Funding Portal
An SEC-registered, FINRA-member entity that facilitates securities offerings under Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF). GigaStar Market is a registered funding portal.
Understanding Funding Portal
A funding portal is a specific type of securities intermediary registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Funding portals are authorized to facilitate securities offerings exclusively under SEC Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF).
GigaStar Market LLC operates as a registered funding portal, providing the primary marketplace where Creators list their Channel Revenue Token (CRT) offerings. Through this platform, Investors can browse available offerings, review Form C filings and offering documents, and purchase CRTs directly from Creators.
Funding portals differ from traditional broker-dealers in several important ways. They are prohibited from offering investment advice, soliciting purchases, or holding Investor funds or securities. Instead, they serve as a regulated conduit connecting Creators seeking capital with Investors interested in the Creator Economy.
As a FINRA member, GigaStar Market must comply with strict regulatory requirements, including conducting background checks on offering issuers, providing educational materials to Investors, and ensuring proper disclosures are made available. The platform must also enforce SEC-mandated investment limits for non-accredited Investors.
It is important to distinguish GigaStar Market (the funding portal handling primary offerings) from GigaStar Securities (the broker-dealer operating the Secondary Market). Each entity serves a distinct regulatory function within the GigaStar ecosystem, and both are subject to ongoing FINRA and SEC oversight.
Key Points to Remember
- Funding Portal is regulated by the SEC under Regulation Crowdfunding
- All investments carry risk — past performance doesn't guarantee future results
- Review all offering documents carefully before investing
Related Terms
Crowdfunding
Raising capital from many individual Investors through an online platform. GigaStar uses SEC Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) for CRT offerings.
FINRA
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The self-regulatory organization overseeing broker-dealers and funding portals in the United States.
Form C
An SEC filing required for all Regulation Crowdfunding offerings. Contains offering details, financial statements, and risk factors for Investor review.
GigaStar Market
GigaStar Market is an SEC-registered funding portal and FINRA member where Investors can purchase Channel Revenue Tokens (CRTs) in primary offerings from YouTube Creators.
GigaStar Securities
GigaStar Securities LLC (dba GigaStar Trading), an SEC-registered broker-dealer and FINRA/SIPC member that operates a secondary market Digital Alternative Trading System (ATS) for the trading of Creator securities (CRTs).
Offering
A CRT offering is when a YouTube Creator raises capital through GigaStar Market by selling Channel Revenue Tokens to Investors, with each offering backed by a Form C filed with the SEC.
Primary Market
The primary market is where new Channel Revenue Token (CRT) offerings are sold directly to Investors for the first time through GigaStar Market, the SEC-registered funding portal.
SEC
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The federal agency regulating securities markets, including GigaStar's CRT offerings under Regulation Crowdfunding.
SEC Regulation CF
SEC Regulation Crowdfunding (Regulation CF) is the federal securities framework that allows companies like GigaStar to offer CRTs to both accredited and non-accredited Investors, up to $5M annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a funding portal?
A funding portal is an SEC-registered, FINRA-member intermediary that facilitates securities offerings under Regulation Crowdfunding. GigaStar Market is a registered funding portal that hosts CRT offerings, ensuring regulatory compliance, required disclosures, and Investor protections as mandated by the SEC.
How does the SEC protect Investors in crowdfunding?
The SEC requires detailed disclosures through Form C filings, mandates annual investment limits for non-accredited Investors, provides a cancellation period before offering close, requires ongoing reporting from issuers, and oversees funding portals like GigaStar Market. These regulations are designed to provide transparency, though they do not eliminate investment risk.
Is GigaStar legitimate and regulated?
Yes, GigaStar is fully legitimate and regulated. GigaStar Market is an SEC-registered funding portal and FINRA member. GigaStar Securities LLC is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. All Channel Revenue Token (CRT) offerings are conducted under SEC Regulation Crowdfunding with required disclosures, investor protections, and ongoing regulatory oversight. You can verify GigaStar's registrations on the SEC's EDGAR database and FINRA BrokerCheck.