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Security Token Offering (STO): What It Is and How It Works

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Security Token Offering (STO): What It Is and How It Works

In this article, we'll explain what a security token offering is, how an STO works, and why it might be a good option for startups looking to raise money. Let’s get started!

The introduction of Bitcoin in 2009 has revolutionized how we look at technology, especially the technology revolving around financial institutions. Blockchain technology’s evolution, a combination of distributed ledger and cryptography-based security, is regarded as the next big thing in the financial industry.  

Major financial institutions like JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Citi Group, Credit Suisse, etc., have been heavily investing in blockchain technology to secure and improve the banking experience. Financial Consultancies like Deloitte, KPMG, etc., are working with blockchain-based software to enhance security, reduce human error and fraud, and improve data confidentiality. Barclays have been facilitating KYC and Fund Transfer using blockchain-based software.

Blockchain in the future will play a crucial role in the financial sector as it provides security, decentralization, and transparency and makes the processes involved much more efficient, trustworthy, and secure.


What Is Security Token Offering?

Security Token Offering or STO also referred to as tokenized IPO (Initial Public Offering), offers tokenized digital securities. These security tokens are used for trading financial assets, equities, fixed income, and assets in general.

Security Token Offering uses blockchain technology to enhance security and serve regulatory objectives like disclosure, transparency, fairness, integrity, innovation, and automation using smart contracts. STO can be regarded as digital representations of asset ownership like gold, real estate, the share of profit, revenue, equity, bonds, intellectual properties, and other rights.


How Does a Security Token Offering Work?

Security Token Offering involves the creation of a secured Blockchain network. The tokens can then be created, acquired, transferred, sold, and can be burned and are governed by the rules of their blockchain network and its smart contract code. It can be offered over existing blockchain networks like Ethereum or can be specially created with unique guidelines and rules.

STOs are quite similar to companies raising funds through IPO. STOs differ from IPO as in an IPO. The investor is offered stocks against his investment. In STOs, digital tokens legally represent assets that can be gold, equity, real estate, etc., and are offered to the investor against his investment in the company.

STOs were introduced after many ICOs or Initial Coin Offerings scammed the investors. ICOs were unregulated, while STOs bring the best of both worlds, i.e., the power and security of blockchain in a regulated environment. STOs are secure as they fall under security regulations and come under many jurisdictions. 


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