[FinTech](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fintech) companies are making waves in the UK, especially with the growing popularity of blockchain tech, such as NFTs and cryptocurrency.

FinTech has entered popular parlance in recent years. An amalgamation of financial and technology, it refers to companies using technology to compete with traditional financial (TradFi) methods in delivering financial services.

Four main components make up the FinTech world:

•	Artificial intelligence.

•	Blockchain.

•	Cloud computing.

•	Big data

These components, often referred to as the ABCD, form the backbone of the industry.

Technological developments are constantly pushing the boundaries of FinTech in a never-ending move toward more financial inclusion. 

The evolution of smartphones and their applications has seen a surge in the popularity and use of mobile banking, investing, lending, and various cryptocurrency services as the general population take more control over their financial future.

The industry consists of start-ups, traditional financial institutions, and technology companies, often all working together to enhance the customer experience and encourage financial intelligence.

## FinTech companies UK

Investment in global FinTech has risen by more than 12,000% from $930 million in 2008 to over $121.6 billion today. Forecasters predict that by 2030 the global FinTech market is expected to reach $949 billion at an average growth rate of 17.2% per year.

FinTech companies UK represent the country's strongest start-up sector, consisting of more than 1,400 'high growth companies' and 20 unicorns (firms worth more than $1 billion). The industry attracts more venture capital than any other business raising some £21.9 billion so far, of which £7.4 billion came in the bumper year of 2021. 

With a total market valuation of just over £11 billion, FinTech in the UK is big business.

As you might expect, 96% of all UK FinTech firms are based in London. Around 9% of companies were founded by a female boss.
As of July 2022, the [three top FinTech companies in the UK](https://www.beauhurst.com/blog/fintech-startup-companies/) were:

•	Checkout.com.

•	Revolut.

•	Monzo

Checkout.com was founded in 2012 and raised £1.36 billion through four equity rounds. Its core business is payment processing software development allowing businesses to pay in more than 150 currencies. Its innovative platform combines several separate payment technologies and covers every stage of the process. With on ramps including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, it is easy to see why it is the UK's largest FinTech company.

Following closely behind is the well-known brand Revolut, which services more than 18 million customers worldwide with financial services and digital banking through its popular mobile application. 

Since launching in 2013, Revolut has raised some £1.27 billion in equity. In December 2021, the company was awarded a full banking licence from the European Central Bank, making Revolut one of the best well-known FinTech brands on the market today.

In third place is challenger bank Monzo, which is fully regulated by the FCA and PRA in the UK. Founded in 2015 and based in the City of London, Monzo help more than 6 million customers manage their financial well-being through its digital banking platform. Monzo is free to use, but with the Premium option (£15 per month), customers are eligible for free phone and travel insurance.

## FinTech companies UK conclusion

Despite a global market slowdown in 2022, UK FinTech investment reached some $12.5 billion last year. It is easy to see why FinTech is held in such high regard in the UK.

Indeed, with over 2500 FinTech companies based in the country, the UK ranks as the [third largest FinTech hub in the world](https://www.londonstockexchange.com/uk-fintech-ecosystem).

Furthermore, around £3.6 trillion of foreign exchange trades are processed in London daily. This is more than the next four largest markets combined. When you add the fact that some 90,000 finance and insurance firms are based in the UK, it is obvious why the country remains top of the international finance industry.

According to a recent report by Deloitte, the UK FinTech industry is dominated by WealthTech and Payments. However, there are considered to be some 23 subsegments of the national ecosystem, making for an extremely varied and versatile industry.

As we can see from the examples above, growth in the space continues to be driven by high levels of investment, reaching some $11.6 billion in 2021, second only to the USA and counting for half of all European FinTech investments. As more and more people embrace the move away from traditional banking, the FinTech industry is predicted to double in value by 2030. If, as many expect, this forecast continues to materialise for FinTech companies UK, there has never been a more opportune time to be involved in this exciting industry.


blue image of two women working on computers in tech company

FinTech Companies in the UK 2023

If you are planning to purchase Solana-based tokens, you should never miss the powerful [Solanascan](https://solanascan.io/) alternative SolScan. With this blockchain explorer, you can track everything related to the cryptocurrency, including transactions, blocks, prices, and more.

## What is Solscan?

[Solscan](https://solscan.io/) is a cloud-based data analytics platform that lets users search for any information on the [Solana blockchain](/news/article/solana-price-gbp). This way, you can find the most recent price of the tokens, the latest news about the blockchain, and other information.

The platform makes it easier for users to understand the analytics and data on a blockchain.

## Benefits of using Solanascan

•	Track the performance of the portfolio over time.

•	Get alerts about price changes.

•	Analyze market trends and changes.

•	Get the latest company news.

•	No limit to the number of searches from the homepage.

•	Get the entire transaction history, including the transferer, transferee, transaction amount, and current holders.

•	You can also get to know the latest dollar value, SOL balance, and the cumulative number of transactions from the address information page.

## How does Solscan work?

Solscan works just like Solanascan. By entering the correct information (such as token address) into the search bar of the Solana blockchain explorer, you'll be able to view various data such as transaction costs, SOL Balance, and NFTs.

It scans for relevant information from the Solana blockchain and provides real-time updates. For example, you can get every detail of past Solana transactions, the holders, the transaction cost, and so on.

## What does Solscan track?

Apart from monitoring the transactions, it also lets you track more details of NFTs, tokens, smart contracts, blocks, and crypto whale trades. That is why it is considered among the best Solanascan alternative.

If you are new to the Solana blockchain, this tool can really help to understand every term related to Solana transactions. Feel free to explore this platform anytime from anywhere in the world.


blue image of solscan logo with picture of solana rocket

Solanascan Alternative Solscan Explained

The importance of a sustainable future cannot be overstated.

As society evolves, more conscious efforts toward sustainability are being made, with the rise of environmental, social, and governance initiatives by leading corporations worldwide. How can features of blockchain technology support this?

According to a recent statistic, the G20 countries will raise more than [$97 trillion](https://www.g20-insights.org/policy_briefs/fostering-sustainable-global-growth-green-finance-role-g20/) over the next decade and a half to accelerate sustainability efforts. Raising awareness of global social and economic inequality, as well as developing effective governance frameworks to address these issues, is critical. 

Private investments in climate-related projects are increasing, with one [hedge fund](https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottcarpenter/2020/07/04/hedge-fund-marshall-wace-will-bet-on-esg-stocks-with-new-1-billion-fund/?sh=520d75dc97de) betting $1 billion on ESG stocks in 2020.

One thing to remember is that sustainable development necessitates collaboration with the finance sector. With blockchain technology emerging as the future, decentralized finance will also play a role in constructing a sustainable future. How can features of blockchain technology support sustainability efforts? This article answers that and how the tech can solve various pain points associated with ESG initiatives.

## What is blockchain technology?

[According to Amazon](https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/blockchain/#:~:text=Blockchain%20technology%20is%20an%20advanced,linked%20together%20in%20a%20chain.), blockchain technology is an advanced database mechanism that allows for the openness and transparency of transactions within a business network. 

[Blockchain](/news/article/what-is-blockchain) technology uses a distributed ledger system, which allows a group of participants to reach an agreement without needing a third party. Blockchain technology is considered the new era of digital innovation because it is the basis of the next generation of the internet, Web3, and replaces traditional finance with decentralized finance. 

## Features include:

### Immutability

Immutability means that transactions, once registered on the blockchain, cannot be altered and is permanent. This is an essential feature of blockchain technology that enforces transparency and trust.

### Decentralization

Decentralization in blockchain involves distributing governing authority amongst different participants rather than a central entity. This promotes fairness and enhances the security of the blockchain. It is another vital feature that enables trust, openness, and transparency.

### Consensus

Blockchain technology relies on several consensus mechanisms to maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of stored data. Consensus algorithms establish rules about consent for recording transactions.

How can features of blockchain support sustainability efforts?
Blockchain technology, among other things, can be a valuable tool in mitigating environmental issues such as climate change and carbon emissions. There are various ways in which blockchain technology can play an important role in boosting sustainability initiatives, especially ESG, such as:

### Supply Chain: 

Blockchain tech can improve supply chain traceability. 

Blockchain technology is a distributed ledger technology that can protect critical company data from attack because data is stored in a decentralized manner. This has a wide range of applications in the food industry. Demand for ethically sourced products has grown, particularly in the food industry. 

Users can use blockchain technology to trace these products' supply chains and determine whether they are safe to consume. As a result, blockchain enhances the environment for suppliers, transporters, distributors, and retailers by making supply chains more efficient.

### Combating Climate Change:

With blockchain technology, renewable energy can be expanded, reducing carbon emissions. Companies can offset their carbon footprint using blockchain by investing in environmentally sustainable projects. Crypto donations are now being accepted by the Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty organization.

### Renewable Energy:

Using blockchain to manage renewable energy production is an excellent way to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The blockchain system promotes collaboration between utility companies and customers, and blockchain technology improves distributed energy production. The market can allocate production and use alternative types of energy.

## Final Thoughts

How can features of blockchain technology support sustainability efforts? These examples are just a few of the many ways the tech can help. With the incorporation of blockchain technology in ESG initiatives, more sustainable infrastructure can be put in place, improving the overall social outcomes of ESG initiatives. Furthermore, blockchain tech can be used to enhance governance frameworks and sustain value by providing transparency and verification processes. 

Blockchain technology is expected to become a mainstay in ESG initiatives, spawning more creative applications due to this integration.


yellow image of eco friendly hand holding leaves

How Can Features of Blockchain Support Sustainability Efforts? 

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are probably the most popular use case for [blockchain technology](/news/article/blockchain-for-dummies). Some of them are worth tens of millions and have [received endorsements](/news/article/instagram-nft-minting-and-trading) from top celebrities and financial entities. They have also revolutionized how we view digital arts and physical assets. 

To help you get started, we created this guide on how to make NFT art.

## What is an NFT?

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are digital assets created and stored on a blockchain. They are unique cryptographic assets you cannot replace with another asset, hence the "non-fungible" description. Non-fungible tokens are created by minting them on a blockchain.

Unlike cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, you cannot exchange one NFT for another. Each token has unique identification codes that help anyone to verify its uniqueness and originality on the blockchain. Even if you create a clone, anyone can tell the original from the clone by looking at the metadata.

Due to their non-fungibility, they are perfect for representing items from the physical universe, including physical artworks, videos, and real estate. However, you can also create them as standalone art. You can even create NFTs that do not represent any physical asset.

## How to make NFT Art

To create an NFT, you must sign up on a platform that supports NFT minting. This platform could be a crypto exchange or [NFT marketplace](/news/article/nft-art-marketplaces). You will need some cryptocurrency to verify the transaction and mint the token.

The amount and how you pay depends on how the blockchain you use charges a transaction fee for the minting process. For example, this fee is referred to as the gas fee on Ethereum and is paid with Ether (ETH).

Some of the popular NFT minting platforms are:

•	Binance (BNB Chain).

•	[Nifty Gateway.](/news/article/what-is-niftify)

•	Rarible

•	OpenSea

•	Proton Mint.

•	SolaNart

## How to make your first NFT Art

Ready to create your first NFT? Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create an NFT from scratch.

## Define your art

Figure out what you want to create. Most creators tie their NFT to a digital art piece like a short video clip, an image, or an audio file. You can even create an NFT out of a tweet. [Jack Dorsey made millions from selling an NFT made from his tweet.](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/22/jack-dorsey-sells-his-first-tweet-ever-as-an-nft-for-over-2point9-million.html)

The goal is to create something unique and original. So if you are basing your NFT on digital media, you must hold the right to that asset. Another alternative is to create them without an underlying basis for representation.

## Select a blockchain

NFTs are created and stored on blockchains. So, you must choose a blockchain to host your art. There are many blockchains options, each with its pros and cons.

The top choice for many digital creators is [Ethereum](/news/article/ethereum-prediction), and almost all marketplaces allow you to mint NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. Other great options include [Solana](/news/article/solana-price-gbp), [Polygon](/news/article/matic-price-prediction), and Flow.

Each blockchain has its community and features, so you should research this. However, if you want to learn through the process, then Ethereum is where you should start.

## Set up a wallet

When you create a non-fungible token, it is stored on a blockchain address. You need a crypto wallet to access and interact with your NFTs. So, after you've chosen a blockchain, you need a wallet that supports your selected blockchain. 

Some wallets support more than one blockchain; some don't support more than one.

Therefore, you need to research your wallet choice and determine which blockchains it supports. MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, and Ledger Nano X are the most popular options.

## Choose a platform

You need a minting platform to create your NFTs, and there are several platforms to choose from during your minting. For example, Rarible and OpenSea are two platforms that support minting on the Ethereum blockchain.

Ideally, you want a platform that allows easy minting at a reasonable cost and provides you with a place to list and sell NFTs. OpenSea and SolaNart are great choices to mint and quickly sell NFTs.

OpenSea is famous for its Ethereum-based NFTs, while SolaNart is a [Solana-based NFT platform](/news/article/solanart-nft-marketplace). You can also use crypto exchanges such as the Binance Exchange and Coinbase to mint and trade the tokens.

## Mint the NFT

Once you've chosen your blockchain, crypto wallet, and platform, the next step is to create your NFT. For illustration purposes, we will describe how to create an NFT on OpenSea. The processes for other platforms may be similar or different; however, the underlying principles apply.

•	Connect your wallet: Click the wallet icon from the OpenSea menu and select the wallet you wish to connect. This process will require you to make a verification on your wallet app.

•	Create your NFT: Select the "create" option on the Open Sea platform. This option will create a page for you to upload your NFT art and define its features and the blockchain you want to use.

•	Define your NFT: You need to give your NFT a name and description. You can add special features such as discount codes or private Discord channel invites. You can also expand your NFT to a collection or limit it to only one.

•	Pick your blockchain: The last step is to select the blockchain to store your NFT. Don't make a mistake here, as you cannot change this after you have minted the NFT.

•	Mint your token: Congratulations! Your digital asset is live. However, it still needs to be put up for sale. To do that, you need to select the sell button and indicate your sell price and how long you want to put it up for sale. Most platforms allow you to list your NFT for free or next to nothing, while others can charge a lot depending on the network fees at the time of listing.

Depending on the platform, it will cost you a small fee to sell an NFT. Some platforms, such as Binance, will take a percentage of the selling price to cover platform fees and other applicable fees. Other platforms like OpenSea, on the other hand, charge a flat price for each sale.

You can also choose to earn each time anyone sells your NFT and can earn up to 10% each time it is subsequently sold.

## Wrapping up

You now know how to make NFT art. Minting an NFT requires you to learn a few concepts, like using minting platforms and digital crypto wallets. Once you get a grip on these things, creating them becomes easy.


pink image of woman drawing nft on a tablet with bitcoins on the desk

How to Make NFT Art in 5 Steps

Whether you're new to Helium and HNT staking or a seasoned professional, you can use several tips and tricks to improve your staking experience. Here's a brief guide of things you should know before you begin.

## HNT staking explained

### Become a validator to stake HNT: 

[Helium staking is the process of staking coins and crypto](https://www.helium-staking.com/). The amount of money a validator earns depends on the initial stake. The minimum staking amounts vary by coin, but can go as low as tens of thousands of dollars. The amount of rewards for earning also varies by the total supply of HNT in circulation.

You can stake multiple validators to increase your chances of earning. You can also stake different types of cryptocurrencies. There are two basic types of staking: partial and full. Generally, [a full staker retains all earnings minus the operational costs](/news/article/crypto-lending). However, a partial staker can split the stake with other validators in the Vanager network.

A validator node is a beefy cloud computer that performs consensus group. It adds new blocks to the blockchain and checks transactions. It also maintains the shared network state and helps keep the network secure. You can get a validator node started by staking 10,000 HNT. Then, you'll need to install the node software in a suitable environment.

To earn rewards, a validator must be online and perform consensus group work. HNT staking rewards are paid out every 30 blocks and a validator node is rewarded for stability and security. There are a few penalties for failing to participate in the consensus group.

If a validator is not in contact with the network for a period of time, the reward is slashed. The maximum penalty is five months. Then, they can participate in the Consensus Group again after the same amount of time.

For those looking to earn passive income, you can also invest in an unstaking validator. These are great ways to support the network without staking.

### Transition to Proof of Stake

Using crypto-economic incentives, Helium (HNT) incentivizes participants to build Internet of Things (IoT) networks. The network is secured by Helium's blockchain, and hotspots provide service to IoT devices.

In the past months, there has been a significant MoM increase in the number of hotspots on the network. These operators are using consumer-grade hotspot hardware and basic internet connections.

Helium uses the Proof of Coverage protocol to validate hotspot locations. This allows the network to operate securely across distributed operators. In addition, it distributes rewards to HNT holders. 

These rewards are then sent to verify transactions.


blue image of hnt helium token over trading statistics

HNT Staking and Maximizing Returns

The festive season always springs a surprise or two, the latest of which is the ~30% price surge of [NEAR Protocol (NEAR)](/news/article/near-protocol) since the turn of the calendar year. This, of course, coincides with the spectacular ~5,000% rise in the price of Solana's newly-launched dog coin, Bonk (BONK), in ONE WEEK – yes, you read that right!

## NEAR Protocol price statistics

To put things into perspective, NEAR was priced at a low of $1.24 on 1 January, 2023 and a high of $1.62 on 5 January, 2023. That is a substantial price growth of around 30%.
  
![Screenshot 2023-01-05 at 10.56.10.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/Screenshot_2023_01_05_at_10_56_10_661f860110.png)

Source: [Coingecko](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/near)

If we look at NEAR Protocol's price increase over the last 24 hours (at the time of writing), the cryptocurrency has advanced by more than 10%. While $1.62 is nowhere near the crypto token's all-time high of $20.44 (16 January, 2022), the signs are positive, as [NEAR Protocol](https://near.org/) (yes, we are talking about the blockchain on this occasion) is a highly-valued ecosystem with a plethora of projects building on it.

There are as many as 750 active projects and 125 [DAOs](/news/article/ice-dao) on the blockchain. These include the likes of Aurora, Octopus Network, Ref Finance, Arweave, The Graph, TenK DAO, and more.

Well, you may not have heard of these projects before or delved into the intricacies of the blockchain ecosystem. Here is why you SHOULD NOT be sleeping on the latest NEAR Protocol price surge.

## The latest NEAR Protocol price jump is only the start

The blockchain ecosystem’s goal is to [build the open web](/news/article/near-protocol-partner-with-google-cloud) together and provide projects building on it with all feasible support.

This includes strong venture support with more than $120M awarded already, a robust technical base, a vibrant community of in excess of 550k members, collaboration through DAOs, local presence through regional hubs, and several Web3 career opportunities (150+ active openings at the time of writing).

The DApps on the blockchain serve several use cases, including DeFi, [NFTs](/news/article/nft-farming-explained), and community (do try Sweatcoin!).

Finally, if you are a Web3 developer looking to make a mark in the space, explore the blockchain. You can build projects using JavaScript or Rust, take advantage of its dev tools, and utilise extensive documentation to good effect. All with fantastic customer support, at a low cost and high speed, with effortless scale.

The Web3 ecosystem is here to stay (DYOR fam!).


green iamge of crypto coins being traded with near protocol coin in the centre

NEAR Protocol 30% Price Jump Just the Start

If you are new to cryptocurrency, then [Nomics](https://nomics.com/) may sound like a strange word from worlds unknown. But not anymore. Basically, Nomics is an online API-first platform that provides financial market data for cryptocurrency assets.

It provides real-time and historical cryptocurrency market data, including prices, trading volumes, [market caps](/news/article/what-is-market-cap-cryptocurrency), and more. At the same time, it offers comprehensive data coverage for more than 10,000 digital assets and access to clean, normalized, and standardized market data.

## When to use Nomics

The platform is best utilized when you wish to monitor and assess the performance of a variety of digital assets. That includes cryptocurrencies, stocks, and other tokens based on blockchain technology. When investing, it can inform you of the current status of the Bitcoin markets and assist you tremendously in making wise choices.

Who benefits most from using this platform? Well, investors, traders, and market analysts are the people who get the most from it. You could, too, because you will keep up with the most recent changes in the cryptocurrency market. You are also able to examine previous data, which will be paramount in making wise trading decisions.

## Why is it important to use Nomics? 

As you are already aware, using this API platform is important because it provides users with a comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date worldwide view of the cryptocurrency market. Additionally, it also provides real-time financial data for more than 2,000 cryptocurrencies.

In summary, Nomics makes it simple for users to get the data they require to recognize trading or investment opportunities and helps them make informed financial decisions. 

Furthermore, it gives them access to the most recent information and analysis from the whole crypto industry.

For sure, with its rich features and data, the platform is an invaluable resource for anyone wanting a better understanding of the crypto markets.

So, what are you waiting for? Open a Nomics platform and see for yourself in real-time what is happening in the crypto world.


What is Nomics? All You Need to Know

Circle Head of Global Policy and Chief Strategy Officer Dante Disparte said that the instability in the market over the past year might signify a shift in the technology to more stable and resilient businesses in the crypto 2023 market.

In a post for the World Economic Forum, Disparte highlighted the increasing use of cryptocurrencies in the financial industry and suggested that the ongoing bear market and problems with exchanges could ultimately result in the creation of a more responsible and reliable internet finance system.

He also pointed out that the cryptocurrency market's current situation may be similar to the dot-com bubble burst in the early 2000s, which resulted in the transfer of the future of the internet to more durable companies and use cases.

Disparte spoke from his position at Circle, the issuer of the USD Coin ([USDC](/news/article/usdc-coin-losses), a stablecoin tied to the US dollar. In addition, he is a member of WEF's Digital Currency Governance Consortium and a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

## Could we expect more stability in crypto 2023?

According to Disparte, despite the disastrous year for cryptocurrency, which he compares to a [crypto](/news/article/yield-farming-crypto) ice age rather than winter, cryptography and blockchain will remain an important part of the current economic landscape.

He stated that 2022 was a horrible year for cryptocurrency markets, with one of the most destructive bear markets ever recorded and the failure of several big platforms. 

[Despite](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2022-11-11/circle-s-disparte-on-crypto-crisis-video) these barriers, he believes that mainstream financial institutions will eventually migrate to cryptocurrencies because the technology remains a prominent participant in finance.

He added that it is important to pay attention to the actions of big banks and mature financial services firms rather than their words when understanding the staying power of digital assets and blockchain technology, asserting his bullish views for crypto 2023 technology.

Disparte's statements come amid a shift in attitude among some of the most vocal opponents of cryptocurrency, who have now started to embrace it. Despite being repeatedly declared as failed or deceased (Bitcoin Obituaries Archive says more than 460 times), [Bitcoin](/news/article/how-to-buy-bitcoin-uk) and other cryptocurrencies have continued to grow in popularity and become more widely accepted.

Furthermore, Disparte reinforced his viewpoint in a recent opinion post for the Diplomatic Courier, calling it "disingenuous" for bankers to bash Bitcoin with one hand while attempting to usurp its ideas with the other.


Crypto 2023: Circle CSO Makes Prediction

The need for alternative forms of payment has never been greater. The rise of Web3 payment solutions, like Kasta crypto, proves this need is more than just a passing trend.

The Web3 payment provider Kasta was developed to expedite the adoption of decentralisation while providing a viable medium of digital exchange.

Built on the Polygon network, Kasta crypto is an [ERC-20](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethereum#ERC20) token allowing holders to send and receive the same coins instantly and for free. This simplicity and ease of use will make the platform a hit in the digital revolution.

## Simple yet powerful

The project has been designed with simplicity in mind, making the transfer of digital assets safe and convenient. Holders can send tokens via mobile number or by simply scanning the QR code. Using crypto has never been easier.

At its core, the project is a basic wallet application with various features encouraging everyday use. This accessibility means anyone can quickly learn to use the platform for their own benefit.

The application is a powerful all-in-one wallet allowing even the most novice crypto users to enter the Web3 world. While the platform only supports eight coins so far, they include some of the most popular tokens on the market.

## Easy Swap

The platform's native token is the [$KASTA coin](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/kasta/markets/) which is currently available at a wide variety of exchanges, including Gate.io, UniSwap, and ByBit.
With a current circulating supply of 129 million priced at $0.0266 per coin, the total market cap is $3.4 million.

The 'Easy Swap Engine' allows holders to choose which token to receive, regardless of the coin sent. For example, should a friend send Bitcoin, you can simply change your settings to ensure that all crypto is received in Ethereum.

Kasta crypto token forms the backbone of the application, and, alongside P2P payments, it will soon be used for several other purposes.

## Future of Kasta

This project is a shining example of a P2P payment processor and is leading the way in blockchain adoption and Web3 development. The company has ambitious plans for the future, with many features currently in the pipeline. 

In the near term, users will be able to earn passive income by taking advantage of various yield-generating opportunities via the mobile app. Furthermore, platform users will also be able to apply for a debit card, allowing them to spend their crypto holdings in a wide variety of merchant stores. 

Lastly, all application users will be able to choose to stake their idle crypto and earn passive income.

With countries like Nigeria pushing their citizens to adopt [distributed solutions](/news/article/paybis-rewards-customers), the future of cross-border payments is about to change. Applications like Kasta crypto are at the cutting edge of the decentralised revolution and will form the backbone of the future society.


Kasta Crypto - Changing Thinking on Money

[Nexo](https://nexo.io/) is a blockchain-based ecosystem providing instant crypto loans, supporting more than 20 currencies, including the most prominent like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The platform promotes the seamless acquisition of crypto loans in fiat money without relying on credit score history. It allows users to deposit supported crypto tokens into its blockchain's wallets and then proceed to receive their cash-based loans.

## Next crypto legitimacy

To its credit, Nexo is backed by Credissimo, a fintech team with millions of users and customers. The development team possesses decades of rich experience built on delivering instant customer loans, online payment services, and e-commerce financing. Credissimo seeks to revolve its functionality in digital assets through its modern technology. 

While other projects get stuck battling the scrutiny of regulatory bodies and solid public caution, Nexo crypto is free of worries. The Credissimo team runs under bold supervision from multiple European financial and banking services authorities. It's undoubtedly a legit platform with over four million clients.

## Goals in the crypto world

The base ambition driving the Nexo crypto project is to solve the most pressing problems identified by its developers in the financial industry.

Nexo wants to eliminate the idle state of digital assets, particularly with the proliferation of cryptos. As the mainstreaming of cryptocurrencies is ongoing, early adopters of this technology have accumulated enormous wealth. The developers are looking to touch base with investors, people in business, and non-professional users to let them tap into this wealth. Due to a lack of regulations and inadequate tech infrastructure, the accumulated idle wealth isn't beneficial. With Nexo, users hold crypto assets and secure access to cash in fiat currencies like USD.

Liquidating digital assets is tiresome and Nexo cuts down the process with readily available cash. While there are numerous crypto exchanges, each platform comes with unique requirements that vary drastically across these platforms. Furthermore, their withdrawal limits and slow procedures are unsuitable in a digital economy. Nexo seeks to eradicate these issues, giving more agility for seizing investment asset opportunities and accessing liquidity in less time.

Nexo frees users from the pressure of selling digital assets for fiat. Users profit from future prices tied to digital assets based on time. Crypto loans are an alternative to selling and allow users to keep capital gains while enacting wealth creation activity with their assets.

Fostering transparency and immutability on crypto loans, Nexo crypto loans are deployed on smart contracts in blockchain architecture. Users' funds are held in cold multi-signature wallets with verified custody standards through digital security companies; in this case, it's BitGo. In the preceding blockchain protocols' loan transactions, management was in the hands of peer-to-peer platforms relying on questionable legal agreements and often escalated to fraud. 

With Nexo, transactions' legal status is asserted by blockchain technology and further backed by the [Credissimo team](/news/article/what-is-blockchain).

## The Operation Model

Loans are channeled into users' accounts on the same day or the following through bank transfers involving SEPA, ACH, or SWIFT. If you opt for the instant ones, you get paired with the free Nexo card. The recipient's accounts are flexible – they can either be personal or business.

Loan limits are calculated basing the value of a user’s crypto assets. Moreover, additional credit is available with an appreciation of the assets.

Nexo Oracle, the heart of this platform, manages its operation domains which include the following:

•	Network governance.

•	Monitoring assets in real-time.

•	Analyzing data to manage loan distribution and repayment plans.

•	Determining users' loan limits, borrowing costs, collateral, and repayment period.

To establish clients’ credit worth without needing to check bank accounts’ ratings, Nexo Oracle calculates the Loan to Value (LTV) ratio. For instance, a user with 1000 USD in Bitcoin (BTC) gets assessed by Oracle’s algorithm to receive a 50% LTV ratio; the user can only borrow up to 1000 USD as the minimum fiat loan.

## Accessing and repaying Nexo crypto loans

### To get a loan, follow these steps:

1.	Transfer crypto assets into your Nexo account. After completion, the blockchain system initiates a series of validations for the specific asset. Based on the validity evaluation, Oracle determines your loan limit and prepares to issue it.

2.	You then receive an instant loan in fiat currency through your preferred option – a bank account or Nexo card. Again, you are given the freedom to choose which fiat currency to receive your loan. If your asset appreciates, Oracle increases your limit instantly.

3.	To repay your loan, you can choose between bank transfers and crypto. There would be additional discounts if you decided to repay using Nexo tokens. Alternatively, you can partially repay your loan by selling your account's crypto assets.

4.	Cryptocurrency in a Nexo crypto account can be withdrawn either fully or partially as long as you meet the obligatory limit tied to your account balance.

## Nexo crypto token availability

The native token for Nexo is NEXO, which is traded as a restricted security. Other perks include higher loan limits and a 30% profit share for holding NEXO. The total supply at the market cap is set to 1,000,000,000. It is available for trading on crypto exchanges like HitBTC.

## Final thoughts

As the crypto industry rises and sees mass adoption, crypto lending offers an opportunity for a trillion-dollar venture. If you want to unlock assets’ value without giving out ownership, Nexo is the best option.



What is Nexo Crypto?

Yield farming drove the decentralised finance (DeFi) explosion in 2020. Risk-tolerant investors recognised the potential of yield farming crypto and took advantage of the chance to earn "free" interest on their cryptocurrencies. However, it is not entirely free, and the gains come with significant risks depending on the project.

The strategy employs the cutting-edge technology of [smart contracts](/news/article/smart-contracts-blockchain) and coded contracts that execute automatically on blockchains like Ethereum. Yield farming has grown in popularity as an investment strategy. It is risky, and there are still scams in the ecosystem, but the best platforms have already proven their worth.

## What is yield farming crypto?

Yield farming is a system in which users deposit cryptocurrency in a pool with other cryptocurrency users to pursue investment gains, most commonly through interest earned on the pooled cryptocurrency. It is a high-risk strategy with high potential rewards.

## How does yield farming work?

Yield farming crypto functions something like a savings account with a bank. It pools depositor money and gives loans while you earn interest on the money you deposited. But in a yield farm, the cryptocurrency is invested in smart contract applications rather than converted into a mortgage or a business loan.

With yield farming, users stake their money alongside other investors in the same farm, the cryptocurrency equivalent of making a deposit.

Yield farming begins with the formation of a cryptocurrency asset pool. The following steps are taken to facilitate yield farming:

1.	A liquidity pool is established: Creating a liquidity pool is the first step in yield farming. This is based on a smart contract that makes all investing and borrowing for that specific yield farm.

2.	Investors deposit assets: Investors can deposit currency in the liquidity pool by connecting their digital wallets. This is known as "staking". It is similar to customers depositing at a bank or investing in a mutual fund or ETF.

3.	Smart contract allows borrowing: A smart contract can help with various processes, such as adding liquidity to a cryptocurrency exchange market or lending to others.

4.	Reward payout: Interest, bonuses, and rewards may differ by yield farm. You could be paid regularly or on a specific future date.

## How to get started with yield farming crypto?

Here are the steps to get started:

1.	Research yield farm investments: Begin by investigating potential yield-farm investments. You can choose from various DeFi providers or centralised exchanges to gain access to yield-farming markets.

2.	Connect your wallet or deposit funds into your account: To participate, you must have a compatible account funded with the correct currency. You must use a compatible wallet for decentralised yield farms, such as MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet. You should use an exchange to buy or transfer the desired currency into your account for yield farming.

3.	Put your cryptocurrency at [stake](/news/article/how-to-stake-celo): Navigate to the specific yield farm to stake your funds once connected or funded. Once staked, your currency may be locked into the farm for some time.

4.	Collect your earnings: Based on your yield farm and deposit method, you may need to return to the yield-farm website to retrieve your earnings.

## Pros and cons of yield farming crypto

### Pros

1.	The possibility of earning high-interest rates online: Yield farming crypto has the potential to earn returns over 100% APY.

2.	Smart contracts-controlled: Smart contracts eliminate the need for middlemen and allow anyone with a compatible cryptocurrency wallet to participate.

### Cons

1.	Risks of impermanent losses: Impermanent losses occur when the value of a cryptocurrency falls while it is locked in a yield farm.

2.	Scams and fraud: Just like in other parts of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, bad actors are out to steal money through fraudulent yield farms and other schemes.

## Top yield farms 

1.	Uniswap
With more than $5.5 billion in the platform, [Uniswap](/news/article/uniswap-price-prediction-2025) is the second-largest decentralised exchange (DEX) by total value locked, behind Curve Finance. To provide the swaps, the platform offers swaps with Ethereum and thousands of ERC-20 tokens and staking in liquidity pools. Liquidity providers earn a percentage of trading fees for each swap. With a large enough deposit, they can earn a lot of money. All other DEXes, including Uniswap, have varying interest rates depending on the market and pool.

Investors should exercise caution when depositing funds into pools containing volatile cryptocurrencies because sharp price swings could result in temporary losses. Additionally, just like on all DeFi platforms, a smart contract failure could result in enormous losses. There are two primary versions of the platform, known as Uniswap V2 and V3.

2.	Aave
[Aave](https://aave.com/) is the current DeFi king, with a startling $10 billion-plus in total value locked. It is a decentralised cryptocurrency lending and borrowing platform that runs on Ethereum (and the Polygon sidechain). Aave's borrow APRs are some of the best available because investors have deposited so much cryptocurrency there to earn interest.

The main risk of depositing into Aave is the unlikely possibility of smart contract failure. Borrowers must consider the risk of liquidation when the ratio of the value of borrowed assets to the value of the loan's collateral exceeds a threshold (known as the maximum loan-to-value ratio), which varies by the token. Anyone can purchase your collateral, and you can only recover up to half of the loan's value.

3.	PancakeSwap
PancakeSwap is a [decentralised](/news/article/dns-servers) exchange similar to Uniswap (DEX). It works similarly to Uniswap, but runs on BSC (the Binance Smart Chain network) rather than Ethereum. It also has a few more gamification-focused features. It has by far the highest total value locked of any BSC DeFi project, at around $7 billion. PancakeSwap provides BSC token swaps, interest-earning staking pools, a gambling game in which users predict the future price of BNB and even NFT art.

PancakeSwap carries all of the risks associated with Uniswap, including temporary loss due to smart contract failure and significant price shifts. Many tokens in PancakeSwap pools have small market capitalisations and thus face an increased risk of impermanent loss. Users of Uniswap face the same risks, but the platform offers more and more significant Ethereum-based tokens for staking.

4.	Curve Finance
The platform's unique market-making algorithm allows it to use the locked funds more effectively than any other DeFi platform. Both swap users and liquidity providers profit from this.

With respectable APRs, Curve offers a long list of [stablecoin](/news/article/what-are-stablecoins) pools pegged to fiat money (mainly the USD). Curve maintains strong APRs for liquid tokens of between 1.9% and 32%. On the condition that the tokens don't lose their peg, stablecoin pools are exceptionally secure. Impermanent loss can be entirely avoided because their prices won't vary significantly from one another. Using Curve carries the same risks as other DEXes, including impermanent loss and smart contract failure. 

5.	Yearn Finance
Yearn Finance (YFI) provides a unique yield farming and aggregation tool. Its active development team is constantly coming up with new ideas to help users achieve ever-higher yields. Additionally, Yearn and Curve Finance have a close integration. Investors can deposit one of five cryptocurrencies (ETH, DAI, WBTC, USDC, or USDT) into a smart contract that deposits into the corresponding pool on Curve to earn interest by investing in one of the platform's more than 30 Yearn-integrated Curve pools. The smart contract compounds gains by reinvesting earnings back into the pool. Yearn is subject to the same risks as other yield-farming platforms, including impermanent loss and failed smart contracts.

## Is yield farming beneficial?

Yield [farming](/news/article/farming-games-in-metaverse) is an intriguing way for cryptocurrency enthusiasts to profit from their investments and the currency's value growth. However, due to the risks involved, yield farming may not be worthwhile for many investors, especially newer investors.

It can be alluring to consider earning 100%, 200%, or even higher in annual interest. However, you shouldn't engage in yield farming unless you fully comprehend how it operates and its dangers. 

Conduct due diligence on the exchanges, coins, and teams behind the yield farming engagement you intend to enter. All of these things are required to reduce the risks associated with this investment.


Yield Farming Crypto Explained

[Biconomy](https://www.biconomy.io/) is one of the outstanding companies rooted in India, paving its way into the Web3 space. The company provides a cross-chain layer infrastructure handling transactions and gas payments bridging applications into Web3. It also owns the BICO token, which has been listed on many exchanges.

While many Web3 applications are built on Ethereum, the increased traffic is causing congestion on the blockchain. The congestion significantly raises gas prices forcing developers to seek alternative chains for their applications.

## Impact on Web3

Biconomy's network allows gasless transactions bringing down all costs for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications facilitating Web3 transactions. Some of its well-known products include Mexa, Forward, and Hyphen.

Mexa facilitates gasless transactions in decentralized applications (Dapps). Forward on the hand, allows users to pay their transaction fees using tokens instead of gas. Hyphen, the final product, provides fast and less expensive token transfers through different [blockchain](/news/article/what-is-blockchain) networks.

The combination of these products renders the protocol multiple uses. Users are empowered with the freedom to enjoy seamless gasless transactions while still interacting with layer1 and layer2 solutions. With time, it can be integrated into any Web3 platform with crypto-enabled transactions.

## Developer Perks

Many developers are already leveraging Biconomy and its multi-chain stack, offering a better user experience in Web3 products in de-Fi, NFTs, and gaming, among others. Users are provided with the following:

•	Plug-and-play Application Program Interfaces (APIs) and Software Development Kits (SDKs) – Among the network’s core features are APIs and SDKs that aid developers in building dApps with incredible user experience.

•	Gasless Transactions – With most Web3 apps, users must pay a gas fee for their utility. This cost hinders the mass adoption of Web3 products. As with platforms like Netflix, users do not pay server fees every time they watch movies. Similarly, Biconomy users are free of charge.

•	Multiple Currencies – While most Dapps are built on Ethereum, their dominant payment option is ETH. Biconomy supports multiple tokens and allows users to make payments with their preferred currencies.

•	Simplified User Interface – Interacting with Dapps entails creating blockchain transactions requiring crypto knowledge and technical; experience. In this case, the user interface has been optimized to the highest levels of simplicity.

•	Cross-chain Transfers – It is not easy to make transfers between chains. The inherent multi-chain characteristic facilitates transactions on blockchain arrays and L2s. It also eases communication while securing value from different chains.

## Biconomy Coin Functionality

Biconomy’s native token is BICO, launched last year and runs as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain. BICO has the following functions:

•	Network Fees – The re-layer infrastructure network is maintained by node operators acting as validators and executors for settling and verifying transactions. Node operators must pay a transaction fee in $BICO when adding new transaction data on the chain and, in return, earn $BICO based on the work done on the chain.

•	Stakeholder Incentives – BICO holders are entitled to earning passive incomes through staking. The Proof of Stake (PoS) and liquidity pool integrated into the network assert high security and 100% uptime.

•	Network Governance (Voting rights) – BICO holders have the right to vote, submit requests, and feedback that, when incorporated, shape the future of Biconomy's milestones and endeavors. The governance operation model entails participating in numerous activities like changing the network code, adding and removing services, and allocating funds from the treasury.

## Who is building the BICO crypto?

Biconomy foundation dates to 2019 with the following founders: Aniket Jindal, Sachin Tomar, and Ahmed Al-Balaghi. The team comprises Indian nationals with a great passion for blockchain technology. Jindal brings a wealth of knowledge after studying at the Prestigious Fudan University and years of experience working with Binance. Balaghi is a seed founder and investor in Polygon (previously the Matic network). Tamar has been an engineer at Samsung Electronics and an early Ethereum blockchain enthusiast.

According to [BybitLearn](https://learn.bybit.com/), on 21 July, 2021, the trio raised $9 million through private funding led by the Mechanism capital. Other companies, like Coinbase ventures, have also invested in Biconomy. Additional significant fundraising includes the recent October, which totaled $11.5 million through the public sale of BICO tokens.

## Biconomy Price

BICO hit its all-time-high (ATH) price, $21.87, in December 2021. While we have seen significant down trends in the market with the crypto winter, BICO is not exceptional. Looking into January 2021, it had dropped to $3.50, and as of the time of writing, it’s at $0.43995.

Biconomy is platform building for the future of DeFi and adoption for Web3. Each day, it onboards new partners and will reclaim its ATH in the coming days.

## Putting it All Together

The performance of BICO has not been stellar. However, the developmental team demonstrates clear use cases for its outstanding innovations. Biconomy is looking to be a worldwide facilitator for Web3 transactions.




blue image of crypto coins and biconomy logo

What is Biconomy?

Microsoft customers now require pre-approved written permission to mine crypto like Bitcoin.
The computing giant introduced the changes earlier this month, revising its Universal License Terms for online services like Windows and Azure.

## New customer terms

A note on the company website states in the Updated Acceptable Use Policy that Microsoft suggests "seeking written pre-approval" ahead of using the company's online services for mining crypto, "regardless of the term of the subscription".

The company continued by saying that "testing and research for security detections may be considered" when giving permission to [mine cryptocurrency](/news/article/mining-farm).

## First notice of Microsoft crypto mining ban

[The Register noticed the Microsoft crypto update first](https://www.theregister.com/2022/12/15/microsoft_online_services_cryptomining_ban/#:~:text=Updated%20Microsoft%20has%20quietly%20banned,into%20effect%20on%20December%201.) and Microsoft explained that it made the change because "cryptocurrency mining can cause disruption and/or even impairment to Online services". The company added that crypto mining is often connected to abuse attacks and cyber fraud like "unauthorised access" to its customer resources. It concluded that the change is to protect customers and "mitigate" risks of disruption and service impairment to the Microsoft cloud.

Last year, Microsoft warned customers about a mining malware that can spread via e-mails and steal credentials easily to fetch security controls of the system.

Some reports claim that as a result of supply-chain constraints, their cloud computing systems have experienced significant capacity shortages in recent years. It is rumoured that the number of Azure data centres will continue to be restricted until the beginning of 2023.

## Joining the team

The Microsoft crypto mining ban means the company joins a large number of other cloud service giants, such as Google, which also forbid users from mining cryptocurrencies without first receiving written consent. Cloud mining is prohibited on some platforms, such as Oracle, while Digital Ocean also demands formal approval.

## Final word

Cloud mining is an alternate strategy for investing in cryptocurrencies that enables users to mine crypto assets without using mining hardware or equipment. Because customers don't have to pay for the equipment and associated fees, cloud mining is one of the most lucrative ways to mine cryptocurrency, according to the blockchain research organisation Blockchain Council.

Keeping all that in mind, it is always advisable to check for safer ways to start the mining journey with lots of research.



red image of microsoft logo. Crpyto coins in foreground

Microsoft Crypto Mining Ban on Cloud Services

[Tokeny Solutions](https://tokeny.com/) is a digital asset tokenisation firm based in Luxembourg. Recently, it has revealed its partnership with a network, [Ownera](https://ownera.io/), that provides global inter-trading services through FinP2P protocol. The combined forces are working on an initiative to boost liquidity and make capital more accessible.

Moreover, the two firms will be working closely with the [regulated institutions](/news/article/uk-crypto-exchange) to provide a secure gateway to the network users. It will give them access to numerous virtual asset networks all around the globe. With this initiative, Ownera’s FinP2P network will also get access to a broader investor base. 

## Why did Tokeny integrate Ownera?

Tokeny stated some of the reasons for this integration in a [press release](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220926005043/en/Tokeny-and-Ownera-Partner-to-Unlock-Global-Liquidity-for-Tokenized-Assets). It pointed out that accessibility to tokenised assets and their institutional adoption is still not mainstream. That's why there needs to be a solution that could bridge this gap. For this reason, the open-source FinP2P protocol of Ownera can be ideal. It can set up an ecosystem through which swift trading of tokens from any blockchain is possible.

This protocol also can maintain a digital ledger, which will provide transparency. The network can cover all three major parts, including:

1.	The primary issuance of a token.

2.	The secondary trading of the tokens.

3.	On-spot asset lending against a collateralised asset like on any other DeFi platform.

Building an ecosystem like this one will allow tokenised asset distribution even to the private markets. It can also unlock liquidity at a global level, which cannot be attained by a single platform.

## Thoughts from Tokeny’s Chief Strategy Officer

The CSO of Tokeny, Daniel Coheur, has shared his views on this benchmark partnership. He stated, "Tokenisation is the first step to unlocking the full potential of assets using blockchain technology." He said integrating assets into a blockchain can make management efficient and reduce costs.
Besides, he mentioned that on this network, compliance is ensured at the initial token level. This eliminates the barriers of interoperability and visibility, which, in turn, "maximise the asset liquidity".

Moreover, he alluded that with the integration of the FinP2P protocol, investors will have access to more distribution networks. They will also have the option of using tokenised assets as collaterals.

## Views from Ownera’s Business Development and Marketing Head

Ownera’s Head of Business Development and Marketing, Anthony Woolley, has shared similar views. He maintained that many platforms often face the issue of using different blockchain technologies for accessing other asset pools and investors. However, their network can save them from this hassle as it provides "one secure point of connection to multiple digital asset networks across the globe". 

He boasted that this network could offer better accessibility and higher liquidity. He further mentioned that any firm acquiring Tokeny Solutions will enjoy enhanced distribution power because of this integration. 

## About Tokeny Solutions

It is a firm that offers the services of building compliance-oriented architectures for digital asset firms. Its infrastructures allow the companies to manage tokenised assets in line with the set regulations and [anti-money laundering laws](/news/article/crypto-aml). It allows smooth onboarding while ensuring the know-your-customer (KYC) procedure. All in all, with its solutions, virtual asset service providers can build completely decentralised and regulated infrastructures. 

Tokeny Solutions is a well-recognised company in the industry. CB Insights ranks it as one of the top 50 blockchain firms, whereas KPMG ranks it among the top 100 FinTech start-ups.


Tokeny and Ownera to Enhance Token Liquidity

[Elrond](https://elrond.com/) is a blockchain platform built to handle high transaction volumes. It's native token, EGLD crypto or eGold, is a multi-use cryptocurrency. The platform, which supports decentralised applications via smart contracts, is built to compete with significant blockchains like Ethereum and Zilliqa to create a [decentralised](/news/article/dns-servers) application and cryptocurrency ecosystem.

The blockchain can process up to 15,000 transactions per second. This makes it one of the fastest blockchain networks on the market. On the network, EGLD crypto is used for [staking](/news/article/what-is-staking-crypto), voting, and transacting. It is the primary asset in the incentivisation system that rewards network participants. Elrond also has a six-second latency, can scale with sharding, and has low transaction fees of $0.001.

It was established in 2018. The blockchain employs a Secure Proof of Stake (SPoS) operating protocol, which processes transactions in parallel. It relies on the contributions of multiple participants, each playing multiple roles simultaneously.

## What makes EGLD crypto unique?

Elrond is unique in its use of Adaptive State Sharding, which divides the network into smaller fractions so that nodes can verify transactions and network operations by resolving one partition at a time. This ensures the network can handle thousands of transactions per second while charging only a small fee.

The project aims to build a new digital economy with decentralisation and scalability built into its blockchain infrastructure. Elrond enables users to create new assets and decentralised applications and conduct low-cost transactions. The project also supports enterprise-grade Dapps while allowing for scaling and providing three programming languages to work with.

## How does the platform function?

Elrond is validated rather than mined using SPoS. The network uses open-source software, meaning the source code is available to anyone. The blockchain works as follows:

1.	Validators process and record transactions: Validators stake EGLD tokens in order to earn the right to process EGLD crypto They collaborate to process transactions and to add new blocks to the Elrond blockchain at the same time.

2.	Fishermen are constantly on the lookout for malicious transactions and users: Fishermen in SPoS networks validate new blocks after validators add them to the blockchain. Fishermen are tasked with locating any invalid blocks or malicious actors that may be present on the network.

3.	Observers passively maintain the blockchain's history: The blockchain observers store the blockchain's entire history. Observers are ineligible for EGLD crypto rewards because they are passive network participants who do not create new blocks.
The network is run concurrently by validators, fishermen, and observers. It is highly scalable due to this concurrent participation.

## Use Cases for Elrond

Elrond is designed to support non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and includes a Smart Accounts NFT framework. Smart Accounts operate similarly to any blockchain network account but support key-value data storage at the account level. They enable users to store large amounts of information directly in their Elrond Network accounts, such as emails, private identity data, health data, proof of citizenship, Know Your Customer (KYC) information, and more. 

Furthermore, Smart Accounts are intended to store and prove digital assets ownership without using the Elrond VM, which results in less bloating on the smart contracts that govern user funds.

The network is developing Elrond Standard Digital Tokens (ESDTs), synthetic assets, tokenised stablecoins, and fiat currencies to run on the Elrond network without requiring smart contract functionality. Elrond's scalability and speed prepare the network for the Internet of Things functionality (IoT).

The blockchain provides solutions for data exchange, financial services, and more to a growing list of enterprise blockchain clients worldwide, demonstrating that user adoption of the Elrond network is increasing.

## How to buy EGLD crypto

EGLD is available on cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance.us, [KuCoin](/news/article/kucoin-crypto-metaverse), Gate.io, Bitfinex, OKEx, and [Crypto.com](/news/article/crypto.com-news-uk-approval).

##  Bottom line

Elrond promotes scaling and high transaction speeds as the primary sources of the project's intrinsic value, claiming that the network can process up to 15,000 transactions per second. It is a highly functional ecosystem because of its high transaction speeds, scalability, decentralisation, and full custody over users' funds.

As the project progresses, the network strives to become a model of the new internet economy. The project provides competitive transaction speeds and tools for Dapp development and application deployment for public and enterprise-grade use cases.


EGLD Crypto and Blockchain Platform

Since it came onto the scene, many have wondered, 'is Casper crypto a good investment?'. Here, we'll try to find out.

The Casper cryptocurrency was launched in 2017 and gained popularity due to its unique features. The most significant part of Casper is its use of the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) algorithm, which is different from the more common PoW (Proof-of-Work).

With PoS, instead of miners validating transactions and earning rewards, Casper users who hold the currency in their [wallets](/news/article/crypto-wallet-multiple-currencies) can earn interest on their holdings. This makes Casper a more environmentally friendly option, as there is no need for energy-intensive mining operations.

There are many options when [investing in cryptocurrency](https://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-says-he-personally-owns-bitcoinand-so-does-spacex-11626908542). With so many different coins and tokens available, knowing which ones are worth your money can take time and effort.

One coin that has been getting much attention of late is Casper. The new cryptocurrency is designed to change how we interact with the internet and promises to provide many benefits over traditional currencies.

Casper has also implemented some governance mechanisms to ensure that the currency uses responsible. For example, users must have a minimum balance to participate in staking and earn rewards.

## Is Casper a good investment?

It's essential to understand what Casper is and how it works. Casper is a decentralized network that uses [blockchain technology](https://www.newsbtc.com/news/bill-gates-bitcoin-exciting-shows-cheap-sending-money-can/) to enable secure, peer-to-peer transactions. Transactions on the Casper network are processed instantly and are entirely private.

Casper's design is to be more efficient than current web browsers. The developers claim Casper can load pages four times faster than Chrome and Safari. Additionally, Casper doesn't require users to install any plugins or extensions.

Casper is a good investment as it offers an excellent opportunity to make profits in the long term. It is among the most popular and successful Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), attracting much attention from investors and traders.

The project has a strong team of experienced developers, entrepreneurs, and marketing experts. They have created a functional product and have a solid roadmap. A well-known venture capitalist firm also backs the project.


Is Casper Crypto a Good Investment?

[Uquid](https://uquid.com/) is one of the largest Web3-based platforms, offering physical and digital products. It creates smart shopping experiences for users by bringing the world of e-commerce and DeFi together. 

To enhance customer experience, it has announced integration with the [Polygon network](/news/article/polygon-crypto). The smart marketplace will leverage Polygon’s low fees, high efficiency, and, most importantly, scalability. It will also allow Uquid to employ its vigorous developer ecosystem.

![uquid.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/uquid_fd41c6718c.png)
 
It will allow customers to enjoy another payment method, the MATIC token. In addition, this Web3 market will have access to Ethereum through this integration.

## Shared vision of building eco-friendly platforms

Both Uquid and Polygon share the vision of [sustainability](/articles/our-news/sustainable-future) and environmental preservation. MATIC’s network is known for being the least harmful to the environment. That’s why the smart marketplace opted for its scalable ecosystem to develop its market. Uquid believes that the MATIC network can shape a user-friendly and environment-friendly platform. 

It will not only reduce gas fees for users, but will also allow easy access to cryptocurrencies. Users can also enjoy access to various decentralised apps (DApps) available on Polygon. 

## About Polygon

[Polygon](https://polygon.technology/) is one of the leading Ethereum scaling solutions. It is entirely decentralised and ideal for creating Web3 DApps. The network leverages Ethereum's security and provides high efficiency at affordable costs. More than 53,000 DApps have chosen its scaling solution to build their platforms. Among them, names like Uniswap, OpenSea, and Aave are notable. 

The network is also a leading force in the non-fungible tokens ([NFT](/news/article/nft-art-marketplaces)) market. It has collaborated with numerous key players in the industry, including [Disney](/news/article/matic-disney-collab), Instagram, Adobe, Stripe, and others.

## About Uquid

Uquid is a platform that first introduced the idea of Web3-based smart shopping. It bridges the gap between the DeFi world and e-commerce by offering more than 85 million products. The platform also introduced the concept of a shop-to-earn market.


Uquid Web3 Market Integrates Polygon

[Fortify](https://fortify-blockchain.com/) NFT boosts the value of your products. It combines blockchain and NFC technology to increase brand trust and engagement.

The platform offers a secure module (NFC crypto chip) that enhances your product by bridging the physical and digital worlds.
All data is stored in an open, [decentralised blockchain](/news/article/dns-servers) network. The platform guarantees transparency and immutability. It offers fully customised mobile applications (Android, iOS) for your customers to interact with your product to strengthen your brand. 

Fortify allows you to: 

1.	Prove your product's authenticity using the NFC crypto chip.
2.	Claim and transfer ownership.
3.	Check on the product's sustainability and provenance, and many other functions.

## Services offered by Fortify 

1.      Genuineness and thriving secondary markets
Artists no longer participate in the secondary market for their works of art because, after a sale, they no longer see the value in doing so. 

Fortify enables a thriving secondary market while returning control to artists. An NFC chip protects each piece of art, and the blockchain is used to track and modify ownership. Every resale generates some profit for the artist.

2.      Trust and participation in the fashion industry
Handbags, shoes, watches, and glasses are a few examples of products plagued by counterfeiting. Furthermore, customer engagement is low. Once purchased, the producer's ability to increase customer interaction with the product or brand is limited.

Fortify alters this by generating a digital twin of each object on the blockchain and encouraging customers to interact with it.

3.      Industrial applications: Track assets as they move through the supply chain
Goods of any kind in industrial processes can be linked to a digital twin on the blockchain using the NFC chip. These goods can be tracked transparently throughout the entire supply chain. 

Costs for identifying, tracking provenance, or obtaining reliable information about previous production steps can be drastically reduced.

4.      Solution for high-end spirits
The counterfeiting of spirits is massive, especially when it comes to high-end products. Fortify's solution for high-end spirits protects bottles of any type from counterfeiting, as demonstrated by a limited edition of 999 bottles of GIN. 

## How can Fortify NFT help your business?

1.      Authenticity 
Fortify’s blockchain-NFC chips embedded in your products serve as an anti-counterfeit solution, protecting your brand.

2.      Customer Engagement
You can use blockchain tokens ([NFT](/news/article/meta-facebook-nft) to prove ownership, purchase and sell goods on the secondary market, collect digital and physical goods, and many other things.

3.      Rarity
You can establish trust by being upfront about the actual number of an item's limited supply.

4.      Supply Chain Transparency
Any asset can be tracked and traced throughout the supply chain using Fortify.

## Bottom line

Have you ever lost track of your product after it was sold in a retail setting? 

Fortify NFT can solve this problem. The application dashboard provides detailed information on customer interaction with your products: When and where was its authenticity established? Is it being resold on the secondary market? Who currently owns the digital and physical assets? All this data is retrieved from NFC chips and the blockchain and displayed in a user-friendly interface.



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