The JOBS Act includes provisions to allow intermediaries known as “Crowdfunding Portals” to assist companies with raising capital using the internet. Crowdfunding Portals will serve as attractive capital raising centers for private companies seeking to go public in need of seed capital. Crowdfunding Portals can be either registered brokers or SEC approved Crowdfunding Portals. Crowdfunding Portals are not subject to the extensive registration requirements applicable to brokers, but they must register with FINRA and the applicable SROs.
Crowdfunding Portals are not subject to the extensive registration requirements applicable to brokers, but they must register with FINRA and applicable Self Regulatory Organizations.
Restrictions on Crowdfunding Portals include prohibitions from offering investment advice, soliciting transactions in securities offered or sold, compensating any employees or agents for soliciting transactions, holding, managing or collecting investor funds or securities, and engaging in activities prohibited by the SEC.
FINRA can enforce and examine rules specifically written for funding portals and Crowdfunding Intermediaries.
Crowdfunding Portals must collect the Portals are required to obtain background checks on each of a issuer’s officers and directors, or any holder of more than 20% of an issuer’s equity securities.
Under the JOBS Act, Crowdfunding Intermediaries must:
♦ register with the SEC and any applicable SRO;
♦ provide disclosures related to risks, as well as other investor education materials;
♦ ensure that offering proceeds are provided to the issuer and allow purchasers to cancel orders;
♦ make efforts to ensure that no investor exceeds individual Crowdfunding maximum investment amounts;
♦ protect investor privacy;
♦ not directly or indirectly compensate promoters, finders or lead generators who refer or direct investors to the offering; and
♦ not allow Crowdfunding Portal officers, directors or partners to have a financial interest in any issuer using the portal’s services.
State Law’s Impact on Crowdfunding Portals
Crowdfunding transactions are preempted from state regulation under the National Securities Markets Improvement Act (NSMIA). States can require a notice filing for the state of the issuer’s principal place of business or from where 50% or more of the aggregate amount of the offering is sold to its residents; however, in contrast to Regulation D offerings, states cannot collect filing fees on Crowdfunding transactions.
For more information about the JOBS Act please visit our blog post at:
http://www.securitieslawyer101.com/emerging-growth-company
For further information about this securities law blog post, please contact Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney at 101 Plaza Real S, Suite 202 N, Boca Raton Florida, (561) 416-8956, by email at info@securitieslawyer101.com or visit www.gopublic101.com. This securities law blog post is provided as a general informational service to clients and friends of Hamilton & Associates Law Group and should not be construed as, and does not constitute, legal and compliance advice on any specific matter, nor does this message create an attorney-client relationship. For more information about going public and the rules and regulations affecting the use of Rule 144, Form 8K, crowdfunding, FINRA Rule 6490, Rule 506 private placement offerings and memorandums, Regulation A, Rule 504 offerings, SEC reporting requirements, SEC registration statements on Form S-1 , IPO’s, OTC Pink Sheet listings, Form 10 OTCBB and OTC Markets disclosure requirements, DTC Chills, Global Locks, reverse mergers, public shells, direct public offerings and direct public offerings please contact Hamilton and Associates at (561) 416-8956 or info@securitieslawyer101.com. Please note that the prior results discussed herein do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Hamilton & Associates | Securities Lawyers
Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney
101 Plaza Real South, Suite 202 North
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Telephone: (561) 416-8956
Facsimile: (561) 416-2855
www.GoPublic101.com
