The rise of cryptocurrencies as a premier asset class has taken the world of finance by storm. Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP) and Litecoin (LTC) have become extremely valuable as well as household names. No doubt about it, the upside of the cryptocurrency industry appears to be unlimited as institutions are rapidly integrating them into business operations.
One method of becoming involved in this new environment is through participating an Initial Coin Offering (ICO). In much the same fashion as a traditional stock IPO, ICOs give investors the ability to get in on the ground floor of a fledgling cryptocurrency enterprise.
The goal of an ICO is to raise money for a cryptocurrency startup. From basic e-commerce to exotic applications of blockchain technology, these companies offer the public a financial stake in the venture through a crowdfunding approach. “Tokens” are sold on the open market and represent a vested interest in the company. In the event that the business is a success, the tokens appreciate in value.
ICOs have become a popular way of raising huge amounts of capital quickly. Here are a few of 2017’s most successful:
ICO Money Raised
Filecoin $257 million
Tezos $232 million
EOS $180 million
Bancor $153 million
Popular ICOs For 2018
If you are interested in getting involved in an ICO, performing the necessary due diligence is a must. There are a myriad of products, with new ones coming online constantly. Be sure to study the corporate white paper for insights into the core business and corporate leadership before jumping in with both feet.
For the first quarter of 2018, here are a few ICOs that are rapidly gaining notoriety:
ICO Core Business Ending Date (2018)
Clear Coin Advertising March 31
Dogezer Labor Investment March 8
Nucleus Vision Identification February 28
AMLT Compliance January 30
HOQU Advertising February 26
In truth, there will be hundreds of ICOs hitting the market in 2018. Some will succeed and many will fail. Just as any publicly traded company, success is most certainly not assured.
However, securing extraordinary profits is possible. As in all things trading, just watch the risk exposure and appropriate funds wisely. Throughout 2018, we at FXLeaders will be studying these budding markets and passing along insights and ideas on how to benefit from the action.