BTC Geek

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When considering Bitcoin wallets, there are various options, each offering distinct features
and varying levels of security. Below, I present a selection of the finest and most reliable
Bitcoin wallets:

The Ledger Nano X is a hardware wallet renowned for its exceptional security measures. It
ensures the safety of your private keys by storing them offline, shielding them from
potential online vulnerabilities. Equipped with a secure chip, the Ledger Nano X provides a
user-friendly interface that simplifies the management of your Bitcoin holdings.

The Bitamp Bitcoin Wallet is a client-side, open-source wallet that is easy to use. It helps to
connect with the blockchain to instantly send and receive Bitcoin from anywhere, or any
device. Due to the non-custodial nature of the wallet, it is exceptionally secure. By
connecting directly to the Bitcoin blockchain, users can speed up the transaction process.
Users have multiple login options: seed, private key, and keystore file, which can be
downloaded once an account has been created. Regardless of the device you use, Bitamp
can be accessed via Windows, macOS, Chromebooks, Android, and iOS devices. 

The Trezor Model T stands as an outstanding hardware wallet, sharing similarities with the
Ledger Nano X, and is famed for its excellent safety protocols. This superior device functions
as a convenient touchscreen interface and helps an extensive range of cryptocurrencies,
consisting of Bitcoin. By utilizing a secure element, the Trezor Model T ensures that your
private keys remain included from potential threats, bolstering the general security of your
digital belongings.

Electrum is a widely acclaimed software wallet highly regarded for its robust security and
user-friendly interface. With Electrum, you can securely store your private keys locally, and
it provides additional features such as support for multi-signature transactions and the
option for two-factor authentication.

Exodus is a software program wallet famous for its visually attractive and intuitive interface.
It supports various cryptocurrencies, together with Bitcoin, and gives convenient capabilities
which include integrated change and portfolio tracking. With Exodus, you’ve got complete
access to your private keys, guaranteeing the highest level of privacy and security.

Mycelium is a versatile mobile wallet designed to cater to both Android and iOS users.
Renowned for its robust security measures, Mycelium offers advanced features such as an
HD (Hierarchical Deterministic) wallet structure, ensuring enhanced privacy and security for
your Bitcoin holdings. It seamlessly integrates with hardware wallets, allowing you to
manage your digital assets securely. Additionally, Mycelium supports local trading, enabling
you to engage in peer-to-peer transactions within your vicinity. To further bolster security,
Mycelium provides offline storage capabilities, safeguarding your funds against potential
online threats.

Coldcard Wallet is a specialized hardware wallet designed for advanced customers who
prioritize safety. It uses air-gapped technology and allows features like multi-signature
transactions and smooth backup and restore.

Trust Wallet Trust Wallet is a mobile wallet known for its security and user-friendly
interface. It supports multiple cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, and offers features like a
built-in decentralized exchange and Web3 browser for interacting with decentralized
applications (DApps).

It’s important to note that the security of a Bitcoin wallet also depends on how well you
protect your private keys and follow best security practices. It’s recommended to use
strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication whenever possible, and keep
your wallet software and devices up to date with the latest security patches.

This is a sponsored post by Sharleen Ross

If you weren’t a germaphobe before 2020, you probably are now. Being more aware of germs and how they spread is going to help future generations better handle virus outbreaks and disease pandemics, but when it comes to the world of finance and transactions, there are some helpful things you can do now to slow the spread of germs. 

Stop the Spread

Cryptocurrency is gaining more popularity every year and many predict it will be the way of the future. In times like these, going crypto can be especially helpful. Physical currency is ranked among some of the dirtiest objects around. It goes through thousands of hands and places before it reaches your wallet and gets passed on again. In trying to stop the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases, using virtual currency may be one of the most health-conscious choices you can make. 

In addition to slowing the spread of germs and the virus specifically, cryptocurrency can also help lower your taxes. Donating crypto is not taxable in the United States and many other countries. That’s good news for you and the millions in need at this time of trouble. There are many who are unemployed, sick or don’t have money to purchase food and other necessities. You can use cryptocurrency to make donations to your favorite charity, count it as a tax deduction and even prevent the spread of COVID-19. It’s a win-win, win! 

Safe Transactions

Cryptocurrency is also an extremely safe way to make transactions due to the numerous verifications each exchange must go through. Cryptocurrency is checked by people called “miners” and their job basically is to confirm that the transaction is legitimate and meets all necessary standards. As transactions accumulate, you build what is referred to as a blockchain. Blockchain is like layers of verification on where the currency has been; it is protected by virtually thousands of eyes and monitors, which is more security than banks and credit union s can offer. 

Hectic times like this can also be vulnerable times. Criminals trying to hack bank accounts is a legitimate concern and you should do all you can to stay protected. Cryptocurrency can keep funds safe and secure. 

Globalization

Another benefit, besides helping with taxes is the speed and fluidity of transactions across borders. The world is more globalized than ever and from the looks of things, it will continue to move in that direction. Transactions will not only influence the U.S., but also the global economy. The future holds a lot of new possibilities and crypto currencies are a great tool to keep up with changing times. 

Stay Safe

The ultimate goal of course right now is to keep yourself and your families safe. It is vital that we take every precaution necessary to beat the virus that has taken over. Cryptocurrency is another way we can help avoid the spread of germs and fight this thing together. Of course cryptocurrency will help you with your taxes (there are even helpful cryptocurrency tax guides out there), make for safer transactions and keep you moving in a fast-paced world, but the most important thing is you. You and your loved ones can’t be replaced, so be smart and stay safe. 

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Stellar is a platform for real-time cryptocurrency transactions. Stellar supports any currency, and also has its own decentralized exchange, where it is possible to trade assets.

History and the team

The Stellar platform was founded by Jed McCaleb in 2014. It was originally an offshoot of Ripple and ran on its protocol. The separation of Stellar came after serious accusations of Ripple completely centralizing the network. Indeed, most of the XRP tokens are owned by the creators, giving the cryptocurrency market a chance to be manipulated.

Stellar was launched in 2015. The developers position the platform as an analogue of a financial system – unlike bitcoin, which works only with cryptocurrency, Stellar is designed for transactions with any currency.

The nonprofit Stellar Development Foundation was created to fund the platform. It exists on donations and at the expense of leftover 30 billion XLM tokens, which over time will also enter the financial system.

Main Features

Stellar uses its own protocol, the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), which was the first real application of the Federated Byzantine Agreement (FDA) in practice. Stellar is not based on blockchain, but uses a distributed registry. Special quorums are used to check updates in the registry and enter new transactions. The creators claim that unlike PoW (proof-of-work), SCP is configurable, fast and efficient and helps achieve network consensus. 

The Stellar network is considered a direct competitor to the Ripple network because they originally shared a protocol – Stellar split off after claims in Ripple Labs’ centralization. To avoid such a thing, Stellar’s developers keep only 5% of XLM tokens to pay off the network’s internal costs, while Ripple holds about 60% of all tokens. Also, unlike the Stellar network, a third-party user cannot become part of Ripple without the approval of Ripple Labs, which again raises suspicions of centralization.

Since Stellar is a platform for financial transactions, there are several usage scenarios:

• Ability to work with payment applications for different crypto- and fiat currencies;
• The ability to make micropayments – for example, to pay for electricity;
• The ability to exchange tokens within the platform.

Stellar is largely for developers, and has a support function so that you can easily understand the system and start helping the project right away.

What is the Stellar Lumen (XLM)? 

Stellar Lumen (XLM) is an internal token of the Stellar platform. According to the developers’ idea, it is required to have at least a small amount of Lumen in each account – 1 XLM is enough. Commissions for transactions within the network are 0.00001 XLM regardless of the amount.

The currency reached an all-time high on January 4, 2018, when the XLM token was worth $0.938144. Lumen’s minimum value was recorded on November 18, 2014, at $0.001227.

Early April 2021, the total stock of Lumens is 50,001,806,812 tokens (this number is almost constant, as all Stellar tokens are issued initially, and there is no additional issuance). XLM cryptocurrency ranks 16th in CoinMarketCap, with a total market value of $10,514,050,160 USD. One XLM token is worth about $0.4584.

How to buy and where to store XLM 

You cannot buy Stellar Lumens tokens for fiat money directly, but you can do it on cryptocurrency exchanges like Poloniex, Binance, Bittrex, and Kraken. After buying Lumens on an exchange, withdraw them to your wallet. Otherwise your funds can be lost due to hacking, theft, and the bankruptcy of the exchange itself.

If you have nowhere to store XLM, we advise you to create an online wallet on this service. This option is convenient because it allows you to do without installing any additional software on your PC, and you can start working with Lumens in just 1 minute.

You can also choose one of the options presented on the official website of Stellar:

• Trezor and Ledger Nano S hardware wallets – separate physical, encrypted devices that provide additional security for cryptocurrency;
• desktop and mobile wallets – downloaded to your devices and working with a network connection, usually allowing you to store multiple cryptocurrencies;
• Coinbase web wallet – is a service where you can see your account balance as well as make transactions.

Development prospects

In July 2020, Samsung announced Stellar support for Samsung Galaxy smartphones. Smartphone owners can now securely store Stellar wallet private keys right on their phone. App developers will be able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Stellar network. Such deals are extremely good for the company’s reputation. The partnership can attract new users for both Samsung and Stellar.

In December 2020, it became known about the launch on the Stellar blockchain by Germany’s oldest bank, Bankhaus von der Neudt, of a stabelcoin backed by euros. According to the bank’s CEO, the choice of blockchain was dictated by the ease of issuing and managing assets online.

In general, the interest in the Stellar platform from companies, developers and users is constantly growing, which opens up excellent prospects for it. According to many experts, Stellar Lumen has a high chance of renewing its historical high in late 2021 or early 2022.

Conclusion

Stellar is a cryptocurrency that aims to do more than create decentralized digital money. The developers’ ambitious intentions are so far on track, and many large firms are cooperating with the company. At the same time, XLM token, which is a very promising cryptocurrency, is not lagging behind.

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Nobody wants to sign up for an online casino that is not safe and secure. With hundreds, potentially thousands of casinos out there to choose from, why take a risk? While the rules governing licensing and regulation in conventional online casinos are straightforward, it is sometimes less so for cryptocurrency casinos. What kinds of things should you be looking for? Join us as we explore the types of regulation you should expect to see in cryptocurrency casinos in 2021.

A Gambling License

Of course, not all cryptocurrencies are licensed, but they should be. While cryptocurrency sites struggle to obtain licenses from the UKGC or MGA, the Government of Curacao’s gambling licensing authority is prepared to license top domains like Bitcoin Casino. While a Curacao license legally allows you to offer crypto games to players, it does not come with much regulation, though. For that, we need to look elsewhere.

Third-Party Auditors

Top casinos like Bitcoin Casino will also be regulated. As mentioned, a Curacao license brings some but nowhere near as much regulation as a typical UKGC or MGA license. Therefore, we need to look further afield. Top sites such as BitcoinCasino.io are instead regulated by third-party auditors. These ensure that the casino is honest, transparent and has fair practices regarding security, fair play, and player protection. Do not trust cryptocurrency casinos that claim to regulate themselves.

RNG Certification

On top of the above items, a reputable cryptocurrency casino should also be RNG certified. This entails having its games checked to ensure that they have fair RTP (return to player) rates and that the random number generators that govern each hand or spin are truly delivering random events. RNG certificates come from iTech Labs, TST, eCOGRA, Provably Fair (specific to Bitcoin casinos) and others.

Financial Authority Approval

Any top crypto casinos will also need to be approved when it comes to finances and banking. A separate regulator should monitor and check transactions, to ensure that payouts are occurring and that they are processed safely. Information regarding this should be visible on the casino’s homepage, on their “About Us” page, or in the privacy policy.

Access to Responsible Gambling Programs

It is not just regulation and licensing that you need to see at top crypto casinos. The best Bitcoin betting sites will also offer player protection. Most of the time, this comes in the form of responsible gambling tools. In short, a renowned site should provide you with the ability to cap what you deposit, to withdrawal without limits, and to self-exclude or take breaks from gameplay whenever it suits you. They should also be affiliated with problem gambling programs that can provide additional support to troubled gamblers.

It may sound like a lot to ask for in a cryptocurrency casino, but it is not. The absolute best sites can put together a package that features all the above, and it is at these crypto casinos that you want to sign up and play.