Want to buy cryptocurrencies on Young Platform? The first step is simple: top up your euro wallet. Only after making a deposit can you exchange your euros for any crypto available on the exchange.
Before getting started, make sure you’ve completed identity verification. On Young Platform, you have several options to add funds to your account: you can deposit via bank transfer, debit or credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay, or redeem a Gift Card.
Choose your preferred method, top up your account, and start your journey in the crypto world!
1. Deposit via bank transfer
Bank transfer is one of the safest and most cost-effective ways to deposit euros into your Young Platform account and start buying cryptocurrencies. You can make a transfer from an Italian account or an account in the EEA, with some differences in timing and steps.
All bank transfers are free of charge, except for any fees applied by your bank.
How to deposit via bank transfer:
Open the Young Platform app and go to Home or Euro Wallet.
Select Deposit and choose EUR as the currency.
Select Bank Transfer.
Specify whether your account is:
Italian
Foreign (EEA)
Intesa Sanpaolo
Copy the Young Platform’s bank details shown on the screen.
Open your banking app or online banking service and paste the details to complete the transfer.
If you have a foreign or Intesa Sanpaolo account, also enter the required amount and payment reference before confirming.
Send the transfer. Once completed, the amount will appear in your Euro Wallet on the Young Platform.
Processing times:
Instant transfer (Italy only): credited in 15–45 minutes.
Standard transfer: credited in 2–5 business days.
Deposit limits:
Minimum amount: €20
Maximum amount: depends on your verification level (KYC):
Level 1 – max €4,000 per transaction / €25,000 per year
Level 2 – max €8,000 per transaction / €50,000 per year
Level 3 – max €30,000 per transaction / €200,000 per year
Level 4 – max €60,000 per transaction / €200,000 per year
The bank account must be in your name (or jointly held by you) and match the name registered on Young Platform.
For foreign accounts and Intesa Sanpaolo, a payment reference is mandatory.
For the latest fees and limits, check: exchange.youngplatform.com/fees
2. Deposit with debit, credit or prepaid card
You can quickly deposit euros into Young Platform using Visa and Mastercard debit, credit or prepaid cards.
How to deposit:
From Home or Euro Wallet, select Deposit.
Choose EUR.
Select Credit, debit or prepaid card.
Add a new card or select a saved card.
Enter the amount (minimum €20).
Review the transaction summary and confirm.
Your bank may require authentication via app or SMS (SCA – PSD2).
Note: The first time you use a card, a small temporary charge will be made to verify it. This amount will be refunded automatically after verification.
Advantages: Instant deposit. Fees: 2.2% + €0.25 (Visa/Mastercard fees). Name requirement: The card must be in your name.
For updated fees: exchange.youngplatform.com/fees
3. Deposit with Google Pay or Apple Pay
You can also quickly top up your Young Platform account using Google Pay or Apple Pay.
To use this method: You must have Google Pay or Apple Pay enabled on your device and linked to at least one payment card.
Young Platform Gift Cards are digital vouchers worth between €20 and €250, redeemable for cryptocurrencies.
How to redeem:
Go to the Profile or Wallet section from the app or web platform.
Select Redeem Gift Card.
Enter the code you received by email or SMS.
The amount will be credited to your Euro Wallet and ready to use.
FAQs about euro deposits
What does “topping up my account to buy cryptocurrencies” mean? It’s the process of transferring euros into your Young Platform wallet, so you can then convert them into cryptocurrencies.
Do I need a subscription to use my account? No, your account is free. You can deposit any amount, anytime—no fixed costs.
How do I check if my deposit has arrived? Check your Euro Wallet balance. If the funds have been credited, you’ll see them instantly.
What if my deposit is delayed? Check the expected processing times for your deposit method. If it’s taking longer than expected, open a support ticket: support.youngplatform.com/hc/en/requests/new
Is it safe to link my card to the Young Platform? Yes, it’s safe. Just beware of scams: always make sure the URL is exchange.youngplatform.com/ or use the official app.
How many cards can I link? You can add up to 5 cards per month and 40 in total.
How can I withdraw my funds? Withdrawals are only possible via bank transfer or the payment card used for your deposits. Full instructions are available here: support.youngplatform.com/hc/en-us/sections/4559848673426-Deposits-Withdrawals
Why do I see multiple wallets in my account? On Young Platform, each currency (fiat or crypto) has a dedicated wallet: one for euros and one for each cryptocurrency.
Can I remove my card whenever I want? Yes! Go to Profile → Payments and click Remove card to delete any saved card.
Explore what banking risk is and how it justifies the extra profits earned by banks.
What is Risk Banking? No, it’s not the latest expansion of your favourite board game, although the dynamics of conquest and strategy that govern it bear a striking resemblance. This term, cleverly borrowed from the famous board game, describes the recent trend among credit institutions—especially those with a bit of extra capital—to engage in mergers, acquisitions (M&A), and amalgamations. It’s akin to when you’ve gathered enough armies in the game to start eyeing your neighbour’s territories with interest.
One key macroeconomic factor associated with banking risk is the change in interest rates, a topic frequently discussed in our articles due to its significant impact on various markets, including the cryptocurrency market. When central banks raise interest rates to combat inflation—while many of us witnessed rising mortgage payments—it’s often a boon for bank profits. These additional earnings will likely be reinvested to promote growth and expansion. So, prepare yourself; the banking risk landscape for 2025-2026 is shaping up to be quite eventful.
The health of Italian banks
Before exploring the main topic, it is helpful to briefly review the health of credit institutions to understand the context in which this risky phenomenon develops. In recent years, banks have greatly benefited from central banks’ decisions regarding interest rates.
In 2023, Italy’s largest listed banks reported a combined net profit of EUR 21.9 billion, which increased to EUR 31.4 billionin 2024. At the European level, the earnings of the twenty largest banks reached approximatelyEUR 100 billion.
The primary driver of growth during this period was the European Central Bank’s decision to raise interest rates in an effort to combat inflation. From July 2022 to October 2023, reference rates increased from 0% to 4.5%. This rise led to an improvement in the net interest margin, which is the difference between the interest income generated from loans and the interest expenses paid on deposits. In simple terms, banks raised lending rates on loans more quickly than they increased the interest offered on deposits.
However, the positive results were not solely due to this factor. There was also a rise in net commissions, particularly from asset management services. These elements have contributed to the current situation where banks, having accumulated substantial profits—akin to conquered territories or bonus cards in a game—now possess significant liquidity, or ‘armies.’ The next step for these banks, in both contexts, is to invest these resources for further expansion.
The banking risk
The metaphor of banking risk is particularly fitting, as the sector is increasingly resembling a competitive arena. However, unlike a board game, the push for consolidation among banks is driven by several strategic motivations that are essential for their growth and stability. Here are the main factors:
Seeking economies of scale: the primary objective is to unify operational structures and optimise costs through the rationalisation of internal processes and the integration of technology platforms.
Geographical and product diversification: expanding territorial presence and broadening the range of services offered enables banks to mitigate the risks associated with concentrating on specific markets or customer segments, while simultaneously increasing cross-selling opportunities and, consequently, revenues.
Increased competitiveness: larger banks generally have greater bargaining power and a higher capacity to invest in new technologies, human resources development and marketing initiatives, thus strengthening their market position.
Strategic response to industry challenges: M&As are seen as a response to accelerating digitisation, the need to comply with increasingly stringent regulations (e.g., on capital and liquidity requirements), and the urgency of addressing cross-cutting issues such as environmental and social sustainability.
Shareholder pressure: A relevant factor is the constant pressure exerted by shareholders to maximise the value of shares and dividends, and to attract new investors.
The banking risk: the most emblematic cases
The Italian banking landscape has experienced notable mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that have reshaped the credit sector. The merger between Intesa Sanpaolo and UBI Banca, finalised in 2021, is seen as a pivotal moment that sparked the latest wave of banking consolidation. This merger not only solidified Intesa Sanpaolo’s leadership but also catalysed further integration within the industry.
Another significant example is Crédit Agricole Italia’s acquisition of Credito Valtellinese (CreVal) between 2020 and 2021, which highlights the growing interest of foreign groups in enhancing their presence in key regions of Italy. Additionally, BPER Banca has remained an active participant in the market, acquiring Banca Carige in 2022 and engaging in ongoing discussions about a potential merger with Banca Popolare di Sondrio.
In the background, several hypotheses involving major players are circulating. There has been extensive discussion about UniCredit‘s interest in increasing its stake in Germany’s Commerzbank, as well as previous talks about a potential merger between UniCredit and Banco BPM. Currently, Banco BPM is working to finalise its takeover bid for Anima SGR, which is also attracting interest from UniCredit, with a bid exceeding EUR 10 billion.
Meanwhile, Unipol, having been excluded from the recent sale of public shares in Monte dei Paschidi Siena, is focusing on facilitating a merger between Bper and Popolare di Sondrio, in which it holds a significant stake.
Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) remains a central element in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) dynamics, with the Italian government seeking market-based solutions for its eventual stabilisation and privatisation. In this context, there has been renewed speculation about a possible involvement of UniCredit..
What will be the following developments?
What will be the outcome of this phase of banking risk? It is complex to provide a clear answer, mainly because there won’t be an absolute or definitive winner. Banking risk, unlike the dynamics of a board game, is a continuous process that adapts to the changing economic and financial seasons.
The current period is undoubtedly critical. With interest rates falling, the exceptional profit margins that banks have enjoyed in recent years may begin to normalise. This situation prompts banks to reevaluate their strategies and develop new plans to maintain profitability and strengthen their competitive positions.
As a result, we can expect further consolidation within the industry. Large banking groups may seek to fortify their positions to compete effectively on a global scale, while smaller institutions will need to take action to avoid being left behind. This could involve forming strategic alliances or pursuing mergers to create national or specialised leaders in the market.
What about the customers and the economy as a whole? Proponents of these operations often emphasise the anticipated benefits related to increased stability, efficiency, and investment capacity. It will be crucial to monitor whether these significant manoeuvres lead to real advantages in terms of effective competition, service quality, and support for the real economy. In summary, the dynamics of banking risk are still ongoing, and the upcoming developments will continue to shape the future of the credit sector.
The Q2 2025 report on the YNG token. What happened? What are the next steps?
The second quarter of 2025 will be remembered as a strategic turning point for our ecosystem. It was a period of intense work that culminated in a historic event: the arrival of Young (YNG) on the decentralised market. The enthusiasm of our community was palpable, with the token’s price seeing a sharp appreciation following the launch announcement, rising from around €0.20 at the beginning of July to a high of €0.45.
This Report analyses in detail the significance of this step, the strategies that made it possible, and above all, the following exciting developments. On the occasion of an event as important as the Uniswap launch, we have decided to make this edition of the report entirely public and accessible to everyone. We want the entire community, and beyond, to fully understand the scope of this turning point.
This is a notable exception: starting from the next edition, the report will return to being exclusive content, with detailed insights into numbers and strategies, reserved solely for our Club members. Suppose you are not yet one of us. In that case, this is the perfect opportunity to experience the level of transparency and detail we offer and to consider joining the Clubs to stay informed about future in-depth analyses.
The launch of YNG on Uniswap and CoinMarketCap
As repeatedly stated, the YNG listing is just the beginning. However, the third quarter of 2025 is, in a sense, the most important of the year, as it will culminate in the realisation of key projects that propel us toward our ultimate goal: to become a digital hub that merges the best of traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralised finance (DeFi).
The launch of YNG on the decentralised exchange Uniswap took place on July 17th. From that moment, and for the first time in history, our token became accessible to a global audience, marking our official entry into the world of DeFi. Concurrently, we secured listings on CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko, ensuring maximum visibility and transparency from the very first minute.
The Unbox: Young Platform’s richest prize competition ever
But the news doesn’t stop there. In recent weeks, we also launched “The Unbox,” our largest and most ambitious prize competition ever, with the primary goal of freeing participants from their preconceptions about finance.
With a prize pool that includes iconic prizes (like a Rolex Datejust and a Moto Guzzi V7) and new game mechanics, this event is designed to increase our community’s engagement and put them to the test, allowing users to win incredible prizes as a natural continuation of their journey exploring the crypto world.
In this context, YNG is the absolute star thanks to the Boost Holder, a mechanism that provides a tangible advantage to those who hold the token in their Young Platform wallet. Specifically, at the end of each week, users receive an extra Gem bonus, calculated based on the amount of YNG held in their wallet (tokens held in Clubs are excluded). It’s a simple, automatic, and merit-based system: the more YNG you own, the more bonus Gems you get, regardless of the missions completed. This is our way of rewarding those who choose to keep their capital in YNG during this key phase of its evolution.
OTC Allocation for Strategic Partners
During this quarter, a strategic allocation of 2,000,000 YNG tokens was almost entirely completed through an Over-the-Counter (OTC) sale that began on July 1, 2025. To date, 100% of the sales target in Euros has been reached, for a total of 474.766,22 €, corresponding to 1.722.440,88 YNG.
This initiative was reserved for selected profiles, High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs), and top users of the platform, to strengthen our ecosystem by involving actors aligned with our long-term vision.
The offer included a minimum purchase of €5,000 and a tiered bonus structure to incentivise larger investments:
5% bonus for purchases over €10,000
10% bonus for purchases over €50,000
15% bonus for purchases over €100,000
To discourage speculation and ensure long-term alignment, participants could opt for an additional 15% bonus by locking their tokens. The unlocking terms for these tokens include a 6-month total lock-up period (cliff), followed by a linear monthly release over the subsequent 6 months. The selection of participants was rigorous, ensuring that each partner shared our long-term oriented approach.
The proceeds from this allocation will be entirely reinvested to support YNG’s growth. Specifically, they will be used to finance upcoming marketing campaigns, potential listings on other centralised exchanges, and to fuel the token’s stability mechanisms, such as buyback programs and liquidity injections.
Given the success of the initiative, we have prepared a new allocation plan, which we will describe in detail in future updates. Unlike the OTC sale, this new plan entails that token purchases will be executed directly on the market. This means they will have a direct impact on the price of YNG. Further details on this future initiative and participation requirements, also based on Club membership, will be shared exclusively with Club members.
Economic Model Integration: Liquidity Injections and Periodic Buybacks
The following strategic step for YNG’s infrastructure is the activation of our new economic model, designed to support its value and liquidity over time.
The integration will be gradual: the mechanism will become fully operational only with the launch of new features, such as the payment account, the card, and perpetual futures trading, scheduled for the second half of 2025.
However, to provide tangible support to the token from its launch, we have chosen to activate an observation phase immediately. We have allocated a dedicated monthly budget and are ready to intervene to support the project if necessary. This initial phase will then be replaced by a portion of the platform’s revenues with the launch of the new features.
As stated multiple times, the economic model is based on two main actions:
Liquidity Injections: The funds will be used to add liquidity to the pools, making the market more stable and resilient.
Buyback (market purchase): If a liquidity injection creates an imbalance, the mechanism will use the funds to buy YNG on the market, realigning the value of the assets in the pool and supporting the price. The control and rebalancing between the quantity of Young (YNG), EURO, and USDC in the Pools will be carried out monthly.
To simplify, the process will work as follows:
Month 1: Assuming a monthly budget of €20,000, this entire sum is used to purchase the YNG token directly on the market. This buyback operation is intended to support the token’s price.
Month 2: The YNG tokens purchased in the previous month are paired with the current month’s budget. The asset pair (YNG and Euro) is then added to the liquidity pool, increasing the market’s depth and stability. The cycle repeats in the following months.
New Benefit for Clubs: Pulsee Energy
The second quarter of 2025 also brings a new, significant benefit for members of the Young Platform Clubs, designed to meet one of the most pressing needs of the moment and to enrich the user experience from a financial and practical standpoint.
In a context marked by the rising cost of living, we have forged a strategic partnership to offer a concrete and immediate advantage.
Pulsee Luce e Gas: a new energy for your finances. We have joined forces with Pulsee Luce e Gas, the 100% digital energy company of Axpo Italia, to give you greater control over your household expenses. This collaboration was born to offer you not only tangible savings but also an innovative and transparent experience, in line with the Young Platform philosophy.
Club members can now access an exclusive discount on their bills:
€140 discount on electricity and gas for Club Bronze & Silver members.
€160 discount on electricity and gas for Club Gold & Platinum members.
Pulsee offers energy from 100% renewable sources, fully digital management via an app, and zero paper constraints—a concrete way to cut costs where they weigh the most and protect your purchasing power.
This benefit adds to the others already active and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to enriching the value of the Clubs. New collaborations are already being defined to make the experience for our members ever more complete and distinctive.
Strategic Insights and On-Chain Data
The following section represents the level of in-depth analysis that is usually reserved exclusively for members of the Young Platform Clubs: confidential information, strategic data, and previews that are not publicly shared.
As a notable exception to celebrate the listing, we are making this content public. In these pages, you will discover the complete evolution of our ecosystem: from the organic growth of the YNG token, which we consider fundamental for it to remain “healthy,” to the new phase of our roadmap.
Listing on Uniswap, CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko
The launch of YNG on Uniswap was executed with a precise strategy, aimed at ensuring stability and maximum transparency for our community. In conjunction with the listing, we secured the presence of YNG on the two most important data aggregators in the world, CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko.
We are in direct contact with their respective teams to ensure that all information (supply, market data, etc.) is always accurate and up-to-date.
To create the market on Uniswap, we split the liquidity pools already present on our exchange, using part of those funds to develop the new decentralised pool on Uniswap V3. At the same time, to ensure clear on-chain visibility, we have structured the YNG supply into three main wallets:
1. Wallet: treasury & ecosystem rewards
This is our main wallet, containing 66 million YNG. Its function is twofold:
Ecosystem Rewards: A portion of the funds fuels the benefits for Club members, such as enhanced staking, contest prizes, and future cashback.
Treasury: The other part serves as a strategic reserve to support the token’s long-term growth, financing the buyback mechanism, liquidity additions, and other future initiatives. We have chosen not to define the breakdown of these funds rigidly. This flexibility is crucial to seize opportunities that will arise in the coming years and to continue rewarding our most loyal users, while always keeping inflation under control.
This wallet contains approximately 24.9 million YNG and represents the circulating supply held by users on our platform. If you are a YNG holder on our exchange and have not withdrawn the tokens to an external wallet, your funds are safe here.
7% share of the total YNG supply, equivalent to 7 million tokens, has been allocated to an incentive plan for the team. The objective of this reserve is to align the interests of our staff with the long-term growth of Young Platform, rewarding their strategic contribution. The distribution of 5% of the total token supply will begin in early August and will follow a four-year gradual vesting mechanism. This system ensures a constant commitment over time. Should a team member end their collaboration with the company, they would forfeit the right to receive the unvested portions of the tokens. Furthermore, to support the company’s expansion goals, the 2 million YNG (equal to 2% of the total supply) not yet allocated will be reserved for the recruitment of future talent.
Wallet Address (Etherscan): 0xA26Cbb76156090f4B40A1799A220fc4C946aFB3c The management of the entire reserve will be carried out with maximum transparency; it will be possible to monitor the amount of tokens released into the market by directly analysing the holders section on Etherscan. Moreover, the issuance of these tokens will be regulated by a mechanism linked to the market capitalisation, which will align the increase in supply with the project’s growth.
4. Wallet for Uniswap Liquidity (LP Token)
This wallet contains the tokens that represent the liquidity provided by Young Platform to the decentralised exchange Uniswap.
What are LP tokens? When you provide liquidity to a pool on Uniswap, you deposit two tokens in a “pair” (in this case, YNG and another asset, like ETH). In return, Uniswap issues LP (Liquidity Provider) tokens.
These tokens act as a “receipt”: they prove ownership of a share of that liquidity and entitle you to receive a portion of the fees generated each time someone trades the tokens in that pair. This wallet holds these LP tokens, guaranteeing YNG’s liquidity on the decentralised market of Uniswap. As of 07/27/2025, the liquidity locked at this address corresponds to 1,732,074 YNG.
Let’s now turn to the numbers from the last few months. As you know, YNG is the utility token of Young Platform and grants access to the Clubs: subscription plans that offer significant advantages both on our crypto services and on a selection of brands designed to enrich every aspect of your financial life. First, a clarification is necessary: due to a tracking error related to past promotions, the member data reported in previous reports was not entirely correct. Specifically, some users who were taking advantage of a promotional access to our first Club level, an initiative aimed at testing new engagement strategies, were mistakenly counted. Below are the updated and certified data.
As of 07/27/2025, the Clubs are composed of 1,830 people, divided as follows:
1,205 for Club Bronze;
275 for Club Silver;
156 for Club Gold;
194 for Club Platinum;
This data also allows us to analyse the token’s distribution. The more people join a Club, the more YNG is locked, thus reducing the circulating supply. Consequently, this dynamic contributes to greater price stability for YNG. At the end of the first quarter of 2025, Club members numbered 1,797, marking a growth of about 1%. At first glance, the growth may seem modest. Still, the data must be interpreted in light of another factor: the choice of many users to leave the Clubs to have their tokens available for the listing and to capitalise on a potential price increase of Young (which did indeed happen) to realise a profit.
Below is a chart summarising the growth of Club members from the launch of Young (YNG) on our platform to today. We intend to build a dedicated dashboard accessible to Club members through which it will be possible to see, in real time, how the adoption of our loyalty programs evolves.
YNG Token Distribution
In the period between early April and late July 2025, the circulating supply of YNG increased from approximately 24 to 27 million tokens. It is crucial to clarify the nature of this increase immediately: it is not the result of new emissions, but the consequence of a strategic OTC allocation, as previously discussed in the report. These 3 million tokens are now included in the circulating supply calculation because they have left the treasury wallet. However, most are subject to vesting periods and are therefore not immediately available on the market.
This strategic dynamic is coupled with the protocol’s organic inflation, stemming from rewards, which, by contrast, has remained at exceptionally low levels. The analysis of the second quarter (Q2) of 2025 confirms this:
Step Rewards: 33,851 YNG
Staking Rewards: 3,929 YNG
Total Q2 Emissions: 37,780 YNG
This total represents a quarterly inflation rate of just 0.14% relative to the circulating supply.
Having defined the composition of the supply, let’s move on to its distribution across the markets. With the listing on Uniswap, YNG’s liquidity was split to support both the CEX and the DEX. As of July 27, 2025, the situation is as follows:
YNG/EUR Pool (on Young Platform):
621,000 Euros
1.734 million YNG
YNG/USDC Pool (on Uniswap – Ethereum):
723,905 USDC
1.733 million YNG
This configuration is the result of the purchases and sales made on the two markets where Young (YNG) is currently active, summarised below along with the price trend.
What happened during Q2 2025 from a tokenomics perspective?
From a tokenomics perspective, the quantity of tokens issued during the quarter remained in line with previous periods, consistent with our policy of controlled inflation.
This approach, which limits the increase in supply much more significantly than the crypto market average, represents a fundamental strength for YNG’s stability. This characteristic, combined with the new economic model that will be implemented with the launch of new features at the end of Q3 2025, strengthens our prospects for sustainable growth.
A more in-depth analysis of the current circulating supply reveals a strategic division between locked tokens and freely tradable tokens:
Illiquid YNG: approximately 11.2 million YNG (just under half of the circulating supply) are not immediately available for sale. This figure includes tokens deposited in Clubs, those subject to lock-up periods following the OTC sale, those contained within the liquidity pools, and those on Step.
Liquid YNG: consequently, the amount of tokens actually “sellable” on the market amounts to approximately 8.6 million.
The rest of the circulating supply is distributed within the ecosystem, mainly on Step and in the two currently active liquidity pools.
The Price of YNG
The second quarter of 2025 marked a turning point for Young (YNG), characterised by exceptional price performance and the achievement of a fundamental strategic objective: listing on a decentralised market.
After a phase of remarkable stability for much of the quarter, with the price hovering around the €0.20 level, the situation changed radically in early July. The announcement of the imminent listing on Uniswap triggered a sudden surge, fueled by the positive reaction of the community.
Intense buying pressure pushed the token above €0.27 in a single day, and then, within a week, it broke the previous all-time high of €0.30. This rally peaked in the week of the launch, when YNG set a new all-time high around €0.50, marking an appreciation of about +120% since the end of June.
The enthusiasm was such that, at the time of listing, the price even briefly touched the one-dollar mark on the on-chain pool. While we appreciate this performance, our goal remains steady and organic growth, avoiding excessive volatility and linking the token’s value to its real utility within the platform.
The Next Steps
The listing on Uniswap is not a destination, but the beginning of a new phase of expansion. Our strength lies not in short-term hype, but in building a solid, secure, and valuable ecosystem. Our course for the coming months is set and is based on three fundamental pillars:
1. Global Expansion and Targeted Marketing
The launch on Uniswap kicks off our first true international marketing campaign to make the project known far beyond Italy’s borders. It’s not just about promoting the token, but about making the entire Young Platform ecosystem accessible and attractive to a global audience, increasing its utility and avoiding purely speculative logic. We will act with a strategic and measured approach, collaborating with agencies and KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) specialised in the Web3 sector. Thanks to a flexible structure, we will analyse data in real time to focus investments on the highest-impact activities, thus ensuring organic and sustainable growth.
2. Continuous Platform Development
While the market focuses on price, our team remains focused on our primary mission: building tangible value. Our development roadmap continues unabated, and the release of the announced new features, such as the payment account, the card, and the integration of futures, is our top priority. We firmly believe that the growth of YNG’s value in the long term will not be dictated by hype, but by its real utility. Every new product we integrate into the ecosystem creates new use cases for YNG, increasing its organic demand and offering our community more concrete reasons to hold and use it.
3. Strategic Activation of the Economic Model
In parallel with development, we will activate our new economic model, designed to link the platform’s successes to the token’s stability. The implementation will be gradual: in an initial phase, until the launch of the account and the card, we will be in “observation mode,” carefully monitoring the market to act with targeted support operations where necessary. Subsequently, the mechanism will become fully operational. A portion of the platform’s revenues — generated from trading fees, the Step app, and staking — will be systematically used to perform YNG buybacks or to inject liquidity into the pools, creating a virtuous cycle that supports the token’s value over time.
Conclusions
The second quarter of 2025 concludes by marking a historic turning point for the Young Platform ecosystem. The listing of YNG on Uniswap was not just a technical milestone, but the beginning of a new era of global accessibility and integration into the world of decentralised finance. The enthusiasm of our community and the positive market reaction, which brought the token to a new all-time high, confirm the validity of our vision.
As we have detailed in this report, every step — from the strategic OTC allocation to the launch of The Unbox competition — has been guided by a single principle: the construction of long-term value. Our course remains firm and focused on organic growth, the real utility of the token, and the constant strengthening of our ecosystem, shielded from purely speculative dynamics.
The coming months will be just as intense. We will proceed with determination along the three strategic pillars we have outlined: the expansion of our marketing globally, the release of new and fundamental features like the account, the card, and futures, and the progressive activation of our economic model. We are convinced that these initiatives will further consolidate the position of YNG and our ecosystem.
Your support as Club members is and remains our greatest asset. We thank you for your trust and invite you to continue following us in this exciting chapter of our journey.
After years of growth within our ecosystem, we are ready for one of the most important steps in our history. This is why the launch of YNG on Uniswap is not a destination, but a new, exciting beginning.
On 17 July, something we have been waiting for a long time will happen, a fundamental milestone in our journey. We are incredibly excited to announce that our token, Young (YNG), will be officially launched on the Ethereum blockchain, specifically on the decentralized exchange Uniswap and simultaneously listed on CoinMarketCap.
But that’s not all! In the coming days, we will also kick off a new, incredible prize competition in which YNG will be one of the main protagonists. This is not just a listing. It is the moment we open the doors of our ecosystem to the entire world.
What does this launch mean for the Community and for YNG?
Since its inception in 2018, YNG has lived and thrived within our ecosystem. It has been the tool to reward education with Step, the key to accessing exclusive Club benefits, and the symbol of our community’s trust.
Until today, however, it was a treasure shared only among our users.
With the launch on Uniswap, everything changes. YNG becomes a global asset, accessible to anyone, anywhere, without barriers. It enters the world of decentralized finance (DeFi) on Ethereum, opening up to a universe of new possibilities and an international audience. For you, who are part of our community or are approaching YNG for the first time, this means more visibility and the first, true interaction of our token with the global market.
The foundations supporting the launch
We arrive at this moment after more than six years of work and strategic choices designed for long-term stability. This launch is not a gamble, but the next step in a journey built on solid pillars.
A “Community-First” philosophy: our company’s growth has been supported by top-tier institutional partners like Azimut, who have invested in our company’s equity, not in the token. We have consciously chosen not to sell YNG to Venture Capital funds to protect our community from dilution and speculative sales.
A tokenomics based on scarcity: the strength of YNG lies in an economic structure designed to create real value. Scarcity is one of its cornerstones: a huge portion of its circulating supply (currently more than 70%) is locked in our Clubs, on Step, or in liquidity pools.
A sustainable economic model: the economic mechanism that we will integrate shortly, fueled by buybacks financed by platform revenues and by liquidity injections, will allow us to actively support the token’s value.
Why Uniswap?
For such an important event, we chose not only the best platform, but the best technology. The launch will take place on Uniswap V3. This technical choice was made for a specific reason: to protect and stabilize the YNG market from the very first minute.
Reaching this milestone is not a finish line, but a new starting point. It is the moment when the project we have carefully cultivated with our community presents itself to the world.
We are proud of the journey we have made and incredibly excited for the future we will build, now more than ever, together with you. The next chapter of our story is about to begin.
But the best is yet to come…
The utility of YNG is constantly expanding. In addition to the real benefits already available to Club members, such as up to 90% discount on trading fees and a boost on staking returns, we have formed exclusive partnerships with successful brands like WeRoad, Serenis, and Milano Finanza, to offer value that goes beyond the crypto world. Consistent with our roadmap, Club members will get privileges like cashback on the debit card (up to 3.6%) and exclusive benefits on Futures trading.
And that’s not all: YNG will be one of the protagonists in the new prize competition that we will launch in the coming days. Reaching this milestone is not a finish line, but a new starting point.
We are proud of the journey we have made and incredibly excited for the future we will build, now more than ever, together with you. Are you already a YNG hodler? Buy Young (YNG) and join the Clubs now!
It’s a common misconception that you must constantly follow the markets to invest. Discover the five most prevalent myths about investing.
What are the common myths about active market investors? Many misconceptions exist, much like the popular beliefs that wholemeal bread has fewer calories than regular bread, that eating carbohydrates in the evening causes weight gain, and that dogs perceive the world in black and white. These false myths permeate our daily lives until we accidentally uncover the truth, often by reading a revealing article like this one. When it comes to finances, these myths can resemble urban legends. So, what are some of the most prevalent misconceptions in the world of investments?
In this article, we will examine various myths, including the unrealistic time horizons that young investors often believe they have, as well as the paradox of the over-informed investor who ultimately harms themselves.
The CAP is the best way to invest.
What? We started with a cannonball, huh? Is this a myth? Hold on, don’t run away; I’ll explain. The CAP, or Capital Accumulation Plan, is undoubtedly a great way to build wealth, especially if you don’t have large sums of money available or if the idea of investing everything at once makes you anxious.
Regularly setting aside a small amount of money not only reduces the risk of entering the market at the wrong time, but it also helps you develop self-discipline—much like a Tibetan monk—especially when you use automatic deposits. Plus, let’s be honest: it lessens the emotional toll of experiencing the market’s ups and downs.
However, there is always a caveat: this approach is not the most mathematically efficient way to invest. Statistically, putting all your capital into a single, bold solution (PIC) offers higher returns. Why is that? It’s simple: all your capital works for you immediately, allowing you to fully benefit from the power of compound interest from day one. Additionally, since markets tend to rise over the long term, the likelihood of buying an asset at a lower price today is generally higher than it will be tomorrow or the day after.
The effectiveness of a Premium Allocation Contract (PAC) in managing purchase prices during bearish market phases is somewhat limited, particularly if the portfolio is still in its growth phase. Initially, payments into a PAC are more likely to influence the average price positively, but this effectiveness tends to decrease asthe portfolio matures.
That said, I want to emphasise that a PAC remains a strong investment option while also providing a savings mechanism. For many investors—likely the majority—it is the bestsolutionavailable. Although it may not be the most efficient option in absolute terms, the peace of mind it offers can often outweigh the benefits of marginal gains.
More risk means more return.
This may sound controversial, almost like a challenge to the popular saying “no pain, no gain.” How can the concept of balancing risk and return be deemed a myth?
To clarify this, we need to explore the physical and statistical idea of ergodicity. In simple terms, a system is considered ergodic if, over the long run, the timeaverage of a single pathequals the averageacross all possible paths. If this sounds confusing, you’re not alone.
Let’s use a more relatable example. Imagine your favourite motorcyclist, who is exceptionally talented and often finishes on the podium. However, he rides recklessly—he brakes at the last moment and performs wheelies in corners, which leads to frequent crashes and injuries. For simplicity, let’s say hehas a 20% chanceof winning each race but also facesa20% chance of getting seriouslyinjured and missingthe rest of the championship. What are his chances of winning in a 10-race championship?
Intuition might suggest that with a 20% chance of winning each race, our hero could expect to win about 2 out of 10 races. This seems logical. However, the situation is more complicated than it appears. The high risk of injury is a significant factor to consider. Supposef our daring competitor suffers a serious injury—there’s a 20% chance of this in every race—his dreams of glory could come to a swift end. An injury would prevent him from participating in the rest of the championship, effectively eliminating his chances of overall victory. He could win two races and then spend the remainder of the season watching from the sidelines, perhaps with a leg in a cast.
Non-ergodicity is a crucial concept to understand in this context. It emphasises that a person’s skill is closely linked to their willingness to take risks, which can sometimes lead to “ruin”—especially in sports. Similarly, in investments, taking high risks, even with the potential for significant returns, can result in the investor’s downfall and render historical averages irrelevant. In non-ergodic situations,the focusshifts from maximising yields to ensuringsurvival. To reduce these serious risks, diversification is essential; it helps lower the chances of facing losses from which one might never recover.
To invest, one must be informed
It may surprise you, but sometimes an investor who is blissfully unaware of market happenings—meaning they choose to ignore the noise—can be more effective. Yes, you read that correctly. This is because those overwhelmed with information, charts, opinions, and alarmist tweets are more likely to make impulsivedecisions.
Additionally, investors who see themselves as the next Warren Buffett—always well-informed and on top of everything—might be tempted to experiment. They may use complex financial instruments that seem straight out of a science fiction movie, buy ‘exotic’ assets, or develop strategies so intricate they would challenge a NASA engineer. The outcome? Often, they take on more risk andlose control. Sometimes, the overly informed investor ends up like a cook who ruins an otherwise good dish by adding too many ‘special’ spices.
Young people have a long-term horizon.
More than just a common misconception, we are facing a logical fallacy—a classic error in perspective. Many people believe that young individuals have decades ahead of them to invest: twenty years, twenty-five, thirty… it feels like an eternity! This mindset stems from thinking of ourselves as if we are playing a video game, to maximise ourfinal score, which in this case means accumulating capital for retirement.
However, the reality is quite different. Suppose you are young and take a moment to reflect. In that case, you may realise that the money you plan to invest might be needed long before you reach your golden years—if those years even include a pension, given the uncertainties around social security. You may need that money for a down payment on a house, a wedding, an expensive master’s degree, or that dream trip you’ve always wanted. In short, sooner or later, you will enjoy—or need—to use that money.
Investing exclusively in equities simply because “there’s still time” is similar to preparing for a marathon by consuming only sweets. It’s essential to include a mix of assets with varying risk and return profiles in addition to stocks, as these may take time to generate positive results. For example, consider incorporating bonds or bond ETFs, as well as cryptocurrencies or commodities, to diversify your investment portfolio.
The global ETF is the holy grail that faithfully replicates the world economy
We arrive at a fundamental principle for forum investors known as ‘VWCE & Chill’ (or its global equivalent). This philosophy resembles a way of life, almost akin to a religion, complete with excommunications for those who dare to stray from the established path of the global index. Many investors adopt this nearly blind faith approach, overlooking the true nature of their investment choices.
It’s crucial to understand that the stock market does not comprehensively represent the entire world economy. Instead, it only reflects a large subset of companies that choose—and are able—to go public. In the United States, financial culture and demand for the stock market are so ingrained that a significant number of large companies are publicly listed. In contrast, many successful companies in Europe and other parts of the world opt to remainprivate, choosing alternative forms of financing. Consequently, a global equity ETF, no matter how diversified, may overlook essential segments of the real economy.
How can we exclude the crypto world from this discussion? Bitcoin, in particular, has become a focal point in recent years due to its relatively predictable growth, which results from the cyclical nature of its price movements. It has created fortunes for many investors and has become one of the most popular assets globally, thanks in part to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) issued by major American investment firms. Often referred to as “digital gold,” Bitcoin serves as a crucial haven asset in today’s financial landscape.
Bitcoin’s mathematically finite supply and decentralised nature position it as a safeguard against unregulated monetary policies and missteps by central banks. In the context of soaring U.S. government debt and ongoing turmoil that erodes confidence in traditional currencies, Bitcoin is not merely an alternative; it is a resilient solution and a strategic store of value. Thus, it becomes an essential component of conscious asset diversification, helping to protect against the evident and increasing vulnerabilities of the traditional financial system.Bitcoin’s volatility is undeniable, but it is also a hallmark of a revolutionary asset class that is still working towards global acceptance. Ignoring Bitcoin in today’s financial climate would be akin to repeating the mistake of those who underestimated the internet’s potential in its early days.
Cognitive biases have a greater impact on your investment decisions than you realise. Explore the most prevalent ones in finance and practical strategies for recognising, managing, and overcoming them.
Cognitive biases are mental distortions that affect our thinking and decision-making, often clashing with the fundamentals of traditional economic theory. Because of these systematic biases, we, as investors in the financial world, are far from being the ‘rational actors’ that classical economists envisioned.
For a long time, the significance of cognitive biases has been overlooked. People tended to view individuals as robots, acting solely based on a balance of risk versus return and costs versus benefits. However, reality—and particularly the data, which rarely lies—presents a very different picture.
What exactly are cognitive biases? How does behavioural finance define them? And, most importantly, how frequently do we fall victim to them?
Cognitive bias: The origin of the term
Do you think you’re a good driver? Maybe you believe you’re better than the “average Italian driver.” If so, you’re not alone; most drivers share the same conviction. This phenomenon itself is paradoxical. The reason behind it? The overconfidence bias. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; we’ll discuss that shortly.
To explore the intriguing world of cognitive bias in finance, we first need to understand what “bias” means. It’s an English term derived from the Greek word “epikársios,” which means “slanted” or “skewed.” Initially related to the game of bowls, it described a slightly off-target shot. You probably never heard your grandfather shout “Bias!” at the bowling alley, and there’s a reason for that: since the 1500s, the term has taken on a broader meaning. Today, we often refer to it as a “predisposition to bias” or, more specifically, in our context, a “systematic distortion of judgment.” In short, it refers to the tendency to see things a bit… askew.
What are Cognitive Biases?
The term “cognitive bias” has its origins in etymology, which we have briefly touched upon. It is essential to note that this concept has a strong foundation in psychology, mainly due to the pioneering research of two prominent figures: Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky. These Nobel laureates began exploring this complex topic in the 1970s.
So, what does “cognitive bias” actually mean? One could consider it synonymous with mental automatism or shortcuts, though these terms often carry a negative connotation. Our brains, to conserve energy, tend to take shortcuts instead of processing information straightforwardly. Unfortunately, these shortcuts can sometimes lead us astray. Cognitive biases can influence the beliefs we hold, the decisions we make, and even our habits. In summary, cognitive biases are serious matters; they can significantly alter our thinking processes, especially if we fail to recognise and address them. The key to managing these biases is to acknowledge their existence and thoroughly understand them.
Heuristics, sometimes dangerous mental deterrents
We are discussing cognitive biases related to finance, but money and investments often lack concrete evidence, don’t they? Don’t worry; we’re getting there. First, we need to clarify one last fundamental concept: heuristics, a term you will frequently hear in connection with bias.
In simple terms, heuristics are mental shortcuts that help us make quick decisions. The word originates from the Greek “heurískein, “meaning “to discover” or “to find.” These quick mental processes allow us to reach conclusions swiftly, enabling us to make decisions on the fly. Isn’t that fascinating? When an idea suddenly “pops into your head” without the need for extensive thought or complicated reasoning, that’s heuristics at work!
This phenomenon, often referred to as ‘magic’, occurs in our brains through a process known as attribute substitution. This process usually happens without our awareness. Our brain replaces complex concepts with simpler ones, allowing us to reach quick conclusions with minimal cognitive effort.
This intriguing mechanism can lead to cognitive biases. However, it is essential to recognise that not all heuristics are detrimental; some are known as ‘effective heuristics’. These are shortcuts that can be beneficial and make our lives easier. The real issue arises when we rely too heavily on ‘lazy’ or flawed heuristics, which can lead to problems, especially in finance.
Cognitive bias in the world of finance: When shortcuts become traps
Have you ever made a trade and felt like the Warren Buffett of your region, almost invincible? Or, conversely, have you recorded a loss and, instead of taking a moment to reflect, decided to increase your investment to try to “recover quickly”? If you’ve nodded in agreement at least once, welcome to the club—you’ve had your encounter with cognitive bias.
Don’t feel alone or wrong; this is entirely normal. Research shows that irrational thinking patterns are pervasive and significantly influence the decisions of many individuals when faced with uncertainty, such as in financial markets. Kahneman, in his book “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” explains that these “systematic errors” are an integral part of our thought processes.
It is essential to closely examine the most prevalent biases that impact the investment world. The goal is to recognise these biases so we can work to mitigate their impact. While eliminating them may be nearly impossible, we can aim to manageand reduce their influence.
Confirmation Bias
Confirmation bias refers to the tendency to seek out, interpret, favour, and remember information that supports our pre-existing beliefs or values, essentially acting as a form of selective blindness.
For example, suppose you invest in shares of ‘Company X’ or a trending cryptocurrency. In that case, you may actively search for positive news about that asset on forums or social media, while ignoring or downplaying any negative information. You might think, “Oh, that famous analyst says it will go up? That’s fantastic! The other analyst believes it’s a bubble. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!”
A study conducted by Park in 2010 and published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience utilised functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to demonstrate that when confirmation bias is at work, areas of the brain associated with reward become activated. In simple terms, our brains release dopamine when we encounter information that aligns with our beliefs, even if those beliefs are incorrect.
Overconfidence bias
It is a very human tendency to overestimate one’s abilities, knowledge, and the accuracy of one’s predictions. Consider entrepreneurs who underestimate the challenges of starting a business or employees who are convinced they can meet unreasonably tight deadlines. While optimism can be a powerful motivator, it becomes problematic when confidence turns into arrogance. This overconfidence can lead to hasty decisions, disregard for genuine risks, and ultimately disappointing outcomes.
Research by Barber and Odean (2001), titled “Boys Will BeBoys: Gender, Overconfidence, and Common Stock Investment,” highlights that this cognitive bias occurs more frequently among male investors. Males tend to overestimate their capabilities, which often results in more frequent trading and lower net returns compared to their female counterparts.
Anchorage bias
Anchoring refers to our tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information we receive about a topic, even if that information is not particularly relevant or accurate. This initial piece of information acts as a mental ‘anchor’ that affects all subsequent judgments. For instance, when we are tasked with making a numerical estimate, we are often influenced by a number we have encountered before, regardless of its relevance to the current situation.
A study by Hersh Shefrin in 2000, which is detailed in his book ‘Beyond Greed and Fear’—a classic in the field of behavioural finance—demonstrates how investors tend to ‘anchor’ themselves to historical price levels. This could be the price at which they purchased a stock or its historical high. These ‘anchors’ can significantly influence their expectations and future decision-making.
Bias of the Present
You may fall victim to this cognitive bias, which can lead to adverse outcomes, when you overvalue immediate benefits at the expense of future gains, even though the latter could be significantly greater. This reflects the mindset of “everything and now.”
A 2008 study on retirement savings by Laibson, Repetto,and Tobacman demonstrates how this bias can contribute to chronic procrastination in long-term savings decisions. The common thought of “I’ll start my savings plan next month” often shifts to “next year,” and, eventually, “when the kids are grown up.”
This bias is effectively illustrated by economic models such as the “beta-delta” model, which simply shows that people do not discount time uniformly. We tend to give much more weight to rewards we can obtain immediately than to those that will come in the future, even when the wait is minimal. It’s as if our “future self” is a stranger to whom we are reluctant to show kindness.
Representativeness Bias
Tversky and Kahneman extensively addressed this heuristic in their seminal 1974 article, “Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases.” This heuristic is based on our tendency to evaluate the likelihood of an event or its association with a category by comparing it to a well-established prototype or stereotype in our minds. Unfortunately, this often leads us to ignore what is known as ‘base probability’—the actual frequency of that event in reality.
A classic example in finance is when investors choose to invest in a company merely because it belongs to a ‘hot’ sector, such as artificial intelligence today or renewable energy yesterday. They might also invest simply because the company’s name resembles that of a successful enterprise or because its founder has a likeness to Steve Jobs. In these cases, people focus on superficial similarities while neglecting essential fundamental analysis.
Consider roulette: if red appears five times in a row, many people would choose to bet on black, thinking it must come up next. This belief stems from the idea that the sequence R-R-R-R does not fit our perception of randomness. However, it’s important to remember that the roulette ball has no memory, and the probability remains the same with each spin.
Framing Effect
Even when not influenced by bias, we must acknowledge the framing effect. This psychological phenomenon illustrates how our decisions can change significantly based on how information is presented, or “framed.” Although the underlying facts may be the same, our perception—and ultimately our choice—can vary significantly depending on the way they are framed.
As Kahneman and Tversky have taught us, how a choice is formulated in terms of potential gains or losses can make a considerable difference. For instance, stating that a medical treatment has a “90% chance of success” feels much more reassuring than saying it has a “10% chance of failure,” even though both statements convey the same information.
Similarly, when we say that an active investment fund generated a 4% return while the reference market yielded only 2%, it can be framed as a success. However, if the annual management fees are 3.5% and inflation is 3%, the actualreturn is negative.
.
How to unhinge cognitive bias
Now that we’ve become familiar with this cheerful little collection of mental traps, you might be asking yourself, “Am I destined to make poor financial decisions for the rest of my life?” The answer is a resounding NO! Understanding the problem is the first essential step toward overcoming it. Here are some practical tips—no magic formulas, just genuinely helpful advice:
Give yourself clear rules and follow them:
Set clear financial goals: what do you want from your investments? A quiet retirement? Buying a house? Having defined goals and a defined time horizon helps you keep a straight tiller when the seas get rough;
Create a written investment plan: do not navigate by sight. Decide on your risk profile first, how to diversify your portfolio, and set clear rules for buying, selling and rebalancing. Write it down in black and white! And, above all, stick to the plan, even when instinct (or a damn bias!) screams at you to do the exact opposite.
Automate as much as possible: accumulation plans are a blessing. Regular, automatic deposits and purchases save you the agony of deciding ‘when is the right time to enter’ (spoiler: nobody knows for sure) and protect you from impulsive decisions dictated by the emotionality of the moment.
Scepticism, in finance, is a virtue:
Actively seek divergent opinions: Are you overwhelmingly convinced you want to invest in a specific crypto, e.g. SOL? Perfect. Now go and look up all the reasons why it might be a bad idea. Read analyses from those who think differently and compare your thoughts.
Draw up a ‘pre-mortem’: before making a significant financial decision, imagine for a moment that it went wrong, a complete disaster. What could have been the causes? This mental exercise can help you identify risks and flaws in your reasoning that you might otherwise overlook.
Keep an investment diary:
Write down why you made a specific investment decision, what you expected at the time, and how you felt (euphoric? worried?). Rereading the diary after a while is a powerful way to recognise your ‘favourite’ behavioural patterns and biases, the ones you fall into most often.
Think long term:
The financial and cryptocurrency markets are generally considered risky and volatile in the short term. If you stand there every day checking the charts and getting anxious about every little change, the bias will have an easy time. Take a deep breath, remember your long-term goals and don’t get overwhelmed by the panic or euphoria of the moment. As Warren Buffett says, “The stock market is a mechanism for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.”
Cognitive bias in finance: Frequently asked questions
After all this immersion in the somewhat convoluted world of bias, it is normal to have a few doubts or curiosities. Let’s try to anticipate a few, see if we get it right:
Is it possible to eliminate cognitive bias?
The honest answer is that cognitive biases likely cannot be eliminated. They are a fundamental part of being human, much like our shadows or our regional accents. Instead of trying to eradicate these biases—an unrealistic goal akin to never feeling hungry—the more realistic approach is to recognise and understand them. By developingstrategies to manage and mitigate their effects, we can work toward a better understanding of ourselves. This is an ongoing process, much like constant mental maintenance..
How important is the psychological factor in finance?
It’s crucial to remember that knowledge alone isn’t enough. You might have read every finance book available, but when it comes time to click ‘buy’ or ‘sell’, letting emotions and biases influence your decisions can jeopardise all your analytical insights. Many experts and successful investors argue that a significant portion of successful investing—possibly as much as 50% or more—depends on managing one’s psychology. Therefore, analysis and psychology must work together in a seamless manner.
Are there biases that are more ‘dangerous’ than others for beginning investors?
For beginners in the market, certain biases can be particularly dangerous. For instance, overconfidence following initial gains can createa false sense of security, leading to unnecessary risks. Additionally, confirmation bias is often prevalent among individuals with limited trading experience.
How can I identify the biases I am more susceptible to?
The most effective approach to self-improvement is through honest and consistent self-observation. One helpful technique is to maintain a diary of your investment decisions. In this diary, record not only what you buy or sell but also the reasons behind your choices and how you felt at the time (were you euphoric, worried, or feeling pressured?). Over time, when you reread your entries, you may notice recurringpatterns in your behaviour. For example, did you make impulsive decisions during a market crash? Did you hold onto a stock ‘out of principle’ even as its value continued to decline?
Are financial professionals (traders, fund managers) immune?
Not! Cognitive biases are universal; they affect everyone because they are rooted in the way the human brain processes information and makes decisions. It is often overconfidence that canmislead those who consider themselves exceptionally knowledgeable. The key difference is that a good professional should be trained to recognise these biases and develop strategies to mitigate their impact. However, nobody is perfect—not even those who work on Wall Street!
We have reached the end of our journey to explore cognitive biases in the realm of finance. If you have made it this far, you have already taken a significant and crucial step: you have become aware that these “mental biases,” or “deceptive shortcuts,” truly exist. They impact you, just as they affect every single person on this planet.
Biases are not just a product of psychologists trying to sell more books; they are fundamental mechanisms that are deeply ingrained in our way of thinking, stemming from our evolutionary history. These biases serve as shortcuts that our brains, which prefer efficiency over effort, use to navigate an incredibly complex world filled with vast amounts of information. Sometimes, these shortcuts help us reach our goals quickly and safely. However, other times—especially when it comes to our hard-earned savings and the unpredictable nature of financial markets—these biases can lead us to makesignificant mistakes.
The good news is that we are not boundto be mere puppets ofour biases! Awareness is our most powerful tool. By understanding how these mechanisms work, recognising the warning signs in our behaviour and thoughts, and adopting effective strategies to ‘defuse’ them or at least reduce their impact, we can make a significant difference in our lives.
The next time you hear that little voice inside urging you to make an impulsive financial decision, —making you think, “What the heck, I’m going to jump!”—pause for a moment. Take a deep breath and ask yourself, “Am I being influenced by some cognitive bias that might leadme astray?”
The integration of open finance could transform the supply chain by making financial flows more efficient and transparent. How can this be achieved?
The supply chain is prepared to collaborate with open finance, creating a synergy that promises significant advancements. Thanks to APIs, stakeholders at various stages of the supply chain can greatly enhance financial flows. In this article, we will explore how this can be achieved. Let’s get started!
Supply chain: meaning and how it works
The supply chain refers to all the elements involved in the journey from productcreation to delivery to the end consumer. The term “chain” is intentional, as it conveys the idea of a series of interconnectedstages where each link depends on the proper functioning of the previous and subsequent ones.
While the supply chain manages the physical flow of goods and services, supply chainfinance (SCF) oversees the financial flow. SCF is defined as a collection of solutions aimed at optimising financial transactions between supplierand buyer companies within the supply chain. It includes various strategies designed to enhancecollaboration and trust between these parties, providing mutual benefits to both producers and buyers.
This collaborative approach is essential because the supply chain is exposed to various risks. Common issues include situations where the buyer pays, but the supplier fails to ship, or where the supplier ships, but the buyer does not make payment. Such problems can significantly disrupt the stability and efficiency of the supply chain, resulting in substantial economic consequences.
Supply chain finance (SCF) includes key features such as reverse factoring and dynamic discounting. Reverse factoring, which can be inaccurately translated into Italian as “reverse invoice advance,” is the primary solution offered by SCF. But what does “reverse” mean in this context? Unlike direct factoring, where a supplier sells their outstanding invoices to a third party for immediate liquidity (often paying a commission to the intermediary), reverse factoring flips the roles. In this scenario, it’s the buyer—a large company—that approaches the third party for the advance, enabling the supplier to access capital under more favourable terms to fulfil their order. Essentially, the purchasing company reassures the supplier, saying, “Don’t worry, I’ve got your back; this way, you can get paid sooner and pay less for the loan.” The purchasing company then repays the advance at a significantly lowerinterestrate than what the financing company would charge in a direct factoring arrangement. Consequently, the purchasing company benefits from a lower final price.
Dynamic discounting operates on the same principle, with the purchasing company advancing liquidity without any intermediaries. In this case, the supplier issues an invoice with a due date, and the buyer collects it and provides the advance directly. What does the purchasing company gain? They receive an invoice discount, termed “dynamic” because it varies depending on when the payment is made: the sooner the payment is made, the less is paid, and vice versa.
In summary, the solutions offered by SCF aim to enhance capital management and reduce payment times by providing suppliers with early access to liquidity. Additionally, they enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to obtain financing on more favourable terms by leveraging the creditworthiness of their buyers, who effectively support them in this process.
Open Finance: what it is and how it works
Open Finance refers to a system that enables the secure andconsensual sharing of customerfinancial data among various participants to develop innovative products and services. The term “consensual” emphasises the necessity of obtaining permission from the data owner before sharing their information. Open Finance is rooted in the concept of Open Innovation, which views innovation not as a product of competitive secrecy but rather as a result of collaboration,sharing, andtransparency.
Open Finance is seen as an evolutionof Open Banking. While Open Banking primarily focuses on banking data, Open Finance broadens this scope to encompass the entirefinancial sector. As a result, Open Finance aims to create an interconnected financialecosystem that encompasses not only banking services but also mortgages, insurance policies, investment portfolios, pension funds, and other financial products.
Open Finance is fundamentally built on the interactions between three key actors: customers, financial institutions, and Third Party Providers (TPPs). TPPs are external companies that exchange, process, and utilise financial data. In essence, customers decide whether to grant TPPsaccess to their financial data held by various institutions.
Once permission is granted, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) serve as the technological backbone of Open Finance, acting as a ‘bridge’ between different IT systems. This enables efficient and secure communication of financial information. As a result,an ecosystem emerges where various entities share knowledge and collaborate to generate innovative solutions, ultimately aiming to enhance the economic structure as a whole.
To grasp the significance of this new paradigm, let’s use an example of organising anEaster Monday gathering. Imagine you want to arrange a traditional lunch with friends. You assign tasks, such as who will handle the barbecuing, who will cook the vegetables, who will bring the drinks, and who will buy the plates and glasses. As the organiser, you receive countless messages: the person in charge of the barbecue asks if the vegetable cook would like to grill, the drinks coordinator is unsure if they should also bring glasses, and the plate buyer wants to know how many courses are planned. It quickly becomes chaotic. You are the organiser, not the switchboard operator.
To streamline communication, you create a WhatsAppgroup titled ‘Easter Monday 2025.’ This innovation enables all participants to interact directly with one another without going through you. Similarly, Open Finance can be compared to this WhatsApp group, facilitating direct communication among various stakeholders.
We have previously explored the concepts of supply chains and Open Finance, as well as their operational aspects. Now, it’s time to examine how these two concepts could work together and the benefits this synergy could bring to the infrastructure.
If Supply Chain and Open Finance Integrate
The supply chain is a network of interconnected units that are constantly communicating with one another. However, the main challenge is that this communication often follows a linear and fragmented approach. Integrating Open Finance into the supply chain can make processes more fluid andenhance the overall infrastructure by increasing efficiency and operational efficiency.
So, how does this work? It’s through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), which enable the continuous exchange of data and the executionof transactions among various participants, such as banking institutions, third-party companies (TPPs), supply chain finance (SCF) intermediaries, and different business management systems (ERPs).
The result is an ecosystem that enables the secure and rapid transfer of information, where processes areautomated and optimised. The more efficient, transparent, and collaborative the communication is, the smoother and more stable the supply chain becomes.
The processes, the higher the productivity and, consequently, the turnover.
The Open Finance API specifically facilitates access to account information services (AIS) and payment initiation services (PIS). AIS allows for the retrieval of account balances and transaction details, while PIS enables the automatic authorisation of payments under certain conditions. This functionality provides a current and comprehensiveview of a company’s financial status, allowing the assessment of its liquidity and spending capacity.Additionally, it streamlines and speeds up transactions within the supply chain. Let’s explore a practical example.
As the owner of GiardiNani S.r.l., a company that manufactures garden figurines, you receive a large order from a purchasing company in the UK. This is the first time you’ve had to produce such a significant quantity of garden figurines, and you lack the funds to begin production. Fortunately, the purchasing company introduces you to reverse factoring, which you find promising.
You issue an invoice with a 60-day due date to the purchasing company, which approves it through its ERP management system. Via an API, the ERP automatically sends the invoice data to a third-party reverse factoring company, which determines whether to provide financing. This financing company can access the financialinformation (AIS) of both the purchasing company and GiardiNani to assess their financial situations and develop loan terms.
Due to the purchasing company’s high credit rating, it offers a loan with excellent terms, which GiardiNani gladly accepts. After this, the reverse factoring company issues the payment automatically (PIS). With the cash received, your factory can begin producing garden figurines.Finally, the purchasing company is responsible for repaying the loan to the reverse factoring company at the end of the 60 days. Their management systems, connected via an API, communicate seamlessly to facilitate the transaction.
What happened? Almost automatically, GiardiNani gained access to liquidity at much more favourable costs and conditions than it would have obtained through traditional financing. Open Finance enables quicker transactions by providing access to financial data (Account Information Services – AIS) and facilitating automatic payments (Payment Initiation Services – PIS).
The exchange of information and communication between management systems reduces human error and accelerates the entire process. Transparent data allows for a more accurate, timely, and efficient assessment of credit risk.
Overall, the supply chain benefits from these improvements because the processes run smoothly, without any lost time. And as we know, time is money.
A consideration for the future
The integration of supply chain management with Open Finance currently focuses on enhancing system responsiveness and improving process efficiency. The next phase involves implementingartificial intelligence and machine learning to develop systems capable of predicting liquidity crises and insolvency risks. These advancements will enable the dynamic optimisation of services based on market conditions, as well as the creation of risk-balancing models and other benefits.
Given that transparency is a key principle of Open Finance, blockchaintechnology is likely toplay a significant role in this new approach to managing and optimising financial flows. In the cryptocurrency sector, we can already see examples of initiatives aimed at improving supply chain processes, such as VeChain. We are still in the early stages of this development and will continue to closely monitor this trend.
ESG and sustainability were once fashionable terms in traditional finance. Recently, however, the climate has shifted, leaving the future uncertain. What has happened?
Sustainable ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment has been a hot topic for several years. A Google search for ‘ESG’ in 2022 yielded over 200 million results. This aligns with a historical period marked by heightened awareness of climate change risks and the implementation of green policies by various institutions. However, recent data suggests that we may be experiencing a shift in this trend. In this article, we will explore what ESG investments are and examine why their popularity might be waning. Enjoy your reading!
ESG: meaning, criteria and ratings
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, representing the key pillars used to evaluate a company’s or investment’s sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and ethical impact. ESG is part of the broader concept of sustainable and responsibleinvesting (SRI). The emergence of ESG can be traced back to a historical moment characterised by a heightened focus on environmental issues. In essence, ESG investing involves selecting and supporting companies that actively protect the environment and uphold humanand workers’ rights. This selection is based on specific criteria.
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria are categorised into three main areas and are essential for assessing the sustainability and social responsibility of a company or investment. If you were the manager of a sustainable mega hedge fund tasked with evaluating a company for potential investment, you would begin by examining the environmental criteria. This involves assessing the impact of the company’s activities on the environment and its willingness to mitigate any harm. Key factors in the Environmental section include the use of natural resources, waste management, pollution, and overall environmental compliance.
Next, you would analyse the social criteria, part of the Social pillar, to evaluate the company’s relationships with itsstakeholders, which include employees, suppliers, customers, and the local community. The goal of this assessment is to gauge the implications of the company’s operations andits demonstrated accountability toward the various stakeholders mentioned above.
Specifically, you should check employees’ working conditions, respect for human rights, product quality and commitment to local communities.
In conclusion, it’s essential to study the corporate governance model, specifically the governance criteria. This section examines the company’s corporate structure, decision-making processes, and policies to ensure they alignwith ethical principles and best practices. Key aspects to focus on include transparency, anti-corruption measures, the independence of board members, respect for minority interests, and gender diversity. You can conduct these assessments yourself or delegate the task to specialised agencies that provide ESG ratings.
ESG ratings are evaluations presented as numerical scores or alphabetical scales that aim to assess the overall sustainability of corporations. Their primary function is to provide investors with additional information to aid in their investment decisions. Globally, some of the most well-known ESG rating agencies include MSCI ESG Research, Sustainalytics, S&P Global ESG scores, and Moody’s ESG Solutions. Additionally, there are specialised providers like Standard Ethics, which focuses specifically on compliance with international standards.
However, there is often a significant gap between intentions and actions. Let’s examine some majordefectsassociated with this financial trend, which contribute to the ongoing shift in its momentum.
ESG and contradictions: scandals and greenwashing
Sustainable ESG investing is a commendable effort that merges the pursuit of profit with an awareness of the real impact that economic and financial decisions have on our planet. However, some large companies and investment funds have taken advantage of the growing popularity of this ethical approach to enhance their image in front of investors and consumers, without genuinely fulfilling their promises. Their ultimate goal? To boosttheir revenues.
An example of corporate misconduct is the Dieselgate scandal of 2015 involving Volkswagen. Investigations revealed that the car manufacturer had been rigging emissions tests for its diesel vehicles to make them appear more environmentally friendly. This was part of an effort to position Volkswagen as a leader in green technology. Ultimately, the class action lawsuit was settled, with Volkswagen agreeing to pay $14.7 billion to affected owners.
Another case is that of Wirecard, a German digital payment services company. This scandal is particularly noteworthy because it also implicated ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) rating agencies. Despite receiving average ratings—considered neither outstanding nor poor compared to its competitors—Wirecard declared bankruptcy in June 2020 due to a $1.9 billion hole in its balance sheet. This situation recalls the 2008 financial crisis, when rating agencies incorrectly assigned triple-A ratings to subprime financial products.
On the investment fund side, a report by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) highlights that simply adopting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) designations can lead to significant increases in investment. On average, there is an 8.9% increase in capital during the first year following the name change, with terms related to the environment—particularly those associated with the Environmental pillar—showing the most pronounced effects. However, the report also identifies a key risk: the potential for greenwashing, a marketing strategy that promotes an image of environmental sustainability while downplaying or concealing its negative impacts. To address this issue, the report provides guidelines for best practices.
One important factor that remains to be examined in understanding the decline in popularity of ESG sustainable investing is the election of Donald Trump.
ESG sustainability and Donald Trump don’t mix: ‘Drill, baby, drill!’
Last November, Donald J. Trump became the President of the United States of America thanks to an election campaign based on American isolationism and the desire to put an end to the ‘woke‘ ideology. This umbrella term also includes climate and environmental issues. At his inauguration speech on 20 January, The Donald immediately made things clear: ‘with my actions today, we will end the Green New Deal‘ – a plan of economic and social reforms focused on climate change and inequality. Suddenly, the scenario has changed, or, to stay on topic, the climate has undergone a change.
Global ESG sustainable funds, according to a Morningstar report, suffered record outflows of $8.6 billion in Q1 2025, compared to $18.1 billion in inflows in the previous quarter. The same report also tells us that investors in the US withdrew money from these funds for the tenth consecutive quarter. At the same time, Europe recorded its first net outflows since 2018, with $1.2 billion withdrawn, compared to $20.4 billion in inflows in Q4 2024. It is also worth noting that, despite this, ESG funds globally manage more than $3 trillion in assets.
Another interesting statistic, again from Morningstar, concerns the closing and rebranding activity of ESG funds: as of 2024, 94 sustainable funds were closed in Q4, for a total of 351 in the year, while 213 European funds changed their names, according to the guidelines of the ESMA report we saw earlier. Of these, 50 introduced ESG references, 115 removed them, and 48 changed them.
Finally, we get a survey from Stanford University that could provide helpful information for understanding the direction of the ESG trend. In 2022, 44% of young investors thought it was essential for investment funds to use their influence on the companies they invest in to prioritise environmental issues. In 2023, 27% thought so, while the latest survey, covering 2024, reveals that only 11% of the sample surveyed held the same opinion. When asked the same question about improving social and governance practices, the drop was even more pronounced: for social practices, from 47% to 10%, and for governance practices, from 46% to 7%.
Sustainability and Bitcoin: an open challenge
When it comes to sustainability and Bitcoin, the primary challenge is the energyconsumption required formining, which we covered in depth in this article on Proof-of-Work from 2021. Considerable progress has been made since then, so much so that the CCAF (Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance) of the University of Cambridge, in a report published in April 2025, estimated that to date 52.4% of the energy used for mining comes from sustainable sources – of which 23.4% from hydroelectricity, 15.4% from wind power and 9.8% from nuclear power.
There are also other innovative ideas, such as in the case of El Salvador, which is implementing a mining system based on the integration of geothermal energy from the volcanic region and solar and wind energy. In addition to production, there is also talk of energy recovery. MARA, one of the world’s largest mining companies, is mining Bitcoin by converting Associated Petroleum Gas (APG) into electricity. APG, put simply, is a gas that is discarded during the extraction of oil and then burned or dispersed into the atmosphere. Here, instead, it is recovered and converted into electricity through combustion to power mining centres, saving costs.
ESG in the future: What’s the point?
And so, as is often said, nobody has the glass ball. The dilemma is always the same: is this the end of ESG funds, or is it just a time of readjustment? What idea did you get from reading the article? If in doubt, subscribe to Young Platform and stay up-to-date on what’s important!
The gold price continues its upward journey, having broken the $3,500/ounce mark and now hovering around $3,300. What is happening?
Over the past year, the price of gold has increased from approximately $2,300 to $3,300 per ounce, representing a 42% rise. This surge has broken through the psychological threshold of $3,500. Factors such as the pandemic and ongoing wars have created a volatile environment, prompting investors to seek safer options. But what exactly has led to this situation? And most importantly, is the bullish trend likely to continue?
Understanding gold prices: A premise that might help you
Understanding gold price movements requires an appreciation of the historical significance and characteristics that make this metal precious. Gold is a unique commodity that has been a part of human culture for thousands of years. The earliest evidence of its use as a medium of exchange dates back to ancient Egyptian andSumerian civilisations, with the first gold coins minted as early as the eighth century BC. This lasting presence is due to its intrinsic physical properties, such as malleability, durability, divisibility, and rarity, which make it highly sought after. Additionally, with the rise of the electronics industry, gold’s capabilities in thermal and electrical conduction are increasingly being utilised.
Throughout history, gold has been consistently recognised as a reliable store ofvalue, serving as a means to preserve wealth overtime. Major events, such as the collapse of monarchies and empires, wars, pandemics, and financial crises, have led to significant changes in historical epochs and economic systems. However, these events have not diminished the collectiveperception of gold. Its association with security, stability, and wealth preservation is deeply embedded in the ordinary consciousness, which contributes to high investor confidence.
This combination of factors ensures that gold remains in high demand. However, this demand must contend withthe limited supply available on our planet. As a result, the price of gold in the markets isdetermined by thebalance of supply and demand.
Once we grasp how gold operates, we can analyse the factors influencing its market performance.
What is driving the gold price upwards?
As we have mentioned, the price of gold is influenced by the law of supply and demand, along with a complex set of underlying dynamics that involve numerous variables. However, we prefer to keep things simple. Essentially, the price of gold is directly proportional to the level of instability, whether perceived or real, in various situations, such as economic, geopolitical, or health-related issues. The greater the instability, the higher the demand for gold, which in turn increases its price. Conversely, when the situation is more stable, the price tends to be more consistent and less affected by sudden fluctuations in demand.
Remember the frantic rush at supermarkets when the lockdown was announced? In that moment of panic, people rushed to buy staples like pulses, which are considered essential survival foods due to their long shelf life, ease of storage, and nutritional value. In normal circumstances, how often do you keep borlotti beans stocked at home? Not very likely. Similarly, gold acts like legumes—it’s not something you consume, but rather the ultimate haven during times of significant stress.
So, why has gold reached record highs this time around?
Pandemics, wars and inflation: the perfect storm
Since March 2024, the price of gold has surged from EUR 2,000 to EUR 3,300 per ounce—an impressive 63% increase—breaking through the psychological threshold of EUR 3,500. It’s remarkable to consider that just twenty years ago, the price of gold ranged between $400 and $500 per ounce.
This trend is not surprising when we examine individual adverse macroeconomic events that correlate with gold’s price increases. For instance, during the 2008 financial crisis, the price of gold rose from $711 anounce to $1,820 within three years. Similarly, from January 2020 to July 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic andassociated lockdowns drove the price up by 30%. More recently, from February 2022 to the present, factors such as theRussian invasion of Ukraine, the escalation of theIsraeli-Palestinian conflict, and theelection of Donald Trump have contributed to a nearly 85% increase in gold prices.
Black clouds gather on the horizon: Covid-19 breaks out.
During the COVID-19 years, governments and central banks around the world implemented unprecedentedexpansionary fiscal measures to support their economies, businesses, and citizens. For instance, in Europe, the NextGenerationEU initiative amounts to EUR 806 billion, which is part of a larger EUR 2 trillion aid package. In the United States, the total fiscal stimulus approved during this period reached approximately USD 6.9 trillion. Throughout all of this, interest rates remained near zero.
What happens when the amount of money in circulation increases so dramatically? The answer is that inflation rises. So, how do major investors typically respond to rising inflation? They tend to turn to gold to protect their capital from devaluation.
It’s starting to pour: Russia invades Ukraine.e
Despite various challenges, the economy began to recover, allowing central banks to finally address the issue of inflation. In 2022, the Federal Reserve started raising interest rates, followed by the European Central Bank and other central banks and financial institutions. However, at that time, Vladimir Putin decided to invade Ukraine, leading to a significant shock in the supply of energy and raw materials, particularly food. Russia is a major exporter of gas and oil, while Ukraine, often referred to as the “Granary of Europe,” is a vital supplier of grain.
This situation led to another spike in prices, further increasing the cost ofliving. Do you remember how much gasoline cost in the summer of 2022? It was around €2 per litre. Setting aside the discussion about energy-intensive businesses, the rise in roadtransport costs alone contributed to price increases across various sectors. We know that rising prices lead to a decrease in purchasing power, which in turn fuels inflation. And when inflation rises, a“gold rush” begins, reminiscent of Scrooge McDuck’s Klondike adventures.
Lightning and thunderbolts: the Middle East catches fire
The geopolitical situation is precarious; however, overall, economies are managing to hold up, partly due to the expansive policies implemented during the COVID-19 era. Yet, less than a year after the invasion, another front of conflict emerges: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalates once again, igniting tensions in the MiddleEast. Among the events that unfold, the Houthi terrorist group begins launching missiles in retaliation near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint between Yemen and the Horn of Africa that leads to the Suez Canal, through which approximately 15% of global maritimetrade passes. Commercial cargo ships, the primary targets of Houthi attacks, are now compelled to avoid the Suez Canal andinstead sail around Africa to reach Europe, resulting in an additional 10 to 15 days of travel time. This diversion has inevitably led to a widespread increase in prices. And when prices rise, inflation follows, prompting many to rush to check the gold pricein hopes of purchasinga few ounces.
The storm is now perfect: Donald Trump announces customs duties
Just when you thought the situation couldn’t get any worse, Donald Trump won the election. He decides to create panicin the world’s economicand financial institutions by mentioning one key term: tariffs and duties. In a highly globalised and interconnected market like that of the 21st century, if the leading economy imposes significant tariffs, suspended until Jul, the situation becomes quite serious. This not only increases the risk of inflation, as the barriers to entry drive up the final prices of imported goods, but also raises fears of a recession due to a substantial slowdown in economic activity.
Since April 9, the day Trump announced the tariffs, the price of gold has surpassed thepsychological barrier of $3,500 an ounce, marking a 15% increase, before retracing and stabilising around $3,300.
Gold prices in the future: Will the trend continue?
A report by Goldman Sachs highlights an intriguing fact regarding central banks’ interest in gold. Since the freezing of the Russian central bank’s assets in 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine, the average monthly demand for gold has surged from 17 to 108tonnes. Goldman Sachs predicts that by the end of 2025, the price of gold could reach between $3,650 and $3,950 per ounce, while JP Morgan estimates it may exceed $4,000 per ounce in 2026. In summary, many authoritative sources believe that the combination of pandemics, wars, and tariffs will continue to drive gold prices upward.
Now that you’re familiar with gold, its history, and its characteristics as an anti-inflation safe-haven asset, you might be interested in learning about ‘digitalgold,’ which isBitcoin. A good starting point is our article explaining how to protect yourself from inflation using Bitcoin. Don’t forget to subscribe below to stay updated!
Nintendo’s shares, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), have doubled in value over the past two years, representing a 93% increase. Will the trend continue?
Nearly eight years after the original launch of the Switch, Nintendo has officially announced the release of the Switch 2, scheduled for June 5. Fueled by speculation regarding the new console, the stock has surged by 93% over the past two years, climbing from approximately 5,600 yen ($38.60) to its current price of 10,040 yen ($70.50). What are the future forecasts for the stock?
Nintendo shares: the rally begins with Switch
With the launch of the first Nintendo Switch in 2017, Nintendo successfully overcame the challenges that had caused many iconic companies from the 1990s to 2010s to fail, such as Blockbuster, which struggled to adapt to change. After the disappointing performance of the Wii U, Nintendo found itself at a crossroads, as the gaming landscape was undergoing a significant transformation. The market seemed to have little room left for the ‘old-fashioned‘ consoles that had defined the childhood of entire generations.
Recognizing the need for a clear change—a ‘switch’—the company’s top management initiated work on the new product. As rumors began to circulate, Nintendo’s share price soared by 74% in July 2016. By March 2017, when the Switch was launched, the share price jumped from 2,300 yen to around 7,800 yen by June 2021, marking a remarkable increase of 190%. However, as innovation continued to accelerate, the Switch began to feel outdated, and the demand for an upgraded model started to grow.
Nintendo and Switch 2 shares: the stock’s resurgence
Nintendo shares experienced a decline, losing up to 25percent between 2021 and 2023, reaching a low of 5,000 yen ($33.80). While the Nintendo Switch performed well, selling more than 120million units by the end of 2022 and ranking among the top three best-selling consolesof all time, following the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation 2, it had been six years since its launch, leading fans to desire something new.
As rumors about the next product began to circulate, the share pricerose by 30% from April to July 2023, stabilizing between 6,000 and 6,500 yen (between $40 and $45). Thisrally was fueled by excitement surrounding various statements, leaks, and significant news, such as the reduction of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund’s (PIF) stake in the company, which enhanced the perception of Nintendo’s financial stability and reduced exposure to speculation.
Thelong-awaited Switch 2 was finally revealed on YouTube on January 21, 2025. Following this announcement, Nintendo shares reached an all-time high (ATH) on February 19, hitting a peakof 11,800 yen ($78.70).
Nintendo shares and the future: duties could complicate the situation
Since reaching an all-time high (ATH) of 19,000 yen on February 19, Nintendo shares havedeclined by just over 12% and are currently hovering around 10,000yen. This decline can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, there has been negative news, including the postponement ofthe sale date to June 5 (originally scheduled for early spring) and concerns that the price of €469/$530 is too high. Secondly, the economic policies and tariffs associated with the Trump administration could further increase prices, particularly in China, which is one of the most important and profitable gaming markets in the world. Looking ahead, TradingView surveyed 23 analysts for their one-year projections on Nintendo’s stock performance. The highest price estimate is 16,000 yen (+59%), while the lowest is 6,000 yen (-39%), with an average estimate of 11,530 yen (+14%). Will Nintendo manage to defy expectations once more? Sign up to stay updated!
