logo
  • menu
  • Markets
  • ETFs
  • Live
  • Spot
  • Futures
  • Learn
  • Sign In
  • Sign Up
  • Downloads
  • English
  • |
  • USD
  • |
Sign Up
Crypto PricesLearnLatest NewsDownloadsMarketsSpotAnnouncements
Home/
Learn/
Crypto Basics

What is soft cap and hard cap in crypto? What is the difference between them?

By Craig Green
Jun 3, 2025
4.1 
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
 380 User Rating
Share

If you were one of the early adopters of cryptocurrencies, you remember the booming ICO (Initial Coin Offering) era of 2017 or if you are new, you should read this article below. What is soft cap and hard cap in crypto and what is the difference between them. Let’s find out.

What is soft cap and hard cap in crypto?

Hard Cap

The hard cap in the cryptocurrency space is the maximum number of tokens that the project aims to sell to close early funding and continue to fully develop the technology. For example, if the team decides to set a hard cap of 20 million tokens and manages to sell that amount within a few hours of the ICO launch, the fundraiser should end regardless of ongoing interest.

Soft Cap

The soft cap is the minimum amount an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) needs to raise. If the ICO fails to raise that amount, it may be canceled and the collected funds returned to the participants.

What is the difference between them?

The hard cap is closely related to the roadmap of the base project. Teams should be clear about what they are raising funds for, as some projects have raised more than their funding goals because they don't have a hard cap.

Unlike the hard cap, the soft cap is not required as it is just an idea to raise funds for project development, and many teams have managed to raise funds without the need for a soft cap. However, crypto enthusiasts feel that this is a good practice to follow because it informs investors why the underlying project needs funds.

I hope this article will help you to learn What is soft cap and hard cap in crypto and what is the difference between them. Soft caps and hard caps ICOs are not just fundraising goals. They tell us a lot about the project, their team members and their vision. While investors can evaluate an ICO to discover the value of a project, there is a lot to cover including tokens and token supply, founders, actual use cases for the project, and more.

Disclaimer: The information on this page may have been obtained from third parties and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of BitKan. This content is provided for general informational purposes only, without any representation or warranty of any kind, nor shall it be construed as financial or investment advice. BitKan shall not be liable for any errors or omissions, or for any outcomes resulting from the use of this information. Investments in digital assets can be risky. Please carefully evaluate the risks of a product and your risk tolerance based on your own financial circumstances. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region.

Related Articles

  • What Are Short Liquidations? How Can Traders Prevent Them in Crypto?

    What Are Short Liquidations? How Can Traders Prevent Them in Crypto?

    A short liquidation is a mandatory event within derivatives markets where a cryptocurrency exchange automatically closes a leveraged short position.
    Cornell Rachel
    Jun 22, 2026
  • What is the MSX X Card? Understanding the New Crypto Card

    What is the MSX X Card? Understanding the New Crypto Card

    The MSX X Card is a financial instrument launched by the MSX Maitong platform that functions as a payment gateway for digital assets
    James Dean
    Jun 8, 2026
  • What is PaperTrade on HyperEVM? Is Zero Funding Real?

    What is PaperTrade on HyperEVM? Is Zero Funding Real?

    PaperTrade is a high-performance perpetual exchange deployed on HyperEVM, the permissionless smart contract layer of the Hyperliquid L1.
    Craig Green
    May 18, 2026

Latest Articles

Crypto Basics

Tutorials

Currencies

Investing

  • What Are Short Liquidations? How Can Traders Prevent Them in Crypto?

    What Are Short Liquidations? How Can Traders Prevent Them in Crypto?

    A short liquidation is a mandatory event within derivatives markets where a cryptocurrency exchange automatically closes a leveraged short position.
    Cornell Rachel
    Jun 22, 2026
  • What Is Rehypothecation Risk in Crypto? How to Protect Yourself

    What Is Rehypothecation Risk in Crypto? How to Protect Yourself

    Rehypothecation is a practice where a lending platform takes collateral pledged by its clients and uses it for its own purposes.
    James Dean
    Jun 17, 2026
  • What Is pERC20? How Does This Ethereum Token Standard Work?

    What Is pERC20? How Does This Ethereum Token Standard Work?

    The pERC-20 framework is an experimental Ethereum Improvement Proposal designed to fundamentally alter how standard tokens operate on public networks,
    Jun 12, 2026
  • What Are Crypto Prediction Markets? A Complete Guide for Beginners

    What Are Crypto Prediction Markets? A Complete Guide for Beginners

    Crypto prediction markets are peer-to-peer decentralized financial platforms where participants trade contracts tied to the outcomes of real-world events, such as elections, sports, or economic data releases.
    Jun 12, 2026
  • What is the MSX X Card? Understanding the New Crypto Card

    What is the MSX X Card? Understanding the New Crypto Card

    The MSX X Card is a financial instrument launched by the MSX Maitong platform that functions as a payment gateway for digital assets
    James Dean
    Jun 8, 2026
View more data 

Content

BTCBTC(BTC)
$0
--(Last 24h)
SpotFutures

Top

View more
  1. 1How To Sign Up For A BitKan Account (Web)?
  2. 2When Is Bitcoin Halving 2024? What Does Bitcoin Halving Do?
  3. 3What is Etherscan Used For and How to Find Token Decimal on Etherscan
  4. 4What is USDC used for? Why is USDC used?

Top Gainers

View more
Solstice
SolsticeSLX

$0.3258

+44.22%
Atletico Madrid Fan Token
Atletico Madrid Fan TokenATM

$1.8320

+30.67%
o1 exchange
o1 exchangeO

$0.7052

+30.67%
BNB Attestation Service
BNB Attestation ServiceBAS

$0.0407

+30.39%
QuickSwap
QuickSwapQUICK

$0.009040

+27.14%

Top Trending

View more
Solstice
SolsticeSLX

$0.3258

+44.22%
Block Street
Block StreetBSB

$0.3191

-2.72%
BNB Attestation Service
BNB Attestation ServiceBAS

$0.0407

+30.39%
Humanity
HumanityH

$0.0600

-43.71%
LAB
LABLAB

$16.1679

+16.14%

Recently added

View more
Arcium
ArciumARX

$0.2462

-20.01%
Ambire AdEx
Ambire AdExADX

$0.0567

+1.98%
Re
ReRE

$0.6192

-16.19%
o1 exchange
o1 exchangeO

$0.7037

+30.39%
SpaceX
SpaceXSPCXB

$153.690

-1.36%

Latest News

View more
  1. 1Uniswap Soars 22% as Altcoins Rally While Bitcoin Stalls
  2. 2HYPE Surges 6%: Suspected Insider Whale Nabs $34M in Gains
  3. 3SpaceX Prices Record $75B IPO at $135, Hits $1.8T Valuation
  4. 4Stablecoin Secondary Market Rules Pit Banks Against Crypto
  5. 5Bitcoin and Gold Tumble Amid Rising Inflation and Rate Bets
About Us
  • About BitKan
  • Contact Us
  • Announcements
  • VIP Program
  • BitKan Ambassador
  • Institutional Services
Products
  • Spot
  • Futures
  • Crypto Prices
  • Learn
  • News
  • Markets
  • How to Buy Crypto
  • BTC to USD Calculator
  • Reward
Help
  • Help Center
  • Email Us
  • Live Chat
  • Download APP
  • Listing Application
  • Buy Bitcoin
  • Buy Ethereum
  • Buy Dogecoin
  • Buy Altcoins
Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trading Rules
  • Fee
K-Site
English
About Us
+
  • About BitKan
  • Contact Us
  • Announcements
  • VIP Program
  • BitKan Ambassador
  • Institutional Services
Products
+
  • Spot
  • Futures
  • Crypto Prices
  • Learn
  • News
  • Markets
  • How to Buy Crypto
  • BTC to USD Calculator
  • Reward
Help
+
  • Help Center
  • Email Us
  • Live Chat
  • Download APP
  • Listing Application
  • Buy Bitcoin
  • Buy Ethereum
  • Buy Dogecoin
  • Buy Altcoins
Terms
+
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trading Rules
  • Fee
K-Site
+
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Telegram
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Linkedin
@2012-2026 BITKAN.com