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  • Working as a Research Analyst in Crypto: A Personal Experience

    In this article, we will explore the personal experience of a former lawyer consultant turned research analyst in the crypto industry. We will delve into their day-to-day work, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they enjoy.

    Why Joining Coin Gecko?

    The author joined Coin Gecko after seeing an interesting job description and wanting a change from their previous corporate job. Although they did not know much about crypto initially, they felt that blockchain research could offer them the opportunity to be more quantitative and enjoy writing.

    Day-to-Day Work:

    The author’s job scope involves writing a lot, with research assignments ranging from books, quarterly reports, and long articles to daily newsletters and short guides. They also do operational work such as listing coins and participate in ad hoc events like podcasts, monthly meetups, and public presentations.

    The Best Part of Working in Crypto:

    The author finds the best part of working in crypto to be the opportunity to have fun and write about interesting things while working. They personally enjoy playing blockchain games and writing about them, which is considered work.

    Challenges of Researching in Crypto:

    One of the biggest challenges of researching in crypto is that there are no fixed sources of information. Crypto projects usually have a website and, if lucky, a white paper or media article, but not all information will be available. Additionally, the industry moves incredibly fast, and the work can be mentally taxing, requiring researchers to work late at night or on weekends.

    Conclusion:

    In conclusion, the author’s experience as a research analyst in the crypto industry has been a positive one, with opportunities to learn and have fun while working. While there are challenges, they are outweighed by the potential impact that blockchain technology can have on the world. Crypto companies are seeking individuals with crypto acumen, writing and researching skills, and the ability to synthesize and analyze information.

  • Interning at Coin Gecko: An Insider’s Perspective

    Christine and Sean share their experience as a research agent and digital marketing intern respectively at Coin Gecko. They talk about their initial motivations for joining the company, the interview process, their roles and responsibilities, the work environment, and the learning opportunities they received.

    Motivations for Joining:

    Christine was interested in learning more about blockchain technology and digital currencies, while Sean wanted to learn more about the crypto industry and work with one of the best crypto companies in the world.

    The Interview Process:

    Despite initial nerves, both Christine and Sean found the interview process to be friendly and accommodating. They recommend being friendly, smiling, and having a conversation with the interviewer. Being confident and prepared also helps.

    Roles and Responsibilities:

    Christine worked on the cryptocurrency quarterly report and learned how to analyze data and produce charts. She also participated in writing a book called “How to Bitcoin,” which deepened her understanding of the technology behind Bitcoin. Sean was tasked with creating content and responding to queries on Telegram, but he was also allowed to explore other roles and teams within the company.

    Work Environment:

    Both Christine and Sean found the working environment at Coin Gecko to be relaxed, flexible, and enjoyable. They appreciated the lack of hierarchy and the friendly and positive energy of their colleagues.

    Learning Opportunities:

    The best part of interning at Coin Gecko was the learning opportunities. The company’s startup culture and niche market provided a unique opportunity for both Christine and Sean to learn about blockchain technology and the crypto industry. They also appreciated the focus on their learning and growth throughout the internship.

    Conclusion:

    Christine and Sean highly recommend interning at Coin Gecko for anyone interested in learning about blockchain technology and the crypto industry. They believe it’s a one-of-a-kind internship that provides valuable experience and learning opportunities. Coin Gecko is always looking for interns and has many roles to fill.

  • The Potential Value of Pi Network: Exploring the Future of Pi Cryptocurrency

    The Pi Network has gained significant attention in the cryptocurrency community due to its ability to capture the imagination of everyday consumers. Although it is still in testing mode, Pi Network aims to ensure that no one is left out of the cryptocurrency revolution. The value consensus of Pi cryptocurrency in 2025 is of interest to many. In this article, we will explore what Pi Network is, how it works, and what its potential value could be.

    What is Pi Network?

    Pi Network is a digital currency project that aims to keep cryptocurrency mining accessible. It was developed by a team of Stanford graduates and enables users to mine coins using its mobile phone app, validating transactions on a distributed record. The Pi app started the ads on the network in May 2020, and these ads were the finances for the firms of the Pi Network project.

    Pi Coin:

    The Pi coin is a cryptocurrency that runs on the Pi Network. It is a coin available to everyone for free by downloading the app on Android or App Store or making an account and participating in the community. After the installation of the Pi coin app, the app uses the phone as a mining machine to mine other cryptocurrencies. The value of these activities is unlikely to generate significant wealth for the large user base.

    Value Consensus:

    The price in dollars of any crypto is decided by three factors: supply, demand, and trust. Pi Network is still in testing mode, and the cryptocurrency hasn’t been listed anywhere yet, meaning it is possible to perform technical or fundamental analysis. It is difficult to say whether it will be worth anything, much less cross the value of the US dollar. It is possible to speculate taking some common factors into consideration. We can get an educated guess here, though it can be said that the price of Pi coin in dollars could be determined by the supply and demand balance.

    Conclusion:

    Pi Network has over 14 million users, and just a small fraction of them are holding balances of 5 or 6 figures. Those will sell early but will not provide enough to change the supply and demand balance because the size of the Pi community is way larger than what’s bitcoin’s community back in 2009. Some analysts predicted that the value of Pi coin could reach as high as $300. While it is difficult to estimate the exact value, it is essential to keep an eye on the development of the project and its impact on the cryptocurrency community.

  • A Guide to Using the Most Popular Wallet Extension on Your Smartphone

     Metamask is a popular wallet extension for Ethereum and EVM chains like Polygon or BMB that is primarily used on desktop as a browser extension. However, it is also possible to use Metamask on your smartphone. In this guide, we will show you how to set up and make use of Metamask on your smartphone.

    Installing Metamask

    To install Metamask on your phone, go to the Play Store or App Store, search for Metamask, and hit install. You can also download the mobile app from the official Metamask website. Be careful not to download any fake apps. Once you have installed Metamask, you can either create a new wallet or import an existing one using your secret recovery phrase.

    Creating a New Wallet

    If you are creating a new wallet, you will need to create a new password that only unlocks Metamask on this specific device. It is important to create a strong password and then secure your wallet. Next, you will need to write down your 12 to 24 word seed phrase or secret recovery phrase. Be sure to keep this phrase safe and never show it to anyone else. Once you have written down your seed phrase, you will need to confirm it by selecting each word in the order it was presented to you. Congratulations, you have successfully protected your wallet.

    Adding Funds

    Before you can start making use of your wallet, you will need to have some funds. To add funds, go to the main menu, click on your wallet, and then click buy to purchase crypto through a third-party vendor via your credit or debit card. Alternatively, you can click on receive to view your public address and QR code if you are sending it from another wallet or exchange.

    Connecting to Networks

    By default, your wallet will be connected to the Ethereum network. To add other layer 1 networks such as Avalanche or BNB smart chain or layer 2 such as Arbitrum and Optimism, click on the network name at the top and then add a network. Metamask now has some of the popular chains available for convenience, and chances are you will find the network you want here. Otherwise, you can also add a custom network by keying in the necessary details manually.

    FAQs for New Users

    • How do you review your seed phrase in case you have misplaced it the first time around after setting up? If you have lost your seed phrase but still have access to your app by your password, go to settings, then to security and privacy, and click on reveal secret recovery phrase. Key in your password, and you will be shown your seed phrase again.

    • How do you restore your wallet in the case you have lost access to your device?
    • During setup, when you were prompted to import an existing wallet or create a new one, simply choose the import wallet option and key in your seed phrase to restore your wallet.

    • How can you sync your Metamask desktop to your mobile wallets? To sync your Metamask desktop to your mobile wallet, follow the setup steps for importing an existing wallet. Once you have imported your wallet, your main wallet count and balance will be reflected on the home wallet page.

    • How can you sync multiple accounts from your desktop to your mobile wallet? To sync multiple accounts, click add account on your mobile app for however many accounts you have created on your desktop extension. Their account names will be reverted to the default, but their account addresses will match with the ones on your browser extension.

    Conclusion

    Metamask is an incredibly useful tool for anyone looking to explore the world of cryptocurrencies. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up and make use of Metamask Finally, it’s important to note that using a mobile wallet, while convenient, does come with its own set of risks. You’ll want to make sure you’re using a secure device, using two-factor authentication, and only downloading the official Metamask app from trusted sources. And as always, keep your seed phrase safe and secure.

    In conclusion, setting up and using Metamask on your smartphone is a convenient way to manage your cryptocurrency while on the go. Just make sure to follow best security practices and keep your seed phrase safe to protect your funds.

  • DYOR – The Importance of Research in the Crypto World

    DYOR, or “Do Your Own Research,” is one of the most common terms used in the crypto world. It is often mentioned alongside other acronyms such as HODL and FOMO. DYOR is a reminder to investors to conduct their own research before investing in any cryptocurrency or blockchain project.

    In this article, we will discuss why research is so important and what steps investors can take to conduct their own research.

    The Importance of Research

    One of the main reasons why research is important in the crypto world is that it helps investors avoid scams and fraudulent projects. Unfortunately, there have been many instances of people losing money to scams and fraudulent projects in the crypto world. Conducting thorough research can help investors identify potential red flags and avoid these types of projects.

    Another reason why research is important is that it helps investors make informed investment decisions. Cryptocurrency and blockchain projects can be complex and technical. Conducting research can help investors better understand the technology and the project’s potential for success.

    Steps to Conduct Research

    So, how can investors conduct their own research? There are several steps that investors can take to conduct thorough research:

    1. Start with the Project’s Website

    One of the best places to start research is the project’s website. A project’s website can provide investors with a lot of information about the project, including its purpose, technology, and roadmap. Investors should also pay attention to the website’s appearance and layout. A website with spelling mistakes, bad grammar, or awkward formatting could be a red flag.

    1. Read the White Paper

    A white paper is a document that provides detailed information about a cryptocurrency or blockchain project. It explains the technology and how it works, as well as the project’s purpose and goals. White papers also provide investors with the project’s roadmap, which outlines the project’s goals and objectives over time. Investors should pay attention to the project’s goals, the problem it is trying to solve, and how it compares to other projects in the market.

    1. Research the Team

    The team behind a cryptocurrency or blockchain project plays a crucial role in its success. Investors should take the time to research the team and developers behind the project. This can be done by checking their LinkedIn profiles or conducting a simple Google search. Investors should look for team members who have experience in the crypto space and have worked on other successful projects.

    1. Check for Partnerships and Backers

    Partnerships and backing from well-regarded institutions can be a sign of a trustworthy project. Investors should check the project’s website and social media channels for any announcements of partnerships or backing.

    1. Scrutinize Social Media Channels

    Social media channels, such as Twitter, Telegram, and Reddit, can provide valuable insights into a project’s community and engagement. Investors should pay attention to the number of followers or members, as well as how responsive the moderators are to community questions. Investors should also be cautious of scammers on these channels who may try to trick them into giving up personal information or clicking on phishing links.

    1. Evaluate Market Metrics

    Investors should also evaluate a project’s market metrics, such as its market capitalization and trading volume. This information can be found on cryptocurrency aggregators such as CoinGecko. Market capitalization can provide investors with an idea of how much money has been invested in the project.

    Conclusion

    DYOR, or “Do Your Own Research,” is a reminder to investors to conduct thorough research before investing in any cryptocurrency or blockchain project. Conducting research can help investors avoid scams and make informed investment decisions. By following the steps outlined above, investors can conduct their own research and make informed decisions in the crypto world.

  • The Upcoming Ethereum Upgrades: A Comprehensive Look at What’s to Come

    The cryptocurrency community is abuzz with excitement over the upcoming Ethereum upgrades, particularly the Shanghai upgrade that allows for the withdrawal of staked ETH. Along with the merge, the upgrade will bring significant improvements to Ethereum’s virtual machine, scalability, gas costs, and transaction speeds. In this article, we’ll explore the details of the upcoming Ethereum upgrades, including Shanghai, EOF, Verge, Scourge, Purge, and Splurge, and what they mean for the future of Ethereum.

    The Shanghai Upgrade and Staking

    The Shanghai upgrade is the next significant upgrade to Ethereum after the merge in September 2021. The upgrade allows users to withdraw the ETH they have staked since December 2020 on the beacon chain, in exchange for rewards. This upgrade is expected to boost the popularity of liquid staking derivatives (LSDs), such as Lido and Rocket Pool.

    The EVM Object Format (EOF)

    The EOF upgrade is one of the major upgrades packaged with the Shanghai upgrade, which will change how Ethereum’s virtual machine works. It includes five EIPs that will make Ethereum more efficient and easily upgradable. However, the developers have announced a delay in the release, and it will be shipped three to four months later in the summer.

    The Upcoming Ethereum Upgrades

    Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, announced that even after the merge, Ethereum would still be only 50-25% completed. Ethereum can expect more upgrades, including Verge, Scourge, Purge, and Splurge, that will bring significant improvements to the network scalability, gas costs, and transaction speeds.

    Verge

    Verge is an upgrade aimed at optimizing storage on Ethereum and reducing node size, ultimately making Ethereum more scalable.

    Scourge

    Scourge aims to provide censorship resistance and avoid centralization and other risks that arise from MEV (Maximal Extractable Value). It will help ensure that transactions remain neutral and do not discriminate for or against anyone.

    Purge

    Purge will help reduce the amount of space required to store ETH on a hard drive, freeing up space for developers.

    Splurge

    Splurge is the fun brother of the four, including all miscellaneous innovations to make Ethereum better. All these upgrades will help Ethereum process 100,000 transactions per second, according to Vitalik Buterin.

    Conclusion:

    The upcoming Ethereum upgrades, particularly the Shanghai upgrade and the EOF upgrade, are expected to bring significant improvements to Ethereum’s virtual machine, scalability, gas costs, and transaction speeds. Along with the upgrades, the Verge, Scourge, Purge, and Splurge upgrades are aimed at optimizing storage, providing censorship resistance, and reducing space requirements. Ethereum enthusiasts eagerly await these upgrades, which promise to make Ethereum a better network.

  • Comparing the 6 Most Popular Decentralized Exchanges in 2023

    With the recent combustion of centralized crypto institutions, decentralized exchanges (DEXes) have come back into the spotlight. There are over 500 crypto exchanges, with many being centralized ones. DEXes have been gaining popularity as they offer full control of funds, better privacy, and cheaper fees.

    Why choose a DEX:

    Trading on a DEX platform offers many benefits, such as full control of funds, better privacy and data protection, cheaper fees, and the ability to participate in governance.

    How to choose a DEX:

    A trusted aggregator like CoinGecko is a great place to start. They provide a list that ranks DEXes based on their trading volume.

    The 6 most popular DEXes in 2023:

    1. Uniswap – the pioneer of the automated market maker (AMM) model, with over 800 coins and 1500 trading pairs, and a 0.3% fee for swaps.
    2. Curve Finance – a DEX designed for swapping between tokens with identical pegs, with a 0.04% fee on trades, and 55 coins and 97 trading pairs.
    3. Balancer – an AMM DEX that allows pools to be composed of up to eight different cryptocurrencies in any ratio, with 80 coins and 103 trading pairs.
    4. PancakeSwap – the biggest decentralized AMM exchange on BNB Smart Chain, with 3234 coins and 3623 trading pairs, and a fee of around 0.25%.
    5. DODO – a DEX that uses a proactive market maker algorithm to facilitate trades, with 120 coins and 192 trading pairs.
    6. SushiSwap – an AMM DEX that offers yield farming, staking, and liquidity provision, with 278 coins and 466 trading pairs.

    Conclusion:

    DEXes offer many benefits over centralized exchanges, including full control of funds, better privacy and data protection, and cheaper fees. Choosing the right DEX can be done using trusted aggregators like CoinGecko. The most popular DEXes in 2023 are Uniswap, Curve Finance, Balancer, PancakeSwap, DODO, and SushiSwap.

  • Bitcoin vs Ethereum: Similarities, Differences, and Specialties

    Cryptocurrencies have taken the financial world by storm, with Bitcoin and Ethereum leading the charge. While they share similarities, such as the use of blockchain technology, they also have significant differences. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what makes these two cryptocurrencies special and how they differ from each other.

    History Time: The Birth of Bitcoin and Ethereum

    Over a decade ago, Satoshi Nakamoto, a mysterious figure, laid out a vision in a white paper to create a cash system that’s fully peer-to-peer. This vision led to the birth of Bitcoin, which revolutionized the financial world. Interestingly, Bitcoin was not the first decentralized virtual currency, but it was the first to be successfully implemented.

    Six years later, Ethereum entered the scene. An upgrade to the perceived limits of Bitcoin, Ethereum allowed developers to use the blockchain to process more than just cryptocurrency transactions. It enables the building and deploying of smart contracts and decentralized applications without interference from a third party. The network is powered by its native coin, known as ether or ETH.

    The Differences Between Bitcoin and Ethereum

    The most significant difference between Bitcoin and Ethereum lies in the problem they are each trying to solve. Bitcoin was created to provide a way for people to store and transfer value without intermediaries. In contrast, Ethereum aims to solve a different problem. Like Bitcoin, ETH can be used as a digital currency, but that is not its primary purpose. The Ethereum platform was built to make it easier to create applications that aren’t controlled by one entity through smart contracts, making it able to do many things outside of serving as a store of value.

    Another difference is their consensus mechanisms. Bitcoin uses a proof-of-work consensus mechanism that requires miners to compete for the chance to validate new transactions and add them to the blockchain. In contrast, Ethereum recently made the switch to proof-of-stake, which requires validators to stake ETH to create blocks and be rewarded with more ETH. Both consensus mechanisms have features and trade-offs that have been debated for a long time, and the debate is unlikely to stop anytime soon.

    Finally, Bitcoin has a strict limit of 21 million coins, while Ethereum doesn’t have a cap on the total number of tokens. However, the number of ETH issued yearly has been steadily declining, which means that inflation isn’t a major concern for Ethereum. Currently, Ethereum has over 120 million coins in circulation, while Bitcoin has over 19 million coins in circulation.

    Similarities Between Bitcoin and Ethereum

    While there are significant differences between Bitcoin and Ethereum, they do share some similarities. Both cryptocurrencies use blockchain technology, and both suffer from scalability issues. To address these issues, both are making use of layer twos, such as Optimistic or ZK Roll-Ups for Ethereum, or the Lightning Network for Bitcoin, to increase scalability and usability.

    Conclusion: Bitcoin and Ethereum as Complementary Cryptocurrencies

    In conclusion, Bitcoin and Ethereum are often pitted against each other, but they are not competitors at their core. They were both born out of a shared goal to decentralize economies around the world, and most importantly, they were designed to address these concerns in different but equally important ways. Nowadays, blockchains find ways to interoperate in a way that is mutually beneficial and sustainable to both networks. Instead of thinking of Bitcoin and Ethereum as competing cryptocurrencies, it’s better to view them as complementary cryptocurrencies, each with its own unique specialties.

  • Exploring the Oldest Cryptocurrencies: Pre-Bitcoin and Altcoins

    Cryptocurrencies have gained increasing popularity over the years, with Bitcoin leading the pack. However, there were older cryptocurrencies that came before Bitcoin. In this article, we explore the oldest cryptocurrencies, pre-Bitcoin and altcoins.

    Altcoins

    The first altcoin on our list is Dogecoin, created in 2013 by Jackson Palmer and Billy Marcus. Dogecoin started as a joke satirizing cryptocurrencies but has remained in the top 10 largest cryptocurrencies by market cap. Ripple is another altcoin created in 2012, aimed at improving the current traditional banking system, especially in payment settlement and remittance. It currently ranks sixth in market capitalization. Peercoin, created by Sunny King and Scott Nadal, was the first cryptocurrency to use a combination of proof of stake and proof of work consensus algorithms. It aimed to tackle Bitcoin’s high energy consumption, but it no longer ranks on the list of top coins. Litecoin, created by Charlie Lee in 2011, was designed for fast, secure, and low-cost payments, with a block generation time four times faster than Bitcoin’s.

    Pre-Bitcoin Cryptocurrencies

    Moving further back, we explore the pre-Bitcoin cryptocurrencies. Hashcash, created by Adam Back in the late 90s, was meant to limit email spamming and DDOS attacks. Its proof of work system became an important part of Bitcoin mining. Eagles, created in the mid-90s by Dr. Douglas Jackson and Barry Downey, facilitated payment in gold and was a success, registering billions of dollars worth of business. However, it became a tool for money launderers, and the founder faced legal consequences.

    Conclusion

    While Bitcoin is the most popular and widely used cryptocurrency today, it is essential to understand the history of cryptocurrencies to appreciate how far the industry has come. From pre-Bitcoin cryptocurrencies like Eagles and Hashcash to altcoins like Dogecoin and Ripple, each cryptocurrency has contributed to the evolution of the industry in its way.

  • Cryptocurrency Trading Terms for Beginners

    As a new cryptocurrency trader, it can be overwhelming to come across trading jargon like stop loss, limit order, or trailing stop on a crypto exchange. In this article, we will cover some trading terms for beginners that you should know to help you understand all things crypto trading.

    Market Order

    A market order is an instruction to buy or sell assets at the current best available price in the market. Market orders are executed immediately, although a specific price is not guaranteed. For example, if you want to buy one ETH at the current market price, you can place a market order and the exchange will fill the order at the best available price.

    Limit Order

    Limit orders refer to setting buy or sell orders for an asset at a certain price. This means you are instructing the exchange to buy or sell crypto when the asset trades at a desired price. For instance, you can set a buy limit of one BTC at $15,000, and the exchange will purchase the asset only at that price or better. Limit orders are ideal for traders who want to buy an asset at a lower price or sell an asset at a higher price than the current market rate. However, the execution of your order is not guaranteed as the price may not hit your desired level.

    Stop Loss

    Stop loss refers to setting a limit on the potential loss of a trade by liquidating your assets once the market reaches a certain price. For example, if you bought one BTC at $20,000 with a stop loss order at $15,000, the exchange will immediately liquidate your assets if the market price drops below $15,000. This would limit your losses in case the price of BTC continues to drop further.

    Take Profit

    Take profit refers to setting a limit to buy or sell crypto at a price where your trading position is in profit. For instance, if you buy five BTC at $15,000 each with a take profit sell order for two BTC at $20,000, the exchange will sell two of your BTC when the market price per BTC reaches $20,000, securing you $10,000 in profit.

    Margin Trading

    Margin trading is a type of leveraged trading in which you borrow money from the exchange to enter trades. This allows traders to open positions larger than their allocated capital. Traders need to have funds in the exchange to put up collateral for this kind of trading. The goal is to use the extra leverage the borrowed money gives to make more money when trades go well. However, if the market moves against you, margin trading can also lead to large losses very quickly and in some cases liquidations, making it a high-risk strategy.

    Conclusion

    These are some of the essential trading terms for beginners that you should know before venturing into cryptocurrency trading. Understanding these terms will help you make informed decisions when placing orders on a crypto exchange. As you progress in your trading journey, you will come across more trading jargon and terms, but with practice and research, you will be able to understand them better.