Politics, Legal & Regulation

July 2, 2014 @ 2:19 pm By JD Alois  |  

The European Crowdfunding Stakeholders Forum (ECSF) has finalized their initial members and posted their proposed rules that are expected to be present at the groups first meeting.  The deadline for applications was May 16, 2014 with the announcement being made by the EC this past… Read More

July 2, 2014 @ 12:25 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Earlier this year, the Securities Board of the State of Texas had proposed rules on intrastate crowdfunding As previously reported, the new legislation will go into effect next month and as with other state investment crowdfunding laws, the intent is to facilitate capital to small… Read More

July 1, 2014 @ 10:56 am By JD Alois  |  

A growing number of states have taken it upon themselves to push forward with investment crowdfunding while the SEC still ponders Title IV and Title III of the JOBS Act. While Title II of the fabled bill has been in effect since September of 2013… Read More

July 1, 2014 @ 8:32 am By Samuel Guzik  |  

Has Intrastate Crowdfunding in Washington State Been Washed Out by NASAA and the SEC? On May 5, 2014, I published an article in Crowdfund Insider highlighting recent informal “rulemaking” at the SEC Division of Corporation Finance, which in my opinion quietly dampened the efforts of… Read More

June 30, 2014 @ 7:14 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Office of Investor Advocate (IA), a new role mandated by Dodd-Frank, has submitted its inaugural report to Congress.  In February of this year, SEC Chair Mary Jo White appointed Rick A. Fleming as the first Investor Advocate for the SEC. Fleming, a well known… Read More

June 28, 2014 @ 12:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

Several members of congress (20 to be exact out of 435) submitted a comment letter to the SEC earlier this month that attacked the proposal to preempt blue sky review at the state level.  The letter takes the position that it was not the intent… Read More

June 28, 2014 @ 9:38 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission has created an Investor Advisory Committee (IAC), as mandated by Dodd-Frank, to advise the SEC on regulatory practices and priorities.  You would think the SEC would get tired of all of these outside advisors but that is the world of… Read More

June 27, 2014 @ 9:01 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last fall – way back in November 2013 – the SEC held their annual gathering of minds to discuss the challenges of small business capital formation.  The meeting was mandated by law under the “Small Business Incentive Act of 1980”.  This was their 32nd forum… Read More

June 24, 2014 @ 8:48 am By JD Alois  |  

From multiple reports, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) is considering regulations for the fast growing crowdfunding industry.  This entails both peer-to-peer lending and equity crowdfunding.  Apparently forthcoming regulations may be released soon. The CSRC has carried out multiple surveys and reviews of the domestic… Read More

June 23, 2014 @ 10:38 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a consultation paper  on crowdfunding.  The release was widely expected as India moves forward to regulate investment crowdfunding – similar to a growing number of countries around the world.  Comments on the paper are being… Read More

June 21, 2014 @ 11:57 am By JD Alois  |  

Cultural icon Steve Wozniak, part of the magic behind the founding of Apple, has spoken up in support of the MayDay PAC founded by Harvard Professor Lawrence Lessig.  In a video message (embedded below), the Woz talks about all of the problems with our current… Read More

June 20, 2014 @ 9:41 am By JD Alois  |  

The bill that legalizes equity crowdfunding in the state of California continues to push forward.  On May 19th the proposed legislation passed the California Assembly unanimously and moved to the Senate.  This past Wednesday the bill was approved by the Senate Business Professional and Economic… Read More

June 19, 2014 @ 11:02 am By Anthony Zeoli  |  

Few words or phrases have the ability to affect the U.S. economy like the term “accredited investor.” Whether you know it or not, these two little words control $800 billion of private investment in the United Stated today. The standards for qualifying as an accredited… Read More

June 18, 2014 @ 6:23 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

While the Irish government continues to have no plans to regulate the funding method option at this time, the country’s financial services regulator Central Bank of Ireland has issued a consumer notice about crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending options. The Central Bank stated that since crowdfunding regulations… Read More

June 8, 2014 @ 10:50 pm By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this year in March, Chancellor George Osborne announced that investors would soon have access to peer to peer assets via their individual savings accounts (ISAs).  ISA’s are similar to US 401K accounts where individuals may save money on a tax fee basis to prepare… Read More

June 7, 2014 @ 6:52 pm By JD Alois  |  

Congressman Patrick McHenry, one of the investment crowdfunding industry’s most resolute champions, was recently interviewed during a trip to Boston where he was apparently rallying troops and gathering feedback on crowdfunding legislation.  McHenry has always viewed retail crowdfunding as way to democratize access to capital:… Read More

June 6, 2014 @ 9:09 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

Wisconsin’s startup companies finally have another way to raising capital! A new state law, signed into law by Governor Scott Walker last year, now grants up and coming entrepreneurs rights to raise up to $1 million from state investors through online crowdfunding websites. Up to… Read More

June 5, 2014 @ 12:52 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Finnish Ministry of Finance has published a report addressing the emerging crowdfunding industry and it’s impact on Finland. The document was authored by Aki Kallio and Vatteri Vento at the Ministry.  The report includes a small, high level survey from respondents involved in the… Read More

June 4, 2014 @ 11:03 am By JD Alois  |  

Big Names Provide Matching Funds to Fix Badly Broken Congress. Political MayDay PAC hit their initial goal of crowdfunding $1 million two weeks ahead of schedule.  Now the social campaign has launched the next phase of its effort by targeting their next fundraising goa of… Read More

June 2, 2014 @ 9:02 am By JD Alois  |  

Michigan has been one of the states at the forefront of allowing intrastate investment crowdfunding to occur as Title III retail crowdfunding remains in a regulatory holding pattern.  The state has found capable champions in the legislature and within the business community making crowdfunding a… Read More