MGTI 10-K
Mgt Capital Investments, Inc. (MGTI)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Form
(Mark One)
| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For
the fiscal year ended:
OR
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. |
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)
Securities registered under section 12(b) of the Act:
Not applicable
Securities registered under section 12(g) of the Act:
common stock, par value $.001 per share
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 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the 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 requirement for the past 90 days.
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 files).
Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See 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 checkmark 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.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐
As
of June 30, 2021, the last day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter; the aggregate market value of
the registrant’s common stock held by non–affiliates of the registrant was approximately $
As of March 31, 2022, the registrant had outstanding shares of common stock, $0.001 par value.
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
INDEX
($ in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
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NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K and other written and oral statements made from time to time by us may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “plans,” “will,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “intends,” “estimates,” and other words of similar meaning. One can identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements are likely to address our growth strategy, financial results and product and development programs. One must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements. These factors may include inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties, including some that are known and some that are not. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially.
These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and the risks set out below, any of which may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks include, by way of example and not in limitation:
| ● | The uncertainty of profitability based upon our history of losses; | |
| ● | Risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms to continue as going concern; and | |
| ● | Other risks and uncertainties related to our business plan and business strategy. |
This list is not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect any of our forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made, and we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.
Information regarding market and industry statistics contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is included based on information available to us that we believe is accurate. It is generally based on industry and other publications that are not produced for purposes of securities offerings or economic analysis. We have not reviewed or included data from all sources. Forecasts and other forward-looking information obtained from these sources are subject to the same qualifications and the additional uncertainties accompanying any estimates of future market size, revenue and market acceptance of products and services. As a result, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
As used in this annual report, the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, “MGT” and the “Company” mean MGT Capital Investments, Inc. and its subsidiary, unless otherwise indicated.
All dollar amounts set forth in this Annual Report as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 on this Form 10–K are in thousands, except per–share amounts.
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PART I
Item 1. Business
The Company is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 2000. MGT was originally incorporated in Utah in 1977. MGT’s corporate office is in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Cryptocurrency Mining Business
Industry Summary
Bitcoin is a world–recognized cryptocurrency, which can be traded and converted into major fiat currencies on cryptocurrency exchanges. Cryptocurrencies are a medium of exchange that are transacted through and recorded on a decentralized distributed ledger system, called the “Blockchain.” The Blockchain is built by a chronological addition of transactions, which are grouped into blocks. Each new block requires a mathematical problem to be solved before it can be confirmed and added to the Blockchain. The processing power used to solve these mathematical problems is measured by Hash Rate or Hashes per second (“H/s”). The complexity of these problems, also referred to as mining difficulty, increases with the network’s growing Hash Rate.
Bitcoin mining entails solving these complex mathematical problems using custom designed and programmed application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) computers (also referred to as “miners”). Bitcoin miners perform a vital function on the Bitcoin Blockchain network, by performing these calculations and adding transaction blocks to the Blockchain ledger. When a miner is successful in adding a block to the Blockchain, it is rewarded with a fixed number of Bitcoin; a miner can also be compensated by network transaction fees.
Additional information about Bitcoin, Blockchain and cryptocurrencies can be found on publicly available educational sources such as www.Bitcoin.org.
Our Operations
Cryptocurrency mining
Following a review of our Bitcoin mining operations in early 2019, we consolidated our activities at a Company-owned and managed facility in LaFayette, GA. Located adjacent to a utility substation, the several-acre property has access to about 20 megawatts (MW) of low-cost electrical power, about half of which is presently utilized by the Company.
As of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, the Company owned 480 and 430 Antminer S17 Pro Bitcoin miners (“S17 miners”), respectively, plus 35 Antminer S19 Pro miners as of March 31, 2022. All miners are located at our Georgia facility. As more fully described in the following paragraph, over three-quarters of the S17 miners require various repairs to be productive. We purchased a total of 1,506 S17 miners in the latter part of 2019 directly from Bitmaintech Pte. Ltd. (“Bitmain”), for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2,768, which was paid in full. From May 2020 through March 31, 2022, the Company sold a total of 923 of these miners, receiving aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $869, and has scrapped 153 miners due to burning or other events that reduced their value to $0.
During 2020, the Company began to suffer component issues, such as heat sinks detaching from hash boards, and failures of both power supplies and hash board temperature sensors. Although Bitmain has acknowledged manufacturing defects in various production runs of S17 miners, the Company was unsuccessful in obtaining any compensation from Bitmain. The manufacturing defects, combined with inadequate repair facilities has rendered approximately 350 of our remaining 430 miners in need of repair or replacement. To date, in addition to a significant amount in lost revenue, we have incurred approximately $140 in costs of repairing or replacing the defective machines. Currently, we plan to sell all our remaining inventory of S17 miners, as well as loose hash boards, power supplies, controller boards, and other parts.
MGT’s miners are housed in a modified shipping container on the property in Georgia owned by the Company. The entire facility, including the land and improvements, five 2500 KVA 3-phase transformers, three mining containers, and miners, are owned by MGT. We continue to explore ways to grow and maintain our current operations including but not limited to further potential equipment sales and raising capital to acquire the newest generation miners. The Company is also investigating other sites to develop into Bitcoin mining facilities in addition to expansion at its current property.
Leasing Operations
In addition to its self-mining operations, the Company leases its owned space to other Bitcoin miners and also provides hosting services for owners of mining equipment. These measures improve utilization of the electrical infrastructure and better insulate us against the volatility of Bitcoin mining.
Bitcoin And Blockchain Overview
A Bitcoin is one type of a digital asset that is issued by, and transmitted through, an open source, math-based protocol platform using cryptographic security (the “Bitcoin Network”). The Bitcoin Network is an online, peer-to-peer user network that hosts the public Blockchain transaction ledger and the source code that comprises the basis for the cryptography and math-based protocols governing the Bitcoin Network. No single entity owns or operates the Bitcoin Network, the infrastructure of which is collectively maintained by a decentralized user base. Bitcoin can be used to pay for goods and services or can be converted to fiat currencies, such as the US Dollar, at rates determined on Bitcoin exchanges or in individual peer to peer end-user-to-end-user transactions.
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Bitcoins are “stored” or reflected on the Blockchain in a decentralized manner on the computers of each Bitcoin Network user. The Blockchain records the transaction history of all Bitcoin in existence and, through the transparent reporting of transactions, allows the Bitcoin Network to verify the association of each Bitcoin with the digital wallet that owns it. The Bitcoin Network and Bitcoin software programs can interpret the Blockchain to determine the exact Bitcoin balance, if any, of any digital wallet listed in the Blockchain as having taken part in a transaction on the Bitcoin Network.
The Bitcoin Network, being decentralized, does not rely on either governmental authorities or financial institutions to create, transmit or determine the value of Bitcoin. Rather, Bitcoin are created and allocated by the Bitcoin Network protocol through a “mining” process subject to a strict, well-known issuance schedule. The value of Bitcoin is determined by the supply and demand of Bitcoin in the Bitcoin exchange market (and in private peer to peer transactions), as well as the number of merchants that accept it. As Bitcoin transactions can be broadcast to the Bitcoin Network by any user’s Bitcoin software and Bitcoin can be transferred without the involvement of intermediaries or third parties, there are only minor transaction costs in direct peer-to-peer transactions on the Bitcoin Network. Third party service providers such as Bitcoin exchanges and third-party payment processing services may charge significant fees for processing transactions and for converting, or facilitating the conversion of, Bitcoin to or from fiat currency.
Miners dedicate substantial resources to mining. Given the increasing difficulty of the target established by the Bitcoin Network, miners must continually invest in expensive mining hardware to achieve adequate processing power to hash at a competitive rate.
Bitcoin is an example of a digital asset that is not a fiat currency (i.e., a currency that is backed by a central bank or a national, supra-national or quasi-national organization) and are not backed by hard assets or other credit. As a result, the value of Bitcoin is determined by the value that various market participants place on Bitcoin through their transactions.
The supply of Bitcoin is finite. Once 21 million Bitcoin are generated, the network will stop producing more. Currently, there are approximately 19 million Bitcoin in circulation, or 90% of the total supply of Bitcoin. Within the Bitcoin protocol is an event referred to as Bitcoin halving (“Halving”) where the Bitcoin provided upon mining a block is reduced by 50%. Halvings are scheduled to occur once every 210,000 blocks, or roughly every four years, until the maximum supply of 21 million Bitcoin is reached. The most recent Halving occurred in May 2020, with a revised reward payout of 6.25 Bitcoin per block.
Given a stable hash rate, a Halving reduces the number of new Bitcoin being generated by the network. While the effect is to limit the supply of new coins, it has no impact on the quantity of total Bitcoin outstanding. As a result, the price of Bitcoin could rise or fall based on overall investor and consumer demand. Should the price of Bitcoin remain unchanged after the next Halving, the Company’s revenue would be reduced by 50%, with a much larger negative impact to profit.
The cryptocurrency markets have grown rapidly in both popularity and market size. These markets are local, national and international and include an ever-broadening range of products and participants. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and other governmental agencies around the world, are evaluating the cryptocurrency markets and are likely to institute new rules and regulations within this market to protect investors and such regulations could result in the restriction of the acquisition, ownership, holding, selling, use or trading of our common stock.
Strategy
MGT’s strategy is to oversee the operations in La Fayette, Georgia, which include self-mining, hosting others’ miners for a fee, and leasing its physical space and electrical infrastructure. The Company’s immediate focus is to grow free cash flow, with a longer-term objective to expand its mining operations.
Competition
Our industry is very new and subject to rapid change and constant innovation. We face significant competition, including from companies that have entered this space much earlier than us and are better capitalized, with vertically integrated business models. Some of these companies are our suppliers. We compete to attract, engage, and retain personnel, educated and skilled in the Blockchain and cryptocurrency mining space.
We compete with vertically integrated companies such as Bitmain that engage in both the design and distribution of mining machines, as well as cryptocurrency mining. We also compete with many other companies that are engaged in cryptocurrency mining, some of which have better access to mining hardware, lower operating expenses and lower cost of capital than MGT. These companies include Riot Blockchain, Inc. and Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc.
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Employees
Currently, the Company has 2 full–time employees. Neither employee is represented by a union, and we believe our relationships with our employees are good.
Government Regulation
Government regulation of cryptocurrency is being actively considered by the United States federal government via a number of agencies and regulatory bodies, as well as similar entities in other countries. State government regulations also may apply to our activities and other activities in which we participate or may participate in the future. Other regulatory bodies are governmental or semi-governmental and have shown an interest in regulating or investigating companies engaged in the cryptocurrency business.
Businesses that are engaged in the transmission and custody of Bitcoin and other digital assets, including brokers and custodians, can be subject to U.S. Treasury Department regulations as money services businesses as well as state money transmitter licensing requirements. Bitcoin and other digital assets are subject to anti-fraud regulations under federal and state commodity laws, and digital asset derivative instruments are substantively regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Certain jurisdictions, including, among others, New York and a number of countries outside the United States, have developed regulatory requirements specifically for digital assets and companies that transact in them.
Regulations may substantially change in the future and it is presently not possible to know how regulations will apply to our businesses, or when they will be effective. As the regulatory and legal environment evolves, we may become subject to new laws, further regulation by the SEC and other agencies, which may affect our mining and other activities. For instance, various bills have also been proposed in Congress related to our business, which may be adopted and have an impact on us. For additional discussion regarding our belief about the potential risks existing and future regulation pose to our business, see the Section entitled “Risk Factors” herein.
In addition, since transactions in Bitcoin provide a reasonable degree of pseudo anonymity, they are susceptible to misuse for criminal activities, such as money laundering. This misuse, or the perception of such misuse (even if untrue), could lead to greater regulatory oversight of Bitcoin platforms, and there is the possibility that law enforcement agencies could close Bitcoin platforms or other Bitcoin-related infrastructure with little or no notice and prevent users from accessing or retrieving Bitcoin held via such platforms or infrastructure.
Available Information
MGT maintains a website at www.mgtci.com. The Company makes available free of charge our annual reports on Form 10–K, quarterly reports on Form 10–Q and current reports on Form 8–K, including any amendments to the foregoing reports, as soon as is reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. These materials along with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are also available through our corporate website at www.mgtci.com. The public may also access, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports as filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Any amendments to, and waivers of, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be posted on our corporate website. The Company is not including the information contained at mgtci.com as a part of this Annual Report.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
Discussion of our business and operations included in this Annual Report should be read together with the risk factors set forth below. They describe various risks and uncertainties to which we are or may become subject. These risks and uncertainties, together with other factors described elsewhere in this report, have the potential to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, strategies, or prospects in a material and adverse manner. New risks may emerge at any time, and we cannot predict those risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial performance. Each of the risks described below could adversely impact the value of our securities. These statements, like all statements in this report, speak only as of the date of this Annual Report (unless another date is indicated), and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the statements in light of future developments.
The Company generates limited revenue from operations upon which an evaluation of our prospects can be made. The Company’s prospects must be considered keeping in mind the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered in the establishment of a new business in a constantly changing industry. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve profitable operations in the foreseeable future, if at all.
Summary of Risk Factors
Our business and an investment in our common stock is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those highlighted in the section immediately following this summary. Some of these risks include:
| ● | We have a history of operating losses, have been and will continue to be reliant on debt and equity financings to fund our operations, and we may not be able to raise capital when needed or otherwise take action necessary to achieve or sustain profitability. | |
| ● | Our auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. | |
| ● | Our mining operating costs, including the costs to operate, maintain, repair and replace our mining equipment, have historically outpaced our mining revenues, which has and could continue to put a strain on our business or increase our losses. | |
| ● | We are reliant upon Mr. Robert B. Ladd, our Chief Executive Officer and sole executive officer, the loss of whom could materially harm our ability to continue or grow our operations as planned or at all. For example, he is subject to a pending SEC action which could affect his ability to serve us if he is found to be culpable. | |
| ● | The cryptocurrency mining industry is highly competitive, with many of our competitors having better access to capital and may buy mining equipment at scale. The competition has intensified as the price of Bitcoin has appreciated in recent years, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations if we are unable to keep up. | |
| ● | Because we have a single mining facility at one location, if we were to experience damage or loss of this facility, which may be uninsured or underinsured, your investment in us would be at risk. | |
| ● | Our operations and the results thereof are subject to risks arising from Internet disruptions or delays, cybersecurity threats, incorrect digital recording of transactions, and other contingencies resulting from holding and transacting in digital assets. Further, due to current lack of regulation, we may be unable to seek or obtain recourse if such contingencies were to occur. | |
| ● | Our operations and ability to generate revenue depends on a steady supply of low-cost electricity, and with our current electrical contract with the municipal government in Lafayette, Georgia expired in September 2021, our ability to continue to receive a relatively low-cost power supply remains uncertain. | |
| ● | The future development and growth of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin is subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to predict and evaluate. If the market for Bitcoin does not grow as we expect, our business, operating results, and financial condition could be adversely affected. | |
| ● | Certain features of Bitcoin’s Blockchain, such as “forking” in which one type of Bitcoin could turn into many due to source code variation, or Halving which reduces the rewards for mining efforts by 50% every 210,000 blocks that are solved, pose the risk of adversely affecting our ability to generate revenue. | |
| ● | Our operating results have and will significantly fluctuate due to the highly volatile nature of Bitcoin, and if the price of Bitcoin declines, including potentially due to political, economic, or other forces beyond our control, it would materially adversely affect our business. Our current miners are designed primarily to mine Bitcoin and cannot be used to mine other cryptocurrencies, which magnifies the risk. |
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| ● | Our reliance on third party “mining pools,” which enable us to cooperate with other Bitcoin mining enterprises to receive Bitcoin with less variance in probability of reward by sharing Bitcoin earned pro rata based on contribution to a block solved, subjects us to risks of inaccurate sharing of rewards and the loss of other at-will participants in the pool. | |
| ● | The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted and may continue to disrupt our operations and those of our vendors, suppliers and other third parties on which we rely, and we may not be able to obtain new miners or replacement parts for our existing miners in a timely or cost-effective manner, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. | |
| ● | We may become subject to an uncertain and rapidly evolving regulatory landscape and any adverse changes to, or our failure to comply with, any laws and regulations, including those imposing restrictions or bans on Bitcoin mining due to concerns about high electrical power usage, could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition. | |
| ● | The markets for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies may be under-regulated and, as a result, the market price of Bitcoin may be subject to significant volatility or manipulation, which could decrease consumer confidence in cryptocurrencies and have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. | |
| ● | Banks and financial institutions may not provide banking services, or may cut off services, to businesses that engage in cryptocurrency-related activities, which could have a material adverse effect on us. | |
| ● | If a malicious actor or botnet obtains control of the Bitcoin network, such actor or botnet could manipulate the Blockchain to adversely affect us. | |
| ● | Because cryptocurrencies may be determined to be investment securities, we may inadvertently violate or become subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and incur large losses as a result and potentially be required to register as an investment company or terminate operations. | |
| ● | Our stock price is subject to significant volatility due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including its status as a “penny stock,” the fact that it is not listed on a national securities exchange, and its potential connection to the price of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, which could adversely affect investors. | |
| ● | We have not paid cash dividends to our stockholders and do not intend to do so in the foreseeable future. | |
| ● | Substantial future sales of our common stock by us or our stockholders could have a depressive effect on our stock price. For example, Company has issued warrants that allow the holders to exercise for an indeterminant, and potentially material, number of shares of our common stock on a cashless basis. |
Risks Related to Our Cryptocurrency Mining Business
We have a history of operating losses, and we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability.
Our primary focus is on our Bitcoin mining operation located at our Lafayette, Georgia facility where as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, we operated a total of 480 and 430 S17 miners, respectively. Our current strategy will continue to expose us to the numerous risks and volatility associated within this sector, including due to the high costs of purchasing miners and sourcing power for them, while monitoring the price of Bitcoin, which has historically been volatile. Further, we have experienced recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations. Our net losses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $1,539 and $3,887, respectively.
To date, we have relied on debt or equity financings to fund our operations, and if the price of Bitcoin is not sufficiently high to enable us to sell the Bitcoin we mine at prices above our cost to mine it, then we are likely to continue to be unable to fund our operations without raising additional capital. Further, even if prices are sufficiently high for our mining activities, we are likely to need to raise additional capital to fund the acquisition of new miners to repair or replace our existing miners and expand our number of miners to be competitive.
We expect to incur additional net losses over the next several years as we seek to expand operations. The amount of future losses and when, if ever, we will achieve profitability are uncertain. If we are unsuccessful at executing on our business plan, our business, prospects, and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
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Our auditors have issued a “going concern” audit opinion.
Our independent auditors have indicated in their report on our December 31, 2021 and 2020 financial statements that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. A “going concern” opinion indicates that the financial statements incorporated in this Annual Report have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern for one year from the date the financial statements are issued and do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets, or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result if we do not continue as a going concern. Therefore, you should not rely on our balance sheet as an indication of the amount of proceeds that would be available to satisfy claims of creditors, and potentially be available for distribution to shareholders, in the event of liquidation.
Our mining operating costs have historically outpaced our mining revenues, which has and could continue to put a strain on our business or increase our losses.
Our mining operations are costly and our expenses may increase in the future. This expense increase may not be offset by a corresponding increase in revenue. Our expenses may be greater than we anticipate, and our investments to make our business more efficient may not succeed and may outpace monetization efforts. Increases in our costs without a corresponding increase in our revenue would increase our losses and could seriously harm our business and financial performance.
The cost of obtaining new and replacement miners and parts has historically been and will likely continue to be highly capital intensive which may have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Our mining operations can only be successful and ultimately profitable if the costs, including hardware and electricity costs, associated with mining Bitcoin are lower than the price of the Bitcoin we mine when we sell them. Our miners are subject to ordinary wear and tear from operation and may also face more significant malfunctions caused by factors which may be beyond our control. For example, approximately 450 of our S17 miners have experienced glitches and defects and as a result have seen either limitations on mining capabilities or outright inability to mine, such that they had to be or will have to be replaced or repaired. The result of this development has not only been increased costs to us, but also a reduced ability to generate revenue while these miners were not operating, whether because they were under repair and/or failing to operate at their optimal hash rate. Circumstances such as these, or a general need to replace outdated miners in the future, are highly cost intensive and can be a serious hindrance on our mining operations and ability to generate revenue or obtain profitability.
Additionally, as the mining technology evolves, we may need to acquire newer models of miners to remain competitive in the market. Over time, we may replace those miners which are no longer functional or efficient or powerful enough with new miners purchased from third-party manufacturers, the cost of which may be higher than what we spent on prior models and/or such that we will need to raise more capital to do so. For instance, the price of Bitcoin miners has historically been somewhat correlated to the price of Bitcoin, which has appreciated in recent years. Depending on the price of new miners and our operational needs at the time we decide to replace miners in the future, we may have to do so at higher costs than we could have previously, which would add to our losses. Alternatively, even absent defects or reductions in computing power, mining machine models are upgraded frequently, and we are and will continue to be subject to either higher competitive pressure as a result, or will be forced to expend large amounts of capital to remain competitive and maintain optimal hash rates. For example, in 2020 Bitmain released and delivered its S19 model miners to many of our competitors, which, aside from being more efficient because they are newer than our S17 miners, also have the advantage of improved technology and computing power.
Many of our S17 miners need to be repaired or replaced as a product of ordinary wear and tear and depreciation, or defect and/or competitive forces in the marketplace or other factors rendering our current miners obsolete. Any upgrading we need or choose to undertake requires substantial capital investment, and we may face challenges in locating the requisite capital in a timely manner and/or on terms favorable to us or not highly dilutive to our investors. If we are unable to obtain adequate numbers of new and replacement miners in sufficient quantities or without delay, we may be unable to compete in our highly competitive and continuously developing industry. If this happens, we may not be able to mine Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency as efficiently or in sufficient amounts relative to our competition or at all and, as a result, our business and financial results could suffer which could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock.
The loss of our sole executive officer, Robert B. Ladd, could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our success is largely dependent on the continued services of Mr. Robert B. Ladd, our President, Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer. The loss of the services of Mr. Ladd, including as a result of the SEC Action described in the following risk factor, would leave us without executive leadership, which could diminish our business and growth opportunities. We will also need to build an executive management team around Mr. Ladd, which could be a time consuming and expensive process and divert management’s attention from other pressing matters concerning the Company’s operations or growth. The market for highly qualified personnel in this industry is very competitive and we may be unable to attract such personnel in a timely manner, on favorable terms or at all. If we are unable to attract such personnel, our business could be harmed. If we fail to procure the services of additional executive management or implement and execute an effective contingency or succession plan for Mr. Ladd, the loss of Mr. Ladd would significantly disrupt our business.
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Other than Mr. Ladd, we have no other officers and only one other director. The loss of Mr. Ladd, would have a material adverse effect on us. We do not have key man insurance on the life of Mr. Ladd. Mr. Ladd’s Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”), which was executed on April 6, 2018, and amended on November 11, 2020, permits him to resign for good reason which includes a material breach of the agreement by the Company. In the event he terminates his Employment Agreement for Good Reason, this would result in the Company owing him approximately $510 and would leave the Company without an executive officer which may have a material adverse effect upon us, your investment, and hamper the ability of the Company to continue operations.
The SEC has filed an action against the Company’s Chief Executive Officer alleging violations of federal securities laws which could result in liabilities for the Company.
On September 7, 2018, the SEC commenced a legal action, SEC v. Barry C. Honig et al. (the “SEC Action”), in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York naming as defendant Mr. Robert B. Ladd, our Chief Executive Officer. An amended complaint in the SEC Action was filed on March 8, 2019. On May 24, 2019, the SEC issued a subpoena in the SEC Action to the Company and on October 31, 2019, the SEC issued subpoenas in the SEC Action to our Chairman and our independent director. The SEC filed a second amended complaint in the SEC Action on March 16, 2020 asserting additional civil charges against Mr. Ladd. The SEC Action asserts civil charges against multiple individuals and entities, including former shareholders of the Company, who are alleged to have violated the securities laws by engaging in “pump and dump” schemes in connection with certain microcap stocks and three entities, including the Company (the Company is not named as a defendant). To the extent the SEC Action pertains to Mr. Ladd in his capacity as an officer of the Company, we are required to indemnify him in his defense of the SEC Action and cannot predict the likelihood or amount of expenses this will entail. Further, the SEC Action has diverted and may continue to divert Mr. Ladd’s attention from his management duties to the Company. If the outcome of this litigation results in the Company losing Mr. Ladd’s services, we may be unable to find a suitable replacement in a reasonable time or without incurring significant costs or experiencing operational disruptions. Further, we cannot predict whether the SEC Action might result in future actions, penalties or other liabilities against the Company, and we may incur costs in responding to related requests for information and subpoenas, and if instituted, in defending against any resulting governmental proceedings that may be instituted against the Company.
The Company’s directors and officers’ insurance policies have been exhausted and will cause the Company to increase spending on legal expenses.
Under its certificate of incorporation and Bylaws, Mr. Ladd’s Employment Agreement, and certain indemnification agreements, the Company has obligations to indemnify current and former directors and certain current and former employees. Based on cumulative legal fees and settlements incurred the Company has fully exhausted its directors and officers insurance coverage. Additional expenses currently expected to be incurred, including in connection with the SEC Action which is still ongoing, and that may occur in the future, or liabilities that may be imposed in connection with actions against certain of the Company’s past and present directors and officers and certain current and former employees who are entitled to indemnification will be funded by the Company with its existing cash resources. Such expenses could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
There are several new and existing competitors in our industry that are purchasing mining equipment at scale, which may cause delays or difficulty in us obtaining new miners, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Many of the competitors in our industry have also been purchasing mining equipment at scale, which has caused a world-wide shortage of mining equipment and extended the corresponding delivery schedules for new miner purchases. There can be no assurances the mining equipment manufacturers on which we rely such as Bitmain will be able to keep pace with the surge in demand for mining equipment if and when we decide to upgrade and/or expand upon our current miners. Additionally, the supply of the materials used to produce miners, such as the ASIC computer chips that are the primary feature in their computing power, may become subject to shortages, which could also either increase the cost beyond what we can reasonably afford or reduce their availability without unreasonable delay or at all. It is uncertain how manufacturers will respond to these trends and whether they can deliver on the schedules promised to any or all of their customers in the future. In the event Bitmain or other manufacturers are not able to keep pace with demand or avoid supply shortages, we may not be able to purchase miners from Bitmain or other manufacturers in sufficient quantities, at reasonable prices or on the delivery schedules that meet our business needs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted and may continue to disrupt national and international commerce and we may not be able to continue our operations as presently conducted, obtain new miners or replacement parts for our existing miners in a timely or cost-effective manner, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The novel strain of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has spread as a global pandemic throughout the world and has resulted in authorities imposing, and businesses and individuals implementing, numerous unprecedented measures to try to contain the virus. Although the United States and countries around the world have been releasing a vaccine, there are no assurances that the vaccine will be effective, and what impact it will have on reducing the spread or containment of COVID-19. In addition to vaccinations, preventative efforts include travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place/stay-at-home and social distancing orders, and shutdowns. These measures may impact our mining operations, the third-party contractors on which we rely to further those operations, and the vendors, suppliers and manufacturers with which we do business. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition is difficult to predict and depends on numerous evolving factors, including the duration and scope of the pandemic and its impact on overall global economic and political uncertainty; government, social, business and other actions that have been and will be taken in response to the pandemic; the speed and extent to which vaccines are distributed and their efficacy at preventing the COVID-19 virus from spreading and impacting the general populace, both in the short- and long- term, and the effect of the pandemic on short- and long-term general economic conditions and on the cryptocurrency industry in particular.
Current and future restrictions or disruptions of transportation, such as reduced availability of air and ground transport, port closures or congestion, and increased border controls or closures, can also impact our ability to timely mine Bitcoin in sufficient quantities and/or sell the Bitcoin we receive at favorable prices, and could materially adversely affect us. For example, these added challenges may increase costs or delays in the repair or replacement of certain of our miners which have demonstrated defects. Increased transportation, electrical supply, labor or other costs which may result from the COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, particularly if the effects of COVID-19 are prolonged.
To the extent that the profit margins of Bitcoin mining operations are not high, operators of Bitcoin mining operations or other participants in the Bitcoin industry are more likely to immediately sell Bitcoins in the market, thereby constraining growth of the price of Bitcoin that could adversely impact us.
Over the years, Bitcoin mining operations have shifted from individual users mining with computer processors, graphics processing units and first-generation ASIC servers to larger enterprises with newer, more “professionalized” sources of processing power which has been predominantly added by “professionalized” mining operations and resulting demand for more professionalized and powerful miners having faster hash rates. These professionalized mining operations may use proprietary hardware or sophisticated ASIC machines acquired from ASIC manufacturers. Acquiring this specialized hardware at scale requires the investment of significant up-front capital, and mine operators incur significant expenses related to the operation of this hardware at scale, such as the leasing of operating space, which is often done in data centers or warehousing facilities, obtaining and paying for an electricity supply to run the miners and employing technicians to operate the mining facilities.
As a result, these professionalized mining operations are of a greater scale than prior miners and have more defined and regular expenses and liabilities. Because these regular expenses and liabilities require professionalized mining operations to maintain profit margins on the sale of Bitcoin, to the extent the price of Bitcoin declines and such profit margin is constrained, such miners are incentivized to sell Bitcoin earned from mining operations more rapidly than individual miners who in past years were more likely to hold newly mined Bitcoin for longer periods. The immediate selling of newly mined Bitcoin greatly increases the trading volume of Bitcoin, creating downward pressure on the market price of Bitcoin rewards.
The extent to which the value of Bitcoin mined by a professionalized mining operation exceeds the allocable capital and operating costs determines the profit margin of such an operation. A professionalized mining operation may be more likely to sell a higher percentage of its newly mined Bitcoin rapidly if it is operating at a low profit margin and it may partially or completely cease operations if its profit margin is negative. In a low profit margin environment, a higher percentage could be sold more rapidly, thereby potentially depressing Bitcoin prices. Lower Bitcoin prices could result in further tightening of profit margins for professionalized mining operations creating a network effect that may further reduce the price of Bitcoin until mining operations with higher operating costs become unprofitable forcing them to reduce mining power or cease mining operations temporarily.
We may be unable to raise additional capital needed to grow our business.
We will likely continue to operate at a loss, at least until our business strategy is implemented, or if Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency prices decline, and we expect to need to raise additional capital to expand our operations and pursue our growth strategies, including potentially the acquisition of new or additional miners, and to respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated working capital requirements. We may not be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing on favorable terms, if at all, which could impair our growth and adversely affect our existing operations. If we raise additional equity financing, our stockholders may experience significant dilution of their ownership interests, and the per share value of our common stock could decline. Furthermore, if we engage in additional debt financing, the holders of such debt would have priority over the holders of common stock on order of liquidation preference. We may be required to accept terms that restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness or take other actions including terms that require us to maintain specified liquidity or other ratios that could otherwise not be in the interests of our stockholders.
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Because our miners are designed specifically to mine Bitcoin, our future success will depend in large part upon the value of Bitcoin, and any sustained decline in its value could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our operating results will depend in large part upon the value of Bitcoin because it is the primary cryptocurrency we currently mine. Specifically, our revenues from our Bitcoin mining operations are based upon two factors: (1) the number of Bitcoin rewards we successfully mine and (2) the value of Bitcoin. This means that our operating results will be subject to swings based upon increases or decreases in the value of Bitcoin. Furthermore, our business strategy focuses solely on producing Bitcoin (as opposed to other cryptocurrencies), and our current ASIC miners principally utilize the “SHA-256 algorithm,” which is designed primarily for mining Bitcoin. We therefore, cannot use these miners to mine other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, that are not mined utilizing this algorithm. While the S17 model can mine Bitcoin Cash, we do not currently employ our miners for this purpose. If other cryptocurrencies overtake Bitcoin in terms of acceptance, the value of Bitcoin could decline. Further, if Bitcoin were to switch its proof of work algorithm from SHA-256 to another algorithm for which our miners would not be suited or if the value of Bitcoin were to decline for other reasons, particularly if such decline were significant or over an extended period of time, we would likely incur very significant costs in retooling or replacing our existing miners with miners better suited for this new protocol and our operating results could be adversely affected. This could result in a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our business strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations, and thus harm investors.
Bitcoin is subject to Halving, meaning that the Bitcoin rewarded for solving a block will be reduced in the future and its value may not commensurately adjust to compensate us for such reductions, and the overall supply of Bitcoin is finite.
Bitcoin is subject to Halving, which is the process by which the Bitcoin reward for solving a block is reduced by 50% every 210,000 blocks that are solved. This means that the amount of Bitcoin we (or any other miner) are rewarded for solving a block in the Blockchain is permanently cut in half. For example, the latest Halving having occurred in May 2020, with a revised payout of 6.25 Bitcoin per block solved, down from the previous reward rate of 12.5 Bitcoin per block solved. There can be no assurance that the price of Bitcoin will sufficiently increase to justify the increasingly high costs of mining for Bitcoin given the Halving feature. If a corresponding and proportionate increase in the trading price of these cryptocurrencies does not follow these anticipated Halving events, the revenue we earn from our mining operations would see a corresponding decrease, which would have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. To illustrate, even if the price of Bitcoin remains at its price as of today, all other factors being equal (including the same number of miners and a stable hash rate) our revenue would decrease substantially upon the next Halving.
Further, due to the Halving process, unless the underlying code of the Bitcoin Blockchain is altered (which may be unlikely or difficult given its decentralized nature), the supply of Bitcoin is finite. Once 21 million Bitcoin have been generated by virtue of solving blocks in the Blockchain, the network will stop producing more. Currently, there are approximately 19.0 million Bitcoin in circulation representing about 90% of the total supply of Bitcoin under the current source code. For the foregoing reasons, the Halving feature exposes us to inherent uncertainty and reliance upon the historically volatile price of Bitcoin, rendering an investment in us particularly speculative, especially in the long-term. If the price of Bitcoin does not significantly increase in value, your investment could become worthless.
We are subject to risks associated with our need for significant electrical power and our current Electricity Agreement.
Our Bitcoin mining operations have required significant amounts of electrical power, and, to the extent we purchase additional miners or acquire new miners which require higher energy inputs, our electricity requirements would grow. If we are unable to continue to obtain sufficient electrical power to operate our miners on a cost-effective basis, we may not realize the anticipated benefits of our significant capital investments in new miners. Even at our current energy usage, there can be no guarantee that our operational costs will not increase in the future, as our current Electricity Agreement expired on September 30, 2021. While we are engaged in negotiations for a new contract for electricity with City of Lafayette, Georgia, a municipal corporation of the State of Georgia (“the City”), there can be no assurance that we can reach an agreement with the City with acceptable price, volume and other terms, if at all. Currently we are in a month-to-month agreement with the City. The City is our only supplier of electricity at our location.
Additionally, our mining operations could be materially adversely affected by prolonged power outages, and we may have to reduce or cease our operations in the event of an extended power outage, or as a result of the unavailability or increased cost of electrical power. If this were to occur, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected, and investors in our securities could be harmed.
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Interruptions to internet access could disrupt our operations, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our cryptocurrency mining operations require access to high-speed internet to be successful. If we lose internet access for a prolonged period, we may be required to reduce our operations or cease them altogether. A disruption of the Internet may affect the use of cryptocurrencies and subsequently the value of our securities. Generally, cryptocurrencies and our business of mining cryptocurrencies is dependent upon the Internet. A significant disruption in Internet connectivity could disrupt a currency’s network operations until the disruption is resolved and have an adverse effect on the price of Bitcoin and our ability to mine Bitcoin. If this occurs, our business and results of operations may suffer, and our investors may be materially and adversely effected.
Bitcoin has forked three times and additional forks may occur in the future which may affect the value of Bitcoin held or mined by the Company.
To the extent that a significant majority of users and miners on a cryptocurrency network install software that changes the cryptocurrency network or properties of a cryptocurrency, including the irreversibility of transactions and limitations on the mining of new cryptocurrency, the cryptocurrency network would be subject to new protocols and software. However, if less than a significant majority of users and miners on the cryptocurrency network consent to the proposed modification, and the modification is not compatible with the software prior to its modification, the consequence would be what is known as a “fork” of the network, with one prong running the pre-modified software and the other running the modified software. The effect of such a fork would be the existence of two versions of the cryptocurrency running in parallel, yet lacking interchangeability and necessitating exchange-type transaction to convert currencies between the two forks. Additionally, it may be unclear following a fork which fork represents the original asset and which is the new asset. Different metrics adopted by industry participants to determine which is the original asset include: referring to the wishes of the core developers of a cryptocurrency, Blockchains with the greatest amount of hashing power contributed by miners or validators; or Blockchains with the longest chain. A fork in the network of a particular cryptocurrency could adversely affect an investment in our securities or our ability to operate.
Since August 1, 2017, Bitcoin’s Blockchain was forked three times creating Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin Gold and Bitcoin SV. The forks resulted in a new Blockchain being created with a shared history, and a new path forward. The value of the newly created Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin Gold and Bitcoin SV may or may not have value in the long run and may affect the price of Bitcoin if interest is shifted away from Bitcoin to the newly created digital assets. The value of Bitcoin after the creation of a fork is subject to many factors including the value of the fork product, market reaction to the creation of the fork product, and the occurrence of forks in the future. As such, the value of Bitcoin could be materially reduced if existing and future forks have a negative effect on Bitcoin’s value.
Our reliance primarily on a single model of miner may subject our operations to increased risk of mine failure.
The performance and reliability of our miners and our technology is critical to our operations. Because we currently use mostly S17 miners, if there continue to be issues with those machines, such as a design flaw in the ASIC chips they employ, our entire system could be affected. We recently experienced this issue with our S17 miners, as of the 430 miners we currently own, 350 have defects that render them either unusable or unable to operate at their maximum designed capacity. Additionally, we have sold 923 of our S17 miners and had to scrap 153 S17 miners which lost their value. This results in both lost revenue from inhibited mining operations and increased costs to repair and replace our mining infrastructure. Therefore, any disruption in our ability to continue mining, even with a portion of our total miners, could result in a material reduction to Bitcoin reward yields which would harm our business. Any weakness, flaw, or error which arises with our miners such similar to or more severe and widespread than the problems we experienced with our S17 miners may affect all or a large portion of our miners; therefore, if a defect or other flaw exists, our entire mine could go offline simultaneously. Any such interruption, delay or inability to continue operations could result in financial losses, a decrease in the trading price of our common stock and reputational harm.
Our mining operations, including the miners, the container, the land and the facility as a whole in which our miners are operated, are subject to real estate risks and potential damage and contingencies for which we are not covered by insurance.
Our current mining operations are exclusively conducted at our Lafayette, GA facility. This facility is, and any future mines we may establish, will be subject to a variety of risks relating to housing all of our operations, which include expensive revenue generating equipment at a single physical location. We also face risks because we own the land underlying the facility rather than rent, and therefore face risks inherent in the ownership of real estate. While we have insurance covering general liability and property theft and damage, we may be underinsured for some of the risks we face due to our single facility and ownership of the underlying land, including:
| ● | the possibility of construction or repair defects or other structural or building damage; |
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| ● | any noncompliance with or liabilities under applicable environmental, noise, health or safety regulations or requirements or building permit requirements; | |
| ● | any damage resulting from natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, floods and windstorms; | |
| ● | claims by employees and others for injuries sustained at our facility; | |
| ● | theft, arson or other crimes upon our facility; | |
| ● | adverse changes in national and local economic and market conditions; | |
| ● | declines in the value of the real estate; and | |
| ● | the potential for uninsured or underinsured property losses. |
For example, our facility could be rendered inoperable, temporarily or permanently, as a result of a fire or other natural disaster or by a terrorist or other attack on the facility. The security and other measures we take to protect against these risks may not be sufficient. Additionally, our mine could be materially adversely affected by a power outage or loss of access to the electrical grid or loss by the grid of cost-effective sources of electrical power generating capacity. Given our constant power requirement to operate our miners and generate revenue, it would not be feasible to run miners on back-up power generators in the event of a power outage. We do not carry insurance that would cover losses resulting from any of these events. In the event of an uninsured loss, including a loss in excess of insured limits, at any of the miners in our network, such miners may not be adequately repaired in a timely manner or at all and we may lose some or all of the future revenues which could have otherwise been derived from such miners. Additionally, to the extent the miners, the modified containers in which they are held, or the land itself is permanently damaged, we may not be able to bear the cost of repair or replacement. Should any of these events transpire, we may not be able to recover, could lose a material amount of potential revenue, and our business and results of operations could be materially harmed as a result. Further, we may be unable to replace our fire and theft insurance which exposes us to further risk of loss.
The Company’s reliance on a third-party mining pool service provider for our mining revenue payouts may have a negative impact on the Company’s operations.
We receive Bitcoin mining rewards from our mining activity through a third-party mining pool operator. Mining pools allow miners to combine their processing power, increasing their chances of solving a block and getting paid by the network. The rewards are distributed by the pool operator, proportionally to our contribution to the pool’s overall mining power, used to generate each block. Should the pool operator’s system suffer downtime due to a cyber-attack, software malfunction or other similar issues, it will negatively impact our ability to mine and receive revenue. Furthermore, we are dependent on the accuracy of the mining pool operator’s record keeping to accurately record the total processing power provided to the pool for a given Bitcoin mining application in order to assess the proportion of that total processing power we provided. We would have limited means of recourse against the mining pool operator if we determine the proportion of the reward paid out to us by the mining pool operator is incorrect, other than leaving the pool. If we are unable to consistently obtain accurate proportionate rewards from our mining pool operators, we may experience reduced reward for our efforts, which would have an adverse effect on our business and operations.
There is a possibility of cryptocurrency mining algorithms transitioning to proof of stake validation and other mining related risks, which could make us less competitive and ultimately adversely affect our business and the value of our stock.
Proof of stake is an alternative method in validating cryptocurrency transactions that is less dependent on the consumption of electricity. Should the algorithm shift from a proof of work validation method to a proof of stake method, mining would likely require less energy, which may render any company that maintains advantages in the current climate (for example, from lower priced electricity, processing, real estate, or hosting) less competitive. We, as a result of our efforts to optimize and improve the efficiency of our Bitcoin mining operations, may be exposed to the risk in the future of losing the relative competitive advantage we may have over some of our competitors as a result, and may be negatively impacted if a switch to proof of stake validation were to occur. This is because we have invested heavily in setting up our facility based on the mining algorithms method of validation. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or results of operations, the value of Bitcoin.
We may be accused of infringing intellectual property rights of third parties.
We may be subject to legal claims of alleged infringement of the intellectual property rights of third parties. Due to the open-source and constantly evolving nature of our business, we may not always be able to determine that we are using or accessing protected information or software. For example, there could be issued patents of which we are not aware that our activities or the equipment or software we use may infringe. The ready availability of damages, royalties and the potential for injunctive relief has increased the defense litigation costs of patent infringement claims, especially those asserted by third parties whose sole or primary business is to assert such claims. Such claims, even if not meritorious, may result in significant expenditure of financial and managerial resources, and the payment of damages or settlement amounts. Additionally, we may become subject to injunctions prohibiting us from using software or business processes we currently use or may need to use in the future or requiring us to obtain licenses from third parties when such licenses may not be available on financially feasible terms or terms acceptable to us or at all. In addition, we may not be able to obtain on favorable terms, or at all, licenses or other rights with respect to intellectual property we do not own in providing ecommerce services to other businesses and individuals under commercial agreements.
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Risks Related to Our Dependence on Bitcoin
The trading price of shares of our common stock may increase or decrease as does the trading price of Bitcoin, which subject investors to pricing risks, including “bubble” type risks, and volatility.
Because of our dependence on Bitcoin, the trading prices of our common stock may at times be tied to the trading prices of Bitcoin. Specifically, we may experience adverse effects on our stock price when the value of Bitcoin drops. Furthermore, if the market for Bitcoin company stocks or the stock market in general experiences a loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, operating results or financial condition. The trading price of our common stock could be subject to arbitrary pricing factors that are not necessarily associated with traditional factors that influence stock prices or the value of non-cryptocurrency assets such as revenue, cash flows, profitability, growth prospects or business activity since the value and price, as determined by the investing public, may be influenced by uncertain contingencies such as future anticipated adoption or appreciation in value of cryptocurrencies or Blockchains generally, and other factors over which we have little or no influence or control.
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency market prices, which have historically been volatile and are impacted by a variety of factors (including those discussed below), are determined primarily using data from various exchanges, over-the-counter markets and derivative platforms. Furthermore, such prices may be subject to factors such as those that impact commodities, more so than business activities, which could be subjected to additional influence from fraudulent or illegitimate actors, real or perceived scarcity, and political, economic, regulatory or other conditions. Pricing may be the result of, and may continue to result in, speculation regarding future appreciation in the value of cryptocurrencies, or our share price, making their market prices more volatile or creating “bubble” type risks for the trading price of Bitcoin.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the trading price of Bitcoin has appreciated significantly, from a low closing value of approximately $30 per Bitcoin in January 2021, to a high closing value of approximately $68 per Bitcoin in November 2021, before closing the year at $46. There can be no assurances that similar volatility in the trading price of Bitcoin will not occur in the future. Accordingly, since the trading price of our securities may at times be connected to the trading price of Bitcoin, if the trading price of Bitcoin again experiences a significant decline, we could experience a similar decline in the trading price for shares of our common stock. If this occurs, you may not be able to sell the shares of our common stock which you purchased at or above the price you paid for them or at all.
The markets for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and the existing markets may be under regulated and, as a result, the market price of Bitcoin may be subject to significant volatility or manipulation, which could decrease consumer confidence in cryptocurrencies and have a materially adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Cryptocurrencies that are represented and trade on a ledger-based platform and those who hold them may not enjoy the same benefits as traditional securities available on trading markets and their investors. Stock exchanges have listing requirements and vet issuers, requiring them to be subjected to rigorous listing standards and rules, and monitor investors transacting on such platforms for fraud and other improprieties. These conditions may not necessarily be replicated on a distributed ledger platform, depending on the platform’s controls and other policies. The more lax a distributed ledger platform is about vetting issuers of cryptocurrency assets or users that transact on the platform, the higher the potential risk for fraud or the manipulation of the ledger due to a control event.
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency market prices have historically been volatile, are impacted by a variety of factors, and are determined primarily using data from various exchanges, over-the-counter markets and derivative platforms. Furthermore, such prices may be subject to factors such as those that impact commodities, more so than business activities, which could be subjected to additional influence from fraudulent or illegitimate actors, real or perceived scarcity, and political, economic, regulatory or other conditions. Pricing may be the result of, and may continue to result in, speculation regarding future appreciation in the value of cryptocurrencies, or our share price, making their market prices more volatile or creating “bubble” type risks for both Bitcoin and shares of our common stock.
These factors may inhibit consumer trust in and market acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a means of exchange which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, or operations and potentially the value of any Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire.
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The development and acceptance of cryptographic and algorithmic protocols governing the issuance of and transactions in cryptocurrencies is subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate.
The use of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, to, among other things, buy and sell goods and services and complete transactions, is part of a new and rapidly evolving industry that employs cryptocurrency assets based upon a computer-generated mathematical and/or cryptographic protocol. Large-scale acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment has not, and may never, occur. The growth of this industry in general, and the use of Bitcoin in particular, is subject to a high degree of uncertainty, and the slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of developing protocols may occur unpredictably. The factors include, but are not limited to:
| ● | the progress of worldwide growth in the adoption and use of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as a medium of exchange; | |
| ● | governmental and organizational regulation of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and their use, or restrictions on or regulation of access to and operation of the network or similar cryptocurrency systems; | |
| ● | changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences, including as may result from coverage of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies by journalists and other sources of information and media; | |
| ● | the maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of the network; |
| ● | the increased consolidation of contributors to the Bitcoin Blockchain through mining pools and scaling of mining equipment by well-capitalized market participants; | |
| ● | the availability and popularity of other forms or methods of buying and selling goods and services, including new means of using fiat currencies; | |
| ● | the use of the networks supporting Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies for developing smart contracts and distributed applications; | |
| ● | general economic conditions and the regulatory environment relating to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies; and | |
| ● | the impact of regulators focusing on cryptocurrencies and the costs associated with such regulatory oversight. |
A decline in the popularity or acceptance of the Bitcoin network could adversely affect an investment in us.
The outcome of these factors could have negative effects on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our business strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations as well as potentially negative effects on the value of any Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies we mine or otherwise acquire, which would harm investors in our securities.
Currently, there is relatively small use of Bitcoins in the retail and commercial marketplace in comparison to relatively large use by speculators, thus contributing to price volatility that could adversely affect an investment in us.
As relatively new products and technologies, Bitcoins and the Bitcoin network have only recently become widely accepted as a means of payment for goods and services by many major retail and commercial outlets, and use of Bitcoins by consumers to pay such retail and commercial outlets remains limited. Conversely, a significant portion of Bitcoin demand is generated by speculators and investors seeking to profit from the short- or long-term holding of Bitcoins. A lack of expansion by Bitcoins into retail and commercial markets, or a contraction of such use, may result in increased volatility or a reduction in the price of Bitcoin, either of which could adversely impact an investment in us.
Banks and financial institutions may not provide banking services, or may cut off services, to businesses that engage in cryptocurrency-related activities.
A number of companies that engage in Bitcoin and/or other cryptocurrency-related activities have been unable to find banks or financial institutions that are willing to provide them with bank accounts and other services. Similarly, a number of companies and individuals or businesses associated with cryptocurrencies may have had and may continue to have their existing bank accounts closed or services discontinued with financial institutions in response to government action, particularly in China, where regulatory response to cryptocurrencies has been to exclude their use for ordinary consumer transactions within China. Specifically, in May 2021 the Chinese government banned financial institutions and payment companies from providing services related to cryptocurrency transactions. We also may be unable to obtain or maintain these services for our business. The price of Bitcoin has declined dramatically beginning in May 2021 in response to this trend. The difficulty that many businesses that provide Bitcoin and/or derivatives on other cryptocurrency-related activities have and may continue to have in finding banks and financial institutions willing to provide them services may be decreasing the usefulness of cryptocurrencies as a payment system and harming public perception of cryptocurrencies, and could decrease their usefulness and harm their public perception in the future.
The usefulness of cryptocurrencies as a payment system and the public perception of cryptocurrencies could be damaged if banks or financial institutions were to close the accounts of businesses engaging in Bitcoin and/or other cryptocurrency-related activities. This could occur as a result of compliance risk, cost, government regulation or public pressure. The risk applies to securities firms, clearance and settlement firms, national stock and derivatives on commodities exchanges, the over-the-counter market, and the Depository Trust Company, which, if any of such entities adopts or implements similar policies, rules or regulations, could negatively affect our relationships with financial institutions and impede our ability to convert cryptocurrencies to fiat currencies. Such factors could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to monetize our mining efforts, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and harm investors.
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Political or economic crises may motivate large-scale sales of cryptocurrencies, which could result in a reduction in values of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and adversely affect an investment in us.
Geopolitical crises may motivate large-scale sales of cryptocurrencies, which could rapidly decrease the price of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Alternatively, as an emerging asset class with limited acceptance as a payment system or commodity, global crises and general economic downturn may discourage investment in cryptocurrencies as investors focus their investment on less volatile asset classes as a means of hedging their investment risk.
As an alternative to fiat currencies that are backed by central governments, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, which are relatively new, are subject to supply and demand forces based upon the desirability of an alternative, decentralized means of buying and selling goods and services, and it is unclear how such supply and demand will be impacted by geopolitical events. Nevertheless, political or economic crises may motivate large-scale acquisitions or sales of cryptocurrencies either globally or locally. Large-scale sales of cryptocurrencies would result in a reduction in digital asset values and could adversely affect an investment in us.
The decentralized nature of cryptocurrency systems may lead to slow or inadequate responses to crises, which may negatively affect our business.
The decentralized nature of the governance of cryptocurrency systems may lead to ineffective decision making that slows development or prevents a network from overcoming emergent obstacles. Governance of many cryptocurrency systems is by voluntary consensus and open competition with no clear leadership structure or authority. To the extent lack of clarity in corporate governance of cryptocurrency systems leads to ineffective decision making that slows development and growth of such cryptocurrencies, the value of our common stock may be adversely affected.
It may be illegal now, or in the future, to acquire, own, hold, sell or use digital assets in one or more countries, and ownership of, holding or trading in our securities may also be considered illegal and subject to sanction.
As digital assets have grown in both popularity and market size, governments around the world have reacted differently to digital assets; certain governments have deemed them illegal, and others have allowed their use and trade without restriction, while in some jurisdictions, such as in the U.S., subject to extensive, and in some cases overlapping, unclear and evolving regulatory requirements. Ongoing and future regulatory actions may impact our ability to continue to operate, and such actions could affect our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our new strategy at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations.
The emergence of competing Blockchain platforms or technologies may harm our business as presently conducted.
If Blockchain platforms or technologies which compete with Bitcoin and its Blockchain, including competing cryptocurrencies which our miners may not be able to mine, such as cryptocurrencies being developed or may be developed by popular social media platforms, online retailers, or government sponsored cryptocurrencies, consumers may use such alternative platforms or technologies. If that were to occur, we would face difficulty adapting to emergent such digital ledgers, Blockchains, or alternative platforms or digital assets. This may adversely affect us by preventing us from realizing the anticipated profits from our investments and forcing us to expend additional capital in an effort to adapt. Further, to the extent we cannot adapt, be it due to our specialized miners or otherwise, we could be forced to cease operations. Such circumstances would have a material adverse effect on our business, and in turn investors’ investments in our securities.
Cryptocurrencies face significant scaling obstacles that can lead to high fees or slow transaction settlement times.
Cryptocurrencies face significant scaling obstacles that can lead to high fees or slow transaction settlement times, and attempts to increase the volume of transactions may not be effective. Therefore, scaling cryptocurrencies will be essential to the widespread acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment, which widespread acceptance is necessary to the continued growth and development of our business. Many cryptocurrency networks face significant scaling challenges, such as limitations on how many transactions can occur per second. There can be no guarantee that any of the systems in place or being considered to increasing the scale of settlement of cryptocurrency transactions will be effective, or how long they will take to become effective, which could adversely affect an investment in our securities.
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The price of cryptocurrencies may be affected by the sale of such cryptocurrencies by other vehicles investing in cryptocurrencies or tracking cryptocurrency markets.
The global market for cryptocurrency is characterized by supply constraints that differ from those present in the markets for commodities or other assets such as gold and silver. The mathematical protocols under which certain cryptocurrencies are mined permit the creation of a limited, predetermined amount of digital currency, while others have no limit established on total supply. Increased numbers of miners and deployed mining power globally will likely continue to increase the available supply of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which may depress their market price. Further, large “block sales” involving significant numbers of Bitcoin following appreciation in the market price of Bitcoin may also increase the supply of Bitcoin available on the market, which, without a corresponding increase in demand, may cause its price to fall. Additionally, to the extent that other vehicles investing in cryptocurrencies or tracking cryptocurrency markets form and come to represent a significant proportion of the demand for cryptocurrencies, large redemptions of the securities of those vehicles and the subsequent sale of cryptocurrencies by such vehicles could negatively affect cryptocurrency prices and therefore affect the value of the cryptocurrency inventory we hold. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of any Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies we mine.
The Bitcoin we mine may be subject to loss, damage, theft or restriction on access.
There is a risk that some or all of the Bitcoin we mine could be lost or stolen. In general, cryptocurrencies are stored in cryptocurrency sites commonly referred to as “wallets” by holders of cryptocurrencies which may be accessed to exchange a holder’s cryptocurrency assets. Access to our Bitcoin could also be restricted by cybercrime (such as a denial of service attack). While we take steps to attempt to secure the Bitcoin we hold, there can be no assurance our efforts to protect our digital assets will be successful.
Hackers or malicious actors may launch attacks to steal, compromise or secure cryptocurrencies, such as by attacking the cryptocurrency network source code, exchange miners, third-party platforms, cold and hot storage locations or software, or by other means. Any of these events may adversely affect our operations and, consequently, our ability to generate revenue and become profitable. The loss or destruction of a private key required to access our digital wallets may be irreversible and we may be denied access for all time to our Bitcoin holdings. Our loss of access to our private keys or our experience of a data loss relating to our digital wallets could adversely affect our business.
Cryptocurrencies are controllable only by the possessor of both the unique public and private keys relating to the local or online digital wallet in which they are held, which wallet’s public key or address is reflected in the network’s public Blockchain. We are required to publish the public key relating to digital wallets in use when we verify the receipt of transfers and disseminate such information into the network, but we will need to safeguard the private keys relating to such digital wallets. To the extent such private keys are lost, destroyed or otherwise compromised, we will be unable to access our Bitcoin rewards and such private keys may not be capable of being restored by any network. Any loss of private keys relating to digital wallets used to store our mined Bitcoin could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and ability to continue as a going concern, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of any Bitcoin we mine.
Incorrect or fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions may be irreversible.
Cryptocurrency transactions are irrevocable and stolen or incorrectly transferred cryptocurrencies may be irretrievable. As a result, any incorrectly executed or fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions, such as a result of a cybersecurity breach against our Bitcoin holdings, could adversely affect our investments and assets. This is because cryptocurrency transactions are not, from an administrative perspective, reversible without the consent and active participation of the recipient of the cryptocurrencies from the transaction. Once a transaction has been verified and recorded in a block that is added to a Blockchain, an incorrect transfer of a cryptocurrency or a theft thereof generally will not be reversible and we may not have sufficient recourse to recover our losses from any such transfer or theft. Further, it is possible that, through computer or human error, or through theft or criminal action, our cryptocurrency rewards could be transferred in incorrect amounts or to unauthorized third parties, or to uncontrolled accounts. If an errant or fraudulent transaction in our Bitcoin were to occur, we would have very limited means of seeking to reverse the transaction or seek recourse. To the extent that we are unable to recover our losses from such action, error or theft, such events could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Security threats to us could result in a loss of Company’s Bitcoin holdings.
Security breaches, computer malware and computer hacking attacks have been a prevalent concern in the Bitcoin exchange market since the launch of the Bitcoin network. Any security breach caused by hacking, which involves efforts to gain unauthorized access to information or systems, or to cause intentional malfunctions or loss or corruption of data, software, hardware or other computer equipment, and the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses, could harm our business operations or result in loss of our Bitcoin and lost revenue. Furthermore we believe that to the extent we hold greater amounts of Bitcoin, we may become a more appealing target for security threats such as hackers and malware.
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The security system and operational infrastructure may be breached due to the actions of outside parties, error or malfeasance of an employee of ours, or otherwise, and, as a result, an unauthorized party may obtain access to our, private keys, data or Bitcoins. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees of ours to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our infrastructure. As the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently, or may be designed to remain dormant until a predetermined event and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. If an actual or perceived breach of our security system occurs, the market perception of the effectiveness of our security system could be harmed, which could adversely affect an investment in us. In the event of a security breach, we may be forced to cease operations, or suffer a reduction in our digital assets, the occurrence of each of which could adversely affect an investment in us.
If a malicious actor or botnet obtains control of more than 50% of the processing power on a cryptocurrency network, such actor or botnet could manipulate Blockchains to adversely affect us, which would adversely affect an investment in us or our ability to operate.
If a malicious actor or botnet (a volunteer or hacked collection of computers controlled by networked software coordinating the actions of the computers) obtains a majority of the processing power dedicated to mining a cryptocurrency, it may be able to alter Blockchains on which transactions of cryptocurrency reside and rely by constructing fraudulent blocks or preventing certain transactions from completing in a timely manner, or at all. The malicious actor or botnet could control, exclude or modify the ordering of transactions, though it could not generate new units or transactions using such control. The malicious actor could “double-spend” its own cryptocurrency (i.e., spend the same Bitcoin in more than one transaction) and prevent the confirmation of other users’ transactions for as long as it maintained control. To the extent that such malicious actor or botnet does not yield its control of the processing power on the network or the cryptocurrency community does not reject the fraudulent blocks as malicious, reversing any changes made to Blockchains may not be possible. The foregoing description is not the only means by which the entirety of Blockchains or cryptocurrencies may be compromised but is only an example.
Although there are no known reports of malicious activity or control of Blockchains achieved through controlling over 50% of the processing power on the network, it is believed that certain mining pools may have exceeded the 50% threshold in Bitcoin. The possible crossing of the 50% threshold indicates a greater risk that a single mining pool could exert authority over the validation of Bitcoin transactions. To the extent that the Bitcoin community, and the administrators of mining pools, do not act to ensure greater decentralization of Bitcoin mining processing power, the feasibility of a botnet or malicious actor obtaining control of the Blockchain’s processing power will increase, because such botnet or malicious actor could more readily infiltrate and seize control over the Blockchain by compromising a single mining pool, if the mining pool compromises more than 50% of the mining power on the Blockchain, than it could if the mining pool had a smaller share of the Blockchain’s total hashing power. Conversely, if the Blockchain remains decentralized it is inherently more difficult for the botnet or malicious actor to aggregate enough processing power to gain control of the Blockchain. If this were to occur, the public may lose confidence in the Bitcoin Blockchain, and Blockchain technology more generally. This would likely have a material and adverse effect on the price of Bitcoin, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and operations, and harm investors.
If the Bitcoin rewards for solving blocks are not sufficiently high, miners may not have adequate incentive to continue mining and may cease mining operations, which may make the Blockchains they support with their mining activity less stable.
As the number of cryptocurrency rewards awarded for solving a block in a Blockchain decreases, the relative cost of producing a single cryptocurrency will also increase, unless there is a corresponding increase in demand for that cryptocurrency. Even relatively stable demand may not be sufficient to support the costs of mining, because as new miners begin working to solve blocks, the relative amount of energy expended to obtain a cryptocurrency award will tend to increase. This increased energy directly relates to an increased cost of mining, which means an increased cost of obtaining a cryptocurrency award. This increased cost, if not met with a corresponding increase in the market price for the cryptocurrency resulting from increased scarcity and demand, may lead miners, such as us, to conclude they do not have an adequate incentive to continue mining and, therefore, may cease their mining operations. This could in turn reduce the sustainability of the Bitcoin Blockchain, which is dependent upon continued mining to solve the block’s algorithms and process transactions in Bitcoin. If this were to occur, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and operations.
Cryptocurrencies, including those maintained by or for us, may be exposed to cybersecurity threats and hacks.
As with any computer code generally, flaws in cryptocurrency codes may be exposed by malicious actors. Several errors and defects have been found previously, including those that disabled some functionality for users and exposed users’ information. Exploitations of flaws in the source code that allow malicious actors to take or create money have previously occurred. Despite our efforts and processes to prevent breaches, our devices, as well as our miners, computer systems and those of third parties that we use in our operations, are vulnerable to cyber security risks, including cyber-attacks such as viruses and worms, phishing attacks, denial-of-service attacks, physical or electronic break-ins, employee theft or misuse, and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our miners and computer systems or those of third parties that we use in our operations. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations and potentially the value of any Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies we mine.
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We have an evolving business model which is subject to various uncertainties.
As cryptocurrency assets and Blockchain technologies become more widely available, we expect the services and products associated with them to evolve. In order to stay current with the industry, our business model may need to evolve as well. From time to time, we may modify aspects of our business model relating to our strategy. We cannot offer any assurance that these or any other modifications will be successful or will not result in harm to our business. We may not be able to manage growth effectively, which could damage our reputation, limit our growth and negatively affect our operating results. Further, we cannot provide any assurance that we will successfully identify all emerging trends and growth opportunities in this business sector and we may lose out on those opportunities. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations.
Since there has been limited precedence set for financial accounting of digital assets, it is unclear how we will be required to account for Bitcoin transactions in the future.
Since there has been limited precedence set for the financial accounting of digital assets such as Bitcoin, it is unclear how we will be required to account for Bitcoin transactions or holdings. Furthermore, a change in regulatory or financial accounting standards could result in the necessity to restate our financial statements. Such a restatement could negatively impact our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation.
Risks Related to Governmental Regulation and Enforcement
Regulatory changes or actions may alter the nature of an investment in us or restrict the use of cryptocurrencies in a manner that adversely affects our business, prospects or operations.
As cryptocurrencies have grown in both popularity and market size, governments around the world have reacted differently to cryptocurrencies; certain governments have deemed them illegal, and others have allowed their use and trade with no or minimal restriction, while in some jurisdictions, such as in the U.S., cryptocurrencies are subject to extensive, and in some cases overlapping, unclear and evolving regulatory requirements. Ongoing and future regulatory actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations.
Because cryptocurrencies may be determined to be investment securities, we may become subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and be subject to comprehensive regulatory requirements that we would likely be unable to afford.
While we do not believe that we are primarily engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities, nor do we hold ourselves out as being engaged in those activities, we may become subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) based on our Bitcoin holdings. Under the 1940 Act, an entity may be deemed to be an investment company if the value of its investment securities is more than 40% of its total assets (exclusive of government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis.
As a result of our Bitcoin holdings resulting from our mining activities, to the extent Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency we may hold is determined by the SEC or a state legislator to be a security, our holdings could exceed 40% of our total assets such that we may trigger the threshold described above and become an inadvertent investment company unless we can rely an applicable exemption.
Classification as an investment company under the 1940 Act requires registration with the SEC. Such registration is time consuming, expensive and restrictive and would require a substantial and onerous restructuring of our operations, and we would be very constrained in the kind of business we could do as a registered investment company. Further, we would become subject to substantial regulation concerning management, operations, transactions with affiliated persons and portfolio composition, and would need to file reports under the 1940 Act regime. The cost of such compliance would result in the Company incurring substantial additional expenses, and such costs or the failure to register if required would have a materially adverse impact on our operations.
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Current interpretations require the regulation of Bitcoin under the CEA by the CFTC, and we may be required to register and comply with such regulations. Any disruption of our operations in response to the changed regulatory circumstances may be at a time that is disadvantageous to investors.
Current and future legislation, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and other regulatory developments, including interpretations released by a regulatory authority, may impact the manner in which Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are treated for classification and clearing purposes. In particular, derivatives on these assets are not excluded from the definition of “commodity future” by the CFTC. We cannot be certain as to how future regulatory developments will impact the treatment of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies under the law.
Bitcoins have been deemed to fall within the definition of a commodity and, we may be required to register and comply with additional regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”), including additional periodic report and disclosure standards and requirements. Moreover, we may be required to register as a commodity pool operator and to register us as a commodity pool with the CFTC through the National Futures Association. Such additional registrations may result in extraordinary, non-recurring expenses, thereby materially and adversely impacting an investment in us. If we determine not to comply with such additional regulatory and registration requirements, we may seek to cease certain of our operations. Any such action may adversely affect an investment in us.
Our interactions with a Blockchain may expose us to SDN or blocked persons or cause us to violate provisions of law that did not contemplate distributed ledger technology.
The Office of Financial Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the U.S. Department of Treasury requires us to comply with its sanction program and not conduct business with persons named on its specially designated nationals (“SDN”) list. However, because of the pseudonymous nature of Blockchain transactions we may inadvertently and without our knowledge engage in transactions with persons named on OFAC’s SDN list. Our Company’s policy prohibits any transactions with such SDN individuals, but we may not be adequately capable of determining the ultimate identity of the individual with whom we transact with respect to selling cryptocurrency assets. Moreover, federal law prohibits any U.S. person from knowingly or unknowingly possessing any visual depiction commonly known as child pornography. Recent media reports have suggested that persons have imbedded such depictions on one or more Blockchains. Because our business requires us to download and retain one or more Blockchains to effectuate our ongoing business, it is possible that such digital ledgers contain prohibited depictions without our knowledge or consent. To the extent government enforcement authorities literally enforce these and other laws and regulations that are impacted by decentralized distributed ledger technology, we may be subject to investigation, administrative or court proceedings, and civil or criminal monetary fines and penalties, all of which could harm our reputation and affect the value of our common stock.
Governmental action against the Blockchain and Bitcoin mining may have a materially adverse effect on the industry, and could affect us if widely adopted.
We could become subject to regulations aimed at preventing what are perceived as some of the negative attributes of Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining. For example, China has already made transacting in cryptocurrencies illegal for Chinese citizens in mainland China, and additional restrictions may follow. Further, on March 2, 2021, governmental authorities of the Chinese province of Inner Mongolia, began to take action to impose an outright ban on Bitcoin mining in the province due to the industry’s high electrical consumption demands and negative environmental impacts. This could demonstrate the beginning of a regulatory trend in response to concerns of overconsumption as it relates to environmental impact and energy conservation, and similar action in a jurisdiction in which we operate could have devastating effects to our operations. If further regulation follows, it is possible that our industry may not be able to adjust to a sudden and dramatic overhaul to our ability to deploy energy towards the operation of mining equipment.
Because we are unable to influence or predict future regulatory actions taken by governments, we may face difficulty monitoring and responding to rapid regulatory developments affecting Bitcoin mining, which may have a materially adverse effect on our industry and, therefore, our business and results of operations. If further regulatory action is taken by governments in the United States or elsewhere, our business may be materially harmed.
We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and other federal securities laws, including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”).
The costs of preparing and filing annual and quarterly reports and other information with the SEC and furnishing audited reports to shareholders will cause our expenses to be higher than they would have been if we were privately held. It may be time consuming, difficult and costly for us to develop, implement and maintain the internal controls and reporting procedures required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We may need to hire additional financial reporting, internal controls and other finance personnel in order to develop and implement appropriate internal controls and reporting procedures.
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Public company compliance may make it more difficult to attract and retain officers and directors.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and rules implemented by the SEC have required changes in corporate governance practices of public companies. As a public company, we expect these rules and regulations to increase our compliance costs and make certain activities more time consuming and costly. The impact of the SEC’s July 25, 2017 report on Digital Securities (the “DAO Report”) as well as enforcement actions will increase our compliance and legal costs. As a public company, we also expect that these rules and regulations will make it more difficult and expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance in the future and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers, and to maintain insurance at reasonable rates, or at all.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
Our stock price may be volatile.
The market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the following:
| ● | changes in our industry including changes which adversely affect Bitcoin; | |
| ● | the continued volatility of the price of Bitcoin; | |
| ● | our ability to obtain working capital financing; | |
| ● | progress and publications of the commercial acceptance of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies; | |
| ● | additions or departures of key personnel including our executive officers; | |
| ● | sales of our common stock; | |
| ● | any public announcement of entering into new agreements and terms thereof, including with respect to the purchase of miners and contracts for the supply of electricity to our facility; | |
| ● | conversion of our convertible notes and the subsequent sale of the underlying common stock; | |
| ● | business disruptions caused by earthquakes, tornadoes or other natural disasters; | |
| ● | our ability to execute our business plan; | |
| ● | operating results that fall below expectations; | |
| ● | loss of any strategic relationship; | |
| ● | adverse regulatory developments; and | |
| ● | economic and other external factors. |
In addition, the securities markets have from time-to-time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, you may be unable to resell your shares at a desired price.
We have not paid cash dividends in the past and do not expect to pay dividends in the future. Any return on investment may be limited to the value of our common stock.
We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our common stock will depend on earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting us at such time as our board of directors may consider relevant. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates.
Because our common stock does not trade on a national securities exchange, the prices of our common stock may be more volatile and lower than if we were listed.
Our common stock trades on the OTCQB operated by OTC Markets Group Inc. This market is not a national securities exchange. While our common stock trading has been relatively active, generally the OTCQB does not have the same level of activity as a national securities exchange like Nasdaq. Most institutions will not purchase a security unless it is on a national securities exchange. In addition, they do not purchase stocks that trade below $5.00 per share. We may, in the future, take certain steps, including utilizing investor awareness campaigns, press releases, road shows and conferences to increase awareness of our business and any steps that we might take to bring us to the awareness of investors may require we compensate consultants with cash and/or stock. There can be no assurance that there will be any awareness generated or the results of any efforts will result in any impact on our trading volume. Consequently, investors may not be able to liquidate their investment or liquidate it at a price that reflects the value of the business and trading may be at an inflated price relative to the performance of our company due to, among other things, availability of sellers of our shares.
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Our common stock is deemed a “penny stock,” which makes it more difficult for our investors to sell their shares.
Our common stock is subject to the “penny stock” rules adopted under Section 15(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). The penny stock rules generally apply to companies whose common stock trades at less than $5.00 per share, subject to specific exceptions. Such exceptions include among others any equity security listed on a national securities exchange and any equity security issued by an issuer that has (i) net tangible assets of at least $2,000, if such issuer has been in continuous operation for three years, (ii) net tangible assets of at least $5,000, if such issuer has been in continuous operation for less than three years, or (iii) average annual revenue of at least $6,000 for the last three years. The “penny stock” designation requires any broker-dealer selling these securities to disclose certain information concerning the transaction, obtain a written agreement from the purchaser and determine that the purchaser is reasonably suitable to purchase the securities. These rules limit the ability of broker-dealers to solicit purchases of our common stock and therefore reduce its liquidity.
Moreover, as a result of apparent regulatory pressure from the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, a growing number of broker-dealers decline to permit investors, or otherwise make it difficult, to purchase and sell “penny stocks.” The “penny stock” designation may have a depressive effect upon our common stock price. If we remain subject to the penny stock rules for any significant period, it could have an adverse effect on the market, if any, for our securities. Because our common stock is subject to the penny stock rules, investors will find it more difficult to dispose of our securities.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation allows for our board to create new series of preferred stock without further approval by our shareholders, which could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock.
Our board of directors has the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of preferred stock. Our board of directors also has the authority to issue preferred stock without further shareholder approval. As a result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that would grant to holders the preferred right to our assets upon liquidation, provide holders of the preferred anti-dilution protection, the right to receive dividend payments before dividends are distributed to the holders of common stock and the right to the redemption of the shares, together with a premium, prior to the redemption of our common stock. In addition, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that has greater voting power than our common stock or that is convertible into our common stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our common stock or result in dilution to our existing shareholders.
Substantial future sales of our common stock by us or by our existing shareholders could cause our stock price to fall.
Additional equity financings or other share issuances by us, including shares issued in connection with strategic alliances and corporate partnering transactions, and shares issued on the conversion of outstanding notes, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Sales by existing shareholders of a large number of shares of our common stock in the public market or the perception that additional sales could occur could cause the market price of our common stock to drop.
For these reasons and others, an investment in our securities is risky and you should invest only if you can withstand a total loss of, and wide fluctuations in, the value of your investment.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 2. Properties
Our principal corporate office is located at 150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1110 Raleigh, NC 27601, occupied under a lease that expires January 2023. Monthly rent is $3 until expiration of the lease. A security deposit of $3 was required upon execution of the lease. We believe our office is in good condition and is sufficient to conduct our operations.
We have constructed our own Bitcoin mining facility on 6 acres in LaFayette, GA which we acquired in May 2019. We believe our mining facility is in good condition and is sufficient to conduct our operations. In 2021, we entered into a lease for a contiguous area of land near our LaFayette, GA property, for $3 per year for five years.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
As more fully described in Item 1A Risk Factors, in September 2018, the SEC filed an action against the Company’s Chief Executive Officer alleging violations of federal securities laws which could result in liabilities for the Company.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
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PART II
Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer’s Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on the OTC QB tier of OTC Markets LLC under the symbol “MGTI.”
Holders
On March 30, 2022, the Company’s common stock closed on the OTC QB tier of OTC Markets LLC at $0.03 per share and there were 363 stockholders of record.
Dividends
The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on its common stock and has no intention to do so in the foreseeable future.
Unregistered sales of equity securities
During the year ended December 31, 2021, 14,270,833 warrants were exercised on a cashless basis for the issuance of 23,500,000 shares of common stock.
Repurchases of Equity Securities
None.
Item 6. Reserved
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
Following a review of our Bitcoin mining operations in early 2019, we consolidated our activities at a Company-owned and managed facility in LaFayette, GA. Located adjacent to a utility substation, the several-acre property has access to about 20 megawatts (MW) of low-cost electrical power, about half of which is presently utilized by the Company.
As of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, the Company owned 480 and 430Antminer S17 miners, respectively, plus 35 Antminer S19 Pro miners as of March 31, 2022. All miners are located at our Georgia facility. As more fully described in the following paragraph, over three-quarters of the S17 miners require various repairs to be productive. We purchased a total of 1,506 S17 miners in the latter part of 2019 directly from Bitmain, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2,768, which was paid in full. From May 2020 through March 31, 2022, the Company sold a total of 923 of these miners, receiving aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $869, and has scrapped 153 S17 miners due to burning or other events that reduced their value to zero.
During 2020, the Company began to suffer component issues, such as heat sinks detaching from hash boards, and failures of both power supplies and hash board temperature sensors. Although Bitmain has acknowledged manufacturing defects in various production runs of S17 miners, the Company was unsuccessful in obtaining any compensation from Bitmain. The manufacturing defects, combined with inadequate repair facilities has rendered approximately 350 of our remaining 430 miners in need of repair or replacement. To date, in addition to a significant amount in lost revenue, we have incurred approximately $140 in costs of repairing or replacing the defective machines. Currently, we plan to sell with all our remaining inventory of S17 miners, as well as loose hash boards, power supplies, controller boards, and other parts.
MGT’s miners are housed in a modified shipping container on the property in Georgia owned by the Company. The entire facility, including the land and improvements, five 2500 KVA 3-phase transformers, three mining containers, and miners, are owned by MGT. We continue to explore ways to grow and maintain our current operations including but not limited to further potential equipment sales and raising capital to acquire the newest generation miners. The Company is also investigating other sites to develop into Bitcoin mining facilities in addition to expansion at its current property.
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In addition to its self-mining operations, the Company leases its owned space to other Bitcoin miners and also provides hosting services for owners of mining equipment. These measures improve utilization of the electrical infrastructure and better insulate us against the volatility of Bitcoin mining.
Critical accounting policies and estimates
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MGT and MGT Sweden AB. MGT Sweden AB was dissolved effective on October 1, 2021. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Use of estimates and assumptions and critical accounting estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and also affect the amounts of revenues and expenses reported for each period. Actual results could differ from those which result from using such estimates. Management utilizes various other estimates, including but not limited to determining the estimated lives of long-lived assets, stock compensation, determining the potential impairment of long-lived assets, the fair value of warrants issued, the fair value of conversion features, the recognition of revenue, the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and other legal claims and contingencies. The results of any changes in accounting estimates are reflected in the financial statements in the period in which the changes become evident. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period that they are determined to be necessary.
Revenue recognition
Cryptocurrency mining
The Company recognizes revenue under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (“ASC 606”). The core principle of the revenue standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:
| ● | Step 1: Identify the contract with the customer | |
| ● | Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract | |
| ● | Step 3: Determine the transaction price | |
| ● | Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract | |
| ● | Step 5: Recognize revenue when the Company satisfies a performance obligation |
In order to identify the performance obligations in a contract with a customer, a company must assess the promised goods or services in the contract and identify each promised good or service that is distinct. A performance obligation meets ASC 606’s definition of a “distinct” good or service (or bundle of goods or services) if both of the following criteria are met: The customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer (i.e., the good or service is capable of being distinct), and the entity’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract (i.e., the promise to transfer the good or service is distinct within the context of the contract).
If a good or service is not distinct, the good or service is combined with other promised goods or services until a bundle of goods or services is identified that is distinct.
The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer. The consideration promised in a contract with a customer may include fixed amounts, variable amounts, or both. When determining the transaction price, an entity must consider the effects of all of the following:
| ● | Variable consideration | |
| ● | Constraining estimates of variable consideration | |
| ● | The existence of a significant financing component in the contract | |
| ● | Noncash consideration | |
| ● | Consideration payable to a customer |
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Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. The transaction price allocated to each performance obligation is recognized when that performance obligation is satisfied, at a point in time or over time as appropriate.
The Company has entered into digital asset mining pools by agreeing to terms and conditions, as amended from time to time, with the mining pool operators to provide computing power to the mining pool. The contracts are terminable at any time by either party and the Company’s enforceable right to compensation only begins when the Company provides computing power to the mining pool operator. In exchange for providing computing power, the Company is entitled to a fractional share of the fixed cryptocurrency award the mining pool operator receives (less digital asset transaction fees to the mining pool operator which are recorded as a component of cost of revenues), for successfully adding a block to the Blockchain. The terms of the agreement provide that neither party can dispute settlement terms after thirty-five days following settlement. The Company’s fractional share is based on the proportion of computing power the Company contributed to the mining pool operator to the total computing power contributed by all mining pool participants in solving the current algorithm.
Providing computing power to solve complex cryptographic algorithms in support of the Bitcoin Blockchain (in a process known as “solving a block”) is an output of the Company’s ordinary activities. The provision of providing such computing power is the only performance obligation in the Company’s agreements with mining pool operators. The transaction consideration the Company receives, if any, is noncash consideration, which the Company measures at fair value on the date received, which is not materially different than the fair value at contract inception or the time the Company has earned the award from the pools. The consideration is all variable. Because it is not probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue will not occur, the consideration is constrained until the mining pool operator successfully places a block (by being the first to solve an algorithm) and the Company receives confirmation of the consideration it will receive, at which time revenue is recognized. There is no significant financing component in these transactions.
Fair value of the cryptocurrency award received is determined using the quoted price of the related cryptocurrency at the time of receipt. There is currently no specific definitive guidance under GAAP or alternative accounting framework for the accounting for cryptocurrencies recognized as revenue or held, and management has exercised significant judgment in determining the appropriate accounting treatment. In the event authoritative guidance is enacted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), the Company may be required to change its policies, which could have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results from operations.
Other Revenues
We receive revenues from third parties renting capacity at our facility and from hosting miners owned by others. The Company recognized $197 and $0 from these sources during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight–line method on the various asset classes over their estimated useful lives, which range from one to ten years when placed in service. The cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in income in the year of disposition. Deposits on property and equipment are initially classified as Other Assets and upon delivery, installation and full payment, the assets are classified as property and equipment on the consolidated balance sheet.
Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. ASC 740 requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes and established for all the entities a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of tax positions and requires certain expanded disclosures. The provision for income taxes is based upon income or loss after adjustment for those permanent items that are not considered in the determination of taxable income. Deferred income taxes represent the tax effects of differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management makes judgments as to the interpretation of the tax laws that might be challenged upon an audit and cause changes to previous estimates of tax liability. In management’s opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made. If actual taxable income by tax jurisdiction varies from estimates, additional allowances or reversals of reserves may be necessary.
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Loss per share
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common shareholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potential dilutive securities, comprised of unvested restricted shares, convertible debt, convertible preferred stock, stock warrants and stock options, are not reflected in diluted net loss per share because such potential shares are anti–dilutive due to the Company’s net loss.
Accordingly, the computation of diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2021 excludes 74,614,871 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants. The computation of diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2020 excludes 33,333 unvested restricted shares, 9,173,651 shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt, and 45,634,921 shares under convertible preferred stock.
Stock–based compensation
The Company applies ASC 718-10, “Share-Based Payment,” which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expenses for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options under the Company’s stock plans and equity awards issued to non-employees based on estimated fair values.
ASC 718-10 requires companies to estimate the fair value of equity-based option awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The fair value of the award is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
Restricted stock awards are granted at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”). These awards are restricted as to the transfer of ownership and generally vest over the requisite service periods, typically over a 12 to 24-month period (vesting on a straight–line basis). The fair value of a stock award is equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.
The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black–Scholes option valuation model. The Black–Scholes option valuation model requires the development of assumptions that are inputs into the model. These assumptions are the expected stock volatility, the risk–free interest rate, the expected life of the option, the dividend yield on the underlying stock and the expected forfeiture rate. Expected volatility is calculated based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over the expected term of the option. Risk–free interest rates are calculated based on continuously compounded risk–free rates for the appropriate term.
Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards require the input of the subjective assumptions described above. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards represent management’s best estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. The Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and recognize expense only for those shares expected to vest.
Fair Value Measure and Disclosures
ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” provides the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).
Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or payment to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs in measuring fair value as follows:
| ● | Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
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| ● | Level 2 Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. | |
| ● | Level 3 Significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by market data. |
As of December 31, 2021 the Company had a Level 3 financial instrument related to the derivative liability related to the issuance of warrants, and December 31, 2020, the Company had a Level 3 financial instrument related to the derivative liability related to the issuance of convertible notes.
Gain (Loss) on Modification/Extinguishment of Debt
In accordance with ASC 470, a modification or an exchange of debt instruments that adds or eliminates a conversion option that was substantive at the date of the modification or exchange is considered a substantive change and is measured and accounted for as extinguishment of the original instrument along with the recognition of a gain/loss. Additionally, under ASC 470, a substantive modification of a debt instrument is deemed to have been accomplished with debt instruments that are substantially different if the present value of the cash flows under the terms of the new debt instrument is at least 10 percent different from the present value of the remaining cash flows under the terms of the original instrument. A substantive modification is accounted for as an extinguishment of the original instrument along with the recognition of a gain/loss.
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. The Company’s combined accounts were $1,230 and $236 as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Accounts are insured by the FDIC up to $250 per financial institution. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts with these financial institutions. As of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the Company had $980 and $0, respectively, in excess over the FDIC insurance limit.
Recent accounting pronouncements
Note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report includes Recent Accounting Pronouncements.
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Results of operations
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Revenues
Our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased by $551, or 38%, to $883 as compared to $1,434 for the year ended December 31, 2020. Our revenue is primarily derived from cryptocurrency mining which totaled $686 during 2021. The decrease in revenues is a result of less Bitcoins mined due to fewer miners in operation and higher difficulty rate, offset by increased Bitcoin prices.
We also receive revenues from third parties renting capacity at our facility and from hosting miners owned by others. The Company recognized $197 and $0 from these sources during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased by $1,641, or 38%, to $2,670 as compared to $4,311 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in operating expenses was comprised of a decrease in cost of revenues of $822 and general and administrative expenses of $819.
The decrease in cost of revenues of $822 or 48% to $906 as compared to $1,728 for the year ended December 31, 2020, was primarily due to decreases in electricity costs of $405, decreases in depreciation of $427, offset by increases in mark to market revaluation of $10. The decrease in general and administrative expenses of $819 or 32% to $1,764 as compared to $2,583 for the year ended December 31, 2020, was primarily due to decreases in payroll and related expenses of $193, stock-based compensation of $223, legal and audit fees of $203, and insurance of $121.
Other Income and Expense
For the year ended December 31, 2021, non–operating expense consisted of accretion of debt discount of $526, loss on settlement of debt of $541, loss on settlement of derivative of $228, interest expense of $340, loss on change in fair value of derivative liability of $79, offset by non-operating income of a gain on sale of property and equipment of $246, the change in fair value of derivative liabilities of $955, gain on settlement of payables of $675 and other non-operating income of $392, and non-operating expense of $306.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, non–operating expense consisted of accretion of debt discount of $882, a loss on sale of property and equipment of $352, interest expense of $347, offset by non-operating income of a gain on change in fair value of the liability associated with the termination of management agreements of $26, forgiveness of debt of $111, the change in fair value of liability and derivative liability of $309, and net other income of $125.
.
Liquidity and capital resources
Sources of Liquidity
We have historically financed our business through the sale of debt and equity interests. We have incurred significant operating losses since inception and continue to generate losses from operations and as of December 31, 2021 have an accumulated deficit of $419,928. At December 31, 2021, our cash and cash equivalents were $1,230, and we had a working capital deficit of $191. As of December 31, 2021, we had no outstanding debt.
In January 2020, management consolidated its activities in a Company-owned and managed facility, having terminated all third-party management agreements and hosting arrangements in 2019. The Company will likely need to raise additional funding to maintain and grow its operations. There can be no assurance however that the Company will be able to raise additional capital when needed, or at terms deemed acceptable, if at all. Such factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to sustain operations for at least one year from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts or the classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
The price of Bitcoin is volatile, and fluctuations are expected. Declines in the price of Bitcoin have had a negative impact in our operating results and liquidity and could harm the price of our common stock. Movements may be influenced by various factors, including, but not limited to, government regulation, security breaches experienced by service providers, as well as political and economic uncertainties around the world. Since we record revenues partly based on the price of earned Bitcoin and we may retain such Bitcoin as an asset or as payment for future expenses, the relative value of such revenues may fluctuate, as will the value of any Bitcoin we retain. The high and low exchange rate per Bitcoin for the year ending December 31, 2021, as reported by Blockchain.info, were approximately $68 and $30 respectively.
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The supply of Bitcoin is finite. Once 21 million Bitcoin are generated, the network will stop producing more. Currently, there are approximately 19 million Bitcoin in circulation, or 90% of the total supply of Bitcoin. Within the Bitcoin protocol is an event referred to as Halving where the Bitcoin reward provided upon mining a block is reduced by 50%. Halvings are scheduled to occur once every 210,000 blocks, or roughly every four years, until the maximum supply of 21 million Bitcoin is reached. The most recent Halving occurred in May 2020, with a revised reward payout of 6.25 Bitcoin per block.
Given a stable hash rate, a Halving reduces the number of new Bitcoin being generated by the network. While the effect is to limit the supply of new coins, it has no impact on the quantity of total Bitcoin outstanding. As a result, the price of Bitcoin could rise or fall based on overall investor and consumer demand. Should the price of Bitcoin remain unchanged after the next Halving, the Company’s revenue would be reduced by 50%, with a much larger negative impact to profit.
The COVID-19 pandemic represents a fluid situation that presents a wide range of potential impacts of varying durations for different global geographies, including locations where we have offices, employees, customers, vendors and other suppliers and business partners. Like most US-based businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate the same began to have impacts on our business in March 2020. By that time, much of our first fiscal quarter was completed. In light of broader macro-economic risks and already known impacts on certain industries, we have taken, and continue to take targeted steps to lower our operating expenses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on our operations closely and this situation could change based on a significant number of factors that are not entirely within our control and are discussed in this and other sections of this annual report on Form 10-K. To date, travel restrictions and border closures have not materially impacted our ability to operate. However, if such restrictions become more severe, they could negatively impact those activities in a way that would harm our business over the long term. Travel restrictions impacting people can restrain our ability to operate, but at present we do not expect these restrictions on personal travel to be material to our business operations or financial results. Like most companies, we have taken a range of actions with respect to how we operate to assure we comply with government restrictions and guidelines as well as best practices to protect the health and well-being of our employees. We have also undertaken measures to reduce our administrative and advisory costs required as a publicly reporting company. Actions taken to date include salary reductions for senior management and termination of certain consulting agreements. However, the impacts of COVID-19 and efforts to mitigate the same have remained unpredictable and it remains possible that challenges may arise in the future.
Our primary source of operating funds has been through debt and equity financing.
Sale of Preferred Stock
In April and July of 2019, we sold 200 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.001 and a stated value of $10,000 per share (“Preferred Shares”) for $1,990.
The Preferred Shares did not have voting rights or pay a dividend, and were redeemable by the Company for cash. Further, each Preferred Share was convertible into shares of our common stock in an amount equal to the greater of: (a) 200,000 shares of common stock or (b) the amount derived by dividing the Stated Value by the product of 0.7 times the market price of our common stock, defined as the lowest trading price of our common stock during the ten-day period preceding the conversion date. The common shares issued upon conversion were registered under a Form S-3 registration statement.
All Preferred Shares were converted into common stock during the period from issuance through February 2021.
Sale of Common Stock
On July 21, 2021, as part of a corporate fundraising of $990, net of issuance costs, the Company issued 35,385,703 shares of common stock and 35,385,703 warrants to purchase common stock.
Debt Financing
December 2020 Note
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On December 8, 2020, we entered into a securities purchase agreement pursuant to which we issued a convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $230 which was convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to 70% of the lowest price for a share of common stock during the ten trading days immediately preceding the applicable conversion. The Company received consideration of $200 for the convertible promissory note. This entirety of the principal amount of this note was converted into 11,435,289 shares of common stock during 2021, and this note was extinguished as of December 31, 2021.
March 2021 Note
On March 5, 2021, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with Bucktown Capital, LLC (the “Investor”), pursuant to which the Company issued a convertible promissory note in the original principal amount of $13,210 (the “March 2021 Note”). The March 2021 Note was convertible, at the option of the Investor, into shares of common stock of the Company at a conversion price equal to 70% of the lowest price for a share of common stock during the ten trading days immediately preceding the applicable conversion (the “Conversion Price”); provided, however, in no event would the Conversion Price be less than $0.04 per share. The March 2021 Note bore interest at a rate of 8% per annum and was to mature in twelve months.
The Note was to be funded in tranches, with the initial tranche of $1,210 funded by the Investor on March 5, 2021 for consideration of $1,000.
On September 30, 2021, the March 2021 Note was extinguished by exchanging the March 2021 Note for a warrant to purchase 53,500,000 shares of common stock (the “2021 Warrant”). Subject to the terms and adjustments in the 2021 Warrant, the 2021 Warrant is exercisable at an initial price of $0.05 per share, for five years from March 5, 2021. The Investor has the option to exercise all or any part of the 2021 Warrant on a cashless or cash basis. Following this exchange, the outstanding balance on the March 2021 Note is $0.
The PPP Loan
On April 16, 2020, we entered into a promissory note with Aquesta Bank for $111 in connection with the Paycheck Protection Program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “PPP Loan”). The PPP Loan bears interest at 1% per annum, with monthly installments of $6 commencing on November 1, 2021 for 18 months through its maturity on April 1, 2023. The principal amount of the PPP Loan will be forgiven if the loan proceeds are used to pay for payroll costs, rent and utilities costs over the 24-week period after the PPP Loan is made. Not more than 40% of the forgiven amount may be used for non-payroll costs. The amount of the PPP Loan forgiveness may be reduced if the Company reduces its full-time head count.
On April 1, 2021, the Company received notice of forgiveness from the SBA in the amount of $108 in relation to the PPP Loan as the Company used all proceeds from the PPP Loan to maintain payroll and other allowable expenses. Further, pursuant to an SBA Procedural Notice in December 2020, the EIDL Advance was also forgiven. The Company has concluded that the PPP Loan and EIDL Advance represent, in substance, a government grant that is forgiven in its entirety. As such, in accordance with International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) 20, “Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance,” the Company has recognized the entire PPP Loan and EIDL Advance amount of $111 as grant income, which is included in other non-operating income (expense) in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Cash Flows
Operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $1,160 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $650 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The amount in 2021 primarily consisted of a net loss of $1,539 offset by non-cash charges of $749 (including: depreciation expense of $675, change in fair value of derivative liability $79, loss on settlement of derivative of $228, loss on settlement of payables of $541, amortization of note discount $526, non-cash interest expense of $270, and non-operating expense of $306, partially offset by gain on disposal of assets of $246, gain on settlement of payables of $675 and the change in fair value of warrant liability of ($955), and reduced by a change in working capital excluding cash of $370. The amount in 2020 primarily consisted of a net loss of $3,887 offset by non-cash charges of $2,516 (including: stock-based compensation of $222, an impairment charge to the Company’s intangible cryptocurrency mining assets of $49, depreciation expense of $1,102, amortization of debt discount of $882, non-cash interest expense of $355 and loss on sale of property and equipment of $352), and reduced by other non-cash items, including funding from the PPP Loan recognized as income in the amount of $111, the change in the fair value of the liability associated with the termination of the management agreements of $26, the change in the fair value of the derivative liability of $309, and a change in working capital excluding cash of $721.
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Investing activities
Net cash provided by investing activities was $164 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $359 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The amount in 2021 consisted of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment of $426 offset by purchases of property and equipment of $212 and an investment of $50 in the form of a convertible promissory note.
Financing activities
During the year ended December 31, 2021, cash provided by financing activities totaled $1,990 which includes $1,000 in net proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes payable and $990 from the sale of common stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, cash provided by financing activities totaled $311 which includes $200 in net proceeds from the issuance of notes payable and $111 of proceeds from PPP Loan.
Off–balance sheet arrangements
As of December 31, 2021, we had no obligations, assets or liabilities which would be considered off–balance sheet arrangements. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off–balance sheet arrangements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
The Company is not exposed to market risk related to interest rates on foreign currencies. Inflation has not materially affected us during the past fiscal year; however, we do believe that inflation may significantly impact our business in 2022. We do not believe that our business is seasonal in nature.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See Financial Statements and Schedules attached hereto.
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under the rules and forms of the SEC. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our acting Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. As required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive) and acting Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2021. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in paragraph (e) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) were not effective as December 31, 2021.
Limitations on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
An internal control system over financial reporting has inherent limitations and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, 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. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process used 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 in the United States. 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 in the United States, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of our board of directors 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 with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive) and acting Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial officer and principal accounting officer), we performed a complete documentation of the Company’s significant processes and key controls, and conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2021.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting since the Company is a smaller reporting company under the rules of the SEC.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the year ended December 31, 2021, there were no changes in internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information. None.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections. Not applicable.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
| Name | Age | Position | ||
| Robert B. Ladd | 63 | President, Chief Executive Officer, acting Chief Financial Officer and Director | ||
| Michael Onghai | 51 | Chairman of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Member, Independent Director |
Directors are elected based on experience, qualifications and in accordance with the Company’s by–laws to serve until the next annual stockholders meeting and until their successors are elected in their stead. Officers are appointed by the Board and hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified, until their death or until they resign or have been removed from office. All corporate officers serve at the discretion of the Board. There are no family relationships between any director or executive officer and any other director or executive officer of the Company.
Robert B. Ladd joined the Company in December 2010 as a Director. He was named Interim President and CEO in February 2011, and appointed President and CEO in January 2012, positions held continuously with the exception of November 2016 through August 2017, a period during which Mr. Ladd was President. He also served as our Interim CFO from November 2015 through February 2018 and acting Chief Financial Officer since July 1, 2020. On September 10, 2018, Mr. Ladd took a leave of absence from his positions as President and Chief Executive Office and was reappointed as President and Chief Executive Officer on May 1, 2019. Mr. Ladd was the Managing Member of Laddcap Value Advisors, LLC, which served as the investment manager for various private partnerships, including Laddcap Value Partners LP. Prior to forming his investment partnership in 2003, Mr. Ladd was a Managing Director at Neuberger Berman Group. Mr. Ladd is a former Director of InFocus Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ – INFS, 2007 to 2009), and served on the boards of Delcath Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ – DCTH, 2006–2012) and Pyxis Tankers (NASDAQ – PXS, 2016 – 2017). Mr. Ladd has earned his designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst (1986). Based on Mr. Ladd’s familiarity with the Company in serving as our Chief Executive Officer since 2011 and his overall background and experience as an executive in the financial industry, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board concluded that Mr. Ladd has the requisite experience, qualifications, attributes and skill necessary to serve as a member of the Board.
Michael Onghai was appointed a director in May 2012. Mr. Onghai has been the CEO of LookSmart (OTC: LKST), since February 2013. He has been the founder and Chairman of AppAddictive, an advertising and social commerce platform since July 2011. Mr. Onghai is the President of Snowy August Management LLC, a special situations fund concentrating on the Asian market, spin–offs and event–driven situations. Mr. Onghai is the founder of Stock Sheet, Inc., and Daily Stocks, Inc. – the web’s early providers of financial information and search engine related content for financial information. Mr. Onghai has founded several other internet technology companies for the last two decades. Mr. Onghai is an advisor to several internet incubators and is a panelist who advises FundersClub on which companies to accept for its pioneering venture capital platform. Mr. Onghai has earned his designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst (2006) and holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Los Angeles and graduated from the Executive Management Certificate Program in Value Investing (The Heilbrunn Center for Graham & Dodd Investing) Graduate School of Business at Columbia Business School. The Board believes that Mr. Onghai has the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills necessary to serve as a director and chairman of the Audit Committee because of his years of business experience and financial expertise.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among any of the Company’s directors and executive officers.
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Board Role in Risk Oversight
The Board’s primary function is one of oversight. The Board as a whole works with the Company’s management team to promote and cultivate a corporate environment that incorporates enterprise-wide risk management into strategy and operations. Management periodically reports to the Board about the identification, assessment and management of critical risks and management’s risk mitigation strategies. Each committee of the Board is responsible for the evaluation of elements of risk management based on the committee’s expertise and applicable regulatory requirements. In evaluating risk, the Board and its committees consider whether the Company’s programs adequately identify material risks in a timely manner and implement appropriately responsive risk management strategies throughout the organization. The audit committee focuses on assessing and mitigating financial risk, including risk related to internal controls, and receives at least quarterly reports from management on identified risk areas. In setting compensation, the compensation committee strives to create incentives that encourage behavior consistent with the Company’s business strategy, without encouraging undue risk-taking. The nominating committee considers areas of potential risk within corporate governance and compliance, such as management succession. Each of the committees reports regularly to the Board as a whole as to their findings with respect to the risks they are charged with assessing.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
On July 11, 2018, the Board revised the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which applies to all directors and employees including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or persons performing similar functions. Prior to July 11, 2018, the Company’s employees and directors were subject to the previous Code of Ethics adopted by the Board on June 25, 2012.
Copies of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be obtained, without charge by writing to the Corporate Secretary at MGT Capital Investments, Inc., 150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1110, Raleigh, NC 27601, or through our corporate website at mgtci.com.
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
On November 25, 2004, the Board established an Audit Committee to carry out its audit functions. At December 31, 2021, the membership of the Audit Committee was Michael Onghai.
The Board has determined that Michael Onghai, an independent director, is the Audit Committee financial expert, as defined in Regulation S–K promulgated under the Exchange Act, serving on its Audit Committee.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020 compensation for services in all capacities of the Company’s named executive officers:
| Name | Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Stock awards | All other compensation | Total compensation | |||||||||||||||||||
| Robert B. Ladd | President, Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer( | 2021 | $ | 240 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 240 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | $ | 282 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 282 | ||||||||||||||||
| 35 |
Employment Agreements
Robert B. Ladd
On April 1, 2018, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Ladd, which was executed on April 6, 2018. The Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Ladd has been reappointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company for an initial term of two years. Mr. Ladd is entitled to receive an annualized base salary of $360 and is also eligible for a cash and/or equity bonus as the Compensation Committee may determine, from time to time, based on meeting performance objectives and bonus criteria to be mutually identified by Mr. Ladd and the Compensation Committee. In connection with the execution of the Employment Agreement, the Company issued to Mr. Ladd 600,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock, pursuant to the Company’s 2016 Stock Option Plan, vesting over a two-year period. On September 10, 2018 through May 1, 2019, Mr. Ladd took a leave of absence as an executive and officer of the Company in order to focus on allegations levied against him in an SEC complaint filed on September 7, 2018.
On November 11, 2020, the Company and Mr. Ladd agreed to amend the Employment Agreement, by resetting its effective date to November 1, 2020, and reducing the annualized base salary to $240.
As part of Company-wide cost of living wage adjustments, Mr. Ladd’s annualized base salary was increased to $255 in February 2022.
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2021
Outstanding Stock Awards at Fiscal Year-End for 2021
None
Director Compensation
The following table sets forth the compensation of persons who served as a member of our Board of Directors during all or part of 2021, other than Robert B. Ladd, who is not compensated separately for Board service.
| Name | Fees
Earned Or Paid in Cash | Stock Awards | All
Other Compensation | Total | ||||||||||||
| Michael Onghai | $ | 31 | $ | - | $ | – | $ | 31 | ||||||||
Directors are reimbursed for their out–of–pocket expenses incurred in connection with the performance of Board duties.
Independent Director Compensation
In February 2022, the Company changed its cash compensation policy for independent directors. Each independent director will receive annual compensation of $32, up from $30 previously.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership and voting power of the common stock as of March 31, 2022, of:
| ● | each person serving as a director, a nominee for director, or executive officer of the Company; | |
| ● | all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group; and | |
| ● | all persons who, to our knowledge, beneficially own more than five percent of the common stock. |
“Beneficial ownership” here means direct or indirect voting or investment power over outstanding stock and stock which a person has the right to acquire now or within 60 days after March 31, 2022. See the accompanying footnotes to the tables below for more detailed explanations of the holdings. Except as noted, to our knowledge, the persons named in the tables beneficially own and have sole voting and investment power over all shares listed.
| 36 |
Percentage beneficially owned is based upon 640,970,903 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022.
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | [Percentage of Beneficial Ownership] | ||||||
| Current Directors and Officers: | ||||||||
| Robert B. Ladd | 1,773,334 | 0.28 | % | |||||
| Michael Onghai | 586,000 | 0.09 | % | |||||
| All directors and executive officers (2
persons) | 2,359,334 | 0.37 | % | |||||
| 5% Owners | ||||||||
| Streeterville Capital LLC 303 E Wacker Drive, Suite 1040 Chicago, IL 60601 | 64,032,993, | (2) | 9.99 | % | ||||
| (1) | Unless otherwise noted, the addresses for the above persons are in care of the Company at 105 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1110, Raleigh, NC 27601. | |
| (2) | Streeterville Capital LLC, Bucktown Capital LLC and affiliated entities, all controlled by John M. Fife, own a total of 63,416,941 warrants exercisable into an indeterminate number of shares of common stock on a cashless basis, subject to a blocker that prevents the holder from owning in excess of 9.99% of the Company’s shares outstanding. |
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The table below provides information on our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2021:
| Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted–average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | ||||||||||
| Plan category | (a) | (b) | (c) | |||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1) | 0 | $ | - | 5,102,586 | ||||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | – | – | – | |||||||||
| Total | 0 | $ | - | 5,102,586 | ||||||||
| (1) | On September 8, 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved the MGT Capital Investments, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company received approval to issue up to a maximum of 18,000,000 shares of common stock, including 6,000,000 options. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has issued 6,000,000 options and 6,897,414 shares under this plan. All options expired on January 31, 2020. |
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
None.
| 37 |
Director Independence
Michael Onghai is considered independent under Section 803A of NYSE MKT rules.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Effective January 5, 2017, RBSM LLP became our current independent auditor. The following is a summary of the fees billed by our independent auditors for professional services rendered for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Audit fees | $ | 160 | $ | 264 | ||||
| Tax fees | 10 | – | ||||||
| Audit-related fees | – | - | ||||||
| Other fees | – | - | ||||||
| $ | 170 | $ | 264 | |||||
Audit fees consist of fees billed for services rendered for the audit of our financial statements and review of our financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10–Q.
Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services related to the preparation of our U.S. federal and state income tax returns and tax advice.
Audit–related fees consists of fees reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements that are not reported as “Audit Fees.”
All other fees consist of fees for other miscellaneous items, including fees related to registrations statements.
All services provided by the Company’s independent auditor were approved by the Company’s audit committee.
Pre–Approval Policy of Services Performed by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre–approve all audit and non–audit related services, tax services and other services. Pre–approval is generally provided for up to one year, and any pre–approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The Audit Committee has delegated the pre–approval authority to its chairperson when expedition of services is necessary. The independent registered public accounting firm and management are required to periodically report to the full Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with this pre–approval and the fees for the services performed to date.
| 38 |
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years covered by this Annual Report are located on pages F-1 to F-21 of this Annual Report.
| * | Filed herewith. |
Item 16. Form 10–K Summary.
Not applicable.
| 39 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC | ||
| March 31, 2022 | ||
| By: | /s/ Robert B. Ladd | |
| Robert B. Ladd | ||
| President (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Robert B. Ladd | President, Chief Executive Officer, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Director | March 31, 2022 | ||
| Robert B. Ladd | (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |||
| /s/ Michael Onghai | Director | March 31, 2022 | ||
| Michael Onghai |
| 40 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
MGT Capital Investments, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MGT Capital Investments, Inc. and its subsidiary (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended December 31, 2021, 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 December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The Company’s Ability to Continue as a 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 will require additional capital to continue as a going concern. This raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may 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 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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Revenue from mining of digital currencies – Refer to Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
As disclosed in Note 3 of the financial statement, the Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company provides computing power in crypto asset transaction verification services to the blockchain network. The transaction consideration received by the Company, if any, is a non-cash consideration, which the Company measures at fair value on the date received. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized net cryptocurrency mining revenue of approximately $686,000.
We identified the recognition of revenue for cryptocurrency mining as a critical audit matter due to the complexities involved in auditing completeness and occurrence of the revenue recognized by the Company particularly in light of material weakness identified in the design and effectiveness of certain internal controls over the IT environment for certain financially relevant systems. Currently, no authoritative guidance exists for the accounting for and disclosure of cryptocurrency mining revenue recognized in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s management has exercised significant judgment in their determination of how existing GAAP should be applied to the accounting for and disclosure of cryptocurrency mining revenue recognized.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following:
● Performed a site visitation of the bitcoin mining facility where the Company’s mining hardware is located, which included an observation of the physical and environmental controls and mining equipment inventory observation procedures;
● Evaluated management’s rationale for the application of ASC 606 to account for its cryptocurrency awards earned, which included evaluating the provisions of the contract between the Company and the Pool;
● Evaluated management’s disclosures of its cryptocurrency activity in the financial statement footnotes;
● Evaluated and tested management’s rationale and supporting documentation associated with the valuation of cryptocurrency awards earned;
● Examined and performed procedures on SOC Report and Bridge Letter for any deficiencies.
● Use of IT Specialist to assess the nature of the client’s systems and IT General Controls environment.
● Independently confirmedcertain financial and performance data directly with the blockchain network; and
● Examined supporting sale and cash receipt evidence for cryptocurrency sales, including management’s processes for calculating any gains on sales of cryptocurrencies mined by the Company.
| /s/
|
|
| We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017. | |
| PCAOB |
|
March 31, 2022
| 41 |
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | - | |||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ||||||||
| Intangible digital assets | - | |||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, at cost, net | ||||||||
| Right of use asset, operating lease, net of accumulated amortization | ||||||||
| Investment - Available for sale | - | |||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other payables | ||||||||
| Security deposit | - | |||||||
| Convertible note payable, net of debt discount | - | |||||||
| Operating lease liability | ||||||||
| Warrant derivative liability | - | |||||||
| Derivative liability | - | |||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability long-term | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11) | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Undesignated preferred stock, $ par value, shares authorized. shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. | - | - | ||||||
| Series B preferred stock, $ par value, shares authorized. shares issued or outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. | - | - | ||||||
| Series C convertible preferred stock, $ par value, share authorized. and shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively | - | - | ||||||
| Common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; and shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| F-1 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Revenue | ||||||||
| Bitcoin mining | $ | $ | ||||||
| Hosting services | ||||||||
| Total revenue | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue | ||||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||
| Operating loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Other non-operating income (expense) | ||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Funding from SBA PPP loan | - | |||||||
| Change in fair value of liability | - | |||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant derivative liability | - | |||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | ( | ) | ||||||
| Loss on settlement of derivative | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Accretion of debt discount | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Gain (loss) on sale of property and equipment | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other income | ||||||||
| Other expense | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Gain on settlement of payables | - | |||||||
| Loss on settlement of debt | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Total non-operating expense | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Per-share data | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted loss per share | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| F-2 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)
| Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional Paid-In | Accumulated | Total Stockholder’ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation - employee restricted stock | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued on conversion of notes payable | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued on conversion of Preferred C shares | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beneficial conversion feature | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued on conversion of notes payable | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock and warrants for cash, net of issuance costs and warrant derivative liability | - | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cashless exercise of warrants and extinguishment of related warrant derivative liability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| F-3 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities | ||||||||
| Depreciation | ||||||||
| (Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment | ( | ) | ||||||
| Impairment of property and equipment | - | |||||||
| Change in fair value of liability | - | ( | ) | |||||
| Change in fair value of warrants | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | ( | ) | ||||||
| (Gain) loss on settlement of derivative | - | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | - | |||||||
| Funding from SBA PPP loan recognized as income | - | ( | ) | |||||
| Gain on settlement of payables | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Loss on settlement of debt | - | |||||||
| Amortization of note discount | ||||||||
| Non-cash interest expense | ||||||||
| Non-operating expense | - | |||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ( | ) | ||||||
| Intangible digital assets | ||||||||
| Management agreement termination liability | - | ( | ) | |||||
| Operating lease liability | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Other assets | - | |||||||
| Security deposit | - | |||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities | ||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | ||||||||
| Purchase of investment | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Proceeds from sale of Bitcoin received for sale of equipment | - | |||||||
| Deposits made on property and equipment | - | ( | ) | |||||
| Refund of security deposit | - | |||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ||||||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities | ||||||||
| Proceeds from SBA PPP loan | - | |||||||
| Proceeds from the issuance of notes payable, net of original issue discount | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of stock under equity purchase agreement, net of issuance costs | - | |||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash paid for income tax | $ | $ | ||||||
| Non-cash investing and financing activities | ||||||||
| Conversion of notes payable into common stock | $ | $ | ||||||
| Beneficial conversion feature | $ | $ | ||||||
| Exchange of notes payable to warrants | $ | $ | ||||||
| Conversion of Series C convertible preferred stock into common stock | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cashless exercise of warrants and extinguishment of related warrant derivative liability | $ | $ | ||||||
| Debt discount on associated with convertible note | $ | $ | ||||||
| Reclassification of deposit to property plant and equipment | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| F-4 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
Note 1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
Organization
The Company is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 2000. MGT was originally incorporated in Utah in 1977. MGT is comprised of the parent company and formerly its wholly owned subsidiary MGT Sweden AB. MGT Sweden AB was dissolved effective October 1, 2021. MGT’s corporate office is in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Current Operations
Cryptocurrency mining
Following a review of our Bitcoin mining operations in early 2019, we consolidated our activities at a Company-owned and managed facility in LaFayette, GA. Located adjacent to a utility substation, the several-acre property has access to about 20 megawatts (MW) of low-cost electrical power, about half of which is presently utilized by the Company.
As
of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, the Company owned 480 and 430 Antminer S17 Pro Bitcoin miners (“S17 miners”), respectively,
plus 35 Antminer S19 Pro miners as of March 31, 2022. All miners are located at our Georgia facility. As more fully described in the
following paragraph, over three-quarters of the S17 miners require various repairs to be productive. We purchased a total of 1,506 S17
miners in the latter part of 2019 directly from Bitmaintech Pte. Ltd. (“Bitmain”), for an aggregate purchase price of approximately
$
During 2020, the Company began to suffer component issues, such as heat sinks detaching from hash boards, and failures of both power supplies and hash board temperature sensors. Although Bitmain has acknowledged manufacturing defects in various production runs of S17 miners, the Company was unsuccessful in obtaining any compensation from Bitmain. The manufacturing defects, combined with inadequate repair facilities has rendered approximately 350 of our remaining 430 S17 miners in need of repair or replacement. To date, in addition to a significant amount in lost revenue, we have incurred approximately $140 in costs of repairing or replacing the defective machines. Currently, we plan to sell all our remaining inventory of S17 miners, as well as loose hash boards, power supplies, controller boards, and other parts.
MGT’s miners are housed in a modified shipping container on the property in Georgia owned by the Company. The entire facility, including the land and improvements, five 2500 KVA 3-phase transformers, three mining containers, and miners, are owned by MGT. We continue to explore ways to grow and maintain our current operations including but not limited to further potential equipment sales and raising capital to acquire the newest generation miners. The Company is also investigating other sites to develop into Bitcoin mining facilities in addition to expansion at its current property.
Leasing Operations
In addition to its self-mining operations, the Company leases its owned space to other Bitcoin miners and also provides hosting services for owners of mining equipment. These measures improve utilization of the electrical infrastructure and better insulate us against the volatility of Bitcoin mining.
Basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
COVID-19 pandemic:
The COVID-19 pandemic represents a fluid situation that presents a wide range of potential impacts of varying durations for different global geographies, including locations where we have offices, employees, customers, vendors and other suppliers and business partners.
| F-5 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
Like most US-based businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate the same began to have impacts on our business in March 2020. By that time, much of our first fiscal quarter was completed. Given the daily evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak and the global responses to curb its spread, we are not able to estimate the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity for the year ended December 31, 2021.
In light of broader macro-economic risks and already known impacts on certain industries, we have taken, and continue to take targeted steps to lower our operating expenses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on our operations closely and this situation could change based on a significant number of factors that are not entirely within our control and are discussed in this and other sections of this annual report on Form 10-K.
To date, travel restrictions and border closures have not materially impacted our ability to operate. However, if such restrictions become more severe, they could negatively impact those activities in a way that would harm our business over the long term. Travel restrictions impacting people can restrain our ability to operate, but at present we do not expect these restrictions on personal travel to be material to our business operations or financial results.
Like most companies, we have taken a range of actions with respect to how we operate to assure we comply with government restrictions and guidelines as well as best practices to protect the health and well-being of our employees. We have also undertaken measures to reduce our administrative and advisory costs required as a publicly reporting company. Actions taken to date include salary reductions for senior management and termination of certain consulting agreements. However, the impacts of COVID-19 and efforts to mitigate the same have remained unpredictable and it remains possible that challenges may arise in the future.
Note 2. Going Concern and Management’s Plans
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets
and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had incurred significant operating
losses since inception and continues to generate losses from operations. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had an accumulated deficit
of $
The Company will require additional funding to grow its operations. Further, depending upon operational profitability, the Company may also need to raise additional funding for ongoing working capital purposes. There can be no assurance however that the Company will be able to raise additional capital when needed, or at terms deemed acceptable, if at all. The Company’s ability to raise additional capital is impacted by the volatility of Bitcoin mining economics and the SEC’s ongoing enforcement action against our Chief Executive Officer, both of which are highly uncertain, cannot be predicted, and could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial condition.
Since January 2021, the Company has secured working capital from the sale of common stock and warrants, the issuance of a convertible note, and the sale of assets.
Such factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to sustain operations for at least one year from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts or the classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Note 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MGT and MGT Sweden AB. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
| F-6 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
Use of estimates and assumptions and critical accounting estimates and assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and also affect the amounts of revenues and expenses reported for each period. Actual results could differ from those which result from using such estimates. Management utilizes various other estimates, including but not limited to determining the estimated lives of long-lived assets, stock compensation, determining the potential impairment of long-lived assets, the fair value of warrants issued, the fair value of conversion features, the recognition of revenue, the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and other legal claims and contingencies. The results of any changes in accounting estimates are reflected in the financial statements in the period in which the changes become evident. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period that they are determined to be necessary.
Cash and cash equivalents
The
Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents.
The Company’s combined accounts were $
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are generally unsecured. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on the age of outstanding invoices and management’s evaluation of collectability. Accounts are written off after all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted and management concludes that likelihood of collection is remote. Any future recoveries are applied against the allowance for doubtful accounts. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we did not believe we needed to reserve for any doubtful accounts, respectively.
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies, (including bitcoin and bitcoin cash) are included in current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Any cryptocurrencies purchased are recorded at cost and cryptocurrencies awarded to the Company through its mining activities are accounted for in connection with the Company’s revenue recognition policy disclosed in this note.
Cryptocurrencies held are accounted for as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is not amortized but assessed for impairment annually, or more frequently, when events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired. Impairment exists when the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, which is measured using the quoted price of the cryptocurrency at the time its fair value is being measured.
In testing for impairment, the Company has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. If it is determined that it is not more likely than not that an impairment exists, a quantitative impairment test is not necessary. If the Company concludes otherwise, it is required to perform a quantitative impairment test. To the extent an impairment loss is recognized, the loss establishes the new cost basis of the asset. Subsequent reversal of impairment losses is not permitted.
Any purchases of cryptocurrencies by the Company are included within investing activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows, while cryptocurrencies awarded to the Company through its mining activities are included within operating activities on the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. The sales of cryptocurrencies are included within investing activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows and any realized gains or losses from such sales are included in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company accounts for its gains or losses in accordance with the first in first out (FIFO) method of accounting.
Halving – The Bitcoin blockchain and the cryptocurrency reward for solving a block is subject to periodic incremental halving. Halving is a process designed to control the overall supply and reduce the risk of inflation in cryptocurrencies using a Proof-of-Work consensus algorithm. At a predetermined block, the mining reward is cut in half, hence the term “Halving.” A Halving for bitcoin occurred on May 12, 2020. Many factors influence the price of Bitcoin and potential increases or decreases in prices in advance of or following a future halving is unknown.
| F-7 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
The following table presents the activities of digital currencies for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Digital currencies at January 1, 2020 | $ | |||
| Additions of digital currencies from mining | ||||
| Additions of digital currencies from the sale of property and equipment | ||||
| Payment of digital currencies to management partners | ( | ) | ||
| Realized gain on sale of digital currencies | ||||
| Net realizable value adjustment | ( | ) | ||
| Sale of digital currencies | ( | ) | ||
| Digital currencies at December 31, 2020 | ||||
| Additions of digital currencies from mining | ||||
| Realized gain on sale of digital currencies | ||||
| Sale of digital currencies | ( | ) | ||
| Digital currencies at December 31, 2021 | $ |
Investment – Available for sale
Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive income within the equity section of the balance sheet. Realized gains and losses, if any, are calculated on the specific identification method and are included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations.
Property and Equipment
Property
and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight–line method on the
various asset classes over their estimated useful lives, which range from
Segment Reporting
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly as the company reviews financial information. The Company currently operates in the Digital Currency Blockchain segment with our mining facility located in the United States. The Company also provides hosting services which are also located in the United States. The Company has employees only in the United States and views its operations as one operating segment as management reviews financial information on a consolidated basis in making decisions regarding resource allocations and assessing performance.
Leases
The Company accounts for its leases under ASC 842, Leases. Under this guidance, arrangements meeting the definition of a lease are classified as operating or financing leases and are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as both a right of use asset and lease liability, calculated by discounting fixed lease payments over the lease term at the rate implicit in the lease or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Lease liabilities are increased by interest and reduced by payments each period, and the right of use asset is amortized over the lease term. For operating leases, interest on the lease liability and the amortization of the right of use asset result in straight-line rent expense over the lease term. Variable lease expenses, if any, are recorded when incurred.
Derivative Instruments
Derivative financial instruments are recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at fair value in accordance with ASC 815. When the Company enters into a financial instrument such as a debt or equity agreement (the “host contract”), the Company assesses whether the economic characteristics of any embedded features are clearly and closely related to the primary economic characteristics of the remainder of the host contract. When it is determined that (i) an embedded feature possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the primary economic characteristics of the host contract, and (ii) a separate, stand-alone instrument with the same terms would meet the definition of a financial derivative instrument, then the embedded feature is bifurcated from the host contract and accounted for as a derivative instrument. The estimated fair value of the derivative feature is recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets separately from the carrying value of the host contract. Subsequent changes in the estimated fair value of derivatives are recorded as a gain or loss in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue recognition
Cryptocurrency mining
| F-8 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
The Company recognizes revenue under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (“ASC 606”). The core principle of the revenue standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:
| ● | Step 1: Identify the contract with the customer | |
| ● | Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract | |
| ● | Step 3: Determine the transaction price | |
| ● | Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract | |
| ● | Step 5: Recognize revenue when the Company satisfies a performance obligation |
In order to identify the performance obligations in a contract with a customer, a company must assess the promised goods or services in the contract and identify each promised good or service that is distinct. A performance obligation meets ASC 606’s definition of a “distinct” good or service (or bundle of goods or services) if both of the following criteria are met: The customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer (i.e., the good or service is capable of being distinct), and the entity’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract (i.e., the promise to transfer the good or service is distinct within the context of the contract).
If a good or service is not distinct, the good or service is combined with other promised goods or services until a bundle of goods or services is identified that is distinct.
The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer. The consideration promised in a contract with a customer may include fixed amounts, variable amounts, or both. When determining the transaction price, an entity must consider the effects of all of the following:
| ● | Variable consideration | |
| ● | Constraining estimates of variable consideration | |
| ● | The existence of a significant financing component in the contract | |
| ● | Noncash consideration | |
| ● | Consideration payable to a customer |
Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. The transaction price allocated to each performance obligation is recognized when that performance obligation is satisfied, at a point in time or over time as appropriate.
The Company has entered into digital asset mining pools by agreeing to terms and conditions, as amended from time to time, with the mining pool operators to provide computing power to the mining pool. The agreements are terminable at any time by either party and the Company’s enforceable right to compensation only begins when the Company provides computing power to the mining pool operator. In exchange for providing computing power, the Company is entitled to a fractional share of the fixed cryptocurrency award the mining pool operator receives (less digital asset transaction fees to the mining pool operator which are recorded as a component of cost of revenues), for successfully adding a block to the blockchain. The terms of the agreement provide that neither party can dispute settlement terms after thirty-five days following settlement. The Company’s fractional share is based on the proportion of computing power the Company contributed to the mining pool operator to the total computing power contributed by all mining pool participants in solving the current algorithm.
Providing computing power to solve complex cryptographic algorithms in support of the Bitcoin blockchain (in a process known as “solving a block”) is an output of the Company’s ordinary activities. The provision of providing such computing power is the only performance obligation in the Company’s contracts with mining pool operators. The transaction consideration the Company receives, if any, is noncash consideration, which the Company measures at fair value on the date received, which is not materially different than the fair value at contract inception or the time the Company has earned the award from the pools. The consideration is all variable. Because it is not probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue will not occur, the consideration is constrained until the mining pool operator successfully places a block (by being the first to solve an algorithm) and the Company receives confirmation of the consideration it will receive, at which time revenue is recognized. There is no significant financing component in these transactions.
| F-9 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
Fair value of the cryptocurrency award received is determined using the quoted price of the related cryptocurrency at the time of receipt. There is currently no specific definitive guidance under GAAP or alternative accounting framework for the accounting for cryptocurrencies recognized as revenue or held, and management has exercised significant judgment in determining the appropriate accounting treatment. In the event authoritative guidance is enacted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), the Company may be required to change its policies, which could have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results from operations.
Other Revenues
We receive revenues from third
parties renting capacity at our facility and from hosting miners owned by others. The Company recognized $
The Company applies ASC 718-10, “Share- Based Payment,” which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expenses for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options under the Company’s stock plans and equity awards issued to non-employees based on estimated fair values.
ASC 718-10 requires companies to estimate the fair value of equity-based option awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The fair value of the award is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
Restricted stock awards are granted at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”). These awards are restricted as to the transfer of ownership and generally vest over the requisite service periods, typically over a to -month period (vesting on a straight–line basis). The fair value of a stock award is equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.
The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black–Scholes option valuation model. The Black–Scholes option valuation model requires the development of assumptions that are inputs into the model. These assumptions are the expected stock volatility, the risk–free interest rate, the expected life of the option, the dividend yield on the underlying stock and the expected forfeiture rate. Expected volatility is calculated based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over the expected term of the option. Risk–free interest rates are calculated based on continuously compounded risk–free rates for the appropriate term.
Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards require the input of the subjective assumptions described above. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards represent management’s best estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. The Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and recognize expense only for those shares expected to vest.
Gain (Loss) on Modification/Extinguishment of Debt
In accordance with ASC 470, a modification or an exchange of debt instruments that adds or eliminates a conversion option that was substantive at the date of the modification or exchange is considered a substantive change and is measured and accounted for as extinguishment of the original instrument along with the recognition of a gain or loss. Additionally, under ASC 470, a substantive modification of a debt instrument is deemed to have been accomplished with debt instruments that are substantially different if the present value of the cash flows under the terms of the new debt instrument is at least 10 percent different from the present value of the remaining cash flows under the terms of the original instrument. A substantive modification is accounted for as an extinguishment of the original instrument along with the recognition of a gain or loss.
| F-10 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
Impairment of long-lived assets
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever facts or circumstances either internally or externally may suggest that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable, should there be an indication of impairment, we test for recoverability by comparing the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset to the carrying amount of the asset or asset group. Any excess of the carrying value of the asset or asset group over its estimated fair value is recognized as an impairment loss.
Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. ASC 740 requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes and established for all the entities a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of tax positions and requires certain expanded disclosures. The provision for income taxes is based upon income or loss after adjustment for those permanent items that are not considered in the determination of taxable income. Deferred income taxes represent the tax effects of differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management makes judgments as to the interpretation of the tax laws that might be challenged upon an audit and cause changes to previous estimates of tax liability. In management’s opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made. If actual taxable income by tax jurisdiction varies from estimates, additional allowances or reversals of reserves may be necessary.
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common shareholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potential dilutive securities, comprised of unvested restricted shares, convertible debt stock warrants, stock options, convertible debt and convertible preferred stock are not reflected in diluted net loss per share because such potential shares are anti–dilutive due to the Company’s net loss.
Accordingly, the computation of diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2021 excludes shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants. The computation of diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2020 excludes unvested restricted shares, shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt, and shares under convertible preferred stock.
Fair Value Measure and Disclosures
ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” provides the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).
Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or payment to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs in measuring fair value as follows:
| ● | Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
| ● | Level 2 Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. |
| ● | Level 3 Significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by market data. |
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a Level 3 financial instrument related to the warrant derivative liability. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a Level 3 financial instrument related to the derivative liability.
| F-11 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
Management’s evaluation of subsequent events
The Company evaluates events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. Based upon the review, other than what is described in Note 14 – Subsequent Events, the Company did not identify any recognized or non-recognized subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.
Reclassification
Certain prior years balances have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations.
Recent accounting pronouncements
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, when adopted, will have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements, other than those disclosed below.
In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“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”). ASU 2020-06 simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts on an entity’s own equity. The ASU is part of the FASB’s simplification initiative, which aims to reduce unnecessary complexity in U.S. GAAP. The ASU’s amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2020-06 will have on its financial statements.
Note 4. Accounts receivable
Accounts
receivable balance of $
Note 5. Property and Equipment and Other Assets
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
| As of | ||||||||
December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Land | $ | $ | ||||||
| Computer hardware and software | ||||||||
| Bitcoin mining machines | ||||||||
| Infrastructure | ||||||||
| Containers | ||||||||
| Leasehold improvements | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, gross | ||||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||
The
Company recorded depreciation expense of $
Other assets consisted of the following:
| As of | ||||||||
December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Security deposits | | |||||||
| Other Assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| F-12 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
The
Company has paid $
Note 6. Investment – Available for sale
In
December 2021, the Company invested $
Note 7. Notes Payable
June 2018 Note
On
June 1, 2018, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with an accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company issued an
unsecured promissory note in the amount of $
During
the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued shares of its common stock upon the conversion of $
December 2020 Note
On
December 8, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement pursuant to which it issued a convertible promissory note
in the principal amount of $
The
Company determined that the embedded conversion feature of the convertible promissory note meets the definition of a beneficial conversion
feature and a derivative liability which is accounted for separately. The Company measured the beneficial conversion feature’s
intrinsic value on December 8, 2020 and determined that the beneficial conversion feature was valued at $
On
June 15, 2021, the holder converted $
On
July 27, 2021, the holder converted the remaining $
| F-13 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
March 2021 Note
On
March 5, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Bucktown Capital, LLC (the “Investor”), pursuant
to which the Company issued a convertible promissory note in the original principal amount of $
The
March 2021 Note was to be funded in tranches, with the initial tranche of $
The
Company determined that the embedded conversion feature of the convertible promissory note meets the definition of a beneficial conversion
feature. The Company measured the beneficial conversion feature’s intrinsic value on March 5, 2021 and determined that the beneficial
conversion feature was valued at $
As
a result of the Company failing to meet certain registration requirements under the March 2021 Note, the outstanding balance of the March
2021 Note was automatically increased by
On
September 30, 2021, the Company entered into an exchange agreement with the March 2021 Note holder under which the outstanding
principal balance of $
During
the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded accretion of debt discount of $
Derivative Liabilities
The Company’s activity in its derivative liabilities was as follows for the year ended December 31, 2021:
| Balance of derivative liability at January 1, 2020 | $ | |||
| Transfer in due to issuance of convertible notes with embedded conversion provisions | ||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | ( | ) | ||
| Balance of derivative liability at December 31, 2020 | ||||
| Transfer in due to issuance of warrants with embedded conversion features | ||||
| Transfer out upon conversion of convertible notes and warrants with embedded conversion provisions | ( | ) | ||
| Change in fair value of warrant liability | ( | ) | ||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | ||||
| Balance of derivative liabilities at December 31, 2021 | $ |
On
July 21, 2021, as part of a corporate fundraising, the Company issued shares of common stock and
As
of December 31, 2021, the fair value of the warrant derivative liability was $
Fluctuations in the Company’s stock price are a primary driver for the changes in the derivative valuations during each reporting period. As the stock price increases for each of the related derivative instruments, the value to the holder of the instrument generally increases, therefore increasing the liability on the Company’s balance sheet. Additionally, stock price volatility is one of the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of each of the Company’s derivative instruments. The simulated fair value of these liabilities is sensitive to changes in the Company’s expected volatility. Increases in expected volatility would generally result in higher fair value measurement. A 10% change in pricing inputs and changes in volatilities and correlation factors would not result in a material change in our Level 3 fair value.
| December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
| Warrant derivative liability | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
| Derivative liability | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| F-14 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
The PPP Loan
On
April 16, 2020, the Company entered into a promissory note with Aquesta Bank for $
Note 8. Leases
In
December 2019, the Company entered a new office lease in connection with the relocation of its executive office to Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Company accounted for its new office lease as an operating lease under the guidance of Topic 842. Rent expense under the new lease
is $
On
November 1, 2021, the Company entered into a lease agreement to lease a contiguous portion of land to its existing property, as a planting
area for trees intended to mitigate noise from the Company’s cryptocurrency mining operations.
Total future minimum payments required under the lease agreements are as follows:
| Amount | ||||
| 2022 | $ | |||
| 2023 | ||||
| 2024 | ||||
| 2025 | ||||
| 2026 | ||||
| Thereafter | ||||
| Total undiscounted minimum future lease payments | $ | |||
| Less Imputed interest | ( | ) | ||
| Present value of operating lease liabilities | $ | |||
| Disclosed as: | ||||
| Current portion | $ | |||
| Non-current portion | ||||
The
Company recorded rent expense of $
| F-15 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
At
December 31, 2021, the weighted average interest rate for the operating lease was
Note 9. Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Warrants
Common stock
Common Stock Issuances
In connection with the conversion of shares of Series C Preferred Stock during the year ended December 31, 2021 (see Preferred Stock below) the Company issued shares of common stock.
During
the year ended December 31, 2021, in connection with the conversions of $
On
July 21, 2021, as part of a corporate fundraising of $
During the year ended December 31, 2021, warrants with an embedded conversion feature were exercised on a cashless basis for the issuance of shares of common stock (see below).
Preferred Stock
In
January 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the authorization of shares of Series B Preferred Stock with a par
value of $ and a Stated Value of $
In
April 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the authorization of Series C Preferred Shares with a par value of $
(“Series C Preferred Shares”).
The
common shares issued upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Shares were registered under the Company’s then-effective registration
statement on Form S-3. In April and July 2019, the Company sold Series C Preferred Shares for $
| F-16 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
Warrants
On
July 21, 2021, as part of a corporate fundraising, the Company issued shares
of common stock and
On
September 30, 2021, the Company exchanged the outstanding principal of $
During
the year ended December 31, 2021, warrants were exercised on a cashless basis for
the issuance of shares of common stock. Upon cashless
exercise, the Company calculated the fair value of derivative liability on warrants of $
The following table summarizes information about shares issuable under warrants outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2021:
| Warrant shares outstanding | Weighted average exercise price | Weighted average remaining life | Intrinsic value | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding at January 1, 2021 | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Issued | - | |||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Expired or cancelled | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Issuance of restricted common stock – directors, officers and employees
| Non-vested at January 1, 2020 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||
| Vested | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Non–vested at December 31, 2020 | $ | |||||||
| Vested | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Non–vested at December 31, 2021 | $ |
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has recorded $ and $, in employee and director stock–based compensation expense, which is a component of general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.
As of December 31, 2020, unamortized stock-based compensation costs related to restricted share arrangements was under $. There were unamortized stock-based compensation costs related to restricted share arrangements as of December 31, 2021.
Stock options
As of December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $ and a weighted average grant date fair value of $. All the stock options were fully vested and there were no unrecognized costs. Under the terms of the stock option agreement, all options expired on . As of December 31, 2021, there are outstanding or exercisable stock options.
| F-17 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies
Bitcoin Production Equipment and Operations
In
August 2018, the Company entered a collaborative venture with Bit5ive, LLC to develop a fully contained crypto currency mining pod (the
“POD5 Agreement”) for a term of five years. Pursuant to the POD5 Agreement, the Company assists with the design and development
of the POD5 Containers. The Company retains naming rights to the pods and receives royalty payments from Bit5ive, LLC in exchange for
providing capital as well as engineering and design expertise. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized
non-operating income of $
Electricity Contract
In June 2019, the Company entered into a contract for electric power with the City of Lafayette, Georgia, a municipal corporation of the State of Georgia (“the City”). The Company makes monthly payments based upon electricity consumed, at a negotiated kilowatt per hour rate, inclusive of transmission charges and exclusive of state and local sales taxes. Over time, the Company is entitled to utilize a load of 10 megawatts. For each month, the Company estimates its expected electric load, and should the actual load drop below 90% of this estimate, the City reserves the right to impose a modest penalty to the hourly kilowatt rate for electricity consumed.
In
connection with this agreement, the Company paid a $
The electricity agreement expired on September 30, 2021, the Company and City are currently operating on a month-to-month basis.
Management Agreement Termination Liability
On
August 31, 2019, the Company entered into two Settlement and Termination Agreements (the “Settlement Agreements”) to management
agreements it entered in 2017 with two accredited investors (together the “Users”). Under the terms of the Settlement Agreements,
the Company paid the Users a percentage of profits (“Settlement Distribution”) of Bitcoin mining as defined in the Settlement
Agreements. The estimated present value of the Settlement Distributions of $
Legal
The Company has resolved all shareholder legal actions formerly pending in state and federal courts.
On January 24, 2017, the Company was served with a summons and complaint filed by plaintiff shareholder Atul Ojha in New York state court against certain officers and directors of the Company and naming the Company as a nominal defendant. The lawsuit is styled as a derivative action (the “Ojha Derivative Action”) and was originally filed (but not served on any defendant) on October 15, 2016. The Ojha Derivative Action substantively alleges that the defendants, collectively or individually, inadequately managed the business and assets of the Company resulting in the deterioration of the Company’s financial condition. The Ojha Derivative Action asserts claims including, but not limited to, breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment and waste of corporate assets.
On December 12, 2018, a shareholder derivative action was filed by shareholder Bob Thomas against certain current and former directors, officers and shareholders of the Company, and naming the Company as a nominal defendant, in New York state court, alleging breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, and waste and seeking declaratory relief and damages (the “Thomas Derivative Action”). The underlying allegations in the Thomas Derivative Action largely repeat the allegations of wrongdoing in the 2018 Securities Class Actions (as defined below).
| F-18 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
On
April 23, 2020, the Company entered into a stipulation of settlement (the “Stipulation”) in connection with the Ojha Derivative
Action and the Thomas Derivative Action (together, the “State Derivative Actions”).
Final approval of the settlement of the State Derivative Actions was granted on July 2, 2020.
On August 28, 2019, a shareholder derivative action was filed by shareholder Tyler Tomczak against the certain directors, officers and shareholders of the Company, and naming the Company as a nominal defendant, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging breach of fiduciary duties, waste and unjust enrichment and seeking declaratory relief and damages (the “Tomczak Derivative Action”). The underlying allegations in the Tomczak Derivative Action largely repeat the allegations of wrongdoing in the 2018 Securities Class Actions.
On September 11, 2019, a shareholder derivative action was filed by shareholder Arthur Aviles against certain directors, officers and shareholders of the Company, and naming the Company as a nominal defendant, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging breach of fiduciary duties, waste and unjust enrichment and seeking declaratory relief and damages (the “Aviles Derivative Action”). The underlying allegations in the Aviles Derivative Action largely repeat the allegations of wrongdoing in the 2018 Securities Class Actions.
On
May 7, 2020, the Company entered into a stipulation of settlement (the “Federal Stipulation”) in connection with the Tomczak
Derivative Action and the Aviles Derivative Action (together, the “Federal Derivative Actions”).
Final
approval of the settlement of the Federal Derivative Actions was granted on August 5, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the
Company recorded $
In October 2019, the Company and its then officers and directors received subpoenas from the SEC requesting information, including but not limited to, with respect to risk factors contained in certain of the Company’s filings with the SEC. On October 21, 2020, the SEC notified the Company this investigation concluded, and it does not intend to recommend an enforcement action by the Commission against MGT in this matter. This notice was sent pursuant to guidelines set out in Securities Acts Release 5310, which states in part that the notice “must in no way be construed as indicating that the party has been exonerated or that no action may ultimately result from the Staff’s investigation.”
In November 2018, the Company’s board received a shareholder demand letter dated November 6, 2018, from shareholders Nicholas Fulton and Kelsey Thacker (the “Fulton Demand”). The Fulton Demand referenced the SEC Action, and the allegations therein, and demanded that the board take action to investigate, address and remedy the allegations raised in the SEC Action. Shortly after the New York state court entered the order preliminarily approving the stipulation of settlement in connection with the Ojha Derivative Action and the Thomas Derivative Action, counsel for the Company informed counsel for shareholders Nicholas Fulton and Kelsey Thacker of that stipulation of settlement and of counsel for the Company’s view that the releases in the settlement covered the matters raised in the Fulton Demand.
| F-19 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
Settlement of Class Action
In September 2018 and October 2018, various shareholders of the Company filed putative class action lawsuits against the Company, its Chief Executive Officer and certain of its individual officers and shareholders, alleging violations of federal securities laws and seeking damages (the “2018 Securities Class Actions”). The 2018 Securities Class Action followed and referenced the allegations made against the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and others in the SEC Action. The first putative class action lawsuit was filed on September 28, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and alleges that the named defendants engaged in a pump-and-dump scheme to artificially inflate the price of the Company’s stock and that, as a result, defendants’ statements about the Company’s business and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at relevant times. The second putative class action was filed on October 9, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and makes similar allegations.
On May 28, 2019, the parties to the 2018 Securities Class Actions entered into a binding settlement term sheet, and on September 24, 2019, the parties entered into a stipulation of settlement. On August 7, 2019, the lead plaintiff in the first class action filed a notice and order of voluntary dismissal with prejudice, and on October 11, 2019, the lead plaintiff in the second class action filed in the federal court in New York an unopposed motion for preliminary approval of the proposed class action settlement. On December 17, 2019, the court issued an order granting preliminary approval of the settlement.
Final
approval of the settlement of the 2018 Securities Class Actions was granted on May 27, 2020. The plaintiff shareholder class received
$
Note 12. Income Taxes
Significant components of deferred tax assets were as follows:
| As of December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| U.S. federal tax loss carry–forward | $ | $ | ||||||
| U.S. State tax loss carry–forward | ||||||||
| Equity based compensation | ||||||||
| Fixed assets, intangible assets and goodwill | ||||||||
| Accruals | - | |||||||
| Long-term investments | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total deferred tax assets | ||||||||
| Less: valuation allowance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net deferred tax asset | $ | $ | ||||||
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had the following tax attributes:
| Amount | Begins
to expire | |||||
| U.S. federal net operating loss carry–forwards | $ | |||||
| U.S. State net operating loss carry–forwards - Georgia | ||||||
| U.S. State net operating loss carry–forwards – North Carolina | ||||||
The reconciliation of income tax expense computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate to the income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:
| As of December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Expected Federal Tax | - | % | - | % | ||||
| State income taxes (net of federal benefit) | - | % | - | % | ||||
| Permanent adjustments | - | % | % | |||||
| True up of prior year deferred tax assets | % | - | % | |||||
| Change in state tax rate | - | % | % | |||||
| Other | % | % | ||||||
| Change in valuation allowance | % | % | ||||||
| Effective tax rate | % | % | ||||||
| F-20 |
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
As it is not more likely than not that the resulting deferred tax benefits will be realized, a full valuation allowance has been recognized for such deferred tax assets. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the valuation allowance increased by $987,449. Federal and state laws impose substantial restrictions on the utilization of tax attributes in the event of an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. As of December 31, 2021, the Company performed a high-level review of its changes in ownership and determined that a change of control event likely occurred under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards are likely to be limited.
The Company has adopted the provisions of ASC 740-10-25, which provides recognition criteria and a related measurement model for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. ASC 740-10-25 requires that a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return be recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, North Carolina and Georgia jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non–U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2015.
Note 13. Employee Benefit Plans
The
Company maintains defined contribution benefit plans under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code covering substantially all qualified
employees of the Company (the “401(k) Plan”). Under the 401(k) Plan, the Company may make discretionary contributions of
up to
Note 14. Subsequent Events
From January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022, a total of warrants were exercised for the issuance of shares of common stock.
| F-21 |