In theory, crypto White papers are serious scientific documents intended to describe a complex and precise method of creating unique blockchain products.
In practice, however, white papers are frequently a marketing move intended to help crypto startups. generate earned media. Even so, they are still in high demand, in certain situations.
To find out what types of white papers resonate with potential supporters and investors, I asked several crypto creators: What does an effective white paper look like in 2022? Is it still a difficult requirement?
Do you need a white paper?
The short answer is "yes," but a series of changes in the industry are reshaping the way white papers are viewed by participants and investors. Traditional scientific white papers are falling by the wayside, replaced by documents that read more like a well-crafted financial prospectus.
A great white paper should show that the project has transparency. Kolapo Akande, founder of Pledge Utility Coin
We've seen a number of white papers in the form of PowerPoint-style decks or even videos. Regardless of the format, to achieve the primary goal of defining what type of product you are creating, this document will require input from a wide variety of stakeholders.
For tokenized securities, for example, white paper authors must work with a legal team to ensure they are accurately describing a project's parameters and regulatory compliance. If it's a fintech product that doesn't have cryptocurrency or customer fiat currency, they can afford to be a little less regulated. That said, in some cases a white paper will be an integral part of the startup strategy.
โMany financiers or exchanges are not licensed to offer securities, which is why they would look at the white paper or token issuance memorandum during their due diligence,โ said Yana Afanasieva, CEO and founder of competitive compliance.
