By Matthew Hayward Chainlink price at the time of this post is $17.41 The world of finance is on flux with the latest tech advances, and at the center of it all is Chainlink, working hand in hand with the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT), the giant in global banking communications. This isn't just a tech hook-up; it's a game-changing move that's knitting together the old-school financial sector with the fast-paced world of digital currencies and assets. Chainlink is more than a piece of the puzzle; it's the core that's driving this big change. It's all about offering up-to-the-minute, trustworthy data to those smart contracts running on the blockchain, helping them gel with the external financial systems. This is key for marrying blockchain tech with the financial institutions and their established ways, under the watchful eyes of SWIFT. Chainlinks' role is critical in linking different blockchains and banking systems, e...

By Matthew Hayward As a keen observer of the evolving crypto landscape, my journey with cryptocurrencies and platforms like Coinbase has been both extensive. Reflecting on my previous blog post from December 17, 2020, titled " Coinbase's IPO: A Game Changer in Crypto Investment, " I shared my anticipation and strategic moves ahead of Coinbase's DPO. The excitement and foresight expressed then resonate with the current scenario surrounding Bitcoin ETFs and their impact on Coinbase. Today, I find the recent CNBC article underscoring the potential threats to Coinbase from Bitcoin ETFs to be missing the mark. Let's delve into why Coinbase stands to benefit significantly from this development. For those new to the crypto space or looking to refine their understanding, I recommend checking out my guide, " Getting Started in Crypto: Five Essential Steps. " This resource offers a foundational overview, from understanding basic terminology to making informed deci...

By Matthew Hayward  Price of Bitcoin on this date: $28,092 As the next Bitcoin halving approaches in April 2024, many are left wondering what this event means for the price of Bitcoin, especially given the increased adoption and massive reduction in available supply on exchanges. To understand its potential impact, it is essential to grasp the concept of halving and its historical significance. Bitcoin Halving Explained Bitcoin halving, also known as halvening, is a process that occurs approximately every four years, cutting the rewards miners receive for validating transactions and adding new blocks to the blockchain in half. This event is designed to control inflation and maintain a capped supply of 21 million Bitcoins. Historical Significance Since its inception, there have been three Bitcoin halvings (in 2012, 2016, and 2020). Each time, the event has contributed to a significant price increase. For example, Bitcoin reached an all-time high of almost $69,000 in November 2021, 1...

By Matthew Hayward Once upon a time, in a not-too-distant future, a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) was introduced by the government of a powerful country. At first, people were excited about the convenience of making instant and secure transactions from their smartphones. However, as time passed, it became clear that the CBDC had some unexpected consequences. The government began to use the CBDC to monitor people's spending habits and financial activities, creating a social credit score system that rewarded or punished citizens based on their behavior. People who spent money on government-approved items, such as healthy food and exercise equipment, received higher scores and access to better services, while those who spent money on "frivolous" items like video games or alcohol were penalized with lower scores and limited access to essential services. As the government's control over the CBDC grew, people who spoke out against the regime found their funds frozen ...

If you want to get into crypto, here are five things to get started. If all you want to do is invest in Bitcoin,  skip to step 3 and then jump to my referrals to get started right away. Step 1 – Do Your Homework And Learn The Lingo (See additional Resources below) Step 2 – Don't listen to me, a podcast, or read an article and decide to buy some random cryptocurrency you think is going to be the next big thing. You need to do your homework before you invest. Believing someone talking up a project, a token, or an alt-coin without doing your own research is foolish. Never trust anyone pushing a project; often, they have some benefit from others buying in. Step 3 – Decide where you are going to keep your investment -  digital wallet (s) - an exchange - stake it... (I do all three, but personal ownership through a cold wallet is the safest.) Step 4 – Identify the token(s) you want and then learn how to buy them. The two most common places are exchange or a  decentralized ...