Fintech PR
How Retail Investors Get the short end (and How to Fix it)
REYKJAVÍK, Iceland, July 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ —
MyntExchange announcement:
Individual investors are the invisible backbone of the investing economy.
If the investment world were an iceberg:
- Investment bankers, hedge fund managers, and other such untrustables would be the tip of the iceberg-the part that the public sees.
- Retail investors would be the vast majority of distributed wealth supporting the investment economy in the shadows, unseen.
This divide isn’t accidental. It’s a result of systemic flaws in traditional financial systems. These systems favor large, affluent investors who have more influence, access, and information than individual investors. Those “tip of the iceberg” investors can take advantage of high-quality investment opportunities that are out of reach for most people.
Why and how are the best investment opportunities reserved for the tip of the iceberg?
Let’s dig under the surface and find out.
It all starts with
Where’s Your Pension?
One of the most common ways individual investors get screwed over is by relying on retirement fund systems that have proven to be unreliable, expensive, and limited.
Pensions, for example, have become increasingly rare in the US private sector. In fact, only about 25% of civilian workers have access to one. Instead, employers have shifted to defined contribution plans, such as 401(k)s. Rather than relying on a public treasury, these plans require workers to contribute their own money and bear the investment risk.
In exchange, an employer might offer a miniscule 3-5% match.
These plans are supposed to help workers save for retirement by allowing them to defer taxes on their contributions until they withdraw them. However, many 401(k) plans have high fees and commissions that eat away at the returns.
Not to mention the investment options in most 401(k)s are limited, and don’t fit the risk profile for most sophisticated retail investors.
When you add in all the complex regulations around retirement funds, and you get the result we have today: workers who cheer the fact that their employer matches a miniscule 5% of their contributions, not realizing what they’re missing out on.
Bearing the Cost of Poor Management
Another way individual investors get screwed over is by having little or no control over their investments, then paying fees to fund managers who often do worse than the market.
In a 5 year study of 2,132 mutual funds, not a single actively managed fund outperformed an unmanaged index fund. Not. One.
This raises the question:
Why do individual investors pay high fees and commissions to fund managers who actually make less money than an unmanaged fund?
One possible answer: individual investors are unaware of the impact of fees on their long-term returns. For mutual funds, these fees come in the form of an “expense ratio” that acts as payment for managing the fund.
It’s a tiny-looking percentage that adds up to massive losses over time.
For example, if your mutual fund has an expense ratio of 1%, it means the fund deducts 1% of its assets every year to cover its costs.
So if an investor invests $10,000 in a fund that has an annual return of 10% before fees and an expense ratio of 1% (which are realistic numbers), after 20 years, the investor would have:
$49,725
However, if the same investor started with the same amount, got the same returns, and had an expense ratio of 0.1% (which is realistic for an unmanaged fund), the investor would have:
$60,949
That’s a difference of more than $11,000 due to fees alone. In other ways, management fees are a scam.
So why do individual investors keep paying these fees?
Unfortunately, because we’ve been tricked by some clever marketing tactics.
Never Trust a Suit
Never trust anyone in a suit. Suits are uncomfortable, unnatural, and completely absurd abominations of the professional world. They should be abolished.
Yet, you’ll never see more suits in any industry than you do in financial management.
That should tell you something…
Financial institutions use clever tactics-far more sophisticated than suit-wearing-to manipulate the world’s perceptions of them.
Even their fund names and appearances project security. Wealth. Stability.
- Vanguard
- Morningstar
- Blackrock
- And so on
These tactics have been used for over a century, and include projecting a facade of trustworthiness through formal attire, using jargon and technical terms to confuse or impress investors, or creating artificial scarcity or urgency to induce fear or greed.
Bernie Madoff was the king of this. He orchestrated the largest Ponzi scheme in history ($65 billion). To pull it off, he wore bespoke suits and cultivated an aura of exclusivity and secrecy around his hedge fund.
He claimed he had a proprietary trading strategy that could generate consistent returns of about 10% per year. However, he was actually fabricating statements and using money from new clients to pay off old ones.
The lesson: if management fees can be deceiving, the people who charge them are even more deceptive.
Minimum Investments
Most individual investors can’t even get access to the best investment opportunities.
Why? Because hedge funds and private equity funds often have minimum investment thresholds, many of which are $1 million or more.
In other words, individual investors who want to get higher returns by investing in startups and other hidden gems can’t even get their foot in the door.
So they’re left to put money in a 401(k), mutual fund, or some other money pit with miniscule returns and unnecessary risks.
The Status Quo No Mo’
Individual investors who want to achieve:
- Higher returns
- Lower fees
- And more flexibility
-should consider investing in startups, not mutual funds.
Unlike the traditional financial system, which often screws over individual investors with minimum investments, management fees, and limited access, investing in startups offers many advantages.
Retail investors can invest any amount they want, pay no fees or commissions, access the highest returns, and diversify their portfolio. They can also help fund startups that are solving real problems and creating positive impact in the world, and enjoy the thrill of being part of something new.
Investing in startups is not without risks, but it can also offer great rewards for those who are willing to take the leap.
MyntExchange has started to list companies of their solution and starting possibly the best index fund solution in MyntCoin,
Listing HERE
CONTACT:
The following files are available for download:
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/how-retail-investors-get-the-short-end-and-how-to-fix-it-301869445.html
Fintech PR
Bybit’s CEO Meets with Vietnam’s Minister of Finance to Support Regulatory Sandbox and Strengthen Crypto Compliance
DUBAI, UAE, April 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit, one of the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume, met with H.E. Nguyen Van Thang, Minister of Finance of Vietnam, to express Bybit’s strong support for the country’s regulatory sandbox initiative and its vision to build a safe, transparent, and innovation-friendly digital asset ecosystem.
Hosted at the Ministry of Finance headquarters, the meeting centered on Vietnam’s efforts to establish a comprehensive legal framework for crypto assets. Minister Nguyen Van Thang outlined the Government’s plan to launch a pilot sandbox mechanism that will allow regulators to test the issuance and trading of crypto assets in a controlled environment. This initiative is designed to mitigate risks, strengthen investor protection, and ensure regulatory readiness before introducing official legislation.
A key part of the discussion focused on safeguarding the market against illicit activities. The Minister emphasized the importance of robust compliance frameworks, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, to prevent the misuse of digital assets and support the country’s financial security.
In response, Ben Zhou welcomed Vietnam’s measured and responsible approach to digital asset regulation and reiterated Bybit’s long-standing commitment to compliance:
“Vietnam’s forward-thinking regulatory sandbox is a critical step toward unlocking the full potential of blockchain technology. At Bybit, we are fully aligned with the Government’s focus on investor protection and financial integrity,” said Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit. “We are proud to share our expertise in KYC, AML, and global compliance standards, and we look forward to supporting Vietnam in building a resilient, secure, and dynamic crypto economy.”
Bybit expressed its readiness to collaborate with Vietnamese authorities on several fronts, including system architecture design, transaction oversight, and the implementation of international best practices in AML/KYC. The exchange also proposed support in capacity building, such as training financial regulators and sharing experiences from other jurisdictions.
Minister Nguyen Van Thang welcomed Bybit’s proactive approach and assigned the State Securities Commission to coordinate with Bybit on concrete proposals. He also commended Bybit’s reputation for strong financial capabilities, technological resilience, and its adherence to legal and regulatory requirements in the markets where it operates.
This meeting underscores Bybit’s growing role as a trusted international partner for regulatory dialogue and innovation. It also highlights Vietnam’s readiness to embrace blockchain technology while ensuring financial safety and public confidence in the digital asset space.
About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press.
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media
Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bybits-ceo-meets-with-vietnams-minister-of-finance-to-support-regulatory-sandbox-and-strengthen-crypto-compliance-302432942.html
Fintech PR
Breaking Borders, Building Bridges: How “Shanghai Summer” Is Redefining Global Consumption
SHANGHAI, April 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Summer consumer campaigns have long been a key engine for economic growth. Now, Shanghai is stepping into the global spotlight with a bold “urban consumption experiment.” On 18 April, the 2025 “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season was officially launched at Xujiahui Centre, unveiling innovative concepts such as “240-Hour Products” and City Customised Events, aiming to redefine the summer experience across retail, travel, and lifestyle.
According to China UnionPay, foreign card spending surged by 68.2% during the 2024 campaign period. Key commercial areas stood out significantly: Huaihai Road saw a 208.6% increase in overseas card spending (with an average spend of RMB 1,597), while the Lujiazui-Zhangyang Road area rose by 119.9% (average spend: RMB 1,998). Total offline consumption in Shanghai reached RMB 815.9 billion, marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase, with dining consumption up by 26.9%.
The “240-Hour Products” initiative will bring together top-tier city resources to provide overseas visitors with an immersive “starter kit” experience. China Eastern Airlines will offer direct discounts on group flight packages across 30 international routes, supported by smart mobility tools such as the English-language versions of Air Travel Assistant and AutoNavi Map.
In payment, China UnionPay enables foreign card acceptance at 65,000 merchants across Shanghai. Visa is co-developing “Payment-Friendly Zones” to enhance QR code payments and tax refund experiences for international travelers. A “Shanghai Summer” themed card and spending promotions further support this multi-channel payment ecosystem.
Visitors can unlock transport and retail perks with the “Shanghai Pass” one-day ticket, valid for metro, ferry, and sightseeing tunnel rides. Travel platform Trip.com has launched a dedicated “Discover Shanghai” page, featuring integrated “Shanghai Express” free city tours to offer a seamless digital experience. The city’s dining scene has also been elevated with multilingual menus and themed culinary campaigns from Marriott and Jin Jiang, available in Chinese, English, and Korean.
Culture takes center stage in this year’s campaign.The 2025 edition of “Shanghai Summer” will spotlight global lifestyle IPs through immersive activations — including experiences from Shanghai Disney Resort, the LEGO China-hosted “World Play Festival,” and POP MART’s “Summer Trend Play” campaign. By blending global trends with food, music, and local creativity, the city will be transformed into a vibrant, multi-sensory celebration of summer, bursting with international flair and dynamic urban energy.
The multilingual official website www.shanghaisummer.com is now live, featuring an AI-powered travel assistant and virtual avatar, “Shanghai Xiaoxia,” to help visitors plan itineraries and explore the city interactively. Global KOLs will take part in the campaign across platforms including Instagram, Xiaohongshu, and TikTok — bringing the essence of Shanghai’s summer to audiences around the world. From the first weekend of July to the second weekend of October, Shanghai offers a renewed invitation to the world — a thoughtfully curated urban journey that highlights the city’s global charm as a destination to shop, enjoy, and explore.
Media Contact: Lu media@shanghaisummer.com
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/breaking-borders-building-bridges-how-shanghai-summer-is-redefining-global-consumption-302432937.html
SHANGHAI, April 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 2025 “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season officially launched on 18 April at Xujiahui Centre. With innovative offerings like the “240-Hour Products” and “City Customised Events,” this year’s programme presents a city-level consumer experience that blends international lifestyle with summer vitality. The first stop of the global roadshow will arrive in Osaka, Japan this May, continuing to share Shanghai’s summer story with international audiences.
A new wave of flagship events is set to unfold. Three globally popular IPs—LEGO China， POP MART, and Shanghai Disney Resort—will join forces in Shanghai. The LEGO China Discovery Resort will enter trial operations, with the ” World Play Festival” making its global debut. POP MART will bring its “Summer Trend Play” series to life, featuring IP exhibitions, new product launches, and interactive pop-ups. Shanghai Disney Resort will also unveil various summer-themed activations, creating immersive entertainment experiences for all ages.
To enhance inbound tourism, “Shanghai Summer” integrates transportation, attractions, and retail districts into a “starter kit” experience tailored for international travellers. China Eastern Airlines will offer discounted group packages across global routes. In terms of payment, Visa is co-developing “Payment-Friendly Zones” to enhance QR code transactions and tax refund scenarios for international travelers. China UnionPay is expanding foreign card acceptance to 65,000 merchants citywide and has launched the “Shanghai Summer” themed card along with a variety of promotional offers—creating a diversified payment ecosystem that integrates credit cards, mobile payments, and digital RMB.
In 2024, offline spending in Shanghai reached RMB 815.9 billion, an 8.2% increase year-on-year. Dining consumption rose to RMB 96.4 billion, up 26.9%. Foreign card spending surged by 68.2%, with Huaihai Road seeing a 208.6% increase and the Lujiazui-Zhangyang Road area growing by 119.9%—demonstrating the city’s growing international appeal.
The official website www.shanghaisummer.com is now available in five languages. AI assistant “Shanghai Xiaoxia” is also online, with many offerings equipped with Japanese-language support—welcoming global travellers to join this vibrant summer celebration in Shanghai.
Media Contact: Lulu media@shanghaisummer.com
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2667335/Shanghai_Design_Week.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/shanghai-summer-a-one-of-a-kind-seasonal-experience-302432728.html
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