16+ Best Cryptos ICOs to Invest in 2024

Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) provide an opportunity for investors to get in early on the best crypto ICOs. Similar to crowdfunding, crypto ICOs enable the community to significantly influence a project’s growth while offering the chance for substantial future returns.

Given the thousands of crypto ICOs launching monthly, finding the best ones can be challenging. That’s why our team has conducted thorough research to compile a list of the top crypto ICOs available today. This page highlights the best ongoing ICOs, evaluating factors like amount raised, sellout speed, post-launch sell pressure, social media followings, pricing structure, and likelihood of hitting the hard cap. We break down how these ICOs work, why they are the best, and how to identify the top new and upcoming ICOs for your investment portfolio.

Best Cryptos ICOs 2024 List:

The 16+ Best ICOs – Ranked and Reviewed

In my view, the 16+ best crypto ICOs for 2024 are listed below:

The Top New Crypto ICOs Reviewed

I’ll now review the best ICO cryptocurrency projects listed above. I explore the upside potential, token use cases, ICO details, and other important factors.

1. Pepe Unchained – Overall Best Meme Coin ICO, $8.4M Raised

We have picked Pepe Unchained ($PEPU) as the best meme coin ICO due to its strong ICO launch, staking rewards, and high transaction speeds. 

Pepe Unchained is a new meme token that has been built on the Ethereum layer-two (L2) blockchain. The L2 chain improves the scalability, speed, and efficiency of the primary blockchain. Therefore, $PEPU token holders can benefit from low gas fees and fast transaction speeds. 

Currently, $PEPU is priced at $0.0090178 per token on the ICO round. Within just a week since the ICO launched, Pepe Unchained has raised more than $8.4 million. From a total supply of 8 billion tokens, 20% will be allocated through the ICO. 

Pepe Unchained will also allocate 30% of its token supply through staking rewards. At press time, $PEPU can be staked to earn an annual yield of more than 231%. 690 million tokens are already staked on Pepe Unchained. 

To learn more about this new meme coin, go through the Pepe Unchained whitepaper and join the Telegram channel. 

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
Pepe Unchained	PEPU	8 Billion	Ethereum	ETH, USDT, BNB, Card

Visit Pepe Unchained

2. Crypto All-Stars – Stake the Best Meme Coins On a Single Platform

Crypto All-Stars ($STARS) is an innovative crypto platform that assembles the world’s top meme coins under one roof. With its unique ‘MemeVault’ feature, Crypto All-Stars allows token holders to stake their favorite meme tokens. 

On the MemeVault, investors can stake popular meme coins such as Dogecoin, Pepe, Shiba Inu, and Brett. $STARS, the native token, will be offered as a staking reward to token holders. Notably, investors that hold $STARS tokens get 3x the normal APY on Crypto All-Stars.

This innovative utility is increasing the demand of the $STARS token during the ongoing presale. In just a few days, the Crypto All-Stars ICO has raised more than $336K. At the time of writing, $STARS is priced at $0.00138 per token on ICO. 20% of the total supply will be distributed through the ICO. 

Currently, $STARS can be staked on smart contracts to earn an APY as high as 5,466%. To learn more about the project, read the Crypto All-Stars whitepaper and join the Telegram channel. 

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
Crypto All-Stars	STARS	N/A	Ethereum	ETH, USDT, BNB, Card

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3. Base Dawgz – Multi-Chain Meme Coin Has Raised Over $2.9 Million on ICO 

Base Dawgz ($DAWGZ) is a multi-chain meme token built on the Base blockchain. $DAWGZ, the native token, has raised more than $2.9 million within a few months of its ICO launch.

Recently, new Base coins such as Brett and Toshi have offered soaring returns. However, Base Dawgz aims to offer long-term gains by providing real utility to token holders. While Base Dawgz is built on the Base chain, it uses Wormhole and Portal Bridge technology to offer multi-chain utility.

Thus, token holders can bridge over to the Ethereum, Solana, Binance, and Avalanche blockchain. Furthermore, Base Dawgz incentivizes user growth through its unique ‘Be Social for Airdrop’ campaign.

Through this campaign, Base Dawgz will allocate $DAWGZ tokens to those who post content about the platform across social media. Furthermore, 20% of the total 8.453 billion token supply will be distributed as staking rewards.

All these features have helped Base Dawgz to get off to a strong ICO launch. Currently, $DAWGZ is priced at just $0.0061 per token. For more information, go through the Base Dawgz project whitepaper and join the Telegram channel.

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
Base Dawgz	DAWGZ	8.453 Billion	Base, Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, Binance	USDC, ETH, AVAX, SOL, BNB

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4. PlayDoge – P2E Meme Coin, Over $6 Million Raised

PlayDoge is a new kid on the crypto market block. It is based on the Binance Smart Chain and is one of the top ICO currently in the market. Drawing inspiration from the 90’s cult game the Tamagotchi, PlayDoge is aiming to bring utility to the meme coin market via its play-to-earn (P2E) game. By caring for a virtual-Doge-like pet, players are able to earn $PLAY tokens as rewards.

The project has already raised over $6 million in a few months of its presale stage, which comes as the P2E market continues to grow.  According to CoinMarketCap, the category of the crypto market is currently valued at around $13 billion.

Overall, PLAY aims to replicate the success of Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and even Floki, which has soared by over 50% in the past month, with many feeling PLAY could be one of the best cryptos to buy in 2024.

From a total supply of 9.4 billion tokens, 50% has been allocated for the ICO. Another 12% will be distributed as staking rewards. As PlayDoge offers multi-chain utility, tokens can be staked on the BNB and ETH chains. $PLAY token holders can generate an annual yield of 77% and 69% by staking tokens on the ETH and BNB chain, respectively.

Currently, there have been nearly 500 million tokens staked since the launch of the presale. This ICO has already recorded a lot of interest, and the price to invest will gradually increase as the process continues. Follow the progress of PLAY on X (Twitter) and Telegram channel.

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
PlayDoge	PLAY	9.4 Billion	Binance	ETH, USDT, BNB, Card

Visit PlayDoge

5. The Meme Games – Meme Coin Offers ICO Token Bonuses By Hosting Olympics-Style Races 

One of the top-performing ICOs in 2024, The Meme Games ($MGMES), has raised more than $362 in only a few weeks since its launch. One of the top reasons for this accomplishment is the gamified presale bonuses on offer. 

The Meme Games is allowing every ICO participant to earn a potential 25% bonus on their investment by hosting Olympics-style sprints. After buying $MGMES, investors can pick a meme avatar that will represent them in a 169m dash. 

If your picked meme avatar wins the race, you will receive the bonus. The Meme Games offers unlimited race entries, giving you a greater chance of winning the token bonus. From the total supply of 2.024 billion tokens, 35.3% is being allocated through the ICO. 

At press time, $MGMES is priced at $0.0092 per token. Another 10% of the supply will be allocated through the game winnings. The Meme Games will also allocate another 10% of the supply through staking rewards. Investors can stake $MGMES and earn an APY of up to 571%. 

For more information, read the Meme Games whitepaper and join the Telegram channel. 

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
The Meme Games	MGMES	2.024 Billion	Ethereum	ETH, USDT, BNB, Card

Visit The Meme Games

6. ShibaShootout – Wild West Meme Coin with a 1,000% Staking Yield

Next up on the best ICOs list is Shiba Shootout. Shiba Shootout is set to transform the meme coin landscape with its unique blend of entertainment, utility, and community engagement. Unlike other meme coins, Shiba Shootout offers a Wild West-themed crypto experience that stands out in a crowded market.

While Dogecoin and Shiba Inu may dominate the meme coin scene for now, Shiba Shootout raises the bar with strategic utilities like the Posse Reward system, which incentivizes community growth through referral bonuses.

The Savings Saddlebags feature offers passive income by automatically saving tokens for rewards. Additionally, Cactus Staking allows users to stake tokens for growing returns, adding another layer of financial benefit.

The project is dedicated to its community with campfire storytelling events where meme and crypto stories can be traded. $SHIBASHOOT holders can also vote on crucial decisions with the Token Governance Roundups, giving you a say in the Shiba Shootout town.

With plans to expand its social media presence, list on major platforms, and launch the $SHOOTOUT academy, Shiba Shootout is on a path to crypto dominance. Join the Shiba Shootout posse and ride into the future of meme coins!

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
Shiba Shootout	SHIBASHOOT	2.2 Billion	Ethereum	ETH, BNB, USDT, Card

Visit Shiba Shootout

7. Mega Dice Token – GameFi Gem with $2.25 Million Airdrop and Casino Payouts

The next crypto on our best ICOs list is Mega Dice Token ($DICE). $DICE is the lifeblood of Mega Dice Casino, a hugely popular casino that combines gambling with cryptocurrencies for a thrilling experience.

The standout feature of $DICE is its unique staking mechanism. Unlike traditional tokens with diminishing rewards, $DICE provides daily payouts based on the casino’s performance. Considering the casino sees over $50 million wagered monthly, this can mean significant returns.

As a $DICE holder, you’re in for some sweet perks. Think VIP bonuses, rakeback deals, and weekly cashback offers. Plus, you can use $DICE directly in the casino, enhancing your gaming sessions and potential earnings.

Mega Dice recently gave away $750,000 worth of $DICE, and more airdrop seasons are coming. To qualify, wager at least $5,000 over 21 days, and you could score big in the next round. The presale has already raised $1.5 million and the $DICE token is priced at $0.0866 currently.

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
Mega Dice Token	DICE	–	Solana	SOL

Visit Mega Dice Token

8. DTX Token – Earn Rewards and Get Premium Feature Access on DTX Crypto Exchange

DTX is an innovative crypto exchange that offers over 120,000 tokenized assets, including stocks, bonds, forex, commodities, and crypto. For those with high risk tolerance, DTX allows up to 1,000x leverage. The exchange is now launching its DTX token ($DTX) in a presale.

Early investors who participate in the presale get to buy the token at a discount. Moreover, token holders will access premium features like analytics and priority customer support. The token will also be used in the governance, or to pay exchange trading fees.

The presale has already raised over $1.1 million at a price of $0.04 per token. In the next stage, the price will go up by 50% to $0.06. Those who buy early get the best price. On top of that, there are token bonuses depending on your purchase. For example, when buying $DTX tokens worth between $250 and $1,999, there’s a 5% token bonus.

Participants in the presale who buy at least $100 worth of $DTX tokens are automatically enrolled in the $1 million giveaway where DTX will give 10 lucky winners $100,000 each. To increase your chances of winning, you can complete other steps such as following DTX exchange on X and joining the DTX Telegram channel.

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
DTX Token	DTX	475 million	Ethereum	ETH, USDT, BNB, BTC, and more

Visit DTX Token

9. Doge2014 – Doge-themed Meme Coin Offers Huge Staking Rewards

Doge2014 ($DOGE2014) is a doge-themed meme token created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Dogecoin. An ERC-20 token, Doge2014 is built on the Ethereum blockchain. 

During the ongoing ICO round, Doge2014 is priced at $0.00027 per token. Notably, this token price also happens to be Dogecoin’s original price when it first launched in 2014. For the ongoing ICO, Doge2014 is allocating 60% of its total 100 billion token supply. 

In just a few days since the ICO launched, Doge2014 has raised over $15K. To attract more investors, Doge2014 is offering stellar staking rewards through its staking mechanism. At the time of writing, the staking APY is over 25,000%. 

In the long-term, a quarter of the supply will be allocated as staking rewards. Doge2014 is also using 5% of its token supply for marketing purposes, while the remaining 10% will be used to maintain liquidity. 

Read the Doge2014 whitepaper and join the Telegram channel to learn more about this project. 

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
Doge2014	DOGE2014	100 billion	Ethereum	ETH, USDT, BNB, Card

Visit Doge2014

10. SpacePay – Decentralized Token Supports Crypto Payments at Retail Locations, $200K Raised

The next top ICO to invest in 2024 is SpacePay ($SPY). This ERC-20 token has raised more than $225K within a few days since its ICO launch.

SpacePay is proving to be one of the top-performing ICOs due to its revolutionary utility. This platform facilitates crypto transactions through its POS (Point-of-Sale) terminal-agnostic payment terminal. Thus, customers can make payments at retail locations with SpacePay.

All one needs to do is scan the QR code displayed on the SpacePay device, connect their wallet, and make a payment. Merchants will have the option to receive funds in the local currency.

However, the token’s utility extends beyond the payment protocol. $SPY has been created to incentivize the platform’s adoption. Every month, $SPY will be distributed as airdrops to the most used platform members.

Your $SPY tokens will give you voting access within the platform, as well as quarterly webinar meetings with the leadership team. In the future, $SPY token holders will be the first to access new products and services on the SpacePay platform.

Due to these features, we believe that SpacePay is one of the top ICOs to take part in 2024. Currently, $SPY is priced at $0.00147 per token. For more information, go through the SpacePay whitepaper and join the Telegram channel.

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
SpacePay	SPY	34 Billion	Ethereum	ETH, USDT, USDC, Card

Visit SpacePay

11. Race to a Billion – Formula One Prediction Platform Provides High Staking Rewards

Race to a Billion ($BDJ) is a Formula One prediction platform that rewards users for successfully predicting the outcome of races. For each F1 race, users can access the Race to a Billion platform and predict the top 10 racers. 

Successful predictions are rewarded with $BDJ tokens. While $BDJ can be earned through the betting game, it can also directly be purchased through the ongoing ICO round. 

From a total supply of 2.5 billion tokens, 1 billion $BDJ tokens are being distributed through the ICO. At press time, $BDJ is priced at $0.0076 per token. Within just a few weeks, the ICO has raised more than $146K. 

To generate further rewards, investors can stake their $BDJ tokens and earn an APY of 6,250%. Another 500 million tokens will be distributed through staking rewards. So far, over 6 million tokens are staked on the staking mechanism. 

Join the Race to a Billion Telegram channel and follow the X page to learn more about the project. 

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
Race to a Billion	BDJ	2.5 Billion	Ethereum	ETH, USDT, BNB, Card

Visit Race to a Billion

12. BlastUp – New L2 Ethereum Launchpad, $5 Million Raised on Presale 

BlastUp ($BLP) is a layer-two Ethereum launchpad, giving users access to new and upcoming projects on the Blast ecosystem. $BLP, the native cryptocurrency, will be used to get a portion of BlastUp’s revenues from new projects and earn bonuses and NFT rewards.

Currently, $BLP is priced at $0.06 per token during the ongoing ICO stage. From a 1 billion token supply, 200 million tokens are being offered through the ICO. So far, the ICO has raised $8 million.

Token holders can stake $BLP on smart contracts to earn high interest and passive income. Those staked holders who invest in new IDO projects through the launchpad also earn exclusive access loyalty rewards on BlastUp.

By purchasing $BLP, you can also start collecting ‘Booster Points,’ – another utility token on BlastUp. Those holding at least 1,000 points can open a ‘Blastbox’ and win a range of NFTs and ETH tokens.

BlastUp also offers a portion of funds raised from upcoming projects to staked token holders through staking pools. All these use cases have helped $BLP blast off since its ICO launch.

For more project updates, join the BlastUp Telegram channel and follow the project on Twitter.

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
BlastUp	BLP	1 billion	Ethereum	ETH, USDT, BNB, MATIC, credit cards

Visit BlastUp

13. BTC Bull Token(BTCBULL): Earn Massive Rewards When Bitcoin Prices Soar

BTC Bull ($BTCBULL) is the latest meme coin presale, providing a special opportunity for participants to maximize the next Bitcoin bull cycle. BTC Bull Token rewards investors for staking $BTCBULL as Bitcoin prices surge.

According to the BTC Bull whitepaper, the project is built on Ethereum and provides high APY staking for early adopters. This rate, currently at over 25,000% APY, is subject to change over time.

BTC Bull developers have set certain price milestones for Bitcoin, giving BTC Bull token holders certain incentives for when BTC hits those price targets. For instance, whenever Bitcoin’s price increases by $10k, a portion of the overall BTC Bull tokens will be burnt.

In addition to the rewards, BTC Bull has a special airdrop when Bitcoin hits $100k. In the airdrop, 10% of all $BTCBULL tokens will be released to all holders, and the amount that an investor gets will depend on how many BTC Bull tokens they hold.

The recently launched crypto project is currently in its presale, and early supporters can purchase $BTCBULL at $0.000506 per token. They can purchase the meme coin with ETH, USDT, BNB, or a credit card.

50% of the total supply of BTC Bull tokens is allocated for its community private sale. For more information, view the BTCBull whitepaper and join the Telegram channel for the latest updates.

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
BTC Bull	BTCBULL	22 million	Ethereum	USDT, ETH, BNB, Card

Visit BTC Bull

14. Soldiers – Earn Token Rewards Across Various Crypto Gaming Modes

Soldiers ($SDRS) is a new cryptocurrency that allows token holders to earn rewards by engaging in various battle and competition modes.

$SDRS, the native token, has recently launched on stage one of a ten-stage gaming ICO. From a total supply of 1 billion tokens, Soldiers will allocate 250 million for the ICO. At press time, $SDRS is priced at $0.00000666667 during the first stage.

When $SDRS launches on exchanges, the price will increase by 150% to $0.00001 per token. Therefore, early ICO investors could benefit by investing in the token during the early stages.

Soldiers will allow token holders to engage in gaming modes such as ‘Rumble,’ allowing them to join a team and battle for rewards. Token rewards will be divided depending on your ranking system. The highest ranking system is the ‘General’ – which offers a 1x multiplier on the total rewards earned.

One of the upcoming features of Soldiers is the ‘Showdown’ mode, an NFT soldiers card game. You can also earn $SDRS by actively engaging with the community. A staking mechanism will be implemented in the future to reward loyal and long-term token stakers.

To learn more about this cryptocurrency, go through the Soldiers whitepaper and join the Telegram channel.

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
Soldiers	SDRS	1 billion	Solana	SOL

Visit Soldiers Token

15. Coindexer – Decentralized Cryptocurrency Offers a Robust Security Network and Advanced Trading Tools

Coindexer ($COINDEX) is a decentralized crypto platform that bridges the gap between decentralized and centralized trading. The native token, $ COINDEX, has recently launched its ICO campaign and is priced at $0.00156 per token.

$COINDEX has a total supply of 5 billion tokens, of which 2.5 billion are being allocated for the ICO. So far, the ICO has raised more than $20K in a few weeks. Early ICO investors can benefit from the high staking yield Coindexer offers.

At press time, investors can stake their holdings on Coindexer and generate an annual yield of 3,087%. 10% of the total supply will be offered as staking rewards in the long term. Importantly, Coindexer’s centralized and decentralized trading features will play an integral role in attracting investors to the ICO.

For decentralized traders, Coindexer offers a number of robust security features, such as penetration testing, rigorous code reviews, and smart contract audits. Furthermore, investor’s funds are stored in multi-signature wallets. For traders that use centralized exchanges, Coindexer comes equipped with a number of advanced trading tools, such as stop-loss orders, limit orders, and margin trading.

These factors can help build demand for the ongoing $COINDEX presale. To learn more about this new cryptocurrency, go through the Coindexer whitepaper and join the Telegram channel.

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
Coindexer	COINDEX	5 billion	Ethereum	ETH, USDT

Visit Coindexer

16. Healix – AI-Integrated Platform Making Health and Well-being More Affordable

Healix (HLX) is operating in a multi-trillion marketplace; health and well-being. It has developed an inclusive ecosystem that’s fueled by artificial intelligence and data science. It aims to make healthcare more affordable. Healix has created a mobile app that connects healthcare practitioners and fitness coaches to the masses.

The app leverages biometrics to obtain real-time data, which is securely held on the blockchain. This offers many use cases, such as sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and wellness scoring. It also offers AI-backed training, allowing users to set and track fitness goals.

There is also a rewards-based system, meaning users can earn HLX tokens when achieving health objectives. HLX is also a payment currency, enabling users to purchase health services and well-being products. The Healix ICO is in stage one, so just over $62,000 has been raised so far. This enables early investors to secure the lowest price of $0.03.

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
Healix	HLX	1 billion	BNB Chain	BNB, USDT

17. Eosi Finance – Private-Round ICO With an Immediate Upside of 850%

Eosi Finance (EOSIF) has developed a consumer-friendly trading platform that supports passive investing. Put simply, users can copy pre-vetted crypto traders like-for-like. Anything the trader buys or sells is replicated in real time. Eosi Finance has also integrated AI solutions. This helps users to choose the best trader based on their goals and risk tolerance.

The platform is on-chain, meaning that Eosi Finance never touches client funds. Instead, users securely connect a wallet and enable smart contracts to execute positions. The platform is also cloud-based, ensuring server uptime around the clock. EOSIF is the native ecosystem token backing the project.

It’s currently being sold via a private round ICO, which anyone can access. The current ICO price is just $0.10. This increases to $0.60 when the public round starts. After the ICO, EOSIF will be listed on exchanges at $0.95. This offers an 850% upside for private-round investors. However, there is a vesting period, where 25% of tokens are released every four months.

ICO Project	Ticker	Total Supply	Chain	ICO Payment Methods
Eosi Finance	EOSIF	80 million	Polygon	MATIC

What Is a Crypto ICO?

ICOs are initial coin offerings. They’re similar to initial public offerings, as they enable crypto projects to raise funds from retail investors. The process is simple; ICO investments are made with popular coins like ETH or USDT. In return, ICO investors receive the project’s native tokens.

This means ICO investors are buying a brand-new token before it launches on exchanges. Put otherwise, it’s like buying into a startup before it lists on a stock exchange. Just like ICOs, this offers preferential pricing for early investors. This is because you’re backing a project before it becomes mainstream.

However, ICOs are very risky. You’re often investing before the project has a working product or service. It might never achieve its goals and objectives, which can leave ICO investors with worthless tokens. That said, due to the increased risks, ICO investors expect significant returns.

ICO Example: As per CoinCodex data, Solana held its fundraising campaign in April 2018. Early investors paid just $0.22 per SOL. Solana has since achieved an all-time high price of $260.06. This represented returns of almost 12,000%. So, for every $1,000 invested, you could have returned $120,000.

Is an ICO the Same as a Crypto Presale?

The terms ‘ICO’ (Initial Coin Offering) and ‘presale’ are often used interchangeably in the crypto space, and they essentially refer to the same fundraising mechanism. Both terms describe a process where new cryptocurrency projects sell their native tokens to raise capital for development and marketing efforts. The key point is that anyone can participate in a presale or ICO, provided they have the necessary funds and a compatible crypto wallet.

In most cases, the project will conduct the fundraising campaign directly on its official website. Potential investors simply connect their wallets, select their preferred payment currency (e.g., ETH, USDT, or even BTC), and proceed to purchase the tokens at the presale price, which is often lower than what it will be post-listing.

After the presale or ICO concludes, the tokens are typically listed on exchanges to facilitate trading. While this is often done through decentralized exchanges (DEXs) like Uniswap or PancakeSwap, some projects manage to secure listings on centralized exchanges (CEXs) like Binance or Coinbase right from the start, offering broader market access and potentially higher liquidity for early investors.

ICOs vs. IEOs

Another term you’ll likely come across is IEOs or initial exchange offerings. IEOs are different from ICOs. This is because IEOs are held directly on crypto exchanges. This comes with several benefits. For a start, IEOs are typically pre-vetted by the exchange platform.

This gives investors confidence, as the project will have gone through a KYC (Know-Your-Customer) process. The exchange will also evaluate the project goals, token use cases, and smart contract audit. In addition, the tokens will usually be listed on the respective exchange once the IEO is over. This can offer immediate liquidity, although this depends on the exchange.

In contrast, ICOs sell their tokens directly to investors. While this means projects aren’t pre-vetted, ICO investors generally get a much better deal. I found that ICOs offer staggered pricing structures, meaning early investors secure the lowest entry price. What’s more, anyone can invest in an ICO. IEOs, however, might only be available to investors from eligible countries.

How Do Crypto ICOs Work?

The best crypto ICOs are brand-new projects, so can yield significant upside. However, the investment process is different from buying tokens on an exchange.

Therefore, if you’re new to cryptocurrency ICOs, I’ll now explain how the process works. This will ensure you avoid mistakes, which can lead to a loss of funds.

Assessment Period

Once an ICO launches, new investors will initially research the project. This often means reading the whitepaper and exploring the token use cases. However, an increasing number of ICOs are launching without whitepapers or roadmap targets – especially meme coins

This isn’t necessarily a drawback. After all, dogwifhat doesn’t have a whitepaper – and it’s since hit a $4 billion valuation. That said, investors should still research the tokenomics, such as the total token supply, whether there’s a transaction tax, and the network standard (e.g. Ethereum or Solana).

Token Creation

ICOs sell brand-new tokens before they trade on crypto exchanges. In the majority of cases, the tokens will be created before the ICO launches. This enables investors to evaluate these smart contracts and ensure they have been audited. Otherwise, there is a risk that the smart contract can be changed, resulting in a rug pull. More on this later.

The created tokens will operate on a legacy blockchain network. This makes it easy for investors to buy the token. For instance, Slothana is built on the Solana blockchain, which is popular with new meme coin projects. This means investors can buy Slothana with SOL.

Soft and Hard Caps

Most ICOs come with a soft cap target. This is the minimum amount the project needs to raise during the cryptocurrency ICO. If the soft cap isn’t reached, then investors will receive their funds back.

The hard cap is the maximum amount the project wants to raise. Once reached, the ICO will usually end. However, some projects continue raising funds even though the hard cap has been achieved.

Setting up an ICO Order

ICOs usually run on the project’s website. Investors are required to connect a wallet, such as Phantom or MetaMask. They can choose their preferred payment currency (e.g. ETH) and type in the number of tokens they want to buy.

After confirming the order, the payment currency will be deducted from the wallet. The ICO tokens will then be deposited into the same wallet. This sometimes happens after the ICO has finished.

Exchange Listing

The final stage of the ICO process is exchange listings. This means the ICO tokens will be listed on public exchanges, allowing anyone to buy or sell them. Most projects will opt for a decentralized exchange (DEX) to begin with. No application is required; anyone can list tokens on DEXs like Jupiter and Uniswap.

The project will choose the initial listing price and add liquidity. This ensures new investors can trade the tokens in smooth market conditions. Once trading begins, ICO investors will hope the token price increases. This will happen if the token attracts more buyers than sellers. However, the opposite can also happen, meaning the token price declines.

Why Invest in Initial Coin Offerings?

I’ll now reveal the core benefits and why people invest in new ICO crypto projects. After that, I’ll move on to the risks.

Long-Term Profit Potential

Investing in the right ICO can yield significant long-term profits. This is because you’re investing in a new project from the ground up. While investments can take several years to truly blossom, ICO returns can be substantial. Crucially, you’re taking on increased risks by investing in an unproven concept, so high returns should be expected.

Let’s consider some real-world examples. I mentioned earlier that Solana raised funds at $0.22 per SOL in 2018. In 2024, SOL hit all-time highs, increasing by almost 12,000% from its initial funding price. What’s more, many investors believe Solana is still worth a fraction of its true potential. So sizable gains are also possible during the next bull cycle.

Similarly, Ethereum has also rewarded early backers as one of the biggest ICOs in history. As per CoinCodex data, Ethereum’s ICO was priced at $0.31 per ETH. In 2021, ETH hit all-time highs of almost $5,000. This represents ICO gains of over 1.6 million percent. Just like Solana, Ethereum has a long way to go before reaching its true potential.

A more recent success story is Avalanche. CoinCodex data shows that the Avalanche ICO sold AVAX for just $0.50. AVAX hit an all-time high of $146.22 in late 2021. This represents gains of over 29,000% for ICO investors. That’s $290,000 for every $1,000 invested.

An Opportunity to Make Rapid Short-Term Gains

The most substantial ICO returns are made when investing long-term. This is evident with projects like Solana, Ethereum, and Avalanche. However, ICOs are also ideal for making short-term gains. This is because ICO projects typically have a small market capitalization.

So, when the tokens list on exchanges, they can increase at a much faster pace than large-cap projects. What’s more, there’s often FOMO (fear of missing out) when an ICO sells its full allocation. This means investors will often buy the tokens once they trade on public exchanges.

A recent example is BOOK OF MEME. According to CoinCodex data, BOOK OF MEME was listed at $ 0.00005880 on March 14th, 2024. Just two days later, BOOK OF MEME hit an all-time high of $0.02805. This early means investors made over 47,000%.

Secure an ICO Discount

Another benefit of investing in ICOs is that many campaigns offer discounted pricing. This means investors can secure an upside before the tokens list on exchanges.

Fun Fact: The biggest and most successful ICO ever is EOS. The EOS ICO, which concluded in 2018, raised more than $4 billion. Today, EOS is worth just over $1 billion – highlighting that many ICOs fail to live up to expectations

What are the Risks of Initial Coin Offerings?

Even the best ICOs are inherently risky.

Consider the following risks before investing in an initial coin offering:

• Scams: Some ICOs are scams, meaning the sole aim is to defraud investors. The project might have no intentions of achieving success. Rather, these ICO scams will collect funds from investors before disappearing. Therefore, research is crucial when investing in ICOs.
• Contract Amendments: Another risk is that ICO projects could amend the smart contract. For instance, they might restrict sell transactions. This means people can buy the tokens but not cash out. To avoid this risk, make sure the smart contract has been audited and renounced. This means the contract can’t be changed.
• Price Depreciation: ICO token prices will rise and fall once listed on exchanges. This can’t be controlled by the ICO project, as crypto prices are determined by market forces. If the price declines below what you paid during the ICO, you’ll be running at a loss. The best defense here is to ensure you’re well-diversified.
• Wallet Hacks: ICO tokens are deposited into the investor’s wallet. This also presents a risk, as wallet hacks are increasingly becoming popular. If the wallet is hacked remotely, the ICO tokens will be stolen. This is also the case for any other tokens stored in the wallet. Ensure you’re using a reputable wallet with suitable security controls.

How to Find the Best Crypto ICOs

I’ve explored the benefits and risks of new ICOs. Next, I’ll explain how to find the best upcoming ICOs with the most potential. After all, there isn’t a centralized database with ICO listings, so you’ll need to put in some legwork.

X (Previously Twitter)

I’d suggest starting with X when searching for the best ICOs. This is the de-facto social media platform for crypto projects. Growing a strong following on X is crucial to building a strong crypto community, which is why it’s often the first port of call for ICOs.

First, search for #ICO and focus on the most recent posts. You might find an ICO gem straightaway. Similarly, it’s worth searching for #presale too. In addition, there are also pages on X dedicated exclusively to upcoming ICO campaigns. ICO Announcement is a good example, as it has over 477,000 followers.

ICO Aggregation Websites

Next, check out some of the leading ICO aggregation websites for the best upcoming ICOs. These platforms offer an initial coin offering list in real-time, so you can find suitable projects on upcoming ICO lists at the earliest stage possible. It is also worth checking out some of the best crypto ICO launchpads.

The two market leaders in this space are ICOBench and ICO Drops. Their crypto ICO list will state the start and end dates, current fundraising amount, pricing, and links to the respective website.

Telegram Groups

I’d also suggest finding some top-rated Telegram groups that specialize in crypto investments. More specifically, make sure the group is focused on finding small-cap gems, which should include ICOs.

Prioritize groups with the largest number of members providing valuable alpha on ICO hot lists, as these are likely to be active.

Reddit 

The best crypto ICOs are often advertised or discussed on Reddit. The best group is r/CryptocurrencyICO, which has over 187,000 members.

Just be careful when engaging on Reddit, there are many scammers. Never click links from Reddit and avoid responding to private messages.

How to Invest in an ICO

Once you’ve discovered the top ICOs for 2024, you’ll need to complete an investment.

The step-by-step process for how to buy ICO tokens is summarized below:

• Step 1: Get Some Crypto: You’ll need some crypto before you can invest in an ICO. Visit the ICO website and check what coins are accepted. If it’s an Ethereum-based ICO, you can typically use ETH and USDT. If it’s Solana-based, then you’ll likely need SOL. The best altcoins can be purchased at reputable exchanges like eToro, Coinbase, and Kraken.
• Step 2: Transfer Crypto to a Wallet: Once you’ve bought crypto from an exchange, transfer the coins to a suitable wallet. A good option for Ethereum-based ICOs is MetaMask. Phantom is a good option for Solana-based ICOs.
• Step 3: Connect Wallet to ICO Website: You should now have a funded wallet. Next, connect the wallet to the ICO website. You’ll need to confirm authorization from within the wallet.
• Step 4: Set up ICO Order: After connecting the wallet, fill out the ICO order form. You’ll need to select the purchase currency (e.g. ETH or SOL) and type in the investment size.
• Step 5: Complete ICO Investment: Check everything is correct and confirm the ICO investment. Finally, open your wallet and provide authorization for the transaction.

Once authorization is provided, a smart contract will complete the investment. This means the original coins are deducted from your wallet. Then, the ICO tokens are deposited into the same wallet.

Top ICO List: Conclusion

ICOs are inherently risky. But by conducting adequate research and ensuring you’re well diversified, ICOs can generate significant profit potential. In my view, Pepe Unchained is the best crypto ICO for 2024.

This is a Pepe-themed meme token built on Ethereum’s L2 blockchain. $PEPU, the native token, offers huge staking rewards and charges low gas fees per transaction. So far, Pepe Unchained has raised over $8.4 million on presale.

Visit Pepe Unchained

FAQs

What is an ICO in cryptocurrency?

ICOs are initial coin offerings, which allow investors to buy a brand-new crypto token before the broader market. The tokens will be listed on exchanges after the ICO, often at a higher price.

How do I buy a crypto ICO?

Interested participants can buy an ICO simply by heading to the project’s official website and connecting their crypto wallet. Investors will be able to buy the ICO tokens using a bridge currency such as Ethereum, BNB, USDT/USDC, etc. On the distribution date, the project team will send the relevant number of tokens to the investor’s wallet.

Are crypto ICOs legal?

ICOs are legal in most countries, but there are some exceptions. Some countries require ICOs to be registered as securities, while others ban them outright. Check the laws in your home country before investing in ICOs.

Are ICOs safe to invest in?

The investment process itself is safe, but not all ICOs are credible projects. Ensure you’re well diversified, conduct plenty of research, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

What are the best crypto ICOs to buy right now?

Some of the best ICO cryptos are Pepe Unchained, Crypto All-Stars, PlayDoge, and Base Dawgz. This covers a blend of niches, including meme coins, VR gaming ICOs, and sustainable transportation.

Are ICOs a good investment?

Picking the right ICO can yield significant gains, especially if the project becomes mainstream. However, most ICOs fail, meaning you could lose money, so be sure to DYOR to ensure you are only participating in the best upcoming ICOs.

Where to buy crypto ICOs?

After finding your top pick on X, ICO aggregator platforms, Telegram groups, or Reddit, you can buy crypto ICOs through the project’s official website.

Can you still make money with ICO?

Short answer: Yes. While you can still make money with ICOs, ICO investing requires thorough research and due diligence to identify promising projects and avoid scams. Having a good nose for spotting vibrant communities and strong development teams is key to making money with ICOs.

References

1. Crypto gets crazy again with dog-inspired tokens and Bitcoin eyeing $45,000 (Bloomberg)
2. Consumer warning about the risks of Initial Coin Offerings (‘ICOs’) (FCA)
3. How to avoid getting duped by a bogus initial coin offering (CNBC)
4. A blockchain start-up just raised $4 billion without a live product (CNBC)
5. Risks of cryptocurrencies, initial coin offerings and other digital tokens (MoneySense.gov)