Boxmining v2

Category: Cryptocurrency Trading

Trading is a fundamental aspect of the cryptocurrency space. As exciting as crypto trading is, it is also highly risky and complex. This section gives an introductory guide to the various aspects of cryptocurrency trading.

  • Identifying Key Levels in Price Action Trading (Beginner’s Guide Series Part 1)

    Identifying Key Levels in Price Action Trading (Beginner’s Guide Series Part 1)

    Welcome to one of the most essential skills in price action trading: identifying key levels. These are specific price points on a chart where the market tends to react, either by reversing, consolidating, or breaking out. For beginners, mastering key levels means you can make smarter trading decisions with just a few simple lines on your chart. In this guide, we’ll break down what key levels are, how to identify them, and how to use them with recent examples from Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Let’s dive in!

    4 Types of Key Levels

    Before we start, let’s understand the four types of key levels you’ll encounter:

    1. Technical Key Levels: These are based purely on technical analysis (TA) and price action—your bread and butter as a trader.
    2. Weekly Levels: These are tied to weekly market sessions, specifically Monday highs, Monday lows, Friday highs, and Friday lows, reflecting the opening and closing of traditional stock markets.
    3. Psychological Levels: These are round numbers that retail traders focus on, like $100,000 for BTC or $4,000 for ETH. They’re popular because they’re easy to spot and often trigger buying or selling.
    4. Event-Based Levels: These are tied to major market events, like Federal Reserve announcements or crypto-specific news (e.g., ETF approvals). They’re less common but can influence price action.

    For beginners, we’ll focus on technical key levels and weekly session key levels in this article, as they’re the most reliable and practical for everyday trading. We’ll also use recent BTC and ETH examples to show how these levels work in real markets.

    Identifying Technical Key Levels

    Technical key levels are price points where the market has shown significant reactions—think strong bounces, rejections, or breakouts. To find them, you’ll create ranges on your chart, which consist of three main components: range low, range high, and mid-range. Here’s how to spot them:

    • Range Low: This is a swing low where the price bounces strongly after a dump. It acts as support.
    • Range High: This is a level where the price faces resistance, often rejecting or breaking out after a rally.
    • Mid-Range: Defining a mid-range is not necessarily the halfway point between the range low and range high, but rather a “loose” S/R level where price often finds reactions. Price action is almost always volatile around this key level and requires careful analysis.

    Let’s walk through a step-by-step process using a recent BTC example. I will also be referring to specific dates in the images below. But since I do not want to clutter the chart, you can open your TradingView to refer to those dates if you want to follow along without any confusion!

    Example: Bitcoin’s Technical Key Levels (February-May 2025)

    Figure 1. BTCUSDT.P on Bybit (1D Timeframe)

    From February to May 2025, BTC was trading in a range between $78,210.5 (range low) and $95,058.7 (range high). Now I know what you’re thinking: price has dumped to as low as $74,456.2 and pumped to as high as $97,868 (marked by the yellow semi circles), but how are those price points not considered as range low and range high? These are called “deviations” and we will explain this in the next article (you don’t need to know this yet as they are for actual trade executions, whereas identifying key levels is generally the strategy part).

    Range Low ($78,210.5): From February 24 to February 28, BTC dumped from $96,536.3 to $78,210.5 with almost no sustaining buying pressure. But from February 28 to March 2, BTC bounced sharply from $78,210.5 to $95,058.7. This strong bounce confirms $78,210.5 as the range low, acting as support.

    Range High ($95,078.7): Shortly after BTC rallied to $95,078.7, price failed to go any higher and rejected strongly the following days. What makes this an even stronger range high is the fact that price nearly retested the $96,536.3 price point on February 24 which triggered the sharp dump in the first place.

    Mid-Range ($87,178): The middle of this range, around $87,178, saw choppy price action. It primarily acted as a “mini resistance” from March 7 to April 20 where price rejects every time it retested $87,178. But on April 21, the daily candle closed above the mid-range which showed buying strength, and the following day BTC pumped to as high as $94,000 after retesting the mid-range on market open. From there on, the mid-range acts as a support if price reverses from the range high. This is also known as a higher time frame (HTF) support/resistance (S/R) flip region, as it’s significant on both 4-hour and daily charts.

    The Tricky Thing about Mid-Range

    Mid-ranges can change as price action develops over time. Look at the chart below and you will see that there was another mid-range at $85,023.4 (marked by the yellow dotted line). Price found its way there after the rejection off of range high and had another strong bounce to $92,781.6 before reversing to the downside again and retesting the range low.

    Figure 2. BTCUSDT.P on Bybit (1D Timeframe)

    The yellow dotted line was the S/R region before April 21. But after the breakout on April 21 and more importantly the strong continuation on April 22, we now see the bigger picture – there is an imbalance of liquidity created by the buyers on April 21 and 22. At some point in the future, it is likely those areas will get filled which overlaps with the current mid-range (white dotted lines).

    Anyways, the most important principle you have to remember is the more reactions the key level have seen, the more valid they are as a key level, and this is especially applicable to mid-ranges. The current mid-range of BTC as shown above still saw multiple rejections same as the previous mid-range.

    What Happens If Price Breaks Out of Range?

    Figure 3. ETHUSDT.P on Bybit (3D Timeframe)

    From January 22, 2024 to March 3, 2025, ETH was trading in a range between $2,167.17 and $4096.21. For the longest time, the range low held strongly as an HTF support – price had bounced sharply from the range low 3 times. But on March 9, 2025, price has completely broken below the range low and failed to reclaim it the following week. This means the yellow-lined ranges are no longer in play.

    In such situations, we will need to look further back to identify previous pivot points and establish our new key levels.

    Figure 4. ETHUSDT.P on Bybit (1W Timeframe)

    Going all the way back to January 2022, we have marked out previous pivot points and used those areas as our new key levels for ETH.

    New Range Low ($877.7): Price dumped from $3,581 to $877.7 and then strong bounce from there to $2,029.4. Remember, the first swing low often serves as the range low.

    New Range High ($3,581): Marked from the initial dump at $3,581 in April 2022. You can also use the previous range high at $4,096.21 (figure 4) as the current range high – there’s nothing wrong with that! However, if you look closely, you will notice the price action above $3,581 are “swing failure patterns” which you will learn in the next article along with “deviations”.

    New Mid-Range ($2,155): Notice how the previous range low (figure 3) coincides with our new mid-range. Yes! More often than not, new mid-ranges come from previous range lows (if bearish) and previous range highs (if bullish).This is because it is in the nature of mid-ranges to play the critical role of S/R flip regions. Look closely and you will see that before January 2024, $2,155 was a strong resistance for ETH until it flipped support from there on until the collapse on March 9, 2025.

    Now let’s bring up both the yellow and white ranges and you will see the full picture.

    Figure 5. ETHUSDT.P on Bybit (1W Timeframe)

    So in terms of our current play for ETH, until the current mid-range at $2,155 is reclaimed, there is a possibility that the range low, though not guaranteed, will be retested.

    Identifying Weekly Session Key Levels

    Weekly levels are based on significant price points from the start and end of the trading week—specifically Monday highs, Monday lows, Friday highs, and Friday lows. These levels reflect the opening and closing dynamics of traditional markets and are often respected in crypto trading as well. They’re excellent for short-term trades, helping you set precise entry points, stop-losses, and take-profit targets. Plus, they can act as liquidity zones where market makers might target stop-losses, so you’ll need to watch for potential traps.

    Let’s look at a real-world example using Bitcoin (BTC) on a 4-hour chart from early May 2025. The chart marks key weekly levels from the previous week and the start of the current week, giving us a clear framework to work with.

    Figure 6. BTCUSDT.P on Bybit (4H Timeframe)

    Previous Friday High ($97,868.0): This was the highest price on the last trading day of the previous week (May 2). It acts as a resistance level.

    Previous Friday Low ($96,306.9): The lowest price on that Friday, serving as a support level.

    Monday High ($95,149.0): The highest price on Monday, May 5, 2025, acting as a potential resistance or target.

    Monday Low ($93,460.2): The lowest price on Monday, serving as a key support level.

    Here’s how these levels played out and how you can use them in your trading:

    • Friday Levels as a Range: The Previous Friday High ($97,868.0) and Low ($96,306.9) form a range that price often respects. On May 2, the price reached $97,868.0 but rejected sharply, dropping to $95,500.0 by May 3. This rejection confirms the Friday High as a strong resistance. The price then consolidated near the Friday Low ($96,306.9) on May 4, showing that this level acted as support during the decline.
    • Monday Levels as Support/Resistance: On Monday, May 5, the price dropped to the Monday Low ($93,460.2) early in the session, marking a significant support level. It then bounced sharply, rallying to the Monday High ($95,149.0) later that day. The Monday Low held as support when the price retested it on May 6, bouncing to $94,500.0. Meanwhile, the Monday High ($95,149.0) acted as resistance on May 7, where the price wicked above but rejected back down to $94,300.0.
    • Trading Application: Let’s say you’re looking to trade on May 6 after the price bounces from the Monday Low ($93,460.2). You could enter a long position at $93,600.0, targeting the Monday High ($95,149.0) or even the Previous Friday Low ($96,306.9) for a higher reward. Place your stop-loss just below the Monday Low, around $93,300.0, to protect against a breakdown. This setup gives you a high reward-to-risk (RR) ratio: the distance to $96,306.9 (2,706.9 points) is much larger than your risk (300 points), yielding a 9:1 RR.
    • Liquidity Traps: Notice the wick below the Monday Low ($93,460.2) on May 5, dropping briefly before bouncing. This is a classic liquidity grab—market makers likely pushed the price below to hit stop-losses before reversing. Similarly, the rejection at the Previous Friday High ($97,868.0) on May 2 trapped breakout buyers. Be cautious around these levels, as wicks often signal traps.

    How to Use Weekly Levels in Practice?

    If the price holds above the Monday Low ($93,460.2), look for longs targeting the Monday High ($95,149.0) or Previous Friday Low ($96,306.9). If it breaks below, consider shorts targeting the next support, like $92,500.0 (a recent swing low). For stop-losses, place them just outside the weekly levels—below the Monday Low for longs, or above the Friday High for shorts—to avoid being caught in liquidity grabs.

    Tips for Weekly Levels

    • Mark the Levels: Use UTC timezone to identify Monday and Friday key levels. On the chart, draw lines at the highs and lows of those candles. For example, the Monday High ($95,149.0) and Low ($93,460.2) on May 5 are clear markers for the week.
    • Watch for Reactions: Look for rejections, bounces, or breakouts at these levels. The rejection at $97,868.0 (Previous Friday High) and the bounce from $93,460.2 (Monday Low) show how price respects these zones.
    • Combine with Other Levels: Weekly levels work best when paired with technical levels (like mid-ranges or HTF S/R flips). For instance, if the Monday Low aligns with a mid-range, it’s an even stronger support.

    Ever since ETFs for BTC and ETH have been approved, large institutional players have become involved with trading BTC and ETH. This makes weekly levels a powerful tool for short-term trades. They give you clear targets and stop-loss zones, but always be mindful of liquidity traps, as seen with the wicks around these levels.

    Conclusion

    The most important principle to take away from identifying key levels in price action trading is that the more reactions a key level has seen, the more valid and reliable it becomes. Whether it’s a range low, range high, mid-range, or weekly level, the significance of a price point grows with each bounce, rejection, or breakout it experiences, as these reactions reflect the market’s memory and the involvement of both retail and institutional players.

    Key levels give you clarity by giving structure to the market’s historical data. But remember, this is just the planning part. Even if you have mastered this part at identifying key levels, the actual trade executions can be very different. We will cover this in the next article.

  • How to snipe Solana ($SOL) memecoins early

    How to snipe Solana ($SOL) memecoins early


    Solana ($SOL) meme coins have gained significant popularity amongst cryptocurrency traders due to their playful and often humorous nature. Most importantly, there have been some cases where if you are early into buying a Solana memecoin, you could stand to make huge gains. This is because you have entered the market and bought up some of the coins before others enter, saturate the market and increase the price of the memecoin. Therefore, one of the main objectives in playing with Solana memecoins is that you need to be early. Here’s our guide on how to snipe Solana ($SOL) memecoins early.

    Check out our video guide!

    How To SNIPE Solana Memecoins BEFORE They Explode & AVOID RUGS

    What is a Solana ($SOL) memecoin?

    Solana meme coins are fun and humourous cryptocurrencies on the Solana blockchain. They often lack serious utility but thrive on community engagement and social media buzz. These meme coins are also usually inspired by internet memes, jokes or cultural references.

    Solana meme coins are popular because they attract passionate communities. Their appeal lies in the fun and lighthearted nature of memes, which encourages active participation. The coins also gain traction through platforms like Twitter, Discord, and Reddit. Memes, jokes, and creative content drive interest and engagement. The fact that the Solana blockchain has high-speed and low-cost transactions, also makes Solana an attractive platform for meme coins. This is because users can trade and participate without hefty costs.

    Learn more about Solana ($SOL) HERE

    Here are some of the most popular Solana meme coins on the market right now:

    1. Dogwifhat ($WIF)
    2. Bonk ($BONK)
    3. Book of meme ($BOME)
    4. BananaCat ($BCAT)
    5. Myro ($MYRO)

    You can see a full list of Solana meme coins and their details on Coingecko HERE

    Coingecko Solana meme coin list

    How to snipe Solana ($SOL) memecoins early

    Here’s a guide on how to snipe Solana ($SOL) memecoins early

    1. Understand your risk tolerance.

      Meme coins are based on short-term jokes or cultural references. As mentioned previously, they generally do not have an actual utility and are mostly just for fun. However, you will be using real funds when trading these memecoins, so it is very risky. Therefore, you should understand your risk tolerace. For example, if you have very little funds, you may want to reconsidering putting all your funds into one memecoin.

    2. Set up alerts

      Set up alerts on platforms like CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko, or any other tracker that offers new token listings. By doing this, you will be among the first to know when a new meme coin is listed, giving you a head start.

    3. Get Solana ($SOL) tokens

      You will need Solana ($SOL) to swap for Solana memecoins. You can obtain Solana ($SOL) tokens on most major exchanges such as Bybit, BingX or Binance.

      Sign up for Bybit here!

    4. Research the memecoin community

      Before buying a memecoin, you should research the project and its community. Look for projects backed or created by credible names or those with active and positive community feedback. See if the memecoin is constantly posting and marketing themselves. You can research the memecoin by typing the coin ticker symbol or token address on Twitter. Look for strong, active engagement on social media platforms such as Twitter, Discord, and Telegram. Teams that are communicative and communities that are passionate often indicate a promising project.

    5. Look at token metrics

      When deciding whether or not to trade a memecoin, we look at various token metrics. One metric is holder distribution, for example, on pump.fun, you can see the holder distribution statistics on the bottom right hand side of the page. If only the developer is holding the token, there is a strong risk that they may rug pull once you buy. You can also look at the replies underneath the token chart to get a general idea of what the community feels about the memecoin. Another metric to consider is whether the memecoin unique. This is because if the memecoin is a secondary version of a meme, or it is not humourous, then people may not be that interested in buying it.

    6. How to buy the dip

      Buying on dips can be used for speculation or simply to secure better entry points for a long-term position. Keep a watch list of strong tokens ready so you can quickly secure a profit during any market drop.

    7. Find tokens tied to trending narratives

      Tokens tied to trending narratives like AI, AI agents, DPin, or AI agents are often the first to recover after a dip. Investors return to projects that align with current market trends. Examine how the price has reacted to past dips and assess the current level of interest.

    8. Find memecoins with high liquidity

      Memecoins with higher liquidity ensures that a token can be bought or sold easily without significant price slippage, which is crucial for profit-taking. Check trading volumes on major exchanges. Low liquidity makes it harder to exit positions, especially in volatile markets. You can consider exploring memecooins with a market cap between 10 million and 500 million to balance risk and reward.

    9. Look for whales or funds accumulating a token

      If whales or funds are accumulating a token, it increases trust within the project because smart money typically avoids weak projects. You can track whale wallets using tools like GMGN.AI for significant transactions.

    10. Trade meme coin

      According to the website, Pump.fun is a meme coin trading platform that aims to prevent rug pulls by attempting to make sure that created tokens are safe. Each meme coin on their platform is a fair-launch without presale or team allocation. That means that no team members of the coin can hold the coin before its public launch. This also means there are no team members who can quickly trade the coin immediately after the public launch, thereby giving them an advantage over the public.

      How pump.fun works is that once you find a meme coin that you would like to buy, you buy the coin on the bonding curve. You can also sell the meme coin at any time if you wish to lock in your profits or losses. When enough people buy the meme coin such that it reaches a market capitalization of US$69k, US$12k of liquidity will be deposited into Raydium and burned. The effect of this is that the token supply would be reduced, making the token scarcer and potentially pushing the coin price upwards.

    11. Monitor price action after any dips

      Price dips when trading memecoins are inevitable. However, strong tokens recover quickly after dips, signaling market confidence and sustained interest. Monitor the price action after a dip. Rapid recovery often indicates strength and resilience in the token.

  • BullX tutorial: Memecoin trading and strategies guide

    BullX tutorial: Memecoin trading and strategies guide

    BullX is the fastest advanced DEX trading system that is currently deployed on 6 different chains (Solana, Base, Ethereum, Blast L2, Binance Chain, Arbitrum). They are one of the most powerful trading bots for trading meme coins and may have a potential airdrop! Here is our BullX tutorial for memecoin trading!

    For a guide on how to get the BullX token airdrop, check out our BullX token airdrop guide.

    Check out our BullX tutorial!

    BullX Tutorial: Full Memecoin Trading and Strategies (part 1)

    What is BullX?

    BullX is a cutting-edge trading platform that revolutionizes memecoin trading on the Solana network. It offers a range of advanced features designed to cater to both novice and experienced traders. Here are some of BullX’s main features:

    1. Multi-Chain Support: BullX supports various EVM chains, including Solana, Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, and Arbitrum.
    2. Advanced Charts and Stats: The platform provides live market data, interactive charts, and comprehensive analytics to help traders make informed decisions.
    3. Limit Buy/Sell Across All Chains: Users can set custom trading strategies with ease.
    4. Telegram-Web Interface: BullX integrates seamlessly with Telegram, allowing users to manage trades, monitor updates, and receive alerts in real-time.
    5. Fast Indexing: The platform processes blockchain data at lightning speed, ensuring real-time trading updates.
    6. Realtime Security Audit: BullX offers advanced security features, including AES-256 encryption and private key management.
    7. Multi-Wallet Management: Users can manage and trade across multiple wallets without constant logins.
    8. Pump Vision: This feature helps users track pump tokens and trends, staying ahead of Moonshot opportunities.

    BullX tutorial: How to trade memecoins on BullX?

    Here is a tutorial on how to trade on BullX.

    1. Connect Telegram account

      Go to https://bullx.io/ and connect your Telegram account. You will need to do this step as BullX integrates with your Telegram account.

    2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

      Enable 2FA and back up your private keys. It is suggested to store your private keys in a safe location offline in case your computer is hacked. Never share your private keys with anyone and note that customer service will never ask you for your private keys. Also, ensure that your Telegram account is secure, as your BullX wallet information is generated and stored there.

    3. Fund your BullX trading wallet

      To fund your BullX trading wallet, go to the Wallet Manager in your BullX account. Then, click “Add Funds” and follow the instructions to deposit cryptocurrency from an external wallet or exchange. You will find your funds in the “Wallet Manager” page.

    4. Select a token

      Go to the “Explore” feature (i.e the compass button on the left bar). There, you can organise tokens based on features such as Trending, Gainers, Losers or Recents. You can also choose the timeframe by clicking on the time buttons on the right hand side. By doing this, you can for example find the tokens with the most gains in the last 1 hour. You can also choose a token to trade by searching its name or pasting its contract address on BullX.

    5. Buy token

      Click on the token you wish to trade, then make sure you are on the “Buy” tab. Select the amount you want to buy in and click “Buy”. To adjust your buy settings, click on the amount of gas being charged and you can select options such as Buy Priority Fee, Buy Slippage Limit, Buy MEV Protection and Buy Bribe. The first and last of these options are the ones you would most likely adjust, especially when the network is congested, and you want your transaction to be processed faster.

    6. Check progress

      After confirming to buy the token you can check the transaction progress by looking at “Orders” and checking its progress. Once the transaction has completed you will see a tick mark next to the order.

    7. Check Market Trades information

      On the “Market Trades” section at the bottom of the screen you can see all of the recent trades for that token. A star emoji next to the user under the “Maker” column shows that it is a new wallet or user doing this trade. Whilst the animal icons also show much these users have traded. The largest trades are shown by a whale icon, followed by dolphin, fish and shrimp.

    8. Check Holders

      Click on the “Holders” tab to see what percentage of holdings is being held by how many people. For instance, it will indicate the total percentage of tokens held by the top 10, 50 or other holders. This is valuable information particularly for new tokens.

    9. Check Top Traders

      Click on the “Top Traders” tab to see which users have made the most money on a specific token.

    10. Check trade statistics

      Click “Stats” on the right hand side to see the percentage of trades that have happened in the past 5 minutes, 1 hour, 6 hours or 24 hours.

    11. Check Security Audit information

      Click the “Checks” tab on the right hand side to see basic security information. For example, who has done the Security Audit for a token, if the Owner Address has been renounced, the percentage of tokens belonging to the token owner. You can also see if the token contract is open-sourced. A closed-source token contract could potentially be a red flag as traders are not able to see the token contract and potentially identify any security issues.

    12. Check life position

      Click “My Position” on the right hand side. This section will tell you your holdings of a specific token and the Unrealised PnL. The Unrealised PnL means how much you would gain/lose if you sold this token immediately.

    13. Set Limit Orders

      To set a Limit Order, click “Limit” on the top right hand side. Set when the limit order should be processed on the graph, and then the amount of tokens to buy on the “Buy” section. Once you have confirmed to buy the token, the transaction will execute when the token reaches the price you had specified. Note you can also cancel your order before it is executed if you change your mind.

  • Four.meme review: Everything you wanted to know

    Four.meme review: Everything you wanted to know

    Four.meme is the first memecoin launchpad on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) network. The platform aims to be a streamlined and low-cost pathway to bring more meme tokens into this world. Here is our Four.meme review.

    Check out our video Four.meme review and guide!

    Four.meme Guide: BSC Memecoin Fair Launch like Pump Fun

    What is Four.meme?

    Four.meme is the first memecoin fair launch platform on Binance Smart Chain (BSC). Here are the main features of Four.meme:

    1. Fair Launch: Every meme coin launched on Four.meme uses a fair launch mechanism. This ensures there will be no pre-sale, seed round, or team allocation. As a result, this creates a level playing field for all participants.
    2. Community-Driven: Four.meme is built around the power of community, empowering creators, traders, and opportunists in the BNB Chain ecosystem.

    Four.meme fees

    Here are some of the fees for using the Four.meme platform as a memecoin creator or trader:

    • Launching fee: To launch a memecoin, you will only need to pay for the transaction fee which is around 0.005 BNB.
    • Seeding fee: Once your memecoin project reaches 100% of the bonding curve (approximately 24 BNB), the seeding process begins. The platform will then set up a liquidity pool on Pancake paired with 24 BNB.
    • Trading fee: Memecoin traders will need to pay a transaction fee the platform a 0.5% trading fee (minimum 0.001 BNB).

    What is the Four.meme token?

    Four.meme has not announced its own token yet. However, they currently have an airdrop campaign where you can receive Four.meme Points. These Four.meme Points are redeemable for rewards. For example, you can exchange Four.meme Points for USDT and memetokens such as $FOUR and $WHY, which are strategic partners of Four.meme. The type of token redeemable and exchange ratios will be announced after the end of the airdrop campaign. Four.meme Points can also be redeemed for special airdrop packages of meme tokens and exclusive NFTs.

    Check out our Four.meme ($FOUR, $WHY) token airdrop guide!

    How does Four.Meme work?

    Time needed: 15 minutes

    Four.meme has a launchpad which allows creators to make their own meme coins and tokens efficiently. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to launch your own project on Four.meme:

    1. Configure Your Token

      Set up your token’s name, symbol, and other key details. Then, use the user-friendly interface to configure these settings efficiently.

    2. Launch Your Project

      Launching requires no technical skills and takes only a few seconds. Developers can purchase a portion of their token supply to protect against snipers. To launch your project, simply confirm the transaction to complete the launch.

    3. Pay fees

      Launching Fee: Only the transaction fee (~0.005 BNB).
      Trading Fee: 0.5% per trade (minimum 0.001 BNB).
      Seeding Fee: Once the project reaches 100% of the bonding curve (24 BNB), a liquidity pool is established on PancakeSwap.

    4. Optional settings

      You can set the start time for trading, as well as limiting the maximum buy-in per user (e.g., 10,000,000 tokens = 1%).

    Is Four.Meme safe?

    Four.meme is the first memecoin fair launch platform on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC). Here are some key points to consider:

    1. Fair Launch: Every meme coin launched on Four.meme uses a fair launch mechanism, ensuring no pre-sale, seed round, or team allocation. This aims to create a level playing field for all participants.
    2. Community-Driven: Four.meme emphasizes community involvement. Users should assess their financial situation, risk tolerance, and do their own research before trading in any meme coins on the platform.
    3. Hacks and exploits:  While the Four.meme platform itself hasn’t been hacked or exploited yet, remember that investing in highly volatile meme tokens carries risks, so users may want to always be cautious.

    Therefore, while Four.meme aims to provide a fair and transparent environment, remember that all investments carry inherent risks.

    Conclusion: Pros and Cons of Four.meme

    In conclusion, here is a review of some pros and cons of the Four.meme platform:

    Pros

    1. Fair Launch: Every meme coin on Four.meme uses a fair launch mechanism, ensuring no pre-sale, seed round, or team allocation. This promotes a level playing field for all participants.
    2. Community-Driven: Four.meme empowers creators to launch meme coins directly, connecting with their audience. It fosters community engagement and support.
    3. Integrated Trading Tools: The platform plans to integrate with trading bots and AI-powered market analysis services, enhancing utility and informed investment decisions.
    4. Built on Binance Smart Chain (BSC): BSC offers fast transactions, low costs, liquidity, and security.

    Cons

    1. Risk: As with any investment, meme coins carry inherent risks. Users should exercise caution and conduct due diligence.
    2. Market Volatility: Meme coins can experience extreme price fluctuations due to market sentiment and trends.
    3. Short-Lived Relevance: Some meme tokens may lose relevance quickly, impacting their value.

    Further reading

    Check out our other memecoin platform reviews:

    SunPump ($SUN) review: Everything you wanted to know

    Learn how to trade memecoins and get an early advantage!

    How to snipe Solana ($SOL) memecoins early

  • Maximize Your Profits: Strategies for Trading Solana ($SOL) Memecoins!

    Maximize Your Profits: Strategies for Trading Solana ($SOL) Memecoins!

    Solana memecoins are a type of cryptocurrencies that have gained popularity due to their humorous or meme-related themes. A lot of people have benefited from this popularity and managed to profit from trading Solana memecoins. We at Boxmining have been trading Solana memecoins for almost a year. And from our own experiences, have discovered some personal strategies which have helped us maximize our profits trading Solana ($SOL) memecoins.

    Check out our guide!

    How I FOUND a Profitable System Trading Solana Memecoins

    Nevertheless, while many have profited from trading Solana memecoins, it is essential to recognize that the crypto market can be highly volatile. Some individuals have experienced substantial gains, while others have faced losses. As with any investment, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research, stay informed, and exercise caution.

    Most importantly, if you are considering trading memecoins, remember that prices can fluctuate rapidly, so always invest what you can afford to lose. 

    What are Solana ($SOL) memecoins?

    Solana memecoins are a category of cryptocurrencies that have gained popularity due to their humorous or meme-related themes. These coins often playfully reference internet culture, animals, or other entertaining concepts. Here are some notable Solana memecoins:

    1. Dogwifhat (WIF): A trending Solana memecoin with a current price of approximately $3.72. It has seen significant gains in the last 24 hours.
    2. Bonk (BONK): Another memecoin on Solana, priced at around $0.00004144. It has experienced positive growth recently.
    3. Cat in a dogs world (MEW): Priced at approximately $0.004275, this coin has gained attention among meme enthusiasts.
    4. Jeo Boden (BODEN): With a price of about $0.2715, Jeo Boden is also part of the Solana memecoin scene.

    Strategies for trading Solana ($SOL) memecoins

    Here are some of the strategies we use for maximizing our profits when trading Solana ($SOL) memecoins!

    Develop and stick to a risk management strategy

    A risk management strategy that we developed is to decide how many Solana ($SOL) tokens you would only put into a particular memecoin. This is because in the event that you do lose that predetermined amount, you may get emotional and want to put in more Solana to recoup the losses. And who knows, if you hold onto the memecoin, it may suddenly recover and go back up again.

    Be the first to get into a Solana memecoin by sniping

    Use trading points to snipe Solana memecoins before the liquidity pool for it has launched. For example, Sol Trading Bot on Telegram is a helpful and free bot to help you snipe. However, there are more serious Solana memecoin traders that have their own nodes or trading bots set up. This however requires a lot of resources and a high barrier to entry. For example, some very efficient bots with a high number of Transactions Per Second (TPS) could cost around 43 $SOL (around US$7,370). How these trading bots work is that they would spam many transactions in the hopes their transaction would go through. This, however, would mean that a lot of transaction fees would be spent. But for these traders, they consider this cost worthwhile.

    Unfortunately, it would be very difficult to compete against these traders by simply using free trading bots. But nevertheless, it could still help you turn a profit.

    For more tips on how to snipe Solana memecoins early, check out our guide HERE.

    Learn how to use Photon

    Photon is a platform that allows you to snipe and sell Solana tokens. To find a good Solana token to buy on Photon, you would want to look at token pairs that will launch soon. Token pairs that may be worth considering would have passed an audit, have mint authorisation, disabled free authorisation and disabled LP burned. These factors tend to suggest a lesser chance of the token being rug pulled. You should also look at the list of top 10 holders of a token because you would want the token to be as decentralized as possible. This is because if the token supply is mostly in 1 persons’ hands, it gives them a lot of power and they may potentially sell large amounts of the token at once, pushing the price down to your detriment.

    One other tip to using Photon effectively is to use with the PIRBViewBot. PIRBViewBot is a telegram bot that can give you more details on the spread of token holders compared to Photon.

    Find other successful traders as reference

    To find other successful Solana memecoin traders, you can go to Dexscreener and look at specific token pairs. Then, look for those wallets which have bought and sold a lot of the token. Afterwards, check their wallet and transaction history on Solscan. If that wallet has been trading a lot of memecoins, that is a good sign as it means they are active. On the other hand, a fresh wallet that has only been trading that 1 memecoin would not be worth looking at becuase it may mean it is a member of the memecoins’ development team or an insider.

    Once you have identified the wallet of a potentially good trader, paste their address into Birdeye. Birdeye analyses the transactions in the wallet and by the default displays their PNL in 1 week. You can also track the activities of the wallet over time using Cielo. To use Cielo, add them on Telegram and add the wallet you wish to track. For these large holders, it may be a good idea to also sell when they are also selling. This is because they may push down the price of the token.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • Upcoming Crypto Airdrops: These have the HIGHEST potential!

    Upcoming Crypto Airdrops: These have the HIGHEST potential!

    Blockchain projects frequently rely on crypto airdrops to raise awareness, grow their community, and increase the value of their products. After all, the survival of a project depends on its ability to attract and grow its user base. Users, of course, have nothing to complain about. After all, who doesn’t love free stuff? In this article, we look at the rumoured upcoming crypto airdrops. We also look at how you can sign up and receive free airdropped tokens.

    But before you rush out there to sign up, check out our article to learn more about crypto airdrops, and how to protect yourself against airdrop scams.

    Vela Exchange ($VELA) Airdrop: Airdrop coming 26th June 2023!

    Vela Exchange is a digital asset trading platform.

    Vela will be doing an airdrop and mainnet launch on 26th June 2023. So far, they have hinted on Twitter that maximizing your trading volume is the key to a max airdrop. Also, participating in their Flash Trading Competition will not only give you a chance to win their prizes but may also give you more airdropped tokens. The first competition ended with a prize pool of 10,000 $USDC and 2,000 $eVELA rewards. Vela will do a second flash contest, which will be adjusted to support traders of all sizes. However, the main event will be their Grand Beta Trading Competition, which Vela promises will offer major prizes.

    For more details, check out our Vela Exchange ($VELA) Token Airdrop Guide

    Polygon zkEVM ($MATIC) Token Airdrop

    Polygon zkEVM ($MATIC) is a Layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum that leverages the scaling power of zero-knowledge proofs while maintaining Ethereum compatibility. Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon, strongly hinted on Twitter that there will be a huge MATIC airdrop for zkEVM users. The best way to get the potential airdrop is to interact with the Polygon zkEVM mainnet. To do this, add Polygon zkEVM to MetaMask. Then, bridge to Polygon zkEVM either via the native bridge or a third party bridge such as Orbiter Finance. Finally, interact with QuickSwap, which is currently the only active dApp deployed on Polygon zkEVM.

    Learn more with our Polygon zkEVM (MATIC) Token Airdrop Guide.

    Blur NFT Marketplace: Season 2 delayed

    Blur ($BLUR) calls itself the “Fastest NFT Marketplace” providing users with a decentralized marketplace for trading Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). They aim to stand out by giving users the ability to sweep across multiple NFT marketplaces, faster access to NFT reveals, and improved user experience.

    Blur’s airdrop Season 1 ended on 14th February 2023. Blur have announced they will airdrop over 300 million $BLUR in Season 2, which was scheduled for April 2023 but is currently delayed.

    To participate in Blur’s Airdrop Season 2, users can connect their wallet to Blur’s platform and begin bidding on collections here. Airdrops are given on a point-based system. This system rewards bids on NFT collections based on their 24-hour volume. Participants can also maximize their $BLUR token airdrop by earning more points with loyalty.

    For Season 2, Blur has also launched Blend (short for Blur Lending). Blend is a peer-to-peer perpetual lending protocol for NFTs and allows NFT holders to borrow ETH against their NFTs without needing to sell them. With the launch of Blend, the Blur team also introduced Lending Points, which are doubled for certain NFT collecions.

    Learn how to get Blur token airdrops and maximize your gains: Blur Airdrop Guide: How to Get Season 2 Rewards?

    Sei Network ($SEI) Airdrop: Confirmed!

    Sei Network is a layer-1 blockchain built with Cosmos SDK. Its aim is to become the preferred chain for decentralized exchanges (DEXs) in DeFi, NFTs, and GameFi. Sei Network is planning to launch its $SEI token after its mainnet launch in the coming months. They have also confirmed that 1% of its total supply will be allocated to airdrops. The best way to receive a potential $SEI airdrop is to interact with their Seinami Incentivized Testnet by completing their tasks. Check out our Sei Network ($SEI) Token Airdrop Guide.

    zkSync ($ZKS) Airdrop: TBC

    zkSync is a ZK Rollup that aims to provide scaleable and low-cost transactions on the Ethereum blockchain. This is by submitting validity proof to an Ethereum smart contract along with transactions that are bundled.

    zkSync Era Mainnet Alpha is now open to public. The team has said they will launch a native token in the future, leading to hopes that some of the tokens will be airdropped then. There is speculation that to be eligible for the zkSync Airdrop, users should: (1) Add zkSync Era Alpha Mainnet on MetaMask; (2) interact with zkSync Lite and zkSync Era Mainnet Alpha; (3) Complete quests on zkSync’s Crew3 ;and (4) interact with the zkSync ecosystem such as Orbiter Finance or ZigZag. The last option is also particularly worthwhile since some zkSync dApps may not have launched their token yet. So you may get a chance to earn double airdrops!

    For a full tutorial check out zkSync ($ZKS) Token Airdrop Guide: How to Earn Double Rewards!

    My MetaTrader ($MMT) Airdrop: Second Round CONFIRMED!

    My MetaTrader (mTrader) is a DEX built on Arbitrum with GPT-3. It offers low trading fees, a wide range of trading pairs and leveraged trading up to 150x on cryptocurrencies, 1000x on forex & commodities, 100x on stocks, and 35x on indices. Their $MMT token was listed on SushiSwap on 21st February 2023, with 5% of its total supply of 5 million tokens being allocated towards airdrops.

    My MetaTrader have announced their airdrop is divided into two rounds. The first round is already over, but the date of the second round is yet to be announced. The second round will have the most tokens available for airdrops- 890,000 $MMT! To be eligible for their second round of airdrops, obtain special roles on their Discord channel and complete different tasks on Galxe and Crew3.

    Learn more with our My MetaTrader ($MMT) Token Airdrop Guide

    StarkNet ($STRK) Token Airdrop: Potential second round?

    StarkNet is a decentralized Validity-Rollup (or “ZK-Rollup”) that works on top of Ethereum, providing unlimited computational capacity to decentralized applications without sacrificing security or compatibility. It utilizes STARK, a secure and scalable cryptographic proof system, to ensure that transactions are secure and reliable. StarkNet is permission-free, meaning anyone can use it without needing to be approved by a third party. StarkNet’s alpha v0.11.0 has just gone live on Testnet, and the mainnet upgrade is expected to follow soon after.

    The best way to receive a potential StarkNet $STRK token airdrop is to interact with their testnet. Also, there are a few protocols on StarkNet that do not have a token yet. So using their DApps could put you in a position to receive their airdrops as well, allowing you to earn double rewards!

    Check out our StarkNet ($STRK) Token Airdrop Guide.

    MetaMask ($MASK) airdrop: TBC

    MetaMask is a popular browser extension that allows users to store their Ethereum (ETH)/ ERC-20 tokens as well as interact with other decentralized exchanges. It is highly popular for users that use ETH and/or its tokens often. This is because it is secure and allows users to have quick access to their funds.

    Check out our MetaMask Guide: How to set up an account? Plus tips and hacks for advanced users.

    On 16th March 2022, it was announced that MetaMask intends to launch its own token. Although there are few details of when the token would be launched, it was teased that the token’s ticker would be $MASK.

    Details of how to be eligible for MetaMask ($MASK) token airdrop have not been released. However, it is speculated that using the wallet for DeFi activities, swapping tokens, and bridging assets might entitle you to a MetaMask ($MASK) token airdrop when it happens.

    Learn more about MetaMask ($MASK) Token Airdrop Guide: Earn $4000 for Free

    Shardeum ($SHM) Airdrop: Details TBC

    Shardeum is a smart contract platform built on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Although it is similar to other state-sharding platforms like Harmony, Elrond and NEAR Protocol, Shardeum stands out by using dynamic state-sharding.

    Shardeum has not officially announced their $SHM token airdrop yet. However, Shardeum recently launched their betanet, and protocols on there also have incentives for early users. So the best chance to receive Shardeum token airdrops would be to interact with their testnet.

    For a full guide on how to potentially receive Shardeum ($SHM) token airdrops: Shardeum ($SHM) Token Airdrop Guide: Earn $1500 for Free

    LayerZero ($ZRO) Airdrop: TBC

    LayerZero ($ZRO) is an omnichain interoperability protocol that can be used for lightweight messaging across chains. They are able to provide authentic and guaranteed message delivery with configurable trustlessness. It is currently live on most major blockchains including Ethereum, Avalanche, Polygon, BNB Chain, Aptos, Fantom, Arbitrum, and Optimism.

    LayerZero has not launched its token yet but the team have referred to a $ZRO token in their documentation. However, it is hoped that when they do, they will airdrop the token to users of their dApps. Here are some suggestions for participating in any potential airdrop:

    1. Stake and Vote $STG on Stargate Finance
    2. Use the Stargate, USDC, Aptos and LiquidSwap bridges
    3. Use SushiSwap Cross-Chain Swap
    4. Use BitcoinBridge
    5. Interact with other dApps on LayerZero
    6. Get roles on the Stargate Guild

    However, do note that there is no official announcement regarding airdrops from the LayerZero team. So any suggested participation methods are speculation only.

    Learn more about LayerZero and details on how to be eligible for any future airdrops.

  • Active Crypto VCs To Watch: Secrets to Success?

    Active Crypto VCs To Watch: Secrets to Success?

    Crypto venture capitalists (VC) aim to invest in blockchain projects and companies with high potential. These firms usually provide early-stage startups with capital, guidance, and resources to help them expand. Venture capital firms are crucial to the blockchain ecosystem, as they offer valuable resources that enable projects to grow and scale rapidly. Here’s our picks for the top active crypto VCs you should follow and look out for.

    What is a crypto VC?

    A crypto VC, or crypto venture capitalist, is a type of venture capital firm that specializes in investing in early-stage startups that offer products or services related to cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and digital assets. They typically fund projects through equity investments, token sales, or other financial instruments. In addition to providing capital, crypto VCs also offer guidance and advice to the startups in which they invest.

    What does a crypto VC do?

    Crypto VCs fund projects through equity investments, token sales or other financial instruments. In addition, they also provide guidance and advice to the startups in which they invest. Hence, they play a vital role in the blockchain ecosystem by providing valuable resources to support projects’ growth and scaling quickly.

    What makes a good crypto VC?

    There are several factors that contribute to a good crypto venture capital (VC) firm. These include:

    Total assets under management (TUM)

    This measures the total value of all the investments managed by a venture capital firm. It is used to measure the size and performance of a firm and can indicate its success in attracting investors and making successful investments.

    Number of successful investments (track record)

    This serves as an indicator of a firm’s ability to identify, invest in, and help grow promising businesses. It provides a measure of the firm’s performance over time and allows potential investors to gauge the quality and success of the investments made.

    Reputation in the industry

    A good reputation helps build trust, which is essential for successful fundraising and investment. Additionally, a solid reputation can help to create relationships with the most promising entrepreneurs and startups, leading to more successful investments and higher returns for the firm.

    Network and resources

    Having access to resources such as industry contacts, financial advisors, legal counsel, and other specialized professionals can help a venture capital firm make informed decisions, maximize investment returns and protect its interests. Additionally, having an extensive network of investors can provide a venture capital firm with additional funding sources for new investments and support existing portfolio companies.

    The team

    The quality of a venture capital firm’s team and staff plays a significant role in the decision-making process. They must be knowledgeable about the industry, have a good understanding of the market, and be able to identify and assess potential investments accurately.

    Portfolio projects/companies

    The quality of portfolio clients directly affects a crypto VC’s return on investment. Venture capital firms invest in companies expecting to generate a significant return. If the portfolio companies are unsuccessful, the venture capital firm won’t be able to generate a profit.

    As a cryptocurrency trader, it can be helpful to follow these good crypto VC firms. This is because a crypto VC firms offer capital and operational assistance to blockchain startups that are behind innovative, disruptive ideas. The firms spend countless hours of research into finding viable crypto projects with the most potential. Also, the portfolios of crypto VC firms is publicly available, which offer a great opportunity for retail investors to spot the best upcoming crypto projects in the market. Therefore, by following a good crypto VC firm, crypto traders can gain enhanced market insights and stay informed about new opportunities and trends.

    Active Crypto VCs to look out for

    Based on the factors mentioned above, here are some active crypto VC firms to look out for in 2023.

    Sequoia Capital

    Number of investments: 1,805

    Total assets under management: $85 billion

    Sequoia Capital is a highly regarded venture capital firm with a reputation for investing in some of the world’s most successful technology companies, such as OpenAI, Apple, Google, and LinkedIn. Its ability to identify and support early-stage startups has earned it widespread admiration from entrepreneurs, investors, and the broader tech community. Notably, Sequoia Capital recently invested US$120 million in LayerZero Labs, a company developing a trustless omnichain interoperability protocol to connect multiple chains.

    LayerZero may do an airdrop in the future! Learn more with our LayerZero ($ZRO) Token Airdrop Guide

    Coinbase Ventures

    Number of investments: 328

    Total assets under management: Over 30 billion

    Coinbase Ventures was founded in 2018 by the Coinbase cryptocurrency exchange. However, Coinbase Ventures is not directly backed by the exchange and is a separate entity. It specializes in early-stage VC deals and operates almost exclusively in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. Some of the firm’s recent investments include Dolomite.io, Cloudburst Technologies, and zkLink, where it raised US$10 million.

    The firm mostly focuses on investing in Decentralized and Centralized finance (DeFi, CeFi), followed by crypto protocols and Web3 infrastructure.

    Pantera Capital

    Number of investments: 220

    Total assets under management: $4.1 billion in blockchain or blockchain-related assets

    Pantera Capital was founded on 12th February 2003 by Dan Morehead, a former CFO and head of Macro Trading at Tiger Management. Before 2014, Pantera’s focus was on global macro hedge fund investments. Since then, the firm has shifted its investment advisory services to concentrate solely on Bitcoin, other digital currencies, and related companies. Recent investments by Pantera Capital include OmniNetwork and Teahouse Finance. In particular, the recent investments into Prisim Labs and M’ZERO Labs were US$26 and US$22.5 million respectively.

    Binance Labs

    Number of investments: 90

    Total assets under management: $7.5 billion

    Binance Labs is a blockchain incubator and venture fund created by Binance, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. It has a major following in the industry for its commitment to helping startups succeed in the crypto and blockchain space. Binance Labs typically provides capital to blockchain startups in exchange for a stake in the new business. In addition to providing capital, Binance Labs offers support and guidance to these startups, assisting with developing their product/service, identifying potential customers and partners, and navigating the legal and regulatory environment. Binance Labs also provides access to their network of industry contacts and resources, which can help the startup succeed. Recent investments include Playbux, GOMBLE, Gameta and Polyhedra Network.

    Polychain Capital

    Number of investments: 198

    Total assets under management: $6 billion

    Polychain Capital was founded in 2016 by Olaf Carlson-Wee, who was previously an employee of Coinbase where he was Head of Risk. Investors of Polychain include Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, Union Square Ventures and Founders Fund. Their latest crypto/blockchain investments include Webb Protocol, Thetanuts Finance, Polyhedra Network and Scroll.io.

    Scroll.io plans to release their token around the same time as their mainnet launch in Q2 2023. This could mean a Scroll token airdrop! Learn more with our Scroll token airdrop guide.

    Digital Currency Group

    Number of investments: 301

    Total assets under management: $3.5 billion

    Digital Currency Group (DCG) was founded in 2015 by Barry Silbert. DCG has made over 301 investments and has had 36 exits. Some of its most notable exits include Coinbase, Voyager, and Silvergate Bank. DCG has also made 26 diversity investments. The company has six main subsidiaries: Grayscale Investments, Genesis, Foundry US, CoinDesk, Luno and TradeBlock. Grayscale Investments operates a number of publicly-traded trusts that hold cryptocurrency assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Genesis is an over-the-counter cryptocurrency exchange that also offers lending services. DCG is a bit quiet on the investment side in 2023, but have made 2 investments into Axoni and Coinflow Labs.

    Paradigm

    Number of investments: 92

    Total assets under management:  $1.51 billion

    Paradigm was founded in June 2018 and has invested in some of the most successful projects in the space, including Ethereum, MakerDAO, Filecoin, 0x and DFINITY. Paradigm has made 92 investments and has had 5 exits. Some of its most notable exits include Coinbase, Compound, and Tagomi. The Company has only made 2 investments so far in 2023, namely Ulvetanna and Conduit.

    Andreesen Horowitz (a16z)

    Number of investments: 40

    Total assets under management: $4.5 billion

    a16z, also known as Andreessen Horowitz, was founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz. The Company, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, supports bold entrepreneurs who are building the future through technology. They are stage agnostic and invest in seed to late-stage technology companies across various sectors including bio and healthcare, consumer, crypto, enterprise, fintech, games, and companies building toward American dynamism. a16z are the most active VC firms in our list, having made 9 investments in 2023 alone. Their most recent being a US$120 million investment into LayerZero Labs.

    Ozaru Ventures

    Number of investments: 29

    Ozaru Ventures was founded in 2021 and is currently based in Hong Kong. What sets Ozaru Ventures apart from other traditional VC firms is that it has an in-house creative content and PR marketing firm. This gives the Company a leading advantage in boosting the success of its investments in preparation for and after its public launch. Ozaru Ventures boasts an influencer network of over 1000 members and over 100 million followers across various social media platforms. This has allowed the Company to 5x the engagement and 300x the token launch of its portfolio companies. Notable investments in 2023 include an exclusive partnership with Hacken to tap into and promote its presence across Asia, which accounts for over 43% of global cryptocurrency activity.

    FBG Capital

    Number of investments: 72

    Total assets under management: $312 million

    FBG Capital was founded in 2015 and currently based in Singapore. They are one of the largest and earliest blockchain investment firms and their portfolio companies include Ampleforth, Dapp.com, FTX Exchange, Neutral Dollar, ThunderCore, and Wintermute Trading. FBG Capital have also been quite conservative in 2023, they have only 1 invested project, namely a US$3m investment in FilSwan.

    Union Square Ventures

    Number of investments: 414

    Total assets under management: $1.5 billion

    Union Square Ventures (USV) entered the blockchain and cryptocurrency space in 2011. As of last year, companies in the blockchain/cryptocurrency space made up 15% of its portfolio, and the fund invested in blockchain-related companies for a quarter of its most recent investments. Some of their notable investments in the cryptocurrency space include Coinbase. In 2023, USV made 7 investments, a high number compared to a lot of funds on this list. Of these, notable investments include a $14m and $55m investment into m3ter and Zeitview respectively.

    Draper Associates

    Number of investments: 355

    Total assets under management: $5 billion

    Draper Associates is a seed-stage venture capital firm founded in 1985 by Tim Draper, who also founded the Silicon Valley venture capital firm known as Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ). Draper Associates encourages entrepreneurs to drive their businesses to greatness and transform industries with new technologies. The firm has invested in many successful companies, including Tesla, Skype, Baidu, Twitch, and Robinhood. The Company has so far made 9 investments in 2023 in various industries, only 1 of which relates to cryptocurrency i.e. a $4m investment into Amboss.

    Conclusion

    Crypto venture capitalists are experts in investing in early-stage startups that focus on cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and digital assets. They provide funding through various means such as equity investments and token sales and offer valuable guidance and advice to the startups they invest in.

    While the VC firms mentioned in this article have established themselves as leaders in their field, there are many others that are still emerging. The cryptocurrency and blockchain space is constantly evolving with new companies entering the market. However, receiving VC funding does not guarantee success for a startup. It is ultimately up to the startup to demonstrate that their product or service is a worthwhile investment for VC firms.

  • Ledger Nano S Plus Hardware Wallet Review

    Ledger Nano S Plus Hardware Wallet Review

    The increasing popularity and adoption of cryptocurrency has expanded the wallet market. Now that many well-known traditional and crypto brands accept crypto as a payment option, enthusiasts are constantly on the lookout for safer ways to store their digital assets.

    Ledger is one of the most popular hardware crypto wallets in the sector. Since releasing the Nano S in 2016, Ledger has become a household name in the cryptocurrency space. To date, Ledger has launched three models of hardware crypto wallets, the Nano S, Nano X, and most recently, the Nano S Plus. The Ledger Nano S Plus retails for USD$79.

    CLICK BELOW TO BUY!

    Check out our previous Ledger reviews here:
    Ledger Nano X review
    Ledger Nano S review

    What is the Ledger Nano S Plus?

    The Nano S Plus is Ledger’s third release from its Nano series, a line of pocket-sized hardware crypto wallets. Ledger’s Nano S Plus has all of the features of the original Nano S but with a few upgrades, including support for NFT storage and management. Additionally, the Nano S Plus has built-in support for interacting with various DeFi (decentralized finance) apps and services. (thetelegramnews.com) The wallet is an effective option for people looking to manage crypto, NFTs, and other decentralized services in one place.

    New features of the Ledger Nano S Plus

    Ledger introduced the Nano S Plus with an exciting list of features and improvements over the two previous releases. Some of the major new features on the Nano S Plus include:

    • Bigger display. Same display size of the Nano X but on a smaller device!
    • Expanded cryptoasset support. The Nano S Plus doesn’t just hold cryptocurrencies, but also NFTs and is the first Ledger device to have DeFi app integration.
    • Industry-leading security. The Nano S Plus uses the same industry-leading security with CC EAL5+ certification.
    • Easy setup. USB plug-and-play feature means owners can begin using the device in minutes.
    • Low cost. The Nano S Plus comes at an affordable price of US$79, making it an attractive option for all levels of crypto traders.

    Security features: is the Nano S Plus safe?

    The Nano S Plus uses the same certified secure chip (CC EAL5+ chips) as the Nano X to protect users’ assets. This chip employs state-of-the-art technology that guarantees high-level security and asset protection against phishing and other asset extraction schemes. Additionally, the wallet has industry-standard security features, including a security phrase, PIN code locks, transaction confirmations, password encryption, and more.

    To learn more about the security features of the Nano S Plus and Nano X, click here.

    5/5 Security Rating

    Cryptoasset support

    A major Nano S Plus feature is the huge roster of supported crypto assets and apps. The Nano S Plus supports over 5,500 assets and can accommodate up to 100 different apps. Some supported assets include:

    • Bitcoin (BTC)
    • Ethereum (ETH)
    • ERC-20 tokens
    • Dogecoin (DOGE)
    • XRP
    • BNB
    • Cardano (ADA)
    • Polygon (MATIC)
    • Litecoin (LTC)
    • Tron (TRX)

    The Nano S Plus has 1.5MB of storage and with that can run over 100 apps simultaneously. On Ledger devices, an “app” refers to the app required to be installed to access a cryptocurrency on the device e.g. in order to access your BTC on the device you need to install the app on the Ledger first. Meaning that, unlike the Nano S which can only run 3 apps simultaneously, users are not required to delete apps in order to access other cryptocurrencies which do not have the apps already installed.

    But what is truly unique about the Nano S Plus is that it is the first Ledger device to offer NFT support. Users of the Nano S Plus can securely hold, send, and receive NFTs via the Ledger Live app. Ledger has made this process user-friendly, as owners can authenticate transactions right from the wallet’s interface.

    Users of the Nano S Plus can also access several DeFi applications through the Ledger Live user interface. Anyone can securely buy, exchange, lend or stake crypto assets.

    The NFT support and DeFi app access give the Nano S Plus an even bigger boost in features compared to the Nano S and for that reason, we rank this category even higher than the Nano X.

    4.8/5 cryptoasset support

    Hardware design

    Similar to the Nano S, the Nano S Plus also has two hardware buttons located on the top of the device.

    The Nano S Plus has a much larger screen than its predecessor, which makes usage very easy. Same as the Nano X, the 128 x 64-pixel screen makes operating the device simple and helps users navigate the product’s features. The main benefit of the larger screen is that users can see the entire wallet address clearly displayed as one line on the screen. The screen also blends well into the rest of the device, adding to the Nano S Plus’ aesthetic appeal. And whilst the screen size on the Nano S Plus is the same as the Nano X, the Nano S Plus is a much smaller device overall.

    The Ledger Nano S Plus’ measurements are smaller than the Nano X at 62.39 x 17.40 x 8.24 mm, and weighs in at only 21g. The wallet is about the size and weight of an average USB flash drive and is easy to carry around.

    4.5/5 for hardware design

    4.5/5 for ease of use

    What’s in the Ledger Nano S Plus Box?

    The Nano S Plus wallet comes with the following inside the box:

    • The Ledger Nano S Plus hardware
    • A Type-C USB cable to connect the Ledger to a computer
    • An orange box with three notepads for the Secret Recovery Phrase
    • A purple box with the manual instructions
    • A key-holder chain with a Ledger logo

    Final Verdict

    The Ledger Nano S Plus is a great option for enthusiasts looking for a secure, reliable, and easy-to-use hardware wallet. It offers the same features as the original Ledger Nano S and adds a lot more. Furthermore, users looking to upgrade from the older Ledger Nano S can quickly move their assets to the newer S Plus.

    The Ledger Nano S Plus is one of the best hardware wallet options on the market for crypto and NFT enthusiasts who currently own or plan to purchase NFTs or get involved with any DeFi project.

    The Ledger Nano S Plus retails for US$79.

    CLICK HERE TO BUY!

    Ledger Nano S Plus worth it?

    [wp-compear id=”5154″]

    Product Specifications (Technical Specifications)

    Ledger Nano S Plus Product Specifications:

    Processors
    Compatibility 64-bits desktop computer (Windows 8+, macOS 10.8+, Linux) excluding ARM Processors.Also compatible with smartphones Android 7+.
    Connector USB-C
    Security Certification CC EAL5+
    Size Size: 62.39mm x 17.40mm x 8.24 mm
    Weight: 21g
    Supported assets 5,550+ digital assets plus NFTs and DeFi app access
  • Crypto Market Analysis for Beginners: Looking at Macro Data (Inflation, Interest Rate) to Determine Trends

    Crypto Market Analysis for Beginners: Looking at Macro Data (Inflation, Interest Rate) to Determine Trends

    The crypto market is volatile and unpredictable, but there are events outside of the crypto space that heavily influences the performance of the market. If you are unsure of how the market will react, it always helps to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, which in this case is the macroeconomic data.

    Why Technical Analysis and Narratives are Not Enough

    A lot of people use technical analysis and narratives to determine future price movements. For example, traders would use chart patterns, trading ranges, and technical indicators to determine bullish or bearish trends. On the other hand, investors with a more fundamental approach tend to capitalize on rising narratives in the crypto industry, such as the upcoming Ethereum Shanghai Upgrade causing liquid staking derivatives to pump or halving events for Bitcoin.

    These can be effective strategies, but not always reliable because there are larger forces at play. When the Ethereum Merge came in September, everyone expected ETH to surge in price because of the hype. But the crypto market was under pressure from macroeconomic factors causing broader investment market volatility rather than negative reactions from investors. This was when inflation and interest rate was at its highest for the year, affecting not only the crypto market but other financial markets as well.

    How Do Macro Data Influence the Crypto Market?

    As we have seen in 2022, short term speculation has been significantly influenced by macroeconomics. Since crypto is not widely adopted yet, it is still treated as a speculative asset. As such, Bitcoin’s price movement tend to mirror Nasdaq tech stocks, despite its vision of decoupling from the stock market. It is important not to underestimate macro data as they affect all financial markets. These are some of the common macro data to look out for when analyzing the market.

    U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI)

    Inflation is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). It is a key economic metric based on prices that consumers pay for goods and services throughout the U.S. economy. When CPI is high, it means that prices for goods and services have risen, indicating inflation. Essentially, high inflation erodes the purchasing power of fiat currencies, meaning that individuals have less buying power for goods and services.

    As a result, inflationary pressures can cause market volatility, as people are more likely to save money for daily necessities and reduce their exposure to risky investments such as crypto. But as shown in the image below, the inflation rate and CPI are cooling off in 2023, which means that the worst is already behind us.

    Federal Interest Rate

    The federal interest rate, also known as the federal funds rate, is the benchmark interest rate set by the Federal Reserve (the central bank of the United States) for overnight lending between banks. It is measured in basis points (bps), describing the percentage change in the interest rate. One basis point is equal to 0.01%. It is an important tool used by the Fed to influence the overall level of interest rates in the economy and to affect the supply of credit.

    The fed rate goes hand-in-hand with CPI and inflation rate. If the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, it becomes more expensive to borrow money. This affects businesses in particular, and shifts the investment landscape from risk-on to risk-off, reducing the demand for stocks and crypto alike.

    Although CPI and inflation has been cooling off in 2023, it is not guaranteed that the Fed will scale back to 25 bps. According to Bloomberg, broader analysis of economic and financial conditions would favor the Fed raising rates by 50 bps. This could result in a stock market dip, which also affects the crypto market.

    Supply Chain

    The supply chain refers to the series of industries involved in the production, delivery, and distribution of goods and services worldwide. They are key indicators of global economic activities. Strong economic growth can increase demand for cryptocurrencies, as investors seek alternative investments in a growing market. On the other hand, weak economic growth or disruptions in the supply chain can reduce demand for cryptocurrencies and impact their price.

    As of 2023, the supply chain is slowly recovering as the COVID pandemic is dying down. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, supply chain leaders are focusing on automation, robotics and sustainability to improve manufacturing and solve labor cost problems. As such, shipping costs and gas prices have gone down. But there are still some areas struggling with shortages and bottlenecks, leading to bankruptcies and unemployment. For more information, Forbes has published an article sharing their insight on supply chain trends in 2023.

    US Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

    Out of all countries, the US seems to have been the dominating narrative in what has affected the price action of the crypto market. This could be related to the US CPI and Fed interest rates. While the US GDP does not have a direct affect on crypto prices, it can indirectly impact crypto prices by affecting the overall economy, consumer confidence, and market sentiment.

    A strong US economy may increase consumer confidence and investment, potentially leading to an increase in crypto prices. Conversely, a weak economy may lead to a decrease in consumer confidence and investment, potentially leading to a decrease in crypto prices.

    Housing Market

    The housing market can affect crypto prices indirectly, as changes in the housing market can impact the overall economy and consumer confidence. A strong housing market can boost consumer confidence and lead to an increase in investment, potentially resulting in an increase in crypto prices.

    On the other hand, a weak housing market can dampen consumer confidence and lead to a decrease in investment, potentially leading to a decrease in crypto prices. However, it is important to note that the relationship between the housing market and crypto prices is not direct and can vary depending on various other factors such as interest rates, economic policy, and global events.

    As of 2023, the supply chain recovery has helped bring back inventory of single family homes on the market, and has increased the supply side as well. But with mortgage rates increasing, it is unlikely there will be an increase in demand for housing any time soon. Therefore, it is highly likely there will be a housing market correction, but we do not know if it is going to small or big.

    Source: Altos Research

    Oil Prices

    Energy has been a critical factor in the economic turmoil and increased inflation in the past year, and it has mainly come from oil prices. With the ongoing war in Ukraine, many people were fearful of a major worldwide energy crisis this winter. Although there was an energy crisis in Europe, it was not as bad as predicted. Meanwhile, oil prices dropped from $120 to $80 as a result of CPI and inflation rate cooling off.

    Key Takeaway

    Macroeconomic data is important for crypto prices because it can provide insight into the health and stability of the overall economy, which can impact investor confidence and market sentiment. This, in turn, can affect demand for cryptocurrencies and ultimately their prices. Macroeconomic data such as GDP, inflation, interest rates, employment figures, and trade balances can all provide a broader understanding of the economic environment, helping traders and investors make informed decisions about the crypto market. Additionally, changes in macroeconomic conditions can also impact the supply and demand of cryptocurrencies, affecting their prices.

  • Derivatives Trading with FTX Exchange: Ultimate Guide

    Derivatives Trading with FTX Exchange: Ultimate Guide

    FTX EXCHANGE (INCLUDING FTX INTERNATIONAL AND FTX.US) ARE NO LONGER IN OPERATION

    Both exchanges have filed for bankruptcy. Subsequently, the exchange was “hacked” and more than US$600 million worth of cryptocurrencies drained. The hacker is strongly rumoured to be a former FTX employee. For more about how this story unfolded and the latest news, check out these articles:

    Derivatives Trading is a lucrative market, it is estimated to be worth more than $1 quadrillion all over the world according to Investopedia. This insane valuation is possible because derivatives are available for every type of asset in the world, you have derivatives for stocks, commodities, physical assets, and even cryptocurrency. 

    According to Investopedia, the size is almost 10 times that of the gross domestic product of the entire world. It is important to understand that the notional value and the actual value of the derivatives market are two different things, which can explain such a high valuation.  

    What is Derivatives Trading?

    Diving into the cryptocurrency world can be overwhelming. You are immediately faced with an insurmountable wall of options and information on different types of trades. Each trade may or may not eventually make you money, however, each type of trade has its learning curve, complexities, and barriers to entry. 

    Newcomers may have heard about derivatives trading as a very good way of making money, and they might be curious about derivatives trading as an option to do this. However, as with anything, it is important to make sure you understand the basics first and ensure you have appropriate risk mitigation strategies in place if you do decide to invest.

    This article aims to set out how to learn about derivatives trading, and provides derivatives on FTX Exchange as an example.

    What are Derivatives?

    Derivatives, simply put, is a contract between two parties, the contract is based on an underlying asset which can be anything but. In the traditional sense, it is either a stock or a commodity. Derivatives are popular in the crypto market as well, as more and more traders emerge themselves in all that the flourishing market has to offer. 

    A derivative is not a type of trade rather it is a collection of a few trades. For example future contracts, swaps, options, and warrants, all of which are based upon a contract of an underlying asset. In derivatives trading, the contract is really important, and it is widely used by traders all around the world to hedge risk and commensurate rewards.

    Further details about derivatives

    You can think of derivatives as a secondary asset that represents a contract on the primary asset, so it is directly linked to the value of the primary asset which is called the underlying asset. 

    This may sound jumbled up and complex, however, derivatives are an advanced investing option usually used by experienced traders. 

    Derivatives have two main classes, namely: lock and options. The lock class is made up of swaps, futures, and forward contracts, these contracts are called lock contracts because the parties are locked in the contract up until the life of the contract expires. 

    For example, if a person specifies they will buy or sell a futures contract they have to buy it or sell it at the end of the expiration period. In the options class the holder has the right to buy or sell the asset as specified in the contract, but he is not obligated to do so. Meaning the buyer can hold off on buying the asset and only give the money that he is owed and the seller can also opt to not sell the underlying asset.

    Futures contracts

    Futures contracts are a type of derivatives trade in which the price of the underlying asset affects the contract. It is a contract, as the name suggests, in which the seller and the buyer sign a contract to exchange the asset at a predetermined date with a predetermined price that is set somewhere in the future. 

    Future contracts are based on the expiration date generally, for example, in stocks, future contracts are known based on the month they expire in. Futures contracts are also available for stocks, cryptos, and commodities.

    Equity options

    Equity options derive their value from the underlying stock, the equity options work on two types of trades: calls and puts. Call options are the type of trade in which the holder of the option has the right to buy the asset at a strike price (preset price) and also a time both of which are preset in the contract. In the Put option, the seller has the right to sell the asset on a price and date that is specified in the contract.

    Example of equity options

    It is really easy to understand how options work. For example, a trader anticipates a fall in the price of bitcoin so what he does is that he sells ‘put’ options for the asset to be sold at a certain price, which may be the price before the fall.

    The trader now has a hedge against the fall of the price, if at the time of expiration of the contract the price of the asset has dwindled further he does not lose money, thus creating a very comfortable space for him.

    Differences between options and futures contracts

    For people who are new to futures, it is important to understand there is a difference between futures and options. An options contract does not put an obligation on the buyer or the seller. In the American way of doing business, it gives them the right to execute the trade before the expiration time, while in Europe the right is given after the expiration time. 

    In a futures contract, the buyer has to take possession of the underlying asset, and subsequently, the seller has to sell him that asset, they can settle for the cash equivalent. However, the trade has to take place. 

    The buyer also has the option of loading off their position any time before the trade expires to get rid of their obligation. This is one thing that is common in options as well as futures trading giving an advantage to the buyer to benefit from the leverage holder’s position before expiration.

    FTX Exchange

    There are more than 1,000 crypto exchanges globally, each trying hard to break in and flip the market over its head and acquire a lot of customers. Yet only a select few have succeeded in the endeavor. 

    FTX has been one of the most promising exchanges, the exchange has in a very short time become the ‘go-to’ for professional traders, as it offers options other exchanges cannot. 

    As a result, it is one of the biggest derivative trading platforms for crypto in the world. It is highly recommended by crypto traders that have been working for a long time in the field. 

    FTX was founded by Sam Bankman-Fried in 2019. He is also the founder of Alameda Research, a cryptocurrency, and blockchain research company that creates specialized algorithms for trading cryptocurrency. 

    Learn how to get started with our FTX Exchange Guide.

    How to trade Derivatives on FTX Exchange

    As have previously published guides on how to add cryptocurrency in your wallet on FTX exchange, you can check it out over here. You would need cryptocurrency in your wallet to post collateral for futures so make sure you add some cryptocurrency to your wallet. 

    To trade futures on FTX you would first need to go to the markets tab at the top of the platform’s home page. 

    Once you have reached there you would be able to see the futures section, where several contracts would already be listed.

    In the section, you would be able to see almost all kinds of details about the futures, their expiration, price, trading volume, and the change in their value over the day as well. Along with crypto, you can also deal in futures contracts of US-based stocks and also some commodities as well.

    Once you choose the type of future you want to trade, you are taken to the console which has almost all the information one needs to trade the future.

    In the middle of the console, you can look at the trading window which has the graphs displayed. 

    The top right corner shows you the index details as well as the price of the futures contract, along with its expiration. The bottom right shows you details of the collateral you have available, and the leverage can also be set from there as well. 

    Coming down from the console you can come to the order book as well as the order execution tab and the market trades tab:

    Futures are a type of trade that is very complex thus requiring a lot of information on the console screen for traders to make a decision. Thus while the console may look clustered it is functional. 

    At the bottom of the console is the history book, where you can take a look at different positions you have had and the ones currently you are in. The data gives you a summary of the performance over time.

    The futures trades can be made through the console easily by keeping the collateral in your wallets. Once you have the collateral you can start trading futures through the exchange easily. 

    Trading options

    Options are traded just like futures on the exchange, a topic that has already been covered on the website. You can either go long or short on a particular contract and the settlement is made at the end equal to the expiration price.

    Expiration of Contract

    FTX’s options are usually settled in USD, it is important to note that on FTX the price of a particular cryptocurrency is based on the FTX crypto index’s average at any time one hour before expiration. This is a common practice to beat volatility in the market. 

    Let’s just assume you short sell two options of BTC each priced at around $300, now the BTC expiration price according to the contract is $35,200. That means that your option is worth $200. 

    Your option gives you the right to buy BTC at $35,000. Now, if the contract expires as such, after expiration you will have essentially a profit of $400 based on your holdings, which means that the $200 above the price of the BTC translates to the $400 profit that you will get at the end.  

    Buying and selling options on FTX

    To trade options on FTX exchange you first need to go to the Options section of the platform. The options can be curated based on the requirements you set.

    You can create an option based on your requirements and request a quote on the platform which is the most common way of buying options. 

    There are many people on the platform checking the requests and within 10 seconds you might find a responder to your bid. Then it is up to you to accept, as soon as you accept the quote the contract starts. 

    You can look at the requests you have opened in the ‘My Requests’ section. 

    Quoting Options on FTX

    Quoting is also really simple, you can look at the requests for quotes posted by people on the platform, you can take a look at the requirements set by them and give them a quote. Whichever quote is a better deal would be shown to the person who makes the request. 

    It is important to note that you have no idea if the person posting the request is buying or selling, you have to provide a quotation for both scenarios.

    You can see the requests for quotes in the ‘All Requests’ section.

    Conclusion

    As discussed, FTX was founded as a tool for crypto traders who didn’t have a lot of options to start trading with. Over time the exchange has developed a curated set of options for its customers. 

    The platform is very stable with a  focus on simplicity and minimalism, nothing on the platform is without a purpose. The simplicity makes it very easier for people to start trading on FTX. 

    However, it should be pointed out that futures and options trading are advanced levels of investing and require lots of research, reading, and learning before starting to invest. 

    It is a good way of hedging your risks in the market, however, you should only trade at the start with the money you can afford to lose, reckless investing is not the way to go about it. Hopefully, this guide will help you get started on your crypto trading journey. 

    Check out our other FTX guides

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.