Security Token News
Japan Tightens Up STO Framework
The crypto-friendly nation of Japan has once again set the par for the course after announcing significant upgrades to their Initial Coin Offering (ICO) framework. The country was among the first to acknowledge cryptocurrencies and now, they have paved the way for further expansion of the security token sector.
Japan’s Financial Services Agency amended both the Act on Settlement Funds and the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA). These changes include a slew of new regulatory requirements for those hosting ICOs that function similarly to securities. Now, these ICOs fall directly under the current securities regulations according to FIEA
The new classification means Japanese STOs must adhere to strict registration requirements. These requirements include items such as semiannual reporting and maintaining records of management personal. Additionally, Issuers must explain the mechanics of their token issuance, transfers, and settlements.
More Labor Intensive STOs
The “token mechanics” description clause has some businesses worried that the new security token issuance amendments create more harm than good. Some analysts predict that the necessary disclosure documents could be more expensive than traditional securities. Also, these disclosures could cause more delays for business seeking to gain access to capital via a blockchain-based strategy.
Japan’s Financial Services Agency
Liquidity Overload
Importantly, the extra workload wasn’t added by mistake. Japanese officials continue to express concerns over monitoring the secondary security token markets. Officials worry that it will be difficult to prevent unauthorized transfers of security tokens.
Basically, officials believe the added efficiency and speed makes it somewhat too easy to transfer tokenized securities versus traditional securities. For example, Japanese officials recommend all private placement STOs utilize a password-protected site to avoid violating securities solicitation rules. Such as offering tokens to non-disclosed investors.
Token Issuers
All token issuers must register for new licensing as part of the amendments. For example, companies seeking to issue security tokens via their own network must register as a Type-II business. As a Type-II entity, these firms will need to follow the strict staffing and governance models laid out in the new amendments.
Companies that opt to use a Broker-Dealer, versus issuing their own token, can avoid many of the registration requirements demanded from Type-II issuers. However, these Broker-Dealer firms must be registered as a Type I issuer. These regulations include handling submission of the token mechanics surrounding the STO on behalf of the business.
Japan – Crypto Ambitions
Japan recognized cryptocurrencies officially on April 1, 2017. In September 2017, the country recognized Bitcoin exchanges as legitimate businesses and enacted one of the first regulatory frameworks in the world. By October of that same year, Japanese officials actively began recruiting blockchain-based businesses. Today, many point to Japan’s foresight as one of the most important factors determining the fate of Bitcoin’s future
Japan Tightens the Belt
While Japan’s new regulations do place a larger workload on businesses entering the security tokens sector, they are seen by many as a necessary step towards the digitization of the economy. Japan remains at the forefront of the crypto revolution and, these latest amendments confirm that the land of the Rising Sun has no plans to shy away from blockchain investors.
The security token sector continues to be a hot button issue amongst the crypto community. This month, CoinList founder Andy Bromberg took some time to discuss the importance of these tokens, and how the coming months might play out. Unexpectedly, Bromberg had mixed feelings on the market’s trajectory.
In a recent interview, Bromberg pointed out some of the major issues facing the security token sector. He believes that the lack of clear regulations is the main factor deterring large scale adoption. Businesses are still unsure of what to think of this new crowdfunding strategy. The lack of transparency from regulators leaves many potential blockchain investors with unanswered questions.
Andy Bromberg via Twitter
More Guidance
Recognizing the need for more clarity in the space, the SEC issued multiple statements this year. These posts are an attempt by the SEC to help business owners understand the classifications of each type of token, and what regulations it falls under. Most recently, the SEC released a full guidance that covers each token class in detail.
STO Regulations Evolve
When STOs first emerged, many businesses saw these tokens as a cheaper and quicker alternative to traditional securities. At that time, the market lacked any regulatory structure. Businesses were able to issue tokens at will.
Nowadays this is no longer the case. The SEC recently stepped into the space in a major way. As a result, numerous businesses faced backlash for issuing securities illegally. Consequently, the STO market slowed until recently.
It Takes Time
When asked about the markets adoption rate, Bromberg was quick to let people know there is still a lot of time before STOs make it to the mainstream. The savvy crypto advocate noted that it could be years still until STOs gain enough traction to become a major crowdfunding strategy.
CoinList
CoinList entered the market in 2017 with the goal of providing financial services to next-gen tech firms. The company has headquarters in New York and offices in San Francisco. Notably, the firm has fewer than 50 employees according to Crunchbase.
CoinList offers clients advisory services regarding blockchain-based investment strategies. As the President of CoinList, Bromberg is uniquely positioned to understand the sector’s demands. His company hears the concerns of both investors and service providers. Discussing the issues, Bromberg described how there is little incentive for companies to make the shift to the crypto ecosystem at this time.
Bromberg feels that in order for companies to have confidence in these new systems, there needs to be a clear legal framework that doesn’t detract from the advantages of blockchain technology. Basically, legislators need to fully understand the advantages of blockchain technology in order to structure regulations that enable the tech to function at peak performance levels.
CoinList STOs – A Bumpy Road Ahead
The overall tone of Bromberg is one of a man who fully understands the complicated scenarios that play out in the cryptospace. His ability to point out these shortcomings is sure to help CoinList remain a dominant player in the future.
Asian companies looking to host an STO in the future just got a powerful alley. The token issuance platform Polymath announced a strategic partnership with one of Asia’s most successful STO consulting firms – the QRC Group. The partnership strengthens Polymath’s presence in the region. Also, it provides future STOs with the added guidance needed to make their crowdfunding campaigns a success.
News of the strategic partnership first broke via a Polymath blog post. In the post, the firm discusses Polymath’s goal to make token issuance as easy as possible. Notably, providing companies access to valuable third-parties is an integral part of Polymath’s all-inclusive strategy.
QRC Group
The QRC Group has an excellent reputation as an established STO advisory in the Asian marketplace. This Hong Kong-based firm provides companies with a plethora of STO-related services such as turnkey issuance. Additionally, QRC provides end-to-end solutions for STOs, including access to regulated secondary market trading.
QRC Group via Homepage
Speaking on the developments, the CEO of the QRC Group, Shoga Ishida described the partnership as an “important milestone” for his firm. Ishida pointed out Polymath’s ideal position in the market. He then explained how QRC plans to help businesses seeking more guidance. According to the post, QRC will offer consultation in:
- Legal
- Compliance
- Token issuance
- Technical infrastructure
Currently, QRC hosts a variety of blockchain-related programs. These run the full scope of the sector ranging from production and investment services, all the way to identity verification platforms. Additionally, the company has a native multi-currency STO wallet capable of storing over a thousand different tokens in the works.
International Standards
Notably, QRC continues to push for international STO standards for the Asian and Southeast Asian markets. Asia plays a huge role in the crypto market. QRC believes that standards are needed in order for the STO market to reach its full potential in the region. Importantly, businesses need this regulatory framework in place before considering STOs to be an attractive alternative to the status quo.
The QRC Group currently works with multiple universities including Taiwan Tech and the University of Malaya. These programs study the effects of blockchain technology, and how it relates to the digitization of the global markets.
Polymath on QRC Group Services
Polymath’s Head of Tokenization, Graeme Moore also took a moment to describe why the QRC Group was the perfect addition to the Polymath ecosystem. He explained why connecting high-quality service providers with valuable business resources, is critical for the developing STO space.
Polymath via LinkedIn
Partnerships
Polymath continues to expand its network. The firm made headlines numerous times this year including in June when it partnered with Ethereum co-founder, Charles Hoskinson on the Polymesh project. Polymesh is a separate blockchain designed specifically for compliant tokens.
Polymath – STO Pioneers
Polymath’s expanding network is just one example of how STO providers plan to bridge the knowledge gap between businesses interested in hosting STOs, and providers of these services. The addition of the QRC Group provides the network with a host of valuable resources. You can expect to see these services play a major role in Polymath’s future token issuances.
Licence Approval
In a process that took roughly 9 months, Luxembourg based, Black Manta Capital, was awarded licensure to operate an STO platform within Germany. This licensure was provided by regulatory body, BaFin.
This development moves the company one step toward their self-described mission of setting “a global standard for Security Token Offerings (STO).”
In their release, the company hinted towards a launch date, stating,
“The operative start of the investment platform with the first Token Offerings is planned for early Q4/2019.”
STO Platform
The approval received allows for Black Manta Capital to offer clients services surrounding security token offerings. Black Manta Capital has indicated that they intend for this platform to function as a comprehensive offering – meaning that they will provide clients all the necessary services from start to finish, through the tokenization process.
The act of tokenization involves selling, creating, and distributing digital securities which represent ownership of a variety of assets. These assets may range from cars, to art, to equity within a company, and anything in between. As these digital assets are securities, their creation and distribution is only possible when adhering to laws enforced by typical regulatory bodies, such as BaFin.
The Competition
The STO platform to be offered by Black Manta Capital is expected to face stiff competition, as Europe is quickly becoming a hot bed for companies with similar ambitions. The following are a few of those expected to fit this role.
Commentary
Upon making their announcement, Managing Partner of Black Manta Capital, Christian Platzer, took the time to comment. The following is what he had to say on the matter.
“Tokenization in the core financial field of securities will – for sure – bring paradigmatic change to the global financial markets.” – “While Black Manta Capital Partners want to be ‘boutique’ in its beginnings and run ‘handpicked’ STOs only, our strategy is global from day one: the first step is to link Europe and Asia on one blockchain-based investment platform. Therefore we look already today into Singapore.”
Black Manta Capital
Black Manta Capital is a young company which specializes in tokenization services. Operating out of Luxembourg since 2018, the company has plans for eventual expansion across various continents.
Managing Partners, Christian Platzer and Alexander Rapatz, currently oversee company operations.
BaFin
BaFin is a leading financial supervising authority across Europe. With over 2,600 employees, this regulatory body oversees a variety of industries ranging from finance, to banking, insurance, and more.
The organization has been operational since being founded in 2002.
In Other News
Today’s announcement is not the first time that BaFin has provided licencing to outfits partaking in the digital securities sector. The following articles demonstrate a pair of other companies that have also been successful in this respect.
BitBond Gains Approval of BaFin to Host Security Token Offering
Fundament Group to Issue €250 Million in Security Tokens backed by German Real Estate
