ITEM
3. KEY INFORMATION
Our
Corporate Structure and the Operations of Our PRC Subsidiaries
Moxian
(BVI) Inc, or Moxian BVI, is not a PRC operating company but a British Virgin Islands holding company with operations primarily
conducted through its operating subsidiaries located in China and the United States. During the 2019, 2020 and 2021 fiscal
years, substantially all of the business operations were conducted in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC” or
“China”) by our PRC subsidiaries. None of our PRC subsidiaries operates with a variable interest entity
(“VIE”) structure, but Chinese regulatory authorities could disallow our current operating structure, which would likely
result in a material change in our operations and/or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become
worthless. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — The
Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted
overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or cause
the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.”
We
face significant legal and operational risks and uncertainties relating to our subsidiaries’ operations in China. The Chinese government
may intervene or influence the operation of our PRC subsidiaries and exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of
their business and may intervene in or influence their operations at any time, or may exert more control over securities offerings conducted
overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in operations of our PRC subsidiaries
and/or the value of our common stock. Further, any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over offerings
that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability
to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in China with little
advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, adopting new measures to extend the scope of
cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. We do not believe that we are directly subject to these
regulatory actions or statements, as we do not have a variable interest entity structure and our operations are not subject to cybersecurity
review requirements, or involve any other type of restricted industry. In addition, starting from the first quarter of 2022, we have
changed our primary business operations from digital advertising in China to bitcoin mining operations in the United States. Because
these PRC government statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon legislative or administrative regulation
making bodies in China will respond to them, or what existing or new laws or regulations will be modified or promulgated, if any, or
the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our daily business operations or our ability to accept foreign
investments and list on an U.S. exchange.
Permissions
Required from the PRC Authorities for Our Operations and Issuance of Securities
We
conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries, including our PRC subsidiaries in China. Our operations in China are
governed by PRC laws and regulations. Our digital advertising business operations are conducted by Moxian Technology Services
(Beijing) Co. Ltd. (“Moxian Beijing”). Moxian Beijing is required to obtain a Business License and has obtained such
license. The remaining subsidiaries have not been in active operations and are not currently required to obtain a license or permit
from the government authorities. However, given the uncertainties of interpretation and implementation of relevant laws and
regulations and the enforcement practice by government authorities, we cannot assure you that we have obtained all the permits or
licenses required by the PRC government authorities for conducting our business in China. We may be required to obtain additional
licenses, permits, filings or approvals for the functions and services in our business operations in the future. For more detailed information,
see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—We may be adversely
affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of internet- related or finance-related businesses and
companies, and any lack of requisite approvals, licenses, permits or filings applicable to our business may have a material adverse
effect on our business and results of operations.”
Furthermore,
we are subject to PRC rules and regulations relating to overseas listing and securities offering, and a substantial extension of the
PRC government’s oversight over our business operations or overseas listings may hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer
our securities. Under current PRC laws, regulations and regulatory rules, we, our PRC subsidiaries may be required to obtain permissions
from the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC in connection with any future offering and listing on overseas capital markets.
On
June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China promulgated the Data Security Law which took effect
on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law provides for data security and privacy obligations of entities and individuals carrying out
data activities, prohibits entities and individuals in China from providing any foreign judicial or law enforcement authority with any
data stored in China without approval from the competent PRC authority, and sets forth the legal liabilities of entities and individuals
found to be in violation of their data protection obligations, including rectification order, warning, fines of up to RMB10 million,
suspension of relevant business, and revocation of business permits or licenses. The Data Security Law is relatively new, and therefore
there are substantial uncertainties with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the law. We may need to adjust our operations
to comply with data security requirements from time to time. If we were found to have violations, we may be ordered to rectify and terminate
any actions that are deemed illegal by the government authorities and become subject to fines and other government sanctions, which may
materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
On
July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State
Council jointly issued the Opinions on Severe and Lawful Crackdown on Illegal Securities Activities, which took effect on the same
day. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on
overseas listings by China-based companies. These opinions proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction
of relevant regulatory systems, to deal with the risks and incidents facing China-based overseas-listed companies and the demand for
cybersecurity and data privacy protection. As of the date of this report, no official guidance and related implementation rules have
been issued in relation to these recently issued opinions and the interpretation and implementation of these opinions remain unclear
at this stage.
On
July 10, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China and other regulatory agencies issued the Revised Measures for Cybersecurity Review
(the “Revised Cybersecurity Measures”), which was finalized in December 2021 and took effect on February 15, 2022. The Revised
Cybersecurity Measures authorize the relevant government authorities to conduct cybersecurity review on a range of activities that affect
or may affect national security, including listings in foreign countries by companies that possess personal data of more than one million
users. The PRC National Security Law covers various types of national security, including technology security and information security.
Given the nature of our business of digital advertising in China and the fact that none of our PRC subsidiaries is an “internet
platform operator,” or runs an App, we believe that we are not subject to a cybersecurity review pursuant to the Revised Cybersecurity
Measures.
On
December 24, 2021, the CSRC issued Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing
by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments) (the “Administration Provisions”), and the Provisions of the State Council on
the Administrative Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments) (the
“Measures”). The Administration Provisions and Measures for overseas listings lay out specific requirements for filing documents
and include unified regulation management, strengthening regulatory coordination, and cross-border regulatory cooperation. Domestic companies
seeking to list abroad must carry out relevant security screening procedures if their businesses involve such supervision. Companies
endangering national security are among those off-limits for overseas listings. According to Relevant Officials of the CSRC Answered
Reporter Questions (“CSRC Answers”), after the Administration Provisions and Measures are implemented upon completion of
public consultation and due legislative procedures, the CSRC will formulate and issue guidance for filing procedures to further specify
the details of filing administration and ensure that market entities could refer to clear guidelines for filing, which means it will
still take time to put the Administration Provisions and Measures into effect. As of the date of this report, the Administration Provisions
and Measures have not yet come into effect. However, according to CSRC Answers, only new initial public offerings and financing by
existing overseas listed Chinese companies will be required to go through the filing process; other overseas listed companies
will be allowed sufficient transition period to complete their filing procedure. The Company may be required to obtain approval of and
filling with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities for its future financing. However, it is uncertain when the Administration
Provision and the Measures will take effect or if they will take effect as currently drafted. Currently, the period for public comment
on these draft regulations has ended and their provisions and anticipated adoption or effective date are subject to changes and thus
their interpretation and implementation remain substantially uncertain. It also remains unclear on whether a US-listed company, like
us, is subject to the CSRC filing procedures, to maintain the listing of its securities in a foreign country. As of the date of this
report, we cannot predict the impact of these regulations on maintaining the listing status of our ordinary shares and/or other securities,
or any of our future offerings of securities in the overseas markets.
Based
on PRC laws and regulations effective as of the date of this report and subject to different interpretations of these laws and
regulations that may be adopted by PRC authorities, we believe that, as of the date of this report, we and our PRC subsidiaries are
not required to obtain any permission from the CSRC, the CAC or any other PRC authority in connection with our securities offerings. As a
result, we have not submitted any application to the CSRC, the CAC or other PRC authorities for the approval of our securities
offerings. As of the date of this report, we and our PRC subsidiaries have not received any inquiry, notice, warning or objection in
relation to our securities offerings from the CSRC, the CAC or any other PRC authorities. If we fail to obtain the relevant
approval or complete other review or filing procedures for any future offshore offering or listing, we may face sanctions by the
CSRC, CAC or other PRC regulatory authorities, which may include fines and penalties on our operations in China, limitations on our
operating privileges in China, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our PRC subsidiaries,
restrictions on or delays to our future financing transactions, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on
our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our common
shares. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing
Business in China—The PRC government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, or may exert more control over
offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our
operations and/or cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.”
Cash
and Other Assets Transfers within our Organization and Dividend Distribution
Cash
may be transferred within our organization in the following manners: (i) Moxian BVI may transfer funds to our subsidiaries, including
our PRC subsidiaries, by way of capital contributions or loans, through intermediate holding companies or otherwise; (ii) we and our
intermediate holding subsidiaries may provide loans to our operating subsidiaries and vice versa; and (iii) our subsidiaries may make
dividends or other distributions to us through intermediate holding companies or otherwise. As a holding company, Moxian BVI, may rely
on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our subsidiaries for our cash and liquidity requirements. As of the date of this
report, none of our subsidiaries has made any dividends or other distributions to Moxian BVI, nor have we ever made a dividend or distribution
to our shareholders.
During
the 2019, 2020 and 2021 fiscal years, no assets other than cash were transferred through our organization. Moxian BVI, through its
intermediate holding companies, transferred approximately $3.1 million to its subsidiaries in China in fiscal year 2021.
Our subsidiaries presently
intend to retain any earnings to fund their operations and business expansions. We do not anticipate paying dividends or other distributions
to our shareholders in the foreseeable future.
The
Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act
Our
common shares may be prohibited from trading on a national exchange or “over-the-counter” markets under the HFCAA if the
PCAOB determines it is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditors for three consecutive years beginning in 2021. Further,
on June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (“AHFCAA”) and on February
4, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing Pre-Eminence in Technology and
Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act of 2022, or the COMPETES Act. If either the AHFCAA or COMPETES Act is enacted into law, it would amend
the HFCAA and require the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not
subject to PCAOB inspections or complete investigations for two consecutive years instead of three.
Pursuant
to the HFCAA, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report on December 16, 2021 which found that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or
investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in: (1) mainland China and (2) Hong Kong. In addition, the
PCAOB’s report identified the specific registered public accounting firms which are subject to these determinations. Since our
auditor, Centurion ZD CPA & Co. is located in Hong Kong, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB found it has been unable to inspect or
investigate completely the audit work by auditors because of a position taken by the authorities in Hong Kong, which may impact our
ability to remain listed on a United States or other foreign exchange. The related risks and uncertainties could cause the value of
our shares to significantly decline. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related
to Doing Business in China—The PCAOB is currently unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for
our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections or investigation completely over our auditor deprives
our investors with the benefits of such inspections” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks
Related to Doing Business in China—Our ordinary shares will be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in
2024 if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or fully investigate auditors located in China, or as early as 2023 if proposed changes to
the law are enacted. The delisting of our ordinary shares, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely
affect the value of your investment.”
Merger
The
Company is the surviving company following a merger in August 2021 with its predecessor company, Moxian, Inc., which was incorporated
in Nevada, U.S. As an offshore holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, we are qualified as a “foreign
private issuer” within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act. As such, we are exempt from certain rules under
the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. Moreover, we are not required to provide as many Exchange Act reports,
or as frequently or as promptly, as U.S. domestic issuers. We are also not required to provide the same level of disclosure on
certain issues. In addition, as a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country
practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from that applied to the U.S. domestic issuers under
the Nasdaq listing rules. These exemptions and practices may afford less protection to our shareholders than
they would enjoy if we were a U.S. domestic issuer.
On
December 28 2021, the shareholders of the Company approved a private placement of up to 20,000,000 new ordinary shares
at a price of $2.50 per share and to use the proceeds as working capital for a bitcoin mining business as the Company intended to diversify
its business operations. Pursuant to these approvals, in February 2022, the Company issued 16,000,000 ordinary shares for
aggregate gross proceeds of $40 million and acquired mining assets and related equipment for $29.8 million. On March 5, 2022 the
first of these bitcoin mining machines began operation near Buffalo in the United States and the other machines will progressively be
utilized in operation in the ensuing months.
Selected Financial Data
The Company has a December
31 fiscal year-end which is different from that of its predecessor company which fiscal year-end was September 30.
Because of this change, the following table presents the selected consolidated financial information of our Company as of December
31, 2021, the transitional period for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and
2019. The selected consolidated statements of operations data and the selected consolidated balance sheets data have been
derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in this annual report. These audited consolidated
financial statements begin on F-1 and are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future period. You
should read the following selected financial data in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes and
“Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this report.
Summary
Consolidated Statements of Operations:
|
|
For the period ended |
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
September 30, 2020 |
|
September 30, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
219,330 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
946,466 |
|
|
$ |
370,411 |
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
(3,085,470 |
) |
|
|
(387,160) |
|
|
|
(873,750) |
|
|
|
(900,105 |
) |
Adjustment for accrued expenses no longer required |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
830,149 |
|
Other income, net |
|
|
126,290 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
(2,739,850 |
) |
|
|
(387,160) |
|
|
|
72,716 |
|
|
|
300,455 |
|
Income tax |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net (loss)/profit |
|
$ |
(2,739,850 |
) |
|
$ |
(387,160) |
|
|
$ |
72,716 |
|
|
$ |
300,455 |
|
Summary
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
The
following table presents our summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, September 30,
2020 and 2019.
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
2,507,404 |
|
|
$ |
19,402 |
|
|
$ |
5,249 |
|
|
$ |
425,632 |
|
Digital Asset |
|
|
5,000,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Other assets |
|
|
229,708 |
|
|
|
2,172,790 |
|
|
|
2,290,408 |
|
|
|
2,100,000 |
|
Total assets |
|
|
7,737,112 |
|
|
|
2,192,192 |
|
|
|
2,295,657 |
|
|
|
2,525,632 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
1,170,096 |
|
|
|
2,100,912 |
|
|
|
1,894,884 |
|
|
|
2,376,945 |
|
Total shareholders’ equity |
|
$ |
6,567,016 |
|
|
$ |
91,280 |
|
|
$ |
400,773 |
|
|
$ |
148,687 |
|
3B.
Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not
Applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.
3C.
Reasons for The Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not
Applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F.
3D.
Risk Factors
An
investment in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described
below together with all other information contained in this annual report, including the matters discussed under the headings “Forward-Looking
Statements” and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” before you decide to invest in our ordinary shares.
We are a holding company with operations in China and are subject to a legal and regulatory environment that in many respects differs
from the United States. If any of the following risks, or any other risks and uncertainties that are not presently foreseeable to us,
actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and our future growth prospects could be materially
and adversely affected.
Summary
Of Risk Factors
Our
business is subject to a number of risks, including risks that may prevent us from achieving our business objectives or may adversely
affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects. These risks are discussed more fully below
and include, but are not limited to, risks related to:
General
Risks
|
● |
Failure
to manage our liquidity and cash flows may materially and adversely affect our financial conditions and results of operations. As
a result, we may need additional capital, and financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. |
|
● |
We
have a history of operating losses, and we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability; we have recently shifted our bitcoin
mining business, and we may not be successful in this business. |
|
● |
Our
results of operation may fluctuate significantly and may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business. |
|
● |
We
may acquire other businesses, form joint ventures or acquire other companies or businesses that could negatively affect our operating
results, dilute our stockholders’ ownership, increase our debt or cause us to incur significant expense; notwithstanding the
foregoing, our growth may depend on our success in uncovering and completing such transactions. |
|
● |
From
time to time we may evaluate and potentially consummate strategic investments or acquisitions, which could require significant management
attention, disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial results. |
|
● |
We
incur significant costs and demands upon management and accounting and finance resources as a result of complying with the laws and
regulations affecting public companies; if we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate
and timely financial statements could be impaired, which could harm our operating results, our ability to operate our business and
our reputation. |
|
● |
We
face risks related to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which could significantly disrupt our operations and financial results. |
Risks
related to Bitcoin Mining
|
● |
Our
results of operations are expected to vary with Bitcoin price volatility. |
|
● |
Our
mining operating costs outpace our mining revenues, which could seriously harm our business or increase our losses. |
|
● |
We
have an evolving business model which is subject to various uncertainties. |
|
● |
Regulatory
changes or actions may alter the nature of an investment in us or restrict the use of cryptocurrencies in a manner that adversely
affects our business, prospects or operations. |
|
● |
The
development and acceptance of cryptographic and algorithmic protocols governing the issuance of and transactions in cryptocurrencies
is subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate. |
|
● |
Banks
and financial institutions may not provide banking services, or may cut off services, to businesses that engage in bitcoin-related
activities or that accept cryptocurrencies as payment, including financial institutions of investors in our securities. |
|
● |
We
may face risks of Internet disruptions, which could have an adverse effect on the price of cryptocurrencies. |
|
● |
Acceptance
and/or widespread use of bitcoin is uncertain. |
|
● |
The
decentralized nature of bitcoin systems may lead to slow or inadequate responses to crises, which may negatively affect our business. |
|
● |
Our
bitcoins may be subject to loss, theft or restriction on access. |
|
● |
There
is a lack of liquid markets, and possible manipulation of blockchain/bitcoin-based assets. |
|
● |
Incorrect
or fraudulent bitcoin transactions may be irreversible. |
|
● |
Our
reliance primarily on a single model of miner may subject our operations to increased risk of mine failure. |
|
● |
Our
future success will depend in large part upon the value of bitcoin; the value of bitcoin may be subject to pricing risk and has historically
been subject to wide swings. |
|
● |
Cryptocurrencies,
including those maintained by or for us, may be exposed to cybersecurity threats and hacks. |
|
● |
We
are subject to risks associated with our need for significant electrical power. Government regulators may potentially restrict the
ability of electricity suppliers to provide electricity to mining operations, such as ours. |
|
● |
We
may not adequately respond to price fluctuations and rapidly changing technology, which may negatively affect our business. |
Risks
related to our Digital Advertising Business
|
● |
We
are dependent on our relationship with Xinhua New Media. |
|
● |
We
may not be able to attract new clients and retain key staff. |
|
● |
Our
business is largely centered in Beijing and our services provided to our clients are geographically limited. |
Risks
Involving Intellectual Property
|
● |
Bitcoin
and bitcoin mining operations rely on software and specialized technology. |
|
● |
We
may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive
position. |
|
● |
We
may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be expensive to defend and may disrupt our business and operations |
|
● |
Our
platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical, and if it contains undetected errors, our business could
be adversely affected. |
Risks
Related to Doing Business in China
|
● |
Changes
in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business
and results of operations. |
|
● |
Uncertainties
in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us. |
|
● |
The
PRC government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas
and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or cause the value
of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless. |
|
● |
PRC
regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions conducted by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult
for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China. |
|
● |
The
PCAOB is currently unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the
inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections or investigation completely over our auditor deprives our investors with the benefits
of such inspections. |
|
● |
Our
ordinary shares will be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in 2024 if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or
fully investigate auditors located in China, or as early as 2023 if proposed changes to the law are enacted. The delisting of our
ordinary shares, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. |
|
● |
PRC
regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may limit our ability to inject
capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits
to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us |
|
● |
PRC
regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion
may delay or prevent us from using offshore funds to make loans to our PRC subsidiaries, or to make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries. |
|
● |
Regulatory
bodies of the United States may be limited in their ability to conduct investigations or inspections of our operations in China. |
|
● |
Enhanced
scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions we may pursue
in the future. |
|
● |
Fluctuations
in exchange rates could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment. |
Risks
Related to Our Ordinary Shares
|
● |
Our
ordinary shares may be thinly traded and you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if you need to sell your shares
to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate your shares. |
|
● |
We
are not likely to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. |
|
● |
You
may face difficulties in protecting your interests as a shareholder, as the laws of British Virgin Islands provides substantially
less protection when compared to the laws of the United States and it may be difficult for a shareholder of ours to effect service
of process or to enforce judgements obtained in the United States courts. |
|
● |
Volatility
in our ordinary shares price may subject us to securities litigation. |
|
● |
We
may be unable to comply with the applicable continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market, which may adversely impact
our access to capital markets and may cause us to default certain of our agreements |
General
Risks
If
we are unable to successfully execute our bitcoin mining, it would adversely affect our financial and business condition and results
of operations.
As of the date of this
Report, the Company has yet to fully implement its plan to diversify into bitcoin mining as various mining sites have not been finalized.
If we cannot execute the bitcoin mining, it would seriously affect our financial and business condition and deepen the losses of the
Company.
Failure
to manage our liquidity and cash flows may materially and adversely affect our financial conditions and results of operations. As a result,
we may need additional capital, and financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
The
Company is new to bitcoin mining and is operating in the United States for the first time. If we fail to manage our liquidity and cash
flows, it will seriously affect our financial condition and results of operations. We may need additional financing and such access may
be limited or at unacceptable terms.
We
have a history of operating losses, and we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability; we have recently shifted our bitcoin
mining business, and we may not be successful in this business.
We
are not profitable and have incurred losses since our inception. We expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future, and
these losses could increase as we continue to work to develop our business. We were previously engaged in the business of mobile
payments which we ceased operation in June 2018. Whilst we continue with the digital advertising business, it is proving to be increasingly
difficult because of restrictions on online gaming. which is a key business of our clients. Starting in March 2022, we diversified
into the bitcoin mining business. Our current strategy is new and unproven, is in an industry that is relatively itself new and evolving
and is subject to the risks discussed below. Even if we achieve profitability in the future, we may not be able to sustain profitability
in subsequent periods.
Our
results of operation may fluctuate significantly and may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business.
Our
results of operations, including the levels of our net revenues, expenses, net loss and other key metrics, may vary significantly in
the future due to a variety of factors, some of which are outside of our control, and period-to-period comparisons of our operating results
may not be meaningful, especially given our limited operating history. Accordingly, the results for any one quarter are not necessarily
an indication of future performance. Fluctuations in quarterly results may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.
Factors that may cause fluctuations in our quarterly financial results include:
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the
amount and timing of operating expenses related to our new business operations and infrastructure; |
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fluctuations
in the price of bitcoin; and |
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general
economic, industry and market conditions. |
We
may acquire other businesses, form joint ventures or acquire other companies or businesses that could negatively affect our operating
results, dilute our stockholders’ ownership, increase our debt or cause us to incur significant expense; notwithstanding the foregoing,
our growth may depend on our success in uncovering and completing such transactions.
We
are actively seeking other business opportunities, however, we cannot offer any assurance that acquisitions of businesses, assets and/or
entering into strategic alliances or joint ventures will be successful. We may not be able to find suitable partners or acquisition candidates
and may not be able to complete such transactions on favorable terms, if at all. If we make any acquisitions, we may not be able to integrate
these acquisitions successfully into our existing infrastructure. In addition, in the event we acquire any existing businesses we could
assume unknown or contingent liabilities.
Any
future acquisitions also could result in the issuance of stock, incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or future write-offs of intangible
assets or goodwill, any of which could have a negative impact on our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations. Integration
of an acquired company may also disrupt ongoing operations and require management resources that otherwise would be focused on developing
and expanding our existing business. We may experience losses related to potential investments in other companies, which could harm our
financial condition and results of operations. Further, we may not realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition, strategic alliance
or joint venture if such investments do not materialize.
To
finance any acquisitions or joint ventures, we may choose to issue ordinary shares, preferred stock or a combination of debt and
equity as consideration, which could significantly dilute the ownership of our existing stockholders or provide rights to such preferred
stock holders in priority over our common stock holders. Additional funds may not be available on terms that are favorable to us, or
at all. If the price of our common stock is low or volatile, we may not be able to acquire other companies or fund a joint venture project
using stock as consideration.
From
time to time we may evaluate and potentially consummate strategic investments or acquisitions, which could require significant management
attention, disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial results.
We
may evaluate and consider strategic investments, combinations, acquisitions or alliances in both the bitcoin mining business. These transactions
could be material to our financial condition and results of operations if consummated. If we are able to identify an appropriate business
opportunity, we may not be able to successfully consummate the transaction and, even if we do consummate such a transaction, we may be
unable to obtain the benefits or avoid the difficulties and risks of such transaction.
Strategic
investments or acquisitions will involve risks commonly encountered in business relationships, including:
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difficulties
in assimilating and integrating the operations, personnel, systems, data, technologies, products and services of the acquired business; |
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inability
of the acquired technologies, products or businesses to achieve expected levels of revenue, profitability, productivity or other
benefits; |
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difficulties
in retaining, training, motivating and integrating key personnel; |
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diversion
of management’s time and resources from our normal daily operations; |
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difficulties
in successfully incorporating licensed or acquired technology and rights into our businesses; |
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difficulties
in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies within the combined organizations; |
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difficulties
in retaining relationships with customers, employees and suppliers of the acquired business; |
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risks
of entering markets, including the U.S., in which we have limited or no prior experience; |
We
may not make any investments or acquisitions, or any future investments or acquisitions may not be successful, may not benefit our business
strategy, may not generate sufficient revenues to offset the associated acquisition costs or may not otherwise result in the intended
benefits. In addition, we cannot assure you that any future investment in or acquisition of new businesses or technology will lead to
the successful development of new or enhanced loan products and services or that any new or enhanced loan products and services, if developed,
will achieve market acceptance or prove to be profitable.
Our
loss of any of our management team, our inability to execute an effective succession plan, or our inability to attract and retain qualified
personnel, could adversely affect our business.
Our
success and future growth will depend to a significant degree on the skills and services of our management, including our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer. We will need to continue to grow our management in order to alleviate pressure on our existing team
and in order to continue to develop our business. If our management, including any new hires that we may make, fails to work together
effectively and to execute our plans and strategies on a timely basis, our business could be harmed. Furthermore, if we fail to execute
an effective contingency or succession plan with the loss of any member of management, the loss of such management personnel may significantly
disrupt our business.
The
loss of key members of management could inhibit our growth prospects. Our future success also depends in large part on our ability to
attract, retain and motivate key management and operating personnel. As we continue to develop and expand our operations, we may require
personnel with different skills and experiences, and who have a sound understanding of our business and the bitcoin industry. The market
for highly qualified personnel in this industry is very competitive and we may be unable to attract such personnel. If we are unable
to attract such personnel, our business could be harmed.
We
incur significant costs and demands upon management and accounting and finance resources as a result of complying with the laws and regulations
affecting public companies; if we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate and timely
financial statements could be impaired, which could harm our operating results, our ability to operate our business and our reputation.
As
a public reporting company, we are required to, among other things, maintain a system of effective internal control over financial reporting.
Ensuring that we have adequate internal financial and accounting controls and procedures in place so that we can produce accurate financial
statements on a timely basis is a costly and time-consuming effort that needs to be re-evaluated frequently. Substantial work will continue
to be required to further implement, document, assess, test and remediate our system of internal controls.
If
our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, we may be unable to issue our financial statements in a timely manner,
we may be unable to obtain the required audit or review of our financial statements by our independent registered public accounting firm
in a timely manner or we may be otherwise unable to comply with the periodic reporting requirements of the SEC, our common stock listing
on Nasdaq could be suspended or terminated and our stock price could materially suffer. In addition, we or members of our management
could be subject to investigation and sanction by the SEC and other regulatory authorities and to stockholder lawsuits, which could impose
significant additional costs on us and divert management attention.
Because
cryptocurrencies may be determined to be investment securities, we may inadvertently violate the Investment Company Act and incur large
losses as a result and potentially be required to register as an investment company or terminate operations and we may incur third party
liabilities.
We
are engaged in the mining of bitcoins which the SEC said is currency and not securities. We therefore believe that we are not engaged
in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities, and we do not hold ourselves out as being engaged in those activities.
However, under the Investment Company Act a company may be deemed an investment company under section 3(a)(1)(C) thereof if the value
of its investment securities is more than 40% of its total assets (exclusive of government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated
basis.
If,
as a result of our investments and our mining activities, including investments in which we do not have a controlling interest, the investment
securities we hold could exceed 40% of our total assets, exclusive of cash items and, accordingly, we could determine that we have become
an inadvertent investment company. The bitcoins we own, acquire or mine may be deemed an investment security by the SEC, although we
do not believe any of the cryptocurrencies we own, acquire or mine are securities. An inadvertent investment company can avoid being
classified as an investment company if it can rely on one of the exclusions under the Investment Company Act. One such exclusion, Rule
3a-2 under the Investment Company Act, allows an inadvertent investment company a grace period of one year from the earlier of (a) the
date on which an issuer owns securities and/or cash having a value exceeding 50% of the issuer’s total assets on either a consolidated
or unconsolidated basis and (b) the date on which an issuer owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding
40% of the value of such issuer’s total assets (exclusive of government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis.
We may take actions to cause the investment securities held by us to be less than 40% of our total assets, which may include acquiring
assets with our cash and bitcoin on hand or liquidating our investment securities or bitcoin or seeking a no-action letter from the SEC
if we are unable to acquire sufficient assets or liquidate sufficient investment securities in a timely manner.
As
the Rule 3a-2 exception is available to a company no more than once every three years, and assuming no other exclusion were available
to us, we would have to keep within the 40% limit for at least three years after we cease being an inadvertent investment company. This
may limit our ability to make certain investments or enter into joint ventures that could otherwise have a positive impact on our earnings.
In any event, we do not intend to become an investment company engaged in the business of investing and trading securities.
Classification
as an investment company under the Investment Company Act requires registration with the SEC. If an investment company fails to register,
it would have to stop doing almost all business, and its contracts would become voidable. Registration is time consuming and restrictive
and would require a restructuring of our operations, and we would be very constrained in the kind of business we could do as a registered
investment company. Further, we would become subject to substantial regulation concerning management, operations, transactions with affiliated
persons and portfolio composition, and would need to file reports under the Investment Company Act regime. The cost of such compliance
would result in the Company incurring substantial additional expenses, and the failure to register if required would have a materially
adverse impact to conduct our operations.
We
face risks related to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which could significantly disrupt our operations and financial results.
We
believe that our results of operations, business and financial condition has been adversely impacted by the effects of the novel Coronavirus
(COVID-19). Currently, substantially all of our employees and operations are in China. In addition to global macroeconomic effects, the
novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and any other related adverse public health developments may cause disruption to our mining activities.
The
novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) or other disease outbreak will in the short-term, and may over the longer term, adversely affect the economies
and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that may adversely affect demand for bitcoin and impact our
operating results. Although the magnitude of the impact of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak on our business and operations remains
uncertain, the continued spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) or the occurrence of other epidemics and the imposition of related
public health measures and travel and business restrictions will adversely impact our business, financial condition, operating results
and cash flows. In addition, we have experienced and will experience disruptions to our business operations resulting from quarantines,
self-isolations, or other movement and restrictions on the ability of our employees to perform their jobs. If we are unable to effectively
service our miners, our ability to mine bitcoin will be adversely affected as miners go offline, which would have an adverse effect on
our business and the results of our operations.
China
has also limited the shipment of products in and out of its borders, which could negatively impact our ability to receive mining equipment
from our China-based suppliers. Our third-party manufacturers, suppliers, sub-contractors and customers have been and will continue to
be disrupted by worker absenteeism, quarantines, restrictions on employees’ ability to work, office and factory closures, disruptions
to ports and other shipping infrastructure, border closures, or other travel or health-related restrictions. Depending on the magnitude
of such effects on our supply chain, shipments of parts for our existing miners, as well as any new miners we purchase, may be delayed.
As our miners require repair or become obsolete and require replacement, our ability to obtain adequate replacements or repair parts
from their manufacturer may therefore be hampered. Supply chain disruptions could therefore negatively impact our operations. If not
resolved quickly, the impact of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The
coronavirus pandemic is an emerging serious threat to health and economic wellbeing affecting our employees, investors and our sources
of supply.
The
sweeping nature of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic makes it extremely difficult to predict how the company’s business
and operations will be affected in the longer run. However, the likely overall economic impact of the pandemic is viewed as highly negative
to the general economy.
Increases
in labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The
economy in China has experienced increases in inflation and labor costs in recent years. As a result, average wages in the PRC are expected
to continue to increase. In addition, we are required by PRC laws and regulations to pay various statutory employee benefits, including
pension, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated
government agencies for the benefit of our employees. The relevant government agencies may examine whether an employer has made adequate
payments to the statutory employee benefits, and those employers who fail to make adequate payments may be subject to late payment fees,
fines and/or other penalties. We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. Unless
we are able to control our labor costs or pass on these increased labor costs to our users by increasing the fees of our services, our
financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
If
we cannot maintain our corporate culture as we grow, we could lose the innovation, collaboration and focus that contribute to our business.
We
believe that a critical component of our success is our corporate culture, which we believe fosters innovation, encourages teamwork and
cultivates creativity. As we develop the infrastructure of a public company and continue to grow, we may find it difficult to maintain
these valuable aspects of our corporate culture. Any failure to preserve our culture could negatively impact our future success, including
our ability to attract and retain employees, encourage innovation and teamwork and effectively focus on and pursue our corporate objectives.
We
do not have any business insurance coverage.
Insurance
companies in China currently do not offer as extensive an array of insurance products as insurance companies in more developed economies.
Currently, we do not have any business liability or disruption insurance to cover our operations. We have determined that the costs of
insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical
for us to have such insurance. Any uninsured business disruptions may result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of
resources, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Risks
related to Bitcoin Mining
Our
results of operations are expected to vary with Bitcoin price volatility
The
price of Bitcoin has experienced significant fluctuations over its relatively short existence and may continue to fluctuate significantly
in the future.
We
expect our results of operations to continue to be affected by the Bitcoin price as most of the revenue is from bitcoin mining production
as of the filing date. Any future significant reductions in the price of Bitcoin will likely have a material and adverse effect on our
results of operations and financial condition. We cannot assure you that the Bitcoin price will remain high enough to sustain our operation
or that the Bitcoin price will not decline significantly in the future.
Various
factors, mostly beyond our control, could impact the Bitcoin price. For example, the usage of Bitcoins in the retail and commercial marketplace
is relatively low in comparison with the usage for speculation, which contributes to Bitcoin price volatility. Additionally, the reward
for Bitcoin mining will decline over time, with the most recent halving event occurred in May 2020 and next one four years later, which
may further contribute to Bitcoin price volatility.
Our
mining operating costs outpace our mining revenues, which could seriously harm our business or increase our losses.
Our
mining operations are costly and our expenses may increase in the future. We intend to use funds on hand from our private placement to
continue to purchase bitcoin mining machines. This expense increase may not be offset by a corresponding increase in revenue. Our expenses
may be greater than we anticipate, and our investments to make our business more efficient may not succeed and may outpace monetization
efforts. Increases in our costs without a corresponding increase in our revenue would increase our losses and could seriously harm our
business and financial perform
We
have an evolving business model which is subject to various uncertainties.
As
bitcoin assets may become more widely available, we expect the services and products associated with them to evolve. In order to stay
current with the industry, our business model may need to evolve as well. From time to time, we may modify aspects of our business model
relating to our strategy. We cannot offer any assurance that these or any other modifications will be successful or will not result in
harm to our business. We may not be able to manage growth effectively, which could damage our reputation, limit our growth and negatively
affect our operating results. Further, we cannot provide any assurance that we will successfully identify all emerging trends and growth
opportunities in this business sector and we may lose out on those opportunities. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect
on our business, prospects or operations.
Regulatory
changes or actions may alter the nature of an investment in us or restrict the use of cryptocurrencies in a manner that adversely affects
our business, prospects or operations.
As
cryptocurrencies have grown in both popularity and market size, governments around the world have reacted differently to cryptocurrencies;
certain governments have deemed them illegal, and others have allowed their use and trade without restriction, while in some jurisdictions,
such as in the U.S., subject to extensive, and in some cases overlapping, unclear and evolving regulatory requirements. Ongoing and future
regulatory actions may impact our ability to continue to operate, and such actions could affect our ability to continue as a going concern
or to pursue our new strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations.
The
development and acceptance of cryptographic and algorithmic protocols governing the issuance of and transactions in cryptocurrencies
is subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate.
The
use of cryptocurrencies to, among other things, buy and sell goods and services and complete transactions, is part of a new and rapidly
evolving industry that employs bitcoin assets based upon a computer-generated mathematical and/or cryptographic protocol. Large-scale
acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment has not, and may never, occur. The growth of this industry in general, and the use
of bitcoin, in particular, is subject to a high degree of uncertainty, and the slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of
developing protocols may occur unpredictably. The factors include, but are not limited to:
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continued
worldwide growth in the adoption and use of cryptocurrencies as a medium to exchange; |
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governmental
and quasi-governmental regulation of cryptocurrencies and their use, or restrictions on or regulation of access to and operation
of the network or similar bitcoin systems; |
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changes
in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences; |
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the
maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of the network; |
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the
increased consolidation of contributors to the bitcoin blockchain through mining pools; |
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the
availability and popularity of other forms or methods of buying and selling goods and services, including new means of using fiat
currencies; |
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the
use of the networks supporting cryptocurrencies for developing smart contracts and distributed applications; |
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general
economic conditions and the regulatory environment relating to cryptocurrencies; and |
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negative
consumer sentiment and perception of bitcoin specifically and cryptocurrencies generally. |
The
outcome of these factors could have negative effects on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our business strategy
at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations as well as potentially negative effect on
the value of any bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account, which would harm investors
in our securities.
Banks
and financial institutions may not provide banking services, or may cut off services, to businesses that engage in bitcoin-related activities
or that accept cryptocurrencies as payment, including financial institutions of investors in our securities.
A
number of companies that engage in bitcoin and/or other bitcoin-related activities have been unable to find banks or financial institutions
that are willing to provide them with bank accounts and other services. Similarly, a number of companies and individuals or businesses
associated with cryptocurrencies may have had and may continue to have their existing bank accounts closed or services discontinued with
financial institutions in response to government action, particularly in China, where regulatory response to cryptocurrencies has been
to exclude their use for ordinary consumer transactions within China. We also may be unable to obtain or maintain these services for
our business. The difficulty that many businesses that provide bitcoin and/or derivatives on other bitcoin-related activities have and
may continue to have in finding banks and financial institutions willing to provide them services may be decreasing the usefulness of
cryptocurrencies as a payment system and harming public perception of cryptocurrencies, and could decrease their usefulness and harm
their public perception in the future.
The
usefulness of cryptocurrencies as a payment system and the public perception of cryptocurrencies could be damaged if banks or financial
institutions were to close the accounts of businesses engaging in bitcoin and/or other bitcoin-related activities. This could occur as
a result of compliance risk, cost, government regulation or public pressure. The risk applies to securities firms, clearance and settlement
firms, national stock and derivatives on commodities exchanges, the over-the-counter market, and the Depository Trust Company, which,
if any of such entities adopts or implements similar policies, rules or regulations, could negatively affect our relationships with financial
institutions and impede our ability to convert cryptocurrencies to fiat currencies. Such factors could have a material adverse effect
on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our new strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, prospects or operations and harm investors.
We
may face risks of Internet disruptions, which could have an adverse effect on the price of cryptocurrencies.
A
disruption of the Internet may affect the use of cryptocurrencies and subsequently the value of our securities. Generally, cryptocurrencies
and our business of mining cryptocurrencies is dependent upon the Internet. A significant disruption in Internet connectivity could disrupt
a currency’s network operations until the disruption is resolved and have an adverse effect on the price of cryptocurrencies and
our ability to mine cryptocurrencies.
The
impact of geopolitical and economic events on the supply and demand for cryptocurrencies is uncertain.
Geopolitical
crises may motivate large-scale purchases of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which could increase the price of bitcoin and other
cryptocurrencies rapidly. This may increase the likelihood of a subsequent price decrease as crisis-driven purchasing behavior dissipates,
adversely affecting the value of our inventory following such downward adjustment. Such risks are similar to the risks of purchasing
commodities in general uncertain times, such as the risk of purchasing, holding or selling gold. Alternatively, as an emerging asset
class with limited acceptance as a payment system or commodity, global crises and general economic downturn may discourage investment
in cryptocurrencies as investors focus their investment on less volatile asset classes as a means of hedging their investment risk.
As
an alternative to fiat currencies that are backed by central governments, cryptocurrencies, which are relatively new, are subject to
supply and demand forces. How such supply and demand will be impacted by geopolitical events is largely uncertain but could be harmful
to us and investors in our common stock. Political or economic crises may motivate large-scale acquisitions or sales of cryptocurrencies
either globally or locally. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue
our new strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value
of any bitcoin or any other cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account.
Acceptance
and/or widespread use of bitcoin is uncertain.
Currently,
there is a relatively limited use of any bitcoin in the retail and commercial marketplace, thus contributing to price volatility that
could adversely affect an investment in our securities. Banks and other established financial institutions may refuse to process funds
for bitcoin transactions, process wire transfers to or from bitcoin exchanges, bitcoin-related companies or service providers, or maintain
accounts for persons or entities transacting in bitcoin. Conversely, a significant portion of bitcoin demand is generated by investors
seeking a long-term store of value or speculators seeking to profit from the short- or long-term holding of the asset. Price volatility
undermines any bitcoin’s role as a medium of exchange, as retailers are much less likely to accept it as a form of payment. Market
capitalization for a bitcoin as a medium of exchange and payment method may always be low.
The
relative lack of acceptance of bitcoins in the retail and commercial marketplace, or a reduction of such use, limits the ability of end
users to use them to pay for goods and services. Such lack of acceptance or decline in acceptances could have a material adverse effect
on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our new strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of bitcoins we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account.
Transactional
fees may decrease demand for bitcoin and prevent expansion.
As
the number of bitcoins currency rewards awarded for solving a block in a blockchain decreases, the incentive for miners to continue to
contribute to the bitcoin network may transition from a set reward to transaction fees. In order to incentivize miners to continue to
contribute to the bitcoin network, the bitcoin network may either formally or informally transition from a set reward to transaction
fees earned upon solving a block. This transition could be accomplished by miners independently electing to record in the blocks they
solve only those transactions that include payment of a transaction fee. If transaction fees paid for bitcoin transactions become too
high, the marketplace may be reluctant to accept bitcoin as a means of payment and existing users may be motivated to switch from bitcoin
to another bitcoin or to fiat currency. Either the requirement from miners of higher transaction fees in exchange for recording transactions
in a blockchain or a software upgrade that automatically charges fees for all transactions may decrease demand for bitcoin and prevent
the expansion of the bitcoin network to retail merchants and commercial businesses, resulting in a reduction in the price of bitcoin
that could adversely impact an investment in our securities. Decreased use and demand for bitcoin may adversely affect its value and
result in a reduction in the price of bitcoin and the value of our common stock.
The
decentralized nature of bitcoin systems may lead to slow or inadequate responses to crises, which may negatively affect our business.
The
decentralized nature of the governance of bitcoin systems may lead to ineffective decision making that slows development or prevents
a network from overcoming emergent obstacles. Governance of many bitcoin systems is by voluntary consensus and open competition with
no clear leadership structure or authority. To the extent lack of clarity in corporate governance of bitcoin systems leads to ineffective
decision making that slows development and growth of such cryptocurrencies, the value of our common stock may be adversely affected.
It
may be illegal now, or in the future, to acquire, own, hold, sell or use bitcoin, ether, or other cryptocurrencies, participate in blockchains
or utilize similar bitcoin assets in one or more countries, the ruling of which would adversely affect us.
Although
currently cryptocurrencies generally are not regulated or are lightly regulated in most countries, one or more countries such as China
and Russia, which have taken harsh regulatory action, may take regulatory actions in the future that could severely restrict the right
to acquire, own, hold, sell or use these bitcoin assets or to exchange for fiat currency. In many nations, particularly in China and
Russia, it is illegal to accept payment in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for consumer transactions and banking institutions are
barred from accepting deposits of cryptocurrencies. Such restrictions may adversely affect us as the large-scale use of cryptocurrencies
as a means of exchange is presently confined to certain regions globally. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on
our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our new strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
prospects or operations and potentially the value of any bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our
own account, and harm investors.
There
is a lack of liquid markets, and possible manipulation of blockchain/bitcoin-based assets.
Cryptocurrencies
that are represented and trade on a ledger-based platform may not necessarily benefit from viable trading markets. Stock exchanges have
listing requirements and vet issuers; requiring them to be subjected to rigorous listing standards and rules, and monitor investors transacting
on such platform for fraud and other improprieties. These conditions may not necessarily be replicated on a distributed ledger platform,
depending on the platform’s controls and other policies. The laxer a distributed ledger platform is about vetting issuers of bitcoin
assets or users that transact on the platform, the higher the potential risk for fraud or the manipulation of the ledger due to a control
event. These factors may decrease liquidity or volume or may otherwise increase volatility of investment securities or other assets trading
on a ledger-based system, which may adversely affect us. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue
as a going concern or to pursue our new strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations
and potentially the value of any bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account, and harm
investors.
Our
operations, investment strategies and profitability may be adversely affected by competition from other methods of investing in cryptocurrencies.
We
compete with other users and/or companies that are mining cryptocurrencies and other potential financial vehicles, including securities
backed by or linked to cryptocurrencies through entities similar to us. Market and financial conditions, and other conditions beyond
our control, may make it more attractive to invest in other financial vehicles, or to invest in cryptocurrencies directly, which could
limit the market for our shares and reduce their liquidity. The emergence of other financial vehicles and exchange-traded funds have
been scrutinized by regulators and such scrutiny and the negative impressions or conclusions resulting from such scrutiny could be applicable
to us and impact our ability to successfully pursue our new strategy or operate at all, or to establish or maintain a public market for
our securities. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our
new strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of
any bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account, and harm investors.
The
development and acceptance of competing blockchain platforms or technologies may cause consumers to use alternative distributed ledgers
or other alternatives.
The
development and acceptance of competing blockchain platforms or technologies may cause consumers to use alternative distributed ledgers
or an alternative to distributed ledgers altogether. Our business utilizes presently existent digital ledgers and blockchains and we
could face difficulty adapting to emergent digital ledgers, blockchains, or alternatives thereto. This may adversely affect us and our
exposure to various blockchain technologies and prevent us from realizing the anticipated profits from our investments. Such circumstances
could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our new strategy at all, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of any bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies
we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account, and harm investors.
Our
bitcoins may be subject to loss, theft or restriction on access.
There
is a risk that some or all of our bitcoins could be lost or stolen. Cryptocurrencies are stored in bitcoin sites commonly referred to
as “wallets” by holders of bitcoins which may be accessed to exchange a holder’s bitcoin assets. Access to our bitcoin
assets could also be restricted by cybercrime (such as a denial of service attack) against a service at which we maintain a hosted hot
wallet. A hot wallet refers to any bitcoin wallet that is connected to the Internet. Generally, hot wallets are easier to set up and
access than wallets in cold storage, but they are also more susceptible to hackers and other technical vulnerabilities. Cold storage
refers to any bitcoin wallet that is not connected to the Internet. Cold storage is generally more secure than hot storage, but is not
ideal for quick or regular transactions and we may experience lag time in our ability to respond to market fluctuations in the price
of our bitcoin assets. We hold all of our cryptocurrencies in cold storage to reduce the risk of malfeasance, but the risk of loss of
our bitcoin assets cannot be wholly eliminated.
Hackers
or malicious actors may launch attacks to steal, compromise or secure cryptocurrencies, such as by attacking the bitcoin network source
code, exchange miners, third-party platforms, cold and hot storage locations or software, or by other means. We may be in control and
possession of one of the more substantial holdings of bitcoins. As we increase in size, we may become a more appealing target of hackers,
malware, cyber-attacks or other security threats. Any of these events may adversely affect our operations and, consequently, our investments
and profitability. The loss or destruction of a private key required to access our digital wallets may be irreversible and we may be
denied access for all time to our bitcoin holdings or the holdings of others held in those compromised wallets. Our loss of access to
our private keys or our experience of a data loss relating to our digital wallets could adversely affect our investments and assets.
Cryptocurrencies
are controllable only by the possessor of both the unique public and private keys relating to the local or online digital wallet in which
they are held, which wallet’s public key or address is reflected in the network’s public blockchain. We will publish the
public key relating to digital wallets in use when we verify the receipt of transfers and disseminate such information into the network,
but we will need to safeguard the private keys relating to such digital wallets. To the extent such private keys are lost, destroyed
or otherwise compromised, we will be unable to access our bitcoin rewards and such private keys may not be capable of being restored
by any network. Any loss of private keys relating to digital wallets used to store our cryptocurrencies could have a material adverse
effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our new strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect
on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of any bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire
or hold for our own account.
Risks
due to hacking or adverse software event.
In
order to minimize risk, we have established processes to manage wallets that are associated with our bitcoin holdings. There can be no
assurances that any processes we have adopted or will adopt in the future are or will be secure or effective, and we would suffer significant
and immediate adverse effects if we suffered a loss of our bitcoin due to an adverse software or cybersecurity event. We utilize several
layers of threat reduction techniques, including: (i) the use of hardware wallets to store sensitive private key information; (ii) performance
of transactions offline; and (iii) offline generation storage and use of private keys.
At
present, the Company is evaluating several third-party custodial wallet alternatives, but there can be no assurance that such services
will be more secure than those the Company presently employs. Human error and the constantly evolving state of cybercrime and hacking
techniques may render present security protocols and procedures ineffective in ways which we cannot predict. If our security procedures
and protocols are ineffectual and our bitcoin assets are compromised by cybercriminals, we may not have adequate recourse to recover
our losses stemming from such compromise and we may lose much of the accumulated value of our bitcoin mining activities. This would have
a negative impact on our business and operations.
Incorrect
or fraudulent bitcoin transactions may be irreversible.
Bitcoin
transactions are irrevocable and stolen or incorrectly transferred cryptocurrencies may be irretrievable. As a result, any incorrectly
executed or fraudulent bitcoin transactions could adversely affect our investments and assets.
Bitcoin
transactions are not, from an administrative perspective, reversible without the consent and active participation of the recipient of
the cryptocurrencies from the transaction. In theory, bitcoin transactions may be reversible with the control or consent of a majority
of processing power on the network, however, we do not now, nor is it feasible that we could in the future, possess sufficient processing
power to effect this reversal. Once a transaction has been verified and recorded in a block that is added to a blockchain, an incorrect
transfer of a bitcoin or a theft thereof generally will not be reversible and we may not have sufficient recourse to recover our losses
from any such transfer or theft. It is possible that, through computer or human error, or through theft or criminal action, our bitcoin
rewards could be transferred in incorrect amounts or to unauthorized third parties, or to uncontrolled accounts. Further, according to
the SEC, at this time, there is no specifically enumerated U.S. or foreign governmental, regulatory, investigative or prosecutorial authority
or mechanism through which to bring an action or complaint regarding missing or stolen bitcoin. We are, therefore, presently reliant
on existing private investigative entities, such as Chain analysis and Kroll to investigate any potential loss of our bitcoin assets.
These third-party service providers rely on data analysis and compliance of ISPs with traditional court orders to reveal information
such as the IP addresses of any attackers who may have target us. To the extent that we are unable to recover our losses from such action,
error or theft, such events could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our new strategy
at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations of and potentially the value of any bitcoin
or other cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account.
Our
interactions with a blockchain may expose us to SDN or blocked persons or cause us to violate provisions of law that did not contemplate
distribute ledger technology.
The
Office of Financial Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury requires us to comply with its sanction program and not conduct business
with persons named on its specially designated nationals (“SDN”) list. However, because of the pseudonymous nature of blockchain
transactions we may inadvertently and without our knowledge engage in transactions with persons named on OFAC’s SDN list. Our Company’s
policy prohibits any transactions with such SDN individuals, but we may not be adequately capable of determining the ultimate identity
of the individual with whom we transact with respect to selling bitcoin assets. Moreover, federal law prohibits any US person from knowingly
or unknowingly possessing any visual depiction commonly known as child pornography. Recent media reports have suggested that persons
have imbedded such depictions on one or more blockchains. Because our business requires us to download and retain one or more blockchains
to effectuate our ongoing business, it is possible that such digital ledgers contain prohibited depictions without our knowledge or consent.
To the extent government enforcement authorities literally enforce these and other laws and regulations that are impacted by decentralized
distributed ledger technology, we may be subject to investigation, administrative or court proceedings, and civil or criminal monetary
fines and penalties, all of which could harm our reputation and affect the value of our common stock.
Cryptocurrencies
face significant scaling obstacles that can lead to high fees or slow transaction settlement times.
Cryptocurrencies
face significant scaling obstacles that can lead to high fees or slow transaction settlement times, and attempts to increase the volume
of transactions may not be effective. Scaling cryptocurrencies is essential to the widespread acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a means
of payment, which widespread acceptance is necessary to the continued growth and development of our business. Many bitcoin networks face
significant scaling challenges. For example, cryptocurrencies are limited with respect to how many transactions can occur per second.
Participants in the bitcoin ecosystem debate potential approaches to increasing the average number of transactions per second that the
network can handle and have implemented mechanisms or are researching ways to increase scale, such as increasing the allowable sizes
of blocks, and therefore the number of transactions per block, and sharding (a horizontal partition of data in a database or search engine),
which would not require every single transaction to be included in every single miner’s or validator’s block. However, there
is no guarantee that any of the mechanisms in place or being explored for increasing the scale of settlement of bitcoin transactions
will be effective, or how long they will take to become effective, which could adversely affect an investment in our securities.
The
price of cryptocurrencies may be affected by the sale of such cryptocurrencies by other vehicles investing in cryptocurrencies or tracking
bitcoin markets.
The
global market for bitcoin is characterized by supply constraints that differ from those present in the markets for commodities or other
assets such as gold and silver. The mathematical protocols under which certain cryptocurrencies are mined permit the creation of a limited,
predetermined amount of currency, while others have no limit established on total supply. To the extent that other vehicles investing
in cryptocurrencies or tracking bitcoin markets form and come to represent a significant proportion of the demand for cryptocurrencies,
large redemptions of the securities of those vehicles and the subsequent sale of cryptocurrencies by such vehicles could negatively affect
bitcoin prices and therefore affect the value of the bitcoin inventory we hold. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our
ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our new strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
prospects or operations and potentially the value of any bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our
own account.
Because
there has been limited precedent set for financial accounting of bitcoin and other bitcoin assets, the determination that we have made
for how to account for bitcoin assets transactions may be subject to change.
Because
there has been limited precedent set for the financial accounting of cryptocurrencies and related revenue recognition and no official
guidance has yet been provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the SEC, it is unclear how companies may in the future
be required to account for bitcoin transactions and assets and related revenue recognition. A change in regulatory or financial accounting
standards could result in the necessity to change our accounting methods and restate our financial statements. Such a restatement could
adversely affect the accounting for our newly mined bitcoin rewards and more generally negatively impact our business, prospects, financial
condition and results of operation. Such circumstances would have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern
or to pursue our new strategy at all, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations as well as
and potentially the value of any cryptocurrencies we hold or expects to acquire for our own account and harm investors.
There
are risks related to technological obsolescence, the vulnerability of the global supply chain for bitcoin hardware disruption, and difficulty
in obtaining new hardware which may have a negative effect on our business.
Our
mining operations can only be successful and ultimately profitable if the costs, including hardware and electricity costs, associated
with mining cryptocurrencies are lower than the price of a bitcoin. As our mining facility operates, our miners experience ordinary wear
and tear, and may also face more significant malfunctions caused by a number of extraneous factors beyond our control. The degradation
of our miners will require us to, over time, replace those miners which are no longer functional. Additionally, as the technology evolves,
we may be required to acquire newer models of miners to remain competitive in the market. Reports have been released which indicate that
miner manufacturer or seller adjusts the prices of its miners according to bitcoin prices, so the cost of new machines is unpredictable
but could be extremely high. As a result, at times, we may obtain miners and other hardware from third parties at premium prices, to
the extent they are available. This upgrading process requires substantial capital investment, and we may face challenges. Further, the
global supply chain for bitcoin miners is presently heavily dependent on China, which has been severely affected by the emergence of
the COVID-19 coronavirus global pandemic. The global reliance on China as a main supplier of bitcoin miners has been called into question
in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Should similar outbreaks or other disruptions to the China-based global supply chain for bitcoin
hardware occur, we may not be able to obtain adequate replacement parts for our existing miners or to obtain additional miners from the
manufacturer on a timely basis. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our ability to pursue our new strategy, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business and the value of our ordinary shares.
Our
reliance primarily on a single model of miner may subject our operations to increased risk of mine failure.
The
performance and reliability of our miners and our technology is critical to our reputation and our operations. Because we currently only
use MicroBT miners, if there are issues with those machines, our entire system could be affected. Any system error or failure may significantly
delay response times or even cause our system to fail. Any disruption in our ability to continue mining could result in lower yields
and harm our reputation and business. Any exploitable weakness, flaw, or error common to MicroBT miners affects all our miners, if a
defect other flaw is exploited, our entire mine could go offline simultaneously. Any interruption, delay or system failure could result
in financial losses, a decrease in the trading price of our common stock and damage to our reputation.
The
Company’s reliance on a third-party mining pool service provider for our mining revenue payouts may have a negative impact on the
Company operations.
We
use third–party mining pools to receive our mining rewards from the network. Mining pools allow miners to combine their processing
power, increasing their chances of solving a block and getting paid by the network. The rewards are distributed by the pool operator,
proportionally to our contribution to the pool’s overall mining power, used to generate each block. Should the pool operator’s
system suffer downtime due to a cyber-attack, software malfunction or other similar issues, it will negatively impact our ability to
mine and receive revenue. Furthermore, we are dependent on the accuracy of the mining pool operator’s record keeping to accurately
record the total processing power provided to the pool for a given bitcoin mining application in order to assess the proportion of that
total processing power we provided. While we have internal methods of tracking both our power provided and the total used by the pool,
the mining pool operator uses its own record-keeping to determine our proportion of a given reward. We have little means of recourse
against the mining pool operator if we determine the proportion of the reward paid out to us by the mining pool operator is incorrect,
other than leaving the pool. If we are unable to consistently obtain accurate proportionate rewards from our mining pool operators, we
may experience reduced reward for our efforts, which would have an adverse effect on our business and operations.
The
bitcoin for which we mine, bitcoin, is subject to halving; the bitcoin reward for successfully uncovering a block will halve several
times in the future and their value may not adjust to compensate us for the reduction in the rewards we receive from our mining efforts.
Halving
is a process designed to control the overall supply and reduce the risk of inflation in cryptocurrencies using a Proof-of-Work consensus
algorithm. At a predetermined block, the mining reward is cut in half, hence the term “halving.” For bitcoin, the reward
was initially set at 50 bitcoin currency rewards per block and this was cut in half to 25 in November 28, 2012 at block 210,000 and again
to 12.5 on July 9, 2016 at block 420,000 and in May 2020 at block 630,000 when the reward reduced to 6.25. This process will reoccur
until the total amount of bitcoin currency rewards issued reaches 21 million, which is expected around 2140. While bitcoin prices have
had a history of price fluctuations around the halving of its bitcoin rewards, there is no guarantee that the price change will be favorable
or would compensate for the reduction in mining reward. If a corresponding and proportionate increase in the trading price of bitcoin
does not follow these anticipated halving events, the revenue we earn from our mining operations would see a corresponding decrease,
which would have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
Our
future success will depend in large part upon the value of bitcoin; the value of bitcoin may be subject to pricing risk and has historically
been subject to wide swings.
Our
operating results will depend in large part upon the value of bitcoin because it’s the primary bitcoin we currently mine. Specifically,
our revenues from our bitcoin mining operations are based upon two factors: (1) the number of bitcoin rewards we successfully mine and
(2) the value of bitcoin. In addition, our operating results are directly impacted by changes in the value of bitcoin, because under
the value measurement model, both realized and unrealized changes will be reflected in our statement of operations (i.e., we will be
marking bitcoin to fair value each quarter). This means that our operating results will be subject to swings based upon increases or
decreases in the value of bitcoin. Furthermore, our strategy focuses almost entirely on bitcoin (as opposed to other cryptocurrencies).
Further, our current application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) machines (which we refer to as “miners”)
are principally utilized for mining bitcoin and bitcoin cash and cannot mine other cryptocurrencies, such as ether, that are not mined
utilizing the “SHA-256 algorithm.” If other cryptocurrencies were to achieve acceptance at the expense of bitcoin or bitcoin
cash causing the value of bitcoin or bitcoin cash to decline, or if bitcoin were to switch its proof of work algorithm from SHA-256 to
another algorithm for which our miners are not specialized, or the value of bitcoin or bitcoin cash were to decline for other reasons,
particularly if such decline were significant or over an extended period of time, our operating results would be adversely affected,
and there could be a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our new strategy at all, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations, and harm investors.
Bitcoin
and other bitcoin market prices, which have historically been volatile and are impacted by a variety of factors (including those discussed
below), are determined primarily using data from various exchanges, over-the-counter markets and derivative platforms. Furthermore, such
prices may be subject to factors such as those that impact commodities, more so than business activities, which could be subjected to
additional influence from fraudulent or illegitimate actors, real or perceived scarcity, and political, economic, regulatory or other
conditions. Pricing may be the result of, and may continue to result in, speculation regarding future appreciation in the value of cryptocurrencies,
or our share price, inflating and making their market prices more volatile or creating “bubble” type risks for both bitcoin
and shares of our ordinary shares.
We
may not be able to realize the benefits of forks.
To
the extent that a significant majority of users and miners on a bitcoin network install software that changes the bitcoin network or
properties of a bitcoin, including the irreversibility of transactions and limitations on the mining of new bitcoin, the bitcoin network
would be subject to new protocols and software. However, if less than a significant majority of users and miners on the bitcoin network
consent to the proposed modification, and the modification is not compatible with the software prior to its modification, the consequence
would be what is known as a “fork” of the network, with one prong running the pre-modified software and the other running
the modified software. The effect of such a fork would be the existence of two versions of the bitcoin running in parallel, yet lacking
interchangeability and necessitating exchange-type transaction to convert currencies between the two forks. Additionally, it may be unclear
following a fork which fork represents the original asset and which is the new asset. Different metrics adopted by industry participants
to determine which is the original asset include: referring to the wishes of the core developers of a bitcoin, blockchains with the greatest
amount of hashing power contributed by miners or validators; or blockchains with the longest chain. A fork in the network of a particular
bitcoin could adversely affect an investment in our Company or our ability to operate.
We
may not be able to realize the economic benefit of a fork, either immediately or ever, which could adversely affect an investment in
our securities. If we hold a bitcoin at the time of a hard fork into two cryptocurrencies, industry standards would dictate that we would
be expected to hold an equivalent amount of the old and new assets following the fork. However, we may not be able, or it may not be
practical, to secure or realize the economic benefit of the new asset for various reasons. For instance, we may determine that there
is no safe or practical way to custody the new asset, that trying to do so may pose an unacceptable risk to our holdings in the old asset,
or that the costs of taking possession and/or maintaining ownership of the new bitcoin exceed the benefits of owning the new bitcoin.
Additionally, laws, regulation or other factors may prevent us from benefitting from the new asset even if there is a safe and practical
way to custody and secure the new asset.
There
is a possibility of bitcoin mining algorithms transitioning to proof of stake validation and other mining related risks, which could
make us less competitive and ultimately adversely affect our business and the value of our stock.
Proof
of stake is an alternative method in validating bitcoin transactions. Should the algorithm shift from a proof of work validation method
to a proof of stake method, mining would require less energy and may render any company that maintains advantages in the current climate
(for example, from lower priced electricity, processing, real estate, or hosting) less competitive. We, as a result of our efforts to
optimize and improve the efficiency of our bitcoin mining operations, may be exposed to the risk in the future of losing the benefit
of our capital investments and the competitive advantage we hope to gain form this as a result, and may be negatively impacted if a switch
to proof of stake validation were to occur. This may additionally have an impact on other various investments of ours. Such events could
have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our business strategy at all, which could have
a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of any bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies
we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account.
To
the extent that the profit margins of bitcoin mining operations are not high, operators of bitcoin mining operations are more likely
to immediately sell bitcoin rewards earned by mining in the market, thereby constraining growth of the price of bitcoin that could adversely
impact us, and similar actions could affect other cryptocurrencies.
Over
the past two years, bitcoin mining operations have evolved from individual users mining with computer processors, graphics processing
units and first-generation ASIC servers. Currently, new processing power is predominantly added by incorporated and unincorporated “professionalized”
mining operations. Professionalized mining operations may use proprietary hardware or sophisticated ASIC machines acquired from ASIC
manufacturers. They require the investment of significant capital for the acquisition of this hardware, the leasing of operating space
(often in data centers or warehousing facilities), incurring of electricity costs and the employment of technicians to operate the mining
farms. As a result, professionalized mining operations are of a greater scale than prior miners and have more defined and regular expenses
and liabilities. These regular expenses and liabilities require professionalized mining operations to maintain profit margins on the
sale of bitcoin. To the extent the price of bitcoin declines and such profit margin is constrained, professionalized miners are incentivized
to more immediately sell bitcoin earned from mining operations, whereas it is believed that individual miners in past years were more
likely to hold newly mined bitcoin for more extended periods. The immediate selling of newly mined bitcoin greatly increases the trading
volume of bitcoin, creating downward pressure on the market price of bitcoin rewards.
The
extent to which the value of bitcoin mined by a professionalized mining operation exceeds the allocable capital and operating costs determines
the profit margin of such operation. A professionalized mining operation may be more likely to sell a higher percentage of its newly
mined bitcoin rapidly if it is operating at a low profit margin and it may partially or completely cease operations if its profit margin
is negative. In a low profit margin environment, a higher percentage could be sold more rapidly, thereby potentially depressing bitcoin
prices. Lower bitcoin prices could result in further tightening of profit margins for professionalized mining operations creating a network
effect that may further reduce the price of bitcoin until mining operations with higher operating costs become unprofitable forcing them
to reduce mining power or cease mining operations temporarily.
If
a malicious actor or botnet obtains control of more than 50% of the processing power on a bitcoin network, such actor or botnet could
manipulate blockchains to adversely affect us, which would adversely affect an investment in us or our ability to operate.
If
a malicious actor or botnet (a volunteer or hacked collection of computers controlled by networked software coordinating the actions
of the computers) obtains a majority of the processing power dedicated to mining a bitcoin, it may be able to alter blockchains on which
transactions of bitcoin reside and rely by constructing fraudulent blocks or preventing certain transactions from completing in a timely
manner, or at all. The malicious actor or botnet could control, exclude or modify the ordering of transactions, though it could not generate
new units or transactions using such control. The malicious actor could “double-spend” its own bitcoin (i.e., spend the same
bitcoin in more than one transaction) and prevent the confirmation of other users’ transactions for as long as it maintained control.
To the extent that such malicious actor or botnet does not yield its control of the processing power on the network or the bitcoin community
does not reject the fraudulent blocks as malicious, reversing any changes made to blockchains may not be possible. The foregoing description
is not the only means by which the entirety of blockchains or cryptocurrencies may be compromised but is only an example.
Although
there are no known reports of malicious activity or control of blockchains achieved through controlling over 50% of the processing power
on the network, it is believed that certain mining pools may have exceeded the 50% threshold in bitcoin. The possible crossing of the
50% threshold indicates a greater risk that a single mining pool could exert authority over the validation of bitcoin transactions. To
the extent that the bitcoin ecosystem, and the administrators of mining pools, do not act to ensure greater decentralization of bitcoin
mining processing power, the feasibility of a malicious actor obtaining control of the processing power will increase because the botnet
or malicious actor could compromise more than 50% mining pool and thereby gain control of blockchain, whereas if the blockchain remains
decentralized it is inherently more difficult for the botnet of malicious actor to aggregate enough processing power to gain control
of the blockchain, may adversely affect an investment in our common stock. Such lack of controls and responses to such circumstances
could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our new strategy at all, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of any bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies
we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account, and harm investors.
Cryptocurrencies,
including those maintained by or for us, may be exposed to cybersecurity threats and hacks.
As
with any computer code generally, flaws in bitcoin codes may be exposed by malicious actors. Several errors and defects have been found
previously, including those that disabled some functionality for users and exposed users’ information. Exploitations of flaws in
the source code that allow malicious actors to take or create money have previously occurred. Despite our efforts and processes to prevent
breaches, our devices, as well as our miners, computer systems and those of third parties that we use in our operations, are vulnerable
to cyber security risks, including cyber-attacks such as viruses and worms, phishing attacks, denial-of-service attacks, physical or
electronic break-ins, employee theft or misuse, and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our miners and computer systems
or those of third parties that we use in our operations. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue
as a going concern or to pursue our business strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or
operations and potentially the value of any bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account.
We
are subject to risks associated with our need for significant electrical power. Government regulators may potentially restrict the ability
of electricity suppliers to provide electricity to mining operations, such as ours.
The
operation of a bitcoin or other bitcoin mine can require massive amounts of electrical power. Further, our mining operations can only
be successful and ultimately profitable if the costs, including electrical power costs, associated with mining a bitcoin are lower than
the price of a bitcoin. As a result, any mine we establish can only be successful if we can obtain sufficient electrical power for that
mine on a cost-effective basis, and our establishment of new mines requires us to find locations where that is the case. There may be
significant competition for suitable mine locations, and government regulators may potentially restrict the ability of electricity suppliers
to provide electricity to mining operations in times of electricity shortage, or may otherwise potentially restrict or prohibit the provision
or electricity to mining operations. Additionally, our mines could be materially adversely affected by a power outage. Given the power
requirement, it would not be feasible to run miners on back-up power generators in the event of a government restriction on electricity
or a power outage. If we are unable to receive adequate power supply and are forced to reduce our operations due to the availability
or cost of electrical power, our business would experience materially negative impacts.
If
the award of bitcoin rewards, for us primarily bitcoin for solving blocks and transaction fees are not sufficiently high, we may not
have an adequate incentive to continue mining and may cease mining operations, which will likely lead to our failure to achieve profitability.
As
the number of bitcoin rewards awarded for solving a block in a blockchain decreases, our ability to achieve profitability worsens. Decreased
use and demand for bitcoin rewards may adversely affect our incentive to expend processing power to solve blocks. If the award of bitcoin
rewards for solving blocks and transaction fees are not sufficiently high, we may not have an adequate incentive to continue mining and
may cease our mining operations. For instance, the current fixed reward for solving a new block on the bitcoin blockchain is twelve and
a half bitcoin currency rewards per block, which decreased from 25 bitcoin in July 2016. It is estimated that it will halve again in
about one year. This reduction may result in a reduction in the aggregate hash rate of the bitcoin network as the incentive for miners
decreases. Miners ceasing operations would reduce the collective processing power on the network, which would adversely affect the confirmation
process for transactions (i.e., temporarily decreasing the speed at which blocks are added to a blockchain until the next scheduled adjustment
in difficulty for block solutions) and make bitcoin networks more vulnerable to a malicious actor or botnet obtaining control in excess
of 50 percent of the processing power active on a blockchain, potentially permitting such actor or botnet to manipulate a blockchain
in a manner that adversely affects our activities. A reduction in confidence in the confirmation process or processing power of the network
could result and be irreversible. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue to pursue our new strategy
at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of any bitcoin
or other cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire or hold for our own account.
We
may not adequately respond to price fluctuations and rapidly changing technology, which may negatively affect our business.
Competitive
conditions within the bitcoin industry require that we use sophisticated technology in the operation of our business. The industry for
blockchain technology is characterized by rapid technological changes, new product introductions, enhancements and evolving industry
standards. New technologies, techniques or products could emerge that might offer better performance than the software and other technologies
we currently utilize, and we may have to manage transitions to these new technologies to remain competitive. We may not be successful,
generally or relative to our competitors in the bitcoin industry, in timely implementing new technology into our systems, or doing so
in a cost-effective manner. During the course of implementing any such new technology into our operations, we may experience system interruptions
and failures during such implementation. Furthermore, there can be no assurances that we will recognize, in a timely manner or at all,
the benefits that we may expect as a result of our implementing new technology into our operations. As a result, our business and operations
may suffer, and there may be adverse effects on the price of our common stock.
Risks
related to our Digital Advertising Business
We
are dependent on our relationship with Xinhua New Media
Our
digital advertising business is dependent on our relationship with Xinhua New Media, the operator of the Xinhua app. The 5-year agreement
with Xinhua New Media expired in 2019 but by unwritten consent, we still have access to the New Xinhua app and place advertisements on
behalf of our clients.
We
may not be able to attract new clients and retain key staff
Certain
of our staff are key to the above relationship and should we fail to retain these staff, it may jeopardize our ability to continue to
provide such a service to our clients. We are also limited in our ability to attract new clients because of our limited number of staff.
Our
business is largely centered in Beijing and the neighboring cities
Our
base is in Beijing and we have had difficulties serving clients that are not physically nearby. This limits our reach to clients in other
major cities in China.
Risks
Involving Intellectual Property
Bitcoin
and bitcoin mining is software related
We
actively use specific hardware and software for our bitcoin mining operation. In certain cases, source code and other software assets
may be subject to an open source license, as much technology development underway in this sector is open source. For these works, the
company intends to adhere to the terms of any license agreements that may be in place.
We
do not currently own, and do not have any current plans to seek, any patents in connection with our existing and planned blockchain and
cryptocurrency related operations. We do expect to rely upon trade secrets, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and other
intellectual property rights and expect to license the use of intellectual property rights owned and controlled by others. In addition,
we have developed and may further develop certain proprietary software applications for purposes of our cryptocurrency mining operation.
Our
platform may be subject to damage, interruptions or delays that may adversely affect our business, financial conditions and results of
operations.
In
the event of a platform outage and physical data loss, our ability to perform our bitcoin mining operations would be materially and adversely
affected. The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our platform are critical to our operations. Much of our system
hardware is hosted in leased facilities located in Wuhai, Zhundong, Xilinhot and Sichuan China that is operated by our IT staff. We also
maintain a real-time backup system at a separate facility also located in Wuhai, China. Our operations depend on our ability to protect
our systems against damage or interruption from natural disasters, power or telecommunications failures, air quality issues, environmental
conditions, computer viruses or attempts to harm our systems, criminal acts and similar events. If there is a lapse in service or damage
to our leased Shanghai facilities, we could experience interruptions in our service as well as delays and additional expense in arranging
new facilities.
Any
interruptions or delays in our service, whether as a result of third-party errors, our errors, natural disasters or security breaches,
whether accidental or willful, could harm our operations and/or reputation. Additionally, in the event of damage or interruption, our
insurance policies may not adequately compensate us for any losses that we may incur. Our disaster recovery plan has not been tested
under actual disaster conditions, and we may not have sufficient capacity to recover all data and services in the event of an outage.
These factors could prevent us from mining bitcoins, damage our brand and reputation, divert our employees’ attention, subject
us to liability, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our
platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical, and if it contains undetected errors, our business could be
adversely affected.
Our
platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical and complex. In addition, our platform and internal systems depend
on the ability of such software to store, retrieve, process and manage immense amounts of data. The software on which we rely has contained,
and may now or in the future contain, undetected errors or bugs. Some errors may only be discovered after the code has been released
for external or internal use. Any errors, bugs or defects discovered in the software on which we rely could result in harm to our reputation,
or liability for damages, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial conditions.
We
may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.
We
regard our trademarks, domain names, know-how, proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property as critical to our success,
and we rely on a combination of intellectual property laws and contractual arrangements, including confidentiality and non-compete agreements
with our employees and others to protect our proprietary rights. See “Item 4. Information of the Company —Intellectual Property”
and “Regulation—Regulation on Intellectual Property Rights.” Thus, we cannot assure you that any of our intellectual
property rights would not be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or misappropriated, or such intellectual property will be sufficient
to provide us with competitive advantages. In addition, because of the rapid pace of technological change in our industry, parts of our
business rely on technologies developed or licensed by third parties, and we may not be able to obtain or continue to obtain licenses
and technologies from these third parties on reasonable terms, or at all.
It
is often difficult to register, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights in China. Statutory laws and regulations are subject
to judicial interpretation and enforcement and may not be applied consistently due to the lack of clear guidance on statutory interpretation.
Confidentiality, invention assignment and non-compete agreements may be breached by counterparties, and there may not be adequate remedies
available to us for any such breach. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights or to enforce
our contractual rights in China. Preventing any unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly and the steps we
take may be inadequate to prevent the misappropriation of our intellectual property. In the event that we resort to litigation to enforce
our intellectual property rights, such litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our managerial and financial resources.
We can provide no assurance that we will prevail in such litigation. In addition, our trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become
available to, or be independently discovered by, our competitors. To the extent that our employees or consultants use intellectual property
owned by others in their work for us, disputes may arise as to the rights in related know-how and inventions. Any failure in protecting
or enforcing our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
We
may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be expensive to defend and may disrupt our business and operations.
We
cannot be certain that our operations or any aspects of our business do not or will not infringe upon or otherwise violate trademarks,
patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We may be from time to time in the future
subject to legal proceedings and claims relating to the intellectual property rights of others. In addition, there may be third-party
trademarks, patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights that are infringed by our products, services or other
aspects of our business without our awareness. Holders of such intellectual property rights may seek to enforce such intellectual property
rights against us in China, the United States or other jurisdictions. If any third-party infringement claims are brought against us,
we may be forced to divert management’s time and other resources from our business and operations to defend against these claims,
regardless of their merits.
Additionally,
the application and interpretation of China’s intellectual property right laws and the procedures and standards for granting trademarks,
patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights in China are still evolving and are uncertain, and we cannot assure
you that PRC courts or regulatory authorities would agree with our analysis. If we were found to have violated the intellectual property
rights of others, we may be subject to liability for our infringement activities or may be prohibited from using such intellectual property,
and we may incur licensing fees or be forced to develop alternatives of our own. As a result, our business and results of operations
may be materially and adversely affected.
Risks
Related to Doing Business in China
Changes
in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business
and results of operations.
All
of our current operations are located in China. Accordingly, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations
may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally and by continued economic growth
in China as a whole.
The
Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement,
level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented
measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and
the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still
owned by the government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development
by imposing industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through
allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing preferential
treatment to particular industries or companies.
While
the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various
sectors of the economy. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation
of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial
condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations.
In addition, in the past the Chinese government has implemented certain measures, including interest rate increases, to control the pace
of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity in China, and since 2012, and in particular in 2020 as a result
of COVID-19,China’s economic growth has slowed down. Any prolonged slowdown in the Chinese economy may reduce the demand for our
products and services and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Uncertainties
in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us.
The
PRC legal system is based on written statutes and prior court decisions have limited value as precedents. Since these laws and regulations
are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are
not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties.
From
time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However, since PRC administrative
and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult
to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal
systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published
in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect. This is what, in effect, occurred with regard to our peer to peer lending
business. From 2015 to 2019, the guidance for this business from the Chinese government changed from supporting it, to limiting it, to
finally shutting it down. As a result, we may not be aware of our violating these policies and rules until sometime after the violation.
Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and
procedural rights, could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.
The
PRC government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or
foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or cause the value of our securities
to significantly decline or be worthless.
Our operations in China
are governed by PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government has significant oversight over the conduct of our business, and it may influence
our operations, which could result in a material adverse change in our operation and/or the value of our securities. Also, the PRC government
has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment
in China-based issuers. For example, on July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities made public the Opinions on Strictly Scrutinizing
Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law, or the Opinions. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration
over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies and proposed to take effective measures,
such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed
companies. On December 28, 2021, the CAC issued the Cybersecurity Review Measures 2021, which required that, among others, network platform
operators holding over one million users’ personal information shall apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity
review before any public offering in a foreign country. We believe we are not subject to a cybersecurity review under the Cybersecurity
Review Measures, because our PRC subsidiaries are mainly engaged in digital advertising and none of our PRC subsidiaries is a “network
platform operators”. On November 14, 2021, the CAC released the Regulations on the Network Data Security, or the Draft Regulations,
for public comments, which stipulates, among others, that a prior cybersecurity review is required for listing abroad of data processors
which process over one million users’ personal information, and the listing of data processors in Hong Kong which affects or may
affect national security. We believe we are not subject to a cybersecurity review under the Draft Regulations, because none of our PRC
subsidiaries is a “data processor”. Since the Draft Regulations are in the process of being formulated and the Opinions and
the Cybersecurity Review Measures 2021 remain unclear on how it will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant PRC governmental
authorities, it remains uncertain how PRC governmental authorities will regulate overseas listing in general and whether we are required
to obtain any specific regulatory approvals from the CSRC, CAC or any other PRC governmental authorities for our offshore offerings.
On December 24, 2021, the CSRC released the Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and
Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments) (the “Administration Provisions”), and the Provisions of the State Council
on the Administrative Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments)
(the “Measures”). The Administration Provisions and Measures for overseas listings lay out specific requirements for filing
documents and include unified regulation management, strengthening regulatory coordination, and cross-border regulatory cooperation.
The Administration Provisions and Measures have not yet come into effect as of the date of this report, it is uncertain when the Administration
Provision and the Measures will take effect or if they will take effect as currently drafted. Currently, the period for public comment
on these draft regulations has ended and their provisions and anticipated adoption or effective date are subject to changes and thus
their interpretation and implementation remain substantially uncertain. It also remains unclear on whether a US-listed company, like
us, is subject to the CSRC filing procedures, to maintain the listing of its securities in a foreign country. If the CSRC, CAC or other
regulatory agencies later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for our future offshore offerings,
we may be unable to obtain such approvals in a timely manner, or at all, and such approvals may be rescinded even if obtained. Any such
circumstance could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value
of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. In addition, implementation of industry-wide regulations directly targeting
our operations could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline. Therefore, investors of our company and our business
face potential uncertainty from actions taken by the PRC government affecting our business.
The
PCAOB is currently unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability
of the PCAOB to conduct inspections or investigation completely over our auditor deprives our investors with the benefits of such inspections.
Our
auditor, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this annual report, as
an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the
United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards.
Since our auditor is located in Hong Kong, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB found it has been unable to conduct inspections
or complete investigations of the audit work performed because of a position taken by the authorities in Hong Kong, our auditor is not currently inspected by the PCAOB. As a result, we and investors
in our ordinary shares are deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections or complete
investigations of auditors in China and Hong Kong makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our independent registered
public accounting firm’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject
to the PCAOB inspections, which could cause investors and potential investors in our shares to lose confidence in our audit procedures
and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.
Our
ordinary shares will be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in 2024 if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or fully
investigate auditors located in China, or as early as 2023 if proposed changes to the law are enacted. The delisting of our ordinary
shares, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.
The
HFCAA, which was signed into law on December 18, 2020, states that if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued
by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspection for the PCAOB for three consecutive years beginning in
2021, the SEC shall prohibit our shares from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading
market in the United States. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report to notify the SEC of its determination that the PCAOB
is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. The
PCAOB identified our auditor as one of the registered public accounting firms that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely.
After we file this annual report on Form 20-F, we may be identified by the SEC under the HFCAA as having filed audit reports issued by
a registered public accounting firm that cannot be inspected or investigated completely by the PCAOB.
Whether
the PCAOB will be able to conduct inspections of our auditor before the issuance of our financial statements on Form 20-F for
the year ending December 31, 2023 which is due by April 30, 2024, or at all, is subject to substantial uncertainty and depends
on a number of factors out of our, and our auditor’s control. If our shares are prohibited from trading in the United States, there
is no certainty we will be able to list on any stock exchange or trading markets to facilitate the trading in our securities. Such a
prohibition would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our ordinary shares when you wish to do so, and the risk and
uncertainty associated with delisting would have a negative impact on the price of our ordinary shares. Also, such a prohibition would
significantly affect our ability to raise capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which would have a material adverse impact on
our business, financial condition, and prospects.
On
June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed a bill which would reduce the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for
triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA from three years to two. On February 4, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a
bill which contained, among other things, an identical provision. If this provision is enacted into law and the number of consecutive non-inspection
years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA is reduced from three years to two, then our shares could be prohibited
from trading in the United States as early as 2023.
PRC
regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions conducted by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for
us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
The
Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in August
2006 and amended in June 2009, among other things, established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition
activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. In addition, the Implementing Rules Concerning Security Review on the
Mergers and Acquisitions by Foreign Investors of Domestic Enterprises, or the Rules Concerning Security Review on M&A, issued by
the Ministry of Commerce in August 2011, specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors involved in “an industry related
to national security” are subject to strict review by the Ministry of Commerce, and prohibit any activities attempting to bypass
such security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. We believe that our
business is not in an industry related to national security, but we cannot preclude the possibility that the competent PRC government
authorities may publish explanations contrary to our understanding or broaden the scope of such security reviews in the future, in which
case our future acquisitions and investment in the PRC, including those by way of entering into contractual control arrangements with
target entities, may be closely scrutinized or prohibited. Moreover, according to the Anti-Monopoly Law, the SMAR shall be notified in
advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain filing thresholds are triggered. We may grow our business in part by directly
acquiring complementary businesses in China. Complying with the requirements of the laws and regulations mentioned above and other PRC
regulations to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval
from the SMAR, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business
or maintain our market share. Our ability to expand our business or maintain or expand our market share through future acquisitions would
as such be materially and adversely affected.
In
December 2020, the NDRC and the Ministry of Commerce promulgated the Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investment, which came
into effect on January 18, 2021. As these measures are recently promulgated, official guidance has not been issued by the relevant government
authority. The interpretation of those measures remains unclear in many aspects such as whether these measures may apply to foreign investment
that is implemented or completed before the enactment of these new measures. We cannot assure you that our current business operations
will remain fully compliant, or we can adapt our business operations to new regulatory requirements on a timely basis, or at all.
PRC
regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion
may delay or prevent us from using offshore funds to make loans or to make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries.
Under
PRC laws and regulations, we are permitted to utilize offshore funds to fund our PRC subsidiaries by making loans to or additional
capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, subject to applicable government registration and approval requirements.
Any
loans to our PRC subsidiary, which are treated as foreign-invested enterprises under PRC laws, are subject to PRC regulations and foreign
exchange loan registrations. For example, loans by us to our PRC subsidiary to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits
and must be registered with the local counterpart of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. The statutory limit for the
total amount of foreign debts of a foreign-invested company is the difference between the amount of total investment as approved by the
MOFCOM or its local counterpart and the amount of registered capital of such foreign-invested company.
We
may also decide to finance our PRC subsidiaries by means of capital contributions. These capital contributions must be approved
by the MOFCOM or its local counterpart. In addition, SAFE issued a circular in September 2008, SAFE Circular 142, regulating the conversion
by a foreign-invested enterprise of foreign currency registered capital into RMB by restricting how the converted RMB may be used. SAFE
Circular 142 provides that the RMB capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise may only
be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable government authority and unless otherwise provided by law,
may not be used for equity investments within the PRC. Although on July 4, 2014, the SAFE issued the Circular of the SAFE on Relevant
Issues Concerning the Pilot Reform in Certain Areas of the Administrative Method of the Conversion of Foreign Exchange Funds by Foreign-invested
Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 36, which launched a pilot reform of the administration of the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals
of foreign-invested enterprises in certain designated areas from August 4, 2014 and some of the restrictions under SAFE Circular 142
will not apply to the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of the foreign-invested enterprises established within the designate
areas and such enterprises mainly engaging in investment are allowed to use its RMB capital converted from foreign exchange capitals
to make equity investment, our PRC subsidiary is not established within the designated areas. On March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated Circular
19, to expand the reform nationwide. Circular 19 came into force and replaced both Circular 142 and Circular 36 on June 1, 2015. Circular
19 allows foreign-invested enterprises to make equity investments by using RMB fund converted from foreign exchange capital. However,
Circular 19 continues to prohibit foreign-invested enterprises from, among other things, using RMB fund converted from its foreign exchange
capitals for expenditure beyond its business scope, providing entrusted loans or repaying loans between non-financial enterprises. In
addition, SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of
a foreign-invested company. The use of such RMB capital may not be altered without SAFE’s approval, and such RMB capital may not
in any case be used to repay RMB loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used. Violations of these Circulars could result in
severe monetary or other penalties. These circulars may significantly limit our ability to use RMB converted from offshore funds to fund
the establishment of new entities in China by our PRC subsidiary, to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies through our PRC subsidiary,
or to establish new variable interest entities in the PRC.
In
light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies,
we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals
on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans to our PRC subsidiary or future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiary.
If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use offshore funds to capitalize or otherwise fund
our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and
expand our business.
PRC
regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may limit our ability to inject capital
into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us, or
may otherwise adversely affect us.
The
Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents to Engage in Financing and Inbound Investment
via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular No. 75, and a series of implementation rules and guidance issued by SAFE,
including the circular relating to operating procedures that came into effect in July 2011, require PRC residents and PRC corporate entities
to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct or indirect offshore investment in an overseas special purpose
vehicle, or SPV, for the purposes of overseas equity financing activities, and to update such registration in the event of any significant
changes with respect to that offshore company. SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on
Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular
No. 37, on July 4, 2014, which replaced the SAFE Circular No. 75. SAFE Circular No. 37 requires PRC residents to
register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the
purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises
or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular No. 37 as a “special purpose vehicle.” The term “control”
under SAFE Circular No. 37 is broadly defined as the operation rights, beneficiary rights or decision-making rights acquired by
the PRC residents in the offshore special purpose vehicles or PRC companies by such means as acquisition, trust, proxy, voting rights,
repurchase, convertible bonds or other arrangements. SAFE Circular No. 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event
of any changes with respect to the basic information of the special purpose vehicle, such as changes in a PRC resident individual shareholder,
name or operation period; or any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital
contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. If the shareholders of the offshore
holding company who are PRC residents do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches, the PRC subsidiaries may be prohibited
from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to the offshore company, and
the offshore company may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital to its PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to
comply with SAFE registration and amendment requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of applicable
foreign exchange restrictions. On February 28, 2015, SAFE promulgated a Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Foreign Exchange
Administration Policy on Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13, which became effective on June 1, 2015. In accordance with SAFE Notice
13, entities and individuals are required to apply for foreign exchange registration of foreign direct investment and overseas direct
investment, including those required under the SAFE Circular No. 37, with qualified banks, instead of SAFE. The qualified banks, under
the supervision of SAFE, directly examine the applications and conduct the registration.
In
addition, our shareholders who are PRC entities shall complete their overseas direct investment filings according to applicable laws
and regulations regarding the overseas direct investment by PRC entities, including certificates, filings or registrations with the MOFCOM
and the NDRC, or the local branch of the MOFCOM and NDRC based on the investment amount, invested industry or other factors thereof,
and shall also update or apply for amendment in respect to the certificates, filings or registrations in the event of any significant
changes with respect to the offshore investment.
We
have notified holders of ordinary shares of our company whom we know are PRC residents to register with the local SAFE branch and update
their registrations as required under the SAFE regulations described above. We, however, cannot provide any assurances that all of our
shareholders who are PRC residents will file all applicable registrations or update previously filed registrations as required by these
SAFE regulations. The failure or inability of our PRC resident shareholders to comply with the registration procedures or other applicable
PRC regulations may subject the PRC resident shareholders to fines and legal sanctions, restrict our cross-border investment activities,
or limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to or obtain foreign exchange-dominated loans from our company.
As
it is uncertain how the SAFE regulations described above will be interpreted or implemented, we cannot predict how these regulations
will affect our business operations or future strategy. For example, we may be subject to more stringent review and approval process
with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as remittance of dividends and foreign currency-denominated borrowings, which may
adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC domestic company, we cannot
assure you that we or the owners of such company will be able to obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and
registrations required by the SAFE regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and could adversely
affect our business and prospects.
Fluctuations
in exchange rates could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
To
date, substantially all of our revenues and expenditures have been denominated in RMB, whereas our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar.
As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and RMB will affect the relative purchasing power in RMB terms
of our U.S. dollar assets. Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar while the functional currency for our PRC subsidiaries is RMB.
Gains and losses from the remeasurement of assets and liabilities that are receivable or payable in RMB are included in our consolidated
statements of operations. The remeasurement has caused the U.S. dollar value of our results of operations to vary with exchange rate
fluctuations, and the U.S. dollar value of our results of operations will continue to vary with exchange rate fluctuations. A fluctuation
in the value of RMB relative to the U.S. dollar could reduce our profits from operations and the translated value of our net assets when
reported in U.S. dollars in our financial statements. This could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition or results
of operations as reported in U.S. dollars. If we decide to convert our RMB into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends
on our ordinary shares or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would have a negative effect on
the U.S. dollar amount available to us. In addition, fluctuations in currencies relative to the periods in which the earnings are generated
may make it more difficult to perform period-to-period comparisons of our reported results of operations.
There
remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt a flexible currency policy. Any significant appreciation or
depreciation of the RMB may materially and adversely affect our revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any
dividends payable on, our ordinary shares in U.S. dollars. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into RMB to
pay our operating expenses, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we would receive
from the conversion. Conversely, a significant depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar may significantly reduce the U.S. dollar
equivalent of our earnings, which in turn could adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.
Very
limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into
any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging
transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge
our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict
our ability to convert RMB into foreign currency. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your
investment.
Regulatory
bodies of the United States may be limited in their ability to conduct investigations or inspections of our operations in China.
From
time to time, the Company may receive requests from certain U.S. agencies to investigate or inspect the Company’s operations, or
to otherwise provide information. While the Company will be compliant with these requests from these regulators, there is no guarantee
that such requests will be honored by those entities who provide services to us or with whom we associate, especially as those entities
are located in China. Furthermore, an on-site inspection of our facilities by any of these regulators may be limited or entirely prohibited.
Such inspections, though permitted by the Company and its affiliates, are subject to the unpredictability of the Chinese enforcers, and
may therefore be impossible to facilitate.
Enhanced
scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions we may pursue
in the future.
The
PRC tax authorities have enhanced their scrutiny over the direct or indirect transfer of certain taxable assets, including, in particular,
equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, by a non-resident enterprise by promulgating and implementing SAT Circular 59 and Circular
698, which became effective in January 2008, and a Circular 7 in replacement of some of the existing rules in Circular 698, which became
effective in February 2015.
Under
Circular 698, where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring the equity interests of a PRC
“resident enterprise” indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise,
being the transferor, may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, if the indirect transfer is considered to be an abusive use of company
structure without reasonable commercial purposes. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC tax at
a rate of up to 10%. Circular 698 also provides that, where a non-PRC resident enterprise transfers its equity interests in a PRC resident
enterprise to its related parties at a price lower than the fair market value, the relevant tax authority has the power to make a reasonable
adjustment to the taxable income of the transaction.
In
February 2015, the SAT issued Circular 7 to replace the rules relating to indirect transfers in Circular 698. Circular 7 has introduced
a new tax regime that is significantly different from that under Circular 698. Circular 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to not only indirect
transfers set forth under Circular 698 but also transactions involving transfer of other taxable assets, through the offshore transfer
of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, Circular 7 provides clearer criteria than Circular 698 on how to assess reasonable
commercial purposes and has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public
securities market. Circular 7 also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated
to pay for the transfer) of the taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring
the taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise being
the transferor, or the transferee, or the PRC entity which directly owned the taxable assets may report to the relevant tax authority
such indirect transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the
overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring
PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other
person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer
of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise.
We
face uncertainties on the reporting and consequences on future private equity financing transactions, share exchange or other transactions
involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises. The PRC tax authorities may pursue
such non-resident enterprises with respect to a filing or the transferees with respect to withholding obligation and request our PRC
subsidiaries to assist in the filing. As a result, we and non-resident enterprises in such transactions may become at risk of being subject
to filing obligations or being taxed, under Circular 59 or Circular 698 and Circular 7, and may be required to expend valuable resources
to comply with Circular 59, Circular 698 and Circular 7 or to establish that we and our non-resident enterprises should not be taxed
under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The
PRC tax authorities have the discretion under SAT Circular 59, Circular 698 and Circular 7 to make adjustments to the taxable capital
gains based on the difference between the fair value of the taxable assets transferred and the cost of investment. Although we currently
have no plans to pursue any acquisitions in China or elsewhere in the world, we may pursue acquisitions in the future that may involve
complex corporate structures. If we are considered a non-resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and if the PRC tax
authorities make adjustments to the taxable income of the transactions under SAT Circular 59 or Circular 698 and Circular 7, our income
tax costs associated with such potential acquisitions will be increased, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition
and results of operations.
Shareholders
may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments, including those obtained in the U.S.,
or bringing actions in China against us or our management based on foreign laws.
We
are a holding company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. We have historically conducted most of our operations
in China. In addition, most of our key employees and directors are PRC residents and reside within China. As a result, it may be difficult
for our shareholders to effect service of process upon us or those persons inside mainland China, including our management. In addition,
China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the British Virgin
Islands and many other countries and regions. Therefore, recognition and enforcement in China of judgments of a court in any of these
non-PRC jurisdictions, including the U.S., in relation to any matter not subject to a binding arbitration provision may be difficult
or impossible.
Risks
Related to Our Ordinary Shares
The
trading price of our common stock is subject to arbitrary pricing factors that are not necessarily associated with traditional factors
that influence stock prices or the value of non-bitcoin assets such as revenue, cash flows, profitability, growth prospects or business
activity levels since the value and price, as determined by the investing public, may be influenced by future anticipated adoption or
appreciation in value of cryptocurrencies or blockchains generally, factors over which we have little or no influence or control.
Other
factors which could cause volatility in the market price of our common stock include, but are not limited to:
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actual
or anticipated fluctuations in our financial condition and operating results or those of companies perceived to be similar to us; |
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actual
or anticipated changes in our growth rate relative to our competitors; |
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commercial
success and market acceptance of blockchain and bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies; |
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actions
by our competitors, such as new business initiatives, acquisitions and divestitures; |
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strategic
transactions undertaken by us; |
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additions
or departures of key personnel; |
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prevailing
economic conditions; |
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disputes
concerning our intellectual property or other proprietary rights; |
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sales
of our common stock by our officers, directors or significant stockholders; |
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other
actions taken by our stockholders; |
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future
sales or issuances of equity or debt securities by us; |
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business
disruptions caused by earthquakes, tornadoes or other natural disasters; |
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issuance
of new or changed securities analysts’ reports or recommendations regarding us; |
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legal
proceedings involving our company, our industry or both; |
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changes
in market valuations of companies similar to ours; |
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the
prospects of the industry in which we operate; |
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speculation
or reports by the press or investment community with respect to us or our industry in general; |
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the
level of short interest in our stock; and |
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other
risks, uncertainties and factors described in this annual report. |
In
addition, the stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance
of the issuer. These broad market fluctuations may negatively impact the price or liquidity of our common stock. When the price of a
stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have sometimes instituted securities class action litigation against the issuer.
We
may be unable to comply with the applicable continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market, which may adversely impact our
access to capital markets and may cause us to default certain of our agreements.
Our
common stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq rules require us to maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00
per share of our common stock. The closing bid price of our common stock fell below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive trading days,
so we were not in compliance with Nasdaq’s rules for listing standards. Although we regained compliance, there can be no assurance
we will continue to meet the minimum bid price requirements or any other requirements in the future, in which case our common stock could
be delisted.
In
the event that our common stock is delisted from Nasdaq and is not eligible for quotation or listing on another market or exchange, trading
of our common stock could be conducted only in the over-the-counter market or on an electronic bulletin board established for unlisted
securities such as the OTC. In such event, it could become more difficult to dispose of, or obtain accurate price quotations for our
common stock and there would likely also be a reduction in our coverage by securities analysts and the news media, which could cause
the price of our common stock to decline further. In addition, our ability to raise additional capital may be severely impacted, which
may negatively affect our plans and the results of our operations.
If
securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading
volume could decline.
The
trading market for our common stock will be influenced by whether industry or securities analysts publish research and reports about
us, our business, our market or our competitors and, if any analysts do publish such reports, what they publish in those reports. We
may not obtain or maintain analyst coverage in the future. Any analysts that do cover us may make adverse recommendations regarding our
stock, adversely change their recommendations from time to time and/or provide more favorable relative recommendations about our competitors.
If analysts who may cover us in the future were to cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, or if analysts
fail to cover us or publish reports about us at all, we could lose (or never gain) visibility in the financial markets, which in turn
could cause the stock price of our common stock or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if our operating results do not meet the expectations
of the investor community, one or more of the analysts who cover our company may change their recommendations regarding our company and
our stock price could decline.
Our
ordinary shares may be thinly traded and you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if you need to sell your shares to
raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate your shares.
Our
ordinary shares may be “thinly-traded”, meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing our ordinary shares at
or near bid prices at any given time may be relatively small or non-existent. This situation may be attributable to a number of factors,
including the fact that we are relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment
community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse
and might be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time
as we became more seasoned. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares is minimal
or non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support
continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. Broad or active public trading market for our ordinary shares may not develop
or be sustained.
Volatility
in our ordinary shares price may subject us to securities litigation.
The
market for our ordinary shares may have, when compared to seasoned issuers, significant price volatility and we expect that our share
price may continue to be more volatile than that of a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. In the past, plaintiffs have often initiated
securities class action litigation against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities. We may, in
the future, be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and liabilities and could divert
management’s attention and resources.
We
are not likely to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
We
currently intend to retain any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business. Accordingly, we do not expect
to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future but will review this policy as circumstances dictate. Should we determine to pay
dividends in the future, our ability to do so will depend upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from WFOE. WFOE may, from time
to time, be subject to restrictions on its ability to make distributions to us, including restrictions on the conversion of RMB into
U.S. dollars or other hard currency and other regulatory restrictions.
You
may face difficulties in protecting your interests as a shareholder, as the laws of British Virgin Islands provides substantially less
protection when compared to the laws of the United States and it may be difficult for a shareholder of ours to effect service of process
or to enforce judgements obtained in the United States courts.
Our
corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association and by the Companies Law (2016 Revision) and common law
of the British Virgin Islands. The rights of shareholders to take legal action against our directors and us, actions by minority shareholders
and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under British Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common
law of the British Virgin Islands. The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited
judicial precedent in the British Virgin Islands as well as from English common law. Decisions of the Privy Council (which is
the final court of appeal for British overseas territories such as the British Virgin Islands) are binding on a court in the British
Virgin Islands. Decisions of the English courts, and particularly the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the Court of Appeal
are generally of persuasive authority but are not binding on the courts of the British Virgin Islands. The rights of our shareholders
and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are not as clearly established as they would
be under statutes or judicial precedents in the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands has a less developed
body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provide significantly less protection to investors. In addition,British
Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action before the United States federal courts. The
British Islands courts are also unlikely to impose liabilities against us in original actions brought in the British Virgin
Islands, based on certain civil liability provisions of United States securities laws.
As
of December 31, 2021, all of our operations are conducted outside the United States, and substantially all of our assets are located
outside the United States. All of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States
and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to
effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United
States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any
state in the United States.
As
a result of all of the above, our shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against us or our
officers, directors or major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States.
We
are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions
applicable to United States domestic public companies.
We
are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act. As such, we are exempt from certain provisions applicable
to United States domestic public companies. For example:
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we
are not required to provide as many Exchange Act reports, or as frequently, as a domestic public company; |
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for
interim reporting, we are permitted to comply solely with our home country requirements, which are less rigorous than the rules that
apply to domestic public companies; |
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we
are not required to provide the same level of disclosure on certain issues, such as executive compensation; |
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we
are exempt from provisions of Regulation FD aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information; |
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we
are not required to comply with the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations
in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; and |
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we
are not required to comply with Section 16 of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their share ownership
and trading activities and establishing insider liability for profits realized from any “short-swing” trading transaction. |
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We
currently intend to file annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K as a foreign private issuer. Accordingly, our shareholders
may not have access to certain information they may deem important. |
If
we are classified as a passive foreign investment company, United States taxpayers who own our ordinary shares may have adverse United
States federal income tax consequences.
A
non-U.S. corporation such as ourselves will be classified as a passive foreign investment company, which is known as a PFIC, for any
taxable year if, for such year, either
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at
least 75% of our gross income for the year is passive income; or |
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the
average percentage of our assets (determined at the end of each quarter) during the taxable year which produce passive income or
which are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. |
Passive
income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of
a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets.
If
we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. taxpayer who
holds our ordinary shares, the U.S. taxpayer may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability and may be subject to additional
reporting requirements.
Depending
on the amount of cash we raise in a public offering completed in March 2018, together with any other assets held for the production of
passive income, it is possible that, for our 2018 taxable year or for any subsequent year, more than 50% of our assets may be assets
which produce passive income. We will make this determination following the end of any particular tax year. Although the law in this
regard is unclear, we treat our consolidated affiliated entities as being owned by us for United States federal income tax purposes,
not only because we exercise effective control over the operation of such entities but also because we are entitled to substantially
all of their economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate their operating results in our consolidated financial statements. For
purposes of the PFIC analysis, in general, a non-U.S. corporation is deemed to own its pro rata share of the gross income and assets
of any entity in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the equity by value.
For
a more detailed discussion of the application of the PFIC rules to us and the consequences to U.S. taxpayers if we were determined to
be a PFIC, see “Item 10.E. Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation — Passive Foreign Investment Company.”
We
expect that our capital expenditures in fiscal year 2022 will be incurred primarily in connection with the purchase of bitcoin mining
machines, additional computer equipment and IT server to support our services.
ITEM
10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A.
Share Capital
Not
applicable.
B.
Memorandum and Articles of Association
The
following represents a summary of certain key provisions of our memorandum and articles of association and the BVI Business Companies
Act 2004 of the British Virgin Islands, which we refer to as the Act below.
Summary
Registered
Office. Under our Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association, the address of our registered office is Floor 4, Banco Popular
Building, Road Town, Tortola, VG 1110, British Virgin Islands.
Capacity
and Powers. Under Clause 4(1) of our Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association, we have the capacity to carry on or undertake
any business or activity, do any act or enter into any transaction.
Directors.
Under Article 23 of our Articles of Association, no contract or transaction between us and one or more of our Directors (an “Interested
Director”) or officers, or between us and any of their affiliates (an “Interested Transaction”), will be void or voidable
solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of our board or committee
which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because any such director’s or officer’s votes are counted for such
purpose, if:
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The
material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed
or are known to the our Board of Directors or the committee, and the board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or
transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less
than a quorum; or |
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The
material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed
or are known to our shareholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith
by vote of our shareholders; or |
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The
contract or transaction is fair as to us as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the board, a committee or the
Shareholders. |
A
majority of independent directors must vote in favor of any Interested Transaction and determine that the terms of the Interested Transaction
are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.
Our
board shall review and approve all payments made to the founders, officers, directors, special advisors, consultants and their respective
affiliates and any Interested Director shall abstain from such review and approval.
Rights, Preferences
and Restrictions Attaching to Our Ordinary Shares. We are authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares divided into the following
classes of shares: (i) 150,000,000 ordinary shares, par valur $0.001 per share; and (ii) 50,000,000 preferred shares, par
value $0.00101 per share. As of March 31, 2022, 35,544,041 ordinary shares and 5,000,000 preferred shares were outstanding.
Each share, regardless if it is part of a class of ordinary shares, has the right to one vote at a meeting of shareholders or on any
resolution of shareholders, the right to an equal share in any dividend paid by us, and the right to an equal share in the distribution
of surplus assets. Each preferred share has the right to three votes at a meeting of shareholers or on any resolution of shareholders
but does not participate in any distribution of the company. We may by a resolution of the Board of Directors redeem our shares for
such consideration as the Board of Directors determines.
Alteration
of Rights. The rights attached to any class or series of shares (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of
that class or series), whether or not the Company is being wound-up, may be varied with the consent in writing of all the holders of
the issued shares of that class or series or with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast at a separate meeting
of the holders of the shares of the class or series.
Meetings.
A meeting of Members may be called by not less than ten (10) clear days’ Notice, but a meeting of Members may be called by shorter
notice if Members holding a 50 per cent majority of the total voting rights on all the matters to be considered at the meeting have waived
notice of the meeting and, for this purpose, the presence of a Member shall be deemed to constitute a waiver on his part. The notice
shall specify the time and place of the meeting and the general nature of the business. The accidental omission to give Notice of a meeting
or (in cases where instruments of proxy are sent out with the Notice) to send such instrument of proxy to, or the non-receipt of such
Notice or such instrument of proxy by, any person entitled to receive such Notice shall not invalidate any resolution passed or the proceedings
at that meeting.
Limitations
on the Right to Own Securities. There are no limitations on the rights to own our securities, or limitations on the rights of non-resident
or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our securities, contained in our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles
of Association (or under British Virgin Islands law).
C.
Material Contracts
We have not entered into any material
contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and otherwise described elsewhere in this annual report.
D.
Exchange Controls
BVI
Exchange Controls
There
are no material exchange controls restrictions on payment of dividends, interest or other payments to the holders of our ordinary shares
or on the conduct of our operations in the BVI. There are no material BVI laws that impose any material exchange controls on us or that
affect the payment of dividends, interest or other payments to nonresident holders of our ordinary shares. BVI law and our memorandum
and articles of association do not impose any material limitations on the right of non-residents or foreign owners to hold or vote our
ordinary shares.
PRC
Exchange Controls
Under
the Foreign Currency Administration Rules promulgated in 1996 and revised in 1997, and various regulations issued by SAFE and other relevant
PRC government authorities, RMB is convertible into other currencies without prior approval from SAFE only to the extent of current account
items, such as trade related receipts and payments, interest and dividends and after complying with certain procedural requirements.
The conversion of RMB into other currencies and remittance of the converted foreign currency outside PRC for the purpose of capital account
items, such as direct equity investments, loans and repatriation of investment, requires the prior approval from SAFE or its local office.
Payments for transactions that take place within China must be made in RMB. Unless otherwise approved, PRC companies must repatriate
foreign currency payments received from abroad. Foreign-invested enterprises may retain foreign exchange in accounts with designated
foreign exchange banks subject to a cap set by SAFE or its local office. Unless otherwise approved, domestic enterprises must convert
all of their foreign currency proceeds into RMB.
On
October 21, 2005, SAFE issued the Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fund-raising and Reverse Investment
Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, which became effective as of November 1, 2005. According
to the notice, a special purpose company, or SPV, refers to an offshore company established or indirectly controlled by PRC residents
for the special purpose of carrying out financing of their assets or equity interest in PRC domestic enterprises. Prior to establishing
or assuming control of an SPV, each PRC resident, whether a natural or legal person, must complete the overseas investment foreign exchange
registration procedures with the relevant local SAFE branch. The notice applies retroactively. As a result, PRC residents who have established
or acquired control of these SPVs that previously made onshore investments in China were required to complete the relevant overseas investment
foreign exchange registration procedures by March 31, 2006. These PRC residents must also amend the registration with the relevant SAFE
branch in the following circumstances: (i) the PRC residents have completed the injection of equity investment or assets of a domestic
company into the SPV; (ii) the overseas funding of the SPV has been completed; (iii) there is a material change in the capital of the
SPV. Under the rules, failure to comply with the foreign exchange registration procedures may result in restrictions being imposed on
the foreign exchange activities of the violator, including restrictions on the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore
parent company, and may also subject the violators to penalties under the PRC foreign exchange administration regulations.
On
August 29, 2008, SAFE promulgated Notice 142 which regulates the conversion by a foreign-funded enterprise of foreign currency into RMB
by restricting how the converted RMB may be used. Notice 142 requires that RMB funds converted from the foreign currency capital of a
foreign-funded enterprise may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority and
may not be used for equity investments within the PRC unless specifically provided for otherwise. In addition, SAFE strengthened its
supervision over the flow and use of RMB funds converted from the foreign currency capital of a foreign-funded enterprise. The use of
such RMB capital may not be changed without SAFE’s approval, and may not, in any case, be used to repay or prepay RMB loans if
such loans are outstanding. Violations of Notice 142 will result in severe penalties, such as heavy fines as set out in the relevant
foreign exchange control regulations.
E.
Taxation
British
Virgin Islands Taxation
Under
the law of the British Virgin Islands as currently in effect, a holder of our shares who is not a resident of the British Virgin Islands
is not liable for British Virgin Islands income tax on dividends paid with respect to our shares, and all holders of our securities are
not liable to the British Virgin Islands for income tax on gains realized on the sale or disposal of such securities. The British Virgin
Islands does not impose a withholding tax on dividends paid by a company incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Act.
There
are no capital gains, gift or inheritance taxes levied by the British Virgin Islands on companies incorporated or re-registered under
the BVI Act. In addition, securities of companies incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Act are not subject to transfer taxes,
stamp duties or similar charges.
There
is no income tax treaty or convention currently in effect between the United States and the British Virgin Islands, although a Tax Information
Exchange Agreement is in force.
PRC
Taxation
Under
the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, and its implementation rules that became effective on January 1, 2008, a non-resident
enterprise is generally subject to PRC enterprise income tax with respect to PRC-sourced income. A circular issued by the State Administration
of Taxation on April 22, 2009 provides that a foreign enterprise controlled by a PRC company or a PRC company group will be classified
as a “resident enterprise” with its “de facto management body” located within China if the following requirements
are satisfied: (i) the senior management and core management departments in charge of its daily operations function are mainly in the
PRC; (ii) its financial and human resources decisions are subject to determination or approval by persons or bodies in the PRC; (iii)
its major assets, accounting books, company seals, and minutes and files of its board and shareholders’ meetings are located or
kept in the PRC; and (iv) at least half of the enterprise’s directors with voting right or senior management reside in the PRC.
In addition, the State Administration of Taxation issued a bulletin on August 3, 2011, effective as of September 1, 2011, to provide
more guidance on the implementation of the above circular. The bulletin clarified certain matters relating to resident status determination,
post-determination administration and competent tax authorities. It also specifies that when provided with a copy of a PRC tax resident
determination certificate from a resident PRC-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise, the payer should not withhold 10% income tax
when paying the PRC-sourced dividends, interest and royalties to the PRC-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise. Although both the
circular and the bulletin only apply to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises and not those by PRC individuals, the determination
criteria set forth in the circular and administration clarification made in the bulletin may reflect the State Administration of Taxation’s
general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax residency status of
offshore enterprises and the administration measures should be implemented, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises
or PRC individuals. If we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise, dividends distributed to our non-PRC enterprise shareholders by
us, or the gain our non-PRC enterprise shareholders may realize from the transfer of our ordinary shares, may be treated as PRC-sourced
income and therefore be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax pursuant to the EIT Law.
U.S.
Federal Income Taxation
General
The
following are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to an investor of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities.
The
discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to a beneficial owner of our securities
that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as:
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individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a
corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under
the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
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an
estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or |
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a
trust if (i) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons are
authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury
regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If
a beneficial owner of our securities is not described as a U.S. Holder and is not an entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through
entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such an owner will be considered a “Non-U.S. Holder.” The material U.S. federal
income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities applicable specifically to Non-U.S. Holders are
described below under the heading “Non-U.S. Holders.”
This
discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), its legislative history, Treasury regulations
promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These authorities are subject to change or
differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.
This
discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular holder of our securities
based on such holder’s individual circumstances. In particular, this discussion considers only holders that own and hold our securities
as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, and does not address the alternative minimum tax. In addition, this
discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders that are subject to special rules, including:
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financial
institutions or financial services entities; |
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broker-dealers; |
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persons
that are subject to the mark-to-market accounting rules under Section 475 of the Code; |
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tax-exempt
entities; |
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governments
or agencies or instrumentalities thereof; |
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insurance
companies; |
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regulated
investment companies; |
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real
estate investment trusts; |
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certain
expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; |
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persons
that actually or constructively own 5% or more of our public shares; |
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persons
that acquired our securities pursuant to the exercise of employee options, in connection with employee incentive plans or otherwise
as compensation; |
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persons
that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction; |
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persons
whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
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controlled
foreign corporations; or passive foreign investment companies. |
This
discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, state, local or non-U.S.
tax laws or, except as discussed herein, any tax reporting obligations applicable to a holder of our securities. Additionally, this discussion
does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our securities through such entities.
If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our securities,
the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities
of the partnership. This discussion also assumes that any distributions made (or deemed made) by us on our securities and any consideration
received (or deemed received) by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of our securities will be in U.S. dollars.
We
have not sought, and will not seek a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or an opinion of counsel as to any
U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the description herein, and its determination may be
upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions
will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.
THIS
DISCUSSION OF THE MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES IS NOT
TAX ADVICE. EACH HOLDER OF OUR SECURITIES IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO
SUCH HOLDER OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL,
AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS AND ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATIES.
U.S.
Holders
Taxation
of Cash Distributions
Subject
to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include
in gross income as ordinary income the amount of any cash dividend paid on our shares. A cash distribution on such shares generally will
be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits
(as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Such dividend generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction
generally allowed to domestic corporations in respect of dividends received from other domestic corporations. The portion of such distribution,
if any, in excess of such earnings and profits generally will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce
(but not below zero) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such shares. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain from the
sale or other taxable disposition of such shares and will be treated as described under “— Taxation on the Disposition
of Securities” below.
With
respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, dividends on our shares may be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the lower applicable long-term
capital gains tax rate (see “— Taxation on the Disposition of Securities” below) provided that (1) such shares
are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, (2) we are not a PFIC, as discussed below, for either
the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. Under
published IRS authority, our shares are considered for purposes of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities
market in the United States only if they are listed on certain exchanges, which presently include the NASDAQ Capital Market. Although
our ordinary shares and warrants are currently listed and traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we cannot guarantee that our securities
will continue to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability
of the lower rate for any cash dividends paid with respect to our securities.
Possible
Constructive Distributions with Respect to Redeemable Warrants
The
terms of each redeemable warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of ordinary shares for which the redeemable warrant may be exercised
in certain events. An adjustment that has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. However, the U.S. Holders of the
redeemable warrants would be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from us if, for example, the adjustment increases the redeemable
warrant holders’ proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of ordinary
shares that would be obtained upon exercise) as a result of a distribution of cash to the holders of our shares, which is taxable to
the U.S. Holders of such shares as described under “Taxation of Cash Distributions” above. Such constructive distribution
would be subject to tax as described under that section in the same manner as if the U.S. Holders of the redeemable warrants received
a cash distribution from us equal to the fair market value of such increased interest.
Taxation
on the Disposition of Securities
Upon
a sale or other taxable disposition of our securities (which, in general, would include a distribution in connection with our liquidation
or a redemption of redeemable warrants), and subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital
gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the securities.
See “— Exercise or Lapse of Redeemable Warrants” below for a discussion regarding a U.S. Holder’s basis in the
ordinary share acquired pursuant to the exercise of a warrant.
The
regular U.S. federal income tax rate on capital gains recognized by U.S. Holders generally is the same as the regular U.S. federal income
tax rate on ordinary income, except that long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders generally are subject to U.S.
federal income tax at reduced rates of tax. Capital gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s
holding period for the securities exceeds one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to various limitations.
Additional
Taxes
U.S.
Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare
contribution tax on unearned income, including, without limitation, dividends on, and gains from the sale or other taxable disposition
of, our securities, subject to certain limitations and exceptions. Under recently issued regulations, in the absence of a special election,
such unearned income generally would not include income inclusions under the qualified electing fund, or QEF rules discussed below under
“— Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” but would include distributions of earnings and profits from a QEF. U.S.
Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of such tax on their ownership and disposition of our securities.
Exercise
or Lapse of Redeemable Warrants
Subject
to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the acquisition of ordinary shares on
the exercise of redeemable warrants for cash. Ordinary shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of redeemable warrants for cash will
have a tax basis equal to the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the redeemable warrants, increased by the amount paid to exercise the
redeemable warrants. The holding period of such ordinary shares should begin on the day after the date of exercise of the redeemable
warrants. If redeemable warrants are allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize a capital loss equal to such
holder’s adjusted tax basis in the redeemable warrants.
The
tax consequences of a cashless exercise of redeemable warrants are not clear under current tax law. A cashless exercise may be tax-free,
either because it is not a realization event (i.e., not a transaction in which gain or loss is realized) or because the transaction is
treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either tax-free situation, a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in
the ordinary shares received would equal the U.S. Holder’s basis in the redeemable warrants. If the cashless exercise were treated
as not being a realization event, the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the ordinary shares could be treated as commencing on the
date following the date of exercise of the redeemable warrants. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding
period of the ordinary shares received would include the holding period of the redeemable warrants.
It
is also possible that a cashless exercise could be treated as a taxable exchange in which gain or loss is recognized. In such event,
a U.S. Holder could be deemed to have surrendered a number of redeemable warrants with a fair market value equal to the exercise price
for the number of redeemable warrants deemed exercised. For this purpose, the number of redeemable warrants deemed exercised would be
equal to the number of ordinary shares issued pursuant to the cashless exercise of the redeemable warrants. In this situation, the U.S.
Holder would recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the redeemable warrants
deemed surrendered to pay the exercise price and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such redeemable warrants deemed surrendered. Such
gain or loss would be long-term or short-term depending on the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the redeemable warrants. In this
case, a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares received would equal the sum of the fair market value of the redeemable
warrants deemed surrendered to pay the exercise price and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the redeemable warrants deemed exercised,
and a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares should commence on the date following the date of exercise of the redeemable
warrants. There also may be alternative characterizations of any such taxable exchange that would result in similar tax consequences,
except that a U.S. Holder’s gain or loss would be short-term.
Due
to the absence of authority on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise of redeemable warrants it is unclear which,
if any, of the alternative tax consequences and holding periods described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly,
U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a cashless exercise of redeemable warrants.
Passive
Foreign Investment Company Rules
A
foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporation will be a PFIC if at least 75% of its gross income in a taxable year of the foreign corporation,
including its pro rata share of the gross income of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value,
is passive income. Alternatively, a foreign corporation will be a PFIC if at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year of the foreign
corporation, ordinarily determined based on fair market value and averaged quarterly over the year, including its pro rata share of the
assets of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce,
passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than certain rents or royalties derived
from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets.
Based
on the composition of our assets and the nature of the Company’s income and subsidiaries’ income for our taxable year ended
June 30, 2015, we do not expect to be treated as a PFIC for such year and we do not expect to be one for our taxable year ending June
30, 2016 or become one in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, the application of the PFIC rules is subject to ambiguity in several
respects and, in addition, we must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC (after the close of each taxable
year). Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for the current or any other taxable year. Moreover, although we
do not believe we would be treated as a PFIC, we have not engaged any U.S. tax advisers to determine our PFIC status. In addition, if
a U.S. Holder owned our ordinary shares at any time prior to our acquisition of Elite, such U.S. Holder may be considered to own stock
of a PFIC by virtue of the fact that we may have been a PFIC during the period prior to our acquisition of Elite, unless such U.S. Holder
made either a valid and timely QEF election or a valid and timely mark-to-market election, in each case as described below.
If
we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder of our
shares or redeemable warrants and, in the case of our shares, the U.S. Holder did not make either a timely qualified electing fund (“QEF”)
election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) such shares, a QEF election along
with a purging election, or a mark-to-market election, each as described below, such holder generally will be subject to special rules
for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to:
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gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its shares or redeemable warrants; and |
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any
“excess distribution” made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year
of the U.S. Holder that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of the
shares or warrants during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder’s holding
period for the shares or warrants). |
Under
these rules,
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the
U.S. Holder’s gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the shares
or redeemable warrants; |
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the
amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution,
or to the period in the U.S. Holder’s holding period before the first day of our first taxable year in which we are a PFIC,
will be taxed as ordinary income; |
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the
amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed
at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder; and |
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the
interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such other
taxable year of the U.S. Holder. |
In
general, if we are determined to be a PFIC, a U.S. Holder may avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above in respect to our shares
by making a timely QEF election (or a QEF election along with a purging election, as described below). Pursuant to the QEF election,
a U.S. Holder will be required to include in income its pro rata share of our net capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other
earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case whether or not distributed, in the taxable year of the U.S.
Holder in which or with which our taxable year ends. A U.S. Holder may make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed
income inclusions under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest charge.
A
U.S. Holder may not make a QEF election with respect to its redeemable warrants. As a result, if a U.S. Holder sells or otherwise disposes
of a redeemable warrant (other than upon exercise of the redeemable warrant), any gain recognized generally will be subject to the special
tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above, if we were a PFIC at any time during the
period the U.S. Holder held the redeemable warrants. If a U.S. Holder that exercises such redeemable warrants properly makes a QEF election
with respect to the newly acquired ordinary shares (or has previously made a QEF election with respect to our shares), the QEF election
will apply to the newly acquired ordinary shares, but the adverse tax consequences relating to PFIC shares, adjusted to take into account
the current income inclusions resulting from the QEF election, will continue to apply with respect to such newly acquired ordinary shares
(which generally will be deemed to have a holding period for purposes of the PFIC rules that includes the period the U.S. Holder held
the redeemable warrants), unless the U.S. Holder makes a purging election with respect to such shares. The purging election creates a
deemed sale of such shares at their fair market value. The gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the special tax
and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election, the U.S.
Holder will increase the adjusted tax basis in its ordinary shares acquired upon the exercise of the redeemable warrants by the gain
recognized and will also have a new holding period in such ordinary shares for purposes of the PFIC rules.
The
QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and, once made, can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder
generally makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment
Company or Qualified Electing Fund), including the information provided in a PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed U.S.
federal income tax return for the taxable year to which the election relates. Retroactive QEF elections generally may be made only by
filing a protective statement with such return and if certain other conditions are met or with the consent of the IRS.
In
order to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive certain information from us. Upon request from a
U.S. Holder, we will endeavor to provide to the U.S. Holder no later than 90 days after the request such information as the IRS may require,
including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF election. However, there
is no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of our status as a PFIC in the future or of the required information to be provided.
If
a U.S. Holder has made a QEF election with respect to our shares and the special tax and interest charge rules do not apply to such shares
(because of a timely QEF election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) such shares
or a QEF election, along with a purge of the PFIC taint pursuant to a purging election, as described above), any gain recognized on the
sale or other taxable disposition of our shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no interest charge will be imposed. As
discussed above, for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. Holders of a QEF are currently taxed on their pro rata shares of
the QEF’s earnings and profits, whether or not distributed. In such case, a subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits
that were previously included in income generally should not be taxable as a dividend to such U.S. Holders. The adjusted tax basis of
a U.S. Holder’s shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts that are included in income, and decreased by amounts distributed
but not taxed as dividends, under the above rules. Similar basis adjustments apply to property if by reason of holding such property
the U.S. Holder is treated under the applicable attribution rules as owning shares in a QEF.
Although
a determination as to our PFIC status will be made annually, the initial determination that we are a PFIC generally will apply for subsequent
years to a U.S. Holder who held shares or redeemable warrants while we were a PFIC, whether or not we meet the test for PFIC status in
those subsequent years, unless such U.S. Holder made a purging election as described below. A U.S. Holder who makes the QEF election
discussed above for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our shares, however, will
not be subject to the PFIC tax and interest charge rules discussed above in respect to such shares. In addition, such U.S. Holder will
not be subject to the QEF inclusion regime with respect to such shares for any of our taxable years that end within or with a taxable
year of the U.S. Holder and in which we are not a PFIC. On the other hand, if the QEF election is not effective for each of our taxable
years in which we are a PFIC and during which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our shares, the PFIC rules discussed above
will continue to apply to such shares unless the holder files on a timely filed U.S. income tax return (including extensions) a QEF election
and a purging election to recognize under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code any gain that the U.S. Holder would otherwise recognize
if the U.S. Holder had sold our shares for their fair market value on the “qualification date.” The qualification date is
the first day of our tax year in which we qualify as a QEF with respect to such U.S. Holder. The purging election can only be made if
such U.S. Holder held our ordinary shares on the qualification date. The gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the
special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election,
the U.S. Holder will increase the adjusted tax basis in its ordinary shares by the amount of the gain recognized and will also have a
new holding period in the shares for purposes of the PFIC rules.
If
a U.S. Holder did not make a timely “mark-to-market” election (as described above), and if we were a PFIC at any time during
the period such U.S. Holder held our ordinary shares, then such ordinary shares will continue to be treated as stock of a PFIC with respect
to such U.S. Holder even if we cease to be a PFIC in a future year, unless such U.S. Holder makes a “purging election” for
the year we cease to be a PFIC. A “purging election” creates a deemed sale of such ordinary shares at their fair market value
on the last day of the last year in which we are treated as a PFIC. The gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the
special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election,
such U.S. Holder will have a new tax basis (equal to the fair market value of the ordinary shares on the last day of the last year in
which we are treated as a PFIC) and tax holding period (which new holding period will begin the day after such last day) in such ordinary
shares.
As
an alternative to the QEF election, if a U.S. Holder, at the close of its taxable year, owns shares in a PFIC that are treated as marketable
stock, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares for such taxable year. If the U.S. Holder makes
a valid mark-to-market election for the first taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our
shares and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, such holder generally will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above in respect
to its shares. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market
value of its shares at the end of its taxable year over the adjusted tax basis in its shares. The U.S. Holder also will be allowed to
take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis of its shares over the fair market value of its shares
at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market
election). The U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and
any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of the shares will be treated as ordinary income. Currently, a mark-to-market
election may not be made with respect to our redeemable warrants.
The
mark-to-market election is available only for stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the NASDAQ Capital Market, or on a foreign exchange or market that the IRS determines
has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. Although our ordinary shares
are listed and traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we cannot guarantee that our shares will continue to be listed and traded on the
NASDAQ Capital Market. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market
election in respect to our shares under their particular circumstances.
If
we are a PFIC and, at any time, have a foreign subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder generally would be deemed to own
a portion of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described
above if we receive a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of our interest in, or the U.S. Holder otherwise were deemed to have
disposed of an interest in, the lower-tier PFIC. Upon request, we will endeavor to cause any lower-tier PFIC to provide to a U.S. Holder
no later than 90 days after the request the information that may be required to make or maintain a QEF election with respect to the lower-tier
PFIC. However, there is no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of the status of any such lower-tier PFIC, and we do not plan
to make annual determinations or otherwise notify U.S. Holders of the PFIC status of any such lower-tier PFIC. There also is no assurance
that we will be able to cause the lower-tier PFIC to provide the required information. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax
advisors regarding the tax issues raised by lower-tier PFICs.
A
U.S. Holder that owns (or is deemed to own) shares in a PFIC during any taxable year of the U.S. Holder may have to file an IRS Form
8621 (whether or not a QEF election or mark-to-market election is or has been made) with such U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income
tax return and provide such other information as may be required by the U.S. Treasury Department.
The
rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition
to those described above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders of our shares and redeemable warrants should consult their own tax advisors concerning
the application of the PFIC rules to our shares and redeemable warrants under their particular circumstances.
Non-U.S.
Holders
Dividends
(including constructive dividends) paid or deemed paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect to our securities generally will not be subject
to U.S. federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business
within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed
base that such holder maintains or maintained in the United States).
In
addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other taxable
disposition of our securities unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States
(and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains
or maintained in the United States) or the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more
in the taxable year of sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met (in which case, such gain from U.S. sources generally
is subject to U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate).
Dividends
and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if
required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains or
maintained in the United States) generally will be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax at the same regular U.S. federal income
tax rates applicable to a comparable U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.
The
U.S. federal income tax treatment of a Non-U.S. Holder’s exercise of redeemable warrants, or the lapse of redeemable warrants held
by a Non-U.S. Holder, generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise or lapse of redeemable warrants
by a U.S. Holder, as described under “U.S. Holders — Exercise or Lapse of Redeemable Warrants” above.
Backup
Withholding and Information Reporting
In
general, information reporting for U.S. federal income tax purposes should apply to distributions made on our securities within the United
States to a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) and to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our securities by a
U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) to or through a U.S. office of a broker. Payments made (and sales and other dispositions
effected at an office) outside the United States will be subject to information reporting in limited circumstances. In addition, certain
information concerning a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its securities and adjustments to that tax basis and whether any gain
or loss with respect to such securities is long-term or short-term also may be required to be reported to the IRS, and certain holders
may be required to file an IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) to report their interest in our securities.
Moreover,
backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 28% generally will apply to dividends paid on our securities to a U.S. Holder
(other than an exempt recipient) and the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of shares or warrants by a U.S. Holder (other than
an exempt recipient), in each case who
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fails
to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; |
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is
notified by the IRS that backup withholding is required; or |
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in
certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. |
A
Non-U.S. Holder generally may eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of
its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S.
Holder’s or a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that
certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application
of backup withholding and the availability of and procedures for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.
F.
Dividends and Paying Agents
Not
applicable.
G.
Statement by Experts
Not
applicable.
H.
Documents on Display
We
have filed this report on Form 20-F with the SEC under the Exchange Act. Statements made in this report as to the contents of any document
referred to are not necessarily complete. With respect to each such document filed as an exhibit to this report, reference is made to
the exhibit for a more complete description of the matter involved, and each such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety
by such reference.
We
are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act as a foreign private issuer and file reports and other information
with the SEC. Reports and other information filed by us with the SEC, including this report, may be inspected and copied at the public
reference room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. You can also obtain copies of this report by mail from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Additionally, copies of this material
may be obtained from the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. The SEC’s telephone number is 1-800-SEC-0330.
As
a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports
and proxy statements, and officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery
provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
I.
Subsidiary Information
Not
applicable.