Apprendre avec le sourire

Nous sommes ravis d'annoncer l'intégration du token Chain (XCN) sur Tap ! XCN est désormais disponible pour le trading sur l'application mobile Tap. Vous pouvez dès aujourd'hui acheter, vendre, échanger ou conserver XCN pour n'importe quel autre actif pris en charge sur la plateforme, sans limitation de paires. Tap est agnostique en termes de paires, ce qui signifie que vous pouvez échanger n'importe quel actif contre un autre sans vous soucier de la disponibilité d'une "paire de trading".

Nous sommes ravis d'accueillir XCN sur notre plateforme, enrichissant ainsi les options disponibles pour nos utilisateurs. Chez Tap, nous nous efforçons de diversifier constamment notre offre en intégrant de nouvelles cryptomonnaies, offrant à chacun l'opportunité d'explorer de nouvelles perspectives.

Fondée en 2014, Chain fournit aux organisations l'infrastructure nécessaire pour construire de meilleurs services financiers à partir de zéro. Le jeton Chain (XCN) est un jeton utilitaire et de gouvernance pour le protocole Chain, permettant à ses détenteurs de voter sur les améliorations du protocole et divers programmes pilotés par la communauté. XCN peut être utilisé pour un accès premium, des réductions, et le paiement de frais commerciaux sur Sequence et d'autres produits de l'écosystème Chain.

Apprenez-en plus sur XCN dans notre article dédié ici.

When learning about paper wallets it's likely that you came across this option nestled safely in the “cold wallet” section in the different types of cryptocurrency wallets. While the popularity of paper wallets has somewhat declined, there are still a strong number of crypto enthusiasts that still appreciate the completely offline storage option. Let's explore what is a paper wallet and whether it's suited to your crypto needs.

What is a paper wallet?

For those needing a recap, a paper wallet is a piece of paper that holds both one’s public and private keys in both alphanumeric form and QR codes. Known as a non-custodial cold storage wallet, paper wallets allow the holders to manage their own private keys and remain entirely offline. A private key is a unique code that grants a user ownership of their wallet and digital funds, akin to a pin code for a bank account.

Creating paper wallets is incredibly simple, and can be completed in a matter of seconds. As a paper wallet "functions" offline, this makes them free from hackers, unlike a software wallet which is operated online. However, the paper wallet still carries its own set of risks in that the piece of paper cannot get damaged or lost.  Many Bitcoin paper wallets have been lost due to the paper fading or the information becoming illegible.

The objective of keeping a paper wallet is to keep the private key safe whether its for a Bitcoin paper wallet or one designed to hold any other cryptocurrency. Each crypto wallet will be designed to store one specific cryptocurrency.

The term Bitcoin wallet is a generic term for any type of crypto wallet, whether a paper wallet, a software wallet or any type of online wallet or hot wallet. The only distinguishing factor is that the digital wallet only holds Bitcoin.

Precautions for using paper wallets

While storing the paper wallet securely in a safe location makes the top of the list here, other precautions to take are listed below:

Quality printer

Always use a good quality printer. Ensure that your paper wallet is printed with a high-quality inkjet printed to ensure that the characters on the paper don’t fade or bleed over time. Should this happen you could lose access to your funds. 

Don’t share private keys

Never share your private keys with anyone. Paper wallets are designed to show the public key QR code on one side and the private key on the other. When sharing your public key with someone be sure not to accidentally share the private key as then they could gain access to your funds. 

Be sure to set up a change address

If you don't set up a change address before sending funds from a paper wallet, the leftover funds will go to waste. A change address is a separate wallet address that picks up the change from a transaction. 

If you have, for example, 100 BTC in your Bitcoin paper wallet and only spend 0.50 BTC, the remaining  99.5 BTC will either be sent to the change address or lost from your own paper wallet entirely. 

Paper wallets are not designed to be used for sending funds, but instead for receiving and storing funds for the long term. Hot wallets (as opposed to paper wallets) are better suited to users looking to frequently send and receive funds. There are plenty of crypto wallets on the market, ensure that you find the most convenient one for you.

Alternatively, funds can be stored in a yield-generating account where your funds can earn interest. Tap offers a wallet of this nature conveniently located on the app, which allows users to hold several crypto and fiat currencies and earn rewards based on each currency. The longer the funds remain there, the higher the yield.

While paper wallets remain offline, there are still risks associated with them. Be sure to adhere to the above precautions in order to keep your funds safe. 

Are paper wallets still relevant?

In the early days of crypto trading, paper wallets were strongly advised due to the offline safety of storing private keys. They began to be popular around the end of 2010 but unfortunately have been on a decline in more recent years as innovation in the industry has picked up momentum. A paper wallet is resistant to online attacks as long as it's made correctly; you can't hack a piece of paper.

In the past, people could create and print paper wallets for their crypto right from their exchange accounts. But now experts believe that hardware wallets are a more secure option, so most major exchanges don't offer this service anymore.

While some die-hard crypto traders still believe in the solid security of paper wallets, there are plenty of more innovative options available on the market today. 

Whether you're trying to navigate the world of Crypto Twitter or preparing for Web 3.0, understanding the lingo is imperative to understanding the information available and fitting in. You might be very familiar with the English language, but don't let that fool you, crypto slang on social media is a language of its own.

While you might be familiar with concepts such as mining and smart contract, here we upgrade you to the next level of crypto jargon content. Below we run you through the 20 biggest acronyms and terms you need to learn when embarking on your Crypto Twitter journey. Good luck!

20 Top crypto terms and acronyms

Apeing In 

Apeing in refers to buying a token or more commonly an NFT right after launch without doing the necessary research. Also sometimes expressed as "I aped", this is usually a result of being fearful you're going to miss out on potential gains. Always DYOR. 

Bag Holder 

This term refers to an investor that is holding a cryptocurrency or NFT that they cannot sell for a higher price, and cannot sell at the current price (as it is too low). While this isn't entirely negative, it's not very positive either. Bag holders will simply need to wait out the market dip.

BUIDL

First made famous by Ethereum founder, Vitalik Buterin in 2018, buidl is an obvious typo of the word build and refers to "build useful stuff". The concept revolves around developers utilizing blockchain technology, to hopefully, provide a solution to the industry as a whole. 

BTFD 

Standing for Buy The F** Dip, BTFD has been described as a "prominent investment lesson". Buying the dip is when investors accumulate cryptocurrency during a bear market when the prices are trading at less than their value. Quoting Warren Buffet, "be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful."

DAO

DAO stands for decentralized autonomous organization and acts as a form of venture capital funding, replacing a board of directors with open-source coding. Operating entirely automatically, everyone is granted ownership and is involved in the decision-making. DAO essentially describes the structure of Web 3.0 companies. 

dApps

You may be familiar with this term already, decentralized applications are any digital apps built on top of a blockchain network. Instead of operating off of a centralized computer system, dapps harness the power of blockchain and are maintained and operated by the network on which they're built. 

Ethereum, Solana and Cardano are popular platforms on which developers built their dapps, with no limit to what industry these dapps can be built for, from payments to entertainment to supply chain management.

Diamond Hands

This term refers to an investor who will never sell. Diamond hands push through the losses, gains and volatility, resisting the dips and the peaks. These are hardcore hodlers who strongly believe in a project's vision. 

DeFi

Another term you're likely to have come across is decentralized finance, DeFi. DeFi is a sector of the crypto industry that provides traditional financial products and services only using blockchain technology, like lending, borrowing and providing liquidity. The aim of DeFi products is to remove the centralized nature of banking and make things more accessible to the masses. PancakeSwap, Aave and The Graph are examples of DeFi platforms. 

Degen

Degen is short for degenerate risk-taker, someone who makes highly risky bets without due diligence. While this is typically frowned upon in the real world, in the crypto world this is a badge of honour. Being a degen and making money fast is the ultimate flex. We still recommend that you DYOR beyond just the project's website. 

DYOR

Possibly the most important phrase when it comes to investing in cryptocurrencies and NFTs: always do your own research. Never follow anyone's advice blindly, no matter how much money they've made, instead always look into a project before investing in it. DYOR takes a firm stand in reminding you that you are accountable and responsible for your investment choices. 

GMI

A term of endearment in the crypto space, GMI stands for Gonna Make It, used to reassure someone that they're on the right track. Often thrown around on Twitter and Discord, GMI offers someone an affirmation in their decisions. 

On that note, NGMI stands for Not Gonna Make It. Usually used when someone makes a mistake or does something crazy, or when someone makes ignorant comments about the crypto space when they know little about it. It can be brutal out there, but DYOR and you'll be ok.  

Genesis Collection

Similar to how the first block on a blockchain is referred to as the genesis block, a genesis collection is the first NFT collection created by an artist. Buying items from a genesis collection is a symbol of early support and usually comes with some added benefits. Following the transaction for the digital currency, holders might be treated to early releases, insider info or concert tickets.

HODL

While we're familiar with what HODL refers to (holding onto a cryptocurrency for a long time in order to tap into possible future gains), many might not be aware that it has been gifted an acronym of its own. We say gifted because the term originated from a typo in a Bitcoin forum. HODL has affectionately been expanded to Hold On for Dear Life, encouragement for when markets dip and weak hands consider selling.

Metaverse

A hot topic at the moment, but do you know what it means? The metaverse refers to an alternative reality that exists in the digital realm. This digital space allows users to work, play, socialize and do business, interacting with others as they do. The metaverse can be described as a combination of VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality) and 3D worlds.  

NFT 

This is a big one. It stands for Non-Fungible Tokens and refers to anything that someone can create store and sell on the blockchain but is not fungible. Each NFT is unique and cannot be used interchangeably like most other cryptocurrencies. Also note that an NFT is a token standard and can be built on various blockchains, while ETH for instance is the native token to Ethereum and cannot be used by other blockchains. 

Shill

Shill refers to someone promoting a particular cryptocurrency to create excitement for it, usually to their own financial benefit. The purpose of shilling a coin is to generate hype that will hopefully lead to mass buying. Most platforms frown against shilling as it's essentially part of the same family tree as pump and dumps. 

Paper Hands 

The opposite of diamond hands, paper hands are quick to sell, often too early. Giving in to pressure and volatility, paper hands sell when the financial risk is too high (as opposed to waiting out the dip). 

P2E

P2E stands for play to earn and is a concept in gaming where players can earn an in-game asset that holds value outside of that ecosystem. Axie Infinity, for example, is a game in which users can earn AXS, which is traded on many big exchanges. Gods Unchained and Evaverse are other P2E games.

RUG

Sometimes referred to as a "rug pull", rug is used to describe a situation where the founders of a project run away with the raised funds. These scams are not uncommon in the unregulated world of cryptocurrencies, however, they have become much fewer and far between since the earlier days. Their actions often send the crypto price plummeting to zero and cause huge losses among investors. 

If you’re a business owner looking to tap into the over 575 million people across the globe using cryptocurrencies, you’ve come to the right place. In this piece, we’re covering why that’s a great idea, and how you can incorporate cryptocurrencies as a payment option.

The benefits of crypto payments

Whether you want to accept Bitcoin payments or crypto payments, incorporating digital currencies into your business is a great idea. Below we run through several advantages that crypto payments bring to the table. 

• Faster Settlements

Did you know that credit card companies can take a few business days to move the funds into your account? With crypto payments, once the transaction has been executed the funds will (almost) immediately appear in your crypto wallet. 

• Lower Fees

Card processing companies charge anywhere from 1% - 3% plus an additional charge for using that service. Other payment services, like PayPal for example, charge even more. While the transaction fee structure is dependent on the specific network, cryptocurrencies charge a minimal flat rate, with no added hidden costs. When making or accepting crypto payments, you will know the transaction fees upfront.

• Wider Audience

According to Statista, there are over 575 million people using cryptocurrencies, offering a much wider audience for your business to tap into. Capture new customers by adding crypto payments to your payment options and attract a new demographic.

• Reduce Fraudulent Charges

Fraudulent card activity costs the global economy over $32 billion each year. These chargebacks can occur for a number of reasons, from technical issues to outright fraud. With cryptocurrencies, transactions are final and cannot be reversed due to the nature of blockchain technology facilitating these crypto payments. 

How crypto payments can take your business to the next level

Accepting cryptocurrency payments allows your business to tap into a new growth potential, opening your business up to over 575 million global crypto users, attracting a forward-thinking new customer base seeking cutting-edge payment options. 

Additionally, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of near-instant settlements directly into your crypto wallet and ultra-low transaction fees that let you save big. Say goodbye to frustrating chargebacks and fraudulent transactions thanks to crypto's secure technology. Let crypto payments propel your enterprise to new heights. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILSss0jpENQ 

What does a business accepting cryptocurrencies entail?

First, you will need to have a proper understanding of cryptocurrencies and an idea of which cryptocurrencies you would like to accept. While most businesses new to accepting crypto payments might opt for Bitcoin payments, there are several alternative options with varying features. Bitcoin Cash, for example, provides faster transaction times at a lower cost.

Next, you will need to create an account with a payment gateway, the crypto equivalent of a payment processor. This gateway will allow you to transfer crypto to fiat and vice versa easily. Ensure that the platform you opt to use is reputable, has high levels of security, and is in line with the regulatory requirements. If you decide to accept Bitcoin payments, you need to ensure that everything you are doing is above board.

Once you have chosen your payment gateway and set up the account, the last step is to let your customers know. Whether you do this through a marketing campaign or simply incorporate the crypto QR code on your website or in-store, this is an excellent opportunity to get the word out there and create a buzz around your business now accepting crypto payments.

A crash course in cryptocurrencies

For the sake of getting you fully prepared to accept crypto payments, we've included a short crash course on cryptocurrencies. The first cryptocurrency to come into existence was launched in 2009 as a response to the global financial crisis. The still-anonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, wanted to create a global digital currency that would allow each individual to take control of their own funds, and not have to rely on governments and centralised financial institutions to do so.

A few years after Bitcoin entered the scene, several other cryptocurrencies started emerging, many of which used the same infrastructure. Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin are examples of this, offering the same service with several tweaks, notably faster and cheaper transactions.

While adoption was slow to take off, crypto payments eventually integrated into the mainstream financial sector as several companies started catering to the crypto crowd. While the markets still go through the typical economic cycles, cryptocurrencies and most notably crypto payments are here to stay.

How can I incorporate cryptocurrency payments into my business?

If you’ve decided to accept Bitcoin payments and propel your business into the crypto-sphere, the process is likely to be much more simple than one would initially imagine. Accepting cryptocurrency payments is made even easier through Tap’s corporate crypto accounts, created especially to fulfil your business needs.

The best part about deciding to accept cryptocurrency payments is that you don't need to forgo your traditional payment methods. Cryptocurrency works perfectly alongside your current point-of-sale system and offers an alternative online payment solution. With Tap, you also don't need to worry about crypto price volatility as you can easily make the quick exchange of crypto to fiat directly through the app.

In order to start accepting Bitcoin payments, you will need to fill in a quick form on the Tap website. You do not need to have a Tap account prior to this. One of our Account Managers will make contact with you and assist with the setup process, including creating a crypto wallet for your business. This Account Manager will continue to work closely with you, providing assistance at any time.

Tap is fully regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission and operates with a stringent level of security. Known for its easy-to-use crypto payments app, Tap allows users to buy and sell a range of crypto assets and easily convert them to fiat. Integrating the traditional financial sector with the crypto sector, Tap allows users to make payments directly from the app, selecting which currency, whether fiat or crypto, they would like to use. 

The app also provides users with the opportunity to earn interest on their crypto and fiat currencies by simply depositing them into a specific fiat or crypto wallet. With no lock-in periods and constant access to the funds, users can earn interest which is paid out weekly. Corporate crypto accounts offer the same earning opportunities. 

To find out more about our crypto accounts for businesses and set up your account to accept cryptocurrency payments, take a look here. 

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When it comes to navigating the cryptocurrency markets, staying informed and staying away from FUD can oftentimes be more complicated than one might imagine. In this article, we're going to guide you through how to recognize FUD in the blockchain space and how to avoid it. 

Since Bitcoin entered the scene in 2009, the crypto markets have seen their fair share of ups and downs. Although it's true that each market downturn has been followed by a recovery and considerable development, experienced and novice traders alike may find that times of decline are difficult to navigate. Particularly with the rise in FUD.

Before we cover the tools of the trade to recognize and avoid FUD, let's first cover what FUD is exactly.

What is FUD?

FUD in the cryptocurrency realm stands for Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. This term is used to refer to inaccurate information released by people who wish to manipulate the markets. Releasing FUD content is intended to influence a trader to make decisions that might affect the cryptocurrency's price or their holdings in some way (usually encouraging them to sell).

While commonly used against Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies are also targeted. FUD typically leads to investors selling off their coins, leading to a panic sell which snowballs and results in a significant loss in value for the coin. 

Often mentioned alongside FUD is the term FOMO, Fear Of Missing Out. FOMO is centered around the fear of people missing out on profits, leading them to make quick decisions that aren't necessarily the best ones. While FUD tends to instigate selling an asset, FOMO tends to drive traders to buy an asset. Essentially, these two terms are designed to tap into human emotions that lead to quick decisions. 

FUD is typically released through a rumor published on a well-respected website, a negative news item, or a well-known figure expressing concerns about a certain asset (commonly done over Twitter ). Content surrounding FUD and FOMO tend to be from organizations or individuals that have something to gain from the intended action. The content is designed to strongly influence the reader. 

FUD and FOMO aren't strictly related to the crypto market, such tactics have also been witnessed in the stock market and other commodity trading spaces. The jargon has become synonymous with trading. 

How to recognise FUD

The crypto community might seem tight-knit but there are often ill-actors that gain access to the trusted space and infiltrate it with bad news. This is often seen when people use a commonly discussed topic, such as regulation, to build a narrative that isn't necessarily true to influence traders. 
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Here are several tips to ensure that you don’t fall victim to FUD:

Establish a trading goal 

Before you enter the crypto market ensure that you have definitive goals, with accompanying timelines. When faced with FUD or FOMO information, consider if the resulting actions of this news will move you closer to your goal or further away. If you stay focused on your goal you are less likely to be swayed by market sentiment. 

Build a trading strategy before entering a trade

A trading strategy generally involves determining a stop loss, entry point, target sell point, and amount of capital. By establishing this before entering the trade, you will have clear objectives to follow and be less likely to fall victim to FUD-centered misinformation. 

Stay informed, but verify sources

Keeping an eye on the crypto markets and staying informed is imperative for any trader, especially day traders. Ensure that the places that you acquire your information from are reputable and legitimate, and if something sounds suspicious, verify it through a number of other sources. 

Be patient and consistent

Engaging in crypto trading involves making well-informed decisions based on market trends and supporting technology. Rather than seeking rapid financial gains, it's important to maintain patience and consistency in working toward your goals, while staying focused on your intended path.

Navigating FUD

Despite this sounding difficult, FUD is easily avoidable if you stick to these tips above and only seek information from reliable news sources. While Twitter may have quick tips, it's also hard to determine what the author's intentions are.

Consider whether something sounds accurate or not, and always conduct your own research when considering involvement in a new project. From a financial standpoint, participating in digital currency can be a profitable endeavor, so be sure to act responsibly and observe market trends with a critical perspective.

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Market manipulation can be described as any attempt to interfere with the free and fair operation of the markets. This concept has become more popular as more businesses pop up, but is very much illegal and considered by law as fraud. Not exclusive to crypto markets, various acts of market manipulation can be found across all traditional trading sectors including the stock market.

There are many ways to practice market manipulation, such as falsifying numbers to attract investors' interest leading them to invest in the company and buy stocks that they otherwise would not have. Another method of market manipulation, especially crypto market manipulation, are pump and dumps, and that's exactly what we're covering in this article. 

What are pump and dump schemes? 

The term pump and dump can be traced back to as early as the 1990s when broker Stratton Oakmont artificially inflated the price of the stock he owned. Through false advertising and misleading statements, he created positive sentiment around his stock and then sold his cheaply purchased stock at a much higher price leading to great profits. Pump and dumps can occur across any industry and is most prevalent on stock exchanges and the digital assets space.

This may have been long ago, but pump and dump schemes quickly became popular in the cryptocurrency trading sector. Funny enough, pump and dumps within crypto were driven by John McAfee, creator of McAfee software security. John McAfee was not the only person to partake in pump and dumps, but he was the leader at the time.

He created trading groups where they would discuss which project to push funds into, driving the price up, and then selling for a substantial profit. People would see the price rise 200% in 15 minutes and buy in, and that's when McAfees' army would sell. This is similar to Oakmont, where he bought cheap stock and drove up the price so he could sell it for much more. 
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Are pump and dumps a scam?

Yes, usually they are a scam that only benefits insider traders, such as pump and dump group members. Even members of pump and dump groups can fall victim to this scam, as there is even insider trading within insider trading, meaning if they don't sell soon enough they will lose funds. In the traditional financial sectors, there are laws in place to prevent this problem.

How long does a pump and dump last?

That depends on what the pump and dump groups agree on, some only last a few minutes while others can last a few hours. The duration of a pump and dump is reliant on what the group agrees to. 

Are pump and dumps illegal?

In short yes, but not as broadly as they should be. Pumps and dumps in the fiat financial world are very much illegal and could lead to jail time. In the United States, it is a crime worthy of up to 5 years of incarceration or a $250,000 US dollar fine, or both, however, laws vary in different countries. So there are clearly rules and laws in place to deter fiat or stock traders from participating in pumps and dumps, but the same can not be said for cryptocurrency trading. 

This is another great example of why governments should be more open to accepting cryptocurrency as a legitimate currency. While there are no laws against pump and dumps in cryptocurrency, it is still extremely immoral. This can be seen in comparison to fiat, where it is considered illegal, so why not do the same for cryptocurrency?

We wish we could answer this, but at the end of the day, because of the lack of regulation or even consideration around crypto, pump and dump schemes have become increasingly more popular as people hope to make a quick buck off their fellow community members. Are pump and dumps illegal in cryptocurrency? No. Should they be? Yes.

As governments around the world work to establish a regulatory framework around cryptocurrencies we can only hope that pump and dump schemes make a feature.

Has Bitcoin had a pump and dump?

No, while Bitcoin has its own share of volatility, in the years since it's gained considerable value it has not been involved in a financial scheme of this nature. As its value is so high it would take a huge amount of investors and value to alter the market to this proportion.

Which coins are pump and dumps?

Generally, pump and dump coins are low market cap coins that are susceptible to volatility, meaning any money put in makes a big difference. However, pump and dumps can happen to almost any coin, the lower market cap coins are just usually the target in the crypto space.

Closing thoughts 

Pump and dump groups are a tricky topic within the cryptocurrency space, as some people greatly gain from these market tactics. Looking at it from an outside perspective, maybe as someone who saw a coin rising and was excited to get it, only to be left in the red 10 minutes later, this can be devastating.

Aside from the victims of pump and dumps, it is illegal within the fiat financial sector and should be considered the same regardless of whether governments see cryptocurrency as legitimate tender. Again, everyone is free to make their own decisions, we are simply here to educate you on what pump and dumps are, how they work, and what to look out for.