In recent years, several countries and states have legalised the use of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalise cannabis for recreational use, with Canada following suit in 2018. In the US, Marijuana remains illegal as a recreational drug at federal level, but numerous states, including Washington, California, Colorado, and Nevada, have now moved to legalise it within their borders. In the UK, the medical use of cannabis was legalised in November 2018, after the cases of two epileptic children, who benefited substantially from using cannabis, drew increased public attention to the matter. 

By 2030, the cannabis industry is set to be worth $100 billion in the United States alone, a forecast that certainly makes cannabis an investment worth considering. In the most recent quarter, Jushi Holdings Inc (JUSH.CX) — which is a multi-state company focused on building a portfolio of branded cannabis and hemp-based assets — was the marijuana stock with the highest year-over-year (YOY) sales growth, with revenue growth of 355.4%. 

There are three key ways in which cannabis investment can be done: through directly investing in marijuana shares, spread betting, or CFD trading. However, it is important to note that both spread betting and CFD trading carry much higher risks. For those who are new to trading, it is wise to stick to investing in cannabis shares directly. 

What Are Cannabis Stocks?

Cannabis stocks (or marijuana stocks) are the shares of companies that are either involved in the growing of cannabis, involved in the pharmaceutical or biotech developments of medical cannabis, or are suppliers of cannabis products and services.  

There are two main types of cannabis products: recreational or medical, with the vast majority of companies being involved in the latter. In recent years, there has been a lot of evidence to suggest that cannabis products have positive effects on people suffering from a wide variety of medical conditions. Preliminary research suggests that cannabis can help to reduce chronic pain and muscle spasms, can alleviate nausea during chemotherapy, can improve appetite in people suffering from HIV/AIDS, and can even treat severe forms of epilepsy, as seen in the UK. 

Understanding The Risks Of Investing In Cannabis Stocks 

As with investing in any type of asset, it’s important to understand that there is always some degree of risk involved. Before investing in cannabis stocks, there are some specific risks you should weigh up:

• Political Risks: Although it is legal to trade and invest in publicly listed shares of respected companies that operate within the cannabis industry, some countries, such as the US at federal level, place heavy restrictions on banks that deal with cannabis-related businesses. Consequently, it can be very difficult for affected cannabis businesses to access vital financial services, potentially jeopardising their chances of long-term survival.
• Cash Flow Issues: Many cannabis industry participants are growing companies that yield small profits and frequently face the risk of running out of cash. These businesses often raise capital by issuing new shares, decreasing the value of existing shares. 
• Imbalances With Supply And Demand: As a rapidly expanding sector within the agriculture sector, cannabis is especially vulnerable to irregularities in supply and demand. Following the legalisation of cannabis in Canada in 2018, Canadian cannabis growers undertook huge expansion initiatives to up their production capacity to meet demands. However, many Canadian growers have now scaled back their production as cannabis supply in the country is now outrunning demand. This has seen prices fall and revenues suffer.

How To Invest In Cannabis Stocks

There are numerous companies providing services to the cannabis industry, meaning investors have a wide choice of stocks or ETFs. 

• Step 1: Research the company

Research is an essential part of making any investment. You should check out the latest news surrounding a given company, gain a feel for the market sentiment on platforms such as Stocktwits, and check SEC filings and other documents required by diverse regulatory agencies. 

• Step 2: Decide how much you want to invest

Stocks are volatile and the future is unpredictable. As a rule of thumb, you should never invest more than what you can afford to lose. Although thorough research often leads to strong returns, there’s no guarantee that this will always be the case. 

• Step 3: Determine your timeline

When you buy and sell can make a big difference, so it’s important to consider your timing carefully. However, you should note that it can be very difficult to time the market correctly. An investment strategy that may be worth considering is dollar-cost averaging (DCA). This is a strategy in which an investor divides the total amount that they wish to invest across periodic purchases of a target asset. DCA can help to limit the impact of volatility on the overall purchase. 

• Step 4: Choose your broker

A broker serves as an intermediary between an investor and a securities exchange.  Choosing your broker isn’t dissimilar to picking a stock, it starts with understanding your investing style and determining your investment goals for the short and long term. Apps like Freetrade and IG are great places to start.   

• Step 5: Buying your stock

For beginners especially, the process of actually buying stock can be trickier than it initially sounds. “There are generally 2 types of ‘buy’ orders: market order and a limit order. A market order will execute the purchase at the present market price, while a limit order will only execute if the price falls at or below the limit price,” Benzinga’s Thomas Rudy explains. “Although a limit price might give an investor a lower price of entry, there is no guarantee that the limit order will execute.”

Are Cannabis ETFs A Sensible Option?

Another way to invest in cannabis stocks is through cannabis ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). ETFs are similar to mutual funds but there are a few key differences. As with mutual funds, ETFs invest in a diverse range of securities and offer automatic diversification to shareholders. Instead of buying shares of an individual stock, investors buy shares in the ETF. They are entitled to a corresponding portion of its overall value. One key difference between ETFs and mutual bonds, however, is that ETFs are traded on the open market, meaning ETF shareholders can buy and sell shares of an ETF whenever they choose. 

ETFs are popular investments because they can be bought and sold easily and because they are generally inexpensive. ETFs also involve fewer fees than other types of investments and are more tax-efficient than mutual funds. Although there is some degree of risk with any investment, ETFs can be very safe investments provided you do sufficient research first. 

As cultural tolerance of cannabis increases across the globe, a plethora of opportunities open for companies and investors alike. However, as with any investment, it is important to do your research carefully and weigh up whether or not it's a sensible addition, or start, to your portfolio.

This article does not constitute financial advice. The author and Universal Media Ltd. are not qualified financial advisers. All investments are made at the reader’s own risk.

However, Robinhood shares dropped by more than 8% in after-hours trading as the company warned that a slowdown in trading activity would impact revenues in the current quarter. It is also possible that the platform’s investors are apprehensive about whether crypto, renowned for its volatility, can continue to provide financial success for the company. 

Robinhood’s revenue surged by over 131% in the period from $244 million a year ago, nearing the high range of the trading platform’s prediction of $546 million to $574 million. The company saw revenue from crypto trading reach $233 million, over half of all the transaction-based revenue of $451 million for the second quarter. In the first quarter, crypto’s share of revenue rose to over 51% from 17%. By contrast, the company’s crypto-based revenue sat at just $5 million In the second quarter of 2020. 

Robinhood introduced crypto trading in 2018. It has ballooned in the past few years, with the trading platform offering seven different digital coins, including bitcoin, litecoin, and ethereum. 

With the right ETF, it's easy to track commodities, indexes, and other assets you need. Investing in exchange-traded funds shouldn't be daunting if you know where to start. You have to look at the key merits of using such an investing strategy or vehicle. 

ETFs are easy to trade, usually cheaper than other managed funds, make it easy to buy a vast collection of assets in a single transaction and are understandable. Significantly, you also have to look at the available ETFs in the market. Here are some tips to help choose the best: 

• Your investment focus: Decide whether you are investing for growth or income. Are you going to invest in bonds, equities or commodities? 
• Index focus: Figure out the index you want, and you should choose a type that tracks the market you want to pursue. 
• Trading strategy: Consider your time frame of investing and your experience in the sector. Also, check the ongoing charges, fund size and age or replication method.

Investing In ETF: Choose The Best Platform

If you are well-versed with how exchange-traded funds work, you need to make another critical decision. Choose the best ETF platform UK. ETFs are readily available in the market, and you can find them in online investing platforms, investing apps, and asset providers' sites. ETFs are operated by some of the best asset companies and money lending institutions. The best platform or provider you choose should be customer-centric. Tips to help determine the best ETF provider include:

• It should provide essential information and documents that have been updated regularly.
• It should have a clear presentation of crucial policies and information.
• Easy access to different product details, data, and documentation of its website
• The available information is easy to understand and does not confuse customers.

The best ETF provider in the UK should be convenient and offer a wide variety of products and services. For instance, if choosing a mobile investing app, it should allow ETF share purchase conveniently. On the other hand, some brokers may ask for documentation or paperwork that might consume a lot of time. A reliable EFT platform UK should offer extensive information investors can familiarise themselves with and learn more about exchange-traded funds. So, choose your platform wisely, and here are the top five picks.

1. AJ Bell YouInvest

If you are getting started in the ETFs market, AJ Bell is the best option. It guides investors through the investment process and helps them choose a wide range of ETFs.

2. Barclays Smart Investor

It's an excellent choice for beginners in exchange-traded funds and offers a low starting fee. You can pay just 0.1%, with a minimum charge of £4.00. 

3. IG

Choose IG if you are looking for an enormous variety of ETFs. It covers equity, commodities, property, fixed income, and other asset classes. It's a web-based platform that allows customers to filter by their location, performance and sector.

4. Fidelity 

Settle for Fidelity ETFs if you are looking forward to investing internationally. It offers a wide range of ETFs great for your international experience. 

5. Hargreaves Lansdown

It's a great platform if you are a DIY investor and looking for a wide array of exchange-traded funds. It's easy to use and allows investors to access all the information and ideas they need. 

To Sum Up 

To start investing in ETFs in the UK, you have to find the best platform or provider. You can settle for web-based platforms or mobile trading apps. However, the platform you pick should be transparent, flexible, guarantee excellent value, offer a wide variety of ETFs, and embrace cutting-edge technology

The share markets have popularly been showcasing an unrelenting growth over a long period. Seldom a drastic fall takes place like the 2008 global crisis, where the markets plunged beyond imagination. However, small-time investors can make money come what may. This can be true if you make trading on the news and market insights usage vital to your investment strategy. If you are an intraday trader, you may make use of the news on multiple occasions. A long-term user intermittently makes use of such information. If you want to make an ingenious portfolio, trading on the news is crucial for sustained returns, whatever be your strategy.

The Classification

Shortlisting and identifying the right source of information is very important. Verifying the credibility of news before indulging in its optics is very critical. It is essential to keep track of the market news and opinions. You should avoid having a herd mentality and not ride on news of someone else’s investment. The trick is to identify the breaking investment news and invest accordingly. The change in policy stance for a particular industry by the authorities or alteration of lending or borrowing rates may act as such facilitators.

The key to not get misled by a piece of wrong information is to read the financial news from a reputable source. Thereby, not making a wrong stock choice, which will ultimately impact your portfolio. For example, you can use tricks to ride on the regulator news. If the news and the market conditions forecast regulatory cuts and curbs in the economy, you may short on the counters that will get affected most by the decision. It will give you a chance to earn even when the market is going down.

Subscribing to authentic and reputable news agencies can be a great help. It can help you as an investor to have credible news and better market insights. Trading platforms help investors with expert opinions, actionable tips based on breaking news, and thorough analysis. Investors can use the information to execute better trades and earn higher returns on their stock investments.

However, the fundamental logic of a common-sense observation helping to infer better will always remain the crux of the story. Deducing a product demand change due to change of any market variables may help spot the future scope. Any assumptions that you make should have substantiating data from credible sources. The market news can come under two buckets to make better sense of all the information:

• Recurring News - It refers to the scheduled news releases that impact the market. Information like the Bank of England’s announcement on the monetary policy or interest rates. And also the earning disclosures by the companies.
• Unexpected News - It refers to the sudden developments like the onset of a pandemic, a terrorist attack, or a natural calamity occurrence, .etc.

The impact of the news can be on a single stock, the industry, or the market as a whole.

The Trading

Let us dive into the news events, which the investors can keep track of and employ tactics to ride on the sentiment and make a buck for themselves.

Policy-Maker Announcements

The Bank of England's policy change decision announcements are the biggest factors that affect the market movements. Investors have to be wary of such information and trade carefully.

The ongoing pandemic has seen many alterations in the policy as well as the interest rates. An investor who keeps a tab of such news may hedge a potential downside risk or increase the position to ride on the momentum.  Reactive moves after the announcement of the policy changes often do not benefit like proactive actions. For both the approaches, be it proactive or reactive, your action on the piece of news depends on several variables. It may include, though not is limited to:

• Conviction of the investor about the market’s direction
• Risk appetite
• Trading approach (whether passive or active)

Employment Ratios

The employment ratio is a crucial economic variable that you should take into consideration. Employment levels determine the demand in the economy. You may keep a close watch on these numbers. The employment level has a significant impact on consumer spending. It in turn determines consumer confidence and thereby the trade movements across the various domains.

You may also take note of the fact that when the job numbers are below economist’s forecasts the economy shows signs of weakness. While a higher number than predicted means a stronger economy.

Company Disclosures

When you invest in a particular stock, being aware of the earning disclosure, annual meetings, or launch dates is crucial. Information without action is of no value. Hence, you may have an action plan concerning your trading strategy in the post and pre-disclosure period. Various factors may contribute to your decision to buy, sell, or hold the stocks during these periods:

• Earning expectations
• Current Market Sentiment (bull or bear)
• Stock valuation
• Investor sentiment (on the particular stock)
• Price-performance (short and medium-term) 
• Competition earnings and outlook
• Current putt levels for the stock

So do not get carried by any information about the stocks, any company, or the market. Have a better understanding of the news from reputable sources. You may go through the financial advisory web portal that is credible and help with the market insights. Working solely on a hunch is not advisable.

To achieve this independence, you need to exert time and relentless effort to create a stream of multiple passive sources of income that can help you in the long run. Here are some ideas to help you get started.

Rent out your unused space

If you have a spare room or a property you can turn into a rental home, renting out your unused space is a great way to earn passive income. Your investment now becomes an asset, since it generates revenue without you needing to do too much on your end. Consider listing your rental space at several marketplace platforms such as Airbnb to reach a more comprehensive network of tenants. Just make sure to screen your prospective clients carefully to ensure that they can properly take care of your property. Keep in mind that your income will depend on your rental space's size, location, and condition. If you have an unused basement or storage space, you can also advertise it to earn money. 

Rent out your car 

Aside from renting out your unused space, you can also advertise your vehicle to ride-sharing companies or car rental firms. Similar to renting out your space, you need to be comfortable enough to share your property with strangers and be prepared to face any serious issues that may arise in the long run. You can either lend your car to reliable rental agencies or be a ride-sharing partner and drive it around yourself.

Create tutorials or compelling videos

One of the income-generating ventures that are rising rapidly, especially for the younger generation, is making YouTube videos. Nowadays, you can create video content such as tutorials, product reviews, commentaries, vlogs, educational videos, autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR), health and fitness, music, compilations, news, cooking lifestyle, and travel. To generate more cash flow, you can promote your videos on your social media platforms or collaborate with brands that complement your channel. 

Be an e-retailer or sell your products online

Another way to earn passively is to sell products online. You can sell your own items or partner with small and medium-sized businesses and become their reseller. Not only will you earn passive income, but you will also be helping out these companies promote their products. If you choose to start your online store, make sure to set up an effective website that can generate traffic to your business. 

Become an investor 

If you have a sustainable amount of savings and a high-risk appetite, consider investing in startups or established businesses. Depending on your preferences and expertise level, you can either start as an angel investor or choose to become an equity partner. Compared to previous years, there are several types of business ventures you can invest in. Do your research and list down the businesses that are currently in demand. 

When choosing a company, make sure that it is something that you can relate to. For instance, if you are an avid food lover, then look for small food businesses in your area, or if you are passionate about having a clean home, look to invest in a local cleaning company.

There are several ways for you to earn passive income. To ensure that you are putting your hard-earned money into something profitable, you must analyse your options carefully and thoroughly. 

 Given the mass amounts of information available and the complex nature of Bitcoin investment, it’s completely understandable that you’d be a little confused. However, now is the time to say goodbye to disorientation and hello to a diversified investment portfolio. Read on to discover your perfect introduction to investing in Bitcoin.

 What Is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency that was created in January 2009. It promises investors and traders lower transaction fees than traditional online payment platforms. Additionally, it is operated by a decentralised authority, making it starkly different from government-issued currencies. Like all forms of cryptocurrency, Bitcoin is intangible, meaning there is no physical coin you can use; instead all of your Bitcoin funds are held in a digital wallet.

 Where And How Can You Use Bitcoin?

Despite the fact that it’s an intangible and largely unofficial form of currency, you can use Bitcoin to purchase goods and services from several companies. Some of them include:

• Wikipedia
• Microsoft
• AT&T
• Burger King
• KFC
• Subway
• Twitch
• 4Chan
• ExpressVPN

Once you grow into a more confident investor and trader, you can also use Bitcoin in your Forex trading activities.

Risks Of Bitcoin

Like any form of investment, Bitcoin investment carries its fair share of risks, of which you need to be aware before spending your hard-earned cash. Some of the most prominent risks include:

• Volatility – Since Bitcoin is a relatively new form of currency, it remains quite volatile. Specifically, a number of external factors can cause major swings in the value of Bitcoin. One major example is a tweet from Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, which saw the price increase by 11% in one day.
• Lack of Tangibility – Bitcoin is intangible, meaning there is little to back it up. It simply carries value because the people investing in it say it has value. If the market were to suddenly decide that it did not have value, your investment could go up in smoke.

How To Buy Bitcoin

You feel ready to invest in Bitcoin, and now all that’s left to do is figure out how to buy some. First, you’ll need to choose an exchange, such as Gemini, Coinbase, or Kraken. There are several exchange platforms on the market, so be sure to do your research and compare your options to find the best one for you.

Next, you’ll need to link a payment method to your exchange account. This payment method is what you’ll use to purchase your Bitcoin. From there, you can place your order for as much Bitcoin as you’d like. Once you have it, make sure to store it in a safe place, such as your digital wallet.

As a beginner, investing in Bitcoin can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By reading this guide, you’ve taken the first step in overcoming your investing fears and mastering Bitcoin. With this knowledge, you’ll be poised to reach new investing heights.

Investments of passion are very often simply a hobby rather than part of a wider financial planning strategy. Exponential technological change and a huge increase in retail investors have persistently created volatility and unpredictability in new asset classes. 

 What is certain is that the lines between investments of passion and investments of pure purpose have become more blurred. So, here’s what exactly people have been interested in.

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) 

According to the market tracker, 134,191 sales took place in March 2021, with collectors spending more than US$200 million trading artwork, gifs and memes. The platform is a great way for an artist to launch their career and be remunerated for their work.

Unsurprisingly, NFTs have caught the eye of many companies ready to push boundaries and unlock potential, from cryptocurrency for entertainment and sports, to tapping into the collectibles market targeted at football fans, or even virtual real estate, with a digital home selling for as much as US$500,000 recently.

Toys

An unopened and forgotten copy of Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System, a Christmas gift from 1986, was sold in an auction for US$660,000 last month. The gift was left unopened for 35 years!

Pokémon trading cards grew hugely in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. A rare, 1st edition 'Charizard' card sold for $360,000. Forbes reported that for some less unique cards, the selling rate can vary between US$400 and US$2000.

Star Wars collectables have also caught the eye of many. In 2019, a Star Wars 'Bib Fortuna' toy prototype sold for £36,000 alongside other characters, all of whom were said to be "relatively unknown".

Books

Well kept, original, limited edition items have sold in auctions for hundreds of thousands of pounds – in some cases even millions. Indeed, the first comic book ever to feature Superman sold on eBay for over US$3.25 million. The original was on sale for 10 cents in 1938.

Harry Potter books are also proving to be a unique investment, but there is a catch. Only 500 copies of the first edition were originally printed, and it was not long until a spelling error was spotted in the book. In 2020, one of these copies, published in 1997, bypassed the original valuation of £30,000 and sold for £60,000.

Vintage Baseball Cards

Mint condition cards sold on US marketplace StockX soared in average price in 2020, from US$280 to US$775 per card. Just last month, one of 100-of-its-kind card of athlete, Tom Brady, sold for US$1.3 million.

Jewellery 

Coloured diamonds have been deemed the safest bet for return on investment. The largest-ever auctioned piece, a 14.8-carat purple-pink diamond, sold for £20.1 million in 2020 in Switzerland, showing that the market stayed strong despite the pandemic.

Trainers 

Trainers too have earned their place as an investment category. In England, the Kayne West x Louis Vuitton collection of trainers are estimated as the most valuable at £22,763. If you do own a pair, we hope that you chose the grey and pink, as these are the most sought-after. In the US, a pair of trainers in the style of the famous Nike dunks sold in March for the equivalent of £24,000.

“Traditionally, passion investments would have included fine and contemporary art, wine, watches, jewellery, classic and supercars, all of which would suggest a level of knowledge and major issues around authenticity, storage, tax and insurance”, commented Nick Gornall, Arbuthnot Latham's Head of Business Development.

"In a world that has seen historically low levels of interest rate post-2008, and with the globalisation of investors, particularly from China accessing via technology, there is renewed interest and more transparent market platforms for such passion investments.

"It is not a surprise to see many more emerging trends – what price will be paid in 30 years’ time for the prototype electric car or digital footprint for today’s Instagram influencer I wonder. We live in interesting times.”

Sezer Sherif, Founder and CEO of investment group Vector Capital , explores the increasing appeal of the UAE for investors.

Catastrophe And Opportunity

The investment landscape has, for the past year, been characterised by uncertainty. It does not take a degree in economics to recognise that global pandemics, and their associated social restrictions, do not cultivate a desire for reckless speculation or needless risk-taking. It is doubtless for this reason that, according to a recent report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, global foreign direct investment (FDI) suffered a total collapse during the course of 2020. The fall of 42% took total FDI from $1.5 trillion in 2019 to approximately $859 billion.

Though the upsides to such catastrophes are neither numerous nor overt, these challenging economic waters provide something of a litmus test for prospective investors. According to James Zhan, director of UNCTAD’s investment division, “[i]nvestors are likely to remain cautious in committing capital to new overseas productive assets.” There is, however, a more rewarding outlet for this kind of caution. The trials occasioned by the pandemic can be understood as a simplifying force in a world of overseas investment that can – especially for first-time investors – feel difficult, complex, and inaccessible. Where does a new investor begin? Lengthy and time-consuming analyses of various countries’ suitability for investment can instead be whittled down, at least in terms of initial impressions, to a single, straightforward metric: how well have they performed in pandemic conditions?

The principle of gauging investment potential through pandemic-related data has been neatly exemplified in a recent Tweet published by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. He wastes no time in signposting the favourable contrast between the aforementioned global FDI figures and those currently enjoyed by the UAE. As he notes, “[d]espite the UN’s estimates that global foreign direct investment flows decreased by 42% in 2020 over COVID-19, the UAE witnessed 44% growth in FDI flows in 2020.” This kind of stark contrast demonstrates that the ongoing economic crisis can point the way towards fruitful investment opportunities, including FDI mainstays such as real estate, retail trade, manufacturing, and mining, alongside exciting high potential sectors including aeronautical services, natural resources management, and renewable energies – especially through, per Santander, the country’s huge photovoltaic potential.

The Continued Rise Of The UAE

The UAE’s suitability for photovoltaics is unsurprising: it is a region doused with eternal sunshine which encompasses the natural beauty of its sand dunes and the opulent reaches of its skyscrapers alike.

Having spotted data that suggests that the UAE is an attractive region for investors and recognising the physical attractiveness which makes the region worth forming ties with, it is worth considering what economic qualities make the country so favourable. The UAE’s remarkable growth in FDI is reflected in the 2021 Kearney FDI Confidence Index, in which the region was promoted from 19th place in 2020 to 15th in 2021.

A recent report from PwC Middle East places recovery and growth first on its list of predicted economic themes for the UAE in 2021, noting that the country is likely to “return to economic growth on a real GDP basis.” In fact, since the publication of the above report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has considerably upgraded the UAE’s growth forecast for 2021 from 1.3% to 3.1%.

Of course, no region can provide iron-clad economic stability. Ongoing global moves towards decarbonisation, for example, may have troubling repercussions for oil-rich economies like that of the UAE. Moreover, as an article from the World Bank suggests, the UAE’s “large tourism industry” will, in line with that of most parts of the world, continue to be impacted by the pandemic.

A Confident Future

On the whole, however, investor confidence will be heightened by the UAE’s moves to capitalise upon its favourable position for prospective investors. June 1 2021 represents a notable landmark for the UAE as a hub of investment opportunity: this date sees the launch of an amended Commercial Companies Law which will, as Gulf Today reports, “make the UAE a more investment-friendly destination” by allowing companies to apply for business licences without requiring a UAE national to act as a 51% shareholder.

As Economy Minister Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri has said, this move gives the UAE a “competitive edge”, allowing for the free flow of foreign direct investment and facilitating the movement of money in the region. Other recent measures to attract investment for the UAE include the ability for investors to receive 10-year visas and a path to full citizenship. The country is evidently committed to nurturing a spirit of free entrepreneurialism which can only strengthen its attractiveness for investors, while its offers of extended visits can only sweeten the deal for those interested in the UAE’s expansive shopping malls, growing upscale dining scene, and unique architecture.

If you’ve ever spent any time betting on sports before, you may well have come across a few different ways to wager your wad. Have you ever considered betting on the FTSE 100, however?

Spread betting is enormously popular. However, there are quite a few myths and mistruths about the betting standard that are worthy of attention.

In the long run, it’s a really good idea to look into UK spread betting brokers. However, in this guide, we’ll start by looking at the basics and your profit potential.

What is spread betting?

Spread betting works similarly to sports betting. That is, in the sense that you place a wager with a bookmaker on whether or not a specific index is going to increase or decrease in value. Effectively, it’s a form of trading that appeals to casual market enthusiasts. That’s because, as a system, it is relatively simple compared to deeper trading strategies.

Spread betting can also be appealing in the sense that you won’t have to pay any CG tax on profits. What’s more, the markets are absolutely huge! You can choose to bet on a variety of shares and indexes, and there is a plethora of software out there to help you manage your portfolios.

But the killer question, again, is – can spread betting actually be profitable?

When spread betting is profitable

As with most market trading concerns, spread betting can sometimes be hard to predict. That’s largely where the idea of ‘betting’ comes into play. You’re taking a chance.

However, many trading experts – those with experience in spread betting – will likely advise you need to set up long-term plans for spread betting to actually work well. You need to be exceptionally careful in the brokers you choose, as well as to look at betting (in this sense) much like you are running your own firm.

Spread betting can be profitable if you are willing to put in time and effort. Of course, risk does pay off, but much like betting on football or horse racing, checking out form and ‘runner’ history also pays well.

Therefore, you can only really expect to make money from spread betting if you plan well in advance. It’s certainly tempting to take a punt every now and again, but when you’re muddling in the markets, you’re going to need to take a little more caution.

Is spread betting right for you?

That really depends on your own style of investing and betting. It’s not always as straightforward to say that someone who enjoys betting on racing or football will necessarily get on well with the markets.

The best thing to do, therefore, is to look closely at your profit potential and to dig deep into how the markets work. That way, you could turn your hard work and research into a serious side hustle for years to come.

Launched in 2009, Bitcoin signalled the start of the cryptocurrency movement. Despite there still being plenty of mystery surrounding its creation, Bitcoin mania shows no signs of slowing down.

On its way to becoming a global currency, more merchants are beginning to accept Bitcoin as a legitimate payment form, and some cities around the world even have dedicated ATMs for the cryptocurrency. Some of the first tangible items ever purchased with Bitcoin were two large pizzas in 2010, the value of which today would be worth more than $190 million. Although it continues to attract scepticism from the world’s central banks and many institutional investors, cryptocurrencies don’t deter the savvy capitalist.

As an investor, it is important to create a diverse portfolio that contains both safer and riskier investments. Ideally, it should include a mixture of stocks, fixed income, and commodities, such as gold. Although adding cryptocurrencies to a portfolio is perhaps considered risky, having a good spread of investments avoids creating an unnecessary threat to your capital and protects your assets against economic turbulence. Smart investors should work towards building a complementary and well-balanced portfolio and, in the modern market, this often includes cryptocurrencies.

Over the past year or so, the perception of Bitcoin has slowly begun to change. Initially, it was misunderstood by people and labelled as untrustworthy and vulnerable to extreme short-term fluctuations in value. However, as household names such as John Lewis and Tesco continue to endorse Bitcoin and even accept it as a legitimate currency, attitudes are beginning to shift. Whilst there is still a long way to go in terms of regulation for Bitcoin, the reputational troubles it once faced have started to recede.

It is important that those looking to safely incorporate both gold and crypto into their portfolios use regulated providers.

Despite this, investors should still tread with caution when investing in cryptocurrency. As a relatively new currency, there is a lack of historical data and analysis that can be used to predict long-term performance. Unlike fiat currencies, such as the British pound, Bitcoin has a maximum supply of approximately 21 million coins. This has led some to believe that the scarce asset will continue to increase in value as government-issued currencies decrease. Others believe it could eventually become the first truly global currency. However, due to its unpredictability, investors should avoid ‘putting all of their eggs in one basket’ and consider adding other valuable commodities to their investment portfolios, such as gold.

While they are both finite resources, Bitcoin and gold play very different roles within an investment portfolio. Many people choose to invest in cryptocurrency for capital appreciation and because its volatility often leads it to being viewed as a quick way to make money. Gold, however, is often associated with longevity and is seen as a tool of wealth preservation. With a track record of thousands of years, the precious metal still carries importance in today’s society. Although its price has varied, it has remained consistent and increased by an average of 49% over the past five years, making it a safe addition for any investment portfolio.

Ultimately, gold and Bitcoin go hand in hand. Historically, when Bitcoin has crashed, gold has rallied and vice versa. The two assets can be very complementary and investing in both could help towards building a portfolio that benefits from both long and short-term profits, providing it is done safely.

It is important that those looking to safely incorporate both gold and crypto into their portfolios use regulated providers. Ideally, the company should also have a proven track record with other investors; this is particularly important for cryptocurrencies, where the landscape is still unfamiliar. Whilst newer cryptocurrencies, such as Dogecoin, can seem attractive to investors, their relative newness to the marketplace means that investors should proceed with caution, especially until more is known about their vulnerability to fluctuations.

By investing in both gold and Bitcoin, investors can also lower the risk of their portfolio and ensure that not all of their capital is tied into a high-risk investment, such as Bitcoin. By periodically converting some cryptocurrency into a more stable asset, such as gold, investors can potentially shield themselves from some of the currency fluctuations they may be exposed to if their investment portfolio was fully focussed on Bitcoin.

First time investors should do plenty of research beforehand and possibly even seek the advice of a professional adviser, to ensure they are being smart with their investments.

Whilst it is likely that Bitcoin is here to stay and will continue to gain popularity, investors should still tread with caution. Until a more concrete regulatory system is put in place, cryptocurrency will remain volatile. Smart investors should ensure their portfolios are well-balanced with other investments, such as gold or other precious metals, to protect their overall worth and create a safe haven for the future.

About Minted   

Founded in 2018, Minted is a technology platform where anyone can buy, sell, save and transfer physical gold. With an easy-to-use mobile platform and app, Minted makes buying gold simple, safe and affordable. Customers can set up flexible savings plans and invest amounts of their choice into gold each month. With market-leading buying rates, Minted is the only gold savings app where users can get ownership and delivery of pure 999.9 24kt LBMA physical gold.    

Minted’s users aren’t tied into a contract and can sell their gold instantly, at any point, at better rates than on the High Street. Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, users’ gold is safely stored in a high-security UK London vault and is fully-insured to market value.  

The leadership team includes co-founder and CEO Hamzah Almasyabi, co-founder Haroon Siddiq, co-founder and consultant Shahid Munir, and managing director Rebecca Hutchinson. 

Visit the Minted website to find out more about buying and saving in gold: https://theminted.com/

When it comes to establishing the journey that will lead you to achieve the greatest points of crypto success, you have to make sure that you have all of the additional segments into consideration. This is of great importance because if you are interested in reaching the ultimate points of achievement and earning insane amounts of profits, then you should explore every possible aspect of the crypto process. To begin the actual journey of this notion, you will get a chance to go through the most important decision-making process that will determine the whole future outcome. This is where you will have to settle on which crypto aspect you are going to explore. If you have been interested in the trading concept of the crypto world, then this article is the perfect starting point for you.

Having all of this explained, in order to make the next big step that will allow you to begin the overall crypto trading process, you will have to focus your attention on a specific digital value. All of this will help you narrow things down, thus allowing you to explore all of the important trading points that Bitcoin has to offer. Here, you will be able to explore the most prominent digital value, thus learn all about your role as a future Bitcoin trader. With all of this in mind, it is time to start the actual trading process, thus explore the most innovative Bitcoin trading solutions that will come your way.

Let’s begin with the most valuable Bitcoin trading tips.

Find a User-Friendly Bitcoin Trading Platform

Starting this segment, the most significant tip that we have to suggest that will help you establish the beginning stages of your trading journey is the notion of finding a suitable and user-friendly trading platform. This is the case just because if you are just now starting to explore the world of Bitcoin trading possibilities and you have little to no trading experience, then you should start by exploring the concept of using Bitcoin trading platforms.

This is probably one of the most innovative trading solutions that have been created in a way to give people that are interested in the world of crypto trading a rather equal chance at reaching the points of success. This method is based on the latest technological advances and it is completely automated. Both features will give you the needed push into the right Bitcoin trading direction.

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Follow the Clear Bitcoin Trading Platform Steps

Once you have successfully found the specific method that you should like to explore, you can access Bitcoin trading sites and thus explore all of the additional features that are incorporated within these popular Bitcoin trading platforms. This is where you will be able to explore every possible aspect that the usage of these platforms has to offer, thus focus on exploring the most profitable trading deals.

To begin the actual process of Bitcoin trading using this particular method, you will have to begin with the creation of your online trading account. This segment is rather simple to achieve because you will get a chance to follow the quick and easy registration form. Here, all you need to do is provide all of the required information, place a strong and secure password, and approach the next big step of your trading journey. Once all of this is completed, you will have to place the initial trading deposit, thus activating the most powerful trading algorithm.

Closing Remarks

Make sure to incorporate all of the significant trading points that we have discussed so far, thus approach the concept of reaching Bitcoin trading success.

These days Bitcoin is as valuable as gold and thanks to that fact, thousands of people are looking to invest in it and make a profit. Trading with this cryptocurrency has become a very popular occupation. Not only that but there are many stories of how Bitcoin changed the lives of many people and even managed to turn some traders into overnight millionaires.

Recently, the number of traders that are registering to Bitcoin’s network has been increasing a lot. The main reason for that is because experts believe that Bitcoin has the potential to rise even more and possibly reach $100,000 by the end of 2021.

That is exactly the topic that we wanted to discuss in this article. We’ll be taking a look at the two main reasons which lead experts to believe this claim. But, before we dive into the details, let’s check Bitcoin’s current state.

Current State

At the moment, Bitcoin’s price fluctuates around $40,000. Back in April 2021, it peaked at $63,000 but dropped in value shortly after. Even though Bitcoin was stable for the bigger part of 2021, the sudden drop in value is what attracted traders as they see this as a golden opportunity to invest in Bitcoin.

They use trading sites to sell their Bitcoins after they earn them. Trading sites have become extremely popular in the recent period due to the fact that they provide traders with fantastic services, one of which is an AI system that is capable of determining the future price of Bitcoin.

It collects all the data about his cryptocurrency, analyses it, and then shares the results with traders. Thanks to the AI system, traders can battle the volatility rate and maximise their revenue. Reputable trading sites use this type of software and have a very high profitability rate.

Apart from making a profit with Bitcoin, this cryptocurrency is currently accepted as a payment method at many global brands. The list includes the likes of Starbucks, Microsoft, Wikipedia, AT&T, Overstock, and Home Depot.

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Now that we’ve cleared up everything there is to know about Bitcoin’s current state, let’s check out the two main reasons behind Bitcoin’s potential rise in value.

The Institutional Interest

The first reason why Bitcoin is expected to rise in value is the massive institutional interest. We mentioned that there are tons of global brands that accept it as a payment method. If you are wondering how that influences Bitcoin’s price, it is because they are contributing towards its stability. The more stable Bitcoin is, the higher its value will be.

Speaking on that note, it is worth noting that Bitcoin’s price rose drastically after the famous Tesla investment. Not only did Tesla manage to spike the value of Bitcoin by more than $4,000 in a few days, but it also motivated many other companies to invest and integrate Bitcoin into their systems.

Halving Events Lead to It

The second reason as to why it is believed that Bitcoin will rise is halving events. History showed us that Bitcoin always peaks a year and a half after halving events end. The last halving event was held in May 2020.

With that logic in mind, a year and a half will pass in the fourth quarter of 2021. While experts do not have an accurate date of when Bitcoin’s value will spike, it is expected for it to be around November.

These two reasons are extremely reliable and backed by facts, which is why many traders believe them and are already looking to invest and possibly make a profit.