What trading opportunities will Upstream support?

What types of assets are we targeting for our digital stock exchange and trading app

By Vanessa Malone

We are getting closer to the launch of Upstream, a MERJ Exchange Market, and revolutionary digital stock exchange and trading app for digital securities powered by Horizon’s blockchain technology.

Here are the trading opportunities that we aim to support on Upstream.

IPOs

Typically in an IPO, the general public has to wait for the stock to begin trading on a national exchange in order to purchase shares. With trading apps like Robinhood, you’re able to place a “Pre-IPO” order but you’re not participating in the IPO, you’re just entering your orders for when trading begins.

On Upstream, investors have the ability to order shares before the IPO closes and before trading begins. Our goal is to provide as many people as possible with at least some IPO stock at the same price and time as Wall Street. We aim to level the playing field and distribute available shares fairly across all interested public participants, working to ensure everyone who invested through Upstream receives at least a minimum amount of shares they ordered.

Crowdfunded Companies

Over the last few years, billions have been invested in early-stage companies, yet no dedicated exchange has existed to provide exit-liquidity for these investors. Upstream aims to provide the first global exchange for crowdfunded securities to trade in real-time from the userfriendly trading app.

Investors gain the opportunity to exit their positions in a primarily illiquid market, while issuers have the opportunity to offer their shares to a whole new set of fans, investors, and traders.

Digital SPACS

Upstream offers the world’s first blockchain-based SPAC IPO marketplace, aiming to give investors of all levels direct access to listed SPAC IPOs using crypto in the form of USDC stablecoin or fiat.

As of September 23, 2021, the SPAC market cap has surpassed $126 Billion. Yet to date, the upside for SPACs has almost exclusively been offered to well-connected institutional investors. Upstream aims to change that with a marketplace built to provide issuers a cost effective way to list a SPAC and investors equitable access to the multi-billion-dollar SPAC market.

Athlete & Celebrity Ventures

In the last couple of months, we’ve announced strategic partnerships with Grammy-winning, international superstar Armando Christian Pérez, aka Pitbull, Sports Media and Entertainment 360 “SME 360”, and Timbaland’s upcoming beat-sampling platform ‘Beatclub’ to bring unique music, entertainment, and sports investment opportunities to fans.

We believe these partnerships will help position Upstream as THE global hub for fans around the world to access athlete and celebrity investment opportunities and share in their success.

The Upstream Experience

• Direct access to the exchange. Most trading apps offer windows into the exchanges, but aren’t exchanges themselves. On Upstream, investors are given direct access to the exchange through the Upstream trading app. Traders are empowered to control their securities directly on their phones and all transactions are biometrically protected. As an investor-driven market, Upstream differs from many of today’s markets where pricing relies on market makers and routing order flow.
• Transparent orderbooks. Arguably one of the biggest advantages of blockchain technology is the ability to enhance transparency. Putting information on a blockchain inherently makes it immutable. This is why Upstream features a transparent orderbook with best bids and offers transparently displayed on a public orderbook. The orders you see come from other investors in the community to maintain an accurate and fair marketplace.
• Digital currency and traditional payments. On Upstream, traders from around the world can participate using both digital currency in the form of USDC stablecoin and traditional bank payments. We think USDC will enable Upstream traders to transact using digital currency without having to worry about the intense highs and lows of Bitcoin or Ether, a reassurance that has proven valuable. For issuers, it also offers enhanced price discovery from traditional traders and the blockchain community.
• Real-time trades and settlements. For most trades on traditional exchanges, settlement is T+2, which means the actual transfer of ownership takes place two business days after the execution of the trade. With our integration of blockchain technology, Upstream offers real-time trades and T+0 settlement, which means that the trade and transfer of ownership takes place immediately.

We believe Upstream represents the future of trading. We are looking forward to launching soon. Visit Upstream at https://upstream.exchange/.

About Upstream:

Upstream, a MERJ Exchange Market, is a fully regulated global stock exchange for digital securities. Powered by Horizon’s proprietary matching engine technology, the exchange will enable investors to trade shares in SPACs, high-growth startups, and other unique asset classes directly from the app https://upstream.exchange. Interested issuers can reach the team at hello@upstream.exchange.

Disclaimers:

GFX is not a registered broker dealer and will not take commission based fees. Securities transactions are conducted through registered broker dealers in the United States and internationally on Upstream, which is a MERJ Exchange market. MERJ Exchange is a licensed Securities Exchange, an affiliate of the World Federation of Exchanges and full member of ANNA.

Upstream is a MERJ Exchange market. MERJ Exchange is a licensed Securities Exchange, an affiliate of the World Federation of Exchanges and full member of ANNA. MERJ supports global issuers of traditional and digital securities through the entire asset life cycle from issuance to trading, clearing, settlement and registry. It operates a fair and transparent marketplace in line with international best practice and principles of operations of financial markets. Upstream does not endorse or recommend any public or private securities bought or sold on its app. Upstream does not offer investment advice or recommendations of any kind. All services offered by Upstream are intended for self-directed clients who make their own investment decisions without aid or assistance from Upstream. Customers must comply with applicable law of their own jurisdiction. By accessing the site or app, you agreed to be bound by its terms of use and privacy policy. Company and security listings on Upstream are only suitable for investors who are familiar with and willing to accept the high risk associated with speculative investments, often in early and development stage companies. There can be no assurance the valuation of any particular company’s securities is accurate or in agreement with the market or industry comparative valuations. Investors must be able to afford market volatility and afford the loss of their investment. Companies listed on Upstream are subject to significant ongoing corporate obligations including, but not limited to disclosure, filings and notification requirements, as well compliance with applicable quantitative and qualitative listing standards.

THIS BLOG SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL SECURITIES OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT PERMITTED. US INVESTORS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO TRADE IN UPSTREAM LISTED SECURITIES.