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Cryptocurrency

What Are the Safest Ways To Store Bitcoin?

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Bitcoin

and crypto use is growing the most in lower and middle-income countries; it is used to send remittances, preserve savings, and act as a substitute when financial services unique to the countries are hard to access.

Many products and services have been introduced which make it more convenient for those that use or are new to crypto; however, the increased rate of adoption and use has led to an increase in hacks and thefts. In its annual analysis of cryptocurrency theft, blockchain analysts at Chainalysis found that 2022 was the worst yet in terms of the total value of crypto stolen—$3.8 billion. Read more at Bitcoin News.

No storage method is 100% secure, but here are some ways you can increase your and crypto security.

Bitcoin Storage

When you purchase bitcoin, you're given ownership of the amount you bought. You're given two keys—one is your public key, the other is private. The public key is used to encrypt information and create your wallet address, and the private key allows you to decrypt the information, or access your bitcoin. This is the key you're storing and safeguarding.

Your bitcoin ownership is safely recorded, stored, validated, and encrypted on the blockchain. To date, no cryptocurrency has been stolen by altering the information on a blockchain because of the encryption methods used. With current technology, it would take centuries, if not millennia, to brute force hack a blockchain.

However, the wallet you use stores your private key, and wallets are generally software on a hardware device, which is hackable—thus, the weak link lies between the blockchain and the user.

Types of Storage 

There are generally two types of storage, custodial and non-custodial. There are hot and cold wallets for each type.

Custodial Wallet 

A custodial wallet is managed by a third party, such as an exchange like Coinbase. In this arrangement, the custodian stores your private keys for you, guaranteeing their safety and sometimes providing insurance on holdings up to a certain amount. Custodial wallets like these have been the target of many attacks since users began using their services; exchanges have taken measures to harden their services, such as moving users' keys into enterprise-level cold storage so that they cannot be accessed.

Custodial wallets can either be hot or cold.

Non-Custodial Wallets 

Non-custodial wallets are those you use to store your keys with no one else involved. Non-custodial wallets can also be either hot or cold.

Hot Wallet 

Hot wallets are software that stores your keys and have connections to the internet. These wallets create vulnerability because they generate the private and public keys needed to access crypto. While a hot wallet is how most users access and make transactions in bitcoin, they are vulnerable and can be hacked.

It's estimated that about 17% of the bitcoin that will ever be in circulation has been lost—as in misplaced, keys forgotten, and so on.3

Cold Wallet 

A cold wallet (also called cold storage) is a wallet that is not connected to the internet; therefore, it holds far less risk of being compromised. These wallets are also called offline wallets or hardware wallets. 

The Safest Bitcoin Storage 

Of all the options available to you for storing your keys and securing your bitcoin, the safest methods will always be those you manage yourself without a connection to the internet.

Commercial Non-Custodial Cold Wallets 

You'll find many options available, such as the Ledger Nano X or Trezor Model T. These are usually USB connection-type drives that connect to your device. When used with safety in mind, these commercial storage methods are safer than storing your keys in the wallet on your connected device.

Many of these wallets store your private key and come with software that works in parallel to your wallet device or program. This allows you to view and use your holdings without needing to enter your private keys.

It's important to know that many of these device advertise compatibility with DeFi applications. Chainalysis found that DeFi protocols accounted for more than 82% of all cryptocurrency hacking activity in 2022.2

When choosing one of these products, you might find some with Bluetooth or other wireless options. These are also relatively safe if you can disable the connectivity after using them if they don't automatically do so. The vulnerabilities of these wallets are the software and connections used on your device or storage media, and the fact that you have to connect them to a device that has a connection to use them.

Commercial cold wallets are also called hardware wallets.

Alternative Non-Custodial Cold Wallets 

There are several methods that are safe from hackers and thieves you can use to secure your bitcoin keys. USB drives can be used just as effectively as a commercial wallet if you encrypt and safeguard them. Disconnect them when they're not being used, store them in a secure place, make a backup, and only use them in one device for one purpose—keeping your keys.

One of the original ways to store keys was to write them down on paper and place it in a safe. This is still a secure method; however, ink can bleed, paper can deteriorate over time or be lost, or someone can steal it. If you choose this method, you should make sure only trusted people have access to the safe and check on the paper periodically.

In the past, some users used QR code generators, printed the keys and QR codes on paper, and then stored them in safes. This can still be done, but you're allowing additional software access to your keys. Also, don't use websites that will generate codes or anything for you—you never know how your information is being stored and used on a website, and they are notorious for being hacked or hijacked.

Security Precautions 

Backup 

Back up your entire bitcoin wallet early and often. In case of a computer failure, a history of regular backups may be the only way to recover the currency in the digital wallet. Make sure to include all the wallet.dat files and then store the backup at multiple secure locations (like on a USB, CD, or another removable device). Additionally, ensure you use a strong password on the backup and encrypt it.

Software Updates 

Keep your software up to date. A wallet running on non-updated bitcoin software can be a soft target for hackers. The latest version of wallet software will have updated definitions and fixes in place, thereby increasing the safety of your bitcoins. Consistently update your mobile device or computer operating systems and software to make your bitcoins safer.

Multi-Signature 

The concept of a multi-signature (multi-sig) has gained some popularity; it involves transaction approval from several people (like three to five) for it to take place. This limits the threat of theft as a single controller or server cannot carry out the transactions (i.e., sending bitcoins to an address or withdrawing bitcoins). The people who can transact are decided in the beginning—when one of them wants to spend or send bitcoins, they require others in the group to approve the transaction. This is also called a shared wallet and should be used with caution.

If you have the option of using multi-sig, ensure you know the other people and trust them before joining the wallet.

Seed Phrases 

Seed phrases are a series of randomly generated words that act like a master password for your wallet—it's also called a recovery phrase, mnemonic phrase, or mnemonic seed phrase. These phrases allow you to recover your keys if you ever lose your storage devices or your access. Your keys are encrypted and a series of words are generated from that encryption that gives you access to your wallet.

A seed phrase might look like this:

spare snake rather window lab bless night west industry trap jacket absurd detect inspire need robot lift elevator able volcano one memory link goat

These words are easier to memorize and/or write down and store than the 64-digit hexadecimal keys. You can even purchase a titanium stamping kit to preserve and secure your seed phrase in your safe.4

Using Your Bitcoin 

When you decide it's time to use your bitcoin, the best way to do so is to transfer only the amount you want to use from cold storage to your hot wallet. Once you're done, move any remaining bitcoin back into cold storage.

Your hot wallet's public address can be seen by anyone, as can the amount you have stored in it. You can see an example of this using a blockchain explorer for the crypto you use. If you don't have anything in your wallet, you won't draw the attention of thieves.

Is It Worth Buying a Cold Wallet?

A commercial non-custodial cold wallet is one of the safest methods for storing your keys. Considering you may be able to purchase one for about $200 to secure cryptocurrency worth far more than that, they can be worth it.

Can You Lose a Cold Wallet?

Yes. Examples of cold storage might be a piece of paper you've written your keys on, a device no bigger than a USB thumb drive, or one that resembles a small cell phone. These are easily misplaced, so if you have one, ensure you develop the habit of securing them in the same place every time you use them.

Can Cold Wallets Be Hacked?

Cold wallets, by definition, are not connected to the internet or another device, so they cannot be hacked. When you connect them to a device, they become vulerable.

The Bottom Line 

Cryptocurrency is not losing popularity with users or thieves. Because of those that would rather steal from others than earn a living, it is necessary to store your bitcoin keys as safe as possible. Cold storage methods are the safest way to store your keys, but at some point, you will have to connect your storage device or enter your keys to use your bitcoin. Using an offline device only when you need to access and use your keys, then storing the device in a safe place are the best ways to prevent hackers from stealing your crypto.

Samuel Amadotor, known professionally as D.Klass GH is Multiple Award Winning Ghanaian Blogger, Music Promoter, Publicist, Pharmacy Technician by Profession and the Founder of Dklassgh.Com. He has an interest in promoting Up and coming artists and has a keen interest in showcasing the talents in Volta Region. His blogging covers international artists and has affiliates around Africa to boost his reach to the targeted audience. Get In Touch if you need my service | Email: [email protected]| Call/whatsapp: 0241 444 116 Or connect with me across social media handles, @Dklassgh

Cryptocurrency

What are the main pros and cons of Cryptocurrency investment?

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Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrencies have managed to shake up the financial world over the past decade. Although their future cannot be known for sure, many experts predict that they will eventually replace traditional forms of currency. Even if this is crypto's destiny, this virtual currency still has a long road ahead. 

The question that often comes up with people considering investing in crypto is – What are the advantages and disadvantages of cryptocurrency? Like everything else, crypto isn't perfect, and there are definitely risks associated with trading this asset. 

However, there are also many benefits to trading crypto and using it to make purchases. Keep reading to discover the top advantages and disadvantages of investing in cryptocurrency to find out wherever this asset is a worthwhile investment for you!

Pros and Cons of Investing in Crypto

Not sure whether you want to take the leap and start investing in cryptocurrency? Or do you simply want to find out more about the ins and outs of this virtual currency? If that's the case, take a look at crypto's five pros and cons so you can decide if investing is a good option for you! 

Pros of Cryptocurrency

Below are some of the pros and advantages of cryptocurrency investment.

1. Investing Gives You a Chance of High Rewards

One top advantage of crypto investing is the chance of high rewards. Plenty of coins have already experienced massive price surges, which led to profits for many traders. Even beginner traders who only invest small amounts of crypto in altcoins have a chance of making a huge profit over time. 

It's important to remember that any coin can experience rapid growth. , the most popular crypto to ever exist, was only worth about $0.10 in October 2010. 

If you invested $100 in this coin during that month, you'd have approximately 1000 Bitcoins, which in 2021 would have been worth more than $48 million! There's no limit to how much profit you can make from investing in crypto. 

Of course, no one is guaranteed to make a profit from trading cryptocurrency. But if you do plenty of research, never invest more than what you're willing to lose, and learn to manage FOMO, you have a much better chance of making a long-term profit from your crypto investments. 

2.Fast and Cost-Effective Transactions

Compared to traditional transactions, crypto is a cost-effective way to send and receive money. There are little to no extra costs that are required to be paid by users since there aren't third parties involved (such as PayPal and VISA) that would usually charge a transaction fee. 

Sending crypto is also super fast, and users are not affected by foreign fees and exchange rates, making it an effective method for international transactions. Using crypto is your best option if you want to make an instant transaction with someone on the other side of the world without needing an intermediary. 

3. High Level of Security and Privacy

Since blockchain is highly secure and made up of ‘puzzles' that are incredibly hard to decode, crypto transactions are far safer than other electronic transactions

When you make a transaction through the blockchain, that transaction is shared with every other computer on the network. All coins are easily traceable, and the overall system is highly reliable. 

These blocks also cannot be altered unless most of the network agrees. Hence, hackers are unable to steal cryptocurrency because their blockchain would no longer match everyone else's. Additionally, despite crypto being traceable, all traders can still trade it anonymously, as having a crypto wallet is similar to having a pseudonym.

4. Decentralisation

The decentralization of cryptocurrency is an advantage that cannot be overstated. Almost all coins that are created are controlled by their developers. This means that no single organization, such as a bank or government, can control the currency and determine its flow. 

This distinguishes crypto from fiat currencies as this decentralization can keep the currency stable and transparent. All cryptocurrency transactions are peer-to-peer, and users don't have to blindly trust any banks or other financial organizations throughout the process. 

This is especially important since, at any point, your bank can deny your transaction for various reasons. Whereas with crypto, you are free to use your coins however you see fit.

An ATM machine.

Image from Unsplash.

5. 24/7 Access

Another advantage that cryptocurrency has over banks is that it is not restricted to opening hours. Banks are typically active between 9 am and 5 pm and don't operate during weekends and bank holidays. This means that time-sensitive transactions may be delayed,  causing frustration to the user.

On the other hand, cryptocurrency can be traded 24/7 from anywhere (as long as you have an internet connection), so if you're always on the go and stray away from normal working hours, then making transactions through crypto may be your best choice!

What to Do if You're Interested in Investing in Cryptocurrency

If you believe investing in cryptocurrency is a good option, congratulations! Now it's time to make the first step! 

If this is your first time trading cryptocurrency, you should consider seeking the support of a professional broker through a crypto platform. Connecting with a broker can provide resources and tools that can help you elevate your crypto trading game and set you apart from other beginner traders.

There's a wide range of crypto platforms to choose from, but if you are looking for a simple yet effective platform, we suggest starting with Up. Registration is free, and once it's completed, you get instant Access to a broker and various tools to set you out on your trading journey.

Cons of Cryptocurrency

Crypto is not all perfect, and just like every aspect of life, the crypto market also has a blemish. Thus, here are some of the noted disadvantages of cryptocurrency.

1.High Volatility

One major disadvantage of crypto is its high volatility. This means that the currency can experience rapid price fluctuations, leaving traders with losses. A particular coin may appear stable, which tempts traders into investing a lot of their money into it. 

But, this seemingly stable coin can plummet at any moment, as this is simply how the crypto market works. Although the price of crypto is primarily determined by its supply and demand, many external factors can still influence it, including political events, government regulations, and social media narratives. 

2. Not Yet Widely Accepted

Another unfortunate disadvantage of cryptocurrency is that it is currently not widely accepted as a form of payment. Although a handful of large companies, such as Telsa, already accept crypto in exchange for products, with more companies beginning to follow suit, most of the time, you will not be able to purchase a product with your cryptocurrency directly. 

Hopefully, this will gradually improve as more companies find success when accepting crypto as a form of payment, but this will likely be a slow process. 

So, in the meantime, if you want to make purchases using your crypto, you'll either have to do your research to find out which companies accept it or go through a crypto payment processor

3. Unregulated Market

Although we have highlighted the pros of crypto decentralization, you should still be aware of the cons. For instance, this decentralization means that the crypto market is widely unregulated

You can fall victim to a scam when using crypto, and government laws or regulatory bodies won't protect you. 

Some counties, including Russia, China, and Qatar, have ever placed bans or restrictions on crypto, so if you live in a country that chooses to do the same, you might lose Access to your assets. 

Additionally, unlike traditional currencies, you cannot cancel or refund your crypto transaction. So if you send funds to the wrong wallet address or get tricked into sending money to a scammer, you cannot get your crypto back unless the recipient chooses to return it. Even worse, if you lose your private access key, you're unlikely ever to get your crypto back. 

4. Risk of Cyber Attacks

As secure as blockchain technology is, it is still susceptible to cyber attacks. After all, the cryptocurrency environment is highly profitable, making crypto traders prime targets for hackers. Scammers will try and trick traders into handing over their wallet keys

This can be done through phishing attacks which rely on victims voluntarily providing sensitive information or sending crypto to a scammer's account. If you receive an email that pressures you to click on a link or input your account details, you should immediately delete it. 

Additionally, if you receive a message stating that you've won a crypto giveaway and all you need to do is send across a small amount of crypto, then block the sender. 

These tactics may seem obvious, but many traders fall for phishing attacks and other scams yearly, resulting in millions of crypto stolen! 

Unlocked keys.

Image from Unsplash.

New traders believe they can just jump into the crypto market and start investing. Although this is possible, it's definitely not recommended. 

Generally speaking, to be a successful trader, you need to have a reasonable understanding of the crypto market and a working knowledge of trading. We also highly suggest taking time to research any coins before you choose to invest in them. 

This means checking out the coin's price history on a crypto marketplace, reading the whitepaper, and looking through the developers' social media coins

Many traders skip this step which sometimes results in them unknowingly investing in a pump-and-dump scheme. This form of scam is where fraudsters will pump up a coin by hyping it through social media to convince traders to invest.

Once the coin's price has been inflated, scammers will sell their assets and move on to the next scheme, leaving their victims with losses. 

Conclusion

Overall, as profitable as cryptocurrency can be, it certainly isn't for everyone. Despite facilitating faster and lower-cost transactions, crypto is currently only used by a handful of companies. Additionally, since the market is so volatile, inexperienced traders may suffer massive losses after making poor trading decisions.

However, investing in cryptocurrency can be extremely profitable, especially for traders who have done plenty of research and have a reasonable understanding of the market. Making transactions with cryptocurrency is also much more convenient than traditional currency forms since users can send crypto 24/7 without the need for an intermediary. 

So, to conclude, crypto has plenty of advantages and disadvantages. Whether it is worth investing depends on each trader's experience level and personal goals.

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Cryptocurrency

BTC vs SOL which crypto will come out on top in 2023

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BTC vs SOL

According to the above 4-hour fundamental and technical chart, Bitcoin attempts to have risen above its 200-day daily average, which would encourage those who are optimistic about the digital currency. Despite this encouraging development, Bitcoin has not been able to rise above its current price of $25,000, which has caused a steady drop in worth.

It's important to note that the currency has reached a flimsy high of $25,258, now serving as a strong resistance level. Bitcoin may fall back to $21,000 if it cannot break through its 200-day daily average, which serves as its main support. Check out the Bitcoin payment system Immediate Profit for those who are new to cryptocurrency trading and investing.

Additionally, Bitcoin's Relative Importance Index (RSI) reading of 56.20 indicates that buyers appear to add to their holdings rather than sell them off. To balance their risk and return, prospective market latecomers should practise caution and keep an eye out for potential reversal trends.

A Basic Introduction of What Is Solana

 is a 2020 decentralized cryptocurrency built for both performance and scalability. This ground-breaking initiative is perfect for decentralized apps (dApps) and cryptocurrency since it was designed from the ground up to enable quick, safe, and economical transaction processing.

's primary function is to allow the creation and administration of a broad variety of decentralized applications (dApps). It is a randomized, public network. Solana is one of the quickest blockchain systems accessible because of its cutting-edge “Proof of History” consensus algorithm, which can handle up to 65,000 transactions each second.

This cryptocurrency is used to pay processing fees and reward network users through staking, which helps to maintain the network's long-term stability and security.

Do I Need to Invest in SOL?

Many people, especially those seeking Ethereum substitutes, should consider Solana a wonderful investment possibility. Yet many customers choose not to utilize it because of its network disruptions.

SOL is a fantastic investment if you don't tolerate downtime while the network grows and improves. Needing said as much, it is crucial to remember that investors should conduct extensive due diligence before choosing to invest. This blog shouldn't be interpreted as investment advice.

Crypto assets in coin form.

SOL/USDT Candlestick Chart for 4 hours

A well-liked currency among NFT enthusiasts, Solana, shows a recent return to the 200-day long-term average on its 4-hour technical chart after going through a downturn due to the collapse of the FTX exchange.

Solana has been going to trade above the 200-day moving average, but there has been some fluctuation with the commodity; in February 2023, it fell below the line before rising again. The asset is expected to keep climbing its psychological barrier of $34 if Solana can breach the $30 price level.

Relative Strength Index (RSI), a different measure, shows that Solana is currently in a strong market trend with a reading of 55.59. There are bound to be greater opportunities for a Solana bull run if more purchasers actively participate in the market.

Solana's price could fall to $20 in the case of a global economic downturn, though.

Is a new all-time high for Bitcoin imminent?

Several cryptocurrency gurus are still making long-term predictions about Bitcoin's direction after its meltdown in 2022. With a 40% increase in January 2023, Bitcoin is poised to reach fresh ATHs.

Crypto analysts feel that removing cryptocurrency advertisements from the illustrious Football's National Football League (NFL) Championship Game and increasing US inflation are only temporary obstacles to further positive momentum.

During the last bull run, Bitcoin reached another All High of $69,000, and the prices of numerous potential cryptocurrencies also reached various ATHs. Similar steep declines in price occurred for these cryptocurrencies following the 2022 Bitcoin collapse.

4-hour Calculations of BTC/USDT

It's important to note that the coin has reached a flimsy high of $25,258, now serving as a significant resistance level. Bitcoin may fall below $21,000 if it cannot break through its 200-day rolling average, which serves as its main support.

Also, Bitcoin's Relative Importance Index (RSI) reading of 56.20 indicates that investors appear to add to their holdings rather than sell them off. To balance their risk and return, prospective market latecomers should exercise prudence and keep an eye out for potential reversal patterns.

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Cardano and Dogetti are ideal cryptos for every Enthusiast

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Cardano and Dogetti

After the troubles of 2022, the market is slowly returning. Each had a sharp decline in value, which made crypto fans lose faith in the sector. 

Yet the beginning of 2023 has demonstrated the industry's potential, with hundreds of cryptocurrencies seeing upward trends and total market capitalization reaching $1 trillion. You can go for crypto trading and investment by logging into BitIQ.

Stacks (STX), Dogetti (DETI), and Cardano (ADA) are driving the renewed interest in cryptocurrencies among enthusiasts. 

Through the first quarter of 2023, Cardano and Stacks saw notable positive trends, while Dogetti (DETI) is creating buzz because of its distinctive themes that have drawn plenty of users to the site. Find out below why these three coins have crypto aficionados so thrilled!

Dogetti surpasses $30,000 Prior Sale

The extensive Dogetti ecosystem is home to numerous resources and applications that give consumers access to several significant segments of the cryptocurrency market. The NFT market economy, which will debut in Dogetti's roadmap's fifth stage with the NFT reproductive mechanism, and the Decentralized Exchange are among the offerings (DEX).

Not only that, though. Dogetti (DETI) has ambitious intentions for the future, including opening an independent NFT market. Users now have a vast array of options for displaying and marketing their original digital works as a result. Moreover, new opportunities for these NFTs will arise as technology advances, creating a Metaverse environment where they may be used creatively.

As Dogetti expands on the Cryptocurrency (ETH) network

The DEX will become the principal value of the DETI token, enabling users to exchange any ERC20 ticket for another. Dogetti will leverage the strength of Uniswap (UNI) strength to guarantee strong liquidity together with swift and secure transactions.

So, at what point in the timetable will the NFT collections debut? Dogetti intends to deliver the NFT collection in the fourth phase of its roadmap. Before the breeding process is activated, users will have time to exchange NFTs, allowing them to couple their NFTs to produce new virtual pets.

As a Bitcoins (BTC) layer for intelligent contracts, Stacks was first offered to the cryptocurrency industry. The Concrete evidence (PoT) consensus method is the link between Stacks and Bitcoin.

Similar to Bitcoin, the Stacks network is decentralized, with millions of individuals and businesses contributing to and expanding the Stacks network. For smart contracts, Stacks has unveiled a brand-new programming language called Clarity. Due to its clear syntax, the scripting language is intended to be both simple to develop with and secure.

Cardano: The Sustainability Blockchain for Crypto Aficionados

Cardano's inclusion on the list of cryptocurrencies that cryptocurrency fans are enthusiastic about is unsurprising. The platform has built one of the most extensive cryptocurrency networks throughout the blockchain sector.

Cardano developed a compromise that set itself apart from most of the cryptocurrency industry, hampered by high gas prices and slow transaction speeds. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum 1.0, the Cardano blockchain employs a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) general agreement to grow efficiently and execute transactions at a far lower cost.

Cardano developed a blockchain platform prioritizing sustainable development in the infamously energy-intensive cryptocurrency sector, contrasting Ethereum 1.0 or Bitcoin. Cardano reduced its energy usage using the PoS consensus, making it 100,000 times more energy-efficient than Bitcoin.

Cardano stands above the other crypto assets thanks to its slow growth

To guarantee that the technology is consistently developing and improving, a group of experts and academics worldwide collaborate.

Much better is still to come! The Cardano team will soon make available a software toolkit that enables programmers to build unique polymer chains on the platform, increasing the potential and development of the Cardano environment.

Cardano (ADA), which has a history of being among the most prospering and active digital assets in recent months, is a reliable investment choice with a promising outlook for 2023. Therefore take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the upcoming cryptocurrency asset boom. Join the Cardano team right away!

Conclusion

Crypto enthusiasts are enthused about Stacks and Cardano because they are two well-established cryptocurrencies that have unquestionably delivered tremendous profits for their investors in the past. With its style and features, Dogetti hopes to emulate the achievements of these platforms and develop the most extensive family in the cryptocurrency industry.

To further demonstrate its dedication to the Dogetti network, the Dogetti organization has also made a promotion code available, which entitles presale buyers to a 25% bonus on their token purchases

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