Initial Coin Offering (ICO)

An initial coin offering (ICO) is a fundraising method where a cryptocurrency project sells newly issued tokens directly to the public. It is typically conducted before a project is fully developed and is used to raise capital for development and operations. Participants usually purchase tokens using established cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ether. ICOs are managed by the project team rather than an exchange and rely on smart contracts for token distribution. While ICOs can provide early access to a project, they also carry higher risks due to limited regulation. Initial coin offerings were one of the earliest methods of blockchain-based fundraising.