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  • E-money ($NGM): Rethinking stablecoins?

    E-money ($NGM): Rethinking stablecoins?

    e-Money is aiming to reimagine the stablecoin. Traditional stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a value that is pegged to a particular asset. But this has its drawbacks- for example, sudden market crashes of the underlying asset can result in the stablecoin being unable to keep up and maintain its peg.

    e-Money distinguishes itself with its novel token- an interest bearing stablecoin that can shift in value to accommodate economic pressures.

    Check out our interview with CTO Henrik Aasted Sørensen:

    Currency-backed Stablecoin: E-money (NGM) w. Henrik Aasted Sørensen

    Background

    The team behind e-Money is Block Finance A/S while their motive is to create a platform that can bridge blockchain with the traditional financial system. This way, stablecoins can find a stronger use case and attract greater adoption as it promises an alternative means of exchange, free from the interference of financial middlemen or large institutions.

    The platform is built on top of the Cosmos chain, which is also the same network where some of the biggest decentralized exchanges are developed. Furthermore, e-Money promises a faster, easier, and cheaper method of making peer-to-peer transactions worldwide.

    What is e-Money?

    e-Money is a blockchain-based payment platform that aims to make peer-to-peer payments and money transfers cheaper and more accessible digitally. With e-Money, Block Finance A/S intends to do away with the intermediaries present in most traditional financial services by introducing ‘currency-backed’ stablecoins.

    Later in this article, we will talk about the difference between this token class, as well as algorithmic and collateralized stablecoins. Basically, eMoney’s own currency-backed stablecoins serve as the backbone of e-Money’s frictionless digital asset for cross-border transactions.

    The team behind e-Money established the coin to usher in a new model for stablecoins that has the following characteristics:

    • Completely backed with actual bank deposits and government bonds;
    • Can support multiple currencies;
    • Lower transaction charges;
    • Quick transaction settlement times; and
    • Interest-bearing.

    How does the e-money stablecoin work:?

    e-Money is an innovation from the original concept modeled for collateralized stablecoins. One of its differences, however, is that it can hold interest. This is similar to how savings accounts in traditional banks work, making them a viable alternative store of value compared to other stablecoins that also fluctuate based on the movements of the whole crypto market.

    Bank reserve v Currency-backed tokens
    Bank reserve v Currency-backed tokens

    e-Money’s currency-backed token does not ensure a 1:1 peg with the fiat it represents. Instead, its price depends on the value held by the currency plus the interest accrued on the reserves of e-Money on the represented fiat.

    Annually, the supply of the e-Money token will be inflated by 1%. And unlike algorithmic stablecoins, the value of a currency-backed stablecoin does not depend on the need to manage its overall supply, monitor the performance of its underlying reserve, or collect transaction fees.

    Features of e-Money

    Cosmos and Tendermint Deployment

    e-Money is developed on top of the Cosmos chain, making it interoperable with other blockchain ecosystems. However, e-Money’s system maintains its independence from other chains through the implementation of a ‘sovereign zone.’

    Cosmos is used to enable inter-blockchain communication (IBC), a feature known to many as the ‘internet of blockchains.’ Through the Cosmos Hub, e-Money’s platform can frictionlessly interact with other blockchain networks should they need to be implemented on different platforms.

    Tendermint deployment is also another remarkable feature of the platform as it helps achieve faster transaction settlement times without compromising data integrity and security through a Proof of Stake consensus mechanism.

    Validator Network

    Since the platform secures blockchain consensus through stakers, validator networks are put in place to ensure the security of the network. Therefore, e-Money implements the validator service accessible in the Cosmos Hub and IRISnet’s IRIS Hub.

    The main task of validators is to confirm the authenticity of blockchain transactions involving e-Money, as well as to ensure the integrity and health of the whole network. Currently, there are already over 40 validators working to maintain the security of the platform.

    e-Money’s Decentralized Exchange

    Along with the currency-backed stablecoin, e-Money also has a decentralized exchange platform where users can access cryptocurrencies available in the Cosmos ecosystem.

    It bears some differences from a typical decentralised exchange (DEX). Here are some of them:

    • Payments needed for trades are only for transaction fees;
    • Transaction fees can be paid with your preferred token;
    • There are no listing requirements to use the DEX, any token is already tradeable once supported by the platform;
    • Higher liquidity since token balances can be sold on different orders; and
    • Faster transaction throughput through an on-demand block generation method.

    Risk Management

    To manage the risks that are likely to be experienced by stablecoin holders, e-Money implements an interest mechanism that helps its currency-backed stablecoin maintain its value despite economic fluctuations.

    To further mitigate the risks of partnering with single financial institutions to back their stablecoins, e-Money is collaborating with several banks. This spreads the risk that most collateralized stablecoins face when dealing with escrow accounts. e-Money is also putting a portion of their collateral into low-risk government bonds.

    Regulatory concerns are also dealt with. In fact, e-Money’s team has already begun working with regulatory agencies in the EU to determine their status and plan their road ahead. They have legal counsels and advisors who are directly working on EU financial regulations.

    Cosmos stacks, like e-Money, have already been audited and subjected to adversarial testnets. This ensures that the risk of users experiencing a problem with the platform is mitigated even before they are rolled out.

    2 e-Money Tokens

    There are two token classes supported on the e-Money platform. They are (1) Next Generation of Money (NGM); and (2) e-Money, a currency-backed stablecoin, which is a fiat currency represented onchain.

    Next Generation of Money (NGM) Tokens

    NGM token is primarily used for staking, as well as a reward incentive for users. Users can lock their NGM tokens on smart contracts for staking, or use them to nominate validators they trust to maintain the network. Annually, the NGM supply will be inflated by 10%, and then distributed proportionally to stakers.

    NGM tokens will also be the backbone of e-Money’s operations, with token rewards being the only source of funding for the platform.

    NGM token
    NGM token

    e-Money Tokens

    e-Money, its currency-backed stablecoin, can represent several cryptocurrencies. Its main function is to support the exchange of currencies between e-Money users. They can be used for payments, remittances, and transaction fees.

    Supported fiat currencies will have their own representation on the e-Money platform. These are currencies like EUR, CHF, SEK, NOK, JPY, USD, and GBP. Support for more tokens will be introduced soon.

    e-Money token class
    e-Money token class

    e-Money Token Metrics

    The NGM token has an initial total supply of 100,000,000 $NGM and a circulating supply of 6,364,516 $NGM.

    Funding Rounds

    Seed Round (concluded) :2,285,000 NGM sold at 0.10 USD per token. 12 months vesting period.*

    Private Sale (concluded): 6,700,000 NGM sold at 0.25 USD per token. 6 months vesting period.*

    Public Sale (on 19th January 2021): 300,000 NGM to be sold at 0.50 USD per token. No vesting period.*

    *The initial vesting date was 4th November 2020 at 1:00pm CET.

    Token allocation

    Marketing Costs: 280,000 NGM (0.28% of total supply)

    Market Making Fees: 33,333 NGM. (0.033% of total supply)

    Exchange Listing Fees: 600,000 NGM. (0.60% of total supply)

    Liquidity Provisioning (Float): 1,193,026 NGM. (11.9% of total supply)

    Customer Acquisition: 8,300,000 NGM. 8.3% of total supply)

    Ecosystem Fund (Grants): 10,000,000 NGM. (10% of total supply)

    Treasury: 60,000,000 NGM. (60% of total supply)

    e-Money Token Sale

    On 19th January 2021 at 12:00 CET, e-Money will launch the public sale of its NGM token on Polkastarter. This will be in the form of an Initial Decentralised exchange Offering (IDO). 300,000 NGM tokens will be available for sale at USD$0.50 each.

    Conclusion

    Stablecoins currently on the market have huge drawbacks. Problems with collateralization and the performance of their underlying assets can cause uncertainty on their value. For instance, MakerDAO’s DAI had encountered some problems when ETH crashed last March 2020, creating difficulties in maintaining its peg.

    e-Money is proposing a potentially promising alternative. By being collateralized in its issuing currency and interest-bearing, they are resilient against the at-times volatile economic climate. It is also simplified as its underlying fiat reserve is calculated automatically, and transparent with the help of quarterly audits by Ernst & Young to ensure Proof of Funds.

    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.

  • Vortex DeFi ($VTX): One-stop Gateway to DeFi

    Vortex DeFi ($VTX): One-stop Gateway to DeFi

    Vortex DeFi ($VTX) aims to provide users a one-stop access to all leading decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and protocols from a single web-based user interface.

    Decentralized Finance (DeFi) has evolved from a niche subcategory to the biggest catalyst driving the cryptocurrency and blockchain field today. It’s primarily focused on the Ethereum network, which has the majority of the DeFi share. There are, however, a large number of core DeFi protocols, combinators, and countless forks. All of this can become confusing fast.

    Fortunately, users don’t have to delve into the complex workings and nuances of these protocols, which can be overwhelming even for long-term users. Vortex DeFi is introduced to simplify the access and exposure to the sector. It has integrations with different protocols, which abstracts away the complexity in a simple and yet intuitive interface, to level the playing field and ensure greater participation.

    Background

    Vortex DeFi launched in Aug 2020 through a private investment round. It accrued interest and funding from X21 Digital, DuckDao, Moonrock Capital, Magnus Capital, Pluto Digital Assets PLC, Faculty Capital, A195 Capital, etc. A public sale will be held soon.

    It has a multicultural team, led by CEO Rahul Singh and strategic advisor Lester Lim. The other prominent team members are technical lead Arun Sunil and product lead Shaz. All team members have previous experiences in market-leading companies and blockchain projects.

    What is Vortex DeFi?

    Vortex DeFi is a web-based DeFi management system or a comprehensive DeFi aggregative solution platform, serving as a bridge between Ethereum and Polkadot. It combines the functionality and power of core protocols in a sleek dashboard to allow users of all categories to engage in yield farming. The core services provided are NFT asset management, lending and borrowing, insurance, and exchange.

    Vortex DeFi will also utilize the yEarn finance protocol to access and extract value from various lending protocols to enable automated profitable yield farming. The added advantage of cross-chain compatibility ensures that users don’t have to choose between two promising blockchains. Vortex DEFI also has several components, taking the guesswork and experimentation out of the process.

    Vortex DEFI – Components

    Vortex Ecosystem (Source: Vortex DeFi wesbite)

    V-Swap

    Being the Uniswap or Bancor equivalent of Vortex, V-Swap will offer an automated digital assets exchange on the Ethereum and Polkadot blockchain. It’s likely to offer liquidity aggregation from multiple sources, so a peer to peer exchange of tokens can be performed without a direct counterparty or orderbook.

    V-Pay

    It will offer a fiat gateway for users, so they can acquire and sell crypto assets from FIAT, in their cards or bank accounts. This is required for onboarding new users, as well as ensuring that they have a way for realizing their returns.

    V-Yield

    A yield aggregator as the name goes, V-Yield will combine yield from different sources and optimize them according to the best return rate. It will spare users from the trouble of manually finding sources and having the need to rotate them.

    V-NFTs

    An asset management, V-NFTs will allow users to manage their asset collection and swap them for each other. Given that NFTs are an illiquid asset class and their infrastructure is scattered, it’s hugely important to develop a unified interface.

    V-Insure

    DeFi protocols are rife with exploits and smart contract risks. Therefore, to onboard new users and even to retain existing ones, it’s necessary to grant them peace of mind by ensuring the protection of their funds. V-Insure will seek to insure user funds by seeking out integrations with multiple DeFi insurance protocols.

    Vortex DEFI Native Token ($VTX)

    The native token of the platform is Vortex DeFi Token ($VTX), ERC-20 token, which will be used to incentivize users. It has four purposes:

    1. Liquidity pools (LP) rewards are distributed in VTX
    2. Usage for staking on the platform.
    3. Holding VTX tokens allows users to save on the platform fees
    4. The team has announced plans to regularly buy tokens and burn them every quarter to reduce supply and increase the value of existing tokens.

    All of these benefits and value accrual mechanisms will motivate users to hold tokens, in anticipation of rising demand and prices.

    $VTX Token Metrics

    The VTX token has a total supply of 100M $VTX and an initial circulating supply of $0.4M $VTX.

    $VTX Tokenomics (Source: Vortex DeFi Litepaper)

    Funding Rounds

    Private Sale (concluded): 32,500,000 VTX sold at 0.0276 USD per token.(25% TGE, 75% vesting over 120 days)

    Public Sale (on 28 February 2021): 2,500,000 VTX to be sold at 0.04 USD per token. No vesting period.*

    Advantages of Vortex DeFi

    The platform offers users the advantages of a unified DeFi management dashboard, the ability to fuse several protocols together offering a seamless experience with abstracted complexity, powerful lend and earn functionality, automated rotation of funds for optimized returns, non-custodial function, and insurance against loss of funds.

    Vortex DEFI Connected Protocols

    Vortex DeFi connected protocols (source: ‘Introducing Vortex DeFi Beta & Access to the Vortex of DeFi‘ medium article)

    Vortex DEFI will have integrations with several key DEFI protocols, including but not limited to Maker DAO, Compound, Kava, Idle, Aave, Yearn, Uniswap, Nexus Mutual, Curve. This will allow for a powerful user experience, which is likely to improve penetration of decentralized finance.

    Vortex Vision

    The team hopes that Vortex will become the top one-stop solution for a user’s DeFi needs and allow them to simplify their experience. Vortex hopes to make financial applications accessible and simple for all users, regardless of their technical expertise. It will also allow saving on transaction fees (gas) by batching and combining transactions.

    Vortex can also enhance the decentralization level of DeFi protocols by ensuring broad participation and an increase in user activity. Furthermore, it will feature the DAAS (DeFi-As-A-Service) business model. Currently, the product is in development and more changes are expected as the platform launch draws near.

    Conclusion

    DEFI was founded on the principle of openness, equal opportunity, transparency, trustlessness, lack of centralized control, fast processing, and lego-like composability. It is generally presented as a superior alternative to the traditional financial system, which differs heavily from the principles of the crypto community and disallows these services to a large number of people.

    On the other hand, DeFi is accessible to almost everyone with an internet connection and a personal computing device or smartphone. However, primitive user interfaces and experiences of the existing DeFi protocols were a problem. Thankfully, Vortex will overlap the strong functionality of these protocols with an amazing and simple interface.

    Currently, there is a lack of dashboard-style platforms connected to multiple DEFI protocols, aggregating their services and offering a one-stop solution. All of this is about to change with the Vortex launch, which is likely to onboard a large number of new users as well as provide a novel interesting solution to the existing ones.

    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.

  • Polygon ($MATIC): can it solve Ethereum’s scaling challenges?

    Polygon ($MATIC): can it solve Ethereum’s scaling challenges?

    The Ethereum network has immensely pushed the boundaries of blockchain technology more than Bitcoin ever had, especially in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, where hundreds of different projects have been able to leverage the flexibility and effectiveness of the host blockchain.

    Unfortunately, the slow transaction speeds and high costs are significantly limiting the performance of Ethereum-based projects to the point that some of them are migrating to alternative chains like Solana and Binance Smart Chain. Yet the vast majority of applications still hold on to Ethereum, waiting for Ethereum 2.0 to fully scale the network.

    Ethereum is in dire need of a scaling solution that can speed up the blockchain’s throughput. Thankfully, Polygon is working on one of such solutions that would see the load on the Ethereum blockchain eased on parallel child chains.

    Background

    Polygon started out as Matic Network, a blockchain solution intended to speed up blockchain transactions and make them more accessible to the general public. Later on, the company refocused its objectives on the Ethereum network to furnish it with layer two scaling solutions. The name Polygon came along with the branding.

    The startup was founded by four Indian technologists, Jaynti Kanani, Anurag Arjun, and Sandeep Nailwal, who had a similar vision of a future where machines and humans interacted freely. The three entrepreneurs agreed that blockchain technology is a vital tool for achieving such a society.

    The trio was later joined by a Serbian tech maximalist and Ethereum enthusiast, Mihailo Bjelic. In a seed round announced on the 1st of August, 2019, Polygon received funding from MiH ventures through Crunchbase. Version 1 of Polygon’s SDK was scheduled to be released in March of 2021.

    What is Polygon ($MATIC)?

    Polygon is a framework that allows Ethereum-based applications to bypass the low throughput, high gas fees, and poor interface of Ethereum while still enjoying its support

    Polygon’s main component is its software development kit (SDK). The SDK is a flexible structure that allows projects to develop different sidechains that suit their needs. Necessary support is provided so that the alternate chains can interact effectively with Ethereum’s main chain.

    By arming developers with flexible and easy-to-use tools, Polygon accelerates the transformation of Ethereum into a multi-chain ecosystem. Its users would be able to create Optimistic rollup chains, ZK rollup chains, and other types of sidechains.

    But beyond being a mere framework, the Polygon platform is focused on connecting blockchains with one another, as well as the Ethereum blockchain itself.

    Advantages of Polygon

    The major benefit of Polygon is scalability, which the crypto space is in dire need of today considering that it takes forever for transactions to be verified on the Ethereum network, especially if you try to decrease the gas fees. Dapp developers have to pay so much in gas fees that it curtails their development and affects their offering to users.

    And this is the pain point that Polygon aims to ease, and they are on their way to scale the Ethereum network.

    Polygon Matic solution
    Polygon’s solution to the challenges facing Ethereum (Image credit: Polygon)

    Polygon for Developers

    Developers can build a network of scalable side chains to the Ethereum blockchain through Polygon; one with independent consensus algorithms on a more developer-friendly, Web Assembly (WASM) environment.

    Developers would be encouraged to build more and advance the general direction of the crypto industry, especially the DeFi sector. Polygon’s SDK does not require developers to have blockchain expertise. In fact, knowledge of these protocols is unnecessary in building from its SDK.

    Users would also benefit tremendously with more easy-to-use interfaces, near-instantaneous transactions, and low costs. If well-executed, this will likely propel the growth of Ethereum dapps to astronomical levels and will push the boundaries of crypto to include the masses outside the industry.

    Support, Flexibility, and Security

    Polygon permits incredible flexibility for the development of chains.

    Its modular nature allows developers to assemble products at unrivalled speeds. The easy assembly will also accelerate dapp development, effectively shortening the interval between the conception and deployment of blockchain products.

    Support would also be provided for easy interaction with users, as well as external systems. Token exchange, contract calls, and communication with oracles are also supported on Polygon. Furthermore, the products would be easily upgradeable.

    All these and more will be possible on Polygon without compromising on security. In fact, developers would be free to choose their approach to secure their platforms, using the modular “security as a service” feature on the Polygon framework.

    Above all, all products developed on Polygon would be compatible with Ethereum.

    Polygon Chains

    During the days of Polygon’s Matic network, an Ethereum sidechain that uses the Plasma framework was the landmark of its offering. The Plasma framework allowed sidechains to run independently, only interacting with the main blockchain when it was necessary.

    Polygon’s new platform sees it advance with the demands of the market by offering different chain networks that are attuned to Ethereum’s blockchain. And these are: stand-alone chains and secured chains.

    Stand-alone Chains

    Stand-alone chains have security autonomy, with each chain being responsible for its own security. Such chains have the freedom to choose their own validation methods. They can establish a personal pool of validators who ensure the authenticity of transactions directly on the blockchain.

    Polygon stand-alone chains
    Polygon stand-alone chains (Image credit: Polygon lightpaper)

    Secured Chains

    On the other hand, secured chains involve outsourcing the platform’s security to a third party. The third-party can be Ethereum itself, with its fraud-proof and validity proof pools. There are other independent, professional pools of validators that offer security as a service as well.

    Overall, secured chains often enjoy more reliable and tighter security even if they might have to sacrifice some independence.

    Polygon secured chains
    Polygon secured chains (Image credit: Polygon lightpaper)

    MATIC token

    MATIC is the only native token of Polygon, it is used to pay transaction fees and participate in Polygon’s proof-of-stake consensus mechanism.

    Conclusion

    Polygon’s vision is to launch whole blockchains that are scalable, secure, and have amazing interfaces, allowing decentralized applications to have an alternative platform to carry out transactions while enjoying the security and support of the Ethereum network.

    Meanwhile, the Ethereum dev community is also continuously working on the Ethereum 2.0 project (Serenity), which seeks to ultimately scale its blockchain to unimaginable capacities even beyond Visa and Mastercard.

    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.

  • O3 Swap: A Cross Chain Aggregration Procotol

    O3 Swap: A Cross Chain Aggregration Procotol

    Introduction

    O3 Swap, a cross-chain aggregation protocol, helps to assist multi-chain liquidity sources on ONE platform. It finds the best prices across multiple chains through its O3 Swap and O3 Hub. With no limits and hidden fees, O3 Swap is the next Trivago comparison site in crypto form. 

    What problem is O3 Swap trying to solve?

    Anyone remember the days we needed to barter, a system of exchange in which one party directly trades goods or services for other goods or services without using a medium of exchange, like fiat money? This leads to tons of problems as both products or services might actually have different values even with the same quantities given. This theory applies to the cryptocurrency system too.

    As the traditional Blockchain network is standalone and does not interfere with other blockchain networks, it is tough and difficult for the investors to carry out transactions in between. 

    This is where a cross-chain protocol comes in and breaks the glass ceiling. 

    Background of O3 Swap

    O3 Swap Cross chain aggregation protocol

    O3 Labs has developed a cross-chain aggregation protocol, named O3 Swap. The aim of O3 Swap is to offer customers access to cryptocurrency-based financial services by allowing them to exchange, or “swap,” various digital assets within their O3 Wallet. The tight security and safety systems used in O3 Swap have excelled in the decentralized system of cryptocurrencies. 

    On their official website, you can find out a few of the liquidity sources O3 Swap supports; Uniswap, SushiSwap, Curve, Balancer, Bancor, 1inch, Paraswap, and 0x Protocol are on the Ethereum blockchain; PancakeSwap. DODO, MDEX, BakerySwap, ApeSwap, BSCswap, and JulSwap are on Binance Smart Chain; Flamingo, Nash, and Switcheo are on Neo; MDEX, LAVAswap, Depth, and Chocoswap are on Huobi system.

    Cryptocurrency enthusiasts use O3 Swap as the cross-chain aggregation protocol to access liquidity outlets from different networks, making it simpler than ever to find the best rates. This single platform eases the complexity and hassle of transacting different cryptocurrencies with the lowest rates, no limit, and no hidden fees.

    O3 Swap integration with other blockchains

    A framework layer and a settlement layer make up what O3 Swap is. The O3 Wallet, O3 Swap, and payment function are the first steps. The O3 aggregator and cross-chain protocol are the seconds. Furthermore, O3 Swap has an automatic market maker, order book, and money market features to offer liquidity. Lastly, there is an O3 Swaps platform layer for a service API that can be combined with a variety of other applications.

    Features of O3 Swap

    O3 Swap’s main technical components are the exchange aggregators (O3 Aggregator) and cross-chain pool (O3 Hub). O3 Aggregators are used to help users find the most cost-effective exchange prices and routes in the network of sought-after blockchains. Whereas, O3 Hub uses the PolyNetwork to provide cross-chain transaction facilities, allowing consumers to perform liquidity by using a single token from several chains to earn money from cross-chain transaction fees and O3 incentives.

    O3 Swap Features
    1. O3 Swap is created using DeFi standards. As a result, everybody will be able to use it. With its aggregation protocol, users will not only benefit from low cross-chain exchange rates, but they will also be able to engage in the governance model, which is built on the O3 Swap Token.
    2. O3 Swap is permissionless, anti-censorship and non-KYC. It means that anybody can access O3 Swap anywhere, anytime without the need for permission of any party.
    3. O3 Swap aggregates the liquidity of multiple chains on its own single network. At the cheapest possible rate, crypto investors can exchange assets through the most efficient trading route by linking their own decentralized wallets.
    4. O3 Swap creates a community-based growth community. It develops decentralized governance and intense community development among the cryptocurrency market players. 
    5. O3 Swap utilizes the cross-chain exchange system to the top-notch level. Using the aggregation protocol puts forward all tested and potential cross-chain solutions to let the crypto lovers freely trade their desired assets with a single tap without any hassle. 

    O3 Swap Token

    O3 Swap Token (O3) is a token used by the O3 Swap platform. It acts as a vital link in the development of the O3 Swap network. Via token community governance, both members and developers are invited to engage in the overall ecological network based on the O3 Swap economic model.

    O3 Swap workflow

    There are 3 methods to earn O3 Swap token in the O3 Swap economic model. Users will first get airdrops by participating in early product testing and community contributions. The second method is that they can use O3 Swap to acquire exchange mining earnings. The final method is through contributing liquidity to the Hub (cross-chain pool) in order to get O3 incentives. When O3 is gained in one of the three ways listed above, it is locked. To unlock the O3 in the account, users must offer liquidity with O3 trading pairings to the main DEXs. The unlocked O3 has 3 main advantages: 

    1. Member rights: Stake O3 token to obtain interest and transaction discounts allocated by the O3 Swap treasury.
    2. Community governance: Users can participate in community governance by staking O3 token to initiate proposals, participate in voting, etc.
    3. LP staking: Users can use O3 token to synthesize liquidity equity proof (LP), which can be used for unlocking and mining.

    All transaction fees from O3 Swap, on the other hand, will be utilised to purchase back O3 token in open markets on a regular basis. Then the fees will be paid proportionally to O3 stakeholders and development committees.

    How to use O3 Swap

    Consumers may use the protocol by going to the Swap page on O3 Swap official website. Select it from the exchange section. The user must then bind their wallet (MetaMask, O3 Wallet, NeoLine) in order to choose the token they want to exchange. By clicking the “RFQ” button after entering a number, the user may see the transaction data. Users will validate their transactions and change the network charge accordingly. Also, the time of transaction confirmation may take longer than usual, depending on different network speeds. 

    O3 Hub

    O3 Hub is technically a big pool of the collected assets across the multiple assets in the platform. It is a cross-chain asset pool, such as a stable coin pool, and a cross-chain protocol built on the Poly Network. To earn O3 incentives, liquidity providers can deposit one or more funds into the cross-chain pool and stake the LP shares. Only stable currency cross-chain exchanges and liquidity provision are required throughout the testing period.

    The usage method is identical to O3 Swap. Users just need to choose their tokens, add or delete liquidity. Users must choose the “Deposit” or “Withdraw” option to validate a transaction. 

    IDO Launch

    On May 12th, 2021, O3 Swap had its public sale.

    O3 Swap roadmap

    This shows the aggressive innovation and determination for O3 Swap to disrupt the traditional cryptocurrency market as soon as possible. According to the roadmap, they have achieved the launch of the official website, released the Neo swap module, and published O3 Swap Litepaper in Quarter 1 of 2021. They soon will succeed in supporting ETH and BSC swaps, and be ready for O3 Version 1 online that allows the crypto users to enjoy all the perks in a more wholesome and comprehensive way.

    A decentralized autonomous association (DAO) will be formed by the end of the year 2021. O3 Swap’s aggregation protocol will have been implemented on Layer 2 networks. The whole O3 Hub development across the network will be completed by then. 

    In 2022, Version 2 of O3 Swap will make its debut with the support of instant quotes and pending orders. It will also launch cross-chain 2.0 and release the O3 network. 

    Conclusion

    According to O3 Swap, it is created in reaction to an immediate issue on the Ethereum blockchain: network congestion and low scalability. While alternative networks for retail investors have emerged, DeFi is still unable to realize its full potential due to barriers between blockchains. This project aspires to have the winning approach that will put an end to network seclusion.

    O3 Swap is changing the game so that every cryptocurrency enthusiast can enjoy the interchange between different blockchains freely. At the same time, they can enjoy the best price quote from more than 10 DEXs to optimize their best rates for the “swap”. 

    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. (https://unitedwepledge.org 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.

  • FxPro Exchange Review (2023): An Excellent Platform For Those Who Don’t Want to Hold Actual Cryptocurrencies

    FxPro Exchange Review (2023): An Excellent Platform For Those Who Don’t Want to Hold Actual Cryptocurrencies

    FxPro is an unconventional yet reliable cryptocurrency exchange platform, as evidenced by its positive user reviews. This review will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether FxPro is the right trading platform for you.

    Sign up here to get started

    What is FxPro?

    FxPro is a leading provider of contracts for difference (CFD) and spread betting services in the U.K. Founded in 2006, the company has executed more than 445 million orders and is headquartered in London. In 2017, FxPro was voted the U.K.’s most trusted forex brand by Global Brands Magazine, making it a reliable choice for traders. With its competitive spreads, fast execution speeds, and wide range of trading instruments, FxPro is the perfect choice for those looking for a reliable and secure trading experience.

    This platform is a trusted and reliable broker operating in more than 170 countries and providing services to over 2,188,000 client accounts. It is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, FSCA, and SCB and has €100 million of tier 1 capital. FxPro offers a wide range of products and services, including forex, CFDs, and spread betting, to meet the needs of all types of traders. The company is committed to providing a secure and transparent trading environment, with competitive spreads, fast execution, and 24/5 customer support.

    Key Features of FxPro

    Here are some core features of FxPro:

    • Negative Balance Protection for a customer on a real account is a one-of-a-kind broker service. It has an automated transaction monitoring system and a risk management system, and the capital is assured not to slip into a negative balance.
    • Client money is insured at the expense of the broker’s investment in an investor compensation fund.
    • Beginners will have access to tested advisors.
    • Regardless of his account balance, the client has access to a comprehensive set of services.
    • VIP account users are given a personal manager and a free VPS.
    • The capital of the corporation approaches 100 million euros.
    • Offers swap-free accounts to customers whose religious convictions prohibit them from trading, for example. Islamic merchants
    • The solid trading environment given by the professional education and research department.

    Key Advantages of FxPro

    Let’s address this right now and look at the available good aspects of the arrangement.

    FxPro – Not an Actual Cryptocurrency Exchange

    FxPro is a stock and commodity brokerage that is slowly opening its doors to cryptocurrency assets. With the traditional stock market becoming increasingly volatile due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more investors are turning to crypto assets as a more stable option for investing. FxPro reviews are still mainly focused on its primary services, but the platform is becoming increasingly attractive for crypto investors. The platform offers a range of services, including trading, investing, and portfolio management, and is a great option for those looking to diversify their investments.

    FxPro, a mainstream stock trading platform, has recently started offering crypto trading options. However, users can only trade CFDs – Contracts for Difference – rather than actual crypto assets. CFDs are a way to invest and speculate on an asset’s price without actually buying the asset. This feature is great for those who aren’t interested in creating or buying a separate crypto wallet and learning the intricacies of cryptocurrency management, but would still like to try and capitalize on the market at their own leisure. FxPro offers a viable solution for those who want to make money from the volatile crypto market without having to manage their own crypto assets.

    One of the Internet’s Most Reliable and Secure Brokerage Sites

    FxPro is a veteran among traditional brokerage sites, having been in business since 2006. It is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and offers many different assurances to its customers in terms of security. These include account, withdrawal, asset, and trade security, as well as insurance and exemptions for leverage trading. User FxPro reviews are generally positive, and the platform has a good reputation in terms of security and reliability.

    Many More Features to Look Into

    FxPro is a popular online broker that offers a variety of features, including leverage trading and the FxPro MT4 and cTrader trading platforms. Leverage trading can be a great way to grow your portfolio if done carefully and knowledgeably. The FxPro MT4 and cTrader platforms are both optimized for the best user experience and are available on mobile devices, desktop computers, and the web. (https://musclemx.com/) Users report the best experience with the FxPro MT4 platform, which is still widely used and available. With its variety of features and user-friendly platforms, FxPro is a great choice for those looking to trade online.

    FxPro is a No Dealing Desk (NDD) brokerage, offering its users unfiltered access to the market. With a FxPro demo account, new traders and investors can learn how to use the real interface and trade the assets they’d like. The platform also provides a range of learning materials, such as a FxPro calculator, to help users understand CFDs and the process of trading. In addition, FxPro offers a wide range of financial asset CFDs, including metals, energies, futures, forex, and crypto, allowing users to broaden their portfolios.

    Commission Fees Are Low

    This crypto exchange is a reliable and straightforward online brokerage that offers CFD trading with no blockchain fees. It charges a simple $45 commission from every $1,000,000 worth of CFDs traded, and there are no deposit or withdrawal fees either. The platform is easy to use and provides a range of features such as advanced charting, automated trading, and more. It also offers a variety of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. FxPro is a great choice for traders looking for a reliable and cost-effective online brokerage.

    Key Disadvantages of FxPro

    As said earlier in the review, the method you can trade cryptocurrencies on this platform is highly contentious – as you can probably assume, there’s a lot of hostility directed at it as well.

    You Do Not Receive Any Cryptocurrencies

    FxPro is a popular online trading platform that allows users to trade crypto CFDs multiple times. However, it does not offer the chance to trade actual cryptocurrencies, meaning users do not receive any coins in their accounts. This means that users cannot transfer coins out of the brokerage and into their wallet, and they are not responsible for their own crypto assets. As a result, crypto enthusiasts who are in it for the long term may not find FxPro to be a viable option.

    It May Be Too Complicated For Inexperienced Traders

    It offers a wide range of learning materials for traders of all levels, but it can be confusing and difficult to use for those who are new to the scene. Despite this, FxPro is a great choice for those who don’t want to hold their own crypto coins, as it replaces modern crypto exchanges. It offers a world of opportunities for traders, with its wide range of markets, competitive spreads, and advanced trading tools. FxPro also provides a range of account types, including a demo account, to suit the needs of all traders.

    How to Register on FxPro?

    We’ll take it one step at a time so you can follow along with ease.

    • Step 1: Navigate to the FxPro website and click the Register button in the upper-right corner of the screen.
    • Step 2: You will be taken to a form where you will be asked for your name, email address, and password.
    • Step 3: You will now be prompted to give some personal information about yourself. This is quite normal KYC for brokerages of this type. Expect to be asked for your phone number, residential address, employment status, annual income, and CFD trading expectations, among other things.
    • Step 4: Once you’ve entered all of the essential information and agreed to all of the terms and conditions, you’re in!

    Registering an account with a high-end cryptocurrency exchange can be a tedious process. However, registering with a reliable exchange like PrimeXBT is not something that should put you off. After submitting identity-verifying documents and adding funds to your digital wallet, you can access the main dashboard of your account. Here, you can check your wallet, account settings, and trading accounts, and access the knowledge base. The trading screens may be confusing at first, but you can easily find crypto CFDs. PrimeXBT is a reliable exchange that offers a secure and straightforward registration process, allowing you to access a wide range of features and services.

    The platform is known for its user-friendly interface and fast ID verification process. According to user FxPro reviews, the verification process should take no more than a few minutes, allowing users to start trading quickly. FxPro also offers a range of educational resources, such as webinars, tutorials, and market analysis, to help traders make informed decisions. With its competitive spreads, low commissions, and fast execution speeds, FxPro is a great choice for both beginner and experienced traders.

    Conclusion

    FxPro is a CFD trading platform that offers a wide range of assets, including cryptocurrencies. However, it is important to note that FxPro does not allow users to trade actual cryptocurrencies, only CFDs. This means that users cannot own the underlying asset, but rather speculate on the price movements of the asset. FxPro also offers a demo account, allowing users to practice trading without risking real money. Despite its features, FxPro is not the best option for those looking to trade actual cryptocurrencies, as it does not offer this service. However, it is a great option for those looking to trade CFDs and practice their trading skills with a demo account.

    It is a secure and regulated online brokerage that allows users to make money from the crypto market. It is available in the US, EU, and other versions, and is compliant with all official regulations. However, if you’re looking for a legitimate cryptocurrency exchange to purchase and trade coins, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Popular exchanges include Coinbase and Binance, both of which offer a wide range of coins and features.

    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.

  • Top Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges

    Top Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges

    UPDATE: Which are the best exchanges THIS YEAR? Top Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges (2023)

    For this article, exchanges that we at Team Boxmining use frequently are listed in Tier 1, exchanges we occasionally use are listed in Tier 2, down to those which we seldom or do not use at all are listed in Tier 3. However, this is only based on our personal preference. Potential users should also always check if the exchange is supported in their country and if there are any geographical restrictions. 

    Check out our latest video where we talk about our picks for the best cryptocurrency exchanges in 2022:

    Name:
    Binance
    Ease of use:
    4.9 Star Rating
    Fees:
    4.5 Star Rating
    Rating:
    4.5 Star Rating
    Full Review:
    HERE
    Sign Up:
    HERE
    Name:
    Coinbase
    Ease of use:
    4.6 Star Rating
    Fees:
    3 Star Rating
    Rating:
    3.5 Star Rating
    Full Review:
    HERE
    Sign Up:
    HERE
    Name:
    Bybit
    Ease of use:
    4.8 Star Rating
    Fees:
    4.4 Star Rating
    Rating:
    4.5 Star Rating
    Full Review:
    HERE
    Sign Up:
    HERE
    Name:
    Phemex
    Ease of use:
    4 Star Rating
    Fees:
    4 Star Rating
    Rating:
    4.3 Star Rating
    Full Review:
    HERE
    Sign Up:
    HERE
    Name:
    OKX
    Ease of use:
    4.2 Star Rating
    Fees:
    4.1 Star Rating
    Rating:
    4.4 Star Rating
    Full Review:

    HERE

    Sign Up:
    HERE

    Tier 1 Exchanges (Active Trading)

    Binance

    Binance
    Binance Exchange Website

    Binance was founded in 2017 and currently serves over 13.5 million active users across the globe. Unlike Coinbase and Kraken, Binance supports a wide range of altcoins (i.e. cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin). This attracts more people to transfer their Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin from other exchanges to Binance to explore the altcoin world.

    It is suited for entry-level crypto traders due to its huge array of tradable cryptocurrencies. Binance supports trading of over 400 different types of cryptocurrencies with more being added almost every week. In fact, Binance has become so popular as a cryptocurrency exchange that the mere news of new coins being listed can cause the tokens’ prices to skyrocket. 

    The popularity of Binance has made its CEO Zhao Changpeng (CZ) a personality in the cryptocurrency community. His words/actions now have a significant influence on the cryptocurrency markets.

    Cryptocurrencies can be purchased on the Exchange through a variety of ways: PayPal, bank transfer, credit card, and debit card (although they charge a substantial 4.5% fee). It is worth noting, however, that users cannot simply exchange their US dollars for cryptocurrencies. Nevertheless, the aforementioned purchase methods should be sufficient for most cryptocurrency traders.

    As for security measures, Binance has an asset fund as insurance in case of misappropriated user funds and also provides two-factor authentication.

    Binance also has its own native token- BNB, which ranks 4th in terms of trading volume. The token can be used for various features and discounts on the exchange.

    Binance does have a US version of its exchange at Binance.US. Although Binance.US will have fewer cryptocurrencies available for trading and features in order to be compliant with US regulations.

    Binance is Team Boxmining’s second most frequently used exchange. It is easy to use, their customer service team is very responsive, and Binance is credited with pioneering many of the special features we come to expect today such as Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs).

    Binance also caters to experienced traders with advanced trading options and plenty of analytics. Novice users will inevitably experience a learning curve, but once you find your way around, it becomes almost second nature. (softlay.com)

    Check out Binance Exchange Review: Best Crypto Exchange? For a detailed look at what Binance has to offer. 

    Sign up for Binance here!

    KuCoin

    KuCoin
    KuCoin

    KuCoin has unique assets and an extensive list of tradable coins. The Exchange is highly regarded for its large number of different cryptocurrency pairs, which means users can purchase a wide variety of cryptos. 

    KuCoin supports over 500 cryptocurrencies which means you can trade lots of small-cap tokens with low trading fees. At team Boxmining, we find that if we want to trade small-cap coins, we need to use MetaMask and then trade on different platforms and DEXs. And if it’s an ERC 20 token you would have to pay ridiculously high gas fees which is not economical. So, if these small-cap tokens are already on KuCoin, then you can save a lot of unnecessary costs.

    KuCoin also allows you to use trading bots through their mobile app which automatically buy and sell your cryptocurrencies so you don’t have to follow the market 24/7. However, it’s not always clear how they’re investing your money, so you still need to understand the cryptocurrency trading strategies they use.

    On the downside, KuCoin has in the past been plagued by poor Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedures. At first, it allowed traders to deposit and withdraw large amounts of Bitcoin i.e. 50 Bitcoin per day without providing personal details. They have since changed their KYC policies and now you can only withdraw up to 2 Bitcoin per day without a “Verified” account i.e. an account that has completed the KYC procedures.

    In addition, Kucoin is a crypto-only exchange, which means you will need another exchange for buying cryptocurrencies with fiat currency such as HKD, USD or CAD. That means Kucoin is not the most ideal option for newcomers to cryptocurrency, but if you are an experienced trader then KuCoin is a great way to diversify your cryptocurrency portfolio.

    SwissBorg

    SwissBorg
    SwissBorg is a popular choice amongst European users and has a very intuitive and user-friendly app.

    SwissBorg was launched in December 2017, as per their name they are based in Switzerland and are fully compliant with Swiss Law, making them hugely popular amongst Europeans. The Exchange is available in over 100 countries (although currently not supported in the US), and it is noted the full range of features offered by SwissBorg may not be available in every country.

    SwissBorg supports over 35 cryptocurrencies and 16 fiat currencies. New cryptocurrencies are continuously being added and users can vote for the next one to be listed. Users can directly fund their SwissBorg accounts via bank transfer with 0 charges.

    Another popular feature is SwissBorg’s app which allows users to access their crypto wallets and trade on the go.

    To keep ahead of the yield farming and decentralized finance (DeFi) craze, SwissBorg offers their Smart Yield account for yield farming, which allows users to get exposure to farming without much prerequisite knowledge. The Smart Yield feature does this by scanning and finding a range of DeFi and CeFi (Centralized Finance).

    SwissBorg also has a native token $CHSB- a multi-utility token that entitles holders to lower fees when buying/selling Bitcoin, CHSB and stablecoins on the Exchange. Other benefits include being able to have a 2x yield on your USDC, BTC, ETH, XRP, and CHSB holdings.

    Learn more about SwissBorg with our in-depth guide- SwissBorg ($CHSB): What is it?

    Sign up for SwissBorg with our exclusive link to get FREE CHSB!

    Coinbase

    coinbase exchange
    Coinbase offers a more limited selection of cryptocurrencies but makes up for it with high security and ease of use

    Coinbase was launched in 2012 and currently has over 30 million users spanning 103 countries. While Coinbase may not offer a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, it is still a top favorite among many investors due to its highly secure and easy-to-use platforms. Also, Coinbase is the first stop for many beginner traders (especially those from the US) as they have a very easy-to-use mobile app, and you can directly fund your Coinbase account from your bank account. Coinbase is also particularly popular in the US since it is the first publicly listed US crypto exchange and it is fully compliant with US regulations.

    Coinbase’s popularity stems from the fact that its platform has one of the fastest and easiest cryptocurrency buying processes, which along with their claim to have never been hacked, makes them an ideal choice for beginners. Advanced users can also opt for Coinbase Pro, which has more trading features.

    Coinbase supports hundreds of digital currencies, but nevertheless still loses out to other major crypto exchanges in this respect. For US customers, there are no restrictions on transacting the following cryptocurrencies:

    • Bitcoin (BTC);
    • Ethereum (ETH);
    • Litecoin (LTC);
    • Bitcoin Cash (BCH);
    • Ethereum Classic (ETC); and
    • Ripple (XRP).

    Here’s a chart of the cryptocurrencies supported by Coinbase depending on your location.

    Most common forms of payment are accepted by Coinbase, for example credit and debit cards.

    Whilst it is generally secure, Coinbase has been under fire recently for suffering outages when there were huge fluctuations in the prices of Bitcoin in March, April AND May 2020. These outages left many users powerless to do any trades when they needed to the most. Potential users should bear this issue in mind when considering whether or not to use Coinbase.

    Coinbase also charges higher fees compared to most other exchanges, charging $0.99-$2.99 per purchase under a $200 transaction and an additional 0.5% fee depending on the amount traded. However many novice or infrequent traders consider this a fair price to pay for the convenience of the platform and as it is one of the few exchanges available to US users.

    Check out our Coinbase review for an in-depth look at this exchange. And as mentioned, Coinbase does charge higher fees compared to other exchanges on the market, hence we have our popular guide- Coinbase Fees: How to Avoid Them.

    Tier 2 Exchanges (Seasonal Trading / specific coins)

    PrimeXBT

    PrimeXBT
    PrimeXBT

    PrimeXBT is also one of the newer players in the cryptocurrency exchange space, having been launched in 2018. Credit is given to this Exchange for being one of the most transparent we have come across. Their website is a one-stop resource for anything you wanted to know about the Exchange and they also have in-depth tutorials on how to use its various features.

    The Exchange is lacking a bit in supported cryptocurrencies, currently, they only support 7 cryptocurrencies: BTC, ETH, USDC, USDT, LTC, XRP and EOS. In addition, only withdrawals and deposits in BTC are supported. However, what they lack in cryptocurrency support they make up in ability to trade other asset types such as commodities, stock indices and Forex.

    The ability to customise your trading screen and annotate charts is probably something long-awaited by technical analysts and serious traders and will keep them coming back to the Exchange.

    Check out our PrimeXBT review and guide.

    Kraken

    Kraken
    Kraken

    Kraken has a substantial presence in Europe, and listed cryptos have fiat pairs. It was founded in 2011 then relaunched in 2013. Kraken offers trading in over 50 cryptocurrencies- full list here. However, some cryptocurrencies are not available in specific countries.

    Kraken also offers margin trading and futures trading. With its margin accounts, you can borrow up to five times your account balance to trade crypto assets. Futures trading — contracts which allow you to buy or sell an asset at a set price on an upcoming date — is available for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ripple.

    Learn more about futures trading with our Futures Trading Guide.

    The Exchange also offers its own futures trading platforms. But institutional clients can take advantage of expert insights, one-on-one consultations, account management support, and more.

    Kraken is hugely popular amongst European cryptocurrency enthusiasts due to its range of features. 

    Bittrex

    Bittrex
    Bittrex

    Bittrex is reliable and offers reputable services. Bittrex I used extensively in the past because they listed lots of coins. However, I eventually moved away from Bittrex because Binance overtook them in terms of coin selection.

    Bittrex will be removing the following markets after 31 May 2019: BTC-COVAL, BTC-SALT AND BTC-XCP. And the following markets after 6 July 2019: BTC-LUN, BTC-NEOS, BTC-THC and BTC-TKS

    Poloniex

    Poloniex
    Poloniex

    I also used Poloniex extensively in the past. However in my experience, their Know Your Customer (KYC) process took a long time. In my case it took 3 months to complete. This was unacceptable especially when it was during the bull market.

    Customer support on Poloniex isn’t terrible, so they still seem to be a good exchange.

    Poloniex’s geofencing announcement

    However if you are a U.S. citizen, you may need to be aware of Poloniex geofencing assets for U.S. customers. On 29 May 2019, the markets for ARDR, BCN, DCR, GAME, GAS, LSK, NXT, OMNI and REP will be disabled for US customers.

    Once the market has been geofenced, customers can still withdraw those tokens from their wallet so long as Poloniex supports it globally. However, customers will not longer be able to see their deposit address or generate a new deposit address.

    Huobi, OKEx

    Huobi
    Huobi

    Huobi and OKEx were the main titans of China. They had lots of Chinese users before the Chinese government cracked down on cryptocurrency trading in the country.

    OKEx
    OKEx

    This was known as the “Golden Vacuum” since it obliterated a lot of Huobi and OKEx’s dominance. This destabilized the two exchanges giving way to others like KuCoin and Binance to take charge.

    We still consider them as Tier 2 exchanges because they still hold onto some of their past customers and because they have the technology for the future.

    There are rumours that the Chinese government allows these exchanges to operate but keeps tabs on their transactions.

    BitMEX

    BitMEX
    BitMEX

    BitMEX is mostly a margin trading exchange allowing enormous leverage (i.e. up to 50 times). Leverage trading is when you do not own the physical bitcoin but you own trading contracts.

    Unfortunately, BitMEX does not operate in the United States and be careful not to login to your BitMEX account there, your account will get banned.

    Although we have heard of some Americans that use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to mask the country of origin so as to bypass this restriction.

    This is NOT recommended.

    BitMEX has poor customer support. It took us 3 months of emails to unban our account when we accidentally logged into BitMEX in the United States.

    Tier 3 Exchanges (Possible risks / issues)

    Bitfinex

    Bitfinex
    Bitfinex

    Although Bitfinex is a reputable exchange, its recent struggle with the New York Attorney General for US$850 million loss of customer funds lowers its credibility. We will have to see how Bitfinex will overcome this struggle.

    Apart from the case, it has a strong BTC/USD trading pair.

    To stay up to date with what is happening at Bitfinex, click here.

    OceanEx

    OceanEx
    OceanEx

    OceanEX is launched by BitOcean Global, a fully registered and licensed trading paltform in Japan. It’s created by a core team of members with past experience from Morgan Stanley, BNP Paribas, and Deloitte. OceanEX boasts a host of AI security features to improve user and trading safety. OceanEX is the trading hub of the VeChainThor Ecosystem, with all VeChain assets listed and VeChain trading pairs. Whilst it has many attractive features, we found liquidity lacking on many assets and difficulties both buying and selling various coins.

    To learn more about VeChain and its ecosystem, check our Vechain guide.

    AscendEX (formerly known as BitMax)

    AscendEX
    AscendEX

    I tried this exchange since I received a lot of requests from viewers.

    However I am skeptical of exchanges that use the “Transaction Mining” model. Transaction Mining is where you gain credits or exchange tokens in return for trading.

    This directly incentivises wash trading on the platform, which is where a trader simultaneously sells and buys the same assets.

    This in turn creates misleading reports on the trading volumes on the exchange.

    Tier 4 Exchanges (avoid these exchanges)

    HitBTC

    HitBTC
    HitBTC

    These three exchanges have very questionable practices.

    For example, HitBTC does not have a real KYC policy. They do not seem to have much issue with you depositing large amounts of funds. However if you trade or want to withdraw a lot they will just ban or suspend your account until you communicate with them. This has happened to me personally and when we researched this and found that many others had the same experience.

    Lately there has been a new wave of users complaining about having to provide excessive detail about the source of their funds.

    There are also some users who have done their own investigations and concluded that the Exchange is insolvent.

    YoBit

    YoBit
    YoBit

    The exchange has a troublesome withdrawal process.

    Conclusion

    Tier 1: Binance, KuCoin, SwissBorg, Coinbase

    Tier 2: PrimeXBT, Kraken, Bittrex, Poloniex, Huobi and OKEx, BitMEX

    Tier 3: Bitfinex, OceanEx, AscenDEX (formerly BitMax),

    Tier 4 (avoid): HitBTC, YoBit

    In conclusion, conducting a background check on a cryptocurrency platform before signing up is the best way to avoid losing your digital wealth. Following the above list is one huge step towards this goal.

    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.

  • Atari ($ATRI) – Powering the Gaming Industry

    Atari ($ATRI) – Powering the Gaming Industry

    Atari, the pioneer of the videogame industry, is venturing into the crypto space by creating their own token, Atari Token, ($ATRI), to power the future of the interactive entertainment industry. The global entertainment and media market is projected to be worth approximately $2.2 trillion by 2021. Interestingly, gaming is continually accounting for a more significant chunk of the industry’s value and is projected to be worth $200 billion within the next few years, according to Statista. With the integration of blockchain technology and the Atari Token, the company believes that this will revolutionize the global gaming industry.

    Background

    Atari token is developed by icons in the gaming scene, Atari. The firm has over 200 games under its name. If you are a gamer, their titles would not be able to you as games like Pong, Missile Command, and Roller Coaster Tycoon were once very popular.

    Atari has been developing games since 1972. Therefore, its knowledge of the interactive has been enjoyed by gamers through generations.

    Notably, to be alive from 1972 means that the company has been able to adapt to the changing needs in its environment swiftly. It’s this open-mindedness that has seen the introduction of the Atari Token. Frédéric Chesnais leads the project as the CEO, with Manfred Mantschev heading the business development division.

    Atari's Partners
    Atari’s Partners (Image credit: AtariChain Website)

    Additionally, the project has partnered with notable firms in the cryptocurrency and blockchain fields. They include the Litecoin Foundation, Arkane Network, Chain Games, and Blockchain Game Alliance (BGA).

    What is the Atari Token ($ATRI)?

    Atari Token ($ATRI) is a blockchain-based currency aimed at streamlining payments in the interactive entertainment space. The token is developed using Ethereum’s ERC-20 standards and is powered by the Ethereum blockchain.

    However, before expanding to the entire area, the token sought to first make an impact on the gaming ecosystem. Although the project is driven by a blockchain system with a relatively low transaction speed (around 20 transactions per second), the network is exploring a layer-two scaling solution to enhance the network speed.

    With the token, the Atari team is keen on removing the barriers presented by other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. For example, instead of limiting themselves to particular use cases, the cryptocurrency can be used in a wide range of use cases in the long run.

    Simply put, the Atari team is keen on developing a token that can be used in everyday activities even outside gaming.

    Atari Token ($ATRI)
    Atari Token ($ATRI) (Image credit: AtariChain Whitepaper)

    Despite being an in-game currency, ATRI can be exchanged for real-world items. Also, it can be converted to fiat.

    ATRI is stored in an ATARI Omni wallet that’s available on iOS and Android-powered mobile devices. The wallet has notable functionalities such as:

    • Support for human-readable addresses.
    • Chat support.
    • Ability to send payments through SMS, Email, and chat.
    • Ability to initiate crypto-based payments via a credit card.
    • Support for government-issued currencies such as the Euro or Dollar.
    • Also, with the right regulatory approvals, the Atari Omni wallet can swap crypto for fiat.
    Atari Ecosystem
    Atari Ecosystem (Image credit: AtariChain Website)

    ATRI occupies a critical role in the Atari ecosystem. For instance, the token is used to power activities on smart contracts. In addition, it acts as a medium of exchange on supported platforms. As a start, the token forms a key pillar in the Atari system that has the Atari Casino, Atari Exchange, and Atari Betting.

    Atari ($ATRI) Public Sale

    The public sale of the Atari Token will begin on 29 October 2020 on Bitcoin.com Exchange. The price per token is set at $0.25 per token with a hard cap for the public sale of $1 million. The Atari Token will be listed on the Bitcoin.com Exchange following the completion of the public sale. For more information, please refer to their telegram or twitter.

    Atari Tokenomics

    The circulating supply of Atari Token is 65,389,000 and the total supply is 7,771,000,000. Atari Chain applies a token burn/buyback economic policy that aims to track network growth, demand and usage with the emission of new tokens into circulating supply. Any unsold tokens during the Private or Public Sale will ultimately be burned.

    Atari Tokenomics
    Atari Tokenomics (Image credit: Atari Tokenomics)

    Atari Token Governance

    Since it’s a community-focused project, the governance of the token is done through a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). But, the basic rules have to be developed before welcoming community involvement. Therefore, the project will smoothly transition from centralized to decentralized governance.

    However, after decentralization, the Atari network will have 12 distributed parties that will oversee consensus among the Atari community.

    Advantages of ATRI

    Within such an expansive industry, such as interactive entertainment, the token has a wide range of advantages. Top among them include, but not limited to:

    Easy Integration

    The token is built to be the universal token on gaming platforms. For this reason, the fact that it is based on the Ethereum protocol puts it at its rightful path, considering that the blockchain platform has more than triple the number of developers compared to other decentralized networks.

    High Liquidity

    ATRI banks on attracting liquidity from a multitude of internet-based entertainment platforms. Notably, the coin will be integrated on platforms that are secure, as well as with high transaction volumes.

    Auditable

    The cryptocurrency industry has been filled with scams and poorly secured platforms for a long time, leading to security breaches and loss of investors’ funds. ATRI solves this by opening up to independent audits. This powers secure smart contracts and prompt the use of standardized safety policies. (https://www.srmfre.com)

    ATRI Use Cases

    The token can be used by gamers and developers alike. For gamers, the ATRI is ideal for making micro-transactions inside games, making digital representations of avatars, and allows participation in casino games centered around cryptocurrency.

    Atari’s Vision (Image credit: AtariChain Website)

    Developers, on the other hand, enjoy an enhanced payment process during development and an incentive to build blockchain-based games. For example, developers can easily integrate in-app purchases and collaboratively program, test, and translate their work.

    Conclusion

    In an industry expected to reach a valuation of 2.2 trillion US dollars, putting those who matter, gamers and developers, at the heart of the growth is the key to foster a motivated community and a vibrant interactive entertainment industry. This can only be achieved through innovative solutions like the Atari token.

    From powering in-game purchases to facilitating chat-based payments, ATRI sits at the core of the gaming sub-industry and forms a core pillar in the entire internet-based entertainment sector. Through its key partnerships, easy integration, high liquidity, and openness for auditing, the Atari token is ready to conquer all the sectors of crypto-based online entertainment.

    Importantly, its success in these realms would naturally lead to its adoption for daily uses outside the entertainment space.

    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.

  • Newsletter #17: Bitcoin markets choose between good and bad news

    Newsletter #17: Bitcoin markets choose between good and bad news

    Do you want to hear the good news…or the bad news first? This has been an age old question which the Bitcoin markets had to grapple with this week. As we will see below, there IS a correct answer to this…but has Bitcoin chosen wisely?

    All I want for Christmas is a Ledger!

    Ledger is doing a crypto starter bundle! Get a USD$25 voucher to buy crypto with every Ledger Nano X purchase! Limited to 5,000 vouchers and only available until 29th December 2020!

    Gift yourself or your family a bundle they truly want! Say NO to hand cream gift sets and socks!

    Check out our Ledger Nano X review and CLICK HERE TO BUY!

    Give better gifts this Christmas!

    Market Sentiment: Going sideways?

    This week’s market price action wasn’t very exciting, with Bitcoin and Ethereum mostly going sideways. On 12th December 2020, we saw a reaction that is still continuing today and has brought $BTC back to the $19000 area and $ETH closer to $600.

    $BTC and $ETH (daily charts) at weekly resistances
    $BTC and $ETH (daily charts) at weekly resistances

    Both coins are still at weekly resistances trying to build momentum around the 21 EMA (Exponential Moving Average) on the daily chart. We could expect another attempt to pass ATH in the next few days!

    Key news this week

    Big investors keep accumulating

    Big funds/companies are buying and accumulating Bitcoin and Ethereum.

    Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), has just bought $100M of $BTC through NYDIG, a fund management company in New York. This is reportedly their first Bitcoin purchase and is equivalent to less than 1% of their entire investment account worth around USD $235 billion.

    Grayscale has also increased their holdings. Whilst they are not new to investing in crypto, they have just bought another 130000ETH, reaching a total of 3 million tokens in their accounts.

    Microstrategy announced they had completed “a $650M offering of 0.75% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2025”, to invest in $BTC in accordance with their reserve policy. A few days earlier, the CEO Michael Saylor, tweeted that they hold approximately 40,824 Bitcoin.

    The interest in crypto by financial giants points to increased demand from the wealthy as a form of diversification and are them betting on prices to increase in the future.

    Mt. Gox’s reimbursement deadline approaching

    15th December 2020 will mark the next deadline for Mt. Gox Exchanges’s creditors to hopefully get back what they lost on the platform. The Exchange, one of the most known at the time and launched in 2010, ceased to operate in February 2014 after filing for bankruptcy. A whopping 860,000 $BTC were “missing” of which 200,000 has been “recovered” (and this does not even include other cryptocurrencies which also went “missing”). In 2015 new evidence by Tokyo security company WizSec showed that “most or all of the missing bitcoins were stolen straight out of the Mt. Gox hot cryptocurrency wallet over time, beginning in late 2011.”

    Users of the platform should expect to receive a total of 140,000 $BTC ($2.6 billion dollar worth) which are now in the hands of Nobuaki Kobayashi, the Japanese lawyer in charge of the process.

    Nothing is certain however as the refund deadline had been already postponed several times in the past, the last of which was in October 2020. There is also a serious concern in the market as to the possible consequences of a large Bitcoin market sell-off by victims when they receive their funds after 6 years. Considering Bitcoin in 2014 was worth less than $1000, this would represent now a roughly 20x on their re-acquired funds!

    Thoughts on the Mt. Gox refund

    Singapore’s DBS to launch digital exchange with crypto

    After rumors appeared a few months ago, it is now official: Singapore’s DBS will be the first bank to launch a digital currency exchange.

    The platform will only be open to institutional and accredited retail investors. There will be 4 major tradable cryptocurrencies: $BTC, $ETH, $XRP and $BCH, paired with 4 FIAT currencies: USD, SGD, HKD AND JPY.

    The Exchange will also offer Security Token Offerings (STO) and a platform for tokenized assets like bonds, private equity funds, real-estates and so on. DBS Chief Executive Piyush Gupta said:

    “I believe that the time is right for this”, and added “We are on the cusp of a massive tokenization and therefore you’ll find tokenization of all kind of assets around the world and I think more and more exchanges will start dealing with the tokenized assets”.

    U.S. Congressmen manifesting doubts on new self-hosted wallets regulations

    A couple of weeks ago we mentioned that Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong was concerned regarding rumors that the U.S Treasury was planning to impose regulations on self-hosted cryptocurrency wallets.

    Self-hosted wallets, whether online (hot) like Metamask or offline (cold) wallets like Ledger and Trezor, let you retain personal and total access to your funds, without any intermediary entities or third parties. The owner possesses their own private keys and takes full responsibility of their funds. Most importantly, wallets don’t usually need KYC procedures to set up. Learn more about hot and cold wallets, and their pros and cons.

    Armstrong stated his thoughts (shared by many other prominent names in crypto space), among which the possibility that regulations could result in being more harmful than anything else. This is because it could essentially exclude those who cannot obtain the documents and proofs for regular KYCs, and those are usually the most disadvantaged groups who may already be excluded from the financial system. Furthermore, this proposal could be a step back in innovation by the US, leading companies and users to bypass them for other countries.

    A few days ago Warren Davidson, U.S. Congressman serving Ohio’s 8th District, together with a few colleagues, embraced these opinions by sending a letter to U.S Treasury. The letter also points out that “multiple reports have shown that digital assets are not widely used by illicit actors”.

    Warren Davidson’s letter to the US Treasury

    What about Europe?

    Meanwhile in Europe, the development of the digital Euro continues. However sources have indicated that the French Finance Ministry is preparing “to not only harden know-your-customer (KYC) rules for crypto firms but also regulate crypto-to-crypto transactions, according to Simon Polrot, president of French crypto association ADAN.”

    This apparently comes as a response to recent terrorist attacks when 29 people were arrested for illegal terrorism funding via cryptocurrencies.

    Other key news

    • Canada has become the first country to have an Ethereum-based Fund listed on a major stock exchange. The Ether Fund (TSX:QETH.U) is offered by 3iQ Corp, a digital asset manager based in Toronto. The Ether Fund is trading at around $11 per share today.
    • The second giveaway of DCEP (China’s National Digital Currency) has kicked-off on in Suzhou, China, on 12th December 2020 for 10,000 winners. Last week, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) also confirmed it is working with the Digital Currency Institute of the People’s Bank of China on technical pilot testing of DCEP for cross-boarder payments between Mainland China and Hong Kong. You can read more in our article.
    • Messari, a leader crypto Research and Data company, has recently listed their take on the “top 10 people to watch in 2021”

    $YETI Index: the Yearn ecosystem in one token

    After all the recent announced collaborations between the Yearn Finance team and many other big Defi projects, such as Cover Protocol ($COVER) or Sushiswap ($SUSHI), the Yearn Ecosystem Token Index, $YETI, has been created by Powerpool ($CVP).

    The Index comprises of 8 tokens: $YFI, $SUSHI, $CREAM, $AKRO, $COVER, $K3PR, $CVP, $PICKLE with a proposed weighted distribution of 35% for $YFI, 17% for $SUSHI and 8% each for the rest. So investors now have the chance to invest in the entire Yearn ecosystem in one token, receiving “cash flows from Vault strategies applied to composite tokens, and vote on proposals in the Yearn ecosystem governance using PowerPool’s meta-governance approach.” It will also allow holders to save on gas fees which would be normally required to stake multiple tokens.

    Speaking of $YFI, this week we have also witnessed the first gasless (for users) transaction vault deposit on Yearn.Finance.

    Red flags of the week

    DeTrade Fund, first case of deep-fake in crypto?

    DeTrade Fund, a supposed upcoming arbitraging and front-running Defi project has vanished with 1450ETH a few hours before listing.

    The team appeared to be non-anonymous, with public Linkedin profiles, a publicly registered company, a Twitch profile and a video where the “CEO” Mark Jensen, spoke to the community. The video has quickly become famous on crypto Twitter with the community suspecting it was a deep-fake used by crypto hackers. Another theory circulating around the community is that the hackers hired an actor to impersonate the CEO.

    Video from DeTrade “CEO” Mark Jensen

    Through two rounds of presale investments, the DeTrade fund team managed to raise a remarkable amount of 1,450 $ETH in a few hours. Their contracts were audited by Solidity Finance which immediately raised a few concerns in their audit report, assessing that the team was in charge of too much power over users’ funds. It is likely that the team took advantage of this and stole the presale funds sometime between the second presale and the official listing which should have taken place a few hours after. (Tramadol)

    Several hours later and probably because someone was able to trace the misappropriated funds, 70% of the stolen $ETH was sent back to investors via internal transactions.

    This “partial return is becoming more and more common in DeFi attacks. For example, Eminence’s hacker sent back 50% while Harvest Finance users only received 10% of their amount back.

    $12 million have been stolen by Compounder Finance

    On 1st December 2020, Compounder.Finance ($CP3R), a clone of Harvest and Yearn Finance, has “pulled the rug”. It looks like the anonymous team behind the project is the one to blame.

    Compounder had been audited by Solidity Finance. In chat logs between the two companies we can see that Solidity Finance pointed out that the project’s Treasury contract and updating of strategy pools is controlled by their team. Solidity Finance also pointed out that they felt this fact should be disclosed in their audit report. The exploit was exactly as pointed out by Solidity Finance. After the audit, the withdraw function was swapped with a malicious one which was later used to drain all the money in the contract to their deployer address. Nobody recognized the fraud in time so users were not able to withdraw their funds.

    The attack is composed by 4 steps and is explained in details in this post-mortem by developer Vasa and Solidity Finance.

    It is not the first time that an audited project suffered a hack and we all know quite well by now that Audits cannot guarantee 100% safety. This should always be reminded.

    A known developer of the Defi space and owner of Defiyield.info was also a victim of the attack. He is also investigating the matter and working towards filing a case with the relevant enforcement authorities.

    Fake Deriswap tokens

    Malicious actors have recently created various fake Deriswap tokens to take advantage of the hype surrounding this latest experiment from Andre Cronje. The malicious actors would create tokens with similar names to Deriswap and approve it for trading on Uniswap to entice people to buy.

    Let’s remember that Deriswap doesn’t have any official token at the moment!

    Boxmining happenings

    • Libra is now Diem! Everything you need to know on Facebook’s cryptocurrency!

    Diem ($DIEM) – Facebook’s Libra 2.0

    • In case you missed it check out our podcast interview with Geralt of CyberFi where we discussed automated trading, Ethereum interactions such as unstaking and more.
    • Velo Protocol is building out the biggest payment network in South East Asia with its partnership with Lightnet and Visa. The end goal is to create payment solutions for the under-served micro, small and medium enterprise lending market in Asia.
    The next XRP killer? Velo Protocol is making HUGE moves

    Click here for back issues of our newsletters!

    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.

  • Litentry ($LIT): Decentralized Cross-chain Identity Aggregator

    Litentry ($LIT): Decentralized Cross-chain Identity Aggregator

    Litentry ($LIT) is a decentralized cross-chain identity aggregator, built on Substrate, that features an identity matching and identity staking mechanism.

    In today’s world, personal data and identity are everything. Some companies in the conventional world make millions by selling user data. In the decentralized world, blockchain-based firms make losses.

    For example, one user can create multiple accounts to take advantage of free airdropped tokens. Also, platforms powering decentralized finance (DeFi) have no way of tracking users’ credit history, making them charge higher collateral when issuing loans.

    Fortunately, there’s a new way to keep track of identities in the distributed ecosystem securely. Powered by Litentry, we can see blockchain-focused platforms do more than just power token swaps. It’s now possible to scan through user’s deposit and withdrawal actions on Uniswap. Furthermore, a user’s activity can also be assessed on a community-governed blockchain.

    Since the platform is so diverse, below, we look at the major highlights.

    Background

    Litentry is developed by a team of blockchain professionals based in Germany. Its founder was among the early contributors of Parity, a decentralized network. Notably, the project engineering team’s background is rooted in Ethereum.

    The protocol is funded through a Web3 Foundation grant. On its Github page, the project lists eight team members with organization permission.

    What is Litentry?

    The project focuses on decentralized identity (DID), allowing user identities to be linked to multiple distributed protocols. Litentry acts as a DID aggregator where it collects, indexes, and distributes DIDs to blockchains.

    More importantly, it performs all these activities in a decentralized and verifiable way. Notably, built on the Substrate network, the platform works towards the greater goal of eradicating identity redundancy in the Web3-powered application ecosystem.

    The problem

    In the current internet world, third parties take control of storing user passwords and data pertaining to their online activity. Unfortunately, internet users are coerced into accepting unfavorable terms and conditions, consequently lessening the grip on their personal data.

    Litentry brings the change by returning the control of user data to the users by powering a user-focused internet using blockchain technology. As such, the revenue emanating from using users’ data gets the users to share in the profits. Before Litentry, these profits went to third parties managing the user data.

    Key Features of the Litentry platform

    Apart from using decentralized ledger technology (DLT), the platform has other critical features that help it bring the much-needed revolution to the blockchain sector. Key among them include:

    1. Identity management – The platform is all about identities, and their management sits at the protocol’s core. This feature powers anonymous and independent identities emanating from applications and or services used by the user.
    2. Distributed storage – After collecting the data, the protocol stores them in a decentralized manner to enhance access from all corners of the distributed world.
    3. Identity staking – This is a unique feature. Just like staking tokens and earning rewards, Litentry enables users to stake their identities and be rewarded.
    4. Decentralized contributors – Instead of creating multiple accounts to use different platforms or services, the project allows users to use one identity to interact with various services anonymously. Interestingly, the user doesn’t have to provide passwords or any other registration details.

    Litentry Architecture

    Litentry Architecture (Source: Litentry Doc)

    To bring all the above features to life, the protocol uses a layered architecture. On the top layer is the Litentry Runtime, which sits on Substrate. The Runtime layer is a Parachain of Polkadot and employs offline workers when generating identities.

    The second layer is the User Side. Here, users flex their muscles when it comes to data under their control. Note that user data that comes from applications are anonymous, stored in a decentralized way, and cryptographically-separated.

    On the Litentry Authenticator layer, we have the mobile data hub. The hub can be used to manage a user’s different identities. Additionally, the hub can be connected to various IoT devices that the user wants.

    Next is the Litentry SDK enabling developers to fire up their creative juices to create completely decentralized applications and/or services. In addition, the Litentry IPFS data center offers users a chance to check the data attached to their identities.

    The middleware layer comprises services such as off-chain catching and query servers. It is also made up of a client-side SDK library that helps connect front-end apps with decentralized networks.

    Litentry Tokenomics

    The incentive mechanism on the Litentry platform takes into account different participants such as an identity staker, validator, external storage, node, and data buyer.

    1. Identity staker — This is the person who has an identity record and has a stake in the identities pool.
    2. Identity validator — An identity staker becomes a validator of new blocks when their identity has been confirmed.
    3. Storage — Stores all data about an identity in a decentralized manner.
    4. Node — The node is a critical component of the Litentry platform. Its work is to perform functions such as invoking off-chain workers to validate identity correctness and connecting with external decentralized storages.
    5. Data buyer — This is any entity on the blockchain that requests identity validation.
    6. Data generator — These are entities generating data and can include applications, users, or services offering migration services.
    Litentry Tokenomic (Source: Litentry Lightpaper)

    Litentry Native Token (LIT)

    Litentry’s base asset is called LIT. The network uses the asset to reward identity stakers in the identities pool. Two types of rewards the stakers get are the block reward and the matching fee.

    Apart from stakers, validators are motivated to truthfully verify the correctness of data. On the other hand, data generators enjoy benefits from the Litentry Foundation in the form of grants.

    External storage operators earn a section of the fee paid by users interfacing with the service. Others who are incentivized using LIT tokens are nodes.

    Those who pay using LIT tokens include identity buyers. Observe that these entities only have access to the winning identity or identities during an identity matching process.

    Conclusion

    The identity problem is two-pronged; users can create multiple entities to defraud a company. On the other hand, malicious actors aggregate user data and sell it to the highest bidder without profiting the real data owners.

    Fortunately, Litentry uses a layered approach to comprehensively tackle the problem to the benefit of both identity owners and decentralized platforms. Here’s to another promising project with a unique approach to solving some of the most crucial problems that often go overlooked.

    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.

  • InsurAce Protocol: Insuring decentralised finance?

    InsurAce Protocol: Insuring decentralised finance?

    The cryptocurrency industry has enjoyed rapid growth and adoption thanks to its accessibility and open-source nature. Different people from all over the world can participate freely in crypto projects, with the option of anonymity. And thanks to this ease of access, the total locked value (TVL) in DeFi grew to over $3 Billion in 2020 and $44 billion in 2021, according to DeFi Pulse.

    However, as an industry based majorly on the internet with trillions of liquid digital assets, it is no surprise that it makes the perfect attraction for hackers hoping to run off with a score.

    Luckily, in the decentralized finance (DeFi) corner, liquidity providers (LPs) can still protect their investment through insurance protocols, each of which is armed with their unique solutions – one of the more promising ones is InsurAce.

    Background

    InsurAce was created by Oliver Xie, a cryptocurrency enthusiast and computer programmer. The decentralized insurance protocol was developed during the peak of DeFi growth in the third quarter of 2020, launching officially in October of the same year.

    The protocol is headquartered in Singapore, led by Oliver’s vision and steadfastness. After just two months of existence, the protocol was able to raise $1 Million in seed funding, from renowned institutions such as DeFiance Capital, Signum Capital, and Parafi Capital. Later, in February 2021, and an additional $3 Million was raised during its strategic round.

    They currently run a tight team, with a few experts and professionals at the helm of affairs, most of which are based in Singapore.

    What is InsurAce?

    InsurAce is an insurance protocol that offers DeFi assets a reliable, decentralized, and flexible coverage. Users are also able to enjoy low premiums and a sustainable investment return.

    InsurAce’s flexibility is its major highlight as it gives users the ability to cover their assets with a portfolio-based product design that optimizes cover cost. Users would also benefit from their cross-chain coverage and wallet accessibility, along with the protection of their assets and investments.

    How Does InsurAce Protocol Work?

    As both a DeFi and Insurance protocol, InsurAce runs two different arms that work synergistically to benefit all parties involved. As a decentralized platform, each role is filled by its users, each of which are rewarded with the INSUR token.

    The protocol also offers a more streamlined experience with its permissionless feature, where users can enjoy full anonymity without the KYC process that complicates other DeFi Insurance platforms.

    The Two Arms of InsurAce Protocol

    The first part of the investment arm involves contribution by a first-party known as the investor. As the name suggests, investors finance portfolios, each portfolio with its own risk/reward ratio which investors can choose from.

    The next party is the insurer, and these are participants that stake assets in the mutual insurance pool created by investors. The more direct class of users are the “insured” – they are the insurance customers, and they get the benefit of buying insurance covers, either in single or multiple pools.

    2 Arms of InsurAce Protocol (Image credit: InsurAce whitepaper)

    Features

    The InsurAce protocol will be responsible for providing a supporting architecture for the smooth operation and integration of the arms. To start with, the protocol will function to ensure adequate evaluation of risk to manage losses.

    Two risk assessment procedures exist. One with experts analyzing potential assets and pools with thorough auditing and code analysis. After which, a community assessment is carried out by volunteer members for further analysis and to come up with a risk score.

    It will also be in charge of claim requests, for insurers to check out their buys.

    More important, however, is the availability of liquidity for all users. To ascertain this, InsurAce plans to develop an enriched product line that is capable of covering a diverse number of DeFi protocols. By providing insurance services to multiple DeFi projects the platform retains its flexibility, remains open to opportunities while keeping tokens moving.

    The insurers would enjoy access to a wide range of asset pools in addition to considerably reduced cover costs and zero premium protection.

    SCR Mining and Governance

    When users bring in capital to stake into different mutual pools, they are rewarded with INSUR tokens as incentives. This process is known as Mining, and it offers rewards based on the magnitude of user contribution to the platform.

    As with most other DeFi projects, a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) would be responsible for managing and regulating the activities of InsurAce protocol. To be eligible to become a member of the DAO, users must own INSUR Tokens.

    An advisory board made up of InsurAnce employees and independent experts will oversee the affairs of the DAO community, provide guidelines for its operation, and provide a contingency plan if the decentralized voting mechanism should fail.

    INSUR Token

    The INSUR token is the standard token on the InsurAce platform. It is based on Ethereum’s ERC20 standards and serves a variety of utility functions.

    As a governance token, it confers voting rights on its holders. Users who have the INSUR token can propose changes, vote on issues and proposals, and participate in claim assessments on the protocol. When a token holder participates actively in governance, he becomes entitled to a share of the fees generated on InsurAce.

    The token also incentivizes involvement in all the different roles available on the protocol. It serves as the reward for mining through capital provision, liquidity support, staking in investment pools and products.

    There will be a total of 100 million INSUR tokens in supply. And it is planned to be launched through a Liquidity Bootstrapping Pool (LBP) on Balancer from March 15th to March 17th, 2021. The proposal would see a total of 6,675,000 tokens vested after the LBP ends – with about 45% of the total token distribution kept in SCR mining reserves.

    Conclusion

    The sheer amount of fortune going into DeFi project and associated mining mechanisms is too much to leave to the whims of hackers and project developers. The impressive progress made by pioneer insurance projects like Nexus Mutual and Augur should not be taken for granted either.

    However, these insurance protocols are still scarce in numbers and hardly enough to cover the ever-growing need of the DeFi sector.  Which makes it difficult not to root for a platform like InsurAce that puts everything in place, taking the best out of existing protocols and adding a fresh detail.

    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.

  • How to mine Dogecoin with these easy software

    How to mine Dogecoin with these easy software

    Introduction

    First started as an internet meme from 2 software engineers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer to mock crazy fans of cryptocurrency, Dogecoin has now officially become a part of the big family. It’s actually one of the top crypto currencies at the moment – not bad for something that started out as a joke. 

    what is dogecoin

    Just like other cryptocurrencies, Dogecoin is powered by a decentralized finance system called blockchain technology. The attraction of cryptos is that it is not under  any private corporations, multinational enterprises or the government’s control. Crypto currencies are free from any regulations set by any government and bank institutions.

    Moreover, Dogecoin cannot be found in a single particular computer system. It is built on top of a huge network of computers or nodes that confirm the transactions. This system of peer-to-peer exchange and transfer of information makes the whole structure almost impossible to hack and bring down. 

    Cryptocurrency has limited supply, hence the hype. This limit of supply is meant to make sure that their prices will not get too low, which is what happens  for fiat currency like the USD if the government keeps on printing the money without proper control or monitoring. 

    There are market caps for each cryptocurrency. Dogecoin has no supply limit, of which  around 129 billion Dogecoins are currently circulating as of May 9, 2021.

    What is Dogecoin mining?

    Before we get to Dogecoin mining, you have to know that mining cryptocurrencies is not the same as  mining coal or petroleum underground like they do in the Middle East. The mining being discussed here is  digital mining through complex mathematical algorithms. In a simpler context, it is like the process of creating a new coin by solving a puzzle, but just in a more technical way involving very complex algorithms .

    Since the ledger — blockchain technology — of the transactions need to be maintained, not a lot of people will spend time mining. Instead, they will just buy the coins outright from the crypto markets. . 

    In the early days of crypto, it was possible to use your own laptop pc to solve any of the blocks in the chain and earn yourself a coin for your efforts.  Each confirmation of a transaction  will place a new block for the Doge network, for which there will be a reward for the miners in the form of more Dogecoins.

    Every cryptocurrency has different mining systems. Here is a comparison of Dogecoins and Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency in the world.

    DogecoinBitcoin
    AlgorithmScrypt coinSHA-256
    Block Time1 minute!10 minutes
    Difficulty2,798,2523,511,060,552,899
    Reward10,000 DOGE12.5 BTC

    Notes:

    1. Algorithm: Rules for mining new currency aka hashing algorithm
    2. Block time: Average time for a new block checked and added to the chain. It varies across time. 
    3. Difficulty: Difficulty level to mine a new block of currency. It varies across time. 
    4. Reward: Amount of new currency rewarded for each new block mined. It varies across time. 

    How to mine Dogecoin?

    how to mine dogecoin

    There are 3 ways to mine Dogecoin: solo mining, pool mining and cloud mining. We’ll explain one by one to see what the difference is between them. 

    1. Solo mining

    You are mining on your own. It means you need to spend more money on the most modern and updated equipment and pricey utility fees by yourself. However you get to keep all the rewards to yourself .

    In some cases, people have spent a whopping $500,000 for just building the mining gear alone. This is not including the electricity bills that are usually enormous for an operation of that size. If you’re not careful, the electricity bills could eat into your profits without you realizing.

    1. Pool mining

    It’s like a group project. You have less work to do but you need to share the pride and achievement. At Dogecoin mining, you will have an easier time earning coins, but the rewards have to be shared. 

    Before joining a pool, check out their calculation for the payouts of each member and consider the extra pool fees needed. There are few options online for pool mining. So do research about all of the options before you join the pool.

    1. Cloud mining

    Pay for a group to mine for you. This is for those that prefer not to invest too much effort and time for mining Dogecoin. You can rent machines from a data center and ask them to mine for your behalf. This way might be the most costliest among the 3 options, since it is time-locked and the price might drop during the agreement. Furthermore, electricity bills and other costs need to be covered too. 

    Things needed to mine Dogecoin

    Other than the electricity itself, there are 3 things needed to mine Dogecoin which are hardware, software and a crypto wallet. 

    1. Hardware

    Any Windows, Mac OS or Linux system is needed to start mining. Basic machines like CPU can be used but it will take a long time to succeed. Also, your computer will end up overheated or getting damaged.

    GPU mining is recommended, especially those with graphic cards. Alternatively, you also can use Scrypt ASIC miner which is dedicated mainly for crypto like Dogecoin. 

    1. Software

    The software will differ depending on the hardware you use. Here are the softwares recommended for different hardwares:

    • CPU: CPUminer
    • GPU: EasyMiner, CGminer, CudaMiner
    • Scrypt ASIC: MultiMiner

    Be careful to select the legit mining software, or else the fake ones will harm your PC and investment. So double check before downloading. 

    1. Crypto wallet

    Digital wallet is not enough to secure your Dogecoin if you are serious about mining it. Since you have invested so much in this process, why not secure it further by having a cold crypto wallet?

    dogecoin digital wallet

    You don’t have to worry about being hacked  and keep your profits safe. 

    Conclusion

    We don’t know whether Dogecoin will go up in price again or plummet to oblivion. Will Elon Musk put more trust in it or is it just for clout? That’s up to you to discover. 

    However when mining Dogecoin, one should always balance the costs to run the mine and the potential returns before deciding whether it is a good option.  

    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.

  • SwissBorg vs eToro Comparison Review: Which Crypto Exchange is Better?

    SwissBorg vs eToro Comparison Review: Which Crypto Exchange is Better?

    Recently, the news has been flooded with talks about crypto regulation and exchange investigations by the SEC. This has raised a lot of problems among investors as particular crypto exchanges they use might one day become restricted by international regulators. Therefore, one of the safest long-term solutions is to find yourself a fully regulated crypto exchange.

    In this article, we will be comparing two of the top regulated crypto exchanges in the world: SwissBorg and eToro.

    See also: Top Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges of 2023

    What is Swissborg?

    SwissBorg

    Company Overview

    After having raised USD $53 million, SwissBorg was launched in 2017 by Anthony Lesoismier (CSO) and Cyrus Fazel (CEO). SwissBorg is based in Switzerland and is fully compliant with Swiss Law, making it a popular European crypto exchange. It is the first blockchain-based secure wealth management platform, aimed at simplifying the process of crypto investments. It integrates with major crypto exchanges, DeFi protocols, and features a community-based ownership model.

    SwissBorg is available in over 115 countries, and they have plans to include many more in the future. However, as of now, SwissBorg is not supported in the U.S. If you want to see if your country is included, you can visit their Supported Countries page.

    SwissBorg Team

    Prior to founding the exchange, Lesoismier was Head of Financial Market Digital-Advisory at JFD Brokers, and Fazel was a multicultural FinTech professional with decades of experience in asset management and algorithmic trading.

    The SwissBorg team spans 20 different countries, consisting of 300 highly experienced professionals in portfolio management, financial advisory services, and blockchain development. The combined power of their diversified expertise has led them to achieve numerous impressive milestones, including receiving the Mass Adoption Project of the Year award and the Top Swiss Fintech Startups award.

    Key Features of SwissBorg

    Wealth App Smart Engine

    The Wealth App is the smart command-and-control centre of SwissBorg. It lets users build, manage, and monitor their crypto portfolios, enabling easy and secure wealth management. Users can fund their accounts with 16 different fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, and CHZ. Additionally, similar to Coinbase, a limited number of high-cap digital assets are supported to ensure quality.

    The biggest advantage that SwissBorg has is their Smart Engine. It ensures zero spreads and no inflated exchange rates or hidden fees, allowing users to trade at the best rates and lowest slippage. Moreover, the Smart Engine analyzes hundreds of live trading pairs in seconds by connecting to major crypto exchanges such as Binance or Kraken. As a result, SwissBorg finds the best route to execute customer orders in milliseconds, saving investors time to find the best exchange rates.

    Smart Yield Account

    SwissBorg’s Smart Yield is a feature on its app which allows users to potentially earn passive income through Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols and Centralized Finance (CeFi) platforms. Smart Yield’s user-friendly interface allows easy access to the benefits of DeFi and CeFi, even average crypto users without much pre-requisite knowledge can stand to gain from it.

    The Smart Yield feature works with top platforms such as Compound, Curve Finance, Binance, Aave, and Uniswap, with its rates ranging from 0.1% to the highest 25% APY for over 20 assets. Since APY rewards change invariably due to supply and demand, you can check the current rates on the SwissBorg Smart Yield Rates page.

    Thematics (Crypto Portfolio Bundles)

    There are a lot crypto themes, and within each theme there are hundreds of different tokens to choose from. Decision fatigue really sets in when you are opting to diversify your crypto portfolio. SwissBorg’s answer to this is their “Thematics”, expert-designed bundles of different crypto themes.

    They provide exposure and diversification that is important for every crypto investor. SwissBorg’s Thematics lets you choose a category you have long-term belief in. For example, if you believe in layer-one protocols, you can choose a layer-one protocol bundle containing Ethereum, Cardano, Solana, Avalanche and so on.

    If you are interested in upcoming layer one protocols, you can check out our comprehensive article on Aptos or Sui.

    What is eToro?

    eToro

    Company Overview

    Based in Tel-Aviv, eToro was established in 2007 by co-founders Ronen Assia (Executive Director), Yoni Assia (CEO), and David Ring (Former CTO). The company was originally a social trading exchange offering commodities, indices, and stocks before diving headfirst into the crypto industry in 2018 with the launch of eToroX and a crypto wallet. It has since grown to one of the largest crypto exchanges, with a user base of 25 million active users worldwide.

    eToro offers a secure, regulated platform for crypto trading with a track record of storing investor funds for well over a decade. The company is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchance Commission (CySEC), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). As such, eToro has a cross border license to operate in member states of the European Economic Area and other permitted countries.

    eToro Team

    Before eToro was established, Yoni Assia had held managerial roles in the FinTech industry and is an expert in computer science and finance. On the other hand, his brother Ronen Assia is a specialist in product design and engineering, having created products across various platforms such as medical devices, household applications, and web applications.

    eToro has one of the largest teams in the crypto exchange scene, with roughly 1,700 employees across 16 different countries in the EMEA, APAC and North America. They have seasoned veterans coming from various disciplines, such as IT and business solutions, data analytics, and blockchain innovations.

    Key Features of eToro

    CopyTrader

    The biggest innovative feature of eToro is their CopyTrader, which allows you to automatically copy top-performing traders, what they invest in and when. This is great for average crypto users and beginners as they can easily leverage other crypto traders’ expertise, instead of going through the hassle of constantly monitoring the market, unsure of whether to enter or exit. As a result, you can simply replicate their trading in your own portfolio. In a way, it is similar to KuCoin’s trading bot, where trading activities are already figured out for you.

    Moreover, CopyTrader is also a social trading platform, where traders are part of a collaborative community. They can with chat with other traders, discuss strategies and benefit from each other. This is a great place to start for beginners and learn from the best on how the market moves, but keep in mind that their quality is not assured. Crypto investments are always volatile.

    Smart Portfolios

    Similar to SwissBorg’s Thematics, eToro’s Smart Portfolios are essential a grouping of several assets bundled together based on the theme. In addition to crypto, eToro also has portfolios of stocks, ETFs, commodities and even people, as per their business model in the early 2010s before crypto became mainstream.

    Smart Portfolios leverages machine learning algorithms and data science to group the best performing bundles, taking into account factors such as balance, exposure, potential yield, risk, and more. Moreover, there are no management fees or commission, other than those applied with assets comprising each portfolio.

    eToroX

    eToroX is the company’s product specifically designed for professional crypto traders and institutional investors. It is not available to retail investors. It offers a suite of advanced trading tools, 30+ crypto assets including 17 unique stablecoins and 80+ tokenized asset pairs. eToroX has a highly competitive fee structure and is renowned for having deep liquidity for stabilizing large-volume trades.

    SwissBorg vs eToro Overview

    Cryptocurrencies and Products

    Both SwissBorg and eToro only offer a limited number of cryptocurrencies, around 30-40. Most of these assets have large market cap like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP (Ripple), BNB, and Polkadot. This is done to ensure quality, reducing exposure to high risk/high reward assets or degen projects that could incur a lot of loss. Both exchanges strictly adhere to standards set by financial regulatory agencies to protect the securities of investors.

    In terms of trading, both exchanges offer a wide array of trading tools for all crypto users as well as deep liquidity to support large volume trades with zero spreads. However, trading on eToro only benefits whales and institutional investors as eToroX unlocks them the full benefit and is inaccessible to retail investors. In contrast, SwissBorg’s Wealth App, optimized with Smart Engine, performs just as well as eToroX and is accessible to everyone.

    Furthermore, SwissBorg offers much more than crypto trading. Their Smart Yield feature works with numerous DeFi protocols and CeFi platforms, simplifying the process of earning and allowing users to stake and receive passive income. On the other hand, eToro also has their own staking reward programs, but is only limited to Cardano, Tron, and Ethereum. Although their monthly staking yield is high, only UK and US users have access to it.

    Fees

    Thanks to their Smart Engine, SwissBorg users do not have to worry about inflated exchange rates, floating spreads, and hidden fees. In other words, you will never end up with less crypto than what you paid for. There are no deposit fees, but crypto withdrawals are subject to an execution fee of at least 0.10%, which is relatively low compared to other exchanges. In terms of exchange fees, SwissBorg fees are among the lowest in the crypto industry, but vary greatly depending on loyalty tier and which fiat or crypto asset is being used. Moreover, 20% of their profits generated from the fees are reinvested back into the SwissBorg ecosystem.

    On the other hand, eToro charges a 1% fee on crypto transactions plus a spread. Although this is still considered lower compared to other exchanges, it is not as competitive as SwissBorg. If you are planning to trade a lot of cryptocurrencies, paying more than 1% can eat into your profits. Unlike SwissBorg, eToro charges foreign transaction (FX) fees for non-USD deposits, and USD $5 for withdrawals. Furthermore, if you are planning to HODL assets long-term, it is important to note that eToro charges an inactivity fee for accounts that have not been online for a year. You can simply log in each day to negate that.

    Overall, SwissBorg is the clear winner in terms of lower and transparent fees.

    Security

    As leading trading platforms, both SwissBorg and eToro have successfully ensured compliance with top regulatory authorities, placing the security of their platform and the safety of their clients’ funds as a top priority.

    Both exchanges adhere to Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, protecting traders from fraudulent and criminal activities. Much like all other major crypto exchanges, SwissBorg and eToro uses two-factor authentication (2FA), data encryption, network monitoring and other standard security protocols.

    Both companies also store account funds in cold storage so that they cannot be hacked online. However, their methodology of cold storage security is different but impenetrable nevertheless.

    eToro deploys a cold storage Custody as a Service (CaaS) solution in partnership with leading cybersecurity firm GK8. It is essentially the application of secure institutional model of custody and cryptographic security in crypto. The funds are also insured by Aon PLC against theft, loss, damage or destruction of assets.

    On the other hand, instead of custody mechanism, SwissBorg addresses and enhances cold wallet security by implementing multi-party computation (MPC) keyless technology. It does not require a private key to be created, eliminating a single point of failure. MPC works by multiple parties jointly performing mathematical computations, without one party revealing its information to the others. SwissBorg achieves this in collaboration with Fireblocks as their security partner. Fireblocks is renowned for being the most secure and adaptable platform that leverages MPC technology to secure digital assets.

    Crediting to their advanced security protocols and regulation compliances, there have been no known successful hacks on both SwissBorg and eToro to date.

    Key Takeaways

    Both SwissBorg and eToro are great crypto exchanges for investors to manage and expand their portfolio. While eToro’s CopyTrader feature is great for beginners to learn how expert traders maneuver the market, it is important to note that their quality is not assured. Crypto investments are always volatile, and no one can predict the market.

    Overall, SwissBorg is relatively better than eToro in terms of trading efficiency, fees, and product variety. SwissBorg’s Smart Engine allows users of all levels to trade without inflated exchange rates, spread and hidden fees. Their exchange fees are also much lower than eToro’s, and have no deposit fees. Moreover, the company also brings DeFi benefits to its users, letting them earn high APY rewards in a simple process.

    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.