Best Crypto Presales to Invest in

Explore the most promising crypto presales to invest in, from trending Web3 altcoins to innovative new blockchain projects and must-have meme coins. Get ahead of the market by downloading the Best Wallet app now and uncover the best crypto opportunities today!

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By Michael Clark

Last Updated: Feb 21, 2025

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With the highly-anticipated bull run approaching, traders and crypto enthusiasts are foraging for unique crypto presales. While Bitcoin and Ethereum retain market dominance, presale projects typically offer the most significant gains. Crypto presales let traders buy in early, but choosing wisely is key.

We’ve analyzed the market and identified seven standout presales. These projects span DeFi, AI, gaming, and meme coins, each showing strong potential based on tokenomics, use cases, and community backing.

7 best crypto presales to consider in 2025

These nine startups are the best crypto presales for 2025:

  1. Solaxy ($SOLX): The best crypto presale overall, innovative Layer-2 network for the Solana blockchain.
  2. BTC Bull Token ($BTCBULL): The first bitcoin-linked meme token with direct BTC airdrops.
  3. MIND of Pepe ($MIND): AI agent with autonomous growth and community Interaction.
  4. $Best Token ($BEST): Small-cap utility token with wallet-based use cases and industry-leading staking rewards.
  5. Meme Index ($MEMEX): Meme coin baskets with varying risks, rewards, and portfolio methodologies.
  6. Harry Hippo ($HIPO): Hippo-themed meme coin project with GameFi and Metaverse features.
  7. SpacePay ($SPY): London-based fintech startup streamlining crypto payments for traditional retailers.
Buy the Best Crypto Presales on Best Wallet

Exploring the best crypto presales

Brand-new projects run most presale events, so you’re likely getting into projects before the core product or use case has been developed. This should be a reminder that presales are risky, so interested parties should conduct independent research before proceeding. 

This section discusses the most promising crypto token sales in more detail. Read on to choose a presale project that aligns with your long-term goals and risk tolerance. 

1. Solaxy (SOLX): First Layer-2 solution for Solana program library projects

Why we picked Solaxy:

  • Our top pick for people looking for a crypto presale with high-staking rewards
  • Announced as the soon-to-be world’s first Layer-2 solution for Solana
  • Over $21 million has already been raised

Solaxy is the overall best option from our crypto presales list. This startup is developing the world’s first Layer-2 network for Solana. This means that Solana Program Library (SPL) projects, such as meme coins and lending platforms, can bridge to Solaxy and benefit from more reliable transactions. Unlike the core Solana blockchain, Solaxy can handle unlimited throughput.

In turn, SPL projects will operate at maximum efficiency no matter how many transactions are processed. In contrast, the Solana blockchain regularly struggles to meet increasing demand, especially when trading volumes are high. This often results in failed or delayed transfers, so Solaxy’s solution will appeal to a wide range of projects.

Solaxy presale dashboard homepage.

Solaxy’s ecosystem is governed by SOLX tokens, which are required when executing transactions. Those transactions are verified on its layer-2 network before being added to Solana in batches. SOLX is available to buy via the presale event, with about $18.6 million raised so far. The presale is currently priced at $0.001638, and ETH, USDT, and BNB are accepted. 

Presale ProjectSolaxy
Token SymbolSOLX
Network StandardERC-20
Amount Raised$21 million
Accepted CurrenciesETH, USDT, BNB
Current Price$0.001638
KYC Required?No
Buy Solaxy on Best Wallet

2. BTC Bull Token (BTCBULL): Bitcoin-linked meme token with direct BTC airdrops

Why we picked BTC Bull Token:

  • Earn free Bitcoin whenever BTC reaches a new price milestone
  • A $25K jump in Bitcoin’s price triggers an automatic burn of $BTCBULL tokens
  • Presale buyers get a high dynamic APY on staking $BTCBULL

BTC Bull Token is a promising crypto presale that links its progress to Bitcoin’s performance. Whenever BTC crosses $150K, $200K, and beyond, $BTCBULL holders receive actual BTC. These airdrops get sent to holders’ BTC addresses via Best Wallet in proportion to how many tokens were bought in presale.

Built on Ethereum, BTC Bull Token offers a dynamic APY (currently over 200%). There’s a total supply of 21 billion $BTCBULL. Each time BTC rises by another $25K, a portion of $BTCBULL gets permanently burned, reducing supply to ensure a sustainable price momentum.

BTC Bull Token crypto project.

BTC Bull Token’s presale is live on its official website, with over $2 million raised already. Buyers can purchase BTCBULL using ETH or USDT—connect a wallet like Best Wallet if you want a simpler way to track balances and receive BTC airdrops.

It’s also worth noting that when Bitcoin reaches $250,000, early supporters will receive additional rewards via a massive airdrop.

Presale ProjectBTC Bull Token
Token SymbolBTCBULL
Network StandardERC-20
Amount Raised$2 million
Accepted CurrenciesETH, USDT, USDC, BNB, Card
Current Price$0.002365
KYC Required?No
Buy BTC Bull Token on Best Wallet

3. MIND of Pepe (MIND): Top-rated AI agent ecosystem with self-sovereign project decisions

Why we picked MIND of Pepe:

  • One of the top crypto presales from the AI agent niche
  • All project decisions are made autonomously in a self-sovereign environment
  • Has the ability to create and launch new tokens based on real-time trends

MIND of Pepe is one of the most innovative presale campaigns in the market today. This highly advanced initiative has developed an AI agent. It operates as a self-sovereign personality, with all project decisions made autonomously. Whether it’s listing on decentralized exchanges, deploying a marketing strategy, or providing community support, there’s no human input. 

Instead, MIND of Pepe’s AI agent is completely free from manual intervention. For example, it can share posts on Reddit or enter debates on X. It shapes its dialogue based on existing narratives, allowing the MIND community to grow at the fastest rate possible. MIND of Pepe’s capabilities doesn’t stop there, with the AI agent being able to create new tokens. 

MIND of Pepe presale homepage.

Those tokens can be launched on exchanges autonomously, providing MIND holders with even more long-term value. These innovative characteristics have resulted in over $6 million put towards the MIND presale. A discounted rate of $0.0033454 per MIND is currently available, alongside staking rewards of up to 350%. The presale accepts ETH, USDT, and BNB.

Presale ProjectMIND of Pepe
Token SymbolMIND
Network StandardERC-20
Amount Raised$6.4 million
Accepted CurrenciesETH, USDT, BNB
Current Price$0.0033454
KYC Required?No
Buy MIND of Pepe on Best Wallet

4. $Best Token ($BEST): Wallet-backed utility token with a highly-rated crypto launchpad

Why we picked Best Wallet:

  • Strong token utility is provided when using the Best Wallet app
  • Holders get priority access to launchpad projects
  • Other perks include enhanced staking rewards and discounted fees

Best Wallet, a non-custodial crypto wallet app for iOS and Android, recently launched its presale event. Supporters are buying BEST Tokens in their droves, with over $10 million already raised. We found that Best Wallet is one of the top cryptocurrency presales for utility, considering BEST provides wallet users with multiple use cases.

This includes access to industry-leading staking rewards, with BEST holders receiving boosted APYs. Holders can also access Best Wallet products and services with discounted fees. Not to mention the right to vote on Best Wallet proposals, which shape the project’s direction. That said, one of the best use cases is priority access to Best Wallet’s crypto launchpad.

Best Wallet Token presale homepage.

This is where innovative crypto startups raise capital, with Best Wallet pore-vetting all projects. Only BEST holders can tap into the first launchpad stage’s potential, benefiting from the lowest valuation. Catslap and Pepe Unchained are recent examples of launchpad successes, with both providing backers with sizable gains. The current BEST price is just $0.024025 via the presale event.

Presale ProjectBest Wallet
Token SymbolBEST
Network StandardERC-20
Amount Raised$10 million
Accepted CurrenciesETH, USDT, BNB
Current Price$0.024025
KYC Required?No
Buy Best Wallet Token on Best Wallet

5. Meme Index (MEMEX): Holder-only index funds tracking the volatile meme coin markets

Why we picked Meme Index:

  • The world’s first index funds for meme coin diversification
  • Four diversified baskets with varying risk-reward targets 
  • MEMEX must be held to gain access to the meme coin ecosystem

Next on this list of new crypto presales is Meme Index, an innovative initiative aimed at meme coin supporters. Put simply; this project offers index funds that track the meme coin markets, with four diversified baskets to choose from. Not only will this appeal to beginners and time-starved experts but also those wanting exposure in a more risk-averse way. 

This is because each basket contains multiple meme coins, ensuring those who want meme coin exposure aren’t over-exposed to any single project. Moreover, Meme Index automatically rebalances its portfolios, keeping pace with the ever-changing crypto markets. For example, a meme coin could be removed from a portfolio if another project supersedes its valuation. 

Meme Index presale homepage.

Importantly, Meme Index only accepts those holding MEMEX, giving its native token true utility. Moreover, Meme Index is a community-driven project, with MEMEX holders getting to vote on any ecosystem proposals. MEMEX tokens are currently being sold for just $0.0162284, with about $3.3 million worth of presale purchases already made.

Presale ProjectMeme Index
Token SymbolMEMEX
Network StandardERC-20
Amount Raised$3.3 million
Accepted CurrenciesETH, USDT, BNB
Current Price$0.0162284
KYC Required?No
Buy Meme Index on Best Wallet

6. Harry Hippo($HIPO): Brand-new meme coin combining P2E gaming and staking 

Why we picked $HIPO:

  • Fun meme coin initiative based on a hippo theme
  • Future roadmap plans include GameFi and metaverse use cases
  • Presale participants are currently earning staking APYs of 601%

In our view, $HIPO is one of the leading meme coin presales to keep an eye on. It hasn’t adopted the dog or cat theme like most meme coin presales and launches. Instead, Harry Hippo is based on Pablo Escobar’s Hacienda Nápoles estate, which hosted hippos. Those hippos eventually multiplied exponentially.

Experts predict the population could increase to thousands in the coming decades. Harry Hippo pays homage to this uncanny tale via $HIPO, the native token. $HIPO’s use cases currently extend to staking rewards. APYs of 601% are available to presale buyers, meaning double the tokens when holding for 12 months. 

Harry Hippo memecoin project.

That said, the roadmap details additional use cases in the future. This includes a fully-fledged play-to-earn game, followed by metaverse experiences. Those participating in the presale today will pay just $0.00555 per $HIPO. Over $1.3M has been raised so far and ETH, USDT, USDC, bank cards, and BNB are accepted. 

Presale ProjectHarry Hippo
Token Symbol$HIPO
Network StandardERC-20
Amount Raised$1.3M
Accepted CurrenciesETH, USDT, USDC, Bank card, BNB
Current Price$0.00555
KYC Required?No
Buy $HIPO on Best Wallet

7. SpacePay (SPY): Bridging the gap between traditional retail payments and Web 3.0 cryptocurrencies 

Why we picked SpacePay:

  • Enables real-world stores to accept crypto payments seamlessly  
  • Proprietary software integrates into existing credit card machines
  • The SpacePay X page already boasts over 66,000 followers 

Last on this crypto presales list is SpacePay, a UK-based Fintech startup that’s revolutionizing Web 3.0 payments. It has developed proprietary software that seamlessly integrates into existing credit card terminals, meaning conventional retailers can transition into digital assets immediately. Retailers benefit from a wider customer base and lower transaction fees. 

Not to mention lightning-fast settlements. What’s more, retailers avoid market volatility, as the crypto payment is converted to the local currency almost instantly. SPY is the project’s utility token, and it serves multiple use cases. This includes monthly airdrops for the most active wallets, early access to new features, and the right to vote on project proposals. 

SpacePay presale homepage.

SpacePay is also creating a revenue-share program. This means SPY holders will earn a percentage of the project’s operating income. The SpacePay presale has just passed $924,000, and only 1 hour left until it ends. The final presale price is $0.002991 per SPY – accepted coins are ETH, USDT, and USDC.

Presale ProjectSpacePay
Token SymbolSPY
Network StandardERC-20
Amount Raised$924,000
Accepted CurrenciesETH, USDT, USDC, BNB, MATIC, AVAX
Current Price$0.002991
KYC Required?No
Buy SpacePay on Best Wallet

What is a cryptocurrency presale?

Presales are early-stage events for buying new cryptocurrencies. They enable supporters to purchase tokens before they trade on exchanges. Otherwise known as initial coin offerings (ICOs), presales are ideal when you want to take part in innovative blockchain startups at a low valuation. This is similar to buying equity from a traditional startup before it becomes mainstream. 

For example, you could participate in a presale event with a market capitalization of just $10 million. That valuation could be many multiples higher once the respective product or service is launched. This is why presales continue to attract billions of dollars in capital, as the upside potential is considerably higher than established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. 

Due to regulatory restrictions, presales can’t accept traditional payment methods like debit cards or bank wires. Instead, most presales accept popular coins such as Ethereum, Tether, or Solana. Presales end once the fundraising target is achieved or the closure date is reached (whichever comes first). 

The presale tokens are then added to public exchanges, where prices are determined by the markets. This is known as the token generation event (TGE), with some presale projects witnessing immediate growth, especially when the allocation was sold out. However, many presales suffer an alternative fate, with declining prices that never recover. 

How do crypto token sales work?

You can participate in a presale within minutes. All that’s needed is a crypto wallet that’s funded with an accepted coin. 

However, first-time buyers will find that the process differs from buying cryptocurrencies on an exchange. Therefore, we’ll explain how crypto token presales work in more detail. 

Token allocation and presale pricing 

Presales are run by blockchain startups, which create tokens via a smart contract deployment. Most tokens are added to an existing network, such as Solana, Base, or Ethereum. 

  • For example, suppose the presale mints 50 million tokens on the Ethereum network, meaning they follow the ERC-20 standard. 
  • We’ll say the project sells 20 million tokens to presale buyers, representing 40% of the total supply. 
  • The remaining 30 million or 60% will be used for operating expenses. This could include anything from exchange listing fees and liquidity to marketing and token buy-backs. 

The above concept shows that, in many ways, presales are similar to conventional startups selling equity. The key difference is that supporters receive digital tokens rather than shares. 

Nonetheless, many presale events are run in multiple stages. The idea is to encourage early participation, as each stage typically comes with a higher price. 

Leading on from the above example:

  • From the 20 million presale supply, 5 million tokens are sold for $1
  • The next 10 million tokens cost $1.25
  • And the final 5 million tokens sell for $1.50

So, those participating in the first round paid just $1, while latecomers paid $1.50. This means early-stage buyers have already achieved a 50% upside. 

This could be increased further at the TGE, as most presales list tokens at a premium. This ensures that all presale participants benefit from a discounted rate. 

Presale platforms and launchpads 

Some presales are held on third-party crypto launchpads, such as Best Wallet Launchpad. This means the presale projects have already been vetted, including comprehensive due diligence on the team and the respective use case. In other cases, presales are held directly on the project’s website.

Connect wallet popup when buying Solaxy.

Either way, presale participation is made by connecting a private wallet and transferring an accepting coin. For example, many have connected MetaMask to the Solaxy presale and paid for their purchase in ETH. Within seconds, a smart contract is deployed, and ETH is transferred to Solaxy’s presale wallet. This means the participation process is complete. 

Participation requirements 

Even the best crypto presales operate outside of traditional securities laws. This means that participation is significantly more inclusive when compared to initial public offerings (IPOs), which sell shares before a stock exchange listing. 

Consider that IPOs typically have:

  • Robust KYC requirements, meaning supporters must provide government-issued ID to the respective broker or company. 
  • High minimum requirements, which casual individuals are often unable or unwilling to meet.  
  • Requirements that prohibit people from certain countries or those without an accredited status. 

Conversely, crypto presales rarely require KYC. This means presale participants remain anonymous, and people from all regions are accepted. 

In addition, presales, including MIND of Pepe, Best Wallet, and Meme Index, do not require a minimum or maximum participation amount. Whether $1 or $100,000, everyone is allowed to partake. 

Presale duration and valuation 

Presale time frames usually range from weeks to a few months, but they can vary wildly depending on the project. That said, most presales are closed when the token allocation has been sold, known as the “hard cap.” 

This ensures projects avoid selling tokens from their operating expenses, such as marketing. Presales usually have a “small cap,” too, which is the minimum the project can raise to fund its roadmap targets. 

This is a precautionary measure in case the presale doesn’t perform as expected. In terms of presale valuations, this is based on the market capitalization, which takes the token price and the overall supply. 

For example, suppose the final presale price is $1.50, and the overall supply is 50 million tokens. This amounts to an initial market capitalization of $75 million. 

Post-presale listings 

We’ve established that presale events end when one of the following happens:

  • The hard cap target is reached
  • The presale deadline arrives

In both scenarios, the TGE usually happens within days of the presale conclusion. This means the presale tokens are listed on exchanges, allowing the general public to trade them. Thereon, the token’s price is determined by demand and supply, similar to traditional stocks. 

Now, most presale tokens are listed on decentralized exchanges. Popular platforms include Uniswap and Raydium, although it depends on the token standard. That said, the best crypto presales secure more lucrative listings on centralized exchanges. 

These platforms are significantly larger than their decentralized counterparties, meaning more traders, higher volumes, and premium liquidity. Examples include Binance, OKX, Coinbase, Kraken, and KuCoin. 

As we discuss in more detail later, participating in presales that secure any of these listings can lead to rapid price appreciation. This is because it represents a stamp of approval from industry leaders. 

Benefits of participating in crypto presales

You should now have a solid understanding of how presale events work. Now, let’s move on to the presale benefits, focusing exclusively on the participation thesis.  

Presale participants often get a discounted price 

Presale startups must raise enough capital to fund their development goals. This is why the best crypto ICOs offer preferential pricing. They encourage early participants with a lower cost basis, often across multiple stages. Theoretically, this gives participants an upside even before exchanging listings. 

For example, the Race to a Billion presale, which has recently ended, was priced at $0.00829. Race to a Billion has confirmed that RACE tokens will be listed on exchanges at $0.0125 once the presale closes. Therefore, participating in the presale offered a 50% upside. This is similar to traditional IPOs, with shares almost always being added to stock exchanges at a premium.

However, do remember that crypto exchange listings are hyper-volatile, especially with bot usage at record highs. This means it’s not always possible to cash out a presale upside immediately. The best practice is to wait at least a few hours for the markets to stabilize. You might even consider holding long-term for the greatest upside potential. 

Presale projects usually have low valuations 

The next benefit to consider is that the best crypto token sales have low valuations. Once again, this is similar to participating in startup companies in the real world. For instance, Uber was valued at $3.7 billion in 2013. This increased to $82 billion when Uber completed its 2019 IPO. As such, the long-term upside can be substantial as presale projects evolve. 

Solaxy is a good example here. Presale buyers will secure a modest valuation, considering Solaxy’s layer-2 network is in the early development phase. These enhanced risks are built into the discounted price. Solaxy’s native token, SOLX, could be worth considerably more in years to come, especially once the network is launched. 

Presale gains can be substantial 

Now, let’s talk about the potential presale gains available when supporting quality projects. We’ll use Ethereum to illustrate the point, which held its presale event in 2014. 

  • Ethereum hadn’t launched its blockchain at this point, highlighting the risks that presales present. 
  • Nevertheless, fast forward to 2025, and Ethereum is used by thousands of projects, known as ERC-20 tokens.  
  • This has resulted in Ethereum achieving an all-time high of almost $5,000. 
  • However, those participating in the Ethereum presale paid just $0.31. 
  • Consider a person who risked $3,000. 
  • That presale participation would have been worth over $48 million at Ethereum’s peak. 

Not all presale projects will replicate Ethereum’s post-listing success. This is why picking the best crypto presales is so challenging. Even so, history shows that the biggest gains come when holding presale tokens over several years. 

  • For example, Solana’s strategic round presale was priced at $0.25 in Q1 2020. 
  • ICODrops data shows that the Q2 2020 TGE price was $0.67. 
  • This meant presale participants buying at $0.25 could have secured an immediate gain of 168%. 
  • However, the Solana price closed 2020 at $1.66, increasing the presale return to over 560%. 
  • Now, consider that in January 2025, Solana hit an all-time high of $294.33. That’s over 117,000% more than the presale price available during the strategic round. 

Earn staking rewards during the presale event 

The vast majority of presale tokens are built on proof-of-stake blockchains like Solana and Ethereum. By extension, this means presales can incentivize participants with competitive staking rewards. These can often be earned during the presale event itself, meaning participants can increase their holdings before the exchange listing. 

For example, those who supported the MIND of Pepe presale are currently earning staking APYs of 441%. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that over $5.1 million has already been raised, even though the presale has been active for under a month. 

$BEST staking rewards explained.

Another example is Best Wallet. Its ongoing presale, having raised about $9.1 million so far, offers staking APYs of 187%. Just like MIND of Pepe, there’s no lock-up period, so supporters can stake and unstake their purchased tokens at any time. 

Free market conditions after the exchange listing

We’ve made comparisons between traditional startups and crypto presales throughout this guide. However, there’s a key differentiator that favors presales – liquidity. 

For instance, those looking to support an early-stage company are typically provided with equity. This is long before the IPO and any subsequent stock exchange listings. This means the equity is effectively locked, with little means to sell. This can be problematic from a cash flow perspective, especially if other opportunities arise. 

Now, compare this to a presale token listed on an exchange. Anyone can buy or sell those tokens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The crypto markets never sleep, ensuring free trading conditions around the clock. Crucially, this means the presale amount can be cashed out at any time. 

However, we should mention that not all presale tokens offer sufficient liquidity, particularly those with small market capitalizations (e.g., less than $5 million). While token holders can still cash out, they might need to do so at a lower price than was anticipated. These issues subside as the project grows and increases its valuation organically. 

How we selected the top crypto presales to buy

Presale beginners might be surprised to learn just how many new cryptocurrencies are launched. On-chain data shows that millions of tokens are created every month. While very few run presales, this should be a reminder that the markets are now excessively overcrowded. 

This is the nature of unregulated markets, where anyone can launch projects without needing regulatory approval. The key takeaway is that choosing the best ICOs to participate in has never been more difficult. 

This is why we spent countless hours creating a weighted presale methodology, enabling us to focus on proven strategies and metrics. Read on to learn more about these core research methods. This will enable you to select profitable presales independently. 

1. Valid token use cases (50%) 

Our methodology was overwhelmingly weighted toward token use cases. Having researched vast data sets from the crypto markets, the common denominator is clear – utility projects with use cases have produced the biggest long-term gains. 

That’s why the likes of Chainlink, Ethereum, Solana, Hedera, and Polkadot have significant market capitalizations. Their respective tokens provide value to holders, whether that’s to operate decentralized applications or achieve blockchain interoperability. Therefore, we focused exclusively on presale campaigns that align with these trends. 

Token use cases explained through Meme Index.

A good example is Meme Index, which has developed diversified and professionally managed index funds to track the meme coin markets. Importantly, index fund enthusiasts must hold MEMEX, the native token. This is a strong use case that goes beyond degen speculation. 

2. Presale perks (15%)

Presale participants take considerable risks. Funds are often injected into blockchain startups without a working product. They need to trust the whitepaper, roadmap targets, and promised timelines. These risks must convert into specific perks and benefits. At a minimum, presales should offer a favorable cost basis for all participants. 

This ensures presale participants pay a lower price than the general public. Otherwise, there would be no incentive to purchase a pre-listing token. We also prioritized presales, offering big staking rewards from the get-go.

3. Long-term upside potential (20%)

The increased risks of crypto presales mean that participants should be able to target a substantial long-term upside. This can be a challenging aspect to measure, although the predicted market capitalization is a good starting point. For example, the upside will be much higher when buying presale tokens with a small market capitalization. 

  • Suppose the market capitalization is $30 million when the tokens launch on exchanges. The token price increases organically, hitting a market capitalization of $1 billion three years later. This amounts to solid gains of 33x. 
  • Now consider a project that launches with a $200 million market capitalization. Reaching the $1 billion milestone would yield much lower gains of 5x. 

It’s always a good idea to compare presale valuations with similar niches. 

For example, popular layer-2 ecosystems like Mantle and Arbitrum are valued at $3.7 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively. Solaxy, which offers a layer-2 solution for Solana, will be aiming for a similar market capitalization. Achieving this goal would make Solaxy one of the best crypto ICOs in recent years. 

4. Token distribution and security audits (15%)

Our methodology also researched the token distribution. This includes the total number of tokens created and what percentage will be sold during the presale event. Getting this supply ratio right is crucial for long-term success.

For example, suppose the project created 10 billion tokens, with 1 billion sold to presale buyers. This would mean that the community holds just 10% of the supply. That 90% is controlled by the project, which increases the risks considerably.

After all, there would be a complete imbalance between the market capitalization and the fully diluted valuation. Moreover, history shows that not all presale projects are honest. Founders have been known to dump tokens on the market, profiting from their illicit practices while supporters lose out.

Another aspect is that the stated token distribution could be misreported. That’s why the best crypto presales are audited before the fundraising event starts. The audit report should be published on the presale website for increased legitimacy.

Things to consider before participating in crypto ICOs

The best practices listed below will ensure you avoid costly presale mistakes. Ensure you have a firm understanding of each one before proceeding. 

  • Crypto only: First-time participants should remember that presale events can only directly accept crypto. This means you’ll need to buy an established coin before starting, such as ETH or USDT. That said, some presales have partnered with fiat gateways, meaning crypto can be indirectly purchased with a debit/credit card. However, the fees are usually much higher than those of traditional crypto exchanges. 
  • Secure wallet: Presales require participants to connect a private wallet. It’s important only to use reputable wallet providers with robust security features. You should also learn about basic wallet risks, such as sharing private keys or misplacing the backup passphrase. 
  • High risk of financial loss: Presales are tempting for the potential returns available, with some projects producing explosive returns. However, most cryptocurrency presales fail, even those with innovative ideas and concepts. We strongly discourage putting in funds that you can’t afford to lose. 
  • Avoid early trading: Volatility levels go through the roof when presale tokens initially trade on exchanges. There’s a massive battle between automated bots, market makers, and early presale buyers, meaning wild pricing swings are the norm. Therefore, it’s best to wait for the markets to settle if you’re planning to lock in a presale upside. 
  • Presale taxes on gains: Crypto taxes will be due if you’re fortunate enough to make gains from a presale event. The capital gain is the net difference between the purchase and sale amounts. For example, putting $1,000 into a presale and cashing out at $9,000 would mean capital gains of $8,000. You’ll also likely need to pay income tax on any staking rewards received. Checking the tax rules in your home country is imperative. 

Final word

Selecting the best crypto presales has never been so difficult, with the market quickly becoming oversaturated. Presale participants are strongly advised to follow best practices, including independent research, diversification, and limiting purchases to affordable amounts. 

In terms of top picks, Solaxy is the overall most promising presale project. It’s developing a native layer-2 network for the Solana blockchain, meaning SOLX tokens have significant utility. About $15.5 million has already been raised, and there’s no minimum amount requirement. 

References

  1. Luxury Car Rental Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis (Fortune Business Insights)
  2. Cryptoverse: TON Takes Off on Telegram Tie-up (Reuters)
  3. Understanding Initial Coin Offerings: A New Means of Raising Funds Based on (European Parliament)
  4. Crypto Doesn’t Deserve a Tax Exemption (Bloomberg)

Frequently asked questions

Crypto presales or ICOs are only suitable for those with high risk tolerance, with most projects failing. Even so, some of the biggest cryptocurrencies held successful presales, including Ethereum, NEO, and Solana. 

Finding crypto presales organically is often challenging, so it’s best to use a third-party website. ICOBench is a popular option, with the platform listing existing and upcoming crypto presales. 

Most presales require a self-custody wallet (e.g., Best Wallet) and some coins (e.g., ETH or BNB). Those coins are swapped for the presale tokens, which are transferred to the connected wallet. 

Most presales last from weeks to several months. There’s no set time frame, so it’s important to check this before participating in a presale.