Cryptocurrency sales during the first five months of 2018 have reached USD 13.7 billion. This figure is even almost double that achieved in 2017. At that time, the sale of digital currency was recorded at USD 7.

This drastic increase is triggered by the number of startups in the technology field, especially the implementation of blockchain, around the world seeking capital by selling virtual currency or applying initial coin offering (ICO). This also eliminates banks and investment companies which are usually the main source of startup fundraising.
Throughout 2018, there were 537 coins or tokens offered to investors. This includes activities carried out by Telegram.