Crypto

Cryptocurrency Investing Is Not For the Faint-hearted or Uninformed – Tekedia

Published

12 months ago

January 22, 2024

Cryptocurrency Investing Is Not For the Faint-hearted or Uninformed – Tekedia

Cryptocurrencies are a fascinating and complex topic that attracts many investors, enthusiasts and researchers. However, they are also very volatile, risky and unpredictable, and require a lot of knowledge and expertise to navigate successfully. I will explain some of the challenges and opportunities that cryptocurrencies present, and why they are not for the faint-hearted or the uninformed.

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that use cryptography to secure transactions and control the creation of new units. They operate on decentralized networks of computers that follow a set of rules or protocols. Unlike traditional currencies, they are not issued or backed by any central authority, such as a government or a bank.

This gives them some advantages, such as lower transaction costs, faster processing times, greater transparency and anonymity, and resistance to censorship and manipulation.

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However, cryptocurrencies also come with many drawbacks and risks. One of the main challenges is their high volatility, which means that their prices can fluctuate dramatically in a short period of time. For example, in 2017, the price of Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency, rose from about $1,000 to almost $20,000, and then fell to below $4,000 in 2018. Such swings can be influenced by various factors, such as supply and demand, technical issues, regulatory changes, hacking attacks, media coverage, public sentiment and speculation.

Another challenge is their security and reliability. Cryptocurrencies rely on cryptography and blockchain technology to ensure the validity and integrity of transactions. However, these technologies are not foolproof and can be vulnerable to errors, bugs, hacks or malicious attacks.

For instance, in 2014, Mt. Gox, the largest Bitcoin exchange at the time, lost about 850,000 Bitcoins (worth about $450 million) due to a hacking attack. In 2016, a hacker exploited a flaw in the code of a smart contract platform called Ethereum and stole about $50 million worth of Ether, another cryptocurrency.

A third challenge is their regulatory and legal uncertainty. Cryptocurrencies are subject to different laws and regulations in different countries and jurisdictions. Some countries have banned or restricted their use or trade, while others have embraced or regulated them.

For example, China has banned cryptocurrency exchanges and initial coin offerings (ICOs), while Japan has recognized Bitcoin as a legal tender and licensed several cryptocurrency exchanges. The lack of a clear and consistent legal framework can create confusion and ambiguity for users, investors and businesses.

These challenges and risks mean that cryptocurrencies are not for the faint-hearted or the uninformed. They require a lot of research, education and caution to understand and use them properly. They also require a high tolerance for risk and uncertainty, as well as a long-term perspective and patience.

Cryptocurrencies are not a get-rich-quick scheme or a magic bullet for financial problems. They are an innovative and experimental phenomenon that may have a significant impact on the future of money and society.

Trading, market making, staking see funding after Spot ETF approval

The recent approval of the first cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund (ETF) by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sparked a wave of interest and investment in the crypto space. Many traders, market makers and stakers are looking for ways to capitalize on this opportunity and increase their returns.

One of the main benefits of an ETF is that it allows investors to gain exposure to a basket of assets without having to buy and store them individually. This reduces the risks and costs associated with custody, security and regulation. An ETF also provides more liquidity and transparency than other types of funds, as it can be traded on a stock exchange like any other security.

However, an ETF also comes with some challenges and limitations. For example, an ETF may not track the underlying assets perfectly, due to fees, tracking errors and rebalancing issues. An ETF may also face competition from other similar products, such as trusts, futures and options. Moreover, an ETF may not capture the full potential of the crypto market, as it may exclude some segments or innovations that are not yet mainstream or regulated.

This is where trading, market making and staking come in. These are three different ways of participating in the crypto ecosystem that can offer higher returns, more flexibility and more innovation than an ETF. Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.

Trading

Trading is the act of buying and selling cryptocurrencies or other digital assets for profit. Traders can use various strategies, such as arbitrage, scalping, swing trading or trend following, to exploit price movements and market inefficiencies. Traders can also use leverage, derivatives and margin trading to amplify their gains or hedge their risks.

Trading requires a high level of skill, knowledge and discipline, as well as access to reliable platforms, tools and data. Trading also involves significant risks, such as volatility, liquidity, slippage and counterparty risk. Traders need to be aware of the regulatory and tax implications of their activities, as well as the ethical and social impact of their decisions.

Market making

Market making is the act of providing liquidity to a market by quoting both buy and sell prices for an asset. Market makers earn profits from the spread between the bid and ask prices, as well as from fees or rebates from the platform or exchange they operate on. Market makers also help reduce price fluctuations and improve market efficiency by facilitating trade execution and price discovery.

Market making requires a large amount of capital, as well as sophisticated algorithms, models and systems to manage inventory, risk and orders. Market making also involves high competition, low margins and regulatory uncertainty. Market makers need to constantly monitor the market conditions, the demand and supply of the asset, and the actions of other market participants.

Staking

Staking is the act of locking up a certain amount of cryptocurrency in a smart contract or a wallet to support the security and operation of a blockchain network. Stakers earn rewards from the network for validating transactions, producing blocks or participating in governance. Staking also gives stakers voting rights and influence over the network’s direction and development.

Staking requires a long-term commitment, as well as trust in the network’s stability, security and performance. Staking also involves opportunity costs, as stakers forego other uses of their funds while they are locked up. Stakers need to carefully choose which network to stake on, based on factors such as reward rate, inflation rate, lock-up period and slashing risk.

Trading, market making and staking are three different ways of engaging with the crypto market that can offer more benefits than an ETF. However, they also come with more challenges and risks that require careful consideration and preparation. Ultimately, each investor needs to decide which option suits their goals, preferences and risk appetite best.

Crypto

Donald Trump Embraces Meme Coins—A Presidential First

Published

1 hour ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

Donald Trump Embraces Meme Coins—A Presidential First

Donald Trump is making news once more, but this time it’s not for political reasons; it’s about cryptocurrency. As he prepares to return as the 47th President of the United States, Trump will become the first sitting president to own meme currencies, a decision that has stirred both enthusiasm and skepticism in the crypto community.

Trump: A Significant Crypto Portfolio

Recent sources claim that Trump’s crypto wallet consists largely of meme coins and is valued roughly $8 million. Among the assets are $1.5 million in a meme currency with Trump-themed design and $5.5 million in TROG tokens.

In addition, he has about 1.3 billion GUA coins, which amounts to nearly $400,000, and $167,000 in TRUMPIUS tokens. This is a first of its kind, where Trump becomes an oddity in the world of politics and cryptocurrency, considering his earlier reluctance towards digital assets.

DONALD J. TRUMP WILL BE THE FIRST SITTING US PRESIDENT TO HOLD MEMECOINS pic.twitter.com/ODlNXDaKIT
— Arkham (@arkham) January 10, 2025

From Skepticism To Support

Trump’s journey into the crypto world is notable. He had been a strong critic of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, calling them scams. But that all changed in 2024 when he started publicly endorsing Bitcoin and speaking out for the right to own it. That’s a broader trend among politicians, who are increasingly recognizing the potential of cryptocurrencies and their growing popularity among voters.

Trump’s financial success in the digital sphere was also aided by his venture into non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on Ethereum. Trump reportedly made a good living from these endeavors, and he currently owns roughly 496.77 ETH, which is worth about $1.6 million.

BTC is currently trading at $94,144. Chart: TradingView

Implications For Regulation

Many people are eager to see how Trump’s administration will regulate cryptocurrencies now that he is back in office. A possible change toward a more advantageous regulatory climate for digital assets is hinted at by the nomination of important individuals like David Sacks as “Crypto Czar” and Paul Atkins as SEC chair. This could result in more precise rules for investors and businesses involved in the cryptocurrency industry.

Trump

Donald Trump. Image: Ronda Churchill/Reuters

The policies by Trump are already changing market dynamics as everybody is anxiously awaiting them. During this time when Bitcoin hit a record high of $108k, while meme coins surged, analysts still feel that Trump could make the year 2025 a major turning point in cryptocurrencies.

Meme Coin Boom

The rise of Trump-owned meme coins is indicative of a broader cultural shift among younger investors who are fed up with established financial institutions. This combination of the political influence of Trump and the speculative nature of meme coins puts a scenario under which political events could significantly affect cryptocurrency markets. Thus, while the investors go about this, they are not ignorant of the volatility that is usually associated with meme coins.

Featured image from Fortanix, chart from TradingView

Crypto

Scammers steal $2 million in cryptocurrency from remote work seekers in New York, Florida

Published

9 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Scammers steal million in cryptocurrency from remote work seekers in New York, Florida

Scammers stole millions of dollars in cryptocurrency from remote job seekers in an elaborate scheme. New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit to recover over $2 million that she said was stolen from New Yorkers and others nationwide.

Scammers used unsolicited text messages to lure victims with promises of flexible, well-paying remote work opportunities. They claimed the job involved reviewing products online to generate market data. However, victims were told to open cryptocurrency accounts and maintain balances matching the price of products they were reviewing.

While victims believed they would receive their investments plus commissions, the funds were instead transferred into the scammers’ crypto wallets. The fake product reviews took place on a fraudulent website created as part of the scheme.

The lawsuit details seven people who were scammed. One victim, a New Yorker, lost over $100,000 while another victim from Florida lost over $300,000. These cases show the significant financial and emotional impact on the victims.

James’ office, working with Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and her cryptocurrency unit, traced the stolen funds to specific digital wallets. Over $2 million in cryptocurrency has been frozen, ensuring it can be returned to victims.

“Deceiving individuals seeking remote work is cruel and unacceptable,” said James. “We’re committed to holding scammers accountable and recovering stolen funds.”

Published By:

indiatodayglobal

Published On:

Jan 12, 2025

Crypto

Illegal Cryptocurrency Mixers Targeted: Operators Charged with Money Laundering – Regtechtimes

Published

19 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Illegal Cryptocurrency Mixers Targeted: Operators Charged with Money Laundering – Regtechtimes

A federal grand jury in Georgia recently indicted three Russian nationals for their involvement in running illegal cryptocurrency mixer services that helped criminals launder money. The indictment, announced on January 7, 2025, involves Roman Vitalyevich Ostapenko, Alexander Evgenievich Oleynik, and Anton Vyachslavovich Tarasov. These individuals are accused of operating two online services called Blender.io and Sinbad.io, which helped criminals hide the source of their illegal funds.

A cryptocurrency mixer is a tool used to mix cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, making it harder for authorities to trace the origin of digital money. These services are attractive to criminals involved in activities such as ransomware attacks and fraud, as they allow them to send funds anonymously.

Ostapenko and Oleynik were arrested in December 2024, while Tarasov is still on the run. The three men face serious charges related to money laundering and operating unlicensed financial businesses. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison for laundering money and up to five years for running an unlicensed business. The indictment follows the earlier shutdown of the Sinbad.io service after it was seized by law enforcement in 2023.

The Role of Blender.io and Sinbad.io

Blender.io and Sinbad.io were both cryptocurrency mixers, meaning they offered a way to send digital money anonymously. For a fee, these services allowed criminals to send their funds without revealing where the money came from. This feature made these mixers attractive to those who wanted to hide stolen funds or profits from illegal activities, such as ransomware attacks, fraud, and even theft of virtual currencies.

Extradited for Fraud: Do Kwon Faces Justice After $40B Crypto Crash

Blender.io operated from 2018 to 2022 and was known for its promise of anonymity. It advertised a “No Logs Policy,” meaning it claimed to have no records of transactions. The site also reassured users that no personal details were needed to use the service. This allowed criminals to send and receive Bitcoin without leaving a trace of their identity.

After Blender.io was shut down in 2022, the defendants launched Sinbad.io, which offered similar services. This service continued until law enforcement authorities took it down in November 2023, marking a significant victory in the fight against cybercrime. The shutdowns of both services were the result of coordinated efforts by authorities from several countries, including the U.S., the Netherlands, Finland, and Australia.

Both Blender.io and Sinbad.io were not only used by ordinary criminals but were also linked to state-sponsored hacking groups. For instance, Blender.io was used by North Korean hackers to launder funds stolen through cyberattacks. Similarly, Sinbad.io had connections to cybercriminals who targeted businesses and individuals. These cryptocurrency mixers served as a vital tool in helping these criminals profit from their illegal activities, making it harder for authorities to trace the stolen money back to its original source.

Crypto-currency Scam Wipes Out $425,000 from Ohio Man’s Retirement Fund

International Cooperation in Combating Cybercrime

The investigation into Blender.io and Sinbad.io showcases the power of international cooperation in tackling cybercrime. The indictment was made possible by the joint efforts of law enforcement agencies from different countries, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, the Netherlands’ Financial Intelligence Service, and Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation. Their collaboration helped track down the operators of these illegal services and ultimately led to their takedown.

In addition to the U.S. authorities, international agencies like the Australian Federal Police and Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation played key roles in the investigation. Their contributions were essential in identifying the people responsible for running these cryptocurrency mixers and disrupting their illegal activities.

The importance of international cooperation cannot be overstated. Cybercrime often crosses national borders, and without the efforts of multiple countries working together, it would be much harder to stop these crimes. The arrests of Ostapenko and Oleynik, along with the ongoing search for Tarasov, send a strong message to cybercriminals around the world: law enforcement agencies are committed to identifying and holding accountable those who operate illicit financial networks.

This case highlights how dangerous these cryptocurrency mixers can be in enabling serious criminal activities. By breaking down these networks, authorities are making it harder for criminals to profit from their wrongdoing, while also protecting public safety and national security.

To read the original order please visit DOJ website