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Bitcoin: Upcoming Halving And What To Expect Bitcoin’s upcoming halving will be one of the most followed crypto-related occasions in the year 2020. Thousands of cryptocurrency enthusiasts will be observing the markets eagerly to witness what effect this year’s halving will have on the cryptocurrency. Many believe that the occasion would have a positive effect on BTC’s price as has been observed in the past. On the other hand, some are expecting the price to drop dramatically after the occasion. Whatever the result may be, it is apparent that this occasion will be a defining juncture for Bitcoin. In this review, we breakdown what the Bitcoin halving is all about, some effects of this occasion, historic occurrences, and what to anticipate from this year’s halving occurrence. Bitcoin was built on a system that mandates regular halving (also known as Halvenings) to sustain its value. The halvings are programmed to happen every 4 years. Already, Bitcoin has witnessed two halving processes, the first in 2012, and the other in 2016. The next halving process is scheduled for the 20th of May 2020. Bitcoin’s Value Preserving Strategy Bitcoin runs on a deflationary economic model which ensures that over time, lesser and lesser Bitcoin tokens will be created until finally, the creation of new Bitcoin tokens will end. BTC’s total supply is capped at 21 million, meaning that it is impossible to have more than that exact number of Bitcoin token in circulation at any point in time. It has been estimated that the very last Bitcoin token will be mined in the year 2140. Bitcoin’s deflationary model predisposes it to scarcity which increases in demand, thereby causing its value to increase as well. This model is different from traditional fiat which is based on an inflationary model, this means that banks can instruct for the printing of more banknotes at will. This is not an ideal practice per se as a boost in the volume of banknotes in circulation could result in the devaluation of that currency. Bitcoin’s “Block Reward” System New Bitcoin tokens are pumped into the market through a popular process known as cryptocurrency “mining”. Bitcoin miners get rewarded with a Bitcoin “block” allotment every time they successfully solve transactions. The blocks are allotted by the Bitcoin algorithm. The block rewarding process happens every ten minutes. So in fact, ten minutes from this moment, new Bitcoin tokens will be created. Mining is not an easy process. It requires a certain level of expertise, specific hardware, and a serious quantity of electricity. After the inception of Bitcoin, the first mining reward was fifty Bitcoin. This meant that every ten minutes, a Bitcoin miner received fifty Bitcoin tokens for solving transactions. That number has since been halved, twice, and is now at 12.5 Bitcoin token per block reward. By May this year, the halving will bring that figure down to 6.25 Bitcoin token per block reward. This feature has been pre-programmed into Bitcoin’s system. What This Could Mean for Mining Lesser block rewards are not the only reason Bitcoin is scarce. It has gotten significantly harder to mine Bitcoin and receive rewards. This is because mining is now more difficult as more miners are entering the system thereby increasing competition. Consequently, an increase in competition means miners require more sophisticated tools to solve cryptographic Algos. Over the years, miners have created what is known as “mining pools” to better handle the rising competition of mining. Mining pools are a network of miners, collectively working towards achieving block rewards. Block rewards in mining pools are distributed according to the percentage of effort put into earning a block. Improved Stock-To-Flow Ratio Halvings have several profitable impacts on Bitcoin. One such effect is that it boosts the Stock-To-Flow ratio of Bitcoin. A commodity’s STF ratio is calculated by dividing the quantity of the asset held in reserves, by the quantity manufactured in a year. The greater the STF ratio, the lesser the annual inflation on that asset. Commodities like gold possess a very impressive STF ratio as its available quantity is limited. Presently, Bitcoin has a significantly lesser STF ratio, unlike gold. Regardless, more halving occasions will boost the Bitcoin’s STF ratio. It is even believed that someday, Bitcoin will surpass gold in the STF ratio rating and will be an even better store of value. This is probably why Bitcoin is dubbed “digital gold”. After-Effects of Previous Halvenings 2012’s Halving The first Bitcoin halving happened on the 28th of November. On that day, the cryptocurrency recorded a 6.5% trade range. Regardless, to the surprise of many, the price remained at a consolidated state months after the occasion. This was partly because Bitcoin was still in its infancy and so, not many people were engaged with it. Also, media coverage at the time was not what it is today, which means many people were not informed of what was going on. Based on the information on Bitcoin’s BNC Liquid Index, the price of BTC attained a high of about $32 on the 8th of June 2011. The price of BTC never broke above the $32 mark until the 28th of February 2013 (4 months later), where price witnessed a climb to $260 after which a drop was experienced and the price stayed below that level for several months. Fast forward to the 30th of November 2013 (close to a year after the 2012 halving), Bitcoin rallied dramatically and peaked at $1,167, which was a whopping 9,686% increase from the initial price of $11 on halving. 2016’s Halving On the 9th of July 2016, the second halving, the price peaked at $664 but did not maintain that uptrend instead fell to $626 on the same day. Subsequently, the price continued on that downward trajectory for about three months. However, things started looking up for Bitcoin from the 27th of October 2016 when price closed above the previous halving’s high of $664. Bitcoin later proceeded to smash its last all-time high of $1,167 on the 23rd of February 2017. This spike started the famous bull rally of 2017 through 2018, which witnessed a peak at $20,000 sometime in December 2017. 2016’s halving shot Bitcoin’s price from $664 to $20,000 which was a growth of 2,912%. Possible Outcomes of this Year’s Halving? In the crypto sector, the Bitcoin halving is undoubtedly among the most talked-about and anticipated occasions of the year. Presently, there are mixed expectations as to what the outcome of the 2020 halving may be. Many in the crypto sector are very optimistic and believe that, just as in the past, the price will soar dramatically either before or after the occasion. Creator of Kraken, Jesse Powell expects the price of Bitcoin to rise close to $100k or 1 million after the halving. The CTO of Morgan Creek Digital Assets also shares the belief of Jesse and expects Bitcoin to reach the $100,000 mark by 2021. He says that scarcity is a driving force for the demand of any commodity. He explains that the 2020 halving will cause Bitcoin to be more scarce. Other crypto players believe that this year’s occasion will not have a similar trajectory with past occasions and would, instead, mar the price of Bitcoin. Another possible scenario that has been observed over time is the “buy and dump” case. This scenario usually plays out when there is a highly anticipated occurrence. It works exceptionally well when the upcoming occasion is sure to have a quantifiable effect on supply and demand dynamics. The price of the asset in question experiences a huge spike just days or a few weeks to the main event. This transpires because investors stock up on the asset towards the event. After the event, however, the price of the said asset drops significantly. This kind of activity has transpired frequently in the cryptocurrency space. One such occasion was the Bitcoin futures trading releases for the CBOE and CME. Just a few days to the CME’s release, the price of Bitcoin rallied from $6,400 and peaked close to its all-time high of $20,000 in a day. Not surprisingly, the price dropped considerably in the period that followed those releases. Furthermore, some cryptocurrency experts believe that the aftermath of the halving has already been priced in. It has been observed that demand is “missing” in the Bitcoin market, this could be a clear indication that the halving has been priced in. Usually, months before a halving, a boost in demand and price of Bitcoin is always noticeable. This time, however, no increase can be observed in neither of the stated areas. In this case, it could lead to a lateral trading period which might be a good thing for traders. At the moment, Bitcoin is still struggling to break above the $7,200 mark and there are no signs of a reversal happening soon. Whatever the result may be one thing is for sure, the price of Bitcoin is set to experience drastic changes this year. Source: https://learn2.trade -
Your All-Round Guide To Security Token Offerings Security token offerings (STOs) are one of the most revered investment options in the crypto space at the moment. It has even been termed the “future of fundraising”. But what exactly are STOs and what is the rave all about? This article aims to break down STOs, what it is all about, and how it can be beneficial to you. What Exactly is a Security Token Offering? STOs, simply put, provide a means of tokenizing fungible financial assets such as stocks, bonds, and REITs, and introduces the tokens to the public through regulated channels. STOs are a lot like ICOs as they generally involve the same processes. However, the differentiating factor between STOs and ICOs is in the tokens being sold. With ICOs, the tokens are usually non-descriptive and could range from anything digital currencies to utility tokens. With STOs however, the token is a “security”, meaning that it is exchangeable and possesses a set monetary value. Breakdown of Security Tokens Security tokens function as digital versions of the assets they represent. Here’s a list of some popular security token representations: 1- Capital markets: Firms can convert their shares into tokens, allowing investors to own parts of the firm. In some cases, owners of tokens receive dividends and can execute votes on the affairs of the firm. 2- Equity funds: Equity funds can also tokenize their shares for sale. 3- Commodities: Commodities like gold, natural gas, coffee can be tokenized. 4- Real estate: The equity of this asset class can be tokenized, much like how REITs function. STOs do not change the underlying securities, instead, it makes these assets more readily accessible on a digital platform. Unlike other digital assets, security tokens can only be traded on certain regulated exchanges. Some exchanges require interested investors to meet some set qualifications. Advantages of STOs STOs are formulated with regulatory-compliance in mind, unlike ordinary token sales. Security tokens provide its owners with several legally binding rights. Some security tokens even bestow its owners with rights to dividends or other defined streams of income. Security tokens are also beneficial to their issuers. From the onset, the entities issuing the tokens are aware that their tokens are being purchased by accredited and verified investors and so, they don’t have to worry about the credibility of their investors. Other advantages of STOs include: 1- It is adequately regulated: Entities issuing security tokens must operate under the guidance of designated regulatory agencies in the region like SECs and FTCs. 2- You can rest assured that STOs won’t falter in the future: Unlike ICOs that cannot be guaranteed, STOs are sure to always deliver because it is properly regulated. 3- STOs offer great convenience: Procuring security tokens is easy, straightforward, and stress-free. All you need to do is to adhere to the STO requirement in your jurisdiction and you’re good to go. 4- It can be programmed: Security tokens are programmable and can be facilitated by smart contracts. 5- Automated dividend disbursement and voting: Some security tokens are structured to send dividends automatically through smart contracts. Also, some security tokens provide the bearer with exclusive voting rights in the affairs of the entity offering the tokens. 6- It is a globally accessible investment vehicle: Investors across the globe can procure security tokens regardless of their location. 7- It is not susceptible to manipulation: Considering the mode of operation STOs are run by, big players cannot manipulate its movements. 8- STOs are very liquid: It is a very promising investment option as it has an impressive liquidity quality and can be traded easily. With benefits like these, STOs are for sure transforming the fundamentals of the financial sphere. Disadvantages of STOs As with every other form of investment, security tokens has its limitations and shortcomings. Some of these limits are: 1- It is considerably more costly than utility tokens: STOs, unlike ICOs, hosts many organizations in their fundraising campaigns. Also, regulatory fees are not cheap which makes it more capital-intensive to host STOs. 2- Investor Qualifications: Countries like the US have certain qualifications an investor has to scale before becoming eligible to engage STOs. According to the SEC to be an “Accredited investor”, you must have an annual income rate of $200k and above or a minimum of $1 million in the bank. 3- Specific trading conditions: STOs can only be traded on certain designated exchanges. Also, these tokens are time-bound meaning that you are allowed to trade these tokens between investors for a set period after the STO. The Howey Test Usually, tokens are said to be securities, by law, when they pass certain thresholds. One such way to identify a security instrument is by applying the “Howey Test”. But first, let’s look at a piece of quick background information on how the Howey test came to be. In 1944, a citrus plantation called the Howey company of Florida leased out a large portion of its land to several investors in a bid to raise funds for much-needed developments. The buyers of the land were not skilled or versed in citrus farming in any way and decided instead to just be “speculators” and let the experts do their jobs. The lease was made on the premise that profits would be generated for the investors by the lessor. Not long after the business transaction the Howey company was sanctioned and accused by the United States SEC of failing to register the sale with the authority. The SEC maintained that the company was dealing with unregistered security. Howey denied the claims however, assuring that what it offered wasn’t a security. After much debate, the case ended up in the Supreme Court, which later ruled in favor of the SEC that Howey’s land leasing were undoubtedly securities. It remarked that investors were purchasing land mainly because they saw an opportunity to make a profit off the deal. Howey was then ordered to register the sale. This was the story of the enactment of the Howey test. Today, per the Howey test, anything is deemed to be a security if it satisfies the following criteria: 1- The investment included money. 2- The investment was made on an enterprise. 3- Profit will be made from the efforts of the providers of the investment. The Howey test has become a stronghold name in the crypto space. In 2017 and 2018 (during the “Heydey boom”), many ICO providers were completely consumed with scaling the Howey test as it was a major determinant used in ascertaining the legality of an ICO by the SEC. Failure to pass the test meant the offering was illegal and was sanctioned by the authorities. Some ICOs even advertised their tokens as investment instruments that had no value, describing their tokens as “utilities” used only for interactions on the platform. The Inception of STOs The very first STO was released by Blockchain Capital on the 10th of April 2017. The release pooled about $10 million in one day. Several STOs have been released following the first event including tZero, Sharespost, Aspen Coin, Quadrant Biosciences, and many more. STOs have since gained widespread acceptance and relevance in today’s market. Understanding the Distinction Between Security Tokens and Tokenized Security Confusing security token for tokenized securities is a common trap that people fall into. The main distinction between the two is that the former is usually a recently issued token that functions on a distributed ledger system while the latter is just a digital manifestation of pre-existing financial instruments. Apart from similarities in appearance and nomenclature, security tokens have absolutely nothing in common with tokenized securities. What Entities are Involved in an STO Issuance? Assuming a business entity plans on issuing security tokens as an embodiment of equity in its establishment, the next necessary step for that business would be to involve certain players and follow certain directives. It has to formally contact an issuance platform to serve as a medium for issuing the tokens. Popular issuance platforms include Polymath and Harbor, which consist of service providers like custodians, broker-dealers, and legal entities to carry out secure processes. Who Can Invest in STOs? STOs are available to the general public for the taking, regardless of location. However, as mentioned previously, the US has certain rules guiding STO investments. In the US, it is mandatory to be an “accredited investor” before you can invest in this instrument. An accredited investor is an individual with an annual cash flow of $200k and above for at least 2 years or a net worth of $1 million and above. More nations are starting to adopt the United States’ classification method and have begun restricting certain classes from investing in STOs. It is advisable to always research on the STO rules and regulations of the jurisdiction you’re planning on investing with. Final Word STOs provide businesses with the prospect of raising funds in an easy and regulated setting. It gives both investors and issuers a good deal of benefits, while also ensuring insurances against fraudulent or malicious practices, unlike ICOs. Issuers are not limited to any industry, they can vary from several sectors including real estate, VC firms, and small and medium enterprises. Moving forward, we will likely witness prominent firms venture into the STOs. Source: https://learn2.trade
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By humblepeasant · Posted
Good news is my posts no longer seem to need moderator approval! Beginning tomorrow, I will be day-trading two currency pairs: EUR/JPY and GBP/USD. I'll trade during the morning and afternoon hours, New York time. I'll be using an Oanda "core pricing + commission" account. I plan to trade a "practice account" through the end of January, then a small "live" account beginning February. I've set my charts up to closely resemble the format popular in the RCRT thread (NinjaTrader + MetaTrader). My trading style will primarily consist of what I've learned from that thread. I'll track my performance in terms of R-multiples. The purpose of this thread is just for a little fun with some bonus accountability. I've got nothing to sell/teach, and I will probably lose money! 😁 -
By HFblogNews · Posted
HotForex Celebrates 10 Years of Trading Excellence. Dear Client, This year, we are celebrating our ten year anniversary, during which time we have become a firmly established market leader with 35+ of the most prestigious industry awards and 2,000,000 live accounts. Our revolutionary Zero Spread Account, unique proprietary HFcopy copy trading platform and market leading insurance up to €5,000,000 are just some of the ways we have already made our mark on the industry, and we are constantly looking for new ways to enhance our services. HotForex CEO George Koumantaris said: “We are committed to being a global market leader known for our customer service, and always keep our loyal clients at the heart of everything we do. To show our appreciation of their support, we constantly work to ensure that our products and services reflect the very best that the industry has to offer, and look forward to doing so for another ten years and more!” To learn more about HotForex, please visit our website by clicking here. Thank you for all your support! The HotForex Team
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