Learning the friendly way

Vous songez à intégrer la cryptomonnaie dans votre activité ou vous souhaitez simplement mieux comprendre comment les monnaies numériques s’invitent dans le monde des affaires ? Voici un tour d’horizon des avantages et des limites de ce nouveau mode de paiement dans un cadre professionnel.

Alors que nos habitudes deviennent de plus en plus digitales — communication, achats, gestion — la monnaie suit naturellement la même évolution. Des pièces d’or aux billets, puis aux virements électroniques, l’étape suivante est déjà là : les monnaies numériques.

Depuis l’arrivée du Bitcoin, la première cryptomonnaie, il y a plus de dix ans, le monde s’est peu à peu tourné vers ces systèmes de paiement d’un nouveau genre. Investisseurs, développeurs, entreprises… le secteur financier n’a pas échappé à la vague. L’approbation récente d’un ETF Bitcoin à terme en est un bon exemple.

La crypto dans le monde professionnel

Depuis la pandémie, les cryptos ont pris une place grandissante dans les médias mais aussi dans le monde de l’entreprise. Suite aux turbulences des marchés, de nombreuses entreprises ont cherché à diversifier leurs réserves et se sont tournées vers le Bitcoin. Résultat : un fort engouement institutionnel et un élargissement des cas d’usage.

Des entreprises comme PayPal ou Whole Foods ont commencé à accepter ou à intégrer les paiements en crypto. Fin 2020, on comptait déjà environ 2 300 entreprises aux États-Unis acceptant les cryptomonnaies, sans oublier les 17 000 distributeurs de Bitcoin dans le pays.

Si vous vous demandez si la crypto peut convenir à votre activité, voici un aperçu des avantages et inconvénients à prendre en compte.

Les avantages de la crypto pour les entreprises

1. Suppression des intermédiaires
La crypto permet des paiements directs entre utilisateurs, sans passer par les banques. Cela réduit les frais, accélère les transactions et simplifie considérablement les démarches administratives.

2. Paiements rapides et sécurisés
Les transactions internationales peuvent être effectuées en quelques minutes et à moindre coût. Les réseaux blockchain, basés sur la cryptographie, sont extrêmement sécurisés.

3. Meilleur taux de conversion
Plus vous offrez d’options de paiement, plus vous maximisez vos chances de conversion. Intégrer la crypto peut donc ouvrir la porte à de nouveaux clients, notamment à l’international.

4. Opportunité de croissance
Adopter des technologies émergentes, c’est prendre une longueur d’avance sur la concurrence. La crypto peut devenir un véritable levier d’innovation.

5. Frais réduits
Les frais de transaction en crypto sont généralement bien plus faibles que ceux des cartes bancaires traditionnelles. Par exemple, Tap propose des frais à partir de 1,00 % pour les comptes professionnels crypto.

Les inconvénients à connaître

1. Volatilité
Le marché crypto est connu pour sa forte volatilité. Si les mouvements de prix peuvent offrir des opportunités, ils comportent aussi des risques à court terme.

2. Adapter l’offre à sa clientèle
Tout le monde n’est pas encore à l’aise avec les cryptomonnaies. Avant de vous lancer, assurez-vous que votre clientèle cible pourrait être réceptive à ce type de paiement.

3. La sécurité, une responsabilité partagée
Contrairement aux banques, en crypto, la sécurité repose en grande partie sur l’utilisateur. Perte de clés privées, piratages… il est essentiel d’adopter de bonnes pratiques. Heureusement, Tap Business propose une conservation sécurisée en cold storage.

Conclusion

Avant de franchir le pas, prenez le temps d’évaluer si la cryptomonnaie s’intègre dans votre stratégie d’entreprise. Si la réponse est oui, Tap peut vous accompagner à chaque étape de l’infrastructure aux outils de gestion, pour faciliter votre transition vers cette nouvelle ère financière.

👉 Découvrez notre compte business dédié aux entreprises et commencez à construire l’avenir financier de votre société avec Tap.

Investing is not as easy as the internet makes it seem, with every profit comes plenty of research behind it. Not to mention all the strategies. Similar to trading, investing can at times be time-consuming and demanding. While investing, whether in the stock market or cryptocurrencies or any other asset classes, is beneficial in so many aspects, it can also come with some trial and error. In this article, we take a look at the time-tested dollar-cost averaging and explain why this is considered to be a low-risk strategy.

What is DCA?

DCA is an abbreviation for dollar-cost averaging. You may be wondering what DCA is? To put it simply, DCA is an investment strategy that sees people investing gradually over time rather than dropping a lump sum of money into assets.

Let's say an investor has a total of $10,000 to invest monthly, lump-sum investing would see them entering all that money into an asset market while DCA would have them investing $500 each week or month. Not only does DCA provide your leeway to pay your bills while still investing, but it also protects you from excess loss. While lump-sum investing does have its perks, it also has the potential for big losses.

By investing only what you are willing to lose, you are at no risk of financially crippling yourself. DCA ensures you do not lose all your money on an investment, whereas one wrong trade in lump sum trading can greatly set you back. DCA is a great way for newbies to test the markets and trust in an investment before moving forward, seasoned traders are also a fan of DCA as it allows them to diversify their funds in a more structured way. 

The point of DCA is to avoid market watching and big losses, DCA is the practice of routinely investing smaller amounts, timed over regular intervals, regardless of price. This typically allows the investor to buy an asset at an average cost of a long period of time.

Why and how to use DCA

The how is easily answered, as already stated prior, it is as simple as allocating a set amount aside each month with the plan to invest. You invest your set amount a month routinely, regardless of the price, growing your total shares. But the real question is why? Why is this strategy so popular and why is it so highly recommended? Let's get into it. 

The benefits right from the get-go are clear, you hold less risk of losing everything at once. As the traders' tale goes, only put in what you are willing to lose. Lump-sum investments do not take this approach with caution, putting it all on the line, or a large portion at least.

DCA means that you are continuously putting in small amounts that do not greatly limit your day-to-day life while still growing the value of your portfolio. DCA is a longer-term investment strategy. It also eliminates some of the risks involved with investing.

With DCA, the markets don't matter, you are buying your assets at whatever price they are at and reaping the profits when the price climbs. But also, by purchasing every week rather than all at once, you have the option and ability to buy in on the volatile markets getting better prices per share than someone who puts it all in at once.

This strategy also helps you manage emotional investing, forcing you to hold onto your investment despite FUD being spread, ensuring you don't sell low or buy high.

The DCA conclusion

While there are many investment strategies out there, this is a favoured strategy by many investors, that is not to say it is the only or best strategy, just one to consider. There are many perks that come with DCA, and that's what we wanted to highlight in this piece for you today. DCA provides a sense of commitment that is hard to find, ensuring you secure your space in the market without any added risks. There will always be risks involved with investing, but the DCA strategy finds some ways to minimise those risks in comparison.

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.

Qu’est-ce que le staking crypto ?

Lorsque l’on pense à investir dans les cryptomonnaies, on imagine souvent soit les acheter sur une plateforme, soit les miner. Mais il existe une alternative simple et accessible pour faire fructifier ses avoirs numériques sans coûts supplémentaires : le staking.

Le staking (ou « mise en jeu ») consiste à bloquer une partie de ses cryptos dans un portefeuille numérique pour générer des récompenses. C’est un peu comme déposer son argent sur un compte épargne rémunéré, mais dans l’univers de la blockchain.

Le staking est aujourd’hui une pratique courante dans le monde des crypto-actifs, notamment pour ceux qui souhaitent générer des revenus passifs, tout en participant activement au bon fonctionnement des réseaux décentralisés.

Comment fonctionne le staking ?

Techniquement, le staking repose sur le mécanisme dit de preuve d’enjeu (Proof of Stake, ou PoS). Contrairement au minage, qui nécessite une puissance de calcul importante, le PoS permet de sécuriser un réseau blockchain grâce aux utilisateurs eux-mêmes.

Voici comment cela se passe :

• Vous déposez (ou "stakez") vos jetons dans un portefeuille compatible ;
• Ces jetons sont alors verrouillés pendant une certaine période ;
• Pendant ce temps, le réseau peut utiliser vos jetons pour valider les transactions ;
• En contrepartie, vous recevez des récompenses, souvent calculées en pourcentage annuel (APR ou APY).

Certains réseaux proposent même du staking flexible, permettant de retirer vos fonds à tout moment, tandis que d'autres demandent un engagement fixe.

Quels sont les avantages du staking ?

• Revenus passifs : Le staking permet de générer des gains réguliers, sans effort actif.
• Accessibilité : Aucun équipement coûteux ou expertise technique n’est nécessaire.
• Participation au réseau : En stakant, vous contribuez à la sécurité et à la décentralisation du réseau.

Et les inconvénients ?

• Volatilité : Comme toujours en crypto, le prix du jeton peut baisser, réduisant la valeur de vos récompenses.
• Blocage des fonds : Certains programmes de staking exigent un verrouillage temporaire de vos cryptos, ce qui limite la liquidité.
• Risques de réseau : Une faille technique ou une mauvaise gouvernance sur le protocole peut impacter les fonds stakés.

Le staking est-il rentable ?

Cela dépend. Si le prix du jeton reste stable ou augmente, le staking peut être particulièrement avantageux, d’autant plus si vous cumulez les intérêts (effet de l’intérêt composé).

Mais si le cours du jeton chute fortement, cela peut annuler vos gains. C’est pourquoi il est essentiel d’évaluer les rendements potentiels en fonction du risque associé à l’actif.

Quelles cryptos peut-on staker ?

Parmi les projets les plus connus qui proposent du staking :

• Ethereum (ETH, via le staking ETH 2.0)
• Cardano (ADA)
• Solana (SOL)
• Polkadot (DOT)
• Tezos (XTZ)
• Et bien d'autres encore

De nombreuses plateformes centralisées comme Tap, Binance ou Kraken permettent de staker facilement, sans passer par une configuration technique complexe.

En conclusion

Le staking crypto est une méthode simple et populaire pour faire travailler ses cryptos. En échange d’une participation au bon fonctionnement du réseau, les stakers sont récompensés de manière régulière.

C’est un bon point d’entrée pour les investisseurs souhaitant générer des revenus passifs tout en soutenant des projets blockchain. Mais comme pour tout investissement, il est essentiel de bien comprendre les règles du protocole, les conditions de blocage et les risques liés à la volatilité.

Tap is a regulated DLT company in Gibraltar, we are also agents of Transact Payments Limited who and as a regulated Electronic Money Institution (EMI) Transact Payments are required by law to “safeguard” customer monies received under its E-Money or Payment Services permissions.
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What is safeguarding?

Under the requirements of the Gibraltar E-Money Regulations 2020 and Payment Services Regulations 2020 Transact Payments must;

·        Segregate all client monies from our own funds.

·        Deposit customer funds with a Credit Institution (Bank) with permission to hold client funds.

That Credit Institution must designate (name) the account to show that it is an account which is held for the purpose of segregating and safeguarding the funds or assets in accordance with regulations.

No person other than the payment institution may have any interest in or right over any funds or assets placed in safeguarding accounts.
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What does this mean?

All Customer funds are entirely separate from operational funds and held within an authorised credit institution separate from Tap and Transact Payments.

During the course of normal business, Tap and or Transact Payments have rights to use those funds to settle transactions as authorised / instructed by the customer, including redemption to the customer.

Should Tap or Transact Payments experience an insolvency event those segregated safeguarded funds cannot be used for any other purposes.
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Is safeguarding limited?

No. 100% of customer balances are safeguarded. There is no limit to the amount that you would receive should an event occur that required the return of your funds.
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Reporting.

Transact Payments regulatory reporting requires regular reporting on Transact Payments regulatory capital, own funds calculations and outstanding e-money balances.

Both Tap and Transact Team are committed to open and transparent engagement with our customers. If you have any further question or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.