Contents
New Jersey Attorney General Urges Withdrawal of Investments from GS Partners
Settlement Addresses Alleged Securities Violations
Attorney General Platkin Calls for Refunds
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin is advising residents to divest from GS Partners following a settlement that tackles purported securities violations by the company and its affiliates. The agreement, announced recently, guarantees New Jersey investors a full reimbursement of assets invested in digital assets and metaverse technology-related products.
Details of the Settlement
Unregistered Investment Products Marketed
The settlement involves GSB Gold Standard Corporation AG, a Germany-based company, and its associated entities, including GS Partners. Allegedly, the company and its owner, Josip Heit, promoted unregistered investment products like virtual land, tokenized shares, and cryptocurrency staking pools to New Jersey investors. These offerings promised significant returns in emerging digital markets, such as the metaverse.
New Jersey’s Commitment to Investor Protection
Attorney General Platkin emphasized the state’s dedication to safeguarding investors from companies that try to circumvent securities laws with speculative, high-risk products. He stressed that even innovative investment products derived from evolving technologies must adhere to regulatory standards.
Investigation Findings
Risk to Investors
An investigation by New Jersey’s Bureau of Securities uncovered that GS Partners enticed investors with products like metaverse land plots, staking pools, and tokenized shares vouchers. These products were marketed with gamification elements that encouraged investors to increase their principal to unlock passive income. However, many of these promises were found to be unsubstantiated, putting investors at risk.
Terms of the Settlement
Refund Opportunity for Investors
As part of the settlement, GS Partners must cease offering unregistered securities in New Jersey and refund the full value of invested funds or cryptocurrency deposits to New Jersey residents. The process, managed by AlixPartners, LLP, will commence in early November. Investors will not incur any fees for the refund administration.
Ensuring Investor Protection
The Bureau is encouraging all New Jersey residents who invested with GS Partners to participate in the refund process, which covers all products sold by the company with substantiated purchases. GS Partners must inform investors on how to liquidate their assets and provide detailed redemption instructions. Upon compliance with the settlement conditions, the company will cease selling unregistered securities in New Jersey.
Conclusion
Information for Investors
The Bureau’s investigation, led by Deputy Bureau Chief Amy Kopleton, aims to provide clarity and protection for investors affected by GS Partners’ practices. For more information on the settlement and claims process, New Jersey investors can visit the AlixPartners’ settlement website at https://gsbsettlement.com.