Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Supun Walpola

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Security tokens or Security Token Offerings (STOs) have emerged as an alternative to traditional ICOs. Security tokens are thought to be less risky than traditional ICO tokens since they are governed by security laws and comes under the purview of financial regulators. However, most STOs tend to take advantage of loopholes in the law to avoid institutional scrutiny, thereby, defeating the very purpose STOs were created.
In the meantime, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/25895" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25895:1">Bitcoin (XBTUSD CURNCY)</a> surpassed the $7,000 mark over the weekend, for the first time since August last year. The recent bull-run comes on the back of Fidelity Investments' <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-06/fidelity-said-to-offer-cryptocurrency-trading-within-a-few-weeks" target="_blank">announcement</a><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-06/fidelity-said-to-offer-cryptocurrency-trading-within-a-few-weeks" target="_blank"> </a>last week that it would add bitcoin trading to its list of institutional investment services, giving bulls renewed hope about mainstream Bitcoin adoption.

Security tokens or Security Token Offerings (STOs) have emerged as an alternative to traditional ICOs. Security tokens are thought to be less risky than traditional ICO tokens since they are governed by security laws and comes under the purview of financial regulators. However, most STOs tend to take advantage of loopholes in the law to avoid institutional scrutiny, thereby, defeating the very purpose STOs were created.
In the meantime, Bitcoin (XBTUSD CURNCY) surpassed the $7,000 mark over the weekend, for the first time since August last year. The recent bull-run comes on the back of Fidelity Investments' announcement last week that it would add bitcoin trading to its list of institutional investment services, giving bulls renewed hope about mainstream Bitcoin adoption. 

This Week in Blockchain & Cryptos: Putting Lipstick on the ICO Pig 🐷