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For those searching for a long-term investment perspective risk and volatility are big issues: and there's no better example of that rollercoaster ride than crypto-currencies. Adam Cox has chosen to focus this episode on Bitcoin due to its reputation for major swings in value — but it applies just as well to major asset sectors such as property and stocks. The fact is that cash left on deposit at a time of high inflation erodes real value just like a leaky bath: so it's important to come to terms with asset risk and not to suffer 'analysis paralysis'. Adam's time machine and rollercoaster analogy might help.

A year ago bitcoin could do no wrong – now it has slumped to 79 per cent below its peak. So what went wrong for the much vaunted cryptocurrency? The mania of a year ago gave way to a bust after Christmas and apart from a few short-lived rallies bitcoin has been mainly on the slide since. That’s not to say it has no use - the cryptocurrency and underlying technology are fascinating - but just because something has some value does not mean it can’t end up in a bubble. On this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Myron Jobson look at what went wrong for bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies and what we can learn from the boom and bust. Also on this week’s show, they look at some more durable investments, companies that have paid a rising dividend for a decade or longer – and how some have seen big rises in their share price. And finally, Simon talks us through the 2,100 road trip he took with his family to test out VW’s California campervan – and whether swapping your family car for a van that’s ready for adventure could ever be a smart move?

Georgie Frost and the This Is Money team present a housing special which explains everything you need to know about buying property!

Whatever happened to bitcoin? After the mania at the end of last year when the price spiked to almost $20,000, the cryptocurrency took a tumble but more noticeably attention has drained away. You need no greater sign of that than figures showing bitcoin Google searches are down 90 per cent. That adds weight to the argument that much of the late 2017 big leg-up was driven by mainstream punters jumping on the cryptocurrency bandwagon. On this week’s podcast we take a look at who’s buying, who’s holding and who might be waiting for the price to rise again and greater fool theory to deliver someone who will take their bitcoin off their hands. Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost also take a look at gold – and why people aren’t buying this traditional form of investment portfolio insurance – and the most consistent investment trusts of the past decade.

Technology is transforming the world of money. Or at least that’s what the Bitcoin junkies would have you believe. They say digital currencies have arrived and are about to revolutionise the way we buy things. But recent downturns in their prices have led some to wonder whether digital currencies have fuelled a dangerous speculative bubble that needs to be curbed by regulators. Is the Bitcoin boom over? Or was it just the start for digital currencies? This week, Ayeisha Thomas-Smith is joined by Carl Miller from Demos, Fran Boait from Positive Money, and Duncan McCann from NEF.

In the latest Money Makers podcast, host Jonathan Davis is joined by technology specialist Ben Rogoff, the lead manager of the Polar Capital Technology investment trust, which has given shareholders a total return of more than 200% over the last five years. With the likes of Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Netflix leading the markets higher, how much more is there still to come from these global IT stocks? Is there a danger of another TMT-style market crash or a regulatory kickback? And where are the most exciting prospects in other technology fields, such as gaming, robotics and artificial intelligence?

Ratings agency S&P has cut South Africa's credit rating to 'junk' status following President Zuma's move to fire finance minister Pravin Gordhan. For the latest developments, Ed Bowsher was joined by Chris Bishop, managing editor of Forbes Africa.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. We’re still on course for Brexit, albeit pending Parliament’s approval. Already a number of banks seem intent on following through on their threats to relocate jobs, but what about the local branches already shutting down across the UK? Meanwhile the FTSE continues to soar on the back of the slumping pound but questions remain as to the underlying health of the UK economy. Inflation also looks set to rise as does national debt although the latest GDP figures do offer some good news at least. To discuss how people can save and invest for the turbulent times ahead Georgie Frost is joined in the studio by Editor Simon Lambert and Deputy Editor Adrian Lowrey. Plus just when BT thought their problems couldn’t get any worse we’ll be announcing the results of the annual Money Mail Wooden Spoon Awards. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

From Brexit to the US election 2016 proved quite a year for political and economic stories. But what does all this mean for the business world and our finances and what else can we expect in 2017? To get a review of the last year and look forward to the next Share Radio's Melanie Wray spoke to Paresh Davdra, founder and CEO of Rational FX.

India's monetary credibility took a hit following the government's decision to remove large denomination notes from circulation one month ago. Prices in the country have reportedly collapsed and consumer sales fell by as much as 30% in November. Now, rating agency Fitch has cut its growth forecast for the country from 7.4% to 6.9% and some economists believe the damage could be even worse. Robert Van Egghen reports.