2018 is a tough year to hold cryptocurrencies. Most are down more than 80% from the all-time highs of late 2017. It reminds me of the 2014 bear market that I bought into where Bitcoin dropped almost 80% after I bought my first one. If you still believe in the cryptocurrency you bought, then hold … Read moreWhat’s Up with Ethereum?
Hong Kong-based Bitcoin exchange OKEx has a big problem. And this problem reminds us about exchanges. Whether decentralized or not, there is a potential risk with exchanges from the exchange itself, like when Bitfinex was hacked back in August of 2016 when 120,000 BTC were stolen. This is known as counterparty risk and we always have … Read moreCounterparty Risk in Bitcoin Exchanges: OKEx
The mantra in marketplace lending is to build, buy or partner. When people say this they are talking about fintech firms and banks and how they should work together. One side left out of this equation is fintech platforms getting into lending for their own customers like Amazon, Paypal, or EBay. All are or soon … Read moreAmazon, PayPal & EBay Expand Lending Options
Most people think if you want exposure to the cryptocurrency markets or blockchain, you have to buy Bitcoin or Litecoin or Ethereum, or all 3. While I would start there, this is not the only way to get exposure to these markets. The biggest thing that marketplace lending and the cryptocurrency world have in common, … Read more10 Blockchain Public Companies You Can Buy Today
A New Bank and Fintech Partnership The Litecoin Foundation, along with crypto payment processor and Litecoin partner TokenPay, acquire 9.9% each of German Bank WEG Bank AG. Let’s look at why and why this is a big deal. By way of disclosure, I’m long Litecoin (LTC) and bullish on it for the future. Over the last … Read moreLitecoin Buys Into a Bank
Bitgive is a long-running Bitcoin-based charity since 2013. Brian Armstrong, Coinbase CEO (link down the right side if you want to use CB to buy or sell crypto) just announced his crypto-based charity fund GiveCrypto. The Pineapple Fund distributed millions in crypto to various charities. What does this have to do with a map of Puerto Rico? … Read morePuerto Rico: Where Bitcoin is a Force for Good
Marketplace lenders are having a tough time getting a combination of consistent volume and good loan portfolio performance from business lending. Why is small business lending so difficult to master? Is it tougher to understand than consumer lending? Most people say yes. When I was at Lend360 in Dallas last fall, I heard a presentation from … Read moreThe Challenges of Small Business Marketplace Lending part 1
Seriously. I’m asking. Is p2plending dying? Returns have sucked the last couple of years for all investors, but especially us retail investors since the 2015 and 2016 vintages have performed so poorly. My own returns are 400-500 basis points lower than my returns on my 2013 and 2014 vintage loans were and I know some … Read moreIs P2PLending Dying?
How much should I invest in peer to peer lending? I get this question every week and like many investment related questions, the answer is it depends. Remember, everyone’s financial situation is different and I’m not a financial advisor….. While the real answer is it depends, there are some things you should look for when … Read moreHow Much Should I Invest in Peer to Peer Lending?
Did you know that one US city handles 70% of all credit card, debit card, and loyalty rewards program card transactions for the whole country? And do you know what city it is? That city, Atlanta, GA was the host of the Fintech South conference this week in the new Mercedes Benz Stadium downtown. Atlanta is … Read morePayments Highlighted at Fintech South