ICOs are another form of cryptocurrency that businesses use in order to raise capital. Through ICO trading platforms, investors receive unique cryptocurrency “tokens” in exchange for their monetary investment in the business. It is a means of crowdfunding through the creation and sale of a digital token to fund project development. This unique token functions like a unit of currency that gives investors access to certain features of a project run by the issuing company. These tokens are unique because they help fund open-source software projects that would otherwise be tough to finance with traditional structures.

Utility tokens, called “user tokens” or “app coins,” represent future access to the business’s product or service. Through utility tokens, ICO startups can raise capital to fund the development of their blockchain projects in exchange for users’ future access to the service. Utility tokens are not designed to be a standard investment for a share of the company, and, if properly structured, this feature exempts utility tokens from federal laws governing securities.

Contrary to utility tokens, if a token derives its value from an external, tradable asset or it can increase in value based upon the efforts of others, it may be classified as a security token and become subject to federal securities regulations. Failure to abide by these regulations could result in costly penalties and may threaten to derail a project. Therefore, a business must meet all of its regulatory obligations.

Once the token is properly classified, a wide variety of applications are permitted, the most promising being the ability to issue tokens that represent shares of company stock.Online retailer Overstock.com (“Overstock”) is currently involved in this practice. Overstock announced that tZERO, one of its portfolio companies, would hold an ICO to fund the development of a licensed security token trading platform. The tZERO tokens are issued in accordance with SEC regulations, and Overstock’s CEO, Patrick Byrne, stated that token holders would be entitled to quarterly dividends derived from the profits of the tZERO platform.

An Initial DEX Offering (IDO) is a crowdfunding technique that allows cryptocurrency projects to launch their native token or coin through a decentralized exchange (DEX). The IDO model is the infamous successor to ICOs, which allows projects to launch on their own to raise money for growth and development. This guide will look at what an IDO is in crypto, the different kinds of token offerings, how to participate in an IDO, and much more!