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Cryptocurrency mining

Cryptocurrency mining is an endless game in this digital world. Bitcoin, the first decentralized currency, introduced in early 2000. Cryptocurrency mining is a complex procedure for verifying transactions and adding them to the public ledger (blockchain). This record of past transactions is called a block chain because it is a chain of blocks. The blockchain serves to confirm completed transactions to the rest of the network. The blockchain is also responsible for releasing new bitcoins. Each of the many crypto coins available depends on the basic idea of ​​the blockchain.
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Mining process

Cryptocurrency was supposed to be decentralized, secure and immutable. So every transaction is encrypted. Once this coded transaction occurs, it is added to what many call a “block” until a fixed number of transactions have been recorded. This block is then added to a chain – the blockchain – which is publicly available. While mining Bitcoin, Dash, Litecoin, Zcash, Ethereum and others, the miner must compile recent transactions into blocks and solve a computationally difficult puzzle. There are several online bitcoin mining sites. This has become a very popular way to earn money.
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Cryptocurrency is cryptographic, which means it uses special encryption that allows control of coin generation and transaction confirmation. A block is pretty useless in its current form. However, after applying the algorithm to a particular block. When matched, the miner gets several bitcoins. To earn bitcoins by mining, a miner must be technical. Bitcoin mining for profit is very competitive. The price of Bitcoin makes it difficult to make monetary profits without also speculating on the price. Payment is based on how much their hardware contributed to solving that puzzle. Miners verify transactions, ensure they are not fake, and keep the infrastructure moving.
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The best coins to mine

Bitcoins are not a decent solution for novice miners who are experimenting on a small scale. The current upfront speculation and maintenance costs, as well as the pure scientific problems of the procedure, simply do not make it productive for buyer-level hardware. Bitcoin mining is currently reserved for large-scale operations. Litecoins, Dogecoins and Feathercoins are three digital forms of money based on Scrypt that are the best money saving advantage for apprentices. At Litecoin’s current valuation, one can earn anywhere from 50 pence to $10 for each day using client-level mining hardware. Dogecoin and Feathercoin would return marginally less benefits with similar mining hardware, but they end up becoming more popular every day. Peercoins can also be a reasonably fair profit for your time and vitality venture.
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As more people join the rise of cryptocurrencies, your solution may become more difficult to mine as more expensive hardware will be required to find coins. You will be forced to either contribute vigorously in the event that you need to continue mining this coin, or you will have to take your earnings and switch to a less demanding cryptocurrency. Understanding the main 3 Bitcoin mining strategies is probably where you should start; this article focuses on mining scrypt coins. Likewise, make sure you are in a country where Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining are legal.
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Mining target

How about we focus around cryptocurrency mining. The whole focal point of mining is to achieve three things:

1. Give accounting administrations to the coin network. Mining is essentially every minute of daily computer accounting called “verification of transactions”.
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2. Get a small reward for your accounting administrations by accepting parts of coins every few days.

3. Reduce your personal expenses, including energy and hardware.

Some basic terms

Free private database called coin wallet. It’s a password-protected container that stores your earnings and maintains a huge record of transactions. A free mining software suite similar to that from AMD, usually composed of cgminer and stratum. Enrollment in a web-based mining pool, which is a community of miners who consolidate their computers to increase profitability and stability of wages. Enrollment in an online money exchange where you can exchange your virtual coins for conventional money and vice versa. Reliable full time web association ideally 2 megabits every second or higher speed. A place to install hardware in your basement or other cool and air-conditioned space.
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A work area or specially made computer designed for mining. Indeed, you can use your current computer to run, but you won’t have the capacity to use the computer while the miner is running. A separate dedicated computer is ideal. Tip: Do not use a laptop, game console, or handheld mining device. These devices are simply not successful enough to generate salaries. An ATI graphics processing unit (GPU) or a specialized processing unit called an ASIC mining chip. The price will be anywhere from $90 used to $3000 new for each GPU or ASIC chip. The graphics processing unit or ASIC will be the workhorse for providing accounting administrations and mining work.
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A homemade fan that blows cool air through your mining computer. Mining generates significant heat and cooling your hardware is critical to your prosperity. Personal interest. You absolutely need a solid appetite for reading and constant learning, as there are constant changes in innovation and new methods to upgrade coin mining are emerging. The best coin miners spend hours consistently thinking about the most ideal ways to adjust and improve their coin mining performance.
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Cryptocurrency Mining Profitability Every time a mathematical problem is solved, a constant amount of Bitcoins is created. The amount of bitcoins generated per block starts at 50 and is halved every 210,000 blocks (about four years). The current number of bitcoins awarded per block is 12.5. The last bock halving happened in July 2016, and the next one will be in 2020. Profitability estimation can be done by using various online mining calculators. The development of digital currency standards, for example Bitcoin, Ethereum and Bitcoin Cash, has caused huge undertakings by companies and this is necessary to support significant market development in the near future.
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Cryptocurrency mining is a computationally intensive process that requires a network of multiple computers to verify a transaction record known as a blockchain. Miners are offered a share of transaction fees and gain a higher probability of finding another block by providing high computing power. These maintenance transactions help provide increased security to network clients and ensure honesty, which is relied upon as a prominent factor influencing the development of the global cryptocurrency mining market.
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Featured

Coinbase: Bitcoin startup spreads to capture more of the market

The price of Bitcoin skyrocketed in 2017. Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, was in the right place at the right time to take advantage of the spike in interest. However, Coinbase is not interested in taking its crypto profits for granted. To stay ahead in a much larger cryptocurrency market, the company is investing money back into its master plan. By 2017, the company’s revenue was reported at $1 billion and over $150 billion in assets were traded among 20 million clients.
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Coinbase, a San Francisco-based company, is known as the leading cryptocurrency trading platform in the United States, and with its consistent success, it landed at number 10 on CNBC’s 2018 Disruptor list after failing to make the list in the previous two years.

On its way to success, Coinbase left no stone unturned in poaching key executives from the New York Stock Exchange, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. In the current year, the size of its full-time engineering team has nearly doubled.

Earn.com was bought by Coinbase this April for $100 million. This platform allows users to send and receive digital currency while responding to mass market emails and completing micro tasks. The company is currently planning to appoint former Andreessen Horowitz venture capitalist, founder and CEO of Earns as its first chief technology officer.

According to the current valuation, Coinbase is valued at around $8 billion when it decides to buy Earn.Com. That value is much higher than the $1.6 billion valuation it was valued at in the last round of venture capital funding in the summer of 2017.
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Coinbase declined to comment on its valuation despite the fact that it has more than $225 million in funding from top venture capital firms, including Union Square Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, and the New York Stock Exchange.

To meet the needs of institutional investors, the New York Stock Exchange plans to launch its own cryptocurrency exchange. Nasdaq, a rival of the NYSE, is also considering a similar move.

• Competition is coming

As rival organizations look to take a bite out of Coinbase’s business, Coinbase is looking to other venture capital opportunities in an effort to build a moat around the company.

Dan Dolev, an instant analyst at Nomura, said Square, a company run by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, could absorb Coinbase’s exchange business as it began trading cryptocurrency on its Square Cash app in January.

According to Dolev’s estimates, Coinbase’s average trading fees were roughly 1.8 percent in 2017. Fees that high could drive users to other cheaper exchanges.

Coinbase aims to become a one-stop shop for institutional investors while hedging its exchange business. To attract this class of white-glove investors, the company announced a range of new products. This class of investors was especially cautious when diving into the volatile cryptocurrency market.

Coinbase Prime, The Coinbase Institutional Coverage Group, Coinbase Custody and Coinbase Markets are the products launched by the company.

Coinbase believes there are billions of dollars of institutional money that could be invested in the digital currency. It already holds $9 billion in client assets.

Institutional investors are concerned about security, even though they know Coinbase has never been hacked like some other global cryptocurrency exchanges. Coinbase’s president and COO said the impetus for launching Coinbase Custody last November was the lack of a trusted custodian to protect their crypto assets.

• Wall Street is currently moving from Bashing Bit to Cryptocurrency Backer

According to the latest data available from Autonomous Next Wall Street’s, interest in the cryptocurrency appears to be growing. There are currently 287 crypto hedge funds, while in 2016 there were only 20 cryptocurrency hedge funds. Goldman Sachs even opened a cryptocurrency trading desk.

Coinbase also introduced Coinbase Ventures, which is an incubator fund for early-stage startups working in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. Coinbase Ventures has already raised $15 billion for further investment. His first investment was announced in a startup called Compound, which allows one to borrow or lend cryptocurrency while earning an interest rate.

In early 2018, the company launched Coinbase Commerce, which allows merchants to accept major cryptocurrencies for payment. Another Bitcoin startup was BitPlay, which recently raised $40 million in venture money. Last year, BitPlay processed more than $1 billion in bitcoin payments.

Proponents of blockchain technology believe that in the future, cryptocurrency will be able to eliminate the need for central banking authorities. In the process, it will reduce costs and create a decentralized financial solution.

• Regulatory certainty remains intense

For keeping access limited to four cryptocurrencies, Coinbase has drawn a lot of criticism. But they must tread carefully as US regulators consider how to control certain uses of the technology.

For cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase, the issue is whether cryptocurrencies are securities that would fall under the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Coinbase has been really slow to add new coins since the SEC announced in March that it would apply security laws to all cryptocurrency exchanges.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Coinbase has met with SEC officials to register as a licensed intermediary and electronic trading venue. In such a scenario, it will become easier for Coinbase to support more coins and also comply with security regulations.

Characteristics of a good online betting company

In today’s world, every single person in the world has been running day and night with one ultimate thought in his mind – Minting of money.

With the opportunities flourishing every day and the diverse fields in which an individual can earn money, one of the future platforms for multiplying money along with risk factor is online betting.

Betting – a brief overview

Betting has always been a well-established platform that people have been able to make a fortune from. People have bet on various categories available and have seen steady growth of money with initial investment in the field.

Anyway, nowadays, to make things much easier for people who are interested in betting, online betting companies are available. It wasn’t too long ago that people traveled to a physical facility to place bets with a specific bookmaker on a specific event or sport. The establishment of online booking companies has made the betting experience for people as seamless as possible and is very beneficial for people who bet on a large scale.

Online Betting Company – Features

Online betting platforms have engaged a wide range of people who are skeptical about this money making field to start betting on different categories.

These platforms have been able to attract more audiences and impart in-depth knowledge of betting so that even a layman can understand the detailed workings of betting and eventually feel confident enough to start betting.

Some of the salient features of an online betting company are briefly mentioned as follows:

Ease of access: Unlike conventional physical betting establishments where people have to transport themselves from the accommodation to the facility to place their bets, online betting platforms negate the need to travel from one place to another. People can easily place bets through their smartphone or computer from wherever they are at any given moment. It also removes the time restrictions imposed in a physical betting company so that they can place bets whenever they need, anytime round the clock through the available online betting platforms.

Periodic promotions and offers: This is one of the features that sets it apart from conventional betting. Various diversified online betting platforms provide periodical bonuses for their users and promotions for first-time entrants to their platform, thereby giving an edge to all users using the platform without requiring any out-of-pocket investment at the very beginning. This provides an opportunity for the user to explore the field and discover their interests to bet on a category of their choice.

Various options: Online betting companies provide another unique feature. They can find all available events and betting categories in a single website, unlike the old days when limited events were available at a specific facility. They will have to move from one place to another to find an event they are interested in. Online betting companies provide a service feature for everyone to find all available events and place bets as they wish.

Event Streaming: Online betting companies provide free streaming access to all events to individuals who have registered as members of the company. In this way, one will be able to stream all the events they have bet on without any additional costs and with the ease of their smartphones or computers. This way, members will not have to take out a separate channel subscription to stream an event they are interested in placing bets on.

A wide range of payment options: With the current rate at which various new payment options are being introduced globally, there are very limited payment options when it comes to physical betting facilities compared to online betting companies. Online companies have accepted almost all available payment options ranging from debit/credit cards, net banking to the latest cryptocurrency payment option. This helps in reducing the effort of making payments through physical cash, thereby making payments very easy through digital sources.

Forex trading (foreign currency)

What is Forex trading?

Forex, also known as currency and foreign exchange market, is where currencies are traded. Currencies are important to people around the world.

Currencies are necessary for exchange in order to conduct foreign trade. It is the largest and most liquid market in the world. It suits different markets in measure even the stock trading system with a normal exchanged valuation of approx.

It is a global decentralized marketplace for the exchange of monetary forms. This market solves distance trading. The main members of this market are the larger universal banks. There is a wide range of multiple types of buyers and sellers in this market.

The Forex trading market is unique due to the following characteristics:

Huge exchange volume, talking about the largest resource class on the planet, causing high liquidity;. Continuous duty, 24 hours a day except weekends;

• Geographic dispersion;

• Continuous work, 24 hours a day without Saturdays and Sundays;

• A variety of factors that affect exchange rates;

• Low profit margins compared to other markets;

• Using leverage to increase profit and loss margins.

The forex market is called a market closet to the ideal of perfect competition.

With such a huge number of experts that are irrevocable in the Forex exchange, there are several dangers associated with it that one needs to consider.

One should make sure that their internet connection and computer are running very smoothly all the time. We all know that things happen, servers go down and our computers freeze or shut down depending on the activities going on. This can affect transactions, so be aware that things can happen during trading.

There are also risk-free accounts that allow you to practice without losing your own money.

Professionals.

The forex trading market is always on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No matter your time, location, internet connection and computer, you can log in at any time to ease me to trade.

It is scalable. With this feature, the trader can control and limit the risk depending on his account.

Leverage is a huge advantage in the Forex trading market, where brokers allow you to trade up to 2% of the total contract size compared to the stock market. One can use a small account for trading large sizes where the profits can be quite large and you only need small capitals to get them.

The data and software are provided free of charge; you don’t have to pay, all you have to do is log into your broker’s website. Download the software, the graphics will be displayed as soon as you log in.

There are no commissions; well, you pay in costs for spreads that depend on how much you trade.

Coins.

As an individual, you face a lot of competition, especially from huge money-related foundations with prepared marketers and many dollars invested in programming and equipment.

There is no centralized stock exchange, unlike the stock market. A broker acts like an exchange, making it a market maker.

You have no idea about capital exposure and how to calculate leverage, then you will suffer huge losses.

Good traders enter trading with only 2% initial capital and no more than.

The forex market moves differently throughout the day, there are only a few peak hours that are worth your trading time.

Risk.

Margin trading also comes with a high level of risk that a smart trader should avoid. Always evaluate your capital and the amount of risk you are willing to take when trading.

Never enter a Forex trade with an amount you cannot afford to lose.

Likewise, it is your commitment to see every one of the dangers that accompany Forex exchange before you go before your first exchange.

Leverage is one of the biggest risks in Forex trading. This can bring a big profit if you are a winning side, but on the other hand, a huge loss if you are losing.

Forex trading in Islam.

According to Islamic law, it is difficult to answer this question definitively. Trading money under certain conditions is halal as stated by an Islamic specialist, but there are some questions under proper conditions.

This means that any type of transaction that involves an element of interest is completely prohibited according to Islam. Forex trading is not permitted in Islam and is defined very broadly. The forex retailer reflects the market by paying or charging enthusiasm between two parts of each monetary match whose position remains open in the medium term. It seems that it is only permissible as long as (the exchange) is hand to hand. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had in mind the exchange of various types of goods. This will be done between two countries, recognizing that this is a natural aspect of trade.

Most Forex specialists reacted to show the power and weight of Islamic dealers by making “Islamic Forex Broker” and offering “Muslim Forex Accounts” that work without intriguing fees.

However, “regular” Forex trading offered by Forex brokers, with overnight interest payments or fees, can remove the riba hurdle.

For online trading, there is a need for online currency exchangers for trading crypto currency. Many online exchangers make it easy by providing strong security, fast transactions and stability. Some of them are Binance, changelly and newly introduced Nexchange. These platforms deal with the trading of various cryptocurrencies.

Effects of social media

Social media

Social media is a combination of online communication channels engaged in group-oriented input, communication, information sharing and relationships. Different types of applications and websites that are dedicated to social networks, blogs, forums, wikis and social bookmarks form the different types of social media. The most common types are Facebook, YouTube, Google+, WhatsApp, Twitter, QQ, WeChat, Qzone, OLX, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Skype, Viber, Snapchat, Pinterest, MySpace, Meetme, Meetup, Mixi, Tout, Douban, Flickr , Buzznet, Wehearit and Friendster These social websites have approximately 100,000,000 registered users. Although there are different types of social media, they share many common features, with Users creating service-oriented profiles for the website and applications that are planned and maintained by the association. User-generated materials such as digital images, posts, videos, comments and data shared through online interfaces. All types of social media are interactive Internet applications that enable the growth of online social networks by connecting a user’s profile with those of other people or groups.

Users usually connect to social media facilities through web-based tools on computers or download services from Internet applications on their mobile phones, through these services users can generate highly collaborative platforms through which individuals, groups and institutions can segment, co-create , debate and review user-generated data or pre-constructed content displayed online. They represent significant and prevalent changes in communication between professions, institutions, societies and individuals. This changed the communication between individuals and large institutions. Researchers study these changes and new technologies are introduced as a result of these changes. It differs from traditional print and electronic media in various aspects such as reach, customer, value, reach, occurrence, interaction, use, proximity and longevity. Its channels work in dialogue mode of transmission while old media use monologue mode of transmission.

Facebook is widely used in all countries, 84 percent of young Americans are its users. Almost 60 percent of teenagers have social media profiles, the majority of people spend a minimum of two hours a day on social networking sites, and the time spent on these sites is greater than the time spent on any other type of site. The total time spent on social sites in the US was 66 billion minutes in 2012 and now stands at 121 billion minutes. It has become a source of professional prospects and financial gains.

Social media has many good and bad effects. It enables connection with real or virtual groups and is a real advertising tool for businesses, financiers, charities as well as support groups, politicians and administrations. Its significant use has also been shown to cause sadness, cyberbullying, online stalking, and wandering.

We cannot define social media by their ability to bring people together, according to this description the telegraph and the telephone could be their types. In fact, social media is usually used to pronounce social networking sites such as: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, Instagram and Wechat allows using them to make their own personal profiles to share ideas, images, videos, talk each other and update each other with the new things, events and happenings while doing their daily chores and routine tasks.

A feature of social media – Content spreads like a virus

Sometimes there is a possibility that the content posted on social sites can spread like a virus on social networks. Users will reshare content posted by another user on their social network, resulting in further sharing. Posts like the explosion of an atomic bomb in North Korea, breaking news like the news of Michelle Jackson’s death crashed internet servers as this news was quickly shared and re-shared by people using social networking sites. This is the concept of spreading a viral disease from one infected person to another person. Some individuals, groups and organizations use this viral spread of news as an effective way of publicity.

Using cellular applications

Using a mobile phone to access sites is a big factor in the popularity of these sites. It is now easier, personal and cheap to use social media than before, the smartphone has made the internet a very “convenient” thing for the younger generation to use. Youngsters now spend more time interacting on social media sites than watching television. Any type of sites can be accessed easily using the smartphone, content can be added, shared, sent, received, voice and video calls can be updated more easily without the use of desktop computers or laptops. The use of Wi-Fi technology has enabled the use of an Internet connection by all family members. All family members can use the Internet sites according to their own likes and dislikes, time flexibility and privacy. Mobile applications like WhatsApp, Skype are widely used to make video calls, YouTube is used to watch videos, Facebook is used to share videos, images, texts and status updates by mobile users. Mobile social media refers to the use of media on mobile phone sets such as smartphones. Mobile applications enable the creation, exchange and distribution of user-generated content. Location and time sensitivity are the important factors for accessing social media from mobile devices.

Business perspective

Location and time sensitivity gave mobile devices an advantage over desktop computers by offering companies the opportunity to expand their business by marketing and advertising through them. Mobile gadgets can be used for investigation, communication, sales progress or discount and partnership growth programs.

E-commerce

Social sites use social plans, creating milestones that are equally beneficial to consumers, industries and networks using e-commerce or online consumption. Users post comments about a company’s product or service with their online friends and associates. The company wins because it gains awareness of how its product or service is perceived by customers. Apps like Amazon.com and Pinterest are influencing the growing trend in the acceptance and accessibility of e-commerce or online consumption.

The rise of online payment gateways

The cashless payment system is growing exponentially with evolving payment methods, increasing use of e-commerce, improved broadband connectivity and the emergence of new technologies. Could increasing cases of cyber-attacks and spam hinder the growth of the online payments market, or will it continue to grow at a rapid pace?

The global digital payments industry is expected to reach the $6.6 trillion mark in 2021, registering about a 40% jump in two years. Cashless payment methods are evolving rapidly with revolutionary innovations such as mobile wallets, mobile peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, real-time payments and cryptocurrencies. In the growing digital age, many payment technology companies are collaborating with traditional financial institutions to cater to the latest consumer and merchant preferences. Thanks to improved broadband connectivity, growing mobile commerce, the emergence of new technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and rapid digitization, billions of people have started accepting contactless payments in both developed and developing countries. In addition, growing e-commerce businesses, digital money transfers, digital business payments and mobile B2B payments are driving the ecosystem for contactless transactions.

Cross-generational users of cashless transaction methods are widely adopting digital peer-to-peer (P2P) applications as they are more attractive and flexible to use. In-app payments or tap-to-go transactions take seconds at checkout and allow users to make payments anytime, anywhere. Tokenization, encryption, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), etc. offer multiple ways to secure payments while enabling digital transactions. Also, users don’t have to fill in information every time to complete the checkout process. Thus, online payment gateways play a crucial role in economic growth, enabling commerce in the modern economy. With social distancing rules in place, digital payments have become a must for contactless transactions, not just an alternative to a transaction to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Digital commerce empowers businesses

Electronic payment systems have become a crucial part of business as consumers’ propensity for online shopping expands. With the expansion of internet penetration, increasing use of smartphones and diverse options for electronic transactions, most consumers prefer online channels to traditional physical stores for shopping. Therefore, businesses are moving online with an electronic payment solution to maximize their profits. Automating the electronic payment system eliminates scope for errors and saves significant time and effort. High standards for fraud detection and prevention in digital transaction systems and AI-based fraud detection protect users from security breaches. By providing the flexibility to make payments through credit/debit cards, mobile money, e-wallet, etc., businesses can expand their customer base. The electronic payment process improves customer satisfaction because customers don’t have to count money or deal with paperwork when they want to make a transaction.

Biometric authentication Improve security

Biometric authentication involves the recognition of biometric features and structural features to confirm an individual’s identity. The verification method may include fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, voice recognition, vein mapping, iris detection, and heart rate analysis. With the increase in identity theft and fraud, biometric authentication has become a reliable and secure alternative for conducting digital transactions. According to a recent study, biometrically verified mobile commerce transactions are expected to account for a whopping 57% of total biometric transactions by 2023. Biometric payment cards are also becoming popular as they support touch payments, allowing users to make faster digital transactions. Digital payment technology provider, Worldline, has partnered with French FinTech, A3BC (Anything Anywhere Anytime Biometric Connection) to protect mobile phones from intrusion with a two-factor authentication process. The combined solution eliminates one-touch identification, but rather recognizes fingerprints through a photo of the hand. MasterCard plans to introduce FinGo’s vein-scanning payment solution, which makes it easier for users to authenticate transactions.

Dominance of mobile wallets

In 2019, mobile wallets overtook credit cards to become the most widely used form of payment globally. Digital wallets offer consumers the flexibility to store multiple payment methods in one digital home and convert cash into electronic money needed for online or in-store purchases. Financial institutions have already started to embrace the digital wallet trend by offering virtual cards to business customers. Virtual cards stored in digital wallets consist of details such as 16-digit card number, CVV code, expiry date and work just like the physical plastic card. Currently, only 37% of merchants support mobile payments at the point of sale, but with increasing adoption, merchants are willing to invest in technologies that facilitate digital wallets. Virtual wallets can save money due to low processing costs as they limit the values ​​and frequency of transactions. Artificial intelligence (AI) enhances the user experience in terms of transactions with ChatBots designed to perform and robotize basic exchanges according to the user’s interests. In addition, e-wallets based on cryptographic money are being adopted by start-ups to small and medium-sized organizations to store digital money. Smart voice technology has contributed to the growth of smart voice wallets since Amazon pioneered the principle of this platform, which is now being followed by Google and Apple.

E-commerce boom accelerating growth of digital payments market

The growth of e-commerce at an exponential rate is creating shock waves and a sonic boom reverberating through the financial technology sector. The growth of many e-commerce companies is driven by the type of financial services they provide. Digital transactions make it easier for the buyer and seller to transact and stay loyal to the marketplace. The COVID-19 pandemic has added a different dimension to e-commerce innovation, introducing newer trends such as cashier payment alternatives (not with digital wallets), virtual cards, QR codes and other contactless transactions. Also, the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) trend is dominating the e-commerce industry as it eases the financial burden on the buyer. BNPL includes a soft credit check so users can buy what they need, keep inventory moving and pay overtime without affecting their credit score. BNPL provides businesses with much needed liquidity and greater cash flow flexibility.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of the digital payments market

Digital payment systems have moved beyond their peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers and bill payments. The COVID-19 pandemic has allowed digital payment systems to showcase their strengths, such as a strong understanding of hyper-local markets and their ability to establish strong local partnerships. Businesses and consumers have increasingly gone “digital” to provide and purchase goods and services online. When the pandemic hit, people didn’t want to touch or exchange cash because of the paranoia of catching the infection from physical currencies. Several governments around the world have introduced digital financial transfers to provide COVID-19 relief. Thanks to the lockdown measures, consumers have turned to online platforms, catapulting the demand for digital payment systems. Digital platforms have now become an essential component of people’s lives, and consumers are more likely to continue shopping online in the post-pandemic period. The dramatic change in consumer behavior is likely to further increase the demand for electronic payment systems. That is why companies are turning their attention to digital media to meet new customer demands and thrive in the changing market scenario. Organizations are reimagining customer journeys to reduce friction and provide new security features. Payments companies like PayPal and Square Cash are recruiting across the board to better understand the reshaping of societal norms and stabilize businesses for the near future.

Electronic payment systems are the future

With the increasing penetration of smartphones and the Internet, consumers are becoming technologically savvy, which provides endless opportunities for digital payment markets. Post-pandemic, digital payment systems are expected to continue to flourish in the coming years. While cards remain the first choice for payments worldwide, mobile wallets are rapidly gaining popularity. Traditional cash flow is decreasing at bank branches and ATMs, demonstrating a move towards a cashless society. China currently dominates global mobile wallet consumption, followed by South Korea. However, there are still many countries that are highly dependent on cash due to lack of trust in financial institutions and lack of proper broadband infrastructure, etc. In the near future, social media-initiated payments, biometric payments, voice-activated payments are likely to become mainstream in developing countries as well.

Cybersecurity and privacy issues with online payment solutions

Threats to cyber security and privacy have become an alarming concern with increasing cases of online fraud. According to the Mastercard study, one in four consumers experienced some kind of fraud in 2020, which increased the rate of cybercrime by 49%. In the first half of 2020, online fraud increased by 73.8% compared to 2019. However, adopting new-age technologies such as multi-factor authentication, biometrics, 3D security, artificial intelligence and machine learning can help control fraudulent activities such as phishing, virus attacks, etc. The move to contactless cards, QR codes and tokenization can also help mitigate the risks associated with digital payment solutions. Additionally, increasing end-user awareness about the secure implementation of e-payment solutions by increasing financial literacy efforts can help prevent fraud. The emergence of mobile commerce and the evolution of electronic payment platforms, supported by robust security solutions, can help achieve the goal of a truly cashless economy.

Blockchain for IoT in Business

A new horizon in the data sharing framework

Blockchain is a shared distributed peer-to-peer transaction database. At the core of this technology is Bitcoin, a digitally encrypted wallet for transaction control and payment system that was introduced in 2009. This transaction management system is decentralized and usually works without an intermediary. These transactions are approved by a set of network nodes and documented in a shared ledger known as a blockchain.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a cyber-physical network of interconnected computing devices, digital objects, and individuals with unique system identifiers. The goal of the IoT space is to serve a single point of integration and transfer data online without the need for human or computer intervention.

There is a complex relationship between blockchain and IoT. Business entities providing IoT can find solutions using blockchain technology. The shared system can develop and save a cryptographically secure data set. Such database and records are protected against alteration and theft, provided they are highly secure and anti-malware. The duo can build transparency and accountability while moderating business development mechanisms. Blockchain itself can help reduce workplace mismanagement, overhead, and business unpredictability through its interconnected servers. The digital ledger can develop a cost-effective business and management system where everything can be efficiently exchanged, properly monitored and tracked. This process eliminates the need for a central management system, which essentially eliminates a lot of bureaucratic red tape and streamlines business processes. The commercial adoption of this innovation offers an immersive platform in the IoT domain and in business enterprises.

Blockchain essentially enables interconnected IoT devices to engage in secure data exchange. Companies and business entities can use blockchain to manage and process data from end devices such as RFID (radio frequency identification) based assets, machine readable barcode and QR code, infrared advertising (IR Bluster) or device information. If integrated into the business setup, end IoT devices will be able to transfer blockchain-based records to update contracts or validate a communication network. For example, if an IoT-enabled asset and RFID tag with sensitive geographic location and confidential information is moved to another unspecified point, the information will be automatically stored and updated in a blockchain ledger and necessary actions will be taken if the system is misappropriated. As the product progresses to different locations, the system allows stakeholders to obtain information about the package’s whereabouts.

To enjoy the fruits of a blockchain-enabled IoT framework, business organizations must adhere to four basic principles:

1. price Reduction

Edge devices should reduce transaction processing time and eliminate IoT gateways or internet intermediaries in the system. As data sharing and information are communicated within the system, eliminating an additional protocol, program, hardware, channel, node, or communication reduces overhead.

2. Acceleration of data exchange

Blockchain-enabled IoT can remove the IoT gateway or any filtering device needed to establish a network between cloud, administrator, sensors and devices. Kicking out such a “middleman” can enable peer-to-peer contracts and data sharing. In this process, the digital ledger eliminates the additional time required to synchronize the device and process and collect information. However, eliminating the IoT gateway provides channels for malicious malware and security breach. A blockchain-enabled IoT network can address it by installing features such as malware detection and encryption engines.

3. Building trust

Through a blockchain-enabled IoT space, devices and appliances can virtually and physically transact and communicate as trusted parties. Unlike conventional business, where transactions require approval and verification, blockchain does not need central authentication or peer recommendation. As long as the network is secure and the trusted parties are technologically savvy, the IoT space requires no additional paperwork. For example, Team A may not know Team B, may not have physically met or trusted each other, but the stamped record of online transactions and information sharing on the blockchain ledger confirms the trustworthiness of the business. This allows individuals, organizations and devices to gain mutual trust, which is vital to establishing a revolving business setup and eliminating administrative clutter.

4. Enhancing Security for IoT

Blockchain provides a place for a decentralized network and technology that promises to store, process and retrieve information from its billions of connected devices. This system should provide a highly secure network that is encrypted and easy to use. A decentralized network should provide high throughput, permission, low latency and requests. Installing a blockchain in the IoT network can regulate and moderate the exchange of data across end devices while maintaining the same secure transaction and information exchange of connected devices.

Eliminating Points of Failure in the IoT Space

Blockchain-enabled IoT can upgrade the supply chain network by tracking tagged items as they move through various points in an import store or warehouse, while enabling secure and accurate product delivery. Blockchain installation ensures precise and detailed product confirmation and solid traceability of relevant data along supply chains. Instead of finding paper trails to identify the country of origin (COO), the IoT can validate the physical confirmation of each product through a virtual “visa” that provides relevant information such as authenticity and origin of the product. Blockchain can also make auditable records of products and help organizations trace or create a history of records. It can also provide secure network access to administrative record data or alternative plans.

Blockchain-enabled IoT is not limited to enterprise problems or use cases. Any business entity with IoT space can increase business productivity by marginalizing costs, eliminating bottlenecks, extra loops and single points of failure in the system by updating process innovations. It is in the self-interest of such organizations to understand, embrace and implement blockchain into their enterprise solutions.

There is more…

With the onset of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), blockchain-enabled IoT now represents the most dominant innovation after the integration of transistors and computing systems. This is the disruption that heralds the “second machine age” of digitization and advanced artificial intelligence (AI). Business-focused organizations are the frontrunners to enjoy the fruits of this revolution. It will be a shame if these organizations fail to realize the potential of this mega integration that can bring intelligence to systems anywhere and everywhere. Along with the new integration, this system also accompanies critical adaptability issues associated with the distributed network, such as preserving privacy and the data network, coordinating security apparatuses, and managing intellectual property. While many technology builders are building an open source foundation to address these issues, organizations and business entities must adopt and disseminate this technology for increased mobility and improved integration of products and services.

How to Copy Successful Forex Traders

In the past year, several of the top Forex brokers have introduced the concept of social Forex trading. The idea is simple: the best Forex traders share their trades with the community, and other traders are free to copy their trading strategies. This is a new idea and one that allows novice Forex traders to learn from Forex experts.

Many of the best social Forex brokers allow you to search for traders to copy based on profit, risk level and the number of other traders who copy a Forex trading expert. This makes it easy to find popular Forex traders to copy, but there are a few things to consider when copying a Forex trader.

  1. Popular doesn’t always mean best. Most brokers allow you to see how many people are copying Forex Expert. However, the number of copiers alone does not necessarily indicate a strong marketer. Many times consumers will flock to a trader after he has made one trade with big profits, hoping to score again. A marketer may have thousands of followers, but that doesn’t mean followers earn money.
  2. Don’t copy a Forex trader just because of the big returns. Just like a trader’s popularity, a trader’s Forex trading results can be a bit misleading if not read correctly. One of the most popular Forex brokers has dozens of traders whose statistics reflect 300% profit from Forex trading. This is an amazing number, but you need to consider the number of trades and the amount of capital you are risking to earn these profits. If you don’t have a large trading account, you may not be able to survive the grind that occurred on the way to those big Forex profits.
  3. Check the risk profile. Most leading social Forex brokers will offer some type of trader risk measurement. While many of the high risk Forex traders manage to secure large profits, the strategies used may not work for all traders. Beginner Forex traders, in particular, should copy traders with lower levels of risk so that one trade does not put their entire account at risk.
  4. Diversify! Don’t risk your entire Forex trading account copying a single trader. Instead, choose several different traders and spread your money between them. This will reduce your overall risk as only a portion of your account will be at risk if a trader engages in a risky trade. Yes, you may miss out on a great trading opportunity every now and then, but consistent Forex profits are the goal.

If you keep these ideas in mind, you will have a much better chance of successfully copying other Forex traders. Social Forex trading programs are a great way to start trading Forex, reducing risk while new traders learn the Forex market. However, there is still risk and traders should be wise in their decisions when choosing traders to copy.

4 Benefits You Can Enjoy If You Invest in Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a type of digital currency based on the peer-to-peer network. It was introduced in 2009. What makes this type of currency different from the usual currency in use is that it is not centralized or dependent on a bank or government authority. However, Bitcoin offers many advantages. For example, it involves lower transaction fees than conventional payment mechanisms. Let’s take a look at 4 benefits you can enjoy if you invest in Bitcoin. Read on to learn more.

Multiple uses

In the beginning, Bitcoin users used the currency to make routine financial transactions without paying many fees. Since then, the currency has been used for many other purposes.

In fact, Bitcoin uses blockchain technology to facilitate digital transactions. Therefore, all transactions are verified and validated first. Moreover, all transactions can be viewed online through the database available on the blockchain site.

Additionally, Bitcoins can be used for digital trading of land ownership securities, insurance claims, etc. However, it is important to note that these uses are in the developmental stage. Therefore, they have not yet become part of the mainstream.

However, the currency is quite successful. Hence, it brought a revolution to the entire industry. According to many researchers, the value of Bitcoin will continue to grow in the future. That’s why it’s a great idea to invest in BTC if you want to earn a big return on your investment.

Expected earnings

First of all, it is important to note that the potential gain is higher than the potential loss when it comes to investing money in Bitcoins. According to many crypto analysts, Bitcoin will become an international currency in the future. In other words, the chances of losing money are lower than the chances of making a significant profit. So it is somewhat of a safe investment.

If this happens, it will give a boost to world trade. As a result, the value of one bitcoin will increase by 20,000 times its current value. However, this can only happen if this currency is recognized as a valid currency for domestic and international trade.

Interest on your investment

Because bitcoins are accepted as a type of commodity money, you can invest your bitcoins just like you would invest money in any business using traditional fiat money. Therefore, you can also earn interest on the invested money. Also, you can sell your bitcoins once their value increases.

Easy access

The interesting thing is that you don’t have to hold your bitcoins for a long time to make any profit. Based on how much money people transfer to the Bitcoin network, you can also earn a profit in a short period of time.

In short, it’s a great idea to invest in Bitcoin in 2019. Just make sure you follow the latest developments to grab the opportunities available.

The Future of Bitcoin

The world is changing rapidly lately and so is the currency system. With the use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in vogue, people are curious to gauge the possible future of Bitcoin, which needs to be established and supported by facts and insightful rationality.

In 2009, there was a new currency concept that was introduced to the financial world. It was a bit confusing for people, but within a year or two it emerged as a trend. Today, more and more people and business ventures are using Bitcoins for various reasons. The digital currency is still undergoing regular updates to improve it in every possible way.

A FEW OPINIONS ABOUT BITCOIN

People all over the world have become quite aware of crypto currency. In addition, there are many more opinions about it from experts. It is quite common to find pro-Bitcoin currency experts claiming that the currency is expected to reach between $250,000 and $500,000 per coin in the next few years.

On the other hand, you will find several well-known financial analysts and specialists who do not hesitate to warn people about the problems they may face when investing in Bitcoin. Experts accept the fact that this currency called Bitcoin and other crypto currencies may have a lot to give to the public, but the day is not far when investing people will suffer and take a significant hit.

There are several advantages and disadvantages of Bitcoins. In the event that the negatives are removed, there is a huge chance that the entire international financial system will undergo a transformation. Let’s take a look at them:

SOME ADVANTAGES OF BITCOIN

• You really have full control over money and can send and receive any amount 24X7. This is possible because transactions are not executed by central or commercial banks or other centralized organizations.

• The transaction fee is minimal compared to any other online money transaction. The mining service that records the transactions in the respective blockchain charges the fees in reality and they are quite low.

• Since no personal information is traded, it is the most secure way to transact money. Other than that, no problems at all.

• With minimal processing costs, everyone can rely on the most reliable and fastest way to transfer money.

• Bitcoin is not affected by price fluctuations in any of the world’s economies, unlike other currencies.

THE CONS OF BITCOIN

• Bitcoin should have a better impact on global and local financial markets.

• Bitcoin price stability should focus on more people and businesses using cryptocurrency.

• There is still no guarantee of Bitcoin’s purchasing power that can be provided to investors or users.

Bitcoin’s future is all about speculation

The downsides of bitcoins cannot be easily ignored, but in some ways they can be easily deterred. With a stronger market presence and more price stability, this could be the easiest form of online currency in the future. The future of Bitcoin is really nothing but speculation. It has received positive feedback from people all over the world and has the potential to become the next big thing.

Blockchain & IoT – How "Crypto" It will likely move to Herald Industry 4.0

Although most people only started learning about “blockchain” thanks to Bitcoin, its roots – and applications – go much deeper than that.

Blockchain is a technology in itself. It powers Bitcoin and is essentially the reason *so many* new ICOs flood the market – creating an “ICO” is ridiculously easy (no barriers to entry).

The aim of the system is to create a decentralized database – which essentially means that instead of relying on “Google” or “Microsoft” to store data, a network of computers (usually run by individuals) can act in the same way as a larger company.

To understand the implications of this (and therefore where the technology might take the industry) – you need to look at how the system works at a fundamental level.

Created in 2008 (1 year before Bitcoin), it is an open source software solution. This means that its source code can be downloaded and edited by anyone. However, it should be noted that the central “repository” can only be changed by specific individuals (so the “development” of the code is not a free-for-all in principle).

The system works with what is known as a merkle tree – a type of data graph that was created to provide access to versioned data on computer systems.

Merkle trees have been used to great effect in a number of other systems; most notably “GIT” (source code management software). Without getting too technical, it basically stores a “version” of a dataset. This version is numbered and thus can be loaded whenever a user wishes to recall its older version. In the case of software development, this means that a set of source code can be updated across multiple systems.

The way it works – which is to store a huge ‘file’ of updates to a central data set – is basically what powers systems like Bitcoin and all other ‘crypto’ systems. The term “crypto” simply means “cryptographic,” which is the technical term for “encryption.”

Regardless of its main work, the real benefit of wider adoption “on the chain” is almost certainly the “paradigm” it provides to the industry.

An idea called “Industry 4.0” has been floating around for several decades. Often associated with the Internet of Things, the idea is that a new layer of “autonomous” machines can be introduced to create even more efficient production, distribution and delivery techniques for businesses and consumers. Although this was often mentioned, it was never really accepted.

Many experts are now looking to technology as a way to facilitate this change. The reason is that the interesting thing about “crypto” is that – as is particularly evident with the likes of Ethereum – the various systems that are built on top of it can actually be programmed to operate with a layer of logic.

This logic is really what IoT / Industry 4.0 has missed so far – and why many are looking to “blockchain” (or equivalent) to provide a base-level standard for new ideas moving forward. This standard will give companies the ability to create “decentralized” applications that enable intelligent machines to create more flexible and efficient manufacturing processes.

Bitcoin – A safe investment for the future

Bitcoin is an online digital currency, just like the dollar or pound, but with a few exceptions. Introduced by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009, Bitcoin taps into a peer-to-peer payment system where there are no middlemen and goods can be securely transferred between any two people on the planet. It is connected to a heavy network of computers and the currency unit for the Bitcoin system (aptly named Bitcoin) can simply be acquired by joining the vast network. Bitcoin provides a fast, cheap and secure alternative for transactions, but few are willing to do so. So the question of a million dollars is still a safe investment bitcoin?

Bitcoin is only a few years old, an interesting creation that has awed many and for the record, made a name for itself in the top financial charts. Its popularity has expanded and led some of the leading businesses such as Virgin Galactic to consider it an acceptable source of payment. Bitcoin prices are increasing at a rate of up to 10% and continue to dominate as alpha in the market and this has made many interested in investing in it.

Another feature of Bitcoin is that it has no central bank and no central government controls it. It is a global currency, and its creation and existence lies behind a complex and cunning mathematical algorithm that allows it to shadow government-related mishaps. Instances of political instability and government absurdities that embarrass the economy and throw years of currency investment into the wind do not occur in the cryptocurrency system. This creates a safe and comfortable investment opportunity with low inflation risks.

The downside

With incredible advantages, cryptocurrency also has its disadvantages. As mentioned, this thing is still taking baby steps; and with that comes great uncertainty. Bitcoin prices are volatile; it is currently rising sharply and can vary from 30% to 40% in a month. The world is still surprised by its appearance and there are very few bitcoin and bitcoin holders. This leads to unanswered questions and cold fear among people, as investing in a new unpredictable “gold mine” can have devastating effects. Its novelty leads to a lack of regulation and scares away potential investors.

The enigma surrounding the Bitcoin system is a major factor to consider. Anything can happen and everyone involved in the Bitcoin market is on high alert. In December 2013, China eliminated the use of Bitcoin and this caused its value to plummet from $1,240 to $576 in just three weeks. Programmers also determine the functionality of this global currency, and many question the thought of risking their finances for some group of geeks. This prevents many from entering the system and increases the risk of bitcoin investment so much.