With every passing month, we’re introduced to hundreds of new potentially breakthrough ideas. As of December 2017, there are hundreds of upcoming ICOs every month. For the careful few who do their research and know exactly what they’re getting themselves into, the ‘ICO boom’ will be a great opportunity that allows them to make large amounts of money within a very short period of time.
For others, it will lead to potentially devastating losses.
What Kind of Business Are You Investing In?
Before you dive in headfirst and throw all your money into an ICO (which is definitely not recommended – no matter how great the idea may seem), it’s important that you understand exactly what kind of business you’re going to be investing in.
Investing in a brand new blockchain startup with a seemingly revolutionary idea can seem extremely appealing and exciting. However, it’s important to ask yourself: Can the team behind the idea actually execute, or is the concept just a little too far-fetched?
For obvious reasons, investing in a pre-existing business with a track record of success is likely to be a far safer bet than investing in a brand new business model with little more than an idea. And a business that has managed to finalize partnerships with reputable institutions, organizations and companies is also a solid candidate for an ICO investment.
In Practice – Promising Pre- and Post-ICOs and Ventures
Shping is a solid example of the latter high-stakes partnership acquiring ICO venture. Shping is a platform designed to make shopping smarter and more efficient. It combines a comprehensive product database with a shopper marketing and rewards platform that connects brands, retailers, consumers and other associated stakeholders.
Users simply scan any barcode using the app to learn what is in it, where it is from, and whether or not it is authentic. Users can even earn rewards for completing certain actions, such as rating products for the benefit of other users, writing product reviews, or completing questionnaires from brands.
One of the most exciting features of this decentralized platform is that it allows brands to channel their budgets to reward their users directly, instead of plowing billions into large third-party media giants like Facebook and Google.
But venture aside - adding to its credibility is the project’s high-profile partnerships including:
Rosselkhoznadzor (Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance)
The Asia Food Safety Zone in Changchun (China)
These partnerships can tell a lot about an ICO-pursuing blockchain venture and its overall credibility. Large institutions and companies showing vested interest, in form of large scale business partnerships, speak volumes about a venture’s ability to actually deliver on its roadmap promises and get-to-market after its ICO.
CanYa is a global blockchain-powered service marketplace. It gives its users the freedom to hire local experts and skilled professionals from anywhere in the world.
The team has seen phenomenal success so far. They soft-launched their initial product in Australia in late 2016 before launching their recent ICO in November 2017. It raised over $12m AUD.
One of the reasons why people were willing to put their trust in the CanYa team. Rentberry is a long-term apartment rental application that allows tenants and landlords to negotiate rental prices.
It has been operational since April 2015 (in its centralized form) and recently launched its ICO in December 2017. It is currently available all across the US and has plans to expand to Europe and Asia in 2019. It boasts over 120,000 active users and has a surplus of 224,000 rental properties advertised.
Avoiding ICO Scams
More and more websites are warning users of the potential red flags that could indicate ICO scams. Website like Top ICO Lists validate and analyze upcoming ICOs and give them a score based on many different paramters.
ICO scams are still happening - and they’re much more common than we like to believe. Before you choose to invest - and particularly if you’re investing in a brand new business that doesn’t already have an established business model and user-base - you should always ask yourself the following questions:
Does this venture really require blockchain technology?
If the project is open-source, are you able to look through the GitHub repositories?
Is the team information publicly available? Do they have sufficient experience?
Does the project have a well-designed website and an informative whitepaper?
Does the project have a clear roadmap and a timeline for investors to look at?
Does the mining structure seem fair, or does it disproportionately favor the developers?
ICOs are largely unregulated, so it’s best to err on the side of caution. If it seems like a scam, it probably is. However, for every bad ICO, there are hundreds of great opportunities to invest in a great idea and get great returns in the process. As always, just make sure to do your due diligence first!
Disclaimer: The content of this article was provided by the company, and does not represent the opinions of Finance Magnates. Finance Magnates does not endorse and is not liable for any content presented on this page.
With every passing month, we’re introduced to hundreds of new potentially breakthrough ideas. As of December 2017, there are hundreds of upcoming ICOs every month. For the careful few who do their research and know exactly what they’re getting themselves into, the ‘ICO boom’ will be a great opportunity that allows them to make large amounts of money within a very short period of time.
For others, it will lead to potentially devastating losses.
What Kind of Business Are You Investing In?
Before you dive in headfirst and throw all your money into an ICO (which is definitely not recommended – no matter how great the idea may seem), it’s important that you understand exactly what kind of business you’re going to be investing in.
Investing in a brand new blockchain startup with a seemingly revolutionary idea can seem extremely appealing and exciting. However, it’s important to ask yourself: Can the team behind the idea actually execute, or is the concept just a little too far-fetched?
For obvious reasons, investing in a pre-existing business with a track record of success is likely to be a far safer bet than investing in a brand new business model with little more than an idea. And a business that has managed to finalize partnerships with reputable institutions, organizations and companies is also a solid candidate for an ICO investment.
In Practice – Promising Pre- and Post-ICOs and Ventures
Shping is a solid example of the latter high-stakes partnership acquiring ICO venture. Shping is a platform designed to make shopping smarter and more efficient. It combines a comprehensive product database with a shopper marketing and rewards platform that connects brands, retailers, consumers and other associated stakeholders.
Users simply scan any barcode using the app to learn what is in it, where it is from, and whether or not it is authentic. Users can even earn rewards for completing certain actions, such as rating products for the benefit of other users, writing product reviews, or completing questionnaires from brands.
One of the most exciting features of this decentralized platform is that it allows brands to channel their budgets to reward their users directly, instead of plowing billions into large third-party media giants like Facebook and Google.
But venture aside - adding to its credibility is the project’s high-profile partnerships including:
Rosselkhoznadzor (Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance)
The Asia Food Safety Zone in Changchun (China)
These partnerships can tell a lot about an ICO-pursuing blockchain venture and its overall credibility. Large institutions and companies showing vested interest, in form of large scale business partnerships, speak volumes about a venture’s ability to actually deliver on its roadmap promises and get-to-market after its ICO.
CanYa is a global blockchain-powered service marketplace. It gives its users the freedom to hire local experts and skilled professionals from anywhere in the world.
The team has seen phenomenal success so far. They soft-launched their initial product in Australia in late 2016 before launching their recent ICO in November 2017. It raised over $12m AUD.
One of the reasons why people were willing to put their trust in the CanYa team. Rentberry is a long-term apartment rental application that allows tenants and landlords to negotiate rental prices.
It has been operational since April 2015 (in its centralized form) and recently launched its ICO in December 2017. It is currently available all across the US and has plans to expand to Europe and Asia in 2019. It boasts over 120,000 active users and has a surplus of 224,000 rental properties advertised.
Avoiding ICO Scams
More and more websites are warning users of the potential red flags that could indicate ICO scams. Website like Top ICO Lists validate and analyze upcoming ICOs and give them a score based on many different paramters.
ICO scams are still happening - and they’re much more common than we like to believe. Before you choose to invest - and particularly if you’re investing in a brand new business that doesn’t already have an established business model and user-base - you should always ask yourself the following questions:
Does this venture really require blockchain technology?
If the project is open-source, are you able to look through the GitHub repositories?
Is the team information publicly available? Do they have sufficient experience?
Does the project have a well-designed website and an informative whitepaper?
Does the project have a clear roadmap and a timeline for investors to look at?
Does the mining structure seem fair, or does it disproportionately favor the developers?
ICOs are largely unregulated, so it’s best to err on the side of caution. If it seems like a scam, it probably is. However, for every bad ICO, there are hundreds of great opportunities to invest in a great idea and get great returns in the process. As always, just make sure to do your due diligence first!
Disclaimer: The content of this article was provided by the company, and does not represent the opinions of Finance Magnates. Finance Magnates does not endorse and is not liable for any content presented on this page.
SMX's 1900% Surge Since November Is Not a Momentum Trade; It's Based on Transformative and Deliverable Techology
Featured Videos
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
