Is Bitcoin risky? As a professional, I've already told a few clients that I would be much willing to accept Bitcoins as payment. All declined the offer. They all knew what it was, but they thought it was risky, dangerous, or associated with crime, dirty money, and so on. They didn't want to touch it. Somehow, I understood them. Speculation made Bitcoin's price go up and down. The network was often clogged, delaying transactions, and making them expensive.
ICOs have also been terrible, showing the people that cryptocurrencies were like the wild, wild West. Totally unregulated, with a high risk of getting scammed. And what about all those altcoins? Please allow me to use the word "sh*tcoin". There are about 200 fiat currencies in the world, so nobody could believe that more than 1,000 cryptocurrencies could be successful. Some altcoins are the creations of teenage loners in their bedroom which they never leave. Creating an altcoin and getting it listed somewhere, is the one and only thing they've ever done in their boring lifetime.
People are now understanding that there is Bitcoin, the first and most serious cryptocurrency, and all that the others are wannabes. Then ICOs are getting more and more regulated. Some leading companies are also simply banning services or advertising related to ICOs, which is good. But the best thing now, is that Bitcoin works! Transactions are cheap and fast, like they were always meant to be. The sad days are over. Bitcoin's now open for business, and I'll tell again my clients I would be very, very happy to get Bitcoins as payment. And all business owners shall think about bitcoins, and how to include it in their businesses. There will never be a better time to join the party.