Find different types of crypto projects in one place with clear details. Learn how each category works, compare options, and explore projects that match your interest, goals, and future plans.
The cryptocurrency world is large and fast-paced. Day by day, new projects and concepts are introduced, providing investors with more avenues to venture into. To be able to make sense of this expanding universe, it is helpful to know about crypto categories.
These categories classify projects according to their purpose, funding source, or market orientation. Reading about them will help you to immediately identify the type of projects that align with your objectives
This guide covers the main crypto categories list—including Presale, ICO, IDO, and IEO projects—along with other important groups like DeFi, NFTs, and the Metaverse.
Crypto categories are simply groups of projects that share similar features. Each project in the blockchain world is unique, but many of them serve the same type of purpose. Dividing them into categories makes things easier to understand.
For example:
Some categories show how tokens are launched, like Presales, ICOs, IDOs, and IEOs.
Others focus on uses, such as DeFi, NFTs, or Gaming.
If you know the category, you can quickly guess what a project is about and compare it with others.
The crypto market has thousands of projects. Without categories, it would be hard to know where to start.
Here’s why categories are useful:
Let’s explore the most common and useful categories in detail.
A Presale is the first step for many new projects. Tokens are sold before the public launch, usually at a lower price. This stage helps teams raise money for development.
Presales are for people who want to take early risks in exchange for higher possible rewards.
An ICO is a money-raising event in which tokens are sold directly to investors. It was one of the original popular ways to raise money in crypto.
Pros: Simple accessibility for international investors, robust community development.
Cons: Some ICOs are scams or poorly run.
Why It Matters: ICOs helped establish many of the major projects that exist today.
ICOs are still the central feature of the crypto categories list, particularly among the early investors.
An IDO is similar to an ICO but takes place on a decentralized exchange (DEX). That makes it quicker, more decentralized, and accessible to anyone with a wallet.
Advantages: Fast listing, no central point of control, more transparent.
Risks: High price swings and limited checks on projects.
Use Case: Popular among DeFi-focused projects.
Because DeFi keeps growing, IDOs are one of the top crypto categories to watch.
An IEO is run by a centralized exchange. The exchange trades tokens on behalf of the project, putting in place additional trust for investors.
Pros: Safer than ICOs, solid exchange support, huge user base.
Cons: Not entirely decentralized, listing fees are high.
Example: Many leading exchanges promote IEOs directly to their users.
IEOs are an excellent choice for newcomers who prefer extra security and legitimacy.
Besides token launches, there are numerous other fascinating crypto types outlined below:
Lending, borrowing, and interest-earning platforms.
Art, collectibles, and in-game items.
Virtual reality worlds and play-to-earn ventures.
Base networks such as Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche.
Tokens intended for use within a particular ecosystem.
Each of these categories offers new possibilities to investigate and invest in blockchain technology.
Not all projects align with your objectives. Here is an easy way to make the decision:
Always do your own research before investing. Check the project’s team, tokenomics, and community.
The crypto market is always changing. New categories will keep appearing as technology grows. Some upcoming areas include:
By keeping an eye on new trends, you can stay ahead and find opportunities before they become mainstream.
Crypto categories make it easier to navigate the fast-growing blockchain space. While categories like Presales, ICOs, IDOs, and IEOs highlight how tokens are launched, areas such as DeFi, NFTs, and the Metaverse showcase their real-world use cases.
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