The “Howey” test and the Term “Investment Contract”

For years, courts viewed the “Howey” test as clear guidance as to whether a particular asset or investment was a security. Now, recent inconsistent decisions, particularly in the crypto space, have questioned that clear guidance. The effect is a rekindling the debate as to whether the term “investment contract” is void for vagueness because it fails to give people and businesses a reasonable answer as to what is or is not a security.