Author: Jean Galea | Page 33

InRento Review 2026 – Invest in European Rental Properties

Last updated: March 11, 20261 Comment

InRento is a buy-to-let property crowdfunding platform that allows investors to put money into carefully curated rental properties across Europe. What started in 2020 as a small Lithuanian platform with three projects in Vilnius has grown into the EU’s largest licensed buy-to-let crowdfunding platform, now operating across six European markets: Lithuania, Poland, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and Latvia.

InRento was founded by Gustas Germanavičius, a Lithuanian serial entrepreneur. As of early 2026, the platform has crossed EUR 80 million in total funded investment volume, paid out over EUR 8.3 million in investor earnings, and still maintains a zero-default track record across all projects since inception. Those are numbers that very few platforms in this space can match.

Check out InRento

I had the pleasure of chatting with Gustas on my podcast, where he explained that InRento was born out of the need to tap into a gap that he identified in the European real estate market.

According to Gustas, there are plenty of platforms offering higher-risk property crowdfunding and development deals, but many investors have started to shy away from those riskier bets. When you look at the lower-risk end of the spectrum, the pickings are slim. That is where InRento comes in.

InRento offers lower-risk real estate crowdfunding opportunities focused on rental properties rather than the more popular (and riskier) development loans that dominate many other platforms.

These investors want reliable, no-fuss returns on their money. They are less concerned about capital appreciation and more interested in the passive income potential of rental properties.

With bank savings accounts still offering paltry returns across most of Europe, finding investment opportunities that deliver meaningful yield while protecting your principal is important. InRento positions itself squarely as an alternative to parking cash in the bank.

In this review, I will first show you how to sign up as an investor on InRento, followed by how to make your first investment.

I will then cover some important details about the platform and give my final opinion.

[Read more…]

Koinly Review – Automatic Tax Reports for Your Crypto Transactions

Last updated: April 26, 20231 Comment

Today, the cryptocurrency industry is full of diverse financial products that come in all shapes and sizes. If you are an avid crypto enthusiast, you might be actively using multiple digital wallets across different crypto platforms and exchanges.

As such, it can be quite cumbersome to keep abreast with your crypto portfolio at all times.

However, as with all financial holdings – it is crucial that you have a clear idea of what crypto assets you own. This is where crypto tax software provider Koinly aims to help

In this review, I explore what Koinly is, its different features, and how you can make the most of this platform to simplify your crypto tax proceedings.

Track your cryptos with Koinly

Koinly – An Overview

Investing in cryptocurrency does give you the opportunity to target above-average market returns. However, like any other tradable asset, this will also add to your financial liabilities. In other words, depending on where you live – you might be required to pay taxes on any earnings you make on crypto transactions. Unless you live in a crypto-friendly nation, that is.

Understanding your crypto tax obligations can be a bit tricky. This is especially true in today’s context, when the rules and regulations concerning cryptocurrencies seem to be changing every other month.

Therefore, it is paramount that you have resources in place to stay on top of your crypto tax obligations. This is where Koinly comes in. The platform can automatically compile your trades, measure your capital gains, and, most importantly, create reports for your tax purposes.

Put simply, it can help you save a significant amount of time by helping you work out the taxes linked with your crypto activities. What’s more, it can even point out if you can potentially save some money.

[Read more…]

Where to Buy and Sell Used Luxury Items in Europe

Last updated: June 30, 2023Leave a Comment

If you’re interested in purchasing expensive fashion items as an investment or simply as a hobby, one effective strategy to make this more accessible is to find the items on a used goods website.

Not only does this approach make luxury items more affordable, but it also allows you to participate in a thriving market for pre-owned high-end goods, where items often retain their value and can even appreciate over time.

Understanding the Luxury Resale Market

The luxury resale market has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by factors such as increasing awareness about sustainability and the desire for unique, high-quality items.

The luxury resale market is a thriving industry that is gaining momentum across the globe. Already sizable at an estimated $25–30 billion in 2020, industry watchers predict an annual growth rate of 10–15 percent over the next decade. This surge is thanks in part to the success of specialized digital trading platforms, as well as changes in consumer behavior.

The Main Players: Vestiaire Collective and TheRealReal

Two of the leading platforms in the used luxury fashion space in Europe are Vestiaire Collective and TheRealReal.

Vestiaire Collective

Vestiaire Collective is a global marketplace for pre-owned luxury and designer fashion. With international offices located in Paris, London, New York, Berlin, Milan, and Hong Kong, it caters to fashionistas who adore the hunt for a good bargain but never sacrifice quality and style. The brand was motivated by the question, “Could there be a way to extend luxury pieces’ lifespan by bringing them back into circulation?” and voila, Vestiaire Collective was here. Their goal is to promote fashion sustainability by keeping clothes out of landfills by increasing the number of times they are worn.

Pros: Vestiaire Collective offers a wide selection of pre-owned luxury fashion items from a variety of designer brands, including unique and rare pieces that may not be available elsewhere. The platform guarantees the authenticity of the items being sold, employing a team of experts who examine each item for signs of counterfeiting. Quality control measures ensure that items are accurately described and in good condition. By buying pre-owned items from Vestiaire Collective, you participate in sustainable fashion practices.

Cons: Prices can vary significantly due to the peer-to-peer nature of the marketplace. Depending on your location and the seller’s location, you may incur shipping fees and potential import duties or taxes. The return process can sometimes be complex, and it may take longer to receive a refund compared to other online retailers. Sizing and fit can be challenging with pre-owned items online, and returns due to sizing issues may be more difficult.

Features: Vestiaire Collective provides robust search and filtering capabilities, allowing you to narrow down your options and discover items that match your preferences. The platform also has a rigorous authentication process in place to verify the authenticity of items listed on the platform, giving buyers confidence in their purchases.

TheRealReal

TheRealReal is a luxury consignment store established in 2011. It’s an online platform that turns pre-owned luxury goods into sellable items, extending the lifecycle of these products, similar to Vestiaire Collective’s mission. TheRealReal offers a broad range of product categories, from clothing and accessories to jewelry, home décor, and fine art, and offers these luxury items at discounts of up to 90% off.

The Appeal of Luxury Goods as Investments

Many people are surprised by the high price tags of luxury designer bags or vintage cars, but the truth is that these items can increase in value over time, making them a great investment. The factors that contribute to the appreciation of luxury goods include brand reputation, rarity, and condition. For example, handbags are one of the most popular classes of alternative investments worldwide. The same goes for vintage cars and certain prestigious sports cars. These items not only retain their value but can appreciate, making them a worthwhile investment.

The Impact of Luxury Goods on Lifestyle and Mindset

I strongly believe that surrounding myself with elite people and products significantly helps me raise my own game. Surrounding yourself with amazing quality is a perfect complement to having a growth mindset. Luxury goods, because of their high quality and the prestige associated with them, can contribute positively to one’s self-image and status. They can serve as a source of inspiration, pushing individuals to strive for greater personal and professional success.

The Contrast with Mass-Market Items

Whenever possible, I buy the best products available on the market, which are normally the most expensive. The reasoning behind that is that you get to actually enjoy an amazing product, plus you know that there is the possibility to resell it at a good price. The latter point is important to me as an investor.

In contrast to luxury goods, mass-market items typically do not hold their value and can rarely be resold for a significant amount. This is often due to factors such as overproduction, lower-quality materials, and rapid changes in trends. While mass-market items may be more accessible and affordable, their resale value is often minimal compared to luxury goods. This highlights the potential economic benefits of investing in luxury items over mass-market items.

I’ll be experimenting with both of these websites and will expand on this article based on my experiences. In the meantime, if you have your own experience to share or have other suggestions please leave a comment below.

How to Buy Bitcoin and Cryptos Through Your Regular Stock Broker

Last updated: October 25, 20242 Comments

Over time, we are seeing crypto become more and more mainstream, and this also means more ways for investors to gain exposure to cryptos like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana.

One of my favorite ways to buy into the crypto scene is to use ETPs like ETFs, ETNs and ETCs, depending on what’s available and what I’m looking for. I’ll be defining these shortly and the differences between them.

Throughout this article, I will be referring to Bitcoin tracker products, but everything applies to trackers of other cryptos as well.

Why Buy a Bitcoin Tracker?

For a myriad of reasons that I’ve previously discussed on this blog, you might not want or be able to buy Bitcoin and crypto from a crypto exchange – wiring fiat currencies and then trading that money for cryptos such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Let’s say you want to buy Bitcoin, but you don’t want to sign up to a crypto exchange and buy (and store) the cryptocurrency directly.

Or perhaps your bank prevents you from transferring fiat currencies to the well-known exchanges, effectively blocking you from doing what you want to do with your money. That’s a discussion for another article, although I think that this ridiculous situation with banks is just temporary and will not be an issue in a few years’ time at max.

So what are your alternatives?

One way is to buy Bitcoin in a peer-to-peer fashion, using Hodl Hodl. However, this is not an ideal way to proceed if you want to buy substantial amounts (say €10,000 or more in Bitcoin).

Thankfully, there is now a very easy way to get crypto exposure, using traditional stockbrokers. Banks won’t hassle you, as from their perspective, you are just transferring money to a regular stockbroker.

In the case of an eventual sale, and subsequent withdrawal of fiat into your bank account, their reasoning is the same. It’s your regular stockbroker, no foul play suspected, compliance boxes checked, all good to go.

What about big hedge funds and institutions? According to research done in 2021, institutional investors in Europe prefer exchange-traded instruments over buying crypto directly. Over half (53%) use ETPs to access bitcoin, while about a quarter (23%) use structured products and only one in five (21%) use direct investment.

To recap on why you would want to buy crypto through a stockbroker:

Your bank/s refusing to allow transfers to/from crypto exchanges
Not trusting yourself in being able to self-custody your cryptos
Buying through a company – audits and accounting becomes complex when trading through exchanges.
You’re an institutional investor

All are very valid reasons for being unwilling or unable to use crypto exchanges like Coinbase and Binance to buy cryptos.

The alternative lies in using your regular stockbroker to buy into crypto funds.

It’s time for some definitions.

The global term for all these products is Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs). There are several types of ETPs, like:

exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
exchange-traded notes (ETNs)
exchange-traded cryptocurrencies (ETCs)

When you start looking for crypto products you can buy on stock exchanges, things can get quite confusing. In Europe, when you see products listed as ETPs, the legal structure is actually an ETN. You will also find ETFs and ETCs, but ETNs are definitely the most common.

Bitcoin and crypto ETFs are not yet available in Europe and the U.S., although they are available in Canada and Brazil.

When compared to the U.S. however, Europe offers much easier access to crypto products through ETPs – this is done through ETNs, and ETCs to a lesser extent. These ETPs offer exposure to the cryptocurrency market without the concerns of custody or owning the underlying asset. By investing through an ETP, investors can benefit from institutional-class custody, simplified trading through a standard brokerage account, greater liquidity, and transparent trading.

Unlike ETFs which are considered investment funds, ETNs and ETCs are structured as an unsecured debt, meaning that the issuer – usually a bank – can potentially not be able to repay the principal and default the bond.

So, once you login to your favorite broker, you need to find these funds and simply buy their stock. Some of the most famous ones (and their country of domicile) are the following:

BTCetc – Physical Bitcoin ETC – Germany
WisdomTree Bitcoin ETP (BTCW SW) – Jersey
21Shares Bitcoin ETP (ABTC SW) – Switzerland
VanEck Vectors Bitcoin ETN – Liechenstein

The BTCetc Physical Bitcoin ETC from HanETF is an exchange-traded cryptocurrency (ETC) that tracks the price of Bitcoin. This ETF company coined the term exchange-traded cryptocurrency (usually the term ETC refers to exchange-traded commodity) and comes with the extra benefit that you can convert and withdraw to actual Bitcoin whenever you want, subject to some fees. This is the biggest European Bitcoin fund by a significant margin, signifying that investors are attracted by the convertibility offered by this setup. It also has the highest TER at 2.0% p.a. You can find it traded on several countries’ exchanges, giving you the flexibility to invest in EUR, USD or CHF. From my understanding, this ETC is identical to an ETN save from the ability to convert to Bitcoin on demand. Custody is provided by BitGO.

The 21Shares Bitcoin ETP works with fully collateralized debt, meaning that it is 100% backed by Bitcoin held in an independent trust for investors, while custody is provided by Coinbase and possibly Kingdom Trust, Bitcoin Suisse and Copper. All of them are top-tier custodians. This ETP is regulated and domiciled in Switzerland. Even though it is 100% backed, there is still a risk of theft, hacking, as well as the need to deduct the costs of the liquidation should any player within this ETP become insolvent. The TER is 1.49%.

The Van Eck Bitcoin ETN is a fully collateralized exchange-traded note that invest only in Bitcoins. Note that not all ETNs are collateralized, making this ETN particularly safe compared to others. The note aims to replicate the performance of the MVIS CryptoCompare Bitcoin VWAP Close Index (MVBTCV Index). The custodian is Bank Frick and the fund is domiciled in Liechtenstein. The base currency is EUR and TER is 1.00%.

My suggested broker for such trades is DEGIRO. I’ve written an in-depth review of this platform earlier so check that out if you want to learn more about this broker.

flatexDEGIRO offers several crypto trackers that follow the underlying performance of digital currencies, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. There is no need to set up a crypto wallet or use a crypto exchange.

Canadian residents have it better than their US counterparts, as several ETFs launched there in 2021: Purpose Bitcoin ETF (BTCC), Evolve Bitcoin ETF (EBIT), CI Galaxy Bitcoin ETF (BTCX), 3iQ CoinShares Bitcoin ETF (BTCQ), and Fidelity Advantage Bitcoin ETF.

My Favorite Bitcoin Tracker Products

Not all tracker products are created equal. There are a few main questions to ask yourself when choosing a product:

What’s the size of the fund?
Who’s the provider?
What is the total expense ratio (TER)?
Where is the fund domiciled?
What’s the replication method?
What currency do I need to use?

A bigger fund inspires more trust, although you also need to consider how long it’s been on the market. If it’s a newer fund, then I would look at the provider, and if they are well-established with a long track record of solid ETF products, then the fund size would not be that important.

Some reputable providers are WisdomTree, VanEck and CoinShares.

The TER is very important to me. I am fine with paying money to compensate for the storage costs and the ancillary costs of operating the fund, but a 1% difference can make a significant difference in returns over the long-run, especially given crypto’s growth potential. I typically look for an expense ratio of 1% or lower.

Lastly, I want to make sure that they are physically-backed. This means that they for every dollar/euro invested in the fund, they hold the equivalent value in Bitcoin, usually in safe cold storage. This is not usually an issue, as all the tracker products I’ve seen in Europe use physical backing as their replication method.

It’s not a bad idea to split your funds between different providers if they have similar setups. This will minimise the risk in the unlikely event that a provider goes out of business or suffers a catastrophic loss of its physical backing.

Right now, as a European resident, my choice is the VanEck Vectors Bitcoin ETN fund as it has a low total expense ratio (TER) of just 1% per year while being based in Liechtenstein, which is a country whose financial sector I deem to be of sufficient quality. Its base currency is also EUR which is ideal since a good chunk of my savings are typically stored in Europe’s currency, the Euro.

On the other hand, I also use the WisdomTree Bitcoin ETN to diversify between providers and also to be able to invest my USD savings and thus avoid currency conversion costs. The Coinshares Physical Bitcoin ETN would be an alternative – it is a slightly bigger fund with negligibly higher TER but it is domiciled in Jersey instead.

Buying Stocks from a Crypto Exchange?

You might also be interested in doing somewhat of the opposite of what I described in this post – buying stocks from a crypto exchange. This is still a new area in crypto, but there are already some exchanges that offer tokenized stocks that can be purchased with cryptos, as I describe in my post about that subject.

The biggest advantage, in that case, is that you can trade stock tokens 24/7 rather than being limited by the opening hours of the markets. This is especially useful if important news comes out during the weekend, or you invest through stock exchanges located in a different time zone to yours.

If you’re an investor who prefers owning Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc outright, then just head over to my list of best crypto exchanges and take action from there.

Buy Crypto ETPs on DEGIRO

Investing in stocks, bonds, and ETFs involves risks including complete loss. Please do your research before making any investment.

Best Exchanges and Brokers to Buy Stocks with Crypto in 2026

Last updated: March 11, 20262 Comments

Tokenized stocks in action

If you’ve been holding Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptoassets and want to rebalance into stocks, you face a familiar friction: banks still treat crypto proceeds with suspicion, and withdrawing to fiat just to reinvest creates unnecessary delays and compliance headaches.

The cleaner path is to move funds directly from your crypto holdings to a platform that handles both assets. That workflow still exists in 2026 — but the landscape has changed significantly since this article was first published. Here’s an honest look at what’s available now.

Buy fractional stocks on eToro

Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk.

What Changed Since 2021

The space got cleaned out. Two major players that once offered stock-trading-via-crypto are gone or restructured:

FTX collapsed in November 2022. Any funds held there were lost in the bankruptcy. If you were using FTX to move between crypto and stocks, that option is gone.
Binance launched stock tokens in April 2021, pulled them just three months later under regulatory pressure from the UK’s FCA and Germany’s BaFin, then quietly brought them back in early 2026 via a partnership with Ondo Finance (more on this below).

The core use case — use crypto holdings to get into stocks without going through your bank — still works. But your reliable options now sit on a shorter list.

eToro: Still the Most Practical Option for Most Investors

eToro remains my preferred platform for this purpose. The workflow hasn’t changed: deposit crypto to eToro, sell it for USD or EUR inside the platform, then use those funds to buy stocks or ETFs.

What makes eToro particularly useful here:

Fractional shares — you can buy a slice of high-priced stocks like Nvidia or Amazon, not just whole shares. This matters when you’re working with specific crypto amounts rather than round numbers.
Wide asset coverage — thousands of stocks and ETFs alongside 150+ cryptoassets, all under one login.
Deposit incentive — eToro has been running a promotion giving 1% back in stocks on crypto deposits (check current availability on their site).

The process is straightforward: transfer crypto from your wallet or exchange to eToro, convert to fiat within the platform, then invest. You never need to touch your bank account.

If you want a full breakdown of how eToro works, head over to my in-depth eToro review.

Buy stocks on eToro

Disclaimer: Your capital is at risk.

Bitpanda: A Strong Option for European Investors

Bitpanda, the Vienna-based exchange, launched an all-in-one investment app in January 2026 that now includes stocks and ETFs alongside its existing crypto and precious metals offering. It’s Europe’s broadest single-app investment platform at the moment, with over 10,000 stocks and ETFs available.

The fees are simple: €1 flat per stock or ETF trade, regardless of trade size. No custody fees, no payment for order flow. Fractional shares and automated savings plans are both supported.

Since Bitpanda holds your crypto and stocks in the same account, moving value from crypto holdings into stocks is a seamless internal transfer. There’s no withdrawal to fiat, no bank leg.

Availability note: Bitpanda is primarily aimed at European residents. It is not available to US investors.

Binance + Ondo Finance: Tokenized Stocks Are Back (With Caveats)

In February 2026, Binance relaunched tokenized stock trading through a partnership with Ondo Finance. The offering lists tokenized versions of major US stocks and ETFs — Apple, Tesla, Nvidia, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Alphabet, and the Invesco QQQ ETF — directly tradeable on Binance using funds already on the exchange.

Ondo Finance acts as the issuer: they hold the real underlying shares and wrap them in a blockchain token, giving you on-chain exposure to the stock’s price performance.

This is a meaningfully different model from eToro or Bitpanda. You’re not buying actual shares — you’re holding a tokenized representation of them. That brings its own regulatory and counterparty considerations.

Key limitations to know:

Not available to US investors.
The product is new — it only launched in early 2026 and regulatory status varies by jurisdiction. Abu Dhabi’s ADGM approved it in March 2026; other jurisdictions are still catching up.
Because you’re holding a token rather than a direct share, the rights and protections differ from traditional brokerage ownership.

For non-US investors comfortable with tokenized assets and already using Binance, this is worth watching. For everyone else, eToro or Bitpanda are the more established routes.

Which Option Makes Sense for You

US investors: eToro is your main option. Bitpanda and the Binance/Ondo offering are not available to you.
European investors: eToro and Bitpanda are both solid. Bitpanda’s flat €1 fee structure is competitive if you’re making regular trades. eToro edges ahead if you want a more established platform with a longer track record.
Investors outside the US/Europe: eToro has the widest geographic coverage. Check Binance + Ondo if tokenized stocks are available in your region.

The use case is real and the friction it solves is real. The niche just requires being careful about which platform you trust with the funds — especially after FTX demonstrated what platform risk looks like at its worst.