• Bearer shares are unregistered equity securities owned by the owner of the physical shares documents. The issuing company pays dividends to holders of physical coupons.

  • While bearer shares were often used internationally in Europe, South America and other regions, many large corporations no longer use them and have switched to registered shares.
  • The use of bearer shares around the world has declined as they carry higher costs and are a convenient tool for securing the financing of terrorism and other criminal activities.