The US SEC amendments and SAFT process

[Cordillerabit]

Earlier this year, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission — in both the SEC versus Telegram and SEC versus Kik cases — vigorously argued that sales of contractual rights to acquire tokens on a when-issued basis (widely referred to as Simple Agreements for Future Tokens, or SAFTs) should be integrated with later sales of the tokens. When the judges in those cases issued rulings agreeing with the SEC, it felt like a door was closing on the SAFT process, making it unworkable for future crypto offerings. Then, on Nov. 2, a divided SEC adopted a series of amendments to its rules that, among other things, dramatically limit the integration doctrine. These amendments may have opened a new door, potentially paving the way for a viable SAFT process.

Adopted as part of an effort to “harmonize and improve” what the Commission called a “patchwork” of exemptions from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, the amendments were originally presented as a concept release in June 2019 and a proposing release in March 2020. The hope of those supporting the initiative was to reduce “costly and unnecessary frictions and uncertainties” as well as add certainty “in the context of a more rational framework” to facilitate capital formation and benefit investors.

For crypto entrepreneurs in particular, there are a number of positive things included in the new rules, which are scheduled to go into effect 60 days after they are published in the Federal Register. Tier 2 offerings under Regulation A may be somewhat more attractive, as the cap on funds that can be raised has been increased from $50 million to $75 million. The extensive disclosures and requirement of qualification by the SEC have, however, not been changed.

The Regulation Crowdfunding fundraising cap has been increased from $1.07 million in any 12-month period to $5 million, but the extensive and on-going reporting requirements attached to this particular exemption are unlikely to make it attractive to many issuers. Rule 504 of Regulation D can now be used to raise $10 million rather than being capped at $5 million, but the limitations on advertising and the requirement that state laws must be complied with make this option relatively unattractive as well. The biggest potential positive for those interested in issuing crypto assets would seem to be one of the new safe harbors against integration.

Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/the-us-sec-amendments-and-saft-process