No you don't. But it permits you to communicate with retail investors. Many account managers have it"
Correct, you need a 7 do deal with OPM on the Equities end and a 22 to raise Capital for all kinds of Ventures, when your selling shares or taking a company public via an IPO.
Some daytrading firms require the 7 due to the fact that the money is "Pooled" via a LP, LLC, etc, and everyone trades 'Everyone" elses Upfront capital so to speak.