Risks
Cryptocurrencies	Some cryptocurrencies may not be a security and therefore may not be regulated by a securities regulator. It can be hard to establish the value of a cryptocurrency because the value can change significantly in a short time period. Liquidating your holdings may be difficult and costly Some cryptocurrencies have a short track record to judge performance. The exchange or trading platform used for transactions may not provide key investor protections or adequate security of your holdings.
Initial coin offerings (ICOs)	There may be no business plan or disclosure available to prospective buyers. The coins or tokens may not be subject to securities regulations and investor protection laws. The purpose of the ICO may never happen, thus the coins could be worthless. There may be no fundamental value behind the coin. The value of the coin could be volatile.
Cryptocurrency funds	The price of the assets in the fund can be volatile. The fund’s custodian may not have the right qualifications to ensure safekeeping of the fund’s assets. Investors may not be covered by an investor protection fund or other insurance product. The funds have a short track record compared to other types of investment funds. It may be hard to trade units with other investors.
Blockchain companies	This is a new asset class and often focuses on early-stage technology, so there may be a heightened risk that the business will fail. If the company has issued an ICO to fund its operations, some of the risks of participating in an ICO also exist.

How Are Crypto Assets Bought and Sold?

There are many ways that you can buy, sell, and store crypto assets. For instance, you can buy crypto assets directly (e.g. in a peer-to-peer or P2P manner), and you can hold them in digital wallets that you maintain sole access to. Digital wallets are encrypted with a password, and that may lead to a greater sense of security for investors; however, there have been instances where people have forgotten their passwords or deleted their wallets, and locked themselves out of accessing their invested dollars. As well, depending on how secure your wallet or what your password is, there is the possibility that either can be hacked, and the hacker can gain access to the crypto assets stored within.

Can You Sell Them Easily?

Not all crypto assets are liquid, meaning it may be difficult to sell your holdings for cash in a short amount of time. There may also be limits, holds, and transaction fees that are hard to know about before selling a crypto asset.

What are the Costs?

Some crypto assets incur trading fees and other charges. There is no standard for the level of fees charged to trade or own a crypto asset.

What are the Expected Types of Returns?

The speculative and volatile nature of crypto assets can cause returns to vary significantly. Crypto assets have the potential to lose large amounts of value in ways that may seem unpredictable or unlike other investments. Generally, investors earn a return through selling the crypto asset for more than the purchase price. Some crypto assets, like coins or cryptocurrency funds, may receive dividends or other distributions depending on the terms.

During Your Review, Ask These Questions

• Am I making a rash or emotional decision without necessary facts?
• Where is the business or individual issuing the crypto asset located?
• Do I understand what the crypto asset does or how it is structured?
• Am I prepared to lose all or most of my invested capital?
• Are there any signs the crypto asset may be a scam?

Consider speaking with a registered investment advisor or other independent third party before deciding to invest in a crypto asset.