Learning the friendly way

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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Είστε δικαιούχος κρατικής βοήθειας στην Ελλάδα αλλά δεν είστε σίγουροι πώς να την αποκτήσετε; Οι ημέρες των χάρτινων κουπονιών και των μεγάλων ουρών έχουν τελειώσει. Καλώς ήρθατε στην εποχή της Ψηφιακής Άυλης Κάρτας – ένας σύγχρονος, αποτελεσματικός τρόπος για να λαμβάνετε και να χρησιμοποιείτε κρατικά επιδόματα.

Σε αυτό το άρθρο, θα σας καθοδηγήσουμε σε όλα όσα πρέπει να γνωρίζετε για το νέο ψηφιακό σύστημα κουπονιών της Ελλάδας. Από την κατανόηση του τι είναι η άυλη κάρτα, μέχρι τον έλεγχο της επιλεξιμότητάς σας και την εκμάθηση του τρόπου χρήσης της για τις καθημερινές σας ανάγκες.

Ας ξεκινήσουμε από την αρχή.

Τι είναι μια άυλη ψηφιακή κάρτα;

Η Άυλη Κάρτα για κρατικά κουπόνια είναι μια ψηφιακή μέθοδος πληρωμής που εισήγαγε η ελληνική κυβέρνηση για τη διανομή οικονομικής βοήθειας και επιδομάτων σε επιλέξιμους πολίτες. Αυτό το σύστημα αντικαθιστά τα παραδοσιακά χάρτινα κουπόνια ή τις άμεσες τραπεζικές μεταφορές με μια εικονική κάρτα που μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί για συγκεκριμένους σκοπούς.

Με στόχο τον εκσυγχρονισμό και την απλοποίηση της διανομής κρατικής βοήθειας, αυτό το σύστημα προσφέρει επίσης μεγαλύτερο έλεγχο στον τρόπο χρήσης των κονδυλίων. Αποτελεί μέρος των προσπαθειών της Ελλάδας για την ψηφιοποίηση των δημόσιων υπηρεσιών και τη βελτίωση της αποτελεσματικότητας των προγραμμάτων κοινωνικής πρόνοιας.

Καθώς η κάρτα υπάρχει μόνο σε ψηφιακή μορφή και συνήθως προορίζεται για συγκεκριμένους σκοπούς, όπως η αγορά τροφίμων, η πληρωμή λογαριασμών κοινής ωφέλειας ή η κάλυψη ιατρικών εξόδων, η περιορισμένη χρήση της κάρτας βοηθά στην ελαχιστοποίηση της κατάχρησης και της απάτης σε σύγκριση με τα παραδοσιακά συστήματα κουπονιών.

Μετά την έγκριση, αυτά τα κουπόνια είναι προσβάσιμα μέσω ψηφιακών καρτών από τις ακόλουθες τρεις τράπεζες: Viva Wallet, Eurobank και Alpha Bank. Οι δικαιούχοι δεν χρειάζεται να είναι πελάτες των αναφερόμενων ιδρυμάτων για να λάβουν μια ψηφιακή χρεωστική κάρτα.

Παραδείγματα κρατικών κουπονιών

Κατά τη στιγμή της συγγραφής, τα ακόλουθα κουπόνια ήταν διαθέσιμα στους επιλέξιμους πολίτες. Παρακάτω υπάρχει μια σύντομη περιγραφή για το ποιον αφορά κάθε κουπόνι και τους λόγους πίσω από αυτό. Παρακαλούμε επισκεφθείτε το https://vouchers.gov.gr/ για να βρείτε τα πιο πρόσφατα διαθέσιμα κουπόνια.

Thessaly - Evros Pass 2024: Οικονομική υποστήριξη για άτομα με στόχο την ενίσχυση του τουρισμού στις πληγείσες περιοχές.

Rodos Week: Οικονομική βοήθεια για άτομα που εκκενώθηκαν από ξενοδοχεία κατά τη διάρκεια των πυρκαγιών στη Ρόδο τον Ιούλιο του 2023.

Youth Pass: Ενθαρρύνει τη συμμετοχή των νέων σε πολιτιστικές και τουριστικές δραστηριότητες και προωθεί τις ηλεκτρονικές συναλλαγές.

Dentist Pass: Προληπτική οδοντιατρική φροντίδα για παιδιά ηλικίας 6-12 ετών.

Τουρισμός για Όλους 2024: Ενισχύει τον εγχώριο τουρισμό για να υποστηρίξει τα ελληνικά νοικοκυριά και τις επιχειρήσεις εν μέσω πληθωρισμού.

Αμάλθεια: Υποστήριξη για κτηνοτρόφους νησιών για την κάλυψη του αυξημένου κόστους ζωοτροφών.

Μπορώ να αποκτήσω μια άυλη κάρτα;

Η επιλεξιμότητα για αυτές τις κάρτες συνήθως εξαρτάται από διάφορους κοινωνικοοικονομικούς παράγοντες. Γενικά, Έλληνες πολίτες και νόμιμοι κάτοικοι που αντιμετωπίζουν οικονομικές δυσκολίες, όπως οικογένειες χαμηλού εισοδήματος, άνεργοι, συνταξιούχοι με ελάχιστο εισόδημα και άτομα με αναπηρίες, μπορούν να υποβάλουν αίτηση.

Η κυβέρνηση συχνά θέτει συγκεκριμένα εισοδηματικά όρια και λαμβάνει υπόψη παράγοντες όπως το μέγεθος της οικογένειας, το κόστος στέγασης και ειδικές περιστάσεις κατά τον καθορισμό της επιλεξιμότητας. Ωστόσο, είναι σημαντικό να σημειωθεί ότι τα κριτήρια μπορεί να αλλάξουν με βάση τις τρέχουσες κυβερνητικές πολιτικές και τη διαθέσιμη χρηματοδότηση, οπότε συνιστάται πάντα να ελέγχετε τις πιο πρόσφατες πληροφορίες στον επίσημο κυβερνητικό ιστότοπο.

Αξίζει επίσης να σημειωθεί ότι ορισμένα κουπόνια είναι σχεδιασμένα ειδικά για συγκεκριμένες ηλικιακές ομάδες, π.χ. το Dentist Pass είναι διαθέσιμο μόνο για παιδιά ηλικίας 6-12 ετών. Κάθε κουπόνι θα καθορίζει ακριβώς για ποιον προορίζεται και ποια κριτήρια πρέπει να πληρούνται για να υποβάλετε αίτηση.

Πώς μπορώ να αποκτήσω μια άυλη κάρτα;

Πρώτα, θα πρέπει να υποβάλετε αίτηση για το συγκεκριμένο κουπόνι που αναζητάτε κάνοντας κλικ σε αυτό και ακολουθώντας τις οδηγίες. Θα πρέπει να βεβαιωθείτε ότι πληροίτε όλες τις προϋποθέσεις και να υποβάλετε τα σωστά έγγραφα, που μπορεί να περιλαμβάνουν ταυτότητα, απόδειξη κατοικίας, δηλώσεις εισοδήματος και οποιαδήποτε άλλα σχετικά έγγραφα, κατά τη διάρκεια της διαδικασίας.

Κατά την υποβολή αίτησης για το κουπόνι σας, βεβαιωθείτε ότι έχετε επιλέξει την επιλογή ψηφιακής χρεωστικής κάρτας. Η επιλογή άμεσης τραπεζικής πληρωμής θα έχει ως αποτέλεσμα χρέωση 20%, που σημαίνει ότι θα λάβετε μόνο το 80% του δικαιούμενου ποσού. Μόλις υποβληθεί, η σχετική κυβερνητική υπηρεσία θα εξετάσει την αίτησή σας και μόλις εγκριθεί, η τράπεζα που επιλέξατε, Alpha Bank, Eurobank ή Viva Wallet, θα σας ειδοποιήσει μέσω email ή μέσω εφαρμογής για να ολοκληρώσετε τη διαδικασία.

Ακολουθήστε τις οδηγίες που παρέχονται για να ενεργοποιήσετε την κάρτα σας.

Πώς μπορώ να χρησιμοποιήσω την άυλη κάρτα μου για τα κρατικά κουπόνια;

Η τράπεζα που επιλέξατε θα σας εκδώσει μια ψηφιακή κάρτα που περιέχει τα κεφάλαια που σας χορηγήθηκαν. Συνήθως, θα έχετε πρόσβαση σε αυτά τα κεφάλαια μέσω μιας ειδικής εφαρμογής ή μιας ασφαλούς διαδικτυακής πύλης. Αφού συνδεθείτε, θα μπορείτε να δείτε το υπόλοιπό σας, το ιστορικό συναλλαγών και τυχόν ειδοποιήσεις για νέες καταθέσεις κεφαλαίων.

Πού μπορώ να χρησιμοποιήσω την άυλη κάρτα μου; 

Η κάρτα μπορεί γενικά να χρησιμοποιηθεί σε ένα ευρύ δίκτυο εγκεκριμένων εμπόρων και παρόχων υπηρεσιών, ανάλογα με τις λεπτομέρειες του κουπονιού που λάβατε. Αυτό το δίκτυο συχνά περιλαμβάνει σούπερ μάρκετ, παντοπωλεία, φαρμακεία και εταιρείες κοινής ωφέλειας. Ορισμένα προγράμματα μπορεί επίσης να επιτρέπουν τη χρήση σε ορισμένα καταστήματα ρούχων, βιβλιοπωλεία ή για τις δημόσιες συγκοινωνίες.

Πώς να πληρώσω με μια άυλη κάρτα; 

Για να κάνετε μια αγορά, ίσως χρειαστεί να δείξετε έναν κωδικό QR από την εφαρμογή σας, να χρησιμοποιήσετε έναν εικονικό αριθμό κάρτας για διαδικτυακές συναλλαγές, ή να ακουμπήσετε το τηλέφωνό σας σε συμβατά τερματικά πληρωμών όταν είναι φορτωμένο στο Apple Pay ή το Google Pay.

Πριν ενθουσιαστείτε υπερβολικά, είναι σημαντικό να κατανοήσετε τους περιορισμούς στη χρήση της κάρτας σας. Τα κεφάλαια προορίζονται συνήθως για συγκεκριμένους σκοπούς, όπως τρόφιμα, φάρμακα ή πληρωμή λογαριασμών, που σημαίνει ότι δεν μπορείτε να κάνετε ανάληψη μετρητών ή να μεταφέρετε τα χρήματα σε προσωπικό τραπεζικό λογαριασμό. Το αλκοόλ, ο καπνός και τα είδη πολυτελείας συνήθως εξαιρούνται από τις επιλέξιμες αγορές.

Επιπλέον, μπορεί να υπάρχουν ημερήσια ή μηνιαία όρια δαπανών, ελέγχετε πάντα τις τρέχουσες οδηγίες που παρέχονται από τον εκδότη οργανισμό.

Βήμα προς το μέλλον

Ενώ το ψηφιακό σύστημα καρτών της ελληνικής κυβέρνησης φέρνει επανάσταση στη διανομή βοήθειας, παρόμοιες καινοτόμες οικονομικές λύσεις είναι πλέον διαθέσιμες για τα προσωπικά σας οικονομικά. 

Εισάγετε το Tap, έναν σύγχρονο πάροχο οικονομικών υπηρεσιών που προσφέρει ψηφιακές και φυσικές κάρτες εκτός του παραδοσιακού τραπεζικού συστήματος.

Τί είναι η Tap κάρτα και πώς λειτουργεί;

Όπως και η άυλη κάρτα της κυβέρνησης, το Tap σας παρέχει μια ευέλικτη ψηφιακή κάρτα που μπορείτε να την διαχειριστείτε εξ ολοκλήρου μέσω μιας εφαρμογής για smartphone, επιτρέποντάς σας άμεσα να ξοδεύετε διάφορα νομίσματα σε ευρώ ή λίρες (ανάλογα την χώρα), τόσο fiat όσο και κρυπτονομίσματα. Ωστόσο, το Tap πηγαίνει ένα βήμα παραπέρα δίνοντάς σας πλήρη έλεγχο των προσωπικών σας κεφαλαίων, χωρίς τους περιορισμούς που συνήθως συνδέονται με τις κρατικές κάρτες βοήθειας.

Αυτό σημαίνει ταχύτερη εγκατάσταση, λιγότερες χρεώσεις και μεγαλύτερη ευελιξία στη διαχείριση των χρημάτων σας, όλα από μία ρυθμιζόμενη και ασφαλή τοποθεσία. Αν βρήκατε βολικό το ψηφιακό σύστημα καρτών της κυβέρνησης, φανταστείτε να έχετε την ίδια ευκολία χρήσης για όλες τις οικονομικές σας ανάγκες.

Αποκτείστε την δωρεάν κάρτα Tap σήμερα.

Για να εκμεταλλευτείτε αυτό το μέλλον, κατεβάστε την εφαρμογή, δημιουργήστε έναν λογαριασμό και ολοκληρώστε τη διαδικασία επαλήθευσης ταυτότητας για να ξεκινήσετε. Μόλις εγκριθείτε, αποκτάτε πρόσβαση σε διάφορα πορτοφόλια fiat και κρυπτονομισμάτων, καθώς και στη δωρεάν κάρτα Tap, απλά ζητήστε μία μέσω της εφαρμογής. Αν προτιμάτε μια πιο premium κάρτα με σχετικά οφέλη (συμπεριλαμβανομένων υψηλότερων ανταμοιβών επιστροφής μετρητών), ακολουθήστε τις οδηγίες στην εφαρμογή.

Η κάρτα θα παραδοθεί στη διεύθυνση που επιλέξατε, την οποία μπορείτε στη συνέχεια να διαχειριστείτε μέσω της εφαρμογής και να χρησιμοποιήσετε σε όλο τον κόσμο.

Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες, επισκεφθείτε τον ιστότοπό μας ή επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας.

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If you're looking to earn extra money from anywhere online you've come to the right place. Making money online has certainly become more accessible and easier over the years, and in this blog, we're reviewing several ideas to do so without having to invest.

Whether you're looking to make some money on the side, or as a full-time pursuit, remember that as with most things in life: consistency is key. On this page, you'll find a number of beginner options requiring no particular skillset (only a bank account) for you to look into, relevant everywhere from the United Kingdom to the European Union to Australia. Each method varies in financial contribution, which we've highlighted at the end with a rating of the start-up costs.

Top 5 ways to make money online for beginners

1. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing involves an individual earning money through promoting another business's product. This can be done through your own platform which might range from a blog to a website, social media, email campaigning or simply Google Ads. 

All you need is a working internet connection, a bank account and a reliable browser. Each time a friend or family clicks and signs up for the product, you bank a commission. 

Many companies these days offer this service, try to find one that you and your network might be interested in and see the opportunities that they present. 

Start-up Costs: $

2. Dropshipping

This will require a substantial amount of effort, however, the returns will be that much greater. Dropshipping involves selling a product online that you do not need to keep an inventory of, instead, the company that you are buying the goods from sends them directly to the customer. 

You act as the middleman between the manufacturer and the consumer and make money from the margin that you add. The start-up costs will be for your online website and marketing. 

Start-up Costs: $$

3. Freelance your skills

You can hire out your skills on sites like Upwork or Fiverr. Users create profiles expressing their skills, anything from writing to graphic design to music creation, and can apply to jobs requiring these skills. 

These sites will typically allow employers to connect with employees, and once the work is completed the funds are deposited directly into your account. This is also a great way to start a side hustle in your area of expertise without having to tuck into your savings.

Start-up Costs: zero

4. Explore the world of cryptocurrencies

Engaging with cryptocurrencies has gained significant attention in recent years. Before diving in, it’s important to educate yourself thoroughly to grasp the complexities involved. Our blog section on how to learn about crypto is a great place to begin. The cryptocurrency market is known for its high volatility, which presents both risks and opportunities. Whether you're active daily or only occasionally, understanding the landscape is key. To get started, consider signing up for a reputable and regulated platform like Tap, which can help you manage your funds securely.

Start-up Costs: $$

5. Participate in online surveys

Online surveys are a popular way for beginners to make money online. Companies are always looking for feedback on their products and services, and they are willing to pay for it. There are several websites that offer paid online surveys, such as Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Toluna.

To get started, simply sign up for an account, complete your profile, and start taking surveys. You'll earn points or cash for each survey you complete, which can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal payments. Keep in mind that surveys may have specific demographics, so you may not qualify for every survey. However, with some patience and consistency, you can earn a decent amount of extra income in your spare time.

Start-up Costs: zero
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Earn money online from anywhere in the world

Of course, this list is only a small portion of the ways you can make money online, simplified down to the top 5. If you have more time at your disposal you can engage in market surveys, beta testing, becoming a virtual assistant, or even coaching. 

The opportunities are endless, with a wide range of start-up costs, time management, returns and the amount of effort required are to be considered. Ensure you do adequate research in order to learn about your next venture before diving in. At the end of the day, anyone can earn money online, the first step is just to get started. Good luck, may you have only lucrative experiences.

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5 tips on how to manage your money 

Now that you’ve established your income stream/s, here are 5 tips on how to manage the money you’re making. Whether you’re doing this as a side hustle or a full time job, consider implementing the following 5 steps in order to build your finances. . 

1. Build an Emergency Fund

Just like in personal finance, building an emergency fund is crucial for making money online. This fund will act as a safety net in case you hit a rough patch, and it will allow you to continue your online work without financial stress.

2. Create a Budget

Budgeting is another essential aspect of making money online. Creating a budget will help you keep track of your income and expenses, and it will allow you to make informed decisions about where to allocate your resources.

3. Focus on Your Niche

To make the process of making money online more enjoyable consider focusing on a specific niche that you are passionate about. Whether it's writing, graphic design, or web development, become an expert in your field and provide value to your clients.

4. Network and Build Relationships

Building relationships with other professionals in your industry is a valuable step when making money online. Networking can help you find new clients, build your reputation, and even lead to new business opportunities.

5. Stay Consistent and Persistent

Making money online takes time and effort, and it's important to stay consistent and persistent. Set realistic goals for yourself, create a schedule, and stick to it. Remember that success doesn't happen overnight, so don't get discouraged if you don't see results right away.

So what are you waiting for? 

What is a stablecoin?

A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency that aims to keep its value consistent with a specific asset or group of assets, in other words, its value is pegged to the underlying asset. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, stablecoins aim to provide the benefits of digital currencies without the wild price fluctuations. Most commonly, stablecoins are pegged to fiat currencies like the US dollar, with one coin typically equaling one dollar.

How do stablecoins maintain their value?

Stablecoins use various mechanisms to maintain their peg:

1. Collateralised stablecoins

These are backed by reserves of the pegged asset. For every stablecoin issued, there should be an equivalent amount of the asset held in reserve (in a bank). Examples include USDC and USDT.

2. Algorithmic stablecoins

These use smart contracts and algorithms to automatically adjust supply based on demand, theoretically maintaining the peg. An example was TerraUSD (UST) before its collapse.

3. Hybrid models

Some stablecoins combine collateral backing with algorithmic mechanisms.

Maintaining the peg often involves continuous market operations, such as minting new coins when demand increases or burning excess supply when demand decreases.

What does it mean when a stablecoin depegs?

When a stablecoin "depegs," it means its value has deviated significantly from its intended peg. For instance, if a USD-pegged stablecoin trades at $0.95 or $1.05 instead of $1.00, it's considered depegged. Minor fluctuations are normal, but substantial or prolonged deviations indicate a problem.

Why does this happen?

Stablecoins can depeg for several reasons:

1. Market pressure: Extreme market conditions can lead to massive sell-offs, overwhelming the stabilising mechanisms.
2. Loss of confidence: If users doubt the stablecoin's backing or the issuer's credibility, they may rush to sell, causing a depeg.
3. Insufficient collateral: If a stablecoin isn't adequately backed by reserves, it may struggle to maintain its peg during high-stress periods.
4. Algorithm failures: For algorithmic stablecoins, flaws in the stabilising mechanism can lead to depegging.
5. Regulatory issues: Legal challenges or regulatory crackdowns can shake confidence in a stablecoin.
6. Liquidity crises: If there's not enough liquidity in the market, it can be difficult to maintain the peg.
7. External economic factors: Major economic events or changes in monetary policy can affect a stablecoin's stability.

What are the consequences of a stablecoin depegging?

The consequences of a stablecoin depegging can be severe and far-reaching:

Loss of user funds

Investors holding the stablecoin may face significant losses if the value drops substantially.

Market volatility

A major stablecoin depegging can trigger broader crypto market sell-offs and instability.

Loss of trust

Depegging events can erode confidence in the entire stablecoin market and the specific project.

Regulatory scrutiny

Such events often lead to increased regulatory attention on stablecoins and the broader crypto industry.

Disruption of crypto ecosystems

Many DeFi protocols rely on stablecoins; a depeg can disrupt these systems. And as stablecoins are often used as collateral, depegging can trigger mass liquidations and potential system-wide instability.

Project failure

In extreme cases, like with Terra/LUNA, a stablecoin depeg can lead to the complete collapse of the associated project and ecosystem.

Understanding the mechanisms behind stablecoins and the risks of depegging is crucial for anyone involved in the cryptocurrency space. While stablecoins play a vital role in the crypto ecosystem, providing a bridge between traditional finance and the volatile world of digital assets, they are not without risks. Be sure to always do your own research before engaging in the crypto space.

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Understanding what crypto trading pairs are is important for all levels of trading, whether new to the market and looking to buy cryptocurrencies or wanting to engage in advanced arbitrage strategies. 

While the concept has been around in the stock markets for a while, it came about in the crypto industry due to a number of exchanges only allowing bigger cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum to be purchased with fiat currencies. While other cryptocurrencies were available on the platform, they could only be bought by trading BTC or ETH. Hence, it became necessary for a relationship to be established in terms of value between the cryptocurrencies being exchanged for one another.

When it comes to investing in cryptocurrencies there are plenty of options available, it only makes sense that markets open allowing one digital asset to be traded for another.

Crypto Trading Pairs Explained

Every cryptocurrency has an established value against a fiat currency, while this will continuously change depending on the market conditions affecting it, the use of the same fiat will remain. Most sites default to present a cryptocurrency's value in USD, however, they also allow for changes to be made (to GBP, EUR, etc). This is referred to as a base currency.

A trading pair is when two cryptocurrencies can be traded against each other, as opposed to a cryptocurrency and fiat. For example, BTC/LTC, or ETH/DOGE. In order to acquire the one, the other will need to be exchanged. In this case, the base currency is now a cryptocurrency. 

If you would like to buy DOGE with DOT but the exchange does not have this trading pair available, you would need to exchange DOGE for BTC, and then buy DOT with the BTC. Unfortunately, this will incur more fees, illustrating the convenience of trading pairs. 

How Do Trading Pairs Work?

Exchanges typically allow you to compare costs between cryptocurrencies, i.e. how much Bitcoin you will need to pay for Litecoin. If you are unable to load your account with fiat, you can still trade using cryptocurrencies, depositing one and trading it for another. 

Trading pairs allow you to establish a cryptocurrency's value in terms of another cryptocurrency. 

Say you buy ETH/LTC, this means that you are buying ETH in exchange for LTC. LTC is then the base currency. If you were selling ETH/LTC, you would be selling ETH and accumulating LTC. Ethereum and Bitcoin are the most common base currencies, however, the bigger the exchange the more trading pairs are on offer. 

Before engaging in any trading pairs take a look at the fees and taxes associated with the trade on the exchange's website, as sometimes some cryptocurrencies can incur higher fees. 

In Conclusion

Trading pairs are when a cryptocurrency is valued against another cryptocurrency and capable of being traded for one another. Trading pairs provide an essential role in the crypto economy. These days there are hundreds of trading pairs on offer, allowing traders to make informed decisions, find better prices, and perform a greater number of transactions. 

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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.