The article investigates problems of evaluating the economic effect of ICO (initial coin offering) process as an alternative financing instrument in the field of corporate innovation for all stakeholders taking into account their interests and potential benefits. To create an index for ICO’s assessment, the correlation and regression analyses were held. A sample of 234 projects was formed, which presented groups of successful and unsuccessful ICO projects. This index allows to evaluate the project by the criteria which are vital for investors and could be implemented in the practice of the companies within financial planning of their innovation activities. Also, the article pays attention to the overview of the ICO’s perspectives in Russia and worldwide: modifications of the classic ICO scheme, ways of legislation and technical development in the sphere of cryptocurrency.