If you're looking to earn extra money from anywhere online you've come to the right place. Making money online has certainly become more accessible and easier over the years, and in this blog, we're reviewing several ideas to do so without having to invest.

Whether you're looking to make some money on the side, or as a full-time pursuit, remember that as with most things in life: consistency is key. On this page, you'll find a number of beginner options requiring no particular skillset (only a bank account) for you to look into, relevant everywhere from the United Kingdom to the European Union to Australia. Each method varies in financial contribution, which we've highlighted at the end with a rating of the start-up costs.

Top 5 ways to make money online for beginners

1. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing involves an individual earning money through promoting another business's product. This can be done through your own platform which might range from a blog to a website, social media, email campaigning or simply Google Ads. 

All you need is a working internet connection, a bank account and a reliable browser. Each time a friend or family clicks and signs up for the product, you bank a commission. 

Many companies these days offer this service, try to find one that you and your network might be interested in and see the opportunities that they present. 

Start-up Costs: $

2. Dropshipping

This will require a substantial amount of effort, however, the returns will be that much greater. Dropshipping involves selling a product online that you do not need to keep an inventory of, instead, the company that you are buying the goods from sends them directly to the customer. 

You act as the middleman between the manufacturer and the consumer and make money from the margin that you add. The start-up costs will be for your online website and marketing. 

Start-up Costs: $$

3. Freelance your skills

You can hire out your skills on sites like Upwork or Fiverr. Users create profiles expressing their skills, anything from writing to graphic design to music creation, and can apply to jobs requiring these skills. 

These sites will typically allow employers to connect with employees, and once the work is completed the funds are deposited directly into your account. This is also a great way to start a side hustle in your area of expertise without having to tuck into your savings.

Start-up Costs: zero

4. Explore the world of cryptocurrencies

Engaging with cryptocurrencies has gained significant attention in recent years. Before diving in, it’s important to educate yourself thoroughly to grasp the complexities involved. Our blog section on how to learn about crypto is a great place to begin. The cryptocurrency market is known for its high volatility, which presents both risks and opportunities. Whether you're active daily or only occasionally, understanding the landscape is key. To get started, consider signing up for a reputable and regulated platform like Tap, which can help you manage your funds securely.

Start-up Costs: $$

5. Participate in online surveys

Online surveys are a popular way for beginners to make money online. Companies are always looking for feedback on their products and services, and they are willing to pay for it. There are several websites that offer paid online surveys, such as Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Toluna.

To get started, simply sign up for an account, complete your profile, and start taking surveys. You'll earn points or cash for each survey you complete, which can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal payments. Keep in mind that surveys may have specific demographics, so you may not qualify for every survey. However, with some patience and consistency, you can earn a decent amount of extra income in your spare time.

Start-up Costs: zero
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Earn money online from anywhere in the world

Of course, this list is only a small portion of the ways you can make money online, simplified down to the top 5. If you have more time at your disposal you can engage in market surveys, beta testing, becoming a virtual assistant, or even coaching. 

The opportunities are endless, with a wide range of start-up costs, time management, returns and the amount of effort required are to be considered. Ensure you do adequate research in order to learn about your next venture before diving in. At the end of the day, anyone can earn money online, the first step is just to get started. Good luck, may you have only lucrative experiences.

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5 tips on how to manage your money 

Now that you’ve established your income stream/s, here are 5 tips on how to manage the money you’re making. Whether you’re doing this as a side hustle or a full time job, consider implementing the following 5 steps in order to build your finances. . 

1. Build an Emergency Fund

Just like in personal finance, building an emergency fund is crucial for making money online. This fund will act as a safety net in case you hit a rough patch, and it will allow you to continue your online work without financial stress.

2. Create a Budget

Budgeting is another essential aspect of making money online. Creating a budget will help you keep track of your income and expenses, and it will allow you to make informed decisions about where to allocate your resources.

3. Focus on Your Niche

To make the process of making money online more enjoyable consider focusing on a specific niche that you are passionate about. Whether it's writing, graphic design, or web development, become an expert in your field and provide value to your clients.

4. Network and Build Relationships

Building relationships with other professionals in your industry is a valuable step when making money online. Networking can help you find new clients, build your reputation, and even lead to new business opportunities.

5. Stay Consistent and Persistent

Making money online takes time and effort, and it's important to stay consistent and persistent. Set realistic goals for yourself, create a schedule, and stick to it. Remember that success doesn't happen overnight, so don't get discouraged if you don't see results right away.

So what are you waiting for? 

Whether dissecting crypto or fiat currencies, the foundations remain the same: the currency must serve as a store of value and function as a medium of exchange for goods and services. While both these currency options tick those boxes, cryptocurrencies tend to also be followed by a dark cloud of volatility in the financial sector. 

Market volatility is a natural byproduct of a developing market, however, it can also cause many losses if not managed correctly. When the crypto markets go through high levels of market volatility they tend to get discredited with being a viable payment option. After paying withness to the Bitcoin market swings, several individuals recognised this flaw in the digital currency space and created a solution, "the stablecoin". 

In this article we establish what is a stablecoin is, how it fits into the financial landscape and explore the pros and cons of these digital currencies.

What Is A Stablecoin?

Stablecoins are digital currencies that harness the benefits of being a decentralized, blockchain-operated currency without volatility. Backed by any currency or commodity, stablecoins are pegged to the value of their underlying asset and managed and secured by their relevant platforms. For instance, Tether is pegged to the US dollar while Tether Gold is pegged to the price of gold and Tether EURt is backed by the Euro. 

These currencies operate like any other cryptocurrency, using blockchain technology to maintain and operate the network, but do not fluctuate in value based on supply and demand. Rather the price remains consistent with the asset it is pegged to, providing a better tool for digital payment transactions.

How Do Stablecoins Maintain Their Price?

While we've established that stablecoins are pegged to a commodity and reflect that price, let's cover how exactly that is achieved. Using fiat-backed stablecoins as examples, the companies behind these coins are required to hold a US dollar equivalent for each coin in circulation (or Euro if the stablecoin is pegged to it). 

These funds, also referred to as reserves, are either held in bank accounts or can be a combination of cash and short-term U.S. Treasury bonds. Most of the companies issuing stablecoins conduct third-party audits to prove that their reserves are at the correct levels and release this information to assure users that their coins are always worth $1 (or the currency-backed equivalent). 

Why Have Stablecoins Become so Popular?

The first stablecoin to enter the market was Tether in 2014, pegged to the US dollar. Tether is currently the third-largest cryptocurrency based on market capitalization, illustrating its vast popularity. The second biggest stablecoin currently on the market is USD Coin, also backed by the US dollar, which sits in the top 5 biggest cryptocurrencies with an equally impressive trade volume. Both these coins have provided valuable talking points within the industry as their market caps and adoption increase and they climb the ranks of the biggest cryptocurrencies.

Due to their resistance towards volatility, stablecoins have increased in popularity and are more widely used for conducting business around the world and executing cross border payments.

The Pros Of Stablecoins

Stablecoins are popular options for both businesses and individuals conducting business across borders. Below we outline the top benefits that stablecoins present to the market:

Digital Currency

The obvious first benefit of stablecoins is that they are maintained by blockchain technology and able to conduct international transactions in a much shorter time frame and for less cost than fiat currencies. The fast settlement times make these currencies an excellent, cross-border medium of exchange. They are also easy to use as they operate from wallets in similar ways to traditional cryptocurrencies.

Zero Volatility

Due to the nature of stablecoins being pegged to a fiat currency or commodity, they typically experience little to no high volatility trading periods resulting in a more reliable currency with the benefits of blockchain technology. Pertinent to increasing its adoption.

Hedge Against Failing Markets

Stablecoins have become increasingly popular for traders to hedge against other cryptocurrencies when markets experience a decline in price. Stablecoins allow traders to quickly liquidate their digital assets and easily reenter the market when the price stabilizes. 

The Cons Of Stablecoins

Centralisation

While blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies celebrate the notion of being decentralised, stablecoins do bring in a nature of centralisation, particularly when it comes to the backing of the assets. Ensuring that each coin in circulation is backed by an equal reserve value requires a team that leans the operation more toward a centralized structure.

Transparency

Several stablecoins have been called out publicly for not being transparent with their reserves. Tether, for example, has seen much public outcry concerning whether the company has the correct amount of reserves, leading to fines and regulations imposed by the US government. They have since released a report on the current reserve holdings of the company. 

In Conclusion

Many traders have incorporated stablecoins into their portfolios, to have as a hedge against falling crypto markets or falling fiat markets. These digital assets are also used by businesses around the world to conduct payments with the benefits of digital currencies and without the risk of volatility. Through the Tap app, users can now access and purchase USD Coin (USDC) as well as Tether (USDT). The sleek design of the app interface makes it easy for users who want to buy or sell cryptocurrencies with fiat currency through their phones in a click. 

When it comes to choosing a stablecoin, consider the projects behind it, the liquidity and the ease of use in terms of wallet compatibility.

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Saving and investing are two key elements to managing one's personal wealth. In this article, we explore the benefits and downfalls of both these tools and give you a broader understanding of the topics.

What Does saving entail?

Saving money is an imperative step in building one's wealth and involves putting money away on a consistent basis, consistency is key. These funds are usually kept in an interest-bearing account, allowing the value to increase passively over the years. 

In the United Kingdom, there are different types of ISA (individual savings accounts) that offer tax-free savings options.

In order to save, one must be spending less than they're earning. 

What does investing entail?

Investing involves buying an asset with the intention for it to accumulate in value. This typically comes after saving, although the earlier the better. People invest in the likes of stocks, cryptocurrencies, property and even themselves (education, capital for a business) in the hopes of generating returns. 

What's the difference between saving and investing?

The biggest difference between the two is the varying returns you can earn. Saving money in a bank account typically provides returns of 0.5 - 0.8%, while the return potential on cryptocurrencies and stock is much greater.

The other main difference between saving and investing is the risk. So, while earning higher returns on investments might sound much more appealing, the risk is usually greater. Savings accounts carry minimal risk and are usually insured while investment portfolios will rise and fall with the market and are only insured if the investment company fails. Investors should balance the options and establish which risk level they are comfortable with.

In light of these risks, savings are recommended for short term goals while investments cater better to long term financial objectives. This is because long term investments will ride out the ebb and flow of markets and recover even if there is a drop over a certain period. Savings on the other hand are more easily accessible and won't be "interrupted" if the funds are used for an emergency. 

However, savings are also susceptible to inflation as the interest rates are seldom higher than the inflation rates. For example, if your bank is offering a 0.6% interest on your savings account and inflation rose 2%, your savings would have actually decreased in value. Investing typically beats inflation.

The similarities between savings and investing

As both tools are excellent at building and creating more wealth, there are bound to be similarities between the two.

The main similarity between the two is that both options are best started now, whether you're in them for the long or short term benefits. This is due to compounding. Compounding is the process where the interest you earn on an investment or savings account is continuously reinvested, increasing the base sum each period. 

For example, if you put $1,000 into a compounding savings account and earned 2% interest each year. The next year you will be earning 2% interest on the lump sum plus the interest earned, $1,020. The next year you would earn $1,020.40 ($1,020 interest earned, $20.40). This doesn't sound like too much, but over a ten-year period, you would have amassed $219.20 without having done a thing. 

Before you get started

Before getting started on either of these options, ensure that you have a positive cash flow and are debt-free. You'll also need to establish what your risk tolerance is, your short term and long term financial requirements, and when you would like to access the money.

If you don't have one already, you'll want to establish an Emergency Fund that can cover your living expenses for 3 - 6 months. Should you lose your job you can then fall back on this loan and not have to rely on credit cards with high-interest rates. 

Experts also recommend setting up a retirement fund, with automated monthly contributions. Once your emergency and retirement funds are established, you can consider a short term savings account or long term investment, or both. 

Pros and cons of saving and investing

Below we highlight the pros and cons of both tools:

Saving

Pro: Money is accessible and can easily be withdrawn.

Pro: Exempt from market volatility.

Con: Cannot leverage on market gains (potentially missing out on large compound interest benefits).

Con: Susceptible to inflation.

Investing

Pro: Longer time frames allow for favourable compounding interest.

Pro: Could tap into large market gains. 

Con: Exposed to more risk as markets are susceptible to drops.

Con: May incur a penalty if the money is withdrawn too soon. 

The bottom line

Both savings and investment options carry their own set of risks and rewards and it's ultimately best for you to speak to a financial adviser who is able to provide you with calculated professional advice. 

Disclaimer: This article is intended for communication purposes only, you should not consider any such information, opinions or other material as financial advice. The information herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation to purchase/invest in any assets and is not to be taken as a recommendation that any particular investment or trading approach is appropriate for any specific person. There is a possibility of risk in investing as investors are exposed to fluctuations in all markets. This communication should be read in conjunction with Tap's Terms and Conditions.

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Day, Month,2021, LONDON: TAP Global has been shortlistedin the ‘Best Use of Crypto in Financial Services’ in the Emerging Payments Awards(EPA) 2021.

Now in its 14th year, the Emerging Payments Awardscelebrate innovation and collaboration by recognising companies thathave made significant impact in supporting and providing payment solutions forconsumers and businesses.

It is one of the most recognized awards within the UK payments industry with an independentpanel of 58 judges including this year:

·        Anna Maj FinTech Leader, Senior Advisor, Truffle Capital, SeniorLecturer CFTE

·        Jill Docherty [ of Business Development, UK & Ireland, Visa

·        Martha Mghendi-Fishe Founder & Executive Board Chair, EWPN

·        Mark Walker Co-founder & COO Editorial Director, The FintechPower 50 and The Fintech Times

·        Joanne Dewar CEO, Global Processing Services

·        Nikki Evans CEO EMEA, EML

Tap Global wasshortlisted for The ‘Best Use of Cyrpto inFinancial Services’ category based on criterias such as the benefits it providesto its end-users, how TAP stands out from its competitors due to its featuresand innovation, and the proven evidence of its success in the market.

“‘Tap was one of the first companies to launch a crypto prepaidpayment card with Mastercard in the EU’ in 2020 and our cryptocurrency-to-fiat prepaidMastercard and smartphone app give users the

power to instantly trade all major cryptocurrencies to fiat, andto make purchases with their cryptocurrency”, comments David Carr, CEO atTAP GLOBAL.

“Tap’s proprietary AI Middlewareconnects to multiple exchanges simultaneously, automatically validatingavailable liquidity and selecting the most competitive prices whilefacilitating trades in a matter of seconds. Users can convert their cryptocurrency assets to fiat instantly,allowing them to pay for goods or use an ATM anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

Through the smartphone app, users can securely send and receivecryptocurrencies and fiat, view their transaction history, lock and unlocktheir card in case of loss and instantly view their PIN. Tap offers its usersfull EEA coverage for card, banking and cryptocurrencies and a named EUR IBANand/or GBP Sort Code and Account Number, as well as secure, offline, coldstorage behind a multi-signature wallet with the highest grade security for allcryptocurrency assets”, he further adds.

“It’s an honour to be shortlisted for this award which furtherrecognizes the added value TAP brings to market and the benefits for our end-users.None of this would have been achievable without the hard work of our teams andthe support of our partners”, says David.

Commenting on theannouncement, Kriya Patel, CEO at Transact Payments adds, “The EPAawards are some of the most prestigious awards in our industry recognisingcompanies that are making a real difference in driving innovation in payments.We’re delighted to be working with TAP Global and being shortlisted for thisaward.”

Now in its 14th year, the Emerging Payments Awards celebrate innovation and collaboration by recognising companies that have made significant impact in supporting and providing payment solutions for consumers and businesses.

It is one of the most recognized awards within the UK payments industry with an independent panel of 58 judges including this year:

·        Anna Maj FinTech Leader, Senior Advisor, Truffle Capital, Senior Lecturer CFTE

·        Jill Docherty [ of Business Development, UK & Ireland, Visa

·        Martha Mghendi-Fishe Founder & Executive Board Chair, EWPN

·        Mark Walker Co-founder & COO Editorial Director, The Fintech Power 50 and The Fintech Times

·        Joanne Dewar CEO, Global Processing Services

·        Nikki Evans CEO EMEA, EML

Tap Global was shortlisted for The ‘Leading Financial Services or Payments Start-Up’ category based on criteria s such as the benefits it provides to its end-users, how TAP stands out from its competitors due to its features and innovation, and the proven evidence of its success in the market.

“‘Tap was one of the first companies to launch a crypto prepaid payment card with Mastercard in the EU’ in 2020 and our cryptocurrency-to-fiat prepaid Mastercard and smartphone app give users the power to instantly trade all major cryptocurrencies to fiat, and to make purchases with their cryptocurrency”, comments David Carr, CEO at TAP GLOBAL.

“Tap’s proprietary AI Middleware connects to multiple exchanges simultaneously, automatically validating available liquidity and selecting the most competitive prices while facilitating trades in a matter of seconds. Users can convert their cryptocurrency assets to fiat instantly, allowing them to pay for goods or use an ATM anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

Through the smartphone app, users can securely send and receive cryptocurrencies and fiat, view their transaction history, lock and unlock their card in case of loss and instantly view their PIN. Tap offers its users full EEA coverage for card, banking and cryptocurrencies and a named EUR IBAN and/or GBP Sort Code and Account Number, as well as secure, offline, cold storage behind a multi-signature wallet with the highest grade security for all cryptocurrency assets”, he further adds.

“It’s an honour to be shortlisted for this award which further recognizes the added value TAP brings to market and the benefits for our end-users. None of this would have been achievable without the hard work of our teams and the support of our partners”, says David.

Commenting on the announcement, Kriya Patel, CEO at Transact Payments adds, “The EPA awards are some of the most prestigious awards in our industry recognising companies that are making a real difference in driving innovation in payments. We’re delighted to be working with TAP Global and being shortlisted for this award.”

This year has proved to be an exciting one for the crypto adopters, with markets taking turns playing out to bulls’ and bears’ delights. Bitcoin crossed the $66,000 mark for the first time in history, and with that, a new data trend has emerged which has shone a light on a significant gap in the market.

Here we explore the vast potential of the integration of the corporate market into the crypto industry. Recent data has exposed the large gap between crypto trading taking place on major exchanges. It has been discovered that there is little trading activity between the retail or institutional type of trader, setting two extremes: retail investors trade hundreds to several thousands of dollars while institutional investors trade millions.

In other markets, this range is generally made up of family offices ,mid-to-large corporations, or high-net-worth individuals. However, in the crypto space it appears that navigating the $100,000–$500,000 trading bracket is not as common.

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An Overview of the ever-expanding cryptocurrency market

According to a study conducted by Chainalysis, cryptocurrencies usage across the globe increased by 880% when compared to that of last year. Meanwhile, experts forecast that this number is likely to increase. In 2021, major companies across many industries have taken an interest or invested in cryptocurrency and blockchain.

Cryptocurrencies are becoming increasingly popular, especially among institutions. This demonstrates that interest is no longer restricted to individual crypto aficionado traders. Large financial firms like BlackRock and Goldman Sachs have invested in cryptocurrencies, showing the potential of this asset class.

Bitcoin and Ethereum have grown popular and should be perceived as a positive development as it is a necessary step for cryptocurrencies to achieve widespread adoption. Some experts predict that more large, multinational businesses will accelerate the adoption of blockchain technology in the coming months.

Accepting cryptocurrencies as payment is something to consider if you run a business. As cryptocurrency adoption grows, so is the number of merchants who accept it.

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Bridging the gap

Several reasons why this corporate market is yet to engage in cryptocurrencies is believed to be due to the lack of trusted liquidity providers, reasonable pricing, banking partners or secure technology. If your company is interested in opening a corporate account enabling your business to accept crypto payment, transfer, billing, and trading, Tap can assist your venture getting started with cryptocurrencies.

Bridging the gap, Tap is launching a new service that will provide crypto exposure to this mid-range market through its trusted and verified mobile app. The new Corporate Account will provide specialised B2B services catered directly to companies looking to enter the world of cryptocurrencies.

Through these services, companies will be able to make and receive payments in the supported crypto and fiat currencies, enjoy reduced transaction fees through the native token XTP, as well as earn interest through the Earn feature. While the B2C market has become somewhat saturated, Tap Global has taken aim at the B2B market, providing an early entry, alongside transparent pricing, for corporate companies into the crypto sphere. 

As the financial landscape continues developing at a rapid pace, the app serves to provide an early and seamless approach to the future of payments that we are fast approaching. 

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From “Risky Investment” to global reserve

While Bitcoin hasn’t entirely evolved into a global reserve currency (yet), it has undoubtedly emerged from the speculative asset it was considered to be just several years ago. As crypto continues to break into new markets, the corporate market is growing in interest at a steady pace and seeking a way to integrate crypto payment and investments into their businesses.

With a range of reliable and tech-forward products on the market, there is little doubt that the rate of crypto adoption will continue to grow. While Tap provides a space for early adopters and high-net-worth investors, the company also opens its doors to a wide range of individuals and corporations, no matter where on the scale of net-worth or transaction volume they might sit.