Alpha Compute Corp F-3, filed Dec 3, 2025
Alpha Compute Corp (ALP)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 3, 2025
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AlphaTON Capital Corp
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
| British Virgin Islands | Not Applicable |
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Clarence Thomas Building, P.O. Box 4649
Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, VG1110
(302) 219-5556
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
Wes Levitt CFO
c/o Portage Development Services Limited
1111B S Governors Ave, Ste 25907
Dove, Delaware, 19904
(302) 219-5556
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
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Steven J. Abrams, Esq. Stephen Nicolai, Esq. Hogan Lovells US LLP 1735 Market Street, Suite 2300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 (267) 675-4600
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Michael Doyle Forbes Hare LLP 5 King’s Bench Walk Temple, London EC4Y 7DN United Kingdom +44 (0) 207 0143 225
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time on or after the effective date of this registration statement.
If only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box: ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933. Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell and is not soliciting an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, dated December 3, 2025.
Prospectus
US$420,690,000
Ordinary Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
________________
We may offer, issue and sell from time to time up to US$420,690,000 or its equivalent in any other currency, currency units, or composite currency or currencies, of any combination of our ordinary shares, debt securities and warrants and a combination of such securities, separately or as units, (collectively, the “securities”), in one or more offerings.
This prospectus provides a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time that we offer securities under this prospectus, we will provide the specific terms of the securities offered, including the public offering price, in a supplement to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may add to, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
The securities may be sold by us to or through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers or through agents designated from time to time. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus and the comparable section of any applicable prospectus supplement. If any underwriters are involved in the sale of the securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters and any applicable discounts, commissions and purchase options will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Our ordinary shares trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “ATON”. On December 2, 2025, the last reported sale price per share of our ordinary shares was $1.6603. We have not yet determined whether the other securities that may be offered by this prospectus will be listed on any exchange, interdealer quotation system or over-the-counter market. If we decide to seek the listing of any such securities upon issuance, the prospectus supplement relating to those securities will disclose the exchange, quotation system or market on which those securities will be listed.
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INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE THE SECTION TITLED “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE 8 OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF APPLICABLE, ANY RISK FACTORS DESCRIBED IN ANY APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND IN OUR U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) FILINGS THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before you make your investment decision.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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The date of this prospectus is , 2025.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell up to US$420,690,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered by us. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement accompanied by this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will contain specific information about the nature of the persons offering securities and the terms of the securities being offered at that time. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.
Before buying any of the securities we are offering, you should carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement with all of the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as well as the additional information described in the sections titled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference.” These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision. We have filed or incorporated by reference exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.
To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus, provided that if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date-for example, a prospectus supplement or a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus-the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
Neither we nor any underwriters, dealers or agents have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus we have prepared. Neither we nor any underwriters, dealers or agents take responsibility for, or provide assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of those documents only, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described in the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”
We have proprietary rights to trademarks used in this
prospectus that are important to our business, many of which are registered (or pending registration) under applicable intellectual property
laws. This prospectus contains references to trademarks, trade names and service marks belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience,
trademarks, trade names and service marks referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references
are not intended to indicate, in any way, that the applicable licensor will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its
rights to these trademarks, trade names and service marks. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names,
trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.
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Our ordinary shares are currently listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “ATON.” On December 2, 2025, the closing price of our ordinary shares was US$1.6603 per share. The market price of ordinary shares could vary at any time.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”) provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, our expectations concerning the outlook for our business, productivity, plans and goals for future operational improvements and investments, operational performance, future market conditions or economic performance and developments in the capital and credit markets and expected future financial performance, as well as any information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations.
We will take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the PSLRA and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “target,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters.
Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results or events may differ materially from those implied in those statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
| · | future financial and operating results, including revenues, income, expenditures, cash balances and other financial items; |
| · | our ability to execute our growth, expansion and acquisition strategies, including our ability to meet our goals; |
| · | current and future economic and political conditions; |
| · | the risk that we may not secure additional financing or digital assets; |
| · | relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry; |
| · | the uncertainty of our investment in TON and other digital assets; |
| · | the uncertainty around our immune-oncology business; |
| · | our ability to hire and retain qualified management personnel and key employees in order to enable us to develop our business; |
| · | risks related to Telegram’s platform and ecosystem; |
| · | risks related to not being able to fully realize the anticipated benefits of our recent financing transactions; |
| · | our ability to service and repay our debt obligations; |
| · | risks from specific restrictions on our operations from our credit facility and other commercial agreements; |
| · | other assumptions described in this prospectus underlying or relating to any forward-looking statements; and |
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| · | other matters described in the section titled “Item 3.D. – Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on July 25, 2025, and in our Form 6-Ks filed with the SEC, which are incorporated herein by reference. |
We caution you not to rely on forward-looking statements, which reflect current beliefs and are based on information currently available as of the date a forward-looking statement is made. Forward-looking statements set forth herein speak only as of the date of this prospectus. We undertake no obligation to revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances or changes in beliefs except to the extent required by law. In the event that any forward-looking statement is updated, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law. You should read this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Any corrections or revisions and other important assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, including discussions of significant risk factors, may appear in our public filings with the SEC, which are or will be (as appropriate) accessible at www.sec.gov, and which you are advised to consult. For additional information, see the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Market, ranking and industry data used throughout this prospectus, including statements regarding market size, is based on the good faith estimates of our management, which in turn are based upon our management’s review of internal surveys, independent industry surveys and publications and other third-party research and publicly available information. These data involve a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the industry data presented herein, its estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors.
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This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before making an investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 8 of this prospectus, along with our consolidated financial statements and notes to those consolidated financial statements and the other information incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
The Company
We have two primary lines of business. On September 2, 2025, we entered into a private placement of securities, which closed on September 25, 2025 (the “Private Placement”), of approximately $36.2 million in gross proceeds to be able to enter into the digital asset industry with a focus on The Open Network (TON) token, “Toncoin” or “TON token”. Since 2019, we have been engaged in researching and developing immune oncology treatments.
Digital Asset Business
Our entry into the digital asset industry seeks to capitalize on the current change in regulation relating to, and the growing investor and consumer appetite for, digital assets; in particular, TON. We believe there is a current unique opportunity to invest in TON token by means of direct acquisition and long-term holding as a core treasury asset. This opportunity is founded on the increasing adoption of decentralized networks, the technological advancements underlying TON, and the expanding use cases for blockchain-based assets.
TON token is an especially compelling digital asset because it is currently the exclusive blockchain partner for the Telegram app, which is one of the top 10 most popular apps globally, hosting over 1 billion monthly active users. This partnership positions TON at the center of a vast and active user base, providing significant potential for ecosystem growth, adoption, and utility. The scalable architecture of TON, combined with its active developer community and integration with a major global platform like Telegram, enhances its prospects for broad adoption and long-term value creation.
Our objective through holding TON token is to provide shareholders with exposure to the potential appreciation of TON token and to participate in the development of the TON ecosystem. To achieve this, our general strategy for deploying our working capital is to immediately allocate 99% of our net cash proceeds from the Private Placement to the purchase of TON token (other than the $4 million allocated to our immune-oncology business), with the remaining 1% reserved for operational expenses and liquidity needs. We will acquire TON token through transactions on digital asset exchanges and through over-the-counter (OTC) arrangements, and direct purchases from qualified sellers, as appropriate. Our initial capital will be deployed upon availability, ensuring prompt exposure to TON token. Notwithstanding our objective, our acquisition of TON token may be influenced by market liquidity, regulatory considerations, or operational factors. We may also maintain a small portion of our capital in cash or cash equivalents to manage ongoing operational expenses.
In addition to our initial deployment, we plan to continue to raise funds to grow our treasury through private investment in public equity (PIPE) transactions, at-the-market (ATM) offerings, public offerings and other financings. These ongoing capital-raising efforts will support the continued accumulation of TON token as part of our yield-bearing treasury strategy.
For the TON token that we acquire, we will design and use liquidity management strategies for our cryptocurrency holdings, including staking protocols and yield optimization, as applicable. We intend to design and implement diversified digital asset portfolio allocation models as prudent in relation to our TON holdings so that we can manage risk and respond to evolving market conditions. We will conduct a regular review of emerging decentralized finance (“DeFi”) protocols and yield-generating opportunities for TON with institutional safeguards so as to enhance returns while maintaining appropriate risk controls and compliance with applicable regulations.
From the Private Placement, we acquired our first significant treasury tranche of approximately $30 million of TON and USD1 as of the closing of the Private Placement.
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Immune-Oncology Treatment Research and Development
In our immune-oncology activities, we have been seeking to advance treatments that we believe will be first-in-class therapies that target known checkpoint resistance pathways to improve long-term treatment response and quality of life in patients with invasive cancers.
We attempt to source and develop early-to mid-stage treatments that we believe will be first-in-class therapies for a variety of cancers, by funding, implementing viable, cost- effective product development strategies, clinical counsel/trial design, shared services, financial and project management to enable efficient, turnkey execution of commercially informed development plans. Our drug development focuses on product candidates or technologies based on biology addressing known resistance pathways/mechanisms of current checkpoint inhibitors with established scientific rationales.
At this time, we have limited capital to fund our immune-oncology business activities. We have been exploring different funding alternatives. We expect to utilize approximately $4 million of the net proceeds of the Private Placement for our immune-oncology business. However, there is no assurance that there will be sufficient capital available for our immune-oncology activities, or available on satisfactory terms, to enable us to continue our immune-oncology business.
We are also exploring strategic alternatives for our immune-oncology business activities, which may include finding a partner for one or more of our assets, a sale of all or a portion of our immune-oncology assets, a sale of some of our research subsidiaries, corporate restructurings both in and out of court for all or some of our research subsidiaries, further financing efforts directed specifically for the immune-oncology business or other strategic actions.
For a description of our business, financial condition, results of operations and other important information regarding the Company and its digital assets, we refer you to our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference into this prospectus. For instructions on how to find copies of these documents, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” More information about us is also available through our website at www.alphatoncapital.com. The information on such website is not incorporated by reference and is not a part of this prospectus.
Foreign Private Issuer
As a “foreign private issuer,” we will be subject to different U.S. securities laws than domestic U.S. issuers. The rules governing the information that we must disclose differ from those governing U.S. companies pursuant to the Exchange Act. We will be exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders. Those proxy statements are not expected to conform to Schedule 14A of the proxy rules promulgated under the Exchange Act.
In addition, as a “foreign private issuer,” our officers and directors and holders of more than 10% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares, will be exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act requiring insiders to report purchases and sales of ordinary shares as well as from Section 16 short swing profit reporting and liability. See the section titled “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Ownership of Our Shares” in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on July 25, 2025, incorporated herein by reference.
Corporate Information
We were originally incorporated in Ontario, Canada in 1973. We were inactive until 1985. Then, between 1986 and 2012, we were engaged in variety of businesses. Between 1986 to 2012, we went through several name changes ending with “Bontan Corporation Inc.” In December 2012, we decided to change the focus of our business activities and, in 2013, we began our business focus within the biotechnology sector. On June 4, 2013, we acquired Portage Pharma Ltd., a biotech private limited company formed under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, by an exchange of shares. On July 5, 2013, we changed our name to “Portage Biotech Inc.” and moved our jurisdiction from Ontario, Canada, to the British Virgin Islands under a certificate of continuance issued by the Registrar of Corporate Affairs of the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”). Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (our “Charter”), we are a company limited by shares (company number 1784969), as described in our Charter. On August 11, 2025, we changed our name to “AlphaTON Capital Corp” in connection with our change of focus of our business activities to digital assets. On February 25, 2021, our ordinary shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “PRTG” and, since September 4, 2025, have been trading under the symbol “ATON.”
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We are a BVI business company limited by shares with our registered office located at Clarence Thomas Building, P.O. Box 4649, Road Town, Tortola, BVI. Our United States agent is Brittany Kaiser, the Chief Executive Officer, whose business address is 1111B S Governors Ave Ste 25907, Dover, Delaware 19904. We currently are a foreign private issuer under the SEC rules. Our telephone number is (302) 219-5556. Our website address is www.alphatoncapital.com. The inclusion of our website address is intended to be an inactive textual reference only and not an active hyperlink to our website. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website address is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and is not part of this prospectus. The SEC also maintains an internet website located at www.sec.gov that contains the information we file or furnish electronically with the SEC.
Conventions that Apply to this Prospectus
In this prospectus, except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this prospectus only:
| · | “$,” “dollars,” “USD”, “US$” or “U.S. dollars” are to the legal currency of the United States. |
| · | “BVI Act” are to the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (as amended); |
| · | “BVI” are to the British Virgin Islands; |
| · | “Company,” “AlphaTON,” “AlphaTON Capital” “we”, “us”, or “our,” are to AlphaTON Capital Corp, a British Virgin Islands company, and to describing our consolidated financial information; |
| · | “Memorandum and Articles” or “Charter” are to the current Memorandum and Articles of Association of AlpaTON Capital Corp; and |
| · | “Ordinary Shares” are to the Ordinary Shares of AlphaTON Capital Corp, with no par value. |
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Investing in our securities involves risk. Before making a decision to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our then-most recent annual report on Form 20-F, and any updates to those risk factors in our reports on Form 6-K incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other information appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. Although we discuss key risks in our discussion of risk factors, new risks may emerge in the future, which may prove to be significant. We cannot predict future risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
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Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a specific offering, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities by us under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions of new technologies, products or businesses, and investments. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, product candidates or other intellectual property, although we have no present commitments or agreements to do so. Additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of securities by us under this prospectus may be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement relating to the specific offering.
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We may declare dividends on our ordinary shares from time to time. The declaration, payment and amount of any future dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other things, the results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, operating and capital requirements, and other factors as our board of directors considers relevant. There is no assurance that future dividends will be paid, and if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend.
The distribution of dividends may also be limited by the BVI Act, which permits the distribution of dividends as the board may authorize and declare a dividend to shareholders at such time and of such an amount as the board think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that immediately following the dividend payment, the value of our assets will exceed our liabilities and we will be able to pay our debts as they become due only. Under our Memorandum and Articles of Association, dividend distributions may be determined by our board of directors, without the need for shareholder approval. See the sections titled “Description of Securities” and “Tax Considerations” for additional information.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE ORDINARY SHARES WE MAY OFFER
The following description of our ordinary shares is only a summary. This description and the description contained in any prospectus supplement is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Charter, the memorandum and articles, each as amended from time to time, which has previously been filed with the SEC and in the Territory of the British Virgin Islands, pursuant to the BVI Business Companies Act (Revised Edition 2020), as amended (the “BVI Act”).
Share Capital
Pursuant to our Charter, we are authorized to issue an unlimited number of ordinary shares of no-par value. As of December 2, 2025, there were 8,187,488 ordinary shares outstanding. As of December 2, 2025, more than 10% of the outstanding shares were issued in exchange for certain cryptocurrency.
Meetings of shareholders
If our shareholders want us to hold a meeting of shareholders of the company, they may requisition the directors to hold one upon the written request of shareholders entitled to exercise at least 10% of the voting rights in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested. Under British Virgin Islands law, this 10% threshold may only be increased to a maximum of 30% and any such increase would require an amendment to the Charter.
Subject to our Charter, a meeting of shareholders of the company will be called by not less than ten days' written notice and no more than 60 days’ notice. Notice of every meeting of shareholders may be delivered electronically and will be given to all of our shareholders. However, the inadvertent failure of the convener or conveners of a meeting of shareholders to give notice of the meeting to a shareholder, or the fact that a shareholder has not received the notice, does not invalidate the meeting.
A meeting of shareholders is duly constituted if, at the commencement of the meeting, there are present in person or by proxy two or more shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting.
The directors may decide to hold a meeting of shareholders as a physical meeting or a virtual meeting or a hybrid meeting as set out in more detail in the Charter.
Voting rights
Holders of our ordinary shares have identical rights, including dividend and liquidation rights, except as otherwise expressly provided in our Charter or required by applicable law. On any matter that is submitted to a vote of our shareholders, holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per ordinary share.
Under the BVI Act, the ordinary shares are deemed to be issued when the name of the shareholder is entered in our register of members. Our register of members is maintained by our transfer agent, TSX Trust Company, which enters the names of our shareholders in our register of members. If (a) information that is required to be entered in the register of shareholders is omitted from the register or is inaccurately entered in the register, or (b) there is unreasonable delay in entering information in the register, a shareholder of the company, or any person who is aggrieved by the omission, inaccuracy or delay, may apply to the British Virgin Islands courts for an order that the register be rectified, and the court may either refuse the application or order the rectification of the register, and may direct us to pay all costs of the application and any damages the applicant may have sustained.
Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares, at any general meeting on a show of hands every shareholder of record who is present in person (or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative) or by proxy shall have one vote and on a poll every shareholder present in person (or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly appointed representative) or by proxy shall have one vote for each share which such shareholder is the holder. Voting at any meeting of the shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by shareholders present in person or by proxy if the shareholder disputes the outcome of the vote on a proposed resolution and the chairman shall cause a poll to be taken. In the case of a tie vote at a meeting of shareholders, the chairman shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.
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No shareholder shall be entitled to vote or be reckoned in a quorum, in respect of any share, unless such shareholder is registered as our shareholder at the applicable record date for that meeting. Shareholders of record may also pass written resolutions without a meeting by a majority vote.
Protection of minority shareholders
Under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, there is little statutory law for the protection of minority shareholders other than the provisions of the BVI Act dealing with shareholder remedies. The principal protection under statutory law is that shareholders may bring an action to enforce the BVI Act or the constituent documents of the corporation, our Charter. Shareholders are entitled to have our affairs conducted in accordance with the BVI Act and the Charter. Pursuant to Section 184B of the BVI Act, if a company or director of a company engages in, or proposes to engage in or has engaged in, conduct that contravenes the provisions of the BVI Act or the memorandum or articles of association of the company, the British Virgin Islands Court may, on application of a shareholder or director of the company, make an order directing the company or director to comply with, or restraining the company or director from engaging in conduct that contravenes the BVI Act or the memorandum or articles. Furthermore, pursuant to section 184I(1) of the BVI Act a shareholder of a company who considers that the affairs of the company have been, are being or likely to be, conducted in a manner that is, or any acts of the company have been, or are likely to be oppressive, unfairly discriminatory, or unfairly prejudicial to him in that capacity, may apply to the British Virgin Islands Court for an order which, inter alia, can require the company or any other person to pay compensation to the shareholders.
There are common law rights for the protection of shareholders that may be invoked, largely dependent on English company law, since the common law of the British Virgin Islands is limited. Under the general rule pursuant to English company law known as the rule in Foss v. Harbottle, a court will generally refuse to interfere with the management of a company at the insistence of a minority of its shareholders who express dissatisfaction with the conduct of the company's affairs by the majority or the board of directors. However, every shareholder is entitled to have the affairs of the company conducted properly according to British Virgin Islands law and the constituent documents of the company. As such, if those who control the company have persistently disregarded the requirements of the BVI Act or the provisions of the company's Charter, then the courts may grant relief. Generally, the areas in which the courts will intervene are the following: (1) an act complained of which is outside the scope of the authorized business or is illegal or not capable of ratification by the majority; (2) acts that constitute fraud on the minority where the wrongdoers control the company; (3) acts that infringe or are about to infringe on the personal rights of the shareholders, such as the right to vote; and (4) where the company has not complied with provisions requiring approval of a special or extraordinary majority of shareholders, which are more limited than the rights afforded minority shareholders under the laws of many states in the U.S.
Pre-emption rights
British Virgin Islands law does not make a distinction between public and private companies and some of the protections and safeguards (such as statutory pre-emption rights) that investors may expect to find in relation to a public company are not provided for under British Virgin Islands law, save to the extent they are expressly provided for in the Charter. There are no pre-emption rights applicable to the issuance of new shares by us under either British Virgin Islands law generally or our Charter more specifically.
Modification of rights
As permitted by British Virgin Islands law, and our Charter, we may vary the rights attached to our ordinary shares.
Transfer of shares
Subject to any applicable restrictions set forth in our Charter, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her shares by a written instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or in any other form which our directors may approve. Shares may be held electronically and transferred electronically.
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The registration of transfers may be suspended at such times and for such periods as the directors may from time to time determine. If the directors were to refuse (or suspend) a transfer, then the directors should provide the transferor and transferee with a notice providing their reasons for the suspension. The directors may refuse or delay the registration of a transfer of shares if the transferor has failed to pay amount due in respect of those shares.
Changes in authorized ordinary shares
By resolution of our directors we may (i) consolidate and divide all or any of our unissued authorized shares into shares of larger amount than our existing shares; (ii) sub-divide our existing ordinary shares, or any of them into shares of smaller amount than is fixed by our memorandum of association, subject nevertheless to the provisions of the BVI Act; or (iii) create new classes of shares with preferences to be determined by the board of directors at the time of authorization.
Dividends
Subject to the BVI Act and our Charter, our directors may, by resolution, authorize a distribution to shareholders at such time and of such an amount as they think fit, if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that, immediately after the distribution, we will satisfy the 'solvency test'. A company will satisfy the solvency test if (i) the value of the company's assets exceeds its liabilities; and (ii) the company is able to pay its debts as they fall due. Where a distribution is made to a shareholder at a time when the company did not, immediately after the distribution, satisfy the solvency test, it may be recovered by the company from the shareholder unless (i) the shareholder received the distribution in good faith and without knowledge of the company's failure to satisfy the solvency test; (ii) the shareholder has altered his position in reliance on the validity of the distribution; and (iii) it would be unfair to require repayment in full or at all.
Share repurchases
As permitted by the BVI Act and our Charter, shares may be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by us provided that, immediately following the repurchase or redemption, we are satisfied we will pass the aforementioned solvency test.
We will require member consent before any share can be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by us, save where such redemption is pursuant to certain statutory provisions, such as pursuant to section 179 of the BVI Act (redemption of minority shares) which allows for the holders of 90% or more of the votes to instruct the company to redeem the shares of the company held by the remaining shareholders.
Liquidation rights
As permitted by British Virgin Islands law and our Charter, a voluntary liquidator may be appointed under Part XII of the BVI Act if we satisfy the solvency test (as aforementioned save that it is satisfied if assets equal or exceed liabilities).
Board of directors
We are managed by a board of directors, which consisted of five directors at December 3, 2025. Our Charter provides that the board of directors may be established by the board of directors up to a maximum of 15 members.
Our shareholders may, pursuant to our Charter, by resolution of shareholders passed at a meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of removing the director or for purposes including the removal of the director or by a written resolution of shareholders at any time remove any director before the expiration of his or her period of office with or without cause, and may, pursuant to our Charter, elect another person in his or her stead. Subject to our Charter, the directors will have power at any time and from time to time to appoint any person to be a director, either as an addition to the existing directors or to fill a vacancy as long as the total number of directors (exclusive of alternate directors) does not at any time exceed the maximum number fixed by or in accordance with our Charter (if any) and one third times the number of directors to have been elected at the last annual meeting of shareholders. Our Charter does not permit directors to appoint alternate directors.
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There are no share ownership qualifications for directors, unless otherwise decided by a resolution of shareholders. Meetings of our board of directors may be convened at any time deemed necessary by any of our directors.
Unless the quorum has been otherwise fixed by the board, a meeting of our board of directors will be competent to make lawful and binding decisions if a majority of the directors are present or represented. Unless there are only two directors, in which case, the quorum shall be two. At any meeting of our directors, each director present is entitled to one vote.
Questions arising at a meeting of our board of directors are required to be decided by simple majority votes of the directors' present or represented at the meeting. In the case of a tie vote, the chairman of the meeting shall not have a second or deciding vote. Our board of directors may also pass written resolutions without a meeting by a majority vote.
The remuneration to be paid to the directors shall be such remuneration as the directors or shareholders shall determine through a resolution.
Issuance of additional ordinary shares
Our Charter authorizes our board of directors to issue additional ordinary shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.
Our Charter authorizes our board of directors from time to time to issue ordinary shares to the extent permitted by the BVI Act.
Changes in authorized shares
We are authorized to issue unlimited number of ordinary shares without par value, which will be subject to the same provisions with reference to the payment of calls, liens, transfers, transmissions, forfeitures and otherwise as the shares in issue. By resolution of directors we may:
| · | consolidate and divide all or any of our unissued authorized shares into shares of a larger amount than our existing shares; |
| · | sub-divide our existing ordinary shares, or any of them into shares of smaller amount than is fixed by our memorandum of association, subject nevertheless to the provisions of the BVI Act; and |
| · | by resolution of shareholders we may create new classes of shares with preferences to be determined by the board of directors at the time of authorization. |
Inspection of books and records
Under British Virgin Islands law holders of our ordinary shares will be entitled, on giving written notice to us, to inspect and make copies or take extracts of our: (a) Charter; (b) register of shareholders; (c) register of directors; and (d) minutes of meetings and resolutions of shareholders and those classes of shareholders of which he is a shareholder.
Subject to our Charter, our board of directors may, if they are satisfied that it would be contrary to our interest to allow a shareholder to inspect any document, or part of a document as referenced above, refuse to permit the shareholder to inspect the document or limit the inspection of the document, including limiting the making of copies or the taking of extracts from the records. Where our directors exercise their powers in these circumstances, they shall notify the shareholder as soon as reasonably practicable.
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Conflicts of interest
Pursuant to the BVI Act and the company's Charter, a director of a company who has an interest in a transaction and who has declared such interest to the other directors, may:
| · | vote on a matter relating to the transaction; |
| · | attend a meeting of directors at which a matter relating to the transaction arises and be included among the directors present at the meeting for the purposes of a quorum; and |
| · | sign a document on behalf of the company or do any other thing in his capacity as a director, that relates to the transaction. |
Anti-money laundering laws
In order to comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering we are required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures and may require subscribers to provide evidence to verify their identity. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, we may also delegate the maintenance of our anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.
We reserve the right to request such information as is necessary to verify the identity of a subscribe for our ordinary shares. In the event of delay or failure on the part of the subscriber in producing any information required for verification purposes, we may refuse to accept the application, in which case any funds received will be returned without interest to the account from which they were originally debited.
If any person resident in the British Virgin Islands knows or suspects that another person is engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of their business, the person will be required to report his belief or suspicion to the Financial Investigation Agency of the British Virgin Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct Act 1997 (Revised Edition 2020) as amended. Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise.
Duties of directors
British Virgin Islands law provides that every director of the company in exercising his powers or performing his duties shall act honestly and in good faith and in what the director believes to be in the best interests of the company. Additionally, the director shall exercise the care, diligence, and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in the same circumstances taking into account the nature of the company, the nature of the decision and the position of the director and his responsibilities. In addition, British Virgin Islands law provides that a director shall exercise his powers as a director for a proper purpose and shall not act, or agree to the company acting, in a manner that contravenes British Virgin Islands law or the memorandum and articles of association of the company.
Anti-takeover provisions
The BVI Act does not prevent companies from adopting a wide range of defensive measures, such as staggered boards, blank check preferred shares, removal of directors only for cause and provisions that restrict the rights of shareholders to call meetings and submit shareholder proposals.
Voting rights and quorum requirements
Under British Virgin Islands law, the voting rights of shareholders are regulated by the company's Charter and, in certain circumstances, the BVI Act. The articles of association will govern matters such as quorum for the transaction of business, rights of shares, and majority votes required to approve any action or resolution at a meeting of the shareholders or board of directors. Unless the articles of association otherwise provide, the requisite majority is usually a simple majority of votes cast. Under the Charter, a resolution of shareholders requires a majority vote of those persons voting at a meeting or in the case of a written resolution of shareholders, the vote of a majority of the shareholders.
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Mergers and similar arrangements
Under the BVI Act, two or more companies may merge or consolidate in accordance with the statutory provisions. A merger means the merging of two or more constituent companies into one of the constituent companies, and a consolidation means the uniting of two or more constituent companies into a new company. In order to merge or consolidate, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation which must be authorized by a resolution approved, at a duly convened and constituted meeting of the shareholders of the Company, by the affirmative vote of a majority of those persons voting at a meeting or in the case of a written resolution of shareholders, the vote of a majority of the shareholders.
Shareholders not otherwise entitled to vote on the merger or consolidation may still acquire the right to vote if the plan or merger or consolidation contains any provision which, if proposed as an amendment to the memorandum of amended association and articles of association, would entitle them to vote as a class or series on the proposed amendment. In any event, all shareholders must be given a copy of the plan of merger or consolidation irrespective of whether they are entitled to vote at the meeting or consent to the written resolution to approve the plan of merger or consolidation.
Shareholder suits
We are not aware of any reported class action or derivative action having been brought against the company in a British Virgin Islands court.
Under the BVI Act, if a company or a director of a company engages in, or proposes to engage in, conduct that contravenes the BVI Act or the memorandum of association or articles of the company, the BVI Court may, on the application of a shareholder or a director of the company, make an order directing the company or director to comply with, or restraining the company or director from engaging in that conduct.
In addition, under the BVI Act, the BVI Court may, on the application of a shareholder of a company, grant leave to that shareholder to bring proceedings in the name and on behalf of that company or to intervene in proceedings to which the company is a party for the purpose of continuing, defending or discontinuing the proceedings on behalf of the company. In determining whether to grant leave for such derivative actions, the Court must take into account certain matters, including whether the shareholder is acting in good faith, whether the derivative action is in the interests of the company taking account of the views of the company's directors on commercial matters and whether an alternative remedy to the derivative claim is available.
A shareholder of a company may bring an action against the company for breach of a duty owed by the company to him as a shareholder. The BVI Act also includes provisions for actions based on oppression, and for representative actions where the interests of the claimant are substantially the same as those of other shareholders.
Corporate governance
British Virgin Islands laws do not restrict transactions between a company and its directors, requiring only that directors exercise a duty to act honestly, in good faith and in what the directors believe to be in the best interests to the companies for which they serve.
Indemnification
British Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company's memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the British Virgin Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our Charter provides for the indemnification of our directors (past and present) against all losses or liabilities incurred or sustained by a director as a director of our company in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal and this indemnity only applies if he or she acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and, with respect to any criminal action, he or she must have had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted for directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and therefore is unenforceable.
Staggered board of directors
The BVI Act does not contain statutory provisions that require staggered board arrangements for a British Virgin Islands company and our Charter does not provide for a staggered board.
Differences in Corporate Law
The BVI Act differs from laws generally applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a brief summary of significant differences between the provisions of the BVI Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States. The discussion of the variations does not cover any requirements of a stock exchange, trading medium or any applicable securities laws.
Protection for Minority Shareholders.
Under the laws of most U.S. jurisdictions, majority and controlling shareholders of a company generally have certain "fiduciary" responsibilities to the minority shareholders. Corporate actions taken by majority and controlling shareholders which are unreasonable and materially detrimental to the interest of minority shareholders may be declared null and void. See above for a discussion of the BVI Act provision relating to the protection of minority shareholders. The availability and interpretation of minority shareholder rights under British Virgin Islands law may differ from the position in the United States, even in relation to laws which may appear to be analogous. Similarly, the exercise and enforcement of such rights may involve seeking remedies under foreign law before a court or tribunal outside the United States, where the procedure and outcome may differ from what might apply or eventuate in a court in the United States.
The BVI Act also provides that shareholders of the company owning 90% of the votes entitled to be voted may cause the company to redeem the shares held by the remaining shareholders.
Powers of Directors.
The powers of directors under most US jurisdictions is similar to that of the BVI Act. Generally, the sale of the significant asset or combination of assets of a company requires the approval of the shareholders of a United States company. The directors of a British Virgin Islands company, subject in certain cases to the approval of the court (which will generally require shareholder approval), may implement the sale, transfer, exchange or disposition of any asset, property, part of the business, or securities of the company, if the board determines such transaction to be in the best interests of the company, its creditors, or its shareholders, with the exception that shareholder approval may be required for any sale, transfer, lease exchange or other disposition of more than 50% in value of the assets of the company other than in the usual or regular course of business of the company. The BVI Act, however, provides that the memorandum and articles of a company may exclude application of the above shareholder approval requirement for the disposition of 50% or more of the assets as set forth in Section 175 of the BVI Act. Our Charter incorporates the exclusion; therefore our directors may act to sell or otherwise dispose of any or all the assets of the company without restriction and without complying with section 175 of the BVI Act.
Although our Charter excludes the possibility of alternate directors, under the BVI Act, subject to the Charter any director of the company may in writing appoint another person, who need not be a director, to be his alternate, provided such person has consented in writing to be an alternate director. An alternate director has the same rights as the appointing director in relation to any director's meeting and any written resolution circulated for written consent. Every such alternate director shall therefore be entitled to attend meetings in the absence of the director who appointed him and to vote in the place of the director and sign written consents. Where the alternate is a director he shall be entitled to have a separate vote on behalf of the director he is representing in addition to his own vote. A director may at any time in writing revoke the appointment of an alternate appointed by him. An alternate director may not be an officer of the company. The remuneration of an alternate director shall be payable out of the remuneration of the director appointing him and the proportion thereof shall be agreed between them. United States corporate laws does not provide for alternate directors.
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Conflict of Interests.
Similar to the laws of most United States jurisdictions, under the BVI Act when a director becomes aware of the fact that he has an interest in a transaction which the company is to enter into, he must disclose it to the board. With sufficient disclosure of the interest in relation to that transaction, the director who is interested in a transaction entered into or to be entered into by us may (i) vote on a matter relating to the transaction; (ii) attend a meeting of directors at which a matter relating to the transaction arises and be included in the quorum; and (iii) sign a document on behalf of the company, or do any other thing in his capacity as a director, that relates to the transaction. If there is required disclosure by a director, which is not made, then the transaction is voidable by the company, unless the transaction is one that is an ordinary course transaction of the company.
Written Consent and Cumulative Voting.
Similar to the laws of most U.S. jurisdictions, under the British Virgin Islands law, shareholders are permitted to approve matters by way of written resolution in place of a formal meeting.
Under corporate law in United States jurisdictions, the certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in an election of directors. The BVI Act does not make a specific reference to cumulative voting, and our current Charter has no provisions authorizing cumulative voting.
Independent Directors.
Similar to corporate law in Untied States jurisdictions, there is no requirement for a majority, or for that matter any, of the directors of the company to be independent under British Virgin Islands law. The regulations of a securities exchange on which securities of a company are listed often require independent directors.
Forfeiture of Shares.
Although we intend to only sell our shares upon receipt of the full purchase price, if shares are not fully paid, then under our Charter and the BVI Act any shares that are not fully paid are subject to forfeiture. The company has the right to demand full payment at any time, upon notice served on the shareholder stating the time and amount due, and advising the shareholder that if the payment is not made then the shares will be forfeited and cancelled. Any funds paid in respect of shares which are subsequently forfeited is non-refundable. Under United States corporate law, shares are usually required to be paid in full at the time of issuance.
Redemption and Treasury Shares.
Similar to the law of United States jurisdictions, a BVI company may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire and hold its own shares in treasury or cancel them in such manner and upon such other terms as the directors may agree with the relevant shareholder(s). Also, similar to the law of Untied States jurisdictions, we may redeem our shares only with the consent of the shareholders whose shares are to be redeemed. The consent from the shareholders is not needed under the circumstances of the compulsory redemption, at the request of the shareholders holding 90% of the votes of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, of the remaining issued shares. Under the law of United States jurisdictions, shareholders with less than 10% (and in some cases 5%) of the outstanding shares may be forced to sell their shares to the company, upon a decision only of the board of directors.
Takeover Provisions.
The BVI Act does not provide anti-takeover measures, similar to some jurisdictions in the United States. Generally, our Charter does not introduce anti-takeover measures. For example, we have shareholder action permitted by written consent, directors may be removed with or without cause, and we do not have staggered board appointments. While we do not have any other class of equity authorized, which could have anti-takeover effect, we do have unlimited ordinary shares and could use them for an anti-takeover plan or action, such as a poison pill plan, which would have to be in place before a takeover offer is in contemplation, as, if not, the directors might be seen as exercising their powers for an improper purpose in trying to introduce such a measure.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the company could consider and adopt anti-takeover measures. Some of these require an amendment to our Charter, which would have to be approved by way of director and/or shareholder resolutions.
Shareholder's Access to Corporate Records.
Similar to the corporate laws in the United States, a shareholder is entitled, on giving written notice to the company, to inspect the company's (i) memorandum and articles of association; (ii) register of members; (iii) register of directors; and (iv) minutes of meetings and resolutions of members and of those classes of members of which he is a member. A shareholder is also entitled to copies of the records. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the directors may limit access to company records it is contrary to the company interests. However, where a shareholder is denied access to the company records, the shareholder may apply to the courts for an order to permit access and copying. In some jurisdictions in the United States, there has been limitations imposed on the scope of access to corporate records, and generally access is only for a legitimate purpose related to the position of being a shareholder.
Indemnification.
Similar to the corporate law in the United States, British Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company's memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the British Virgin Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime.
Our Charter provides for the indemnification of our directors (past and present) against all losses or liabilities incurred or sustained by a director as a director of our company in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal and this indemnity only applies if he or she acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and, with respect to any criminal action, he or she must have had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
We may purchase and maintain insurance in relation to any person who is or was a director, or who at the request of the company is or was serving as a director of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for another body corporate or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in that capacity, whether or not the Company has or would have had the power to indemnify the person against the liability.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements.
The BVI Act provides for the merger and other combination arrangements for companies. In order to merge or consolidate, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation which must be authorized by a resolution of shareholders.
While a director may vote on a merger or consolidation even if he has a financial interest in the plan of merger of consolidation, in order for the resolution to be valid and the transaction not voidable, the interest must have been disclosed to the board forthwith upon him becoming aware of such interest. The transaction will not be voidable if the shareholders approve it.
Shareholders not otherwise entitled to vote on a merger or consolidation may still acquire the right to vote if the plan of merger or consolidation contains any provision which, if proposed as an amendment to the memorandum or articles of association, would entitle them to vote as a class or series on the proposed amendment. In any event, all shareholders must be given a copy of the plan of merger or consolidation irrespective of whether they are entitled to vote at the meeting or consent to the written resolution to approve the plan of merger or consolidation.
The shareholders of the constituent companies are not required to receive shares of the surviving or consolidated company but may receive cash, debt obligations or other securities of the surviving or consolidated company, or other assets, or a combination thereof. Further, some or all of the shares of a class or series may be converted into a kind of asset while the other shares of the same class or series may receive a different kind of asset. As such, not all the shares of a class or series must receive the same kind of consideration.
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After the plan of merger or consolidation has been approved by the directors and authorized by a resolution of the shareholders, articles of merger or consolidation are executed by each company and filed with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands.
A shareholder may dissent from a mandatory redemption of his shares, an arrangement (if permitted by the court), a merger (unless the shareholder was a shareholder of the surviving company prior to the merger and continues to hold the same or similar shares after the merger) and a consolidation. A shareholder properly exercising his dissenter rights is entitled to payment of the fair value of their shares.
A shareholder dissenting from a merger or consolidation must object in writing to the merger or consolidation before the vote by the shareholders on the merger or consolidation, unless notice of the meeting was not given to the shareholder. If the merger or consolidation is approved by the shareholders, the company must within 20 days give notice of this fact to each shareholder who gave written objection, and to each shareholder who did not receive notice of the meeting. Such shareholders then have 20 days to give to the company their written election in the form specified by the BVI Act to dissent from the merger or consolidation, provided that in the case of a merger, the 20 days starts when the plan of merger is delivered to the shareholder.
Upon giving notice of his election to dissent, a shareholder ceases to have any rights of a shareholder except the right to be paid the fair value of his shares. As such, the merger or consolidation may proceed in the ordinary course notwithstanding the dissent.
Within seven days of the later of the delivery of the notice of election to dissent and the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the company must make a written offer to each dissenting shareholder to purchase his shares at a specified price that the company determines to represent fair value. The company and the shareholder then have 30 days to agree upon the price. If the company and the shareholder fail to agree on the price within the 30 days, then the company and the shareholder shall each designate an appraiser and these two appraisers shall designate a third appraiser. These three appraisers shall fix the fair value of the shares as of the close of business on the day before the shareholders approved the transaction without taking into account any change in value as a result of the transaction.
Shareholders' Suits.
Similar to the corporate laws in the United States, the BVI Act permits derivative actions against its directors. However, the circumstances under which such actions may be brought, and the procedures and defenses available under British Virgin Islands law may result in the rights of shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company incorporated and/or existing in the United States.
The British Virgin Islands does not have provision for "class actions." It does however provide for "representative action", whereby a representative may be appointed to represent parties with the same interest. In such cases those parties will typically be bound by any decision in the proceedings. The BVI Act specifically provides for the process by which a claim may be brought "derivatively" on behalf of a company by one of its shareholders. Importantly, proceedings may not be brought by a shareholder without leave of the court. The courts of the British Virgin Islands may, on the application of a shareholder of a company, grant leave to that shareholder to bring proceedings in the name and on behalf of that company, or intervene in proceedings to which the company is a party for the purpose of continuing, defending or discontinuing the proceedings on behalf of the company. In determining whether to grant leave, the High Court of the British Virgin Islands must take into account (i) whether the shareholder is acting in good faith. (ii) whether the derivative action is in the interests of the company taking account of the views of the company's directors on commercial matters. (iii) whether the proceedings are likely to succeed. (iv) the costs of the proceedings in relation to the relief likely to be obtained. and (v) whether an alternative remedy to the derivative claim is available.
Leave to bring or intervene in proceedings may be granted only if the High Court of the British Virgin Islands is satisfied that (i) the company does not intend to bring, diligently continue or defend, or discontinue the proceedings, as the case may be or (ii) it is in the interests of the company that the conduct of the proceedings should not be left to the directors or to the determination of the shareholders as a whole.
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Any member of a company may apply to the British Virgin Islands Court under the Insolvency Act (Revised Edition 2020) as amended for the appointment of a liquidator to liquidate the company and the court may appoint a liquidator for the company if it is of the opinion that it is just and equitable to do so.
Anti-Takeover Effect of Authorized but Unissued Ordinary Shares
The BVI Act does not require shareholder approval for any issuance of our ordinary shares. The ordinary shares that may be issued under our Charter may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings, to raise additional capital or to facilitate acquisitions. One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved ordinary shares may be to enable our board of directors to sell shares to persons friendly to current management, for such consideration, in form and amount, as is acceptable to the board of directors, which issuance could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of our management and possibly deprive shareholders of opportunities to sell their ordinary shares at prices higher than prevailing market prices.
The BVI Act does not make a specific reference to cumulative voting, and our current Charter has no provisions authorizing cumulative voting.
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS WE MAY OFFER
We may issue warrants to purchase ordinary shares and/or debt securities in one or more series together with other securities or separately, as described in each applicable prospectus supplement. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer. Particular terms of the warrants will be described in the applicable warrant agreements and the applicable prospectus supplement for the warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:
| • | the specific designation and aggregate number of the warrants, and the price at which we will issue such warrants; |
| • | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
| • | the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
| • | if applicable, the exercise price for ordinary shares and the number of ordinary shares to be received upon exercise of the warrants; |
| • | if applicable, the exercise price for our debt securities, the amount of our debt securities to be received upon exercise of the warrants, and a description of that series of debt securities; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if the warrants may not be continuously exercised throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which the warrants may be exercised; |
| • | whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered form or bearer form, in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit; |
| • | any material U.S. federal income tax or foreign tax considerations applicable to the warrants; |
| • | the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants, if any, and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents; |
| • | the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange or market; |
| • | if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the ordinary shares and/or debt securities will be separately transferable; |
| • | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| • | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any |
| • | the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any; |
| • | any redemption, put or call provisions; |
| • | whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units; and |
| • | any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for any warrants will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
This section describes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, any of which may be issued as convertible or exchangeable debt securities. We will set forth the particular terms of the debt securities we offer in a prospectus supplement. The extent, if any, to which the following general provisions apply to particular debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description of general terms relating to the debt securities and the indenture under which the debt securities will be issued are summaries only and therefore are not complete. You should read the indenture and the prospectus supplement regarding any particular issuance of debt securities.
We will issue the debt securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement under an indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of the debt securities will include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date of the indenture. We have filed or will file a copy of the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement in which this prospectus is included. The indenture will be subject to and governed by the terms of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
We may offer under this prospectus up to an aggregate principal amount of $420,690,000 in debt securities, or if debt securities are issued at a discount, or in a foreign currency, foreign currency units or composite currency, the principal amount as may be sold for an aggregate initial public offering price of up to $420,690,000. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will represent direct, unsecured obligations of our company and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured indebtedness.
The following statements relating to the debt securities and the indenture are summaries, qualified in their entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of the indenture and the final form indenture as may be filed with a future prospectus supplement.
General
We may issue the debt securities in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will describe the particular terms of each series of debt securities in a prospectus supplement relating to that series, which we will file with the SEC.
The prospectus supplement will set forth, to the extent required, the following terms of the debt securities in respect of which the prospectus supplement is delivered:
| • | the title of the series; |
| • | the aggregate principal amount; |
| • | the issue price or prices, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
| • | any limit on the aggregate principal amount; |
| • | the date or dates on which the debt securities will be issued and on which principal of, and premium, if any, is payable; |
| • | the interest rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates; |
| • | the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the interest payment date or dates on which interest will be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable, and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months; |
| • | the place or places where principal and, if applicable, premium and interest, is payable; |
| • | the terms and conditions upon which we may, or the holders may require us to, redeem or repurchase the debt securities; |
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| • | the denominations in which such debt securities may be issuable, if other than a minimum denomination of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof; |
| • | whether the debt securities are to be issuable in the form of certificated debt securities (as described below) or global debt securities (as described below); |
| • | the portion of principal amount that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date if other than the principal amount of the debt securities; |
| • | the currency of denomination; |
| • | the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal and, if applicable, premium and interest, will be made; |
| • | if payments of principal and, if applicable, premium or interest, on the debt securities are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than the currency of denomination, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined; |
| • | if amounts of principal and, if applicable, premium and interest may be determined by reference to an index, including an index based on a currency or currencies other than in which the debt securities are payable, then the manner in which such amounts will be determined; |
| • | the provisions, if any, relating to any collateral provided for such debt securities; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be guaranteed by any person or persons and, if so, the identity of such person or persons, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities shall be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective guarantors; |
| • | any addition to or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture; |
| • | any events of default, if not otherwise described below under “Events of Default”; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if any, for conversion into or exchange for ordinary shares; |
| • | any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to other indebtedness of our company; and |
| • | any other terms of the debt securities of such series. |
We may issue discount debt securities that provide for an amount less than the stated principal amount to be due and payable upon acceleration of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of the indenture. We may also issue debt securities in bearer form, with or without coupons. If we issue discount debt securities or debt securities in bearer form, we will describe material U.S. federal income tax considerations and other material special considerations that apply to these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may issue debt securities denominated in or payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units. If we do, we will describe the restrictions, elections, and general tax considerations relating to the debt securities and the foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Exchange and/or Conversion Rights
We may issue debt securities which can be exchanged for or converted into ordinary shares. If we do, we will describe the terms of exchange or conversion in the prospectus supplement relating to these debt securities.
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Transfer and Exchange
We may issue debt securities that will be represented by either:
| • | “book-entry securities,” which means that there will be one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary or a nominee of a depositary; or |
| • | “certificated securities,” which means that they will be represented by a certificate issued in definitive registered form. |
We will specify in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular offering whether the debt securities offered will be book-entry or certificated securities.
Certificated Debt Securities
If you hold certificated debt securities issued under an indenture, you may transfer or exchange such debt securities in accordance with the terms of the indenture. You will not be charged a service charge for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities but may be required to pay an amount sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with such transfer or exchange.
Global Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominees identified in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities. In such a case, one or more global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the series to be represented by such global security or securities.
Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a global security may not be registered for transfer or exchange except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of the depositary and except in the circumstances described in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such series.
Protection in the Event of Change of Control
Any provision in an indenture that governs our debt securities covered by this prospectus that includes any covenant or other provision providing for a put or increased interest or otherwise that would afford holders of our debt securities additional protection in the event of a recapitalization transaction, a change of control of our company, or a highly leveraged transaction will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Covenants
Unless otherwise indicated in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities may not have the benefit of any covenant that limits or restricts our business or operations, the pledging of our assets or the incurrence by us of indebtedness. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any material covenants in respect of a series of debt securities.
Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease
We may agree in any indenture that governs the debt securities of any series covered by this prospectus that we will not consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer or lease (as lessor) our properties and assets as, or substantially as, an entirety to any person, unless such person and such proposed transaction meets various criteria, which we will describe in detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Defaults and Notice
The debt securities of any series will contain events of default to be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, which may include, without limitation:
| • | default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; |
| • | default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series at its maturity; |
| • | default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a debt security of that series; |
| • | default in the performance or breach of any other covenants or agreements in the indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series; and |
| • | certain events relating to our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. |
If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series shall occur and be continuing, we may agree that the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of such series may declare the principal amount (or, if the debt securities of such series are issued at an original issue discount, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of the debt securities of such series) of all debt securities of such series or such other amount or amounts as the debt securities or supplemental indenture with respect to such series may provide, to be due and payable immediately. Any provisions pertaining to events of default and any remedies associated therewith will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Any indenture that governs our debt securities covered by this prospectus may require that the trustee under such indenture shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default, give to holders of debt securities of any series notice of all uncured and unwaived defaults with respect to such series known to it. However, in the case of a default that results from the failure to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities of any series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to debt securities of such series, if any, the trustee may withhold such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of debt securities of such series. Any terms and provisions relating to the foregoing types of provisions will be described in further detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Any indenture that governs our debt securities covered by this prospectus will contain a provision entitling the trustee to be indemnified by holders of debt securities before proceeding to exercise any trust or power under the indenture at the request of such holders. Any such indenture may provide that the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series. However, the trustee under any such indenture may decline to follow any such direction if, among other reasons, the trustee determines in good faith that the actions or proceedings as directed may not lawfully be taken, would involve the trustee in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to the holders of the debt securities of such series not joining in such direction.
Any indenture that governs our debt securities covered by this prospectus may endow the holders of such debt securities to institute a proceeding with respect to such indenture, subject to certain conditions, which will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and which may include, that the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding make a written request upon the trustee to exercise its power under the indenture, indemnify the trustee and afford the trustee reasonable opportunity to act. Even so, such holders may have an absolute right to receipt of the principal of or premium, if any, and interest when due, to require conversion or exchange of debt securities if such indenture provides for convertibility or exchangeability at the option of the holder and to institute suit for the enforcement of such rights. Any terms and provisions relating to the foregoing types of provisions will be described in further detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Modification of the Indenture
We and the trustee may modify any indenture that governs our debt securities of any series covered by this prospectus with or without the consent of the holders of such debt securities, under certain circumstances to be described in a prospectus supplement.
Defeasance; Satisfaction and Discharge
The prospectus supplement will outline the conditions under which we may elect to have certain of our obligations under the indenture discharged and under which the indenture obligations will be deemed to be satisfied.
Regarding the Trustee
We will identify the trustee and any relationship that we may have with such trustee, with respect to any series of debt securities, in the prospectus supplement relating to the applicable debt securities. You should note that if the trustee becomes a creditor of us, the indenture and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 limit the rights of the trustee to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates may engage in, and will be permitted to continue to engage in, other transactions with us and our affiliates. If, however, the trustee acquires any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.
Governing Law
The law governing the indenture and the debt securities will be identified
in the prospectus supplement relating to the applicable indenture and debt securities.
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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS WE MAY OFFER
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. Units may be offered independently or together with one or more of the securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.
We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part the form of unit agreement, including a form of unit certificate, if any, that describes the terms of the series of units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of units. The following summaries of material provisions of the units, and the unit agreements, are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement applicable to a particular series of units. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the units that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete unit agreements that contain the terms of the units.
General
We may issue units comprised of one or more of the securities that may be offered under this prospectus. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units, including:
| • | the designation and the material terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether, and under what circumstances, those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
| • | the rights and obligations of the unit agent, if any; |
| • | the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; |
| • | any material provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described herein; and |
| • | any material provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units. |
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Ordinary Shares We May Offer,” “Description of Debt Securities We May Offer” and “Description of Warrants We May Offer,” will apply to each unit and to any ordinary shares, debt securities or warrants included in each unit, respectively.
Issuance in Series
We may issue units in such amounts and in numerous distinct series as we determine.
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Each debt security, warrant and unit will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Certificated securities will be issued in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, warrants or units represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.
Registered Global Securities
We may issue registered debt securities, warrants and units in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.
If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
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Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to warrants or units, represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of AlphaTON Capital, the trustees, the warrant agents, the unit agents or any other agent of AlphaTON Capital, agent of the trustees or agent of the warrant agents or unit agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.
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We may sell the securities in one or more of the following ways (or in any combination) from time to time:
| · | through underwriters or dealers; |
| · | directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; |
| · | in “at the market offerings,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise; |
| · | through agents; or |
| · | through any other method permitted by applicable law and described in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
The prospectus supplement will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:
| · | the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; |
| · | the purchase price of such securities and the proceeds to be received by us, if any; |
| · | any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; |
| · | any public offering price; |
| · | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
| · | any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed. |
Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:
| · | negotiated transactions; |
| · | at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed; |
| · | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| · | at prices related to prevailing market prices; or |
| · | at negotiated prices. |
Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase any securities will be conditioned on customary closing conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of securities, if any are purchased.
The securities may be sold through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions paid to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best effort basis for the period of its appointment.
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Sales to or through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings will be made pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement with the underwriters or agents. Such underwriters or agents may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, shares may be sold on a daily basis on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the ordinary shares are traded, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise as agreed with the underwriters or agents. The distribution agreement will provide that any ordinary share sold will be sold at negotiated prices or at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for our ordinary shares. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time and will be described in a prospectus supplement. Pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement, we may also agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of our ordinary shares or other securities. The terms of each such distribution agreement will be described in a prospectus supplement.
We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions paid for solicitation of these contracts.
Underwriters and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters or agents may be required to make.
The prospectus supplement may also set forth whether or not underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market, including, for example, by entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions or imposing penalty bids.
Underwriters and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market, other than our ordinary shares, which are listed on Nasdaq. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The securities, other than our ordinary shares, may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.
Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise or the securities are sold by us to an underwriter in a firm commitment underwritten offering. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the second business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
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EXPENSES RELATED TO THE OFFERING
The following table sets forth all expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation, if any) expected to be incurred by us in connection with a possible offering of securities registered under this registration statement:
| SEC Registration Fee | US$ | 58,097.29 | ||
| FINRA Filing Fee | 63,603.50 | |||
| Accounting Fees and Expenses(1) | ||||
| Legal Fees and Expenses(1) | ||||
| Financial Printing and Miscellaneous Expenses(1) | ||||
| Total(1) | US$ |
| (1) | These fees and expenses depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances, and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time and will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The discussion below is for general information only and is not, and should not be interpreted to be, tax advice to any holder of our Ordinary Shares. Each holder or a prospective holder of our Ordinary Shares is urged to consult his, her or its own tax advisor.
General
This section is a general summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our Ordinary Shares. This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the applicable Treasury regulations promulgated and proposed thereunder, judicial decisions and current administrative rulings and practice, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. The summary applies to you only if you hold our Ordinary Shares as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. The United States Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), may challenge the tax consequences described below, and we have not requested, nor will we request, a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel with respect to the United States federal income tax consequences of ownership or disposition of our Ordinary Shares. This summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all the tax considerations that may be relevant to the ownership of our Ordinary Shares. In particular, the discussion below does not cover tax consequences that depend upon your particular tax circumstances nor does it cover any state, local or non-United States law, or the possible application of the United States federal estate or gift tax. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the application of the United States federal income tax laws to your particular situation as well as any state, local, non-United States and United States federal estate and gift tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our Ordinary Shares. In addition, this summary does not take into account any special United States federal income tax rules that may apply to a particular holder of our Ordinary Shares, including, without limitation, the following:
| · | a dealer in securities; |
| · | a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for its securities holdings; |
| · | a financial institution or a bank; |
| · | an insurance company; |
| · | a tax-exempt organization; |
| · | a person that holds our Ordinary Shares in a hedging transaction or as part of a straddle or a conversion transaction; |
| · | a person whose functional currency for United States federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar; |
| · | a person liable for alternative minimum tax; |
| · | a person that owns, or is treated as owning, 10% or more, by voting power or value, of our Ordinary Shares; |
| · | certain former U.S. citizens and residents who have expatriated; or |
| · | a person who receives our Ordinary Shares pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation. |
U.S. Holders
For purposes of the discussion below, you are a “U.S. Holder” if you are a beneficial owner of our Ordinary Shares who or which is:
| · | an individual United States citizen or resident alien of the United States (as specifically defined for United States federal income tax purposes); |
| · | a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any State or the District of Columbia; |
| · | an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or |
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| · | a trust (x) if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust's administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) if it was in existence on August 20, 1996, was treated as a United States person prior to that date and has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person. |
If a partnership holds our Ordinary Shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our Ordinary Shares, you should consult your tax advisor.
Distributions
In general, subject to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules discussed below, the gross amount of any distribution received by a U.S. Holder with respect to our Ordinary Shares will be included in the gross income of the U.S. Holder as a dividend to the extent attributable to our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Unless we maintain calculations of our earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, U.S. Holders should expect that any distribution will generally be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any dividends from us will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from U.S. corporations. For U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, dividends received on our Ordinary Shares by a U.S. Holder will generally be treated as income from sources outside the United States and will generally constitute “passive category income.” A portion of such dividends, however, will be treated as U.S. source income, subject to certain exceptions, in proportion to our U.S. source earnings and profits if U.S. persons collectively own, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the voting power or value of our Ordinary Shares.
U.S. Holders that are individuals and certain other non-corporate U.S. Holders will be subject to tax on dividend income from a “qualified foreign corporation” at preferential rates of taxation provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met. For this purpose, a foreign corporation (other than a corporation that is classified as a PFIC (as discussed below) for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year) will generally be considered to be a qualified foreign corporation (i) if it is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States which the Secretary of Treasury of the United States determines is satisfactory for purposes of this provision and which includes an exchange of information program, or (ii) with respect to any dividend it pays on stock which is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Our Ordinary Shares are listed on Nasdaq, which is an established securities market in the United States, and are expected to be readily tradable. Thus, we expect that dividends paid on our Ordinary Shares will meet the conditions above required for the preferential tax rates, provided we are not a PFIC in the year such dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year.
Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, upon a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our Ordinary Shares, a U.S. Holder will generally recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and the adjusted tax basis of such Ordinary Shares. As discussed above, a U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis in our Ordinary Shares will generally equal the fair market value on the distribution date of such shares. Such gain or loss will be a long-term capital gain or loss if our Ordinary Shares have been held for more than one year and will be a short-term gain or loss if the holding period is equal to or less than one year. Such gain or loss will generally be considered U.S. source gain or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Long-term capital gains of certain non-corporate U.S. Holders are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. For both corporate and non-corporate U.S. Holders, limitations apply to the deductibility of capital losses.
Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC)
Under the Code, we will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which, after the application of certain “look-through” rules with respect to related companies, either (i) 75% or more of our gross income consists of “passive income,” or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of our assets consist of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, “passive income.” Passive income generally includes interest, dividends, rents, rents and royalties other than certain rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business, and capital gains. Whether we will be a PFIC in any year depends on the composition of our income and assets, and the relative fair market value of our assets from time to time, which we expect may vary substantially over time. We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC. As a result, our PFIC status may change from year to year based on our income and assets. We believe that we were a PFIC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 and that we were a PFIC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. We may have been a PFIC in other years and we may be a PFIC in the future.
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If we are a PFIC for any fiscal year during which a U.S. Holder holds our Ordinary Shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to that U.S. Holder for all succeeding fiscal years during which the U.S. Holder holds our Ordinary Shares, unless we cease to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status and that U.S. Holder makes a qualifying “deemed sale” election with respect to the Ordinary Shares. If such an election is made, the U.S. Holder will be deemed to have sold the Ordinary Shares it holds at their fair market value on the last day of the last fiscal year in which we qualified as a PFIC, and any gain from such deemed sale will be subject to the consequences described below. After the deemed sale election, the Ordinary Shares with respect to which the deemed sale election was made will not be treated as shares in a PFIC unless we subsequently become a PFIC.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our Ordinary Shares, the U.S. Holder may be subject to adverse tax consequences. Generally, gain recognized upon a disposition of our Ordinary Shares by the U.S. Holder would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder's holding period for such Ordinary Shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of disposition and to years before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for that taxable year for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, and would be increased by an additional tax equal to interest on the resulting tax deemed deferred with respect to each such other taxable year. Further, to the extent that any distribution received by a U.S. Holder on our Ordinary Shares exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions on such Ordinary Shares received during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder's holding period, whichever is shorter, that distribution would be subject to taxation in the same manner described immediately above with respect to gain on disposition.
If we are a PFIC for any fiscal year during which any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries is also a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of our Ordinary Shares during such year will be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules to such subsidiary. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the tax consequences if the PFIC rules apply to any of our subsidiaries. Alternatively, if we are a PFIC and if our Ordinary Shares are “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange,” a U.S. Holder may be eligible to make a mark-to-market election that would result in tax treatment different from the general tax treatment described above. Our Ordinary Shares would be treated as “regularly traded” in any calendar year in which more than a de minimis quantity of the Ordinary Shares are traded on a qualified exchange on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. Nasdaq is a qualified exchange for this purpose. However, because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for equity interests in any lower-tier PFIC that we may own, a U.S. Holder that makes a mark-to-market election with respect to us may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to any indirect investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, the U.S. Holder generally will recognize as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of the Ordinary Shares at the end of each taxable year over their adjusted tax basis, and will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of any excess of the adjusted tax basis of the Ordinary Shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes the election, the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Ordinary Shares will be adjusted to reflect these income or loss amounts. Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of our Ordinary Shares in a year when we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as an ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election it will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years unless our Ordinary Shares are no longer regularly traded on a qualified exchange or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisers about the availability of the mark-to-market election, and whether making the election would be advisable in their particular circumstances.
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Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of stock in a PFIC may make a so-called “Qualified Electing Fund” election to avoid the PFIC rules regarding distributions and gain described above. The PFIC taxation regime would not apply to a U.S. Holder who makes a QEF election for all taxable years that such U.S. Holder has held our Ordinary Shares while we are a PFIC, provided that we comply with specified reporting requirements. Instead, each U.S. Holder who has made a valid and effective QEF election is required for each taxable year that we are a PFIC to include in income such U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of our ordinary earnings as ordinary income and such U.S. Holder's pro rata share of our net capital gains as long-term capital gain, regardless of whether we make any distributions of such earnings or gain. In general, a QEF election is effective only if we make available certain required information. U.S. Holders should be aware, however, that we are not required to make this information available but have agreed to do so for prior fiscal years for those U.S. Holders who ask for it. The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and generally may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding eligibility, manner and advisability of making a QEF election if we are treated as a PFIC.
In addition, if we are a PFIC or, with respect to particular U.S. Holders, are treated as a PFIC for the taxable year in which we paid a dividend or for the prior taxable year, the preferential rates discussed above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply.
If a U.S. Holder owns our Ordinary Shares during any year in which we are a PFIC, the U.S. Holder generally will be required to file an IRS Form 8621 (Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund) with respect to us, generally with the U.S. Holder's federal income tax return for that year. If we are a PFIC for a given taxable year, you should consult your tax advisor concerning your annual filing requirements.
The U.S. federal income tax rules relating to PFICs are complex. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the ownership and disposition of our Ordinary Shares, the consequences if we are or become a PFIC, any elections available with respect to our Ordinary Shares, and the IRS information reporting obligations with respect to the ownership and disposition of our Ordinary Shares.
Foreign asset reporting
Certain U.S. Holders, who are individuals, are required to report information relating to an interest in Ordinary Shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for Ordinary Shares held in accounts maintained by U.S. financial institutions). U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding their information reporting obligations, if any, with respect to their ownership and disposition of Ordinary Shares.
Non-U.S. Holders
If you are not a U.S. Holder, you are a “Non-U.S. Holder.”
Distributions on Our Ordinary Shares
You generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, on distributions made on our Ordinary Shares unless:
| · | you conduct a trade or business in the United States; and |
| · | the distributions are effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires as a condition for you to be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of income from our Ordinary Shares, such distributions are attributable to a permanent establishment that you maintain in the United States). |
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If you meet the two tests above, you generally will be subject to tax in respect of such dividends in the same manner as a U.S. Holder, as described above. In addition, any effectively connected dividends received by a non-U.S. corporation may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30 percent rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Our Ordinary Shares
Generally, you will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, in respect of gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of our Ordinary Shares unless:
| · | your gain is effectively connected with a trade or business that you conduct in the United States (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires as a condition for you to be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of gain from the sale or other disposition of our Ordinary Shares, such gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States); or |
| · | you are an individual Non-U.S. Holder and are present in the United States for at least 183 days in the taxable year of the sale or other disposition, and certain other conditions exist. |
If you meet one of tests above, you generally will be subject to tax in respect of any gain effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States in the same manner as a U.S. Holder, as described above. Effectively connected gains realized by a non-U.S. corporation may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a rate of 30 percent or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Payments, including dividends and proceeds of sales, in respect of our Ordinary Shares that are made in the United States or by a United States related financial intermediary may be subject to United States information reporting rules. In addition, U.S. Holders may be subject to United States federal backup withholding tax. U.S. Holders will not be subject to backup withholding provided that:
| · | you are a corporation or other exempt recipient; or |
| · | you provide your correct United States federal taxpayer identification number and certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are not subject to backup withholding. |
Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against your United States federal income tax, and you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS in a timely manner.
British Virgin Islands Tax Considerations
Under the law of the British Virgin Islands as currently in effect, a holder of our Ordinary 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 Ordinary Shares, and all holders of our Ordinary Shares are not liable to the British Virgin Islands for income tax on gains realized on the sale or disposal of securities. The British Virgin Islands does not impose a withholding tax on dividends paid by a company incorporated or continued under the BVI Act.
There are no capital gains, gift or inheritance taxes levied by the British Virgin Islands on companies incorporated under the BVI Act. In addition, securities of companies incorporated under the BVI Act are not subject to transfer taxes, stamp duties (unless such companies hold land in the BVI) or similar charges.
There is no income tax treaty or convention currently in effect between (i) the United States and the British Virgin Islands or (ii) Canada and the British Virgin Islands, although a Tax Information Exchange Agreement is in force between the United States and the BVI and Canada and the BVI.
The BVI Economic Substance (Companies and Limited Partnership) Act (Revised Edition 2020) (the “ESA”)
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The above legislation is aimed at addressing concerns raised by the Council of the European Union as to offshore structures engaged in certain activities, which attract profits without real economic activity provides (among other things) that BVI companies that carry out certain defined activities, need to take steps to establish substance in the British Virgin Islands. We have filed all our economic substance declarations when due in accordance with the requirements of the legislation. We are not currently subject to any requirements to establish economic substance in the BVI and given the nature of our business and assets at the current time, the ESA has little material impact on us and our operations. However, the legislation is still in its early stages and therefore remains subject to further clarification and interpretation.
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We are being represented by Hogan Lovells US LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York State law. The validity of ordinary shares has been passed on by Forbes Hare LLP.
The consolidated financial statements of AlphaTON Capital Corp and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2025, and for the year then ended, incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by CBIZ CPAs P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The report on the consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.
The consolidated financial statements of AlphaTON Capital Corp and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2024, and for the two years then ended, incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The report on the consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.
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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. There may be perceived disadvantages for investors that accompany incorporation in the British Virgin Islands, which may include the facts that the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States providing significantly less protection to investors.
Our organizational documents do not contain provisions requiring disputes be submitted to arbitration, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders. Therefore, actions in these controversies will have to be heard in formal court forums, which may be more costly and less flexible, and laws, interpretations and precedent may or may not be consistent or available.
An important part of our operations is conducted and a significant portion of our assets is located outside the United States. Some of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States, and some or all of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for a shareholder to bring an original action against us or those persons in a British Virgin Islands or other court in the event that a shareholder believes that his or her rights have been infringed under the United States federal securities laws or otherwise. It may also be difficult for a shareholder to enforce in United States courts judgments obtained in United States courts based on the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors, some of whom are not residents of the United States and whose assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the British Virgin Islands would recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts against us or those persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state. There is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the British Virgin Islands will generally recognize and enforce a non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits. It is uncertain whether British Virgin Islands courts would be competent to hear original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands against us or those persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our Charter and by the BVI Act and common law. 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 Virgin Islands law are to a large extent governed by common law, the BVI Act, court procedures and other relevant regulation. The jurisprudence 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, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in 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 no securities laws as compared to the United States, and provides less protection to investors in many instances. In addition, British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action before the federal courts of the United States.
As a result of all of the above, our shareholders may have more difficulties in protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated and operating in a jurisdiction in the United States.
Forbes Hare, our counsel as to British Virgin Islands law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the British Virgin Islands would:
(i) recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or
(ii) entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
Forbes Hare has further advised us that the United States and the British Virgin Islands do not have a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of United States courts in civil and commercial matters and that a final judgment for the payment of money rendered by any federal or state court in the United States based on civil liability, whether or not predicated solely upon the United States federal securities laws, would not be automatically enforceable in the British Virgin Islands. We have also been advised that any final and conclusive monetary judgment for a definite sum obtained against us in United States federal or state courts would be treated by the courts of the British Virgin Islands as a cause of action in itself and sued upon as a debt at common law so that no retrial of the issues would be necessary provided that:
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(i) the United States federal or state court had jurisdiction in the matter and we either submitted to such jurisdiction or was resident or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and was duly served with process;
(ii) the judgment given by the United States federal or state court was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations;
(iii) the judgment was not procured by fraud;
(iv) recognition or enforcement of the judgment in the British Virgin Islands would not be contrary to public policy; and
(v) the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice.
A British Virgin Islands court may impose civil liability on us or our directors or officers in a suit brought in the courts of the British Virgin Islands against us or these persons with respect to a violation of United States federal securities laws, provided that the facts surrounding any violation constitute or give rise to a cause of action under British Virgin Islands law.
We have appointed Brittany Kaiser, our Chief Executive Officer, as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in the United States under the federal securities laws of the United States.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a “shelf” registration statement (including amendments and exhibits to the registration statement) on Form F-3 under the Securities Act. This prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information pertaining to us and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and our exhibits.
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file or furnish reports and other information with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K. The SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to their purchase and sale of our ordinary shares. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.
Our SEC filings, including the registration statement, are available to you on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. This site contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. We also maintain a website at www.alphatoncapital.com. Through our website, we make available, free of charge, our annual reports and other information as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.
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INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
This registration statement incorporates by reference important information about the Company that is not included in or delivered with this document. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and the SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents instead of having to repeat the information in this prospectus. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference:
| · | our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on July 25, 2025; |
| · | with respect to each offering of the securities under this prospectus, all our subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F and any report on Form 6-K that indicates that it is being incorporated by reference, in each case, that we file or furnish with the SEC on or after the date on which the registration statement is first filed with the SEC and until the termination or completion of the offering under this prospectus; and |
| · | The description of our ordinary shares contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on February 18, 2021, including any further amendment or report filed hereafter for the purpose of updating such description. |
All subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F, Form 40-F or Form 10-K that we file with the SEC and all subsequent filings on Forms 10-Q and 8-K filed by us with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act (excluding, in each case, any information or documents deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC), after the date hereof and prior to the termination or expiration of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, shall be incorporated by reference. We may incorporate by reference any reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC that we specifically identify in such form or in any applicable prospectus supplement as being incorporated by reference into this prospectus or such prospectus supplement (i) after the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement and (ii) after the date of this prospectus and prior to the completion of an offering of securities under this prospectus.
Our filings with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 20-F and current reports on Form 6-K and amendments to those reports, are available electronically on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are specially incorporated by reference in this prospectus, will be provided at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of this prospectus on the written or oral request of that person made to:
AlphaTON Capital Corp
1111B S Governors Ave Ste 25907
Dover, Delaware 19904
(302) 219 - 5556
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
You should rely only on the information that we incorporate by reference or provide in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
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US$420,690,000
Ordinary Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
PROSPECTUS
, 2025
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or any supplement or amendment hereto. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any supplement or amendment hereto is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus or any such supplement or amendment. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 8. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
British Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company's memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the British Virgin Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. In addition, a company may only indemnify a person who acted honestly and in good faith and in what he or she believed to be in the best interests of the company, and in the case of criminal proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
Our Charter provides that we may indemnify our directors, officers, agents or its liquidator (each an “Indemnifiable Person”) against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings if such Indemnifiable Person is or was a party or is threatened to be a party to proceedings by virtue of the fact he or she is or was a director, officer, agent or liquidator of the Company or is or was at the request of the Company serving as a director, officer, agent or liquidator or in another capacity for another entity. We may only indemnify an Indemnifiable Person if he or she acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and, with respect to any criminal action, he or she must have had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
We may purchase and maintain insurance in relation to any person who is or was a director, or who at our request is or was serving as a director of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for another body corporate or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in that capacity, whether or not the Company has or would have had the power to indemnify the person against the liability. We currently maintain director and officer insurance.
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ITEM 9. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference herein:
| * | To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference, as applicable. | |
| ** | Filed herewith. | |
| *** | To be filed, if applicable, in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Rule 5b-3 thereunder. |
| II-2 |
ITEM 10. UNDERTAKINGS.
| (a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
| (1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Filing Fee Tables” or “Calculation of Registration Fee” table, as applicable, in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or Item 8.A of Form 20-F if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Form F-3.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a) (1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
| II-3 |
(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Determining Liability
That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, (i) the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective and (ii) each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Trust Indenture Act
To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
| II-4 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, on December 3, 2025.
| ALPHATON CAPITAL CORP | ||
| By: | /s/ Brittany Kaiser | |
| Brittany Kaiser, | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
| II-5 |
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Brittany Kaiser and Wes Levitt, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done or by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates stated.
| Signature | Title | Date |
|
/s/ Brittany Kaiser |
Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | December 3, 2025 |
| Brittany Kaiser | ||
|
/s/ Wes Levitt |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | December 3, 2025 |
| Wes Levitt | ||
| /s/ Enzo Villani | Chairman of the Board | December 3, 2025 |
| Enzo Villani | ||
|
/s/ Steven Mintz |
Director | December 3, 2025 |
| Steven Mintz | ||
| /s/ Alexander Pickett | Director | December 3, 2025 |
| Alexander Pickett | ||
| /s/ Michael Terpin | Director | December 3, 2025 |
| Michael Terpin | ||
| II-6 |
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of the Registrant, has signed this Registration Statement on December 3, 2025.
| By: | /s/ Brittany Kaiser | |
| Brittany Kaiser | ||
| Chief Executive Officer |
II-7
Exhibit 4.1
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF , 20
BETWEEN
ALPHATON CAPITAL CORP
as Issuer,
AND
as Trustee
Providing for Issuance of
Debt Securities
in Series
Table of Contents
Page
| ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | 1 |
| Section 1.01 Definitions. | 1 |
| Section 1.02 Compliance Certificates and Opinions. | 6 |
| Section 1.03 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. | 6 |
| Section 1.04 Acts of Holders; Record Dates. | 7 |
| Section 1.05 Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company. | 8 |
| Section 1.06 Notice to Holders; Waiver. | 9 |
| Section 1.07 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. | 9 |
| Section 1.08 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. | 9 |
| Section 1.09 Successors and Assigns. | 10 |
| Section 1.10 Separability Clause. | 10 |
| Section 1.11 Benefits of Indenture. | 10 |
| Section 1.12 Governing Law. | 10 |
| Section 1.13 Legal Holidays. | 10 |
| Section 1.14 Incorporators, Equityholders, Directors, Members, Managers, Officers and Employees of the Company Exempt from Individual Liability. | 10 |
| Section 1.15 Counterparts. | 10 |
| Section 1.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. | 11 |
| ARTICLE II. SECURITY FORM | 11 |
| Section 2.01 Forms Generally. | 11 |
| Section 2.02 Form of Legend for Global Securities. | 11 |
| Section 2.03 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. | 12 |
| ARTICLE III. THE SECURITIES | 12 |
| Section 3.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. | 13 |
| Section 3.02 Denominations. | 16 |
| Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. | 16 |
| Section 3.04 Temporary Securities. | 17 |
| Section 3.05 Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange. | 17 |
| Section 3.06 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. | 19 |
| Section 3.07 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. | 19 |
| Section 3.08 Persons Deemed Owners. | 20 |
| Section 3.09 Cancellation. | 21 |
| Section 3.10 Computation of Interest. | 21 |
| Section 3.11 CUSIP Numbers | 21 |
| Section 3.12 Original Issue Discount. | 21 |
| ARTICLE IV. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 21 |
| Section 4.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. | 21 |
| Section 4.02 Application of Trust Money. | 23 |
| ARTICLE V. REMEDIES | 23 |
| Section 5.01 Events of Default. | 23 |
| Section 5.02 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. | 24 |
| Section 5.03 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. | 25 |
| i |
| Section 5.04 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. | 25 |
| Section 5.05 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. | 25 |
| Section 5.06 Application of Money Collected. | 26 |
| Section 5.07 Limitation on Suits. | 26 |
| Section 5.08 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal Premium and Interest and to Convert Securities. | 26 |
| Section 5.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies. | 27 |
| Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. | 27 |
| Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. | 27 |
| Section 5.12 Control by Holders. | 27 |
| Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults. | 27 |
| Section 5.14 Undertaking for Costs. | 28 |
| Section 5.15 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws. | 28 |
| ARTICLE VI. THE TRUSTEE | 28 |
| Section 6.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities. | 28 |
| Section 6.02 Notice of Defaults. | 29 |
| Section 6.03 Certain Rights of Trustee. | 29 |
| Section 6.04 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. | 31 |
| Section 6.05 May Hold Securities. | 31 |
| Section 6.06 Money Held in Trust. | 31 |
| Section 6.07 Compensation and Reimbursement. | 31 |
| Section 6.08 Conflicting Interests. | 32 |
| Section 6.09 Corporate Trustee Required, Eligibility. | 32 |
| Section 6.10 Resignation and Removal, Appointment of Successor. | 32 |
| Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. | 33 |
| Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. | 34 |
| Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. | 34 |
| Section 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent. | 34 |
| ARTICLE VII. HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY | 35 |
| Section 7.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. | 35 |
| Section 7.02 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders. | 35 |
| Section 7.03 Reports by Trustee. | 36 |
| Section 7.04 Reports by Company. | 36 |
| ARTICLE VIII. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE | 36 |
| Section 8.01 Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms. | 36 |
| Section 8.02 Successor Substituted. | 37 |
| ARTICLE IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 37 |
| Section 9.01 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. | 37 |
| Section 9.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders. | 38 |
| Section 9.03 Execution of Supplemental Indentures. | 39 |
| Section 9.04 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. | 39 |
| Section 9.05 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. | 39 |
| Section 9.06 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. | 39 |
| ARTICLE X. COVENANTS | 40 |
| Section 10.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. | 40 |
| ii |
| Section 10.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency. | 40 |
| Section 10.03 Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. | 40 |
| Section 10.04 Statement by Officer as to Default. | 41 |
| Section 10.05 Existence. | 41 |
| Section 10.06 Waiver of Certain Covenants. | 41 |
| ARTICLE XI. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 42 |
| Section 11.01 Applicability of Article. | 42 |
| Section 11.02 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. | 42 |
| Section 11.03 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed. | 42 |
| Section 11.04 Notice of Redemption. | 43 |
| Section 11.05 Deposit of Redemption Price. | 44 |
| Section 11.06 Securities Payable on Redemption Date. | 44 |
| Section 11.07 Securities Redeemed in Part. | 44 |
| ARTICLE XII. SINKING FUNDS | 45 |
| Section 12.01 Applicability of Article. | 45 |
| Section 12.02 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. | 45 |
| ARTICLE XIII. DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 45 |
| Section 13.01 Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. | 45 |
| Section 13.02 Defeasance and Discharge. | 45 |
| Section 13.03 Covenant Defeasance. | 46 |
| Section 13.04 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. | 46 |
| Section 13.05 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions. | 47 |
| Section 13.06 Reinstatement. | 48 |
Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
| iii |
ALPHATON CAPITAL CORP
Certain Sections of this Indenture relating to Sections 310 - 318, inclusive,
of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
| Trust Indenture Act Section | Indenture Section | |
| 310(a)(1) | 6.09 | |
| (a)(2) | 6.09 | |
| (a)(3) | N.A. | |
| (a)(4) | N.A. | |
| (a)(5) | 6.09 | |
| (b) | 6.08, 6.10 | |
| (c) | N.A. | |
| 311(a) | 6.13 | |
| (b) | 6.13 | |
| (c) | N.A. | |
| 312(a) | 7.01, 7.02 | |
| (b) | 7.02 | |
| (c) | 7.02 | |
| 313(a) | 7.03 | |
| (b)(1) | N.A. | |
| (b)(2) | 7.03 | |
| (c) | 7.03 | |
| (d) | 7.03 | |
| 314(a) | 7.04 | |
| (a)(4) | 1.04, 10.04 | |
| (b) | N.A. | |
| (c)(1) | 1.02 | |
| (c)(2) | 1.02 | |
| (c)(3) | N.A. | |
| (d) | N.A. | |
| (e) | 1.02 | |
| (f) | N.A. | |
| 315(a) | 6.01 | |
| (b) | 6.02 | |
| (c) | 6.01 | |
| (d) | 6.01 | |
| (e) | 5.14 | |
| 316(a)(last sentence) | 1.06 | |
| (a)(1)(A) | 5.02, 5.12 | |
| (a)(1)(B) | 5.13 | |
| (a)(2) | N.A. | |
| (b) | 5.08 |
| iv |
| Trust Indenture Act Section | Indenture Section | |
| (c) | 1.04 | |
| 317(a)(1) | 5.03 | |
| (a)(2) | 5.04 | |
| (b) | 10.03 | |
| 318(a) | 1.07 | |
| (b) | N.A. | |
| (c) | 1.07 |
| * | N.A. means inapplicable. |
| NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture. |
| v |
INDENTURE
THIS INDENTURE, dated as of , 20 , between ALPHATON CAPITAL CORP, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (herein called the “Company”), and , as trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).
RECITALS
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Company’s debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.01 Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter, and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires;
(b) all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(c) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (including, if applicable, International Financial Reporting Standards) as in effect from time to time;
(d) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article” or a “Section” refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture;
(e) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(f) “or” is not exclusive, and “including” means “including without limitation”, “including but not limited to” or words of similar import;
(g) when used with respect to any Security, the words “convert,” “converted” and “conversion” are intended to refer to the right of the Holder or the Company to convert or exchange such Security into or for securities or other property in accordance with such terms, if any, as may hereafter be specified for such Security as contemplated by Section 3.01, and these words are not intended to refer to any right of the Holder or the Company to exchange such Security for other Securities of the same series and like tenor pursuant to Section 3.04, Section 3.05, Section 3.06, Section 9.06 or Section 11.07 or another similar provisions of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires; and references herein to the terms of any Security that may be converted mean such terms as may be specified for such Security as contemplated in Section 3.01; and
| 1 |
(h) unless otherwise provided, references to agreements and other instruments shall be deemed to include all amendments and other modifications to such agreements and instruments, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture.
“Act”, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.04.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Applicable Procedures” of a Depositary means, with respect to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of such Depositary, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.14 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board of directors.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means, except as otherwise provided or contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order or regulation to close.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Corporate Secretary, or any other officer or officers of the Company designated in writing by or pursuant to authority of the Board of Directors, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, or at any other time at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders.
“corporation” means a corporation, association, limited liability company, company, joint-stock company or business trust.
“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.03.
| 2 |
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.
“Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.02.
“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 3.01.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Expiration Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1.04.
“Global Security” means a Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 2.04 (or such legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities).
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01.
“interest”, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Internal Revenue Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“mandatory sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.01.
“Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.01(d).
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the Corporate Secretary or any other officer or officers of the Company designated in writing by or pursuant to authority of the Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of, or outside counsel to, but does not have to be counsel for, the Company, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee, which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld. Opinions of Counsel required to be delivered under this Indenture may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required.
“optional sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.01.
| 3 |
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02.
“Outstanding”, when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(1) Securities theretofore cancelled and delivered to the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor has been made;
(3) Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 13.02 and 13.03 respectively, as to which the Company has effected Defeasance pursuant to Section 13.02 or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 13.03;
(4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.06 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; and
(5) Securities as to which any property deliverable upon conversion thereof has been delivered (or such delivery has been made available), or as to which any other particular conditions have been satisfied, in each case as may be provided for such Securities as contemplated in Section 3.01;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 5.02, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 3.01, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies, composite currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 3.01, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in Clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount determined as provided in such Clause), and (D) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. The Trustee shall be protected in relying on an Officer’s Certificate or other evidence satisfactory to it in determining ownership. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, company (including a limited liability company), partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
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“Place of Payment”, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified or contemplated by Section 3.01.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.06 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
“Redemption Date”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Redemption Price”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.01.
“Responsible Officer”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means the chairman or any vice-chairman of the board of directors, the chairman or any vice-chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors, the chairman of the trust committee, the president, any Vice President, the secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the cashier, any assistant cashier, any trust officer or assistant trust officer, the controller or any assistant controller or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.05.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.07.
“Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” means any Person a majority of the combined voting power of the total outstanding ownership interests in which is, at the time of determination, beneficially owned or held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or one or more other Subsidiaries. For this purpose, “voting power” means power to vote in an ordinary election of directors (or, in the case of a Person that is not a corporation, ordinarily to appoint or approve the appointment of Persons holding similar positions), whether at all times or only as long as no senior class of ownership interests has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.05; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
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“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
“U.S. Government Obligation” has the meaning specified in Section 13.04.
“Vice President”, when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.
Section 1.02 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with (i) the issuance of Securities that are part of any series as to which such an opinion has been furnished and (ii) a request by the Company that the Trustee deliver a notice to Holders under this Indenture where the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate with respect to such notice. Each such certificate and opinion shall be given in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company and an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (except for certificates provided in Section 10.04) shall include:
(a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.03 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or Opinion of Counsel or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Counsel delivering an Opinion of Counsel may also rely as to factual matters on certificates of governmental or other officials customary for opinions of the type required.
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Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.04 Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including a Depositary that is a Holder of a Global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depositary that is a Holder of a Global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security.
The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of commencement of such Person’s holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so; provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.05 or Section 1.06.
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The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 5.02, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 5.07(b) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 5.12, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.05 or Section 1.06.
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which sets such record date may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.06, on or prior to the then existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day following such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day following the applicable record date.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.
Section 1.05 Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be by facsimile or electronic transmission) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office at the location specified in Section 1.01; or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company at the address of the Company’s principal office specified in writing to the Trustee, which shall be, until further notice:
AlphaTON Capital Corp
Clarence Thomas Building,
(302) 219-5556
P.O. Box 4649, Road Town,
Tortola, British Virgin Islands, VG1110
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Copy to:
Hogan Lovells US LLP
1735 Market Street, 23rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2799
Fax: (267) 675-4601
Attention: Steven J. Abrams, Esq.
In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon notices, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile notices, instructions or directions (or notices, instructions or directions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee acts upon such notices, instructions or directions, the Trustee’s understanding of such notices, instructions or directions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such notices, instructions or directions notwithstanding such notices, instructions or directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written notice, instruction or direction. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit notices, instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized notices, instructions or directions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.
Section 1.06 Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at its address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Any notice when mailed to a Holder in the aforesaid manner shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder whether or not actually received by such Holder. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to a Holder of a Global Security, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee), pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary, not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice.
Section 1.07 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act or with another provision hereof which is required under the Trust Indenture Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.
Section 1.08 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
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Section 1.09 Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 1.10 Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 1.11 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture, except as may otherwise be expressly provided pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to any specific Securities.
Section 1.12 Governing Law.
This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Section 1.13 Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security, or any date on which a Holder has the right to convert such Holder’s Security, shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any), or the Redemption Price or conversion of such Security, need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, or on such conversion date. No interest shall accrue for the period from and after any such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or conversion date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment.
Section 1.14 Incorporators, Equityholders, Directors, Members, Managers, Officers and Employees of the Company Exempt from Individual Liability.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such, or against any past, present or future equityholder, director, member, manager, officer or employee, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
Section 1.15 Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Indenture by facsimile or any other rapid transmission device designed to produce a written record of the communication transmitted shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof. The words “execution,” “executed,” “signed,” signature” and words of like import in this Indenture or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Indenture shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile, email or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.
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Section 1.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE HOLDERS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING AS BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE ONLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES.
ARTICLE II. SECURITY FORM
Section 2.01 Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the forms set forth in this Article, or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.03, to the extent established in an Officer’s Certificate or Company Order setting forth, or determining the manner of, such establishment, or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with applicable laws or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of such series may be listed or traded or of any Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.03 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. If all of the Securities of any series established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver a record of such action at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but an appropriate record of such action shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
Section 2.02 Form of Legend for Global Securities.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for the Securities evidenced thereby or as required by Applicable Procedures, every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
[Insert, if applicable — UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
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TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.]
[Insert, if applicable — THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE. EVERY SECURITY AUTHENTICATED AND DELIVERED UPON REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY SHALL BE A GLOBAL SECURITY SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.]
If Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, as contemplated by Section 3.01, then, notwithstanding Clause (i) of Section 3.01 and the provisions of Section 3.02, any Global Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as the case may be, to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any reduction or increase in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in a Company Order. Subject to the provisions of Sections 3.03, 3.04, 3.05 and 3.06, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Global Security in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. Any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Global Security shall be in a Company Order (which need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel).
The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.03 shall apply to any Security represented by a Global Security if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with a Company Order (which need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.03.
Section 2.03 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee’s certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the debt Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| [ ], | |
| As Trustee | |
| By: | |
| Authorized Signatory |
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ARTICLE III. THE SECURITIES
Section 3.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.03, to the extent established pursuant to, rather than set forth in, a Board Resolution, in an Officer’s Certificate or Company Order setting forth, or determining the manner of, such establishment, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:
(a) the form and title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);
(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06 or 11.07 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.03, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may from time to time be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;
(c) the issue price or prices of originally issued Securities, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount, and the original issue date;
(d) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;
(e) the date or dates on which the Securities will be issued and on which principal of, and premium, if any, on, any Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;
(f) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable, or a combination thereof) at which any Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determination thereof, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, or the method of determination thereof, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral;
(g) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the principal of and any premium and interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable, Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration or transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, and notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;
(h) the period or periods, if any, within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;
(i) the obligation, if any, and the option, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation or option;
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(j) if other than a minimum denomination equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(k) if the debt Securities will be issued in registered or bearer form or both and, if in bearer form, the related terms and conditions and any limitations on issuance of such bearer debt Securities (including exchange for registered debt Securities of the same series);
(l) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index including an index based on a currency or currencies other than in which the Securities of that series are payable or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(m) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series shall be denominated, payable, redeemable or purchasable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 1.01;
(n) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series is to be payable, redeemable or purchasable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, redeemable, or purchasable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, redeemable or purchasable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable, redeemable or purchasable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined);
(o) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.04 or the method of determination thereof;
(p) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);
(q) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 13.02 or Section 13.03 or both such Sections or if other than as provided in Sections 13.02 or 13.03, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such series of Securities may be defeased or discharged, and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease or discharge such Securities shall be evidenced;
(r) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 2.04, information with respect to book-entry procedures, and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Section 3.05 in which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof;
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(s) if the debt Security is issued as an original issue discount debt Security, and if so, the yield to maturity;
(t) any deletion from, addition to or change in the Events of Default that apply to Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 5.02;
(u) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article X that apply to Securities of the series or in any defined term used in Article X;
(v) the right, if any, of the Company to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment periods and specify the duration of such extension, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and whether and under what circumstances additional interest on amounts deferred shall be payable;
(w) if other than the Trustee, the identity of any other trustee, the Security Registrar and any Paying Agent;
(x) if other than as set forth in Article IV, provisions relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture;
(y) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed by any Person or Persons and, if so, the identity of such Person or Persons, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective guarantors;
(z) whether the Securities of the series will be secured by any collateral and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be secured and, if applicable, upon which such liens may be subordinated to other liens securing other indebtedness of the Company or any guarantor;
(aa) whether the Securities will be issued in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act and any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;
(bb) the exchanges, if any, on which the Securities may be listed;
(cc) the terms of any right to convert or exchange Securities of such series into any other securities or property of the Company or of any other corporation or Person, and the additions or changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange; and
(dd) any and all other terms with respect to such series, including, but not limited to, any terms that may be required by or advisable under U.S. laws or regulations or otherwise included in connection with the marketing of the Securities of that series.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 3.03) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. Accordingly, the terms of any Security of a series may differ from the terms of other Securities of the same series, if and to the extent provided pursuant to this Section. The matters referenced in any or all of Clauses (a) through (dd) above may be established and set forth or determined as aforesaid with respect to all or any specific Securities of a series (in each case to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act).
Any such Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate referred to above with respect to Securities of any series filed with the Trustee on or before the initial issuance of the Securities of such series shall be incorporated herein by reference with respect to Securities of such series and shall thereafter be deemed to be a part of this Indenture for all purposes relating to Securities of such series as fully as if such Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate were set forth herein in full.
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All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for increases in the aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities and issuances of additional Securities of such series or for the establishment of additional terms with respect to the Securities of such series.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
Section 3.02 Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01. In the absence of any such specified denomination with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in a denomination equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, or Corporate Secretary (or any other officer of the Company designated in writing by or pursuant to authority of the Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee from time to time). The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual, electronic or facsimile.
Securities bearing the manual, electronic or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 3.01, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to, Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating:
(a) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.01, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(b) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 3.01, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and
(c) that such Securities, when authenticated by the Trustee and issued and delivered by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles or other customary exceptions.
If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture in accordance with a Board Resolution will materially adversely affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary, unless the Trustee reasonably determines otherwise, for the Company to deliver a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.01 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to the third paragraph of this Section at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.09, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 3.04 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series and tenor.
Section 3.05 Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office or other designated office of the Trustee a register (the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities entitled to registration or transfer as provided herein. The Trustee is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided. The Company may at any time replace such Security Registrar, change such office or agency or act as its own Security Registrar. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change of the Security Registrar or of the location of such office or agency. At all reasonable times the Security Register shall be available for inspection by the Trustee.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (except a Global Security) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
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All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.04, 9.06 or 11.07 not involving any transfer.
If the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are to be redeemed in part, neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be required (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 11.03 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (B) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
The provisions of Clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) below shall apply only to Global Securities:
(a) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, and subject to such applicable provisions, if any, as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (1) such Depositary has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company’s receipt of such notice, (2) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global Security and the Security Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue certificated securities in lieu of the Global Security, (3) the Company shall determine in its sole discretion that Securities of a series issued in global form shall no longer be represented by a Global Security, or (4) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as contemplated by Section 3.01, then in any such case, such Global Security may be exchanged by such Depositary for definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, registered in the names of, and the transfer of such Global Security or portion thereof may be registered to, such Persons as such Depositary shall direct. If the Company designates a successor Depositary pursuant to Clause (1) above, such Global Security shall promptly be exchanged in whole for one or more other Global Securities registered in the name of the successor Depositary, whereupon such designated successor shall be the Depositary for such successor Global Security or Global Securities and the provisions of Clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section shall continue to apply thereto.
(c) Subject to Clause (b) above and to such applicable provisions, if any, as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, any exchange of a Global Security for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall direct.
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(d) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 3.04, 3.06, 9.06 or 11.07 or otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof.
Section 3.06 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and shall cancel and dispose of such mutilated security in accordance with its customary procedures.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding. If, after the delivery of such new Security, a bona fide purchaser of the original Security in lieu of which such new Security was issued presents for payment or registration such original Security, the Trustee shall be entitled to recover such new Security from the party to whom it was delivered or any party taking therefrom, except a bona fide purchaser, and shall be entitled to recover upon the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by the Company and the Trustee in connection therewith.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel to the Company and the fees and expenses of the Trustee and its counsel) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 3.07 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (a) or (b) below:
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(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee, in consultation with the Company, shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section 1.06, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (b).
(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.05, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
For each series of Securities, the Company shall, prior to Noon, New York City time, on each payment date for principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, deposit with the Trustee money in immediately available funds sufficient to make cash payments due on the applicable payment date.
In the case of any Security which is converted after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Security whose Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest whose Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or made available for payment) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Security which is converted, interest whose Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion of such Security shall not be payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of any Security that may be converted may provide that the provisions of this paragraph do not apply, or apply with such additions, changes or omissions as may be provided thereby, to such Security.
Section 3.08 Persons Deemed Owners.
Except as otherwise contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Sections 3.05 and 3.07) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
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No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Section 3.09 Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and, if not already cancelled, shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary procedures as directed by a Company Order, and the Trustee shall thereafter deliver to the Company a certificate with respect to such disposition.
Section 3.10 Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Section 3.11 CUSIP Numbers
The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (in addition to the other identification numbers printed on the Securities), if then in use, and, if so, the Trustee shall use such “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.
Section 3.12 Original Issue Discount.
If any of the Securities is an Original Issue Discount Security, the Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (1) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on such Outstanding Original Issue Discount Securities as of the end of such year and (2) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE IV. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall, upon Company Request, cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities, when:
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(a) either:
(i) all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) such Securities which have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.06 and (ii) such Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.03) have been delivered to the Trustee cancelled or for cancellation; or
(ii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee as cancelled or for cancellation:
(1) have become due and payable; or
(2) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year; or
(3) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds in trust for such purpose, an amount of money in the currency or currency units in which such Securities are payable sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee as cancelled or for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of such Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid, or otherwise made provision for the payment of, all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such Securities; and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.07, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.14 and the right of the Trustee to resign under Section 6.10 shall survive, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (2) of Clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.02 and the last paragraph of Section 10.03 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
Section 4.02 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee. All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01 (and held by it or any Paying Agent) for the payment of such Securities subsequently converted into other property shall be returned to the Company upon Company Request. The Company may direct by a Company Order the investment of any money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01, without distinction between principal and income, in (1) United States Treasury Securities with a maturity of one year or less or (2) a money market fund that invests solely in short term United States Treasury Securities (including money market funds for which the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee serves as investment advisor, administrator, shareholder, servicing agent and/or custodian or sub-custodian, notwithstanding that (a) the Trustee charges and collects fees and expenses from such funds for services rendered and (b) the Trustee charges and collects fees and expenses for services rendered pursuant to this Indenture at any time), and from time to time the Company may direct the reinvestment of all or a portion of such money in other securities or funds meeting the criteria specified in Clause (1) or (2) of this Section.
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ARTICLE V. REMEDIES
Section 5.01 Events of Default.
Except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, an “Event of Default”, wherever used herein or in a Security issued hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
(b) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of that series at its Maturity;
(c) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series;
(d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant of the Company in this Indenture (other than a default in the performance or the breach of a covenant which is specifically dealt with elsewhere in this Section or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;
(e) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (1) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (2) a decree or order adjudging the Company bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days;
(f) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or
(g) any other Event of Default provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of that series.
Section 5.02 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
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If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(e) or 5.01(f)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(e) or 5.01(f) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable. Upon payment of such amount, all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of principal and interest of the Securities of such series shall terminate.
Except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 3.01 for all or any specific Securities of any series, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:
(i) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series;
(ii) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;
(iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities; and
(iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and
(b) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.03 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(a) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days; or
(b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,
then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
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If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 5.04 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand for overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07.
No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.
Section 5.05 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery shall after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 5.06 Application of Money Collected.
Any money or property collected or to be applied by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07;
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Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind (other than contractual subordination agreements pursuant to the Indenture), according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and
Third: The balance, if any, to the Company.
Section 5.07 Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator or sequestrator (or similar official) or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holder or Holders have offered, and if requested, provided to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer and, if requested, provision of security or indemnity, has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series,
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.
Section 5.08 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal Premium and Interest and to Convert Securities.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Sections 3.05 and 3.07) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, if the terms of such Security so provide, to convert such Security in accordance with its terms) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and, if applicable, any such right to convert, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
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Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.06, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 5.12 Control by Holders.
Subject to Section 6.03, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series; provided that:
(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture; and
(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:
(a) in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series; or
(b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article IX cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.14 Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit (including the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), and may assess reasonable costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company or the Trustee, a suit by a Holder under Section 5.08, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities.
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Section 5.15 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenant that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE VI. THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities:
(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee with respect to such series; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(b) In case an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to the Securities of such series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and
(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights and powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
Section 6.02 Notice of Defaults.
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Within 90 days after the occurrence, and during the continuance, of any default with respect to the Securities of any series that is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, notice of all such uncured or unwaived defaults; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on Securities of any series or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to such Securities, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series; and provided, further, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.01(d) with respect to the Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders of Securities shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default.
Section 6.03 Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.01:
(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may, without obligation to do so, make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(h) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and to its agents;
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(i) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(j) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;
(k) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services (it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to avoid and mitigate the effects of such occurrences and to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances);
(l) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default shall have been received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;
(m) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture; and
(n) the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail (PDF only), facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that the Company shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing designated persons with the authority to provide such instructions, which incumbency certificate shall be amended whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile transmission instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its sole and absolute discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, damages, costs, fees or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or inconsistency with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception by third parties.
Section 6.04 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent makes any representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
Section 6.05 May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 6.08 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
Section 6.06 Money Held in Trust.
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Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.
Section 6.07 Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(i) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the parties for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(ii) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its own negligence or willful misconduct, and the Trustee shall provide the Company reasonable notice of any expenditure not in the ordinary course of business; and
(iii) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.
The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder.
Without limiting any rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(e) or Section 5.01(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law.
The provisions of this Section shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the defeasance of the Securities.
Section 6.08 Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series.
Section 6.09 Corporate Trustee Required, Eligibility.
There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of each series, which may be Trustee hereunder for Securities of one or more other series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
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Section 6.10 Resignation and Removal, Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11.
The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after giving of such notice of removal, the removed Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If at any time:
(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 6.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months;
(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.09 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder; or
(c) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (1) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities of which such Trustee acts as trustee, or (2) subject to Section 5.14, Holders of 10% in aggregate principal amount of Securities of any series who have been bona fide Holders of such Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of which such Trustee acts as trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, Holders of 10% in aggregate principal amount of Securities of any series who have been bona fide Holders of such Securities of such series for at least six months or the Trustee may, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
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The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.06. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges and reimbursement of its expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and agents), if any, to which such retiring Trustee is otherwise legally entitled, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (a) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (b) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (c) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities; and in case at that time any Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
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Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).
Section 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of and subject to the direction of the Trustee to authenticate and deliver Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.06, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of the Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 1.06 to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
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Except with respect to an Authenticating Agent appointed at the request of the Company, the Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| [ ], as Trustee | ||||
| By: | , as | |||
| Authenticating Agent | ||||
| By: | ||||
| Authorized Signatory | ||||
ARTICLE VII. HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date, a list for each series of Securities, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date; and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar for the Securities of a series, no such list need be furnished with respect to such series of Securities.
Section 7.02 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
Subject to compliance with its obligations pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee (i) shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.01 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar and (ii) may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.
Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 7.03 Reports by Trustee.
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The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. As promptly as practicable after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event prior to July 15 of each year, the Trustee shall deliver to each Holder a brief report dated as of May 15 that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b). Prior to delivery to the Holders, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company a copy of any report it delivers to Holders pursuant to this Section.
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange and automated quotation system, if any, upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange or automated quotation system.
Section 7.04 Reports by Company.
Except as otherwise established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities, the Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports, if any, that it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or pursuant to § 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.
All required information, documents and reports referred to in this Section 7.04 shall be deemed filed with the Trustee at the time such information, documents and other reports are publicly filed with the Commission; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been so filed. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).
ARTICLE VIII. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
Section 8.01 Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease (as lessor) its properties and assets as, or substantially as, an entirety to any Person, unless:
(a) (i) in the case of a merger, (1) the Company is the surviving Person, or (2) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company as, or substantially as, an entirety shall be a corporation or partnership, shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall exist; and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 8.02 Successor Substituted.
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Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease (as lessor) of the properties and assets of the Company as, or substantially as, an entirety in accordance with Section 8.01, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease (where the Company is the lessor), the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.01 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(a) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company under this Indenture and the Securities and the assumption by such successor of the obligations of the Company hereunder;
(b) to add covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company with regard to all or any series of Securities (and if any such surrender is to be made with regard to less than all series of Securities, stating that such surrender is expressly being made solely with regard to such series);
(c) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series);
(d) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form;
(e) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of all or any series of Securities (and if such addition, change or elimination is to apply to less than all series of Securities, stating that it is expressly being made to apply solely with respect to such series); provided that any such addition, change or elimination (1) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (2) shall become effective only when there is no such Security Outstanding;
(f) to secure the Securities or any guarantee with respect to any Securities;
(g) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series hereunder;
(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11;
(i) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein;
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(j) to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant to this Clause (j) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Securities of any Outstanding series in any material respect;
(k) to add one or more guarantors with respect to the Securities as parties to this Indenture or to release guarantors in accordance with the provisions of any supplemental indenture;
(l) to qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
(m) to supplement any provisions of this Indenture necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities; provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series;
(n) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded;
(o) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depositary;
(p) subject to any limitations established pursuant to Section 3.01, to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series; or
(q) to conform any provision of this Indenture, any supplemental indenture, one or more series of Securities or any related guarantees or security documents, if any, to the description of such Securities contained in the Company’s prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or similar document with respect to the offering of the Securities of such series.
Section 9.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for Securities), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, this Indenture, or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected thereby:
(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest, if any, on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02, or change the Company’s obligation to maintain an office or agency for payment of Securities and the other matters specified herein, or the coin or currency in which any Security is payable, or impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or alter the method of computation of interest;
(b) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture;
(c) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.06 except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this Clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 10.06, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 6.11 and 9.01(h); or
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(d) if the Securities of any series are convertible into or for any other securities or property of the Company, make any change that adversely affects in any material respect the right to convert any Security of such series (except as permitted by Section 9.01) or decrease the conversion rate or increase the conversion price of any such Security of such series, unless such decrease or increase is permitted by the terms of such Security.
A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.03 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.04 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture, for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 9.05 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.06 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series. Failure to make a notation or issue a new Security shall not affect the validity and effect of any amendment, supplement or waiver.
ARTICLE X. COVENANTS
Section 10.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture. Principal, premium, if any, and interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of Noon, New York City time, on the due date, money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes then due.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Company or the Paying Agent may, to the extent it is required to do so by law, deduct or withhold income or other similar taxes imposed by the United States of America or other domestic or foreign taxing authorities from principal or interest payments hereunder.
Section 10.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities may be surrendered for conversion, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities as contemplated by Section 3.01, the Company hereby initially designates as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities The City of New York, and initially appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent at its Corporate Trust Office as the Company’s office or agency for each such purpose in such city; provided that with respect to a Global Security, and except as may otherwise be specified for such Global Security as contemplated by Section 3.01, any payment, presentation, surrender or delivery effected pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary for such Global Security shall be deemed to have been effected at the Place of Payment for such Global Security in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 10.03 Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to Noon, New York City time, on each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit (or, if the Company has deposited any trust funds with a trustee pursuant to Section 13.04(a), cause such trustee to deposit) with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided; (2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of that series; and (3) during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series.
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The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from any further liability with respect to such money.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.
Section 10.04 Statement by Officer as to Default.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each of its fiscal years ending after the date hereof, an Officer’s Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signer thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which the signer thereof may have knowledge.
Section 10.05 Existence.
Subject to Article VIII, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate (or equivalent) existence.
Section 10.06 Waiver of Certain Covenants.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant pursuant to Sections 3.01(u), 9.01(b) or 9.01(g), Article VIII or Sections 10.04 or 10.05 for the benefit of the Holders of such series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE XI. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.01 Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities) in accordance with this Article.
Section 11.02 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
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The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities.
Except as otherwise established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities, in case of any redemption at the election of the Company of the Securities of any series (including any such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, not less than 10 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
Section 11.03 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
Except as otherwise established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities, if less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which complies with any securities exchange or other Applicable Procedures; provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series and specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.
If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted during a selection of securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and each Security Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
The provisions of the three preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed. If the Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.
Section 11.04 Notice of Redemption.
Except as otherwise established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities, notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date (or within such period as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for the relevant Securities), to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register.
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Except as otherwise established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities, all notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers, if any) and shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date;
(b) the Redemption Price (or the method of calculating such price);
(c) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed;
(d) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date;
(e) the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;
(f) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;
(g) for any Securities that by their terms may be converted, the terms of conversion, the date on which the right to convert the Security to be redeemed will terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion; and
(h) any conditions precedent described in the second paragraph below.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request (which may be rescinded or revoked at any time prior to the time at which the Trustee shall have given such notice to the Holders), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. The notice, if sent in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities.
Any redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, at the Company’s discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions precedent included at the Company’s discretion shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company) or the Redemption Date may not occur and such notice may be rescinded if all such conditions precedent included at the Company’s discretion shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Company). In addition, such notice may provide that payment of the Redemption Price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another person.
Section 11.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.
Except as otherwise established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities, on or prior to Noon, New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date or the Securities of the series provide otherwise) accrued interest on, all the Securities that are to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions of Securities called for redemption that are owned by the Company or a Subsidiary and have been delivered by the Company or such Subsidiary to the Trustee for cancellation. All money, if any, earned on funds held by the Paying Agent shall be remitted to the Company. In addition, the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the Redemption Price of, and accrued interest, if any, on, all Securities to be redeemed.
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If any Security called for redemption is converted into ordinary shares or other securities of the Company in compliance with the terms of such Security, any money deposited with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security shall (subject to any right of the Holder of such Security or any Predecessor Security to receive interest as provided in the last paragraph of Section 3.07 or in the terms of such Security) be paid to the Company upon Company Request or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.
Section 11.06 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together, if applicable, with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07; provided further that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, if the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date, the accrued and unpaid interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Securities registered on the relevant Regular Record Date.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
Section 11.07 Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
ARTICLE XII. SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.01 Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of any series of Securities is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of any series of Securities, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.02. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of the series as provided for by the terms of such Securities.
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Section 12.02 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (a) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (b) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
Section 12.03. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 45 days (or shorter period as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to Section 12.02 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.06 and 11.07.
ARTICLE XIII. DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 13.01 Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 13.02 or Section 13.03 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, designated pursuant to Section 3.01 as being defeasible pursuant to such Section 13.02 or 13.03, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 3.01 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities.
Section 13.02 Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.04 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of such Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 13.04 and as more fully set forth in Section 13.05, payments in respect of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities when payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 10.02 and 10.03, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (d) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 13.03 applied to such Securities.
Section 13.03 Covenant Defeasance.
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Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, (a) the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 7.04, 8.01, 10.04, 10.05 and any covenants provided pursuant to Section 3.01(u), 9.01(b) or 9.01(g) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and (b) the occurrence of any event specified in Section 5.01(d) or 5.01(g) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.04 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Covenant Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
Section 13.04 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 13.02 or 13.03 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be:
(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 6.09 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) in the case of any series of Securities the payment on which may only be made in legal coin or currency of the United States, U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than Noon, New York City time, on the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) such other obligations or arrangements as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to such Securities, or (D) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of an independent public accountant or financial advisor, in either case expressed in a written certification thereof to be delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (1) the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities or any Redemption Date established pursuant to Clause (i) below, and (2) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities. As used herein, “U.S. Government Obligation” means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in Clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
(b) In the event of an election to have Section 13.02 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(c) In the event of an election to have Section 13.03 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel that shall confirm that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.
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(d) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit.
(e) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit (other than such event or Event of Default (if any) resulting from the incurrence of indebtedness or the grant of liens securing such indebtedness, all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be applied to such deposit).
(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company or others.
(g) Such deposit shall not result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, or if such breach or default would occur, which is not waived as of, and for all purposes, on and after, the date of such deposit.
(h) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in accordance with Article XI.
Section 13.05 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and Section 13.06, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.04 in respect of any Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums, due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 13.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to charge any such tax, fee or other charge to such Holder’s account.
Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.04 with respect to any Securities which are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.
Section 13.06 Reinstatement.
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If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture, such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 13.02 or 13.03 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 13.05 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that (a) if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust and (b) unless otherwise required by any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall return all such money and U.S. Government Obligations to the Company promptly after receiving a written request therefor at any time, if such reinstatement of the Company’s obligations has occurred and continues to be in effect.
[signature pages follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
| ALPHATON CAPITAL CORP | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| [ ], as Trustee | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
49
Exhibit 5.1
 |
Hogan Lovells US LLP 1735 Market Street, 23rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 T +1 267 675 4600 F +1 267 675 4601 www.hoganlovells.com |
December 3, 2025
Board of Directors
Clarence Thomas Building,
Road Town, Tortola,
British Virgin Islands
To the addressee referred to above:
We are acting as counsel to AlphaTON Capital Corp, a corporation organized under the laws of British Virgin Islands (the “Company”), with regard to U.S. securities law matters in connection with its registration statement on Form F-3 (as may be amended from time to time, the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed public offering of up to $420,690,000 in aggregate amount of one or more series of the following securities of the Company: (i) debt securities (the “Debt Securities”); (ii) ordinary shares, no par value per share (the “Ordinary Shares”); (iii) warrants to purchase Debt Securities or Ordinary Shares (the “Warrants”); and (iv) units consisting of a combination of two or more of Debt Securities, Ordinary Shares or Warrants (the “Units” and, together with the Ordinary Shares, Warrants and Debt Securities, the “Securities”), all of which may be sold from time to time and on a delayed or continuous basis, as set forth in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement, and as to be set forth in one or more supplements to the prospectus. This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. § 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of such agreements, instruments and documents as we have deemed an appropriate basis on which to render the opinions hereinafter expressed. In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all original documents, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies (including pdfs). As to all matters of fact, we have relied on the representations and statements of fact made in the documents so reviewed, and we have not independently established the facts so relied on. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.
Hogan Lovells US LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in the state of Delaware. “Hogan Lovells” is an international legal practice that includes Hogan Lovells US LLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP, with offices in: Alicante Amsterdam Baltimore Beijing Berlin Birmingham Boston Brussels Colorado Springs Denver Dubai Dublin Dusseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Houston London Los Angeles Luxembourg Madrid Mexico City Miami Milan Minneapolis Monterrey Munich New York Northern Virginia Paris Philadelphia Riyadh Rome San Francisco São Paulo Shanghai Silicon Valley Singapore Tokyo Washington, D.C. For more information see www.hoganlovells.com.
| AlphaTON Capital Corp | -2- | December 3, 2025 |
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that (i) the issuance, sale, amount and terms of any Securities of the Company to be offered from time to time will have been duly authorized and established by proper action of the board of directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee of such board (“Board Action”) consistent with the procedures and terms described in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and applicable British Virgin Islands corporate law, in a manner that does not violate any law, government or court-imposed order or restriction or agreement or instrument then binding on the Company or otherwise impair the legal or binding nature of the obligations represented by the applicable Securities; (ii) at the time of offer, issuance and sale of any Securities, the Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and no stop order suspending its effectiveness will have been issued and remain in effect; (iii) any Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture for Debt Securities substantially in the form of such indenture filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement, with items shown in such exhibit as subject to completion having been completed in a satisfactory manner; (iv) the indenture under which any Debt Securities are issued will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (v) any Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements, as applicable, each to be between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as a warrant agent; (vi) any Units will be issued under one or more unit agreements; (vii) if being sold by the Company, the Securities will be delivered against payment of valid consideration therefor and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Board Action authorizing such sale and any applicable underwriting agreement or purchase agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable prospectus supplement; and (viii) the Company will remain a British Virgin Islands company.
To the extent that the obligations of the Company with respect to the Securities may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion (i) that the other party under the indenture for any Debt Securities, under the warrant agreement for any Warrants, under the unit agreement for any Units, namely, the trustee, the warrant agent or the unit agent, respectively, is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; (ii) that such other party is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by such indenture, warrant agreement, or unit agreement, as applicable; (iii) that such indenture, warrant agreement, or unit agreement, as applicable, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other party and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the other party enforceable against the other party in accordance with its terms; (iv) that such other party is in compliance with respect to performance of its obligations under such indenture, warrant agreement, or unit agreement, as applicable, with all applicable laws, rules and regulations; and (v) that such other party has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under such indenture, warrant agreement, or unit agreement, as applicable.
This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on the applicable provisions of the laws of the State of New York (but not including any laws, statutes, ordinances, administrative decisions, rules or regulations of any political subdivision below the state level). We express no opinion herein as to any other statutes, rules or regulations (and in particular, we express no opinion as to any effect that such other statutes, rules or regulations may have on the opinions expressed herein). We are not rendering any opinion with respect to any Ordinary Shares issuable upon the conversion, exercise or settlement, as applicable, of any Debt Securities, any Warrants or any Units.
| AlphaTON Capital Corp | -3- | December 3, 2025 |
Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
(a) The Debt Securities (including any Debt Securities duly issued upon the exercise of Warrants), upon due execution and delivery of an indenture relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the trustee named therein, and upon authentication by such trustee and due execution and delivery on behalf of the Company in accordance with the indenture and any supplemental indenture relating thereto, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(b) The Warrants, upon due execution and delivery of a warrant agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the warrant agent named therein, as applicable, and due authentication of the Warrants by such warrant agent, as applicable, and upon due execution and delivery of the Warrants on behalf of the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(c) The Units, upon due execution and delivery of a unit agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company, and upon due execution and delivery of one or more certificates bearing such terms on behalf of the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
The opinions expressed in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above with respect to the valid and binding nature of obligations may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory and other law regarding fraudulent conveyances and fraudulent, preferential or voidable transfers) and by the exercise of judicial discretion and the application of principles of equity, good faith, fair dealing, reasonableness, conscionability and materiality (regardless of whether the Securities are considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including, without limitation, principles limiting the availability of specific performance and injunctive relief.
This opinion letter has been prepared for use in connection with the Registration Statement. We assume no obligation to advise of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP
HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP
Exhibit 5.2
Forbes Hare LLP
5 King’s Bench Walk
Temple, London EC4Y 7DN
United Kingdom
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AlphaTON Capital Corp. 03 December 2025
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Dear Sirs
AlphaTON Capital Corp. (the “Company”)
We are lawyers licensed and qualified to practice law in the British Virgin Islands. We have acted as special British Virgin Islands counsel to the Company to provide this legal opinion in connection with the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-3, including all amendments or supplements thereto ("Form F-3"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), as amended, (the "Registration Statement") related to the registration and offering of an indeterminate (a) number of ordinary shares of the Company of no par value (the “Ordinary Shares”); (b) number of warrants to purchase Ordinary Shares or Debt Securities (as defined below) (the “Warrants”); (c) principal amount of debt securities that may be convertible into or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares or Warrants or other debt securities (“Debt Securities”) (d) number of units of Ordinary Shares or Warrants or Debt Securities (the “Units” and together with the Ordinary Shares, the Warrants, and the Debt Securities, the “Securities”) as shall collectively have an aggregate initial offering price not exceeding US$420,690,000.
| 1. | Documents Reviewed |
We have reviewed originals, copies or drafts of the following documents:
| 1.1. | The public records of the Company on file and available for public inspection at the Registry of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands (the "Registry of Corporate Affairs") on December 3, 2025 including: |
| a) | the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation; and |
Forbes Hare LLP is a limited liability partnership established in England with number OC380080 | Page 1 of 4 |
| b) | the Company’s amended and restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. |
| 1.2. | A certificate of good standing dated December 3, 2025 issued by the Registrar of Corporate Affairs, with respect to the Company (the “Certificate of Good Standing”). |
| 1.3. | A Registered Agent’s Certificate dated December 3, 2025 issued by FH Corporate Services Ltd., the Company’s registered agent (the “Registered Agent’s Certificate"). |
| 1.4. | The records of proceedings on file with and available for inspection on December 3, 2025 at the British Virgin Islands High Court Registry. |
| 1.5. | The written resolutions of the board of directors of the Company passed on December 3, 2025 (the “Resolutions”). |
| 1.6. | The Registration Statement. |
| 2. | Assumptions |
In giving this opinion we have assumed, without further verification, the completeness and accuracy of the Registered Agent’s Certificate and the Certificate of Good Standing and that the information contained in such certificates remains accurate as at the date of this opinion. We have also relied upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:
| 2.1. | Copy documents, conformed copies or drafts of documents provided to us are true and complete copies of, or in the final forms of, the originals. |
| 2.2. | All signatures, initials and seals are genuine. |
| 2.3. | The accuracy and completeness of all factual representations expressed in or implied by the documents we have examined. |
| 2.4. | That all public records of the Company which we have examined are accurate and that the information disclosed by the searches which we conducted against the Company at the Registry of Corporate Affairs and the High Court Registry is true and complete and that such information has not since then been altered and that such searches did not fail to disclose any information which had been delivered for registration but did not appear on the public records at the date of our searches. |
| Page 2 of 4 |
| 2.5. | The Resolutions remain in full force and effect and have not been revoked. |
| 2.6. | That the Company’s issuance of any Ordinary Shares is in compliance with its Memorandum and Articles of Association. |
| 2.7. | That the Company is not conducting a "regulated activity" under a "financial services enactment" as defined under the Regulatory Code, 2009 (as amended). |
| 2.8. | That the Company is in compliance with the British Virgin Islands Economic Substance (Companies and Limited Partnerships) Act 2018 (as amended). |
| 2.9. | There is nothing under any law (other than the law of the British Virgin Islands) which would or might affect the opinions hereinafter appearing. Specifically, we have made no independent investigation of the laws of the State of New York. |
| 3. | Opinion |
Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing assumptions and the qualifications set out in section 4 below, and having regard to such legal considerations as we consider relevant, we are of the opinion that:
| 3.1. | The Company is a company limited by shares and registered under the BVI Business Companies Act (2020 Revision), as amended, in good standing at the Registry of Corporate Affairs and validly existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, and possesses the capacity to sue and be sued in its own name. |
| 3.2. | The Company is authorised to issue an unlimited number of shares of no par value of one single class. |
| 3.3. | Each of the Securities (including any Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to the exchange or conversion or exercise of the Warrants or Debt Securities) to be offered and sold by the Company as contemplated by the Registration Statement will, when: |
| a) | specifically authorised for issuance by the board of directors of the Company; |
| b) | issued by the Company against payment in full, of the consideration, in accordance with the terms set out in the Registration Statement; and |
| c) | in the case of the Ordinary Shares duly registered in the Company’s register of members (shareholders), |
be validly authorised, issued, fully paid and non-assessable (meaning that no further sums are payable to the Company on such Securities).
| Page 3 of 4 |
| 4. | Qualifications |
The opinions expressed above are subject to the following qualifications:
| 4.1. | To maintain the Company in good standing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, annual filing fees must be paid to the Registry of Corporate Affairs. |
| 4.2. | The obligations of the Company may be subject to restrictions pursuant to United Nations sanctions as implemented under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. |
| 4.3. | We make no comment with regard to the references to foreign statutes in the Registration Statement. |
| 4.4. | This opinion is given only as to, and based on, circumstances and matters of fact existing and known to us on the date of this opinion. This opinion only relates to the laws of the British Virgin Islands which are in force on the date of this opinion. |
| 5. | Consents |
In connection with the above opinion, we hereby consent to (i) the use of our name in the Registration Statement, the prospectus constituting a part thereof and all amendments thereto under the caption “Legal Matters” and (ii) to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.
This opinion may be relied upon by the addressee only. It may not be relied upon by any other person except with our prior written consent.
This opinion is limited to the matters detailed herein and is not to be read as an opinion with respect to any other matter.
Yours faithfully
/s/ Forbes Hare LLP
Forbes Hare LLP
Page 4 of 4
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of our report dated July 25, 2025 with respect to the financial statements of AlphaTON Capital Corp for the year ended March 31, 2025 included in the Annual Report on Form 20-F. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ CBIZ CPAs P.C.
New York, NY
December 3, 2025
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of our report dated August 14, 2024 with respect to the financial statements of AlphaTON Capital Corp for the year ended March 31, 2024 included in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2025. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Marcum llp
New York, NY
December 3, 2025