Digital Assets and Your Will: What You Need to Know

Are you getting ready to prepare your will? Nowadays, with so much of our lives online, it’s crucial to make sure even your digital assets are part of your estate planning. Here's what you need to know about digital assets and how to ensure they are properly handled in your will.

Understanding Digital Assets

Digital assets cover a wide spectrum of online accounts and electronic files that can hold both monetary and sentimental value. These include social media profiles like Facebook or Instagram, email accounts, online banking and investment accounts, cryptocurrency wallets, digital photos and videos, music libraries, and even domain names you own. 

Identifying all your digital assets is the first crucial step in managing your digital estate. Take inventory of every online account and digital file you possess, and think about their significance and how you wish them to be handled. 

For instance, you might want someone to archive your personal photos and videos but delete your social media accounts. Be sure to document instructions clearly and securely share passwords or encryption keys with a trusted executor. 

This ensures that your digital legacy is managed according to your wishes and simplifies the process for your loved ones.

Securing Access to Your Digital Assets

Securing access to your digital assets is paramount for ensuring that everything is managed according to your wishes. Begin by creating an exhaustive list of all digital accounts, including email, social media, banking, and investment accounts. 

Don't forget more unusual items like cryptocurrency wallets, music libraries, and domain names. For each entry, list usernames, passwords, and any two-factor authentication details. This documentation should be stored securely—consider a password manager or an encrypted digital vault. 

Clearly outline your instructions for each asset, such as whether you want accounts memorialized, deleted, or transferred. Appoint a trusted individual as your digital executor and ensure they have access to this information. 

Regularly update this list, as passwords and accounts change over time. By taking these steps, you simplify estate management for your loved ones and ensure that your digital legacy is handled with care and respect.

Choosing a Digital Executor

When it comes to managing your digital assets, selecting the right digital executor is essential. This individual will handle everything from your social media accounts to your cryptocurrency wallets. 

Ideally, they should be tech-savvy and thoroughly familiar with your online footprint. In addition to your main executor, having a specific digital executor ensures that someone with the right skills and knowledge handles your digital estate efficiently. 

Look for someone who understands cybersecurity best practices, which reduces the risk of identity theft during vulnerable times. It's also helpful if your digital executor possesses a clear understanding of your personal wishes regarding each type of digital asset, be it memorializing a social media account, closing down email accounts, or distributing digital currency. 

Don’t forget to officially name your digital executor in your will and provide them with all necessary access details, like usernames, passwords, and two-factor authentication information. 

Keeping this information up-to-date and securely stored means your digital legacy will be managed seamlessly, reflecting your specific wishes and providing peace of mind for your loved ones.

Including Digital Assets in Your Will

Including digital assets in your will requires thoughtful planning and clear instructions. First, make a comprehensive list of all your digital assets—these range from social media accounts, email accounts, and online banking to domains and cryptocurrency. 

Each asset should have specific instructions: Do you want your social media accounts memorialized or deleted? Should your email be accessible to a loved one, or should it be permanently closed? It's vital to express these preferences distinctly in your will. 

Consult an attorney experienced in digital estate planning, like the team at Crews Law Offices, to ensure your directives are legally enforceable. Include information on how to access these assets; provide usernames, passwords, and any required two-factor authentication details, and store this information securely, such as in an encrypted digital vault or password manager. 

Remember, this digital inventory needs to be updated regularly as passwords change and new accounts are created. Appoint a trusted digital executor to manage these tasks, detailed within the legal language of your will. 

By addressing these elements, you not only protect your digital legacy but also make the process smoother for those you leave behind.

Updating Your Will Regularly

Just like with the rest of your estate plan, it's essential to revisit and update your will regularly to capture any changes in your digital asset portfolio. Life evolves, and so does your online presence—new accounts appear, some old ones become obsolete, and the value tied to these assets can change. 

Make it a point to review your digital inventory at least annually or after any significant life events, like the acquisition of assets, changes in relationships, or shifts in your digital estate's overall structure. 

By staying proactive, you can ensure your will accurately reflects your current desires and avoids potential legal hiccups or family conflicts later on. Remember to document updates clearly and inform your digital executor of any changes. 

Consulting with a legal professional specializing in digital estate planning can provide further assurance that your shifts are legally sound. 

Keeping your will current safeguards your digital legacy, making the transition smoother for your loved ones and honoring your wishes precisely.

Seeking Legal Guidance

Navigating the intricacies of adding digital assets to your will can be overwhelming, but seeking legal guidance can make the journey smoother and more secure. 

Imagine you're having a chat with a knowledgeable friend—except this friend is a legal expert in digital estates. A seasoned attorney can offer tailored advice, ensuring your digital and traditional assets are comprehensively covered. 

They help you grasp the legal nuances, such as how state laws treat digital assets and the enforceability of your wishes. By discussing your specific scenario, they can guide you through creating a detailed inventory of your digital assets, complete with instructions for each one, like memorializing or deleting social media profiles. 

Attorneys also aid in drafting a will that’s airtight, reducing potential disputes or legal challenges down the road. They'll also advise you on securely storing access details—think usernames, passwords, and two-factor authentication—so your digital executor has a clear, legal roadmap to follow. 

Consulting with a legal professional won't just simplify the process; it can offer peace of mind, ensuring your digital forever is managed just as you envision.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, incorporating digital assets into your estate planning is a vital step in ensuring that your legacy is preserved and managed according to your wishes. 

By taking the time to understand the unique considerations surrounding digital assets and working with a knowledgeable will attorney, you can rest assured that your online presence will be handled with care and respect after you're gone.

Nontraditional Ways To Fund Your Retirement

When people think about retirement, it’s usually a combination of two things that come to mind: savings and pensions. If you’re in your golden years or fast approaching that era, you may wonder if there are any nontraditional ways to fund your retirement.

Explore several alternatives to the standard retirement funding and gain the knowledge you need to make informed decisions for your future.

Consider Real Estate

Real estate can be a reliable income-generating investment for your retirement. An effectively managed property, whether residential or commercial, could provide you with a steady cash flow. 

Consider investing in rental properties or becoming a part of a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). REITs allow you to invest in a diversified portfolio of properties without managing them personally. 

However, you must be sure to do your due diligence regarding the property market and legal aspects before committing to this financial venture.

Venture Into Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, have gained popularity in recent years as alternative investments. While it’s still somewhat of a new phenomenon, there’s potential for significant returns if you’re willing to take the risk. 

You could even use cryptocurrencies as a part of your retirement portfolio, but make sure you familiarize yourself with the US regulations on cryptocurrency first. Some states consciously control the use and trade of digital currencies, which can affect your ability to invest.

Convert Your Skills Into Profits

You can turn your skills and hobbies into lucrative income streams during your golden years. Tap into your talents and offer your expertise as a consultant, open an online store, or teach classes in your field of specialization. 

Retirees have accumulated experience and knowledge over the years, making them valuable resources for younger professionals or people interested in certain hobbies.

Enjoy the Benefits of Peer-to-Peer Lending

In recent years, Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms have sprung up as alternative investment opportunities. You lend money to individuals or small businesses on these platforms and earn interest on the loans, potentially providing you with a steady retirement income. 

P2P lending does carry some risks, like borrower default, so it’s essential to research and understand the platform’s ins and outs before you invest your hard-earned retirement funds.

Final Thoughts

There’s no reason to stick to the tried and tested formulas of traditional retirement investment when there are so many nontraditional funding sources available. 

By exploring these creative options, you can come up with a diversified plan to ensure long-term financial stability. Investing time into understanding these nontraditional ways to fund your retirement can lead to a more secure and comfortable golden era. 

So go ahead and let your financial prowess guide you to the retirement lifestyle you deserve.

What's the Difference Between Passive and Portfolio Income?

As you navigate the world of personal finance and retirement planning, understanding the differences between passive and portfolio income is crucial.

These two types of income can play a vital role in your long-term financial success, especially if you know how to use them wisely. 

Explore the characteristics of passive and portfolio income and their potential benefits in your retirement strategy below.

Passive Income: Earning Money While You Sleep

People often hail passive income as the best way to achieve financial independence—after all, who wouldn't want to make money without actively working for it? But before you get too excited, let's break down what passive income really is.

In its simplest form, passive income refers to money earned with little to no ongoing effort on the part of the recipient. Some classic examples include rental income from real estate, royalties from intellectual property (such as a book or song), or earnings from a business where the owner isn't actively involved. 

Passive income isn't entirely hands-free, as some degree of initial investment or occasional maintenance is necessary. 

However, it does allow for the potential to earn money without the daily grind of a typical 9-to-5 job.

Portfolio Income: A Diversified Approach to Growing Wealth

Portfolio income, on the other hand, refers to the earnings generated from a diverse mix of financial assets, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and even cryptocurrencies. 

Portfolio income aims to grow wealth by capitalizing on the performance of these diverse assets and can come in the form of capital gains, dividends, and interest.

For example, many people assume cryptocurrency is a type of passive income, while in reality, it's an example of portfolio income. The reason is that investing in cryptocurrency typically requires active monitoring and strategic decision-making to generate returns.

Common misconceptions arise from the belief that all types of investment income are passive, which is inaccurate. 

Unlike passive income, portfolio income generally demands a more active approach to managing and adjusting one's investments.

Striking the Right Balance for Your Retirement

Integrating both passive and portfolio income sources into your retirement plan is crucial to maintain a diversified financial strategy. 

Passive income can provide stability and consistency, especially when the market is volatile or when you need a reliable source of income. 

In contrast, portfolio income allows you to take advantage of potentially higher returns, albeit with higher risks, which can ultimately boost your retirement savings.

To strike the right balance, consider your risk tolerance, financial goals, and timeline. Work with a financial advisor to create a plan that incorporates a variety of income sources, ensuring you have enough money to cover your expenses and maintain a comfortable lifestyle during retirement.

Understanding the differences between passive and portfolio income is an essential aspect of planning for your financial success in retirement. 

By incorporating both types of income into your strategy, you increase your chances of reaching your financial goals and enjoying the retirement you've always envisioned.

Baby's First Crypto: 5 Important Questions to Ask About Custodial Investments

Cryptocurrency can be an excellent investment for your child's future. You can open an account for your child at a custodial investment firm and let them grow their money.

Before you invest, it's important to do your research and ask these five critical questions to do it right.

What Fees Are Associated With the Investment?

You should always know what fees you are being charged for an investment. There may be account setup fees, management fees, and transaction fees with custodial assets. 

Understanding all the fees before you invest is essential, so there are no surprises down the road. Fees can eat into your investment returns, so it's important to understand what you're paying. 

Know if there are fees charged for setting up the account and if there are any ongoing management fees.

What Are the Risks and Rewards Associated With Custodial Investments?

Before investing, it's important to understand the risks and rewards associated with custodial investments. The biggest threat is that your investment could lose money. 

However, if the market goes up, your investment will also grow. It's important to have realistic expectations for the risks and rewards of any investment before you put your money in.

How Will You Protect Your Child’s Investment?

Once you've decided to invest in a custodial investment for your child, it's crucial to consider how you will protect that investment. One way to do this is by choosing a firm with good customer service and security features. 

You should also ensure that the account is adequately diversified so that your child's money is not all invested in one thing.

What Are the Tax Implications of Investing in Cryptos for Minors?

Crypto for minors has a few tax implications you should be aware of. First, any gains your child makes on their investment will be taxed at the child's tax rate. 

Second, if you withdraw money from the account to pay for college expenses, those withdrawals may be subject to taxes and penalties. Talking to a tax advisor about the implications of investing in cryptos for minors is vital before you do it.

How Will You Know When It’s Time To Sell?

One of the hardest things about investing is knowing when to sell. With a custodial investment, you may have the ability to set up automatic sell orders so that your child's money is automatically sold when it reaches a certain price. 

This can take the emotion out of deciding when to sell and help you get the most out of your investment.

Custodial investments are long-term investments. They can be a great way to grow your child's money, but it's important to do your research and understand the risks before you invest. 

By asking these five key questions, you can ensure that you make the best decision for your child's future.

A Beginners Guide to Bitcoin in 2022

Bitcoin's arrival into the mainstream was accompanied by substantial examinations of altcoins, a temporary ICO craze, as well as numerous misconceptions regarding the vision and capacity of Bitcoin.

Over in 2014, countless advancements have actually unraveled that provide more access to buying Bitcoin and interacting with the heritage cryptocurrency than in the past.

While accessibility to Bitcoin is still much from being optimal, alternatives for buying it are significantly above what they were just numerous years ago. From the proliferation of exchanges to different ways of obtaining it, examining numerous means to invest in Bitcoin is worth your effort and time.

Bitcoin Cost & Market

Bitcoin's price has actually been volatile given its creation. Beginning with the very first purchase of a good or service making use of 10,000 bitcoins to get a pizza, Bitcoin's value has been a rollercoaster trip.

Bitcoin's price increased in the direction of completion of 2017 and peaked at roughly $20,000 in January 2018, triggering a flurry of traditional media coverage as well as concerns regarding what precisely the novel digital currency was.

To most of the mainstream, Bitcoin's volatility births way too much risk to invest in it, although millennials have actually revealed a desirable disposition in the direction of swapping their hard-made money for some Bitcoin.




Over the last few months, however, Bitcoin has gotten on a tear as well as just recently breached its perpetuity high price once more. This has actually brought much more mainstream interest and it now appears that lastly, establishments are taking it seriously and also allocating some of their bucks to the property course.

Investing in Bitcoin has integral dangers that investors require to be aware of before buying it, and also you can locate considerable details on the initial cryptocurrency all over the internet today. If you have an interest in Bitcoin, the prudent technique is to do your very own research as well as find whether or not you are willing to get into an arising market of digital properties that have no criterion.

Making small financial investments is a terrific way to begin as well as learn more about just how to interact with pocketbooks without overexposing yourself to the marketplace's volatility.

If you're wanting to buy cryptocurrencies in general, choosing Bitcoin must be your first option. Its robustness is exceptional in the market and is one of its biggest, if not its cardinal, toughness.

The general narrative around Bitcoin that has actually been molded throughout the years is that of 'electronic gold,' where its established issuance rate-- controlled by its mining trouble adjustment and decentralized network-- offers significant advantages over fiat money in knowing that your investment will certainly not be watered down through arbitrary rising cost of living.

If you're a newcomer to the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency room, looking for a monetary haven from hyper-inflationary economies, or a sophisticated individual who counts on the ideological aspects of Bitcoin, there are several areas that you require to review when purchasing Bitcoin.

Long-lasting Investing or "Hodling"

Lots of long-lasting 'hodlers' sight Bitcoin as the hardest money available, as well as select to save huge quantities of their incomes in the cryptocurrency. Doing so provides dangers, but from their viewpoint, it is among the greatest financial investment possibilities in history as well as a legit way of valuable storage space and transfer outside of the typical monetary globe.

Their belief in Bitcoin as digital gold with a high stock-to-flow proportion is rock-solid, as well as advancements like Bitcoin's LN may eventually make it possible for the network to scale as the P2P digital cash initially pictured by Satoshi Nakamoto.

Bitcoin Budgets

If you're seeking to store Bitcoin as a lasting financial investment, the very best approach to protect your coins is making use of a freezer equipment budget. 

Popular cold store budget brand names include Trezor and also Ledger, and also they also provide assistance for various other cryptocurrencies. 

Cold storage can also be intensified with multisig services like Casa where trademarks from multiple physical tools are required to unlock your stored Bitcoin.

Complete Bitcoin clients are likewise sensible methods for lasting storage of bitcoins, but not as safe as cold budget remedies. Besides purely purchasing Bitcoin, you can support the decentralization and also connectivity of the network by running a complete node, which includes on your own into the Bitcoin core method that keeps the whole blockchain.

Short-term holders that are wanting to buy Bitcoin in percentages out of curiosity or for trying out sending/receiving it can opt to utilize hot and also custodial budgets.

Third-parties control these pocketbooks, so they are not optimal for safety assurances, but are convenient to use and provide superb user interfaces for utilizing Bitcoin. Popular custodial pocketbooks include Blockchain Budget, Copay, and BreadWallet.

Mining Bitcoin

In the very early days of Bitcoin, users can mine Bitcoin on laptops and also desktops, gaining massive quantities of Bitcoin at drastically reduced worths than what they are today.

Because of this, early mining in Bitcoin ended up being one of the most rewarding investments ever before. However, mining has actually advanced right into a gigantic market, where outsized companies like Bitmain and huge mining swimming pools like F2Pool and also BTC.com dominate the marketplace.

ASIC miners are really the only viable way to extract Bitcoin today, and also holding your very own ASIC gear is a major investment that needs hardware costs, operating time, and also electricity.

Further, tiny, independent miners using home-based rigs often need to operate at losses during expanded devaluations of Bitcoin's place price as profit margins are diminished. However, if you wish to attempt your hand at Bitcoin mining, there are numerous tutorials for discerning which software and hardware suit your needs and also budget.

Cloud mining services also allow individuals to buy contracts for ASIC mining rigs within extensive mining stockrooms that are run by a third-party mining firm.

These businesses supply normal returns based upon your investment and can be practical if you wish to earn Bitcoins with mining but do not wish to undergo the inconvenience of establishing your own rig. Hashflare, as well as Genesis mining, are two popular cloud mining solutions.

Bitcoin's mining market is an interesting element of its broader environment, and also appropriately recognizing just how it functions, in addition to watching its future development is essential to comprehending the legacy cryptocurrency's bigger economics.

Exchanges for Investing in Bitcoin

Exchanges are one of the most simple and popular techniques for obtaining Bitcoin. There are more than 100 functional Bitcoin exchanges worldwide, however, staying away from exchanges that are recognized for clean trading and also sticking with major credible exchanges is one of the most sensible moves.

There are a number of sorts of exchanges in the cryptocurrency market, including centralized exchanges, decentralized exchanges (DEXs), P2P industries, crypto-to-crypto exchanges, as well as fiat-to-crypto on-ramps. Appropriately recognizing the benefits and negative aspects of each is critical.

Acquiring Bitcoin with Fiat Money

Initially, the distinction between crypto-to-crypto and fiat-to-crypto exchanges originates from their regulatory territories and also whether they can supply direct trading pairs of Bitcoin with fiat money. Coinbase is one of the most popular fiat-to-crypto on-ramps in the UNITED STATE and also needs that users go through managed KYC/AML procedures.

Even more, exchanges like Coinbase are systematized and also custodial platforms, meaning that when your bitcoins are kept on the system, they are technically not your own as they can be frozen like with a savings account. 

Can You Still Make Money Farming Cryptocurrency?

You may have heard or read about people making tons of money farming cryptocurrency and be considering it as an investment for a quick way to make lots of cash. 

The truth is that you still can make money farming cryptocurrency, but it's not an investment strategy for the timid or the beginner.

What is Farming Cryptocurrency?

Farming cryptocurrency, also known as cryptocurrency yield farming, is an investment strategy that offers higher returns than conventional investments. However, like most investment strategies, higher returns mean increased risks.

When you put many in the bank, you're lending money, which is why the bank pays you interest on the money you deposit. With yield farming, investors are lending cryptocurrency. 

Yield farming can earn double-digit interest rates, but the real payoff comes if the digital currency appreciates rapidly. The bottom line is that when you lend cryptocurrency, you're hoping the value of the digital currency appreciates quickly. 

If the market gets flooded with a new currency, the digital currency devaluates, and you lose money.

How Cryptocurrency Farming Works

Farming cryptocurrency works by lending digital coins or currency through DAI or Tether through a decentralized app such as Compound. 

Compound is an algorithmic, autonomous interest rate protocol made for developers to unlock various open financial applications.

Compound lends the digital currency to borrowers who then use the currency for speculation. The interest rate you receive will vary with demand, but each day you use the Compound service, you receive Comp coins, interest, and other fees. If the Comp coins you receive appreciate, your returns skyrocket as well.

What are the Risks?

One of the most significant risks involved in yield farming is increasing regulations by the SEC. In addition, theft is a growing trend in digital currency. 

When you lend digital currency, the money is held by software, which is vulnerable to hackers who find ways to steal funds from the software. Another risk is that some digital currency is only a few years old and could potentially lose value, leading to an entire system crash.

The Bottom Line

It is possible to make money farming cryptocurrency. However, as time progresses, it will become more and more difficult to make money framing cryptocurrency, and risks will most likely become higher. 

Farming digital currency is not for the novice. You should familiarize yourself with all risks involved before you begin a yield farming investment strategy.

5 Types Of Cryptocurrency You Should Consider Investing In

If you have been an investor over the years, you have spent the majority of your time looking at various stocks, bonds, precious metals, real estate, and other traditional forms of investment that you hoped would result in huge profits. 

While each of these is still quite important, so too is cryptocurrency. While you may think Bitcoin is the only cryptocurrency in town, the fact is there are many types of virtual currency that can be used as investments. 

If you're eager to explore this new opportunity, here are five types of cryptocurrency you should consider for your investment portfolio.

Bitcoin

The most well-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin has a market valuation exceeding $1 trillion. Essentially, Bitcoin is to cryptocurrency investors what blue-chip stocks like IBM were to stock market investors back in the day. Becoming more mainstream by the day, investing in Bitcoin could pay off big in the years ahead.

Ethereum

Second, only to Bitcoin in terms of cryptocurrency popularity, Ethereum accounts for about 20% of the cryptocurrency market. 

Also considered blue-chip crypto by industry experts, Ethereum is a fast-growing virtual currency that continues to chip away at Bitcoin's dominance in the marketplace.

Solana

Coming out of virtual obscurity within cryptocurrency to become one of the industry's most sought-after investments, Solana has become well-liked due to its emphasis on decentralizing applications. 

Because of this, investors can bypass brokers, exchanges, and banks, which also results in transaction fees that are negligible or nonexistent. 

As you examine information found on EQIFI and use it in your decision-making process for cryptocurrency investments, you'll probably realize the possibilities that exist with Solana.

Cardano

Existing since 2017, Cardano is liked by investors because it has a hard cap on its coins, meaning that currently, only 45 billion can exist. 

Because of this, Cardano is seen as being able to avoid significant crashes in its value, which is always attractive to investors. Also, to incentivize new investors to create blocks, it relies on proof-of-stake protocol, rather than a proof-of-work algorithm.

Wilder World

Finally, Wilder World is a virtual currency that has only existed since May 2021. Considered a riskier investment than other well-established cryptos, Wilder World is a speculative investment that focuses primarily on digital artists. 

Though it only has a $118 million market cap, it is seen by experts as a cryptocurrency that is poised to strike it big in the coming years.

Whether you invest in only one of these virtual currencies or fill your portfolio with several, you're setting the stage for huge gains that can rival the most trustworthy of stocks.

Interested in Bitcoin? Here are 4 Ways to Get Started

Bitcoin is one of the hottest assets of the last 10 years, and many people are still interested in getting started. With the cryptocurrency experiencing another record surge, getting into the Bitcoin market has the potential to be more profitable than ever. Here are four of the best ways for beginners to get started with Bitcoin.

Invest Through Your Existing Brokerage Accounts

If you have a digital brokerage account, there's a decent chance you already have the ability to invest in Bitcoin. Several popular trading platforms, including Robinhood, allow users to invest in Bitcoin. 

If your brokerage offers cryptocurrency trading, you could have your first Bitcoin investment in place in a matter of minutes. You may even be able to buy Bitcoin using cash you already had saved for investing.

Create an Exchange Account

Like most assets, there are special exchange platforms for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Getting an account on a Bitcoin exchange is a quick and easy way to start investing without the hassle of setting up a wallet entirely on your own. 

Exchanges will also give you access to multiple cryptocurrencies if you'd like to dabble in other digital currency assets.

Freelance in Exchange for Bitcoin

If you'd rather earn Bitcoin than buy it, there are plenty of ways you can start getting paid in cryptocurrency. A few niche freelancing platforms exist that allow digital workers to get paid in Bitcoin. You can also find private clients online who are willing to pay Bitcoin for whatever services you offer. 

While you won't earn huge amounts of Bitcoin this way, you can definitely scrape together enough to get started and learn what the cryptocurrency market is all about.

Mine Your Own Bitcoin

Although Bitcoin is much harder than it was in the early days, the rewards are also larger thanks to higher prices. If you don't mind putting some money up for mining hardware, you can still earn a considerable amount of Bitcoin through mining. 

This is one of the best ways to get started, as it will give you a comprehensive view of the Bitcoin ecosystem and how the currency really works. Most mining hardware can also be used to mine other cryptocurrencies, meaning you can try your hand at other emerging digital coins if you want to.

Any one of these four strategies will allow you to get started with Bitcoin, even in today's high-price environment. Whether you use just one or all of them, Bitcoin is well worth getting into.

A Starter’s Guide to Nontraditional Investments

While almost everyone is familiar with common investments like stocks, bonds and real estate, there are also a huge number of less common investment vehicles that can help you make the most of your money. 

These so-called nontraditional investments allow investors to diversify their portfolios and earn higher overall returns on their capital. Here are four of the nontraditional investments you need to know about if you’re thinking about broadening your portfolio.

Peer-to-peer Lending

Over the last few years, peer-to-peer lending has emerged as one of the most important classes of nontraditional investments. In peer-to-peer lending, sometimes abbreviated P2P, groups of individual lenders fund loans for borrowers. 

These lenders then receive both their principal and interest as the borrowers repay the loans. Interest rates vary based on the borrower’s creditworthiness but returns of 10 percent or more are not uncommon.

Monetized Websites

Websites are among the most overlooked investment vehicles out there. Sites monetized with ads and affiliate links can generate considerable passive income for their owners, making them a useful inclusion in your wealth management planning for guaranteeing monthly cash flow. 




Best of all, you can buy existing, well-established websites from their creators, meaning you won’t have to set up a site or create all of the content for it yourself. This investment does require a bit of work and maintenance, but it can be very lucrative under the right circumstances.

Cryptocurrency

Digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ether and Dash have become quite popular as investment assets over the last few years. While cryptocurrency investment is certainly speculative, it has produced excellent returns for many investors. 

When it comes to trading cryptocurrency, it helps to have a bit of background knowledge in the more traditional foreign exchange market. Cryptocurrencies may also be a useful hedge against inflation in your portfolio.

Shipping Containers

Oddly enough, one of the investments that can make you a very high rate of return is the common shipping container. By buying shipping containers and then renting them out to shipping and logistics companies through a specialized broker, you can earn considerable rental fees on an asset that isn’t terribly expensive to begin with. 

This form of nontraditional investment does require some fairly specialized knowledge, but it can also produce extremely stable and attractive returns over the long run.

These are just four of the hundreds of nontraditional investments you may want to consider adding to your portfolio. As you continue to learn more about investing, you’ll find many, many other ways to earn returns on your capital. Always be sure to carefully evaluate each investment to make sure it is a good fit for your strategy and risk tolerance level.

How to Invest in Cryptocurrency & What to Know Before You Do

Investing in cryptocurrency is a hot new trend that has already made some investors a considerable amount of money. If you want to invest in cryptocurrencies successfully, though, you’ll need to go about it in the right way. Here are four things you need to know about investing in cryptocurrencies.

Understand That Cryptocurrencies Carry Risks

Although many people have made money by investing in cryptocurrencies, these assets aren’t without their own unique risks. As with any other form of investment, you should only put money you don’t absolutely need into your cryptocurrency portfolio. 

You also need to carefully evaluate the price movements and overall qualities of different cryptocurrencies before you invest, as jumping in prematurely can increase your chances of losing money.

Some Cryptocurrencies Can’t Be Bought Easily

Though major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether can be traded directly for traditional money, not all cryptocurrencies work in the same way. If you want to invest in altcoins that are less prominent, you may have to resort to exchanging Bitcoin for them. 




Luckily, you can do this buy Bitcoin with Visa or another credit card, then use an online exchange to trade the Bitcoin for the currency you want. Be sure to research the coins you plan to invest in extensively and figure out what cryptocurrency exchanges support them so that you can buy without any difficulties.

Know the Laws of Your Country

Though many people still think of the cryptocurrency market as being an unregulated open market, the truth is a little different. At the moment, there are only 96 countries where Bitcoin usage isn’t restricted in some way. Make sure that you know and follow the laws of your country when it comes to cryptocurrency investing.

Build a Diversified Portfolio

One mistake that many new cryptocurrency investors make is to invest in only one currency, usually Bitcoin. While it can be appealing to keep things simple in the beginning, relying on a singly cryptocurrency makes your portfolio more risky. 

Try to find at least two or three good cryptocurrencies that you believe will make good investments in order to create a more strongly diversified portfolio.

By keeping these things in mind, you’ll be better prepared to get started with cryptocurrency investing. Before you actually put money into the markets, make sure that you track the prices of your chosen currencies for a few weeks to see whether or not you can accurately predict their price fluctuations. If you can, it’s a good sign that you’re ready to invest.

Investing in Bitcoin: Is there still time or is it already too late?

It would not be Bitcoin without all the drama and unprecedented growth in particular. The question is whether this seemingly infinite growth could last forever. Probably not, although being a deflationary currency, there is some potential for it. 

In reality, the thing that sets the price of Bitcoin more than any technical factor is the demand. Neither forks nor fees matter. What does matter is the large number of people interested in Bitcoin, which can be illustrated by the daily Coinbase user growth of about 100 000 new accounts. Therefore, it is no wonder that Bitcoin’s value reaches $7000.

The rapid growth of Bitcoin

Many people think that the recent growth rate is at its peak. However, this perception is false. Bitcoin experienced the steepest increase in value in 2011 after being introduced to crypto exchanges. 

In a few months, its price skyrocketed 350 times (from $0,10 to $35) and later fell to $2. The second bubble swelled in 2013 when Bitcoin’s value soared 100 times (from $11 to $1100). The next year its price decreased by 80% to roughly $200.




And we are getting to the year of 2017. At the beginning of the year, the exchange rate fluctuated around $1000. Over the course of the year, it has risen “only” about ten times. Although the current situation brings about media and public attention, the past growth of Bitcoin was significantly steeper.

Traditional investment using Bitcoin exchange

The concept of investing in Bitcoin is simple. You make the purchase, wait until its value rises and finally sell the coins for profit. Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies can be bought through bitcoinmats or Bitcoin exchanges. 

Coinmate is a popular trading platform in the many European countries that allows its users to buy and sell Bitcoins using Pound, dollar or euro. One of the foreign exchanges worth mentioning is Coinbase where you can get an additional $10 when your investment in Bitcoin, Ethereum or Litecoin exceeds $100.

Bitcoin keeps surpassing its own records. Though it is true that a growth has been repeatedly accompanied by a steep decline, Bitcoin has always found its way back and reached its all-time high. 

Accordingly, anyone in a long-term possession of Bitcoin has profited from this development. However, in times of decreasing value, many people panic and start selling their Bitcoins which they later regret.

Main disadvantages of a long-term investment

There are a few disadvantages of Bitcoin purchase and long-term possession. Firstly, you have to endure and get through the times when Bitcoin value drops. Secondly, you have to make sure your digital coins are safely stored to minimize the risk of cyber-theft. 

However, if you decide to trade cryptocurrencies using CFD, you do not have to be worried about any of that. Another great thing about CFD is that it allows you to make money even when the Bitcoin price is going down.

CFD is a trading tool offering the possibility to profit from cryptocurrencies without really buying them. CFD can be traded using digital platforms of CFD brokers. The licensed broker Plus500 enables you to trade ten different cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin. 

It supports the 21 languages and has very tight spreads. Furthermore, the broker provides a free demo account that you can access and try a risk-free trading.