Investors continue to flock towards assets such as cryptocurrencies and digital securities as, not only a new form of currency but a hedge against global economic uncertainty. As a result, regulatory bodies around the world have had to adapt or clarify approaches towards these alternative asset classes. The latest to do so is the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission.
Before jumping into what a few of these approaches are, the Nigerian SEC took the time to allay fears of an unnecessarily strict approach.
“Digital assets offerings provide alternative investment opportunities for the investing public; it is therefore essential to ensure that these offerings operate in a manner that is consistent with investor protection, the interest of the public, market integrity and transparency. The general objective of regulation is not to hinder technology or stifle innovation, but to create standards that encourage ethical practices that ultimately make for a fair and efficient market.”
Default Classification
In this recent address to the public, the Nigerian SEC was explicit in its approach towards digital assets, stating,
“The position of the Commission is that virtual crypto assets are securities, unless proven otherwise.”
By taking this stance, it removes the guesswork surrounding the treatment of digital assets. Essentially, it does not matter if an asset fails to fit the definition of a security. In order to be deemed something else, this needs to be proven to the Nigerian SEC on a case-by-case basis. Only then, with the approval of the regulatory body, can an asset be reclassified.
Where the Onus Lies
In addition to establishing its position that all digital assets are to be treated as securities by default, the Nigerian SEC elaborated on where the onus lay for those looking to change the classification of an asset.
“…the burden of proving that the crypto assets proposed to be offered are not securities and therefore not under the jurisdiction of the SEC, is placed on the issuer or sponsor of the said assets.”
Essentially, the Nigerian SEC will not be taking it upon itself to classify every asset. It is the responsibility of a tokens issuer to prove the most appropriate classification.
All Token Offerings Regulated
While the first two points of clarification maintain a focus on investors, a third was made to provide clarity to companies hosting capital generation events.
These events, which include ICOs, DSOs, and IEOs, are all subject to regulation by the Nigerian SEC. There are no forms or variations that ‘skirt’ around existing regulations. As all digital assets are deemed securities by default, this classification spills over into events meant to facilitate their sale/distribution. It is stated,
“…all Digital Assets Token Offering (DATOs), Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), Security Token ICOs and other Blockchain-based offers of digital assets within Nigeria or by Nigerian issuers or sponsors or foreign issuers targeting Nigerian investors, shall be subject to the regulation of the Commission”
In the ICO boom of 2017, companies around the world took part in these popular means of raising capital. While many were scams, there were still many well-intentioned companies that simply were not well informed. As a result, many hosted ICOs, under the impression that securities laws would not apply when this was simply not the case.
This stance by the Nigerian SEC was made in an effort to avoid this confusion moving forward. While ICOs may not be as popular as they once were, token offerings still regularly occur in the form of DSOs and IEOs.
SEC Nigeria
The Nigerian SEC in its current form was founded in 1979. Much like similar regulatory bodies, it is tasked with ensuring fair and transparent capital markets through the creation and enforcement of regulations.
Chairman, Olufemi Lijadu, along with a 9 person board, currently oversees operations.
In Other News
At the beginning of today’s look at the actions of the Nigerian SEC, we alluded to similar occurrences in a variety of nations. Some of these occurrences involved real change, while others simply clarification. The following are a few examples of these.
The post Nigerian SEC Provides Clarification on Token Offerings and Digital Asset Classification appeared first on Securities.io.
