Assess their risks, liquidity, investments, returns, timeframes and other terms
Invest in real estate loans
Invest in multimillion-dollar art shares
Groundfloor enables individuals to begin investing in real estate with a minimal initial requirement of only $10.
The minimum investment required on Mintus for art investment opportunities is $3,000, with investment amounts typically ranging from $15,000 to $100,000.
Investing on Groundfloor involves credit risk from borrower default, market risk due to real estate market fluctuations, liquidity risk as investments are tied up until loan maturity without a secondary market for early exit, regulatory risk from changes in laws affecting real estate and crowdfunding, and platform risk related to operational disruptions or cybersecurity threats.
Investing in Mintus carries risks such as market volatility affecting art values, limited liquidity options until the secondary market launches, potential regulatory changes impacting investment practices, operational challenges, and the subjective nature of art valuation.
On Groundfloor, liquidity is tied to the term of the real estate loans, which range from 6 to 18 months. Investors' funds are committed until the loan matures and the borrower repays.
Mintus plans to introduce a secondary market feature, which is currently marked as "coming soon". This future addition aims to enhance liquidity by allowing investors to sell their shares in artworks to other users, although it's not yet available.
Groundfloor's loans are graded from A to G, with interest rates ranging from 5.5% to 25.5% annually, based on risk. A diversified portfolio across all repaid loans to date would have earned a 10.72% annualized net return.
Mintus targets an 8.9% annual growth rate for investments, though actual returns may vary due to market conditions and art performance.
Groundfloor investments have loan terms ranging from 6 to 18 months.
Investments through Mintus generally have a long-term horizon, often spanning several years, due to the nature of art appreciation and market trends. Exact duration may vary based on specific artworks and market conditions, with potential for earlier liquidity once the secondary market is introduced.
Groundfloor is accessible to investors both in the US and internationally. However, for non-US investors, a minimum transfer-in amount of $5,000 is required.
Mintus allows both individual investors and institutions to invest in artworks. Individual investors need to qualify as "high net worth individuals", "sophisticated investors", or "accredited investors" and pass an appropriateness assessment. Institutions like wealth managers and family offices should contact Mintus directly for specific investment options.
The assets on Groundfloor, which are short-term real estate loans, generally exhibit lower volatility compared to stocks, as their value is more closely tied to specific real estate projects and less to daily market swings.
The volatility of assets on Mintus, consisting of high-value artworks, is influenced by art market dynamics, economic factors, and the unique characteristics of each piece, such as rarity and provenance. These elements can cause fluctuations in art valuations, making them inherently volatile investments that require careful consideration.
Groundfloor offers securities under Regulation A of the Securities Act of 1933, allowing it to sell securities to residents in states where it's qualified or announced its intent under Regulation A's Tier 1 or Tier 2.
Mintus is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. This regulatory oversight ensures Mintus meets strict standards for investor protection, transparency, and market integrity, although specific audit details are not mentioned.
Investments on Groundfloor are not insured by any government agency such as the FDIC or SIPC, nor are they guaranteed by Groundfloor. This means investors fully assume the risk of borrower default or project failure, without any insurance safety net.
Details on insurance for artworks on Mintus are not explicitly mentioned. Typically, art investment platforms secure artworks against risks like damage or theft through insurance.
Groundfloor pays interest on funded loans. Interest accrues from the investment date until the loan is repaid. Loans may have monthly or deferred payment terms, with monthly interest payments processed once a month and lump sum repayments for deferred loans.
Mintus does not offer traditional dividends. Instead, investors gain returns through the appreciation and eventual sale of the artworks, receiving profits based on their share ownership.
Investors on Groundfloor get their money back, including principal and accrued interest, once the borrower repays the loan, typically within 6 to 18 months. Repayments are processed within 7 days, with funds made available in the investor's dashboard for withdrawal or reinvestment.
Investors on Mintus receive their returns after the sale of an artwork, with profits made available in their wallet. They can then choose to withdraw these funds to a bank account or reinvest in other artworks on the platform.
Investors on Groundfloor pay no fees. Instead, borrowers are charged an underwriting fee by Groundfloor, ranging from 2% to 4.5% of the loan's principal amount.
Fees on Mintus vary by artwork and investment structure, with all fees shown in advance in the Memorandum document available for each opportunity.
Groundfloor provides tax support by issuing a 1099-INT form for interest income over $10, a 1099-B for principal losses, and a 1099-MISC for promotional credits over $600.
Mintus notes that artworks don't generate income while held, so tax implications mainly stem from capital gains upon sale.