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A lot has changed since I started investing. I am much more knowledgeable about the stock market now that I have learned a lot. The rate of change is increasing. Businesses need to be responsive to stay ahead of the competition.

There wasn’t a lot of finance back then. Most people weren’t aware of its potential applications when it was still in its infancy. Investing was boring and probably saved me. I was not tempted to take unnecessary risks with my money. I bought a few stocks I liked and stashed the rest of my money in VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund).

It would be harder to stay disciplined if I were starting to invest today. Even when the market is volatile, having a plan in place to manage my investments helps me stay focused and disciplined. There is a lot of hype and greed in the market. It’s important to do your own research before investing so that you don’t get caught up in the hype. This is not a bad thing. It is possible to make sure we are still on the right track by rethinking our goals. Everyone living on their phones has made it difficult to decipher a good investment. When investing in uncertain times, it can be difficult to make the right decision.

I read a lot about investing. I’m always looking for new ways to maximize my investments and make the most of my money. Between press releases, the WSJ, Value Investor Insight, and more… I sift through an immense amount of information. I look at the data to find out which updates are most relevant. I also get asked a ton of questions like, “What do you think about [insert investment trend of the day]?”

I don’t reply to those emails. I like to ask questions in person or over the phone. I don’t have the time to write the same thing over and over again. If you have ever asked, I left you hanging. I promise it won’t happen again.

In this post, I will share my thoughts on 11 trends I see in the investing world, some that interest me and others that don’t. I’m excited to see how these trends will affect us in the future. If they interest you, I encourage you to dig deeper. I will let you know if I think something has too much hype or not. I will be able to give a balanced opinion when I explore the pros and cons of different products.

11 Trends Reshaping Investing

1. DeFi
2. NFTs
3. ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK)
4. Electric Vehicle Sector
5. Bitcoin
6. Ethereum
7. Other cryptocurrencies
8. Fintech
9. Sports Cards & Collectibles
10. Domains
11. Sustainable Investing

1. DeFi 

DeFi stands for “decentralized finance.” The idea is that theBlockchain can facilitate financial transactions through smart contracts more efficiently and cost-effectively than traditional financial institutions. The risk of potential fraud is reduced by smart contracts. Payments, lending, borrowing, and trading can be done without the middleman. Users can have more control over their financial decisions thanks to this.

Taking out a loan without having to work with a bank is a simple use case. A person can save time and money by using an online loan provider instead of going through the traditional banking process. Both parties just set up a contract and agree to the terms. Both parties are held accountable to the terms of the contract and all transactions are transparent.

It will take 3-6 years for widespread adoption of Defi. The public needs more education and time to get comfortable with the idea, as well as simple, easy apps for consumers to use. To ensure the success of this endeavor, the process needs to be user-friendly. I see already well-known payment services like Square, PayPal, and Intuit’s There is a chance that Quickbooks could be dominating in this space. Quickbooks is quickly becoming a leader in the accounting software industry, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes.

Traditional banks will slowly lose market share, but won’t go down without a fight. It’s not like it’s like it’s like it’s like it’s like it’s like it’s like it’s like it’s like it’s like it’s like it’s like it’s like it’s like it

Watch DeFi: The Future of Finance DEFI – The Future Of Finance Explained

2. NFTs 

In the year 2021, you may have heard a lot about NFTs. NFTs are changing the way we think about digital art, giving creators a new way to monetize their work. At the very least, you have seen a bunch of people change their profile to a picture and wonder why. It’s part of a global campaign to raise awareness about digital privacy. The popularity of the NFT space exploded with the price of cryptocurrencies, which you can use to purchase digital assets. If you want to go exploring, check out Opensea, the world’s largest NFT marketplace.

Cryptopunks are going for over $100K+. NFTs, a pseudo online social club working to expand offline, goes for $20K+. The Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs offer members exclusive access to an array of virtual and physical events, making them well worth the hefty price tag. The hype faded quickly after the NBA Top Shots had their moment. The market for NBA Top Shots has changed since then. Gary V made millions on drawings. His work has been featured in galleries all over the world. Beeple’s work is actually great in my opinion, but after selling his piece as a jpeg for $69 million in a He doesn’t really know what’s going on at Christie’s auction. He wants to get a good deal at the auction, but there is a lot of competition.

A lot of people want to buy stuff with their gains. Many businesses are beginning to accept the use ofCryptocurrencies as a form of payment. Digital art makes it possible for more artists to make a living through their fans, and I believe NFTs are here to stay. NFTs provide an innovative platform for creators to explore new ways of expressing themselves and connecting with their audience, making it an exciting time for both creators and collectors. I toyed with the idea of buying a I appreciate his work and want to support him. I plan on purchasing a Tycho NFT soon. It blew through my price range. I knew I shouldn’t have bought it, but I couldn’t resist the temptation.

NFTs will have their moment, but demand won’t last. It will be entertaining to watch even if I am wrong. I’m willing to take a risk and stand by my opinion.

3. ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK)

There is a quasi-religious belief in disruptive innovation that led to the creation of the ARK Innovation Exchange Traded Fund. She put out a lot of videos and content on her thesis. It doesn’t feel right to me.

The fund blew up in 2020 with 150%+ gains, but has suffered in 2021. ARKK is one of the top-performing funds of 2020.

I don’t see how it’s worth paying an expense ratio of 0.75% for a fund that holds a small handful of stocks you could just invest in on your own. If you’re comfortable with the risks of investing in individual stocks, it’s better to buy them directly and avoid the extra expense ratio.

If you haven’t watched her discussion with Elon Musk and Jack Dorsey on cryptocurrency, it’s worth watching. Wood feels more like a gambler than an investor. In order to guarantee greater long-term success, a more balanced and sensible approach to investing is needed.

If you want to invest in some of Wood’s investments, you should invest directly. It’s important to research any investment opportunities thoroughly before committing. See Tesla, Square, Roku, Coinbase, and the rest of the list here. Of note, the perennially controversial Michael Burry (of em>The Big Short/em> and betting against the housing market fame) shorted the ARKK and has her fair share of critics. Despite the criticism, Burry and Wood have been proven right in the long run, with the stock market continuing to show signs of volatility.

Check out this well-reasoned Twitter thread on why ARKK might not be all it’s cracked up to be:

I was surprised at the indignity of seeing a high-profile investor short your largest product. I’m sure you understand the implications of this move, so I’d be grateful for your insights. Examining the $ARKK June 30 Factsheet, it appears devoid of what some investors refer to as “fundamental data.” Important? Let’s see…1/ pic.twitter.com/4JwNEBvygd

— Christopher Bloomstran (@ChrisBloomstran) August 18, 2021

4. Electric Vehicle Sector

It is not possible to disaggregate investing in EV with investing in the auto industry since almost all automakers have pledged to go all EV by the end of the century. Many of these pledges are seen as a sign of faith in the future of EV technology.

My wife and I tested a bunch of electric vehicles. We were impressed with how comfortable and quiet they were. And while I enjoyed driving a I don’t see a lot of middle America driving these cars. These cars are too expensive for the average consumer. They will drive GMs and Fords. They will be proud of their American-made vehicles.

I also think Lithium batteries have a ways to go before being consistently reliable: Chevy Volts and Teslas catch fire all the time. Quality control has been an issue for almost all electric vehicles. Customers still report problems with the vehicles even though the company has taken measures to improve reliability and quality.

Investing in Chinese EV makers is just gambling. There is no shortage of companies to invest in, but some can be riskier than others. I don’t have positions in Chinese companies because of the uncertainty. I’m focusing on companies in stable economies.

While I believe in Elon Musk’s vision and I’m continually impressed by his intelligence and earnestness, I was recently told at a The earliest I could get a solar panel for my house was 10 years ago. I was surprised to hear that it would be several years before I could have solar panels installed on my home. Ten years! Sure, Tesla solar panels aren’t This is just another hurdle in the early days of the EV industry. Increased education and exposure will help the public understand the benefits of driving an EV.

I remain curious about GM’s As well as the industry as a whole, the Ultium tech platform-first strategy. The way in which businesses operate will be changed by this strategy. My wife and I were able to drive about 20 miles per charge all-electric and 60 miles per charge on the hybrid system when we bought the Volvo XC60 Recharge. We are happy to have a car that is both economical and eco-friendly.

Most people should wait for full EV vehicles to work out more of their quirks before they go fully electric. I chose a hybrid vehicle because I want to reduce emissions in the meantime.

5. Bitcoin 

I bought my first Bitcoin in a Walgreens parking lot. No joke. I met up with a guy in a Chicago Walgreens gave him cash and transferred it to my wallet. I was able to make the purchase quickly and securely. A lot has changed since then, including the skyrocketing value, mainstream popularity, and accessibility of BTC. The way we view digital currency has changed because of the technology behind it.

While I believe in the foundational philosophy of Bitcoin, I used to think that government regulation would hurt the value of the coin. It has come to my attention that government regulation may be beneficial for BTC and help it become more widely accepted. Increased regulation could potentially mean more legitimacy. More people may be encouraged to enter the space if they know that their investments are protected by law. I don’t think it’s practical for a large group of people to use BTC as a means of exchange. Merchants can’t accept BTC as a form of payment because of the currency’s volatility and lack of regulation. It is too volatile.

While scarcity helps it as a store of value, it is not a good investment for new investors. It is important for new investors to be aware of all of the potential risks before investing, as the volatility of Bitcoin can make it a risky investment. I see a lot of young and new investors putting all their money into cryptocurrencies for the short term.

I still think it’s a good idea to hold 1%- 5% of your net worth as part of a well-diversified portfolio. It is important to understand the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies so that you can make an informed decision. Gambling is when you hold any more than that. It is important to remember that taking on too much risk can lead to costly mistakes.

6. Ethereum

There are many use cases for ether on the internet. From international money transfers to distributed computing, ether can enable a wide range of applications and services. I also think that its creator, Vitalik Buterin, is one of the smartest dudes on earth and has a large heart. He doesn’t want to get rich but he is changing the world. He’s making a difference, one small step at a time.

I like the fact that everything is being built on top of Ether. It is amazing to see how quickly the DeFi space has grown, and how Ether has been at the forefront of this growth. I feel I have a good handle on what is happening in the space. I’m looking for ways to apply what I’ve learned.

While I think ether is more useful, it is still an alternative asset class investment. Since I don’t need to add any risk to my portfolio, I don’t need to invest more than 1% of my portfolio in ether. I’m comfortable with the amount of money I’ve already invested and don’t want to take on more risk.

I enjoy participating in the evolution of this space no matter what happens to ether. I’m looking forward to seeing how this space develops over time. No one is talking about its technological potential at the mainstream level while more and more people are talking about it. Considering the potential of ether to change the way we do business, this is concerning. I think this will change in the future.

This Vitalik interview absolutely blew my mind:

7. Other Cryptocurrencies

The land of cryptocurrencies exchanges is known as the Wild West. There are too many coins for me to keep up with, and though some have great potential, as an investment they just don’t make sense for me individually. As Warren Buffett would say, “This is beyond my circle of competence.”

I have not invested in any of them, but there is an increasing number of index funds that you can use todiversify. I think these funds are a great way to get exposure to the market without having to do any research or trading. This idea is more intriguing than a single coin or token, but it is hard to distinguish between the good and the bad actors in this space. It’s a good idea to use due diligence when researching any investment opportunities in cryptocurrencies.

If it hasn’t been created yet, there’s definitely an opportunity for a There is a rating-style service for the funds. There is an objective, independent assessment of the funds available in the space. Do share if you know of one. It would be great to hear of any successful strategies that have been used before. The space needs more transparency but it will evolve quickly. As more and more people become comfortable with open communication, transparency in the space will become even more important.

8. Fintech

There is a lot happening in the payments, buy-now-pay-later, open banking, neo bank, and challenger bank space. Many companies and apps are trying to do everything for everyone. As a result, it’s important to research the market and consider which option best fits your needs.

Everyone wants to offer a checking account to establish a direct deposit relationship with consumers so they can sell other products like loans and credit cards. It is important for financial institutions to offer a checking account to build trust and loyalty with their customers.

Just as with dating apps, there has been a proliferation of banking and fintech products for minority and niche audiences. The financial landscape has been made more inclusive by this. African Americans, first- generation Asian Americans, and more are just some of the people who have banks for them.

There is a lot of innovation in the financial services space. This innovation has given businesses and consumers new opportunities. It’s exciting! I am paying close attention to this space as a writer, advisor, and investor. I want to share my knowledge and experience with those who are interested in doing the same thing. Companies are paying close attention to how the Pandemic has changed how consumers manage their finances. Many companies are investing in digital solutions to meet new consumer needs.

It is my opinion that this will lead to consumers being better served and having the ability to use their money more efficiently. This will increase consumer confidence in the financial industry. Big banks are catching up. Big banks are under increasing pressure to stay competitive as more start-ups disrupt the financial industry.

9. Sports Cards & Collectibles 

Nothing warms my heart like seeing an unopened Nintendo Super Mario Brothers cartridge sell for $2 million. It makes me happy. I can’t believe how amazing it is. I spent a lot of time trying to beat Super Mario.

You had to leave the console on in those days to save your game, and my mom turned off the Nintendo before I could win. I didn’t have the chance to finish my game and prove I was the best.

I stopped playing video games in 1998, but I can still play some of them.

The collectibles space is no longer standing. It’s easier than ever to find rare and unique items. It was so exciting that the 5-year-old inside of me had to get involved. I couldn’t wait to be a part of it all. I started a new collection almost 30 years after I stopped collecting sports cards. I’m amazed at how quickly the collection has grown and how much I enjoy it. I don’t see it as an investment. I think it’s a necessary expense. It is just a new hobby with some future appreciation potential. It’s priceless that I’m making an investment in something that I enjoy.

I like to sit on the floor and open my card box. It has many memories of special people and moments. I don’t think I can put a price on that. It’s something that’s priceless to me. I have spent zero of my net worth on sports cards in the past year, so I think I can.

10. Domains

The internet’s real estate is called domain names. They help people create and present their online presence. As people spend more time online, they get more valuable. Your brand is your domain.

Over the past year, the website domain space has been on fire. There has been a surge in sales of domain names. A few years ago, a domain used to sell for $5,000-$10,000. As the value of domains increases, this trend is expected to continue. Ten years ago, I bought a domain for $8,750, but recently sold it for $240. I was amazed at how much the domain had increased in value. My domain portfolio has consistently performed better than the stock market over the past decade.

I have been building a portfolio of over 800 domains for the past 10 years. Since I sell so few of them, I lose money on my domain every year, but my portfolio has grown substantially. I am committed to building out my domain portfolio as it is a great investment in the long-term. I enjoy investing in domain names.

To learn more, I recommend checking out this podcast episode on domain investing, which does a great job at distilling the market opportunity and sharing a few different strategies.

11. Sustainable Investing 

The planet is a good investment. It will benefit generations to come. It is as simple as that. The space still has a long way to go even though I am encouraged by the growth of sustainable investing. Over the next few years, I hope to see continued progress in this area. There is no universally accepted standard for measuring the environmental impact of publicly traded companies. Stakeholders and investors don’t have the information they need to make informed decisions.

A lot of financial companies are jumping on the socially responsible investing bandwagon, with some simply using it to sell expensive lackluster investments that actually still do poorly, while others are launching investments that are trying to actually do good in the world. These efforts are a step in the right direction, but investors should still do their due diligence to make sure their money is being invested ethically.

There is a spectrum of socially responsible investing. It’s up to each investor to decide where they want to be. It is a good scenario. The best way to make decisions is to evaluate all the options and choose the one that is most beneficial. It is best to invest in solutions to carbon pollution to help the world, while still getting a decent investment return and helping as much as you can. Investing in solutions to carbon pollution will help the planet and your financial future.

Here are some examples of each:

• Good : There are socially responsible index funds that you can invest in. ESG index funds are a great way to support companies that adhere to responsible and ethical practices. You might be able to invest in them in your retirement account, but these investments often fall into the “not doing bad, but likely not doing much good for the environment” camp. The environmental benefit of Esg investments can be limited, as the criteria for what qualifies as an Esg investment is often vague or hard to measure. Some examples include Vanguard’s ESG Stock Market ETF (ESGV) and the Fidelity US Sustainability Index Fund (FITLX).
• Better : Money can be used to have the most positive impact on the planet. Ensuring that any investment you make is done with caution and due diligence is important as environmental causes can be unpredictable. These aren’t great investments for your retirement account if you only have a few thousand dollars to invest. It’s best to start with a more conservative approach. In order to help the world, you can invest directly in clean and renewable energy, like with Fidelity’s You can select the environment and alternative energy portfolio.
• Best : Supporting companies and technologies that are trying to help our planet is the best way to invest in our planet. We can reduce our environmental footprint by making personal choices in our daily lives. You most likely need to be an accredited investor if you have a $1 million net -worth or your income is over $200,000 for an individual or a couple. This is not accessible for most Americans. Many people are struggling to make ends meet because they can’t get the resources they need.

It is an exciting time to be an investor. It is the perfect time to take advantage of the stock market’s potential. If you’re new to investing, check out my article on how to start investing before investing in anything mentioned above.

What do you think? It’s a difficult decision and I don’t know what to do next. I don’t know what I’m missing. I don’t know what it is and I feel like I’m missing something. Do you think they have enough hype? I would love to hear what you have to say. Please let me know if you have any ideas.