Blog Posted In Government, Tech

Key Moments In Bitcoin’s History


By | source: Apr 2nd, 2018

Despite currently trading around $8,000 and steadily increasing in popularity, cryptocurrencies are often still marred by fear and negative media coverage.

Bitcoin is transparent and digital, meaning when using it you don’t have to worry about counterfeit money.   It’s the first successful use case of blockchain technology in digital payment.  As Bitcoin’s introduction verges on its 10th year, it’s starting to gain further widespread adoption around the world.  Here are 10 moments in its history that stand out as well as a bitcoin infographic with 67 insane facts.

Satoshi Nakamoto Launches Bitcoin with a Radical Agenda (January 2009)

You might assume that somebody who creates a new currency is probably in it for the money, and while Bitcoin’s mysterious founder Satoshi Nakamoto is estimated to own $4.7 billion worth of BTC, it’s the radical agenda behind the technology that has inspired many people to show their support.

“The Times 3 January 2009 Chancellor on brink of the second bailout for banks,” was the message Nakamoto left in the very first block that was mined that month – referencing an article about the financial crisis and the UK’s taxpayer-funded bank bailout.

Bitcoin is not controlled by any central government or authority, transactions are pseudonymous, and there are no inherent restrictions preventing any individual from using it as long as they are able to connect to the internet and use the web. Even in countries where BTC is outlawed, there isn’t always a realistic way to enforce the ban.

Without these radical elements, it could be argued that Bitcoin would not be as successful, as there wouldn’t be anything particularly unique about it.

pizza

Bitcoin Pizza Day (May 2010)

An example of BTC’s rise in value is “bitcoin pizza day,” the day which commemorates the very first consumer purchase using the currency.

On May 22, 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz bought pizza from 18-year old Jeremy Sturdivant, for 10,000 BTC, totaling approximately $25 at the time. Today this is worth over $50 million!

It wasn’t a direct transaction with the pizza place; rather Hanyecz sent the money to Sturdivant who agreed to place the orders.

Unfortunately, it is not known what Sturdivant did with his coins and if he’s now living the high life or kicking himself for spending them up before the boom in value. However, one person we do know who is kicking themselves is Hanyecz, who probably should have just made a sandwich and held on to his fortune.

Numerous independent and larger pizza chains now accept payment in BTC. Also, there are several online services that allow customers to pay a middleman in BTC, who will then order a desired service on your behalf in regular currency.

Europe Embraces Bitcoin (2011)

Although the US was its birthplace, Europe was quick to embrace Bitcoin. In 2011 French based exchange Bitcoin Central was the first exchange to be licensed under European regulation.

It subsequently assured customers’ balances up to 100,000 EUR and offered debit cards with access to BTC balances. In practice, this meant that Bitcoin (BTC) could be immediately exchanged into Euros at the point of sale or ATM.

In 2014, Belgium and Finland decided the cryptocurrency was exempt from VAT, meaning trades could be legally made without buyers being subject to tax.

In 2017, Swiss private bank Falcon became the first bank to sell bitcoin directly to its customers. The tradeoff is that anonymity is lost as transactions made by an account holder can be linked.

Time Magazine Article (April 2011)

It might not quite have the clout it used to, but Time Magazine featured Bitcoin in, giving it a rubber stamp of relevance among mainstream media.

This occurred in April 2011 with their piece entitled “Online Cash Bitcoin Could Challenge Governments, Banks.”

The article looked at the potential risks to users and barriers from governments, its use in the illegal dark web marketplaces, and its steep learning curve.  Simultaneously it explored the benefits and then revolutionary concept behind the blockchain technology.

Since then, the magazine has done many more pieces (both positive and negative) on Bitcoin.

picture of clock and money pile

A Coupled Lived 90 Days on Just Bitcoins (Summer 2013)

Are bitcoins accessible to the average person? Do they work as a day-to-day means of exchange, or are they just for geeks, ideologues and investors?

Austin Craig and Beccy Bingham proved in the summer of 2013 that, yes, you can get by using only BTC. However, their 90 day experiment wasn’t easy – they could only use Skype to make calls, and purchases were dependent on whether they could convince retailers and service providers to accept the currency or use the kindness of friends and strangers to act as middle-men.

Of course, we’ve come a long way since then. Now even some gas stations are accepting BTC, and you can pay at many independent stores for groceries and other goods.

 

Cyprus University Accepts Bitcoins for Tuition (November 2013)

 In an effort to ease transmission difficulties for certain students, the University of Nicosia in Cyprus began accepting BTC for student tuition in November 2013.

The private university’s CFO Dr. Christos Vlachos appears to be a proponent of the currency, stating: “Digital currency will create more efficient services and will serve as a mechanism for spreading financial services to under-banked regions of the world.”

In addition to being a practical move, he stated that it was a way for the institution to learn more about the technology firsthand.

A center of learning trying to learn something new? What a novel idea!

The Great Bitcoin Boom of 2013

2013 was a big year for bitcoin as it saw its value skyrocket from $125 in the September to over $1,100 by the end of November. This was heavily tied to the market’s expansion into populous China and a perfect storm of new media coverage and bullish investing.

Of course, rapid booms tend to preclude busts and the collapse of leading exchange Mt. Gox, a ban in China, numerous hackings, the closing of the illegal marketplace the Silk Road, and lots of negative coverage ensured this would be deep and painful (but not fatal).

Bitcoin’s value plummeted to $400 in April 2014 and hit lows of about $200 in January 2015.

Nonetheless, the community saw where Bitcoin could go and it would go higher still. Their optimism was confirmed with aplomb when BTC rose to almost $20,000 in value at the end of 2017.

 

Microsoft on Board (2014)

It’s one thing when an independent hipster coffee shop or an online tech store offer bitcoin as a payment method, but when a mega corporation like Microsoft gets behind something you know it has legs.

They began accepting BTC as a form of payment for digital items in December 2014, in partnership with BitPay – today’s leading Bitcoin payment service provider that launched in 2011 and was the first to offer a wallet on smartphones, making it much easier for the general public to get involved.

Microsoft also allows you to add money to your account with BTC via the ‘Redeem bitcoin’ feature.

Banks and Other Institutions Adopt the Technology (May 2015)

If you can’t beat them join them; this seems to be the perspective of governments, banks and other institutions that are now researching and investing in blockchain p2p technology themselves – a clear example of Bitcoin’s success.

In May 2015, NASDAQ adopted the blockchain to handle transactions. Then in September, Goldman Sachs, JPMorganChase, and Bank of America were among nine of the world’s biggest banks to join a pact to build the “fabric” of blockchain technology for the banking industry.

In March 2016, broker ICAP was the first to distribute data on trades to customers using blockchain, and in the May Santander became the first British bank to start using the tech for recording international payments.

In 2017, the US Government began investing in blockchain to protect healthcare companies from hackers, and by 2020 Dubai wants all government transactions to be blockchain-powered.

Despite all these entities owing their innovation to the founder of Bitcoin, the digital currency’s advocates are keen to point out that the technology was supposed to bypass the old guard, not empower it.

 Mt. Gox Saga

The Mt. Gox saga is commonly considered a black mark on Bitcoin history. After all, in early 2014 there was a major scandal that saw the disappearance of approximately 850,000 bitcoins the exchange was holding in wallets and trades. By May 2016, creditors of Mt. Gox had claimed they lost $2.4 trillion because of the bankruptcy.

Yet, despite such a massive failure of the BTC market (at one time Mt. Gox was processing 80% of all currency trade related transactions), the cryptocurrency survived, rebounded and continues to thrive.

It was a much needed wake-up call for the community. Despite inherent encryption, entrusting third parties without security protocols to get it right was naïve. Now everybody knows better and the market is stronger because of it.

 

Bitcoin Explosion (2017)

2017 was the year of Bitcoin.

The cryptocurrency began the year valued just over $1,000 and finished it at nearly $20,000.

This massive increase in value saw it emerging from geeky-obscurity into the mainstream with force. This was the time to be a bitcoin trader.  News channels, newspapers, sites that had never covered the topic before, all began blabbering about the new phenomenon, spewing controversial information and unchecked facts.

The surge of popularity led to many new investors joining, but also many got burned by the prodigal volatility of the cryptocurrency, which has more than halved in value since its zenith in late December 2017.

Bitcoin Today

As of the end of Mar 2018 bitcoin boasts over 24 million users (or digital wallets), nearly 2,400 ATMs in many countries, the number of daily transactions are growing exponentially, and it’s trading around $8,000.  Bitcoin: success or failure? Check out these amazing facts about Bitcoin:

 

Blog Posted In Education

Choosing the Right College: Factors to Consider for a Successful Higher Education Journey


By | source: May 24th, 2023

One of the most significant choices you will ever make is which institution to attend. The college you choose will have far-reaching effects on your future happiness and success. However, the reality is that a lot of students choose a college based on feelings or a narrow set of criteria. Or even simply a hunch. In this article, we have written some of the things to consider when choosing the right college for yourself. 

Image Source

Factors In Choosing A College

When deciding which college to attend. It is important to consider all factors that will affect your educational journey. These could include factors such as location, cost of tuition, availability of financial aid. Others include quality of faculty and staff, educational resources available on campus, extracurricular activities offered by the school, and more. Additionally, you may want to consider essay order online services if you need help with essay writing for college applications. With so many choices available to you today. It can be difficult to decide without doing a thorough research. It is important to take into account all aspects that are important for your future success in higher education. Here are some of the factors to consider when choosing a college:

 

Accreditation

Check the school’s accreditation status before delving further into your research. This indicates that the school’s curriculum has been assessed by a credentialing body. This is to ensure that it satisfies the minimum requirements for a higher education program.

The admissions and about sections of a school’s website will often provide this data. Call or write to the admissions office if you need help locating it.

Accreditation for a school might be either national or regional. Individual schools, departments, and programs within a university may also get their separate accreditation. This assures that potential employers and other educational institutions will recognize your degree.

 

Academic Majors Available

Make sure the schools you’re looking at provide a major that fits in with your planned course of study. This is for those of you that already have a good idea of your academic future. Students who are sure they want to major in art history. For instance, should not give any credence to universities that do not provide that option.

On the other hand, students who have yet to settle on a certain field of study could benefit from attending a university that gives them options.

 

Affordability

College tuition is a key consideration for many high school students. When deciding on a college, you should make sure that tuition, room and board, and other costs are manageable within your financial means.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the annual tuition and fees at a private institution are close to $45,000. While those at a public university are above $20,000. Students should also factor in the local cost of living. Which includes things like transportation, extracurricular activities, and entertainment. In addition to tuition, fees, and housing & board.

 

Prestige Of The Institution

Reputation matters in the college selection process for certain students. Graduates with degrees from famous universities sometimes have an easier time finding employment or getting accepted to graduate schools. The prestige of a university’s faculty is indicative of the quality of the education you may expect to get there.

Considerations such as a school’s alumni network and standing in extracurricular activities. Academics, and athletics may help students determine how prestigious a certain institution is. Prospective students should investigate the school’s research programs. Also, grant money, and faculty publications to assess the faculty’s reputation, which is important in many professions.

 

Campus Environment

It’s vital to think about the campus atmosphere while picking a college. Since this is where most of your personal and professional development will take place. Consider institutions with active Greek life or a thriving art scene if they are areas of interest.

Consider colleges with well-known athletic programs. If you like attending sporting events and social gatherings with your peers. Similarly, participating in intramural sports at a busy university may help you meet people and have fun.

 

Conclusion

You may want to consider the college’s rating. The variety of student organizations, and the number of recreational opportunities while making your choice. Also, you may want to think about the value of a diversified student population. A vibrant dorm scene, and a competitive sports program should not be underestimated. Students with exceptional credentials may want to look into institutional assistance packages before committing to a school.

 

Finally, hopeful entrants should evaluate their odds of being accepted. Applicants should apply to some institutions within their credentials. You need to be honest about their academic performance.

Blog Posted In Finance

TMSN promises to surpass DOGE and LTC in performance and profitability


By | source: May 23rd, 2023

The range of the crypto market is what makes it more volatile but equally exciting for people as investors, not only do new trading coins continue to rise but new currencies also come to surpass others. 

With the impact of Doggy coins and Liticons on high altitude over the past month, a new module has risen to compete in the market called TMS network that has got huge support even in presale. 

The maturity of its influence has made it the talk of the town as its growth is significant and many experts e considering it to overshine other currencies in trend currently. Want to invest in rising values like TMS? Register now at Quantum Prime Profit for free

Influx in market 

The pattern of trade is volatile in crypto standards which also suggests that the influx of market continues to rise and dip with leaders making a sharper impact on what they want to proceed and demolish here. 

TMS network has shown promising signs and its influx is happening fast as you don’t need to create an account and can link your wallets directly. 

This also brings the state of fear or worry as risk involvement is bigger and access points have to play their more effectively to continue such influx. 

 

Leverage of doggy coins 

This is one of the more effective currencies as it has a direct edge to stardom with the influence of Elon Musk where few tweets can make its volatile standards up and one speech can fall to a low percentage. 

The influence by which Doggy coins work is susceptible as its dependency on one single brand ambassador can put it in a rush and trade investment can be a kind of risk 

People are looking for more surges in doggy coins especially in the coming months, but they are trying to use options like TMS to get a better hand on newly rising volatile currencies in the market. 

 

Direct impact on LTC 

The rush of the market is also a course by which things are balanced in the crypto world and for LTC coin, it has been a kind of moving from better to worse situations this year with halting and effects in values. 

The impact of its liquidity and rates rising to 10-fold has shown that people have to face problems but it has got influence somehow to negate them or face the heat of the moment. 

This is where people are looking to get a choice in the form of a TMS network so they can cover their trade values and also gain better growth through the right investment process. 

 

Financial estimates 

If you have to see how new modules are working in the crypt market, then you have to seek out the financial status, and current estimates, and TMS, does have a much better hand in such terms. 

The way people are trying to adjust values, gain entries into wallets, and also have access to market push has led to double its value up to 1400 times stronger which shows the current growth. 

People are willing to go for the TMS network and want to try it as it may be safe currently, but they would have to see how it is going to negotiate trade funding in longer terms. 

 

Trading goals 

Finally, to check for performance and profit stages, you also have to find out the goals of trading, how developers have worked on them, and identify core solutions. 

TMS network has been introduced with the idea to insure people focus on core values with the combined effort of wallets and gain over the capital with a rush to control supplies. 

This hints at the fact that they will try to balance capital gains and have certain trading goals but if they have to outperform others, then it is prudent to adjust strategy and make sure they are not outdone.

Competing in the crypto world is not easy, TMS N is a new volatile framework in progress, but how far it can compete with Doggy cons or LTC, only its growth models would explain in the further course. 

the pattern in use, people who would accept and complete outsell responses would be the final stake to identify as jus by Presale, we can’t predict long so it comes to how it works in future stages. 

Blog Posted In Business

Managing home loans: Dos and don’ts


By | source: May 22nd, 2023

Taking care of your home loan is very important when you own a home. If you want to buy a house for the first time or change your current mortgage, it’s important to be prepared and informed. This article will give tips to help you better manage your home loan. Following these tips will make it easier for you to handle your loan and avoid stress.

 

Do’s:

  • Assess Your Financial Readiness:

Before taking out a loan to buy a home, ensure you have enough money. To find out how much cash you have saved, look at your income, debts, ability to make timely payments, and savings. Then, ensure that you can access adequate cash to pay for your home and other important expenditures without any problems.

 

  • Shop Around for the Best Rates:

To get a home loan, you must be careful and research. Check different places that give money and find the one that suits you best. Look for loans that have low-interest rates, terms that fit your needs, and features that can help you achieve your financial goals. Looking at different prices, you can save more money when paying back your loan.

  • Consider Pre-Approval:

Pre-approval for a mortgage is a wise decision that may help you determine how much you can spend and simplify negotiating with sellers. Pre-approval is disclosing financial information to a lender so they can determine if you qualify for a loan and the amount you may borrow.

 

  • Maintain a Good Credit Score:

Your credit score is important for getting the best home loans Australia easily. Lenders look at it to decide if they should lend you money and how much interest they will charge you. So having a good credit score when you’re getting a home loan is really important.

 

  • Understand the Loan Terms and Conditions:

You must read and understand all the rules before signing a loan. Ensure you understand how much extra money you might have to pay when you have to and if you can pay it early. If you’re not sure about something or worried, ask your lender or someone you trust who knows about money.

 

  • Regularly Review Your Loan:

If you borrowed money to buy your house, it’s a good idea to check if you can get a better deal on your loan from time to time. This is called refinancing. If the interest rates go down or you have more money, you can think about refinancing. This might help you save money, too, in the long run.

 

Don’ts:

  • Overlook Loan Fees and Closing Costs:

You must also consider other costs like fees and closing costs when you get a home loan apart from interest rates. In addition, you might have to pay for some things when you get a loan, like fees for starting the loan, checking the property’s value, making sure the property is legally yours, and paying a lawyer. If you don’t include these costs, you might be surprised by how much money you need during the loan process. 

 

  • Overextend Your Budget:

Don’t borrow too much money to buy your dream home, or you might have trouble paying it back and could lose the home. Instead, only borrow what you can afford to pay back. Consider how much money you make, how much you spend, and what you want to do with your money in the future when deciding how much to borrow. 

 

  • Make Major Financial Changes:

When getting a home loan, it’s important to keep your money situation steady and not make any big money changes. Don’t get new credit cards, borrow more money, or switch jobs. Doing these things can make getting a loan harder or mess up your money situation.

 

  • Neglect Saving for a Down Payment:

You can get a loan with a small down payment, but saving more money for a bigger down payment is better. If you give more money initially, you will have to borrow less and pay less every month. It also shows that you are good at saving money. 

 

 

To do well as a homeowner, you need to take good care of your home loan. To make good choices, keep your money safe, and have a better home loan experience, do the right things and avoid doing the wrong things. Speak with knowledgeable people who understand mortgages and finances to receive guidance suitable for your circumstances. Then, if you make a good plan and take care of your home loan, you can buy a home and have all the good things that come with it.

Blog Posted In Lifestyle

5 creative ways to hide the treadmill at home


By | source:

Treadmills are part of many people’s workout routines. They love walking on it every day as part of their cardio routine. One can also perform other workouts on a treadmill to stay fit. And it is great equipment for cardiovascular exercises and strength training. But you will agree that treadmills don’t look great in your home. Placing the treadmill there is perfect if you have a separate room for workouts. It blends right in and looks attractive. But it loses some of its appeal if you don’t have space and put the treadmill in the living room or your workspace. No one wants their guests to come to their house and be welcomed by a bulky machine. Do they? So, even though you love your treadmill with all your heart, you must find a way to hide it when not in use. One way is to use a foldable treadmill, which you can fold and keep away when not in use. But not everyone wants that. For a professional treadmill, try these ideas to hide it when not in use.

 

A room divider

With the help of an attractive folding screen or room divider, you can make your treadmill disappear. Use the treadmill with or without anyone present, as the room divider will separate the space. It hides the equipment while also giving you private space to exercise. Moreover, room dividers are foldable too. So, you can use them any way you like near the corners. They come in multiple materials and sizes. So, when buying a treadmill online, know the measurement to buy the perfect divider. Also, you can build the room dividers into the room using sliding doors. Popular in Japan, it creates a completely new room for your treadmill.

 

Use a throw

It’s not a perfect choice, but it does work well. It is the best choice, especially when you have guests coming over and no way to hide the treadmill. For instance, you use throws for furniture anyway, right? So, there shouldn’t be any issue using it over a treadmill. If the equipment is in the living room, surrounded by multiple shelves and furniture, no one will notice it or think it is out of place. They might appreciate the design, so get a beautiful throw for the treadmill. Don’t be quick to select the throw. Give it some time and find a design, fabric, and print that match the room. A cheap way to hide the treadmill.

 

Use curtains or drapes.

An alternative to a room divider is curtains or drapes. Just cover the room you put the treadmill in with drapes or a curtain. The room will get an aesthetic look while hiding away the equipment. When it comes to using drapes or curtains, your options are numerous. Get one that complements the design of the room. Or one that matches the color of the furniture. Anything goes as long as the symmetry is there. In

 

Get an elegant treadmill.

This point is not about hiding the treadmills but letting them be visible. It happens when you buy an elegant treadmill that looks like part of the room. A treadmill that uses expensive materials has sleek lines or looks like a piece of art doesn’t need to be hidden. If you can afford such expensive equipment, go for it. There are curved treadmills that use walnut, cherry, or oak, making them ideal for placing in a room.

 

Covers

If you are putting your treadmill in a room away from prying eyes, but it gets dusty, or you still want to keep it hidden, use a cover. A customized cover for a treadmill usually comes in black, or you can find a transparent one too. It keeps the treadmill safe from dust, and no one will be able to figure out what is inside the cover. For instance, you can put it in your room or closet with the cover on.

 

Use these ideas to hide the treadmill away without compromising your workout. Treadmills are amazing workout equipment with multiple benefits for all age groups. So, use it to better your health and put it away using the above ideas when not in use. 

Blog Posted In Education

4 Things you should do if you live alone, to make your life easier. – Australia


By | source:

Living alone can be a wonderful and empowering experience; however, it also comes with its unique set of daily challenges. To make your life easier and more enjoyable as a solo dweller, you need to keep a lot of things in mind. We are not here to scare you, but trust me, living on your own with freedom is a great feeling, and everybody should try it once in their lifetime, but it has some challenges to face.  

So, in this article, we will explore and talk about 4 things you should do if you live alone, as these tips will enhance your solo living experience and make your life easier and smoother.

 

  1. Embrace Organization and Simplification

Living alone allows you to organize and decorate your house your way. You can add anything you love, prefer, and want to keep close to you. You can organize your stuff by decluttering. Just look around and find things that are useful and things you need no longer. Donate or sell the no-longer-needed items. Apart from this, you can establish a routine. I know it sounds boring, but living alone without a routine could be hectic. Sit, plan everything, and get to work. In a few days, you will observe that everything is going smoothly and your life has become easier. Taking care of timing and organizing things will not only buy you a lot of time but also make up a lot of storage space. Just try this boring-sound routine and see the magic.

 

  1. Use Technology

Living alone gives an individual much less time to enjoy as all his time either goes into bringing groceries into the house, cleaning it, or cooking. So, learning the tricks of productivity and time management for some freedom is very important. Suppose you are hosting a party this evening, and nothing is left to eat or cook. You cannot just go to the shop; you live in the modern century and need to be quick and modern. We are privileged as we can buy almost anything online. Everything is online, from groceries, basic needs, makeup, beverages, cooked & ready-to-be-cooked food, and cooking instructions. And if this situation is a part of your life, check out quitelike meal delivery as they provide the loop order service, which could save you a lot of time.

 

  1. Prioritize Safety and Security

If you are living alone, you are responsible for your security; if you live in a city with zero relatives or known ones, you can trust no one. But nothing to worry about as we have the solution to this problem. You can install or rent a house with reliable security systems such as motion sensors, surveillance cameras, and burglar alarms. Apart from this, you can save the emergency contacts of your location. This emergency contact system will help you share your location and message with your close and trusted ones. After all this, never avoid your safety, and don’t share everything and anything with a stranger, both online and offline. Keep your things personal and be aware. This tip will save you from any mishappening, and you will enjoy a secure and fun life.

 

  1. Money Control

Running out of money could be very risky for someone who lives alone. Money is our first best friend while solo living and should be managed properly. It is human nature to spend money on expensive and luxurious things, but at the end of the month, it could make you beg. Living alone requires financial independence and responsible money management, and you can start by creating a budget for different types of necessities. After receiving your income, build an emergency fund. This fund will help you in your hard times, and you will always have a safe space. Next, set up automatic payments of bills, as no bill will stay pending, and your credit score will grow. The last thing that you need to practice is self-control. Avoid buying useless things and save for something big like a laptop or bike. Everything is smooth when you observe and plan. Don’t miss the opportunity to live a life of freedom and learn things you have never experienced. Implementing these 4 essential strategies can create an easier and more fulfilling solo living experience.