One of the ever grateful and refreshing things about blogging and social influencing, is the impact and inspiration I get to make in the life other people. It gives me great joy and serves as a reminder when I don't feel really inspired to blog and take photos, that someone is waiting for me to post, someone is saying you inspire me, another person finds my work so artistic and relate-able and to mention, this is a daily fuel with keeps burning in my heart to do more. I have a lot artist and painters have created very good art work of me but this one really got me because of how deep the photos speak.Earning money is not always the ultimate in life for me, it is very important but creating to inspire others is fulfilling also.
Who is Dominick Cocozza?
Dominick Cocozza is a sixteen year old artist based in Arlington, Virginia. He focuses on painting and drawing. His main mediums of interest are watercolors and acrylics. But he also works in ink, oils, markers, colored pencils, graphite, charcoal and, pastels.
He recently participated in the 2018 Virginia Summer Residential Governor's School for Humanities and the Visual Arts. It is a four week program at Radford University in Virginia.
I feel so honored and thankful for the beautiful Yellow Rythms - Acrylics on Canvas
piece of art.
''He said, This was my final exam for my art class in school. The assignment was to create a triptych (a picture or relief carving on three panels, typically hinged together side by side and used as an altarpiece).
Visit his Instagram Page: @dcocozza.studios and check out his website www.dcocozzastudios.com. He is such a talented artist that has won lots of awards and his inspiring work shop is beyond amazing. Twitter: Dominick Cocozza., Youtube.
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Just before the weekend kicks off properly, here are the top 3 bags every IT man is crazy about at the moment, it is a must have and a perfect gift for any stylish man. The crossbody bag tops the game as one of the hottest bag trends in 2018 worn by men.
Crossbags are perfect for everyday use and running errands, but the style craze didn't stop there, a stand out crossbag brand every fashionable man can't get over is the exclusive crossbody bag by Cocconero.com from the Napoleone collection which has an outstanding design, very practical and stylish men's crossbody bag..
The Cocconero cross bags gives you confidence to express your individuality, as it introduces crossbags to the mens formal world, which is one reason Men are obsessed over this brand aside the quality and amount of stuff the bag can hold. The bags are also known for there versatile designs and neutral colors which can be combined with any look. This bag makes everything so much more convenient.
Design
The design takes major trends, adding the freshest street style with a formal spin and easy switch from a day to night look.
Beside, there re different names for the crossbag which is also known as slingbags (though they go by many other names, such as crossbody bags, shoulder bags, or waist bags), which are majorly trending in the street-wear world.
This has been a topic a lot of media influencer and bloggers ask, what do I wear to a fashion show?. For me styling is about being comfortable and doing it the way it suits you. Fashion shows are always fun to attend, it is a lovely time to show off your street style and capture the attention of the media. You can get featured on fashion magazines and websites which can help boost your media awareness. But in the midst of all this, how do you prepare for a fashion show? I have listed
I will give you some tips and donts to attending a fashion show.
1. Be yourself
This can never be overemphasized, you need to always do whats suits you. Personal styling is everything, stocking up on a few trend based items can certainly help.
Do not stress yourself and get to anxious about the event. At the end of it all, we all go home to our families and loved ones.
2. Do not go out of budget
A lot of people tend to think that you need to wear designers outfits just because you are attending a fashion show. No dear, all you need is to look stylish and lovely. Some celebrities basically are paid to attend this fashion shows, the clothes are made available to them. Always try not to go out of budget. Be moderate.
Even if the pieces being showcased have such an incredible price tag. Chances are that you will barely even be caught on camera so just go with the flow and try to be a bit more like you.
If you have the money not withstanding you can spend it.
3. Who are you going with?
Honestly, is it more comfortable to have a friend by your side, especially if you are attending a fashion show for the 1st time. Generally, I recommend you need someone to talk with during the breaks and whisper to when you sight a lovely outfit on the runway. Who is gonna take photos of you? you need someone to take your photos. lol.
4. Keep it casual.
Less is more always works for a fashion show. People captured amongst the great street style images on fashion show events looked really casual yet sophisticated. You can wear a detailed jacket or accessories to compliment the outfit.
Sophistication: You can look be causal and yet look sophisticated. Causal does not mean you have to look normal. Go for printed pieces that stand out, I don't advice showing to much skin, too much sensuality is not needed, to avoid looking cheap in any respect. You are at a fashion show and not a frat party so it would do you good to look up the latest trends and really pick up pieces, which follow the designer hints.
5. Accessorize well.
This is very important, the shoes, the glasses, the bags, these details always stands out from your outfit. Thrifting sometimes wont be bad, even vintage pieces can also do the magic. Designer bags and shoes are also cool.
6. walk that walk, don't be intimidated.
The street is your runway, walk that walk. Enjoy every moment at the fashion show, get some coffee during the breaks, converse with great people who are willing to talk, get new tips and learn new things. Just be you and go shine.
How is the week going so far? Mine has been less stressful physically, taking selfies and eating a lot despite the weekly challenges and trying to be in my best state of mind always.
Do you always look smart everyday? I wrote a post on how to look stylish everyday. A lot of people struggle with looking good and smart everyday, this post will help you focus on the basis which will also guide you with wardrobe organization. One key point I mentioned was purchasing the right the right items especially the right type of shoes that can fit in easily.
Right Pair of Shoes
Style is not just about clothes, it is as much about your accessories and yes shoes of course. Always think about the occasion, the look your want to create, and whether you are comfortable or not. When you are planning to out for a part then you can consider slipping on stilettos. But you you are planning to dance through the night consider a pair of polished flats or wedges are they are more comfy. The Nike air force 1 is sure a good investment, I have basically been wearing my Nike sneakers which is a go to. Always ensure you purchase shoes from trusted retailers like footshop.ua.
The cold season is fast approaching are you getting ready? I am totally not ready physiologically. I wore my 1st fall outfit which featured a cardigan scarf from Szaleo.pl and this cute Jessicabuurman glend basic bucket bag which I also featured in my fashion show review video.
I like minimal fashion accessories that can stand out and uplift a look real quick. This bucket bag caught my attention at 1st sight. I wanted to add a mini bag to my collection of bags and I think this is a perfect add. This bag is a little on the high side price wise, but generally this is a very good bag. Nice leather with a beautiful inner check design material.
Polka dot is a pattern consisting of an array of large filled circles of same size.
Polka dots are most commonly seen on children's clothing, toys, and furniture, but they appear in a wide array of contexts. The pattern rarely appears in formal contexts, however, and is generally confined to more playful attire such as bathing suits and lingerie. Occasionally, white-on-black small dots appear on more formal clothing
Polka dot surprisingly is a versatile print. Cropping up repeatedly on the spring 2018 catwalks of labels like Balenciaga, Self-Portrait, Mary Katrantzou, Giorgio Armani, and Dior, offering multiple ways to wear polka dots, from Demna Gvasalia's chiffon dresses worn with sock boots to Maria Grazia Chiuri's monochromatic sheer skirts and blouses.
What's your best routine? what products do you use? Are you looking for quality products with good and healthy effects? then I will recommend the Korika NaturBeauty exfoliating face sheet mask.
This exfoliating face sheet mask is enriched with natural extracts and glacier water.
It Cleans gently and refreshes pleasantly.
Hydrates and nourishes.
softens, firms effectively.
evens and brightens.
The Korika NaturBeauty exfoliating face sheet mask gently removes all impurities and dead skin cells. It provides a gentle enzyme scrub to reveal firm and youthful skin. Clean your face with an effective mask to keep it appealing and naturally beautiful.
Caution:
For external use only.
Avoid contact with eyes
Keep out-of-reach children
Discontinue use if signs of skin irritation
for single use only
made in Korea.
Очищувальна косметична марлева маска KORIKA NaturBeauty делікатно очищає від забруднень та відмерлих клітин шкіри. Папайя містить безліч поживних речовин, які разом із вітаміном С очищують, зволожують, пом’якшують та чудово освітлюють обличчя. Забезпечує ніжний ензимний пілінг, який подарує вам красиву, гладеньку, пружну та омолоджену шкіру.
In interviews, your job is to convince a recruiter that you have the skills, knowledge and experience for the job. Show motivation and convince a recruiter that you fit the organization's culture and job description, and you get that much closer to an offer.
7-Step Interview Prep Plan
1. Research the organization.
This will help you answer questions — and stand out from less-prepared candidates.
Seek background information. Use tools like Vault, Career Search or The Riley Guide for an overview of the organization and its industry profile.
Visit the organization’s website to ensure that you understand the breadth of what they do.
Review the organization's background and mission statement.
Assess their products, services and client-base.
Read recent press releases for insight on projected growth and stability.
Get perspective. Review trade or business publications. Seek perspective and a glimpse into their industry standing.
Develop a question list. Prepare to ask about the organization or position based on your research.
2. Compare your skills and qualifications to the job requirements.
Analyze the job description. Outline the knowledge, skills and abilities required.
Examine the hierarchy. Determine where the position fits within the organization.
Look side-by-side. Compare what the employer is seeking to your qualifications.
3. Prepare responses.
Most interviews involve a combination of resume-based, behavioral and case questions. We encourage you to meet with us to practice telling your story in the best possible way.
4. Plan what to wear.
Go neutral. Conservative business attire, such as a neutral-colored suit and professional shoes, is best.
Err formal. If instructed to dress “business casual,” use good judgment.
Plug in that iron. Make sure your clothes are neat and wrinkle-free.
Dress to impress. Be sure that your overall appearance is neat and clean.
Tints Sunglasses with colored lenses are fun, chic and very functional. Sure, celebrities seem to love to shade their eyes in an array of colored sunglass lenses, but tinted lenses are more than merely a fashion accessory -- they can have a huge impact on your performance as an athlete, spectator, and lover of the great outdoors. Tinted lenses can reduce glare, improve contrast, and enhanced depth perception. When performance is your top priority, the right lens tint can give you the results you want.
Use the chart below to match your favorite sports and activities with the ideal lens tint.
Hi , In the first chapter of "Where to set up a cryptocurrency exchange", we talked about some of the most important factors to consider when analyzing, comparing and finally choosing the most suitable jurisdiction in which to establish your crypto exchange. If you did not have the chance to read it you can do it here.
In today's chapter we will get to the point and discuss the key factors of some Asia-Pacific jurisdictions. The following is not an exhaustive list but for this series we have only considered those jurisdictions that offer certain regulatory certainty.
Japan
Japan has been a pioneer in the adoption of Bitcoin and, in general, cryptocurrencies and was the first country to regulate the sector.
In April 2017, the Payment Services Act was reviewed to accommodate this new business model. Japan’s regulations are perhaps, the most complete and demanding worldwide.
Exchanges are subject to registration and need to obtain a Virtual Currency Exchange License with the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
The regulations apply not only to any entity that establishes an exchange in Japan but also to any exchange that accepts customers who are Japanese residents.
The minimum capital required is JPY 10 million (approximately 93,000 USD), although in practice what the regulator cares most about is that the operating capital is adequate for the size of the exchange and the expected cash flow.
To be eligible, the exchange must have reserves of at least JPY 50 million (approximately USD 500,000).
There must be strict compliance policies and sound KYC/AML systems, the appropriate compliance staff and the appointment of an external auditor.
The security systems and protocols will be carefully analyzed by the regulator to ensure the highest cybersecurity standards.
If the company is formed by foreigners they should hire Japanese personnel, especially representatives who will be in charge of communicating with the regulators.
The preparation process for the license application usually takes from six months to 1 year and the JFSA will approve or reject it within a period of 2 months.
Japan may be the best option for those who are looking to establish an exchange in the most developed cryptocurrency market in the world, have sufficient resources and qualifications to do so and do not mind facing a high tax burden (Japan's effective corporate tax rate is up to 34.60%).
Labuan
Unknown to many, the Labuan International Business and Financial Center is a reputable free trade area located in the Federal Territory of Labuan which is off the coast of the state of Sabah in East
Malaysia.
Labuan is one of the major financial hubs of Asia due to its pro-business policies, low taxes and compliance with international standards on due diligence and transparency.
Labuan companies may elect to pay a 3% tax or a RM 20,000 fee on their trading income. Investment profits are not subject to taxes.
In a circular sent on June 28, 2018, the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA) expressed its interest in attracting "Innovative Financial Services" to the region including businesses involved in distributed ledger technology and cryptocurrencies.
To begin with, the exchange must have the appropriate measures to manage the risk related to money laundering and the countering of terrorism financing and it will be subject to the requirements and regulations issued by the Bank Negara Malaysia and the Labuan FSA.
A crypto exchange business must be approved by the Labuan FSA and must apply and obtain a Money Broker License.
In addition to the AML measures, the applicant must demonstrate that it has the adequate capital to carry out the business, the appropriate internal policies and controls, including the protocols and systems for cybersecurity risk management, and governance expertise.
The LFSA will conduct a fit and proper test to all the promoters of the business and management team members.
The minimum capitalization is RM 500,000 (approximately USD 120,000) and the business should have some type of commercial substance in Labuan. This can be achieved by establishing an office there.
The entire licensing process can take 4 to 6 months.
Labuan is an interesting option for those who wish to set up a regulated exchange that accepts fiat currencies in an advantageous fiscal environment. In addition, although banks are quite selective, it is possible to open bank accounts for exchanges in both Malaysia and Labuan for entities incorporated and regulated in the free zone.
Abu Dhabi
The regulator of the Abu Dhabi Global Markets Free Zone, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), published a legal framework for crypto businesses on June 25, 2018.
The framework introduces, as a regulated activity, Operating a Crypto Asset Business (OCAB), which includes cryptocurrency exchanges.
Regulated crypto exchanges must be compliant with KYC/AML & CTF and consumer protection regulations and is subject to technology governance guidelines.
Crypto Asset Exchanges are regulated in a similar manner to "Multilateral Trading Facilities" and are required to have in place the proper market surveillance protocols, settlement processes, transaction recording, transparency & public disclosure mechanisms and investment exchange-like operational systems and controls.
Exchanges must request authorization and will be granted a Financial Services Permission to carry out the regulated activity of OCAB.
An OCAB will be required to hold adequate capital resources, similar to Recognized Investment Exchanges.
The FSRA may decide at its discretion the amount of capital required according to the size, scope and complexity of the exchange, but at least it must be equal to 6 months of operational expenses plus an additional buffer amount of up to another 6 months' operational expenses.
The application fee is USD $125,000 and there is also an annual fee of USD $60,000 and a levy on the average daily volume between 0.0006% and 0.0015%.
Exchanges that include cryptos that are considered securities will remain subject to the relevant regulatory requirements and will need to obtain another license as a Recognized Investment Exchange or Recognized Clearing House.
There is no foreign-ownership restrictions, nor corporation tax on companies established in the Abu Dhabi Global Markets Free Zone. The banks established in the Free-zone are considerably open to accept regulated businesses dealing with cryptocurrencies.
Thailand
Thailand has completed a very comprehensive regulatory framework for businesses involved in digital assets, including the publication of two royal decrees, several regulations of the SEC and announcements from the Bank of Thailand.
Under this regulatory framework, digital asset exchanges operating in Thailand must be incorporated in the jurisdiction and obtain certain licenses which involve both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bank of Thailand (BOT).
Keep in mind that Limited companies in Thailand must be incorporated by at least three promoters and foreign-ownership is restricted to 49%. Among other restrictions, a Limited company in Thailand must maintain a ratio of 4 Thai employees for each foreign employee.
There is an exception. Companies promoted by the Board of Investment (BOI) can be exempted from the foreign-ownership/foreign employee restrictions and in certain industries, such as technology, can enjoy tax holidays for up to 8 years.
Nonetheless, obtaining the approval of the BOI can be cumbersome and the process can take more than 6 months. Technically, a company developing software such as an exchange may be eligible but there is no precedent in the crypto industry and therefore approval is not guaranteed.
In addition, after approval by the BOI, an exchange should secure the permission of the SEC and the BOT which could add another 5-6 months before you will be able to finally start operations.
Among other requirements, an exchange must capitalize the company with THB 50 million (approximately USD $1.5M) for a centralized exchange and THB 10 million (approximately USD $300,000) for a decentralized exchange.
The initial fee to obtain the license is THB 5 million (USD $150,000) and the annual fees are 0.002% of the total trading volume.
An exchange must withhold 15% of the profits of their users (capital gains tax) and each transaction attracts a 7% VAT. Besides being a considerable economic burden for the user, it is also an operational and accounting burden for the exchange itself.
A properly licensed exchange should not have any problems opening a local a bank account, both to hold customer funds and for day to day business operations.
In short, Thailand can be a valid option for those who want to exclusively target the Thai market and provide trading, deposits and withdrawals with Thai Baht. However, foreign-ownership restrictions, time and tax burdens may make it less appealing for most.
Philippines
Exchanges in the Philippines are regulated by the Monetary Board and are considered Non-Banking Financial Institutions (MORNBFI).
Exchanges must obtain a license from the Bangko Sentral as a Remittance and Transfer Company (RTC) and register as a Virtual Currency (VC) Exchange operator.
With this license, an exchange can provide services with both cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies.
Exchanges must also be registered with the Anti-Money Laundering Council and are subject to cybersecurity monitoring which covers storage and transaction security requirements as well as key management practices to guarantee integrity and security of transactions.
Foreign-owned companies in the Philippines must be capitalized with at least USD $200,000 and must be incorporated by at least 5 incorporators, each of them having at least one share in the company and the majority must be Filipino residents (3 of 5). Foreigners can keep most of the shares.
Companies in the Philippines are subject to a corporate tax of 30% and a 30% withholding tax in the distribution of dividends to non-residents, in addition to other local taxes.
However, if the exchange is set up in the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), a government-operated economic zone in the northern tip of the Philippines, it may be enjoy a more advantageous tax regime subject to a tax rate of 5% of gross income in lieu of all local and national taxes.
CEZA is known as the Fintech hub of the Philippines and is attracting a number of foreign businesses (mainly from Hong Kong). The free zone announced that it is granting a maximum of 25 licenses to virtual currency exchange operators.
The exchange must commit to invest a minimum of USD $1 million over a period of 2 years and have at least one administrative office in the Philippines.
The cost of the license can be up to USD $365,000 and each transaction made in the exchange will be taxed at 0.1% of its value.
Australia
Exchanges in Australia need to be registered with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (AUSTRAC) and are subject to the anti-money laundering and terrorist financing laws (AML/CTF).
To obtain a permission to operate, a digital currency exchange must demonstrate that it has the proper systems and controls in place to minimize risk and comply with compliance and reporting obligations.
In addition to proceeding with typical KYC procedures, regulated entities must monitor transactional activity and inform the AUSTRAC of transactions that exceed USD $10,000.
Exchanges must be incorporated and have an office in Australia and appoint an external auditor.
The AUSTRAC is considerably demanding when granting licenses. Only those with a solid team formed by the appropriate personnel, enough resources and expert compliance systems will be eligible.
If the exchange holds customer funds it must obtain a financial services license.
The required capital is USD $50,000 plus a 5% reserve according to the size of the exchange.
Several requirements apply if the exchange holds USD $100 million in assets. It is usually recommended to have at least USD $10 million of reserves before submitting an application.
Singapore
Singapore is a hot spot for the fintech sector and perhaps one of the most business friendly jurisdictions worldwide when it comes to innovation and new technologies applied to finance.
As far as cryptocurrencies are concerned, Singapore has attracted a large number of players in the sector, especially after the crypto ban in China.
Cryptocurrency exchanges in Singapore are not regulated per se, although they are obliged to comply with AML/CTF requirements, verifying the identities of their clients and reporting suspicious transactions to the Suspicious Transactions Reporting Office.
In accordance with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) guidelines, only exchanges that provide trading of tokens are considered regulated securities specifically by the Securities and Futures Act (SFA). In this case, they must request the approval, recognition or exemption of the MAS to operate as Regulated Market Operator (RMO).
Currently there is no exchange registered as an RMO.
Exchanges incorporated in Singapore that want to support fiat currency and provide fiat wallets could potentially be subject to obtaining a Stored Value Facility License. However, in practice, currently, there is no Singaporean exchange supporting fiat and it might not be a viable option because the difficulty for a crypto business to open a bank account in Singapore.
However, Singapore can be an interesting option for those exchanges that do not want or do not have the resources to obtain a license and do not plan to accept or support fiat currencies.
Exchanges in Singapore have been facing difficulties getting and keeping a bank account, at the time of publication. Most likely, the exchange will have to bank elsewhere.
The Bottom Line
If you are planning to launch an exchange, you need to surround yourself with a team with the appropriate qualification and enough experience in cybersecurity, finance, legal matters, among other areas.
You need to have the necessary capital and resources to do so. If you are looking to be regulated, licensing processes are demanding and you will need a sound project and the right plan to achieve it.
Each jurisdiction has its upsides and downsides, and the cost and requirements to be regulated can represent a barrier for many. However, there is a clear trend of increasing and more rigorous regulatory supervision, and being already regulated will not only help you to mitigate legal uncertainty, also oblige you to meet the highest standards and provide an optimal service.
If you are not ready to go through a licensing process, adhere to the best practices and prepare your business to meet requirements.
Whether you are setting up a regulated or unregulated exchange, or funding it via ICO, at Flag Theory, we can help you set up a sound corporate structure choosing the most advantageous jurisdictions and legal entities according to your requirements, priorities and goals, obtain licensing and bank accounts, as well as assisting in compliance matters. Contact us, it will be our pleasure to assist you.
To your freedom, privacy and wealth,
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