Korzystanie z usług platform crowdfundingowych na cele gospodarcze

The KNF has issued a press release informing about the use of crowdfunding platform for economic purposes. According to the authority, using the crowdfunding platform for economic purposes can help project owners obtain either:
– funding from investors, in the form of securities such as equities or bonds (investment crowdfunding) or
– loans, for a specific amount and timeframe (loan crowdfunding)
However, projects usually found on crowdfunding platforms are small, start-up businesses with higher risks.
As of 9 November 2023, the KNF has granted a permit to one loan and two investment crowdfunding platforms, details of which can be found on the KNF website. Until 10 November 2023, crowdfunding platforms without an issued license were allowed to function normally in a „transition period“ (see eventid=18155).
Engaging in crowdfunding without a licence or in activities similar to crowdfunding, other than as a service provider can be fined up to PLN 5,000,000, because unauthorised platforms poses risks due to the lack of regulatory oversight.
The KNF states, that foreign crowdfunding platforms may operate in Poland with a licence from their home country and are supervised by that authority, not by the KNF itself.