Looking to apply for a home loan?

Navigating the process of securing a mortgage can feel daunting, especially for first-time homebuyers. However, understanding each step from application to disbursement can make the journey smoother and more manageable. Whether you're buying a new property or refinancing an existing one, a clear and organized approach will help you avoid common pitfalls.

The first step in applying for a home loan is completing the mortgage application form. Along with this, you’ll need to submit several supporting documents. These usually include:

1. ·       Proof of identity
2. ·       Proof of residential address
3. ·       Income documents (such as salary slips or income tax returns)
4. ·       Employment verification (or business proof for self-employed individuals)

If a co-applicant is involved, the same set of documents must be submitted for both parties, and both must sign the application. Buyers who have already identified a property should submit property details and photocopies of all related documents. This allows the lender to begin legal and technical evaluations early in the process.

Credit Appraisal and Eligibility Assessment:

Once your application is received, the lender evaluates your eligibility. Key factors in this assessment include

1. ·       Monthly and annual income
2. ·       Credit score and debt obligations
3. ·       Employment stability and age
4. ·       Number of financial dependents
5. ·       Co-applicant’s financial profile (if applicable)

For self-employed applicants, additional analysis is done on business sustainability, profitability, and cash flow. Field verification may also be conducted to confirm the accuracy of the provided information.

Loan Sanction and Terms Disclosure:

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you’ll receive a formal sanction letter from the lender. This document typically outlines:

1. ·       The approved loan amount
2. ·       Interest rate (fixed or floating)
3. ·       Repayment tenure
4. ·       Monthly EMI obligations
5. ·       Conditions to be fulfilled before disbursement
6. ·       Validity of the offer

This sanction is usually conditional upon successful legal and technical due diligence of the property.

Legal And Technical Checks

To proceed, borrowers are required to submit all property-related documents. These might include:

1. ·       Title deed or chain of title
2. ·       Builder agreement or sale deed
3. ·       Occupancy certificate or completion certificate
4. ·       No-objection certificates, if applicable

A technical inspection is conducted to confirm the property’s structural compliance and estimated market value.

Disbursement and Final Agreement:

After all documents are verified and the legal and technical checks are completed, the lender prepares the final loan agreement. Once signed, the funds are disbursed. If the property is under construction, disbursements are made in phases based on the project’s progress.

Before signing the agreement, borrowers should carefully review all loan terms—including the interest rate, repayment schedule, EMI amount, and tenure—to ensure full transparency and financial preparedness.

-oOo-

 

 

5 Smart Tips to Manage Your EPF Account Effectively

Managing your Employee Provident Fund (EPF) account efficiently is a smart financial move that can yield strong returns over time. Whether you’re a seasoned employee or just starting out, making the most of this long-term savings tool requires a few simple yet impactful practices.

Here are five effective tips to help you manage your EPF account wisely and maximize its benefits:

1. Keep Your Nominee Details Updated

Ensuring your nominee details are up to date is one of the most important things you can do. In the unfortunate event of your passing, your EPF funds should smoothly go to your chosen beneficiary—be it your spouse, children, or parents.

Update your nomination details whenever there is a significant life change, such as:

·        Marriage or divorce

·        Birth of a child

·        Death of an existing nominee

This prevents legal complications and ensures quick fund disbursal.

2. Monitor EPF Contributions Regularly

Keep a close watch on your monthly EPF contributions to ensure that both your and your employer’s share is being deposited correctly. You can check this through your EPF passbook on the official EPFO website or UMANG app.

·       Timely monitoring helps:

·     Detect missing or delayed contributions

·       Track your savings growth

·      Raise timely complaints in case of errors

3. Use EPF Online Services for Easy Access

The EPFO online portal and mobile apps have made managing your EPF account easier than ever. Through these platforms, you can:

·      Check your balance

·      Download your EPF passbook

·        Update KYC information

·        Initiate transfer or withdrawal of funds

These tools save time and make managing your retirement savings stress-free.

4. Transfer EPF Promptly When Changing Jobs

When switching employers, transfer your EPF balance from the old account to the new one without delay. Delays may cause:

·       Loss of interest

·        Issues during withdrawal

·        Difficulty in tracking funds

Use the online Member e-Seva portal to initiate quick and paperless transfers.

5. Keep Track of Annual EPF Interest Rates

The government announces the EPF interest rate annually. Being aware of this helps you:

·       Estimate your returns

·        Plan additional voluntary contributions

·     Compare EPF performance with other investment options

Monitoring interest rates also allows better financial planning for retirement.

With just a few small steps, you can stay in control of your EPF account and make it work harder for your future.

 -oOo-

 

Half of India does not know whether it is right to repay the home loan before time or not.

A home loan is a long-term loan. Usually people take out home loans for 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. In such a situation, it becomes a responsibility to pay EMI every month for a long time. When a large amount is deducted from the account as EMI, it becomes a big problem. In such a situation, every borrower thinks about getting rid of this EMI hassle, and the way to do this is home loan prepayment. Through the prepayment facility, you get the convenience of repaying your loan before the loan period is over. But the decision of prepayment can get you rid of EMI, but how will you know whether it is beneficial for you or not? Here are the 6 things that must be considered before taking a prepayment decision. Before deciding to prepay your housing loan, you should make sure that

you have sufficient funds to meet other household needs such as marriage,

foreign travel, emergency, etc. You should avoid getting into a situation where

you put too much burden on yourself to prepay your home loan and end up short

of funds when the need arises. If you prepay from your savings, you will have

to borrow from elsewhere to meet these needs. In such a situation, you may make

things even more difficult for yourself.

The cost of prepayment should also be compared with the returns from

investments. If you have the opportunity to earn more returns than the home

loan interest, it will be better to invest the surplus funds instead of using

them to prepay the home loan. Since a home loan is a long-term loan, you can

Invest in equities for a longer period to get better returns. The longer you

invest in equities, the lower the risk and the better the chances of getting

returns.

At which stage of the home loan you are making the prepayment matters

a lot. In the initial stage of the home loan, the interest component in the EMI

is the highest. In such a situation, if you make the prepayment at the initial

stage of the loan, then interest worth lakhs of rupees will be saved. This will

give you double benefit. Your EMI will be reduced, and the amount of lakhs

Going into interest will be saved. But prepayment of loans in the mid-to-late

stage cannot give you the full benefit of saving on interest. In such a

situation, it is wise to invest the surplus funds.

The interest rate on home loans is usually lower than the interest

rate charged on other loans like personal loans or credit card loans, so, if

you have more than one loan and want to reduce your debt, it is better to repay

the loans with higher interest first.

You are entitled to claim tax exemption of up to ₹1.50 lakh every

financial year on repayment of the principal amount of the housing loan. You

can also avail a tax exemption on the interest paid on the housing loan. Apart from

this, tax incentives on housing loans may increase in the coming time due to

the government's focus on 'Housing for All.' If you finish your housing loan

through prepayment, you will stop getting these tax benefits; tax benefits will

be reduced if you make a partial prepayment.

Consider the decision to prepay your home loan only after

understanding the cost of prepayment. Usually banks do not charge any

prepayment fee on adjustable-rate home loans, but prepayment fee may be charged

on fixed-rate home loans. Before making loan prepayment, know about all the

terms and conditions from your lender and then decide on loan prepayment. 

 -oOo-

 

What is cryptocurrency? A beginner's guide to digital money

Cryptocurrency is a form of digital or virtual money that employs cryptography for security. Governmental money differs in that cryptocurrencies exist on decentralized networks based on blockchain technology. Bitcoin, which began in 2009, is the most widely known, but there are currently thousands of other digital currencies, including Ethereum, Solana, and Tether. How cryptocurrency works

Cryptocurrencies are founded on a blockchain, a virtual shared book that records transactions on many computers. A transaction is placed in a "block" each time it's performed and then linked to the previous block, forming a chain. It offers security and transparency without the need for a central body like governments or banks.

There is a digital wallet for each user to store their cryptocurrency. Payments are made by the transfer of coins from one wallet to another through private and public keys, which can be passwords and addresses. Typically known as miners or validators, the transactions become irreversible records on the blockchain.

Why cryptocurrency is important:

Cryptocurrencies are globally popular for these reasons:

 • Decentralization: They are not controlled by governments and central banks. 

• Security and transparency: Each transaction is publicly recorded and secured through advanced cryptographic methods.

• Lower transaction cost: Especially in international payments, crypto may be quicker and cheaper than the traditional banking system.

• Investment opportunity: Cryptocurrencies are viewed by many as a store of value or a high return-on-investment speculative asset.

Risks and challenges:

While promising, cryptocurrencies do pose risks. They are extremely volatile in price. Bitcoin, for example, has experienced wildly fluctuating prices. Security is another risk; blockchains are secure, but electronic wallets and exchanges have been hacked.

Regulations on cryptocurrencies also vary widely from nation to nation. Governments have embraced some; others have banned or restricted their use due to concerns over money laundering, tax evasion, and financial instability.

What to be aware of before investing If you're going to be investing in cryptocurrency, you should do your research. Learn about the coin you're investing in by name, the technology it's built on, its use case, and the team behind it. Consider the platform you're trading on, whether it's a reputable exchange with a reputation.

They generally advise crypto as a small percentage of your overall investment portfolio due to its volatility. Safeguarding your investments through secure storage methods, such as hardware wallets, and enabling two-factor authentication can also avoid loss.

Cryptocurrency is an unprecedented transformation of how people think about and use money. While it offers exciting potential for innovation, investment, and financial freedom, it also poses uncertainty, regulatory ambiguity, and security risks. As with all financial decisions, it's always wise to stay up-to-date, exercise caution, and act on your financial goals and risk tolerance.

                                                                     -oOo-

 

How does blockchain function?

At its core, blockchain resembles a public electronic ledger, keeping information safe on a network of computers. Rather than depending on a central authority such as a government database or a bank, it shares control with thousands of separate parties. The framework is designed to be open, decentralized, and virtually unchangeable.

How blocks and chains are formed

Imagine that blockchain is a book, and every page in it contains a group of transactions. In blockchain, each such page is referred to as a "block." After the page is filled with information, it's locked and appended to the last page, building a chain of things, hence the name "blockchain." Each block includes a list of transactions, a date, and a code that uniquely identifies it as a "hash." Each block also includes the hash of the prior block, making it secure and tamper-proof.

Why decentralisation matters

What makes blockchain revolutionary is that it is decentralized. Rather than relying on what makes a server or organisation to store and manage the information, a copy of the entire ledger is distributed among a network of computers referred to as "nodes." All nodes can see the entire history of the blockchain. If an attempt were made to alter one block, it would be necessary to alter all blocks subsequent to it on over half of the nodes within the system. That amount of coordination and computer power is close to impossible, which renders the blockchain highly secure.

How transactions are validated

When there is a new transaction—like a Bitcoin transfer—it's propagated out to the network to be validated. The network computers verify that the transaction is valid and there are sufficient funds. After being verified, the transaction is combined with other transactions into a new block. The network needs to reach consensus, or the majority needs to agree that it is correct, before the block can be added to the chain. Consensus can be achieved through various means, such as proof of work or proof of stake. After agreement, the block is added to the blockchain for good.

Outside of cryptocurrencies

While blockchain made its way into the public eye through cryptocurrencies, its potential goes far beyond that. It's being used today to make supply chains more transparent, secure digital identities, safeguard medical records, and even boost voting systems.

Since each block of data is time-stamped and cannot be altered, blockchain can establish trust in systems that were dependent on central authorities or middlemen before. Why it matters

Simply put, blockchain is a fresh method of data recording and sharing that eliminates the middleman. Blockchain enables individuals and organizations to exchange value or information in a secure and open manner. For anybody just beginning to venture into the realm of digital currency, knowledge of blockchain is the initial crucial step.

                                                                -oOo-

 

10 Most Popular Types of Cryptocurrency and How They Work

Cryptocurrency has gained immense popularity, with thousands of digital currencies now in circulation. Here's a look at 10 popular cryptocurrencies and an explanation of how they work:

1. Bitcoin (BTC)

Bitcoin is the first and most widely recognized cryptocurrency. It operates on a decentralized network, using a technology called blockchain to record all transactions. Bitcoin's Proof of Work (PoW) consensus ensures security by requiring miners to solve complex mathematical puzzles to validate transactions.

2. Ethereum (ETH)

Ethereum is more than just a cryptocurrency; it's a platform for decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. Ethereum allows developers to create and deploy applications without intermediaries. Ethereum's transition to Proof of Stake (PoS) aims to reduce its energy consumption and increase scalability.

3. Tether (USDT)

Tether is a stablecoin, meaning its value is pegged to a stable asset, such as the U.S. dollar. It operates on several blockchains, providing stability in the often-volatile crypto market. Tether is widely used for trading and as a bridge between cryptocurrencies and traditional finance.

4. Binance Coin (BNB)

Originally launched as a utility token for the Binance exchange, BNB is now used for various purposes, including paying for transaction fees on Binance and in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. It operates on the Binance Chain and Binance Smart Chain blockchains.

5. Cardano (ADA)

Cardano is a blockchain platform that uses a proof-of-stake consensus algorithm, making it more energy-efficient than Bitcoin. It focuses on scalability, security, and sustainability and is used for building decentralized applications and smart contracts.

6. Solana (SOL)

Solana is designed for high-speed and low-cost transactions, supporting decentralized applications and crypto projects. It uses a unique proof of history. (PoH) combined with proof of stake, allowing it to process thousands of transactions per second.

7. Dogecoin (DOGE)

Initially created as a joke, Dogecoin has gained popularity due to its strong community and low transaction costs. It operates on a proof-of-work consensus similar to Bitcoin but with faster block times and a more abundant supply.

8. Polkadot (DOT)

Polkadot aims to connect multiple blockchains, allowing them to communicate and share information securely. It uses a unique consensus model known as Nominated Proof of Stake (NPoS) to ensure scalability and interoperability.

9. Litecoin (LTC)

Litecoin is often referred to as the silver to Bitcoin's gold. It operates similarly to Bitcoin but with faster transaction speeds and lower fees. Litecoin uses the Scrypt mining algorithm instead of Bitcoin's SHA-256.

10. Chainlink (LINK)

Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network that allows smart contracts to securely interact with real-world data. It connects blockchains to external data sources, APIs, and payment systems, enabling more complex and useful applications.

These cryptocurrencies represent the diversity and potential of blockchain technology, each offering unique features and use cases. Whether for payments, decentralized apps, or interoperability, each plays a key role in the evolving digital economy.

                                                                                -oOo-

                                              

                                                      CRYPTO THE FUTURE

CRYPTO: A cryptocurrency is a digital-only token. 

What Is Crypto? | The Beginner's Guide - Decrypt

Cryptocurrencies are digital tokens that use cryptography for their creation and security. Bitcoin was the first, but thousands more have come. It uses cryptography (hence the shortened name, crypto) to regulate how the tokens are created, how they're traded, and how secure they are. And (here's the key appeal for many) it doesn't use or need a central bank or government to control or manage it.

What is an NFT?

An NFT is a digital asset that can come in the form of art, music, in-game items, videos, and more. They are bought and sold online, frequently with cryptocurrency, and they are generally encoded...

What is Crypto Options Trading?

Crypto Options Explained: Options are a cost-effective and risk-conscious way to trade digital assets or digital commodities like BTC and ETH. An option is a derivative, meaning it represents an underlying asset like BTC or ETH. With it, you can, but you don't have to buy or sell the underlying asset.

What is Grayscale Bitcoin Trust?

The Grayscale Investment Trust debuted as the Bitcoin Investment Trust on Sept. 25, 2013, as a private placement to accredited investors and, later on, received FINRA approval for eligible...

What is Grayscale Ethereum Trust?

Grayscale Ethereum Trust is solely and passively invested in ETH, enabling investors to gain exposure to ETH in the form of a security while avoiding the challenges of buying, storing, and safekeeping ETH directly. One of the first securities solely invested in and deriving value from the price of ETH.

Difference between Grayscale Bitcoin and Ethereum Trust

Grayscale Bitcoin Trust charges a stiff 2%, but Grayscale Ethereum Trust is even higher at 2.5%. The annual ransoms are high, but keep in mind that buying into crypto directly typically comes with...

Why Is Dogecoin So Popular?

Why is DogeCoin so popular? Dogecoin is growing in popularity more and more every day. The reasons behind the rise of this new and trendy cryptocoin are varied and fascinating in themselves. Pronouncing doge is tricky, as the word is pronounced as DOHJ and DOHG. Dogecoin has a unique name for sure. Dogecoin has a much shorter history than Bitcoin.

What Is an Airdrop?

What is an airdrop? An airdrop is when a project takes a certain amount of the project's crypto assets and sends them for free to people who meet particular requirements. That definition might sound vague, but that’s because airdrops are used in a wide variety of ways. It’ll be easier to understand with examples.

What Are Soft and Hard Forks?

What Is a Soft Fork? A soft fork is a forward-compatible change to the rules. It doesn't create a new blockchain. Instead, it maintains the old blockchain by running on two lanes with different sets of rules. To put it simply, the old blockchain can accept blocks from the new protocol rule changes.

What Is a Bitcoin ETF?

A Bitcoin ETF is an exchange-traded fund comprised of bitcoin or assets related to Bitcoin's price. They are traded on a traditional exchange instead of a cryptocurrency exchange. ...

NFTS: How to Buy, Store, and Use Them

How do you buy and store NFTs? Most commonly, NFTs are sold on NFT marketplaces. These are systems where people can either directly buy or bid on NFT auctions. Additionally, they act as digital auction houses, exhibiting NFTs that are about to go on sale for everyone to see. BitStarz Player Lands $2,459,124 Record Win! Could you be the next big winner?

Crypto Tax: Everything You Need to Know

If it's a short-term capital gain, it'll be taxed at your income tax rate, and that can be up to 37% for tax year 2021. For gains on coins you've held for more than a year, you'll pay long-term capital gains tax, the rate of which can be up to 20% (though there could be some exceptions).

Crypto Trading Strategies: A Beginner's Guide

Cryptocurrency trading strategies: Strategy #1: Hodl. HODL is a fundamental long-term crypto trading strategy for every beginner. It requires the least skills and experience in trading, and literally anyone can do it.

Why Bitcoin Is Not a Stock

Well, there's a common misconception among new crypto market participants that Bitcoin is a company stock. While its price activity can correlate with traditional markets on occasion, it is, in...

Apple and Bitcoin story

Apple has proceeded cautiously with cryptocurrencies, reports news agency Reuters. The company banned cryptocurrency wallets from its App Store in 2014 but later reversed the decision and now allows them. However, Apple bans mining for cryptocurrencies on iPhones and does not allow its Apple Card credit card to be used to buy digital currencies. 2

How to Tax NFTs?

  If a state has a statute on the books that deals with digital products, it is a no-brainer to put an NFT into that statute. It will be subject to sales tax, and the tax will be collected just...

How Easy Is It to Mine Dogecoin?

Unlike Bitcoin, mining Dogecoin is not very compute-intensive, which allows entry-level computers to mine DOGE and still make a profit. Dogecoin can be mined using various types of hardware, including: computer processors (CPUs) graphics cards (GPUs) ASIC miners CPU Miners

What Are Atomic Swaps?

An atomic swap is an exchange of cryptocurrencies from separate blockchains. The swap is conducted between two entities without a third party's involvement. The idea is to remove centralized...

How Does Cardano Compete With Ethereum?

Therefore, as it stands, Ethereum can process much faster transactions at just 16 seconds. However, Cardano is still being built, and it can already handle significantly more transactions per second, with this number expected to increase very shortly.

What are the risks of crypto lending?

Risks Associated With Crypto Lending Crypto Price Volatility Risks A primary concern in crypto lending is cryptocurrency market fluctuation. Cryptos are highly susceptible to price volatilities. This unsteady valuation can lead to a lower value on return. For example, assume you lent 1 Bitcoin (BTC) when the price was $60,000.

What is the Metaverse?

Broadly speaking, the technologies companies refer to when they talk about the metaverse can include persistent virtual worlds that continue to exist even when...

Why Does Hashrate Matter?

The hashrate is an important metric for assessing the strength of a blockchain network, more specifically, its security. The more machines dedicated by honest miners to discovering the next...

What's a Flash Crash?

The term flash crash refers to an event in the electronic securities markets wherein stock withdrawal orders rapidly amplify price declines before quickly recovering. The result of a flash...

What are Gas Fees: Why They Cost So Much and How to Save on Them?

If we need to buy 5 gallons of gas, we multiply that by the price listed on the pump. The total at the end is our gas fee. Essentially, every transaction requires 21,000 gallons of gas, and the price of gas per gallon on April 1, 2021, was 191.87 GWEI. Multiply that by the cost of Ether, and your total is $7.93 worth of Ether.

What is KYC, and why does it matter for crypto?

KYC means know your customer. It refers to a financial institution's obligation to carry out certain identity and background checks on its clients before allowing them to use its product or...

How to Buy a Tom Brady NFT?

At the time of writing, the floor price of Tom Brady's Origins NFT collection (or the lowest amount required to buy one of the NFTs on the secondary market) is $219. The floor price could ...

How to Invest in the Metaverse?

How to Invest in the Metaverse: Metaverse land and crypto are just some of the ways future tech enthusiasts can invest in the next digital frontier. By Joe Lautzenhiser Updated Oct 24, 2022 ...

Your First Crypto Wallet: A Newbie/Normie Guide to Crypto Wallets

With non-custodial crypto wallets, your assets are backed by something called a private key. This functions as a password to your crypto wallet. You must shroud this in secrecy and never tell...

First Series: Minting Your First NFT

Consider the audience you think will like your work and keep them in mind as you create. Choose whether you want your NFTs to have visual, audio, or written components, or all three. Pick a file ...

Meme Coin Investing: 3 Things You Need to Know

A share of your portfolio should be allocated to one or multiple meme coins, while the remainder can be distributed among more established and stable cryptocurrencies. A good trade allocation...

What Makes Bitcoin Price Go Up or Crash Down?

Bitcoin's crash, from close to $65,000 in April 2021 to around $35,000 by mid-June, was in large part a response to China's crackdown on bitcoin mining. Bitcoin fell 5.5% when the Chinese ...

Crypto Discord 101: Where to Go, What to Know?

To turn off this option, take the following steps: Click the server on the left-hand side for which you want to turn off Direct Messages (DMs) from server users. Click the downward-facing triangle...

Crypto Gifts: How to Give Bitcoin, NFTs, and More?

All you need to do is enter the referral code, and Coinbase will direct them through their account sign-up process. You will need to have your own Coinbase account set up beforehand to access...

How Does Loopring Stack Up Against Ethereum?

Compared to Ethereum's 16%, the current swap fee on Loopring is 0.3%. As you would expect, the fee funds the protocol: 0.2% goes to liquidity providers (LPs), and 0.1% goes to the Loopring developers. Liquidity providers (LPs) make decentralized finance (DeFi) happen.

What is Web3, and why is everyone talking about it?

Web3 evokes the idea of a Web 3.0 in contrast to the internet that we have today and the largely hobbyist and institutional 1.0 (a retronym) before that. Web3 is supposed to be a truly...

Polygon and MATIC: What You Need to Know

Polygon, formerly known as the MATIC Network, is a blockchain that seeks to address the throughput limitations of the Ethereum network by accelerating the network's transaction processing speed and reducing transaction costs. The protocol is looking to become the AWS for the Web3 world. From creating dApps to Zero-Knowledge roll-ups,

What's a DApp? Decentralized Apps Explained?

A decentralized application, or dapp, is like a digital app found on any smartphone or laptop, with the additional feature of employing blockchain technology to keep users data ...

What Happens When All Bitcoin Are Mined?

Even when all bitcoins are mined, many fewer than 21 million will be circulating actively. Data analytics firm Chainalysis estimates that roughly a fifth of all coins mined to date are lost. That ...

How to Buy, Sell, and Create NFTs?

How to sell NFTs To sell your NFTs on a marketplace, you'll need to locate them in your collection, click on them, and find the sell button.

How to Avoid Common Bitcoin Scams?

How to avoid phishing scams: Always double-check URLs to make sure you're visiting the genuine website. Don't click on suspicious links that are emailed to you. Never disclose your private key. Fake exchanges and wallets In a similar vein to phishing scams, keep an eye out for fake Bitcoin exchanges.

Why Crypto is Burned: What Does it Mean to Burn Crypto?

Cryptocurrency burning is the process in which users can remove tokens (also called coins) from circulation, which reduces the number of coins in use. The tokens are sent to a wallet address that...

Why TVL Matters In Crypto: Total Value Locked Explained

Total value locked (TVL) is the overall value of crypto assets deposited in a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol or in DeFi protocols generally. It has emerged as a key metric

Biggest NFT Scams and How to Avoid Falling Victim?

Bidding scams. Bidding scams happen mostly in the secondary market after you've purchased your NFT and you want to resell it to the highest bidder. Once you list your NFT for sale, bidders might ...

What Are Privacy Coins, and Are They Legal?

Take away the privacy-preserving technology, and privacy coins appear pretty similar to coins like Bitcoin. They run on decentralized ledgers and are maintained by a network of...

Top 6 Crypto Passive Income Generators for 2022

Passive income is money generated from ventures in which an individual is not actively involved. For the most part, all you need to do is invest your money or digital assets in a particular crypto investment strategy or platform and watch it generate profit. In some cases, the earnings are fixed and predictable. In others, several factors beyond your control may come into play.

How Bitcoin Mining Works

Bitcoin mining is the process by which new bitcoins are entered into circulation. It is also the way the network confirms new transactions and is a critical component of the blockchain ledger's...

What Can You Buy With Bitcoin?

Electronics, luxury watches, and even cars are among the items that cryptos can purchase. Bitcoin Goes Mainstream Over the years, retailer and consumer acceptance of Bitcoin has mirrored its...

Green Crypto: Crypto That Minimizes Carbon Footprint

IMPT, the greenest crypto of 2022, is on presale now. Chia (XCH): A green crypto focusing on low energy consumption. Ethereum (ETH): The largest altcoin that has recently adopted the POS ...

Is There Crypto You Can Mine at Home?

So, here are the six best cryptocurrencies that you can mine at home in 2022. 1. Monero (XMR) Monero (XMR) is one of the easiest cryptocurrencies to mine using a home computer. Monero is based on the CryptoNote protocol and utilizes the RandomX hash function to create increasingly complicated mathematical equations.

What are NFTs, and why are some coins worth millions?

Millions of people have seen Beeple's art that sold for $69m, and the image has been copied and shared countless times. In many cases, the artist even retains the copyright ownership

What is the average cost of an NFT?

How much is the average cost of an NFT? ... The average cost of NFTs varies between different marketplaces, from $900 on Mintable to $500 and $150, among others. Even so ...

What makes a reliable NFT?

An NFT project usually has a healthy mix of a strong founding team, a vibrant and positive community, a clear vision of how to increase value, effective marketing, and elements of gamification and utility, which build loyalty amongst their token holders. An infographic explaining what makes a good NFT project.

How to make cool NFTs?

Here's how to make your own. Table of Contents How to Create an NFT Step 1: Create a Piece of   Step 2: Get a Crypto Wallet and Add Some Crypto. Step 3: Pick a Platform to Sell On Step 3A: Pick a Blockchain Step 4: Minting Your NFT Step 5: Selling an NFT How to Create an NFT

Can you buy options?

There are two types of bitcoin options you can buy: Call options. You'd buy a call option on Bitcoin if you thought the price was going to increase beyond the set price you've chosen (known as the strike price) on or before the date of expiry. If your prediction was correct, you'd execute the contract at expiry and take your profit.

How to trade options crypto?

The main differences between trading traditional options versus crypto options are that the crypto market runs 24/7, whereas traditional financial markets are only open Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m....

Is day trading crypto worth it?

One thing you should never try to do when day trading crypto is to time the market manually because it's virtually impossible to do. A human trade will never be as fast, efficient, or precise as crypto trading bots. According to one research study, algorithmic trading can process a trade in less than 10 milliseconds.

How to start trading cryptocurrency?

As a beginner, you probably want to choose a trading strategy that involves medium- to long-term trading and investing. This will typically require more time to research and analyze your trades before committing. Crypto market vs. stock market The stock market has been around for a long time now, and there is a bunch of literature on the topic.

Does GBTC own bitcoin?

It trades under GBTC. The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust holds 654,885 Bitcoin, or 46% of the 1.4 million Bitcoin held by publicly traded companies, according to Bitcointreasuries.org. As of April 8, 2021, GBTC currently trades at $47.57 and, per official documents, holds 0.00095 Bitcoin (worth $54.6) per share. Did you know?

Does GBTC track Bitcoin?

It uses a recent day as an example of how GBTC trades at a substantial premium relative to the value of the Bitcoins held by the fund: At the Jan. 29 closing price, Bitcoin was $11,233.95. That would make the NAV for a share of GBTC (11,233.95 x 0.00100733) $11.31. However, shares of GBTC closed at $19.14, a 69% premium to the NAV.

Is GBTC the easiest way to invest in Bitcoin?

Buying GBTC is like buying shares in a fund that invests in bitcoins. This investment gives you the opportunity to invest without any of the normal difficulties with using cryptocurrencies, such as locating a digital wallet and then trusting an exchange to use their own account with limited funds. Sometimes the premium can work in a trader's favor.

Is Grayscale Bitcoin Trust a buy?

Grayscale Bitcoin Trust has collected more than $800 million in assets under management, and the reason is simple: Grayscale handles all the details of investing in actual bitcoin. The...

How can you make money investing in Ethereum?

If so, if you're wondering how to invest in Ethereum right now, you will find the required five steps below. Step 1: Open an account with a regulated exchange. Step 2: Deposit some funds with a debit/credit card, e-wallet, or bank transfer. Step 3: Choose how many Ethereum coins you want to   Step 4: Confirm the investment

Should you invest in Ethereum or Bitcoin?

Put simply, Bitcoin is mostly known as a store of value, and Ethereum supports smart contracts and secure financial transactions. Investors who are interested in cryptocurrency.

Is Dogecoin worth it?

Dogecoin is not a good store of value due to its inflationary nature but can still be used to make payments or buy stuff online from merchants that accept it. Millions of Dogecoins are minted every day and added to the circulating supply. Dogecoin's online supporters also sometimes use it to send tips or gifts to their friends and content creators.

Why have an airdrop?

The primary reason for organizing a crypto airdrop is to promote a blockchain startup, project, or service. By issuing tokens to users, the team can bootstrap its project and ensure a fair distribution of tokens among its community from day one.

What's a Dapp?

Decentralized applications (or Dapps) are blockchain-based alternatives to regular apps. They're secure, transparent, and resistant to censorship, but they are still very much a developing technology. There are now well over 3,500 Dapps, many of which provide similar functionality to the apps we know and love today.

What is a DEX?

A decentralized exchange (or DEX) is a peer-to-peer marketplace where transactions occur directly between crypto traders. DEXs fulfill one of crypto's core possibilities: fostering financial transactions that aren't officiated by banks, brokers, or any other intermediary. Many popular DEXs, like Uniswap and Sushiswap, run on the Ethereum blockchain.

What is DeFi?

DeFi (or decentralized finance) is an umbrella term for financial services on public blockchains, primarily Ethereum. With DeFi, you can do most of the things that banks support—earn interest, borrow, lend, buy insurance, trade derivatives, trade assets, and more—but it's faster and doesn't require paperwork or a third party.

What are soft forks?

What Is a Soft Fork? In blockchain technology, a soft fork is a change to the software protocol where only previously valid transaction blocks are made invalid. Because old nodes will recognize...

What is a hard fork, and how does it work?

A hard fork (or hardfork), as it relates to blockchain technology, is a radical change to a network's protocol that makes previously invalid blocks and transactions valid, or vice versa. A...

How to invest in Bitcoin ETFs?

How to Invest in Bitcoin ETFs If you're looking to invest in Bitcoin ETFs, you can purchase them through your broker or advisor if they offer them. There are several Bitcoin ETFs that...

Should you buy the BITO ETF?

The ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO, $43.28) is officially a blockbuster. Cryptocurrency proponents scored one of their largest badges of legitimacy recently when the Securities and...

Bitcoin ETFs: What They Are and How to Invest?

There are several Bitcoin ETFs that trade on exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange ARCA and Nasdaq: Proshares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) 4 Valkyrie Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BTF) 5...

Which should you buy?

OpenSea, Rarible, and Mintable are some of the leading NFT marketplaces available to people. The proof of ownership of each NFT is what makes them tradable and nonfungible assets. After an...

Is crypto taxed like stocks?

Crypto Taxation vs. Stocks Taxation. Capital gains are the same; the capital gains of crypto and stock are the same. According to the IRS Notice 2014-21, cryptocurrency is treated as property. When you hold a token as an investment, it will be subjected to the same capital gains tax similar to stocks and securities. Capital Losses: Crypto Offers ...

How does the IRS treat cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency exchanges in the United States, like Coinbase and Kraken, report to the IRS. If you have more than $20,000 in proceeds and 200 transactions in crypto exchanges, you will receive Form 1099-K that documents your proceeds each month from your crypto exchange. Your crypto exchange will also send a copy of that Form 1099-K to the IRS.

Do I need to report cryptocurrency on my taxes?

Do I Have To Report Cryptocurrency on My 2021 Taxes? Yes, you do. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), cryptocurrency is classified as a type of property. This means that crypto transactions are taxable by law, just like any transaction involving other forms of property (stocks, bonds, etc.).

How to start trading crypto?

Applying both FA and TA will give you the best chance of identifying the best trading and investing opportunities in the crypto market. This is because the two techniques complement each other in so many ways. For instance, you may use FA to determine that an asset is worth investing in.

How risky is it to buy cryptocurrency?

In fact, as an unregulated and decentralized technology, cryptocurrency is inherently riskier than most other assets. Here are a few of the risks associated with owning cryptocurrency. Volatility. Cryptocurrency as an investment is one of the most volatile assets you can own. This is due to the nature of how new it is as an asset class, and the ...

Is cryptocurrency really a sound investment?

Cryptocurrency can be the best investment with astronomically high returns overnight; however, there is also a considerable downside. Investors should analyze whether their time horizon, risk tolerance, and liquidity requirements fit their investor profile.

Should you be buying bitcoin right now?

For some people, buying stocks is a scary idea due to the risks involved. Bitcoin, however, can be an even riskier prospect. Cryptocurrency, generally speaking, is more volatile than stocks...

Should you invest in stocks or Bitcoin?

Bitcoin has been more volatile than stocks. There is the potential for dramatic growth with Bitcoin but also for dramatic loss. Because of its uncertainty, it might make sense to limit the amount of Bitcoin in an investment portfolio. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is Bitcoin? Bitcoin was the first successful cryptocurrency.

Why should you still invest in Bitcoin?

That is just one reason why you should invest in cryptocurrency. Take a look below to see more solid arguments for getting yourself involved in the cryptocurrency market. 1. Buy Low, Sell High ...

Is Apple investing in Bitcoin?

Monday, July 26, 2021, 4:07 am PDT by Hartley Charlton A large number of websites and posts on social media are stoking rumors that Apple has purchased $2.5 billion worth of bitcoin in the...

How did Bitcoin get its value?

Bitcoin demonstrates some attributes of a currency, but its main source of value lies in its restricted supply and increasing demand. If the price of one bitcoin were to reach $514,000,...

Do you have to pay taxes on NFTs?

Do You Have to Pay Taxes on NFTs? As with anything else in life, you do have to pay taxes on NFTs; however, the process and tax rates can fluctuate depending on certain factors. Since NFTs are digital assets, they are treated as property much like other crypto assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

How do I file NFT taxes?

Form 8959 To report your NFT and crypto gains and losses, you will need Form 8959. To fill out the form, you will want to refer back to records and the 1099-B forms issued by crypto exchanges. The records are necessary for tracking the price you paid for NFTs and the source of the funds.

What are the tax implications of selling an NFT?

So, if you sell an NFT at a profit, the gain could be taxed at a federal rate of up to 31.8% (28% top capital gains rate plus a 3.8% net investment income surtax). That is quite a bit higher than the capital gains you pay if your Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency appreciates in value. The top federal capital gains tax rate is 23.8% today.

Is mining Dogecoin worth it?

The Pros of DogeCoin Mining - It is easy to mine and has low maintenance costs. - DogeCoin has a large market cap, and it is not as volatile as other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. - Dogecoin can be mined on home computers or laptop computers with little investment. The Cons of DogeCoin Mining

How much electricity does Dogecoin mining use?

Electricity Costs $8.22. 9.43323774 DOGE Dogecoin mined per hour: 226.39770580 DOGE Dogecoin mined per day: $14.33 Dogecoin mining profit per day Sponsored Advertisement Dogecoin Miners Calculate Dogecoin mining profit using one of these Dogecoin miners. Select or click a miner to have the inputs preloaded automatically.

Can You Mine Doge with GPU?

Dogecoin can't be mined efficiently with a computer processor. It is necessary to have a powerful graphics card unit, or an application-specific integrated mining machine can provide relevant hash power to the network. IS MINING DOGECOIN WORTH IT? | 1 Week unMineable Profit Review Watch on Contents

What is an atom, and how does it work?

An atomic swap is an exchange of cryptocurrencies from separate blockchains. The swap is conducted between two entities without a third party's involvement. The idea is to remove centralized...

Is the Atomic Wallet really safe?

Is Atomic Wallet safe? Yes, Atomic Wallet is a non-custodial decentralized wallet. It includes a private password, encryption, and a 12-word seed phrase that is stored on your device, ensuring that you maintain total control over your assets. To the Atomic team, users remain anonymous, as do their data and transaction history. Weekly Finance Digest

Is Cardano a better investment than Ethereum?

Cardano vs. Ethereum: Highlighting the key differences. Understanding the inner workings of Ethereum and Cardano may help you decide which is the better investment. In 2015, Vitalik Buterin and a leadership team that included Hoskinson introduced Ethereum (also known as Ether or ETH). Hoskinson had a position of authority in this organization.

What is Cardano, and how does it work?

Cardano is an open-source blockchain project developed in layers to run financial applications used by businesses, consumers, and governments globally. It can be used to send and receive digital money, ensuring quick, direct transfers that have been cryptographically secured.

Is Cardano a third-generation cryptocurrency?

Cardano is a cryptocurrency that was developed in 2015. The coin is currently worth $0.29 and has a market capitalization of $7.6 billion. The coin is considered to be a third-generation cryptocurrency and is one of the most popular altcoins on the market. Cardano is often compared to Ethereum because both coins offer smart contract functionality.

What are the risks of a cryptocurrency loan?

A primary concern in crypto lending is cryptocurrency's market fluctuation. Cryptos are highly susceptible to price volatilities. This unsteady valuation can lead to a lower value on return. For example, assuming you lent 1 Bitcoin (BTC) when the price was $60,000...

Are crypto loans a better idea?

$4B in bitcoin mining loans are in distress, according to JPMorgan research. Of course, it didn't have to happen. Furthermore, those who were innovative and didn't link their funding to crypto alone or high leverage are likely to be in a superior competitive position and more resilient to price volatility.

What percentage of crypto does the borrower keep?

Among crypto traders, 41% are women, 44% are investors of color, and 35% have incomes below $60,000 a year—higher respective shares than the 38%, 35%, and 27% of those who traded stock.

Is trying to price out brands?

In March 2021, the NFT stakes rose when Beeple sold an NFT for $69 million. Since then, the NFT craze has cast a lure and driven NFT prices to an average of $4,000, with some going for over $1...

Is buying real estate in the Metaverse a smart investment?

The metaverse is the new, hot thing, and there's real estate aplenty for the taking. Metaverse platforms have lots available, ranging from a few dollars to tens of thousands of dollars...

How do miners make  

Hash rate depends on the computing power of the miners (i.e., powerful graphic cards), as well as the cryptocurrency itself. The higher the hash rate, the higher the success rate on mining. The lower the hash rate, the lower the success rate on mining. Hash rate is measured in hashes per second (h/s).

What is hashrate, and why is it important?

The hashrate is an important metric for assessing the strength of a blockchain network, more specifically, its security. The more machines dedicated by honest miners to discovering the next ...

What actually happened during the Flash Crash?

What follows is a compilation of things I've discovered in the Wonderland market around May 6, 2010. During the 10-minute period between 2:40 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. on May 6, 2010, for all market centers combined, the bid/ask spread was crossed (the bid was higher than the ask) for 7% of Apple trades. wasn't a high-five...

What is the gas fee, and why does it matter?

Gas is simply a unit that measures how much computational power your transaction needs to register on a blockchain network like Ethereum. Every time you engage in a transaction, even if it's as simple as sending crypto to your best friend's mom, it always requires computational power or energy. Unfortunately, this energy requires fees.

How do gas fees work in cryptocurrency mining?

The gas fee is calculated using Gas Limit * Gas Price per Unit. 1 So if the gas limit was 20,000 and the price per unit was 200 gwei, the calculation would be 20,000 * 200 = 4,000,000...

Do decentralized crypto exchanges apply KYC checks?

Even if decentralized exchanges do not become subject to KYC and AML regulations in the short term, embracing the key tenets of KYC compliance can lead to a number of powerful benefits for the space. 1. KYC can help build customer trust. Decentralized exchanges are, by nature, designed to facilitate transactions between peers.

What is the difference between KYC and AML?

By contrast, KYC is a component part of AML and refers specifically to the means by which firms establish and verify their customers identities and monitor their financial behavior. Typically, the KYC process involves the collection and verification of a range of identifying information from customers. Name, Address, Date of birth

How to opt for a good Bitcoin or crypto wallet?

The best Bitcoin wallets enable you to send and receive bitcoin (and other cryptocurrencies), trade between cryptos, discover new ways to use your bitcoin and other cryptos, get market updates and news, and even interact with smart contracts. In this guide we'll take you through the key factors to consider when choosing a Bitcoin wallet.

What was the first Bitcoin wallet?

The first build of the Bitcoin-Qt wallet, 0.1, was believed to have been lost to time until Hal Finney, by then virtually incapacitated with Lou Gehrig's disease, found the source code in 2012. Bitcoiners curious to see what the first BTC wallet looked like can download and run the Bitcoin-Qt client 0.1 on PC.

What is a hot wallet for cryptocurrency?

A hot wallet is a cryptocurrency wallet that is always connected to the internet and cryptocurrency network. Hot wallets are used to send and receive cryptocurrency, and they allow...

Is minting NFTs easy?

It isn't simple to gauge how long minting NFTs will take. However, almost all the NFT platforms, tools, and NFT marketplaces render the NFT creation process simple. Installing a Chrome browser extension called MetaMask, an Ethereum wallet, is the default step for creating an account or authenticating into the major NFT marketplaces.

How to start making NFTs?

Music NFTs How to make an NFT Step 1. Create an image or a series of images. Step 2. Pick a marketplace. Step 3. Set up your wallet. Step 4. Mint NFTs Step 5. Get ETH for listing the NFTs. Step 6. Set up the sale process. Making an NFT is easier than ever before. Frequently asked questions The NFT landscape

Will Bitcoin continue to go up?

Given that Wall Street is in a bear market and experts expect it to last for a few more months, bitcoin could make its way back up to $28,000 by the end of the year, according to an analysis. ...

Why Bitcoin is the future of money.

Here's why Bitcoin is the future of money commentary. Bitcoin may not last, but cryptocurrency is here to stay—it's only a matter of time before a government replaces paper with more...

What Is Web3, and Why Is Everyone Suddenly Talking About It?

Web3 evokes the idea of a Web 3.0 in contrast to the internet that we have today and the largely hobbyist and institutional Web 1.0 (a retronym) before that. Web3 is supposed to be a truly...

What Is Web3, and Why Are All the Crypto People Talking about It?

Web3 refers to a potential new iteration of the internet that runs on public blockchains, the record-keeping technology best known for facilitating cryptocurrency transactions.

What is a polygon, and why does it matter?

What is a polygon? In geometry, a polygon can be defined as a flat or plane, two-dimensional closed shape bounded with straight sides. It does not have curved sides. The sides of a polygon are also called its edges. The points where two sides meet are the vertices (or corners) of a polygon. Here are a few examples of polygons.

Can I stake Polygon (MATIC)?

Moving on, you can stake MATIC in three simple steps. Step 1: Buy MATIC. First off, you must buy MATIC. You can buy MATIC in both centralized and decentralized exchanges. You can buy MATIC using Binance, Coinbase, Crypto.com, Kraken, KuCoin, WazirX, and other smaller exchanges. When buying MATIC through decentralized exchanges, you can use Uniswap.

What is the most decentralized cryptocurrency?

Ethereum is another highly decentralized network. In fact, some studies suggest that Ethereum is even more decentralized than Bitcoin. Such a suggestion is based on a principle that, if put quite simply, proclaims that the more nodes the network has, the more decentralized it is. The Ethereum network has approximately 7000 nodes.

What are the top 10 governance tokens to watch out for?

Every token represents a crucial vote for debate on governance proposals. 5. Decentraland The Decentraland metaverse is also another playground for a top choice in a crypto governance tokens list in the form of LAND. The LAND NFT tokens represent the virtual parcels of land, and the MANA token serves as the cryptocurrency in the metaverse platform.

When will Bitcoin be mined out?

Currently, only 2 million BTC are yet to be mined. Estimates suggest that the last bitcoin will be minted in 2140. Further, Bitcoin explained simply: Everything you need to know Bitcoin price prediction 2022: Can BTC continue to make a comeback? Bitcoin price prediction for 2030: Where will it be? Who has the most Bitcoins? Hint: it isnt Tesla

Is it a commodity or a stock?

By design, Bitcoin is a scarce digital asset more similar to a commodity than to a stock or a security. From a legal standpoint, most jurisdictions consider Bitcoin as money and, depending on the context, treat it as a currency or a commodity, and almost never as a stock/security.

Is Bitcoin a security, a currency, or a commodity?

Over the years, Bitcoin has been considered a security, currency, or commodity depending on perspective. Most Bitcoin enthusiasts consider Bitcoin as security, while the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) sees it as a currency and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as a commodity. Bitcoin As Securities

Is this bitcoin scam a numbers game?

Poloniex is a large, prominent, and legitimate crypto exchange. However, in 2017 it was the target of a sophisticated scam that saw at least three fraudulent Poloniex trading apps listed on the Google Play store. Two of the apps, Poloniex and Poloniex Exchange, were downloaded more than 5,500 times before they were removed from the store.

What is coin burn in cryptocurrency?

Coin burning happens when a cryptocurrency token is intentionally sent to an unusable wallet address to remove it from circulation. The address, which can be called a burn address or eater...

Is Shiba burning coins?

Shiba Inu coin burning describes how the supply of the token reduces. Coin burning is a common practice among several crypto projects that want to become deflationary. It is the process of removing tokens from circulation. To do this, the project usually has burner addresses where the coins cannot be retrieved.

Is it legal to trade privacy coins?

Let's take a closer look at privacy coins, their complicated legal status, and potential tax implications to remember. ... If you trade crypto assets, ZenLedger can help you track your holdings, aggregate transactions across exchanges, and compute your capital gain or loss each year. You can also find opportunities to save money on taxes ...

Do privacy coins promote money laundering and terrorism?

Private transactions using privacy coins do not necessarily promote malicious activities such as money laundering and terrorism financing. Some users simply value their financial privacy and are exercising their fundamental rights, yet the number of government agencies clamping down on untraceable digital currencies is steadily rising.

What is the best privacy coin?

Best Privacy Coins 1. Monero (XMR) 2. Zcash (ZEC) 3. PIVX (PIVX) 4. Dash (DASH) 5. Verge (XVG) 6. Zcoin (ZXC) 7. Bytecoin (BCN) 8. Komodo (KMD) 9. DeepOnion (ONION) 10. Grin (GRIN) 11. Quras (XQC) 12. Beam (BEAM) Best Privacy coin comparison: Zcash vs. Monero Overview Popularity and ROI Privacy and Security Scaling and Fees Conclusion Summing up

How to do online shopping with Bitcoin?

Another way to online shop with Bitcoin is by purchasing Bitcoin gift cards. Bitcoin gift cards are super simple and function just like any other gift card or prepaid card. There are tons of companies that offer Bitcoin gift cards, and like other gift cards, they are often available in sets of value options with a limit of $500.

Which is the easiest cryptocurrency to mine?

RIF is also one of the easiest cryptocurrencies to mine. RIF is the cryptocurrency that runs on top of the RSK blockchain. can also mine virtual currencies by providing liquidity to mining pools. The decentralized finance market has been growing over the last years.

At last, with a lot of answers through this post, one thing I can say is crypto is the future and everlasting secure wealth, which is indestructible, untorn, or unripped. Get knowledge in crypto, invest In it, make mining and yourself rich...