Tagged: sam guzik

Blockchain, Security Tokens and SEC Regulation A+: A Deeper Dive Into the Regulatory Jungle

As the expression goes:  “Look before you leap.”  But if you are an innovator, determined to blaze a trail never before navigated – there is not much to look at. Being a pioneer can be a lonely and dangerous adventure.  Nothing could be more true… Read More

How (Not) to Market Your Regulation A+ Mini-IPO Offering

SEC Regulation A (commonly referred to as Regulation A+) was implemented by the SEC in 2015 pursuant to major Congressional legislation, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the JOBS Act). It allows companies to raise up to $50 million in a 12 month… Read More

Investing in Crowdfunded Companies: Concept & Team Count but Pay Attention to Deal Structure

Investing in early-stage firms is highly risky. As this publication has stated time and again, many, if not most, early-stage firms will fail or simply bounce along failing to achieve the founder’s expectations of great financial success. Investment crowdfunding platforms typically list mainly startup or… Read More

Blockchain and Security Tokens (a/k/a Digital Securities): A Securities Lawyer’s View from the 2018 Los Angeles Crypto Invest Summit

As a securities attorney, when I attend a conference in a rapidly developing area, I come with my own prejudices and beliefs, but with an open mind and open ears – to hear,  digest and discuss the latest developments and thinking.  The 2018 Crypto Invest… Read More

President Trump: It’s High Time for a few More Tweets to SEC Chairman Jay Clayton

President Trump:  It’s High Time for a few More Tweets to SEC Chairman Jay Clayton Any good litigator can tell you that the difference between success and failure is often the ability to ask the right questions – at the right times – and asking… Read More

What Does the Class Action Lawsuit Against the Unikrn ICO Mean for Other Token Issuers Who Used Reg D?

Last week, CI reported on a class action lawsuit filed against Unikrn and their initial coin offering (ICO). The company raised approximately $30 million in an ICO in late 2017. Unikrn was founded by Rahood Sahul, who is no neophyte when it comes to tech and venture capital…. Read More

Fixing the JOBS Act Beyond JOBS Act 3.0: Follow the Money

  Often repeated, but not always followed, is the advice: follow the money. Sometimes basic problems – and their solutions – are more readily understood (and solved) with this simple mantra. Effective capital markets are no exception. They demand faithful adherence to this principle. Lose… Read More

SEC Regulation A+, ICOs and Small Business Capital Formation: For Whom the Bells Toll?

  If the Wall Street Journal is any indicator, so called Regulation A+ offerings, which sprung to life in June 2015, courtesy of Title IV of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the JOBS Act) and SEC rulemaking,  are (or should be) all… Read More

Confido Initial Coin Offering Vaporizes Leaving Token Holders with Little More than Digital Dust

Confido, a small Initial Coin Offering (ICO), has vaporized. The site, Twitter acount and subbreddit is no more. This is a cautionary tale for anyone who may blindly invest in an ICO without doing proper due diligence as this one looks like it is on… Read More

The SEC and Regulated ICOs: Be Careful What You Wish For

Man Proposes and God Disposes On November 8, at an Annual  New York City gathering of securities professionals, SEC Chair Jay Clayton went off script – and in doing so provided what is likely to be the clearest guidance we can expect to receive from… Read More

The SEC, the ICO and Avoiding the ICU: A Call for Leadership and Action

As a securities lawyer and a sometimes advocate for smart regulation of capital formation, I must confess: When it comes to addressing the current state of the Initial Coin Offering (ICO) marketplace, I believe that market participants face a crisis of growing proportions. No Hype… Read More

Tezos Hit with Class Action Lawsuit Filed In California. Is this the Beginning of the End for Unregistered ICOs?

Tezos raised an astounding $232 million in an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) this past summer.  As the price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies rocketed higher, some industry followers pegged the actual raise by Tezos closer to $400 million. A couple weeks back things started to… Read More

New & Improved: Reg A+ May Soon Be Available for Publicly Traded Firms

There is a bill circulating in Congress that may dramatically impact Reg A+ utilization – the crowdfunding rule that currently allows issuers to raise up to $50 million in a scaled disclosure environment. Sponsored by House Representatives Kyrsten Sinema and Trey Hollingsworth, the bill (HR… Read More

House Approves Financial CHOICE Act, the Dodd-Frank Replacement

Dodd-Frank has proven to be a horrible act of legislation. A reactionary swipe directed towards the financial services industry following the calamity known as the Great Recession, many portions of the law have not yet been fully enacted. The new regulations are simply too convoluted… Read More

Guzik Welcome’s Congressman McHenry’s Letter to SEC But Believes More Needs to Be Done

Sam Guzik, a securities attorney and Crowdfund Insider Senior Contributor, has shared his perspective on Congressman Patrick McHenry’s letter to SEC Chair Jay Clayton. Guzik welcomes, McHenry’s requests but believes more needs to be done; “I applaud the unrelenting and tireless efforts of Congressman McHenry… Read More

NextGen Crowdfunding Schedules Title III, Reg CF Anniversary Show

NextGen Crowdfunding, a platform that helps people explore new types of crowdfunding, has announced a webinar special celebrating the one year anniversary since Title III regulations took effect in May 2016. The webinar will take place today (May 16, 2017) at 1PM PT / 4PM ET…. Read More

The JOBS Act Turns Five, Regulation A+ Turns Two, Regulation Crowdfunding Turns One: What Should Be Next on the SEC Chair Jay Clayton’s Agenda

With the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act having just reached its five year milestone, Regulation Crowdfunding hitting its one year milestone, and the two year anniversary of Regulation A(+) fast approaching, I thought this would be a good time to (briefly) reflect on the… Read More

Commercial for YayYo Reg A+ Crowdfunding “IPO” Offer May Push Promotion Too Far

Earlier this month I was running CNBC in the background and a commercial came up that caused me to pause. On the screen was a besuited old white male pitching the next great investment. Coming off a bit like a used-car salesman, I learned later… Read More

Once Again, the SEC Publishes Small Business Forum Report but This Year May Be Different

Earlier this month the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published their annual report pertaining to the yearly SEC Government -Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation. The gathering is mandated by law and has taken place since 1982. Each and every year a group of… Read More

Acting SEC Chairman Piwowar Talks Crowdfunding & Small Business Advocate to Open ACSEC Meeting

SEC Acting Chair Michael Piwowar was present to open the meeting of the Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies (ACSEC) last week. Piwowar, a Republican appointee, took the opportunity to highlight several policy issues. While pointing to the importance of small business as the… Read More

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