You've likely come across the term "ERC-20" in your crypto endeavours, with plenty of these token standards currently ranked in the top 10 (even top 100) cryptocurrencies. But what does ERC-20 actually mean, and what is a token standard? In this piece, we're uncovering everything you need to know about these popular crypto terms.

To start things off, ERC stands for Ethereum request for comment.

What is a token standard?

Let's start at the beginning. When Ethereum was created to provide developers with a platform on which to build decentralized apps (Dapps), the team incorporated several token standards. 

These token standards allow new projects to create, issue and deploy various functioning tokens on the blockchain. Each token standard is a smart contract that holds a set of particular "rules" that must be followed in order to be created.

In recent years a number of blockchain platforms that provide Dapp creation functionality have created their own token standards, however, for the sake of this article we are only looking at Ethereum.

The most popular token standards on Ethereum are the ERC-20, ERC-721, ERC-777, and ERC-1155 tokens. Each holds its own functionality and would be utilized depending on what the Dapp intends to use it for, i.e. will it be a transferable asset or be used to hold ownership rights. 

What is an ERC-20 token?

By far the most popular token standard utilized on the Ethereum network, the ERC-20 token is a fungible token that can be bought, sold and traded in the blockchain ecosystem. To date over 350,000 ERC-20 tokens have been created. 

Similar to the functioning of other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin, ERC-20 tokens also hold value and are able to be bought and sold, however, they operate solely on the Ethereum blockchain. This means that all ERC-20 transactions conducted are executed on the Ethereum blockchain network.

The rules associated with this particular token ensure that it can function optimally on the Ethereum blockchain, and must be submitted to the community leadership for approval prior to its launch. While some rules are mandatory and others optional, the required ERC-20 rules are as follows:

• total supply: defines the total supply of the token
• balance of: indicates how many tokens are in a wallet address
• transfer To, Transfer From: must be able to be transferred from one user to another
• allowance: ensures that wallets have a sufficient amount before making a transaction
• approve: checks total supply against transactions

The optional elements are centred around the token's name, its ticker symbol and how many decimal places it would have %u200BFor instance, Ethereum's token name is Ether, its ticker symbol is ETH and it is divisible by up to 18 decimal places.

Examples of ERC-20 tokens are Augur (REP), Basic Attention Token (BAT), Maker (MKR), USD Coin (USDC) and OmiseGO (OMG).

Can you mine ERC-20 tokens?

ERC-20 tokens, unlike Ethereum and its native coins (ether), cannot be mined. That is, new tokens are 'minted' when a planned initial token offering (ICO) or security token offering (STO) event takes place. Usually, these events involve users sending ether to a smart contract address and in return receiving the newly minted ERC-20 token.

An ERC-20 token is technically a smart contract so it's possible for the developer team behind an ERC-20 token to issue new tokens at will. However, this isn't recommended because users would be less likely to trust these tokens if they could be minted at will. There must be a measure of scarcity in order for tokens to be valuable.

The pros & cons of ERC-20 tokens:

Some of the main benefits of ERC-20 tokens include: 

Fungible

Fungible ERC20 tokens are interchangeable, just like cash. Although the coins are technically distinct, they function in exactly the same way. You can trade one for another and they will be functionally equivalent, just like cash or gold.

Fungible tokens are fantastic, and there's a lot of value in the technical aspect. On a technical level, it's worth noting that fungible tokens don't add extra value to goods. They're typically beneficial in a variety of commercial scenarios.

Broad adoption

The popularity of ERC-20 tokens is quite apparent in the cryptocurrency industry. The number of exchanges, wallets, and smart contracts that already support newly-launched tokens has made it easy for new projects to integrate with them. There is plenty of developer support and documentation to go around.

Flexibility

The first thing to note about ERC-20 tokens is that they are highly flexible and may be used in a variety of circumstances and applications. This is due to the fact that these tokens are very customizable. They can be used in a lot of different scenarios such as Loyalty points programs, in-game currencies, or digital collectibles such as NFT's.

Some of the main cons of ERC-20 tokens include:

Mainstream

The popularity of ERC-20 tokens is also their greatest weakness. There are so many projects using the same standard that it's difficult to stand out from the crowd without differentiating your token in some way. Moreover, since they're essentially all the same on a technical level.

Fraud and Scams

It takes minimal effort to create a simple ERC-20 token, meaning that anyone could do it for good or bad purposes. As such you want to be careful with what you're investing in when considering blockchains projects because there are some Pyramid schemes masquerading as legitimate projects out there and trying to get unsuspecting investors involved in their scams. As a result, when looking at blockchain projects, you need to be cautious with what you invest in.

Other ERC Token Standards

While there is a large range of ERC tokens available, below we've outlined the most popular ones (excluding the ERC-20 one as it is listed above). 

ERC-721 

This token standard is for a non-fungible token (NFT) which gained huge popularity in the last year across the gaming and digital art worlds. These tokens represent ownership of something, and cannot be used interchangeably. 

ERC-777 

An evolution of the ERC-20 token, the ERC-777 provides more usability, particularly pertaining to its ability to mint or burn tokens. It also holds improved transaction privacy and an emergency recovery function. 

ERC-1155

This token standard allows for the creation of both utility tokens and non-fungible tokens. Making trading more efficient, the token standard allows for bundling of transactions which in turn saves costs. 

Learn more about cryptocurrencies and blockchain

You can learn more about crypto basics from our specially created Learn centre, which covers everything a trader ought to know about cryptocurrencies and the blockchain industry. 

En tillgång kan beskrivas som en resurs eller egendom som förväntas ge framtida ekonomiska fördelar för den individ, det företag eller det land som äger den. Tillgångar har länge varit en självklar del av företagens balansräkningar, men idag är begreppet ännu bredare och används flitigt inom hela finanssektorn.

Från finansiella tillgångar till tillgångar som skapar framtida ekonomiskt värde — här går vi igenom allt du behöver veta om tillgångar.

Vad betyder "tillgång"?

En tillgång är något som har ett ekonomiskt värde och som ägs av en individ, ett företag eller ett land, med förväntningen att den kommer ge ekonomiska fördelar framöver. Tillgångar kan användas för att upprätthålla likviditet eller säljas för att skapa vinst.

Dessa tillgångar värderas vanligtvis i pengar för att kunna bedöma hur snabbt de kan omvandlas till kontanter, eller hur stor potentiell vinst de kan ge.

Tillgångar som ägs av en privatperson kallas personliga tillgångar, medan tillgångar som ägs av företag kallas affärstillgångar.

Tillgångar används för att öka nettotillgångar, höja företagsvärde och stärka den ekonomiska stabiliteten. Tillgångar kan vara både fysiska och immateriella, som till exempel guld eller Bitcoin. Både privatpersoner och företag använder tillgångar som bevis på ekonomisk hälsa och stabilitet, eller som säkerhet vid lån.

Företag beräknar ofta sina framgångsmöjligheter genom att dra av skulder från sitt totala tillgångsvärde.

En tillgång kan alltså ses som en resurs som potentiellt kan generera framtida kassaflöde, oavsett om det gäller en produktionsutrustning eller ett patent.

Tillgångar kan delas in i flera olika kategorier: omsättningstillgångar, anläggningstillgångar, materiella och immateriella tillgångar, driftstillgångar och icke-driftstillgångar.

Hur fungerar tillgångar?

Privatpersoner, företag och även stater samlar på sig tillgångar i hopp om att dessa ska ge ekonomisk nytta på kort eller lång sikt. Men det finns inga garantier — tillgångar kan både öka och minska i värde, och vinsten realiseras först vid en försäljning.

Värdeförändringar påverkar försäljningsvärdet och därmed den ekonomiska stabiliteten för personen, företaget eller landet.

Att vara solvent innebär att man har tillräckligt med tillgångar för att täcka sina skulder. Företag använder därför sina balansräkningar, där tillgångar, skulder och eget kapital redovisas, för att bedöma sin ekonomiska hälsa.

Men innan vi fördjupar oss ytterligare i ämnet, låt oss gå igenom de vanligaste typerna av tillgångar.

Typer av tillgångar

Det finns sex huvudsakliga typer av tillgångar, som i sin tur delas in i olika kategorier. Eftersom definitionen av en tillgång är bred, kan en och samma tillgång passa in i flera kategorier samtidigt. Här är de vanligaste typerna:

Omsättningstillgångar (affärstillgångar)

Omsättningstillgångar kan snabbt omvandlas till kontanter och används ofta för att betala räkningar eller skulder. Exempel inkluderar kontanter och kontantekvivalenter, kundfordringar, lager eller förutbetalda kostnader.

Anläggningstillgångar

Även kallade långfristiga tillgångar, är dessa avsedda för långvarigt bruk (vanligtvis över 12 månader) och är inte tänkta att snabbt omvandlas till kontanter. Exempel är mark, byggnader eller maskinutrustning.

Materiella tillgångar

Materiella tillgångar är fysiska tillgångar som du kan se och ta på. Exempel är kontanter, lager, byggnader, aktier, maskiner och möbler.

Immateriella tillgångar

Immateriella tillgångar saknar fysisk form och kan varken ses eller röras. Exempel är immateriella rättigheter, patent, kryptovalutor, licenser, bidrag och hemliga formler.

Driftstillgångar

Tillgångar som används i ett företags dagliga verksamhet för att skapa intäkter. Exempel inkluderar lager, patent, utrustning, hemliga formler och licenser.

Icke-driftstillgångar

Tillgångar som inte används direkt i verksamheten, men som ändå kan ge framtida vinst. Exempel är obebyggd mark, marknadsnoterade värdepapper, kortfristiga investeringar och långfristiga investeringar.

Definitionen av en tillgång

Som vi redan har sett är definitionen av en tillgång mycket bred, och även när vi delar in dem i kategorier fångar det inte hela bilden.

Ett patent räknas till exempel som en immateriell tillgång, men för vissa företag är det även en avgörande driftstillgång. Bitcoin är ett annat exempel — det är en immateriell tillgång som lagras digitalt, men kan också räknas som en omsättningstillgång eller till och med som en likvid tillgång.

Lager är en omsättningstillgång, materiell tillgång och driftstillgång — allt på en gång. Detta visar tydligt att tillgångar inte alltid följer en enkel definition, utan det beror på hur tillgången används.

Viktigt att komma ihåg är dock att: materiella tillgångar kan inte vara immateriella, omsättningstillgångar kan inte vara anläggningstillgångar och driftstillgångar är inte detsamma som icke-driftstillgångar. Det finns vissa undantag, men det är bra att hålla dessa grundprinciper i minnet.

Tillgångar kontra skulder

Oavsett om du räknar ut en entreprenörs förmögenhet eller ett företags värde, spelar skulder en avgörande roll i bedömningen av ekonomisk stabilitet.

Genom att dra av skulder från tillgångar får du fram eget kapital, även kallat nettotillgångar eller fondbalans.

För att räkna ut ett företags fondbalans granskar man deras balansräkning. Om företaget är börsnoterat är de dessutom skyldiga att redovisa detta i sina årsrapporter.

Kort och gott: Tillgångar - Skulder = Eget kapital.

Förstå tillgångar och deras ekonomiska värde

Definitionen av en tillgång är nästan obegränsad — till och med det safirhalsband du ärvt från din mormor räknas som en tillgång! Värdet kan realiseras direkt, eller så kan du välja att vänta på ett tillfälle när värdet ökar, till exempel vid brist på safirer.

Tillgångar spelar olika roller i privata och professionella sammanhang, men vi hoppas att den här guiden har gett dig en tydligare bild av skillnaderna och likheterna.

Sammanfattningsvis är en tillgång en resurs som en person, ett företag eller en stat kan förvänta sig genererar kassaflöde. Oavsett om det är en anläggningstillgång eller en omsättningstillgång är målet med att äga tillgångar att de på sikt ska skapa värde.

Guld, Bitcoin, fastigheter, bilar, hemliga formler och patent — alla är tillgångar eftersom de potentiellt kan omsättas i pengar.

Nu när du har fått bättre koll på vad tillgångar är och hur de fungerar, se till att göra din egen research och hitta de tillgångar som passar just dina mål och preferenser!

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In this article, we’re exploring the most recent addition to the list of supported cryptocurrencies on the Tap App, one of the highly esteemed top 20 cryptocurrencies based on market cap, Algorand (ALGO).

What is Algorand (ALGO)?

Algorand is a decentralized blockchain platform that supports the development of a wide range of dapps (decentralized applications). The platform has been used to create dapps across industries like real estate, copyright, microfinance and more. Launching the same month as its ICO, the Algorand mainnet officially went live in June 2019. 

The Pure-Proof-of-Stake (PPoS) network was created to improve efficiency and transaction times within the crypto space, as well as reduce transaction costs. With no mining (due to the PPoS consensus), Algorand represents a more sustainable and energy-reserving contribution to the space. 

A unique aspect of the platform is that as new ALGO enter circulation with the creation of each new block, the newly minted coins are distributed to everyone who holds a certain amount of ALGO in their wallets. 

While the project is relatively new, it has received the backing of big names and has seen impressive company interest. In June 2021, Arrington Capital bet $100 million on the platform after launching a fund supporting initiatives building on Algorand, while fintech infrastructure provider Six Clovers launched a cross-border payment system on the platform. 

The platform was also selected to host the Marshall Islands CBDC. 

Who created Algorand?

The blockchain platform was created by Silvio Micali, a highly regarded contributor to the crypto space and recipient of the 2012 Turing Award. The MIT computer science professor was recognised for his fundamental contributions to “the theory and practice of secure two-party computation, electronic cash, cryptocurrencies and blockchain protocols.” 

The Algorand whitepaper was co-authored by Stony Brook University professor Jing Chen.

When first conceptualised in 2017, Micali wanted to create a platform that not only provided digital transactions but also tracked assets like titles and property. The platform also allows for the creation of smart contracts (decentralized digital agreements) and tokens. 

How does Algorand work?

The Algorand platform is divided into two layers: layer 1, responsible for ​​ensuring the network’s security and compatibility, and layer 2, responsible for more complex developments. 

Layer 1 supports asset creation, smart contracts, and atomic swaps between assets while layer 2 is reserved for more compound smart contracts and dApp development. These two layers allow the network to process transactions more efficiently, with simple transactions taking place on layer 1, while more complex smart contracts are executed off-chain. 

Through the pure proof of work consensus, the two-phase block production is conducted through a propose and vote system where users who stake ALGO are randomly selected to validate and approve each block as it is created. Stakers only need to hold 1 ALGO in order to generate a participation key necessary to become a Participation Node. 

These nodes are coordinated by Relay Nodes which are not actively involved in the verification process but are responsible for facilitating communication among the Participation Nodes.

The more of the native cryptocurrency a user holds, the more likely they are to be selected. This consensus ensures that the platform is secure, decentralized and able to process transactions in seconds as opposed to minutes (as on other networks).

Algorand is able to process over 1,000 transactions per second (TPS) and validate transactions in less than five seconds.

What is ALGO?

ALGO is the native token to the Algorand platform. As the newly minted coins are distributed to all users holding ALGO (whether on an exchange or in a non-custodial wallet) and not just the nodes verifying transactions, holders of the token are able to earn a 7.5% annual percentage yield (APY). 

A total of 10 billion tokens were minted, with roughly 6.8 billion in circulation at the time of writing. These tokens are gradually entered into circulation through predetermined distribution channels. The token distribution for ALGO is as follows:

• 3.0 billion. To be injected into circulation over the first 5 years, at first via auction.
• 1.75 billion. Allocated to participation rewards.
• 2.5 billion. Allocated to relay node runners.
• 2.5 billion. Allocated to the Singapore-based Algorand Foundation & Algorand, Inc.
• 0.25 billion. Allocated to end-user grants. 

How Can I Buy ALGO?

If you’re interested in accumulating this leading blockchain token, you can do so effortlessly through the Tap app. As part of a new string of supported tokens, Tap users will now be able to buy, sell, trade and store the cryptocurrency that everyone is talking about. 

ICO is an abbreviation for Initial Coin Offering, a term coined supposedly in 2013 yet only gained popularity in 2017. ICOs were created as a method of raising funds for cryptocurrency projects in a crowdfunding manner. When people partake in an ICO, through funding it, they receive "shares" of that project in the form of cryptocurrency tokens.

This method is set up to help new projects find funding to build their project, platforms, or products. It's very similar to investing in a start-up in the hopes of a project becoming bigger and better through your investment contribution.

Mastercoin was the first ICO recorded back in 2013, raising a grand total of 5,120 BTC. Shortly after, Ethereum followed, and in 2014 raised roughly $18 million to build their project. There is clearly a great deal of success to be seen through ICOs, so let's see what all the fuss is about.

ICO vs IPO vs IEO

Let's look at IPOs, or initial public offerings, to learn more about where ICOs originated.

Similar to ICOs, IPOs were created as a way of gaining capital to better the businesses' infrastructures. While they are similar to a crowdfunding aspect,the primary distinction is in how investors are rewarded. IPOs will offer their investors shares, while ICOs offer digital currencies that can be used within their ecosystems or can be sold when the price increases.

Now that we understand how ICOs and IPOs work, let's discuss the differences when it comes to IEOs, or Initial Exchange Offerings. Again, this is another method used to raise funds for upcoming projects, but there are some key aspects that make IEOs different to IPOs and ICOs. While IEOs are also a crowdfunding method in the cryptocurrency industry, they use an exchange. Anyone can generally buy tokens from an ICO page, whereas IEOs use exchanges as the distribution mechanism.

In order to take part in an IEO, you must be a registered user of the exchange that the project is utilizing. While IEOs may be more transparent, they do push us towards a more centralized approach. There are also IDOs, Initial Dex Offering, Dex standing for decentralized exchange (increasing the data privacy aspect), but that's a topic for another day.

How they work

So now we know what ICOs are and how they differ from their counterparts, but now let's delve deeper into how ICOs actually work. As stated, ICOs are a way for cryptocurrency projects to raise money. When a project decides to launch an ICO it will generally underline the sale dates, the participation rules, and the buying process.

Usually, investors will need to choose currencies they are happy to accept in exchange for their tokens, such as Mastercoin accepting Bitcoin. There are some ICOs who will also accept fiat currencies as payment.

The projects' core purpose, its timeline, and how much money is needed to succeed should be released in their whitepaper. If the project does not raise enough money to meet the minimum funds needed, the money should be returned to those who contributed. This would classify the ICO as unsuccessful.

If the funding goal is met, the project will continue to pursue its original goals and contributors will be able to claim their tokens further along. Tokens will either be listed on notable exchanges later on or will be distributed using smart contract technology,This is something you should do more study on before contributing to an ICO.

Advantages and disadvantages

While ICOs have proven to be a massive benefit to project developers, there are some underlying issues and risks that may come into play. In order to give you the best chance of understanding ICOs we will need to cover all the pros and cons that come with ICOs. So let's see what you have to look out for:

Pros

        High potential profits

        Accessible to anyone (unlike IEOs)

        Money returned if unsuccessful (smart contacts)

        Transparency on fund usage (Blockchain)

        High liquidity

Cons

        No intrinsic value

        No legal guarantees

        Potential fraud

Frequently asked questions

Now that we have covered the basics, there are some additional questions the internet has and we thought we would take the time to answer them for you. These are the most frequently asked questions about ICOs, and while we have answered some here is a more TL;DR breakdown:

What does ICO mean?

ICO stands for Initial Coin Offering, a phrase coined by the cryptocurrency industry.

What is the purpose of an ICO?

ICO is a method used to raise funds for up and coming projects, think of it as an early investment phase.

How do I get an ICO?

That depends on the ICO you want to partake in, you will generally need to sign up to the ICO, deposit funds, and wait for the tokens to be distributed either through an exchange or smart contract. This differs depending on the projects' ICO parameters.

Is Bitcoin an ICO?

No, Bitcoin required no funding, tokens were mined and sold without the need for crowdfunding.

How many ICOs are there?

There is no definitive number out there but consensus shows that there have been roughly over 7,000 businesses that have attempted ICOs.

Are ICOs safe?

This is a tricky question and depends greatly on the individual project that is hosting an ICO, whether they are using smart contact technology, and how legitimate the team behind it is. ICOs can be safe, but they also carry risks, it is always best to do your own research before investing.

As there is no universal authority on ICOs there is certainly a lack of regulation in the space so be sure to do thorough research before parting ways with your money.

Closing Thoughts

That is all the essential information you need to grasp in order to better understand what an ICO is. From the textbook definition to its competitors, how it works, and everything in between. ICOs are popular for a reason, they offer a range of benefits to both projects and investors, but you should keep in mind that there is no benefit without risk.

While we can explain what an ICO is, we can not tell you whether to invest in an ICO. It's important to vet the project for yourself and see if it aligns with your interests, and more importantly if it has all the key components for a legitimate project and token.

While the world is increasingly accepting of ICOs from both businesses and retail investors standpoints, there are several alternatives available. We briefly discussed IEOs and IDOs, but more crowdfunding methods have flourished from the origins of ICOs, so be sure to explore those out too. At the end of the day, we hope we helped you better understand what an ICO is.

Investing has become an increasingly important part of many people's financial plans, as it offers the potential for greater returns than simply leaving money in a savings account. By investing your hard-earned money, you can potentially build wealth over time and secure a better future for yourself and your family.

But what exactly is investing? Put simply, investing involves putting your money into assets with the goal of making more money. There are various types of investments available to individuals, from stocks and bonds to mutual funds and real estate investments. Understanding how each type works is key to making smart investment decisions that will help you meet your financial goals.

Investing can also involve investing in time and labor, especially when it comes to business operations. These investments are similar in that one expects to see returns. While no investment carries a guarantee, understanding what they are and how they operate will assist you in making smart financial decisions. 

What is an investment?

When you invest, you're essentially trading current resources (like time or money) for an asset that has the potential to grow in value. Ideally, if you choose to invest in the right asset at the right time, your investment could gain value. As an example, when you trade on the stock market, you are buying stock with capital in the hope that in time the asset will grow in value and sell for more money than the initial capital investment. 

There are plenty of different types of investments one could use to grow their money, from stocks and bonds to commodities and cryptocurrencies, as well as mutual funds and real estate properties. The concept behind every investment is that it will make more money for the investor in the long term.

A smart investment allows an individual to not only make money but increase their total net worth. However, it's crucial to remember that every type of investment is speculative and there is always a possibility you will lose some or all the money you put in. For example, if you purchase stock shares or a piece of property, the value could decrease soon after you buy it. For this reason it is imperative that one assesses their risk tolerance before investing in something so as not to lose money.

The definition of an investment is not constant and can change depending on the situation. For instance, in macroeconomics, investing refers to purchasing items now that will be used later to generate income. While a company or individual from one nation might invest in business properties located in another country, such as building a factory which is known as foreign direct investments.

What are the different types of investments?

With a variety of options available, each investment type carries its own potential for returns, risks, and other factors such as tax implications and management fees. Below we highlight several options available to the everyday trader that can be used individually or together as part of an investment strategy to contribute to their financial goals.

Stock Market

By investing in stocks on the stock market, you are purchasing fractional ownership of a public listed company. People generally invest in stocks with the aspiration that their value will have gone up by the time they sell them. In order to make a profit from selling stock, the price will need to have grown enough to cover any trading costs and transaction fees associated with the trade. 

Investing in certain stocks might also make you liable to dividend payouts, where a company distributes profits to shareholders (holders of stock) based on the company's performance. 

Read more about investing in stocks in our What Are Stocks article. 

Mutual funds

Mutual funds are investment vehicles that pool the money of many investors and invest in a variety of different assets such as stocks, bonds, and other securities. A mutual fund is managed by an investment professional who makes all the decisions about where to put the money within the fund.

These professionals seek to maximize returns for investors while maintaining a certain level of risk. Mutual funds are a great way for investors to diversify their portfolios, as the fund’s holdings may include stocks from many different companies and sectors. Additionally, mutual funds reduce the amount of research required to make an informed investment decision since all decisions are made by the fund manager. Investing in a mutual fund may come with higher fees than other investments.

Bonds

By purchasing a bond, you are essentially loaning money to a government, company, or other borrowing entity. In return for your loan, the debtor (the bond issuer) is required to repay both the debt and any associated interest payments. 

However, it's worth noting that on occasion companies and countries default on their bonds, meaning that they can't make scheduled payments to the bondholders which will result in the investor losing money. This is almost always a last resort option as these establishments know that defaulting will scare off investors going forward.

A bond is a fixed-income instrument that pays periodic interest payments until the agreed-upon end date when the final payment is made and the loan's original amount is repaid.

Commodities

Commodities are raw materials that can be traded for one another, such as gold, beef, and gas, expanding to foreign currencies and indexes. Funds that invest money in commodities will typically invest in resources such as precious metals (silver, gold), energy resources (natural gas, oil), and primary agricultural products (wheat). 

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that are operated on decentralized networks free from government or financial institutional control. While considered high-risk, several cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin) have shown incredible gains over the last decade. Various investment accounts in mainstream firms are starting to incorporate cryptocurrencies into their portfolio.

Other investment options (real estate investments, etc)

Other investment options include real estate, options, futures, and certificates of deposit. 

Before investing in any of the asset classes mentioned above it is imperative that one understands the financial instruments and their own risk tolerance entirely, as well as the terms involved in the investment, the fees or transaction costs and the risks involved. 

It is also important for savvy investors to understand the tax implications of their investments and the capital gains tax they might be required to pay on any investment returns.

How do investments work?

While each asset class might differ slightly, they all require an upfront investment of capital. The intention is that this will later create a return in a monetary form of higher value. 

When investing in financial products such as bonds, stocks, or a mutual fund, investors will typically have to set up an investment account with a professional such as a brokerage firm or money manager. This person can then advise on which products to invest in and manage your portfolio.

Investing in real estate will involve buying a house, usually done by making a down payment or investing in real estate investment trusts. These properties can either be used to live in or rent out and generate future income. The intention here is that the house appreciates in value over a certain period of time and can later be sold at a higher price. Depending on the property and area these types of investments can range from high risk to low risk.

How investments drive economic growth

Investments are not just for personal or corporate benefits, they play a big role in driving the broader economy. Through factors like building consumer demand and job creation, investing can play a direct role in economic growth. 

For instance, a company might decide to sell stocks and issue corporate bonds in order to raise capital. This capital can then be used to build a factory, create a new product line and hire new employees. This then drives the greater economy while also building the company's and investors' wealth. 

In another example, governments might use the funds raised from corporate bonds to fund public projects, fix the roads, or build social programs in communities. Or individuals might use gains made from investments to further their education or save for retirement. With more income comes more consumerism, in turn contributing to economic growth.

How to start investing

If you're ready to start investing, you will first need to determine your risk tolerance and which asset class you wish to pursue. If you're just starting out, start small and grow instead of taking on too many things at once. Gaining an understanding of your risk tolerance will help you to navigate where start investing.

Research

Before you begin, ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the market you wish to invest in, and understand all the associated risks. Always do your own research, and don't rely on one outlet or individual to be the sole source of information. If the option is available, consider hiring a professional to assist you. 

Understand market movements

Another important aspect to understand before investing is that markets will always have fluctuations. Even if they grow over long periods of time, they will still go through periods of increases and declines. Don't rely on past performances to dictate future outcomes. 

Open an account

To get started in investing you will need to open an investment account that allows you to both buy and sell the financial instrument. Looking at investing in stock, some investors will open a brokerage account that will execute trades on their behalf, while others might use a portfolio manager who oversees all their investments. Always do your research before parting ways with your money.

Have your financial affairs in order first

While investing is designed to create wealth, it is important to have a grasp on your personal finance beforehand, and ideally have an emergency fund set up for any unforeseen expences (so that you won't have to tap into your investment accounts).

Conclusion

An investment is the act of buying an asset with the intention that it appreciates in value over time. Before people invest it is imperative that one establishes their risk tolerance to establish how much risk one has to navigate.

Investments can be managed by professionals or individually, depending on the investors preference. It is also important to note that return on investments will typically be imposed by capital gains taxes, depending on the jurisdiction. 

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Det är aldrig för sent att lära sig om det nya sättet att tänka kring pengar. Bitcoin har blivit allt mer populärt för varje år, och med en växande användarbas är det en bra tid att bekanta sig med världens första – och största – kryptovaluta.

Vad är Bitcoin?

Bitcoin är ett peer-to-peer-betalningssystem som fungerar över internet – helt utan att kontrolleras av en bank, stat eller central myndighet. Det här digitala systemet gör det möjligt att skicka pengar direkt mellan två personer, utan mellanhänder, dyra avgifter eller långsam administration.

Istället för att styras av en central aktör drivs Bitcoin av ett nätverk av datorer över hela världen som följer samma regler (protokoll). Det är blockkedjetekniken (blockchain) som ligger bakom, och som ser till att alla transaktioner är säkra, transparenta och omöjliga att manipulera i efterhand.

Bitcoin är alltså en säker, decentraliserad och gränslös digital valuta – tillgänglig 24 timmar om dygnet, alla dagar i veckan.

Precis som guld har Bitcoin kallats en alternativ värdebevarare. Även om kryptovalutor fortfarande är föremål för regleringsfrågor används Bitcoin dagligen över hela världen, både som investering och betalningsmedel.

Vilka är fördelarna med Bitcoin?

Bitcoin förändrade sättet vi kan hantera pengar på. Med hjälp av internet och blockkedjeteknik skapades ett helt nytt finansiellt ekosystem.

Här är några av de viktigaste fördelarna:

• Decentraliserat: Ingen kan frysa konton, stoppa transaktioner eller kräva dokumentation – nätverket styrs inte av någon central aktör.
• Tillgängligt för alla: Det enda du behöver är en internetuppkoppling – inga bankkonton eller godkännanden krävs.
• Transparent: Alla transaktioner loggas öppet på blockkedjan i realtid, vilket skapar en tydlig spårbarhet.
• Likviditet: Bitcoin handlas på hundratals börser världen över, vilket gör det enkelt att köpa, sälja eller växla.

Hur fungerar Bitcoin?

Bitcoin fungerar genom att använda ett decentraliserat nätverk och blockkedjeteknik. Det låter komplicerat – men här är en förenklad förklaring:

Tänk dig att Amal vill skicka 1 BTC till George. Hon öppnar sin Bitcoin-plånbok, anger Georges plånboksadress och summan. Bitcoin lagras i digitala plånböcker, som består av två delar:

• En publik nyckel (plånboksadress)
• En privat nyckel (som fungerar som en PIN-kod – endast ägaren känner till den)

När Amal skickar transaktionen går den ut till nätverket. Där tävlar s.k. miners om att verifiera den genom att lösa ett matematiskt problem. Den första som lyckas får bekräfta och lägga till transaktionen i blockkedjan.

Transaktionen bokförs i ett nytt "block" med information om belopp, tidpunkt och plånboksadresser. När blocket godkänts uppdateras plånbalansen.

Oftast krävs tre bekräftelser (confirmations) innan pengarna kan användas vidare.

Vad ger Bitcoin sitt värde?

Värdet på Bitcoin styrs av utbud och efterfrågan. När efterfrågan ökar och utbudet är begränsat – ja, då stiger priset.

Från start programmerades det in att det aldrig kommer finnas mer än 21 miljoner BTC. Det här gör Bitcoin till en deflationär valuta, till skillnad från traditionella valutor som kan tryckas obegränsat.

Många ser idag Bitcoin som en slags digital motsvarighet till guld – en tillgång man håller långsiktigt för att bevara värde. Detta kallas ofta att "hodla" inom kryptovärlden.

Vad används Bitcoin till?

Bitcoin kan användas som:

• Betalningsmedel – skicka pengar var som helst i världen, dygnet runt, på bara några minuter.
• Värdebevarare – spara långsiktigt i en decentraliserad och global tillgång.

Tusen­tals handlare accepterar idag Bitcoin, och allt fler använder det som ett alternativ till både kontanter och bankkonton.

Vem skapade Bitcoin?

Bitcoin presenterades för världen den 31 oktober 2008 i ett dokument (whitepaper) signerat av en anonym person – eller grupp – vid namn Satoshi Nakamoto. Själva nätverket lanserades i januari 2009.

Satoshi skrev att Bitcoin var ett svar på den globala finanskrisen. Syftet var att skapa en valuta som inte kunde kontrolleras av banker eller regeringar, och som istället gav människor direkt ägande över sina pengar.

2010 försvann Satoshi från det offentliga – och ingen vet idag vem personen (eller gruppen) var. Trots många spekulationer är identiteten fortfarande ett mysterium.

Sedan dess har över 12 000 kryptovalutor lanserats. Alla andra kryptovalutor kallas altcoins (alternative coins), och exempelvis Ethereum skapades för att bygga decentraliserade appar (dApps), medan Litecoin utvecklades för att förbättra betalningstekniken bakom Bitcoin.

Hur köper man Bitcoin?

Att köpa Bitcoin är enklare än många tror. Med Tap-appen kan du:

1. Skapa ett konto
2. Verifiera din identitet
3. Börja köpa BTC – direkt från mobilen

Appen erbjuder en säker plattform för att köpa, sälja, lagra och växla Bitcoin – och många andra kryptovalutor.

👉 Läs vår guide om hur du kommer igång med att köpa Bitcoin här

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