Tag Archives: markethive

HOME

Solana Gains Momentum Defying All Odds SOL Set For Serious Gains

Leave a comment

Solana Gains Momentum Defying All Odds. SOL Set For Serious Gains

Many altcoins have experienced significant declines exceeding 40% since March, yet a few have shown remarkable strength. Solana stands out as one of these resilient altcoins, prompting speculation about its potential for a bullish surge once the cryptocurrency market reaches a parabolic phase. In this article, we will explore Solana's recent developments and discuss the possibility of SOL reaching new heights in the upcoming months. Whether you are already invested in SOL or contemplating adding it to your portfolio, this information is essential reading.

Significant developments have unfolded in the brief span of three months since the last Solana update. Notably, Solana surpassed Ethereum regarding stablecoin trading volumes, a milestone achieved during a mini-surge in altcoins in March, and Solana was a vital driver of this trend. Notably, SOL’s value peaked just before the FTX estate revealed its plan to offer 41 million SOL tokens to investors at a substantial 68% discount, amounting to approximately $7.6 billion.

FTX completed its over-the-counter (OTC) sales in May, but a crucial aspect to consider is that these deals are tied to a four-year vesting period. This means that when the buyers eventually sell their SOL, they will likely face minimal albeit steady selling pressure. 

Solana Memecoins, Payments 

Solana's surge in popularity can be attributed to the numerous memecoins created on its platform, particularly after the launch of Pump.fun memecoin generator in March. This memecoin hype caused a significant increase in transaction fees, which led to Solana surpassing Ethereum in terms of fees generated. However, the high volume of memecoin transactions caused congestion issues on Solana's blockchain, and despite not experiencing any actual outages, it was severely impacted, rendering the network nearly unusable.

Congestion problems first appeared in April and have since been a significant factor in the fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) surrounding SOL’s price. Solana's validators then implemented a technical upgrade to address the congestion problems, yet they continue to affect some users. Despite this, institutional investors remain unfazed and continue to include SOL in their crypto portfolios.

According to a report by CoinShares, 15% of institutional investors surveyed have raised their investments in SOL since the beginning of the year. Some of these investors likely obtained their exposure through FTX OTC sales. Another positive development for Solana occurred in April when it was announced that Stripe, a major payment processor, would enable USDC payments on multiple blockchains, including Solana.

The importance of Solana's self-positioning as a blockchain for crypto payments cannot be overstated. The announcement in May that PayPal had introduced its PYUSD stablecoin on Solana's platform is particularly noteworthy. In an open letter, PayPal explained its decision to build on Solana, highlighting the network's rapid finality and low fees. Additionally, they emphasized their intention to utilize PYUSD on Solana for commerce and payment purposes, citing its confidential transfer feature. This development could catapult Solana's value to unprecedented heights, with stablecoin payments emerging as a game-changing use case.

June was a whirlwind of activity for Solana. Following the news of its collaboration with PayPal, institutional investors significantly increased their investment in SOL. But they weren't the only ones eager to get in on the action—Circle, the issuer of USDC, also revealed plans to introduce enhanced stablecoin features on the Solana platform.

It’s worth mentioning that Solana is identified as the designated blockchain platform for USDC, as stated in a blog post by Circle. The current status of this arrangement is uncertain following the dissolution of the Center Consortium in August 2023, which was composed of Coinbase and Circle.

Solana Enhancements, ETFs, Regulations  

Solana has made significant iterations, including introducing Solana Actions and blockchain links (Blinks). These innovative tools enable seamless integration of blockchain transactions into various platforms, providing a user-friendly Web3 experience. With Solana Actions, users can efficiently execute on-chain transactions across different platforms, including websites, social media, and physical QR codes, allowing for enhanced flexibility and convenience.

With Solana Blinks, any action can be converted into a shareable link, enabling any website or platform that supports URLs to initiate a Solana transaction using a Solana wallet. This innovative feature seamlessly integrates on-chain transactions into various online platforms, including websites and social media, eliminating the need for users to navigate away from their current page. Thus, decentralized apps become more accessible, intuitive, and user-centric. Most would say that’s pretty remarkable! 

However, what’s not so remarkable is the concerning development of the CFTC, which is investigating Jump Crypto, a crucial entity within the Solana network. Jump Crypto has played a vital role in shaping Solana's infrastructure, having contributed to the creation of the Pith Network Oracle and the Wormhole bridge and collaborating on the development of Solana's Fire Dancer client. The potential implications of this investigation on Solana's growth are uncertain. They may hinge on the extent to which other companies within the ecosystem are involved in developing Fire Dancer.

Thankfully, the attention Solana received regarding the Jump Crypto CFTC investigation has been overshadowed by the announcement that VanEck had applied for a Solana ETF in June. Nevertheless, despite the recent greenlighting of similar ETFs for Ethereum, industry insiders believe it's unlikely that Solana will receive ETF approval anytime soon.

However, several analysts have pointed out that the approval of a SOL ETF may become more feasible if there is a change in the presidential administration following the November elections, as this could lead to a shift in leadership of the SEC. Despite being a challenging prospect, a growing consensus across party lines in Congress supports cryptocurrency. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas emphasized that the deadline for the SOL ETF approval is expected to be around March next year. Additionally, 21Shares submitted an ETF application after VanEck, and it is anticipated that other asset managers may also pursue similar ETF offerings, opening up exciting possibilities for SOL's future.

Predictions regarding the impact of a potential SOL ETF on the price of SOL vary widely, similar to the discussions around Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. While some forecasts suggest that the ETF may have minimal influence on SOL's price, others anticipate a significant surge, possibly exceeding its current value by nine times. One piece of evidence supporting the bullish outlook is the substantial premium at which Grayscale’s Solana Trust (GSOL) is trading in comparison to its net asset value, indicating institutional optimism.

According to CoinBureau's crypto specialists, SOL's optimal price ceiling during a strong market surge is estimated to be around $1200. Notably, this forecast aligns with the 9x growth predictions made by other industry experts, and those ETFs will likely launch when the crypto bull market reaches its most enthusiastic and optimistic peak, potentially leading to a significant surge in SOL's price.

SOL Price Outlook

SOL has been an outlier among altcoins, bucking the trend of recent price crashes. Instead, it has been trading within a tight range of $130 to $200 since late February. It is essential to highlight that a similar scenario is observed with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major altcoins. Typically, periods of consolidation are followed by significant breakouts either above or below the established range.


Source: CoinBureau.com

The chart above indicates that SOL could reach $300 if it breaks out upwards in the upcoming weeks or drop to $90 if it breaks out downwards in the same period. However, predicting the direction SOL will take is not determined by knowing its potential high or low points. To resolve this, we need to examine the factors influencing the new supply, such as selling pressure, and the factors driving demand, known as buying pressure.

The price is influenced by supply and demand dynamics. SOL's supply has reportedly risen by approximately 20 million units over the past three months. If all the newly supplied tokens were sold, SOL trading at an average price of $150 could have resulted in up to $3 billion worth of selling pressure in under four months. However, despite this significant supply increase, the demand for SOL seems even more extraordinary.

A few key statistics to consider:

  1. Notably, the Phantom wallet has surpassed 4 million downloads, marking a significant milestone. It was reported to have reached 3 million downloads just a few months prior, as highlighted in a recent Solana updates article, showcasing its rapid growth.
  2. DAP radar indicates that Solana has recorded over 5.5 million unique active wallets in just three days. This figure represents four times the 1.4 million wallets recorded in March. Additionally, DApp Radar has observed a 50% rise in active wallets within the past month.
  3. Solana's DeFi protocols have maintained a total value locked of approximately $4.7 billion, even as the price of SOL has dropped by 20 – 30% from its recent peaks. This is noteworthy as it indicates that fresh funds are flowing into Solana's DeFi protocols despite the decrease in price and the overall negative market sentiment.
  4. Furthermore, this trend is supported by data from Solscan's analytics page, which shows that the daily number of active Solana wallets has remained stable, hovering around the 900,000 mark.


Source: Solscan

Solana’s Roadmap And Catalysts That Could Boost SOL

Returning to SOL's current and future price action, its resilience can be attributed to the strong demand aspect of the supply-demand dynamic. The ongoing uptrend in the factors driving demand indicates a greater likelihood of SOL breaking higher. Put simply, there is a higher probability of SOL surging to $300 in the coming weeks than plummeting to $90, representing a significant 50% increase from its current value. However, it's important to note that a break above $200 is required for this scenario to play out, and that would need a catalyst to trigger it.

It just so happens that Solana has a slew of forthcoming milestones that could act as a growth catalyst. One of the most significant is Fire Dancer, a cutting-edge validator client generating much buzz. To provide a quick update, Fire Dancer is a game-changer because it has the potential to enhance Solana's speed significantly. A member of the Fire Dancer team shared that it will initially boost Solana's transaction capacity to 20,000 transactions per second (TPS) with plans to increase that number to a whopping 1 million TPS gradually.

Solana has achieved a peak speed of approximately 7,000 TPS to date. However, its maximum potential TPS is believed to be around 65,000. A Fire Dancer team member disclosed that the actual figure is nearer to 200,000 TPS. Nevertheless, exceeding the indicated TPS level brings about significant challenges, implying that scaling up to 1 million will necessitate additional modifications.


Source: Chainspect

Concerning the project schedule, Anatoly Yakovenko, the founder of Solana, has repeatedly stated in interviews that his team aims to launch the initial version before the September Breakpoint conference. The recent announcement of a bug bounty program for Fire Dancer suggests that the release will likely happen sooner rather than later. However, it’s worth noting that Jump Crypto, a company assisting with the development of Fire Dancer, is currently under investigation by the CFTC, which may impact the project's timeline.

Additionally, Solana has experienced a string of technical problems in the past. A team member from Solana's Jito validator client recently shared in an interview that Fire Dancer may also face some challenges. If Fire Dancer propels SOL above the $200 mark, the driving force behind its surge past $300 will likely be unveiled at Breakpoint.

Notably, previous conference announcements have significantly impacted the price. In addition to Fire Dancer and any other announcements to be made at the conference, Solana has two other important events coming up that could increase the value of SOL. One of these is creating a formal on-chain governance structure, a topic discussed in Solana’s forums. 

A well-defined governance framework can help Solana shift towards a more decentralized model, which may alleviate the regulatory pressure the SEC has exerted on it. In case you missed it, the SEC has identified SOL as an unregistered security in its legal actions against major cryptocurrency exchanges Binance and Coinbase.

A crucial upcoming development that could propel SOL's growth is the potential passage of stablecoin-related legislation in the US, although its timing is uncertain. Austin Federa, Solana Foundation's strategy head, recently asked crypto-friendly politician Bill Haggerty in an interview about this matter. Unfortunately, Haggerty's response suggested that the regulatory approval process would be prolonged due to ongoing Democratic opposition in the Senate despite widespread bipartisan support. This delay may be why major SOL stakeholders have been increasing their financial backing of Republican candidates.

The outlook for Solana over the next eight months is quite eventful. With Fire Dancer on the horizon, followed by the pivotal Breakpoint event, upcoming stablecoin regulatory developments (should the Republicans prevail in the November elections), and a potential ETF launch early next year (again, contingent on a Republican win), the path is paved for SOL to potentially reach the $1000 mark before the crypto market's bull run concludes. However, achieving this feat will hinge on various external factors beyond Solana's control falling into place.

Solana Challenges

One of the primary obstacles facing Solana is regulatory issues. Despite the optimism around stablecoin payments, the negative impact of the Jump Crypto CFTC investigation cannot be ignored. If the legal proceedings escalate to the point where Jump is forced to reduce its involvement in the cryptocurrency sector, it could have significant consequences. This scenario is not merely a matter of speculation.

The leader of Jump's crypto business resigned recently. If a major company within the Solana network reduces its operations, it could considerably delay the progress of Fire Dancer and similar projects. The Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) continued examination of Solana as a financial asset is expected to persist for the foreseeable future. Moreover, if the Democratic party gains control of Congress in the upcoming election, Solana can likely expect even more rigorous oversight.

Solana faces a second hurdle: stiff competition. With its impressive speed, it's easy to overlook that it's not the only high-performance Layer 1 blockchain on the scene. Rivals like Aptos and Sui, dubbed "Solana killers," are rapidly gaining traction in the Layer 1 space. Anatoly has publicly expressed concerns about these projects' threats, and for good reason. The technology behind Aptos and Sui has been years in the making, originating from Facebook's Libra project, underscoring the significant resources and expertise behind these emerging competitors.

In any case, Aptos and Sui possess a dual advantage, boasting cutting-edge technology and established connections. Furthermore, developers have found the Move programming language highly accessible and easy to work with. Although Aptos and Sui have not yet reached the same level of adoption as Solana, any technical glitches experienced by Solana could prompt a mass exodus, similar to how alternative platforms gained traction when Ethereum's high gas fees became prohibitively expensive.

This leads to the third hurdle, namely development complexity. Solana's developers, including Anatoly, often joke that building on Solana is as painful as "chewing on glass," making it precarious when rival platforms offer seemingly effortless coding experiences. A notable example is Soulend, formerly one of Solana's most prominent DeFi protocols, which has opted to deploy on Sui as Suilend. While this doesn't imply that Solend has completely abandoned Solana, it does suggest that developers and projects within the Solana ecosystem are actively exploring alternative blockchain options.

The Bottom Line 

Despite everything mentioned, Solana stands out as a leading cryptocurrency project, and its native coin, SOL, is expected to achieve significant growth in the near future. If Solana successfully tackles its obstacles and achieves its milestones, SOL could pleasantly surprise investors. Many experts in the crypto space share this sentiment, predicting that Solana will be among the top-performing large-cap cryptocurrencies. 

Some believe that SOL may even lead the pack regarding percentage gains, which could positively impact the altcoins within the Solana ecosystem. They may also witness substantial gains compared to their counterparts, potentially leading to impressive growth.

Many will know that Markethive’s token, Hivecoin (HVC), has been successfully integrated into the Solana blockchain. Solana stands out as the only blockchain capable of meeting the massive demands of Markethive's decentralized social market broadcasting network, which generates ever-increasing amounts of data and content. Other blockchains lack the technological capabilities to support an application of this scale and complexity.

Projects like Markethive that have pioneered a specific field and offer genuine utility to the broader community possess a unique advantage. Markethive belongs to the category of first movers and provides a wide range of practical applications, enabling it to gain a significant portion of the market. 

Leveraging Solana's technology, Markethive is well-positioned to become the premier choice for a decentralized, uncensored platform that integrates all aspects of social media, marketing, broadcasting, publishing, eCommerce, and business facilitation thereby creating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem for individuals from all backgrounds. 

This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

 


 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

HOME

World Economic Forum 2024 Global Economic Outlook: What Are The Chief Economists Predicting For Our Future?

Leave a comment

World Economic Forum 2024 Global Economic Outlook: What Are The Chief Economists Predicting For Our Future?

2024 has been a year of elections as many countries worldwide have been gearing up for the polls. Nevertheless, as the campaigns and debates gain momentum, it's essential to remember that the popular vote has never chosen the individuals who wield the most significant impact on our daily lives. The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a prime example of this phenomenon. The WEF's ‘experts’ have been diligently crafting their newest economic prediction, which will inevitably have far-reaching implications that will affect everyone, regardless of our individual opinions.

This article analyzes the latest report from the WEF's chief economists, who express cautious optimism regarding the global economy's future. Despite their hopeful outlook, they anticipate various challenges ahead. However, a critical flaw in their analysis is the failure to recognize that the policies they promote often have adverse consequences for the general population. Ultimately, the WEF and its partners have overlooked a crucial aspect of the larger issue: their own role as a contributing factor to the problem.


Source: World Economic Forum

The Economists’ View, Full Of Surprises Or Not

This article summarizes the "Chief Economists Outlook: May 2024" paper authored by numerous leading economists worldwide. This publication, updated quarterly, presents the collective views of these experts. The document commences with a brief overview, indicating that most economists anticipate a more robust global economy than the previous edition. 

For perspective, in January, about 56% of economists thought the global economy would be weak. However, the latest data shows that only 17% share this belief. Not surprisingly, almost 100% of economists believe that geopolitics and politics will cause volatility. The elites appear to be particularly apprehensive about the possibility of a second Trump presidency.

It’s also not surprising that economists' prevailing view is that the US economy will maintain its strength while the EU's economy will weaken further. Surprisingly, they forecast that certain central banks, such as the European Central Bank, will cut interest rates, whereas others, like the Federal Reserve, will hold rates steady. 

It’s also surprising that economists predict a global economic recovery in the next few years. It’s surprising because there’s a strong correlation between GDP and energy production, and many countries are not pursuing the best energy policies. The WEF is partially responsible for this situation. 

According to the WEF's economic experts, these subpar energy policies are expected to boost economic growth miraculously. Ironically, their research reveals the actual sentiment on the ground, where numerous countries are skeptical about these policies' ability to stimulate economic growth. It's no surprise: they're unlikely to deliver.

Politics And Geopolitics

The paper's initial section reveals a prevailing consensus among WEF economists as “a mood of cautious optimism.” While many experts anticipate a thriving economy, the outlook is predicated on the assumption that political and geopolitical factors will not pose a significant threat to economic growth. The Middle East and Eastern Europe are currently the most pressing concerns regarding global hotspots. As we've witnessed, any intensification of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, along with its proxies, could have an even greater impact on oil prices.

The widespread use of oil in various industries would trigger a broad-based price surge, prompting central banks to maintain or increase interest rates to manage supply-side inflation effectively. The practical effect would make existing debts more costly and borrowing more challenging, ultimately leading to a slowdown in economic activity. It's worth noting that the economy already relies heavily on debt.

In Eastern Europe, the increasing tension is not primarily driven by economic factors as it is unlikely to cause additional disturbances to supply chains and similar aspects. Instead, the primary concern is that the situation could destabilize the region by casting doubt on the legitimacy of its institutions, both in the eyes of Europeans and other international actors. This is particularly relevant in light of the EU's consideration of releasing $300 billion in assets it seized from Russia to Ukraine.

It's worth noting that this move could have significant implications for the global financial system, potentially leading other countries to reassess their investments in Europe and European assets. To mitigate this risk, the EU has only released the profits generated by the seized assets rather than the assets themselves. However, the US is reportedly urging the EU to utilize the underlying assets to support Ukraine, and the EU is understandably cautious, given the potential for negative consequences.

In a related development, the US has been urging the EU to impose stricter measures on China. Taiwan is another potential hotspot that could trigger market instability. Notably, Taiwan is responsible for manufacturing most of the world's microchips, and any disruptions to its production or trade could have catastrophic consequences. It's intriguing that China has been escalating its hostilities towards Taiwan, suggesting it may not depend on Taiwan's unique microchip production capabilities.

Geopolitical experts speculate that China may have gained the capability to produce advanced chips independently, raising concerns about potential implications for Taiwan. Such action doesn't necessarily have to take the form of a full-scale invasion; a trade blockade would be sufficient to cause economic disruption. The fact that the US and EU are hastening to establish their own chip-making facilities suggests that such disruptions could be unavoidable.

On the political stage, a surge in nationalist parties has been unfolding globally, a trend that has been anticipated for some time. During difficult times, individuals often point fingers at the wealthy and immigrants. This sentiment seems true across various nations and challenges the globalist-focused economy because nationalist parties prioritize the interests of their citizens, for better or for worse. As highlighted in this article, globalism is failing, which will be painful in the short term. It will initially cause inflation to increase while asset prices remain high; wages will eventually follow. 

The economists surveyed by the WEF anticipate that inflation will persist, and they attribute this to housing and energy rather than nationalism. Specifically, housing prices have increased due to globalist policies restricting construction and accelerating immigration, while globalist policies concerning energy have led to increased expenses across the board. According to the WEF's experts, prices may surge by 30% if tensions in the Middle East intensify.

They also note that a significant portion of global trade, 20-40%, occurs between geopolitically unaligned countries, which poses a challenge for European and Asian economies. Hopefully, the WEF’s economists' forecast regarding the Middle East isn't an accurate prophecy.


Source: World Economic Forum

Unpredictability, Complexity, ESG

In the document's second section, economists from the WEF expand on the “challenging Global landscape.”  They highlight how international conflicts, domestic strains, technology, and high interest rates have led to an unpredictable environment for everyone. For those unaware, investors generally dislike uncertainty more than any other factor. Investors don't mind a world war so long as it's certain because they can price it in and plan. 

So far, the impact of this unpredictability has been relatively subdued, likely due to investors' assumption that the money printer will be turned back on. However, from the WEF and its economists' standpoint, the problem is not unpredictability; it’s complexity. The above factors contribute to this complexity, posing challenges for the WEF central planners' decision-making. In reality, they shouldn't be making these decisions in the first place.

WEF economists are concerned about the growing divergence between the data reported by governments and the actual experiences of individuals. In their own words, they quote, “The emergence of divergence between modestly encouraging economic data and stubbornly gloomy public sentiment.”  This disparity has been described as a "challenge" by the WEF's economists, who have refrained from advocating censorship to address the issue in the name of misinformation, disinformation, etc. If this challenge continues, though, don't be surprised to see such censorship. 

Adding fuel to the fire, the WEF's economic experts appear oblivious to the underlying reasons behind this growing disparity. They attribute it to simply being a matter of inequality and uncertainty, which barely begins to address the issue. It's becoming increasingly clear to many that the system is unfairly skewed in favor of the WEF itself. A prime example of this bias is a section in the report outlining the factors that will supposedly influence business decisions, as the WEF's economists dictated. This section of the paper outlines the factors affecting business decisions as perceived by the WEF's economists, which provides a telling example.

To clarify, businesses were not directly questioned; instead, a panel of academic experts was consulted to provide insights into businesses' perspectives. The responses were unsurprisingly disconnected from reality. For instance, WEF economists believe that typical businesses consider geopolitics in their day-to-day decision-making. In fact, most companies focus more on inflation and labor issues rather than geopolitics. 

Interestingly, the study's authors rank labor as one of the least significant factors for businesses, which contradicts many businesses' actual priorities. This disconnect may explain why ordinary individuals are pushing back on the policies of those in power.

It's intriguing that the WEF's economists discovered that corporations are increasingly issuing as many bonds as possible. They believe these companies are apprehensive about what lies ahead, which suggests that they are concerned about the future and are borrowing heavily to prepare for future challenges.

In a more optimistic light, the WEF's research revealed that a majority—75%—of top business leaders harbor doubts about ESG principles, while nearly a quarter have rejected them altogether. This finding is noteworthy, especially considering that ESG has gained widespread traction in recent years, largely thanks to the efforts of influential asset managers such as BlackRock.

The WEF's economists then pivoted to another pressing issue: fiscal and monetary policy. Fiscal policy encompasses government spending and taxation, while monetary policy involves central banks and interest rates. As previously mentioned, the WEF's economists predict that interest rates will decrease in the EU while remaining relatively stable in the US and other regions.

Previously, central banks worldwide had aligned their monetary policies to mirror the actions of the Fed. This was done to avoid potential repercussions such as Japan's significant yen depreciation when central banks implemented divergent interest rate strategies. The European Central Bank faces a similar risk with the euro, as it may not be sustainable for the ECB to maintain elevated interest rates for an extended period. Oddly enough, economists at the WEF anticipate a trend towards more constrained fiscal policies, as governments apart from the US seem restricted in their ability to increase spending. 

The projection for Europe is particularly surprising, considering the EU's strong commitment to funding ESG-related initiatives. What's most peculiar is that the paper's authors are puzzled by the expectation that the EU will reduce its spending. The discrepancy between monetary and fiscal policies in the Eurozone is believed to be a contributing factor. If not managed carefully, this could lead to the euro's collapse. That's why the ECB hastened the rollout of a digital euro to oversee the European economy.


Source: World Economic Forum

WEF Predictions, Policies  

In the third section of the report, the WEF economists offer their projections for the future of the global economy. These predictions focus on the long term, specifically the next five years, which makes sense as it aligns with the WEF's goals it’s trying to achieve by 2030. Notably, the WEF's economists observe that global growth has slowed since the turn of the century.

They are significantly concerned about the possibility of a further deterioration in this global slowdown. This anxiety stems from the fact that almost 25% of the economists at the WEF think that the world will not be able to reach its pre-pandemic annual growth rate of 4%. This pessimistic outlook could be driven by varying perspectives on how much technologies such as AI can enhance productivity, with half of them expressing doubt about its significant impact.

The realization is striking, as the WEF has been optimistic about technologies such as AI due to their implicit promise to replace the populace and preserve the world's marvels exclusively for the privileged few. They still believe AI will drive growth, but not to the extent they initially anticipated.

A notable observation is the disparate way the WEF's economists perceive the impact of advancements like AI on developed and developing nations. Their perspective suggests that developed countries will reap the most significant benefits. In contrast, developing countries will only experience limited and incremental improvements as if this disparity was intentionally designed into the system.


Source: IPSOS

In 2022, an alarming headline emerged stating that, based on a survey conducted by the WEF, individuals in developing nations have a strong affinity for the metaverse. This assertion appears counterintuitive, suggesting a concerning implication that the WEF may be aiming to keep these countries in their place. This sentiment is also reflected in the WEF economists' paper.

Consider the following quote: 

“There was a lack of consensus on the role of other industries, including mining, supply chain and transport services, manufacturing, fossil fuel energy and materials, retail and wholesale of consumer goods, and financial professional and real estate services in global growth.” 

Consider that mining, manufacturing, and fossil fuel industries are the foundation for many developing nations. Notably, WEF economists hold differing views regarding these industries, even though they are essential for the advancement of developed countries. After all, artificial intelligence relies on hardware.

The paper's concluding section focuses on the crucial aspects of policy priorities that will foster economic growth in the next five years. The WEF economists emphasize the significance of these policies, which are likely to be adopted by most countries, given the significant influence the WEF wields over government decision-making processes.

It's a bitter irony that the WEF's economists claim that the global economy could have grown by an additional 50% if capital had been allocated more efficiently in recent years. What's striking is that they seem oblivious to the fact that their own policies have created an environment that encourages this misallocation of resources. This oversight raises severe concerns about the kind of misguided policies we can expect from the WEF and its political cronies. The nature of these policies will likely vary depending on whether they are aimed at developing or developed economies.

Developed countries will prioritize education, infrastructure, improved financial access, and institutional development. While this may seem positive in theory, in reality, education can lead to indoctrination, infrastructure can result in dystopian technologies such as digital IDs, access to finance can mean giving control of your money to a single entity like Black Rock, and more institutions can translate to more unaccountable and unelected organizations influencing domestic affairs.

The economic policies advocated by the WEF economists are similar for developing countries, with a minor variation: innovation. While innovation is a crucial factor in developed countries, it supposedly has less impact in developing countries. At first glance, this might seem like an anomaly, but it actually reveals a more profound truth.

The economists at the WEF emphasize that implementing trade protectionism would have adverse effects regardless of a country's economic situation. In other words, don't you dare put the well-being of your population above our profits. Observing the outcomes for countries that choose this approach will be intriguing.

Economists' Trustworthiness: A Call for Critical Thinking

It is necessary to acknowledge that economists may not always tell the truth when delivering information to different audiences. Therefore, it is wise to approach the content of this paper with caution, as economists are known to provide misleading information to the general public. Nevertheless, the statements made by the WEF economists hold some truth. The global landscape is facing growing instability due to geopolitical and political challenges. However, the underlying concern goes beyond this surface-level analysis, pointing to the inherent instability of centralization.

Visualize the process of stacking coins one on top of the other. Initially, the stack is steady, but with each additional coin, the stability decreases. Adding supports can temporarily enhance stability, but the more coins you stack, the greater the instability, leading to an inevitable collapse. This illustrates that instability is a fundamental characteristic of centralization. It's easy to overlook that centralized systems, such as those developed by organizations like the World Economic Forum, have been in development for decades.

As their rigid structures have grown increasingly fragile, those in power have tightened their grip, but the populace has reached their breaking point. The positive development is that a growing number of people recognize that the challenges they encounter are a direct result of the systems established by influential organizations like the WEF rather than being caused by scapegoats like immigrants, the wealthy, or politicians themselves. The downside is that the WEF is aware of this growing awareness and is unlikely to take it lying down.

Censorship has been on the rise, and although there are still some areas where individuals can express themselves freely and gather peacefully, these spaces are being threatened from multiple directions. Legal action, regulations, market manipulation, and infiltration by WEF-affiliated entities applying the usual totalitarian tactics contribute to this trend. The irony is that as these tactics become more brazen, they risk fueling a growing distrust of institutions, potentially leading to a breakdown in social order and widespread chaos.

Let's not be naive; the World Economic Forum would seize this opportunity, and some believe it's actively working to bring it about. The WEF has explicitly advocated for a global reset since the pandemic outbreak. Although its efforts have been unsuccessful so far, it's unlikely to give up. The only way to achieve a reset is to dismantle the current system, and we may be inadvertently playing into the hands of those planning a deliberate collapse.

Speculation aside, the answer to the current problem is establishing a new framework composed of decentralized organizations crafted for and by the average person. This is the vision that the cryptocurrency sector strives to realize, and it's why the World Economic Forum has been attempting to insert itself into the process. Thankfully, those committed to creating decentralized platforms and institutions are not the type that would ever collaborate with the WEF, no matter the reward. Countless individuals are dedicating their time and effort to this endeavor, and if you wish to effect genuine change, consider joining them.

 

 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

HOME

BlackRock Proposes Its New Retirement Plan Using Your Money: How Will This Impact Your Finances? Discover Your Options

Leave a comment

BlackRock Proposes Its New Retirement Plan Using Your Money: How Will This Impact Your Finances? Discover Your Options.

In mid-2019, BlackRock demonstrated its prophetic capabilities by forecasting the financial and monetary implications of the pandemic before it had even occurred. Considering the company's stature as the world's largest asset manager, some may argue we should heed its insights. 

Recently, CEO Larry Fink released his yearly correspondence with investors, offering subtle hints about potential future developments and BlackRock's strategies. This article breaks down the key takeaways from the letter, providing insight into what it may imply for individual investors and the market at large. We also explore how you can alleviate concerns and secure your financial future. 

To begin with, Larry Fink's yearly correspondence with investors has a distinct tone from his annual address to corporate leaders. BlackRock holds significant stakes in many of the world's largest corporations. Fink's letter to CEOs served as a guide for corporations, outlining what actions they should take. However, this year's letter has yet to be released.

Similarly, BlackRock's CEO, Larry, writes an annual letter to its investors outlining its key objectives. The letter being discussed today is an overview of this annual communication. Notably, the initial section of Larry's letter is particularly striking, bearing the title “Time to rethink retirement.” It's worth noting that this topic is especially relevant, as numerous countries globally are increasing the retirement age due to fiscal constraints stemming from a shortage of taxpayers to fund pension systems.


Source: BlackRock

The Capital Markets

Inspired by his parents' financial struggles in retirement, Larry founded BlackRock to help others build a comfortable nest egg. In his letter, he highlights the importance of investing in capital markets to achieve this goal. Capital markets encompass a wide range of financial instruments, including stocks, bonds, and private investments, providing opportunities for individuals to grow their wealth over time.

Influential investment firms like BlackRock are expanding their reach into multiple areas, including purchasing single-family residences that are subsequently leased to individuals. This trend has sparked concerns about the escalating cost of housing.

In the second portion of his letter, Larry provides a concise overview of the evolution of capital markets in the United States, highlighting two primary methods of wealth accumulation: saving funds in a bank or investing. He attributes the country's impressive performance since the 2008 economic downturn to the size and complexity of its capital markets. Notably, Larry takes pride in his role as one of the creators of mortgage-backed securities, which were instrumental in causing the 2008 financial crisis.

In hindsight, it's not entirely unexpected given Larry's academic background in political science and business administration, which didn't exactly prepare him to be a market expert. Nevertheless, Larry emphasizes that a crucial lesson learned is that a robust banking system alone is not enough to drive economic growth; a country also needs thriving capital markets. He observes that this realization is gaining traction globally, and Larry shares that he has been engaged in discussions with governments worldwide on this topic.

He details his extensive travels last year, visiting 17 countries where he engaged in discussions with top government officials, including presidents and prime ministers. According to him, these leaders are eager to expand their financial markets, and conveniently, BlackRock is poised to assist without any underlying motives, of course. What's alarming, however, is that Larry discloses that Indian authorities are discontent with the widespread practice of Indians using gold to save and store personal wealth. Instead, they want to see this wealth funneled into the banking system, and Larry is likely keen to see it flow into BlackRock's coffers.

In any case, it implies that governments view gold as a threat. Larry appears to share this viewpoint, pointing out that gold has not performed as well as the Indian market and that investing in gold does not contribute to the Indian economy. So, will we see restrictions on gold in the countries Larry advises, citing economic vulnerability as the reason?

Larry proceeds to uncover BlackRock's ultimate objective. He asserts that investing in capital markets is not just desirable but essential for two key reasons. Firstly, it is the sole means of financing retirement plans, and secondly, it is the only way to develop infrastructure that aligns with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. In essence, this constitutes the endgame.

For those who may not be aware, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is a concept promoted by influential financial institutions such as BlackRock and major banks like Bank of America. ESG's ultimate goal is to support the United Nations' ambitious sustainable development goals (SDGs), which envision global adoption of dystopian technologies like CBDCs, digital IDs, and smart cities by 2030. 

Retirement And Demographics

In the third section of his letter, Larry raises concerns about how individuals can financially support their retirement, given the increasing life expectancy. By now, you'll know the answer is to give all your money to BlackRock. Case in point, Larry notes a joint venture BlackRock has with an Indian retirement firm that invests in digital infrastructure. In other words, you will own nothing and be happy, and BlackRock will use your retirement savings and investments to make it happen. It appears BlackRock is making big bets on India, presumably because its workforce population will be one of the last to peak sometime around 2050. 


Source: BlackRock

In a surprising turn, Larry shifts the conversation to the United States, likely to address potential concerns about BlackRock's increasing involvement in India. With a hint of irony, Larry acknowledges that the financial difficulties younger generations face directly result from policies implemented by his generation, the Baby Boomers.

As you may have anticipated, BlackRock has devised a solution to rescue the next generation. Following a stark warning that the US Social Security fund will be depleted by 2034 and recommending a delayed retirement age, Larry proposes three methods to address our financial future.

The first approach is to compel employees to allocate a segment of their salaries towards investments in the capital markets, which would be managed by firms such as BlackRock. According to Larry, the U.S. will implement similar legislation next year, mandating companies with 401K plans to automatically register new employees into the program.

This ties into BlackRock's second strategy for securing our financial futures: exerting influence over how we utilize our retirement funds. In essence, BlackRock aims to manage the savings you've set aside for your golden years, effectively gaining control over how you spend them during retirement. 

The silver lining is that BlackRock's proposal is a product with no legislative backing or hints of a looming obligation. However, the concern is that a similar law could be proposed in the future. If baby boomers were to withdraw too much of their retirement funds, the entire capital markets system could collapse, a risk highlighted by prominent macroeconomic experts like Mike Green.

Larry refers to BlackRock's plan as a “revolution in retirement” and believes it will dispel fear and instill hope. Earlier in his letter, Larry implied that the third way to fix our financial future is to fix the demographic problem, meaning having more kids or at least increasing immigration. But no, all Larry said was what was mentioned a few moments ago: raise the retirement age. 

Larry’s stance might be related to his belief that machines can replace humans. During a recent World Economic Forum discussion panel, he explicitly stated, “Countries will rapidly develop robotics and AI and technology, and the social problems that one will have in substituting humans for machines are going to be far easier in those countries that have declining populations.” 

It would seem that BlackRock's interests align with declining populations. This is unsurprising, given that a shrinking population is ESG-friendly: fewer people mean fewer emissions. If this notion disturbs you, Larry doesn't seem to understand why. Per his letter, “There's so much anger and division, and I often struggle to wrap my head around it.” Perhaps he needs to reflect on his role in the matter. 


Source: SigmaEarth

Infrastructure And ESG

In the fourth part of his letter, Larry discusses the ESG-aligned infrastructure that BlackRock aims to develop using your retirement funds. He states, "The future of infrastructure is a public-private partnership,” meaning BlackRock is partnering with your government. Larry asserts that this partnership is crucial for financing infrastructure projects as governments are burdened with significant debt and cannot undertake it independently.

He points out that the US government's debt is increasing rapidly and that fewer and fewer governments are buying US Government debt. Interestingly, a lack of financial support was the main reason why the precursors to the SDGs, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), ultimately failed.

Larry then goes one step further, saying, “More leaders should pay attention to America's snowballing debt. There's a bad scenario where the American economy starts to look like Japan's in the late 1990s and early 2000s when debt exceeded GDP and led to periods of austerity and stagnation.” 

Larry argues that there is an alternative solution to addressing the national debt beyond cutting taxes and spending. He suggests that if the US economy grows significantly, it could enable the US to repay its debt. However, he fails to note that this growth will simultaneously cause inflation. 

To drive growth in the U.S., Larry suggests focusing on energy investments, particularly in unreliable forms of electricity. Ironically, the current high costs directly result from inadequate investment in dependable energy sources, which can be attributed to the emphasis on ESG considerations. Asset managers like BlackRock have played a significant role in this underinvestment, exacerbating the issue.

Larry's admission that oil and gas will remain essential for “a number of years” is a gross understatement, considering they supply half of the world's energy needs. Surprisingly, Larry praises Germany as a model for effective energy policy despite the country shutting down its final nuclear power plant last year. This decision coincided with Germany's struggling economy, which faced challenges from high energy expenses due to sanctions and renewable energy sources.

Larry highlights Texas as an example of a state struggling with energy issues, attributing the problem to growing demand rather than its shift towards unpredictable renewable energy sources. Ironically, he discloses that BlackRock is investing in initiatives that further increase dependence on these intermittent sources. Moreover, Larry outlines a series of investments BlackRock is making to facilitate a “fair energy transition,” which is primarily focused on maintaining warm homes during winter while seemingly downplaying the importance of other energy-related concerns.

Luckily, Larry discloses that BlackRock is allocating more resources to dependable energy sources than to less dependable ones. This is because the company's clients are driving this demand. It's worth noting that several individuals and institutions had previously threatened to withdraw their investments due to BlackRock's ESG policies, and some actually followed through on those threats.

However, this is just the tip of the iceberg regarding BlackRock's double standards. Larry asserts that renewable energy sources reduce a nation's reliance on foreign powers, but this claim is misleading. The reality is quite the opposite. China supplies 90% of the necessary materials for these renewable energy sources, so every green energy infrastructure depends on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This raises questions about who truly holds influence within BlackRock.

BlackRock’s Plans

Larry outlines BlackRock's strategic trajectory in his letter, detailing the company's partnership with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a leading international infrastructure investment firm with which he appears to have personal connections. Additionally, Larry intends to expand his travels and engage with more leaders globally, promoting BlackRock's strategy as the optimal choice. While he doesn't explicitly state it, his comments imply that BlackRock's growth in assets under management is attributed to foreign sources, thanks to his lobbying efforts.

If you weren't aware, BlackRock's portfolio has surpassed a staggering $10 trillion in value and is still growing. To offer a sense of scale, this would make BlackRock the third-largest country by GDP. Furthermore, this immense wealth would be sufficient to acquire nearly half of the US equity market, although BlackRock already wields significant control through its substantial voting shares. According to Larry, the company plans to maintain its investment strategy, which includes early-stage ventures.

Looking ahead, Larry emphasizes that “Our strategy remains centered on growing Aladdin, ETFs, and private markets, keeping alpha at the heart of BlackRock, leading in sustainable investing, and advising clients on their whole portfolio.” For those who may not know, Aladdin is BlackRock's proprietary trading platform.

Larry mentioned that moving forward, BlackRock's primary focus on the private market will be ESG infrastructure. In terms of ETFs, they plan to increase ETF adoption further and launch new ones, particularly highlighting Bitcoin ETFs. This shift hints at the possibility of more crypto ETFs in the pipeline, including those for Ethereum. Additionally, Larry highlighted that BlackRock will increasingly prioritize fixed income, specifically government bonds, now that interest rates are “near long-term averages.”


Source: BlackRock

BlackRock's move is noteworthy as it indicates that the company anticipates that interest rates will remain stable, which goes against the views of those who predict rate decreases. Following a boastful mention of BlackRock's impressive 90-fold increase in stock value over the past 25 years, Larry highlights the company's acquisition of GIP, an ESG infrastructure firm, and the subsequent appointment of its CEO, who happens to be a friend of Larry's, to BlackRock's board. Who needs crony capitalism when you've got nepotism disguised as ESG?

In all seriousness, Larry concludes by asserting that BlackRock is merely a tiny component of a broader, global phenomenon that he believes is improving the lives of ordinary individuals. However, in reality, this phenomenon primarily enriches the wealthy elite. Larry credits the capital markets and their investors for making this possible, but he fails to mention that a staggering 93% of all stocks are concentrated in the hands of the top 10% of the population.

What Does All This Mean for The Markets And You?

What implications does this have for you and the financial markets? It is crucial to understand that these are distinct entities. One viewpoint is that BlackRock's decision-makers seem alarmingly out of touch with the real world, which is a daunting prospect considering the vast amount of assets they control. The fact that they're holding up Germany as a model for other countries to emulate in terms of energy policy is either a staggering display of ignorance or a cynical ploy, with most people leaning towards the latter interpretation.

Regardless of the circumstances, the outcome remains consistent: wealth becomes increasingly concentrated among the affluent, while the disadvantaged fall further behind. This phenomenon frequently occurs in economies with centralized planning, and BlackRock's most significant mistake stems from this approach. The asset manager assumes that centralized control is the sole means of addressing issues and fostering prosperity to the extent that it collaborates with governments, introduces initiatives such as CBDCs, and limits access to gold, all in the name of economic growth.

This action is not a method for addressing issues and fostering economic growth. Instead, it seems more like a strategy to avoid the collapse of a financial Ponzi scheme. Despite their shortcomings, governments have significantly less debt than banks and asset managers.

Globally, there is a staggering $315 trillion of outstanding debt. Still, the liabilities stemming from complex financial instruments held by banks and asset managers are projected to be exponentially higher, reaching the quadrillions. These instruments are contingent upon the appreciation of underlying assets; if these assets fail to increase in value, the entire derivatives debt structure will collapse, triggering a catastrophic financial meltdown.

Upon closer examination, BlackRock's proposals all boil down to a single premise: entrusting them with your money and allowing them complete discretion over managing it, including determining when it will be returned to you.  The ESG narrative may merely be a ruse to convince people that by handing over their money to BlackRock, they'll be contributing to the greater good. What's particularly unsettling is that Larry appears to have successfully duped many in the US and is now shifting his focus to international markets, where numerous countries eagerly seek investment opportunities, making them vulnerable to his influence.

It's clear that BlackRock's assets under management (AUM) increase whenever Larry travels, and it’s not an exaggeration to label it as deceitful when it leads to insufficient energy infrastructure that financially benefits BlackRock and other venture capitalists. The collapse of Sri Lanka, which previously held the highest ESG score, serves as a cautionary tale. Despite this, BlackRock continues pushing forward with its investments, making the average person worse off. 

This has significant implications for the market landscape. Essentially, poorly conceived ventures will continue to attract excessive investment if they align with ESG criteria. What's particularly irritating is that BlackRock is channeling its ESG investments into startup ventures and private companies, making it challenging for us regular folk as investors to tap into these lucrative opportunities, likely by intentional design.

One approach to capitalizing on BlackRock's ESG fixation may lie in cryptocurrency. A similar trend has emerged in the AI sector, where many companies remain privately held, limiting investment opportunities for the general public. As a result, AI-related cryptocurrencies have become a viable alternative, serving as indirect investment vehicles for those seeking to benefit from AI's growth and development.

It's worth noting that a specific area of crypto, known as ReFi or Regenerative Finance, has garnered attention. While some crypto experts have raised doubts about the legitimacy of certain projects within this niche, they align with ESG criteria. If BlackRock's ESG trend experiences a resurgence, many of these projects could rapidly gain traction. 

Final Thoughts

The reality is that primary energy is scarce due to inadequate investment from BlackRock and similar entities, and the emerging alternatives, except nuclear power, are insufficient to bridge the gap. As this reality becomes apparent, BlackRock will likely face significant investment withdrawals unless its strategy is altered. However, with Larry at the helm, a change in direction appears unlikely, making divestment a probable outcome.

Hopefully, we won't witness another asset manager arising, proclaiming to be the solution to all of humanity's problems. The truth is that most people simply want to be left alone to live their lives without interference. The idea of being "saved” by a grandiose plan or product is unrealistic and ignores the diversity of individual preferences and values. Instead of imposing a one-size-fits-all solution, providing people with the tools and resources they need to live well and make their own choices is more productive.

A Perfect Opportunity For Individual Investors Is Here

Standing out as a beacon of hope against the forces of globalization and corruption is Markethive, a pioneering platform that has been empowering entrepreneurs for years. As a trailblazer in the marketing sphere, it has conceptualized and executed innovative, high-impact strategies tailored to its users. With its sights set on the future, Markethive has transformed into a groundbreaking decentralized ecosystem rooted in blockchain technology and fueled by its cryptocurrency, Hivecoin. Additionally, it aims to expand its offerings by establishing a decentralized crypto exchange. (DEX)

Markethive is actively seeking individual investors to support its mission and vision of becoming a prominent decentralized social media, marketing, and broadcasting ecosystem. According to crypto experts, this is an upcoming crypto narrative in the next bull market. This is significant as it will pay huge dividends in the mid-to-long term for everyone, particularly those participating in the Entrepreneur One Upgrade, which includes the Incentized Loan program. By focusing on its path and purpose, Markethive remains dedicated to providing economic empowerment and identity to all, especially those lacking it.

Markethive is a grassroots project built for the people, by the people, and is of the people that empowers individuals by allowing them to become stakeholders. Markethive is revolutionizing how we approach social media, broadcasting, inbound marketing, and eCommerce, providing a comprehensive system for long-term success, financial autonomy, and a strong community bond. So take advantage of this chance to claim your spot in this pioneering network, where you can positively impact the world and build a lasting legacy of wealth.

This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

HOME

2024 Updates On Solana Network SOL Price Potential and The Markethive Community Wins

Leave a comment

2024 Updates On Solana Network, SOL Price Potential, and The Markethive Community Wins

With Bitcoin's record-breaking surge, the crypto community is abuzz with anticipation for the next altcoin to make a significant leap. And all signs are pointing to SOL. Solana has shown remarkable resilience recently and is on the cusp of achieving significant milestones that could trigger a substantial price surge. This growth potential is an exciting prospect for cryptocurrency enthusiasts and investors.

SOL, a native cryptocurrency of the Solana blockchain, holds immense potential. It covers costs on the Solana network through burning and can be deposited as a stake to operate a blockchain node. SOL tokens are not just for trading and peer-to-peer transactions but also as rewards for staking SOL. Since its introduction to the market in March 2020, it has gained significant popularity, being recognized as one of the top ten cryptocurrencies on CoinMarketCap. With a market capitalization of $61.9 billion and 618,596 SOL tokens in circulation, SOL is poised for a promising future.

As valued members of the Markethive community, we've been at the forefront of Solana's journey, given that our own Hivecoin operates on the Solana blockchain. This previous article from 2022 provides an overview of Solana, highlighting its blockchain's suitability for supporting Markethive's decentralized ecosystem. In this update, I will discuss Solana's recent developments, explore SOL's potential growth, and identify the key factors that could drive its value higher, emphasizing Solana’s crucial role in the Markethive community in this exciting journey.

Solana Has Been Making Waves

Solana, a layer-1 protocol in the blockchain arena, stands out with its exceptional transaction velocity and affordability. It can handle an impressive 50,000 to 65,000 transactions per second, far surpassing Ethereum's current processing power of around 30 transactions per second. This cutting-edge platform deploys smart contracts and decentralized applications, leveraging a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism that ensures ease of access and timestamped transactions to optimize performance.

This article highlights Solana's eight core features, including its groundbreaking Sealevel technology. This innovative feature allows concurrent execution of multiple smart contract runtimes on a single chain, thereby significantly boosting the network's ability to handle multiple transactions simultaneously.

Since its establishment in 2017, Solana has experienced significant growth and development, forging connections with major technology corporations like Google, Visa, and Amazon. These alliances are crucial benchmarks for blockchain initiatives, as they validate the project's credibility, demonstrating real-world adoption, practical use cases, and technological progress.

Solana has forged alliances with a diverse range of notable entities, including Chainlink, a decentralized data provider on Ethereum, and two leading stablecoin issuers: Tether, which has integrated its USDT token into Solana's network, and Circle, whose USDC stablecoin is a critical player in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. 

Moreover, Solana has partnered with Asics, a renowned sportswear brand, and Membrane Finance, a Finnish fintech company that has introduced the first Euro-backed stablecoin on the Solana platform. Notably, Solana's collaboration with e-commerce giant Shopify has opened the door for customers to make purchases using USDC, further expanding the utility of the Solana ecosystem.

In May 2023, Solana unveiled the Saga, a cutting-edge Android smartphone boasting robust blockchain capabilities. This innovative device is now accessible to consumers in various countries, including the UK, EU member states, Canada, the US, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Australia.

Concurrently, Solana revealed its collaboration with ChatGPT, a cutting-edge technology born out of Solana Labs. According to Anatoly Yakovenko, the founder and CEO, "AI will make Solana more usable and understandable." The open-source ChatGPT plugin seamlessly merged with Solana's ecosystem, initially facilitating various operations, including NFT acquisitions, token transfers, finding NFT collections, reviewing transactions, and interpreting public account data.

The frenzy surrounding meme coins on Solana kicked off in December 2023 with the debut of the BONK token. The subsequent distribution of BONK to owners of Solana's Saga smartphone led to the device selling out, and it appears to have had a ripple effect, causing Solana's future phone releases to sell out as well. Amidst the chaos of meme coin excitement, Solana made two significant announcements that flew under the radar.

One notable development was Circle's decision to launch its euro-pegged stablecoin natively on the Solana blockchain. It's worth mentioning that Solana was previously designated as the preferred blockchain for Circle's USDC, although it's unclear if this is still the case. Combined with the recent approval from New York regulators for Paxos to issue its assets on Solana, institutional investors increasingly view Solana as a viable alternative to Ethereum.


Source: X

Could a Solana Spot ETF Be the Next Big Thing?

Following the debut of Bitcoin spot ETFs in January, there has been mounting anticipation about the potential for a similar investment product dedicated to Solana. This buzz seems to have originated from statements made by Franklin Templeton, a prominent asset management firm, which emphasized Solana's notable advantages on the social media platform X.

Despite expectations, Bloomberg's ETF analyst James Seyffart casts doubt on the imminent arrival of a Solana ETF, citing the US Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) ongoing scrutiny. The SEC's classification of SOL as a security in its recent lawsuits against major exchanges Binance and Coinbase may be a significant hurdle. 

Nevertheless, Solana may still have a chance to secure its own ETF in the future. This prospect appears to hinge on whether SOL is listed on the prestigious Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), following in the footsteps of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Industry insiders believe that SOL and other prominent cryptocurrencies like ADA and DOT will eventually be listed on the CME, particularly since the exchange began providing pricing data for these assets in 2022.

Beyond the excitement surrounding ETF speculation, Solana garnered attention in January by introducing Token Extensions, a new development designed to facilitate widespread adoption among institutional investors. Essentially, these extensions represent fresh token standards on the Solana platform, boasting integrated compliance and privacy safeguards to meet the specific needs of institutional users.

Obstacles Facing Solana

Despite the positive developments, Solana's progress was hindered by a significant setback in early February when the network suffered unexpected downtime. This marked the first such incident in nearly 12 months. However, it's important to note that Solana's team swiftly addressed the issue, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining the network's stability. A thorough investigation subsequently identified the outage's root cause as a known bug previously flagged by developers, reassuring us of Solana's ability to overcome challenges and continue its upward trajectory.

Institutional investors prioritize consistency and stability above all else, so Solana's downtime may have affected their trust in the project. Nevertheless, this setback did not prevent Abu Dhabi from collaborating with Solana to develop blockchain solutions. Moreover, it did not deter Sam Bankman-Fried, the embattled founder of FTX, from promoting SOL to his prison authorities.

In addition, Binance revealed in March 2024 that it had put a temporary hold on withdrawals due to overwhelming network activity on the Solana blockchain. Around the same time, Coinbase users may recall similar notifications. Clearly, the Solana network became overwhelmed due to the surging popularity of memecoins, which reached a fever pitch and generated hundreds of millions of dollars in presale revenue on the platform.

Several people drew parallels between these pre-sales and the excitement surrounding Ethereum's initial coin offering (ICO) during the bullish market 2017. Yet, the underlying technical causes of the problems caused by this congestion may be obscure. A deeper understanding reveals that the congestion problems primarily stemmed from the Maximum Extractable Value (MEV) mechanism provided by Solana clients, particularly Jito, which ceased its mempool functionality in March 2024.

To clarify for those who may not know, MEV gives validators the ability to reorder transactions in a way that boosts their earnings. As a result, some transactions may not be processed successfully, leading to exchange problems.

Furthermore, transactions are temporarily stored in mempools before being included in the blockchain. While Solana's fundamental structure does not include a mempool, Jito's block engine, which aims to maximize extractable value (MEV), does have one. As a result, numerous expensive front-running attacks have been carried out on cryptocurrency traders, including sandwich attacks.

In the end, the Jito Labs team sees negative MEV, including sandwich attacks, as a hindrance to the Solana ecosystem, which is why they have decided to suspend it. Nonetheless, they are committed to providing an additional revenue stream for validators and stakers while striving to make Solana the top choice for all users in terms of performance.

On a positive note, Jito's bundle and block processing systems remain functional, and the rewards for maximizing extractor value (MEV) have not experienced a significant decline. Moreover, the attractive economic benefits will likely motivate teams to develop similar mempool solutions inspired by Jito's model.

It's worth noting that Franklin Templeton remains optimistic about Solana's prospects, as evidenced by a recent research report shared with its clients, which argues that memecoins can successfully drive user growth. This suggests that the recent surge in memecoin popularity may be intentionally orchestrated to achieve this goal. The results support this theory, with Solana reportedly surpassing Ethereum in terms of decentralized exchange trading volume.


Source: X

SOL’s Price Movement 

Solana's price movement has been influenced by its recent updates, announcements, and progress, leading to significant SOL value growth. Analysis of on-chain data indicates that this surge in price may be attributed to the popularity of memecoins, with an increase in user activity and transactions on the Solana network. This trend is further supported by the growing adoption of the Phantom wallet browser extension, which has now surpassed 3 million downloads.

Let's take a step back to appreciate the rapid progress: just six months ago, Phantom had 2 million downloads—this stark contrast highlights Solana's astounding growth rate, which is accelerating at an incredible pace. A closer look at on-chain data reveals a remarkable surge in Solana accounts, with growth rates reminiscent of the crypto market's peak in 2021.

According to DappRadar's statistics, the Raydium DEX on Solana has attracted nearly 1.3 million unique wallets, while the Magic Eden NFT Marketplace has gained 300,000 new wallets. This indicates a resurgence in Solana's NFT environment. Current data shows that Solana NFT transactions have reached a significant milestone of $5 billion in trading volume.


Source: DappRadar

The importance of this lies in the fact that SOL is a necessary prerequisite for purchasing memecoins and NFTs on the Solana platform. As a result, any individual seeking to invest in or speculate on these digital assets must initially acquire SOL, thereby generating a surge in demand. This increased demand has been the primary force driving up the value of SOL over the past few months.

However, that only addresses the demand side of the situation. When considering the supply side of the equation, historical information indicates that the SOL supply has risen by around 20 million in the past six months. Therefore, using an estimated price of $150 per SOL could lead to potential selling pressure amounting to as high as $3 billion.

Despite significant selling pressure, SOL's price came remarkably close to reaching a record high, implying that the demand was exceptionally strong, possibly exceeding $3 billion. Alternatively, the selling pressure may have been overstated. Nevertheless, observing the substantial funds invested in memecoins is quite revealing.

As mentioned in this article, the rise in popularity of memecoins is thought to be caused by the absence of new retail investors entering the market. This situation may have encouraged large-scale investors, known as "whales,"  to target the existing retail investors familiar with decentralized exchanges (DEXs), leading to the hype surrounding memecoins. Despite the underlying reasons, Solana (SOL) displays a strongly optimistic outlook across various time frames.


Source: Messari

Solana’s Actual Road Map For 2024

Solana developed a de facto roadmap for 2024, established by the Solana Foundation in January. This plan includes four key milestones. The first milestone was the introduction of Token Extensions, completed in January. The second milestone involves the rollout of new validator clients, such as Fire Dancer, which is already operational on the testnet. Without delving into complex technical details, validator clients effectively enable validators to engage with the blockchain, enhancing network performance. 

The introduction of the Fire Dancer client is expected to substantially boost Solana's speed, although the exact improvement remains uncertain. Anatoly Yakovenko, the founder of Solana, mentioned in a December 2023 discussion that the Fire Dancer client is anticipated to be launched by the upcoming Breakpoint Conference in September 2024.

Interesting tidbit: With the successful integration of Fire Dancer, Solana will finally shed its beta label. This milestone, combined with the anticipated boost in performance, is expected to have a profoundly positive impact on SOL's value. Many experts believe this could be the spark that propels SOL to surpass the $300 mark in the upcoming weeks.

The next significant benchmark on Solana's defacto roadmap is unspecified institutional support. This milestone marks a crucial step forward, indicating that businesses now have unrestricted access to a comprehensive suite of tools necessary for building on the Solana platform. Furthermore, given Solana's ambition to emulate a decentralized version of the NASDAQ exchange, the integration of tokenized, real-world assets is likely on the horizon.

The following key objective is establishing a “mature building ecosystem,” where Solana’s developers are encouraged to leverage the full range of tools to create innovative products and services on the platform. The authors identify six critical focus areas: developing gaming finance applications, (GameFi) decentralized autonomous organizations, (DAOs)  permission products, infrastructure solutions, payment systems, and interoperability features.

The Solana Foundation recently announced a new milestone in a blog post involving an upcoming upgrade to address Solana's congestion problems. This upgrade began in mid-April and may include potential MEV functionality.

The Governance Forum of Solana has indicated that it plans to develop a new governance framework. An article published in August 2023 mentions that the introduction of this governance structure is expected in the first quarter of 2024. However, it remains to be seen whether it has been finalized at this point.

Closing Thoughts on Solana

Anatoly Yakovenko, the mastermind behind Solana, noted in an interview the importance of considering the potential shift in efficiency between decentralized and centralized exchanges. As decentralized exchanges become more effective, centralized cryptocurrency exchanges will likely transition to utilizing the decentralized blockchain for enhanced efficiency. Solana is determined to be at the forefront of this shift and has a strong possibility of emerging as the go-to blockchain solution.

Solana boasts 29.7 million active accounts and 340 million minted NFTs. With fast block times at 400ms and a low median TX fee of $0.00064, the network is known for its energy efficiency and zero net carbon impact. Despite notable obstacles, the Solana ecosystem has shown impressive resilience and sustained expansion. It has emerged as a leading candidate for managing millions of users on decentralized trading platforms.

Solana is an impressive venture supported by influential figures who believe in the network. The team is both reliable and innovative. Despite being in beta, Solana has demonstrated its capabilities beyond just a polished interface, processing billions of transactions. Additionally, the company started modestly without relying on massive amounts of venture capital, focusing on achieving tangible outcomes. These aspects collectively indicate a focus on delivering results.

Markethive Thrives On The Solana Blockchain

Solana is a perfect fit for the Markethive ecosystem, empowering the Markethive to further its mission of creating a fully decentralized platform for social media, marketing, and broadcasting where users can freely express themselves without fear of censorship. This all-encompassing ecosystem provides a comprehensive suite of tools for social media, marketing, broadcasting, publishing, eCommerce, and business facilitation. Ultimately, this collaboration aims to create an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds can flourish in a cottage industry economy.

A key long-term goal is to launch the Markethive blockchain and decentralized exchange (DEX). This comprehensive project, designed to operate independently at every level, will resist the oppressive forces affecting societies worldwide. Multiple components of Markethive's ecosystem are being developed in tandem, preparing the way for the millions seeking a safe haven and reclaiming their independence. We have established our sovereign merchant account and successfully activated the Markethive wallet.

To conduct transactions through your Markethive wallet, you will need Solana's native coin (SOL) for the transaction fees, as Markethive’s Hivecoin (HVC) is a Solana token. Sending HVC involves paying gas fees. If Hivecoin were based on the Ethereum network, sending 10 HVC would cost $4.16. However, because Hivecoin is built on the Solana Network, the cost of sending 10 HVC is just $0.00003, which is a minuscule amount by comparison.

SOL can be purchased from a wallet like Solflare, Trust, or Exodus and then sent to your Markethive Solana sub-wallet. Watch this video for a step-by-step guide on setting up and utilizing the Exodus wallet to purchase SOL. To begin building your SOL reserves, leverage Solana's numerous faucets, which offer free SOL in exchange for participation. As detailed in this article, you can also take advantage of airdrops through Trojan On Solana. 

Markethive originated from modest roots without the backing of influential investors. Instead, it was created by the people and for the people, forming a collaborative environment that empowers entrepreneurs. The true beneficiaries of this system are its grassroots community, who will collectively reap the rewards and share in the prosperity and abundance that permeates every level of humanity. 

Keep updated on the advancements of Markethive as we implement our innovative new system—a secure Divine fortress impervious to malevolent forces. Join us for the weekly meetings held every Sunday at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. You can access the meeting via the invitation link in the Markethive calendar.

This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.


 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

HOME

The Top Ten Cryptocurrency Blunders: A Must-Read Guide for All Investors

Leave a comment

The Top Ten Cryptocurrency Blunders: A Must-Read Guide for All Investors

Are you eager to maximize your returns in the cryptocurrency market? If so, it's crucial to avoid common pitfalls that could lead to significant financial losses. This comprehensive guide will delve into the ten most critical errors crypto investors often make, which can result in substantial monetary losses. By understanding and avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure that your investments not only avoid unexpected setbacks but also thrive, leading to significant profits that can potentially change your financial future.

#1. Not Doing Your Own Research (DYOR)

One of the most common blunders for investors is the lack of thorough research before diving into an investment opportunity. It's easy to get excited, especially when a friend boasts about a lucrative altcoin investment that promises astronomical returns. However, it's essential to avoid getting caught up in the frenzy and instead take a step back to educate yourself. 

This includes learning about reputable exchanges, secure cryptocurrency storage, and tax implications, as well as delving deeper into the specifics of individual crypto projects. By conducting your own research, you are taking control of your investments and empowering yourself with knowledge.

When evaluating research and projects, two crucial factors come into play. Firstly, verifying the project's authenticity and examining the token distribution is essential. To accomplish this, CoinmarketCap or CoinGecko can be used to analyze the coin or token. Delve into the data, focusing specifically on the price movement and trading activity. The trading volume should be substantial, indicating genuine interest and market participation. Additionally, the token should be listed on at least one reputable exchange.


Source: CoinGecko

With the basics covered, it's time to delve into more in-depth information from secondary sources. Explore cryptocurrencies on websites such as Messari, Binance Research, and CoinBureau, which provide comprehensive introductions to projects, their core teams, and objectives. Be sure to examine the profile section on Messari, which offers valuable insights into a project's background, token distribution, and other essential details.

It is essential to consider how tokens are allocated. It is favorable when tokens are distributed broadly among the community, indicating a healthy sign. Conversely, it raises concerns if a small group, often the founders, possesses most of the tokens. Additionally, it's essential to investigate the backgrounds and credentials of the founder, CEO, and other key team members. Videos featuring these individuals can provide valuable insight into their expertise and vision.


Source: Markethive.com

Previous interviews offer valuable insights into their progress in realizing their goals. Also, if they conduct regular meetings or webinars open to the public, it indicates transparency. Another key indicator of their credibility is their ability to follow through on their road map. At this stage, you should have gathered sufficient information to assess the project's authenticity and potential for long-term success.

#2. Opting For Inadequate Crypto Exchanges

Choosing the right exchange is a make-or-break decision. Many beginners and experienced cryptocurrency users fall into the trap of selecting the wrong exchange platform. The severity of this mistake can vary greatly, but it's crucial to start by verifying the exchange's authenticity. Unfortunately, many individuals are deceived by fraudulent crypto exchanges, underlining the need for vigilance in this crucial step.

Exercise caution when encountering sponsored advertisements for cryptocurrency exchanges, even when they appear on trusted news websites. Conduct thorough due diligence. Look into online discussions on Reddit, X, Bitcointalk, and other forums to see what users say about their experiences with these exchanges. 

Additionally, investigate the exchange's leadership, including the founders' backgrounds and the company's history. Just as you would carefully vet individual cryptocurrency projects, it's crucial to apply the same level of scrutiny when evaluating exchanges, particularly those that are less well-known.

Next, ensure the exchange aligns with your investment approach. This involves checking if the exchange provides the specific tokens you want to purchase. Most exchanges will meet your needs if you focus on investing in well-established large-cap tokens. However, if you're interested in smaller-cap tokens with greater risk but the potential for high returns, you'll need to be more discerning in choosing exchanges.

While specific cryptocurrency exchanges boast an extensive catalog of digital assets, others, like Coinbase, have a more limited selection, comprising only a few hundred options. Nevertheless, Coinbase's strict adherence to regulatory standards as a publicly traded company in the US ensures the implementation of rigorous security protocols. This sets it apart from many other exchanges, which lack similar oversight and may not inspire the same confidence level.

Beyond security and coin allocation, consider whether the exchange's features align with your trading style. As a beginner, you may prefer an exchange with a user-friendly interface. If you're more seasoned, verify that the exchange offers the advanced trading features you need. Many exchanges cater to diverse skill levels by providing basic and advanced platforms, but exploring your options is essential to finding the best fit.

Finally, ensure the platform you consider using accepts your currency and does not charge excessive trading fees. High fees can ruin a successful trading day, especially when more affordable options are available.

#3. Impulsive Decisionmaking With No Strategy

The third mistake to avoid is entering the crypto market without a strategic approach. As the saying goes, 'Failing to plan is planning to fail.' This adage holds particularly true in crypto, where impulsive decisions often lead to regret. By establishing a well-thought-out strategy, you can confidently navigate the market, making informed investment choices rather than relying on chance. With a solid strategy in place, you can feel secure in your decisions and confident in your ability to navigate the market. 

A solid strategy serves as a guiding framework, protecting you from making rash, emotional decisions and keeping you on track despite the influences of fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) and the fear of missing out (FOMO). With a robust strategy and the discipline to stick to it, you can progress steadily without getting derailed.

Crafting a winning approach requires a tailored plan that suits your unique needs. Some general principles can serve as a guide. Start by setting clear and measurable goals rather than vague aspirations. Consider your comfort level with risk when setting these goals. For instance, someone in their early years without family responsibilities may be more inclined to invest heavily in cryptocurrency, whereas someone older with dependents may take a more cautious approach.

Regarding your cryptocurrency investments, you need to determine your comfort level with risk. Will you diversify your portfolio with smaller, more volatile altcoins, offering more significant growth opportunities but with higher uncertainty, or play it safer with established large-cap coins that provide more stability but limited upside? Additionally, should you hold onto your investments for the long term (HODL) or engage in active trading? This decision ultimately hinges on your personal risk tolerance and the trade-offs you're willing to make between security and potential returns.

Regardless of your investment approach, remember this crucial rule: never put in more money than you can comfortably part with, and refrain from taking on debt to fund your investments—it's simply not a risk worth taking. New investors, in particular, should resist the urge to amplify their bets with excessive borrowing, such as crypto leverage trading. Additionally, be sure to cash in on your gains periodically. Failing to do so is a common pitfall, so make it a deliberate part of your strategy, and you'll be grateful for it in the long run.

#4. Relying on a Centralized Exchange Instead of a Personal Wallet

Fourth on the list is a crucial security oversight: neglecting to self-custody one's crypto. To clarify, self-custody means having complete autonomy over your cryptocurrency by storing it in a personal wallet that only you can access and control. This approach is akin to keeping your physical cash in a personal safe rather than relying on a bank. For optimal security, self-custodial wallets are the recommended choice. Newcomers to the crypto world may wonder why they shouldn't simply store their funds on a centralized platform like Coinbase, Kraken, or KuCoin, but there are important reasons to avoid this approach.

Keeping some of your assets on these platforms for easy trading might be practical. However, there are risks when entrusting your assets to third parties online. Trusting the entity you are dealing with is essential, as some dishonest individuals are in the industry. A recent example is Sam Bankman Fried, who was once highly regarded in the crypto world but ended up causing significant financial losses to many. As a result, it's imperative to exercise extreme caution when dealing with online asset storage.

A second drawback of centralized exchanges is that, regardless of their trustworthy nature and rigorous security measures, they can never provide a guarantee against cyber-attacks. The cryptocurrency industry has witnessed a staggering $2.85 billion in losses due to theft from various exchanges and custodial services since 2012, demonstrating that no platform is entirely immune to breaches. Not even significant exchanges like Binance are immune, as evidenced by a hack they experienced in 2019 despite their robust security measures.

Cryptocurrency exchanges are attractive targets for cybercriminals due to the potential for substantial financial gains if their security measures are compromised. Malicious individuals seeking to take advantage of vulnerabilities in these platforms constantly threaten them. Additionally, regulatory uncertainties pose a risk for exchanges, as they may be subject to sudden closure or asset seizure by government authorities. An example occurred in 2021 when South Korea closed down 11 exchanges allegedly engaged in fraudulent activities.

Finally, there is a perpetual threat of financial collapse and insolvency. In such a scenario, users' assets could be at risk. The likelihood of this increases if an exchange fails to perform regular proof of reserve audits. Therefore, it is not advisable to keep assets on exchanges. Due to these concerns, the risks associated with storing assets on exchanges outweigh any potential benefits. As Benjamin Cowen, CEO of Intothecryptoverse.com, aptly puts it, "Treat exchanges like public toilets. Get in, do your business, and get out.”

So what should you do instead? You need to self custody your crypto by holding a non-custodial or self-custodial wallet. Non-custodial wallets are a broader category encompassing various wallets where users control their private keys. A non-custodial wallet can be browser-based or software-based, like Trust, Solflare, or Exodus, where users control their private keys. Although the wallet provider still bears some responsibility for safeguarding your assets, you have ultimate authority over your cryptocurrency.

Self-custodial wallets are a type of non-custodial wallet in which the user has complete control over their private keys and is responsible for managing their funds. They are hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor in which the user has complete control over their private keys and is solely responsible for securing their assets. In both cases, the user controls their private keys and manages their funds. Still, the level of control and responsibility can vary depending on the type of wallet.

#5. Neglecting To Back Up Seed Phrases and Passwords

Another common security mistake is neglecting to create backups of seed phrases and passwords. A seed phrase is a set of words your cryptocurrency wallet generates and serves as the master key for managing and retrieving your funds. In the event of device failure, loss, or theft, your seed phrase is the only way to regain access to your assets stored in the wallet. 

Storing physical copies of your seed phrases and passwords may seem inconvenient to some people. However, considering the importance of safeguarding your finances, it is essential to prioritize security over convenience. It is crucial that these backups are kept in a tangible format. Avoid saving seed words digitally on your device at all costs, as this dramatically increases the risk of your cryptocurrency being stolen by malware or cyber criminals.

Consider choosing between a paper backup method or engraving the information on a steel card for added security. Ensure that you store this vital information in a secure location. Additionally, take into account the security measures for your cryptocurrency exchange accounts. Implement two-factor authentication, and remember to store the backup codes needed for account recovery securely. Losing access to your phone can lead to being locked out of your account, resulting in a cumbersome verification process to regain entry. Prevent this potential hassle by documenting and safeguarding the codes along with your seed phrases in a secure container or safe.

#6. No Risk Management Plan

Effective risk management is essential for achieving long-term success in the crypto market. It is commonplace to become impulsive and deviate from your initial investment strategy. Staying composed during a bullish market is crucial to avoid making hasty decisions. Therefore, having a risk management plan tailored to your investment approach is vital.

A crucial rule of thumb for all investors is investing only money you are comfortable potentially losing.  If you're an active trader, consider implementing risk management strategies such as stop-loss orders and profit-taking limits. These tools enable you to lock in gains when the market is favorable and limit potential losses when it turns sour. By doing so, you can avoid the need for constant market surveillance, providing peace of mind and a more hands-off approach to investing.

When managing risk, adopting a cautious mindset that extends beyond trading to include withdrawing your assets, also known as off-ramping, is essential. Many fall prey to a common mistake: sending funds to the wrong blockchain via an exchange. This mistake is easily preventable, but it can have irreversible consequences, and even with the help of wallet providers or exchanges, rectifying the situation is not always possible and can be highly stressful. To avoid this, take the precautionary step of sending a small test transaction to confirm the successful funds transfer. While this will incur some gas fees, it's a minor cost compared to the potential risks involved.

#7. Falling For Scams

Be cautious of fraudulent schemes, which are a significant concern in cryptocurrency and are closely related to managing risks. Conducting thorough research and remaining vigilant are essential to avoid falling prey to such schemes. Adopt a skeptical mindset and stay alert to potential red flags. Empowering yourself with knowledge of common fraudulent tactics is key to protecting your investments.

Some typical fraudulent schemes include Ponzi schemes, which rely on flimsy foundations and promise high returns but fail when new investments dwindle. Scammers may also attempt to attract victims to questionable investment platforms where funds are deposited but never returned. Another tactic is phishing attacks, where fraudsters create fake websites or emails to deceive individuals into revealing confidential information like private keys or wallet passwords.

Another insidious practice is pig butchering, a deceitful scheme in which individuals build a fake online connection with their targets and then manipulate them into divulging sensitive financial details or transferring funds. This deceptive tactic, akin to the tactics of the "Tinder Swindler," is prevalent in financial fraud. Moreover, cryptocurrency scams frequently exploit the influence of celebrities, using their images and names to deceive unsuspecting followers. Falling prey to such scams can have devastating consequences, not only draining your finances but also taking a heavy emotional toll on your well-being.

#8. Falling For FOMO 

The following three mistakes are rooted in emotional biases. Although intuition has its place in some regions of life, it's essential to separate emotions from rational thinking when making investment decisions. The fear of missing out (FOMO) is a common psychological trap, and it can cleverly manipulate investors into making impulsive choices.

Theodore Roosevelt once pointed out the negative impact of comparing oneself to others on happiness, quoting, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” “This concept can also be applied to investing. During times of positive market trends and when your peers are succeeding, it can be tempting to abandon one's investment strategy and lose focus.

The proliferation of social media has exacerbated the problem, as overnight successes and compelling forecasts of price surges create unrealistic expectations. For instance, many individuals were convinced that Bitcoin would soar to $100,000 during the previous market upswing despite falling short. The allure of this narrative led people to hold onto their investments for too long, neglecting to cash in when they should have. 

This reinforces the importance of developing a strategy tailored to one's risk tolerance and grounded in thorough research rather than following the crowd. Tuning out the noise and focusing on your approach is essential, a lesson closely tied to the following common pitfall: having inflated expectations, particularly among those new to the market.

#9. Inflated Economics

High hopes can sometimes result in significant letdowns. Viewing cryptocurrency investments as a means to rapid wealth can result in severe financial setbacks when reality fails to match these lofty expectations, particularly in the short term; investors often make ill-advised choices. Such mistakes include impulsively selling during market downturns or investing in high-stakes assets without adequately evaluating the risks.

It is crucial to have a solid strategy and adhere to it in order to succeed. By remaining patient and disciplined, your chances of success are higher. Should you experience good fortune in cryptocurrency, you must exercise humility and discretion. Boasting about your wealth can attract unwanted attention, and there have been disturbing instances where individuals who publicly flaunted their crypto gains online became targets of criminal activity. It's wise to keep your accomplishments private and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself.

#10. Quitting Prematurely

Lastly, a common pitfall is surrendering too soon, which can cause investors to forfeit potential profits. The market's tendency to experience significant fluctuations can be intimidating, and those not prepared for such instability might quickly sell their assets during downturns, putting themselves at risk of losses. Exiting too early could result in missing opportunities for potential gains.

Successful investors are resilient and endure challenges, adapting their strategies and gaining knowledge along the way. Having a long-term perspective is key. While prices may experience significant fluctuations in the short run, it is essential to maintain a broader view. Viewing a bear market from a longer-term standpoint can offer a more positive outlook. 

Patience and holding onto investments can eventually lead to significant gains. Sometimes, you just have to “hold on for dear life” and wait for your fortunes to moon. Finding a balance and following the profit-taking strategy mentioned earlier is prudent. It is crucial not to let short-term market trends distract you from your crypto journey and to keep the perspective of how far the cryptocurrency industry has come since its inception. 

This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

 


 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

HOME

The Fourth Bitcoin Halving is done How Has It Stacked Up Historically? What can you expect in the coming months?

Leave a comment

The Fourth Bitcoin Halving is done. How Has It Stacked Up Historically? What can you expect in the coming months? 

The Bitcoin halving, a highly anticipated and pivotal event in the cryptocurrency industry, has finally taken place. As history has demonstrated, when the supply of new BTC is reduced while demand remains steady or increases, Bitcoin tends to reach record levels, significantly impacting the entire cryptocurrency market.

The Bitcoin halving event has sparked concerns about its potential impact on Bitcoin miners, which could, in turn, affect the value of the cryptocurrency and the broader market. This article explores the Bitcoin halving, examining its historical effects on the crypto market and its implications from the most recent halving in April 2024.

What Is The Bitcoin Halving?

It's important to differentiate between Bitcoin, the network, and BTC, the digital currency, to understand Bitcoin's halving. The Bitcoin network is a series of data blocks, each with a record of BTC transactions and a link to the previous block, forming a chain-like structure called a blockchain.

Bitcoin (BTC), on the other hand, functions as a virtual medium of exchange that incentivizes specialized computers, known as miners, to gather and validate outstanding Bitcoin transactions. These transactions are then bundled into a block and linked to the decentralized ledger, referred to as the blockchain. As a result of this process, the miner is rewarded with a predetermined quantity of Bitcoin.


Source: Techopedia

The BTC reward is sourced from two different places. The initial source is the coinbase transaction, also known as the block reward, which is the origin of the name for the Coinbase Exchange. The second source of rewards is miner tips, which are transaction fees paid by users who attach BTC tips to their transactions to expedite their inclusion in blocks.


Source: bitcoin.com 

A fascinating point to note is that Bitcoin initially did not involve any transaction fees due to the presence of primarily empty blocks with no transactions. However, as the use of Bitcoin expanded, the number of transactions rose, leading individuals to add fees to guarantee the inclusion of their transactions in subsequent blocks.

Unlike transaction fees, which fluctuate, block rewards are predetermined and hardcoded into the system. The generation of new Bitcoins is automated. Initially, when Bitcoin's first block was extracted in January 2009, the reward was 50 Bitcoins; however, it has since decreased to 3.125. 

This reduction results from the Bitcoin halving mechanism, which systematically slashes the block reward in half every four years. The initial block reward reduction occurred in November 2012, followed by subsequent reductions in July 2016 and May 2020, with the most recent one occurring on April 19th of this year. 


Source: Coindcx

According to fundamental economic principles, prices tend to rise when demand remains steady or grows while supply decreases. In the context of Bitcoin's halving, a 50% supply cut should theoretically lead to a doubling of its price. However, past trends have shown that the price surge following each halving has been even more dramatic, primarily due to the concurrent rise in demand for the cryptocurrency.

Let's take a step back to appreciate the remarkable growth of Bitcoin. When it first launched, only a small group of around a few dozen individuals owned BTC. Fast forward to today, and that number has skyrocketed to over 200 million people worldwide. This surge in adoption has had a profound impact on the value of BTC, causing its price to rise exponentially. What's truly astonishing is that since its humble beginnings in July 2010, when it was worth nine cents, BTC has returned a staggering 720,000 times its initial value. This historical growth is a testament to the potential of Bitcoin and its ability to generate significant returns for investors.

What Has Been the Outcome of Previous Halving Events?

The results of past halving events have shown significant price increases for Bitcoin. For instance, after the first halving in November 2012, Bitcoin's price surged from about $11 to $1,100 in November 2013. Similarly, following the second halving in July 2016, the price jumped from around $650 to almost $20,000 by December 2017. In the third halving, Bitcoin reached over $69,000 the following year.

Historical examples indicate that the decreased availability of newly generated Bitcoins following a halving event may result in greater scarcity and, thus, elevated prices. It is crucial to recognize that although a relationship between these factors exists, it does not necessarily indicate a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Multiple elements, such as market sentiment, adoption patterns, and macroeconomic circumstances, also play a role in influencing price fluctuations.

This brings us to the current halving, with Bitcoin's widespread recognition reaching an all-time high. Some pundits believe that this increased awareness has already been factored into the current market price, leading to a relatively stable future for BTC. On the other hand, others contend that the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs has generated a consistent flow of investment, which, when paired with the impending reduction in new coin supply, will likely trigger a rapid and dramatic surge in price following the halving.

What About The Bitcoin Miners?

Halving Bitcoin has an immediate and significant effect on miners, who experience a 50% reduction in their earnings from block rewards. This drastic cut can alter the profitability of mining operations, potentially leading to a shift in the cryptocurrency mining landscape. Following the latest halving event, the payout for successfully mining a Bitcoin block dropped from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC.

About a week before the halving event on April 13, the value of a single Bitcoin plummeted from over $67,000 to $62,000. At that time, with the block reward standing at 6.25 Bitcoins, an individual miner would receive a payout of roughly $387,500 for each block of Bitcoin successfully mined.

By April 20, the bitcoin price had stabilized at around $64,000, meaning the new 3.125 BTC reward was roughly $200,000. However, reducing mining rewards could pose difficulties for smaller-scale mining operations in the post-halving period: the increased processing power and energy required to produce new coins pressure miners' profit margins. Numerous predictions have been made that several major Bitcoin miners will struggle to stay afloat following the halving event.

The established, more prominent mining operations should have the financial means to upgrade their equipment and explore more efficient power options. Others believe that given their ample time to adapt to the impending Bitcoin halving, it's reasonable to expect them to be prepared. On the other hand, the halving event poses an existential threat to smaller, less-resourced mining entities, making their survival increasingly uncertain with each successive occurrence.

The Bitcoin halving in April 2024 stands out from its predecessors. Unlike in the past, the crypto landscape has shifted due to the influx of new mining operations, leading to decreased profitability as the growing number of miners share the same rewards pool. 

Another notable shift this time is that the block reward is no longer miners' primary source of income. According to reports, mining companies are expanding their business scope beyond traditional Bitcoin mining to explore alternative revenue streams, venturing into complementary areas such as energy harvesting, data warehousing, and AI development to boost their earnings.

So, How High Could Bitcoin Go?

Some experts believe that introducing ETFs has opened the floodgates to a new wave of investment that could propel Bitcoin's price to unprecedented heights. Moreover, these ETF inflows may also serve as a buffer, mitigating the severity of any future downturns in the cryptocurrency's value. Historically, Bitcoin has experienced drastic declines of over 70% following market peaks. However, the subsequent correction may be less severe, with more seasoned investors entering the fray and accumulating more significant stakes in BTC.

If ETFs are not the driving force, central banks could step in to make an impact instead. In a new development, central banks can allocate 2% of their balance sheets to cryptocurrency starting January 1, 2025. In 2022, the Central Bank of Switzerland expressed interest in purchasing BTC. A significant BTC purchase by a major central bank might trigger a peak in BTC's price. On the other hand, it could also signify the start of the blow-off top phase of the crypto bull market cycle, similar to when MicroStrategy acquired BTC in mid-2020.


Source: Coinmarketcap

Historical Decline Of Bitcoin Dominance. What That Means For Altcoins

The impact of Bitcoin's halving on the broader cryptocurrency landscape is closely related to the shift in market dynamics that follows this event. Analyzing the changes in Bitcoin's market share after the halving is essential to understanding this phenomenon better. This market share, known as Bitcoin dominance, represents the proportion of the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies attributed to Bitcoin alone. However, it's worth noting that historical data on Bitcoin dominance is limited and does not extend back to the first-ever Bitcoin halving in November 2012.

It's probable that altcoins still needed to hold a substantial portion of the market during that time, which limited their influence. Additionally, the entire cryptocurrency infrastructure was still in its early stages, making this point somewhat moot. What's intriguing is that following the second Bitcoin halving event in July 2016, Bitcoin's market dominance decreased by around 4%. This implies that investors shifted their focus away from Bitcoin and towards altcoins. Notably, even when Bitcoin's value plummeted by 40%, its relative strength compared to altcoins failed to rebound.

In other words, BTC is considered the go-to choice for cryptocurrencies' safety. Therefore, a significant 40% drop in BTC's price should have increased BTC's dominance since other cryptocurrencies would have likely decreased in value as well, causing investors to move their funds into BTC. The fact that this shift did not occur could be due to the overall immaturity of the cryptocurrency market.

Despite this, Bitcoin dominance plummeted by 60% during the 2017 cryptocurrency boom, dropping to approximately 40% of the overall market capitalization. Notably, this decline occurred towards the peak of the 2017 cycle, specifically in December 2017, indicating a high level of speculation in alternative cryptocurrencies at that time.

Following the third Bitcoin halving event in May 2020, BTC dominance dropped by 14%, a threefold more significant decrease than the aftermath of the second halving. This considerable decline implies that investors shifted their funds away from Bitcoin and into altcoins even faster after the third halving. Similarly, during the 2021 crypto bull market, Bitcoin's market share plummeted by approximately 35%, falling to around 40% of the total market capitalization, mirroring the trend seen in 2017.

In contrast to the 2017 scenario, this phenomenon occurred earlier in the cycle, emerging around April 2021 and persisting until April 2022. This prolonged rotation into alternative cryptocurrencies implies a more enduring trend than the 2017 cycle, which is reasonable considering that most alternative cryptocurrencies lacked significant utility until 2021.

The brief historical data indicates some unique trends in altcoin dominance for this cycle. BTC's dominance could decrease significantly, up to 40% after the halving, but only around 10% as we near the next cycle's peak. Additionally, altcoins may demonstrate greater resilience during the next crypto bear market.

The significant 40% decrease in BTC's dominance may seem surprising. Still, it becomes more understandable when considering the rising influence of stablecoins and the recent approval of spot Ethereum ETFs. As we move closer to the next bullish crypto market phase, the market capitalization of stablecoins is expected to see substantial growth, while ETH's market cap is likely to increase following the introduction of spot Ethereum ETFs.

How High Will Altcoins Go?

The critical factor is the extent and duration of the rally that altcoins may experience. It is important to note that the prices of altcoins are closely linked to the price of BTC. Altcoins perform well when BTC's price is stable (trading sideways) or increasing slowly. This scenario tends to prompt traders to seek opportunities in more speculative cryptocurrencies due to boredom.


Source: Investopedia

The experts at Coinbureau recommend analyzing altcoin performance compared to Bitcoin by applying conventional stock market measures. They suggest looking at the "Beta to Bitcoin" concept to gauge the volatility of altcoins with BTC. As a general guideline, altcoins with a market capitalization over $1 billion tend to have a beta of 2, meaning they are twice as volatile as Bitcoin. Those with a market capitalization under $1 billion have a beta of up to 4, while those with a market capitalization under $100 million have a beta of around 8, indicating significantly higher volatility compared to Bitcoin.

So if BTC’s price goes up by 2.5x between now and the cycle top, some large capital coins should eventually go up by around 5x, some mid caps should eventually go up by around 10x, and some small caps should eventually go up by around 20x. It is important to note that this is a general guideline and not a definitive prediction for every coin. It is crucial to emphasize the term "eventually" because these projected outcomes are not immediate and may not unfold simultaneously for all alternative coins.

It's a given that the growth won't be a steady upward trajectory; instead, there will be significant downturns and reversals, which will become more pronounced as the market reaches its peak. If Coinbureau's forecasts about dominance hold true, altcoins may experience prolonged periods at or near their record highs, unlike in past cycles. Conversely, this implies that they will face similar declines during the next downturn in the cryptocurrency bear market.

However, a catch could be that this phenomenon may be limited to well-established alternative cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, which have already inspired their own exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and could consequently exhibit the previously mentioned dynamics: unexpected high points, reduced volatility in downturns and potentially propped up by central banks. 

How Can You Take Advantage of Potential Gains?

It is essential to be aware of upcoming opportunities to maximize potential profits. There are three critical steps to take advantage of these gains. The initial step involves recognizing the key narratives expected to dominate the upcoming cryptocurrency bull market. This article explores the narratives likely to experience significant growth in the next bullish cycle.

Your next step is establishing a presence on the most suitable cryptocurrency trading platforms. The third is to remember that not all altcoins will surge in value simultaneously. If you notice specific cryptocurrencies surging in a particular narrative, avoid rushing to invest in them. Look for other cryptocurrencies within that narrative that have yet to experience a rally. 

Likewise, if your portfolio's cryptocurrencies are underperforming compared to the broader market, they may be experiencing a temporary delay. While it's true that some may never recover if you've conducted thorough research, likely, this won't be the case, and they'll eventually catch up.

This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

HOME

How To Add Hivecoin To Three Non-Custodial Software Wallets

Leave a comment

How To Add Hivecoin To Three Non-Custodial Software Wallets 

Understanding the Role of a Crypto Software Wallet

A software or digital wallet is a powerful tool that simplifies and empowers your cryptocurrency experience. It's a handy app or site that securely stores your cryptocurrency keys, always at your fingertips, ready to be accessed anytime, anywhere with an internet connection.

This convenience puts you in the driver's seat of your digital assets, allowing you to manage them with ease and confidence. Importantly, non-custodial means you have complete control over your keys and funds, unlike custodial wallets, where a third party holds your keys.

Software wallets play a vital role in your cryptocurrency journey. They don't store your crypto; your coins are stored on the blockchain. Instead, they provide you with access to your passkeys, enabling you to transact with your digital currencies. This accessibility allows you to buy, sell, trade, or transfer crypto from your computer or mobile device without needing a physical device. Moreover, these software wallets are fortified with robust security measures, providing protection surpassing centralized exchanges. 

Today, we’ll explore three non-custodial software wallets that allow you to list and transact with Hivecoin. Hivecoin is a crypto asset that is part of the Markethive community. It is instrumental in creating transactional activity within the community as we prepare to list Hivecoin (HVC) on crypto exchanges, where it will be available for free market trading. 

Upon setup, each wallet prompts you to save a secret recovery phrase, a unique combination of 12 words. This phrase, best stored on paper and kept secure, not on your computer, serves as your key to access your wallet from any device. This feature ensures that even if you lose your mobile phone or access to your computer, your digital assets remain secure.

Solflare Wallet

The Solflare wallet is a comprehensive crypto wallet offering various features. It allows you to send, receive, and securely store tokens on the Solana blockchain. It also grants access to decentralized applications (dApps) on Solana, including decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, decentralized exchanges (DEXs), and decentralized social media platforms. (DeSo) Additionally, Solflare offers a swap function that allows you to swap between tokens within your wallet.

Key Features

  • Send, receive, and store tokens on the Solana blockchain
  • Access to decentralized applications (dApps) on Solana
  • Support for staking Solana to a validator of your choice
  • Swap function for swapping between tokens within the wallet
  • Compatible with hardware wallets like Ledger
  • Available as a desktop and mobile browser app, as well as a mobile app on the App Store and Google Play
  • User-friendly interface with easy onboarding and advanced features for experienced users

Key Benefits

  • Secure and robust crypto wallet for Solana users
  • Easy to use, with a user-friendly interface and advanced features for experienced users
  • Supports multiple platforms, including desktop and mobile devices
  • Compatible with hardware wallets like Ledger for added security
  • Offers a swap function for swapping between tokens within the wallet

How to Add the Hivecoin Token to the Solflare Wallet

Once you’ve downloaded the Solflare wallet onto your device, which is comprehensively explained in this video, you can add the Hivecoin token (HVC) to your wallet. Adding a new asset to your wallet is a simple process. 

On your Portfolio homepage, you'll find an option to "Add new asset," as shown in the image below. Clicking on this will prompt you to enter the details of the new asset, including its token address and number of decimals. Once listed, you can send and receive Hivecoin to the Markethive Wallets and associated wallets where the HVC token is listed. 

The Hivecoin mint address is APRXuct2fy7yXeSPcS5r4pTdh6P34xhqj1Pio1dyc1j6
The token's representation has nine decimal places. Below is an image of Hivecoin’s mint token address and decimal places on Solana Explorer. 


Source: Solana FM Explorer

Exodus Wallet

The Exodus wallet is a popular cryptocurrency wallet with a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features for managing and securing digital assets. Here are some key points about Exodus Wallet:

Key Features

  • Exodus is a non-custodial wallet, meaning users have complete control over their private keys and funds. To protect user assets, the wallet uses advanced security measures, including multi-sig technology and cold storage.
  • Exodus supports over 319 cryptocurrencies and offers features like in-app swaps, staking, and NFT marketplaces. It also supports Trezor Model T and Trezor One hardware wallets for offline cryptocurrency storage.
  • Exodus's user interface is designed to be easy to use, even for beginners. The wallet offers a clean and intuitive design, making navigating and managing digital assets simple.
  • Exodus is available on multiple platforms, including desktop (Windows, macOS, and Linux), mobile (iOS and Android), and browser extensions (Chrome and Brave).
  • Exodus has received positive reviews from users and critics alike, with many praising its ease of use, security, and feature set.

Key Benefits

  • Easy to Use: Exodus is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for beginners to get started with cryptocurrency.
  • Security: Exodus uses advanced security measures to protect user assets, including multi-sig technology and cold storage.
  • Comprehensive Support: Exodus supports over 319 cryptocurrencies, making it an excellent option for users who want to manage various digital assets.
  • In-App Swaps: Exodus allows users to swap between cryptocurrencies within the wallet, making managing and diversifying their portfolios easy.

This short video explains how to download the Exodus wallet on your mobile phone, and here is a brief tutorial illustrating the desktop download. You can then synchronize both wallets.   

How to Add the Hivecoin Token to the Exodus Wallet

Once downloaded, you can add The Hivecoin token by scrolling down on your Portfolio page and clicking “+ Add More,” as shown above. 

That will take you to the Assets page. Click on the three dots next to ‘show all, ' and select “Add Custom Token,” as shown below. 

First, select the Solana Network, click Search, and paste the HVC mint token address. The Hivecoin mint address is APRXuct2fy7yXeSPcS5r4pTdh6P34xhqj1Pio1dyc1j6

Click on the Hivecoin display banner. A pop-up will appear asking to Add Hivecoin?  Click on ADD TOKEN. A message appears: “You’ll be able to send and receive this token.” 

Trust wallet

The Trust Wallet is a multi-chain self-custody cryptocurrency wallet and secure gateway to thousands of Web3 decentralized applications (dApps). With over 100 million users, Trust Wallet is one of the market's most popular and trusted cryptocurrency wallets.

Key Features

  • Trust Wallet supports over 100 blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cosmos, Optimism, and many more.
  • Trust Wallet allows users complete control over their digital assets, ensuring the security and ownership of their cryptocurrencies.
  • Trust Wallet provides a built-in browser for accessing and interacting with decentralized applications (dApps) on the Web3 ecosystem.
  • Trust Wallet lets users store, send, and receive non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
  • Trust Wallet supports various decentralized finance (DeFi) and game finance (GameFi) protocols, enabling users to participate in DeFi lending, borrowing, and gaming.

Key Benefits

  • Ease of use: Trust Wallet is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for new users to get started with cryptocurrency and Web3.
  • Security: Trust Wallet prioritizes security, providing a secure gateway to the Web3 ecosystem and protecting users’ digital assets.
  • Community-driven: Trust Wallet has a large and active community that strongly emphasizes user support and collaboration.

Here is a step-by-step tutorial on downloading the Trust wallet on your mobile phone and using it as an extension in your browser. 

How to Add the Hivecoin Token to the Trust Wallet

Again, it’s simple to access by clicking “Manage Crypto” at the bottom of your app extension on your browser. Enter the Hivecoin mint address, which is APRXuct2fy7yXeSPcS5r4pTdh6P34xhqj1Pio1dyc1j6. It’s also known as the contract address. It will then appear as shown in the image below. 

A Message To All Markethivers

To transact using any wallet, including the Markethive wallet, you must have a small balance of Solana’s Token, SOL, for transaction fees. These fees are minuscule, so a little bit of SOL goes a long way.  

Take the first step towards energizing our blockchain by acquiring one or more of these wallets, and let's work together to galvanize our Hivecoin network through frequent transactions. Every exchange of Hivecoin serves as a catalyst, stimulating community interaction and fortifying the connections that unite us.

The frequent exchange of Hivecoin within and beyond the Markethive network has a profound impact. Doing so fosters a thriving and dynamic blockchain ecosystem, bolstering its strength and adaptability. Additionally, it demonstrates Hivecoin’s real-world value and appeal among our community members, highlighting its practical uses and popularity.

This intensified participation significantly increases the token's worth and is crucial in furthering Markethive's vision. As it stimulates more activity on the blockchain, it strengthens Markethive's efforts to list Hivecoin on leading exchanges, ultimately expanding its presence and capabilities beyond the Markethive ecosystem.

Become a valued member of the Markethive Community Group and play a pivotal role in influencing Hivecoin's development within the dynamic Markethive network. Once in the group, you can send Hivecoin back and forth to other members. Enter your Hivecoin wallet address on the post with an active thread, and other members will send HVC to your wallet. You can then reciprocate by returning the HVC to the specific members. When interacting with members, quoting your HVC wallet address each time is advisable. 

Additionally, To increase your Hivecoin holdings, make a habit of visiting our faucet every day at https://gotco.in. Simply input your wallet address and complete the captcha to receive a reward of 0.00001 HVC. This wallet address can belong to your Markethive wallet or any other one you own. This faucet is just one of the many that Markethive plans to introduce to support our operations and make it convenient for everyone to access.


 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

HOME

The Causation Of Financial Nihilism Is Globalization Is This The End Of Globalism?

Leave a comment

The Causation Of Financial Nihilism Is Globalization. Is This The End Of Globalism? 

For die-hard cryptocurrency enthusiasts, the drive to invest often stems from a deep-seated conviction that it's the sole path to achieving financial success. This sentiment is widespread, particularly among younger age groups. An increasing number of individuals are convinced that the only route to accumulating substantial wealth is to take bold risks with their limited financial resources, and this mindset is gaining momentum. Interestingly, this mindset has a distinct label: financial nihilism. This trend has been gaining traction over the years and experienced a sharp surge following the pandemic, primarily due to the influx of pandemic-related stimulus funds. 

The underlying principles of financial nihilism have the potential to impact societal dynamics and market performance significantly. In this discussion, we'll delve into the specifics of this mindset, its origins, the consequences of holding onto it, and the benefits of resolving it. We'll also suggest strategies for coping with these challenges in the meantime.

What Is Financial Nihilism?

Financial nihilism refers to a mindset that suggests achieving financial success requires taking drastic, high-risk gambles with limited resources. This term, introduced by entrepreneur and podcaster Demitri Kofinas, has been gaining traction, especially in cryptocurrency. 

Demitri's original definition of financial nihilism diverges from the abovementioned understanding. According to Demitri, financial nihilism is the belief or the realization that there is a disconnect between how much something costs and how much it's actually worth. 

The housing market provides an excellent illustration; social media has been flooded with images of residences in city dwellings like Toronto, London, Sydney, and New York City that boast astronomical price tags despite their subpar condition. Conversely, other online posts have drawn attention to the fact that these properties are priced similarly to authentic, centuries-old castles, prompting many to question the value proposition.

Another notable illustration of this phenomenon is the stock market, where most shares are valued significantly higher than the earnings of their respective companies. This trend is even more pronounced in crypto. A striking example is Dogecoin, which currently boasts a market capitalization surpassing the media giant Warner Brothers. 

Meanwhile, the cost of housing, stock prices, and the worth of meme coins continue to soar. Whenever it seems like this economic bubble is on the verge of collapse, governments and central banks intervene to reinflate it, ultimately widening the wealth gap between the affluent and the disadvantaged.


Source: Kirupa

This raises the issue of how the disconnect between price and value originated. According to Demitri, the root cause lies in globalization. For the context of this article, consider globalization as an economic approach that spans the world rather than individual nations. In essence, this involves relocating business operations from countries with high labor costs to those with lower costs, thereby reducing expenses and boosting profit margins.

Globalism has significantly impacted the world since the late 1980s, although it may not be immediately apparent. One critical effect is the notable drop in prices of many goods and services, which benefits the general population by allowing them to purchase more items than before. Additionally, globalism has led to increased financial gains for influential individuals. Furthermore, it has played a role in maintaining low interest rates, especially in Western countries.

This is because the nations selling goods to Western countries used the proceeds to purchase Western government debt, thereby keeping interest rates low. This situation benefited ordinary individuals by allowing them to access more borrowing opportunities. Still, it has been even more advantageous for influential individuals who can borrow significantly more.

Unlike ordinary individuals who use borrowed funds to acquire consumer goods, influential individuals invest in assets, leading to two notable consequences. Firstly, the prices of essential assets, such as housing, have increased at a rate surpassing wage growth, while the costs of most consumer goods have declined due to international outsourcing. This disparity has resulted in the current disconnect between asset values and the overall economy. 

Secondly, this phenomenon has led to an unusual wealth accumulation among a select few powerful individuals who have greatly benefited from globalization, earning them the label of "globalists." Unsurprisingly, many globalists hold leadership positions or have significant investments in the world's largest corporations.

In past videos, Demitri pointed out that a small group of powerful elites have accumulated vast wealth and influence, enabling them to establish parallel systems of governance that wield more power than democratically elected governments. The World Economic Forum is a prime illustration of this phenomenon, and it's just the tip of the iceberg. 

By their very nature, these parallel institutions exist to promote the elite's agenda rather than serve the needs of ordinary citizens. Consequently, a significant gap has emerged between the interests of the average person and those of their governments, whose policies are ultimately shaped by the dictates of these globalist institutions.

The Effects Of Financial Nihilism On Society

Now that we've identified the roots of financial nihilism, we can delve deeper into its far-reaching consequences on society, the economy, and beyond. As highlighted in a recent article by Travis Kling, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of crypto VC firm Ikigai Asset Management, who has been instrumental in bringing the concept of financial nihilism to the forefront, he emphasizes the close relationship between financial nihilism and populism, which he defines as the perception that influential individuals are neglecting the needs and concerns of ordinary people.

This concept is closely related to global powers' influence and underlying agendas. Travis also emphasizes the importance of examining the root causes of financial nihilism. The stark disparity between housing costs and average earnings is a prime illustration. Specifically, in the US, the median home price is a staggering 7.5 times higher than the median income, a telling indicator of the issue.

Take a step back and look at the bigger picture: according to recent findings, homeownership has become an unattainable dream for 99% of Americans. Travis astutely observes that the massive financial and monetary measures implemented in response to the pandemic have exacerbated this issue, leading to a surge in financial nihilism. As a reminder, approximately $5 trillion was allocated towards pandemic relief, based on official records. Although a significant portion of this funding was distributed to individual citizens, most people went on to spend this money at the mega-corporations that belong to the globalists. 

The concept of universal basic income (UBI) is fundamentally flawed. The government's handouts would ultimately benefit wealthy elites, a point also raised by Demitri. Furthermore, the pandemic-related restrictions led to the demise of many small businesses, which were forced to shut down, while large corporations were allowed to continue operating. The policy decision to protect big business at the expense of small enterprises during the pandemic is a stark illustration of how the interests of powerful global elites often shape government policies.

The massive monetary stimulus during the pandemic resulted in the wealthiest 1% of the population now possessing more wealth than the entire middle class combined. This growing disparity in wealth distribution has been a persistent trend since the advent of globalization in the late 1980s, although it has intensified in recent years, potentially by design.

To reinforce his argument, Travis highlights two striking facts. Firstly, Millennials possess a smaller proportion of real estate value than previous generations of the same age. This means that when Baby Boomers and Gen X were Millennials' current age, they had a more significant stake in the property market. Secondly, Travis points out that total household wealth has increased sevenfold since the 1980s, yet Millennials only control a mere 9%. In contrast, Gen X holds 21%, and Boomers hold a substantial 51%, likely due to their greater advantage from globalization.

Initially, globalization positively impacted the average individual, reducing consumer goods prices and affordable asset values. However, over time, the benefits of globalization began to erode as ordinary people's wages failed to keep up with the rising cost of assets, mainly due to the outsourcing of labor and asset acquisitions by global players. This disparity is illustrated in the comparison between median income and the S&P 500, as shown in the graph below. 

During the late 1980s and mid-1990s, median income remained relatively stable in relation to the S&P 500. However, it experienced a sharp decline following the dot-com bubble in 2001 and again after the 2008 financial crisis.

So What Can We Do About It? 

Faced with such disheartening realities and numbers, it's only logical to wonder what steps can be taken to address the issue. According to Travis, who approaches this problem from a financial nihilist standpoint, stipulates,

“You take bigger risks. You feel driven to take bigger risks to try and leapfrog from your current financial position (mostly paycheck to paycheck; buying a home feels nearly impossible; saddled with student loans; salary increases not keeping up expense increases) to something more tenable. More comfortable. More baller. So you gamble. You. F**king. Gamble. You look anywhere for anything that can give you a 5:1, 10:1, 50:1 type of payout. Naturally, you look to literal gambling, which is growing at a breakneck pace.” 

Travis cites a surge in gambling revenue to bolster his argument, which is experiencing an even more dramatic upward trend than Nvidia's stock performance. Notably, US casinos reached unprecedented revenue highs in 2023. Travis further supports his claim with detailed statistics, including the volume of wagers on specific events such as the Super Bowl and data on zero-day-to-expiry options.

For those new to the concept, zero-day-to-expiry options enable wagering on a stock's direction by the day's close. These options have seen a meteoric rise, now accounting for 43% of S&P options trading volume, a surge that began during the pandemic. Travis suggests that a subconscious awareness of the drastic instability in current fiscal and monetary policies drives the typical individual to engage in this behavior. What's intriguing is that this average person may not even realize the underlying macroeconomic factors at play but instead is guided by a gut feeling that something is amiss.

Travis injects cryptocurrency into the discussion, calling it "The Roman Colosseum for asset price and risk-taking distortions.”  He notes that specific cryptocurrencies have yielded returns far surpass those of any zero-day-to-expiry option or meme stock. To drive his point home, Travis cites several examples. He then declares that crypto is, at its core, “ A populist movement. A countercultural movement. A YOUNG PERSON’s movement. Boomers don’t get it. It’s “our” thing. It’s the one thing we can actually beat Boomers at (so far).”

He anticipates that Millennials will inherit the $53 trillion wealth held by Boomers and invest a significant portion of it in cryptocurrency. In the near future, he foresees that this cryptocurrency trend will reveal unprecedented reckless actions. This projection is unfolding as anticipated, as various meme coins with little value are reaching market capitalizations in the billions of dollars.

The prospect of this scenario defining most of the crypto bull market is unsettling. Travis advises giving in and embracing it rather than fighting it. “You can wish that weren’t the case. You can wish the crypto market would be more sound-minded. More sober. More focused on providing solutions to real problems. More rooted in reasonable valuation methodologies. Less bubble-ish. But I believe those wishes will be left ungranted.”

This assumes that the situation will persist if the root causes of financial nihilism are not dealt with. Yet, there is a growing public awareness regarding the WEF's questionable motives and associated institutions’ less-than-favorable agendas and virtue signaling, leading to a rapid understanding of these underlying issues.

So, When Will The Causes Of Financial Nihilism Be Addressed? 

Acknowledging that economic globalization is the primary culprit behind this crisis is essential. Given that nationalism is the antithesis of globalization, it's logical to conclude that the antidote lies in economic nationalism. While this notion may initially seem radical, it's already gaining traction. The recent trends of onshoring and friendshoring, often mentioned in economic discourse, are, in fact, manifestations of economic nationalism. This approach involves reintegrating most outsourced operations, regardless of the expenses involved. This is where the first major hurdle arises – the significant costs that come with it.

It is often overlooked how globalism has positively impacted the everyday individual. Due to outsourcing manufacturing operations, the average person has benefited from lower costs of goods and certain services. Reversing this trend and bringing production back onshore would likely result in price increases for goods, especially when asset prices are already high, creating a challenging situation for the average person. This scenario is the opposite of when globalization began taking shape.

In stark contrast to the favorable economic climate of the 1990s, when commodity prices declined and assets were reasonably priced, the shift towards nationalist policies will bring about a period of financial strain, marked by rapid inflation and persistently high asset values that remain out of reach for many.

A promising trend is the potential for a surge in average salaries, with some indications that this upward shift is underway. As a natural consequence, the exorbitant earnings of the wealthy elite are likely to decrease in tandem. It's implicit that this prospect is unappealing to those at the top, who may even view it as an existential threat, given the staggering levels of debt they've accrued and cannot repay.

In other words, those with power are vested in suppressing wage growth for the general population, as increased earnings would erode their wealth and profits. Similarly, they cannot permit interest rates to climb, lest they face insurmountable debt repayment challenges resulting from the excessive borrowing they engaged in during the era of inexpensive credit that characterized globalization.

This shows why globalists are fixated on innovations like artificial intelligence. It enables them to maintain low wages and profit in an economically nationalist setting. Similarly, their enthusiasm for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) can be seen as a means to manipulate interest rates and debt levels. Furthermore, it's notable that many nationalist-leaning leaders elected globally have ties to the World Economic Forum, suggesting that their allegiance may not be to national sovereignty but to the globalist ideology that aligns with the WEF's agenda.

Notably, ordinary individuals increasingly recognize this situation, leading to a decline in trust in established organizations. Demitri has consistently emphasized this point in his discussions. The main challenge in combating financial nihilism lies in losing confidence in the institutions responsible for implementing solutions, as global interests have influenced these institutions and have become corrupted.

The only viable remedy for the crippling effects of financial nihilism lies in establishing new organizations prioritizing ordinary individuals' needs over those of the powerful elites. This transformation is still in its infancy and may require several decades to reach fruition, much like the gradual rise of globalization in its formative years.

Navigating Turbulent Times Ahead 

The main question is how to address the changing dynamics during this period. More specifically, how can individuals cope with the impending peak in asset values and the rapid surge in goods prices? Both the timing and location factors influence the solution. Looking at the timing perspective, Travis's forecast about this being an exceedingly speculative crypto market cycle is accurate and is expected to persist. Additionally, his assertion that the crypto market will present the most outstanding returns among speculative asset classes also holds true.

When considering the increasing participation of globalist investors such as BlackRock in cryptocurrency, it becomes evident that investing in crypto presents a significant opportunity to enhance one's financial position in the near future. To prosper financially within a globalist context, it is essential to emulate the strategies of global investors. Many are now mimicking the investment decisions of influential figures like Nancy Pelosi. However, the challenge lies in exiting these investments at the right moment or, preferably, beforehand. Achieving this task is more complex than it may seem.

One of cryptocurrency's most exciting aspects is its transparency, allowing all transactions to be publicly visible. This unique feature enables individuals to monitor and track the investment strategies of experienced traders in real time, often providing valuable insights. By doing so, many people have successfully identified emerging trends, including the rapid growth of memecoins, before they surge in value.

This approach may only be viable in the short term. Beyond that, we may witness a widespread asset selloff as heavily indebted global powers attempt to settle their debts. This scenario presupposes that their efforts to manipulate wages and interest rates will ultimately fail, which appears probable. Those familiar with the CBDC narrative will understand that developing and launching such technologies is complex. Moreover, coercing people to adopt these technologies and actually getting them to use them are two distinct challenges, with the former being relatively easier to achieve than the latter.

If globalization efforts stagnate, the value of assets will decline, while the cost of goods and wages will increase. To thrive in this scenario, it's essential to adopt a diligent work ethic, particularly in sectors experiencing a resurgence of domestic production. Reestablishing local operations will necessitate massive investments of energy and resources. Strategically placing yourself near these industrial centers can provide indirect benefits, even if you're not directly employed in these fields.

This pertains to the second aspect of addressing the consequences of globalism, which is location. Assuming that globalists can establish CBDCs and similar systems, there will likely be certain countries and regions where their influence will be limited. These technologies may be less widespread or may not be present.  It needs to be determined which countries and areas these may be, but this should become clearer over time.


Source: Visual Capitalist

Countries less inclined to adhere to globalist principles, like the BRICS nations and their allies, often face the most adverse impacts from them. Even if the globalists do not succeed in introducing their dystopian technology, it may still be wise to consider moving, as certain countries may struggle to bring operations back onshore efficiently due to limitations in resources or workforce. Europe and the UK are especially vulnerable to this scenario.

In essence, navigating the challenges of globalism and its eventual downfall will require flexibility in managing one's finances, career, and home. We're operating in a globalized system, so it's crucial to mirror the investment strategies of globalists and be prepared to move to avoid their control. As we transition towards a more nation-centric environment, your ability to find meaningful employment will become more vital to your survival than your investment savvy, which may also require relocating to a new country. However, choose a nation that won't likely end up in a kinetic war because of its nationalism.

 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

HOME

How To Excel At Customer Acquisition Through Content Creation With Markethive

Leave a comment

How To Excel At Customer Acquisition Through Content Creation With Markethive

How To Excel At Customer Acquisition Through Content Creation With Markethive

Acquiring customers is vital for a business's success, serving as the main driver for marketing efforts and overall business expansion. However, the process has become fiercely competitive and increasingly costly, with the customer acquisition cost (CAC) rising by over 60% in the last six years. This increase in CAC is due to various factors, such as increased competition, rising advertising costs, and changing consumer behavior, making it more critical than ever for businesses to invest in effective customer acquisition strategies like content marketing.

Navigating the crowded online landscape can be a significant hurdle as businesses flock to establish a presence through various digital platforms. However, these channels present a tremendous chance to stand out and acquire new customers through compelling content. By creating informative and engaging content, businesses can cut through the noise and take control of their customer acquisition strategies, empowering them to shape their own success.

It’s exceptional, customer-centric, search-engine-friendly content that resonates with audiences and drives conversions. Search-engine-friendly content refers to content that is optimized to rank high in search engine results pages (SERPs). This involves using relevant keywords that your target audience will likely search for, creating high-quality backlinks from reputable websites, and ensuring the content is easy to read and navigate, with clear headings, subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs. 

By creating search-engine-friendly content, businesses can increase their visibility and attract organic traffic. While most companies acknowledge the significance of digital content, it's surprising that only a few prioritize crafting high-performing content that delivers results. Instead, they churn out subpar material that lacks impact, leaving a gap in the market for those who do prioritize it.

The Link Between Customer Acquisition and Compelling Content

Today's discerning consumers are highly selective when choosing brands and making buying decisions, much like forward-thinking businesses that capitalize on digital platforms to identify and win over new customers. The significance of content in attracting customers stems from its ability to establish trust. 

More than outdated marketing strategies, including catchy slogans and aggressive sales pitches, are needed to grab consumers' attention or sway them; today, they seek out brands that demonstrate reliability and credibility. Studies have shown that 81% of consumers prioritize trust when making purchasing decisions, ranking it second only to the quality and value of the product itself. 

By offering informative and insightful thought leadership content, which refers to content that positions the brand as an industry expert and provides unique perspectives on industry trends and issues, businesses cannot only attract but also earn the trust of potential customers. This reassures them of the brand's credibility and reliability, instilling confidence in the effectiveness of content marketing as a customer acquisition strategy.


Image source: Edelman

To foster the trust that consumers hold in such high esteem, they turn to one key source: your content. By developing and disseminating consistent, high-quality content, you cultivate a reputation for expertise, infuse your brand with a distinct persona, and offer tangible benefits that assure consumers of your brand's capability to meet their needs. 

But how do you know if your content is effective? Measuring the success of your content marketing efforts is crucial. You can track metrics such as website traffic, engagement (such as comments, shares, and likes), and conversions (such as newsletter sign-ups, downloads, or purchases) to gauge the impact of your content.

Unlocking Customer Acquisition: The Surprising Power of Content Over Advertising

A Common Misconception
Many individuals mistakenly believe that marketing revolves solely around advertising. However, those intrusive messages and images that disrupt our online experiences are often more of a nuisance than an effective means of engagement. For most, attempting to read an informative article only to be bombarded with irrelevant pop-up ads is annoying and distracting. It's no secret that these tactics are largely ineffective, yet they come to mind when most people think of marketing.

The term' content marketing' describes content that genuinely assists individuals. This is the essence of effective marketing, and the primary objective of marketing is to attract new customers. Content marketing is effective because it is created by and for people. It is designed to educate, share insights, and inspire progress. Unlike traditional advertising, which often interrupts and annoys consumers, content marketing provides value and builds trust. It’s more successful in acquiring new customers because it focuses on providing help rather than pushing sales.

Optimize Your Online Presence Across Multiple Channels

Don’t Rely On AI
To improve your search engine ranking, focus on creating content that directly addresses the search intent behind the keywords and questions your audience poses. Avoid depending solely on AI-generated content. Additionally, content that performs well in search engines will likely be effective in email and social media.

The critical insight from AI-driven content marketing is that it should be leveraged as a supplementary resource rather than a substitute for human creatives. While AI platforms like GPT are increasingly adept at producing content that mirrors human tone and style, they cannot replicate the emotional understanding that underlies effective content marketing. 

For example, AI can help with content ideation, keyword research, and even content creation, but it’s the human touch that genuinely connects with the audience. Ultimately, the capacity for empathy sets human writers apart and drives successful content marketing strategies.

Content marketing is essentially centered around helping people. By offering valuable information and addressing users' concerns, content helps users even before purchasing. This approach aims to establish a strong connection with the audience, encouraging them to learn more about your brand and potentially become customers who see the benefits of your products or services in enhancing their lives. 

In an era when people are bombarded with information, building a connection with your audience by showing you genuinely grasp their needs is crucial for differentiating yourself from the competition. Advanced AI-powered content marketing tools can analyze the vast expanse of existing content and produce remarkably sophisticated, eerily human-like original content inspired by what's already available.

However, these tools lack a deep understanding of your target audience and the subtleties required to craft content that truly speaks to them. They're also unable to grasp your brand's distinctive character or replicate the unique voice and tone that sets you apart. These personal touches still require a human touch, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human creativity and understanding in content creation. Your role in this process is invaluable and cannot be replicated by AI, making you an integral and irreplaceable part of the content creation process.

Content + Paid Advertising
As explained above, AI-generated content may fall short of achieving the objective businesses want through content marketing, but it’s becoming increasingly prevalent. It’s indeed getting harder, not easier, to acquire new customers through organic means. One way to supplement organic content acquisition is through paid.

Utilizing paid content marketing allows you to promote your existing content to your target audience in the online platforms they frequent. This can include strategies such as sponsored social media posts, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and native advertising. It is important to note that paid content marketing is most effective when combined with solid content marketing strategies already in place.

The authenticity of content marketing, once a beacon of uniqueness, has transformed. Content marketing values refer to the principles and beliefs that guide content marketing strategies, such as providing value to the audience, being transparent and honest, and focusing on long-term relationships rather than short-term sales. Integrating a touch of paid advertising doesn't mean compromising your commitment to these values. Instead, it adapts to the shifting external landscape that has altered the playing field.

The landscape of social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google has shifted, posing challenges for brands to reach their desired audience without utilizing paid advertising. Changes in platform policies, such as Facebook's algorithm prioritizing content from friends and family over brand content, and algorithms, such as Google's search algorithm that ranks content based on relevance and quality, have made engaging with the same audience through organic social media content increasingly challenging.

As the internet swells with information, a phenomenon known as Content Shock comes into play. The notion suggests that the quantity of content will continue to rise, posing challenges in capturing consumers' attention amidst their limited time and energy. In response, many companies are incorporating paid advertising into their content marketing approaches to cut through the noise and reach their desired audience.

While content marketing isn't solely dependent on paid advertising, incorporating paid strategies into your overall approach can be a valuable addition for some individuals.

Content + Banner Ads
Similar parallels can be drawn with banner advertising. When the first banner ad debuted in 1994, it boasted an impressive 44% click-through rate. Fast forward to today, and that rate has plummeted to a mere fraction of 1%, as internet users have skyrocketed from a mere 30 million to a staggering 5.35 billion. 

The internet's content has experienced exponential growth. To put it into perspective, the number of Google searches conducted every minute surpasses the entire online population of 1994, while the number of emails sent in a single minute is ten times that of the 1994 internet user base.

Therefore, the quantity of banner advertisements displayed to various online users has increased. Consumers have become weary of banner ads over the past three decades, ranking them as the second least trusted advertising medium in 2021. Nonetheless, banner display advertising remains the second most heavily funded digital format in the United States.

Banner ad spending reached $58 billion in 2022, representing more than 30% of digital advertising expenditures in the U.S., which is only 10% lower than search ads, which are the leading format. Forecasts suggest that this spending will increase consistently and surpass $78 billion by 2026.

Despite the underwhelming returns, marketers funnel their advertising funds into digital formats without hesitation.  I think banner ads still have a place in this modern marketing era, and if we could combine content marketing with banner ads to bring more traffic to our content, that’s a win/win in my book. 

Approximately 53% of content creators utilize advertisements to enhance their inbound efforts. They have successfully engaged with quality content by strategically reaching a relevant audience through search and social ads. The key lies in the content itself rather than the advertising format. When crafted into compelling content, ads enhance, rather than hinder, a robust inbound marketing approach.

The digital advertising landscape looked vastly different a decade ago. The majority of online ads were inadequate and annoying. The most advanced format available was the display ad. Unfortunately, most advertisements were intrusive and failed to target their intended audience. Interestingly, research shows that when content is boosted through banner ads, its click-through rate surges by a staggering 800%.

Numerous ineffective advertisements still exist, yet a different type is emerging—ones that could bring value to individuals. These advertisements assist consumers in discovering desired information, ads that amplify great content, and present it to those interested in the topic. Essentially, these ads can be considered inbound in nature.

BEST CHANNELS FOR CUSTOMER ACQUISITION

Maximizing Returns with Content Marketing

Content marketing's proven effectiveness is the primary driver behind leveraging it for customer acquisition. A well-known marketing statistic reveals that leads generated through content marketing come at a significantly lower cost, with a staggering 62% reduction compared to traditional marketing approaches. This is primarily due to content marketing's ability to attract and convert new customers efficiently at a lower expense.

How To Excel In Customer Acquisition Through Content

To acquire customers through content, you must synchronize your content with the stages of the buyer's journey. While all website traffic is beneficial, particularly for new businesses aiming to enhance visibility, a deliberate approach is required for effective customer acquisition through content. This involves aligning your content with the phases of your buyer's journey.

As prospects navigate through the purchasing process, the type of content that resonates with them shifts. Initially, individuals who land on your website after conducting their first online search for a product or service are probably seeking educational resources to understand the challenges they are experiencing better.

As customers progress through their purchasing decision, they may require additional assurance that your brand is the best fit, and a detailed whitepaper or comprehensive case study can provide the necessary persuasion. The following visual aid can help you strategize the most effective types of content to allocate to each stage of the buyer's journey.

As you tailor your content to resonate with customers at each stage of their purchasing path, keep two key objectives in mind: provide potential buyers with the necessary information based on their current stage and incorporate a Call To Action (CTA) or another incentive to guide them to the next stage of the buyer journey.

Elevate Your Content Marketing with a Strong Blog Presence

A blog is the cornerstone of a successful content marketing strategy. While it's common knowledge that having a blog is essential, simply producing content, no matter how industry-relevant, and waiting for results is not a viable strategy.

To engage your target audience, it's essential to maintain a cohesive and customer-centric tone in your blog posts. Be deliberate and purposeful in your approach. Utilize categories to structure your content to match your content objectives, customer search intent, and buyer journey. 

Begin by conducting SEO keyword research and evaluating your current content. From there, establish a strong foundation for your blog by incorporating content optimization strategies and paying careful attention to the technical aspects contributing to its performance. This includes ensuring your blog is prominently featured on your homepage and main navigation, utilizing article page templates, setting up proper URLs, and other essential steps.

At the heart of a successful content marketing approach lies a website with a blog, which has outperformed all other marketing methods. Moreover, studies have shown that blog-equipped websites boast an impressive 434% increase in search engine-indexed pages, resulting in a staggering six-fold rise in revenue.


Image Source: First Page Sage

Utilize Valuable Gated Content

Valuable gated content, commonly called lead magnets, collects visitor details by providing them with something of great worth in exchange. Gated content takes various shapes, yet it consistently delivers a distinctive and superior offering compared to the content available for free to your visitors.

For instance, if your blog delves into the significance of content audits, consider offering a comprehensive downloadable resource that provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the process. Popular types of gated content that are widely utilized and proven effective include ebooks, whitepapers, checklists, templates, and instructional videos.

Produce Engaging Videos

Video has become crucial in digital marketing as the most sought-after form of online content. Most businesses (86%) have incorporated video into their marketing plans. Furthermore, industry experts forecast that a staggering 82% of internet traffic will be driven by video content by next year.

Explore innovative video marketing strategies, such as documenting daily experiences through vlogs, hosting virtual events and webinars in real time, and showcasing customer testimonials through user-generated videos. 

Markethive is poised to revolutionize these formats with its comprehensive video platform, virtual conference spaces, e-commerce storefronts, and broadcasting tools. Moreover, its decentralized blockchain infrastructure, spanning multiple cloud systems, offers a distinct advantage over traditional centralized cloud services like AWS and Cloudflare.

Showcasing Social Proof

Are you someone who reads reviews and testimonials before making a purchase decision? Well, you're not alone! Studies reveal that 88% of consumers place as much faith in online reviews as in personal referrals from friends or family. They typically peruse multiple reviews before finalizing a buying decision.

Showcasing social proof in your content can boost your customer acquisition potential. Practical strategies for achieving this include:

  • Interspersing customer testimonials and rave reviews throughout your online platform or website. 
  • Showcasing in-depth success stories that highlight your achievements with previous customers.
  • Featuring authentic content created by satisfied users, such as online reviews, product photos, and video testimonials. (User-generated content)

Building trust with potential buyers is crucial, and social proof helps achieve this by providing tangible evidence that you’ll deliver on your promises. Many customers rely heavily on social proof to make a purchasing decision. By including social proof material in your customer acquisition plan, you can significantly boost the chances of turning leads into paying customers, ultimately driving revenue growth.

Markethive’s Role In Customer Acquisition  

Markethive, the blockchain-driven social market broadcasting network, is revolutionizing the media landscape. Its unique iterations, integrations, and upgrades will make it the ultimate tool for customer acquisition for large companies, small businesses, and solo entrepreneurs seeking to craft and disseminate compelling content that resonates with their target audience. This will include press releases and sponsored articles.

In contrast to traditional social media platforms, you retain ownership of your content, assets, and resources. On centralized social media platforms, the content you share becomes the property of the platform itself. They may redistribute it for profit without informing you or seeking your consent despite your view that your content is proprietary.

Watch as this behemoth of all things digital media unfolds and grows, dominating various aspects of marketing and advertising, including customer acquisition, social media, inbound strategies, video advertising, content creation, email campaigns, banner display, and more. Equipped with customized storefronts for individual businesses, SEO optimization, and its crypto, Hivecoin, the currency of Markethive, it is a complete ecosystem tailored for entrepreneurs.

 


 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

HOME

A New Wave Of Customer Acquisition Coming To Markethive

Leave a comment

A New Wave Of Customer Acquisition Coming To Markethive

customer aquisition inbound marketing

Implementing a customer acquisition strategy is vital for any business looking to expand its customer base and foster long-term relationships with potential clients. This process involves attracting and nurturing leads until they are ready to purchase and ultimately converting them into loyal customers. A well-defined customer acquisition strategy helps businesses attract suitable leads and increases their chances of long-term retention. 

This article delves into the significance of customer acquisition, its purpose, and practical strategies for achieving it. However, what sets it apart is the exploration of Markethive's role as a customer acquisition channel. Markethive is not just a platform; it's a specialist that helps businesses accomplish this crucial objective. Businesses can significantly enhance their customer acquisition efforts by understanding and utilizing Markethive's unique features.

Why Is Customer Acquisition Important? What Is Its Purpose?

Customer acquisition is a cornerstone of business success. It's the process of attracting and converting potential customers into loyal clients. But its importance goes beyond that. Customer acquisition is about expanding your customer base, boosting revenue, and building a robust brand reputation. You can grow your business and establish a steady income stream by acquiring new customers. Moreover, satisfied customers can become brand advocates, spreading positive word-of-mouth and attracting more customers. In essence, customer acquisition is a key driver of long-term business success.

This process also demonstrates traction to outside parties such as investors, partners, and influencers. Consistently attracting and converting new customers is vital for maintaining a healthy and growing business, which pleases investors. The goal of customer acquisition is to identify a repeatable and systematic approach to attracting customers to your business rather than relying on passive methods that may not ensure long-term profitability.

customer aquisition channels and strategies

Customer Acquisition Channels And Strategies

Customer acquisition channels are the platforms businesses use to introduce their offerings to potential customers. These platforms can be organic search, organic social media, referrals, email, and more. Customer acquisition strategies can be categorized into paid and free, outbound and inbound marketing, and so on.

Content Marketing

Customer Acquisition Channel: Organic Search
Crafting captivating and pertinent content is a powerful strategy for attracting and engaging potential customers across various industries. By consistently producing fresh, exciting, and relevant content, businesses can effectively lure in their target audience and guide them toward their website, ultimately driving customer acquisition and growth.

Amid widespread deceptive advertising and declining consumer confidence, content marketing offers a gesture of goodwill by expressing, “We are passionate about our work and eager to provide our knowledge to you at no cost.”

Content marketing involves creating content relevant to your target audience and compelling them to act. The main goal is to connect with your audience and convert them into customers. This means each piece of content should have a clear call to action. Content marketing encompasses both creating content and promoting it effectively.

Blogging

Customer Acquisition Channel: Organic Search
Blogging is a valuable strategy for businesses of various sizes, sectors, and target audiences. Maintaining a blog allows you to delve into diverse subjects, showcase expertise in your field, and establish credibility with your readers. Through blogging, you can consistently interact with your audience by sharing visuals for them to save, posing questions for them to respond to, or presenting compelling calls-to-action for them to click on.

When launching a blog, it's essential to have a solid foundation in place to ensure its long-term success. This includes having a reliable team of writers, whether full-time employees, freelancers, or guest contributors. Additionally, having a graphic designer and editor on your team can help enhance your content's visual appeal and overall quality, making it more engaging for search engines and your target audience.

Social Media Marketing

Customer Acquisition Channel: Organic Social Media, Paid Social Media
Social media can require a lot of effort for little reward if you don’t develop a solid game plan for its use. What networks are you going to leverage, and which ones are you going to avoid? Posting organically on social media may seem like shouting into a void. The key is accessing the right networks, which all reach a well-defined audience.

Social media can be time-consuming and fruitless without a clear strategy. But with the right approach, it can be a powerful tool for customer acquisition. The key is understanding your audience and choosing the platforms that align with their interests. By doing so, you can maximize your efforts and feel empowered in your customer acquisition strategies.

For instance, if your target audience consists mainly of men, Pinterest may be less beneficial since only 15% of men use the platform. However, if your audience comprises millennials, it would be wise to incorporate Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat into your social media strategy.

Video Marketing

Customer Acquisition Channel: Paid Search, Organic Social Media, Paid Social Media
Video production can be a complex process, but with the increasing affordability of high-quality cameras and the availability of freelance professionals, creating videos is more accessible than ever. Video marketing emphasizes the importance of high-quality content as a vital component of a comprehensive content strategy.

You can create engaging content for your audience by outsourcing script writing, editing, production, and animation to freelancers or production agencies. Video production's advantage is its versatility, allowing you to promote your content through various channels like search display ads, organic social media posts, and paid social media posts. Additionally, you can enhance your blog posts and pages by incorporating videos, which can better engage your readers and increase the chances of converting them into customers.

Email Retargeting

Customer Acquisition Channel: Email
The success of an email marketing campaign depends on more than just the content of the emails themselves. It's equally important to monitor the behavior of your email list and adjust your approach accordingly. For instance, when you gain a new subscriber, it's likely that they're interested in your business and want to learn more. However, if they do not engage with your initial emails, refining your approach by testing various calls to action to see what resonates with them is essential.

The clicks and unsubscribes in your email can offer valuable insights into your subscribers' preferences. The links they choose to click can indicate what they find most appealing, while those who opt out entirely can provide a glimpse into how your content is being received.

Sponsored Content

Customer Acquisition Channel: Paid Search, Paid Social Media, Traditional Advertising
Sponsored advertising takes various forms, from paid advertisements on search engine results pages (SERPS) to endorsements from influencers on social media platforms. Regardless of the platform you select, sponsored ads can help raise awareness about your products and services and draw new followers to your brand. You can explore various forms of sponsored content, like paid search results, product endorsements, and sponsored articles on relevant websites.

Customer Spotlights

Customer Acquisition Channel: Customer Referrals
Transforming satisfied customers into enthusiastic promoters can be a highly effective strategy for acquiring new customers. By empowering your existing customers to spread the word about your business, you can save time and money on other acquisition methods and tap into the credibility and trust they have established with their networks. This can lead to increased brand visibility, positive word-of-mouth, and, ultimately, the acquisition of new customers.

Invite customers to share their experiences. Seek out case studies, interviews, reviews, or user-generated content showcasing how your customers found your business and what makes it unique. Instead of promoting your company through paid advertising or social media, let your customers spread the word for you by sharing their stories.

Facilitate easy sharing of content. Although conveying a positive message can be effective, imagine the added value if your clients could readily distribute your generated content, such as social media updates, articles, or visual graphics.

Encourage a viral loop by having your customers share content that directs their followers to your business. Make it easy for them to share by providing Click to Share links for social media posts and including options to share via email. The easier it is for customers to promote your business, the higher the chances they will participate.

Search Engine Optimization

Customer Acquisition Channel: Organic Search
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a complex process that involves various strategies to improve the visibility of your content in organic search results. While not an exact science, there are established techniques that can assist in boosting your content's ranking. One essential aspect of SEO is creating content that search engines can easily access, interpret, and include in search engine results pages (SERPs). 

To enhance your content's "indexability," you can include your primary keyword in the title of your post, provide alternative text for your images, attach transcripts to your video and audio materials, and create internal links within your website, which are essential for optimizing your content.

SEO has become a business's go-to customer acquisition strategy due to its ease and cost-effectiveness. As technology advances, SEO has become vital to marketing plans globally. Recent data shows that 64% of marketers actively invest in SEO, indicating its rising significance in the industry. Additionally, 75% of marketers believe their SEO tactics are highly effective in helping them accomplish their marketing objectives.

Product Pricing And Giveaways

Customer Acquisition Channel: All
More than words and promises may be required to persuade customers to purchase your products and services. Particular consumers may remain unmoved by influencer endorsements or recommendations from others. To attract these customers and build their loyalty, hosting giveaways allows them to risk-free sample your products or services. This hands-on experience can provide the necessary nudge for them to evaluate your brand as a viable choice seriously.

Another effective method of attracting customers is to utilize your product's pricing strategy, which can be promoted through every channel, including TV ads and customer referrals.  You could also rely on your product's pricing to naturally draw in customers. This approach is particularly impactful if your competitors' prices are significantly higher or differ from your pricing model.

Craft Compelling Landing Pages

Customer Acquisition Channel: All
Developing optimized landing pages is crucial for attracting customers. This strategy involves enhancing specific pages on your website to guide visitors toward your offerings. These pages serve as a gateway to your product or service, guiding consumers toward taking action. A well-optimized landing page provides valuable insights and features a solid call to action to drive conversions effectively.

To sum up, these customer acquisition strategies are interconnected and complementary. For example, social media platforms can disseminate SEO-optimized content featuring a call to action, encouraging readers to sign up for an email list. In other words, they work together seamlessly. 

Now that we’ve touched on the various customer acquisition channels and strategies, let's look at how this pertains to the Markethive concept, the direction, and how it will become an incredibly powerful social, marketing, and digital broadcasting platform.  

customer aquisition inbound marketing

Markethive: The All-In-One Channel For Customer Acquisition 

Markethive is poised to revolutionize the world of affiliate marketing, network marketing, and commission-oriented companies by introducing a groundbreaking Promocode system. This innovative approach, unprecedented in the history of marketing and customer acquisition, enables Markethive to create and offer customized promotional codes that can be redeemed for various valuable services, including money or cryptocurrency, press releases, banner impressions, targeted broadcasting, and more. By harnessing the power of these services, Markethive is providing a game-changing tool that can help businesses achieve unparalleled success.

We're revamping our dashboard services to feature a cutting-edge, multi-newsfeed interface. This upgrade will showcase innovative tools, including a page creation system, automated responders, tracking capabilities, backlinking technology, and blog broadcasting. These services are essential for every business and entrepreneur looking to thrive in today's fast-paced digital landscape.

Markethive is developing a system linking Promocodes to different subscription levels, groups, or individuals. Each entity is given a distinct code. These Promocodes will be incorporated into different websites under construction, like Hiveco.in. Every Markethive Entrepreneur One member will receive a personalized website with a unique code for marketing purposes.

Markethive's services and cryptocurrency giveaways will be promoted on these websites, and when prospects sign up, they will be connected with a designated entrepreneur and become their primary customer. This system rewards entrepreneurs with matching bonuses once the new member completes the KYC protocol, encouraging them to engage with the system. This is an exemplary example of inbound marketing.

As we progress and expand our services, including Hivecoin’s availability on exchanges and the upcoming ability for new customer acquisition with Promocodes,  Markethive's inbound marketing services will become more appealing to companies, allowing them to establish a seamless connection with us through a socket connection.

Markethive is set to revolutionize the affiliate and network marketing industry by offering its services to support companies and affiliate programs. Through its innovative Co-op system, customers will be generated and shared among members who contribute to the system within a specific Markethive Storefront. Essentially, members who participate in the Co-op will buy customers, providing a unique opportunity for growth and success in the industry.

Customer acquisition is the equalizer to everyone in Markethive and beyond. Markethive, a thriving community for entrepreneurs, is progressively integrating blockchain technology with decentralized data servers in every country worldwide. Through its innovative blockchain-based ecosystem, Markethive creates a level playing field for all businesses. Its robust inbound marketing platform is constantly evolving, covering every facet of customer acquisition, which is the cornerstone of success for any company.

This marks the initial phase. All the customer acquisition channels and strategies mentioned above are incorporated into the Markethive platform or will soon be, such as our exclusive email system and web page hosting, SEO systems, every aspect of marketing, digital advertising, video advertising, broadcasting services for social networks, and broadcasting services for the Markethive Blog system. In upcoming articles, further developments and revelations will be shared, so stay tuned!

Join us every Sunday at 8 a.m. Mountain Time for our weekly meetings, where you'll get a front-row seat to witness Markethive's transformation into a dominant force in the digital marketing and acquisition landscape. The link to the meeting room is located in the Markethive Calendar.

Markethive Social market digital braodcasting network
 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley