Setting Up Your GigaStar Account

Before You Create Your Account

Setting up your GigaStar Investor account is a straightforward process, but it involves providing sensitive personal and financial information. Before you begin, it helps to understand why this information is required and what to expect at each step.

GigaStar Market is an SEC-registered funding portal and FINRA member. Federal law requires GigaStar to verify the identity of every Investor and to ensure that Investors do not exceed their annual Regulation Crowdfunding investment limits. This is not optional — it is a regulatory obligation that protects both Investors and the integrity of the platform.

The entire setup process takes about 10 to 15 minutes of active time, followed by a one-to-three-business-day waiting period for identity verification. Once your account is verified, you can browse offerings, review Form C documents, and make investments.

For the broader context on how CRT investing works, see: Creator Economy Investing Guide.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to invest.gigastarmarket.io to begin the account creation process.

You will be asked to provide the following information:

Personal information:

• Legal first and last name (as it appears on your government-issued identification)
• Date of birth
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Residential address (P.O. boxes are not accepted for identity verification)

Contact information:

• Email address
• Phone number

Employment information:

• Current employment status
• Employer name (if applicable)
• Job title or occupation

Financial information:

• Annual income
• Net worth (excluding your primary residence)

Why This Information Is Required

Every item on this list serves a specific regulatory purpose.

Your legal name, date of birth, SSN, and address are used for identity verification (KYC). The Know Your Customer process is a federal requirement for all SEC-registered funding portals. It confirms that you are who you say you are and screens against sanctions lists and other regulatory databases.

Your annual income and net worth are used to calculate your Reg CF investment limits. SEC Regulation Crowdfunding caps how much non-accredited Investors can invest across all Reg CF platforms in a 12-month period. GigaStar calculates your personal limits based on the financial information you provide.

Your employment information is part of the standard account profile required by FINRA for brokerage and funding portal accounts.

Tips for a Smooth Account Creation

• Use your legal name exactly as it appears on your ID. Mismatches between your account name and your identification documents will delay or prevent verification.
• Have your SSN accessible. You will need it during the registration process.
• Use a personal email address you check regularly. Account notifications, verification updates, and distribution statements are sent to this address.
• Be accurate with your financial information. Your income and net worth determine your investment limits. Overstating these figures could lead to investing beyond your regulatory limits.

Step 2: Complete Identity Verification

After submitting your account information, GigaStar initiates the KYC (Know Your Customer) verification process.

What Happens During KYC

GigaStar's verification system reviews the information you provided against identity databases and public records. In most cases, this automated process is sufficient to verify your identity. If additional documentation is needed, GigaStar will contact you via email with specific instructions.

What You May Be Asked to Provide

If automated verification is not sufficient, you may need to submit:

• A government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
• A document verifying your address (utility bill, bank statement)

Timeline

Identity verification typically takes one to three business days. Processing times can vary based on application volume and whether additional documentation is required. You will receive an email notification when your account is verified.

While You Wait

The verification period is a good time to:

• Browse available Creator offerings on GigaStar Market to familiarize yourself with the platform
• Read the educational materials about CRT investing, including How Channel Revenue Tokens Work
• Review the Form C reading guide so you know how to evaluate offerings once your account is active
• Review the risk factors in Creator investing to ensure your expectations are calibrated

Step 3: Understand Your Investment Limits

Once your account is verified, GigaStar automatically calculates your annual Reg CF investment limits based on the income and net worth information you provided.

How Limits Are Calculated

SEC Regulation Crowdfunding investment limits work as follows:

If your annual income OR net worth is less than $124,000: You can invest up to the greater of $2,500 or 5% of the lesser of your annual income or net worth, across all Reg CF platforms, in a 12-month period.

If BOTH your annual income AND net worth are at least $124,000: You can invest up to 10% of the lesser of your annual income or net worth, with a maximum of $124,000 per year across all Reg CF platforms.

Important Notes About Limits

• These limits apply to your total investments across all Reg CF platforms, not just GigaStar. If you invest through other Reg CF platforms, those investments count toward your annual limit.
• Your limits are based on the financial information you provide. If your income or net worth changes, you should update your account information.
• Accredited Investors are not subject to these caps but are still subject to the per-offering maximum.

Step 4: Set Up Account Security

Protecting your investment account is your responsibility. Take these steps to secure your account immediately after verification.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security beyond your password. When 2FA is enabled, logging in requires both your password and a verification code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app. Enable this feature in your account settings.

Use a Strong, Unique Password

Your GigaStar account password should be:

• At least 12 characters long
• Unique — not used for any other account
• A combination of letters, numbers, and special characters
• Stored securely in a password manager rather than written down or reused

Keep Your Contact Information Current

GigaStar sends account notifications, verification codes, and distribution statements to your registered email and phone number. If these change, update them promptly to maintain access and stay informed about your investments.

Step 5: Explore the Platform

With your account verified and secured, you are ready to explore GigaStar Market.

Browse Available Offerings

Each Creator offering on GigaStar Market includes:

• Creator and channel information: Who the Creator is, what content they produce, and their channel's performance data.
• Offering terms: The revenue-sharing percentage, the duration of the revenue-sharing period, the total raise amount, and the minimum investment.
• Form C: The SEC-required disclosure document containing all material information about the offering, including risk factors, use of proceeds, and financial data.
• Risk factors: A detailed list of the risks specific to this offering and to CRT investments in general.

Review Before You Invest

Before making any investment, read the full Form C and all risk factors. Pay particular attention to:

• The revenue-sharing percentage and duration
• How the Creator plans to use the raised capital
• The Creator's historical revenue data and trends
• All disclosed risk factors

Do not skip the risk factors section. Understanding what could go wrong is as important as understanding the potential upside.

For a complete walkthrough of making your first investment, see Your First CRT Investment: Step-by-Step Guide.

Key Takeaways

• Account creation requires personal and financial information including your legal name, SSN, income, and net worth, all of which serve specific regulatory requirements.
• Identity verification (KYC) takes one to three business days and must be completed before you can invest. Use this time to explore the platform and read educational materials.
• Investment limits are automatically calculated based on your income and net worth under SEC Regulation Crowdfunding rules. These limits apply across all Reg CF platforms.
• Enable two-factor authentication immediately after your account is verified to protect your account.
• Browse and research offerings before investing. Read the full Form C, review risk factors, and understand the Creator's channel data before committing capital.
• Keep your account information current. Accurate contact details ensure you receive important notifications, and accurate financial information ensures correct investment limit calculations.
• Questions? Contact GigaStar at info@gigastar.io for account-related support.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Channel Revenue Token investments involve significant risk, including potential total loss of invested capital. Past performance does not predict future results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information do I need to create a GigaStar account?

To create your GigaStar Investor account, you will need your legal first and last name as it appears on your government-issued ID, date of birth, Social Security Number, residential address, email address, phone number, current employment information, annual income, and net worth (excluding your primary residence). All of this information is required by federal regulations governing SEC-registered funding portals. Your personal details are used for identity verification, your financial information determines your annual Reg CF investment limits, and your employment data is required for your FINRA-compliant account profile.

How long does GigaStar identity verification take?

The identity verification (KYC) process typically takes one to three business days after you submit your account information. Most verifications are completed through automated systems that check your information against identity databases. If the automated process requires additional confirmation, GigaStar may request supplementary documentation such as a government-issued photo ID or proof of address, which can extend the timeline. You will receive an email notification when your account has been verified and is ready for investing.

Why does GigaStar need my Social Security Number?

As an SEC-registered funding portal and FINRA member, GigaStar is legally required to verify the identity of every Investor through a Know Your Customer (KYC) process. Your SSN is the primary identifier used in this verification. It is also required for tax reporting purposes — if you receive distributions from your CRT investments, GigaStar must report this to the IRS, which requires your SSN. Your information is handled in accordance with federal data security requirements applicable to registered financial intermediaries.

Can I start investing immediately after creating my account?

No. You must complete the identity verification process before you can make any investments. This typically takes one to three business days. During this waiting period, you can browse the available Creator offerings on GigaStar Market, read the educational content, and review Form C documents to begin your research. Once your identity is verified, you will receive a confirmation email and your account will be fully activated for investing, subject to your calculated Reg CF investment limits.