What are Security Token Offerings (STOs)? на сайте Nedvio

A Security Token Offering (STO) is a fundraising method where tokenized digital securities are sold to investors for capital. STOs emerged as an evolution of the Initial Coin Offering (ICO) model that allow compliant fundraising through regulated security tokens rather than unregulated utility tokens.

Security tokens are digital assets subject to federal securities regulations. STOs provide a way for businesses to raise funds by distributing tokens representing ownership or assets. STOs combine blockchain technology with established securities laws to provide compliance, oversight, and credibility compared to traditional ICOs.

Key Features of STOs

• Tokenized securities tied to real assets like equity, debt, real estate, etc.
• Compliant offerings adhering to securities regulations.
• Restricted to accredited or approved investors only.
• Provide ownership rights, dividends, profit shares, etc. to holders.
• Traded on regulated security token exchanges.

Benefits of STOs

1. Compliant fundraising model satisfying securities laws.
2. Ability to represent real-world assets on blockchain.
3. Combines benefits of securities with efficiency of blockchain.
4. Brings higher standards and regulatory oversight compared to ICOs.
5. Unlocks global liquidity for traditional securities.

How Security Tokens Work

Here is how security tokens provide on-chain representation of real-world securities:

1. Businesses tokenize existing securities like company shares, bonds, funds, real estate, etc. to create digital security tokens.
2. These security tokens are programmed to have the same rights, dividends, revenue shares, etc. as their underlying assets.
3. Tokens are issued and distributed to investors through a regulated STO process.
4. Tokenized securities can be traded on security token exchanges under applicable laws.
5. Holders can redeem tokens to claim their underlying security assets.
6. Blockchain provides immutable record of ownership and transactions.

The STO Process

Launching an STO involves several key steps:

Preparation

1. The company develops a business plan and investment documents for the deal.
2. They structure the offering to comply with jurisdictions where the STO will be promoted.
3. A legal team prepares a prospectus, risk disclosures, and required filings.

Tokenization

1. The existing securities are tokenized by creating digital tokens on blockchain.
2. Smart contacts encode the rights, dividends, regulatory restrictions, etc. into the tokens.

Offering

1. The company works with regulated platforms to launch the STO and handle investor checks.
2. Tokens are marketed to accredited, institutional, and approved investors.
3. Investors pass KYC/AML and purchase tokens with investment funds.

Secondary Trading

1. Tokens are listed on regulated security token exchanges.
2. Investors can trade their tokens and exit their positions subject to securities laws.

STOs vs ICOs

STOs evolved to improve upon the largely unregulated ICO model. Key differences include:

• Compliance — ICOs exist in a regulatory gray area. STOs adhere to securities laws.
• Investors — Most ICOs are open to anyone. STOs limit participation to accredited or approved investors.
• Token Rights — ICO tokens typically provide no rights. STO tokens represent real assets and securities.
• Disclosures — ICOs lack investor disclosures. STOs provide prospectuses and risk notices.
• Oversight — ICOs have limited oversight. STOs operate under securities regulators.
• Exchanges — ICO tokens trade on crypto exchanges. STO tokens trade on security token exchanges.

Benefits of STOs

STOs provide several advantages over traditional securities offerings:

1. 24/7 Trading — Securities typically trade only during exchange hours. STO tokens can be traded 24/7 across borders.
2. Efficiency — Blockchain and smart contracts reduce transaction costs and time for issuance and trading.
3. Liquidity — Tokenized securities unlock global liquidity pools versus limited interested buyers.
4. Fractionalization — Tokens allow fractional ownership of assets that are traditionally expensive or illiquid.
5. Reduced Fraud — Immutable blockchain records reduce manipulation, forgeries, and errors.
6. Transparency — Investors gain real-time insight into portfolios and holdings.

Current Landscape

Some trends in the evolving STO market:

1. Growing interest from mainstream financial firms looking to tokenize real-world assets.
2. Increased focus on compliance as regulators provide more guidance.
3. Emergence of regulated platforms and exchanges to facilitate compliant offerings.
4. Transition from «utility» tokens toward more security and equity tokens.
5. Mostly institutional participation to date but growing retail investor access.
6. Current market measured in billions of dollars but with expectations to reach trillions long-term.

Challenges Facing STOs

Despite promising potential, STOs still face obstacles to mainstream adoption:

1. Evolving regulations with lack of clarity around compliant implementation.
2. Limited investor participation due to accredited requirements.
3. Ongoing lack of awareness and understanding among businesses and investors.
4. Technical challenges in transitioning traditional securities into tokenized format.
5. Lack of integrated offerings covering end-to-end tokenization, issuance, custody, trading, and compliance.

As regulations and technology continue maturing, STOs are poised to unlock blockchain’s potential for revolutionizing capital markets in a compliant manner. But full realization may remain years away still.