The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week unanimously voted to approve the proposed rules that will govern online crowdfunding. Under these provisions, companies will be allowed to offer and sell securities through crowdfunding.

Some of these companies have been waiting since early 2012, when Obama signed the JOBS Act, for the SEC to create the regulation, which is intended to protect private, non-accredited investors. 

Investors who earn under $100,000 per year will be limited to $2,000 per year investment, or 5% of their income, and those who make over that amount will be limited to invest 10% of their income annually. However, in order to reduce burdens on the companies raising the funds, and the funding portals, the new regulation does not explicitly require them to verify the income of the individual investors.

According to the SEC’s press release, its proposed rules would require SEC-registered intermediaries (broker-dealers, funding portals) to:

• Educate investors
• Manage the risk of fraud
• Provide information about the issuer and the offering
• Furnish communication channels
• Facilitate the offer and sale of crowdfunded investments