An initial coin offering, or ICO, is a popular way for crypto projects to generate publicity and raise capital. Much like crowdfunding, ICOs allow the community to have a tangible impact on a project’s growth – while also providing scope for investors to realize substantial returns in the future.
ICOs have the potential to generate these substantial returns. Ethereum (ETH) is currently demonstrating a 6,300x multiplier since its Initial Coin Offering (ICO) in 2014. Cardano (ADA), meanwhile, is presenting a 125x multiplier since its ICO in September 2017.
More recently, OpenCampus (EDI) is trading at 1,400% of its initial ICO price while SUI (SUI) trades at 660% of its initial ICO price. This shows that returns can be significant depending on which ICO is chosen – the other side of the coin is that multiple ICOs have turned out to be no more than scams.
As brand new projects, ICO cryptos often have no established market to fall back on while their utility is unproven, even if the potential of the solution they offer is high. It is important for investors to understand that even the best active ICOs are not guaranteed to deliver immediate returns or success for the investor.
This article discusses the best crypto ICOs available, covering what they are and why they are so highly regarded, before exploring the key factors to bear in mind when making an ICO investment decision.
- Buy and hold $SMOG to generate and earn airdrop points
- 35% of supply reserved for future airdrop rewards
- Viral potential after pumping over 1000%
Project Launched
February 2024
Purchase Methods
usdt
Solana
- Trending meme coin with P2E utility & staking rewards
- Price up 10x in past month, rumors of Binance listing
- 12k+ holders and growing
Project Launched
December 2023
- Innovative stake-to-mine project for easy BTC mining
- Presale has raised over $6.5m so far
- Over 90% staking APY during presale
Purchase Methods
ETH
bnb
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usdt
- +1 more
- Over $5m raised indicating huge potential
- Stake during presale with over 170% APY
- Innovative P2E game based on meme battles
- Native BSC token
- Audited by Coinsult
- Long-term rewards for holders
- Innovative VR & AR Gaming Project
- Aiming to Raise $15M Across 12 Rounds
- Token Holders Get Lifetime Access to VR Content
Project Launched
January 2024
- Up to 500% staking rewards
- Innovative predict-to-earn model
- Gamified green staking
- Daily passive staking income
- 250k giveaway participation
- Free casino credits
Project Launched
July 2023
- Unique project using AI to improve security in crypto
- Over 14900% staking APY
- AI crypto chatbot & exchange in development
Project Launched
December 2023
- Trending new meme coin presale with 6.9Bn total supply
- Buy and stake $POODL to earn rewards of 12397% p/a
- 30% of the token supply has been allocated to staking
Project Launched
February 2024
Purchase Methods
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bnb
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ETH
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usdt
- +1 more
The Best Crypto ICOs to Invest in Right Now
Listed below are some of the best ICO cryptos available to investors, derived through in-depth research and analysis. We’ll discuss the top ICO list in the following section, providing the information needed to make an informed investment decision.
- Smog (SMOG) – Best alternative to ICOs. Meme coin is offering 42% staking APYs.
- Sponge V2 (SPONGE) – New meme token is offering 198% in staking yields.
- Bitcoin Minetrix (BTCMTX) – New stake-to-mine crypto, $10.7M raised on presale.
- Meme Kombat (MK) – Fight meme coin avatars on a VR arena. $8.6M raised.
- eTukTuk (TUK) – Sustainable crypto offers up to 232% staking yields.
- 5th Scape – VR gaming cryptocurrency has raised over $200K on presale.
- Scotty the AI (SCOTTY) – Cutting-edge AI crypto for advanced security.
- Green Bitcoin (GBTC) – Eco-friendly crypto has raised nearly $1 million.
- Scorpion Casino (SCORP) – Online gambling crypto platform, $4M raised.
- Poodl Inu (POODL) – Latest meme coin ICO with a staking APY of over 1,800%.
- MindAI (TMC) – New AI-powered crypto exchange offers trading pairs.
- Doge Uprising (DUP) – Brand new ERC20 ICO with a story that starts in 2045.
- Heroes of Mavia (MAVIA) – Base building crypto game, $200 million market cap.
- Kryptview (KVT) – New research-to-earn crypto analyzes crypto projects.
- Scary Pepe (SCARYPP) – Low-supply meme coin, priced at $0.000028 on presale.
The Best New ICO Crypto Projects Reviewed
Investing in an ICO can be risky, given that the project in question will still be in its infancy and is not yet established. However, those with a higher risk tolerance level can benefit from improved ROI potential. The two often go hand in hand.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the best crypto ICOs listed above, exploring why they are so sought-after:
1. Smog (SMOG) – Overall Best Alternative to ICO Cryptos, Get Airdrop and Staking Rewards
We have picked Smog ($SMOG) as the best alternative to cryptocurrency ICOs. Unlike the other tokens on our list, $SMOG was launched straight on the Jupiter decentralized exchange. This is a new meme coin – which is built on the Solana blockchain.
The platform creators want $SMOG to become the best SOL meme coin in the long-term, and are running one of the most lucrative airdrop campaigns to attract more investors. From 1.4 billion token supply – 490 million $SMOG tokens will be offered through airdrop rewards.
Investors can start earning airdrop points by simply holding the token, staking $SMOG, and by completing daily, weekly, and monthly online challenges. For instance, you can follow Smog on Twitter and Telegram, and earn airdrop points. Investors can also generate up to 42% in staking annual yields by locking $SMOG in the smart contract. So far, more than 1 million tokens have been staked on Smog.
In February 2024, $SMOG launched at a price of $0.001419 per token, with a market cap of just $2 million. Within a few days, the token is trading around the $0.044 mark – with a market cap of more than $61 million. This new meme coin has the potential to offer similar gains as Pepe Coin – which soared to a $1 billion market cap within weeks of launch.
Another 50% of the supply will be used for marketing purposes, while 15% has been set aside for CEX and DEX listings. Read the Smog whitepaper to stay updated with this new meme cryptocurrency.
2. Sponge V2 (SPONGE) – Best New ICO Crypto Project With A P2E Game And Staking APY Of 40%
Sponge V2 is a new, upgraded version of the $SPONGE meme coin, which saw significant success in 2023, including a 100x surge from a $1 million market cap.
This new version transitions from a simple meme coin to a more utility-focused asset, introducing a play-to-earn (P2E) game and aiming for listings on major exchanges like Binance and OKX.
Innovative Staking and Earning Mechanism
- Stake-to-Bridge Model: A unique Stake-to-Bridge model facilitates the transition from Sponge V1 to V2. Staking V1 tokens allows users to seamlessly transition to the V2 tokens, locking in the V1 tokens permanently.
- Rewards and Incentives: The staking mechanism offers a live APY of 198%, incentivizing long-term holding. Early investors in V2 receive immediate purchase bonuses, and V1 holders can stake to earn V2 rewards.
Sponge V2 integrates a P2E game, where users can use their V2 tokens to play and earn additional tokens, improving user engagement.
The project has a total token supply of 150 billion, with a significant portion, 43.09%, dedicated to staking rewards.
Additionally, 8% of the total supply is reserved for rewards in the P2E gaming segment, further motivating active participation within the Sponge ecosystem.
With an existing community of 30,000, Sponge V2 aims to expand its reach through aggressive marketing campaigns and leveraging the success of Sponge V1.
Interested buyers can follow Sponge on social media platforms like Twitter and join the Telegram channel for the latest news and updates on the V2 rollout and exchange listings.
| Presale Started | Dec 2023 |
| Purchase Methods | ETH, USDT, Card |
| Chain | Ethereum |
| Min Investment | None |
| Max Investment | None |
3. Bitcoin Minetrix – Revolutionary Stake-to-Mine ICO Crypto Offering Cloud Mining Credits
The next crypto on our top ICO list is Bitcoin Minetrix ($BTCMTX). This platform will converge the world of cloud mining and token staking with its stake-to-mine mechanism.
Cloud mining power is a process through which individuals can rent mining power from third-party companies and corporations. However, the space is full of dubious corporations that scam investors. The Bitcoin Minetrix solution is to tokenize cloud mining and give investors control.
Bitcoin Minetrix achieves this through the $BTCMTX token. Investors can buy and stake the native token through an Ethereum-powered smart contract. One can then generate passive income and collect cloud mining credits.
These ERC-20 tokens are not tradable but can be burnt on the ecosystem to earn Bitcoin cloud mining power. Therefore, investors will get allocated mining times and a percentage of mining revenues. Not only does Bitcoin Minetrix reduce the entry barrier, but it leverages cloud mining companies’ equipment to become more cost-efficient.
The $BTCMTX ICO has raised more than $10.7 million on presale. $BTCMTX has a total supply of 4 billion, 70% of which is allocated for the presale. The presale will consist of 39 rounds.
Bitcoin Minetrix has set a presale hard cap of $32 million. Currently, $BTCMTX is priced at $0.0134.
Read the Bitcoin Minetrix whitepaper and join the Telegram channel.
| Presale Started | 26 Sept 2023 |
| Purchase Methods | ETH, USDT, BNB |
| Chain | Ethereum |
| Min Investment | $10 |
| Max Investment | None |
4. Meme Kombat – High Utility Meme Coin ICO Offering Wagering Opportunities and High Staking Yields
The next cryptocurrency ICO to watch is Meme Kombat ($MK). This revolutionary project is leveraging blockchain technology to combine memes with play-to-earn battle arenas.
Meme Kombat will feature a battle arena where avatars will compete against each other in different environments. Notably, the avatars will be based on meme coins such as Pepe or Wojak. With the help of the $MK token, players can stake and wager on the battle arenas to win exclusive prizes and free tokens.
Currently, investors can buy Meme Kombat for $0.279 through the ongoing presale round. The gaming will begin with the launch of the first seasons on Meme Kombat, after the end of the presale. This will feature various betting and wagering options such Player vs Player betting, Player vs Game betting, and side action betting.
As soon as you purchase the $MK token on presale, your funds will be staked on a staking contract. At press time, Meme Kombat is offering a 109% staking APY. To help foster a loyal community, Meme Kombat has allocated 50% of the 120 million token supply to the public.
Half the supply is available during the presale, from which Meme Kombat is looking to raise $10 million. Another 30% will be offered through staking & battle rewards, while 10% will be offered through community rewards. The remaining 10% will be used for DEX allocation. Over $8.6 million has been raised since the start of the presale.
To find out more about this cryptocurrency, read the Meme Kombat whitepaper and join the Telegram channel.
| Presale Started | 21 September 2023 |
| Purchase Methods | ETH, USDT |
| Chain | Ethereum |
| Min Investment | $5 |
| Max Investment | None |
5. eTukTuk (TUK) – Earn Staking Rewards with this Crypto Aiming to Reduce Air Pollution
The next cryptocurrency on our list is $TUK, the native token of eTukTuk. This is the first-ever automotive project based on the Binance Smart Chain.
eTukTuk wants to help TukTuk drivers start adopting electric vehicles (EVs) and will build charging stations and set up electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the population breathe polluted air. There are 270 million TukTuks that operate on Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs), which run on non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels. These contribute to more pollution than cars.
As ICEs are slowly becoming obsolete, TukTuk drivers struggle to make a minimum wage to support their families. Therefore, eTukTuk will set up EV charging stations in urban and suburban areas of developing countries.
The EVSEs and charging stations will be set up in different ‘territories.’ Each territory will be operated and set up with the help of local manufacturers, known as territory partners. This helps limit the cost of production. The platform will let drivers make payments at the charging stations with $TUK tokens.
Since the cryptocurrency is based on the Binance Smart Chain, there are low fees and high scalability. According to the eTukTuk whitepaper, drivers will take home 400% more in revenue by using this platform.
Territory partners will be rewarded, as they get a commission for each transaction on the charging stations. Token holders can stake $TUK to earn passive income. eTukTuk has raised more than $930K since the start of the presale.
Join the eTukTuk Telegram channel for more information.
6. 5th Scape (5SCAPE) – Hot New ICO Project That Merges Virtual Reality Technology and Blockchain
The 5th Scape crypto project offers an innovative mix of blockchain technology and virtual reality. The team will offer VR games, a VR headset and a VR chair, while using the native token 5SCAPE as a currency within the ecosystem. The token holders will also get benefits such as exclusive access and discounts on VR products.
To fund the development, the team is launching a presale of its token 5SCAPE with the goal of raising $15 million. And that is the only way to get your hands on the token. All you need is an Ethereum wallet to connect to the website and ETH or USDT coins to complete the purchase.
There will be 12 presale rounds where each round will see a token price increase. This means buying as early as possible could be the best option to get the token for a low price. During the first round, the token will cost $0.00187 apiece, while in the last round it will be $0.0087, an increase of 365%.
You can claim a portion of your tokens once the presale ends, while the remaining tokens will have a vesting period, per the 5th Scape whitepaper. There should also be a lucrative APY for staking your tokens launching soon. So far, the presale has raised over $200K.
Follow 5th Scape on X and join the 5th Scape Telegram channel for the latest information. Also, check out the 5th Scape Discord if you want to engage with the community.
| Presale Started | Jan 2023 |
| Purchase Methods | ETH, USDT |
| Chain | Ethereum |
| Min Investment | None |
| Max Investment | None |
7. Scotty the AI – Promising New AI-Powered Platform Offering High-Security Blockchain Solutions
Scotty the AI ($SCOTTY) is a cutting-edge crypto project integrating advanced artificial intelligence with blockchain to improve security and fraud detection in the crypto space. To be the ‘guardian of the crypto universe,’ the platform aims to bring high-security solutions to the digital world.
At the center of Scotty the AI is the $SCOTTY token, currently available in presale at a discounted price of $0.005. The presale quickly garnered over $100K in just a few days, indicating strong investor interest.
The token’s total supply is capped at 1,734,567,890, with 30% allocated for the presale, ensuring scarcity and creating long-term value growth. The project has decided against allocating tokens to the team, showing its community-centric approach.
Scotty the AI’s advanced AI algorithms can analyze blockchain data, detect anomalies, and neutralize risks with impressive speed and accuracy. This is crucial for maintaining integrity across blockchain networks.
Additionally, the platform is set to introduce ‘Scotty Swap,’ a tool facilitating token swaps, and an AI-powered chatbot for user assistance, further improving the platform’s utility.
Staking $SCOTTY offers investors the potential for high annual percentage yields (APYs), adding to the long-term appeal of holding the token.
With plans to list on major exchanges like Uniswap and BitMart and the development of a proprietary blockchain for decentralized governance, Scotty the AI further shows a strong commitment to utility and community engagement.
Buyers can enter the Scotty the AI Telegram channel to keep up with the latest updates.
| Presale Started | January 2024 |
| Purchase Methods | USDT, ETH, Card |
| Chain | Ethereum |
| Min Investment | 10 $SCOTTY |
| Max Investment | None |
8. Green Bitcoin – Token Presale That Rewards Users Who Stake Their Tokens and Predict Bitcoin’s Price
In the realm of cryptocurrency projects, while many are focused on developing innovative financial solutions, some projects are focused on delivering gamified rewards for their holders. And that’s what Green Bitcoin is all about; A new ERC20 token presale that rewards users who predict Bitcoin’s price.
To start, however, you need to grab $GBTC tokens first. At the moment, they are only available on a token presale where you can use ETH, USDT or a card to acquire as many as you want. Given this is a multi-stage token presale, it’s typically best to buy in early to take advantage of the lower presale price. As the presale progresses, the token price goes up, eventually listing on an A-tier exchange.
Once you have some $GBTC tokens, you can stake them during the presale. That way you’re maximizing your rewards as the staking APR is massive in the early stages. As more users buy and stake $GBTC tokens, the APR will drop. Once the token presale ends and Bitcoin’s price prediction comes on line, the staking rewards will depend on how long you stake your tokens as well as how accurate you predict Bitcoin’s price.
With a total of 21 million tokens, with 40% of them dedicated to the presale, early adopters will have the chance to scoop the biggest piece of the pie. Moreover, 27.5% of the total token supply will be dedicated to staking rewards, according to Green Bitcoin’s whitepaper.
There are four phases in the Green Bitcoin’s roadmap:
- Phase 1: The token presale launch.
- Phase 2: The token launch on A-tier exchanges.
- Phase 3: Staking rewards and prediction game go live.
- Phase 4: Improving on the prediction game, called Predict to Earn 2.0.
Learn more about the project by following Green Bitcoin on X and on Green Bitcoin’s Telegram channel.
| Token Symbol | GBTC |
| Total Supply | 21 Million |
| Presale Supply | 8.4 Million |
| Network | Ethereum (ERC-20) |
| Purchase Method | ETH, USDT, Credit Card |
9. Scorpion Casino (SCORP) – New Social Casino with Attractive Staking Yield & $4M Raised Throughout Presale
Scorpion Casino is a newly launched online gambling platform and casino that is community driven and allows users to earn a daily yield based on its overall success.
The platform allows users to earn up to $10,000 in daily passive staking yield for holding $SCORP tokens – which has seen $4M of investment in its presale.
Scorpion Casino allows its players 30,000 betting opportunities every month, with more than 200 classic casino games, 160 live games and a sportsbook.
The platform is licensed and regulated in Curacao, while games are provably fair, with the sportsbook allowing wagers on major sports such as the NBA and NFL, Premier League, UFC, boxing and others.
Despite being new in the space, Scorpion Casino has also partnered with long-running platforms such as BetRadar and CoinsPaid, while a listing on a tier-1 exchange has also been secured after the presale ends.
Currently, $SCORP is priced at $0.029 on presale.
The presale is offering 40% of the supply with no vesting period, with the token used as a payment method on the site, as well as for staking and its affiliate reward system.
Presale buyers can get an extra 20% of $SCORP for a limited time by using the bonus code Scorpion20 when they make a purchase.
| Presale Started | Q2 2023 |
| Purchase Methods | BNB, ETH, USDT |
| Chain | Binance Smart Chain |
| Min Investment | $10 |
| Max Investment | None |
10. Poodl Inu (POODL) – Latest Meme Coin ICO With Over 1,800% Staking APY
Poodl Inu is a dog-themed meme coin, now in an ICO phase. This gives you the opportunity to buy the tokens at a lower price before being listed on a major exchange. Your purchase options include ETH, USDT or a card once you connect your Ethereum wallet to the presale site.
You can also buy POODL with BNB coins but you won’t be eligible for the staking rewards that stand over 1,800% as of this writing. The APY will drop, however. Because of that, it’s important to stake as early as possible if you’re looking to buy the token presale anyway. If you’re buying POODL in the later stages of the token presale when the APY is low, buying with BNB could make sense in that case as you’ll be saving money on transaction fees.
The token presale will have multiple stages where each consecutive stage will have a higher token price than the previous. To get the best possible price, buying the token as early as possible could be the most prudent option.
Make sure to read the Poodl Inu whitepaper for more details. Also, check out the Poodl Inu X and the Poodl Inu Telegram channel for the latest information on the presale.
| Presale Started | Q1 2024 |
| Purchase Methods | ETH, USDT, BNB, Card |
| Chain | Ethereum |
| Min Investment | None |
| Max Investment | None |
11. MindAI – Upcoming Crypto Exchange with New Presale Token Launch
MindAI is a start-up that aims to revolutionize the crypto space by offering various blockchain products and services.
The main offering of this platform is an AI-powered cryptocurrency exchange known as TMCX. The exchange will be powered by TMC (The MindAI Coin), recently launched on presale.
Once the exchange is listed, TMC will be used to settle all transactions and to complete payments for goods and services. Token holders can also secure fee discounts by trading with TMC. Along with this native token, MindAI will offer Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as trading pairs.
The platform will charge a fixed trading fee of 0.25% per transaction but has no plans to increase this number. AI will be used to detect fraud, offer users online assistance, and monitor cryptocurrency transactions.
Methods such as deep learning will be applied to offer advanced image generation via speech and text prompts. Since MindAI has registered itself as a startup in the Business Register in Italy, 15% of the available cash flow will be put towards research and development.
The MindAI presale is currently in phase one, where the $TMC token is priced at just $0.15. There will be eight rounds in total, with the eventual price rising to $0.20 before the exchange listing. 50% of the total 300 million TMC supply will be allocated across the eight rounds.
5% of the tokens have been reserved for exchange listings, while 30% will be given to the team’s foundation. Read the MindAI whitepaper to learn more about this project.
| Presale Started | 13 April 2023 |
| Purchase Methods | ETH, USDT |
| Chain | Ethereum |
| Min Investment | $50 |
| Max Investment | None |
12. Doge Uprising – Brand New Meme Based ICO, $DUP Price Of $0.000013 Set To Increase To $0.000026.
Doge Uprising ($DUP) is a highly creative story-focused ICO with a tale that features both Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk – two highly popular figures in the modern era.
Set in 2045, a number of Doge Mechas led by Elon Musk rise up against Mark Zuckerberg, who has captured the world in a global web of surveillance.
These Doge Mechas are NFTs purchased by investors (pilots) who are interested in freeing the world from global tyranny. The machines are fueled by the utility based $DUP token, and are lifeless without it. The story ultimately ends with the Mecha NFTs defeating the forces of oppression, but this can only happen if enough pilots agree to take ownership of the NFTs.
This is a community orientated project with lots of AMAs, staking yields, and plans to collaborate with a number of key influencers in the field. There are a total of 270 billion $DUP tokens available in the presale, out of the maximum supply of 450 billion. Currently, the token trades at a 50% discount. Priced at $0.000013, it will double to $0.000026 in the next stage. After this it could easily rise further, and will ultimately list on Uniswap.
This ICO has done a lot of work in terms of its graphics, its research, and its story, which could be of interest to multiple investors. Surveillance is a hot topic right now, with many unhappy at the current state of affairs. And meme based presales, particularly those inspired by Doge, have a history of strong performance in recent years. It has also conducted a smart contract audit for increased transparency.
To take part a compatible Web3 wallet (MetaMask, Wallet Connect) is required, along with an accepted crypto (ETH, USDT, BNB). The “Lizard Boy” (Mark Zuckerberg) can be stopped sooner, if more Doge Mecha NFTs are commanded by capable and willing pilots.
Additional data about this project can be found within the Doge Uprising Whitepaper, which mentions the volatility and risks of meme coin investment.
The Telegram channel can also be connected with, for more key information.
| Presale Started | October 2023 |
| Purchase Methods | ETH, USDT, BNB |
| Chain | Ethereum |
| Min Investment | N/A |
| Max Investment | None |
13. Heroes of Mavia (MAVIA) – Battle-Builder Game with P2E Features
Heroes of Mavia could be one of the best crypto ICOs in the blockchain gaming niche due to its appealing ‘base building’ features.
Within the Heroes of Mavia ecosystem, players can create their own armies and conquer enemy bases – allowing them to earn Ruby tokens in the process.
Ruby tokens can then be used to upgrade a user’s base, strengthen their army, and solidify defenses.
However, aside from the battle mechanics, Heroes of Mavia also has a built-in NFT marketplace, live battle streaming features, and even a ‘Base Partnership Manager’ for users to collaborate and generate passive income.
Like many of the best ICO cryptos, Heroes of Mavia has already attracted massive attention from prospective investors on social media.
The game is backed by leading entities like Binance Labs and Animoca Brands – meaning all eyes will be on Heroes of Mavia ahead of its Beta phase launch in Q4 2022.
14. Kryptview (KVT) – New ‘Research-to-Earn’ Ecosystem with Unique Use Case
As stated by CoinMarketCap, Kryptview is a data platform dedicated to community research on tokens and cryptos.
This unique platform rewards users for in-depth analysis of crypto projects, providing a clear incentive to participate in the Kryptview ecosystem.
Aiming to be the first ‘research-to-earn’ platform to hit the mainstream, the Kryptview project has already received backing from major players such as The Blox and Matters.
Interestingly, the platform’s users can add ‘research bounties’ to specific assets, enticing researchers to provide information and generate income.
The Kryptview token (KVT) is used for rewards distribution and additional perks, making it a crucial part of the ecosystem.
The KVT ICO is set to go live on October 13th and will see 12.5% of the total supply being offered to early investors – allowing them to benefit from price increases if the token becomes listed on major exchanges in the future.
15. Scary Pepe – Meme Crypto Offering 99% of its 1 Billion Supply on Presale
The next cryptocurrency ICO is $SCARYPP – the native token of Scary Pepe. After Pepe Coin’s (PEPE) success in the start of 2023, the meme space has witnessed several new Pepe-themed meme tokens.
Scary Pepe is one such cryptocurrency that is soaring on presale. Notably, $SCARYPP has a low token supply of just 1 billion. A staggering 99% of the token supply has been offered for the ongoing presale. Thus, investors have enough time to acquire the token before the exchange listing takes place.
The remaining 1% of the supply is protected within a multi-signature vault. These tokens will be used for future exchange listings. Currently, $SCARYPP is priced at just $0.00028 on presale. The exchange listing will increase the price to $0.0004 per token.
The presale has already raised over $225K. Notably, Scary Pepe does not charge any buy or sell tax on the tokens. Join the Scary Pepe Telegram channel to learn more about this cryptocurrency.
What is a Crypto ICO?
A crypto Initial Coin Offering or ICO is a type of blockchain-enabled crowdfunding that allows a crypto project to raise funds by selling tokens. The tokens that are offered tend to have a use case within the project itself, meaning early investors can become a part of the community before the project has even launched.
Most of the time, crypto ICOs will allow investors to purchase tokens at a discounted price relative to their eventual listing price. Initial coin offerings entice investors to buy tokens, kick-starting development and generating publicity, which is crucial to a project’s growth.
The concept of crypto ICOs is not new, having been around since the early 2010s and similar to a stock exchange IPO.
Ethereum is one of the most notable projects to begin its life as an ICO, as early investors were able to acquire ETH for just $0.31 per token back in 2014. Given that ETH tokens are now valued at around $1,800 – and has been as high as $4,800 – it’s clear why ICOs are so popular with risk-seeking investors.
However, it’s also essential to bear in mind that crypto ICOs are generally unregulated, meaning they are not supervised or policed by leading institutions. As such, investors looking to participate in crypto ICOs must do their due diligence and be aware of the heightened risks before deciding to purchase tokens, as well as understand that success is not always guaranteed, despite the potential of a project.
A History of ICOs
ICOs emerged as a method for crypto developers to secure funds for cryptocurrency projects. It involves creating blockchain based tokens and selling them directly to investors at a discounted rate. While IPOs (Initial Public Offerings) involve the sale of stock to raise capital for mature companies, ICOs do the same thing in a Web3 context.
ICOs serve as a funding mechanism for early-stage projects, often in the tech startup realm. ICO investors purchase tokens without obtaining any ownership stake in the company. The premise is that investors believe in the project’s value and anticipate potential profits by purchasing tokens at a lower price early on and selling them for a profit once the project achieves success.
As previously mentioned, the first major success story in the world of ICOs was Ethereum. Back in 2014, it managed to raise an impressive sum of $16 million (this amount is small by current standards, EOS having raised $4 billion). Today, Ethereum not only stands as one of the most valuable cryptocurrencies but also serves as the foundation for an entire ecosystem of decentralized applications (dApps) that have flourished with its technology. It’s also the home of decentralized finance (DeFi), an incredibly large field estimated at $44 billion by total value locked (TVL).
In 2017, however, the ICO success stories rapidly diminished – 80% of ICOs in this time period were estimated to have been scams. A number of fraudulent projects scammed investors out of their earnings. Only about 8% of such ICOs reached a centralized exchange (CEX) for serious liquidity and long term growth.
This resulted in a regulatory crackdown, mainly from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the USA. An ongoing case of Ripple vs SEC is still deliberating as to whether such projects constituted a securities offering or not. If so, the offerings would be in violation of SEC guidelines, potentially resulting in criminal liability for the founders.
Due to the regulatory crackdown and the risky nature of ICOs, Web3 fundraising mechanisms have evolved into various formats – Securities Token Offerings (STOs), Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs), and Initial Dex Offering (IDOs). The ecosystem had to evolve to become safer but also more flexible, as the sophistication of the Web3 ecosystem developed further.
How do Initial Coin Offerings Work?
Initial coin offerings are scheduled events that last for a specific amount of time which is decided on by the project’s team. The team will set a date for the ICO and determine their fundraising goal.
Each cryptocurrency ICO will usually have a soft cap and a hard cap, which state the minimum and maximum number of tokens to be sold. Once the ICO has gone live, the purchasing process tends to look something like this:
- Investors will go to the project’s official website to participate in the ICO
- The website will display the token’s price and the currency used for the exchange – example ‘bridge’ currencies include ETH and BNB
- A wallet address will be provided by the project’s team, to which investors must send funds to acquire tokens
- The investor will then send their investment amount to the wallet address before providing their own wallet address to receive their ICO tokens post-purchase
As the process above highlights, all that’s required to participate in an ICO is a crypto wallet and some digital currency holdings to make the exchange. However, this does mean prospective investors must own some crypto ahead of the ICO.
ICO, STO, IEO, IDO – What’s the Difference?
While traditional methods like bank loans and venture capital investments have long been the go-to choices, the rise of cryptocurrencies has introduced a new alternative in the form of token sales. Increasingly, companies are turning to token sales as a means to raise funds by creating cryptocurrencies and offering them to the public in exchange for major crypto or fiat currencies.
All token offerings are an investment in some form of digital currency, typically based on the Ethereum network. These are known as ERC-20 tokens. But the initial type of token fundraising, the ICO has now evolved into many subcategories and variants.The 4 main types include:
- ICOs – Comparable to an IPO but with digital tokens.
- IEOs – Similar to the ICO but taking place on a centralized exchange for added liquidity and legitimacy.
- STOs – A regulated variant of the ICO that is in full compliance with existing legal frameworks
- IDOs – A decentralized and unregulated token offering mechanism with fewer safeguards and more risk.
Each framework has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on what the classes of investors are looking for.
However, remember that the lines have blurred somewhat and the terms can be used in different contexts. Binance, for example, is a centralized exchange that offers a decentralized launchpad (BSCpad) for investment. This is an IDO on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC). It’s also common to hear that an ICO is launching on Binance, though this would technically be an IEO.
ICOs
As touched upon earlier, the ICO represents the basic framework for cryptocurrency fundraising. ICOs started to take place in 2014, after Bitcoin had a noticeable upsurge in price around 2013. The price of BTC was up 5,400% by the end of 2013, prompting increased interest in tokens (Bitcoin itself had no ICO). Partially due to this, early stage cryptos like Monero, Litecoin, and Ethereum started to engage in ICOs around 2014.
By 2017, unfortunately, the model was to be taken advantage of with a number of scam projects taking place, resulting in a regulatory crackdown. To this day, legal uncertainty still exists about the legal definition of a cryptocurrency, and how they should be taxed and regulated. Investors still have to learn how to stay safe when engaging in ICOs.
To mitigate ICO risks, it is essential for potential ICO participants to conduct thorough due diligence. This includes researching the project team, reviewing the whitepaper, assessing the project’s roadmap and milestones, and evaluating the market demand for the proposed product or service. Investors should also consider the reputation of the project’s advisors, the transparency of communication, and the compliance of the project with relevant regulations.
Be aware of how scam artists use psychological tactics to entice investors – “get in before it’s too late” or “price could rise to 10x” claims are to be treated with extreme skepticism. Ensure that you know who the founders are and check their history and social profiles.
Scam operations always leave telltale signs, usually on the official website and the whitepaper. People overlook these signs due to FOMO – “Fear of Missing Out”. They are too eager to make significant returns as opposed to completing their due diligence.
One study on 503 ICOs across 60 countries found that an increased number of advisors and insider retention correlated with positive returns – so making sure that the founders intend to stay with the project is essential to long term success. The friendliness of the legal system in the country also contributes to how much funds are raised in an ICO.
With a traditional ICO, there is typically no third party that is offering any form of KYC audit or checks. The founders act as the marketers, auditors, and promoters – a recipe that leads to disaster, because there are few safeguards for investors and few penalties for fraudsters.
IEOs
IEOs, or Initial Exchange Offerings, involve a centralized cryptocurrency exchange facilitating token sales for new projects. In contrast to ICOs, IEOs are conducted through exchanges, allowing projects to leverage the exchange’s customer base and quickly enable trading for their tokens. Advantages of IEOs include enhanced trust due to the exchange’s due diligence on listings and immediate token liquidity.
A project that launches on a centralized exchange like Binance is typically safer than a decentralized exchange like Pancakeswap. Binance has to deal with increased regulatory pressure from centralized authorities and likes to list higher-quality projects that adhere to KYC requirements. Otherwise, it would face criticism for listing low-quality tokens.
With the IEO, the project pays a listing fee to a centralized exchange. In return, the exchange will take on the responsibility of marketing and promoting the upcoming listing. So it makes sense to list on Binance, the world’s largest exchange by trade volume, which tends to have the most power, features, and influence. New tokens on Binance can appreciate by 41% shortly after listing – a feature known as the “Binance Effect”. Projects that recently launched through Binance IEOs include Open Campus, Space ID, and Hooked Protocol, all with a 1000%+ increase at the time of this writing.
However, there are many decentralized platforms that do engage in KYC procedures. Synapse Network has a 2% acceptance rate for projects, with $15 million raised with 37 participating projects. PolkaStarter, meanwhile, allows anti-spam verification and KYC integration, with $49 million raised for over 111 initiatives. Top projects listed on Polkastarter include Galaxy Fight Club, OkLetsPlay, Humans, Wonderman Nation, and Nitro.
STOs
STOs, or Security Token Offerings, have emerged as a regulated alternative to ICOs. While ICOs lack regulation and have faced crackdowns due to scams and manipulation, STOs seek to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) requirements and securities laws. Security tokens issued through STOs represent tradable financial assets with the potential for profit. They offer benefits such as intrinsic value for tokens, reduced investor concerns about fraud due to regulatory oversight, and improved liquidity through the tokenization of various assets.
Securitize is an exceptional platform for Security Token Offerings (STOs), offering a comprehensive solution for individuals and companies seeking to create security tokens. The platform provides a highly flexible and efficient backend that assists users throughout the securities issuance process.
A notable feature of Securitize is its capability to integrate third-party applications operating on the Ethereum network. Furthermore, the Digital Securities (DS) Protocol developed by Securitize offers a seamless and compliant integration solution for issuers, investors, and exchanges, covering the entire lifecycle of digital securities, including issuance, trading, distribution, and governance.
The platform has established itself as a leading global security token issuance platform, with support from more than 10 investors, including reputable names like Morgan Stanley, Blockchain Capital, and Tezos. Other notable STO launchpads include TokenSoft and Securrency. All allow for fully compliant securities token offerings.
IDO
IDO, or Initial DEX Offering, represents a newer financing model that combines aspects of ICOs and IEOs. IDOs issue tokens through decentralized exchanges, with pricing occurring after the tokens have been circulated. One benefit of IDOs is that pre-mines are avoided. This is a means through which the founders benefited at the expense of the wider community. But IDOs do not always enforce KYC requirements and few safeguards are in place for investors.
Ethereums DaoMaker is a prime example of an IDO launchpad. It was one of the very first platforms to allow access to IDO offerings and pioneer new types of token sale formats – such as the Dynamic Coin Offering (DYCO) and the Strong Holder Offering (SHO). This changed the way that investors gained access to tokens. It has held SHOs for many successful tokens – My Neighbour Alice, Lossless Protocol, Orion Money, etc.
BSCpad is Binance’s decentralized launchpad for Binance Smart Chain. Many are unaware that while the Binance exchange is centralized, the Binance Smart Chain/BNB Chain is decentralized. Notable launches on BSCpad include Revomon, Medabots, GameZone, and AstroSwap.
PancakeSwap (CAKE) is an IDO platform and DEX that does not enforce special registration or KYC procedures. This is a huge IDO platform with over 1.6 million users. Famous IDOs that launched here include FC Porto, KALM, YieldWatch, and Horizon Protocol.
If you want to look into Web3 trading pairs on decentralized exchanges, then DEXTools.io is a terrific resource. You can analyze trading pairs cross chain and pairs are ranked with a unique score. It also lists live new pairs including token price and liquidity – you can keep tabs on your favorite pairs over time, to spot market insights.
How to Find the Best New ICO Cryptos
Finding the best crypto ICOs can be challenging – especially given how saturated the crypto market is. Websites such as CoinMarketCap, Twitter, Reddit/CryptoCurrency, CoinList and CoinGecko are great for helping you find new projects – but it is vitally important you conduct thorough and detailed research in all projects before deciding to invest in them.
Strong indicators you are in good hands include a doxxed and public development team (although meme projects often have anonymous developers), a clear roadmap and whitepaper, and strong social media following – although check post engagement and beware of bots and spam accounts boosting numbers.
The strategies below can help you to find the best ICO for your investment intent, separating the high-potential projects from those that are likely to fall by the wayside:
Review the Project’s Whitepaper and Roadmap
One of the most important things to do when considering an ICO investment is to review the project’s whitepaper and roadmap. These elements help inform whether the project will have longevity or not, which is a crucial factor in an ICO’s success. It’s also wise to ensure the whitepaper is grammatically correct and has no obvious spelling errors, which tend to be a hallmark of a hastily formulated project.
The best ICOs tend to have detailed whitepapers that clearly explain what the project looks to accomplish and how it plans to do so. The best projects set out to utilize blockchain technology to offer a solution to a real-world issue, although some – especially meme coins – deliver returns simply by capturing the current zeitgeist and gaining momentum.
The white paper should contain a detailed tokenomics section. This is a section detailing how tokens are to be distributed and at what price. It will clearly outline where the funds are going, how much is allocated to the founders, early stage investors, the public, etc.
This is very useful information because if one group has too many tokens, it could exert undue influence. You can also review any data in relation to staking, if applicable. Staking allows investors to reinvest their returns and can go up to 15% (in the case of Polkadot). This can be likened to dividend reinvesting in classical finance, which is a great way to build long term wealth.
Use Social Media
Another helpful tactic to find the best crypto ICOs is to use social media. Social media platforms such as Twitter and Reddit have become valuable resources for crypto investors since they can offer real-time insight into a project’s progress. With marketing playing a massive role in an ICO’s success, most development teams will emphasize social media to foster strong community backing.
Reddit is a particularly useful resource when it comes to finding the best ICO happening at the moment. There is a subreddit called /r/CryptocurrencyICO/ that is just dedicated to ICOs. These Reddits can provide additional context for your investment, offering views and perspectives that may not be available directly from the official website or whitepaper. Reddit is particularly useful for meme tokens like Doge (2.4 Million subscribers) and Shiba Inu (400,000 subscribers), and massive movements can grow on Reddit to support cryptocurrency projects.
For ICO updates, you will want to join Discord. Discord is often where giveaways and new info takes place, alongside Telegram. Popular Discord groups for ICO investment include Jacob Crypto Bury (best overall), Crypto Hub (good for beginners), and Satoshi’s Insights (great for analytical insights). Large communities are built on these messaging platforms with regular updates, promotions, and announcements. This is especially true for ICOs and new projects that are just getting started.
Twitter is useful for breaking news. Influential figures like Justin Sun (Tron) Changpeng Zhao (Binance), and Sam Bankman Fried (formerly of FTX) will often make tweets about events that have just happened. In many instances, you can get breaking news on Twitter, right from the hands of the company founder. While new projects will often have a Twitter account, it becomes more prevalent as Web3 projects grow in size.
Youtube is another excellent resource. JacobCryptoBury delves deeply into ICO listings and gives additional insights and perspectives. It’s useful to gain these additional insights from a group or from a seasoned professional, and this can shorten the learning curve in many ways.
Other useful Youtube resources include Ivan on Tech (250k subscribers) and BitBoy Crypto (1.45m subscribers). Each channel covers a different angle. Ivan on Tech is useful because he brings on different professionals in the industry for additional perspectives. BitBoy crypto focuses on making money quickly, and it covers the latest news and updates in the industry.
Make Use of an ICO Calendar
ICO Calendars are a great way to find upcoming ICOs. Typically, you can first view the industry, start and finish date, blockchain, and how much the ICO is expected to raise in their campaign. You can then drill into the ICO for further information.
Popular sites for upcoming and newly launched ICOs include ICO Drops and CoinCodex’s ICO Calendar.
The benefit of these calendars is that you can filter them to suit your preferences. You can filter for upcoming or ongoing presales or the type of blockchain (BTC, Ethereum, Solana, etc). This allows you to become more granular in your search. You might want to pre-register for projects so you get the very earliest stage, with the lowest price. Given the variance between start and end prices, this is an excellent advantage from an investors standpoint.
An ICO calendar easily streamlines your research. You can pick a number of upcoming or ongoing ICOs that match your search criteria, and invest amounts in them as they come up. If you schedule your investments you are less likely to engage in impulsive spending on the next hype-laden ICO.
Look At The Liquidity
Aside from completing due diligence, one of the most overlooked aspects of ICO investment for newcomers is understanding token liquidity. It‘s possible to purchase a token while remaining completely unaware that you might not be able to sell it for a lockup/vesting period. This means you will be stuck with your tokens if you want to sell after a defined period. These vesting periods are enforced to prevent speculation and ensure the long term growth of the ecosystem.
A vesting period is a time when tokens are locked, until specific conditions have been met (token generation events, centralized exchange listing, etc). A certain amount of tokens will be released at set intervals. This encourages price stability and serves as an incentive for investors. It further helps to maintain the integrity of the project.
A prime benefit is to align employees and early investors with the long-term success of the project. For example, a management team might receive 20% of tokens after the first year (the “cliff” period), with the remaining 80% released on a monthly basis over 4 years or so.
Even if you do have the token to sell, there might not be a market for it. Tokens that list on decentralized exchanges as opposed to centralized exchanges will often be far less liquid. So it’s important to investigate the vesting period for an upcoming ICO/IDO and to ensure that the token will be liquid enough for sale. Projects that launch through an exchange (IEO) will often have much-improved liquidity, especially if it’s a large exchange such as Binance.
Get Involved in Web3
The quickest way to understand ICO offerings is to take part in one of them. You can invest for as little as $20 in many instances. With $100, you could potentially invest in five ICOs and monitor the performance of each of them. This could be a much sounder investment decision rather than placing substantial amounts of capital into a new project that is going “to the moon” – at least according to the project founders.
Alternatively, you could take a full or part time position with a Web3 startup that is involved with token offerings. Smart contract developers are in demand – 117,000 Ethereum smart contracts were deployed in 2022, while there were only 205,000 deployed from 2015 to 2021. And smart contract development is not tied to crypto prices, meaning you may not run out of a job just because Bitcoin decided to take a nosedive.
Other roles include content creators, marketers, network engineers, SEO specialists, consultants, lawyers, and more. In this manner, you can see how a company goes about creating an ICO first hand, and this is the best way to gain direct knowledge of the process. Hopefully, you can see how a high quality ICO project works in practice – you might even get the chance to invest early.
Risks of ICO Investments
ICOs are inherently risky. The main reasons include a lack of regulatory oversight, unrealistic expectations on behalf of the investors, and volatility/market manipulation.
Lack of Regulatory Oversight
One of the primary risks associated with ICOs is the lack of regulatory oversight. Unlike traditional fundraising methods such as IPOs, ICOs do not typically adhere to the same stringent regulations and requirements. This lack of regulation leaves investors vulnerable to potential scams, fraud, and market manipulation.
Without proper oversight, there is a higher probability of encountering fraudulent projects or individuals who may misrepresent their intentions, inflate token values, or disappear with funds. This is often done through rug pulls or pump and dump schemes.
With a rug pull, the creators of a cryptocurrency will intentionally drain the liquidity or value of a token, leaving investors with worthless tokens. The project team can remove liquidity from exchanges or even code the tokens so they are unsellable.
Pump and Dump schemes involve the manipulation of a token (often upward) through promotional content or direct market manipulation. When the price appreciates, the fraudsters sell their tokens. Scam ICOs are more correctly described as rug pulls, where the core team intends to take off with investors’ funds.
The lack of regulatory oversight is primarily what attracted scam artists to the ICO in the first place. You have many investors eager to get in on Web3, where huge profits could be made. And you have a fundraising model that does not enforce any KYC compliance procedures.
This was made easier because the cryptocurrency markets were themselves not regulated – it was easy for traders to manipulate the price of a token, and get away with it. It is only recently that we have seen regulation enter cryptocurrency, and this still applies largely to centralized high volume exchanges as opposed to small-scale DEX exchanges.
A scam ICO can also hide its fundraising progress, preventing investors from observing how much has been raised and how much time is left. Often, this is conducted alongside claims to “get in quick” before the time runs out. Ultimately, if you detect any lack of transparency in the ICO, follow up to see if it’s legitimate.
Unrealistic Expectations (Leading to Severe Losses)
Another risk lies in the quality and viability of the projects themselves with claims that are misleading or not based on factual information. Many ICOs are launched based on whitepapers or concepts without a working product or proven track record.
Investors often contribute funds based on promises and speculation, without concrete evidence of the project’s feasibility or potential for success. People often forget that they are literally investing in a piece of paper, a theoretical blueprint – in many cases, that is exactly what they were doing. The product has not actually been launched with a live audience.
As a result, there is a significant risk of investing in projects that fail to deliver on their promises or never materialize at all, resulting in financial losses for participants. Moreover, there is a risk of poor token distribution and governance.
In some cases, ICO projects allocate a significant portion of tokens to the development team or founders, leading to a concentration of power and potential conflicts of interest. If not properly managed, this could result in decisions that do not align with the best interests of token holders, further diminishing the value of investments.
Many projects have emerged making unsubstantiated claims that are designed to hook investors. There have been multiple “Ethereum killers”, but Ethereum has not been killed, and probably won’t be. Just because a project has an interesting whitepaper and concept does not mean it’s going to be a success or hit any of its claims.
Volatility & Market Manipulation
Finally, the volatility of the cryptocurrency market poses an additional risk for ICO investors. The value of cryptocurrencies can experience significant price fluctuations, and this volatility extends to ICO tokens as well. Bitcoin is the most stable of all cryptocurrencies mainly due to its high trade volume. And it experienced large levels of volatility. So it stands to reason that lower volume ICO tokens are also going to experience even higher levels.
Large volume cryptocurrencies are more difficult to move because they take higher positions to manipulate the price. If the market capitalization of a token is $500 million, you would need very large sums to move the price. But if the market capitalization of a token is just $1 million, the amount required is relatively small, for some people and institutions.
Moreover, traditional financial markets have always been heavily regulated, with many safeguards in place against bad actors who seek to manipulate the price. Regulation within the crypto industry is not as strong, and it was almost non-existent in 2017, the days when the ICO was particularly popular.
How to Invest In An ICO
Investing in an ICO token is quite straightforward. By and large, tokens are a lot easier to invest in than other financial instruments. But you still need to get familiar with the process so you can keep your funds securely stored.
Step 1 – Choose Your ICO
We have already been over this step, but just to reiterate – you need to find the best ICO that is legit and has a strong chance of success. Check an ICO calendar to see which ones match your preferences.
Once you have decided on a suitable ICO, you can visit the page to see which type of tokens you need to invest in the project. You will want to buy a crypto that is accepted/required by the ICO. USDT and ETH are commonly accepted. If it’s a Binance-supported ICO, you might need BUSD or BNB.
The official page should also tell you key information about the project (theme, industry, token price, vesting period, etc). This is key information needed to decide whether it’s worth the investment or not.
Step 2 – Buy Your Crypto
Investing in an ICO is relatively straightforward. First, you are going to need to acquire crypto funds, most likely either ETH or an acceptable stablecoin such as USDT, USDC, BUSD, etc. You can check what tokens the ICO accepts on its official presale page. Depending on the ICO, you might have to join an exchange to take part (this would technically be an IEO, but the terms are often used interchangeably).
Step 3 – Send to a Web3 Wallet & Make Purchase
Once you have purchased your crypto on your chosen platform, you will need to send it to a Web3 wallet – MetaMask and Wallet Connect are two of the most popular options. Both allow you to access the world of Web3 tokens. Simply go to the MetaMask download page and set up your accounting, remembering to store your private keys securely.
MetaMask, for example, functions as a browser extension that connects to Web3 sites. When you go to the presale/ICO page, your MetaMask wallet will connect to the site (or your Wallet Connect). You can purchase the ICO tokens using a coin in your MetaMask wallet. Simply go to the official ICO page, connect your MetaMask wallet, and make the purchase. It should take less than a minute to execute the transaction.
You can invest in these projects to better understand the world of ICOs, and to get started with crypto investment. While the results of any investment are never guaranteed, you also have to stake a certain amount to get real experience.
Note that the exact means of ICO investment might vary depending on your preferences and on the requirements of the ICO. There might also be differences between the project launchpads, fundraising type (IDOs, ICOs, IEO), minimum requirements, and a number of other criteria that you can only find out by looking at the official page and completing your own research.
Are ICOs a Good Investment?
Although ICOs are undoubtedly a widespread phenomenon within the crypto market, can they be considered a good investment? There are definite reasons why they can be a noteworthy investment:
- Become Part of a Growing Community – Taking part in an ICO allows investors to become part of a growing community at the very beginning of the project’s life cycle. This has the added benefit of enabling like-minded people to interact with each other and form relationships whilst also providing feedback to the project’s development team.
- Huge Returns Potential – Naturally, one of the main benefits of investing in an ICO is the vast returns potential that they can offer. Since most ICOs offer tokens at a reduced price point, early investors are in a great position to benefit if/when the token is listed on a major exchange. Projects offer discounted prices to kick-start development or generate publicity and attention – which then means more investment and a higher probability of success.
- Exclusive Perks – Many ICO cryptos will offer exclusive benefits to entice early investors. The specific benefits can vary wildly but may include premium NFTs or access to merchandise. There may even be private Discord servers that only ICO investors can join, providing an incentive to participate.
Again, it is essential to note that ICOs do not guarantee profits even if the fundamentals of the project are solid and the potential is high – ultimately the market will decide success or failure.
It is also important for investors to understand their own tolerance for risk as ICOs are substantially more risky and volatile than investing in established top cryptos such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.
Best Crypto ICOs – Conclusion
In summary, this article has taken an in-depth look at the best crypto ICOs to launch in 2024, covering what they offer and why they have generated such high momentum. Thanks to the innovative use cases displayed by these projects, investors remain eager to see how well they can perform in the weeks and months ahead.
Investors will do well to remember that risk should be given equal weight to the potential rewards. This can help to avoid many of the ICO projects that turn out to have no long term viability. Returns are not guaranteed, especially when it comes to the volatile cryptocurrency markets.
One of the best crypto ICOs right now is Sponge V2 ($SPONGEV2) – a new token version of a popular meme coin. In our review, we have also talked about the best alternative to crypto ICOS – Smog ($SMOG). This is a new meme coin which has soared from a $2 million market cap to more than $60 million, in under a week.
This meme coin also offers high staking yields and airdrop rewards to token holders.
References
FAQs
How does an ICO in cryptocurrency work?
When an upcoming ICO is announced, early investors will have the opportunity to buy tokens using a ‘bridge’ cryptocurrency – such as ETH or BNB. The project’s team will provide a crypto wallet address to send funds to in return for tokens, with the token price being either fixed or variable, depending on demand.
Is investing in ICO crypto a good idea?
Investing in upcoming ICOs is inherently risky since projects are still in the early stages of their lifespan, so nobody knows for certain whether they will be successful. However, investors with a higher risk appetite can often generate considerable returns when an ICO crypto is listed on a major exchange since they will have been able to acquire tokens at a discounted price.
How do I buy crypto ICO?
Participating in an ICO is as simple as heading to the project’s official website and connecting a crypto wallet. Following this, investors will be able to buy tokens using a bridge currency (e.g. ETH, BNB), after which the project’s team will send the relevant number of tokens to the investor’s wallet.
Was Ethereum an ICO crypto?
Yes – Ethereum started as an ICO in 2014, raising over 7,000,000 ETH (around $2.2 million) in the first 12 hours of tokens going live. By the end of Ethereum’s presale, the development team had raised a remarkable $18.3 million for the project.
What are the best crypto ICOs to buy in 2024?
Out of all the projects we’ve reviewed Sponge V2, Bitcoin Minetrix, and Meme Kombat offer the most intrinsic value and upside potential. Smog ($SMOG) is our pick for the best ICO crypto alternative – 0ffering high staking yields and airdrop prizes.
