Digital Assets 101
Titles and Designations Among Industry Participants
Those that follow developments within the digital securities sector may have come across a variety of titles/designations given to industry participants. While a select few companies have set their sights on attaining a full scope of designations, most specialize in one area or another. This necessitates a high level of cooperation among companies, as issuing digital securities requires utilizing various services.
With Securitize recently attaining the title of ‘transfer agent’, now is as good a time as any to take a brief look at what positions, such as this, entail. Here are a few designations typically associated with digital securities, and a superficial look at the roles which they play.
Placement Agent
Companies tasked with completing the roles of a placement agent typically function as a conduit for raising capital. A placement agent is usually hired by a company looking to raise capital through an STO/DSO or some other means of fundraising. Throughout this process, the placement agent will attempt to connect appropriate, and interested, parties (issuers & investors). In doing so, investors gain access to pre-vetted opportunities in their ‘wheelhouse’, while issuers benefit from access to a larger pool of investors.
Beyond simply providing token issuers access to their contact book, placement agents are able to provide certain levels of clout to relatively unknown companies through mere affiliation. In addition, they are often tasked with helping develop marketing strategies for token issuers, to more efficiently connect appropriate parties.
The following companies are examples of participants within the digital securities sector which hold the title of a placement agent.
Issuance Platform
The entire process of selling and distributing digital securities is contingent on finding a competent issuance platform. Digital securities require specific traits to be built into their coding, as they are required to be compliant with securities laws imposed by regulatory bodies, such as the SEC. This is done when they are created, using issuance protocols based on blockchain technologies, such as Polymath’s well known ST-20.
The following companies are examples of participants within the digital securities sector which act as issuance platforms.
Broker-Dealer
A broker-dealer refers to a licenced company which buys and sells securities. A broker-dealer has the ability to act on behalf of, either, themselves or a client. This is a fluctuating designation which is broken down as follows:
- When securities are traded on behalf of a client, the company is assuming the role of a broker.
- When securities are traded on behalf of the company, itself, the company is assuming the role of a dealer.
The following companies are examples of participants within the digital securities sector which hold the title of a broker-dealer.
Custodian
In a world which is becoming increasingly connected, new challenges regarding security measures are arising every day. This places increased importance on companies assuming the roles of custodians.
Custodians within the digital securities sector are tasked with safely storing digital assets. While their means for achieving this may vary, their presence within the sector is extremely important.
Warranted or not, blockchain based assets are often viewed together. This means that when an unregulated exchange with poor security measures is hacked, it paints a bleak picture of similar assets. To continue the upwards trajectory of blockchain based assets (digital securities), regulated custodians are of key importance. Through stringent security measures, they are able to provide a safe home for valuable assets, as well as piece of mind for their holders.
The following companies are examples of participants within the digital securities sector which provide custodial services.
Marketplace Provider
For participating parties to benefit from the oft-touted liquidity associated with digital securities, these assets need a place to call home. Marketplace providers offer this, as they facilitate secondary market trading of digital securities. By facilitating the buying/selling of digital securities, investors can now easily enter and exit their positions.
The following companies are examples of participants within the digital securities sector which act as Marketplace Providers.
Transfer Agent
For companies which undergo the tokenization process and distribute tokens, a transfer agent is vital. Companies which assume this role are typically tasked with accurately tracking the activity and ownership of distributed assets. This means providing token issuers with an accurate picture of who is in possession of their digital assets, and in some instances doling out dividends to holders.
The SEC breaks down the roles of a transfer agent into the following 3 main categories.
- Issue and cancel certificates to reflect changes in ownership.
- Act as an intermediary for the company.
- Handle lost, destroyed, or stolen certificates
The following companies are examples of participants, within the digital securities sector, which hold the title of a transfer agent.
Jockeying for Position
While there are many roles and designations within the sector, these are a few of the most prominent and important found in digital securities. With the digital securities sector still in a nascent stage of growth, there are various companies jockeying for position as the ‘go-to’ entity for their specialities.
In time, we will eventually see the cream rise to the top, as select companies stand out from the pack with the services they offer.
