Finance & Crypto Insights

As complicated as it seems for an outsider, the banking system in the UAE is actually pretty straightforward. Whether you are planning to move to the UAE or you have just become a resident, the necessity of a bank account is obvious. While cash is still in use, most vendors accept card payments, not to mention the possibility to shop online or get your wages transferred – you are less likely to get a salary in cash. Despite an intuitive process, becoming familiar with the banking system in the UAE is highly recommended before trying to open an account. Just like you have probably guessed already, there are certain requirements you must meet. Furthermore, you will need certain documents and an overview of the local banks in order to...

Gold has always been rated as one of the safest investments in the world. It is available in a limited amount and its price keeps going up – much safer than flat currencies that come and go every few decades. On the other hand, these flat currencies have an apparently stronger competitor these days – the digital currency. Whether it comes to Bitcoins or other digital currencies, these digital options are not centralized, meaning taxes and fees are extremely low and they can circulate freely across the world – with a few exceptions, of course. Now, you might ask yourself – should I invest in gold? Should I keep going for Bitcoins? How about mixing them up? You can now buy gold for Bitcoins, but make sure you know what it involves...

When trading cryptocurrencies, you practically speculate. You focus on one or more markets and try to indicate the direction. Will the market rise? Will it fall? It is all about its value. You do not actually own the digital asset and you do not buy it, but you place a bet on it. Obviously, trading cryptocurrencies goes further than that and there are more things to take in consideration before starting your journey. Some people have earned impressive amounts of money over the past years. To some, it was a matter of good luck. To many others – including today's successful traders, making money involves serious analysis, good skills and a bit of experience with digital currencies. Everyone has started at the bottom and built their way...

Whether you are after cryptocurrencies, trading opportunities or you only want to start small and build up overtime, chances are you will inevitably run into crypto wallets as well. Crypto wallets and digital currencies go hand in hand just like your physical banknotes and your leather wallet. However, diving in without any education is likely to expose you to numerous risks, as well as a few issues. Not only do you have to understand what a crypto wallet is, but you also have to figure out how it works and what its features actually mean. Browsing the top 10 crypto wallets on the market may seem like a good idea for a beginner. If thousands of people recommend one wallet or another, there must be something good about it. But as you...

PayPal has just announced joining the cryptocurrency market – a move that has been anticipated by experts long ago, but not in the near future. The online payment platform has announced that its users will soon be able to buy and sell various digital currencies with no restrictions at all – only by using their own PayPal accounts. PayPal has mentioned it is currently dealing with more than 26 million retail sellers, so the cryptocurrency market is gaining an immense exposure to all these sellers. Virtual coins will be used to buy all kinds of goods – just like any other currency available in the platform. There were multiple rumors regarding such a move over the past years, but PayPal has managed to keep everything secret. Despite its...

Go down the road and ask someone about offshore banking or wealth management – their minds will inevitably go to Switzerland. Whether it comes to movies, scandals or just plain facts, there are no doubts about it – Switzerland is seen as the international banking capital out there. Some of the world's best rated banks are based in Switzerland, while the plethora of advantages will most likely attract even more people in the future. However, things have obviously changed over the past decade and there are more reasons behind these updates. The way people bank has also changed, which has inevitably affected the banking system. Then, those interested in offshore banking have also contributed to these changes, not to mention government...

Self assessment – also referred to by other names depending on the country you live in – is a system designed by the revenue and customs system in your country. The respective system has one simple purpose – collecting tax for the government. If you work for someone else or you are retired, the tax will naturally be deducted by the government before you actually get the money – the type of money you only see on your payslip and never in real life. However, self-employed professionals and businesses must report the income themselves in a tax return. These returns must be done on a yearly basis. There are, however, a few exceptions in specific countries where you could do them twice a year – or a different frequency. In most places...

Merchant accounts and payment processors are a necessity for any e-commerce website. Simply put, without them, you cannot sell goods and services online. Many people want to know more about how to properly choose them and what needs to be configured properly to help their business. Whether you are looking to create an online store or you have a business that wants to switch providers, here is some information that you might find useful regarding merchant accounts and payment processing. What Is Merchant Account? Merchant accounts are types of accounts that help merchants process payments. The payment gateway stores the funds obtained from sales into the merchant account. Then the funds from the merchant account are automatically...

There are around 2,000 cryptocurrencies on the market today, and their market cap is anywhere around $300 billion, with plenty of fluctuations. The space has gained lots of notoriety over the past years, especially with the leading digital currency – Bitcoin – reaching some extreme values in 2017 and dragging other currencies along. From this point of view, investors worldwide push to trade in this industry, especially as more and more stores and institutions accept digital currencies these days. On the same note, numerous cryptocurrency platforms have come out to meet these traders' meets and necessities but also to provide a solid infrastructure for trading. These platforms are referred to as crypto exchanges. But then, if you are...

Payeer is a popular option in terms of electronic payments. It allows its users to make transactions, buy or sell things both locally and internationally. Users can also pay for services and more importantly, they can do it in various cryptocurrencies – usually the most popular ones in terms of ratings. If you have heard about Paypal or Payoneer, chances are you will find Payeer pretty simple to get used to. The operating principles are the same, so there will be a simple learning curve with no issues whatsoever. These days, Payeer has become one of the leading electronic wallets on the market. It is mostly recommended for international payments, but there are not too many restrictions about it. Simply put, you can use it to transfer...

You might be trying to get a mortgage or perhaps a credit card from a different bank – not the one you use for your current account. You might as well try to open an offshore company and target some of the benefits associated with incorporating a business abroad. Maybe you are just trying to rent a house or get credit for a new car. In any of these situations, you will be asked for a plethora of documents. Most of them are easy to get – you may already have them, such as your ID or a utility bill. Some others are more difficult to get. You may need to print a few documents or perhaps go to specific institutions in person and request them. Sooner or later, someone will inevitably ask you for a bank reference letter. You have never heard...

You may already be familiar with the idea of an offshore company, but the truth is things are a bit more sophisticated than they seem. There is not much to worry about though – a little education will lead you in the right direction. When dealing with certain companies and trying to find out more about them, you may find out they are registered in some unusual countries. For example, you may find a company with a local name established in Hong Kong or perhaps Gibraltar. The list can go on. At this point, you may wonder why. The truth is offshore companies come with a series of benefits and each of them is mostly related to the financial situation of the respective business. Here is everything you need to know in order to set your own...

You have probably heard about them and you know they could make you a millionaire or broke – cryptocurrencies represent a hype these days. Despite their popularity, they can be quite confusing and not always crystal clear. Some people claim they can get you broke, but they have no clue what they are or how they work – the classic misconception from those skeptical about new things. Some others claim your wealth could skyrocket overnight, but this is also a myth. A cryptocurrency can make you money if you know what you are doing – pretty much like everything else in the trading history. You go online and try to find some answers to your questions, but most explanations out there are still confusing. All in all, this guide will give you...

Offshore Bank Account & The Offshore Banks Offshore accounts allow you to bank in a few different currencies. Practically, they involve banking overseas. You might have heard about them and just like most other people out there, you might have some misconceptions about them. For instance, it is worth noting that you do not have to be super wealthy in order to benefit from them. These accounts can be beneficial for finance management by offering potential tax advantages, increased privacy, asset protection, and diversification of investments. Offshore banks have a relatively high profile and they have often made it to the media due to a plethora of scandals involving celebrities and famous people trying to avoid taxes. The truth is...

An electronic money institution is responsible for a single financial product – electronic money. This type of money can be used for all kinds of transactions, including enterprises from all industries – other than the actual electronic money institutions. Obviously, such institutions – often referred to as EMIs – have to respect some regulations and are similar to banks from many points of view. There are plenty of them out there, but only some of them can provide high quality standards and exquisite security. Before getting into small details, it pays off understanding the principles of electronic money. This monetary value is not stored physically, but magnetically or electronically. An EMI stores such value into a central...

Singapore is one of the finest countries to develop based on its competitive growth regarding its successful economic status. The Lion City's thriving financial hub continues to grow over the years because of its popularity; it remains a melting pot of prestigious businesses, may it be domestic or international companies. Moreover, Singapore is also widely known as one of Asia's "rising tigers" due to its economic growth in businesses, such as agriculture, electronic manufacturing, and many more. Along with it is the country's booming and convenient corporate tax rates that numerous business holders follow through accordingly. Indeed, it is the most recommended country to start a business in, especially for international companies...