Kurzbeschreibung

Reihe: Kooperationswerke Beck - Hart - Nomos

We are currently witnessing a revolution in the financial markets. While Bitcoin has been around for some time, new blockchain-based ‘tokens' have recently emerged, offering new ways of fundraising for businesses of all sizes. Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) have become an alternative to the traditional investments for private and institutional investors. Market insiders and academics alike agree that these new ‘crypto assets', commonly referred to as currency tokens, investment tokens and utility tokens, have the potential to change the shape of the financial market landscape significantly.

Despite its innovative potential, the legal status of crypto assets is still uncertain. Are ICOs subject to prospectus disclosure requirements? How can anti-money laundering laws be applied to virtual currencies? Does selling tokens to private persons trigger the application of consumer protection laws? The private law of which country applies to international token transactions? Do token-related services require authorization by national regulators, and if so, the national regulators of which country?