TradeCloud has announced the launch of the private round of its Swiss-based STO. The communications platform—designed specifically for the physical commodities industry—will offer an initial 25 million tokens for approximately $20 million over the private and public rounds. The TradeCloud Token (TCST) has both utility and security features, and holders will receive a portion of profits.

The tokenization of assets is changing who can access capital—and how. Technology like smart contracts and blockchain will open the floodgates for Main Street investors… allowing access to the kind of early-stage gains rarely available to anyone but big money players.

Karma International initial coin offering (ICO) may be joining the large list of token sale scams as its CEO dodges investors and fails to answer concerned participants… while seemingly enjoying lavish pool parties. Unfortunately, many ICO projects have taken undue advantage of the lack of regulations and laws surrounding investor protection in token sales.

Facebook is attempting to smooth out the regulatory landscape ahead of its crypto asset, currently dubbed GlobalCoin. There’s been considerable buzz around rumored plans for GlobalCoin, allegedly going live next year. The global payment network would span both the social media platform and its sister businesses Whatsapp and Instagram. Users would ostensibly be able to send each other funds, as well as make in-app purchases.

Can a tokenized economy actually become a reality? Signs suggest an industry is emerging, and the potential of tokenization is now being widely recognized. We’re seeing the tokenization of such things as wine, chickens, eggs… and even a rare metal called palladium. A token economy would give a large boost to the global financial system. Here’s what it all means.

It’s not often you hear about the media industry taking notice of security tokens. However, film producer Ryan Kavanaugh is looking to change that. His firm, Proxima Media, is launching its own token called Proxicoin to allow for investment in various media content. Small investors will finally be able to take part in this booming industry through fractional ownership of film, television, music, and other IP-driven content.

The wait is over for non-accredited investors… In Q2 2019, the required holding periods for two digital securities will expire on the OpenFinance Network. OpenFinance was the first regulated platform for secondary trading of security tokens in the U.S. But only accredited investors have been able to participate in STOs, per U.S. regulators. Until now...

After accidentally tweeting images suggesting a margin trading service was in development, Binance has confirmed the cryptocurrency exchange will be launching the service. Margin trading refers to using borrowed funds from a broker or exchange to trade an asset. Other cryptocurrency exchanges—including Kraken, Coinbase’s GDAX, OKCoin, Huobi and Poloniex—already offer margin trading services.

Michael Novogratz, founder and CEO of cryptocurrency merchant bank Galaxy Digital, has suggested that one of the crypto assets created by social media giants will succeed. He reiterated his stance that Bitcoin is a store of value, comparing it to gold, while pointing out that something like Facebook’s coin will probably be used for payments.

Facebook has reportedly set up a fintech company dubbed Libra Networks in Switzerland. According to Reuters, the focus of the fintech is on the blockchain, payments, data analytics, and investing … The Switzerland move was done with no fanfare such as company press releases or blog posts. This seems to be the way Facebook has chosen to roll out its Project Libra. It’s keeping close to the chest even where the project will be launched...

Some of the world’s biggest banks are said to be investing around $50 million to build a blockchain-based digital cash settlement system. A Reuters report on Friday, citing “people familiar with the plans,” said possibly a dozen unspecified banks are involved in the project. The participating banks will reportedly be setting up a new entity called Fnality for the project, which could launch next year.

Securitize is partnering with one of the blockchain industry’s largest security token exchange companies as it open-sources the code behind its in-house protocol. Developers will be able to create dApps on top of the protocol, creating new opportunities for the market. Securitize co-founder and CEO Carlos Domingo said he believes the technology created by his team has “proven itself in the marketplace.”