By Taimour Zaman, Founder, AltFunds Global A safekeeping receipt is a document issued by a financial institution or custodian acknowledging that they hold securities or assets on behalf of a client. This receipt serves as proof of ownership while the actual securities...

Why everyone dreams of a Cayman bank… and what they don’t tell you. The phrase “offshore bank” has long carried a mix of glamour, mystery, and suspicion. For entrepreneurs and investors, the Cayman Islands often top the list of dream destinations for setting up a...

The Tinder rules of deal-making — swipe left on the wrong partners. In the world of alternative finance, brokers play a delicate role. They’re matchmakers — connecting projects with capital, investors with opportunities, and sometimes, hope with reality. But here’s...

Private Placement Programs (PPPs) have become one of the most whispered-about concepts in alternative finance. The pitch often sounds irresistible: “Deposit funds in a top-20 bank today and start trading tomorrow.” As someone who has seen these claims from both a...

Why Storytelling Works in Business Stories have been used for thousands of years to convey complex ideas, pass down traditions, and forge human connections. In business, storytelling helps you build a relationship with your audience by presenting your brand in a way...

Introduction: Why Investors Want to Monetize SBLCs Search “monetize SBLCs” and you’ll see bold promises: “Cash in 7 days!” “90% loan-to-value guaranteed!” It sounds incredible. But most of those offers are too good to be true. A Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) can be...

Introduction: The Truth About SBLCs Risk Every year, billions of dollars move across borders under the promise of three letters: SBLC. For some, a Standby Letter of Credit is the golden key to unlocking capital. For others, it’s the trapdoor that drains cash,...

For accredited investors, opportunities often move faster than traditional banks. You see a project, a trade deal, or a real estate acquisition, but liquidity is locked, approvals drag on, or equity partners demand ownership concessions. Enter the Standby Letter of...

By Taimour Zaman, Founder, AltFunds Global Most people who contact me about standby letters of credit have been pitched some "monetization" scheme. They want to know if they can make guaranteed returns by trading SBLCs or participating in bank programs. The answer is...