Cryptocurrency investors set for refunds after SEC settles with start-ups

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are associated with initial coin offerings
Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are associated with initial coin offerings Credit: Getty Images

Investors who invested in two cryptocurrency startups last year could be eligible for refunds following a settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

The based regulator settled a case with against two companies that raised tens of millions of dollars selling tokens  in what is known as an initial coin offering.

Paragon Coin and CarrierEQ were both hit with fines after failing to the register sales of its tokens - cryptographic assets similar to cryptocurrencies - with regulators. Both companies are now required to offer to compensate investors who still hold the tokens or who sold them at a loss.

The settlement, which is the first time that civil penalties have been issued against initial coin offerings, is the latest chapter in a battle between regulators and the cryptocurrency community.

ICOs, as they are known, have raised billions for companies who issue crypto tokes to investors in the hope that it increase in value, much like stock in an initial public offering. The practice has been seen by some as a way to bypass regulation attached to capital raising through banks or venture capital.

The settlement follows a series of recent cases in which the regulator has begun to crack down on the practice. Last year, the SEC halted an ICO by a crypto startup Munchee before it was fully underway.

Samuel Dibble, a partner at the law firm Baker Botts, said the settlement constituted regulation by enforcement, with it still unclear what rules ICOs should follow.

“Coins and tokens are subject to securities fraud and these rulings make that clear,” he said. "We’re still waiting for affirmative action on what regulatory process is allowed. It doesn’t move the ball forward, the SEC is still only telling us what you can’t do.".

Paragon Coin raised approximately $12m in its ICO to develop its business applying blockchain technology in the cannabis industry. CarrierEQ Inc, otherwise known as Airfox, raised around $15m to finance an app for users in emerging markets to earn and exchange tokens.

Neither company registered their ICOs in accordance with federal securities laws, nor did they qualify for an exemption to the registration requirements, the SEC said. In addition to offering a refund to buyers, the SEC imposed a $250,000 penalty against each company.

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