An ICO (Initial Coin Offering) is an initial offering of tokens or coins, a mechanism by which a project raises financing for its implementation. Participants purchase the tokens issued by the project, and the funds collected are directed toward developing a product, most often related to blockchain and information technology. In its logic, an ICO can be compared to an IPO — a public offering of shares on the classic stock market — although the legal and technical nature of these processes differs.

During an ICO the team usually publishes a document describing the idea, the technology and the terms of the token issuance (the so-called white paper). Investors assess the project's prospects and decide whether to participate in the offering. Tokens can grant various rights: access to a future service, participation in governance or other functions declared by the project.

What to pay attention to

• The transparency of the team and the thoroughness of the documentation.
• The realism of the stated goals and the roadmap.
• The legal status of the tokens and the applicable regulation.

An ICO involves heightened risks: not all projects reach implementation. There are also related fundraising formats, for example TGE (Token Generation Event). Before participating, it is important to study the project yourself and not rely on promises of returns.