Vapourware in a cryptocurrency context refers to a project that is advertised to be launched, but never comes to fruition or is officially cancelled. These projects may announce a specific utility, an upcoming release, or an affiliated product that is then neither delivered nor officially cancelled, thus turning into ‘vapour’.
It is not easy to identify which projects may turn into vapourware, but they usually cause traders who purchase into them — hoping to maximise profitability — to lose funds from the initial token’s value after the public loses faith in the project due to extreme delays and lack of deliverables.