The internet has made earning money easier than ever - whether you want a side hustle for some extra cash or a full online business, the opportunities keep growing fast. From quick gigs to long-term passive income streams, there’s something for everyone. 

But don’t expect to get rich overnight (and if someone promises you that, it’s more than likely a scam). With focus, patience, and smart moves, you can build real, sustainable income online.

This guide breaks down proven ways people are making money from home, some with zero upfront costs, others aimed at long-term growth. The trick? Find what fits your skills, time, and goals.

Let’s dive in!

1. Best ways to make money online quickly (low skill, high interest)

If you're new to making money online (see our beginners’ guide here) or need cash fast, these low-barrier options can help you start building income without any special skills. They won’t replace your 9-5, but they’re great for extra cash or to start building your online income game.

Paid online surveys

Surveys remain one of the easiest ways to start earning online. Companies pay for your honest opinion. No skills needed, just some spare time.

• Top platforms: Swagbucks, Branded Surveys, YouGov, Prolific
• Earnings: Typically £0.50-£3 per survey, 10-20 minutes each
• Tip: You’ll need to hit a payout threshold (usually £10-20) before withdrawing

Get paid to click, watch, or search

Earn small amounts doing simple online tasks like watching videos or using a search engine. It won’t replace a full income, but it adds up if you’re consistent.

• Try: Qmee, InboxPounds, Swagbucks
• Earnings: Pennies per task, but easy to do anytime

Micro-tasks

These quick gigs need human input, like data entry or web research.

• Platforms: Clickworker, Amazon Mechanical Turk, Lionbridge
• Pay: £2–£10 per hour, flexible hours

Test websites and apps

Give feedback on the usability and functionality of websites or apps.

• Sites: UserTesting, Userlytics, TryMyUI
• Pay: £8-£12 per 20-minute test
• Requirements: Good communication skills and reliable internet

Competitions and prize draws (comping)

Not guaranteed income, but some people win prizes worth thousands annually by entering competitions.

• Follow brands on social media for exclusive contests
• Use aggregator sites like LoquaxTM and MSE's Competition Corner

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2. Medium-effort methods with reliable returns

These options require more skill or time investment but offer better earning potential and more engaging work.

Freelance writing and editing

Content demand is booming. If you can write clearly, this is a solid way to earn.

• Get started: Upwork, Intch, Freelancer
• Rates: Beginners £10-20/article; experienced £30-100+/hour
• Tip: Build a niche and portfolio gradually

Sell stock photos or videos

Monetise your photography/videography skills on platforms like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock.

Become a Virtual Assistant (VA)

Support businesses with admin tasks, social media, customer service, and more.

• Pay: £8-25/hour
• Build: Long-term client relationships for stable income

Sell handmade products

Use Etsy, Folksy, or Amazon Handmade to turn crafts into cash.

Sell digital products

High margins, no inventory. Popular items include Notion templates, Canva designs, ChatGPT prompts, and planners.

• Platforms: Gumroad, Etsy, Creative Market

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3. Scalable and passive income streams

These take real effort up front, but once they’re set up, they can bring in steady income with little to no maintenance.

Dropshipping tips

Sell products online without inventory, using Shopify or WooCommerce.

• Profit margins: 3-7% after ads
• Requires skills in marketing and customer service

Print-on-demand

Design items like t-shirts or mugs are printed only when ordered.

• Platforms: Printful, Printify, Merch by Amazon, Redbubble

Start a blog or niche website

Earn through ads, affiliate links, sponsored content, and digital products.

• Takes roughly 6-18 months to grow, but can generate substantial passive income

Create and sell online courses

Share your expertise on platforms like Udemy, Teachable, Skillshare, or Coursera.

Write and publish ebooks

Self-publish on Kindle Direct Publishing or Smashwords. Good editing and marketing matter.

Launch a YouTube channel

Earn through ads, memberships, super chats, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

Side hustles that use your environment or possessions

Why not monetise what you already own? 

• Rent property through Airbnb or Booking.com for significant income. 
• Rent belongings like cars (Turo), equipment (Fat Llama), or parking spaces (JustPark). 
• Sell unused items on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Vinted - many earn hundreds decluttering. 
• Use cashback apps like Shoppix and TopCashback (or from your Tap card - up to 8% people) for purchases you're already making. 

These options work especially well in urban areas and thankfully require minimal upfront investment.

What to watch out for

The internet is full of legitimate opportunities, but scams are unfortunately common. Protecting yourself is crucial.

Avoid scams, watch for:

• Promises of guaranteed big money with little effort
• Upfront payment requests for “training” or “kits”
• Pyramid or multi-level marketing schemes

Know your tax obligations. In the UK, you must report online income over £1,000 to HMRC. Keep good records and consider professional advice.

Understand platform rules. Check minimum payouts, fees, payment methods, and account policies before signing up. Always read the ts and cs.

Tips for success when earning online

Unlock your online earning power with these 5 no-fluff strategies:

• Use a separate email for online earning to stay organised and secure
• Track your earnings and time with a spreadsheet for insights and taxes
• Focus on higher-paying platforms and build skills accordingly
• Start small, then scale what works best for you
• Learn digital skills (SEO, copywriting, design, social media) via free online tutorials

Final thoughts

Making money online gives you freedom, but it also takes effort and patience. There’s no magic formula - some people thrive blogging, others with surveys or micro-tasks. Start small, learn, and expand gradually. 

And lastly, watch out for scams, keep good records, and keep adding value. If you’ve made it this far, we believe you’re ready to take control of your online income journey!

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Money talks, but some currencies whisper so quietly you need a magnifying glass to hear them. In the grand theatre of global finance, not all currencies are created equal, while some strut around like peacocks (looking at you, Kuwaiti Dinar), others shuffle about with the confidence of a wet paper bag.

The Lebanese Pound (LBP) currently holds the unfortunate distinction of being the world's weakest currency in 2025, with an exchange rate so low that one U.S. dollar equals approximately 89,500 Lebanese pounds. To put this in perspective, you'd need a small suitcase to carry the equivalent of $100 in Lebanese pounds, assuming you could find enough physical notes.

Currency weakness isn't just about having a lot of zeros after the decimal point. It reflects a complex web of economic factors, including inflation rates, political stability, monetary policy decisions, and investor confidence. This guide on the world's weakest currencies in 2025, explores the economic stories behind their struggles and what it means for the countries (and the people) who use them.

Top 10 weakest currencies in the world (2025)

Here's the lineup of currencies that make your wallet feel surprisingly heavy when travelling abroad:

Exchange rates are approximate and fluctuate daily. Data compiled from multiple financial sources as of July 2025.

What makes a currency weak?

Before we roll our eyes at long strings of zeros, let’s get clear on what actually drives currency weakness.

Exchange rates show how much of one currency you need to buy another, usually measured against the U.S. dollar. But a low exchange rate isn’t automatically a red flag. Just like shoe sizes, bigger numbers aren’t necessarily worse, they’re just different.

The real reasons a currency weakens?

• Persistent inflation that eats away at value
• Short-term monetary policies that undermine long-term confidence
• Trade imbalances and shrinking foreign reserves
• Political instability that rattles investor trust

When investors lose faith, money moves fast, and exchange rates feel the impact. In short, weak currencies aren’t a punchline, they’re a signal of deeper economic tension.

Country spotlights - case studies behind the weakest currencies

Lebanon | A financial collapse without precedent

Lebanon’s currency crisis is a case study in how not to run an economy. As of mid-2025, the Lebanese pound trades at over 89,500 LBP per USD, making it one of the weakest currencies in the world.

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The collapse stemmed from a banking sector that functioned like a state-sponsored Ponzi scheme: banks attracted deposits with sky-high interest rates, only to lend most of those funds to a debt-laden government. When confidence evaporated, the system imploded. Add in the 2019 mass protests and the devastating 2020 Beirut port explosion, and the result was economic freefall.

Today, Lebanese citizens navigate a surreal economy where ATMs limit withdrawals to tiny amounts, and many businesses have shifted to unofficial dollar pricing. A shadow economy thrives alongside the official one, proof that when trust in institutions fails, people find their own workarounds.

Iran | Sanctions, inflation, and isolation

The Iranian rial now trades at over 1,000,000 IRR per USD (yes, that's six zeros). Sanctions have cut Iran off from the global financial system, leaving its oil-rich economy unable to fully monetise its most valuable resource.

It's like owning a garage full of Ferraris with no keys to drive them. In response, Iran has attempted to bypass sanctions with crypto experiments and barter agreements, but none have stabilised the currency.

Inflation routinely exceeds 40%, and as a result Iranians have turned to gold, property, and U.S. dollars to preserve what little value they can. In a country known for its resilience, the rial’s collapse remains a stark reminder of the long-term costs of economic isolation.

Vietnam | Weak by design, not disaster

The Vietnamese dong trades at around 26,000 VND per USD, but that doesn’t signal a crisis, it actually reflects deliberate policy. Vietnam maintains a weaker currency to keep exports competitive, a strategy known as competitive devaluation.

This has helped transform Vietnam into a global manufacturing hub, attracting companies looking to diversify away from China. It's like running a permanent sale on your national output - foreign buyers love the prices, and Vietnamese factories stay busy.

The challenge lies in balance. The government works to avoid the inflation traps that have plagued other countries on this list, proving that not all weak currencies come from failure, some are tools of long-term economic strategy.

Laos | Trapped by debt and dependency

The Laotian kip now trades at around 21,800 LAK per USD, weighed down by inflation above 25% and a debt-to-GDP ratio over 125%. Much of that debt is owed to China, tied to major infrastructure projects that haven’t yet paid off economically.

Laos is a landlocked nation with limited industrial capacity and high import dependence, leaving its currency exposed whenever commodity prices shift. With little monetary wiggle room, the kip’s trajectory reflects deeper economic vulnerabilities. 

Sierra Leone | A currency redefined, but still fragile

In 2022, Sierra Leone redenominated its currency, removing three zeros from the leone to simplify transactions. But even the new leone remains weak due to decades of disruption: civil war, the Ebola outbreak, COVID-19, and swings in diamond prices.

This is an economy that's faced shock after shock, and recovery is slow. The mining sector, especially diamonds, still dominates, leaving the leone vulnerable to commodity price drops.

Healthcare challenges and limited infrastructure add even more pressure, reducing productivity and increasing fiscal strain. The leone’s weakness tells the story of a country rebuilding piece by piece, with its currency reflecting both the past and the uphill path ahead.

Why some countries choose to keep their currency weak

Believe it or not, some countries actually prefer their currencies to be weaker - and for good economic reasons. It's counterintuitive, like preferring to drive in the slow lane, but the strategy can be remarkably effective.

Export competitiveness represents the primary motivation. A weaker currency makes domestic products cheaper for foreign buyers, essentially providing a permanent discount. German cars might be excellent, but if Vietnamese motorcycles cost 70% less due to currency differences, guess which ones developing countries will buy?

Countries like China famously maintained an artificially weak currency for decades, helping fuel their manufacturing boom. The strategy worked so well that other countries accused them of "currency manipulation" - the economic equivalent of being too good at a game and getting accused of cheating.

However, this approach carries significant risks. Import costs rise dramatically, making everything from oil to smartphones more expensive for domestic consumers

Long-term currency weakness can also trigger capital flight, where wealthy citisens move their money abroad. When your own citisens don't trust your currency, convincing foreigners becomes considerably more challenging.

Does a weak currency mean a weak economy?

We’ve established that a weak currency doesn't automatically signal economic disaster,sometimes it's just a reflection of different economic structures and historical circumstances.

Indonesia and Vietnam serve as the best examples of countries with numerically weak currencies but relatively strong economies. Both nations have achieved consistent growth, reduced poverty, and built increasingly diversified economies despite their currencies requiring calculators to count properly.

The key lies in purchasing power parity - what matters isn't how many zeros follow your currency symbol, but what those zeros can actually buy. A Vietnamese worker earning 10 million dong monthly isn't necessarily poor if that amount provides a comfortable living standard within the Vietnamese economy.

The real measure of economic health involves factors like employment rates, productivity growth, infrastructure development, and living standards. A country with a weak currency but growing wages, improving infrastructure, and expanding opportunities may be economically healthier than a nation with a strong currency but declining industries and rising unemployment.

What are the consequences of a weak currency?

In essence, a weak currency makes daily life more expensive, with rising prices on imports like food, fuel, and electronics. Added into the mix, Inflation erodes savings, and capital flight accelerates as people move their money into more stable currencies. 

Over time, foreign currencies may replace the local one in everyday use, limiting government control. Internationally, weak currencies hurt credit ratings and investor confidence, reinforcing instability.

Final thoughts

Currency weakness is more than just numbers, it’s a signal. We’ve learnt above that it can both expose deep economic flaws or reflect deliberate strategies for growth. Lebanon and Iran highlight how instability and isolation can erode value fast, while Vietnam shows how weakness can fuel exports and development. 

These disparities then shape the country’s trade, capital flows, and financial stability worldwide, causing a wider ripple effect. In a global economy, no currency moves alone; each affects the rest. And behind every weak currency are real people navigating inflation, opportunity, or uncertainty. 

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Every move on Ethereum (sending crypto, minting an NFT, using a dapp) comes with a cost. That cost is called gas. It’s not just a fee - it’s the fuel that keeps the network running.

Knowing how gas works means you’re not just using Ethereum, you’re using it smarter. You can time transactions, avoid peak congestion, and cut your costs. Here we explore how it works and how to take control in a simple and easy-to-understand way. 

What are Ethereum gas fees?

Let’s start with the basics: gas fees are the cost of using the Ethereum network. Any time you do something - like send ETH or swap tokens - you’re asking the network to do work. That work takes computing power, and gas fees are what you pay to get it done.

These fees serve three critical functions:

• Compensate validators for their work
• Secure the network from spam attacks, and 
• Prioritise transactions during busy periods. 

When the network buzzes with activity, the fees naturally rise as users compete for limited block space. Picture Ethereum as a busy highway during rush hour. More traffic means higher tolls, but the road remains secure and functional for everyone willing to pay the current rate.

How Ethereum gas fees work

Every gas fee breaks down into a simple formula that establishes your specific transaction cost:

Total fee = (base fee + priority fee) × gas limit

Let’s break it down:

• The base fee is the minimum cost to get your transaction into a block. It goes up when the network is busy and is burned (destroyed) to help reduce ETH supply.
  
  
• The priority fee (tip) is an extra amount you add to speed things up (like tipping for faster service).
  
  
• The gas limit is how much work your transaction needs. Bigger, more complex actions need a higher limit.

Another important element to understand is that gas prices are measured in Gwei, where 1 Gwei equals 0.000000001 ETH. A typical token swap might use 30,000 gas units. If the current base fee sits at 25 Gwei and you add a 5 Gwei tip, your total cost becomes:

(25 + 5) × 30,000 = 900,000 Gwei = 0.0009 ETH

Let’s say at $2,500 per ETH, that transaction would cost $2.25.

Why Ethereum gas fees fluctuate

Gas fees move with the rhythm of the network. When demand is low, fees drop. When things heat up, they spike.

Big events like new token launches, NFT drops, or market surges can therefore clog the network. More users = more competition for space. That’s when the base fee goes up (remember the formula above: total fee = (base fee + priority fee) × gas limit).

The base fee adjusts with every block (around every 15 seconds). It rises when blocks are more than 50% full and drops when they’re under that threshold.

The type of transaction also matters:

• A simple ETH transfer uses about 21,000 gas units.
• A complex smart contract call: +/-200,000.
• A typical Uniswap swap costs 3–5x more than a basic transfer.

And don’t forget ETH’s price. Even if gas stays steady in Gwei, rising ETH makes each transaction more expensive in dollars.

Quick Tip: Check gas trackers before major transactions. A few minutes of timing can save significant money.

How to check Ethereum gas prices in real time

Active users monitor gas prices like traders watch market charts. There are several tools that provide real-time visibility into the network’s condition.

• Etherscan’s gas tracker (for deep analytics)
  Etherscan provides in-depth gas analytics including real-time rates, historical charts, and insights into average and peak fees. It also offers optimisation tips like identifying “safe low‑cost windows” for transactions.
• Rabby wallet (for user-friendly alerts)
  Rabby’s mobile and browser wallet features built-in gas monitoring, showing current prices and offering “Gas Top Up” functionality. It also supports push notifications (via its GasAccount feature) for favourable conditions.
• MetaMask (for fully integrated wallet visibility)
  MetaMask displays live gas rates directly in its interface and dashboard. You'll see options like Low, Market, or Aggressive for gas speeds, and it even shows fiat equivalents beside token balances.

Most gas trackers display slow, standard, and fast fee tiers, helping you balance cost and speed.

It’s also worth knowing that slow transactions may take 5-10 minutes but can save you 20-30% on fees, while fast ones aim to process within a couple of minutes, at a premium price.

Gas prices also follow weekly patterns. Fees are usually lower on weekends, when institutional and high-frequency trading slows down. And if you’re not in a rush, consider transacting during early morning hours (2–6 AM EST), often the cheapest window of the day.

Ethereum gas fees before and after the merge

Over the years, Ethereum has gone through major upgrades that changed how gas fees work, though granted not always in the ways people expected.

In 2021, the London Hard Fork introduced EIP-1559, swapping chaotic gas auctions for a more predictable pricing model: a base fee + tip. It made fee estimates more stable, but didn’t necessarily make them cheaper.

Then came The Merge in 2022, shifting Ethereum to proof-of-stake. It cut energy use and made block processing more efficient. But despite common belief, it didn’t slash gas fees overnight.

However, The Merge did lay the groundwork for future upgrades (like sharding and rollups) that will unlock real, lasting fee reductions at scale. 

Looking ahead, upgrades like Proto-Danksharding aim to scale Ethereum and bring fees down for good.

How to reduce ETH gas fees

Despite what some might tell you, cutting gas fees isn’t about luck, it’s more about smart choices and good timing. Here are some options:

Use Layer 2s
Networks like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base offer the biggest savings, sometimes up to 90–95% cheaper than the Ethereum mainnet. For example, a $50 swap on mainnet might cost just $2-$5 on these platforms, with the same level of security. (More on this below).

Simulate before you send
Tools like Tenderly and DeFi Saver let you test complex transactions first, helping you avoid failed attempts that still burn gas.

Pick your moment
As mentioned above, prices drop when the network is quiet. Use gas trackers to spot the best times to transact.

Batch when you can
Some protocols let you combine multiple actions into one transaction, so you pay one base fee instead of several.

Layer 2 solutions that cut gas costs

Layer 2 networks are the future of Ethereum scaling. They can handle thousands of transactions off-chain, then settle them on Ethereum in one go, cutting costs and speeding things up.

• Arbitrum leads in total value locked. It offers fast transactions for just $0.10-$0.50 and supports most major DeFi apps, making it feel like a cheaper version of the mainnet.
  
  
• Optimism offers similar savings, with bonus perks like token rewards for developers through its RetroPGF program, driving growth and innovation.
  
  
• Base combines low fees with easy fiat onramps. It’s great for beginners moving from exchanges into DeFi.

These networks are able to do what they do by using rollups, a tech that bundles hundreds of transactions into one. Think of it like carpooling: everyone shares the cost of the ride, but still gets where they need to go.

Who receives Ethereum gas fees?

Since The Merge, Ethereum handles gas fees in a smart split between rewards and supply control.

• Validators (who secure the network) earn priority fees - tips from users that reward them for processing transactions. This keeps the network safe and running smoothly.
  
  
• Base fees, on the other hand, are burned (permanently removed from circulation). When the network is busy, more ETH is burned, which can reduce supply and make ETH more valuable over time.

Will Ethereum gas fees ever go down?

Ethereum’s roadmap promises big fee cuts, but the biggest changes will take time.

• Proto-Danksharding (EIP-4844) is expected in upcoming upgrades. It will slash Layer 2 costs by 10-100x by creating dedicated space for rollup data. This upgrade is the closest major step toward lower fees.
  
  
• Full Danksharding, further down the line, will boost Ethereum’s capacity massively, making tiny, sub-penny transactions on Layer 2 networks a reality without sacrificing security or decentralisation.
  
  
• Ethereum’s founder, Vitalik Buterin, envisions the mainnet as a secure settlement layer, while Layer 2s handle most daily transactions quickly and cheaply.
  
  

If all goes as planned, popular Layer 2s could offer fees under one cent within 2-3 years, opening the door for micro-transactions and true global use.

Comparison: Ethereum vs other chains

Blockchain networks take different paths when balancing cost, security, and decentralisation, and fees reflect those choices. Let’s take a look at its biggest competitors. 

Solana vs Ethereum
Solana offers super low, sub-penny fees and processes around 3,000 transactions per second (far more than Ethereum’s +/-15 TPS). This speed comes from different architectural choices, but with tradeoffs like higher hardware requirements and occasional network outages. 

Ethereum, meanwhile, prioritises security and decentralisation, scaling through Layer 2 solutions to keep fees competitive.

Binance Smart Chain vs Ethereum
Binance Smart Chain (BSC) delivers low fees, typically $0.10–$0.50 per transaction, but it sacrifices decentralisation by relying on fewer validators and tighter connections to centralised infrastructure. 

Ethereum maintains a more decentralised network while scaling costs through Layer 2s, keeping security front and centre.

Avalanche vs Ethereum
Avalanche strikes a balance with moderate fees ($0.50–$2.00), high throughput, and strong security. However, its ecosystem remains smaller than Ethereum’s rich DeFi landscape, which benefits from Layer 2 scaling and a strong focus on decentralisation.

Final thoughts

Understanding Ethereum gas fees puts you in control, allowing you to save money and utilise the network more efficiently. While fees can fluctuate, smart timing, Layer 2 solutions, and upcoming upgrades promise a future of faster, cheaper transactions. 

While Ethereum continues to prioritise security and decentralisation, its gas fee roadmap reflects a careful balance between innovation and accessibility, paving the way for broader adoption and everyday use.

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Så, du har säkert hört talas om ChatGPT vid det här laget

Det är den där AI-assistenten som dyker upp i nästan alla samtal om produktivitet och teknik. Och ärligt talat? Den lever verkligen upp till hypen.

Tänk dig att ha en riktigt smart kompis tillgänglig dygnet runt. Oavsett om du behöver hjälp med ett jobbprojekt, vill formulera det perfekta mejlet eller undrar över något mitt i natten.

Men här är något jag önskar att någon hade sagt till mig från början. Alla ChatGPT-planer är inte likadana. Skillnaden mellan gratisversionen och de betalda nivåerna är ganska stor. Det är som att jämföra en vän som ibland är upptagen med en assistent som alltid är redo att fokusera helt på det du behöver hjälp med.

Oavsett om du är student med tajt budget eller ett proffs med höga krav är det värt att förstå skillnaderna. Här är allt du behöver veta.

Prisplaner för ChatGPT under 2025

🟢 ChatGPT Free

Pris: 0 kronor
Funktioner:

• Tillgång till GPT-4o mini
• Begränsad tillgång till GPT-4o
• Standard röstläge
• Filuppladdningar
• Bildgenerering
• Webbsökning
• Avancerad dataanalys

Passar dig som:
Vill testa ChatGPT utan att binda dig. Det är som en provkörning där du får uppleva kraften i AI men med vissa begränsningar.

🔵 ChatGPT Plus

Pris: 20 dollar per månad
Funktioner:

• Upp till 80 meddelanden per 3 timmar
• Prioriterad tillgång till GPT-4o
• Snabbare svar
• Avancerat röstläge
• Tidig tillgång till nya funktioner
• Möjlighet att skapa egna GPTs

Passar dig som:
Använder AI regelbundet. Du kanske är frilansare, student eller yrkesverksam och behöver pålitlig tillgång till en effektiv arbetskamrat.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 ChatGPT Team

Pris: 30 dollar per användare och månad, eller 25 med årsabonnemang
Funktioner:

• Allt som ingår i Plus
• Stöd för samarbete mellan flera användare
• Arbetsytor med sekretesskydd
• Adminpanel och användaröversikt
• Skräddarsydda GPTs för teamet

Passar dig som:
Jobbar i ett mindre team och vill använda AI på ett effektivt och säkert sätt. Ni får en gemensam AI-upplevelse med koll på datan.

🧠 ChatGPT Pro

Pris: 200 dollar per användare och månad
Funktioner:

• Obegränsad tillgång till GPT-4o
• Avancerad AI-förmåga för komplexa uppgifter
• Tillgång till högpresterande resurser
• Inkluderar allt från tidigare planer

Passar dig som:
Jobbar djupt med AI. Du kanske forskar, utvecklar eller analyserar och behöver maximal prestanda utan avbrott.

🏢 ChatGPT Enterprise

Pris: Cirka 60 dollar per användare och månad. Kräver minst 150 användare och 12 månaders avtal
Funktioner:

• Sekretess- och säkerhetsfunktioner på företagsnivå
• Integration med interna källor som Google Drive, GitHub och Dropbox
• Anpassad driftsättning
• Avancerade kontroller för åtkomst och dataskydd
• Dedikerad support

Passar dig som:
Driver en större organisation och vill integrera AI i hela verksamheten. Fokus ligger på trygghet, skalbarhet och anpassning.

Så väljer du rätt ChatGPT-plan

Det är som att välja mobilabonnemang. Du vill ha det som passar dina behov utan att betala för mer än du använder.

🎓 För studenter

Tips: Börja med gratisplanen. Uppgradera till Plus om du ofta når gränserna. Den hjälper dig med plugg, uppsatser och research utan att påverka budgeten.

💼 För frilansare och enmansföretagare

Tips: Välj ChatGPT Plus. Det är din digitala assistent. Perfekt för att spara tid och öka effektiviteten.

👨‍💻 För utvecklare

Tips: Välj Plus om du kodar ibland. Går du djupare och bygger med AI bör du överväga Pro.

👥 För team och startups

Tips: Välj Team-planen. Den är anpassad för samarbete, sekretess och kontroll.

🏦 För större företag

Tips: Enterprise är rätt val om AI ska integreras i arbetsflöden, interna verktyg och affärsprocesser.

Viktigt att känna till om dolda kostnader

💬 API-prissättning

Om du bygger egna appar med GPT tillkommer kostnader baserat på tokenförbrukning. Serveroptimering och kringkostnader kan göra det dyrare än väntat.

📉 Användningsbegränsningar

Även betalda planer har gränser. Gratisanvändare har lägre tillgång, Plus är generösare men inte obegränsad.

🛑 Funktioner släpps olika snabbt

Vissa funktioner blir tillgängliga först för Plus och Pro. Använder du gratisplanen kan du behöva vänta.

📁 Begränsningar för filuppladdning

Det finns storleksgränser och bearbetningsrestriktioner som kan påverka om du jobbar med tunga dokument eller datamängder.

Alternativ till ChatGPT, finns det något bättre?

Här är några konkurrenter som också erbjuder kraftfulla AI-upplevelser:

TjänstPrisStyrkorBäst förClaude AIGratis och 20 dollar ProBra på analys och resonemangLånga, komplexa texterPerplexity AIGratis och 20 dollar ProWebbsökning med källorResearch och aktuell informationDeepSeek20 till 50 dollar i månadenBra prestanda till lägre kostnadBudgetmedvetna användareGoogle GeminiGratis eller 20 dollar PremiumIntegrerat med Googles ekosystemAnvändare av Googles verktyg

Alla dessa har sina egna styrkor. ChatGPT är allround, enkel att använda och kraftfull. Men beroende på hur du arbetar kan något av alternativen passa dig bättre.

Är ChatGPT värt priset år 2025?

Det beror helt på hur mycket du använder det.

Om du bara använder AI då och då räcker gratisplanen långt. Om du jobbar med innehåll, analys eller kommunikation på daglig basis är Plus värt investeringen. För team och företag är de mer avancerade planerna logiska val när AI blir en del av arbetsrutinerna.

Det bästa är att du inte behöver bestämma dig på en gång. Testa gratisversionerna av ChatGPT, Claude eller Perplexity. Välj den som passar din stil och dina behov bäst.

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The financial revolution isn't happening in Wall Street's landmark buildings, it's exploding through smartphone screens in rural villages, urban apartments, and immigrant communities worldwide. And while traditional banks still ask for three forms of ID and a pristine credit score, fintech is rewriting the rules of who gets to participate in the global economy.

Here's the reality: 1.4 billion adults globally remain unbanked, locked out of basic financial services that most of us take for granted. In the U.S. alone, roughly 5.4% of households (about 5.6 million families) have no relationship with a bank or credit union. These aren't just statistics; they're people paying check-cashing fees, carrying cash everywhere, and building zero credit history despite working multiple jobs.

But here's where it gets interesting: fintech isn't just offering band-aid solutions. It's fundamentally disrupting how financial services work, creating pathways to economic participation that bypass traditional gatekeepers entirely. 

From mobile banking apps that require no minimum balance to blockchain-based lending that ignores credit scores, technology is democratising finance in ways that seemed impossible just a decade ago.

The question isn't whether fintech can help the unbanked, it's already happening. The real question is how fast this transformation can scale and whether it can reach the communities that need it most. 

Why so many people remain unbanked

Let's dive into the barriers that keep millions locked out of traditional banking. It's not just about money, though, of course, that’s a part of it.

The most obvious culprit? Banks themselves. Traditional institutions have built their entire business model around risk assessment, which typically means credit scores, employment verification, and documentation requirements that exclude huge swaths of the population. 

If you're an immigrant without an established credit history, a gig worker with irregular income, or someone who's been burned by predatory lending in the past, good luck getting a simple checking account with credit facilities.

Geographic accessibility plays a massive role, too. Rural communities have watched bank branches disappear at an alarming rate: since 2009, over 10,000 bank branches have closed across the UK. When the nearest bank is 50 miles away and you're working two jobs just to stay afloat, maintaining a traditional banking relationship becomes practically impossible.

Then there's the trust factor. Many unbanked individuals come from communities where banks have historically been extractive rather than supportive. Why would you trust an institution that charges overdraft fees designed to trap you in cycles of debt? For many, cash-only transactions feel safer and more transparent than navigating hidden fees and complex terms of service.

Digital literacy creates another layer of exclusion. While fintech promises mobile-first solutions, those solutions still require smartphone access, internet connectivity, and the technical knowledge to navigate increasingly complex apps. For older adults or those without consistent internet access, digital banking can feel more like a barrier than a bridge.

The demographic impact tells the whole story: immigrants, young adults building their first financial identity, gig workers whose income doesn't fit traditional employment models, and rural populations where infrastructure lags behind urban centres. These aren't fringe communities, they represent the fastest-growing segments of the workforce.

Traditional banking's limitations

Here's the uncomfortable truth about traditional banking: it was designed for a different era, when employment was stable, credit histories were linear, and financial relationships lasted decades. Today's economy doesn't work that way, but banks haven't caught up.

The FICO credit scoring system perfectly exemplifies this disconnect. Created in 1989, it treats credit like a single number that defines your financial worth, ignoring factors like consistent rent payments, utility bill history, or mobile phone payment patterns. If you've never had a credit card or traditional loan, you're effectively invisible to the system that determines whether you can access basic financial services. 

Fee structures reveal even deeper problems. The average overdraft fee has climbed to $35, while monthly maintenance fees can easily cost $200+ annually for basic checking accounts. 

For someone living paycheck to paycheck, these fees aren't just inconvenient, they can be financially devastating. Banks profit billions annually from overdraft fees alone, creating perverse incentives to trap rather than support their most vulnerable customers.

Bureaucracy adds another layer of exclusion. Opening a bank account requires documentation that many people simply don't have readily available: proof of address, employment verification, Social Security numbers, and often a minimum deposit. For undocumented immigrants, frequent movers, or those between jobs, these requirements create insurmountable barriers.

Traditional banks also struggle with personalisation at scale. They're built to serve middle-class customers with predictable income patterns, not gig workers whose earnings fluctuate wildly or small business owners who need flexible lending options. The result? Financial products that don't match real-world financial lives.

How fintech is changing the game

Sure, fintech isn’t a cure-all, but it is revolutionising finance by flipping the model: instead of forcing people to fit outdated systems, it builds systems that fit how people actually live and work.

Mobile banking & digital wallets

Mobile banking apps like Chime, Venmo, and Cash App have obliterated traditional barriers to entry. Chime offers fee-free banking with no minimum balance requirements and early direct deposit features that get workers paid up to two days faster than traditional banks. 

That might not sound revolutionary until you realise that for someone living paycheck to paycheck, getting paid two days early can mean the difference between making rent on time or facing late fees.

Venmo transformed peer-to-peer payments from a complicated wire transfer process into something as simple as sending a text message. Cash App went further, adding investing features, Bitcoin purchases, and small business payment processing to a single app that anyone can download for free.

Increasingly, platforms like Tap are also stepping in - not just as digital wallets, but as integrated ecosystems that combine spending, saving, and cross-border access for underserved users. These aren't just simplified versions of traditional banking, they're entirely different approaches that prioritise accessibility and user experience over profit maximisation through fees and complexity.

Peer-to-peer lending & credit building

The lending revolution is even more dramatic. Platforms like Avant, Earnest, and newer crypto-lending protocols are using alternative data sources and AI-driven risk assessment to make lending decisions that traditional banks couldn't even consider.

Instead of relying solely on FICO scores, these platforms analyse everything from social media activity to mobile phone payment patterns to assess creditworthiness. They're building credit profiles for people who were previously invisible to the traditional system, creating pathways to financial growth that didn't exist before.

Peer-to-peer lending removes banks from the equation entirely, connecting borrowers directly with individual lenders or pools of capital. This creates more competitive interest rates and more flexible terms, especially for borrowers who don't fit traditional risk profiles.

Micro-investment & wealth-building tools

Investment platforms like Robinhood, Acorns, and international players like Nutmeg have democratised wealth building by eliminating minimum investment requirements and complex fee structures. Acorns rounds up everyday purchases and invests the spare change, allowing people to build investment portfolios with literally pennies.

These platforms reimagine what investing looks like for people who aren't already wealthy. Educational resources, simplified interfaces, and fractional share ownership mean that someone making minimum wage can start building long-term wealth with the same tools previously only reserved for high-net-worth individuals.

DeFi & blockchain for financial access

Decentralised finance represents the most radical reimagining of financial services yet. Ethereum-based platforms allow people to lend, borrow, and earn interest without any traditional financial institution involvement. Smart contracts automatically execute financial agreements, eliminating the need for banks, credit checks, or geographical restrictions.

Crypto wallets provide financial services to anyone with a smartphone and internet connection, regardless of their documentation status, credit history, or location. While still nascent and volatile, DeFi protocols are processing billions in transactions and proving that alternative financial systems can operate at scale.

Benefits fintech brings to the unbanked

The advantages aren't just theoretical, they're transforming lives in measurable ways.

Accessibility leads the list. 

Fintech services operate 24/7 from any smartphone, eliminating the geographical and temporal constraints that keep people away from traditional banks. Someone working night shifts or multiple jobs can manage their finances during a break, not during banking hours that conflict with their work schedule.

Affordability follows closely. 

Most fintech platforms operate with dramatically lower overhead costs than traditional banks, allowing them to offer services with minimal or no fees. When you're not paying for physical branches, armies of tellers, and legacy IT systems, you can pass those savings to customers who need them most.

Speed transforms financial emergency management. 

Traditional loan applications can take weeks while fintech platforms often provide decisions in minutes. When your car breaks down and you need to get to work tomorrow, that speed difference isn't convenience - it's survival.

Transparency.  Transparency. Transparency. 

Fintech apps typically show real-time transaction data, clear fee structures, and straightforward terms of service. No more surprise fees or hidden charges that drain accounts without warning.

Using data instead of old patterns.

Data-driven personalisation means financial products that actually match individual circumstances. Instead of one-size-fits-all banking products, AI-powered platforms can offer customised solutions based on spending patterns, income volatility, and financial goals.

Safety from the loan sharks. 

Perhaps most importantly, fintech reduces exposure to predatory lending practices. Transparent algorithms and competitive marketplaces make it harder for bad actors to exploit vulnerable populations with payday loans and other extractive financial products.

Case studies & real-world applications

The real proof lies in how these technologies are working in practice across different communities and regions.

U.S. gig workers have embraced fintech payroll advances and flexible banking solutions. Uber and Lyft drivers use apps like Earnin to access their earnings before payday, eliminating the need for expensive payday loans. 

DoorDash partnered with DasherDirect to offer delivery workers immediate access to their earnings plus cashback rewards on gas purchases = financial services designed specifically for the gig economy.

Africa's mobile money revolution provides the most compelling example of fintech leapfrogging traditional banking infrastructure. M-Pesa in Kenya processes more transactions annually than Western Union globally, allowing people to send money, pay bills, and access microloans through basic mobile phones. 

Over 80% of Kenyan adults now use mobile money services, creating a more financially inclusive society than many developed nations.

Latin America's neobank adoption is exploding as traditional banks struggle to serve growing populations. Brazil's Nubank has over 70 million customers, offering fee-free banking and credit building to people previously excluded from traditional financial services. 

Mexico's Clip provides small business payment processing to street vendors and micro-entrepreneurs who couldn't access traditional merchant services.

These aren't isolated success stories: they're proof of concept for global financial inclusion through technology.

Barriers fintech still faces

Despite the revolutionary potential, significant obstacles remain.

Digital literacy and smartphone access create fundamental barriers. While smartphone penetration continues growing globally, reliable internet connectivity and the technical skills needed to navigate financial apps remain unevenly distributed. Older adults and rural populations often struggle with interfaces designed by young urban developers.

Regulatory hurdles complicate expansion and innovation. Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance requirements, anti-money laundering regulations, and licensing requirements vary dramatically across jurisdictions, making it difficult for fintech companies to scale globally. Regulatory uncertainty around crypto and DeFi creates additional complications for even the most innovative solutions.

Infrastructure gaps in developing regions limit fintech's reach. While mobile money works well in areas with basic cellular coverage, more sophisticated fintech services require robust internet infrastructure that many rural and low-income areas still lack.

Crypto and DeFi adoption scepticism remains high, particularly among the very populations these technologies could most benefit. Volatility concerns, complexity, and association with scams and fraud make many potential users hesitant to embrace blockchain-based financial services.

Cultural barriers also persist. In communities where cash has been king for generations, shifting to digital-first financial services requires not just technological adoption but cultural change. Trust must be earned through consistent, reliable service over time.

What the future holds: innovations & inclusion

The next wave of fintech innovation promises even more dramatic transformation.

Artificial intelligence will enable hyper-personalised financial services that adapt in real-time to individual circumstances. AI-powered financial advisors will provide wealth management services previously available only to millionaires, while machine learning algorithms will create more accurate and inclusive credit assessment models.

Open banking regulations will force traditional financial institutions to share customer data with fintech competitors, accelerating innovation and competition. This means better services, lower costs, and more options for consumers who have been underserved by traditional banks.

Regulatory evolution will create clearer frameworks for fintech innovation while protecting consumers. Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) may provide government-backed alternatives to both traditional banking and cryptocurrencies, potentially reaching populations that current solutions miss.

Blockchain-based financial identity systems could eliminate documentation barriers that currently exclude millions from financial services. Decentralised identity solutions would allow people to build financial reputations independent of traditional credit systems or government documentation.

The convergence of fintech with other technologies (Internet of Things sensors for supply chain financing, augmented reality for financial education, 5G networks for real-time global payments) will likely create financial services we can barely imagine today.

Conclusion

Fintech isn't just disrupting traditional banking: it's democratising economic participation on a global scale. 

From mobile money transforming African economies to gig worker payment solutions in American cities, technology is proving that financial inclusion isn't just morally right, it's economically inevitable.

However, the transformation isn't complete, and significant barriers still remain. But the trajectory is clear: financial services are becoming more accessible, affordable, and aligned with how people actually live and work in the 21st century.

The most exciting developments will emerge from collaboration between fintech innovators, government regulators, and community organisations that understand local needs.

This isn't a zero-sum game between technology and tradition—it's an opportunity to build financial systems that serve everyone, not just those who were lucky enough to be born into existing networks of economic privilege.

The unbanked aren't waiting for permission to participate in the global economy. They're already using whatever tools they can access to build financial stability and opportunity. Fintech's job is to make sure those tools are powerful, accessible, and designed with their real needs in mind.

The financial revolution is happening whether traditional institutions join it or not. The question is whether we'll build a system that includes everyone or leaves millions behind. The technology exists. The demand is obvious. Now it's up to us to make financial inclusion a reality, not just a promise.

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Remember when crypto was just about pizza?

In 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 Bitcoin for two Papa John's pizzas, a transaction now worth over $1 billion. Gut punch aside, crypto enthusiasts celebrate this first real-world integration every 22 May as "Bitcoin Pizza Day." 

Back then, the entire crypto ecosystem could fit into a few obscure forums where libertarian idealists and coding cowboys traded digital tokens like baseball cards, convinced they were building the future from their basements. In hindsight, they were. 

Fast forward to today, and that scrappy subculture has evolved into something unrecognisable from its meme-driven origins. Nike is dropping NFT sneakers. Major banks hold crypto assets. Entire countries are experimenting with digital currencies. The rebellious energy that once fueled late-night Discord raids and "diamond hands" memes has crystallised into legitimate businesses, governance protocols, and entirely new economic models.

But here's what's fascinating: crypto didn't just grow up by abandoning its roots, it’s matured by doubling down on them. The community-first mentality that built Bitcoin is now reshaping how we think about ownership, identity, and value creation in the digital age.

This isn't a story about crypto going mainstream by becoming boring. It's about a culture that learned to channel its revolutionary spirit into building the infrastructure for tomorrow's economy, while somehow keeping its irreverent soul intact. 

IYKYK

From meme coins to maturity: the evolution of crypto culture

Remember the early days of crypto culture, where things were gloriously chaotic? A community united by shared jokes about "HODLing" (born from a drunken misspelling of "hold"), treating every market crash as a buying opportunity, and genuinely believing that traditional finance was destined for the dustbin of history. The culture was equal parts utopian manifesto and internet meme factory.

And it wasn't just rebellious posturing, it was the emergence of genuinely new social norms. 

Crypto communities developed their own language (think "WAGMI," "ape in," "moon"), their own heroes (Satoshi's mysterious disappearance became legendary), and their own values centred around decentralisation, permissionless innovation, and radical transparency. Forums like BitcoinTalk and subreddits became digital town squares where code was law and reputation was earned through contribution, not credentials.

But cultures mature through adversity, and crypto has weathered some brutal winters. The 2018 crash wiped out over 80% of the market's value. The 2022 collapse saw major players like FTX implode spectacularly. 

Each crisis forced the community to evolve, weeding out pure speculation while strengthening the foundations of legitimate innovation. The survivors weren't just the hodlers; they were the builders who kept shipping code through bear markets.

What emerged from these trials and tribulations was a culture that kept its revolutionary energy but channelled it more strategically. 

The meme coins didn't disappear, they just became one flavour in a much richer ecosystem. Fast forward to today, where crypto culture balances its anti-establishment DNA with the practical work of building alternatives to the systems it once merely criticised.

Why the crypto ecosystem is no longer just a subculture

Somewhere between the pizza transactions and the present day, crypto stopped being a niche hobby and became infrastructure. Real estate transactions are settling on blockchain networks. Identity verification happens through decentralised protocols. Entire financial systems run on code that anyone can audit, and no single entity controls.

The rise of Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) exemplifies this maturation. 

What started as an experimental governance model has evolved into a practical tool for coordinating everything from investment funds to open-source software development. DAOs like Uniswap and Compound manage billions in assets through community governance, hushing the haters and proving that decentralised decision-making can work at scale.

Meanwhile, DeFi has created a parallel financial infrastructure that operates 24/7, serves global users without permission, and offers yields that traditional banks can't match. Creator economies have exploded as artists, musicians, and content creators tokenise their work and build direct relationships with their audiences. These aren't experiments anymore, they're functioning businesses generating real revenue and solving real problems.

Perhaps most tellingly, regulatory frameworks are finally catching up. When governments start creating clear rules for an industry, that's usually a sign it's moved beyond the experimental phase. 

The role of Web3 in shaping new digital identities

Let’s shine a light on Web3 - no longer just a “technical upgrade,” but now a fundamental shift in how people relate to their digital lives. For the first time in internet history, users can truly own their online identities, content, and social connections. While, admittedly, it’s still in its early stages, it's still creating new economic opportunities for millions of people.

Gamers are leading the charge in another direction, earning real income through play-to-earn games and trading in-game assets as NFTs. What seems like fun and games is actually a new form of digital labour, with some players in developing countries earning more from virtual economies than traditional jobs provide. 

However you feel about Web3, you cannot deny that the cultural shift here is profound: digital activities that were once purely recreational are becoming legitimate career paths.

Investing beyond the hype: what smart money looks like now

Thankfully, the days of throwing money at anything with "coin" in the name are largely over. Today's sophisticated crypto investors approach the space with the same rigour they'd apply to any emerging technology sector, which is to say, a lot more rigour than the early "number go up" mentality.

Modern crypto investing focuses heavily on tokenomics: the economic design of how tokens are created, distributed, and used within their ecosystems. Smart investors analyse token supply schedules, utility functions, governance mechanisms, and community incentive structures. They're looking for projects that create genuine value, not just speculative buzz.

Due diligence now includes evaluating team credentials, technology innovation, product-market fit, and regulatory compliance. The most successful crypto investors today often have backgrounds in traditional venture capital or technology, bringing institutional-grade analysis to a previously amateur-dominated space. 

They're backing teams building long-term infrastructure, not chasing the latest meme coin pump.

This maturation has also created new investment categories. There's now a clear distinction between speculative trading, strategic token investments, and equity stakes in crypto companies. Even institutional players like pension funds and endowments are entering the space through regulated products, bringing both capital and credibility.

The cultural shift is striking: crypto conferences now feature more suit-wearing fund managers than hoodie-wearing day traders. But the underlying belief in decentralised systems remains strong - it's just being expressed through more sophisticated financial instruments.

Community, governance, and cultural legitimacy

Consider this: crypto's greatest innovation might not be technical, it might be social. 

The ecosystem has pioneered new models of community organisation that traditional institutions are now studying and adopting. 

• Discord servers with hundreds of thousands of members coordinate global initiatives. 
• GitHub repositories with contributors from every continent build open-source infrastructure. 
• Governance tokens give stakeholders direct voting power on protocol decisions.

This community-first approach has proven remarkably resilient. When centralised exchanges fail or regulations threaten specific projects, the decentralised nature of crypto communities allows them to adapt and continue building. The culture's emphasis on transparency, open-source development, and collective ownership creates natural resistance to single points of failure.

Cultural legitimacy has arrived through an unexpected channel: brand adoption. When Nike launches NFT collections, Budweiser buys Ethereum domain names, and H&M experiments with blockchain supply chains, it signals that crypto has moved from counterculture to culture. 

These aren't tech companies hedging their bets: they're traditional brands recognising that their customers expect digital ownership options.

So, what's next for crypto culture?

The next wave is already building. Real-world assets (from rental properties to intellectual property) will trade as tokens around the clock. Gen Z, raised on digital scarcity and creator economies, will make crypto-first living the norm.

Challenges remain: regulation, interoperability, and sustainability. But crypto culture thrives on adversity, turning every crisis into an upgrade opportunity.

The culture that started with a Papa John’s purchase has fundamentally rewired how we think about money, ownership, and coordination. This isn't just growing up, it's growing into the foundation of tomorrow's economy.

And somewhere, Laszlo Hanyecz is probably still enjoying pizza, though he's probably paying with dollars these days.

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