1. Team composition - skill, knowhow, connections, funds
2. Partnerships
3. Adopters
4. Usefulness of the project
5. Number of potential audience
6. Level of necessity within the applicable market
7. Level of thought that went into develop the project
8. Level of professionalism and commitment shown thus far - website, marketing, whitepaper
9. Level of the people and websites talking about it

Trading and Investing are two different forms of making money with both yielding similar results based on the wisdom and knowledge of the trader / investor.
Trading might be the faster option when it comes to making money but it usually involves higher risks.
Trading usually takes much more time to be properly involved with so keep this in mind.

The truth of the matter is that this isn't the case cause if it really was, put simply, there wouldn't be any ICOs.
Caution must be exercised with any decision in life. The same applies with investment related decisions...

As more people become aware of Bitcoin and Crypto assets in general and join in, the higher their prices will go.
What's happening shouldn't surprise anyone as it's rather expected.
News are constantly coming in that the number of people joining the crypto asset exchange community is rapidly growing.
We may all expect a constant rise in prices as long as the relevant global conditions remain the same.

Asking whether or not it's safe to participate in ICOs is like asking whether or not is safe to participate in the stock exchange or in an investemnt of some kind.
Whatever for one invests in life, there is a risk involved. Life is all about taking chances.
To lower the risk, the acquisition of knowledge is required like just about everything in life.
If thinking of investing in an ICO, take the time to study what the project is about. Think if the solution offered is needed by the public. If it solves an issue, if it's something that people will be willing to pay for.
Also, make sure that the team behind the project is legit. if they will be able to and willing to proceed with the project and not make a run for it with the proceeds.
And always remember: If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is...
 

For governments to be seriously looking into regulating crypto assets is a positive development since it seems that these assets are now becoming a noticeable force into the global market.
It is a shame that crypto assets are regularly connected with crime though, as if crime didn't exist before crypto assets came about and as if crime related payments were not taking place before.
Everyone within the crypto community needs to make sure that the message is passed onto the real world: Crypto assets are here to stay and they are not responsible for global crime.

There isn't such thing as 'the best' in all aspects of life as the meaning behind this expression is subjective.
Nothing stays the same in this life - the same goes for altcoins.

For any given government, organisation, or individual to succeed, accurate knowledge, action taken based on that intelligence gathered as well as the ability to swiftly react based on the changing circumstances are essential.
Altcoins with backbone, that are supported by proven entities, with a professional team of pioneering people behind them and a clear vision are worth investing in.
Go through each altcoin team's actions, their work, their ethics as well as results. Deeply study what it is they have done, what it is they are doing now and what they've got planned for the future.
These are the organisations that in the long run will last and their tokens are a sound investment no matter what the trent is at any given point within the crypto-currency world.

The quality and commitment of the team behind it, the intelligence behind the concept and the level of effort put behind the whole project.

Experience dictates that the best way to safe-keep bitcoin is of course Cold-Storage.
Extreme caution should be exercised whilst accessing your cold-stored bitcoin - it is best to do so via a new machine that's uncompromised and only if its highly necessary to do so.
A Hardware Wallet is also highly recommended and everyone should seriously consider acquiring one.

Because people have high hopes for it expecting that that its value will keep on increasing and based on reports constantly surfacing they seem to be right as it wouldn't be a surprise if Bitcoin hits the roof soon.

Although Bitcoin may be used like fiat currency is used, Bitcoin and digital currency in general, aren’t considered to be money (legal tender) by most countries' taxation systems. In fact, they are considered to be personal property, like gold, silver or corporate stock.
Unless your business is buying or selling Bitcoin, they are a capital asset. In the US, profits are taxed at capital gains rates. Losses are deductible only if Bitcoin is used for business or investment purposes (with investment losses being limited to $3000 annually).
When it comes to other countries of course, it is down to local policy. Keep in mind that cryptocurrency is relatively new to most economies with governments scrambling to regulate it as well as trying to tax it. Policies are bound to keep changing, so it’s best to complete a thorough investigation locally before jumping to conclusions or proceeding with a business plan or an investment.

The idea behind Bitcoin (blockchain technology) will never die. On the contrary, it will only expand.
It is extremely unlikely for Bitcoin to die as everyone opposing it has a love / hate relationship with it, so it's in everyone's best interest to fight it on the surface but support it in the shadows.

Bitcoin is better than cash, or in general fiat currency, because it is:
1. A private currency, not issued by a sovereign state or entity.
2. Decentralized, without a centralized issuing party, as units are issued algorithmically to a decentralized group of parties.
3. Digital, as it is a fully electronic currency, with no necessary physical manifestation and has all the benefits of a cryptocurrency, especially anti-counterfeiting, as it is conducted through cryptography.

Altcoins with backbone, with a professional team of people behind them and a clear vision will survive.
Movements that collected funds (ICOs), were prepared to implement the tasks promised within their white paper and pursued their cause will succeed as is the case with real-world companies that collected funds through stock markets and invested what they received within them.
Anyone who's after quick profit, being an entity or an individual is bound to fail in the long run.

News just came in - it seems that the rumor in regards to a mining ban in China was a lie.
Expect everything to bounce back pretty soon.

The future of blockchain technology is bright indeed.
We have just begun applying this technology and its possibilities are endless - it has no boundaries.
The only barrier will be our imagination.
Of course authoritarian governments will try to oppose it and the globalist elite will try to tame it but these efforts will almost certainly fail.
Blockchain in many ways is similar to torrent file sharing. It's unstoppable.
Everyone should seek ways on how to apply this technology in all aspects of modern life.

Only time will tell... who knows what's coming next?
Blockchain technology though and the possibilities it brings along with it and not Bitcoin itself could prove to be the invention of the century.

Yes and No!
All it takes is for someone to possess and use common sense. Their level of education has nothing to do with it as is the case with frankly everything in life.
Having common sense will not allow you to believe everything easily, to put your trust in empty promises.
It will urge you to investigate thoroughly before proceeding with something new and important.
It will keep you on guard in regards to possible dangers as well as scams.
It will also stop you from proceeding on impulse especially when it comes to investing your hard earned funds.