Security Token News
block.one Agrees to $24M Settlement with SEC
Settlement
A long battle between block.one and the SEC has finally found a resolution. The case, which saw the SEC accuse block.one of illegally distributing digital securities, saw a final settlement of $24 million, and a ‘Neither Admit nor Deny’ stance.
Charged
These charges date back to an ICO surrounding an ERC-20 based token that raised $4.1 billion. Unfortunately, at the time, block.one neglected to register the event with the SEC. By failing to do so, the event represented the distribution of unregistered securities, which is obviously not allowed.
ERC-20 Migration and Waivers
The tokens sold during this event have been migrated to a different blockchain, meaning they are no longer in circulation. With this being the case, along with the on-going efforts of block.one to remain complaint with regulations, the SEC has granted them a waiver, moving forward.
Block.one indicates that this waiver will exempt the company from ongoing scrutiny in their operations – which is typical for companies that reach similar settlements; meaning most must endure a sort of ‘parole’, post settlement, ensuring continued compliance.
Commentary
In response to the settlement, both, the SEC and block.one took the time to share their thoughts. The following is what each had to say on the matter.
Steven Peikin, Co-director at the SECs Division of Enforcement, stated,
“Block.one did not provide ICO investors the information they were entitled to as participants in a securities offering…The SEC remains committed to bringing enforcement cases when investors are deprived of material information they need to make informed investment decisions.”
block.one stated,
“We are excited to resolve these discussions with the SEC and are committed to ongoing collaboration with regulators and policy makers as the world continues to develop more clarity around compliance frameworks for digital assets…Blockchain’s ability to better align organizations with their consumers, increase the transparency of critical database infrastructure, and better distribute value and wealth throughout society remains our company’s focus, and we will continue to fight for the development of our industry to achieve as much alignment around policy and best practices as possible.”
Block.One
Headquartered in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, Block.One is a software publisher which was founded in 2016. They, notably, are the developers of the popular EOS cryptocurrency.
CEO, Brendan Blumer, currently oversees company operations.
In Other News
Various companies have recognized the need for greater clarity, regarding what constitutes a security, with regards to blockchain. This has resulted in the formation of the Crypto Ratings Council. This is a grouping of companies which have developed a framework, meant to assess the likelihood that an asset will be deemed a security by the SEC. With companies such as block.one, Kik, Ripple, and others enduring the wrath of the SEC, this framework is a welcome addition to the sector, moving forward.
‘Crypto Ratings Council’ Formed by Industry Stalwarts
The blockchain-based social media platform, VeVue announced plans to host an STO in the coming weeks. The company intends to expand the platform’s capabilities with the funds raised. Now content creators have a more lucrative alternative to consider moving forward.
News of the company’s intentions first broke via an October 14 press release. In the post, the company announces its new strategy and partnership. As part of the firm’s new crowdfunding approach, VeVue partnered with the hugely popular CBX exchange.
CBX Exchange
For its part, CBX will be responsible for the sales, token issuance, and distribution of the VUE token. CBX is one of the largest crypto exchanges based in the Middle East. The firm operates a fully compliant EU exchange. Developers integrated both AML and KYC protocols directly into its trading platform.
VeVue via Homepage
CBX recently launched a campaign with Alibaba competitor GoJoyin in which the platform secured over $10 million in funding. The experience gained in this campaign will be critical for VeVue STO’s success.
VUE STO
The VeVue STO will commence on October 28, 2019, at 4 pm PST. Interestingly, the event is scheduled to only last 48 hours. CBX intends to issue 5 million VUE tokens to qualified non-US investors. Vevue also announced that there will only be 100 million VUE tokens in total available to investors. Of these tokens, 35 million are reserved for investor purchases.
Vevue and CBX Unique Strategy
CBX and Vevue have a unique strategy for their crowdfunding efforts. The company intends to host an STO monthly moving forward. Additionally, these auctions will be Dutch-style. Basically, the official token price is set after taking in all bids.
Highest-Price VeVue STO
This strategy enables the firm to receive the highest price for the total offering. For example, investors place their bids which include the price and quantity they desire. The firm will then accept the top 5 million bids for the tokens.
VUE Token Benefits
VUE token holders receive a portion of gross revenue collected via the VeVue social media app. Consequently, investors actively earn from VeVue’s ecosystem. The App provides content creators with a revenue-generating outlet. Here, users can create and monetize content such as videos easily.
VeVue Transaction Fees
Vevue charges a 5% transaction fee on the monetized content. This fee then enters into the dividend pool from which STO investors receive payments daily. Importantly, dividends are paid in VUE tokens. This unique strategy encourages users to create high-quality content to earn more tokens.
Next Level Social Media
Traditional social media doesn’t allow users the opportunity to earn from their content contributions. In fact, the current social media giants provide content creators with zero payment for their efforts.
Social Media Heat
VeVue’s timing is impeccable as social media giants such as Facebook continue to confront lawmakers over a myriad of concerns. Facebook, in particular, appears to be in the target of regulators after announcing plans to issue its own native cryptocurrency called the Libra.
A Better Social Media Alternative
VeVue appears to have unlocked a better way to social media for everyone. Providing users with an opportunity to earn tokens for their content is a smart concept that has proved to be a great alternative in the past. You can expect to hear more from VeVue in the coming weeks as its STOs hit the market.
The crypto community got some exciting news this week after the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman stated that Ether (ETH) is a commodity. The news follows similarly worded statements from SEC officials in the past.
The news came via an Oct 10 statement from acting CFTC Chairman Heath Tarbert. In the post, the Chairman announced that he believes Ether is not a security at this time. The news comes at a critical point in Ethereum’s development.
The news is a huge win for the Ethereum community. Currently, Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency in the world by market cap ($20 billion). The ruling is important because it means Ether falls under CFTC regulations and not SEC securities regulations. Consequently, the decision allows financial institutions to offer a wide array of new products and open up entirely new markets moving forward.
Ether Futures and Derivatives
In the past analysts pointed out that the Ether derivatives market suffered due to the lack of transparency. Tarbert now says that you can expect to see both Ether futures and derivatives markets in the very near future. Surprisingly, he stated that these financial tools would hit the market in less than a year.
Ether Creator Vitalik Buterin via Medium
Transformative Token
According to the Chairman, Ether is a case of a transformative token. Basically, the token started as a security during the ICO event. At that time the enterprise was playing a controlling role over the digital asset. As time progressed, the Ethereum enterprise faded to the background as the cryptocurrency decentralized. Now the token serves as a utility.
Reverse Securities
Additionally, Tarbert described the reverse scenario in which a utility token slowly develops into a security. In this situation, you start off with a fully decentralized organization. Over time, the enterprise steps back in to take more control. Consequently, this creates a scenario where investors seek profits from the efforts of others. Now the token is a security.
Notably, SEC officials stated that they do not consider Ether a security in its current state. However, both the SEC and CFTC did point out that during the company’s ICO, Ether acted as a security. Luckily the SEC declined to fine the Ethereum development team for its ICO.
Bitcoin is a Commodity
Falling along this line of thought, Tarbert explained that Bitcoin is also a commodity. This statement coincides with the SEC’s decision to decline to label Bitcoin as a security. Analysts consider these actions as a precursor to this week’s news.
PoW to PoS
Also, Ethereum developers announced a shift from the Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus algorithm to a more energy-efficient alternative, a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. PoS systems don’t require your PC to do heavy computations. Instead, users earn rewards for “staking” tokens in their wallets. In this manner, PoS tokens use far fewer resources.
Ether Moving Forward
The Ethereum community has much to celebrate moving forward. The cryptocurrency continues to see development across the entire sector. You can expect to see the Ethereum community expand as more ETH-based products enter the market in the coming months.
Launching Markets – BSTX
The Boston Securities and Token Exchange (BSTX) has recently filed a proposal for various rule changes with the SEC. These changes would allow for BSTX to launch what would be the market’s first digital exchange supporting full-fledged digital securities.
Joint Filing
The Boston Securities and Token Exchange is a by-product of a partnership between tZERO and BOX Digital. This pairing of companies launched the joint venture in mid-2018, with the intent to develop the first fully regulated digital exchange in the U.S.
BSTX is expected to utilize blockchain technology provided by tZERO, while BOX representatives work towards establishing regulatory clearance. With each providing different areas of expertise to BSTX, both tZERO and BOX have made it clear that this is a joint venture, with each having a 50% say.
Rule Change
The proposed rule change discussed here dates back to late June, 2019. At the time of the filing, it was viewed as having the potential to create a ‘rulebook’ for the operation of such exchanges in the United States. Only now, months later, is the SEC making the filing available for public commentary.
A few of the noteworthy attributes of their proposed exchange are as follows:
- Asset ownership recorded using a private blockchain
- Trading enabled through use of BSTX tokens
- Whitelisted clients
At the initial time of its filing, we took a brief look at BSTX and their plans, including the use of an in-house token developed by the exchange.
Boston Security Token Exchange (BTSX) Seeks SEC Rule Change
Commentary
In their filing, made public by the SEC, the BSTX begins by outlining their plans and intentions for the proposed exchange.
“BSTX would operate a fully automated, price/time priority execution system for the trading of “security tokens,” which would be equity securities that meet BSTX listing standards and for which ancillary records of ownership would be able to be created and maintained using distributed ledger (or “blockchain”) technology.”
Boston Securities and Token Exchange (BSTX)
Operating within the United States, BSTX is a proposed digital securities exchange, which was founded in 2018. The company looks to become the first exchange of its kind, supporting full-fledged digital securities.
CEO, Lisa Fall, currently oversees company operations.
In Other News
Whether it be through the backing of others, or through their own endeavours, tZERO remains hard at work, establishing the digital securities sector.
We were recently fortunate enough to have interviewed tZERO CEO, Saum Noursaheli. In this exclusive interview we discuss past and future events pertaining to the company. Make sure to check out the following interview to learn more!
Interview Series – Saum Noursaheli, CEO of tZERO