From f0c58762a8333c4ed384714adfc0a7343f899d01 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: safeharbor-reader <82688159+safeharbor-reader@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2021 16:44:59 -0700 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] Widen language to include protocol and dApps This fixes https://github.com/CommissionerPeirce/SafeHarbor2.0/issues/24. The core change is to explicitly state that this proposal includes protocols, and decentralized apps ("dApps") as well as blockchain networks. Such dApps (eg. Compound, or Uniswap) are built on top of blockchain networks, and constitute the majority of new projects in the space. So having clarity on this point is crucial. And since both dApps and blockchains often sell tokens and both aspire to full decentralization, it seems appropriate to include them. Note: the original issue suggested other changes, but upon reading through it again, I think the one change to clarify the definition of "network" up top may be sufficient. --- README.md | 4 ++-- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index f2d3c7a..25fd1e2 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ Potential Proposed Securities Act Rule 195. Time-limited exemption for Tokens. 1. *The analysis of whether a digital asset is offered or sold as a security is not static and does not strictly inhere to the digital asset. A Token may be offered and sold initially as a security because it is wrapped in a transaction involving an investment contract, but the Token may later be offered and sold outside of an investment contract. For example, sales of a particular Token likely would not constitute sales of an investment contract if purchasers could no longer reasonably expect a person or group to carry out the essential managerial or entrepreneurial efforts.* -*However, for a network to mature into a functional or decentralized network that is not dependent upon a single person or group to carry out the essential managerial or entrepreneurial efforts, the Tokens must be distributed to and freely tradeable by potential users, programmers, and participants in the network. The application of the federal securities laws to the primary distribution of Tokens and secondary transactions frustrates the network’s ability to achieve maturity and prevents Tokens sold as a security from functioning as non-securities on the network.* +*However, for a network (which for the purposes of this proposal may include protocols, decentralized apps, or "dApps") to mature into a functional or decentralized state that is not dependent upon a single person or group to carry out the essential managerial or entrepreneurial efforts, the Tokens must be distributed to and freely tradeable by potential users, programmers, and participants in the network. The application of the federal securities laws to the primary distribution of Tokens and secondary transactions frustrates the network’s ability to achieve maturity and prevents Tokens sold as a security from functioning as non-securities on the network.* *Accordingly, this safe harbor is intended to provide Initial Development Teams with a three-year time period within which they can facilitate participation in, and the continued development of, a functional or decentralized network, exempt from the registration provisions of the federal securities laws so long as certain conditions are met. The safe harbor is designed to protect Token purchasers by requiring disclosures tailored to the needs of the purchasers and preserving the application of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws to Token distributions by an Initial Development Team relying on the safe harbor.* @@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ Potential Proposed Securities Act Rule 195. Time-limited exemption for Tokens.             (A) Information explaining the launch and supply process, including the number of Tokens to be issued in an initial allocation, the total number of Tokens to be created, the release schedule for the Tokens, and the total number of Tokens outstanding; -            (B) Information detailing the method of generating or mining Tokens, the process for burning Tokens, the process for validating transactions, and the consensus mechanism; +            (B) Information detailing the method of generating or mining Tokens, the process for burning Tokens, and if applicable, the consensus mechanism and process for validating transactions;             (C) An explanation of governance mechanisms for implementing changes to the protocol; and From 2ec19bc8c9929e06079d4d1d860ca372eb27db76 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: safeharbor-reader <82688159+safeharbor-reader@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2021 16:49:20 -0700 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] Change ordering of clauses back to the original I had originally altered the ordering of these clauses, but this isn't necessary, so in the interest of minimizing changes I went back to the original. --- README.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 25fd1e2..ef518da 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ Potential Proposed Securities Act Rule 195. Time-limited exemption for Tokens.             (A) Information explaining the launch and supply process, including the number of Tokens to be issued in an initial allocation, the total number of Tokens to be created, the release schedule for the Tokens, and the total number of Tokens outstanding; -            (B) Information detailing the method of generating or mining Tokens, the process for burning Tokens, and if applicable, the consensus mechanism and process for validating transactions; +            (B) Information detailing the method of generating or mining Tokens, the process for burning Tokens, and if applicable, the process for validating transactions, and the consensus mechanism;             (C) An explanation of governance mechanisms for implementing changes to the protocol; and