Amazon is facing a fresh suit from the Federal Trade Commission, accusing the e-commerce giant of duping millions of consumers into signing up for its mainstay Prime program.

The suit, which was filed on Wednesday, also alleged that Amazon sabotaged attempts of consumers to opt out of the program.

According to the agency, Amazon’s actions violated the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act by using so-called dark patterns, or deceptive design tactics meant to steer users toward a specific choice, to push consumers to enroll in Prime without their consent.

“Amazon tricked and trapped people into recurring subscriptions without their consent, not only frustrating users but also costing them significant money,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement.

Amazon spokesperson Heather Layman described the allegation as “false on the facts and the law.”

“The truth is that customers love Prime, and by design we make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up for or cancel their Prime membership,” Layman said. “As with all our products and services, we continually listen to customer feedback and look for ways to improve the customer experience, and we look forward to the facts becoming clear as this case plays out,” Layman said in a statement.

Since March 2021, the FTC has been investigating the sign-up and cancellation procedures of Amazon’s Prime program, per CNBC. The relationship between Amazon and the FTC became strained when the agency requested that CEO Andy Jassy and founder Jeff Bezos testify regarding the practices of the Prime program. Amazon argued that the request was excessive and burdensome, but the FTC rejected their argument.

Amazon’s Prime program, established in 2005, has grown into one of the most popular subscription services worldwide, boasting over 200 million members globally and generating billions of dollars for the company. Membership, priced at $139 per year, provides various benefits such as free shipping and access to streaming content.

In the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Amazon’s leadership is accused of deliberately hindering or rejecting changes aimed at simplifying the cancellation process for Prime. These changes were considered detrimental to Amazon’s financial performance.

The FTC complaint states that Amazon made it challenging for consumers to make purchases on its platform without Prime. Furthermore, a transaction completion button did not clearly indicate that users would also be enrolling in Prime for a recurring subscription.

The complaint also alleges that the cancellation process was intentionally complicated to dissuade users from ending their Prime membership. The FTC cited a report by Insider, claiming that Amazon internally referred to this process as “Iliad,” referencing Homer’s epic poem about the Trojan War.

This complaint marks the third case brought against Amazon by the FTC within the past month. In late May, Amazon agreed to pay over $30 million to settle cases involving privacy breaches in its Alexa and Ring units. While the company disagreed with the FTC’s claims, it chose to settle in order to move forward and resolve the matter.

On Wednesday, Amazon’s shares closed slightly lower.

The Nigerian government’s plan to review the salaries of political, judicial, and other public officers by 114% has resulted in a heavy backlash. The backlash is being buoyed by current harsh economic realities orchestrated by President Bola Tinubu’s policy changes.

On Tuesday, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Muhammadu Shehu, confirmed, during the presentation of reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, in Birnin Kebbi, that the salaries will be reviewed upward.

Shehu, represented by the Federal Commissioner, Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, said the move was in line with the provision of Paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Government (as amended).

“It empowers the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators, and the holders of the offices mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he was quoted by NAN as saying.

The event was a continuation of the one-day zonal public hearing on the review of the remuneration package simultaneously in all the six geo-political zones of the country on 1st February 2023.

Shehu said the remuneration review is long overdue, referencing the last review which was carried out in 2007, culminating in the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008.

“16 years after the last review, it is imperative that the Remuneration Packages for the categories of the office holders mentioned in relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) should be reviewed,” he added.

According to the chairman, the commission has reviewed the remuneration packages as contained in these reports based on a combination of subjective and objective criteria obtained from analysis of macro-economic variables particularly the Consumer Price Index (CPI) among others.

He said that having considered the impact of the review on the economy, the remuneration of the political, public, and judicial office holders in the country was adjusted upward by 114%.

However, the move is coming at a time when Nigeria is facing a heavy economic downturn, following policy changes that involved the removal of petrol and electricity subsidies and the floating of the naira.

The policy changes were implemented without provisions to cushion their economic effects. The government is still working with Civil Society Organizations to develop a framework for the increment of the N30,000 monthly minimum wage.

Against this backdrop, the RMAFC’s decision to conduct an upward review of the salaries of public office holders is seen as a slap on the face of Nigerians.

Shehu said during an interview with AriseTV on Wednesday, that the 114% review has become necessary because CPI has gone up by more than 300% since 2007, when it was last reviewed.

He added that considering the current economic situation, the review has been narrowed to the basic salary of public officers. The chairman explained that concerning allowances and fringe benefits, the commission recommended that the existing allowances be maintained at the current levels since that would translate to higher provisions in actual amounts when applied to the reviewed annual basic salary.

However, his explanation has failed to calm the avalanche of protest trailing the review as it is generally seen as an indication of the government’s insouciance towards the plights of Nigerians.

“Raising the minimum wage of poor workers should come first before that of the elites holding public offices. With this 114% increase, a Federal Legislator will earn about N2million monthly salary and N25 million monthly running cost for his office. Money derived from the removal of subsidies should be spent wisely,” former Senator, Shehu Sani said.

A perspective of a former London real estate agent.

The consensus that real estate is an investment option with income certainty might stand to be questioned or seem old-fashioned thinking. Even this industry sector, which is as old as humanity, also witnessed a level of volatility and rising chaos in the United Kingdom’s market in recent times.

Nevertheless, there is no doubt that it still powers most economies of the world and is still the safest go-to investment option for many people.

Like most other developed countries, the level of activities in the real estate sector at different levels in the United Kingdom is immense. These activities spread across the manufacturing and services sectors, which contribute 17.7 per cent and 71.63 per cent, respectively, to the UK’s GDP as of 2021.

The six top contributing assets divisions are Office, Multifamily housing, Retail, Industrial, Healthcare, and Student, which run in billions of GBP overall, making the property market a significant industry in the United Kingdom’s economy.

Despite the impact of Covid-19, as of June 2020, “listed office real estate companies had a market capitalization of 66.6 billion euros, while multifamily housing companies’ market cap stood at 53.9 billion euros. The third leading sector was retail, with a market cap of approximately 20.5 billion euros” (Statistica).

With all these positive drivers, one is right to ask, ‘what could be negative about this lucrative industry?’ To begin with, the intensity and complexity of activities happening in any country’s economic power sector indicate numerous underlying and overlying issues.

When I was in the industry, I identified multiple issues which directly affect what I do as an estate agent and might pose a few challenges for another professional engaged differently in the industry.

But what if a slight government intervention in a few policies could help calm the chaos?

For this article, I will only outline five issues and two possible government policies that may offer solutions to the property market chaos:

1. Excessive Policies

It seems the government introduces new regulations mandated to operators or property managers in the industry almost daily. This year alone, the government introduced 15+ regulatory updates every agent and landlord should know.

These changes affect letting agents and landlords because their liability is increasing quickly for investors operating rental portfolios.

2. Market Volatility

Real estate is one recommendation I see people give whenever they want to suggest an investment with less volatility. However, being in the industry for over 36 months, I noticed that despite the tremendous opportunities it offers as an investment, the uncertainty of the global pandemic and geopolitics makes this a difficult period for real estate investors.

3. Revenue Uncertainty

In addition to the volatility of overall income generated by assets portfolio over time, investors face one challenge: income surety. The economic position of many investors will be different from before. Everything should be considered new, from the amount of time and resources spent to investigate a tenant to those spent to make sure all regulations are ticked throughout that tenancy.

4. Evictions Of Delinquent Tenants

This year saw over five rental reform regulatory headlines regarding evictions in the country’s real estate market. Again, because of the time and capital needed, landlords with limited capital either face the expensive challenge of evicting delinquent tenants or accept government stipends with many strings attached

The last eviction I oversaw as an estate agent cost the landlord over £6000.00 within nine months. If he had decided to accept the government’s stipends and keep the tenant, that would mean he would still keep receiving rents lower than the local housing rates while also adhering to regulations to ensure the safety of the tenants, causing damage to the property.

This factor, in my perspective, is the most significant plight of residential property real estate investors. Furthermore, investors looking to acquire those same properties from tired landlords are faced with navigating legal and affordable solutions regarding evictions and refurbishing the property to market standards.

5. Tenants’ concerns

Tenants’ concerns go two ways: that of the landlords, which I covered in points three and four, and that of the tenants, which are mainly the suitable living conditions of their homes and the skyrocketing monthly rental increase.

Investors want to ensure income surety and beat hyperinflation on assets, resulting in a hyper increase in monthly rental prices. Percentage change in rental prices of prime property in England forecast from 2022 to 2026 growth is forecast to reach 30.4 per cent.

Two Ways Government Could Intervene With Property Market Chaos

From my perspective as a former London real estate agent, there is no one-switch button to fix the complexities and challenges of the property market in the UK. However, addressing the fifth factor (tenants’ concerns) could help the industry experience significant benefits for the major stakeholders (investors and tenants) involved. I will lay out two potential ways tenants’ concerns can be addressed.

Reimagining the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) Rates

In the UK, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uses Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates to calculate housing benefits for tenants renting from private landlords.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) rent officers collect rental information from letting agents, landlords, tenants and other sources to update their site. Most landlords and agents use these LHA rental prices as a baseline to determine monthly rents for tenants.

The problem with this is that many landlords and agents always stay above the LHA rates, no matter the living condition of the property. Some landlords and lettings agents even double the LHA prices.

A solution to this challenge could be for the government to set LHA as a price ceiling on private market rents being paid in the Broad Rental Market Areas (BRMA) instead of the current LHA rating system, in which it is the price floor.

Additionally, this should be complemented by a precise specification for a property standard to be worth this new system of LHA rate in rental income.

This will force landlords and letting agents to ask for monthly rents according to property standards and equally increase rents with respect to the amount of investment made to keep the property to specific living standards over the tenancy.

Appreciation of Deposit protected for Tenants in Financial Value

Another policy that, if evaluated and changed, could help with the property market chaos is the security deposit that tenants or leaseholders pay to landlords.

Since 1 June 2019, the UK government introduced a cap on the deposit that the tenant is required to pay at the start of the tenancy. If the annual rent is less than £50,000, the maximum deposit is five weeks. If the annual rent is £50,000 or above, the maximum deposit is six weeks’ rent.

The deposit must be refundable at the end of the tenancy, usually subject to the rent being paid and the property being returned in good condition. Therefore, it must be ‘protected’ during the tenancy. Judging from the amount tenants pay in deposits for tenancy durations and the inflation rates, this brings no financial value to tenants.

For instance, an annual rent of £50,000 is a monthly rent of £4,166.67. Under the current deposit law, the tenant is expected to pay a deposit of £5,769.23 at the beginning of a tenancy. Let’s assume the tenant stayed for 20 months, as the average rental duration in the UK is currently at 19+ months.

If everything is correct, at the end of the residence, the tenant will still receive a refund of £5,769.23. In most cases of tenants leaving a property, some private landlords are not even happy to release the deposit protected willingly to the tenant.

What if a policy rewards tenants financially for these protected deposits and for being good tenants over the years? For example, the illustrated tenant might receive a refund of about £5,800 to £5,850.

It is important to note that this idea is not necessarily to give tenants a large financial incentive but to incentivise their stay while looking after the property they rented.

This policy may mitigate unnecessary movements of tenants by making them stay longer in a property while reasonably maintaining the property. This would also be a welcoming initiative for buy-to-let investors.

Figuring out how to invest in cryptocurrency today? With crypto investment legal, you too can get in on the crypto action. Below we show you how to do so safely without getting hacked or ripped off.

We review four top crypto exchanges which you can access today. As well as detailing exactly how to invest in cryptocurrency, we also look at how crypto investing works in general. We pick out ten top crypto investments, as well as three penny crypto you may never have heard of. But, first off, here’s how easy it is to get started:

How to Invest in Cryptocurrency today – Quick Steps

1. Step 1: Open a crypto account – This top, full-service crypto exchange is regulated worldwide and is a great place to start.
2. Step 2: Verify – Have some ID handy and be prepared to take a selfie.
3. Step 3: Deposit – Transfer USD from your bank account or use credit/debit card to buy your crypto.
4. Step 4: Search for Cryptocurrency – Choose from 75+ crypto.
5. Step 4: Buy – Just choose how much you want to spend, and the exchange will hold your crypto till you want to sell.

>>>Invest in Cryptos Now<<<

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.

If you’re looking to invest in cryptocurrency for the first time – you will be entering a new and existing trading space that has since surpassed a market value of $2 trillion.

In just four simple steps – you can invest in cryptocurrency via a regulated online broker in under five minutes.

First-time traders might appreciate our more detailed guide on how to invest in cryptocurrency – which you will find by scrolling down.

Where to Invest in Cryptocurrency

There are over 100+ exchanges and brokers in the online space that allow you to invest in cryptocurrency. When thinking about where to invest in cryptocurrency, we would suggest choosing a provider that is regulated to ensure that you can invest in safety.

It’s also a good idea to choose a platform that offers low fees and of course – support for your preferred cryptocurrencies.

In the sections below, you will find reviews of where to invest in cryptocurrency assets safely and in a low-cost way.

1. eToro – Overall Best Place to Invest in Cryptocurrency

eToro was launched in 2007 and has become one of the best social trading platforms which is home to a wide range of asset classes, making it a great option to learn how to make money with cryptocurrency. In addition to cryptocurrencies, this covers everything from ETFs and index funds to forex and commodities.

You will have access to 75+ cryptocurrencies here – all of which can be purchased from a minimum investment of $10. This means you’ll have access to both the best future cryptos as well as the best meme coins such as Dogecoin, Shiba Inu and ApeCoin. Furthermore, you’ll be able to access the next cryptocurrencies that could explode in the near future.

This is ideal if you’re looking to explore crypto coins for the first time and you don’t want to risk too much money. Moreover, at a minimum trade size of $10, you can invest in expensive cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum – both of which are now worth thousands of dollars per token.

When it comes to fees, eToro allows US and UK clients to deposit USD on a fee-free basis. This is the case irrespective of which deposit type you choose.  Options here include ACH, e-wallets like Paypal and Neteller, online banking, and debit/credit cards. Trading commissions when you buy cryptocurrency cost just 1% – which is built into the price that you see when you place an order. This way you can buy Ethereum and other cryptos with a credit card from the comfort of your own home.

If you are interested in gaining exposure to cryptocurrency but you don’t know which tokens to add to your portfolio – eToro offers a duo of passive trading tools. First, there are professionally managed smart portfolios, which allow you to diversify across more than a dozen digital currencies through a single investment.

eToro is always adding new cryptocurrencies to its portfolio so you can gain exposure to the best cryptos that could explode in 2023. One such exciting new crypto project is Curve.

You might also consider the copy trading tool. This allows you to mirror the cryptocurrency investments of a proven trader like-for-like. The minimum investment stake with copy trading is just $200. We also found that eToro offers one of the best crypto wallets for beginners. This is because when you buy cryptocurrency here, the tokens are kept safe in your eToro web wallet.

Alternatively, for more control and flexibility over your cryptocurrencies, the eToro wallet app can be downloaded to your iOS or Android smartphone. Finally, we should note that eToro is perhaps the best crypto exchange in the market for complete beginners – as both its website and mobile app are super easy to use. Read our in-depth eToro review for more details.

Ever wondered how to invest in the metaverse? With eToro crypto enthusiasts can gain exposure to the best metaverse coins such as MANA and SAND. 

What We Like About eToro

• Heavily regulated
• Super low trading fees
• No deposit fees
• Supports dozens of coins including ApeCoin and Dogecoin.
• Deposit funds with a debit/credit card, e-wallet, or bank transfer
• Copy trading tools
• Access to the greenest cryptocurrencies

>>>Invest in Cryptos Now<<<

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.

This ad promotes virtual cryptocurrency investing within the EU (by eToro Europe Ltd. and eToro UK Ltd.) & USA (by eToro USA LLC); which is highly volatile, unregulated in most EU countries, no EU protections & not supervised by the EU regulatory framework. Investments are subject to market risk, including the loss of principal.

2. Binance – Low Fee Exchange to Invest in 600+ Cryptocurrencies 

Binance is the largest cryptocurrency exchange globally. With that said, the exchange offers a domestic version of its website that is only accessible to US clients. And, compared to the 600+ cryptocurrencies hosted on the main Binance website, the US version of this exchange supports 80+ markets.

Nevertheless, once you have opened a verified account here and made a deposit, you can trade cryptocurrencies at a commission of just 0.10% per slide. Moreover, when funding your Binance account via ACH or a domestic bank wire, you won’t be charged any transaction fees.

On the other hand, depositing with a debit or credit card is expensive here, with Binance charging 4.5%. Moreover, this is in addition to an instant buy fee of 0.5%. When it comes to trading tools, this is where Binance stands out. This is because you can analyze the cryptocurrency markets through high-level technical indicators and charting features.

However, these tools won’t be suitable for beginners, so do bear this in mind before you open an account with Binance. Another popular feature offered by Binance is its Trust Wallet app – which enables you to store thousands of different tokens across multiple blockchains. For a simpler way to store your crypto investments – you can use the main Binance web wallet.

What We Like:

• 80+cryptocurrencies to trade
• Low trading commissions
• Dedicated staking service gives users access to the best staking coins
• Suitable for technical traders

>>>Invest in Cryptos Now<<<

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.

3. Coinbase – Top Exchange for First-Time Cryptocurrency Investors   

The Coinbase website itself offers a somewhat bare-bones service – which will likely appeal to first-time investors. There is no complicated jargon found at Coinbase and when you invest in cryptocurrency – you will be guided through the required process step-by-step.

Coinbase is a heavily regulated exchange that is now listed on the NASDAQ as a tradable stock. We like that the platform keeps 98% of client funds in cold storage and all accounts must have two-factor authentication installed. All in all, Coinbase is one of the safest cryptocurrency platforms in this industry.

However, Coinbase also charges some of the highest fees that we have come across. For example, when you invest in cryptocurrency here, you will pay a standard commission of 1.49%. This 1.49% commission will again be charged when you close a position. Although ACH payments can be made fee-free, debit/credit card transactions are charged at 3.99%.

This does, however, include your trading commission. Nonetheless, cheaper fees are most certainly available elsewhere. If you do decide to use Coinbase to invest in cryptocurrency – then you have several options when it comes to storage. This includes a dedicated wallet app that allows you to manage your private keys.

What We Like:

• User-friendly mobile app interface
• Can purchase crypto using credit/debit card and PayPal
• Great educational content
• Two-factor authentication

>>>Invest in Cryptos Now<<<

Your capital is at risk.

4. Gemini – Safe and Regulated Exchange to Invest in Cryptocurrency   

In many ways, Gemini offers a very similar service to that of the previously discussed Coinbase. This is because, just like Coinbase, Gemini offers a simple user interface that makes the process of investing in cryptocurrency easy – even for beginners. Furthermore, Gemini is a heavily regulated exchange.

This includes a license with the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYSDFS) – so you should have no issues regarding safety. However, much like Coinbase, Gemini is one of the most expensive cryptocurrency exchanges in the market. For example, you will pay a standard commission of 1.49% per slide for any cryptocurrency investments above $200.

If you trade less than $200, you will pay a flat fee depending on the size of the investment. Either way, this will work out at more than 1,49% in percentage terms. Another thing to note about the pricing structure at Gemini is that although debit and credit card payments are supported, this will set you back 3.49% of the purchase amount.

This is why it’s best to deposit funds via a wire transfer at Gemini, which is free of charge. In terms of supported markets, Gemini is home to 75+ leading cryptocurrencies. This includes everything from Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, to Chainlink, Zcash, and Bitcoin Cash. Finally, Gemini also offers an earning tool that allows you to generate interest in your crypto investments.

What We Like:

• Strong regulatory framework
• Institutional-grade security
• 75+ cryptocurrencies supported
• Earning tool that allows you to generate interest

>>>Invest in Cryptos Now<<<

Your capital is at risk.

Cryptocurrency Investment Explained

Granted – the underlying blockchain technology that supports cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum can appear somewhat complex at first glance. However, in terms of investing in cryptocurrency – the process is no different from buying stocks.

That is to say, the overarching concept when you invest in cryptocurrency is that you will make money if the value of the token increases. And, just like stocks, this is based on demand and supply.

This means that as more and more people invest in a specific cryptocurrency – its value will increase.

To highlight just how simple the cryptocurrency investment process is, we’ll use buying Solana as a prime example:

• Let’s suppose that you decide to invest $3,000 into SOL
• When you place your order at your chosen cryptocurrency exchange – SOL is priced at $32 per token
• You decide to hold on to your SOL tokens for two years
• Two years have passed and SOL is now trading at $65 per token
• This means that since you invested, the value of SOL has increased by 105%

As per the above example, if you were to cash out your SOL invested when the token was priced at $65 – your 105% gains would amount to a total return of $6050. As such, on your original investment of $3,000 – you made a profit of $3050.

Interestingly, although returns of this magnitude might seem high – consider that since Solana was launched in 2019, it has increased in value by more than 15,000%.

Another great way to invest in cryptocurrency is via the best play to earn games such as Silks and The Sandbox.

Is Cryptocurrency a Good Investment?

Like all asset classes, there is no guarantee that you will make money from a cryptocurrency investment. Moreover, it is important to remember that cryptocurrencies are volatile and speculative.

Many cryptocurrencies have grown in value by a significant amount in recent years. For example, had you invested in Ethereum five years ago, you would be looking at gains of over 20,000%.

However, you also need to remember that many cryptocurrencies have since lost more than 90% in value – so the risk of loss is high. With this in mind, there are a few simple steps that you can take to ensure you mitigate risk as best as possible when you buy cryptocurrency.

Therefore, before you decide to invest in cryptocurrency – it’s important to consider both the benefits and risks. Newbies should consider starting out with the best beginner crypto to invest in.

>>>Invest in Cryptos Now<<<

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.

Should I Invest in Cryptocurrency?

In this section, we will talk about some of the reasons why so many investors in the US are now turning to cryptocurrencies to make long-term financial gains.

1.    Thousands of Cryptocurrency Tokens to Choose From

First and foremost, we like the fact that there are now thousands of cryptocurrency projects in the market.

And as such, in a similar nature to the thousands of stocks listed on the NYSE and NASDAQ, you are sure to find a cryptocurrency that aligns with your financial goals.

For example, if you’re simply looking to dip your toes into cryptocurrency for the first time, then you might decide to stick with established and large-cap projects like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

In comparison to lower-cap tokens, these cryptocurrency projects are less volatile, albeit, the upside potential might be more limited.

On the other hand, you might also consider investing in less established cryptocurrencies with a smaller market capitalization. These tokens will appeal to investors that have a higher risk tolerance and wish to target greater profit margins.

2.  Cryptocurrencies Smash Through Stock Market Gains

While cryptocurrencies are inherently riskier than traditional stocks, the former continues to generate significantly higher gains.

For instance, over the prior five years, the S&P 500 has increased by 94%. Moreover, the NASDAQ Composite has returned 144% over the same period.

• In comparison, consider that over the past five years, Bitcoin has increased by more than 3,600%.
• Bitcoin isn’t the best-performing cryptocurrency though, as many other tokens in this marketplace have generated even higher growth levels.
• For example, Ethereum has increased in value by over 7,000% during the same period, while as noted earlier, BNB is up 10,000%. If you own some ETH and are wondering how to spend Ethereum today, you can read our comprehensive guide to find out everything you need to know about spending cryptocurrency right now.

When you look at some of the best Metaverse coins in the market – gains are even more impressive. For example, Decentraland and its MANA token have grown by over 25,000% since launch.

3.   Major Companies are Engaging With Cryptocurrency

Some of the biggest and most dominant companies globally are now engaging with cryptocurrency – which once again, proves beyond doubt that this industry is here to stay in the long run.

For example, Tesla – which is one of the largest companies globally with a market capitalization of over$1 trillion, invested $1.5 billion from its balance sheet in late 2020 into Bitcoin.

Then you have companies like Overstock, Paypal, Microsoft, and Starbucks – all of which allow you to spend Bitcoin on their respective products and services.

4. Cryptocurrency can Yield Capital Gains and Regular Income

Another major reason that is leading to more and more people investing in cryptocurrency is that digital assets now allow you to make money on two fronts.

First, as noted earlier, you will make a profit from your cryptocurrency investment if the value of the token increases in the open marketplace.

However, what you can also do is deposit your digital tokens into crypto savings accounts to earn passive income. For example, if you were to deposit your Bitcoin into Aqru – you would earn 7% interest annually.

This can be achieved without you needing to sell your cryptocurrencies. Meaning – that while your tokens are stored in a crypto interest account, you will still make money if the token rises in value.

5.  Cryptocurrency is Still a New Concept

On the one hand, cryptocurrency has achieved legitimacy in many ways – especially when you consider the vast number of established companies and brands that are now engaged in this space.

However, it is also important to remember that the world’s first cryptocurrency – Bitcoin, was only launched in 2009. Moreover, some of the largest cryptocurrency projects in this space are even younger.

• For example, Cardano and Solana were only launched in 2017.
• Avalanche and Shiba Inu – both of which carry a multi-billion dollar market capitalization, were launched as recently as 2020.
• You then have Lucky Block – which is one of the most successful cryptocurrencies this year – was launched in early 2022.

And all in all, it is far from too late to invest in cryptocurrency – as the broader marketplace is still in its infancy.

>>>Invest in Cryptos Now<<<

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.

The Best Cryptocurrency to Invest in

On the one hand, the process of investing in cryptocurrencies in the UK is simple and safe. However, the challenging part is knowing which specific digital assets to add to your portfolio.

If you’re after a little bit of inspiration in terms of what crypto to invest in, below we discuss 10 of the best digital currencies currently in the market.

1. Bitcoin – Best Cryptocurrency to Invest in 2023 for Long Term Growth

Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency to enter this marketplace and since its launch in 2009 – it has remained the largest digital token for market capitalization. When hitting its prior all-time high of $68,789.63 – Bitcoin carried a valuation of over $1 trillion.

Many people that invest in cryptocurrency for the first time will look to add Bitcoin to their portfolio before moving onto smaller projects. With that said, Bitcoin hasn’t grown as quickly as other digital tokens over the prior 12 months.

For example, over the past year, Bitcoin has grown by just 20%. Binance Coin, on the other hand, has increased in value by over 870% during the same period. This is largely because Bitcoin has a much larger valuation – so the upside potential is more limited than other tokens.

Overall, buying Bitcoin is still the number one cryptocurrency investment.

>>>Invest in Bitcoin Now<<<

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.

2. XRP – Fast and Low-Cost Interbank Transactions 

The next token from our list of the best cryptocurrency to invest in is XRP. This digital asset project has created technology that enables banks and financial institutions to perform interbank transactions in a low-cost and fast way.

This translates into a transfer time of just 4-5 seconds at a cost of less than $0.00001 regardless of where the sender and receiver are based. More importantly, XRP bridges the gap between competing currencies – so there are no issues with liquidity.

>>>Invest in XRP Now<<<

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.

3. Shiba Inu – Cheap Cryptocurrency to Invest in 2023

Some investors today will look to so-called cheap cryptocurrencies – so that they can purchase a large number of tokens without needing to risk a lot of money. Perhaps the best option in this respect is Shiba Inu.

This digital currency – which was launched in 2020, has increased by tens of millions of percent over the prior 18 months. And, as of writing, a single Shiba Inu token will cost you just $0.00002. As such, by meeting the $10 minimum at eToro – you’ll get 500,000 tokens.

3. Ethereum – Smart Contract Project Migrating to PoS 

Ethereum is behind Bitcoin in terms of market capitalization – thus this project is the second-largest in the cryptocurrency space. Ethereum allows users to perform transactions above and beyond just financial payments.

This is because Ethereum supports smart contract technology – which allows for trustless transactions in a decentralized nature. Moreover, Ethereum will soon be migrating to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) framework – which will promote more scalable and cost-effective transfers.

The value of Ethereum has skyrocketed since it was launched in 2015. For example, gains of over 20,000% have been achieved in the prior five years of trading. This means that an investment of $500 back in 2017 would now be worth $100,000.

>>>Invest in Ethereum Now<<<

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.

4. Binance Coin – Cryptocurrency Issued by the World’s Largest Exchange 

Binance is the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The platform claims to have more than 100 million active users and daily trading volumes often exceed $10 billion. Over the course of 2021, Binance facilitated more than $7 trillion worth of cryptocurrency trades.

In 2017 – which is when the exchange was launched, Binance created its own digital token. Known as Binance Coin – or simply BNB, the token allows users of its exchange to reduce their commission rates.

Furthermore, BNB is the digital currency used to fuel the Binance Smart Chain. This is an independent blockchain network that is now home to thousands of tokens and billions of dollars in locked liquidity. Over the course of the prior five years, BNB is up 8,000%.

>>>Invest in Cryptos Now<<<

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.

5. Decentraland – 3D Virtual World With Fast-Growing Cryptocurrency

Launched as recently as 2020, Decentraland is a 3D virtual world that allows its users to build, buy, sell, and trade plots of land. These plots are traded in the form of an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) and subsequently sold in the open marketplace.

All transactions are fueled by the project’s native digital token – MANA. Over the prior 12 months, the value of MANA has increased by over 1,000%. This makes Decentraland and MANA one of the fastest-growing cryptocurrencies in the market today.

6. Cosmos – Best Crypto to Invest in for Blockchain Interoperability

Before Cosmos came alone, there was no way for competing blockchains to communicate with one another. But, with Cosmos and its underlying interoperability framework, independent blockchain networks can now talk to each other via cross-chain activity.

This means that in theory – Ethereum transactions can communicate with the EOS blockchain, for instance. As Cosmos continues to advance its technology, the value of its respective token – ATOM, performs well. Over the prior year, ATOM has grown by over 300%.

Best Low Price Cryptocurrency to Invest in

While some digital tokens – namely Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Yearn.finance trade for thousands of pounds, you can also invest in cryptocurrencies that are priced at less than a dollar.

These are known as penny cryptocurrencies and they are appealing to those that want to buy a large number of tokens for a small amount of money.

Some of the best penny cryptocurrencies in the market include:

• IOTA – Blockchain project exploring the internet of things (IoT) via fast and free transactions.
• Stellar – Supports cross-currency transactions around the world in a low-cost, secure, and fast manner. Target markets are small businesses and international remittances.
• Tron – China-based blockchain project that facilitates fast, low-cost, and highly scalable transactions. Its smart contract technology is competing with Ethereum.

The above low price cryptocurrency projects are large-cap assets with a multi-billion dollar market capitalization.

>>>Invest in Cryptos Now<<<

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.

Investing in Cryptocurrency

When you invest in cryptocurrency, as opposed to trading, this means that you are buying digital assets as part of a longer-term strategy. Typically, long-term cryptocurrency investors will hold onto their tokens for at least one year.

However, the longer you hold onto your chosen cryptocurrencies, the better chance you have of riding out volatile pricing waves. This is no different from investing in traditional stocks and shares – with the general consensus being that holding for no less than five years is wise.

When you invest in cryptocurrency in the UK on a long-term basis, it’s important that your tokens are kept safe. As we discuss in more detail shortly, this is why using an FCA-regulated broker like eToro is a good option.

How to Invest in Cryptocurrency Safely

You might be aware of some horror stories from the cryptocurrency industry.

Examples include exchange and wallet hacks, malware, viruses, and even extortion – all of which is associated with the theft of cryptocurrency tokens that can then be laundered in the open marketplace.

As a result, it is absolutely crucial that you learn how to invest in cryptocurrency safely.

Below we offer some safety-related tips that will ensure your cryptocurrency funds stay secure at all times.

Regulated Brokers

First and foremost, the most effective way of staying safe when investing in cryptocurrency is to ensure that you only use a regulated broker or exchange. In fact, it’s wise to only use platforms that are regulated by the FCA in the UK, ASIC in Australia or a regulated brokerage in the USA.

With that being said, the vast majority of cryptocurrency trading sites are actually unregulated. They bypass conventional regulations by only offering cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals – or partnering with a third-party processor for GBP payments.

Ultimately, this is why eToro stands out as the best place to invest in cryptocurrency today– as the brokerage is authorized and regulated not only by the FCA, but ASIC, and CySEC.

Wallet Security

If you invest in cryptocurrency and subsequently decide to withdraw your tokens out of the respective broker or exchange – you need to have a firm understanding of wallet security.

Crucially, if somebody is able to hack your device and gain entry to your wallet, they will be able to withdraw your entire cryptocurrency balance in one fell swoop.

A good option to consider here is the eToro wallet, which comes in the shape of a mobile app for both iOS and Android. The wallet itself is regulated and thus – comes packed with security tools.

How to Invest in Cryptocurrency – Tutorial

To conclude this beginner’s guide on how to invest in cryptocurrency right now, we are going to walk you through the process step-by-step.

This means showing you how to open an eToro account, depositing funds, searching for your preferred cryptocurrency, and finally – creating a buy order.

From start to finish, you should be able to invest in your first cryptocurrency in less than 10 minutes.

Step 1: Open an Account

To get the process started, head over to the eToro website and look for the ‘Join Now’ button. On clicking it, a registration form will appear on your screen.

Follow the on-screen instructions by entering your personal information and contact details, and choosing a suitable username and password.

eToro will then send a text message to your mobile phone with a unique PIN. Enter this when prompted to complete the first part of the registration process.

Step 2: Know Your Customer (KYC)

Know Your Customer (KYC) process is required at all regulated brokers. This simply requires eToro to verify your identity and country of residence.

First, upload a government-issued ID – which can be a passport or driver’s license. Second, upload a proof of address that was issued within the prior three months.

Options include an electricity or water bill, or a bank account statement. In most cases, we find that eToro will verify documents in under two minutes.

Step 3: Make a Deposit

Before you can invest in cryptocurrency, you will need to make a deposit into your eToro account.

You have plenty of payment methods to choose from, albeit, the most convenient option is a debit or credit card.

Alternatively, you can also use PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, or a UK bank transfer. The deposit fee on all of the aforementioned payment methods is just 0.5%.

Moreover, the minimum deposit amount at eToro for new US or UK customers is $10.

Step 4: Search for Cryptocurrency

There are two ways in which you can find a cryptocurrency to invest in. First, if you know the name of the digital token that you want to buy – simply search for it. In our example below, we are searching for Bitcoin.

The other option is to click on the ‘Discover’ tab, followed by ‘Crypto’. This will then bring up the full list of digital tokens that the platform supports. When you find the cryptocurrency that you want to invest in, click on the ‘Trade’ button to load an order box.

Step 5: Invest in Cryptocurrency

Now you will need to type in your preferred investment size. You do not need to purchase full tokens at eToro. On the contrary, you can invest any dollar-specific amount as long as it meets the minimum of $10.

In our example above, we are looking to invest $10 into Bitcoin – which is about £7. When you are ready to place your market order – you can click on the ‘Open Trade’ button.

>>>Invest in Cryptos Now<<<

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.

This ad promotes virtual cryptocurrency investing within the EU (by eToro Europe Ltd. and eToro UK Ltd.) & USA (by eToro USA LLC); which is highly volatile, unregulated in most EU countries, no EU protections & not supervised by the EU regulatory framework. Investments are subject to market risk, including the loss of principal.

Step 6: Sell Cryptocurrency

The final part of the investment cycle will occur when you are eventually ready to sell your cryptocurrency back to cash. Assuming that you decided to use eToro to buy your chosen digital token, the selling process will take you no more than 60 seconds.

First, log in to your eToro account and click on the ‘Portfolio’ button. Next, find the cryptocurrency that you wish to cash out and click on the ‘Sell’ button.

After you confirm the order, eToro will sell your cryptocurrency at the next best available price and the cash will show up as a withdrawal balance.

Conclusion

To invest in cryptocurrency right now – the process takes just five minutes from start to finish.

You should, however, ensure that you do plenty of research so that you can decide on which cryptocurrency to invest in. You should also remember that digital currencies are volatile, so consider the risks involved before proceeding

This beginners guide has taught you everything you need to know to invest in cryptocurrency with low fees.

Not only have we discussed the best cryptocurrency brokers in the market and what steps you need to take to complete your investment – but the benefits and risks of digital assets.

If you have conducted sufficient levels of research and you are ready to invest in cryptocurrency, eToro is a great option.

You will need to invest just $10 into your chosen cryptocurrency – and fees are charged on a spread-only basis. And, as eToro is licensed by major regulated bodies you can invest in a safe and secure way.

FAQs on Investing in Cryptocurrency

What is the best cryptocurrency to invest in 2023?

Choosing one specific cryptocurrency as the best investment for 2023 is no easy feat. With that said, if you’re new to cryptocurrency and are looking for the best token for beginners – perhaps start with Bitcoin.   

Is cryptocurrency a good investment?

Some of the best cryptocurrency to invest in have generated returns of over 10,000% in the prior 12 months alone. At the other end of the spectrum, some digital tokens have lost over 90% in value. As such, you need to be aware of both the potential rewards and risks when deciding whether or not to invest in cryptocurrency.

How do I invest in cryptocurrency?

You can invest in cryptocurrency in four simple steps. Put simply, you need to open an account with an online broker, deposit some funds, search for your chosen digital token, and finally – place a buy order.

What is the best way to invest in cryptocurrency?

The best way to invest in cryptocurrency is to use a debit or credit card – as your transaction will be processed securely and instantly.

What is the best place to invest in cryptocurrency?

The best place to invest in cryptocurrency is eToro – which is a regulated broker offering low fees and small minimum requirements.

What cryptocurrency should I invest in?

There are tens of thousands of cryptos to choose from. Legitimate crypto projects offer the best chance for high returns but carry some risk. More established coins carry lower risk and lower chance of high rewards.

>>>Invest in Cryptos Now<<<

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. Your capital is at risk.

This ad promotes virtual cryptocurrency investing within the EU (by eToro Europe Ltd. and eToro UK Ltd.) & USA (by eToro USA LLC); which is highly volatile, unregulated in most EU countries, no EU protections & not supervised by the EU regulatory framework. Investments are subject to market risk, including the loss of principal.