Looking back over the past decade, investing has been one of the most fulfilling pursuits in my life, while I took a break from entrepreneurship and active work in the tech space. The rewards have been financial, but more importantly they’ve been intellectual and personal. It’s the one arena where my natural aptitudes—and even some […]

Short answer: For receiving and moving USD, Wise is usually the better choice, especially if you’re in Europe and getting paid from US banks. Revolut is strong for day-to-day spending and FX, but its USD rails are often weaker and more expensive. Quick verdict by use case You live in Europe and receive USD from […]

European retail investors cannot normally buy U.S.-domiciled ETFs like QQQ due to the PRIIPs regulation and the missing KID. Brokers block direct purchase to comply. However, you can still own such ETFs by using options. We’ll keep on using the very popular QQQ as an example. The Workaround Sell a cash-secured put on QQQ. One […]

If you’ve ever needed to convert currencies, you’ve probably considered services like Wise, Revolut, or maybe even a crypto exchange like Kraken. But have you ever thought about using Interactive Brokers (IB) to trade the currency pairs directly? Let’s dive into how Interactive Brokers stacks up as a tool for currency conversions and compare it […]

Open a bunq account bunq is a fully app-based EU bank founded in 2012 and licensed under De Nederlandsche Bank. It targets users who value automation, strong budgeting with multiple IBANs, and an eco-focused brand. Unlike e-money institutions, bunq is a licensed bank and covered by the Dutch Deposit Guarantee up to €100,000. Company Background […]

Traveling abroad or shopping online often means dealing with currencies that are different from your home country’s. While this may seem straightforward—your card gets charged, and your bank handles the rest—the reality is that small decisions at the checkout can save (or cost) you significant amounts over time. Whether you’re exploring a new country or […]

Kviku is one of those names that used to show up often in P2P lending circles—especially among investors chasing high double-digit returns in emerging markets. I gave them the benefit of the doubt at first. They looked solid on paper: Russian roots, cross-border expansion, supposedly high-tech scoring systems. But let’s not sugarcoat it—Kviku has turned […]

Update: March 2026 – LenderMarket 1.0 officially shut down on December 31, 2025, with all pending payments resolved. The platform began rolling out LenderMarket 2.0 from mid-2024, with new technology, new loan originators, and an EU crowdfunding license. However, given the platform’s history, I remain cautious about recommending it. I’ll be completely honest with you. […]

Bondster was once a promising addition to the European P2P lending space. When I first came across the platform, it offered what looked like solid returns, backed by buyback guarantees and a growing selection of loan originators. However, in recent years—especially into 2025—things have taken a sharp turn for the worse. After monitoring the platform, […]