[mbaha]

Couldn't agree more. Although to be more precise, ETH/ICOs are threatening the standard financing model proper in Silicon Valley, and not SV as a whole.

I basically see the future as being both really dystopic and utopic at the same time:

So (mostly rich) people will be able to invest their money without any friction, but this will destroy the rent-seeking institutions that weren't meant to exist in the first place

=> power to the geeks and the rich, but you won't be able to make any money by just making "deals".

Would love to be convinced otherwise though....

[alexasmyths]

"ETH/ICOs are threatening the standard financing model"

ICOs are challenging nothing.

ICOers are selling 'numbers' for real money - and the value of those 'numbers' is going to zero pretty quickly.

BTC will be around for a while, but these ICO-ers are selling nothing in return for real money, and that won't last. It will end soon.

Nobody has a 'lock' on the 'VC' model. Anyone can invest - including you. The issue relates mostly to regulations, which are there to protect you - and also actual ownership of assets, which is a pretty big deal.