What is an HYIP?

"What really is an HYIP?", or "What is an HYIP really like?" How you answer that question can determine how successful or how frustrated you will be in the online world of high yield investing. There are at least six different answers to the question about the true nature of a high yield investment program (HYIP).

1. Investment. After all, HYIP stands for High Yield Investment Program. Yes, but an HYIP is not a real investment, because unlike a true investor, the hyiper rarely knows in what wealth-building instrument his money is.

2. Scam. This is certainly true of some HYIPs, but not all HYIPs are run by geek thieves.

3. Ponzi Scheme. It is estimated that at least 90% of HYIPs are ponzis. In an HYIP ponzi, the operator uses money from previous depositors to pay current or later depositors.

4. Gambling. This is the opinion of those who either despise HYIPs or have lost money to HYIPs. There is some truth to this, but in that sense, hyipers are as much gamblers as day traders.

5. A Money Game. An HYIP is a game in that there are certain rules of the game that can give an informed player the edge, if she will first invest the time to learn before she can earn. But once you learn the basic rules, this money game can be as much fun as it can be lucrative.

6. A Loan Program. When you deposit funds into an HYIP, you are in effect lending money to someone, who is promising to pay you interest on your loan. You are the lender or creditor, and the operator of the HYIP is the borrower. This borrower can do whatever he wants with your money. The borrower (HYIP operator) may use your money to trade the stock market, penny stocks, the foreign exchange (forex) market, or even e-currency.