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Do not invest unless you are prepared to lose all the money you invest. Cryptoassets are high-risk investments, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take two minutes to learn more. Additionally, capital gains tax may apply to profits from cryptocurrency sales.
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You can invest in cryptocurrency in the UK by creating an account with a reputable FCA-registered crypto exchange, such as Coinbase, eToro, or CoinJar.
Investing in cryptocurrency is fairly straightforward, as the biggest challenge is simply deciding what type of cryptocurrency you want to invest in and which platform to use. To learn about each cryptocurrency, you can visit a site like Coinbase, which shows you pricing and other information about cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), Ethereum (ETH), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Ethereum Classic (ETC) and much more.
Once you’ve registered with a crypto exchange, you then need to complete security checks, such as providing a mobile phone number and a passport, before you can supply a payment method. This payment method allows money to be transferred from your bank account and traded for cryptocurrencies. Different currencies correspond to varying amounts of cryptocurrencies. A simple Google search of “Bitcoin” or “Bitcoin price” will show you the price in your local currency at any given time.
When it comes to investing, we always recommend building a diversified investment portfolio. This means that instead of investing in just one cryptocurrency, for example, it might be more reasonable to invest in a few of them to avoid total loss if one of them crashes.
If you decide to hold just one cryptocurrency, you can add it to your existing stock portfolio to make the portfolio even more diversified. Please keep in mind that your capital is at risk, and you could lose all the money you invested.
You can store your cryptocurrency online or offline. The most popular way to store cryptocurrency is online in a crypto exchange or wallet. Crypto exchanges and wallets allow you to securely store, send, receive and convert crypto using your computer, tablet or smartphone.
You can buy cryptocurrencies in the UK from crypto exchanges, such as Coinbase, eToro, and CoinJar. Coinbase has a broad and diverse product range, eToro is suitable for beginners, and CoinJar has a good list of ready-made crypto portfolios.
Below, we have compiled a list of the best apps, crypto trading platforms and exchanges for buying cryptocurrency in the UK. In each listing, we include whether or not a crypto exchange is registered with the UK’s financial watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Please remember that cryptoassets are highly volatile, unregulated investment products with no UK or EU investor protection. You could lose all the money you put into them.
Here are the best places to buy cryptocurrencies in the UK:
Coinbase is a cryptocurrency exchange that allows you to buy, sell and hold cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and other DeFi products and keep track of them in one place. With Coinbase, you have over 240 cryptocurrencies to choose from, including popular coins and tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, USD Coin, Tether, Dogecoin and Polygon. You can also trade new or rare coins that may not be available on other crypto exchanges. New cryptocurrencies are added to the Coinbase exchange as frequently as every few days.
Coinbase also gives you access to a self-custody crypto wallet where you can store all your crypto and NFTs in one place. The Coinbase Wallet also supports hundreds of thousands of tokens and dApps, and users can use DeFi liquidity pools to supply or borrow crypto and swap assets on decentralised exchanges. Coinbase offers a crypto card powered by an FCA-licensed e-money institution. With the Coinbase card, you can spend crypto like cash anywhere Visa cards are accepted. If you are interested in learning about how specific cryptocurrencies work, you can take advantage of Coinbase’s earn feature, which rewards you with a tiny bit of crypto for completing online courses on cryptocurrencies. The Coinbase desktop and mobile apps are beautifully designed, easy to use, and offer a range of products that are suitable for beginners, advanced crypto traders, and businesses.
There are multiple fees involved when trading crypto on Coinbase. Fees are calculated at the time you place your order and may be determined by a combination of factors, including the selected payment method, the size of the order, and market conditions such as volatility and liquidity. For basic trading, fees will be listed in the trade preview screen before you submit your transaction and may differ for similar transactions. For advanced trading, Coinbase charges a Maker fee ranging from 0.40% to 0.00% and a Taker fee ranging from 0.60% to 0.05%, depending on the size of your order. The larger the order size, the smaller the fee on a percentage basis. Coinbase also offers commission-free USDC trading.
Please note: Do not invest unless you are prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take two minutes to learn more. Cryptoassets are not regulated by the FCA and are not subject to protection under the FSCS or within the scope of jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Capital gains tax may apply to profits from cryptocurrency sales.
eToro is a multi-asset trading platform that enables you to trade or invest in cryptocurrencies, NFTs, stocks, ETFs, commodities, forex, and indices, directly or via contracts for difference (CFDs). With eToro, you can trade over 70 “real” cryptocurrencies, including popular coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Binance Coin (BNB) and Dogecoin.
Crypto trading on eToro is suitable for both beginners and advanced traders. Beginners can benefit from the educational materials, user-friendly desktop and mobile apps and copy trading tools (which allow you to copy the trades of top-performing crypto traders on the eToro platform). Advanced traders can take advantage of the superior charting and analytics tools, staking service, social trading feature, and real-time crypto market news and insights. You can also benefit from eToro’s risk management tools, such as Stop Loss, Take Profit and Trailing Stop Loss, to better manage your positions, protect your investments and secure your profits. Stop Loss and Take Profit are not guaranteed.
It is entirely free to open an account with eToro, and all registered users receive a US$100,000 demo account for free, which you can use to practise buying crypto and other assets before committing real money. eToro does not charge a deposit fee but charges a 1% trading fee on all crypto positions. Trading on eToro occurs in USD, so a conversion fee will apply if you deposit or withdraw in a currency other than USD. Withdrawals incur a fee of US$5 (£4), and the minimum withdrawal amount is US$30 (£24). For UK customers, eToro offers an eToro Money app that allows you to convert your GBP to USD free of charge, thereby reducing your foreign exchange costs. The app also functions as a crypto wallet for storing your crypto holdings and allows for easy transfer of your cryptocurrency from one exchange or wallet to another.
Please note: Do not invest unless you are prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take two minutes to learn more. Additionally, 80 - 90% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice.
CoinJar is a cryptocurrency app and exchange based in the UK and Australia. With CoinJar, you can trade or invest in 50+ cryptocurrencies, including popular coins such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, USD Coin, Dogecoin and Shiba Inu Coin. The CoinJar app, which doubles as a crypto wallet, allows you to buy, sell, hold, spend and transfer cryptocurrencies securely on your desktop, iOS or Android device. The CoinJar card lets you make purchases with your crypto, online and in-store, anywhere Mastercard is accepted. It is free to activate the CoinJar card, and there are no monthly fees for using it. When paying with the card, your crypto is automatically converted to fiat currency using CoinJar’s best rates at the time of the transaction. You can choose to have a virtual or physical card or both. The CoinJar card is fully integrated with Google Pay, so Android users can spend crypto instantly and securely with any device.
CoinJar has a unique feature called a Crypto Bundle. A Crypto Bundle is a themed basket of cryptocurrencies, similar to a crypto index fund, crypto ETF or a ready-made stock portfolio. For example, you can buy a CoinJar Universe bundle, which is a portfolio of all the cryptocurrencies available on CoinJar. One investment into such a bundle means you have invested in every cryptocurrency available on CoinJar with just a click of a button. Crypto Bundles can either be proportional, where the weight of each cryptocurrency in a bundle is equal or cap-allocated, where the weights are allocated based on market cap performance.
CoinJar is suitable for both beginners and advanced traders. Beginners can take advantage of the easy-to-use app and ready-made crypto portfolios, while advanced and professional traders can take advantage of CoinJar’s institutional-grade crypto solutions, such as the CoinJar OTC, with razor-thin spreads and globally sourced liquidity. The minimum deposit to open an account with CoinJar is £10. Deposits are made in GBP, so FX fees do not apply. There is a trading fee of 1% on the CoinJar mobile app and website. The CoinJar Exchange (for market orders and aggressive limit orders) charges 0.00% for Taker orders and 0.10% - 0.04% for Maker orders (limit orders).
Please note: Do not invest unless you are prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take two minutes to learn more. Cryptoassets are not regulated by the FCA and are not subject to protection under the FSCS or within the scope of jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Capital gains tax may apply to profits from cryptocurrency sales.
Uphold is a beginner-friendly cryptocurrency exchange that allows you to buy and sell over 250 cryptocurrencies, including majors, altcoins and emerging tokens such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin, Polkadot, ApeCoin, PancakeSwap and Audius. Users can also buy and sell up to 3 national currencies, including GBP, EUR and USD and enjoy competitive forex rates. Uphold offers a free virtual crypto card that allows you to spend your crypto anywhere a Mastercard is accepted. With the Uphold crypto card, you receive up to 1% cashback on your card transactions paid to you in GBP. The card has no transaction fees when spending locally or internationally and can be easily linked to Apple Pay or Google Pay.
As an Uphold customer, you can earn staking rewards when you put your digital assets to work. Currently, customers can earn up to 13% APY. Please keep in mind that staking rates are variable and may change at Uphold’s discretion. Uphold offers crypto wallets for up to seven cryptocurrencies and crypto networks. Customers can store their crypto in the Uphold Bitcoin Wallet, Ethereum Wallet, XRP Wallet and many more. With Uphold, you can schedule regular transactions using AutoPilot, which allows you to set up recurring buy or sell orders and reduce the impact of price volatility. As an Uphold customer, you can also take advantage of the limit order feature, which allows you to buy or sell a cryptocurrency at a specified price. Customers can place up to 50 limit orders using one pool of capital.
There are multiple fees involved when trading crypto on Uphold. The most important fees to look out for are trading fees, FX fees, and market spreads. In the UK, US and Europe, Uphold charges a market spread ranging from 0.9% to 1.2% on BTC and ETH. Spreads can be significantly higher for low-liquidity cryptos and tokens such as XRP, ZIL, OXT, UPT, DOGE and others. You will be able to see the total cost of your trade before you place the trade. Uphold charges a withdrawal fee of $3.99 for bank transfers and $2.99 for crypto transfers. Visit Uphold to learn more.
Please note: Do not invest unless you are prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take two minutes to learn more. Cryptoassets are not regulated by the FCA and are not subject to protection under the FSCS or within the scope of jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Capital gains tax may apply to profits from cryptocurrency sales.
Kraken is a crypto exchange that allows you to trade and invest in over 200 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, XRP, USD Coin, and Litecoin. The platform is robust and will accommodate the needs of both beginners and experienced crypto traders. Beginners or newbie crypto traders can benefit from Kraken’s slick and easy-to-navigate mobile apps, wide range of educational materials, and 24/7 customer support. Advanced traders can take advantage of Kraken Pro, which provides access to spot, margin, futures trading, and staking in an all-in-one powerful interface that boasts low spreads and deep liquidity across markets. Advanced traders can also benefit from Kraken’s risk management tools, including Limit, Market, and Advanced (Stop Loss and Take Profit) Orders, to better manage positions, protect investments and secure profits.
Kraken allows you to earn staking rewards when you put your cryptocurrencies to work. Currently, customers can earn up to 24% in rewards annually by staking digital assets with Kraken. Please keep in mind that this rate is subject to change and compliance with Kraken’s terms and conditions. Additionally, to help customers feel more secure about trading on Kraken, the platform regularly publishes its proof of reserves audits, making it easy for customers to verify that the balances they hold are backed by real assets.
It is entirely free to open an account with Kraken. However, your first trade must be worth at least US$10 (£8). Kraken charges multiple fees depending on the assets you buy and how you choose to trade: If you trade via the mobile app using the basic features, a Maker fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.00% and a Taker fee ranging from 0.26% to 0.001% will apply, depending on the type and size of your order. The larger the order size, the smaller the fee on a percentage basis and vice versa. Other fees such as withdrawal, FX, and instant buy fees may apply.
Please note: Do not invest unless you are prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take two minutes to learn more. Cryptoassets are not regulated by the FCA and are not subject to protection under the FSCS or within the scope of jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Capital gains tax may apply to profits from cryptocurrency sales.
Cryptocurrency is digital money designed to be used over the internet. Like any type of money, cryptocurrencies can be used to transfer value from one person or institution to another. If you think of all the things you can currently do with the money in your bank account or the physical cash in your wallet, like buying products and receiving it as payment for work done, crypto is designed to do them and more.
Unlike other types of currencies, cryptocurrencies are not issued by the government or central bank, and you can use them without the help of a middleman like a bank or payment processor.
You can also buy, sell, invest and trade cryptocurrencies on exchanges. Crypto exchanges are like regular stock exchanges where you can buy and sell different types of assets. When you trade or invest in crypto, its value can drop or rise in correspondence with supply and demand, and you could lose all the money you put into it.
There are thousands of cryptocurrencies in the world today, but the most popular ones are Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, XRP, Solana, and Cardano. Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency ever created. It was launched in 2008 and remains the most popular cryptocurrency in the world.
The first part of the term, crypto, originates from the Greek word Kryptos, which translates to “hidden”. Cryptocurrency transactions are often protected through cryptography to keep them private and secure from anyone not involved in the transaction. These transactions are vetted by a technology called a blockchain.
A cryptocurrency blockchain is similar to a bank’s ledger or database. But instead of being managed by one bank, it is distributed across the different participants of the cryptocurrency’s entire network. No person, company, bank, or authority controls the blockchain, and anyone can participate.
Cryptocurrency makes it possible to securely transfer value online, transfer money online and earn interest without the need for a middleman like a bank or payment processor. Imagine that you can send money to someone anywhere in the world without worrying about foreign exchange rates, transfer caps, high fees or government regulations. Cryptocurrency makes this possible.
It uses decentralised technology where transactions between peers happen directly between them instead of being run through a bank or government-appointed regulatory body, as with the traditional banking system we have become accustomed to.
Instead of government regulation or protection, the safety and security of cryptocurrencies are underpinned by something called a blockchain, which is a database of all the transactions carried out using a particular cryptocurrency.
Units of cryptocurrency are created through a process called cryptomining, in which computers solve complicated mathematical problems and equations in exchange for crypto coins. The first computer to solve each mathematical problem is rewarded with cryptocurrencies.
To own a cryptocurrency, you can either mine it or buy it from someone who owns that type of cryptocurrency. Buying or selling crypto is called a trade and can be carried out via crypto exchanges. The most common way to acquire crypto today is by buying it on a crypto exchange, such as Coinbase or eToro. To buy crypto, you can use the cash in your bank account or exchange your existing crypto for another.
A blockchain is a specific type of database containing a list of transactions that anyone can view and verify. In the case of Bitcoin, the Bitcoin blockchain is a record of every time someone buys or sells Bitcoin.
The blockchain stores data in units called blocks, which are chained together, forming an irreversible timeline of past transactions. When new data enters the system, it enters a block, and once that block has been filled, it is verified through a process known as cryptomining and then chained to the previous blocks.
Each cryptocurrency has its own blockchain, which is an ongoing, constantly re-verified record of every single transaction ever made using that cryptocurrency.
Cryptocurrency blockchains are used in a decentralised manner such that no single person or group has control, instead, all users collectively retain control. These decentralised blockchains are immutable, which means that the data entered is irreversible. For Bitcoin, this means that transactions are permanently recorded, and anyone can view them. No company, country or third party is in control of the blockchain, and anyone can participate.
You might ask, “How private is crypto if anyone can see your transaction?” That’s a valid question. Cryptocurrency payments do not require you to include your personal information, and this protects you from being hacked or having your identity stolen.
The blockchain is a secure, transparent, private, and self-reconciling chain of transactions, and its use goes far beyond cryptocurrency and Bitcoin. Blockchain is currently being used for securely sharing healthcare data, tracking music royalties, real estate processing, managing supply chains, and so much more.
The theory behind blockchain and Bitcoin first appeared online in late 2007 in a white paper entitled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System”, credited to Satoshi Nakamoto.
Cryptocurrency mining (or cryptomining for short) refers to solving complex mathematical equations with the goal of earning cryptocurrency. These equations validate a block of transactions, and then the block is added to the blockchain.
The first computer to solve the complex equation or algorithm gets rewarded with some cryptocurrency, giving an incentive for cryptocurrency holders or people interested in owning cryptocurrency to use their computers to solve the mathematical problems.
Once the block of transactions has been validated, it can then be added to the blockchain, and the process repeats itself.
Anyone with a computer and internet connection can mine cryptocurrency. However, it is worth mentioning that mining is not always profitable. To mine competitively often means having to invest in expensive computing machines. The cost of these computers and electricity in your area might reduce the profit you earn from mining crypto, as mining demands a huge amount of computing power. As a result, most mining today is done by companies that specialise in it or by groups of people who come together to contribute all their computing power.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has provided guidance to help people determine whether they need to pay tax on their cryptoassets. In a nutshell, here are the key aspects you need to know about taxes when you receive or sell cryptocurrencies:
The tax rules depend on the specific transaction circumstances. Generally, you may need to pay Income Tax and National Insurance contributions if you receive cryptoassets as income.
You don’t pay tax when you purchase cryptocurrencies. If you acquire them through mining and aren’t trading, you might need to complete a Self-Assessment tax return, depending on the value of the assets or other untaxed income.
If your employer pays you in readily convertible cryptoassets (easily exchanged for cash), they must handle Income Tax and National Insurance through PAYE. If the assets aren’t readily convertible, you should ask your employer about your Income Tax and, if necessary, complete a Self-Assessment tax return.
Keep records of all cryptoassets you receive, including the type, date, amount, total holdings, value in pounds, bank statements, and disposal date. If in doubt, consult a professional tax adviser for guidance.
Tax rules for selling cryptoassets also depend on the specific transaction circumstances. Generally, you pay Capital Gains Tax when your gains from selling certain assets exceed the tax-free allowance.
This tax year, the Capital Gains tax-free allowance is £6,000 (£3,000 for trusts). This means you do not need to pay tax on the first £6,000 profit you make from selling cryptoassets unless you’ve already used up your allowance elsewhere, for example, on the profit from the sale of stocks and shares.
You may need to pay Capital Gains Tax when you sell cryptoassets, exchange them for a different type, use them to pay for goods or services or give them away (unless it’s a gift to your spouse or civil partner).
Donating cryptoassets to charity may require you to pay Capital Gains Tax. You don’t need to pay Capital Gains Tax on the value of cryptoassets you’ve already paid Income Tax on but will need to pay it on any gains made afterwards.
Keep accurate records of each transaction, including the disposal date, the number of cryptoassets disposed of, remaining assets, value in pounds, bank statements, wallet addresses, and pooled costs before and after disposal.
If you’re unsure about paying Capital Gains Tax on your cryptoasset sales, consult a professional tax adviser. HMRC’s guidance can help you understand your obligations, but in complex cases, professional advice may be necessary.
Scams, hacks, cryptojacking and volatility all add risks to investing in cryptocurrency.
Scams involving cryptocurrency are becoming increasingly commonplace. According to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), “cryptoasset fraudsters tend to advertise on social media - often using the images of celebrities or well-known individuals to promote cryptocurrency investments. The ads then link to professional-looking websites. Consumers are then persuaded to make investments with the firm using cryptocurrencies or traditional currencies.” If you believe that you have been scammed, use the FCA’s reporting form to report the firm or scam.
Until recently, what was the biggest cryptocurrency hack occurred in 2018 and equated to US$532 million. However, on August 10, 2021, Poly Network was breached, and over US$610 million was taken by the hacker, making this the biggest cryptocurrency hack currently on record.
Another risk is cryptojacking. Cryptojacking is where someone uses malware to mine Bitcoin using an unsuspecting person’s device, and the person using this malware receives the proceeds. There is both a year-to-year variance in the frequency of reported cryptojacking as well as a significant variance across a given year. The Cyber Threat Alliance (CTA) has indicated that there was a 459% increase in the rate of cryptojacking between 2017 and 2018. However, between 2019 and 2020, Kaspersky Security found that cryptojacking attempts fell from 13 million to just under 9 million.
Finally, one obvious risk is the high degree of volatility in the value of cryptocurrencies. On a single day in May 2021, the price of Bitcoin dropped by 30%. The volatility is partly caused by the ever-changing demand for cryptocurrency. The volatility of cryptocurrency is quantified by the volatility index and can be used to compare different cryptocurrencies. A simple way to mitigate this volatility is to buy a stablecoin, which is pegged 1:1 to the value of an external factor, typically a fiat currency like the US dollar or a commodity like gold. The value of stablecoins is easier to predict as they do not shift dramatically from day to day. An example of a stablecoin is the USD Coin or USDC, which is pegged 1:1 with the US dollar.
According to CoinMarketCap, there are over two million cryptocurrencies in existence, with a total market capitalisation of US$2.59 trillion (£2.03 trillion) as of March 2024. Bitcoin and Ethereum are still the two most well-known cryptocurrencies with the highest market capitalisation.
To buy cryptocurrency in the UK, you’ll need to:
Over a short period (a few months), the value of a given cryptocurrency coin can rise and fall sharply, making any return a big gamble. However, over a long period, these peaks and troughs are averaged out, and one can sometimes make a good return depending on the overall growth of the cryptocurrency.
Cryptocurrencies are based on secure cryptographic protocols that make them difficult to counterfeit or manipulate, but they are not immune to hacking, theft, or fraud.
The decentralised and unregulated nature of many cryptocurrencies also means that there is no central authority, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), to provide protections or recourse in the event of a problem.
To keep your cryptocurrencies safe, it is essential to take several precautions, including using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), using reputable exchanges or wallets, and avoiding sharing your private keys with anyone.
It is also wise to regularly update your software and stay up-to-date with the latest security practices and news in the cryptocurrency world. In general, being diligent and cautious with your cryptocurrency investments can help reduce the risk of loss or theft.
Although primers of cryptocurrency have said that Bitcoin “can be used to buy merchandise anonymously”, cryptocurrencies, despite their reputation, are not anonymous. They are pseudo-anonymous.
Even though no banks or external authorities are involved in a crypto transaction, and it only happens between a buyer and seller, by linking the transaction to a fixed wallet address and maintaining a public record of every transaction made on the blockchain, financial activity can be monitored.
Additionally, if you change your public wallet address to a readable name, for example, charlie.eth, using a domain service like the Ethereum Name Service, anyone can view all your transactions on Etherscan.
The USA has made matters even more complicated by proposing a rule which states that all transactions over US$10,000 involving self-hosted wallets must be reported to FinCEN. However, this rule only applies to the USA and will not affect the UK.
This controversial rule is designed to deter people from transacting with cryptocurrency through illegal schemes. However, such rules tarnish the idealised image of autonomy that cryptocurrencies are trying to bring into reality.
Here are the best crypto exchanges in the UK:
Yes, you can still buy cryptocurrencies in the UK. Crypto exchanges such as Coinbase, eToro, and Uphold are registered with the financial services watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and make it easy to buy, sell and hold up to 500 cryptocurrencies and digital tokens in the UK.
Here are the best places to buy cryptocurrencies in the UK:
Beginners can buy Bitcoin online from a crypto exchange, such as Coinbase, eToro, or Uphold. Crypto exchanges make it easy to buy and sell Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies directly from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. They also allow you to monitor the movements and performance of your crypto holdings.
Here is a list of the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation in 2024.
Every month, we’ll send you The Plug - a curation of the best personal finance content in the UK. We share real-life stories, how-to guides, top personal finance news, popular community questions, and tips to help you stay on top of your money.
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