Today’s outperformer is LSK, which jumped 17.63% after Lisk partners with Velodrome to enhance blockchain access and drive ecosystem growth.

The SPX index is down 0.22% as the market anticipates less Federal Reserve rate cuts, considering the possibility of no cuts this year. The broader cryptocurrency market is up, with Bitcoin and Ether rising by 4.18% and 3.19%, respectively in the past 24 hours.

Lisk (LSK), launched on May 2016, is a cryptocurrency platform that enables developers to build decentralized applications (dapps) using JavaScript and TypeScript. It supports custom "sidechains" within its network, offering tools like a software development kit. Lisk has announced a partnership with Velodrome to support and expand its blockchain ecosystem. Lisk will purchase and lock $VELO tokens for voting, directing VELO emissions to key pairs on Lisk. This collaboration aims to support existing protocols on Lisk, attract new developers, and enhance blockchain accessibility and adoption in emerging markets. Velodrome will back Lisk's Layer 2 initiatives, aligning with the goal of creating a scalable, interoperable Ethereum future.

Check Out the Latest Prices, Charts, and Data of 

The Runes protocol is set to debut alongside Bitcoin's 2024 halving, heralding a new phase in Bitcoin's evolution by enabling the creation of fungible tokens directly on its network. This follows the impactful Ordinals protocol, which significantly expanded Bitcoin's functionalities. The Runes protocol will spark competition among developers to issue and acquire the first tokens, with global exchanges ready to support these tokens from day one. The halving event will also feature a race to mine a highly valuable "Epic" satoshi. As Bitcoin approaches this transformative era, extensive preparations and educational initiatives are underway to equip users for the forthcoming changes, marking a profound shift in Bitcoin's operational and cultural landscape.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs have yet another day of outflow, however, yesterday’s outflow was close to neutral. The market has seen fluctuating flows in these ETFs, with significant activity in some and none in others, reflecting mixed investor reactions. Recent substantial outflows echo trends from March, but analysts regard such fluctuations as typical for ETFs and not indicative of failure. Despite this volatility, the outlook for Bitcoin ETFs remains positive as they continue to draw institutional interest and shape market dynamics.

Avail, a blockchain data-availability protocol developed using Polygon’s SDK, has announced an airdrop of 600 million AVAIL tokens, marking its one-year anniversary since spinning off from Polygon Labs. The "Unification Drop" aims to bring together various blockchain communities by rewarding developers, governance contributors, educators, rollup users, stakers, and others who have significantly contributed to the ecosystem. Avail's infrastructure includes three segments: Nexus for cross-chain transactions, Fusion for liquid staking on chains like Ethereum and Bitcoin, and DA for scaling rollups through technologies like KZG commitments. The airdrop will distribute tokens to 354,605 wallet addresses and includes significant allocations for various roles across multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, Cosmos, and more, emphasizing a unified Web3 environment.

Intermediate

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Runes Protocol Revolutionizes Bitcoin with New Token Capabilities Ahead of 2024 Halving

Saga is a Layer 1 blockchain protocol that allows developers to design their own dedicated chains for running applications. Learn more in this article.

 universe right now is the lack of accessible tools for developers. Many people interested in designing new 

 projects struggle to find the right software developer kits (SDKs) for their projects. The Saga ecosystem aims to fix this issue by providing unparalleled support to app and game developers. 

Can the Saga ecosystem really become the premier chain for web3 development? Keep reading to learn how it works and see whether it's likely to attract new developers.

 blockchain protocol. It allows developers to design their own dedicated chains for running applications. People who work on Saga all share the same security, scaling solutions and SDKs, but they each get their own unique chain that they can customize to suit their needs.

 of technology, crypto and finance enthusiasts. CEO Rebecca Liao is a co-founder of the Skuchain project, the designer of the 

 and a former international corporate attorney. Other members of the founding team include former Tendermint executive Jin Kwon, Blocktech Ventures founder Bogdan Alexandrescu and 

. They realized that there was a major need for a development-focused blockchain specifically designed for game project development. Saga's mission has attracted many major investors, 

Saga aims to create a new system for web3 project developers. Currently, most developers have to choose between the ease of working on an established chain like 

 versus the convenience and customization of designing their own chain. The Saga team realized that the most effective option for game developers would actually be a combination of the two types of development environments.

Saga wants to let developers set up their own sovereign blockchain so they can decide how things like 

 and transaction fees work. However, Saga also aims to provide extensive support for developers in its ecosystem. Its underlying framework ensures that people still have excellent security and a reliable validator set, no matter what their gaming project is.

 ecosystem, whose interchain web development standard is a set of protocols that allows a broad variety of blockchains to communicate with each other. The Saga network uses the 

 and the shared security system of the Cosmos ecosystem to manage the network, and has created its own Layer 1 chain that runs the entire Saga ecosystem and can do things like automatically launching 

The Saga Mainnet handles each developer's compiled smart contract binary. However, it also runs parallel dedicated chains that function as virtual machine (VM) modules capable of handling a specific set of smart contracts. End users for blockchain games and other apps interact only with the dedicated blockchain, while the developer's system manages the fees and individual transactions on the Saga Mainnet.

All of the chains on Saga are validated through optimistic coordination, which requires every Saga validator to validate each chain in the Saga ecosystem via 

 validation, verifying transactions by temporarily locking Saga tokens.

The Saga network contains a lot more than just the basic features offered through the Cosmos SDK and ecosystem. In addition to the software development tools and helpful interface for Saga's validators and developers, the ecosystem also contains the following features.

The overall layout of the Saga ecosystem starts with the Saga Mainnet. Built on the Cosmos hub, this framework includes a full validator set and a dedicated blockchain for handling all smart contracts. The basic protocols are passed on to each child chain in the system, and information is relayed back and forth between the main chain and all of the secondary chains. Saga's validators stake tokens, and then check to make sure every element of the topology follows Saga’s regulations.

 are a method for creating a dedicated blockspace that a developer can manage. These chainlets function as virtual machines that can handle smart contracts and automatically launch Celestia rollups. Each chainlet is its own blockchain that handles nothing but a specific gaming project. Developers decide on the gas fees they'll charge users, and can add chainlets as their projects expand and require more throughput from the remaining validators.

Saga's shared security relies on both the Cosmos hub and its own set of validators to secure the network. Validators on Saga’s network are monitored by auditors who can catch potential issues with individual dedicated chains. If anyone in the validator set fails to properly confirm a smart contract, their staked tokens are automatically confiscated.

 is a publishing system for gaming developers who want to create their own blockchains with help from Saga. It offers infinite scalability, seamless 

 and transactions without gas fees. In addition to use of the Cosmos SDK, developers who choose to publish their game through Saga Origins receive access to a variety of helpful marketing and distribution tools.

 is an interconnected blend of all the developers and projects in the Saga system. Though each sovereign blockchain is fully independent of others, they all join together to offer users a variety of exciting web3 projects. People interested in checking out the latest blockchain designs can join the Multiverse and browse all the neat concepts built on Saga.

To help get the Saga validator system started, Saga released 

 to its community members. People were eligible for the 

 if they had participated in the staking program or played in tournaments to promote Saga ecosystem games. The airdrop eligibility period required remaining validators and other participants to be active between January and October of 2023. Once the airdrop began allowing people to claim tokens, it continued to run until Mar 27, 2024.

 consists of four separate phases. The company has already completed the Andromeda and Cassiopeia phases, which focused on designing the Mainnet and setting up the system of Saga validators. Currently, the Saga team is in the Pegasus phase, which is about releasing tokens and opening the Saga Mainnet to the public. Sometime in late 2022, Saga’s team hopes to reach their Mainnet V2 phase, which will prioritize a new version of the Saga Mainnet with more features and options for dedicated blockspace.

SAGA tokens are the primary method for paying fees on the Saga network. These tokens are also used for staking, and function as a method of confirming Saga transactions. There are a total of 

, of which around 90 million have thus far been released. Saga plans to distribute its tokens as follows:

SAGA is still in the early stages of its token launch. However, it’s already surprised investors, having debuted at $4.91 on Apr 9, 2024 before quickly surging to its ATH to date of $7.60. It then steadily declined over the next few days to its current price of $3.06 as of Apr 19, 2024.

 SAGA, with its experts believing SAGA’s price will reach $15.73 by 2025 and decrease in 2027 to $6.27, before rising again to $13.45 by 2030. This bullish sentiment is amplified by analysts at Changelly, 

 SAGA’s price will increase to $6.91 in 2025, $14.21 in 2027 and $44.36 in 2030.

Looking to trade Saga tokens? Bybit now offers SAGAUSDT Perpetual contracts. To get started, you’ll first need to 

, then fund it with cryptocurrency and navigate to the 

SAGA has done an extremely impressive job of attracting users, and seems poised to become the big coin debut of April 2024 with its high price.

However, it's hard to say whether SAGA can maintain its price in the long run. It's quite common for new startups to have a strong start and then drop in price once their project fails to take off. If the Saga ecosystem can’t attract new developers and continue to release impressive projects, investors could see some major SAGA losses in the future.

Since this coin is so volatile right now, investors need to 

. It has the potential for both big profits and big losses, so you’ll want to carefully consider how these price shifts might affect your portfolio. For best results, avoid investing more than you can afford to lose, make sure you diversify your investments — and 

By offering developers the chance to create their own dedicated chains, Saga offers a more convenient and scalable system for blockchain gaming. Its helpful features and low transaction fees have already attracted many people, and it's no surprise that many others are interested in the project. Furthermore, SAGA tokens have had a promising start with extremely impressive growth. If the Saga company can successfully capitalize on its early buzz, it has a bright future.

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Saga (SAGA): Catalyzing the Multiverse With Scalable Chains

Discover how to easily mint and buy Runes tokens with the Xverse Runes wallet and Magic Eden marketplace, unlocking investment opportunities on the Bitcoin blockchain.

) reward halving is a monumental occasion for both the crypto industry and users. Halving is a once-every-four-years event that always draws significant attention. However, the April 2024 event is special on an entirely new level, thanks to the highly anticipated launch of the 

 protocol, schƒeduled to go live right after the halving kicks in.

Runes is a revolutionary standard for creating fungible tokens on the Bitcoin blockchain. The standard is widely anticipated to set a new paradigm on the Bitcoin network, turning it into a thriving multi-asset ecosystem with significant trading and investment opportunities. Most importantly, Runes is vastly more efficient and user-friendly than BRC-20, an earlier Bitcoin fungible token standard.

 is a new token standard and technology for creating fungible cryptocurrencies on Bitcoin’s blockchain. (This new token standard is not to be confused with RUNE, the native token of 

). It allows users to issue and manage fungible tokens using Bitcoin's unspent transaction outputs (

), which represent the outputs of standard Bitcoin transfers. The concept of Bitcoin Runes was introduced in September 2023 by Casey Rodarmor, the enigmatic developer who also created Bitcoin 

Runes is widely expected to go live right after the Bitcoin 

 event (scheduled to occur on Apr 18, 2024, it's estimated to actually occur on April 19 or 20). The first Runes token will most likely be issued by Rodarmor himself. Following that, it's expected that a large number of Runes tokens will appear on Bitcoin, quickly leading to a thriving trade and creating investment opportunities on a scale that Bitcoin has probably never seen before.

Back in 2023, Rodarmor's Ordinals technology opened up a unique way of creating Bitcoin-based 

. Runes will now usher in an era of fungible crypto tokens on the blockchain. While it's not the first fungible token standard for Bitcoin, it's estimated to be the first technology that facilitates an efficient and user-friendly way of creating Bitcoin-based cryptos.

Runes will introduce a lightweight method for creating fungible assets on Bitcoin, thanks to its utilizing the blockchain's native UTXO model. The process of creating and transferring Runes tokens involves attaching messages, called Runestones, to a Bitcoin transaction. As such, there's no need to create any additional UTXOs or other unnecessary elements on the network. By using ordinary UTXOs generated during Bitcoin transfers, Runes avoids placing any significant load on the network.

Which Projects Are Building on the Runes Protocol?

Although the first fungible Runes tokens won't appear on the network until after the halving event, some projects have already begun experimenting with the concept by introducing Runes-themed Bitcoin NFT collections based on the Bitcoin Ordinals protocol. Typically, these projects promise 

 of their future fungible tokens to people who have purchased NFTs from their current collections.

Runestone is one of the earliest and most popular Runes-themed projects. It’s a Bitcoin NFT collection based on Ordinals, with each NFT depicting a 3D stone that has an ancient rune symbol inscribed on it.

There are 112,400 Runestone NFTs in the collection, and many of the items are listed for sale on 

, a popular multi-chain NFT marketplace. As of Apr 17, 2024, the most expensive Runestone NFT is listed for an asking price of 787 BTC. Notably, with a market cap of 9,779 BTC ($606,042,181), Runestone is currently the highest-capped Rune-themed Bitcoin NFT collection and the second highest-capped NFT collection overall, right behind the legendary Ethereum-based 

Rune Pups is another high-profile Runes-themed Bitcoin NFT collection. Each NFT in the collection is a rune-laced drawing of a broadly smiling creature, which does somewhat resemble a pup. There are 10,778 NFTs in the collection.

Pups are among the most popular Runes NFTs, with a highest asking price of 777 BTC (for item #10,733) and a market cap of 1,301 BTC (~$80 million).

 is a collection of 21,000 NFTs, each with a dynamically changing set of ancient rune symbols. Owning an NFT from the collection will automatically open up ways to mine new fungible tokens that the project plans to introduce as soon as Runes is operational. As such, this collection goes beyond simple NFT ownership, turning your non-fungible tokens into yield-generating assets.

Runes isn't the first fungible token standard for Bitcoin. This honor belongs to the 

 standard introduced in March 2023. Unfortunately, BRC-20 is a cumbersome and inefficient way of creating Bitcoin-based fungible cryptos. It relies on inscribing data into tokens using the Ordinals protocol, and generates a lot of "junk" UTXOs on the network.

Due to the novelty of the BRC-20 technology, many Bitcoin users jumped on the idea of using it to issue their tokens, seriously congesting the network and creating a significant "anti-BRC-20" sentiment within the Bitcoin community.

Runes fungible tokens are, however, vastly different from 

. The Runes technology utilizes Bitcoin's native UTXO model, doesn't generate "junk" outputs on the network and places a very modest load on the blockchain. Thanks to all of these advantages, Runes tokens are likely to lead to a much more active and robust trade in fungible assets as compared to BRC-20.

In Runes terminology, issuing a new fungible token is called “etching,” while adding tokens to the existing supply is known as minting. If you prefer to etch and mint Runes tokens on your own, the process is relatively easy for the technically minded.

 software and run your own full network node. Then, install 

 for the Ordinals and Runes protocols. The latter has been implemented under the Ordinals software packages. Ensure that you thoroughly practice etching, minting and transferring on the test network to familiarize yourself with the protocol.

You can also pre-buy Runes on Magic Eden. Probably the best wallet to use for these purposes is Xverse's 

, as it’s specifically designed for user-friendly Runes token management and easy integration with Magic Eden. This marketplace is currently the go-to platform to get early Runes tokens and Runes-themed NFTs.

You can buy any Runes-themed Bitcoin Ordinals NFT on Magic Eden in order to have Runes fungible tokens airdropped to your wallet once the protocol's operations kick in.

If you’re not able to buy your NFT in time, it’s still not too late to get your hands on one of the most promising assets in the market. You can still wait for Runes to be listed on 

The arrival of the first Runes tokens is expected to liven up Bitcoin like virtually nothing before. Ordinals were a paradigm-setting innovation, but they were focused on non-fungible assets, which have traditionally lagged behind cryptocurrencies in terms of trading and investment applications. BRC-20 tokens were the first fungible assets on the Bitcoin platform, but their inefficient, network-clogging mode of operation severely limited their adoption and use cases.

Runes are different: For the first time in the history of Bitcoin, there’s an efficient, native way of creating and managing fungible crypto assets on the Bitcoin blockchain. This heralds a plethora of unique 

 for Bitcoin enthusiasts — at the very moment when the much-anticipated halving has arrived!

Advanced

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How to Get Into Bitcoin Runes With the Runes Launch at Halving

Nolus is a decentralized finance lending protocol with cross-chain capabilities. Learn more about how it works in this article.

One of the big advantages of decentralized finance (

) is that it provides more options for users. People who cannot get traditional loans because a typical bank deems them "high-risk" can turn to the DeFi sector to borrow crypto assets. The Nolus Protocol is a new DeFi lender that offers users all sorts of exciting opportunities. To see how this intriguing project works, explore this guide to learn all about Nolus.

 is a DeFi lending protocol. It has cross-chain capabilities that let people choose the most favorable rates possible and avoid the need to save up funds for liquidity.

Nolus was founded by Ivan Kostov and Kamen Trendafilov. Kostov worked in traditional finance, while Trendafilov has a background in marketing and business. During their time in these sectors, Nolus's founders realized that blockchain networks had the potential to revolutionize banking. They decided to join together and create a new leasing system that makes the most of DeFi products instead of just trying to mimic past banking methods.

Nolus started work on its plans in 2022 and officially launched its mainnet in 2023, having successfully completed several investing rounds and receiving 

 Token Metrics, Autonomy Capital, Everstake and more.

Nolus aims to tackle three problems common in crypto lending markets:

 software developer kit (SDK). Its code is entirely open sourced, and is updated and changed only when all stakeholders in the Nolus community vote to do so. According to the Nolus white paper, its ecosystem’s goal is “to build a novel user experience–driven automated money market” that facilitates direct interactions between lenders and borrowers without involving any other users.

The Nolus lending method starts with lenders choosing to supply 

 to the system. Any borrower who submits a down payment can get a loan from this supply of stablecoins. Both the coins and the down payment are 

, and interest is determined based on the value of the items. There’s no fixed repayment schedule, but the smart contracts ensure that interest is automatically removed from the collateral, and then paid to the lender at regular intervals. Once the user decides to repay the lease, the original assets are released from the smart contract.

Nolus's lending protocol includes many ways for customers to profit and enjoy convenient services. Here are the main DeFi products you can access through Nolus.

DeFi leasing on Nolus is designed to be as convenient as possible. Customers don’t have to go through a lengthy application or pay a lot of fees to other users. You just enter your collateral and get a loan of up to three times the value of the initial investment. Interest rates vary between 11% and 18%, based on the market value of the digital assets. The 

 allow the loan to be repaid on your own schedule. However, keep in mind that you pay more interest if you wait a longer amount of time to repay the loan.

If you want to earn money based on your existing crypto, you can join one of the many 

 on Nolus by submitting stablecoins in exchange for interest-bearing Nolus crypto. When you're ready to withdraw your funds and stop participating in DeFi leasing, you can cash out your Nolus tokens to receive your initial asset, plus any additional interest or network fees you’ve earned.

Nolus's system of money markets isn't the only thing they provide. Users who decide to 

 a crypto asset on Nolus can earn more money. The Nolus ecosystem offers the option of staking NLS tokens in exchange for various incentives. Lenders receive higher amounts of rewards for lending stablecoins, and borrowers get a lower interest rate.

Nolus has had some impressive growth since its launch in 2023. In just six months, the lending protocol has assisted with thousands of loans, collectively worth $8.6 million in total. Its team calculates that they've managed to achieve an average 

Nolus hopes to expand on this momentum in 2024. Its main plan is to continue marketing the lending protocol heavily, attracting more users who want to do their own research and find the best possible loans. To further attract users from the DeFi sector, Nolus aims to add more support for other crypto tokens and increase network liquidity. Nolus stands for community-led governance, so they don't have a long-term road map in place. Instead, they plan to evolve and adjust to suit whatever community needs arise in the future.

. It allows users to adjust their interest rates, and it's also a 

. People with NLS tokens can vote on how the platform is run and help implement new changes for the platform. The NLS token has a total supply of 1 billion. Nolus’s plan is to gradually mint tokens over a ten-year period, and implement a token buyback program to help maintain value. NLS token distribution will be as follows:

When the NLS token was released in the summer of 2023, Nolus prices were fairly stable. However, now that investors can sell their NLS tokens, prices have become more volatile. Starting in December 2023, NLS prices 

, and although the token currently seems to be dropping from its all-time high of $0.10, more price increases seem likely in the future.

Not only is the market for the NLS token quite bullish right now, but the Nolus lending protocol is also attracting a lot of positive attention in the crypto space. If the network can maintain its positive attention and attract more users, prices seem likely to rise even further. CoinCodex predicts Nolus prices will stay in the $0.04 to $0.19 range for 2025, and hit 

. This attitude is backed up by crypto influencers such as Crypto Revolution, 

 an underrated crypto with a lot of potential for growth.

The Nolus project is a well-thought-out crypto protocol that offers users significant advantages. Its innovative approach to lending could potentially attract a lot of users from the DeFi space. In addition to having a reliable system backed with effective technology and a detailed white paper, NLS digital assets have also experienced some promising growth patterns. The crypto asset has had a slow yet steady climb in price, and now that it's trending in crypto news, it seems poised to take off.

However, keep in mind that it's still important to 

 on digital assets. Some crypto investors might find it concerning that the Nolus project is mostly backed by marketers, instead of blockchain enthusiasts. There have also been some tech issues, such as the 

 that led to some unnecessary margin calls. Subsequent issues could limit price appreciation of its crypto assets. Therefore, it's necessary to approach Nolus with caution and not overextend your finances.

Nolus's DeFi lease system allows people to obtain easy access to crypto. Its innovative approach provides investors with significant advantages. Unlike traditional finance, there's no lengthy application process, and in contrast to many other blockchain networks Nolus doesn't have frequent margin calls or high network fees. As long as Nolus doesn't run into any technological issues or financial problems, its network is likely to have a lot of success in the DeFi space.

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Nolus (NLS): Crafting Liquidity's Future With Leading DeFi Leases

Crypto

Trading

A spot market is referred to assets like forex, crypto, or commodities traded on the spot whenever the buying/selling order is filled. Learn how crypto spot works today!

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With an increasing number of institutions beginning to invest in cryptocurrency, it’s inevitable that more users have started to take an interest in it. To begin a journey in cryptocurrency investing/trading, one would typically wish to start with the basics, understanding how to buy and sell cryptocurrencies before moving on to trading.

Spot trading is the most basic and simplest method for trading cryptocurrency. New traders usually start their cryptocurrency trading journey by interacting with spot markets. Compared to investing in crypto, which typically means holding a cryptocurrency for a prolonged period of time, spot trading involves buying and selling a range of cryptocurrencies in an attempt to generate regular short-term profits.

In this article, we’ll explore spot trading.

Spot trading refers to buying and selling cryptocurrencies at the current market price, also known as the spot price, with the intention of immediate delivery of the cryptocurrency traded. “Delivery” in this context refers to the buyer and seller fulfilling their commitment to the transaction, with the buyer offering the payment and the seller offering the cryptocurrency traded.

Spot traders typically buy cryptocurrencies at the current market price with existing capital, hold onto the cryptocurrency for a period of time in hopes of the price increasing so they can eventually sell their crypto to realize a profit. Spot trading is popular among traders, given that they can open short-term positions with low spreads and no expiration date.

 the cryptocurrency spot market. This involves selling a cryptocurrency and repurchasing it when the price decreases.

Taking ownership of the actual cryptocurrencies that are being bought and sold differs from trading derivatives, such as a cryptocurrency contract for difference (CFD), in which the asset traded only tracks the price of the cryptocurrency and doesn’t confer ownership of the cryptocurrency upon traders.

A spot price refers to the present market rate for immediate purchase or sale of a particular asset.

Trading pairs describe assets that can be exchanged for one another. There are two main types of trading pairs in the cryptocurrency spot market: crypto-to fiat pairs (e.g., ETH/USD) and crypto-to-crypto pairs (e.g., ETH/USDT).

 gives traders information regarding the depth of a given market. It displays a real-time list of open buy and sell orders for a selected cryptocurrency. There are two sides to the order book:

An open order refers to unfilled orders that have yet to be executed.

There are different kinds of orders that can be made in a cryptocurrency spot market.

This allows spot traders to prepare spot trades in advance. Users can set the desired price at which they wish to buy or sell the cryptocurrency, known as the limit price. Once the market price reaches that price, the trader’s order will be executed, made possible through conditional agreements that have been specified by the trader.

A market order is executed immediately at current market prices. This order type is used by traders when they wish to complete their trade orders as quickly as possible. Spot traders can make this order easily, without having to enter a price. Once a market order has been executed, a trader can purchase or sell their holdings immediately at the best available spot price.

There is no guarantee that the market price won’t change while the order is being executed, especially given the volatile market conditions of cryptocurrency.

Traders can refer to the transaction history to keep track of the type of orders they’ve made.

Most exchanges charge a transaction fee for each spot trade order. The amount of fees to be paid depends on 

Takers are traders who remove liquidity from the order book. A buyer who inputs a market order is considered to be a taker. A trader whose order is matched immediately with an existing buy or sell offer subjects them to a taker fee.

A maker is a trader who provides liquidity to the market by increasing the market depth of the order book. A maker fee is applied when a trade order is placed in advance with limit orders.

However, not all limit orders are charged a maker fee. For example, when a trader is matched with an order straightaway, they might be charged a taker fee instead. To ensure that a maker fee is charged, traders can place a limit order so they won’t be matched with an order immediately even when the terms are met.

Differences Between Spot Trading & Margin Trading

In spot trading, traders purchase cryptocurrencies with the capital they have available, fully possessing the asset once the trade has been executed. 

, traders borrow capital from a third party to complete the purchase of cryptocurrencies. This allows margin traders to purchase larger quantities of cryptocurrencies or enter larger trading positions, resulting in the potential for more significant profits. However, this is considered riskier as a losing margin trade could potentially amplify the losses and cost margin traders more than their initial capital.

In addition, margin traders are required to consistently meet their margin requirements to avoid receiving a margin call, which could cause the trader’s assets to be sold off. Margin traders are thus required to constantly keep an eye on their trades. In addition, the costs of a margin loan can pile up, rendering the need for margin traders to trade in shorter time frames more often as compared to spot trading.

Differences Between Spot Trading & Futures Trading

With spot trading, cryptocurrencies are purchased with immediate delivery and spot traders will own the underlying asset. Afterward, spot traders generally wait for the price of the cryptocurrency to increase before taking profit.

, on the other hand, don’t own the underlying asset; they merely own a contract which represents the cryptocurrency’s value. In futures trading, both the buyer and seller agree to trade a certain quantity of cryptocurrency at a specific price in the future, which is then locked in the contract until the transaction is completed at a later date. When the contract matures on the predetermined date, the buyer and seller come to a settlement.

The main difference between spot trading and futures trading lies in the use of leverage. Futures trading allows for the use of leverage, so that futures traders can enter a larger position even if they have a lower account balance.

Spot markets, also known as cash markets since traders make payments up-front, are available for a wide range of asset classes. These include stocks, bonds and the foreign exchange (forex) market. NASDAQ and NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) are two of the most popular spot markets.

To understand how the spot market works for cryptocurrency spot trading, let’s take a look at a BTC/USDT spot trading pair.

Buyer A, with 1,000 USDT, puts in a buy order for an equivalent amount of BTC at the unit price of $42,000. Buyer A will be matched with Seller B, who offers BTC in exchange for USDT at Buyer A’s desired price. Once Buyer A and Seller B have agreed on the price, the order will be executed and filled immediately.

Spot markets are commonly affected by market sentiment, and spot prices for nearly all cryptocurrencies fluctuate wildly. Therefore, understanding 

There are different types of spot markets for cryptocurrencies, which we’ll discuss in the next section.

Spot trading occurs in two major types of spot market: Exchanges and over-the-counter (OTC) trading.

Exchanges are platforms where market demand and supply are aggregated, allowing spot traders to buy or sell cryptocurrencies quickly at market price. In cryptocurrency spot markets, there are two distinct exchanges: centralized exchanges (CEXs) and decentralized exchanges (DEXs).

 acts as an intermediary between spot traders and cryptocurrencies, functioning as a custodian and managing the traded cryptocurrencies. CEXs provide an order book, which will provide spot traders information with regard to the amount of cryptocurrency available for sale, and also the market demand for a cryptocurrency. This is useful for gauging the market liquidity available for trading.

CEXs grant spot traders access to fiat-crypto trading pairs. To begin spot trading, users simply have to deposit either fiat or crypto into their account.

There are certain responsibilities specific to CEXs:

Since CEXs offer the above functionalities and services for users, spot trading on CEXs often involves transaction fees. Fees are also charged for listing and other trading activities. Thus, CEXs can profit regardless of the market state as long as they have sufficient trading volume and users.

This type of exchange is most commonly used for cryptocurrency trading. 

 have similar functionalities and services as CEXs. However, the greatest difference lies in that there are no intermediaries involved in DEXs. The matching of buyers and sellers is achieved through blockchain technology, where smart contracts with predetermined rules are used to execute trades directly from a trader’s wallet. With self-executing codes, traders are able to transact without needing to trust an intermediary to complete the trade for them. Similarly, the traded cryptocurrency doesn’t need to be held in custody by the CEX, giving traders full ownership of the cryptocurrency.

When using DEXs, traders aren’t required to create an account, and can bypass the KYC process. This provides users with a lot more privacy and freedom, allowing them to trade directly with others. However, the tradeoff is that should there be any technical issues, the lack of KYC and customer support leave the trader largely stranded.

Some DEXs use an order book model, similar to that of CEXs. A more recent development within the space is the automated market maker (AMM) model, such as that of Uniswap and PancakeSwap. AMMs use a formula to determine prices and make use of 

Spot trading can be carried out through OTC trading or P2P trading, with each carrying its own benefits.

OTC trading is considered to be off-exchange, as the buyer and seller transact directly, without any third party or trading platform overseeing their trade. The buyer and seller aren’t using an order book, and instead can choose to transact any cryptocurrency at any price that they both deem fit, even if it's below or above market price.

OTC trading is popular among spot traders for the following benefits:

, particularly for cryptocurrencies with lower liquidity such as small-cap cryptocurrencies. This results in spot traders being unable to fill their order at the price desired. OTC trading bypasses the order book, letting spot traders fill their trade positions without experiencing high slippage.

Since OTC traders are transacting off-the-market, they can trade a large amount without worrying about causing volatility that would result from trading in an open market.

Spot trading allows users to hold tokens for up to multiple years. It’s thus used by many traders to dollar-cost average (DCA) their favorite cryptocurrencies. Note that profits only become “real” when cryptocurrencies are “moved,” meaning converted to fiat currency or stablecoins. It’s also at this point that cryptocurrencies become taxable, but they can be held indefinitely before they’re taxed.

If you’re interested in trading the spot market with Bybit, the following is a step-by-step guide to help you get through the process.

What Is a Spot Market for Crypto Trading?

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