Creating a new token and selling it to fund the development of software has become a preferred way of fundraising for cryptocurrency entrepreneurs. It’s a tempting tool, allowing startups to avoid traditional investors, build a community and allow anyone anywhere to own a stake in the project. For participants, there is the promise of big financial upside and being part of novel undertakings.

Lisa Cheng, whose consulting firm Vanbex has accompanied many crowdsales, joined us for a discussion of this revolutionary way to fund and monetize open source software.

Topics covered in this episode:

Why crowdfunding and cryptocurrency are a natural fit
A brief history of crowdsales in the cryptocurrency space
US securities law and the questionable legality of token sales
The value of writing a solid white paper before launching a sale
Elements of a successful coin launch
The role of companies like Swarm and Koinify in conducting crowdsales

Episode links:

This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain and Sébastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/071

Lisa Cheng: Token Sales and Crowdfunding in the Cryptocurrency Space