Security Token News
The Best Countries to Launch Your Security Token
Security token offerings (STOs) are now commonplace in the cryptomarket. This unique fundraising strategy gives companies the ability to easily monitor, distribute, and regulate their campaign utilizing blockchain technology. STOs combine the best features of ICOs with the stringent regulations found in particular markets.
Aside from the benefits achieved by companies that use an STO strategy, there are also many reasons why an investor would seek out this type of investment. For one, STOs are far more transparent than an ICO. Companies involved in STOs must reveal sensitive company information including their address, upper management, and financials.
This information further protects investors from the ramped scamming that occurs in the ICO markets. One report published by the Statis Group showed that as much as 80-percent of the ICOs conducted in 2017 turned out to be scams. It’s exactly this fraudulent activity that led to the development of security tokens.
Now that security tokens are more popular, many countries want to host STO related businesses. In order to entice these businesses onto their shores, government officials are ready to make some serious concessions. Below are the best countries to launch your security token.
Malta
The island country of Malta is one of the premier locations to launch your security token. The country embraced blockchain technology from the start. The Maltese Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, issued a public statement this year in which he acknowledged both the fears of regulators “and the fact” that this technology is quickly changing industries across the globe.
Malta via Master Explorer
Maltese officials are serious about their desire to be the leading blockchain country in the world. In the same statement, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of heading the digitization of the economy. He went as far as to state – “we must be the one that others copy.”
Malta is home to some of the largest security token projects currently in the works. In September the Malta Stock Exchange (MSX) announced a partnership with Binance, the world largest exchange by volume. Binance seeks to create a new security token platform in the country in the coming months.
Lithuania
Lithuania made some significant headway last year towards their goal of becoming EU’s security token capital. The country introduced security token friendly regulations. The country’s Minister of Finance issued broad security token regulations that covered the taxation, accounting, issuance, and compliance.
Blockchain companies send their project to a supervisor of financial markets and their office well send back a reply regarding the status of your token. Basically, Lithuanian officials do their version of the Howie Test to your project and give you a solid answer prior to your firm moving forward on their project.
Since Lithuania is a member of the EU, they gained a huge advantage by legalizing and regulating STOs in their country. Government officials hope to entice all of the EU to host their STOs in the country.
Switzerland
Switzerland has a long history as a financial safe haven. The country features low taxes and a crypto friendly environment. Switzerland was one of the first countries to adopt cryptocurrency regulations.
Switzerland has had a pro-crypto stance since 2014 when regulators released a report detailing the significance of cryptocurrencies. Interestingly, the report acknowledged cryptocurrencies handle the same tasks as money but stopped sort of labeling it legal tender due to the lack of an issuing country.
STOs submit their project to the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). This regulatory body reviews each STO to confirm what designation the project falls under. Token labels include payment, utility, asset, and hybrid tokens.
Israel
Israel is home to numerous blockchain-based startups. The country leads the world in research & development according to a recent Bloomberg report. The report placed Israel in the number two spot, only behind South Korea in terms of innovators. Israel welcomed blockchain companies by cutting crypto taxes in half in October of this year.
According to a Cryptoslate report, Israel started 2018 with 88 blockchain startup in operation. In March 2018, Israel released an interim report which detailed the regulations for ICOs. The report was intended to strike a “balance between technological innovation and the protection of investors.”
The Israel Security Authority’s ex-head, Prof. Shmuel Hauser went as far as to recommend the country foster the creation of an international blockchain center on his retirement. This move ensures Israel remains a dominant force in the cryptomarket.
Canada
Canada continues to lead the North American crypto revolution. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) announced in February plans to launch a new securities token platform. The platform is based on the Ethereum Blockchain.
Toronto, Canada is the birthplace of Ethereum and the city continues to be a strong hub for crypto activity. Additionally, the platform allows users to launch their own security token easily. This decision is consistent with Toronto’s desire to be an industry leader.
According to the press release, the new security token platform is designed to give companies an alternative to the ICO space. Kabuni Technologies is the first security token scheduled for launch on the platform. The company also filed a prospectus with the British Columbia Securities Commission (BSCE).
Dubai
Dubai remains a powerful influence in the cryptomarket. The country was one of the first to issue a state-backed cryptocurrency back in October 2017. In February of this year, The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) began to facilitate a market in cryptocurrencies.
The DMCC is a member of the Global Blockchain Council. The project initially began as part of the Dubai Smart City initiative. Speaking on cryptocurrencies, the project’s director, Franco Bosoni, discussed how he could see a commodities-like future for these digital assets. Dubai is now in the middle of developing a robust framework for the security token commodity to operate within.
Security Tokens – A Smart Move
The countries exemplify the innovative spirit and their decision to position their markets in line with the digitization of the economy is sure to pay off. The security token market continues to expand and these countries are now seeing the benefits of their pro crypto stance. You should expect more countries months.
Security Token News
Security Token Issuers to Benefit from alliance of ‘Issuance’ and ‘VStock Transfer’
Issuance partners with VStock Transfer
Just announced today, deal marketing platform, Issuance, has partnered with stock transfer agent, VStock Transfer. This alliance was formed as Issuance saw a need on behalf of security token issuers. This was the ease of token registration and transfer.
As a result, partnering with a transfer agent such as VStock Transfer, allows companies having completed a digital security offering the ability to utilize services and experience based upon decades of experience in securities law.
These teams should be able to hit the ground running, as Issuance CEO, Darren Marble, has had previous experience working with VStock Transfer. Through their ability to provide experience, along with cost saving measures, it’s no wonder why Issuance has partnered with VStock Transfer.
Commentary
The CEOs of each company discussed the partnership at hand.
Yoel Goldfeder, CEO of VStock Transfer, stated, “As an SEC-compliant transfer agent who has had the pleasure of working with a range of companies from private to pre-IPO issuers to NYSE American, NASDAQ and OTC listed companies, it was a seamless pivot into digital securities…We look forward to working with Issuance, an industry pioneer who will help to fuel the capital raising component for our clients.”
Darren Marble, CEO of Issuance, stated, “As digital securities continue to merge with the capital market infrastructure, support from companies such as VStock Transfer are critical to remain compliant throughout the lifespan of a DSO…We are thrilled to add VStock Transfer to our growing network of strategic partners and provide valuable registry and transfer services for our clients and their shareholders.”
VStock Transfer
VStock Transfer is based out of Woodmere, New York, where they provide services as an SEC registered ‘stock transfer agent’. The company is spearheaded by CEO, Yoel Goldfeder – a seasoned attorney specializing in corporate and securities law.
For a deeper look at what services VStock Transfer is able to provide, make sure to visit their website HERE.
Issuance
Issuance was founded in 2018, and is based out of Los Angeles, California. Above all, the main purpose of the company is to act as a bridging platform. For example, this means working to connect investors with appropriate digital securities issuers.
Make sure to check securities.io again for future news on Issuance, as they have indicated future plans to tokenize themselves.
Recent News
Issuance is rapidly developing into a well-rounded company. For instance, this marks just one of various strategic partnerships announced in recent weeks.
Here is a look at a few of our other articles detailing those endeavours.
Issuance and Tokeny – Partnering with a Goal of Interconnectivity
‘PCG Holdings’ Shows Belief in Security Tokens with Investment in Issuance
Exclusive Interview with Issuance CEO – Darren Marble
Issuance partners with Prime Trust
Vertalo and Issuance join Forces
Dx.Exchange has had quite the tumultuous week. As the exchange closes its first week of operation, the team behind the project was able to dodge a potentially damaging situation.
From hordes of investors signing up pre-launch, to potentially disastrous glitches, here is a brief look at the problems that plagued week 1.
Details of the Problem
Upon launch of the platform, an anonymous user took it upon themselves to evaluate DX.Exchange. Shockingly, the user found information leaks that could potentially be harmful to a variety of parties.
Information being leaked ranged from password reset links, to names, email addresses, and more. With this, if someone were so inclined, they would be able to create backdoor entrances to user’s accounts.
It isn’t hard to imagine what kind of havoc a malicious individual could wreak.
Problem Solved
In an attempt to allay investor’s fears, Dx.Exchange has reached out the public with the following statement.
“We would like to thank the vigilant reporter, and our supportive community, who together with, brought his issue to our attention. We are happy to report that the vulnerability has been successfully patched, and no user funds were compromised. Our launch was met with a stellar response from our community eager to trade cryptocurrencies and digital stocks. Customer funds were always safe, our multi layer advanced monitoring and defense mechanism was able to avoid any further issue.”
This statement came after the company scheduled platform maintenance within hours of the news breaking.
WE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY AT 11:00 AM (ESTONIA TIME ZONE) A MAINTENANCE UPDATE TO IMPROVE OUR PLATFORM FUNCTIONALITY AND PERFORM SEVERAL BUG FIXES AND UPDATES. THE PLATFORM WILL COME BACK FULLY FUNCTIONAL AFTER FEW MINUTES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE
— DX.Exchange (@DXdotExchange) January 9, 2019
Caught out Attention
DX.Exchange originally caught our attention due to the manner in which they offer their services. Rather than hosting digital securities of companies that have decided to tokenize, DX.Exchange has taken a different approach.
They are purchasing traditional shares of publically traded companies, and then issuing their own security tokens to investors, representing ownership of the shares. Due to the method in which this transaction takes place, the shares are held by DX.Exchange. However, investors holding the associated security token receive the full range of benefits associated with them (dividends, equity etc.).
Examples of these companies notably include Apple, Tesla, Amazon, and others.
Skeptics Abound
The CEO of DX.Exchange has stated that due to their licencing and region of operation, the SEC has no means in which to stop them from offering these services.
However, there are many skeptics of the exchange that believe it will eventually face due recourse. Through what means is unclear, but there are certainly going to be companies that do not want their shares tokenized in such a fashion.
Dx.Exchange
DX.Exchange is based out of Estonia, and was founded in 2018. Above all, the company acts as an online exchange, providing investors access to a variety of digital assets.
Prior to the events discussed here today, we recently spoke about DX.Exchange and the companies recent launch. To learn more about DX.Exchange, make sure to read the article below.
DX.Exchange to Tokenize Publically traded Securities
Token Issuance
In a recent press release, tZERO has announced that it has finished distributing their native token. This token goes by ‘TZROP’, and is known as a digital security – representing ownership in tZERO itself.
While tZERO finished the token creation process months ago, per regulations, it was mandated that they remain in lock-up for a 90-day period. During this time, tokens were to be held by a third party custodial service. Finally, this 90-day lockup came to an end on January 10th, resulting in the aforementioned distribution and press release.
Successful STO
This issuance process comes months after tZERO completed a wildly successful security token offering, or ‘STO’. For example, taking place over a roughly 2 month span in mid-2018, tZERO was able to raise $134 million USD. In addition, this raise was made possible through investments seen from over 1000 parties worldwide.
Commentary on the Issuance
Multiple representatives from tZERO spoke on the importance of this token issuance.
tZERO Executive Chairman, Patrick Byrne, stated, “The issuance of the world’s first public cryptosecurity, OSTKP, in 2016 was tZERO’s Chuck Yeager moment: we broke the speed of sound by introducing the concept of real-time trade settlement. Today marks our Yuri Gagarin moment, where we leave behind the confines of the known world of traditional capital markets and take the first steps towards a new market powered by blockchain.”
tZERO CEO, Saum Noursalehi, stated, “This is one of the first Security Token Offerings on a decentralized public network, and was conducted in full compliance with the U.S. securities laws…This is an exciting milestone for tZERO, and we are even more enthusiastic about the opportunities this will create for private and public companies wishing to raise capital through security token offerings, and for investors who wish to trade those securities.”
Next Up?
The next step to be taken by tZERO, and the most anticipated by investors, will be the launch of a trading platform. The company originally launched a prototype of this platform on April 9th of 2018. However, it is anticipated that a full launch will occur midway through 2019.
The launch of this platform will facilitate trading via secondary markets. Thereby, imbuing new levels of liquidity to previously illiquid assets.
Recent News
We have recently reported on progress being made by tZERO. For instance, here are a look at a few noteworthy events from recent days.
tZERO is rounding into Form, After Being Awarded a Recent Patent
GSR Capital turns to tZERO for the tokenization of ‘Cobalt’
tZERO
tZERO is based out of New York, and is a subsidiary of Overstock.com. Each are products of Patrick Byrne’s, who has recently noted that he will be increasing his focus on the development of tZERO. Above all, this subsidiary acts as a platform to facilitate various services aimed towards security tokens.