What is the Howey test?
The Howey test is a legal test used in the United States to determine whether a transaction qualifies as an investment contract and, thus, is considered a security under federal law. The test was established by the U.S. Supreme Court in SEC v. W.J. Howey Co. (1946), and it has since been applied in numerous cases to determine whether various financial arrangements and offerings constitute securities.
According to the Howey test, a transaction must contain an investment of funds in a group venture with the expectation that all gains will come from group efforts. A transaction is deemed a security if it satisfies these requirements, in which case it is subject to federal securities laws and regulations.
Understanding the criteria for a security
The test involves three key criteria that must be met in order for a transaction to qualify as a security, as discussed below:
The first criterion is a financial investment, which means that participants in the transaction must be risking their own money. This comprises both financial and in-kind investments.
The second…
