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We are delighted to announce the listing and support of Curve Dao (CRV) on Tap!

CRV is now available for trading on the Tap mobile app. You can now Buy, Sell, Trade or hold CRV for any of the other asset supported on the platform without any pair boundaries. Tap is pair agnostic, meaning you can trade any asset for any other asset without having to worries if a "trading pair" is available.

We believe supporting CRV will provide value to our users. We are looking forward to continue supporting new crypto projects with the aim of providing access to financial power and freedom for all.

Curve Dao is a one of the most used decentralized finance (DeFi) platform that utilises an automated market maker to manage liquidity. Curve is an exchange liquidity pool on Ethereum that allows users to trade stablecoins efficiently, with limited risk and the opportunity to earn supplemental income, this is an attractive option for liquidity providers.

In addition to the income generated from providing liquidity, the Compound protocol or iearn.finance also generates additional income for liquidity providers behind the scenes.

CRV is the active token to the Curve platform. CRV holders are rewarded with governance rights, fee payments, and long term rewards based on their liquidity commitment and length of ownership.

Get to learn more about Curve (CRV) in our dedicated article here.

If you're new to the cryptocurrency market or just new to stablecoins, in this piece we're covering everything you need to know about this digital currency market. As we dive into the topic, we're going to cover why they are useful to the financial market and take a look at some popular options currently being traded. 

While stablecoins are not designed to provide returns, they provide a great means of hedging against losses when the market drops and allow users to tap into the benefits of crypto that fiat currencies can not otherwise provide.

While some might expect the regulation for stablecoins to be different from that of cryptocurrencies, the truth is that they currently both fall under the same (digital asset) umbrella. There are currently motions in place to regulate stablecoin issuers.

What are stablecoins?

A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency designed to hold a stable value by pegging its price to a stable asset, like a fiat currency or commodity. This version of digital money is designed to offer a "stable" market in an industry that is known to be rather volatile.

Stablecoins allow businesses to tap into the benefits of crypto without falling victim to price volatility or being exposed to counterparty risk and while they don't provide returns typically associated with the crypto industry due to their stable price, stablecoins do provide investors with a strategy to hedge against volatile markets.

With the fast-developing world of cryptocurrencies, there are now a number of stablecoin options available on the market, each with varying structures, leadership, reputation, and use cases. There are two main types of stablecoin based on what keeps stablecoins stable, these include fiat collateralized and crypto collateralized, as well as algorithmic stablecoins and commodity-backed stablecoins.

Fiat collateralized stablecoins (fiat currencies)

Fiat collateralized stablecoins are pegged to a government-issued fiat currency, such as the United States dollar. These currencies are backed on a 1:1 basis, meaning that the central authority holds one unit of the reserve currency for each stablecoin issued in a secure account.

Some examples of stablecoins in this category include Tether (USDT), Paxos Standard Token (PAX), and USD Coin (USDC). All of these coins are pegged to the U.S. dollar and the stablecoin issuers are required to hold an equivalent amount in a reserve account.

Crypto collateralized stablecoins (crypto)

A slightly less common version of stablecoins is the crypto-collateralized stablecoin meaning these digital assets remain the same value as the underlying tokenized asset that they are pegged to and do not rely on third parties to hold the correct amount of stablecoin reserves.

DAI is a prime example of this, a crypto-backed stablecoin created when users send ETH to an Ethereum-based smart contract. 

Algorithmic stablecoins (smart contracts)

Algorithmic stablecoins are pegged to other digital assets' values via smart contracts and work hand in hand with another cryptocurrency. If the algorithmic stablecoin trades above its peg, new coins (of the other cryptocurrency) enter circulation, reducing its value. If it trades below its peg, coins are destroyed, thereby increasing the price.

Investing in non-collateralized stablecoins, e.g. an algorithmic stablecoin, is considered to be high risk as any failures in the algorithmic stablecoin system can result in dramatic value losses, as was witnessed with the Terra LUNA crash in 2022.

Other cryptocurrencies

There are also commodity-backed stablecoins that are backed by commodities and precious metals, such as gold-backed stablecoins. Popular stablecoins among the commodity-backed stablecoins pegged to precious metals include Paxos Gold (PAXG) and Tether Gold (AUXt).

Some stablecoins backed by nothing at all are still pegged to fiat values. These are called central bank digital currencies and are issued by banks to provide a digital version of their local fiat currency. 

How do stablecoins work?

Stablecoins are typically built on blockchain networks that facilitate the functioning of the coin. For example, the most popular token standard for stablecoins is Ethereum's ERC-20 token. These tokens function as any other cryptocurrency in terms of peer-to-peer transactions, only they use the Ethereum blockchain to facilitate the transactions and maintain the network.

The stablecoin issuer will then be responsible for ensuring that the correct amount of fiat currency or cash equivalents are held in reserve, based on what currency it is pegged to (i.e. the U.S. dollar or Euro). In the case of commodity-backed stablecoins, the equivalent amount of the commodity will need to be held in physical vaults.

What are stablecoins used for?

While the world slowly integrates other cryptocurrencies into its financial landscape, stablecoins provide a simple and easy means to integrate the crypto world with traditional financial products.

As a rule of thumb, stablecoins provide the benefits of digital currency without the volatility, empowering the crypto ecosystem to better integrate into everyday life.

What are the risks of stablecoins?

Stablecoins, while aiming for stability, still carry innate risks. As their value is dependent on the stability of the assets they are pegged to, they are not totally immune from sudden fluctuations. Regulatory scrutiny poses another risk, with potential changes affecting their operation or legality. Additionally, stablecoins are susceptible to issuer risk, as their value relies on the credibility and financial stability of the organization backing them, as well as their integrity when it comes to holding the correct amount of collateral. Inadequate reserves or insufficient transparency regarding asset backing could also lead to liquidity concerns and market instability.

What is the purpose of stablecoins?

While you might be asking yourself why anyone would want to purchase a digital asset that is unlikely to bring about any profits, stablecoins present a number of benefits in the crypto ecosystem. 

Hedge against volatility

For starters, they provide protection against market volatility. As they are pegged to an underlying asset and relatively stable (when compared to more volatile cryptocurrencies) they can provide a hedge against bear markets.

Should a cryptocurrency suddenly be exposed to price fluctuations, moving your funds to a stablecoin can help protect against any losses in value or purchasing power. The funds can easily be moved back once the market has corrected. Instead of liquidating your assets, you can simply move them to another blockchain-powered asset until the market settles. 

Price stability (similar to fiat currency)

Stablecoins also provide a safe means of trade for merchants using crypto in terms of price stability. When sticking with a predominately stable cryptocurrency they omit the chance of their $2 transaction when paying for a coffee being worth $1 at a moment's notice. This mitigates the risk for payment-driven businesses and provides innovation within the finance sector.

Remittance market

Another area that stablecoins provide a valuable service is for cross-border money transfers. Stablecoins bridge the gap of getting funds from one location to another and incur a fraction of the time and costs of fiat transactions. 

Popular stablecoins in the crypto market

Stablecoins went from being relatively controversial to featuring in the top 5 biggest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Below are a few of the top stablecoins on the market.

Tether (USDT)

Arguably the most popular stablecoin, Tether is currently listed in the top 5 biggest cryptocurrencies. While the stablecoin has seen its fair share of controversy (in terms of accurate reserves) compared to other stablecoins, the coin remains a firm favourite amongst organizations, investment managers, and crypto investors alike. 

The coin was first released in 2014 under the name Realcoin and was designed to provide a second layer on top of the Bitcoin network. Later, the coin was created using the ERC-20 token standard and became operable on the following blockchains: Ethereum, EOS, Tron, Algorand, and OMG. 

Dai (DAI)

Dai started out as an earlier version known as Single-Collateral DAI (SAI) which was pegged to a single cryptocurrency. In 2019, the multi-collateral DAI was created and soft-pegged to the U.S. dollar, maintaining this value by collateralizing other cryptocurrencies using stablecoin technology, most notably an Ethereum-based smart contract.

The stablecoin is managed by the Maker Protocol and the MakerDAO (decentralized autonomous organization). Such stablecoins also allow holders to earn interest based on their stake. 

USD Coin (USDC)

Another one of the top fiat-backed stablecoins but with a slightly less controversial back story, the USD Coin is currently ranked within the top 10 biggest cryptocurrencies. The company behind the asset, the Centre Consortium, holds $1 in reserves for every 1 USDC that enters circulation.

The reserves are held in cash and short-term U.S. Treasury bonds. The company's goal is to "create an ecosystem where USDC is accepted by as many wallets, exchanges, service providers and dapps as possible" to facilitate cashless and international transactions.  ‍

Tap into the world of stablecoins in the app

The stablecoin market is notorious for its ability to maintain price stability and protect against market price falls and price fluctuations, providing inherently stable assets in a world of other cryptocurrencies.

Whether you're looking to build a portfolio of fiat or crypto-backed stablecoins or stick to regular cryptocurrencies, the Tap app provides a seamless and highly secure platform for managing these currencies. Alongside the exchange, there is also a unique wallet in which you can store both crypto and fiat currencies, as well as a prepaid crypto card that allows you to spend these currencies anywhere in the world through a single tap of your finger. 

Bitcoin first disrupted the financial industry in 2009 but has since been followed by other cryptocurrencies trying to do the same. 

Some have been more innovative than others, while we do still see tokens like BCH and BSV succeeding, many questions whether these tokens are credible for just forking from Bitcoin. Then came Wrapped Bitcoin, but there is a massive difference between these Bitcoin variants. 

What is Wrapped Bitcoin?

Tokens like BCH and BSV were launched to be better than Bitcoin, while debatable to this day, Wrapped Bitcoin was created to allow Bitcoin to be used on other blockchains. Wrapped Bitcoin's goal has never been to be Bitcoin, to be better than Bitcoin, or to take Bitcoin’s community. Wrapped Bitcoin was simply created to provide more utility to those using Bitcoin within the Ethereum blockchain ecosystem. 

What are Wrapped Tokens?

Wrapped tokens provide users with the opportunity to use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum on other blockchains, while their prices remain pegged ("wrapped" tokens) to that of the original coin essentially creating a more tradable version of the coin.

For instance, with Wrapped Bitcoin tokens, Bitcoin can now be used within the Ethereum ecosystem and wrapped Ethereum-based altcoins can be used on the Solana network or any DeFi applications. There is also a Wrapped Ether which can be traded on decentralized exchanges or decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.

Let’s see how WBTC came to be, what benefits it offers, and why it is gaining popularity in the crypto assets space. 

The beginning of Wrapped Bitcoin  

It is widely conceded that stablecoins (the likes of Tether) were the first wrapped tokens to come into existence, due to their pegging to a fiat currency. However, the first crypto-based wrapped token, Wrapped Bitcoin, was launched in January 2019, roughly 10 years after Bitcoins' initial release.

Wrapped Bitcoin is an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum mainnet (therefore requiring Ethereum wallets for storage) and is backed at a 1:1 ratio to the original cryptocurrency, meaning 1 WBTC is equivalent to 1 BTC.

A key benefit of Wrapped Bitcoin over Bitcoin is its integration within decentralized finance protocols, Ethereum's blockchain and ETH-based dapps, wallets, and smart contracts. To convert your BTC to WBTC, you would need to wrap the token using a bridge. 

Wrapped Bitcoin came from the collective efforts of major players within DeFi, including projects like MakerDAO, BitGo, Dharma, Set Protocol, and more. Wrapped Bitcoin is now under the control of a DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization, by the name of WBTC DAO. The ultimate goal was to bring more liquidity into Ethereum’s network through Bitcoin.  

There may be more liquidity within Ethereum’s network now, but there are more benefits to Wrapped Bitcoin than just that. Let’s take a deeper look.

The benefits of using Wrapped Bitcoin tokens

When purchasing or converting your BTC into Wrapped Bitcoin you can expect a whole new world of advantages, some of the benefits you can expect are:

• Scalability
• Liquidity
• Access to ecosystem
• Smart contract functionality 
• DeFi protocols
• Faster transactions 
• Relatively lower fees

This is not to say Wrapped Bitcoin is better than Bitcoin, Wrapped Bitcoin does not provide the same security or trustlessness as Bitcoin as it relies on organizations to maintain the system as opposed to code. In some ways, it is better, in some ways it's not, but overall it is an interesting option. 

How to get and use Wrapped Bitcoin WBTC

The only way to acquire WBTC is to trade it on a decentralized exchange (DEX) by swapping your BTC for WBTC. 

The process of minting WBTC tokens is done through verification procedures concluded by merchants. WBTC is created by storing funds in a custodian wallet in return for WBTC. When users want to convert their WBTC to BTC, the tokens are burnt and the BTC is returned from the wallet. It is a fairly simple process when done through a trustworthy source. 

WBTC gives you the ability to interact with the whole Ethereum network, inclusive of dapps, games, smart contracts, wallets, and more. WBTC will also allow you to be a part of a greater DeFi ecosystem, enabling you to partake in yield farming, token swapping, liquidity pools, lending, borrowing, and more. The utility is endless as Ethereum continues to evolve. 

The future of the Wrapped Token (WBTC)

This is just the start of Wrapped BTC, it may have launched in 2019 but it is finally getting the attention and interest it deserves. 

Is it extremely innovative? Maybe not. Does it bridge the gap in allowing Bitcoin holders to utilize and benefit from other blockchains' synergies? Yes. It has more use cases than it is given credit for, which is why we wanted you to learn more about it.

This is not financial advice, but a look at some of the possibilities and projects out there finding success. There is no saying whether Wrapped BTC will be as big of a success story as BTC, especially since it's a wrapped version of BTC. One thing we do know is that wrapped tokens present additional benefits on top of existing tokens, and that's something you should know too.

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As we move into a more digital world with enhanced security systems, so too are hackers and fraudsters. With millions of dollars lost each year at the hands of these ill actors, in this article we take a look at the 5 most common crypto scams and how to spot them. The financial world need not be a scary place, with a few precautions in place you can bank on being able to avoid them.

What is a crypto scam?

A crypto scam is a type of investment fraud revolving around cryptocurrencies. According to a report by Chainalysis, a record-breaking $14 billion of crypto was stolen last year through crypto scams. While there are many different types of crypto scams, of which we'll explore 5 below, the common thread is that crypto is wrongfully taken from a user through fraudulent activities. 

The biggest crypto scam of recent times was in late 2020 when people hacked into the Twitter accounts of high profile individuals and claimed that should someone send Bitcoin or Ethereum to an address they will receive twice the value back. These accounts included the likes of Barack Obama, Elon Musk and Joe Biden. 

The top 5 most common crypto scams

While there are an infinite amount of crypto scams out there, below we are highlighting the 5 most common ones.

Fake crypto exchanges

These types of exchanges provide a buy/sell platform on which users can trade cryptocurrency, however, once they have deposited the funds they cannot withdraw any money. These funds might still appear on the platform although the money is long gone. 

Always read the reviews of a platform, and do your own research before depositing money anywhere. 

Ponzi schemes

Ponzi schemes might have started in the late 1800s but they're still here. The scheme works in such a way that each member earns rewards by recruiting new members, whose money is then used to pay off older members. This eventually reaches a saturation point after which it collapses. 

Always do your due diligence and ensure that the scheme you're investing in is solid. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Fake investment schemes

Be wary of an investment opportunity promising to deliver unbelievable gains. This might be in the form of depositing funds on a platform only to lose the money or struggle to withdraw it at a later stage. These are often circulated through well-known publications or on social media with celebrities "endorsing" the products. 

Pump and dumps also fall into this category. These schemes are created when a large group of people decide to invest in a coin, only to drive up the prices and cash out at the top. Many people are then left with a worthless coin at the end, having lost their investment. 

Imitating a crypto exchange

Similar to the concept of phishing, someone might create a social media account of a big exchange and contact the user "on behalf of the company". This is intended to gain your trust and is either done in an attempt to gain your passwords, or with a message that you owe large amounts in tax which needs to be paid in Bitcoin immediately to avoid imprisonment. 

Never follow links in an email, rather access the site from your own browser directly and be sure to check the URL. Successful scams of this nature often have a small typo in the URL which goes unnoticed. 

Malware & ransomware

The malware allows scammers to gain access to your computer, either locking you out of files or stealing credit card or crypto address details. With this information, they can drain your accounts in minutes. 

Ransomware works slightly differently in that the scammers lock the entire computer and demand a ransom to gain access again. This is often paired with blackmail where the victim, and in some cases organizations, are threatened that if they don't pay sensitive information will be released. A lot of victims in this situation manage to get out of it unharmed.

These might sound very scary, but should you maintain safe online protocols and check URLs before entering your details, they should be entirely avoided. 

5 tips on how to avoid crypto scams

These might sound obvious but it never hurts to read them again. Below are 5 tips on how to stay vigilant and avoid crypto scams entirely.

• Be wary of phone calls and emails claiming to be from exchanges and never click the links from them. 
• Never give your password, private key or security codes to anyone.
• Never give someone remote access to your device.
• Look out for social media accounts imitating legal firms or exchanges or a prominent person in the industry. Support will never contact you from a social media account.
• And lastly, if it sounds too good to be true - it probably is. 

Easily avoided, comfortably secure

We hope this information assists you in keeping your data and money secure online, proper security is always imperative when using payment methods or services on the internet. As technology evolves, so too must our security systems and vigilance. With these tips above you should be well on your way to spotting something that doesn't quite look right, and avoiding crypto scam.

There's a time-old debate over whether hodling or trading leads to better profits when it comes to buying into the cryptocurrency market. While both are great options, in the article below we look at the pros and cons of each option and weigh them up.

What is trading?‍

Trading refers to the buying and selling of financial instruments, assets, or commodities in financial markets with the aim of making a profit. Trading requires continuous monitoring of the charts and frequent study, whether in the crypto or stock market. Crypto trading involves buying and selling crypto at various intervals, whether minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. Despite the greater risks involved, the potential for big percentage returns attracts individuals to trading.

If you want to trade crypto assets, it's essential to have a basic knowledge of the industry and how events in the news may influence Bitcoin's price. Remember to set stop losses and take profits so that you can protect your trade.

The pros of trading

• Potentially sizable profits

Crypto is known to be a volatile market and it's not uncommon to see price movements of 30% or above when crypto trading. With some strong analytical skills, one can observe, analyze and trade these waves and yield sizable profits.

• You're in control

Some people make a living trading part-time or full-time, particularly day trading. Day trading is where you enter and exit positions typically within a 24-hour period. Either way, you are in control of your own hours and workload, allowing you to take a break after you've met or exceeded your daily or weekly earnings targets.

The cons of trading

• Need to know trading fundamentals and technical analysis

Before you begin trading, you need to learn how to do fundamental and technical analysis of charts. This process requires dedicated effort and time investment.

• Need to be able to manage emotions

The prices of cryptocurrencies can change rapidly, making this a more risky proposition than long-term holding. You must be prepared to sell a losing cryptocurrency when it's plunging or decide to hodl for it to recover. Anything might happen in this fast-paced market, so you must make wise decisions without getting emotional.

What is hodling?

The term first came about in 2013 from a misspelled work in a BitcoinTalk Forum. The inebriated trader made the now infamous typo, and the word stuck. Almost a decade later, the term "hodl" remains a permanent fixture in the crypto ecosystem. Some have since branded it as "Hold On for Dear Life".

The term refers to holding a particular cryptocurrency for long periods of time, ignoring market volatility and knuckling through a bear market. As a passive strategy designed for long-term time frames, hodling requires a trader to simply buy a cryptocurrency and hold it in a secure place for months or even years until it reaches your price target.

You can buy Bitcoin or your favorite cryptocurrency at regular intervals if you're planning to HODL. This term is associated with buying a small amount of Bitcoins weekly or monthly. For example, let's say you have $1,000 to buy over time.

In this case, you might purchase $30 in Bitcoin each week or $50 worth every month. By staggering your buys like this rather than putting it all at once, you minimize the likelihood of price fluctuations having as much impact on the price per coin. This strategy prefers to buy Bitcoin over trade Bitcoin.

The upside to hodling

• Minimal effort

Hodling requires initial research into the cryptocurrency you wish to buy in (very important ans crucial to do your own research). From there establish your budget and strategy.

• Minimal stress

The crypto market is known for its significant swings in value. Thankfully with hodling there is no need to time the market for entry and exit positions or watch the chart all of the time.

• Minimal trading fees

Save money on trading fees by conducting on a few transactions, versus the many you will need to do when day trading. Some countries won't even charge tax on your crypto gains after a certain period of time (but be sure to check this in your area).

The downside of hodling

• Need patience

As hodling is a long-term strategy approach it requires patience and mental endurance. If you decide to use the Hodling strategy you'll need to manage emotions during tough market fluctuations and might need to wait years before being able to cash in on any ROI (return on investment).

• Funds are locked in

Because this is a long-term strategy, your funds would be inaccessible for an extended period of time. This might result in foregone opportunities to invest elsewhere in the crypto space or any other market.

However, this can be avoided by leaving your funds in a crypto interest account. Tap provides users access to yield-generating wallets that allow you to enjoy both the long-term price gains as well as the returns.

In Conclusion: hodling vs trading

If you're a novice cryptocurrency investor, proceed with caution. There is no right or wrong answer to which of these strategies is "superior" and you could always combine both methods to match your portfolio depending of your risk appetite. Always keep in mind that before making any decisions, always do your homework, research about the asset you wish to purchase and about diversifying your portfolio to reduce risk regardless of the strategy you pick.

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You might have come across the term p.a. in traditional investment cycles, but how does it relate to crypto? In this article, we’re breaking down what p.a. means, how to get in on it and how it relates to the crypto industry. 

What does P.A. mean?

P.a. is an investment term that stands for per annum. This refers to the interest an investor can gain over a year's period and provides insight into the yields that the investment will generate. This is calculated on a simple basis and not compound. 

You might see digital wallet platforms offering reward rates of 8% p.a. Or 14% p.a., this tells the potential investor that the platform will provide 8% of the initial investment, over a 12 month period. 

PA can also stand for price action, a popular term used on crypto Twitter. In this piece we're focusing on the annual interest rates version.

How can users make money with crypto assets?

There are several ways in with industry participants can earn cryptocurrency. Below we outline the most widely used, and safest options. Be sure to check each option with the relevant blockchain network as these will differ from network to network.

Crypto Mining

Crypto mining can be a lucrative means of generating a passive income, however, the costs might run high depending on where you live and what cryptocurrency you are mining. Each network has its own way of minting new coins, which require different hardware and electricity means. 

Bitcoin, for instance, is a Proof of Work network that requires miners to use large amounts of energy as they race to finish a complex cryptographic puzzle. The first to complete this is rewarded with mining the next block and receiving the associated payoffs. 

Bitcoin requires a large amount of electricity, not practical in areas with high electricity costs, and either a graphics processing unit (GPU) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which can also be costly. 

If you wish to get involved with mining cryptocrrencies be sure to do adequate research on what will be required and what income this could generate before investing any money. 

Crypto Staking

Crypto staking is an alternative minting solution for Proof of Stake networks, such as Cardano and soon-to-be Ethereum. Crypto staking requires users putting their funds in a smart contract usually for a predetermined lock up period to confirm transactions on the network. This will typically require a minimum amount, so as to ensure that individuals hold a “stake” in the network and will act on good intentions. 

When crypto traders stake the minimum balance, a node will deposit these funds into a staking pool on the network, similar to a deposit. The bigger the stake, the higher the chances of that user, now referred to as a node, being chosen to verify transactions. When the node is chosen to confirm transactions, they will create a new block and receive a reward for adding it to the blockchain.

Reward rates are specific to each blockchain network so be sure to check the details relevant to platform on which you wish to stake. As a security mechanism, the staked coin in the network is typically taken away if the node acts with ill intent.

Passive Income

There are a number of crypto initiatives that allow users to earn passive income through their crypto assets. These work in a similar way to holding funds in a wallet, however, these wallets will likely be on a cryptocurrency exchange or DeFi wallet and the user will typically not be able to access the funds for a certain period of time. 

Over the duration the user will earn interest as stipulated in the initial agreement. Note that p.a. Values are subject to change with market fluctuations, rising when prices rise and falling when an asset’s price takes a dip. This typically works in the same way as a savings account.

Its worth noting that the onus lies on the traders to pay taxes on any income generated. It is important to check the crypto specific tax laws in your region.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for communication purposes only, you should not consider any such information, opinions, or other material as financial advice.