5 unchanged sentences
contained in this report.
−Removed: There have been no material changes to our Risk
−Removed: Factors as therein previously reported, except as noted below:
−Removed: Risks Related to Cryptocurrency
−Removed: Absent federal regulations, there is a possibility that certain
−Removed: cryptocurrencies may be classified as “securities.” Any classification of a cryptocurrency as a “security” would
−Removed: subject us to additional regulation and could materially impact the operation of our business.
−Removed: Cryptocurrency refers to digital assets that are issued by and transmitted
−Removed: through an open-source protocol, collectively maintained by a peer-to-peer network of decentralized user nodes.
−Removed: We believe that digital
−Removed: assets intrinsically linked to a blockchain system, and the value of which is derived from or is reasonably expected to be derived from
−Removed: the use of the blockchain system, such as HYPE, are not securities, but neither the SEC nor any other U.S.
−Removed: federal or state regulator
−Removed: has formally taken such a position.
−Removed: Despite the Trump Administration’s Executive Order titled “Strengthening American Leadership
−Removed: in Digital Financial Technology” which includes as an objective “protecting and promoting the ability of individual citizens
−Removed: and private sector entities alike to access and to maintain self-custody of digital assets,” cryptocurrency has not yet been classified
−Removed: with respect to U.S.
−Removed: federal securities laws.
−Removed: Therefore, while (for the reasons discussed below) we believe that HYPE and other cryptocurrencies
−Removed: intrinsically linked to a blockchain system are digital commodities and not “securities” within the meaning of the U.S.
−Removed: federal securities laws, and registration of the Company under the 1940 Act, is therefore not required under the applicable securities
−Removed: laws, we acknowledge that a regulatory body or federal court may determine otherwise.
−Removed: Therefore, our belief, even if reasonable under
−Removed: the circumstances, would not preclude legal or regulatory action based on such a finding that cryptocurrency is a “security,”
−Removed: which would require us to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act.
−Removed: We have also adapted our process for analyzing the U.S.
−Removed: federal securities
−Removed: law status of cryptocurrencies over time, as guidance and case law have evolved.
−Removed: As part of our U.S.
−Removed: federal securities law analytical
−Removed: process, we take into account a number of factors, including the various definitions of “security” under U.S.
−Removed: federal securities
−Removed: laws and federal court decisions interpreting the elements of these definitions, such as the U.S.
−Removed: Supreme Court’s decisions in the Howey and Reves cases,
−Removed: as well as court rulings, reports, orders, press releases, public statements, and speeches by the SEC Commissioners and SEC Staff providing
−Removed: guidance on when a digital asset or a transaction to which a digital asset may relate may be a security for purposes of U.S.
−Removed: federal securities
−Removed: Our belief that HYPE and other blockchain-linked cryptocurrencies in which we intend to invest are not a “security”
−Removed: is premised, among other reasons, on our belief that such cryptocurrencies do not meet the elements of the Howey test.
−Removed: For instance, ownership of HYPE and other blockchain-linked cryptocurrencies do not convey the right to receive any interest, rewards,
−Removed: or other returns.
−Removed: We acknowledge, however, that the SEC, a federal court or another relevant
−Removed: entity could take a different view.
−Removed: The regulatory treatment of cryptocurrency is such that it has drawn significant attention from legislative
−Removed: and regulatory bodies, in particular the SEC which has previously stated it deemed cryptocurrency a security.
−Removed: Application of securities
−Removed: laws to the specific facts and circumstances of digital assets is complex and subject to change.
−Removed: Our belief, even if reasonable under
−Removed: the circumstances, would not preclude legal or regulatory action based on a finding that cryptocurrency, or any other digital asset we
−Removed: might hold is a “security.” As such, we are at risk of enforcement proceedings against us, which could result in potential
−Removed: injunctions, cease-and-desist orders, fines, and penalties if cryptocurrency was determined to be a security by a regulatory body or a
−Removed: Such developments could subject us to fines, penalties, and other damages, and adversely affect our business, results of operations,
−Removed: financial condition, and prospects.
−Removed: The emergence or growth of other digital assets, including those
−Removed: with significant private or public sector backing, could have a negative impact on the price of cryptocurrencies we hold and adversely
−Removed: affect our business.
−Removed: The emergence or growth of digital assets other than cryptocurrencies
−Removed: we may hold could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
−Removed: There are numerous alternative digital assets and many entities,
−Removed: including consortia and financial institutions, are researching and investing resources into private or permissioned blockchain platforms
−Removed: or digital assets.
−Removed: For example, some cryptocurrency networks utilize proof-of-work mining.
−Removed: Others use a “proof-of-stake” mechanism
−Removed: for validating transactions that requires significantly less computing power than proof-of-work mining.
−Removed: If the mechanisms for validating
−Removed: transactions in alternative digital assets are perceived as superior to the mechanisms used by the digital assets in which we invest,
−Removed: those digital assets could gain market share.
−Removed: Other alternative digital assets could include “stablecoins,”
−Removed: which are designed to maintain a constant price because of, for instance, their issuers’ promise to hold high-quality liquid assets
−Removed: (such as U.S.
−Removed: dollar deposits and short-term U.S.
−Removed: treasury securities) equal to the total value of stablecoins in circulation.
−Removed: have grown rapidly as an alternative to other digital assets as a medium of exchange and store of value, particularly on digital asset
−Removed: trading platforms.
−Removed: Additionally, central banks in some countries have started to introduce
−Removed: digital forms of legal tender.
−Removed: For example, China’s CBDC project was made available to consumers in January 2022, and governments
−Removed: including the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Israel have been discussing the potential creation of new CBDCs.
−Removed: Whether or not they incorporate blockchain or similar technology, CBDCs, as legal tender in the issuing jurisdiction, could also compete
−Removed: with, or replace, other digital assets as a medium of exchange or store of value.
−Removed: As a result, the emergence or growth of these or other
−Removed: digital assets could cause the market price of cryptocurrencies we hold to decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our
−Removed: business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: If we were deemed to be an investment company under the 1940
−Removed: Act, applicable restrictions likely would make it impractical for us to continue segments of our business as currently contemplated.
−Removed: Under Sections 3(a)(1)(A) and (C) of the 1940 Act, a company generally
−Removed: will be deemed to be an “investment company” if (i) it is, or holds itself out as being, engaged primarily, or proposes to
−Removed: engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities or (ii) it engages, or proposes to engage, in the
−Removed: business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding, or trading in securities and it owns or proposes to acquire investment securities
−Removed: having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of U.S.
−Removed: government securities, shares of registered money market
−Removed: funds under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis.
−Removed: Rule 3a-1 under the 1940 Act generally provides that
−Removed: notwithstanding the Section 3(a)(1)(C) test described in clause (ii) above, an entity will not be deemed to be an “investment company”
−Removed: for purposes of the 1940 Act if no more than 45% of the value of its assets (exclusive of U.S.
−Removed: government securities, shares of registered
−Removed: money market funds under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, and cash items) consists of, and no more than 45% of its net income after taxes (for
−Removed: the past four fiscal quarters combined) is derived from, securities other than U.S.
−Removed: government securities, shares of registered money
−Removed: market funds under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, securities issued by employees’ securities companies, securities issued by qualifying
−Removed: majority owned subsidiaries of such entity, and securities issued by qualifying companies that are controlled primarily by such entity.
−Removed: We do not believe that we are an “investment company” as such term is defined in either Section 3(a)(1)(A) or Section 3(a)(1)(C)
−Removed: of the 1940 Act.
−Removed: Historically, we have been focused on developing a next-generation
−Removed: enhanced ultrasound technology platform—Thermo-Acoustic Enhanced Ultrasound, or TAEUS®.
−Removed: Recently, we have begun focusing
−Removed: on pursuing opportunities to expand our portfolio into coins, digital assets and cryptocurrency.
−Removed: Since we believe cryptocurrency is not
−Removed: an investment security, we do not hold ourselves out as being engaged primarily, or propose to engage primarily, in the business of investing,
−Removed: reinvesting, or trading in securities within the meaning of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act.
−Removed: With respect to Section 3(a)(1)(C), we believe we satisfy the elements
−Removed: of Rule 3a-1 and therefore are deemed not to be an investment company under, and we intend to conduct our operations such that we will
−Removed: not be deemed an investment company under, Section 3(a)(1)(C).
−Removed: We believe that we are not an investment company pursuant to Rule 3a-1
−Removed: under the 1940 Act because, on a consolidated basis with respect to wholly-owned subsidiaries but otherwise on an unconsolidated basis,
−Removed: no more than 45% of the value of the Company’s total assets (exclusive of U.S.
−Removed: government securities, shares of registered money
−Removed: market funds under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, and cash items) consists of, and no more than 45% of the Company’s net income after
−Removed: taxes (for the last four fiscal quarters combined) is derived from, securities other than U.S.
−Removed: government securities, shares of registered
−Removed: money market funds under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, securities issued by employees’ securities companies, securities issued by qualifying
−Removed: majority owned subsidiaries of the Company, and securities issued by qualifying companies that are controlled primarily by the Company.
−Removed: Cryptocurrency and other digital assets, as well as new business models
−Removed: and transactions enabled by blockchain technologies, present novel interpretive questions under the 1940 Act.
−Removed: There is a risk that assets
−Removed: or arrangements that we have concluded are not securities could be deemed to be securities by the SEC or another authority for purposes
−Removed: of the 1940 Act, which would increase the percentage of securities held by us for 1940 Act purposes.
−Removed: The SEC has requested information
−Removed: from a number of participants in the digital assets ecosystem, regarding the potential application of the 1940 Act to their businesses.
−Removed: For example, in an action unrelated to the Company, in February 2022, the SEC issued a cease-and-desist order under the 1940 Act to BlockFi
−Removed: Lending LLC, in which the SEC alleged that BlockFi was operating as an unregistered investment company because it issued securities and
−Removed: also held more than 40% of its total assets, excluding cash, in investment securities, including the loans of digital assets made by BlockFi
−Removed: to institutional borrowers.
−Removed: If we were deemed to be an investment company, Rule 3a-2 under the
−Removed: 1940 Act is a safe harbor that provides a one-year grace period for transient investment companies that have a bona fide intent to be
−Removed: engaged primarily, as soon as is reasonably possible (in any event by the termination of such one-year period), in a business other than
−Removed: that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding, or trading in securities, with such intent evidenced by the company’s business
−Removed: activities and an appropriate resolution of its board of directors.
−Removed: The grace period is available not more than once every three years
−Removed: and runs from the earlier of (i) the date on which the issuer owns securities and/or cash having a value exceeding 50% of the issuer’s
−Removed: total assets on either a consolidated or unconsolidated basis or (ii) the date on which the issuer owns or proposes to acquire investment
−Removed: securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of such issuer’s total assets (exclusive of U.S.
−Removed: government securities and
−Removed: cash items) on an unconsolidated basis.
−Removed: Accordingly, the grace period may not be available at the time that we seek to rely on Rule 3a-2;
−Removed: however, Rule 3a-2 is a safe harbor and we may rely on any exemption or exclusion from investment company status available to us under
−Removed: the 1940 Act at any given time.
−Removed: Furthermore, reliance on Rule 3a-2, Section 3(a)(1)(C), or Rule 3a-1 could require us to take actions
−Removed: to dispose of securities, limit our ability to make certain investments or enter into joint ventures, or otherwise limit or change our
−Removed: service offerings and operations.
−Removed: If we were to be deemed an investment company in the future, restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act—including
−Removed: limitations on our ability to issue different classes of stock and equity compensation to directors, officers, and employees and restrictions
−Removed: on management, operations, and transactions with affiliated persons—likely would make it impractical for us to continue our business
−Removed: as contemplated, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects.
−Removed: We may be subject to regulatory developments related to crypto
−Removed: assets and crypto asset markets, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
−Removed: As cryptocurrency and other digital assets are relatively novel and
−Removed: the application of state and federal securities laws and other laws and regulations to digital assets is unclear in certain respects,
−Removed: it is possible that regulators in the United States or foreign countries may interpret or apply existing laws and regulations in a manner
−Removed: that adversely affects the price of cryptocurrency.
−Removed: federal government, states, regulatory agencies, and foreign countries may
−Removed: also enact new laws and regulations, or pursue regulatory, legislative, enforcement or judicial actions, that could materially impact
−Removed: the price of cryptocurrency or the ability of individuals or institutions such as us to own or transfer cryptocurrency.
−Removed: If cryptocurrency is determined to constitute a security for purposes
−Removed: of the federal securities laws, the additional regulatory restrictions imposed by such a determination could adversely affect the market
−Removed: price of cryptocurrency and in turn adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
−Removed: Moreover, the risks of us engaging in a cryptocurrency
−Removed: treasury strategy have created, and could continue to create complications due to the lack of experience that third parties have with
−Removed: companies engaging in such a strategy, such as increased costs of director and officer liability insurance or the potential inability
−Removed: to obtain such coverage on acceptable terms in the future.
−Removed: Changes in the accounting treatment of cryptocurrency holdings
−Removed: could have significant accounting impacts, including increasing the volatility of our results.
−Removed: In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-08, which upon our adoption
−Removed: will require us to measure in-scope cryptocurrency assets at fair value in our statement of financial position, and to recognize gains
−Removed: and losses from changes in the fair value of our cryptocurrency in net income each reporting period.
−Removed: ASU 2023-08 will also require us
−Removed: to provide certain interim and annual disclosures with respect to our cryptocurrency holdings.
−Removed: The standard is effective for our interim
−Removed: and annual periods beginning January 1, 2025, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the
−Removed: beginning of the annual reporting period in which we adopt the guidance.
−Removed: Due in particular to the volatility in the price of cryptocurrencies,
−Removed: we expect the adoption of ASU 2023-08 to have a material impact on our financial results in future periods, increase the volatility of
−Removed: our financial results, and affect the carrying value of our cryptocurrency on our balance sheet, and it could also have adverse tax consequences,
−Removed: which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and the market price of our common stock.
−Removed: Additionally, as
−Removed: a result of ASU 2023-08 requiring a cumulative-effect adjustment to our opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the
−Removed: annual period in which we adopt the guidance and not permitting retrospective restatement of our historical financial statements, our
−Removed: future results will not be comparable to results from periods prior to our adoption of the guidance.
−Removed: The broader digital assets industry, including the technology associated
−Removed: with digital assets, the rate of adoption and development of, and use cases for, digital assets, market perception of digital assets,
−Removed: and the legal, regulatory, and accounting treatment of digital assets are constantly developing and changing, and there may be additional
−Removed: risks in the future that are not possible to predict.
−Removed: Changes in our ownership of cryptocurrency could have accounting, regulatory
−Removed: and other impacts, as well.
−Removed: While we currently intend to primarily own cryptocurrency directly, we may investigate other potential approaches
−Removed: to owning cryptocurrencies, including indirect ownership (for example, through ownership interests in a fund that owns cryptocurrencies
−Removed: and deemed ownership via ownership of cryptocurrency derivative assets).
−Removed: If we were to own all or a portion of our cryptocurrencies in
−Removed: a different manner, the accounting treatment for our cryptocurrencies, our ability to use our cryptocurrencies as collateral for additional
−Removed: borrowings, and the regulatory requirements to which we are subject, may correspondingly change.
−Removed: For example, the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies
−Removed: may force us to liquidate our holdings to use it as collateral, which could be negatively impacted by any disruptions in the cryptocurrency
−Removed: market, and if liquidated, the value of the collateral would not reflect potential gains in market value of our cryptocurrency.
−Removed: Our management relies upon the advice of an asset manager through
−Removed: an asset management agreement to assist in building a narrowly focused investment strategy and the execution of the Company’s strategy
−Removed: and may not yield the desired return.
−Removed: We have engaged an asset manager to manage our cryptocurrency holdings
−Removed: and have adopted a treasury policy in which we plan to maintain a majority of our holdings in one to five decentralized finance digital
−Removed: assets, including HYPE.
−Removed: Our management, cryptocurrency advisory board and such asset manager will have broad discretion in the application
−Removed: of the net proceeds from any offering by the Company and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations
−Removed: or enhance the value of our common stock.
−Removed: The failure to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could cause
−Removed: the price of our common stock to decline.
−Removed: Cryptocurrency price volatility may materially depress asset
−Removed: valuations, necessitating substantial cash reserves or liquidity buffers to maintain operational resilience.
−Removed: These risks are compounded
−Removed: by the lack of comprehensive regulation governing cryptocurrency trading platforms, which face material exposure to fraud, market manipulation,
−Removed: security breaches, and operational failures that could materially and adversely affect the value of our cryptocurrency holdings.
−Removed: We may invest in even more cryptocurrencies in the future, which could
−Removed: materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, primarily due to the inherent price volatility
−Removed: of cryptocurrency and the impact of accounting standards.
−Removed: Cryptocurrencies can be highly susceptible to sharp price swings, which can
−Removed: significantly impact our financial statements, especially under mark-to-market accounting.
−Removed: To mitigate these risks, companies holding
−Removed: significant amounts of cryptocurrencies must maintain substantial capital reserves to absorb potential declines in asset value without
−Removed: compromising their overall financial health.
−Removed: This heightened need for liquidity reflects the increased risk associated with holding cryptocurrencies
−Removed: and underscores the importance of robust risk management strategies when navigating the uncertainties of the digital asset market.
−Removed: Digital asset trading platforms handling cryptocurrencies and particularly
−Removed: small-cap cryptocurrencies are relatively new and often operate without the oversight typical of regulated securities or commodities markets.
−Removed: Many platforms, particularly those based outside the United States, are subject to limited or inconsistent regulatory standards and often
−Removed: do not provide transparent information about their ownership, management, or compliance practices.
−Removed: This lack of oversight increases the
−Removed: risk of fraudulent activities such as artificial trading volume, wash trading, and market manipulation—issues that have been documented
−Removed: in unregulated cryptocurrency markets and could similarly affect cryptocurrency trading.
−Removed: Reports have indicated that a significant portion
−Removed: of trading volume on unregulated digital asset trading platforms may be artificially inflated or non-economic in nature.
−Removed: Manipulative behavior on cryptocurrency exchanges can distort market
−Removed: prices and lead to unexpected losses for investors.
−Removed: As a result, reduced market confidence in these platforms could negatively impact
−Removed: the liquidity and value of cryptocurrencies.
−Removed: We may hold substantial amounts of cryptocurrencies and must be vigilant about these risks,
−Removed: as trading activity that is not reflective of genuine market interest can lead to volatility and potential losses.
−Removed: The operational integrity of digital asset trading platforms is another
−Removed: critical risk factor.
−Removed: Many of these platforms may lack robust security measures, making them vulnerable to hacking, fraud, and other operational
−Removed: As we may hold large quantities of cryptocurrencies, we must consider the risk of security breaches, which could materially
−Removed: and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: We intend to use the majority of net proceeds from any future
−Removed: offering by the Company to purchase additional cryptocurrency, the price of which has been, and will likely continue to be, highly volatile.
−Removed: We may use the net proceeds from any future offering by the Company
−Removed: to purchase additional HYPE and other cryptocurrencies in accordance with our treasury strategy.
−Removed: Cryptocurrency is a highly volatile asset.
−Removed: Cryptocurrency does not pay interest, but if management determines to stake the cryptocurrency tokens in treasury, rewards can be earned
−Removed: on cryptocurrency.
−Removed: The ability to generate a return on investment from the net proceeds from any offering by the Company will depend on
−Removed: whether there is appreciation in the value of HYPE and other cryptocurrencies following our purchases of such cryptocurrency with the
−Removed: net proceeds from any future offering by the Company and whether the Company is successful in pursuing other strategies to create income
−Removed: streams or otherwise generate funds using its cryptocurrency holdings.
−Removed: Future fluctuations in HYPE and other cryptocurrency’s trading
−Removed: prices may result in our converting cryptocurrency purchased with the net proceeds from any offering into cash with a value substantially
−Removed: below the net proceeds from such an offering.
−Removed: Cryptocurrency and other digital assets are novel assets, and are subject
−Removed: to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertainty, which could adversely impact their price.
−Removed: The application of state
−Removed: and federal securities laws and other laws and regulations to digital assets is unclear in certain respects, and it is possible that regulators
−Removed: in the United States or foreign countries may interpret or apply existing laws and regulations in a manner that adversely affects the
−Removed: price of various cryptocurrencies.
−Removed: federal government, states, regulatory agencies, and foreign countries may also enact new
−Removed: laws and regulations, or pursue regulatory, legislative, enforcement or judicial actions, that could materially impact the price of cryptocurrency
−Removed: or the ability of individuals or institutions such as us to own or transfer cryptocurrency.
−Removed: For example, the U.S.
−Removed: executive branch and
−Removed: SEC, among others in the United States and abroad, have been active in recent years, and laws including the European Union’s Markets
−Removed: in Crypto Asset Regulation and the U.K.’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 became law.
−Removed: It is not possible to predict whether,
−Removed: or when, any of these developments will lead to Congress granting additional authorities to the SEC or other regulators, or whether, or
−Removed: when, any other federal, state or foreign legislative bodies will take any similar actions.
−Removed: It is also not possible to predict the nature
−Removed: of any such additional authorities, how additional legislation or regulatory oversight might impact the ability of digital asset markets
−Removed: to function or the willingness of financial and other institutions to continue to provide services to the digital assets industry, nor
−Removed: how any new regulations or changes to existing regulations might impact the value of digital assets generally and cryptocurrency specifically.
−Removed: The consequences of increased or different regulation of digital assets and digital asset activities could adversely affect the market
−Removed: price of cryptocurrency and in turn adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
−Removed: Moreover, the risks of engaging in a digital
−Removed: asset treasury strategy are relatively novel and have created, and could continue to create, complications due to the lack of experience
−Removed: that third parties have with companies engaging in such a strategy, such as increased costs of director and officer liability insurance
−Removed: or the potential inability to obtain such coverage on acceptable terms in the future.
−Removed: Cryptocurrency holdings are less liquid than our existing cash
−Removed: and cash equivalents and may not be able to serve as a source of liquidity for us to the same extent as cash and cash equivalents.
−Removed: Historically, the crypto markets have been characterized by significant
−Removed: volatility in price;
−Removed: limited liquidity and trading volumes compared to sovereign currencies markets;
−Removed: relative anonymity;
−Removed: regulatory landscape;
−Removed: potential susceptibility to market abuse and manipulation;
−Removed: compliance and internal control failures at exchanges;
−Removed: and various other risks inherent in its entirely electronic, virtual form and decentralized network.
−Removed: During times of market instability,
−Removed: we may not be able to sell our cryptocurrency at favorable prices or at all.
−Removed: Further, cryptocurrency which we hold with our custodians
−Removed: does not enjoy the same protections as are available to cash or securities deposited with or transacted by institutions subject to regulation
−Removed: by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Securities Investor Protection Corporation.
−Removed: Additionally, pursuant to the asset management
−Removed: agreement we intend to enter into with the asset manager, we are currently and may generally be unable to enter into term loans or other
−Removed: capital raising transactions collateralized by our unencumbered cryptocurrency or otherwise generate funds using our cryptocurrency holdings,
−Removed: including in particular during times of market instability or when the price of cryptocurrency has declined significantly.
−Removed: If we are unable
−Removed: to sell our cryptocurrency, enter into additional capital raising transactions using cryptocurrency as collateral, or otherwise generate
−Removed: funds using our cryptocurrency holdings, or if we are forced to sell our cryptocurrency at a significant loss, in order to meet our working
−Removed: capital requirements, our business and financial condition could be negatively impacted.
−Removed: Cryptocurrencies do not pay interest or dividends.
−Removed: Cryptocurrencies do not pay interest or other returns and we can only
−Removed: generate cash from our cryptocurrency holdings if we sell our cryptocurrency or implement strategies to create income streams or otherwise
−Removed: generate cash by using our cryptocurrency holdings.
−Removed: Even if we pursue any such strategies, we may be unable to create income streams or
−Removed: otherwise generate cash from our cryptocurrency holdings, and any such strategies may subject us to additional risks.
−Removed: We are not subject to legal and regulatory obligations that apply
−Removed: to investment companies such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, or to obligations applicable to investment advisers.
−Removed: Mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and their directors and management
−Removed: are subject to extensive regulation as “investment companies” and “investment advisers” under U.S.
−Removed: this regulation is intended for the benefit and protection of investors.
−Removed: We are not subject to, and do not otherwise voluntarily
−Removed: comply with, these laws and regulations.
−Removed: This means, among other things, that the execution of or changes to our cryptocurrency treasury
−Removed: strategy, our use of leverage, the manner in which our cryptocurrency is intended to be custodied, our ability to engage in transactions
−Removed: with affiliated parties and our operating and investment activities generally are not subject to the extensive legal and regulatory requirements
−Removed: and prohibitions that apply to investment companies and investment advisers.
−Removed: Consequently, our board of directors has broad discretion
−Removed: over the investment, leverage and cash management policies it authorizes, whether in respect of our cryptocurrency holdings or other activities
−Removed: we may pursue, and has the power to change our current policies, including our strategy of acquiring and holding cryptocurrency.
−Removed: If we or our third-party service providers experience a security
−Removed: breach or cyberattack and unauthorized parties obtain access to our cryptocurrency, or if our private keys are lost or destroyed, or other
−Removed: similar circumstances or events occur, we may lose some or all of our cryptocurrency and our financial condition and results of operations
−Removed: could be materially adversely affected.
−Removed: Security breaches and cyberattacks are of particular concern with respect
−Removed: to cryptocurrency.
−Removed: Blockchain-based cryptocurrencies and the entities that provide services to participants in the cryptocurrency ecosystem
−Removed: have been, and may in the future be, subject to security breaches, cyberattacks, or other malicious activities.
−Removed: For example, in October
−Removed: 2021, it was reported that hackers exploited a flaw in the account recovery process and stole from the accounts of at least 6,000 customers
−Removed: of the Coinbase exchange, although the flaw was subsequently fixed and Coinbase reimbursed affected customers.
−Removed: Similarly, in November
−Removed: 2022, hackers exploited weaknesses in the security architecture of the FTX Trading digital asset exchange and reportedly stole over $400
−Removed: million in digital assets from customers.
−Removed: A successful security breach or cyberattack could result in:
−Removed: ● a partial or total loss of our cryptocurrency in a manner that may not be
−Removed: covered by insurance or the liability provisions of the custody agreements with the custodians who hold our cryptocurrency;
−Removed: ● harm to our reputation and brand;
−Removed: ● improper disclosure of data and violations of applicable data privacy and
−Removed: ● significant regulatory scrutiny, investigations, fines, penalties, and other
−Removed: legal, regulatory, contractual and financial exposure.
−Removed: Further, any actual or perceived data security breach or cybersecurity
−Removed: attack directed at other companies with digital assets or companies that operate digital asset networks, regardless of whether we are
−Removed: directly impacted, could lead to a general loss of confidence in the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem or in the use of the cryptocurrency
−Removed: network to conduct financial transactions, which could negatively impact us.
−Removed: Attacks upon systems across a variety of industries, including industries
−Removed: related to cryptocurrency, are increasing in frequency, persistence, and sophistication, and, in many cases, are being conducted by sophisticated,
−Removed: well-funded and organized groups and individuals, including state actors.
−Removed: The techniques used to obtain unauthorized, improper or illegal
−Removed: access to systems and information (including personal data and digital assets), disable or degrade services, or sabotage systems are constantly
−Removed: evolving, may be difficult to detect quickly, and often are not recognized or detected until after they have been launched against a target.
−Removed: These attacks may occur on our systems or those of our third-party service providers or partners.
−Removed: We may experience breaches of our security
−Removed: measures due to human error, malfeasance, insider threats, system errors or vulnerabilities or other irregularities.
−Removed: In particular, we
−Removed: expect that unauthorized parties will attempt to gain access to our systems and facilities, as well as those of our partners and third-party
−Removed: service providers, through various means, such as hacking, social engineering, phishing and fraud.
−Removed: Threats can come from a variety of
−Removed: sources, including criminal hackers, hacktivists, state-sponsored intrusions, industrial espionage, and insiders.
−Removed: In addition, certain
−Removed: types of attacks could harm us even if our systems are left undisturbed.
−Removed: For example, certain threats are designed to remain dormant or
−Removed: undetectable, sometimes for extended periods of time, or until launched against a target and we may not be able to implement adequate
−Removed: preventative measures.
−Removed: Further, there has been an increase in such activities due to the increase in work-from-home arrangements.
−Removed: risk of cyberattacks could also be increased by cyberwarfare in connection with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Hamas and Israel-Iran
−Removed: conflicts, or other future conflicts, including potential proliferation of malware into systems unrelated to such conflicts.
−Removed: breach of our operations or those of others in the cryptocurrency industry, including third-party services on which we rely, could materially
−Removed: and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: We face significant risks relating to disruptions, forks, 51%
−Removed: attacks, hacks, network disruptions, or other adverse events or other compromises to the cryptocurrency blockchains, which could materially
−Removed: and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: Blockchain networks are maintained by decentralized networks of participants,
−Removed: and as such are susceptible and vulnerable to a variety of risks, including disruptions, security breaches, and fundamental technical
−Removed: Both networks are vulnerable to attacks by malicious actors who gain control of a significant portion of the network’s mining
−Removed: hash rate, a scenario commonly referred to as a 51% attack.
−Removed: In such an event, the attacker could double-spend transactions, reverse previously
−Removed: confirmed transactions, or otherwise disrupt the normal operations of the network.
−Removed: Successful 51% attacks have historically undermined
−Removed: trust in affected blockchain networks and could materially decrease the value of cryptocurrency assets.
−Removed: Additionally, forks, or splits in the underlying protocol, may occur
−Removed: when participants fail to reach consensus on proposed upgrades or changes.
−Removed: Forks can lead to the creation of duplicate networks, confusion
−Removed: among market participants, dilution of the original network’s value, and disruption of the network’s operations.
−Removed: in particular, can materially and adversely impact the perceived stability and value of digital assets, leading to reduced demand and
−Removed: price declines.
−Removed: Further, hacks and other security breaches targeting the core infrastructure
−Removed: of blockchain networks or major participants, such as exchanges and custodians, could severely impact the reputation and market confidence
−Removed: in these networks.
−Removed: Exploits of protocol-level vulnerabilities could also compromise the integrity of the cryptocurrency blockchains, resulting
−Removed: in a substantial loss of value.
−Removed: The success and growth of cryptocurrency assets depend significantly
−Removed: on their continued security, stability, and scalability.
−Removed: Any technical failures, consensus breakdowns, governance disputes, or regulatory
−Removed: interventions that diminish confidence in the networks or impair their functionality could lead to a material decline in their market
−Removed: prices, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: A sustained or significant
−Removed: decrease in the price or liquidity of cryptocurrencies, whether due to 51% attacks, forks, hacks, network disruptions, or other adverse
−Removed: events, could negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
−Removed: Furthermore, even the perception that any
−Removed: of these events could occur may lead to significant market volatility and price declines, adversely affecting our business, financial
−Removed: condition and results of operations.
−Removed: Our custodially-held cryptocurrencies may become part of the
−Removed: custodian’s insolvency estate if one or more of our custodians enters bankruptcy, receivership or similar insolvency proceedings.
−Removed: We plan to hold substantially all of our cryptocurrency in custody
−Removed: accounts at a U.S.-based, institutional-grade custodian that has demonstrated a record of regulatory compliance and information security.
−Removed: As we further execute on our strategy, we intend to expand our holdings to multiple similar custodians.
−Removed: If our custodially-held cryptocurrencies are considered to be the property
−Removed: of our custodians’ estates in the event that any such custodians were to enter bankruptcy, receivership or similar insolvency proceedings,
−Removed: we could be treated as a general unsecured creditor of such custodians, inhibiting our ability to exercise ownership rights with respect
−Removed: to such cryptocurrencies and this may ultimately result in the loss of the value related to some or all of such assets.
−Removed: A series of recent
−Removed: high-profile bankruptcies, closures, liquidations, regulatory enforcement actions and other events relating to companies operating in
−Removed: the digital asset industry, the closure or liquidation of certain financial institutions that provided lending and other services to the
−Removed: digital assets industry, and the filing and subsequent settlement of a civil fraud lawsuit have highlighted the counterparty risks applicable
−Removed: to owning and transacting in digital assets.
−Removed: These bankruptcies, closures, liquidations and other events have likely negatively impacted
−Removed: the adoption rate and use of cryptocurrencies.
−Removed: Additional bankruptcies, closures, liquidations, regulatory enforcement actions or other
−Removed: events involving participants in the digital assets industry in the future may further negatively impact the adoption rate, price, and
−Removed: use of cryptocurrencies, limit the availability to us of financing collateralized by such assets, or create or expose additional counterparty
−Removed: Any loss associated with such insolvency proceedings is unlikely to be covered by any insurance coverage we maintain related to
−Removed: our cryptocurrencies.
−Removed: Even if we are able to prevent our cryptocurrencies from being considered the property of a custodian’s bankruptcy
−Removed: estate as part of an insolvency proceeding, it is possible that we would still be delayed or may otherwise experience difficulty in accessing
−Removed: our cryptocurrencies held by the affected custodian during the pendency of the insolvency proceedings.
−Removed: Any such outcome could have a material
−Removed: adverse effect on our financial condition and the market price of our listed securities.
−Removed: Risks Related to Owning Our Securities, Our Financial
−Removed: Results and Our Need for Financing
−Removed: Our stock is subject to minimum requirements
−Removed: to remain listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, including a minimum bid price requirement and stockholders’ equity requirement, and
−Removed: may be delisted if it does not maintain compliance with those requirements.
−Removed: On May 3, 2024, the Company received a notification
−Removed: letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq (the “Staff”) notifying the Company that, because the closing
−Removed: bid price for the Company’s common stock listed on Nasdaq was below $1.00 for 30 consecutive trading days, the Company no longer
−Removed: met the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2), requiring
−Removed: a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”).
−Removed: Effective August 16, 2024, the Company effected a
−Removed: reverse stock split at a ratio of one-for-fifty (“August Reverse Stock Split”).
−Removed: The August Reverse Stock Split did not
−Removed: have the intended effect of regaining compliance with the Nasdaq Minimum Bid Price Rule and shares of the Company’s common stock
−Removed: opened for trading on a post-split basis on the Nasdaq Capital Market on August 20, 2024 at a bid price of $0.99.
−Removed: The Company held a special meeting of the stockholders
−Removed: on October 28, 2024 for the purpose of approving a subsequent reverse stock split.
−Removed: Following stockholder approval, the Company filed
−Removed: a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware to effect a 1-for-35
−Removed: reverse stock split of the shares of the Company’s common stock, effective as of November 7, 2024 (the “November Reverse Stock
−Removed: As a result of the November Reverse Stock Split, the Company regained compliance with the Nasdaq Minimum Bid Price Requirement.
−Removed: If we fall below the Minimum Bid Price Requirement again, we cannot be certain that our stockholders will approve a reverse stock split
−Removed: or, if approved, how the market would respond to such a reverse stock split.
−Removed: While Nasdaq rules do not impose a specific limit
−Removed: on the number of times a listed company may effect a reverse stock split to maintain or regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement,
−Removed: Nasdaq has stated that a series of reverse stock splits may undermine investor confidence in securities listed on Nasdaq.
−Removed: Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A)(iv) states that if any listed company that fails to meet the Minimum Bid Price Requirement after effecting
−Removed: one or more reverse stock splits over the prior two-year period with a cumulative ratio of 250 shares or more to one, then the company
−Removed: is not eligible for a Minimum Bid Price Requirement compliance period of 180 days.
−Removed: As a result, since the Company has effected the 1-for-50
−Removed: August Reverse Stock Split and the 1-for-35 November Reverse Split, if we subsequently fail to satisfy the Minimum Bid Price Requirement,
−Removed: Nasdaq will begin the process of delisting our common stock without providing a Minimum Bid Price Requirement compliance period.
−Removed: the Company would still be eligible to request a hearing before the Nasdaq Panel to present its plan for regaining and sustaining compliance
−Removed: with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement.
−Removed: In addition to the Minimum Bid Price Requirement,
−Removed: Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(b) requires listed companies to maintain $2.5 million of stockholders’ equity, a market value of listed
−Removed: securities of at least $35 million, or $500,000 of net income for the most recently completed fiscal year or for two of the three most
−Removed: recently completed fiscal years (the “Stockholders’ Equity Requirement”).
−Removed: On May 27, 2025, the Company received a notification
−Removed: letter from the Staff notifying the Company that its stockholders’ equity had fallen below the $2,500,000 required minimum for continued
−Removed: listing set forth in the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement.
−Removed: The notification letter stated that the Company had until July 11, 2025
−Removed: to provide Nasdaq with a specific plan to achieve and sustain compliance.
−Removed: The Company submitted its plan to regain compliance on July
−Removed: 11, 2025 and subsequently provided the Staff with additional materials.
−Removed: On October 31, 2025, the Company received written notice that,
−Removed: based on review of the compliance plan and additional materials, the Staff had granted the Company an extension to November 24, 2025 to
−Removed: regain compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement.
−Removed: As a result of the Company’s closing of a
−Removed: private placement offering for gross proceeds of approximately $4.9 million on October 15, 2025, the Company believes it has
−Removed: regained compliance with the minimum $2.5 million Stockholders’ Equity Requirement for continued listing.
−Removed: Nasdaq will continue
−Removed: to monitor the Company’s ongoing compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement and, if at the time of its next
−Removed: periodic report the Company does not evidence compliance, it may be subject to delisting.
−Removed: If our common stock ceases to be listed for trading
−Removed: on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we would expect that our common stock would be traded on one of the three tiered marketplaces of the OTC
−Removed: Markets Group.
−Removed: If Nasdaq were to delist our common stock, it would be more difficult for our stockholders to dispose of our common stock
−Removed: and more difficult to obtain accurate price quotations on our common stock.
−Removed: Our ability to issue additional securities for financing or
−Removed: other purposes, or otherwise to arrange for any financing we may need in the future, may also be materially and adversely affected if
−Removed: our common stock or warrants are not listed on a national securities exchange.
−Removed: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
−Removed: and Use of Proceeds
+Added: There have been no material changes to our Risk Factors as therein
+Added: previously reported.
+Added: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
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Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.