Business

The Gamification of Investing

Published

3 years ago

October 21, 2021

“The Emeritus Wealth Team pictured at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ after donating over $15K to Cancer Research with their proceeds from their annual charity golf outing.”

As the global pandemic forced us inside and online, it also had some interesting side effects. Being unable to spend our time on the pre-pandemic activities we were used to, people began turning their attention and focus to other at-home activities. Some took up DIY home renovations, others tried their hand at the culinary arts, but many began dipping their toes into the world of investing.

With easy access to online investing platforms such as Robinhood, Acorns, Coinbase and more, investing became a part of everyday life for many. Wake up, put the coffee pot on, turn on your favorite investment channel and check your stock trading app. This seemed to be the daily routine for both greenhorn and seasoned investors alike.

Armed with freshly minted pandemic checks from Uncle Sam, it was time to start chasing those returns. When the stock market was down 30% during the height of the coronavirus, Robinhood opened nearly 3 million new accounts—and half of those accounts were opened by first-time investors.

Turning to online forums and word of mouth, the American public was infatuated with capturing the riches that the markets have to offer. It started with looking at companies that were fundamentally sound, but may have gotten caught up in the pandemic panic selling. Somewhere along the line, things changed.

Today’s online financial “gurus”, Tik Tokers and crypto fanatics have taken over the internet. The influence these talking heads have not only on the psychology of their followers, but on the markets themselves was unprecedented.

But at what risk?

Newer investors should be careful (the term “investor” is used very loosely here). No one should rely solely on a 30-second video to determine which stocks, funds, or index are best to invest in. Adding to market risk, there needs to be consideration when it comes to taxes, business risk of individual stocks, and other systematic risks. For example, you just sold AMC for a gain of $15,000 in your brokerage account. Time to go buy that Tesla!

It’s time to pump the brakes. You could have triggered a short-term capital gain. Do you know how that is taxed? Is there a way for you to offset this? What’s the difference between a short-term gain and long-term gain? Will my exposure to market volatility impact this at all? When are the taxes due? What is the “wash sale” rule?

I guess Reddit didn’t explain this part to you. Don’t worry, keep reading, we have you covered.

What are the next steps?

Get educated, do your research and don’t be afraid to ask for help. The internet is an amazing tool, but when looking for investment advice, every investor’s situation is so unique that you have to be careful what you are following on YouTube and Tik Tok. As a relatively new investor, it may benefit you to consult with a financial advisor to make sure you’re investing to meet your specific goals.

The right financial advisor understands the tax liabilities, risk levels and evaluations that come with investing. These are topics that shouldn’t be ignored when building a long-term investment strategy.

Working with a financial advisor means you won’t go into investing blind. You’ll have a stable strategy and feel secure in your financial future.

Invest the Right Way with Emeritus Wealth Group

The Emeritus Wealth Group, a financial advising and wealth management firm are licensed wealth managers with clients throughout the country.

Their passion stemmed from seeing many clients who were uneducated on how to build wealth. This led them to start Emeritus Wealth Group in 2019.

If you’re looking for financial advising and wealth management to protect your assets and build wealth, contact Emeritus Wealth Group.

Business

How Black Banx Has Sped Digital Payments Into Its Global Phase

Published

9 hours ago

March 13, 2025

Matthew Wiles

The payments industry has grown substantially in the last decade, with digital transactions now practically a given in most parts of the world. A key contributor to this globalization of payments has been Black Banx, a Toronto-based global digital bank founded by German billionaire Michael Gastauer.

Through innovative fintech solutions, a commitment to financial inclusion, and strategic investments in blockchain and artificial intelligence, the company continues to make transactions quicker and easier no matter where the sender or receiver is in the world.

The Cross-Border Payment Boom

Global transactions have never been more essential to the world economy. From businesses engaging in international trade to individuals sending remittances back home, the demand for fast and cost-effective cross-border payments has skyrocketed. In fact, FXCintelligence projects that the cross-border payments market will hit an astonishing US$290 trillion by 2030, driven by the rise of e-commerce and digital trade.

Historically, moving money across borders wasn’t simple. Traditional banking relied on a complex web of intermediaries, leading to slow processing times, high fees, and inefficiencies. But fintech has changed the game. Companies like Black Banx have introduced digital-first solutions that eliminate unnecessary middlemen, enabling instant, affordable transactions.

Black Banx’s Rapid Growth: A Testament to Demand

Black Banx has experienced explosive growth, reflecting the increasing demand for seamless global payments. By the end of 2024, the company’s customer base had expanded to 69 million users across 180+ countries—a staggering 76% growth from 39 million in 2023.

This growth wasn’t accidental. Black Banx’s success stems from its ability to offer frictionless cross-border banking, catering to individuals and businesses worldwide. It’s offerings include:

Instant Multi-Currency Accounts – Customers can open accounts online within minutes, eliminating the need for physical bank visits.
Cryptocurrency Integration – Black Banx has accepted Bitcoin and Ethereum since 2016 and expanded its crypto services in 2024 by integrating Solana and the Lightning Network, allowing for ultra-fast, low-cost cross-border transfers.
Zero-Intermediary Transfers – By leveraging blockchain technology, the company bypasses traditional banking infrastructure, significantly reducing fees and processing times.

AI-Powered Payments: Enhancing Speed and Security

If there’s one technology that has reshaped digital payments in 2024, it’s artificial intelligence. AI is now at the heart of fraud detection, customer service, and transaction optimization, making global payments more secure and efficient.

Black Banx has fully embraced AI, using predictive analytics and automated systems to streamline operations. AI-driven chatbots handle customer inquiries, reducing response times and improving service efficiency. Meanwhile, real-time fraud detection algorithms flag suspicious transactions, preventing financial losses and building customer trust.

The results? Black Banx achieved a cost/income ratio of just 68% in 2024—one of the best in the industry—demonstrating how AI-powered automation can drive profitability while maintaining top-tier service.

Financial Inclusion: Breaking Down Barriers

Despite living in a digital age, over 1.4 billion people worldwide remain unbanked, according to the World Bank. Traditional banks have long failed to serve these individuals due to bureaucratic hurdles, geographic limitations, and high fees. Black Banx has made financial inclusion one of its core missions, particularly in underbanked regions like Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia-Pacific.

In 2024, the company’s impact on financial inclusion was profound:

32% year-over-year increase in SME clients in Africa and the Middle East – Black Banx empowered businesses in these regions with seamless digital banking services, reducing reliance on inefficient traditional banking channels.
Instant digital accounts with minimal documentation – Unlike traditional banks, which require extensive paperwork, Black Banx allows users to open accounts quickly, enabling greater access to financial services.
Affordable cross-border transactions – By eliminating intermediaries, the company ensures that even those in remote regions can send and receive payments without excessive fees.

The Future of Cross-Border Payments: Crypto and Blockchain

Cryptocurrency is no longer a niche asset—it’s gradually become a key cog in the global payments machine. Recognizing this early on, Black Banx became one of the first digital banks to integrate Bitcoin and Ethereum into its platform back in 2016.

In 2024, the company doubled down on its crypto-first strategy, incorporating Solana and the Lightning Network. These technologies allow users to complete cross-border transactions in seconds while avoiding the high fees and delays associated with traditional banking infrastructure.

Black Banx is also exploring crypto-based lending services, a move that could disrupt traditional financial models even further. If successful, decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions could provide businesses and individuals with access to capital without the constraints of conventional banking regulations.

A Year of Record-Breaking Financial Success

While many tech companies faced financial turbulence in 2024, Black Banx defied expectations, posting record-breaking numbers:

Annual revenue: US$11.1 billion (exceeding the forecasted US$10.8 billion)
Pre-tax profit: US$3.6 billion (far surpassing the original US$2.4 billion projection)
Customer base: 69 million users worldwide
Cost/income ratio: 68% – demonstrating operational efficiency
Capital distributions: US$2.90 per share

Black Banx’s financial success highlights the immense demand for efficient digital banking services, proving that fintech is not just a disruptor but the future of global finance.

What’s Next for Black Banx in 2025?

Given its past success, Black Banx is setting ambitious goals to build on its 2024 momentum. The company aims to:

Expand its customer base to 100 million users – By reaching more individuals in emerging markets, Black Banx hopes to further its mission of financial inclusion.
Strengthen its presence in digital asset banking – With growing demand for cryptocurrency-based financial services, the company will continue integrating blockchain solutions.
Enhance global payments infrastructure – By entering new markets and refining its AI-driven systems, Black Banx plans to make transactions even faster and more accessible.
Lower its cost/income ratio – Through further automation and AI optimization, the company aims to improve operational efficiency.

By embracing AI, blockchain, and a relentless commitment to financial inclusion, Black Banx has clearly been key in accelerating the transition of the world to a truly global payments system.