​ STARTING WITH INVESTING AND CRYPTOCURRENCY
 
​As the saying goes, we live in a modern world. And living in this kind of world means adapting to changes around us, adapting to new ideas, and going away from the norm of what was in the past. As part of this ever-changing world, one of the most significant changes nowadays is when it comes to finances. Back in the day, most people, if not all, would stick to the more traditional way of managing finances, investing, and saving. Having a paying job and keeping a part of the salary in banks or piggy banks at home was the norm, while some who were more of the risk takers would put up a small business to let their money roll. That was when everything was simpler, and stock investments or cryptocurrency was not yet a thing. However, due to the fast-paced changes in this world, people have learned to try new things to improve their lives, especially when it talks about finances. Far from the traditional ideologies in savings, people nowadays are starting to accept the idea and educate themselves more when it comes to stocks, investments, and cryptocurrencies. Suddenly, these has become more appealing to people, and thus, many online platforms have started to spring out to give people assistance regarding these matters.

Why invest?
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 The main reason is that you get a higher buildup in your finances through investing than traditional saving methods. That being said, investing is simply putting up an asset with the expectation of gaining additional profit or income in the future. Another reason is for people who are keen on having a passive income in the future, investing most especially in stocks and cryptocurrency is the most feasible option. This saves a person from the hassle of exerting too much physical effort and costly startup fees. That is why despite its risks, many people, most especially nowadays, take a gamble in investing. Another reason is investors or traders can have direct transaction with one another, without the need of a third party. Also, the idea of doing transactions in the comfort of each their homes, with just the use of mobile phones or computers, and without having to go through banks or other institutions looks pretty convenient and safer for people. Undeniably, investing and cryptocurrency is a new concept for many, due also to the fact that it is not what was used to be the trend and only few people back then have access and knowledge with these concepts. That is why people turn to different platforms to gain knowledge. 

What is a stock investment? 
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It is a kind of investment where a person could share a particular company's investment by buying stocks from it. These stocks can be acquired when companies sell their stocks on a specific amount through the stock market, or the medium where buyers and sellers trade their shares or stocks from various companies. By buying stocks, it is like acquiring a bit of ownership of that company because it constitutes with having a share of that particular company. Those who were able to purchase it now become a shareholder or a part owner of that company. However, a risk comes with this as stocks values tend to increase or decrease in the stock market based on the company's supply and demand in the market. This is where stock brokers and brokerage companies like Robinhood gets involved in the picture, because they help these investors track the progress of a company's stock. Although stock investing can be considered as one of the slowest way to earn profit, still it undeniably also has one of the highest gains and returns of investment, provided that the trader has enough knowledge and knows how to play in the stock market trading scene.  With the growing number of companies being established around the world, a person now has a wide range of options on where he would like to invest and buy stocks from. However, it is important that before buying a stock from a particular company, one must first do a research about the company most especially on its performance on the stock market, since one’s gains and dividend rely on the company’s increase or decrease in the stock market.

What is a cryptocurrency? 
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Now, let's look into cryptocurrency. Simply put, cryptocurrency is some sort of virtual money or what others call “digital cash” that has the purpose of being a medium of exchange for online transactions and which is also gaining popularity nowadays. Although unlike traditional money that we use on a daily basis with our transactions or purchases, cryptocurrency has no physical value. It cannot be used to pay for items you buy in stores or to pay bills unless its policy clearly expresses that it accepts digital currency as a mode of payment. Still, only a few business would accept digital currency as a mode of payment because aside from the fact of having no physical value, it also has its own conversion rate. However, this can be used as a medium of exchange and has almost the same essence as a traditional money. It can be used to purchase items such as stocks and bonds in virtual trading, and it also has its own unit value. Some may even consider it as an actual substitute for money. This is a form of digital currency where it can only be used mainly through the electronic system. Nowadays, cryptocurrency is being widely accepted and has become some sort of global currency. Some examples of these are Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin which are quite popular these days. And as time passes, more and more form of digital currency is coming into the market. It can be safe to say that in a few years time, digital currency would go mainstream and will start to have almost the same value as a physical money. Enticing as it may seem, like all investments, cryptocurrency comes with its own risks. Market trade is the main factor affecting its profits and losses. And being a digital currency with no physical value or counterpart, it is vulnerable to hacking. But still, many would still take the risk due to its high return of investment in the future.

WHY INVEST WITH STOCKS AND CRYPTOCURRENCY?

There are several reasons why people nowadays choose to venture into stock trading and cryptocurrency despite its known risks. Let’s try to narrow it down to some main reasons why people choose this platform for their financial investments:

​STOCK INVESTMENT
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• People can acquire a share of a company through stock investing. It is almost like having your own business where you can expect a profit without having an actual physical establishment.
• Due to the increasing number of businesses and companies established worldwide, people now have a wide range of options on where to invest and buy stocks. They can choose whichever company they feel most comfortable investing with both locally and abroad.
• Earnings through dividends. As the sales of a particular company in the market increases, so does the dividend earning of an investor increases. The higher the market value of a company, then also the higher the profit as well.
• Easy to buy and sell. Nowadays, many transaction can be done online. That being said, stock trading now is very much easy to access, and traders can directly buy or sell stocks in anytime they want to.
• Through trading, a trader can also earn through capital gains. Not only does he earn through stock profits, he can also gain profits from selling or trading his stocks in the stock market.

CRYPTOCURRENCY
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• Easier control on how to utilize your investment. In cryptocurrency, one can control how much fund he can deposit on buying a certain currency.
• Less transaction hassle by having no need of any physical interaction due to the growing options of online cryptocurrency trading applications.
• It is undeniable that the value of digital currency nowadays is high. That is why there is also higher return of investment for every purchase of a digital  currency.
• Direct trader transaction is now easy. Through online trading and the use of mobile applications, traders can easily transact directly with one another.
• Can be done even in the comfort of your own home.
• Easy accessibility, since it is a digital currency and can only be done online.
• Growing number of users and choice of purchase.

What is Robinhood?

​Of the vast numbers of online platforms these days that offer stock brokerage or investing services, one of the leading players in this field we now have is Robinhood. One might ask, what is this Robinhood? It is an online platform established for the purpose of assisting clients in stock trading and investment, as well as digital currency. This is an online stock brokerage that also ventures into cryptocurrency, that was established some time in 2013 by Vladimir Tenev and Baiju Bhatt. It gained popularity due to its easy access in terms of stock trading, and also beginner friendly services. Thus, many who have been considering to enter the stock trading and digital currency business choses Robinhood as their platform to help them start with their trading journey. Robinhood offers two platforms to its clients. Robinhood Financial LLC was established for the purpose of stock trading and investing which is, and one which focuses solely for digital currency which is Robinhood Crypto.  

​Robinhood Crypto was launched in 2018 with Bitcoin and Ethereum being the first digital currencies in their program. Since then, they have added several more digital currencies like Dogecoin and Litecoin to cater to the different demands of traders and investors. This now became a platform for investors who not only wants to venture into stock investing, but also the growing business of  cryptocurrency. It offers various support, especially to new investors who want to try out first with small-scale investing due to its zero commission rate and fractional investments. Aside from its support services, Robinhood also gives one free stock to each new member upon signup, which is quite appealing to people.  Also, many prefer Robinhood in dealing with their stocks and cryptocurrency because it has waived its commission for stock trades. Thus, members can expect higher gains from their investments.

Robinhood offers convenience and easy accessibility to its members through its mobile app and online website. These platforms are designed to give their members an easy   transaction experience and direct access to their funds. That said, Robinhood is all out for client service efficiency.
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HOW TO TRANSACT WITH ROBINHOOD

Before one could start with Robinhood, one must first create an account in this platform. It can be done through its mobile app or through its website. Once the account has been created, it is then that a person can now have access to its offers and services. It is also good to note that Robinhood gives one stock for free to new members, and not all companies give such an offer to its new members. That being said, even upon sign up, members can start to enjoy the experience of stock trading.  

WHY CHOOSE ROBINHOOD?
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Robinhood offers various options for traders and investors on what they can do with their account through the different features they offer in their system. 

• Bank transfer – one of the features Robinhood has is their bank transfer, where one can transfer funds from their bank account to their Robinhood account. This is a big help to its clients because of the convenience it offers. There will be no need for physically going to a bank or any other institution just for the sake of depositing funds. Instead, this can be done even only using mobile phones or computers at home or any place you are.
• Various digital currencies to choose from – Having a variety of options on digital currencies like Dogecoin, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, is important for traders. Traders will not be limited to just a single kind of currency in their transactions. Instead, they can choose from which they feel they are more comfortable and feel they can have more gain prospect.
• Free access – This is another benefit of joining Robinhood. Some companies would ask for a certain amount as registration fee, while in Robinhood, new members can simply sign up for free without having to worry about being charged a certain amount upon registration. 
• Fractional shares – Sometimes, funds can be limited and one just simply cannot acquire a stock without purchasing it for the full stock price. Robinhood offers fractional shares purchase to its members to allow them to purchase stocks depending on the available funds they have or just on how much they want to purchase. This offer can be a huge benefit most especially to those who are new in the trading industry.  This gives them a chance to have more options on stocks that they would like to purchase. 
• Referral bonus – Robinhood values the efforts of each of its members. That is why Robinhood gives commissions or rewards not only to new members, but also to its old members who are able to invite new friends into joining Robinhood. For each new referral, Robinhood offers $2.50-$10 stock reward to its members. 
• Stock reward upon sign up – for new members, Robinhood offers one free stock upon sign up. This is a big help to be able to start almost immediately with trading or investing as this would help most especially those who  are starting with limited funds in their accounts.
• Robinhood Gold – by upgrading to Robinhood Gold, one can gain access to larger deposits and wider range of buying power.
• Commission-free investing – Robinhood supports a variety of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Etherium, Litecoin, Dash, and many others, and is open to several states all across the US. That being said, it is a huge deal that Robinhood charges zero commission for each purchase of these digital currencies. This means more significant purchase options and more significant gains on the part of its members.
• Same day access to deposits – This means that deposits or other purchases and transactions can be done on the same day, without having to wait for several days to finish a particular transaction. This is a huge benefit for traders, considering the fact that time is essential to stock trading and investing. 
• Low cost trading -  Robinhood provides low cost trading for all its members in its trading platforms. Also, despite its low cost trading, it assures its clients high revenue for their investments.

​Nowadays, Robinhood has gained more than 13 million clients all across the United States alone. The company value has now also increased as high as $11 billion. Due to this, the company is considering preparing IPO or Initial Public Offering some time this year. Should the plans for IPO offering be pushed through, investors and traders can now have a chance to acquire stocks from the company. Also, it is now planning to expand more in the cryptocurrency platform and add additional digital currencies in its system. The company is now also planning to provide its clients the ability to deposit and withdraw cryptocurrency. This is a plus for its clients because as of the moment, the company does not allow withdrawal or deposit of coins to other accounts applications. This is for the prevention against hacking and other security issues. Instead, it is the responsibility of the trader or investor to provide protection for their  digital cryptocurrency funds. Despite some limitations in its services like limited digital currency options, geographical location, and its limited cash deposits, it is safe to say that the pros still outweigh the cons in Robinhood. Having zero trading fee for example, is beneficial for all its clients for this means more possible gains. Also, the offer of fractional investments is a huge benefit for this means that one can control the funds he intends to use in his transaction, and for the stocks purchase price more affordable to traders and investors. In regards also to access with important documents, a the company provides document forms like 1099 documents for clients to keep in tract of their tax documents and other transactions. With all the services it offers, one can say that the aim of Robinhood is all for the benefit of its clients. Aside from the easy access they provide their clients through their mobile app and website, zero commission for its transactions, referral rewards, and the free stock they offer to new members, it can be said that they are indeed going all out to offer the best service they can provide to their clients. For those planning to start with stock investing and trading as well as digital currency, Robinhood is a good platform for beginners due to its low fees. These services and offers make investing and trading easier for beginners.  And with the new preparations they have been planning on in expanding their services to their clients, Robinhood gives another assurance to all its members that joining the company is worth the risk and effort. The company’s goal to provide its clients with convenience, high profits and returns of investments, as well as opening its doors to its company stock purchases is enough proof that Robinhood is no doubt one of the best and leading company in the digital currency and stock investment scene.