3 things we need to see in future ICOs.

1.- A higher (much higher) degree of transparency and accountability. Blockchain is already a great step forward in terms of decentralization, efficient crowdfunding and attractive investment opportunities for the 99% at very early stages of high risk / high yield projects, but there is still room for development in terms of transparency and accountability. We have watched some shady ICOs turn into open fraud. Some people have lost their investment after buying a cryptocurrency that never had a sound business model backing it. We demand, as a community, to see much more value-adding projects, solid business cases and long-term self-imposed transparency mechanisms.

2.- A more ambitious approach towards global challenges. Future ICOs could bring much more value to the world economy if they go beyond disruptive business models and propose moonshots aimed at contributing to solve aspects of the greatest global challenges, such as hunger, extreme poverty, climate change and biodiversity loss. The opportunities are there. Why can’t the next ICO address climate change and carbon footprints? Why can´t the next ICO propose a solution (and a sound business case) to protecting ecosystems while empowering communities with sustainable agriculture models? Why can’t the next ICO blow our minds with a plan to improve the existent medical research networks and get us closer to curing diseases like cancer and diabetes? Commitment to causes (deep-rooted, ambitious philanthropic and environmental causes) other than the mere economic benefit, will surely be rewarded by the crypto community.

3.- Proof of concept. We (the community) need to see that the people launching an ICO have invested themselves enough effort and resources as to have already some value backing their project. Those who have been creative during the scarcity of resources at the early stages of their projects are the ones worth investing in because they will also be creative during the abundance once we have invested in their projects and they have raised millions of dollars. Let them prove the value of their project and their own investment before we all invest.