This podcast is of a Blockchain NYC Meetup that happened in New York City February 16, 2018, at Projective Space. Approximately 200 people were in attendance to take a deep dive into asset-backed cryptocurrencies explained by Sun Fund. Host: Jamiel Sheikh of OverrideLabs.com Michael Licamele, CEO, Sun Fund Scott Licamele, SVP of Business Development Sun Fund Sun Fund is tokenizing the renewable energy sector. The Blockchain Report is sponsored by Sun Fund. Visit Sun Fund at www.SunFund.io. Audio Capture: Chris Cassidy
Welcome to The Blockchain Report. This podcast is sponsored by Sun Fund. Check out our white paper at www.SunFund.io. In this episode: reportedly 80 subpoenas* were issued to ICO’s who issued “utility” tokens but did not register them as securities -- what's driving that? Recently the Securities and Exchange Commission said most token offers should be considered “security tokens” as opposed to “utility tokens” -- what does that mean? What if an issuer says they’re a utility token, but the SEC says the issuer is a security token? How does FINCen’s guidance around Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer (AML & KYC) affect issuers and even individual traders holding cryptocurrencies? What does increasing regulatory pressure on cryptocurrency investment for the investor or issuer challenge the validity of blockchain? Does it change the way people invest? Does it change the way ICO’s conduct an offer? If so, how? What could cryptocurrency investors keep in mind about investments going forward? What does scaleability mean to blockchain-based businesses and their use-cases? How can people think about use-cases? And much more. Please subscribe to this podcast and share with your friends using the links generated within the platform. Thanks for listening. We don’t know when the next episode is going up, probably within a few days at most. Thanks very much from all of us at Sun Fund. Correction: We've seen sources that say dozens, or upwards of 80 subpoenas issued, and they may or may not be all related to ICO's in this reported wave of subpoenas issued by the SEC. We apologize for overstating the number of of subpoenas issued. Here is a relevant article: https://www.ccn.com/sec-subpoenas-80-cryptocurrency-firms-including-techcrunch-fund/
Welcome to The Blockchain Report, sponsored by Sun Fund. Check out our white paper: www.SunFund.io. Today’s Episode: What are the overall trends that are unfolding in ICO’s? What are the traits of Regulation A and D offerings? Is there really a 12 month freeze kicking in on crypto trading? A recent article published by CoinDesk’s Brady Dale said this could be the case. Here is the article: https://www.coindesk.com/icos-iced-12-month-freeze-us-token-trading-just-beginning/ Sun Fund’s Scott Licamele says that may be true for some offers but not all, and that there other options which may be available to all investors earlier. The CoinDesk article says there is uncertainty in the market about the difference between a security token or utility token and “no one can be sure until regulators address cryptocurrency more specifically.” It then says there could be a migration to Reg D. offerings by ICO’s which would be open only to accredited investors. These, together, may slow the market compared to recent times. Licamele says that a Reg. A+ Title II option may pick up in number of offerings, which would allow issuers to do a maximum $50M offering that is open to both retail and accredited investors. Here’s the link to Reg. A from the SEC. https://www.sec.gov/smallbusiness/exemptofferings/rega Here’s a link to the SEC’s more expansive definition of an accredited investor (we barely scratched the surface in the show) https://www.sec.gov/smallbusiness/exemptofferings/faq?auHash=rh5WfJi9h3wRzP6X2anOmgYLdhPHNuo-3Vw0YNZyR_M#faq2 Sun Fund’s white paper: www.SunFund.io.
Hi Everyone - In this edition of the Blockchain Report, sponsored by Sun Fund, we make a survey of the energy blockchain space. (It is not comprehensive, but it does share the experience and opinions (which are not investment advice) of Scott Licamele, Co-Founder of Sun Fund, in the energy space.) This podcast also includes some background on Sun Fund so you can understand our perspective in evaluating the blockchain + energy space. We’ve developed more than 50MW of renewable energy projects thus far and we have more than 100 on the books for 2018. There were a few audio hits in the transmission during this interview - sorry about that. We decided to keep it and move on, but just know it’s not your speakers or system setup if you hear a little glitch: it’s on the voip side. Here’s a question-based map of what’s in this podcast. It isn’t the exact wording of the questions but it shows you the material we cover. *** What is the overarching goal of the blockchain ICO’s entering the energy space? What can investment in the blockchain/energy sector do for a person of conscience if they are an environmentalist or somehow committed to green investment, or possibly even fossil fuel divestment? What does Sun Fund do? (See the white paper at www.sunfund.io for more details.) What is Peer-to-Peer Energy trading? What are the limits to scaling a peer-to-peer platform in the US? How does virtual net metering affect peer-to-peer trading? Product Based Blockchain Offers: What should an investor consider in regards to evaluating these types of offer. How are scalability and use-case relevant to blockchain applications of energy tokens? How important is the existence of an incumbent relative to an ICO energy offer? What kind of threat is that to a newcomer? What’s the difference between an asset-backed cryptocurrency and one that isn’t? What defines success for either? What are the types of assets that can back a cryptocurrency? And what does that have to do with statements made in a white paper? What’s the difference between an asset-backed ICO and an asset-backed security? How does blockchain technology democratize asset-backed cryptocurrency investment access? What makes that possible? What is the liquidity premium that comes with blockchain-based asset-backed tokens? What are the methods of equity crowdfunding available to US companies? How do US Investors get access to ICO’s now that the SEC is regulating the coin/token environment? What is the benefit to investors of a larger market? How will exchanges be affected by recent changes to ICO’s and guidance from the SEC? What is the benefit to investors from this overall market movement? What changes may be expected in exchanges? How is Peer-to-Peer energy trading different in the US from other markets? We’ve heard about peer-to-peer blockchain solutions but what is Producer-to-Investor? All of this is opinion. None of it is investment advice. Consult an investment professional. Visit us and keep in touch at www.SunFund.io. Thanks for listening to this edition of the Blockchain Report.
The Blockchain Report is sponsored by Sun Fund. Sun Fund is tokenizing renewable energy assets. Check out our white paper: www.SunFund.io. In this edition of the Podcast Report we discuss the transition of ICO’s from unregistered securities to registered securities. Some of the questions we address are... How far can the SEC reach? What do Initial Coin Offerings have to do with Initial Public Offerings? Where does the concept of a utility token come from? What’s the difference between a security token and a utility token? What rights can an investor get in ICO under what conditions? If a token is a security, what type would ICO’s lend themselves to issuing their tokens as? What is a common share? What is a preferred equity share? Why would a token register as a preferred equity share? Can an ICO give rights to a token holder? What’s the relationship between the token and the definition of a token as a preferred equity share? What are the potential long-term effects of holding unregistered tokens? What should token holders look for? Can offerers register with the SEC? Is there a difference between where the token is offered, and where it is trading? What are the implications of that difference for US citizens and the SEC? What’s an alternative trading system (ATS)? RESOURCES Here is an SEC statement about online trading platforms: https://www.sec.gov/news/public-statement/enforcement-tm-statement-potentially-unlawful-online-platforms-trading We started by discussing this article that explained that the SEC basically has very wide jurisdiction over ICO's where Americans are involved: https://www.dandodiary.com/2017/12/articles/cyber-liability/guest-post-icos-next-get-caught-secs-ico-dragnet/ And we discussed that the SEC basically views most tokens as securities, not utility tokens: https://www.sec.gov/news/public-statement/statement-clayton-2017-12-11 And we mention the Howe test: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEC_v._W._J._Howey_Co. Here is an SEC statement about online trading platforms: https://www.sec.gov/news/public-statement/enforcement-tm-statement-potentially-unlawful-online-platforms-trading Here is a link to general information about securities: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/security.asp
Welcome to the Blockchain Report, sponsored by Sun Fund. We're growing the renewable energy sector. Check out our white paper: www.SunFund.io. Questions answered in the podcast: There’s been market volatility, but if the market is fairly-priced, what does that mean to someone possibly seeking exposure to renewable energy offers? How can equity crowdfunding compliment an already-established portfolio in this market? What opportunities do equity crowdfunding offers present? Who usually gets access to an Initial Public Offering, and what does that mean to the retail investor? How can someone look at an equity crowdfunding investment in order to give it some context and meaning? What are some of the benefits to using a regulated crowdfunding platform? How does blockchain impact scalability and what does that mean for potential upside exposure in an equity crowdfunding offer? DISCLAIMER Sun Fund is not giving investment advice. We are sharing our opinions. Seek investment help from an investment professional.
The Blockchain Report is sponsored by Sun Fund. Check out our white paper: www.SunFund.io. Questions answered in this podcast: How healthy is demand for socially responsible investment? How can people get involved with Socially Responsible Investing, even if they aren’t an accredited or institutional investor? What opportunities do early-stage investments offer impact investors? What influence can blockchain have in socially responsible investment? DISCLAIMER Sun Fund is not giving investment advice. We are sharing our opinions. Use an investment professional.
Welcome to the Blockchain Report sponsored by Sun Fund. This episode is hosted by Ian McGrady, Director of Communications at Sun Fund, and it is Co-Hosted by Scott Licamele, co-founder of Sun Fund. In a nutshell: Market volatility may create opportunities to get in on blockchain-based renewable energy offers that use blockchain to disintermediate/administrate small to renewable energy projects which had been previously hampered in adoption, in part, by administrative costs. We start with a larger market context provided by this article in the New York Times about the stock market taking a dive today. The falling market presents an opportunity to look to the renewable energy market which is growing. People may find interest in the non-commoditized aspect of the market (not solar panel manufacturers). Renewabe companies are offering investment exposure to debt or equity and are also combining blockchain fintech disintermediation technology that can grow the sector by providing incentives for all parties. Investors can look to such stories for upside exposure. Please note: This is opinion, not investment advice. Investments are dangerous and people can lose their money, and sometimes, even multiples of what they invest if they are not careful. Please consult with a qualified, professional financial advisor about any investment. Resources: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/02/business/stock-markets-technology-trade.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news http://fortune.com/2018/04/02/stock-market-nyse-worst-second-quarter-depression/ (The Forbes article is being included after we recorded the podcast.) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-02/crypto-hedge-fund-bubble-begins-to-deflate-as-returns-tumble Solar Awake Up Article Link http://www.solarwakeup.com/2018/03/30/renewables-natural-gas-death/ Bloomberg Article https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-28/fossil-fuels-squeezed-by-plunge-in-cost-of-renewables-bnef-says
Welcome to the Blockchain Report, sponsored by Sun Fund. (Check out Sun Fund’s white paper: www.SunFund.io.) The Blockchain Report explores intersections of blockchain, business and renewable energy. Host: Ian McGrady, Director of Communications at Sun Fund Guest: Scott Licamele, Co-Founder of Sun Fund Subject: Equity shareholder rights when a company conducts an Initial Coin Offering. Check out this Coindesk article: “What if they ICO […]” by Brady Dale: https://www.coindesk.com/ico-investors-seek-veto-power-future-token-sales/ Questions Asked and Addressed: Q: Why should any equity or debt holders be concerned if a business is moving towards adopting an Initial Coin Offering as a strategy? Q: If I’m an Equity Shareholder and the company I’m invested in is going to issue an ICO, what should I expect? What’s a red flag to look for? What could dilute my shares? Is it a different class of stock that could otherwise dilute my rights? Q: How can the company remediate rights if there is an imbalance between equity holders and token holders? Thanks for joining us for this edition of The Blockchain Report. The Blockchain Report is opinion only, not investment advice. Please consult with a professional investment advisor.
SHOW #: 10 HOST: Ian McGrady GUEST: Scott Licamele Welcome to the Blockchain Report. For Show #10 we have an Earth Day tour-de-force of how the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Sun Fund can work together to help stop greenhouse gas emissions via Sun Fund's renewable energy investment platform, the PIP. So for starters, we'd like to say hello to everyone at the United Nations and also those going to the Bonn Climate Change Conference and everyone else working to save the planet by committing resources towards renewable energy development and fighting climate change. (https://unfccc.int/) In this show, we show how Sun Fund's Producer-to-Investor Platform supports the global development of the small-to-medium renewable energy project sector. This is an underdeveloped market which we feel can be developed appropriately world-wide. Here is a link to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300 (This show nor Sun Fund are not affiliated with the United Nations except we share the similar goals of helping humanity and fighting climate change.) This show is long, but it is a Master Class on renewable energy investment and impact: everyone interested in impact investing, ESG factors in portfolio maintenance, sustainable development, socially responsible investing, solar economics, energy policy for any country, and similar topics, would benefit from listening to this. We cover issues from the solar business to how nation-states can benefit from renewable energy. We start by going very deep into Sun Fund’s Producer-to-Investor Platform, which we feel is a warranted discussion given the impact we feel it can have in fighting climate change. Ultimately we saw that Sun Fund's Producer-to-Investor Platform can help the realization of 11 out of 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals. Below, please find links to things we referred to in the show (and a few we didn't but that would support greater understanding of the subject matter). Thank you very much for listening and staying with us. Please share this podcast with your friends. Highest regards, Ian (This show was released after Earth Day, with my apology.) NOTES: Sun Fund's white paper for the PIP: www.SunFund.io Wells Fargo USD $200 billion investment: https://stories.wf.com/wells-fargo-commits-200-billion-toward-sustainable-financing/ Mayor Bloomberg Gives $4.5 billion https://weather.com/news/news/2018-04-23-michael-bloomberg-climate-change-global-warming-donation Check out Sun Fund’s blog post on 3 banks investing USD $100 billion each into the sector: https://sunfund.io/index.php/renewable-energy-investment/ Here is a link to a recent article saying that there is an opportunity to expand solar in the US by relying upon in-place low-to-moderate income housing infrastructure that’s already in-place (where it’s easier to develop solar projects): https://www.nrel.gov/technical-assistance/blog/posts/solar-for-everyone-increasing-low-and-moderate-income-lmi-populations-access-to-solar-power.html A link to Sun Fund’s white paper on their blockchain, Internet-of-Things, which also has a link to their offer: www.SunFund.io Link to a Sun Fund article on Power Purchase Agreements: https://sunfund.io/index.php/solar-power-purchase-agreements/ A link about the US Department of Defense and climate change implications: https://www.propublica.org/article/trumps-defense-secretary-cites-climate-change-national-security-challenge A link referring to an article referring to the Fire Department of New York studying battery backup system safety: https://www.burnhamnationwide.com/final-review-blog/key-steps-to-support-battery-energy-storage-system-adoption-in-nyc Thanks everyone. Stop by SunFund.io and check out a link to our offer there, plus give us your email so we can stay in touch as things develop. See you next time!