Back to blog
Research

Crypto Index for Busy Professionals: Set-and-Forget Strategy with Built-In Protection

Discover a set-and-forget crypto index approach tailored for busy professionals, with diversification, automated rebalancing, AI-driven filtering, and built-in risk management—all designed to minimize time while maximizing efficiency.
Token Metrics Team
16
Want Smarter Crypto Picks—Free?
See unbiased Token Metrics Ratings for BTC, ETH, and top alts.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
 No credit card | 1-click unsubscribe

In today’s fast-paced world, busy professionals juggle demanding careers, family commitments, and personal goals, leaving little time to dive into the complexities of cryptocurrency investing. Yet, the crypto market represents one of the most significant digital asset growth opportunities of the century. With over 6,000 tokens to track, volatile market cycles, and security considerations, actively managing a crypto portfolio can feel overwhelming. Built-in diversification in crypto index funds automatically spreads risk across multiple cryptocurrencies, reducing exposure to the volatility of any single asset. The idea of becoming a crypto day trader is exhausting just to imagine.Fortunately, there is a smarter way. More than 75% of professional investors plan to increase their crypto allocations in 2025, but they’re not spending hours monitoring charts or executing trades. Instead, they rely on automated crypto index strategies designed to work quietly and efficiently, freeing them to focus on their careers and lives. Welcome to the set-and-forget crypto revolution tailored specifically for busy professionals.

Why Set-and-Forget Crypto Fits Busy Professionals

The Busy Professional's Dilemma: Opportunity vs. Time The cryptocurrency market has experienced explosive growth, now boasting over $4 trillion in market capitalization. Bitcoin alone has averaged annual returns exceeding 100% since its inception, while institutional adoption accelerates, with more than $27.4 billion pouring into U.S. Bitcoin ETFs. These figures underscore the immense potential of digital assets as part of a diversified portfolio.However, what the headlines often omit is the staggering time commitment traditionally required to achieve such returns. Successful crypto investing typically demands hundreds of hours researching projects, analyzing market trends, executing timely transactions, managing wallets across multiple blockchains, and navigating complex tax implications. For busy professionals—whether physicians, attorneys, executives, engineers, or entrepreneurs—this level of active management is simply unfeasible.You didn’t build your career by chasing every fleeting opportunity; you succeeded through strategic, disciplined investment approaches. The same principle applies to crypto investing. To harness the growth potential of the cryptocurrency market without sacrificing your valuable time, a different investment strategy is necessary.Crypto index funds investing offers an accessible and straightforward way for busy professionals to gain diversified exposure to cryptocurrencies. This diversified approach helps mitigate risk and simplifies the investment process, making it easier to participate in the crypto market without the need for constant active management.

The Set-and-Forget Philosophy: Why It Works In traditional finance, passive investing through diversified index funds consistently outperforms active trading over the long term. Studies reveal that over 90% of day traders lose money, whereas investors who buy and hold diversified portfolios achieve solid returns with minimal effort. This evidence is now being mirrored in the evolving crypto market.Despite its higher volatility compared to traditional financial markets, the infrastructure for intelligent passive investing in crypto has matured significantly by 2025. This progress enables comprehensive exposure to the crypto market with less than two hours of annual management time—a game changer for busy professionals.The set-and-forget approach thrives on three core advantages:

  • Elimination of Emotional Decision-Making: Automated crypto index strategies operate on predetermined rules, removing the temptation to panic-sell during market crashes or chase FOMO-driven peaks. This disciplined approach consistently outperforms hands-on traders swayed by fear and greed.
  • Compound Growth Through Consistency: Instead of attempting to time the market perfectly, systematic investing captures long-term growth trends. Your portfolio benefits from the overall upward trajectory of the cryptocurrency market, smoothing out short-term volatility. This approach allows investors to gain exposure to the broader crypto market without the need for constant monitoring or active trading.
  • Opportunity Cost Optimization: Every minute spent monitoring crypto charts is time lost from advancing your career, nurturing relationships, or maintaining your health. For high-earning busy professionals, the opportunity cost of active management often exceeds any potential gains. Set-and-forget strategies return your time to your highest-value activities.

How the TM Global 100 Works

Token Metrics TM Global 100: Built for Your Schedule Token Metrics has pioneered a sophisticated set-and-forget crypto index fund designed explicitly for busy professionals: the TM Global 100 Index. Leveraging AI and machine learning to analyze over 6,000 digital assets, Token Metrics brings institutional-grade research and automation to your portfolio.Here’s why TM Global 100 fits seamlessly into your demanding schedule:

90-Second Initial Setup: Setting up your account is as quick as ordering coffee. You connect your embedded smart wallet, review the index methodology and current holdings, choose your investment amount, and execute. No complicated exchange accounts, no juggling multiple wallets, and no manual token purchases. The entire process is streamlined for non-technical users.

Weekly Automatic Rebalancing: Every Monday at 00:00 UTC, your portfolio automatically rebalances to maintain optimal exposure to the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. The system sells tokens that have dropped out of the Top 100, buys new entries, adjusts weights to reflect market cap changes, and optimizes transaction fees—all handled by smart contracts. The TM Global 100 is a holdings based index fund that follows a systematic approach to tracking indices of the top cryptocurrencies, ensuring the portfolio remains aligned with market trends. You receive optional notifications but no action is required.

Transparent Monitoring Without Active Management: Token Metrics offers a clean dashboard with an interactive treemap of your holdings, real-time profit and loss tracking, transaction history, and performance analytics. Whether you check monthly, quarterly, or less frequently, your portfolio grows independently of your attention.

Tax Documentation Simplified: All transactions are logged with timestamps, quantities, prices, and fees, making tax reporting straightforward. Export data to popular crypto tax software or share with your accountant without scrambling to reconstruct trades.This infrastructure means you spend just 90 seconds setting up, zero hours managing ongoing operations, and perhaps 30 minutes quarterly reviewing performance. In total, less than two hours annually provides diversified exposure to 100 leading cryptocurrencies.

Index Methodology and Construction: How Your Crypto Index Is Built The foundation of any successful crypto index fund lies in its index methodology and construction. This process determines which cryptocurrencies are included in the fund, how much weight each one carries, and how often the portfolio is adjusted to reflect changes in the market. For busy professionals, understanding these mechanics is key to appreciating how crypto index funds provide diversified exposure while managing the risks of the volatile crypto market.Most crypto index funds start by selecting a universe of individual cryptocurrencies based on specific criteria—such as market capitalization, liquidity, or project fundamentals. For example, a market cap-weighted index fund will allocate a larger portion of the portfolio to established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as their market capitalization dominates the crypto market. This approach helps ensure that your portfolio reflects the overall market trends and reduces the impact of any single cryptocurrency’s performance.Alternatively, some index funds use an equal-weighted methodology, giving each cryptocurrency the same allocation regardless of its market cap. This can increase exposure to emerging projects but may also introduce more volatility. Periodic rebalancing—often weekly or monthly—ensures that the portfolio stays aligned with the chosen index methodology, automatically adjusting for market changes and maintaining diversified exposure.By relying on a transparent, rules-based index methodology, crypto index funds help investors navigate the complexities of the crypto market, spreading risk across a broad portfolio and reducing the need for constant oversight. This systematic approach is especially valuable for those who want to invest in crypto without getting bogged down in the details of individual cryptocurrencies.

Comparing Traditional and Crypto Index Funds

Traditional Index Funds vs Crypto Index Funds: What Busy Professionals Need to Know For busy professionals weighing their investment options, it’s important to understand how traditional index funds and crypto index funds differ significantly. Traditional index funds typically track established indices like the S&P 500, offering diversified exposure to a basket of stocks or bonds. These funds are known for their stability, lower risk, and steady long-term growth, making them a familiar choice for many investors.Crypto index funds, on the other hand, invest in a portfolio of digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other leading cryptocurrencies. While crypto index funds offer the potential for higher returns, they also come with greater volatility and risk due to the rapidly evolving nature of the cryptocurrency market. The value of a crypto index can fluctuate dramatically in response to market trends, regulatory changes, or technological developments.For those new to crypto investing, traditional index funds may feel more comfortable and predictable. However, professionals with a higher risk tolerance and a long-term investment horizon may find that crypto index funds offer unique opportunities for growth and diversification that traditional financial markets can’t match. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your individual risk tolerance, investment goals, and willingness to embrace the dynamic world of digital assets.

Built-In Protection: The Safety Net Busy Professionals Need Unlike traditional buy-and-hold strategies, Token Metrics’ TM Global 100 includes intelligent risk management designed to protect your investment without requiring your attention. This is critical in the highly volatile crypto market, which has historically experienced multiple 80%+ corrections. Market volatility is a significant risk factor, and the TM Global 100 is specifically designed to address this through its automated risk management features.The TM Global 100 employs regime-switching logic, an AI-driven method that dynamically adjusts portfolio exposure based on market conditions. When proprietary market indicators signal bullish regimes, your portfolio holds the full basket of top 100 cryptocurrencies, capturing growth across the market. When bearish signals emerge, the system automatically converts holdings into stablecoins like USDC, preserving capital during downturns. Once conditions improve, funds redeploy back into the crypto market at lower prices.This automated safety net prevents panic-selling and shields your portfolio from severe drawdowns. For busy professionals without time to monitor market changes constantly, this feature offers peace of mind and a disciplined approach to risk.Consider a real-world example: you invest $100,000 in January, and by March, your portfolio grows to $140,000 amid a strong market. In April, bearish signals trigger a shift to stablecoins, locking in your gains. While the broader market drops 40% over the next two months, your position remains stable. When bullish conditions return in July, the system re-enters the market at lower prices, increasing your token holdings—all without you lifting a finger.

AI Filtering, Consistency, and Security

Quality Over Quantity: AI-Powered Filtering Not all cryptocurrencies in the Top 100 by market cap deserve inclusion in your portfolio. Some represent genuine innovation, while others are speculative or risky projects. Token Metrics enhances traditional market cap indexing with sophisticated quality filters powered by AI.Each token is evaluated using two complementary ratings:

Trader Grade: This rating assesses short-term momentum, technical strength, volume trends, and timing signals to ensure tokens demonstrate genuine market strength rather than pump-and-dump schemes.

Investor Grade: This grade evaluates long-term fundamentals such as development activity, network growth, use case viability, team quality, and competitive positioning, highlighting sustainable projects with real value.By analyzing over 80 data points per token, Token Metrics continuously refines your exposure, favoring quality holdings over blind market cap weighting. This institutional-grade due diligence is impossible to replicate manually and crucial for busy professionals who lack time for deep research.

The Compound Effect: Why Consistency Beats Timing One of the biggest pitfalls for busy professionals entering crypto is attempting to time the market perfectly. Waiting for the “right moment” often leads to missed rallies, panic during corrections, and suboptimal returns.Token Metrics’ set-and-forget approach aligns with Nobel Prize-winning economic research showing that consistent, disciplined investing outperforms attempts at market timing. By maintaining systematic exposure during bullish regimes and automatically managing risk during bearish phases, the TM Global 100 captures the long-term growth of the cryptocurrency market without emotional stress or guesswork.In fact, in 2025, over 60% of cryptocurrency trading volume flows through automated systems. Institutional investors, family offices, and professional traders overwhelmingly favor systematic strategies over reactive trading. Token Metrics democratizes access to these sophisticated investment methods for individual busy professionals.

Security Without Complexity Security is a paramount concern for busy professionals considering crypto investments. High-profile exchange hacks, lost private keys, and stolen funds are common headlines. Yet, few have the time or expertise to become cybersecurity experts.Token Metrics addresses these concerns with embedded smart wallet technology that offers self-custody without complexity. Your assets remain under your control, not on vulnerable exchanges. The wallet uses advanced features like multi-party computation, secure key sharding, social recovery mechanisms, and automatic security updates to protect your holdings.This approach combines institutional-grade security with consumer-grade simplicity. You don’t need to memorize seed phrases or manage hardware wallets. The system is designed so that busy professionals can confidently secure their digital assets without technical headaches.

Costs, Taxes, Getting Started, and Conclusion

Investment Minimums and Fees: What to Expect When considering crypto index funds, it’s essential to be aware of investment minimums and fees, as these factors can impact your overall returns. Minimum investment requirements vary by provider, with some crypto index funds accessible for just a few hundred dollars, while others may require a more substantial initial commitment.Management fees are another key consideration. Crypto index funds typically charge annual management fees ranging from 0.5% to 2.5%, which cover the costs of research, trading, and portfolio administration. Some funds may also include additional expenses, such as an expense ratio or transaction fees, which can differ significantly between providers.Before investing, take the time to review the fee structure and minimum investment requirements of any crypto index fund you’re considering. Understanding these costs will help you select a fund that aligns with your investment goals and risk tolerance, ensuring that fees don’t erode your returns over time. For busy professionals, choosing a fund with transparent, reasonable fees and accessible minimums can make crypto investing both efficient and cost-effective.

Tax Implications: Planning Ahead for Peace of Mind Tax implications are an important aspect of investing in crypto index funds that busy professionals can’t afford to overlook. In most jurisdictions, gains from the sale or exchange of cryptocurrencies are subject to capital gains tax, with rates depending on your income bracket and how long you’ve held the investment. The tax treatment of crypto index funds may also vary based on the fund’s structure and local regulations.To avoid surprises at tax time, it’s wise to consult with a tax professional who understands both traditional and digital asset investments. Keeping detailed records of all your transactions—including dates, amounts, and the purpose of each trade—will make tax reporting much simpler and help ensure compliance with current laws.By planning ahead and staying organized, you can minimize your tax liabilities and maximize your after-tax returns. This proactive approach allows you to focus on your long-term investment goals, knowing that your crypto index fund investments are managed efficiently and in line with regulatory requirements. For busy professionals, a little preparation goes a long way toward achieving peace of mind and financial success.

The Cost of Inaction for Busy Professionals While you’ve been “too busy” to invest systematically in crypto, the asset class has created more millionaires in the past decade than perhaps any other investment vehicle. Many of your peers—doctors, lawyers, executives—who allocated even modest portions of their portfolios to crypto index funds have experienced life-changing returns.The question is no longer whether busy professionals should invest in crypto. With 75% of institutional investors increasing allocations and crypto entering mainstream finance through ETFs, stablecoins, and tokenized assets, the opportunity is clear. The real question is how to invest intelligently without sacrificing the time that made you successful in your primary career.Token Metrics’ TM Global 100 offers the answer: broad exposure to crypto’s growth potential, built-in risk management, quality filtering of holdings, automated execution requiring zero ongoing effort, and transparent monitoring that fits your schedule.

Getting Started: Your Two-Hour Annual Commitment For busy professionals ready to add sophisticated crypto exposure to their portfolios, the process is straightforward:Hour One (Initial Setup): Visit the Token Metrics platform, review the TM Global 100 strategy and index methodology, create your embedded smart wallet (takes about 90 seconds), decide your allocation based on your investment goals and risk tolerance, and execute your initial purchase. That’s it.Quarterly 15-Minute Check-ins (Optional): Review your portfolio’s performance dashboard to see current holdings and returns, examine transaction logs to understand rebalancing activity, adjust your allocation if your circumstances change, and export data for tax reporting.This minimal time commitment ensures your crypto portfolio grows systematically while you focus on your career, family, and health.

Conclusion: Smart Professionals Automate The most successful professionals understand a core principle: automate everything that can be systematized and concentrate your energy on what requires your unique skills. Crypto investing is no exception.Token Metrics’ TM Global 100 represents years of development tailored for investors demanding sophistication without constant involvement. AI-powered analytics track over 6,000 projects, weekly automatic rebalancing captures market trends, regime-switching protection manages downside risk, quality filtering ensures legitimate exposure, and embedded wallets provide security without complexity—all functioning seamlessly whether you monitor daily or not.In 2025, the barrier to crypto investing is no longer technical knowledge or education—it’s decisional. Will you let being busy prevent you from participating in one of the most significant wealth-building opportunities of your generation? Or will you spend 90 seconds setting up a systematic, intelligent crypto index fund that works while you focus on what truly matters?For busy professionals who built successful careers through discipline, strategy, and intelligent automation, the choice is clear. Welcome to set-and-forget crypto investing. Your future self will thank you.Click here to get early access to TM100 indices at Token Metrics.

Discover Crypto Gems with Token Metrics AI

Token Metrics uses AI-powered analysis to help you uncover profitable opportunities in the crypto market. Get Started For Free

FAQ: What is a crypto index fund?

A crypto index fund provides diversified exposure to a basket of cryptocurrencies based on rules such as market capitalization, liquidity thresholds, and scheduled rebalancing, reducing reliance on any single asset.

FAQ: How often do crypto index funds rebalance?

Rebalancing schedules vary by provider and methodology. Some funds rebalance weekly or monthly to maintain target weights and reflect market changes, while minimizing tracking error and transaction costs.

FAQ: What are the main risks of crypto index funds?

Key risks include market volatility, regulatory changes, custody/security considerations, and methodology risk (e.g., how constituents are selected and weighted). Transparent rules and risk management can help address these factors.

FAQ: How do fees impact returns?

Management fees, expense ratios, and transaction costs reduce net performance. Reviewing a fund’s full fee schedule helps you understand potential drag on returns and compare providers objectively.

FAQ: What tax considerations apply?

Tax treatment depends on jurisdiction and holding period. Capital gains may apply on sales and rebalancing events. Maintaining detailed records and consulting a qualified tax professional is recommended.

FAQ: How does AI help in crypto indexing?

AI can assist with quality screening, anomaly detection, market regime analysis, and risk controls. Platforms like Token Metrics use data-driven models to support systematic selection and monitoring.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or tax advice. Digital assets are volatile and carry risk. Always conduct your own research and consult qualified professionals regarding your specific circumstances.

Build Smarter Crypto Apps &
AI Agents in Minutes, Not Months
Real-time prices, trading signals, and on-chain insights all from one powerful API.
Grab a Free API Key
About Token Metrics
Token Metrics: AI-powered crypto research and ratings platform. We help investors make smarter decisions with unbiased Token Metrics Ratings, on-chain analytics, and editor-curated “Top 10” guides. Our platform distills thousands of data points into clear scores, trends, and alerts you can act on.
30 Employees
analysts, data scientists, and crypto engineers
Daily Briefings
concise market insights and “Top Picks”
Transparent & Compliant
Sponsored ≠ Ratings; research remains independent
Want Smarter Crypto Picks—Free?
See unbiased Token Metrics Ratings for BTC, ETH, and top alts.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
 No credit card | 1-click unsubscribe
Token Metrics Team
Token Metrics Team

Recent Posts

Crypto Basics

How to Invest in Cryptocurrency - A Step by Step Guide

Token Metrics Team
8 minutes

If you are wondering how to invest in the cryptocurrency space, this is the perfect place to be.

As the world of cryptocurrency continues to expand, it is important to understand what to consider before investing in cryptocurrency. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the most important things to consider before investing in cryptocurrency, including what to look for in a potential investment, alternative ways to buy a crypto, how to keep your cryptocurrency secure, and tips for investing responsibly.

Introduction to Cryptocurrency Investing

Cryptocurrency investing can be an exciting and potentially profitable venture. But it's important to understand the risks associated with investing in cryptocurrency and the steps you should take before investing your hard-earned money. Cryptocurrency investing is a relatively new concept and the market is constantly evolving. It's important to do your research and understand the potential risks and rewards before jumping in.

In order to make an educated decision about whether or not cryptocurrency investing is right for you, you need to understand the basics of cryptocurrency investing. A cryptocurrency is a form of digital currency that is not controlled by any central authority, such as a government or bank. Instead, it is created and maintained by a decentralized network of computers that use cryptography to secure transactions. Cryptocurrency is typically exchanged for goods and services, or for other forms of currency.

There are a few key differences between cryptocurrency and traditional currencies. For one, cryptocurrency is not backed by any physical asset, such as gold or a government-issued currency. Additionally, cryptocurrency is not regulated by any government or financial institution. This means that the value of cryptocurrencies can be highly volatile and unpredictable, which can make investing in them a risky endeavor.

What to Consider Before Investing in Cryptocurrency

Before investing in cryptocurrency, it is important to understand the risks associated with it. Cryptocurrency is not backed by any physical asset, so its value is highly volatile and unpredictable. This means that investments can quickly lose value, and there is no guarantee that you will get your money back. Additionally, cryptocurrency is not regulated by any government or financial institution, so it can be difficult to know who to trust and who to avoid.

When considering whether or not to invest in cryptocurrency, it's important to understand the different types of cryptocurrencies available. There are thousands of different cryptocurrencies on the market, each with its own set of characteristics and features. It's important to research each type of cryptocurrency and determine which one might be the best fit for your investment goals.

You should also consider the cost of investing in cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is a global market, so the cost of investing in it can vary significantly from one country to the next. Additionally, different exchanges may charge different fees for trading. It's important to research the fees associated with each exchange to ensure you are getting the best deal.

Finally, it's important to understand the potential tax implications of investing in cryptocurrency. Many countries have different regulations regarding the taxation of cryptocurrency investments, so it is important to understand the rules in your area before investing.

Alternative Ways to Buy Cryptocurrency

When it comes to investing in cryptocurrency, there are a few different ways to go about it. The most popular way to purchase cryptocurrency is through an online exchange. These exchanges are typically easy to use and offer a variety of different cryptocurrencies. Additionally, some exchanges offer lower fees than others, so it's important to shop around for the best deal.

Another option for investing in cryptocurrency is to purchase it directly from an individual. This can be done through a peer-to-peer platform, such as LocalBitcoins. This allows you to purchase cryptocurrency directly from another individual, without having to go through an exchange. However, this method can be riskier than using an exchange, as there is no guarantee that the person you are purchasing from is legitimate.

Finally, there are some platforms that allow you to purchase cryptocurrency with a credit or debit card. This is typically the easiest and most convenient way to purchase cryptocurrency, but it also has some drawbacks. Credit and debit card purchases typically come with higher fees than other methods, and the transactions can be reversed if the seller does not deliver the cryptocurrency as promised.

The 5-Step Process of Crypto Investing

Follow this 5-step process to make first cryptocurrency investment.

Step #1 Choose a Broker or Crypto Exchange

If you are new to crypto, you can start off by choosing a broker or a crypto exchange. Although both serve the same purpose, there is a tiny difference between them.

Cryptocurrency Exchange is a third-party company that can help you invest in crypto with a convenience fee. Both buyers and sellers can actively trade cryptocurrencies using the platform. Having said that, make sure to learn enough about the standard crypto trading platforms before investing.

Step #2: Create and Authenticate Your Account

Once you are set with the platform, now you have to simply create an account and then authenticate yourself to start hassle free trading. 

Step #3: Link Your Bank Account to Your Crypto Account 

Now that you have verified your account, it is time to add your bank account or use a debit card to ensure cash deposit to invest in crypto. 

Step #4: Place Your Cryptocurrency Order

Yes! You are almost there. You just need to take one more step of placing your cryptocurrency order to start your trade. You can enter the ticker symbols, such as BTC for Bitcoin, and invest as you please. 

Step #5: Choose Your Storage Method

Since cryptocurrency exchanges are not regulated or secured widely, it is essential that you choose an appropriate storage method to avoid the risk of theft or hacking. It is best to store cryptocurrencies offline or in a cold wallet like Ledger.

How to Keep Your Cryptocurrency Secure?

Once you have purchased your cryptocurrency, it is important to take steps to keep it secure. The first step is to create a secure wallet to store your cryptocurrency. There are a variety of different wallets available, so you should research each one and determine which one is best for your needs.

Once you have chosen a wallet, it is important to create a strong password and keep it safe. This password should be unique and difficult to guess. Additionally, you should enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This will require a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, before you can access your wallet.

It is also important to keep your wallet backed up. Many wallets offer the ability to export your funds to a secure backup. This will ensure that you can recover your funds if something were to happen to your wallet. You should also keep your wallet updated with the latest security patches to help ensure that your funds are safe.

Tips for Investing Responsibly

Cryptocurrency investing can be an exciting and potentially lucrative venture, but it's important to invest responsibly. Before investing, it's important to understand the risks associated with cryptocurrency investing, such as the potential for highly volatile prices. Additionally, it's important to understand the tax implications of investing in cryptocurrency and ensure that you are following all applicable laws.

It's also important to diversify your investments. Rather than investing all your money into a single cryptocurrency, it's wise to spread your investments across a variety of different coins and tokens. This will help to reduce your risk and ensure that you are diversifying your portfolio.

Finally, it's important to invest only what you can afford to lose. The cryptocurrency market is highly unpredictable, so there is always the potential for losses. It's important to remember that investing in cryptocurrency is a long-term process and that short-term gains should not be your primary focus.

As an investor, you need an acute understanding of what could be the potential cryptocurrencies that make you good fortune. And for that, you need to dig deeper into analyzing hundreds of coins to know and understand the best investments to make. 

We help with that. Token Metrics is an AI-based crypto-research platform that can save you hours of research and bring you accurate data to make an informed decision. 

Click here to get ahold of the BEST plans available for crypto investors like you. 

Conclusion

Cryptocurrency investing can be an exciting and potentially profitable venture, but it's important to understand the risks and rewards before investing your hard-earned money. This guide has provided you with a comprehensive overview of the most important things to consider before investing in cryptocurrency, including what to look for in a potential investment, alternative ways to buy cryptocurrency, how to keep your cryptocurrency secure, and tips for investing responsibly. With the right knowledge and strategies, you can invest in cryptocurrency with confidence and reap the rewards of a successful investment.

Research

Cryptocurrency Taxes - How is Crypto Taxed? Explained

Token Metrics Team
5 Minutes

Crypto is a huge industry that covers everything from technology to currencies, and even how it's taxed. First off, you don’t owe taxes on crypto if you’re merely “hodling,” as aficionados would say. But if you’ve gained any income from crypto in a financial  year — either from staking, lending, or selling — you may owe taxes on the proceeds.

The IRS treats all cryptocurrencies as capital assets, and that means you owe capital gains taxes when they’re sold at a profit. This is exactly what happens when you sell more traditional securities, like stocks or funds, for a gain.

Let’s say you bought $1,000 in Ethereum and then sold the coins later for $1,600. You’ll need to report that $600 capital gain on your taxes. The taxes you owe depend on the length of time you held your coins.

If you held your ETH for one year or less, the $600 profit would be taxed as a short-term capital gain. Short-term capital gains are taxed the same as regular income — and that means your adjusted gross income (AGI) determines the tax rate you pay.

Federal income tax brackets top out at a rate of 37%. To be in the top bracket for 2023, you would need to make $578,126 or more as a single filer.

In this article, we'll discuss some of the basics of how crypto is taxed. We'll also go through tips for saving tax when dealing with cryptocurrencies.

Crypto Is Taxed in Two Ways

There are two ways to tax crypto: as property and as a commodity.

Property taxes apply when you buy, sell or trade cryptocurrencies. Commodity taxes apply if you use your crypto to pay for goods or services — for example buying things from Amazon with Bitcoin.

How Is Crypto Taxed?

Cryptocurrency is taxed as property. This means that you can claim the fair market value of your cryptocurrency in the year it was acquired and later sold or exchanged for other cryptocurrencies, fiat currency, or goods/services.

Cryptocurrency is not taxed as a currency. The income tax treatment of cryptocurrencies varies depending on whether you're purchasing them through an exchange (such as Coinbase), mining them yourself, or earning them through another activity like freelance work.

If you mine coins yourself, they are considered capital gains and reported on Schedule D with other business assets held at fair market value when sold off at their peak price during 2017-2018; however, if they were mined during 2014-2015 then they would be treated like ordinary income instead since there weren't any real-world uses for this type of digital money yet back then!

Cryptocurrencies may be considered business income under Section 199A(a)(1)(B) which exempts certain trades done by non-corporate entities from taxation but only if those trades meet specific criteria such as being done "for consideration" (defined below). In order for something to qualify under section 199A(a)(1)(B), two conditions must be met: 1) You must have received payment/gains derived from selling goods/services 2) Those gains were derived from selling goods/services that had been produced either domestically located within United States territory OR imported into United States territory AND THEN EXPORTED OUTSIDE OF US TERRITORY.

What Happens if You Don’t Report Cryptocurrency on Taxes?

If you don't report cryptocurrency on taxes, you could face a penalty. This can range from a fine to jail time for tax evasion and other criminal charges, depending on the laws in your country. In addition to facing criminal penalties for failing to report crypto income, there are also some civil penalties that apply if you don't pay back taxes owed from crypto-based income:

  • Interest accrued on any unpaid taxes owed by late payment
  • Amounts owed in restitution (if applicable)

Tips to Save Tax on Your Crypto Gains

  • Keep a record of your crypto transactions.
  • Use a crypto tax software to calculate your taxes.
  • Invest in tax-advantaged retirement accounts, such as an employer-sponsored 401(k) or traditional IRA. If you don't have enough money saved up from working, consider opening one of these accounts through an online broker like Charles Schwab or Vanguard — and then use it to buy Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies! You can also set up a self-directed IRA so that you control how the funds are invested and who uses them for expenses like traveling outside the country (taxes will apply).

Like any other investment, the IRS will demand a share of your crypto profits, unless you follow certain tax strategies.

The IRS is aware of cryptocurrency, and it's looking for you. Since the IRS has been auditing cryptocurrency investors and issuing 1099-K forms to individuals who have made taxable gains from their crypto investments, it's clear that they know something about cryptocurrencies.

The IRS has also been targeting exchanges and other businesses involved with cryptocurrency trading or holding cryptocurrencies themselves. If you're an exchange and don't report your income correctly, this could result in hefty penalties from the IRS — and even more serious consequences if you're found guilty of evading taxes altogether!

Conclusion

Crypto is a hot topic, with many people wondering how they should use it and report it on taxes. The IRS says that crypto is taxable as property or capital gains, depending on the type of crypto you own and what you do with it after receiving your profits. You can also report crypto-based income for other tax purposes (such as self-employment), but only if you have documentation to prove when the event occurred and how much income was generated from these transactions (which may be difficult).

Research

Crypto Staking: How to Stake Cryptocurrencies? Explained

Token Metrics Team
5 minutes

Crypto staking is an innovative way to earn passive income from cryptocurrencies. It offers a great opportunity for cryptocurrency investors to make money without having to actively trade or mine.

In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss what crypto staking is, how it works, the different types of staking, the risks and rewards associated with it, and the best staking platforms to get started.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced investor, this guide will provide you with the necessary information to help you make informed decisions about crypto staking. With this guide, you will be well on your way to growing your cryptocurrency portfolio in no time.

What is Crypto Staking?

We’ve all heard of mining cryptocurrencies, but did you know there are other ways to earn coins? One of those methods is known as staking, which refers to the process of earning interest on coins held in a staking wallet or a smart contract. The interest is paid out in the form of cryptocurrencies, usually the native token of the platform you are staking your crypto on.

Staking is a low-maintenance way of earning extra coins, and it’s available to most cryptocurrencies, including the ones with a proof-of-work consensus like bitcoin. Just remember, the more popular coins, like bitcoin, have a much lower chance of generating a stake, making them less profitable than smaller alt coins and tokens.

How Does Crypto Staking Work?

When you stake a cryptocurrency, you’re lending your coins to the network in exchange for a percentage of the network’s new coins. Your coins are held in a staking wallet (or a smart contract), which is a designated software program designed to facilitate the staking process. The staking wallet holds your coins for you until the end of the staking period, during which time those coins are unavailable for trading.

When the staking period ends, the staking wallet sends your coins back to your wallet along with any rewards earned through staking. The amount of reward earned through staking depends on the network’s collective staking power, which is often determined by the number of coins held in the staking wallet.

Types of Crypto Staking

Proof-of-Stake (PoS) - Proof-of-stake is a broad consensus method that doesn’t require energy-intensive mining. Instead, coins held in a wallet earn interest as a form of reward. The amount of interest earned is based on the number of coins held. PoS is used by a number of popular blockchain networks, like Ethereum. 

Delegated-Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) - Delegated-proof-of-stake is a variation of proof-of-stake that allows network members to vote on delegates to manage the network. The more coins that are staked, the more voting power is available to select delegates. The delegates are responsible for validating transactions on the blockchain and receiving a cut of any transaction fees as a reward.

Risks and Rewards of Crypto Staking

One potential risk is the possibility of losing access to your staked coins. If you are staking your coins on a third-party platform or through a staking pool, there is a chance that the platform could become inaccessible or go offline. This could prevent you from being able to access your staked coins or claim your rewards.

Another risk is the potential for your staked coins to be stolen. If you are staking your coins on a platform that is not secure, or if you are using an insecure wallet to store your staked coins, there is a chance that your coins could be stolen by hackers. This could result in significant losses, especially if the stolen coins are a large portion of your overall cryptocurrency holdings.

Finally, there is also the risk of volatility in the cryptocurrency market. The value of your staked coins could go up or down depending on market conditions, and this could affect the potential rewards you receive from staking. If the value of your staked coins decreases significantly, you could end up losing money even if you are earning rewards through staking.

Overall, staking cryptocurrencies can be a good way to earn rewards and help secure a blockchain network, but it is important to carefully consider the risks before deciding to stake your coins. It may be helpful to do some research and carefully evaluate the security and reliability of any platform or staking pool that you are considering using.

Tips for Successful Crypto Staking

Here are a few tips and tricks for you to ensure a successful crypto-staking trajectory:

  • Find a cryptocurrency with a high potential for growth. Staking is only beneficial if the network is growing and gaining value. 
  • Don’t spread yourself too thin by investing in too many networks. Staking is a long-term strategy, so it’s best to focus your efforts on one network at a time. 
  • Don’t forget to reinvest the rewards you earn through staking. Reinvesting will help to grow your investment, which is the ultimate goal for staking.

Final Thoughts on Crypto Staking

Staking is an excellent way to earn passive income from cryptocurrencies, especially for those who want to earn income without trading or mining. The more coins that are staked, the more rewards are earned through staking.

Choose from Platinum, Gold, and Silver packages
Reach with 25–30% open rates and 0.5–1% CTR
Craft your own custom ad—from banners to tailored copy
Perfect for Crypto Exchanges, SaaS Tools, DeFi, and AI Products