PayPal Holdings, Inc S-3ASR, filed Feb 5, 2025
PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL)
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 4, 2025
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
PAYPAL HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 47-2989869 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
2211 North First Street
San Jose, California 95131
(408) 967-7000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Bimal Patel
SVP, General Counsel
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
2211 North First Street
San Jose, California 95131
Telephone: (408) 967-7000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies of all communications to:
Gregg A. Noel, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
525 University Avenue
Palo Alto, California 94301
Telephone: (650) 470-4500
From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
(Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public)
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
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PAYPAL HOLDINGS, INC.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Purchase Contracts
Purchase Units
We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings, in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of any such offering, (1) shares of our common stock, (2) shares of our preferred stock, which we may issue in one or more series, (3) depositary shares representing preferred stock, (4) debt securities, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, (5) warrants, (6) purchase contracts or (7) purchase units, each representing ownership of a purchase contract and debt securities or debt obligations of third-parties, including U.S. treasury securities or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holder’s obligation to purchase our common stock or other securities under the purchase contracts.
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “PYPL.”
We will provide specific terms of any offering, including the price to the public of any securities, in supplements to this prospectus. These securities may be offered separately or together in any combination and as separate series. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on our behalf to which we have referred you carefully before you invest in our securities.
We may sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly, through underwriters, dealers or agents as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters or agents and any applicable fees, discounts or commissions and the net proceeds to us will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein for a discussion of certain risks that you should consider in connection with an investment in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is February 4, 2025.
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In this prospectus, except as otherwise noted, the words “the Company,” “PayPal,” “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to PayPal Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
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This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission” or “SEC”) as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Under the shelf registration process, we may from time to time, offer and sell to the public any combination of the securities described in the registration statement in one or more offerings. As allowed by the SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement, including its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. If the SEC’s rules or regulations require that an agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see that agreement or document for a complete description of these matters.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time securities are offered, we will provide a prospectus supplement and/or a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus will contain more specific information about the offering. The prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the information in any such prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus, the information in such prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus supersedes the information in this prospectus. References to the “applicable prospectus supplement” are to the prospectus supplement to this prospectus that describes the specific terms and conditions of the applicable security. Please carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus together with the additional information described below under the section entitled “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”
We may include agreements as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In reviewing such agreements, please remember that they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about us or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:
| • | should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; |
| • | may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures would not necessarily be reflected in the agreement; |
| • | may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to you or other investors; and |
| • | were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments. |
Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about us may be found elsewhere in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and our other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
We have not authorized any other person, including any dealer, salesperson or other individual, to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other
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information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference is accurate only as of their respective dates.
We may sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly, through underwriters, dealers or agents as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. We and our agents reserve the sole right to accept and to reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of securities. The names of any such underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of any such securities, and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus for such securities.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically. We maintain an internet site at https://investor.pypl.com where information about us, including SEC filings, is also available free of charge. However, the information on, or accessible through, our internet site is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus. Reference to our internet site is made as an inactive textual reference.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information in other documents that we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information in documents that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in documents filed earlier with the SEC or contained in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference in this prospectus (i) the documents listed below and (ii) any future filings that we may make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of the offering of the securities under this prospectus; provided, however, that we are not incorporating, in each case, any documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules (including Items 2.02 and 7.01 of Form 8-K):
| • | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 4, 2025; |
| • | Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 9, 2024, that are incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 8, 2024; and |
| • | Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 22, 2025. |
You may obtain a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which may have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus, except for exhibits to those documents (unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents) at no cost to you by writing or telephoning us at the following address: PayPal Holdings, Inc., Investor Relations, 2211 North First Street, San Jose, California 95131, telephone (408) 967-7000.
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This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain, and any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated therein may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions (such as those relating to future business, future results of operations or financial condition, new or planned features or services, mergers or acquisitions, or management strategies). These forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements.
Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, those discussed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as well as in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, related notes, and the other information appearing elsewhere in our filings with the SEC. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation except as required by law, to update any of our forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus to reflect actual results, new information, or future events or circumstances. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
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At PayPal, our mission is to revolutionize commerce globally. Our products are designed to enable digital payments and simplify commerce experiences for consumers and merchants to make selling, shopping, and sending and receiving money simple, personalized, and secure, online or offline, including mobile. Our two-sided platform serves millions of consumers and merchants worldwide.
We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in January 2015. Our principal executive offices are located at 2211 North First Street, San Jose, California 95131 and our telephone number is (408) 967-7000. Our website address is www.paypal.com. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on, or accessible through, our website as part of this prospectus. Reference to our website is made as an inactive textual reference.
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Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully review the risk factors contained under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and any risk factors that we may describe in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K filed subsequently to this prospectus, which risk factors are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as well as any specific risk factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus or in any document incorporated herein or therein by reference and the other information contained in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus before making an investment decision. The risks and uncertainties described in our SEC filings are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors that adversely affect our business. If any such risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and future prospects could be materially and adversely affected, the market price of our securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. See “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” and “Forward-Looking Statements.”
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Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus accompanying this prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from any sale of securities that may be offered hereby for general corporate purposes, which may include funding the repayment or redemption of outstanding debt, dividend payments, share repurchases, investments in or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries, ongoing operations, capital expenditures and possible strategic investments or acquisitions of businesses or assets. The prospectus supplement and/or any free writing prospectus relating to an offering will contain a more detailed description of the use of proceeds of any specific offering of securities.
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This prospectus contains a summary of our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts and purchase units that we may offer pursuant to the registration statement. These summaries are not meant to be a complete description of each security. The particular terms of any security to be issued pursuant hereto will be set forth in a related prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus. This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus will contain the material terms and conditions for each security.
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The following description of our capital stock, certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and the DGCL. Copies of our restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws have been filed with the SEC and are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Our authorized capital stock consists of 4,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value. As of January 29, 2025, there were 989,242,452 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
Common Stock
Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters to be voted upon by the common stockholders, and there are no cumulative voting rights. To be elected in an uncontested election for board members, a director nominee must receive more votes “for” than “against” by shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. In a contested election for board members, the board members are elected by a plurality of shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote.
Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably the dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. If there is a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, holders of our common stock would be entitled to ratable distribution of its assets remaining after the payment in full of liabilities and any preferential rights of any then outstanding preferred stock.
Holders of our common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.
Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by the DGCL and our restated certificate of incorporation, to issue up to 100 million shares of preferred stock in one or more series without further action by the holders of our common stock. Our board of directors has the discretion, subject to limitations prescribed by the DGCL and our restated certificate of incorporation, to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.
Single Class Capital Structure
We have a single class common equity capital structure with all stockholders entitled to vote for director nominees. Each holder of our common stock has one vote per share.
Annual Director Elections
Directors are elected at the annual meeting of stockholders and each director serves until the next annual election and until their successor is duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. At any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, the election is determined by a
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majority of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote in the election. Under our amended and restated bylaws and governance guidelines of the board of directors, each director submits an advance, contingent and irrevocable resignation that the board of directors may accept if the stockholders do not re-elect such director. In the case of a contested election, the election is determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote in the election.
Special Stockholder Meetings
Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may only be called by (1) the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors, (2) the chairman of the board, (3) the chief executive officer or (4) subject to certain procedures and conditions set forth therein, by our corporate secretary at the written request of one or more stockholders of record who have continuously held, for their own account or on behalf of others, beneficial ownership of at least a twenty percent (20%) “net long position” (as described in our restated certificate of incorporation) of the outstanding common stock of PayPal for at least thirty (30) days prior to the delivery of such request. Until such time as a single stockholder, or “group” of stockholders who have filed as such under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act with respect to their ownership of our common stock, owns at least a majority of our outstanding common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, no stockholder is permitted to propose the election, removal or replacement of directors at stockholder requested special meetings.
Proxy Access
Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that, in certain circumstances, a stockholder or group of up to twenty (20) stockholders may include director candidates that they have nominated in our annual meeting proxy materials. Such stockholder or group of stockholders need to own three percent (3%) or more of our issued and outstanding common stock continuously for at least thirty-six (36) months. The number of stockholder nominated candidates appearing in any of our annual meeting proxy materials cannot exceed twenty percent (20%) of the number of directors then serving on our board of directors, rounded down to the nearest whole number, subject to reduction in certain circumstances, including where stockholders have nominated candidates for election at the same meeting outside the proxy access process. The nominating stockholder or group of stockholders is also required to deliver certain information and undertakings, and each nominee is required to meet certain qualifications, as described in more detail in the restated certificate of incorporation.
No Supermajority Provisions
Other than with respect to the interested stockholder provision described below in “Anti-Takeover Effects of Various Provisions of Delaware Law and PayPal’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws—Interested Stockholder Provision,” our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws do not have supermajority voting provisions, and stockholders can approve binding bylaw amendments with a simple majority vote.
Exclusive Forum
Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our restated certificate of incorporation or the amended and restated bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time) or (4) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state court located within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware).
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Limitations on Liability, Indemnification of Officers and Directors and Insurance
The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties as directors, and our restated certificate of incorporation includes such an exculpation provision. Our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws include provisions that indemnify, to the fullest extent allowable under the DGCL, the personal liability of directors or officers for monetary damages for actions taken as our director or officer, or for serving at our request as a director or officer or another position at another corporation or enterprise, as the case may be. Our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws also provide that we must indemnify and advance reasonable expenses to our directors and officers, subject to our receipt of an undertaking from the indemnified party as may be required under the DGCL.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions that are in our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. However, these provisions do not limit or eliminate our rights, or those of any stockholder, to seek non-monetary relief such as injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care. The provisions do not alter the liability of directors under the federal securities laws. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent that, in a class action or direct suit, we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
Authorized but Unissued Shares
Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval. We may use additional shares for a variety of purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to fund acquisitions and as employee compensation. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Various Provisions of Delaware Law and PayPal’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws
Provisions of the DGCL and our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws could potentially impact the prospect of an acquisition of the Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or affect the ability to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions may discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids that our board of directors may consider inadequate and may encourage persons seeking to acquire control of PayPal to first negotiate with PayPal’s board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of its ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure the Company outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Size of Board and Vacancies
Our amended and restated bylaws provide that the number of directors on our board of directors is fixed from time to time exclusively by our board of directors. Any vacancies created in our board of directors resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or the death, resignation, retirement or removal from service will be filled only by a majority of the board of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum is present, or by a sole remaining director.
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Interested Stockholder Provision
We elected not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover statute that prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the acquisition of shares that resulted in a stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Our restated certificate of incorporation, however, contains a provision that generally mirrors Section 203 of the DGCL, except that an “interested shareholder” under the interested stockholder provision in the restated certificate of incorporation is defined to be a person or entity who, together with its affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own) twenty percent (20%) or more of a corporation’s voting stock (Section 203 of the DGCL sets this threshold at fifteen percent (15%)). The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by our stockholders.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders may not act by written consent. Stockholder action must take place at the annual or a special meeting of our stockholders.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals
Our amended and restated bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors other than nominations made by or at the direction of our board of directors or a committee of our board of directors.
No Cumulative Voting
The DGCL provides that stockholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless the company’s restated certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our restated certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.
Undesignated Preferred Stock
Our board of directors’ authority to issue preferred stock could potentially be used to discourage attempts by third parties to obtain control of us through a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making such attempts more difficult or more costly. Our board of directors may be able to issue preferred stock with voting rights or conversion rights that, if exercised, could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “PYPL.”
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The depositary shares will be issued under deposit agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as depositary, all to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any or all depositary shares in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered. We will file a copy of the deposit agreement and the depositary receipt with the SEC each time we issue a series of depositary shares, and these depositary receipts and deposit agreement will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
General
If we elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, we will provide for the issuance by a depositary to the public of receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent fractional interests of preferred stock. We will deposit the shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The bank or trust company must have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million. The depositary receipts will evidence the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement.
The deposit agreement will contain terms applicable to the holders of depositary shares in addition to the terms stated in the depositary receipts. Each owner of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in the underlying shares of preferred stock. The depositary will issue the depositary receipts to individuals purchasing the fractional interests in shares of the related preferred stock according to the terms of the offering described in a prospectus supplement.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received for the preferred stock to the entitled record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares that the holder owns on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only an amount that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent. The depositary will add the undistributed balance to and treat it as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to holders of depositary shares.
If there is a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the entitled record holders of depositary shares, in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders, unless the depositary determines, after consultation with us, that it is not feasible to make such distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders. The deposit agreement also will contain provisions relating to how any subscription or similar rights that we may offer to holders of the preferred stock will be available to the holders of the depositary shares.
Conversion, Exchange and Redemption
If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares may be converted or exchanged, each record holder of depositary receipts will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange the depositary shares represented by the depositary receipts.
Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, at the same time, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock. The depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds it receives from the corresponding redemption, in whole or in part, of the applicable series of preferred stock. The depositary will mail a notice of redemption to the record holders of the
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depositary shares that are to be redeemed between 30 and 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share on the applicable series of preferred stock. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary will select which shares to be redeemed by lot, proportionate allocation or another method.
After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be outstanding. When the depositary shares are no longer outstanding, all rights of the holders will end, except the right to receive money, securities or other property payable upon redemption.
Voting
When the depositary receives notice of a meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the particulars of the meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date may instruct the depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will try, if practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares according to the instructions. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock. We will agree to take all reasonable action requested by the depositary to enable it to vote as instructed.
Record Date
Whenever (1) any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable, any distribution other than cash shall be made, or any rights, preferences or privileges shall be offered with respect to the preferred stock, or (2) the depositary shall receive notice of any meeting at which holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote or of which holders of preferred stock are entitled to notice, or of the mandatory conversion of or any election on our part to call for the redemption of any preferred stock, the depositary shall in each such instance fix a record date (which shall be the same as the record date for the preferred stock) for the determination of the holders of depositary receipts (x) who shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (y) who shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or to receive notice of such meeting or of such redemption or conversion, subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement.
Amendments
We and the depositary may agree to amend the deposit agreement and the depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares. Any amendment that (a) imposes or increases certain fees, taxes or other charges payable by the holders of the depositary shares as described in the deposit agreement or (b) otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of holders of depositary shares, will not take effect until 30 days after the depositary has sent notice of the amendment to the record holders of depositary shares. Any holder of depositary shares that continues to hold its shares at the end of the 30-day period will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment.
Termination
We may direct the depositary to terminate the deposit agreement by sending a notice of termination to holders of depositary shares at least 30 days prior to termination. In addition, a deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:
| • | the depositary has redeemed all related outstanding depositary shares, or |
| • | we have liquidated, terminated or wound up our business and the depositary has distributed the preferred stock of the relevant series to the holders of the related depositary shares. |
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The depositary may likewise terminate the deposit agreement if at any time 60 days shall have expired after the depositary shall have delivered to us a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment. If any depositary receipts remain outstanding after the date of termination, the depositary thereafter will discontinue the transfer of depositary receipts, will suspend the distribution of dividends to the holders thereof, and will not give any further notices (other than notice of such termination) or perform any further acts under the deposit agreement except as provided below and except that the depositary will continue (1) to collect dividends on the preferred stock and any other distributions with respect thereto and (2) to deliver the preferred stock together with such dividends and distributions and the net proceeds of any sales of rights, preferences, privileges or other property, without liability for interest thereon, in exchange for depositary receipts surrendered. At any time after the expiration of two years from the date of termination, the depositary may sell the preferred stock then held by it at public or private sales, at such place or places and upon such terms as it deems proper and may thereafter hold the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any money and other property then held by it, without liability for interest thereon, for the pro rata benefit of the holders of depositary receipts which have not been surrendered.
Payment of Fees and Expenses
We will pay all fees, charges and expenses of the depositary, including the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are stated in the deposit agreement for their accounts.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
At any time, the depositary may resign by delivering notice to us, and we may remove the depositary. Resignations or removals will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million.
Reports
The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required by law, the rules of an applicable securities exchange or our restated certificate of incorporation to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The deposit agreement limits our obligations and the depositary’s obligations to performance in good faith of the duties stated in the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding connected with any depositary shares or preferred stock unless the holders of depositary shares requesting us to do so furnish us with satisfactory indemnity. In performing our obligations, we and the depositary may rely upon the written advice of our counsel or accountants, on any information that competent people provide to us and on documents that we believe are genuine.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We have summarized below general terms and conditions of the debt securities that we will offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms and conditions of the series in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement whether the general terms and conditions described in this prospectus apply to the series of debt securities. The terms and conditions of the debt securities of a series may be different in one or more respects from the terms and conditions described below. If so, those differences will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We will issue the debt securities in one or more series under an indenture, dated as of September 26, 2019, between us and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “indenture”). The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The following description of provisions of the indenture does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture (including provisions made a part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act), which has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. A form of each debt security, any future supplemental indenture or similar document will also be filed. You should read the indenture and any supplemental indenture or similar document because they, and not this description, define your rights as holder of our debt securities. All capitalized terms have the meanings specified in the indenture.
For purposes of this section of this prospectus, references to “we,” “us” and “our” are to PayPal Holdings, Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries.
General
We may issue, from time to time, debt securities, in one or more series, that will consist of either senior debt (“Senior Debt Securities”), senior subordinated debt (“Senior Subordinated Debt Securities”), subordinated debt (“Subordinated Debt Securities”) or junior subordinated debt (“Junior Subordinated Debt Securities” and, together with the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities, the “Subordinated Securities”). Debt securities, whether senior, senior subordinated, subordinated or junior subordinated, may be issued as convertible debt securities or exchangeable debt securities.
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. We may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of any series, issue additional debt securities ranking equally with, and otherwise similar in all respects to, the debt securities of the series (except for any differences in the issue price and, if applicable, the initial interest accrual date and interest payment date) so that those additional debt securities will be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of the series previously offered and sold; provided that if the additional debt securities are not fungible with the debt securities of the series previously offered or sold for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional debt securities will have one or more separate CUSIP or other identifying numbers.
The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit designated by us. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of any debt securities protection with respect to our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us and will not contain any such additional covenants or other provisions unless set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of debt securities.
We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities
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that are not issued at a discount, may, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be treated as if they were issued with “original issue discount,” because of interest payment and other characteristics. Special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with original issue discount will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.
Provisions of the Indenture
The applicable prospectus supplement for a series of debt securities that we issue will describe, among other things, the following terms of the offered debt securities:
| • | the title; |
| • | any limit on the aggregate principal amount of debt securities of such series; |
| • | whether initially issued in the form of one or more global securities and whether all or a portion of the principal amount of the debt securities is represented thereby; |
| • | the price or prices (including denomination) at which the debt securities will be issued; |
| • | the date or dates on which principal and premium, if any, is payable and the method of determination thereof; |
| • | the place or places where and the manner in which principal, premium or interest will be payable and the place or places where the debt securities may be presented for transfer and, if applicable, conversion or exchange; |
| • | interest rates, and the dates from which interest, if any, will accrue, and the dates when interest is payable and the record date, if any; |
| • | the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of the extensions; |
| • | our rights or obligations to redeem or purchase the debt securities, including sinking fund or partial redemption payments and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which the debt securities shall be redeemed or purchased pursuant to our rights or obligations; |
| • | conversion or exchange provisions, if any, including conversion or exchange prices or rates and adjustments thereto; |
| • | the currency or currencies of payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest; |
| • | the terms applicable to any debt securities issued at a discount from their stated principal amount; |
| • | the terms, if any, pursuant to which any debt securities will be subordinate to any of our other debt; |
| • | if the amount of payments of principal or interest is to be determined by reference to an index or formula, or based on a coin or currency other than that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which these amounts are determined and the calculation agent, if any, with respect thereto; |
| • | if other than the entire principal amount of the debt securities when issued, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of maturity as a result of an Event of Default; |
| • | any provisions for the remarketing of the debt securities; |
| • | if applicable, covenants affording holders of debt protection with respect to our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us; and |
| • | any other specific terms of any debt securities. |
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth certain U.S. federal income tax considerations for holders of any debt securities and the securities exchange or quotation system on which any debt securities are listed or quoted, if any.
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Debt securities issued by us will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, except to the extent any such subsidiary guarantees or is otherwise obligated to make payment on such debt securities.
Senior Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Senior Debt Securities will rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt.
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will be junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our unsubordinated debt. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any Senior Subordinated Debt Securities the subordination terms of such securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding debt, as of the most recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. We will also set forth in such prospectus supplement limitations, if any, on issuance of additional debt ranking senior to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities.
Subordinated Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our unsubordinated and senior subordinated debt. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any Subordinated Debt Securities the subordination terms of such securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness, as of the most recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the Subordinated Debt Securities. We will also set forth in such prospectus supplement limitations, if any, on issuance of additional debt ranking senior to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Junior Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our unsubordinated, senior subordinated and subordinated debt. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any Junior Subordinated Debt Securities the subordination terms of such securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding debt, as of the most recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities. We will also set forth in such prospectus supplement limitations, if any, on issuance of additional debt ranking senior to the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property of the Company. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:
| • | the conversion or exchange price; |
| • | the conversion or exchange period; |
| • | provisions regarding the ability of us or the holder to convert or exchange the debt securities; |
| • | events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price; and |
| • | provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the debt securities. |
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Consolidation, Merger or Sale
We cannot consolidate or merge with or into, or transfer or lease all or substantially all of our consolidated properties and assets to, any person, and we shall not permit any other person to consolidate with or merge into us, unless:
| • | we will be the continuing corporation or the successor corporation or person formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or to which all or substantially all of our consolidated properties and assets are transferred or leased is a person organized or formed under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and, if such entity is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the debt securities is a corporation organized or existing under any such laws, and such successor corporation or person, including such co-obligor, if any, expressly assumes by supplemental indenture our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture; and |
| • | immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default or event, which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing. |
Upon any such consolidation, merger, transfer or lease, the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not us) shall succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, ours under the indenture, and we shall be discharged from our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture, except in the case of any such lease.
This covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, a change of control of us or a highly leveraged transaction, unless the transaction or change of control were structured to include a merger or consolidation or transfer or lease of all or substantially all of our consolidated properties and assets.
Events of Default
Unless otherwise indicated, the term “Event of Default,” when used in the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series, means any of the following:
| • | failure to pay interest for 30 days after the date payment on any debt security of such series is due and payable; provided that an extension of an interest payment period by us in accordance with the terms of the debt securities shall not constitute a failure to pay interest; |
| • | failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security of such series when due, either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise; |
| • | failure to perform any other covenant in the indenture or the debt securities of such series for 90 days after written notice that performance was required, which notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series; |
| • | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us; or |
| • | any other Event of Default provided in the applicable resolution of our board of directors or the officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture under which we issue such series of debt securities. |
An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default relating to events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us) involving any series of debt securities has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of such affected series, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of an affected series may, after satisfying conditions, rescind and annul any of the above-described declarations and consequences involving such series.
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If an Event of Default relating to events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us occurs and is continuing, then the entire principal amount of all of the debt securities outstanding, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, will automatically become due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any holder.
The indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities against us with respect to an Event of Default. Except as provided below, no holder of debt securities of any series may institute any action against us under the indenture unless:
| • | an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of such continuing Event of Default; |
| • | the holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series have requested that the trustee institute the action in respect of such Event of Default; |
| • | the requesting holders have offered the trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee for losses, costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by bringing the action; |
| • | the trustee has not instituted the action within 60 days of the request; and |
| • | the trustee has not received inconsistent direction by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, each holder of debt securities of any series has the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on, such debt securities when due and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights may not be impaired without the consent of that holder of debt securities.
We will be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed by one of our principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officers, stating whether or not the officer knows of any default by us in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or covenant of the indenture.
Registered Global Securities
We may issue the debt securities of a series in whole or in part in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that we will deposit with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of such depositary or nominee. In such case, we will issue one or more registered global securities denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the debt securities of the series to be issued and represented by such registered global security or securities.
Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole:
| • | by the depositary for such registered global security to its nominee, |
| • | by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary, or |
| • | by the depositary or its nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor. |
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of such series represented by a registered global security. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements for debt securities:
| • | ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for the registered global security, those persons being referred to as “participants,” or persons that may hold interests through participants; |
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| • | upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary for the registered global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global security beneficially owned by the participants; |
| • | any dealers, underwriters, or agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities will initially designate the accounts to be credited; and |
| • | ownership of any beneficial interest in the registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of any ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the registered global security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons holding through participants). |
The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may limit the ability of those persons to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.
So long as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the registered global security, the depositary or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security:
| • | will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in their names; |
| • | will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in the definitive form; and |
| • | will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities under the indenture. |
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for the registered global security and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of a participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.
We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take the action, and those participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those participants to give or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owners of the registered global security. None of us, the trustee or any other agent of us or the trustee will be responsible or liable for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of the registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing customer instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to
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owners of beneficial interests in the registered global security held through the participants, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” We also expect that any of these payments will be the responsibility of the participants.
If the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, we will appoint an eligible successor depositary. If we fail to appoint an eligible successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue the debt securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion decide not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by one or more registered global securities. In such event, we will issue debt securities of that series in a definitive form in exchange for all of the registered global securities representing the debt securities. The trustee will register any debt securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security in such name or names as the depositary, based upon instructions from its participants, shall instruct the trustee.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
We can discharge or defease our obligations under the indenture as set forth below. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the subordination provisions applicable to any Subordinated Securities will be expressly made subject to the discharge and defeasance provisions of the indenture.
We may discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that have either become due and payable or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year (or to be called for redemption within one year). We may effect a discharge by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or U.S. government obligations, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be sufficient to pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities and any mandatory sinking fund payments.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may also discharge any and all of our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities at any time (“legal defeasance”). We also may be released from the obligations imposed by any covenants of any outstanding series of debt securities and provisions of the indenture, and we may omit to comply with those covenants without creating an Event of Default (“covenant defeasance”). We may effect legal defeasance and covenant defeasance only if, among other things:
| • | we irrevocably deposit with the trustee cash or U.S. government obligations, as trust funds, in an amount, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the trustee, sufficient to pay when due (whether at maturity, upon redemption, or otherwise) the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all outstanding debt securities of the series; and |
| • | we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel in writing signed by legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the trustee and who may be an employee of or counsel to the issuer to the effect that the beneficial owners of the relevant series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, and that legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, will not otherwise alter the beneficial owners’ U.S. federal income tax treatment of principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on the series of debt securities, which opinion, in the case of legal defeasance, must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service, or a change in U.S. federal income tax law. |
Although we may discharge or defease our obligations under the indenture as described in the two preceding paragraphs, we may not avoid, among other things, our duty to register the transfer or exchange of any series of debt securities, to replace any temporary, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen series of debt securities or to maintain an office or agency in respect of any series of debt securities.
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We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option.
Modifications of the Indenture
The indenture provides that we and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities to:
| • | secure any debt securities; |
| • | evidence the assumption by another person of our obligations, as permitted by the indenture; |
| • | add covenants for the protection of the holders of debt securities of all or any series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us; |
| • | add any additional events of default for the benefit of holders of the debt securities of all or any series; |
| • | add one or more guarantees for the benefit of holders of the debt securities; |
| • | provide for the issuance of additional debt securities of any series pursuant to the indenture; |
| • | comply with the rules of any applicable securities depository; |
| • | provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; |
| • | add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture in respect of one or more series of debt securities; provided that any such addition, change or elimination (a) shall neither (1) apply to any debt security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (2) modify the rights of the holder of any such debt security with respect to such provision or (b) shall become effective only when there is no debt security described in clause (a)(1) outstanding; |
| • | supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities pursuant to the indenture; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of such series or any other series of debt securities in any material respect, as determined by us and evidenced by delivery of an officer’s certificate to the trustee; |
| • | comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the debt securities may be listed or traded; |
| • | add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act; |
| • | cure or correct any ambiguity, defect, omission or inconsistency in the indenture; provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of any series in any material respect, as determined by us and evidenced by delivery of an officer’s certificate to the trustee; |
| • | establish the forms or terms of debt securities of any series; |
| • | evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee; and |
| • | add to, change or eliminate any other provision of the indenture; provided that such addition, change or elimination does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of any series in any material respect as determined by us and evidenced by delivery of an officer’s certificate to the trustee. |
The indenture also provides that we and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series of Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Securities, as the case may be, then outstanding and affected thereby (voting as one class), add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the provisions of, the indenture or
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modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities. We and the trustee may not, however, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:
| • | extend the final maturity of any debt security; |
| • | reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, on any debt security; |
| • | reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest on any debt security; |
| • | reduce any amount payable on redemption or required repurchase of any debt security; |
| • | change the currency in which the principal (other than as may be provided otherwise with respect to a series), premium, if any, or interest is payable on any debt security; |
| • | reduce the amount of the principal of any debt security issued with an original issue discount that is payable upon acceleration or provable in bankruptcy; |
| • | modify any of the subordination provisions or the definition of senior indebtedness applicable to any Subordinated Securities in a manner adverse to the holders of those securities; |
| • | impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security when due; or |
| • | reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities of any series whose consent is required for any modification of the indenture. |
Concerning the Trustee
The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under the indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only with respect to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the indenture. Any trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities. All payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, and all registration, transfer, exchange, authentication and delivery (including authentication and delivery on original issuance of the debt securities) of, the debt securities of a series will be effected by the trustee with respect to such series at an office designated by the trustee.
The indenture contains limitations on the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims in some cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee may engage in other transactions. If it acquires any conflicting interest relating to any duties with respect to the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as trustee.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities then outstanding will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee with respect to such series of debt securities, provided that the direction would not conflict with any rule of law or with the indenture, would not be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another holder of the debt securities, and would not involve any trustee in personal liability. The indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur and be known to any trustee and not be cured, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would use under the circumstances in the conduct of their own affairs in the exercise of the trustee’s power. Subject to these provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless they shall have offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the trustee.
No Individual Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers or Directors
The indenture provides that no incorporator and no past, present or future stockholder, officer or director of us or any successor corporation in their capacity as such shall have any individual liability for any of our obligations, covenants or agreements under the debt securities or the indenture.
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Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
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General
We may issue debt warrants for the purchase of debt securities or stock warrants for the purchase of preferred stock or common stock.
The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any or all warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered. We will file a copy of the warrant and warrant agreement with the SEC each time we issue a series of warrants, and these warrants and warrant agreements will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the warrants so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants, warrant agreements and warrant certificates does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreements and warrant certificates, including the definitions therein of certain terms.
Debt Warrants
General
Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement for the terms of debt warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, the debt securities warrant agreement relating to such debt warrants and the debt warrant certificates representing such debt warrants, including the following:
| • | the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of such debt warrants and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such debt warrants; |
| • | the designation and terms of any related debt securities with which such debt warrants are issued and the number of such debt warrants issued with each such debt security; |
| • | the date, if any, on and after which such debt warrants and any related offered securities will be separately transferable; |
| • | the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of each debt warrant and the price at which such principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise such debt warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; |
| • | a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the ownership or exercise of debt warrants; |
| • | whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form, and, if registered, where they may be transferred and registered; |
| • | call provisions of such debt warrants, if any; and |
| • | any other terms of the debt warrants. |
The debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and debt warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their debt warrants, holders of
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debt warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to any payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise.
Exercise of Debt Warrants
Each debt warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such principal amount of debt securities at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the debt warrants offered thereby. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt warrants may be exercised at any time up to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, unexercised debt warrants will become void.
Debt warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the debt warrants. Upon receipt of payment and the debt warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the debt warrants represented by such debt warrant certificate are exercised, a new debt warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of debt warrants.
Stock Warrants
General
Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement for the terms of stock warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, the stock warrant agreement relating to such stock warrants and the stock warrant certificates representing such stock warrants, including the following:
| • | the type and number of shares of preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise of such stock warrants and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such stock warrants; |
| • | the date, if any, on and after which such stock warrants and related offered securities will be separately tradeable; |
| • | the offering price of such stock warrants, if any; |
| • | the initial price at which such shares may be purchased upon exercise of stock warrants and any provision with respect to the adjustment thereof; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise such stock warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; |
| • | a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the ownership or exercise of stock warrants; |
| • | call provisions of such stock warrants, if any; |
| • | any other terms of the stock warrants; |
| • | anti-dilution provisions of the stock warrants, if any; and |
| • | information relating to any preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of such stock warrants. |
The stock warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new stock warrant certificates of different denominations and stock warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their stock warrants, holders of stock warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of shares of capital stock purchasable upon such exercise, and will not be entitled to any dividend payments on such capital stock purchasable upon such exercise.
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Exercise of Stock Warrants
Each stock warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such number of shares of preferred stock or common stock, as the case may be, at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the stock warrants offered thereby. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, stock warrants may be exercised at any time up to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, unexercised stock warrants will become void.
Stock warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the stock warrants. Upon receipt of payment and the stock warrant certificates properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward a certificate representing the number of shares of capital stock purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the stock warrants represented by such stock warrant certificate are exercised, a new stock warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of stock warrants.
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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND PURCHASE UNITS
We may issue purchase contracts, representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and requiring us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units, or purchase units, consisting of a purchase contract and either (x) senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities, subordinated debt securities or junior subordinated debt securities, or (y) debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, in each case, securing the holder’s obligations to purchase the common stock under the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner and in certain circumstances we may deliver newly issued prepaid purchase contracts, or prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder’s obligations under the original purchase contract.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts or purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid securities. The description in the prospectus supplement will not purport to be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the purchase contracts, the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such purchase contracts or purchase units and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the document pursuant to which such prepaid securities will be issued, which will be filed with the SEC each time we issue purchase contracts or purchase units.
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We may sell common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts or purchase units in one or more of the following ways from time to time:
| • | to or through underwriters or dealers; |
| • | directly to one or more purchasers; |
| • | through agents or dealers; |
| • | through a combination of any of these methods of sale; or |
| • | through any other means described in a prospectus supplement. |
The prospectus supplements relating to an offering of offered securities will set forth the terms of such offering, including:
| • | the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; |
| • | the purchase price of the offered securities and the proceeds to us from the sale; |
| • | any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; and |
| • | any initial public offering price, any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which such offered securities may be listed. |
Any initial public offering prices, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the offered securities for their own account and may resell them from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The offered securities may be offered either to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or by one or more underwriters without a syndicate. Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase any series of securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of securities if any are purchased.
In connection with underwritten offerings of the offered securities and in accordance with applicable law and industry practice, underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market, including by entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions or imposing penalty bids, each of which is described below.
| • | A stabilizing bid means the placing of any bid, or the effecting of any purchase, for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of a security. |
| • | A syndicate covering transaction means the placing of any bid on behalf of the underwriting syndicate or the effecting of any purchase to reduce a short position created in connection with the offering. |
| • | A penalty bid means an arrangement that permits the managing underwriter or underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member in connection with the offering when offered securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in syndicate covering transactions. |
These transactions may be effected on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or any other exchange on which the relevant security is listed, in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. Underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities, or to continue such activities if commenced.
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If a dealer is used in the sale, we will sell such offered securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the offered securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by that dealer at the time for resale. The names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to that transaction.
Offered securities may be sold directly by us to one or more institutional purchasers, or through agents designated by us from time to time, at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering. Unless otherwise indicated in such prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments that the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Other than our common stock, which is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, each of the securities issued hereunder will be a new issue of securities, will have no prior trading market, and may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, subject to official notice of issuance. Any underwriters to whom we sell securities for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you that there will be a market for the offered securities.
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The validity of the securities being offered hereby is being passed upon for PayPal Holdings, Inc. by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Palo Alto, California. If the debt securities are being distributed in an underwritten offering, certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by counsel identified in the related prospectus supplement.
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The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
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Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Purchase Contracts
Purchase Units
Prospectus
February 4, 2025
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
| Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution |
The following table sets forth the expenses to be borne by PayPal Holdings, Inc. (“PayPal”) in connection with the offerings described in this Registration Statement.
| Registration fee—Securities and Exchange Commission |
* | |||
| Printing and engraving expenses |
** | |||
| Legal fees and expenses (other than Blue Sky) |
** | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
** | |||
| Blue Sky fees and expenses (including fees of counsel) |
** | |||
| Rating agency fees |
** | |||
| Trustee’s and transfer agent and registrar’s fees and expenses |
** | |||
| Miscellaneous |
** | |||
| Total: |
** |
| * | To be deferred pursuant to Rule 456(b) under the Securities Act and calculated in connection with the offering of securities under this registration statement pursuant to Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act. |
| ** | These fees cannot be estimated at this time as they are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
| Item 15. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
Section 102 of the DGCL permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached their duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. PayPal’s restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director of PayPal shall be personally liable to it or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as director, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except to the extent that the DGCL prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.
Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding to which they are or are threatened to be made a party by reason of such position, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
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PayPal’s restated certificate of incorporation provides that PayPal will, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL and PayPal’s amended and restated bylaws (each as amended from time to time), indemnify each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that they are or were, or have agreed to become, a director or officer of PayPal, or are or were serving or have agreed to serve, at the request of PayPal, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, or of partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including any employee benefit plan (all such persons being referred to hereafter as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by, or on behalf of, the Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom. Such indemnification may include payment by PayPal of expenses in defending an action or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by the Indemnitee (such undertaking acceptable by PayPal without reference to the financial ability of the Indemnitee) to repay such payment if it is ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under PayPal’s restated certificate of incorporation; however, PayPal will not indemnify any person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person, unless such initiation was approved by PayPal’s board of directors. Also, the indemnification rights provided in PayPal’s restated certificate of incorporation (i) are not exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any law, agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise and (ii) will inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such persons. PayPal may, to the extent authorized from time to time by its board of directors, grant indemnification rights to other employees of PayPal or other persons serving PayPal and such rights may be equivalent to, or greater or less than, those set forth in PayPal’s restated certificate of incorporation.
PayPal has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors. These agreements require PayPal to, among other things, indemnify each director to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of PayPal, arising out of the person’s services as a director.
PayPal maintains a general liability insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of PayPal’s directors and officers arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers. In any underwriting agreement that PayPal enters into in connection with the sale of common stock being registered hereby, the underwriters will agree to indemnify, under certain conditions, PayPal, its directors, its officers and persons who control PayPal within the meaning of the Securities Act, against certain liabilities, including under the Securities Act, and PayPal will agree to indemnify the underwriters, its affiliates, officers and persons who control any such underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act to the same extent against such liabilities.
| Item 16. | Exhibits |
See the “Exhibit Index” immediately preceding the signature pages hereto.
| Item 17. | Undertakings |
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
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represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than twenty percent (20%) change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the
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purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes:
(1) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(2) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(3) If and when applicable, to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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| * | To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference prior to the offering of the relevant securities. |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, PayPal Holdings, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on this 4th day of February, 2025.
| PAYPAL HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Alex Chriss | |
| Alex Chriss | ||
| President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Alex Chriss, Jamie Miller, Bimal Patel and Brian Yamasaki, and each of them, as their true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for them and in their name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement (including all post-effective amendments), and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as they might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Alex Chriss Alex Chriss |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
February 4, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Jamie Miller Jamie Miller |
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
February 4, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Christopher Natali Christopher Natali |
Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) |
February 4, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Rodney C. Adkins Rodney C. Adkins |
Director |
February 4, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Jonathan Christodoro Jonathan Christodoro |
Director |
February 4, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Carmine Di Sibio Carmine Di Sibio |
Director |
February 4, 2025 | ||
| /s/ David W. Dorman David W. Dorman |
Director |
February 4, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Enrique Lores Enrique Lores |
Director |
February 4, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Gail J. McGovern Gail J. McGovern |
Director |
February 4, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Deborah M. Messemer Deborah M. Messemer |
Director |
February 4, 2025 | ||
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| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ David M. Moffett David M. Moffett |
Director |
February 4, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Ann M. Sarnoff Ann M. Sarnoff |
Director |
February 4, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Frank D. Yeary Frank D. Yeary |
Director |
February 4, 2025 | ||
Exhibit 5.1
| SKADDEN , ARPS , SLATE , MEAGHER & FLOM LLP | ||
| ONE MANHATTAN WEST | ||
| FIRM/AFFILIATE | ||
| NEW YORK, NY 10001 | OFFICES | |
| —————— | ||
| BOSTON | ||
| TEL: (212) 735-3000 | CHICAGO | |
| FAX: (212) 735-2000 | HOUSTON | |
| www.skadden.com | LOS ANGELES | |
| PALO ALTO | ||
| WASHINGTON, D.C. | ||
| WILMINGTON | ||
| —————— | ||
| ABU DHABI | ||
| BEIJING | ||
| BRUSSELS | ||
| FRANKFURT | ||
| HONG KONG | ||
| LONDON | ||
| MUNICH | ||
| February 4, 2025 | PARIS | |
| SÃO PAULO | ||
| SEOUL | ||
| SINGAPORE | ||
| TOKYO | ||
| TORONTO |
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
2211 North First Street
San Jose, California 95131
Re: PayPal Holdings, Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special United States counsel to PayPal Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale by the Company from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), which may be issued in one or more series, (iii) depositary receipts (the “Receipts”) representing fractional shares of Preferred Stock, which are called depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”) and which may be issued pursuant to one or more depositary agreements (each, a “Depositary Agreement”) proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more bank or trust companies to be named in the applicable Depositary Agreement (each, a “Bank Depositary”), (iv) debt securities of the Company (“Debt Securities”), which may be issued in one or more series under the indenture, dated as of September 26, 2019 (the “Indenture”), between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”), (v) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (“Warrants”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the
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February 4, 2025
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Company and one or more warrant agents to be named therein, (vi) purchase contracts (“Purchase Contracts”) obligating the holders thereof to purchase from the Company, and the Company to sell to such holders, shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock or Debt Securities at a future date or dates, which may be issued pursuant to one or more purchase contract agreements (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more purchase contract agents to be named therein, (vii) purchase units of the Company (“Purchase Units”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more agreements (each, a “Purchase Unit Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more purchase unit agents to be named therein, and (viii) such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares and indeterminate amount of Debt Securities as may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise, as applicable, of any Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or settlement of any Purchase Contracts or Purchase Units, including such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments determined at the time of offering (collectively, “Indeterminate Securities”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Purchase Units and Indeterminate Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”
This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:
(a) the Registration Statement;
(b) an executed copy of the Indenture;
(c) an executed copy of a certificate of Brian Yamasaki, Vice President, Corporate Legal and Secretary of the Company, dated the date hereof (the “Secretary’s Certificate”);
(d) a copy of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of February 4, 2025, and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;
(e) a copy of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws in effect as of the date hereof, and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate; and
(f) a copy of certain resolutions of the Board of Directors adopted on February 1, 2025, and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate.
We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.
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February 4, 2025
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In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials, including the facts and conclusions set forth in the Secretary’s Certificate.
We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than (i) the laws of the State of New York, and (ii) the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on Law”). The Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect.
As used herein, “Transaction Documents” means the Depositary Agreements, the Indenture and the supplemental indentures and officer’s or officers’ certificates establishing the terms of the Debt Securities pursuant thereto, the Warrant Agreements, the Purchase Contract Agreements, the Purchase Unit Agreements and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreement.
The opinions stated in paragraphs 1 through 7 below presume that all of the following (collectively, the “general conditions”) shall have occurred prior to the issuance of the Securities referred to therein: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to such Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations; (iii) the applicable Transaction Documents shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, including, if such Securities are to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement or purchase agreement with respect thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors of the Company, including any duly authorized committee thereof, shall have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and sale of such Securities and related matters and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all related action as directed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company; and (v) the terms of the applicable Transaction Documents and the issuance and sale of such Securities have been duly established in conformity with the restated certificate of incorporation of the Company so as not to violate any applicable law, the restated certificate of incorporation of the Company or the amended and restated bylaws of the Company, or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or its properties, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or its properties.
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February 4, 2025
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Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. With respect to any shares of Common Stock offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Common Stock (the “Offered Common Stock”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) if the Offered Common Stock is to be certificated, certificates in the form required under the DGCL representing the shares of Offered Common Stock are duly executed and countersigned or, if the Offered Common Stock is to be issued in uncertificated form, a resolution of the Board of Directors has duly authorized the issuance of the Offered Common Stock in uncertificated form and (c) the shares of Offered Common Stock are registered in the Company’s share registry and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the shares of Offered Common Stock, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document, will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than $0.0001 per share of Common Stock.
2. With respect to the shares of any series of Preferred Stock offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Preferred Stock of such series (the “Offered Preferred Stock”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Board of Directors of the Company, or a duly authorized committee thereof, has duly adopted a Certificate of Designations for the Offered Preferred Stock in accordance with the DGCL (the “Certificate”), (c) the filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware has duly occurred, (d) if the Offered Preferred Stock is to be certificated, certificates in the form required under the DGCL representing the shares of Offered Preferred Stock are duly executed and countersigned and (e) the shares of Offered Preferred Stock are registered in the Company’s share registry and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the shares of Offered Preferred Stock, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document, will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than $0.0001 per share of Preferred Stock.
3. With respect to any Depositary Shares offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Depositary Shares (the “Offered Depositary Shares”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Preferred Stock relating to such Offered Depositary Shares has been duly authorized for issuance by the Company, (c) the Offered Depositary Shares have been duly executed, delivered, countersigned, issued and sold in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Depositary Agreement, and the Offered Depositary Shares have been delivered to the Bank Depositary for deposit in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement, and (d) the Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares have been duly issued against deposit of the related shares of Preferred Stock with the Bank Depositary in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement, the Offered Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipts will entitle the registered holder thereof to the rights specified in such Receipt and in the Deposit Agreement.
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February 4, 2025
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4. With respect to any series of Debt Securities offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Debt Securities of such series (the “Offered Debt Securities”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters have been approved and established in conformity with the applicable Transaction Documents and (c) the certificates evidencing the Offered Debt Securities have been issued in a form that complies with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents and have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and any other applicable Transaction Documents and issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Offered Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
5. With respect to any Warrants offered by the Company (the “Offered Warrants”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or Debt Securities for which the Offered Warrants are exercisable have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and (c) certificates evidencing the Offered Warrants have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Warrant Agreement, the Offered Warrants, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
6. With respect to any Purchase Contracts offered by the Company (the “Offered Purchase Contracts”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or Debt Securities relating to such Offered Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and (c) the Offered Purchase Contracts have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Purchase Contract Agreement, the Offered Purchase Contracts, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
7. With respect to any Purchase Units offered by the Company (the “Offered Purchase Units”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Purchase Contracts and either (x) senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities, subordinated debt securities or junior subordinated debt securities, or (y) debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, in each case, securing the holder’s obligations to purchase the common stock under the Purchase Contracts, included in such Offered Purchase Units have been
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February 4, 2025
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duly authorized for issuance or sale, as applicable, by the Company and (c) certificates evidencing the Offered Purchase Units have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Purchase Unit Agreement, the Offered Purchase Units, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
The opinions stated herein are subject to the following assumptions and qualifications:
(a) we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws or governmental orders affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the opinions stated herein are limited by such laws and governmental orders and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);
(b) we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;
(c) except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, we have assumed that each of the Transaction Documents constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction Document, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms;
(d) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Document relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release, limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent any such provision purports to, or has the effect of, waiving or altering any statute of limitations;
(e) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision of any Transaction Document to the extent that such section purports to bind the Company to the exclusive jurisdiction of any particular federal court or courts;
(f) we call to your attention that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Document, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the availability of such court as a forum for resolution of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any action arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document;
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(g) the opinions stated herein are limited to the agreements and documents specifically identified in the opinions contained herein (the “Specified Documents”) without regard to any agreement or other document referenced in any such Specified Document (including agreements or other documents incorporated by reference or attached or annexed thereto) and without regard to any other agreement or document relating to any such Specified Document that is not a Transaction Document;
(h) we have assumed that any agent of service will have accepted appointment as agent to receive service of process and call to your attention that we do not express any opinion if and to the extent such agent shall resign such appointment. Further, we do not express any opinion with respect to the irrevocability of the designation of such agent to receive service of process;
(i) subsequent to the effectiveness of the Indenture and immediately prior to the issuance of any series Offered Debt Securities, the Indenture has not been amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in any way that affects or relates to such series of Offered Debt Securities other than by the applicable Transaction Documents relating to such series of Offered Debt Securities;
(j) this opinion letter shall be interpreted in accordance with customary practice of United States lawyers who regularly give opinions in transactions of this type;
(k) we have assumed that New York law will govern the Transaction Documents and that such choice of law is and will be valid; and
(l) to the extent that any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Document, the opinions stated herein are subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General Obligations Law Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 and (ii) principles of comity and constitutionality.
In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have also assumed that:
(a) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Securities: (i) constitutes or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Company or its property is subject, (ii) contravenes or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject, or (iii) violates or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iii) with respect to the Opined-on Law); and
(b) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Securities, requires or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.
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February 4, 2025
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We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of PayPal Holdings, Inc. of our report dated February 4, 2025 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of PayPal Holdings, Inc., which appears in this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts”, in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Jose, California
February 4, 2025