Initial Coin Offering (ICO)
Definition
A fundraising mechanism where new cryptocurrency projects sell tokens to early investors in exchange for capital, similar to an IPO but typically with fewer regulatory protections.
Example
Ethereum's 2014 ICO raised $18 million from early investors who received ETH tokens before the network launched.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Question
What is an ICO (Initial Coin Offering)?
An ICO raises crypto capital by selling new tokens before launch. Unlike IPOs, ICOs are largely unregulated — most ICOs in the 2017 boom failed or were scams. Modern alternatives include IDOs and IEOs.
APA Citation
Last updated:
· Source: VixShield Trading Glossary — From SPX Mastery by Russell Clark
⚠️ Not financial advice. This definition is educational content from the SPX Mastery book series by Russell Clark (VixShield). Past performance is not indicative of future results. Trading options involves substantial risk of loss and is not appropriate for all investors. Always paper trade before risking real capital.