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As we approach the 2024 U.S. presidential election, a new force is emerging in the political landscape: the crypto generation. Young voters, particularly Gen Zs and Millennials, are not only becoming a significant voting force but are also bringing with them a strong interest in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. This intersection of youth, technology, and politics could potentially reshape the outcome of the upcoming election.
The rising power of young voters
The political influence of young Americans has been growing steadily over the past few election cycles. In the 2020 election, voter turnout among those under 30 reached 55%, a significant increase from 44% in 2016.
What's more, the sheer size of this voting bloc is impossible to ignore. Gen Z and Millennial voters now make up 40% of all eligible voters and are projected to become the majority of the electorate by 2028. This demographic shift is introducing new priorities and viewpoints into political discussions.
The crypto connection
One of the most interesting parts of this surge in young voters is their strong interest in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Recent data shows that 34% of people who own crypto are between 18 and 34 years old. This isn't just about investment trends - it reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the current financial system and a desire for change.
Consider these statistics:
- Only 7% of young Americans report that the current financial system works well for them.
- 38% of young voters believe crypto and blockchain can increase economic opportunities in ways traditional finance can't.
- 51% of young voters are likely to support crypto-friendly candidates in 2024.
These numbers suggest that crypto policy could become a key issue in the upcoming election, especially in battleground states where the margins are often very close.
A look at battleground states: where crypto could tip the scales
In key swing states, the combination of high youth turnout and growing crypto enthusiasm could be a game-changer.
Take Georgia as an example, where supporters of the Stand with Crypto movement now outnumber the vote difference that decided the 2020 election there, by three times. And in Arizona, nearly 90% of crypto owners under 44 believe the financial system needs change, with over a quarter wanting a complete overhaul.
Meanwhile, in Michigan, youth voter turnout jumped from 42% in 2016 to 54% in 2020, indicating that the crypto vote could be crucial.
Beyond party lines: crypto as a bipartisan issue
Interestingly, crypto enthusiasm crosses traditional party lines. Among previous or current crypto owners under 35 in swing states, 41% identify as Democrats, 39% as Republicans, and 20% as independent or other.
This suggests that crypto policy could be a unique issue capable of attracting voters from across the political spectrum.
A call for financial innovation
The rise of the crypto generation in politics reflects more than just an interest in digital assets. It signifies a broader desire for financial innovation and economic opportunity.
Young voters, facing challenges such as rising living costs and student debt, are looking to blockchain technology as a potential solution to systemic economic issues.
This aligns perfectly with the original vision behind Bitcoin's creation: a decentralised financial system designed to address the shortcomings of traditional banking and monetary policy.
Conclusion
The 2024 election is quickly approaching, and it's clear that candidates at all levels will need to address the concerns of the "crypto generation." Whether it’s clarifying regulations for digital assets or exploring blockchain for government services, politicians who can connect with these topics could have a significant edge.
It’s not just crypto investments that this generation is after; they’re investing in a vision for a more accessible, efficient, and innovative financial future. As more of them head to the polls, this vision could become a defining aspect of American politics for years to come.
Note: This article is based on data and trends as of August 2024. As with all political and technological trends, the landscape may shift rapidly. Readers are encouraged to stay informed about the latest developments in both the political and crypto spheres.
Generally when one mentions investing, one thinks of stocks. Forming the foundation of more investment journeys, stocks or equities provide a tried and tested option for using capital to gain profits. In this article, we’re guiding you through the most important concepts you need to know when it comes to investing in the stock market, from what stocks are exactly to how to stock market basics.
What are stocks?
Also referred to as equity or shares, individual stocks are securities that provide fractional ownership in a company. Units of stock are called shares and entitle holders to "own" a small part of the issuing corporation. This can also entitle the owner to receive dividends from any profits the company might earn.
Other terms one might hear are exchange-traded funds (ETFs) which are stocks based on pooled investments that mimic the price of the underlying asset allocation while mutual funds are professionally managed investment funds. An investment portfolio can be made up of a collection of the above, or individual stocks, depending on your financial goals.
Stock market vs stock exchange
Stocks are traded on stock exchanges around the world and their price is driven by supply and demand. The term stock market refers to the entire industry while the term stock exchange refers to the platforms on which stocks are traded.
What is a stock exchange?
A stock exchange is an exchange platform where publicly-traded stocks can be purchased and sold through buyers and sellers, like the New York Stock Exchange for example. Initial Public Offerings (IPO's) are the primary mechanism of raising capital, where organizations sell shares to the general public in exchange for capital. This process allows the business to expand without incurring debt.
In exchange for being allowed to offer shares to the public, companies are obliged by law to publish financial information about the company's performance and grant shareholders a voice in how the business operates.
Advantages of investing in stocks
Before engaging in any stock market investing it is important to determine your risk tolerance. This pairs your current financial situation with the amount of risk you are willing to endure, anywhere from low risk to high risk. It's best to consult a financial planner should you be unsure.
Once this has been determined, you can build a strategy for your stock investments and partake in the many advantages that the stock market has on offer.
Profits
Should a company's share price increase, investors can make considerable profits by selling the shares at the right time.
Ownership
Shares provide investors with ownership in the company relative to the number of shares they own. As a shareholder, you gain access to a portion of the profits and may also receive voting rights within the business.
Dividends
Investors can earn passive income by receiving dividends from a company they have invested in when they pay out the profits made over a certain time period. Some companies offer quarterly dividends while others are annual.
Income and growth
Stocks deliver an ideal investment opportunity that can provide both income and growth. Investors looking for a more risk-averse investment and stronger financial stability will benefit from engaging in the stock market.
Experts can leverage your earnings
Skilled fund managers understand mutual funds inside and out, gaining skills that allow them to optimize investments to capitalize on market fluctuations. Constantly monitoring equity funds for opportunities to better position clients' portfolios, these experts continually revise their strategies as needed.
Disadvantages of investing in stocks
Requires time
If you are new to the industry and intend to invest on your own, you will need to undergo a considerable amount of research on each company before investing in it. You will also need to learn how to read financial statements and annual reports and keep an eye on the news when determining whether a company might be profitable in the near future.
No guarantees
While considered one of the "safer" investment options, individual stocks can still be high risk as there is no guarantee of what might happen to a company on a year-to-year basis or that you won't lose money. Always determine your risk tolerance before investing in the stock market.
Fluctuating prices
All markets are subject to volatility and the stock market is no exception. Be sure not to fall into the trap of making trading decisions based on emotion and stick to the golden rule: buy low, sell high.
How to invest in the stock market
Ready to start investing in the stock market? The process is probably simpler than you thought it would be.
- Find a brokerage account most suitable for your investment goals
Consider your short and long-term goals and determine which account is best suited to you, from college savings accounts to an individual retirement account to everything in between. - Find a brokerage company
Next, you'll want to find a brokerage company. Consider their available investment options, reputation, and fees when looking for the right fit. If you're looking to invest in stock mutual funds, individual stocks, or index funds, be sure that the brokerage account (or brokerage firm) provides the relevant services. - Deposit funds
Once you've opened your account you will need to deposit money to get started. This is generally in the form of a lump sum, however, monthly recurring payments can also be set up. - Determine which investments you want to open
After opening an account you can begin to purchase and sell stocks, as well as bonds, stock mutual funds or general mutual funds, index funds, and ETFs that are composed of hundreds of securities. Whether investing in various individual stocks or the investment options listed above, consider using a diversified, risk-friendly approach whereby you don't put all your eggs in one basket. - Confirm your investments by purchasing them
Once you've decided what to purchase, simply enter the ticker symbol in the buy field and specify how many shares you would like to acquire. And that's how you enter the stock market world.
Final thoughts
By their very nature, stock market investing can be volatile with numerous internal and external factors outside of the control of retail investors affecting stock prices. While exchange-traded funds and mutual funds might diversify this risk, it's best to assume that you are still susceptible to it.
During times of extreme price fluctuations within the stock market don't make emotional decisions and instead maintain patience. Consider writing down your goals beforehand and referring to this in times of market turbulence. Having a diversified portfolio of individual stocks will help mitigate risk.
It's critical to understand your risk tolerance before investing in the stock market and make sure you get investment advice from an expert so that you can determine the best course of action for yourself. By analyzing your personal financial situation, they are able to advise you on the best route for your financial goals, from whether it's best to invest in individual stocks or index funds before you start investing.
Never underestimate the power of emotions and trading. While this might sound redundant, emotions play a much larger role in decision making than most might like to admit, and crypto trading is no exception. In order to make successful decisions, traders need to avoid the emotional rollercoaster and learn to look at the markets objectively.
Here we will show you how to master the emotional pitfalls of decision making when it comes to trading, a skill every successful trader has acquired at some point in their journey. Outlined below are several points one can incorporate into their trading practices, whether trading daily or once a month.
Outline Your Trading Goals
Before you implement any of these strategies into your trading practices, first establish what your trading goals are. Are you looking to make small returns on short term trades, or are you looking to make smart decisions over a long period of time? When it comes to mastering emotional management in trading you will need to ensure that every decision is in the best interests of your ultimate goal.
Black And White
Learn to remove the grey areas when it comes to decision making and view crypto trading in black and white, i.e. trade like a robot. By incorporating a systematic and rule-based approach to trading you can automatically alleviate the grey areas, this might include algorithms and computer-executed trading strategies.
Red Light, Green Light
Colours play a huge role in our psyche and can often trigger an emotional response. For instance, if you see a big red candle this will likely stir feelings attached to danger, stopping and signs of warning. Don’t fall into the trap of allowing this to trigger you, and the same goes for seeing green candles. Don’t allow these colours to trigger your emotions and make decisions that deviate from your end goal.
Axiomatic Framework
Solidify a set of rules for your trading practices that provide unquestionable pathways through which you can trade. For example, set up entries, exits, risk limits and stop orders. Also look at establishing rules in advance around when to exit a trade if it moves favourably or unfavourably, and what your risk parameters are.
If a trade does not entirely meet all the predetermined criteria you established, do not enter a trade.
Take A Break
If you’re on a bad streak, consider taking a break from trading activities to re-centre. This practice is used by risk managers on trading floors and is referred to as cut-offs. If a trader is experiencing a poor performance streak they will be moved to a demo trading model until they start to perform better, this also might include taking a break completely.
Self Reflect On Behavioural Shortcomings
Dig deep to find what reactions you make when faced with emotions such as greed or fear. Attempt to learn as much as possible about your behavioural patterns when trading so that once triggered you can learn to recognise these patterns so as not to fall victim to your own emotional responses.
Balance
Don’t underestimate the power of balance as it plays an imperative role when it comes to clear judgement, reason and logic. When it comes to being a strong athlete, it’s imperative that the athlete needs to be in a good mental space too. The same runs true for being a strong trader, mental (and even physical) strength plays a strong role in overall balance and your ability to function optimally. These positive changes reverberate across all aspects of your life and can certainly have an effect on your trading endeavours.
Master Emotional Management In Trading
Ultimately the most disciplined version of yourself will yield the best results when it comes to trading. Consider improving on all aspects of your life and then implement several strategies listed above and you should be well on your way to an incredibly successful trading path.
To learn more about this topic, consider reading “Trading in the Zone” by Mark Douglas and “The Psychology of Trading” by Brett N. Steenbarger.
Let's talk about cryptocurrency payments in plain and simple English: think of crypto as digital money that works over the internet. With more than 420 million people already using it worldwide, and big companies like Microsoft and Starbucks now accepting it as payment - crypto has officially landed in the mainstream.
Why people love using crypto for payments
It's cheaper to use
Remember the last time you sent money abroad? Those fees probably weren't fun. Crypto usually costs much less to send, whether you're paying someone across the street or across the world.
It's super fast
With regular bank transfers, you might wait days for your money to arrive. With crypto, payments usually go through in minutes. It's like sending an email instead of waiting for a letter in the mail.
It's really safe
Crypto uses a special technology called blockchain that makes it very hard for anyone to cheat or steal. Think of it like a digital safe that keeps getting stronger every time someone uses it.
It works everywhere
Crypto doesn't care about country borders. You can pay anyone, anywhere, anytime. No need to worry about different currencies or bank holidays.
The numbers that matter
More businesses are jumping on board every day. In 2021, people used crypto for over $754 million worth of payments, with this number growing by roughly 17% each year. As more businesses incorporate crypto into their payment systems, they have found more customers making larger checkouts.
How to pay with crypto (it's easier than you think)
- Pick crypto at checkout: Just like choosing credit card or PayPal
- Scan or copy: Use your phone to scan a QR code or copy a payment address
- Send your payment: Click to send from your digital wallet
- Wait a minute: Your payment gets confirmed quickly
- You're done: The store gets their payment, and you get your stuff
Advantages of using crypto
For shoppers:
- Your personal information stays private
- No one can steal your card details
- Payments go through quickly
- Works the same way everywhere in the world
For businesses:
- Get paid faster
- Spend less money on processing fees
- Reach customers everywhere
- No worries about fake payments
Is it hard to start using crypto?
Not at all! If you can use a smartphone app, you can use crypto. Here's what you need:
- Get a digital wallet (it's like having a banking app)
- Buy some crypto, Bitcoin is often a good place to start
- Start paying at places that accept it
Looking to the future
More and more stores and websites are starting to accept crypto every day. It's becoming as normal as using a credit card or mobile payment. Sure, it's new and different, but so was paying with a card instead of cash when that first started.
Simple tips for using crypto
- Start small until you're comfortable
- Double-check addresses before sending
- Keep your wallet information safe
- Use well-known services and stores
Why this matters
Whether you're a shopper who wants more ways to pay or a business owner looking to reach more customers, crypto payments are worth checking out. They're:
- Fast
- Safe
- Work everywhere
- Usually cheaper than regular payment methods
The bottom line
Cryptocurrency isn't just for tech experts anymore. It's becoming a normal way to pay for things, just like credit cards and digital wallets. While it might seem new and different at first, it's actually pretty simple to use once you try it.
Remember: You don't need to understand all the complex technology behind crypto to use it, just like you don't need to know how a credit card machine works to swipe your card at the store.
Ready to try?
If you're curious about using crypto for payments, start small. Simply download the Tap app from your Tap store (we encourage you to read the reviews and information before engaging in any crypto app - we’re confident you’ll still choose Tap) and create an account.
You will then need to complete a quick identity verification step (NB no matter which crypto platform you might go with) and once you’re verified you can buy any cryptocurrency you like. If you’re looking to pay with crypto, it is worth noting that Bitcoin is the most widely accepted.
Then try buying something inexpensive from a well-known store that accepts crypto using the steps above. The process should be as smooth as if you were using your digital card. If you run into any difficulties, we have 24/7 customer support in the app that will gladly help you through.
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We’ve all been here: you land that dream job or get a nice raise, and suddenly your old budget feels unnecessarily restrictive. A few premium subscriptions here, some fancy dinners there, maybe a nicer apartment – before you know it, your higher income somehow feels tighter than before.
Welcome to lifestyle creep, the subtle way our spending habits expand to match (or exceed) our growing income. It’s real, and it’s out there. Here’s how you can fight back.
Why it happens
Lifestyle creep isn't just about splurging. Often, it's a series of small, seemingly reasonable upgrades. That €15 lunch delivery doesn't feel extravagant when you're having a hard day, and those €20 fitness classes are justified as a worthwhile investment in your health.
The problem isn't any single expense, it's how these small changes compound over time, transforming from luxuries into what feel like necessities. And those small expenses can add up dramatically: an extra €50 per week on conveniences means €2,600 per year that could have gone toward retirement, a dream vacation, or your emergency fund. That’s a chunk of change in the end.
Breaking the cycle
1. Find your motivation
Before making changes, identify why you want to control your spending. Maybe you want to switch careers, start a business, or build an emergency fund. Having a concrete “why” makes it easier to resist those immediate gratifications.
2. Audit your joy
Review your recent expenses and honestly assess which ones truly enhance your life. That streaming service you barely use? The subscription box that sits unopened? These are easy cuts. But don't stop at the obvious – examine everything, including your "necessary" expenses. Sometimes what we think we need is just habit in disguise.
Start doing this weekly, eventually moving up to monthly, until your inner accountant is completely satisfied with where your money is going. The idea here isn’t to strip all joy from your life, it’s merely to streamline it.
3. Create friction
Make impulse spending harder:
- Remove saved payment information from shopping sites and phone settings
- Unsubscribe from marketing emails
- Establish a 48-hour waiting period for non-essential purchases
4. Address your triggers
Our spending habits are heavily influenced by our environment. Consider:
- Unfollowing social media accounts that trigger spending urges
- Finding free or low-cost alternatives to expensive social activities
- Being honest with friends about your financial situation and goals
- Planning social activities that don't revolve around spending
5. Regular check-ins
Schedule monthly "money dates" with yourself. Review your spending, celebrate wins, and adjust your strategy. Make it enjoyable – pour yourself a drink and put on your favourite record. This isn't about punishment, it's about alignment with your goals.
The mindset shift
Remember that reducing expenses isn't about deprivation, it's about choice and control. You might find that some lifestyle upgrades are worth keeping because they genuinely improve your quality of life. Others might be easy to let go once you realise they're not adding that much value.
The goal isn't to return to living like a college student. Instead, aim to be intentional about which upgrades you keep and which you can live without. This mindful approach to spending helps steer your money toward things that truly matter to you, rather than disappearing into a series of forgettable purchases.
By taking control of lifestyle creep, you're not just saving money – you're buying yourself options, flexibility, and peace of mind. And those are luxuries worth keeping.
Crypto is never short on surprises, and staying true to its word 2024 has delivered a wild new trend: PolitiFi coins. These politically-themed digital assets have managed to give the election a run for its money in terms of surprises, breaking onto the scene with an eye-popping 782.4% growth in just 8 months.
To put that into perspective, “traditional” meme coins only managed 90.2% growth in the same time. Political views aside, one thing we can all agree on is that there is never a dull moment in the crypto space.
What is PolitiFi?
These politically-themed meme coins draw inspiration from famous political figures and events, often in a playful or satirical way. But most of these coins are not officially linked to any real politicians. Much like other meme coins, their value is totally speculative, riding the waves of community buzz and whatever’s trending in the news.
From zero to $2.1 billion
What started as a seemingly niche intersection of politics and crypto has grown into a substantial market worth $2.1 billion as of November 2024. While this represents just 1.77% of the broader meme coin market, PolitiFi's rapid incline tells an intriguing story of how quickly new crypto categories can capture investor attention - and capital.
Politics meets blockchain
What sets PolitiFi apart is its unique responsiveness to real-world political events. For instance, when Donald Trump won the Iowa Republican caucuses in January, MAGA (TRUMP) surged 79.1% in a single day.
Continuing on this narrative, the market has shown similar sensitivity to events ranging from legal verdicts to health scares, with tokens like Jeo Boden (BODEN) and Kamala Horris (KAMA) swinging dramatically on related news.
The Trump assassination attempt even saw MAGA (TRUMP) rally 41.2%, while Biden's COVID-19 diagnosis caused Jeo Boden to plummet 27.3%.
No jokes, just a new political ecosystem
While most PolitiFi tokens began as satire, some have evolved to serve more practical purposes. MAGA (TRUMP), for instance, channels transaction fees directly to Donald Trump's Ethereum wallet and aligned charities, creating an unconventional yet innovative intersection between cryptocurrency speculation and political fundraising.
Is crypto a new form of political expression?
Time will tell whether PolitiFi is just another crypto trend, but for now it serves as a new way for people to engage with politics. These tokens mix financial speculation, political commentary, and grassroots fundraising, creating a space where community opinions can be quickly turned into monetary support.
As digital finance, political activism, and social commentary keep overlapping, PolitiFi coins might signal a new era of political involvement. Whether this is a short-lived trend or the start of a big shift in how we connect with political causes is still up in the air.
One thing's for sure: in the unpredictable world of crypto, surprises are the norm, and that’s exactly what makes it exciting.
