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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 Dai (DAI) on Tap!

DAI is now available for trading on the Tap mobile app. You can now Buy, Sell, Trade or hold DAI 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 DAI 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.

Launched in 2017, DAI is an algorithmic stablecoin issued by MakerDAO.  This stablecoin cryptocurrency is aiming to maintain a soft peg with the United States dollar. This goal is achieved through the use of smart contracts which incentivize participants to perform essential maintenance and governance functions.

Due to the coin’s soft peg to the US dollar, the DAI stablecoin not only provides a stable long-term store of value but also a strong medium of exchange.

Get to learn more about DAI in our dedicated article here.

While these terms might seemingly be used interchangeably, there are in fact fundamental differences between them. Whether you're brand new to the industry, looking for a new investment opportunity, or have been in the market for a while, distinguishing between the three will be a valuable endeavour. When it comes to the business of blockchain assets and the information surrounding it, we know all about it. Let's get into it.

What Are Digital Assets?

Digital assets are non-tangible assets that are created, traded and stored in a digital format. This includes everything from a website to a spreadsheet to a logo, anything uniquely identifiable that holds value. In the context of digital assets vs cryptocurrencies vs tokens, both cryptocurrencies and tokens are digital assets as they're created, stored and traded using blockchain technology. 

Through blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies and tokens utilize an advanced encryption technique known as cryptography. This maintains their security and ensures that the digital assets cannot be counterfeited or double-spent. Each individual asset represents something, whether it be content, value or a tangible item.

What Are Cryptocurrencies?

While cryptocurrencies fall under the umbrella of digital assets, they too hold a unique characteristic. In order for a digital asset to be classified as a cryptocurrency, it must be created on its own unique blockchain (often referred to as a blockchain's native token). 

Cryptocurrencies can be traded as a medium of exchange or store of value, depending on the platform for which it is built. On top of that, cryptocurrencies can also be used to pay transaction fees for using the network, or as an incentive to ensure the network is well-maintained. 

Typically, cryptocurrencies are decentralized meaning that they do not rely on a central entity to maintain the network, instead, they are operated using code to facilitate transactions and issuance. Built using blockchain or distributed ledger technology (DLT), cryptocurrencies use cryptography to secure each network in an automated, trustless manner and avoid any fraud.
Bitcoin, as it is created using its own blockchain and acts as a form of digital money, is an example of a cryptocurrency.

What Are Tokens?

Tokens differ from cryptocurrencies in that they are created on top of existing blockchain networks and not their own. A prime example is any ERC-20 token built on top of the Ethereum network, while these are still digital assets, they are classified as tokens due to their use of an existing blockchain. DAI, COMP and USDT are all examples of tokens that utilize the Ethereum blockchain.

While some are also mediums of exchange or stores of value, tokens provide more varied use cases. For example, some tokens are used to play games while others might be used for services specific to that platform, or across the greater decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape. 

There are a number of token standards available which each serve different use cases, the majority of which are built on Ethereum. The most common, the ERC-20 token standard, allows for the creation of a token that can then be used across a range of compatible dapps (decentralized apps). Another common token standard is the ERC-721 which is used to create non-fungible tokens, NFTs.

Tokens are typically characterized by the following:

• Permissionless
• Programmable
• Trustless
• Transparent

Tokens tend to take on much wider use cases, such as representing both tangible (property, art) and non-tangible (processing power, governance rights) which cryptocurrencies are integral to the running of the blockchain network. ‍

In Conclusion

Digital assets encompass both cryptocurrencies and tokens, while cryptocurrencies are built using a unique blockchain, and tokens are built on top of an existing blockchain. As the blockchain industry and the regulation around it continue developing, it is likely that the token standards and the range of use cases across both cryptocurrencies and tokens will continue to develop to provide a vast array of social and economic solutions.

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With inflation rates rising across the world, many are naturally looking to regain control of their funds. Affecting everyone from business owners to retirees, and even governments, inflation is the silent killer when it comes to deteriorating personal wealth. In this article, we explore what inflation is exactly, and how you can protect yourself from it. 

What is inflation?

Inflation is a term used to describe the gradual increase in the cost of goods and services in an economy, which results in the reduction of the purchasing power of your money. As goods and services rise in price, each unit of currency becomes able to buy less, thus reducing its purchasing power. Additionally to this, the rise in the cost of living tends to result in a deceleration in economic growth. 

Inflation can be felt far beyond just household goods like food. It is experienced across the board, from services like entertainment, labour, and healthcare to metals and fuel even in transportation and electricity. 

Two indexes used to measure inflation are the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). CPI examines a basket of household goods and compares the overall prices to the prices registered the year before. Inflation is noted when the same amount of money cannot buy the same amount of goods as previously recorded. 

The WPI measures and tracks the price of goods at the producer or wholesale level. This observes the increases in prices from the foundation up, looking at the raw materials instead of the final product.

Following the pandemic, inflation rates have increased around the world. In some cases, inflation rates are the highest they've been in 30 years, bad news for people's savings and salaries.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) recorded a 7.5% annual increase at the end of January 2022, the biggest increase to date since 1982. While, according to information available through the UK equivalent, the Office for National Statistics, a 12-month increase of 6.2% was observed in March 2022.

Inflation vs interest rates

Not to be confused with one another, inflation is the increase in the cost of living while interest rates determine how much money you can earn/pay as a lender/borrower. Inflation and interest rates typically rise and fall together, with an increase in one generally creating an increase in the other.

The different types of inflation

There are three main types of inflation which are categorised as demand-pull inflation, cost-push inflation, and built-in inflation. Below we outline the differences between the three.

Demand-pull Inflation

Demand-pull inflation is when an increased supply of money leads to an increased demand for goods and services at a pace faster than the economy's production capacity. The increased demand and limited supply result in price rises. 

Cost-push Inflation

Cost-push inflation is the result of increased costs of raw materials and production processes, leading to an increased price in the final product and other consumer prices. 

Built-in Inflation

Built-in inflation is created by a wage-price spiral where consumer prices rise leading workers to demand higher wages which in turn increases consumer prices. 

How to manage funds and navigate inflation

Inflation is an inevitable part of life, however, there are still ways in which one can protect their funds from deteriorating in value. 

Invest in stocks

Stock markets provide much better returns than traditional interest-bearing savings accounts. While managing the stock market is a relatively complicated endeavour and requires more energy, stocks, and ETFs can earn up to 7% annual returns which would both increase your capital and beat inflation.

Invest in property

Property prices tend to increase in value over time. While they require a substantial payment of capital, these can pay off in the long run. 

Invest in commodities

Precious metals like gold and silver, as well as agricultural products and energy resources, offer potential opportunities for preserving wealth during economic uncertainties.

In Conclusion

Managing inflation is integral to maintaining financial stability. Inflation is an inevitable part of the modern economy, however, there are ways to minimize its effects on your savings. Stocks, property, and commodities are all viable options to ensure your personal wealth is protected and growing. 

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Sedan Bitcoin lanserades 2009 har ett konstant flöde av alternativa kryptovalutor – så kallade altcoins – dykt upp på marknaden. Många av dem är skapade för att bygga vidare på det Bitcoin introducerade. Även om Litecoin och Ethereum skiljer sig mycket åt i design, har de båda utvecklats för att förbättra svagheter i Bitcoins nätverk.

I den här artikeln tar vi en närmare titt på Litecoin och Ethereum, och jämför hur de fungerar – från koncept till verklig användning.

Litecoin-nätverket

Litecoin är en digital valuta som skapades som en hård fork från Bitcoins blockkedja. Syftet var att skapa en "lättare" version av Bitcoin, vilket också avspeglas i namnet. Den är byggd för att vara ett effektivt betalmedel i peer-to-peer-nätverk, och LTC är dess ursprungliga token.

Med liknande kodbas som Bitcoin har Litecoin-nätverket förbättrats för att erbjuda snabbare och billigare transaktioner. Det var aldrig tänkt att konkurrera ut Bitcoin, utan att fungera som ett komplement.

Litecoin lanserades 2011 av Charlie Lee – en före detta Google-ingenjör och MIT-alumn – tillsammans med ett utvecklingsteam. De ökade både blockstorleken och det totala utbudet av tokens, som är satt till maximalt 84 miljoner LTC.

Transaktioner per sekund

Idag kan Litecoin-nätverket hantera cirka 56 transaktioner per sekund. Detta är betydligt mer än Bitcoins 7 och även mer än Ethereums nuvarande 30, även om det förväntas öka i och med övergången till Ethereum 2.0.

Transaktionsavgifter

Litecoin utmärker sig även med mycket låga och stabila transaktionsavgifter – till skillnad från de flesta andra krypton som tenderar att bli dyrare vid hög belastning.

Blockstorlek och transaktionstid

Transaktioner bekräftas i genomsnitt på 2,5 minuter i Litecoin-nätverket, jämfört med 10 minuter på Bitcoin-nätverket. Det gör Litecoin till ett snabbt, energieffektivt och kostnadseffektivt alternativ.

Mining

Litecoin använder en Proof of Work-modell för att validera transaktioner, men använder en annan hash-algoritm – Scrypt – som kräver särskild hårdvara. Detta gör det även möjligt att simultant mine:a Litecoin och Dogecoin.

Ethereum-blockkedjan

Ethereum är en decentraliserad plattform som låter utvecklare skapa smarta kontrakt och decentraliserade appar (dapps). Ethereum är känt för sin neutralitet, säkerhet och oföränderlighet, vilket gör det till ett populärt verktyg för utvecklare över hela världen.

ETH är den ursprungliga kryptovalutan på plattformen.

Syftet med Ethereum

Ethereum skapades för att gå ett steg längre än Bitcoin, genom att erbjuda en plattform där nya blockchain-projekt kan utvecklas. Det har lett till en våg av innovation inom allt från finans till spel och konst.

Gasavgifter

Alla åtgärder på Ethereum-nätverket kräver så kallade gasavgifter, som betalas i ETH. Dessa avgifter varierar beroende på hur belastat nätverket är – något som ibland kan göra transaktioner dyra.

Smarta kontrakt

Smarta kontrakt är kodade överenskommelser som automatiskt utförs när vissa villkor är uppfyllda. Detta skapar möjligheter för decentraliserade applikationer utan behov av mellanhänder.

Total tillgång

Ethereum har inget fast maxantal tokens, vilket gör att utbudet kan växa över tid. Det finns dock en gräns på hur många nya ETH som kan skapas per år – maximalt 18 miljoner.

Framtida utveckling

Ethereum använder idag Proof of Work, men är i färd med att övergå till Proof of Stake – ett energieffektivare och mer hållbart alternativ för nätverksvalidering.

Litecoin vs Ethereum – vad är bäst?

Litecoin är byggt för att vara ett snabbt och billigt sätt att skicka pengar. Ethereum erbjuder mer än så – det är en hel plattform för att bygga nästa generations blockchain-projekt.

Vilket som är bäst beror helt på vad du är ute efter:

• Vill du bygga dapps eller skapa smarta kontrakt? Då är Ethereum det naturliga valet.
• Behöver du skicka pengar snabbt och billigt, eller föredrar du ett deflationärt utbud? Då är Litecoin ett starkt alternativ.

Båda nätverken har engagerade communities, aktiva utvecklingsteam och unika funktioner. Fundera över dina egna behov och mål innan du väljer vilken kryptovaluta som passar dig bäst.

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We are delighted to announce the listing and support of Quant (QNT) on Tap!

QNT is now available for trading on the Tap mobile app. You can now Buy, Sell, Trade or hold QNT 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 QNT 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 Quant Network was designed to connect blockchains and networks on a global scale, prioritising interoperability and trust functions between them using the Overledger operating system, the first OS built for blockchains. The Quant protocol was designed to remove barriers commonly encountered on blockchains in communication, interoperability and scaling.

QNT is an ERC-20 token from the Quant blockchain that provides digital access to a particular application or service and is used to access the Overledger network and validate transactions on the network.

All product users, developers, and gateway operators are required to purchase annual licences, used to maintain platform efficiency. These licence fees are converted to QNT and locked up in the Quant treasury. If a user does not renew their licence, they forfeit their fees, discouraging them from dumping tokens on the market if the price increases.

Get to know more about Quant  (QNT) in our dedicated article here.