DFNS 10-K
T3 Defense Inc. (DFNS)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
For the fiscal year ended
or
For the transition period from _________ to _________
Commission file number
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Brilliant Acquisition Corporation
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| The | ||||
| The |
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer,
as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
(1) has filed all reports required by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the
past 90 days. ☐ Yes ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the
registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T
(§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to
submit such fi les). ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ||
| Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, 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 13(a) of the Exchange Act
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial
reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or
issued its audit report.
If securities are registered pursuant to Section
12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction
of an error to previously issued financial statements.
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity
held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $
State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date.
| Class | Outstanding February 10, 2025 | |
| Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share |
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although our forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of our management, these statements can be based only on facts and factors of which we are currently aware. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “future,” “intend,” “could,” “estimate,” “predict,” “hope,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation” and “Description of Business,” as well as other sections in this report. Such forward-looking statements are based on our management’s current plans and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in plans that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. You should be aware that, as a result of any of these factors materializing, the trading price of our common stock may decline. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | the availability and adequacy of capital to support and grow our business; |
| ● | economic, competitive, business and other conditions in our local and regional markets; |
| ● | actions taken or not taken by others, including competitors, as well as legislative, regulatory, judicial and other governmental authorities; |
| ● | competition in our industry; |
| ● | changes in our business and growth strategy, capital improvements or development plans; |
| ● | the availability of additional capital to support development; and |
| ● | other factors discussed elsewhere in this annual report. |
The cautionary statements made in this annual report are intended to be applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they may appear in this report.
We urge you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward looking-statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
All references in this Form 10-K that refer to the “Company”, “Nukkleus”, “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Nukkleus Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I
Item 1. Business.
Nukkleus Inc. (formerly known as, Brilliant Acquisition Corporation) (the “Company” or “Nukkleus”) was formed on May 24, 2019. The Company was formed for the purpose of acquiring, engaging in a share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation with, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, entering into contractual arrangements with, or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. On June 23, 2023, Brilliant Acquisition Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company (prior to the Merger “Brilliant”, and following the Merger, a Delaware corporation “Nukkleus”), entered into an Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended by the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger on November 1, 2023, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Brilliant BRIL Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Brilliant (“Merger Sub”), and Nukkleus Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Old Nukk”). Old Nukk (f/k/a Compliance & Risk Management Solutions Inc.) was formed on July 29, 2013 in the State of Delaware as a for-profit Company and established a fiscal year end of September 30.
The Merger Agreement provided that, among other things, at the closing (the “Closing”) of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Old Nukk (the “Merger”), with Old Nukk surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brilliant. In connection with the Merger, Brilliant changed its name to “Nukkleus Inc.” (“Nukkleus” or “Combined Company”). The Merger and other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are hereinafter referred to as the “Business Combination.”
In connection with the Business Combination, Brilliant changed its name to “Nukkleus Inc.” The Business Combination was completed on December 22, 2023.
Overview
As a result of Business Combination, we had become a financial technology company with the aim of providing blockchain-enabled technology solutions. Since the Business Combination, we have operated in the technology business as a full-service transactions technology and advisory business providing end-to-end transactions technology solutions. We offer an advanced transactions platform for dealing and risk management with global liquidity and customizable leverage, where users have control over quote and liquidity strategies.
On December 15, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement and Call Option between Nukkleus Inc., Star 26 Capital Inc. (“Star”), the shareholders of Star 26 Capital Inc. (“Star Equity Holders”) and Menachem Shalom, the representative of such shareholders (the “Star Agreement”) to acquire a controlling 51% interest in Star, a defense acquisition company.
Historically, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, provided software and technology solutions for the worldwide retail foreign exchange trading industry. The Company’s primary customer was Triton Capital Markets Ltd. (“TCM”) (formerly known as FXDD Malta Limited). Emil Assentato, the former CEO and a former director of the Company, is also the majority member of Max Q Investments LLC (“Max Q”), which is managed by Derivative Marketing Associates Inc. (“DMA”). Mr. Assentato is the sole owner and manager of DMA. Max Q owns 79% of Currency Mountain Malta LLC, which in turn is the sole shareholder of TCM. In order to define the services rendered to TCM, Nukkleus Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a General Services Agreement (“GSA”) with TCM in May 2016. The GSA provides that TCM will pay Nukkleus Limited a minimum of $1,600,000 per month. Due to non-payment by TCM under the GSA, the Company has advised TCM that the GSA has been terminated. The Company has historically generated substantially most of its revenue through the services rendered under the GSA. On September 30, 2024, the Company, TCM and FXDirectDealer LLC (“FXDD”) entered into a Release Agreement pursuant to which the parties confirmed that the GSA between the Company and TCM and the General Services Agreement dated May 24, 2016, as amended (“FXDD GSA”) between the Company and FXDD were terminated effective January 1, 2024. The parties further confirmed that there are no obligations or liabilities outstanding or owed between the parties as of September 30, 2024 and each party released and forever discharged the other party from any and all claims, demands, damages, actions, causes of action, or suits of any kind or nature whatsoever, both known and unknown, which have arisen or may arise from the GSA or the FXDD GSA
The Company has historically operated its blockchain payment solutions through Digital RFQ Limited (“DRFQ”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Match Financial Ltd (“Match”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. On November 8, 2024, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release with Jamal Khurshid and Match providing that Match agreed to sell DRFQ, to Mr. Khurshid or his nominee subject to the Company obtaining shareholder approval (the “Settlement Agreement”). As required by the Settlement Agreement, the Company, Match and Mr. Khurshid entered into a Share Purchase Agreement dated December 27, 2024 providing that the Company, subject to it obtaining shareholder approval, will sell DRFQ to Mr. Khurshid in consideration of £1,000. The Company believes the sale of DRFQ is in the best interest of the Company due to continuing net loss generated by DRFQ.
As a result of the above transaction and subject to the closing of the acquisition of Star and the sale of DRFQ, the Company’s business will be focused on the defense sector.
Recent Developments
X Group – June 2024
On June 11, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), the Company issued a Senior Unsecured Promissory Note (the “X Group Note 1”) in the principal amount of $312,500 to X Group Fund of Funds, a Michigan limited partnership (“X Group”) in consideration of cash proceeds in the amount of $250,000. As an additional inducement to provide the X Group Note 1, the Company issued X Group a Stock Purchase Warrant (“X Group Warrant 1”) to acquire 150,000 shares of common stock at a per share price of $2.00 for a term of five years that may be exercised on a cash or cashless basis. X Group was initially convertible at a per share conversion price of $2.00. The number of shares and exercise prices for the X Group Note and X Group Warrant 1 reflect the October 2024 reverse stock split.
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The Company and X Group also entered into a Restructuring Agreement providing that, among other items, X Group, in its sole discretion, will have the right for a period for six months from the Effective Date (the “Investment Period”), to lend the Company an additional $500,000 in consideration of a convertible promissory note that will have a term of two years, bear interest at 12% and will convert into shares of common stock at a per share price of $2.00. During the Investment Period, the Company may not incur additional debt or enter into any equity financing arrangement without the written consent of the X Group.
In order to induce X Group to provide the loan contemplated pursuant to the Note, Emil Assentato, a former director and executive officer of the Company, entered into a Voting Agreement with the Company and X Group agreeing to vote his shares in support of any transaction provided by X Group. The Company and X Group have agreed that 100% of all loan balances including loans payable to Emil Assentato by the Company will be recorded on the books of the Company as a bona fide debt of the Company, of which 30% of such debt will be paid within nine (9) months of the Effective Date and the balance to be repaid within twenty-four (24) months of the Effective Date.
On September 10, 2024, the Company issued an additional Senior Unsecured Promissory Note (the “X Group Note 2”) in the principal amount of $125,000 to X Group in consideration of cash proceeds in the amount of $100,000, which was funded on September 4, 2024.
On November 8, 2024, the Company entered into a Conversion Agreement (the “Conversion Agreement”) with X Group to convert outstanding principal and interest totaling of $771,085 payable under the X Group Note 1 and the X Group Note 2 (the “X Group Debt”) into shares of common stock of the Company. Pursuant to the Conversion Agreement, the Company issued 385,542 shares of its common stock and an additional warrant to purchase 351,424 shares of common stock exercisable for a period of five years at an exercise price of $2.00 per share (“X Group Warrant 2”) in exchange for the cancellation of the X Group Debt. Further, the Company and X Group entered into a letter agreement providing that X Group may not exercise the X Group Warrant 1 in the event such exercise would result in X Group holding in excess of 19.9% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock as of November 8, 2024. On November 14, 2024, the Company and X Group entered into a letter agreement pursuant to which it amended the terms of the Conversion Agreement and the X Group Warrant 2 issued in connection with the Conversion Agreement. Pursuant to the letter agreement, the shares of common stock to be issued under the Conversion Agreement were amended to be 319,952 shares of common stock of the Company and the exercise price of the X Group Warrant 2 was amended to be $2.41.
East Asia
On August 1, 2024, the Company issued a Senior Unsecured Promissory Note (the “East Asia Note”) in the principal amount of $515,000 to East Asia Technology Investments Limited (“East Asia”) in consideration of cash proceeds in the amount of $412,075. The East Asia Note bears interest of 12.0% per annum and is due and payable six months after issuance. As an additional inducement to provide the loan as outlined under East Asia Note, the Company issued East Asia a Stock Purchase Warrant (“East Asia Warrant”) to acquire 175,000 shares of common stock at a per share price of $2.00 for a term of five years that may be exercised on a cash or cashless basis. East Asia shall have the right to convert the principal and interest payable under the East Asia Note into shares of common stock of the Company at a per share conversion price of $2.00. The number of shares and exercise prices for the East Asia Note and East Asia Warrant reflect the October 2024 reverse stock split.
Reverse Split
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company unanimously approved a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock at a ratio of one-for-eight (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The Company’s shareholders approved a reverse stock split at a ratio of not less than one-for-two and not greater than one-for-thirty at the Company’s annual meeting on October 11, 2024.
On October 11, 2024, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State as corrected on October 16, 2024 to effect the Reverse Stock Split (the “Reverse Certificate of Amendment”), which became effective 12:01 am eastern time on October 24, 2024. As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, every eight shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding on the effective were consolidated into one issued and outstanding share. All stockholders who would be entitled to receive fractional shares as a result of the Reverse Stock Split received one whole share for their fractional share interest. On October 31, 2024, the Company received notice from DTCC on behalf of the brokerage firms that hold the shares of Company common stock held in “street name” that in connection with the foregoing rounding of shares the Company would need to issue 182,004 shares of common stock. The Company does not believe the number of shares being requested is correct based on the historical number of shareholders of its common stock and is aware of similar occurrences in recent months for other companies completing a reverse stock split. As such, the Company has begun an inquiry into the calculations set forth in the request. During the pendency of this inquiry, the Company does not intend to issue any shares in connection with the fractional shares being requested. The Company may face potential liability for its failure to issue the shares of common stock if it is determined that it is required to issue such shares. There was no change in the par value of our common stock.
In addition, proportionate adjustments will be made to the exercise prices of the Company’s outstanding stock options and warrants and to the number of shares issued and issuable under the Company’s existing stock incentive plans. All amounts reflected herein have been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.
DRFQ
On November 8, 2024, the Company entered into the Settlement Agreement Match, providing that Match agreed to sell DRFQ, to Mr. Khurshid or his nominee subject to the Company obtaining shareholder approval (the “Settlement Agreement”). As required by the Settlement Agreement, the Company, Match and Mr. Khurshid entered into a Share Purchase Agreement dated December 23, 2024 providing that the Company, subject to it obtaining shareholder approval, will sell DRFQ to Mr. Khurshid in consideration of £1,000. The Company believes the sale of DRFQ is in the best interest of the Company due to continuing net loss generated by DRFQ.
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Vallis/Worsley
On November 8, 2024, the Company entered into Settlement Agreement and Release with each of Craig Vallis and Oliver Worsley providing that the Company will issue 125,000 and 75,000 shares of common stock, respectively, in consideration of each party releasing the Company for compensation owed for services.
Standby Equity Purchase Agreement
On December 3, 2024, the Company entered into the Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (“SEPA”) with YA II PN, LTD, a Cayman Islands exempt limited partnership (the “Investor”) pursuant to which the Company has the right to sell to the Investor up to $10 million of shares of its common stock, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the SEPA, from time to time during the term of the SEPA. Sales of the shares of common stock to the Investor under the SEPA, and the timing of any such sales, are at the Company’s option, and the Company is under no obligation to sell any shares of common stock to the Investor under the SEPA except in connection with notices that may be submitted by the Investor, in certain circumstances as described below.
In connection with the SEPA, and subject to the conditions set forth therein, the Investor has agreed to advance to the Company in the form of convertible promissory notes (the “Convertible Notes”) an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 million (the “Pre-Paid Advance”), which was to be advanced to the Company in three tranches. The first tranche of the Pre-Paid Advance, in the amount of $0.50 million, was disbursed to the Company on December 3, 2024 (the “YA Note”). On December 19, 2024, the Company and YA II PN Ltd. (the “Investor”) entered into a Termination Agreement pursuant to which the SEPA and the Registration Rights Agreement were terminated provided that such termination had no effect or bearing on, and shall in no way alter in any way the YA Note or any portion of the SEPA or the Registration Rights Agreement related to the Note, or any rights of the Investor or obligations of the Company related to the Note.
Star 26 Capital, Inc.
On December 15, 2024, the Company entered into the Star Agreement with Star, the Star Equity Holders and Mr. Shalom as the representative of the Star Equity Holders. Star holds 95% of Rimon, an Israeli corporation engaged as a supplier of generators for “iron dome” launchers and other defense products. Mr. Shalom, who is the Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, is a controlling shareholder, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Star. Pursuant to the Star Agreement, the Company at closing will acquire 51% of the issued and outstanding capital of Star in consideration of (i) $15,000,000 in a combination of cash in the minimum amount of $5,000,000 and a promissory note for the remaining balance maturing in 12 months following the closing (the “Investment Note”), (ii) the Company issuing the Seller 2,385,170 shares of common stock of the Company and (iii) the Company issuing Star a five-year warrant to purchase an aggregate of 6,907,859 shares of the Company’s common stock for an exercise price of $1.50 per share. The Star Equity Holders granted the Company an option (the “Option”) to purchase the balance of their equity in Star (49%) for an aggregate of $16,084,250 (the “Option Exercise Price”) in consideration for the issuance to the Star Equity Holders five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 720,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for an exercise price of $1.50 per share. The Option Exercise Price to be paid by the Company to the Star Equity Holders will consist of $3,000,000 in cash, a promissory note in the principal amount of $3,000,000, which shall accrue interest at the rate of 8% and be due and payable six (6) months after the issuance thereof, 2,385,170 shares of common stock of the Company and a five-year warrant to purchase 5,109,789 shares of the Company’s common stock for an exercise price of $1.50 per share.
If, for a period of 12 months after the closing, the Company’s shares of common stock are delisted from Nasdaq, Star shall have the right, at its own discretion, to require the Company to exchange the Investment Note for all the shares of Star then held by the Company, provided, however, the Option shall be automatically cancelled and Star shall retain any cash payments made by the Company to Star and the Company shall retain an equity interest in Star equivalent to all cash payments. The closing of the Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, third-party consents, fairness opinion, and approval by the Company’s shareholders as required under applicable Nasdaq listing rules.
Rimon operates two primary lines of business: (i) the purchase and sale of generators, masts, and lightning products and solutions, which it acquires through exclusive distributorship agreements with key third-party suppliers; and (ii) the engineering, design, production, integration, and maintenance of special tactical vehicles and trailers, including reconnaissance vehicles, mobile command and control vehicles, firefighting trailers, energy and lighting trailers, and satellite broadcast mobility platforms which are primarily sold to special defense forces, intelligence agencies and the Israeli Defense Forces.
The acquisition comes at a time of what the Company believes will be growth and transformation within the global defense sector. The Company will integrate Star operations into its existing business structure while continuing to explore additional opportunities for growth.
Private Placement - December 2024
On December 18, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with an accredited investor (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) for a private placement (the “Private Placement”) pursuant to which the investor (the “Purchaser”) agreed to purchase from the Company 1,666,666 units for an aggregate purchase price of $10,000,000 or a per unit price of $6.00 with each unit consisting of (i) one share (the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) and (ii) a common stock purchase warrant to purchase up to one and one half shares of Common Stock (the “Common Warrant”). At the discretion of the Purchaser, it may elect to acquire one pre-funded common stock purchase warrant in lieu of one Share (the “Pre-Funded Warrant”). Each Share and accompanying Common Warrant is being sold together at a combined offering price of $6.00 per Share and Common Warrant. The Pre-Funded Warrant is immediately exercisable, at a nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per share, and may be exercised at any time until the Pre-Funded Warrant is fully exercised. The Common Warrant will have an exercise price of $6.00 per share, are immediately exercisable on a cash or cashless basis and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance. The Units were priced in excess of the average Nasdaq Official Closing Price of the Company’s common stock (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) for the five trading days immediately preceding the signing of the Securities Purchase Agreement. The Private Placement closed on December 20, 2024.
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The Securities Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Purchaser and customary indemnification rights and obligations of the parties thereto. Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company is required to register the resale of the Shares and the shares issuable upon exercise of the Common Warrant and the Pre-Funded Warrant. The Company is required to prepare and file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 15 days of the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Filing Deadline”) and to use commercially reasonable efforts to have the registration statement declared effective within 45 days of the closing of the Private Placement or 75 days in the event of a full review (the “Effectiveness Deadline”). In certain circumstances including, but not limited to, if the Company misses the Filing Deadline or the Effectiveness Deadline, then the Company will be required to pay to the Purchasers an amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to the product of 5.0% multiplied by the aggregate purchase price.
Pursuant to a Placement Agency Agreement, dated December 18, 2024, between the Company and Dawson James Securities Inc. (the “Placement Agent”) entered into in connection with the Private Offering, the Placement Agent acted as the sole placement agent for the Private Placement and the Company has paid customary placement fees to the Placement Agent, including a cash fee equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds raised in the Private Placement and 4.0% on all proceeds from the exercise of the Common Warrants. Pursuant to the Placement Agency Agreement, the Company has also agreed to reimburse certain expenses of the Placement Agent incurred in connection with the Private Placement.
Equity Compensation
In order to compensate various executive officers, directors and consultants of the Company who have provided services to the Company for an extended period of time with limited compensation, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,337,500 restricted stock grants consisting of restricted shares of common stock under its stock incentive plans on December 16, 2024 prior to the market opened on such date of which Menachem Shalom received 500,000 shares of common stock, Anastasiia Kotaieva received 150,000 shares of common stock and each of the directors of the Company received 10,000 shares of common stock. To date, prior to the restricted stock grant, the directors of the Company have not received any compensation for their service and Mr. Shalom has not received an equity award for his service. The shares of common stock were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The sale of the shares of common stock did not involve any public offering and each participant either received or had access to adequate information the Company. No advertising or general solicitation was made in connection with the issuance of the shares of common stock.
Star Business Description
Star Business Overview
Star is an acquisition holding company focused on locating undervalued and undercapitalized companies, primarily in the defense, industrial machinery and application, manufacturing, transportation, information technology, and aerospace industries, and providing them capitalization and leadership to maximize their value and the potential of their private enterprises while also promoting diversification and risk mitigation for our stockholders. Our acquisition strategy focuses on small and medium businesses, which we characterize as those that have an enterprise value of less than $200 million, in a variety of different industries, with a preference for multinational businesses. To date, we have completed a single acquisition of a defense technology company. Star has not identified any specific business as a target for its next acquisition, and it has not entered into any letters of intent, nor has anyone on its behalf, initiated any substantive acquisition discussions, directly or indirectly, with any such target.
Star completed its first acquisition on February 15, 2024, in connection with our operating subsidiary in the Israeli defense industry, B. Rimon Agencies Ltd. Rimon is a defense technology company and has been in business since 1992 serving the country of Israel and acting as an exclusive distributor in Israel of tier-1 generators, masts, and lighting solutions, as well as a wide range of defense, homeland security and commercial systems.
Through its structure, Star intends to offer investors an opportunity to participate in the ownership and growth of a portfolio of businesses that will continue to expand, which have traditionally been owned and managed by private equity firms, private individuals or families, financial institutions, or large conglomerates. The Company seeks to acquire controlling interests in small and medium businesses that it believes operate in industries with long-term growth opportunities, which continue to have positive and stable earnings and cash flows, face minimal threats from technological or competitive obsolescence, and have strong management teams largely in place. Star’s mission is to make these businesses its majority-owned subsidiaries and actively manage and grow such businesses. Star expects to improve its business over the long term through organic growth opportunities, add-on acquisitions, and operational improvements.
For the avoidance of doubt, as of the date hereof, Star has not identified any target businesses which it intends to acquire, nor has it made any material or significant steps towards acquiring any such businesses. Further, it does not expect to engage in any such negotiations prior the date of the Special Meeting.
Star’s Corporate History and Structure
Star was incorporated by its founder, Menachem Shalom, on January 17, 2024, as Star 26 Capital Inc., a Nevada corporation. Our founder is the owner of all 9,250,000 shares of its class B common stock which are issued and outstanding. Mr. Shalom’s class B common stock ownership entitles him to 100 votes per share of class B common stock, or 925,000,000 total votes on any matter which its class A common stockholders are entitled to approve as a single class.
Zero One Capital LLC, Star’s Manager, is a New York limited liability company formed by Mr. Shalom on January 19, 2024, as a management services company. Zero One became our manager upon the execution of a management services agreement by and between the same on June 28, 2024. The Manager is also the manager of Rimon, Star’s indirect wholly owned subsidiary operating in the defense industry, pursuant to the offsetting management services agreement dated August 12, 2024, by and between Zero One, Rimon, and the Company as a third-party beneficiary.
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Billio Inc., Star’s wholly owned subsidiary, is a Delaware corporation formed by Mr. Shalom on February 12, 2021, to act as an intermediate holding company for Rimon.
Star’s Acquisition of Rimon
On February 15, 2024, Star executed an assignment and assumption agreement with Mr. Shalom, pursuant to which Star, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Billio, acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Rimon. Under the terms of that agreement, Star agreed to assume all of Mr. Shalom’s rights and obligations toward the sellers of Rimon, as outlined in earlier agreements by and between the same, dated December 22, 2023, and February 15, 2024. Additionally, Star agreed to reimburse Mr. Shalom for his out-of-pocket costs related to the acquisition of Rimon, and for operating loans which he made to Rimon thereafter. To do so, Star issued him a demand grid promissory note with an initial principal of $155,405, which increased to $280,857 by August 28, 2024, with the initial principal being advanced to cover Mr. Shalom’s out-of-pocket costs, and the increase therein related to the advance for operations. The grid note bears interest at 8% per annum and matures 60 days after the earlier of one year from the issuance date or upon the closing of a private placement or public offering of at least $5,000,000.
Star’s Market Opportunity and Growth Strategy
Star believes there is a significant opportunity for organic growth via the acquisition of small and medium size businesses with an enterprise value of less than $200 million (based on the opinion of our management team and advisory board), that may be operating in highly fragmented markets throughout the world, including the U.S. and Israel, which are owned and operated by persons within isolated networks of family offices, entrepreneurs, and intermediaries, each of which with the potential to generate attractive returns for our stockholders and investors. Star’s core operational principles focus on managing our acquired enterprises to ensure recurring cash flow and lasting terminal value, while fostering long-term sustainability in our investments. To do so, Star aims to invest in and/or buy controlling stakes in operating, revenue-generating businesses. Controlling stakes would allow us to lead the companies into operational efficiencies, growth in revenues, improved financial reporting and operational procedures, hire talented employees and managers and increase the overall enterprise value of these companies. Star’s search for future acquisition targets focuses on companies located in the U.S. or Israel, or both, that provide products and or services to large defense and aerospace companies and or governments. Notwithstanding the forgoing, we may target and acquire companies for acquisition that are located outside the U.S. and Israel if such acquisitions fit within our overall acquisition philosophy and strategy.
Star also believe that the economic and market dislocations resulting from the conflict in Israel, as well as other conflicts worldwide, provide an opportunity for companies in the defense industry to see higher-than-average demand for their products and services. Such market conditions, if they persist, would allow us to focus on acquiring profitable businesses in the defense sector, with the opportunity to take advantage of their potential future growth. Within the Israeli defense market in particular, Star expects to see a significant number of businesses struggling to satisfy growing demand for their products and services due to a lack of access to capital and experienced executive level leadership among other factors. Star believes it will be able to provide these needed resources to any Israeli target company that it acquires. It is confident that the expertise of our management team and the relationships that they can bring to an acquisition represent a compelling value proposition for any potential acquisition target looking to add working capital, a pathway to exit, and a solid leadership base, to assist such a company to grow and expand and to be able to take advantage of market opportunities as they arise.
Star’s Acquisition Process and Strategy
Star’s current acquisition strategy involves the acquisition of small and medium size businesses in various industries, with an initial focus on industries associated with the defense sector, including but not limited to industrial machinery and application, manufacturing, transportation, information technology, and aerospace, that we expect will produce positive, stable earnings, and provide attractive returns on our invested capital. As part of its evaluation of whether it will acquire a particular business, it will perform a comprehensive due diligence review to determine the quality and intrinsic value of the targeted company. Star will also seek to identify operational inefficiencies which it would expect to resolve, post-closing, by implementing streamlined processes, optimizing resource allocation, and leveraging innovative solutions with the objective of enhancing overall productivity and effectiveness of such companies. Its due diligence typically includes an analysis of the target Company’s financial statements, detailed document reviews, meetings with current management, consultations with relevant industry experts, competitors, suppliers, and customers, and any other information gathering that we deem appropriate in conducting a comprehensive analysis.
Star believes that the defense sector is poised to experience significant growth in the next few years due to the increasing number of violent conflicts in the world, which may cause an increase in direct demand for defense solutions from conflict participants and their allies. Star also anticipate seeing indirect, additional defense industry growth for, as we have observed, countries not involved in or participating in conflicts tend to increase their defense budgets and spending in anticipation of additional future conflicts in which they may become involved. It is Star’s belief that acquiring companies in the defense sector will help us establish a unique marketing network and build expertise in the greater defense sector, thus enabling us to cross-sell products to our large customers and facilitate higher success rates in our sales efforts.
According to Star’s industry specific market research and analysis, and the network and knowledge of its management team, it is Star’s expectation that attractive opportunities are likely to emerge as private sector owners aim to grow their businesses through scaling or by forming outside partnerships to add value. Star’s value-add proposition involves partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs, acquiring their companies, and guiding them by providing the funding and resources they will need to become global enterprises. Star believes that through this approach Star will be more likely to identify and attract potential and appropriate targets for acquisition. Star also believe that the greatest opportunities for consistent annual returns and residual returns on capital from its acquisitions lie in targeting businesses in niche geographical markets with a competitive edge in the defense, government, and military sectors, especially in the U.S. and Israel. While Star expects its management team will be most effective working with the types of businesses described above, Star will also consider acquiring businesses outside of these industries and sectors as long as any such businesses are congruent with our acquisition strategy.
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Pursuant to the acquisition strategy, Star will seek to structure its transactions such that each of the businesses it acquires will become its wholly owned or controlled subsidiary. However, Star may also close acquisitions that result in its ownership of an entity being less than 100%, to meet certain objectives of the target management team or their then-existing stockholders, or for other strategic reasons; provided that Star will always acquire more than 50% of the outstanding voting control of any target, or otherwise obtain a controlling interest in such target.
Star intends to finance acquisitions primarily through the public or private sale of our equity and debt securities. While the success of this financing strategy cannot be guaranteed, the ability to finance future acquisitions through its general capital resources, rather than through acquisition-specific financing, will allow Star to minimize delays and closing conditions, thereby enhancing its ability to acquire attractive businesses. Because the timing and size of future acquisitions cannot be readily predicted, we may need access to funding on short notice to be able to benefit fully from attractive acquisition opportunities.
As part of the acquisition strategy, Star will seek to evaluate each potential target’s management team and operational and financial strengths and weaknesses. It will review and compare identified targets to comparable businesses and conduct in-depth research on each potential target’s industry to enhance our assessment of their financial and operational performance and their growth and success potential. Star will thoroughly negotiate appropriate terms and conditions of any acquisition of a target company that satisfies its acquisition criteria. Some of the future acquisition targets may be financially unstable or in the early stages of development or growth. Even if pre-existing conditions do not negatively impact its decision to acquire a target company, such target may also be subject to numerous other risks inherent in its business and industry, as well as the risks faced by generally by capital markets participants. Although its management team will endeavor to comprehensively evaluate the risks associated with any particular acquisition target, Star cannot assure you that it will properly ascertain, assess, or protect against all significant risk factors.
Valuation and Due Diligence
Star will perform rigorous business operations and financial evaluations of any target businesses (or assets) that it may acquire. During such due diligence, Star intends to evaluate the financial aspects of its acquisition targets using the following metrics:
| ● | discounted cash flow analysis; |
| ● | evaluation of trading values of comparable public companies; |
| ● | expected value matrices; |
| ● | assessment of competitor, supplier, and customer environments; and |
| ● | review and examination of recent/precedent transactions. |
Star expects its target review process will yield two outcomes, (1) an accurate projection of expected cash flows, and (2) an understanding of the types and levels of risk associated with those projections. While future performance and projections are always uncertain, Star believes that its detailed target company review process will enable us to effectively evaluate the prospects and upside of any given acquisition opportunity. Additionally, to assist Star in identifying material risks and validating key assumptions in our financial and operational analysis, Star will engage third-party experts to review key risk areas, including legal, tax, regulatory, accounting, insurance and environmental. Star may also engage technical, operational or industry consultants, as necessary.
Star also engages in an extensive evaluation of each target’s existing management team, including a focus on recent performance, expertise, experience, culture, and performance incentives. Where necessary, and consistent with our management strategy, following the acquisition of a target company, we will actively seek to augment, supplement, or replace existing members of target company management who we believe are not likely to properly execute our business plan for the target. Star also analyzes and evaluates the operational and financial systems of each target business and, when necessary, post-acquisition, we will actively seek to enhance and improve those existing systems that are deemed to be inadequate or insufficient to support our business plan for the target business.
Financing
Star expects to finance acquisitions primarily through additional equity and debt offerings. Although Star cannot guarantee that it will be successful with this strategy, Star believes that having the ability to finance particular future acquisitions with the general capital resources raised by the company will provide us with an advantage in acquiring attractive businesses by minimizing delay and closing conditions that are often related to acquisition-specific financings. In this respect, Star believes that, in the future, it will need to pursue access to additional capital via debt or equity offerings to successfully fund and execute our business and acquisition strategy.
Competition
In identifying, evaluating, and selecting potential target businesses for its acquisition strategy, Star may encounter intense competition from other entities that have business objectives similar to Star, including blank check companies such as SPACs, leveraged buyout funds, operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions, and private equity groups. Many of these entities are well-established and well-financed and may have greater experience identifying and effecting acquisitions directly or indirectly. These competitors may possess greater financial, technical, human, and other resources than we do. Star’s ability to acquire larger target businesses in our target sectors will be limited by its available financial resources. Star’s inherent financial limitations may provide others with an advantage to pursue the acquisition of one or more of its identified target businesses. Any of these factors may place Star at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating acquisitions.
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Competitive Advantages
Star believes that its Manager’s collective investment experience and approach to executing its investment strategy will enable it to have several competitive advantages. Star’s competitive strengths that differentiate Star from other acquisition holding companies include:
| ● | Specialization in the Military and Defense sector. Star believes that its focus on the military and defense sectors will enable it to be competitive. This industry may be undergoing a significant transformation as government acquisition processes and new policy incentives align to prioritize national security objectives and promote the adoption of new commercial technologies for military use. In addition, the combination of governments of multiple countries having a need for new, advanced technologies to combat modern threats, along with changing warfare tactics, is driving this specific demand. We believe we are uniquely positioned to enter and succeed as an acquisition holding company in this industry. |
| ● | International and Sector-Specific Expertise. Mr. Shalom, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Star, has operated businesses internationally, including in Israel. His extensive international experience and knowledge of Israeli business operations, along with a broad network of contacts, provide us with a competitive advantage. This network can assist Star in identifying new acquisition targets, finding suitable managers, and securing international capital. Additionally, its directors and executive officers bring executive, investment, and operational experience in managing and growing small and middle-market companies in the defense sector. Star believes this combined expertise gives it a significant edge in evaluating future business and acquisition opportunities. |
| ● | Value Proposition for Business Owners. Star employs a creative, flexible approach by tailoring each acquisition structure to meet the specific liquidity needs and certain qualitative objectives of a target’s owners and management team. Star is open to providing a complete exit strategy to its sellers or providing opportunities to retain incumbent management. In this effort, Star believes that its company is an appealing buyer for small business owners and managers. As a result, Star believes business owners and managers will find it to be a dynamic, value-added buyer that brings resources to achieve their strategic, capital and operating needs, resulting in value creation for the operating subsidiary. |
Human Capital
Star has one full-time employee. As indicated below, Star’s operating subsidiary Rimon employs 14 people: three technicians, two engineers, two assembly workers, three sales employees, one customer support employee, one financial bookkeeper, and two management employees. None of our employees or any of our subsidiary’s employees are represented by labor unions, and we believe that we have an excellent relationship with such employees.
Sales and Marketing
Star markets its generators, masts, lightning and utility vehicles through our websites and by working with our internal sales team that offers relevant off-the-shelf or tailor-made solutions based on specific client needs and requests. In the future, Star intends to utilize numerous avenues to promote its business, including digital marketing across social media channels, Web3 reservation systems, and various modes of advertisements.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, Star and its subsidiaries may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. We are not currently aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
Government Regulation
The following is a list of government regulations which may apply to Star now or in the future as it continues to carry out its business:
| ● | Approval of U.S. and Other Defense Acquisitions. Many countries, including Israel, require governmental approval of acquisitions of local defense companies or assets by foreign entities. Mergers and acquisitions of defense-related and other potentially sensitive businesses in the U.S. are subject to the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA). Under FIRRMA, its future acquisitions of defense-related and other potentially sensitive businesses in the U.S., if any, may require review, and in some cases approval, by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS). CFIUS has the authority to impose additional restrictions through National Security Agreements (NSA) as part of its review and approval of the acquisitions. |
| ● | Procurement Regulations. Solicitations for procurement by governmental purchasing agencies in Israel, the U.S. and other countries are governed by laws, regulations and procedures such as those relating to procurement integrity, including due diligence, avoiding conflicts of interest and corruption, and meeting information assurance and cyber-security requirements. Such regulations also include provisions relating to the avoidance of human trafficking and counterfeit parts in the supply chain. In view of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, various countries and organizations have adopted specific sanctions and regulations to restrict, among other things, the use of certain goods and technologies originating from Russia. Similarly, the United Stated has adopted specific regulations to restrict, among other things, the procurement of goods or services from specific Chinese entities. Such regulations may apply to us as well as to our supply chain. |
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| ● | Anti-Bribery/Corruption Regulations. Star may conduct operations in a number of markets that are considered high risk from an anti-bribery/anti-corruption compliance perspective. Laws and regulations such as the Israel Penal Code, the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and corresponding legislation in other countries, prohibit providing personal benefits or bribes to government officials in connection with the governmental procurement process. Israeli defense exporters are required to maintain and follow an anti-bribery/corruption compliance program. |
| ● | Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Regulations. Certain data relating to employees, customers and supply chain that we may receive and maintain, now or in the future, directly or indirectly, is subject to data privacy regulations, including those of the European General Data Privacy Regulation and corresponding Israeli legislation. There has also been an increased focus on cybersecurity, as global privacy, cybersecurity and data protection-related laws and regulations are evolving, extensive, and complex. Star may also be required to comply with expanding and increasingly complex cybersecurity regulations and guidelines in the United States, Israel and elsewhere with respect to reporting adverse events and additional requirements for avoiding or responding to an adverse event. |
| ● | Audit Regulations. In the future, the Israeli Ministry of Defense may audit the books and records of our Israeli defense contractor subsidiaries. Such books and records and other aspects of projects related to U.S. defense contracts, if any, will also be subject to audit by U.S. government audit agencies. Such audits review compliance with government contracting cost accounting and other applicable standards. If discrepancies are found this could result in a downward adjustment of the applicable contract’s price as well as potential penalties. Some other customers have similar rights under specific regulations or contract provisions. |
| ● | Competition Laws. Competition laws and regulations in Israel, the U.S. and other countries often require governmental approvals for transactions that are considered to limit competition. Such transactions may include the formation of joint venture entities, cooperative agreements for specific programs or areas, as well as mergers and acquisitions. |
| ● | Environmental, Health and Safety Regulations. Star may become subject to a variety of environmental, health and safety laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we have operations. This potentially includes regulations relating to air, water and ground contamination, hazardous waste disposal and other areas with a potential environmental, health or safety impact. Increased public concern may result in more international, U.S. federal, and/or regional requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of climate change, such as regulating greenhouse gas emissions, policies mandating or promoting the use of renewable or zero-carbon energy and sustainability initiatives, and additional taxes on fuel and energy. Legislation or regulations may be enacted or promulgated in any jurisdiction in which we do business that impose more stringent restrictions and requirements than our current legal or regulatory obligations. In January 2023, the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) came into force, which requires in-scope companies, among other things, to make sustainability reports including certain mandatory disclosures and other voluntary disclosures on impacts, risks, and opportunities in relation to sustainability matters identified as material by the relevant entity. On March 6, 2024, new SEC rules on climate-related disclosure were adopted which may subject us to burdensome and potentially costly emissions and other data gathering and reporting requirements. We will continue to assess the potential impact of the CSRD and SEC rules on our business and subsidiaries, if any. |
B. Rimon Agencies Ltd., Star’s Israeli Defense Business
Star’s defense military technology business is operated by B. Rimon Agencies Ltd., an Israeli limited liability company and our indirect, wholly owned operating subsidiary that it acquired on February 15, 2024.
Through Rimon, Star operates in two primary lines of business:(i) the purchase and sale of generators, masts, and lightning products and solutions, which it acquires through exclusive distributorship agreements with key third-party suppliers. Most of these products are sold to defense, security, and military clients in Israel, including Refeal, the manufacturer of anti-rocket systems like Iron Dome, Israel Aviation Industries and Elbit Systems, two major Israeli defense companies with global reach, the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the Israeli Police, and other security-related entities; and (ii) the engineering, design, production, integration, and maintenance of special tactical vehicles and trailers, including reconnaissance vehicles, mobile command and control vehicles, firefighting trailers, energy and lighting trailers, mobile bank branches, and satellite broadcast mobility platforms which are primarily sold to special defense forces, intelligence agencies, the Israeli Defense Forces, municipalities, and other governmental and security-focused clients.
The Defense Industry
The primary geographic market focus as of the date hereof is Israel where the majority of its customers are located and operate. Star believes that Israel is a heavyweight in the global defense market, primarily due to its advanced military industries, with the country specifically accounting for 2.3% of global military exports (Observer Research Foundation, the strategic and military-technological significance of Israel). Israel was the 10th largest defense exporter from 2018 to 2022, with the U.S. and United Kingdom being among those customers that implemented Israeli defense systems such as the ‘Trophy’ Active Protection system, which creates a neutralization bubble around military vehicles and rapidly detects, classifies and engages all known chemical energy (CE) threats including recoilless rifles, ATGMs, AT rockets, HEAT tank rounds, and RPGs. Israel has a strong missile defense system and is one of few countries with successful experience in a multi-tiered missile defense system. There have also been multiple sales between Israel and national providers of defense technologies. For example, the U.S. approved the sale of David’s Sling, a complete air defense system designed to defeat the full spectrum of long range air and missile threats, by Israel and the private company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., manufacturer of the David’s sling system, to Finland on August 2, 2023, a project that was valued at more than 300 million euros, marking a key development in Israel’s medium-tier missile defense offerings.
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Further, the market size for the defense industry was approximately $76.1 billion in the U.S. in 2022 and is estimated to grow to $184.7 billion by 2027. Further, it is estimated that the compound annual growth rate for the defense technology market will be approximately 15.9% from 2022 to 2027 (PitchBook, Emerging Tech Research). It has also been estimated that approximately $135.3 billion was invested in the defense industry from 2016 to 2022. While we do not currently have any United States operations or customers, and do not have any current plans to enter the United States defense industry, we may and intend to do so in the future via directed sales and marketing efforts, or via the acquisition of complimentary United States defense industry businesses.
Digital RFQ
Through our Digital RFQ subsidiary, we currently aim to provide cross-border payment and transactions solutions to institutional investors, and offer blockchain-enabled financial services solutions to institutional investors in a secure, compliant and globally accessible manner. The blockchain-enabled payment gateway we have developed has the capability to deliver global cross-border transfers of fiat currencies using blockchain rails. Digital RFQ currently offers payment and settlement services, including those utilizing blockchain networks, but does not provide custody or wallet services with respect to digital assets, and does not hold digital assets, reducing the risks and regulatory burden on its business. In future, Digital RFQ plans to offer a white-labelled digital bank with end-to-end digital banking solutions for international business. We are uncertain as to when we will be able to offer these products and intend to evaluate potential strategic opportunities for DigiClear which may include the sale of the assets or a joint venture, of which there is no guarantee. Our competitors in this product category are banks and other financial institutions, and we intend to compete by offering faster and more reliable products using more advanced technology. Products and services offered by Digital RFQ are distributed through our website.
Digital RFQ is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and is in good standing and is and has been in the past in material compliance with the applicable laws, rules and regulations promulgated thereby. Digital RFQ is subject to Anti Money Laundering (“AML”) and Counter Terrorist Finance (“CTF”) regulations consistent with our authorization by the Financial Conduct Authority as an Electronic Money Directive Agent, among others. For a discussion of the various laws and regulations Digital RFQ is subject.
The “blockchain technology” used by Digital RFQ in its payment processing business includes only advanced-stage and fully tested, well-established and fully collateralized stablecoins operated on the Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tron networks. However, in future, we will be free to use other blockchain networks if we determine that they offer more sophisticated or secure technology. Based on our risk assessments, we determine the appropriate network to use for a particular transaction or customer. We do not use stablecoins of an algorithmic nature, and in the event that we determine any particular stablecoin presents a threat or risk to the security of our business, customers or the transactions we process, we promptly move to another stablecoin network. We do not accept payment in digital assets and do not hold digital assets for investment or offer digital wallet services. For a description of the risks associated with the use of blockchain technology in financial services generally, and payment processing specifically.
DigiClear
Through DigiClear, we plan to develop technology that offers a custody and settlement utility operating system aiming to deliver value and a high-functioning automated post-trade solution. DigiClear aims to provide clients with the means to transfer underlying assets to alternative custodians at any time. We intend for DigiClear to use hardware security modules to offer technology that can secure client assets to block any unwanted modification of client settlement instructions or transfers. We expect that the transfer process that DigiClear’s technology will offer will be fully automated, monitored and can be processed within milliseconds. We are uncertain as to when we will be able to offer these products and intend to evaluate potential strategic opportunities for DigiClear which may include the sale of the assets or a joint venture, of which there is no guarantee. Our competitors in this product category are banks and other financial institutions and smaller financial technology companies, and we intend to compete by offering faster and more reliable products using more advanced technology. Assuming we are offering DigiClear products and services once commercially developed these will be distributed through our website.
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GSA Agreements
On May 24, 2016, Nukkleus Limited entered into a General Service Agreement to provide its software, technology, customer sales and marketing and risk management technology hardware and software solutions package to FML Malta Ltd. In December 2017, Nukkleus Limited, FML Malta Ltd. and TCM entered into a letter agreement providing that there was an error in drafting the General Service Agreement and acknowledging that the correct counter-party to Nukkleus Limited in the General Service Agreement is TCM. Accordingly, all references to FML Malta Ltd. have been replaced with TCM. TCM is a private limited liability company formed under the laws of Malta. The General Service Agreement entered with TCM provides that TCM will pay Nukkleus Limited at minimum $2,000,000 per month. On October 17, 2017, Nukkleus Limited entered into an amendment of the General Service Agreement with TCM. In accordance with the amendment, which was effective as of October 1, 2017, the minimum amount payable by TCM to Nukkleus Limited for services was reduced from $2,000,000 per month to $1,600,000 per month. Emil Assentato is also the majority member of Max Q Investments LLC (“Max Q”), which is managed by Derivative Marketing Associates Inc. (“DMA”). Mr. Assentato is the sole owner and manager of DMA. Max Q owns 79% of Currency Mountain Malta LLC, which in turn is the sole shareholder of TCM.
In addition, on May 24, 2016, in order to appropriately service TCM, Nukkleus Limited entered into a General Service Agreement with FXDIRECT, which provides that Nukkleus Limited will pay FXDIRECT a minimum of $1,975,000 per month in consideration of providing personnel engaged in operational and technical support, marketing, sales support, accounting, risk monitoring, documentation processing and customer care and support. FXDIRECT may terminate this agreement upon providing 90 days’ written notice. On October 17, 2017, Nukkleus Limited entered into an amendment of the General Service Agreement with FXDIRECT. Pursuant to the amendment, which was effective as of October 1, 2017, the minimum amount payable by Nukkleus Limited to FXDIRECT for services was reduced from $1,975,000 per month to $1,575,000 per month. Currency Mountain Holdings LLC is the sole shareholder of FXDIRECT. Max Q is the majority shareholder of Currency Mountain Holdings LLC. Due to non-payment by TCM under the GSA, the Company has advised TCM that the GSA has been terminated. The Company has historically generated substantially most of its revenue through the services rendered under the GSA.
Due to non-payment by TCM under the GSA, the Company has advised TCM that the GSA has been terminated. The Company has historically generated substantially most of its revenue through the services rendered under the GSA. On September 30, 2024, the Company, TCM and FXDirectDealer LLC (“FXDD”) entered into a Release Agreement pursuant to which the parties confirmed that the GSA between the Company and TCM and the General Services Agreement dated May 24, 2016, as amended (“FXDD GSA”) between the Company and FDDD were terminated effective January 1, 2024. The parties further confirmed that there are no obligations or liabilities outstanding or owed between the parties as of September 30, 2024 and each party released and forever discharged the other party from any and all claims, demands, damages, actions, causes of action, or suits of any kind or nature whatsoever, both known and unknown, which have arisen or may arise from the GSA or the FXDD GSA.
The foregoing descriptions of the terms and conditions of the General Services Agreement with FML Malta Ltd, the amendment to such General Services Agreement, and the General Services Agreement with FXDIRECT are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the applicable agreement, which are filed herewith as Exhibit and incorporated herein by reference.
In addition to the revenues from our General Services Agreement with TCM, Nukkleus received revenue from financial services through Digital RFQ.
Corporate Office
Nukkleus’s principal executive office is 575 Fifth Ave, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10017. Our main telephone number is 212-791-4663.
Employees
We have the equivalent to approximately 12 employees, of which 11 employees work for Digital RFQ and one employee works for Nukkleus.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Risks Related to Nukkleus’s Business
Failure to complete the acquisition of Star may result in paying a termination fee to Star and could harm our common stock price and future business and operations.
If the acquisition of Star is not completed, we are subject to the following risks:
| ● | if the Star Agreement is terminated under specified circumstances, we could be required to pay Star a termination fee of $1.0 million; |
| ● | the price of our common stock may decline and could fluctuate significantly; and |
| ● | costs related to the proposed acquisition, such as legal and accounting fees, a majority of which must be paid even if the agreement is not completed. |
If the Star Agreement is terminated and the board of directors of the Company determines to seek another business combination, there can be no assurance that we will be able to find another third party to transact a business combination with, yielding comparable or greater benefits.
If the conditions to the Star Agreement are not satisfied or waived, the acquisition may not occur.
Even if the Star acquisition is approved by the stockholders of the Company, specified conditions must be satisfied or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, waived to complete the acquisition. These conditions are set forth in the Star Agreement. We cannot assure you that all of the conditions to the consummation of the acquisition will be satisfied or waived. If the conditions are not satisfied or waived, the acquisition may not occur or the closing may be delayed.
We have a limited operating history in an evolving and highly volatile industry, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and may increase the risk that we will not be successful.
Nukkleus, the wholly owned operating subsidiary, was formed in 2013 and since then our business model has continued to evolve. In 2021, we acquired a controlling interest in Match. In 2019, our Digital RFQ indirect subsidiary, and wholly owned subsidiary of Match, began to operate a payment processing business partly using blockchain technology. The comparability of our results in prior quarterly or annual periods should not be viewed as an indication of future performance. The “blockchain technology” used by Digital RFQ in its payment processing business and referred to throughout this annual report is intended to refer to stablecoins operated on the Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tron networks, or such other blockchain networks as Digital RFQ may determine to be reliable and well established in the financial services industry, at an advanced stage and fully tested and collaterialized based on certain criteria summarized below. The blockchain networks used by Digital RFQ in its payment processing business are maintained and operated by third parties.
Because Digital RFQ makes use of blockchain technology only to process payments and does not hold digital assets, the criteria for the adoption and use of any blockchain network may differ from those of investors in stablecoins. Digital RFQ evaluates each blockchain and/or stablecoin on a daily and transaction-by-transaction basis, to minimize any risk associated with the blockchain or stablecoin and to ensure that Digital RFQ can reliably complete the transaction in and out of the stablecoin quickly to minimize such risk. Digital RFQ determines that a blockchain or stablecoin is suitable for use in its payment processing services by assessing the following criteria:
| ● | First, how widely supported is the blockchain stablecoin combination by Digital RFQ’s trading partners, including the banks and financial institutions Digital RFQ uses to support its business. Having sufficient trading partners that support the blockchain or stablecoin means there may be multiple choices of blockchain to use for any given trade. |
| ● | Second, whether there is sufficient liquidity in those partners’ holdings of the stablecoin to ensure Digital RFQ is able to trade in or out without exposure to volatility and price risk. |
To determine whether any blockchain technology meets Digital RFQ’s requirements and is a suitable candidate for use in Digital RFQ’s payment processing business, we assess the following criteria. We monitor these criteria for each blockchain or stablecoin we use regularly on an ongoing basis:
| ● | Market share. Digital RFQ assesses a blockchain or stablecoin’s share of the stablecoin market as a whole and market capitalization from publicly available information. Some stablecoins have been in existence longer than others and may have a larger market share and market capitalization. These factors also have an influence on the market perception of such stablecoins. For example, USDT ‘Tether’ is the most prominent stablecoin measured by market capitalization but has faced auditing issues, while newer products such as GBPT have had professional Big Four auditors from inception but do not have material market share to date and thus would not be perceived or assessed as at an advanced stage or well established. |
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| ● | Auditing and Collateralization. Auditing is paramount to the security and stability of stablecoins and for this reason Digital RFQ will only work with firms that adhere to full collateralization that is independently verified by an outside auditor. Digital RFQ believes that collateralization is key in maturing stablecoins. For example, the UST Terra Luna ‘collapse’ showed that algorithmically-backed stability creates vulnerability to counterparty mismanagement and influence, driven by the difficulty and lack of auditing and intrinsic connection to the Terra network itself. In contrast, collateralized stablecoins such as USDT and USDC are fully backed by reserve fiat currency holdings and can be redeemed by holders for such fiat currency. Digital RFQ also views traditional markets, while much more established, as not completely free of risk since they rely substantially on fractional reserve banking to maintain the market. |
| ● | Counterparty Risk. Digital RFQ assesses counterparty risk in its stablecoin and blockchain selection in the issuer of the stablecoin and its governance and in the banks and financial institutions it uses to source liquidity. Digital RFQ assesses the degree of governance decentralization that may give direct control over funds (as backing, for example) or attack vectors to the governance architecture that could expose control over funds, and determines the degree of counterparty risk from the level of centralization. To assess the degree of centralization, Digital RFQ examines the number of parties controlling the blockchain protocol, the number of holders and the level of founder backing (demonstrated by founders holding a significant amount of the stablecoin). Digital RFQ is able to remain operationally stable throughout any given payment processing transaction due primarily to a robust counterparty infrastructure and minimal exposure to these ‘transit’ legs of the transaction (for more information on the third parties involved in Digital RFQ’s payment processing business, please refer to the section titled “We rely on connectivity to blockchain networks for our Platforms”. |
| ● | Smart Contract Risk. Smart contract risk relates to the technical security of a blockchain or stablecoin based on its underlying code. If one of the supported stablecoins or other digital currencies is compromised, collateral will be affected, thus threatening the solvency of the blockchain protocol. Projects must have undergone audits to be considered. We assess maturity based on the number of days and the number of transactions of the smart contract as a representation of use, community and development. These proxies show how strong the code is. |
However, because Digital RFQ makes use of blockchain technology only to process payments, and does not hold digital assets, we are able to constantly monitor the status of any blockchain network or stablecoin before, during and after a payment is processed, and determine which of the available blockchain networks is suitable for a particular transaction. We therefore do not believe we are exposed to material risks associated with holding stablecoins or other digital assets. Furthermore, we do not use stablecoins of an algorithmic nature, and in the event that we determine any particular stablecoin presents a threat or risk to the security of our business, customers or the transactions we process, we promptly move to another stablecoin network. We do not accept payment in digital assets and do not hold digital assets for investment or offer digital wallet services.
Because we have a limited history operating our business at its current scale and scope, it is difficult to evaluate our current business and future prospects, including our ability to plan for and model future growth. For example, recently launched services require substantial resources and there is no guarantee that such expenditures will result in profit or growth of our business. The rapidly evolving nature of the market in which we operate, substantial uncertainty concerning how these markets may develop, and other economic factors beyond our control, reduces our ability to accurately forecast quarterly or annual revenue. Failure to manage our current and future growth effectively could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
If we do not effectively manage our growth and the associated demands on our operational, risk management, sales and marketing, technology, compliance and finance and accounting resources, our business may be adversely impacted.
In our recent acquisitions, including our acquisition of Match and our proposed acqisition of Star, our business has become increasingly complex by expanding the services we offer to include financial services and payment processing services. To effectively manage and capitalize on our growth, we must continue to expand our information technology and financial, operating, and administrative systems and controls, and continue to manage headcount, capital, and processes efficiently. Our continued growth could strain our existing resources, and we could experience ongoing operating difficulties in managing our business as it expands across numerous jurisdictions, including difficulties in hiring, training, and managing an employee base. Failure to scale and preserve our company culture with growth could harm our future success, including our ability to retain and recruit personnel and to effectively focus on and pursue our corporate objectives. If we do not adapt to meet these evolving challenges, or if our management team does not effectively scale with our growth, we may experience erosion to our brand, the quality of our products and services may suffer, and our company culture may be harmed. Moreover, the failure of our systems and processes could undermine our ability to provide accurate, timely, and reliable reports on our financial and operating results, including the financial statements provided herein, and could impact the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, our systems and processes may not prevent or detect all errors, omissions, or fraud, though we have experienced no such material errors, omissions or fraud in the past. For example, our employees may fail to identify transaction errors or fraudulent information provided by our customers. Any of the foregoing operational failures could lead to noncompliance with laws, loss of operating licenses or other authorizations, or loss of bank relationships that could substantially impair or even suspend company operations.
We intend to continue to develop our technology, in particular our blockchain-enabled payment processing offering. Successful implementation of this strategy may require significant expenditures before any substantial associated revenue is generated and we cannot guarantee that these increased investments will result in corresponding and offsetting revenue growth. Our growth may not be sustainable and depends on our ability to retain existing customers, attract new customers, expand product offerings, and increase processed volumes and revenue from both new and existing customers.
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The future growth of our business depends on its ability to retain existing customers, attract new customers as well as getting existing customers and new customers to increase the volumes processed through our payments platform and therefore grow revenue. Our customers are not subject to any minimum volume commitments and they have no obligation to continue to use our services, and we cannot be sure that customers will continue to use our services or that we will be able to continue to attract new volumes at the same rate as we have in the past.
A customer’s use of our services may decrease for a variety of reasons, including the customer’s level of satisfaction with our products and services, the expansion of business to offer new products and services, the effectiveness of our support services, the pricing of our products and services, the pricing, range and quality of competing products or services, the effects of global economic conditions, regulatory or financial institution limitations, trust, perception and interest in foreign exchange and payment processing services and in our products and services, or reductions in the customer’s payment and transfer activity. Furthermore, the complexity and costs associated with switching to a competitor may not be significant enough to prevent a customer from switching service providers, especially for larger customers who commonly engage more than one payment service provider at any one time.
Any failure by us to retain existing customers, attract new customers, and increase revenue from both new and existing customers could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. These efforts may require substantial financial expenditures, commitments of resources, developments of our processes, and other investments and innovations.
We face intense and increasing competition and, if we do not compete effectively, our competitive positioning and our operating results will be harmed.
We operate in a rapidly changing and highly competitive industry, and our results of operations and future prospects depend on, among other things:
| ● | the growth of our customer base, |
| ● | our ability to monetize our customer base, |
| ● | our ability to acquire customers at a lower cost, and |
| ● | our ability to increase the overall value to us of each of our customers while they use our products and services. |
Despite the regulatory barriers to enter the markets we serve, we expect our competition to continue to increase. In addition to established enterprises, we may also face competition from early-stage companies attempting to capitalize on the same, or similar, opportunities as we are. Some of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, particularly with respect to our digital financial services products, significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources, and a larger customer base than we do. This allows them, among others, to potentially offer more competitive pricing or other terms or features, a broader range of digital financial products, or a more specialized set of specific products or services, as well as respond more quickly than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer preferences.
Our existing or future competitors may develop products or services that are similar to our products and services or that achieve greater market acceptance than our products and services. This could attract new customers away from our services and reduce our market share in the future. Additionally, when new competitors seek to enter our markets, or when existing market participants seek to increase their market share, these competitors sometimes undercut, or otherwise exert pressure on, the pricing terms prevalent in that market, which could adversely affect our market share and/or ability to capitalize on new market opportunities.
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We currently compete at multiple levels with a variety of competitors, including:
| ● | payment platforms; |
| ● | banks and non-bank financial institutions (including without limitation those using the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) payment system); and |
| ● | foreign exchange and derivative, including contract for difference (“CFD”), transfer processors. |
Because we do not currently control a bank or a bank holding company, we may be subject to regulation by a variety of state, federal and international regulators across our products and services and we rely on third-party banks to provide payment-processing services to our customers. This regulation by federal, state and international authorities increases our compliance costs, as we navigate multiple regimes with different examination schedules and processes and varying disclosure requirements.
We believe that our ability to compete depends upon many factors, both within and beyond our control, including the following:
| ● | the size, diversity and activity levels of our customer base; |
| ● | the timing and market acceptance of products and services, including developments and enhancements to those products and services offered by us and our competitors; |
| ● | customer service and support efforts; |
| ● | selling and marketing efforts; |
| ● | the ease of use, performance, price and reliability of solutions developed either by us or our competitors; |
| ● | changes in economic conditions, regulatory and policy developments; |
| ● | our ability to successfully execute on our business plans; |
| ● | our ability to enter new markets; |
| ● | general digital payments, capital markets, blockchain and stablecoin market conditions; |
| ● | the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and |
| ● | our brand strength relative to our competitors. |
Our current and future business prospects demand that we act to meet these competitive challenges but, in doing so, our revenue and results of operations could be adversely affected if we, for example, increase marketing expenditures or make other expenditures. All of the foregoing factors and events could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and future prospects.
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Cyberattacks and security breaches of our systems, or those impacting our customers or third parties, could adversely impact our brand and reputation and our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our business involves the collection, storage, processing and transmission of confidential information, customer, employee, service provider and other personal data, as well as information required to access customer assets. We have built our reputation on the premise that our products and services offer customers a secure way to accept and make payments and store value. As a result, any actual or perceived security breach of us or our third-party partners may:
| ● | harm our reputation and brand; |
| ● | result in our systems or services being unavailable and interrupt our operations; |
| ● | result in improper disclosure of data and violations of applicable privacy and other laws; |
| ● | result in significant regulatory scrutiny, investigations, fines, penalties, and other legal, regulatory and financial exposure; |
| ● | cause us to incur significant remediation costs; |
| ● | lead to theft or irretrievable loss of our or our customers’ assets; |
| ● | reduce customer confidence in, or decreased use of, our products and services; |
| ● | divert the attention of management from the operation of our business; |
| ● | result in significant compensation or contractual penalties from us to our customers or third parties as a result of losses to them or claims by them; and |
| ● | adversely affect our business and operating results. |
Further, any actual or perceived breach or cybersecurity attack directed at other financial institutions or blockchain companies, whether or not we are directly impacted, could lead to a general loss of customer confidence in the use of technology to conduct financial transactions, which could negatively impact us including the market perception of the effectiveness of our security measures and technology infrastructure.
An increasing number of organizations, including large businesses, technology companies and financial institutions, as well as government institutions, have disclosed breaches of their information security systems, some of which have involved sophisticated and highly targeted attacks, including on their websites, mobile applications, and infrastructure. Attacks upon systems across a variety of industries, including the payment processing, forex and CFD industry, are increasing in their frequency, persistence, and sophistication, and, in many cases, are being conducted by sophisticated, well-funded, and organized groups and individuals, including state actors. The techniques used to obtain unauthorized, improper, or illegal access to systems and information (including customers’ personal data and digital assets), disable or degrade services, or sabotage systems are constantly evolving, may be difficult to detect quickly, and often are not recognized or detected until after they have been launched against a target. These attacks may occur on our systems or those of our third-party service providers or partners. Certain types of cyberattacks could harm us even if our systems are left undisturbed. For example, attacks may be designed to deceive employees and service providers into releasing control of our systems to a hacker, while others may aim to introduce computer viruses or malware into our systems with a view to stealing confidential or proprietary data. Additionally, certain threats are designed to remain dormant or undetectable until launched against a target and we may not be able to implement adequate preventative measures.
Although we do not have a past history of material security breaches or cyberattacks, and do not believe we are a target of such breaches or attacks, we have developed systems and processes designed to protect the data we manage, prevent data loss and other security breaches, effectively respond to known and potential risks. We expect to continue to expend significant resources to bolster these protections, but there can be no assurance that these security measures will provide absolute security or prevent breaches or attacks. Threats can come from a variety of sources, including criminal hackers, hacktivists, state-sponsored intrusions, industrial espionage, and insiders. Certain threat actors may be supported by significant financial and technological resources, making them even more sophisticated and difficult to detect. As a result, our costs and the resources we devote to protecting against these advanced threats and their consequences may increase over time.
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Although we maintain insurance coverage that we believe is adequate for our business, it may be insufficient to protect us against all losses and costs stemming from security breaches, cyberattacks, and other types of unlawful activity, or any resulting disruptions from such events. Outages and disruptions of our systems, including any caused by cyberattacks, may harm our reputation and our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Any significant disruption in our technology could adversely impact our brand and reputation and our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Our reputation and ability to grow our business depends on our ability to operate our service at high levels of reliability, scalability, and performance, including the ability to process and monitor, on a daily basis, a large number of transactions that occur at high volume and frequencies across multiple systems. The proper functioning of our products and services, the ability of our customers to make and receive payments, and our ability to operate at a high level, are dependent on our ability to access the blockchain networks underlying our Platforms and other supported blockchain-based products and technology, for which access is dependent on our systems’ ability to access the internet. Further, the successful and continued operations of such blockchain networks will depend on a network of computers, miners, or validators, and their continued operations, all of which may be impacted by service interruptions.
Our systems, the systems of our third-party service providers and partners, and certain blockchain networks, have experienced from time to time and may experience in the future service interruptions or degradation because of hardware and software defects or malfunctions, distributed denial-of-service and other cyberattacks, insider threats, break-ins, sabotage, human error, vandalism, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, and other natural disasters, power losses, disruptions in telecommunications services, fraud, military or political conflicts, terrorist attacks, computer viruses or other malware, or other events. In addition, extraordinary site usage could cause our computer systems to operate at an unacceptably slow speed or even fail. Some of our systems, including systems of companies we have acquired, or the systems of our third-party service providers and partners are not fully redundant, and our or their disaster recovery planning may not be sufficient for all possible outcomes or events.
If any of our systems, or those of our third-party service providers, are disrupted for any reason, our products and services may fail, resulting in unanticipated disruptions, slower response times and delays in our services, including our customers’ payments through our Platforms. This could lead to failed or unauthorized payments, incomplete or inaccurate accounting, loss of customer information, increased demand on limited customer support resources, customer claims, and complaints with regulatory organizations, lawsuits, or enforcement actions.
A prolonged interruption in the availability or reduction in the availability, speed, or functionality of our products and services could harm our business. Frequent or persistent interruptions in our services could cause current or potential customers or partners to believe that our systems are unreliable, leading them to switch to our competitors or to avoid or reduce the use of our products and services, and could permanently harm our reputation and brands.
Moreover, to the extent that any system failure or similar event results in damages to our customers or their business partners, these customers or partners could seek significant compensation or contractual penalties from us for their losses, and those claims, even if unsuccessful, are likely to be time-consuming and costly for us to address. Problems with the reliability or security of our systems would harm our reputation, and damage to our reputation and the cost of remedying these problems could negatively affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
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In addition, we are continually improving and upgrading our information systems and technologies. Implementation of new systems and technologies is complex, expensive, time-consuming, and may not be successful. If we fail to timely and successfully implement new information systems and technologies, or improvements or upgrades to existing information systems and technologies, or if such systems and technologies do not operate as intended, it could have an adverse impact on our business, internal controls (including internal controls over financial reporting), operating results, and financial condition.
Because we are subject to regulation in certain jurisdictions, frequent or persistent interruptions could also lead to regulatory scrutiny, significant fines and penalties, and mandatory and costly changes to our business practices, and ultimately could cause us to lose existing licenses or banking relationships that we need to operate, or prevent or delay us from obtaining additional licenses that may be required for our business.
We rely on third parties in critical aspects of our business, which creates additional risk. Our ability to offer our services depends on relationships with other financial services institutions and entities, and our inability to maintain existing relationships or to enter into new such relationships could impact our ability to offer services to customers.
We depend on various third-party partners and payment systems. More specifically, our offering of payments and transfer services depends on our ability to offer blockchain transaction processing, Automated Clearing House network (“ACH”) transaction processing, wire transfer and other payment processing services to our customers.
In order to provide such transaction processing services, we have established relationships with financial institutions whereby such financial institutions provide us with access into the relevant payment networks (e.g., the card networks and the ACH). Our ability to offer our core services depends on our ability to maintain existing relationships with financial institutions and to seek out and obtain new such relationships.
Also, critical aspects of our technology rely on third-party technologies, including blockchain networks. Our regulatory status, the status of our Platforms and of blockchain technologies more generally, may be an impediment to our ability to receive or obtain services from financial institutions. Should our partners cease providing access to such technologies and networks, we would be at risk of being unable to provide the payment processing services that are core to our customer offering.
Third parties upon which we rely to process transactions may refuse to process transactions adequately, may breach their agreements with us, refuse to renew agreements on commercially reasonable terms, take actions that degrade the functionality of our services, impose additional costs or requirements on us, or give preferential treatment to competitive services or suffer outages in their systems, any of which could disrupt our operations and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Some third parties that provide services to us may have or gain market power and be able to increase their prices to us without competitive constraint. In addition, there can be no assurance that third parties that provide services directly to us will continue to do so on acceptable terms, or at all, or will not suffer from outages to their systems. If any third parties were to stop providing services to us on acceptable terms, we may be unable to procure alternatives from other third parties in a timely and efficient manner and on acceptable terms, or at all, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We are subject to credit risks in respect of counterparties, including financial institutions.
We are and will continue to be subject to the risk of actual or perceived deterioration of the commercial and financial soundness, or perceived soundness, of other financial institutions, in particular in relation to receivables from financial institutions regarding settled payment transactions, and cash and cash-equivalents held at financial institutions. One institution defaulting, failing a stress test or requiring mail-in by its shareholders and/or creditors and/or bail-out by a government could lead to significant liquidity problems and losses or defaults by other institutions. Even the perceived lack of creditworthiness of, or questions about, a counterparty or major financial institution may lead to market-wide liquidity problems and losses or defaults by financial institutions on which we have an exposure. This risk resulting from the interdependence on financial institutions is sometimes referred to as “systemic risk” and may adversely affect financial intermediaries, such as industry payment systems and banks, with whom we interact on a daily basis. Systemic risk, particularly within the United States, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise new funding and on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
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Our banking relationships for transaction processing are concentrated in a small number of partners.
We use a small number of banks and financial institutions as banking services providers. Should our relationships with such banks and financial institutions deteriorate, we may be limited in our ability to offer the payment processing services that are core to our offerings. While we have multiple such banking partners and are working to diversify these relationships further, we do not have written agreements with such banks and financial institutions and there remains some risk that, in the short term, our ability to provide payment processing services may be affected by any interruption in the banking services we receive. As such, should our relationships with our existing banking and financial institution partners deteriorate or if such banks and financial institutions make a decision to discontinue the services they provide us, we could lose our ability to process payments, financial transfers and other transactions. In such an event, the value of our services would be negatively impacted and our institutional investor clients could be forced to process smaller transaction volume with us or to cease transaction processing through us entirely.
Certain large customers provide a significant share of our revenue and the termination of such agreements or reduction in business with such customers could harm our business. If we lose or are unable to renew these and other marketplace and enterprise client contracts at favorable terms, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
The largest customer of our FX operations which is no longer operating, TCM, provided significant contribution to our revenue. For the year ended September 30, 2024, our largest customer, TCM, represented 81.1% of our revenue. The agreement with TCM has been terminated which could potentially have an adverse affect on our operations.
Our products and services may be exploited to facilitate illegal activity such as fraud, money laundering, gambling, tax evasion, and scams. If any of our customers use our products or services to further such illegal activities, we could be subject to liability and our business could be adversely affected. Our efforts to detect and monitor such transactions for compliance with law may require significant costs, and our failure to effectively deal with bad, fraudulent or fictitious transactions and material internal or external fraud could negatively impact our business.
We may in the future be subject to liability for illegal transactions, including fraudulent payments initiated by our customers, money laundering, gambling, tax evasion, and scams. Examples of fraud include when a party knowingly uses stolen or otherwise illicitly acquired access information to a transaction. In addition, we are subject to the risk that our employees, counterparties or third-party service providers commit fraudulent activity against us or our customers.
Criminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods to engage in illegal activities such as counterfeiting, account takeover and fraud. It is possible that incidents of fraud could increase in the future. The use of our products or services for illegal or improper purposes could subject us to claims, individual and class action lawsuits, and government and regulatory investigations, prosecutions, enforcement actions, inquiries, or requests that could result in liability and reputational harm for us. In addition, our efforts to detect and monitor such transactions for compliance with law may require significant costs.
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Moreover, certain activities that may be legal in one jurisdiction may be illegal in another jurisdiction, and certain activities that are at one time legal may in the future be deemed illegal in the same jurisdiction. As a result, there is significant uncertainty and cost associated with detecting and monitoring transactions for compliance with local laws. In the event that a customer is found responsible for intentionally or inadvertently violating the laws in any jurisdiction, we may be subject to governmental inquiries, enforcement actions, prosecuted, or otherwise held secondarily liable for aiding or facilitating such activities. Changes in law have also increased the penalties for money transmitters, e-money issuers, broker-dealers and alternative trading systems for certain illegal activities, and government authorities may consider increased or additional penalties from time to time. Owners of intellectual property rights or government authorities may seek to bring legal action against us for involvement in the sale of infringing or allegedly infringing items. Any threatened or resulting claims could result in reputational harm, and any resulting liabilities, loss of transaction volume, or increased costs could harm our business.
Moreover, while fiat currencies can be used to facilitate illegal activities, blockchain technologies, such those used in our Platforms are relatively new and, in many jurisdictions, may be lightly regulated or largely unregulated. Many blockchains have characteristics such as the speed with which digital asset transactions can be conducted, the ability to conduct transactions without the involvement of regulated intermediaries, the ability to engage in transactions across multiple jurisdictions, the irreversible nature of certain blockchain transactions, and encryption technology that anonymizes these transactions, which may make blockchain technology susceptible to use in illegal activity.
U.S. federal and state and foreign regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies, such as the Department of Justice, the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, The Federal Trade Commission, the IRS and various state securities and financial regulators investigate, issue subpoenas and civil investigative demands, and take legal action against persons and entities alleged to be engaged in fraudulent schemes or other illicit activity involving blockchain technologies.
While we believe that our risk management and compliance framework is designed to detect significant illicit activities conducted by our potential or existing customers, we cannot ensure that we will be able to detect all illegal activity on our systems. If any of our customers use our products and services to further such illegal activities, our business could be adversely affected. We have not detected any material illicit activities in the past.
Our risk management and compliance framework is key to our operations and is designed to address Anti Money Laundering (“AML”) and Counter Terrorist Finance (“CTF”) considerations consistent with our authorization by the Financial Conduct Authority as an Electronic Money Directive Agent, among others. The key elements of the regulatory framework that impact us include, but are not limited to, the following U.K. legislation:
| ● | The European Union 5th and 6th Money Laundering Directives. The main components of the 5th Money Laundering Directive was to (i) grant access to the general public to beneficial ownership information of EU based companies; (ii) requires regulated entities to consult the beneficial ownership register when performing AML due diligence; (iii) obliges EU member states to create a list of national public offices and functions that qualify as politically exposed persons (PEP); and (iv) introduces strict enhanced due diligence measures for financial flows from high risk third countries. The 6th Money Laundering Directive introduced a harmonized list of 22 predicate offences that constitute money laundering and expanded its regulatory scope and criminal definition to include “aiding and abetting”. Regulated entities such as Digital RFQ are required to ensure that their AML/CFT programs address those offences. Criminal liability for those laundering money has been extended to legal persons, which means that organizations can be punished for offences committed by the people that work for them. The change means that responsibility for corporate criminal conduct falls on management personnel in addition to individual employees. |
| ● | The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer), Regulation 2017. |
| ● | Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Digital RFQ is required to ensure sufficient controls are in place to enable its employees to recognize money laundering. |
| ● | Terrorism Act 2000 and Counter Terrorism Act 2008. Digital RFQ is required to ensure sufficient controls are in place so that the firm can recognise terrorist financing. |
| ● | Fraud Act 2006. Digital RFQ is required to ensure controls are in place to identify the risk of both internal and external fraud and the necessary controls are implemented. |
| ● | Bribery Act 2010. Digital RFQ is required to ensure controls are in place to identify the risk of bribery and corruption and the necessary controls are implemented. |
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The primary objectives in establishing our AML/CTF policy are to:
| ● | Conduct regular assessments to continually understand the money laundering and terrorist financing (“ML/TF”) risks associated with our business activities; |
| ● | Prevent Digital RFQ’s services from being used for tax evasion purposes; |
| ● | Ensure Digital RFQ has appropriate controls to mitigate the ML/TF and tax evasion risks faced by the business; |
| ● | Establish minimum standards of customer due diligence to be obtained for all entities we conduct business with, including to: |
| ● | Identify and verify legal existence; |
| ● | Understand who are the natural persons that ultimately own or control the entity; |
| ● | Understand the risks posed by higher risks clients, business relationships or transactions; and |
| ● | Establish standards to allow us to identify unusual or potential suspicious behavior and report suspicions of ML/TF or other financial crime, as advised by law. |
DigitalRFQ’s risk-based approach to AML/CTF is driven by the clients risk rating. DigitalRFQ operates a three-tiered classification of a potential client relationship:
| 1. | Low Risk — applying simplified due diligence of customers |
| 2. | Medium Risk — applying standard client due diligence |
| 3. | High Risk — applying enhanced due diligence |
Standard customer due diligence is conducted on the majority of customers, who present a normal level of risk. Where enough low risk factors from the customer are identified, Digital RFQ employs simplified due diligence, which is a light touch approach involving less stringent checks. Conversely, if high risk factors are identified, then the firm employs enhanced due diligence, which involves a thorough ‘deep dive’ review of the customer. These customers, if approved, are then subject to ongoing monitoring.
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Simplified due diligence is for customers who present a very low risk:
| 1. | Timing — the general rule is to verify identity before the establishment of a business relationship. However, there is now an exemption to this if there is little risk of money laundering. With simplified due diligence, the verification can take place later, so we do not interrupt the normal flow of business, provided that the verification is completed as soon as practicable after contact is first established. |
| 2. | Electronic — a customer’s identification can be based purely on electronic identification if the verification software used is of sufficient, accredited standard and that they can corroborate some of the information obtained with the customer. This could even be the case in some non-face-to-face relationships, if there are sufficient low risk factors in place. |
| 3. | Documentation — this can be done with one document only and need not be independently certified. |
Enhanced due diligence is followed in all circumstances where a customer is identified as high-risk, and this involves seven specific tasks:
| 1. | Conduct enhanced monitoring of the business relationship by increasing the number and timing of controls applied, and selecting patterns of transactions that need further examination. |
| 2. | Obtaining additional information about the customer. |
| 3. | Capturing additional information about the intended nature of the business relationship. |
| 4. | Finding out about the source of the funds or wealth of the customer. |
| 5. | Understanding the reasons for the intended or performed transactions. |
| 6. | Getting the approval of senior management for continuing the business relationship. |
| 7. | Requiring the first payment to be carried out through an account in the customer’s name with a bank subject to similar customer due diligence standards. |
Digital RFQ performs a customer risk assessment to determine whether a specific customer is high, medium or low risk and will take into consideration the customer type, their geographic location and the product or service being provided. When assessing the risk, Digital RFQ considers the following risk factors:
| Risk Type | High Risk Factors | Low Risk Factors | ||
| Customer | The business relationship is conducted in unusual circumstances
Customers that are resident in jurisdictions considered to present a ‘higher’ risk
Legal persons or arrangements that are personal asset-holding vehicles Companies that have nominee shareholders or shares in bearer form
Businesses that are cash-intensive
The ownership structure of the company appears unusual or excessively complex given the nature of the company’s business |
Public companies listed on a stock exchange and subject to disclosure requirements (either by stock exchange rules or through law or enforceable means), which impose requirements to ensure adequate transparency of beneficial ownership
Public administrations or enterprises Customers that are resident in jurisdictions considered to present a ‘lower’ risk
| ||
| Geographic Location | Countries identified by credible sources as not having effective anti-money laundering (AML) or Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) systems (such as mutual evaluations, detailed assessment reports or published follow-up reports)
Countries identified by credible sources as having significant levels of corruption or other criminal activity
Countries subject to sanctions, embargos or similar measures issued by, for example, the European Union or the United Nations
Countries providing funding or support for terrorist activities, or that have designated terrorist organisations operating within their country |
EU Member States
Third leg countries having effective AML/CFT systems
Third leg countries identified by credible sources as having a low level of corruption or other criminal activity
Third leg countries which, on the basis of credible sources such as mutual evaluations, detailed assessment reports or published follow-up reports, have requirements to combat money laundering and terrorist financing consistent with the revised FATF recommendations and effectively implement those requirements
|
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| Risk Type | High Risk Factors | Low Risk Factors | ||
| Product or Service | Products or transactions that might favour anonymity | Life insurance policies for which the premium is low | ||
| Non-face-to-face business relationships or transactions, without certain safeguards, such as electronic signatures | Insurance policies for pension schemes, if there is no early surrender option and the policy cannot be used as collateral | |||
Payments received from unknown or un-associated third parties
New products and new business practices |
Financial products or services that provide appropriately defined and limited services to certain types of customers, so as to increase access for financial inclusion purposes |
Digital RFQ undertakes ongoing monitoring regardless of the customer risk level and whether the onboarding process involved simple, standard or enhanced due diligence. This is carried out using a risk-based approach that focuses on reviewing customer data and monitoring transactions:
| Low risk factors | Normal risk factors | High risk factors | ||
| Simplified Due Diligence at onboarding, with ongoing DD monitoring conducted on a real-time suspicion basis only. | Standard Due Diligence at onboarding and then real time transaction checks as well as full customer review every couple of years. | Enhanced Due Diligence at onboarding and then real time transaction checks as well as retrospective transaction checks on a monthly basis. A full customer review every 6 months. | ||
| All checks with regards to Peps, Sanctions and adverse media take place and are refreshed every 6 months. | All checks with regards to Peps, Sanctions and adverse media take place and are refreshed every 3 months or every transaction in some circumstances. | All checks with regards to Peps, Sanctions and adverse media take place and are reviewed every transaction that takes place. | ||
| Transaction monitoring on a daily basis | Transaction monitoring on a daily basis | Transaction monitoring on a daily basis | ||
| Wallet verification and analysis when we whitelist the wallet | Wallet verification and analysis every transaction | Wallet verification and analysis on a regular basis | ||
| KYC refresh every 12 months for updated KYC for Directors, Shareholders, UBO’s | KYC refresh every 6 months for updated KYC for Directors, Shareholders, UBO’s | KYC refresh every 3 months for updated KYC for Directors, Shareholders, UBO’s | ||
| 6 month review of client and transactions | 6 month review of client and transactions | Monthly review of client and transactions |
| Internal | External | |
Raised by employee to the nominated officer
Suspicious activity is irrespective of amount and derives from red flags that have been identified by the employee throughout the course of their working life
An official Internal SAR form should be completed
Nominated officer decides to authorise or raise an external SAR |
Raised by nominated officer to the National Crime Agency (NCA)
Can contain details identified in internal SAR or from risk assessments
Must wait for approval from NCA to continue
Details of all SARs (internal and external) must be recorded
Company must have documented procedures |
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The client risk rating reflects DRFQ’s assessment of the money laundering and terrorist financing risk the client poses and is determined by a combination of factors including:
| ● | Country risk — Jurisdictions involved with respect to the domicile, operation and control of the client entity and personal links to the beneficial owners and controllers; |
| ● | Sector risk — Links to sectors associated with higher risk corruption or links to sectors that involve significant amounts of cash as certain businesses are considered to present a higher risk of potential financial crime; |
| ● | Entity risk — the legal form of the entity and its level of transparency including ownership and source of wealth; |
| ● | Product or service risk — the nature of the client’s business and the products or services that the client will require as far as can be assessed throughout the relationship and the risk classifications that Digital RFQ has attributed to them; |
| ● | Reputation — any adverse media such as allegations or criminality, frozen assets or concerns of beneficial owner/director integrity; and |
| ● | PEP risk — all client relationships that have one or more PEPs either as their ultimate beneficial owner or a controller will be classified as a PEP relationship or may be designated as high risk. |
| ● | Sanctions risk — individuals and related organizations may have sanctions imposed. |
The above factors have a cumulative effect on risk rating; multiple adverse factors will increase the risk rating of the client and must be referred to compliance for assessment. The client risk rating drives the frequency of periodic reviews. All due diligence is completed inline with our AML policy and procedures and is documented and stored for five years.
Digital RFQ performs an annual risk assessment covering the following risk categories:
| Risk Types | Assessment factors | Information sources | ||
| Product Risk | The inherent financial crime risks presented by the product(s) and services that we are offering — being in financial services we are subject to be a target for money laundering or helping to facilitate money laundering. | UK National Risk Assessment | ||
| Customer Risk | Separate to the Customer Risk Assessment, this is an integral part of the business wide risk assessment, which considers the customer base that is being targeted and the risks that they will bring due to Peps/sanctions lists and adverse media. | Financial Actions Task Force (FATF)
FCA Thematic Reviews
National Crime Agency
The European Commission | ||
| Organizational Risk | The inherent organizational risks in relation to financial crime and convoluted organizational structures in relation to shareholdings and establishing the UBO’s. | |||
| Geographical Risk | The inherent geographical risks our company faces by medium or high risk jurisdictions. This also includes sanctioned countries and those listed on OFAC or FAFT in relation to their risk for money laundering |
Digital RFQ follows internal controls that are proportionate to its businesses size and nature and consist of a number of controls including senior management oversight, training and record keeping.
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Our compliance and risk management methods might not be effective and may result in outcomes that could adversely affect our reputation, operating results, and financial condition. We rely on third parties for some of our KYC and other compliance obligations.
Our ability to comply with applicable complex and evolving laws, regulations, and rules is largely dependent on the establishment and maintenance of our compliance, audit, and reporting systems, as well as our ability to attract and retain qualified compliance and other risk management personnel. While we have devoted significant resources to develop policies and procedures to identify, monitor, and manage our risks, and expect to continue to do so in the future, we cannot assure that our policies and procedures will always be effective or that we will always be successful in monitoring or evaluating the risks to which we are or may be exposed in all market environments or against all types of risks, including unidentified or unanticipated risks. Our risk management policies and procedures rely on a combination of technical and human controls and supervision that are subject to error and failure.
Some of our methods for managing risk are discretionary by nature and are based on internally developed controls, observed historical market behavior, and standard industry practices. These methods may not adequately prevent losses, particularly as they relate to extreme market movements which may be significantly greater than historical fluctuations in the market. Our risk management policies and procedures also may not adequately prevent losses due to technical errors if our testing and quality control practices are not effective in preventing failures. In addition, we may elect to adjust our risk management policies and procedures to allow for an increased risk tolerance, which could expose us to the risk of greater losses.
Regulators periodically review our compliance with our own policies and procedures and with a variety of laws and regulations. Though we believe we have robust risk management and compliance procedures, and have received no findings from any applicable regulator of any violations of applicable laws and regulations, if we fail to comply with these in future, or do not adequately remediate certain findings, regulators could take a variety of actions that could impair our ability to conduct our business, including delaying, denying, withdrawing, or conditioning approval of our licenses, or certain products and services. In addition, regulators have broad enforcement powers to censure, fine, issue cease-and-desist orders or prohibit us from engaging in some of our business activities. In the case of non-compliance or alleged non-compliance, we could be subject to investigations and proceedings that may result in substantial penalties or civil lawsuits, including by customers, for damages, which can be significant. Any of these outcomes would adversely affect our reputation and brand and our business, operating results, and financial condition. Some of these outcomes could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
Furthermore, we rely on third parties for some of our KYC and other compliance obligations. If these third parties fail to effectively provide these services, we may be subject to adverse consequences as described above.
We rely on connectivity with blockchain networks for our Platforms.
Our connectivity with existing blockchain networks, including the Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tron and other stablecoin networks, will enable our customers to derive the benefit such networks may provide them in facilitating our payment processing services. Providing such connectivity presents a risk that we may, under derivative theories of liability, be held responsible for the bad acts, failures or violations of law of the blockchain networks.
Although we seek to minimize risks associated with any one blockchain network by electing which network to use for a given transaction and by determining which network is appropriate for such transaction, based on our assessment of whether such blockchain technology is at an advanced-stage, is fully tested, well-established and fully collateralized, we may be exposed to risks that affect blockchain networks generally, or we may not be aware of or be able to identify risks associated with any individual network (for a summary of Digital RFQ’s considerations in assessing which blockchain networks to use in its payment processing business. Each blockchain network has only been in existence for a limited number of years, and digital assets markets have a limited performance record, making them part of a new and rapidly evolving industry that is subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate. For example, the following are some of the risks could materially adversely affect Digital RFQ’s financial performance and results of operations:
| ● | As a blockchain network continues to develop and grow, certain technical issues might be uncovered and the trouble-shooting and resolution of such issues requires the attention and efforts of blockchains’ global development community. Like all software, blockchain networks are at risk of vulnerabilities and bugs that can potentially be exploited by malicious actors. For example, in 2010, the Bitcoin network underwent a fork to reverse the effects of a hack in which an unknown attacker took advantage of a software vulnerability in the early source code of the Bitcoin network to fraudulently mint a large amount of digital assets. |
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| ● | Different blockchain networks are subject to material changes in their structure as technology and markets for digital assets evolve, and such changes may lead to adverse consequences. As an example, the Ethereum network expects to complete, by the end of 2021, a change from the “proof-of-work” consensus method to a “proof-of-stake” consensus method. The consequences of such change cannot be entirely foreseen, and flaws resulting from that transition could negatively affect the Ethereum network. |
| ● | Certain privacy-preserving features have been or are expected to be introduced to blockchain networks, such as the Ethereum network. This could damage the public perception of blockchain networks generally or any one blockchain network in particular, and their or its utility in Digital RFQ’s payment processing system. |
| ● | Networks rely on the internet. A significant disruption of internet connectivity (i.e., one that affects large numbers of users or geographic regions) could disrupt blockchain networks’ functionality and operations until the disruption in the internet is resolved. |
| ● | The governance of decentralized networks, such as certain blockchain networks, is by voluntary consensus and open competition. In other words, a typical network has no central decision- making body or clear manner in which participants can come to an agreement other than through voluntary, widespread consensus. As a result, a lack of widespread consensus in the governance of a network may adversely affect the network’s utility and ability to adapt and face challenges, including technical and scaling challenges. The decentralized governance of a network may make it difficult to find or implement solutions or marshal sufficient effort to overcome existing or future problems, especially protracted ones requiring substantial directed effort and resource commitment over a long period of time, such as scaling challenges. A network’s failure to overcome governance challenges could exacerbate problems experienced by the network or cause the network to fail to meet the needs of its users, and could cause users, miners, and developer talent to abandon the network or lead to a drop in speculative interest, which could cause the value of a digital currency to decline. |
| ● | A network may use a cryptographic protocol to govern the interactions within it. In the case of Bitcoin, a loose community known as the “core developers” has evolved to informally manage the source code for the protocol. The core developers can propose amendments to the network’s source code that, if accepted by users, could alter the protocols and software of the network. These alterations would occur through software upgrades, and could potentially include changes to the irreversibility of transactions. Alternatively, software upgrades and other changes to the protocols of the network could fail to work as intended or could introduce bugs, security risks, or otherwise adversely affect, the network. Similar dynamics occur in other blockchain networks. |
| ● | Networks that operate based on an open-source protocol are often maintained by the core developers and other contributor. As blockchain network protocols generally are not sold or made available subject to licensing or subscription fees and their use does not generate revenues for their development team, the core developers are generally not compensated for maintaining and updating the source code for the network protocol. Consequently, there is a lack of financial incentive for developers to maintain or develop a blockchain network and the core developers may lack the resources to adequately address emerging issues with the network protocol. Although blockchain networks are typically supported by core developers, there can be no guarantee that such support will continue or be sufficient in the future. Alternatively, some developers may be funded by entities, such as foundations or corporations, whose interests are at odds with other participants in the network. In addition, a bad actor could also attempt to interfere with the operation of a network by attempting to exercise a malign influence over a core developer. To the extent that material issues arise with a network protocol and the core developers and open-source contributors are unable to address the issues adequately or in a timely manner, a blockchain network may be adversely affected. |
| ● | Blockchain technologies are premised on theoretical conjectures as to the impossibility, in practice, of solving certain mathematical problems quickly. Those conjectures remain unproven, however, and mathematical or technological advances could conceivably prove them to be incorrect. Blockchain technology may also be negatively affected by cryptography or other technological or mathematical advances, such as the development of quantum computers with significantly more power than computers presently available, that undermine or vitiate the cryptographic consensus mechanism underpinning the blockchain and other distributed ledger protocols. If either of these events were to happen, markets and processes that rely on blockchain technologies, such as Digital RFQ’s blockchain-enabled payment processing operations, could be adversely affected. |
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If we fail to develop, maintain, and enhance our brand and reputation, our business, operating results, and financial condition may be adversely affected. Moreover, unfavorable media coverage could negatively affect our business.
We receive a high degree of media coverage. Unfavorable publicity regarding, for example, our product changes, product quality, litigation or regulatory activity, privacy practices, terms of service, employment matters, the use of our products, services, or supported blockchain technologies for illicit or objectionable ends, the actions of our customers, or the actions of other companies that provide similar services to ours, has in the past, and could in the future, adversely affect our reputation.
In addition, actions by, or unfavorable publicity about, Menachem Shalom, a director and Chief Executive Officer, or other officers and managers of Nukkleus and its subsidiaries may adversely impact our brand and reputation. Such negative publicity also could have an adverse effect on the size and engagement of our customers and could result in decreased revenue, which could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Further may be the target of social-media campaigns criticizing actual or perceived actions or inactions that are disfavored by our customers, employees, or society at-large, which campaigns could materially impact our customers’ decisions to use our products and services. Any such negative publicity could have an adverse effect on the size, activity, and loyalty of our customers and result in a decrease in net revenue, which could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Concerns about the environmental impacts of blockchain technology could adversely impact usage and perceptions of Nukkleus, its subsidiaries and our Platforms.
The energy usage and environmental impact of blockchain technology, particularly in relation to proof of work mining, has attracted considerable recent attention. Government scrutiny related to restrictions on such energy consumption may increase, resulting in additional regulation that could adversely impact usage of our Platforms and harm our business. The considerable consumption of electricity by mining operators may also have a negative environmental impact, including contribution to climate change, which could create a negative consumer sentiment and perception of blockchain technology generally and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results.
As a remote-first company, we are subject to heightened operational and cybersecurity risks.
As a remote-first company, we are subject to heightened operational and cybersecurity risks. We are a remote-first company, meaning that for all existing roles many of our employees work from their homes or other non-company dwellings. For example, technologies in our employees’ and service providers’ homes and shared office spaces may not be as robust and could cause the networks, information systems, applications, and other tools available to employees and service providers to be more limited or less reliable. Further, the security systems in place at our employees’ and service providers’ homes and shared office spaces may be less secure than those used in corporate offices, and while we have implemented technical and administrative safeguards to help protect our systems as our employees and service providers work from home, we may be subject to increased cybersecurity risk which could expose us to risks of data or financial loss, and could disrupt our business operations. There is no guarantee that the data security and privacy safeguards we have put in place will be completely effective or that we will not encounter risks associated with employees and service providers accessing company data and systems remotely. We also face challenges due to the need to operate with a remote workforce and are addressing so to minimize the impact on our ability to operate.
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Risks Related to Nukkleus’s Platforms
The future development and growth of our Platforms is subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to predict and evaluate and may be in the hands of third parties to a substantial extent. If our Platforms do not grow as we expect, our business, operating results, and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We introduced fund transfer and payment processing using blockchain technologies only in 2019, and such technology remains in the early stages of development while continuing to evolve. The further growth and development of any such technology and the underlying networks and other cryptographic and algorithmic protocols governing such technology and products represent a new and evolving paradigm that is subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate, including:
| ● | Any blockchain-enabled process or product, like our Platforms, rely on third parties, including financial institutions and counterparties, to hold funds, cash equivalents, and other assets. Those third parties have their own policies and may change their view and acceptance of any blockchain or stablecoin at any time. This may result in delays and other barriers to payment processing through our Platforms. |
| ● | Many blockchain networks have limited operating histories, have not been validated in production, and are still in the process of developing and making significant decisions that will affect the underlying blockchain, any of which could adversely affect the blockchain technologies on which our Platforms rely. |
| ● | The governance of many blockchain networks is by voluntary consensus and open competition, and many developers are not directly compensated for their contributions. As a result, there may be a lack of consensus or clarity on the governance of any particular blockchain network, a lack of incentives for developers to maintain or develop the network, and other unforeseen issues, any of which could result in unexpected or undesirable errors, bugs, or changes, or stymie such network’s utility and ability to respond to challenges and grow. |
These risks are fundamentally beyond our control and could materially and adversely affect our Platforms and our business, financial condition and operating results.
Due to unfamiliarity and some negative publicity associated with blockchain technology, our customer base may lose confidence in products and services that utilize blockchain technology.
Products and services that are based on blockchain technologies are relatively new. Many of our competitors are unlicensed, unregulated, operate without supervision by any governmental authorities, and do not provide the public with significant information regarding their ownership structure, management team, corporate practices, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance. As a result, customers and the general public may lose confidence in blockchain technology, including regulated products and services like ours.
Since the inception of blockchain technologies, numerous blockchain-enabled businesses and platforms have been sued, investigated, or shut down due to fraud, illegal activities, the sale or issuance of unregistered securities, manipulative practices, business failure, and security breaches. In many of these instances, customers of these platforms, products and services were not compensated or made whole for their losses. We may be a target of hackers and malware and may also be more likely to be targets of regulatory enforcement actions.
Negative perception, a lack of stability and standardized regulation, and the closure or temporary shutdown of blockchain-enabled platforms, including our Platforms, due to fraud, business failure, hackers or malware, or government mandated regulation, and associated losses suffered by customers may reduce confidence in blockchain technologies and result in greater volatility of the prices of assets, including significant depreciation in value. Any of these events could have a material and adverse impact on our business.
Our Platforms and blockchain-enabled payment processing services are innovative and are difficult to analyze vis-à-vis existing financial services laws and regulations around the world. Our platforms involve certain risks, including reliance on third parties, which could limit or restrict our ability to offer the product in certain jurisdictions.
Our ability to offer our Platforms in jurisdictions around the world is unclear from a regulatory perspective. Further, our Platforms are dependent on certain partners who will provide liquidity and the regulatory requirements with respect to those partners are uncertain. Our dependency on the performance of those partners raises risk that turns upon their performance. If our partners fail to perform, both we and our customers could be subject to losses, and we may be required to cease offering such Platform.
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Risks Related to Nukkleus’s Financial Condition
There is no assurance that we will maintain profitability or that our revenue and business models will be successful.
Our ability to achieve and maintain profitability is based on numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. We may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to maintain profitability in the short or long-term. Our revenue growth may slow, or our revenue may decline for a number of other reasons, including reduced demand for our offerings, increased competition, a decrease in the usage of blockchain technologies generally, or any failure to capitalize on growth opportunities.
We are continually refining our revenue and business model and have shifted our focus to the development and commercialization of our Platforms. There is no assurance that these efforts will be successful or that we will generate revenues commensurate with our efforts and expectations or become or stay profitable. We may be forced to make significant changes to our revenue and business model to compete with our competitors’ offerings, and even if such changes are undertaken, there is no guarantee that they will be successful or profitable. Additionally, we will need to hire, train, and integrate qualified personnel to meet and further such changes to our business objectives at potentially significant additional expense. Failure to successfully implement revenue and business models or manage related expenses could cause us to be unprofitable and have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Changes in U.S. and foreign tax laws, as well as the application of such laws, could adversely impact our financial position and operating results.
We are subject to complex income and non-income tax laws and regulations in the United States and a variety of foreign jurisdictions. Both the United States and foreign jurisdictions may revise corporate income tax and other non-income tax laws which could impact the amount of tax due in such jurisdiction.
Our determination of our corporate income tax liability is subject to review and may be challenged by applicable U.S. and foreign tax authorities. Any adverse outcome of such challenge could harm our operating results and financial condition. The determination of our worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities requires significant judgment and, in the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is complex and uncertain. Moreover, as a multinational business, we have subsidiaries that engage in many intercompany transactions in a variety of tax jurisdictions where the ultimate tax determination is complex and uncertain. Our existing corporate structure and intercompany arrangements have been implemented in a manner we believe is in compliance with current prevailing tax laws. Furthermore, as we operate in multiple taxing jurisdictions, the application of tax laws can be subject to diverging and sometimes conflicting interpretations by tax authorities of these jurisdictions. It is not uncommon for taxing authorities in different countries to have conflicting views with respect to, among other things, the characterization and source of income or other tax items, the manner in which the arm’s-length standard is applied for transfer pricing purposes, or with respect to the valuation of intellectual property. The taxing authorities of the jurisdictions in which we operate may challenge our tax treatment of certain items or the methodologies we use for valuing developed technology or intercompany arrangements, which could impact our worldwide effective tax rate and harm our financial position and operating results.
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We are also subject to non-income taxes, such as payroll, sales, use, value-added, net worth, property, and goods and services taxes in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions. A change in the tax law could impact tax positions which could result in an increased exposure related to such tax liabilities. Such changes could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
In addition, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” (as defined under Sections 382 and 383 of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations) is subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its pre-change NOLs and certain other tax attributes to offset post-change taxable income or taxes.
We have not performed a study to determine whether our NOLs are currently subject to Section 382 limitations. We may also experience a future ownership change under Section 382 of the Code that could affect our ability to utilize our NOLs to offset our income.
If our estimates or judgment relating to our critical accounting policies prove to be incorrect, our operating results could be adversely affected.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, as provided in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Nukkleus — Critical Accounting Policies”. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets, liabilities, and equity, and the amount of revenue and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Significant estimates and judgments involve the identification of performance obligations in revenue recognition, evaluation of tax positions, inter-company transactions, and the valuation of stock-based awards and the fiat reserves we hold, among others. Our operating results may be adversely affected if our assumptions change or if actual circumstances differ from those in our assumptions, which could cause our operating results to fall below the expectations of analysts and investors, resulting in a decline in the trading price of Nukkleus Common Stock.
The nature of our business requires the application of complex financial accounting rules, and there is limited guidance from accounting standard setting bodies. If financial accounting standards undergo significant changes, our operating results could be adversely affected.
The accounting rules and regulations that we must comply with are complex and subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC, and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. A change in these principles or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results and may even affect the reporting of transactions completed before the announcement or effectiveness of a change. Recent actions and public comments from the FASB and the SEC have focused on the integrity of financial reporting and internal controls. In addition, many companies’ accounting policies are being subject to heightened scrutiny by regulators and the public.
For example, on March 31, 2022, the staff of the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121, or SAB 121, which represents a significant change regarding how a company safeguarding digital assets held for its platform users reports such digital assets on its balance sheet and requires retrospective application as of January 1, 2022. Moreover, recent actions and public comments from the FASB and the SEC have focused on the integrity of financial reporting and internal controls. In addition, many companies’ accounting policies are being subjected to heightened scrutiny by regulators and the public. Further, there has been limited precedent for the financial accounting of digital assets and related valuation and revenue recognition, and no official guidance has been provided by the FASB or the SEC, with the exception of SAB 121. In May 2022, the FASB added a project to its technical agenda to improve the accounting for and disclosure of certain digital assets. In October 2022, the FASB decided to require fair value measurement of digital assets that fall within the scope of this project. While the FASB has begun deliberating on the scope of this project, there has been no formal proposal or guidance issued related to the project and no timeline has been publicly communicated for the issuance of such guidance.
At certain times, the funds of customers of Digital RFQ that we use to make payments on behalf of our customers, remain in the form of digital assets in our customers’ wallets at our licensed trust companies awaiting final conversion and/or transfer to the customer’s payment final destination. These indirectly held digital assets, may consist of USDT (Stablecoin), Bitcoin, and Ethereum (collectively, “our customers’ digital assets”). We engage third parties, which are licensed trust companies, to provide certain custodial services, including holding our customers’ digital token identifiers, securing our customers’ digital assets, and protecting them from loss or theft, including indemnification against certain types of losses such as theft. Our third-party custodian holds the digital assets in a custodial account in Digital RFQ’s name for the benefit of Digital RFQ’s customers. We maintain the internal recordkeeping of our customers’ digital assets, including the amount and type of digital asset owned by each of our customers and digital token identifiers in that custodial account. Given that we currently utilize one third-party custodian, there is concentration risk in the event the custodian is not able to perform in accordance with our agreement.
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There remains uncertainty on how companies can account for blockchain transactions, value, and related revenue. Uncertainties in or changes to regulatory or financial accounting standards could result in the need to change our accounting methods, restate our financial statements or impair our ability to provide timely and accurate financial information, which could adversely affect our financial statements, result in a loss of investor confidence, and more generally impact our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Business metrics and other estimates are subject to inherent challenges in measurement, and our business, operating results, and financial condition could be adversely affected by real or perceived inaccuracies in those metrics.
We regularly review business metrics and other measures to evaluate growth trends, measure our performance, and make strategic decisions. For example, we measure transaction volumes and concentration. These metrics are calculated using internal company data and have not been validated by an independent third party. While these numbers are based on what we currently believe to be reasonable estimates for the applicable period of measurement, there are inherent challenges in such measurements. If we fail to maintain an effective analytics platform, our calculations may be inaccurate, and we may not be able to identify those inaccuracies.
Our business metrics may also be impacted by compliance or fraud-related bans, technical incidents, or false or spam accounts in existence on our platform. Our customers are primarily institutional and, though we believe there is no reason for them to establish multiple accounts with us unless such accounts serve a different business purpose for them, we permit our customers to hold and access multiple accounts, which could overstate the number of customers we serve. Though we rely predominantly on transaction volumes to make projections about our business, such customer metrics may also be used in our models. If our metrics provide us with incorrect or incomplete information about customers and their behavior, we may make inaccurate conclusions about our business.
We are subject to changes in financial reporting standards or policies, including as a result of choices made by us, which could materially adversely affect our reported results of operations and financial condition and may have a corresponding material adverse impact on capital ratios.
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which are periodically revised or expanded. Accordingly, from time to time we are required to adopt new or revised accounting standards issued by recognized bodies. It is possible that future accounting standards and financial reporting standards or policies, including as a result of choices made by us, which we are required to adopt, could change the current accounting treatment that applies to our consolidated financial statements and that such changes could have a material adverse effect on our reported results of operations and financial condition, and may have a corresponding material adverse effect on capital ratios.
As a public company, we are required to develop and maintain proper and effective internal controls over financial reporting, and any failure to maintain the adequacy of these internal controls may adversely affect investor confidence in our company and, as a result, the value of our stock.
We are required to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment includes disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. During the evaluation and testing process of our internal controls, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to certify that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. We cannot assure that there will not be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition or results of operations. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the exchange on which shares of our stock are listed, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.
We might require additional capital to support business growth, and this capital might not be available or may require stockholder approval to obtain.
We have funded our operations since inception primarily through equity financings, convertible notes, and revenue generated by our products and services. We intend to continue to make investments in our business to respond to business challenges, including developing new products and services, enhancing our operating infrastructure, expanding our international operations, and acquiring complementary businesses and technologies, all of which may require us to secure additional funds.
Additional financing may not be available on terms favorable to us, if at all. If we incur additional debt, the debt holders would have rights senior to holders of Nukkleus’s commons stock to make claims on our assets, and the terms of any debt could restrict our operations.
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We may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates
We are potentially exposed to adverse as well as beneficial movements in currency exchange rates. An increase in the value of the dollar could increase the real cost to our customers of our products in those markets outside the U.S. where we sell in dollars, and a weakened dollar could increase the cost of local operating expenses from sources outside the United States, and overseas capital expenditures. We also conduct certain investing and financing activities in local currencies. Therefore, changes in exchange rates could harm our financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Nukkleus’s Employees and Other Service Providers
In the event of employee or service provider misconduct or error, our business may be adversely impacted.
Employee or service provider misconduct or error could subject us to legal liability, financial losses, and regulatory sanctions, and could seriously harm our reputation and negatively affect our business. Such misconduct could include engaging in improper or unauthorized transactions or activities, misappropriation of customer funds, and misappropriation of information, failing to supervise other employees or service providers, or improperly using confidential information.
Employee or service provider errors, including mistakes in executing, recording, or processing transactions for customers, could expose us to the risk of material losses even if the errors are detected. Although we have implemented processes and procedures and provide trainings to our employees and service providers to reduce the likelihood of misconduct and error, these efforts may not be successful. Moreover, the risk of employee or service provider error or misconduct may be even greater for novel products and services, and is compounded by the fact that many of our employees and service providers are accustomed to working at tech companies which generally do not maintain the same compliance customs and rules as financial services firms.
This can lead to high risk of confusion among employees and service providers, particularly in a fast growth company like ours, with respect to compliance obligations particularly including confidentiality, data access, trading, and conflicts. It is not always possible to deter misconduct and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. If we were found not to have met our regulatory oversight and compliance and other obligations, we could be subject to regulatory sanctions, financial penalties and restrictions on our activities for failure to properly identify, monitor and respond to potentially problematic activity, which could seriously damage our reputation. Our employees, contractors, and agents could also commit errors that subject us to financial claims for negligence, as well as regulatory actions, or result in financial liability. Further, allegations by regulatory or criminal authorities of improper transactions could affect our brand and reputation.
The loss of one or more of our key personnel, or our failure to attract and retain other highly qualified personnel in the future, could adversely impact our business, operating results, and financial condition.
We operate in a relatively new industry that is not widely understood and requires highly skilled and technical personnel. We believe that our future success is highly dependent on the talents and contributions of our senior management team, including Menachem Shalom, our Chief Executive Officer and a director and other key service providers across finance, compliance, legal, talent and marketing.
Our future success depends on our ability to attract, develop, motivate, and retain highly qualified and skilled employees and service providers. The pool of qualified talent is extremely limited, particularly with respect to executive talent, engineering, risk management, and financial regulatory expertise. We face intense competition for qualified individuals from numerous software and other technology companies. To attract and retain key personnel, we incur significant costs, including salaries and benefits and equity incentives. Even so, these measures may not be enough to attract and retain the personnel we require to operate our business effectively. The loss of even a few qualified employees, or an inability to attract, retain and motivate additional highly skilled employees required for the planned expansion of our business, could adversely impact our operating results and impair our ability to grow.
Our culture emphasizes innovation, and if we cannot maintain this culture as we grow, our business and operating results could be adversely impacted.
We believe that our entrepreneurial and innovative corporate culture has been a key contributor to our success. We encourage and empower our employees and service providers to develop and launch new and innovative products and services, which we believe is essential to attracting high quality talent, partners, and developers, as well as serving the best, long-term interests of our company. If we cannot maintain this culture as we grow, we could lose the innovation, creativity and teamwork that has been integral to our business, in which case our products and services may suffer and our business, operating results, and financial condition could be adversely impacted.
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Risks Related to Government Regulation
We are subject to various laws and regulations, and any adverse changes to, or our failure to comply with, any laws and regulations could adversely affect our brand, reputation, business, operating results, and financial condition.
Our business is subject to laws, rules, regulations, policies, orders, determinations, directives, treaties, and legal and regulatory interpretations and guidance in the markets in which we operate, which may include those governing financial services and banking, securities, broker-dealers, cross-border and domestic money transmission, blockchain technologies, privacy, data governance, data protection, cybersecurity, fraud detection, payment services, escheatment, antitrust and competition, bankruptcy, tax, anti-bribery, economic and trade sanctions, anti-money laundering, and counter-terrorist financing.
The key elements of the regulatory framework that impact us include, but are not limited to, the following U.K. legislation:
| ● | The European Union 5th and 6th Money Laundering Directives, |
| ● | The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer), Regulation 2017, |
| ● | Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, |
| ● | Terrorism Act 2000, |
| ● | Counter Terrorism Act 2008, |
| ● | Fraud Act 2006, and |
| ● | Bribery Act 2010. |
These legal and regulatory regimes, including the laws, rules, and regulations thereunder, evolve frequently and may be modified, interpreted, and applied in an inconsistent manner from one jurisdiction to another, and may conflict with one another. For a discussion of our risk management framework and more detailed descriptions of the legislation and regulations applicable to Digital RFQ’s business.
We are currently regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority. We plan to expand our operations to other countries in future, including Dubai and Lithuania, in which case we would be subject to regulation in those jurisdictions. From our UK operations, we currently offer cross-border payment processing services, in numerous countries in Europe, Dubai, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. We offer payment processing services using blockchain technologies in the United Kingdom, the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa, and intend to develop such products and services across other regions. As a business, we do not differentiate between cross-border and domestic payment processing, so generally offer cross-border services in the countries in which we operate. While we believe our risk management and compliance frameworks are sufficient to ensure we remain in material compliance with the applicable laws, and regulations of the jurisdictions in which we operate, to the extent we do not comply with such laws, rules, and regulations, we could be subject to fines, revocation of licenses, limitations on our products and services, reputational harm, and other regulatory consequences, each of which may be significant and could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
In addition to existing laws and regulations, various governmental and regulatory bodies, including legislative and executive bodies in the United States, United Kingdom and in other countries, may adopt new laws and regulations, or new interpretations of existing laws and regulations may be issued by such bodies or the judiciary, which may adversely impact the development of blockchain as a whole and our legal and regulatory status in particular by changing how we operate our business, how our products and services are regulated, and what products or services we and our competitors can offer, requiring changes to our compliance and risk mitigation measures, imposing new licensing requirements, or imposing a total ban on transactions using blockchain technologies.
Legislative and regulatory actions taken now or in the future may increase our costs and impact our business, governance structure, financial condition or results of operations.
Federal, state and international regulatory agencies frequently adopt changes to their regulations or change the way existing regulations are applied. Regulatory or legislative changes to laws applicable to the financial industry, if enacted or adopted, may impact the profitability of our business activities, require more oversight or change certain of our business practices, including the ability to offer new products and to continue offering our current products, and could expose us to additional costs, including increased compliance costs. These changes also may require us to invest significant management attention and resources to make any necessary changes to operations to comply and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Various U.S. federal, state, and local and foreign governmental organizations and public advocacy groups have been examining the operations of businesses using blockchain technologies and networks, and the safety and soundness of platforms and other service providers that hold use such networks and technologies on behalf of users. Many of these entities have called for heightened regulatory oversight and have issued advisories describing the risks posed by blockchain technologies to users and investors. Use of blockchain technologies is novel and there is limited access to policymakers and lobbying organizations in many jurisdictions. Competitors from other, more established industries, including traditional financial services, may have greater access to lobbyists or governmental officials, and regulators that are concerned about the potential for stablecoins for illicit usage may affect statutory and regulatory changes. As a result, new laws and regulations may be proposed and adopted in the United States and internationally, or existing laws and regulations may be interpreted in new ways that harm the stablecoin and blockchain industry, which could adversely impact our business.
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The regulatory environment to which we are subject gives rise to various licensing requirements, legal and financial compliance costs and management time, and non-compliance could result in monetary and reputational damages, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our existing, or obtain additional, required regulatory licenses, certifications and regulatory approvals in the countries where we provide services or want to expand to. Furthermore, where we have obtained such regulatory licenses, certifications and regulatory approvals, there are costs and potential product changes involved in maintaining such regulatory licenses, certifications, and approvals, and we could be subject to fines or other enforcement action if we are found to violate disclosure, reporting, anti-money laundering, capitalization, corporate governance or other requirements of such licenses. These factors could impose substantial additional costs and involve considerable delay to the development or provision of our products or services, or could require significant and costly operational changes or prevent us from providing any products or services in a given market.
These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity or unclear application to the business of non-traditional financial services. As a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by supervisory authorities and the interpretation of requirements by supervisory authorities and courts may be further clarified over time. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory bodies or supervisory authorities due to ambiguities related to their interpretation, application and practice, supervisory authorities may initiate legal and regulatory proceedings against us and our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow could be materially and adversely affected.
In certain countries, it may not be clear whether we are required to be licensed as a money transmitter, payment services provider, bank, financial institution, custodian, broker-dealer, exchange, or otherwise. Local regulators may use their power to slow or halt payments or otherwise prohibit us from doing business in a country. We and our local businesses do not only need to comply with the local laws and regulations, but also with certain laws and regulations with worldwide application. Further, because our services are accessible worldwide, one or more jurisdictions may claim that we or our customers or partners are required to comply with their laws. Laws regulating the internet, mobile and related technologies outside the United States may impose different, more specific, or even conflicting obligations on us, as well as broader liability.
If we are unable to commit sufficient resources to regulatory compliance, this could lead to delays and errors and may force us to choose between prioritizing compliance matters over administrative support for business activities, or may ultimately force us to cease offering certain products or services globally or in certain jurisdictions. Any delays or errors in implementing regulatory compliance could lead to substantial monetary damages and fines, public reprimands, a material adverse effect on our reputation, regulatory measures in the form of cease and desists orders, increased regulatory compliance requirements or other potential regulatory restrictions on our business, enforced suspension of operations and in extreme cases, withdrawal of regulatory licenses or authorizations to operate particular businesses, or criminal prosecution in certain circumstances.
In addition to non-compliance by us ourselves, we may in the future suffer negative consequences of non-compliance by third parties that use our payments and transfer infrastructure. We may also suffer negative consequences of customers operating businesses or schemes in violation of applicable rules and regulations whose activities we could be held responsible for monitoring and, where applicable, to denounce, interrupt or terminate the extension of services to such customers. We may be required to incur greater expenditures and devote additional resources and management time to addressing these liabilities and requirements, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
The financial services industry is subject to intensive regulation. Major changes in laws and regulations, as well as enforcement actions, could adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations and prospects.
In pursuit of a broad reform and restructuring of financial services regulation, national and supra-national legislatures and supervisory authorities, predominantly in the United States and Europe but also elsewhere, continue to introduce and implement a wide range of proposals that could result in major changes to the way our global operations are regulated and could have adverse consequences for our business, business model, financial position, results of operations, reputation and prospects. These changes could materially impact the profitability of our businesses or the value of our assets, require changes to business practices or force us to discontinue businesses and expose us to additional costs, taxes, liabilities, enforcement actions and reputational risk and are likely to have a material impact on us.
The timing and full impact of new laws and regulations cannot be determined and are beyond our control. The introduction of these and other new rules and requirements could significantly impact the manner in which we operate, particularly in situations where regulatory legislation can interfere with or even set aside national private law. New requirements may adversely affect our business, capital and risk management strategies and may result in us deciding to modify our legal entity structure, capital and funding structures and business mix or exit certain business activities altogether, or determine not to expand in certain business areas despite their otherwise attractive potential.
The large number of legislative initiatives, in particular with respect to the financial services industry, requires constant attention from our senior management and consumes significant levels of resources to identify and analyze the implications of these initiatives. We may have to adapt our strategy, operations and businesses, including policies, procedures and documentation, to comply with these new legal requirements. Based on the volume of existing initiatives, it cannot be excluded that certain new requirements will not be implemented in a timely fashion or implemented without errors, or in a manner satisfactory to the applicable supervisory authority, resulting in non-compliance and possible associated negative consequences such as administrative fine or public reprimands. Additionally, we may be forced to cease to serve certain types of customers or cease to offer certain services or products as a result of new requirements. Any of the other above factors, events or developments may materially adversely affect our businesses, financial position and results of operations and prospects.
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We are subject to laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding economic and trade sanctions, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, and counter-terror financing that could impair our ability to compete in international markets or subject us to criminal or civil liability if we violate them. As we continue to expand and localize our international activities, our obligations to comply with the laws, rules, regulations, and policies of a variety of jurisdictions will increase and we may be subject to investigations and enforcement actions by U.S. and non-U.S. regulators and governmental authorities.
As we expand and localize our international activities, we have and will become increasingly obligated to comply with the laws, rules, regulations, policies, and legal interpretations both of the jurisdictions in which we operate and those into which we offer services on a cross-border basis. Laws regulating financial services, the internet, mobile technologies, blockchain technologies, and related technologies outside the United States often impose different, more specific, or even conflicting obligations on us, as well as broader liability.
We are subject to various anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing laws and regulations around the world that prohibit, among other things, our involvement in transferring the proceeds of criminal activities. In the United States, most of our services are subject to anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, and its implementing regulations (collectively, the “BSA”) and other similar laws and regulations. The BSA, among other things, requires money transmitters to develop and implement risk-based anti-money laundering programs, to report large cash transactions and suspicious activity, and, in some cases, to collect and maintain information about customers who use their services and maintain other transaction records. Regulators in the United States and globally continue to increase their scrutiny of compliance with these obligations, which may require us to further revise or expand our compliance program including the procedures we use to verify the identity of our customers and to monitor transactions on our system, including payments to persons outside of the United States. Regulators regularly re-examine the transaction volume thresholds at which we must obtain and keep applicable records or verify identities of customers, and any change in such thresholds could result in greater costs for compliance. We could be subject to potentially significant fines, penalties, inquiries, audits, investigations, enforcement actions, and criminal and civil liability if regulators or third-party auditors identify gaps in our anti-money laundering program and such gaps are not sufficiently remediated, or if our anti-money laundering program is found to violate the BSA by a regulator.
Despite our efforts to comply with the applicable laws, rules, and regulations, there can be no guarantee that these measures will be viewed as compliant. If we were to be found to have violated sanctions, or become involved in government investigations, that could result in negative consequences for us, including costs related to government investigations, financial penalties, and harm to our reputation. The impact on us related to these matters could be substantial. Although we have implemented controls and screening tools designed to prevent similar activity, there is no guarantee that we will not inadvertently provide our products and services to individuals, entities, or governments prohibited by U.S. sanctions or those of another jurisdiction to whose laws and regulations we may be subject.
Regulators worldwide frequently study each other’s approaches to the regulation of any novel or developing industry, including those using blockchain-enabled technologies. Consequently, developments in any jurisdiction may influence other jurisdictions. New developments in one jurisdiction may be extended to additional services and other jurisdictions. The European Commission, for example, has proposed revisions to the Anti-Money Laundering Directives, which could make compliance more costly and operationally difficult to manage. As a result, the risks created by any new law or regulation in one jurisdiction are magnified by the potential that they may be replicated, affecting our business in another place or involving another service. Conversely, if regulations diverge worldwide, we may face difficulty adjusting our products, services, and other aspects of our business with the same effect. These risks are heightened as we face increased competitive pressure from other similarly situated businesses that engage in regulatory arbitrage to avoid the compliance costs associated with regulatory changes.
We may operate our business in foreign countries where companies often engage in business practices that are prohibited by regulations applicable to us. We are subject to anti-corruption laws and regulations, including the FCPA and other laws that prohibit the making or offering of improper payments to foreign government officials and political figures. We have implemented policies, procedures, systems, and controls designed to identify and address potentially impermissible transactions under such laws and regulations; however, there can be no assurance that all of our employees, consultants and agents, including those that may be based in or from countries where practices that violate U.S. or other laws may be customary, will not take actions in violation of our policies, for which we may be ultimately responsible.
Our consolidated balance sheets may not contain sufficient amounts or types of regulatory capital to meet the changing requirements of our various regulators worldwide, which could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Effective management of our capital and liquidity is critical to our ability to operate our businesses, to grow organically and to pursue our strategy. As a regulated and licensed entity in various jurisdictions, we may be required to possess sufficient financial soundness and strength to adequately support our regulated affiliate entities. The maintenance of adequate capital and liquidity is also necessary for our financial flexibility in the face of turbulence and uncertainty in the global economy. We may from time to time incur indebtedness and other obligations which could make it more difficult to meet applicable regulatory requirements.
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In addition, although we are not a bank holding company for purposes of United States law or the law of any other jurisdiction, as a global provider of financial services and in light of the changing regulatory environment in various jurisdictions, we could become subject to new capital requirements introduced or imposed by U.S. federal, state or international regulators. The changes to applicable current or future capital and liquidity requirements may require us to raise additional regulatory capital or hold additional liquidity buffers, for example because of different interpretations of or methods for calculating risk exposure amounts or liquidity outflows or inflows, or because we do not comply with ratios and levels, or instruments and collateral requirements that currently qualify as capital or capital risk mitigating techniques no longer do so in the future because of changes to the requirements or interpretations thereof. Any change or increase in these regulatory requirements could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
If we are unable to raise the requisite regulatory capital, we may be required to reduce the amount of our risk exposure amount or business levels, restrict certain activities or engage in the disposition of core and other non-core businesses, which may not occur on a timely basis or at prices which would otherwise be attractive to us, and such inability to raise sufficient regulatory capital could have an adverse effect on the market’s trust in respect of the long-term viability of our products and services, which could, for example, result in customers transferring to use our competitors’ platforms for financial transfer and payment infrastructure. As a result of stricter liquidity requirements or higher liquidity buffers, we may be required to optimize our funding composition which may result in higher funding costs for us, and in having to maintain buffers of liquid assets which may result in lower returns than less liquid assets. Furthermore, if we are unable to adequately manage our liquidity position, this may prevent us from meeting our short-term financial obligations. It is possible we may experience errors in currency handling, accounting, and regulatory reporting that leads us to be out of compliance with those requirements.
The above changes and any other changes that limit our ability to manage effectively our balance sheet, liquidity position and capital resources going forward, or to access funding sources, could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, regulatory capital position and liquidity provision.
We obtain and process a large amount of sensitive customer data. Any real or perceived improper use of, disclosure of, or access to such data could harm our reputation, as well as have an adverse effect on our business.
Our operations involve the storage and/or transmission of sensitive information, including highly personal data of our customers. Consequently, we are subject to complex and evolving UK, European, and other jurisdictions’ laws, rules, regulations, orders and directives (referred to as “privacy laws”) relating to the collection, use, retention, security, processing and transfer (referred to as “process”) of personally identifiable information (referred to as “personal data”) in the countries where we operate. Much of the personal data that we process, especially financial information, is regulated by multiple privacy laws and, in some cases, the privacy laws of multiple jurisdictions. In many cases, these laws apply not only to third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between or among us and our subsidiaries. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with our privacy policies or with any applicable privacy laws in one or more jurisdictions could result in proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others, including class action privacy litigation in certain jurisdictions, significant fines, penalties, judgments and reputational damages to us, requiring us to change our business practices, increasing the costs and complexity of compliance, any of which could materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Data protection, privacy and information security have become the subject of increasing public, media and legislative concern. If our customers were to reduce their use of our products and services as a result of these concerns, our business could be materially harmed. In addition, we are also subject to the possibility of security breaches, which themselves may result in a violation of these privacy laws. Any failure of us or our partners or others who use our services to adequately protect sensitive data could have a material and adverse effect on its reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We are subject to complex and evolving laws, regulations, and industry requirements related to data privacy, data protection and information security across different markets where we conduct our business, including in the European Economic Area, such laws, regulations, and industry requirements are constantly evolving and changing. Our actual or perceived failure to comply with such laws, regulations, and industry requirements, or our privacy policies/notices could harm our business by impairing customer trust and could subject us to fines and reputational harm.
Various local, state, federal, and international laws, directives, and regulations apply to our collection, use, retention, protection, disclosure, transfer, and any other processing of personal data. There is uncertainty and inconsistency in how these data protection and privacy laws and regulations are interpreted and applied, and they continue to evolve in ways that could adversely impact our business. These laws have a substantial impact on our operations directly as a data controller/business and as a data processor/service provider and handler for various offshore entities.
In the United States, state and federal lawmakers and regulatory authorities have increased their attention on the collection and use of consumer data. While our current product offering does not target retail consumers, some of our prior products have been offered to retail consumers. In the United States, non-sensitive consumer data generally may be used under current rules and regulations, subject to certain restrictions, so long as the consumer does not affirmatively “opt out” of the collection or use of such data. If an “opt-in” model or additional required “opt-outs” were to be adopted in the United States, less data could be available, and the cost of data would be higher.
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California has enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act, or the CCPA, along with related regulations, in 2020 and the California Privacy Rights Act, or the CPRA, which has been passed and became effective on January 1, 2023. The CCPA gives California residents new rights to access and request deletion of their personal data, opt out of the sale of personal data, and receive detailed information about how their personal data is processed. The CCPA provides for civil penalties for violations, as well as a private right of action for data breaches that involving the loss of personal data. This private right of action may increase the likelihood of, and risks associated with, data breach litigation. The CPRA significantly modifies the CCPA, including by expanding consumers’ rights with respect to certain personal data and creating a new state agency to oversee implementation and enforcement efforts. The CCPA and CPRA may increase our compliance costs and potential liability, particularly in the event of a data breach, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, including how we use personal data, our financial condition, and our operating results.
Additionally, the CCPA has prompted a number of proposals for new federal and state-level privacy legislation, such as in Nevada, Virginia, Colorado, and others. Virginia’s legislation, the Consumer Data Protection Act, or CDPA, passed and becomes effective January 1, 2023. On June 8, 2021, the state of Colorado passed its bill, which is pending signature by the state governor. As of June 11, 2021, five states have proposed legislation under consideration in the local legislatures. As each new state law is passed, it could add increasing complexity to and significantly expand the scope of our compliance efforts, impact our business strategies, increase our potential liability, increase our compliance costs, and adversely affect our business.
As a result of our presence in Europe and our service offering in the European Union, we are subject to the European General Data Protection Regulation, which imposes stringent EU data protection requirements, and could increase the risk of non-compliance and the costs of providing our products and services in a compliant manner. A breach of the GDPR could result in regulatory investigations, reputational damage, fines and sanctions, orders to cease or change our processing of our data, enforcement notices, or assessment notices (for a compulsory audit). We may also face civil claims including representative actions and other class action type litigation (where individuals have suffered harm), potentially amounting to significant compensation or damages liabilities, as well as associated costs, diversion of internal resources, and reputational harm.
Additionally, the UK Data Protection Act contains provisions, including its own derogations, for how GDPR is applied in the UK. We have to continue to comply with the GDPR and also the Data Protection Act, with each regime having the ability to fine up to the greater of €20 million (£17 million) or 4% of annual global turnover. The relationship between the UK and the EU remains uncertain, for example how data transfers between the UK and the EU and other jurisdictions will be treated and the role of the UK’s supervisory authority. On June 28, 2021, the European Commission issued the UK with an “adequacy decision” to facilitate the continued free flow of personal data from EU member states to the UK. However, this adequacy decision has a limited duration of four years in case there is a future divergence between EU and UK data protection laws. In the event that the UK maintains an equivalent standard.at the end of the four year period, it is open to the European Commission to renew its finding. In the event that the adequacy decisions is not renewed after this time, the adjustments required to facilitate data transfers from EU member states to the UK will lead to additional costs as we try to ensure compliance with new privacy legislation and will increase our overall risk exposure.
In addition, the GDPR imposes strict rules on the transfer of personal data out of the EU to a “third country”, including the United Kingdom or the United States. These obligations may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other requirements or our practices. On July 16, 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union invalidated the European Union-United States “Privacy Shield” (under which personal data could be transferred from the EU to U.S. entities that had self-certified under the Privacy Shield scheme) on the grounds that the Privacy Shield failed to offer adequate protections to EU personal data transferred to the United States. In addition, while the ECJ upheld the adequacy of the standard contractual clauses (a standard form of contract approved by the European Commission as an adequate personal data transfer mechanism, and potential alternative to the Privacy Shield), it made clear that reliance on them alone may not necessarily be sufficient in all circumstances.
Use of the standard contractual clauses must now be assessed on a case by case basis taking into account the legal regime applicable in the destination country, in particular applicable surveillance laws and rights of individuals. The use of standard contractual clauses for the transfer of personal data specifically to the United States remains under review by a number of European data protection supervisory authorities, along with those of some other E.U. member states.
German and Irish supervisory authorities have indicated, and enforced in recent rulings, that the standard contractual clauses alone provide inadequate protection for E.U.-U.S. data transfers. As supervisory authorities continue to issue further guidance on personal data, we could suffer additional costs, complaints, or regulatory investigations or fines, and if we are otherwise unable to transfer personal data between and among countries and regions in which we operate, it could affect the manner in which we provide our services, the geographical location or segregation of our relevant systems and operations, and could adversely affect our financial results.
We are also subject to evolving EU privacy laws on cookies and e-marketing. In the European Union, regulators are increasingly focusing on compliance with requirements in the online behavioral advertising ecosystem, and an EU regulation known as the ePrivacy Regulation will significantly increase fines for non-compliance once in effect. In the European Union informed consent, including a prohibition on pre-checked consents and a requirement to ensure separate consents for each cookie, is required for the placement of a cookie or similar technologies on a user’s device and for direct electronic marketing. As regulators start to enforce the strict approach in recent guidance, this could lead to substantial costs, require significant systems changes, limit the effectiveness of our marketing activities, divert the attention of our technology personnel, negatively impact our efforts to understand customers, adversely affect our margins, increase costs, and subject us to additional liabilities.
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As these and other laws and regulations may continue to evolve and be enacted, or new interpretations of existing laws and regulations apply, it may require us to modify our data-processing practices, agreements and policies and to incur substantial costs in order to comply with this evolving regulatory landscape. Restrictions on the collection, use, sharing or disclosure of personal information or additional requirements and liability for security and data integrity could require us to materially modify our solutions and features, could limit our ability to develop new services and features and could subject us to increased compliance obligations and regulatory scrutiny. We use a variety of technical and organizational security measures and other measures to protect the data we process, in particular personal data pertaining to our customers, employees and business partners. Despite measures we put in place, we may be unable to anticipate or prevent unauthorized access to such personal data.
There is a risk that as we expand, we may assume liabilities for breaches experienced by the companies we acquire. Despite our efforts to comply with applicable laws, regulations and other obligations relating to privacy, data protection, and information security, it is possible that our practices or technology could fail, or be alleged to fail to meet applicable requirements. For instance, the overall regulatory framework governing the application of privacy laws to blockchain technology is still highly undeveloped and likely to evolve. Despite our efforts to choose vendors that meet applicable laws, regulations and other obligations relating to privacy, data protection, and information security and maintain robust security controls, it is possible that a vendor could fail to comply or experience a data breach impacting our data and our business. Our failure, or the failure by our third-party providers or partners, to comply with applicable laws or regulations and to prevent unauthorized access to, or use or release of personal data, or the perception that any of the foregoing types of failure has occurred, could damage our reputation or result in fines or proceedings by governmental agencies and private claims and litigation, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
We are and may continue to be subject to litigation, including individual and class action lawsuits, as well as regulatory audits, disputes, inquiries, investigations and enforcement actions by regulators and governmental authorities.
We have been and may from time to time become subject to material claims, arbitrations, individual and class action lawsuits, government and regulatory investigations, inquiries, actions or requests and other proceedings alleging violations of laws, rules, and regulations, both foreign and domestic, involving competition and antitrust law, intellectual property, privacy, data protection, information security, anti-money laundering, counter terrorist financing, sanctions, anti-corruption, accessibility claims, securities, tax, labor and employment, payment network rules, commercial disputes, services, and other matters.
The laws, rules and regulations affecting our business, including those pertaining to blockchain technologies, payment processing and financial transaction services, and other financial services, are subject to ongoing interpretation by the courts and governmental and supervisory authorities, and the resulting uncertainty in the scope and application of these laws, rules and regulations increases the risk that we will be subject to private claims, governmental and regulatory actions alleging violations of those laws, rules, and regulations.
The scope, determination, and impact of claims, lawsuits, government and regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, disputes, and proceedings to which we are subject cannot be predicted with certainty, and may result in:
| ● | substantial payments to satisfy judgments, fines, or penalties; |
| ● | substantial outside counsel legal fees and costs; |
| ● | additional compliance and licensure requirements; |
| ● | loss or non-renewal of existing licenses or authorizations, or prohibition from or delays in obtaining additional licenses or authorizations, required for our business; |
| ● | loss of productivity and high demands on employee time; |
| ● | civil or criminal sanctions or consent decrees; |
| ● | termination of certain employees, including members of our executive team; |
| ● | barring of certain employees from participating in our business in whole or in part; |
| ● | orders that restrict our business or prevent us from offering certain products or services; |
| ● | changes to our business model and practices; |
| ● | delays to planned transactions, product launches or improvements; and |
| ● | damage to our brand and reputation. |
Any such matters can have an adverse impact, which may be material, on our business, operating results, or financial condition because of legal costs, diversion of management resources, reputational damage, and other factors.
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Risks Related to Nukkleus’s Intellectual Property
In the future we may be sued by third parties for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights.
In recent years, there has been considerable patent, copyright, trademark, domain name, trade secret and other intellectual property development activity, as well as litigation, based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property, including by large financial institutions. Furthermore, individuals and groups can purchase patents and other intellectual property assets for the purpose of making claims of infringement to extract settlements from companies like ours. Our use of third-party intellectual property rights also may be subject to claims of infringement or misappropriation.
We cannot guarantee that our internally developed or acquired technologies and content do not or will not infringe the intellectual property rights of others. From time to time, our competitors or other third parties may claim that we are infringing upon or misappropriating their intellectual property rights, and we may be found to be infringing upon such rights. Any claims or litigation could cause us to incur significant expenses and, if successfully asserted against us, could require that we pay substantial damages or ongoing royalty payments, prevent us from offering our products or services or using certain technologies, force us to implement expensive work-arounds, or impose other unfavorable terms. Our exposure to damages resulting from infringement claims could increase and this could further exhaust our financial and management resources. Further, during the course of any litigation, we may make announcements regarding the results of hearings and motions, and other interim developments. If securities analysts and investors regard these announcements as negative, the market price of Nukkleus Common Stock may decline. Even if intellectual property claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources of our management and require significant expenditures. Any of the foregoing could prevent us from competing effectively and could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Our and our ecosystem partners’ products and services, including the blockchain technologies on which our Platforms are built, contain third-party open source software components, and failure to comply with the terms of the underlying open source software licenses could harm our business.
Our products and services contains software modules licensed to us by third-party authors under “open source” licenses. Also, the blockchain technologies on which our Platforms are built rely on open source licenses to operate. We also make certain of our own software available to customers for free under various open source licenses. Use and distribution of open source software may entail greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide support, warranties, indemnification or other contractual protections regarding infringement claims or the quality of the code. In addition, the public availability of such software may make it easier for others to compromise our products and services.
Some open-source licenses contain requirements that we make available source code for modifications or derivative works we create based upon the type of open source software we use, or grant other licenses to our intellectual property. If we combine our proprietary software with open source software in a certain manner, we could, under certain open source licenses, be required to release the source code of our proprietary software to the public. This would allow our competitors to create similar offerings with lower development effort and time and ultimately could result in a loss of our competitive advantages. Alternatively, to avoid the public release of the affected portions of our source code, we could be required to expend substantial time and resources to re-engineer some or all of our software.
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Although we monitor our use of open-source software to avoid subjecting our products and services to conditions we do not intend, we have not recently conducted an extensive audit of our use of open source software and, as a result, we cannot assure you that our processes for controlling our use of open source software in our products and services are, or will be, effective. If we are held to have breached or failed to fully comply with all the terms and conditions of an open source software license, we could face litigation or infringement or other liability, or be required to seek costly licenses from third parties to continue providing our offerings on terms that are not economically feasible, to re-engineer our products or services, to discontinue or delay the provision of our offerings if re-engineering could not be accomplished on a timely basis or to make generally available, in source code form, our proprietary code, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Moreover, the terms of many open-source licenses have not been interpreted by U.S. or foreign courts. As a result, there is a risk that these licenses could be construed in a way that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to provide or distribute our products and services. From time to time, there have been claims challenging the ownership of open source software against companies that incorporate open source software into their solutions. As a result, we could be subject to lawsuits by parties claiming ownership of what we believe to be open-source software.
General Risk Factors
Adverse economic conditions may adversely affect our business.
Our performance is subject to general economic conditions, and their impact on the foreign exchange transfer and payments markets, as well as our customers. The United States and other key European and other international economies have experienced cyclical downturns from time to time in which economic activity declined resulting in lower consumption rates, restricted credit, reduced profitability, weaknesses in financial markets, bankruptcies, and overall uncertainty with respect to the economy. The impact of general economic conditions on our business is highly uncertain and dependent on a variety of factors, including market activity, global trends in the blockchain economy, central bank monetary policies, and other events beyond our control. Geopolitical developments, such as trade wars and foreign exchange limitations can also increase the severity and levels of unpredictability globally and increase the volatility of global financial markets. To the extent that conditions in the general economic and digital asset markets materially deteriorate, our ability to attract and retain customers may suffer.
We may be adversely affected by natural disasters, pandemics, and other catastrophic events, and by man-made problems such as war or terrorism, that could disrupt our business operations, and our business continuity and disaster recovery plans may not adequately protect us from a serious disaster.
Natural disasters or other catastrophic events may also cause damage or disruption to our operations, international commerce, and the global economy, and could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Our business operations are subject to interruption by natural disasters, fire, power shortages, and other events beyond our control.
In addition, our global operations expose us to risks associated with public health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics, which could harm our business and cause our operating results to suffer. For example, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in difficulties and changes to our customer support, and created operational challenges, which have in the past, adversely impacted our business and operating results.
Further, war, acts of terrorism, labor activism and other geopolitical unrest could cause disruptions in our business or the businesses of our partners or the economy as a whole. In the event of a natural disaster, including a major earthquake, blizzard, or hurricane, or a catastrophic event such as a fire, power loss, or telecommunications failure, we may be unable to continue our operations and may endure system interruptions, reputational harm, delays in development of our products and services, lengthy interruptions in service, breaches of data security, and loss of critical data, all of which could have an adverse effect on our future operating results.
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Acquisitions, joint ventures or other strategic transactions create certain risks and may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Acquisitions, partnerships and joint ventures are part of our growth strategy. We evaluate and expect in the future to evaluate potential strategic acquisitions of, and partnerships or joint ventures with, complementary businesses, services or technologies. We may not be successful in identifying acquisition, partnership and joint venture targets. In addition, we may not be able to successfully finance or integrate any businesses, services or technologies that we acquire or with which we form a partnership or joint venture.
We may not be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates or complete acquisitions in the future, which could adversely affect our future growth; or businesses that we acquire may not perform as well as expected or may be more difficult or expensive to integrate and manage than expected, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. In addition, the process of integrating these acquisitions may disrupt our business and divert our resources.
In addition, acquisitions outside our current operating jurisdictions often involve additional or increased risks including, for example:
| ● | managing geographically separated organizations, systems and facilities; |
| ● | integrating personnel with diverse business backgrounds and organizational cultures; |
| ● | complying with foreign regulatory requirements; |
| ● | fluctuations in exchange rates; |
| ● | enforcement and protection of intellectual property in some foreign countries; |
| ● | difficulty entering new foreign markets due to, among other things, customer acceptance and business knowledge of these new markets; and |
| ● | general economic and political conditions. |
These risks may arise for a number of reasons: we may not be able to find suitable businesses to acquire at affordable valuations or on other acceptable terms; we may face competition for acquisitions from other potential acquirers; we may need to borrow money or sell equity or debt securities to the public to finance acquisitions and the terms of these financings may be adverse to us; changes in accounting, tax, securities or other regulations could increase the difficulty or cost for us to complete acquisitions; we may incur unforeseen obligations or liabilities in connection with acquisitions; we may need to devote unanticipated financial and management resources to an acquired business; we may not realize expected operating efficiencies or product integration benefits from an acquisition; we could enter markets where we have minimal prior experience; and we may experience decreases in earnings as a result of non-cash impairment charges.
We cannot ensure that any acquisition, partnership or joint venture we make will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Delaware law and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws will contain certain provisions, including anti-takeover provisions that limit the ability of stockholders to take certain actions and could delay or discourage takeover attempts that stockholders may consider favorable.
Nukkleus’s Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws contains provisions that could have the effect of rendering more difficult, delaying, or preventing an acquisition deemed undesirable by the Nukkleus Board and therefore depress the trading price of Nukkleus Common Stock. In addition, as a Delaware corporation, the Company will generally be subject to provisions of Delaware law, including the DGCL. These provisions could also make it difficult for stockholders to take certain actions, including electing directors who are not nominated by the current members of the Nukkleus Board or taking other corporate actions, including effecting changes in management.
Such provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in the Nukkleus Board or management.
Any provision of Nukkleus’s Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control could limit the opportunity for stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of the Company’s capital stock and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for Nukkleus Common Stock.
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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information under this item.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity.
At this time, the Company does not have formal processes in place for assessing, identifying, and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats. Our approach to cybersecurity is currently informal and primarily reactive, involving basic security measures such as:
| ● | Basic Security Software: We use standard antivirus and anti-malware software for protection against common threats. |
| ● | Password Policies: Simple password policies are in place to protect access to our systems. |
However, we recognize the importance of cybersecurity and are in the process of developing more robust strategies. We plan to:
| ● | Develop a Cybersecurity Framework: Establish a formal risk assessment process to identify vulnerabilities. |
| ● | Engage Cybersecurity Expertise: Consider hiring or consulting with cybersecurity professionals to guide our strategy. |
| ● | Implement Training: Begin employee training on cybersecurity awareness to prevent common threats like phishing. |
We acknowledge that the absence of comprehensive cybersecurity processes could potentially expose the company to risks, which might materially affect our operations, financial condition, or strategic decisions in the future. We are committed to improving our cybersecurity posture as our resources allow.
Governance
| ● | Board Oversight: Currently, our sole director does not have a formal structure for overseeing cybersecurity risks. We plan to review this oversight in the near future to ensure appropriate governance is established. |
| ● | Management’s Role: Day-to-day management of cybersecurity is handled by our IT staff, who do not have specialized training in cybersecurity. We are considering enhancing this role or outsourcing to professionals with specific cybersecurity expertise. |
| ● | Expertise: Our current management and Board do not have in-depth cybersecurity expertise. We are considering educational opportunities or consulting to address this gap. |
Material Effect from Cybersecurity Threats
To date, no known cybersecurity incidents have materially affected our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. However, due to our limited cybersecurity measures, we acknowledge that our company could be at higher risk of material impact from cybersecurity threats. We are actively working to mitigate these risks.
Item 2. Properties.
The Company’s headquarters are located in Jersey City, New Jersey. The Company uses office space of FXDD, an affiliated company, free of rent, which is considered immaterial.
We believe our facilities are adequate for our current and planned business operations.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
From time to time, we are subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to our normal business operations. We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
LIMITED PUBLIC MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK
Our units, ordinary shares, rights and warrants were initially traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbols “BRLIU,” BRLI,” “BRLIR,” and “BRLIW” respectively. Our units commenced public trading on June 24, 2020, and our ordinary shares, rights and warrants commenced separate public trading on July 22, 2020. Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, Nukkleus Common Stock and Nukkleus Warrants began trading on December 26, 2023 on the NASDAQ under the symbols “NUKK and “NUKKW” respectively. The Brilliant Common Stock, Brilliant Units, Brilliant Rights and Brilliant Warrants ceased trading under the symbols BRLI, BRLIU, BRLIR and BRLIW.
Holders of Our Common Stock
As of January 10, 2025, there were 59 holders of record of our common stock. This number does not include shares held by brokerage clearing houses, depositories or others in unregistered form.
Stock Option Grants
The Company did not grant stock options during the year ended September 30, 2024.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 1 State St 30th floor, New York, NY 10004, telephone: (212) 509-4000.
Dividends
To date, we have not paid dividends on shares of our common stock and we do not expect to declare or pay dividends on shares of our common stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of any dividends will depend upon our future earnings, if any, our financial condition, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
X Group – June 2024
On June 11, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), the Company issued a Senior Unsecured Promissory Note (the “Note”) in the principal amount of $312,500 to X Group Fund of Funds, a Michigan limited partnership (the “Lender”) in consideration of cash proceeds in the amount of $250,000. The Note bears interest of 12.0% per annum and is due and payable six months after issuance. As an additional inducement to provide the loan as outlined under the Note, the Company issued the Lender a Stock Purchase Warrant (“Warrant”) to acquire 1,200,000 shares of common stock at a per share price of $0.25 for a term of five years that may be exercised on a cash or cashless basis. The Lender shall have the right to convert the principal and interest payable under the Note into shares of common stock of the Company at a per share conversion price of $0.25.
The Company and the Lender also entered into a Restructuring Agreement providing that, among other items, the Lender, in its sole discretion, will have the right for a period for six months from the Effective Date (the “Investment Period”), to lend the Company an additional $500,000 in consideration of a convertible promissory note that will have a term of two years, bear interest at 12% and will convert into shares of common stock at a per share price of $0.25. During the Investment Period, the Company may not incur additional debt or enter into any equity financing arrangement without the written consent of the Lender. The Company has agreed, in its good faith, to negotiate the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, Digital RFQ Ltd. (“Digital”) to Digital’s current management team led by Jamie Khurshid subject to approval of the Company’s Board of Directors and shareholders and subject to compliance with all federal, state and Nasdaq rules. The Lender provided an additional $50,000 following the initial closing, with such funds was disbursed as agreed between the Company and the Lender.
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Further, during the Investment Period, the Lender, without any additional compensation, will be exclusive advisor to the Company with respect to potential acquisitions by the Company and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to consider all proposals by the Lender. Any such acquisition proposal provided by the Lender will be subject to the Lender and such party entering a definitive binding agreement and the Board of Directors and shareholders of the Company approving such acquisition.
In order to induce the Lender to provide the loan contemplated pursuant to the Note, Emil Assentato entered into a Voting Agreement with the Company and the Lender agreeing to vote his shares in support of any transaction provided by the Lender. The Company and the Lender have agreed that 100% of all loan balances including loans payable to Emil Assentato by the Company will be recorded on the books of the Company as a bona fide debt of the Company, of which 30% of such debt will be paid within nine (9) months of the Effective Date and the balance to be repaid within twenty-four (24) months of the Effective Date.
East Asia
On August 1, 2024, the Company issued a Senior Unsecured Promissory Note (the “East Asia Note”) in the principal amount of $515,000 to East Asia Technology Investments Limited (“East Asia”) in consideration of cash proceeds in the amount of $412,075. The East Asia Note bears interest of 12.0% per annum and is due and payable six months after issuance. As an additional inducement to provide the loan as outlined under East Asia Note, the Company issued East Asia a Stock Purchase Warrant (“East Asia Warrant”) to acquire 175,000 shares of common stock at a per share price of $2.00 for a term of five years that may be exercised on a cash or cashless basis. East Asia shall have the right to convert the principal and interest payable under the East Asia Note into shares of common stock of the Company at a per share conversion price of $2.00.
Vallis/Worsley
On November 8, 2024, the Company entered into Settlement Agreement and Release with each of Craig Vallis and Oliver Worsley providing that the Company will issue 125,000 and 75,000 shares of common stock, respectively, in consideration of each party releasing the Company for compensation owed for services.
Standby Equity Purchase Agreement
On December 3, 2024, the Company entered into the Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (“SEPA”) with YA II PN, LTD, a Cayman Islands exempt limited partnership (the “Investor”) pursuant to which the Company has the right to sell to the Investor up to $10 million of shares of its common stock, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the SEPA, from time to time during the term of the SEPA. Sales of the shares of common stock to the Investor under the SEPA, and the timing of any such sales, are at the Company’s option, and the Company is under no obligation to sell any shares of common stock to the Investor under the SEPA except in connection with notices that may be submitted by the Investor, in certain circumstances as described below.
In connection with the SEPA, and subject to the conditions set forth therein, the Investor has agreed to advance to the Company in the form of convertible promissory notes (the “Convertible Notes”) an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 million (the “Pre-Paid Advance”), which was to be advanced to the Company in three tranches. The first tranche of the Pre-Paid Advance, in the amount of $0.50 million, was disbursed to the Company on December 3, 2024 (the “YA Note”). On December 19, 2024, the Company and YA II PN Ltd. (the “Investor”) entered into a Termination Agreement pursuant to which the SEPA and the Registration Rights Agreement were terminated provided that such termination had no effect or bearing on, and shall in no way alter in any way the YA Note or any portion of the SEPA or the Registration Rights Agreement related to the Note, or any rights of the Investor or obligations of the Company related to the Note.
Private Placement - December 2024
On December 18, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with an accredited investor (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) for a private placement (the “Private Placement”) pursuant to which the investor (the “Purchaser”) agreed to purchase from the Company 1,666,666 units for an aggregate purchase price of $10,000,000 or a per unit price of $6.00 with each unit consisting of (i) one share (the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) and (ii) a common stock purchase warrant to purchase up to one and one half shares of Common Stock (the “Common Warrant”). At the discretion of the Purchaser, it may elect to acquire one pre-funded common stock purchase warrant in lieu of one Share (the “Pre-Funded Warrant”). Each Share and accompanying Common Warrant is being sold together at a combined offering price of $6.00 per Share and Common Warrant. The Pre-Funded Warrant is immediately exercisable, at a nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per share, and may be exercised at any time until the Pre-Funded Warrant is fully exercised. The Common Warrant will have an exercise price of $6.00 per share, are immediately exercisable on a cash or cashless basis and will expire five (5) years from the date of issuance. The Units were priced in excess of the average Nasdaq Official Closing Price of the Company’s common stock (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) for the five trading days immediately preceding the signing of the Securities Purchase Agreement. The Private Placement closed on December 20, 2024.
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The Securities Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Purchaser and customary indemnification rights and obligations of the parties thereto. Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company is required to register the resale of the Shares and the shares issuable upon exercise of the Common Warrant and the Pre-Funded Warrant. The Company is required to prepare and file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 15 days of the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Filing Deadline”) and to use commercially reasonable efforts to have the registration statement declared effective within 45 days of the closing of the Private Placement or 75 days in the event of a full review (the “Effectiveness Deadline”). In certain circumstances including, but not limited to, if the Company misses the Filing Deadline or the Effectiveness Deadline, then the Company will be required to pay to the Purchasers an amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to the product of 5.0% multiplied by the aggregate purchase price.
Pursuant to a Placement Agency Agreement, dated December 18, 2024, between the Company and Dawson James Securities Inc. (the “Placement Agent”) entered into in connection with the Private Offering, the Placement Agent acted as the sole placement agent for the Private Placement and the Company has paid customary placement fees to the Placement Agent, including a cash fee equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds raised in the Private Placement and 4.0% on all proceeds from the exercise of the Common Warrants. Pursuant to the Placement Agency Agreement, the Company has also agreed to reimburse certain expenses of the Placement Agent incurred in connection with the Private Placement.
Equity Compensation
In order to compensate various executive officers, directors and consultants of the Company who have provided services to the Company for an extended period of time with limited compensation, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,337,500 restricted stock grants consisting of restricted shares of common stock under its stock incentive plans on December 16, 2024 prior to the market opened on such date of which Menachem Shalom received 500,000 shares of common stock, Anastasiia Kotaieva received 150,000 shares of common stock and each of the directors of the Company received 10,000 shares of common stock. To date, prior to the restricted stock grant, the directors of the Company have not received any compensation for their service and Mr. Shalom has not received an equity award for his service. The shares of common stock were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The sale of the shares of common stock did not involve any public offering and each participant either received or had access to adequate information the Company. No advertising or general solicitation was made in connection with the issuance of the shares of common stock.
Item 6. [Reserved]
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting our financial condition, operating results, liquidity and cash flows as of and for the periods presented below. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. The discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this “Management’s Discussion and Anlalysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” to “Nukkleus”, “we”, “us”, “our”, and the “Company” are intended to refer to (i) following the Business Combination (as defined below), the business and operations of Nukkleus, Inc and its consolidated subsidiaries, and (ii) prior to the Business Combination, Old Nukk (the predecessor entity in existence prior to the consummation of the Business Combination) and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Overview
We are a financial technology company was historically focused on providing software, technology solutions, customer sales and marketing, and risk management technology hardware and software solutions packages for the worldwide retail foreign exchange (“FX”) trading industry and payment services from one fiat currency to another or to digital assets.
In January 2024, we ceased providing our general support services to customers, terminating our existing customer and supplier contracts with a related party, and shifted our focus to our payment services business. In November 2024, we entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”) with a shareholder and one of our subsidiaries to sell the subsidiary that operates the payment services business to the shareholder in consideration of GBP 1,000 (approximately $1,338 at September 30, 2024).
In December 2024, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement and Call Option (the “Star Agreement”) with Star 26 Capital Inc. (“Star”), the shareholders of Star (“Star Equity Holders”) and an officer of Nukkleus, acting in his capacity as the representative of the Star Equity Holders, to acquire a controlling 51% interest in Star, an Israeli corporation engaged as a supplier of generators for “iron dome” launchers and other defense products.
As a result of the Settlement Agreement and subject to the closing of the acquisition of Star, our business will be focused on the defense sector.
Recent Developments
Executive Change: On July 24, 2024, The Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “Original CEO”) resigned from his management position at the Company and from the Board. The Chief Operating Officer, and a director of the Company, was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (the “New CEO”) effective July 24, 2024. Effective September 4, 2024, the New CEO resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer and from the Board, and another individual was appointed as Chief Executive Officer (the “Current CEO”) as well as being appointed to the Board.
Reverse stock split: Effective October 24, 2024, the Company amended its amended and restated certificate of incorporation to implement a one-for-eight reverse stock split of its common stock (the “2024 Reverse Stock Split”) and increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock from 40,000,000 to 150,000,000.
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Conversion Agreement: On November 8, 2024, the Company entered into a Conversion Agreement (the “Conversion Agreement”) with the Lender, as later amended on November 14, 2024, to convert outstanding principal and interest totaling $771,085 payable under the Lender’s convertible notes payable into 319,952 shares of the Company’s common stock. Pursuant to the Conversion Agreement, the Company issued an additional warrant to purchase 351,424 shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable for a period of five years at an exercise price of $2.41 per share (the “November 2024 Warrant”) in exchange for the cancellation of the Lender’s convertible notes payable. Further, the Company and the Lender entered into a letter agreement providing that the Lender may not exercise the June 2024 Warrant in the event such exercise would result in the Lender holding in excess of 19.9% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock as of November 8, 2024.
Sales of Securities: On November 8, 2024 and November 18, 2024, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements pursuant to which the Company sold 110,707 and 138,556 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $2.09456 and 1.7765 per share, respectively, for aggregate gross proceeds of $231,882 and $246,145, respectively. The purchase price per share includes a 5.0% discount from the closing price of the Company as listed on Nasdaq as of the business day immediately prior to the closing date of each securities purchase agreement.
Disposition of Subsidiary: On November 8, 2024, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”) with a shareholder of the Company and a subsidiary of the Company to sell the subsidiary to the shareholder or his nominee subject to the Company obtaining shareholder approval (the “Settlement Agreement”). The Settlement Agreement requires the Company to pay $61,000 to the shareholder of the Company by November 15, 2024. As required by the Settlement Agreement, a Share Purchase Agreement was entered into between the same parties dated December 23, 2024 providing that the Company, subject to it obtaining shareholder approval, will sell the subsidiary to the officer of the Company in consideration of GBP 1,000 (approximately $1,338 at September 30, 2024). In accordance with the terms of the Settlement Agreement, separate settlement agreements were entered into with two shareholders of the Company, pursuant to which the Company will issue an aggregate 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in consideration of each party releasing the Company for compensation owed for services.
Exit and Settlement Agreement: On November 8, 2024, the Company entered into an exit and settlement agreement (the “Exit and Settlement Agreement”) with three directors of the Board, under which each director resigned effective immediately. As required by the Exit and Settlement Agreement, the Company issued 46,700 fully vested shares of the Company common stock to each former direct in exchange for past services rendered.
Bylaws Amendment: On November 8, 2024, the Board approved an amendment to the Company’s Bylaws to decrease the quorum requirement from a majority to one-third of the voting power that was effective immediately.
Standby Equity Purchase Agreement: On December 3, 2024, the Company entered into the Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (“SEPA”) with an investor (the “Investor”) pursuant to which the Company has the right, at its option, to sell to the Investor up to $10 million of shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the SEPA, during the term of the SEPA. In connection with the SEPA, the Investor agreed to advance to the Company in the form of convertible promissory notes (the “SEPA Convertible Notes”) an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 million, which was to be advanced to the Company in three tranches. The first tranche of $500,000, was disbursed to the Company on December 3, 2024 (the “December 2024 Note”).
On December 19, 2024, the Company and the Investor entered into a Termination Agreement pursuant to which the SEPA and the Registration Rights Agreement were terminated. Accordingly, the Investor’s obligation to advance the Company additional amounts ceased.
Securities Purchase Agreement: On December 15, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement and Call Option with Star 26 Capital Inc. (“Star”), the shareholders of Star (“Star Equity Holders”) and an officer of the Company acting in his capacity as the representative of the Star Equity Holders, (the “Star Agreement”) to acquire a controlling 51% interest in Star, an Israeli corporation engaged as a supplier of generators for “iron dome” launchers and other defense products, in exchange for an aggregate investment of $15,000,000 that consists of:
| ● | A minimum amount of $5,000,000 in cash, less the amounts owed pursuant to Seller Notes, which shall be forgiven and cancelled as of the closing of the transaction |
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| ● | a promissory note in the principal amount of $10,000,000, which shall be reduced if the Company provides cash in excess of $5,000,000 maturing in 12 months following the closing (the “Investment Note”) | |
| ● | 2,385,170 shares of the Company’s common stock issued to the Star Equity Holders which shall constitute approximately 29.75% of the issued and outstanding capital of the Company on a fully diluted basis, excluding the out of the money warrants |
| ● | 6,907,859 stock purchase warrants with a five year term and an exercise price of $1.50 per share |
The Star Equity Holders granted the Company an option (the “Option”) to purchase the balance of their equity in Star (49.0%) for an aggregate $16,084,250 (the “Option Exercise Price”) in consideration for the issuance to the Star Equity Holders five-year stock purchase warrants to purchase an aggregate of 720,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $1.50 per share. The Option Exercise Price to be paid by the Company to the Star Equity Holders consists of
| ● | $3,000,000 in cash, |
| ● | a promissory note in the principal amount of $3,000,000, which accrues interest at 8.0% per annum and is due and payable six months after the issuance thereof, |
| ● | 2,385,170 shares of the Company’s common stock issued to the Star Equity Holders |
| ● | 5,109,789 stock purchase warrants with a five-year term and an exercise price of $1.50 per share |
If, for a period of 12 months after the closing of the Star Agreement, the Company’s shares of common stock are delisted from Nasdaq, Star shall have the right, at its own discretion, to require the Company to exchange the Investment Note for all the shares of Star then held by the Company, provided, however, the Option shall be automatically cancelled and Star shall retain any cash payments made by the Company to Star and the Company shall retain an equity interest in Star equivalent to all cash payments. The closing of the Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, third-party consents, fairness opinion, and approval by the Company’s shareholders as required under applicable Nasdaq listing rules.
If the Star Agreement is canceled because stockholder approval was not obtained within 90-days after the date of the Star Agreement and the failure was a result of the Company failing to perform or observe the covenants or agreements of the Company provided for in the terms of the Star Agreement, the Seller is entitled to damages of $1,000,000 from the Company.
As a result of the Settlement Agreement and subject to the closing of the acquisition of Star, the Company’s business will be focused on the defense sector.
Private Placement: On December 18, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with an accredited investor (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) for a private placement (the “Private Placement”) pursuant to which the investor (the “Purchaser”) agreed to purchase from the Company 1,666,666 units for an aggregate purchase price of $10,000,000 or a per unit price of $6.00 with each unit consisting of (i) one share (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock and (ii) a stock purchase warrant to purchase up to one and one half shares of the Company’s common stock (the “December 2024 PIPE Warrant”). At the discretion of the Purchaser, it may elect to acquire one pre-funded common stock purchase warrant in lieu of one Share (the “Pre-Funded Warrant”). Each Share and accompanying December 2024 PIPE Warrant is being sold together at a combined offering price of $6.00 per Share and December 2024 PIPE Warrant. The Pre-Funded Warrant is immediately exercisable, at a nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per share, and may be exercised at any time until the Pre-Funded Warrant is fully exercised. The December 2024 PIPE Warrant will have an exercise price of $6.00 per share, are immediately exercisable on a cash or cashless basis and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The Units were priced in excess of the average Nasdaq Official Closing Price of the Company’s common stock for the five trading days immediately preceding the signing of the Securities Purchase Agreement. The Private Placement closed on December 20, 2024.
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The Company is required to prepare and file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 15 days of the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Filing Deadline”) and to use commercially reasonable efforts to have the registration statement declared effective within 45 days of the closing of the Private Placement or 75 days in the event of a full review (the “Effectiveness Deadline”). In certain circumstances including, but not limited to, if the Company misses the Filing Deadline or the Effectiveness Deadline, then the Company will be required to pay to the Purchasers an amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to the product of 5.0% multiplied by the aggregate purchase price.
Pursuant to a Placement Agency Agreement (the “PAA”), dated December 18, 2024, between the Company the placement agent entered into in connection with the Private Offering, the Company has paid customary placement fees to the placement agent, including a cash fee equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds raised in the Private Placement and 4.0% on all proceeds from the exercise of the December 2024 PIPE Warrants. Pursuant to the PAA, the Company has also agreed to reimburse certain expenses of the placement agent incurred in connection with the Private Placement.
Incentive Equity Grants: On December 16, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,337,500 restricted stock grants consisting of restricted shares of common stock under its stock incentive plans to various executive officers, directors and consultants of the Company who have provided services to the Company for an extended period of time with limited compensation.
Comparability of Financial Information
Our historical operations and statements of assets and liabilities may not be comparable to our operations and statements of assets and liabilities as a result of the Business Combination and becomes a public company.
Business Combination and Public Company Costs
On December 22, 2023, we consummated the merger contemplated by the Business Combination, with Old Nukk surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary or Brilliant.
Upon the closing of the Business Combination, Brilliant’s certificate of incorporation was amended and restated to, among other things, set the total number of authorized shares of capital to 55,000,000 shares, of which 40,000,000 shares were designated common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and of which 15,000,000 shares were designated preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share.
Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, each share of Old Nukk common stock issued and outstanding was cancelled and converted into the right to receive a pro-rata portion of 1,312,494 shares of the Company’s common stock. Additionally, a backstop pool of 26,668, 40% of the aggregate number of Brilliant Ordinary shares and Brilliant Rights in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement, was issued to certain holders of Brilliant Ordinary Shares, Brilliant Rights, and Brilliant Warrants.
Old Nukk was deemed the accounting acquirer in the Business Combination based on an analysis of the criteria outlined in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805. The determination was primarily based on Old Nukk’s shareholders prior to the Business Combination having a majority of the voting interests in the combined company, Old Nukk’s ability to exert control over the majority of the board of directors of the combined company, and given the board of directors election and retention provisions, Old Nukk’s ability to maintain control of the board of directors on a go-forward basis, Old Nukk’s senior management comprising the senior management of the combined company; and old Nukk’s operations prior to the Business Combination comprising the ongoing operations of the combined company. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Old Nukk issuing stock for the net assets of Brilliant, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of Brilliant are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.
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As a result of the Business Combination, we became a Nasdaq listed company, which will require us to hire additional personnel and implement procedures to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices. We expect to incur annual expenses as a public company for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees and additional internal and external accounting, legal and administrative resources, including increased audit, compliance and legal fees.
Key Business Metrics
The key performance indicators outlined below are our financial services metrics that provide management with the most immediate understanding of the drivers of business performance and tracking of financial targets.
| Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| Performance Indicator | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| Trading volume | $ | 216,033,984 | $ | 432,114,695 | ||||
| Financial services revenue | $ | 1,113,461 | $ | 2,097,642 | ||||
| Financial services profit (loss) | $ | 848,516 | $ | (768,141 | ) | |||
| Average cost per trade | $ | 170 | $ | 503 | ||||
| Average trade | 138,929 | 75,863 | ||||||
| Number of trades | 1,555 | 5,696 | ||||||
| Active clients | 88 | 217 | ||||||
| Clients removed | 15 | 12 | ||||||
| Gross trading margin | 0.5 | % | 0.5 | % | ||||
| Gross margin | 76.2 | % | (36.6 | )% | ||||
Trading volume. We define trading volume as the total U.S. dollar equivalent value of spot matched trades transacted between a buyer and seller through our platform during the period of measurement. Trading Volume represents the product of the quantity of assets transacted and the trade price at the time the transaction was executed. As trading activity directly impacts transaction revenue, we believe this measure is a reflection of liquidity on our order books, trading health, and the underlying growth of the digital assets economy.
Generally, Trading Volume on our platform is primarily influenced by the price of digital assets, digital asset volatility, and macroeconomic conditions. In periods of high digital asset prices and digital asset volatility, we have experienced correspondingly high levels of Trading Volumes on our platform.
Financial services revenue represents the top-line revenue generated from trades, before considering the costs associated with the generation of financial services revenue.
Financial services profit (loss) is measured as financial services revenue, less costs which include amortization of intangible assets which consist of license and banking infrastructure acquired on Match acquisition, introducing broker fees, banking, and trading fees incurred associated with delivery of our services. These intangible assets have been fully amortized as of September 30, 2023. For the year ended September 30, 2024, we saw a 50.0% decrease in trading volume over the year ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in trading volume had a similar effect on all other KPIs.
Average cost per trade is driven by financial services costs. Our average cost per trade decreased significantly as a direct result of zero amortization of intangible assets included in direct costs for the year ended September 30, 2024, as these assets have been fully amortized as of prior year.
Active clients represents the total number of clients that transacted within our financial services segment throughout the report period. For the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we had 88 and 217 active clients, respectively.
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Gross trading margin is a metric that measures financial services revenue to trading volume.
Components of Results of Operations
Revenue consists of general support services revenue and financial services revenue.
General support services revenue represents general support services revenue earned from an affiliate who has engaged us to provide general support services, including operational reporting and technical support infrastructure, website hosting and marketing solutions, accounting maintenance, risk monitoring services, new account processing and customer care and continued support. Support services revenue is provided for in the contract with the affiliate and recognized over the period the general support services are rendered.
Financial services revenue represents transaction revenue earned from customers who submit requests to process a payment to a third party, often involving exchanging one fiat currency to another or to a digital asset as part of the transaction. Transaction revenue is generated primarily from transaction fees applied to the amount of the transaction requested by the customer. The transaction fee earned is based on the price and quantity of the fiat or digital asset that is converted. Financial services revenue is recognized at the time the transaction completes. Financial services revenue is directly correlated with Trading Volume, which is driven by the number of conversion transactions requested by customers.
Cost of revenues consists of cost of revenue – general support services and cost of revenue – financial services.
Cost of revenue - general support services consists of costs paid to an affiliate that performs the general support services for our customer.
Cost of revenue – financial services consists of costs of completing our payment processing transactions, including broker fees, banking, and trading fees incurred associated with our financial services revenue. Additionally, for the year ended September 30, 2023, cost of financial services also included amortization of intangible assets which consist of license and banking infrastructure from an acquisition.
Operating expenses consist of advertising, professional fees, compensation and related benefits, amortization of intangible assets, other general and administrative, and impairment loss.
Advertising consists of advertising program costs. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Professional fees consists of professional services, such as audit fees, legal service fees, advisory fees, and consulting fees., and software subscriptions for support services.
Compensation and related benefits consists of personnel related expenses incurred in operating our business, including cash compensation and our benefit programs.
Amortization of intangible assets consists of amortization expense recorded on acquired intangible assets with a definite useful life.
Bad debt expense – related parties consists of affiliate receivable balances that were written off after we expended exhaustive efforts at collection and have determined the associated balance to be uncollectible. Because this component fluctuates with market conditions, bad debt expense can vary widely between periods.
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Other general and administrative consists of personnel-related expenses incurred to support our business, including executive, customer support, compliance, finance, human resources, legal, and other support operations, and include rent, filing fee, platform fee, travel and entertainment, miscellaneous taxes, and other miscellaneous items.
Impairment loss consists of impairment losses recognized on long-lived assets where there was a triggering event that indicated a long-lived assets carrying amount may not be recoverable. The impairment loss represents the amount the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Because these components fluctuate with market conditions, impairment loss can vary widely between periods.
Other (expense) income, net consists of interest expense, gain (loss) on extinguishment of liabilities, and other income.
Interest expense on debt include fixed interest rates, as well as amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs.
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of liabilities consists of liabilities with unrelated parties, including accounts payable and debt, where the carrying value of the liability exceeded or were less than, respectively, the fair value of the consideration transferred. Additionally, certain liabilities with related parties based on the facts and circumstances of each transaction would also be recognized as a gain (loss) on extinguishment as a component of other (expense) income, net.
Because these components fluctuate with market conditions, other (expense) income, net can vary widely between periods.
Results of Operations
The following table summaries the historical consolidated statements of operations data:
| September 30, | September 30, | Changes in | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | Amount | Percentage | |||||||||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenue – general support services – related party | $ | 4,800,000 | $ | 19,200,000 | $ | (14,400,000 | ) | (75.0 | )% | |||||||
| Revenue – financial services | 1,113,461 | 2,097,642 | (984,181 | ) | (46.9 | )% | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 5,913,461 | 21,297,642 | (15,384,181 | ) | (72.2 | )% | ||||||||||
| Cost of revenue: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue – general support services – related party | 4,650,000 | 18,775,000 | (14,125,000 | ) | (75.2 | )% | ||||||||||
| Cost of revenue – financial services | 264,945 | 2,685,783 | (2,600,838 | ) | (90.8 | )% | ||||||||||
| Total cost of revenues | 4,914,945 | 21,640,783 | (16,725,838 | ) | (77.3 | )% | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Advertising | 44,488 | 55,889 | (11,401 | ) | (20.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| Professional fees | 6,734,162 | 2,423,773 | 4,310,389 | 177.8 | % | |||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | 958,648 | 822,625 | 136,023 | 16.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 13,813 | 273,711 | (259,898 | ) | (95.0 | )% | ||||||||||
| Bad debt expense – related parties | 6,141,000 | 1,179,772 | 4,961,228 | 420.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Other general and administrative | 893,198 | 449,988 | 433,210 | 98.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Impairment loss | 391,217 | 11,914,322 | (11,523,105 | ) | (96.7 | )% | ||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 15,176,526 | 17,120,080 | (1,943,554 | ) | (11.4 | )% | ||||||||||
| Other (expense) income, net | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (343,333 | ) | - | (343,333 | ) | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Interest expense – related parties | (206,733 | ) | (1,776 | ) | (204,957 | ) | 11,540.4 | % | ||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of vendor obligations | (288,835 | ) | - | (288,835 | ) | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of vendor obligations | 211,200 | - | 211,200 | 100 | % | |||||||||||
| Gain on termination of GSS GSA – related party | 6,082,962 | - | 6,082,962 | 100 | % | |||||||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of due to affiliates | 192,069 | - | 192,069 | 100 | % | |||||||||||
| Other income | 12,160 | 36,569 | (24,409 | ) | (66.7 | )% | ||||||||||
| Total other (expense) income, net | 5,659,490 | 34,793 | 5,624,697 | 16,166.2 | % | |||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (8,518,520 | ) | $ | (17,428,428 | ) | $ | 8,909,908 | (51.1 | )% | ||||||
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Comparison For the Year Ended September 30, 2024 Versus the Year Ended September 30, 2023
Revenues
For the years ended September 30, 2024, we had revenue from general support services decreased $14,400,000, or 75.0%. The decrease was attributable to the customer contract being terminated January 1, 2024.
For the year ended September 30, 2024, financial services revenue decreased $984,181, or 46.9%. The decrease was attributable to a significant decrease in financial services revenue resulting from the closure of our primary USD Banking rails when Signature and Silvergate closed in March 2023.
Costs of Revenues
For the year ended September 30, 2024, our cost of general support services decreased $14,125,000, or 75.2%. The decrease was attributable to the supplier contract being terminated January 1, 2024.
For the year ended September 30, 2024, cost of financial services amounted to $264,945, as compared to $2,865,783 for the year ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $2,600,838, or 90.8%. The decrease was primarily attributable to the $2,106,404 of amortization expense attributed to acquired intangible that were fully amortized during the year ended September 30, 2023. The remaining decrease of $494,434 was primarily attributable to the overall decrease in trading activity during the year ended September 30, 2024.
Gross Profit (Loss)
While our gross margin from general support services for the year ended September 30, 2024 decreased $275,000, or 64.7%, from the year ended September 30, 2023, our gross margin percentage increased to 3.1% for the year ended September 30, 2024 from 2.2% for the year ended September 30, 2023. The increase in our gross margin percentage for the general support services for the year ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the year ended September 30, 2023 was attributed to the $25,000 monthly decrease in our cost of general support services which took effect May 1, 2023.
Our gross margin from financial services for the year ended September 30, 2024 increased $1,616,657 from the year ended September 30, 2023, an improvement of 210.5%. Gross margin increased to 76.2% for the year ended September 30, 2024 from (36.6)% for the year ended September 30, 2023. The increase in our gross margin percentage for the financial services for the year ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the year ended September 30, 2023 was primarily attributed to the decrease in cost for financial services driven by the $2,106,404 of amortization expense of acquired intangible assets during the year ended September 30, 2023 that did not recur during the year ended September 30, 2023 as an impairment loss that was recorded during the year ended September 30, 2023 on the associated acquired intangible assets reduced the carrying value of the acquired intangible assets to zero. When this is excluded from the year ended September 30, 2023 results, the gross margin has decreased $489,747, or 36.6%, while our gross margin percentage has increased to 76.2% for the year ended September 30, 2024 from 63.8% for the year ended September 30, 2023. The resulting increase in our gross margin percentages was primarily attributable to a slight decrease in introducing broker fees during the year ended September 30, 2024.
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Operating Expenses
Advertising
For the year ended September 30, 2024, advertising expense decreased by $11,401, or 20.4%, as compared to the year ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to our decreased advertising activities within our financial services segment. We expect that our advertising expense will continue to decrease in future periods considering the pending disposal of our financial services segment.
Professional fees
For the year ended September 30, 2024, professional fees increased by $4,310,389, or 177.8%, as compared to the year ended September 30, 2023. The significant increase was primarily attributable to an increase in advisory service fees of $3,648,100, consulting fees of approximately $697,000, and legal fees of approximately $280,000 attributed to additional costs associated with the December 2023 business combination, offset by a decrease audit fees of approximately $206,000 attributed to one time costs attributed to transitioning from a private company to a public company. We expect that our professional fees will increase in the near future as consultancy agreements were entered into during the fourth quarter with outsourced executives and other personnel of the Company that we anticipate to be in place for the entire fiscal year 2025.
Compensation and related benefits
For the year ended September 30, 2024, our compensation and related benefits increased by $136,023, or 16.5%, as compared to the year ended September 30, 2023. The increase was mainly attributable to increased management and personnel in our financial services segment. We expect that our compensation and related benefits will decrease significantly considering the pending disposal of our financial services segment. However, we expect an overall increase in compensation expenses in the near future for certain executives, directors and other personnel outside of our financial services segment.
Amortization of intangible assets
For the year ended September 30, 2024, our amortization of intangible assets decreased by $259,898, or 95.0%, as compared to the year ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was mainly attributable to the impairment loss recorded on our acquired intangible assets during the year ended September 30, 2023 that reduced the carrying value of the acquired intangible assets to zero. We expect that our amortization of intangible assets will increase in the near future if the pending acquisition of Star completes during fiscal year 2025.
Bad debt expense – related parties
For the year ended September 30, 2024, our bad debt expense – related parties increased by $4,961,228, or 420.5%, as compared to the year ended September 30, 2023. The increase was mainly attributable to the write-off of a significant receivable in relation to the terminated GSA agreement. This increase in bad debt expense included $4,800,000 in revenues for the year ended September 30, 2024, as well as a portion of revenues recognized during the year ended September 30, 2023, which were never collected.
Other general and administrative expenses
For the year ended September 30, 2024, total other general and administrative expenses increased by $443,210, or 98.5%, as compared to the year ended September 30, 2023. The increase was mainly attributable to additional costs associated with operating as a public company, including an increase in D&O insurance of approximately $202,000, filing fees of approximately $265,000, and an increase in compliance fees of approximately $29,000, offset by a decrease in rent of approximately $10,000. We expect that other general and administrative expenses will increase in the near future if the pending acquisition of Star completes during fiscal year 2025.
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Impairment loss
At each reporting period end, we assessed our long-lived assets for any impairment and concluded that there were indicators of impairment as of September 30, 2024 and 2023 and determined that the estimated undiscounted cash flows related to certain long-lived assets were less than their carrying amounts for both periods. For the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we considered the investee’s series of operating losses and global economic environment, and recognized an impairment loss of $391,217 and $6,210,783 for the year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the year ended September 30, 2023, we were not able to realize the financial projections provided by an entity acquired at the time of the intangible assets purchase and determined to recognize an impairment loss of $5,703,539, reducing the carrying value of the acquired intangible assets to zero. These impairment losses for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 totaled $391,217 and $11,914,322, respectively, a decrease of $11,523,105, or 96.7%.
Other (Expense) Income
Other (expense) income includes loss from equity method investment and other miscellaneous income (expense).
For the year ended September 30, 2024, other income, net, increased $5,624,697, or 16,166.2%, as compared to the year ended September 30, 2023. The increase was attributable to a gain on termination of GSS GSA agreement – related parties of approximately $6,083,000, an increase in gain on settlement of due to affiliates of approximately $192,000, and a decrease in foreign currency exchange gains of approximately $24,000, offset by a net loss on settlement of vendor obligations of approximately $77,000, an increase in interest expense on debt-related parties of approximately $205,000, an increase in interest expense due to amortization of debt discounts on convertible and non-convertible notes of approximately $316,000, and an increase in interest expense on convertible and non-convertible notes of approximately $27,000.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We believe that our existing cash, exclusive of customer custodial cash, and the $10.0 million we raised through the sale of our common stock and stock purchase warrants to investors in December 2024 through a private placement will be sufficient in both the short and long term to meet our requirements and plans for cash, including meeting our working capital and capital expenditure requirements. Our ability to meet our requirements and plans for cash, including meeting our working capital and capital expenditure requirements, will depend on many factors, including completing the acquisition of a controlling interest of Star, the successful integration of Star into our operations, our growth, our ability to shift from financial services sector to defense sector, attracting and retaining key employees, and overall economic conditions. We anticipate satisfying our short-term cash requirements with our existing cash and the $10.0 million raised in the December 2024 private placement and may satisfy our long-term cash requirements with cash on hand or with proceeds from a future equity or debt financing.
To the extent that current and anticipated future sources of liquidity are insufficient to fund our future business activities and cash and other requirements, we may be required to seek additional equity or debt financing. The sale of additional equity would result in additional dilution to our stockholders. The incurrence of additional debt financing would result in debt service obligations and the instruments governing such debt could provide for operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. Even if debt financing is available, the cost of additional financing may be significantly higher than our current debt.
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Cash Flows
The following summarizes the key components of our cash flows for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
| Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (3,818,443 | ) | $ | (1,232,382 | ) | ||
| Net cash provided be (used in) investing activities | 132,826 | (1,109,936 | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 3,000,403 | 418,316 | ||||||
| Effect of exchange rate on cash | 28,854 | 231,404 | ||||||
| Net decrease in cash | $ | (656,360 | ) | $ | (1,692,598 | |||
Operating activities
Net cash flow used in operating activities for the year ended September 30, 2024 was $3,818,474, which primarily reflected our consolidated net loss of approximately $8,519,000, adjusted for changes in working capital accounts and certain non-cash expense of approximately $894,000 (including a net loss on extinguishment of vendor obligations of approximately $77,000, a gain on extinguishment of due to affiliates of approximately $192,000, amortization of debt discount and issuance costs of approximately $316,000, amortization of intangible assets of approximately $14,000, bad debt expense – related parties of approximately $6,141,000 gain from termination of GSS GSA agreement – related parties of approximately $6,083,000, and impairment of long-lived assets of approximately $391,000).
Net cash flow used in operating activities for the year ended September 30, 2023 was $1,232,382, which primarily reflected our consolidated net loss of approximately $17,428,000, adjusted for changes in working capital accounts and certain non-cash expense of approximately $15,856,000 (including amortization of intangible assets of approximately $2,380,000, stock-based compensation of approximately $371,000, provision for bad debt – related party of approximately $1,180,000, and impairment of long-lived assets of approximately $11,922,000).
Investing activities
Net cash flow provided by investing activities was $132,826 for the year ended September 30, 2024 as compared to net cash flow used in investing activities of $1,109,936 for the year ended September 30, 2023. During the year ended September 30, 2024, we received approximately $133,000 of proceeds from a related party who repaid the outstanding balance of the note receivable. During the year ended September 30, 2023, we advanced monies to affiliates under note receivable – related parties of approximately $1,921,000 and acquired intangible asset of approximately $42,000, offset by repayments from related parties on the outstanding balance of the notes receivable of approximately $853,000.
Financing activities
Net cash flow provided by financing activities was $3,000,403 for the year ended September 30, 2024, as compared to $418,316 for the year ended September 30, 2023. During the year ended September 30, 2024, we received cash in relation to reverse recapitalization of approximately $150,000, cash in relation to proceeds from loan payable – related parties of approximately $2,094,000, cash in relation to proceeds from issuance of convertible debt and non-convertible debt of approximately $812,000 and $78,000, respectively, offset by repayments of loan payable – related parties of approximately $134,000. During the year ended September 30, 2023, we received proceeds from loan payable - related parties of approximately $418,000.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no outstanding derivative financial instruments, off-balance sheet guarantees, interest rate swap transactions or foreign currency contracts. We do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts.
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Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of consolidated financial statements also requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs, and expenses and related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ significantly from our estimates. To the extent that there are differences between our estimates and actual results, our future financial statement presentation, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows will be affected.
See Note 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a summary of significant accounting policies and significant estimates and assumptions and their effects on our financial statements. Below are the significant estimates and assumptions that we consider critical because they involve a significant amount of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Acquired intangible assets
We determined that intangible assets represent critical accounting estimates, as they involve significant judgment, estimates, and assumptions and to the extent that our estimates and assumptions materially change or if actual circumstances differ from those in the assumptions, our financial statements could be materially impacted.
Acquired intangible assets are initially valued at fair value using generally accepted valuation methods appropriate for the type of intangible asset. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment if indicators of impairment arise. Intangible assets assessed as having indefinite lives are not amortized, but are assessed for indicators that the useful life is no longer indefinite or for indicators of impairment each period. Indicators we review, as applicable, include whether there has been a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which our assets are being used, a significant adverse change in legal factors affecting our assets, customer attrition, and/or a cash flow loss. Due to the dynamic nature of our business and the regulatory environment in which we operate, it is not practicable to model sensitivity of the valuation of these assets to these factors. Each reporting period, we evaluate the estimated remaining useful life of our intangible assets and whether events or changes in circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. We did not identify indicators of impairment of our intangible assets during the year ended September 30, 2024. We identified indicators of impairment of our acquired intangible assets during the year ended September 30, 2023 and recorded an impairment loss for $5,703,539, the amount the carrying value of the associated acquired intangible assets exceeded the estimated undiscounted cash flows associated with the respective acquired intangible assets.
Investments
We hold two investments in privately held company in the form of equity securities without readily determinable fair values, one of which we do not have a controlling interest or significant influence in and one of which we do not have a controlling interest but we do have significant influence. The investment where we do not hold a controlling interest and do not have significant influence in is accounted for under the measurement alternative method (“the measurement alternative”) and are measured at cost, less impairment, subject to upward and downward adjustments resulting from observable price changes for identical or similar investments of the same issuer (“pricing adjustments”). The investment where we do not hold a controlling interest and do have significant influence in is measured at cost and adjusted for our share of operating results, capital contributions and distributions (referred to as the equity method).
56
We determined that valuation of privately-held strategic investments represents a critical accounting estimate because impairment evaluations and pricing adjustments involve significant judgment, estimates, and assumptions, and to the extent that these estimates and assumptions change materially or if actual circumstances differ from those in the assumptions, our financial statements could be materially impacted.
Pricing adjustments: Pricing adjustments require quantitative assessments of the fair value of our strategic investments, which may require the use of unobservable inputs. Pricing adjustments are determined by using various valuation methodologies and involve the use of estimates using the best information available, which may include cash flow projections or other available market data.
Impairment: Privately-held strategic investments are evaluated quarterly for impairment. Our qualitative analysis includes a review of indicators such as: operating results when available, business prospects of the investees, changes in the regulatory and macroeconomic environment, observable price changes in similar transactions, and general market conditions of the geographical area or industry in which our investees operate. If indicators of impairment exist, we prepare quantitative measurements of the fair value of our equity investments using an undiscounted cash flow model that uses unobservable inputs including expected volatility, expected time to liquidity, adjustments for other company-specific developments, and the rights and obligations of the securities we hold. When the quantitative remeasurements of fair value indicate an impairment exists, we write down the investment to its current fair value. We identified indicators of impairment of our investments during the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and recorded an impairment loss of $391,217 and $6,210,783, respectively. The impairment loss recognized reduced the carrying value of all investments to zero as of September 30, 2024.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue using the following five steps: 1) identification of a contract with a customer; 2) identification of the performance obligation(s) in the contract; 3) determination of the transaction price; 4) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligation(s) in the contract; and 5) recognition of revenue when, or as, the performance obligation(s) are satisfied. The Company’s revenues are derived primarily from two sources: general support services and financial services. Thus, the Company disaggregates the revenue earned into these two segments. For additional segment disclosures, refer to Note 19 of our consolidated financial statements. We maintain written agreements that sets out the terms of the relationship, including payment terms.
For general support services, the Company generates revenue by providing general support services to an affiliate, which include operational reporting and technical support infrastructure, website hosting and marketing solutions, accounting maintenance, risk monitoring services, new account processing and customer care and continued support. Our written agreement for general support services is in the form of a written general services agreement (“GSA”), which specifies minimum monthly payments. We determined our general support services contain multiple performance obligations that are combined into one unit of accounting that is satisfied over time and recognizes the associated general support services revenue as services are rendered.
For financial services, the Company generates revenue by providing payment processing services, often involving exchanging one fiat currency to another or to a digital asset as part of the transaction. Our written agreement for financial services is in the form of a written service agreement that outlines the basis and flow of the various payment services we provide. The service agreement states that a transaction agreement, which sets out the services to be provided at the transaction level, detailing all transaction fees and payment settlement information, is to be issued to the client for each instance where the details of an over-the-counter trade to be executed during the conversion/payment settlement process, are confirmed by both parties. We determined our performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time as our payment services are delivered for at an individual transaction level, customer contracts are open ended, containing no termination penalty and the pricing for each transaction is set for each individual transaction based on the price and quantity of the fiat or digital asset that is converted.
57
In connection with our analysis of principal vs agent considerations, we evaluated the specified services that we provide based on the terms of our written agreements with customers and considered whether we control the services before they are provided to the customer, including the three indicators of control. Based upon this analysis and our specific facts and circumstances, we concluded that we are
| ● | the principal for our general support services because we are contractually obligated to provide the fulfillment software, technology, customer sales and marketing and risk management technology hardware and software solutions package to the customer and through a shareholder’s ownership of the third party contracted to perform the general support services, controls the services of its supplier. We set the price of the general support services through an executed contract with the customer and |
| ● | the agent for our financial services because we do not control the fiat currency or digital asset being provided before it is transferred to the customer or customer’s beneficiary, does not have inventory risk related to the fiat currency or digital asset, and is not responsible for the fulfillment of the fiat currency or digital asset. The price for the fiat currency or digital asset as the price is a market rate established by users of the platform, accordingly we do not set the price for the fiat currency or digital asset that is being exchanged. |
Therefore, we report revenue on a gross basis inclusive of all supplier costs for our general support services and on a net basis for our financial services.
Stock-based Compensation
We account for share-based payments that involve the issuance of shares of our common stock to employees and nonemployees and meet the criteria for share-based awards as stock-based compensation expense based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The Company has elected to recognize the adjustment to stock-based compensation expense in the period in which forfeitures occur. We recognize compensation expense for awards with only service conditions on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.
If factors change, and we utilize different assumptions including the probability of achieving performance conditions, share-based compensation cost on future award grants may differ significantly from share-based compensation cost recognized on past award grants. If there are any modifications or cancellations of the underlying unvested securities, we may be required to accelerate any remaining unearned share-based compensation cost or incur incremental cost. Share-based compensation cost affects our compensation and benefits expenses.
Warrants
Classification: The Company determines the accounting classification of warrants it issues as either liability or equity classified by first assessing whether the warrants meet liability classification in accordance with ASC 480-10, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity (“ASC 480”), then in accordance with ASC 815-40 (“ASC 815”), Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock. Under ASC 480, warrants are considered liability classified if the warrants are mandatorily redeemable, obligate the Company to settle the warrants or the underlying shares by paying cash or other assets, or warrants that must or may require settlement by issuing variable number of shares. If warrants do not meet liability classification under ASC 480, the Company assesses the requirements under ASC 815, which states that contracts that require or may require the issuer to settle the contract for cash are liabilities recorded at fair value, irrespective of the likelihood of the transaction occurring that triggers the net cash settlement feature. If the warrants do not require liability classification under ASC 815, and in order to conclude equity classification, the Company also assesses whether the warrants are indexed to its Common Stock and whether the warrants are classified as equity under ASC 815 or other applicable GAAP. After all relevant assessments, the Company concludes whether the warrants are classified as liability or equity. Liability classified warrants require fair value accounting at issuance and subsequent to initial issuance with all changes in fair value after the issuance date recorded in the statements of operations. Equity classified warrants only require fair value accounting at issuance with no changes recognized subsequent to the issuance date.
58
Valuation: The fair value of our equity classified stock purchase warrants are valued utilizing Level 3 inputs. using a Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model. The fair value of an award is affected by our stock price on the date of grant as well as other assumptions, including the estimated volatility of our stock price over the term of the stock purchase warrant and the estimated period of time that we expect third parties to hold the stock purchase warrants. The risk-free interest rate assumption we use is based upon United States Treasury interest rates appropriate for the expected life of the stock purchase warrant. We use the historical volatility of our common stock in order to estimate future stock price trends. We expect third parties to hold their stock purchase warrants for the contractual term as we do not have any history to support a shorter term and do not anticipate stock purchase warrants to be exercised prior to the end of the term. Our expected dividend rate is zero since we do not currently pay cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. The aforementioned inputs entered into the option valuation model we use to fair value our stock purchase warrants are subjective estimates and changes to these estimates will cause the fair value of our stock purchase warrants and related debt issuance discount we recognize to vary.
Income taxes
We determined that income taxes involve critical accounting estimates because management makes significant estimates, assumptions, and judgments to determine our provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets, and to the extent that our estimates and assumptions materially change, or if actual circumstances differ materially from those in the assumptions, our financial statements could be materially impacted.
We utilize the asset and liability method for computing our income tax provision. Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the expected future consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities as well as operating loss, capital loss, and tax credit carryforwards, using enacted tax rates. We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we establish a valuation allowance. Assessing the need for a valuation allowance requires a great deal of judgement and we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets are recoverable. We evaluate all available evidence including, but not limited to, history of earnings and losses, forecasts of future taxable income, and the weight of evidence that can be objectively verified. See Note 16. Income taxes of the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for details of changes in our valuation allowance for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized within provision for income taxes. See Note 16 - Income taxes of the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for details of changes in unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
For U.S. federal tax purposes, digital asset transactions are treated on the same tax principles as property transactions. We recognize a gain or loss when digital assets are exchanged for other property, in the amount of the difference between the fair market value of the property received and the tax basis of the exchanged digital assets. Receipts of digital assets in exchange for goods or services are included in taxable income at the fair market value on the date of receipt.
59
Legal and other contingencies
We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business, the outcomes of which are inherently uncertain, and such uncertainty may be enhanced due to the industry in which we operate. We record a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable, the determination of which requires significant judgment. In addition, we record recoveries of these losses when it is probable that they will be collected. These estimates are highly sensitive to change and involve variables that are not completely within our control nor practicable to model, including decisions made by regulators and settlement negotiations. Resolution of legal and other contingencies in a manner inconsistent with management’s expectations could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
For information about recently issued accounting standards, refer to Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this report.
Foreign Currency Risk
Foreign currency transaction risk
Revenues, expenses, and financial results of our foreign subsidiaries are recorded in the functional currency of these subsidiaries. Our foreign currency exposure is primarily related to transactions denominated in British Pounds attributable to cash, customer custodial funds and customer custodial cash liabilities and intercompany transactions where the transaction currency is different from a subsidiary’s functional currency. Changes in foreign exchange rates, and in particular a weakening of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar may negatively affect our results of operations as expressed in U.S. dollars. We have experienced and will continue to experience fluctuations in our results of operations as a result of gains or losses on the settlement and the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are not the functional currency of the respective entity.
If an adverse 10% foreign currency exchange rate change was applied to the largest foreign currency exposure (e.g. British Pound) or to all foreign currency exposures in aggregate, of monetary assets, liabilities, and commitments denominated in currencies other than its functional currency as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, it would not have a material impact on our financial results.
From time to time, we may enter into derivatives or other financial instruments in an attempt to hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. It is difficult to predict the impact hedging activities would have on our results of operations. Additionally, the volatility of exchange rates depends on many factors that we cannot forecast with reliable accuracy. Our international operations increase our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations and, as a result, such fluctuations could have a material impact on our future results of operations and cash flows.
Foreign currency translation risk
Fluctuations in functional currencies from our net investment in international subsidiaries expose us to foreign currency translation risk, where changes in foreign currency exchange rates may adversely affect our results of operations upon translation into U.S. dollars. See the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for translation adjustments for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, a 10% increase or decrease in foreign currency exchange rates used in translating the financial statements of subsidiaries with functional currencies other than our reporting currency would not have a material impact on our financial results.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are a smaller reporting company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information required under this item.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
NUKKLEUS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2024 and 2023
F-1
NUKKLEUS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2024 and 2023
CONTENTS
F-2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
of Nukkleus, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Nukkleus, Inc. (the Company) as of September 30, 2024 and 2023 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity (deficit), and consolidated statement of cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has a working capital deficit that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2023
February 10, 2025
PCAOB ID Number 6580
F-3
NUKKLEUS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| As of September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Customer custodial funds | ||||||||
| Customer digital currency assets | ||||||||
| Digital assets | ||||||||
| Due from affiliates | ||||||||
| Notes receivable - related parties, net | ||||||||
| Other current assets | ||||||||
| TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
| NON-CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||
| Investment | ||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | ||||||||
| TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | ||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Customer custodial cash liabilities | ||||||||
| Customer digital currency liabilities | ||||||||
| Convertible notes payable, net | ||||||||
| Note payable, net | ||||||||
| Due to affiliates | ||||||||
| Loans payable - related parties | ||||||||
| Interest payable – related parties | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | ||||||||
| TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
| Loans payable - related parties, net of current portion | ||||||||
| Interest payable - related parties, net of current portion | ||||||||
| TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - (Note 18) | ||||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT (1): | ||||||||
| Preferred stock ($ | ||||||||
| —Common stock ($ | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | ( | ) | ||||||
| TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | $ | $ | ||||||
| (1) |
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
F-4
NUKKLEUS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
| For the Year Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| REVENUES | ||||||||
| Revenue - general support services - related party | $ | $ | ||||||
| Revenue - financial services | ||||||||
| Total revenues | ||||||||
| COSTS OF REVENUES | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue - general support services - related party | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue - financial services | ||||||||
| Total costs of revenues | ||||||||
| GROSS PROFIT (LOSS) | ||||||||
| Gross profit - general support services - related party | ||||||||
| Gross profit (loss) - financial services | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total gross profit (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES: | ||||||||
| Advertising | ||||||||
| Professional fees | ||||||||
| Compensation and related benefits | ||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | ||||||||
| Bad debt expense – related parties | ||||||||
| Other general and administrative | ||||||||
| Impairment loss | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||
| LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME: | ||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ||||||
| Interest expense - related parties | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Loss on extinguishment of vendor obligations | ( | ) | ||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of vendor obligations | ||||||||
| Gain on termination of GSS GSA – related party | ||||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of due to affiliates | ||||||||
| Other income | ||||||||
| Total other (expense) income, net | ||||||||
| NET LOSS | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| COMPREHENSIVE LOSS: | ||||||||
| NET LOSS | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME | ||||||||
| Unrealized foreign currency translation loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE (1): | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING: | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted | ||||||||
| (1) |
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
F-5
NUKKLEUS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT (1)
For the Years Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
| Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional | Accumulated Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of | Number of | Paid-in | Accumulated | Comprehensive | Shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Income | Deficit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retroactive application of reverse stock split | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted balance, beginning of period | — | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Old Nukk common stock in exchange for a receivable from Brilliant | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Old Nukk common stock to settle accrued expenses and other current liabilities | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock to settle accrued expenses and other current liabilities | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock purchase warrants | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock to settle loans payable – related parties | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock to settle due to affiliates | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in connection with reverse recapitalization | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
F-6
NUKKLEUS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| For the Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Amortization of debt discount | ||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of vendor obligations | ||||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of vendor obligations | ( | ) | ||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of due to affiliates | ( | ) | ||||||
| Provision for bad debt – related parties | ||||||||
| Gain on termination of GSS GSA – related party | ( | ) | ||||||
| Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss (gain) | ||||||||
| Impairment loss | ||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Customer digital currency assets | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other current assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Digital assets | ||||||||
| Due from affiliates | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accounts payable | ||||||||
| Customer custodial cash liabilities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Customer digital currency liabilities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Due to affiliates | ||||||||
| Interest payable - related parties | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | ||||||||
| NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Issuance of notes receivable – related parties | ( | ) | ||||||
| Payments received on notes receivable – related parties | ||||||||
| Purchase of intangible asset | ( | ) | ||||||
| NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ( | ) | ||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Business Combination, net of issuance costs | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of note payable | ||||||||
| Repayment on note payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of loans payable - related parties | ||||||||
| Repayments on loans payable - related parties | ( | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable and stock purchase warrants, net of issuance costs | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of note payable and stock purchase warrants | ||||||||
| NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON CASH | ||||||||
| NET DECREASE IN CASH | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash - beginning of year | ||||||||
| Cash - end of year | $ | $ | ||||||
| CASH CONSISTED OF THE FOLLOWING: | ||||||||
| Cash | ||||||||
| Customer custodial funds | ||||||||
| Total cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | ||||||||
| Cash paid for: | ||||||||
| Interest | $ | $ | ||||||
| NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Issuance of common stock to settle loans payable – related parties and accrued and unpaid interest | ||||||||
| Capital reduction on settlement of loans payable – related parties and accrued and unpaid interest through issuance of common stock | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||
| Issuance of common stock to settle due to affiliates | ||||||||
| Capital reduction on settlement of due to affiliates through issuance of common stock | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||
| Issuance of common stock to settle accrued expenses and other current liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Settlement of due to affiliates through issuance of loan payable – related parties | $ | $ | ||||||
| Settlement of accrued expenses and other current liabilities through issuance of Old Nukk common stock | $ | $ | ||||||
| Issuance of Old Nukk common stock to Brilliant vendors in exchange for receivable from Brilliant | $ | $ | ||||||
| Settlement of loans payable – related parties through exchange of notes receivable – related parties and accrued and unpaid interest | $ | $ | ||||||
| Settlement of loans payable – related parties through exchange of due from affiliates | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
F-7
NUKKLEUS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 – DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Nukkleus Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, are financial technology companies focused on providing software, technology solutions, customer sales and marketing, and risk management technology hardware and software solutions packages for the worldwide retail foreign exchange (“FX”) trading industry and payment services from one fiat currency to another or to digital assets.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation: On December 22, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), Brilliant Acquisition Corp (“Brilliant”) entered into a business combination agreement (the “Business Combination”) with each of the shareholders of Nukkleus Inc. (“Old Nukk”). Pursuant to the Business Combination, Brilliant acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock from the Old Nukk shareholders. For more information on this transaction see Note 5.
On the Closing Date, and in connection with the closing of the Business Combination, Brilliant changed its name to Nukkleus Inc (the “Company”) and the Company’s common stock began trading on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol NUKK. Old Nukk was deemed the accounting acquirer in the Business Combination based on an analysis of the criteria outlined in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”). The determination was primarily based on Old Nukk’s shareholders prior to the Business Combination having a majority of the voting interests in the combined company, Old Nukk’s ability to exert control over the majority of the board of directors of the combined company, and given the board of directors election and retention provisions, Old Nukk’s ability to maintain control of the board of directors on a go-forward basis, Old Nukk’s senior management comprising the senior management of the combined company; and old Nukk’s operations prior to the Business Combination comprise the ongoing operations of the combined company. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Old Nukk issuing stock for the net assets of Brilliant, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of Brilliant were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.
While Brilliant was the legal acquirer in the Business Combination, because Old Nukk was deemed the accounting acquirer, the historical financial statements of Old Nukk became the historical financial statements of the combined company, upon consummation of the Business Combination. As a result, the financial statements included in this report reflect (i) the historical operating results of Old Nukk prior to the Business Combination; (ii) the combined results of Brilliant and Old Nukk following the closing of the Business Combination; (iii) the assets and liabilities of Old Nukk at their historical cost; and (iv) the Company’s equity structure for all periods presented.
Effective October 24, 2024, the Company amended its amended and restated
certificate of incorporation to implement a one-for-eight reverse stock split of its common stock (the “2024 Reverse Stock Split”)
and increased the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock from
In accordance with guidance applicable to these
circumstances, the equity structure has been restated in all comparative periods to give effect to the number of shares of the Company’s
common stock, $
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nukkleus Inc, and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation. The consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Any reference in these footnotes to the applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative U.S. GAAP as found in the ASC and Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).
Adjustment of prior interim period financial statements: During the preparation of consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s management identified that the treatment of losses on extinguishment of obligations owed to affiliates during the three months ended December 31, 2023 were improperly recognized as a distribution reducing accumulated deficit for transactions where the obligations were settled through the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock. The losses on extinguishment of obligations are to be recognized as capital reductions as the Company is in an accumulated deficit position, and the losses should be treated as a return of capital given the role of a company’s shareholder. The correction of the treatment of losses on extinguishment of obligations owed to affiliates did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position for the three months ended December 31, 2023.
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NOTE 2 – Liquidity and capital resources
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared
on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business.
On December 22, 2023, the Company consummated the Business Combination and raised net proceeds of $
If additional equity or debt financing is required
from outside sources, the Company may not be able to raise it on terms acceptable to it or at all. If the Company is unable to raise additional
capital on acceptable terms when needed, its results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
Any such financing likely would be dilutive to existing stockholders and could result in significant financial operating covenants that
would negatively impact the Company business. On December 20, 2024, the Company closed a $
Based on the foregoing, management believes that its current financial resources, as of the date of the issuance of these financial statements, are sufficient to fund its current twelve-month operating budget, alleviating any concerns by its historical operating results and satisfying its estimated liquidity needs for the twelve months from the issuance of these financial statements.
NOTE 3 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Emerging growth company: The Company is an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (“JOBS”) Act. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act, until such time as to those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that it (i) is no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opts out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, these financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
Use of estimates: The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available and accordingly the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. The Company’s most significant estimates and judgments involve valuation of share-based compensation, valuation of equity-classified stock purchase warrants, valuation of customer digital currency assets and liabilities, classification of gains and losses on settlement of related party liabilities, calculation for allowances for credit losses, the useful lives of long-lived assets, assumptions used in assessing impairment of long-lived assets, and valuation of deferred tax assets and the associated valuation allowances.
F-9
Segment reporting: ASC 280, Segment
Reporting (“ASC 280”), defines operating segments as components of an enterprise where discrete financial information
is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources
and in assessing performance. The Company’s CODM is the chief executive officer, who has ultimate responsibility for the operating
performance of the Company and the allocation of resources. The CODM uses operating results as the primary measure to manage the business.
The Company determined there are
Cash and cash equivalents: The Company
considers all highly liquid instruments with a maturity date of three months or less at the time of purchase and money market accounts
to be cash equivalents. The Company had cash equivalents at September 30, 2024 and 2023. Cash and cash equivalents excludes customer
legal tender, which is reported separately as customer custodial funds in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
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Customer custodial funds and customer custodial cash liabilities: Customer custodial funds represent restricted cash and cash equivalents maintained in segregated Company1 bank accounts that are held for the exclusive benefit of customers and deposits in transit from financial institutions. Customer custodial cash liabilities represent the obligation to return cash deposits held by customers in the fiat wallets and unsettled fiat deposits and withdrawals. Deposits in transit represent settlements from third-party payment processors and banks for customer transactions. Deposits in transit are typically received within five business days of the transaction date. The Company establishes withdrawal-based limits in order to mitigate potential losses by preventing customers from withdrawing the digital asset to an external blockchain address until the deposit settles. Deposits in transit qualify as eligible liquid assets to meet regulatory requirements to fulfill the Company’s direct obligations under customer custodial cash liabilities. The Company restricts the use of the assets underlying the customer custodial funds to meet regulatory requirements and classifies the assets as current based on their purpose and availability to fulfill the Company’s direct obligations under custodial cash liabilities.
In accordance with regulations in the United Kingdom, and the terms of the principal license holder the Company operates under, the Company is able to extend credit to its customers. At the time the Company’s management designates customer custodial funds held in its United Kingdom bank account to be used to extend credit, the designated amount is re-classified as cash and cash equivalents and no longer classified as customer custodial funds on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The remaining assets underlying the customer custodial funds remain separately classified as such on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company identifies these customer custodial funds separately from corporate funds and maintain them in separate and non-interest bearing accounts.
Customer digital currency assets and liabilities: At certain times, customers’ funds that are used to make payments on behalf of the customers, remain in the form of digital assets in the customers’ wallets at the digital asset trading platforms while the digital asset awaits final conversion and/or transfer to the customer’s payment final destination. These indirectly held digital assets, may consist of USDT (Stablecoin), Bitcoin, and Ethereum (collectively, “Customer digital currency assets”).
The Company safeguards customer digital currency assets for customers in digital wallets and portions of cryptographic keys necessary to access digital assets on The Company’s platform. The Company safeguards these assets and/or keys and is obligated to safeguard them from loss, theft, or other misuse. The Company records customer digital currency assets and liabilities, in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin 121, “Views of the staff regarding the accounting for obligations to safeguard crypto-assets an entity holds for platform users” (“SAB 121”). The Company maintains a record of all digital assets in digital wallets held on the Company’s platform as well as the full or a portion of private keys including backup keys, which are maintained on behalf of customers. For digital assets where the customer can transact without the involvement of the Company or digital assets where the Company does not maintain a private key or the ability to recover a customer’s private key or their digital assets, these balances are not recorded, as there is no related safeguarding obligation in accordance with SAB 121. The Company records the customer digital currency assets and liabilities, on the initial recognition and at each reporting date, at the fair value of the digital assets which it safeguards for its customers.
| 1 | References to the Company are to Nukkleus and all of its
|
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The Company is committed to securely storing all customer digital assets and cryptographic keys (or portions thereof) held on behalf of customers. The value of these safeguarded assets is recorded as customer digital currency liabilities and corresponding customer digital currency assets. As such, the Company may be liable to its customers for losses arising from theft or loss of private keys. The Company has no reason to believe it will incur any expense associated with such potential liability because (i) it has no known or historical experience of claims to use as a basis of measurement, (ii) it accounts for and continually verifies the amount of digital assets on its platform, and (iii) it has established security around private key management to minimize the risk of theft or loss. The Company has adopted a number of measures to safeguard digital assets it secures including, but not limited to, holding customer digital assets on a 1:1 basis and strategically storing custodied assets offline using the Company’s cold storage process. The Company also does not reuse or rehypothecate customer digital assets nor grant security interests in customer digital assets, in each case unless required by law or expressly agreed to by the institutional customer. Any loss or theft would impact the measurement of the customer digital assets.
The Company classifies the customer digital currency assets and liabilities as current based on their purpose and availability to fulfill its direct obligations to its customers.
Fair value measurements: ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”), clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based upon assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows
| ● | Level 1 – Inputs based on unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. |
| ● | Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. |
| ● | Level 3 – Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The inputs are both unobservable for the asset and liability in the market and significant to the overall fair value measurement. |
An asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of the following techniques noted in ASC 820:
| ● | Market approach: Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. |
| ● | Cost approach: Amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost). |
| ● | Income approach: Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount based upon market expectations (including present value techniques, option pricing, and excess earnings models). |
The Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, however the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
The Company’s financial instruments with a carrying value that approximates fair value consist of cash, customer custodial funds, due from affiliates, notes receivable – related parties, net, other current assets, accounts payable, customer custodial cash liabilities, due to affiliates, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, interest payable – related parties, and short-term borrowings due to their liquid or short-term nature or expected settlement dates of these instruments. If these financial instruments were recorded at fair value, they would be based on Level 1 inputs, except for short-term borrowings and notes receivable, related parties, net which would be based on Level 2 and Level 3 inputs, respectively.
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The Company’s non-financial assets, such as intangible assets, and financial assets are adjusted to fair value when an impairment charge is recognized. The impairment charge recognized on non-financial assets that consist of acquired intangible assets is based on Level 3 inputs, including a comparison of the Company’s results with expectations and expectation for future profits. The impairment charge recognized of non-financial assets that consist of digital assets is based on Level 1 or Level 2 inputs, determined whether there is an active market for the digital asset at period end. The impairment charge recognized for financial assets that consist of investment in privately held equity securities is based on Level 3 inputs, including the global economic environment, adjustments for investment-specific developments and the rights and obligations of the securities the Company holds.
The Company’s financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of the customer digital currency assets and liabilities (see Note 13).
Related parties: The Company considers parties to be related if one party has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions. Parties are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or significant influence of the same party, such as a family member or relative, shareholder, or a related corporation. The Company reviews the relationships of its vendors, customers, shareholders, and board members to determine whether there are any parties meet the criteria to be considered related. Any party that is deemed to be related to the Company is referred to as an “affiliate” or “related party” in these consolidated financial statements.
Due from affiliates and notes receivable – related parties, net: Due from affiliates and notes receivable – related parties, net are contractual rights to receive cash on demand or on fixed or determinable dates and are recognized as an asset on the consolidated balance sheets. Due from affiliates consist of amounts owed from affiliates of the Company for either services provided to the affiliate or expenses paid by the Company on behalf of the affiliate (see Note 17). Notes receivable – related parties, net consist of advances made to affiliates in exchange for a promissory note from the affiliate (see Note 17).
Other current assets: Other current assets primarily consists of escrow cash, security deposit, accounts receivable, interest receivable, other receivables and prepaid miscellaneous items. The Company expects all current assets to be collected and/or realized within the next 12 months.
Allowance for credit losses: The
Company recognizes an allowance for credit losses based on expected credit losses on receivables in an amount equal to the estimated probable
losses net of recoveries. The Company currently monitors financial conditions of the companies it has receivables from on a continuing
basis. After considering current economic conditions and specific and financial stability of its receivables, an allowance for credit
losses is maintained in the balance sheet at a level which management believes is sufficient to cover all probable future credit losses
as of the balance sheet date based on specific reserves and an expectation of future economic conditions that might impact collectability.
The Company’s policy is to write off past-due accrued interest receivable in a timely manner, and as such, the Company elected not
to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivable on notes receivables outstanding. Other receivables,
due from affiliates and notes receivable – related parties, net are carried at amortized cost, net of allowances for credit losses.
Amortized cost approximated book value as of September 30, 2024. After all reasonable attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the
amount of the receivable is written off against the allowance. As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the allowance for credit losses was
$
Customer, Supplier, and Concentration Risk:
Cash: The Company’s cash and cash
equivalents and customer custodial funds are potentially subject to concentration of credit risk. Cash and cash equivalents and customer
custodial funds are primarily placed with financial institutions which are of high credit quality. The Company invests cash and cash equivalents
and customer custodial funds primarily in highly liquid, highly rated instruments which are uninsured. The Company may also have corporate
deposit balances with financial institutions which exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit of $
Customers: The Company performs ongoing
credit evaluations of its customers to reduce credit risk, but determined risks associated with non-payment from its customers is limited
due to short-term payment terms. One customer, who is also an affiliate of the Company, accounted for
Suppliers: One supplier, who is an affiliate of the Company,
accounted for
F-12
Investments: The Company holds equity investments in privately held companies without readily determinable fair values. The Company makes a determination upon entering into an arrangement whether an entity in which an investment is made is considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The investments in privately held companies are re-evaluated on an ongoing basis. As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, there were no VIEs required to be consolidated in our consolidated financial statements because the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in any of the VIEs in which it has invested nor is the Company the primary beneficiary. These investments are accounted for under either the equity method or as equity investments without readily determinable fair value, depending on the circumstances.
Investments where the Company (1) holds less than
The Company’s equity method investment is
associated with the acquisition of
As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the total carrying
value of investments in privately held companies determined to be VIEs was and $
Intangible assets, net: Intangible
assets primarily consists of acquired identifiable intangible assets and digital assets. Acquired identifiable intangible assets including
trade names, regulatory licenses, and technology, are being amortized on a straight-line method over an estimated useful life of
Impairment of long-lived assets: In accordance with ASC 360, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“ASC 360”), the Company reviews the carrying values of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Based on the existence of one or more indicators of impairment, the Company measures any impairment of long-lived assets using the projected discounted cash flow method at the asset group level. The estimation of future cash flows requires significant management judgment based on the Company’s historical results and anticipated results and is subject to many factors. The discount rate that is commensurate with the risk inherent in the Company’s business model is determined by its management. An impairment loss would be recorded if the Company determined that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying values of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets.
The Company assessed its long-lived assets for any impairment and concluded that there were indicators of impairment on the following long-lived assets:
| ● | Investment accounted for under the measurement alternative – Impairment indicators were identified at September 30, 2024 and 2023 as a result of the investee’s continued operating results being significantly lower than forecasts, the global economic environment, and progression on meeting operating milestones. The Company calculated its estimated undiscounted cash flows to be less than the carrying amount related to the cost method investment, recognizing impairment losses of $ |
| ● | Acquired identifiable intangible assets – Impairment indicators were identified at September 30, 2023 as a result of the Company’s operating results being significantly lower than forecasts. An impairment loss of $ |
| ● | Digital assets – Impairment indicators were identified at September 30, 2023 as a result of the carrying value of the digital assets exceeding its fair value at period end. An impairment loss of $ |
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The assumptions used in the impairment analyses represent Level 3 inputs.
Note payable, loans payable – related parties, convertible notes payable: Debt issuance costs, including original issue discounts, will be recorded to debt discount, reducing the face amount of the note. Debt issuance costs will be amortized to interest expense over the contractual term of the respective debt obligation using the effective interest method. If a conversion of the underlying debt occurs, a proportionate share of the unamortized discount is immediately expensed.
The Company evaluates convertible notes payable in accordance with ASC 470, “Debt with Conversion and Other Options” (“ASC 470”) to determine if embedded conversion features present in the convertible instrument shall be recognized separately at issuance by allocating a portion of the proceeds equal to the intrinsic value of that feature to additional paid-in capital. Debt issuance costs are allocated proportionately to the debt host and conversion feature.
Gains and losses on extinguishment of liabilities: The Company recognizes gains and losses on extinguishment of liabilities, including accounts payable and debt obligations, with unrelated parties as the difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the associated obligation, as a component of other expense (income), net in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company classifies the gains and losses on extinguishment of liabilities with related partiesthe gain or loss on the extinguishment of each obligation with a related party as a reduction of capital in the accompanying statements of changes in stockholders’ deficit or as a component of other expense (income), net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss based on the facts and circumstances of each extinguishment transaction.
Stock purchase warrants: The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480, Distinguishing liabilities from equity (“ASC 480”), and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own common shares and whether the warrant holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance, modification, and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding.
For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance.
For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. Changes in the estimated fair value of the liability classified warrants are recognized as a non-cash gain or loss on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
The Company assesses the classification of its common stock purchase warrants at each reporting date to determine whether a change in classification between equity and liability is required.
F-14
Revenue recognition: The Company determines revenue recognition from contracts with customers through the following steps:
| ● | Identify the contract, or contracts, with the customer |
| ● | Identify the performance obligations in the contract |
| ● | Determine the transaction price |
| ● | Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract |
| ● | Recognize revenue when the company satisfies a performance obligation |
Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.
General support services: General support services revenue represents support services provided to a customer, including operational reporting and technical support infrastructure, website hosting and marketing solutions, accounting maintenance, risk monitoring services, new account processing and customer care and continued support. These services represent multiple performance obligations that are combined into a single unit of accounting. Although the Company engages a third party to provision the general support services to the customer, the Company is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified good or service. That is, the Company is a principal in transactions and presents revenue on a gross basis.
Judgment is required in determining whether the Company is the principal or the agent in the provision of general support services as the Company utilizes a third party to perform the general support services. The Company evaluates the presentation of revenue on a gross or net basis based on whether it is responsible for fulfilling the promise (gross) or whether the third party performing the services is responsible for fulling the promise to the Company’s customer (net). The Company is contractually obligated to provide the fulfillment software, technology, customer sales and marketing and risk management technology hardware and software solutions package to the customer and through a shareholder’s ownership of the third party contracted to perform the general support services, controls the services of its service provider necessary to legally transfer of the services to the customer. The Company sets the price of the general support services through an executed contract with the customer. As a result, the Company acts as the principal by providing the ongoing service support that enables its customers to conduct its business without interruption.
The Company considers its performance obligation satisfied and recognizes revenue over time as the general support services are rendered. The Company recognizes the full contracted amount each period with no deferred revenue. The Company recognizes revenue equal to the rate specified in the contract with the customer over the term specified in the contract.
Financial services: Financial services revenue represents transaction fees earned from customers which comprise a single performance obligation to provide payment services from one fiat currency to another or to digital assets as directed by a customer. That is, the Company is an agent in transactions and presents revenue for the fees earned on a net basis.
Judgment is required in determining whether the Company is the principal or the agent in financial services transactions. The Company evaluates the presentation of revenue on a gross or net basis based on whether it controls the asset provided before it is transferred to the customer or the customer’s beneficiary (gross) or whether it acts as an agent by arranging for other parties to provide the asset to the customer (net). The Company does not control the fiat currency or digital asset being provided before it is transferred to the customer or customer’s beneficiary, does not have inventory risk related to the fiat currency or digital asset, and is not responsible for the fulfillment of the fiat currency or digital asset. The Company also does not set the price for the fiat currency or digital asset as the price is a market rate established by users of the platform. As a result, the Company acts as an agent in facilitating the ability for a customer to transfer fiat currency or digital assets to itself or its beneficiary.
The Company considers its performance obligation satisfied at a point in time and recognizes revenue at the point in time the transaction completes. Contracts with customers are usually open-ended and can be terminated by either party without a termination penalty. Therefore, contracts are defined at the transaction level and do not extend beyond the service already provided.
F-15
The Company charges a fee at the transaction level. The transaction price, represented by the transaction fee, is calculated based on volume and varies depending on payment type and the value of the transaction. The transaction fee is collected from the customer at the time the transaction is executed. In certain instances, the transaction fee can be collected in digital assets, with revenue measured based on the amount of digital assets received and the fair value of the digital asset at the time of the transaction. Prepayments, if any, received from customers prior to the services being performed are recorded as advances from customers. In these cases, when the services are performed, the appropriate portion of the amount recorded as advance from customers is recognized as revenue. There were prepayments recorded at September 30, 2024 and 2023.
The Company has elected to apply the practical
expedient to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset
that would otherwise have been recognized is
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| 1 |
Advertising: Costs related to advertising
are expensed as incurred. For the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, advertising costs amounted to $
Stock-based compensation: The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based awards granted to non-employees, including stock options, based on the grant date fair value of the award. The Company estimates the grant date fair value of each option award using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The model requires management to make a number of assumptions, including the fair value and expected volatility of the Company’s underlying common stock price, expected live of the option, risk-free interest rate and expected dividend yield. The fair value of the underlying stock is the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date that the commitment for performance by the counterparty has been reached or the counterparty’s performance is complete. The fair value of the equity instrument is calculated and then recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period.
The Company has elected to account for forfeitures of awards as they occur, with previously recognized compensation reversed in the period that the awards are forfeited.
Income taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. A valuation allowance is established when management estimates that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future pre-tax earnings, the reversal of temporary differences between book and tax income, and the expected rates in future periods.
The Company is required to evaluate the tax positions taken in the course of preparing its tax returns to determine whether tax positions are more likely than not of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax benefits of positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold would be recorded as a tax expense in the current year. The amount recognized is subject to estimate and management judgment with respect to the likely outcome of each uncertain tax position. The amount that is ultimately sustained for an individual uncertain tax position or for all uncertain tax positions in the aggregate could differ from the amount that is initially recognized. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in general and administrative expense.
For U.S. federal tax purposes, digital asset transactions are treated on the same tax principles as property transactions. The Company recognizes a gain or loss when digital assets are exchanged for other property, in the amount of the difference between the fair market value of the property received and the tax basis of the exchanged digital assets. Receipts of digital assets in exchange for goods or services are included in taxable income at the fair market value on the date of receipt.
F-16
Foreign currency translation: The
Company’s consolidated financial statements are presented in the reporting currency of the U.S. dollar. Functional currencies
of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries is the local currency used in each entities primary economic environment, some of
which are different than the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities of the Company are translated into the reporting currency
using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet dates. Equity transactions are translated using the historical exchange rate
in effect on the date of the transaction, except for the change in accumulated deficit during the year, which is the results of the
operations translation process. Results of operations and cash flows are translated using the weighted average exchange rates in
effect during the period. As a result, amounts relating to the assets and liabilities reported on the statements of cash flows may
not necessarily agree with the changes in the corresponding balances on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Translation
adjustments resulting from the process of translating the local currency financial statements into the reporting currency are
recorded as a component of comprehensive income (loss). For the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the realized foreign
currency exchange gain (loss) was $
Remeasurement gains and losses from transactions that are not denominated in the functional currency are recorded as a component of other income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Most of the Company’s revenue transactions are transacted in the functional currency of the Company. The Company does not enter into any material transaction in foreign currencies. Transaction gains or losses have not had, and are not expected to have, a material effect on the results of operations of the Company.
Comprehensive loss: Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and all changes to the statements of equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders. For the Company, comprehensive loss for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 consisted of net loss and unrealized loss from foreign currency translation adjustment.
Net loss per share: Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding the effects of any potential dilutive securities. Diluted earnings per share is computed similar to basic earnings per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common share equivalents had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. Earnings per share excludes all potential dilutive shares of common shares if their effect is anti-dilutive
For the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, potentially dilutive common shares consist of the common shares issuable upon the exercise of common stock options and warrants (using the treasury stock method) and the conversion of convertible notes payable. In a period in which the Company has a net loss, all potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of diluted shares outstanding as they would have had an anti-dilutive impact.
| Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Options to purchase common stock under Old Nukk equity incentive plan | ||||||||
| Convertible notes payable that convert into common stock | ||||||||
| Stock purchase warrants to acquire common stock | ||||||||
| Total potentially dilutive securities | ||||||||
Reclassification: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the previously reported financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
F-17
Recently issued accounting pronouncements, adopted
Effective October 1, 2023, the Company adopted the requirements of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (“Topic 326”) (“ASU 2016-13”), along with the subsequently issued guidance amending and clarifying various aspects of ASU 2016-13, using the modified retrospective method of adoption. In accordance with that method, the comparative periods’ information continues to be reported under the relevant accounting guidance in effect for that period. For the current period, the standard replaces the existing incurred credit loss model with the current expected credit losses model for financial instruments, including due from affiliates and notes receivables – related parties, net, through a cumulative-effect adjustment to accumulated deficit as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. Although the adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements it represented a change in accounting policy with respect to the estimation of uncollectible accounts.
In August 2020, ASU 2020-06, Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”), to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock and amends the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity to reduce from-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. The Company adopted ASU 2020-06 effective October 1, 2023, and the adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Recently issued accounting pronouncements, not yet adopted
ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative (“ASU 2023-06”) incorporates several disclosure and presentation requirements currently residing in SEC Regulation S-X and S-K into the ASC. The amendments are applied prospectively and are effective when the SEC removes the related requirements from Regulation S-X and S-K. Any amendments the SEC does not remove by June 30, 2027 will not be effective. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on its disclosures.
ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting – Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”), requires enhanced disclosures related to significant segment expenses and a description of how the chief operating decision maker utilizes segment operating profit or loss to assess segment performance. ASC 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and for interim reporting periods starting after December 15, 2024, and is to be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
ASU 2023-08, Accounting for and Disclosure of Crypto Assets (“ASU 2023-08”), requires entities that hold crypto assets to subsequently measure such assets at fair value with changes recognized in net income each reporting period. The guidance also requires crypto assets measured at fair value to be presented separately from other intangible assets on the balance sheet and changes in the fair value measurement of crypto assets to be presented separately on the income statement from changes in the carrying amounts of other intangible assets. ASU 2023-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2023-08 on October 1, 2024 and will apply the modified retrospective transition approach. While the Company is in the process of finalizing implementation, based on a preliminary assessment, the Company anticipates a nominal increase in fair value on digital assets held with the corresponding cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings.
ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (“ASU 2023-09”), requires disclosure of specific categories and disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation table and expands disclosures related to income taxes paid. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and is to be applied prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
F-18
ASU 2024-02, Codification Improvements-Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements (“ASU 2024-02”) updates accounting standards for revenue recognition (ASC 606), lease accounting (ASC 842), and impairment of long-lived assets (ASC 360). ASU 2024-02 provides enhanced guidance for estimating variable consideration, accounting for contract modifications, determining lease terms, and simplifying impairment testing for long-lived assets. It also introduces increased disclosure requirements for financial instruments and derivatives. ASU 2024-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
ASU 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“ASU 2024-03”), requires public companies to disaggregate key expense categories, such as inventory purchases, employee compensation and depreciation in their financial statements. This aims to improve investor insight into company performance. ASU 2024-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
NOTE 4 – REVERSE RECAPITALIZATION
On December 22, 2023, Old Nukk and Brilliant consummated the merger contemplated by the Business Combination with Old Nukk surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brilliant.
Upon the closing of the Business Combination,
Brilliant’s certificate of incorporation was amended and restated to, among other things, set the total number of authorized shares
of capital to
Upon the consummation of the Business Combination,
each share of Old Nukk common stock issued and outstanding was cancelled and converted into the right to receive a pro-rata portion of
Outstanding stock options, whether vested or unvested,
to purchase shares of Old Nukk common stock (see Note 15) converted into stock options for shares of the Company’s common stock
(each, an “Assumed Option”), upon the same terms and conditions that were in effect with respect to such stock options immediately
prior to the Business Combination, after giving effect to an exchange ratio applicable to the Old Nukk outstanding stock options of
Outstanding Public Warrants and Private Warrants
(see Note 14) to purchase shares of Brilliant Ordinary Shares remained outstanding at the Closing Date. The warrants became exercisable
30 days after the completion of the Business Combination and will expire
A backstop pool was determined to be
| ● | Certain Brilliant shareholders received an additional issuance of shares or warrants as follows: |
| o | Holders of Brilliant Ordinary Shares received shares of the Company’s common stock equal to their pro rata share of the Backstop Pool |
| o | Holders of Brilliant Rights received shares of the Company’s common stock equal to their pro-rata share of the Backstop Pool |
| o | Holders of Brilliant Warrants, other than warrants held by Brilliant’s sponsor or affiliates, received additional Company Warrants that will be exercisable to receive a share of the Company’s common stock plus an additional number of Company warrants equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate number of Brilliant Ordinary Shares and Brilliant Rights outstanding. |
In connection with the Business Combination, certain Brilliant shareholders
exercised their right to redeem certain of their outstanding shares for cash, resulting in the redemption of
F-19
The Business Combination is accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Brilliant was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. See Note 1 “Description of business and basis of presentation” for further details. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Old Nukk issuing stock for the net assets of Brilliant, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of Brilliant are stated as historical cost, with no goodwill or intangible assets recorded.
Prior to the Business Combination, Old Nukk and Brilliant filed separate standalone federal, state and local income tax returns. As a result of the Business Combination, Old Nukk will file a consolidated income tax return. Although, for legal purposes, Brilliant acquired Old Nukk, and the transaction represents a reverse acquisition for federal income tax purposes. Brilliant will be the parent of the consolidated group, with Old Nukk a subsidiary, but in the year of the closing of the Business Combination, Old Nukk will file a full year tax return with Brilliant joining in the return the day after the Closing Date.
| Cash – Brilliant trust and cash (net of redemption) | $ | |||
| Less: transaction costs and advisory fees paid | ( | ) | ||
| Net Business Combination financing | $ |
| Ordinary Shares, outstanding prior to Business Combination | ||||
| Less: Redemption of Brilliant Ordinary Shares | ( | ) | ||
| Common stock of Brilliant | ||||
| Brilliant Rights | ||||
| Brilliant Founder shares | ||||
| Brilliant Backstop Pool | ||||
| Sponsors and Others (include Rights) | ||||
| Business Combination and Brilliant shares | ||||
| Old Nukk shares(1) | ||||
| Total shares of common stock immediately after Business Combination | ||||
| Issuance of shares of common stock to settle certain obligations to vendors | ||||
| Issuance shares of common stock to settle certain due to affiliates | ||||
| Issuance of shares of common stock to settle certain notes payable – related parties | ||||
| Total shares of common stock at September 30, 2024 |
| (1) |
| Old Nukk | The Company | |||||||
| Old Nukk common shares outstanding at September 30, 2022 | ||||||||
| Old Nukk common shares issued to advisors of Brilliant in exchange for receivable from Brilliant – December 14, 2023 | ||||||||
| Old Nukk common shares issued to advisors of Old Nukk in exchange for services received – December 14, 2023 | ||||||||
| Total Old Nukk shares exchanged in the Business Combination | ||||||||
F-20
Lock-up Agreements: Certain former stockholders of Old Nukk and Brilliant have agreed to lockup restrictions regarding the future transfer shares of common stock. Such shares may not be transferred or otherwise disposed of for a period of two years through December 23, 2025, subject to certain exceptions.
Transaction costs:
Transaction costs and advisory fees incurred in connection with the
Business Combination charged to additional paid-in capital for the year ended September 30, 2024 totaled $
NOTE 5 – OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Prepaid expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash in escrow | ||||||||
| Security deposit | ||||||||
| Others | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
NOTE 6 – CUSTOMER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Customer custodial funds | $ | $ | ||||||
| Customer digital currency assets | ||||||||
| Total customer assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Customer custodial cash liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Customer digital currency liabilities | ||||||||
| Total customer liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
F-21
The customer assets and liabilities were in a deficit position of $
| September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Percentage of Total | Fair Value | Percentage of Total | |||||||||||||
| Stablecoin/USD Coin | $ | % | % | |||||||||||||
| Other | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total customer digital currency assets | $ | % | % | |||||||||||||
NOTE 7 – INVESTMENT
The Company acquired
| Year Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Carrying amount, beginning of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Impairment loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Carrying amount, end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
NOTE 8 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Intangible assets, net consists of acquired intangible assets and digital assets.
| Weighted Average Remaining | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| Life (Years) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Trade names | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Regulatory licenses | |||||||||||
| Technology | |||||||||||
| Software | |||||||||||
| Less: accumulated amortization | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||
| Less: impairment loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||
| Total acquired intangible assets, net | $ | $ | |||||||||
For the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023,
amortization expense of acquired intangibles assets amounted to $
F-22
| Amortization | ||||
| For the Year Ending September 30: | Amount | |||
| 2025 | $ | |||
| 2026 | ||||
| $ | ||||
| Asset | Estimated Useful Life | Cost | Impairment | Digital Assets | ||||||||||
| Bitcoin | Indefinite | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Ethereum | Indefinite | |||||||||||||
| Total digital assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||
| Asset | Estimated Useful Life | Cost | Impairment | Digital Assets | ||||||||||
| Bitcoin | Indefinite | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Ethereum | Indefinite | |||||||||||||
| Stablecoin/USD Coin | Indefinite | |||||||||||||
| Other | Indefinite | |||||||||||||
| Total digital assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||
NOTE 9 – ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Accrued professional fees | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued payroll liability and directors’ compensation | ||||||||
| Unearned revenue | $ | |||||||
| Interest payable | ||||||||
| Others | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
F-23
NOTE 10 – LOANS PAYABLE – RELATED PARTIES
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| July 2023 Loan | $ | $ | ||||||
| August 2023 Loan | ||||||||
| September 2023 Loan | ||||||||
| Shareholder 2024 Loans | ||||||||
| March 2024 Loan | ||||||||
| March 2024 Facility | ||||||||
| July 2024 Loan | ||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||
| Less: loans payable – related parties, current portion | ( | ) | ||||||
| Loans payable – related parties, net of current portion | $ | $ | ||||||
In July 2023, the Company issued a promissory
note in exchange for cash consideration (the “July 2023 Loan”) for GBP
In August 2023,
the Company issued a promissory note in exchange for cash consideration (the “August 2023 Loan”) for $
In September 2023, the Company issued a promissory
note in exchange for cash consideration (the “September 2023 Loan”) for $
| October 2023 | $ | |||
| December 2023 | ||||
| January 2024 | ||||
| February 2024 | ||||
| March 2024 | ||||
| April 2024 | ||||
| May 2024 | ||||
| June 2024 | ||||
| July 2024 | ||||
| August 2024 | ||||
| September 2024 | ||||
| Total | $ |
F-24
The 2024
Shareholder Loans bear interest of
In March 2024, the Company entered
into a facility agreement with a shareholder (the “March 2024 Facility”), whereby a Company’s subsidiary can request
loans up to an aggregate $
In March 2024, the Company entered into
a loan agreement with a Company shareholder (the “March 2024 Loan”), providing the Company with a loan up to GBP
In July 2024, a shareholder of the Company made payments on the Company’s behalf to settle an obligation with an affiliate in which the shareholder has a controlling interest. The shareholder entered into an assignment of debt agreement with the affiliate whereby the affiliate assigned its right, title obligation and interest in the obligation by the Company to the shareholder (the “July 2024 Loan”). The July 2024 Loan is noninterest bearing and was due and payable at issuance.
In June 2024, as part of the terms of
a note payable entered into,
For the year ended September 30, 2024
and 2023, the interest expense related to above loans payable – related parties amounted to $
As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the
related accrued and unpaid interest for above loans was $
| For the Year Ending September 30: | ||||
| 2025 | $ | |||
| 2026 | ||||
| $ | ||||
F-25
NOTE 11 – NOTE PAYABLE, NET
In November 2023,
the Company entered into a loan agreement pursuant to which the Company borrowed $
In April 2024,
the Company issued a promissory note in the principal amount of $
For the year ended September 30, 2024, amortization
of debt discount and interest expense related to the April 2024 Loan amounted to $
NOTE 12 – CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE, NET
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| June 2024 Note | $ | $ | ||||||
| Additional June 2024 Notes | ||||||||
| August 2024 Note | ||||||||
| September 2024 Note | ||||||||
| Less: debt issuance costs | ( | ) | ||||||
| Convertible notes payable, net | $ | $ | ||||||
June 2024 Note: On June 11, 2024,
the Company issued a senior unsecured promissory note (the “June 2024 Note”) in the principal amount of $
The June 2024 Warrant was determined to be an
equity classified warrant and fair value of $
In connection with the June 2024 Note, the Company and Lender entered into a restructuring agreement (the “Restructuring Agreement”), providing, among other things,
| ● | the Lender, in its sole discretion, will have the right for a period for six months commencing June 11, 2024 (the “Investment Period”), to lend the Company an additional $ |
| ● | the Company may not incur additional debt or enter into any equity financing arrangement without the written consent of the Lender during the Investment Period. |
F-26
| ● | The Company will negotiate the sale of a wholly-owned subsidiary to the wholly-owned subsidiary’s current management team subject to approval of the Company’s Board of Directors and shareholders, among other rules and regulations. |
| ● | The Lender will be the Company’s exclusive advisor in respect to potential acquisitions by the Company. Any such acquisition proposal provided by the Lender will be subject to the Lender and such party entering a definitive binding agreement and the Board of Directors and shareholders of the Company approving such acquisition. |
In connection with
the June 2024 Note, a shareholder, the Company, and the Lender entered into a voting agreement whereby the shareholder agreed to vote
his shares in support of any potential acquisition proposed by the Lender. Additionally, the Company and the Lender
Additional June
2024 Notes: On June 17, 2024 and June 18, 2024, the Company issued two additional
notes, each in the principal amount of $
August 2024 Note: In August 2024, the Company
issued a senior unsecured promissory note (the “August 2024 Note”) in the principal amount of $
The August 2024 Warrant was determined to be
an equity classified warrant and fair value was calculated as $
The Company did not obtain the Lender’s written consent prior to entering into the August 2024 Note, violating the terms of the Restructuring Agreement. Accordingly, the Lender exercised its rate to terminate the current CEO and appoint an additional member to the Board (see Note 17).
September 2024
Note: On September 10, 2024, the Company issued an additional Senior Unsecured Promissory Note (the “September 2024 Note”)
in the principal amount of $
For the year ended September 30, 2024, amortization
of debt discount and interest expense related to convertible promissory notes amounted to $
F-27
NOTE 13 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
| Quoted | Significant Other | Significant | ||||||||||||||
| Price in | Observable | Unobservable | Balance at | |||||||||||||
| Active Markets | Inputs | Inputs | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||
| Customer digital currency assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
| Customer digital currency liabilities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Customer digital currency assets and liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to safeguard customer digital currencies. Accordingly, the Company has valued the assets and liabilities using quoted market prices for the underlying digital currencies which is based on Level 2 inputs. The Company did not make any transfers into or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
The Company had no assets or liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2023.
NOTE 14 – STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
The Company consummated the Business Combination on December 22, 2023, which has been accounted for as a reverse recapitalization (see Note 1 and Note 4).
As a result of
the 2024 Reverse Stock Split, each eight pre-split shares of common stock outstanding automatically combined and converted to one issued
and outstanding share of common stock without any action on the part of stockholders. No fractional shares of common stock were issued
to any stockholders in connection with the 2024 Reverse Stock Split. Each stockholder was entitled to receive one share of common stock
in lieu of the fractional share that would have resulted from the 2024 Reverse Stock Split. The number of the Company’s authorized
common stock remain unchanged, and the par value of the common stock following the 2024 Reverse Stock Split remained at $
The Company has retrospectively adjusted the Old Nukk common shares issued and outstanding prior to December 23, 2023 to give effect to the Business Combination and for the eight-for-one reverse stock split.
F-28
Preferred Stock:
The Company is authorized to issue
Common stock:
The Company is authorized to issue
| Convertible notes payable | ||||
| Stock options issued and outstanding under Old Nukk equity incentive plan | ||||
| Authorized for future grant under 2023 Equity Incentive Plan | ||||
| Warrants | ||||
Dividend rights the holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends and other distributions, as and if declared by the Board out of assets or funds of the Company legally available and shall share equally on a per share basis.
Voting rights:
the common stock possesses all voting power of the Company. Each share of common stock is entitled to
Liquidation: In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, after payment or provision of payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Company, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Company available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares of common stock held by them.
In December 2023,
In December 2023,
In December 2023,
In December 2023,
| Common stock shares | Fair value | Carrying value obligation | Gain (loss) on extinguishment | |||||||||||||
| January 2024 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| May 2024 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| July 2024 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| July 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| July 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| July 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
The excess of the fair value of the shares issued over the carrying value of the associated vendor obligation was treated as a loss on debt extinguishment while the excess of the carrying value of the vendor obligation over the fair value of the shares issued was treated as a gain on debt extinguishment. Both were recorded as a component of other (expense) income, net on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as the vendor does not have an affiliate relationship with the Company directly or indirectly.
F-29
Warrants:
Public Warrants:
On June 26, 2020, Brilliant completed an initial public offering that included warrants for shares of common stock (the “Public
Warrants’). Each Public Warrant entitles the holder the right to purchase
Private Warrants:
Simultaneous with Brilliant’s initial public offering in June 2020, Brilliant sold warrants to its sponsor and certain of its
directors and advisors in a private placement (the “Private Warrants”). The Private Warrants may not be redeemed by the Company
so long as the Private Warrants are held by the initial purchasers, or such purchasers’ permitted transferees. The Private Warrants
have terms and provisions identical to the Public Warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period, except
if the Private Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers’ permitted transferees, then the Private Warrants
are redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants. On the Closing Date, there were
As a result of
the Business Combination which was completed on December 22, 2023, Public Warrants and Private Warrants totaling
Stock Purchase Warrants: In connection
with certain note payable agreements (see Note 11) and certain convertible notes payable (see Note 12), the Company issued stock purchase
warrants to certain lenders that permit the lender to acquire a fixed amount of shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share
price that ranges between $
All warrants were determined to have equity classification at issuance, and as such, were recorded to additional-paid-in capital at the time of issuance.
| Warrants Outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Range of Exercise Price | Number Outstanding at September 30, 2024 | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||||||||||
| Public and Private Warrants | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| April 2024 Warrants | ||||||||||||||||
| June 2024 Warrants | ||||||||||||||||
| August 2024 Warrants | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
F-30
| Number of Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Issued | ||||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2023 | ||||||||
| Issued | ||||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2024 | $ | |||||||
NOTE 15 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Old Nukk Equity Incentive Plan
For periods prior to the reverse recapitalization (see Note 4), the Old Nukk Equity Incentive Plan (the “Old Nukk Plan”) permitted the granting of various awards including stock options (including both nonqualified options and incentive options), stock appreciate rights (“SARs”), stock awards, phantom stock units, performance awards and other share-based awards to employees, outside directors and consultants, and advisors to the Company. Only stock options have been awarded to consultants and advisors under the Old Nukk Plan.
Assumed Options converted into an option to purchase a number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the product of the number of shares of Old Nukk common stock and the Exchange Ratio at an exercise price per share equal to the exercise price of the Assumed Options divided by the Exchange Ratio. Each Assumed Option is governed by the same terms and conditions applicable to the Assumed Options prior to the Business Combination. No further grants can be made under the Old Nukk Plan.
Stock options generally
vest over one to three years, with a maximum term of ten years from the date of grant. These awards become available to the recipient
upon the satisfaction a vesting condition based on a period of service.
| Number
of Options | Weighted
Average Exercise Price | |||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Expired | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2023 and 2024 | ||||||||
| Options exercisable at September 30, 2024 | $ | |||||||
| Options expected to vest | $ | |||||||
The aggregate intrinsic value of both
stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable at September 30, 2024 was $
Share-based compensation expense under the Old Nukk Plan for the years
ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $
F-31
2023 Equity Incentive Plan
On December 22,
2023, the Company’s shareholders approved a new long-term incentive award plan (the “2023 Plan”) in connection with
the Business Combination. The 2023 Plan is administered by the Board. The selection of participants, allotment of shares, determination
of price and other conditions are approved by the Board at its sole discretion to attract and retain personnel instrumental to the success
of the Company. Under the 2023 Pan, the Company may grant an aggregate of
NOTE 16 – INCOME TAXES
| Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| United States | $ | $ | ||||||
| Foreign | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
| Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Current: | ||||||||
| Federal | $ | $ | ||||||
| State | ||||||||
| Foreign | ||||||||
| Total current income taxes expense | ||||||||
| Deferred: | ||||||||
| Federal | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| State | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Foreign | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Total deferred income taxes (benefit) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Change in valuation allowance | ||||||||
| Total income taxes expense | $ | $ | ||||||
| Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Statutory federal income tax rate | % | % | ||||||
| State tax | % | % | ||||||
| Foreign rate different rates | ( | )% | ( | )% | ||||
| Permanent differences | ( | )% | ( | )% | ||||
| Change in valuation allowance | ( | )% | ( | )% | ||||
| Effective tax rate | % | % | ||||||
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| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Deferred tax assets | ||||||||
| Net operating loss carry-forwards | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued directors’ compensation | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||
| Impairment of digital assets | ||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | ||||||||
| Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss | ||||||||
| Capitalized SPAC acquisition related professional fee | ||||||||
| Total deferred tax assets, gross | ||||||||
| Valuation allowance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total deferred tax assets | $ | $ | ||||||
The Company provided a valuation allowance equal to the deferred income tax assets for years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 because it is not presently known whether future taxable income will be sufficient to utilize the loss carry-forwards. The valuation allowance could be reduced or eliminated based on future earnings and future estimates of taxable income. At each reporting date, management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could affect its view of the future realization of deferred tax assets. On the basis of this evaluation, only the portion of the deferred tax asset that is more likely than not to be realized was recognized. However, if the Company is not able to generate sufficient taxable income from its operations in the future, then a valuation allowance to reduce the Company’s U.S. deferred tax assets may be required, which would increase the Company’s expenses in the period the allowance is recognized.
As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $
As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not identify any uncertain tax positions that would require either recognition or disclosure in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax positions in income tax expense. There was no interest or penalties recorded for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
The Company has a December 31 tax year-end. The federal, state and foreign income tax returns of the Company are subject to examination by various tax authorities, generally for three years after they are filed. The Company is not subject to income taxes in Bermuda. The Company’s 2021 through 2024 tax years are subject to examination.
NOTE 17 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Departure of Directors and Certain Officers and Election of Directors and Appointment of Certain Officers: On July 24, 2024, The Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “Original CEO”) resigned from his management position at the Company and from the Board. The Chief Operating Officer, and a director of the Company, was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (the “New CEO”) effective July 24, 2024.
The Lender, the Original CEO, and the New CEO, entered into a settlement agreement pursuant to which the New CEO resigned from his management position at the Company and from the Company’s Board effective September 4, 2024. In conjunction with the New CEO’s resignation, the number of Board seats increased from six to seven and appointed two new directors to fill such vacancies, one of whom was also appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective September 2024.
F-33
Due from/to
affiliates: Amounts owed to the Company from affiliates that the Company transacts with in the normal course of business, are recorded
as due from affiliates on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and totaled $
Financial
services revenue and due from affiliates: Certain of the Company’s directors, executive officers, principal owners,
including immediate family members, are either directly or indirectly, through a controlling interest in an entity, users of the
Company’s services. The Company recognized revenue from related party customers of
General support services revenue,
general support services cost of revenue, due from affiliate and due to affiliate: The Company provides general support services under
a General Services Agreement (“GSA”) with a customer, whom a Company’s shareholder has an indirect controlling interest
in. The GSA required minimum monthly payments of $
The Company utilizes a supplier, whom
a Company’s shareholder has an indirect controlling interest in, to provide general support services to its customer under a GSA
(the “GSS GSA”). For the period from October 1, 2022 through April 30, 2023, the minimum monthly payment required by the GSS
GSA was $
In December 2023, the Company settled
an outstanding liability with the supplier totaling $
On September 30, 2024, the Company,
the customer under the GSA and the supplier under the GSS GSA entered into a release agreement pursuant to which the parties confirmed
that the GSA between the Company and the customer and the GSS GSA between the Company and the supplier were terminated effective January
1, 2024. The parties further confirmed that there are no obligations or liabilities outstanding or owed between the parties as of September
30, 2024 and each party released and forever discharged the other party from any and all claims, demands, damages, actions, causes of
action, or suits of any kind or nature whatsoever, both known and unknown, which have arisen or may arise from the GSA or the GSS GSA.
Accordingly, at September 30, 2024, the amount of $
Advances: From time to time, the Company receives advances from an entity where certain of the Company’s directors, executive officers, principal owners, including immediate family members, either directly or indirectly, have a controlling interest in the entity (see Note 10).
Investments: At the time the
Company acquired a
Operating
expenses: The Company incurred $
Transaction
Advisory: A member of the Company’s Board was also a managing director of a transaction advisory firm (“TA
Firm”) at the time the Company entered into a letter agreement in November 2021 to engage the TA firm to serve as the exclusive
transactional financial advisor and finder with respect to the Business Combination. The letter agreement of the TA Firm was terminated
effective October 2023 and the board member resigned effective October 2023. The Company incurred advisory fees totaling $
Monies on behalf of related party entities: Occasionally, the Company will pay monies on behalf of an affiliate or an affiliate will pay monies on behalf of the Company.
At September 30, 2024, the Company was released from its obligation
of $
At September 30,
2023, the balance of $
F-34
Loans payable – related parties: The Company has entered into several promissory notes with shareholders and affiliates during the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (see Note 10).
Notes receivable – related parties
Shareholder note receivable:
The Company originated a note receivable to a shareholder in the principal amount of $
Brilliant note receivable: During
the year ended September 30, 2023, the Company made non-interest bearings loans with an aggregate principal of $
Line
of credit: On July 31, 2023, the Company entered into a credit deed providing a $
During the year ended September 30,
2023, $
For
the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the interest income related to notes receivable – related parties amounted to
$
As of September 30, 2024 and 2023,
the outstanding interest receivable related to the notes receivable – related parties was $
Management determined
the due from affiliates and notes receivables – related party to be fully collectable. Therefore, no reserve for credit losses
is deemed to be required on notes receivable – related party or due from affiliates at September 30, 2024. At September 30, 2023.
The Company recorded a reserve for credit loss of $
Digital currency assets and liabilities – related parties
At September 30, 2024 and 2023, customer
digital currency assets and liabilities, amounted to $
NOTE 18 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Indemnifications: The Company has indemnity agreements with certain officers and directors of the Company pursuant to which the Company must indemnify the officer or director against all expenses, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement reasonably incurred in connection with a third party proceeding, if the indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential exposure under these indemnification agreements: (i) because the facts and circumstances involved in each claim are unique and the Company cannot predict the number or nature of claims that may be made; (ii) due to the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement; and (iii) due to the requirement for a registration of the Company’s securities before any of the indemnification obligations contemplated in the IRA become effective.
F-35
Legal and regulatory proceedings: The Company is subject to various litigation, regulatory investigations, and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business. The Company is also subject to regulatory oversight by numerous regulatory and other governmental agencies. The Company reviews its lawsuits, regulatory investigations, and other legal proceedings on an ongoing basis and provides disclosure and records loss contingencies in accordance with the loss contingencies accounting guidance. In accordance with such guidance, the Company establishes accruals for such matters when potential losses become probable and can be reasonably estimated. If the Company determines that a loss is reasonably possible and the loss or range of loss can be estimated, the Company discloses the possible loss in the consolidated financial statements.
There is a deficit between customer assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023. We are subject to regulatory and legal review in the jurisdictions we operate in. There are currently no claims against the Company. Any claims or regulatory actions against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, settlement payments, damage awards (including statutory damages for certain causes of action in certain jurisdictions), fines, penalties, injunctive relief, or increased costs of doing business through adverse judgment or settlement, require us to change our products, services or business practices in expensive ways, require significant amounts of management time, result in the diversion of significant operations resources, or otherwise harm our business.
Tax regulation: Current promulgated tax rules related to digital assets are unclear and require significant judgments to be made in interpretation of the law, including but not limited to the areas of income tax, information reporting, transaction level taxes and the withholding of tax at source. Additional legislation or guidance may be issued by U.S. and non-U.S. governing bodies that may differ significantly from the Company’s practices or interpretation of the law, which could have unforeseen effects on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and accordingly, the related impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is not estimable.
Digital asset wallets: The Company has committed to safeguard all digital assets and digital token identifiers on behalf of its customers. As such, the company may be liable to its customers for losses arising from theft or loss of customer private keys. The Company has no reason to believe it will incur any expense associated with such potential liability because (i) it has no known or historical experience of claims to use as a basis of measurement, (ii) it accounts for and continually verifies the amount of digital assets within its control, and (iii) it engages third parties, which are digital asset trading platforms, to provide certain custodial services, including holding its customers’ digital token identifiers, securing its customers’ digital assets, and protecting them from loss or theft, including indemnification against certain types of losses such as theft. Its third-party digital asset trading platforms hold the digital assets in accounts in the Company’s name for the benefit of the Company’s customers.
White lion stock purchase agreement: On
May 17, 2022, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “White Lion Agreement”) with White Lion Capital Partners,
LLC a California-based investment fund (“White Lion”). Under the terms of the White Lion Agreement, the Company had the right,
but not the obligation, to require White Lion to purchase shares of its common stock up to a maximum amount of $
NOTE 19 - SEGMENTS
The Company’s operations are organized into two reporting segments: general support services and financial services. The structure is designed to allow the Company to evaluate the performance of its different service offerings, provide improved service and drive future growth in a cost efficient manner.
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||
| General support services – related party | $ | $ | ||||||
| Financial services | ||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | $ | ||||||
| Gross profit | ||||||||
| General support services revenue – related party | $ | |||||||
| Financial services | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total gross profit (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Financial services | $ | |||||||
| Corporate/Other | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
NOTE 20 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, other than as described below, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
F-36
Conversion Agreement: On November
8, 2024, the Company entered into a Conversion Agreement (the “Conversion Agreement”) with the Lender, as later amended on November
14, 2024, to convert outstanding principal and interest totaling $
Sales of Securities: On November
8, 2024 and November 18, 2024, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements pursuant to which the Company sold
Disposition of Subsidiary: On November
8, 2024, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”) with a shareholder of the
Company and a subsidiary of the Company to sell the subsidiary to the shareholder or his nominee subject to the Company obtaining shareholder
approval (the “Settlement Agreement”). The Settlement Agreement requires the Company to pay $
Exit and Settlement Agreement: On
November 8, 2024, the Company entered into an exit and settlement agreement (the “Exit and Settlement Agreement”) with three
directors of the Board, under which each director resigned effective immediately. As required by the Exit and Settlement Agreement, the
Company issued
Bylaws Amendment: On November 8, 2024, the Board approved an amendment to the Company’s Bylaws to decrease the quorum requirement from a majority to one-third of the voting power that was effective immediately.
Standby Equity Purchase Agreement: On
December 3, 2024, the Company entered into the Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (“SEPA”) with an investor (the “Investor”)
pursuant to which the Company has the right, at its option, to sell to the Investor up to $
On December 19, 2024, the Company and the Investor entered into a Termination Agreement pursuant to which the SEPA and the Registration Rights Agreement were terminated. Accordingly, the Investor’s obligation to advance the Company additional amounts ceased.
Securities Purchase Agreement: On
December 15, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement and Call Option (the “Star Agreement”) with Star
26 Capital Inc. (“Star”), the shareholders of Star (“Star Equity Holders”) and an officer of the Company acting
in his capacity as the representative of the Star Equity Holders, to acquire a controlling
| ● | A minimum amount of $ |
| ● | a promissory note in the principal amount of $ |
| ● |
| ● |
F-37
The Star Equity Holders granted the Company an
option (the “Option”) to purchase the balance of their equity in Star (
| ● | $ in cash, |
| ● | a promissory note in the principal amount of $ |
| ● |
| ● |
If, for a period of 12 months after the closing of the Star Agreement, the Company’s shares of common stock are delisted from Nasdaq, Star shall have the right, at its own discretion, to require the Company to exchange the Investment Note for all the shares of Star then held by the Company, provided, however, the Option shall be automatically cancelled and Star shall retain any cash payments made by the Company to Star and the Company shall retain an equity interest in Star equivalent to all cash payments. The closing of the Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, third-party consents, fairness opinion, and approval by the Company’s shareholders as required under applicable Nasdaq listing rules.
If the Star Agreement is canceled because stockholder
approval was not obtained within 90-days after the date of the Star Agreement and the failure was a result of the Company failing to perform
or observe the covenants or agreements of the Company provided for in the terms of the Star Agreement, the Seller is entitled to damages
of $
As a result of the Settlement Agreement and subject to the closing of the acquisition of Star, the Company’s business will be focused on the defense sector.
Private Placement: On December 18,
2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with an accredited investor (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”)
for a private placement (the “Private Placement”) pursuant to which the investor (the “Purchaser”) agreed to purchase
from the Company
The Company is required to prepare and file a
registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 15 days of the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement (the
“Filing Deadline”) and to use commercially reasonable efforts to have the registration statement declared effective within
45 days of the closing of the Private Placement or 75 days in the event of a full review (the “Effectiveness Deadline”). In
certain circumstances including, but not limited to, if the Company misses the Filing Deadline or the Effectiveness Deadline, then the
Company will be required to pay to the Purchasers an amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to the
product of
Pursuant to a Placement Agency Agreement (the
“PAA”), dated December 18, 2024, between the Company the placement agent entered into in connection with the Private Offering,
the Company has paid customary placement fees to the placement agent, including a cash fee equal to
Incentive Equity Grants: On December
16, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of
F-38
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
On May 22, 2023, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company approved the engagement of Gries and Associates, LLC (“Gries”) as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023. The change was effective upon execution of an engagement letter. In connection with the selection of Gries, the Board dismissed Marcum LLP (“Marcum”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm on May 22, 2023.
On November 3, 2023, the Company was informed that Gries had sold its business to GreenGrowth CPAs (“GreenGrowth”).
On November 5, 2023, the Company engaged and executed an agreement with GreenGrowth as the Company’s new independent accountant to replace Gries. As Gries was engaged by the Company on May 22, 2023, Gries has not issued a report on the Company’s financial statements. The Board of the Company, acting as the audit committee, approved the decision to change independent accountants.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
In connection with the preparation of this Report, our management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this report (under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)). Based on that assessment, our CEO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our CEO and effected by our Board, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of our Board and management; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Under the supervision and participation of our management, including our CEO, we evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued in 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As part of our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2024, management has performed adequate testing to conclude that the material weakness identified in the prior fiscal year has not been remediated as of September 30, 2024 related to the Company possessing sufficient resources to properly identify and account for the evaluation of intangible assets and its cost-method investments and to implement and sustain appropriate entity-level controls.
61
Plan of Remediation of Material Weaknesses in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Following the identification and communication of the material weakness described above, management commenced remediation actions relating to this material weakness beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, as follows:
| ● | We are utilizing the services of external consultants for non-routine and\or technical accounting issues as they arise. |
| ● | We are expanding and improving our review process for complex accounting transactions. We plan to further improve this process by enhancing access to accounting literature, identification of third-party professionals with whom to consult regarding complex accounting applications and consideration of additional staff with the requisite experience and training to supplement existing accounting professionals. |
| ● | We are implementing enhancements and process improvements, including the design and implementation of well-defined controls and related control attributes |
The material weaknesses identified above will not be considered fully remediated until these additional controls and procedures have operated effectively for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are effective. Our management will monitor the effectiveness of our remediation plans and will make changes management determines to be appropriate. If not remediated, these material weaknesses could result in material misstatements to our annual or interim consolidated financial statements that may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis or result in a delayed filing of required periodic reports. If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected, and we could become subject to litigation or investigations by Nasdaq, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Pursuant to Item 308(b) of Regulation S-K, management’s report is not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm because the Company is neither an “accelerated filer” nor a “large accelerated filer” as those terms are defined by the SEC.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, except as described above.
Inherent Limitation on the Effectiveness of Internal Control
The effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting, including ours, is subject to inherent limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing, operating, and evaluating the controls and procedures, and the inability to eliminate misconduct completely. Accordingly, any system of internal control over financial reporting, including ours, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable, not absolute assurances. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. We intend to continue to monitor and upgrade our internal controls as necessary or appropriate for our business but cannot assure you that such improvements will be sufficient to provide us with effective internal control over financial reporting.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report by our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. As a smaller reporting company, our internal control over financial reporting was not subject to audit by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report.
Item 9B.
None
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not applicable.
62
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The following table sets forth the names and ages of the Companies officers and directors as of the date hereof. Our executive officers are elected annually by our board of directors. Our executive officers hold their offices until they resign, are removed by the Board, or his successor is elected and qualified.
Directors and Executive Officers
| Name | Age | Position | ||
| Menachem Shalom | 49 | Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
| David Rokach | 55 | Director | ||
| Tomer Nagar | 35 | Director | ||
| Aviya Volodarsky | 37 | Director | ||
| Reuven Yeganeh | 48 | Director | ||
| Anastasiia Kotaieva | 33 | Director |
Set forth below is a brief description of the background and business experience of our current executive officers or directors.
63
Menachem Shalom has been our Chief Executive Officer and member of our Board of Directors since September 2024. Mr. Shalom has served as a director and the Chief Executive Officer of Motomova Inc (OTC Markets: MTMV) since December 1, 2022 and its Secretary since May 24, 2023. Mr. Shalom was the Co-Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the board of directors of MEA since January 2022. Since 2017, Mr. Shalom has also served as CEO of Hold Me Ltd., a digital platform for mobile wallet and payments founded by Mr. Shalom. Mr. Shalom is the principal executive and financial officer and sole director of Hold Me Ltd., a company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Prior to his tenure with the Company, Mr. Shalom founded and served as CEO of Wayerz Solutions, Ltd., a digital platform for correspondent banking and wires’ routing optimization, between 2014 and 2017 and as Vice President of Business Development, Sales and Marketing at Dsnr Media Group Ltd., an international cross-platform digital advertising company. Mr. Shalom also founded and served as CEO of Mipso Ltd., a software-as-a-service provider in the fashion and retail industry, between 2010 and 2013; ooga studio Ltd., an industrial design incubator, between 2007 and 2010; and Medifreeze Ltd., a startup in the area of stem cell cryopreservation, between 2004 and 2009. Mr. Shalom received his MBA at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2003 after receiving an LLM in corporate law at Columbia University School of Law in 2000.
David Rokach has been a member of our Board of Directors since September 2024. Mr. Rokach is the founder and has served as the CEO of Tokara Management Ltd. since 2014, which provides investment management services to hedge funds. Mr. Rokach also serves as a Senior Investment Manager of X Group Fund of Funds since January 2020. X Group Fund of Funds has provided a loan to the Company and also holds a warrant. Mr. Rokach has also held certain roles with Clal Finance. Mr. Rokach graduated from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem with a Bachelor of Arts International Relations in 1993 and from the Tel Aviv University with a diploma in Financial Investment Management in 1993. Mr. Rokach attended New York University in 1994 studying investment management.
Tomer Nagar has been employed in the sales department for Sogolowek Food Group since 2019. Prior to joining Sogolowek, Mr. Nagar served in the Israeli Air Force from 2006 through 2018 as a First Sergeant and Master Sergeant. Mr. Nagar graduated from the Israeli Air Force College in 2005 with a degree in Aviation Machinery.
Aviya Volodarsky is an attorney and since 2023 has practiced as a self employed attorney in Israel specializing in torts, corporate law, administrative law and civil litigation. From 2017 through 2023, Ms. Volodarsky was employed by the Law Firm of Attorney Yigal Matzlavi. Ms. Volodarsky studied at the Ono Academic College.
Reuven Yeganeh has been a director since June 13, 2024. He is an experienced business manager with specific experience in managing funds and a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Since 2021, Mr. Yeganeh has served as a derivatives trader for Inbar Group Finance Ltd. From 2018 to 2021, Mr. Yeganeh was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fantazy Network (market: TASE: WILK), which specialized in cannabis investments, and from April 2012 to 2018 was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Direct Capital (TASE: DCI-M), which was engaged in real estate investments. Prior to 2012, Mr. Yeganeh worked for various investment companies providing managing investment strategy. Further, from 1998 through 2001, Mr. Yeganeh served as a Non-Commissioned Officer it the Israeli Air Force. Mr. Yeganeh received a BA degree in Economics and Administration specializing in finance from Ruppin College, Israel in 2004 and a license to manage investment portfolios from the Israeli Securities Authority in 2006.
Anastasiia Kotaieva has been a director since June 13, 2024. She is an established business manager and entrepreneur. Ms. Kotaieva, since January 2022 to present, has owned and operated Ali Finance, which provides services to clients in the real estate industry as well as the stock market. From February 2019 through November 2021, Ms. Kotaieva served as an analyst for Menora, an insurance company, providing diligence and analyst services. Ms. Kotaieva served as an Account Manager for BSV, a private water well drilling company from January 2015 to October 2018. Ms. Kotaieva received a Bachelors and Masters degree in Economics from Krok University in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Board of Directors
Directors on our Board of Directors are elected for one-year terms and serve until the next annual security holders’ meeting or until their death, resignation, retirement, removal, disqualification, or until a successor has been elected and qualified. All officers are appointed annually by the Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board. Currently, each director receives annual compensation of $20,000 for their services on our Board.
We reimburse our directors for expenses incurred in connection with attending directors’ meetings. We will consider applying for officers and directors’ liability insurance at such time when we have the resources to do so.
Director Independence
Nasdaq listing rules require that a majority of the board of directors of a company listed on Nasdaq be composed of “independent directors,” which is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship, which, in the opinion of the Company’s board of directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Our board of directors has determined that each of David Rokach, Tomer Nagar, Aviya Volodarsky and Reuven Yeganeh be an independent director under the Nasdaq listing rules and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. In making these determinations, the board of directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with Nukkleus and will have with the combined company and all other facts and circumstances our board of directors deemed relevant in determining independence, including the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by each non-employee director, and the transactions involving them described in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.”
64
Committees of the Board of Directors
The standing committees of our board of directors consist of an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Below are our current committee members.
| Audit Committee | Compensation Committee | Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | ||
| David Rokach | David Rokach * | David Rokach | ||
| Reuven Yeganeh *± | Reuven Yeganeh | Reuven Yeganeh | ||
| Aviya Volodarsky | Aviya Volodarsky | Aviya Volodarsky * |
| * | Denotes Chairperson. |
| ± | Denotes audit committee financial expert. |
Audit Committee
The Combined Company’s Audit Committee will be established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act and consists of Brian Schwieger, Nicholas Gregory and Daniel Marcus, each of whom are independent directors and are “financially literate” as defined under the Nasdaq listing standards. Nukkleus’s board of directors has determined that Reuven Yeganeh qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under rules and regulations of the SEC.
The Audit Committee’s duties are specified in the Audit Committee Charter.
Compensation Committee
The functions of the Compensation Committee will be set forth in a Compensation Committee Charter.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers persons identified by its members, management, shareholders, investment bankers and others.
The guidelines for selecting nominees, will be specified in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter.
Family Relationships
No family relationship exists between any director, executive officer, or any person contemplated to become such.
Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, requires our directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other of our equity securities. During the year ended September 30, 2023, our officers, directors and 10% stockholders made the required filings pursuant to Section 16(a).
65
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
None of our directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years:
| ● | had any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which he was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; |
| ● | been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offences); |
| ● | been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities or banking activities; |
| ● | been found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated; |
| ● | been subject or a party to or any other disclosable event required by Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K. |
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We currently do not have a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Executive Officers’ Compensation
The following table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operation Officer (including director compensation) during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. No other executive officer received compensation in excess of $100,000 during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Summary Compensation Table
| Name and principal position | Fiscal year |
Salary | Bonus | Stock awards |
Option awards |
Nonequity incentive plan compensation |
Nonqualified deferred compensation earnings |
All other compensation |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) | (h) | (i) | (j) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Menachem Shalom | 2024 | 23,333 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 23,333 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CEO | 2023 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emil Assentato | 2024 | 16,667 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 16,667 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CEO | 2023 | 20,000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 20,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jamal “Jamie” Khurshid | 2024 | 232,020 | - | - | 207,192 | - | - | - | 439,212 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| COO | 2023 | 257,171 | - | - | 276,258 | - | - | - | 533,429 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Employment Agreements
On July 24, 2024, Emil Assentato resigned as Chief Executive Officer and from the Board of Directors.
On September 23, 2021, the Company entered into a Consultancy Agreement with Jamal “Jamie” Khurshid, the Company’s COO. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Khurshid is employed as Chief Operating Officer of the Company unless terminated pursuant to the terms of the agreement. During the term of the agreement, Mr. Khurshid is entitled to two hundred and fifteen thousand Euro (€215,000) annually. Mr. Khurshid advised the Company that he was resigning as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company effective September 2024.
In 2022, the Company entered into an amendment with Jamal “Jamie” Khurshid, pursuant to which the Company agreed to grant Jamal “Jamie” Khurshid stock options to acquire 85,714 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.15 per share. On November 8, 2024, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release with Mr. Khurshid and Match in which each party released the other.
Menachem Shalom was appointed as a director on July 24, 2024. On December 16, 2024, the Company entered into a Consultancy Agreement with Menachem Shalom, the Company’s CEO, effective September 1, 2024. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Shalom is employed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company unless terminated pursuant to the terms of the agreement. During the initial term of the agreement (September 2024 through February 2025), Mr. Shalom is entitled to receive $20,000 monthly, with subsequent semi-annual $5,000 monthly increases effective March 2025 and September 2025.
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Option Exercises and Stock Vested
There were no options exercised by our executive officers or stock vested to our executive officers during the year ended September 30, 2024.
Outstanding Equity Awards
The following table sets forth information with respect to the outstanding equity awards of our principal executive officers and principal financial officer during the year ended September 30, 2024, and each person who served as an executive officer of the Company as of September 30, 2024:
| Outstanding Equity Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name and principal position | Number of securities underlying unexercised options Exercisable (#) | Number of securities underlying unexercised options Unexercisable (#) | Equity incentive plan awards: Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) | Options exercise price ($) | Option expiration Date | Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#) | Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested ($) | Equity incentive plan awards: Number of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested (#) | Equity incentive plan awards: Market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Menachem Shalom CEO | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emil Assentato, CEO | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jamal “Jamie” Khurshid, COO | 10,715 | - | 10,715 | 25.20 | 1/1/2027 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * | Reflects 8:1 reverse stock split in October 2024 |
No Pension Benefits
The Company does not maintain any plan that provides for payments or other benefits to its executive officers at, following or in connection with retirement and including, without limitation, any tax-qualified defined benefit plans or supplemental executive retirement plans.
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No Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The Company does not maintain any defined contribution or other plan that provides for the deferral of compensation on a basis that is not tax-qualified.
Non-Employee Director Compensation
The following table sets forth all information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.
| Non-Employee Director Compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fees Earned | Non-equity | Non-Qualified | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| or Paid | Stock | Option | Incentive Plan | Deferred | All Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| in Cash | Awards | Awards | Compensation | Compensation | Compensation | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | $ | $ | $ | $ | Earnings | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Nicholas Gregory (1) | 20,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 20,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Daniel Marcus (1) | 20,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 20,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian Schweiger (1) | 20,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 20,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian Ferrier (2) | 13,333 | - | - | - | - | - | 13,333 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Derek Campbell (2) | 6,667 | - | - | - | - | - | 6,667 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Reuven Yeganeh (3) | 5,833 | - | - | - | - | - | 5,833 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Anastasiia Kotaieva (3) | 5,833 | - | - | - | - | - | 5,833 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| David Rokach (4) | 3,333 | - | - | - | - | - | 3,333 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Mr. Gregory, Mr. Marcus & Mr. Schweiger resigned as directors on November 8, 2024 |
| (2) | Mr. Ferrier & Colonel Derek Campbell resigned as directors on May 24, 2024 |
| (3) | Mr. Yeganeh & Ms. Kotaieva were appointed as directors on June 13, 2024 |
| (4) | Mr. Rokach was appointed as director on July 24, 2024 |
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Agreement with Craig Marshak
On August 1, 2016, Mr. Craig Marshak entered into a letter agreement with us pursuant to which he was appointed as our director in consideration of an annual fee of $20,000. On October 27, 2023, Mr. Marshak resigned as a director of the Company.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The following table sets forth certain information as of January 7, 2025 with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock, the sole outstanding class of our voting securities, by (i) any person or group owning more than 5% of each class of voting securities, (ii) each director, (iii) each executive officer, and (iv) all executive officers and directors as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, each of the stockholders listed below has sole voting and investment power over the shares beneficially owned. As of January 7, 2025, we had 4,7980,431 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power over securities. Except in cases where community property laws apply or as indicated in the footnotes to this table, we believe that each stockholder identified in the table possesses sole voting and investment power over all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by the stockholder.
Shares of common stock subject to options or warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this report are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
| Name | Position | Number of Shares of Common Stock | Percentage of
Common Stock (1) | |||||||
| Officer and Directors | ||||||||||
| Menachem Shalom | CEO and Director | 500,000 | 10.4 | % | ||||||
| David Rokach | Director | 10,000 | * | |||||||
| Tomer Nagar | Director | 10,000 | * | |||||||
| Aviya Volodarsky | Director | 10,000 | * | |||||||
| Reuven Yeganeh | Director | 10,000 | * | |||||||
| Anastasiia Kotaieva(2) | Director | 971,376 | 18.4 | % | ||||||
| Total Officers and Directors (6 people) | 1,511,376 | 28.6 | % | |||||||
| 5% Stockholders | ||||||||||
| X Group Family of Funds Limited Partnership(2) | 971,376 | 18.4 | % | |||||||
| Emil Assentato | 671,191 | 14.0 | % | |||||||
| East Asia Technology Investments Limited(3) | 381,000 | 7.4 | % | |||||||
| Nukk Tracker Notes - CH1108678926 / 23714, series of notes (Series 24) issued by ProETP DAC | 249,263 | 5.2 | % | |||||||
| (1) | Applicable percentage ownership is based on 4,790,431 shares of common stock outstanding as of *, 2025. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of common stock that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person holding such securities for computing the percentage of ownership of such person, but are not treated as outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person. |
| (2) | Represents 150,000 shares of common stock personally and 319,952 shares of common stock, 150,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of a warrant at $1.50 per share and 351,424 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of a warrant at $2.41 per share. Anastasiia Kotaieva, a director of the Company, is the owner of X Group Family of Funds Limited Partnership. |
| (3) | Represents 206,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of a Senior Unsecured Promissory Note issued August 1, 2024 at a conversion price of $2.50 per share and 175,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of a Warrant at an exercise price of $2.00 per share. |
| * | Less than 1%. |
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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Star Agreement
As discussed herein, on December 15, 2024, the Company entered into the Star Agreement with Star, the Star Equity Holders and Menachem Shalom, the representative of such shareholders to acquire a controlling 51% interest in Star, a defense acquisition company. Mr. Shalom, who is the Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, is a controlling shareholder, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Star.
X Group Conversion
On June 11, 2024 the Company issued the X Group Note to X Group in consideration of cash proceeds in the amount of $250,000. As an additional inducement to provide the X Group Note 1, the Company issued X Group the X Group Warrant 1. The Company and X Group also entered into a Restructuring Agreement providing that, among other items, X Group, in its sole discretion, will have the right for a period for six months from the effective date to lend the Company an additional $500,000.
On September 10, 2024, the Company issued the X Group Note 2 in the principal amount of $125,000 to X Group in consideration of cash proceeds in the amount of $100,000, which was funded on September 4, 2024.
On November 8, 2024, the Company entered the Conversion Agreement with X Group to convert outstanding principal and interest totaling of $771,085 payable under the X Group Note 1 and the X Group Note 2 (the “X Group Debt”) into shares of common stock of the Company. Pursuant to the Conversion Agreement, the Company issued 385,542 shares of its common stock and an additional warrant to purchase 351,424 shares of common stock exercisable for a period of five years at an exercise price of $2.00 per share (“X Group Warrant 2”) in exchange for the cancellation of the X Group Debt. Further, the Company and X Group entered into a letter agreement providing that X Group may not exercise the X Group Warrant 1 in the event such exercise would result in X Group holding in excess of 19.9% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock as of November 8, 2024. On November 14, 2024, the Company and X Group entered into a letter agreement pursuant to which it amended the terms of the Conversion Agreement and the X Group Warrant 2 issued in connection with the Conversion Agreement. Pursuant to the letter agreement, the shares of common stock to be issued under the Conversion Agreement were amended to be 319,952 shares of common stock of the Company and the exercise price of the X Group Warrant 2 was amended to be $2.41.
Services provided by related parties
From time to time, Oliver Worsley, a shareholder of the Company, provides consulting services to the Company. As compensation for professional services provided, the Company recognized consulting expenses of $54,499 and $55,140 for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which have been included in professional fees on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
From time to time, Craig Vallis, a shareholder of the Company, provides consulting services to the Company. As compensation for professional services provided, the Company recognized consulting expenses of $105,834 and $136,625 for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which have been included in professional fees on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
From time to time, Jamal Khurshid, the Company’s former chief executive officer and director, provides consulting services to the Company. As compensation for professional services provided, the Company recognized consulting expenses of $61,327 for the year ended September 30, 2024, which have been included in professional fees on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Jamal Khurshid did not provide any consulting services to the Company for the year ended September 30, 2023.
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Revenue from related party and cost of revenue from related party
The Company’s general support services operated under a GSA with TCM providing personnel and technical support, marketing, accounting, risk monitoring, documentation processing and customer care and support. The minimum monthly amount received was $1,600,000. Due to non-payment by TCM under the GSA, the Company has advised TCM that the GSA has been terminated as of December 31, 2023. The Company has historically generated substantially most of its revenue through the services rendered under the GSA.
The Company’s general support services operated under a GSA with FXDIRECT receiving personnel and technical support, marketing, accounting, risk monitoring, documentation processing and customer care and support. The minimum monthly amount payable wais $1,575,000. Effective May 1, 2023, the minimum amount payable by the Company to FXDIRECT for services was reduced from $1,575,000 per month to $1,550,000 per month. Effective December 31, 2023, the GSA with FXDIRECT was terminated.
Both of the above entities are affiliates through common ownership.
During the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, general support services provided to the related party, which was recorded as revenue – general support services - related party on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss were as follows:
| Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Service provided to: | ||||||||
| TCM | $ | 4,800,000 | $ | 19,200,000 | ||||
| $ | 4,800,000 | $ | 19,200,000 | |||||
During the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, services received from the related party, which was recorded as cost of revenue – general support services - related party on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss were as follows:
| Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Service received from: | ||||||||
| FXDIRECT | $ | 4,650,000 | $ | 18,775,000 | ||||
| $ | 4,650,000 | $ | 18,775,000 | |||||
During the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, Digital RFQ earned revenue from related parties in the amount of $69,619 and $138,419, respectively, which was included in revenue – financial services on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
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Due from affiliates
At September 30, 2024 and 2023, due from affiliates consisted of the following:
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Digiclear | $ | - | $ | 229,837 | ||||
| Jacobi | - | 95,274 | ||||||
| Jamal Khurshid | 10,382 | - | ||||||
| Forexware (1) | 6,151 | - | ||||||
| FXDD Mauritius (1) | 6,004 | 1,500 | ||||||
| TCM (1) | 12,508 | 1,942,500 | ||||||
| Total | $ | 35,045 | $ | 2,269,111 | ||||
| (1) | FXDD Mauritius, Forexware, and TCM are controlled by Emil Assentato, the Company’s former chief executive officer and chairman and current 5%+ shareholder. |
The balance due from Jamal Khurshid represents monies the Company paid on behalf of Jamal Khurshid. The balances due from Forexware, FXDD Mauritius, and TCM represent outstanding receivables owed to Digital RFQ for financial services. The balances due from Jacobi and FXDD Mauritius represent monies that the Company paid on behalf of Jacobi and FXDD Mauritius. The balance due from TCM represents unsettled funds due related to the General Services Agreement and monies that the Company paid on behalf of TCM.
Management believes that the affiliates’ receivables are fully collectable. Therefore, no allowance for doubtful account is deemed to be required on its due from affiliates at September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Due to affiliates
At September 30, 2024 and 2023, due to affiliates consisted of the following:
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Forexware LLC | $ | - | $ | 1,211,778 | ||||
| FXDIRECT | - | 5,064,428 | ||||||
| Currency Mountain Holdings Bermuda, Limited (“CMH”) (1) | 42,000 | 42,000 | ||||||
| FXDD Trading (1) | 470,716 | 396,793 | ||||||
| Markets Direct Payments (1) | 2,543 | 2,317 | ||||||
| Craig Vallis | 16,532 | - | ||||||
| Match Fintech Limited (2) | 47,733 | 91,433 | ||||||
| Total | $ | 579,524 | $ | 6,808,749 | ||||
| (1) | CMH, FXDD Trading, and Markets Direct Payments are controlled by Emil Assentato, the Company’s former chief executive officer and chairman, and current 5%+ shareholder. |
| (2) | Match Fintech Limited is controlled by affiliates of the Company. |
The balances due to affiliates represent expenses paid by FXDD Trading, Markets Direct Payments, and Match Fintech Limited on behalf of the Company and advances from CMH. The balance due to Craig Vallis represents unpaid consulting fees.
Amounts due to affiliates are short-term in nature, non-interest bearing, unsecured and repayable on demand.
Customer digital currency assets and liabilities – related parties
At September 30, 2024 and 2023, related parties’ digital currency, which was controlled by Digital RFQ, amounted to $20,020 and $0, respectively, which was included in customer digital currency assets and liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
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Note receivable – related parties
Promissory note
The Company originated a note receivable to a shareholder in the principal amount of $35,000 on September 1, 2022. The note matured with respect to $17,500 on March 1, 2023 and with respect to $17,500 on September 1, 2023. The note bears a fixed interest rate of 5.0% per annum. On April 1, 2024, the outstanding principal and interest of this note receivable was applied to the principal of a cash loan made to the Company from this shareholder in March 2024.
For the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the interest income related to this note amounted to $949 and $1,836, respectively, and has been included in other (expense) income: other income (expense) on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the outstanding interest balance related to this note was $0 and $1,980, respectively, and was included in other current assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Line of credit
On July 31, 2023, the Company entered into a credit deed providing a $1,000,000 line of credit (the “Line of Credit”) to an affiliate a shareholder’s sibling controls. The Line of Credit allows the borrower to request loans thereunder until total advances reach $1.0 million. Amounts drawn under the Line of Credit bear interest at an annual rate of 8.0% and installment repayments commence on December 31, 2023. The Line of Credit was collateralized by 133,514 shares of the Company’s common stock that are owned by the borrower.
During the year ended September 30, 2023, $764,892 was advanced to the borrower under the Line of Credit. At September 30, 2023, the Company recorded a reserve for credit loss of $637,072 on the Line of Credit. During December 2023, the Company and the related party company entered into a Stock Transfer Agreement pursuant to which the collateral, 133,514 shares of the Company’s common stock owed by the related party, were to be transferred to the Company to satisfy the amount owed under the Line of Credit. As of September 30, 2024, the transfer of the 133,514 shares of the Company’s common stock back to the Company had not occurred and management deemed it remote that the transfer will occur. During the year ended September 30, 2024, the Company collected $132,826. At September 30, 2024, after exhaustive efforts at collection of the outstanding amounts owed under the Line of Credit and unsuccessful attempts to collect the collateral, the Company wrote off the remaining outstanding balance of the Line of Credit against the reserve for credit loss.
For the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the interest income related to notes receivable – related parties amounted to $362 and $12,082, respectively, and has been included as a component of other income (expense), net on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the outstanding interest receivable related to the notes receivable – related parties was $0 and $12,179, respectively, and was included as a component of other current assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
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Loan payable – related parties and interest payable – related parties
On July 19, 2023, Digital RFQ issued a promissory note (the “July 2023 Loan”) in the principal amount of $75,619 to Jamal Khurshid, the Company’s chief operating officer and director, in consideration of cash proceeds in the amount of $75,619. The July 2023 Loan bears interest of 5.0% per annum and is due and payable on July 19, 2026. The outstanding principal and interest of the July 2023 Loan was fully repaid in November 2023.
On August 15, 2023, Digital RFQ issued a promissory note (the “August 2023 Loan”) in the principal amount of $75,000 to Emil Assentato, the Company’s chief executive officer and chairman, in consideration of cash proceeds in the amount of $75,000. The August 2023 Loan bears interest of 5.0% per annum and is due and payable on August 15, 2026. A partial repayment of the August 2023 Loan of $50,000 was paid to Emil Assentato in January 2024.
On September 18, 2023, the Company issued a promissory note (the “September 2023 Loan”) in the principal amount of $270,000 to Emil Assentato, the Company’s chief executive officer and chairman, in consideration of cash proceeds in the amount of $270,000. The September 2023 Loan bears interest of 5.0% per annum and is due and payable on September 18, 2026. In December 2023, the September 2023 Loan principal of $270,000 was converted into 70,129 shares of common stock of the Company (See Note 17 – Common shares issued for debt conversion).
During the year ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued promissory notes in the aggregate principal of $1,105,639 and $248,000 to a shareholder and to an entity managed by that shareholder, respectively, (collectively, the “Shareholder 2024 Loans”), in consideration of cash proceeds in the same amount in the following tranches:
| October 2023 | $ | 199,000 | ||
| December 2023 | 424,000 | |||
| January 2024 | 25,000 | |||
| February 2024 | 188,000 | |||
| March 2024 | 80,000 | |||
| April 2024 | 31,000 | |||
| May 2024 | 100,000 | |||
| June 2024 | 120,500 | |||
| July 2024 | 59,000 | |||
| August 2024 | 58,000 | |||
| September 2024 | 69,139 | |||
| Total | $ | 1,353,639 |
The 2024 Shareholder Loans bear interest of 5.0% per annum and each individual loan will be due and payable three years from the date of issuance.
In March 2024, the Company entered into a facility agreement with a shareholder (the “March 2024 Facility”), whereby a Company’s subsidiary can request loans up to an aggregate $500,000 from the shareholder. The proceeds from advances under the March 2024 Facility are restricted to fund working capital and operating expense. Advances drawn under the March 2024 Facility bear interest of 4.0% per month. This loan will be repaid in installments in accordance with the terms of the March 2024 Facility, with the last installment due on July 31, 2024. In April 2024, $11,820, a portion of the March 2024 Facility’s outstanding principal was exchanged for due from affiliates (see Note 17). As of September 30, 2024, the outstanding principal balance and accrued and unpaid interest of the March 2024 Facility was GBP 320,646 and GBP 115,433, respectively ($429,131 and $154,487, respectively), at September 30, 2024.
In March 2024, the Company entered into a loan agreement with a Company shareholder (the “March 2024 Loan”), providing the Company with a loan up to GBP 395,000 ($528,640 at September 30, 2024). The proceeds from advances under the March 2024 Loan are restricted to fund working capital and operating expense. Advances drawn under the March 2024 Loan bear interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum. This March 2024 Loan is unsecured and is due and payable on March 31, 2025. In April 2024, GBP 32,337 ($37,198 at the exchange date), a portion of the March 2024 Loan’s outstanding principal, was exchanged for note receivable – related party (see Note 17). As of September 30, 2024, the outstanding principal balance and accrued and unpaid interest was GBP 217,663 and GBP 10,883, respectively ($291,305 and $14,565, respectively), at September 30, 2024.
Letter agreement with ClearThink
Nukkleus was party to a letter agreement with ClearThink dated as of November 22, 2021, pursuant to which ClearThink was engaged by Nukkleus in connection with the Business Combination (See Note 18 - White lion stock purchase agreement).
Craig Marshak, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Company, was a managing director of ClearThink, a transaction advisory firm. ClearThink had been engaged by the Company to serve as the exclusive transactional financial advisor, and finder with respect to the Business Combination, to advise the Company with respect to the Business Combination. The letter agreement was terminated on October 27, 2023. The Company paid ClearThink $210,000 as of the date of closing of the Business Combination. Mr. Marshak no longer serves as a director of the Company.
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Customers
The following table sets forth information as to each customer that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s revenues for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
| Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| Customer | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| A – related party | 81.2 | % | 90.2 | % | ||||
As of September 30, 2024, the GSA agreement in relation to the above referenced related party customer was no longer active and nothing was owed by this customer to the Company.
One related party customer, whose outstanding receivable accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total outstanding accounts receivable and due from affiliates at September 30, 2023, accounted for 95.2% of the Company’s total outstanding accounts receivable and due from affiliates at September 30, 2023.
Suppliers
The following table sets forth information as to each supplier that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s costs of revenues for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
| Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| Supplier | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| A – related party | 94.6 | % | 86.8 | % | ||||
As of September 30, 2024, the GSA agreement in relation to the above referenced related party supplier was no longer active and nothing was owed to this supplier by the Company.
Two related party suppliers, whose outstanding payables accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total outstanding accounts payable and due to affiliates at September 30, 2023, accounted for 81.7% of the Company’s total outstanding accounts payable and due to affiliates at September 30, 2023.
Director Independence
Our board of directors currently consists of six members. Our board of directors has determined that David Rokach, Tomer Nagar, Aviya Volodarsky and Reuven Yeganeh qualify as independent directors in accordance with the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) listing requirements. Mr. Menachem Shalom and Ms. Anastasiia Kotaieva are not considered independent. Nasdaq’s independence definition includes a series of objective tests, such as that the director is not, and has not been for at least three (3) years, one of our employees and that neither the director nor any of his or her family members has engaged in various types of business dealings with us. In addition, as required by Nasdaq rules, our board of directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exist that, in the opinion of our board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, our board of directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and us with regard to each director’s business and personal activities and relationships as they may relate to us and our management. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
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Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
Our audit committee pre-approves all services, including both audit and non-audit services, provided by our independent accountants. For audit services, each year the independent auditor provides our board of directors with an engagement letter outlining the scope of the audit services proposed to be performed during the year, which must be formally accepted by the board of directors before the audit commences.
The independent auditor also submits an audit services fee proposal, which also must be approved by the board of directors before the audit commences.
On May 22, 2023, the Board of Directors of Old Nukk approved the engagement of Gries and Associates, LLC (“Gries”) as Old Nukk’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023. The change was effective upon execution of an engagement letter. In connection with the selection of Gries, the Board dismissed Marcum LLP as Old Nukk’s independent registered public accounting firm on May 22, 2023. On November 3, 2023, Old Nukk was informed that Gries had sold its business to GreenGrowth CPAs (“GreenGrowth”). On November 5, 2023, Old Nukk engaged and executed an agreement with GreenGrowth, as the Old Nukk’s new independent accountant to replace Gries. As Gries was engaged by the Company on May 22, 2023, Gries has not issued a report on the Old Nukk’s financial statements. The Board of Directors of Old Nukk, acting as the audit committee, approved the decision to change independent accountants. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023, and through November 3, 2023, Old Nukk had no disagreements (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) with Gries on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Gries would have caused Gries to make reference thereto in connection with its report.
The following table sets forth the fees billed by our principal independent accountants for each of our last two fiscal years for the categories of services indicated.
| Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Audit Fees | $ | 164,560 | 118,000 | |||||
| Audit Related Fees | - | 219,749 | ||||||
| Tax Fees | - | - | ||||||
| All Other Fees | - | - | ||||||
| Total | $ | 164,560 | 337,749 | |||||
Audit fees. Consists of fees billed for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of our Form 10-K, review of our interim financial statements included in our Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with year-end statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit-related fees. Consists of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees”, review of our Forms 8-K filings and services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with non-year-end statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Tax fees. Consists of professional services rendered by our accountants for tax compliance, tax advice, tax planning and the preparation of income tax returns.
Other fees. The services provided by our accountants within this category consisted of advice and other services relating to SEC matters, registration statement review, accounting issues and client conferences.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
The following exhibits are incorporated into this Form 10-K Annual Report:
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| * | Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
| # | Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601. The Registrant agrees to furnish a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its request. |
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| NUKKLEUS INC. | ||
| Dated: February 10, 2025 | By: | /s/ Menachem Shalom |
| Menachem Shalom | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
| (Principal Executive Officer), and | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
| (Principal Financial and | ||
| Accounting Officer), and Director | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Menachem Shalom | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), Chief Financial | February 10, 2025 | ||
| Officer (Principal Financial Officer), and Director | ||||
| /s/ David Rokach | Chief Operating Officer and Director | February 10, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Romer Nagar | Director | February 10, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Aviya Volodarsky | Director | February 10, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Reuven Yeganeh | Director | February 10, 2025 | ||
| /s/Anastasiia Kotaieva | Director | February 10, 2025 |
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