Robert Testagrossa – Why NFTs Work So Well

NFTs are a hot topic at the moment and we are seeing many companies set up by experts like Robert Testagrossa which are focused towards the rising success of NFTs. This isn’t necessarily a new idea, it is in fact one that has existed for a number of years now, but in recent months we have see an enormous focus on this aspect of the blockchain.

Today then we are going to take a look into what NFTs are and why they work so well for all parties involved.

Breaking Down an NFT

To those of you who aren’t sure what an NFT is, this stands for ‘non-fungible token’ in layman’s terms this means that it is a digital product which is not fungible, or transferrable across the blockchain. We can use NFTs in artwork, music, event tickets and many other forms of token. Those who buy an NFT, in whatever capacity it takes, will be the sole owner of that token. This can be resold by the owner, but the address for the NFT will always remain the same.

Security

One of the biggest reasons as to why NFTs work so well is that they are an incredibly secure way of passing on and storing information. Back in the European Championships in 2016 we saw tickets being delivered as NFTs, which made them much more secure that paper tickets or even emailed tickets. This can also greatly help with concert tickets, which are often bought and sold by scalpers who drive the ticket prices up, and restrict people from having tickets. NFTs is a great way to solve this problem.

Control For Artists

In the world of art and music we are seeing time and time again that artists are not making the money that they should do from the work which they are completing. There are so many record companies for example who rake a huge cut from the artist’s work, as well as art houses who take a slice of artwork created. Using NFTs mean that the artists no longer need that third party in order to get their work out there. This gives them the power to release as many NFTs as they like, and it means that they will end up with an overwhelming proportion of the money which is made from sales.

Increased Demand

And finally, as more and more people learn about what NFTs are, and more and more professionals jump onto the possibilities of NFTs, we are going to see a huge increase in demand. This has already started of course and many NFT artworks are being snapped up each and every day, by people who perhaps usually wouldn’t. This increase in demand is great for everyone involved with NFTs.

The possibilities for this technology really are endless and in the coming years we are certainly going to be seeing big changes within the world of NFTs. What do you make of this new technology?

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Traynor Capital Management Reviews – Why You Should Trust Asset Management Companies

If you have a lump sum of money and you ask people what you should do with it, the large majority are going to tell you to invest it. This is all well and good of course but what gif you don’t actually know how or where to invest it? Even in such a situation you can still entrust your money to a great company which will help you to reach your financial goals.

I was looking for a capital management company a couple of years ago and after reading the Traynor capital management reviews, I knew that this was the firm for me. Many lack trust in asset management companies but here is why that is a school of thought which just isn’t correct.

Absolute Transparency

This is not a case of you handing your money over to someone and then waiting for months on end to fin out how they got on. In fact from the moment that you invest with them you will have absolute transparency in all that they do with your money. These companies se up dashboards which you are able to use to assess where your money is being invested and what the current star is of your investment. This is certainly something which builds trust between you and the company.

Risk Management

The level of risk which they take with your money is entirely down to you, and when you first invest with them you will have a full discussion on what you are looking to achieve, and how much risk you wish to take. This can be altered at any time and you can also select a certain risk based on a particular percentage of your money. This gives you absolute control over the level of risk which you are going to take.

Tight Regulation

The days of investors and brokers going rogue is all but over in the modern world, because this has happened too many times before. The result of this is tight regulation which means that nobody acting on your behalf can do so without making things crystal clear with you. We just spoke about risk, which is a great example here. Should the firm take on a larger amount of risk than you have agreed with them, and lose money as a result, you will have complete protection because of the tight regulations which are in place.

No Point

Ultimately, there really isn’t much to gain from robbing investors in the short term. If this happens then the company’s reputation will be in tatters and they will never be able to make money again. These businesses are set up with integrity and the more money that they are able to make on your behalf, the more money that they will make for themselves. This again is why there should be absolute trust here, because there is no point in acting in bad faith for them.

Trust the experts and let them put your money to work.

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What Are Alternative Credit Scoring Models?

If your business offers credit to customers, it’s vital to verify whether a potential customer is likely to be a ‘good’ borrower. To do this, companies typically use credit scoring to assess whether or not to lend to an applicant. Therefore, the credit scoring model you use has a major impact on how many customers are offered credit and, ultimately, the success of your business.

Although companies have traditionally relied on data from credit bureaus to assess an applicant’s creditworthiness, there are now new and innovative ways to determine whether an individual is likely to be a ‘good’ borrower. Read on to learn more about alternative credit scoring models and how to use them…

How Do Alternative Credit Scoring Models Work?

Traditional credit scoring uses a fairly limited range of data to determine a person’s creditworthiness. In contrast, alternative credit scoring models use data from a wider variety of sources. A credit bureau might calculate a person’s credit score based on their banking history, mortgage payments, and wages, for example, but overlook things like mobile payments, rent payments, and/or cryptocurrency payments. By incorporating these elements and other types of data, businesses can obtain a more accurate credit score and make more profitable, low-risk lending decisions.

Essentially, traditionally credit scoring is an outdated way of assessing a person’s creditworthiness. An alternative credit scoring model incorporates the wide variety of factors that make up an individual’s financial situation and, therefore, gives lenders access to the data they truly need when making decisions.

Are More People Approved via Alternative Credit Scoring?

When you use alternative credit scoring models, it can mean that a higher percentage of applicants are approved for credit. However, this doesn’t necessarily equate to organizations taking higher risks. In fact, many alternative credit scoring companies have collated data that shows lenders reducing their losses by switching to this innovative method of credit assessment.

Crucially, alternative credit scoring can ensure that people who would unnecessarily be denied credit due to outdated, traditional methods of credit scoring are no longer overlooked. Someone who rents a property has no direct debits or even no bank accounts would typically find it difficult to obtain credit when traditional credit scoring systems are used, for example. Despite this, they could be a low-risk applicant with outstanding financial management skills.

By using a wider range of data to assess them, an alternative credit scoring model gives the lender a more accurate overview of their viability as a borrower. As a result, lenders can tap into this lucrative target audience while providing borrowing opportunities to individuals who have been historically penalized through no fault of their own.

Incorporating Alternative Credit Scoring into Your Business

If your company is already credit scoring potential customers, switching to an alternative credit scoring model is a simple transition. Whether you develop bespoke software, use a SaaS platform or install a suite of analytics programs, incorporating alternative credit scoring into your business can be simple, straightforward and highly lucrative.

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Wonga compensation claimants may lose money

The behemoth payday loan company, Wonga, went into administration in August, marking the end of the road for the largest payday loan lender in the UK.

This was largely as a result of a deluge of compensation claims the business received regarding loans being sold irresponsibly, as well as payday loan caps that were implemented in 2014, introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority, that saw all interest and fees capped at 0.8% a day on all high-cost short-term credit loans.

However, there are now concerns that are being raised that claimants with compensation claims outstanding with the lender could end up losing money that they are entitled.

These fears have been voiced after a letter in October from the accounting firm, Grant Thornton, which is overseeing the administration process, told creditors that an automated ‘adjudication tool’ may be used.

This automated, computer based tool is being created to cut down on manual processing costs, and to deal with the huge influx of compensation claims Wonga has received. The accounting firm is legally obliged to assess every single one of the claims. With the letter revealing that since Wonga had collapsed, it had been receiving an estimated 200 to 500 compensation claims each and every day.

This is not including the 24,000 customers complaints that were outstanding prior to the payday lender going into administration, nor the 9,500 complaints which had been escalated to the financial body, the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Taking this all into account, why is the automated system attracting criticism? There are fears that the software may not end up fully processing individual factors and circumstances when deciding to give compensation or not. The head of policy at financial campaign group positive Money, David Clarke, spoke in further detail about this matter to The Guardian:

“After having been mis-sold loans by automated software, Wonga customers may now be forced to appeal to a similar automated system,”

“Just as Wonga’s algorithms failed to account for individual circumstances when making loans in the first place, there are risks that this technology will again fail to take all the relevant factors into account when processing claims, leaving many customers out of pocket.”

In addition to this, Grant Thornton revealed in the same letter that until Wonga’s assets have been sold, it still remains unclear how much compensation will be available for claimants, nor a timeframe in which this money would be provided to customers.

To find trustworthy payday loans companies, consumers are encouraged by the FCA to use price comparison websites, following a recent rule that states every lender should be placed on at least one comparison table. In addition, high cost lenders are moving away from a 30 day product to offer alternatives and longer-term products repaid over 3 to 24 months.

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Could a Flexi-Loan be Right for you?

The use of consumer credit has been on the rise in recent years in South Africa. There is an ongoing squeeze on the middle classes with a heavy tax burden, rising food prices and the cost of avoiding crime all taking their toll, so much so in fact that there’s a real possibility that the current middle class, which accounts for about 9 million or 16 percent of the population, could be shrinking.

In an attempt to maintain their standard of living, an increasing number of householders are turning to consumer finance products. At the moment, credit cards, store cards and overdrafts are the consumer credit of choice, but recently a new product has hit the market which could help South African consumers meet their essential costs without contributing to a debt spiral.

Introducing the flexi-loan

The flexi-loan is the first product of its choice to hit the South African market. The well-known lender Wonga has revolutionised its payday loan offering to give customers more flexibility and choice.

The flexi-loan allows new customers to borrow up R4000 over a maximum period of 6 months, with existing customers potentially allowed to borrow up to R8000. One of the benefits of the flexi-loan over other forms of short-term finance is the level of flexibility it provides. Applicants can choose the amount they borrow and their repayment term, from 4 days and 6 months, so they can spread the repayments over a longer period to allow them to budget more effectively. This also ensures the repayments are at a manageable level to reduce the risk of creating a debt spiral.

Consumer credit is never a solution to long-term debt

Although the flexi-loan may become a useful stopgap for some South African consumers and help them meet essential expenses they had not accounted for, consumer credit of any kind should never be used as a solution to debt problems. If you do need to borrow money to cover essential expenses like car or boiler repairs then the flexi-loan could be an option for you. However, you should always explore other potential solutions such as using savings or borrowing money from family and friends first.

If there are no other options then you must carry out careful affordability calculations to make sure you can afford to repay the loan and choose a repayment term that allows you to budget accordingly. Only once you’re sure you can repay the loan should you borrow any money at all.

Always be aware of the extra charges that may apply

One of the benefits of the Wonga flexi-loan is the fact that what you see is what you get. That is, if you meet the agreed repayment dates then the initial calculation is the amount you’ll pay. However, other charges can apply if you cannot make the repayments.

Although you will not be hit by multiple charges, interest and service fees will continue to apply to your account for up to 90 days if the debt has not been repaid. Continued failure to repay a loan will also mean the outstanding payment is recorded by credit bureaus and your credit rating will be affected as a result.

What types of short-term credit do you choose to use? Do you think a flexi-loan could be a viable alternative? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Should You Give up on Gold and Invest through Your Bitcoin Wallet Android App Instead?

Did you think that gold is a dead commodity that you shouldn’t invest in anymore? If so, you would be wrong. In 2013, Germany started to repatriate gold to it, and at least 50% of it is now stored in Frankfurt. Other parts are stored in Paris and in New York and around 13% is stored in London. But what does this have to do with the bitcoin wallet android app?

The Bitcoin Wallet Android App and Other Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies and digital cash services are becoming increasingly popular. What this also means is that gold seems a bit archaic nowadays. However, gold has a status that it will never be able to lose, and it will always be valuable simply because people want to have it. No other fiat currency, not the Euro, not the Dollar, has this type of security.

The Link between Gold and Bitcoin

You cannot get away from bitcoin and cryptocurrency anymore, but gold isn’t going anywhere either. Both also see quite significant price fluctuations, but they are rising overall and rising a lot. Then, there is the fact that other forms of economy, such as stocks and bonds, are problematic, not in the least because they are so strongly affected by geopolitical events. Consider:

  • There has been an overvaluation of stocks. So much so, in fact, that they must come crashing down soon.
  • President Trump is causing major ripples around the world, and no matter how much he would like to call every negative report about him and his policies “fake news”, the reality is that the world is not happy with his administration.
  • Europe is in turmoil. The United Kingdom has voted to leave the EU, a process known as “Brexit”, and other countries are seeing a popular opinion swaying towards the same thing. Meanwhile, there is a serious swing towards right-winged politics in almost every European country.
  • Nobody can keep track of derivatives anymore, which is precisely what the five biggest banks in this country have tied their interests to, making it very dangerous.
  • The Federal Reserve has now agreed to start rising interest rates again, which has a significant impact on people’s disposable income.

Gold isn’t impacted by this, nor is cryptocurrency. That is because both are available in finite amounts. Both are also tied to supply and demand, with demand rising significantly. One of the key things about bitcoin, however, is that it is decentralized. This means it is not owned by a country or a bank, but rather by its users, which is known as “open source”.

All financial experts agree, all investment portfolios have to be diversified in order to retain their value. They also all agree that precious metals should be an integral part of an investment portfolio. So why not double protect yourself, and purchase precious metals like gold by using bitcoin? Could it be possible that the two investment underdogs are actually the strongest of them all?

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When You Should and Shouldn’t Take Out a Loan

There are many reasons why people apply for a loan. Sometimes people apply for loans out of necessity. Sometimes people apply for loans to buy products or services that are not really needed. It is important for people to understand the cost of taking a loan. There are many factors affecting the cost of getting a loan, such as your credit score, your assets and your job. The size of a loan varies from a few thousand dollars to a few hundred thousand dollars. There are many reasons why someone should take a loan or should not take a loan.

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Why you should take a loan

1. Buying your first home

This is one of the good reasons for you to apply for a loan. A home loan allows you to own a home instead of renting an apartment. The loan can be repaid in 15 or 30 years and you will get the lowest interest rates if your credit history is good. A home loan also gives you tax benefits, and can be easily calculated with a no charge tax tool!.

2. Student loan

If you are a student, then applying for a student loan is a good choice, as it allows you to get a degree in an area that offers good job opportunities. The government backs most of the student loans and the payment terms are very generous. The loan offers a way of funding your future.

3. Loans for Investments

If you are financially independent and responsible, then you can take loans to fund your investments. For example, you can borrow money to buy investment properties. These kind of loans are not suitable for regular folks. You must have the necessary financial knowledge and assets to apply for such loans.

Why you should not take out a loan

1. Bad credit history

If your credit history is not good, then you will not get the best loan terms. You must work on increasing your credit score before you applying for a loan. Typically, banks and lenders will charge you higher rates if your credit is not good. If you are someone with a poor credit history, then you should refrain from taking a loan.

2. Purchasing assets that are depreciating

If you are planning to buy assets such as automobiles, which are depreciating over periods of time, then you should not consider taking a loan. It is always recommended to take a loan to purchase items such as a home, which are appreciating in value and act as a hedge against inflation. Most people are in the habit of purchasing depreciating assets such as furniture, TV, smart phones, and automobiles by taking high interest loans. This is not a good idea.

3. Private loans

There are many private loans available today. These are very expensive. You will end up paying very high interest rates. It is always recommended to get a loan from major banking institutions and lenders. If your credit is not good, then you may be tempted to get private loans. You should not consider this option unless it is for an emergency situation.

4. Borrowing from credit cards

Credit card companies offer balance transfers. However, after the initial period of lower interest rates, the interest rates will increase drastically. Your monthly payments will go up. Do not fall for high interest balance transfer offers from credit card companies.

There are many reasons why people take out loans. However, there are not many good reasons why people should take a loan or should not take a loan. Some of the reasons listed above are helpful if you are a would-be borrower planning to take a loan. Taking a loan is a financial burden and should be avoided unless it helps you to accumulate real assets, which are appreciating and lead to financial independence.

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Top Tips to Make Your Money Go Further

Money rules all, and it always will, the main concern in almost everyone’s lives is having enough money, enough money to survive, enough money to buy what they want or enough money to achieve their dreams. Whatever your reason for being concerned with the size of your income or bank account I’m sure that you will echo these sentiments. So, how do we go about solving the issue of money worries, well, there are two approaches that you can take, making more of it and working hard to spend less of it, both of which can give you a more positive view of your finances and ultimately a happier life. Here are some tips for you as to how you can achieve this.

Couponing

Gone are the days where people would rake through magazines searching for a 50 cents-off promotion in the back pages or walking into the grocery store armed to the teeth with glossy pieces of paper to save them cash. These days the online world of couponing is a craze that is engaging everyone with internet access and it is a brilliant way for you to save money. The emergence of voucher and coupon websites has not only encouraged businesses to make more money by offering great deals for their prospective customers but has saved the general public tens of millions of dollars in purchases that they have made simply by downloading a coupon for free online, get involved and save some money.

Use Your Cash

There are several ways of using your money to make even more money, firstly you should be looking into what kind of account your bank offers you, if you have an APY of anything less than 0.2% the you should be looking to put your money elsewhere to let it grow. If you have large savings then consider investments into businesses, stocks or property to hopefully take some big profits from your investments. Money does breed money and the same goes for things like online gambling, if you take the risk then the rewards could be huge, you can start off risk-free as well with a bonus for online casino games that means that you won’t even be gambling with your own cash to start with, what better way to learn the trade than by using someone else’s money!

Sharing Economy

The values of a sharing economy can work wonders in your life and for your finances, the essence of this economic system is that people live within their means and open up opportunities for others to share parts of their lives. Whether this means that you decide to use a car pool to get to work or rent out your spare room, the idea of collaborative consumption is the perfect way to save more money in your life and something that you should be looking at trying out to aid your financial situation. By spending less and sharing more you can give your monthly finances a boost and give yourself the opportunity to meet more people and create a more sociable World, the perfect combination.

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Why You Should Get a Line of Credit

Bad budgeting isn’t the only reason why someone might need financial aid. If you’re self-employed or rely on government assistance, then you’re all too susceptible to the vagaries of your monthly income. When unforeseen expenses come a long, you may find yourself underprepared and overwhelmed by your sudden financial obligations. When your savings account isn’t as padded as you’d like, a line of a credit can be a financially responsible way to cover your needs.

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A line of credit can act as a safety net in your time of need. While they are not recommended to purchase something as large as a car or a home, they can help you with those small unavoidable items or services that your monthly income can’t cover. Typically larger than small dollar loans, they have a higher limit that allows you to pay for more expensive charges.

Its repayment is dependent on how much you use against the total. Interest is calculated according to the portion of the funds that you use rather than the total amount available. Only a minimum payment is required once you start to use your advance. This particular feature makes it an ideal alternative if you wish to keep your credit, untouched, until an emergency requires it, or if you plan on using it to pay off several smaller expenses over a longer period of time than a short-term loan can provide.

Regardless of how it functions, a line of credit must be reasonable for your current financial situation. There is no such thing as free money, so you will have to repay all of the funds that you’re given. It’s imperative to determine if you can reasonably repay your line of credit before you sign any contract. Before you even apply, learn about its fees, minimum payment schedules, and all related costs.

These will differ from state to state, as each local government is responsible for setting out the legal limitations of lines of credit. Speak to a loan expert at MoneyKey if you live in these three states: Kansas, Maryland, or Missouri. As a state licensed lender, they offer products in accordance with local laws. Check out the personal line of credit loan from MoneyKey to learn about their rates and terms. With this information in mind, you can decide if you can budget for its minimum payments.

As a flexible alternative to short-term loans, a personal line of credit could be exactly what you need to cover surprising and stressful expenses. Take the time to find out if it fits your financial situation. If you can afford to take on its minimum payments, it’s a practical solution to your money problems.

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How to Avoid Startup Failure

Despite the growing popularity of startups, small companies and independent businesses fail each and every year. While some companies fail due to product errors, a dip in the market, or, unfortunately, a particularly bad idea, many companies actually have the skills, product (or service), and passion to build a financially stable company.

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However, there are key mistakes many startup owners make, unknowingly sealing their businesss fate. Before quitting your current job and opening the doors to your new business, make sure you have researched the venture adequately, and know to avoid these specific mistakes:

Hiring In-House for All Positions

Small businesses should avoid hiring in-house employees for all positions. When building a business, the beginning financial stages tend to fluctuate dramatically, and hiring too many employees on can lead to an unstable financial structure. Moreover, in todays economic business age, many businesses are downsizing marginally, using third party companies to outsource certain business tasks to, such as accounting, payroll, and other human resource positions.

Companies like National PEO work to provide small and large companies alike the ability to delegate tasks and work more efficiently by outsourcing. This is a smart business practice, as you are not only confident in the ability of the company, rather than relying on an employee, it also saves you a great deal of money.

Being Unprepared

Starting your own business will turn your life upside-down temporarily. First-time business owners are often not prepared for the upset running a company brings to their accustomed lifestyle, as they find themselves working more hours for less pay. This unexpected change can leave business owners feeling drained and overwhelmed, thus it is important to ensure that if you are going to start a business, you are prepared for the changes.

Thinking Your Product Is Your Business

Many people have a brilliant idea for a product or service, but they have absolutely no idea how to run a business. More often than not, they attempt to build their business around the product, but, unfortunately, that often leads to quick success but longterm failure.

While a product does solve a problem, providing customers with an answer to a need, it is not a stable foundation for a business, as it does not bring customers back to a business. There needs to be something deeper within the business than a product.

Ignoring the Market Research

Many people who believe they have a great idea often ignore the market research, especially if the research is telling them they need to change their business plan. Most first-time entrepreneurs are guilty of holding onto their idea and being resistant to change, as they are adamant that their idea will work.

There is nothing wrong with hanging onto an idea that you believe in, as it is critical to be passionate about your business if you want to be successful; however, when the market and experts are educating you on tweaking your idea, it is a wise idea to heed their advice. The results are usually astounding, as their expertise can provide you with the link you were missing before.

Expecting Overnight Success

Unfortunately, all businesses take a great deal of time to pick up momentum. Many new owners underestimate the amount of time it will actually take to sell a product, find clients, or, generally speaking, turn a profit. It can be easy to attribute the competition you are facing to getting lucky or having overnight success, but building a solid business takes time and dedication. Most overnight success stories are filled with financial woes, sleepless nights, and plenty of almost-failures, but they managed to overcome the problems and build a stable business. Thus, when starting a company, do not be surprised at the amount of time it takes for you to grow. Keep your head down, work hard, and visualize the future success.

Believing Money Solves All Problems

Many business owners are guilty of thinking that if they could just turn a profit, find financing, or make another sale, all their problems would be solved. While all of those thoughts might be helpful to the business, it will not solve all of the businesses problems. Throwing money at problems will never solve them, thus you need to fix the holes in your business model first.

These tips can help you avoid devastating mistakes that could lead to ultimate failure.

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