

Think about hosting a cosy Christmas cocktail night at home instead of hitting up pricy holiday pop-up bars, enjoying potluck dinners at friends instead of eating out, or even just swapping holiday-themed books with your pals. These options let you savour the holiday spirit without breaking the bank.

Propose a gift swap instead of playing Santa to all

The fastest way to empty your pockets during the festive season? Showering gifts on everyone you adore. It's undeniably heartwarming, as the holidays are all about giving, but if your mission is to rescue your finances, it's crucial to stick to that budget.

Here's the savvy play: suggest a group gift exchange like Secret Santa or White Elephant, where each person is responsible for a single present. This gem of an idea works wonders, especially if you're accustomed to playing Santa for your entire office or friend gang, at the cost of any good times in January.

Now, we get it. Your love language might be gift-giving and holding back your desire to gift everyone can be challenging. However, it'll save you a ton of money in the long run. Bonus? You might discover that you can give a more heartfelt gift when you're not fretting over multiple purchases or chasing down the perfect presents for everyone. Happier you, happier everyone.

Embrace the cash or debit approach

Taming the holiday spending frenzy calls for some clever tactics. Swap that tempting credit card for cash or a trusty debit card when you head off on your festive shopping adventures. With this approach, you'll stick to spending only what's safely nestled in your bank account.

It's like Santa himself keeping a watchful eye on your wallet, ensuring you don't venture into the land of overspending. When you physically see those bills leave your hand or the numbers dip in your account, it becomes a tangible reminder to stay within your budget. 

So, this holiday season, let your cash or debit card be your financial guardian and keep the festivities merry without the budget hangover.

Master the art of responsible online shopping

Last but not least, yes, online shopping is still spending. The allure of online deals and discounts can be irresistible, leading to overspending in the blink of an eye. To conquer this digital shopping realm, establish a strict limit on your online purchases and banish impulsive buying tendencies.

But there's more: declutter your inbox by unsubscribing from those tempting promotional emails. It's like building a fortress around your financial willpower. With fewer temptations, you're less likely to get lured into spontaneous shopping sprees.

Final thoughts

Navigating the holiday whirlwind without emptying your pockets is doable. Craft a budget, stick to it, and then lean into the festivities around you. Sticking to these boundaries will not only protect your mental health but also ensure a festive season filled with cheer, not financial stress. Because, after all, aren’t Aunt Linda’s questions about what you’re doing with your life stressful enough?

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Let's be honest, entering the world of crypto can feel like trying to surf a tsunami while blindfolded. Especially during a bull market, when excitement is running high and everyone seems to be making money, it's easy to get swept up in the madness. We’ve all be there. But here's the deal: smart surfing is about strategy, not just catching the biggest wave.

What you need to know about bull markets

A bull market is crypto's version of spring - everything's blooming, prices are rising, and optimism is in the air. But just like spring can bring unexpected storms, the crypto market has its own unpredictable weather.

Do your homework (just do it)

Forget following random influencers promising overnight riches. The crypto world moves fast, and information is your best life jacket. Here's what to focus on:

• Research is your superpower: Dive deep into projects. What problem are they solving? Who's behind the team? What makes them unique?
• Understand the narratives: The crypto market loves stories. Right now, everyone's talking about AI tokens, decentralised infrastructure, and meme coins. Know what's trending, but don't just jump in blindly.

Build your crypto survival kit

Think of your crypto journey like preparing for an adventure:

1. Diversification is your friendsome text
   • Don't put all your eggs in one digital basket
   • Mix different types of cryptocurrencies
   • Consider a blend of established coins and promising new projects
2. Emotional discipline is your mentorsome text
   • FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is the crypto trader's worst enemy
   • Set clear goals and stick to them
   • Have a plan for both buying and selling

Spot the red flags and warning signs

Spotting the red flags

• Promises of guaranteed returns? 🚩 Red flag
• Projects with zero transparency? 🚩 Run away
• Everyone's talking about a coin, and you feel pressured? Take a breath

Risk management implementation

• Only invest what you can afford to lose
• Consider using strategies like Dollar Cost Averaging (buying small amounts regularly)
• Set up stop-loss mechanisms to protect your investment

The learning never stops

There’s nothing wrong with a long-term hodl plan. But if you’re looking to shake things up: stay curious, stay learning:

• Follow reputable crypto news sources
• Join community discussions
• Watch educational content from experienced traders

Always look beyond the hype

Look beyond price. Understanding blockchain technology, market trends, and the real-world applications of cryptocurrencies will make you a smarter investor.

Mindset matters

Remember, this isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It's a journey of learning, strategy, and calculated risks. Some days you'll feel like a crypto wizard, other days like you're playing financial Jenga.

Pro tips from the crypto trenches

• Keep emotions in check
• Don't chase every shiny new token
• Learn from both your wins and losses
• Stay humble and curious

The bottom line

Crypto trading during a bull market is thrilling, but it's not a lottery. It's about informed decisions, continuous learning, and maintaining a level head.

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only. The crypto market is volatile, and past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Always do your own research and consider consulting with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Stay smart, stay safe, and enjoy the ride! 

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When making purchases with your debit card, you’re typically asked to provide a security code, also known as a CVV or CVV2 code. This 3-digit (or sometimes 4-digit) number is an important security feature that helps protect your card from unauthorised use. Understanding what this code is, where to find it, and why it's crucial to keep it safe can help prevent financial fraud and give you greater control over your accounts. In this article, we dive into the details.

What is the security code used for?

The debit card security code serves a critical purpose in verifying your identity and protecting against fraudulent activity. When you provide the code during a transaction, it confirms that you physically possess the card, rather than just having access to the card number alone. 

This helps prevent criminals from making unauthorised purchases, especially for online, phone, or mail-order transactions where the physical card is not present. By requiring the security code, merchants and financial institutions can have an additional safeguard against fraud, giving you greater confidence that your hard-earned money stays secure.

Why are debit card security codes important?

The bottom line is that debit card security codes play a vital role in safeguarding your financial information and protecting your hard-earned money. This security code acts as an additional layer of security beyond just your card number and expiration date and without it, criminals would have a much easier time making unauthorised purchases or accessing your accounts. 

Where can I find my debit card security code?

The debit card security code is typically found in one of two places on your card: 

On most standard debit cards, the 3-digit code is printed on the back of the card, often in the signature strip or just to the right of it. 

Some debit cards may have a 4-digit security code that is printed on the front of the card, usually in the top right corner. 

How debit card security codes work with contactless payments

While debit cards with security codes are primarily used for in-person, online, and over-the-phone transactions, the code also plays a role in contactless or "tap-to-pay" payments. 

When you hold your debit card up to a contactless payment terminal, the 3- or 4-digit security code is digitally transmitted along with your card information. This allows the payment system to verify your identity and approve the transaction, just as it would for a contact-based payment that requires manually entering the security code. 

The security code therefore provides an extra layer of protection, even for quick tap-and-go purchases.

CVV vs OTP

The key difference between a debit card's CVV (card verification value) code and an OTP (one-time password) lies in how they function to verify transactions. A CVV is a static 3 or 4-digit code printed on your physical debit card, which you manually enter to confirm your identity. 

In contrast, an OTP is a dynamically generated code, typically sent to your mobile device via SMS from the bank or an authentication app, that changes with each new transaction. While both add an extra security layer, OTPs provide stronger protection, as they cannot be reused like a static CVV. 

Combining the use of your debit card's CVV code and a one-time password (OTP) provides the strongest protection against financial fraud.

CVV vs PIN

Your debit card's PIN (Personal Identification Number) is different from the CVV (card verification value) code.

The PIN is used to verify in-person transactions when you use the physical card, like at a store checkout or ATM.

The CVV code is used instead for remote purchases, like online or over the phone, where the physical card isn't present.

Closing thoughts

In summary, the debit card security code, also found on a credit card, is an essential safeguard against fraud and unauthorised transactions. By understanding what this code is, where to find it, and how it protects your finances, you can take control of your financial security and enjoy greater peace of mind when using your debit card in the wild or online. 

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No matter your travel budget, navigating ATM fees is worth your time when travelling around Europe. In this article, we’re giving you a run-through of the common charges you may face, from withdrawal and balance inquiry fees to currency conversion costs, and how to easily navigate them. 

Why do ATMs charge fees?

Wondering why ATMs charge those pesky fees? The truth is, there's a cost involved for the banks behind those convenient cash machines. They have to stock the cash, maintain the equipment, and liaise with your home bank to reconcile the transactions. Those ATM fees you see? That's how banks recoup those operational expenses, with a little profit margin added in for good measure.

Common ATM fees in Europe

When using ATMs in Europe, you'll likely encounter several common fees that can mount up fast. While less common in the UK, in countries like Germany, ATM fees can quickly add up to €4. Let’s take a look at what kinds of fees one might encounter. 

Bear in mind that the amount you'll have to pay at a European ATM depends on two main factors:

• Your home bank's fees: they may charge a withdrawal fee, typically a few euros to several dollars, every time you use an ATM abroad.
• The ATM's own fees: the bank that owns the ATM you're using may also levy its own withdrawal fee, on top of what your home bank charges.

These charges will vary depending on your bank, so be sure to check before leaving. While most banks list their ATM use charges in their terms, with some offering limited free withdrawals, others charge a flat fee per transaction, especially for out-of-network or international ATM use, so be mindful of potential fees when accessing your money abroad.

In addition to withdrawal fees, you may also encounter balance inquiry fees just for checking your account balance, as well as conversion or foreign transaction fees when using a card issued outside of the Eurozone.

Factors affecting ATM fees

The fees you'll encounter at European ATMs can vary quite a bit depending on several key factors. First, the location of the ATM makes a big difference - if it's part of your home bank's network, you'll likely pay lower (or even no) withdrawal fees. But use an out-of-network machine, and those charges can start to add up quickly.

The type of card you're using also plays a role. Debit cards generally incur fewer fees than credit cards when used for ATM withdrawals. And your home bank's specific policies on international ATM use can further impact the costs you face.

Keeping these variables in mind as you access cash abroad will help you sidestep unnecessary fees and make your travel budget stretch further.

Tips for minimising ATM fees in Europe

When navigating the ATM landscape in Europe, there are a few savvy strategies you can employ to steer clear of those ATM fees:

• Seek out a bank account that offers fee-free withdrawals - some digital-only banks provide a certain number of complimentary ATM transactions each month.
• Stick to ATMs owned and operated by banks, rather than independent machines often found in convenience stores, as those are more likely to come with added charges.
• Be strategic with your cash withdrawals - if your account allows for free branch ATM use, plan ahead and make larger, less frequent withdrawals to minimise fees. Conversely, if you have a limited number of free monthly transactions, opt for larger sums to get more mileage from those.
• Finally, minimise cash usage altogether by relying on your debit card for payments wherever possible, reserving cash for small, cash-only establishments like markets.

By employing these tactics, you can keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket while exploring Europe.

The Tap Solution

Tap provides users within the European zone with a free prepaid crypto and fiat card that can be used anywhere in the world. Powered by Mastercard, the card links directly to the funds in the holder’s Tap app, allowing them to easily manage their money and constantly be in the know. 

With all options providing free card deposits and free in store purchases, the premium options offer impressive fees when it comes to exchanging and trading funds. When it comes to monthly ATM withdrawals, the Essential account allows free withdrawals up to €500, higher tiers offer up to €1,000, while the Prestige level provides unlimited free withdrawals before incurring charges.

Get more information about the available options when it comes to your Tap card here. 

Conclusion

In summary, being aware of European ATM fees - including withdrawal charges, balance inquiries, and currency conversion costs - is key to managing your travel budget. Research your bank's policies, locate in-network ATMs, and strategise cash withdrawals before your trip. With some smart planning, you can sidestep unnecessary fees and make the most of your time exploring Europe.

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Kryptovärlden är sällan förutsägbar, och 2024 har inte gjort någon besviken. En ny kategori har snabbt seglat upp i rampljuset: PolitiFi – politiskt inspirerade memecoins. Med en tillväxt på otroliga 782,4 % på bara åtta månader har dessa tokens lyckats få nästan lika mycket uppmärksamhet som själva valet.

Som jämförelse lyckades mer “traditionella” memecoins bara växa med 90,2 % under samma period. Oavsett politisk åsikt är en sak tydlig: det är aldrig tråkigt i kryptobranschen.

Vad är PolitiFi?

PolitiFi-tokens är memecoins som hämtar inspiration från kända politiska personer och händelser – ofta med en dos ironi eller satir. De allra flesta är dock inte officiellt kopplade till några riktiga politiker. Likt andra memecoins drivs deras värde framför allt av spekulation, community-engagemang och vad som för tillfället trendar i nyhetsflödet.

Från noll till 2,1 miljarder dollar

Det som började som en nischad blandning av politik och krypto har snabbt vuxit till en marknad värd 2,1 miljarder dollar (november 2024). Även om det bara utgör cirka 1,77 % av hela memecoin-marknaden visar PolitiFis snabba tillväxt hur snabbt nya kryptoteman kan fånga uppmärksamhet – och kapital.

När politik möter blockkedjan

Det som skiljer PolitiFi från andra tokens är dess snabba reaktion på verkliga politiska händelser. När Donald Trump vann de republikanska primärvalen i Iowa i januari, steg exempelvis MAGA (TRUMP) med 79,1 % – på ett enda dygn.

Liknande rörelser har setts vid allt från rättsfall till hälsorelaterade nyheter. När Joe Biden fick covid-19 föll Jeo Boden (BODEN) med 27,3 %, medan ett attentatsförsök mot Trump fick MAGA (TRUMP) att rusa uppåt med 41,2 %.

Från skämt till ett nytt ekosystem

Även om många PolitiFi-coins började som skämt har vissa utvecklats till något mer. MAGA (TRUMP) är ett exempel där en del av transaktionsavgifterna går direkt till Trumps Ethereum-plånbok och relaterade välgörenhetsorganisationer – ett nytt, om än ovanligt, sätt att kombinera krypto med politisk finansiering.

Kan PolitiFi vara en ny form av politiskt uttryck?

Om detta är en tillfällig trend eller början på ett nytt sätt att engagera sig politiskt återstår att se. Men just nu erbjuder PolitiFi ett nytt sätt att kombinera finansiell spekulation, politiska åsikter och gräsrotsfinansiering – ofta initierat direkt av communityn.

I takt med att digital ekonomi, samhällsengagemang och politisk aktivism allt mer smälter samman, kan dessa tokens peka på en ny era av politiskt deltagande. Om det här är nästa stora grej eller bara ännu ett kapitel i kryptons färgstarka historia – det återstår att se.

Men en sak är säker: i kryptovärlden är det oväntade snarare regel än undantag. Och just det gör det hela så fascinerande.

The way money moves is changing fast: digital currencies have evolved from investment assets to practical tools for daily transactions. With big names like Microsoft, AT&T, and Starbucks now accepting crypto payments, mainstream acceptance is officially on the rise.

Why businesses are making the switch

Financial efficiency

Traditional payment systems often have drawbacks: high fees, processing delays, and complicated international transfers. Cryptocurrency helps solve these issues by offering:

• Near-instant settlement times
• Minimal transaction fees, especially for cross-border payments
• No currency conversion costs
• Reduced operational overhead

Enhanced security architecture

The underlying blockchain technology provides businesses with unprecedented security benefits:

• Immutable transaction records
• Distributed verification systems
• Protection against unauthorised reversals
• Reduced risk of payment fraud

Market expansion opportunities

By accepting cryptocurrency, businesses can:

• Tap into the growing crypto-native consumer base
• Reach underbanked populations globally
• Operate in international markets without traditional banking constraints
• Appeal to privacy-conscious customers

Implementation guide: accepting crypto payments

Step 1: Choose your integration method

• Direct wallet-to-wallet transfers
• Payment processor integration
• Hybrid solutions with automatic conversion to fiat

Step 2: Set up your infrastructure

• Create business cryptocurrency wallets
• Implement QR code generation systems
• Establish transaction verification protocols
• Train staff on handling crypto payments

Step 3: Customer experience design

• Clear payment instructions at checkout
• Multiple cryptocurrency options
• Transparent fee structure
• Real-time exchange rate display

With Tap’s Business Accounts we will assign a dedicated account manager to you who will run you through each of these steps making the transition incredibly smooth. 

Strategic advantages

Risk management

• Protection against chargebacks
• Reduced exposure to payment fraud
• Built-in transaction verification
• Immutable payment records

Operational benefits

• Automated payment processing
• Reduced administrative overhead
• Simplified international transactions
• Real-time settlement

Financial planning

• Potential tax advantages (varies by jurisdiction)
• Inflation hedge through crypto assets
• Reduced payment processing costs
• New revenue stream opportunities

Customer transaction process

1. Selection: Customer chooses cryptocurrency payment option
2. Verification: System generates unique payment address or QR code
3. Transfer: Customer initiates payment from their digital wallet
4. Confirmation: Transaction is verified on the blockchain
5. Completion: Payment is settled and order is processed

Future-proofing your business

The adoption of cryptocurrency payments isn't just about staying current - it's about preparing for a future where digital currencies play an increasingly important role in global commerce. Businesses that integrate these payment systems now gain:

• First-mover advantage in their market
• Experience with blockchain technology
• Enhanced appeal to tech-savvy customers
• Operational flexibility for future expansion

Privacy and transparency balance

One of cryptocurrency's unique features is its ability to provide both privacy and transparency simultaneously:

• Transactions are publicly recorded but pseudonymous
• Customer personal data isn't required for processing
• Audit trails are automatically maintained
• Regulatory compliance is simplified through built-in tracking

Looking ahead

The crypto revolution isn't just changing how we think about money – it's transforming how businesses operate. Forward-thinking companies integrating digital currencies are doing more than just adding another payment option; they're positioning themselves at the cutting edge of a new financial era.

Think of cryptocurrency adoption like the early days of e-commerce. What seemed optional in the late '90s quickly became essential for survival. We're seeing similar patterns with digital currencies, where early adopters are gaining valuable experience and competitive advantages while others play catch-up.

The real power of crypto payments extends far beyond transactions. They're unlocking new business models, breaking down international barriers, and offering unprecedented financial flexibility. For businesses eyeing global expansion or looking to reduce transaction costs, crypto isn't just an alternative – it's becoming a strategic imperative.

The decision to accept cryptocurrency payments should be based on your business's specific needs and goals. But let's be practical: timing matters. Your business's unique circumstances – market position, customer base, technical capabilities – should guide your implementation strategy. While the question of adoption is shifting from "if" to "when," rushing in without proper preparation could do more harm than good.

Smart implementation means integrating crypto alongside your existing payment infrastructure. Think of it as expanding your payment ecosystem rather than replacing it. Your customers should have choices, whether they're crypto enthusiasts or prefer traditional payment methods to ensure maximum customer accessibility and business flexibility.

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Bitcoin options trading has been making waves as a small yet significant catalyst in Bitcoin’s latest price surge. The launch of Bitcoin options linked to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF brought new energy to the market, attracting attention from both big institutions and everyday investors. 

But this bull run isn’t just about options trading, it’s driven by growing confidence in Bitcoin’s future, boosted by market trends, technological progress, and changes in regulations. Let’s take a closer look at what Bitcoin options trading is and how it fits into this exciting rally.

What are Bitcoin options?

Options trading is a type of financial trading where you buy or sell the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell an asset, like Bitcoin, at a specific price within a set time frame. Essentially, you’re betting on whether the price of that asset will go up or down.

There are two types of options: calls and puts. A call option lets you buy the asset at a certain price (if you think the price will rise), while a put option lets you sell it at a certain price (if you think the price will drop). Instead of buying the asset outright, you’re paying a smaller fee, called a premium, for the option to trade later.

Traders typically use options to hedge risk or profit from price movements without directly owning the asset. In the case of Bitcoin, options trading allows investors to manage volatility while taking advantage of its price swings, making it a popular tool in the fast-moving crypto market.

The game-changer: Bitcoin ETF options

January 2024 marked a historic moment when the SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs, and now we're seeing the next evolution with Bitcoin ETF options. BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) made waves when its options began trading on the Nasdaq, quickly becoming one of the most exciting new financial products on the market.

The numbers tell the story: In just the first hour of trading, IBIT saw 73,000 options contracts traded, instantly placing it among the top 20 most active non-index options. 

Why Bitcoin ETF options matter

The introduction of Bitcoin ETF options is significant for several reasons:

1. Accessibility: Anyone can now trade Bitcoin options through traditional brokerage accounts, no crypto exchange is required.
2. Regulated environment: These products trade on established exchanges like Nasdaq, offering a level of oversight that many crypto platforms can't match.
3. Market sophistication: The availability of ETF options helps mature the Bitcoin market, potentially leading to more stable prices over time.

The new Bitcoin ETF options landscape

The Bitcoin ETF options market is growing fast, with big names like BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) leading the way. These funds are already offering or planning to offer options trading, giving investors more choices than ever before.

As the market develops, experts expect to see even more innovative products, including covered call funds, buffer funds, trend-following strategies, and other option-based investment tools. This rapid growth is certainly making the crypto space more dynamic and accessible for more “traditional” investors.

Final thoughts

The launch of Bitcoin ETF options is a big step forward for the crypto market as it continues to grow and evolve. While these options bring exciting opportunities they also come with their own risks and complexities, so whether you’re curious or serious about trading, it’s important to fully understand how they work before diving in.

The financial world is undergoing a significant transformation, largely driven by Millennials and Gen Z. These digital-native generations are embracing cryptocurrencies at an unprecedented rate, challenging traditional financial systems and catalysing a shift toward new forms of digital finance, redefining how we perceive and interact with money.

This movement is not just a fleeting trend but a fundamental change that is redefining how we perceive and interact with money.

Digital Natives Leading the Way

Growing up in the digital age, Millennials (born 1981-1996) and Gen Z (born 1997-2012) are inherently comfortable with technology. This familiarity extends to their financial behaviours, with a noticeable inclination toward adopting innovative solutions like cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.

According to the Grayscale Investments and Harris Poll Report which studied Americans, 44% agree that “crypto and blockchain technology are the future of finance.” Looking more closely at the demographics, Millenials and Gen Z’s expressed the highest levels of enthusiasm, underscoring the pivotal role younger generations play in driving cryptocurrency adoption.

Desire for Financial Empowerment and Inclusion

Economic challenges such as the 2008 financial crisis and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have shaped these generations' perspectives on traditional finance. There's a growing scepticism toward conventional financial institutions and a desire for greater control over personal finances.

The Grayscale-Harris Poll found that 23% of those surveyed believe that cryptocurrencies are a long-term investment, up from 19% the previous year. The report also found that 41% of participants are currently paying more attention to Bitcoin and other crypto assets because of geopolitical tensions, inflation, and a weakening US dollar (up from  34%). 

This sentiment fuels engagement with cryptocurrencies as viable investment assets and tools for financial empowerment.

Influence on Market Dynamics

The collective financial influence of Millennials and Gen Z is significant. Their active participation in cryptocurrency markets contributes to increased liquidity and shapes market trends. Social media platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok have become pivotal in disseminating information and investment strategies among these generations.

The rise of cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu demonstrates how younger investors leverage online communities to impact financial markets². This phenomenon shows their ability to mobilise and drive market movements, challenging traditional investment paradigms.

Embracing Innovation and Technological Advancement

Cryptocurrencies represent more than just investment opportunities; they embody technological innovation that resonates with Millennials and Gen Z. Blockchain technology and digital assets are areas where these generations are not only users but also contributors.

A 2021 survey by Pew Research Center indicated that 31% of Americans aged 18-29 have invested in, traded, or used cryptocurrency, compared to just 8% of those aged 50-64. This significant disparity highlights the generational embrace of digital assets and the technologies underpinning them.

Impact on Traditional Financial Institutions

The shift toward cryptocurrencies is prompting traditional financial institutions to adapt. Banks, investment firms, and payment platforms are increasingly integrating crypto services to meet the evolving demands of younger clients.

Companies like PayPal and Square have expanded their cryptocurrency offerings, allowing users to buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrencies directly from their platforms. These developments signify the financial industry's recognition of the growing importance of cryptocurrencies.

Challenges and Considerations

While enthusiasm is high, challenges such as regulatory uncertainties, security concerns, and market volatility remain. However, Millennials and Gen Z appear willing to navigate these risks, drawn by the potential rewards and alignment with their values of innovation and financial autonomy.

In summary

Millennials and Gen Z are redefining the financial landscape, with their embrace of cryptocurrencies serving as a catalyst for broader change. This isn't just about alternative investments; it's a shift in how younger generations view financial systems and their place within them. Their drive for autonomy, transparency, and technological integration is pushing traditional institutions to innovate rapidly.

This generational influence extends beyond personal finance, potentially reshaping global economic structures. For industry players, from established banks to fintech startups, adapting to these changing preferences isn't just advantageous—it's essential for long-term viability.

As cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology mature, we're likely to see further transformations in how society interacts with money. Those who can navigate this evolving landscape, balancing innovation with stability, will be well-positioned for the future of finance. It's a complex shift, but one that offers exciting possibilities for a more inclusive and technologically advanced financial ecosystem. The financial world is changing, and it's the young guns who are calling the shots.

The crypto market has entered a phase that veterans often call the "boring zone." It's a time when:

• Bitcoin's price seems stuck, fluctuating between $50,000 and $70,000 for months.
• Altcoins are in an even deeper slumber, with many down 50-80% from their peaks.
• Trading volumes on major exchanges have plummeted, dropping 30% from the last bull market's heights.

Sound familiar? It should. This lull is a recurring theme in the crypto market cycle, and historically, it's often the calm before the storm. It’s also a common attribute after a recent Bitcoin halving. 

Let's look at what happened after previous Bitcoin halvings:

• 2012 Halving: 92 days until new all-time high
• 2016 Halving: 291 days until new all-time high
• 2020 Halving: 216 days until new all-time high

For perspective, 28 July 2024 marks 100 days from the most recent halving, with 25 February 2025 marking the 300-day mark. 

The power of patient investing

Investing in cryptocurrencies over longer time horizons can be likened to early-stage venture investing, where patience could potentially lead to significant returns. While past performance doesn't guarantee future results, historical examples like Ethereum and Solana demonstrate this potential. 

Ethereum, launching at less than $1 in 2014, and Solana, starting below $1 in 2020, have since seen their values grow to over $3,000 and $140 respectively as of early 2024.

In the crypto space, what’s known as the HODL approach, emphasises the power of time and compound growth, similar to that of traditional asset classes. The idea is straightforward: if you've taken a position in a project you believe has strong fundamentals, maintaining that position through periods of high volatility could potentially lead to significant gains.

To illustrate this point further, in 2010, Bitcoin was worth less than $0.01. By April 2024, it had reached around $70,000. An investor who bought $100 worth of Bitcoin in 2010 and held it until 2024 would have seen their investment grow to millions of dollars.

Strategies for surviving (and thriving) in the "boring zone"

During quiet periods in crypto dive deeper into blockchain fundamentals, research promising projects, instead of anxiously checking prices or reacting to every piece of news, use this time productively.

Alternatively, for those with capital to invest, dollar-cost averaging (DCA) could be something to consider. A Vanguard study found that DCA outperformed lump-sum investing in 68% of cases during market downturns, highlighting its potential effectiveness in notoriously volatile markets.

Know with certainty that this "boring zone" is often temporary. Based on previous cycles, we might see a new Bitcoin all-time high in 30 to 150 days, and once Bitcoin breaks its previous record, top altcoin projects have historically seen gains of 200% to 1,000%.

By staying patient and disciplined during quiet periods, you can be prepared for potential opportunities that may arise as the crypto market evolves. Remember, while historical patterns offer insights, they don't guarantee future results, but these historical patterns are worth considering as you plan your strategy.

We get it, the waiting game is hard

Holding onto your crypto during boring market times can be tougher than you'd think. When prices aren't moving much, it's easy to get antsy or start doubting your choices. But keeping a cool head and being rational is key to long-term success.

First off, remember why you got into crypto in the first place. Was it the tech? The potential? Keep that big picture in mind. It helps to set realistic expectations too - crypto's known for its ups and downs, so flat periods are normal.

Try to limit how often you check prices. Constantly peeking at your portfolio can drive you nuts during slow times. Instead, focus on other parts of your life or dive deeper into learning about blockchain.

Connecting with other crypto fans can help too. Chat about ideas, not just prices. And don't forget to celebrate small wins - even if the market's quiet, projects are still developing and growing.

Stay patient, stay curious, and remember: in crypto, today's boredom could be tomorrow's excitement.

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Tap (XTP) är en banbrytande fintech-plattform lanserad 2019, som förändrar hur vi hanterar pengar genom att kombinera traditionell bank med kryptovalutor. Plattformen möjliggör omedelbara, avgiftsfria överföringar inom sitt nätverk, vilket gör det enklare att dela kostnader och skicka pengar – samtidigt som användarna belönas. Målet? Att demokratisera finans och ge alla tillgång till smarta, säkra och kraftfulla ekonomiska verktyg.

Vad är Tap (XTP)?

Att hantera flera appar, valutor och överföringar kan vara krångligt. Tap (XTP) är en helhetslösning som bygger en bro mellan klassisk ekonomi och kryptovalutor – allt i en och samma app.

Sedan lanseringen 2019 har Tap haft som mål att förenkla ekonomi för alla. Appen gör det möjligt att skicka och ta emot pengar eller krypto avgiftsfritt inom nätverket Tap2Tap, betala räkningar, samt köpa, sälja och växla ett brett utbud av kryptovalutor.

Med Tap kan du enkelt konvertera fiat till krypto – eller ta ut dina tillgångar med låga avgifter. Slipp valutaväxlingspåslag och onödiga appar när du är utomlands.

Nyckeln till det hela är Tap’s egna kryptovaluta, XTP-token, en ERC-20-token som ger tillgång till exklusiva funktioner som upp till 8 % cashback, belöningar och premiumförmåner i hela Tap-ekosystemet. Du kan också använda Tap Mastercard – fysiskt eller virtuellt – och handla med krypto var du än befinner dig i världen.

Tap i praktiken – hur fungerar det?

Tap är en allt-i-ett-plattform som samlar traditionell ekonomi och kryptohantering på ett ställe. Huvudgränssnittet är mobilappen – enkel, säker och byggd för att göra finans tillgängligt.

För att börja använda Tap krävs en verifieringsprocess enligt KYC- och AML-regler. När kontot är godkänt kan användare köpa, sälja och lagra upp till 50 olika kryptovalutor.

Plattformen accepterar flera betalningsmetoder, inklusive banköverföring och kortbetalning. Användare kan också överföra krypto från externa plånböcker till Tap, eller växla sina innehav till fiat och skicka direkt till sina bankkonton.

Med Tap Mastercard kan du dessutom förladda ditt kort direkt från din Tap-plånbok, ta ut kontanter i bankomater över hela världen och få cashback – upp till 8 % beroende på ditt medlemsnivå. Kortet erbjuder även konkurrenskraftiga växlingskurser.

Vad gör Tap unikt?

Slipp växla mellan appar. Tap kombinerar krypto och traditionell ekonomi i en och samma plattform. Växla digitala tillgångar till fiat direkt och använd dem i vardagen – eller bygg en kryptoportfölj med ett stort urval av tillgångar.

Det som verkligen särskiljer Tap är dess on-ramp och off-ramp-funktion. Växla mellan fiat och krypto – direkt, snabbt och utan krångel. Tap passar både nybörjare och erfarna användare som vill ha kontroll över sin ekonomi, oavsett om det gäller spenderande eller investering.

Vad ingår i Tap-ekosystemet?

Tap är mer än bara en app – det är ett komplett ekosystem för din ekonomi.

Flervaluta-plånbok

Säker och krypterad digital plånbok som stödjer över 50 olika kryptovalutor samt fiat. Lätt att hantera, växla och använda både för vardag och investering.

Kryptobörs

Tap erbjuder ett brett utbud av kryptovalutor att handla med – utan begränsningar i handelspar. Appen prioriterar snabbhet, flexibilitet och användarvänlighet.

Tap Mastercard

Tap’s förbetalda Mastercard låter dig handla globalt, både fysiskt och online. Finns som både fysisk och virtuell version.

Cashback

Alla som använder Tap-kortet får cashback. Genom att uppgradera din plan kan du tjäna upp till 8 % tillbaka på varje köp.

Tap2Tap-överföringar

Skicka pengar och krypto gratis till andra Tap-användare, direkt i appen – var du än är i världen.

Stöd för fiatvalutor

Tap stöder flera nationella valutor, så att du kan hantera både fiat och krypto smidigt i samma plattform.

Investerings- och handelsverktyg

Få tillgång till smarta funktioner som realtidsdata, prisnotiser, marknadsrapporter och nyhetsbrev – allt samlat på ett ställe.

Smart Trading Router

Tap’s egna router skannar flera börser och likviditetsleverantörer i realtid för att hitta bästa möjliga pris på din transaktion.

Vad är XTP-token?

XTP är den inhemska kryptovalutan i Tap-ekosystemet – och nyckeln till att låsa upp premiumfunktioner.

Du kan använda XTP för att:

• Få rabatt på handelsavgifter
• Låsa upp premiumplaner och funktioner
• Tjäna upp till 8 % cashback
• Sänka växlingsavgifter
• Öka kortets spendergränser
• Få tillgång till exklusivt innehåll som marknadsbrev och prioriterad support

XTP-token finns i flera handelspar och kan växlas mot ett flertal kryptovalutor direkt i appen, vilket gör det enkelt att diversifiera din portfölj.

Dessutom kan XTP skickas avgiftsfritt mellan Tap-konton – en snabb och kostnadseffektiv metod för internationella överföringar.

Alla XTP-innehav lagras säkert i appens integrerade plånbok, så att du kan fokusera på att växa din portfölj utan att oroa dig för säkerheten.

If you’re in the process of applying for a passport chances are strong that you already know the importance of needing one. Whether you’re in a terrible hurry because you forgot to check the expiry date before booking your trip or maybe lost your passport ahead of an urgent cross-border meeting, we’ve got you covered. The UK offers a service that allows applicants to fast-track their application. 

Find everything you need to know about the process below, including the fees involved. And why might we, a fintech platform, be informing you about fast-tracking passports? Because we’re in the business of travel. With our world-friendly app that allows users to seamlessly switch between currencies as they swipe their cards around the world, we understand not every process is this simple. Now that we’ve covered that, let’s get into why you’re really here. 

How to fast-track your passport application

Getting a passport in the UK can sometimes be a lengthy process, but luckily there are options available to speed things up. Normally, it can take up to 10 weeks to receive a new passport through the standard application process. While it may be quicker in some cases, it's always best to be prepared for a wait.

The one-week fast-track option

The first option is the 1 week Fast Track service. This service allows you to renew an adult or child passport, replace a lost or stolen passport, or update your details. You can book an appointment for this service up to 3 weeks in advance and will need a debit or credit card.

How to apply

To apply for the 1 week Fast Track service, follow these steps:

1. Visit your local Post Office branch to obtain an application form (these are not available online).

2. Book your fast-track passport appointment online.

3. Pay the fee.

4. Take your completed application form and the required supporting documents to your appointment. There is a booklet accompanying the application form that provides a list of the necessary documents.

5. Once you have completed these steps, your new passport will be delivered to your home address within a week of your appointment. It's important to note that someone needs to be present to sign for the passport upon delivery.

The costs*

The cost for the 1 week Fast Track service is £155 for an adult passport and £126 for a child passport.

The same-day fast-track option 

If you need your passport even faster, there is also the Online Premium service. With this service, you can collect your new passport on the same day as your appointment. However, please note that this service is only available for adult passport renewals issued after 31 December 2001. 

If you have an adult passport issued before this date, you will need to use the one-week fast-track service or the standard application process.

How to apply

To use the Online Premium service, you can simply apply and book an appointment online. The earliest appointment you can get is 2 days after applying.

The cost*

The cost of this service is £193.50 for an adult passport. 

Who can use these services?

It's important to know if you are eligible for these fast-track passport services. If you are applying for your very first UK passport, unfortunately, you won't be able to use either of the fast-track services (unless applying for a child's first-time passport in which case you can use the one-week fast-track option). For everything else, you will have to go through the standard application process instead.

In conclusion

Remember, it's always best to plan ahead and apply for your passport in advance to avoid any last-minute stress and government regulation curveballs. However, if you do find yourself in need of a passport urgently, these fast-track services can be a lifesaver.

If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to the appropriate passport office or visit their website for more information (listed below). They will be able to provide you with the most up-to-date details and guidance regarding the fast-track process.

*Please note that the fees were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change. Check the website page listed below to find the relevant information.

References:

• GOV.UK - Passport application service
• GOV.UK - 1 week Fast Track service
• GOV.UK - Online Premium service

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Before Bitcoin was launched in 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto designed the cryptocurrency to have a maximum supply of 21 million coins. As part of the greater plan, the number of new Bitcoin that enter circulation decreases at regular intervals, thus maintaining the total supply. These intervals are known as halvings, and affect everything from market value to investing strategies to potential profitability. Let's get into it.

What is the Bitcoin halving?

Roughly every 4 years, or every 210,000 blocks that are mined, the network undergoes a halving where the block reward for miners is reduced by 50%. This reward is earned by verifying transactions and adding a new block to the blockchain. 

The halvings process decreases the rate at which new Bitcoins enter circulation, gradually depleting the remaining supply until the final satoshi is mined, expected to be around 2140. After that, miners will solely rely on transaction fees as an incentive to validate blocks.

The most recent Bitcoin network halving took place in April 2024, when the mining reward was reduced from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC.

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Why does the halving occur?

The Bitcoin halving is pre-programmed into Bitcoin's core code and is not something that can be changed - it's set in stone. Designed to control and slow down the release of new Bitcoins over time results in fewer and fewer Bitcoin being minted after each halving event. 

This limited supply is a key part of what gives the digital currency its deflationary nature and potential for increasing value. As the supply is capped at 21 million, the dwindling new supply hitting the market reinforces Bitcoin's artificial scarcity.

Previous Bitcoin halvings

Below we look at previous halvings and how these affected the price of Bitcoin. Historically, 12 - 18 months after halvings, Bitcoin has reached a record high. While this is not the rule of thumb, it has certainly been witnessed. 

2009 - Bitcoin launches

Date: 3 January 2009

Block reward: 50 BTC

2012 - Bitcoin’s first halving

Date: 28 November 2012

Block: 210,000

Block reward: 25 BTC

Price before halving (November 2012): Around $12

Next all-time high after halving: $1,156 (November 2013)

2016 - Bitcoin’s second halving

Date: 9 July 2016

Block: 420,000

Block reward: 12.5 BTC

Price before halving (July 2016): Around $650

Next all-time high after halving: $19,891 (December 2017)

2020 - Bitcoin’s third halving

Date: 11 May 2020

Block: 630,000

Block reward: 6.25 BTC

Price before halving (May 2020): Around $8,800

Next all-time high after halving: $69,000 (November 2021)

2024 - Bitcoin’s fourth halving

Date: 19 April 2024

Block: 840,000

Block reward: 3.125 BTC

Price before halving (April 2024): Around $65,000

At the time of writing, next all-time high after halving: $99,655.50 (November 2024) 

Taking a look at the future dates, the next halving is expected to take place in 2028, when the block reward will be reduced to 1.5625 BTC. Thereafter, in 2032 and 2036. This will continue until all Bitcoins have been mined, which is expected to be in 2140. 

Potential impacts of the recent halving

The next Bitcoin halving event is expected to have several potential impacts on the cryptocurrency. First and foremost, it will reduce the supply of new Bitcoins entering circulation by 50%, substantially decreasing its inflation rate. This scheduled supply rate reduction enhances Bitcoin's hardcoded scarcity which could lead to increased demand if investors view reduced supply as more desirable. Higher demand coupled with tightened supply could potentially drive up Bitcoin's price.

However, the halving will also cut block rewards for miners by 50%, which could force some smaller mining operations to shut down if their expenses outweigh newly reduced revenues. This may result in mining becoming less decentralised as larger entities with greater economies of scale are able to continue operating profitably. This could lead to further consolidation of the mining hashrate among a smaller number of big players.

Regardless of price movement, the most recent halving holds significance for Bitcoin's disinflationary issuance schedule, which will continue until the final Bitcoin is mined around 2140. This systematically shrinking supply reinforces Bitcoin's key value proposition as a deflationary asset, with absolute scarcity built into its design. Understanding this info highlights why some investors see Bitcoin's scarcity as a central role in its potential long-term value.

How will the rest of the crypto market be impacted?

We can confirm that Bitcoin's halving creates a ripple effect across the entire cryptocurrency market. While it directly impacts Bitcoin, it can also cause broader market shifts affecting many altcoins as investors start adjusting their portfolios during this time, which can lead to increased volatility and capital moving between digital assets. 

Established cryptocurrencies like Ethereum often respond to Bitcoin's market changes, though their reactions aren’t always predictable. Smaller, less-known coins may face even greater uncertainty. Because crypto markets are so interconnected, even indirect effects from the halving can create big waves, making it a key event that influences the entire ecosystem.

Should I invest during a Bitcoin halving?

Sure, navigating Bitcoin halving speculation can feel like walking through a maze. Investors often debate the best timing - before, during, or after the event - but there's really no universal playbook. 

The cryptocurrency market moves in mysterious ways, influenced by countless global factors, and past halvings have shown dramatically different market behaviors, making predictions challenging. While some see these events as potential opportunities, others view them with caution. 

The key is understanding that no single strategy guarantees success. Individual research, a clear view of personal risk tolerance, and a broad understanding of market dynamics are essential for anyone considering involvement in this volatile landscape.

The bottom line

The Bitcoin halving is a highly significant event worth learning about as it enforces the cryptocurrency's hardcoded disinflationary monetary policy. While past halvings have led to powerful bull markets and substantial price appreciation, as illustrated above, it's important to understand that future price movements remain unpredictable and cannot be relied on. 

Bitcoin's value is influenced by a complex array of factors beyond just supply dynamics, including adoption rates, regulatory developments, and overall market sentiment. Though artificially constrained supply can increase scarcity, demand is ultimately the driving force behind long-term valuations. 

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Hey there, Community! ✨

We've got some exciting news to share, and it's all about making your life a little bit easier and a whole lot clearer. We're thrilled to announce our partnership with TapiX – and before you wonder what this is all about, let me break it down into plain English, just for you.

No More Guessing Games 🎲

Ever looked at your transaction history and thought, "Where on earth did I spend that money?" We've all been there, scratching our heads, trying to decipher cryptic names or puzzling out just which coffee shop that was.

Here's where TapiX comes in – and why we're so excited about it. TapiX turns those confusing codes and names into information you can actually understand. We're talking real names of stores, complete with local language and all the details to make it click instantly. Yes, that means no more guessing games!

A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words 📷

But why stop at names? When you look at your transactions, you can now see actual logos and images – making it even easier to spot at a glance where you've been shopping. It's like turning your transaction history into a colourful gallery of your spending habits.
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Pinpoint Shopping Locations📍

Ever got a charge from a store and wondered, "When did I go there?”. Now, you won't just see the name; you'll get the exact location. We're talking street address, city, even zip codes – perfect for those "Aha!" moments.
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Extra Details at Your Fingertips 🫰

And there's more. Want to revisit a store but can't remember the name? You can now access additional details like website links, opening hours, and more for the store and companies that support it. It's like having a little assistant tucked away in your transaction history.

Why This Matters to You 👀

We believe managing your money should be as straightforward as shopping. That's why we partnered with TapiX – to transform your transaction list from a boring spreadsheet into a clear, understandable, and even helpful part of your daily life.

Here's what it boils down to: less time puzzling out your past spends and more time enjoying your present. Whether you're a budgeting pro or just trying to keep track of where your money's going, we think you'll love this new feature.

It's All About You 💙
At Tap, everything we do is aimed at giving you a better experience. We listen, we care, and we act on what you need. This partnership? It's all about making your financial life clearer and simpler.

We're here to help you make sense of your spending, save time, and maybe even discover some new favourite spots along the way. And this is just the beginning – we're always looking for ways to improve your experience.

So go ahead, take a look at your updated transaction history, and see the difference for yourself.

Here's to clearer, simpler, and more enjoyable finances.

Warmly,

The Tap Team.

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Etherscan är en kostnadsfri och mycket populär blockutforskare som gör det möjligt för vem som helst att se transaktioner som har skett på Ethereum-nätverket. Och det är inte bara transaktioner – här kan du även hitta information om block, gasavgifter, plånböcker, smarta kontrakt och annan on-chain-data. I den här guiden går vi igenom vad Etherscan är och hur det fungerar.

Vad är Etherscan?

Som nämnts ovan är Etherscan en blockutforskare för Ethereum. Utöver att ge insyn i vad blockkedjeteknik har att erbjuda, visar Etherscan detaljer om allt från transaktionsstatus och gasavgifter till smarta kontrakt och dApps. Verktyget utnyttjar blockkedjans öppna natur för att ge användare fullständig transparens.

Du behöver inget konto för att använda Etherscan – men om du skapar ett får du tillgång till extra funktioner som notifieringar vid inkommande transaktioner, utvecklarverktyg och möjligheten att skapa egna dataflöden. Oavsett om du investerar i en dApp, övervakar en plånbok eller sätter in pengar i ett blockkedjebaserat spel, kan du följa all aktivitet via denna webbläsarbaserade tjänst.

Varför är Etherscan så populärt?

Etherscan är den mest använda blockutforskaren för Ethereum och hyllas inom kryptobranschen tack vare sin användarvänlighet och tillförlitlighet. Även om du inte kan lagra eller handla ETH på plattformen, får du en detaljerad inblick i nätverkets aktivitet, analys av blockkedjan samt information om både ETH och tokens som är baserade på Ethereum.

Verktyget hjälper dig även att förstå hur Ethereum fungerar, och det kan användas för att upptäcka misstänkt aktivitet – exempelvis om ett projektteam säljer av sina tokens eller om stora “whale”-rörelser sker som kan påverka priset.

Hur använder man Etherscan?

Etherscan kan användas till mycket – från att kontrollera transaktioner till att verifiera smarta kontrakt. Här går vi igenom hur du kan spåra en transaktion steg för steg.

Så hittar du en transaktion på Etherscan

Att kunna följa upp sina transaktioner är ett kraftfullt verktyg i kryptovärlden. Du kan till exempel se hur många bekräftelser en transaktion har fått och vilka gasavgifter som betalats.

Varje transaktion har ett unikt ID, även kallat TXID eller transaktionshash – ungefär som ett personnummer för transaktioner. Det ser ut så här:
0x3349ea4144aed83291f87b3904b02f8f1e76c3b5bfed0d95a000fafddaed01bc

Kopiera TXID och klistra in det i sökfältet på etherscan.io så får du upp all information kopplad till transaktionen.

Etherscan-ordlista

• Transaction Hash: Unikt ID för din transaktion.
• Status: Visar om transaktionen lyckades, misslyckades eller pågår.
• Block: Det block som transaktionen inkluderades i (antal bekräftelser visas här).
• Timestamp: Datum och tid då transaktionen skedde.
• From: Plånboksadressen transaktionen skickades från.
• To: Adressen eller smarta kontraktet som mottog transaktionen.
• Value: Summan i ETH eller token som skickades.
• Transaction Fee: Avgiften (i ETH) som betalades för transaktionen.
• Gas Price: Priset per gasenhet (visas i ETH och Gwei).

Hur hittar jag gaspriser på Etherscan?

När du använder Ethereum-nätverket behöver du betala gasavgifter – dessa varierar beroende på hur upptaget nätverket är just då.

På Etherscan hittar du en Gas Tracker som visar aktuella gaspriser och hur belastat nätverket är. Det hjälper dig att planera när det är mest fördelaktigt att genomföra transaktioner.

Sammanfattning

Etherscan är ett oumbärligt verktyg för alla som använder Ethereum eller andra tillgångar på nätverket. Oavsett om du vill verifiera transaktioner, kolla gasavgifter eller hålla koll på aktiviteten i ett projekt – ger Etherscan dig överblick, insyn och kontroll. En perfekt påminnelse om en av kryptons största styrkor: transparens.

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Whether you're new to investments or you've been active in the markets for years, it's never too late (or early) to get your head around the different types of investment opportunities available. As we know, one size never fits all, so in this piece we're going to run you through the options out there and help you to determine which category will best suit your needs. 

The 3 tiers of investments

First and foremost, when diving into the world of investing one must first determine their risk tolerance. How much risk you are willing to engage in will help you establish which investment avenue to go down. The three options are:

1. Low-risk 

These types of investors are not looking to take risks with their capital. The primary goal is to preserve the initial investment despite the opportunity to gain returns. This is a great start for new investors as the risk is minimal while they learn the ropes. 

A great investment option here is a money market fund. The funds are typically managed by professional, licensed fund managers, and involve bank deposits, commercial papers and treasury bills. While the risk is low, the potential for returns is moderate and the investment is liquid, meaning that the investor typically have access to the funds at any time. 

2. Medium-risk 

Providing an option for the more confident investor, medium-risk investments incorporate moderate risks but have measures in place to stop any high losses. This strategy is often made up of low-risk and high-risk investments, ensuring a balance between the two components. 

Medium-risk options include a mix of mutual funds and dollar funds, which will invest in medium-risk stocks, bonds and treasury bills. The risk of losing capital is therefore lower than with high-risk investments while your potential for returns are higher than low-risk investment options. 

3. High-risk 

This category is for the investors with an appetite for risk. They're comfortable with losing their invested capital in the pursuit of higher gains. A huge note here is that Ponzi schemes are never good investments. Rather stick to professionally managed investment funds that are catered to those with a high-risk threshold. 

These might include equity mutual funds that invest in stocks of vetted companies with large public listings. These are best catered to long-term timelines, as volatility might hinder the returns in a shorter space of time. High-risk investments have the potential to bring about higher returns, however this is never a guarantee. 
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How to distinguish what type of investor you are

While a professional financial advisor can do this for you, we've created a three step, simple way to determine whether you fit into the conservative investor (low-risk), moderate investor (medium-risk) or aggressive investor (high-risk) category. Consider these three factors below:

• what is your age?

If you're younger, there are more years ahead of you to recover from a bad investment. As a result, each passing birthday slightly lowers your risk tolerance.

• what is your marital status?

As a general rule of thumb being married incurs more expenses and allows for less risk taking when compared to a single person with no-one else to be responsible for. With fewer financial responsibilities comes a high opportunity for risk-taking. 

• what is your net-worth?

Last but not least, your net-worth will also impact your appetite for risk. The more money you have, the more you can risk to make that money grow (and the bigger the cushion if an investment does go south). 
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In conclusion‍

It's important to remember that one investor type is not better than another, rather, it is what's best suited to your needs and requirements. The longer you leave these investments the higher the returns, so be sure to have a solid savings account built up prior to investing to ensure that should something go wrong you have alternative sources of funds to support that. Liquidating your investment early might lead to losses and most certainly lost opportunity. 

The Graph is making the process of interacting with blockchains much simpler by streamlining the building of new apps and the process of tracking valuable data, powering the growth of DeFi and Web3 platforms. The platform allows developers to provide improved user experience across the board, as opposed to having to create custom back-end infrastructure for each application.

The Graph indexes blockchain data in a unique and decentralized way which allows for the seamless querying and retrieving of data that is easily accessible and can be adopted by many. The platform's contribution to the global DeFi and Web3 infrastructure will be felt in years to come.

What is The Graph?

The Graph is a unique decentralized protocol that utilizes DLT (decentralized ledger technology) and the powerful GraphQL programming language to enable blockchain data collection without relying on third parties. The cutting-edge technology makes it simpler than ever before to index, organize, and query blockchain data information with remarkable accuracy and speed.

The Graph provides indexing and querying services that are compatible with networks like Ethereum, IPFS and PAO, with more to come in the future. The infrastructure can then organize data through the hosted service and implement automated workflow processes through open APIs, called subgraphs in The Graph ecosystem.

This indexing protocol resolves the issue of querying data security, chain reorganization, and other related matters with the subgraphs.

The launch of The Graph mainnet marked a milestone in creating entirely decentralized applications compatible with an expansive network of service providers. With these open, public subgraphs, developers can now build thousands of dapps on the network, with hundreds already hosted by The Graph mainnet. This allows for secure blockchain data access making the world far more connected than ever before.

The Graph (GRT) successfully raised $12 million from a public token sale and an additional $7.5 million from a private round funded by Coinbase Ventures, Digital Currency Group, and Framework Ventures including Multicoin Capital's investment of $2.5 million.

How is The Graph network secured?

The Graph mainnet is powered by nodes, while indexers, curators, delegators, and consumers use GRT tokens to ensure the integrity of the data secured within the network. GRT is The Graph network's native cryptocurrency which helps to assign resources within its ecosystem. All network participants are required to stake GRT in order to perform their roles, and in return can earn fees from the network.

The Graph Foundation offers the network participants coordination and support while steering and growing the ecosystem. The foundation is financially and legally accountable to The Graph Council, which oversees governance decisions.

Who created The Graph platform?

Driven by his firsthand experience of how hard it is to create new dapps on Ethereum, Yaniv Tal joined forces with Brandon Ramirez and Jannis Pohlmann in 2018 to form The Graph team. The Graph aims were to design the world's first decentralized indexing and querying application that could make Web3 and dapp creation accessible to anyone. This vision included the ability to build immutable APIs with the GraphQP query language. 

The three co-founders previously launched a developer tools startup together sharing a common interest in optimizing API stacks. All with engineering backgrounds, Yaniv Tal acts as project lead, Brandon Ramirez is the research lead and Jannis Pohlmann the tech lead.

The Graph launched on December 17, 2020.

How does The Graph protocol work?

By leveraging the Graph Protocol, developers and users can open APIs to build subgraphs for a variety of applications. In April 2021 alone, The Graph’s hosted service managed 20 billion queries - further demonstrating its power in data indexing, querying data, and its collection of data.

The Graph node sustains the whole system, scanning through the blockchain database to organize and index data. The platform's structure is centered around delegators, indexes, curators, and consumers, who use GRT tokens to participate in the network. 

Indexers - Graph node operators

With staked GRT, indexers can provide querying and indexing services to the network, earning query fees and rewards for their efforts. They are also responsible for running node software providing a vital part of The Graph ecosystem that grants access to data stored on Ethereum or other supported networks at lightning speed. Indexers are the most technical positions within the ecosystem.

Curators - identity blockchain data sources

Curators are responsible for developing subgraphs (open APIs are called subgraphs on the network) and signaling to indexers which ones should be indexed by the network. They also identify the most reliable data sources using their knowledge of the blockchain ecosystem, consumers and apps.

To incentivize the quality of their data sourcing, curators are required to deposit GRT into a bonding curve on specific existing subgraphs, earning a portion of the query fees for the subgraphs they signal on. The earlier a curator signals on a subgraph the higher the share of query fees they earn, dependent on the amount of GRT deposited. 

Curators are semi-technical positions within the ecosystem as they require an understanding of open data. As an example, say a new DeFi subgraph appears and a curator thinks it looks promising. They can signal on the subgraph so that indexers recognize its potential and make it discoverable for dapp developers. In return, curators receive a portion of query fees for being among the first to spot it.

Delegators - securing the network

Delegators are non-technical contributors to the network and are responsible for securing the network without running a node. They select indexers based on performance metrics and delegate GRT to indexers via the Graph Explorer dapp, earning a portion of the query fees and indexing rewards in return. 

Consumers - end-users

Consumers are the end-users of The Graph and are the ones who query subgraphs and pay fees to indexers, curators, and delegators for their services. These query fees are paid through gateways or wallets that are built on top of the open-source contracts on the network. 

What is GRT on The Graph network?

The Graph (GRT) is an ERC-20 token and the native token to The Graph network. The coin is integral to the reward system created to benefit indexers, curators, and delegators, which incentives them to improve the market and network operations. 

Delegators can delegate their GRT holdings to Indexers, who use locked GRT to power the nodes on The Graph network. Curators receive a reward in the form of GRT for providing curation services and consumers pay using GRT to access indexing services. Additionally, unlocking dapps available through The Graph network as well as interoperable networks is done by using GRT tokens. 

Participants of the network earn money by receiving The Graph GRT tokens, which have a market value when traded on the cryptocurrency market.

10 billion GRT were created when the project launched, with an annual issuance rate of 3% for indexing rewards. The platform then burns the withdrawal tax that curators are charged as well as 1% of the total query fees. All issuance formalities are subject to future technical governance. At the time of writing, the current circulating supply of GRT was 6,9 billion. 

How can I buy The Graph (GRT) tokens?

It's now easier than ever to add GRT to your crypto portfolios with the convenient Tap app. The mobile app has recently introduced The Graph among the list of its supported currencies, enabling anyone to effortlessly and safely access this crypto market anytime. Get ready for a whole new level of trading experience.

GRT can be acquired with both cryptocurrency and fiat currency, or users may prefer to turn to more traditional payment solutions like bank transfers. The wallets integrated into the platform make it easy for customers to organize and manage their GRT tokens safely.

While this is an outline of the project we encourage all users to conduct their own research before investing in an cryptocurrencies or investments in the global economy.

While these terms might seemingly be used interchangeably, there are in fact fundamental differences between them. Whether you're brand new to the industry, looking for a new investment opportunity, or have been in the market for a while, distinguishing between the three will be a valuable endeavour. When it comes to the business of blockchain assets and the information surrounding it, we know all about it. Let's get into it.

What Are Digital Assets?

Digital assets are non-tangible assets that are created, traded and stored in a digital format. This includes everything from a website to a spreadsheet to a logo, anything uniquely identifiable that holds value. In the context of digital assets vs cryptocurrencies vs tokens, both cryptocurrencies and tokens are digital assets as they're created, stored and traded using blockchain technology. 

Through blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies and tokens utilize an advanced encryption technique known as cryptography. This maintains their security and ensures that the digital assets cannot be counterfeited or double-spent. Each individual asset represents something, whether it be content, value or a tangible item.

What Are Cryptocurrencies?

While cryptocurrencies fall under the umbrella of digital assets, they too hold a unique characteristic. In order for a digital asset to be classified as a cryptocurrency, it must be created on its own unique blockchain (often referred to as a blockchain's native token). 

Cryptocurrencies can be traded as a medium of exchange or store of value, depending on the platform for which it is built. On top of that, cryptocurrencies can also be used to pay transaction fees for using the network, or as an incentive to ensure the network is well-maintained. 

Typically, cryptocurrencies are decentralized meaning that they do not rely on a central entity to maintain the network, instead, they are operated using code to facilitate transactions and issuance. Built using blockchain or distributed ledger technology (DLT), cryptocurrencies use cryptography to secure each network in an automated, trustless manner and avoid any fraud.
Bitcoin, as it is created using its own blockchain and acts as a form of digital money, is an example of a cryptocurrency.

What Are Tokens?

Tokens differ from cryptocurrencies in that they are created on top of existing blockchain networks and not their own. A prime example is any ERC-20 token built on top of the Ethereum network, while these are still digital assets, they are classified as tokens due to their use of an existing blockchain. DAI, COMP and USDT are all examples of tokens that utilize the Ethereum blockchain.

While some are also mediums of exchange or stores of value, tokens provide more varied use cases. For example, some tokens are used to play games while others might be used for services specific to that platform, or across the greater decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape. 

There are a number of token standards available which each serve different use cases, the majority of which are built on Ethereum. The most common, the ERC-20 token standard, allows for the creation of a token that can then be used across a range of compatible dapps (decentralized apps). Another common token standard is the ERC-721 which is used to create non-fungible tokens, NFTs.

Tokens are typically characterized by the following:

• Permissionless
• Programmable
• Trustless
• Transparent

Tokens tend to take on much wider use cases, such as representing both tangible (property, art) and non-tangible (processing power, governance rights) which cryptocurrencies are integral to the running of the blockchain network. ‍

In Conclusion

Digital assets encompass both cryptocurrencies and tokens, while cryptocurrencies are built using a unique blockchain, and tokens are built on top of an existing blockchain. As the blockchain industry and the regulation around it continue developing, it is likely that the token standards and the range of use cases across both cryptocurrencies and tokens will continue to develop to provide a vast array of social and economic solutions.

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Sedan Bitcoin lanserades 2009 har ett konstant flöde av alternativa kryptovalutor – så kallade altcoins – dykt upp på marknaden. Många av dem är skapade för att bygga vidare på det Bitcoin introducerade. Även om Litecoin och Ethereum skiljer sig mycket åt i design, har de båda utvecklats för att förbättra svagheter i Bitcoins nätverk.

I den här artikeln tar vi en närmare titt på Litecoin och Ethereum, och jämför hur de fungerar – från koncept till verklig användning.

Litecoin-nätverket

Litecoin är en digital valuta som skapades som en hård fork från Bitcoins blockkedja. Syftet var att skapa en "lättare" version av Bitcoin, vilket också avspeglas i namnet. Den är byggd för att vara ett effektivt betalmedel i peer-to-peer-nätverk, och LTC är dess ursprungliga token.

Med liknande kodbas som Bitcoin har Litecoin-nätverket förbättrats för att erbjuda snabbare och billigare transaktioner. Det var aldrig tänkt att konkurrera ut Bitcoin, utan att fungera som ett komplement.

Litecoin lanserades 2011 av Charlie Lee – en före detta Google-ingenjör och MIT-alumn – tillsammans med ett utvecklingsteam. De ökade både blockstorleken och det totala utbudet av tokens, som är satt till maximalt 84 miljoner LTC.

Transaktioner per sekund

Idag kan Litecoin-nätverket hantera cirka 56 transaktioner per sekund. Detta är betydligt mer än Bitcoins 7 och även mer än Ethereums nuvarande 30, även om det förväntas öka i och med övergången till Ethereum 2.0.

Transaktionsavgifter

Litecoin utmärker sig även med mycket låga och stabila transaktionsavgifter – till skillnad från de flesta andra krypton som tenderar att bli dyrare vid hög belastning.

Blockstorlek och transaktionstid

Transaktioner bekräftas i genomsnitt på 2,5 minuter i Litecoin-nätverket, jämfört med 10 minuter på Bitcoin-nätverket. Det gör Litecoin till ett snabbt, energieffektivt och kostnadseffektivt alternativ.

Mining

Litecoin använder en Proof of Work-modell för att validera transaktioner, men använder en annan hash-algoritm – Scrypt – som kräver särskild hårdvara. Detta gör det även möjligt att simultant mine:a Litecoin och Dogecoin.

Ethereum-blockkedjan

Ethereum är en decentraliserad plattform som låter utvecklare skapa smarta kontrakt och decentraliserade appar (dapps). Ethereum är känt för sin neutralitet, säkerhet och oföränderlighet, vilket gör det till ett populärt verktyg för utvecklare över hela världen.

ETH är den ursprungliga kryptovalutan på plattformen.

Syftet med Ethereum

Ethereum skapades för att gå ett steg längre än Bitcoin, genom att erbjuda en plattform där nya blockchain-projekt kan utvecklas. Det har lett till en våg av innovation inom allt från finans till spel och konst.

Gasavgifter

Alla åtgärder på Ethereum-nätverket kräver så kallade gasavgifter, som betalas i ETH. Dessa avgifter varierar beroende på hur belastat nätverket är – något som ibland kan göra transaktioner dyra.

Smarta kontrakt

Smarta kontrakt är kodade överenskommelser som automatiskt utförs när vissa villkor är uppfyllda. Detta skapar möjligheter för decentraliserade applikationer utan behov av mellanhänder.

Total tillgång

Ethereum har inget fast maxantal tokens, vilket gör att utbudet kan växa över tid. Det finns dock en gräns på hur många nya ETH som kan skapas per år – maximalt 18 miljoner.

Framtida utveckling

Ethereum använder idag Proof of Work, men är i färd med att övergå till Proof of Stake – ett energieffektivare och mer hållbart alternativ för nätverksvalidering.

Litecoin vs Ethereum – vad är bäst?

Litecoin är byggt för att vara ett snabbt och billigt sätt att skicka pengar. Ethereum erbjuder mer än så – det är en hel plattform för att bygga nästa generations blockchain-projekt.

Vilket som är bäst beror helt på vad du är ute efter:

• Vill du bygga dapps eller skapa smarta kontrakt? Då är Ethereum det naturliga valet.
• Behöver du skicka pengar snabbt och billigt, eller föredrar du ett deflationärt utbud? Då är Litecoin ett starkt alternativ.

Båda nätverken har engagerade communities, aktiva utvecklingsteam och unika funktioner. Fundera över dina egna behov och mål innan du väljer vilken kryptovaluta som passar dig bäst.

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We are delighted to announce the listing and support of Quant (QNT) on Tap!

QNT is now available for trading on the Tap mobile app. You can now Buy, Sell, Trade or hold QNT for any of the other asset supported on the platform without any pair boundaries. Tap is pair agnostic, meaning you can trade any asset for any other asset without having to worries if a "trading pair" is available.

We believe supporting QNT will provide value to our users. We are looking forward to continue supporting new crypto projects with the aim of providing access to financial power and freedom for all.

The Quant Network was designed to connect blockchains and networks on a global scale, prioritising interoperability and trust functions between them using the Overledger operating system, the first OS built for blockchains. The Quant protocol was designed to remove barriers commonly encountered on blockchains in communication, interoperability and scaling.

QNT is an ERC-20 token from the Quant blockchain that provides digital access to a particular application or service and is used to access the Overledger network and validate transactions on the network.

All product users, developers, and gateway operators are required to purchase annual licences, used to maintain platform efficiency. These licence fees are converted to QNT and locked up in the Quant treasury. If a user does not renew their licence, they forfeit their fees, discouraging them from dumping tokens on the market if the price increases.

Get to know more about Quant  (QNT) in our dedicated article here.

It's no secret that discussing finances is often considered taboo. Oftentimes, people quickly become uncomfortable when the topic is brought up. But why is talking about money so awkward for most people?

It's because most people are still afraid to discuss about savings openly for a wide variety of reasons from shame, embarrassment, or simply fear of their financial privacy.

However, there are many reasons why saving (and actively building a savings account) is important, and we think that today is a great opportunity to break the stigma around discussing savings openly. Here's what you need to know about starting to save, several ways to save money, and how Tap can help you in your saving quest.

The stats on talking about money

Discussing finances can be an uncomfortable subject for many people, as revealed by a recent survey. In fact, the survey found that over half of respondents, 56%, consider talking about money a taboo topic. Debt emerged as the most controversial financial topic, with 45% of those surveyed expressing discomfort discussing it.

The survey also highlighted that people are more likely to open up about their finances if others do the same. This means that breaking the taboo around money talk can have a positive impact on our financial well-being. By being more transparent about our saving methods, we can help others learn and achieve their own financial goals.

Below are a few ways to get you started with how to save money more efficiently.

How to get started: start saving money

It's never too late to start your savings journey. Whether you're starting your first job, looking to make a down payment on a house, or you're already retired, setting aside money for savings is an important step in building your wealth. Here are a few simple steps to take and ways to save money.

Establish your savings goals

In order to get started, first calculate how much money you need to save each month to reach your financial goals. This will help you determine how much money you need to set aside each paycheck.

Create a budget

The first step is always the most difficult, but it's important to be honest with yourself about your current situation. Review your finances on a regular basis and consider how much you would like to save as well as what that savings goal entails. Build this savings plan to be realistic, making a savings plan you're never going to stick to is only a waste of your time.

If your monthly bills exceed your income, it might be time to make a budget. Look at what you spend on grocery shopping, auto insurance, energy costs or online shopping and see if your monthly budget has room for some cuts. While homeowners insurance and utility bills can't be neglected, consider if there are cheaper alternatives in your area for the things you can afford to cut on - you never know where you might be able to save some extra dollars.

In doing so you are already taking the first step toward your quest to save money.

See where you can cut spending and save money

Take a closer look at your spending habits. Where are you wasting money? Are you eating out too often? Do you have a lot of expensive subscriptions? Once you identify your problem areas, you can start making changes to better save money.

For example, if you're spending too much on eating out or buying lunch, try cooking at home more often. If you have a lot of subscriptions, see if there are any you can live without and consider canceling an expensive subscription service. There are plenty of ways to save money and build wealth, get creative!

Set up a savings account

Next, you can open a savings account and make sure to deposit money into it regularly. This account should be a separate savings account from your checking account so that you're not tempted to spend the money.

You can opt for a saving account programme which allows you to put money in an account that generates extra cash for you, paid out monthly or yearly. The key in this process is to make sure the money is going into savings before you have a chance to spend it.

Also consider putting unexpected income in these accounts, like a tax refund.

Review and adjust

Finally, in your efforts to save money make sure to review your budget regularly and adjust your savings goals as necessary. By following these simple steps, you can start saving money and building your wealth today.

Don't forget to give yourself some breathing room. It's important to have money set aside in an emergency fund, but that doesn't mean you should never spend any of your savings. Indulge in some of your favorite things every once in a while and appreciate all that you've worked for!

Consider paying off credit card debt and building an emergency fund as equally important to building your savings account. If you're making use of passive income generation you could use these earned funds to pay off one of the two. Savings accounts might sound scary but the truth is they're simple, important, and integral to save money.

Here are some of the best saving tips that we think everyone should know:

• Don't wait to start saving money. The more time you give yourself to spend it the greater the temptation will be. Transferring a fixed percentage of your income into savings accounts as soon as you receive it is an excellent way to make sure you're putting some money away as soon as you get paid.  
• If you're always frugal with your money, you'll only be frustrated and won't achieve your savings goals. From time to time, remember to give yourself a little treat!

Closing thoughts

Saving money is something that everyone has to do, and it can be made easier by doing it with others. No matter your situation, there are probably other people around you who know exactly how you feel and with whom you could share advice that could help you both save money more efficiently.

Open that savings account today and start building a better financial future. Whether you cut your monthly bills to make a down payment or save money for your emergency fund or dream vacation, putting money aside for your future is always a good idea.

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Aave är ett av de ledande protokollen inom decentraliserad finans (DeFi) och gör det möjligt för användare att låna ut och låna över 20 olika kryptotillgångar – helt utan mellanhänder. Genom att modernisera det klassiska konceptet med utlåning, låter Aave användare hantera sina tillgångar på ett decentraliserat sätt. AAVE-tokenen fungerar dessutom som en rösttoken som ger användare inflytande över plattformens framtid.

Vad är Aave?

Aave utvecklades för att möta den växande efterfrågan på decentraliserade penningmarknader. Protokollet är byggt på Ethereum och gör det möjligt att låna och låna ut ett brett urval av kryptovalutor – från altcoins till stablecoins.

Tokenen AAVE har två huvudfunktioner: den fungerar som ett verktyg för att få rabatt på avgifter och som en styrningstoken för att rösta på framtida förbättringar av Aave-protokollet.

Genom att sätta in kryptotillgångar i särskilda likviditetspooler på Aave kan långivare tjäna ränta. Samtidigt kan låntagare använda sina kryptotillgångar som säkerhet för att ta lån direkt från samma pooler.

Protokollet lanserades ursprungligen i november 2018 under namnet ETHLend (med tokenen LEND) men genomgick en omprofilering efter kryptovintern 2018 och relanserades som Aave – vilket betyder "spöke" på finska.

Vem skapade Aave?

Aave grundades av Stani Kulechov, en självlärd programmerare och tidig blockkedjeentusiast. Han saknade bra utlåningslösningar på Ethereum och bestämde sig därför för att skapa en själv tillsammans med ett utvecklingsteam. Projektet föddes efter en ICO i november 2017, långt innan begreppet "DeFi" ens blivit etablerat.

Kulechov har också studerat juridik och började koda redan i tonåren. Målet med Aave var att ta ETHLend till nästa nivå och öppna upp för fler kryptotillgångar än bara ETH.

Hur fungerar Aave?

Istället för att manuellt matcha långivare och låntagare använder Aave en algoritm som automatiskt kopplar ihop lån med tillgängliga medel i protokollets likviditetspooler.

• Långivare sätter in sina kryptotillgångar och tjänar ränta baserat på hur mycket som används i poolen.
• Låntagare sätter in säkerhet (collateral) för att kunna låna.
• Räntan varierar beroende på efterfrågan – högre användning ger högre ränta, vilket lockar fler långivare.

Alla lån kräver överbelåning, det vill säga att låntagaren måste sätta in mer i säkerhet än vad som lånas. Om säkerhetens värde faller under ett visst tröskelvärde kan lånet automatiskt likvideras.

Aave erbjuder även så kallade flashlån, vilket innebär att man kan låna utan säkerhet så länge lånet återbetalas inom samma block.

Vad är AAVE-token?

AAVE är en ERC-20-token med flera viktiga funktioner:

• Säkerhetsmodul (Safety Module): AAVE fungerar som reservkapital för protokollet. Om det skulle uppstå brist på medel används AAVE för att täcka upp. Endast token som är deponerade i modulen kan användas för detta, och långivare som deltar får avkastning i form av AAVE.
• Styrning (Governance): AAVE-ägare kan föreslå och rösta på förändringar i protokollet, som exempelvis justeringar av marknadsparametrar eller hur medel i reservfonden ska användas. En token motsvarar en röst.

Protokollet använder dessutom 80 % av avgifterna på plattformen till att köpa tillbaka och bränna AAVE-tokens, vilket minskar cirkulationen. Resterande 20 % används för att belöna långivare.

Totalt finns det en maxgräns på 16 miljoner AAVE.

Hur köper jag AAVE?

Nu är det enklare än någonsin att lägga till AAVE i din portfölj. I Tap-appen kan du köpa och sälja AAVE direkt med dina kryptosaldon eller med traditionella betalningsmetoder som banköverföring.

Du kan också lagra dina AAVE-tokens säkert i den integrerade plånboken i appen – och ha full kontroll på ett och samma ställe.

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Made up of the Overledger blockchain operating system and QNT token, the goal of the Quant Network is to allow multiple blockchains to work together and to give more flexibility when it comes to linking different global networks, services, and chains. With an impressive founder and resilience to the bear market, QNT has made a considerable impression in the industry.

What Is The Quant Network?

The Quant Network was designed to connect blockchains and networks on a global scale, prioritising interoperability and trust functions between them using the Overledger operating system, the first OS built for blockchains.

The Overledger network acts as the backbone of the project and is not a blockchain but rather an Application Programming Interface (API) gateway that allows developers to build decentralised multi-chain applications (known as Mapps) and bridges the gap between various blockchain networks.

The Quant project believes that this technology will be the foundation on which the future digital economy will be built. In light of this, the network has been working with central banks in the US and UK to build Central Bank Digital Currencies (CDBCs).

Founded in 2015 the platform officially launched in 2018 following a successful ICO earlier that year. July 2020 marks the launch of the world’s first blockchain operating system in July 2020, Version 1.0.

Who Created The Quant Network?

Quant was founded by Gilbert Verdian, a cybersecurity expert who has held government-level positions around the world. These positions include the UK Treasury, the Australian Department of Health, and the US Federal Reserve, and private sector roles at HSBC Bank, Mastercard’s Vocalink, BP, and more. 

With over two decades of experience in the cybersecurity space, Verdian learned the power that blockchain technology holds when it comes to solving a plethora of security problems related to the exchange of digital assets and information on a global level. 

Verdian sits as the chair of the UK Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology committee and is a member of the EU’s Blockchain Observatory and the Federal Reserve. 

In 2017, Colin Paterson and Paolo Tasca joined the project as co-founders, each bringing their own impressive experience. Paterson, acting Chief Technology Officer, is a cybersecurity expert having worked with Deutsche Bank and Vocalink and acted as the chief information officer of NSW Ambulance, the CISO of eHealth NSW, and the security lead of the Ministry of Justice, UK, prior to joining the project. 

Tasca, Chief Strategist, serves as the Executive Director of the University College London (UCL) Centre for Blockchain Technologies, Executive Board Member of the DEC Institute, and as Co-Chair of the Hedera Treasury Management and Token Economics Committee.

How Does The Quant Network Work?

The Quant network is centred around the Overledger feature. With Overledger, businesses can connect their preexisting technology infrastructures with a number of blockchain ledgers using an easy-to-use API.

APIs are software that creates or processes requests between two programs, acting as an intermediary. Many online applications rely on APIs, including finance trading software and social media sites.

The Overledger operating system lets developers launch Mapps, which are decentralised applications that work with numerous existing blockchains. Overledger operates in a similar manner to Windows, Android, or Macintosh OS in that it allows applications to run on it. The technology sits between underlying blockchain infrastructure and allows the Mapps to communicate seamlessly with multiple blockchains.

In order to access Overledger and build Mapps on the network, developers are required to hold QNT tokens and use these tokens to pay transaction fees, as well as a fiat-based annual licence. The platform also allows developers to create their own tokens using its QRC-20 token standards (similar to Ethereum ERC-20 tokens) as well as create QRC-20 smart contracts. These functionalities were created in a drag-and-drop style so that anyone with no prior experience can create them.

As an example, a developer within the ecosystem could create a smart contract that incorporates both the Bitcoin and Ethereum networks. The interconnected smart contract could stipulate that Jane will pay Sandy 1 BTC only once Paul has paid Jane 1 ETH.

What Is QNT?

QNT is an ERC-20 token that is used to access the Overledger network and validate transactions on the network. There is a maximum supply of 14.6 million QNT tokens, of which over 80% are in circulation (at the time of writing).

All product users, developers, and gateway operators are required to purchase annual licences, used to maintain platform efficiency. These licence fees are converted to QNT and locked up in the Quant treasury. If a user does not renew their licence, they forfeit their fees, discouraging them from dumping tokens on the market if the price increases.

Transaction fees for using Overledger are paid for in QNT to gateway operators. Since its launch in August 2018, QNT has seen consistent price growth and activity on the network.

Where Can I Get QNT?

You can simply buy / sell QNT through the Tap app, one of the most secure solutions in the crypto space as being a fully regulated crypto fintech. Using a range of cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies on offer, users can exchange any of the supported currencies to build a healthy portfolio that can be safely stored in its unique wallet linked to your account. Find links to download the app from the Tap website.

Since launching in 2017 Tron has taken the world by storm with its blockchain technology-based operating system. Users around the world have flocked to the Tron blockchain network released by the Tron Foundation to create dapps (decentralized apps) and smart contracts, attracting plenty of investors at the same time. 

In a pool of a large number of digital assets, below we explore what Tron is and what it brings to the crypto industry.

What is Tron (TRX)?

The Tron blockchain is a platform on which developers can create dapps, smart contracts and tokens through its delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) model. Initially built on the Ethereum blockchain with an ERC-20 token, in 2018 the Tron protocol moved onto its own blockchain and created the Tron TRX tokens. 

That same year the Tron foundation acquired Bit Torrent, the biggest file-sharing site on the internet. In 2019, the platform launched the Bittorrent token, essentially releasing a second token under the same umbrella company. 

The aim behind the platform was to provide developers with a space in which they can create blockchain-based products, as well as better reward content creators for their efforts. The Tron network allows viewers to directly reward the creators using the TRX token, cutting out the middle-media-man and subsequent losses. 

With a higher TPS (transaction per second) processing capability, Tron establishes itself above its peers. According to the platform, Tron can handle up to 2,000 TPS, a high increase from the likes of Bitcoin’s 6 TPS and Ethereum’s 25 TPS.

Who created the Tron network?

The Tron power concept was created and launched by Tron founder Justin Sun (Sun Yuchen), a two-time recipient of the “30 Under 30” Forbes’ accolade. Before Tron, Sun launched an audio content platform Peiwo and worked as a representative for Ripple where he earned the attention of big investors.

Justin Sun is currently acting as the CEO of the Tron Foundation.

How does the Tron protocol works?

The Tron platform uses a DPoS model and consists of three layers: the core layer, the application layer and the storage layer. 

The Core Layer is responsible for computing instructions written in either Java or Solidity (the programming language Ethereum uses) and sending them to the Tron Virtual Machine which in turn executes the function.

The Application Layer is used by developers and allows them to create apps and wallets compatible with the relevant software and powered by TRX. 

The Storage Layer is designed to divide the state data (the data that maintains the status of smart contracts) and the blockchain data (the data that holds the transactional history).  

Through the DPoS system, 27 “super representatives” on the network take turns to validate the transactions and maintain the blockchain data. These representatives are chosen every 6 hours and when chosen earn TRX for their contributions to the network. 

Users can vote for super representatives and engage in staking by locking their TRX in an account and receiving Tron Power in return. Tron Power can then be used to vote for the super representatives, and when returned to TRX, lose the ability to vote. 

Block creation time on the Tron network is three seconds, with the current block reward set at 32 TRX. 

There are also three different nodes that users are able to operate: witness nodes, full nodes and Solidity nodes. Witness nodes can vote on protocol decisions and propose blocks, full nodes are responsible for broadcasting transactions and blocks to the network while Soliditiy nodes sync the blocks from the full nodes and provide APIs. 

What is TRX?

TRX is the native token to the Tron network. Initially created as an ERC-20 token, when the coin was launched on the Tron network holders of the ERC-20 version were able to swap them out and receive the new version. All ERC-20 tokens were then burnt. 

TRX is needed for using applications on the Tron network, staking, and participating in Tron’s consensus system

How can i buy Tron?

If you’d like to get your hands on TRX you will soon be able do so conveniently through your Tap app. In a recent onboarding of cryptocurrencies, Tap will soon be including TRX in its portfolio, allowing users to easily invest and hold the token through several convenient payment options. 

FAQs

What is the Tron foundation?

The Tron Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Singapore that is responsible for developing and providing software solutions to the Tron ecosystem.

What is Tron power?

Tron Power is an energy/bandwidth rental and investment platform for the Tron community.

What is the TRX supply?

There is no cap on the TRX token supply, at the time of writing the circulating supply of TRX tokens is 92.5 billion.

The DeFi scene has exploded in recent years, with a number of successful protocols contributing to the rising volume and liquidity (Uniswap, PancakeSwap, and SushiSwap to name a few). While these protocols have entirely democratized trading in the crypto space, there are still some risks associated with getting involved. 

If you have experience in DeFi trading you’ve likely come across this term. Impermanent loss refers to losses made as a result of the price changes of the digital assets from when the liquidity provider deposited them into the liquidity pool to now. Below we break down how impermanent loss happens and how to manage the risk. 

How does impermanent loss happen?

Impermanent loss is when the price of the digital asset changes from the time you deposited it, providing liquidity to a liquidity pool, to the time you withdrew it. The bigger this change, the bigger the loss (essentially less dollar value at the time of withdrawal). There are of course ways to mitigate impermanent loss.

Liquidity providers' exposure to impermanent loss is decreased when trading in pools with assets that have smaller price ranges, like stablecoins (a stable asset) and wrapped versions of coins for example. In these cases, liquidity providers can provide liquidity with a lower risk of impermanent loss.

In some cases, impermanent loss can also be counteracted by trading fees. Liquidity pools exposed to a high risk of impermanent loss can still be profitable thanks to lucrative trading fees. 

For example, Uniswap offers liquidity providers 0.3% on every trade, so if the pool has a high trading volume, liquidity providers can still make money even if exposed to impermanent loss. This will depend on the protocol, deposited assets, specific pool, and wider market conditions. 

What does impermanent loss looks like for liquidity providers in liquidity pools?

Here is an example of what impermanent loss might look like for a liquidity provider trading on automated market makers (AMM).

Say John finds an automated market maker that requires a pair of digital assets equating to the same value. For the sake of this example, say 1 ETH is equivalent to 1,000 USDT, which he deposits in a liquidity pool. The total value of his deposit, therefore, sits at $2,000. 

Other liquidity providers have contributed a combined offering of 10 ETH and 10,000 USDT into the liquidity pool, meaning that John holds a 10% share of the overall liquidity pool. 

Let's say that the price of ETH rises to 4,000 USDT. During this time, arbitrage traders will contribute USDT to the liquidity pool and remove ETH until the ratio reflects the price increase. Note that AMMs don't have order books. Instead, the price of assets is determined by the ratio between them in the liquidity pool, meaning that while the liquidity remains constant, the ratio of assets in it changes. 

In this case, if the price of ETH is now worth 4,000 USDT then the arbitrage traders will work to ensure that the liquidity pool now holds 5 ETH and 20,000 USDT. The liquidity pool's total liquidity is now worth $40,000.

If John decides to withdraw his funds, he's entitled to 10% of the liquidity pool's share based on his initial deposit and the size of the liquidity pool. He, therefore, is entitled to withdraw 0.5 ETH and 2,000 USDT, equating to $4,000 in value. However, if he'd kept the initial 1 ETH and 1,000 USDT this would be worth $5,000 now. 

In this case, John would have made bigger returns had he hodled instead of using the liquidity pool and this is what impermanent loss is all about. 

This example does not incorporate trading fees that John might have earned for providing liquidity to the liquidity pool. In many cases, these fees would cancel out the losses and make the process profitable. Either way, understanding what impermanent loss is, is imperative before providing liquidity in the DeFi space.

A look at impermanent loss vs price increases (excl trading fees)

So, impermanent loss happens when the price of the cryptocurrency assets in the liquidity pool changes. But how much is it exactly? Note that it doesn’t account for fees earned for providing liquidity.

Here is an overview of the impermanent losses incurred due to asset price increases (note that trading fees are not factored in here).  Impermanent loss examples:

1.25x price change = 0.6% loss

1.50x price change = 2.0% loss

1.75x price change = 3.8% loss

2x price change = 5.7% loss

3x price change = 13.4% loss

4x price change = 20.0% loss

5x price change = 25.5% loss

Note that impermanent loss happens whether the price both increases or decreases as it is calculated by the price ratio relative to the time of the initial deposit into the liquidity pool. Unfortunately in these cases, price volatility leads liquidity providers to lose money.

The risks associated with becoming a liquidity provider

Realistically, impermanent loss isn't the best name. The losses are known as "impermanent" because they only become evident when you withdraw your coins from the liquidity pool. However, the "temporary loss" then becomes pretty permanent. Although the fees might be able to compensate for those losses, it does seem like a somewhat deceptive title.

When you put cryptocurrency assets into an AMM, be cautious. Some liquidity pools are far more vulnerable to fleeting losses than others, as we've discussed above. As a general rule, the more volatile the assets in the liquidity pool are, the greater your chance of being exposed to impermanent loss. It's also preferable to start by depositing a little bit of money in a liquidity pool to see the returns before exposing a lump sum. 

Another thing to keep in mind is to look for more established, tried-and-true AMMs. It's fairly simple to fork an existing AMM and make a few modifications thanks to DeFi. However, this might introduce bugs that lock your funds in the liquidity pool indefinitely. If a liquidity pool promises exceptionally high returns, there's more than likely a tradeoff taking place and there's likely to be much higher risk associated. Be sure to understand the ins and outs of any liquidity pool before making any deposits.

The three core questions to ask yourself before investing are:

• What do you aim to achieve from each investment?
• How much money can you safely invest?
• How much risk are you prepared to take?

Establishing the answers early on will help you determine which investment avenues are best suited to your needs. For instance, investing for retirement will require a more steady and low-risk approach, while looking to make high profits will require a more high-risk approach. 

Below is a list of other factors to consider:

INFLATION

Inflation is the rate at which the value of a currency decreases. Always ensure your return on investment is higher than the inflation rate otherwise your investment will lose value over time. 

RISK

Managing risk is an important element of investing. Higher returns typically involve higher risk, ensuring that your strategies align with what you are comfortable with is a must. 

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity indicates how quickly an asset can be sold. For investments made using capital that you might require in the short term, you will want to ensure that you invest in a market that has high liquidity. For example, the Bitcoin market is highly liquid while a smaller altcoin will likely be harder to sell. 

DIVERSIFICATION

Diversifying your investments helps to manage risk and spread rewards. Similar to “don’t put all your eggs in one basket”, diversification ensures that should one coin underperform the impact is greatly reduced. Try to include a range of coins in your portfolio. 

TAX

Last but not least, ensure that you are aware of the tax implications of your investment, as tax laws vary from country to country. The responsibility lies with each individual to establish what these are and adhere to them accordingly. 

BitDAO is building a decentralized token economy open to everybody. Managed by BIT token holders and one of the largest decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs),  BitDAO is committed to growing the DeFi ecosystem through partner projects and a decentralized economy.

What Is BitDAO?

BitDAO aims to create an accessible tokenized economy that provides support, such as research and development, liquidity bootstrapping and funding, to a wide range of partner projects across the DeFi, DAO, NFT and gaming space. Through co-development offers and token swaps, BitDAO aims to attract developer talent and build a sustainable treasury of top crypto coins. 

BitDAO's ultimate goal is to create products that will not only improve BitDAO's efficiency and effectiveness, but also other DAOs. The core product comprises a series of both on-chain and off-chain governance solutions and products; with the latter, DAO treasury management would be able to deploy and monitor assets in order to earn yield.

Moreover, BitDAO plans on providing grants to different teams within the crypto industry for research or development purposes, all of which are voted on by members and given for the public good of cryptocurrency communities worldwide.

Through its DAO structure, the company does not rely on a traditional hierarchy to operate, instead, it is run by a group of token holders that contribute to the platform's development. Token holders are then rewarded in BIT tokens for participating. 

Changes to the BitDAO protocol are proposed to the BIT token holders who then have the power to vote on whether these changes are implemented or rejected. While the platform's vision has been outlined, where it ends up will be decided on by governance suggestions and forum participation. 

To sum it up, the people who hold BitDAO's tokens, investors, and members of its community will help shape BitDAO's vision which includes dedicating both financial and human resources to support DeFi's development.

What is the BitDAO Treasury?

Controlled by BIT token holders, the BitDAO Treasury is responsible for allocating funds as per decisions made by BIT token holders. The BitDAO Treasury also undertakes token swaps with emerging and existing projects with the intention to support them and incentivize the project's contribution to their success.

The BitDAO Treasury allocation was 30% of the projects initial 10 billion BIT total supply. Monthly contributions from Bybit and varying contributions from DeFi partners, determined by smart contracts, also contribute to the DAO treasury management solutions.

Who created the BitDAO platform?

In a unique move, the BitDAO platform has no founders. While being supported by big names such as Bybit, Peter Thiel, Pantera, Founders Fund and more, the project is entirely run by contributors holding BIT tokens. Bybit is recorded as being an early contributor and is believed to have contributed over $1 billion in funding to the initiative.

Taking the notion of decentralization to a new level, the project has no teams, leaders or companies behind its operations. All changes are proposed by individuals within the community and then voted on by BIT token holders.

How do the BitDAO core protocols work?

BitDAO is governed and administered by the holders of BIT tokens. It works on the DAO mechanism, a common governance structure within the crypto space. The DAO framework gives BIT token holders power over BitDAO decisions and actions through a system of voting on proposals.

The platform supports the following measures, which will only be executed if the proposal receives a positive vote through the DAO system.

• Financing or milestone development grants for development teams and R&D centers who create BitDAO solutions or assist partnered existing and emerging projects.
• Upgrades to BitDAO's fundamental protocols, notably governance and treasury management.
• Token swaps for current and new initiatives.
• The Treasury will deploy funds based on various tactics.
• Grants will be made available for blockchain technology projects, educational programs, as well as other services related to blockchain.
• Support in the way of cash flow through existing assets will be provided to partner initiatives.

There are three ways to get involved with BitDAO: contributing to the project, becoming a partner, or holding the tokens. Contributors and partners can be any DeFi or CeFi project looking to build the BitDAO ecosystem while token holders are considered to "own" the platform as they have the power to recommend and vote on BitDAO's growth strategies as well as the allocation of BitDAO's treasury resources.

Non-token holders are defined as community members and can have their say through the forum and social media channels. Here they can pitch their ideas, which BIT token holders can then choose to embrace. 

What is the BIT token?

The BIT token is the native token of the BitDAO ecosystem. The governance token allows for off-chain vote aggregation and delegated voting and provides the opportunity for switching to on-chain governance in the future. The BIT token can best be compared to the COMP token in the Compound Finance ecosystem. 

There is a maximum supply of 10,000,000,000 BIT tokens, with the BitDAO Treasury allocation accounting for 30% of these. Token holders technically possess these treasury tokens based on their share of BIT. I.e. if someone holds 10% of the total BIT supply, they have ownership of 10% of the Treasury's 30% supply, equating to an additional 1%. 

How BIT token holders can leverage Tap

You can now easily incorporate BitDAO (BIT) into your crypto portfolio by using the Tap app. The Tap app has recently added BIT to the list of supported crypto tokens, allowing anyone to conveniently and securely access the BitDAO market and safely store their BIT tokens.

Users can buy BitDAO (BIT) with fiat currency or engage in token swaps with other supported cryptocurrencies on the platform, or they can use traditional payment methods like bank transfers. The integrated wallets on the platform also make it easy for users to store and manage their BIT cryptocurrency.

We are delighted to announce the listing and support of BitDao (BIT) on Tap !

BIT is now available for trading on the Tap mobile app. You can now Buy, Sell, Trade or hold BIT for any of the other asset supported on the platform without any pair boundaries. Tap is pair agnostic, meaning you can trade any asset for any other asset without having to worries if a "trading pair" is available.

We believe supporting BIT will provide value to our users. We are looking forward to continue supporting new crypto projects with the aim of providing access to financial power and freedom for all.

BitDAO is building a decentralized token economy open to everybody. Managed by BIT token holders and one of the largest decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs),  BitDAO is committed to growing the DeFi ecosystem through partner projects and a decentralized economy.

BitDAO is governed and administered by the holders of BIT tokens. It works on the DAO mechanism, a common governance structure within the crypto space. The DAO framework gives BIT token holders power over BitDAO decisions and actions through a system of voting on proposals.

Get to know more about BitDao (BIT) in our dedicated article here.

You’ve probably heard whispers about the "whales" swimming in the crypto seas. But these aren’t your typical marine mammals. They’re the ultra-wealthy folks and organizations holding massive amounts of digital currency.

What Exactly is a Crypto Whale?

So, what makes someone a crypto whale? There’s no hard-and-fast rule, but it generally comes down to owning a huge chunk of a coin’s total supply. If we’re talking over 10% of the available coins for a particular cryptocurrency, then that’s an ocean-sized wallet!

Take Bitcoin, for example. In October 2025, the wealthiest addresses controlled over 14% of all Bitcoin in existence. From Satoshi Nakamoto himself to MicroStrategy. Now that’s some serious whale power!

Bitcoin isn’t the only one with its share of whales. Dogecoin, the beloved meme coin, had a pretty wild concentration too. In 2025, just 3 addresses held over 32% of its total supply. Even Vitalik Buterin, the mastermind behind Ethereum, is considered an Ether whale thanks to his massive stake in the coin he created.

How Much Money Makes You a Crypto Whale?

The exact percentage threshold varies by cryptocurrency, but Bitcoin probably offers the clearest benchmark. Analysts typically define a Bitcoin whale as anyone holding over 1,000 BTC, worth around $100 million USD at recent 2025 market prices.

What About Other Assets?

• Whales usually hold 10,000 ETH or more.
  
  
• Generally, 500,000 SOL or more.
  
  

These thresholds aren’t clear-cut, and they shift as market value, liquidity, and overall supply and demand evolve. In simple terms, whales are the elite of the cryptocurrency market, capable of moving markets with a single transaction.

How Whales Make Waves

With that kind of buying power, whales can really make waves in the crypto marketplace. If a whale decides to sell off a giant chunk of their holdings, it creates a tidal wave of downward pressure on prices due to the sheer volume and lack of liquidity. Other crypto enthusiasts are always on the lookout for signs of an impending "whale dump," closely monitoring exchange inflows to spot potential dangers.

Here’s the twist, though – whales keeping their coins locked away actually reduces trading liquidity in the market since there are fewer coins actively circulating. Their massive idle fortunes are like icebergs weighing down the crypto ocean.

Tracking Whale Movements

Not every whale transaction is a sell-off. These giants could simply be migrating to new wallets, switching exchanges, or making monster-sized purchases. But you can bet experienced crypto folks keep a keen eye on those huge whale wallets, carefully tracking any ripples they make to navigate the ever-shifting tides of the market.

Whale Alert is a popular service that tracks these large transactions and reports them, often on Twitter. Whenever a whale makes a big move, it’s usually publicized quickly, giving everyone a heads-up on potential market changes.

Below is an example from Twitter from Whale Alert:

The Human Side of Whales

Behind these massive holdings are real people and organizations. Some whales are early adopters who bought into Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies when they were cheap. Others are companies that have invested heavily in the belief that cryptocurrencies will continue to grow in value. For instance, Ethereum’s founder, Vitalik Buterin, is the biggest Ethereum whale because he holds a significant amount of the cryptocurrency he created.

How Whales Affect Crypto's Price

Price volatility can be increased by whales, particularly when they move a significant amount of one cryptocurrency in one go. For example, when an owner tries to sell their BTC for fiat currency, the lack of liquidity and enormous transaction size create downward pressure on Bitcoin's price. When whales sell, other investors become extremely vigilant, looking for hints of whether the whale is "dumping" their crypto (and whether they should do the same). 

The exchange inflow mean, also known as the average amount of a certain cryptocurrency deposited into exchanges, is one of the most common indicators crypto investors look for. If the mean transaction volume rises above 2.0, it implies that whales are likely to start dumping if there are a large number of them using the exchange. This can be viewed by regular crypto traders as a time to act before losing any potential profit.

How Whales Affect Liquidity

When it comes to learning about whales and liquidity, one must remember that while whales are generally considered neutral elements in the industry, when a large number of whales hold a particular cryptocurrency, instead of using it, this reduces the liquidity in the market due to there being fewer coins available. 

What Crypto Whales Mean to Investors

In terms of the relationship between whales and investors, one must remember that there are various situations in which a person may transfer their cryptocurrency holdings. It's worth mentioning that moving one's assets doesn't always indicate that you're selling them; they might be switching wallets or exchanges, or making a major purchase.

Occasionally, whales may sell portions of their holdings in discrete transactions over a longer period to avoid drawing attention to themselves or generating market anomalies that send the price up or down unpredictably. This is why investors keep an eye on known whale addresses to check for the number of transactions and value. This is not necessarily a task that newbie investors need to actively be involved with, however, understanding the terms and how whale accounts can affect the market is recommended.

Why Whales Matter

Whether you love them or hate them, whales are a formidable force in the crypto world, shaping its dynamics in profound ways. These giants, whether they’re creators, collectors, or traders, have a tremendous impact across the digital waters. When they make a move, it can trigger monumental swells that ripple through the entire market.

By understanding whale activity, anyone involved in cryptocurrency can better navigate these choppy waters. Staying informed about whale movements helps both newbies and seasoned traders make smarter decisions and stay afloat in this ever-changing space. Keep an eye on these behemoths; their actions can significantly influence your crypto journey.

While tracking whale activity can offer valuable insights into the cryptocurrency market, it's important to complement this knowledge with expert advice. Consulting with a financial advisor can help you navigate the complexities of investing and ensure your strategies align with your personal financial goals and risk tolerance.

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We are delighted to announce the listing and support of Synthetix (SNX) on Tap!

SNX is now available for trading on the Tap mobile app. You can now Buy, Sell, Trade or hold SNX for any of the other asset supported on the platform without any pair boundaries. Tap is pair agnostic, meaning you can trade any asset for any other asset without having to worries if a "trading pair" is available.

We believe supporting SNX will provide value to our users. We are looking forward to continue supporting new crypto projects with the aim of providing access to financial power and freedom for all.

Synthetix is a groundbreaking decentralized asset protection protocol that permits users to mint, hold, and trade derivatives across different asset classes such as commodities, fiat currencies, stocks, and even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

Synthetix provides a decentralized, permissionless, and censorship-resistant platform that allows users to gain exposure to both crypto and non-crypto assets without the need for ownership of these assets. This enables anyone with an interest in DeFi to join the industry through the use of synthetix assets regardless of whether they hold the actual assets or not.

Get to know more about Syntheticx (SNX) in our dedicated article here.

We are delighted to announce the listing and support of Chiliz (CHZ) on Tap!

CHZ is now available for trading on the Tap mobile app. You can now Buy, Sell, Trade or hold CHZ for any of the other asset supported on the platform without any pair boundaries. Tap is pair agnostic, meaning you can trade any asset for any other asset without having to worries if a "trading pair" is available.

We believe supporting CHZ will provide value to our users. We are looking forward to continue supporting new crypto projects with the aim of providing access to financial power and freedom for all.

Chiliz is a fintech company that uses blockchain technology to create new ways for fans to support and engage directly with their favorite sports teams. The company's goal is to be the leading provider of fintech solutions for sports and entertainment businesses around the world. Chiliz enables its users to trade tokens to show their support for professional sports teams.

Chiliz fans can buy their favorite team's Fan Tokens using the native Chiliz token " CHZ " on socios.com, the crowd management platform that Chiliz uses. Sports fans staking $CHZ on Socios.com also have opportunity to receive new Fan tokens as well as a up to 10% $CHZ bonus yield.

As we move into a more digital world with enhanced security systems, so too are hackers and fraudsters. With millions of dollars lost each year at the hands of these ill actors, in this article we take a look at the 5 most common crypto scams and how to spot them. The financial world need not be a scary place, with a few precautions in place you can bank on being able to avoid them.

What is a crypto scam?

A crypto scam is a type of investment fraud revolving around cryptocurrencies. According to a report by Chainalysis, a record-breaking $14 billion of crypto was stolen last year through crypto scams. While there are many different types of crypto scams, of which we'll explore 5 below, the common thread is that crypto is wrongfully taken from a user through fraudulent activities. 

The biggest crypto scam of recent times was in late 2020 when people hacked into the Twitter accounts of high profile individuals and claimed that should someone send Bitcoin or Ethereum to an address they will receive twice the value back. These accounts included the likes of Barack Obama, Elon Musk and Joe Biden. 

The top 5 most common crypto scams

While there are an infinite amount of crypto scams out there, below we are highlighting the 5 most common ones.

Fake crypto exchanges

These types of exchanges provide a buy/sell platform on which users can trade cryptocurrency, however, once they have deposited the funds they cannot withdraw any money. These funds might still appear on the platform although the money is long gone. 

Always read the reviews of a platform, and do your own research before depositing money anywhere. 

Ponzi schemes

Ponzi schemes might have started in the late 1800s but they're still here. The scheme works in such a way that each member earns rewards by recruiting new members, whose money is then used to pay off older members. This eventually reaches a saturation point after which it collapses. 

Always do your due diligence and ensure that the scheme you're investing in is solid. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Fake investment schemes

Be wary of an investment opportunity promising to deliver unbelievable gains. This might be in the form of depositing funds on a platform only to lose the money or struggle to withdraw it at a later stage. These are often circulated through well-known publications or on social media with celebrities "endorsing" the products. 

Pump and dumps also fall into this category. These schemes are created when a large group of people decide to invest in a coin, only to drive up the prices and cash out at the top. Many people are then left with a worthless coin at the end, having lost their investment. 

Imitating a crypto exchange

Similar to the concept of phishing, someone might create a social media account of a big exchange and contact the user "on behalf of the company". This is intended to gain your trust and is either done in an attempt to gain your passwords, or with a message that you owe large amounts in tax which needs to be paid in Bitcoin immediately to avoid imprisonment. 

Never follow links in an email, rather access the site from your own browser directly and be sure to check the URL. Successful scams of this nature often have a small typo in the URL which goes unnoticed. 

Malware & ransomware

The malware allows scammers to gain access to your computer, either locking you out of files or stealing credit card or crypto address details. With this information, they can drain your accounts in minutes. 

Ransomware works slightly differently in that the scammers lock the entire computer and demand a ransom to gain access again. This is often paired with blackmail where the victim, and in some cases organizations, are threatened that if they don't pay sensitive information will be released. A lot of victims in this situation manage to get out of it unharmed.

These might sound very scary, but should you maintain safe online protocols and check URLs before entering your details, they should be entirely avoided. 

5 tips on how to avoid crypto scams

These might sound obvious but it never hurts to read them again. Below are 5 tips on how to stay vigilant and avoid crypto scams entirely.

• Be wary of phone calls and emails claiming to be from exchanges and never click the links from them. 
• Never give your password, private key or security codes to anyone.
• Never give someone remote access to your device.
• Look out for social media accounts imitating legal firms or exchanges or a prominent person in the industry. Support will never contact you from a social media account.
• And lastly, if it sounds too good to be true - it probably is. 

Easily avoided, comfortably secure

We hope this information assists you in keeping your data and money secure online, proper security is always imperative when using payment methods or services on the internet. As technology evolves, so too must our security systems and vigilance. With these tips above you should be well on your way to spotting something that doesn't quite look right, and avoiding crypto scam.

You might have come across the term p.a. in traditional investment cycles, but how does it relate to crypto? In this article, we’re breaking down what p.a. means, how to get in on it and how it relates to the crypto industry. 

What does P.A. mean?

P.a. is an investment term that stands for per annum. This refers to the interest an investor can gain over a year's period and provides insight into the yields that the investment will generate. This is calculated on a simple basis and not compound. 

You might see digital wallet platforms offering reward rates of 8% p.a. Or 14% p.a., this tells the potential investor that the platform will provide 8% of the initial investment, over a 12 month period. 

PA can also stand for price action, a popular term used on crypto Twitter. In this piece we're focusing on the annual interest rates version.

How can users make money with crypto assets?

There are several ways in with industry participants can earn cryptocurrency. Below we outline the most widely used, and safest options. Be sure to check each option with the relevant blockchain network as these will differ from network to network.

Crypto Mining

Crypto mining can be a lucrative means of generating a passive income, however, the costs might run high depending on where you live and what cryptocurrency you are mining. Each network has its own way of minting new coins, which require different hardware and electricity means. 

Bitcoin, for instance, is a Proof of Work network that requires miners to use large amounts of energy as they race to finish a complex cryptographic puzzle. The first to complete this is rewarded with mining the next block and receiving the associated payoffs. 

Bitcoin requires a large amount of electricity, not practical in areas with high electricity costs, and either a graphics processing unit (GPU) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which can also be costly. 

If you wish to get involved with mining cryptocrrencies be sure to do adequate research on what will be required and what income this could generate before investing any money. 

Crypto Staking

Crypto staking is an alternative minting solution for Proof of Stake networks, such as Cardano and soon-to-be Ethereum. Crypto staking requires users putting their funds in a smart contract usually for a predetermined lock up period to confirm transactions on the network. This will typically require a minimum amount, so as to ensure that individuals hold a “stake” in the network and will act on good intentions. 

When crypto traders stake the minimum balance, a node will deposit these funds into a staking pool on the network, similar to a deposit. The bigger the stake, the higher the chances of that user, now referred to as a node, being chosen to verify transactions. When the node is chosen to confirm transactions, they will create a new block and receive a reward for adding it to the blockchain.

Reward rates are specific to each blockchain network so be sure to check the details relevant to platform on which you wish to stake. As a security mechanism, the staked coin in the network is typically taken away if the node acts with ill intent.

Passive Income

There are a number of crypto initiatives that allow users to earn passive income through their crypto assets. These work in a similar way to holding funds in a wallet, however, these wallets will likely be on a cryptocurrency exchange or DeFi wallet and the user will typically not be able to access the funds for a certain period of time. 

Over the duration the user will earn interest as stipulated in the initial agreement. Note that p.a. Values are subject to change with market fluctuations, rising when prices rise and falling when an asset’s price takes a dip. This typically works in the same way as a savings account.

Its worth noting that the onus lies on the traders to pay taxes on any income generated. It is important to check the crypto specific tax laws in your region.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for communication purposes only, you should not consider any such information, opinions, or other material as financial advice.

Decentralized Finance, or DeFi, opens up a whole world of financial services for you, ranging from straightforward banking services to complex financial instruments similar to those used by hedge funds and investment bankers. But here’s the twist: it all operates with cryptocurrencies instead of traditional cash.

In DeFi, you can stake your cryptocurrency in what are called smart contracts, which essentially means locking up your funds to earn interest, known as Annual Percentage Yield (APY). As a token of appreciation for staking your funds and providing liquidity, DeFi projects grant you special project-specific tokens. These tokens aren’t just a thank-you note—they give you a say in the project’s future decisions and carry some speculative value too.

Before we get started, let us first address several terms you are likely to come across in this piece:

• Financial institutions are your traditional banks
• Centralized exchanges are crypto exchanges that are operated by a managing company
• Decentralized exchanges are crypto exchanges that are not managed by one company and typically work in a peer-to-peer manner.
• DeFi is decentralized finance and refers to the industry in which regular users can engage various financial services requiring only an internet connection.

How smart contracts work in the DeFi space

A smart contract is a digital agreement that automatically executes once the predetermined criteria have been met. These computer codes are facilitated by blockchain technology and rely on the blockchain that they are built on. 

At the moment, your bank account from financial institutions might give you the right to a certain amount of monthly interest at a fixed rate. The deal is reached through a formal application procedure - which can take many days - that is handled by a mix of people and software and is acknowledged in writing. Once successful, the bank account is opened and you have access to the services.

A smart contract, on the other hand, uses a programming language (e.g. Solidity on Ethereum) to map out the mathematical aspects of an agreement - how much interest is due when and where it should be paid - while the underlying Ethereum blockchain executes the contract for a fee, making it transparent and unchangeable.

The ups and downs of the DeFi ecosystem

owever, it’s not all smooth sailing. DeFi can offer higher returns than traditional banks, which is quite appealing, but it also comes with higher risks. For instance, if something goes wrong with a smart contract, or you lose access to your private keys, there’s no safety net to catch you.

To dip your toes into DeFi waters, you’ll need a digital wallet like MetaMask and some funds from a cryptocurrency exchange. Once you’re set up, you can participate in various DeFi activities like lending or staking, each with its own set of fees depending on the network you’re using.

Additionally to the higher returns, DeFi tokens have also seen a rise in value, with some entering the top 20 and top 10 biggest cryptocurrencies based on market cap.

Furthermore, the value of DeFi tokens has surged, with some climbing into the top ranks of cryptocurrencies by market cap. This growth indicates a strong interest and a robust market presence, which can be exciting for anyone involved in the space.

However, it's not all smooth sailing. DeFi comes with its own risks that you should be aware of. For instance, executing smart contracts can get pricey, especially during times of network congestion. If you're looking to cut down on fees, you might want to explore alternatives to popular platforms like Ethereum, which can be more cost-effective.

Also, not all smart contracts are built the same. Some may have vulnerabilities that could put your funds at risk if not properly managed or if an error in the contract execution occurs. This highlights the importance of being careful with where and how you invest your digital assets.

Moreover, the decentralized nature of these platforms means that you’re in full control—which sounds great until you realize there is no safety net. If you lose access to your private key or make a transaction mistake, there's no customer service line to call for a do-over.

Ensure you vet various DeFi protocols before engaging

In general, more established Defi protocols with a higher total value of assets secured within them (also referred to as Total Value Locked, TVL) are safer. This is due to the fact that their code has been more thoroughly audited and "battle-tested".

Newer platforms will typically offer higher APYs in order to entice investors and build up liquidity. While this may sound lucrative, always ensure that you've done your research in order to understand exactly how the protocol operates and who is behind the project. 

Here are a few things to look out for:

• Has the protocol's code been professionally audited? 
• How long has the project been live?
• What is the platform's TLV? (The higher the better)

Finding your top Defi protocol

There are a number of "well-established" DeFi platforms that have proven reliable and trustworthy in recent years. While the risks are still prevalent, these are the most established options when looking to enter the DeFi space with the leading DeFi protocols.

Aave

Compound

Maker

Yearn Finance

How to use DeFi protocols (Get started in DeFi)

Jumping into the world of DeFi protocols can be quite an adventure. Here’s a simple guide on how to get started :

First, you'll need a digital wallet, and MetaMask is a popular choice. It's user-friendly and a common gateway for engaging with DeFi platforms.

Once you have your digital wallet, you'll need to move your cryptocurrencies into it. This is usually done through a transfer from a centralized exchange. For example, if you have a Tap wallet, you can transfer Ethereum (ETH) or other supported assets directly into your MetaMask wallet. Remember, DeFi protocols operate with cryptocurrencies, not traditional bank funds.

With your wallet set up and your funds in place, you can connect to any DeFi application that interests you. You can then engage with various features of the platform, such as depositing funds into a lending protocol. Keep in mind that actions like depositing, staking, unstaking, or withdrawing will typically involve network fees, which vary by blockchain.

That’s all there is to it! With these steps, you can start exploring the different functionalities and opportunities within DeFi at your own pace.

Understanding the risks associated with DeFi

While we've stressed that using tried and tested DeFi platforms provide a higher level of security, there are still risks associated with the DeFi space.

Below are some more steps you can do in order to secure your cryptocurrency assets and decrease the chance of losing your funds.

• Consider insurance, look into options for insuring your assets to help mitigate potential losses.
• Research the team behind the project, do your due diligence.
• Familiarize yourself with the platform's operations and features. For instance, if a platform advertises a certain return rate, such as 10% APY, delve into how they achieve those figures.
• Don’t commit more than you can afford to lose

Decentralized finance is one of the most innovative and promising areas in cryptocurrency. It is also a harsh environment, however, that demands some expertise before stepping in.

Before you place any funds into Defi protocols and become one of the many liquidity providers, ensure that you've fully vetted the project and considered the pros and cons of what it has to offer. Also ensure that you understand how the platform operates.

The DeFi space can be both lucrative and devastating, it is complex and requires a good amount of know-how. If you wish to get involved, take the time to really understand both the opportunities and the challenges it presents first. This way, you can engage with DeFi more cautiously and equipped with the necessary knowledge. And remember with Defi everything is at your own risk.
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The Lightning Network is a second layer solution that enables Bitcoin users to make fast and cheap transactions without compromising on security. The layer two technology allows users to enjoy the benefits of both the Bitcoin and Lightning Network layers simultaneously. Learn more about the Lightning Network solution below.

The Bitcoin trilemma

In order to compete with other payment channels like Visa, the Bitcoin network must be able to process transactions much faster and at a fraction of the cost. However, this scaling cannot come at the expense of decentralization or security.

The "Bitcoin trilemma" is a term used to outline the conflict between these three principles, scaling, security, and decentralization. 

The aim of Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, and other forks was to increase the block size in order to make Bitcoin transactions faster and more affordable on-chain.

However, these attempts failed to produce an effective method to transact quickly and inexpensively on-chain while still maintaining Satoshi's design. Hence, the Bitcoin Lightning Network.

The lightning network payment channels solution

Is it possible for the Bitcoin network to have it both ways, to keep its original architecture while also functioning as a fast micropayments network? The answer is yes, and thanks to the advent of Lightning Network transactions, Bitcoin can be used for everyday transactions like paying for a cup of coffee.

The Lightning Network is a type of layer two solution that is compatible with the Bitcoin service. This off-chain solution was first conceptualized in 2015 by Joseph Poon and Thaddeus Dryja.

The Lightning Network works by removing the burden of micropayments from the Bitcoin blockchain and instead utilizes multiple payment channels, which are controlled via multi-signature (multi-sig) Lightning Network wallets.

Why the lightning network?

How quickly can the Bitcoin network process transactions? Bitcoin is presently capable of processing between 2 and 7 transactions per second.

Visa, the current payment channel that drives your debit and credit card transactions, handles 150 million transactions each day, that's 24,000 transactions per second.

In order to make Bitcoin a competitive service to Visa, the Lightning Network needs to be implemented. This channel ensures that micropayments are instantly and cost-effectively executed, and is able to process thousands to hundreds of thousands of transactions instantly. 

The core concepts of how the Lightning Network works.

So how does the Lightning Network work? This layer 2 solution works on top of the Bitcoin blockchain, allowing thousands of micropayments to be executed at one time. This lowers the costs and increases the transaction speed of the initial transaction. There are three core components of the Lightning Network: the nodes, channels, and invoices. 

Lightning Network Nodes

This software connects with other nodes in order to form a network that connects to the Lightning Network to facilitate the sending and receiving of Bitcoin. 

Lightning Network Channel

Users of the Lightning Network establish payment channels with one another so that they may conduct transactions off-chain, which can then be settled (closed) on the mainchain (on-chain).

Invoices

Invoices are QR codes that represent requests for Lightning Network payments on the Lightning Network. Invoices include all of the data necessary to complete a payment on the network, such as the payment amount, which blockchain the invoice is associated with, expiration date, payee pubkey, routing hints, and other information.

How to use the lightning network

In order to make use of the Bitcoin Lightning Network, you will need to open a compatible Lightning Network wallet. Once you have downloaded and signed up for the wallet, you will need to send funds. Simply locate the wallet address of the Lightning Network-enabled wallet and send the funds via your normal payment channel. Once the funds appear in your wallet, you can then send transactions via the Lightning Network to other enabled wallets.

Anyone that has been watching the markets closely for the last several months will have noticed a definite chill in the air (not to mention a decline in their money). As the bears become more prominent, weak hands are losing faith and exiting the market. Why are we talking about a cryptocurrency winter now? Before we firmly declare this to be a crypto winter, let's explore the recent dips of the digital asset market and what previous crypto winters have detailed. 

What is a cryptocurrency winter?

A cryptocurrency winter is a term used in the crypto market to describe a long term bear market. A bear market is classified as a declining market where shares have fallen below 20%. Investors typically call it a crypto winter when the markets have struggled to reclaim highs previously witnessed (usually right before the winter set in). Does that mean cryptocurrency investors should take out their snow shoes? Metaphorically, yes. And by snow shoes we mean thick skin and strong hands.

The recent market climate (five month period).

Since reaching its most recent all-time high, Bitcoin has dropped over 40%. After reaching highs of $68,789.63 in November 2021, Bitcoin has gone through a red-tainted slump reaching lows of $33,710 in late January and since recovering to just under the $40,000 mark. 

Ethereum, the second-biggest cryptocurrency, has experienced a similar fate, dropping from highs of $4,891 in November 2021 to lows of $2,211 in late January. Ethereum has since corrected to the $2,800 region as it generates interest in its move to a Proof-of-Stake consensus. 

It's no secret that the stock markets have suffered a similar fate in recent months, with seemingly only gold remaining unscathed. Experts have suggested in various articles that the uncertainty in global politics is playing a considerable role in the decline of various markets and businesses.

Buterin confirms a crypto winter

As touched on above, the current ongoing war between Russia & Ukraine has played a large role in driving investors' uncertainty as prices bounce through the highly volatile period. While we've seen an increase in trading volume, there have also been strong price swings.

This paired with the declining prices has led to a downfall in companies and traders entering the market, further fuelling the problem. This has become known in the industry as a crypto winter. 

Ethereum founder, Vitalik Buterin, recently confirmed the case, although he also highlighted the positives, particularly for those on the development side. He pointed out that crypto winters offer a period of rejuvenation for the industry, allowing unsustainable projects to fall away. 

"They welcome the bear market because when there are these long periods of prices moving up by huge amounts as it does - it does obviously make a lot of people happy - but it does also tend to invite a lot of very short-term speculative attention."

He added that it encompasses a "time when a lot of those applications fall away and you can see which projects are actually long-term sustainable, like both in their models and in their teams and their people." If one factors the development side of things in, we can bank on the industry coming out stronger after this period.

Unwrapping the previous crypto winter

The last crypto winter we experienced took place in 2018 after the highs of December 2017 (when Bitcoin almost reached $20,000). This bear market continued until mid-2019 before it started showing signs of recovery. It wasn't until Bitcoin defied the odds in 2020 and overcame the pandemic that it soared to higher heights, almost triple that of the previous all-time high. 

While losing 40% of its value this season sounds rough, the previous crypto winter saw losses of 84%. As cryptocurrencies further emerge themselves into the mainstream financial markets, many believe it is only a matter of time before the prices enter the green again. Time also tends to play a regulator role when it comes to changing crypto seasons. 

Bitcoin's four year cycle theory

There is a growing belief in the industry that Bitcoin has a definitive four-year cycle of prices rising and falling. This aligns with the halving mechanism which takes effect every 210,000 blocks, or roughly every four years. 

The halving, the last of which took place in May 2020, halves the rewards given to miners for verifying transactions and effectively halves the number of new coins entering circulation. History has shown that a bull run succeeds these events, roughly twelve to eighteen months later. 

Surviving the chill

While many can agree that the crypto winter is upon us, there is no saying how long it might last, or how low it may go. Analysts suggest that traders use the time to sharpen their investment strategies and implement plans of action that keep risk to a minimum. As blockchain and cryptocurrencies have already passed a significant milestone in their adoption, there is no stopping it now. For any traders concerned over the crypto winter, fear not. It will pass. 

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You've likely heard a Bitcoin maximalist tell you that crypto is the future and will eventually replace fiat currencies. While that's unlikely to happen overnight or any time soon, we're exploring the question looking at many factors that will contribute to this tech-forward proposition. 

While investor interest has certainly infiltrated mainstream culture, cryptocurrencies need to overcome several obstacles before they become a viable replacement. The obstacles include practical application, a willingness from merchants to embrace digital currencies, the market's volatility, and usability. Bearing that in mind, there have still been a number of shifts indicating that crypto adoption is certainly on the cards.

El Salvador Legalises Bitcoin

In June 2021, the president of the small Central American country, Nayib Bukele, announced that Bitcoin would officially be accepted as legal tender. The president also announced plans to create a Bitcoin City with the intention of becoming "the financial centre of the world.". 

Rolling out a number of services to support this concept, including a national wallet named Chivo, the endeavour cost a large amount of taxpayers' money, and not all were happy about this. 

On the other hand, Bukele was praised for being a revolutionary in the tech field, and a pioneer in the movement to shift from fiat to crypto. It's worth noting that there were mixed reactions on both sides of the crypto fence, some favouring the movement while others expressed concern over it being too premature. 

New York Mayor Accepts Salary In Crypto

In a move to make New York City the crypto capital of the world, the current mayor, Eric Adams, has stuck to his word and accepted his salary in crypto. As part of his campaign, the politician promised to accept his first three paychecks in cryptocurrency and received his first instalment in a combination of Bitcoin and Ethereum in January. 

Adams has also been vocal about his support for the NYC Coin, a digital currency that would take on similar functions as the Miami Coin released in 2021. Adams confirmed in a statement:

"New York is the centre of the world, and we want it to be the centre of cryptocurrency and other financial innovations. Being on the forefront of such innovation will help us create jobs, improve our economy, and continue to be a magnet for talent from all over the globe."

Rise In CBDCs

Venezuela is another country to adopt a pro-crypto attitude albeit born from less savoury conditions. Following a bout of hyperinflation, many turned to cryptocurrency as an alternative store of value, and as an income source as mining in the area with such low electricity prices was very lucrative. 

This eventually led to the country creating its own digital currency, the Petro, released in 2018. Cryptocurrencies released by the government in this nature are referred to as central bank digital currencies, CBDCs. 

The Bahamas and Nigeria also recently released their pilot central bank digital currencies to test the functionality and national responsiveness of the people. The "Sand Dollar" in The Bahamas is believed to be born from a combination of centralized banks being destroyed by hurricanes and accessibility to money across the various islands. 

Nigeria confirmed that the move was in line with needing a more digital approach to finances as the country has a considerably young population (in 2020, 43% of the population was aged 0 - 14 years).

A number of other countries have also announced plans to "explore" CBDcs, with China also currently rolling out a pilot program in several cities across the country. Decentralized digital currencies play an advantageous role over fiat currencies in countries affected by corruption and with largely remote areas. 

The Future Of Crypto

The future looks bright for the integration of cryptocurrencies into our traditional financial space. While it's unlikely that crypto will entirely replace fiat currencies (anytime soon or ever) it is likely that they can work alongside each other. With the rise in CBDCs around the world and the increase in mainstream crypto integration, the world has certainly taken notice of the vast benefits of using cryptocurrencies and the innovation in the space. 

Tap remains ahead of the curve with its mobile app allowing users to pay for everything using cryptocurrencies from their portfolios. Simply select which cryptocurrency you would like to use and Tap will liquidate it for the local currency of the relevant account and send the required amount of fiat funds without any hassle for you. Simple and efficient, Tap is paving the way for the future. 

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Bitcoin wallets are responsible for not only storing the digital asset but also providing access to the funds and allowing traders to conduct transactions. Whether you're buying Bitcoin for the first time or have been investing in the blockchain-based currency for years, understanding how a Bitcoin wallet works will assist you in developing and improving your trading experience. 

In this guide, we're going to assist you in understanding what a Bitcoin wallet is, how they work, and where you can find the best one in the United Kingdom. Because where you store your money has become part of the Tap services that we offer.

What is a Bitcoin Wallet?

A Bitcoin wallet not only stores your digital asset but also facilitates the sending and receiving of BTC. While traditional wallets simply provide a means to store your money, crypto wallets are a more complex product providing more functionality to the user. The digital wallet connects to the blockchain and enables you to conduct transactions, keeps track of your balance, and acts as a "decentralized bank account". 

There are different types of Bitcoin wallets with some being referred to as hot wallets while others are cold wallets. Hot wallets are simply cryptocurrency wallets that are connected to the internet, while cold wallets are only connected briefly when conducting trades. Wallets connected to the internet are more vulnerable to hacking, hence cold wallets being a more viable option when storing cryptocurrencies long term. 

Cold wallets can come in the form of physical hardware, like a USB device, or merely a piece of paper (known as a paper wallet). Most wallets come free however hardware wallets you will need to purchase. 

How does a Bitcoin wallet work?

As we mentioned earlier, Bitcoin wallets connect to the blockchain of the network. Each wallet is represented by a 26 character alpha-numeric code, known as your public key, which acts as your wallet address allowing anyone to send you Bitcoin and identify you on the blockchain. 

Each wallet also comes with a private key, which is essentially the "pin code" to your wallet. This code gives you access to your wallet, allowing you to access and send crypto, and should not be shared with anyone. If someone were to gain access to your private keys, they would have control over your funds. 

The Bitcoin blockchain uses the public keys to track Bitcoin transactions, with each wallet representing a BTC balance, and the network receiving updated copies of this. So while Bitcoin wallets don't actually "store" the digital currency, they hold a record of the current balance and previous transactions. As BTC is sent and received, the blockchain records and updates the ownership of each cryptocurrency as well as the wallets' balances.

What types of Bitcoin wallets UK are available?

There are several options available for Bitcoin wallets in the UK which we'll take a look at below. Crypto wallets fall into two categories - hot wallets and cold wallets - and will differ for each cryptocurrency. I.e. you cannot store Bitcoin in an Ethereum wallet, as each connects to a different blockchain. Bitcoin must be stored in a Bitcoin wallet and Ethereum in an Ethereum wallet. 

Hot Wallets

Hot wallets are constantly connected to the internet and provide fast access to your Bitcoin portfolio. There are three main types of hot wallets:

• - Desktop wallet, applications on a desktop
• - Mobile wallet, applications on a mobile device
• - Web wallet, applications accessed through a web browser

While these wallets are known to be more vulnerable to hacking, they are the best options for someone looking to day trade. 

Cold Wallets

These types of wallets are considered to be more secure as they are not constantly connected to the internet. There are two main types:

• - Hardware wallet, an external device that uses USB or Bluetooth
• - Paper wallet, where public and private keys are printed onto a piece of paper

When looking to make transactions, you will need to connect the cold wallet to a hot wallet. For instance, hardware wallets will come with hot wallet applications for desktop or mobile that, once connected, can facilitate transactions. Paper wallets also require a hot wallet to conduct the transactions. 

An example of a hardware wallet is a Ledger Nano S, which allows you to open an account and provides both app and device to assist you in securely storing your crypto. Cold wallets are best suited for long term hodling. 

Finding the best Bitcoin wallet UK

Finding the best Bitcoin wallet in the UK needn't be a tiresome task as we have you covered with the Tap app. While the app is conveniently downloaded to mobile devices, traders can carry their cryptocurrency anywhere, with much greater security than other cryptocurrency apps on phones. 

While we've redesigned the tech behind traditional mobile wallets, we've also made things easier by allowing you to use a password of your choice. With an easy to navigate interface, and all your balances stored on one page, the Tap app is every trader's dream.

Our Tap wallet allows you to store both crypto and fiat currencies and uses a hybrid of both hot and cold wallet technology to ensure that they are always highly secure, and always available. 

Security and convenience are key

If you're searching for a reliable Bitcoin wallet option in the UK, you'll discover it conveniently with the Tap app. Simply download the Tap app, set up an account, complete the KYC verification, and you'll have the opportunity to securely manage your cryptocurrencies with top-notch security features that are available on the market.

Much like traditional stock portfolios, crypto portfolios can too be balanced to ensure a spread of returns and risks over the asset class. Building a diversified cryptocurrency portfolio can be done in many ways, however, in this article, we will be exploring a general approach that investors can use to build their own. 

From thoughtful diversification to asset allocation to buying your cryptocurrencies, the road to building a balanced crypto portfolio is not a complicated one. It will require some upkeep though, so be sure to factor in that you will need to balance your portfolio regularly. 

Starting with the basics, a cryptocurrency portfolio is a collection of varied crypto holdings held by an individual (these portfolios hold one asset class, while others can hold multiple asset classes and would require further asset allocation).

Some investors also choose to use a third party tracker which calculates the portfolio’s holdings and profits. A balanced portfolio will have a collection of coins, products and tokens, each with its own risks and rewards.

It should have a mixture of high and low market cap coins and might look something like this: 35% Bitcoin, 10% Ethereum, 25% stablecoins, 15% NFTs, and 15% altcoins (this is an example based on the current climate of the cryptocurrency market and not financial advice).

The 5 main types of cryptocurrencies on the crypto market

Before we start building our portfolios, let’s begin with understanding the 5 main categories that can be found on the cryptocurrency market today.

Most of the 20,000 cryptocurrencies on the market at the moment will fall into these options.

Payment Focused

Consider these the original first-generation cryptocurrencies, starting of course with Bitcoin. Many earlier projects were designed as systems of transferring value, take for example Ripple (XRP), Litecoin (LTC) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH). 

These types of coins typically have a high market cap.

Stablecoins

This category refers to all coins that are pegged to a fiat currency and commodity. These coins naturally bypass any volatility, ensuring a stable anchor in your portfolio and a safe haven for when the markets experience a dip.

While they might seem to represent more traditional assets, stablecoins provide a valuable contribution to the crypto ecosystem.

Examples include PAX Gold (PAXG) which is pegged to the price of gold, while options like Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) are pegged to the US dollar. 

Utility Tokens

Utility tokens are unique to their ecosystems and generally offer a product or service. This could come in the form of a coin used to pay transaction fees on a network, or a coin created to launch a crowdfunding initiative.

Examples include coins found on dapp and smart contract development platforms, Ethereum (ETH) and Binance Coin (BNB). 

Security Tokens 

Much like the traditional securities in the stock market, security tokens can take on many forms.

These digital forms of traditional securities have been integrated with blockchain technology and span across three categories: equities, debt and a hybrid of debt and equity. This can range from representing a bond issued by a project, equity in a company, or even voting rights. 

Governance Tokens

Governance tokens offer holders voting powers and a share of the project’s revenue. Similar to utility tokens, the value of a governance token directly relates to the success of the underlying project. Examples include Uniswap (UNI) and PancakeSwap (CAKE).

How to build a balanced crypto portfolio

When it comes to building a well balanced crypto portfolio there are plenty of different schools of thought.

These are our top recommendations, however, we encourage you to do your own research and ultimately go with what feels right. 

1. Diversify Risk

Ensure your crypto portfolio has an adequate amount of risk tolerance by incorporating high, medium and low-risk coin options, portioned appropriately.

It’s important to first establish what level of risk you are willing to take, and plan your portfolio accordingly. 

2. Include Stablecoins

While these aren’t associated with wild gains, stablecoins help to provide your portfolio with liquidity and are key to many DeFi dapps.

They also allow traders to quickly and easily exit a position or lock in gains whether in a bear market or a bull market.

3. Monitor The Market

Ensure that you are checking in to see what is happening in the market regularly and adjusting your well balanced crypto portfolio to best manage this.

Crypto markets can still be very volatile, so ensure that your trading decisions reflect what is happening. 

4. Monitor Your Emotions

This might be one of the biggest overseen aspects of trading but ensure that you have a grip on your emotions as they can play an integral part in your decision making.

Fear and greed are strong contenders when it comes to making logical trading decisions, make sure that these are not influencing any of your trades.

Don't let greed interfere, changing potential big gains to huge losses. Things can go terribly wrong when emotions are behind the wheel of trading decisions.

5. DYOR

We cannot stress it enough - always do your own research when exploring engaging with other cryptocurrencies. Never engage in a project that you cannot fully explain to another trader. Crypto involvement requires a substantial amount of due diligence.

While there is value in taking advice from a strong trader, ensure that you do your own vetting of the project before blindly trusting a stranger, this is your own money after all. 

6. Onlycommit what you’re willing to lose

As a golden rule of thumb when it comes to allocating funds, only allocate what you're willing to lose.

If you’ve made trading decisions that are causing you sleepless nights, consider a different approach, and ensure that should something go wrong that you have the financial means to stay standing. Your overall portfolio should be correctly balanced in order to ensure you can have rest-filled nights.

How to use a portfolio tracker

While typically used for short-term and day traders, trackers can also provide value to long term investors. Trackers provide a reliable way of monitoring the performance of your low, medium and high risk assets.

Crypto trackers also allow investors to measure their results across several blockchains and wallets in real-time, allowing one to directly measure the success or losses of their crypto holdings.

Portfolios typically involve holding multiple coins across various blockchains, so finding a compatible and suitable portfolio tracker makes sense.

First, you’ll need to select a good portfolio tracker that best suits your needs. Below we’ve outlined the top crypto portfolio trackers, although it's best to get a feel for the platform before diving in.

For instance, Pionex is better suited to high volume investors while Delta is better suited to beginners. See our selection below of top options on the market at the moment.

• CoinMarketCap
  One of the most used sources of information in the crypto space, CoinMarketCap also provides tracking functionality. Users can enter their coins, what price they were bought at and monitor their progress.
• Pionex
  Favoured to high volume investors, Pionex provides a more advanced option when it comes to tracking your crypto portfolio.
• CoinGecko
  Most commonly known as being a data aggregator, CoinGecko also allows users to track over 1,000 coins across its mobile and desktop crypto trackers.
• Delta
  Delta not only provides a very user-friendly crypto tracker, it also allows users to track a wide range of assets including fiat currencies, stocks, bonds, futures, and ETFs.

Aside from the look and feel, other factors to consider are safety and security, and whether it supports the wallet and coins in which you've allocated resources.

Building your crypto portfolio manually

When you’re ready to start building your well-balanced crypto portfolio, you will need to find a reliable platform and wallet on which to do so.

Ensure you stick to a regulated exchange and that the security behind the wallet you choose is of high standards. 

Tap mobile app offers a secure and convenient platform through which users can buy, sell, trade and store a wide range of cryptocurrencies. Learn more here on our website available on both desktop and mobile devices.

Next, you will need to decide on which coins you'd like to engage with, ensuring that you strategically distribute your capital with appropriate weightings.

Take cues from our Types of Cryptocurrencies above, deciding on how you wish to allocate the coins in order to build a balanced crypto portfolio.

We encourage you to conduct extensive research in this phase: A golden rule of engaging with cryptocurrency is to comprehend what crypto is before allocating any funds to it, as well as to understand each individual coin.

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With the recent rise in meme tokens and dog-themed coins, any coins with a Shiba Inu (a Japanese breed of dog) mascot seem to attract all the right kinds of attention. With the real Shiba Inu (SHIB) token winning "investment vehicle" of the year in 2021 after posting unbelievable gains, many are still wondering whether Shiba Inu is still a good token?

Where Did It All Begin?

A golden rule of getting in crypto is to understand exactly what you're buying in before taking the plunge. Before we explore Shiba Inu's history, we must start at the beginning with Dogecoin. Dogecoin was the original meme token and entered the crypto scene in 2013. The coin was designed to provide a "light-hearted" alternative to Bitcoin, poking fun at the seriousness of the crypto community at the time with its Shiba Inu logo. 

As it turned out, Dogecoin built a strong and loyal following that has stuck by the coin ever since. It wasn't until 2020 when Tesla CEO Elon Musk became vocal on Twitter about the cryptocurrency that DOGE truly went viral. 

What is Shiba Inu Coin?

Musk's interest in Dogecoin aligned nicely with the launch of Shiba Inu, which officially went live in August 2020. It wasn't long before SHIB climbed the ranks and became the biggest meme token on the market based on market capitalization, albeit for a brief moment. While it was dubbed in comparison as the "Doge Killer", Dogecoin still held the most value. It's worth noting that each time Musk mentioned Dogecoin in writing, Shiba Inu enjoyed some of that success and popularity as displayed by its growth.

Shiba Inu is an ERC-20 token built on the Ethereum platform that powers the Shiba Inu network. The platform features a range of products, from an exchange to an art incubator, and is compatible with a wide range of apps due to its Ethereum based nature. Trading for a fraction of a US cent, Shiba Inu offers a cost-effective way to enter the crypto market. Several businesses have also started accepting the cryptocurrency, allowing customers to pay for sales with SHIB.

How Is Shiba Inu Different From Dogecoin?

A great place to start when trying to understand SHIB is to determine the differences between these two biggest meme tokens. Starting with Dogecoin, the network provides a fast and cheap peer-to-peer payment system that is commonly used for tipping on social media platforms. 

Shiba Inu on the other hand is a little bit more complex. The platform provides a decentralized exchange (DEX) known as ShibaSwap which allows users to earn interest, as well as two other tokens, BONE and LEASH. The project describes itself as an experiment in decentralization. 

Shiba Inu is built on top of the Ethereum protocol, with the tokens created using various token standards, SHIB being an ERC-20 token. This makes it highly compatible with ETH wallets and most DeFi apps, while DOGE requires a specific wallet. These are all reasons as to why investors are calling it the Doge Killer.

Does Shiba Inu (SHIB) Have a Future?

In 2021, Shiba Inu saw gains of 53,241,775%. Investors that bought $2 worth of SHIB on 1 January would have been sitting on millions of dollars worth of returns at the height of the bull run. That's enough to make any digital currency enthusiast look twice. 

So far in 2022, the markets have been predominately down, with Bitcoin and Ethereum falling roughly 35% from their highs in November. Shiba Inu on the other hand has lost around 70% of its value since its all-time high in October 2021. Despite this, it has seen upward swings since, gaining a large amount of value in early February. 

The surge is believed to be contributed to by an Italian fast-food chain called Welly's. Welly's is also Shiba Inu-themed and accepts the cryptocurrency as a form of payment. Two other believed catalysts are the upcoming Shibarium (Shiba Inu's latest blockchain project) designed to reduce transaction fees and the project's vocalized intentions of entering the metaverse. 

Can Shiba Inu Coin Reach $1?

A popular question among crypto afficionados is whether Shiba Inu can reach $1. While there is certainly speculation in the market that this is possible over a substantial period of time, as with any cryptocurrency there is no guarantee on how much money it will be worth in the future. With the price affected by supply and demand economics, there will need to be a considerable amount of hype and demand for the cryptocurrency in order to it to reach that value.

While Shiba Inu could be a promising token should it skyrocket again, it is still considered to be a risky token. The cryptocurrency certainly has an attractive price point and a number of use cases, however, it is also in its early stages as a crypto and is currently less widely accepted when compared to other cryptocurrencies.

As the world waits on authority news regarding the regulatory framework surrounding cryptocurrencies, there are definitive hurdles that need to be reached before the Shiba Inu coin reaches $1, should it do so. There are currently over 545 trillion SHIB in circulation. For your protection, ensure that you never put more funds than you're willing to lose.

How Can I Buy Shiba Inu In The UK?

In love with SHIB or Shiba inus in general? Should you wish to purchase some Shiba Inu (SHIB) with your British pounds (GBP), you can do so easily and securely through the Tap mobile app, from where you can also store the tokens. Tap accepts GBP and supports faster payments for lightning-fast top-ups while allowing users to buy, sell, and engage in a number of cryptocurrency markets and services.

How Can I Buy Shiba Inu In Europe?

In love with SHIB in europe? We got you covered. Should you wish to purchase some Shiba Inu ( SHIB ) with Euros, you can do so with ease and securely through the Tap mobile app, from where you can also store the tokens. Tap accepts Euro and supports SEPA transfers to enable all EU & EEA traders and investors to buy, sell, and engage in a number of cryptocurrency markets and services. 

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In this article, we’re guiding you through the intricacies of the e-money licence: what it means, who needs one and of course, how it affects you, the consumer. This new wave of regulation has been put into place to not only safeguard the consumer but also to put measures in place to identify and stop fraudulent activity. 

What Is Electronic Money (E-money)?

Before we dive into the licencing requirements, let us first take a look at what electronic money is defined as. Essentially, e-money is a digital version of cash. It maintains a monetary value that can be used to make payments and various transactions, typically over the internet, or through a phone or card. 

E-money products are either software-based or hardware-based and are responsible for electronically storing the monetary value. Software-based products are used on computers and tablets and require an internet connection (like PayPal for example) while hardware-based products encompass cards that have a chip card and do not require an online connection (for example, Square). ‍

What Is An E-money Licence? 

The e-money licence is a regulatory licence that authorises an electronic money institution (EMI) to conduct business. EMIs represent the digitisation of financial services and are authorized to issue money as well as provide payment cards, e-wallets, and IBAN accounts. While banks may provide a similar service, they require an alternative licence as they are able to provide a greater range of services.

 In a nutshell, an EMI is considered as such if it engages in the issuing and redeeming of electronic money (e-money), cash withdrawal, deposit and payment services, remittance services, debit or credit transfers, payment initiation and execution services, and account information services. They may conduct these services only if they have the proper licensing.‍

How Does It Protect The Consumer?

While regulation and consumer protection are the driving force behind e-money licences, there are also several other reasons as to why the regulatory framework has been put into place. The licence is designed to provide businesses with the opportunity to gain access to the e-money market, to facilitate innovation in secure e-money services, and to build healthy competition in a secure market. 

E-money licences are obtained to safeguard a consumer’s funds should the EMI become insolvent. This operates in an entirely different manner to a banking licence. Under the proper regulation, EMI’s can choose to do either of the following options to safeguard consumer funds (funds provided by customers in exchange for the issuance of e-money):

• deposit the funds into a segregated client’s funds account with an authorised credit institution, or
• acquire insurance that will cover the risks associated with the client’s funds.

This ensures that the consumer is always protected against loss of funds, and will be compensated accordingly should the situation present itself. It is imperative that consumers only choose EMIs with the correct e-money licences. 

How Much Money Is Protected With The E-Money Licence? 

According to the FCA regulations, the EMI is responsible for establishing the appropriate organisational arrangements to ensure that the safeguarded funds are at all times protected. 

As mentioned above, this can be done by either storing the deposited customer funds in a separate account (different from the institution’s working capital and other funds) or by ensuring that they are covered by an appropriate insurance policy or comparable guarantee. 

While licenced banks work in conjunction with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and only insure users up to ￡85,000, EMIs are required to protect 100% of the consumers’ funds. 

According to the licence, EMIs are required to safeguard all funds deposited on the platform and not just a portion as per the licence required by the banks. 

While EMIs take several other precautions to protect consumer funds, the e-money licence ensures that the most fundamental legal requirements are met, granting the company the right to legally operate.  

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Whether dissecting crypto or fiat currencies, the foundations remain the same: the currency must serve as a store of value and function as a medium of exchange for goods and services. While both these currency options tick those boxes, cryptocurrencies tend to also be followed by a dark cloud of volatility in the financial sector. 

Market volatility is a natural byproduct of a developing market, however, it can also cause many losses if not managed correctly. When the crypto markets go through high levels of market volatility they tend to get discredited with being a viable payment option. After paying withness to the Bitcoin market swings, several individuals recognised this flaw in the digital currency space and created a solution, "the stablecoin". 

In this article we establish what is a stablecoin is, how it fits into the financial landscape and explore the pros and cons of these digital currencies.

What Is A Stablecoin?

Stablecoins are digital currencies that harness the benefits of being a decentralized, blockchain-operated currency without volatility. Backed by any currency or commodity, stablecoins are pegged to the value of their underlying asset and managed and secured by their relevant platforms. For instance, Tether is pegged to the US dollar while Tether Gold is pegged to the price of gold and Tether EURt is backed by the Euro. 

These currencies operate like any other cryptocurrency, using blockchain technology to maintain and operate the network, but do not fluctuate in value based on supply and demand. Rather the price remains consistent with the asset it is pegged to, providing a better tool for digital payment transactions.

How Do Stablecoins Maintain Their Price?

While we've established that stablecoins are pegged to a commodity and reflect that price, let's cover how exactly that is achieved. Using fiat-backed stablecoins as examples, the companies behind these coins are required to hold a US dollar equivalent for each coin in circulation (or Euro if the stablecoin is pegged to it). 

These funds, also referred to as reserves, are either held in bank accounts or can be a combination of cash and short-term U.S. Treasury bonds. Most of the companies issuing stablecoins conduct third-party audits to prove that their reserves are at the correct levels and release this information to assure users that their coins are always worth $1 (or the currency-backed equivalent). 

Why Have Stablecoins Become so Popular?

The first stablecoin to enter the market was Tether in 2014, pegged to the US dollar. Tether is currently the third-largest cryptocurrency based on market capitalization, illustrating its vast popularity. The second biggest stablecoin currently on the market is USD Coin, also backed by the US dollar, which sits in the top 5 biggest cryptocurrencies with an equally impressive trade volume. Both these coins have provided valuable talking points within the industry as their market caps and adoption increase and they climb the ranks of the biggest cryptocurrencies.

Due to their resistance towards volatility, stablecoins have increased in popularity and are more widely used for conducting business around the world and executing cross border payments.

The Pros Of Stablecoins

Stablecoins are popular options for both businesses and individuals conducting business across borders. Below we outline the top benefits that stablecoins present to the market:

Digital Currency

The obvious first benefit of stablecoins is that they are maintained by blockchain technology and able to conduct international transactions in a much shorter time frame and for less cost than fiat currencies. The fast settlement times make these currencies an excellent, cross-border medium of exchange. They are also easy to use as they operate from wallets in similar ways to traditional cryptocurrencies.

Zero Volatility

Due to the nature of stablecoins being pegged to a fiat currency or commodity, they typically experience little to no high volatility trading periods resulting in a more reliable currency with the benefits of blockchain technology. Pertinent to increasing its adoption.

Hedge Against Failing Markets

Stablecoins have become increasingly popular for traders to hedge against other cryptocurrencies when markets experience a decline in price. Stablecoins allow traders to quickly liquidate their digital assets and easily reenter the market when the price stabilizes. 

The Cons Of Stablecoins

Centralisation

While blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies celebrate the notion of being decentralised, stablecoins do bring in a nature of centralisation, particularly when it comes to the backing of the assets. Ensuring that each coin in circulation is backed by an equal reserve value requires a team that leans the operation more toward a centralized structure.

Transparency

Several stablecoins have been called out publicly for not being transparent with their reserves. Tether, for example, has seen much public outcry concerning whether the company has the correct amount of reserves, leading to fines and regulations imposed by the US government. They have since released a report on the current reserve holdings of the company. 

In Conclusion

Many traders have incorporated stablecoins into their portfolios, to have as a hedge against falling crypto markets or falling fiat markets. These digital assets are also used by businesses around the world to conduct payments with the benefits of digital currencies and without the risk of volatility. Through the Tap app, users can now access and purchase USD Coin (USDC) as well as Tether (USDT). The sleek design of the app interface makes it easy for users who want to buy or sell cryptocurrencies with fiat currency through their phones in a click. 

When it comes to choosing a stablecoin, consider the projects behind it, the liquidity and the ease of use in terms of wallet compatibility.

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With over 425 million cryptocurrency users worldwide, growing 8,000% since just 5 million users in 2016, cryptocurrencies are transforming how businesses operate in today's digital world. This article explores the numerous benefits crypto accounts provide companies, regardless of their size or industry. 

From reducing costs through lower fees to enabling smooth cross-border payments, they open up new opportunities. Below we also examine the potential of smart contracts and blockchain technology to streamline processes, heighten security, and minimise fraud risks. Let’s explore how embracing crypto can propel your business to the forefront of technological innovation.

Why businesses are using crypto accounts

Although investment opportunities and value growth associated with cryptocurrencies have garnered substantial media attention, far less coverage has been dedicated to the benefits that cryptocurrencies offer businesses. This aspect of cryptocurrencies is perhaps poised to be the most dynamic and exciting area for development and growth moving forward.

Below we explore the numerous advantages that crypto can offer businesses, more so through dedicated crypto accounts. These accounts minimise overhead costs by offering lower transaction fees compared to traditional methods. They also facilitate easy access to high-yield investment assets, enabling portfolio diversification and potential substantial returns. Another advantage of crypto business accounts is that they can streamline cross-border payments by eliminating intermediaries, benefiting companies operating globally.

The decentralised nature of cryptocurrencies also enhances security and transparency through blockchain's immutable ledger, mitigating fraud risks. As adoption continues growing, having a crypto business account allows companies to capitalise on these benefits. It gives them a competitive edge, unlocks growth opportunities, and positions them at the forefront of this technological revolution while maximising profits.

• 46% of merchants in a recent survey say that they have integrated cryptocurrency payments into their accepted payment methods.
• The primary reason cited by 82% of surveyed merchants for accepting crypto as a payment method is its elimination of middlemen.
• B2B cross-border crypto payments are expected to reach $56 trillion by 2030, fueled by growth in big companies and small businesses alike, along with the rise in digitization.

As ownership increases, more businesses are accepting crypto payments than ever before

• The countries leading in crypto ownership are India, China, and the United States, ranking as the top three, while countries experiencing significant inflation or financial turmoil, like Turkey and Argentina, exhibit higher rates of crypto ownership compared to other countries of similar economies. 
• According to data from TripleA, 7.23% of the population in India, 4.08% in China, 13.22% in the U.S., 20% in Vietnam and 6.40% of the population in Pakistan own cryptocurrency, with just the top 5 countries counting for 242,166,772 crypto holders. 
• As of September 2023, 15,174 businesses worldwide accept Bitcoin, with around 2,300 of those businesses operating in the US.
• The leading sectors embracing Bitcoin include Gambling, Tourism, Banking, Food, and Retail industries.
• According to a recent Juniper Research report, the adoption of blockchain for cross-border settlement is projected to generate substantial cost reductions for banks, soaring from $301 million in 2021 to $10 billion by 2030.
• There are over 37,000 crypto ATMs worldwide, making it easier to use crypto payments for everyday purchases.

The future of crypto salaries

As crypto payments become more commonplace, both employees and employers are recognizing the benefits of being paid and paying in cryptocurrencies. 

For employees, receiving salaries in crypto provides an opportunity to diversify their investment portfolio and potentially earn higher returns. It also facilitates seamless cross-border transactions, which is particularly advantageous for remote workers. 

On the other hand, employers can reduce administrative costs associated with traditional payroll systems and currency conversions by paying in crypto. Moreover, crypto payments ensure transparency and security through blockchain technology, mitigating the risk of fraud or disputes. With the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies, crypto-based salaries are emerging as an attractive option that offers advantages for businesses and their workforce alike.

• A recent survey found that over 40% of employees would consider having part or all of their salary paid in crypto.
• Stablecoins ensure the stability of wages paid in crypto, making it far more accessible and popular than ever before.
• The stablecoin market has a market cap of $148.7 billion at the time of writing. 
  

Businesses and smart contracts

Smart contracts are digital contracts built using blockchain technology that automatically execute when the predetermined criteria have been met. With the instantaneous and low-cost nature of crypto transactions, along with the potential for highly secure 'smart contracts', blockchain technology can be used to minimise fraud and legal disputes arising from business contracts. 

Below we look at several examples of how large corporations are implementing blockchain technology and smart contracts:

Walmart employs blockchain technology and smart contracts to develop an advanced platform for tracing the supply chain of food products. Their goal is to reduce waste and enhance food safety standards.

JPMorgan Chase pioneers the Quorum platform, revolutionising the blockchain industry by enabling companies to create and implement smart contracts for various purposes, including supply chain management and financial transactions.

Maersk, a global shipping giant, introduces TradeLens, a blockchain platform aimed at transforming their supply chain processes. Through smart contracts and automation, they enhance efficiency and optimise costs throughout the entire process.

Microsoft introduces the Azure Blockchain Workbench, empowering companies to develop and deploy smart contracts across diverse blockchain technologies.

IBM has launched IBM Blockchain, a groundbreaking platform enabling companies to create and execute intelligent agreements for applications like inventory management and digital identity verification.

• The smart contracts market size is expected to increase from $2.2 billion in 2023 to $8.79 billion in 2030, largely fueled by the growth of dapps (decentralised applications).
  

Crypto payments are the future for businesses

As crypto payments become more widely accepted and useful on a day-to-day basis for ordinary consumers, more and more employees are interested in being paid in crypto, which can have significant advantages for both them and their employers.

Similarly, for businesses involved in hiring remote workers in other countries, using crypto payments can reduce the tax and administrative burden of paying their wages while also ensuring more of their pay ends up in their pockets rather than in a bank’s annual profit statement. 

Finally, the potential for smart contracts to revolutionise cross-border trade is only now beginning to be realised, meaning there truly has never been a better time for businesses of all sizes to explore how cryptocurrencies can help fuel their growth in 2024 and beyond.

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Have you heard of the term “altcoin” but not exactly sure what that means? In this article we’re breaking down everything you need to know about altcoins, from the different types of altcoins and how they work, to how you can get your hands on them (buy altcoins). The crypto industry can often feel a little daunting, so we’re here to clear the air and help you establish a strong foundation of insight, knowledge and know how. 

Starting at the beginning, what are altcoins? Altcoins are all cryptocurrencies except for Bitcoin. Not too complicated, is it? Circling back to the early days of the crypto industry when there were only a few cryptocurrencies on the scene, any new coin that was introduced was referred to as an “alternative coin” (labelling it as an alternative cryptocurrency to Bitcoin), which was then shortened to altcoin. So when someone refers to an altcoin, know that they are talking about any cryptocurrency that is not the original (Bitcoin). Altcoins are still decentralized networks, with most of them utilizing blockchain technology.

How Many Altcoins Are There?

At the time of writing, CoinMarketCap reports that there are over 9,400 altcoins in the cryptocurrency industry. This number is increasing by the day, however it’s worth mentioning that these 9,400+ altcoins only make up 50% of the entire cryptocurrency market’s value. Bitcoin is still the most dominant cryptocurrency, with Ethereum the next bigger cryptocurrency. Ethereum is currently responsible for holding roughly 14.5% of the entire market’s value. As Ethereum is also an altcoin, this makes the “altcoin industry” worth $1 trillion. In general terms, one would rather just say the crypto industry.

The Different Types Of Altcoins

With an industry worth over $1 trillion, there is bound to be a wide range of variation. This is just the case with the crypto industry. There are a number of categories that have been created over the years, allowing for various altcoins to provide a new service to the industry. You can also expect to see tons of innovation in the altcoin space, as each new altcoin needs to either improve on the last one, or provide a different use case.

Each cryptocurrency is designed to solve a problem, either faced within the blockchain industry or outside of it, however, many of these have created a niche altcoin market. An example of this is altcoins focused primarily on providing anonymous transactions, these altcoins then fall into the Privacy category. We’ve detailed seven of the main categories below to give you an indication of the vast innovation and use case potential within the space. 

Payment Focused Altcoins

First and foremost, these cryptocurrencies’ primary aim is to provide a medium of exchange within the digital currency realm. Focusing on payment functionality, these digital currencies are akin to Bitcoin and often were created as a “better” version of BTC (through hark forks on the network). Some examples of this include Litecoin (LTC) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH). 

Protocol Focused Altcoins

Protocol focused altcoins are designed to allow developers to work on their blockchain network to create decentralized apps (dapps), smart contracts, and in some cases other cryptocurrencies. They provide space for innovation within the blockchain industry, and empower developers to learn and grow their blockchain understanding. Examples of protocol focused cryptocurrencies include Ethereum (ETH), Tron (TRON) and Neo (NEO). 

Privacy Focused Altcoins

As mentioned above, privacy focused cryptocurrencies provide users the opportunity to send private transactions that are entirely encrypted. While these networks often garner a bad name due to them being used for illicit activities, they are in essence not far from what Satoshi Nakamoto originally intended for Bitcoin. Each network uses slightly different protocols, however they all provide the means to send secure, anonymous transactions. Examples of privacy focused cryptocurrencies include Monero (XMR), Zcash (ZEC) and Dash (DASH).

Stablecoins

You’ve likely heard of stablecoins before. They are the digital currencies that are pegged to a fiat currency. Providing a stable market inside of what has become known as a highly volatile market (cryptocurrencies as a whole), stablecoins offer a hedge against market dips as well as an entry point for users who want to get a feel for the crypto industry. Examples of stablecoins include USD Coin (USDC) and Tether (USDT) which are both pegged to the US dollar, trading at a 1:1 ratio (i.e. 1 USDT will always be worth $1). Stablecoins also include cryptocurrencies pegged to the value of commodities such as gold and oil.

NFTs

NFTs (non fungible tokens) have had their fair share of mainstream media attention recently, especially after one NFT broke records when sold for millions of dollars. NFTs are actually unique crypto assets that cannot be used in the same way that other digital currencies can be. Each NFT holds unique characteristics that represent a one of a kind product, whether it be a piece of digital art, physical art, a house, or even a luxury handbag. These altcoins cannot be recreated, and hold all their transaction history (previous ownership) on a transparent blockchain. They also cannot be “spent” in the same way as other cryptocurrencies in that one an NFT is created, it has that purpose attached to it for life (unlike BTC which can be spent interchangeably).

CBDCs 

CBDCs (central bank digital currencies) are similar to stablecoins but are created and maintained by financial institutions like banks. These currencies’ value is pegged to the local currency, and allow countries to test the efficiency of digital currencies without the volatility. Many countries are in the development phase of CBDCs, however China is leading the pack having recently launched their testing phase. 

Utility tokens

Utility tokens are blockchain tokens that are unique to a particular platform. Many cryptocurrency projects have created utility tokens as a means of crowdfunding prior to their launch, while other projects create utility tokens to be used within the platform for goods and services. Typically, utility tokens have been ERC-20 tokens, and might allow a user access to a new level of a game or to a subscription of some sorts.

How to Get Altcoins

Having gained an understanding of altcoins, individuals eager to explore the thriving altcoin market can effortlessly leverage the capabilities of the Tap app. Tap offers seamless access to an extensive spectrum of cryptocurrencies, including notable names such as Ethereum, Litecoin, XRP, and an assortment of others. It's crucial to bear in mind that not all cryptocurrency wallets exhibit compatibility across the board. For instance, attempting to house an altcoin like XRP within your Bitcoin wallet or stow Tron within your Ethereum wallet would not work due to their incompatibility.

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As we explore the world of crypto assets, we take a look at the different types of crypto assets on the market and at the wide range of diversity in the new-age industry. As more people enter the market and start exchanging digital assets, the industry grows and expands to allow new variations.

Below we explore the vast diversity in the industry, from crypto assets used as money to ones that reward users for viewing a website. Each business offers a unique solution, and to navigate this we offer you guidance below.

What Are Crypto Assets?

The terms "crypto asset" and "cryptocurrency" can be used interchangeably. They both refer to a digital asset built using blockchain that can be transferred in a direct peer-to-peer manner. The first crypto asset to launch is Bitcoin, which entered (and created) the scene in 2009. Since then thousands of crypto assets have been created, each one with its own unique use case.

The Different Types Of Crypto Assets

While crypto assets might fall into one or more categories, each has its own set of rules and use cases. 

Payment-Focused

These crypto assets can be used to pay for everyday goods and services or as a store of value (in some cases). These include the likes of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), etc.

Stablecoins

Stablecoins are crypto assets that have their value pegged to a fiat currency or commodity. These crypto assets are designed to bypass the volatility synonymous with the crypto market. These include the likes of Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC).

Privacy Coins

Privacy coins are digital assets that hide details of the transaction, such as the origin, destination and amount. These crypto assets offer untraceable monetary transfers. These include the likes of Monero (XMR) and ZCash (ZEC).

CBDCs

Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are crypto assets built and maintained by banks. Used as digital currencies alongside the traditional currency, CBDCs are designed to provide a digital version of the local fiat to which the value is pegged. 

Governance Tokens

Common among decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, governance tokens provide holders with a say in the platform and in future updates. 

Utility Tokens

Utility tokens will typically provide a service to the holder on the platform on which it was created. Commonly created using the ERC-20 token standard, utility tokens might represent a subscription on a platform or a use case specific to that ecosystem. 

Non-Fungible Tokens

Non-fungible tokens, also known as NFTs, are crypto assets that cannot be used interchangeably and instead hold unique and rare properties. Each NFT represents a singular function that cannot be changed.

How Are Crypto Assets Created And Distributed?

Before crypto assets are created the project's intentions are generally circulated through a white paper. In this white paper, the asset's tokenomics will be outlined which will cover how the asset is created and distributed.

Bitcoin, for example, uses a Proof of Work consensus which means that new coins are entered into circulation through miners solving complex mathematical problems. The network was designed to only ever have 21 million coins created, and new coins are slowly entered into the system each time a miner verifies and adds a new block to the blockchain. 

Ethereum on the other hand has no limit to the number of ETH that can be created. The platform is currently moving from a PoW to a Proof of Stake consensus, which alters the way in which transactions are verified, however, new coins still enter circulation through verifying transactions. 

XRP minted all its coins prelaunch and slowly release them into the system through a central authority while Tether creates USDT on demand. For each $1 sent, 1 USDT is created, which can later be removed from circulation should it be sold. 

The Future Of Crypto Assets

With the ICO Boom in 2017, the DeFi boom in 2020 and the more recent NFT Craze, crypto assets aren't going anywhere. With constant innovation and increasing adoption, crypto assets have become an integral part of the modern day financial landscape.

While mainstream adoption is on the rise, a few wrinkles still need to be ironed out. For one, regulatory bodies around the world are working toward creating legal frameworks in which these crypto assets can exist, while centralized banks are exploring whether CBDCs can co-exist with their physical counterparts. While the world seeks to figure these out, one this is for certain: crypto assets are here, and the industry is becoming bigger by the day. 

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n the world of finance and technology, benchmarks are a vital tool for measuring performance and quality. A benchmark is a standard or point of reference used to evaluate the performance or quality of something, such as investment returns or the efficiency of software and hardware systems. This article will explore what benchmarks are, why they are used, provide examples, and explain how to use benchmarks to make more informed investment decisions.

What is a Benchmark?

A benchmark is a standard of comparison used to evaluate the performance or quality of something. In finance, benchmarks are often used to compare the performance of investments to a specific market index. For example, the S&P 500 index is a commonly used benchmark for evaluating the performance of a portfolio of stocks.
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Benchmarks are also used in the technology industry to evaluate the efficiency and performance of hardware and software systems. For example, a computer's processing speed may be benchmarked against industry standards to determine how well it performs compared to other computers on the market.

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Why are Benchmarks Used?

Benchmarks are used for a variety of reasons. In finance, benchmarks are used to evaluate the performance of an investment or a portfolio of investments. By comparing the performance of an investment to a benchmark, investors can determine whether their investment strategy is successful or not.
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In the technology industry, benchmarks are used to evaluate the efficiency and performance of hardware and software systems. By benchmarking a computer or a software system against industry standards, developers can determine how well their product performs compared to other products on the market.
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Examples of Benchmarks
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There are many different benchmarks used in finance. Here are a few examples:
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1. S&P 500 Index - This is a benchmark used to evaluate the performance of a portfolio of stocks in the United States. It is widely used by investors as a measure of the overall performance of the U.S. stock market.
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2. Dow Jones Industrial Average - This is another benchmark used to evaluate the performance of the U.S. stock market. It is based on the stock prices of 30 large U.S. companies.
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How to Use Benchmarks

To use a benchmark, you first need to select the appropriate benchmark for your needs. For example, if you are evaluating the performance of a portfolio of stocks, you would select a stock market index such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
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Once you have selected a benchmark, you can compare the performance of your investment or product to the benchmark. If your investment or product outperforms the benchmark, then it is considered successful. If it underperforms, then you may need to adjust your investment strategy or product development.
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How Do Benchmarks Help You Make More Informed Investment Decisions?

Benchmarks help investors make more informed investment decisions by providing a standard of comparison for investment performance. By comparing the performance of an investment to a benchmark, investors can determine whether their investment strategy is successful or not.

For example, if an investor's portfolio of stocks outperforms the S&P 500 index, then the investor can be confident that their investment strategy is successful. However, if the portfolio underperforms the S&P 500, then the investor may need to reevaluate their investment strategy.

Benchmarks also help investors identify trends in the market. By tracking the performance of a benchmark over time, investors can identify trends in the market and adjust their investment strategy accordingly.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, benchmarks are a fundamental tool used in finance and technology to measure performance and quality. They provide a standard of comparison that helps investors and developers evaluate the success of their investments and products.

Using benchmarks to evaluate investment performance and product efficiency can help you make more informed investment decisions. By comparing the performance of your investments or products to industry standards, you can determine whether your investment strategy or product development is successful or not.

Overall, benchmarks are an essential tool for evaluating performance and quality, and understanding how to use them is crucial for success in finance and technology.

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There’s no denying that the recent surge in Bitcoin adoption has largely been fueled by the incredible bull run. With mainstream media, large corporations, and more retail investors taking notice, many merchants have followed suit and added the original cryptocurrency to their list of payment options. As the market erupts, let’s explore what can you buy with Bitcoin exactly.

Bitcoin’s Surge In Adoption

While 2020 was a challenge for most industries, the crypto markets saw unbelievable gains. Despite the universal market destruction that was witnessed across the board, Bitcoin flourished from $3,870 in March to an all time high of $20,000 by the end of the year. Just one week into the new year and the cryptocurrency had doubled reaching $41,515. By 21 February the cryptocurrency was worth $58,330, almost triple the previous all time high.

The extended bull run was due to large firms moving their company reserves from fiat to BTC, with Tesla bringing a lot of media attention to both this pattern but Bitcoin in general. As more people sought to enter the market, more vendors, businesses and retailers sought to offer it as an alternative payment option. According to a study conducted by HSB in 2020, 36% of small-medium businesses in the US accept Bitcoin. This is also likely to triple in coming months.

What Can You Buy With Bitcoin?

As you’ll see below, almost everything. While not every store offers Bitcoin payments, there are plenty of services which offer gift cards for such stores that can be bought with BTC. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Let’s dive into all the things available for purchase with Bitcoin. To make things a bit simpler, we’ve broken it down into the following categories:

Tech

Consumers can purchase everything from a VPN service (ExpressVPN) to cloud storage space (Mega.nz) with the cryptocurrency. Microsoft, Wikipedia and AT&T also grace the list, having accepted Bitcoin as a payment method for some years now. Unsurprisingly, the gaming platform Twitch also features crypto payments (they disabled them and then brought them back). There is even a digital library in San Francisco providing the world with “universal access to all knowledge” that operates off of Bitcoin donations.

Sports

Tech you can understand, but sports? Yes, that’s right. A number of large sports clubs around the world have chosen to embrace the digital currency movement. In America, the most famous to do so are the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Mavericks, while across the pond in the United Kingdom the following football clubs are all in: Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton, Leicester City, Newcastle United, and Cardiff City. S.L Benfica, one of the oldest and most popular sports clubs in Portugal, has also decided to accept Bitcoin for everything from merchandise to game tickets.

Retail

Most famously the American retailer dealing with home decor, Overstock, is one of the largest retailers to accept Bitcoin. Home Depot and Whole Foods also joined the ranks through the Winklevoss Flexa spending app ‘Spedn’ that allows for seamless crypto payments.

Then there are companies that provide a middle ground enabling you to purchase goods from stores that don’t necessarily accept the cryptocurrency directly. This includes Purse.io that is most famously used for Amazon purchase with Bitcoin, and Gyft, a company that sells gift cards for popular stores in exchange for crypto. Gyft can be used for everything from Starbucks to Sephora to iTunes.

Travel

You’d be surprised how many travel companies are now offering purchases with cryptocurrencies. One of the first to cross over was Latvia’s national airline, airBaltic, which announced in 2014 that they would be offering the payment option. Since then a number of leading travel companies including Expedia, CheapAir, and Destinia have followed suit. Alternatively, you could purchase a trip to space with Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic. There is even a specially designed travel company catering solely to Bitcoin shoppers, Bitcoin.Travel.

Food

Another industry to embrace Bitcoin payments with a number of top fast food chains embracing the crypto life in various corners of the globe. Multiple Subways around the world, Pizza Hut in Venezuela, 40 international locations of Burger King, and KFC in Canada have all joined the forward driven club.

BTC Tapping Into The Future

And then of course just about anything in Japan. If you’re looking for goods to purchase with Bitcoin, you can usually see from an online stores’ homepage if it is an option, or in a brick-and-mortar store there will usually be QR code at the checkout counter indicating that Bitcoin is accepted there. If you’ve found that Bitcoin payments are definitely for you, buy, send and spend BTC directly from your Tap app. What can you buy with Bitcoin through your Tap app? Just about anything thanks to the seamless payments integration technology.

As you navigate the waters of the cryptocurrency market you're likely to come across a term called "coin burning". In this article, we're exploring the process used to manage the token supply of projects, a means for companies to manually alter the supply (and thereby demand) of a token's circulating supply. While not adopted by every project, coin burning has proven over the years to be successful in increasing the price of a digital currency.

What Is A Coin Burn

Diving right in, a coin burn is the process of removing a certain number of tokens from circulation by sending them to an invalid address, a "black hole" of sorts. This process is written into the project's code and implemented at various increments as outlined in the whitepaper. While Bitcoin doesn't make use of coin burning, many projects on the Ethereum network, particularly ERC-20 tokens, have been known to implement it.

Through the use of a smart contract, also known as a burn function, the network would remove a specified number of tokens from circulation, decreasing the total supply and thereby (hopefully) increasing the demand. Coin burns have been known to lead to an increase in price, as the supply-demand ratio is altered.

An Example Of Coin Burning

A top 10 cryptocurrency project underwent a coin burn last year that is believed to be the biggest layer 1 token burn to date. 88.7 million LUNA, the native coin to the Terra project, were burned in November 2021 following a vote by the community. This was effectively worth $4.5 billion at the time. A few days following the coin burn the LUNA token hit a new record high. 

The burn aimed to remove value from Terra’s community pool, but in reality, it simply moved the value from the pool to the individual holders of the cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin Cash and Stellar are two other high profile cryptocurrencies that have made use of the coin burning initiative. Shiba Inu is another cryptocurrency to have undergone a coin burn, although this wasn't the initial intention of the project. The project's developers gifted half of the SHIB supply to Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin, who went on to donate 10% and burn the remaining 90%.

How Does Coin Burning Work?

Should a project wish to implement a coin burn they will need to create a smart contract. Smart contracts are digital agreements that execute when certain criteria have been met. Say a project wants to implement a coin burn every 200,000 blocks, they will create the burn function to include this instruction.

When this milestone is achieved, the coins will automatically move from the designated wallet to a wallet address that does not have a private key. Without a private key, these coins can never be recovered. The coins will then be sent from the one wallet address to the other and effectively be removed from circulation. The transaction (burn) will be added to the network's blockchain records and be available to view through the blockchain explorer.

The Downside To Coin Burning

Before you invest in a project that undergoes coin burning it is important to note that coin burning does not guarantee an increase in the coin's price. The increase in price will depend on the network, the market climate and the current sentiment. During the Shiba Inu coin burn, while the price rose considerably, it soon returned to a more stable and substantially lower level.

Coin burning can also be used by ill acting developers to deceive the community. Say a project has a total supply of 100 million tokens and allocates 10 million to the platform's developers. They could then burn 40 million tokens, increasing their hold to 60% of the circulating supply on the network.

As with all transactions conducted on the blockchain, all payments are irreversible meaning that once you burn coins they can never be recovered.

What Is Proof Of Burn?

Not to be confused with coin burning, Proof of Burn (PoB) is a consensus mechanism similar to Proof of Work and Proof of Stake. The model utilizes an element of coin burning in its mining practice and is known to use considerably less energy than its PoW counterpart.

The process requires miners to burn tokens in order to participate in the mining process. The more coins burned the more blocks they can create, meaning the more rewards (in the form of transaction fees) they can earn. Miners are still required to use mining hardware. The benefit of this is to provide a less energy-intensive blockchain network that can run optimally through a network of decentralized mining participants.

You've likely come across the term "token" in your crypto ventures, or heard Bitcoin and Ethereum described as a token, but what does this all mean? In this article, we're breaking down what a token is, and how to distinguish a coin from a token and how it can be used as a tool to store value.

Token Definition

A token, in the cryptocurrency sense of the world, represents a particular asset or utility. It's worth noting in this item that tokens and cryptocurrencies are terms often used interchangeably however they technically differ. Tokens typically fall into one of the following three categories:

Payment tokens

These tokens allow users to purchase goods and services outside of the blockchain, offering an alternative currency. 

Security tokens

Similar to initial public offerings (IPOs) on the stock market, security tokens offer users an ownership stake or entitle the holder to dividends in a blockchain project. 

Utility tokens 

Utility tokens offer users access to a service within a particular ecosystem, similar to loyalty points on a Starbucks card. These points hold value within their own ecosystem but cannot be used outside of that. ‍

Coins vs Tokens

Getting more technical, when exploring coins vs tokens, tokens are categorised as crypto assets that have been built on top of another blockchain while coins are built on their own blockchain. 

Ether, for example, is the native token to the Ethereum blockchain, however, the platform allows developers to create a range of token standards on top of it. Based on this information, all ERC-20 tokens are therefore categorised as tokens as opposed to coins. 

USD Coin (USDC) and Tether (USDT) are therefore tokens as they are built on top of the Ethereum blockchain. While each network is operated by its own leadership, both use Ethereum's blockchain to facilitate all transactions.‍

How Are Tokens Traded?

Much like coins, tokens can be bought, sold and traded on exchanges, or sent directly from one wallet to another. This is facilitated by blockchain technology, in the same way that coins are transferred from one location to another. Unlike coins, which are all fungible in nature, tokens can sometimes be non-fungible, meaning that they are not identical in value and function. 

Tokens are sent using the wallet address of a recipient's blockchain-compatible wallet. The address is often represented by a barcode in the form of a QR code, or through a lengthy alphanumeric code. All transactions take place from the wallet holding the tokens and are sent directly to the wallet of the recipient without the need for a centralized authority like a bank. Tokens can typically be bought on exchanges, often with Visa or Mastercard, or exchanged between users.

How is an NFT Different from Cryptocurrency?

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are all different from each other as they each represent a real-world object, whether a digital piece of artwork or a bottle of fine wine. Bitcoin can be traded for anything around the world, whereas NFTs are unique in nature and while they hold value they cannot be used interchangeably. 

What Are NFTs Used For?

NFTs are used to represent a particular asset, whether it be physical or digital. When minted, these tokens will permanently represent that asset and cannot be changed. For example, one NFT could represent an apartment in London while another could represent a song by Kings of Leon. The possibilities are endless, and the marketplaces are huge.

Users can easily trade NFTs on marketplaces (through a website or mobile app) such as OpenSea or Rarible. Once you own an NFT you are credited with the ownership rights of the asset the NFT represents. Due to the nature of blockchain technology, this is permanently displayed on the network's public ledger for anyone to review. This process ensures that the ownership of an NFT cannot the changed and the information is available for anyone to credit.

Note that several blockchain networks currently support the minting of NFTs, and the holder will need a wallet specific to that blockchain in order to hold the NFT.

Are Tokens Regulated?

When it comes to regulation, countries around the world are currently drawing up legal frameworks to better implement cryptocurrencies into our current financial system. This includes the likes of tokens.

Once cryptocurrencies are regulated by government authorities, they could provide the world with unrealized use cases like being used to manage a prescription at a pharmacy or clinical services or to provide feedback to IT support. While there are plenty of tokens available on the market today, it's likely that this is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of their potential to improve issues faced around the world.

In this article, we’re exploring the most recent addition to the list of supported cryptocurrencies on the Tap App, one of the highly esteemed top 20 cryptocurrencies based on market cap, Algorand (ALGO).

What is Algorand (ALGO)?

Algorand is a decentralized blockchain platform that supports the development of a wide range of dapps (decentralized applications). The platform has been used to create dapps across industries like real estate, copyright, microfinance and more. Launching the same month as its ICO, the Algorand mainnet officially went live in June 2019. 

The Pure-Proof-of-Stake (PPoS) network was created to improve efficiency and transaction times within the crypto space, as well as reduce transaction costs. With no mining (due to the PPoS consensus), Algorand represents a more sustainable and energy-reserving contribution to the space. 

A unique aspect of the platform is that as new ALGO enter circulation with the creation of each new block, the newly minted coins are distributed to everyone who holds a certain amount of ALGO in their wallets. 

While the project is relatively new, it has received the backing of big names and has seen impressive company interest. In June 2021, Arrington Capital bet $100 million on the platform after launching a fund supporting initiatives building on Algorand, while fintech infrastructure provider Six Clovers launched a cross-border payment system on the platform. 

The platform was also selected to host the Marshall Islands CBDC. 

Who created Algorand?

The blockchain platform was created by Silvio Micali, a highly regarded contributor to the crypto space and recipient of the 2012 Turing Award. The MIT computer science professor was recognised for his fundamental contributions to “the theory and practice of secure two-party computation, electronic cash, cryptocurrencies and blockchain protocols.” 

The Algorand whitepaper was co-authored by Stony Brook University professor Jing Chen.

When first conceptualised in 2017, Micali wanted to create a platform that not only provided digital transactions but also tracked assets like titles and property. The platform also allows for the creation of smart contracts (decentralized digital agreements) and tokens. 

How does Algorand work?

The Algorand platform is divided into two layers: layer 1, responsible for ​​ensuring the network’s security and compatibility, and layer 2, responsible for more complex developments. 

Layer 1 supports asset creation, smart contracts, and atomic swaps between assets while layer 2 is reserved for more compound smart contracts and dApp development. These two layers allow the network to process transactions more efficiently, with simple transactions taking place on layer 1, while more complex smart contracts are executed off-chain. 

Through the pure proof of work consensus, the two-phase block production is conducted through a propose and vote system where users who stake ALGO are randomly selected to validate and approve each block as it is created. Stakers only need to hold 1 ALGO in order to generate a participation key necessary to become a Participation Node. 

These nodes are coordinated by Relay Nodes which are not actively involved in the verification process but are responsible for facilitating communication among the Participation Nodes.

The more of the native cryptocurrency a user holds, the more likely they are to be selected. This consensus ensures that the platform is secure, decentralized and able to process transactions in seconds as opposed to minutes (as on other networks).

Algorand is able to process over 1,000 transactions per second (TPS) and validate transactions in less than five seconds.

What is ALGO?

ALGO is the native token to the Algorand platform. As the newly minted coins are distributed to all users holding ALGO (whether on an exchange or in a non-custodial wallet) and not just the nodes verifying transactions, holders of the token are able to earn a 7.5% annual percentage yield (APY). 

A total of 10 billion tokens were minted, with roughly 6.8 billion in circulation at the time of writing. These tokens are gradually entered into circulation through predetermined distribution channels. The token distribution for ALGO is as follows:

• 3.0 billion. To be injected into circulation over the first 5 years, at first via auction.
• 1.75 billion. Allocated to participation rewards.
• 2.5 billion. Allocated to relay node runners.
• 2.5 billion. Allocated to the Singapore-based Algorand Foundation & Algorand, Inc.
• 0.25 billion. Allocated to end-user grants. 

How Can I Buy ALGO?

If you’re interested in accumulating this leading blockchain token, you can do so effortlessly through the Tap app. As part of a new string of supported tokens, Tap users will now be able to buy, sell, trade and store the cryptocurrency that everyone is talking about. 

ICO is an abbreviation for Initial Coin Offering, a term coined supposedly in 2013 yet only gained popularity in 2017. ICOs were created as a method of raising funds for cryptocurrency projects in a crowdfunding manner. When people partake in an ICO, through funding it, they receive "shares" of that project in the form of cryptocurrency tokens.

This method is set up to help new projects find funding to build their project, platforms, or products. It's very similar to investing in a start-up in the hopes of a project becoming bigger and better through your investment contribution.

Mastercoin was the first ICO recorded back in 2013, raising a grand total of 5,120 BTC. Shortly after, Ethereum followed, and in 2014 raised roughly $18 million to build their project. There is clearly a great deal of success to be seen through ICOs, so let's see what all the fuss is about.

ICO vs IPO vs IEO

Let's look at IPOs, or initial public offerings, to learn more about where ICOs originated.

Similar to ICOs, IPOs were created as a way of gaining capital to better the businesses' infrastructures. While they are similar to a crowdfunding aspect,the primary distinction is in how investors are rewarded. IPOs will offer their investors shares, while ICOs offer digital currencies that can be used within their ecosystems or can be sold when the price increases.

Now that we understand how ICOs and IPOs work, let's discuss the differences when it comes to IEOs, or Initial Exchange Offerings. Again, this is another method used to raise funds for upcoming projects, but there are some key aspects that make IEOs different to IPOs and ICOs. While IEOs are also a crowdfunding method in the cryptocurrency industry, they use an exchange. Anyone can generally buy tokens from an ICO page, whereas IEOs use exchanges as the distribution mechanism.

In order to take part in an IEO, you must be a registered user of the exchange that the project is utilizing. While IEOs may be more transparent, they do push us towards a more centralized approach. There are also IDOs, Initial Dex Offering, Dex standing for decentralized exchange (increasing the data privacy aspect), but that's a topic for another day.

How they work

So now we know what ICOs are and how they differ from their counterparts, but now let's delve deeper into how ICOs actually work. As stated, ICOs are a way for cryptocurrency projects to raise money. When a project decides to launch an ICO it will generally underline the sale dates, the participation rules, and the buying process.

Usually, investors will need to choose currencies they are happy to accept in exchange for their tokens, such as Mastercoin accepting Bitcoin. There are some ICOs who will also accept fiat currencies as payment.

The projects' core purpose, its timeline, and how much money is needed to succeed should be released in their whitepaper. If the project does not raise enough money to meet the minimum funds needed, the money should be returned to those who contributed. This would classify the ICO as unsuccessful.

If the funding goal is met, the project will continue to pursue its original goals and contributors will be able to claim their tokens further along. Tokens will either be listed on notable exchanges later on or will be distributed using smart contract technology,This is something you should do more study on before contributing to an ICO.

Advantages and disadvantages

While ICOs have proven to be a massive benefit to project developers, there are some underlying issues and risks that may come into play. In order to give you the best chance of understanding ICOs we will need to cover all the pros and cons that come with ICOs. So let's see what you have to look out for:

Pros

        High potential profits

        Accessible to anyone (unlike IEOs)

        Money returned if unsuccessful (smart contacts)

        Transparency on fund usage (Blockchain)

        High liquidity

Cons

        No intrinsic value

        No legal guarantees

        Potential fraud

Frequently asked questions

Now that we have covered the basics, there are some additional questions the internet has and we thought we would take the time to answer them for you. These are the most frequently asked questions about ICOs, and while we have answered some here is a more TL;DR breakdown:

What does ICO mean?

ICO stands for Initial Coin Offering, a phrase coined by the cryptocurrency industry.

What is the purpose of an ICO?

ICO is a method used to raise funds for up and coming projects, think of it as an early investment phase.

How do I get an ICO?

That depends on the ICO you want to partake in, you will generally need to sign up to the ICO, deposit funds, and wait for the tokens to be distributed either through an exchange or smart contract. This differs depending on the projects' ICO parameters.

Is Bitcoin an ICO?

No, Bitcoin required no funding, tokens were mined and sold without the need for crowdfunding.

How many ICOs are there?

There is no definitive number out there but consensus shows that there have been roughly over 7,000 businesses that have attempted ICOs.

Are ICOs safe?

This is a tricky question and depends greatly on the individual project that is hosting an ICO, whether they are using smart contact technology, and how legitimate the team behind it is. ICOs can be safe, but they also carry risks, it is always best to do your own research before investing.

As there is no universal authority on ICOs there is certainly a lack of regulation in the space so be sure to do thorough research before parting ways with your money.

Closing Thoughts

That is all the essential information you need to grasp in order to better understand what an ICO is. From the textbook definition to its competitors, how it works, and everything in between. ICOs are popular for a reason, they offer a range of benefits to both projects and investors, but you should keep in mind that there is no benefit without risk.

While we can explain what an ICO is, we can not tell you whether to invest in an ICO. It's important to vet the project for yourself and see if it aligns with your interests, and more importantly if it has all the key components for a legitimate project and token.

While the world is increasingly accepting of ICOs from both businesses and retail investors standpoints, there are several alternatives available. We briefly discussed IEOs and IDOs, but more crowdfunding methods have flourished from the origins of ICOs, so be sure to explore those out too. At the end of the day, we hope we helped you better understand what an ICO is.

A consistent member of the top 10 biggest cryptocurrencies by market cap, Cardano has earned itself an impressive position in the market. The innovative project was developed by a team of brilliant minds, including the co-founder of Ethereum, Charles Hoskinson, and aims to be the next generation of Ethereum. Let's explore what Cardano is and why has become a popular cryptocurrency. 

What is Cardano?

Cardano is the blockchain platform that has taken the industry by storm since its launch. Alongside its cryptocurrency, ADA, Cardano provides developers with a platform on which to build decentralized applications (dapps) and smart contracts. Through a more scalable and sustainable model, Cardano seeks to improve on Ethereum's offering and propel the blockchain and crypto industry into a more eco-friendly future. 

Cardano uses a Proof-of-Stake consensus to facilitate the network and is considered to be a third-generation blockchain platform (Bitcoin being the first, Ethereum the second). Unlike other blockchain platforms, Cardano does not have a whitepaper and instead relies on rigorous academic and peer-reviewed research. The platform has numerous ties with universities around the world, contributing to the funding of the development of blockchain research. 

Who created Cardano?

Cardano was first conceptualized in 2015 and later launched in September 2017 by Ethereum co-founder, Charles Hoskinson. His goal was to build a highly scalable and energy-efficient smart contract platform. After leaving the Ethereum team, Hoskinson grouped together a team of expert engineers and academics and set out to build a layered blockchain platform from scratch. 

Today, the platform is developed by a group of organisations that each focus on different elements of the business. The first is the Cardano Foundation which is responsible for standardizing, protecting and promoting the protocol technology. Input-Output Hong Kong (IOHK) focuses on building technological solutions centred around financial inclusion, while its sister company Emurgo is a global initiative designed to "support developers, startups and enterprises in developing blockchain solutions".

Together these companies assist in the growth and development of Cardano. While regulatory news and Bitcoin may be behind many altcoin price swings, Cardano has done well to establish its value in the crypto market and build a community that supports its goals.

How does Cardano work?

Through a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism known as Ouroboros, Cardano provides peer-to-peer transactions, dapp development and the creation of smart contracts. The layered architecture makes this possible, with one layer, known as the Cardano Settlement Layer (CSL) responsible for validating transactions and maintaining the ledger of balances while the Cardano Computing Layer (CCL) is responsible for the execution of all dapp computations via smart contracts. 

The separation of these two layers allows the platform to offer lower fees, less network congestion and faster transactions. When thoroughly tested in 2017, Cardano was able to process 257 transactions per second (TPS), a large jump from Bitcoin's 4.6 TPS and Ethereum's 15 - 20 TPS. 

Through its network of validators (known as a miner on a Proof-of-Work mining network) who each hold a stake in the network, Cardano is able to deploy smart contracts, facilitate the peer-to-peer exchange of value and provide the building blocks for dapp and token creation. 

What is ADA?

Let's first cover where the name came from. ADA is a nod to the person regarded as the "world's first computer programmer", the 19th-century mathematician, Ada Lovelace. Cardano on the other hand was named after the 16th-century Italian polymath Gerolamo Cardano. Each phase in the project's development is named after famed historical characters pertaining to maths, physics and literature.

While ADA can be used as digital cash to conduct payments, the cryptocurrency has a wider range of uses. The native token to the platform's operations, ADA, can be used to facilitate transactions, as a store of value, to participate in staking functionality, and to pay transaction fees on the network. 

ADA will also be used as a governance token in the future, allowing its holders the ability to vote on upgrades and changes on the platform. This is in line with Cardano's intentions to make the network entirely decentralized and community-driven, incorporating an automated treasury system that would oversee and execute all funding required. 

Cardano's Roadmap

Another interesting element to the Cardano network is that all five development phases are consistently worked on at the same time, as opposed to moving on to the next once one is complete. 

Of the five phases, each focuses on specific functionalities:

Byron - foundation (completed)

Shelley - decentralization (completed)

Goguen - smart contracts

Basho - scaling

Voltaire - governance

Where To Buy Cardano (ADA)

If you're looking to add ADA to your cryptocurrency portfolio, you can conveniently and securely buy the token through your Tap app. If you haven't done so already, simply download the app, complete the quick identity verification step and load your account with funds (crypto or fiat) with which you can buy ADA. The cryptocurrency will then be deposited into your unique ADA wallet, available for your perusal.

Decentralized finance, or "DeFi," refers to financial services that provide many of the same features as traditional banks - like earning interest on your money and borrowing from others - but without middlemen who take a fee or charge interest, paperwork, or privacy trade-offs. A chartered accountant and Blockchain do not have much in common, but they are starting to as DeFi and FinTech take over. I

nstead of relying on financial services like banks, users can utilize smart contracts on blockchain. Cryptocurrencies ensuring even more ease of use for DeFi users, providing the hottest speeds, fees, and transparency. Defi and digital currencies are growing in popularity thanks to the perks of Blockchain technology. Let us get more into the concept and how it caters to a larger audience.

The aim and use of DeFi

Decentralized finance is the future of financial services, and it's already here. The aim of DeFi is to provide a decentralized financial services platform that is open and accessible to anyone in the world, using tech like crypto to help advance the everyday life of anyone and any business willing to give decentralization a try.

In the past decade, we've seen a rise in peer-to-peer lending platforms such as Lending Club, Patreon, BTCJam, and an explosion of digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

All of these developments have taken us one step closer to the decentralized future of finance that we've been dreaming about, but there's still more work to be done.

What's wrong and how can DeFi fix it

Many institutions in the financial sector are slow and expensive when it comes to providing basic services like payments. Online lender contracts can charge interest rates as high as 30 percent, and the global remittance industry charges fees that can be as high as 12 percent.

These fees and delays mean some of the most vulnerable individuals of our society are paying the highest prices for financial services when they need them most. While the traditional financial system can be slow and expensive, it doesn't have to be this way. Decentralized finance (DeFi) is an emerging category of services where trust intermediaries such as banks are replaced with cryptographic code and smart contracts, which reduces costs for everyone involved - especially when it comes to international payments.

DeFi is a new category of services that are globally accessible and built on top of blockchain infrastructure, without any charge or barrier to entry. It's also much more secure than traditional financial systems because the technology used isn't connected to a central server that can be hacked. DeFi users smart contracts applications to ensure ease of use and instant transfers of information and funds.

Your money is always yours; it's just moving from one smart contract to another. No permission from an intermediary is required in order to use it. All you need to do is have a cryptocurrency wallet, computer or mobile device, and internet connection like everyone else using DeFi services today.

DeFi isn't coming, it's already here

When you ask yourself, "where is DeFi going?", the answer is simple: everywhere. DeFi can be used from every corner of the world, and it's already available today. Innovation at its finest.

DeFi services are not theoretical. They're already being used by real people today to make real asset payments, earn interest on their digital savings, and borrow money from both friends and strangers, all without ever going through a bank or traditional financial institution. Whether you are investing, a money maker, or an asset holder, the shift to DeFi is inevitable.
Blockchain technology provides the first-ever opportunity for these separate building blocks to come together in order for the entire financial system to work seamlessly without any intermediaries, so it will only get better with time. From an economic standpoint, DeFi offers better rates and all the perks of FinTech. Cryptocurrency assets like Ethereum have seen plenty of investment opportunities arise as DeFi and Blockchain merge.

DeFi pros and cons

In order to get a complete picture of what DeFi is, it's important to understand all the good and bad parts that we are facing now. So let's dive into the details.

DeFi pros:

• The interest rate on savings and money lending is relatively high, just as it would be without intermediaries.
• Financial services are more accessible than in traditional bank systems because there aren't any barriers to entry, like non-existent internet infrastructure or bank account fees.
• Transaction and disruption times are much faster because DeFi transactions can move directly from peer to peer without having to go through intermediaries.

DeFi Cons:

• Some transactions might not be as private due to the public records of smart contracts on a blockchain (keeping that in mind, transparency is always beneficial). This however increases security because fraud or reversal can't happen.
• Access to DeFi services can be limited if you live in a part of the globe where these services aren't supported or don't have high enough adoption rates, as compared to traditional banking systems in developed countries. Regulator issues may also occur.
• There isn't a built-in mechanism for handling consumer disputes between peers because the technology simply wasn't designed with this function in mind.
• It's difficult to understand what you're getting yourself into when joining a DeFi service, since it varies from one application to the next and is based on new technology. This doesn't have to be the case in the future.
  

As of now, it's still the early days for DeFi and there are some challenges to overcome before we can look at it as a real alternative. There's still a lot of work to be done, but it will all pay off in the end.

Coined in 2014, hyperbitcoinisation is the voluntary transition from an inferior currency to a superior one, referring to Bitcoin becoming the primary currency in an area. As was the case with El Salvador integrating Bitcoin into its financial service sector in 2021, the world is slowly progressing to a more inclusive space for cryptocurrencies, inching closer to the prospect of hyperbitcoinisation.

In this article, we explore this concept and what is contributing to its progress in the financial industry.

What is hyperbitcoinisation?

There are three core ideas behind the definition of hyperbitcoinisation. The first relates to a gradual transition from an inferior currency to a superior one, while the second alludes to a tipping point where fiat currencies are no longer sustainable and are abandoned for the use of cryptocurrencies. The final definition sees hyperbitcoinisation as the swift and irreversible adoption of Bitcoin as the world's primary monetary reserve. 

In conclusion, hyperbitcoinisation is Bitcoin-induced currency demonetization, it's intended not to disrupt the traditional currency markets, but rather to be used alongside them. It's the language of the Bitcoin maximalist, one who sees Bitcoin as the answer to everything (unit of account, store of value and medium of exchange). 

Hyperbitcoinisation would require the price to stabilize, providing a more stable economy for transactions to take place. It would also require stronger regulation in the space to ensure the protection of the people using it. While the decentralized nature of Bitcoin is often a drawing point for investors, it will require an element of regulation in order to become a legal tender and considered to be sound money.

The positive factors pointing toward hyperbitcoinization

In order for hyperbitcoinisation to take effect a number of things need to occur. For starters, Bitcoin would need to be adopted by a strong network of institutions, main street businesses, merchants, public and private companies, ETFs, central banks, governments and regular investors. 

From an operating perspective, the nodes on the Bitcoin network would need to increase substantially. Currently, there are roughly 14,000 nodes around the world with the main clusters in Germany, France, the United States, and the Netherlands. In order for hyperbitcoinisation to take full effect, the network would need to expand in both product numbers and globalisation. 

There are currently an estimated 400,000 daily Bitcoin users and over 100 million people holding Bitcoin. While these numbers are impressive, they represent only a small fraction of the world's population. As Bitcoin gradually moves through from the Early Adopters to Early Majority stages in the technology adoption scale, in order for hyperbitcoinisation to take full effect we would need to have transitioned to the Late Majority and Laggards segments. This would indicate that societal adoption has peaked and stabilised. 

On the note of societal adoption, it is estimated that collectively around the world countries hold over 250,000 BTC, while public and private companies own 414,000 BTC, and ETFs over 800,000 BTC. This indicates that Bitcoin adoption is creeping into government and company holdings as well as traditional investment vehicles. 

While there is much to be achieved, these factors all clearly indicate that the ball is in motion. 

_{The negative factors contributing to hyperbitcoinization}

The flip side of the coin shows which negative factors contribute to hyperbitcoinisation, namely central bank digital currencies (CBDC) and inflation. 

CBDCs provide a strong current in the flow toward global crypto adoption. While CBDCs are not decentralized or true to the origins of cryptocurrencies, they operate in the same way and will drive populations to become familiar with digital versions of cash. 

As more people become used to the concept, it is likely that they will incorporate Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies into their daily habits as these, at their core, are more similar to cash than the CBDC alternative. They are also less monitored and offer a greater opportunity for financial freedom. 

Inflation on the other hand has already played a large role in the adoption of cryptocurrencies. Following the inflation-inducing stimulus implemented by governments during the Covid-19 pandemic, many investors and businesses turned to Bitcoin to protect their capital. By the end of 2021, countries around the world were experiencing the highest inflation rates in decades. 

As people lose faith in their fiat currencies and turn to cryptocurrencies, as witnessed by the incredible gains seen across the entire crypto market, this only fuels the road to hyperbitcoinisation. 

In Conclusion

Monetary and economic transitions take years to be properly implemented, however, if the last two years are any indication of what's to come, hyperbitcoinisation just possibly could happen in our lifetime. While there are many, many factors that need to take place before it's even a remote possibility, the groundwork already established indicates that we're on the right path. 

Know your customer also known as "KYC" is a regulatory requirement imposed by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and fraud prevention. The requirements for KYC are determined on an industry-by-industry basis. Fintech businesses and the Bank sector typically requires KYC of customers who open a new account with them.

KYC ensures that financial institutions know their customers' identity well enough to understand where funds came from for deposits or how payments will be made before starting to use the company's services. KYC is an efficient first line of defense in combating terrorism financing by verifying customer identities to help identify any potential links to terrorist organizations, bribery, corruption, individuals with a history of money laundering.

KYC is an important measure in anti-money laundering regulations, making it a safety guard for cryptocurrencies. Financial institutions and regulated service providers such as Tap boast robust KYC process to protect our consumers so that you can feel more confident that your funds will remain secure no matter the business environment circumstances.

How does KYC work?

Within the Finance sector, any company or project must meet strict rules and regulations that require to have rigorous identification checks (also called regulatory compliance) such as verification of address information, validation of residency status. Apart from verifying a customer's identity, it's also important to confirm the user's location and address. Your identity documents will provide basic data like your name and date of birth, but more is needed to establish your residence, for example.

During a standard Know Your Customer process, you will be asked for several documents:

-A proof of identity ( such as passport, ID card, driving license)

-A proof of residence

-A selfie (to prove that it's you)

The KYC must be completed at the initial stage as well as on an ongoing basis so that businesses can deliver services or goods to clients. It is a best practice for any business offering financial services to re-verify the identity of their customers at regular intervals to ensure AML. Sometimes new customers have to go through several steps of verification before they can start any financial transaction/investment using the service of the company.

KYC Around The World:

KYC regulations can vary from country to country, but there is a lot of international cooperation on the basic data information needed. For example in America, KYC and AML processes are driven by financial crime prevention legislations such as The Bank Secrecy Act (2001) and Patriot Act (2006). In Europe, KYC compliance regulation falls under EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive with PSD2 providing additional regulatory guidance for all countries within the Union. Internationally however it's been agreed that FATF should coordinate multinational cooperation when it comes to regulatory conditions.

The Benefits: 

In spite of the time it takes to set up accounts, KYC identity verification is worth it when taking into account the benefits, keeping your funds safe, protect you from identity theft, fraud, and other illegal activities is largely the result of robust KYC control. These procedures ensure that financial service providers are not only safe but trustworthy. Trade Crypto with Confidence with regulated companies like Tap boasting robust KYC procedures to safeguard its customer assets and information.

In short: KYC is a common regulatory requirement that financial service providers are obliged to fulfill in order for businesses to operate under the law and consumers should take KYC seriously. KYC requirements differ across the financial sector. It is a necessary measure in anti-money laundering regulations, making it an important safety guard for cryptocurrencies as well as customer assets by preventing fraudulent activity. KYC in the Fintech or Bank sector is generally imposed on new customers who open a new account.

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Risk management involves identifying and analysing the risks involved, and then choosing whether to accept this risk or make changes to avoid the risk. This process is one we carry out daily, from crossing the street to engaging with a stranger, however, in this realm we’re looking at it from a finance/investment point of view. 

If you have a fund manager or financial adviser, they will generally be responsible for calculating and communicating the risks associated with any type of investment. This will cover the potential returns as well as the potential risks to your capital. 

For example, investing in an emerging asset will hold a lot more risk than buying the stocks of a well-established institution. It’s worth noting that high risk doesn’t necessarily equate to a negative, typically assets with higher levels of risk bring about higher levels of return (high risk, high reward).

Each person’s level of risk will vary from one to another and should be decided prior to making any investments. Once this is established, your investment portfolio will work within those realms so as to manage that level of risk. 

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Sitting among the 30 biggest cryptocurrencies by market cap, Stellar is focused on bridging the gap between the business of blockchain and the traditional financial institutions. The platform provides a means for users to send assets and money through the blockchain, utilising a decentralised network of authenticators.

Redefining the financial landscape, Steller presents a digital transformation on the traditional services users have become accustomed to. Merging innovation with a practical application, the network is able to help users around the world, as well as financial industries, achieve a more streamlined service. Let's explore what Stellar is.

What is Stellar (XLM)?

Before we dive into the "what", let's first stipulate that one stellar is known as a lumen and uses the ticker XLM. Stellar launched in July 2014 and soon afterwards changed its strategy to be more focused on integrating blockchain technology into financial institutions. 

The concept behind Stellar is to provide a space in which users can transfer everything from traditional crypto and fiat currencies to tokens representing new and existing assets, increasing their transaction performance by using lumens.

Similar to the Ripple XRP network, Stellar is designed to cater to both payment providers and financial institutions, building a bridge between the blockchain and traditional financial sector. Developing on the Ripple concept, Stellar has also positioned itself as an exchange as its ledger has an inbuilt order book that keeps track of all the assets on the network. 

Who Created Stellar?

The founders of Stellar are Jed McCaleb and Joyce Kim, both previously employees at Ripple. McCaleb, who founded and was acting CTO of Ripple, and lawyer Joyce Kim, decided to create Stellar after they left the Ripple team in 2013 following a disagreement on the direction that Ripple was taking. McCaleb is also credited with creating the first successful Bitcoin exchange, Mt Gox. 

McCaleb described Stellar's aim as giving people a means of moving their fiat into crypto and more seamlessly conducting international payments. The network provides cross border transactions with low transaction fees and fast executions. With leading technology and innovative problem solving, the network has made a healthy impression on both institutions and investors alike.

How Does Stellar Work?

Stellar is a hard fork off of the Ripple network with several similarities in design and functionality, however, the platform set itself apart by building in several key features. The platform is secured through the Stellar Consensus Protocol which revolves around these core business concepts: decentralised control, flexible trust, low latency, and asymptotic security.

The biggest upgrade launch came in 2015 when the platform replaced its consensus mechanism with a concept called federated Byzantine agreement. This required nodes to vote on transactions until quorums are reached. Anyone is able to join the consensus, and there are measures in place to inhibit bad actors operating with ill intent on the network.

The software behind the platform is called Stellar Core and can be altered to adhere to the needs of the operation using it. The nodes making up the network can be created to function as either Watchers, Archivers, Basic Validators or Full Validators. For example, watchers can only submit transactions while Full Validators can vote on which transactions are valid and maintain a ledger of all node activity.

Another element to the network is the Stellar Anchors. These gateways are responsible for accepting deposits of currencies and assets and issuing depictions of these on Stellar.

What Is XLM?

Known as lumens, XLM is the native cryptocurrency to the Stellar platform. XLM acts as an intermediary currency for transactions taking place on the network. With cost-effective experience priorities, every transaction on the Stellar network costs 0.00001 XLM, a fraction of a dollar (at the time of writing). 

When the platform launched in 2014, 100 billion lumens were minted, programmed to increase by 1% annually until the total supply reached 105 billion. Five years later the Stellar uses voted to end this process. 

That same year, in 2019, the Stellar Development Foundation (a non-profit organisation) reduced its share of XLM in order to regulate the Stellar economy. This brought the total supply down to 50 billion. At the time of writing, roughly 49% of this total supply is in circulation. 

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Risk in trading is the chance that something might negatively impact an investment. Before engaging in any trading activities it is important to evaluate your appetite for risk, determining whether you are able to handle more risk or are more risk averse. 

Measuring risk will be dependent on the type of asset you are investing in, the amount of capital you have to use, and the time frames in which you expect to see results. Different assets and trading strategies hold different amounts of risk. 

For example, investing in an index fund is considered a low-risk investment and is better advised to investors looking to make a slow and steady return over a longer period of time. Index funds aggregate the performance of the 100 companies listed on a particular stock exchange and pay back dividends accordingly. Because they are large companies the growth is often more likely to be smaller yet consistent. 

With a little more appetite for risk, in the crypto markets, the same could be said about choosing to invest in an emerging altcoin versus established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. An emerging asset would encompass a higher risk higher reward ratio, however, no returns are guaranteed. 

You can speak to a financial advisor to get a sense of your risk appetite.

Solana är en högpresterande blockkedja som använder en unik konsensusmekanism för att uppnå både höga transaktionshastigheter och säkerhet. Tack vare sin användarvänliga design används plattformen redan av stora aktörer runt om i världen. Här går vi igenom vad Solana (SOL) är, dess ambitioner, framgångar, och varför det så ofta kallas för en av de största utmanarna till Ethereum.

Sedan Bitcoin introducerades 2009 har ett helt ekosystem av kryptovalutor vuxit fram — värt nära 1,2 biljoner dollar i skrivande stund. Medan Bitcoin skapades som ett alternativt betalningssystem för att lösa problem i det traditionella finanssystemet, har plattformar som Ethereum, och numera Solana, tagit steget längre genom att möjliggöra utvecklingen av hela blockkedjeindustrin med hjälp av programmerbara funktioner.

Vad är Solana (SOL)?

Solana har snabbt seglat upp som en av de mest populära protokollen inom DeFi (decentraliserad finans). Plattformen ger utvecklare möjlighet att bygga decentraliserade applikationer (dApps) och smarta kontrakt — ungefär som Ethereum. Det som gör Solana extra intressant är dock den imponerande transaktionshastigheten och de låga avgifterna.

Bakom projektet står två huvudaktörer: Solana Foundation, en ideell organisation baserad i Schweiz som arbetar med att främja plattformen och skapa internationella samarbeten, och Solana Labs, med säte i San Francisco, som driver den tekniska utvecklingen framåt.

Solana strävar även efter att göra kryptovärlden lite grönare. Plattformen använder nämligen både en Proof-of-Stake-mekanism för att säkra nätverket och en banbrytande innovation kallad Proof-of-History (PoH), framtagen av en av grundarna själv.

PoH fungerar som ett slags tidsstämpel inuti nätverket och gör det möjligt att behandla upp till 65 000 transaktioner per sekund. Som jämförelse hanterar Ethereum ungefär 30 transaktioner i sekunden. Kort sagt hjälper PoH till att hålla koll på tidsflödet i datan — en riktig gamechanger.

Tack vare sin snabbhet har Solana byggt upp ett troget community. Plattformen används av företag inom allt från finans till resor, och intresset för SOL-token, plattformens egna kryptovaluta, är stort.

Nyckelfunktioner hos Solana

Solana har flera starka kort på handen som gör att den sticker ut:

Skalbarhet
Solana kan hantera tusentals transaktioner per sekund tack vare avancerad teknik som parallell bearbetning och så kallade TPUs.

Smarta kontrakt
Plattformen stödjer smarta kontrakt och ger utvecklare friheten att skapa decentraliserade appar.

Konsensus via Proof of Stake (PoS)
Solanas unika PoS-system kombineras med Proof-of-History för snabba transaktioner, effektiv validering och snabba blockbekräftelser.

Decentraliserad finans (DeFi)
Med snabba och prisvärda transaktioner har Solana blivit en favorit inom DeFi-världen — perfekt för utlåning, handel, och mycket mer.

Vem skapade Solana?

Bakom Solana står mjukvaruingenjören Anatoly Yakovenko. Han började utveckla projektet redan 2017 tillsammans med sina tidigare kollegor Greg Fitzgerald och Eric Williams. Med hjälp av sitt team byggde de tillsammans det programmerbara nätverk vi ser idag.

Yakovenko är även hjärnan bakom PoH-protokollet som har gett Solana dess unika skalbarhet och effektivitet. Hans tekniska kunnande har satt ett tydligt avtryck i blockkedjevärlden.

Hur skiljer sig Solana från Ethereum?

En av Solanas huvudambitioner är att förbättra flera av Ethereums tekniska funktioner. Plattformen gör transaktioner betydligt snabbare, samtidigt som den ökar kapaciteten och sänker kostnaderna — något som gjort Solana till ett populärt val för dem som söker effektivitet.

Skalbarhet
Solana har kapacitet att hantera cirka 65 000 transaktioner per sekund idag, och målsättningen är att klara upp till 700 000 när nätverket växer. Jämförelsevis klarar Ethereum omkring 30 TPS.

Det är dessutom en av få plattformar på denna nivå som kan erbjuda sådan kapacitet utan att förlita sig på så kallade "off-chain"-lösningar eller extra lager.

Kostnad
Transaktionskostnaderna på Solana är dessutom betydligt lägre. En genomsnittlig transaktion ligger runt 0,000125 dollar, jämfört med Ethereums cirka 0,0005 dollar vid skrivande stund.

Vad är SOL?

SOL är Solanas egna kryptovaluta som driver nätverket och hjälper till att hålla transaktionskostnaderna nere. SOL fungerar som ett så kallat utility token — det används för att betala transaktionsavgifter på nätverket och för att säkra nätverket via staking.

Eftersom SOL är en proof-of-stake-token innebär det att nätverkets deltagare är med och säkrar systemet genom att låsa sina SOL-tokens. Värdet på SOL påverkas av flera faktorer: projektuppdateringar, marknadsaktivitet, sentiment, och även tokenekonomiska faktorer som inflationstakt, burn rate och hur snabbt ekosystemet växer.

Hur köper man SOL?

Om du är nyfiken på Solana och vill lägga till SOL i din portfölj, så är du i rätt sällskap. Med Tap-appen kan du enkelt köpa, sälja, byta och lagra SOL — både med kryptovaluta och traditionella valutor. På så sätt kan du bli en del av Solanas växande blockkedjeuniversum. Vill du veta mer om hur man handlar Solana? Läs vidare på Tap-webbplatsen.

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Used across all markets, the spread is the difference between the buy (offer) and sell (bid) prices of an asset. Spreads provide an additional opportunity to traders to make money through buying and selling assets.

The spread of an asset will depend on the current demand or an asset and the market’s volatility and is presented in either a percentage or value form. Assets with markets displaying higher levels of demand will typically have smaller spreads and usually higher price points. 

As an example, when you look at an order book for Bitcoin you will usually see prices reflected in green and red reflecting the offer prices and bid prices. The spread will then be indicated above the most recent trades. As another example, consider foreign exchange counters where the buy and sell prices are different, this difference is known as the spread. Market makers use spreads to generate money from transactions completed at market prices.

Let's put this in context: George buys 100 shares for a £2 ask price in “ABC” a publicly listed company. George pays £200 in return for 100 shares. If he decides to sell the shares back at the same price he bought them for, he would sell the 100 shares for the bid price at £1.95 and would receive £1.95 each instead of £2. This would mean he gets a return of £195 and loses £5, which would be paid to the market maker.

Tether (USDT) se sitúa de forma constante entre las principales criptomonedas por capitalización de mercado y, a menudo, registra el mayor volumen diario de negociación de todo el ecosistema cripto. Con el tiempo, se ha convertido en una herramienta esencial para traders de todo el mundo.

Mientras que muchas críticas al sector cripto se centran en su volatilidad, las stablecoins como Tether ofrecen una propuesta distinta: la rapidez y accesibilidad del dinero digital combinadas con la estabilidad del dólar estadounidense.

¿Qué es Tether (USDT)?

Tether (USDT) es una stablecoin ampliamente utilizada, un tipo de criptomoneda diseñada para mantener un valor fijo al estar vinculada a una moneda fiduciaria, en este caso el dólar estadounidense. A diferencia de Bitcoin, cuyo precio fluctúa según la oferta y la demanda del mercado, USDT está pensada para mantenerse cerca de 1 USD, aportando estabilidad en un entorno volátil.

Lanzada originalmente en 2014 bajo el nombre de Realcoin, Tether fue renombrada y concebida como un puente entre el dinero fiat y los activos digitales. Permite a traders, exchanges y usuarios mover valor de forma rápida y eficiente, con menor exposición a la volatilidad del mercado cripto.

Gracias a su estabilidad y liquidez, USDT se utiliza a menudo como un “aparcamiento” temporal de valor. En momentos de incertidumbre, muchos usuarios convierten activos volátiles en USDT para preservar valor sin salir del ecosistema cripto.

A fecha de 2025, Tether se mantiene de forma constante entre las tres mayores criptomonedas por capitalización de mercado, y su volumen diario de negociación suele superar al de otros grandes tokens.

En este artículo analizamos cómo funciona USDT, por qué se utiliza, los riesgos y controversias asociados, y cómo comprarlo y usarlo de forma responsable.

¿Quién creó Tether?

Como se ha mencionado, Tether se lanzó inicialmente como Realcoin en 2014 y fue creado por el inversor en Bitcoin Brock Pierce, el emprendedor Reeve Collins y el desarrollador Craig Sellars. Posteriormente pasó a llamarse USTether y, finalmente, USDT.

Los tres cofundadores cuentan con una amplia trayectoria en el sector cripto y han participado activamente en múltiples proyectos de blockchain y criptomonedas.

Además de USDT, la empresa ha desarrollado otras stablecoins para distintos mercados, como EURT (vinculada al euro), CNHT (vinculada al yuan chino) y XAUT (vinculada al oro).

¿Cómo funciona USDT?

Respaldo de reservas y mecanismo de paridad

Para mantener su paridad (1 USDT = 1 USD), Tether afirma que cada token en circulación está respaldado por reservas. Estas incluyen efectivo, equivalentes de efectivo, repos, papel comercial, bonos del Tesoro de EE. UU. y otros activos a corto plazo.

En sus informes más recientes, Tether indica que aproximadamente el 81,5 % de sus reservas se encuentran en efectivo y bonos del Tesoro estadounidense, con el resto distribuido en otros activos.

Cuando la demanda de USDT aumenta, Tether emite (crea) nuevos tokens. Cuando la demanda disminuye, los tokens pueden retirarse de circulación (burn) para reducir la oferta. Este ajuste dinámico ayuda a mantener el valor cercano a 1 USD.

Infraestructura blockchain y soporte multired

Tether no cuenta con una blockchain propia. En su lugar, USDT existe como token en múltiples redes, como Ethereum (ERC-20), TRON (TRC-20), Solana, Algorand, EOS, entre otras. Esta presencia multired mejora su accesibilidad e interoperabilidad.

Las transacciones dependen de la red subyacente, por lo que es importante enviar USDT siempre en la misma red. Errores al usar redes incompatibles pueden provocar la pérdida irreversible de los fondos.

Emisión, quema y mantenimiento de la paridad

Tether ajusta la oferta según la demanda. Si se producen muchos reembolsos, la cantidad de USDT en circulación disminuye; si la demanda crece, se emiten nuevos tokens. Las reservas sirven para garantizar la liquidez necesaria y respaldar cada USDT emitido.

La paridad también se apoya en el arbitraje: si USDT cotiza ligeramente por encima de 1 $, hay incentivos para vender o canjear; si cae por debajo, aparecen compradores. Este equilibrio entre mercado y reservas ayuda a mantener la estabilidad del precio.

¿Por qué la gente usa USDT?

• Para proteger valor en momentos de alta volatilidad sin salir del entorno cripto.
  
• Porque está disponible en un gran número de exchanges y pares de trading.
  
• Porque permite transferencias rápidas y transfronterizas con menos fricción bancaria.
  
• Como activo base en plataformas DeFi para préstamos, yield farming y otros usos.
  
• En regiones con monedas locales inestables, como alternativa digital más estable para pagos o transferencias.
  

¿Es seguro USDT? Riesgos y preocupaciones

Centralización y riesgo de contraparte

Tether Limited es el emisor centralizado, lo que implica confiar en que la empresa mantiene las reservas adecuadas y cumple los reembolsos. Este modelo difiere de las criptomonedas totalmente descentralizadas.

Transparencia y auditorías

Tether publica informes periódicos de reservas, aunque durante años no ha realizado auditorías completas por parte de una de las grandes firmas contables. En 2025, la empresa anunció conversaciones con una firma del Big Four para avanzar en una auditoría completa.

Incertidumbre regulatoria

Las stablecoins se enfrentan a marcos regulatorios en evolución. Algunos países podrían imponer requisitos más estrictos sobre reservas, licencias o supervisión.

Composición de reservas y liquidez

Aunque la mayor parte de las reservas se declara en efectivo y bonos del Tesoro, una fracción puede estar en activos menos líquidos. En escenarios de reembolsos masivos, la liquidez puede verse tensionada.

Riesgo de desviación de la paridad

USDT suele mantener su valor, pero en situaciones de estrés extremo del mercado puede experimentar desviaciones temporales. La confianza del mercado y la liquidez son claves para su estabilización.

Cómo comprar, vender y usar USDT

Comprar USDT

USDT está disponible en la mayoría de los grandes exchanges. Puede adquirirse mediante moneda fiat (transferencia bancaria o tarjeta) o intercambiando otras criptomonedas.

En la app de Tap, puedes comprar USDT y almacenarlo junto a otros activos en tu wallet.

Almacenar USDT

Es importante usar wallets compatibles con la red correspondiente (ERC-20, TRC-20, etc.). Algunas wallets hardware también admiten USDT en Ethereum.

Convertir USDT a fiat

Muchos exchanges permiten vender USDT por divisas tradicionales y retirar los fondos a una cuenta bancaria.

Usar USDT para pagos o transferencias

USDT puede enviarse entre wallets de forma rápida y global. Las comisiones dependen de la red utilizada.

Composición de reservas y transparencia de USDT

Tether publica informes trimestrales con el desglose de sus reservas. Según los datos más recientes, alrededor del 81,5 % se mantiene en efectivo y bonos del Tesoro de EE. UU., con una reducción progresiva de activos considerados más arriesgados.

Aunque estos informes mejoran la transparencia, algunos críticos consideran que una auditoría externa completa reforzaría aún más la confianza.

USDT frente a otras stablecoins

Aunque USDT sigue dominando el mercado, existen alternativas:

• USDC: conocida por su enfoque regulatorio y auditorías más estrictas.
  
• DAI: stablecoin descentralizada y sobrecolateralizada.
  

En 2025, USDT mantenía aproximadamente el 62-63 % de cuota del mercado de stablecoins, impulsada por su liquidez y adopción generalizada.

Consideraciones generales

USDT no está diseñado como un activo de crecimiento, sino como una herramienta de estabilidad y liquidez. Su función principal es facilitar el trading, la gestión de la volatilidad y el acceso a servicios financieros digitales.

Existen formas de obtener rendimiento con USDT en plataformas de préstamos o DeFi, aunque estos usos conllevan riesgos adicionales y retornos variables.

Conclusión

Tether (USDT) desempeña un papel clave como la stablecoin más utilizada del mercado cripto, ofreciendo una alternativa digital al dólar que combina estabilidad y funcionalidad blockchain. Aunque su popularidad y liquidez lo hacen indispensable para muchos usuarios, también presenta riesgos relacionados con la centralización, la transparencia y la regulación.

Utilizado con criterio, USDT es una herramienta eficaz para moverse entre cripto y fiat, gestionar la volatilidad y acceder a sistemas financieros globales con menos intermediarios.

Det finansiella landskapet förändrades i grunden när Bitcoin lanserades 2009. Det nya digitala betalningssystemet tog makten från banker och regeringar – och gav den tillbaka till folket. Trots att Bitcoin idag är ett välkänt namn världen över, förblir dess skapare ett mysterium. Låt oss ta en närmare titt på en av vår tids största gåtor.

Bitcoin-lösningen

Innan vi dyker in i mysteriet kring den anonyma skaparen bakom det här seklets kanske största uppfinning, måste vi först förstå vad Bitcoin är. Det elektroniska betalningssystemet introducerades för världen i slutet av 2008 av en viss Satoshi Nakamoto.

Figuren dök upp från ingenstans och presenterade en lösning på den globala finanskris som skakade världen. Lösningen kom i form av en digital valuta, byggd på blockkedjeteknik för att driva och säkra nätverket.

Nakamoto uppfann inte själva blockkedjeteknologin, men förbättrade den avsevärt – särskilt när det gäller problemet med dubbelspendering. Tekniken användes tidigare bland annat för fildelning, men hindrades av bristande verifiering. Idag används blockkedjan inom en mängd olika branscher – långt bortom bara krypto och finans.

Bitcoin är fortfarande den största kryptovalutan på marknaden. Det finns nu över 17 500 alternativa kryptovalutor, och hela branschen är värderad till över 2,2 biljoner USD – med en tidigare toppnotering på nästan 3 biljoner USD i november 2021. Ingen annan tillgång i historien har växt så snabbt.

Vad vet vi om Satoshi Nakamoto?

Vi känner till namnet Satoshi Nakamoto – men inte personen eller gruppen bakom det. Denne individ eller entitet publicerade Bitcoin whitepaper i oktober 2008 till en grupp kryptografer och skapade kort därefter BitcoinTalk-forumet och webbplatsen Bitcoin.org.

Två månader senare, den 3 januari 2009, minerades det allra första blocket i Bitcoin-nätverket – Genesis-blocket – med meddelandet: "The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks."

En medlem i BitcoinTalk, Stephan Thomas, analyserade Nakamotos inlägg för att lista ut hans troliga tidszon. Resultaten visade låg aktivitet mellan 06:00–11:00 GMT, vilket tyder på att han befann sig någonstans i Nordamerika.

Under 2010 var Nakamoto aktiv i utvecklingen av Bitcoin och kommunicerade regelbundet med andra utvecklare. Men i slutet av året lämnade han över nycklar och domäner till andra – bland annat Gavin Andresen – och klippte banden till projektet.

Det sista meddelandet vi känner till från Satoshi skickades till utvecklaren Mike Hearn den 23 april 2011: "I've moved on to other things. It's in good hands with Gavin and everyone." Sedan dess har vi inte hört ett ord.

Vem kan ligga bakom pseudonymen?

Många har misstänkts vara Satoshi Nakamoto, men ingen har övertygat världen. Trots år av grävande journalistik är identiteten fortfarande höljd i dunkel. Här är några av de vanligaste teorierna:

Hal Finney

En datavetare som arbetade på ett eget digitalt betalningssystem redan innan Bitcoin. Han var mottagare av den första transaktionen i Bitcoin-nätverket. Han bodde också i samma stad som en man vid namn Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto, som felaktigt pekades ut av medierna. Finney avled 2014.

Nick Szabo

En kryptograf och datorvetare som lanserade projektet BitGold 1998 – en föregångare till Bitcoin. Han myntade också termen "smart contracts". En lingvistisk analys från Aston University 2014 pekade ut honom som den mest sannolika kandidaten.

Dave Kleiman

En expert inom datorsäkerhet vars namn ofta nämnts i samband med Satoshi – särskilt av Craig Wright, som hävdade att de skapat Bitcoin tillsammans. Kleiman avled 2013, utan tillgångar.

Craig Wright

En australiensisk entreprenör som påstår sig vara Satoshi Nakamoto – men har inte lyckats bevisa det. Hans påståenden har inte godtagits av varken kryptogemenskapen eller rättsväsendet.

Mysteriet lever vidare

Ironiskt nog är teknologin som Nakamoto skapade helt decentraliserad och baseras på tillit till kod – inte människor. Än idag vet vi inte vem han (eller de) var, men en sak är säker: Bitcoin har förändrat världen för alltid.

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We know the cryptocurrency market has a reputation for being volatile, however, these last few months have been particularly nail-biting for many investors. As markets swing in wild directions, some have made impressive gains while others have lost out. In this article, we explore whether crypto markets will ever overcome volatility and what one can do to gain financial stability in turbulent times. 

What causes the markets to be so volatile?

Due to a lack of central authority, the markets more accurately present investor sentiment, rising and falling as a result of the actions of people actively buying and selling. While volatility has a bad name and is certainly a hinder in terms of mainstream payment method adoption, it is valued by traders as it poses an opportunity to make big gains. Traders have created full-time jobs that benefit solely from the crypto market's volatility.

Regulatory frameworks are likely to positively affect the volatility prevalent in the digital currencies markets, but until that is implemented let's explore the biggest factors behind the volatility.

Entirely digital

Due to cryptocurrencies being digital and not backed by any commodity or real-world currency, their prices remain dependent on supply and demand. Essentially relying on faith: the prices will rise based on people believing in the product and accumulating more, while prices will drop when investors lose faith and sell. The markets remain volatile as investors are not concrete in their positions.

In its infancy

Cryptocurrencies have been around for just over a decade, a relatively short time for an asset of such influence. As the technology remains in its earlier years there is still plenty of development that needs to take place. So while Bitcoin has built an incredible market capitalization, there is still a long way for the cryptocurrency to go. 

This contributes to the market's volatility as markets tend to rise when new developments (upgrades, discoveries, implementations) take effect, while markets can fall when deadlines are missed or errors occur, leading investors to lose faith in the technology. 

Outside speculation

Arguably the biggest contributor to the market's volatility is the speculation surrounding cryptocurrencies. Predicting price swings and then acting on them has caused many an upward and downward spiral. From buying in just before the price rises to short just before a crash, speculation plays a large role in the market's swings and increased volatility. Speculation management is a key ingredient when it comes to successfully trading crypto.

Increased media coverage

Another great contender to volatility in the market is the media. Having a great influence over investor sentiment, the media has been behind many price swings in the market. With the power to launch or crash a market, the media plays into the narrative by encouraging investors to quickly buy or sell with attention-grabbing headlines.

Easy accessibility

The final factor to consider in the causes behind the market's infamous volatility is its accessibility. Stock markets and real estate typically attract a certain calibre of investors, while the entry requirements for investing in crypto are very low. It does not require any licences, degrees, lawyers or heavy capital. Anyone can enter the market with a small amount of money and internet access.

The market has typically been dominated by retail investors, however, in recent years institutional investment has been on the rise. The simple way in which anyone can enter the market provides an open invitation for volatility. 

All playing their own role, these factors contribute to market prices being thrown in seemingly random directions at unpredictable time intervals. Understanding the fast nature of price swings and what might be behind them will contribute to investors and traders gaining a tighter grip on what might happen next. 

Can the market stabilize?

Now that we've explored what factors are behind the volatility, let's dive into whether the markets could stabilize. Bitcoin maximalists claim that once Bitcoin reaches a level of adoption, the price will stabilize. While there are no clear criteria for what "adoption" is, the theory remains true. 

According to this data, Bitcoin is currently the 14th biggest currency in the world, sitting comfortably between the Swiss Franc and the Thai Baht. This illustrates the cryptocurrency's affirmative dominance despite its volatility. 

Will it improve with time, or will a seismic shift in the way people perceive cryptocurrency ultimately solve the volatility issues. At this time, one can't say for sure. So in the meantime, continue HODLing if that's what you came here to do, or leverage the swings as you trade, in the end, you can make gains either way and still come out smiling. 

How to maintain financial stability in volatile markets

First and foremost, never invest more than you're willing to lose. This is the golden rule of investment across all asset classes. The next universal rule is to not act on emotions, do not make impulsive decisions when it comes to your trading portfolio, rather expect volatility and have a plan. Below we outline several tips on how to remain calm in stormy markets.

• Do not pay attention to short-term fluctuations and rather stay invested for the long term.
• Create a limit order that will automatically execute if markets crash. This will create a safety net should things turn south.
• Consider that typically when volatility subsides, prices increase.
• Remember why you invested in the asset and refer back to its potential.