We have to admit that 2018 has been a rough year for crypto market overall. However, everybody keeps asking what crypto ups and downs is 2019 preparing? Let’s talk about 5 major cryptocurrency trends this year.

1. ICO is dead. Let’s welcome STO!

The thing is that the ICOs are showing significantly low levels of success. Businesses are no longer satisfied with pre-sales, attracting private investors, institutional and venture capital. The process is now shorter, tokens are cheaper. Get ready for STO (Security Token Offerings), because they can make securities more transparent, “flexible” and safe. These will be the “new ICOs” with less fraud and more investor protection.

2. More new rules coming

Among the growing number of conflicts between the Securities, Exchange Commission and blockchain startups. The case of SALT Lending, a crypto-credit startup addressed by the Commission in court last February, stands out with about $50 million collected by a startup during its ICO in 2017 year. The Commission intends to find out whether it was ICO instead of the announced STO. If it was the latter, then SALT Lending messed documents up.

There is also a possibility that the market will strengthen its self-regulation before government bodies take over it. HODL Finance voiced the idea of ​​creating an industry association that will develop rules to protect consumers and comply with the law.

3. Stablecoins will become even more stable

The fall of the USDT, which lost 10% of its value in just a week, triggered the emergence of new stablecoins. Stablecoins have a promising future in terms of crypt-lending, because they can be exchanged at a stable rate. They minimize price volatility while maintaining only minor fluctuations, which makes getting a cryptocurrency loan easier and safer. Stable will certainly become more stable.

4. The holding solutions will get cheaper

Deposits and insurance are becoming the industry standard for cryptocurrency lending. Understandable regulation and preservation of cryptocurrency assets allow you to increase confidence and attract new investors. Providing the opportunity to trade without the risk of hacking is crucial, so the main cryptocurrency exchanges — such as Gemini, BitGoin and Coinbase — already have their own deposit solutions. As such services spread, they will become increasingly available.

5. Cryptocurrencies will make up a big mainstream

The emergence of bitcoin futures is the first sign of acceptance because futures allow investors to make real deals with real money. Such loans will become an alternative to traditional loans, allowing people to get fast and cheap loans secured by cryptocurrency without credit rating checks, and for investors to get profit from cryptocurrencies issued on loans.

Whether all of the trends above will be fully presented in 2019 or not, we are completely sure that following latest news and checking on upgraded forecasts and analytics will shape your faith in brighter crypto future. Stay tuned!