Cryptocurrency Security Token: Definition, Forms, Investing In

What Is a Security Token?

Because blockchain technology emerged from the field of data science, many of the terms used in cryptocurrency and tokens are similar to those used in those fields. The term "token" is one of them. A token, in data science, is a value—like a randomly-generated number—assigned to sensitive data to mask the original information. So in a blockchain, a token is a number assigned to data stored within the blockchain. Giving an asset a token is called "tokenization."

As an investment asset, a security token is a digital asset that represents ownership or other rights and transfers value from an asset or bundle of assets to a token. In plain language, security tokens are the digital form of traditional investments like stocks, bonds, or other securitized assets. For example, a company that wishes to raise funds for an expansionary project can decide to issue fractionalized ownership of their company through a digital token instead of issuing stock. It could then offer this token to investors on an exchange that allows digital security tokens.

Learn more about security tokens, how they work and are regulated, and how they are different from other digital assets.

Understanding Security Tokens

Understanding tokenization is crucial for understanding security tokens. Anything can be tokenized: you can create a token that signifies the ownership and registration of a car. The car's vehicle identification number (VIN) could be tokenized along with the owner's name, address, and other information required by a state to register a vehicle. The state's motor vehicle department would use a blockchain interface program to enter the information into their blockchain, which would generate a vehicle registration and ownership token.

A security token is created similarly—a company could input what the token represents, and the token would be generated. The company would then offer this token on an exchange or other appropriate investment platform for investors—ownership would then be recorded on the blockchain.

The idea behind tokenizing ownership of a company or an asset isn't necessarily new. For example, companies used to give paper stock certificates to investors that purchased stocks. The paper certificate was a token that represented ownership or other rights granted to the investor. A digital security token is no different, except it is digital and has gone through a blockchain tokenization process.

A security token might take one of a few different forms to be identified—it could have an image assigned to it that could be displayed in a digital wallet along with its value. On the other hand, it might only be a number your wallet keeps track of. The wallet could display your holdings, value, and any dividend distributions. Your wallet might also provide quick access to a prospectus or annual reports.

How are Security Tokens Different From Cryptocurrencies?

Security tokens and cryptocurrencies are nearly identical. They are created by and stored on a blockchain. They are both tokens, but the crucial difference lies in their purpose, intended use, and actual use. A cryptocurrency is designed to be used as currency, money, or payment method. A security token is intended to be used the same way a stock, bond, certificate, or other investment asset is used.

Many cryptocurrencies have been introduced which were not intended to be used as investment instruments. For example, investors and traders noticed that they could reap significant returns from Bitcoin when it was listed on cryptocurrency exchanges. As a result, investors treat Bitcoin as a security token even though it was not designed as one.

Ethereum's native token, ether, was developed to be used to pay transaction fees within the Ethereum network. In that respect, ether is a cryptocurrency. However, because it is being traded on exchanges and held for its increasing value, investors treat it as a security token.

However, because BTC and ETH are not designed to be used as security tokens, and there is no expectation of profits from the developers, they do not currently meet the criteria to be considered securities by the SEC.