THE BLOG

16
Jul

Main relevant issues related to the Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin is a form of digital currency, created and stored electronically. Established in 2009, by its creator Mr. Satoshi Nakamoto. It was the first virtual payment method of this type in the world. Thanks to several important features, it is one of the largest financial innovations of recent years.

At the moment, due to the lack of bank intermediation in funds transfer, bitcoin is considered by many investors as a cheaper alternative, especially for larger amounts.

Two other important features of cryptocurrencies payment system are definetely security and anonymity. Information on transactions carried out using bitcoin is encrypted using a technology called “blockchain”. At the moment, its mode of operation and continuous verification seems to be virtually unbreakable. Creating an account in this cryptocurrency has no formal conditions and the accounts are anonymous. The only thing the user receives to the invoice is a 54-character login and password.

A huge advantages of this payment method are also the speed and ease in making the transfers online. In the process of transferring funds, the distance to the place where we send the money does not matter and the transaction is carried out without intermediaries. Bitcoin transfers have no restrictions in the form of weekdays or holidays, we can send funds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Transactions are approved almost every 10 minutes.

In comparison to traditional banks that have a centralized database system, information about the status of bitcoin accounts is simultaneously found in many places on earth in the same form. That makes it definetely more secure.

These factors as much as the fact that according to the assumptions, a limited amount of 21,000,000 bitcoins will be created by 2140 have largely influenced the popularity of bitcoin, which is reflected in its market value. At present, approximately 16,500,000 bitcoins have already been circulated, and the pace at which others will hit the market will slow down.

10
Jul

What is Bitcoin cryptocurrency and BTC exchange?

Bitcoin is a form of digital currency, created and stored electronically. Established in 2009, by its creator Mr. Satoshi Nakamoto. It was the first virtual payment method of this type in the world. Unlike traditional, physical currencies like euros or dollars, Bitcoin is not printed – it has no physical form. Instead, bitcoin is created by computer scientists around the world, using programs that solve mathematical problems.

Bitcoin becomes very popular exchange medium that we can pay for more and more products and services. Day by day we can hear that more institutions, stores and other companies are starting to accept bitcoin. It is also a currency that has no physical form and can be sent immediately to anywhere on earth. This has a lot of advantages compared to e.g. international bank transfers, where money has to go through several banks along the way, and thus be saved on several subsequent virtual account books. Β 

Banks are another significant difference between cryptocurrencies and physical cash. The central bank’s mission is to stabilize its own currency. It can increase the money supply, which we call ‘reprinting’ to cover government debts, thereby devaluing the currency. However, in the case of digital currency, there is no such thing as Bitcoin Bank that would also be its regulator. This is due to the fact that Bitcoin is a bank in its own right. The independent accounting book contains information about the ownership status of all users and the history of transactions between them. To open an account with cryptocurrency, just download the special application and generate a login and password. Each user’s account is completely anonymous and has no formal requirements.

Here the meaning of the term “crypto” is revealed to us, because the above-mentioned information is just encrypted inside bitcoin. The way encryption is done is a revolution in the field of information technology – it is called “Blockchain”.

02
Jul

Talks about the economy at the G20 summit in Osaka.

In the opinion of some leaders, including representatives of the European Union, trade wars are slowing down global economic growth. The most dangerous effects are seen in the customs war between the US and China, about which the leaders of these countries are to talk about in private on Saturday. On the occasion of the Osaka Summit, Donald Trump met with Vladimir Putin. The presidents agreed to continue negotiations on arms control. Putin invited Trump to visit Moscow next year and participate in the parade celebrating the anniversary of the end of World War II. During bilateral meetings, the issue of tensions in the Persian Gulf was also raised. President Trump appealed to German Chancellor Angela Merkel for help in putting pressure on Iran. The plenary session was dominated by economic issues. China, India and Russia have once again expressed their opposition to economic protectionism and unilateral sanctions. The first day of the summit ended with a gala dinner with G20 leaders. Commercial disputes in the center of attention of the participants of the G20 summit in Osaka. There will be direct talks between President Donald Trump and the Chinese and Indian leaders devoted to additional duties. G20 leaders believe that trade conflicts pose a serious risk to the global economy.

30
Jun

Inflation devouring investment profits

Considering the current deposit interest rate and inflation at the level of 2.4%, it turns out that the vast majority of deposits bring us losses in real terms. To beat inflation, interest would have to be as much as 3 percent. The rate must be higher than inflation because interest is reduced by tax. It is also worth adding that it will be harder and harder to get real profits, as forecasts say that at the end of the year prices may rise at a rate exceeding 3 percent. To beat this level, deposit interest would have to be above 3.7 percent. There are no such offers on the market, except for short-term promotions for new customers. It should be added, however, that keeping money on an interest-free account or in cash, the real value of savings will fall even faster than those placed even on a weak deposit.

28
Jun

Why banks reduce interest rates on deposits.

The rate reductions are due to the fact that this strategy brings double benefits to banks. First of all, paying lower interest costs less. In addition, some people discouraged by low interest rates give up deposits and simply keep savings on an interest-free bill. This means for banks a free source of financing. In addition, the advantage of deposits over loans granted is increasing in the banking sector. The value of the former is already 13 percent higher than loans. For comparison, in 2011 the situation was opposite – the value of loans was up by 14 percent higher than deposits. Banks are therefore less and less motivated to pay us high interest rates. They are not able to earn part of our savings because they give too little credit.

26
Jun

We started to withdraw money from bank deposits again.

In April 2018, the wave of withdrawals from bank deposits ended, which reduced their balance by as much as PLN 35 billion. It seems that after more than a year of peace another one begins, because we have been observing payments again for three months. They led to the fact that the importance of investments fell to the lowest level in history. We keep only 1/3 of savings on them. At the end of May, Poles had PLN 260 billion in bank deposits, which is almost PLN 3 billion less than in February. In total, we have PLN 773 billion in banks, so the share of deposits is only 33 percent. and is the lowest ever. First of all, low interest rates discourage them from deposits. This year it is constantly falling. In December 2018, it was on average 1.83 percent, and in April this year only 1.56 percent.

25
May

Central Invoice Register – a new tool for controlling entrepreneurs

On 1.12.2010, the European Commission issued a document called the “Green Paper” on the future of VAT. It set out recommendations that were necessary for simpler and more efficient settlement of value added tax. In addition, one of the tools aimed at minimizing tax fraud was to be a system monitoring all invoices in combination with settlements made by entrepreneurs for VAT. The Central Invoice Register will be such a tool in Poland. It is a tool that allows checking the correctness of issuing invoices, analyzing and detecting carousels and eliminating, among others, the so-called empty invoices, i.e. documenting fictitious transactions. In addition, CRF is to streamline and accelerate tax audits.

21
May

The Swiss Franc is the most expensive since the beginning of April

The Swiss franc, one of the more closely observed currencies in Poland, has risen in price compared to the zloty by about 2 percent over the past two weeks. The franc rate rose above PLN 3.81, reaching the level we recently observed at the beginning of April this year. Unfortunately, the franc may soon be even more expensive. Not only the Polish zloty but also the US dollar or the euro are losing to the franc. In two weeks, the franc strengthened against the euro by about 1.5 percent, and against the dollar by about 1.6 percent.

17
May

15 years of Poland in the European Union

For many people, membership of the European Union is almost normal. However, it cannot be denied that the changes that took place in 2004 had a major impact on all areas of economic and social life in our country in the following years. Membership benefits are undeniable. Just look at the balance of payments and withdrawals from the EU cash register. During these 15 years, Poland received net, i.e. after transfers from EU treaties over EUR 100 billion, i.e. at today’s EUR / PLN exchange rate over PLN 430 billion! To see how big this amount is, just look at this year’s Polish budget, which is PLN 387 billion.

It must also be admitted that Poland, looking generally at all these 15 years, used the EU funds in a satisfactory manner. Initially, there were considerable formal difficulties, even with completing the applications, but over time national institutions gained experience, as well as public awareness in the context of the existence of various forms of assistance from the EU increased, which allowed optimal use of funds. Funds from the cohesion fund were used primarily for infrastructure, including roads and motorways. For example, when we entered the EU, highways were only 500 km, while today it is already 1630 km. Farmers will not complain either. The billions of euros that went under direct payments allowed us to significantly modernize the Polish countryside, breeding and cultivating plants. Exports to the EU have also increased significantly. It increased almost five times.

Poles want to be in the EU, according to surveys, CBOS declares over 90%, and appreciate the benefits of being a member. It is mainly about the growth of the Polish economy and the growing quality of life. More and more Poles also appreciate the role of the European Parliament and thus declare a greater desire to participate in elections to this body.

09
May

The consequences of late payment of social security contributions.

The contribution payer is obliged to pay contributions to ZUS on time. Untimely settlement of these obligations generally results in the need to pay default interest. On the other hand, the payer being a natural person conducting business activity, who pays premiums untimely for himself, the pension authority excludes from voluntary sickness insurance. On the other hand, late payment of the health premium does not deprive the payer of the right to free healthcare.

The contribution payer pays contributions by one transfer to his contribution account number (NRS). On the transfer, he gives the total amount of social security contributions (i.e. retirement, disability, sickness, accident), health insurance, FP, FS, FGŚP and possibly FEP. Contributions to these Funds are regulated by the deadlines specified in the provisions. If the payer is a natural person paying contributions exclusively for themselves, then they make payments for a given month no later than by the 10th day of the next month. If it is an entity of the budgetary sphere, then the binding date of their payment for a given month is the 5th day of the next month. Other payers (i.e. paying contributions not only for themselves, but also for other insured persons, e.g. employees, contractors) shall pay contributions for a given month not later than by the 15th day of the following month. This is provided in art. 47 section 1 of the Act on the social insurance system, called the System Act.

From ZUS contributions not paid on time, as a rule, default interest is payable by the payer. The payer pays for them himself, without first calling him to regulate them by ZUS. As follows from art. 23 clause 1 of the System Act, default interest is calculated on the principles and in the amounts specified in the Tax Code. When calculating them, the payer should remember about several important issues, namely that their calculation begins from the day after the day on which the payer was obliged to make contributions to the ZUS bank account. The last day for which the payer should pay interest for late payment is the day on which he will pay the arrears to ZUS (including that day). In addition, calculated interest for late payment is rounded to full zlotys in such a way that the tip of interest amounts of less than 50 groszy are skipped, and the tip of amounts of 50 groszy and more is raised to full zlotys.

In general, interest for late payment is due when the payer makes a contribution payment after the due date. There is an exception to this rule. Interest for late payment is not calculated for a given month if the amount does not exceed PLN 6.60 (Article 23 (1a) of the System Act). Therefore, if the payer pays the ZUS contributions due late and it turns out that the calculated interest (for the date of payment of arrears) is e.g. PLN 6.60, he is not obliged to increase his payment by default interest – they are then not due . They will be due only when they amount to at least PLN 6.61. Then, after rounding them to full zlotys (according to the mathematical principle), they should be forwarded to ZUS.

Late payment of receivables due to contributions undoubtedly affects sickness insurance, including a natural person conducting non-agricultural activities, assuming that she has taken out this insurance. If the entrepreneur has paid premiums for a given calendar month after the due date of their payment, it results in his exclusion from voluntary sickness insurance by ZUS. This is regulated by art. 14 par. 2 point 2 of the System Act. In this case, the insurance shall cease from the first day of the calendar month for which the payer has paid contributions after the deadline. It is possible that for part of the month the entrepreneur has received an allowance (e.g. sickness), then the voluntary sickness insurance of such a person ceases from the day following the day for which the allowance is granted (Article 14 (2a) of the System Act). ZUS automatically excludes an entrepreneur from voluntary sickness insurance.

It is worth adding that untimely payment of insurance premiums by an entrepreneur also affects the termination of voluntary sickness insurance of a person cooperating with him. This circumstance, however, does not have such effects, for example, on the person performing the mandate contract. Despite the fact that sickness insurance is for persons performing a voluntary contract, the regulations arising from art. 14 par. 2 point 2 of the System Act.

It should be noted that not in every case excluding an entrepreneur (or a person cooperating with him) from voluntary sickness insurance excludes the right of such a person to “continue”. ZUS may agree to pay the premium after the deadline, however, this only takes place in justified cases and only at the entrepreneur’s request.

It happens that entrepreneurs who are subject to compulsory health insurance believe that late payment of the premium for this insurance will deprive them of the right to free healthcare guaranteed by the National Health Fund. However, the disability pension body cannot exclude them from this insurance due to late payment of health insurance premiums. Entrepreneurs are covered by compulsory health insurance from the date of commencement of operations to the date of discontinuation of operations (excluding the period in which the activity was suspended). During this time, they have the right to benefit from free health services.