The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a warning to investors about celebrity-endorsed initial coin offerings (ICOs).
The SEC – which released a wide-ranging statement on the blockchain use case in late July– said today that celebrities who endorse token sales may run afoul of “anti-touting” laws if they don’t correctly state what compensation, if any, they may have received.
The agency said:
“Celebrities and others are using social media networks to encourage the public to purchase stocks and other investments. These endorsements may be unlawful if they do not disclose the nature, source, and amount of any compensation paid, directly or indirectly, by the company in exchange for the endorsement.” […]
