List of questions about [Cryptocurrency]

If you're ready to explore the vibrant ecosystem of Solana—from DeFi to NFTs—you'll need a passport. You need a secure place to store your assets and a tool to interact with all the applications. For millions of users, that passport is the Phantom app.

Phantom is the most popular and widely used crypto wallet for the Solana blockchain. But before you dive in, it's critical to understand what it is and how to use it safely.

What is the Phantom App

Phantom is a non custodial cryptocurrency wallet, available as both a browser extension and a mobile application. The term non custodial is crucial, as it means you, and only you, have full control over your private keys and your digital assets. While it was built specifically for the Solana blockchain and its SPL tokens, it has since expanded to support other networks, making it a versatile tool for Web3 users.

Core Features and Capabilities

The Phantom app provides a comprehensive suite of tools that go far beyond simply storing crypto. Its primary function is to act as a secure and seamless bridge to the world of decentralized applications. Users can store their Solana (SOL), and other tokens, as well as manage their NFT collections in a visually appealing gallery. The wallet allows for one click connections to DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, and blockchain games. It also has built in features that allow users to swap tokens directly within the wallet and to stake their SOL to earn rewards.

Why Phantom is So Popular

Phantom's success can be attributed to two main factors. First and foremost is its exceptional user experience. The wallet features a clean, intuitive, and modern interface that makes navigating the complexities of Web3 feel simple and accessible, even for beginners. This focus on design set a new standard for crypto wallets. Second is its forward thinking approach to a multi chain future. Recognizing that users operate across multiple blockchains, Phantom has expanded its support to include Ethereum and Polygon, allowing users to manage assets from different ecosystems within a single, familiar application.

Security and Trust

As a non custodial wallet, Phantom's security model is centered on user responsibility. The safety of your funds depends on the secure storage of your secret recovery phrase. The app itself has been independently audited to ensure its code is secure. For users seeking an

You will be given a 12-word secret recovery phrase. This is the single most important piece of information you will ever receive in crypto.

• It is the master key to your funds. Anyone who has this phrase can access your wallet and steal everything in it, from anywhere in the world.
• Write it down on paper. Store it in multiple, secure, offline locations.
• NEVER store it as a screenshot, in a text file, or in a password manager.
• NEVER give it to anyone. No support staff, no admin, no friendly helper will ever ask for it. Anyone who does is a scammer.

If you lose this phrase, your funds are gone forever. There is no "forgot password" option.

Your First Step: Funding Your Wallet

Your new Phantom wallet is empty. To start using it, you need to fund it with Solana's native coin, SOL, which is used to pay for transaction fees. The best way to do this is to acquire SOL on a secure and trusted centralized exchange.

The world of web3 crypto is buzzing with excitement, promising a decentralized, user-controlled internet powered by blockchain technology. But what exactly is web3 in crypto, and why should you care?

Whether you’re a curious newbie or a seasoned investor looking for the best web3 crypto opportunities, this guide breaks down everything you need to know. From web3 crypto onboarding to tokenization and real-world assets (RWA)

we’ll explore how this revolutionary technology is reshaping finance and how you can jump in with confidence. Buckle up—this is your ticket to mastering crypto web3!

What is Web3 in Crypto?

Let’s start with the basics.

Web1 was the "read-only" internet — think static websites and dial-up speeds.
Web2 brought us social media, mobile apps, and cloud-based platforms — it's the interactive, social web we know today.

Web3 is the next generation of the internet, and it's built on blockchain technology. The key difference? Ownership and decentralization.

Instead of companies like Google or Facebook owning your data, Web3 gives users control through smart contracts, decentralized apps (dApps), and crypto tokens.

Why Web3 Crypto Matters: The Future of Wealth Creation

The best web3 crypto projects aren’t just hype—they’re transforming how we interact with money, assets, and the internet. Here’s why you should care:

- Ownership and Control: With Web3, you hold the keys to your digital wallet, meaning you control your funds and data. No more relying on centralized platforms that could freeze your account or sell your info.

- Real-World Assets (RWA): Tokenization allows you to invest in assets like real estate, art, or even intellectual property with as little as $100. This democratizes wealth-building opportunities previously reserved for the ultra-rich.

- Global Accessibility: Web3 crypto platforms are borderless, enabling anyone with an internet connection to participate in decentralized finance or dApps.

- Passive Income Opportunities: Staking, yield farming, and liquidity pools in DeFi offer ways to grow your crypto holdings without active trading.

Pro Tip: If you’re researching “how to invest in web3 crypto,” start with understanding web3 crypto onboarding. The learning curve can feel steep, but with the right education, you’ll be ready to make informed decisions.

How to Get Started with Web3 Crypto: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Educate Yourself on Web3 and Crypto Basics

Start with free resources like YouTube channels, blogs, or platforms like CoinMarketCap for web3 crypto education. Learn key terms like:

- Blockchain: A decentralized ledger that records all transactions.

- Tokenization: Converting assets into digital tokens.

In the often-turbulent world of cryptocurrency, one exchange has consistently built its brand on two words: security and regulation. That exchange is Gemini.

Founded in 2014 by the famous entrepreneurs Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, Gemini was created to be a bridge between the traditional financial world and the new frontier of digital assets. It's an exchange designed to make institutions and cautious investors feel safe.

But what exactly is the Gemini crypto platform, and what makes it different from the rest? This guide will provide a balanced review of its strengths and weaknesses.

The Core Philosophy: "Trust Is Our Product"

From day one, Gemini's strategy has been to work with regulators, not against them. Their defining feature is their status as a New York trust company, which means they are regulated by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS)—one of the most stringent financial regulators in the United States.

This "regulation-first" approach is their key differentiator and the primary reason they are trusted by large institutions.

Key Features of the Gemini Platform

Gemini offers a suite of products aimed at different types of users:

• Gemini Exchange: A user-friendly platform for buying, selling, and storing a range of cryptocurrencies.
• Gemini Custody™: A high-security, institutional-grade solution for storing large amounts of crypto offline in cold storage.
• Gemini Dollar (GUSD): Gemini's own U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, which is fully backed by cash reserves and audited monthly.
• Nifty Gateway: A premier marketplace for buying and selling high-end NFTs, which was acquired by Gemini.

A Critical Word of Caution: The Gemini Earn Failure

No review of Gemini would be complete or honest without mentioning the failure of its Gemini Earn program. This was an interest-bearing product that allowed users to lend out their crypto. Gemini collaborated with a third-party borrower, Genesis, whose bankruptcy led to the prolonged freezing of billions of dollars' worth of customer funds.

This event serves as a crucial reminder of the risks of CeFi lending and the importance of the phrase "Not your keys, not your coins." While the exchange itself remains secure, the Earn program highlighted the dangers of counterparty risk.

Who is Gemini Best For

The platform is specifically designed to appeal to certain user profiles. It is an excellent starting point for beginners who may feel overwhelmed by the perceived risks of the crypto market and want the reassurance of a highly regulated platform. It is also a preferred choice for institutional investors and high net worth individuals who require a compliant partner for their digital asset investments. For any user whose primary concern is security and regulatory adherence over having access to the widest possible range of smaller, more speculative altcoins, Gemini presents a compelling option.

Introduction

Automation is the buzzword of the year. But should you trust a human "Master Trader" or an AI algorithm? Both have strengths, and the best choice depends on your personality and goals.

AI Trading Bots: Speed and Logic

Bots are excellent for sideways markets. They never sleep and can execute grid trading strategies to profit from small price fluctuations. However, bots struggle with major news events (like a sudden regulatory ban or a hacked protocol) because they can't "read the room."

Copy Trading: Human Intuition

Copy trading relies on humans who can react to news. If a war breaks out or the Fed cuts rates, a human trader can pause trading or hedge their position immediately.

• Pros: Flexible, adaptive, handles "Black Swan" events better.
• Cons: Humans have emotions; they can have "bad days."

The Hybrid Approach

The smartest investors use both.

1. Use AI Bots for stable, high-cap assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum to farm consistent yield.

2. Use Copy Trading for complex strategies like derivatives or finding the next gem on BYDFI’s leaderboard.

Conclusion

Have you ever stared at a chaotic crypto chart, watching prices fly up and down, and wished you had a secret weapon to make sense of it all? You’re not alone. The volatility of the crypto market can be intimidating, but there’s one tool that smart traders rely on to cut through the noise: the Relative Strength Index, or RSI.

If you’ve been searching for "rsi crypto" or "how to use rsi crypto," this is the guide for you. We’ll break down what the RSI indicator is, how to use it specifically for cryptocurrency trading, and reveal advanced strategies—like RSI divergence—that can give you a serious edge. By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to add this powerful tool to your trading arsenal.

What is the RSI Indicator in Crypto?

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a momentum indicator that measures the speed and magnitude of an asset's recent price changes to evaluate overbought or oversold conditions. Developed by J. Welles Wilder Jr. in the late 1970s, it’s displayed as an oscillator (a line graph) that moves between 0 and 100 at the bottom of your trading chart.

Think of the RSI as a speedometer for the crypto market. It doesn’t just tell you the current price; it tells you how fast and how hard the price is moving in one direction. This helps you identify whether a trend is gaining strength or running out of steam and potentially ready for a reversal.

The Core Concepts: Reading Overbought & Oversold Signals

The RSI indicator is most famous for its ability to signal "overbought" and "oversold" market conditions. The standard interpretation uses two key threshold levels:

• Overbought (RSI above 70): When the RSI crosses above 70, it suggests that an asset has been rising in price too quickly and may be due for a correction or pullback. Many traders view this as a potential signal to sell or take profits.
• Oversold (RSI below 30): When the RSI drops below 30, it suggests that an asset has been falling in price too quickly and may be oversold. This is often viewed as a potential value buying opportunity before a rebound.

A Critical Crypto Warning: While the standard 70/30 rule is a great starting point, the crypto market is famously volatile. In strong bull runs, Bitcoin or Ethereum can stay "overbought" (above 70) for days or even weeks while the price keeps climbing. Relying solely on these basic signals to immediately buy or sell is a common beginner mistake. To trade effectively, you need smarter strategies.

How to Use an RSI Crypto Strategy: From Basic to Advanced

A successful RSI crypto strategy goes beyond just buying blindly at 30 and selling at 70. Here are two more reliable techniques used by experienced traders.

1. Basic Strategy: Trading with Trend Confirmation

Instead of trying to catch the exact top or bottom, use the RSI to confirm the existing trend.

• In an Uptrend: Wait for the price to dip. If the RSI dips into oversold territory (below 30) and then crosses back above it, this can be a strong confirmation to buy, as you are entering a larger upward trend at a good value.
• In a Downtrend: Wait for a rally. If the RSI rises into overbought territory (above 70) and then crosses back below it, this can be a signal to sell, as the temporary rally is likely losing momentum.

2. Advanced Strategy: The Power of RSI Divergence

This is widely considered the most powerful way to use RSI in crypto. RSI Divergence occurs when the price of a cryptocurrency is moving in the opposite direction of the RSI indicator. It’s often a leading signal that a trend is weakening and a reversal is imminent.

• Bullish Divergence (A Buy Signal): This happens when the price of the crypto makes a new lower low, but the RSI makes a higher low. This indicates that while the price is still dropping, the selling momentum is fading. It’s a strong signal that a move upward may be coming.
• Bearish Divergence (A Sell Signal): This happens when the price makes a new higher high, but the RSI makes a lower high. This suggests that even though the price is rising, the buying momentum is getting weaker, and a price drop could follow.

What Are the Best RSI Settings for Crypto?

The standard default RSI setting is 14 periods (e.g., 14 hours on an hourly chart, or 14 days on a daily chart). This is a solid, balanced starting point for most traders.

However, because crypto is so volatile, many traders adjust these settings to suit their style:

• For Day Trading (Higher Sensitivity): Traders might use a lower period setting like 7, 9, or even 5. This will make the RSI move faster and generate more trading signals, though it also increases the risk of "false alarms."
• For Swing Trading (Lower Sensitivity): Traders might use a higher period like 21 or 25. This smooths out the line and generates fewer signals, but those signals are often more reliable for longer-term moves.
• Adjusting Levels: To filter out noise in extremely volatile altcoin markets, some traders change the overbought/oversold thresholds to 80/20 instead of 70/30, ensuring they only act on the most extreme price movements.

Final Thoughts: RSI is a Tool, Not a Crystal Ball

The RSI indicator is an essential tool for understanding market momentum in the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency. It helps you see beneath the surface of price action to gauge the real strength of a trend. However, no single indicator is perfect. The best results come when you combine RSI with other analysis techniques like support/resistance levels and trend lines.

You're setting up a leveraged trade. You've chosen your asset, decided on your entry price, and selected your leverage. Then, just before you execute, you see it: a small but critical choice between "Isolated Margin" and "Cross Margin." This is not a minor setting to be ignored. The choice you make here will fundamentally change how the platform manages your risk and could be the difference between a small, contained loss and a catastrophic account wipeout. As your guide, let's break down exactly what this choice means so you can make the right decision for your strategy.

The Poker Table Analogy

To understand the difference, imagine you are at a poker table with your entire wallet of cash in your pocket.

• Isolated Margin is like taking a specific amount of cash—say, $100—out of your wallet, putting it on the table, and declaring, "This is all I am willing to risk on this one hand."
• Cross Margin is like putting your entire wallet on the table and declaring, "I will use any and all of the money in this wallet to keep all of my hands in the game."

Isolated Margin: Containing Your Risk

When you select Isolated Margin, you are assigning a specific amount of your capital (your margin) to one single position. That margin is completely walled off from your other positions and the rest of your account balance. If the trade goes against you and gets liquidated, the maximum you can possibly lose is the specific margin you assigned to that one trade. The rest of your account balance remains untouched. This makes it an incredibly powerful tool for risk management.

Cross Margin: Sharing Your Risk

When you select Cross Margin, you are using your entire available account balance as a shared pool of margin for all of your open positions. If one position starts to lose money and nears its liquidation price, the system will automatically draw more margin from your available balance to prevent that liquidation. The advantage is that it gives your trades more breathing room and can help you survive larger price swings. However, the danger is immense. A single, disastrously bad trade can act like a black hole, draining your entire account balance as it tries to save itself, potentially leading to the liquidation of not just that one position but your whole portfolio.

Which One Should You Use? A Clear Recommendation

The choice depends entirely on your experience and strategy. For the vast majority of traders, especially those who are not yet seasoned professionals, the answer is clear: Isolated Margin should be your default choice. It provides a built-in safety net that forces you to define your risk on a per-trade basis, preventing one bad decision from destroying your entire account. Cross Margin is a tool for highly advanced traders, market makers, or those running sophisticated, multi-position strategies where different trades are designed to hedge one another. It requires constant monitoring and is far less forgiving. Before placing any leveraged trade, it is essential to understand all the core concepts and risks, as detailed in our main guide: [Leverage Trading in Crypto: A Guide to the Double--Edged Sword].

So, you're looking at BNB, and you're at a critical decision point. You see its massive ecosystem, its position as a top-tier cryptocurrency, and you're asking the big question: "Is BNB a good long-term investment?"

It's a question that deserves a thoughtful, honest answer. On one hand, the potential seems huge. On the other, you might have heard whispers about regulatory issues or centralization. You're not just looking for hype; you're looking for a clear, balanced view so you can make a smart decision with your own money.

Let's cut through the noise together and look at both the bull case (the reasons to be optimistic) and the bear case (the risks you must consider).

Why People Are Optimistic About BNB

1. It's the Engine of the World's Biggest Crypto Ecosystem
This is the single most powerful argument for BNB. Its value is directly tied to the success of Binance, the largest and most dominant cryptocurrency exchange in the world. This gives BNB a massive, built-in user base and a network effect that is incredibly difficult to compete with. As long as Binance remains a king in the industry, there will be a strong foundation of demand for its native token.

2. It Has Real, Constant Utility
Unlike many other cryptocurrencies, BNB has a wide range of tangible uses that constantly drive demand.

• Gas Fees: It is the essential "gas" that powers every transaction on the high-traffic BNB Smart Chain.
• Launchpad Access: Holding BNB is often your ticket to participate in the Binance Launchpad, giving you early access to new and promising crypto projects.
• Trading Fee Discounts: The original use case still stands, offering discounts on the world's most popular exchange.

This constant, utility-driven demand is a powerful anchor for its value.

3. A Powerful Deflationary Model (The "Burn")
BNB has a unique economic feature: a regular "coin burn." The BNB team periodically uses a portion of its revenue to buy back and permanently destroy BNB tokens. This process is designed to reduce the total supply over time. Basic economics tells us that if demand remains constant or grows while supply shrinks, the value of the remaining assets should increase. This deflationary pressure is a very attractive feature for long-term investors.

The Risks You Absolutely Must Consider

1. The Shadow of Centralization
This is the most common critique of BNB and it's a valid one. Unlike decentralized projects like Bitcoin or Ethereum, BNB's fate is inextricably linked to a single, centralized company: Binance. This means decisions are made by a corporate entity, not a decentralized community. For crypto purists and investors who prioritize decentralization, this is a significant drawback.

2. The Regulatory Gauntlet
This is the elephant in the room. Binance, as the industry leader, has faced intense scrutiny and challenges from regulators all over the world. The legal and regulatory landscape for crypto is still being written, and any major action taken against the company could directly and negatively impact the price and perception of BNB. This is a real and present risk that you cannot ignore.

3. Intense Competition
The space for Layer 1 blockchains is arguably the most competitive in all of crypto. The BNB Smart Chain is in a constant battle for market share with Ethereum and its growing ecosystem of Layer 2s, as well as other major players like Solana, Avalanche, and more. To maintain its position, the BNB Chain must continue to innovate and attract both developers and users.

So, What's the Verdict?

Investing in BNB is fundamentally a bet on the continued success, dominance, and navigating ability of the Binance ecosystem.

If you believe that Binance will successfully navigate the complex regulatory environment and maintain its position as the world's crypto hub, then the case for BNB is very strong. However, if you are concerned about the risks of centralization or the potential impact of government regulations, then you need to weigh those risks heavily.

Stripe's Strategic Gambit: Absorbing Valora's Core Team to Power Its Crypto Ambitions

In a move that signals a profound and aggressive shift in strategy, the global fintech leader Stripe has executed a targeted acquisition of the key engineering and product team behind Valora, a premier mobile cryptocurrency wallet. This strategic talent infusion arrives at a moment of exceptional momentum for Stripe, following immediately on the heels of the public launch of the open testnet for Tempo—its highly anticipated, stablecoin-native blockchain project. Together, these events mark not just an investment, but a declaration: Stripe is building the foundational infrastructure for the next generation of digital finance, and is assembling an all-star team to make it a reality.

The Anatomy of a Strategic  Acqui-Hire

This transaction is a classic example of a strategic  acqui-hire,  where the primary asset being acquired is not a product or intellectual property, but human capital and specialized expertise. Valora’s consumer-facing application will continue to operate independently, with its development and ownership reverting to cLabs, the Celo ecosystem incubator from which it was originally spun out in 2021. Stripe’s objective is clear: to internalize the deep, hands-on knowledge of Valora’s builders—their experience in crafting intuitive user journeys, managing multi-chain asset support, and understanding the nuances of global, mobile-first financial inclusion.

A Convergence of Vision: Financial Access as a Unifying Mission

The alignment between Stripe's corporate mission and Valora's operational history is striking. Valora was founded on the principle of using stablecoins and crypto rails to expand economic participation, a goal that resonates deeply with Stripe’s long-standing aim to  grow the GDP of the internet.

Jackie Bona, Valora’s CEO, emphasized this shared conviction, stating that joining Stripe provides a platform with "unparalleled reach" to accelerate their mission.

Through this work, we’ve seen firsthand how access to stablecoins and crypto rails can expand economic opportunity, Bona explained. In the past few months, it became clear that we could accelerate this mission by joining Stripe. This sentiment suggests a period of collaborative discovery that ultimately convinced both parties their paths were best walked together.

The Talent Dividend: What the Valora Team Brings to Stripe

The Valora team arrives at Stripe with a rare and critical skillset, forged in the competitive crucible of consumer crypto. Their expertise spans three vital domains:

1- User-Centric Web3 Design: They have proven adept at abstracting blockchain complexity into simple, engaging mobile experiences—the exact challenge facing mass adoption.

Let's get straight to the point, because this is one of the most important and misunderstood questions in the entire crypto space. You used your crypto to buy a coffee, pay a freelancer, or purchase a product online. The question is, did you just create a taxable event for yourself?

In most cases, the answer is yes.

In the eyes of the IRS and many other global tax authorities, cryptocurrencies are treated as property, not currency. This single fact is the key to everything. It means the rules that apply to selling stocks or a piece of real estate also apply to your crypto.

This guide will walk you through exactly what that means, how it works, and what you need to do to handle it correctly.

The Two-Part Transaction: Why It's Taxable

When you pay for something with crypto, you aren't just making a purchase. From a tax perspective, you are actually performing two
separate actions:

1. You are SELLING your cryptocurrency at its current fair market value.
2. You are immediately using the cash proceeds from that sale to buy the item or service.

It is the first part of that transaction—the selling of your crypto—that triggers the taxable event.

How It Works: Calculating Capital Gains or Losses

The amount of tax you owe depends on whether you had a capital gain or a capital loss on the crypto you "sold." Here’s the simple formula:
Fair Market Value (at time of payment) - Cost Basis (what you originally paid for it) = Capital Gain or Loss

Let's use a real-world example:

• Last year, you bought 0.1 ETH for $200 (this is your cost basis).
• Today, you use that 0.1 ETH to buy a new tablet. The fair market value of that 0.1 ETH at the moment you make the payment is $350.
• Your capital gain is: $350 - $200 = $150.

In this scenario, you would need to report a $150 capital gain on your taxes, just as if you had sold a stock for a $150 profit.

What if the price went down? If the market value of your ETH had dropped to 150 at the time of payment, you would have a ∗∗150 at the time of payment, you would have a **150 at the time of payment, you would have a ∗∗ 50 capital loss**, which you could potentially use to offset other gains.

Are There Any Exceptions?

There are very few. The rule applies whether you are buying a car or a cup of coffee. The only time it generally does not apply is if you are buying more cryptocurrency with another cryptocurrency (e.g., using BTC to buy ETH). This is often considered a "like-kind exchange," though you should consult with a tax professional as regulations can change. For a deeper dive into the official stance, you can [refer to the IRS virtual currency guidance].

The Key Takeaway

Using crypto for payments is one of its most exciting use cases, but it comes with a responsibility to track your transactions carefully. Every payment is a disposal of property and needs to be accounted for. This is why many long-term investors choose to hold their primary crypto assets and use a stablecoin or fiat currency for payments, to avoid triggering frequent capital gains events.