Cosmos is a unique cryptocurrency project that seeks to make blockchain projects easier to use, faster and more intuitive for developers. Our guide to Cosmos and cryptocurrency investing will help you add this unique offering to your portfolio.
Branding itself as the “internet of blockchains,” Cosmos is a cryptocurrency blockchain project that aims to solve some of the issues that limit the widespread institution of cryptocurrencies. Some of these issues include:
The Cosmos token, ATOM, powers the functionality of the network and can be bought and sold on many major exchanges. Cosmos was launched in 2014, and quickly rose through the ranks of cryptocurrency projects thanks to its innovative structure. Cosmos is currently the 61st largest cryptocurrency when measured by total market capitalization, with a market cap of about $1.56 billion.
The easiest way to purchase most types of cryptocurrencies is by opening an account with a cryptocurrency broker. A cryptocurrency broker is similar to a stockbroker because it will provide you with a platform that you can use to execute buy and sell orders for cryptocurrencies. As a relatively popular cryptocurrency project, you’ll have a few options when you select a broker to buy and sell Cosmos. A few of the factors you might want to compare between brokers before you open an account may include:
If you aren’t sure where to begin your search for the best cryptocurrency broker, consider a few of our favorite options below. These choices offer access to ATOM trading and are excellent options for beginners.
eToro, headquartered in Cyprus, England and Israel, has provided forex products and other CFD derivatives to retail clients since 2007. A major eToro plus is its social trading operations, including OpenBook, which allows new clients to copy trade the platform’s best performers. Its social trading features are top notch, but eToro loses points for its lack of tradable currency pairs and underwhelming research and customer service features
Gemini is a cryptocurrency exchange and custodian that offers investors access to 26 coins and tokens. Founded in the US, Gemini is expanding globally, in particular into Europe and Asia. Offerings include both major cryptocurrency projects like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and smaller altcoins like Orchid and 0x.
Gemini is 1 of the only brokers with multiple platform options based on skill level. New investors will love the streamlined interface of Gemini’s mobile and web apps, while advanced investors might appreciate all the tools that come with ActiveTrader.
In addition to a host of platform choices, Gemini users also have access to insured hot wallets to store tokens without worrying about digital asset theft. Learn more about what Gemini can do for you in our review.
Coinbase is one of the Internet’s largest cryptocurrency trading platforms. From Bitcoin to Litecoin or Basic Attention Token to Chainlink, Coinbase makes it exceptionally simple to buy and sell major cryptocurrency pairs.
You can even earn cryptocurrency rewards through Coinbase’s unique Coinbase Earn feature. More advanced traders will love the Coinbase Pro platform, which offers more order types and enhanced functionality.
Though Coinbase doesn’t offer the most affordable pricing or the lowest fees, its simple platform is easy enough for complete beginners to master in as little as a single trade.
Altrady is a comprehensive trading terminal that allows cryptocurrency investors to buy and sell on multiple exchanges from a single platform. This can be a major benefit for investors who want to diversify their portfolios quickly and easily. Altrady also provides investors with a large range of customization tools and features that can be used to create a personalized trading platform. Altrady’s system can be a bit overwhelming for investors who are complete beginners, but the platform offers a wealth of educational resources and instruction videos to help ease the learning curve.
Maybe you think cryptocurrency is the future, or perhaps you were swept up in the initial waves of Bitcoin. BlockFi may be your next step if you’re ready to evolve as a crypto investor.
Whether you’re a native crypto user or curious enough to start investing, BlockFi seeks to bring institutional-grade financial products to crypto markets that often face restricted access. It strives to bring clients low-cost, simple applications designed to maximize the potential of crypto assets. Learn more in our BlockFi review.
Voyager is a leading name in the sphere of cryptocurrency investing, giving you access to over 50 tokens and coins. Buy, sell and swap assets using Voyager Crypto’s simple mobile platform available as a free download for iOS and Android users.
When you invest through Voyager, you’ll pay nothing in commissions, which is a major benefit when compared to other cryptocurrency brokers. Voyager is also one of the only brokers we’ve seen that allows users to earn interest on their crypto investments.
Though the broker could do more to improve its customer service, it’s an excellent option for beginner investors and seasoned professionals alike.
After selecting a brokerage company, you’ll also want to choose a cryptocurrency wallet. A crypto wallet is a software program or piece of hardware that allows you to store your cryptocurrency off an exchange. This reduces the possibility of seeing a theft or hack harm your account.
There are 2 major types of cryptocurrency wallets: software wallets and hardware wallets. Software wallets provide you with a free method that you can use to store your investments, while hardware wallets provide you with the highest level of security. Let’s take a look at our favorite software and hardware options for Cosmos investors.
Investors who are searching for a 1-stop-shop for all of their crypto storage needs will love the ELLIPAL Titan hardware wallet. The Titan supports 30 unique coin offerings and over 1,000 ERC-20 tokens — you’re unlikely to own a project that cannot be stored on your ELLIPAL model thanks to its universal multi-chain account system. The device uses an air-gapped and isolated network to provide you with the highest possible level of security for your investments. You can even track and manage your coins wherever you are with the ELLIPAL’s seamlessly integrated iOS and Android app.
One of the major benefits of software wallets is their flexibility — a quality that Trust Wallet fully embraces. Trust Wallet is a free app available for iOS and Android devices that allows you to store a wide variety of coins and tokens using a single app. Trust Wallet offers dApp compatibility and functionality, which can be especially useful for Ethereum developers and enthusiasts. Trust Wallet also has an integrated exchange that allows you to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in as little as 5 minutes and then transfer them directly to your wallet.
When both your wallet and your brokerage account are open and functional, you can place an order to buy Cosmos through your broker’s trading platform. The specific process that you’ll need to go through to place an order will vary by broker, but most brokers offer a simple and straightforward process that’s similar to the process used to buy and sell shares of stock. The length of time that it will take to fill your order will vary depending on current market conditions and the type of order you use. When your broker is able to complete your order, you’ll see your investment in your brokerage account.
Sifchain, a decentralized omni-chain platform, has recently announced that it has successfully deployed a functioning bridge between the Cosmos and Ethereum networks. This development may cause the price of ATOM to rise in the future, especially along with Ethereum, as this bridge makes its coins easier to access and store safely.
When your order is complete, you’ll need to decide how you want to see a return on your investment. There are 2 major ways that cryptocurrency investors can see a profit:
If you’re thinking about taking a short-term approach to cryptocurrency investing, you’ll need a quick, comprehensive trading platform. You can start your search with a few of our favorite options below.
The cryptocurrency market is constantly moving. Coin and token supply, market news, project announcements, government decisions and tech advancements are just a few of the many factors that can influence the price that you’ll pay for the tokens and coins you invest in. Understanding how the market is moving when you decide to invest can ensure that you end up with the most advantageous investment possible. Take a glance at our movement chart below to see how some of the biggest names in cryptocurrency are changing in value today.
Cryptocurrency investments can add an excellent layer of diversification to any portfolio. However, remember that this sphere is still largely under development and does not enjoy the same regulations as the stock and bond markets. If you do decide to invest in ATOM or any cryptocurrency project, be sure this investment makes up only a small percentage of your overall portfolio.