Step 1: As with any investment, don't invest money you can't afford to lose.
-Even if the company is legit, crypto is stocks on steroids and are very volatile and unpredictable
-You could win or lose big so be prepared for both
-It is NOT gambling as you can learn to pick a winner with proper preparation. It's like playing cards and legally (and more easily) being able to count them.
Step 2: Make sure the company is REAL and not a scam.
-Pictures of staff members
-Staff members linkedin accounts
-Pictures of staff members together
-Videos of staff members/interviews
-Pictures of office
-Office location (research address)
-Social media presence of company
-Dig around the website...does it look legit? Is the English native-level?
-Email them-do they respond promptly and in English?
-Google CEO/CTO/developers/marketers and found out who they are and what they've done.
-Do they have a working product already?
-Do they have funding or investors already?
-Does it give you a good or bad gut feeling?
-Think to yourself...if I had 10,000-20,000 dollars, could I recreate everything that is on their website, forums, etc? If so, beware...
Step 3: Research the project
-Whitepaper (clear plan and goals, well written, not just a bunch of buzzwords)
-Roadmap (reasonable and clear)
-Is there demand for what they are doing?
-Is their technology proprietary or unique?
-Are they well-respected and connected in the industry?
-Is their advisory panel well-respected and connected?
-Search them on forums like this one, and find out the general consensus on their project, its viability
-Search their legal team and contact them if possible beforehand
-What will they use your money for?
-How will they make MONEY?
-How will you be able to make money when they make money?
-Do you feel passionate about what they are doing?
Step4:
Invest or don't invest based on all of the above.
+Bonuses as on pre sale and on pre ico and ico. The maximum allowable value is 50%, all the above looks suspicious. I'm not talking about bonuses 100 - 150% is a complete fucked up and a red flag for an investor.