Global fintech and funding innovation ecosystem

The Security Token Field – The Next Step After the ICO Annihilation?

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The crypto space, though promising in a myriad of different ways still has many obstacles to overcome. Bad actors are slowly being weeded out but at an excruciating pace. Ideally, the crypto space would have so much competition, innovation and use cases that the best ideas and best innovators would naturally stand tall. Though 2018 has been a trying year for everyone in the space, 2019 is looking positive as many promising projects are rearing to go. These neophytes, though not experienced are seeking to close the gaps within the crypto space that have lingered since the beginning, namely; security, accountability and transparency and above all, practical implications for the technology.

Countries like Gibraltar, Malta, and Switzerland seeking to build legislative frameworks for these new businesses to operate and thrive in, and give them a home. However, it is a difficult balance; on the one hand to regulate, securitize and make everything compliant, whilst also not stifling budding, inherent innovation. Although everyone recognizes that DLT has huge potential, the time has now come for the space to mature, become regulated and for things be done right. Now is the time to forget the somewhat murky beginnings of Blockchain and embrace this new technology and the great potential it may hold for the future.

In this article we will be discussing three projects in the STO area, a crowdfunding platform, an AI based investment platform and finally a traditional company which is not a typical idea for blockchain.

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One such project which has ambitious plans in the space is Crowd for Angels. This claims to be a regulated, crowdfunding platform that helps companies list their projects and helps them raise capital by way of equity, debt and crypto tokens. They claim to be are one of the first regulated entities in the UK and Europe to allow tokens to be sold through their platform. They recently launched a Sports Investment Security Token Offering where investors can own a share in a Premier League or Serie A club's shirt sponsorship.

The Sports Investor Coin ('SIC') is a Security Token that is expected to populate the world's first sport asset-backed portfolio. The founders run a successful sports marketing business that has brokered millions of dollars in deal value over the last 8 years. According to the founders, the capital raised from the sale of SIC Security Tokens will be used to make strategic acquisitions of sports sponsorship assets on a medium to long-term basis, using the adage of purchasing at wholesale price and selling at retail. These assets will eventually be sold initially through existing sales networks but will eventually be moved onto a digital marketplace.

"Before agreeing to list any project, we ensure the utmost transparency and due diligence to make sure that participants associated with any of the projects are genuine and act in the best interests of the investors with as little risk as possible", CMO Andrew Adcock said.

Crowd for Angels Director Tony de Nazareth said that utilizing the blockchain and tokens to digitize assets allows previously illiquid assets to become liquid and promote a market economy. Investors benefit from greater diversification, transferability, and transparency in decision making with the internet having now penetrated into the traditional financial markets, he added.

Malta is currently rolling out its blockchain and DLT legislation with several companies applying for a VFAA license in order to conduct ICO's and STO's. One of the most interesting as regards the latter is Valora, a Japanese company which aims to revolutionize the way the financial markets operate, or so, they claim.

Valora is a blockchain-based investment matchmaking platform which aims to disrupt the world of traditional investments while also bringing liquidity to the exciting ideas of tomorrow and any business visionaries who wish to make their project or blockchain-based business a reality.

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Interestingly, it uses artificial intelligence (AI), data and opportunities to present investment opportunities and information to the investor - the investor uses this information to make an informed decision.  With 10 years of experience in the investment field, the Valora team are now using Artificial Intelligence to filter the quality of the offered services continuously. With the help of VALORA, investors have a wide array of ROI (return-on-investment) choices in the form of profit share, tokenized assets, bonus exit gains, and development projects. You can also make informed investments whilst choosing from a curated pool of projects. The fact that it is a public blockchain also ensures safety.

Valora's platform also assesses the risk and calculates the percentage of the project that is paid annually to the 3rd party insurer ( such as MIGA). It also enables the best investment opportunities to be more accessible than otherwise would only be reserved to VC Companies, Insiders or Banks. Users also have access to an untapped pool of global investment entities and business individuals.

Valora also claim to have unparalleled levels of liquidity which are also provided by the worldwide investment community. Not to mention the added advantage of investing in crypto-related and Blockchain projects with FIAT (fiduciary) currency. The concept was born when people wanted to invest but within the safety net of an established blockchain project like Ethereum, Cardano and EOS among others.

You wouldn't expect a company that makes the famous red boxes used by British Prime Ministers to go for a Security Token Offering but that's exactly what Wickwar are doing.

Wickwar has been making its exclusive despatch red boxes for over 200 years. This London-based business makes handmade, bespoke items for elite clients. These include Theresa May, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and even the Queen of the United Kingdom, herself.

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Despatch boxes were originally used by British Members of Parliament to carry documents into the Commons Chamber. Two can now be found permanently in the Chamber on the central table and contain religious texts of the Oath for the day. Frontbenchers (ministers and shadow ministers) deliver their addresses from their side's despatch box. The despatch boxes in use today were gifts from New Zealand and designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott to replace the boxes destroyed during bombings in the Second World War.

Now, Wickwar is working on its security token offering (STO) where investors are offered tokens to benefit from the possibility of token appreciation or unlocking the ecosystem’s utility. They are looking to raise funds in UK of about £2 million, eventually being valued at approximately £8 million. Wickwar is fully regulated under UK prospectus regulation with tokens in Ethereum ERC 1400 and tied to shares of 1 token which would be equal to 1 share £1 each. Funds raised will be used to expand the output of the factory and the workshop as well as to expand supply into Asia, due to a recent order of 100 units, where each unit retails for £5000.

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The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org

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