On April 10, 2025, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance issued a nonbinding statement explaining the general application of existing disclosure requirements under the federal securities laws to crypto asset offerings, and provided example disclosures under certain requirements. The statement provided the following guidance concerning disclosures in crypto asset offering documents.

Description of Business. Regarding material information about the business, blockchain companies may include current or proposed business plans and the purpose of the applicable blockchain network or application and its operations. The staff stated that disclosures should generally avoid technical jargon and descriptions of crypto technologies immaterial to the business and should be consistent with other public disclosures, such as technical white papers.

Risk Factors. Blockchain-related business risk disclosure may relate to planned operations, cybersecurity, and reliance on another network or application. Risks relating to the crypto asset may include its form, price volatility, rights, valuation, liquidity, supply, and custody. Regulatory risks may include those regarding money transmission laws or federal or registration requirements with other federal or state regulators.

Description of Securities. Descriptions of the crypto asset should include its terms, rights, and specific characteristics.For example, disclosure of the rights, obligations, and preferences may include voting rights, dividend entitlements, network effects, transferability, and how these rights are memorialized. Technical specifications may include information on the blockchain technology used and its relation to alteration of rights, wallets and keys, transaction fees, asset divisibility, and whether such technology has been subject to third-party audit. Risk disclosure may also relate to the total supply of crypto tokens and how supply is controlled or maintained, as well as any contemplated arrangements with market makers.

Directors, Executive Officers, and Significant Employees. Disclosure regarding a third party performing critical functions may be included even if not a director, officer, or employee of the issuer. For example, directors and officers of a spot crypto exchange’s sponsor may perform functions similar to directors and officers of the exchange itself. Disclosure related to such a third party may be included, as well as any fees paid to such third parties.

Financial Statements. Issuers may contact the SEC with specific questions on financial statement requirements, especially those regarding unusual, complex, or innovative transactions.

Exhibits. If the rights, preferences and obligations of holders of subject securities are memorialized in smart contracts or otherwise contained in code, the issuer may file the code of the smart contract as an exhibit.

The Division emphasized that its statement does not address all material disclosure items, and that each issuer should consider its own facts and circumstances when preparing disclosures.

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Photo of Barbara A. Jones Barbara A. Jones

Barbara A. Jones is Co-Managing Shareholder of the firm’s Los Angeles office and a member of the firm’s Global Corporate practice. Barbara serves as Chair of the firm’s interdisciplinary Blockchain & Digital Assets practice. Barbara maintains a diverse corporate and securities law practice

Barbara A. Jones is Co-Managing Shareholder of the firm’s Los Angeles office and a member of the firm’s Global Corporate practice. Barbara serves as Chair of the firm’s interdisciplinary Blockchain & Digital Assets practice. Barbara maintains a diverse corporate and securities law practice across industry groups, emphasizing complex international and domestic transactions, including private and public financings, dual listings, mergers and acquisitions, strategic collaborations and joint ventures, and licensing transactions. She serves as a trusted advisor to public and private company boards of directors on governance matters and complex regulatory reporting and compliance issues. Barbara’s clients include financial institutions, private equity and venture capital groups, and public and private companies in emerging technology, life sciences and biotechnology, defense and security, blockchain and digital assets, telecommunications, information technology, energy (traditional and renewable), mining, media, entertainment and sports. Barbara also represents Olympic and professional athletes and sports-related organizations.

Barbara practiced U.S. law in London from 1990 through 1997 with Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP, and headed the international capital markets practice of Kirkland & Ellis LLP from 1999 to 2003 before relocating to Boston. From 1997 to 1999, she served as Vice-President, Assistant General Counsel and Regional Counsel for capital markets with J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd. in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Since returning to the U.S., she has continued to actively represent public and private companies, private equity groups and investment banks in the European, Scandinavian, African and greater Asian markets, including China.

Barbara is a past chair of the ABA’s Subcommittee on International Securities Matters. She is a frequent speaker at conferences relating to cross-border securities matters, strategic alternatives, and digital asset structures. She serves on the Government of Bermuda’s Global FinTech Advisory Board.

Photo of Kyle Jaep Kyle Jaep

Kyle Jaep is a member of the Corporate Practice in Greenberg Traurig’s Los Angeles office. Kyle focuses his practice on capital markets, securities reporting, venture capital financing, and general corporate governance matters. He is a member of the firm’s interdisciplinary Blockchain & Digital…

Kyle Jaep is a member of the Corporate Practice in Greenberg Traurig’s Los Angeles office. Kyle focuses his practice on capital markets, securities reporting, venture capital financing, and general corporate governance matters. He is a member of the firm’s interdisciplinary Blockchain & Digital Assets Group.