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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Tap, announces a temporary suspension of XTP locking/fees payment for all its users, reflecting a steadfast commitment to regulatory compliance and global collaboration.

In alignment with our regulatory-first vision, Tap announce the temporarily suspending XTP locking and fee payment in XTP. This strategic move reflects our dedication to regulatory compliance in every aspect of our operations.

At Tap, we prioritize responsibility alongside innovation. This temporary suspension underscores our commitment to regulatory compliance and our ability to effectively serve all our users in the United Kingdom, aligning with the new FCA regulations set in place.

In accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) financial promotion rule, we regret to inform our UK residents that the utilization of XTP for locking or payment is temporarily suspended. The FCA has classified the use of digital assets for obtaining discounts as a financial incentive, thus preventing its extension to any UK resident.

The temporary suspension of services in the UK has necessitated a pause in functionality across our entire platform due to its unified nature. Nevertheless, our team remains unwavering in our commitment to restoring Locking/Paying Fees in XTP for our global community. 

While this transition may present temporary challenges, it also represents an opportunity for growth and collective progress.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our users for their unwavering support and patience as we navigate through this transition. Rest assured, Tap remains steadfastly committed to delivering an unparalleled digital asset experience that is compliant, secure, seamless, and transformative for users worldwide.

TAP Partners with Notabene to Implement Innovative Solutions Ensuring Adherence to Cryptocurrencies’ Travel Rule

Tap is proud to announce its new partnership with Notabene, in a concerted and strategic response to strengthen its compliance operations, by utilizing the market-leading solutions to ensure ongoing compliance with the Travel Rule for cryptocurrencies. Embracing the ever-evolving regulatory landscape, this partnership underscores TAP's dedication to ensuring consumer trust and guaranteeing pre-transaction regulatory compliance requirements at all times.

Tap has always taken pride in its regulatory-first approach, emphasizing the importance of consumer trust and operational transparency. Tap's decision to partner with Notabene is grounded in a multitude of strategic rationales. Notabene's all-encompassing SafeTransact platform, renowned for its excellence in identifying and mitigating high-risk activity before it occurs, provides compliance teams with the tools to make data-driven choices and enhances operational efficiency by seamlessly integrating the Travel Rule into compliance processes.

Notabene's notable offering includes its SafeGateway solution, which facilitates VASP-to-VASP interaction across protocols. This positions them as strong contenders in the cryptocurrency compliance solutions sector. This underscores why TAP views this partnership as a positive step toward maintaining a competitive edge in the fintech compliance landscape.

Comment from Kriya Patel, CEO of Tap

“I am delighted to be able to announce our strategic partnership with Notabene and I look forward to growing the relationship together whilst navigating through to meeting and maintaining our current and future regulatory requirements in our industry. 

The partnership with Notabene was a natural one. They share the same values as Tap by focusing on  customer-driven product needs, whilst allowing us to maintain a regulated and security-first approach.”

Comment from Pelle Braendgaard, CEO of Notabene

"We are pleased to collaborate with Tap, their commitment to compliance and customer trust aligns seamlessly with our mission. Together, we can advance the industry while ensuring the highest standards of security and transparency."

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Welcome to the delicious world of cookies! But hold on, we're not talking about those sweet treats you munch on during tea time. We're here to unveil the mysterious and oh-so-important cookies that exist on the vast landscape of the internet. 

These cookies aren't tangible, instead, they're small pieces of data that roam around cyberspace, shaping and enhancing your online experience. In this article, we break down what cookies are exactly and how they impact our online interactions. 

What are cookies?

These digital marvels play a vital role in enhancing our online experiences. So, what exactly are cookies and why does your computer store them?

When you're hopping from one website to another, your computer keeps a small file on behalf of each website you visit. This file is the cookie. The name "cookie" actually comes from a programming term called a magic cookie, coined by the programmer, Lou Montulli, and adds flavour to your online adventures.

But why do computers store these little files? Cookies help web servers remember you, ensuring a smooth and personalised browsing experience. Let's say you perform an action on a website, like switching to a dark mode or logging in with your credentials. Your computer takes note of this and saves the information in a cookie.

When you revisit that website in the future, your computer hands back the stored information from the cookie to the website. It's as if your computer is acting as a helpful assistant, reminding the website of your preferences, saved settings, and even items left in your virtual shopping cart.

The bottom line is that cookies are an integrated service that allow for a seamless and tailored browsing experience. 

The different types of cookies

As with its baked goods counterpart, not all cookies are created equal. Each type serves a unique purpose in enhancing your online experience. Here's a breakdown of the most common cookie varieties:

Session cookies

These are temporary cookies that exist only during your browsing session. They hold information about your activities on a website, ensuring smooth navigation. Once you close the browser, session cookies vanish, leaving no trace behind.

Persistent cookies

Unlike their transient cousins, persistent cookies stick around even after you close the browser. They store information like login details or preferences, making your return visits more personalised and convenient.

First-party cookies

These are created by the website you are visiting. They help to remember your preferences and settings, making your browsing experience smoother.

Third-party cookies

These cookies come from external sources, often embedded in the website you're visiting. They track your browsing habits, allowing advertisers to deliver targeted ads based on your interests.

Cookie consent and those pop-up banners

When you visit a website, you may have noticed those cookie consent banners or pop-ups that demand your attention. Turns out they are quite important. Implementing these notifications helps websites comply with data protection regulations and respect your privacy. 

They also play a vital role in helping users understand the importance of giving consent and being aware of how their data is used. So, next time you encounter a cookie consent banner, remember it's there to protect your rights and ensure transparency in the online world.

How cookies track and analyse your behaviour

Cookies have become a powerful tool for tracking and analysing user behaviour on websites. They enable website owners to gather valuable analytics data and gain insights into visitor patterns and preferences. 

By utilising cookies, website administrators can track the number of page views, monitor the time users spend on their site, and gain a deeper understanding of how visitors interact with different elements. This data helps them optimise their websites, improve user experience, and tailor content to suit audience preferences. 

On top of that, cookies also play a crucial role in targeted advertising, allowing marketers to display ads based on users' browsing habits and interests. So, the next time you encounter a personalised ad, you can thank those little, but mighty, cookies for their clever insights.

How you can manage your cookies

Managing and controlling useful cookies gives you more control over your online privacy. Through browser settings, you can choose to accept, reject, or delete cookies. Taking control of your cookie preferences allows you to customise your browsing experience and limit the data collected by websites. 

Additionally, various cookie management tools are available, making it easier to handle cookies across different websites. It's important to understand the implications of accepting or rejecting cookies, as it can affect website functionality, personalised experiences, and even the relevance of advertisements. Find the right balance that suits your privacy preferences and browsing needs.

Conclusion

In the vast realm of the internet, cookies are the unsung heroes that make our online experiences seamless and personalised. These small files, stored by our computers on behalf of websites, play a crucial role in remembering our preferences, settings, and actions. 

So, the next time you encounter a cookie consent banner or notice the personalisation of a website, you'll know it's all thanks to these small but mighty digital gems called cookies. 

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Η αύξηση των εκτιμήσεων δείχνει ότι η παγκόσμια οικονομία ενδέχεται να κατευθύνεται προς ύφεση το 2023. Αυτό συμβαίνει καθώς οι κυβερνήσεις σε όλο τον κόσμο εξακολουθούν να αντιμετωπίζουν αυξανόμενα χρέη και αργή οικονομική ανάπτυξη, παρά τα τεράστια πακέτα δημοσιονομικής στήριξης.

Στο μεταξύ, οι εταιρείες αντιμετωπίζουν εμπόδια από την αλλαγή στις προτιμήσεις των καταναλωτών, την τεχνολογική αναστάτωση και την κλιμάκωση των εμπορικών εντάσεων.

Όλοι αυτοί οι παράγοντες έχουν εντείνει τις ανησυχίες για το αν η τρέχουσα οικονομική επέκταση μπορεί να διατηρηθεί σε βάθος χρόνου. Παρακάτω εξετάζουμε την πιθανότητα μιας επερχόμενης οικονομικής ύφεσης και σας καθοδηγούμε για το πώς να προστατέψετε τις αποταμιεύσεις και τις επενδύσεις σας, αν έρθει μια τέτοια περίοδος.

Προχωράμε προς ύφεση το 2023;

Σύμφωνα με οικονομική έρευνα από την Bloomberg, οι οικονομολόγοι έχουν προβλέψει 70% πιθανότητα ύφεσης το επόμενο έτος, από 30% που ήταν η πρόβλεψη τον Ιούλιο του προηγούμενου έτους. Αν και δεν πρόκειται για τον τεχνικό ορισμό, η ύφεση συνήθως συμβαίνει μετά από δύο συνεχόμενα τρίμηνα αρνητικής οικονομικής ανάπτυξης, κάτι που είδαμε και πέρυσι.

Παρά τα επιτόκια και τον πληθωρισμό, η ζήτηση των καταναλωτών έχει μειωθεί. Μετά από δύο χρόνια ενίσχυσης των προσλήψεων, η δραστηριότητα αναζήτησης εργασίας υποχωρεί. Οι χρηματιστηριακές αγορές σημείωσαν πτώση περίπου 20% το 2022, με εκτιμήσεις που δείχνουν περαιτέρω πτώση το 2023. Παρόλο που αυτά τα στατιστικά ενδέχεται να προκαλούν πανικό, θυμηθείτε ότι οι υφέσεις είναι μέρος του φυσικού οικονομικού κύκλου.

Στην πραγματικότητα, υπήρξαν δεκατρείς υφέσεις από τον Β΄ Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο, κάθε μία με μέση διάρκεια 10 μήνες, και όλες ανακάμπτουν. Με τις κατάλληλες προετοιμασίες, μια οικονομική ύφεση μπορεί να προκαλέσει ελάχιστη ζημιά στους οικονομικούς σας στόχους.

Πώς να επιβιώσετε από μια ύφεση με ελάχιστη ζημιά (υπόδειξη:ταμείο έκτακτης ανάγκης)

Πρώτον και κύριο, δημιουργήστε το ταμείο έκτακτης ανάγκης πριν η ύφεση γίνει πλήρως αισθητή. Αυτό συνεπάγεται την αποταμίευση χρημάτων για να δημιουργήσετε ποσό που να καλύπτει τρεις έως έξι μήνες εξόδων, το οποίο μπορείτε να χρησιμοποιήσετε για οποιοδήποτε απρόβλεπτο κόστος προκύψει κατά τη διάρκεια οικονομικής επιβράδυνσης. Η δημιουργία ενός ταμείου έκτακτης ανάγκης είναι ο πιο σίγουρος τρόπος για να προστατεύσετε τις επενδύσεις σας και να θωρακίσετε τα οικονομικά σας κατά την ύφεση.

Επιπλέον, οι ειδικοί συνιστούν να αναβάλλετε οποιαδήποτε μεγάλα έξοδα, ειδικά πολυτελή αγαθά, και να δημιουργήσετε (και να τηρήσετε) έναν προϋπολογισμό. Αναζητήστε χρήσιμες συμβουλές εξοικονόμησης χρημάτων και ενσωματώστε τες στην καθημερινή σας ζωή. Αυτές οι συμβουλές μπορεί να σας βοηθήσουν να εξοικονομήσετε χρήματα πέρα από την οικονομική αβεβαιότητα και να αντισταθμίσετε την αύξηση του κόστους ζωής. Σκεφτείτε δημιουργικούς τρόπους για να αντιμετωπίσετε την οικονομία και να μειώσετε τα έξοδα.

Πώς να διαχειριστείτε τα χρέη σε μια οικονομική κρίση

Αν έχετε σταθερή δουλειά, ξεκινήστε σήμερα κιόλας να αυξήσετε τις πληρωμές σας για να εξαλείψετε τα χρέη σας. Μην υποτιμάτε την ελευθερία που προσφέρει η απουσία χρεών, όχι μόνο οικονομικά αλλά και ψυχολογικά. Μόλις τα εξοφλήσετε, θα έχετε περισσότερο χώρο στο ισοζύγιό σας για να ανταπεξέλθετε στην αύξηση των επιτοκίων και του κόστους ζωής που συνήθως συνοδεύουν τις υφέσεις.

Αν χάσετε τη δουλειά σας, προσπαθήστε να ελαχιστοποιήσετε τις πληρωμές χρεών που δεν είναι απολύτως απαραίτητες και επικεντρωθείτε στο να έχετε αρκετά χρήματα για να καλύψετε τις τέσσερις βασικές ανάγκες: φαγητό, λογαριασμούς, στέγη και μεταφορές. Αν σας μείνουν χρήματα, βάλτε τα σε έναν λογαριασμό αποταμίευσης, ειδικά αν δεν έχετε δημιουργήσει ακόμη το ταμείο έκτακτης ανάγκης.

Ό,τι και αν γίνει, μην προσθέσετε περισσότερα χρέη. Τα χρέη με υψηλά επιτόκια θα κάνουν την κακή κατάσταση χειρότερη. Σκεφτείτε να συμβουλευτείτε έναν πιστοποιημένο οικονομικό σύμβουλο αν δεν είστε σίγουροι.

Πώς να θωρακίσετε τις αποταμιεύσεις σας από την ύφεση

Αν έχετε ακόμη τη δουλειά σας, συνεχίστε να αποταμιεύετε χρήματα και να χτίζετε τα διαθέσιμα μετρητά σας. Μην αφήσετε τις οικονομικές ύφεσεις να σας εμποδίσουν να προχωρήσετε προς τους οικονομικούς σας στόχους. Ιδανικά, έχετε δημιουργήσει το ταμείο έκτακτης ανάγκης για να καλύψετε προσωπικές ζημιές και να καλύψετε τα έξοδα διαβίωσής σας.

Αυτό σας επιτρέπει να καταθέτετε το συνηθισμένο ποσό αποταμίευσης σε έναν λογαριασμό που αποδίδει τόκους χωρίς να ανησυχείτε για το "τι θα γίνει αν". Τώρα είναι επίσης μια καλή στιγμή για να αναθεωρήσετε τον προϋπολογισμό σας και να κατανείμετε κάθε ευρώ σε μια σκοπούμενη κατεύθυνση.

Αν υπάρχουν χρήματα που περισσεύουν, βάλτε τα στις αποταμιεύσεις ή στον λογαριασμό συνταξιοδότησης. Αν όχι, αναθεωρήστε τον προϋπολογισμό σας για να δείτε πού μπορείτε να μειώσετε τα έξοδα και να γεμίσετε το "βάζο" της αποταμίευσης.

Πώς να διαχειριστείτε τις επενδύσεις σας στη χρηματιστηριακή αγορά κατά την ύφεση

Ο χρυσός κανόνας για τη διαχείριση των επενδύσεών σας κατά την ύφεση είναι να μην πουλήσετε με ζημιά. Ξανά και ξανά βλέπουμε επενδυτές να κάνουν συναλλαγές υπό τον φόβο, και τελικά να υποστούν μεγάλες ζημιές, ενώ οι συνάδελφοί τους που κράτησαν τα χρήματά τους στις χρηματιστηριακές αγορές βλέπουν εντυπωσιακές αποδόσεις όταν η οικονομία επιστρέψει στην κανονικότητα.

Θυμηθείτε: οι ζημιές γίνονται πραγματικές μόνο όταν αποσύρετε τα χρήματα από τις επενδύσεις σας. Αφήστε τα εκεί, καθώς όπως και κάθε οικονομικός κύκλος στην ιστορία, η κατάσταση θα βελτιωθεί. Και αν έχετε τα χρήματα, σκεφτείτε να επενδύσετε λίγο παραπάνω – οι τιμές της χρηματιστηριακής αγοράς θα είναι σε "εκπτώσεις".

Άλλη πολύτιμη συμβουλή είναι να μην κάνετε απότομες αλλαγές στη στρατηγική των επενδύσεών σας, εξετάστε την επένδυση ως μια μακροπρόθεσμη προσέγγιση. Κάποιοι μακροπρόθεσμοι επενδυτές ενσωματώνουν μετοχές από εταιρείες βασικών καταναλωτικών αγαθών στα χαρτοφυλάκιά τους ως στρατηγική για να ξεπεράσουν τις πτώσεις της αγοράς.

Επενδύοντας σε κεφάλαια όπως το Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund ή το Vanguard's Consumer Staples ETF, η ελπίδα είναι ότι η επιτυχία αυτών των κεφαλαίων θα αντισταθμίσει τις ζημιές από άλλες μετοχές του χαρτοφυλακίου.

Αποφύγετε τον φόβο και την αβεβαιότητα και προετοιμαστείτε

Ανεξάρτητα από την οικονομική κατάσταση που θα προκύψει, να είστε βέβαιοι ότι θα περάσει. Αν διαβάζετε αυτό το κείμενο, πιθανότατα έχετε περάσει από αρκετές υφέσεις στο παρελθόν και έχετε βγει νικητές. Μην αφήσετε καμία ανησυχία να σας εμποδίσει να προετοιμαστείτε για μια ύφεση – άλλωστε, αυτές οι συμβουλές για το πώς να θωρακίσετε τα οικονομικά σας είναι η καλύτερη ευκαιρία να βγείτε και πάλι στην κορυφή.

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