Q1 2018 was bloody. The whole crypto market went for a slide with heavy hitters like Bitcoin and Ethereum dropping considerably.
Trying to predict which prices are about to take off will almost invariably be wrong. A little research can point you in the right direction by identifying milestones that could cause a trading frenzy.
Below we’ve highlighted 5 innovative blockchain projects whose recent history and future roadmaps make for a promising Q2 2018.
1.Cardano ($ADA)
Project Overview
Cardano is a fully open source, decentralized public blockchain and cryptocurrency project. It’s the very first blockchain project to be built on peer-reviewed academic research.
Its aim is to create a home for decentralized apps and smart contracts that can be processed with formal verification, which allows mathematical proof of the correctness of code. This makes Cardano a secure and reliable platform for high-value applications.
Why You Should Watch ADA
Cardano’s ADA token has exploded a few times in the past few months. One of these was in late November 2017 when the team released an updated roadmap, launching the coin to the ninth spot in market cap rankings.
In early 2018 it still comfortably sits in the top ten (#7 at the time of writing), showing that more investors are starting to see the project’s value.
Cardano’s next big milestone is upgrading from its Byron release to Shelley. Byron focused on building a secure platform for users to trade ADA, with a key Q2 feature being improved performance with exchanges like Binance and Bittrex.
Shelley will hit in Q2 and Q3. This version delivers key usability elements that help the technology grow into a “fully decentralised and autonomous system”.
Delegation and stakepool testnets will be the first features made available to users, which could drive a frenzy of ADA trading.
2.ICON ($ICX)
Project Overview
The ICON project is a decentralized applications platform designed to help institutions share data effortlessly and privately. It allows for independent blockchains linked back to the core chain, governed by their own rules but not at the expense of compatibility.
ICON’s most talked about use cases involve hospitals and insurance companies. If a patient has a procedure that should be covered by insurance, all the hospital has to do is send the person’s details over the blockchain.
Why You Should Watch ICX
ICON spent most of 2017 laying the framework for its ground-breaking project. The team had a productive Q1 2018, launching ICON Mainnet 1.0, releasing the multi-cryptocurrency wallet ICONex, and signing partnerships with several new exchanges.
In Q2 and Q3 2018, the team will focus on adoption in four key areas: banking, education, insurance, and healthcare. Customized tools for each sector are set for release to coincide with ICON’s efforts to expand into new partnerships. It’s a time of outreach and promotion, not just technology building, and that often translates into strong token sales.
3.Ontology ($ONT)
Project Overview
Ontology is a new high-performance public blockchain project and distributed trust collaboration platform. Created by Chinese company Onchain in 2017, Ontology is a public platform for projects of all shapes and sizes, and is another attempt at removing barriers between blockchain and the business sector.
Why You Should Watch ONT
Ontology is a fairly new project that’s just starting to find its footing. The good news is it’s backed by a massive financial corporation in China and has a large development team behind the scenes, so it isn’t likely to turn out to be a flash-in-the-pan type of project.
The biggest news for Ontology in Q2 is the launch of the mainnet. This opens up the development process to the public and outlines in detail the dapp creation tools provided by the team.
App creation can begin in earnest once the mainnet is released, a move that will likely drive lots of attention to the ONT token.
In a market of falling values, ONT has steadily climbed upwards. Interest is maintained in part due to the airdrops announced by the marketing team.
March saw free tokens for NEO holders, and in January 2018 1,000 ONT was passed out to everyone subscribed to the Ontology newsletter. More token reward plans will be announced once the mainnet is deployed.
4.Request Network ($REQ)
Project Overview
Sending and receiving digital payments is one of the many problems cryptocurrencies promise to alleviate. Request Network set out to do just that and has been taking large strides to reach its goal.
The platform allows anyone to request and receive payments for services without having to pass through a third party processor. No added fees to worry about, just decentralized invoices for the entire world.
Why You Should Watch REQ
At the end of 2017, Request launched a minimum viable product that demonstrated many of the features the final version is set to offer.
Low-fee payments are at the top of the list, but Request also has automated invoicing, smart auditing, cross-currency transactions, and identity protection. It’s in direct competition with credit card companies and processors like PayPal, but it offers a far more attractive package thanks to decentralized authority and no added charges beyond a minimal mining fee.
Request’s network went live in March 2018. The first version of the protocol allows users to connect a wallet to the network, send and receive requests in ETH, update broadcasts, and manage all requests associated with a wallet address.
Fiat management is soon to come, which is one of the biggest steps towards businesses and freelancers adopting Request as their payment system.
Another massive event for Request in 2018 is partnerships with PwC France and Francophone Africa. The team will also initiate talks with World Bank and the IMF in Q2, which could mean massive corporate interest in the network and REQ token.
5.Nano ($NANO)
Project Overview
Nano (formerly RaiBlocks) is a low-latency trustless cryptocurrency known for its extremely efficient architecture. Whereas most crypto projects fret over scaling, fee, and speed issues, Nano was built for instant transactions and zero fees right from the start.
It’s also infinitely scalable, so no matter how many people use it, the network doesn’t stumble.
Why You Should Watch NANO
As cryptocurrencies gain popularity, developers are realizing just how big the issues of scaling and network efficiency can be. Often mad-sounding solutions are pitched on a per-currency basis, most requiring years of work and an additional hard fork.
Nano simply doesn’t have these issues. Seeing the “no fees” phrase alone is usually enough to convince big players to make the switch.
Nano’s Q1 rebranding may cause some initial confusion, but the change is ultimately a good move. The name “Nano” is friendly and easy to remember, perfect for getting the attention of mainstream audiences. That’s exactly who Nano wants to court, too.
With increased attention on high-energy consumption issues surrounding top cryptocoins, Nano is ready to present itself as a light and friendly alternative.
The roadmap is also filled with expansion-oriented updates that will boost merchant adoption, point of sale transactions, and coin storage.