HOW TO LAUNCH STO (security token offering) AND WHICH PLATFORM TO CHOOSE ? SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
If you, my dear reader, aren't familiar with blockchain technology and security tokens and you do not share interest in these topics, then this post isn't for you ... |
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INTRODUCTION
... however, I would still love to ask you to resteem it (I hardly ever ask about it) so this publication would reach out to more users. Perhaps someone out there will be able to help me out, as I really need it.
Today I would like to share my own bit of unfortunate experience I have with the idea of launching an STO. I hope that this publication will reach more people, who could point me in a different direction since the current one isn't working out too well for me and my client.
OUR STORY
For the past several months, I've been a part of a team of an existing swiss company with the initial goal to launch an ICO in order to raise funds for futher expansion. |
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We started discussing this idea sometime in 2018 and it was already obvious to us that ICOs are not the way to go since our goal wasn't to provide users with a utility token. What we want is to provide investors with partial ownership of the company. For a brief moment we've considered masternodes as a solution, however we quickly realized that launching an STO is the only right solution.
So far, so good. Decisions were made, the initial budget approved, we worked on our whitepaper and prepared a business plan explaining how raised funds would be used. I've been building contacts with people passionate with blockchain (both on steemit and outside) and preparations were slowly moving forward.
Finally, we came to the point, that we had to decide which platform would we chose to launch the STO. We've considered a few that were available on the market at that time: polymath, smart valor, harbor and few others. And making that decision turned out to be the most challenging.
DIFFICULT DECISION
It wasn't really an easy choice, as the amount of availabe information about those platforms has been very limited. |
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Plus the lack of proper regulations was another issue. We finally made our mind and reached out to the team behind one of such a platform. I won't publicly bring up this company name here, since I believe that it was terrible decision which I regred so far till today.
Initially we've received some support and communication was smooth, however after several weeks with the two people that we were in touch with - they quit their jobs, one after another. That left us hanging in the air, without futher guidance. Since then, it feels like we've been BANGING our heads painfully against the wall. Wall of absolute lack of communication.
Sometimes we need to admit that we've failed. Sometimes we're failing miserably. And since we're back to where we started over year ago, that's exactly how I feel.
WHAT CAN WE DO NOW?
I'm fully aware, that some of you dear readers have enormous knowledge and experience regarding STOs and today I would need to ask for your help. |
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Please share with me the names of other platforms you would recommend if you were us: planning to launch your own STO, existing business located in Switzerland.
I would like to ask about reasons why would you choose the recommended solution? Any examples of succesful STOs being launched on suggested platform? Every feedback matters to me and I read all comments. So the more you write, thebetter :)
STEEM-BOUNTY
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Sorry to hear that piotr.
I don't have any knowledge concerning STOs.
I hope you find a solution and can save the project.
I think you have to ask a basic question first. Why issue a Security Token rather than just selling shares in your company? Unless there is a specific exemption under Swiss law, the rules are going to be the same, so what is the advantage of a token?
Posted using Partiko iOS
I would think that an STO would be more established in a legal sense. For operators that know their business model, broad rules for selling shares in an organization might be disadvantageous when operating in a constantly innovating environment like crypto. Having STO rules for networking organizations to comply with may protect real world assets.
But, I have not had the time to dig into the legal aspect. Nor do I know how much laws can be altered under Swiss law or the US for that matter.
Unlike Bitcoin being considered freedom of speech, I am unaware of how protected the capacity to work (or be an employer) is under the constitution.
For example, Amazon may buy up a town and incorporate it, thereby making all residents under its governance free to employ under US law. However, if I open a business on the ground floor of my apartment building, I may be within my legal right to employ tenants as it exists in a commercial zone, but those who must use government owned land to travel to my business may be illegal to employ under US crypto laws.
U know, like, how current media chatter is about giggly, under-the-breadth :) stuff nowadays.
True that, @apshamilton. I asked myself the same question reading the post. Since both avenues, though seemingly similar, target different investor segments, I was assuming, they were after a specific audience. Selling tokens might work better for certain types of businesses and industries than others.
From a regulatory standpoint though, you have a point.
Hi @crypto.piotr,
STO creates the opportunity for the everyday investor to have a (small) say in large companies. Many company shares are not available to the public and only to bigger institutional bodies such as banks or financial investment companies. Hence my friend, I support your move to establish STO. Tokenization will reach more investors eventually.
If I recalled correctly we did discuss about Polymath, the STO issuance platform. I have no idea whether they are the non-responsive team you mentioned, but placing ERC-20 tokens is not a good choice. Fierce competition, high commission and basically the cons outweigh the benefits.
I came across a platform known as OwnMarket, a permission-less? blockchain. They moved away from the previous CHX tokens which were Ethereum based. Check out some more information here: https://medium.com/ownmarket/top-five-use-cases-for-the-own-platform-6a2e27a24f10
Also feel free to drop me an email. I should be able to do some digging to assist you, now that my PhD thesis is completed. All the best, @tysler :)
Well, after going through the ICO fever, I'm staying away from STOs, IEOs or any other similar scheme. I've been going all in on BTC and ETH... and I'll be buying just a couple of Alts, while ignoring the vast majority of them. 😝
Sounds like a great plan! I'm also trying to do the same. But I am still holding a long list of altcoins that I can't bear to see...
I barely understand SBD and steem power... but I don't understand how car engines work, and yet I drive a car. I feel like flotsam and jetsom sometimes, but I'm here, traveling upstream as far as I can tell....
Ahah. Travelling upstream is a good way to describe it. Sometimes I feel like this:
...
And you really don't want any Snax....?
:)
That means I have to figure out how to claim them myself
No, thanks. 🙃
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Hello @crypto.piotr
I understand that after the 2k17 Ico craze there is a lot of dead projects left and angry investors which sure are done with ICO or STOs.
I from my experience am interested in projects with vision for the future needs and do not believe in shot term success. I think a lot of good projects have now problems with investors who want the 10 or 100x but thats not what i am in for. I am looking for years to come when these projects will proof by their tech.
I have no experience with STO platforms and really do not know what is important for you so it difficult to say which but i am a big fan of the Cardano project due to the scientific background and think they will be a good blockchain when they are some day ready. Right now most are on Ethereum i think but this will change.
The platform you choose should fit for the needs of the project ...
I am exited to see what will be and wish you much success.
Greetings,
Blockchainnerd
I'm personally not a huge fan of STO. I think the market is not mature enough and hence, STO issuers may find it difficult to raise funds.
There are a few other platforms for your consideration. And you might want to check out Open Finance, Own and Preflogic.
Hi @crypto.piotr,
One of the things that you left out was what the company would be about.
I am mainly focused on #steem but I might be able to offer you some ideas if you give me more information.
One idea is to contact @aggroed, since as you probably know, he is the founder of Steem-Engine.com and he plans on making it a full fledged crypto exchange with plenty of non-Steem Cryptos like EOS tokens listed.
In addition to being a crypto exchange, his main service, at least one of the services that will earn his company a good amount of money is the legal services that he supplies.
He offers legal services for people who register a token on Steem-Engine and I think it currently costs $50 USD or something like that to register a token there at this time (it's currently cheap since Steem is cheap right now).
The legal services are an add-on and costs more money than just the token fee with the prices being different based on what you require.. but there is already a list of possible countries you can launch in on his website (already looked at it).
I am actually interested in doing something similar with Steem.ph but I am waiting for Steem-Engine to get stronger, offer even more services and become more decentralised first.
I am also waiting for the regulations to change in the Philippines.
~ @chrisrice
https://chrisrice.xyz
Dear @crypto.piotr
Personally, I'm passionate about everything related to the chain of blocks.
now after reading your publication I feel very sorry for what you and your partners went through. but as I can not recommend any platform with which I have not interacted.
I have seen good comments and where they give you recommendations that should be considered for the launch to be a success....
I think you should study well the market of the sponsoring company and how they can give utility to the tokens.
One of the most important things is the regulatory system, investors require security for their money.
I know they're going to get it because you're very well prepared for business.
As my grandfather used to say.. Money is nobody's friend, and for that reason investors are very careful where they leave their money.