The Radiant Logic Partner Program launch boasts an impressive roster of partnerships including both global security leaders and specialists in the Identity and Access Management (IAM) field, including; Wipro, CyberIAM, SDG, iC Consult, Hub City Media, UberEther and Novacoast.

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Date: Dubai, UAE; October 30, 2023 In a strategic move that promises to invigorate international markets with high-calibre off

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Argo Group International Holdings Ltd is a leading global specialty insurance underwriter, with a rich history and a commitment to redefining the insurance landscape. Founded in 1948, the company has evolved over the years to become a trusted name in the ...

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd: Redefining the Insurance Landscape

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SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Forge Global Holdings, Inc. (“Forge” or the “Company”) (NYSE: FRGE), a leading private securities marketplace, today announced that it will report third quarter 2023 financial results on Tuesday, November 7 ...

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Get the most recent info and news about Forge Global Holdings on HackerNoon, where 10k+ technologists publish stories for 4M+ monthly readers.

Forge Global Holdings, Inc. provides marketplace infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for private market participants. It enables private company shareholders to trade private company shares with accredited investors. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Forge Global Holdings

I happened to publish an essay titled “ ” on the same day that between 150 and 300 million dollars worth of Ethereum was or until the , due to yet another bug in Parity multi-sig wallets. I’ve seen the future of the web and it’s Ethereum lost forever next fork I’ve gotten quite a bit of feedback on the timing, especially since I’m a security professional, and thus expected to recoil at anything so full of holes. Ethereum is a total mess, how could I possibly tolerate it, let alone think it’s the future of the web? I’ve spent my entire career in security, as a , , and a . I’ve also done professional audits of Solidity contracts. This is all to say that I understand how to think about security and I’m here to tell you that nothing about what happened on November 7th changed my opinion about Ethereum. penetration tester code auditor startup founder A lot of articles about cryptocurrencies are written by people who are trying to use hype to pump up their investments, so I’m going to start with some disclosures. I hope everyone writing about cryptocurrencies follows suit! Disclosures I don’t consider myself an investor, but I am a cryptocurrency thousandaire. I currently hold: 1.8 BRC1 ZEC4.8 ETHA share of the 150ETH generated by the (which is split with my partner on this project ).In 2011 a friend gave me 2BTC for a hug, but they were lost when I shredded a harddrive and backed up the wrong wallet. Every time Bitcoin hits a new price ceiling I remember that I’m a dingus. Thousand Ether Homepage Andrey Petrov I don’t consider myself an “investor” in Ethereum or any other cryptocurrencies because the majority of my holdings come from charging for consulting work in cryptocurrencies, and of course the aforementioned Thousand Ether Homepage. This is by design. I prefer to think of it as bartering for a cool techno-toy, rather than speculating in a highly volatile currency. Even if I had the desire to speculate in crypto currencies, I lack mental fortitude to deal the fluctuations and how easy it is to lose it all. Also, politically, I’m no kind of libertarian. I am fine with fiat currencies. I think inflation is healthy. Deflation is good for creditors and inflation is good for borrowers, and today another way to say this is that deflation is good for the 1% and inflation is good for the 99%. I think the financial collapse was caused by a failure of centralized authorities to do their job and regulate markets, and I don’t believe that decentralizing the casino somehow makes it less likely to blow up. What is Ethereum anyway? With over hundred million dollars lost forever because of a software bug, it’s hard not to pooh-pooh Ethereum, and I do agree that a lot about it broken. And I love it for that. Ethereum is a global-scale distributed system that powers a global computer and key-value store. And it works! You can interact with distributed applications written on Ethereum today. You can , , and (shameless plug) . hire a freelancer breed virtual kitties buy ads by the pixel The above isn’t list of things you can buy with a cryptocurrency called Ethereum. This is a list of applications that run on a global computer called Ethereum. Applications that work without servers or databases. Applications that use a cryptographic identity that’s impossible to forge. Applications that use a cryptocurrency for payment that happens to also be called Ethereum. Using these applications is as easy as installing a chrome extension. And writing your own is as easy as doing anything in javascript —which is part of the problem. What happened?“i’m an eth newbie… just learning” So what happened on November 7th? You can read more details , but in short, a software flaw allowed someone to “take over” a contract that was embedded into every wallet, and then self-destruct it, rendering every Parity multi-sig wallet useless. This means that over a hundred million dollars worth of Ether is locked away, unable to be spent. elsewhere Parity multi-sig Is this a fundamental flaw in Ethereum? No. This issue is a problem with a specific (popular!) contract, and came about because the language most Ethereum contracts are written in today, Solidity, is a very bad language and full of ways to shoot yourself in the foot. programming There is a problem with the ecosystem, but it’s not a fundamental flaw in Ethereum the . A promising technology with an incredibly shitty programming language puts Ethereum squarely in the genealogy of the web itself. technology Doesn’t this prove that we should never use smart contracts for anything real? When we were deciding whether to use a multi-sig wallet for the Thousand Ether Homepage, I told Andrey that I trusted his integrity more than the code of any multi-sig wallet. And boy was I right! When we were writing the smart contract for ad buying, we were very worried about what could go wrong when we wrote the contract for ad buying . What if someone could steal our money? Buy ads without paying? Take over someone else’s ads? You think about these sorts of questions when designing a traditional webapp, but it’s different when writing a smart contract. The main difference is that smart contracts are newer, less well understood, and don’t provide as many tools for developers to make sure they’re getting the details right. As a security person and a programming language nerd, I really want to see good accessible formal verification tools for smart contracts. I’m excited about the future of Ethereum as a global computer. I don’t think that cryptocurrencies will (or should) replace fiat currencies as stores of value or mediums of exchange, but even if I did, I wouldn’t think they’d be ready today! Doesn’t this prove that technology X is superior to Ethereum? I don’t know, probably. When I first learned Solidity I was shocked at how hacked together and ugly it was. But this might be a feature. The world runs on Linux/x86. Hacky maximalist solutions with community buy-in beat the beautiful tech no one uses. . Worse it Better As a technologist, I want to ship my products to the broadest possible audience, and today, that’s Ethereum. They might fork and reverse the transaction! Isn’t Ethereum just going to discover governance like the central banks? I hope so! Ethereum is exciting for a lot of reasons, and the decentralized crypto-libertarian part isn’t one of them. It’s important for Ethereum to figure out governance to grow, and so far the solution of following the edicts of a 23-year old wunderkid is holding up surprisingly well compared to the rest of the cryptocurrency space! I hope we figure out a better way before it doesn’t. I sincerely believe that a global computer network that is evolved from the ideas in Ethereum is going to play a major role in the future of technology. To get this to work on a global scale we need to do three things: Develop a programming language that allows developers to write safe and verifiable contracts.Create a fair, repeatable, and appealable governance system.Most importantly, reduce the environmental impact by leaving proof-of-work. Today, Ethereum doesn’t have any of those three things, but they do have the ongoing research that gives them a good shot at evolving towards them. I believe that in the future, we’ll have a global computer like the one Ethereum today gives you a glimpse of. Maybe it will be built by Vitalik Buterin and his team based on the foundation of Ethereum, maybe someone else will solve the above three things faster. The question of which team will be the first to get there is a question for the investors, and I’m not an investor.

Ethereum is broken and I love it

A Deep Dive Into DPoS Platforms’ Game Theory & Incentives

If you were a CEO of a large financial institution three years ago, publicly stating support for Bitcoin would be suicidal. The reason? The media-driven narrative was that Bitcoin is only useful for criminals and drug dealers. You have to understand, most of the people didn’t even understand Bitcoin. They heard the same blatant lies day in and day out. And they blackout everything else. On top of all the misinformation in the media, Warren Buffett declared that Bitcoin is “rat poison squared.” His partner, Charlie Munger, said it was like “trading dead baby brains.” And Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, the largest US bank, stated that he would fire anyone who was caught trading it. Well, the narrative has changed. And many others are changing their minds too. Here is a list of other that are firmly bullish. 15 investors and institutions 1.JPMorgan Even JPMorgan conceded. According to , JPMorgan released a note last week that now states their analysts believe Bitcoin could . Fortune double or triple in price 2.Tudor BVI Fund First and one of the most notable converts is billionaire hedge fund manager . Tudor has said that Bitcoin in 2020 reminds him of gold’s role in the 1970s. His $22 billion hedge fund has invested between of its assets in Bitcoin futures contracts. Paul Tudor Jones 1 and 2 percent 3.Social Capital founder , a self-proclaimed “disciple” of Warren Buffett, says Bitcoin is the best financial hedge against an uncertain world economy. He urged people to invest at least . Social Capital Chamath Palihapitiya 1% in the asset 4.ARK is the most successful investor over the past five years. Her team at ARK recommends an allocation to Bitcoin, ranging from . Cathie Wood 2.55% to 6.55% 5.Stone Ridge Multi-billion dollar institutions are now allocating 9-figures to Bitcoin. , a $10 billion asset manager, now owns . Stone Ridge $115 million in Bitcoin 6.Microstrategy Inc. raised Bitcoin holdings to after the second purchase.  Bitcoin held by the company is serving as the primary treasury reserve asset, almost entirely replacing US dollars. Nasdaq-listed Microstrategy $425 million 7.Mode , , has recently announced that they will put in Bitcoin to protect themselves against currency debasement. Mode Global Holdings a London Stock Exchange -listed company 10% of their cash reserves 8.Grayscale The largest digital asset investment manager, , saw the third quarter and now has almost in total assets. Grayscale’s Bitcoin (BTC) is on track to reach 500,000 BTC by the end of 2020. Grayscale record inflows of $1 billion in $6 billion Trust 9.Fidelity also added its establishment name and star power to the new asset class. They successfully launched cryptocurrency custody offerings for institutional investors in 2019. In August 2020, they launched its first Bitcoin fund, and recently, they suggested investors increase their Bitcoin allocation to . Fidelity 5% or more 10.Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) , the trading colossus that owns the New York Stock Exchange and other global marketplaces, formed Bakkt. The company, backed by , aims to make cryptocurrency safe for your retirement fund, and maybe retail. Intercontinental Exchange Microsoft and Starbucks 11.Goldman Sachs has emerged that they are considering its own crypto asset, most likely a stablecoin.  The bank said that there had been an with the bank’s institutional clients when it comes to crypto, adding that Goldman “uptick in interest” “it feels like there is a resurgence of interest in cryptocurrencies.” 12.DBS BANK , the largest bank in Southeast Asia by assets, is getting ready to launch a new digital asset exchange. This is a big deal because it shows that . DBS Bank crypto has gone mainstream in Asia 13.PAYPAL has recently entered the cryptocurrency game too. The technology company will allow users to buy and sell Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.  PayPal has more than , 25 million merchants, and is the . PayPal 345 million users 20th largest “bank” by deposits 14.SQUARE Payments platform has purchased in Bitcoin. , has long been a proponent of Bitcoin, saying in 2018 that he believes it will eventually within the next decade. Dorsey, who also owns an undisclosed amount of bitcoin personally. Square $50 million Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter and Square become the world’s single currency 15.CENTRAL BANKS Although different entities, central banks belong on this list too. They have long exercised influence over Wall Street, and they are not oblivious to what is going on here. Whether it is the Chairman of the talking positively about Bitcoin and Ethereum, the launching a proposal for a digital euro, or it is testing a centralized digital currency in Shenzhen, .  An easy first step would be to begin putting Bitcoin in their central bank reserves. If that happens in a major country, it will set off a global game of . CFTC ECB China they are all paying attention FOMO Mahatma Gandhi’s once said: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” You have to imagine that every large bank is holding executive meetings about Bitcoin. It is also easy to imagine large family offices are already getting exposure to Bitcoin without announcing it to the world. Yes, we have come a long way since the view of drug dealers and criminals. But Bitcoin hasn’t won yet. Let’s not forget that the Bitcoin win is not as another asset on Wall Street. The financial system is broken and built a world of inequality. The goal is to and use technology to create a better, more equitable world. disrupt the status quo Then we’ll all win. In the meantime, I suspect we’ll just continue to . HODL

15 Wall Street Institutions Bullish On Bitcoin

‘What goes around comes around’ If you watch the nightly news, read investment blogs and listen to market channels you will have no doubt heard something along the lines of “We’re seeing a classic sector rotation in the market today”. But what exactly is Sector Rotation? Does it really work, and how can I use it to my advantage. In this edition, we’ll tackle these questions and discuss how you can incorporate sector rotation in your trading strategy. What is Sector Rotation? Somewhat of a buzz phrase, sector rotation is simply the transition of money invested from one industry to another as investors take advantage of cyclical trends in the overall economy. As market analysts have noticed, the economy moves in a somewhat predictable fashion. It is always moving, cycling in and out, from boom to bust, peak from trough, and back again. This has spurred an investment strategy that anticipates this movement by preemptively moving investments across the business sectors that have historically performed best in the next business cycle. The theory goes that when you group stocks according to their industries or sectors, they have distinct sensitivities that affect profitability. These sensitivities align better with different stages of the business cycles. Knowing which stage of the business cycle can help investors position themselves in profitable sectors while avoiding the wrong ones. Since sector rotation analysis attempts to understand the relationship between a) investment sectors with b) the stock market cycle and c) the general business cycle, we take a closer look at each of these elements below. What are the 11 investment sectors? It seems like all anyone wants to talk about these days are ‘tech’ stocks. The extraordinary success of the likes #AMZN, #MSFT, #TSLA, and #AAPL have certainly catapulted tech to the forefront of all investors and trader's portfolios. So much so that in the last decade, there has been a dramatic shift to more technology-based stocks. Excluding Facebook and Alphabet which are now classified as ‘communications services’, tech companies account for more than 25% of those in the S&P 500, and the tech sector has seen a 300% upside since 2010. But let's not forget the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) structure includes 10 other investment sectors representing key areas of the economy. Each sector rolls in and out of popularity and have their own set of unique dynamics that affect profitability. We take a look at the 11 investment sectors below. Energy Includes oil, gas & power companies and refineries Sensitive to the price of crude oil, natural gas, and other commodities Most Popular ETFs - Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) Materials Includes companies that involved in discovering and developing raw materials. Such as mining, refining, chemical, and forestry. These companies are at the beginning of the supply chain so are sensitive to the business cycle. Most Popular ETFs - Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (basic materials) (XLB) Industrials Includes aerospace, machinery, defense, construction, and manufacturing companies. Growth in the industry is linked to demand for building and agricultural equipment. Most Popular ETFs: Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (industrials) (XLI) Consumer Discretionary Involves media, consumer service providers, apparel, and clothing companies. Growth linked to a healthy economy as consumer spending accelerates. Most Popular ETFs: Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) Consumer Staples Includes Mostly food and beverage companies. Defensive investment as these companies can generally survive economic downturns as consumers are unwilling to cut these products from their budgets. Most Popular ETFs:  Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) Health Care Includes biotechnology companies, medical device manufacturers, and hospital management firms. Considered a safe investment as people will always require medical assistance. Most Popular ETFs: Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) Financials Includes banks, investment funds, real estate firms and insurance companies. Sensitive to changes in interest rates as the majority of revenue stems from mortgages and loans. Most Popular ETFs: Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) Information Technology Includes electronic manufacturers, IT firms, and software developers. Robust growth tied to the general health of the economy. Most Popular ETFs: Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) Telecommunication Services Includes wireless providers, cable and internet service providers, and satellite companies. The main source of revenue is from recurring consumers. Most popular ETFs - Vanguard Telecom ETF ( A+) & iShares US Telecommunications ETF VOX (IYZ) Utilities Includes electric, gas, and water providers. Defensive play as the sector generates consistent revenue from consumers. Most Popular ETFs: Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) Real Estate Includes companies invested in residential, industrial, and retail real estate. Sensitive to interest rate changes as the main source of revenue comes from rental income and capital appreciation. Most popular ETFs - Vanguard REIT ETF ( A+) & iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF VNQ (IYR) The Four Stages of the Market Cycle When we refer to market cycles, we’re talking about the shifts in the business environment that lead to noticeable patterns in the stock market. As discussed above, certain sectors are heavily influenced by market factors such as interest rates and consumer spending. These sectors have historically performed better at certain stages of the market cycle that present the conditions needed for growth. While it is difficult to pinpoint the beginning and the end of the market cycle, changes in the regulatory environment, advancements in technology, new products, and natural disasters can spark changes in the business environment that result in turning the market cycle. Each cycle goes through the same pattern of rising in the beginning, peaking at the top, then the inevitable dip and bottom out at the end. The end of one cycle is the beginning of the next cycle. The market cycles tend to move ahead of the business/economic cycle. This is because investors look at future earnings, growth & potential when investing in stocks. Even in the pits of recession, the market anticipates recovery as there is always high hope that the economy will bounce back. There are four stages of the market cycle - accumulation, mark-up, distribution, and downtrend. We take a closer look at these four stages below. Accumulation The first stage of every market cycle is the accumulation phase. It begins after the market has already reached its long-term bottom in the previous cycle and stock valuations are low. This represents a prime time for investors to buy as trend reversal is near. As smart money continues to invest in undervalued assets, the downtrend begins to lose momentum. Mark-Up The mark-up phase continues on from accumulation and shows market consolidation. The market begins to rally and attracts more buyers who want to take advantage of the new upward trend. The buying pressure continues to push stock prices even higher. As prices will start to form higher highs and higher lows, traders will normally look to these small pullbacks as signs to enter the market. Distribution In the distribution phase, the market will reach its peak. This is characterized by less higher highs and the slowing down of buying momentum as it becomes more neutral. As there is normally an equal amount of buyers and sellers in the market, stocks are often stuck in a trading range for long periods of time. As stock prices and valuations are at their peak, this is the time to sell before market sentiment turns bearish. Downtrend The final stage downtrend occurs and the market comes tumbling down. As market sentiment turns bearish, investors and traders begin to sell to lock in their profits. This increase in selling pressure sparks a downward trend as more investors follow suit. This stage is marked by lower lows and lower highs. The Four Stages of the Business Cycle Along with the market cycle, there is a business/economic cycle that tends to trail the market cycle by a few months. The business cycle represents the fluctuations of the economy between growth and recession. Each stage of the cycle is characterized by factors such as interest rates, gross domestic product, employment rates, and consumer spending. Since the 1950s, business cycles in the U.S have typically lasted an average of 5.5 years. However, in saying that, business cycles do not occur at regular intervals and there are wide variations in the length of business cycles. The peak to peak cycle of 1981-1982 lasted a mere 18 months while the record expansion from June 2009 to February 2020 lasted well over 10 and a half years. The four stages of the business cycle are expansion, peak, contraction, and trough. We discuss them below. Expansion The first stage of the business cycle represents the initial phase of recovery from the recession. The economy starts to grow as consumer expectations begin to rise and economic output increases. Characteristics of this stage include GDP growth rate returning back to a healthy rate of 2-3%. Unemployment sitting at its natural rate of 3.4-4.5%. Inflation is near its 2% target and interest rates have bottomed. Historically, the industrials and materials sectors tend to be very successful during this stage as industrial production increases. Financials, real estate, consumer discretionary, and tech sectors are also historically profitable during this stage. Peak The expansion stage is followed by the peak. This represents the later stage of recovery when the economy starts to overheat as investors are in a state of ‘irrational exuberance’. Characteristics of this stage include GDP growth rate greater than 3% and inflation greater than 2%. A rapid rise in interest rates while consumer expectations begin to decline and industrial production bottoms out. Historically, the technology, consumer staples, and telecommunication services sectors tend to be profitable during the peak stage. Contraction The peak is followed by contraction as economic outlook weakens. Contraction is the beginning stage of a recession and consumer expectations decline. Characteristics of this stage include GDP growth rate falling below 2%. Unemployment is on the rise as companies effect massive layoffs. Interest rates are at their highest and industrial production is falling. Historically, utilities, materials, consumer staples, health care, and energy sectors tend to remain profitable during contraction. Trough During the trough phase, the economy hits bottom and begins its transition back to the start of the cycle, back to expansion. As the economy is in the midst of a full recession, consumer expectations are at their all-time low. GDP growth is in the negative, interest rates are falling, and its a difficult time for job seekers and businesses. During these difficult times, consumer staples, health care, and utilities tend to do well. Should you consider a sector rotation strategy? A Sector Rotation Strategy involves traders and investors anticipating which companies will be successful in the coming stage of an economic cycle. By watching for signs of a future change in the business cycle, investors can rebalance and optimally position their portfolios. All this is logical in theory however there are a number of risk factors associated with sector rotation strategies. Risk factor - Difficulty in recognizing sector rotation Recognizing changes in the business cycle is much harder to do in real-time. The telltale signs investors can look to such GDP growth, interest rates, inflation, the success of government fiscal policies are much easier to spot in hindsight. Even the has a history of announcing recession trough a year after it has happened. For example, the June 2009 trough recession date was announced on 20 September 2010. National Bureau of Economic Research Risk factor - Sectors can defy expectations Not only do you need to correctly guess the timing of the sector rotation, but you also need to accurately pick the top-performing sectors. While investors can look to sectors that have historically outperformed, past performance is never a guarantee of future performance. Entire industries can adapt and fix what was wrong or antiquated. Old companies that once dominated a sector can be replaced by entirely new drivers that do things differently. This can defy traditional investor expectations. Risk factor - Sector Rotation Strategy costs money Every time you buy and sell and move your holdings from one sector to another, you will be charged transaction fees. This may not be a big deal in the age of discount brokers. However, trading fees and commissions can quickly add up and eat away at your profits. A deeper understanding of the different stages of the market and business cycles can give investors and traders a theoretical leg up over others in the market. When you learn to recognize the transitions between cycles, you can preemptively shuffle around your investments to take advantage of the next stage of the business cycle. However, recognizing these sector transitions are notoriously difficult to do in reality. into the validity of a sector rotation strategy found that: A 2008 study “Even with perfect foresight and ignoring transaction costs, sector rotation generates at best 2.3% annual outperformance from 1948-2007” At the end of the day, there is no replacement for a diversified portfolio and good chart analysis. By diversifying your assets you can avoid being caught off-guard by a sector rotation and still prosper even when the market goes down.

Should you use a Sector Rotation Strategy?

In the past few years, cryptocurrency has taken the world by storm. Despite doubts, tokens like Bitcoin are becoming a significant force in the global economy. While cryptocurrency itself is still a new field for many people, those more profound in the crypto world are exploring new and exciting frontiers of this financial technology. DeFi, or decentralized financial services, is the term used to describe the growth in the number of cryptocurrency trading platforms. These platforms allow users to conduct trades on their terms without relying on a centralized exchange. The growth of DeFi has been dramatic and unexpected; however, it seems that it is here to stay. There are now over 200 different DeFi platforms available worldwide. But how did this happen? And why is it so important? The first primary reason for DeFi’s growth was the rise of decentralized exchanges (DEXs). While these exchanges have existed since their inception in 2009, they were not widely used until 2017, when Ethereum its first DEX called EtherDelta. This platform allowed users to trade cryptocurrencies without relying on a third party like Coinbase or Gemini. Instead, users could conduct their trades directly with each other using smart contracts as escrow agents for these transactions. launched However, there are some limitations with DEXs that need to be addressed before they can become mainstream solutions for cryptocurrency trading platforms, namely price volatility and scalability issues which prevent them from being able to compete with centralized exchanges like Binance or Coinbase when it comes down to volume traded per day. Decentralized Finance Is The Future Of Cryptocurrency Recently, many people in the world of crypto have been changing their buying habits and the way they make money. While traditional, centralized exchanges dominate the market, decentralized finance has become more prominent. Kirill Suslov, CEO of the popular mobile trading platform, TabTrader, believes decentralized exchanges are the future of cryptocurrency. Indeed, cryptocurrency was invented to remove the control that banks and institutions have over money, as well as financial products and services. The first crypto exchanges to come on the market were still centralized, however, requiring an authority to validate all transactions. This limits the possibilities of cryptocurrency and makes these exchanges vulnerable to cyberattacks. To stop hackers, traditional cryptocurrency exchanges generally require personal data and some control over your funds. While this information and control are essential in keeping these exchanges secure, they can deter traders who would rather keep their data private. In addition, the centralized nature of these exchanges means that if a hacker does manage to get into the system, they can do a lot of damage. These issues with traditional cryptocurrency exchanges have led to the growth of a field called decentralized finance, or DeFi for short. With DeFi exchanges, there is no need for an independent authority to validate all transactions. Self-executing contracts instead validate transactions. The system keeps track of transactions on distributed ledgers or blockchains that cannot be edited once written. The data is also distributed in nodes spread throughout the network, meaning that a hacker would have to successfully attack all of the nodes at once to hack into the network. The advantages of DeFi go beyond privacy and security. Decentralized exchanges allow for easy trading between individuals, increasing the opportunity to earn interest off your cryptocurrency holdings. With simultaneous sharing and updating of records, exchanging also becomes cheaper, faster, and more effective. DeFi Has A Lot Of Opportunities, But There Are Still Some Significant Barriers To Entry Firstly, choosing an exchange can be quite a process. It can be hard to sift through all the new exchanges popping up and do the proper research to choose the right one. In addition, decentralized exchanges frequently have great back-end technology, but they aren’t always easy for users to navigate on the front end. Users have to sign up for each exchange, often needing to go through a complicated process and separate paperwork for each. Even once you’ve made multiple accounts, you’ll need to keep switching between apps to check information and trade. This makes it harder for people to diversify their DeFi holdings, increasing the investment risk. The Growth Of Cryptocurrency Trading Platforms Cryptocurrency trading platforms are one of the essential parts of cryptocurrency. They provide users with a way to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, as well as trade them for other currencies. The first cryptocurrency trading platform was , which was founded in 2010. It was initially a place where users could trade bitcoins for USD or other currencies. However, it did not last long because of security issues and other problems. arguably MtGox Other platforms have appeared on the scene, including Binance and Coinbase Pro. These are just two examples of platforms that allow users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies using fiat money such as USD or EUR (euro). These platforms generally offer different types of services: some allow you to access your account easily while others require you to download an app first so you can use their services on your phone or computer device instead; some offer better security features than others do; some high charge fees while others charge low ones. Indeed, cryptocurrency trading platforms are changing the game for decentralized exchange users. Some of these platforms, such as TabTrader, aggregate data from 40 different exchanges into one user-friendly app that allows users to see trading data, get alerts, and trade across exchanges. And they’re motivated by a mission to make DeFi accessible to all. “We believe that every human has a chance to become financially independent,” said Suslov. “We get up every morning to enable investing for everyone in the world. One of our users quit his job in 2017 and has supported his family only via trading in TabTrader since. This is the best example that proves we are on the right track. We believe that DeFi is person-to-person without an intermediary and thus should be mobile, just like TabTrader.” For instance, with the TabTrader app, users can easily explore exchanges, compare data, and trade without signing up for multiple accounts or switching between different apps. Users can plug their account information into the app and make purchases through connected exchanges without signing up for each one separately. TabTrader never has access to user funds, though. They make their money through rebate fees on transactions made through the app, ads, and through a monthly subscription they offer. While there have been aggregation apps, most are traditional Chrome browser extensions only for desktop use. Modern ones, such as Binance and especially TabTrader, have put their focus on mobile technology, becoming one of the world’s top 8 crypto apps in both the iOS and Google Play stores. Furthermore, they’ve reached this rating without any paid marketing, which is a testament to the value they provide to their customers. In the fast-paced crypto market, especially with decentralized trades and new tokens, a good mobile app allows users to check on their assets and make trades no matter where they are and what else they’re doing. Especially for traders looking to make more volatile and risky investments, this on-the-go functionality is essential. In this aspect, you may think of Binance or TabTrader. However, TabTrader differs from others as it offers helpful and personalized notifications for users looking to trade on the go and track their assets efficiently. Their cross-exchange price alerts notify users when a token exceeds or exceeds a specific value. This feature is also offered in some exchange apps but with varying reliability and customization. Rounding It Up If nothing else, DEXs' popularity is a testament to their usefulness and the growing power of decentralized finance. The TabTrader platform alone has received over 74,000 5-star ratings, and the average user opens the app seven times a day—engagement on the level of Facebook or other social media sites. The future always remains to be seen, but with DEXs, DeFi is undoubtedly on the road to becoming more and more widespread.

DeFi, DEXs, and the Growth of Cryptocurrency Trading Platforms

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) has emerged as a revolutionary force within the cryptocurrency space, transforming the traditional financial landscape and offering a new paradigm for global finance. By leveraging blockchain technology and smart contracts, DeFi platforms have brought forth a permissionless, transparent, and inclusive financial ecosystem. In this article, we will delve into the world of DeFi, exploring its key features, benefits, and the potential challenges it faces as it continues to shape the future of cryptocurrency finance What Is DeFi? DeFi refers to a set of financial services and applications built on blockchain networks, mainly Ethereum, that operate without intermediaries or centralized control. Unlike traditional finance, which relies on banks, brokers, and other intermediaries, DeFi protocols function autonomously through smart contracts. These contracts execute predefined actions when specific conditions are met, eliminating the need for third-party oversight. The cryptocurrency market's roller-coaster ride has been a defining characteristic, and investors have experienced both tremendous gains and gut-wrenching losses. While the potential for high returns is alluring, the inherent volatility has deterred many traditional investors from fully embracing cryptocurrencies. However, DeFi introduces a new dimension of stability and trustworthiness to the crypto space. In the realm of DeFi, the concept of trust is revolutionized. Traditionally, financial systems required intermediaries such as banks, insurance companies, or asset managers to facilitate transactions and maintain the integrity of the system. These intermediaries add complexity and create single points of failure. On the contrary, DeFi relies on decentralized networks and smart contracts that are programmed to execute transactions automatically when certain conditions are met. By eliminating intermediaries, DeFi platforms not only minimize the risk of human error and manipulation but also create a more robust and resilient financial ecosystem. Each transaction is recorded immutably on the blockchain, providing transparent and tamper-proof records that can be verified by anyone. This transparency is a game-changer for investors who seek to understand the intricacies of their investments and the underlying mechanisms driving their financial instruments. Moreover, DeFi is built on the principles of open-source collaboration and interoperability. Developers and projects within the DeFi space actively work together to create a cohesive and interconnected ecosystem. This collaboration fosters innovation and ensures that the best ideas and practices are shared and implemented across platforms. As a result, DeFi has the potential to offer a wide range of financial services, from decentralized exchanges and lending platforms to synthetic assets and insurance, all without the restrictions imposed by traditional financial institutions. The promise of stability, longevity, and reliability that DeFi holds is attracting an increasing number of investors and users to the space. As more people recognize the potential of DeFi protocols, the total value locked in these platforms continues to rise significantly. This trend indicates the growing confidence in DeFi as a viable alternative to traditional finance and as an investment avenue that can provide consistent and sustainable returns. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that DeFi is still a relatively young and rapidly evolving sector. While it offers numerous advantages, it also comes with its own set of risks and challenges, as mentioned earlier in the article. As an investor, it is essential to conduct thorough research, exercise caution, and only invest funds you can afford to lose. Key Features of DeFi : DeFi’s foundation lies in its decentralized nature. All transactions and operations within DeFi platforms occur directly between users through smart contracts, eliminating the need for intermediaries and central authorities. This increases transparency and security while reducing the risk of censorship or manipulation. Decentralization : DeFi is accessible to anyone with an internet connection, bridging the gap between the banked and unbanked populations globally. Individuals from regions with limited access to traditional financial services can now participate in DeFi protocols, thereby fostering greater financial inclusion. Financial Inclusion : DeFi platforms typically require no prerequisites, allowing users to interact without needing approval or identity verification. This feature allows anyone to use DeFi services freely, ensuring a level playing field for all participants. Permissionless Access : Many DeFi protocols are built on Ethereum, but the DeFi ecosystem is not limited to a single blockchain. Interoperability allows DeFi projects to collaborate, enabling cross-chain functionalities and enhancing the efficiency of the entire DeFi space. Interoperability Benefits of DeFi : DeFi introduces new ways for cryptocurrency holders to earn rewards. Yield farming involves lending or staking crypto assets on decentralized platforms, which generate interest or rewards. This process has opened up opportunities for users to earn passive income on their holdings. Yield Farming & Staking : DeFi has spawned the development of DEXs, platforms that facilitate peer-to-peer trading of cryptocurrencies without the need for centralized exchange intermediaries. This eliminates custody risks and gives users greater control over their funds. Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) : DeFi protocols offer decentralized lending and borrowing services, enabling users to access loans without credit checks or collateral requirements. Likewise, individuals can lend their cryptocurrencies and earn interest on the lent amount. Borrowing & Lending : DeFi projects enable the creation and trading of synthetic assets, which mimic the value of real-world assets. This innovation allows users to gain exposure to traditional financial instruments without needing to own the physical assets. Synthetic Assets : Some DeFi platforms are exploring the incorporation of KYC (Know Your Customer) measures to comply with regulatory requirements. While DeFi's ethos is built on decentralization and permissionless access, responsible adoption of KYC can enhance security, prevent fraud, and foster a more favorable regulatory environment for DeFi's growth. KYC Implementation How DeFi Makes Investing Easier DeFi has significantly simplified the investing process for individuals in various ways: : DeFi platforms are accessible to anyone with an internet connection, enabling investors from around the world to participate in a wide array of financial services without the need for intermediaries or geographical restrictions. Accessibility : Unlike traditional finance, which often requires significant capital to start investing, DeFi protocols typically have no minimum investment requirements. Users can start with as little as a few dollars, making investing more inclusive and approachable for newcomers. No Minimum Investment : DeFi's smart contracts enable near-instantaneous transactions, reducing the time and friction associated with moving funds between different investment opportunities. Instant Transactions : Traditional financial systems often involve numerous intermediaries, resulting in substantial transaction fees. In contrast, DeFi's peer-to-peer nature eliminates the need for intermediaries, reducing fees and maximizing investment returns. Lower Fees : DeFi offers a wide range of investment options, including staking, liquidity provision, yield farming, and participation in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). These options cater to varying risk appetites and investment goals, allowing investors to tailor their strategies accordingly. Diverse Investment Options DeFi has emerged as a transformative force, disrupting traditional finance and reshaping the cryptocurrency ecosystem. By offering financial services without intermediaries, DeFi has unlocked a world of possibilities for financial inclusion, democratization, and decentralized control. While the sector faces challenges and risks, the responsible adoption of technologies like KYC can foster a more stable and secure DeFi ecosystem. As the technology continues to evolve, DeFi's emphasis on accessibility, speed, and versatility makes it an attractive option for both seasoned and aspiring cryptocurrency investors, positioning it as a key player in shaping the future of finance.

Decentralized Finance - A New Frontier in Global Finance

Over the past few years, the cryptocurrency revolution has entirely changed the way we think about money. Digital assets have completely given us a paradigm shift, allowing us to enter an age where money doesn’t have to be so difficult to relate with. Instead of traditional, slow processes, cryptocurrencies have shown us that money can - and should - move as fast as the current age. And as digital assets become more mainstream, it has become evident that this revolution isn’t a fad. The rise of cryptocurrencies has also led to increased clamouring for (CBDCs). Essentially, these are digital assets that are built to replace the traditional currencies we have at the moment. Proponents of CBDCs claim that they offer the best of both worlds - the speed and efficiency of cryptocurrencies, as well as backing and proper regulation from governments. Thus, they are the perfect way for us to transform our monetary system as they combine the two important things needed for money to improve. central bank digital currencies Control Is Key for Individuals To be fair, CBDCs are a credit to most economies. Several countries that have committed to developing CBDCs have outlined their benefits, and they’ve seen just how effective these assets can be when it comes to redefining the landscape. However, CBDCs miss one important factor that made cryptocurrencies themselves so popular - control. Today, are popular because they give people the chance and opportunity to control their finances and do what they want with their money without worrying about censorship. traditional cryptocurrencies With CBDCs, this just won’t be the case. Countries have claimed that they will use CBDCs to collect data on peoples’ spending habits and financial activities, with the goal of using this data for the improvement of their economies. However, if history has taught us one thing, it’s that you can never trust centralized authorities to use your data entirely for your benefit. And with countries like China - which currently leads global CBDC development - being especially big on censorship and surveillance, it’s understandable that people are sceptical. The need for control has made it clear that traditional crypto is exactly the revolution we need. The only problem is that crypto itself remains a tad complex and disjointed as most people still don’t have access to all their holdings in one place. , a new platform looking to help crypto investors consolidate all their holdings into one place, is looking to change that. Oobit In this interview, we spoke to Amram Adar - Oobit’s CEO and Co-founder - about his vision for the platform and what they hope to achieve in the coming years. What was the idea that formed the creation of Oobit? From day one it was all about taking the benefits of the crypto world and making it reachable for everyone. No matter if you are a crypto guru or a beginner, Oobit provides a real bridge from digital assets to the current traditional finance and for the day to day usage. How does Oobit work? What are the ultimate selling points for industry beginners? With Oobit you can pay for (almost) everything with crypto. We believe that your money is your money and only you get to choose how to use it and where to spend it. Everyone knows the value of crypto but until today crypto was not commonly accepted and Oobit’s mission is to eliminate that barrier. Exclusively on the Oobit app, you can tap to pay with your favorite crypto asset anywhere that accepts contactless payments. Alternatively, you can pay anyone in the world through the app. All you need is their phone number and you can send as little as $0.01 completely for free. How does the Oobit solution improve financial prudence for crypto? Authentication for every payment. You’ll need to use your fingerprint, PIN, or face to verify your identity each time you open the app or make a payment — only you can pay or send money.  For example with oobit, payments between friends and contacts are done by phone number alone. This removes the risk of sending funds to the wrong network or wallet address risking those funds being lost. Do you believe in the potential for traditional crypto - or even CBDCs - to replace fiat money? Crypto is available  24/7, with no bank holidays, or trading hours, and the assets can be stored solely by its owners without any 3rd party. Over the 5 years Oobit is operating we have experienced changes and adoption which are becoming easier month to month for the mainstream to adopt and use crypto daily. Looking back only 2 years ago it was nearly impossible for the mainstream to easily purchase crypto, today it is as simple as ordering food. We don't believe crypto will replace fiat in the next 10 years but it will allow more financial freedom globally (especially for unbanked individuals). Banks today are already educating their customers to use digital banking therefore it’s a matter of time before it all becomes digital. It may take 10, 5, or even a year but the world has headed in that direction. With crypto being volatile, how will the Oobit app help customers make effective and reliable payments? Oobit supports the all main cryptocurrencies, at a click you can convert from crypto to fiat currency without being exposed to price volatility. In addition, by paying with the Oobit app your crypto is being used for the specific transaction only. This is unique and will allow the use of the exact amount to be charged, protecting the rest of the assets from being converted. Being supported by Visa and Mastercard POS, users can use crypto at shops and restaurants globally. This allows Oobit users to bypass all barriers and bring full crypto adoption to their daily payments and everyday life. Will we see a push into new Web3 areas like the metaverse soon enough? We see Web3 as the future and it’s a matter of time until the world will catch up. Oobit is here to support the digitization the world is heading to and making it easier for bridging those gaps.

FORGE GLOBAL HOLDINGS

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FORGE GLOBAL HOLDINGS

forgeglobal.com

201-500 employees

Since 2014

COMPANY RANKING

FORGE GLOBAL HOLDINGS

EVERGREEN INDEX #4603

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