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Category: Crypto Trends

Make sense of the news and how it affects the blockchain space as a whole. Crypto trends is a collection of relevant news and insights to help you make an informed decision.

  • Developing story: OKEx suspends withdrawals…but is there more to this?

    Developing story: OKEx suspends withdrawals…but is there more to this?

    What happened?

    On 16th October 2020 OKEx suddenly announced that one of their private key holders (later confirmed to be Star Xu, OK Group’s CEO and Co-founder) is cooperating with a “public security bureau” and is unable to contact them. Therefore the Exchange cannot complete authorisations for transactions and thus decided to suspend all withdrawals of digital assets/cryptocurrencies from 16th October 2020 at 11:00 (HKT).

    The Exchange did this under clause 8.1 of their Terms of Service which provides that, “8.1 Service Change and Interruption: We may change the Service and/or may also interrupt, suspend or terminate the service at anytime with or without prior notice.”

    In particular, their Terms of Service defines their “Services” as the services that OKEx offers through OKEx.com or its app. According to the Terms of Service, you must agree to be bound by it to use the Services, including of course their rights under clause 8. (Tramadol) 1 to suspend it at any time.

    This abrupt suspension has shocked the cryptocurrency community and caused prices of both Bitcoin and Ethereum to plunge. In particular prices for Bitcoin dipped from over USD$11,500 to USD$11,235 within a half-hour period. As of the time of writing, prices have still not yet fully recovered.

    Meanwhile, there are rumours circulating that there is more than what meets the eye and that this suspension was a cumulation of events that were already in motion a few days ago. Let’s take a look at some events today (16th October 2020) which may (or may not) be relevant to this:

    • 1:00a.m.: Twitter user @whale_alert tweets: 5,000 #BTC (57,033,847 USD) transferred from unknown wallet to #OKEx
    • 4:00a.m.: Twitter user @whale_alert tweets: 1,180 BTC (13,588,646 USD) transferred from OKEx to unknown wallet
    • 9:00a.m.: Twitter user @whale_alert tweets: 50,000,000 TRX (1,317,074 USD) transferred from OKEx to unknown wallet.
      11:55a.m.: Chinese crypto media platform 非小號 (Feixiaohao) and UAICOIN publishes notices from OKEx that withdrawals will be suspended from 3:00p.m. onwards. This was also reported in a tweet from Co-founder of Chinese crypto media outlet @redtheminer who also notes the rumours circulating in the Chinese crypto community that over 800 accounts from a “certain large crypto exchange” are involved in cross border money laundering.
    • 12:00p.m.: OKEx announcement that it would suspend withdrawals from 11:00a.m. onwards.
    • 1:00p.m.: OKEx finally tweets their announcement on the withdrawal suspension.
    • 2:00p.m.: OKEx CEO Jay Hao tweets, reassures that all other operations are unaffected and that, “The investigation concerns a certain private key holder’s personal issue only. Further announcements will be made.”
    • 2:51p.m.: Someone asks OKEx support “Why is Star Xu’s Weibo page emptied?” and they replied, “The person you are referring to has no relation to our platform”.
    • 3:51p.m.: Twitter user @whale_alert tweets: 998 BTC (11,333,911 USD) transferred from Huobi to OKEx.

    *All times are stated in HKT unless otherwise specified.

    What will happen to Star Xu?

    Based on the news so far, the speculation is that Xu was detained since around 9th October 2020.

    According to commentary from PRC lawyers, Xu who is in criminal detention would only be permitted to meet or communicate with his lawyers. This would mean that he cannot meet his family or other staff in OKEx to handle the situation at the Exchange.

    PRC lawyers have also commented that under Chinese Law, Xu can be held in detention for a maximum of 37 days (i.e. until 15th November 2020). After this, the People’s Procuratorate (i.e. the prosecuting authorities) will need to decide whether or not to approve an arrest. If an arrest is approved then Xu would continue to be detained pending trial. However, even if an arrest is not approved, if the authorities consider that further investigation is required then Xu may either be released on bail or subject to home detention. According to the PRC lawyers, if Xu’s family does not hear anything further on 15th November 2020 then it can be assumed that an arrest was approved.

    Updates from OKEx

    According to a further announcement on 6th November 2020, withdrawals are STILL suspended. They, however, do clarify that the “concerned party” is only “actively cooperating with a public security bureau in an investigation” and NOT arrested under criminal detention.

    In a new update, they do say that they have sought legal support and guidance and by doing this has “made contact with the concerned party”. OKEx has explicitly said they cannot disclose any further information. Notably the announcement does not say whether this will result in withdrawals being able to reopen.

    This does appear to be a step in the positive direction though, since according to the commentary from some Chinese lawyers a detained person is only permitted to meet with his own lawyers, rather than that of a company he is the CEO of.

    Nevertheless OKEx in its latest Twitter post continues to reassure affected users that there has been no withdrawals from the Exchange since 16th October 2020 and that 100% of funds can be withdrawn when withdrawals can be resumed.

    A few observations

    There are reports from Chinese media that Xu was in fact already taken in by Police for investigation a week ago, whilst 2 executives that were also detained have since been released on bail. His arrest is causing a stir because he holds the private keys to OKEx’s funds, and according to Glassnode’s data, OKEx holds around 200,000 BTC i.e. USD$2.3 billion worth of Bitcoin.

    There are reports that Xu was taken in for investigation in relation to matters unrelated to OKEx. In particular, it was in relation to funds he had borrowed from a Shanxi-based underground bank for the purposes of the backdoor listing of OKC Holdings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2019.

    We’ve already mentioned this in our previous newsletter about the KuCoin hack. Please take your cryptocurrencies off exchanges and store them offline in a hardware wallet. If you don’t have one yet, please consider getting one. Check out our Ledger Nano X review or buy it here.

    Withdrawals will resume on or before 27th November 2020

    On 19th November 2020, OKEx announced they would reopen unrestricted withdrawals on or before 27th November 2020. They will also be launching significant loyalty reward campaigns for their users as a show of gratitude to their community and for the inconvenience caused to them.

    We also note the announcement confirms that one of OKEx’s private key holders (likely to be Star Xu) has completed assisting investigation with authorities and has returned to his “normal business functions”. It is also confirmed that OKEx was not involved in any alleged wrongdoing or illegal activities. So for now we can all breathe a sigh of relief for Xu and OKEx.

    JUST IN: Details of OKEx loyalty programs released!

    As mentioned in the previous section, OKEx said they would launch loyalty programs for their users as a show to gratitude.

    On 24th November 2020, OKEx announced the following reward and compensation programs after withdrawals open on 27th November 2020.

    Users that made deposits, held tokens or traded during the withdrawal suspension period will be issued a one-time payment to users based on their assets and transaction conditions. The funds for this payment will come from 20% of OKEx’s total income from futures and perpetual swap transaction fees over the past 7 weeks which will be put into an incentive fund. The asset weight calculation will also be doubled for $OKB.

    Users with assets exceeding 10,000 USDT before 4:00pm UTC on 23rd November 2020 will have part of their service fees waived and refunded once withdrawals resume in the form of a rebate card valued between 100 to 1,000 USDT.

    For all users, there will be a Happy Friday Reward Program. This will start on 4th December 2020 and continue every Friday thereafter. To be eligible, users need to have daily average assets on OKEx or daily average trading volume greater than or equal to 100 USDT, and have KYC verification level 2 or higher. Users will get a BTC reward equivalent to OKEx’s futures and perpetual swap transaction fee income for that week * 10%* of the users daily average total asset value or trading volume (as the case may be)/ daily average asset values or daily average trading value of all users (as the case may be).

    Note that for the purposes of calculating the rewards, if a user’s daily average asset value exceeds 10,000 USDT, it would be calculated as 10,000 USDT. Similarly, if the user’s daily average trading volume exceeds 30,000 USDT, it would be deemed as 30,000 USDT.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • Diem ($DIEM) – Facebook’s Libra 2.0

    Diem ($DIEM) – Facebook’s Libra 2.0

    What is Diem?

    Diem is a decentralized stablecoin powered by the Libra blockchain. Facebook unveiled Libra in 2019 with a vision of being a stablecoin backed by multiple government-issued currencies. Due to its global usage and a hard stab on the traditional finance industry, it received international regulatory backlash.

    In April 2020, the Libra team changed its tune and indicated that it would launch an array of stablecoins, each backed by a single fiat currency. However, more had to be done. Part of it was to rename the project and to minimize connection with the social media giant. “Day,” or Diem in Latin, was born.

    Libra changed to Diem on December 2, 2020. Along with the change came a revised whitepaper with significant edits and omissions.

    Background

    The project is operated by the  Diem Association, which was earlier known as the Libra Association. Stuart Levey, Ian Jenkins, and Dahlia Malkhi are among the key members of the team. The three make up the CEO, CFO, and CTO, respectively.

    Notably, other team members have extensive experience in their respective areas. For example, its lead compliance officer, Sterling Daines, has immense hands-on financial crime compliance, while its general counsel, Saumya Bhavsar, is a former banking regulator.

    Note that the Diem Association is registered in Switzerland as an independent membership organization. Its board members are drawn from Xapo, Kiva Microfunds, PayU, Andreessen Horowitz, and Novi.

    Key Changes Made to The Libra Whitepaper

    The first significant change is the dominance of the word “Facebook” and its role in the organization. For instance, the original paper mentions the social media giant more than five times and gives it a “leadership role.” However, the revised edition states that Facebook and its team have “no special rights” beyond assisting in creating the Diem Association.

    Also, Diem is pegged to a single fiat currency (United States dollar) instead of a basket of currencies, as was the case with Libra. However, in the future, it may develop a multi-currency backed stablecoin.

    Diem will also comply with international regulations.

    Notably, the change of name never touched on the core use cases. Diem focuses primarily on instant payments and cross-border remittances. Furthermore, Novi, a virtual wallet meant to hold Libra tokens, will now hold Diem coins. Note that Novi is a rebrand of Calibra.

    Novi Wallet (source: Novi website)

    Conclusion

    Diem is definitely a new ‘day’ for Libra, and by extension, could pick up where Facebook left off in its vision to launch a stablecoin to power payments and remittances globally. Its significant distance from Facebook and change of contentious issues is a great way to bring regulators back to the discussion table.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • ChainGuardians ($CGG): play games to earn cryptocurrency?

    ChainGuardians ($CGG): play games to earn cryptocurrency?

    ChainGuardians is powered by the technology that allows digital asset tokenization, creating an ecosystem where blockchain meets play. Here, users can have fun on the platform while earning rewards in the form of cryptocurrency. They can also participate in popular blockchain activities such as mining or staking without much complexity.

    Check out our interview with Co-founders Emma Liu and Idon Liu (from 23:00 onwards)

    Background

    The team behind ChainGuardians built the platform to create an enjoyable and worthwhile blockchain gaming experience for its players. According to the team, the majority of the gaming content is still currently only accessible on web browsers but they are planning to create an independent gaming platform for it.

    What is ChainGuardians?

    ChainGuardians is a cryptocurrency-meets-anime-themed blockchain collectible game powered by non-fungible tokens (NFT). The game is available both on mobile and web platforms, making it very accessible to its users. It is also built on top of Ethereum while its in-game assets are based on the ERC-721 standard.

    The goal of ChainGuardians is to introduce a gaming element in the blockchain ecosystem, implementing chain analysis technology and advanced game economics to govern the platform’s mechanics.

    All in-game assets are considered crypto-collectible NFTs. These are, for example, weapons, armors, and even the in-game characters i.e. Guardians. The purpose of having them tokenized is to make sure that they are unique and safe against counterfeiting.

    All the collectibles, as well, are of limited quantity. They can also be either bought or sold on secondary NFT marketplaces.

    While there are a lot of blockchain-based games today, according to the team behind ChainGuardians, their difference is that their governance is more community-based. There are other steps that the team said they were doing differently against others, which are:

    • The constant development of end-game content and platform playability;
    • Introduction of multiple game modes, including player-versus-player modes;
    • Rebalancing of Guardians, lower ranking characters, items, and game economy, as they are needed;
    • The constant development of the battle meta;
    • Introduction of ‘Bring Your Own NFT,’ where users can integrate their own NFTs on the platform;
    • Loyalty reward system;
    • Bot prevention system; and
    • Commencement of events and competitions to encourage player activity.

    The platform offers a free-to-play NFT mining game and a role-playing game (RPG). Players can earn rewards for participating in either of the two.

    For the game’s newcomers who just want to try out the game modes first, the platform offers a guardian simulation mode. For this mode, users will not need to own any crypto-collectible, or NFTs. This means, however, that their progress will not be factored in the actual game economy. They will also not be entitled to rewards in the simulation mode as well.

    Crypto Boost is another feature made available on the platform. This gives existing cryptocurrency holders additional incentives in playing the game. To ensure that the accounts are in good crypto standing, their transaction history and holdings will be evaluated through Chain Analysis.

    NFT Mining Game

    Players can choose to participate in the game’s ecosystem by staking NFTs partnered by ChainGuardians. The process here is really simple. Users can either purchase their own NFT for staking or select from its supported projects called the “CryptoVerse Alliance.”

    After a player has chosen an NFT to mine, they can start mining. Rewards for mining NFTs are ChainGuardians Credits (CGC). These can be used to make in-game purchases on ChainGuardians RPG or for conversion to the ChainGuardians Governance (CGG) token (more on this later). Furthermore, this is free-to-play.

    ChainGuardians RPG

    Playing the RPG is another option for users to earn rewards from the platform. Basic game achievements, such as the increase in your character’s level or winning against other in-game enemies, can give the player CGC rewards.

    The goal of the players here is to work together to take down in-game enemies such as GateKeepers. This will help their characters gain power, credits, armaments, and other tools that they’ll need to progress in the game.

    The game is also a turn-based battle game, but when a player is not active, the platform allows AI-based battles that factor in the attribute of a player’s character.

    CGC rewards can be redeemed for CGG tokens or other available services on the platform.

    There is a daily schedule for the redemption of CGG and it factors in the activity of the player on the platform. The RPG is also free-to-play. 

    ChainGuardians play and earn
    How to play and earn on the ChainGuardians ecosystem (Image credit: ChainGuardians)

    CGG Token

    CGG is ChainGuardians’ Governance token. It is an ERC-20 token that represents a user’s stake in the platform. CGG holders can take part in important protocol decisions as well as earn rewards for continuously participating in the ecosystem.

    Chainguardians CGG tokenomics
    ChainGuardians ($CGG) tokenomics (Image Credit: ChainGuardians)

    There are many ways to earn an income from using CGG. Here are some ways:

    Liquidity Provider Token

    The platform has a liquidity pool backed by the POWER token. This is the ecosystem’s liquidity provider token. Users who stake CGG in the platform’s liquidity pool are entitled to POWER rewards which they can redeem later on. The pool supports the CGG and ETH trading pair of the platform.

    In addition, users can choose to just provide CGG pairs on the platform’s liquidity pool. They can also earn POWER in doing so.

    NFT Staking

    CGG holders can stake their tokens on the platform’s supported NFTs. This way, they can potentially earn more NFTs and partner tokens as their reward.

    Governance

    The platform’s governance is community-based, which means that CGG holders are the ones voting on the ecosystem’s mechanics and protocols. Some of these decisions cover the following:

    • Future in-game characters and their abilities;
    • Game economics and balancing schemes;
    • APY for stakers and the supported NFTs; and,
    • Hash rates for NFT miners.

    Conclusion

    The game is indeed an interesting use case for blockchain technology. Apart from the introduction of NFTs, it also features a liquidity mining and staking option that many cryptocurrency holders find easy to work with. 

    The project has done good work in integrating advanced blockchain concepts into a more gamified experience for users.

    With the successful application of most blockchain technologies such as governance tokens, NFTs, mining, perhaps the next step for ChainGuardians is to make a scalable platform should more players join. All in all, the project is a promising display of the blockchain’s capacity while easing them towards the basic concepts that back most projects in DeFi.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • Unido ($UDO): Crypto Banking and DeFi for Enterprise

    Unido ($UDO): Crypto Banking and DeFi for Enterprise

    Unido ($UDO), powered by Polkadot, provides enterprises crypto-asset management solutions, that specialize in governance, security, and interoperability within the crypto banking sphere guaranteeing the satisfaction of all users.

    Background

    Powered by Web3 blockchain Polkadot, Unido was founded by Chris Weddle who has over 20 years of experience within the blockchain sector. The project was initiated in 2017 and is anchored by an experienced team of finance experts, software developers, and blockchain developers. They all come from well-known financial and development firms such as Goldman Sachs, Wipro, and Macquarie.

    Unido’s Founder: Chris Weddle (Source: Unido website)

    Through the Unido project, the team has successfully managed to solve security and accessibility challenges with its distinct and dynamic implementation of a blockchain-based management tool that facilitates the handling of crypto assets.

    What is Unido?

    Unido is a technology ecosystem that addresses the governance, security, and accessibility challenges of decentralized applications, and enables companies to manage crypto assets and capitalize on DeFi.

    Unido’s distinct protocol facilitates investment in DeFi by leveraging its efficient proprietary and multi-sig key signing technology. Furthermore, users have the unique capability to manage crypto banking operations in complete security.

    Under the decentralized platform, assets management enterprises and crypto native companies are ensured agility and efficiency for the custody of their respective digital assets. This creates a strong bridge for firms and organizations to interface with DeFi networks as they remain compliant with licensing and regulatory requirements.

    The platform’s algorithm works best by leveraging, as well as supplying clients with a great deal of crypto trading, payments, and banking solutions.

    Through Unido’s user-friendly protocol, participants essentially have access to three main features all responsible for the system’s special implementation of the blockchain, namely, Enterprise Crypto Banking Suite, DeFi Vault Access, and Governance/Security features.

    Unido Features (Source: Unido website)

    Enterprise Crypto Banking Suite

    A business banking portal, through which firms can manage day-to-day operations and capital expenditure. This feature empowers users with a multi-user wallet management protocol that creates, assigns, and manages clients’ wallets.

    Additionally, it is equipped with user governance tools providing access to rights and access requirements unique to the blockchain solution. Overall, this business banking portal is a simple and intuitive instrument with an interoperable, modular architecture that provides analytics on DeFi transactions, activities, and trends.

    DeFi Vault Access

    The vault access is a multi-signature enterprise wallet or DeFi vault used to store, manage, and invest digital assets in an efficient and safe manner.

    The team behind the wallet describes it as a secured and most importantly, a well-integrated bridge into several prominent DeFi investment solutions such as UniSwap, Yearn Finance, and Balancer. Additionally, the vault provides users with a complete overview of investment opportunities within the DeFi space, as well as potential returns and benefits within specific DeFi networks.

    Supported by a portfolio performance dashboard, this feature facilitates the management and investment of digital funds.

    Governance and Security

    Through this blockchain-based feature, the Unido enterprise platform (EP) provides users with an array of security and management instruments ensuring the safety of all funds within the platform.

    The Unido platform guarantees blockchain-based security and agnostic architecture, rendering it versatile and applicable to any given on-chain use cases. Powered by a key signing technology, Unido EP ensures flexible and trustworthy governance, which provides assets access only to permitted entities and parties.

    Unido Token ($UDO)

    The platform’s utility token, $UDO, is the fuel behind Unido’s efficient implementation as it is used to drive network access, ensure transaction security, governance, and network management. Overall, the token is built on a trustworthy smart contract algorithm guaranteeing the development and expansion of the Unido network in the future.

    Furthermore, the token facilitates access to the platform’s variety of products to all users, including institutions and developers. UDO has three main use cases, being network access licenses, consumption fees, and DAO Governance.

    $UDO Tokenomics

    Total Supply: 115,000,000 UDO

    Initial Market Cap: $487,813

    Seed/Private/Pre-Public Sale Fundraising: $1,400,000

    Seed Sale: $0.04, 0% TGE, 20% monthly unlock

    Private Sale: $0.05, 25% TGE, 25% monthly unlock

    Public Sale:: $0.06, full unlock

    Deflationary Economics:

    • Phase 1: From consumption fees, 60% burn, 20% to EDF, and 20% into reserve. Phase 1 when token supply is reduced by 20%.
    • Phase 2: After enterprise products take off, 50% of fees to be invested into EDF & 50% into reserve.

    UDO Use Cases

    Network Access License

    All applications and Unido EP features will only be available via a license purchasable with the UDO token. Once the license is bought, the tokens are removed from circulation and placed into a secured smart contract until the license eventually expires.

    Companies are provided with annual licenses for the Unido platform, where fees are determined by the volume of usage for the target clients and the number of users.

    Consumption Fees

    All fees and consumption charges within the Unido ecosystem and auxiliary platform will be based on the volume of usage within the platforms. Additionally, UDO will be used to authenticate each transaction within its parent platform.

    All operations from developers will either be charged under a subscription model, Freemium model, paid model, or In-App model, all depending on the user specifications and needs.

    DAO Governance

    In general, the DAO will oversee Unido’s Ecosystem Development Fund (EDF) and allow for the subsidizing of new applications implementation and development, which will contribute to the diversification of the platform.

    Unido Ecosystem (source: Unido one-pager)

    Conclusion

    Unido EP aims to be a leader within the blockchain space by spearheading the race toward mass adoption; especially within the traditional financial sector. The platform’s drive to provide secured banking management tools is a great boost for wide DLT acceptance.

    Overall the Polkadot-based platform is a dynamic implementation of decentralized technology, which guarantees total accessibility and security through key features lacking in most solutions of its genre on the market.

    Unido Enterprise Platform is ahead of the curve as it provides a sure connection with blockchain giants, ensuring its growth and development in the future. Unido will likely become a leader within the blockchain given the protocol’s current algorithm and products.

    Decentralised Finance (DeFi) series: tutorials, guides and more

    With content for both beginners and more advanced users, check out our YouTube DeFi series containing tutorials on the ESSENTIAL TOOLS you need for trading in the DeFi space e.g. MetaMask and Uniswap. As well as a deep dive into popular DeFi topics such as decentralized exchanges, borrowing-lending platforms and NFT marketplaces

    The DeFi series on this website also covers topics not explored on YouTube. For an introduction on what is DeFi, check out Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Overview: A guide to the HOTTEST trend in cryptocurrency

    Tutorials and guides for the ESSENTIAL DEFI TOOLS:

    More videos and articles are coming soon as part of our DeFi series, so be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel so you can be notified as soon as they come out!

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • Coinmama Exchange Review (2023): Accessible, User-friendly, and Top-notch Security

    Coinmama Exchange Review (2023): Accessible, User-friendly, and Top-notch Security

    Coinmama is a non-custodial cryptocurrency broker from Israel, incorporated in Europe, and Slovakia, that provides fast, safe, and convenient cryptocurrency gateway services to digital currency enthusiasts in 188 countries, including the United States, with over 2.4 million users. Coinmama is the go-to platform for buying cryptos securely and conveniently, with helpful customer support, a wide variety of payment methods, and high levels of security.

    Sign up here to get started

    What is Coinmama?

    Coinmama is a cryptocurrency broker/exchange based in Israel that offers a fast, safe and fun way to buy digital currency from anywhere in the world. With Coinmama, users can purchase Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other cryptocurrencies with a credit or debit card. The service is available in 43 US states and all countries apart from those sanctioned, such as North Korea. Coinmama has been providing its services since 2013 and is committed to providing a secure and reliable platform for users to buy and sell digital currency. With their easy-to-use interface, users can quickly and easily purchase digital currency with just a few clicks. Coinmama is dedicated to providing a safe and secure platform for users to buy and sell digital currency.

    Coinmama is an exchange broker, meaning it holds the cryptocurrency and sells it directly to you for fiat money. Binance, on the other hand, is an exchange marketplace, which matches two independent buyers and sellers. Both exchanges offer a secure and convenient way to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. Coinmama has over 2 million customers in 188 countries, while Binance is one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, with over 15 million users in more than 180 countries. Both exchanges offer competitive fees and a wide range of payment options, making them ideal for both experienced and novice cryptocurrency traders.

    Key Features of Coinmama

    Coinmama is a non-custodial cryptocurrency brokerage that makes it easy to buy and sell crypto for fiat currency, giving users full control over their funds. Other key features of the platform include:

    Capacity to buy and trade cryptocurrencies in 188 nations: Anybody can use Coinmama regardless of where they reside because it offers a global service.

    The ten largest coins are supported: Coinmama is a leading cryptocurrency platform that enables users to purchase Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), XRP, EOS, QTUM, Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Cardano (ADA), and Tezos (XTZ) with ease.

    Wide range of payment options: You can purchase cryptocurrency using a credit or debit card, a bank transfer via SWIFT or SEPA, Apple Pay, Fedwire, FasterPayments, Sofort, and more.

    24-hour client service desk: Coinmama boasts of having a top-notch customer support service.

    Non-custodial, safe platform: You don’t run the danger of an additional counterparty with Coinmama because you own your private keys.

    Key Advantages of Coinmama

    Let me first describe the benefits of Coinmama.

    Daily Payment Options

    Coinmama is a popular cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to buy digital assets using their debit or credit card (fiat money). This is a great advantage for those who don’t have any other cryptocurrency to deposit, as many exchanges don’t allow for this. Coinmama is easy to use and almost every major bank issues debit and credit cards backed by Visa or MasterCard, so you shouldn’t have any problems buying from Coinmama, providing you have a bank account! With Coinmama, you can buy cryptocurrency directly from the website, just like ordering your weekly groceries online.

    Get Your Coins Right Away In Your Own Wallet

    Coinmama is a secure and reliable platform for buying cryptocurrencies. With Coinmama, you can purchase coins quickly and easily with your credit or debit card. Your coins are sent to your private wallet as soon as the payment is processed, ensuring that your funds are safe and secure. Coinmama is a great choice for those looking for a secure and convenient way to buy cryptocurrencies.

    User-Friendly Platform

    Coinmama is a cryptocurrency exchange that makes buying cryptocurrency simple and straightforward. With no prior knowledge of trading required, users can open and verify their account, enter their card details and choose how many coins they want to buy. Coinmama offers a variety of features such as market orders and kill-or-fill orders, as well as graphs, charts and statistics to help users make informed decisions. With a user-friendly interface and helpful customer support, Coinmama is a great choice for those looking to purchase cryptocurrency.

    Excellent Support Team

    Coinmama offers a secure and easy-to-use platform, with a wide range of payment options and low fees. If you have any issues with your account, Coinmama has a helpful customer support team available to assist you. You can contact them through live chat during business hours (Sunday-Thursday 9:00-18:00 GMT+3), or via email, support ticket or Facebook outside of these hours. Additionally, their FAQ page provides answers to many common questions.

    Exceptional Security

    It offers users a fast and secure way to buy and sell digital currencies. Coinmama is known for its user-friendly interface and low fees. However, it is important to note that Coinmama experienced a security breach in 2019. Despite this, Coinmama remains a popular choice for those looking to buy and sell digital currencies. It is important to do your own research before investing in any cryptocurrency exchange, and Coinmama is no exception.

    Key Disadvantages of Coinmama

    But, there are also some drawbacks to consider.

     Credit Card Fees

    Coinmama is a cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to purchase cryptocurrencies with their debit or credit cards. It is a great option for those who want to buy cryptocurrency quickly and easily. Coinmama offers competitive rates and a wide range of coins to choose from. However, users should be aware that there is an extra 5% fee when using a debit or credit card to purchase cryptocurrency. Despite this, Coinmama is a reliable and secure platform that is suitable for both beginners and experienced traders.

    Coinmama Fees

    Coinmama is a popular cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to buy and sell digital currencies with real-world money. However, users should be aware that there are fees associated with using the platform. On average, Coinmama charges a 5.5% fee for each transaction, although this can vary depending on the amount of coins being purchased. Fortunately, Coinmama does not charge any withdrawal fees, making it a cost-effective option for those looking to buy and sell digital currencies.

    Only 10 Coins to Choose From

    Coinmama is a broker exchange that allows users to buy Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) with fiat money. Although it only offers 10 coins compared to other exchanges such as Kucoin which have more than 100 coins available, it still allows users to trade with all the smaller, less popular cryptos. Coinmama is a reliable and secure platform that offers fast transactions and low fees. It also provides customer support and a user-friendly interface, making it a great choice for those looking to buy BTC and ETH.

    Coinmama Verification

    The verification process is simple and straightforward, requiring users to confirm their personal details and upload a form of ID. Once the verification process is complete, users can buy up to $15,000 in coins without needing to provide any more information. The verification process is usually completed within a couple of hours, so users don’t have to wait long to start trading. Coinmama is a secure and reliable platform, making it a great choice for those looking to buy and sell digital currencies.

    Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Coins

    Now that you are fully aware of all the benefits and drawbacks of utilizing Coinmama, I’ll teach you exactly how to purchase your first coins.

    1. First, you will need to visit the official Coinmama website which can be accessed here.

    2. The simplest approach to create an account is to select the amount of bitcoin you wish to buy, enter it, and then click Purchase. Visa, MasterCard, ApplePay, SEPA, and a few other payment methods are accepted by Coinmama.

    3. Your entire name, a secure password, and the nation where you now reside must now be entered.

    4. Don’t forget to click the link Coinmama sent to your email to confirm your email address! If you don’t confirm the email right away, you’ll be asked to do so later.

    5. Once you have logged into your account, navigate to the Buy page, and select what you’d like to purchase – in this case, I’ll assume that it’s Bitcoin.

    6. You will see that you first need to verify your account. Click on “verification“.

    7. You will then be prompted to confirm your full name one more before entering your date of birth, contact information, and full address in the next window. If this doesn’t match the address on your credit card, it won’t be accepted.

    8. You must then input your identity information. Either your passport or your license will do this. Make sure you input the proper information twice to avoid slowing down the procedure. then select Next.

    9. You will then be asked to upload your documents. You will need to upload the front and back of your ID and then the following:

    • A selfie of you holding your ID.
    • An image of you holding a piece of paper saying “Coinmama” with today’s date.

    10. Following your submission, Coinmama will typically validate your ID in under ten minutes. If your pictures are blurry, they can urge you to take new ones.

    11. You will get an email after this is finished and your account has been verified. You can now purchase up to $15,000 worth of cryptocurrencies, congratulations!

    12. To finish your order, simply carry out the earlier stages once more. You will be required to input your debit or credit card information as well as your Bitcoin or Ethereum wallet address on the last step.

    Who Should Use Coinmama?

    Coinmama is a cryptocurrency broker/exchange that makes it easy for first-time buyers to purchase cryptocurrency with a debit or credit card. It is a great place to start if you want to buy a less popular coin, as you will need to trade it with another cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. To do this, you will need to transfer your Bitcoin or Ethereum over to another exchange that lists the coin you want, and then trade them for that coin. If you cannot find the cryptocurrency that you’re looking for, you should check out Kucoin that has more options to choose from.

    Conclusion

    Coinmama is a popular cryptocurrency broker exchange that allows users to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies with their debit or credit card. It is a secure and easy-to-use platform that is available in over 180 countries. Coinmama charges a 5.9% transaction fee and a 5% credit/debit card fee, making it one of the more expensive exchanges. However, it is one of the few exchanges that offer the option to use a debit or credit card, making it a great choice for those looking to purchase cryptocurrency for the first time. Coinmama also offers 24/7 customer support and a wide range of payment options, making it a great choice for those looking for a reliable and secure exchange.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • FTX’s Collapse: Can LedgerX Save Crypto Exchanges?

    FTX’s Collapse: Can LedgerX Save Crypto Exchanges?

    The recent auction of LedgerX, the derivatives trading platform owned by bankrupt crypto exchange FTX, is a sign of a changing landscape for crypto exchanges. M7 Holdings, a U.S. affiliate of Miami International Holdings, Inc., won the auction for a total of about $50 million.

    The sale is part of FTX’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding, and FTX CEO John J. Ray III stressed that the sale is “an example of our continuing efforts to monetize assets to deliver recoveries to stakeholders.”

    Miami International Holdings acquires LedgerX

    The award of LedgerX to M7 is particularly interesting as Miami International Holdings, which is the parent company of M7, already operates several exchanges around the world. This acquisition will provide Miami International Holdings with a venture into the crypto trading space and open up lucrative opportunities in the world of cryptocurrency derivatives.

    LedgerX is the first federally regulated exchange and clearing house to list and clear fully-collateralized, physically-settled Bitcoin options for the institutional market. This acquisition will enable Miami International Holdings to expand its presence in the cryptocurrency derivatives market and provide its customers with access to a secure and regulated platform for trading digital assets.

    LedgerX: A Rising Future for Crypto Exchange

    LedgerX’s sale comes on the heels of Crypto.com‘s acquisition of North American Derivatives Exchange (Nadex) and Small Exchange for $216 million, and Coinbase’s acquisition of FairX for $270 million. These developments are indicative of a larger trend in the crypto space that appears to be heavily focused on secure, safe, and reliable exchanges for trading.

    But with FTX’s collapse, some crypto traders may find it difficult to trust exchanges that were once believed to be reliable. That’s why LedgerX could be an important player in the future of crypto exchanges. LedgerX is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), meaning it meets stringent legal and regulatory standards. Its regulated exchanges are also reliable enough that FTX Itself had chosen to acquire it back in 2021.

    Wetjen: LedgerX could be a leading provider of secure and reliable crypto trading

    Mark Wetjen, a former CFTC commissioner, current Head of Policy & Regulatory Strategy at FTX US, and a long-time member of the LedgerX Board since 2015, further lends credence that LedgerX is the kind of trust-worthy exchange the crypto world needs.

    With the sale of LedgerX to M7 Holdings, there appears to be some optimism that the U.S. crypto-sphere can bounce back from FTX‘s collapse. As larger players such as Miami International Holdings move in, this could be a sign that the industry is turning a corner and beginning to focus on regulated trust-worthy exchanges. If so, LedgerX could be a leading provider in secure and reliable crypto trading.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • ERC Tokens Explained: What are they?

    ERC Tokens Explained: What are they?

    ERC (Ethereum Request for Comment) token standards are built upon and utilise the Ethereum blockchain. Most of us have only heard about the vastly used ERC-20, while becoming more familiar with the ERC-721 and ERC-1155 token standards thanks to the growing adoption of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) by upcoming projects. This article gives an overview of what are ERC tokens, their various types, and functions.

    Summary

    • ERC tokens are special forms of smart contracts that utilise the Ethereum blockchain, rather than having their own blockchain like Bitcoin.
    • They can have different functions and even a combination of features.
    • ERC tokens can be Fungible, Non-fungible, and Semi-fungible.

    What is a token and how do we classify them?

    First of all, ‘tokens‘ are programmable digital units of value that are recorded on a distributed ledger protocol such as a blockchain. Basically, ERC20 tokens are special forms of smart contracts that utilize Ethereum’s blockchain. They can also be described as digital assets which are not the main currency of that blockchain. While $ETH and $BTC both have their blockchain and are thus far considered as coins, tokens don’t.

    There are different types of tokens. Utility tokens differ from the rest because they usually offer a wider functionality than, for example, a means of payment (coins, like $BTC) or voting power on a platform (such as governance tokens, like $UNI). They can combine multiple purposes, are integrated into an existing protocol and used to access its services. They also provide network activity, which ensures strength of the platform’s economy.

    To easily understand how they fit into the blockchain ecosystem, we need to understand how Ethereum works first: we can think of it as an operating system on top of which applications (smart contracts) can be built (written), just like developers build applications for Android and iOS. One difference being that applications on Ethereum can be decentralized (Dapps). Once we have these platforms, we can (if we want) create tokens, each time choosing the most appropriate standard for our purpose.

    Years ago, when there was no standard in use, it was far more complicated for developers to make smart contracts interact with each other; they had to create specific implementation standards to develop a token and launch it on Ethereum’s network. Then, the ERC-20 came out and that heavily simplified the process.

    Another distinction is between Fungible and Non Fungible tokens.

    Fungible Tokens

    In this case, each token is equivalent to all the others and they are interchangeable (1 $BTC will always be equal to any other 1 $BTC).

    ERC-20

    First proposed in 2015, it’s the industry standard and most accepted one. It makes the initial distribution of tokens extremely easy, so it became massively used in the 2017 ICOs craze. The ERC-20 contracts are composed of 6 mandatory functions and 3 optional ones.

    ERC-20 contracts
    ERC-20 contracts

    6 mandatory functions:

    • balanceOf(): keeps track of the balance in each user wallet
    • totalSupply(): shows the current total supply in circulation
    • transfer (): lets the owner send a specific amount to another address
    • transferFrom(): allows a smart contract to automate the transfer process and send a given amount of the token on behalf of the owner
    • approve(): approves the withdrawal of tokens from the owner’s address to the receiving address. It also guarantees that nobody could create more tokens out of nothing, keeping the supply under control
    • allowance(): makes sure that the owner has at least as many tokens as the amount set in the approve function; the transactions added to the blockchain have been proved valid

    3 optional functions:

    • name(): pretty self explanatory!
    • symbol(): 3-4 letter abbreviation
    • decimals(): it is impossible to write decimal places in Solidity- only whole numbers, so this function is needed. Most tokens use 18 decimals

    How to send ERC-20 tokens?

    There are two ways of sending ERC-20 tokens, depending on if you want to send them directly or delegate the function to a smart contract. You can either:

    • call the transfer() function to send tokens to another wallet address
    • call the approve() function and then transferfrom() from the receiver contract

    Besides the ease of use and the popularity that this standard immediately gained among the community, its main flaw soon became obvious, causing millions of dollars worth of tokens to be lost forever in smart contracts.

    Limitations of ERC-20 tokens and what are wrapped tokens?

    What happens if you simply use the transfer() function to send tokens to a smart contract which is not made to receive them?

    The transaction will succeed and these tokens will be credited to the receiver address, but they won’t be recognized by the recipient and they will remain there forever, unusable.

    Another limitation is that since $ETH itself was obviously created before the ERC-20 standard was even developed, it is not compliant with it (nor with other standards). That is why to interact with many contracts, we need to “wrap” $ETH into $WETH (wrapped ether, which IS an ERC-20 token, pegged to $ETH 1:1).

    To solve the various flaws, new standards were proposed. The most famous ones are the following.

    ERC-223

    Summary:

    • prevents funds to be lost
    • half as expensive
    • backwards compatible

    This standard was proposed by a Reddit user known as “Dexaran”; it focuses on security and tries to fix the main flaw of its predecessor, by using a unique, new transfer() function, which allows tokens to be sent to either a personal address or a smart contract. Moreover, it includes a tokenFallback() function that checks the receiving contract for the same function.

    Basically, if the receiver is a regular address (not a contract), the transfer will be similar to the ERC-20 one, while if the receiver is a contract, the tokenFallback() function will be triggered. If the receiving contract does not have this function, the transaction will fail but all the funds will be returned to the sender address.

    Simplifying the transfer and reducing it to just one single step, the process will also be cheaper (less gas fees!). The ERC-223 standard is backwards compatible with the ERC-20, as it keeps all of the original functionalities and solves the biggest issues. The ChainLink ($LINK) token has been described by its developers as “an ERC20 token, with the additional ERC223 ‘transfer and call’ functionality of transfer, allowing tokens to be received and processed by contracts within a single transaction”.

    The ERC-223 standard has never been finalized.

    ERC-777

    Summary:

    • makes transactions smoother
    • allows for approved operators
    • standard for minting/burning tokens
    • backwards compatible with ERC-20

    This standard was developed by Jacques Dafflon and Jordi Baylina, it is similar to ERC-20 and it relies upon the ERC-1820. Before that, developers couldn’t identify the functions which can be implemented by smart contracts. By creating a central registry of contracts on the network, the ERC-777 can use it to identify the interfaces a smart contract uses.

    Its uniqueness is the friction reduction in transactions. It also defines a new set of functions, for example it uses send() instead of transfer(), authoriseOperator() instead of approve(), tokenReceived() handler function instead of tokenFallback().

    It also allows for more customization, a list of approved operators so that people can approve smart contracts to move tokens on their behalf, and creates a standard for minting and burning tokens (very useful for particular projects).

    A pure ERC-777 is not compatible with ERC-20 but the standard described how to make it compatible.

    The ERC-777 standard became finalized on May 6th, 2019.

    Other fungible tokens

    There have been many other proposals combining some aspects of different standards into each other.

    • ERC-827 combines some of the advantages of ERC-223 and ERC-20 standards, it enables token transfer for a 3rd party to spend it
    • ERC-664 is mainly centered on modularity and makes it possible to update token contracts
    • ERC-677 provides a safe way for new contracts to transfer tokens to external contracts
    • ERC-621 can increase or decrease the token supply
    • ERC-884 allows companies to use blockchain to maintain share registries

    Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

    These tokens are unique: each one can have a different value ant they are not replaceable. NFTs enable the tokenization of individual assets. They can often be found in games or you can imagine them as digital pieces of art, real estate… basically anything you like. Unique tokens can be further modified adding new “tools”, hence increasing their value overtime (like new bodyparts on a racing car). Check out our video on NFTs:

    Non-fungible tokens explained

    ERC-721

    It became famous with CryptoKitties. The contract is composed by 8 functions plus 2 optional ones. Most of them are the same or similar to the Fungible counterparts, with few important differences.

    ERC-721 contracts
    ERC-721 contracts

    8 mandatory functions:

    • name()
    • symbol()
    • totalSupply()
    • balanceOf()
    • ownerOf(): retrieves the address that owns whichever NFT ID number is searched; ownership is defined by simply having the token
    • approve()
    • takeOwnership(): transfer the tokens from another address that currently holds them
    • transfer()

    2 optional functions:

    • tokenOfOwnerByIndex(): allows NFT IDs to be searched through a list of tokens owned by the user; it is necessary if we want more ntfs
    • tokenMetadata( ): retrieves the metadata, i.e. info for identification

    While when new ERC-20 tokens are created, the supply simply increases. In this case, things are more complicated. We have to monitor the metadata, and that is expensive in gas fees. ERC-721 defines a storing method.

    A problem with this standard is that if we want to send more NFTs to someone, we will need as many transactions as the number of tokens sent.

    Along with the ERC-721, a few other Non Fungible standards have been proposed, like the ERC-875 and the ERC-998.

    Semi Fungible Tokens (SFTs)

    In some cases, NFTs and FTs do not provide the required level of flexibility that is necessary to build new projects. As we have said, Fungible tokens are all “equals” while Non Fungible ones are unique.

    But what if we need something that is neither Fungible nor Non Fungible? Like seat tickets?

    Seat tickets (or supermarket vouchers, lottery tickets etc.) are 99% equal to on another with a very small difference, like a serial number that makes them unique, preventing double-spending/selling. When we buy a seat ticket, we don’t want someone else to have the same exact token and be able to use it if he arrives before us at the cinema.

    In these circumstances Semi Fungible Tokens come in help: they hold their value until they are sold, changing from Fungible to not Fungible anymore.

    The Multi Token Standard: ERC-1155

    This one was created by Enjin in 2018 for its Gaming Multiverse.

    In all the other standards we have considered, we need to deploy a different contract for each type of token (one contract for all the same ERC-20s, one contract for each unique NFT). It is like being at the supermarket and not being able to buy all of the groceries we want at the same time, having to proceed one item after the other, from shelf to register, continuously. If we want to be able to buy a bunch of stuff at the same time, we need a new standard, and that is the ERC-1155. It allows for different “items” to be stored and created in the same contract (FTs, SFTs and NFTs), with the least possible amount of data; it is cheaper and more convenient.

    For example, in a game we may exchange a currency (ERC-20) and/or NFTs (ERC-721) with other gamers; the ERC-1155 makes it possible. Moreover, it can execute a deterministic smart contract function by simply sending a token to an address (i.e. sending a token to an exchange address, the exchange could immediately return another token back to the sender’s address).

    Practically, a single smart contract can mint infinite tokens forever (and it allows to save fees!)

    Learn more about the ERC 1155 token

    Conclusion

    Overall, among the Fungible tokens, some people think that the ERC-777 should be the designated one to become widely adopted. It offers, for example, more ways to protect our funds. Nevertheless, none of the above standards is without flaws and inherent risks. As a matter of fact, there are multiple reasons why ERC-20 is still the most popular one, and we can’t forget to mention that a new standard would create a lot of issues and interoperability problems, at least at the beginning.

    If we consider the Non Fungible world, we are yet to see an explosion in adoption, but more and more platforms and games are coming out and it will probably be one of the trends of the next years. There are different platforms where you can go and buy collectibles directly with your Ethereum wallet (such as Metamask). One of the most famous and used is Rarible.

    Only time will tell us which will be the next standard in use; proposing a solution and having the community embrace it are two very different things.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • Yearn.Finance merging the DeFi Ecosystem

    Yearn.Finance merging the DeFi Ecosystem

    The decentralized finance (DeFi) space has grown to include platforms in various sectors such as spot trading, derivatives, and futures. Interestingly, some networks such as Yearn Finance support yield farmers and liquidity providers through an aggregation service.

    Instead of offering spot trading, lending, or borrowing functionalities, it allows users to deposit funds, then it distributes it based on projected returns and the risks involved.

    However, this isn’t enough to drive meaningful DeFi adoption. Therefore, Yearn followed the partnership route to expand its ecosystem and to improve interoperability between DeFi systems.

    In this article, we look at the most impactful partnerships in the Yearn ecosystem:

    Yearn + SushiSwap

    Yearn x SushiSwap
    Yearn x SushiSwap (source: Yearn x Sushi 行ってきます medium article)

    On November 3, 2020, Yearn’s creator, Andre Cronje, took to Medium to announce the coming together of his platform and Sushiswap. The connection between the two platforms meets as Sushi improves its automated market-making (AMM) outlooks while Yearn digs deeper into aggregating formulas. These qualities brought a need for cooperation between them, leading to:

    • A combination of development resources.
    • A rise in the total value locked (TVL) on each platform.
    • Working together to develop and launch Deriswap, a platform bringing together spot trading, derivatives, and futures trading.
    • Introducing Keep3r Network, an on-chain price oracle on the second iteration of Sushswap.
    • Additionally, liquidity providers on Sushi provide collateral for the Sushi money market.

    Partnership with Cream Protocol

    The DeFi aggregator platform partnered with Cream, a lending network similar to Aave, in developing the system’s second version. With the partnership, the Yearn and Cream team created Cream V2, which introduced or enhanced leverage and lending features. Notably, the new platform enables yield farming using leverage.

    Yearn x CreamProtocol
    Yearn x Cream Protocol (source: Yearn & Cream v2 merger medium article)

    Additionally, Cream V2 acts as a springboard to power stable credit and yet-to-be-built lending functionalities. Apart from merging resources allocated towards development and seeing a rise in individual TVL, the partnership saw shares in Yearn Vaults qualify to provide collateral in Cream.

    One feature added to Cream’s new version includes rotating multi-signature keys in order to improve deployment, iteration, and testing. Unchanged features include those that touch on governance and native tokens.

    Akropolis and Yearn

    Yearn x Akropolis
    Yearn x Akropolis (source: μα τον Δια! Yearn x Akropolis medium article)

    The partnership is rather a unique one. Why? It aims to bring out the best in each platform’s team. Therefore, each team continues with their previous journey but leans on the other if they need help.

    Furthermore, Akropolis users can access Yearn and a host of other networks such as Cream and Pickle. In return, Yearn investors benefit from Akropolis’s investment strategies and a pool of institutional networks. The partnership between the two platforms brought with it improvements on Akropolis.

    For instance, there was a development of new vaults, an institutional application, some strategies, and a rotation of multi-signature. In addition, Akropolis’s native token was upgraded to be able to track losses.

    The PowerPool Partnership

    PowerPool is a decentralized protocol accumulating governance strengths in systems built on the Ethereum blockchain. In short, it brings together governance tokens from a wide range of DeFi protocols, such as Compound and Balancer.

    Yearn x Powerpool
    Yearn x Powerpool (source: Yearn Finance Newsletter #13)

    The partnership with Yearn Finance connected YFI, the governance token on Yearn, with PowerPool’s PowerIndex. PowerIndex provides a DeFi index inspired by distributed exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The index exudes meta-governance functionalities and contains eight tokens, including YFI.

    Note that the meta-governance aspect rides on concentrating user tokens from different DeFi platforms into a single contract. Next, the tokens’ voting weight is delegated to a group consensus. Notably, the contract generates a token that its holders can use to decide the other tokens’ fate in the pool.

    So, what does the partnership bring to Yearn?

    • Having a share of the index gives DeFi lovers a share in Yearn.
    • It increases participation in YFI governance issues.
    • PowerIndex supports swapping. Thus, anyone can exchange another platform’s token with YFI and vice versa.
    • In return, Yearn benefits from more liquidity. Additionally, pooling YFI helps stabilize its price.

    The Cover Merger

    Although Cronje formally announced the partnership on November 28, 2020, the two platforms have been collaborating since Cover’s launch. The marriage between the two opens doors to advanced features targeting optimization, among other aspects.

    The partnership allows Curve to provide backstop coverage to products built on Yearn. Their coming together allows Cronje’s network to enjoy Cover’s range of coverage known for supporting multiple collaterals. Yearn can mitigate risks for users through vault coverage. That’s not all. Underwriting coverage on Yearn becomes more profitable.

    Yearn x Cover (source: Yearn & Cover merger medium article)

    Fortunately, the benefits aren’t one way. For Cover, it’s hoisted to expand its wings to unchartered money markets. Additionally, it’s empowered to seek a bigger share of perpetual coverage and other products in the market. However, components such as the native COVER currency remain intact.

    Pickle and Yearn

    Yearn x Pickle (source: Pickle & Yearn ferment co-operation dill medium article)

    This is another key partnership in the Yearn ecosystem. Its uniqueness emanates from the fact that it’s supposed to eradicate duplicate works among the two teams. Doing so lets each team and individuals within a team work on what they’re extremely good at.

    As a result, Pickle will launch new features such as reward Gauges. Governing members on the Pickle ecosystem receive DILL tokens when they lock their tokens for governance-related purposes. DILL holders share Gauge performance, withdrawal, and deposit fees.

    On the other hand, Yearn users, especially Vault depositors, are incentivized to interact with Gauges through Vault shares. The depositors also receive more rewards by setting aside Pickle tokens to receive DILL. (www.chronicpainpartners.com)

    Others benefits originating from the partnership include:

    • A merger of the platforms’ TVL.
    • Pickle finds its way into the Yearn ecosystem.
    • Pickle enjoys Yearn’s security, among other features.
    • Pickle’s reward Gauges rake in incentives from Yearn depositors.
    • The two protocols’ teams work together on strategy creation and split profits from the strategies.
    • There’s an overall increase in rewards for users in both circles.

    Conclusion

    By expanding the Yearn ecosystem, Cronje and his team seek to build an inter-connected DeFi world. With everything connected to everything, DeFi adoption naturally sets in.

    Apart from interconnection and adoption, the partnerships focus on, for example, reducing the duplication of roles within teams working on DeFi projects. This encourages the birth of new products and features to help drive growth in the space.

    In the process, DeFi enthusiasts benefit from enhanced products and yields, which further encourage interaction with DeFi-focused systems.

    Decentralised Finance (DeFi) series: tutorials, guides and more

    With content for both beginners and more advanced users, check out our YouTube DeFi series containing tutorials on the ESSENTIAL TOOLS you need for trading in the DeFi space e.g. MetaMask and Uniswap. As well as a deep dive into popular DeFi topics such as decentralized exchanges, borrowing-lending platforms and NFT marketplaces

    The DeFi series on this website also covers topics not explored on YouTube. For an introduction on what is DeFi, check out Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Overview: A guide to the HOTTEST trend in cryptocurrency

    Tutorials and guides for the ESSENTIAL DEFI TOOLS:

    More videos and articles are coming soon as part of our DeFi series, so be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel so you can be notified as soon as they come out!

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • Tidal Finance ($TIDAL): customized insurance for cryptocurrencies?

    Tidal Finance ($TIDAL): customized insurance for cryptocurrencies?

    Tidal finance has developed a protocol to protect capital invested in Liquidity Pools (LP) from data breaches and hacks through insurance pools.

    The DeFi space grew exponentially in 2020— unperturbed by the general uneasiness surrounding the pandemic. By the end of the year, the total value locked (TVL) in LPs have grown from $500 million to $27 billion. 

    Attracted by the prospects of blockchain technology and its huge potential returns, LP providers had deposited billions in dollars worth of crypto assets to the advancement of the DeFi subsector.  But with increased hacks and security breaches, LPs are becoming significantly more skeptical about their investments. This is where Tidal Finance comes in with a solution.

    Background

    Chad Liu, the founder of Tidal Finance, is an engineer and mathematician who had noticed that the Defi industry was stagnated by insufficient risk tolerance.

    And in 2020, Liu was introduced to Co-founder Dan Raykhman (now CTO), with whom he shared the same vision. Liu had a background in finance and business. And together, they ventured to capitalize on their expertise to build a decentralized insurance market — now Tidal Finance.

    What is Tidal Finance?

    Tidal finance is an open market that allows users to create programmable insurance pools for different asset configurations. 

    Essentially, Tidal Finance is a market that encourages the creation of liquidity pools while also providing the resources necessary to protect the LP provider’s capital.

    Tidal gets LP providers to create reserve capital for different pools. This way, many mutual cover pools are created. Whenever a user wishes for additional protection for (insure) his capital, he can purchase any of the available mutual coverage.

    Tidal finance is built on the Polkadot network where it functions similarly to Balancer, but with improved security against loss capital, to improve liquidity for various emerging crypto assets.

    Insurance Pool

    Tidal Finance provides a framework that allows users to create customizable insurance pools. Each pool, regardless of asset-pair, can be covered by different terms (premium, cover period, etc.) LPs are then at the luxury of choosing which pool best satisfies their needs. There are currently 3 asset pairs that are covered: COMP.DAI, Aave.ETH, and Uni. (ETH, WBTC).ETH.

    How Tidal Finance Works

    The platform is an open market. That is, it only provides the tools needed to create an insurance pool. Therefore, users can configure pools using these tools to create an abundant insurance market that offers different conditions and terms (for different pools of protocols, tokens, and other assets) to LPs looking to stake their digital assets. 

    At the heart of every insurance pool is a Reserve Smart Contract. Here, reserve funds are provided by LPs. This helps to increase the reserve capital efficiency, protocol auditing, and improve risk management.

    To ensure that the insurance pool created is sustainable, a vetting process is carried out while the insolvency risk is examined. And if the pool is assessed to hold out, it is allowed into the market where LPs and Insurance buyers can interact freely.

    How Tidal Finance works
    How Tidal Finance works (Image credit: Tidal Finance)

    Basic Single Asset vs. Multi-Asset Pools

    Basic single asset pools involve coverage for single asset types. While the risks involved are straightforward and pretty easy to calculate, the rewards are comparatively smaller.

    On the other hand, multi-asset pools combine different assets and smart contracts to make a fairly complex insurance pool. It allows sufficient leverage as well as risk for high reward potentials.

    Features of Tidal Finance

    Tidal Finance is an aggregate of highly functional features that allows the creation of an insurance pool. 

    Pool Creation Template

    Insurance pool templates are created by choosing from the available list, smart contracts, and assets to be covered. Then, other parameters can be customized, including the coverage duration and leverage ratio.

    Auditors can now look at the template to assess the insolvency risk during the vetting process. 

    Approved pool templates are made available on the Tidal market for LPs to use. Furthermore, LPs can find pool templates that meet their specific token/protocol needs. 

    Pool Statistics and Ranking 

    The Tidal market provides a statistical display of the performance of available pool templates. The statistical data are collected from previously created pool templates.

    Each pool template is indexed into a ranking list. The ranking provides the weighted average of key metrics, including current & max pool capital, current and max return on capital, current and max covered amount, capital reserve ratio, etc. 

    Users can also search through available pools using the ranking order. 

    Controlling Algorithm

    Tidal uses algorithms to regulate the activities of pool creators to mitigate risk exposure. The combined effects of several algorithms guide pool creators to manage risk effectively. At launch, tidal would provide a list of rules to guide the activities of each insurance pool. These rules were constructed to mitigate risk and ensure the success of insurance pools. 

    Controlled algorithms that would be initiated at launch would enforce these guidelines.

    Earn returns with Tidal Finance liquidity pools

    Tidal Finance also lets you provide liquidity into their 3 liquidity pools to earn returns. The lockup period ranges from 30-90 days and the apparent return ranges from 20% to 300%.

    Tidal Finance liquidity pools
    Tidal Finance liquidity pools (Image credit: Tidal Finance)

    Tidal Token ($TIDAL)

    Tidal Finance’s token $TIDAL is the native token to the Tidal platform. The token is vital to the platform’s smooth operation as it allows holders to vote on important decisions regarding the project and rewards all the various participants.

    When the Tidal protocol generates revenue, holders of the $TIDAL token are entitled to a percentage of it based on their staked amount and purchased amount of covers. This scheme is intended to incentivize users to participate actively in the Tidal community. Other than the small percentage reserved for this purpose, the rest of the revenue is deposited in the treasury wallet, which is an emergency backup fund for insurance pools running out of reserves. 

    The distributed percentage is adjusted frequently to prevent inflation.

    Governance

    The tidal protocol is managed by a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). It is made up of stakeholders that are LPs, Pool creators, and other users. But any other holder of the token qualifies as a member of the Tidal DAO.

    Members of the DAO are able to propose changes and vote on them in a transparent approach. However, issues with higher stakes are left to the deliberation of long-term holders alone. 

    Partnership with Reef Finance

    Tidal has partnered with another member of the Polkadot ecosystem, Reef Finance. The aim of this partnership is to promote decentralised smart contract insurance solutions to increase security for platform users. In particular, Tidal Finance will be empowering Reef Finance users by allowing them to create customized insurance pools.

    Conclusion

    Individuals and other entities are likely to be motivated to participate in liquidity pools when their capitals are safeguarded. This would provide the much-needed liquidity for upcoming blockchain projects and accelerate the growth of the cryptocurrency industry.

    Designed to launch on Polkadot’s network, one of the highest growing crypto ecosystems in 2020, Tidal Finance holds high expectations among investors and liquidity miners. Could Tidal truly bring forth the long-overdue coverage needed in the DeFi space? Online time will tell. LPs, for one, would definitely be rooting for it.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • Benchmark Protocol ($MARK): Supply Elastic Collateral and Hedging Device

    Benchmark Protocol ($MARK): Supply Elastic Collateral and Hedging Device

    Benchmark Protocol ($MARK) is a supply elastic, stablecoin-alternative that connects traditional finance with the cryptocurrency market by revolving around the volatility index. It provides liquidity to the DeFi space during periods of high volatility to optimize value and stability.

    Background

    Founded by David Mass, the Benchmark protocol aims to bridge the digital currency market to traditional financing. The project was set in motion by a team composed of investors, blockchain engineers, and financial experts to strengthen security and the efficacity of loan collateral within the blockchain.

    The sudden selling pressure experienced by the crypto market in march of 2020 prompted the team to act as they understood the risks within DeFi. The Birth of Benchmark exhibits the unique drive of the ambitious team behind the platform.

    Ultimately, Benchmark’s team looks to be a household name within the market by staying relevant within the mainstream DeFi space and optimizing their product to the needs of the blockchain.

    What is Benchmark Protocol?

    Benchmark Protocol is a supply-elastic collateral and hedging system driven by a volatility index. Simply put, the Benchmark Protocol lessens liquidation events and hedges risk with its very own cryptocurrency, the $MARK token.

    Benchmark Protocol Dashboard (Source: Benchmark Protocol website)

    Furthermore, Benchmark’s algorithm functions as a rule-based utility that adjusts supply, and is supported by the CBOE volatility index (VIX) and deviations from the target metric, which is equal to 1 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) unit. The Benchmark team believes that implementing the SDR creates a larger and far more efficient use case rather than exposure to just one currency.

    The Benchmark Protocol provides a dynamic and supply-elastic token in the MARK token, as it manages to connect traditional capital markets to DeFi. The platform’s protocol is unique and efficient; completely separate from the crypto market prices and trends.

    The protocol prides itself as an ideal hedge exhibiting total transparency with all users and transactions making a secure and reliable solution for the DeFi sector. Its immutability is robust enough to prevent systematic risk arising from cease and desist orders.

    Benchmark’s innovative approach has isolated the recurring issue of overshooting the target peg within the varying market conditions. Through the MARK token, the platform can effectively rebalance supply within a 5-hour window after the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) ensuring the reduction of arbitrage activity for token users.

    The distinct algorithm effectively adjusts to trends within DeFi while implementing traditional finance market strategies. The protocol actively monitors and regulates the total supply of tokens to compensate for anticipated price movements. This method helps in reducing excessive amplitudes of price percentage changes.

    SDR

    SDR Breakdown (Source: Benchmark Protocol website)

    Since its implementation by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the international reserve asset SDR has been an important factor concerning the health of the international financial system. SDR value is supported by five currencies: the Euro, Chinese renminbi, Japanese yen, U.S. dollar, and British pound sterling.

    The Benchmark Protocol has been targeting the SDR’s historic price of $1.4075, with a long-term view utilizing macro-exposure to the world’s most established currency basket. The SDR is a superior and secured peg that will not face a tough path should the US Dollar experience strong inflation.

    The Benchmark Protocol primarily benefits from SDR diversified and global currency risk instead of single currency risk, which will attract more users globally, thereby, contributing to the growth of the project long term.

    Volatility Index (VIX)

    Described as the market’s “fear indicator”, VIX is a real-time market index used to estimate the market’s expectations for the relative strength of near-term price changes and volatility typically within the S&P 500 index (SPX).

    The blockchain-based platform relies on the VIX as an accurate and suitable predictive element for price development. The VIX enables the platform to be ahead of its competitors by allowing it to be more dynamic and proactive in the DeFi market.

    The Press

    The platform values Liquidity providers a great deal, as they are essential for the proper operation of the MARK token as a stable collateral utility. Furthermore, liquidity mining is an essential component of the Benchmark Protocol during the bootstrap phase.

    The Press is the second phase of Benchmark’s liquidity providers rewards distribution program. It is the largest token allocation with 27% of the total supply provided to liquidity mining initiatives that compensate the liquidity providers’ active participation in the Benchmark network. The Press will feature core MARK Pairs, such as MARK-ETH and MARK-USDC on Uniswap.

    The team plans to implement The Press for a period of 3 to 7 years, all depending on distribution velocity.

    MARK Token

    Built on the Ethereum blockchain, Mark Token is Benchmark’s native asset. MARK is an ERC-20 utility token and was released to the market while taking into consideration SDR and the VIX. So, MARK is secured to the world’s most stable currency (the SDR). Additionally, the token’s rebalances are smart and fast, derived from VIX.

    Overall, Benchmark’s native token can be described as a supply-elastic collateral utility designated to increase liquidity during periods of high volatility and in direct correspondence with global equities markets.

    MARK is a dynamic digital asset separate from other crypto implementations as it does not rival traditional fiat or paper currencies, which enables token holders to rely on a global currency risk profile versus a single currency risk profile. Additionally, through the platform’s utility token, users are shielded from inflation and further benefit from collateralization of risks.

    XMARK Token

    xMARK is another ERC-20 utility token within the platform, which represents MARK but is not affected by rebases. xMark is designed to help move the platform towards on-chain governance. The token is minted by holders staking MARK tokens within the single-asset staking platform and is currently available on Binance Smart Chain and Quickswap.

    Conclusion

    Overall the Benchmark protocol manages to deal with the issues of volatility and inconsistency within the blockchain elegantly. Through MARK and xMARK utility tokens, users are ensured that rules-based, non-dilutive, and supply-elastic collateral will facilitate their crypto journey.

    The DeFi sector is set to benefit tremendously from such technology, which provides a unique product that is currently lacking in the blockchain.

    Decentralised Finance (DeFi) series: tutorials, guides and more

    With content for both beginners and more advanced users, check out our YouTube DeFi series containing tutorials on the ESSENTIAL TOOLS you need for trading in the DeFi space e.g. MetaMask and Uniswap. As well as a deep dive into popular DeFi topics such as decentralized exchanges, borrowing-lending platforms and NFT marketplaces

    The DeFi series on this website also covers topics not explored on YouTube. For an introduction on what is DeFi, check out Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Overview: A guide to the HOTTEST trend in cryptocurrency

    Tutorials and guides for the ESSENTIAL DEFI TOOLS:

    More videos and articles are coming soon as part of our DeFi series, so be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel so you can be notified as soon as they come out!

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • CEX.IO Exchange Review (2023): One of the Leading Cryptocurrency Platforms

    CEX.IO Exchange Review (2023): One of the Leading Cryptocurrency Platforms

    CEX.IO is a secure and user-friendly cryptocurrency exchange platform that enables users to easily buy, sell, and trade digital assets. In this review, we will share all about CEX.IO, it’s brief history, digital currencies you can buy, sell and trade, then the advantages and disadvantages of the platform.

    Sign up here to get started.

    What is CEX.IO?

    CEX.IO is a legitimate and safe cryptocurrency exchange platform that supports multiple deposit types and different digital assets. It is suitable for both advanced and beginner users who are looking to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. CEX.IO LTD, the company behind the exchange, is registered in the United States as a Money Services Business and is licensed by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The exchange has also expanded its services within the US, with MTL licenses that can serve 48 different states.

    CEX.IO is a cryptocurrency exchange that provides users with a level two DSS certificate for added security. However, it is still vulnerable to hackers due to the vast amounts of different currencies stored on the platform. To ensure your cryptocurrency is safe, it is recommended to store it in a secure wallet. Sample secure wallets are MyEtherWallet or Exodus. CEX.IO is a reliable exchange, but users should take extra precautions to protect their digital assets.

    Key Features of CEX.IO

    CEX.IO key features include:

    Margin and Spot Trading. CEX.IO offers trading digital assets with leverage on with their own Broker. Spot trading with place limits and market orders.

    Mobile Application. Download CEX.IO to buy, sell, earn and exchange crypto anywhere and on the go. Their app is available both on Google Play and iOS App Store.

    Trading API. Traders can automate their cryptocurrency trading with CEX.IO’s reliable and stable API.

    Instant Buy using Bank Cards. Credit or Debit Cards are a available option to buy cryptocurrencies on CEX.IO with only just a few clicks.

    Multiple Fiat Currencies Available. There are a lot of available fiat currencies to choose from, so traders will do fewer trades and less fees.

    Key Advantages of CEX.IO

    Customer Support

    CEX.IO provides an extensive support section to help users understand the platform. If you can’t find the answer to your question, the platform offers an easy-to-use email support form to get the help you need.

    Multiple Fiat Currency Choices

    At this exchange, you can trade multiple cryptocurrencies with your preferred fiat currency. With no need to convert to Bitcoin first, you can save on fees by making fewer trades.

    Suitable for Beginners

    CEX.IO offers a user-friendly platform with a clean and clutter-free interface, making it easy to navigate and ideal for beginners. Advanced trading windows are also available, providing a pleasurable experience for all users.

    Margin Trade Options

    Margin trading options can be a risky form of trading, and is not recommended for beginners. If you’re looking to try it out, CEX.IO Broker offers commission-free margin trading options.

    Registered and Secured

    The USA’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has registered the company as a Money Services Business. It has also been awarded a Level Two Data Security Standard (DSS) certificate. CEX.IO security is tested as it has never been hacked before.

    Key Disadvantages of CEX.IO

    Trust in Security

    Even if they have never been hacked before, it is essential to exercise caution when using any exchange. No platform is completely secure. To ensure the safety of your funds, it is recommended to not leave any money on the exchange. This is for both fiat currency or cryptocurrency.

    Which Coins Can You Buy on CEX.IO?

    CEX.IO offers users a wide range of digital assets to buy with either Bitcoin or fiat currency, including 108 cryptocurrencies and 228 trading pairs.

    It is a popular platform for buying and trading cryptocurrencies, offering a wide selection of the most well-known coins and tokens. Users can easily exchange their cryptocurrencies or use fiat money to purchase their desired digital assets.

    Payment Methods, Fiat Currencies, and Fees

    CEX.IO is a great choice for users from many countries, as it accepts a wide range of fiat currencies. Here is the list for their supported fiat currencies:

    • United States dollar (USD)
    • Euro (EUR)
    • Pound Sterling (GBP)
    • Ruble (RUB)

    There are also various payment methods accepted on CEX.IO:

    • VISA
    • MASTERCARD
    • S.W.I.F.T.
    • ACH
    • Faster Payments
    • Sepa
    • QIWI
    • Skrill

    CEX IO EU Limited offers a wide range of payment methods to make it easy for new users, including card processing services for clients from the European Economic Area (EEA).

    They offer competitive trading fees, ranging from 0.25% for market takers and 0.15% for market makers, down to as low as 0.01% and 0% respectively. The fees depend on the amount of crypto assets traded, making it an attractive option for those looking to trade crypto in smaller sums.

    CEX.IO Review: Account Verification

    Here are the various levels of accounts on CEX.IO:

    With each account tier, customers can enjoy additional payment options, higher transaction and withdrawal limits, and other benefits.

    For more advanced users, corporate accounts offer additional features. However, we won’t be delving too deeply into these features here.

    Verified accounts offer many advantages, so even new users may want to reach this tier.

    Basic Accounts

    Create an account with CEX.IO and start trading with Visa or MasterCard. With a basic account, you can deposit fiat currency and start trading right away.

    The recommended maximum and minimum deposit amounts for individual payment methods vary.

    Verified Accounts

    Verifying your identity with CEX.IO is easy and comes with several advantages. To increase your daily deposit and withdrawal limits or withdraw fiat funds, users must complete the verification process. In this CEX.IO review, we’ll explain exactly how to do it and the benefits of having a verified user account.

    How to Get a CEX.IO Verified Account: Stage 1

    Verifying your account with CEX.IO is a straightforward process that requires you to submit some personal information and documents to reach the verified account tier. This is to ensure the company complies with anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) regulations. Read on for our CEX.IO review of the account verification process.

    To ensure a successful upgrade of your CEX.IO account, please follow the steps below carefully. Make sure to submit all the required documents in the correct format, as CEX.IO will reject any requests that do not meet their standards. Failing to do so could mean missing out on a great opportunity to buy or sell a cryptocurrency at a favorable price.

    1. To complete the process, you must provide information from a valid government-issued identification document, such as a passport, ID card, or driver’s license.

    2. Complete the form with your gender, first name, middle name (if applicable), last name, date of birth, place of birth, contact number, and a link to social media profile (optional).

    3. After that, users must enter their residential and permanent addresses. If the two are the same, they can check the box labeled “same as residential” which is located next to the “permanent address” fields.

    4. To verify your identity, submit a scan or photograph of a few identity documents that meet the necessary requirements:

    • The issue date must be in the future (document must be valid on the day it is submitted).
    • Copies of both sides of the document must be submitted.
    • Scanned images must be in full color and in a high resolution.
    • Documents must be in either jpg, gif, png, tiff, or pdf format.
    • The file must be no larger than 15MB.
    • The photograph or scan must be no older than three months.
    • Documents must be completed using the Latin alphabet (a, b, c, d…)

    How to Get a CEX.IO Verified Account: Stage 2

    CEX.IO requires users to submit their identity document, a selfie of themselves holding the document, and a proof of address for verification.

    Accepted government-issued identity documents for the above form include national IDs, passports, and driver’s licenses.

    To ensure a clear and compliant selfie with your identity document, it is recommended to enlist the help of a friend or family member to take the photo. The photograph must meet the following criteria:

    • You must look directly at the camera
    • Use a light or neutral background color 
    • The image must be in full color 
    • No red-eye
    • No hats, sunglasses, headbands, or bandanas should obstruct the view of your face
    • The information on the document must be clearly visible.

    Acceptable proof of residency documents include photographs or scans that include your address (as stated in the verification form). The following will be accepted as a proof of residency document:

    • Utility bill (not a mobile phone, TV contract, or printed internet bills).
    • Electricity bill.
    • Bank statement.
    • Tax return, or council tax bill.

    CEX.IO allows customers to provide other forms of proof of residency, such as utility bills, bank statements, and government-issued documents, as long as they are not electronic bills, online screenshots, mobile phone bills, or credit card statements.

    CEX.IO Review: Advantages of Having a Verified Account

    Verified accounts on CEX.IO offer users access to more payment methods, higher deposit and withdrawal limits, and the ability to withdraw in fiat currencies. This makes verifying an account on CEX.IO an essential step for users who want to make the most of their experience.

    With an account on a higher tier than basic, you can deposit and withdraw funds using bank transfers and any of the supported cryptocurrencies at CEX.IO.

    The higher-tier accounts have no limit on deposits and withdrawals, however, each payment method has its own recommended limits. These limits are not listed here due to their large size.

    CEX.IO Review: Who Should Use CEX.IO?

    Why CEX.IO is Good for Beginners?

    CEX.IO is a great choice for beginners looking to buy and sell digital currency. The user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate, and the support section has many FAQs to help new traders and investors. Advanced buying and selling options are available, but they are not immediately visible, making the process less intimidating. CEX.IO also offers a secure platform with two-factor authentication, and a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and cryptocurrency. With its low fees and reliable customer service, CEX. (Clonazepam) IO is an ideal choice for those just starting out in the world of digital currency.

    Why CEX.IO is Good for Advanced Users? 

    CEX.IO is also a great platform for advanced users looking to buy and sell cryptocurrency. It offers a clean and easy-to-navigate platform with all the buying options you’d expect from an advanced platform. It also allows users to trade on a margin (using borrowed money) and has no limits for verified users. CEX.IO provides a variety of different deposit and withdrawal methods, making it easy to spin up huge profits and withdraw them with no trouble. With its advanced features and secure platform, CEX.IO is the perfect choice for experienced traders looking to make the most of their cryptocurrency investments.

    Conclusion

    CEX.IO is one of the world’s most popular fiat-to-crypto exchanges, offering users multiple digital assets, numerous deposit options, and a user-friendly design. It’s no wonder why CEX.IO has been so successful over the years.

    If you’re looking for an alternative to CEX.IO, you may want to consider Binance or KuCoin, two of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges. Both offer a wide range of features and services, so you can find the right platform for your needs.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • 1inch Exchange, Mooniswap and Chi GasToken: The ultimate review and guide

    1inch Exchange, Mooniswap and Chi GasToken: The ultimate review and guide

    1inch Exchange is a decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator, designed to roll liquidity and pricing from major DEXs into one platform, offering users the cheapest trades, lowest slippage, and access to a wide range of ERC-20 tokens. According to CoinGecko the exchange has support for 152 Coins and 158 trading Pairs and a Total Volume of over US$ 4 billion. We also take a look at the Exchange’s automatic market maker (AMM)-Mooniswap and their Chi GasToken.


    Summary

    • 1inch is a non-custodial DEX aggregator, with all trades being performed within a single transaction from a user’s Ethereum-based wallet.
    • Popular DEXs integrated into the 1inch protocol include Oasis, Kyber Network, Uniswap, Mooniswap, Balancer and many more. This means that users can swap between nearly any kind of ERC-20 token.
    • The native 1INCH token is both a governance and utility token.
    • The platform has its own gas token “Chi” to help users, especially seasoned traders and arbitrageurs, to reduce gas costs for transactions.
    • The 1inch team has also introduced Mooniswap, a next-generation automated market maker (AMM) with virtual balances, enabling liquidity providers to capture profits otherwise captured by arbitrageurs.

    Let’s look at some of 1inch Exchange features in detail.

    Overview

    DEXs have becoming increasingly popular among users with their varied advantages over its centralized counterparts namely self-custody, increased security, listing autonomy and diversity of coins.

    However, some of the major drawbacks come in the form of thin order books with low liquidity leading to high slippage and expensive transaction cancellations. Moreover, as every order gets submitted to the blockchain, anyone can see a transaction before it gets mined. This visibility leaves every trade susceptible to interception as front runners can pay a higher gas price to incentivize the network to mine their transaction first.

    1inch Exchange is a non-custodial DEX aggregator that aims to tackle the issues of the thin order book and front running.

    Users can swap as well as place limit orders for a wide variety of tokens.

    It is designed to roll liquidity and pricing from all major DEXs into one platform therefore trades via 1inch can be split across exchanges, to minimize slippage and provide the best pricing possible for the desired trade. Mooniswap, Oasis, Kyber Network, Uniswap, 0x Relays and others are all integrated into the 1inch protocol.

    The price and liquidity available from each platform are clearly displayed to the user, along with gas fees. This saves the user both time and clicks, avoiding the need to open multiple exchanges and assess the order books. (www.traveltalktours.com)

    How Does 1inch exchange work?

    1inch Exchange was founded in May 2019 by Sergej Kunz and Anton Bukov, two Russian developers who came together to audit smart contracts. Before founding 1inch, the duo participated and won several bounties at hackathons for MakerDAO, Set Protocol, and Kyber Network.

    To get started, visit https://1inch.exchange/

    How to swap tokens

    The 1inch.Exchange will greet you with the following interface with the option to swap tokens:

    Swap tokens
    Swap tokens

    You can choose which different DEXs you want to place your swap offer on. This is the defining feature that gives users access to a much bigger order book than what would otherwise be available on individual DEXs.

    Users connect their Ethereum wallet, by clicking the yellow “Connect Wallet” button. Once connected, users can select which assets they would like to exchange, and the best available rates. They can also toggle on/off specific exchanges, depending on their preferences. Scrolling down, users can also view the exchange rate going at each individual platform, as well as how much it varies from the best price.

    Exchange rate on each platform is displayed
    Exchange rate on each platform is displayed and difference with best price

    After selecting the assets and the amount to swap, to proceed with the trade, click “SWAP NOW”.

    verify your token swap
    Verify your token swap

    A user will then be asked to confirm their trade. Ensure that the details are correct, and then select “VERIFY”.

    approve transaction in wallet
    Approve transaction in wallet

    Finally, the user will need to approve the transaction within their wallet, and the trade will be processed on the blockchain.

    Transaction successful
    Transaction successful

    How to place a limit order

    Users can also choose to place a limit order on 1inch exchange by clicking on the top right option next to swap:

    Place limit order
    Place limit order

    Staking tokens on 1inch

    Moreover, by clicking on the “Earn” tab next to the limit Order, 1inch provides a platform that allows users to stake tokens and collect revenue from several liquidity pools like Aave, Compound, Uniswap, Balancer, Mooniswap, and so on.

    Stake tokens
    Earn feature allows users to stake tokens in various liquidity pools

    Most decentralized applications (dApps) ask users to allow the app to interact with their wallet.

    Because 1inch is a non-custodial application, it needs to continuously interact with various crypto wallets. 

    1inch calls has integrated a feature called “infinity unlock,” which once unlocked, allows trading activity to occur unhinged. This saves in gas fees each time the application calls to verify an unlock. For power users who interact with DeFi protocols, this can ultimately save them a lot of money.

    1inch Exchange fees

    1inch exchange does not charge any withdrawal fees. The only fee is a network fee which is charged by the exchange the user is routing through (e.g. Uniswap, Kyber Network etc), the amount of which depends on the gas price at the time of transaction execution. Since this fee is charged by the other exchange, 1inch does not actually benefit from this fee in any way. However, users do have the option of saving gas fees by using 1inch’s Chi GasToken.

    1INCH token: What is it?

    On 26th December 2020, the independent Board of the 1inch Foundation released the 1INCH token.

    Free tokens are being distributed to the community to celebrate the launch of 1INCH token. Wallets that have interacted with 1inch until 12:00a.m. on 24th December 2020 (UTC) will get 1INCH tokens provided that 1 of the 3 conditions have been met: (1) at least 1 trade before 15th September 2020; (2) at least 4 trades in total; or (3) trades for a total of at least USD$20.

    The token is both a governance and utility token. As a governance token, 1INCH will be used to govern its network protocols and thus allowing it to be governed under the Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO) model.

    To catch up with the farming phase, 1inch has also started a new liquidity mining program with 6 liquidity pools (1INCH-ETH, 1INCH-DAI, 1INCH-WBTC, 1INCH-USDC, 1INCH-USDT and 1INCH-YFI). This is to bootstrap the 1inch Liquidity Protocol by using the 1INCH token as a utility connector token. To incentivise people to participate, 1INCH tokens will be distributed to users that provide liquidity to these pools. Furthermore, during the first 2 weeks of this program (i.e. until 9th January 2021) an additional 0.5% of 1INCH’s total supply will be distributed to liquidity providers.

    1INCH tokenomics

    The current total supply is 1.5 billion 1INCH tokens.

    On 26th December 2020 (i.e. launch day), 6% of the total supply will be issued. Other tokens will continue to be released over time as follows:

    • 30% has been allocated to community incentives which will be unlocked and distributed over 4 years.
    • 14.5% will go towards protocol growth and a development fund, also to be unlocked over a 4-year period.

    Is 1inch Exchange safe?

    1inch Exchange is a non-custodial DEX aggregator. This means your cryptocurrencies are not held by the Exchange at any time, unlike some centralised exchanges where your cryptocurrencies are stored in their wallets for trading. It is also worth noting that 1inch Exchange so far has a spotless record of not suffering any hacks or vulnerabilities so far.

    Chi GasToken

    Chi Gastoken, known as “Chi” was launched by 1inch in June 2020.

    The innovative project placed first at DeFi’s “Hack Money” event in May 2020 and was made available to users thereafter.

    Gas is similar to fees banks charge on money transfers. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to predict the exact size of the gas fee due to market volatility. You can monitor the Ethereum network’s gas fee on a daily basis on Eth Gas Station.

    What is the Chi GasToken? Does it really help save transaction fees?

    The Chi GasToken is an ERC20 token meant to be used on 1inch exchange to pay transaction costs. Chi is pegged to the Ethereum network’s gas price. When the gas price is low, the Chi price is also low, and the vice-versa.

    The idea is similar to the GasToken token concept but with some improvements: Buying (minting) Chi saves you 1% in comparison to minting GasToken (GST2). Whereas the selling (burning) of Chi saves you 10%, compared with GST2.

    Mooniswap: What is it?

    Automated market makers (AMM) are smart contracts that create a liquidity pool of ERC20 tokens, which are automatically traded by an algorithm rather than an order book. This effectively replaces a traditional limit order-book with a system where assets can be automatically swapped against the pool’s latest price.

    Unfortunately, traders conducting front-running can steal from liquidity providers by trading on the price swings making this problem undeniably important.

    In August 2020, the 1inch team released their novel automated market maker (AMM), Mooniswap. This new AMM can keep most of the slippage revenue in the pool by maintaining virtual balances for different swap directions. When a swap happens, a market maker does not automatically apply the invariant algorithm and displays the new prices for upcoming trades. The AMM improves exchange rates for arbitrage traders slowly, over approximately a 5-minute time period. As a result, arbitragers can collect only a portion of slippage, while the rest remain in the pool shared among liquidity providers. By such a delay in price updates, the market maker creates a highly competitive environment for arbitrageurs forcing them to perform trades at less profitable prices, which in turn add value to the liquidity providers.

    The team has done multiple simulations of Mooniswap performance based on real-world data and compared the results with Uniswap V2. Below, you can find the charts that display trading volume, cumulative price slippage, the income of Uniswap V2 liquidity providers, along with the prediction of Mooniswap liquidity providers income.

    comparison of uniswap and mooniswap income
    Comparison of Uniswap V2 LP income with potential Mooniswap LP income on different pools

    On average Mooniswap is expected to generate 50% to 200% more income for liquidity providers than Uniswap V2 due to redirection of price slippage profits.

    Conclusion: Pros and cons of 1inch Exchange

    Here are some pros and cons of 1inch exchange based on our user experiences:

    Pros

    • The Exchange’s interface is very clear and intuitive with a good track record without any hacks so far.
    • 1inch exchange does not charge any withdrawal fees, except for the network fee.
    • Liquidity is a significant issue on decentralized exchanges. Not only is liquidity low on DEXes in general, but this liquidity is further fragmented across several different DEXes, worsening the problem making large-volume trades susceptible to significant slippage. 1inch solves this by splitting orders across exchanges yet keeping the trade within one transaction.
    • Chi GasTokens help users, especially those who trade on a daily basis and arbitrageurs, to reduce gas costs for their transactions.
    • Their novel automated market maker (AMM) used in Mooniswap capitalizes on user slippages and protects traders from front-running attacks.

    Cons

    • Even with helpful tutorials by the 1inch team, there is still a steep learning curve to make use of the many features the Exchange has to offer. New crypto investors are restricted from trading in this platform since it does not accept any deposit method other than cryptos.
    • The infinity unlock feature might act as a potential point of attack for hackers. Even though unlocking transactions one at a time is slightly more expensive, it is more secure as users aren’t always linked to the protocol should it be compromised.
    • We have seen the dominance of Uniswap grow tremendously over a small time period. If a single DEX ends up becoming far more significant than its competitors, the role of DEX aggregators could diminish.

    In conclusion, we find that the benefits of the 1inch Exchange far outweigh the drawbacks as it attempts to solve some of the direst issues plaguing the growth of the DeFi ecosystem. The platform is definitely geared towards traders with a bit more experience, particularly those who trade the major cryptocurrencies and across multiple DEXs. Over time as users overcome the initial learning curve and user experience improves in this industry, 1inch might emerge as one of the most important trading platforms for the rapidly expanding DEX ecosystem.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.