Item 1A. Risk Factors
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Other than the additional risk factors herein, we are not aware of any additional material changes to the risk factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of our Annual Report, which are incorporated herein by reference. The risks described in our Annual Report are not the only ones we face. Additional risks that we currently do not know about or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity, and future prospects.
Regulatory changes or actions may restrict the use of digital assets or the operation of the Bitcoin network in a manner that adversely affects an investment in our securities.
Until recently, little regulatory attention was directed toward digital assets and the Bitcoin network by U.S. federal and state governments, foreign governments and self-regulatory agencies. As digital assets have grown in popularity and in market size, the Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Congress and certain U.S. agencies (e.g., the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the SEC, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the Federal Bureau of Investigation) have begun to examine the operations of the Bitcoin network, digital asset users and the digital asset exchange market. Many of these entities have called for heightened regulatory oversight. As the regulatory and legal environment evolves, including as a result of the 2024 U.S. presidential and congressional elections, our business and industry, and the price of digital assets, may be adversely affected.
Digital assets currently face an uncertain regulatory landscape in not only the United States but also in many foreign jurisdictions such as the European Union, China and Russia. While certain governments such as Germany, where the Ministry of Finance has declared bitcoin to be “ Rechnungseinheiten ” (a form of private money that is recognized as a unit of account, but not recognized in the same manner as fiat currency), have issued guidance as to how to treat bitcoin, most regulatory bodies have not yet issued official statements regarding intention to regulate or determinations on regulation of digital assets, the Bitcoin network and digital asset users. The effect of any future regulatory change on us, bitcoin, or other digital assets is impossible to predict, but could be substantial and adverse to us and could adversely affect an investment in our securities.
Furthermore, one or more countries such as China and Russia may take regulatory actions in the future that severely restricts the right to acquire, own, hold, sell or use digital assets or to exchange digital assets for fiat currency. Such an action may also result in the restriction of ownership, holding or trading in our securities.
Exercise or conversion of warrants and other convertible securities, along with new issuances of our common stock, will dilute our stockholder’s percentage of ownership.
We have issued convertible securities, options and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock to our officers, directors, consultants and certain stockholders. In the future, we may grant additional options, warrants and convertible securities. The exercise, conversion or exchange of options, warrants or convertible securities, including for other securities, will dilute the percentage ownership of our stockholders. The dilutive effect of the exercise or conversion of these securities may adversely affect our ability to obtain additional capital. The holders of these securities may be expected to exercise or convert such options, warrants and convertible securities at a time when it would be able to obtain additional equity capital on terms more favorable than such securities or when our common stock is trading at a price higher than the exercise or conversion price of the securities. The exercise or conversion of outstanding warrants, options and convertible securities will have a dilutive effect on the securities held by our stockholders. We have in the past, and may in the future, exchange outstanding securities for other securities on terms that are dilutive to the securities held by other stockholders not participating in such exchange.
Additionally, our stockholders have experienced and will continue to experience dilution due to the issuance of our common stock through at-the-market offerings. Dilution could intensify as a result of our strategy to hold all of the bitcoin on our balance sheet, which may necessitate increased issuances through at-the-market offerings to fund our operations.
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Our digital asset lending arrangements expose us to risks of nonrepayment by borrowers and operational and cybersecurity failures.
From time to time, we may generate income from digital asset lending arrangements. Lending digital assets involves risk of default, particularly in a highly volatile market. Borrowers may fail to repay their loans due to market downturns, fraud or other financial challenges. As our digital asset loans are unsecured, they would rank subordinate to a borrower’s secured loans if the borrower becomes insolvent, which could result in substantial financial losses.
Additionally, digital asset lending platforms are susceptible to operational and cybersecurity risks. Technical failures, software bugs and system outages can disrupt lending activities or cause transaction errors. Cybersecurity breaches and attacks could result in the loss or theft of our loaned digital assets, leading to significant financial damage.
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