Compound is an Ethereum-based project that attempts to provide peer-to-peer lending solutions through decentralized finance applications. An emerging project in the decentralized finance sphere, investing in Compound’s token, COMP, can grant investors early access to governance rights on the network. Learn more about Compound and how it’s used with our guide for beginners.
When most people think of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, their minds immediately go to anonymous payment methods. For example, you can send Bitcoin to your friend using the Bitcoin network instead of a centralized payment system. However, financial institutions do much more than only facilitate payments between 2 parties — they also provide checking and savings account services, loans and more.
The decentralized finance (DiFi) sphere intends to use blockchain technology and the Ethereum network to provide a full range of decentralized services that would typically be provided by a bank or other central service. Compound is a lending platform built on the Ethereum network that provides peer-to-peer cryptocurrency loan services. Compound users can lock in collateral and provide loans to other users in exchange for a predetermined interest rate based on market demand. The Compound token (COMP) acts as a governance token that provides owners with voting rights. COMP is an ERC-20 token, and is currently the 42nd largest cryptocurrency project when measured by total market capitalization.
Before you can invest in Compound, you’ll typically want to open an account with a cryptocurrency broker. A cryptocurrency broker is a financial service provider that allows you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies using a convenient online trading platform.
The broker that you choose to open an account with will determine the types of cryptocurrencies you can invest in, the order types available to you, any fees you’ll pay for your account maintenance or per trade and more. This makes it important to take some time and compare brokers before you open your account. Browse a few of our top-rated cryptocurrency brokers for beginners below.
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 you complete your first cryptocurrency purchase, it’s a good idea to transfer your coins or tokens to a wallet. A crypto wallet is a device or program that provides you with a private address that you can use to store your investments off-exchange. This helps limit your liability in the event of a hack or security breach.
There are 2 types of cryptocurrency wallets that you can choose from: hardware wallets and software wallets. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages that come with both options.
A hardware wallet is a device that connects directly to your phone or desktop computer and allows you to transfer your investments to offline storage. If you’ve ever used a USB drive to transfer files from your computer or an online file storage system to a portable device, you’re likely already familiar with how hardware wallets operate. Hardware wallets are sometimes referred to as “cold storage” options.
Some of the advantages that come with choosing a hardware wallet for your cryptocurrency include:
Some of the downsides of hardware wallets include:
Software wallets are desktop or mobile platforms that provide you with a private set of online keys that you can use to store your crypto investments. Unlike hardware wallets, software wallets must always be connected to the internet to access your investments and they are unable to store your cryptocurrency offline. They do, however, provide a flexible and accommodating option for almost every project currently on the market. Some investors refer to software wallets as “hot storage” or “hot wallets.”
Some of the advantages that come with choosing a software wallet include:
One of the drawbacks that come with choosing a software wallet includes:
Still hunting for the perfect wallet? Consider our top choices below.
The SecuX W20 hardware wallet is an all-inclusive, secure option that you can use to store a wide range of cryptocurrencies. From Bitcoin to Litecoin and from Ethereum to any ERC-20 token, the wallet supports all major investments with military grade security elements. The W20’s full touch screen allows you to view your cryptocurrency investments anywhere without connecting to an unsecure internet connection, and a beginner-friendly setup means that it’s ideal for those investing in their first wallet.
The original wallet created for Ethereum, MyEtherWallet has expanded to support all ERC-20 tokens. MyEtherWallet is a desktop and mobile application that’s compatible with almost any device. To connect to the desktop version, use its app to scan a custom QR code. This creates a local connection that allows you to access your tokens securely. If you move too far away from the desktop, MyEtherWallet will automatically disconnect from your wallet to ensure that no one else can access or view your tokens when you aren’t nearby. With a quick setup and a wealth of unique tech features, MyEtherWallet is the ideal software wallet for new investors and professionals alike.
After your account has been set up and you know how you want to store your tokens, open your brokerage platform and place a buy order for Compound. Depending on your broker, you may be able to purchase cryptocurrency using a bank transfer, credit card or through a payment service like PayPal. After placing your order, you can sit back and relax — your broker will finish filling your order according to your specification as soon as possible.
Buying and selling Compound isn’t the only way to use the Compound network to earn a return on your investment. The protocol currently offers lending and interest services across 9 cryptocurrency projects. There are currently more than $14 billion worth of crypto assets on the Compound network earning interest, with development plans in place to roll out additional options. These developments could cause the value of the Compound token to increase in the coming years.
If you do decide to hold onto your Compound governance tokens in the long-term, you’ll want to transfer your investment to your wallet as soon as possible to prevent the possibility of a hack. Both software and hardware options will allow you to track the value of your Compound investment over time, and you can transfer your tokens back to your exchange wallet when you decide to take profits.
You can also earn a return on your investment by capitalizing on short-term price movements within the crypto market. Cryptocurrencies like Compound show a higher level of volatility when compared to assets like blue cap stocks and bonds, which means that you can buy and sell your investment when it’s advantageous to you. If you decide to actively trade your Compound tokens, consider creating a brokerage account with a few of our favorite low-cost selections below.
The cryptocurrency market is fast-paced, and the value of your Compound tokens can change on a minute-to-minute basis. Understanding how the cryptocurrency market is changing today can help you plan your trading strategy. Browse a few of the market’s biggest movers today using the chart below.
Compound can make an excellent addition to any cryptocurrency portfolio, especially if you intend to hold the governance token for a long period and use your voting rights. Before you invest in Compound, you might want to stake another cryptocurrency using the application to get a feel for current interest rates and compatible tokens. This will allow you to learn more about Compound while also earning interest on your cryptocurrency investment.