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The Best Cryptocurrency To Buy Now

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The crypto sector as a whole has been under some pressure in the past months. At this same time, many signs point to digital coins turning into well-respected programming and financial tools. The crypto winter is not likely to last much longer, which means it is high time to pick up the best coins and tokens while the fire sale lasts.

In particular, I see a great future for the cross-border coin called Ripple and its XRP token.

XRP trades at a huge artificial discount

XRP prices have gone down by 41% since its recent peak in mid-November, beating powerhouse Bitcoin and the decentralized programming coin Ethereum by a huge margin.

The SEC case against the coin seems likely to end soon, and in Ripple’s favor too. When this happens, XRP’s token could spike much higher. Popular crypto exchanges like Kraken, Binance, and Coinbase Global stopped XRP trades last year to avoid the possible legal issues. The minute these exchanges reboot their XRP trades, investors will push up a year’s worth of frustration and demand. That is on top of the general cryptocurrency market return, which should get traction in 2022.

More good news?

First, The Ripple CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, is look at 2022 for the conclusion to the SEC drama, and that is his worst-case scenario.

And it’s not just him predicting it. In late Dec., crypto lawyer Jeremy Hogan tweeted that the SEC’s case against Ripple should be done by April.

Meanwhile, the Ripple system is finding fresh real-world use cases globally. The largest bank in Morocco signed up with the RippleNet blockchain network on Wed., for example. Spanish mega-bank Banco Santander joined the network during the summer of 2020 and has created its own international payment services founded on RippleNet and XRP. You will also find American household names like American Express and Bank of America on RippleNet’s customer list, though their connection is on the back burner until the government case is over.

My point is, XRP has good value even if Americans are not allowed to use it — and even more since domestic banks can make use of RippleNet to power frictionless global payments. Take that turbo-powered engine and add in a widely expected rebound in 2022, and you have a recipe for exceptional XRP profits.

Author: Scott Dowdy
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New “Updated” Social Security Checks Arrive This Month

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MILLIONS of senior citizens will receive social security checks in the amount of $1,657 this week.

The 5.9 percent adjustment of cost-of-living boost means that retirees will receive an increased payment.

Retired workers will receive $92 more than they have in the past, bringing their monthly benefit check to $1,657.

People who were born between the 11th and 20th will receive their SS check this week.

And those born after the 20th can expect to get their payments on Jan. 26.

The next checks coming for retirees born between the 1st and 10th of the month will be sent out on Wednesday, Feb. 9.

The maximum benefit amount this year is $4,194.

To get that amount, you have to earn six-figures throughout your entire career, work a minimum of 35 years, and delay your claim.

Social security recipients should have already received a letter that explains the new COLA increase.

If Americans don’t receive their check on the expected arrival date, they should contact the SSA after waiting three extra mailing days.

The SSA lets beneficiaries receive their checks monthly and seniors can’t withdraw their money as a total lump sum.

But retirees who have separate retirement savings accounts such as a 401 (k) could take out more money if they would like to do so.

The 5.9 percent increase is the biggest COLA increase in the past 40 years. Last year, benefits were increased by just 1.3 percent.

The increase comes as crippling inflation is continuing to affect consumers.

Benefits increased by about 5.8 percent during 2009, but the adjustment was zero in the years after that.

Some beneficiaries have been concerned that despite the extra cash, the payments won’t be able to cover the high costs of inflation.

One person posted a tweet saying: “Ya, I received a whole 30$ increase to my check, that will help with the higher cost of everything lol.”

Another commented: “My SS check only went up $52 that does not even help cover my gas bill.”

If recipients believe their SS check might have been stolen, then they will need to contact the SSA office immediately.

Author: Blake Ambrose
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2 Metaverse Stocks For Easy 2022 Profits

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The metaverse, widely thought to be the next frontier of internet tech, has become a major topic in the world of investing. A lot of people are getting very impressed by the idea of a seamless, immersive, and persistent 3D virtual-reality world.

Here is why I see Cloudflare and Roblox as unstoppable metaverse stock picks that traders should invest in this year.

The case for Cloudflare

Edge computing — in which applications and data are processed and stored at locations closer to the end-users instead of centralized server farms — enhances data efficiency, security, reliability, and speed. Those characteristics within the network are important for metaverse applications and platforms. Consequently, we could expect that Cloudflare will have a major role in metaverse support.

Cloudflare’s broad network has already extended to 250 cities in over 100 nations. Approximately 95% of the globe’s population can connect to that network in just 50 milliseconds. Its network uses a software-defined networking model — replacing the networking hardware like switches, routers, and load balancers with much cheaper and even more scalable software. Its large network reach combined with its SDN design helps make Cloudflare’s infrastructure ready to supply the metaverse’s dynamic computational and networking needs.

Cloudflare is actually not a metaverse stock. But it will have a big role to play in providing the data and network services that will be required to bring the metaverse to life. This, combined with its formidable position within the enterprise market, makes it a great pick for retail traders.

The case for Roblox

The event helps illustrate how Roblox’s software tools could be used to make 3D experiences that go further than just gaming.

Since its first public offering in March of 2021, the company has made its presence known mainly as an innovative online platform for games. Creators and developers have for some time utilized its technology platform to make games and experiences that mainly cater to children. However, on its Q3 earnings call, Roblox highlighted a big shift in the age of its userbase. More of its customers are over 13 rather than 12 and younger. The company has also reported a 31% jump in daily active users to 47.3 million and a 28% boost in hours they were engaged to 11.2 billion in that quarter.

The rising age of Roblox’s clientele helps its metaverse goals, considering that an older userbase is more likely to be engaged in experiences that involve money — banking, shopping, etc. And if Roblox can keep its users for many years, this will also help its platform benefit from the network effects. A demographic shift towards a more mature customer base will give Roblox a boost financially, as older players will be more likely to control their own money and have more discretion to spend their money on in-game experiences and objects.

Author: Scott Dowdy
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4th Stimulus Check Could Be Coming Soon, Here’s How Much

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Lawmakers reacted very quickly when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit. During the Trump administration, there were two stimulus checks that were authorized on a bipartisan basis. The Biden administration provided a third check in March 2021, which gave $1,400 to every eligible adult and dependent.

Many Americans, however, feel that they need more help. The high demand for yet another stimulus check is shown by a Change.org petition that has now topped more than 3 million signatures.

Millions of Americans are calling for a fourth stimulus check

The Change.org petition was first started by Stephanie, a Denver, CO restaurant owner that wrote, “I am calling on Congress to help support American families with a $2,000 payment for each adult and a $1,000 payment for each kid immediately and sending regular checks for as long as the crisis is around.”

Even though the petition has been online for well over a year, people throughout the United States have continued to put their signatures on it. In fact, as of January 17, 2022, there was 3,017,183 people who had added their names to it. This includes Americans from every state in the U.S.

A recent update to the petition has explained some of the reasons why it is still receiving so much support. The update reads, “Our nation is still struggling today. The recovery has not reached most Americans — the actual unemployment rate for lower-wage workers is above 20% and a lot of people face big debts from the past year for things like rent, utilities and childcare. These are all good reasons that checks should target Americans who are still having a hard time today and that Congress should learn from the last year.”

Will lawmakers listen?

With as many signatures as it has, the petition that’s requesting a fourth stimulus check is one of the most popular on the Change.org platform. It is not only unusual for a petition to get so many signatures, but it is also uncommon for one to receive sustained attention for as long as it has. Yet, Americans throughout the country continue to sign it to try and make their voices be heard.

Despite the clear fact that there is high demand for another payment, lawmakers are still unlikely to move forward check number four, much less with future monthly payments as requested.

See, the Republicans would likely choose to filibuster any bill that would provide a fourth check or that authorizes ongoing payments as the petition requests.

This means that the millions of Americans calling for additional stimulus relief will most likely be out of luck and will also find that they won’t get this kind of help from Congress in 2022.

Author: Scott Dowdy
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The Best AI Stocks For Surging Profits

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Artificial intelligence (AI) services could help businesses analyze data, optimize their companies, craft more targeted ad campaigns, and can even pilot autonomous vehicles and machines. That ongoing shift could allow the global AI market to expand at a compound yearly rate of 40.2% by 2028.

But that secular trend might also be confusing because of all the many companies that depend on AI as a buzzword instead of a business model. I will simplify that search process for traders by highlighting two reliable tech businesses that will likely benefit from future expansion of the AI market.

1. Alphabet

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, produces most of its earnings from online ads. Those advertisements are powered by certain AI algorithms that target certain users based on their search history, location, and other data.

The AI-powered targeted ads have been so effective that they have allowed Google to claim 28.6% of the entire digital ad spending around the globe this past year. Meta Platforms, which owns Instagram and Facebook, ranked in second with 25.2% of the share.

Google also owns the globes third-biggest cloud infrastructure platform that provides computing, data storage and AI services to firms. Google Cloud’s growth is continuing to expand as big companies migrate more of their information to public cloud services. It is also continuing to invest in next-gen tech, such as Waymo’s driverless vehicles, which might evolve into revenue-producing business in the future.

Analysts predict Alphabet’s earnings and revenue to grow 85% and 39% respectively, in 2021 as it laps easy comparisons to the beginning of the pandemic. They predict its growth to slow down in 2022, but it remains one of the cheaper FAANG stocks at just 26 times forward earnings.

2. Ambarella

Ambarella sells picture processing system-on-chips (SoCs), which are commonly used in dash cams, security cameras, and drones; and computer vision chips that are AI-powered, which enable autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles to travel the road.

During 2021, Ambarella’s revenue and adjusted earnings fell 3% and 52%, respectively, as the pandemic had disrupted the semiconductor supply chains and auto sector. The Trump administration blacklisted some of the Chinese owned security camera businesses — some of which happened to be Ambarella’s largest customers — which only made things worse.

Ambarella’s prospects have improved in fiscal 2022 as the car market has gradually recovered. Its security camera company in China has also stabilized as newer customers replaced the blacklisted customers, and it added new customers around the globe.

Author: Blake Ambrose
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2 Sneaky Social Security Changes (Did You Miss These?)

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When you receive your first Social Security check this year, chances are good it is going to look different from the check you received in December.

There are some good reasons the amount you get might not be the same as it was last year. Here is what you should know about how your SS check might have changed after the beginning of the new year.

1. You’ll receive higher monthly benefit checks

The first change is great news for retirees. The monthly benefit check in Jan. should be bigger than the one you got last year.

This increase in your benefits is because of a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). More Specifically, because of higher inflation, retirees will get a 5.9% raise this year. This is intended to help make sure you do not lose ground as prices increase on the cost of goods and services. It is the largest raise in decades due to inflation is spiking.

Do not expect the full 5.9% raise in each check, though. The Medicare premiums also increased. If you have premiums taken directly from your SS payment, you will notice some of that raise disappear due to your higher premiums.

2. There may be more taxes are taken out

When you apply for Social Security benefits, you could elect to have taxes taken from your checks, so you do not have to worry about paying the estimated taxes to the IRS. You can choose which amount you want the Social Security Administration to deduct 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your benefit each month. If your benefit increases and you are having taxes taken out on a percentage basis, the SSA will obviously keep more of your money in 2022.

You might also want to change your withholding or ask the SSA to withhold money if you will be subject to paying taxes this year and you haven’t been in the past.

Provisional income is 50% of Social Security benefits, some non-taxable income and all taxable income. After your provisional income reaches $32,000 as a married joint tax filer or $25,000 as a single tax filer, know in advance that some of your benefits will be taxed.

You should Understand both of these changes is important to financial planning for 2022. So, when you receive your first Social Security check this year, be on the lookout for them.

Author: Scott Dowdy
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Walmart Makes A Huge “Digital Goods” Announcement

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Walmart has filed applications for cryptocurrency and trademarks, software to manage the crypto and other digital assets and for its online retail services.

Walmart (WMT) is joining in with a growing number of other retailers who now own established virtual retail stores and who have already developed non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, with plans to create its very own crypto.

The Bentonville, Ark., retail giant on December 30 filed for applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including an application that is seeking to obtain a trademark for financial services for NFTs, crypto and blockchain tech; a financial exchange of digital currencies; creation of virtual currency and coins of value to be used by the online consumers; issuance of NFTs for use with blockchain tech and many other services involving cryptocurrency, NFTs, virtual currency and assets.

Walmart has also filed a trademark application for several downloadable software products for the digital marketplace, marketing, e-commerce, virtual reality, entertainment, tablet computers, video game consoles, mobile devices, fund transfers and payments, blockchain, crypto, virtual currency, digital currency, and various other software uses.

The retailer is also seeking a trademark for a virtual retail store that will hold all of its products, including appliances, electronics, outdoor and indoor furniture, toys, home decor, sporting goods, home improvement, apparel, video games, entertainment recordings, books, publications and most of its products that it sells on its shelves in its brick and mortar stores.

Walmart’s foray into the virtual retail world, cryptocurrency and NFTs follows the footsteps of other retailers that have already jumped into the virtual world. The Gap (GPS) has released its first NFTs this week on the Tezos blockchain, ranging in value from $8.30 to $415, which comes with a limited-edition Gap hoodie.

Nike (NKE) – Get NIKE, Inc. in October filed for an application with the Patent and Trademark Office to obtain a trademark on its virtual goods that are downloadable, including clothing, footwear and accessories for online use; entertainment services that will generate online non-downloadable products; retail store services that feature virtual goods.

Author: Scott Dowdy
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2 Stocks That Look Poised To Demolish Bitcoin

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Bitcoin (BTC) delivered the worst performance in 2021 of the last three years. And the crypto still trounced numerous stocks, with its price skyrocketing more than 60%.

But Bitcoin has gotten off to a rocky start in 2022 so far. Do not be surprised if Bitcoin lags behind quite a few other stocks this year. Here are two unstoppable stocks that have the potential of beating Bitcoin in 2022.

1. Innovative Industrial Properties

Innovative Industrial Properties shares have fallen a lot more than BTC’s price so far this year. However, I believe the downturn will be more temporary than anything else. IIP’s company is as strong as ever.

The cannabis-focused REIT has added 28 new properties just in Q4 of 2021. IIP now owns 103 properties throughout 19 states. The properties are all leased to cannabis growers.

While BTC’s fortunes are completely subject to the whims of its traders, IIP has better control over its stock performance. If the business could find more properties to lease and purchase, its revenue is likely to keep increasing. And if its earnings were to grow enough, its share price would almost certainly jump as well.

This might seem like a simple task for the company to accomplish. There are an additional 17 states that have legalized marijuana in some form where the business does not currently operate. The company also has plenty of other growth opportunities within its existing markets.

Perhaps the largest threat to IIP is that large cannabis reform on the federal level will be passed that attracts even more competition. However, such reform will more than likely be a net positive for IIP.

2. PayPal Holdings

The shift to digital payments is becoming an unstoppable force. PayPal Holdings (PYPL) is a top player in digital payments with about 75% of the leading 1,500 retailers in Europe and North America supporting its digital wallet. This helps make PayPal an unstoppable stock.

Granted, PayPal did not seem unstoppable this past year. Its shares dropped 19% during what was considered a bull market for most other stocks. A large part of the issue was that the company’s earnings growth slowed down when compared to 2020. But it shouldn’t have been much of a surprise considering the big spike in online buying with the forced pandemic lockdowns in the year prior.

Some of PayPal’s new features on its app (including the support for trading BTC and some other cryptos) are attracting users. PayPal can bounce back in a major way this year. And in the future, the stock has the potential to be truly unstoppable.

Author: Steven Sinclaire
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Where To Invest $10k Right Now

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In my view, some of the best stocks are the ones that have strong underlying companies and exceptional growth possibilities. They are the kinds of stocks that you could comfortably invest a large amount of money in with confidence that you will likely make market-beating returns in the future.

Here are two of my picks for the best stocks you can invest $10,000 in right now.

1. Nvidia

Find the strongest players in the quickest-growing areas. That is usually a great way to find the best stocks to purchase. There is no question Nvidia should be in this group.

One of those fast-growing areas is gaming. The company’s GPUs are the gold standard for powering gaming computers. The business seems likely to have a very big winner with its new RTX350 entry-level graphics card that will soon be released. Nvidia is also going to release a monster graphics card for the higher-end market segment.

The company’s GPUs are also more suited for AI apps running on servers located in data centers. This is actually an even faster expanding market for Nvidia than gaming is.

Then there is the metaverse. Nvidia already released Omniverse, its platform for 3D design and collaboration. CEO Jensen Huang believes that Omniverse Avatars has an addressable market of around $40 billion. The opportunities out there for Nvidia’s GPUs in the metaverse are even better.

Those are not Nvidia’s only potential drivers of growth, though. Its self-driving car tech might make the company a lot more cash over the next ten years and beyond.

2. MercadoLibre

Unlike Nvidia, MercadoLibre did not deliver great gains in 2021. Its shares dropped nearly 20%. But that helps make the stock’s valuation a much more attractive one considering its high growth prospects.

MercadoLibre’s terrible performance this last year was not due to underlying issues with its company. The company’s net earnings soared 72.9% on a constant-currency basis in Q3 of 2021. Earnings increased more than sixfold. And Q3 was a difficult quarter for year-over-year comparisons.

The future seems to be a bright one for the company. MercadoLibre’s e-commerce platform has been attracting new buyers. Retention levels are rising. The e-commerce penetration level in Latin America might double by 2025.

Don’t think of MercadoLibre as just an e-commerce business, though. Its Mercado Pago fintech and Mercado Envios logistics companies are rocking as well. The fintech opportunity should be highly attractive in light of the large amount of people in Latin America without any banking services.

Author: Steven Sinclaire
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The #1 Threat To Investors Right Now (Not What You Think)

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While the returns on some cryptos can be extremely high, the industry is rife with schemes and scammers.

With the value of ether up by almost 200% since this past year, investing in crypto can seem like the best choice.

But as anyone that has been around a lot of crypto bros could tell you, it comes with high volatility and high risk: crypto is the asset class that has posed the largest risk to investors.

“Before you hop into the crypto craze, think about the cryptos and other financial products that might be nothing more than the public facing Ponzi schemes,” said Joseph Rotunda.

The reason has to do with the regulatory rules that have a difficult time catching up to the high number of new cryptos (often released by people with zero finance background) releasing onto the market. The success of BTC and ether are usually used to produce a type of craze around a new concept that is still misunderstood by a lot of people.

A crypto advocate, Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis has proposed a bill that would set clear guidelines on crypto regulation and taxation in December.

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are used to receive ownership of online content. NFTs are another cryptocurrency subcategory currently getting a lot of investor attention — while more popular ones such as the Bored Ape Yacht Club could sell for millions, but fake ones are appearing online already. (Based predominantly on the ETH network, most NFTs are selling for ether.)

Other high-risk trades include anything that has to do a popular Self-Directed personal Retirement Accounts scheme, promissory notes, and social media investment offers.

To minimize your risk, the agency suggests people do their own research on founders, carefully study domain names (there are scammers that will copy a popular site by adding only one letter) and usually avoid grandiose promises to “make a million dollars” tomorrow.

“Investments in crypto trading programs, interests in cryptocurrency mining pools, securitized coins and crypto depository accounts should be seen for what they truly are: very risky speculation along with a high risk of loss,” said Rotunda.

Author: Blake Ambrose
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