Q: What is GATE US?
A: GATE US LLC is a New York-based broker-dealer, member FINRA and SIPC, that provides a market
infrastructure for the transacting of restricted, illiquid and alternative assets, and access to
third-party research, through its trading platform GATE Pro. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of its parent
company, GATE Technologies, an innovative financial technology company creating new market infrastructure for
bringing efficiency, transparency and liquidity to the unstructured global alternative asset markets.
Q: Why should I use GATE Pro?
A: GATE Pro combines an open trading platform with integrated back office functions including
documentation, risk management, third party escrow services, transfer and settlement. There is no cost
to join the platform; fees are strictly transaction-based. GATE Pro brings liquidity, transparency, and
true price discovery to markets that have historically been challenged by their opaque and cumbersome
transaction processes.
Q: What kinds of organizations can use the GATE Pro platform?
A: The GATE Pro Platform can be utilized by broker-dealers, hedge funds, family offices, accredited
investors, issuers, venture capital firms, registered investment advisers, and private equity firms.
Q: What kinds of securities can I trade through GATE US?
A: Users currently trade private company stock, Rule 144 equities, and Rule 144A equities. GATE
intends to expand into other markets in the near future, including a variety of debt instruments, limited
partnership interests, and bankruptcy claims.
Q: How is GATE US different from other firms that handle transactions in private equity and restricted
securities?
A: Unlike popular ‘bulletin boards’ for illiquid assets, the GATE Pro platform is an electronic trading
system; it allows buyers and sellers to negotiate directly with each other in a transparent environment.
For 144A equities, the platform operates as an ATS (Alternative Trading System), allowing for auto-
execution of matching firm bids and offers in an exchange-like environment.
Q: Is GATE a broker-dealer?
A: GATE US LLC is a broker-dealer, member FINRA and SIPC. GATE US operates an ATS (Alternative
Trading System) for 144A equities.
Q: How can I sign up?
A: Sign up at www.gateus.com as an institution or individual. GATE will review your application to
ensure that you meet regulatory requirements and; once the account is approved, send the client a
Master Usage Agreement. Once the agreement has been signed, the client’s account is activated and
the platform made available for download with training and sales support from GATE.
Q: Can anyone sign up for GATE Pro?
A: No. Due the restricted nature of securities traded on the GATE Pro platform, all market participants
must be Accredited Investors (www.sec.gov/answers/accred.htm) or Qualified Institutional Buyers
(QIBs).
Q: What if I have securities to sell but I am not an Accredited Investor?
A: If you have a brokerage account with a firm that trades through GATE, your broker can offer the
securities on your behalf. If you do not have an account with a participating brokerage firm, GATE can
recommend one for you.
Q: How much does the GATE Pro platform cost?
A: Currently there is no cost to join the platform, load inventory, bid or offer securities. In addition,
access to third-party research and analytics will be available at no cost. Fees are charged only when a
transaction is completed and are a percent of the transaction’s principal face value.
Q: Can I just upload inventory and start trading?
A: Once a user’s application has been reviewed and approved, new users can bid on securities
immediately. Before securities can be offered, users must upload inventory and provide GATE US
with relevant documentation verifying their transferability and restrictions. While the required
documentation will vary by security, GATE US encourages users to provide as much as possible.
Q: How does GATE US verify the transferability of securities on the platform?
A: When a user loads securities into inventory, GATE US does not allow them to trade until
transferability has been verified, and all restriction information is provided for potential buyers to
review.
Q: Does GATE US guarantee trades like an exchange?
A: No. GATE US’ back office checks the documentation for every security that is traded on the platform
to ensure that it can be traded. All parties with the ability to buy or sell securities on the platform are
either accredited investors or qualified institutions. Buyers will never receive securities until they deliver
cash; sellers will never receive cash until they deliver securities. This removes any incentive for fraud by
eliminating the possibility of payment without delivery.
Q: Does GATE US act as a principal for its own account?
A: No. GATE US will not be a market-maker or otherwise active participant in the marketplace; it will
serve strictly as an agency-neutral broker.
Q: How does GATE US protect my anonymity?
A: The GATE Pro platform has been designed to maintain users’ anonymity at every stage of a
transaction. Regulatory requirements vary depending on the type of securities and nature of
restrictions; in many cases the counterparties may remain anonymous throughout the transaction. In
some cases, their identities may be revealed by required signatures in regulatory documents.
Q: Can I cancel a bid or offer?
A: You can cancel or update a firm bid or offer at any time up until another trader agrees to buy or sell.