The US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission has set their sights on investment firms and analysts who are engaged in short selling, as part of a larger campaign to identify and root out trading abuses.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, the FBI has seized computers owned by Andrew Left, the founder of Citron Research, about a year ago. Mr. Left is well known for short selling, and following the seizure of his computer, dozens of other market participants have been subpoenaed to provide records pertaining to their trading activities.

Some well-known short sellers contacted by Bloomberg Law are worried about these probes and are not sure how to defend themselves as they are yet to be accused of any wrongdoing. 

The list of firms included in the DOJ and SEC probe reads like a who’s who of short sellers. In addition to Citron, the list includes Atom Investors, Kerrisdale Capital Management, GrizzlyRock Capital, J Capital Research, Silverado Capital, Spruce Point Capital Management, Bybrook Capital, Valiant Capital Management, Marcus Aurelius Value, Melvin Capital Management, Muddy Waters Capital, Orso Partners and Sophos Capital Management. The list extends to research firms such as White Diamond Research, Bonitas Research, Viceroy Research and Hindenburg Research. Some market rumours allege that in the case of Mexican lender Credito Real, inside information might have been passed to short sellers ByBrook Capital led by Nicholas Ian Chalmers and Stifel Financial Corp.

The DOJ and SEC were under pressure to investigate short sellers in the past few years, as some corporate executives such as Tesla’s Elon Musk accused short sellers of attacking businesses for profit at all cost. In some instances, members of the public lost money on their stock investments due to short selling activities. What makes investigations more difficult is the variety of approaches short sellers can use which are no longer limited to borrowing shares. Short sellers can buy put options, sell call options, or engage in short selling of trading vehicles such as ETFs which may include their targets. 

This probe adds to the pressure on short sellers after a difficult year. Monetary and fiscal stimulus have supported capital markets giving rise to the phenomenon of meme-stocks. Large numbers of retail investors bought up shares of popular short targets, causing shorts to book significant losses. Short selling involves borrowing and selling shares, which means that to close the position shared must be bought. During strong rallies in a stock, short sellers are forced to close their position in what is often referred to as a “short squeeze”.  Some prominent short sellers such as Citron threw in the towel and vowed to focus on long bets rather than shorts.

With stock markets correcting in the first quarter of 2022, we can expect more fingers pointed as short sellers as possible culprits in market declines, accelerating the investigations. As wild fluctuations in stock prices affect the portfolios of ordinary citizens, lawmakers are increasing pressure on the Government to intervene and investigate.

If you’re dealing with unsecured debt, you might have heard of this magical term “debt write off”. It could allow you to not pay back everything you owe. But how does it actually work, and is it an option for you?

Debt write off works in different ways depending on what debt solution you choose. You can’t usually write off debt without entering into a legally binding agreement, either directly with your creditors, or more commonly by using a third party.

Choosing a debt solution depends on your situation, how much you owe and how much you can afford to pay back per month.

Let’s run down the options and how they could work with debt write off:

1. IVAs

One of the most common debt solutions is an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).

How it works:

You make a formal agreement with your creditors, to pay back what you can afford each month, usually over 5 or 6 years. This monthly payment will be agreed upon a realistic, affordable budget. Following the approval of your IVA, your creditors will freeze interest and charges and cease contact for payment of debts included in the Arrangement.

After the IVA successfully completes your creditors write off debt that remains.

To be eligible, you must:

• You have a regular, sustainable income from which you can afford to make a monthly contribution
• Owe £6,000 or more to unsecured creditors
• Live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland

For creditors to accept an IVA, the return they will receive must usually be more beneficial for them than if you filed for Bankruptcy.

2. DROs

A Debt Relief Order or DRO can be a good option for people with lower levels of debt, and little or no assets.

How it works:

A DRO usually lasts for 12 months, for which no payments are required. During the DRO, you will be protected from further recovery action by creditors.

After the year, if your financial situation doesn’t improve, your creditors will write off your debts.

The main difference between a DRO and IVA, is that on an IVA you may have larger assets and a higher income.

To be eligible for a DRO, you must:

• Owe less than £30,000 to unsecured creditors
• Not be a homeowner
• Have limited spare income, usually £75 or less per month
• Have little assets, worth under £2,000

3. Bankruptcy

You may choose to file for Bankruptcy if you have high levels of debt. It may require you to sell any high value assets like your home or car, depending on their value, in order to pay back your debts.

How it works:

You must declare Bankruptcy through the GOV website, it costs £680. You will be required to pay back what you can, usually over a period of a year, and this may include selling any high value assets you may have depending on their worth.

Debts included in the Bankruptcy are in effect written off on the making of the Bankruptcy Order.

Bankruptcy could mean that you lose your home, depending on the level of equity in it.

“I’m in debt but I don’t know which option to choose.”

If you’re struggling with debt, it’s important to seek out financial advice rather than just ignore the situation. Debt write off may seem appealing but the main thing is to choose an option that is most suited to your own circumstances. If you are able to repay your debts to the best of your ability without writing any amount off, this is likely to put you on a better footing for taking out credit in the future.

There is plenty of debt advice out there, so make sure you do your research. There are more options than the three on this page which could suit your financial circumstances better but don’t allow you to write off debt. Speak to a financial adviser or debt solutions expert, although some may charge a fee, there are free services available. With better advice you’ll be more likely to get your finances back on track.

Choosing an option can become overwhelming. This is why the Government introduced Breathing Space or The Debt Respite Scheme.

What is Breathing Space?

Breathing Space allows you some time to choose a debt solution without your creditors harassing you. If you are accepted, it will give you 60 days where lenders must freeze interest, charges and extra fees; and they won’t be able to take further legal action to recover the debts.

It’s important to remember, you’ll still have to make your regular monthly payments during this time.

Breathing Space is not a debt solution, but it could give you some relief, and the time and energy to find the right solution for you.

Credit card debt has risen by 6.2% from the previous year, according to the Bank of England, after a staggering decline over 2020 and 2021. Consumer credit is climbing, and it looks like it’s only going to continue to rise.

But why are people spending so much now?

Simply put, it could be down to inflation. If things cost more, people will spend more.

Since the beginning of 2022, we’ve already seen a massive increase in bills for Energy and an increase in Petrol.

The Bank of England estimated that the rate of inflation will rise to around 6% early this year, after it rose to 5% at the end of 2021. This could be devastating to many households who are still facing repercussions from Covid 19.

As prices increase, many people will be forced to turn to credit to make ends meet. This could be why we are seeing credit card debt at an all time high.

Other factors?

In the last three years, there’s been unprecedented events, and often it’s felt like the end of the world.  A pandemic that swept the globe, natural disasters striking as climate change happens and now the threat of World War 3. So how could all of this affect our day-to-day spendings.

How could the Russian invasion of Ukraine affect the UK economy?

The Russian invasion of Ukraine only leaves us more unsure of the economic state of the UK and although England has little direct trade links with Russia, it could still make an impact on Energy prices in particular. The UK imported approximately 13% of its total fuel including oil, gas and electricity from Russia, in 2019. And although we rely less heavily on Russia for fuel than other European countries, it could still create an issue for us as Europe as a whole suffers with Energy prices increasing.

Is Covid 19 still impacting the way we spend?

We could be seeing a rise in debt levels as places open again and we’re able to travel. People have been restricted in social activities and holidays for two years and may be more willing to overspend for some leisure time.

It’s been reported that half of us are planning a holiday abroad for 2022. Business Leader surveyed that people are expecting their holidays for this year to set them back £1,567, with 21% of people expecting to spend over £2,000. All in all, it’s estimated Brits will spend £41.2 billion in international travel this year.

Following on from that, more of us are commuting to work again, and with the rise in Petrol – we’re spending more. The RAC reported that petrol prices rose to as much as £2 a litre in some areas of London.

How could climate change make a difference to our economy?

It’s undeniable that we’re starting to see the affects of climate change as severe weather increases, across the world. In the UK, most recently we suffered with three massive storms one after the other, in what will only be the beginning of extreme weather to come.

As the temperatures rise in the UK, the way we grow produce will be affected. CNBC described the affects climate change would have on our British produce as “catastrophic” as we may not be able to grow crops here that we’ve grown for hundreds of years. There was also questions around whether farmers’ would be able to keep as much livestock because of methane emissions.

2022 in a nutshell

All in all, we’re looking at a dramatic year for the British economy and probably across the world. If possible, it would be smart to keep savings for the inevitable “rainy day” and avoid overspending at this time. Or to focus on getting your finances back on track.

What can you do if you’re in Credit Card debt?

Debts of any kind can be overwhelming and as they add up, can become more and more difficult to pay back. The problem is interest rates and charges, as the longer it takes you to pay back what you’ve borrowed, the more the charge and therefore, the more you have to pay back.

There are different debt solutions available that could help you.

If you’re looking to consolidate credit card debt into one monthly payment, you might want to consider a Debt Consolidation Loan. This is a specialised loan that’s particularly useful if you have several creditors and are making multiple repayments per month.

How does it work? You borrow enough to cover all your debts and pay them off, then pay back one monthly fee to the company you borrowed from.  Consolidation Loan companies know why you’re getting the loan, so will be understanding if you have bad credit or a poor credit history.

You may also want to consider a Debt Management Plan if you’re in a position where you can afford to pay back a reasonable sum each month, just not the amount they’re currently asking for. It could be a good idea if you’re adamant about not taking out further credit. Though may not be sustainable for large sums of debt.

If you owe a small amount of money or just have one credit card but it’s gaining significant interest due to an expired promotion. You could look into applying for a balance transfer card. This is where you open a new credit card to pay off your current one.

This might sound like you’re not improving your situation. But it will allow you to transfer the debt to a card that will be 0% interest for a certain amount of time, meaning the amount you owe won’t keep increasing.

Which debt solution you choose is up to you but its always worth getting a second opinion. Most of us aren’t experts in finances and debt – so it’s best to speak to someone who is!

The internet will be saturated with solutions and a financial adviser will be able to give you solid debt advice. They often charge a small fee, but it could be worth it if it helps your finances in the long-run. Before signing up to anything, always make sure you read the terms and conditions and consider it for a period of time before agreeing.

Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency in the world, has been on a wild ride this year. After starting 2021 at around $30,000 per coin, its value skyrocketed to over $60,000 in December. However, it then plunged to below $40,000 in early February before slowly recovering.

Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual tokens that use cryptography to secure their transactions and to control the creation of new units. Bitcoin was the first and is still the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization (the total value of all bitcoins in circulation). Other popular cryptocurrencies include Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple. A crypto press release is a written communication used by blockchain companies, crypto startups, or exchanges to share newsworthy information—such as token launches, partnerships, regulatory updates, or platform upgrades—with the media, investors, and the wider crypto community. You can also visit quantum-ai.io, if you are looking for safe bitcoin investment.

The recent volatility in bitcoin’s price has caused some investors to worry about whether or not it is a bubble that is about to burst. bubbles are prices for assets that rise much faster than their underlying value, leading to a subsequent crash in prices.

However, some experts believe that bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are here to stay. They argue that the volatility is simply part of the early stages of development for these new technologies and that they will eventually become more stable.

Regardless of whether you believe in cryptocurrencies or not, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments in this rapidly growing industry.

Things to Consider While investing in Bitcoin

The price of bitcoin has seen massive spikes and crashes over the years. In December 2017, the price of one bitcoin reached an all-time high of $19,783.21. A few months later, in March 2018, the price of one bitcoin plummeted to $6,914.02.

Despite its volatility, many people believe that bitcoin is a good investment. Here are some things to consider before investing in bitcoin:

1. The risk/reward ratio

Bitcoin is a high-risk investment. The price can fluctuate dramatically, and you could lose all of your money if the price drops suddenly. However, if you’re willing to take on the risk, there is potential for high rewards.

2. The size of the market

The size of the bitcoin market is still relatively small, which means that it’s not as liquid as other investment options. This means that you may not be able to sell your bitcoins when you want to.

3. The regulatory environment

The regulatory environment for bitcoin is still uncertain. Governments around the world are still trying to figure out how to deal with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. This uncertainty can cause volatility in the price of bitcoin.

4. The use case

Bitcoin is still a relatively new technology, and its uses are still being explored. Its value is not as stable as some other investment options.

5. The technological risk

Bitcoin is a digital asset, and it is susceptible to hacking attacks. If your bitcoin is stolen, you may not be able to get it back.

6. The volatility

As mentioned earlier, the price of bitcoin can be very volatile. This makes it a risky investment option.

7. The fees

The fees for investing in bitcoin can be high. You may have to pay a fee to buy bitcoins, and you may also have to pay a fee when you sell them.

8. The tax implications

The tax implications of investing in bitcoin are still uncertain. You should consult a tax specialist before investing in bitcoin.

9. The risks and rewards

Investing in bitcoin is not without risk. However, if you’re willing to take on the risk, there is potential for high rewards. You should weigh the risks and rewards before deciding whether or not to invest in bitcoin.

Conclusion

Bitcoin is a high-risk investment. The price can fluctuate dramatically, and you could lose all of your money if the price drops suddenly. However, if you’re willing to take on the risk, there is potential for high rewards. You should weigh the risks and rewards before deciding whether or not to invest in bitcoin.

Bitcoin is a digital asset and a payment system invented by Satoshi Nakamoto. Transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography and recorded in a public dispersed ledger called a blockchain. Bitcoin is unique in that there are a finite number of them: 21 million.

Bitcoins are created as a reward for a process known as mining. They can be exchanged for other currencies, products, and services. As of February 2015, over 100,000 merchants and vendors accepted bitcoin as payment. Further, you can visit meta-profit.net if you are interested in bitcoin investment.  

How does Bitcoin Mining work?

Mining is how new Bitcoin is added to the money supply. Miners are rewarded with transaction fees and newly created bitcoins. As mining becomes more difficult, it requires more computation power and energy consumption. Miners are rewarded based on their share of work done, rather than their share of the total number of blocks mined.

What is a Bitcoin Wallet?

A Bitcoin wallet is a software program where bitcoins are stored. To be technically accurate, Bitcoins are not stored anywhere; there is a private key (secret number) for every Bitcoin address that is saved in the Bitcoin wallet of the person who owns the balance. Bitcoin wallets facilitate sending and receiving bitcoins and give ownership of the Bitcoin balance to the user. The Bitcoin wallet comes in many forms; desktop, mobile, web, and hardware are the four main types of wallets.

What is a BlockChain?

A blockchain is a transaction database shared by all nodes participating in a system based on the Bitcoin protocol. A full copy of a blockchain contains every transaction ever executed in the system. Bitcoin nodes use the blockchain to differentiate legitimate Bitcoin transactions from attempts to re-spend coins that have already been spent elsewhere.

What is a Bitcoin Address?

A Bitcoin address is a unique identifier assigned to a user for receiving bitcoin payments. Addresses can be generated at no cost by any user of Bitcoin. Addresses can also be printed on paper, but doing so is not recommended as it makes it easy for others to steal your bitcoins. Bitcoin addresses are case-sensitive and must be properly formatted.

What is a Bitcoin Transaction?

A Bitcoin transaction is a signed piece of data that is broadcast to the network and verified by recipients. Transactions are usually processed by miners in the order they are received, so it’s best to combine multiple transactions into one to maximize your chances of getting confirmed quickly.

Bitcoin transactions are irreversible and immune to fraudulent chargebacks. Once a transaction has been verified and added to a block on the blockchain, it is essentially final. For this reason, it is important to keep your private keys safe and secure.

Bitcoin is a digital asset and a payment system invented by Satoshi Nakamoto. Transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography and recorded in a public dispersed ledger called a blockchain. Bitcoin is unique in that there are a finite number of them: 21 million.

Bitcoins are created as a reward for a process known as mining. They can be exchanged for other currencies, products, and services. As of February 2015, over 100,000 merchants and vendors accepted bitcoin as payment.

Bitcoin is not backed by a government or central bank, nor is it insured by any financial institution. The value of bitcoins depends on supply and demand in the free market.

Bitcoins are created digitally through a process called “mining.” Miners are rewarded with bitcoins for verifying and committing transactions to the blockchain. Bitcoin miners are important to the network because they secure the currency by verifying and committing transactions.

Conclusion

Mining is how new bitcoins are created. Miners are rewarded with bitcoins for verifying and committing transactions to the blockchain. Transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography and recorded in a public dispersed ledger called a blockchain. As of February 2015, over 100,000 merchants and vendors accepted bitcoin as payment.

Bitcoin is unique in that there are a finite number of them: 21 million. The value of bitcoins depends on supply and demand in the free market. Bitcoins can be exchanged for other currencies, products, and services. As of February 2015, over 100,000 merchants and vendors accepted bitcoin as payment.

Bitcoins are not backed by a government or central bank, nor are they insured by any financial institution. Bitcoin is a digital asset and a payment system invented by Satoshi Nakamoto. Transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography and recorded in a public dispersed ledger called a blockchain.

The safety of cryptocurrency is a hotly debated topic. On the one hand, proponents argue that cryptocurrency is more secure than traditional currency because it is not subject to government control or manipulation. On the other hand, skeptics claim that cryptocurrency is vulnerable to hacking and theft.

Ultimately, the safety of cryptocurrency depends on the individual user’s security practices and on the security of the cryptocurrency network. For example, if you store your cryptocurrency in a digital wallet that is not password protected, then it is at risk of being hacked.

Similarly, if the network is not secure, then your cryptocurrency may be stolen by cybercriminals. Thus, it is important to do your research before investing in cryptocurrency and to use caution when storing or using it. If you are planning for investing in a suitable cryptocurrency then you must click here.

Basic Tips to Invest in Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrencies are becoming more and more popular, and as their popularity grows, so too does the potential to make money from investing in them. However, like any other investment, there is risk involved in buying cryptocurrencies, so it’s important to do your research before investing anything. Here are a few basic tips to help you get started:

1. Decide which cryptocurrency you want to invest in. There are many different types of cryptocurrencies available, so do your research to decide which one is right for you.

2. Buy some cryptocurrency. The best way to buy cryptocurrency is through an online exchange. Be sure to do your research to find a reputable exchange that has a good reputation and offers high-quality security measures.

3. Store your cryptocurrency in a safe place. Once you have bought your cryptocurrency, be sure to store it in a safe place where it will be protected from theft or loss. There are many different ways to store cryptocurrencies, so choose the option that is best for you.

4. Monitor your investment. It’s important to keep an eye on your investment and make sure you are diversifying your portfolio to protect yourself against any potential losses.

These are just a few basic tips to help you get started with investing in cryptocurrency. Be sure to do your own research to learn more about how this type of investment works and the risks involved.

Benefits of Investing in Crypto

There are a number of reasons why you should consider investing in crypto, and here are some of the top benefits:

1. Crypto is global: Cryptocurrencies are not bound by geographic borders, which means that you can invest in them no matter where you are in the world. This makes them an attractive investment for people who want to diversify their portfolios.

2. Crypto is secure: Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that use cryptography to secure their transactions and to control the creation of new units. This makes them much more secure than traditional currencies, which can be hacked or stolen.

3. Crypto is deflationary: Unlike traditional currencies, which can be printed at will by governments, cryptocurrencies are deflationary. This means that the total supply of crypto is limited and that it becomes scarcer over time. This makes them an attractive investment for people who want to protect their wealth from inflation.

4. Crypto is volatile: Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, which means that they can experience large price swings in a short period of time. This can be both good and bad, depending on your perspective. On the one hand, it means that you can make a lot of money if you invest at the right time. On the other hand, it also means that you can lose a lot of money if you invest at the wrong time.

Drawbacks of Crypto

Cryptocurrencies have revolutionized the way we think about money. They offer a new way to conduct transactions without the need for a third party. However, there are a few drawbacks to using cryptocurrencies.

The first drawback is that cryptocurrencies are incredibly volatile. The value of Bitcoin, for example, can change by hundreds of dollars in just a few hours. This makes it difficult to use cryptocurrencies as a reliable form of currency.

Another drawback is that cryptocurrencies are not widely accepted yet. There are still very few merchants who accept cryptocurrencies as payment. This means that you may not be able to use them in your everyday life.

Finally, cryptocurrency transactions are not always private. Your transactions can be tracked by anyone with enough knowledge and technical ability. This could be a problem if you want to keep your transactions private.

Despite these drawbacks, cryptocurrencies are still a promising technology. They offer a new way of doing business that could revolutionize the economy. It is important to understand the pros and cons of using cryptocurrencies before deciding whether or not to use them.