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Client Deposits with U.S. Forex Brokers Decrease to $505 million

Closeup hand using computer trading online on digital chart visual screen technology

While high regulatory requirements for retail forex brokers in the US are limiting the number of competing companies, most players in the market are suffering from a sharp decline in client deposits.

Newly released data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) shows that in March 2022, deposits at these brokers fell by a total of $35 million month-over-month from February. These statistics also include those breakers who are registered as Retail Foreign Exchange Dealers (RFEDs) and as broker-dealers.

In March, total forex funds at brokers operating in the US amounted to $505 million, down from $541 million in February. This represents an overall decline of 6%. The sector leaders GAIN Capital and Oanda, which together hold 75% of the market, each reported a decline of 7%.

Trading.com fights for a place in the sun

The one exception to the downward trend is Trading.com. This is the newest retail forex broker in the US – the company applied for a license in January 2019. In percentage terms the growth looks staggering – 2213%. But in real terms it’s an unimpressive increase from $2,000 to $47,000.

Trading.com will need to maintain impressive growth for a long time in order to enter the same league as the other players in the US market, especially given that it must maintain a minimum net capital of at least $20m to retain its licence. In comparison, forex brokers in the European Union must maintain a minimum capital of €730 000, and those in Australia – 1 million Australian dollars.

Like European brokers, those in the US must also meet strict transparency and accountability requirements. US regulations also do not allow hedging and simultaneously opening long and short positions for the same currency pair.

The stringent regulatory requirements, imposed by the CFTC and the National Futures Association (NFA), have pushed many other companies out of the US market. Trading.com has the resources necessary for this undertaking because it is a division of the leading forex brand XM, that operates globally through its companies in Cyprus, Australia and Belize.

Trading.com  is trying to gain market share by offering simplified conditions for beginner traders – a low deposit of 50 USD, and a low spread for trading a limited number of forex pairs. Clients can choose between a basic WebTrader and mobile app and one of the most advanced trading platforms in the industry, MetaTrader 5 (MT5)

Undisputed leaders

GAIN Capital Group, owner of the brand Forex.com, and the other forex giant Oanda, continue to maintain a comfortable lead over all their competitors. The two companies respectively hold 39% and 36% of the market in the United States. These brands also have a presence in other leading markets in Europe and Asia.

Their results are also quite similar. In March, their total retail forex obligations in the US declined by more than $14 million to $198 million and $182 million, respectively.

As can be expected from market leaders, Forex.com and Oanda also offer very competitive conditions not only for beginners but also for professional traders. This includes choice between different pricing models and more tradable instruments.

Both US forex brokers also offer an impressive array of tech solutions, including their in-house trading desktop and mobile platforms, alongside industry favorite MetaTrader 4.

Stable performance

Broker Charles Schwab, which has a 13% market share, appears to be the most stable among the established players in the US, and reported only a 1% decline in retail forex deposits to $64 million.

The company offers multiple investment services, and its position in brokerage has strengthened significantly since the acquisition of TD Ameritrade in 2020. The broker’s services are mainly aimed at professional traders and larger investors. This is evident not only from the wide range of tradable financial instruments, but also from the development and maintenance of its own advanced trading software called StreetSmart Edge. As is standard, the platform is available in desktop, browser and mobile variants.

Biggest loser

IG US reported the largest percentage decline in deposits in March – 9% to $39 million, but still held 8% market share, which is a respectable position in this environment. Like GAIN Capita and Oanda, it is a broker with a global presence that also operates in the UK, EU and Asia Pacific.

The broker offers forex trading with spreads starting from 0.8 pips and there is no minimum deposit. But that’s hardly enough to distinguish it sufficiently from the competition. IG of course also offers a solid selection of trading platforms for all devices, including MetTrader 4 enhanced with an additional package of charting tools.

Fight for the second to last place

The smallest forex broker in the US besides Trading.com, Interactive Brokers, reported a decline of forex deposits of 6%, or $1.3 million, to $20 million. This broker is probably the most threatened by the aggressive entry of a new player in the largely allocated US market.

But Interactive Brokers offers a broader range of tradable assets relative to Trading.com, including stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds, and is also a global brand with operations in Canada, UK, EU, India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. Suitable for a global broker, Interactive Brokers has а proprietary set of feature-rich trading platforms.

Does Bitcoin System Robot Offer A Safe Investment?

Bitcoin System robot

Yes, it offers a safe investment for its investors. Committing a significant amount to trading cryptocurrency without any guarantee of safety is not reasonable. And that is why no one uses trading robots without a good reputation. Cryptocurrency trading is a fast means of making money online. It can also be regarded as a quick means of losing it all due to market volatility and the activities of cybercriminals. One way to prevent this is by using a safe trading robot, and an example is Bitcoin System robot.

This app is relatively the best when offering its users a safe investment. It is a transparent trading platform with over 60% return on investment despite coming into existence in 2016. It is an AI-powered profit-generating platform for crypto trading with the opportunity to use as low as $250 as your capital. There are many assets available for trading on this app, and you can learn more about these cryptos when you check their website.

How safe is Bitcoin System robot?

Safety and reliability are characteristics popularly associated with Bitcoin System in the cryptocurrency industry. The two walls street quants that developed this app ensured effort in making this app a safe platform. The safety provided by this system is categorized into two, namely account safety and safety of trading.

Account safety

Bitcoin System has put in serious efforts to make its platform impregnable by any unauthorized external entity. Countless report of traders’ account getting hacked is often heard every 6 months in the crypto market. And this is due to the weak security state of their chosen trading platform. However, one specific fact about Bitcoin System is that the owners of this app already incorporated a 128-bit encryption protocol into the platform’s design architecture. This encryption measure is the latest in the industry and encapsulates every data on the website to make hacking impossible. Bitcoin System also has a team of experts who are always looking out for any vulnerability in the platform. They proactively nullify all vulnerable openings that cybercriminals may try to exploit. And this keeps everything tidied up.

Trading safety

Another way many investors, especially newbies, lose their funds is by making trading errors. The lucrativeness of cryptocurrency is tempting enough to make you want to dabble in trading right away. However, newbies often suffer significant losses due to their eagerness and greed, while experts often meet the same fate due to their overconfidence in using untested strategies. But Bitcoin System has already put measures in place to curb this occurrence, and it is the provision of a demo section.

This section represents the starting point for all new account holders on this app while it serves as a place to test all newly devised trading tactics. Newbies can learn all the trading rudiments and feel how the actual trading scenario plays out here. Also, experts can analyze and verify the potency of their newly discovered strategies before applying them to the real trading account.

In addition to the demo section, Bitcoin System also provides its users with reading resources like trading manuals, historical charts, and current news on various popular assets. This help keeps everyone informed and privy to all the latest happenings before embarking on trading endeavors.

Partnership with regulated brokers

This is another way Bitcoin System provides its users with safe investments. This platform works with brokers recognized in the crypto industry and is ascertained to always work under all required laws and regulations. They have trained personnel who efficiently handle your trading account to ensure you always have the best experience.

What do you need to start using this app?

What you need to start using this app is not much. You can start by navigating its sign-up page and creating a new account for yourself. Then get it verified through your email. Next, spend some valuable time with the practice account to learn and test. You can then fund your account when you are confident enough to trade. Another great offer is that you can deposit as low as $250 and start making money to become financially buoyant as you have always dreamed.

How to Launch a Cryptocurrency Hedge Fund: Manager Registration Considerations

Bitcoin Processing

By  Nicole M. Kalajian, Rimon Law

Unlike other private funds, complex analysis is required to determine registration considerations for the manager of a crypto fund. This is because, unlike other asset categories such as securities and futures, cryptocurrency investments are not their own asset class. Rather, such investments are currently regulated by the asset class that a particular instrument most closely resembles – such as a security, commodity, commodity interest, cash or consumer item. Consequently, launching a crypto fund requires an in-depth understanding of securities and commodities laws, as well as an ongoing review of regulatory developments in the crypto space. Below is a sampling of registration-related considerations in relation to the fund’s manager. International regulations and additional crypto investment types are not addressed herein. If a fund invests in a combination of the investment types discussed below or in other investment types, registration considerations must be understood with respect to each investment type prior to the time of the investment. 

Direct Cryptocurrency Investments: If the fund will only invest in the most common cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin or Ether, investment adviser registration with the SEC and states is not likely required. This is because the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has determined that such instruments are more akin to a non-security than a security, and thus investment adviser registration is not triggered. However, this begs the question of when a cryptocurrency is deemed to be more akin to a non-security than a security. Complex analysis is required in this regard, including application of the Supreme Court’s 1946 Howey Test to determine whether an investment contract exists. Moreover, a token’s regulatory status can shift over time depending on how it is being offered and the reasonable expectations of investors. Managers must therefore proceed with caution if they do not wish to trigger investment adviser registration in connection with their direct cryptocurrency investments. A separate legal analysis needs to be conducted in connection with each token desired to be invested in prior to such investment. In-depth disclosures are also required to apprise investors of the various risks applicable to these investments. In addition, a prominent crypto platform (Gemini) has proposed the creation of a self-regulatory organization (SRO) called the Virtual Commodity Association, which would seek to regulate the crypto spot markets. More updates on this to come, as they become available. 

ICO and Blockchain Investments: Investments in initial coin offerings (ICOs) and private investments in blockchain initiatives would almost certainly be deemed investments in securities (per the SEC) and thus trigger either SEC or state investment adviser registration. Certain exemptions may be available, however, such as the private fund adviser exemption (up to certain asset thresholds). If investment adviser registration is triggered, particularly with the SEC, special care needs to be taken in situations where the rules do not easily apply to crypto funds, such as in the case of custody and valuation. As for custody, if the adviser is registered with the SEC, there remains the issue of whether there currently exist “qualified custodians” to oversee the fund’s assets. Valuation issues also exist, particularly with hard-to-value digital assets such as ICOs. In-depth disclosures are likewise required to apprise investors of the various risks particular to these investments. Unique compliance procedures must also be prepared for crypto funds. In addition, state laws vary widely in this area. 

Crypto Futures: Registration with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as a commodity pool operator (CPO) and/or commodity trading adviser (CTA) may be required if the fund trades “commodity interests” (such as Bitcoin futures). Certain exemptions may be available, however, such as under CFTC Rule 4.13(a)(3) or Rule 4.7 (registration light). Under Rule 4.13(a)(3), in-depth monitoring may be required to ensure that the fund stays below applicable de minimis thresholds. Under Rule 4.7, CPO registration is required, albeit not a full registration, and thus various CFTC regulations apply. If the fund operator is distinct from the investment manager, CTA registration and exemption considerations also apply. Finally, unique CFTC compliance procedures should be adopted in the case of crypto funds. Even if the fund is not registered with the CFTC, the CFTC has claimed jurisdiction to monitor fraud and manipulation with respect to commodities (as opposed to commodity interests), which the CFTC purports, includes crypto-related assets. Finally, in-depth disclosures are required to apprise investors of the various risks particular to trading in commodity interests, particularly with regard to crypto-related investments.

About the Authors
Nicole M. Kalajian is an attorney with Rimon Law, a law firm consistently recognized for its innovation and teamwork throughout its 46 offices. The views expressed are her own.

 

How Malta Has Turned From Being an International Investment Hub Into an Unreliable Offshore Investment Destination

Malta-

Malta’s financial and political scene in the past few years could easily inspire a political thriller in Hollywood. It’s filled with stories of corruption and political money chasing. As a consequence, a nation that was once an investment powerhouse is now looked at as a huge red flag in the eyes of international investors. This article will discuss the series of events that have led to Malta’s current state of potential financial ruin.

Malta in the grey list

The circumstances that led to Malta’s label as a country ruled by a corrupt governmental system are not new. They have simply become more apparent. When Malta was finally grey listed by the FATF in 2021, it was hardly a surprise for local and international investors. The authorities’ “low tax and eyes-shut” approach was long overdue to backfire.

The citizens of Malta have witnessed for many years the corruption in their financial and political authorities. The past few years have provided quite a testament to that claim.  Joining the greylisting led to a very public opening of Malta’s pandora box. 

The lacking measures Malta has taken

The main problem was that the less-than-flattering grey label also came with the need for strict regulation. In practice, the new regulations and so-called advancements that the Maltese authorities have promoted are ineffective, to say the least.  

These new regulations have affected potential small business owners rather than bigger local investors. It appears as if the authorities in Malta have neglected the “little” citizen to maintain an image of a country that is attractive to foreign investors. The attempts have hardly stopped there. Malta is doing everything in its power to eliminate the authorities’ responsibility and possibly find scapegoats. 

The Pilatus Bank’s shut-down was highlighted as an example of the fight against corruption by the Maltese authorities. In reality, it backfired. Maltese citizens used social media to express that the case is not about the banks at all.

 In fact, it is about corrupted authorities trying to hand over foreign banks and establishments on a silver platter. It is easy for the authorities to blame the financial establishments they are responsible for regulating, but the ultimate problem is them.  

Despite these tactics and public statements made by Maltese authorities to fish out international investors, they are not biting. As of right now, the image that has been made of Malta’s financial sector is one of pure chaos. The Maltese authorities invested too many resources in finding different scapegoats, such as Pilatus Bank instead of addressing the internal issues of their conduct that have led to the situation where Malta is looked at as a corrupt, unstable country. 

Even after getting out of the grey list recently, the simple reality is that potential investors look to governmental authorities when considering their investment opportunities. They see how Malta handled the assets of international investors in Pilatus Bank’s case. Those assets have been frozen for years and still are. As of right now, these investors have yet to receive any indication on the potential release of their accounts. No investor would want that for himself, so they simply steer clear, unknowingly hurting Malta’s economy. 

How Malta Can Rebound

The first and most important solution to Malta’s troubles is focusing on the short term. Since Malta is inevitably reliant on international money and investment, Malta needs to signal to the world it is clean of corruption. How? Eliminate anything that connects its banking sector with corruption. Returning the currently frozen assets to international investors is a good start. Right now, Malta is practicing damage control for the financial authorities who have doomed them. Instead, they should practice damage control in front of the international investors who will save it. 

In the long term, Malta must devise a way to avoid getting into this mess again. One that doesn’t only include stricter regulations on investments, but one that also includes realizing the potential of supporting local industries that can provide more jobs for the people of Malta who aren’t bankers or brokers. 

Malta is a work in progress, but currently, the progress seems more like regression.  

Slot Machine Payout: Pokies for Real Money

real money

Despite being the newest form of gambling, it has reached an astounding $66.67 billion in market revenue, and it’s expected to grow to $100 billion by the year 2026. In the US, around 85% of adults have tried online gambling at some point in their lives. Due to the global pandemic, real online pokies, online slots are on their way to become the most popular gambling service available, taking the place of traditional gambling in real life casinos.

It has quickly been proven that these real money pokies online are not only a form of quick entertainment, but can involve serious money as well. For example, an average Australian spends almost $1200 on online gambling every year. Not only can you bet big- you can win big too. The biggest online win ever was achieved by a Finnish poker player, who managed to win $24 Million in Mega Fortune slot with only $0.25 bet per spin. What exactly are those payouts, and how to get them?

What is a Payout?

Whether a slot will pay you is determined by random components inside of it, that will randomly activate a predetermined combination that either gives money or doesn’t. When you win money, it’s provided to you by the slot producer, and given out by the casino website. It’s added automatically to your casino account, and available to be withdrawn. Every payout is dependent not only on the symbols you rolled, but mainly your bet value. The bigger your bet value, the bigger the possible win in the real money online pokies Australia. 

How Likely is It to Hit a Jackpot?

Achieving the biggest possible win in a given slot is called hitting the jackpot. These are usually achieved via bonus features, such as free spins. However, some games feature jackpots that can be won from the base game, by hitting a full board of one given symbol. Usually, that symbol is WILD. The probability of such a thing happening is very low, sitting at about 1 in 10 million. These chances are dependent on the best paying online pokies Australia game’s RTP and volatility. 

What is Payout Percentage?

In order to know more about the slot’s potential, it’s important to know its payout percentage, also called RTP (Return to Player Value). As the name suggests, it’s a value that determines a percentage of how much money given into the slot will be given back to the player. It usually is a number between 75% and 98% in the best online pokies real money. This means that when putting $100 into a slot and playing it for a long time, you should expect to walk away with about $80. This statistic can be misleading, especially for short playing sessions. A single real money pokies online can go way above or below the typical payout percentage, and it would take a great amount of time for it to stabilize. 

Where Do I Find This Info?

This information, along with the chances of hitting a jackpot, can be typically found on the slot’s website by clicking the “Help” button, looking like a question mark. If not, there are many review sites possessing such information. Simply search “pokie RTP ” or “pokie jackpot chances” to get your answer.

pokie jackpot

Best Payout Real Money Pokies

If you’re playing for real money, it’s crucial to know which slots are most likely to pay out big. With every slot having its statistics online, there are many available lists of best paying online pokies Australia. While searching, you should take notice of RTP value and Volatility as your two main statistics. The higher the RTP, the better. Higher volatility means a bigger range of wins, but higher risk of winning nothing at all. Below are some of the best payout pokies online real money games:

  • Black Diamond is a classic-themed real pokie machines game made by Everi, full of flashy graphics and well-paying bonuses. It offers bonuses such as free spins activated by hitting 3 scatter symbols, or additional immediate payouts. Play pokies online real money Australia with 95.95% RTP and medium volatility.
  • Dragon Link is a series of games connected by a shared progressive jackpot, all set in the Oriental setting. It offers a Hold and Spin free spins feature, activated by hitting 6 or more Coin symbols, as well as a chance to win the Grand Jackpot. Dragon Link online real money pokies has an RTP of 95.2% and high volatility.
  • Buffalo is a slot including many different bonuses and options, based around Buffalos and other wild animals. Offering 1024 paylines via megaways, extra gold coin payouts, and even free spins when hitting more gold coin symbols. Buffalo pokies real money has an RTP of 94.85% and high volatility.
  • Triple Diamond simple slot machine with equally simple jackpot mechanics. It offers Multiplier Wilds, which can increase your winning bet 3, 9, or even more times. Free online pokies win real money game has 95.06% RTP and medium volatility.
  • Dancing Drums is a slot offering four different jackpots, with symbols based on Chinese traditions and culture. It offers the Fu Babies jackpot bonus, letting you win one of the four jackpots, as well as free spins feature activated by hitting three or more Drum scatter symbols, letting you pick one of five free spins options with different mechanics. Dancing Drums online pokies real money game has an RTP of 96.09% and medium volatility.
  • Lightning Link pokies offer a unique single cabinet setup, this game is set in the world of ancient Asia. It offers two progressive jackpots and the Hold and Spin bonus, awarding the players with immediate bonus payouts. Play lightning link online real money with 95.1% RTP  and low volatility.

Slot Machine Payout Schedule

Every slot machine has its payout schedule. It’s a bunch of different statistics put together to form a coherent, realistic idea of the game’s payout probability and regularity. Knowing a slot’s payout schedule is crucial for understanding it fully, and it will certainly help you choose the best Australian online pokies real money games to win the most money. A payout schedule includes following positions:

  • The theoretical RTP. Payout percentage in an infinite amount of time, plus payouts based on your bet value.
  • Range of payouts. Every symbol has its own payout range, depending on the number of linked symbols on an active payline. It’s typically displayed as a multiplier of your bet (e.g. from 10x to 5000x)
  • Reel settings and bonus features offered. How many paylines you can activate, autospins, turbo spins, along with every bonus, its description and maximum possible win.
  • Minimum and Maximum possible betting values. Usually multiplied by the number of active paylines to form the total bet value.

possible betting values

Casinos With Highest Slot Payouts

Every casino has its typical payout percentage. By getting to know the casinos with highest slot payouts, you’ll have an idea of where to look for the best slots. The current best online casino for Australian players is Bamber Casino, with an RTP of about 98%. Surprisingly, this is not the biggest Australian casino. That title is taken by Aquis Great Barrier Reef Casino, which has over 3600 slot and poker machines. Which casinos have the highest payout percentages?

№1. Playamo casino offers bonuses in the form of 150 free spins as a welcome bonus, along with 100% of the first deposit with 100 free spins, and 50% with 50 free spins on the second deposit. It has additional promotions like High Roller Bonus, Friday Santa extras, and Joker Spin fortune wheel. It supports deposits in many various forms such as Visa, Neosurf and BTC, from $10 to a couple of thousands of $, depending on the form. The withdrawal time is immediate with all forms. 

№2. Slotman Casino offers numerous deposit bonuses for consecutive cash-ins. The first welcome bonus is 100% with 60 free spins. The second deposit is awarded with 75% and 50 free spins. The third deposit comes with a bonus of 50% and 40 free spins. This casino also offers a cashback bonus of 10%, up to 1000 Euro. With different codes you can activate many other free spins bonuses, deposit bonuses and many more. It uses many deposit and withdrawal options, such as Visa, MasterCard, Skrill or Neteller, up to $2000 per day. Payments with eWallets are immediate, however card payments may take between 3 to 5 days.

№3. Rocket Casino offers 100% deposit bonus with 50 bonus spins, 50 bonus spins on mondays and 25 on wednesdays, along with 50% deposit bonus on weekends. On your second deposit, you will be awarded with 50% and 100 bonus spins. For deposits and withdrawals it uses Skrill, EcoPayz, Bank Wire Transfer and many more, with the deposit limit being EUR 15,000 per month. Bank transfers can take up to 7 days, and card payments can take up to 5 days. EWallet transactions are immediate.

№4. Stay Casino offers two welcome bonuses- one giving 100% of deposit and 100 bonus spins, the other giving 200 bonus spins. A code is required to activate them. It also offers a 30% deposit bonus on weekends, and 100 bonus spins on Tuesdays, as well as a 100% deposit bonus with 50 bonus spins on 5th deposit. It accepts forms of payment such as Visa, MasterCard, Maestro or Skrill, same with withdrawal. Withdrawals using eWallets may take up to 72 hours, as well as Card Payments. Bank Transfers might take up to 5 days.

№5. Spin Samurai offers 50% up to $3000 high roller bonus, 125% deposit welcome bonus, 100% and 50 free spins on your second deposit, and 80% with 50 spins on your third deposit. By entering different codes you can get additional promotions in forms of 100% deposit bonus with 50 free spins or 50% on your third deposit. Spin Samurai uses CoinsPaid, iDebt, Visa, MasterCard and many more for deposits and withdrawals, withdrawal limit being at $15000 per month. Withdrawal time is immediate for eWallets, 1-5 days for card payments and 5-9 days for bank transfers.

Online Pokies for Real Money: Main Types 

One of the more important statistics of best online pokies real money is volatility. It determines the range of possible payouts, as well as their regularity. There exist 3 stages of volatility in slots: high, medium and low. They can be described as such:

  • High Volatility – high risk, high rewards. Slots with this volatility will take a long time to pay out, but if they do, it can be a fortune. It’s worth waiting for that one, a fortunate hit that will bring you fortune in the online pokies real money no deposit.
  • Medium Volatility – medium risk with medium rewards. Slots that have medium volatility will have a higher rate of payouts than high volatility ones, but the wins will be somewhat smaller. Your game sessions will be more drawn out while playing these games, and you’ll be able to enjoy them for longer.
  • Low Volatility – low risk, low reward. Slots with this volatility are perfect for relaxing, laid-back playing with low budget, as they are sure to keep your money with you by paying out every 5 or so spins. Although the wins will be noticeably smaller, you’ll be able to enjoy the game with much less money on your account.

Myths and Denials of Australian Real Money Pokies 

As online slots grew in popularity, they have developed a culture of players around itself. With this culture came various myths and supposed “secrets” that could help you win more. Some came from lack of knowledge, some came from misunderstanding the rules, and some came from the players trying to figure out some new way to ensure profit. Here are some of these myths about free online pokies real money:

  • Online slots for real money are all rigged. Every online slot has to pass through different tests to be allowed in play, and all have certificates proving their fairness. No pokie can be rigged, as that is regulated by law and heavily punished.
  • You’ll never win money playing pokies for real money. Although the house DOES always have the edge and you are going to lose in the long term, short term victories are still possible, especially if you’re really lucky and land on a jackpot on your first spin.
  • You will never get your payouts after winning on real money pokies. As before, it’s a law-regulated issue, meaning they are legally obligated to pay you the money you won. 
  • The real money slots freeze if you are winning too much. This has never been proven, although slots might have a problem with processing large data that comes with winning huge money. 
  • Playing online pokies is addictive. That’s 100% true, like with normal gambling. Although, when done responsibly, it can create a nice form of entertainment. 
  • Winning is a matter of luck. Although being fundamentally luck-based, slots DO have some optimal way of being played and strategies that will statistically give you more money.
  • A max bet means higher winning chances. Every free online pokies win real money game has an RTP independent of your betting value, however betting bigger means you’ll win bigger money with each win.
  • You’ll sooner or later win if you play slots for cash long enough. This is the so-called “gambler’s fallacy”. Although it’s statistically likely that you’ll win the more you play, every spin is independent and even 100 spins can give you nothing.
  • Some slots games that pay real money are overdue for a win. As before, that’s just a wrong belief, and every spin is independent, therefore the game can’t be “due” with wins.
  • Casinos let you win periodically to keep you in casinos. Slot games and their payouts can’t be influenced by casinos, much less the wins. As with slot games, casinos have to pass through legal checks to be allowed to function, and rigging certain spins would be illegal.

Pokies Providers

When playing real money pokies Australia, it is crucial to be sure that you’re not going to have your money stolen or scammed. There are many scam websites and providers waiting for you to give them money. In order to avoid them, you need to take a look at these following things:

  • Is the slot provider well known? If yes, that’s a good sign it will be legitimate.
  • Are the opinions good? How many good opinions are there? Remember, it’s better to pick a provider with a lower average grade and more opinions, than a provider which has only few opinions and all of them are good- they might be from botted accounts.
  • Does the provider have all the necessary ones? Are they legitimate, or just copy and pasted?

Here are some examples of legit, trustworthy best real money pokies providers:

  • Aristocrat: Founded in Sydney, Australia, this company has quickly expanded to be one of the biggest in the world, creating the first five-reel slot Wild West in 1979. In 2000’s, Aristocrat made its way to the heart of gambling- Las Vegas. As of now, it’s the biggest mobile slot provider in the world.
  • Ainsworth: Created in 1995 by Len Ainsworth, this provider is well known for developing the Ambassador gaming machine, which offered a much more enjoyable experience for the players. It has a huge, 291000 square-foot office in Las Vegas, and it’s available in every continent on Earth.
  • Bally: Being a part of the SG Gaming family, Bally Systems was the company to invent the first slot data system in 1976. Being present in most of the largest casinos in the world, Bally has taken a place among the most known slot providers.
  • Konami: Asian company founded in 1969 by Kagemasa Kozuki. Although it started by only producing arcade games, this provider has quickly expanded into every known corner of gaming- PC, arcade, mobile and many more. Now, it even has a Sports section, and all of them are known worldwide.
  • IGT: Global leader in gaming, as they describe themselves. It has its HQ in the UK, though it has offices in places such as Rome, Las Vegas and Providence. It currently has over 10000 employees across the globe.

Tips to Win Pokies Real Money

As was established before, there is no way a player can change the payout percentage of any slot. The game will stay the same, no matter what you change about your spins. With that being said, every slot has an optimal way of being played, and so there are strategies that can help you win more money. Whether that’s betting a certain way, playing with certain goals or choosing different bonuses when you can – there are some things that can increase your chances of winning in the best Australian online pokies.

  • Choose higher domination pokie games. Different games use credits with different denominations. Higher denomination of credit will allow you to bet bigger, and thus increase your chance of winning more money in a single spin.
  • If you lose, don’t increase the bet size. This is a common mistake players make, thinking the game “has to pay out eventually”. Don’t forget that every spin is independent, and spinning more doesn’t necessarily mean you are more likely to win money. If you continue to lose in the real online pokies, keep your cool.
  • Use bonuses provided by the casino. Players tend to overlook welcome bonuses offered by casinos. They are huge, and they pile up in the long run, making you save lots of money just by using them.
  • Pay attention to paylines. Paylines are more important than you may think. Activating the right ones is crucial to hitting the needed wins, as well as setting the right bet amount. Learn which paylines can be activated by looking at the real online Australian pokies paytable.
  • Don’t forget your number of coins. Always be careful about the number of coins you have, to avoid spending them mindlessly.
  • Try the demo version first. This is the best way to learn the game in a practical way without having to spend money. 
  • The bigger the bet, the bigger the jackpot. It depends on your betting value. If you want to score a bigger jackpot, you’ll have to bet bigger- remember though, that comes with a bigger risk.
  • Check your balance. Often take note of how much money you have on your gaming account, to not blow all of it on one slot.

How to Get Payouts by Playing Real Pokies Real Money?

Payouts in real money pokies are not hard to obtain. They can be collected on every type of device (PC and mobile), and every casino uses many different payment methods, such as the ones mentioned earlier. The withdrawals usually take some time, depending on the method you’re using. They are safe and secure, and even if you don’t get your money on time, you can ask the technical help to assist you any time. Here’s a step-by-step guide on obtaining payouts:

  1. Log into your casino account by providing login and password
  2. In the Cashier sections, select the “Payout” option, alternatively called “Withdrawal”
  3. Choose the withdrawal method you want to use (PayPal, Skrill, Payoneer, Visa etc.)
  4. Select the amount of money you want to collect (with different casinos there are different bonuses, usually up to $15 000 at once)
  5. Wait for your winnings to arrive (if they don’t, contact the technical support of the casino)

Hot Wallet vs Cold Wallets

hot vs cold wallet

The majority of crypto exchanges have native digital wallets, which offer the most convenient method of storing cryptocurrency. However, it means that your private keys and data are in the hands of the exchange company, which isn’t the most secure. If you’re looking to up your digital asset storing game, you will need to know whether you must learn the difference between hot and cold storage. Continue reading to find out more.

What is a Hot Wallet?

Hot wallets refer to digital wallets that are connected to the internet and typically involve the use of secure software. Unfortunately, no matter how much security a hot wallet provider boasts, your assets will always be vulnerable because they are connected to the internet and can be attacked by hackers. Fortunately, there are other steps you can take to mitigate the risks of being connected to the internet.

Although hot wallets are connected to the internet, they come with high levels of security, which works in the user’s favor. The greatest appeal of hot wallets over cold is how user-friendly they are, which means they are perfect for beginners. Even though hot wallets aren’t the most secure option, it’s much better than storing your coins on the exchange – if their servers are hacked, you can say goodbye to your crypto assets.

What is a Cold Wallet?

Cold wallets are another option for storing cryptocurrency, but they come with zero internet connectivity, which makes them more secure. Typically, a crypto cold storage wallet comes as hardware that you will need to link up to a computer before withdrawing your assets. If you plan on investing in crypto and keeping hold of it for long periods, cold storage is easily the best option.

Being disconnected from the internet means that your assets can’t easily be hacked, which makes them more secure. However, you are responsible for keeping your personal key safe, which is a string of numbers and letters. If you lose your private key, you will lose access to your entire crypto wallet. If you’re using crypto hardware, you also need to be wary of physical thieves; there is no backup for your cold digital wallet.

Do You Need a Wallet?

If you’re using a mainstream exchange and only wish to invest a small amount in crypto, your assets should be safe in the native wallet, which you should get free when you sign up. However, if you’re going to be shifting crypto in large quantities, and often, you will need to open a dedicated wallet, whether it be hot or cold.

Cold wallets are stored offline, which makes them more secure simply by nature. However, they’re still vulnerable to being stolen, and there’s the risk of losing private keys – there’s no way of recovering your assets if this happens. Hot wallets are more user-friendly and tend to include high-end security and support, which will suit a cryptocurrency beginner.

Whether you opt for hot or cold storage, opening a separate digital wallet will offer much more security than letting your assets sit in a crypto exchange.

Amazon Warehouse Injury Rates Continue To Top The National Average. Find Out How

Woman receiving parcel

Increasing warehouse worker injuries is an issue that is not new for multinational company Amazon. In its defense, Amazon claims that the safety and well-being of its employees is always a top priority and there are continued efforts toward reducing injuries and keeping employees safe.

Even though Amazon has invested over $300 million in warehouse safety, workers continue to lack the benefits they deserve. Research from Rutgers University and data from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) shows that there’s been a 15% increase in worker injuries at Amazon facilities between 2021 and 22. 

Amazon workers are demanding better health and safety protections at Amazon warehouses from state lawmakers.

Why Does It Happen

Compared to competitors, Amazon retains the top position when it comes to the number of orders per minute and speedy deliveries. On top of that, Amazon has its Prime membership program which offers one-day deliveries to customers who pay an extra premium. Thi further increases the necessity for speed that significantly affects its employees, especially those who work at Amazon warehouses.

To meet the demand during busy seasons, Amazon is known to hire hundreds of thousands of employees in addition to their existing workforce. Every year, the retail giant hires about a hundred to hundred and fifty thousand new employees during the peak seasons. This number almost doubled in 2019 when these companies hired around two hundred thousand people before the holiday season. This shows how critical warehouse workers’ speed is for the retail giant in order to generate massive profits.

However, several Amazon warehouse workers claim the requirement for rapidity is the leading cause of warehouse accidents and injuries. Despite the severity of these cases, Amazon refrains from making its workplace injury rates public. 

There have been instances where the company has asked employees to work despite their doctor’s recommendations. In some cases, their health conditions worsen rendering them unable to continue work. Such employees are sent away with a worker’s comp settlement, which doesn’t last long. This leads them to deep financial woes. Not to mention the difficulty of finding new work when they’re suffering from and treating their injury. Despite these adversities, many employees still wish to continue working for the company from home. For instance, some of them even google “Can I work for amazon from home after a work injury?”, hoping to find some information that could help them regain financial stability. 

False Safety Campaigns

Amazon never fails to emphasize how they prioritize safety in workspaces. The company sometimes almost self-declares itself as one of the most safety-centric companies in the world. 

However, warehouse incident reports show that this isn’t true. Even though federal norms state that organizations must include worker injury logs in public records, the company continues to keep them under wraps. 

Reporters from renowned news agencies found that Amazon’s warehouse employees suffered serious injuries at a rate that was almost twice the industry average. Certain warehouses, such as those in California, saw significantly higher rates despite numerous warnings about alarming warehouse situations. It was also found that most of the injuries were suffered by workers who required rest or were advised against performing certain tasks by their physicians. 

Nonetheless, Amazon defended itself by stating that the high rates directly reflect its transparency in terms of worker safety and injury rates. One of its emails to public authorities and policymakers disclosed that they always intend to report warehouse injuries. It also mentioned that they lost several work hours because they prioritized caution and ensured that workers don’t resume working before recovering from their injuries. 

Conclusion

Facts and reports suggest that Amazon has figured out how to deliver packages to the customer in a day. But it hasn’t figured out how to do the same without hurting people.

Sadly, concerns regarding how safe will it be to carry on working inside Amazon establishments continue to stress workers throughout the country. If you suffered an injury while at Amazon and want to seek worker’s compensation, consider consulting a seasoned workplace injury lawyer. 

What Are the Smartest Ways to Invest in the Stock Market For the First Time?

Invest in the Stock Market

The interest of many users in the stock market raises questions such as “how to make money in the stock market“, one of the most searched phrases in Google and other search engines and that awakens the debate about the most feasible ways to invest in this market. 

Undoubtedly the first thing to consider is that this is defined as a risk market and you can make or lose money; there is no miracle method to invest in the stock market and it is essential to know the market timetable.

In order not to get lost among complicated concepts and readings, the first thing, before you even start, is to look for a broker, a stockbroker, as this is the only way you can buy in the stock market. Finding them is very easy as you can search in many forums or blogs, where good brokers are recommended. 

It is also important that before you make your decision, you know which brokers offer a competitive commission and make sure that they comply with all the regulations to be able to trade on the stock market.

Admirals is a regulated broker and there are several other training programs for beginners such as Super Trader and Forex Begins.  In addition, a simple way to start investing in the stock market is to test the stock market by using an online stock market simulator. Online brokers offer fictitious trading simulators. These allow you to test real market conditions with real-time stock prices.

A demo account can help you understand the online stock market, give you an idea of how to invest in the stock market, how the stock market works and, at the same time, an explanation of the stock market for beginners. In stock market investing, practice is as important as theory. 

If you have already chosen a broker, then what is the next step? Now it’s time to create an account with them. If you have chosen a broker through the Internet, you must register, create an account on their site and they will send you the requested documentation to your home address, which you must sign and return. You can also choose a broker of your bank to act as an intermediary when buying shares, with them it is as easy as consulting the steps you must follow to start trading.

Once the account is activated, you can start investing in the stock market: you can buy and sell shares whenever you want, but you must pay attention to the costs that you will have in the operations, so that the profitability is the highest possible.

And when it comes to start trading in the stock market, it is necessary to think a little to choose which investment method to choose. It depends mainly on the investment horizon and the risk taken. The online stock exchange facilitates investment and speculation in the stock markets. The trader chooses to take more risks by trying to earn more and sooner, while the long-term investor takes less risk, but also limits his potential gains.

So, we move to the key question of how to buy stocks. To start investing in the stock market if you are a beginner, the most convenient way is to buy or sell shares through the Internet. It is advisable to search for recent information on companies and observe real-time information on the exact value of the shares.

In addition, investing in the stock market online allows you to operate practically all day while the market is open, if a purchase or sale of shares is made after hours, these purchase or sale orders are stored to be carried out as soon as the market reopens.

It should be noted that the investment will always depend on the risk profile; it is clear that the needs and objectives must be established before starting to invest. 

How much money to invest in the stock market at the beginning? The recommendations of the experts say that the smartest way to start trading in the stock market is to invest small amounts and then gradually increase the invested capital, as the knowledge of the world of the stock market grows and also its most common mistakes and problems.   

And finally we finish with some warnings for beginners: common mistakes such as speculation in stocks should be avoided, emotions should be left aside, do not use market orders for stocks with low trading volume, rather use only limit orders.

Top Tips To Increase Profits From Your Boating Business

Boating Business

As the owner of a boating business, you may be on the lookout for ways to improve your service. 

For the best advice on how to gain a competitive edge in your industry and increase your profits, look no further. Read our top tips to increase profits from your boating business, below. 

Invest In Your Website

To reach more potential customers, you need to invest in your online presence. 

Optimize your website through location-based, on and off-page SEO. Your site is your biggest possible source of new customers, and can also improve your existing customers’ experience. 

Implement ranking keywords such as rent a boat near me” to allow people to find you. Enable online bookings, and provide your site visitors with valuable insight into your services with customer reviews and perhaps a blog. 

Your goal is to bring people to your site, keep them engaged and ultimately convert them into satisfied customers.

Partner With Other Businesses 

Partnering with other businesses that are complementary to yours can be an exciting way to further your profits.

It leads to more exposure for both parties and is thus a mutually beneficial arrangement. There are many possible ways to do this, but let’s look at a few examples. Partner with diving instructors for their diving lessons. Negotiate with local tour operators to set up boating tours in the area. 

Another possible avenue of partnership is the Airbnb and Homeaway trend. Offer hosts a commission for referrals, and perhaps a special package deal for your existing customers.

The possibilities are endless and can take your business in new and lucrative directions.

Narrow Down Your Niche

You could instead focus on a particular segment of the marketplace

But to narrow down your niche and concentrate on that alone, requires careful research. Is there a gap in the market for a particular boating activity? Is there a shortfall in certain boating services? The ideas mentioned above under partnering with other businesses could still apply here. 

Narrowing down your niche market will make it easier for you to market your business. But it demands certain things from you. Enhance your skills in the market sector you have decided on. This will give you the competitive edge, and ultimately higher profits, you are seeking. 

Your goal is to be seen as the authority in whichever service you have chosen to promote.

Offer A Unique Experience

Offering your customers unique and personalized services will set you apart from the rest.

Do you offer different vessels? Are bareboat charters, skippered, and crewed charters all available? If you are not able these choices, start simply. Short, guided excursions perhaps. Or lessons in boating safety

The more experiences you offer, the less likely customers will think to look elsewhere. And the more likely they are to refer their friends, family, and colleagues to you. You could institute a referral program, that offers a slight discount for reviews and referrals. 

This is worthwhile to you as it will bring in more business, and therefore more profits.

Host Events

Depending on the size of your business and your vessels, reach out to party planners and offer private boat parties. Or advertise this directly on your website. 

You could focus on kids’ parties. Or bachelor parties. On larger yachts, private New Year’s parties or yacht weddings become a possibility. This is going to be even easier to arrange if you have partnered with a catering service. 

You can then market your business as a more comprehensive service.

Nurture A Good Crew

If you have a crew, are they prepared for these new directions your business is taking?

Keep them up to speed, discuss your ideas with them, and encourage feedback. If they do not have one, create a uniform or branded shirt for them to wear on duty. Invest in further training, such as hospitality or tourism courses. And if you have not yet done so, train at least two of them in CPR certification. They can get a certification after attending CPR Classes for a day or two.

Your boating business relies on these people. So invest in their training, pay them a fair wage, and they will continue to serve you well. 

Maintain & Upgrade Your Boat

Of course, to explore any of these paths to higher profits, you need to do the foundational work. And that means keeping your boats in good seafaring order.

Whether you have one vessel or several, keep it ship-shape. No boating business will succeed without clean, well-organized, and seaworthy vessels. Invest the time and money into keeping up-to-date with the latest trends too, and update your onboard equipment and amenities. 

Remember, your boat is your business, and your business is your boat. So take good care of your boat and she will take care of you.

Why Investing in Gold is good?

Investing in Gold

Although several types of investment options have germinated around us, the option to invest in Gold remains foremost. This is because investments in Gold are a traditionally-proven method that never fails to work for us. They also provide a diverse range of investment options like Solid Gold, jewelry, and Gold EFTs that can help you choose as per your budget and preference. But there is a lot more that can define why investing in Gold is a wise idea. 

Here’s more for those who wish to invest in Gold in Australia

1. Gold Investments Can Never Go Bankrupt 

When you own Gold, no other form of paper contract is needed. You also need not have to deal with any intermediary or a third-party person to help you with any contractual obligation. That is why it can be a great investment tool that does not lead you to any hassle at all. Apart from this, Gold also never reaches zero. Ever since its evolution, Gold has never reached a drastic depreciation. As such, it is fair to say that Gold will always hold good value in the financial market. 

2. No Special Knowledge Required

When you invest in stocks or any other form of digital asset, you might have to spend sufficient time having knowledge about that industry. But Gold does not demand any such thing. That is why it is considered to be one of the simplest forms of investment in the market today. So, even a beginner in investments can easily invest in Gold without thinking twice. 

3. Gold Is A Tangible Asset 

The fact that Gold is tangible makes it a highly safe asset to invest in. Today, it is a whole lot easier to buy Gold than any other tangible asset in the business. Gold is also free from any type of hacking problems or fraudulence, unlike other digital assets. That is why anyone who is a mindful investor is more likely to choose Gold over other assets for safe investments. 

4. Gold Is Highly Liquid 

Gold is highly accessible. This means that you can easily sell it wherever you go. That is what makes Gold highly liquid. In fact, you can also deal with some virtual dealers if you want to do this digitally. Another good point is that you can either trade it for goods or sell it for cash. So, the flexibility that you can receive from investing in Gold is unlike any other investment you can make. 

5. Works As An Inflation Hedge 

Most people who make Gold investments focus on the inflation hedge. This means that when a rise in inflation occurs, the currency value is bound to deteriorate. However, Gold prices keep rising over the course of time. So, when the inflation rate surpasses the interest rate, Gold fares skyrocket like no other. 

The Bottom Line 

Investing in Gold comes with a diverse range of benefits. In the long run, Gold is bound to gain higher value and provide the same amount of profitability that it provides today. So, opt for your preferred investment accordingly.

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