Upcoming IDO, IEO, ICO & Сomparison for Early Investors

Many investors, especially those who dealt with the crypto market in 2017-2019, are still skeptical about ICO, IEO, IDO, and other events dedicated to crowdfunding. Their reputation has really suffered: many projects did not even survive to the listing, while some turned out to be scams.

However, the crypto market does not stand still, and in 2025, these forms of attracting investment back in trend – the fact is that today's projects launch their ICOs/IDOs/IEOs on third-party platforms that conduct independent audits, use KYC/AML checks, and also offer investor protection mechanisms, such as vesting or pools with a refund. Therefore, if you are considering this option to diversify your crypto portfolio with upcoming tokens or just want to enter a promising project at a low price, you definitely need to find the answer to the question: “What is IEO IDO and ICO in crypto?”.

What Are IDO, IEO, and ICO in Crypto?

So, let's start with ICO meaning (Initial Coin Offering) – this is the easiest way to finance a crypto project, according to which its team independently raises funds by directly selling tokens to investors through its website or dApp. If you would like to learn more about this crowdfunding method, please read the “What is ICO crypto” article.

Now, we proceed with the IEO meaning. IEO or Initial Exchange Offering involves launching a token through a centralized crypto exchange, which audits the project. Due to third-party due diligence, this event is quite safe for investors. In addition, such projects quickly move to listing on exchanges, thereby guaranteeing high liquidity of their tokens from the first days. The only disadvantage of this fundraising format is for project teams – they need to ensure compliance with the rules and conditions of the exchange.

Finally, a few words about the IDO meaning. IDO or Initial DEX Offering is a token launch on decentralized platforms like Polkastarter, DAO Maker, etc.. Due to complete decentralization, such projects are much less likely to encounter censorship; at the same time, investors get the opportunity to protect their money due to preliminary verification by exchanges. The main risk here is not to encounter frontrunning implemented with the participation of bots and insiders.

Therefore, we can conclude that:

• Those who are looking for maximum transparency and decentralization should consider IDO;
• Those who care about security and audit have to consider IEO;
• Those who are ready to take risks for the sake of maximum X’s should consider ICO.

IDO vs IEO vs ICO: Key Differences Explained

To understand which token launch model is right for you, you should compare them by a several parameters we listed below.

• Token launch platform. Upcoming ICO launches, as we have already indicated above, are most often carried out on the projects’ websites, through their own smart contracts. In turn, upcoming IEO launches take place on centralized exchanges such as Binance, KuCoin, OKX, etc., and upcoming IDO launches – on decentralized launchpads like DAO Maker, Polkastarter, TrustPad, and so on.
• Token distribution. ICO implies automatic accrual of tokens to the investor's wallet immediately after payment or a little later, manually by the team. As for IEO, the accrual of tokens takes place through an account on the exchange and occurs most often after the completion of the sale. With IDO, smart contracts automatically send tokens to the investor’s wallet.
• Security and audit. ICOs rarely undergo independent checks, so projects often sell tokens to those who simply trust them. The IEO format implies a preliminary check of the project by the exchange, which includes a technical audit, as well as an analysis of tokenomics and the team. In IDO, the audit is carried out by an independent platform, too, but it is most often of a formal nature.
• Cost and features of entry. Launching an ICO is the cheapest option for the projects, and participation in it is as simple as possible – you only need a Web3 wallet. IEO is more expensive for projects due to mandatory contributions to the exchange; in addition, you need to pass KYC here. In turn, IDO has a moderate cost, but to buy project tokens, investors may first take care of having launchpad’s tokens in their wallets as well.
• Availability. Anyone can take part in an ICO, except for residents of countries with relevant restrictions. To participate in an IEO, you need to be a user of a specific exchange and pass verification on it. Upcoming token launches in the IDO format often open access only to whitelist participants, that is, those who have already purchased platform tokens.
• Listing features. When organizing an ICO, the project itself negotiates with exchanges about token listing upon its completion. At the same time, IEO provides a guaranteed listing within the token launch platform, while IDO – instant trading on DEX.

Why Early Investors Should Care About IEO, ICO, and IDO

Upcoming crypto launches remain one of the most profitable ways to enter crypto projects at an early stage. In particular, here are the most successful cases of the past years:

1. Ethereum, with its ICO in 2014, from $0.30 at the start, the token exceeded the $3,500 mark (x11,000+ ROI);
2. BNB, with its IEO on Binance in 2017, at the start had a price of $0.11 and grew to more than $600 (x5,000+ ROI);
3. Avalanche, with its ICO in 2020, grew from $0.50 to $140+ (x280+ ROI);
4. Velas IDO coin on Solanium in 2021 demonstrated a 50+ times growth in just 24 hours;
5. Arbitrum, with its IDO in 2023, can boast of x15 growth within a month after listing.

All these examples demonstrate to us that upcoming crypto projects offering to buy their tokens through IDO, IEO, or ICO can provide a great way to multiply your investment in a short period. And, given that more and more launchpads and crypto exchanges are implementing advanced investor protection mechanisms (from insurance to vesting), confidence in the transparency of these events only grows.

Upcoming Crypto Releases & Projects to Watch

Now, let's look at specific examples of crypto projects that have already launched sales of their tokens (some of them are at the presale stage, when the price of the token is even lower than during the ICO IDO or IEO). So, what are these new coins coming to market?

#1. Nexchain

Nexchain is an innovative L1 Web3 project that uses AI to implement adaptive smart contracts with real utility. Its token is used for transactions within the ecosystem and opens access to exclusive AI services. The project is already actively developing, and the token presale provides early investors with an extremely profitable entry point with colossal potential.

#2. Harry the Hippo

Harry the Hippo is an extraordinary memecoin representing an entire media universe inspired by the style of cartoons and comics. The project combines humor, community, and NFTs, offering a unique and enticing user experience. The token has already received the support of major influencers, and the demand for its purchase is growing every day.

#3. Meerkat

Meerkat is another daring and fast-growing meme crypto project that promises to shake up the global Web 3 market. It relies on culture, crypto humor, and an active crypto community that is tired of serious projects with complex architectures. The growth potential is high due to the hype and attractive visual concept.

#4. Dogemind

Dogemind is a token created for Doge lovers. The project focuses on community, transparency guarantees, and bold and provocative marketing. It gains popularity rapidly, so many experienced crypto investors consider it the next candidate for explosive growth.

#5. SpacePay

SpacePay is a next-gen crypto payment service that simplifies cryptocurrency payments both online and offline. The project has many use cases and has already concluded almost a dozen partnerships with world-famous brands. The token is in its early stages, so now is your chance to join it before it gets worldwide popularity.

How to Participate in ICO, IEO, or IDO Safely

Here is a short checklist that every crypto investor should go through to protect themselves when participating in the upcoming crypto project releases:

• Check the project team – it is important for them to have detailed profiles on LinkedIn, activity on GitHub, and relevant experience in the Web3 sector;
• Analyze tokenomics and vesting so as not to accidentally buy something that will immediately depreciate;
• Use cold wallets and new addresses for participation;
• Find the audit of smart contracts, especially if the project organizes an IDO;
• Do not send funds manually – it is safer to do this only through official forms or contracts.

Also, if you do not want to search for the best upcoming crypto projects for a long time.

Which Crypto Launch Strategy Should You Choose?

Here is the final comparison for a quick choice between ICO IDO and IEO:

So:

• Are you a beginner and afraid of risks? Try an IEO.
• Are you ready to take risks for the sake of profit? ICO or IDO will be the best choice.
• Looking for a crypto project that combines the advantages of all three – ICO IDO and IEO? Nexchain will offer you the best balance. By the way, the crypto presale of NEX tokens has already started.

FAQs

Are IDO, IEO, and ICO still profitable in 2025?

Yes, IDO IEO and ICO can be profitable, especially if we are talking about reliable projects with adequate tokenomics and a strong team. Today, projects’ auditing has become more sophisticated, so their transparency is growing; at the same time, reliable startups can give investors 5-30x profit when entering the exchanges.

How do launchpads affect IDO opportunities?

Launchpads are directly involved in conducting upcoming crypto releases and protecting users from scams. In particular, the best platforms like DAO Maker, Polkastarter, and Seedify require KYC from project teams, audit smart contracts, and create a whitelist for participants. Ultimately, the level of trust in a project is determined by the reputation of the launchpad.

What is the difference between a presale and a public sale?

Presale is an early stage of token sales, which, in addition to the token’s minimum price, also offers additional bonuses to buyers. In turn, public sale is a phase available to a wide audience, which often takes place after the token listing or at the final stage of IDO or IEO.

Can I participate in IDOs without using centralized exchanges?

Yes. Crypto IDO is a decentralized token sale format in which you can participate simply by having a Web3 wallet like MetaMask, Trust Wallet, etc. However, to buy IDO crypto coins, you may additionally need the token of the launchpad itself (for example, POLS for Polkastarter), as well as registering in the whitelist in advance.