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Token Sale Agreement
I need a token sale agreement for a blockchain startup launching an initial coin offering (ICO), ensuring compliance with Swiss regulations, detailing investor rights, token distribution schedule, and outlining the use of proceeds. The agreement should include clauses on anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) requirements, with a clear disclaimer on the risks involved.
What is a Token Sale Agreement?
A Token Sale Agreement outlines the terms and conditions for purchasing digital tokens or cryptocurrencies in Switzerland's blockchain ecosystem. It spells out how investors can participate in token sales (also called ICOs), including payment methods, token distribution schedules, and the rights each token represents.
Under Swiss FINMA guidelines, these agreements protect both token issuers and buyers by clearly defining key aspects like refund policies, lock-up periods, and compliance requirements. They're particularly important because Swiss law treats different types of tokens (payment, utility, or asset) uniquely, affecting how they're regulated and what disclosures are needed.
When should you use a Token Sale Agreement?
Use a Token Sale Agreement when launching any blockchain-based token offering in Switzerland, especially before accepting investor funds or making public announcements. This agreement becomes essential once you've defined your token's structure and are ready to engage with potential buyers, helping you meet FINMA's regulatory requirements from day one.
The timing matters most during your pre-sale phase, as Swiss regulations require clear documentation of token rights, investment terms, and risk disclosures. Companies planning multi-stage token distributions need this agreement in place before opening each funding round, particularly when dealing with qualified investors or offering security tokens.
What are the different types of Token Sale Agreement?
- Basic Token Sale Agreement: Covers standard token distribution terms and basic investor rights, commonly used for utility token offerings
- Security Token Agreement: Features enhanced compliance provisions and investor protections required by FINMA for tokenized securities
- Hybrid Token Agreement: Combines elements for tokens with multiple characteristics, addressing both utility and payment features
- Staged Distribution Agreement: Structures phased token releases with vesting schedules and milestone-based distributions
- Professional Investor Agreement: Contains additional due diligence requirements and sophistication criteria for qualified investors under Swiss law
Who should typically use a Token Sale Agreement?
- Token Issuers: Swiss blockchain companies or startups creating and selling digital tokens, responsible for drafting and executing the agreement
- Legal Counsel: Swiss-qualified attorneys specializing in fintech who review and customize agreements to meet FINMA requirements
- Investors: Individual and institutional buyers participating in the token sale, bound by the agreement's terms and conditions
- Compliance Officers: Internal team members ensuring adherence to Swiss anti-money laundering and securities regulations
- Financial Intermediaries: Banks and custody providers facilitating token purchases and managing investor funds under the agreement
How do you write a Token Sale Agreement?
- Token Details: Document your token's technical specifications, total supply, and intended functionality under Swiss law
- Pricing Structure: Define token price, accepted payment methods, and any volume-based discounts or bonus schemes
- Distribution Plan: Map out vesting schedules, lock-up periods, and release mechanisms for different investor categories
- Compliance Framework: Gather KYC/AML procedures and FINMA classification requirements for your token type
- Risk Assessment: List potential technical, regulatory, and market risks specific to your token project
- Agreement Review: Use our platform to generate a compliant draft, then verify all terms align with your token economics
What should be included in a Token Sale Agreement?
- Token Description: Detailed technical specifications, rights, and classification under FINMA guidelines
- Purchase Terms: Price, payment methods, minimum/maximum investment amounts, and exchange rates
- Distribution Rules: Token allocation timeline, vesting periods, and transfer restrictions
- KYC/AML Provisions: Identity verification requirements and anti-money laundering procedures
- Risk Disclosures: Project-specific risks, market volatility, and regulatory uncertainties
- Legal Framework: Swiss governing law, jurisdiction, and dispute resolution mechanisms
- Termination Rights: Conditions for cancellation and refund procedures
What's the difference between a Token Sale Agreement and a Simple Agreement for Future Tokens?
A Token Sale Agreement differs significantly from a Simple Agreement for Future Tokens (SAFT) in several key aspects, though both are used in Swiss cryptocurrency markets. While a Token Sale Agreement governs immediate token purchases, a SAFT represents a promise of future token delivery, typically used in pre-sale arrangements.
- Timing of Transfer: Token Sale Agreements facilitate immediate token transfers upon payment, while SAFTs involve future delivery after project completion
- Regulatory Treatment: SAFTs are typically considered investment contracts under Swiss law, requiring stricter securities compliance than many utility token sales
- Risk Profile: SAFTs carry higher investor risk as they're often used for pre-development funding, while Token Sale Agreements usually involve existing tokens
- Investor Rights: SAFTs include specific conversion mechanisms and investor protections, whereas Token Sale Agreements focus on immediate ownership terms
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