Are Bit Bonds, US government bonds with underlying Bitcoin, on the way?

Obligations sur Bitcoin: les Bit Bonds sont-ils en approche?

The Bitcoin Policy Institute has proposed Bitcoin bonds, an innovative financial instrument that guarantees good returns without risk. Learn more about it.

Bonds based on Bitcoin may soon become a reality. The Trump administration’s favourable stance towards cryptocurrency is evident and has been demonstrated at various times, particularly with the approval of government reserves in Bitcoin.

Recently, however, discussions have emerged regarding an innovative financial development: a new method for integrating Bitcoin into the global financial system. Could BTC potentially serve as one of the pillars supporting U.S. debt through “Bit Bonds”? How do these instruments work?

US debt rises and worries.

The proposal to introduce Bitcoin-backed bonds has emerged in response to the growing US public debt, which has steadily increased relative to the GDP since the pandemic began. Naturally, when a problem becomes acute, the search for solutions accelerates. In this case, that could lead to the launch of Bitcoin-backed bonds.

Bitcoin does not fully collateralise these bonds; ​​they are financial instruments that include a strategic allocation to cryptocurrencies. The fundamental concept is quite ambitious, so we find it appealing. The idea is to enhance virtually risk-free financial instruments with a digital commodity, creating a net benefit for both governments and investors.

Buy BTC!

How Bit Bonds Work

Bit Bonds function similarly to traditional US government bonds. They are essentially Treasuries—debt securities issued by states to raise funds at a lower interest rate (coupon rate) than the market average. The yield on these financial instruments is lower not because they are inefficient but because a market segment that accommodates Bitcoin must be created.

The interest—or yield—is lower because part of the money raised through these bonds is invested in Bitcoin. As Bitcoin’s value increases, it could positively impact the bonds’ interest.

As you can see, the theoretical framework for how Bit Bonds work is straightforward and advantageous for both parties involved: the state and the investors. Since the rate associated with these bonds is lower, the state saves billions of dollars in interest payments on debt. At the same time, investors gain indirect exposure to Bitcoin (BTC), an asset historically appreciated over the long term.

Why are they not risky financial instruments?

The most interesting thing about Bitcoin bonds is that they are not risky. Rather, they have the same degree of risk as government bonds. How is this possible? The price of Bitcoin does not always rise, so there must be some risk associated with it.

False! Every time a new Bit Bond is issued, a small part of the capital raised is used to buy Bitcoin, which is then locked in a separate pool. At the bond’s maturity, you receive back all the initial capital (principal), just like when you buy a normal bond. In addition, if the price of BTC has increased, you will receive an extra payment proportional to the increase

This means that your investment is unpacked in two: a fixed tranche (typical of government bonds) and a variable tranche that follows the price trend of Bitcoin. Similar instruments such as TIPS (inflation-linked bonds) or gold-linked ones exist. 

However, as historical data shows, Bit Bonds incorporate higher volatility and a much higher expected return. The reason? The price of Bitcoin has always experienced soaring bullish movements in every market cycle, whereas the fluctuations that gold or inflation are subject to are much smaller.

This makes Bit Bonds more attractive for the state, which can afford lower interest rates, and for the investor, who can obtain a return similar to that guaranteed on average by the stock market (around 10 per cent) and a minimum degree of risk.

Buy BTC!

How much could the US save thanks to ‘Bit Bonds’?

According to some estimates, refinancing $2 trillion of debt with Bit Bonds at 2% instead of 5% would save the US government about $700 billion over 10 years. These savings could lower some debt, finance public programmes, or make infrastructure investments without raising taxes.

The key concept behind Bit Bonds is familiar to anyone interested in the investment world: the asymmetry between risk and return:

  • In the worst-case scenario, Bitcoin does not go up, but the government still pays less interest.
  • In the best case, Bitcoin will rise, and the state will collect extra income to repay the debt.

This structure is not very different from many structured products already used in traditional finance, in which a low-risk asset is combined with a more volatile one to create a profile with a more favourable risk-return balance.

Moreover, pension fund issuers, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds are often reluctant to invest directly in cryptos. But if rating agencies were to classify Bit Bonds as ‘quasi-risk-free’ (because the state guarantees the principal), these instruments could enter institutional portfolios.

In short, for the retail investor, Bit Bonds could be the perfect gateway into the crypto world. They don’t require wallet setup or the vagaries of custody. They’re just like government bonds but with an edge.

In an era of trillion-dollar deficits and a total lack of fiscal discipline, Bit Bonds offer an innovative solution: harnessing the growth of Bitcoin to ease the burden of interest and lower (at least some of) the national debt. 

One thing is sure: if even part of this idea becomes a reality, we could be at a turning point. In a few years, we might say, “This is when everything changed.”

Pectra: Ethereum’s next big update explained simply

Ethereum Pectra update: How does it work?

The Ethereum Pectra update is set to arrive on May 7. This article explains what it is, how it works, and the improvements it introduces.

The Ethereum Pectra update is set to be activated on the Ethereum blockchain. Currently undergoing testing, this update has clear objectives: to enhance the network’s speed, scalability, and user-friendliness.

With the Pectra update, users will no longer be required to pay gas fees solely in ETH. Additionally, it aims to improve the execution of smart contracts. In the long term, innovations such as Verkle trees and Peer DAS are expected to make the entire network more affordable, powerful, and capable of accommodating millions of additional users.

Pectra may not be as well-known as The Merge, but has the same revolutionary potential. It is a hard fork, representing a significant structural change that will create a clear division between the ‘before’ and ‘after’ of the Ethereum blockchain. The name Pectra comes from combining two distinct updates: Prague, which affects the execution layer and Electra, which impacts the consensus layer. For example, in 2024, with Dencun (from Deneb + Cancun), Pectra merges two components into one evolutionary upgrade.

How does Pectra work?

To truly understand what Pectra is and how it works, we must focus on practical aspects that are more effective for successfully mastering technology.

1. Account Abstraction

The Ethereum Pectra update’s first focus is account abstraction, a key concept that has gained significant attention in the on-chain world over the past two years. Account abstraction refers to a technology introduced through the technical proposal EIP-4337 on the Ethereum blockchain. It merges the functionalities of traditional accounts with smart contracts, resulting in the creation of smart wallets.

This innovation simplifies the user experience by eliminating the need for a seed phrase, automating transactions, and reducing gas fees. Account abstraction is the technology that will make decentralised applications (dapps) as seamless as traditional applications.

This change will also impact the current status quo, where users must hold at least a small amount of Ether (ETH) in their wallets to cover gas fees—transaction costs incurred whenever a transfer is made or when interacting with a dapp.

2. More efficient smart contracts

The second focal point of the Pectra update is the efficiency of Ethereum smart contracts, particularly concerning their execution. One planned improvement is the introduction of proposal EIP-7692, which consolidates several other technical proposals. 

To summarise, this proposal alters how smart contracts are compiled from a coding perspective and managed overall. For example, contracts will be divided into sections with clear headers, making code analysis, maintenance, and security easier. New commands will be introduced to jump between sections, manipulate the stack, and read data more efficiently. 

Additionally, code validation will occur only once during deployment rather than at each execution, which will help reduce costs and errors. These changes will occur at the bytecode level instead of in a high-level language like Solidity. In practice, the EVM Object Format (EOF) will change how Solidity code is compiled and executed within the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).

3. More flexible validators

Let’s focus on the consensus front, where the Ethereum Pectra update will significantly improve the Ethereum network. Currently, a validator must stake a minimum of 32 ETH ETH to receive rewards. However, any amount staked above 32 ETH does not generate additional rewards; it remains idle and unused. The Pectra update will modify this system by introducing flexible staking (EIP-7002) and increasing the maximum staking limit per validator from 32 to 2048 ETH (EIP-7251). These changes will enhance the system’s flexibility and efficiency, particularly for entities managing large amounts of ETH, such as companies or institutional traders.

Another essential feature of the update is the “consolidation of validators.” This function will enable platforms like Lido, which stake on behalf of multiple users, to manage fewer validator nodes for the same amount of ETH. The outcome will be reduced pressure on the network, increased efficiency, and a more sustainable use of resources.

4. Verkle Tree

This integration is quite technical, so we will explain it without delving into the details. Verkle Trees will enable network nodes to store less data than currently. The outcome? A lighter, faster, and more scalable network. 

This is a new and more efficient way of organising data compared to the current method. This change will ultimately make Ethereum more efficient and cost-effective to use in the long run.

5. Peer DAS for Layer 2

Ethereum relies on Layer 2 solutions, such as Arbitrum (ARB) and Optimism (OP), to enhance network scalability. With the recent Ethereum updates, Peer Data Availability Sampling has been introduced. This technology helps reduce costs and improve transaction speeds on these Layer 2 solutions by allowing rapid verification of transaction data without downloading it. It is a practical measure to keep fees low, even during periods of high on-chain activity.

A double update in two stages

Pectra will be released in two phases. The first phase, which will feature the more visible new enhancements, such as account abstraction and updates for validators, is scheduled to be released in less than a month, with the official date set for May 7, 2025. The second phase will focus on more technical improvements, including the EVM Object Format (EOF) and Peer DAS, which are intended to enhance Layer 2 solutions and smart contracts., This phase is expected to arrive in 2026. What is the impact on ETH price? Hard to say…

Ethereum is currently facing some challenges. After reaching multiple all-time highs, it has lost over 60% of its value and appears stuck in a continuous downward trend. For this reason, we are not confident that the Pectra update will significantly impact its price.

However, this update could pave the way for broader adoption and may positively affect Ethereum’s fundamentals, which is the most crucial aspect. With features such as the ability to pay gas fees using any token, more efficient writing and deployment of smart contracts, and flexible staking management, it’s clear that these enhancements make Ethereum more attractive to both developers and end users.In summary, Pectra is not just another upgrade; it represents a critical step toward creating a more scalable, affordable and accessible Ethereum network. This update is a quiet but significant stride toward overcoming the blockchain trilemma of scalability, security, and decentralisation, ultimately preparing the network for mass adoption.

Why is the bull market struggling?

Will quantitative easing kick-start the explosive bull market?

According to the most optimistic investors, the recent bearish movement will kick off the altcoin season. According to the most pessimistic the bull market is over. What is the truth? Does it all come down to quantitative easing?

The season of quantitative easing still appears distant, while the prices of significant assets—ranging from cryptocurrencies to equities—have dropped significantly in recent days. What is lacking in this bull market, which seems quite different from previous ones? While nothing has been lost, the global landscape regarding monetary policies, particularly those of the United States, appears far from a turning point.

In this article, we will explore quantitative easing and discuss why igniting the next alt season might be necessary.

Quantitative easing: what is it?

Understanding quantitative easing is crucial for navigating the current market landscape. Simply put, it is “the central banks‘ secret weapon” for stimulating the economy. This contrasts with quantitative tightening, which involves raising interest rates and decreasing the money supply.

Quantitative easing involves significantly lowering interest rates, making it easier for individuals and businesses to borrow money. It also includes the purchase of government bonds and other financial assets. It acts like an “all you can eat” buffet for central banks. This influx of cheap liquidity, which comes from the money that investors choose not to invest in bonds due to their very low yields, then flows into assets that are considered riskier, particularly stocks and cryptocurrencies.

For the past fifteen years, quantitative easing has been the solution for every crisis, from the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It has also fueled recent bull markets. However, the current situation is different. Despite declining inflation between 2021 and 2023, interest rates remain above the 2% target, at 3% in January 2025. This limits the potential for aggressive monetary policy easing. Additionally, this comes on the heels of Trump’s recent announcements about new tariffs, which have been confirmed for Canada and Mexico. According to the Federal Reserve, cutting rates too quickly could lead to excessive speculation in the financial markets and an overheated economy.

The growth of Bitcoin’s market capitalisation

Despite the absence of quantitative easing monetary policies, the market has experienced explosive growth in the final months 2024. Since November 2022, Bitcoin’s price has surged by 448%, and its market capitalisation has risen from USD 300 billion to USD 1,760 billion, peaking at USD 2,150 billion.

This impressive growth is partly due to the approval of spot ETFs. These financial instruments have attracted approximately $38 billion to Bitcoin and currently hold $101 billion worth of BTC, representing 5.79% of the circulating supply. Bitcoin had never before seen a market capitalisation increase of $1.7 trillion at its peak in January 2025. A look at past cycles reveals the following performance:

  • 2015-2017: +11,082% over 1,068 days, with a $326 billion increase in market capitalisation.
  • 2018-2021: +2,021% over 1,060 days, with a $1.21 trillion increase in market capitalisation.

Overall, this market cycle appears strongly positive when analysing Bitcoin’s performance and the milestones achieved over the past three years.

For example, Bitcoin (BTC) has become a central topic in global financial discussions, significantly influencing debates in the United States, including during the presidential elections. Notably, Senator Cynthia Lummis and former President Donald Trump have both advocated for creating a strategic reserve of BTC for the U.S. Treasury.

Some considerations on the market cycle we are currently experiencing

Let’s set aside quantitative easing, which we’ve already noted is a missing element in this market cycle, and instead focus on how this cycle differs from previous ones. The key question for many crypto enthusiasts is: Will there be an altseason, and will it follow the recent market crash?

It is difficult to determine ‘where we are in the cycle’.

On one hand, we can confidently say that we have not yet experienced a true altcoin season. On the contrary, we have gone through one or more meme coin seasons, the most recent coinciding with the launch of TRUMP, a meme coin introduced directly by the former U.S. president in January.

On the other hand, the price of Bitcoin has increased significantly, rising by 60% from the previous cycle’s all-time high. Additionally, it has been over 12 months since Bitcoin first broke its all-time high in January 2024, making this cycle even more unusual.

Despite this, some industry experts believe the outcome is still uncertain. The new retail investors who have entered the market—partly due to the launch of TRUMP—could return if an altcoin season finally takes place.

Has the meme coin casino replaced the altseasons?

This point is closely related to the previous one. The launch of numerous new meme coins, along with the strong performance of associated platforms such as pump.fun, acts as a funnel that attracts and drains liquidity from the crypto market.

As a result, many investors have shifted their focus to the meme coin sector, while others are giving up on altcoins. Additionally, the high expectations surrounding Donald Trump’s election have somewhat diminished. The president has notent has commented in a while on crypto, particularly since the launch of his meme coin.

An axiom that has always applied in previous crypto market cycles—likely triggered by quantitative tightening and liquidity injections—states that the price of Bitcoin rises first, then Ethereum’s price follows. Finally, liquidity flows into smaller altcoins. However, today, the situation seems to have changed. Only time will tell if this marks a paradigm shift or a delay.

Major market players are continuing to accumulate.

Let’s conclude this article with some positive news. Despite the lack of quantitative easing, which has historically catalyzed bull markets, the current cycle demonstrates remarkable resilience. Bitcoin, fueled by institutional ETFs and unprecedented political recognition, has defied historical patterns by growing in a more restrictive monetary environment. However, the absence of a traditional ‘alt season’ and the dominance of meme coins prompt questions about the future of cryptocurrency: Are we witnessing a paradigm shift or merely a temporary pause?

The answer may be found in patience. Institutional investors continue to accumulate assets, indicating that long-term confidence remains strong. While the current macroeconomic climate—characterised by high interest rates and geopolitical tensions—may dampen enthusiasm, it also creates opportunities for strategic accumulation, potentially setting the stage for a future surge. The actual ‘trigger’ for market movement may not be the return of quantitative easing but rather the market’s adaptation to new rules, where innovation, regulation, and mass adoption craft a different narrative. As the history of past cycles teaches us, one certainty remains: markets always surprise us, often just when expectations are low.

Out Tesla, in Bitcoin: Standard Chartered revolutionises index Mag 7

Standard Chartered replaces Tesla shares with Bitcoin

Standard Chartered has replaced Tesla with Bitcoin in its Mag 7B index, citing higher yield and lower volatility. Discover how cryptocurrency has entered the realm of elite assets.

The banking giant Standard Chartered has released a new report proposing a variation of the well-known “Magnificent Seven,” which includes seven major tech companies that dominate the global stock market. In this latest version, called “Mag 7B,” Tesla shares have been replaced by Bitcoin.

This approach evaluates whether cryptocurrency can be a viable alternative—if not a superior oneto one of the most iconic companies in the technology sector. Early results indicate that Bitcoin has provided higher returns with less volatility. Tesla is struggling due to the significant downturn it experienced following Donald Trump’s arrival in the White House.

Tesla shares and Bitcoin: what is the Mag 7B index and the information ratio

Substituting Bitcoin for Tesla shares in the Mag 7 index, which replicates the behavior of top global technology assets, creates what we can call the Mag 7B. This idea is not original; it comes from Standard Chartered, one of the leading banks in the UK. Interestingly, Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s Head of Digital Assets Research, stated that this new composition could generate returns approximately 5% higher from 2017 to the present while reducing average annual volatility by nearly 2%.

This claim is particularly evident when analysing the information ratio, which measures an asset’s extra return compared to a market benchmark about the volatility of its differential returns against a reference index. The information ratio helps evaluate an asset’s performance by comparing it to its associated risks.

Replacing Tesla shares with Bitcoin within the Mag 7 index yields a higher information ratio, suggesting better performance: 1.13 compared to 1.04. Kendrick’s decision to include Bitcoin instead of Tesla shares is based on the observation that Bitcoin behaves more like a tech stock than a traditional store of value. Consequently, it is more correlated to the Nasdaq 100—an index tracking the performance of the 100 most capitalised American tech companies—than gold.

Additionally, the data indicate that since January 2025, following Donald Trump’s assumption of the presidency, Bitcoin’s price performance has shown similarities to Nvidia’s, while Tesla’s seems to be more closely aligned with Ethereum’s in terms of volatility.

Will Bitcoin in institutional wallets become the norm?

The decision to include Bitcoin in the Mag 7B index at the expense of Tesla shares is more than just an academic exercise; it signifies a significant shift in the investment landscape. Various funds, including sovereign wealth funds, are increasingly exploring direct exposure to Bitcoin. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has emphasised this trend over the past two years. With the recent launch of BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF in Europe, the prospect of institutional investors allocating capital to Bitcoin has become even more tangible. Furthermore, Europe is home to many affluent savers considering investing in a new but undeniably solid asset.

In summary, Kendrick’s analysis extends beyond potential returns. The lower volatility that could be achieved by substituting Tesla shares with Bitcoin indicates that this cryptocurrency may help rebalance the overall risk of a technology-focused portfolio. The conclusion is clear: Bitcoin is no longer an outsider; it can now be regarded as a legitimate asset in innovation-oriented portfolios.

The new stablecoins of Fidelity and Donald Trump

The stablecoins of Fidelity and the Trump family

Fidelity Investments and World Liberty Financial, the decentralised finance project (DeFi) backed by the Trump family, announced the launch of two new stablecoins.

Two significant pieces of news regarding stablecoins have recently garnered attention in the crypto market. The first involves Fidelity Investments, one of America’s leading investment firms and an issuer of Bitcoin spot ETFs.

The second stablecoin is USD1, promoted by World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a decentralised finance (DeFi) project backed by former US President Donald Trump. Read on to learn more about these two new stablecoins in the crypto market!

Fidelity Investments prepares to launch a stablecoin

Fidelity Investments, a leading global asset manager, is set to launch its stablecoin, which is expected to be released by the end of May 2025. The Boston-based investment firm aims to create its version of digital cash, following its exploration of the cryptocurrency sector with the introduction of spot ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum in 2024.

The upcoming stablecoin is part of Fidelity’s recent proposal to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to introduce a tokenised version of its Treasury Digital Fund. This fund comprises cash and U.S. treasuries (government bonds) and is only available to institutional investors and hedge funds.

This initiative may have been influenced by Donald Trump’s election, which marked a shift in the previous administration’s stance toward cryptocurrency. Since the early stages of his election campaign, Trump has promoted pro-cryptocurrency policies and supported the growth of stablecoins.

World Liberty Financial introduced USD1

To illustrate our earlier point about Donald Trump’s support for stablecoins, we present recent news about World Liberty Financial. The Trump family’s DeFi project has launched USD1, a stablecoin.

This stablecoin, similar to the fund Fidelity plans to introduce to blockchain through tokenisation, will be fully backed by U.S. Treasury bonds, cash, or equivalent assets. Not much is known about USD1 except for the blockchains on which it will initially be available: Ethereum and the Binance Smart Chain, which is compatible with EVM.

In summary, recent developments in the cryptocurrency world reveal that Fidelity Investments has decided to launch its stablecoin in preparation for the public release of its Treasury Digital Fund. This product falls into the Real World Asset (RWA) category and has great potential to drive increased crypto adoption.

President Donald Trump has also shown a growing interest in cryptocurrencies and has actively promoted initiatives to position the United States as a leader in this sector. The establishment of World Liberty Financial and the launch of USD1 are concrete examples of this commitment.

Zealy: the ‘secret’ key for The Box competition

The Box: earn extra gems with Zealy

Are you seeking an edge in Young Platform’s competition, The Box? Take advantage of the social interaction campaign on Zealy to maximise your Gems!

Young Platform has launched The Box to celebrate a significant milestone in our journey: integrating a current account into a single app, merging the worlds of traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralised finance (DeFi).

You may already know that you can win amazing prizes such as MacBooks, iPhones, and the exclusive glow-in-the-dark Young Card through The Box. But did you also know you can earn some of the Gems needed to climb the leaderboard by participating in Zealy?

What is Zealy?

Zealy is a leading community engagement platform utilised by top Web3 projects to connect with users and reward them for contributing to growth, primarily on social networks. By linking your Discord and X (formerly Twitter) accounts to Zealy, you can earn points by completing simple missions, such as:

  • Following Young Platform on X or Instagram.
  • Liking and commenting on posts.
  • Reading educational articles and taking quizzes.
  • Inviting friends to the Discord server.
  • Creating content that promotes the Young Platform ecosystem.
  • Participating in thematic challenges.

The process is simple: complete a task, earn points, and convert them into Gems on the Young Platform app (Crew Quests Category). This will allow you to ascend the leaderboard of The Box!

Why is Zealy fundamental to The Box?

Firstly, while some missions in the app require financial actions, such as buying cryptocurrency, Zealy allows you to earn Gems in a free, affordable, and accessible way.

Additionally, suppose you are familiar with the rules of The Box. In that case, you know that you unlock additional Tickets each time you accumulate a certain number of Gems (including those earned through Zealy). The more Tickets you have, the higher your chances of winning in the final draw, where your ranking does not affect your outcome!

Join the Campaign

Signing up for Zealy is easy!

Joining Zealy is very simple; here are the six steps to take.

  1. Visit this link to register with your email, using the same one as your Discord account if you have one.
The Box: earn extra gems with Zealy
  1. Please confirm your account using the code sent to your email, and then select a username.
The Box: earn extra gems with Zealy
The Box: earn extra gems with Zealy
  1. Please navigate to ‘Account Settings’ in the top right corner, and connect your Discord and X accounts.
The Box: earn extra gems with Zealy
The Box: earn extra gems with Zealy
  1. Complete Tasks: You earn points for each like, piece of content created, or quiz completed. Points for automatic tasks are credited to you immediately, while tasks requiring approval from an admin will take longer. Please check back frequently, as new challenges are added regularly!
The Box: earn extra gems with Zealy
  1. Convert Zealy Points into Gems in the Crew Quests section of Young Platform, and rise the leaderboard!

Don’t you have Discord or X yet?

Discord is the heart of the Young Platform community. Our server’s most active users discuss cryptocurrency, finance, and macroeconomics, share strategies, and assist each other.

Join Discord

X (formerly Twitter) is the go-to social platform for Web3. If you consider yourself a crypto investor, you must have an account.

Join X

What are you waiting for? Time is of the essence—Gems await!

The Box lets you have fun, learn, and win amazing prizes. With Zealy, even a simple like or an invitation to a friend can help you achieve victory.

Take action now:

  • Join the Zealy Campaign,
  • Accumulate Gems, unlock Tickets, and win prizes!

P.S. Don’t forget to complete the new Young Platform account verification to receive your rewards. Without it, even the most precious Gems will remain in the chest!

The Box: how do Quests work?

The Box: How Quests Work

Discover how to complete Missions, collect Gems, and climb the leaderboard to win exclusive prizes!

Managing your finances and building a balanced crypto portfolio doesn’t have to be tedious or complicated. In fact, we believe that learning how to manage your money can be both engaging and enjoyable. At Young Platform, we focus on games, quests, and challenges to innovatively introduce people to the world of crypto and personal finance. Of course, exciting prizes are part of the experience!

This philosophy led to the creation of The Box, a competition that signifies Young Platform’s transition from a simple crypto exchange to the first crypto-native payment account. Central to this evolution is the Quests, designed to reward users through an engaging gaming experience. These quests align perfectly with our mission: learn by playing.

What exactly are Quests, and why do they hold such significance? Let’s explore this together!

Quests: The Heart of The Box

Quests are challenges that each user can complete to accumulate Gems, and they are not all the same:

  • Some are completed only once, such as the first deposit or activating a feature in the app.
  • Others are repeatable, allowing you to continuously earn new Gems, e.g. by performing recurring operations.

How Gem Redemption Works

After completing a Quest, you must redeem it manually to obtain the corresponding Gems. If you forget to redeem a repeatable Quest, it will only be counted once, even if you complete it several times. 

Note: This rule does not apply to ‘Invite a Friend’ Quests, where each invitation is considered a separate Quest.

What are gems for

The Gems you obtain serve two purposes:

  1. Climbing the Gem Leaderboard, which rewards the most active users with guaranteed prizes.
  2. Unlock Tickets, which allow you to participate in the random prize draw.

Important: there is a limit to the number of Tickets you can obtain through Quests, but Gems do not have a limit and can be accumulated to improve your Leaderboard.

Join The Box now

The Quests categories 

The Quests in The Box are divided into four broad categories: Bazaar, Loyalty, Toolbox and Crew.

  • Bazaar: This section features Quests, which is aimed at helping you develop a substantial and diversified cryptocurrency portfolio. Here, you can complete challenges to reduce risk, create a long-term savings plan, understand the role of the Young token within the ecosystem, and explore various methods for depositing on the Young Platform. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of buy and sell orders directly on the platform.
  • Loyalty: In this category, you will find quests related to Young Platform’s loyalty programs. If you choose to become a HODLER of the Young token, you will gain access to exclusive clubs that offer various benefits. These include discounts on trading quests, additional strategies that can be activated on Smart Trade, increased staking options, discounted tax reports, free market reports, and VIP support. Furthermore, you will also receive benefits from external services such as WeRoad, HelloFresh, NordVPN, Builtdifferent, Tickets, and many more.
  • Toolbox: Here are some tasks related to account security and customising your Young Platform experience. For example, you can add widgets to your homepage to monitor your portfolio in real-time. This category also includes all quests dedicated to staking, which allows you to earn annual rewards on funds locked on the blockchain.
  • Crew: This category focuses more on the community aspect. Along with inviting friends and family to use Young Platform, you can continue playing on Zealy. The Box expands through games on Zealy, an entertainment platform where you can earn XP points for extra gems. You can earn XP points by interacting with our social content and sharing Young Platform updates!

Gem Leaderboard: How does it work?

The Gem Leaderboard is the system that identifies the top 5 winners of the main prizes in The Box, along with the 200 deserving Young Card winners. Each user has a dedicated section within the Young Platform app where they can check the following:

  • Number of Gems accumulated: This increases with each Quest redeemed and is used to climb the Leaderboards and unlock Tickets.
  • Number of unlocked Tickets: This indicates how many tickets you have obtained, which can be used to enter the random prize draw.
  • Leaderboard position: This is updated in real-time based on the accumulated Gems. The final Leaderboard will be made official after the new identity verification process.
  • Available Quests: This includes the number of Gems that can be earned and the history of challenges already completed.

Only users who complete the new Identity Verification Process (KYC), necessary for enabling the payment account, will be eligible to receive rewards from the Leaderboard and lottery rewards..

What prizes can you win with the Gem Leaderboard?

Prizes for the top 5 finishers:

  1. MacBook Pro 
  2. iPhone 16 Pro 
  3. iPhone 16 
  4. AirPods Max 
  5. Amazon Voucher (€250.00)

Prize for the first 200 finishers:

  • Young Card is associated with the Young Platform payment account.

Quests, Gems and Tickets: A Dual Reward System

The Box offers two ways to win:

  1. Gem Leaderboard → Rewards the 200 most active users.
  2. Ticket drawing → Randomly rewarding those who have accumulated tickets, regardless of the Leaderboard.

If you don’t make it to the top of the leaderboard, you still have the chance to win thanks to the Tickets you get by completing Quests.

You just have to get started: log in to the app, complete the Quests, collect Gems and climb the leaderboard to win prizes from The Box!

Join The Box now

The Box: how do tickets work?

The Box: How Tickets Work

Exciting news: there will be a final lottery for everyone! Let’s look at what tickets are and how they function.

The Box marks a significant development within the Young Platform ecosystem and introduces an exciting new feature: the final lottery. This lottery offers a splash of luck and randomness, making it ideal for those new to cryptocurrencies or those who have yet to climb the ranks.

Tickets represent the final opportunity in a critical game: the more tickets you hold, the greater your chances of a favourable outcome. But how exactly do they work? Let’s explore together.

What are Tickets, and why are they important for The Box?

Tickets are your entry pass to participate in the final draw of The Box. The more tickets you have, the greater your chances of being selected and winning a prize.

Each ticket has a unique code; if your code is drawn, you will win the corresponding prize! 

The Box was designed with a dual reward system that balances effort and luck:

1. The Leaderboard and Gems rewards the most active users who complete quests and accumulate Gems. The top 200 users on the leaderboard win guaranteed prizes.

2. The Draw and the Tickets: This mechanism uses randomness to give everyone a chance to win, regardless of their ranking.

Thanks to this system, even those with limited resources can have the opportunity to take home a prize!

How are tickets obtained?

You can accumulate a maximum of 26 tickets through two methods:

  • Accumulating Gems: Every time you reach a certain threshold, you automatically unlock a Ticket.
  • By completing special Quests, some dedicated quests allow you to obtain Tickets directly without accumulating Gems first.

The Ticket Prizes

Participating in the final draw means a chance to win fantastic prizes. Here’s what you can win by simply accumulating tickets and letting luck take its course:

  • 3 MacBook Air
  • 5 iPhone 16
  • 5 AirPods Max
  • 5 PlayStation 5 Pro
  • 40 flight vouchers from €150
  • 120 Amazon vouchers for € 50
  • 300 Young Cards

Join The Box now

How does the extraction work?

After the competition concludes, all tickets will be entered into a random prize draw. Each ticket has a unique code submitted to an automated draw system in the presence of a notary. If the code associated with one of your tickets is drawn, you will win the corresponding prize!

The draw begins with the most valuable prizes and continues until all prizes are awarded. Naturally, by purchasing more tickets—each of which has an equal chance of being drawn—you increase your chances of winning additional prizes. Therefore, the more tickets you hold, the better your odds of winning and the more prizes you can receive.

To receive any prizes won in the draw, you must complete the new identity verification process (KYC) on the Young Platform app. Only verified users will be eligible to receive the awarded prizes.

Where do you see your Tickets?

In the Box section of the Young Platform app, you will find: 

  • the number of Gems accumulated
  • the number of unlocked tickets 
  • your ranking
  • quests available and completed. 

Log in to the app to visit the Competition section!

The Box: Win the glow-in-the-dark Young Card and exclusive prizes!

Join The Box competition and win great prizes

Join The Box: complete quests, collect gems and earn tickets for the final lottery. Discover your financial future with the Young Card and enjoy many unmissable prizes.

Managing your money doesn’t have to be tedious or complicated. Young Platform aims to make finance accessible and engaging, turning every experience into an enjoyable game. What better way to learn than through a competition with prizes?

Introducing The Box, a competition celebrating Young Platform’s transformation from a crypto exchange to the first crypto-native payment account. This significant change brings new features, exciting opportunities, and, most importantly, new prizes!

At the core of The Box are the Quests, a series of Quests that enable you to accumulate Gems to climb the leaderboard, along with Tickets for a chance to win in the final prize draw. The highlight of the competition is the Young Card, a glow-in-the-dark debit card that stands out and offers a 3.6%* cashback on every purchase.

Test your skills, challenge your luck, and try to win great prizes, such as a MacBook Pro, iPhone 16 Pro, PlayStation 5 Pro, and more!

Visit the official website of The Box.

What is The Box?

The Box is a prize competition by Young Platform, running from March 18 to May 31, 2025. There are two ways to win:

  1. Gem Leaderboard: Complete quests to accumulate Gems and rise in the Leaderboards for a chance to win exclusive prizes. 
  2. Ticket Extraction: Collect Tickets, which serve as entries for the final lottery. This allows you to win prizes even if you’re not among the top finishers.

How do you win?

Leaderboard in Gems

The more Gems you earn by completing Quests, the higher you rank. Participants with the most Gems receive the most prestigious prizes.

Prizes for the top 5 finishers:

  • 1st place: MacBook Pro
  • 2nd place: iPhone 16 Pro
  • 3rd place: iPhone 16
  • 4th place: AirPods Max
  • 5th place: Amazon voucher worth € 250.00

Prize for the first 200 finishers:

  • Carta Young is the phosphorescent debit card from Young Platform.

Ticket Extraction

After the Leaderboard prizes are awarded, a random draw is held among all participants who have earned at least one ticket. Even those not at the top of the Leaderboard list can win!

Prizes to be won in the Ticket draw:

  • 3 MacBook Air
  • 5 iPhone 16
  • 5 AirPods Max
  • 5 PlayStation 5 Pro
  • 40 flight vouchers from €150
  • 120 Amazon vouchers for €50
  • 300 Young Cards

The more tickets you have, the more chances you have to win!

How to participate in The Box?

Complete Quests and Accumulate Gems

Quests are the heart of The Box: complete them to earn Gems and climb the leaderboard. Quests can be:

  • One can only be completed once.
  • Repeatable, which you can complete several times to earn new Gems.

Important: once you have completed a Quest, you must redeem it manually to obtain the Gems.

Find out more about how Quests work.

Find out more: Get extra gems with Zealy 

Getting a Ticket for the Final Draw

Tickets allow you to participate in the final prize lottery. Each Ticket has a unique code; if your code is drawn, you win the corresponding prize!

You can obtain tickets in two ways:

  • Accumulate Gems → By reaching certain thresholds, you automatically unlock Tickets.
  • Complete Special Quests → Some Quests reward you directly with Tickets.

Each user can collect up to 26 tickets in total.

Find out more: How Tickets Work.

Activate your account to receive a prize. 

To receive the awards you have won, you must complete the new identity verification (KYC) required to enable your Young Platform account in a Young Platform account.
If you do not complete the verification, prizes cannot be awarded!

Who can participate?

The Box competition is open to all users over 18 years of age who reside in Italy, San Marino, or Vatican City and have a verified account on the latest version of the Young Platform app. Your account must not have suffered any temporary or permanent suspensions.

Why participate in The Box?

  • Have fun with Quests and competitions.
  • Try your luck with the final draw
  • Win exclusive prizes, including the glow-in-the-dark Young Card

Download the Young Platform app, register for the competition and enter!

*Cashback varies depending on whether you belong to a Club and your Club level. The higher your Club level, the higher the percentage of cashback you receive with your card, up to 3.6% for Platinum Club members.

Corporate welfare: what is it and how does it work?

Corporate Welfare: what it is and how it works

What is corporate welfare, and how does this valuable tool improve employee well-being? 

If you’re curious about corporate welfare and how it functions, you’re in the right place! Corporate welfare refers to the non-monetary benefits a company provides to enhance the quality of life for its employees.

It’s essential to focus on corporate welfare, its operations in 2023 and its main goal: improving the well-being of employees and their families. In addition to offering various benefits, corporate welfare can contribute to increased company performance, which often correlates directly with employee well-being. 

So, what exactly is corporate welfare, how does it operate in practice, and what are the most valuable and popular initiatives in our country? We will address all these questions in this article!

Corporate Welfare: How Does It Work?

The simplest definition of “corporate welfare” refers to various activities designed to enhance the overall well-being of a company’s employees and their families. This includes initiatives that increase employees’ purchasing power and promote a healthy work-life balance. When implemented thoughtfully and intentionally, these actions can significantly improve the corporate environment and boost employee motivation and performance.

To better understand corporate welfare, let’s examine its applications and explore some popular initiatives. Examples include meal vouchers, shopping vouchers, company cars, and tailored insurance plans. We will discuss these details further in the final section. First, let’s examine the benefits of these types of initiatives.

Benefits for Employees and Companies

A well-structured corporate welfare plan offers numerous advantages for both employees and companies. Improving the corporate environment enhances employees’ motivation and productivity. When employees feel that the company genuinely cares about their psychological and physical well-being, they feel more valued and are better able to achieve common goals with less stress.

This enhanced employee satisfaction also benefits the company, increasing performance and productivity while making it more attractive for talent retention and recruitment. According to the SME Welfare Index Report 2022, companies with a high level of corporate welfare report greater profits compared to those with basic welfare approaches. The research highlighted by Forbes from 2019 to 2022 shows that companies providing benefits to their employees experienced a median turnover increase of 37%, more than double the 18% increase in companies without welfare programs. Furthermore, decreased absenteeism and reduced employee turnover are often indicators of the effectiveness of a corporate welfare plan.

Fiscal Advantages

Understanding the tax benefits associated with corporate welfare initiatives is essential to understanding how they operate. Article 51 of the Testo Unico delle Imposte sui Redditi (TUIR), the primary legislation governing this area, guides companies that use National Collective Labour Agreements (CCNL) and wish to retain the associated benefits.

The main advantage of these initiatives is that, depending on the specific CCNL, costs incurred in providing welfare services can be partially or fully deductible. This deduction helps reduce a company’s taxable income.

In some cases, offering benefits, reimbursements, or vouchers may be mandatory for companies. Such requirements typically arise from stipulations found in the relevant CCNL or company regulations, especially in the following sectors:

  • Metalworkers
  • Telecommunications workers
  • Goldsmiths and jewellers
  • Nursing home staff
  • Care workers

Corporate Welfare: The Most Popular Benefits

To effectively understand corporate welfare and its functionality, we can outline our country’s most common benefits or perks. In recent years, the number of companies that have already implemented or are in the process of establishing a welfare plan for their employees has been rapidly increasing.

Meal Vouchers 

Meal vouchers are by far the most popular corporate welfare benefit.  According to an IPSOS survey, 70% of Italian companies provide employee meal vouchers. These vouchers have recently become more advantageous, as the deductibility ceiling was raised from €7 to €8 for the digital format following the approval of the Budget Law 2020.

Vouchers 

This benefit is highly requested, with 52% of surveyed employees expressing a preference for vouchers. Data from Edenred indicates that voucher issuance increased by 30% from 2019 to 2020, and this trend continues.

The appeal of this welfare option lies in its significant tax benefits. For employees, gift vouchers valued at less than €258.23 (for those without children) and €3,000 (for those with children) are not taxable. The costs related to providing this benefit are fully deductible for employers as they are classified as employment expenses, whether as fringe benefits or as rewards and incentives.

Additionally, this type of corporate welfare is popular because it allows employees to choose how to spend the funds they receive.

If you are a business owner, consider distributing Young Platform vouchers to your employees or offering this option as an alternative. This approach enhances their well-being and helps them maintain their purchasing power over time, which can be impacted by inflation and the devaluation of the euro, primarily through crypto investments.

Technological Devices 

This category encompasses all necessary tools, such as PCs and smartphones, provided to employees to help them perform their tasks effectively. According to IPSOS, 38% of companies supply their employees with the essential software and hardware they need. This practice has grown significantly in response to the rise of remote working.

Insurance Policies and Healthcare 

Corporate welfare initiatives can also take various forms, including health insurance, reimbursement of medical expenses, access to free or discounted healthcare services, and life insurance.

Company Car 

This benefit refers to a vehicle granted for business use, which does not usually impact tax and contribution obligations. Sometimes, the car may also be available for personal use, and taxation is applied based on a conventional value. These examples illustrate the types of benefits companies provide, helping clarify corporate welfare and its operation. If you want to learn more about distributing vouchers to your company’s employees through Young Platform, please contact the team at [email protected].