Crypto and Metal Options...
Times may be getting … interesting, so I thought it important to begin sharing information (PDF) that I've found, with people I care about.
For those of you that may be interested in diversifying your savings options, I wanted to send you some information that has been difficult for people to collect. Perhaps it might be useful to you.
(FYI: to become involved in the Holo project, the HOT Ethereum ERC-20 token is available on Uniswap v3 (or v2), and on Binance.com, or Crypto.com. This token was issued in 2018 to fund the Holo project, and will become convertible into the project's native HoloFuel cryptocurrency).
Crypto
Getting paid for stuff is becoming agonizingly difficult (especially internationally), and is destined to get worse. Also, a lot of people are getting interested in diversifying a bit into cryptocurrency, so how do you do it? We've been receiving crypto for years now in our business, and it's by far the best way to get paid for work, etc.!
I wouldn't store my coins/cash long-term on any exchange (or in any bank!), but for selling Crypto, Netcoins.app or Crypto.com seem like the best option.
Remember: your keys, your coins: exchange's keys, exchange's coins… However – setting up your own wallet is a big responsibility, so leaving a bit of crypto on Netcoins.app or Crypto.com shouldn't be too much of a risk, as they are regulated and should have decent security. If you get more than a few thousand bucks on there, I'd recommend getting your own wallet set up.
Netcoins.app
If you haven't yet got a way to convert Crypto to/from CAD, Netcoins seems to be the best option available here in Canada (you can get a $10 bonus w/ this sign-up link – and my dad gets a bit of a bonus too…):
https://netcoins.app/r?ac=M9NC77
We've been forced to use a few Cryptocurrency Exchanges here in Canada due to buying a house, and Netcoins was by far the best experience. By a lot. We had serious problems with others like Coinberry, and a few issues with BitBuy. Most others are international (no CAD, no e-transfers), or small and unknown.
The one big drawback with Netcoins.app is that they only support a few major coins – specifically, they don't support HOT (the Ethereum ERC20 token for the Holo project). You'll need to set up another account (such as on Binance.com or Crypto.com) to purchase that (or any other smaller project-specific token).
Crypto.com
A Hong Kong company, they are one of the few international companies that seems to have a first-class presence in Canada. They issue Visa credit/debit cards that can be funded with crypto, and work well here in Canada.
https://platinum.crypto.com/r/2x4hk92dnf
My referral code is 2x4hk92dnf, so if you use that when you set up your account, that will help me out.
Their identity confirmation process works well. You need to go through the whole process on your Android or iPhone (including clicking the link the email they send you). Then, you can enable your account at the website https://crypto.com by clicking on the "forgot my password" link, and following the "I'm registered on the App" flow.
My buddy Matthew has a great blog detailing the whole account setup process.
Create Your Own SLIP-39 Protected Wallet
This is so catastrophically dangerous right now, that I created a macOS app to help you create and securely back up your wallet seed: github.com/pjkundert/python-slip39/releases/latest.
Create a set of SLIP-39 Mnemonic cards, and distribute them to your partner, family and friends. The SLIP-39 Mnemonic phrases are compatible with the Trezor hardware wallet. When you want to start trading your Ethereum, Bitcoin, etc. savings, you can get a Trezor, load the SLIP-39 Mnemonic phrases, and use safely move the funds using the hardware wallet.
In the mean time, you can deposit Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin or any Ethereum or ERC-20 token into the paper wallet addresses generated, using the printed QR code to deposit to the addresses.
Metal
Many people are becoming … underwhelmed with the global monetary system, and may want to put a bit of cash "outside" of it, just in case. In something that could be useful in a pinch. If you've got money stuck in RRSPs, LIRAs, TFSAs etc., you might look at Sprott's PSLV or CEF funds. They're Canadian based, purely held in physical silver or gold, and are RRSP eligible. But, if you want to hold something pretty and heavy, then:
SilverGoldBull.ca
I've found working with Silver Gold Bull to be probably the best customer experience I've had with any company, of any kind. Seriously. I recommend them without hesitation, if you want to purchase physical gold/silver. And no, they don't even pay me anything! :)
They have special WallStreetSilver "Ape" pricing (their best prices, for us crazy "Apes" who are trying to break the fraudulent Comex precious metals pricing consortium):
Hit their website, click "Gold / View All Gold" (or Silver..), scroll down and change the Filter to "Sort: Price/Oz", and away you go!
They accept Interac e-transfer, wire, etc. (as well as Credit Card, but at a small premium). Virtually instant shipping (except now, due to the global "run" on silver!). Great company, and pretty much the best prices I've been able to see here in Canadas. There is a significant spread between the physical and "spot" gold/silver prices, everywhere, and they are right in line with the lowest premium available. They're an Alberta company, too. Whatever the premium is – that price is closer to the actual price of physical silver, so I wouldn't worry about it. If you ever have to use – you won't care what you paid for it!
Summary
Anyway, I thought you might find some of that interesting. Hard-won knowledge that might come in handy.
Cheers,
Perry