FDCTECH, INC. 10-K/A

ITEM 1. BUSINESS Overview Under Delaware laws, the founders incorporated the Company as Forex Development Corporation on January 21, 2016. On February 27, 2018, the Company changed its name to FDCTech, Inc. The name change reflects the Company’s commitment to expanding its products and services in the FX and cryptocurrency markets for OTC brokers. The Company provides innovative and cost-efficient financial technology (‘fintech’) and business solutions to OTC Online Brokerages and cryptocurrency businesses (“customers”). The Company is building a diversified global financial services company driven by proprietary Condor trading technologies, complementary regulatory licenses, and a proven executive team. The Company plans to acquire, integrate, transform, and scale legacy financial service companies. The Company believes its proprietary technology and software development capabilities allow legacy financial services companies immediate exposure to –forex, stocks, ETFs, commodities, crypto, social/copy trading, and other high-growth fintech markets. From December 2021 onwards, the Company expects to grow from its acquisition strategy, specializing in buying and integrating small to mid-size legacy financial services companies. The Company intends to build a diversified global software-driven financial services company. The Company plans to acquire, integrate, transform, and scale legacy financial service companies. The Company replaces conventional legacy software infrastructure with its regulatory-grade proprietary Condor trading technologies, intending to improve end-user experience, increase client retention, and realize cost synergies. Currently, we have three primary business segments, (1) Wealth Management, (2) Technology and Software Development, and (3) Margin Brokerage Business. The Company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling interest in the US Brokerage business pending regulatory approval. Wealth Management – AD Advisory Services Pty Ltd. On December 22, 2021, the Company entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Agreement”) with AD Financial Services Pty Ltd ACN 628 331 117 of Level 38/71 Eagle St, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 4000 (“ADFP” or “Target”). According to the Agreement, the Company acquired 51% of ADFP’s issued and outstanding shares of capital stock in exchange for 45,000,000 (the “Consideration”) newly issued “restricted” common shares. The operating and licensed entity of ADFP is AD Advisory Services Pty Ltd. ADFP owns one hundred percent (100%) equity interest in AD Advisory Services Pty Ltd (“ADS”). As a result, the Company is 51% owner of ADS. The Company closed the acquisition on December 22, 2021, and combined the financial statements of ADS in its annual report, 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2022. AD Advisory Services Pty Ltd. (ADS) is an Australian-regulated wealth management company with 20 offices, 28 advisors, and $530+ million in funds under advice. ADS provides licensing solutions for financial advisers & accountants in Australia. ADS offers financial planners different licensing, compliance, and education solutions to meet their practice’s specific needs. ADS’ revenues, cost of sales, and gross profits for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, were $5,827,732, $5,275,741, and $551,991, respectively. Technology & Software Development – Condor Trading Technology The Company secures and earns revenues by signing an agreement with its customers. The Company considers a signed agreement with its customers, a binding contract with the customer, or other similar documentation reflecting the terms and conditions under which the Company will provide products or services as persuasive evidence of an arrangement. Each agreement is specific to the customer and clearly defines each party’s fee schedule, duties and responsibilities, renewal and termination terms, confidentiality agreement, dispute resolution, and other clauses necessary for such a contract. The material terms of customer contracts depend on the nature of services and solutions. Each contract is specific to the customer and clearly defines each party’s fee schedule, duties and responsibilities, renewal and termination terms, confidentiality agreement, dispute resolution, and other clauses necessary for such contract. The Company is a technology provider and software developer in the cryptocurrency or digital asset space. The Company does not mine any digital assets or trade or act as a counterparty in cryptocurrencies. Consequently, the Company does not intend to register as a custodian with state or federal regulators, including but not limited to obtaining a money service business or money transmitter license with Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and respective State’s money transmission laws. The Company also does not need to register under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as a national securities exchange, an alternative trading system, or a broker-dealer since the Company is not a broker-dealer nor does it intend to become a broker-dealer. Customers sometimes compensate us in Bitcoin through our custodian Gemini Trust Company, LLC (“Gemini”). Gemini is a licensed New York trust company that undergoes regular bank exams and is subject to cybersecurity audits conducted by the New York Department of Financial Services. We are a development company in the financial technology sector with limited operations. The Company has prepared consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the ordinary business course. The Company has no patents or trademarks on its proprietary technology solutions. The Company has three sources of revenue. ● Technology Solutions – The Company licenses its proprietary and sometimes resells third-party technologies to customers. Our proprietary technology includes but is not limited to Condor Risk Management Back Office (“Condor Risk Management”), Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform (previously known as Condor FX Pro Trading Terminal), Condor Pricing Engine, Crypto Web Trader Platform, and other cryptocurrency-related solutions. ● Customized Software Development – The Company develops software for Customers with unique requirements outlined in the Software Development Agreement (“Agreement”). ● Consulting Services – The Company’s turnkey business solutions - Start-Your-Own-Brokerage (“SYOB”), Start-Your-Own-Prime Brokerage (“SYOPB”), Start-Your-Own-Crypto Exchange (“SYOC”), FX/OTC liquidity solutions, and lead generations. In the retail foreign exchange trading space, where individuals speculate on the exchange rate between different currencies, our customers are forex brokerages, prime of prime brokers, prime brokers, and banks. The Company generates revenues by licensing its trading technology infrastructure, including but not limited to the trading platform (desktop, web, mobile), back office, and CRM and banking integration technology. The Company acts as an adviser/strategic consultant and reseller of its proprietary technologies in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. The Company expects to generate additional revenue from its crypto-related solutions. Such solutions include revenues from the development of a custom crypto exchange platform for customers, the sale of the non-exclusive source code of the crypto exchange platform to third parties, white-label fees of crypto exchange platforms, and the sale of aggregated cryptocurrency data price feed from various crypto exchanges to OTC brokers. The Company initially plans to develop the technology architecture of the crypto exchange platform for its customers. The initial capital required to produce such technologies comes from our customers as the Company takes on design-build software development projects for customers. The Company develops these projects to meet the customer’s design criteria and performance requirements. 4 The Company has completed the Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform, previously known as the Condor FX Trading Platform. The Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform is a regulatory-grade trading platform targeted at day traders and retail investors. The industry characterized such platforms by their ease of use and helpful features, such as the simplified front-end (user interface/user experience), back-end (reporting system), news feeds, and charting system. The Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform includes risk management (dealing desk, alert system, margin calls, etc.), a pricing engine (best bid/ask), and connectivity to multiple liquidity providers or market makers. We have tailored the Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform to markets such as forex, stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and other financial products. The Company released, marketed, and distributed its Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform in the second quarter of the fiscal year, December 31, 2019. The Company has developed the Condor Back Office API to integrate third-party CRM and banking systems into Condor Back Office. The Company has ten (10) licensing agreements for its Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform. The Company continuously negotiates additional licensing agreements with several retail online brokers to use the Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform. Condor Pro Multi-Asset Trading Platform is available in desktop, web, and mobile versions. The Company’s upgraded Condor Back Office (Risk Management) meets various jurisdictions’ regulatory requirements. Condor Back Office meets the directives under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II/MiFIR), legislation by European Securities and Market Authority (ESMA) implemented across the European Union on January 3, 2018. The Company is developing the Condor Investing & Trading App, a simplified trading platform for traders with varied experiences in trading stocks, ETFs, and other financial markets from their mobile phones. The Company expects to commercialize the Condor Investing & Trading App by the end of the second quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. The Company had developed NFT Marketplace, a decentralized NFT marketplace, a multichain platform with a lazy minting option to reduce and limit unnecessary blockchain usage fees, also known as gas fees. The Company has no plans to commercialize the NFT Marketplace in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, as the market for NFT has slowed considerably. The Company and its subsidiary, ADS, intend to develop a digital wealth management company, initially including a Robo Advice Platform catering to Australia’s wealth management industry. The Company expects to commercialize the Robo Advice Platform by the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. The consolidated revenues, cost of sales, and gross profits for Technology and Software Development for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, were $626,000, $159,051, and $466,949, respectively. 5 Margin Brokerage (Europe and the Middle East) – NSFX Ltd. On December 31, 2022, the Company announced the sales purchase agreement (“Agreement”) under which the Company acquired a 50.10% equity interest in New Star Capital Trading Ltd., a British Virgin Island company (“New Star”) and its operating subsidiary NSFX Ltd (“NSFX”). NSFX is an online trading brokerage firm regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). The Company will assume a business acquisition loan liability of $350,000 to purchase the controlling interest in NSFX. The Company amended the Agreement to February 28, 2023, to comply with the BVI Companies Act requirement for the change of ownership. The Company expects to consolidate the fair value of NSFX’s assets and liabilities on or after February 28, 2023 but no later than June 30, 2023. NSFX has furnished the Company with its audited balance sheet for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2021, and 2020 (the “Balance Sheet Date”). NSFX provided the related audited statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the fiscal years ending November 30, 2021, and 2020. NSFX has no liabilities other than (i) liabilities reflected in the financial statements and (ii) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business since the balance sheet date. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is the auditor of NSFX. NSFX is authorized to deal with its account (market maker) as a Category 3 licensed entity by the MFSA, receive and transmit orders for retail and professional clients, and hold and control clients’ money and assets. NSFX trading platform services in the English, French, German, Italian, and Arabic-speaking markets, whereby customers can trade in currency, commodity, equity, and cryptocurrency-linked derivatives in real time. US Brokerage – CIM Securities, LLC On July 19, 2022, the Company signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire fifty-one percent (51%) equity interest in CIM Securities, LLC (“CIM Securities”), a FINRA and SIPC member firm. On September 30, 2022, the Company signed a definitive agreement pending regulatory approval, paid a $20,000 non-refundable deposit, and transferred $180,000 to the escrow account to complete the transaction. FINRA Rule 1017 requires the Company to file continuing membership applications (CMAs) as it plans to apply for changes in ownership, control, and business operations. The Company filed the CMA form with FINRA in February 2023 to effect the change of ownership of CIM Securities, LLC, where the Company interest shall be 51.00%. Settlement of the FRH Group Note Between February 22, 2016, and April 24, 2017, the Company borrowed $1,000,000 from FRH Group, a founder and principal shareholder (“FRH”). The Company executed Convertible Promissory Notes, due between February 28, 2018, and April 24, 2019. The Notes were convertible into common stock initially at $0.10 per share but discounted under certain circumstances. In no event will the conversion price be less than $0.05 per share with a maximum of 20,000,000 shares should FRH converts the entire note. On February 22, 2021, the Company entered into an Assignment of Debt Agreement (the “Agreement”) with FRH and FRH Group Corporation. The Company eliminated all four FRH Group convertible notes, including interest, of $1,256,908, in return for the issuance of 12,569,080 of unregistered common stock of the Company (the “Shares”) to FRH. Following the Agreement, FRH assigned the Shares to FRH Group Corporation, also owned by Mr. Hong. Termination of Acquisition of Genesis Financial, Inc. In line with the new strategic direction, on June 2, 2021, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Genesis Agreement”) with the Shareholders of Genesis Financial, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (“GFNL” or “Seller”). According to the Agreement, the Company plans to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of GNFL, including its wholly-owned subsidiaries and other variable interest entities, in consideration for 70,000,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock (the” “Securities”) valued at thirty-five Million U.S. Dollars ($35,000,000). On August 24, 2021, FDCTech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“FDCT” or the “Company” or “Buyer”), terminated the Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated June 2, 2021, with the Shareholders of Genesis Financial, Inc., a Wyoming corporation (“Genesis” or “Seller”). As of the termination date, the Company did not issue any Securities to the Seller. The Company could not complete nor qualify the Agreement as Genesis could not comply with several non-exhaustive material provisions, covenants, or conditions. On June 9, 2021, and in connection with the previous description of the Genesis Agreement, dated June 2, 2021, the Company appointed Warwick Kerridge as Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. Effective August 24, 2021, the Company terminated the appointment of Warwick Kerridge as the Board of Directors. The Company terminated Mr. Kerridge’s engagement upon the consent of the majority of the stockholders representing at least 68.73% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. The Company authorized the action according to Section 222 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Upon the termination of Mr. Kerridge, the Company currently had four Board of Directors. Mitchell M. Eaglstein shall be the acting Chairman of the Company. Governmental Regulation FDCTech is a publicly traded company subject to SEC and FINRA’s rules and regulations regarding public disclosure, financial reporting, internal controls, and corporate governance. Our wealth management business, AD Advisory Services (ADS), is subject to enhanced regulatory scrutiny and is regulated by multiple regulators in Australia. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) administers a licensing regime for ‘financial services’ providers where ADS holds an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) and meets various compliance, conduct, and disclosure obligations. NSFX is an online trading brokerage firm regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). 6 Board of Directors Effective January 1, 2021, Naim Abdullah resigned as the Director of the Company. On June 9, 2021, and in connection with the previous description of the Genesis Agreement, dated June 2, 2021, the Company appointed Warwick Kerridge as Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. Effective August 24, 2021, the Company terminated the appointment of Warwick Kerridge as the Board of Directors. The Company terminated Mr. Kerridge’s engagement upon the consent of the majority of the stockholders representing at least 68.73% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. The Company authorized the action according to Section 222 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Upon the termination of Mr. Kerridge, the Company currently had four Board of Directors. Mitchell M. Eaglstein shall be the acting Chairman of the Company. On July 6, 2021, the Board of Directors of FDCTech, Inc. (the “Company”) increased from four to five directors and appointed Charles R. Provini, age 74, to the vacancy. Mr. Provini is considered independent under NYSE and NASDAQ listing standards. Mr. Provini has been the Chairman, CEO, and President of Natcore Technology Inc. since May 2009, a research and development company protected by 65 patents granted or pending. From November 1997 to October 2000, he was the President of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management and a Director of Ladenburg Thalmann, Inc., one of the oldest New York Stock Exchange members. He served as President of Laidlaw Asset Management and Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Howe & Rusling, Laidlaw’s Portfolio Management Advisory Group, from November 1995 to September 1997. Mr. Provini served as Rodman & Renshaw’s Advisory Services President from February 1994 to August 1995. He was the President of LaSalle Street Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, from January 1983 to April 1985. Mr. Provini has been a leadership instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy, Chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy’s Honor Board, and is a former Marine Corp. officer. Mr. Provini holds an undergraduate Engineering degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and a post-graduate degree from the University of Oklahoma. On November 30, 2021, Charles R. Provini, a member of the Board of Directors of FDCTech, Inc. (the “Company”), notified the Company of his intention to voluntarily resign from the Company’s Board of Directors effective November 30, 2021. Mr. Provini did not advise the Company of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies, or practices. Upon the resignation of Mr. Provini, the Company currently has three Board of Directors. On September 30, 2022, the Company appointed Gope S. Kundnani as the Director of the Company. Upon the appointment of Mr. Kundnani, the Company currently has four Board of Directors. Mr. Kundnani is a seasoned entrepreneur with several decades of experience building successful businesses in the United States, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom. From May 2018 to the present, Mr. Kundnani was the founder and current Director of Alchemy Prime Markets, a financial brokerage services company regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). From December 2018 to the present, Mr. Kundnani founded and is the Director of Blackthorn Finance Limited, an authorized payments financial services company regulated by the FCA. From May 2004 to April 2008, Mr. Kundnani was the Director of Tristar Group, responsible for investing and acquiring small retail businesses in the Texas region. From February 1999 to the present, Mr. Kundnani has been a partner and CEO of Flexo Pack, a polyethylene product manufacturer with a global customer base. Mr. Kundnani holds an undergraduate business degree from Mulund College of Commerce, Mumbai, India. Upon the termination of Mr. Kerridge and the resignation of Mr. Provini, the Company currently had four Board of Directors. Mitchell M. Eaglstein is the acting Chairman of the Company. Mitchell M. Eaglstein and Imran Firoz are the executive directors and officers of the Company. Gope S. Kundnani is considered an executive director by owning the Company’s stock of at least 10%. Jonathan Baumgart is an independent director under NYSE and NASDAQ listing standards. Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant On July 2, 2021, the Board of Directors of FDCTech, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the dismissal of Farber Hass Hurley LLP (“FHH”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The reports of FHH on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion. It was not qualified or modified for uncertainty audit scope or accounting principles. On July 2, 2021, the Company appointed BF Borgers CPA PC (“BFB”) as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately, to perform independent audit services for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. BFB has been the auditor of the Company since July 2021. Rounding Error Due to rounding, numbers presented in the financial statements for the period ending December 31, 2022, and 2021, and for December 31, 2021, and throughout the report may not add up precisely to the totals provided, and percentages may not exactly reflect the absolute figures. Description of Company’s Securities to be Registered Effective September 03, 2021, the Company incorporated by reference the description of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, to be registered hereunder contained under the heading “Description of Securities” in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333- 221726), as initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on November 22, 2017, as subsequently amended (the “Registration Statement”). Since the Registration Statement filing, the Company has made all required filings pursuant to Section 15(d) and has continued to file all reports voluntarily. 7 Covid-19 In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic throughout the United States. While the initial outbreak concentrated in China, it spread to several other countries, including Russia and Cyprus, and reported infections globally. Many countries worldwide, including the United States, have implemented significant governmental measures to control the spread of the virus, including temporary closure of businesses, severe restrictions on travel and the movement of people, and other material limitations on trade. These measures have resulted in work stoppages, absenteeism in the Company’s labor workforce, and other disruptions. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts our operations will depend on future developments. These developments are highly uncertain. We cannot predict them with confidence, including the duration and severity of the outbreak and the actions required to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact. In particular, the spread of the coronavirus globally could adversely impact our operations and workforce, including our marketing and sales activities and ability to raise additional capital, which could harm our business, financial condition, and operation results. Ukraine-Russia Conflict The geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe intensified on February 24, 2022, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The war between the two countries continues to evolve as military activity continues. The United States and certain European countries have imposed additional sanctions on Russia and specific individuals. By the end of August 2022, the Company closed its technical support and development office in Russia. We relocated our personnel to Turkey, currently considered a neutral zone. No individual associated with the Company is banned or under the Special Designated Nationals and Blocked Person list. If the military activities worsen and expand in Europe, we may relocate our office from Turkey to other neutral zones in Asia. It may impact our software development capabilities and the Company’s business plans if we cannot relocate our technical and development operations to a safer zone. As of the date of this report, there has been no disruption in our operations. ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS Our Company is a “smaller reporting company” as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and is not required to provide the information required under this Item.