Defining the Scope of STOs
STO can be any offering and sale of digital tokens that are considered securities under US law. The broad Howey test, which has become a commonplace for digital token issuers, still defines a “security” as any contract, transaction, or scheme whereby (a) a person invests money or anything else of value, (b) in a common enterprise, (c) and is led to expect profits, (d) predominantly from the efforts of others.
Security tokens sold during STO are any virtual tokens that exist on a blockchain and meet the definition of a security under US law, whether the tokens represent function on a platform or network (known as “utility tokens”), ownership of a real-world asset (asset-backed tokens), interest in a fund (fund tokens), equity (equity tokens) or debt (crypto bonds).
Accordingly, STO is very broad terms and may include, for example:
- Tokenized traditional securities, like shares of stock in a corporation;
- Tokens issued during ICO serving a certain function on the project’s platform/ecosystem;
- Tokenized fund interests, including venture capital funds, hedge funds, alternative asset funds, real estate funds;
- Tokenized interests in real estate;
- Tokenized interests diamonds or precious metals;
- Works of fine art, luxury cars and boats;
- Profit-sharing right in a business entity, etc.
Understanding the Advantages of STOs
By going through STO process, companies and funds can raise capital from investors while benefiting from the advantages that blockchain affords, including:
- Increased liquidity;
- Simplified access to capital on a global scale;
- Fractionalization of ownership;
- Increased transparency and security;
- Simplified investors’ management, etc.
Addressing the Risks Associated with STOs
While STOs are becoming one of the most viable methods of raising capital and dividing ownership or profits, security token issuers must structure each STO very carefully to take into account various pitfalls presented by securities regulations, AML/KYC requirements, tax rules applicable to different type of assets or entity type, etc.
Some of the major practical considerations that should be addressed by an issuer prior to launching STO are that security tokens may by subject to limitations on resale, trading on alternative exchange platforms in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, number of investors and amount of capital raised.
Our lawyers are well-versed in the legal and practical issues that arise in the context of planning, developing and offering security tokens in the US. We help our clients develop a comprehensive STO strategy that anticipates and responds effectively to the arising challenges.
STOs Can Be Conducted Under Exemptions from SEC Registration: Reg D, Reg S, Reg A+, Reg CF
Before any security, including a security token, may be offered or sold in the US, it must be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or qualify for an exemption. Registering a security is a costly and time-consuming process. But if an exemption applies to an offering, then it does not need to be registered.
Most commonly, STOs are structured under one of the following exemptions from registration offered by the US Securities Act: Regulation D, Regulation S, Regulation A+ or Regulation CF. Although exemptions under the SEC regulations eliminate the need to register STO with the SEC, qualifying for an exemption still requires careful compliance with US securities laws.
Helping Clients Through Every Stage of STO
Our attorneys represent a wide range of clients in all kinds of STOs, providing comprehensive services throughout the STO process, including:
- Conducting a comprehensive token analysis to determine whether the token is a security under US law;
- Determining the appropriate token structure;
- Determining the appropriate corporate structure for STO (corporation, SPV/trust, fund, hybrid, etc.);
- Structuring STO to qualify for an exemption from registration with the SEC using Regulation D and Regulation S;
- Drafting private placement memorandums, investment agreements and related documents;
- Developing AML/KYC policies and helping clients implement them to verify investors’ identities and eligibility to participate in STO;
- Providing post-STO legal support, including by advising our clients on secondary trading issues, subsequent usage of security tokens and the applicability of money-transmitter and other laws.
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