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Home Blog Page 3869

How to Buy Cryptocurrency

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In this beginner’s guide, we explain how to buy cryptocurrency in great detail – covering the step-by-step investment process alongside an overview of the best exchanges and a couple of projects to consider.

How to Buy Cryptocurrency – Quick Guide

  • Step 1: Find High Potential Crypto
    While the majority of the crypto market struggled throughout last year, some crypto tokens made great returns for early investors as they offered low entry prices and higher potential for growth than established projects. Although the market has somewhat bounced back in 2023, high-potential crypto projects are still some of the best cryptos to invest in now.
  • Step 2: Research Top Projects
    There are many new presales on the market and while some are scams, others are legitimate and offer high potential for ROI.
  • Step 3: Download Crypto Wallet
    Download a crypto wallet such as eToro Wallet and connect to the project website of your chosen project.
  • Step 4: Buy Cryptocurrency Tokens
    Finally, follow the steps on screen to buy ETH or any crypto and then press the “Buy now” button.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

Which is the Best Cryptocurrency to Buy 2023?

So now that we have covered the easy steps on how to buy crypto assets, we can now talk about the best coins to buy this year that have been in the market much longer.

Once again, you’ve got tens of thousands of options to choose from – so independent research is crucial.

We, however, will discuss five of the best cryptocurrencies to buy right now, as per our own analysis.

1.   Bitcoin – Best Crypto to Buy Now for Beginners

Out of more than 17,000 digital currencies listed on CoinMarketCap – more than 45% of all cryptocurrency investments are held in Bitcoin. This clearly highlights that across the board – Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin is also the de-facto cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization and mass awareness. Taking these points into account, Bitcoin is arguably the best cryptocurrency to buy for beginners and one of the top cryptos to buy for the long term.

Although it trades for tens of thousands of dollars, you can invest in Bitcoin in fractional amounts.

At eToro, you only need to invest $10. In terms of growth, we mentioned earlier that Bitcoin was worth just $1 a decade prior to writing this guide.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

2.   Ethereum – Leading Cryptocurrency to Buy for Smart Contracts

Ever wondered if you should buy Ethereum right now? As noted earlier, Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency for market capitalization – behind Bitcoin. This project was launched back in 2015 and it dominates the smart contract and decentralized app (dApp) niche. These are pre-programmed blockchain contracts that facilitate trustless agreements.

On the one hand, there are actually better-performing smart contract blockchains in this space – namely Polygon and Solana. This is in terms of transaction speed, fees, and scalability.

However, Ethereum recently moved to Proof-of-Stake and, in doing so, Ethereum 2.0 took its smart contract blockchain to the very next level. Not only in terms of lower fees and even faster transactions – but being able to scale on a much larger level, as well as cutting energy usage by more than 99%.

Its latest upgrade has also allowed staked ETH to be withdrawn, and it remains the most popular and active blockchain for builders and developers – with more than $30 billion of TVL (Total Value Locked) on the network, six times its nearest rivals.

As such, Ethereum is still one of the best cryptocurrency to explode this year. Also, see our longer guide to the most promising cryptocurrencies including a new crypto presale.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

3.   BNB – Top Cryptocurrency to Buy for Long-Term Growth

The next cryptocurrency that we like is BNB – which is a top digital asset to consider for long-term growth. This digital asset is backed by Binance – the largest cryptocurrency exchange globally.

When the token was first launched in 2017 – its primary purpose was to allow users of the Binance exchange to reduce their trading commission. But, since then, BNB has grown to a whole new level.

For example, the digital token is now the primary currency of the Binance Smart Chain.

This decentralized blockchain network is home to tens of thousands of cryptocurrencies – and most transaction fees are paid in BNB.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

4.   Decentraland – Great Cryptocurrency to Buy to Invest in the MetaVerse

Another cryptocurrency to consider buying for your investment portfolio is Decentraland – which is focused on creating a global MetaVerse via its decentralized 3D gaming world. Players within the Decentraland virtual world can build characters, wearables, and even real estate.

These digital products can then be traded with other users – with MANA the native digital currency backing the Decentraland project. To illustrate how lucrative this game can be, a virtual plot of land was sold for over $2 million in late 2021 – with the transaction settled in MANA.

In terms of performance, MANA was priced at just 0.025 in 2017. When the token last hit all-time highs of 2021, MANA surpassed a value of $5.20. This means that in just over three years of trading, Decentraland and its MANA token grew by more than 20,000%.

The coin retraced throughout 2022 but has shown strong signs of a recovery in early 2023.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

5.   Yearn.finance – Promising Cryptocurrency to Buy for Decentralized Financial Services

Another area of the cryptocurrency arena that is growing in prominence is the availability of decentralized financial services. More specifically, there are platforms in existence that allow users to engage with traditional financial products on a peer-to-peer basis.

One of the best decentralized platforms in this regard is Yearn.finance. In a nutshell, the Yearn.finance protocol allows users to take out loans – in return for putting up a percentage of the financing agreement as collateral.

At the other end of the agreement are investors. That is, those holding idle cryptocurrencies can loan their funds to borrowers. And, as a result, investors will earn interest.

The YFI token – which backs Yearn.finance, is, therefore, a top cryptocurrency to keep an eye on this year.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

Should I Invest in Crypto?

Potential investors often ask about the best crypto to invest in, but the answer is not simple. When learning how to invest in cryptocurrency for the first time, you will quickly figure out that this marketplace is extremely volatile and different investors will have different appetites for risk.

  • For example, across the 12 months prior to writing this guide, Bitcoin has experienced 52-week lows and highs of $29,000 and $69,000 respectively.
  • In simple terms, this amounts to a volatility spread of over 80%.

Taking this into account, it’s important to do plenty of research before you buy Bitcoin or any other top crypto.

On the flip side, and as we cover in more detail shortly, it is important to note that 10 years prior to writing, Bitcoin was available to buy at just $1 per token. This means that the cryptocurrency has since grown by over 7 million percent.

  • And, don’t forget that Bitcoin isn’t the only cryptocurrency that you can buy.
  • On the contrary, CoinMarketCap now lists over 17,000 different digital currencies – all of which freely trade online.

Crucially, some cryptocurrencies have performed significantly better than Bitcoin in recent years, but are often attached with a higher risk factor as they are new or untested projects.

Examples include the likes of Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Ethereum, Binance Coin, and Solana – all of which have outperformed Bitcoin since each respective project was launched.

Beginner crypto traders often find choosing which crypto to buy and how much to invest in very challenging. It can also be very difficult to calculate your appetite for risk before real money is at stake.

Benefits of Buying Cryptocurrency

The most important thing to consider when learning how to invest in cryptocurrency is whether or not this volatile and speculative asset class is right for your financial goals.

If you’re still undecided, below we discuss some of the main benefits of buying cryptocurrency in 2023.

1.   Monumental Price Increases

Before we give some examples of just how successful some cryptocurrencies have been since they were launched – it is important to note that not all digital assets have performed well. On the contrary, many tokens have seen huge losses in terms of their token value.

Nevertheless, it goes without saying that the overwhelming majority of people will look to buy cryptocurrency because of the huge returns that have been generated in recent years.

For example:

  • When BNB was launched in 2017, it carried a token price of just $0.011
  • At its peak during the late 2021 bull run, it reached an all-time high of $650
  • This means that in just over five years, early BNB investors saw gains of over 590,000%
  • In other words, had you invested just $1,000 into BNB when it was first launched, your portfolio would have been worth over $5.9 million at the peak
  • BNB has since retraced but is still trading at around $300

In another example:

  • When Ethereum – which is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization, was first launched in 2015 – it was trading at approximately $0.75.
  • Towards the end of 2021, Ethereum hit highs of just under $4,900.
  • This means that in just over six years, the value of Ethereum grew by more than 653,000%
  • As such, an initial investment of $1,000 in 2015 would have since grown to over $6.5 million
  • Again, the price has retraced but is still trading at over $1,500 in January 2023

Although the above examples are just two of many – the key point here is that in buying cryptocurrency for your portfolio, you stand the chance of making sizable returns. Of course, you also stand the chance of losing money – so bear this in mind.

2.   Diversification

Another benefit of buying cryptocurrency is that it is really easy to diversify. This is due to two key reasons.

First and as noted earlier, you can now choose from more than 17,000 tradable digital assets. As such, to reduce the risk of being overexposed to one or two cryptocurrencies, you could invest in a large basket of tokens.

Second, all cryptocurrencies can be fractionated into tiny units. For example, you don’t need to buy one full Ethereum token for several thousands of dollars. Instead, you can invest any amount of your choosing – even a couple of dollars.

This diversification strategy is particularly effective when you use a low-cost cryptocurrency broker that supports small investments. At eToro, for instance, you can diversify across more than 40 digital currencies at a minimum investment of just $10 per asset.

3.   Limited Supply

Some, but not all, cryptocurrencies have a limited supply that is determined by immutable mathematical code.

For example, the total supply of Bitcoin will never surpass 21 million tokens – which is expected to happen by the year 2140.

  • Crucially, this framework ensures that cryptocurrencies cannot be manipulated by central banks or governments – which is the case with all fiat currencies in circulation.
  • For instance, the US Federal Reserve has printed trillions of dollars out of thin air since COVID-19 came to fruition.

Another benefit of investing in a cryptocurrency that has a limited supply is that finite assets typically perform well over the course of time.

Gold is a prime example here, its finite characteristics ensure that demand will always surpass supply.

Perfect for Cross-Currency Payments

If you have ever transferred money overseas – especially if the beneficiary was based in an emerging or third-world country, then you will know that the process can be both slow and expensive.

  • Cryptocurrencies, however, offer a real solution to this problem, not least because the underlying blockchain is not restricted by jurisdictional borders.
  • For example, if you were to buy XRP and transfer it – the transaction would take less than 5 seconds to process, regardless of where the sender and receiver are located.
  • Furthermore, the transaction would cost you a small fraction of a cent in fees.

These benefits are not exclusive to XRP – but many other digital currencies that are currently in circulation.

Hedging Against Inflation and Stagnant Stock Markets  

One of the biggest economic consequences that countries around the world are now facing as a result of COVID-related stimulus packages is that inflation levels are rising rapidly.

  • In simple terms, this means that the value of your money becomes weaker – as prices for goods and services increase.
  • To counter the very real threat of rising inflation, some investors are turning to stores of value like Bitcoin.
  • After all, when you compare Bitcoin to broader inflation levels, the former has performed excellently as a hedging tool.

Additionally, cryptocurrency can also be a useful tool in hedging against the wider stock markets. For example, over the prior five years, the S&P 500 has grown by nearly 90%. Bitcoin, however, has increased in value by over 3,000% during the same period.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

When to Buy Cryptocurrency

When you consider that cryptocurrency is a volatile asset class – you might be tempted to try and time the market in terms of when to buy and sell.

As noted earlier, in the 52 weeks prior to writing this guide, Bitcoin has carried a volatility spread of 80% – which is huge.

On the one hand, timing the cryptocurrency markets correctly is no easy feat – as the industry is both volatile and unpredictable.

With that said, there are a couple of proven strategies that you can take to ensure that you enter the cryptocurrency market at the most favorable time possible.

Buy the Dip

The first strategy you might consider in attempting to time the cryptocurrency markets is to ‘buy the dip’. This is a strategy widely used in the traditional stock trading industry and it simply means that you will buy cryptocurrency when it goes through a market dip.

  • For example, moving into 2022, Bitcoin was priced at approximately $46,000.
  • Just over three weeks later, Bitcoin was valued at $33,000
  • This means that in buying this market dip, you can buy Bitcoin at a huge discount of 25% – compared to its price three weeks prior
  • It is now priced at around $20,000 and has been as low as $16,000 in recent weeks

The overarching concept here is that while inexperienced investors are fraught with fear and panic when cryptocurrency prices decline, seasoned traders will view this as an opportunity to increase their holdings by purchasing more tokens but at a discounted price.

Dollar-Cost Averaging

Various researchers argue that buying the dip is not a viable strategy in the long-term – at least in the traditional stock markets.

The reason for this is that by only buying the dip, you are missing out on prolonged upward pricing swings. With that in mind, you might instead consider a dollar-cost averaging strategy.

The main concept here is that you will engage in a long-term investment strategy that will see you buy cryptocurrency at fixed amounts, at specific intervals.

For example:

  • Let’s suppose that you have $100 to invest in digital currencies every Friday
  • This means that on Friday, you will buy cryptocurrency at a different price – baring in mind market fluctuations
  • Over the course of time, your cost price will average out in line with the broader markets
  • In other words, when prices are going down – you get to buy cryptocurrency at a lower cost
  • And, when prices are going up, you will buy cryptocurrency during an upward trend

The key point here is that dollar-cost averaging removes the need to try and time the market. Instead, you will slowly but surely build your portfolio through systematic investments. In doing so, you should have little interest in shorter-term pricing swings.

Where to Buy Cryptocurrency – Best Places to Buy Cryptos

It goes without saying that in order to buy cryptocurrency online, you need to have an account with a broker or exchange.

When deciding where to buy cryptocurrency – your chosen platform should offer low fees, your preferred payment method, small account minimums, and of course – a strong regulatory framework. So, whether you’re looking to buy the Graph, XRP, or Ethereum, you’ll need to choose an exchange or broker that matches your trading needs and financial goals.

Below, we review a selection of top-rated platforms that allow you to buy cryptocurrency safely and cost-effectively.

1. eToro – Overall Best Platform to Buy Cryptocurrency

You won’t find a better online broker or crypto exchange app to buy cryptocurrency than eToro – which offers a safe, low-cost, and budget-friendly way to invest. First, this innovative social trading platform is regulated by several tier-one licensing bodies – which include the SEC in addition to the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC. Moreover, eToro is a member of FINRA.

You only need to deposit $10 to open an account at this broker – which is ideal for those wishing to invest small amounts of money. Similarly, the minimum cryptocurrency purchase permitted at eToro is also $10. Supported cryptocurrencies are plentiful at eToro, with more than 70+ digital assets available to buy. Therefore you can buy Dogecoin on eToro as well as other popular altcoins with low fees.

This covers large-cap tokens as well as several DeFi coins. For instance, you could buy Solana or you could buy ApeCoin with a tight transaction fee of just 1% on eToro.

eToro is our best place to buy crypto because it really stands out when it comes to fees. For instance, US clients can deposit funds without paying any fees at all – which covers buying crypto with debit/credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. When you buy and sell cryptocurrency here, you only need to cover the fixed 1% transaction fee and the tight spreads. Furthermore, USD withdrawals are also free.

If you’re interested in cryptocurrency but have little experience in this space – eToro offers a Smart Portfolio that manages your investments on your behalf. The portfolio in question will cover more than a dozen digital assets – which will be rebalanced regularly by the eToro team. This social trading platform makes it easy to buy Bitcoin with a credit card and other convenient payment methods.

Alternatively, you can choose to copy top crypto traders on the eToro platform. The copy trading tool allows you to instantly copy the portfolios of any crypto trader on the platform, and you can access in-depth statistics on their performance all for no extra cost. Finally, eToro also offers a top-rated mobile app – which is available on both iOS and Android. This means you can gain exposure to the crypto market directly from your smartphone device and buy Celo and other exciting new altcoins with tight spreads and low fees.

eToro is also widely regarded as the best stock broker due to its copy trading tools and zero commission policy on buying and selling stocks.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

2. Coinbase – Good Place to Buy Cryptocurrency for Beginners

Launched in 2012, Coinbase is a large cryptocurrency exchange and broker based in the US. With millions of customers using Coinbase to buy and sell cryptocurrency – the platform is often the preferred provider for beginners. This is because Coinbase is simple to use and it supports small investments.

On the other hand, Coinbase is expensive – especially when it comes to debit/credit card payments. That is, by using your Visa or MasterCard to buy cryptocurrency instantly, Coinbase will charge you almost 4%. Standard commissions at this platform are also pricey at 1.49% per slide.

On the flip side, you can deposit US dollars via ACH without paying any fees. Moreover, Coinbase offers a relatively broad selection of cryptocurrencies to choose from – you can diversify well here. We also like that Coinbase is regulated – and that it keeps 98% of client digital funds in cold storage.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

3. Binance – Popular Place to Buy Bitcoin for Asset Diversity

Binance is larger than Coinbase – with a global user base of over 100 million clients. The platform is also the biggest in terms of daily trading volume. As such, Binance is popular with those seeking high levels of liquidity and a wide selection of digital currency markets.

If you’re based in the US, you will have access to a dedicated US version of Binance. This gives you access to over 50+ currencies – all of which you can buy with a debit/credit card. Much like Coinbase, the fees here are expensive – with Binance charging 4.5% to use Visa or MasterCard, in addition to a buy commission of 0.5%. This means you could buy Polkadot with a small commission of 0.5%.

With that said, if you are able to deposit funds with ACH or a domestic wire transfer, you will not be charged any fees. When it comes to trading commissions, Binance is very competitive. In fact, you’ll pay a maximum commission of 0.10% per slide to trade crypto-crypto pairs. If you’re a seasoned investor, Binance offers advanced trading tools and OTC services.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

 

4. Webull – Buy Cryptocurrency From Just $1

Webull is one of the most popular brokerage sites in the US, with the platform offering thousands of stocks, ETFs, and even options. However, Webull is also known for offering low-cost cryptocurrency services. In fact, you can buy cryptocurrency here at a minimum of just $1 – which is ideal for casual traders.

When it comes to fees, Webull does not charge any commissions when you buy or sell cryptocurrency. You do, however, need to be aware that cryptocurrency spreads here start from 1%. You can trade a variety of digital currencies here – including but not limited to Bitcoin, Chainlink, Uniswap, Zcash, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, and more.

Webull also offers a fully-fledged trading app that gives you access to your investment account on the move. You can deposit funds at this brokerage without needing to meet a minimum. Although you won’t be able to deposit via a debit/credit card, you can fund your account with ACH or bank wire. The latter comes with a deposit/withdrawal fee of $8/$25 respectively.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

Risks of Buying Cryptocurrency

Now that we have talked about the benefits of buying cryptocurrency, we need to discuss some of the main risks that need to be considered.

The most pressing risks of buying cryptocurrency are outlined below.

Volatility

We have mentioned several times throughout this guide that cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile. This means that the value of your investment can go up or down by a large percentage in a very small period of time.

For example, had you bought Dogecoin at the start of 2021 and sold just seven months later, your investment would have increased in value by more than 10,000%.

On the other hand, if you had bought Dogecoin in July 2021 and held on until the start of 2023 – you would be looking at losses of nearly 90%.

As a result, before you buy cryptocurrency for your portfolio – you must be prepared for rapid pricing swings.

Oversaturated Market

The next risk that you need to consider when learning how to buy cryptocurrency is that this marketplace is now oversaturated.

As noted, around 20,000 cryptocurrencies are listed on CoinMarketCap – and even more that are yet to be added to the platform.

This means that outside of the top-100 projects, the cryptocurrency market is extremely fragmented. In simple terms, this means that the total amount of money being injected into the markets is now being allocated across a huge number of tokens.

As such, your chosen cryptocurrency might struggle to make an impact when you consider the amount of competition in this space.

Hacks and Security

Another major risk to consider is that over the course of the past few years – billions of dollars worth of digital assets have been stolen from cryptocurrency exchanges. If you had funds at one of these platforms, you might have had your tokens stolen with nowhere to turn.

As such, it is crucial that you stay away from unlicensed platforms and only buy cryptocurrency from a regulated exchange or broker – of which there are very few. Additionally, if you are looking to store your cryptocurrency tokens in a private wallet – further risks are at play.

If you lose your private keys and do not back your wallet up with a recovery passphrase, your funds will be lost forever. Moreover, if your cryptocurrency wallet is hacked, this will also result in a loss of funds.

Ways of Buying Cryptocurrency

The next thing to consider when learning about digital asset investments is the many ways to buy cryptocurrency.

By this, we mean the specific payment method that you will use to fund your cryptocurrency purchase.

The best ways to buy cryptocurrency in 2023 are discussed below.

Buy Cryptocurrency With Paypal

You can buy cryptocurrency with Paypal at a very select number of online exchanges and brokers. In most cases, you will be charged a premium – as Paypal offers users the ability to execute a chargeback request.

This is, of course, a big risk for exchanges and brokers – which is why fees are typically high. With that being said, if you are depositing funds in US dollars, eToro allows you to buy crypto with Paypal on a fee-free basis.

If you’re using an alternative currency – then you will simply pay an FX fee of 0.5%.

Buy Cryptocurrency With Credit Card or Debit Card

The best way to buy cryptocurrency online is with a debit or credit card. This is because your purchase will usually be completed instantly.

For instance, if you buy crypto with a debit card at eToro, you will not only benefit from an instant deposit, but USD payments are fee-free.

This is also the case with credit cards, but the respective issuer might charge a premium – so be sure to check this yourself.

Buy Cryptocurrency With Neteller or Skrill

Another way to buy cryptocurrency online is with an e-wallet like Neteller or Skrill. You can use both of these popular e-wallets at eToro at a fee of just 0.5%. Or, if you’re funding your account in USD, this fee is waived.

Buy Cryptocurrency with Bank Transfer

Many exchanges and brokers allow you to buy cryptocurrency with a bank transfer – not least because this option is more cost-effective for platforms to process.

From your perspective, you will likely be able to deposit funds via ACH for free – albeit, the transaction might take a few days to arrive. Bank wires are usually supported too – but some platforms will charge a small fee.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

How to Buy Cryptocurrency Safely

The most important part of this guide is the safety aspect of buying cryptocurrency. Not only in terms of staying away from unregulated platforms but how you intend to store your tokens.

With this in mind, below we explain the fundamentals of how to buy cryptocurrency safely.

Regulated Brokers

When you buy cryptocurrency from a broker that is regulated by a tier-one licensing body – you can be confident that you are using a trusted provider.

  • For instance, eToro is regulated by the SEC and registered with FINRA and is our best app to buy crypto.
  • eToro is also licensed by the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC.

At the other end of the scale, you have Binance. Although Binance is the largest cryptocurrency exchange for volume and registered users, the platform is currently being investigated by a number of national regulatory bodies for operating without the required approval.

Avoid Peer-to-Peer Trades

You might be tempted to buy cryptocurrency on a peer-to-peer basis. This means that you will be purchasing your chosen digital currencies directly from the seller – as opposed to going through a centralized exchange.

Peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trades are extremely risky, especially for buyers – as you will be required to pay for your purchase before you receive the tokens. As such, you should never buy cryptocurrency from a peer-to-peer website.

Check Fees

Another thing to consider when learning how to buy cryptocurrency safely is to make sure that you have a firm understanding of what fees you are paying.

  • As an example, there are now thousands of Bitcoin ATMs scattered around the world.
  • These are targeted at the Average Joe who wishes to buy Bitcoin in exchange for cold-hard cash.
  • However, buyers are often unaware that Bitcoin ATMs charge huge fees – which will oftentimes average 10-20%.
  • The fee is often not shown in percentage terms.
  • Rather, you are shown how many BTC tokens you will receive for the amount of cash you are looking to invest.

For those without knowledge of cryptocurrency prices – this can be difficult to recognize.

On the other hand, if you buy cryptocurrency from an online broker like eToro  -which is regulated by the SEC – you can be sure that the platform is transparent in what it charges.

In fact, at eToro, you only need to cover the difference between the buy and sell price – which starts at just 0.75%.

Cryptocurrency Wallets

When it comes to keeping your cryptocurrency funds safe, you generally have two options. First, many investors will look to withdraw their tokens to a private wallet – perhaps on their mobile phone or desktop device.

These private wallets are typically non-custodial – which means that you are 100% responsible for keeping your tokens safe.

You then have custodial wallets, which are usually offered by online brokers and exchanges. On the one hand, trusting an unlicensed exchange with your tokens is not a good idea.

However, in using a regulated broker like eToro, Coinbase, or Gemini – you can be sure that the platform has a range of institutional-grade security tools in place to keep your cryptocurrency safe.

How to Buy Cryptocurrency  – Tutorial

This ultimate guide on buying cryptocurrency has covered each and every metric that you need to consider before you proceed with an investment.

  • If you have considered the risks involved and decided which digital asset interests you – then we are now going to walk you through the step-by-step process of buying any popular crypto.
  • Crypto assets offer much higher potential for returns given their low entry points and room for growth over more established tokens.

Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1 – Download Crypto Wallet

Investors first need a crypto wallet. We recommend eToro on desktop and on mobile.

Then head to the eToro website and select ‘Sign UP.’

Step 2 – Verify the Account

The second step on how to buy crypto on eToro is to verify your crypto trading account by submitting a proof of ID.

Step 3 – Buy Crypto

After searching for your preferred crypto asset, elect ‘Buy Now.’ Simply follow the steps on the screen and enter the number of tokens you want to purchase.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

Conclusion

This beginner’s guide on how to buy and sell cryptocurrency online has covered every nut and bolt that you need to know to start your investment journey safely.

To recap, it’s important to do plenty of research before proceeding – both in terms of the cryptocurrency you decide to add to your portfolio and the exchange or broker you plan to open an account with.

The best cryptos for high returns are the likes of Ethereum and Cardano, which offer low entry points and huge room for growth before they reach the wider market.

FAQs on Buying Cryptocurrency

Where to buy cryptocurrency?

If you’re wondering where to buy cryptocurrency, we found that eToro offers a top-rated service – in terms of low fees, regulation, small account minimums, accepted payment types, and supported tokens – and is the best place to buy crypto. There are a wide variety of crypto exchanges and brokers, and even banks, that allow customers to buy crypto.

 

Is buying cryptocurrency a good investment?

This depends. If you enter the market at a favorable price and hold onto your tokens for a sufficient number of months or years – there is every chance that you will make a return on your principal investment. However, cryptocurrencies are high risk – so you can also lose some, or all, of your money.

 

Which crypto to buy today for the long term?

There are a number of crypto projects that are expected to be big hits in the long-term, with Bitcoin and Ethereum often selected as the most low-risk cryptos for the future.

 

Where can I buy cryptocurrency for free?

All platforms charge fees to buy cryptocurrency. However, eToro came out as one of the most cost-effective platforms in the market – as you only need to pay the spread.

 

What is the best app to buy cryptocurrency?

The best place to buy crypto is offered by SEC-regulated eToro – which is available to download for free on iOS and Android.

How do I buy crypto?

You can buy cryptocurrency online through an exchange or broker that lists your preferred token. You’ll need to open an account, and if depositing in fiat money – upload some ID. Then, after making a deposit, you can proceed to buy your chosen cryptocurrency.

>>>Buy Cryptos Now<<<

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

How Fintech Can Continue To leverage Blockchain Technology

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Blockchain technology is a game-changer for fintech innovation. It offers many opportunities and advantages for fintech companies and customers to create new value propositions, improve existing services and products, and address current pain points in the financial sector.

Blockchain technology is a system of distributed ledger that records transactions and data in a secure, transparent and immutable way. It has the potential to transform various industries, especially the financial sector, by enabling faster, cheaper and more efficient transactions, as well as enhancing trust, security and privacy. 

On the other hand, Fintech, or financial technology, is the use of innovative technologies to provide or improve financial services and products. Fintech encompasses a wide range of applications, such as mobile payments, peer-to-peer lending, crowdfunding, robo-advisors, digital currencies and more.

One of the main applications of blockchain technology in Fintech is digital payments. Blockchain technology enables fast, low-cost, and borderless transactions, without the involvement of intermediaries or third parties. This can reduce transaction fees, improve customer experience, and increase financial inclusion. For example, Ripple is a blockchain-based payment network that connects banks, payment providers, and digital asset exchanges, enabling them to send and receive money in any currency. Ripple claims to process over 1.5 million transactions per day, with an average settlement time of 3.7 seconds.

Another application of blockchain technology in Fintech is smart contracts. Smart contracts are self-executing agreements that are encoded on the blockchain and triggered by predefined conditions. Smart contracts can automate and streamline various processes and transactions in the financial sector, such as trade finance, insurance, lending, and asset management. For example, Etherisc is a blockchain-based platform that provides decentralized insurance products, such as flight delay insurance and crop insurance. Etherisc uses smart contracts to automatically verify claims and pay out customers, reducing fraud and operational costs.

Blockchain poses some challenges and obstacles that need to be addressed carefully. Fintech companies should leverage on blockchain technology strategically by assessing their needs, goals and capabilities; selecting the most appropriate blockchain platform; complying with relevant regulations; engaging with stakeholders; testing their solutions; learning from feedback; iterating their products; scaling their operations; measuring their impact; adapting to changes; collaborating with partners; innovating continuously; delivering value to customers; achieving competitive advantage; creating social good; contributing to financial inclusion; advancing economic development; shaping the future of finance.

Fintech can leverage blockchain technology to create new opportunities and solve existing challenges in the financial sector. Some of the benefits of blockchain for fintech are:

Reduced costs and intermediaries: Blockchain can eliminate or reduce the need for intermediaries, such as banks, clearing houses, payment processors and regulators, by enabling direct peer-to-peer transactions. This can lower the transaction fees, operational costs and administrative burdens for fintech companies and their customers.

Increased speed and efficiency: Blockchain can enable faster and more efficient transactions, by reducing the processing time, verification steps and human errors. Transactions can be executed in real-time or near real-time, without the need for manual intervention or reconciliation. This can improve the customer experience and satisfaction, as well as the scalability and performance of fintech solutions.

Enhanced security and transparency: Blockchain can enhance the security and transparency of transactions and data, by using cryptographic techniques, such as encryption, hashing and digital signatures, to ensure the authenticity, integrity and immutability of the records. Transactions and data can be verified and audited by anyone on the network, without compromising the privacy or confidentiality of the parties involved.

This can increase the trust and confidence among fintech stakeholders, as well as reduce the risks of fraud, corruption and cyberattacks. Civic is a blockchain-based identity platform that allows users to verify their identity and control their data through a mobile app. Civic partner with various organizations, such as banks, healthcare providers, and e-commerce platforms, to provide identity verification and authentication services.

Improved compliance and regulation: Blockchain can improve the compliance and regulation of fintech activities, by providing a reliable and immutable source of truth for transactions and data. Blockchain can facilitate the implementation and enforcement of rules, policies and standards, such as anti-money laundering (AML), know your customer (KYC), consumer protection and taxation. Blockchain can also enable the creation and adoption of smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements that are triggered by predefined conditions or events.

Blockchain technology is not a panacea for all fintech challenges, however. There are still some limitations and barriers that need to be overcome, such as:

Technical complexity and interoperability: Blockchain technology is still evolving and maturing, and there are various types of blockchain platforms with different features, functionalities and protocols. This creates technical complexity and interoperability issues for fintech developers and users, who need to choose the most suitable blockchain platform for their needs, as well as integrate it with existing systems and standards.

Regulatory uncertainty and fragmentation: Blockchain technology is still relatively new and unregulated in many jurisdictions, and there are different legal frameworks and approaches for fintech activities across countries. This creates regulatory uncertainty and fragmentation for fintech companies and customers, who need to comply with multiple and sometimes conflicting rules and regulations, as well as deal with potential legal disputes and liabilities.

Cultural resistance and adoption: Blockchain technology is still unfamiliar and misunderstood by many people in the financial sector, who may have doubts or fears about its benefits, risks and implications. This creates cultural resistance and adoption challenges for fintech companies and customers, who need to educate themselves and others about blockchain technology, as well as overcome the inertia and habits of traditional financial practices.

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency in the 21st Century

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The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency has been one of the most significant trends of the 21st century. Both technologies have the potential to transform various aspects of human society, such as economy, security, governance, and culture. However, they also pose significant challenges and risks, such as ethical dilemmas, cyberattacks, regulatory uncertainty, and social inequality. In this blog post, we will explore how AI and crypto are related, what are the benefits and drawbacks of their integration, and what are the implications for the future of humanity.

AI and crypto are both based on the principles of decentralization, cryptography, and innovation. Decentralization means that the power and control are distributed among multiple nodes or agents, rather than concentrated in a single authority or entity. Cryptography means that the data and transactions are secured and verified by mathematical algorithms, rather than by trust or intermediaries. Innovation means that both technologies are constantly evolving and improving, driven by the incentives of competition and collaboration.

One of the main benefits of integrating AI and crypto is that they can enhance each other’s capabilities and performance. For example, AI can help optimize the efficiency and scalability of crypto networks, such as by reducing energy consumption, improving consensus mechanisms, and enabling smart contracts. Crypto can help provide the infrastructure and incentives for AI development, such as by enabling data sharing, rewarding innovation, and ensuring privacy. Together, AI and crypto can create a more transparent, fair, and democratic system for value creation and exchange.

However, there are also significant drawbacks and risks of integrating AI and crypto. For example, AI can pose a threat to the security and stability of crypto networks, such as by launching sophisticated attacks, exploiting vulnerabilities, and manipulating markets. Crypto can pose a challenge to the regulation and governance of AI development, such as by enabling anonymous actors, facilitating illicit activities, and evading oversight. Together, AI and crypto can create a more complex, unpredictable, and volatile system for value creation and exchange.

Therefore, the integration of AI and crypto has profound implications for the future of humanity. On one hand, it can create new opportunities for innovation, empowerment, and collaboration. On the other hand, it can create new threats for disruption, exploitation, and conflict.

 The outcome will depend on how we design, use, and regulate these technologies. We need to balance the trade-offs between efficiency and security, freedom and responsibility, diversity and coherence. We need to align the goals and values of AI and crypto with those of humanity.

A New Revelation: $3.4 billion exchange in one transaction below market price [video]

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If this allegation is true, it would be very unfortunate. Did you read $3.4 billion exchange in one transaction below market price? Very unfortunate – and what a country! Possibly, that was the reason they did not open the Central Bank of Nigeria books for years. O di egwu (ordinary differential equation for a few, but “mystically wonderful” for others) .

The current audit of the CBN books will be a massive RELEVATION in Nigeria and could explain why Naira moved from N197/$ to N750/$ within 8 years.

More revelations loading….

Comment on Feed

Comment 1: Money heist. Economic banditry. We have neither money nor refinery, so it’s loss, loss.

At the end of the day it changes nothing, because thieves don’t catch thieves.

They all got national awards, remember, from MON to GCFR.

Children of perdition on steroid.

Comment 2: Prof.. it’s seems your tides of your admiration is shifting oh! Or has this revelation put a dent in the “Dangote System”?

My Response:

I do not have a side. I only report news and analyze data. Dangote does good, I praise him. If he does bad, I say so. I have no agenda. So, your “shift” is wrong. I do not shift. The problem in Nigeria is the notion that Tinubu, Dangote, Obi, etc can only be bad or good irrespective of what he/she does. That is not how I work. Dangote is admirable but that does not mean we cannot point out issues when we see so.

And to add, if you read the book, this validates the thesis in the book. The book, I guess you are yet to read, is saying that nations and citizens pay severe penalties for having conglomerates. Like Amazon receiving $billions of waivers for its second headquarters when other small firms in the USA have no chance. The book was about a system and not about a person. Take time to read it because this validates the core thesis of my book. If you have $10 billion to invest in Sokoto, you can get free land, etc which a man with $100 to invest in the state cannot get.

Regulatory Requirements For The Manufacture of Herbal Medicinal Products in Nigeria

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Herbal medicine is increasingly coming into the mainstream of healthcare, and with their increasing acceptance and consumption, comes a high rate of risks which require a higher amount of regulatory checks , especially in Nigeria.

The objective of the Manufacturing Guidelines for Herbal Medicinal Products as outlined by the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is to ensure that products are consistently manufactured in conformance with quality standard.

The NAFDAC guidelines are concerned with all aspects of production and quality control of Herbal Medicinal Products.

These guidelines are for the manufacture and storage of Herbal Medicinal Products.

It is necessary to emphasize that, no Herbal Medicinal Product should be manufactured, exported, advertised, sold or distributed in Nigeria unless it has been registered in accordance with the provisions of the Food, Drugs and Related Products Act Cap F33 LFN 2004 (formerly decree 19 of 1993) and the accompanying guidelines.

These guidelines cover the quality aspects of the product, but do not cover safety aspects for the personnel engaged in the plant, nor protection of the environment. Safety and environmental aspects are inherent responsibilities of the company and should be governed by National legislation and regulations.

These guidelines are not applicable to research and development activities of finished Herbal Medicinal Products. 

Good Agricultural and Collection Practice and Good Herbal Processing Practice which is a complement of Good Manufacturing Practice should be practiced in the various processing (primary, secondary or special) of the starting materials through the herbal preparation and/or herbal dosage forms of finished Herbal Medicinal Products and should precede Good Manufacturing Practice.

It should be noted that the manufacture of Herbal Medicinal Products of sterile origin (infusion, ophthalmic, solution, injectable, implants etc.) is beyond the scope of this guideline.

Definition of Terms

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

Audit:- Systematic and independent examination to determine whether quality activities and related results comply with planned arrangements and whether these arrangements are implemented effectively and are suitable for achieving objectives.

Batch:- a quantity of any herbal product produced in a given cycle of manufacture that is uniform in character and quality.

Batch Number :- a designation in numbers and/or letters or combination of both that identifies the complete history of the batch, quality control and distribution.

Bulk Product:- any processed product, which will have to undergo the packaging operation in order to become a finished product.

Calibration:- combination of checking an instrument and adjusting it to bring it within its limits for accuracy according to recognized standards.

Cleaning:- all operations that ensure a level of cleanliness and appearance, consisting of separating and eliminating generally visible dirt from a surface by means of the following combined factors, in variable proportions, such as chemical action, mechanical action, temperature, duration of application.

Complaint:- external information claiming a product does not meet defined acceptance criteria.

Contamination:-  occurrence of any undesirable matter such as chemical, physical and/or microbiological matter in the product.

Contract acceptor:-person, company or external organization carrying out an operation on behalf of another person, company or organization. 

Contract giver:- person, company or external organization that contracts out an operation to another person, company or organization.

Control:- verification that acceptance criteria are met.

Documentation: all written procedures, instructions and records involved in the manufacture and quality control of products.

Finished Herbal Products/Herbal Medicinal Product:- a product, containing as active substances exclusively herbal drugs or herbal preparations. They may consist of herbal preparations made from one or more herbs. If more than one herb is used, the term mixed herbal product can also be used. They may contain excipients in addition to the active ingredients. It may contain by tradition, natural organic and inorganic active ingredients, which are not of plant origin (e.g. animal materials and mineral materials). Generally, however finished products or mixed products to which chemically defined active substances have been added, including synthetic compounds and/or isolated constituents from herbal materials, are not considered to be herbal medicinal products.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

-In the manufacture of herbal medicinal products, monitoring is essential in ensuring that products of quality standards are produced. 

-Unlike conventional pharmaceutical products, which are usually produced from synthetic materials by means of reproducible manufacturing techniques and procedures, herbal medicines are prepared from materials of herbal origin, which are often obtained from varied geographical and/or commercial sources. As a result it may not always be possible to ascertain the conditions to which they may have been subjected. 

-In addition, they may vary in composition and properties. Furthermore, the procedures and techniques used in the manufacture and quality control of herbal medicines are often substantially different from those employed for conventional pharmaceutical products.

-Because of the inherent complexity of naturally grown medicinal plants and the often variable nature of cultivated ones, the examples of contamination with toxic medicinal plants and/or plant parts and the number and small quantity of defined active ingredients, the production and primary processing has a direct influence on the quality of herbal medicines. For this reason, application of GMPs in the manufacture of herbal medicines is an essential tool to assure their quality.

PERSONNEL

General Considerations

-There should be sufficient number of personnel with adequate knowledge, experience, training and education relevant to their assigned functions.

-The responsibilities placed on any one individual should not be so extensive as to present any risk to the product.

– Key personnel i.e. persons responsible for production and quality control, must be employed on full time basis.

-Personnel specific duties should be recorded in individual job descriptions and personnel should be given adequate authority to carry out their responsibilities. 

-Duties may however be delegated to designated deputies with satisfactory qualification and practical experience.

-All personnel should be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of high quality standards.

-Experts in the different areas of interest in herbal medicine manufacturing may be engaged upon documented confirmation of their education, training or experience in their areas of proficiency.

Organization, Qualification and Responsibilities 

-The organizational structure of the company should be such that different persons head the production and quality control sections, neither of which should report to the other. The organizational structure should clearly state the reporting lines for all key personnel.

-The head of production should have the requisite training and experience as well as knowledge and understanding of practical problems encountered in the manufacturing of herbal medicinal products.

 -The head of production should have authority and responsibility to manage production; covering operations, equipment, production personnel, production areas and records. 

-The head of quality control should have full authority and responsibility for all quality control duties such as establishment, verification and implementation of all quality  control procedures. He should have the authority to approve or accept starting materials, intermediates, bulk and finished products that meet specification or to reject those which do not conform or those not manufactured in accordance with approved procedures.

-Where necessary, the quality control activities could be outsourced with an agreement drawn to outline specific roles of concerned parties.

PREMISES

-The premises for manufacturing should be suitably located, designed, constructed and maintained to suit the operations to be carried out and facilitate good sanitation and hygiene.

-Effective measures should be taken to avoid any contamination from the surrounding environment and from pests.

-Painted line, flexible barrier in the form of mark or tape may be employed to prevent mixups.

-Appropriate change rooms and facilities should be provided. Toilets should be separated from the production areas to prevent product contamination/cross contamination.

At a minimum, defined areas should be provided for:

-Materials receiving bay.

-Incoming goods quarantine.

-Starting materials storage.

-Packaging materials storage.

-Processing and packaging operations.

– Storage of finished products.

-Laboratories (where available).

-Rejected materials and products.

-Returned and recalled products.

-Walls and ceilings should be smooth and easy to maintain. The floor in processing areas should have a smooth surface, easy to clean and disinfect and be made of non-slippery material.

-Drains in processing areas should be of adequate size and should not allow backflow. Open drains outside the processing areas should be avoided, but if required they should facilitate cleaning and disinfection.

-Buildings should be adequately lit and properly ventilated. Lighting points should flush with the ceiling and windows should flush with the walls.

-Pipework, light fittings, ventilation points and other service points in manufacturing areas should be installed in such a way to make for easy cleaning. 

-Laboratories (where available) should be separated from the production areas.

Storage Areas.

-Storage areas should be of sufficient capacity to allow orderly placement of materials such as starting and packaging materials, bulk and finished products, products in quarantine, released, rejected, returned or recalled products.

-Precautions should be taken to prevent herbal materials, preparations and finished products from degradation and infestation with pests as well as biological contamination. Where applicable, special conditions of humidity, temperature and light protection should be provided for storage of plants, extracts, tinctures and other preparations.

-The premises should be so constructed as to provide maximum protection for the starting materials, packaging materials and finished herbal products against birds, insects, rodents as well as domestic animals.

– Incoming fresh herbal materials should be processed, unless specified otherwise, as soon as possible; or appropriately at the required temperature, humidity or light. 

-For materials stored in bulk, liability to mould formation or fermentation could arise. Such materials should be stored in aerated rooms or containers using natural or mechanical aeration and ventilation.

-Wherever possible, sampling area for starting materials should be provided to prevent contamination

EQUIPMENT

Construction and Design

– Manufacturing equipment should be designed and constructed to suit manufacture of the product.

-The equipment surfaces in contact with starting material, in-process material and finished product should not react with or adsorb the materials being processed.

– Equipment should not adversely affect the product through leaking valves, lubricant drips and inappropriate modifications or adaptations.

-Equipment should permit effective cleaning, avoid dust or dirt build up and any adverse effect on the quality of products.

-Equipment should be closed or contained for intended usage. Where open equipment is to be used, precautions should be taken to prevent the risk of contamination.

-Non-wooden equipment should be used unless tradition demands the use of wooden material. Where it is necessary to use traditional equipment (such as wooden implements, clay pots, pallets, hoppers, etc.), these should be dedicated per product/material unless otherwise justified.

Installation and Location

-Equipment should be located to avoid congestion and permit free movement of man and material.

-Equipment should be properly identified using identification numbers to assure that products do not become admixed or confused with one another.

-Measures to assure protection of personnel, products and environment should be put in place.

Maintenance of Equipment

-Weighing, measuring, testing and recording equipment should be checked and calibrated regularly and all records of such activities should be maintained.

-Where applicable, calibration of equipment should be performed using standards traceable to certified standards and a calibration label affixed to such .

-Measuring instrument that do not meet calibration criteria or whose calibration date has expired should not be used but labelled “not permitted for use”.

SANITATION AND HYGIENE

-Sanitation and hygiene should be practiced to avoid contamination of products. It should cover personnel, premises, equipment, production materials and containers.

Quality Control Specifications

-All specifications should be approved by the Quality Control personnel.

-Raw and packaging material specifications should include:

-Name of material

-Description of the material

-Testing parameters and acceptance limits

Storage and Safety Conditions.

Bulk and finished product specifications should include:

-Name of product

-Description of product

-Physical properties of the product

-Chemical assay and/or microbiological assays and their acceptance limits

-Storage conditions and safety precautions.