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5 Things the War in Ukraine Has Revealed About Cryptocurrencies

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On February 22nd, 2022, the War in Ukraine erupted. The ensuing conflict has been one of Europe’s most significant, bloodthirsty, and costly conflicts since the Second World War. But as well as revealing flaws in everything from the Russian military to the NATO alliance, the conflict has also revealed some very stark truths about cryptocurrencies.

After all, this conflict is defined by increasing sanctions on the Russian state and has featured numerous innovative crowdfunding models based on blockchain technology. From organisations utilising blockchain to offer humanitarian relief in the war to the authorities of countries attempting to enforce their control over cryptocurrencies, the modern phenomena of blockchain and crypto are playing a significant role in this equally modern war.

One of the main ways that cryptocurrency plays a role is due to the plethora of ways that the transfer of fiat money via centralised systems has been interrupted. Throughout human history, centralised finance systems have been susceptible to collapsing under the pressure of war and political unrest. Cryptocurrency, and the decentralised blockchain technology it’s hosted upon, is able to operate much more efficiently.

In this article, we’re going to look into the numerous applications of cryptocurrency and blockchain that the ongoing war in Ukraine has revealed.

Cryptocurrency Used for Fundraising

Crypto

In what has been Europe’s most significant military showdown since the Second World War, the conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated how crypto can be effectively used to raise much-needed funds in the midst of war.

At the outbreak of the conflict, the Ukrainian regime in Kyiv publically announced that they would be open to accepting war relief donations in the form of cryptocurrency in an effort to include a wider spectrum of potential donors. In turn, this saw the formation of the Crypto Fund of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation spearheads the Crypto Fund of Ukraine. The fund was established in partnership with the likes of Kuna, FTX and Everstake to support humanitarian aid and provide military support for Ukraine. 

The crypto fund is said to have played a serious role in enabling Ukrainian national defence and allowed the Ukrainian regime to accept more than $100 million worth of cryptocurrency donations. The funds were used to buy vital military aid such as body armour, night vision optics for fighting in the winter months, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor Russian positions.

But the Crypto Fund of Ukraine is one of many ways decentralised technology has been used to raise funds to support Ukraine. Other cryptocurrency fundraiser organisations aiming to support Ukraine have also utilised decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs). One of the most well-known is the UkraineDAO.

Like the Crypto Fund of Ukraine, the UkraineDAO was established at the outbreak of the conflict to muster financial support for the Ukrainian military. The project is spearheaded by people like Nadya Tolokonnikova, one of the founders of the Feminist anti-Putin punk band Pussy Riot and seeing involvement from the likes of the generative NFT studio called Trippy Labs. So far, the UkraineDAO project has successfully raised over $8 million in donations.

Interestingly, the UkraineDAO was behind the successful sale of a nonfungible token (NFT) that took its place amongst the list of the top 20 most expensive NFTs of all time. The NFT was centred around a Ukrainian flag and sold for more than $6 million worth of Ether (ETH).

As well as a method to receive donations, various humanitarian organisations have used cryptocurrency on the ground in the war in Ukraine. World Central Kitchen, an organisation which provides food for those in need during times of war and natural disasters, accepted donations in Ether (ETH) during various crowdfunding campaigns to carry out their work to feed those affected by the war in Ukraine. 

But, of course, where there are good intentions, there are also malicious intentions. Cryptocurrency has equally been used by those with ill intentions in the conflict in Ukraine, which brings us to our next point. 

Malicious Use of Crypto in War

Whilst the helpful intentions of humanitarian organisations and other fundraisers have received considerable attention, there is also an underbelly of malicious crypto activity that has undermined the efforts made by those trying to support Ukraine. 

For example, a series of online fraudsters have begun a highly-organized campaign to rip off would-be donors by impersonating spokespeople of approved cryptocurrency organisations taking part in fundraising campaigns for Ukraine. 

It’s believed that these cybercriminals have likely dispatched millions of emails in an effort to deceive people worldwide. A common tactic used will be to impersonate Ukrainian people who are desperately in need of aid with the goal of extracting money from would-be donors.

In doing so, the real victims of the conflict in Ukraine will face extreme difficulties in getting the help they really need, as such cybercriminals can easily blur the lines between who is genuine and who is a scammer. 

An increasing number of people are reporting that these cybercriminals are also using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram to launch their scam campaigns. Any would-be donors should only donate cryptocurrency via channels that the Ukrainian government officially authorises to evade potential scams. Alternatively, you can avoid scams by making informed decisions on well-known and reliable sources such as this crypto website. 

Crypto Scams on the Dark Web

Put simply, the dark web is an overlay internet grid made up of unindexed sites that are hidden from standard web browsers and search engines. The dark web can only be accessed using particular browsers such as Tor.

There is a reason that the dark web is deliberately concealed from everyday users. It bears a wide spectrum of highly illegal activity, including black markets for narcotics, firearms, and even assassination services. In addition, it’s widely used by black hat hackers to buy and sell stolen private credentials.

Naturally, the dark web is being heavily used by shady people to spread fraudulent messages with the aim of stealing money from people looking to support Ukraine. One of the main methods is to send links that take people to phishing sites that are developed to steal cryptocurrencies.

Users have reported that these scammers are using increasingly advanced techniques, from fake AI-generated chat boxes that aim to mimic user activity to fake donation buttons to look more genuine.

In the chaos surrounding the outbreak of the war, a particularly well-trained gang of cybercriminals launched an elaborate fundraising scam that involved the release of a crypto token called Peaceful World (WORLD). Still, it was stopped in its tracks by both the Ukrainian government and various cybersecurity experts.

Governments Can Ban and Control Cryptocurrencies

When the founder of Bitcoin (BTC), Satoshi Nakamoto, created the world’s first cryptocurrency, one of his main aims was to create a financial asset that would give freedom to the owner and take away the overwhelming level of control that global regimes and centralised financial organisations currently held over it.

However, with the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, it’s becoming increasingly clear that cryptocurrency can be banned or controlled at a governmental level in more than a few ways.

For example, in October 2022, blockchain companies based in the European Union were strictly barred from offering any form of crypto custodial services to Russian citizens or businesses. The decision resulted from a series of sanctions imposed by the European Commission on the Russian Federation. In addition, Russian cryptocurrency wallets that fell under the control of Europe-based exchanges were also targeted and frozen.

The reason for the wave of crypto sanctions was an attempt to stop Russian from using cryptocurrency to successfully evade fiat currency sanctions placed on the country, as they have done before.

Before the latest sanctions, restrictions were already in place that ensured a strict limit of 10,000 euros for trading and making deposits in crypto wallets and accounts owned by Russian citizens.

In order to dodge a regulatory conflict with the European Union, the recent acts and sanctions announced by the European Union have left significant exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, Crypto.com, and Binance to refuse services to Russian citizens and businesses.

U-Turns on Crypto Bans

The wave of crypto-related and fiat currency-related sanctions to hit Russia has left the world’s biggest country in a serious economic situation. Barred from SWIFT and cryptocurrency wallets, Russian citizens were beginning to be backed into a corner regarding viable solutions for moving money at home and abroad. 

You may remember that the Russian government notoriously banned using crypto to make payments inside Russia back in July. However, in the wake of the recent sanctions and left with few options, this ban was naturally reversed, and both the Russian central bank and the Ministry of Finance agreed to permit crypto to be used for cross-border payments.

This latest decision was believed to have been made to encourage Russians to use domestic cryptocurrency exchanges, reinforce the economy in the wake of sanctions, and provide a decentralised payment that is largely untouchable by hostile governments, provided it manages to sidestep current sanctions.

In Summary

The war in Ukraine is one of the most brutal conflicts seen in Europe in decades. But as an inherently modern war, it has taught us practical lessons about the use of cryptocurrency in large-scale human conflict on an international level.

The war has shown how cryptocurrency has been used on a community level through the use of fundraising from people wishing to support Ukraine, and the Ukrainian state has equally used it to raise direct donations worth over $100 million from donors worldwide.

On the flip side of the coin, the conflict has equally attracted the attention of scammers and cyber criminals seeking to take advantage of people’s good intentions and use the chaos of war to scam funds from people. 

Sadly, the horrific war in Ukraine shows no signs of ending anytime soon. As it continues to rage in 2023, cryptocurrency will undoubtedly be revealed in many more use cases across the conflict by both sides and for various reasons. 

 

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The Impact of Global Politics on Forex Trading

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Numerous factors impact and influence forex trading. Many have to do with macro and microeconomic factors, but politics also plays a significant role, too.

It can shape investor mood and sentiment, affect volatility, and even set trends that impact how traders approach specific currency pairs. The relationship between currency strength and politics is strong and complex, and this is what we will be exploring in this article.

Monetary Policies and Central Bank Policies

While many economists agree that this should not be the case, most central banks’ policies are heavily influenced by political actions. For example, politicians might pass laws that dictate money supply and interest rates. Both of these directly influence inflation rates that impact the strength of specific currencies. 

Interest rate adjustments and quantitative easing initiatives are areas of particular concern because they can swing currency values due to their influence on the market and currency perception.

Economic Policies

Politicians can also set and implement various economic policies that impact the forex market. New taxation measures, trade agreements, and stimulus packages can all exert a lot of influence on trade balance, economic well-being, and inflation rates.

The uncertainty they present when they are announced and as they are implemented can lead to volatility in the forex market as investors try to understand the potential ramifications and weigh different options and outcomes. Once they do, they are likely to adjust their trading positions, resulting in some currency pairs seeing additional activity and others flattering.

Investors must always keep an eye on the economic policies of countries whose currency pairs they are interested in. Doing so will inform their online forex trading strategies and ensure they can take advantage of these policies’ outcomes. They might also exit their positions because they feel these policies introduce too much volatility that increases their risk.

Geopolitical Tensions

Very few countries do not have hostile relationships with at least one other country. Additionally, new geopolitical tensions can arise overnight, impacting the forex market in several significant ways. 

The most consequential effect is investors and traders switching to more stable and safe currencies. They typically include the Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, and US dollars, which have remained stable for much of modern history. 

As more investors switch to them to use them as shelters, their values appreciate due to the increasing demand and supply that cannot keep up. Any currency pairs trading against them are impacted, with their relative value diminishing as a result.

Election Cycles

Election cycles impact the forex market in ways many people do not realize. One significant way is a reduction in direct foreign investment. When political tensions rise around election time, investors avoid those markets because of the uncertainty and high risk they present. The result is lower foreign currency reserves, which diminishes the value of the country hosting the election and faces lower-than-normal investment levels.

Elections also mean leadership changes. We have seen that leaders can make decisions or introduce policies that impact the forex markets. Investors wait to see who gets elected so they can have a better idea of the policies they are likely to introduce. If they think these policies will be unfavorable, they avoid investing, which leads to the situation discussed above.

Trade Sanctions and Global Supply Impacts

Almost every country in the world exports products or services to other countries. However, some countries are more dependent on exports than others, and this is often the case in those with huge commodity reserves. 

Sanctions that make it difficult to export commodities like precious metals, oil, and agricultural produce can significantly impact the valuation of the affected country’s currency. The result is other currencies strengthening against it and providing additional opportunities for interested investors.

The reverse can also happen. A country’s currency can strengthen once sanctions are lifted it starts exporting again.

Debt Levels and Credit Ratings

If a person cannot service a loan, lenders typically regard them as low-value and high-risk borrowers. The same happens to the country. Countries that cannot pay off their debts can be categorized as high-risk by other countries. Investors can then start viewing its currency as high risk and avoid it. This can lead to the currency getting highly devalued or high volatility in the given market.

Advancements and Developments Occasioned by Politics

Politicians can implement policies like increasing manufacturing output, mending diplomatic relationships, or making policy reforms that improve market perception and sentiment. This has the potential to affect a currency positively.

The opposite can also happen if a government implements adversarial policies. The result is often sell-off and currency devaluations.

Politics greatly influence the forex market, with policy changes, new regulations, and different choices all becoming catalysts for changes in currency values and sentiment surrounding them. Traders and investors must keep an eye on the political happenings of the countries whose markets and currencies they are interested in to identify potential opportunities or avoid risks that could severely impact their investments.

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How to Extend a Health Insurance Policy After it Has Expired

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Health insurance is a crucial aspect of financial planning and ensuring access to quality healthcare. However, sometimes life gets busy, and you may forget to renew your insurance policy on time.

If you find yourself in this situation, it’s essential to understand your options for extending your medical insurance coverage after it has expired.

The Importance of Renewing Your Health Insurance Coverage

Renewing your health insurance policy is not just a routine administrative task—it’s a critical step in safeguarding your health and financial stability. Here’s why the renewal of medical insurance coverage holds immense significance:

Continuous Protection

Renewing your medical insurance plans ensures uninterrupted coverage for yourself and your family. In the event of unexpected illnesses, accidents, or medical emergencies, having continuous coverage provides you with peace of mind knowing that you can access healthcare services without worrying about substantial out-of-pocket expenses.

Financial Security

Just like having medical insurance in the first place, renewing your policy offers financial protection against the high costs of medical care. Without coverage, medical expenses can quickly accumulate, leading to financial strain or even bankruptcy. By renewing your policy, you maintain a safety net that shields you from the financial burden of unforeseen healthcare expenses.

Access to Comprehensive Healthcare Services

Renewing your medical insurance ensures that you maintain access to a wide range of healthcare services, including preventive care, diagnostic tests, treatments, and medications. With coverage in place, you can visit healthcare providers, specialists, and hospitals as needed, allowing you to address both routine healthcare needs and unexpected medical issues effectively.

Preventive Care and Early Intervention

Many medical insurance plans cover preventive services such as screenings, vaccinations, and wellness exams. Renewing your policy allows you to continue accessing these essential preventive care services, which play a crucial role in maintaining your health and well-being. By detecting health issues early and taking preventive measures, you can reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions and improve long-term health outcomes.

Peace of Mind

Renewing your medical insurance coverage provides invaluable peace of mind for you and your family. Knowing that you are adequately protected against unforeseen healthcare expenses allows you to focus on other aspects of your life without the constant worry of potential financial burdens associated with medical emergencies.

Steps to Extend Health Insurance Coverage

Renewing your medical insurance coverage is crucial for maintaining continuous protection for yourself and your loved ones. Here’s a detailed guide on how to extend your medical insurance coverage:

Contact Your Insurer Promptly

Initiate communication with your insurance provider soon after the policy expiration. Clearly express your intention to extend the coverage and inquire about available options.

Review Extension Options

Discuss with your insurer the various options for extending your medical insurance coverage. Take time to understand the specific terms and conditions associated with each option provided.

Reinstate Lapsed Policy (if applicable)

If your policy has lapsed, check if your insurer offers a reinstatement option. Understand the reinstatement process, including any fees and requirements involved.

Pay Outstanding Premiums

Ensure prompt payment of any outstanding premiums if you’re reinstating the policy. Clarify the total amount due and inquire about acceptable payment methods.

Undergo Health Check-up

Be prepared to undergo a health check-up or provide updated medical information if required by the insurer. Understand the importance of this step in reinstating the policy and ensure compliance.

Explore Alternative Options

If reinstatement is not feasible, explore alternative options provided by your insurer. Consider short-term or interim coverage solutions until a new policy can be secured.

Consider Purchasing a New Policy

Evaluate the possibility of purchasing a new health insurance policy if extending the expired policy is not viable. Compare different plans, coverage options, and premiums to find a suitable policy.

Assess Additional Coverage Needs

Assess any changes in your healthcare needs or lifestyle that may require additional coverage. Consider factors such as pre-existing conditions, prescription medications, and anticipated healthcare expenses.

Review Policy Terms and Conditions

Thoroughly review the terms and conditions of the extended or new policy. Pay close attention to coverage limits, exclusions, deductibles, and co-payments to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Final Words

Renewing your medical insurance coverage is essential for continued protection. Understand your health needs, review policy details, and communicate directly with insurers for clarity. When it comes to reliable health insurance in India, Niva Bupa stands out as the best health insurance company for its commitment to delivering quality healthcare solutions.

By choosing Niva Bupa for your medical insurance renewal, you can trust in their expertise and dedication to providing comprehensive coverage tailored to your individual health requirements. Ready to safeguard your health and well-being? Ensure complete coverage by renewing your policy with the best health insurance company, Niva Bupa.

Explore their range of medical insurance plans, which include easy insurance claims processing, to secure the protection you need for peace of mind.

 

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DIY Options Trading: Using a Custom Strategy Builder

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Options trading offers traders the opportunity to profit from fluctuations in stock prices without owning the actual shares.

However, success in this dynamic market requires more than just luck—it demands a carefully crafted trading strategy tailored to your goals and risk tolerance. 

That’s where a custom option strategy builder comes in. It’s a DIY toolkit for options trading, allowing you to mix and match different moves to suit your financial goals and risk tolerance. 

In this article, we’ll explore DIY options trading, showing you how to use a custom strategy builder to craft your own path in the market. 

How to use a Custom Strategy Builder

Using a Custom Strategy Builder for trading or anything else means making a plan that fits just right with what you want to achieve, how much risk you’re okay with, and what you like.

These builders are like tools or setups that let you create, try out, and put your plans into action without having to deal with complicated coding or math. 

Here’s an easy guide to help you use a Custom Strategy Builder the right way, so you can make smart choices and get the most out of it.

1. Define Your Objectives and Constraints

Crafting a custom strategy starts with clear objectives and understanding your risk tolerance. Decide what you aim to achieve, like maximizing returns or minimizing risk. 

Assess how much risk you’re willing to take, as this will shape your strategy’s aggressiveness or caution. Consider your trading timeframe, whether short-term gains or long-term growth. 

These foundational decisions guide the selection of indicators and conditions in your strategy, ensuring it aligns with your goals and risk profile.

2. Select Your Indicators and Conditions

In this step, you select indicators and set conditions for your strategy. Choose technical indicators like RSI or MACD that align with your goals. Define specific conditions for entering and exiting trades based on these indicators. 

This step is crucial for outlining how your strategy operates, ensuring it triggers actions at the right moments based on your chosen market signals. 

It’s about customizing your strategy to your objectives, using the selected indicators to guide decision-making in trading.

3. Backtesting Your Strategy

Backtesting is a critical step in strategy development, allowing you to test your strategy against historical data to predict its performance without financial risk. 

It involves applying your strategy’s criteria to past market conditions to assess potential outcomes. This process helps identify strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to make necessary adjustments. 

By evaluating how your strategy would have performed historically, you can refine it to improve future performance, thus optimizing your approach before applying it to real-world scenarios.

4. Implementation

Before applying your strategy with real funds, it’s wise to test it under live market conditions without financial risk, known as paper trading.

This simulation helps validate your strategy’s effectiveness in real time. Upon satisfaction with the paper trading results, cautiously transition to using actual capital, preferably starting on a smaller scale to manage risks.

This approach ensures that your strategy is not only theoretically sound but also practical and adaptable to live market dynamics.

5. Continuous Monitoring and Tweaking

Continuous monitoring and adjustment are crucial for the success of any strategy. Regularly analyze your strategy’s performance and market conditions. If the strategy underperforms or market dynamics shift, be prepared to make necessary tweaks. 

This iterative process of refinement, based on performance data and new information, helps keep your strategy aligned with your goals and responsive to the changing financial landscape. 

Essentially, staying adaptable and proactive in strategy management maximizes effectiveness and goal alignment.

Conclusion

Using a Custom Strategy Builder simplifies creating a personalized strategy that aligns with your goals and risk tolerance. 

You can enhance your decision-making process by following steps like defining objectives, selecting indicators, backtesting, and continuously refining your approach. 

And if you’re looking for an exceptional platform for your trading needs, consider Dhan. It is one of the best option trading platforms, offering comprehensive tools and features to support your trading journey.

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