Home Cryptocurrency 10 Best ICO Crypto Tokens to Watch & Invest in January 2024
Kane Pepi Financial Writer Expert Author expertise
Disclosure
Disclosure
In our content, we occasionally include affiliate links. Should you click on these links, we may earn a commission, though this incurs no additional cost to you. Your use of this website signifies your acceptance of our terms and conditions as well as our privacy policy.

Don’t invest unless you’re 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.

Initial coin offerings (ICOs) enable investors to buy quality cryptocurrencies before they are listed on an exchange. In turn, this enables investors to secure an early-bird discount on their ICO investment.

The top ICOs offer the chance to get into new and exciting projects ahead of the rest of the market, although they do come with increased risk over longer-established cryptos as they have no proven utility or market.

In this guide, we explore the 10 best crypto ICOs for February 2024.

  • Eco-Friendly Mining
  • Democratizing Mining
  • Dynamic Staking System
Project Launched
September 2023
Purchase Methods
  • ETH
    ETH
  • BNB
    BNB
  • USDT
    USDT
  • Card
    Card
  • +1 more
  • Stake-to-Bridge System
  • Play-to-Earn Game
  • 40% Staking APY
Project Launched
December 2023
Purchase Methods
  • Card
    Card
  • USDT
    USDT
  • ETH
    ETH
  • PvP Betting Integration
  • Strong Branding
  • Automatic Presale Staking
Project Launched
September 2023
Purchase Methods
  • ETH
    ETH
  • USDT
    USDT
  • BNB
    BNB
  • Green Transport Focus
  • Power Staking Rewards
  • Digital Identity Development
Project Launched
2023
Purchase Methods
  • ETH
    ETH
  • USDT
    USDT
  • Card
    Card
  • Blockchain-Powered Casino
  • Massive Giveaway
  • Free Credits Upon Entry
Project Launched
2023
Purchase Methods
  • USDT
    USDT
  • BNB
    BNB
  • ETH
    ETH

The Top 10 Upcoming Cryptocurrency ICOs to Watch

Looking for ideas to invest in crypto ICOs? Before delving into our analysis of the best crypto ICOs, here’s a list of the 10 ICO projects that we will be discussing:

  1. Bitcoin Minetrix– One of the more exciting ICOs we have come across in quite some time, Bitcoin Minetrix does something that normally guarantees a token success; solves a crypto problem. In this project’s case, it is cloud mining. Thanks to their revolutionary idea, they hope to put the power back into investor’s hands.
  2. Sponge V2– For those that need a refresher Sponge Token was one of the most successful meme coins of 2023. For current holders and for those that missed out the rebirth is now here in the form of Sponge V2. An exciting stake-to-bridge process and an upcoming P2E game means that the second version could be even better and bigger than the first.
  3. Meme Kombat– A play on the famous video game Mortal Kombat this new P2E meme-focused game does exactly what it sounds like, pits memes in a fight against each other. You can play against the computer and other investors, or even wager on the outcome of fights. This game has it all.
  4. eTukTukA green crypto project from Sri Lanka that targets the modernization of TukTuks to electric power, reducing carbon emissions and offering a potential 400% boost in driver earnings. The project, backed by The Capital Maharaja Group, aims to make electric vehicles and charging stations accessible and affordable.
  5. Scorpion CasinoAn online gaming platform that merges gaming and sports betting in a blockchain-backed setup. It has raised over $460K in presale for its $SCORP token, offering passive income of up to $10,000 USDT daily.
  6. CyberConnect – This new ICO is raising capital to revolutionize the social media industry. CyberConnect is building a decentralized social media platform that protects privacy and ensures users own the content they publish. The latter is achieved through NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain.
  7. SupraOracles – This innovative project specializes in oracles. Put simply, oracles connect blockchains and smart contracts with real-world data. This is a crucial concept for the development of the Web3 era. SupraOracles claims to be faster and more secure than other Oracle protocols in this space.
  8. Tectum – Tectum claims to be the fastest blockchain globally, with verified outputs of over one million transactions per second. Moreover, Tectum transactions do not attract any fees. Tectum operates a layer 2 solution for Bitcoin. This will enable Bitcoin to operate in a more efficient and cost-effective way.
  9. Backstage – This new ICO crypto project bridges the gap between real-world events and blockchain technology. Whether it’s nightclubs, festivals, or sports matches – Backstage helps entertainment companies make the transition to Web3 technologies.
  10. Artyfact – Artyfact is building a decentralized gaming ecosystem that will support multiple genres and titles. All games will be accessible in the Artyfact metaverse and follow the play-and-earn concept. Artyfact claims that all its games will be AAA quality and enable players to earn crypto rewards and NFTs.

Reviewing The Best ICOs of This Year

Read on to discover our full analysis of the best crypto ICOs in 2024.

#1. Bitcoin Minetrix- This project could change cloud mining for the better

btc minetrix Before getting to how Bitcoin Minetrix (BTCMTX) will solve the problem, let’s examine the root of it. Bitcoin mining can be a touchy subject both inside and outside crypto circles. Environmental groups are upset about the amount of energy mining uses, and regulation could curtail it in the future. Of course, a lot of crypto enthusiasts also don’t agree with the scale Bitcoin is now mined. Back in the day, it was more decentralized and was more easy for individuals to partake in

Today, it is only a tiny percentage of crypto enthusiasts can actually mine due to the industrial scale of the operation now and the knowledge needed to be able to carry out the process. Cloud mining was supposed to solve this as it allows individuals to take part in mining through cash contracts with leasing companies.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t panned out like that. Individuals are being priced out of the market by exorbitant fees, and that’s best case scenario because the sector is full of scammers. The market has been screaming for something different, and Bitcoin Minetrix has come to the table with the solution. They will introduce staking into the process, which will give the power back to the investors.

How it works is investors can stake their tokens immediately after purchasing them and then their options are wide open. They can retain them and earn a passive income through a generous APY or they can earn some Bitcoin. The staked tokens can be exchanged for mining credits and these are burned for either mining time or a percentage of the spoils.

The key thing here is the investor is in control every step of the way. There are no hidden fees and of course, staked tokens mean more security. This is why it ranks so high on the 10 best ICOs list as we think investors are going to love this project.

Token Info Bitcoin Minetrix
 Presale Started September 26st, 2023
 Purchase Methods USDT, ETH
 Chain Ethereum
 Hard Cap $32,000,000
 Min Investment $10
 Max Investment  None

#2. Sponge V2- One of the best ICO crypto tokens to watch is actually an old favorite 

SpongeBob We think that in years to come, when we look back at 2023, we will remember it as the year of the meme coin. They dominated the market and the media attention. That meant the competition was stiffer, so Sponge Token (SPONGE) standing out as one of the best tokens is even more impressive than it might seem. Now we have Sponge V2 ($SPONGV2), the rebirth of this meme coin.

The new token will be purchasable via a stake-to-bridge system. How this works is quite innovative and will reignite interest in the initial token while building a strong foundation for version 2 to thrive on. When buying or staking Sponge V1 through the website, the user will receive an equivalent amount of Sponge V2. These will then be claimable once the allocation of V1 runs out and V2 is launched.

sponge v2 banner

If $SPONGEV2 can even have a percentage of the success that the first version had it will be a great success. Birthed in the aftermath of Pepe Coin, Sponge Token was launched on Uniswap with very little fuss. However, it went from strength to strength after this.

The meme coin pumped by an amazing 340% and made investors very rich almost overnight. It also hit a market cap of over $100 million at its peak. It’s social following also exploded with over 30k followers across its platforms. Its popularity also led to it being listed on exchanges like LBank and Gate.io. The version 2 token will hope to follow this lead and stake-to-bridge should ensure an easy transition.

The staking adds a lot of valuable utility to the second version of SPONGE, which should help insure against any big dump off of tokens. More utility will later be added through a P2E game that is going to be the crabby patties of the meme coin world. There will be free and paid versions of the game, the latter will allow users to earn even more $SPONGEV2.

Token Info Sponge V2
 Presale Started December 18th, 2023
 Purchase Methods Only Available through Stake-To-Bridge
 Chain Ethereum
 Hard Cap $150 Billion
 Min Investment None
 Max Investment  None

#3. Meme Kombat- This could be the most fun P2E game yet!

meme kombat logo Every now and then a project comes along that really gets us on the edge of our seats in anticipation. Meme Kombat ($MK) is certainly the latest ICO to do just that. We are huge fans of the Mortal Kombat game series so to now have a crypto version of that is super exciting.

What we really love is the amazing original artwork and graphics that are already up on the site. It gives us a window into how fun this can be. You will also see some if not all of your favorite memes are going to be included in this game. They will do battle in an arena and your options as an investor are endless.

meme kombat

Our favorite aspect is the wagering. The only thing missing from fun battle games is being able to bet on outcomes but Meme Kombat gives us just that. What’s even better is the amount of betting options available. Investors can bet straight up against the computer, they can bet against other players, or they can even bet on different markets that don’t just relate to the direct outcome of a fight. It’s practically like a sportsbook.

While battling and betting are the main components of the game they have also cleverly made sure staking has a big role to play within the ecosystem. It is separate from the game but is a very clever tactic to give the project a little more security.

30% of the total allocation of 12 million tokens will be dedicated to staking and game rewards. This is the crucial part as the project has shown its dedication to rewarding loyal players. This should reduce any potential volatility and will leave this ICO in a very strong position once listings begin.

Token Info Meme Kombat
 Presale Started September 21st, 2023
 Purchase Methods USDT, ETH
 Chain Ethereum
 Hard Cap $10,000,000
 Min Investment 0.015 ETH
 Max Investment  None

#4. eTukTuk – Green Crypto Rewarding A Switch To Electric Vehicles By Increasing Drivers’ Earnings by 400%

etuktuk The eTukTuk platform in Sri Lanka aims to transform traditional TukTuks into electric vehicles, helping reduce carbon emissions and increasing economic opportunities. This shift towards electric power will reduce carbon emissions and make the air cleaner.

Furthermore, eTukTuk could boost TukTuk drivers’ income by 400% due to lower operating costs. At press time, ETukTuk’s native crypto, the $TUK token, is in its whitelist stage.

eTukTuk Price Prediction

Sri Lanka, home to numerous TukTuks, is an optimal location for launching this platform. Moreover, the project has gained backing from The Capital Maharaja Group, a prominent Sri Lankan conglomerate, promising the affordability and availability of electric vehicles and charging stations.

The plan also includes installing solar-powered Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) across the city and suburbs. 

As per the eTukTuk whitepaper, token holders are incentivized to stake their tokens to support these charging stations and could earn attractive annual returns.

Besides the environmental impact, eTukTuk aims to address social inequality by leveraging blockchain technology to assign digital identities for increased financial inclusion.

In essence, eTukTuk seeks to show the potential of green technology to create a future where sustainable transportation and economic growth coexist without harming the environment. 

Stay updated on the progress of eTukTuk by joining their Telegram channel.

Token Info eTukTuk
 Presale Started 2023
 Purchase Methods BNB, USDT, Card
 Chain BNB
 Hard Cap 2,000,000,000
 Min Investment None
 Max Investment  None

#5. Scorpion Casino – Crypto-Betting And Gaming Platform With Passive Income Opportunities, Raised Over $460K

scorpion casino logo Scorpion Casino, an emerging online gaming and sports betting platform, leverages blockchain to offer a unique gaming experience.  

Licensed by Curacao EGaming, the platform offers various games and betting options. It features over 360 games, live betting, and strong fair-play measures.

The platform’s native SCORP token is currently up for presale at $0.014 USDT, with a projected listing price of $0.05 USDT. 

The presale has already raised over $460K, offering token holders a promising passive income opportunity of up to $10,000 USDT daily.

Scorpion Casino Presale

Scorpion Casino includes a gaming platform, a SCORP token, and a rewarding affiliate system. The affiliate system boosts user activity with rewards, while the SCORP token grants governance rights and additional user benefits.

With a total supply of 1 billion, SCORP is the platform’s primary transaction method. As the platform grows, token holders can expect regular bonuses, free games, and a slice of transaction taxes.

Scorpion Casino-Disrupting Gambling Industry

There’s an extra 1% burn tax per transaction to create deflation. This slowly decreases the circulating supply of SCORP tokens, enhancing their value due to scarcity.

Also, to promote fairness and user engagement, substantial tokens are reserved for the presale and rewards for affiliates. Scorpion Casino aims to transform online gaming and sports betting into a fair, lucrative, and engaging experience through these features.

For updates, join the Scorpion Casino Telegram Channel.

#6. CyberConnect – Bringing Decentralization and NFTs to Social Media 

CyberConnect is another one of the best upcoming ICOs to watch. CyberConnect is revolutionizing the social media industry and through blockchain technology, it is creating a decentralized alternative to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Its ecosystem will enable developers to create social apps and tools that respect privacy. What’s more, social media profiles on CyberConnect are backed by NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. Posted content, such as photos and images, are also backed by NFTs. This ensures ownership remains in the hands of the user.

CyberConnect ICO

Another feature of CyberConnect is encrypted messaging. This ensures that users can chat in complete privacy without fear of a Facebook-style data leak.

The CyberConnect ICO is about to start, with three million CYBER tokens being sold. This ERC-20 token is priced at $1.80 per CYBER. The ICO only accepts USDT.

#7. SupraOracles – Fast, Scalable, and Secure Oracles for the Web3 Era 

SupraOracles is an innovative project that specializes in oracles. In a nutshell, oracles connect blockchains with off-chain data from the real world. For example, consider a smart contract that pays out an insurance claim automatically if a flight is delayed by more than three hours.

SupraOracles provides this information autonomously by extracting data from trusted sources. This enables smart contracts to revolutionize every industry imaginably. For example, financial services, gaming, prediction markets, cybersecurity, retail payment, and much more.

SupraOracles

SupraOracles also claims that its underlying protocol is faster and more secure than oracle providers. What’s more, SupraOracles will also support cross-chain functionality. This will enable two or more blockchains to collectively extract data from the real world.

The SupraOracles ICO is scheduled to begin in May 2023, visit the SupraOracles website to get the whitelist.

#8. Tectum – Layer 2 Solution for Bitcoin With Over 1 Million Transactions per Second  

Tectum has developed a layer-2 solution for the Bitcoin blockchain. Put simply this means that Bitcoin transactions can operate more efficiently.

For example, the original Bitcoin blockchain can only handle seven transactions per second – Tectum claims that its proprietary solution will handle over one million transactions per second.

Tectum ICO

Moreover, Tectum also is also revolutionizing Bitcoin fees with its SoftNote solution supporting fee-free transactions. That said, it is important to remember that Bitcoin is also supported by the Lightning Network. As such, Tectum will need to convince investors that its layer-2 solution is more efficient.

If it does, this could be one of the best ICO cryptocurrency projects to watch. The ICO is already underway, with 8% of the total token sold so far – Tectum has set a soft and hard cap of $2 million and $10 million respectively. Currently, Tectum tokens are priced at $3 each.

#9. Backstage – Event Management and Ticket Sales via Web3 Technologies 

Backstage is creating a sea-change in the entertainment industry through Web3 technologies. The project – which serves event organizers like nightclubs and football clubs, streamlines the end-to-end consumer experience.

For example, Backstage enables companies to offer NFT ticket experience, with each ticket backed and secure because of blockchain technology and a collectible in its own right.

Backstage ICO

Furthermore, Backstage will also enable event organizers to accept crypto payments – online and offline. In addition, all ticket sales and transactions will be posted to the blockchain, which  will provide event organizers with a secure and efficient auditing process.

The use of blockchain and cryptocurrencies will also enable entertainment companies to reduce transaction fees. This is because tickets can be sold directly to consumers. The Backstage ICO is selling BKS tokens at $0.02 each. 19% of the total supply will be sold.

#10. Artyfact – Decentralized Ecosystem for AAA Quality Play-and-Earn Games 

Artyfact is our final pick for the best ICO tokens and is a project that’s developing a decentralized ecosystem for play-and-earn games. All supported games will be accessible via its metaverse world.

What’s more, Artyfact states that all titles will be of AAA quality – this will ensure that players remain engaged with games, rather than focusing exclusively on earning rewards. After all, many argue that play-to-earn games have proven to be unsustainable in the long run.

Artyfact ICO

The in-game currency of this gaming ecosystem is ARTY. Users will earn ARTY when completing tasks and progressing through their chosen game, while users can also earn NFTs when exploring the Artyfact metaverse.

The Artyfact ICO is currently ongoing and has already raised $1.3 million, over half of its $2.4 million target. Currently, Artyfact is offering ARTY tokens at $0.30 each – the ICO will end on June 30, 2023, with tokens set for listing on LBank.

What is a Crypto ICO?

Put simply, a crypto ICO enables new blockchain startups to raise funds. Investors swap an established cryptocurrency, like Ethereum, for the project’s native token – after the crypto ICO, the tokens will trade on exchanges.

Initial coin offerings (ICOs) – also commonly referred to as presales – are a fundraising process run by new cryptocurrency projects. In simple terms, ICOs enable new projects to raise funds from investors.

The process is very similar to initial public offerings (IPOs) but instead of providing early investors with stocks, ICOs distribute their native cryptocurrency tokens.

The best crypto ICOs offer the benefit of a first-mover advantage before the tokens are listed on exchanges. And just like IPOs, ICO investors usually receive a discounted cost price to generate hype funds for the project’s future development.

This often enables investors to secure an immediate upside on their ICO investment as the ICO token will likely be listed at a higher price when it reaches the wider public.

One of the most notable ICOs of all time was run by Ethereum. In 2014, Ethereum sold ETH tokens at just $0.31 each. Investors in the Ethereum ICO have since witnessed life-changing returns, with ETH currently priced at more than $1,800.

Investors must remember that not all ICOs are successful and, in fact, most will never realize their roadmap objectives.

This makes ICO investing challenging, especially considering how many new cryptocurrencies enter the market each day. Research, due diligence, and diversification are so important.

How do Initial Coin Offerings Work?

The vast majority of initial coin offerings work in the same way.

  • First, the new project will create its native token. This will usually be built on top of a legacy network like Ethereum or Binance Smart Chain.
  • The crypto project will then offer its native tokens to early investors, usually at a discount. Investors will need to use an established cryptocurrency to invest in the ICO. This will vary depending on the project but is usually a choice between ETH, BNB and USDT.
  • Once the investor has completed their purchase, they will receive their ICO tokens. This will either be when the investment is made or after the ICO finishes.
  • Investors are then free to do what they wish – sell them on exchanges or hold for the long term.

Some of the best ICOs have ‘staged’ pricing. This means that after each batch is sold, the ICO price increases. For example, the yPredict ICO is currently offering $YPRED tokens at $0.07. But by the final round, this will have increased to $0.11 – an increase of 57%.

Nonetheless, after the ICO campaign is over, the crypto tokens will then be listed on exchanges. This enables those who missed the ICO to buy the token and also enables ICO investors to sell their tokens, should they wish to lock in an immediate upside.

Depending on how much hype the ICO creates, the exchange listing can be a monumental moment for the project. That is to say, if the ICO token witnesses huge buying pressure, it can go on to generate significant growth. But equally, some ICO tokens do the complete opposite. As such, consider the risks before investing in crypto ICOs.

How to Evaluate the Worth of an ICO Token

Evaluating the worth of the best ICO tokens should come from thorough research and general market sentiment – the top ICOs tend to have robust tokenomics, huge followings on social media, new and unique Web3 concepts, and, in ideal cases, an experienced and transparent team.

As we discuss in more detail later, reading the project’s whitepaper, going through its social media pages to gauge sentiment and researching the website will give potential investors a solid overall understanding of how new ICOs may perform.

It is also important to understand that even if a project ticks all the boxes for potential success, it is not guaranteed but more of a marker to potential success.

Furthermore, as has been shown with the meme coin frenzy, speculative crypto investors often value rapid growth potential over fundamentals or long-term utility – some projects may take much longer to reach their potential than others.

Investors should be aware of their own appetite for risk and patience.

Why Invest in ICO Cryptos?

The crypto ICO investment thesis is very similar to growth stocks. This is because investors buy new and unproven tokens with the hope of outperforming the market – while ICO returns can be significant, so can the losses.

In this section, we explain some of the benefits of investing in crypto ICOs and how to decide what ICO to invest in.

Are ICOs Worth Investing?

In short, yes, the best upcoming ICOs are absolutely worth investing in, but they come with a much higher risk factor than longer-established cryptos as they have no proven utility or market for their services.

As mentioned above, it is crucial that investors are aware of their own patience, appetite, and tolerance for risk and realize that even the best new ICO cryptos are not guaranteed to be successful.

Some projects generate huge hype in their ICO, explode in price, then retrace and never pick up momentum again, while others take months and years to complete the targets on their roadmap – with the price of the tokens seeing volatility in between.

Investors can use different strategies for their top ICO list. In late 2022, for example, Tamadoge offered TAMA tokens for $0.01 in the first ICO stage and then listed them on exchanges for $0.03.

Those who sold immediately upon listing were able to all but guarantee 200% gains, turning $100 into $300 and minimizing their risk and exposure to a drop in price. However, by selling early, those investors missed out on TAMA’s quick rise to $0.194 – a 1,900% gain.

Invest in Brand New Projects 

One of the main attractions of ICOs is that they offer exposure to brand-new projects. In fact, the respective cryptocurrency token will not trade on public exchanges until after the ICO. This offers early-bird access, often to new and innovative concepts.

  • This is similar to investing in stock IPOs.
  • For example, those investing in the Tesla IPO in 2010 were taking a major bet that electronic vehicles would eventually take off.
  • Back in 2010, the markets were still undecided on this concept.
  • However, investors have since been handsomely rewarded, with Tesla stock up nearly 13,000% since its IPO.

This concept is much the same as crypto ICOs. For example, those buying ETH tokens during Ethereum’s 2014 ICO have since witnessed gains of over 1.6 million percent. But back then, nobody quite knew whether Ethereum would be successful.

Discounted Entry Price 

Some of the best ICO cryptos offer a discounted entry price. This means that the tokens will be listed on exchanges at a higher price than ICO investors paid.

For example, yPredict is currently selling YPRED tokens at $0.07 each. After the ICO, YPRED will be listed on exchanges at $0.12. This means that current ICO investors will see an upside of 70%.

yPredict presale

Securing an ICO discount can also help amplify gains if the token takes off. For example, suppose that once listed, yPredict goes from $0.12 to $0.18. This represents gains of 50%. However, those who paid $0.07 during the ICO will have made over 120%.

Small Market Capitalization  

Another benefit of ICOs is that they usually represent small-cap investments. This is because the project is brand-new, so it will have a low valuation.

Moreover, small-cap projects have limited liquidity. This means that increased buying pressure can result in rapid growth quickly.

How to Find the Top ICOs to Invest in

Let’s explore some popular ways on how to find the top ICOs in 2024.

Locate a Shortlist of Upcoming ICOs

The first step when considering how to buy ICO tokens is to create a shortlist of upcoming ICOs that are building innovative products or services. There are various online sources that help with this.

For example, platforms like ICODrops offer an initial coin offering list that is updated in real-time. Each listing will display information about the ICO, such as its hard cap target and dates.

ICOdrops

Another source is CoinMarketCap, which lists some of the best upcoming ICOs. However, its top ICO list is limited compared to ICODrops and other sites.

Read the Whitepaper

Now that a shortlist has been created, the next step in how to find ICOs is, of course, to conduct comprehensive research. The easiest way to do this is to read the project’s whitepaper.

The best ICO tokens should contain clear and concise information related to:

  • The overall objective explains what the crypto startup aims to achieve. This is often a solution to a real-world problem or an innovative product or service.
  • The roadmap strategy outlines its core objectives and when the project will achieve them.
  • The tokenomics of the project, such as the number of tokens being created and how they will be distributed.

After reading the whitepaper, it’s worth exploring whether any similar concepts already exist. If it does, consider whether the ICO project does anything different. If it doesn’t, it is probably worth avoiding.

Evaluate the Token’s Utility 

The next step is to evaluate the utility of the ICO token being sold. If the tokens offer real-world value to holders, this is a major green flag.

Choosing ICOs with actual utility is crucial. After all, consider that the vast majority of the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization have some form of utility and use case, the notable exception being some meme coins.

Things to Consider When Investing in Crypto ICOs

Not all crypto ICOs are successful, so some consideration should be made before proceeding.

  • Volatility: The crypto markets are ultra-volatile. This is especially the case with ICO cryptos. After all, new crypto tokens often have a small market capitalization, meaning low liquidity levels. As such, there is every chance that the value of the ICO token will decline after it is listed on an exchange. This will result in financial loss.
  • Oversaturated: Crypto ICOs enable new startups to raise funds outside of the regulated securities market. This has resulted in the ICO market becoming oversaturated. As such, investors will have hundreds of ICOs to choose from at any time. This makes it difficult to know which ICOs to opt for.
  • Diversification: A key benefit of oversaturation is that it makes diversification easier. For example, rather than investing $1,000 in a single ICO, consider investing in 10 projects at $100 each. Even if nine of the ICOs fail, just one successful investment can yield significant returns.
  • Scams: Some crypto ICOs turn out to be scams. In this instance, the project has no plan to meet any of its roadmap targets. Instead, the ICO will raise as much money as it can before disappearing. It can be difficult to distinguish between legitimate and scam ICOs. As such, keep ICO investments modest and again, ensure that the portfolio is well-diversified.

How to Invest in an ICO

The ICO investment process is much the same across the board. For instance, most ICOs accept payment in established cryptocurrencies like ETH, USDT, and BNB or debit/credit card.

In return, ICO investors receive the project’s newly created tokens. There is often no requirement to open an account or even provide any personal information when investing in ICOs. Instead, investors simply connect their crypto wallet to the ICO website and transfer their preferred tokens as payment.

Here’s a real-world example of how to buy ICO tokens with the Wall Street Memes ICO:

  • Step 1: Get a Crypto Wallet: A crypto wallet is needed to invest in ICOs, as well as receive and store the purchased tokens. MetaMask is a popular option. It’s free to download and available as an iOS/Android app and a browser extension for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Brave.
  • Step 2: Get Crypto to Pay for ICO Investment: Next, the investor will need to acquire a cryptocurrency that is accepted by the ICO. In the case of Wall Street Memes, its ICO accepts Ethereum, USDT, and BNB. These cryptocurrencies can be purchased from most exchanges, often with fiat money.
  • Step 3: Transfer Crypto to Wallet: The next step is to transfer the purchased crypto to the wallet. Copy the wallet address from MetaMask and transfer the tokens from the crypto exchange.
  • Step 4: Set up ICO Order: Next, visit the Wall Street Memes presale page. The ICO order box is situated to the right of the homepage. Choose the payment cryptocurrency from ETH, USDT, or BNB. Then, type in the number of tokens to swap for $WSM. Check everything is correct before clicking on ‘Buy Now.’
  • Step 5: Connect Wallet and Buy ICO Tokens: A pop-up box will now appear. Choose the crypto wallet provider that is currently storing the tokens. For instance, Metamask. A notification will then appear in the wallet asking for confirmation of the Wall Street Memes ICO purchase. After confirming, the tokens will be exchanged for $WSM.

In most cases, including Wall Street Memes, the purchased $WSM tokens can be claimed after the ICO finishes. Simply head back to the Wall Street Memes website after the ICO to claim the tokens.

Are Crypto ICOs Safe?

Not all crypto ICOs are created equal. By this, we mean that some ICOs are scams. Common scam include ‘rugpulls‘, when the ICO founders run away with investor funds, or ‘honeypots’ – where scammers send out smart contracts with hidden codes that mean only they can access funds.

Moreover, the founders will often dump their own tokens once they are listed on exchanges – the result is that ICO investors are left with worthless tokens.

  • Hacking attempts are also an issue associated with ICOs.
  • For example, bad actors will try to convince an investor to provide their wallet private keys.
  • The scammer will then drain the crypto tokens stored in the wallet.
  • This can also be achieved through phishing websites and keyloggers.

That said, the good news is that many crypto ICOs are legitimate. They are typically run by credible developers who want the project to succeed. And if it does, the value of the ICO token can increase significantly. But just remember that the opposite can happen too. Ultimately, after the ICO tokens are listed on exchanges, their value is determined by market forces.

Conclusion 

In summary, ICO investments are increasingly becoming popular as ICOs enable investors to gain exposure to new projects from the ground up – not to mention secure a discounted price before the tokens are listed on exchanges.

One of the best ICO tokens available right now is Sponge V2. Its ICO has already raised over $1.5 million in just a couple of weeks, illustrating the popularity of its $WSM coin. The platform has been backed by the support of over a million followers across several social media channels, with even Elon Musk interacting with its Tweets.

At the time of writing, tokens are available for $0.031 USDT in its 21st presale stage, with the price to rise further until the 30th round.

FAQs

What is an ICO in crypto?

Are crypto ICOs legal?

What are the best upcoming ICOs?

What is the most promising ICO in 2023?

Kane Pepi Financial Writer Expert

Kane Pepi Financial Writer Expert

Kane Pepi is a hugely experienced finance writer, with over 2,000 published articles covering everything from the top trending crypto coins to how to buy stocks.

Present research interests include the money laundering threats found within the virtual currency arena. This includes knowledge of blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, consensus models, mining capabilities, the strengths and weaknesses of initial coin offerings (ICOs) and virtual regulation.

Kane holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and a Master’s Degree in Financial Crime. He has now begun his Doctorate journey.