Assess their risks, liquidity, investments, returns, timeframes and other terms
Invest in wine and whiskey
Invest in exclusive collectibles
Investing with Vinovest involves market fluctuation risks, potential loss from early sale fees, limited insurance coverage, and no guarantee of liquidity or fair value realization on the secondary market.
Investing on Timeless involves risks such as market volatility, liquidity constraints, regulatory changes, and asset-specific issues like authenticity. Additionally, platform-related risks such as data security and operational stability could affect investments. These factors highlight the importance of thorough risk assessment and consideration of personal risk tolerance before investing in collectibles through Timeless.
Vinovest permits selling of assets with no extra commissions but charges a 1.5% listing fee for sales made before the ideal time window. Liquidity is not guaranteed and depends on market demand.
While traditional collectible investments are illiquid, Timeless offers a level of liquidity by enabling trading among investors during the average holding period of 2 to 8 years. However, liquidity is influenced by demand within the platform and the collective decision to sell the asset.
Between 2015 and 2022, whiskey and fine wine have historically generated annual returns of 13.8% and 8.9%, respectively.
Timeless cannot guarantee returns as the collectibles market is unpredictable. However, historical data shows an average annual return of 40% on their platform, with returns ranging from 9.1% to 93.1% per year. Investors should note that past performance is not indicative of future results.
Vinovest offers three time horizons for wine investment: short-term (5-7 years), medium-term (7-10 years), and long-term (10+ years), with customization options for higher-tier clients.
The typical investment time horizon on Timeless ranges from 2 to 8 years, varying by asset class. During this period, investors can trade shares for liquidity before a collective decision is made to sell the asset, subject to majority approval.
Vinovest is open to investors who can meet the platform's minimum investment thresholds, catering to a wide audience from beginners to seasoned collectors and various entities.
To invest with Timeless, individuals must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid ID card or passport, have a SEPA bank account, and not be taxable outside the EU. Additionally, they must have a permanent residence. Importantly, US citizens and US taxpayers are excluded from using Timeless's services due to SEC restrictions and the implications of the FACTA, which targets tax evasion by US citizens abroad.
Vinovest's assets, like wine and whiskey, can face market volatility with swift price changes, posing risks of financial loss for short-term investors.
The assets on Timeless, being exclusive collectibles, are subject to inherent volatility due to factors like fluctuating market demand, the rarity and exclusivity of items, condition and authenticity concerns, and broader economic and cultural trends. These factors can lead to significant price swings, making the value of collectibles unpredictable over short periods. While Timeless carefully selects collectibles with high potential for appreciation, investors should be mindful of this volatility and how it aligns with their investment goals and risk tolerance.
Vinovest is audited annually by insurers and an independent auditor but is not SEC-regulated as it does not deal in securities.
Timeless is registered with the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) as a contractually bound intermediary of CONCEDUS GmbH, under register number 80174023. This indicates regulatory compliance and oversight by BaFin in its operations.
Vinovest insures client assets against damage, with reimbursement at full market value, although not all loss scenarios may be covered.
Timeless stores collectibles in a secured German facility with insurance coverage, though it's crucial to note that not all damages, such as those from force majeure, may be covered. Additionally, there's no guarantee of compensation for losses, as there are no guarantee funds or deposit insurance for investors. This points to a risk of partial or complete value loss in certain scenarios.
Timeless does not provide traditional dividends. Instead, investors gain returns from the appreciation of collectibles, realized when these assets are sold for a higher value than their purchase price. Profits from such sales are distributed among investors based on their shareholdings, acting as a one-time capital gain rather than regular dividends.
Investors get money back from Vinovest after selling matured or scarce wines, generally within a 10 to 15-year timeframe.
Investors on Timeless receive their money back after the sale of a collectible by entering their SEPA bank account details on the platform. After the sale and distribution of profits, the funds are automatically transferred to the investor's bank account within 10 banking days, allowing for a straightforward return on their investment.
Vinovest charges tiered management fees: 2.5% (Standard), 2.35% (Plus), 2.15% (Premier), and 1.90% (Grand Cru), applied only on invested capital. A 1.5% selling fee is incurred upon sale, with free listing.
Timeless charges a one-time 2% service fee and a management fee at the initial purchase of fractions, covering costs like division of collectibles, documentation, transport, maintenance, and insurance, with management fees varying from 1% to 6% depending on the asset. Trading involves a 2% service fee for buyers, with no fees for sellers. There are no ongoing fees for the storage or operation of the platform, and no fees are charged to investors upon the sale of a collectible.
Wine gains taxation through Vinovest depends on location: taxed as collectibles in the U.S., often exempt in the U.K., with similar exemptions in other countries. Vinovest provides monthly and annual statements for tax reporting, not 1099 forms.
Timeless assists investors with tax reporting by enabling the download of an Excel spreadsheet that records their purchases and sales, simplifying the process of tracking transactions and preparing tax documents.