I read a Wall Street Journal article today about the recent investigation into websites claiming to be crowdfunding platforms. Of the reported 9,000 websites that contain the word “crowdfund” in their website names, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA)—the organization that represents state securities regulators—has investigated roughly 2,000, and plans to give a closer look at 200 of those.

Why the investigation in the first place? Well, many securities regulators are concerned… Read the rest

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released its annual financial report recently. At various points throughout the report, the SEC notes that it has worked and will continue to work to implement the JOBS Act in a quick, pragmatic manner.  Also, the report points out that the SEC will attempt to maintain the congressional intent behind the Act in its rulemaking.

The Commission stated in its Management Discussion and Analysis report that it will work to implement the JOBS Act in a “practical… Read the rest

Last week we wrote about the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announcing the creation of a form for prospective funding portals. Just one week later, FINRA has issued the voluntary interim form for funding portals, which is designed to collect information from prospective crowdfunding portals under the JOBS Act. Those prospective funding portals may voluntarily submit information about their company, and FINRA will use the information it receives to develop rules specific to the regulation of crowdfunding portals.

Once… Read the rest

Flashback to April 5, 2012: President Obama puts pen to paper and signs the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the JOBS Act). The President declares that startups and small businesses will “now have access to a big new pool of American investors—namely the American people.” Entrepreneurs rejoice as the potential impacts of this bill could be huge for startups and small businesses. The bill provided a framework and the SEC was handed the reins to draft rules that would govern much of new legislation. The SEC was given a 90-day deadline to implement the JOBS Act.

Flash forward more than… Read the rest