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).
Understanding GigaStar Securities
GigaStar Securities LLC, doing business as GigaStar Trading, is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and a member of both FINRA and SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation). It operates a secondary market Digital Alternative Trading System (ATS) that provides a regulated venue for buying and selling Channel Revenue Tokens (CRTs) after the mandatory 12-month holding period.
GigaStar Securities (dba GigaStar Trading) serves a distinct function from GigaStar Market. While GigaStar Market is the funding portal that facilitates primary CRT offerings under Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF), GigaStar Trading handles secondary trading—enabling existing CRT holders to list their tokens for potential resale and new Investors to acquire CRTs outside of the primary offering process.
As an SEC-registered broker-dealer, GigaStar Securities is subject to comprehensive regulatory requirements, including net capital rules, customer protection rules, recordkeeping obligations, and regular FINRA examinations. These requirements are designed to provide structural protections for Investors participating in secondary market transactions.
SIPC membership provides an additional layer of protection. SIPC protects customers of member broker-dealers against the loss of securities and cash held in their accounts in the event of a broker-dealer's failure. It is important to note that SIPC protection covers the custody of securities, not losses from market fluctuations or investment risk.
The Digital Alternative Trading System operated by GigaStar Trading facilitates price discovery for CRTs through a regulated order-matching system. The ATS will only trade Digital Asset Securities. However, secondary market liquidity is not guaranteed, and Investors should not assume they will be able to sell their CRTs at any particular price or within any particular timeframe.
Investors can verify GigaStar Securities' registration and membership through FINRA's BrokerCheck system and the SEC's EDGAR database.
Key Points to Remember
- GigaStar Securities 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
Alternative Trading System
An Alternative Trading System (ATS) is an SEC-registered trading venue. GigaStar Securities operates an ATS for secondary Channel Revenue Token (CRT) trading launching March 2026.
Ask Price
The price a seller is willing to accept for a CRT on the GigaStar Secondary Market. The lowest current ask sets the market ask price for that token.
Bid Price
The price a buyer is willing to pay for a CRT on the GigaStar Secondary Market. The highest current bid sets the market bid price for that token.
FINRA
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The self-regulatory organization overseeing broker-dealers and funding portals in the United States.
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 Secondary Market
GigaStar's upcoming SEC-registered Alternative Trading System (ATS) where CRT holders may buy and sell their positions, launching March 2026.
Holding Period
The mandatory 12-month period after purchasing CRTs during which they cannot be resold on the Secondary Market, as required by SEC regulations.
Liquidity
Liquidity is the ability to buy or sell CRTs. CRTs are illiquid during the 12-month holding period. The GigaStar Secondary Market may provide liquidity but does not assure it.
SEC
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The federal agency regulating securities markets, including GigaStar's CRT offerings under Regulation Crowdfunding.
Secondary Trading
Secondary trading is the buying and selling of Channel Revenue Tokens (CRTs) on the GigaStar Secondary Market after the mandatory 12-month holding period has elapsed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CRTs cryptocurrency?
No. CRTs are traditional securities registered with the SEC under Regulation Crowdfunding. They represent contractual rights to a share of a Creator's YouTube revenue, not a digital currency or blockchain token. Unlike cryptocurrency, CRTs have regulatory oversight from the SEC and FINRA, required disclosure documents (Form C), and Investor protections built into the offering structure.
What happens if a Creator stops making videos?
If a Creator significantly reduces or stops content production, their YouTube revenue would likely decline, which directly reduces or eliminates your distributions. This is one of the key risk factors of CRT investing—your distributions depend on ongoing Creator activity and YouTube revenue generation. While existing videos may continue to earn some revenue, new content is typically the primary driver of channel performance.
What makes CRTs an alternative investment?
CRTs do not correlate directly with stock or bond markets. They represent a new asset class tied to Creator YouTube revenue in the Creator Economy. Like all alternative investments, CRTs are speculative, less liquid than traditional securities, and should represent only a portion of a diversified investment approach. Their performance is driven by individual Creator channel activity rather than broader market conditions.