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Crypto Videos

Dash Is Selling Out It’s Privacy Focus In The Hope It Won’t get Culled!


Is Dash a Privacy Coin?

A recent tweet coming from Dash’s official Twitter account has invited much criticism. The outlash from Dash’s supporters is directed towards the fact that the cryptocurrency, which was once advertised as a privacy coin, is now wilting in the face of possible regulatory scrutiny and trying to pivot to non-privacy-focused crypto waters. 

On Jan 1, the US-based exchange Bittrex announced in a tweet that it would be delisting top privacy coins, including Monero, Zcash, and Dash.

The delistings of the top private coins follow a similar Dec 29, 2020 announcement that Bittrex would be delisting XRP as a result of an SEC lawsuit against Ripple, prompting further speculation that the exchange preemptively delisted the aforementioned privacy coins in anticipation of a wider regulatory crackdown. 

In response to the delisting, Dash announced in a tweet that they had immediately “reached out to Bittrex Exchange to request a meeting,” and that referring to the DASH cryptocurrency as a “privacy coin” is not exactly right. They added:


Taking a look back at 2017, on the other hand, archived screenshots from the Dash Foundation website show that the company advertised DASH as “the world’s first privacy-centric cryptocurrency.” The current Dash Foundation website has changed since and now says that Dash is “the leading payments cryptocurrency,” and doesn’t mention its privacy functionality anywhere.

In a recent tweet regarding the delisting CEO of DashPay, Ryan Taylor also minimized the cryptocurrency’s privacy features:

While the whole situation regarding Dash’s stance has prompted criticism on Twitter, proponents have noted that the cryptocurrency has released guidance on its privacy features in August. Official Dash website blog post shows that Taylor wrote that “regulators are concerned with exchanges possibly being unable to comply with KYC/AML regulations when transacting coins that offer privacy features,” because Dash is “often found on lists of cryptocurrencies with privacy enhancements.”

However, Taylor also wrote that Dash has been very successful in convincing exchanges as well as regulators that Dash is not a privacy coin.

The clarifications about Dash’s core focus come as a follow-up to an announced upgrade to Dash entering the testnet phase. This upgrade will include DashPay, a “social crypto-payments wallet.” 

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Cryptocurrencies

Dash Is Known for Privacy, But Should You Invest In It?

Dash was developed with privacy in mind and to overcome the shortfalls that Bitcoin was facing. Originally introduced as Xcoin in 2014, the crypto has rebranded twice – first as Darkcoin then as Dash. Speculation that Xcoin was a pump-and-dump scheme were rife and likely contributed to the name change. As the altcoin was being renamed to Darkcoin, it received press, which pushed its adoption among darknet markets. Ever since, Dash has had a somewhat controversial reputation to the effect that even some governments pushed for their delisting. 

Arguably, Dash offers the best privacy guarantee in the entire cryptoverse – and this can be proven by how authorities get all fidgety at the mention of the crypto. Just recently, the US Internal Revenue Service announced a mega reward for anyone who can help them break Dash’s privacy and find the origin of transactions.

Despite Dash appearing like privacy is all it offers, it’s hard to deny that the altcoin is a worthy competitor to the likes of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, which are darlings to many investors. The crypto features prominently among the top 30 cryptocurrencies by market cap. It has significant daily trading volumes and can be exchanged with most major currencies – both fiat and crypto.

But wait, considering the reputational and potential availability challenges the cryptocurrency is facing, should you invest in it? Well, read on to find out what makes Dash a worthy investment.

Performance in 2020 

When choosing a good crypto investment, financial performance is among the key metrics to look out for. Throughout 2020, dash has shown rather erratic performance – call it volatility. Opening the year at around $20, Dash quickly rallied to peak $140 within weeks. Those who took advantage of this bull run undoubtedly tripled their investment. 

But it wasn’t long before the bears came calling and sent the crypto back to $40 at the beginning of April. In the subsequent months until June, Dash traded at between $60 and $80. This was the least volatile period for the crypto in the year. Still, these fluctuations were significantly high by crypto market standards.

After a brief rally in August followed by a correction in October, Dash seemed to stabilize in December, trading at roughly between $90 and $100. 

As to whether the crypto has enough volatility to challenge investors, the answer is an unwavering yes.

24-hour trading volumes have consistently declined over the year, which could imply two things: either, investors are HODLing their coins or just not buying as much. Usually, declining trading volumes are associated with falling prices. As for Dash, this has not been the case, not at least in 2020. One conclusion we can draw from this observation is that Dash has a rare element of resilience, and we can expect it to remain afloat in both good and bad times. 

Does Dash Have a Future?

Dash’s performance in 2020 leaves little doubt about its potential for short-term profitability, particularly with reference to its volatility. Volatility in crypto trading, just like in forex, allows investors to take advantage of price changes to make their cuts. In 2020, Dash showed price changes of up to 500%, which implies massive trading potential.

Trading Dash seems lucrative in the short run, but if you choose to invest in it for the long-term, are returns promised? Well, the indicators below give more insights on the direction the crypto is likely to take in the future.

#1 Dash development is funded 

Worth noting is that Dash is a next-generation crypto and a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). The DAO is a collection of privileged nodes (masternodes) that invest back 10% of gains earned from mining. Well, this is not their primary function, but the dedication of a tithe to the network’s development promises sustainability, for instance, by building integrations fast and reliably. Unlike other cryptos, the continuous development of Dash does not entirely rely on a vibrant user community.

#2 The crypto responds to bull runs

In 2017 when a majority of crypto joined the historic bull run, Dash gained over 8,000%. Launched only 3 years before and trading at $0.12, the crypto had rallied to trade at $1,494 by the end of 2017. Dash entered 2018 with pride, flying as high as $1,000 – at a time when other cryptocurrencies were also flourishing. The entry into 2019 was not as flamboyant given the bubble had long burst, and most cryptos were heading for a correction. Even so, Dash maintained an impressive $100-$170 exchange rate. During past bull runs, the crypto’s behavior gives hopes that it will keep rising as other cryptocurrencies gain adoption.

#3 Crypto users are demanding more privacy

The demand for privacy across the globe is just increasing, and if there were a merchant trading this commodity, this would be the best time for them to cash in. From anonymous donations to buying what the government doesn’t want you to, privacy is increasingly becoming a selling point, and Dash takes care of this demand. To no one’s surprise, Alternative 36, Inc., an American e-commerce company, started accepting Dash payments for legal cannabis trade in the US.

#4 Dash offers superior performance 

Compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum, Dash payments are fast. As cryptocurrencies continue to gain adoption in the retail industry, Dash might become a more favorable option for payments than its mightier siblings.

#6 Dash’s ‘InstantSend’ and ‘PrivateSend’ 

Dash offers some transaction versatility. You can choose to send money instantly or wait for miners to work at their pace. Similarly, you can decide to send money anonymously or leave traces. This versatility makes Dash suitable for use in a wider range of applications, and hence, increases its utility. To guarantee the future of a cryptocurrency, the utility is everything. 

Regulators Have Their Eyes Fixed on Dash. Will That Affect You?

Regulators are clearly unhappy with the level of anonymity that Dash provides. In Japan, they pushed exchanges such as Coincheck to delist Dash and other anonymity-focused cryptocurrencies. The US Department of Internal Revenue also made clear its intention to crack Dash’s privacy and other anonymity cryptos. You probably have fears that you may become a victim of such heightened surveillance. While such an event is possible, it is worth noting that the crypto is used for many legitimate trades, and there’s no earthly reason why you would be victimized solely for investing in Dash. 

Final Thoughts

Dash is one of the best-known anonymity altcoins, and this reputation might have blinded investors from seeing the crypto’s investment potential. For short-term ventures, we have seen that Dash offers unmatched volatility, where investors can walk in and walk out with huge profits within months. In the long term, Dash is equally promising – based on past performance, support for network development, increasing demand for privacy, and its utility, which is likely to increase. While there might be concerns about the surveillance authorities have on Dash, overall, its prospects for profitability overshadow these concerns. 

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Crypto Videos

Crypto – Dash Is NOT A Privacy Coin!

Dash is NOT a privacy coin.

Dash was once viewed as one of the crypto sector’s top privacy-focused projects. However, it no longer operates under that classification, according to the Dash Core Group, the group overseeing Dash and its development.
When asked if Dash should be considered a privacy asset, Fernando Gutierrez, Dash Core Group’s CMO, said:
“No, Dash is a payment operator cryptocurrency, with a strong focus on usability, which includes speed, ease of use, cost, and user protection through optional privacy.”

Dash started off as a fork of Bitcoin all the way back in 2014. It was originally called XCoin, only to change its name to Darkcoin, and ultimately Dash. The asset positioned itself on the market as a privacy-focused asset and competed with the likes of Monero and Zcash. Its whitepaper even said that “Dash is the first privacy-centric cryptographic currency that is based on the work of Satoshi Nakamoto [the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin].”
In addition to Dash, there were two of the market’s other main anonymity-based assets, Monero and Zcash, which came to life in 2014 and 2016, respectively.

As can be concluded from Gutierrez’s comment, Dash is no longer fully and mainly focused on privacy, but it rather only specifies that it has privacy as an optional feature. The asset’s optional privacy feature is called PrivateSend, giving its users the option of greater anonymity than they would have when transacting without it. The technology that Dash utilizes in its PrivateSend function is called CoinJoin, a technology that “complicates” transactions to the point of being extremely difficult for analytics firms to analyze the transactions.

The CoinJoin approach was introduced in 2013, essentially letting Bitcoin users mix their transactions into a group of transactions, therefore making any form of tracking difficult. Dash took this exact same approach and made it more convenient by making it a built-in option for Dash senders.


In recent days, privacy coins have faced significant scrutiny from governing bodies all around the world, as seen by the IRS’ bounty rewards of $625,000 for successfully cracking Monero. In order to mitigate the possible pressure from the government bodies, Dash Core Group pivoted from the privacy coin sector to the transaction sector, now stating that the privacy regulation doesn’t apply or threaten Dash in any way. Gutierrez added that Dash’s blockchain is public and that there is nothing to break or crack because Dash’s approach to privacy is fully probabilistic, not based on encryption like on projects like Monero.

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Cryptocurrencies

What’s DASH All About?

Bitcoin, the pioneer of cryptocurrencies, made it possible for individuals to send money in a one-to-one and decentralized fashion. Though this might sound simple, it’s quite revolutionary because it gives the average person absolute power over their own finances. This is in sharp contrast with the old centralized system in which banks are in custody of your money – and could decide to freeze it at will. 

While this new system is welcome, Bitcoin faces the inherent issue of lack of scalability. This has held it back from mainstream adoption and acceptance by businesses. The other glaring issue is Bitcoin’s pseudonymity, where the entire history of transactions is an open affair. While the blockchain doesn’t show the actual identity of individuals, patterns can be drawn that could lead to their real identity. 

Dash is a cryptocurrency that preserves the best of Bitcoin while improving where it has come short. With fast, decentralized, and completely anonymous transactions, Dash is a strong contender for a Bitcoin alternative.

In this article, we’ll look more closely at what Dash hopes to achieve, and how. 

Understanding Dash

Previously known as Darkcoin, Dash is a cryptocurrency formerly designed as a privacy coin. Indeed, the first white paper says Dash is “the first privacy-centric cryptographic currency.” However, Dash has long abandoned its privacy-only ambitions to become a fully-fledged cryptocurrency – complete with payments and all. And this has worked because, at the time of writing, Dash is the 21st most valuable currency in the world. 

Dash is an open-source cryptocurrency based on the Bitcoin and Litecoin code. Evan Duffield, the project’s founder, came across Bitcoin in 2010 and instantly liked the technology. However, he was not impressed with the low transaction speed and the transparent history of transactions. (Every transaction in the life of Bitcoin is recorded on the blockchain for the whole world to see). He then created Dash to address three issues: privacy, governance, and scalability. 

We’ll be exploring Dash’s solution in detail, but first, let’s see how Dash is different from Bitcoin. 

Differences Between Dash and Bitcoin

Mining algorithm: Dash uses the X11 algorithm, a modified version of Proof of Stake for mining coins. The algorithm employs a Coinjoin mixer to obscure the origin of transactions, ensuring their privacy. For its part, Bitcoin uses the Proof of Work algorithm. 

Handling of Transactions: Transactions on Bitcoin blockchain must be validated by all the participating nodes, while on Dash, they are validated by a few selected nodes

Speed: Dash processes transactions in one second (according to its website) while Bitcoin’s confirmation time can take up to 10 minutes or even hours

Cost: When it comes to costs, Dash is cheaper due to its faster confirmation time. At the time of writing, Bitcoin’s transaction fee was $4.830, while Dash’s is consistently even less than $1

Governance: Dash’s code allows upgrades without the blockchain having to ‘hard fork.’ On the other hand, Bitcoin has been the subject of several ‘hard forks,’ the most prominent one being the Bitcoin Cash fork. The problem with hard forks is that they are often contentious and divide the community. Dash utilizes a voting system to effect changes more harmoniously.

How Dash Works

To realize fast, scalable, and private transactions, Dash utilizes several features unique to it. Let’s get a closer look below: 

#1. InstantSend

InstantSend is a feature by Dash that allows it to settle transactions ultrafast. In the vast majority of blockchains, individuals have to wait until several block confirmations are done to avoid double-spending. But this process is time-consuming, taking from several minutes to hours. This renders most blockchains unsuitable for use as payment systems. Customers do not want to wait for minutes, much fewer hours, to confirm a purchase.

To remedy this, Dash uses only a few nodes on the network to confirm blocks – usually in a second. Masternodes (which we’ll look at) usually locks the inputs of a transaction before broadcasting it on the blockchain, preventing double-spending during confirmation time.

#2. PrivateSend

PrivateSend is a feature by Dash that guarantees user privacy. The feature is used to anonymize transactions taking place on the public blockchain in a manner that no one can trace the origin of a transaction. While both inputs and outputs will be visible, the link between sender and receiver will be obscured. PrivateSend is an optional feature. Just like with InstantSend, it’s masternodes that are in charge of PrivateSend.  

The procedure used is referred to as coin mixing, and it works in the following manner. First, the amount of funds to be sent is broken into several standard sizes (denominations) that each is divided into and sent to different addresses. A masternode will then be alerted that a user wants to mix the denominations. This masternode will then select two others (3 masternodes are required to carry out this kind of transaction). The masternodes will then mix the denominations with other PrivateSend transactions. After the mixing procedure and before the total amount is sent to the user, their wallet confirms if it’s the correct amount. If it is, the transaction is completed. If a user wishes, the process can be repeated several times in what’s called “rounds.” The more the rounds, the harder it is to trace the origin of the transaction. 

#3. Masternodes

Masternodes are special nodes on the Dash network backed by collateral. For a node to become a master node, they have to stake 1,000 worth of DASH. Masternodes are in charge of advanced services such as InstantSend, PrivateSend, and governance. Masternodes trace back to the very beginnings of Dash in 2014.

Masternodes hold full copies of the blockchain they secure and maintain it, earning rewards in Dash for their services. Other duties by masternodes include rejecting suspicious transactions and voting on how to use 10% of block rewards for various community projects. 

Key Metrics

As of August 8, 2020, DASH traded at $95.22 with a market cap of $918,157,430 that placed it at #21. It had a 24-hour volume of $473,970,953, a circulating and total supply of 9,642,507, and a maximum supply of 18.9 million. The coin has an all-time high and an all-time low of $1,642.22 (Dec 20, 2017) and $0.213899 (Feb 14, 2014), respectively. 

Buying and Storing DASH

You can exchange USDT, BTC, EUR, XRP, ETH, and USD for DASH in these exchanges: Binance, Huobi, YoBit, CoinBene, OKEx, DigiFinex, MXC, BitUBU, Bibox, Kraken, P2PB2B, BitForex, LATOKEN, KuCoin, Hoo, Bitrue, BiKi, and more. Check here for a full list on where to buy DASH.

When it comes to storing DASH, the options are endless. You can go with the official Dash desktop wallet, which supports Windows (both 32 bit and 64 bit), Mac OS, and Linux. Alternatively, you can go for the Dash Core wallet, Exodus, Jaxx Liberty, Coinomi, Guarda, Edge, Abra, and Spend wallets. Of course, you can also go for hardware wallets Ledger, Trezor, and KeepKey (highly recommended). 

Final Words

Dash took the concept of Bitcoin and enhanced it with scalability and better privacy. The cryptocurrency was one of the earliest altcoins to employ privacy-centric features. This, coupled with its innovations, has kept it ahead of the pack. It’ll be interesting to watch the growth of Dash in the future. 

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Cryptocurrencies

Dash Core Wallet Review

If you are reading this review, there are high chances you are familiar with Dash. To give you a quick overview of what it entails, Dash is a decentralized cryptocurrency, which is also an altcoin that has been forked from the Bitcoin blockchain. It was launched as “Xcoin” back in January 2014. Currently, it is ranked 12th in the cryptocurrency market. However, to use it, you need a Dash wallet.

While there is quite a good number of third-party wallets such as Jaxx, Dash Electrum, and Exodus, there is a Dash Core desktop wallet that you might want to consider for keeping your Dash coins safe. It is as its name suggests. The wallet is designed by Dash themselves, and, therefore, you can always rely on it for the latest updates and optimum performance. Read on as this review gets into a detailed insight into everything you need to know about the Dash Core Desktop wallet. 

Key Features

Masternode commands and voting: Dash Core wallet features special commands for controlling servers known as masternodes. They are used to enable services such as InstantSend, governance, and treasury system, as well as PrivateSend. 

ChainLocks: This feature is provided by the Dash Network that provides certainty when accepting any payment. It is used in parallel with InstantSend. Technically, it creates an environment where payments can be accepted instantly and with little or no risk from the “Blockchain Reorganization Events.”

PrivateSend: It is, as its name suggests. PrivateSend features provide users with true financial privacy by integrating an innovative process that mixes your inputs with at least two other people in one transaction. It also means that there will be no seed that leaves your wallet.

InstantSend: The technology integrated into this feature allows Dash currency to compete with instantaneous transaction systems without relying on a centralized authority. 

OS compatibility: Dash Core wallet is available for Linux, Windows, MacOS, and Raspberry Pi. 

Governance and treasury: It allows stakeholders to determine the direction that the project is heading to and devote 10% of the block reward to the ecosystem and the development of the project. 

Wallet encryption: This feature allows users to set a unique password or PIN that can be used to access the wallet. 

How to Download and Set Up the Dash Core Desktop Wallet

Step 1: Head to the official Dash website at https://www.dash.org/

Here, you will find two options. One is the “Get Dash,” and the other is for “12.1 Update”. Scroll down to the download wallet section. You will automatically be redirected to a different page where you can download your desired type. You’ll find options such as OSX, Windows (32 bit), Windows (64 bit), and Linux. Choose an option that suits your current operating system.

Step 2: Download Installer

After choosing your desired option, you will be prompted to save the software onto your device. Click on save and let the download complete. 

Step 3: Install the application

Once the download is complete, the next step would be to install the application. Click on the downloaded app and follow the installation prompts. You will be asked to either “run Dash Core” or “finish” once the setup is complete.

Step 4: Choose a custom data directory path

Another window will pop up to provide you with brief information on how much space your wallet will need, so you should ensure you choose your hard drive’s directory path carefully. Notably, you should consider that your Dash Core data will increase over time based on your usage. For this reason, you should ensure that you have enough storage on your existing drive. 

Click “OK” after you are done.

Step 5: Allow access to the firewall

If your firewall is active, you will be asked to grant the application access. Click on “Allow access” and wait for the application to synchronize with the Dash Blockchain. 

Step 6: Encrypt wallet

Once synchronization is complete, the first step would be to encrypt your wallet. Click on settings and choose “encrypt wallet.” Ensure you input a unique passphrase that is impossible to guess but easy to remember. The best way to set a strong password is to incorporate random characters, numbers, and lower and uppercase letters. Click “OK” once you are done.

Step 7: Read the risks involved when you lose your password

Another window will pop up with a warning of what might happen if you lose your passphrase. Click “yes” to start the encryption process. Give the process a few minutes. Another pop up will show up just before the encryption is complete informing you that the application will close to finish the wallet’s encryption process. Click “OK” to confirm and reopen the application. 

Step 8: Back up your wallet

Now that you have successfully installed and encrypted your wallet, the next step should be to create a backup. Click on “file” at the top of the application and click on “Backup Wallet.” Note that it is advisable to back up your wallet every time you add more coins. You can use storage mediums such as cloud or USB/hardware.

How to Send Dash

Sending Dash with your Dash Core desktop wallet is quite easy. All you need to do is click on “Send” and input the required details. Below is a detailed guide on how to go about it:

Pay To:  Enter the receiver’s address

Label: Enter a label for the address to add it to your address book and for easier access. It will help you sort out all the people you have ever sent to with ease. 

Amount: Add the number of coins you want to send.

Transaction fee: Click on “recommended” to expand the options.

Send: Ensure all the details are correct and click send.

Also, you might want to check on the transaction history. It will help you keep track of every transaction.

Receiving Dash

Receiving Dash on your application is also easy. All you are required to do is click on receive and fill in the required information. Here is a breakdown of how to go about it.

Label: It is helpful in organizing a list of addresses you use frequently.

Amount: Choose the amount of Dash you are requesting.

Message: You can add a message if you wish. 

Request payment: Click on request payment once you are done.

How Does Dash Core Compare to Other Wallets in the Market?

Dash Core vs. Atomic Wallet

Dash Core integrates quite a good number of powerful features such as InstaSend, PrivateSend, Masternode, Governance, and many other management functions. These features ensure that all transactions are safe and valid. The Atomic wallet supports neither PrivateSend nor InstaSend. However, it allows users to exchange cryptocurrencies peer-to-peer, which means that no third-parties are acting as intermediaries.

Dash Core vs. Exodus Wallet

Exodus is yet another well-known desktop Dash coin wallet in the market. It’s famous for its ability to integrate several cryptocurrency exchange programs such as ShapeShift. Users can trade a wide range of cryptos with little or no notable time constraints. However, this cannot be said of Dash Core. Another notable thing with Exodus is that it is offered in lite-node, which also means that you don’t have to download the entire blockchain on your PC. You will require more than 10 GB of free space on your computer to download and use Dash Core as it is offered in full-node. 

Pros and Cons of Dash Desktop and Mobile Wallet

Pros

  • Offers the highest security standard among free wallets
  • It is a multi-coin wallet and supports over 100 cryptocurrencies
  • Private keys are stored on the PC or Smartphone
  • You can access your DASH coins from anywhere across the globe
  • Downloads are free

Cons

  • Private keys can be stolen through phishing
  • Updates should be made regularly
  • The wallet is a full-node wallet and requires individuals to download the entire DASH blockchain that is well over 10GB

Final thoughts 

If you are looking for the best desktop DASH wallet, there is no better option than to try out the company’s DASH wallet itself. They have specially designed their crypto wallet to integrate top-notch security features. What’s more, you can always be sure to remain updated with their latest releases. Try it out, and there is no doubt you will enjoy their services. 

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Crypto Videos

Is Your Cryptocurrency Anonymous? How To Ensure It Is!

 

Anonymity in cryptocurrencies

Confidentiality and privacy (financial and in general) are becoming more and more important nowadays as the world has pretty much given up on privacy with the expansion of the internet. Cryptocurrencies have given users an option to protect their financial privacy. These cryptocurrencies are based on cryptographic protocols that act as security methods. By utilizing these protocols, all the transactions are safe, irreversible, and do not contain any personal information whatsoever.
Privacy and anonymity are one of the most important factors that lifted cryptocurrencies in the eyes of potential users. However, we have to make a distinction between “anonymity” and “pseudonymity” and what they represent, as well as which cryptocurrencies possess these features.
Simply put, anonymous transactions are transactions that can’t be connected to any person/user. But are cryptocurrencies anonymous?

Bitcoin’s anonymity

Bitcoin is often described as anonymous because people can send and receive transactions without actually revealing their identity. However, the truth is a bit different.
Even though Bitcoin does not tie an identity to a person, all Bitcoin transactions are stored publicly and permanently on the Blockchain. This means anyone can see anyone’s balance as well as transactions. Even the identity of the user behind an address can be cracked down if an address is used to purchase goods or services outside the “system.”
Most blockchains aren’t truly anonymous but rather pseudonymous, and that includes Bitcoin. Transacting in Bitcoin is like writing under a specific pseudonym. If the pseudonym is ever tied to one of the transactions, everything done under that pseudonym is also tied to the account.

People may say that full privacy is what they want, but pseudonymity and having no anonymity is exactly the argument against people saying that Bitcoin can be used for illegal transactions. However, if full and complete privacy is required, then people should turn to a branch of Cryptocurrency called “privacy coins.”
Private cryptocurrencies
Unlike Bitcoin, every transaction involving so-called “privacy coins” obscures the digital addresses of the sender and the receiver. Not only that, but the network also obscures the value of the transaction. This feature offers privacy coin users near-total anonymity.
We will cover a few privacy coins with the biggest market capitalization to show what they have to offer to the market:
Monero;
Dash;
Zcash.

Monero

Monero is the biggest privacy coin by market capitalization. This is most likely due to a lot of people believing that this cryptocurrency is the most anonymous coin on the market. Monero is based on CryptoNote, a privacy protocol that implements ring signatures which obfuscate payments in order to ensure anonymity when both are sending and receiving funds.
However, throughout time, Monero has evolved far beyond CryptoNote. The development team behind Monero combined CryptoNote’s ring signatures with Greg Maxwell’s Confidential Transactions to create Ring Confidential Transactions (RingCTs), which only obscure senders but also hide the transaction amount. Monero is constantly improving and implementing new features, such as giving its users the option to hide their IP address and geographic location through garlic encryption and routing.

Dash

Dash, previously known as Darkcoin, came to life as a fork of Bitcoin in 2014. Even though Dash includes privacy features, this cryptocurrency also tries to achieve other features such as Portability, Inexpensiveness, Divisibility, Speed.

When talking about Dash’s privacy features, its users have two options. Dash gives you the option to send funds PrivateSend or through a regular network. PrivateSend implements a feature called “CoinJoin,” which mixes the sent funds with other people’s PrivateSend funds before sending them to the recipient. The coins that a recipient receives are not in any way associated with the wallet from which the transaction was initiated.

Zcash

Zcash is another extremely popular private cryptocurrency. It utilizes a feature called Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge (or simply zk-SNARKs). Zk-SNARKs validate the transaction without ever having to reveal the details of the transaction. This feature makes it possible to send ZEC, Zcash’s currency, while the sender’s address, the recipient’s address, as well as the amount is never compromised or revealed.
Even though Zcash developers built this cryptocurrency on the original Bitcoin code base, these two cryptocurrencies have very little in common today. One significant difference between Bitcoin and Zcash is that Zcash is run by a for-profit company called the Electric Coin Company. This company receives 10% of all the mining rewards, which is regarded as a “Founder’s Reward.” These funds are then used to support further development of the project.

Conclusion

It’s no secret that Bitcoin isn’t actually anonymous, despite what various public figures might claim. Its pseudonymity makes its transactions vulnerable to being tracked by governments and intelligence agencies. However, Bitcoin’s privacy features are steadily increasing.
With Bitcoin’s improving privacy, it is possible that cryptocurrencies such as Monero, Zcash, and Dash may become obsolete. This will, however, happen only if Bitcoin offers anonymity alongside with superior store of value.

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Crypto Guides

DASH – Everything You Should Know About This New Age Cryptocurrency

Introduction

The word “Dash” is created from Digital Cash, thus signifying it is a virtual currency in its name itself. This coin was introduced by Evan Duffield in 2014, initially naming it as Xcoin. Later it got rebranded as Darkcoin as it was being used in the dark web for illegal activities due to its inherent features. The coin finally got renamed as Dash in March 2015. Dash is significantly different from the other cryptocurrencies in the market. It is an open-source cryptocurrency run in the form of DAO – Decentralized Autonomous Organization. We ll understand what a DAO in the latter part of the article.

Objective

Dash is created by forking the bitcoin network. Evan Duffield thought the bitcoin protocol could be improvised, especially the transaction speed and the governance structure, and thus started dash as an altcoin to bitcoin. The source code for the coin was taken from the bitcoin itself. Some tweaks were made to improvise the functioning as required. The block timing, i.e., the time taken to mine a single block, is 2.5 minutes compared to 13 minutes of bitcoin, thus making it four times faster. Apart from the transaction speed, the transaction in DASH is more private than the original bitcoin protocol.

Consensus

Dash uses a combination of Proof of Work (POW) and Proof of Stake (POS) mechanisms. Primarily it uses POW using a hash function called “X11”. While POS functionalities are used to reward its miners for hosting, maintaining, and updating the blockchain. Every cryptocurrency must have nodes to perform different activities in the network, but dash has two types of nodes, masternodes and normal nodes.

Difference between masternodes and normal nodes

Nodes are nothing but computational devices in the network used to host, validate, maintain the ledger copies, and secure the system. The masternodes perform all these duties while also having the vote function for the governance of the network. Masternodes contain the complete copy of the ledger, while normal nodes can have a partial copy. Normal nodes help in mining more coins as they concentrate on only mining. To be a masternode, one should deposit an upfront sum of 1000 Dash coins with a specific set of hardware requirements like RAM, hard disk space, CPU, and network bandwidth.

Masternodes help in the special transactions that DASH has to offers. They are PrivateSend and InstaSend.

PrivateSend

PrivateSend is used if the transactions need to be untraceable. This is achieved by dividing the entire size of the transaction to the small similar size transactions and mix them before executing a transaction. This makes the transaction untraceable as the senders and receiver’s accounts are not noticeable.

InstaSend

InstaSend feature is the extraordinary feature offered by the Dash. The validation process is done by only masternodes, thus making them instantaneous in real-time. This enables real transactions using Dash and can be used with merchants.

DAO

Decentralized Autonomous Organizations are the ones that work autonomously based on the precoded set of rules during the company’s inception. The founders and shareholders make decisions based on the voting process, and hence they are very transparent. DASH is essentially a DAO.

Market Cap

Dash currently occupies 18th position in the market cap with $625 million in value. The current trading price of the dash is $68.67, with a 24-hour trading volume of $216 million.

With all these features, Dash is amongst the most distinguishable cryptocurrencies out there, which proves that real-time usage of cryptocurrencies in our day to day life is indeed possible.

Categories
Crypto Market Analysis

Daily Crypto Update 05.07.2018 – Today’s Action Will Provide Confirmation


General Overview


Online Coin Market Cap: $274,137,015,909

24h Vol: $15,046,476,500

BTC Dominance: 41.9%

From the opening at 275,197,000,000$, the evaluation of the cryptocurrency market cap has fallen to around $270 billion at the lowest point today but has recovered since and is close to the levels of the resistance line.

Online coin market

The market is currently in green with a small percentage of change among the top 100 coins. The biggest loser is Syscoin who decreased by 26%, and biggest gainer is Ethos who increased by 27.53%.


News


As the market is showing signs of recovery, many headlines that have come out are analytical in nature, as people across space are trying to figure out what is coming next. There are some significant headlines regarding blockchain adoption and regulatory tone.

First on the line is news coming from Spain.  Spanish National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) Spain’s securities regulator in association with various banking and financial institutions have announced the completion of the pilot test for the Fast Track Listing (FTL) project.

In a statement the CNMV has announced:

“The objective has been to simplify processes and reduce the amount of time needed to register issuances. It has been proven that the use of blockchain technology can improve efficiency in terms of time and resources, as well as increase the security and traceability of processes.”

Source: CCN

Second news in line is the one coming from Malta. Malta’s prime minister Joseph Muscat confirmed the parliament will favour and approve three cryptocurrency bills designed to embrace the blockchain sector.

Speaking to CCN, the Parliamentary Secretary for Digital innovation and Finance Silvio Schembri stated:

“This is the last stage of the legislation that will put Malta on the international map for blockchain and crypto regulation. There is political consensus on this roadmap and we are foreseeing that this area will be the mainstay of our economic growth for the next 4-5 years”.

Source: CCN

And the last news headline that fits into this category is that coming from Russia. The CEO of  Sberbank, Russia’s largest state bank, Herman Gref said he could not yet foresee governments “yielding their centralised role” in fiat currency creation as part of his comments on cryptocurrency.

Speaking to reporters during the Astana Finance Days international conference in the Kazakhstan capital July 4, Sberbank’s Herman Gref repeated the comments he has made “many times” about cryptoassets’ future role in the economy.

“I don’t think that the state is ready to yield its centralised role in emission of fiat currency to some other decentralised institutions.”

Source: cointelegraph


Analysis


BTC/USD

From yesterday’s open at 6721$ the price of Bitcoin has decreased by 2.16% as its now sitting at 6577$.



Looking at the hourly chart, we can see that the price was repealed by minor resistance, and has retraced slightly since. The price is still above the 0 Fibonacci level which is the prior low level on the daily chart which is a good sign. However looking at the price action, we can see that the momentum behind the upward move is slowing down as higher highs are getting shorter, and higher lows are getting lower.


Market sentiment 

Bitcoin is in the sell zone, as indicated by hourly chart technicals.


Pivot points

S3 5854.7 
S2 6225.5 
S1 6407.8 
P 6596.3
R1 6778.6 
R2 6967.1 
R3 7337.9

LTC/USD

From yesterday’s high at 88$, the price of Litecoin has decreased by 3.54% and is now sitting at 84.90$.



Looking at the hourly chart we can see that the price action is forming a triangle, and the price is currently close to its support line. Like in the case of Bitcoin we can see that the momentum behind the upward movement is slowing down, so a breakout from the downside is more likely.


Market sentiment 

Hourly chart technicals signal a sell.


Pivot points

S3 73.895 
S2 79.999 
S1 82.711 
P 86.103 
R1 88.815 
R2 92.207 
R3 98.311

DASH/USD

From yesterday’s high at 251.70$ the price of Dash has decreased by 1.8% and is currently sitting at the 246.90$ level.



On the hourly chart, we can see that the price action has formed a symmetrical triangle, and the price is currently sitting close to its support. The breakout looks very close and what I think it’s going to happen is that we are going to see a breakout from the upside, but the price fails to create a higher high and consequently fall to the levels of the current range support around 238,9$.


Market sentiment 

Hourly chart technicals signal a buy.


Pivot points

S3 181.963
S2 211.383
S1 228.243
P 240.804
R1 257.664
R2 270.22 
R3 299.646

 Conclusion


Online Coin Market: As seen on the global chart and on the charts of the coins covered in this article, the first significant resistance hasn’t been broken. The prices of the coins covered are currently in consolidative patterns, and today we are going to see a confirmation if the uptrend continuation or the start of the retracement.

Categories
Crypto Market Analysis

Weekly Crypto Update 07.02.2018 – The Recovery Has Started


General Overview


Crypto Coin Market Cap: $270,492,089,135

24h Vol: $16,547,075,818

BTC Dominance: 42.3%

Last Monday on 25th of June, cryptocurrency market capitalisation was 258,924,000,000$ at it’s highest point. Since then, the market cap fell all the way to 232,613,000,000$ on Friday 29. On Saturday the evaluation rose from those levels back to the levels of Monday’s open, and now we are seeing a breakout as the evaluation exceeds Monday’s around $258B. Because the global chart is lagging behind a bit, I have drawn with a brush were the chart should be at the moment.

Crypto Coin Market Cap Chart

The market is in the green at the moment. Biggest gainers so far among top 100 coins are: Neo 16%, 0x 18.56%, Verge 18.3%, Wanchain 15%. The average percentage increase is around 6% but there are a lot of coins that have gained 10% or more in the lasts 24 hours, which is a sign of recovery.


News


There are a number of significant news items that came out in the last 7 days. Out of those that could impact the market I point out the following:

Facebook will no longer ban crypto ads, but ICOs are still on the blacklist and only verified accounts can post them, according to their announcement. This headline is good, as Facebook ads will help expose the market, however, if they are in control of the type of projects they are going to allow or particular cryptocurrencies, Facebook will have control of the content displayed to the users, and they could, in fact, help manipulate that market, or create a general impression that is aligned with their agenda around a particular coin or project. For example, I don’t believe that they are going to allow promoting Steemit which is a blockchain based social media rival that pays out their users with their native coin. But we are yet to see what happens, as the pressure is applied on to major players but the technological advancements of the blockchain.

Other significant headlines that could impact the market as they bring more exposure and open up the space for new participants are that Binance launches a crypto-fiat exchange in Uganda– Binance Uganda, as reported by cointelegraph. This will bring more cryptocurrency exposure to the retail investors.

On the other hand Blockchain.com – the best-known crypto wallet and blockchain explorer data service has introduced their institutional platform, Blockchain Principle Strategies (BPS). BPS will offer over-the-counter services managed by experts from Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and UBS as part of the platform.


Analysis


BTC/USD

From last Monday, the price of Bitcoin has increased by 5.13% coming from 6282$ to the low at 5800$ at its lowest point back to 6443$ and now above the level of last Monday’s open at 6618$.



Looking at the hourly chart, we can see that the price has found support on the unconfirmed triangle support, and broken the downtrends resistance line as it’s heading in an upward trajectory. The first target I am looking at is an unconfirmed baseline support 2 (purple dotted line) at 7054$. I am expecting the first significant resistance from there to 7320$ area, and if the price gets passed through that resistance I am expecting the price to go to around 8000$.


Market sentiment

Daily chart technicals signal a sell.

Oscillators are on neutral and moving averages signal a sell.


Pivot points 

S3 4649.7 
S2 5440.2 
S1 5915.8 
P 6230.7
R1 6706.3 
R2 7021.2
R3 7811.7

ETH/USD

From last Monday’s opening at 451$, the price of Ethereum has increased by 5.34% as its currently sitting around 475$.



On the daily chart, we can see that the correction has ended and it was a WXY correction just like I pointed out it would most likely be in the charting section last week. I have pointed out that this correction might make another low and be complete as a WXYXZ sideways correction but that from those levels around 400$ the price is going up soon. Currently, the price has broken the downtrends resistance line and is heading upward steeply after consolidating in a descending channel.


Market sentiment 

Ethereum is in the sell zone, as indicated by daily chart technicals.

Oscillators are on neutral, and moving averages signal a strong sell.


Pivot points

S3 303.76 
S2 374.27 
S1 414.06 
P 444.78 
R1 484.57 
R2 515.29 
R3 585.80

LTC/USD

In the last 7 days, the price of Litecoin has risen by 5.42% from the opening on last Monday at 81.5$ to 85.8$ where it is currently sitting.



The price of Litecoin has found support at around the 72$ level, which is the level from where the price went on to create the all-time high.  Today the price has broken the downtrends resistance line and is in an upward trajectory. Like in the case of Bitcoin, I am expecting this upward movement to be the final wave Z from the WXYXZ correction from which the price is heading lower afterwards. Some of the significant level to look out for in the following week is from 111$ to 124$ which was considers as a support area, and probably now serves as strong resistance, so I will be closely monitoring what happens at those levels because I am expecting the price to go higher than 124$.


Market sentiment

Litecoin is in the sell zone as indicated by daily chart technicals.

Oscillators are on neutral and moving averages signal a strong sell.


Pivot points

S3 55.377 
S2 67.393 
S1 74.299 
P 79.409 
R1 86.315
R2 91.425 
R3 103.441

NEO/USD

The price of Neo has increased by 15.38% coming from 31.6$ last Monday to 36.42$ where it is currently.



Looking at the Neo daily chart we can spot the similarities between the current candle formation and the last time the price of Neo has recovered from its lowest. As I have measured with the Fibonacci retracement tool, last time the price recovered to the 0.5 Fibonacci level, and I have projected the same recovery this time which fits perfectly with the potential interaction with the uptrend baseline support that was broken. In price terms, I am expecting the price of Neo to rise to around 56.89$.


Market sentiment

Neo is in the sell zone as the daily chart technicals indicate.


Pivot points

S3 16.25 
S2 23.49 
S1 27.20 
P 30.73 
R1 34.44 
R2 37.97 
R3 45.21

DASH/USD

From last Monday’s open at 238.9$, the price of Dash has increased by 5.46% as its currently sitting at 250.8$.



Looking at the daily chart we can see that like in the case of other cryptos that are covered in this report, the price has broken the downtrends resistance line and is heading upward. I have labelled this correction as WXYXZ and as you can see it has ended. I have projected that the price is mostly going to recover to the 384$ as that is the half of the range from the last retracement, much like it did two prior times.


Market sentiment

Dash is in the sell zone, as indicated by daily chart technicals.


Pivot points

S3 155.17
S2 195.52
S1 217.44
P 235.88
R1 257.79
R2 276.23
R3 316.58

ADA/USD

From last Monday’s open at 0.135$, the price of Cardano has increased by 11.42% as its sitting around 0.151$.



As you can see from the daily chart, the 5 wave move down has ended, and the price is now starting to recover in an upward movement after it broke the downtrends resistance. I am expecting the price to go up to 0.23$ where the first major resistance line is and corresponds with the half of the range.


Market sentiment

Cardano is in the sell zone.


Pivot points

S3 0.076333 
S2 0.103199 
S1 0.120628 
P 0.130065 
R1 0.147494 
R2 0.156931 
R3 0.183797

Conclusion


Crypto Coin Market Cap: After the prices have tested the old lows and dipped beyond them a bit we are seeing a trend reversal taking place. As the chart of the cryptocurrencies analysed in this report point out, this is going to be a short-term recovery, before another drop.

This was my projection from 02.06.2018 in which I have drawn the recent low the recovery I am expecting before another potentially final drop to around 178B level.
Crypto Coin Market Cap

This recovery might serve as a great shorting opportunity, but as there is so much manipulation going on, things can get pretty uncertain, so be careful.

Categories
Crypto Market Analysis

Daily Crypto Update 28.06.2018 – More Downside Expected


General Overview


Market Cap: $246,339,425,253

24h Vol: $10,306,976,047

BTC Dominance: 42.5%

Yesterday the evaluation of the cryptocurrency market capitalization started off with 250,553,000,000$ and from there it fell to 242,196,000,000$ today. Since that low, it has recovered to just slightly below 250B again before it fell back again.

The market is currently showing mixed colours but the more dominant is green. The average percentage change is ranging from 0.5-2%. Biggest gainer among top 100 coin by market capitalisation is Mithril which increased by 19%.


News


There aren’t any significant news items that could impact the market either positively or negatively at this point. However, there are some follow-ups from yesterday and other news that could impact the prices of particular coins.

First in the line is that ZenCash and Tron are added as payment options on Pornhub.

According to a blog post by ZenCash, the new integration will allow users to set up recurring payments and simply pay-per-use while leveraging the anonymity of the privacy coin.

This new use case for these cryptos could impact the price positively, much like it did for Verge when a similar announcement was made.

In the case of EOS, the news is negative. Dan Larimer the CTO of EOS project has proposed rehauling the project’s existing constitution to limit so-called arbitrators’ powers, in an EOSGov Telegram chat yesterday, after the recent mishaps the network has experienced. Three distinct groups work to ‘keep one another in check,’ as defined by the project’s current constitution which are known block producers and is similar to miners in the Bitcoin network.

This could impact the price of EOS negatively as FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) takes over.

In the other news that fit into law/regulation category, the most significant one is coming from Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) released their annual report yesterday, in which they state that they will “keep a close watch” on crypto and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO), as reported by cointelegraph.

The SFC notes that since new technologies “come with risks,” they will be looking closely at crypto and ICOs and “intervening when appropriate.” The report states that the SFC took regulatory action against crypto exchanges and ICO issuers in Hong Kong this year, and released two public warnings to investors about the risk of investing in crypto.

One of the headlines that is neglected but provides an insight into the current fundamentals of the Bitcoin network is the study of Diar in which the analysed Lightning networks usage and transactions, and they have concluded that “the reliability of successfully routing a payment on the Lightning Network is still quite low”.

But while the capacity and the number of nodes as well as channels are increasing steadily, the reliability of successfully routing a payment on the Lightning Network is still quite low, especially for larger amounts. The success rate for a payment for no more than a few dollars between random LN nodes is 70%

The last headline is the one that follows up on Facebook’s ad unban. As you may remember, a few days ago Facebook has decided to lift the ban from cryptocurrency related advertisements.  This follow up is a more detailed view of the implications and the actual changes that are going to be made to their “misleading or deceptive promotional practices” policy.

On June 26, the same policies were again updated and Facebook announced that it would allow cryptocurrencies to be advertised again, but ICOs would remain banned. The company stated that it had been looking at the best way of refining its blanket ban on cryptocurrency adverts.

The revised “prohibited products and services policy” now reads:

“Starting June 26, we’ll […] allow ads that promote cryptocurrency and related content from pre-approved advertisers. But we’ll continue to prohibit ads that promote binary options and initial coin offerings.”

The phrase that caught attention was ‘pre-approved advertisers’, which means that not everyone who wants to advertise will be able to do so.

This censorship will allow Facebook more power to promote those coin and projects that are aligned with their agenda or even moderate content as to create a certain impression of a particular project.


Analysis


XRP/USD

Since yesterday’s open, the price of Ripple hasn’t changed much, as the percentage change is only +0.6%. The price went higher than on the open but it fell down to the prior levels quickly.



 

As you can see from the hourly chart, there’s a bearing pennant from which I am expecting a breakout on the downside. Currently, the price is on the levels of the pennants support in an upward trajectory which is why first I would look out for a bounce from the resistance line before confirming the breakout’s direction.


Market sentiment 

Ripple is in the sell zone, as indicated by hourly chart technicals.


Pivot points

S3 0.40898 
S2 0.43698 
S1 0.45409
P 0.46498 
R1 0.48209 
R2 0.49298 
R3 0.52098

NEO/USD

From yesterday’s open the price of Neo has increased only by 1.34% and is now sitting at around 30$ like yesterday.



The price action has formed a triangle and the breakout is near. From which side the breakout is about to happen we are yet to see but judging by the steepness of the support angle it looks like buyers are more aggressive at this point. But as this is a symmetrical triangle, a breakout from both sides has the same probability. If the price goes up I would be looking at a 33.8$ level as a target, and if it goes down I would look out for 26.28$ level.


Market sentiment 

Neo is in the sell zone, as indicated by the hourly chart technicals.


Pivot points

S3 27.82 
S2 28.97 
S1 29.67 
P 30.13 
R1 30.83 
R2 31.29 
R3 32.44

DASH/USD

From yesterday’s open at 229.4$, the price of Dash has decreased by 3.25% and is now sitting at 221.5$.



On the hourly chart, nothing has changed much. My target of 211.8$ remains the same.


Market sentiment

Dash is in the sell zone.

Oscillators are signalling a sell and moving averages signal a strong sell.


Pivot points

S3 208.22
S2 217.78
S1 223.09
P 227.34
R1 232.65
R2 236.90
R3 246.46


Conclusion


As the market cap evaluation hasn’t gone beyond the 250B level, and the chart of three cryptos that were covered in this report are forming bearish patterns, more downside is expected.

Categories
Crypto Market Analysis

Weekly Crypto Update 18.06.2018 – Retest of the Lows Expected


General Overview


Market Cap: $276,493,181,374

24h Vol: $10,178,348,969

BTC Dominance: 40.1%

From last Monday, 11th of June, the cryptocurrency market cap has experienced a short-term rise from 294,722,000,000$ to 301,321,000,000$ which was the weeks high, and after that, it has fallen to 265,974,000,000$ which was the weeks low on 13th of June. After the low, the market has recovered slightly and is currently sitting in the middle of the high-low range as you can see from the graph below.

 

Crypto Weekly Update


News


Top stories that came out in the last week are the following:

German Government Doesn’t Think Bitcoin Threatens Financial Stability

Officials from Germany’s federal government do not believe that Bitcoin poses a threat to the existing financial structure, as the volume of crypto transactions is too low compared to the size of the global financial system to be a great influence. However, the government added that cryptocurrency should be regulated as they continue to monitor the crypto space.

Proposed Bills In Michigan Classify Blockchain Tampering As Crime

Two bills currently proposed in the Michigan state legislature would make altering the public digital record on a blockchain with intent to defraud into a felony punishable by up to 14 years in prison, as well as adding definitions of distributed ledger technology to the Michigan penal code.

CBOE President Says SEC Calling ETH Not A Security Paves Way For ETH Futures

The president of CBOE–which released the first Bitcoin futures last December–said that the SEC’s recent decision that Ethereum will not be regulated as a security has removed a big “stumbling block” from the possibility of offering Ether futures.

Source: cointelegraph

 


Analysis


EOS/USD

From last Monday, the price of EOS has dropped from 11.3$ to 10.22$ which is 9.28% decrease.



As you can see from the daily chart, last Monday’s opening was the highest price it has been, and that level now serves as resistance. On June 13th, on which we saw the market experienced a low was also the day that EOS was at its lowest, closing as a Doji on that day. The next day price recovered significantly but was stopped out by the resistance of Monday’s open. Currently, the price pattern is looking unstable and I would expect another low from here to around 9.1$ at least which was last weeks low, or even further down to the support at 8.69$.


Market sentiment 

Daily chart technicals signal a sell.

Oscillators are signalling a sell, and moving averages a strong one.


Pivot points

S3 1.1720
S2 6.2113
S1 8.3731
P 11.2506
R1 13.4124
R2 16.2899
R3 21.3292


LTC/USD

From 108.461$ which was the opening price last Monday, the price of Litecoin has decreased by 13.87% and is currently 93.395$ per Litecoin.



As you can see from the daily chart, the opening on 11th of June was the highest price Litecoin has been, and since then it has fallen to 89.277$ on 13th of June and recovered slightly, but today’s candle is on the levels of 13th of June’s close. The price is currently about to break out from the triangle in which it was consolidating, and judging by the market sentiment the breakout from the downside is expected.


Market sentiment

Daily chart technicals signal a sell.

Oscillators signal a sell, and moving averages a strong one.


Pivot points

S3 44.706
S2 72.869
S1 84.755
P 101.032
R1 112.918
R2 129.195
R3 157.358


DASH/USD

The price of Dash has dropped from 281.27$ which was the opening price on Monday 11th of June to 251$ where it is currently sitting, which is a decrease of 10.2%.



As you can see from the daily chart, the price of Dash has followed the same pattern as the other cryptos as markets are strongly correlated – the price was at its highest on last Monday, its lowest on 13th of June and is now looking like its going to break out from the downside of triangle.


Market sentiment

Dashes daily chart technicals signal a sell.

Oscillators are signalling a buy, and moving averages signal a strong sell.


Pivot points

S3 130.32
S2 198.03
S1 231.81
P 265.73
R1 299.51
R2 333.43
R3 401.14

XMR/USD

From last Monday until today, the price of Monero has been dropping from 140.89$ to 103.84$ on 13th of June which was the lowest Monero has gone in the past week. Since that low, the price has recovered and went above the support line at 121.775$, but is now back below it.



On the daily chart, we can see that the support at 121.775$ is a significant level as that was the prior range resistance, from which the price went on a steep upward trajectory to the all-time high. We will see what happens on this level, maybe today’s candle will close above it, however, that’s highly unlikely considering the market correlation and the bearish sentiment.


Market sentiment 

Monero’s daily chart technicals signal a strong sell.

Oscillators are on sell, and moving averages signal strong one.


Pivot points

S3 22.723 
S2 75.123 
S1 100.647 
P 127.523 
R1 153.047 
R2 179.923 
R3 232.323

Conclusion


Crypto Weekly Update: As the prices were mostly consolidating after the low experienced on June 13th, the crypto market was mostly stagnating. The consolidation period is near completion and from my analysis of the four cryptocurrencies that are covered in this report, I conclude that we are in for another low. This week will most likely be the week of the retest of the lowest points cryptos have experienced in this prolonged correction after which I am expecting a short-term trend reversal.

This was my projection published on 02.06.2018 in my weekly update post, and it looks like it all going in accordance with my projection. What I meant by a ‘retest of the lowest points cryptos have been’ is to see the market at around $250B. After that, I would expect a short-term trend reversal to slightly below last high and then a final down move that many would consider ‘capitulation’, but I would consider it a great buy opportunity.


Crypto Weekly Update Chart

Market cap on 02.06.2018 with my drawn projection 

 

Market cap today 

 

For more on what I think it’s coming next, make sure to check out the weekly update video in which I will provide my longer-term analysis and the potential scenario of this correction using Elliott Wave principles.

Categories
Crypto Market Analysis

Daily Crypto Update 15.06.2018 – Be Ready For Another Low


General Overview


Market Cap: $283,999,903,554

24h Vol: $15,738,961,943

BTC Dominance: 39.8%

In the last 24 hours, the crypto market cap has been showing sideways action as the evaluation went from 268,312,000,000$ to 290,760,000,000$ and has been decreasing since that point to around 283B where it is currently.

The market is currently mixed in colour with a small average percentage change of around 0.4-2%.


News


The most significant news that came out in the last 24 hours which may impact the space positively is that a senior U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) official has said that leading altcoin Ethereum will not be regulated as a security, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

SEC Corporation Finance Director William Hinman said at Yahoo Finance’s All Market Summit: Crypto in San Francisco today that:

“Based on my understanding of the present state of ether, the Ethereum network and its decentralised structure, current offers and sales of ether are not securities transactions.”

This news is interpreted by some analysts as the fundamental factor in charge of the rebound we are seeing currently in the markets.

Another significant news headline is that Coinbase Index Fund opens for large-scale investors, as reported by cointelegraph.

The fund, whose creation was announced in March, is available only to U.S. resident accredited investors – those who have a net worth of more than $1 mln or an annual salary of more than $200,000 – who invest between $250,000 and $20 mln.

Both of these headlines may introduce some short-term confidence in the markets, and impact it positively.


Analysis


BTC/USD

Since yesterday’s low at 6273$, the price of Bitcoin has increased by 5.3% coming to 6605$ where it is currently sitting. The price went a bit higher to 6660$ where the resistance was found, as you can see from the chart below.



Looking at the hourly chart, we can see that current formation looks similar to that of the prior low. The price is currently above the 0 Fibonacci level, but it might drop again steeply, as the cluster is starting to form around 6660$ level which serves as resistance.


Market sentiment 

Bitcoin is in the sell zone.

Oscillators are on neutral, and moving averages signal a strong sell.


Pivot points

S3 5612.5
S2 6079.6
S1 6356.6
P 6546.6
R1 6823.6
R2 7013.6
R3 7480.6


XMR/USD

The price of Monero is on the same levels as it was on yesterday’s opening around 122$.



Looking at the daily chart, we can see that the price of Monero has broken out off of the triangle on the downside and has currently found support at prior range resistance. Wednesday’s candle was a hammer Doji that tested the prior range support line and from there went on to recover quickly.



Zooming into an hourly chart, we can see that from the spike down price went to 133.6$ four times and hasn’t exceeded the level which means there’s a strong resistance there, which made the price fall back again to the support line.


Market sentiment

Hourly chart technicals signal a strong sell.

Oscillators are on sell, and moving averages signal a strong one.


Pivot points

S3 96.317 
S2 112.207 
S1 122.293 
P 128.097 
R1 138.183 
R2 143.987 
R3 159.877

DASH/USD

From yesterday’s opening at 245$, the price of Dash has increased by 6.2% and is currently sitting slightly below 260$.



Looking at the daily chart, we can see that the price of Dash found support at the levels of the current range support at around 238.85$.




Zooming into an hourly chart we can see that the price action is forming the same pattern like it did last time it bottomed out, but also similar to that of the prior triangle fractal from which the price went on to continue in a downward trajectory and finally to the current low.


Market sentiment

Hourly chart technicals signal a sell.

Oscillators are on neutral and moving averages signal a strong sell.


Pivot points

S3 201.55 
S2 231.57 
S1 249.39 
P 261.60 
R1 279.42 
R2 291.62 
R3 321.65

 Conclusion


As price action of the three cryptocurrencies that I have covered in this report are showing signs of a recovery, they are also struggling to get past the first resistance that they face. I think we might see another low to the levels of the lasts one or even a bit lower, before a short-term trend reversal.

Categories
Crypto Market Analysis

Daily Crypto Update 08.06.2018 – First Signs Of Weakness


General Overview


Market Cap: $342,083,903,530

24h Vol: $14,649,610,900

BTC Dominance: 38.1%

From yesterday’s high at 349,654,000,000$ the evaluation of the cryptocurrency market capitalisation has been declining steadilly and is now $7 billion lower.


The market is currently in red with the average decline of 3% amongst the top 100 coins. Biggest losers are Loom network -11%, Veritaseum -9%, Theta Token -9.2%. Those who are in green are Zcoin +4%, Bibox Token +9.55%, MOAC +4% and Huobi Token +8%.


News


In the last 24 hours, news that came out is mostly regarding governmental in relation to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. These are some of the significant headlines:

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it was “underwhelmed” by regulatory adherence among cryptocurrency exchanges in fresh comments June 6.

Speaking to CNBC, Brett Redfearn, the SEC’s Director of Division of Trading and Markets, suggested exchanges that offer trading in tokens issued in Initial Coin Offering (ICO) – which may constitute securities under U.S. law – were reluctant to comply.

“We’re underwhelmed by the enthusiasm for coming within the regulatory structure right now,” he commented at the Sandler O’Neill Global Exchange and Brokerage Conference in New York, adding:

“There are a number of exchanges that are trading ICOs that I would think that we should see more registrations.”

As ICO tokens will be classified as securities, crypto exchanges would have to register to SEC and comply under a regulatory framework. As SEC is still having trouble with their classifications because of the different nature of different tokens, crypto exchanges are playing dumb, as regulatory compliance may cause complications within their business.

Money 20/20 conference is over, and there are overviews from the conference highlighting the main points.

A particular highlight of the Money 20/20 Europe showpiece was a discussion panel titled “Cryptocurrency, the central (bank) question”. It featured four prominent individuals from the Bank of England, Bank of Canada, Bank of Lithuania, and the Swiss National Bank.

The Bank of England has been particularly thorny in its stance towards cryptocurrencies in general over the past few years. Despite this, the Bank of England began to change its tune more recently, announcing a cryptocurrency task force that would provide an in depth study into the sector.

Dr Marius Jurgilas a member of the board of the Bank of Lithuania, stated:

“The product we (banks) are selling is trust. If our product is good, there would be no need to talk about cryptocurrencies. It’s a matter of trust, if we trust the institution mandated and entrusted to keep oversight of our payment systems, ensure that money is not affected by excessive inflation then there is no need for payment instruments or other means of storing value.

“But if society starts questioning, rightly or wrongly, or it thinks what we are selling could be done better, in a more convenient and cheap way, other things will appear. We as regulators have to react to that − we are not sitting entrenched in our positions, the work everyone is doing here shows that we are really paying attention.”

PhD Economist James Chapman, the Bank of Canada’s Senior Research Director in the Funds Management and Banking Department, stated his concerns regarding cryptocurrencies as potential threat to the fiat system:

“I don’t see that happening as long as central banks continue to do a good job of maintaining monetary policy. But could a cryptocurrency really spell the end of fiat currency? I think so. In a situation of hyperinflation where a central bank has abdicated responsibility for stability then you could see a case for cryptocurrency.”

Swiss National Bank‘s, Thomas Moser is an alternate member of the board and the Deputy Head of Department. His department deals with Economic Affairs, International Affairs, Statistics, Legal Services, and Communications. Switzerland is known to have a positive relation to cryptocurrency, that’s why his take on crypto is coming off in a supportive tone:

“Switzerland has been relatively enthusiast to crypto. We have a national railway system that transformed ticket machines to bitcoin atm. At every train station in Switzerland, you can put cash into a ticket machine and load a BTC wallet. Cryptocurrencies have been very well tolerated in Switzerland so far.”

When asked to state his views on the posibiliy of crypto replacing fiat he stated:

“In general no but I think it depends on the fiat currency of the central bank. Of course, if a currency is not performing well, you have hyperinflation and a country where people lose trust of rule of law of its central bank. It depends on the central bank, as long as they do a good job there is no reason for fiat currency to disappear.”

Source: cointelegraph.com

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his annual live question and answer session, gave an ambiguous but knowledgeable answer to the question:

“Will Russia have its own cryptocurrency? […] Will it be controlled by the government? […] Do you think that in the near future cryptocurrency will completely replace our regular, standard money?”

To the first question, he replied that Russia cannot have its own cryptocurrency, as cryptocurrency “by definition” cannot be owned by a centralized state since it “goes beyond borders.” He then continued by saying that Japan is partially excepting crypto as a means of payments but he doesn’t see that happening in Russia. However, he hasn’t disregarded potential use case for blockchain technology saying that:

Russia must keep an eye on this “phenomenon developing in the world” in order to determine how Russia can “participate in the process”. He added that Russia must also look into “how we can use it [cryptocurrency] in order to avoid any restrictions in the field of international financial activity,” perhaps a veiled reference to the potential use of cryptocurrency to avoid Western sanctions currently imposed on the country.

Source: cointelegraph.com

While Russia is still uncanny on cryptos,  The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is considering issuing its own cryptocurrency, the bank’s governor revealed in a speech June 5, as reported by cointelegraph.

In his keynote on Thai economic development at Nomura Investment Forum Asia (NIFA) in Singapore, BoT governor Veerathai Santiprabhob spoke of a new project in which the central bank and other Thai banks join forces to develop a “new way of conducting interbank settlement” using a central bank-issued digital currency (CBDC).

As cryptocurrencies prove to be superior in the speed and cost, they are competing with the fiat/banking system, and so far they have been discarded and ignored. But we are now seeing a global attention to cryptos from big players like central banks and government official agencies, as technology gets better and adoption rate spreads across the globe.

This correlates with the saying: First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. Mahatma Gandhi

We were past the ‘then they laugh at you’ stage last year when Jamie Dimon called Bitcoin a fraud and people who believe and invest in it stupid. Now as you can see we are at the beginning of the ‘then they fight you’ stage, as central banks are gathering around to discuss how serious of a threat this is for them.


Analysis


BTC/USD

From yesterday’s high at 7735$ the price of Bitcoin has been on a steady decline and has decreased by 1.22%, which is price wise, 7641$.



The price of Bitcoin has been stopped out at the 0.236 Fibonacci level which serves as resistance and has fallen below the baseline support line again. We can see that the price is in an extended cluster as buyers and sellers are indecisive. As the price failed to create a higher high from the 3rd of June we are starting to see first signs of weakness, so I would expect the price to drop quickly from these levels, as buyers would back away, or turn into sellers.


Market sentiment

Bitcoin is in the sell zone.

Oscillators are on sell, and moving averages signal a sell.


Pivot points

S3 7426.8 
S2 7558.4 
S1 7623.6 
P 7690.0 
R1 7755.2 
R2 7821.6 
R3 7953.2

DASH/USD

From yesterday’s high, which was coincidently the same as the open, the price of Dash has decreased by 2.41% coming from 320.29$ to 311.4$ where it is currently sitting.



The price of Dash has escaped the descending channel couple of days ago but is still in a symmetrical triangle while consolidating. It now looks near a breakout and we will see if this consolidation was just a pause of the downtrend or we are going to see a trend reversal.


Market sentiment

Hourly chart technicals signal a sell.

Oscillators are showing a buy, but moving averages are signalling a strong sell.


Pivot points

S3 299.82
S2 308.073
S1 312.125
P 316.32
R1 320.37
R2 324.57
R3 332.82

XMR/USD

From yesterday’s high at 169.7$ the price of Monero fell by 4.6% to 161.6$ where it is currently.



Yesterday’s high was on the symmetrical triangle resistance, and from there the price went on a downward trajectory, breaking out from the triangle on the downside. I am expecting the price to go down to the wedge support to retest prior lows.


Market sentiment 

Hourly chart technicals signal a strong sell.

Oscillators signal a sell, and moving averages a strong one.


Pivot points

S3 148.487 
S2 157.167 
S1 160.483
P 165.847 
R1 169.163 
R2 174.527 
R3 183.207

NEO/USD

The price of Neo has declined since yesterday’s open at 54.65$ by 4.3% and is now sitting at 52.31$.



As you can see from the daily chart, the price was repealed by the resistance at the 0.382 Fibonacci level and is now sitting on the range support. I am expecting the price to go down slightly further to the baseline support (bold black line), where there is also the 0.236 Fibo level for a retest.


Market sentiment

Neo is in the sell zone, as indicated by hourly chart technicals.

Oscillators are on neutral, and moving averages signal a strong sell.


Pivot points

S3 49.49
S2 51.63 
S1 52.59 
P 53.76 
R1 54.73 
R2 55.90 
R3 58.03

Conclusion


As the prices are showing the first signs of weakness, after almost a whole week went by in a stagnating way, and having in mind that weekend is coming, we are likely to see the first stages of a sell-off of what will last at least until Monday and will retest prior lows.

 

Categories
Crypto Market Analysis

DASH/BTC Bullish Setup

Dash (DASH)

Market Cap. $3.81B

Circulating Supply: 8.03M DASH

Max Supply 18.9 DASH

Volume (24h) $111.72M

 

DASH/BTC Tradingview:

The DASH/BTC increased today and recovered a little after the yesterday’s massive drop. The pair remains under selling pressure in the short term because it is still located below two very important resistance levels. The minor retreat was natural after that important rebound. Right now we should wait for a confirmation that the rate will resume the upside movement.

The rate has come down to test and retest a broken dynamic resistance (resistance has turned into support), and now we could see another breakout attempt.

DASH/BTC chart

DASH/BTC has found strong resistance at the confluence area formed between the first warning line (WL1) with the 50% Fibonacci line (ascending dotted line) of the ascending pitchfork. It has come back down to test and retest the broken downtrend line and now is fighting hard to jump higher again.

The rate has started an increase after the failure to retest the upper median line (uml) of the former descending pitchfork. I’ve drawn an ascending Pitchfork hoping that I’ll catch a significant upside movement.

You can go long on this crypto pair only if the rate will increase and will make a valid breakout above the downside 50% Fibonacci line (ascending dotted line). The first upside target will be at the median line (ML) of the ascending pitchfork.

Conclusion

DASH/BTC will move towards the ML and towards the upper median line (UML) only if will make a valid breakout above the 50% line. The Stop Loss could be placed somewhere below the 0.04853320 level.

Categories
Crypto Market Analysis

Dashcoin Leg Higher Underway

Dashcoin (DSH)

Market Cap. $ 4.06B

Circulating Supply: 8.03M DASH

Max Supply: 18.9M DASH

Volume (24h): $144.36M

 

Dashcoin (DSH) increased by 7.48% today and by 40.26% in the last 7-days, signaling that the bulls are in full control. The rate has reached an important dynamic resistance and now has slipped lower in the last hours. The perspective is bullish on the short term so we may see the crypto at new highs soon.

Dashcoin (DSH) price

DASH increased significantly after the valid breakout above the downtrend line and now is pressuring the 50% Fibonacci line (ascending dotted line). The perspective remains bullish as long as the rate stays within the ascending pitchfork’s body and most important above the outside sliding parallel line (SL).

Technically, it should be attracted by the median line (ML) of the ascending pitchfork which acts like a magnet. The major upside target is at the upper median line (UML), but we should have another retreat before the rate moves towards this upside obstacle.

Right now you should stay away from this crypto because is too higher to buy it at this moment. We may go long again after another minor correction. It remains to see if the correction will come now or after will reach the median line (ML).

Technically, it should approach and reach the $700 level in the upcoming period as long as it stays above the outside sliding line (SL).

dash difficulty chart

We had a great buying opportunity after the rate has escaped from the minor consolidation. It has failed to retest the lower median line (LML) signaling a high bullish pressure. A valid breakout above the 50% Fibonacci line will confirm a further increase towards the median line (ML). Meanwhile, a false breakout or a failure to touch this line will send the rate towards the lower median line (LML) and the sliding line (SL) very quick.

Conclusion

You should stay away for now because we don’t have a trading opportunity at this moment. Another minor corrective phase will give you the chance to go long. You should place a Stop Loss somewhere below the sliding parallel line (SL).

©Forex.Academy

Categories
Crypto Market Analysis

Litcoin Losing The Bullish Momentum

  • Litcoin is struggling to increase further
  • NEO seems exhausted on the Daily chart
  • DASH/USD another false breakout

                                                                                                                                                          Source: investing.com

The major cryptocurrencies are fighting hard to stay higher, but it seems like prices will come down trying to recapture more directional energy. Bitcoin slipped below the $8000 level in the yesterday’s trading session, while the Ether continues to stay above the 500 psychological level.

Litcoin

Litcoin is the fifth most important crypto with a $7 537 807 784 market cap, and with a $514 562 000 daily volume. Unfortunately, Litcoin showed some exhaustion signs last night when has dropped aggressively and has erased more than half of the yesterday’s gains.

Price increased today and maybe will try to approach and reach the $140.49 yesterday’s high. It remains to see what will happen in the upcoming days because the rate is trapped below some very important resistance levels.

Litcoin - Forex Academy

Litcoin increased by 3.65% today and seems determined to challenge the 136.610 static resistance again. You can notice that the rate failed to retest the second warning line (wl2) of the former ascending pitchfork signaling exhaustion.

I’ve said in the previous article that the rate remains under pressure in the short term. Price moves in a range between the 136.61 and the 106.52 level. It could resume this range if the other major cryptocurrencies dropped again.

Technically, Litcoin could decrease a little towards the median line (ML) of the descending pitchfork in the upcoming period. I want to remind you that only a valid breakout above the upside 50% Fibonacci line (descending dotted line) will confirm a further increase towards the upper median line (UML).

We may have a great buying opportunity if the rate will decrease and if will fail to reach and retest the wl3, the 106.52 level and the median line (ML).

NEO/USD

NEO/USD surged by 23.80% in the last 7-days, but has failed to stabilize above the $70.00 and now could register another drop.

NEO/USD surged by 23.80% in the last 7-days

Technically, it has made two false breakouts above the lower median line (LML) of the ascending pitchfork signaling an overbought. The false breakout above the confluence area formed between the lower median line (LML) with the 23.6% retracement level could send the price at least till the 150% Fibonacci line (ascending dotted line). NEO/USD will become strongly bullish only when it will have enough energy to make a valid breakout above the LML. The crypto will drop sharply if will drop and will stabilize below the 150% line.

DASH/USD

DASH/USD - Forex Academy

Dash moves in range in the short term and has developed a symmetrical triangle. Price has made several false breakouts above the 50% Fibonacci line and now could slip lower. The Dash is trading at $363.60 after the failure to reach the $400 level in the last days.

A breakdown from the minor chart patter will lead the rate towards the lower median line (LML) and towards the outside sliding line (SL). I want you to know that only a valid breakout above the 50% Fibonacci line (ascending dotted line) will really confirm a broader rebound on Dash.

Conclusion

The major cryptocurrencies have found temporary resistance and now could lose altitude again. Technically, the crypto market is expected to increase in the upcoming period, but the upside movement will be a slower one.

© Forex.Academy