But those NEM stakes was bought as "IOU" : ) on NXT asset exchange it was something like today IOU on liqui.
But NEM was fairly divided NEM was dumped over year before it hited ground and people started buying in.
NEM start was most fair that anything i know today. NO big ICO money behind, Devs had to deliver before anyone would invest more.
NEM royal stakeholders holded NEM hard for lon bear market time and they were rewarded for patience.