The Future of Bitcoin, Ethereum and ICOs

Blockchains boomed in Q2 2017.

Bitcoin crossed the $40bn mark for market cap, ether rallied over 700% and the combined value of all blockchain-based tokens in existence shot north of $105bn (exceeding financial giants like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley).

Without a doubt, the crypto tokens underlying a growing universe of blockchain protocols now comprises its own independent asset class, unique from any that came before it. And the proof is in the numbers.

Total blockchain venture capital for the year has already been exceeded by ICO fundings for the first time, and the trend has only accelerated since.

It's now routine for ICOs to raise more than $100m, with multiple projects within the last 30 days accumulating nine-digit sums (based on the current value of the bitcoin and ether contributed, of course). Most have set all-time crowdfunding records, only to have them broken days or weeks later.

In short, a new wave of investment interest has led both retail investors and institutional funds to line up to take advantage of the growing appetite for new tokens.

As part of CoinDesk's forthcoming State of Blockchain Q2 2017 report, we're seeking to better understand how the blockchain industry views these history-making trends – from both a positive and a negative perspective.

Are we in the midst of a cryptocurrency bubble? Would ICO mania come crashing down with a drop in bitcoin and ether prices? Is the mainstream finally getting interested in blockchain technology or merely speculating on the next token spike?