AstroSwap is a decentralized exchange (DEX) built for the Cardano ecosystem. Launched in October 2021, it is a layer 2 DEX made on the Velas network, considered the fastest blockchain in the world.

AstroSwap’s link with the Velas network allows users to trade and swap Cardano tokens at faster speeds with lower fees. The project also features Galaxy Pools, where users can stake their tokens and earn and Space Lottery, where users can play and win amazing prizes.

## ASTRO Token

ASTRO token is AstroSwap’s native token. Also launched in October 2021, the token started pretty well thanks to a successful IDO exclusive on ADAPad. Within a few hours of launch, ASTRO tokens hit a [21,000%](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/astro-trades-over-33-000-182751241.html) ROI. They would continue to rise and hit a peak of 50,000% ROI within a few days after launch.

However, despite their great start, ASTRO tokens would begin to depreciate and end the year 2021, trading at $0.1345. For most of January 2022, the tokens would trade at $0.1, hitting $0.2 on a few good days. By the end of January, they were down, trading at $0.08137.

For most of March 2022, ASTRO tokens traded between $0.007 and $0.009. They picked up by the end of the month to close each worth $0.01206. The coins did drop again and have continued to trade below $0.01 as of writing.

According to [Coinmarketcap](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/astroswap/), while ASTRO tokens show some price appreciation, they are currently worth $0.001905. They are ranked the 1575th largest cryptocurrencies by market cap. 

ASTRO tokens have a max supply cap of 10,000,000,000 ASTRO coins. There are currently 428,462,821 ASTRO coins in public circulation. If you wish to invest in the tokens, they are available on AstroSwap, PancakeSwap, Gate.io, BKEX, and ZT. They are not listed in many crypto exchanges.

## What sets AstroSwap Apart?

Several things enable [AstroSwap](https://www.astroswap.app/#Tokenomics) to stand out as a worthwhile crypto project.

•   Features: Swapz Bridge is a feature that allows users easily and quickly bridge tokens between networks with minimal fees. Other features include Galaxy Pools for staking and Space Lottery for awarding loyal users.

•   High APY: Users can access ultra-high APYs not found anywhere within the crypto ecosystem. The High APY is possible thanks to the 45% of the total ASTRO token supply set aside for staking incentives.

•  Partnerships: It has the backing of a few strategic partners, including ADAPad, WagyuSwap, Swaps, and Bluezilla, a veteran incubator firm.


AstroSwap’s road map also shows that bigger and better things are coming. The project seeks to continue to introduce DAO governance and voting rights, [NFT collection](/news/category/nft-news), and lending and borrowing Protocols. The future seems bright for the project.




A simple AstroSwap guide for beginners

[DAO Maker](https://daomaker.com/) is a blockchain project Launchpad that provides growth solutions to crypto startups. Since its launch in 2017, it has launched over 100 crypto projects and raised over $30 million. Some of its most successful projects include My Neighbor Alice, Orion Protocol, and LaunchX.

Besides investment opportunities, the platform also provides other services, including incubation, operations, and advisory services, which help grow nascent blockchain-based projects.

## The platform

There are many reasons the DAO Maker is considered the best Initial DEX Offering (IDO) and Initial DEX Offering (IGO) Launchpad for crypto projects. 

It also has excellent features and products that enable worthwhile service delivery. Its most notable features and products include the DAO;
Pad: a multi-investment platform that connects the Launchpad's community with upcoming crypto projects.

Vaults: they are used to participate in DAO's offering and refundable token sale methods that include Strong Holders Offering (SHO), SEED sales, and Dynamic Coin offering (DYCO). Token holders can also stake their tokens in the vaults and earn yields.

Instant Swap: It allows crypto holders to swap their non-custodial wallet cryptocurrencies into the platform's utility tokens on decentralized exchanges.

Hub: it enables participants to earn social activity scores by promoting links and tweets generated by the project via the Hub Feed.

Social mining is another product that allows crypto startups to create communities and online exposure for their growth. It helps with building their ecosystems.

## How the platform works

DAO Maker requires users to lock up a certain amount of native tokens to participate in a project launch. For every token you stake, you'll receive 1 DAO Power. You can allocate your DAO Power to the sale you want to participate in.

Your position will be put into 1 of 5 available tranches, depending on the number of DAO Power you've spent. The trenches are;

·        Tranche 1: 500–999 DAO Power

·        Tranche 2: 1,000–1,999 

·        Tranche 3: 2,000–3,999 

·        Tranche 4: 4,000–9,999 

·        Tranche 5: 10,000+ DAO Power

The more DAO Power you hold, the higher your chances of winning a participation slot. If your allocation wins, your DAO Power will be locked for ten days. If it doesn't win, your DAO power will be returned immediately.

## The team

Christoph Zaknun and Giorgio Marciano are the co-founders of DAO Maker. Zaknun is the CEO, and Marciano the CTO. Zaknun holds a Bachelor's degree in robotics. He is credited with launching the Dog ICO. Before getting into the crypto space, he was a medical student. 
Marciano is a heavily experienced entrepreneur and IT engineer with over 13 years of experience in software development.

Other team members include Malte Christensen the COO, and Hassan Sheikh the CMO, a former lecturer in Mathematics and experienced business strategist. The Launchpad has more than 20 team members working to better its service delivery.

## The native token

The DAO token is the native utility token of the platform. The token can be used to participate in token sales on the DAO Pad platform. It can be staked to earn yields via the vaults. It can also be used to vote on various decisions concerning the platform's future.

The tokens have a max supply cap of 312,000,000 coins. There are currently 83,503,449 coins in public circulation. As of the time of writing, according to Coinmarketcap, each coin is worth $1.92. They are ranked 154th largest cryptocurrencies by market cap.

The digital coins can be bought on several crypto exchanges, including KuCoin, Gate.io, Instant Swap, Bithumb, and Uniswap.

## Successful projects launched on the platform

·        Orion Protocol: A Defi platform aggregates liquidity from centralized exchanges, decentralized exchanges, and swap pools.

·        My Neighbor Alice: A multiplayer blockchain-based game where players can buy and own land and gather and collect unique items.

·        LaunchX: a decentralized multi-chain IDO Launchpad platform that allows startups to raise funds across multiple blockchains.

·        DeRace: The world's first decentralized, blockchain-based racehorse platform. 

## Partnerships

Since its launch, DAO Maker has entered and continues to enter into strategic partnerships that help with its growth. 
So far, the Launchpad has partnered with the TRON network, Alliance Block, Alchemy Pay, PAID Network, Rainforest Foundation, Fantom Foundation, 4IRE LABS, Israeli Block Association (IBA), and the Warena Project, among others.

In August 2022, the platform announced a partnership with Binance for Custody service. It will use Binance's custody solutions to safeguard its assets and ensure they comply with all necessary regulations.

## Into the NFT space 

As of 2022, DAO Maker is venturing into the [NFT space](/news/category/nft-news) and Metaverse. It is soon adding an NFT Launchpad to its product listing, and its first project will be the Maradona D10S NFT collection. 

The NFT collection will feature 5,000 profile pictures of the late Diego Maradona, a world-renowned football player. The collection supports all Maradona's heirs and is the first-ever official Maradona-licensed NFT project. 

## Competitors

DAO Maker faces some competition from other blockchain-based Launchpads. Polkastarter is a significant competitor that has launched over 100 projects and raised close to $50 million in funding. 

The protocol, built on the Polkadot Network, is similar to DAO Maker. For example, it requires users to stake tokens to participate in early-stage investments. Their Launchpad also supports Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain (BSC) projects.

## Bottom line

DAO Maker has many features and products that enable it to stay true to its statement as the best IDO and IGO Launchpad for crypto projects worldwide. 

The platform offers a lot to crypto startups. Such projects have a reputable place to get the funding they need. They also have access to other services, including incubation, operations, and advisory services, that can help them grow.

Although its token is not performing that well as of writing, several crypto prediction platforms predict a promising future. However, it is the crypto space. You can never be too sure.



DAO Maker: Beginners Guide

Polygonscan is a block explorer and analytics platform that lets users view and analyse any transaction on the Polygon blockchain. The Polygonscan API (Application Programming Interface) launched with various supports to provide features such as transaction tracking, gas tracker, and more, with additional features expected in the future.

Its release encourages developers to launch dApps using the [Polygon network](/news/article/polygon-crypto). As well as it also ensures that users have the best possible experience when using their favourite dApps for trading, buying and selling NFT, and a variety of other activities.

## How will Polygonscan assist?

MATIC is a blockchain scalability platform that promises to solve Ethereum's problems, such as low Tics Per Second (TPS) and high fees. When compared to Ethereum, Polygon has higher throughput. Compared to the Ethereum network, the gas fee on Polygon is relatively low.

The block explorer allows users to easily check blockchain data such as:

•	Daily transactions

•	Unique addresses

•	Average block size

•	Average gas price

•	Daily gas used 

•	Daily active ERC-20 addresses

•	Validators

•	Contract verification

•	ABI verification.

Polygonscan has capacity to handle the high transaction volume, processing 7 million transactions daily. Launching decentralised apps on the polygon blockchain will also be easier further to the networks recent upgrade.

## How to use Polygonscan to add the Polygon network in MetaMask

You can also use Polygonscan to connect Polygon to MetaMask by following the instructions below.

1.     Sign in to your online crypto account.

The first step is to ensure that you already have an online crypto account. If this is the case, install the MetaMask browser extension. When the download is finished, the Metamask page will appear, where you can log in to your account.

Click the 'Add Polygon Network' button. Then navigate to https polygonscan.com. Click on the small button with the words 'Add Polygon Network' at the bottom of the page.
 
2.     Join MetaMask and Polygon.

You will be redirected to the MetaMask page after clicking the button. Then press the "Approve" button. You have successfully connected the blockchain network to the online crypto account and will be redirected to the Polygon mainnet shortly.
 
## Is it valuable to get involved with polygonscan? 

Polygonscan comes with a variety of features that makes users' life easier. Getting involved with the block explorer can be beneficial in the long run. 



An ultimate guide to Polygonscan

[Investing in KDA](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/kadena/) requires that you have a valid email address and identity. Once you've verified your identity, you can deposit funds to the exchange or exchange your funds for Kadena. Once you've purchased the desired amount of KDA, you can withdraw the token to your wallet.

[Kadena's digital currency](https://kadena.io/) is primarily aimed at the sizeable DeFi market, where there are many applications. The PoW consensus mechanism and capped supply of Kadena's digital currency make it an exciting choice for this space.

The project's founders have extensive experience with blockchain technologies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

Despite being relatively new, Kadena has already attracted the support of several prominent crypto venture capitalists, including CoinFund, Multicoin Capital, and Amino Capital.

The project aims to address the challenges associated with existing blockchains while delivering the same level of security as Bitcoin. The new platform also provides end-to-end solutions, including a mobile wallet that's easy to use. 

With more than 15 thousand active monthly users, Kadena's X-Wallet is poised to become the leading crypto wallet of the Kadena ecosystem.

The company is also pushing the boundaries of DeFi protocol development, creating a multichain, scalable DeFi ecosystem. In addition, Kadena's digital currency will be built on the only scalable PoW layer-1 blockchain.

## Its scalability

While Ethereum is widely considered a powerful platform, it has issues with processing times. Ethereum is moving towards a Proof-of-Stake algorithm, which should increase speed. However, other projects, [such as the Solana project](/news/article/solana-price-gbp), compete directly with the KDA coin.

The Kadena project's unique architecture aims to provide scalability and security. It is built on a hybrid blockchain platform with a public chain protocol Chainweb and a private chain protocol Kuro. The KDA team claims that the new architecture makes it easier for businesses to use the technology.

The Kadena coin uses a Proof-of-Work algorithm similar to Bitcoin but is designed to be more scalable. Its prototype can process over seven thousand transactions per second. It is also focused on security and scalability, making it a strong competitor of the Ethereum blockchain.

## KDA coin value

Since launching, Kadena has grown by about 125% year-to-date. The startup claims that its cryptocurrency has the potential to revolutionize the way the world interacts. The platform offers unique features and is highly stable, making it an ideal investment opportunity.

The company has a website that claims that Kadena preserves the security of Bitcoin while allowing for faster transactions. This cryptocurrency has also performed very well in the fourth quarter of 2021, even though the cryptocurrency market is saturated with startups seeking to promote the mainstream adoption of blockchain.

## How to buy it

If you've ever wondered how to buy KDA coins, it's straightforward, and you won't even need to use your credit card. First, sign up for an account on a cryptocurrency exchange such as Coinbase. Then, you can deposit funds and exchange them for KDA.

Once you've verified your identity and email, you can enter the amount you'd like to purchase and click "Buy." Once you've received your KDA, you can withdraw it to your wallet.

Next, visit CoinMarketCap to find the best place to buy Kadena. You'll see a list of exchanges where you can buy KDA and other currencies. Using a significant cryptocurrency exchange, you can also use a bank account to purchase KDA.
 



Kadena- How to buy KDA coin

A non-fungible token is a digital asset representing physical items such as art, music, in-game items, and videos. They are bought and sold online, frequently using cryptocurrency, and are typically encoded with the same underlying software as many cryptos.

 Even though they have been around since 2014, NFTs are now gaining popularity as a popular way to buy and sell digital artwork. Since November 2017, $174 million has been spent on NFTs.

 Non-fungible tokens have taken over the world as some well-known celebrities have begun participating in the decentralised finance (DeFi) space. These digital assets have fundamentally altered the landscape of digital communities and networking in general. Some projects within these communities offer free mints or airdrops to qualifying holders, providing an exciting way for new investors to obtain free NFTs.

## Four ways to obtain free NFTs

1.     Twitter NFT giveaways

If you're interested in free NFTs, Twitter is probably the first place you should look. Many creators usually share their upcoming projects on Twitter, and some of these projects also launch free NFT giveaways as a promotional strategy.

Even though giveaways are available on all social media platforms, Twitter appears to be the most popular platform for free NFT competitions and gifts.

Follow new creators and projects that frequently offer free NFT tokens via giveaways and, if possible, check out their Instagram, Discord, and other social media accounts. If they have a smaller following on other social media accounts, it will be easier for you to compete for a giveaway on those platforms rather than on Twitter.
 
2.     NFT airdrops 

NFT airdrops are distributed to eligible individuals, typically project holders. One of the most well-known airdrops was the mutant veils for BAYC holders, in which those who owned one [Bored Ape NFT](/news/article/how-to-buy-monkey-nft) were given an exclusive drop of Yuga Lab's second project, Mutant Ape Yacht Club. This free airdrop to Bored Ape holders is worth around $50,000 as of January 2022.

Because people are often excited to receive free digital assets, this process allows for quick project adoption and growth. Airdrops are also crucial in the community because they give investors something to look forward to when purchasing.

3.     NFT games with earnings

Play-to-earn video games pay users in cryptocurrency for completing tasks or defeating opponents in the game. These decentralised games usually require an initial investment because they require the purchase of NFTs to begin playing. Although the initial investment for some games may be high, the proficiency to earn free NFTs or crypto can make it a worthy venture. Axie Infinity and The Sandbox are two popular play-to-earn games. Sorare is another play-to-earn game that combines Fantasy Soccer with NFTs and Ethereum rewards.
 
4.     Create your own NFT

Some decentralised applications (DApps) enable you to mint your own NFT on a blockchain. It's important to remember that just because anyone can create it doesn't mean it's valuable.

The worth of an NFT is entirely subjective, though some advantages include proof of ownership and community benefits. When you buy these assets on the blockchain, you get a verified ledger of all transaction history, which makes ownership and overall history completely transparent.

## Are free NFTs valuable?

If you want to get a taste of the market, then getting NFTs for free is a great place to start. However, remember that many scammers will try to make things difficult for you.

To begin, it will only help if you avoid any shiny deals and only follow authoritative accounts on social media and news from prominent websites to get ahead of most people struggling to get free NFT tokens.

Free NFTscan be profitable only if you obtain them from trustworthy websites. Recently, a British woman [won a free NFT from twitter and sold it for $110K](https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/story/brit-woman-wins-free-nft-from-twitter-sells-it-for-life-changing-110000-300578-2021-07-06). In the long term, these can be profitable for you, but remember, crypto and NFTs are volatile markets. Conducting a deep analysis of the market before getting involved is advised. 




How to get free NFTs?

US study suggest that blockchain learning should become mandatory in schools so that students can "learn about the future of the world's economy."

Parents and college graduates were screened to ensure they had an ample level of knowledge of blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the Metaverse before they were allowed to participate in the survey. Anyone who didn't understand the topics was disqualified from participation. 884 American parents and 210 US college graduates participated in the survey.

According to a [new survey](https://study.com/resources/crypto-education.html) from the online educational platform Study.com, 64% of parents and 67% of college graduates surveyed believe that cryptocurrencies should be included in mandatory education.

Both sample groups had slightly different opinions on blockchain learning. Between 25%-40% of respondents agreed that courses on  blockchain, the Metaverse, and nonfungible tokens (NFTs) should be included in the curriculum.
 
![blockchain learning.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/blockchain_learning_fab5cdbd4e.png)

Source: ([Study.com, 2022](https://study.com/resources/crypto-education.html))

## Survey Result

The survey result coincides with rising interest in and use of cryptocurrencies in the US. According to the survey, parents and college graduates who have invested in cryptocurrencies are likely to make financial contributions to their children's education. 

Over three-quarters of parents who hold cryptocurrencies make an average contribution of $766 in their children's blockchain learnings, while over three-quarters of graduates who have invested in cryptocurrencies spend an average of $1,086 on education.

The survey also revealed that both groups thought that understanding "the future of the world's economy" and ways to "diversify investments, create opportunities, and grow an investing mind" is most crucial.

## Universities are adding blockchain learning to their curriculum

Several American universities have started offering introductory courses on [blockchain](/articles/learn-moni/what-is-blockchain) technology and cryptocurrency applications, including Arizona State University and the University of Connecticut. According to Marianne Lewis, a professor at Connecticut University, the 14-week elective course at the university is intended to teach students "how to manage cryptocurrencies and how such digital assets impact our economy."

Prestigious universities like Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have started to offer similar courses.



US parents want blockchain learning in school

Competition in the crypto space has made a few projects come up with innovative ways to entice and get new users. Some crypto projects offer  tokens for free, but with a catch. Depending on the project you can earn free crypto by learning or playing.

## What is Learn to earn crypto?

Learn to earn crypto involves getting free crypto by learning about digital assets on a crypto platform. The free crypto you get is usually the one you’ve learned about.

Since there is nothing like a free lunch , how do the platforms benefit? The platforms benefit in two ways. Firstly, by learning about crypto on a platform you boost its traffic. You are also more likely to engage with other services the platform provides.
Secondly, the free crypto tokens you get make you an investor in the tokens. The more people get the free crypto, the better its chances of price appreciation over time.

## Learn to earn crypto platforms

A few well-known platforms offer the learn to earn crypto incentive.

## Coinbase

Coinbase is a reputable crypto exchange with thousands of [coins](/coins), tokens and NFTS. The platform allows users to learn about different crypto currencies and earn through its [Coinbase Earn](https://www.coinbase.com/learning-rewards) page.

As per the platform users can choose whichever available crypto coin they would like to learn about, do a simple quiz, testing whatever they have learned then get their free crypto. Some of the coins and tokens users can learn and earn from include GRT (The Graph), GAL (Project Galaxy), and ALEPH (Aleph.im).

Note that to benefit from Coinbase Earn you have to meet all its eligibility requirements, which include living in a country eligible for Coinbase Earn. The program is, therefore, available in selected countries.

## Binance 

Binance is another popular crypto exchange available in more than 140 countries globally. Like Coinbase, Binance allows users to earn free crypto through its Learn & Earn section.

In the [Learn and Earn section](https://www.binance.com/en/support/announcement/178888d976424c43baabd1b1c649e6ff), are instructional films and reading materials that enable users to learn about several crypto coins. Once you are done learning about a preferred crypto coin you will take a quiz to gauge your understanding of the coin. If you pass the quiz you get your free crypto coins.

It is worth noting that Binance’s learn and earn rewards are limited. Once they get depleted users can’t participate in the program any more.

## CoinMarketCap 

Coinmarketcap is a price-tracking website for crypto assets. The platform allows users to earn free crypto through its [Earn Crypto](https://coinmarketcap.com/earn/) page.

On the Earn Crypto page are lots of crypto coins including TRX (TRON), SXP (Solar), LIKE (Only1), and SAND (Sandbox) to learn and earn from. There are video tutorials and reading materials to help learn about the various coins. A quiz comes at the end. Once you pass the quiz you get your free crypto.

Coinmarketcap’s learn and earn program is also [limited to certain countries](https://coinmarketcap.com/earn/faq). Users from countries like Belarus, Cuba, Iraq, Iran, and Mainland China cannot participate in the program.

## Phemex 

Phemex is a crypto exchange and trading platform trusted by millions of users across the globe. The exchange has a Learn & earn page where users can earn free crypto.

On the Learn & Earn page users can familiarize themselves with basic crypto concepts and exchange features through watching short videos. After your learning session, you will take a quiz, which will determine whether you get your free crypto or not.

Phemex Learn & Earn program is limited to selected countries. The program is currently not available in India, Russia, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Indonesia among other countries.

## BitDegree  

BitDegree is an online education platform powered by blockchain. The platform has a LearnDrops page where people can learn about real-world crypto projects and earn crypto.

The process of earning free crypto through BitDegree’s LearnDrops is the same as other Learn to earn crypto programs. Once you watch a video about the crypto project you wish to learn about you will do a quiz. If you pass the quiz you get your free tokens.

## Bottom line

Learn to earn is one of the many ways various crypto projects are looking not only to survive but profit from the cryptospace. The program, while it might cost platforms a few coins offers them a lot in terms of traffic and coin adoption.

Listed above are only a few platforms that offer learn to earn crypto programs. Do your research and you will find more blockchain-based platforms that will allow you to earn free crypto by simply learning about a crypto coin, project, or topic you are interested in.

Learn to earn crypto

Familiarising yourself with a new token always seems a daunting task. And this gets even more difficult if you are dealing with a token like [XRPHD](/news/article/xhd-coin-explained), which is listed only on a few crypto exchanges. So, if you are looking to buy it and want to know what the XHD to USD exchange rate is, you might not be able to do so easily.

To make the process simpler for you, here's an easy guide on how to find out the conversion rate of XHD to USD!

## What's an XRPHD coin? 

Before you move on to take any investment decision regarding the XRPHD token, you must get some background information. This token is another project by Ripple Labs which was launched in 2019. They introduced it as an alternative to XRP. The coin works with the conditioned proof-of-capacity consensus mechanism and offers a better decentralised and safer ecosystem. 

## Where to find out conversion price of XHD to USD

If you want to invest in the project, it's essential to know the token's price in USD. The first step for converting the coin's price is finding a trustworthy source that has listed the coin. Currently, one such popular and credible website that has registered the coin is [BeINCrypto](https://beincrypto.com/). Let's find out how you can check what the conversion rate is through this website!  

## How to find out conversion price XHD to USD on BeINCrypto

BeINCrypto is a crypto news website that has listed the XRPHD tokens on its rankings. For finding out the price approximation of the token in US dollars through the website, you can follow these simple steps:

1.	Firstly, you need to find it on its website. You can easily do that through the search bar. Or you can directly go to [this link](https://beincrypto.com/convert/xrphd-to-usd?amount=1).

2.	It will open a page with all the information related to the coin. Here, look for the conversion calculator. 

3.	Now, type the amount of XHD you want to convert to US dollars, and it will automatically calculate it for you. 

4.	Also, through this BeINCrypto exchange rate calculator, you can also check the USD to XHD rate. 

## Bottom line

Currently, XRPHD is not readily available on crypto exchanges. However, you can check out the XHD to USD exchange rates through the BeINCrypto website. It offers a crypto conversion calculator through which you can check the price of any token against a fiat currency or other digital token. As per the current conversion rate, the XRPHD's price in US dollars is only $0.00000146. 




How to find out the conversion rate of XHD to USD

Multisig is a type of crypto wallet that uses multi-signature technology to store and secure cryptocurrencies. It requires more than one person to sign off on any transaction before it can be executed, thus considered highly secure.

Let’s dig in and explore everything you need to know about it.

## RIF Multisig 

The [RIF Multisig wallet](https://www.rifos.org/blog/multisig-the-rsk-way) is a crypto storage solution for the RSK community and the Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem. It provides a secure place to store RIF tokens; utility tokens of the RSK network.

RSK is a smart contract network that is a sidechain of the [Bitcoin](/coins/btc) blockchain. It allows developers to create Defi protocols, NFTs, and other digital assets using the Bitcoin blockchain. As a sidechain, RSK also helps increase the scalability of the Bitcoin blockchain.

## Benefits 

There many benefits to using Multisig for crypto storage. Firstly, the wallet is hard to hack. Because it requires more than one private key to use, easily accessing all the required private keys is not easy for any hacker.

It also eliminates dependency on one device or party. Private keys can be saved on different devices to easily provide access to stored funds. In case something happens to one of the users, other users are not locked out of accessing their funds.

## Downsides

A major disadvantage of Multisig is slow transaction speeds. Because more signatures are involved, transactions may take longer. 

## How to set up 

To set up your wallet you will require two or more devices that support the RIF protocol. Each device, a computer, for example, will need to have a copy of the RIF token. 

On each computer generate a seed phrase. You will need the seed phrase to generate a master key that will enable you to generate the addresses.

Once you’ve generated the seed phrase the next step is to create a wallet on each computer. Open the multi-sig software and click on the “Create” button. Fill in all the required information including the number of computers you have.

Once you are done, you will be given a list of addresses you can send tokens to. The next step is to generate a Multi-sig address. 

Open the Multisig software and click on the "Create Multi-Sig address" button. Fill in the required information including the number of computers you have, the addresses you just created, and the name of the Multi-sig address.

After generating the Multi-sig address you will get instructions that will help you send tokens to the address. You can now send and receive crypto.

## Bottom line

The RIF Multisig is considered one of the best ways to securely store crypto online. The wallet, while still new in the crypto space offers a lot of benefits. It not only eliminates a single point of failure but also eliminates the dependency on a single device or user.






RIF Multisig Wallet Explained

Monkey NFT- the [Bored Apes](/news/article/bored-ape-nft) are a collection of 10,000 illustrated ape pictures.  Each picture features a colourful background and a photograph of an ape. 10,000 distinct NFTs of the apes are created by changing and combining their various traits. There are several variations for every aspect of the image. Hats and clothing are not the same. Teeth and eyes are interchangeable, as are their moods. 

This collection of pictures are purchased, sold, and traded as NFTs. Each of the many traits, characteristics, assemblages, and designs contributes to the development of an ape with a specific value. The NFTs are regarded as securities, and the market determines how much they are worth. They could skyrocket in value or they might vanish at any time. 

## How to purchase Bored Apes NFTs?

1.	Create an online account

[BAYC](https://boredapeyachtclub.com/#/) runs on the Ethereum network. As a result, buying Ethereum is the first step in getting an ape. Create an account on a trading platform to achieve this. Gemini Trust Co., Coinbase Global Inc., and eToro are the best exchange platform despite the wide range of options available because of their security, usability, and affordable costs.

After you've created an account on one of these exchange platforms, fund it by buying ETH. You will, however, require a place to keep your ETH and NFTs.

2.	Purchase or download a cryptocurrency wallet

A [cryptocurrency wallet](/news/article/crypto-wallet-multiple-currencies) is required for both buying and storing NFTs. The most popular software crypto wallet for OpenSea- the exchange where most investors purchase and sell NFTs, is MetaMask. For convenience, OpenSea may be downloaded for Google Chrome and added as an extension.

3.	Send ETH to crypto wallet

You must transfer ETH you have on a trading site to your wallet. You must locate your Metamask wallet address in order to accomplish this. You can find a string of 64 letters and digits in your wallet. Copy this address and paste it into your trading platform's "Send" section. Send the specified amount, then complete the transaction.

Ethereum is now running slower and costing more than normal. As a result, ETH may take 30 minutes to reach your wallet and cost you hundreds in gas. When compared to the cost of an ape, these fees are modest.

4.	Purchase your desired monkey nft

Go to OpenSea once you have ETH in your wallet. Find the NFT you want to buy and connect your wallet. You can buy the NFT instantly if it has a "buy now" price. You may also place a bid on the ape if one has been placed and wait for the seller to accept. The NFT will be saved in your wallet after the deal has been completed.






How to buy the monkey NFT- Bored Ape

## How UK users can fund their Binance account

### Step 1: Register an account

UK Users can register for a Binance account with their email or phone number from the  App,  website, or desktop app.

### Step 2: Complete verification

UK users can complete [identity verification](https://www.binance.com/en/support/faq/360027287111) on their Binance account to unlock the Fiat deposit and withdrawal limits, which includes verifying their basic account information, providing ID documentation, and uploading a picture.

### Step 3: Buy crypto

## Deposit Fiat 

Users can deposit up to 50+ Fiat currencies, such as EUR, BRL, and AUD, to their Binance UK account using bank transfer and bank cards. Once deposited, they can use them to buy crypto directly.

## Buy crypto using a debit/credit card

Users can also buy crypto directly using their credit/debit card on the Binance website or the lite mode on the Binance app.

## Buy crypto via P2P

Users can also go to the [Binance P2P](https://www.binance.com/en/support/faq/360043832851) page, select "buy crypto", and click "P2P trading" on the top navigation.

Investors can select the currency they want to buy. They can also filter the price and the "payment" in the drop-down, select an ad, and then click "buy".

Investors must enter the amount or quantity they want and click "buy."

The payment method and amount confirmations are on the order details page.

Investors must complete their fiat transactions within the payment time limit. Then click "transferred, next" and "confirm".

Once the cryptocurrency is released and the transaction completed. Users can click "transfer to spot wallet" to transfer the digital assets to their spot wallet.

Users can also click "check my account" above the button to view the digital asset they just bought.

Make a deposit or transfer crypto from the existing wallet

Users can log in to the Binance UK account and click wallet-overview 

Users then click deposit and see a pop-up window with the following options. 

1) Make a crypto deposit
2) Make a Fiat deposit

If users choose the crypto deposit option, they can select between [BTC](/coins/btc), ETH, USDT, BNB and EOS.

Next, investors choose the deposit network; however, users must ensure the selected network is the same as the platform they are withdrawing from to avoid losing funds.

Users can select BNB, BSC, ETH, SOL, and TRX.

Users must click to copy their Binance UK wallet's deposit address and paste it to the address field on the platform that they intend to withdraw crypto.

The transaction can take time to approve, depending on the blockchain and its current network traffic.

Funds are credited to the user's Binance account right after.

### Step 5: Explore Binance UK products

## Spot trading

Users can trade hundreds of cryptocurrencies in the spot market, including BNB. As well as develop tokens on the Binance smart chain.

Be warned, Binance is cheap to buy but could cost you your coins

As a last word of caution, be weary of keeping your crypto in Binances hot storage wallet, as, they have been known to be hacked and for suspending withdrawals to UK customers. 

What’s more, as they operate in an unregulated industry there is limited to no accountability and guardrails. Binance recently halted Bitcoin withdrawals, citing technical difficulties. According to a tweet, the platform momentarily suspended bitcoin withdrawals early on Monday, June 13, 2022, due to a stalled transaction producing a backlog. 

It may be cost effective to buy your crypto currency on Binance and transfer it to a cold storage wallet such as a Ledger. Consider transaction costs (network fee’s) to transfer coins out from the Binance and understand the risks of buying and holding your coins on the platform.


Guide to the Binance platform for UK users

[Monero or XMR](https://www.getmonero.org/) is a widely popular and unique cryptocurrency because it allows users to remain untraceable. But it has also gained traction from criminals as they can keep their anonymity. This led to the discussions about a ban on Monero in Australia and several exchanges delisting it, which made buying this cryptocurrency quite challenging.

So, if you are also unsure whether you can buy Monero in Australia or not, this article will help clarify your doubts!

## What is Monero (XMR), and how does it work?

Transparency is the key feature of most of the crypto blockchains around the world. But Monero is the cryptocurrency that argues blockchain transparency leads to user identity and is unsafe. That’s why it introduces a blockchain which is confidential and untraceable. The details of each transaction on the blockchain remain hidden, keeping the sender and receiver identities safe. 

It works with three different technologies to keep the data confidential. Firstly, Monero uses temporary stealth addresses that detach the receiver’s public accounts from the transactions. Secondly, each trade requires a ring signature from multiple users. Other than the sender, these users include several decoys so that actual senders remain anonymous. The Ring Confidential Transactions (RingCT) is used as an added layer of confidentiality for encrypting transaction amounts. 

## How to buy Monero in Australia (XMR/AUD)?

You can easily buy XMR in AUD, as Australia allows trading these taxable assets. Like any other digital coin, you first need to find a trusted exchange to buy this coin. There are various credible names like Coinbase, OKX, Kucoin, etc., that you can opt for. After selecting one, create an account on that exchange. You can then convert your Monero to Australian dollar. 

## Get the XMR AUD conversion

Register your email and phone number and set up a secure password. Then you can verify your details and deposit your Australian dollars (AUD) into the account to buy privacy coins. It would require selecting a payment method like bank transfer, credit card, or other payment options. Choose one as per your convenience and proceed to deposit AUD. Finally, find XMR on the exchange and swap it with Australian dollars, and you will be all set to use it. 

## XMR as an investment?

Monero is a distinguished token because of its confidentiality. That’s why investing in such privacy coins would depend on your necessity for security. If you want your digital transactions to remain anonymous, buying XMR with AUD could be a rewarding choice, considering its current price. However, you must be aware that it might bring certain risks, like its reputation for illegal activities which is the reason why several countries and exchanges have delisted it. Remember exchange rates do fluctuate and the realtime price of Monero will vary. 



What is the XMR AUD conversion?

Monero is a cryptocurrency that prioritizes user privacy and has one of the most dedicated communities in the cryptocurrency business.

However, investors in the UK frequently struggle to figure out how to exchange Monero (XMR) for British pounds. This article offers a solution to the problem by identifying exchanges from which users can withdraw their Monero holdings.

In other words, you will get the knowledge necessary to sell XMR for GBP or transfer Monero to a bank account in the shortest amount of time feasible.

## A quick ways to sell XMR on Binance in exchange for GBP

[Create an account on Binance](https://www.binance.com/en) and go through their full KYC verification process.

•	Navigate to Wallet > Spot and Fiat.

•	On the wallet, search for XMR and click the Deposit button.

•	Make a copy of the address that has been provided, and then send the funds from your personal Monero wallet.

•	Once the confirmation is complete, navigate to Trade > Convert.

•	When converting to BUSD, choose XMR as the currency (1 BUSD = $1).

•	You may finish the conversion by entering the amount you want to convert to BUSD.

•	Once this step is finished, repeat the previous steps to convert BUSD to GBP.

•	You should now navigate to Wallets > Fiat and Spot.

•	On your British pound wallet, select the Withdraw option.

•	You will be asked to enter the amount you wish to withdraw and your account or card information.

•	Start the withdrawal process, and Binance will move the money from the escrow account to your specified account. 

The preceding illustration presupposes that you already possess XMR stored in a personal wallet and just wish to pay it out
[Binance](/news/article/binance-bridge), which is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, allows users to trade Monero using a variety of different pairs.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) trading is an additional means for people living in the United Kingdom to cash out their Monero holdings on Binance. 

Verification is necessary to access any of the fiat gateways, and this includes P2P trading. How to go about it:

•	Initiate the Know Your Customer (KYC) procedure by registering for a Binance account.

•	Navigate to the Wallet > Fiat and Spot menu.

•	Navigate to your XMR wallet and select the deposit button.

•	Make a copy of the address that has been provided, and then finish the transaction using your external wallet.

•	Navigate to the Trade menu, select Convert, and change the XMR to USDT (You can also convert XMR to BTC) -Go to Trade>P2P.

•	Ensure that the currency is set to GBP, and then flip the Buy to Sell button offered. -When asked which coin you want to sell, select USDT (or BTC if you converted to it).

•	Choose a buyer with a high percentage of successful transactions and an offer corresponding to the price you wish to sell for.

•	To complete the transaction, go to the order, click the Sell button, and add a payment method to your account.

•	Begin placing the order and then wait for the vendor to transfer the payment to the GBP account you supplied.

•	Once you have the notification of the deposit from your bank, verify that you have received it. Finally, the following methods can be used to withdraw funds: bank transfers, credit cards, and debit cards.


How to  exchange Monero (XMR) to GBP in the UK

Step 1: Open an exchange account: Sign up for a crypto exchange account to begin the conversion from GBP to MANA. Then, to validate the user's account, submit a copy of the investor's ID and fill in the necessary know your client (KYC) information. 

Step 2: Deposit: Fund your account with GBP. Please note some exchanges have minimum requirements, for example eToro  requires customers to deposit $10 (£8.25). 

Step 3: Look for the [Decentraland](/news/article/how-to-invest-in-metaverse) token (MANA)- go to the relevant investment page, search for 'Decentraland'. Go to the web page and click on 'Trade.'

Step 4: Obtain the Decentraland Token: Finally, inform the exchange how much money the you wish to invest in Decentraland, beginning with $10 (£8.25). Click 'Open Trade' to confirm. 

## Purchase mana with a credit or debit card

Credit/Debit cards are the two standard payment options for buying mana. The broker will not charge investors any deposit fees, but the investors' card issuer may charge them a small transaction facilitation fee. 

An investment of at least $200 (£165) and up to $40,000 (£33,000) to get started. It is also good to exchange gbp for US dollars before investors deposit. The minimum trading amount when purchasing on eToro is $25 (£20.62).

##Buy MANA with GBP using Paypal

Decentraland may be acquired using [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/gh/home) on cryptocurrency trading sites such as eToro. 

The trade limit for purchasing with PayPal on eToro is $25, as it is for the other payment methods. PayPal allows users to deposit as little as $200 and as much as $10,000 into the brokerage. It would be advantageous if users additionally made USD deposits to avoid being charged a 2% currency conversion fee.

## Buy MANA without ID Verification

Due to increased calls for crypto regulation worldwide, most crypto exchanges and brokerages will not enable users to purchase tokens anonymously. 

However, a few that enable investors to obtain Decentraland tokens (MANA) without ID verification will keep trade restrictions to a minimum. The maximum deposit into an unconfirmed eToro account is $2250.


How to convert MANA to GBP on an exchange

We have all heard about coins and tokens, but many are still unaware of the difference and whether it’s the coin or the token they’re buying. 

Both have different characteristics. 

## Crypto coins characteristics:

•	Operating on a native blockchain that tracks all of the transactions

For example, if you pay something with Ethereum, the receipt goes to the Ethereum blockchain. The invoice goes to the Bitcoin blockchain if the counterparty transfers you Bitcoin. Each transaction is encrypted and each member of the network can view the transaction.  

•	Acts as a currency and were actually created to replace fiat

Nowadays, it’s possible to buy almost anything using crypto coins. Some of the biggest companies, including Tesla, [Microsoft](https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/microsoft-msft-ethereum-blockchain-fight-piracy-digital-tech-public-ledger-2021-8#:~:text=Microsoft%20is%20looking%20to%20use%20the%20ethereum%20blockchain%20to%20combat,public%20anti%2Dpiracy%20system.%22) and Amazon enabled crypto coin payments. Not just that, but Bitcoin is the official currency of El Salvador alongside the USD.

•	Possibility to be earned/mined

One can gain crypto coins by mining using the [Proof of Work, Proof of Stake](/news/article/pos-vs-pow) or other consensus mechanisms. Proof of Work is specific to Bitcoin but, since BTC’s quantity is limited, it is becoming more complicated daily. On the other hand, PoS represents a more modern approach to earning coins since it doesn’t require much electricity.  

Tokens do not have their native blockchain but work on smart contracts. Smart tokens are basically an alghoritmically based codes that can accelerate all the transactions between users. Every blockchain has its own smart contract. Ethereum, for example, is using. ERC-20. 

Also, some of the most famous coins operate on Ethereum, such as BNT, Tether, and various stablecoins as the USDC. 

The point is that a blockchain can only have one native asset coin, and numerous tokens built on top of it. 

Coins are used for different use cases. Some of them include governance and/or transactional fees. Because they form the backbone of the blockchain, they have higher intrinsic value.

Token denotes what you own and coins represent what you could own.

## Tokens characteristics:

Tokens are much older than coins and have been used throughout history in the form of vouchers, car titles, etc. They represent countless real-world use cases, including non-fungible tokens (NFTs), different crypto-brokerage-related fees, stablecoins, gaming tokens, etc. 

That means, everything can be tokenized - real estate,  journalism, card games or even a movie script. NTFs are a good example, especially in gaming, where some collectible gaming items are offered as rewards for gamers. 

The development of digital coins is expensive and complicated process that needs experts, developers, machines, capital and management.  

On the other hand, anyone who has a computer and something to tokenize can create tokens. 

Many platforms have tokenizing software that can enable users to tokenize almost anything – from birthday cards to to-do lists.

## Bottom line

In order to differentiate coins from tokens it’s best to imagine coins as the money required to buy digital assets. On the flip side, tokens represent specific assets and are used to claim ownership or grant rights to the holder.


Crypto coin Vs. Token - What's the difference?

Are you interested in purchasing supermoon coins but unsure how to buy them? Read this guide to easily get the cryptocurrency through the Binance exchange. 

To buy cryptocurrencies, different procedures need to be followed. The reason is that they are available on an array of exchanges, and not all of them can be compatible with your existing wallet. That’s why getting a new coin is always a struggle. 

[Supermoon coin](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/supermoon/) is one such cryptocurrency which is quite challenging to purchase. To help you figure out the tricky process, here’s a simple guide for buying OSM crypto!

## How do I get the Supermoon Coin?

The following easy steps will guide you through the buying procedure for the OSM coin.
1.	Get your [Binance](https://www.binance.com/en) Wallet
Firstly, you need to get a [Binance](/news/tag/binance-tag) wallet on your device. You can easily download it on your PC with the Google Chrome extension or Apple Store. You can also install it on your Android or iOS phones via Google Play or iOS Store. 

2.	Create your Binance account
Secondly, you would need to set up your Binance account by filling in all your personal details. Then create a strong password, verify the account, and enable two-factor authorisation. Also, ensure the safety of the seed phrase provided to you and note your account address.

3.	Purchase BNB chain
To buy the Supermoon coins, you first need to purchase a Binance crypto chain. For this, sign in and go to ‘buy and sell crypto’. It will give you options like bank transfer, credit card, P2P trading, etc. Select your desired option and proceed to buy BNB, and save them to your Binance wallet.

4.	Transfer BNBs to your wallet
After that, you need to transfer this coin(s) to your wallet. Go to your wallet and look for the withdrawal button. This will lead you to a form where you have to fill in your personal details like email, phone number, account address, and the amount you want to share. Set the network as a BNB chain for a smooth transaction and proceed with the withdrawal.  

5.	Connect your wallet with an exchange
Once you have transferred Binance coins to your wallet, you can look for an exchange to trade it for the OSM coin. One of the trusted decentralised exchanges for getting the cryptocurrency is Pancake Swap. You can link your wallet with it and trade it for Supermoon. 

6.	Swap your BNB chain for Supermoon Coin
Finally, to swap BNB with OSM, you firstly need to select it as your required coin. Besides, BNB will be your payment token. Now, you will be ready to proceed with the swap. It will turn your BNBs into Supermoon coins, and you can use them for any purpose. 

## Bottom line

Purchasing OSM can be tricky, but you can easily acquire them once obtaining Binance coins. Firstly, create your wallet to purchase and transfer BNBs there. After that, link it to a reliable exchange and swap your BNBs with Supermoon coins. 




How to buy Supermoon Coin (OSM)?

Investing in crypto can be risky for an aggressive trader or an inflexible HODLer. This article features the top 5 crypto investment strategies that may help you manage the volatility. 

Cryptocurrencies have featured in global economic headlines for a long time. Now, it has become a source of passive income and capital gain for many. However, it has also remained a highly risky and volatile market, meaning lesser financial security. 

Besides, the uncertain digital world also goes through deadly [crypto winters](/news/article/bitcoin-price-falls) every once in a while. Currently, it is also experiencing a [detrimental meltdown](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-26/crypto-winter-why-this-bitcoin-bear-market-is-different-from-the-past) which started in the beginning of this year that has resulted in a loss of over $2 trillion.

Starting in this market environment without a plan would be dicey. Here we've laid out a simple crypto investment strategy for beginners and have discussed the 5 most important tactics you must know before entering the market. 

## 5 unavoidable crypto investment strategies

Here are the top 5 crypto investing strategies that you should never avoid!

1.	Tackle the market volatility
The foremost part of your crypto investment strategy should be to keep risks minimal. That's why, as a beginner, you should have a plan to tackle market volatility. Firstly, learning the price cycles and reading the short-term and long-term trends to familiarise yourself with market behaviour.

Secondly, neither be an aggressive trader nor an inflexible HODLer. Instead, you must find a middle ground to ensure you don't miss out on earning opportunities and have the perseverance to endure market lows. 

2.	Diversify your portfolio
Diversification of a portfolio is not only for traditional assets, but it's as crucial for digital ones. The age-old saying "don't put all your eggs in one basket" also applies to the crypto market. That's why you should not stick to only one coin, rather regularly look for innovative and high-potential projects.  

However, you should not go berserk with diversification. Ideally, investing in a basket of maximum 5 to 10 crypto currencies is beneficial as opposed to opting for a coin. Don't fall for the hype; instead, study their roadmap and consider the market cap. 

3.	Know your risk tolerance
Another critical part of the crypto investment strategy is to keep your investments within your risk tolerance range. The primary rule of investment is to not invest more than your immunity to losses. That's why you shouldn't invest your life savings, borrowed money, or health and emergency funds in any digital asset.

Since the crypto market is highly unpredictable and risky, investing more than your risk tolerance level would be a gamble. Therefore, starting with a modest amount you can bear to lose is a smart choice. Ideally, you should not invest more than 5 to 10% of your total portfolio.

4.	Utilise cost averaging
Cost averaging is the most popular crypto investment strategy. Whether you are a trader or a HODLer, you can use cost averaging to make better better risk adjusted returns in the long term. Cost averaging comprises of investing smaller amounts at regular intervals. Through this, you can mitigate the risk of unpredictable losses by investing when the market is up (at a premium) and when it is down (at a premium)- resulting in an average cost price with lower volatility.

Instead of making a single lump sum investment, you can divide your entire year's investment into small amounts. Then you can set a time for investing it, whether monthly, weekly, or daily. This will allow you to invest at the time of both upward and downward trends, which will reduce losses. 

5.	Opt for safe storage
Safe storage is a high priority for crypto investments. You will find crypto wallets or storage of two types: hot or cold. Hot ones are better for day-to-day trading, whereas cold ones work best for long-term investments. This is because hot storages have internet access all the time to make trades instantly.

In comparison, cold wallets are hardware devices on which you can store your coins remotely with limited internet usage. This makes cold wallets much more secure than hot wallets. However, you should use both as hot storage will come in handy in trading, and cold ones will keep your long-term investments safe. 

## Bottom line

Cryptocurrencies prices are spiralling downwards as the market goes through a bearish trend. In this situation, you would be better off with a strategy than without one. The key to investing in crypto is a balanced approach and using safe storage for your digital assets. Consider cost averaging and diversification to help you achieve less volatile risk adjusted returns. You should always be aware of market trends and risk tolerance to avoid losses due to short term market timing.









Crypto investing strategy for beginners

There are plenty of ways to make money from growing your crypto portfolio through crypto lending, HODLing, mining, etc. However, one can grow crypto through staking, airdrops, interest accounts and gaming as well. 

Here we’ll be explaining some basics of growing your crypto but don’t forget – before any new investment, be sure to DYOR (Do Your Own Research) as well.

## Crypto Lending

Crypto lending could enable you to generate an extra revenue stream without much effort. 

Basically, if you already have some cryptocurrencies stashed in your wallet, you can lend them to other crypto users or platforms. 

[DeFi](https://www.ledger.com/decentralized-finance-defi/) protocols have become massively popular nowadays. And why wouldn’t they? Via DeFi protocol, an average user can get an instant loan without having to wait in a queue, read small letters on 100-page agreements, sign tons of documents, or find three bondsmen and put the second mortgage on the house.

On DeFi platforms, so-called smart contracts replace third parties and enable users to lend and borrow digital assets from each other.

Smart contracts are smartly coded transaction protocols meant for automatically executing, documenting or controlling operational processes (i.e.borrowing or lending money) as per the signed terms of a contract or an agreement. No human intermediary is necessary as the whole is fully automated. 

To completely secure your investment, you can lend out stablecoins and generate around 1 to 11% APY. 
 
However, it’s important to understand what collateralized loans are. Basically, they’re making sure a borrower doesn’t just take your money and run.

Most crypto lending platforms are, therefore, dealing with over-collateralized loans. It means that a certain lending protocol needs you to collateralize your loan with some crypto minimum. (e.g. 150% of ETH). If a borrower takes $1,000, he automatically locks no less than $1,500 worth of ETH as collateral. 

This is to make sure the lent funds are safe even if the borrower cannot pay back the loan.
You can lend your crypto in multiple ways. 

Decentralized protocols will lend your cryptocurrencies for a set interest rate and it will generate interest for you. Because there are no intermediaries, you get bonds (usually tokens) through the smart contract and they act as proof of the amount you lent. 

However, if this sounds too complicated, you can always choose to lend your crypto through centralized platforms. However, that would mean you’re not really the crypto owner and you could even pay a service fee. 

## Crypto Staking

One of the simplest ways to increase your crypto portfolio is crypto staking.

Staking offers an exciting opportunity to receive rewards for participating in blockchain validation. However, while it may seem simple and easy to get involved, staking is more complex behind the scenes and introduces unique risks.

One of the factors that differentiate cryptos from fiat money is that the people who use them are the ones operating them. Bitcoin, for example, completely depends on its numerous network participants (nodes) to work in balance via [consensus protocol](https://www.ledger.com/academy/consensus-protocols-how-are-blockchains-secure) called proof-of-work. 
 
## What is a Proof of Work?

Those who run fully operating Bitcoin nodes a.k.a. miners, put all recent transactions in the form of a block of data and repeat the process every ten minutes (so-called Poisson process). Each block has to refer to the previous block to become verified. After a block is mined, it is not visible right away, and until they find out about it, miners are competing against the new block instead of adding to it.

The [Bitcoin](/news/category/bitcoin-news) network uses a proof of work (PoW) mechanism to achieve the mentioned consensus.

Even though this can sound a bit complicated - the main concept is pretty simple.

We obviously cannot be sure of the exact identity of the miners to decide who will be the next block's creator so we can create a hard-to-solve puzzle that needs a lot of work to be answered but can be verified and checked very quickly.
To solve the puzzle, miners have to find the right hash (a unique code for a text or data file). They have to spend a decent amount of their resources on hardware components and electricity for that manner, but the award for each new block they find is – a Bitcoin.

## What is Proof of Stake?

Popularized back in 2011, the Proof of Stake (POS) consensus algorithm was presented as the solution for all the problems Proof of Work might have had.

The PoS consensus mechanism eliminates the high computational and energy requirements of the PoW. This upgrade in the consensus mechanism has been dubbed Ethereum 2.0 as it enables Ethereum network nodes to comply with the state of all previously recorded information on the Ethereum blockchain and avoid possible economic attacks.

Proof of stake demands that miners invest in and hold on to some store of value without the immediate need for spending energy in order to vote.

The PoS algorithm uses a pseudo-random selection process to choose a node that will validate the following block regarding various factors such as the staking age, randomization, and the node's wealth.


## Yield Farming

During the so-called Defi Summer of 2020, yield farming became pretty popular while crypto participants hurried to become “yield farmers.”  

Some DeFi protocols kept rewarding their early adopters with retrospective airdrops, giving users free tokens with a high Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as gratitude for using the protocol first. They were also urging the next phase of the platform’s growth with liquidity mining programs.  

Crypto APY is a  number high enough to attract yield farmers and liquidity providers to one platform over another.

## HODL

The word HODL (from the English HOLD, but misspelled refers to the decision to acquire an asset and keep it in the longer term). 

The whole strategy is based on buying cryptocurrencies at low prices so that you can earn gains when, in the future, the value of this cryptocurrency increases.

Analysis show that HODL came out to be one of the most profitable investment strategies, especially when it comes to Bitcoin HODL-ers. 


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