Accredited Investor

Definition ∞ An accredited investor is an individual or entity meeting specific financial criteria that permit participation in certain private investment opportunities. These individuals or institutions possess defined income or net worth thresholds, signifying a capacity to accept higher investment risks. This designation frequently provides access to offerings unavailable to the general public, including private placements of digital assets. Regulatory frameworks establish this classification to shield less experienced investors from speculative ventures.
Context ∞ The discussion surrounding the accredited investor definition in the digital asset sector centers on balancing broader access to innovative offerings with robust investor protection. Regulators evaluate adjusting wealth criteria or implementing knowledge-based assessments for digital asset investments. Future policy directions aim to address the tension between fostering capital formation for new technologies and safeguarding retail participants from volatile or fraudulent schemes.