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                          In simple words, cryptocurrencies like bitcoin are similar to the virtual ‘cash’ stored in online wallets — Ola Money, Paytm, Freecharge etc—you use for buying products or services through the internet. The major difference is that the money stored in these wallets uses currency units recognised and backed by any government body, unlike cryptocurrencies which are decentralised. What is a cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency, as the name suggests, are currencies which are generated by computer codes, thus it has no issuing agency (like Reserve Bank of India). Any cryptocurrency is generated by ‘miners’ on a cryptocurrency network like bitcoin that solves complex mathematical problems. What is bitcoin? Bitcoin is the name of the oldest and most popular cryptocurrency network as well as the unit of currency generated by the same network. Except the fact that it is virtual (i.e. you cannot t...

                Agriculture recovers, but benefits uncertain after demonetisation Over the fiscal year 2016-’17, agriculture – which employs more than 700 million people – will grow by 4%,  estimated  CRISIL, a research agency. Recovering from  two  – and some places even  three  – consecutive drought years, agriculture, for the first time since 2013, saw a growth of above 3% in the second quarter of 2016-’17, over the same period in 2015-’16. Source: Key Economic Indicators, Office of the Economic Advisor Record  summer crop production  of rice, at 93.8 million tonnes, and pulses, at 8.7 million tonnes, is estimated in 2016-’17, according to advance estimates by the agriculture ministry. Source: Key Economic Indicators, Office of the Economic Advisor But the withdrawal of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in November 2016 has been a setback to the rural economy – on which 800 million people, o...

HOCKEN COLLECTIONS, OTAGO UNIVERSITY                                    The 8th Wonder of the world Scientists believe they have finally discovered the "Eighth Wonder Of The World" in New Zealand, buried by a massive volcanic eruption. Now, 131 years since the natural wonder of the world disappeared, scientists have likely found the location of New Zealand's magical pink and white terraces of Lake Rotomahana. The terraces are the largest silica deposits of their kind but were thought destroyed and buried after the 1886 volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera. However, with a bit of luck, scientists were able to pinpoint almost exactly where the terraces once were using notes from a 19th century field diary. The terraces of pink and white deposits were global attractions in the mid 19th century, whereby tourists around the globe would t...

SIP or  Systematic Investment Plan  is one of the most searched term on google. Many investors, including those who have already made SIP  investments  in  mutual funds , are often confused about SIPs. So, here's a quick guide to SIPs and how you can use them to create wealth over a long period to achieve your long-term financial goals.  What is an SIP?   An SIP or a Systematic Investment Plan allows an investor to invest a fixed amount regularly in a mutual fund scheme, typically an equity mutual fund scheme.  Why should you SIP?   One, it imparts financial discipline to your life. Two, it helps you to invest regularly without wrestling with market mood, index level, etc. For example, if you are supposed to put a fixed amount every month in a mutual fund scheme, you need to find time to do it. When you have the time, you might be worried about market conditions and think of postponing your investments. Or you might be thinking ...