Fat Protocols | Union Square Ventures

Many of the established rules about building businesses and investing in innovation don’t apply to this new model and today we probably have more questions than answers. But we’re quickly learning the ins and outs of this market through our blockchain portfolio and in typical USV fashion we’re going to share that knowledge as we go along.

Source: Fat Protocols | Union Square Ventures

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The Blockchain Revolution will not be a dinner party | Stephane Laurent 罗思凡 MBA | Pulse | LinkedIn

More recently, major banks in Russia have adopted blockchain technology to make transactions more efficient and safer. Also, a number of former Soviet republics have started using it to secure property titles. Finally, Dubai aims at becoming the world’s first government to utilize Blockchain for all transactions by 2020

Source: The Blockchain Revolution will not be a dinner party | Stephane Laurent 罗思凡 MBA | Pulse | LinkedIn

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Startup Management » Safe ICO Practices (SIP)

In a nutshell, there are four commonly emerging areas where a lot of the risk can build-up:The amount of disclosure about the token creation event (the sale itself)Decisions around the terms structure of these offeringsThe ongoing level of credible transparency about the evolution of the project, post-saleToo much speculative activity in the public exchanges prior to going live, causing a disconnect between value and valuationNote that the following set of thoughts are not regulatory prescriptions. They are suggested practices, that once properly implemented could help to avoid unnecessary regulation. At least, they could contribute to promoting a more healthy self-discipline by ICO practitioners.

Source: Startup Management » Safe ICO Practices (SIP)

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Crypto Valley Association Comes Out in Support for Careful ICO Regulation; Announces ICO Code of Conduct | Crypto Valley

The announcement describes the development of an official, CVA-supported ICO Code of Conduct, a framework designed to guide ICOs on proper conduct, taking into account all legal, moral, and security obligations. The ICO Code of Conduct is expected to bring clarity and confidence towards a new, rapidly-growing asset class.

Source: Crypto Valley Association Comes Out in Support for Careful ICO Regulation; Announces ICO Code of Conduct | Crypto Valley

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The ICO Governance Deficit | CoinDesk

An irony of the SEC’s finding on The DAO is that — the infamous hack aside — from one standpoint The DAO was an unusually investor-friendly token. Specifically, its governance was structured in a manner akin to a New England town hall: investors would have had voting rights over all potential DAO projects.

Source: The ICO Governance Deficit | CoinDesk

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A Brief Introduction to Token Sales – A blog by Vinny Lingham

Firstly, you have to ask yourself, what is your token good for and why will people buy it?

Secondly, you have to design your token in such a way that it makes sense to prospective users, and be as clear as you can when you describe the terms and functionality in connection with the sale of the tokens. A token sale is essentially the same as a crypto currency — e.g., Bitcoin or Ether — but the distinct difference is that you’re not offering a crypto coin that is mined with consensus rules, instead you’re offering a token, for example Civic (CVC), which might have a special purpose (smart contracting, etc). Tokens are typically not mined — they merely sit on top of the crypto platform they are issued upon.

Source: A Brief Introduction to Token Sales – A blog by Vinny Lingham

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Utility Coins or Crypto Assets? Token Terminology Is One Big Gray Area | CoinDesk

“The majority of ICOs that are happening now are in fact securities and should follow the standard process for securities offerings. They are fooling naive investors into believing that they are buying a piece of decentralized infrastructure when, in fact, they are only buying the promises of the management team.”

Source: Utility Coins or Crypto Assets? Token Terminology Is One Big Gray Area | CoinDesk

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ICOs: 10 things that cool me off | Hacker Noon

… most projects are about deep tech but very rarely address the business aspects: how they will grow their audience and adoption, how the token will gain in value beyond the speculative activity of a token once listed in an exchange. I want to know if the company has the ability to build a real business and not just a great tech. You can find this answer also in the profile of the team, if they have a good track record or deep expertise in the domain they are addressing. But in my experience this topic is just simply too many times ignored. And for a reason: it is REALLY hard and difficult to get something marketed right.

Bottom line: Blockchain is supposed to disrupt the way Trust is built. If you can’t send positive signals of trust during your ICO process who will trust you for your mission

Source: ICOs: 10 things that cool me off | Hacker Noon

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