Athens, 09 April 2024

TAP'S ODYSSEY IN GLOBAL EXPANSION: ATHENS, GREECE OFFICES BEGIN OPERATIONS

Taking a significant step that embodies its global expansion goals and steadfast dedication to transforming the financial services industry, Tap is delighted to reveal the launch of its new offices in the historic city of Athens, Greece.

This move serves as a testament to the company's commitment to integrating the wisdom of ancient financial principles with the ingenuity of modern technology. Nestled in the city that birthed democracy, the new office is not just a physical space but a symbol of Tap's resolve to harmonise ancient financial wisdom with the innovations of today's fintech landscape.

This strategic expansion underscores Tap's commitment to democratise and innovate financial solutions across the globe, intertwining with the cultural and economic tapestry of Athens while still remaining true to the core principles that define Tap.

This expansion seamlessly aligns with Tap's global strategy, dedicated to reaching new markets and offering modern financial services to a diverse array of communities. This venture not only propels Tap's international presence but also actively contributes to Athens' economic progression, nurturing local talent, and enriching the city’s financial landscape.

This initiative represents far more than mere expansion; it marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Tap. As Tap embarks on this exciting new chapter, the company remains committed to its core values of innovation, transparency, and customer-centricity. With its presence in Athens, Tap is poised to make a lasting impact on the financial services landscape, empowering individuals and businesses with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
‍

About Tap Global

Tap is a leading fintech company dedicated to making money management and cryptocurrency more accessible and user-friendly across the globe. With a focus on security, compliance, and user-friendliness, Tap offers a wide range of digital assets and innovative features to empower cryptocurrency enthusiasts. For more information, visit www.withtap.com.

Préparez-vous pour le prochain grand halving de Bitcoin : tout ce que vous devez savoir

Avant le lancement du Bitcoin en 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto a conçu la cryptomonnaie avec une offre maximale de 21 millions de coins. Dans le cadre du plan global, le nombre de nouveaux Bitcoins entrant en circulation diminue à intervalles réguliers, maintenant ainsi l'offre totale. Ces intervalles sont connus sous le nom de halvings, sur lesquels nous allons nous pencher plus en détail ci-dessous.

Qu'est-ce que le halving du Bitcoin ?

Environ tous les 4 ans, ou tous les 210 000 blocs minés, le réseau subit un halving où la récompense en bloc pour les mineurs est réduite de moitié, soit de 50%. Cette récompense est gagnée pour la vérification des transactions et l'ajout d'un nouveau bloc à la blockchain.

Le processus de halvings diminue le rythme auquel de nouveaux Bitcoins entrent en circulation, épuisant progressivement l'offre restante jusqu'à ce que le dernier satoshi soit miné, ce qui est prévu aux alentours de 2140. Après cela, les mineurs ne pourront compter que sur les frais de transaction comme incitation à valider les blocs.

Historique des halvings du Bitcoin Le prochain halving du Bitcoin devrait avoir lieu en avril 2024, lorsque la récompense minière passera de 6,25 BTC à 3,125 BTC.

Pourquoi le halving a-t-il lieu ?

Le halving du Bitcoin est programmé à l'avance dans le code central du Bitcoin et n'est pas quelque chose qui peut être changé - c'est gravé dans la pierre. Conçu pour contrôler et ralentir la sortie de nouveaux Bitcoins au fil du temps, il en résulte de moins en moins de Bitcoins minés après chaque événement de halving.Cet approvisionnement limité est une partie essentielle de ce qui donne au Bitcoin son caractère déflationniste et son potentiel d'augmentation de valeur.

Comme l'approvisionnement est plafonné à 21 millions, la diminution progressive de la nouvelle offre sur le marché renforce la rareté artificielle du Bitcoin.Halvings précédents du BitcoinCi-dessous, nous examinons les halvings précédents et comment ceux-ci ont affecté le prix du Bitcoin. Historiquement, 12 à 18 mois après les halvings, le Bitcoin a atteint un record de prix. Bien que ce ne soit pas une règle absolue, cela a certainement été observé.

2009 - Lancement de Bitcoin
Date : 3 janvier 2009
Récompense de bloc : 50 BTC

2012 - Premier halving de BitcoinDate : 28 novembre 2012
Bloc : 210 000Récompense de bloc : 25 BTC
Prix avant le halving (novembre 2012) : Environ 12 $
Prochain record historique après le halving : 1 156 $ (novembre 2013)

2016 - Deuxième halving de Bitcoi
nDate : 9 juillet 2016Bloc : 420 000
Récompense de bloc : 12,5 BTC
Prix avant le halving (juillet 2016) : Environ 650 $
Prochain record historique après le halving : 19 891 $ (décembre 2017)

2020 - Troisième halving de Bitcoin
Date : 11 mai 2020
Bloc : 630 000Récompense de bloc : 6,25 BTC
Prix avant le halving (mai 2020) : Environ 8 800 $
Prochain record historique après le halving : 69 000 $ (novembre 2021)

En examinant les dates futures, le prochain halving devrait avoir lieu en 2024, lorsque la récompense de bloc sera réduite à 3,125 BTC. Ensuite, en 2028 (récompense de bloc 1,5625 BTC) et 2032 (récompense de bloc 0,78125). Cela continuera jusqu'à ce que tous les Bitcoins aient été minés, prévu pour 2140.

Impacts potentiels du prochain halving

Le prochain événement de halving du Bitcoin devrait avoir plusieurs impacts potentiels sur la cryptomonnaie. Tout d'abord, il réduira l'approvisionnement en nouveaux Bitcoins entrant en circulation de 50 %, diminuant ainsi considérablement le taux d'inflation. Cette réduction programmée du taux d'approvisionnement renforce la rareté codée en dur du Bitcoin, ce qui pourrait susciter une demande accrue si les investisseurs considèrent une offre réduite comme plus désirable.

Une demande accrue associée à un approvisionnement resserré pourrait potentiellement faire grimper le prix du Bitcoin.Cependant, le halving réduira également de 50 % les récompenses de bloc pour les mineurs, ce qui pourrait contraindre certaines petites opérations minières à fermer si leurs dépenses dépassent les revenus réduits récemment. Cela pourrait entraîner une centralisation plus poussée de l'exploitation minière, car de plus grandes entités avec des économies d'échelle plus importantes pourraient continuer à fonctionner de manière rentable. Cela pourrait conduire à une consolidation supplémentaire du hashrate minier parmi un plus petit nombre de grands acteurs.

Indépendamment des mouvements de prix, le halving de 2024 continuera l'horloge d'émission désinflationniste du Bitcoin jusqu'à ce que le dernier Bitcoin soit miné vers 2140. Cet approvisionnement systématiquement en diminution renforce l'une des principales propositions de valeur du Bitcoin en tant qu'actif déflationniste avec une rareté absolue intégrée par conception.

En résumé

Le halving du Bitcoin est un événement très significatif qui mérite d'être étudié car il renforce la politique monétaire désinflationniste codée en dur de la cryptomonnaie. Bien que les halvings passés aient entraîné de puissants marchés haussiers et une appréciation substantielle des prix, comme illustré ci-dessus, il est important de comprendre que les mouvements de prix futurs restent imprévisibles et ne peuvent pas être prédits.La valeur du Bitcoin est influencée par un ensemble complexe de facteurs au-delà des seules dynamiques d'approvisionnement, notamment les taux d'adoption, les évolutions réglementaires et le sentiment général du marché. Bien qu'une offre artificiellement contrainte puisse accroître la rareté, la demande est finalement la force motrice derrière les évaluations à long terme.

‍

Hey there, Community! ✨

We've got some exciting news to share, and it's all about making your life a little bit easier and a whole lot clearer. We're thrilled to announce our partnership with TapiX – and before you wonder what this is all about, let me break it down into plain English, just for you.

No More Guessing Games 🎲

Ever looked at your transaction history and thought, "Where on earth did I spend that money?" We've all been there, scratching our heads, trying to decipher cryptic names or puzzling out just which coffee shop that was.

Here's where TapiX comes in – and why we're so excited about it. TapiX turns those confusing codes and names into information you can actually understand. We're talking real names of stores, complete with local language and all the details to make it click instantly. Yes, that means no more guessing games!

A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words 📷

But why stop at names? When you look at your transactions, you can now see actual logos and images – making it even easier to spot at a glance where you've been shopping. It's like turning your transaction history into a colourful gallery of your spending habits.
‍

Pinpoint Shopping Locations📍

Ever got a charge from a store and wondered, "When did I go there?”. Now, you won't just see the name; you'll get the exact location. We're talking street address, city, even zip codes – perfect for those "Aha!" moments.
‍

Extra Details at Your Fingertips 🫰

And there's more. Want to revisit a store but can't remember the name? You can now access additional details like website links, opening hours, and more for the store and companies that support it. It's like having a little assistant tucked away in your transaction history.

Why This Matters to You 👀

We believe managing your money should be as straightforward as shopping. That's why we partnered with TapiX – to transform your transaction list from a boring spreadsheet into a clear, understandable, and even helpful part of your daily life.

Here's what it boils down to: less time puzzling out your past spends and more time enjoying your present. Whether you're a budgeting pro or just trying to keep track of where your money's going, we think you'll love this new feature.

It's All About You 💙
At Tap, everything we do is aimed at giving you a better experience. We listen, we care, and we act on what you need. This partnership? It's all about making your financial life clearer and simpler.

We're here to help you make sense of your spending, save time, and maybe even discover some new favourite spots along the way. And this is just the beginning – we're always looking for ways to improve your experience.

So go ahead, take a look at your updated transaction history, and see the difference for yourself.

Here's to clearer, simpler, and more enjoyable finances.

Warmly,

The Tap Team.

‍

Curious about what's in store for fintech this year? Get our Fintech market outlook 2024 ebook, we'll give you a glimpse into the trends and challenges shaping the industry this year.

The basics of candlestick charts

When it comes to trading or investing, understanding how to read charts is essential. While some might choose to rely on intuition, it's important to have a strategy based on probabilities and risk management. That's where candlestick charts come in. In this article, we'll explore what candlestick charts are and how to interpret them.

What is a candlestick chart?

Candlestick charts, dating back to 17th-century Japan with their creation credited to a Japanese rice trader named Homma, are a crucial tool in financial analysis. They differ from traditional line and bar charts by offering a richer visual representation of price movements, as they are composed of structures that resemble a candle and represent different periods, ranging from seconds to years.

Candlesticks consist of a "body" representing the price range between opening and closing, with "wicks" or "shadows" extending above and below, illustrating high and low prices. Their unique design allows traders to quickly grasp market sentiment and potential reversals, making them indispensable in technical analysis. 

Whether identifying bullish or bearish patterns, understanding candlestick chart basics is fundamental for anyone delving into the world of investment and trading.

Understanding how candlestick charts work

To create a candlestick, four price points are needed: open, high, low, and close. The open is the first recorded trading price, while the high and low represent the asset's highest and lowest prices during the timeframe. The close refers to the last recorded trading price. 

These four points determine the shape of the candlestick, with the distance between the open and close called the body, and the distance between the body and the high/low referred to as the wick or shadow. The overall range of the candlestick is the distance between the high and low.

‍

How to use candlestick charts

Popular with stock market traders, candlestick charts are often considered easier to read than traditional bar or line charts. They provide a simple representation of price action at a glance, as each candlestick represents the battle between buyers (bulls) and sellers (bears) during a specific time period. A longer body indicates stronger buying or selling pressure, while if the wicks are short, it means the high or low of the period was near the closing price.

The colour of the candlestick can vary, but generally, green means the asset closed higher than it opened, while red signifies a lower closing price. Some traders prefer black and white representation, where up movements are hollow candles and down movements are black candles.

Examples of single candlestick charts

Doji: A Doji has a small body with upper and lower wicks of roughly equal length, resembling a cross or plus sign. It signifies market indecision and potential reversals.

‍

Hammer: The Hammer exhibits a small body at the top with a long lower wick, resembling a hammer. This candlestick advocates for a potential bullish reversal after a downtrend.

Shooting Star: The Shooting Star has a small body at the bottom with a long upper wick, resembling a falling star. It hints at a potential bearish reversal after an uptrend.

Spinning Top: A Spinning Top has a small body and short upper and lower wicks. It denotes market indecision, with neither bulls or bears in control.

‍

Marubozu: A Marubozu features a long body with no wicks, indicating strong buying or selling pressure. A bullish Marubozu has a long green body, while a bearish one has a long red body.

These single candlestick patterns offer traders valuable information for decision-making in various market conditions.

Bullish and bearish candlestick charts

Bullish and bearish candlestick patterns are critical indicators in financial analysis, offering insights into market sentiment. Bullish patterns signal optimism, suggesting potential price increases. Examples include the Hammer, signalling a possible price reversal upward, and the Three White Soldiers, indicating strong buying momentum.

On the other hand, bearish patterns imply pessimism and potential price declines. The Shooting Star, for instance, hints at a reversal downward, while the Three Black Crows signify a bearish trend.

These candlestick patterns provide traders with visual cues regarding market sentiment, helping them make informed decisions. Recognizing these patterns empowers investors to gauge the market direction and make strategic moves in response to prevailing sentiment.

Candlestick charting strategies

Candlestick charting strategies are powerful tools for traders, providing insights into market sentiment and potential price movements. These strategies encompass various approaches to maximise trading success:

1. Trend reversal strategies

These strategies focus on identifying shifts in market direction using candlestick patterns. Traders look for reversal patterns like the Hammer or Shooting Star to pinpoint potential trend changes. These patterns offer valuable entry and exit points for both bullish and bearish trends, enhancing the trader's ability to capitalise on market reversals.

2. Continuation strategies

Continuation strategies involve using candlestick patterns to trade in the direction of the existing trend. Traders seek patterns that confirm the ongoing trend, such as the Bullish Engulfing pattern during an uptrend or Bearish Engulfing during a downtrend. Effective use of these patterns provides confirmation signals and risk management techniques to stay aligned with the trend's momentum.

3. Combination strategies with other technical indicators

To increase trading accuracy, traders often combine candlestick patterns with other technical indicators like Relative Strength Index (RSI) or Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD). This approach offers a comprehensive view of market conditions, enhancing decision-making and reducing false signals. Learning to integrate candlestick patterns with these indicators is crucial for traders looking to refine their strategies.

Incorporating these candlestick charting strategies empowers traders to make informed decisions and navigate the complex world of financial markets with greater precision and confidence.

What candlestick charts can’t illustrate

Although candlesticks provide a good overview of price action, they don't provide all the details for a comprehensive analysis. For example, they don't show the details of what happened between the open and close, only the distance between these two points. Additionally, candlestick charts can contain a lot of noise, especially when analysing lower timeframes.

What are Heikin-Ashi candlesticks?

Apart from traditional candlestick charts, there are other methods to calculate and interpret candlesticks. One such method is the Heikin-Ashi technique, which stands for "average bar" in Japanese. Heikin-Ashi candles rely on a modified formula that uses average price data to smooth out price action and filter market noise. This technique makes it easier to spot trends, patterns, and possible reversals in the market.

Traders often use Heikin-Ashi candles in combination with traditional candlesticks to avoid false signals and increase the chances of identifying market trends. Green Heikin-Ashi candles with no lower wicks indicate a strong uptrend, while red candles with no upper wicks suggest a strong downtrend.

However, it's important to note that Heikin-Ashi candlesticks have their limitations. Since they use averaged price data, patterns may take longer to develop, and they may not show price gaps or obscure other price information.

In conclusion

Candlestick charts are a fundamental tool for traders and investors. They provide a visual representation of price action and allow for analysis across different timeframes. By studying candlestick charts and patterns, combined with an analytical mindset and practice, traders can gain an edge in the market. However, it's also important to consider other methods, such as fundamental

‍

Tap, announces a temporary suspension of XTP locking/fees payment for all its users, reflecting a steadfast commitment to regulatory compliance and global collaboration.

In alignment with our regulatory-first vision, Tap announce the temporarily suspending XTP locking and fee payment in XTP. This strategic move reflects our dedication to regulatory compliance in every aspect of our operations.

At Tap, we prioritize responsibility alongside innovation. This temporary suspension underscores our commitment to regulatory compliance and our ability to effectively serve all our users in the United Kingdom, aligning with the new FCA regulations set in place.

In accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) financial promotion rule, we regret to inform our UK residents that the utilization of XTP for locking or payment is temporarily suspended. The FCA has classified the use of digital assets for obtaining discounts as a financial incentive, thus preventing its extension to any UK resident.

The temporary suspension of services in the UK has necessitated a pause in functionality across our entire platform due to its unified nature. Nevertheless, our team remains unwavering in our commitment to restoring Locking/Paying Fees in XTP for our global community. 

While this transition may present temporary challenges, it also represents an opportunity for growth and collective progress.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our users for their unwavering support and patience as we navigate through this transition. Rest assured, Tap remains steadfastly committed to delivering an unparalleled digital asset experience that is compliant, secure, seamless, and transformative for users worldwide.