What are your thoughts on initial coin offerings (ICOs)? Are there any you are interested in? In the future, the possibility of funding new initiatives and creating ventures on a global basis without the traditional limitations, is going to open up new opportunities for companies. However, investors will first have to swim in waters infested with unscrupulous people and their Ponzi scheme shitcoins. The primary purpose of an ICO should be to fund a worthwhile product or project that is already achieving success, not to “generate value” or “take growth to the next level.” I’m sure there are some that are very interesting, but at least 95% of the ICOs out there have none / very few of the basic fundamentals. Does that mean we should have a regulatory agency decide which ones are good or bad? No. It will require more maturity among investors in identifying Ponzis. The best way to learn which ICOs are worth it is to lose money. Waiting for the wash-out. When these people promise great riches, they usually mean for themselves. If you have a viable product… build it first and they will come! I do not treat these technologies as investments but learning opportunities.

This is part of a talk which took place on March 20th 2017 at the Singapore Management University for the Singapore Bitcoin & Ethereum meetups: https://www.meetup.com/BitcoinSingapore/events/237307480/

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Andreas M. Antonopoulos is a technologist and serial entrepreneur who has become one of the most well-known and well-respected figures in bitcoin.

Follow on Twitter: @aantonop https://twitter.com/aantonop
Website: https://antonopoulos.com/

He is the author of two books: “Mastering Bitcoin,” published by O’Reilly Media and considered the best technical guide to bitcoin; “The Internet of Money,” a book about why bitcoin matters.

THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Internet-Money-collection-Andreas-Antonopoulos/dp/1537000454/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

MASTERING BITCOIN: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Bitcoin-Unlocking-Digital-Cryptocurrencies/dp/1449374042

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Outro Music: “Unbounded” by Orfan (https://www.facebook.com/Orfan/)
Outro Graphics: Phneep (http://www.phneep.com/)
Outro Art: Rock Barcellos (http://www.rockincomics.com.br/)

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31 COMMENTS

  1. Couldn't Agree with you more Andreas, I've seen so many scam type ico's coming out it's crazy. I'd been calling this the ultimate ponzy scheme myself, so I'm glad I've found someone else who agrees! I look at many micro cap companies as they are usually start up type companies, hundreds have hopped on the bandwagon for no reason besides the hype behind cryptocurrencies. To Know where true value lies, everyone much do much Due Diligence!! To a Better Tomorrow!

  2. I enjoy your commentary, though I must admit your "we should activate SegWit now" comment a while back resulted in me directly moving from a BIP9 to a BU pool. I am happy you use BTC and makes me open to SegWit. It would be useful to have a technical discussion as it seems to be "gold (segwit) v currency (BU)". Thank you.

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