Learning the friendly way

In the rapidly evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies, investors are always searching for dependable platforms that provide effortless trading experiences and a diverse array of features. Among the multitude of options available, distinguishing between Tap and traditional crypto exchanges can be challenging. Although both facilitate cryptocurrency trading, they exhibit notable disparities in their offerings and functionalities. In this article, we will delve into five fundamental distinctions that position Tap as a superior choice when compared to traditional crypto exchanges.

All-in-One Platform:

One of the most significant advantages of Tap over traditional crypto exchanges is its all-in-one platform. Tap is not solely a cryptocurrency exchange but a comprehensive financial platform that seamlessly integrates cryptocurrencies with traditional fiat financial services. Users can hold and exchange various cryptocurrencies alongside fiat currencies in a single account. This unique feature provides unparalleled convenience, allowing customers to manage their finances and investments in one place. On the other hand, traditional crypto exchanges usually only support cryptocurrency trading, requiring users to transfer funds back and forth between different accounts for fiat-related transactions.

User-Friendly Interface:

Tap prides itself on its user-friendly interface, designed to cater to both seasoned traders and newcomers to the crypto space. The platform's intuitive design makes it easy for users to navigate, monitor market trends, and execute trades efficiently. Additionally, Tap provides real-time market data, educational resources on its blog, and insights to help users make informed decisions. Conversely, many traditional crypto exchanges can be overwhelming, especially for beginners, with complex interfaces and limited educational support.

Instant Fiat-Crypto Conversion:

Another standout feature of Tap is its instant fiat-crypto conversion. Users can easily convert their fiat currency into a wide range of cryptocurrencies at competitive exchange rates, without the need for additional transactions or fees. This convenience streamlines the trading process and allows users to capitalize on market opportunities swiftly. In contrast, traditional crypto exchanges often require users to deposit funds, wait for approval, and then execute trades, which can take hours or even days to complete.

Broad Range of Cryptocurrencies:

Tap offers an extensive selection of 40+ cryptocurrencies, including popular options like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), and many more. With Tap, users have the flexibility to diversify their crypto portfolio easily. Moreover, the platform regularly adds new cryptocurrencies to its offerings, ensuring users have access to the latest and most promising digital assets. In contrast, some traditional crypto exchanges have a limited selection of cryptocurrencies, restricting users' investment options.

Pair Agnostic Trading:

A key advantage that sets Tap apart from traditional crypto exchanges is its pair agnostic trading feature. With Tap, users can seamlessly exchange any crypto asset for any other crypto asset directly on the platform. This eliminates the need for multiple exchanges or restrictions on which assets can be traded against each other. Unlike traditional crypto exchanges that often impose limitations on trading pairs, Tap empowers its users with unmatched flexibility, allowing them to swiftly trade between a vast array of cryptocurrencies or fiat.

Enhanced Security and Regulation:

Tap sets a high standard for security and regulatory compliance. As a regulated financial institution, the platform follows stringent security measures to safeguard users' funds and personal data. Tap employs advanced encryption protocols and two-factor authentication to protect accounts from unauthorized access. Additionally, it complies with regulatory requirements, ensuring a safe and reliable trading environment. On the other hand, traditional crypto exchanges may not always adhere to the same level of regulatory scrutiny, leaving users potentially exposed to security risks and uncertainties.

In conclusion:

In conclusion, Tap stands out as a superior choice compared to traditional crypto exchanges due to its all-in-one platform, user-friendly interface, instant fiat-crypto conversion, broad range of cryptocurrencies, and enhanced security and regulation. Its seamless integration of cryptocurrencies with traditional financial fiat services makes it a one-stop solution for financial management and investment needs. With Tap, users can trade cryptocurrencies with ease and confidence, backed by a robust and secure platform. Whether you are a seasoned crypto investor or a newcomer to the world of digital assets, Tap offers a compelling and competitive solution for your trading and financial needs.

We are delighted to announce the listing and support of Loopring (LRC) on Tap!

LRC is now available for trading on the Tap mobile app. You can now Buy, Sell, Trade or hold LRC for any of the other asset supported on the platform without any pair boundaries. Tap is pair agnostic, meaning you can trade any asset for any other asset without having to worries if a "trading pair" is available.

We believe supporting LRC will provide value to our users. We are looking forward to continue supporting new crypto projects with the aim of providing access to financial power and freedom for all.

Addressing the speed and cost concerns associated with the Ethereum platform and decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges, Loopring delivers a new layer to the DeFi space. Describing itself as “an open-source, audited, and non-custodial exchange protocol,” Loopring is bringing something new and innovative to the space.

The Loopring Exchange aims to offer a hybrid platform combining the best features of centralized exchanges and decentralized exchanges, addressing issues like structural limitations and transparency. The platform combines centralized order matching with decentralized blockchain order settlement, using zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) for enhanced privacy, reduced costs, and high speeds.

The Loopring cryptocurrency, LRC, plays a crucial role in the operations of the protocol.
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To operate a decentralized exchange on Loopring, a minimum of 250,000 LRC needs to be locked up. This allows the exchange operator to utilize on-chain data proofs. Alternatively, an operator can stake 1 million LRC to run an exchange without this feature.

LRC serves as an incentive for the proper utilization of the Loopring network. Exchange operators who deposit LRC may face confiscation of their deposits by the protocol if they operate exchanges poorly. These confiscated funds are then distributed to users who choose to lock up LRC.

Get to know more about Loopring (LRC) in our dedicated article here.

We are delighted to announce the listing and support of The Graph (GRT) on Tap!

GRT is now available for trading on the Tap mobile app. You can now Buy, Sell, Trade or hold GRT for any of the other asset supported on the platform without any pair boundaries. Tap is pair agnostic, meaning you can trade any asset for any other asset without having to worries if a "trading pair" is available.

We believe supporting GRT will provide value to our users. We are looking forward to continue supporting new crypto projects with the aim of providing access to financial power and freedom for all.

The Graph is a unique decentralized protocol that utilizes DLT (decentralized ledger technology) and the powerful GraphQL programming language to enable blockchain data collection without relying on third parties. The cutting-edge technology makes it simpler than ever before to index, organize, and query blockchain data information with remarkable accuracy and speed.

The Graph (GRT) is an ERC-20 token and the native token to The Graph network. The coin is integral to the reward system created to benefit indexers, curators, and delegators, which incentives them to improve the market and network operations. Participants of the network earn money by receiving The Graph GRT tokens, which have a market value when traded on the cryptocurrency market.

Get to know more about The graph (GRT) in our dedicated article here.

We are delighted to announce the listing and support of Lido (LDO) on Tap!

LDO is now available for trading on the Tap mobile app. You can now Buy, Sell, Trade or hold LDO for any of the other asset supported on the platform without any pair boundaries. Tap is pair agnostic, meaning you can trade any asset for any other asset without having to worries if a "trading pair" is available.

We believe supporting LDO will provide value to our users. We are looking forward to continue supporting new crypto projects with the aim of providing access to financial power and freedom for all.

Lido's liquid staking service allows users to tap into the benefits of staking rewards without compromising their tokens' liquidity. Lido aims to empower users to put their staked assets to use, supporting a number of PoS cryptocurrencies. The platform offers a liquid staking solution that provides users with a system that allows them to earn rewards on staked coins while also receiving a tokenized version of the staked coins which can generate returns in other DeFi protocols.

The Lido DAO token (LDO) is an ERC-20 token, the native utility token to the Lido protocol used to reward users. The token has a total supply of 1 billion tokens and serves three primary functions.

The LDO token grants holders with governance rights in the operations of the Lido DAO, as well as the removal or addition of Lido node operators and helping with the management of fee parameters and distribution.

Get to know more about Lido (LDO) in our dedicated article here.

Bitcoin has become a worldwide phenomenon due partly to its incredible innovation in terms of technology and cross-border payments, but also because of its unbelievable market performance over the last decade.

The original cryptocurrency was even voted the top performing asset of the past decade, and there is no denying why. So, how does it all work? Today we’re uncovering everything you need to know about the inner workings of the most powerful cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin 101

Before we dive into how Bitcoin works, let’s cover the basics. Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer electronic payment system that was launched in 2009 by Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, an anonymous entity that remains a mystery to this day. The Bitcoin blockchain ignited blockchain technology, propelling it into the 21st century and allowing anyone connected to the internet to embrace the new age of technology.

Bitcoin was designed as a response to the global financial crisis and set to be a decentralized payment system that was exempt from banking institutions’ central authority and errors. Over the past decade, the cryptocurrency has increased in value, hitting $20,000 for the first time in 2017, again in December 2020, before soaring to highs of $68,789.63 in November 2021.

The Bitcoin blockchain network has also paved the way for many other virtual currencies, of which there are currently over 20,000. The industry has grown into a sizable $1 trillion market (valued at one stage at over $3 trillion), most of which has Bitcoin to thank. Bitcoin currently dominates the market with a 40% share and has created a name for itself in the mainstream as more and more businesses decide to accept Bitcoin.

How exactly does Bitcoin work?

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. As previously mentioned, Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer digital currency that does not rely on any third-party financial institutions, banks or governments. Instead, the network and all Bitcoin transactions are operated by a network of nodes (computers) and miners. Users store Bitcoin in a digital wallet.

In simple terms, miners are responsible for verifying transactions while nodes keep records of all the transactions on the Bitcoin network. All transactions are added to the blockchain, which is a public ledger of all activity on the Bitcoin network. This is a simple look at how Bitcoin mining works.

Looking more deeply into this, let’s say one person in Belgium is sending Bitcoin to someone in England. The Belgium person will enter the Bitcoin address (also known as a wallet address) of the recipient and indicate how much they would like to send. The Bitcoin wallet through which it is being sent will calculate the transaction fees, the Belgium person will confirm (also checking they are happy with Bitcoin's price), and the Bitcoin transaction will enter a “mempool” of new transactions.

From here, Bitcoin miners will fight to solve a complex mathematical puzzle and the first one to do so correctly will be allowed mine the next block and verify all pending Bitcoin transactions (the process of Bitcoin mining). The miner will then verify that all senders of the transactions have sufficient balances, and the transactions will be executed.

The miner will then add the new block to the blockchain, and it will be circulated amongst the network. Once all the nodes approve, they will all update their blockchain records with the new block.

The person in England will then get a notification to say that they have received the Bitcoin transaction, and will most likely require 3 confirmations before being able to access the funds (some digital wallets and merchants require 6 confirmations). Confirmations are represented by new blocks added to the blockchain following the block with that specific transaction. Blocks take 10 - 40 minutes to be created due to the Bitcoin mining process.

While this is how Bitcoin transactions take place, other cryptocurrency transactions might vary slightly.

Where do new Bitcoins come from?

Satoshi Nakamoto designed the cryptocurrency to be deflationary in nature, intending the price to increase over time as opposed to decreasing like fiat currencies, offering not only a reliable payment method, but also an investment opportunity. Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins, with a certain number being released each year.

Initially, the mining reward for mining a block on the Bitcoin blockchain was 50 BTC, but after every 210,000 blocks (roughly 4 years) the reward halves. In May 2020, the third halving took place, driving the block rewards down to 6.25 BTC per block. This equates to roughly $230,000 at the time of writing.

So where do new Bitcoins come from? Each time a miner verifies a bundle of transactions, the miner will receive each transaction’s network fee and once they have mined enough transactions to complete a 1MB block and add it to the blockchain, they will receive the mining reward too. 

Once the 21 millionth coin has been mined no new coins will ever enter circulation. 

Ready to enter the wonderful world of Bitcoin?

Now that you understand more about the original cryptocurrency and how Bitcoin works, are you ready to enter the market? For easy onboarding, Tap provides a secure platform from where anyone can buy and sell Bitcoin and a number of other cryptocurrencies. Secure, easy to use, and conveniently accessible through a mobile app, Tap is both beginner friendly and perfect for seasoned traders.

Since the debut of Bitcoin in 2009, central banks have been living in fear of the disruptive technology that is cryptocurrency. Distributed ledger technology has revolutionized the digital world and has continued to challenge the corruption of central bank morals. 

Financial institutions can’t beat or control cryptocurrency, so they are joining them in creating digital currencies. Governments have now been embracing digital currencies in the form of CBDCs, otherwise known as central bank digital currencies. 

Central bank digital currencies are digital tokens, similar to cryptocurrency, issued by a central bank. They are pegged to the value of that country's fiat currency, acting as a digital currency version of the national currency. CBDCs are created and regulated by a country's central bank and monetary authorities.

A central bank digital currency is generally created for a sense of financial inclusion and to improve the application of monetary and fiscal policy. Central banks adopting currency in digital form presents great benefits for the federal reserve system as well as citizens, but there are some cons lurking behind the central bank digital currency facade.

Types of central bank digital currencies

While the concept of a central bank digital currency is quite easy to understand, there are layers to central bank money in its digital form. Before we take a deep dive into the possibilities presented by the central banks and their digital money, we will break down the different types of central bank digital currencies. 

Wholesale CBDCs

Wholesale central bank digital currencies are targeted at financial institutions, whereby reserve balances are held within a central bank. This integration assists the financial system and institutions in improving payment systems and security payment efficiency. 

This is much simpler than rolling out a central bank digital currency to the whole country but provides support for large businesses when they want to transfer money. These digital payments would also act as a digital ledger and aid in the avoidance of money laundering.

Retail CBDCs

A retail central bank digital currency refers to government-backed digital assets used between businesses and customers. This type of central bank digital currency is aimed at traditional currency, acting as a digital version of physical currency. These digital assets would allow retail payment systems, direct P2P CBDC transactions, as well as international settlements among businesses. It would be similar to having a bank account, where you could digitally transfer money through commercial banks, except the currency would be in the form of a digital yuan or euro, rather than the federal reserve of currency held by central banks.

Pros and cons of a central bank digital currency (CBDC)

Central banks are looking for ways to keep their money in the country, as opposed to it being spent on buying cryptocurrencies, thus losing it to a global market. As digital currencies become more popular, each central bank must decide whether they want to fight it or profit from the potential. Regardless of adoption, central banks creating their own digital currencies comes with benefits and disadvantages to users that you need to know. 

Pros of central bank digital currency (CBDC)

• Cross border payments
• Track money laundering activity 
• Secure international monetary fund
• Reduces risk of commercial bank collapse 
• Cheaper
• More secure
• Promotes financial inclusion

Cons of central bank digital currency (CDBC)

• Central banks have complete control
• No anonymity of digital currency transfers
• Cybersecurity issues 
• Price reliant on fiat currency equivalent 
• Physical money may be eliminated 
• Ban of distributed ledger technology and cryptocurrency

Central bank digital currency conclusion

Central bank money in an electronic form has been a big debate in the blockchain technology space, with so many countries considering the possibility. The European Central Bank, as well as other central banks, have been considering the possibility of central bank digital currencies as a means of improving the financial system. The Chinese government is in the midst of testing out their e-CNY, which some are calling the digital yuan. They have seen great success so far, but only after completely banning Bitcoin trading.

There is a lot of good that can come from CBDCs, but the benefits are mostly for the federal reserve system and central banks. Bank-account holders and citizens may have their privacy compromised and their investment options limited if the world adopts CBDCs.

It's important to remember that central bank digital currencies are not cryptocurrencies. They do not compete with cryptocurrencies and the benefits of blockchain technology. Their limited use cases can only be applied when reinforced by a financial system authority. Only time will tell if CBDCs will succeed, but right now you can appreciate the advantages brought to you by crypto.