Articles for category: Blockchain

September 7, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Unveiling the Financial Benefits of Taskrabbit for Retirees Unveiling the Financial Benefits of Taskrabbit for Retirees

Dan W. felt the itch to keep himself occupied in retirement, all while padding his pockets. In 2021, the retired individual turned to Taskrabbit, specializing in furniture assembly tasks. Fast forward to today, he has a remarkable tally of 1,000+ tasks under his belt, fetching about $47 per hour; a formula that has translated into a bounty of extra dollars for Dan. For You: 6 Expenses Retirees Never Regret Keeping in Their Budgets, According to Experts Trending: The Surprising Way You Can Get Guaranteed Retirement Income for Life Join the ride to discover Dan’s journey and his words of wisdom

April 9, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Crypto Taxes in 2024: Exploring Tax Implications of Cryptocurrency Crypto Taxation Unveiled: The Intricacies of Taxing Digital Currencies

Cryptocurrency, the modern-day treasure hunt in the investment arena, remains as unpredictable as tumbleweeds in a desert storm. Its intangibility coupled with sky-high volatility often transforms trading and investing in digital currencies into a realm reminiscent of a virtual Mario Kart race rather than a traditional asset sprint. Tip-Off: IRS Increases Gift and Estate Tax Exempt Limits — Here’s How Much You Can Give Without PayingGet Clued In: Owe Money to the IRS? Most People Don’t Realize They Should Do This One Thing Deciphering Tax Rules Around Cryptocurrency When it comes to taxes, the IRS treats cryptocurrency transactions like a

February 29, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Exploring Mark Cuban’s Top Passive Income Ventures Exploring Mark Cuban’s Top Passive Income Ventures

Mark Cuban is renowned for his candid opinions on various subjects, spanning from political landscapes to financial realms. The self-made billionaire is not one to shy away from dispensing advice on enhancing financial situations, even venturing into the realm of amassing wealth. This narrative draws inspiration from the playbook of billionaire Warren Buffett, the “Oracle of Omaha,” who staunchly advocates for strategic investments over broad diversification, arguing that expertise trumps broad strokes. Despite occasionally endorsing unconventional investment pathways that defy popular sentiment, Cuban believes that a profound understanding of the investment landscape significantly mitigates risk. While not exclusively a passive

February 28, 2024

Ron Finklestien

The Battle for Sam Bankman-Fried’s Freedom: An Analysis of Legal Maneuvers and Sentencing Drama

Sam Bankman-Fried finds himself in a dire legal tug-of-war, his fate precariously balanced on the scales of justice. His legal team has unleashed a torrent of documents, drowning the court in pleas for clemency. But will these lifeboats be enough to rescue him from the maelstrom of a potential century-long prison sentence? A Harsh Sentence Looms The Presentence Investigation Report casts a shadow of despair, recommending a ghastly 100-year imprisonment for Bankman-Fried. A bitter pill, indeed, for an individual who merely seeks a second chance to rejoin society’s ranks within a more modest 5 to 6.5 year span. The Human

February 27, 2024

Ron Finklestien

The Balancing Act: Navigating Risk in the DeFi Market

Within the ever-evolving realm of decentralized finance (DeFi), effective risk management serves as the cornerstone for the viability of lending protocols. Striking a harmonious equilibrium between paternalistic oversight (established by DAO governors and risk management entities) and the organic mechanisms of the market is vital. The Nuances of Risk Management in Lending Protocols Consider a lending protocol where borrowers leverage USDC to secure ETH loans. Pinpointing the optimal loan-to-value (LTV) ratio in this scenario is no mean feat. This LTV metric constantly fluctuates, influenced by factors like asset volatility, liquidity, and market dynamics. In the fast-paced DeFi arena, calculating the

February 15, 2024

Ron Finklestien

The Institutional Shift to Crypto The Stage Is Set for Institutional Adoption of Crypto

By Javier Rodriguez-Alarcon, Chief Commercial Officer and Head Digital Investments Strategies, at XBTO The recent resolution involving Binance represents the latest milestone in the cryptocurrency industry’s journey towards maturity. During this period, efforts to address systemic risks and the exit of vulnerable participants have been notable. The significance of the industry’s transition from an alternative financial system to a regulated and predictable environment cannot be overstated. The market is actively evolving into one that institutions can readily embrace. Consequently, the industry stands at the threshold of its next wave of adoption. With an influx of new institutional players moving to

February 13, 2024

Ron Finklestien

The SEC Rattles Crypto with New Dealer Definitions The SEC Rattles Crypto with New Dealer Definitions

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has issued a new definition for securities dealers, encompassing crypto, in a move that could be a game-changer for the sector. You’re reading State of Crypto, a CoinDesk newsletter examining the intersection of cryptocurrency and government. Click here to sign up for future editions. The Big Picture The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has dealt a major blow to the crypto industry by redefining what constitutes a securities dealer. This move has the potential to significantly impact the legal landscape for decentralized finance (DeFi). Simultaneously, the SEC has revealed its stance on crypto policy,

February 12, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Tokenization Surge Shifts Focus to DAOs As Tokenization Takes off, Look to DAOs

Crypto and TradFi asset management are converging. From the record-breaking launch of the U.S. spot bitcoin exchangetraded funds (ETFs) to BlackRock CEO Larry Fink’s latest claims that the next step is the “tokenization of every financial asset,” the direction of travel is becoming clearer. As assets migrate on-chain, more managers will be confronted with unique challenges in deploying institutional capital on public blockchains. Ainsley To is the head of asset management at Avantgarde Finance. Diving Deeper into DAOs Beneath the hype and speculation around future directions in price, an entire internet native ecosystem has been building atop crypto rails. Decentralized

February 8, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Disruption of Bitcoin Mining in the United States Bitcoin Mining and the Politicization of a Once Reputable Federal Agency

The EIA’s Unprecedented Overreach The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) mandatory emergency survey of electricity consumption data has sparked significant concern among bitcoin miners, cryptocurrency advocates, and supporters of U.S.-led innovation. The move is widely viewed as a politically motivated campaign against the bitcoin mining industry. A Departure from Apolitical Conduct For decades, the EIA has been known for its apolitical stance as an information-gathering body within the Department of Energy (DOE). However, the recent emergency survey represents a departure from its customary operations. The survey, which requests detailed information beyond the EIA’s typical scope, has raised alarms within the industry.

February 6, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Last Month’s U.S. Crypto Crime Recap A Recap of Last Month’s U.S. Crypto Crime Log

While our attention was focused on exchange-traded funds earlier this month, federal regulators in the U.S. announced charges or sentences for various crypto parties. You’re reading State of Crypto, a CoinDesk newsletter looking at the intersection of cryptocurrency and government. Click here to sign up for future editions. The Story Unfolds Remember when it felt like an initial coin offering was getting sued nearly every other week? January has been downright silent in comparison. Why It’s Significant It’s always worth keeping an eye on the happenings in the regulatory realm. Breaking Down the Cases The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission