ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc F-3, filed Jun 25, 2026
ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. (RETO)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 25, 2026
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
RETO ECO-SOLUTIONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
| British Virgin Islands | Not Applicable | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
X-702, Tower A, 60 Anli Road, Chaoyang District
Beijing,
People’s Republic of China 100101
Tel: (+86) 10-64827328
(Address and telephone number of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Vcorp Agent Services, Inc.
25 Robert Pitt Dr., Suite 204
Monsey, New York 10952
(888) 528-2677
(Name, address, and telephone number of agent for service)
Copies of Correspondence to:
Lawrence Venick, Esq.
Loeb & Loeb LLP
10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 2200
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Telephone: +1 310 728-5129
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective as determined in light of market conditions.
If only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, 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.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We cannot sell these securities until the registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where their offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, dated June 25, 2026
PROSPECTUS
ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc.
US$300,000,000
Class A Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Units
We may offer, issue and sell from time to time Class A shares of no par value (“Class A Shares”), debt securities, warrants, rights or units up to US$300,000,000 or its equivalent in any other currency, currency units, or composite currency or currencies in one or more issuances. We may sell any combination of these securities in one or more offerings.
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in a supplement to this prospectus or incorporated into this prospectus by reference. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest. Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed or quoted on a securities exchange or quotation system.
The information contained or incorporated in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, or such prospectus supplement, as applicable, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of our securities.
Our Class A Shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “RETO.” On June 10, 2026, the last reported sales price of our Class A Shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market was US$2.96 per share. As of June 24, 2026, there were 32,879,362 Class A Shares held by non-affiliates. Therefore, pursuant to General Instruction I.B.1. of Form F-3, the aggregate market value of our outstanding Common Stock held by non-affiliates (also referred to as “public float”) was approximately $97,322,911. Since our public float exceeds $75 million, this Registration Statement is filed pursuant to General Instruction I.B.1. of Form F-3, and the aggregate offering price of the securities we sell pursuant to this prospectus will not exceed $300,000,000. In no event will we sell securities registered on this Registration Statement in a public primary offering for an aggregate offering amount exceeding one-third of our public float in any 12-month period if our public float falls below $75 million, calculated in accordance with General Instruction I.B.5 of Form F-3. During the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus, we have sold, pursuant to General Instruction I.B.5 of Form F-3, an aggregate offering amount of approximately $1,428,571.
We may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, through agents, or directly to purchasers. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.
The principal executive offices of ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. (“ReTo”) are located at c/o Beijing REIT Technology Development Co., Ltd., X-702, Tower A, 60 Anli Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China 100101, and its telephone number is (+86) 10-64827328. The registered office of ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. in the British Virgin Islands is located at Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
In this prospectus, “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company,” the “Company,” or similar terms refer to ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise indicates. ReTo is a business company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”). As a holding company with no material operations of its own, ReTo conducts substantially all of its operations through its subsidiaries established in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” or “China”). Investors in the Class A Shares should be aware that they may never directly hold equity interests in the Chinese operating entities, but rather are purchasing equity solely in ReTo, our BVI holding company, which does not directly own substantially all of our business in China conducted by our subsidiaries. Class A Shares registered under this prospectus are shares of our BVI holding company instead of shares of our subsidiaries in China. When used herein, the references to laws and regulations of “mainland China” are only to such laws and regulations of mainland China, excluding, for the purpose of this prospectus only, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. “China” or the “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China and the term “Chinese” has a correlative meaning for the purpose of this prospectus only.
As we conduct substantially all of our operations in China, we are subject to legal and operational risks associated with having substantially all of our operations in China, which risks could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless. The PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and made a number of public statements on the regulation of business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. We have relied on the opinion of our PRC counsel, Yuan Tai Law Offices, that as of the date of this prospectus, we are not directly subject to these regulatory actions or statements, as we have not implemented any monopolistic behavior and our business does not involve large-scale collection of user data, implicate cybersecurity, or involve any other type of restricted industry. None of our PRC subsidiaries currently operate in an industry that prohibits or limits foreign investment. As a result, as advised by our PRC counsel, Yuan Tai Law Offices, other than those requisite for a domestic company in mainland China to engage in the businesses similar to those of our PRC subsidiaries, none of our PRC subsidiaries is required to obtain any permission from Chinese authorities, including the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”), the Cyberspace Administration of China (the “CAC”), or any other governmental agency that is required to approve its current operations.
On February 17, 2023, the CSRC released the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”), effective on March 31, 2023, which requires the filing with the CSRC of the overseas offering and listing plans and the follow-on offering plans by PRC domestic companies under certain conditions, and the filing with the CSRC by their underwriters associated with such companies’ overseas securities offering and listing. The failure of the Company to submit the filing with CSRC timely may subject the Company to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies, which may include fines and penalties on our operations in China, limitations on our operating privileges in China, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our PRC subsidiary in China, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our Class A Shares. “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Doing Business in China – Approval of the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our future offerings under PRC law, and if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval.”
In addition, any actions by the PRC government to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in China-based issuers or any failure of us to fully comply with new regulatory requirements may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities, cause significant disruption to our business operations, and severely damage our reputation, which would materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and cause our securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless. The statements and regulatory actions by the PRC government regarding oversight of securities market, overseas offerings and listing of China-based companies, cybersecurity reviews, and anti-monopoly enforcement are official guidance and related implementation rules have not been issued. Thus, it is highly uncertain what potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our daily business operations or our ability to accept foreign investments and list on a U.S. or other foreign exchange. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (the “SCNPC”) or other PRC regulatory authorities may in the future promulgate laws, regulations or implementing rules that require our company or any of our subsidiaries to obtain regulatory approval from Chinese authorities before offering securities in the U.S. Any future Chinese, U.S., British Virgin Islands or other laws, rules and regulations that place restrictions on capital raising or other activities by companies with extensive operations in China could adversely affect our business and results of operations. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2025 (the “2025 Annual Report”), which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, for a detailed description of various risks related to doing business in China and other information that should be considered before making a decision to purchase any of our securities.
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “HFCAA”) was enacted on December 18, 2020. According to the HFCAA, if the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspection by the PCAOB for three consecutive years, the SEC shall prohibit our Class A Shares from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter trading market in the U.S.
On December 2, 2021, the SEC adopted final amendments to its rules implementing the HFCAA. Such final rules establish procedures that the SEC will follow in (i) determining whether a registrant is a “Commission-Identified Issuer” (a registrant identified by the SEC as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in that jurisdiction) and (ii) prohibiting the trading of an issuer that is a Commission-Identified Issuer for three consecutive years under the HFCAA. The SEC began identifying Commission-Identified Issuers for the fiscal years beginning after December 18, 2020.
Furthermore, on December 16, 2021, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) issued its determination that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions, and the PCAOB included in the report of its determination a list of the accounting firms that are headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong. This list does not include our auditor, YCM CPA INC. Our auditor is based in the U.S., registered with PCAOB and subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB determined that the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations to the contrary.
On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 was signed into law, which amended the HFCAA (i) to reduce the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA from three years to two, and (ii) so that any foreign jurisdiction could be the reason why the PCAOB does not have complete access to inspect or investigate a company’s auditor. As it was originally enacted, the HFCAA applied only if the PCAOB’s inability to inspect or investigate was due to a position taken by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction where the relevant public accounting firm is located. As a result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, the HFCAA now also applies if the PCAOB’s inability to inspect or investigate the relevant accounting firm is due to a position taken by an authority in any foreign jurisdiction.
These developments could add uncertainties to the trading of our securities, which could cause the market price of our Class A Shares to be materially and adversely affected, and our securities could be delisted or prohibited from being traded “over-the-counter” earlier than would be required by the HFCAA. If our securities are unable to be listed on another securities exchange by then, such a delisting would substantially impair investors’ ability to sell or purchase our Class A Shares when they wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with a potential delisting would have a negative impact on the price of our Class A Shares.
As a holding company, ReTo relies on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by its operating subsidiaries for cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to its shareholders or to service any expenses it may incur. Our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends is based upon their distributable earnings. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to their respective shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, as determined in accordance with mainland China accounting standards and regulations. In addition, under PRC law, each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. If any of our PRC subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to ReTo. To date, there have not been any such dividends or other distributions from our PRC subsidiaries to our subsidiary located outside of China, ReTo or its shareholders outside of China. Furthermore, as of the date of this prospectus, neither ReTo nor any of its subsidiaries have ever paid dividends or made distributions to ReTo’s shareholders. ReTo is permitted under PRC laws and regulations as an offshore holding company to provide funding to its PRC subsidiaries in China through shareholder loans or capital contributions, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration, approval and filing requirements. According to the relevant PRC regulations on foreign-invested enterprises in China, there are no quantity limits on ReTo’s ability to make capital contributions to its PRC subsidiaries. However, our PRC subsidiaries may not procure loans which exceed the higher of (i) difference between their total investment amount as recorded in the Foreign Investment Comprehensive Management Information System and their respective registered capital and (ii) 3.5 times of their net worth. In the future, cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities may continue to be transferred by ReTo to the PRC subsidiaries via capital contribution or shareholder loans, as the case may be. We intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings for the development and growth of our business in China. We do not expect to pay dividends or distribute earnings in the foreseeable future.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, funds equivalent to approximately $2.7 million, $29.4 million, and $0.1 million, respectively, were provided to ReTo’s PRC subsidiaries as shareholder loans, which were accounted as loan receivable from the respective PRC subsidiary. These funds have been used by the Company’s PRC subsidiaries for their operations.
We maintain bank accounts in China, including cash in Renminbi in the amount of approximately RMB347,000 and cash in USD in the amount of approximately US$0.2 million as of December 31, 2025. Funds are transferred between ReTo and its subsidiaries for their daily operation purposes. The transfer of funds between our PRC subsidiaries are subject to the Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Trial of Private Lending Cases (2020 Second Revision, the “Provisions on Private Lending Cases”), which was implemented on January 1, 2021, to regulate the financing activities between natural persons, legal persons and unincorporated organizations. The Provisions on Private Lending Cases set forth that private lending contracts will be upheld as invalid under the circumstance that (i) the lender swindles loans from financial institutions for relending; (ii) the lender relends the funds obtained by means of a loan from another profit-making legal person, raising funds from its employees, illegally taking deposits from the public; (iii) the lender who has not obtained the lending qualification according to the law lends money to any unspecified object of the society for the purpose of making profits; (iv) the lender lends funds to a borrower when the lender knows or should have known that the borrower intended to use the borrowed funds for illegal or criminal purposes; (v) the lending is in violation of public orders or good morals; or (vi) the lending is in violation of mandatory provisions of laws or administrative regulations. We have relied on the opinion of our PRC counsel, Yuan Tai Law Offices, that the Provisions on Private Lending Cases does not prohibit using cash generated from one subsidiary to fund another subsidiary’s operations. We have not been notified of any other restriction which could limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to transfer cash between subsidiaries. As of the date of this prospectus, we have no cash management policies that dictate how funds are transferred between ReTo and its subsidiaries.
Most of our cash is in Renminbi, and the PRC government could prevent the cash maintained in mainland China or Hong Kong from leaving, could restrict deployment of the cash into the business of our subsidiaries and restrict the ability to pay dividends.
Investing in our Class A Shares remains subject to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association currently adopted, as amended or as amended and restated from time to time and the BVI Business Companies Act (As Revised) and involves substantial risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 19 of this prospectus for a discussion of certain risks and other factors that you should consider before purchasing our Class A Shares.
NEITHER THE SEC 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 _________, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only on the information provided by this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different or additional information or to make any representations other than those contained in or incorporated by reference to this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not taken any action to permit a public offering of the securities described in this prospectus outside the United States or to permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must observe any restrictions relating to the offering of the securities described in this prospectus and the distribution of this prospectus outside of the United States. This prospectus is not an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in any circumstances under which the offer of solicitation is unlawful.
i
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form F-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf registration” process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities of ReTo described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of US$300,000,000 (or its equivalent in foreign or composite currencies).
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered. Each time we offer ReTo securities, we will provide you with a supplement to this prospectus that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities we offer. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus, together with applicable prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplements, includes all material information relating to an offering pursuant to this prospectus. Please read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information that we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
ii
CONVENTIONS THAT APPLY TO THIS PROSPECTUS
Unless we indicate otherwise, all information in this prospectus reflects the following:
| ● | “Act” refers to the BVI Business Companies Act (As Revised); | |
| ● | “Beijing REIT” refers to Beijing REIT Technology Development Co., Ltd., a PRC limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of REIT Holdings (China) Limited prior to the December 2024 Divestiture (defined below); |
| ● | “BVI” refers to the British Virgin Islands; |
| ● | “China” or the “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China and the term “Chinese” has a correlative meaning for the purpose of this prospectus; | |
| ● | “Class A Shares” refers to Class A shares, no par value, of ReTo (defined below); | |
| ● | “Class B Shares” refers to Class B shares, par value US$0.01 each, of ReTo (defined below); | |
| ● | “Common share” refers to common shares issued in ReTo prior to the 2024 Share Redesignation (defined below); |
| ● | “CSRC” refers to the China Securities Regulatory Commission; | |
| ● | “December 2024 Divestiture” refers to the Company’s sale of all of its shares in REIT Holdings (China) Limited to a certain buyer on December 31, 2024; | |
| ● | “Dirong” refers to Shenzhen Dirong Century Big Data Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC limited liability company and 100% controlled by MMB HK; | |
| ● | “Exchange Act” refers to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; | |
| ● | “FINRA” refers to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; |
| ● | “Hong Kong” refers to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC; | |
| ● | “Honghe ReTo” refers to Honghe ReTo Ecological Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of ReTo Hengda (defined below); | |
| ● | “JOBS Act” refers to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, enacted in April 2012; |
| ● | “M&A” refers to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of ReTo currently in effect, as further amended and/or amended and restated from time to time; |
| ● | “Macau” refers to the Macao Special Administrative Region of the PRC; | |
| ● | “MeinMalzeBier” or “MMB” refers to MeinMalzeBier Holdings Limited, a BVI business company, company number 2164603; | |
| ● | “Shenzhen MMB” refers to Shenzhen MeinMalzeBier Catering Management Co., Ltd., a PRC limited liability company and 100% controlled by MMB HK; | |
| ● | “MMB HK” refers to MeinMalze Bier Global Limited, a Hong Kong limited company and 100% controlled by MMB; |
| ● | “mainland China” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of this prospectus, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; | |
| ● | “MOFCOM” refers to China’s Ministry of Commerce; | |
| ● | “New REIT” refers to New REIT International Co., Limited, a Hong Kong limited company and a wholly owned subsidiary of ReTo; | |
| ● | “PCAOB” refers to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States; | |
| ● | “PRC subsidiaries” refers to the Company’s subsidiaries that were incorporated in mainland China; |
iii
| ● | “REIT Equipment” refers to Beijing REIT Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Beijing REIT Ecological Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. until August 9, 2023), a PRC limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of ReTo Hengda (defined below); |
| ● | “REIT Holdings” refers to REIT Holdings (China) Limited, a Hong Kong limited company and a wholly owned subsidiary of ReTo prior to the December 2024 Divestiture; |
| ● | “REIT Ordos” Refers to REIT Ecological Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of REIT Holdings prior to the December 2024 Divestiture; |
| ● | “REIT Technology” refers to REIT Technology Development Co., Ltd., a PRC limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of REIT Holdings prior to the December 2024 Divestiture; |
| ● | “Renminbi” or “RMB” refers to the legal currency of the People’s Republic of China; |
| ● | “ReTo” refers to ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc., a BVI business company (registered in the BVI with company number 1885527); | |
| ● | “ReTo Hengda” refers to Beijing ReTo Hengda Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Sunoro Hengda (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. until April 8, 2025), a PRC limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Sunoro Holdings (defined below); | |
| ● | “ReTo Hengye” refers to Beijing ReTo Hengye Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Senrui Bochuang (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. until April 10, 2025), a PRC limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of ReTo Hengda; | |
| ● | “ReTo Global” refers to ReTo Global Holdings, a BVI business company, company number 2183423, and a wholly owned subsidiary of ReTo; | |
| ● | “SAFE” refers to China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange; | |
| ● | “SEC” refers to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; | |
| ● | “Securities Act” refers to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; | |
| ● | “Shares” refers to Class A Shares and Class B Shares, collectively; | |
| ● | “Sunoro Holdings” refers to Sunoro Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong limited company and a wholly owned subsidiary of ReTo; |
| ● | “U.S. dollars,” “US$” and “$” refer to the legal currency of the United States; |
| ● | “We,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company” refers to ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise; and | |
| ● | “Zhangjiakou ReTo” refers to Zhangjiakou ReTo Intelligent Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a PRC limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of REIT Equipment. |
iv
When used herein, the references to laws and regulations of “China” or the “PRC” are only to such laws and regulations of mainland China, excluding, for the purpose of this prospectus only, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.
This prospectus contains information and statistics relating to China’s economy and the industries in which we operate derived from various publications issued by market research companies and PRC governmental entities, which have not been independently verified by us. The information in such sources may not be consistent with other information compiled in or outside of China.
For the sake of clarity, this prospectus follows the English naming convention of first name followed by last name, regardless of whether an individual’s name is Chinese or English. For example, the name of our Chief Operating Officer will be presented as “Xingyang Li”, even though, in Chinese, his name would be presented as “Li Xingyang”.
Our reporting and functional currency is the Renminbi. Solely for the convenience of the reader, this prospectus contains translations of some RMB amounts into U.S. dollars, at specified rates. Except as otherwise stated in this prospectus, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are made at RMB6.9931 to US$1.00, the rate published by the Federal Reserve Board on December 31, 2025. No representation is made that the RMB amounts referred to in this prospectus could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at such rate.
Except as otherwise stated in this prospectus, all numbers of our Shares and related data have been updated to reflect the 10-for-1 share combination effective May 15, 2023 (the “2023 Share Combination”), the 10-for-1 share combination effective March 1, 2024 (the “2024 Share Combination”), the 10-for-1 share combination effective March 7, 2025 and the 5-for-1 share combination effective November 3, 2025 (the “2025 Share Combination”), and the 4-for-1 share combination effective May 18, 2026 (the “2026 Share Combination,” collectively, the “ Share Combinations”). On August 8, 2024, we (a) redesignated the existing common shares, par value US$0.10 each, as Class A Shares with the same rights as the existing common shares (the “2024 Share Redesignation”) and (b) created an additional 2,000,000 shares each to be designated as Class B Shares, with each share to entitle the holder thereof to 1,000 votes but with transfer restrictions, pre-emption rights and no right to any dividend or distribution of the surplus assets on liquidation. On May 12, 2025, our board of directors approved to amend and restate our M&A to adjust the par value of its existing Class A Shares from “par value $1.00 each” to “no par value.” On May 13, 2025, we filed the amended and restated M&A to reflect this adjustment with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs of the British Virgin Islands.
Our fiscal year end is December 31. References to a particular “fiscal year” are to our fiscal year ended December 31 of that calendar year.
References in any prospectus supplement to “the accompanying prospectus” are to this prospectus and to “the prospectus” are to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement taken together.
We own or have rights to trademarks or trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business, including our corporate names, logos and website names. In addition, we own or have the rights to copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary rights that protect the content of our products. This prospectus may also contain trademarks, service marks and trade names of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Our use or display of third parties’ trademarks, service marks, trade names or products in this prospectus is not intended to, and should not be read to, imply a relationship with or endorsement or sponsorship of us. Solely for convenience, some of the copyrights, trade names and trademarks referred to in this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein are listed without their ©, ® and ™ symbols, but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to our copyrights, trade names and trademarks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
v
Investors in our securities are not purchasing an equity interest in our operating entities in mainland China but instead are purchasing an equity interest in a British Virgin Islands holding company.
This summary highlights selected information that is presented in greater detail elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that may be important to you and your investment decision. Before investing in the securities that we are offering, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the matters set forth under the section of this prospectus captioned “Risk Factors,” “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and the financial statements and related notes and other information that we incorporate by reference herein, including, but not limited to, our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2025 (the “2025 Annual Report”) and our other SEC reports.
Overview
We, through our operating subsidiaries in China, are engaged in the equipment used for the production of these eco-friendly construction materials. In addition, we provide consultation, design, project implementation and construction of urban ecological protection projects through our operating subsidiaries in China. We also provide parts, engineering support, consulting, technical advice and service, and other project-related solutions for our manufacturing equipment and environmental protection projects.
Due to China’s recent emphasis on environmental protection, we believe there is a unique opportunity to grow our company, which we expect will be driven by demand for our eco-friendly construction materials and equipment used to produce these materials as well as our project construction expertise. We believe our technological know-how, production capacity, reputation and offerings of products and services will enable us to seize this opportunity.
Our clients are located throughout mainland China, and internationally in the Middle East, Southeastern Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. We are actively pursuing additional clients for our products, equipment and projects, internationally in Bangladesh, North America and in additional provinces of China. We seek to establish long-term relationships with our clients by producing and delivering high-quality products and equipment and by providing technical support and consulting services after equipment is delivered and projects are completed.
1
Holding Company Structure
ReTo is a holding company incorporated as a business company in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) with no material operations of its own. We conduct substantially all of our operations through our subsidiaries established in mainland China. Our equity structure is a direct holding structure: ReTo, the BVI entity listed in the U.S., controls ReTo Hengda, and other PRC operating entities through Sunoro Holdings. See “Prospectus Summary — History and Development of the Company.”
We face various risks and uncertainties relating to doing business in China. Our business operations are primarily conducted in China, and we are subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. For example, we face risks associated with regulatory approvals on offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, and oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy, which may impact our ability to conduct certain businesses, accept foreign investments, or list and conduct offerings on a United States or other foreign exchange. These risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our Class A Shares, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors, or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China.”
The PRC government’s significant discretion and authority in regulating our operations and its oversight and control over offerings conducted overseas by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Implementation of industry-wide regulations in this nature may cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China – The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business and may intervene or influence our operations at any time which could result in a material adverse change in our operation and/or the value of our Class A Shares.”
Risks and uncertainties arising from the legal system in China, including risks and uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and quickly evolving rules and regulations in China, could result in a material adverse change in our operations and cause our Class A Shares to decrease in value or become worthless. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China – There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations. The rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice and uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us.”
Cash and Other Assets Transfers between the Holding Company and Its Subsidiaries
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, funds equivalent to approximately $2.7 million, $29.4 million, and $0.1 million, respectively, were provided to the PRC subsidiaries as shareholder loans, which were accounted as loan receivable from the respective PRC subsidiary. These funds have been used by the Company’s PRC subsidiaries for their operations.
As of the date of this prospectus, there have not been any dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries. ReTo, as a BVI holding company, may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by its PRC subsidiaries for its cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to its shareholders, subject to ReTo’s M&A and the Act or to service any expenses and other obligations it may incur.
Within our direct holding structure, the cross-border transfer of funds from ReTo to its PRC subsidiaries is permitted under laws and regulations of the PRC currently in effect. Specifically, ReTo is permitted to provide funding to its PRC subsidiaries in the form of shareholder loans or capital contributions, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration, approval and filing requirements in China. There are no quantity limits on ReTo’s ability to make capital contributions to its PRC subsidiaries under the PRC law and regulations. However, the PRC subsidiaries may only procure shareholder loans from Sunoro Holdings or MeinMalzeBier in an amount equal to the difference between their respective registered capital and total investment amount as recorded in the Chinese Foreign Investment Comprehensive Management Information System or 3.5 times of its net assets, at the discretion of such PRC subsidiary.
2
For additional information, see “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Doing Business in China – PRC regulation on loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control in currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of our offerings to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.”
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules, the requirements of the M&A and the Act, the gross amount of any distribution that we make to investors with respect to our securities (including any amounts withheld to reflect PRC withholding taxes) will be taxable as a dividend, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Any proposed dividend would be subject to the M&A and the Act; specifically, ReTo may only pay a dividend if ReTo’s directors are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that, immediately after the dividend is paid, the value of its assets will exceed its liabilities and it will be able to pay its debts as they fall due.
The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “EIT Law”) and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax at a rate of 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by PRC companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless reduced under treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and the governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are tax resident. Pursuant to the tax agreement between mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the withholding tax rate in respect to the payment of dividends by a PRC enterprise to a Hong Kong enterprise may be reduced to 5% from a standard rate of 10%. However, if the relevant tax authorities determine that our transactions or arrangements are for the primary purpose of enjoying a favorable tax treatment, the relevant tax authorities may adjust the favorable withholding tax in the future. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the reduced 5% withholding rate will apply to dividends received by our Hong Kong subsidiary from our PRC subsidiaries. This withholding tax will reduce the amount of dividends we may receive from our PRC subsidiaries.
We maintain bank accounts in China, including cash in Renminbi in the amount of approximately RMB347,000 and cash in USD in the amount of approximately US$0.2 million as of December 31, 2025. Funds are transferred between ReTo and its subsidiaries for their daily operation purposes. The transfer of funds between our PRC subsidiaries are subject to the Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Trial of Private Lending Cases (2020 Second Revision, the “Provisions on Private Lending Cases”), which was implemented on January 1, 2021 to regulate the financing activities between natural persons, legal persons and unincorporated organizations. The Provisions on Private Lending Cases set forth that private lending contracts will be upheld as invalid under the circumstance that (i) the lender swindles loans from financial institutions for relending; (ii) the lender relends the funds obtained by means of a loan from another profit-making legal person, raising funds from its employees, illegally taking deposits from the public; (iii) the lender who has not obtained the lending qualification according to the law lends money to any unspecified object of the society for the purpose of making profits; (iv) the lender lends funds to a borrower when the lender knows or should have known that the borrower intended to use the borrowed funds for illegal or criminal purposes; (v) the lending is in violation of public orders or good morals; or (vi) the lending is in violation of mandatory provisions of laws or administrative regulations. We have relied on the opinion of our PRC counsel, Yuan Tai Law Offices, that the Provisions on Private Lending Cases does not prohibit using cash generated from one subsidiary to fund another subsidiary’s operations. We have not been notified of any other restriction which could limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to transfer cash between subsidiaries. We have adopted certain cash management policies that dictate the internal approval process on transferring funds between our holding company and our subsidiaries. Such policies dictate the purpose, amount and procedure of cash transfers. Each transfer of cash among our subsidiaries is subject to internal approvals from at least two manager-level personnel, with required procedures including submitting supporting documentation (such as payment receipts or invoices), responsible personnel reviewing the documentation, and executing the payment. A single employee is not allowed to complete each and every stage of a cash transfer, but rather only specific parts of the whole procedure.
3
There is no assurance that the PRC government will not intervene or impose restrictions on the ability of us or our subsidiaries to transfer cash. Most of our cash is in Renminbi, and the PRC government could prevent the cash maintained in our bank accounts in mainland China from leaving mainland China, could restrict deployment of the cash into the business of our subsidiaries and restrict the ability to pay dividends. For details regarding the restrictions on our ability to transfer cash between us, and our subsidiaries, see “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Doing Business in China – The PRC government could prevent the cash maintained in our bank accounts in mainland China from leaving mainland China, restrict deployment of the cash into the business of its subsidiaries and restrict the ability to pay dividends to U.S. investors, which could materially adversely affect our operations.” We currently do not have cash management policies that dictate how funds are transferred between our BVI holding company and our subsidiaries.
Restrictions on Our Ability to Transfer Cash Out of China and to U.S. Investors
Our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends is based upon their distributable earnings. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to their respective shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, under PRC law, each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. If any of our PRC subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to ReTo.
To address persistent capital outflows and the RMB’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, implemented a series of capital control measures in the subsequent months, including stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiaries’ dividends and other distributions may be subject to tightened scrutiny in the future. The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of mainland China. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any.
Effect of Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “HFCAA”), which was signed into law on December 18, 2020, requires a foreign company to submit that it is not owned or manipulated by a foreign government or disclose the ownership of governmental entities and certain additional information, if the PCAOB is unable to inspect completely a foreign auditor that signs the company’s financial statements. If the PCAOB is unable to inspect the Company’s auditors for three consecutive years, the Company’s securities will be prohibited from trading on a national exchange.
On December 2, 2021, the SEC adopted final amendments to its rules implementing the HFCAA. Such final rules establish procedures that the SEC will follow in (i) determining whether a registrant is a “Commission-Identified Issuer” (a registrant identified by the SEC as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in that jurisdiction) and (ii) prohibiting the trading of an issuer that is a Commission-Identified Issuer for three consecutive years under the HFCAA. The SEC began identifying Commission-Identified Issuers for the fiscal years beginning after December 18, 2020. A Commission-Identified Issuer is required to comply with the submission and disclosure requirements in the annual report for each year in which it was identified. If a registrant is identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer based on its annual report for the fiscal year ended, for example, September 30, 2021, the registrant will be required to comply with the submission or disclosure requirements in its annual report filing covering the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.
4
On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued its determination that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions, and the PCAOB included in the report of its determination a list of the accounting firms that are headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong. This list did not include YCM CPA INC., our current auditor. Our auditor, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. On August 26, 2022, the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol with the CSRC and MOF, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong without any limitations on scope. However, uncertainties exist with respect to the implementation of this framework and there is no assurance that the PCAOB will be able to execute, in a timely manner, its future inspections and investigations in a manner that satisfies the Statement of Protocol. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB determined that the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations to the contrary.
On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 was signed into law, which amended the HFCAA (i) to reduce the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA from three years to two, and (ii) so that any foreign jurisdiction could be the reason why the PCAOB does not have complete access to inspect or investigate a company’s auditor. As it was originally enacted, the HFCAA applied only if the PCAOB’s inability to inspect or investigate was due to a position taken by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction where the relevant public accounting firm is located. As a result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, the HFCAA now also applies if the PCAOB’s inability to inspect or investigate the relevant accounting firm is due to a position taken by an authority in any foreign jurisdiction. The denying jurisdiction does not need to be where the accounting firm is located.
These developments could add uncertainties to the trading of our securities, including the possibility that the SEC may prohibit trading in our securities if the PCAOB cannot fully inspect or investigate our auditor and we fail to appoint a new auditor that is accessible to the PCAOB and that Nasdaq can delist our Class A Shares.
If it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate our auditor completely, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection. Any audit reports not issued by auditors that are completely inspected by the PCAOB, or a lack of PCAOB inspections of audit work undertaken in China that prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditors’ audits and their quality control procedures, could result in a lack of assurance that our financial statements and disclosures are adequate and accurate, then such lack of inspection could cause our securities to be delisted from the stock exchange.
For details on the effects of HFCAA on us, see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Doing Business in China – Our Class A Shares may be delisted under the HFCAA if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our auditor. The delisting of our Class A Shares, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.”
Regulatory Permissions and Developments
We have been advised by our PRC Counsel, Yuan Tai Law Offices, that pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in China, none of our PRC subsidiaries’ currently engaged business is stipulated on the Special Administrative Measures for the Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce (the “MOFCOM”) and the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China (“NDRC”) which the latest version entered into force on November 1, 2024 (2024 Version). Therefore, our PRC subsidiaries are able to conduct their business without being subject to restrictions imposed by the foreign investment laws and regulations of the PRC.
5
Currently, none of our PRC subsidiaries is required to obtain additional licenses or permits beyond a regular business license for their operations currently being conducted. Each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to obtain a regular business license from the local branch of the State Administration for Market Regulation (“SAMR”). Each of our PRC subsidiaries has obtained a valid business license for its respective business scope, and no application for any such license has been denied.
As of the date of this prospectus, neither ReTo nor any of its PRC subsidiaries is subject to permission requirements from the CSRC, the Cyberspace Administration of China (the “CAC”) or any other entity that is required to approve of their respective operations. Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and made a number of public statements on the regulation of business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement.
Among other things, the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”) and Anti-Monopoly Law of the People’s Republic of China promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (the “SCNPC”) which became effective in 2008 and amended and put into effect as from August 1, 2022 (the “Anti-Monopoly Law”), established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. Such regulation requires, among other things, that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor acquires control of a PRC domestic enterprise or a foreign company with substantial PRC operations, if certain thresholds under the Provisions of the State Council on the Standard for Declaration of Concentration of Business Operators, issued by the State Council in 2008 and amended on January 22, 2024, are triggered. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law requires that transactions which involve the national security, the examination on the national security shall also be conducted according to the relevant provisions of the State Council. In addition, the PRC Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investment which became effective in January 2021 require acquisitions by foreign investors of PRC companies engaged in military-related or certain other industries that are crucial to national security be subject to security review before consummation of any such acquisition.
On July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC governmental authorities made public the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies and proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. As official guidance and related implementation rules on these opinions have not been issued yet, the interpretation of these opinions remains unclear at this stage. See “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Doing Business in China – Approval of the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our future offerings under PRC law, and if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval.”
On December 28, 2021, the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021 Version) was promulgated and became effective on February 15, 2022, which iterates that any “online platform operators” controlling personal information of more than one million users which seeks to list in a foreign stock exchange should also be subject to cybersecurity review. The Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021 Version), further elaborates the factors to be considered when assessing the national security risks of the relevant activities, including, among others, (i) the risk of core data, important data or a large amount of personal information being stolen, leaked, destroyed, and illegally used or exited the country; and (ii) the risk of critical information infrastructure, core data, important data or a large amount of personal information being affected, controlled, or maliciously used by foreign governments after listing abroad. We have relied on the opinion of our PRC counsel, Yuan Tai Law Offices, that as a result of: (i) we do not hold personal information on more than one million users in our business operations; and (ii) data processed in our business does not have a bearing on national security and thus may not be classified as core or important data by the authorities, we are not required to apply for a cybersecurity review under the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021 Version).
6
As advised by our PRC legal counsel, Yuan Tai Law Offices, the PRC governmental authorities may have wide discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, including the interpretation of the scope of “critical information infrastructure operators.” In anticipation of the strengthened implementation of cybersecurity laws and regulations and the continued expansion of our business, we may face challenges in addressing its requirements and make necessary changes to our internal policies and practices in data processing. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not been involved in any investigations on cybersecurity review made by the CAC on such basis, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions in such respect.
On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law, which integrates the scattered rules with respect to personal information rights and privacy protection and took effect on November 1, 2021. Personal information refers to information related to identified or identifiable natural persons which is recorded by electronic or other means and excluding anonymized information. The Personal Information Protection Law provides that a personal information processor could process personal information only under prescribed circumstances such as with the consent of the individual concerned and where it is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract to which such individual is a party to the contract. If a personal information processor shall provide personal information to overseas parties, various conditions shall be met, which includes security evaluation by the national network department and personal information protection certification by professional institutions. The Personal Information Protection Law raises the protection requirements for processing personal information, and many specific requirements of the Personal Information Protection Law remain to be clarified by the CAC, other regulatory authorities, and courts in practice. We may be required to make further adjustments to our business practices to comply with the personal information protection laws and regulations.
None of our PRC subsidiaries currently operates in an industry that prohibits or limits foreign investment. As a result, as advised by our PRC counsel, Yuan Tai Law Offices, other than those requisite for a domestic company in mainland China to engage in the businesses similar to those of our PRC subsidiaries, none of our PRC subsidiaries is required to obtain any permission from Chinese authorities, including the CSRC, the CAC, or any other governmental agency that is required to approve its current operations. However, if our PRC subsidiaries do not receive or maintain the approvals, or we inadvertently conclude that such approvals are not required, or applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change such that our PRC subsidiaries are required to obtain approval in the future, we may be subject to investigations by competent regulators, fines or penalties, ordered to suspend our PRC subsidiaries’ relevant operations and rectify any non-compliance, prohibited from engaging in relevant business or conducting any offering, and these risks could result in a material adverse change in our PRC subsidiaries’ operations, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, or cause such securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless. As of the date of this prospectus, we and our PRC subsidiaries have received from PRC authorities all requisite licenses, permissions, or approvals needed to engage in the businesses currently conducted in China, and no permission or approval has been denied.
On February 17, 2023, CSRC released the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”) together with five guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. The Trial Measures lay out the filing regulation arrangement for both direct and indirect overseas listing by PRC domestic companies, and clarify the determination criteria for indirect overseas listing in overseas markets. Any future securities offerings and listings outside of mainland China by our Company, including but not limited to, follow-on offerings, secondary listings and going private transactions, will be subject to the filing requirements with the CSRC under the Trial Measures. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any formal inquiry, notice, warning, sanction, or objection from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities with respect to our listing on Nasdaq. Upon closing of the first offering of securities under this Form F-3, filing shall be submitted to the CSRC within 3 business days under the Trial Measures. As the Trial Measures were newly published and there is uncertainty with respect to the filing requirements and their implementation, we cannot be sure that we will be able to complete such filings in a timely manner, or at all. Any failure or perceived failure of us to fully comply with such new regulatory requirements could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, cause significant disruption to our business operations, and severely damage our reputation, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless. See “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Doing Business in China – Approval of the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our future offerings under PRC law, and if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval.”
7
As of the date of this prospectus, except as disclosed above, neither ReTo nor any of our PRC subsidiaries, (i) is required to obtain permissions from the PRC authorities, including the CSRC or the CAC, in connection with our issuance of securities to foreign investors, or (ii) has been denied such permissions by any PRC authority. We are subject to the risks of uncertainty of any future actions of the PRC government in this regard including the risk that we inadvertently conclude that the permission or approvals discussed here are not required, that applicable laws, regulations or interpretations change such that we and our PRC subsidiaries are required to obtain approvals in the future.
Recent Developments
Divestiture in December 2024
On December 30, 2024, ReTo entered into a share sale agreement (the “Share Sale Agreement”) with Zhao Duan Wen, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell all of its shares in REIT Holdings to the buyer for a purchase price of US$80,000. REIT Holdings is the holding company of multiple indirect subsidiaries of ReTo, which were engaged in in the business of manufacture and distribution of eco-friendly construction materials, ecological restoration projects and software development services and solutions utilizing Internet of Things technologies (the “December 2024 Divestiture”). The board of directors of the Company approved the December 2024 Divestiture based on considerations that these lines of business had experienced significant losses over the years and that the Company plans to focus on existing and new businesses that are more profitable and promising. The terms of the Share Sale Agreement, including the purchase price, were negotiated based on a valuation report of a third-party appraisal firm.
Pursuant to the Share Sale Agreement, the buyer shall bear any debts, claims and liabilities of REIT Holdings existing or potentially contingent prior to the closing of the December 2024 Divestiture, or any default liabilities arising out of the management of the business. The buyer may not make any claim under the Share Sale Agreement, including for a breach of warranty, unless full details of the claim have been notified to ReTo within 12 months from the closing. The Share Sale Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants by the parties. ReTo’s total liability for any claims, subject to exclusions, under the Share Sale Agreement is limited to US$100,000.
The December 2024 Divestiture closed on December 31, 2024. Following the December 2024 Divestiture, we are no longer engaged in the business of manufacture and distribution of eco-friendly construction materials, ecological restoration projects and software development services and solutions utilizing Internet of Things technologies and focus on research and production of environmental protection technologies and equipment, intelligent equipment and machineries and application of new energy technologies.
Share Combination in February 2025
On February 11, 2025, ReTo’s board of directors approved the 2025 Share Combination pursuant to section 40A of the Act of Class A Shares at a ratio of 10-to-1 so that every 10 shares (or part thereof) were combined into one (1) share (with the fractional shares rounding up to the next whole share). As a result of the 2025 Share Combination, the par value of the Class A Shares was changed from $0.1 per share to $1.0 per share, effective on March 7, 2025.
Acquisition of MeinMalzeBier in April 2025
On April 25, 2025, ReTo completed the acquisition (the “MeinMalzeBier Acquisition”) of a 51% equity interest in MeinMalzeBier, a BVI business company, pursuant to a share exchange agreement, dated April 25, 2025 (the “Share Exchange Agreement”), by and among ReTo, MeinMalzeBier, and MeinMalzeBier’s existing shareholders. The total consideration for the MeinMalzeBier Acquisition consisted of $3,978,000 in cash and 234,000 newly issued Class A Shares, with an aggregate value of $15,912,000. All the 234,000 Class A Shares issued as consideration were placed in escrow and are subject to a three-year earnout period based on the post-closing financial performance of MeinMalzeBier’s two wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries, Shenzhen Melody Catering Management Co., Ltd. (“Melody”) and Dirong Century Big Data Technology Co., Ltd. (“Dirong”). The securities issued were made pursuant to exemptions from registration under Regulation S and/or Regulation D of the Securities Act.
8
In connection with the MeinMalzeBier Acquisition:
| 1. | ReTo Hengda entered into that certain Management Services Agreement (the “Management Services Agreement”), dated April 25, 2025, with Melody and Dirong, under which ReTo Hengda will provide management and advisory services to Melody and Dirong in exchange for performance-based fees of up to $3,978,000 during the three-year period following the closing of the MeinMalzeBier Acquisition; and |
| 2. | ReTo entered into that certain Advisory and Consulting Agreement, dated April 25, 2025, with a third-party consultant, pursuant to which ReTo agreed to issue an additional 191,177 Class A shares, with an aggregate value of $2.6 million, to the third-party consultant in consideration of its advisory services provided in connection with the MeinMalzeBier Acquisition. The securities will be issued pursuant to exemptions from registration under Regulation D of the Securities Act. |
On June 2, 2026, ReTo entered into a Termination and Release Agreement (the “Termination and Release Agreement”), by and among (i) ReTo, (ii) MeinMalzeBier, (iii) Lap Cheong Chan (“Mr. Chan” and, solely in his capacity as the representative of the Sellers, the “Sellers’ Representative”), (iv) Terence Kwong Lung Wong (“Mr. Wong” and, together with Mr. Chan, the “Sellers”), (v) ReTo Hengda, (vi) Melody, and (vii) Dirong. Pursuant to the Termination and Release Agreement, the parties agreed to terminate the Share Exchange Agreement and that certain Management Services Agreement by and among ReTo, ReTo Hengda, Melody and Dirong, unwind the transactions contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement, provide for the return of the Purchased Shares to the Sellers, provide for the release and cancellation of the Exchange Shares and related Escrow Property, provide for the payment by the Sellers to ReTo of an aggregate amount equal to $300,000, and provide for the mutual releases and other agreements set forth therein.
Change in Par Value
On May 12, 2025, our board of directors approved to amend and restate the M&A to adjust the par value of our existing Class A Shares from “par value $1.00 each” to “no par value.” On May 13, 2025, ReTo filed the amended and restated M&A to reflect this adjustment with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs of the British Virgin Islands.
2025 Streeterville Financing
On June 16, 2025, ReTo entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Streeterville SPA”) with Streeterville Capital, LLC (“Streeterville”). Pursuant to the Streeterville SPA, ReTo agreed to issue and sell to Streeterville one or more pre-paid purchases (each, a “Pre-Paid Purchase” and collectively, the “Pre-Paid Purchases”) at an aggregate purchase price of up to $10,000,000 for the purchase of the Class A Shares. Pursuant to the Streeterville SPA, ReTo issued (i) 1,431 Class A Shares to Streeterville (the “Commitment Shares”) as consideration for Streeterville’s commitment and (ii) 31,750 Class A Shares to Streeterville (the “Pre-Delivery Shares”) for $63.50. ReTo received gross proceeds of $3,165,000 from the initial Pre-Paid Purchase, before deducting an original issue discount of $150,000 and a transaction expense amount of $15,000. The proceeds from the Pre-Paid Purchases are expected to be used for working capital and other corporate purposes.
The Streeterville SPA provides for an initial Pre-Paid Purchase in the principal amount of $3,165,000, before deducting an original issue discount (the “OID”) of $150,000 and a transaction expense amount of $15,000 (the “Initial Pre-Paid Purchase”). The OID for each subsequent Pre-Paid Purchase after the Initial Pre-Paid Purchase will be five percent (5%) of the amount set forth in the applicable Request (as defined in the Streeterville SPA) and each subsequent Pre-Paid Purchase will accrue interest at the rate of seven percent (7%) per annum. Within a committed two-year period, and subject to certain specified conditions, ReTo may request the issuance of additional Pre-Paid Purchases to Streeterville, with each purchase amount no less than $250,000, provided that the total outstanding balance of all Pre-Paid Purchases does not exceed $2,000,000. As of the date of this registration statement, Streeterville has converted an aggregate of 307,242 shares.
October 2025 Offering
On October 23, 2025, ReTo entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “October 2025 SPA”) with certain purchasers (the “October 2025 Purchasers”), in connection with the offer and sale (the “October 2025 Offering”) of an aggregate of 68,681 Class A Shares, at a price of US$23.2 per share, with the sale being made at US$20.8 per share, for an aggregate offering amount of US$1,428,571. The October 2025 Offering closed on October 25, 2025.
9
Acquisition of Seven Arrows
On February 27, 2026, ReTo entered into a Share Exchange Agreement with Seven Arrows Supply Chain Limited, a British Virgin Islands business company (“Seven Arrows”) and Rei Shiba (“Seller”) to buy an aggregate of 25,500 ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, of Seven Arrows, representing fifty-one percent (51%) of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Seven Arrows in exchange for 2,167,500 newly issued Class A Shares of ReTo, at a price of $4.00 per share (the “Share Exchange”). The Share Exchange closed on February 27, 2026. All 2,167,500 Class A Shares were deposited into a segregated escrow account and shall vest or be subject to forfeiture during the thirty-six (36) month period following the closing. In addition, Seller will have a contingent right to receive the escrow earnout shares after the closing based on the net income and the contributed profits of Seven Arrows’ operating company (the “Operating Company”) during the three (3) fiscal years ending December 31, 2026, 2027 and 2028 (the “Earnout Period”).
In connection with the Share Exchange, on February 27, 2026, ReTo, ReTo Hengda and the Operating Company entered into a management services agreement (the “Management Services Agreement”), pursuant to which ReTo Hengda will provide consulting and management advisory services to the Operating Company. In exchange for ReTo Hengda’s services, the Operating Company will pay an aggregate management fee of up to $2,601,000, subject to certain adjustment pursuant to the Management Services Agreement during the Earnout Period.
In connection with the Share Exchange, on February 27, 2026, ReTo entered into an Advisory and Consulting Agreement with a certain consultant (the “Consultant”), pursuant to which ReTo agreed to issue the Consultant and/or its designees an aggregate of 216,750 Class A Shares, at a price of $4.00 per share, with an aggregate value of $867,000 within five business days following the closing of the Share Exchange, in consideration for the Consultant’s advisory services rendered related to the Share Exchange.
Streeterville Standstill Agreement
On May 1, 2026, ReTo and Streeterville entered into a standstill agreement (the “Standstill Agreement”), pursuant to which, Streeterville has agreed to rescind the purchase notice delivered to ReTo on April 23, 2026 under the Initial Pre-Paid Purchase for certain shares ReTo failed to deliver (the “Delivery Default”) and waive any remedies related to the Delivery Default, and to refrain and forbear temporarily from delivering additional purchase notices to ReTo during the period beginning on April 30, 2026 and ending on May 31, 2026 pursuant to the Initial Pre-Paid Purchase and exercising any rights it may have under the Initial Pre-Paid Purchase (the “Standstill”). In consideration of Streeterville’s grant of the Standstill, ReTo has agreed that Streeterville may permanently retain the Pre-Delivery Shares and that ReTo shall have no right to repurchase the Pre-Delivery Shares under the Securities Purchase Agreement. Moreover, all of ReTo’s rights and Streeterville’s obligations under Section 11 of the Securities Purchase Agreement relating to Pre-delivery Shares are cancelled and terminated concurrently with the execution of the Standstill Agreement.
Under the Standstill Agreement, Streeterville has calculated the outstanding balance under the Initial Pre-Paid Purchase as of April 30, 2026 to be $3,209,101 (the “Outstanding Balance”). If ReTo pays the Outstanding Balance in full at any time on or prior to May 31, 2026, ReTo shall be deemed to have repaid and satisfied the Initial Pre-Paid Purchase in full. As of the date of this registration statement, the Company has repaid the Outstanding Balance. Upon such full repayment, the Securities Purchase Agreement shall be deemed terminated pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, effective as of the date of such payment, with no Pre-Paid Purchases remaining outstanding and no further funding obligations arising thereunder. The parties agreed that the Standstill Agreement shall constitute the five (5) days’ prior written notice required by the Securities Purchase Agreement for purposes of such termination, and no separate notice shall be required. If, however, ReTo does not pay the Outstanding Balance in full on or before May 31, 2026, any interest that otherwise would have accrued under the Initial Pre-Paid Purchase during the month of May 2026 shall automatically be added to the Outstanding Balance as of June 1, 2026, and the Initial Pre-Paid Purchase shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.
10
Securities Purchase Agreement
On May 12, 2026, ReTo entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with an investor (the “Purchaser”), in connection with the issuance and sale (the “Private Placement”) of an aggregate of 3,125,000 Class A shares, no par value, of ReTo (the “Class A Shares”) at $ 0.48 per share for an aggregate of purchase price of $1,500,000.
Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, ReTo will not, during the period from the date of the agreement to 24 months following the closing, without the written consent of the Purchaser, (i) issue, or enter into any agreement to issue, or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any Class A Shares of ReTo or the Class A Share equivalents or (ii) file any registration statement or any amendment or supplement thereto during the 24 months after the closing of the Purchase Agreement, The Securities Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements by ReTo and the Purchaser. The parties anticipated closing the Private Placement on or before May 15, 2026. The sale of the Class A Shares is being made pursuant to the provisions of Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended.
Tropical Fruit Cultivation Project
As part of our commitment to agricultural innovation and regional development, we have launched a multi-phase Tropical Fruit Cultivation Project focused on the R&D and large-scale production of tropical fruit varieties in northern climates. Through strategic partnerships, we have already successfully completed trial planting and technical validation for over 20 tropical fruit varieties.
Share Combination in May 2026
On February 18, 2026, ReTo’s board of directors approved the 2026 Share Combination pursuant to section 40A of the Act of Class A Shares at a ratio of 4-to-1 so that every four shares (or part thereof) were combined into one (1) share (with the fractional shares rounding up to the next whole share).
PIPE in June 2026
On June 11, 2026, ReTo entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “June 2026 Securities Purchase Agreement”) with certain purchasers (the “June 2026 Purchasers”) in connection with a private placement (the “June 2026 PIPE”) of (i) 2,968,747 Class A Shares at a combined price of $1.28 per share and (ii) 5,937,494 warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase Class A Shares at an initial exercise price of $1.28 per share, subject to adjustment. The Warrants are exercisable upon issuance and expire five years from the initial exercise date. On the seventh calendar day after issuance, the exercise price adjusts to 20% of the initial exercise price, and beginning on the tenth calendar day following issuance, holders may alternatively exchange Warrants for 0.9 times the number of underlying shares. In no event shall the exercise price be lower than $0.10 per share.
In connection with the PIPE, certain Purchasers (the “June 2026 Lenders”) who had entered into a loan agreement with ReTo dated May 21, 2026 (the “Loan Agreement”) for an aggregate principal sum of US$3,800,000 have surrendered and relinquished all rights to repayment of the outstanding debt, including any accrued but unpaid interest, in exchange for the shares issued under the June 2026 PIPE.
Our Strategies
We plan to expand our global footprint and promote sales of our ecological and environmental protection equipment, mining equipment, and smart craft beer brewing equipment across the world. To achieve these goals, we are pursuing the following strategies:
Continue to upgrade existing products and develop new products. We are committed to the ongoing research and development of new products addressing specific customer needs. Our plans include advancing the technology and design of our equipment and introducing new product models, such as the large-scale RT18 machine for solid waste utilization, various types of mining equipment, and smart craft beer machines, among others. We believe scientific and technological innovations will help our Company achieve its long-term strategic objectives.
Increase our revenue and market share by expanding our business network internationally. In order to expand our international market share, we plan to add more distributors in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. We plan to change our advertising strategies to reach new customers through new methods, such as digital marketing. We are striving to expand our international market, aiming to increase our exports to countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East, Algeria in North Africa, and India in Asia. We have participated, and will continue to participate, in targeted international marketing events, such as seminars, workshops, and trade shows, where we can meet potential customers, promote our products and deepen our network to further expand our sales. At the same time, we plan to increase investment in marketing and promotion in the international market, especially in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, such as by participating in various exhibitions, shows, forum or conferences and developing agent relationships, to effectively leverage our established network of agency cooperation there.
11
Pursue Strategic Acquisitions. We intend to continue to pursue expansion opportunities in existing and new markets, as well as in core and adjacent categories through strategic acquisitions. Specifically, we are seeking to acquire companies engaged in manufacturing solar energy facilities in an effort to further diversify our business. We believe the demand for such eco-friendly equipment and devices are and will continue to be in greater demand in the established economies. In addition, in light of China’s ongoing economic and social development, along with the anticipated demographic shift toward an aging population, we have identified growth potential in the health and wellness industry. Accordingly, we plan to leverage our existing expertise in ecological restoration and intelligent technologies to explore commercial ventures in the wellness sector.
Our Products
Ecological Environment Protection Equipment
We conduct our ecological environment protection equipment business mainly through our subsidiary, REIT Equipment. Manufacturing is outsourced to a third-party supplier located in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, China, which fabricates our equipment strictly according to our proprietary engineering specifications and quality control standards. We sell our equipment to customers in China, the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia.
We specialize in the design and integration of advanced solid waste treatment systems engineered to reduce waste volume, optimize material recovery, and improve overall environmental sustainability. Our equipment is highly customizable and built to meet specific client requirements across industrial, municipal, and commercial sectors. Key system components and technologies include:
| ● | Waste incinerators, which enable energy recovery for electricity generation or heating; |
| ● | Waste compactors, designed to compress solid waste for more efficient transport; |
| ● | Shredders, which break down bulky materials to facilitate size reduction and processing; |
| ● | Sorting equipment, which classifies waste based on physical or chemical properties such as density, magnetism, or conductivity to improve recycling outcomes; and |
| ● | Composting systems, which convert organic waste into fertilizer. These technologies collectively support sustainable waste management practices and are applicable across a wide range of industrial, municipal, and commercial settings. |
Intelligent Mining Equipment
We conduct our intelligent mining equipment business mainly through our subsidiary, REIT Equipment. Manufacturing is outsourced to a third-party supplier, with its facility located in in Langfang City, Hebei Province, China. The supplier produces our equipment in strict accordance with our technical specifications and quality standards. Our intelligent mining equipment is currently sold to customers primarily in Uganda in Africa.
Our product line consists of advanced equipment designed to support efficient and automated mineral extraction processes. Our product line includes, but is not limited to, the following:
| ● | Gold Grinding Mill. Engineered primarily for extracting gold and other precious metals from ores, this equipment performs crushing and grinding to reduce ore size, facilitates mineral dissociation, and enables initial gravity-based enrichment of gold particles, enhancing the efficiency and recovery rate of subsequent extraction processes. |
| ● | Jaw Crusher. Designed for primary and secondary crushing of various ores and large materials, this equipment breaks down rocks via compressive force between a moving and fixed jaw. It offers adjustable discharge settings for precise control over output size, making it suitable for a wide range of downstream applications. As a result of its high crushing ratio and stable output, the jaw crusher is a critical equipment used in mining, metallurgy, and construction industries. |
12
Smart Craft Beer Machines
We conduct our smart craft beer machine business mainly through our subsidiary, ReTo Hengye, and outsource the manufacturing to a supplier, with its facility located in in Tangshan, Hebei province. The supplier manufactures our equipment in accordance with our proprietary technical specifications and quality standards. Our target market for the smart craft beer machines include China (including Hong Kong), Singapore, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries. We believe our machines have several technological advantages over competitors, including:
| ● | Precise temperature control and inert gas preservation technology; |
| ● | Automated operation and intelligent adjustment; |
| ● | Data-driven operation and remote management; |
| ● | Automatic cleaning cycle; |
| ● | Reduction of operating costs; and |
| ● | Energy-saving operation. |
We commenced sales of smart craft beer machines during the first quarter of 2025. Following the MeinMalzeBier Acquisition, we also began the sales of craft beer in addition to the sales of craft beer machines, utilizing the sales network and distribution channels of MeinMalzeBier.
In February 2026, the Company completed the acquisition of Seven Arrows, a company primarily engaged in the distribution and sales of craft beer. This acquisition is expected to enhance the Company’s product portfolio and market presence in the craft beer sector. In addition to craft beer sales, the Company anticipates growth opportunities through the expanded distribution of craft beer machines.
History and Development of the Company
Corporate History
ReTo is a BVI business company with limited liability, established under the laws of the BVI on August 7, 2015 as a holding company to develop business opportunities in China.
In January 2016, REIT Holdings was incorporated as a Hong Kong limited liability company wholly owned by ReTo. Prior to the December 2024 Divestiture, REIT Holdings had been a holding company of multiple direct or indirect subsidiaries of ReTo in China, including but not limited to Beijing REIT, REIT Ordos, and REIT Technology.
In November 2017, ReTo completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) of 161 common shares at a public offering price of $11,000 per share. In connection with the IPO, the Company’s common shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market beginning on November 29, 2017 under the symbol “RETO.”
In November 2022, Honghe ReTo was incorporated as a limited liability company in mainland China and a wholly-owned subsidiary of REIT Ordos at that time. In August 2023, ReTo Hengda was incorporated as a PRC limited liability company wholly owned by Sunoro Holdings. ReTo Hengda is a holding company with no operations. In August 2023, REIT Ordos transferred all of its equity interest of Honghe ReTo to ReTo Hengda for no consideration, after which ReTo Hengda became a 100% owner of Honghe ReTo’s equity interest.
In April 2023, ReTo entered into an instrument of transfer with the original shareholder of Sunoro Holdings for the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests in Sunoro Holdings, for a total consideration of HKD 1, after which ReTo became the 100% owner of Sunoro Holdings’ equity interest. Sunoro Holdings is a holding company with no operations.
13
In August 2023, REIT Ordos transferred all of its 100% equity interest of REIT Equipment to ReTo Hengda for no consideration, after which ReTo Hengda became a 100% owner of REIT Equipment’s equity interest. REIT Equipment is mainly engaged in the business of development and sales of ecological environment protection equipment and mining equipment.
In January 2024, New REIT International Co., Limited was incorporated as a Hong Kong limited liability company wholly owned by ReTo. New REIT International Co., Limited is a holding company with no operations.
In June 2024, ReTo Hengye was incorporated as a PRC limited liability company wholly owned by ReTo Hengda. ReTo Hengye is mainly engaged in the business of manufacturing, research, development and sales of smart craft beer machines.
In December 2024, ReTo sold all of its shares in REIT Holdings to a certain buyer for a purchase price of US$80,000, after which ReTo ceased to hold any interest in REIT Holdings and its subsidiaries.
In November 2025, Zhangjiakou ReTo Intelligent Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was established in China, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of REIT Equipment. Starting from 2026, its business will mainly focus on the production of spare parts.
In February 2026, ReTo acquired a 51% equity interest in Seven Arrows Supply Chain Limited, a BVI business company, which is primarily engaged in the distribution and sales of craft beer, from a certain third-party individual for a total consideration of 2,167,500 Class A Shares, subject to adjustments.
Corporate Structure
The chart below summarizes our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus:
14
Foreign Private Issuer Status
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act. As such, we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies. For example:
| ● | we are not required to provide as many Exchange Act reports, or as frequently, as a domestic public company; |
| ● | for interim reporting, we are permitted to comply solely with our home country requirements, which are less rigorous than the rules that apply to domestic public companies; |
| ● | we are not required to provide the same level of disclosure on certain issues, such as executive compensation; |
| ● | we are exempt from provisions of Regulation FD aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information; |
| ● | we are not required to comply with the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; and |
| ● | we are not required to comply with Section 16 of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of establishing insider liability for profits realized from any “short-swing” trading transaction. |
Implications of Being a Controlled Company
We are a “controlled company” as defined under the Nasdaq Listing Rules, because REIT International will be able to exercise 97.60% of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding Shares. For so long as we are a “controlled company”, we are permitted to elect to rely on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules, including:
| ● | an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors; |
| ● | an exemption from the rule that the compensation of our chief executive officer must be determined or recommended solely by independent directors; and |
| ● | an exemption from the rule that our director nominees must be selected or recommended solely by independent directors. |
Although we do not intend to rely on the “controlled company” exemption under the Nasdaq Listing Rules, we could elect to rely on this exemption in the future. As a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements. Our status as a “controlled company” could cause our Class A Shares to look less attractive to certain investors or otherwise harm the trading price of Class A Shares.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices in China are located at c/o Beijing REIT Technology Development Co., Ltd., X-702, Tower A, 60 Anli Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China 100101. Our telephone number at this address is (+86) 10-64827328. Our registered agent in the BVI is Vistra (BVI) Limited of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Investors should submit any inquiries to the address and telephone number of our principal executive offices.
Our principal website is www.retoeco.com. The information contained on this website is not a part of this prospectus.
15
Summary of Risk Factors
Below please find a summary of the principal risks we face, organized under relevant headings. For a detailed description of the risk factors ReTo and our subsidiaries may face, see “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors” in our 2025 Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the section titled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
We face risks and uncertainties related to doing business in China in general, including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies or in relations between China and the United States; |
| ● | The impact on our operations and value of our Class A Shares by PRC government’s significant oversight, control, intervention and/or influence over our business operation; |
| ● | The complex and evolving laws and regulations regarding privacy and data protection, including China’s new Data Security Law, Cybersecurity Review Measures, Personal Information Protection Law, that our business is subject to; |
| ● | Uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations; |
| ● | The risks of delisting or the threat of being delisted under the HFCAA if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our auditor; |
| ● | The approval of the CSRC, CAC or other Chinese regulatory agencies which may be required in connection with our offshore offerings under Chinese law and, if required, our inability to obtain such approval or complete such filing; |
| ● | The potential treatment as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes under the EIT Law and the risk of being subject to PRC income tax on our global income; |
| ● | Foreign exchange controls in China, which could limit our use of funds that would be raised in future offerings, which could have a material adverse effect on our business; |
| ● | The complex procedures under the PRC laws and regulation in connection with certain acquisitions of China-based companies by foreign investors; |
| ● | PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion, which may restrict or prevent ReTo from making additional capital contributions or loans to its PRC subsidiaries; |
| ● | Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us; |
| ● | Fluctuations in exchange rates; |
| ● | The adverse impact on our business by the tensions in international trade and rising political tensions; and |
| ● | Any severe or prolonged downturn in the global or Chinese economy. |
16
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
We are subject to risks and uncertainties related to our business and industry, including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | The potential slowdown of the industries in which our customers operate; |
| ● | Any decline in the availability or increase in the cost of raw materials; |
| ● | Any disruption in the supply chain of raw materials and our products; |
| ● | Geopolitical instability and armed conflict in the Middle East; |
| ● | Inability to generate sufficient cash flows or obtain sufficient financing to satisfy our significant cash commitments under our material agreements; |
| ● | Expansion into new business lines and industries outside our historical experience; |
| ● | Wage increases in China; |
| ● | Our reliance on a limited number of vendors and the potential loss of any significant vendor; |
| ● | Failure to protect our intellectual property rights; |
| ● | The substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern in the report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023; |
| ● | Failure to maintain a reserve for warranty or defective products and installation claims; |
| ● | Product defects and unanticipated use or inadequate disclosure with respect to our products; |
| ● | Various hazards that may cause personal injury or property damage and increase our operating costs, which may exceed the coverage of our insurance; |
| ● | Any material costs and losses as a result of claims based on failure of our products to meet regulatory requirements or contractual specifications; |
| ● | Substantial liabilities to comply with environmental laws and regulations; |
| ● | Inability to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; |
| ● | Failure to continue investing in technology, resources, and new business; |
17
| ● | Any failure to offer or maintain high quality products and support; |
| ● | The competitiveness of the markets in which we participate; |
| ● | Our reliance on a limited number of customers; |
| ● | Lack of business insurance; |
| ● | Defects or errors in our products; and |
| ● | Our reliance on the reliability, security, and performance of the software and technologies for our products. |
Risks Related to Our Class A Shares
We face risks and uncertainties related to our Class A Shares, including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | Failure to meet the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq; |
| ● | The volatility of trading prices of our Class A Shares resulting from our dual-class structure; |
| ● | Any negative reports by securities or industry analysts publish about our business; and |
| ● | Substantial future sales or perceived sales of our Class A Shares in the public market. |
General Risk Factors
We face general risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | Our classified board structure may prevent a change in control of our Company; |
| ● | The laws of the British Virgin Islands may provide less protection for minority shareholders than those under U.S. law, and therefore minority shareholders who are dissatisfied with the conduct of our affairs may not have the same options as to recourse in comparison to the shareholders of a U.S. corporation. |
| ● | We are subject to changing law and regulations regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure that have increased both our costs and the risk of non-compliance; and |
| ● | Mail addressed to the Company at its registered office may be delayed due to forwarding practice. |
18
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and described under “Risk Factors” under the heading “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” in the 2025 Annual Report, which is incorporated in this prospectus by reference, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act that are incorporated herein by reference, together with all of the other information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. In addition to those risk factors, there may be additional risks and uncertainties of which management is not aware or focused on or that management deems immaterial. Our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. See sections titled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Information by Reference” of this prospectus.
Risks Related to this Offering
Issuances of securities under this prospectus will cause dilution to existing shareholders, and future offerings under this shelf registration statement may result in additional dilution.
We may issue and sell a substantial number of additional securities pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. Any such issuance will dilute the ownership interests of our existing shareholders, and the degree of dilution may be significant depending on the number of securities issued and the prices at which they are sold. Investors purchasing securities in this offering may experience immediate dilution in the net tangible book value of their investment, and existing shareholders may experience dilution in their percentage ownership, voting power and earnings per share.
In addition, the registration statement on Form F-3 of which this prospectus forms a part registers securities that may be offered and sold by us from time to time in one or more future offerings. We may conduct additional offerings under this shelf registration statement, subject to market conditions and applicable regulatory limitations, which could result in further dilution to existing shareholders. Because the timing, size and pricing of any future offerings will be determined at the time of sale, investors will not be able to assess the actual extent of dilution at the time they make an investment decision.
Furthermore, subject to applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements, we have broad discretion to determine the timing, size, pricing and other terms of any offerings conducted under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. As a result, investors purchasing securities in this offering or in future offerings may not be able to evaluate in advance the economic impact of subsequent issuances, including the dilutive effect on their investment.
The market price of our securities may decline as a result of future issuances of equity securities.
Future issuances of equity securities, including issuances under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, may dilute existing shareholders and increase the number of our securities available for trading in the public market. As a result, the market price of our securities could decline, and investors who purchase our securities in this offering may not be able to resell their securities at or above the price they paid for them, or at all.
In addition, the anticipation of future issuances of equity securities, even if such issuances do not ultimately occur, may adversely affect the market price of our securities. Any decline in the market price of our securities could result in a loss of all or part of an investor’s investment and may be exacerbated by general market volatility, limited trading liquidity or adverse market conditions.
19
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains or incorporates forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act and section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements may involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:
| ● | the potential impact on our business of the economic, political and social conditions of the PRC; |
| ● | any changes in the laws, regulations or rules of the PRC or local province that may affect our operations; |
| ● | our ability to operate as a going concern; |
| ● | the liquidity of our securities; |
| ● | inflation and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; |
| ● | our projections for our return on investment in client projects; |
| ● | the ability to navigate geographic market risks of our eco-friendly construction materials; |
| ● | the ability to maintain a reserve for warranty or defective products or equipment and installation claims; |
| ● | our on-going ability to obtain all mandatory and voluntary government and other industry certifications, approvals, and/or licenses to conduct our business; |
| ● | our ability to maintain effective supply chain of raw materials and our products or equipment; |
| ● | slowdown or contraction in industries in China in which we operate; |
20
| ● | our ability to maintain or increase our market share in the competitive markets in which we do business; |
| ● | our ability to diversify our product and service offerings and capture new market opportunities; |
| ● | our estimates of expenses, capital requirements and needs for additional financing and our ability to fund our current and future operations; |
| ● | the costs we may incur in the future from complying with current and future laws and regulations and the impact of any changes in the regulations on our operations; and |
| ● | the loss of key members of our senior management. |
You should read thoroughly this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference or otherwise referred to in this prospectus with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. Other sections of this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus include additional factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this prospectus are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, objectives, expectations or intentions will be achieved. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed and described under “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this prospectus, “Risk Factors” in Item 3.D. to our 2025 Annual Report and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus and in filings incorporated by reference, and the same may be amended, supplemented or superseded by the risks and uncertainties described under similar headings in the other documents that filed after the date hereof and incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference or otherwise referred to in this prospectus, which we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
21
Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
We may sell from time to time pursuant to this prospectus (as may be detailed in one or more prospectus supplements) an indeterminate number of securities as shall have a maximum aggregate offering price of US$200,000,000. The actual price of the securities that we will offer pursuant hereto will depend on a number of factors that may be relevant as of the time of offer. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.5 of Form F-3, in no event will we sell securities pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part with a value of more than one-third of the aggregate market value of our Class A Shares held by non-affiliates in any 12 calendar month period, so long as the aggregate market value of our Class A Shares held by non-affiliates is less than US$75,000,000. In the event that subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the aggregate market value of our outstanding Class A Shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds US$75,000,000, then the one-third limitation on sales shall not apply to additional sales made pursuant to this registration statement. We will state on the cover of each prospectus supplement the amount of our outstanding Class A Shares held by non-affiliates, the amount of securities being offered and the amount of securities sold during the prior 12 calendar month period that ends on, and includes, the date of the prospectus supplement.
Except as described in any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus in connection with a specific offering, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us under this prospectus to fund the growth of our business, primarily working capital, and for general corporate purposes.
We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in technologies, products and/or businesses that we believe will enhance the value of our Company, although we do not currently have any agreements or understandings with third parties to make any material acquisitions of, or investment in, other businesses. Depending on future events and others changes in the business climate, we may determine at a later time to use the net proceeds for different purposes. As a result, our management will have broad discretion in the allocation of the net proceeds and investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the proceeds of any sale of the securities. Additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of securities covered by this prospectus may be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the specific offering.
22
Our capitalization will be set forth in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus or in a report of foreign private issuer on Form 6-K subsequently furnished to the SEC and specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
If required, we will set forth in a prospectus supplement the following information regarding any material dilution of the equity interests of investors purchasing securities in an offering under this prospectus:
| ● | the net tangible book value per share of our equity securities before and after the offering; |
| ● | the amount of the increase in such net tangible book value per share attributable to the cash payments made by purchasers in the offering; and |
| ● | the amount of the immediate dilution from the public offering price which will be absorbed by such purchasers. |
DESCRIPTION OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Information relating to our Shares and certain provisions of ReTo’s M&A is incorporated by reference from our 2025 Annual Report under the caption “Item 10. Additional Information – 10.B. Memorandum and articles of association.” Such information does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of ReTo’s M&A and applicable provisions of the laws of BVI. You should read ReTo’s M&A which was filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on May 13, 2025 for the provisions that are important to you.
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares designated as follows: (a) an unlimited number of Class A Shares and (b) up to a maximum of 2,000,000 Class B Shares, or any combination of the above classes of Shares. As of June 24, 2026, there were 32,879,562 Class A Shares and 1,000,000 Class B Shares outstanding, all of which were fully paid. For a description of the Shares, including the rights and obligations thereto, please refer to our 2025 Annual Report, which are incorporated by reference herein.
See “Where You Can Find More Information” elsewhere in this prospectus for information on where you can obtain copies of our M&A, which have been filed with and are publicly available from the SEC.
23
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue series of debt securities, which may include debt securities exchangeable for or convertible into Class A Shares. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of that series in a supplement to this prospectus. The following description of debt securities will apply to the debt securities offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of debt securities may specify different or additional terms.
The debt securities offered by this prospectus may be secured or unsecured, and may be senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The debt securities offered by this prospectus may be issued under an indenture between us and the trustee under the indenture. The indenture may be qualified under, subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. We have summarized selected portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form F-3, of which this prospectus is a part, and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you.
The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and detailed or determined in the manner provided in a board of directors’ resolution, an officers’ certificate and by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to the series, including any pricing supplement.
We may issue any amount of debt securities under the indenture, which may be in one or more series with the same or different maturities, at par, at a premium or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement, including any related pricing supplement, relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the initial offering price, the aggregate principal amount offered and the terms of the debt securities, including, among other things, the following:
| ● | the title of the debt securities; |
| ● | the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities; |
| ● | any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
| ● | the date or dates on which we will repay the principal on the debt securities and the right, if any, to extend the maturity of the debt securities; |
| ● | the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will be payable and any regular record date for any interest payment date; |
| ● | the place or places where the principal of, premium, and interest on the debt securities will be payable, and where the debt securities of the series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange; |
| ● | any obligation or right we have to redeem the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of holders of the debt securities or at our option, and the terms and conditions upon which we are obligated to or may redeem the debt securities; |
| ● | any obligation we have to repurchase the debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities, the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase the debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations; |
24
| ● | the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued; |
| ● | whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities; |
| ● | the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount; |
| ● | the currency of denomination of the debt securities; |
| ● | the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made; |
| ● | if payments of principal of, premium or interest on, the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined; |
| ● | the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium or interest on, the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index; |
| ● | any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities; |
| ● | any addition to or change in the events of default described in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
| ● | any addition to or change in the covenants described in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
| ● | whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated and any applicable subordination provisions; |
| ● | a discussion of material income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities; |
| ● | any other terms of the debt securities, which may modify any provisions of the indenture as it applies to that series; and |
| ● | any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities. |
We may issue debt securities that are exchangeable for and/or convertible into Class A Shares. Any such exchange and / or conversion remains subject to the M&A and the Act, and the terms, if any, on which the debt securities may be exchanged and/or converted will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for exchange or conversion, which can be mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, and the manner in which the number of Class A Shares or other securities to be received by the holders of debt securities would be calculated.
We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the U.S. federal income tax considerations, and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement.
25
We may issue and offer warrants under the material terms and conditions described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the warrants as described in this prospectus.
General
We may issue warrants to purchase Class A Shares or debt securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any securities and may be attached to or separate from those securities. If applicable, the warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all of which will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants we are offering. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
Equity Warrants
Each equity warrant issued by us will entitle its holder to purchase the equity securities designated at an exercise price set forth in, or to be determinable as set forth in, the related prospectus supplement. Equity warrants may be issued separately or together with equity securities.
If applicable, the equity warrants are to be issued under equity warrant agreements to be entered into between us and one or more banks or trust companies, as equity warrant agent, as will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and this prospectus.
The particular terms of the equity warrants, the equity warrant agreements relating to the equity warrants, as applicable, and the equity warrant certificates representing the equity warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, as applicable:
| ● | the title of the equity warrants; |
| ● | the initial offering price; |
| ● | the aggregate amount of equity warrants and the aggregate amount of equity securities purchasable upon exercise of the equity warrants; |
| ● | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
| ● | if applicable, the designation and terms of the equity securities with which the equity warrants are issued, and the amount of equity warrants issued with each equity security; |
| ● | the date, if any, on and after which the equity warrants and the related equity security will be separately transferable; |
| ● | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the equity warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the equity warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of United States federal income tax, accounting or other considerations applicable to the equity warrants; |
| ● | anti-dilution provisions of the equity warrants, if any; |
| ● | redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the equity warrants; and |
| ● | any additional terms of the equity warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the equity warrants. |
| ● | Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled, solely by virtue of being holders, to vote, to consent, to receive dividends, to receive notice as shareholders with respect to any meeting of shareholders for the appointment of directors or any other matters, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as a holder of the equity securities purchasable upon exercise of the equity warrants. |
26
Debt Warrants
Each debt warrant issued by us will entitle its holder to purchase the debt securities designated at an exercise price set forth in, or to be determinable as set forth in, the related prospectus supplement. Debt warrants may be issued separately or together with debt securities.
If applicable, the debt warrants are to be issued under debt warrant agreements to be entered into between us, and one or more banks or trust companies, as debt warrant agent, as will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and this prospectus.
The particular terms of each issue of debt warrants, the debt warrant agreement relating to the debt warrants, if applicable, and the debt warrant certificates representing debt warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, as applicable:
| ● | the title of the debt warrants; |
| ● | the initial offering price; |
| ● | the title, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants; |
| ● | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
| ● | the title and terms of any related debt securities with which the debt warrants are issued and the amount of the debt warrants issued with each debt security; |
| ● | the date, if any, on and after which the debt warrants and the related debt securities will be separately transferable; |
| ● | the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of each debt warrant and the price at which that principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise of each debt warrant; |
| ● | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the debt warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of United States federal income tax, accounting or other considerations applicable to the 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; |
| ● | anti-dilution provisions of the debt warrants, if any; |
| ● | redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the debt warrants; and |
| ● | any additional terms of the debt warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the debt warrants. |
Debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and, if in registered form, may be presented for registration of transfer, and debt warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the debt warrant agent or any other office indicated in the related prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of debt warrants, holders of debt warrants will not be entitled to payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants, or to enforce any of the covenants in the indentures governing such debt securities.
27
We may issue rights to purchase the Class A Shares, debt securities or other securities. Rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and one or more banks, trust companies, or other financial institutions, as rights agent that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.
The prospectus supplement relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among other matters:
| ● | the date of determining the security holders entitled to the rights distribution; |
| ● | the aggregate number of rights issued and the aggregate amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights; |
| ● | the exercise price for the rights; |
| ● | the conditions to the completion of the rights offering; |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
| ● | the extent to which subscription rights are transferable; |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of the material BVI or United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights; |
| ● | any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights; |
| ● | the extent to which the rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and |
| ● | the material terms of any standby underwriting agreement or other arrangement entered into by us in connection with the rights offering. |
Each right would entitle the holder of the rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of securities at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, subject to the M&A and the Act. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will become void.
If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than our security holders, to or through agents, underwriters, or dealers, or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
28
We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:
| ● | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
| ● | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and |
| ● | any additional terms of the governing unit agreement. |
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any units. The preceding description and any description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units.
29
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in order to enjoy the following benefits at the date of this prospectus:
| ● | political and economic stability, with modern and flexible companies legislation; |
| ● | developed common law legal system with an effective judicial system, including a well-respected commercial court with ultimate appeal to the Privy Council; |
| ● | tax neutrality, meaning the BVI does not add any extra layer of taxes (ie. no income tax, corporation tax or capital gains tax); and |
| ● | the absence of exchange control or currency restrictions, no statutory financial assistance restrictions; and the availability of world-class professional and support services. |
However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the British Virgin Islands. These disadvantages include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | the British Virgin Islands has a less exhaustive body of securities laws as compared to the United States and these securities laws provide significantly less protection to investors; and |
| ● | British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States. |
There is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the British Virgin Islands would:
| ● | recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers to impose liabilities predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or |
| ● | entertain original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the federal securities laws of the United States or the securities law of any state in the United States. |
Although there is no statutory enforcement in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States (and the British Virgin Islands is not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments), the courts of the British Virgin Islands would recognize as a valid judgment, a final and conclusive judgment in personam obtained in the federal or state courts in the United States under which a sum of money is payable (other than a sum of money payable in respect of multiple damages, taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty) and would give a judgment based thereon provided that:
| ● | such courts had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment, |
| ● | such courts did not contravene the rules of natural justice of the British Virgin Islands, |
| ● | such judgment was not obtained by fraud, |
| ● | the enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to the public policy of the British Virgin Islands, |
| ● | no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of the British Virgin Islands and |
| ● | there is due compliance with the correct procedures under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. |
However, the British Virgin Islands courts are unlikely to enforce a punitive judgment of a United States court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws in the United States without retrial on the merits if such judgment is determined by the courts of the British Virgin Islands to give rise to obligations to make payments that may be regarded as fines, penalties or punitive in nature.
30
Our constitutional documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be arbitrated.
Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in mainland China, and substantially all of our assets are located in mainland China. A majority of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of the PRC and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. Our PRC counsel, Yuan Tai Law Offices, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of mainland China would:
| ● | recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or |
| ● | entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. |
Our PRC counsel, Yuan Tai Law Offices, has further advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the British Virgin Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in mainland China will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or in the British Virgin Islands.
Anti-money Laundering
In order comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering the Company is required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures, and may (among other things) require members to provide evidence to verify their identity. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, the Company also may delegate the maintenance of our anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.
If any person resident in the British Virgin Islands knows or suspects (or has reasonable ground for knowing or suspecting) that another person is engaged in money laundering, terrorist financing or proliferating financing and the information or other matter for that knowledge or suspicion (or giving reasonable grounds for such knowledge or suspicion) came to their attention in the course of their trade, profession, business or employment the person will be required to disclose the information or other matter to the Financial Investigation Agency of the British Virgin Islands as soon as reasonably practicable after it comes to their attention, pursuant to the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct Act 1997 (as amended). Such a disclosure shall not be treated as a breach of any restriction imposed by any enactment or otherwise.
31
Our 2025 Annual Report provides a discussion of certain tax considerations that may be relevant to prospective investors in our securities. The applicable prospectus supplement may also contain information about certain material tax considerations relating to the securities covered by such prospectus supplement. You should consult your own tax advisors prior to acquiring any of our securities.
32
Subject to the M&A and the Act, we may sell the securities offered by this prospectus in any one or more of the following ways (or in any combination) from time to time:
| ● | directly to investors, including through privately negotiated transactions, a specific bidding, auction or other process; |
| ● | to investors through agents; |
| ● | directly to agents; |
| ● | to or through underwriters or dealers; |
| ● | in “at the market” offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise; |
| ● | through a combination of any such methods of sale; or |
| ● | through any other method permitted by applicable law and described in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities may state or supplement the terms of the offering of the securities.
In addition, subject to the M&A and the Act, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders. In some cases, we or dealers acting for us or on our behalf may also repurchase securities and reoffer them to the public by one or more of the methods described above. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Our securities distributed by any of these methods may be sold to the public, in one or more transactions, either:
| ● | at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
| ● | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| ● | at prices related to prevailing market prices; or |
| ● | at negotiated prices. |
33
Sale through Underwriters or Dealers
If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account, including through underwriting, purchase, security lending or repurchase agreements with us. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. Underwriters may sell the securities in order to facilitate transactions in any of our other securities (described in this prospectus or otherwise), including other public or private transactions and short sales. Underwriters may offer the securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
If dealers are used in the sale of securities offered through this prospectus, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The applicable prospectus supplement will include the names of the underwriters or dealers and the terms of the transaction, including compensation for the underwriters or dealers.
Direct Sales and Sales through Agents
We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. Such securities may also be sold through agents designated from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities and will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its commonly reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment. We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those shares. The terms of any such sales will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Offered securities may be sold 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 supplement relating to that offering. Unless otherwise specified in connection with a particular offering of securities, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
As one of the means of direct issuance of offered securities, we may utilize the services of an entity through which it may conduct an electronic “dutch auction” or similar offering of the offered securities among potential purchasers who are eligible to participate in the auction or offering of such offered securities, if so described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Delayed Delivery Contracts
If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
34
Market Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, each series of offered securities will be a new issue and will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange. Any underwriters that we use in the sale of offered securities may make a market in such securities, but may discontinue such market making at any time without notice. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the securities will have a liquid trading market.
Any underwriter may also engage in stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Rule 104 under the Exchange Act. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.
Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.
Derivative Transactions and Hedging
We and the underwriters may engage in derivative transactions involving the securities. These derivatives may consist of short sale transactions and other hedging activities. The underwriters may acquire a long or short position in the securities, hold or resell securities acquired and purchase options or futures on the securities and other derivative instruments with returns linked to or related to changes in the price of the securities. In order to facilitate these derivative transactions, we may enter into security lending or repurchase agreements with the underwriters. The underwriters may effect the derivative transactions through sales of the securities to the public, including short sales, or by lending the securities in order to facilitate short sale transactions by others. The underwriters may also use the securities purchased or borrowed from us or others (or, in the case of derivatives, securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives) to directly or indirectly settle sales of the securities or close out any related open borrowings of the securities.
Loans of Securities
We may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third parties that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement.
General Information
Agents, underwriters, and dealers may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us, against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Our agents, underwriters, and dealers, or their affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our affiliates, in the ordinary course of business for which they may receive customary compensation.
Conflicts of Interest
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements with us, to indemnification by us relating to material misstatements and omissions in our offering documents. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in their ordinary course of business.
Except for securities issued upon a reopening of a previous series, each series of offered securities will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom offered securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such offered securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The offered securities may or may not be listed on a securities exchange. No assurance can be given that there will be a market for the offered securities.
35
EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table sets forth the various expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered. We will bear all of the expenses shown below.
| SEC Registration Fee | $ | 41,430 | ||
| FINRA filing fee | * | |||
| Printing and engraving expenses | * | |||
| Legal fees and expenses | * | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses | * | |||
| Transfer agent fees and expenses | * | |||
| Miscellaneous | * | |||
| Total | $ | * |
| * | The amount of securities and number of offerings are indeterminable, and the expenses cannot be estimated at this time. To be provided by a prospectus supplement or as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K that is incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. |
We are being represented by Loeb & Loeb LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York State law. The validity of the Class A Shares, warrants, debt securities, rights and units, to the extent governed by BVI law, will be passed upon for us by Appleby. Certain legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Yuan Tai Law Offices. If legal matters in connection with offerings made pursuant to this prospectus are passed upon by counsel to underwriters, dealers or agents, such counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any such offering.
The consolidated financial statements of ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. appearing in our 2025 Annual Report for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 have been audited by YCM CPA INC., an independent registered public accounting firms, as set forth in the reports thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference.
Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing.
36
Insofar as indemnification by us for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling the company pursuant to provisions of our M&A, the Act or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification by such director, officer or controlling person of us 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 offered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Except as otherwise disclosed in this prospectus, there have been no reportable material changes that have occurred since December 31, 2025, and that have not been described in a report on Form 6-K furnished under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information about us and our financial condition to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC instead of having to repeat the information in this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information contained in the documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, except for information “furnished” to the SEC which is not deemed filed and not incorporated by reference into this prospectus (unless otherwise indicated below), until the termination of the offering of securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement:
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:
| ● | our 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the SEC on May 1, 2026; |
| ● | our Reports of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on March 4, 2026, May 7, 2026, May 13, 2026, May 14, 2026, May 20, 2026, June 3, 2026, June 5, 2026, June 12, 2026, and June 22, 2026 including all the exhibits thereto; |
| ● | the description of the Company’s common shares contained in the Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on November 28, 2017, and any further amendment or report filed hereafter for the purpose of updating such description; and |
| ● | with respect to each offering of the securities under this prospectus, all our subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F and any report on Form 6-K that indicates that it is being incorporated by reference that we file or furnish with the SEC on or after the date on which the registration statement is first filed with the SEC and until the termination or completion of the offering by means of this prospectus. |
Our 2025 Annual Report contains a description of our business and audited consolidated financial statements with reports by our independent auditors. The consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and before the date that the offering of securities by means of this prospectus is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any documents incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. Unless expressly incorporated by reference, nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC.
We will provide without charge to any person (including any beneficial owner) to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon oral or written request, a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus (except for exhibits to those documents unless a documents states that one of its exhibits is incorporated into the document itself). Such request should be directed to: ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. c/o Beijing REIT Technology Development Co., Ltd., X-702, Tower A, 60 Anli Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China 100101, telephone number: (+86) 10-64827328.
37
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form F-3 that we filed with the SEC registering the securities that may be offered and sold hereunder. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, the exhibits filed therewith or the documents incorporated by reference therein. For further information about us and the securities offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement, the exhibits filed therewith and the documents incorporated by reference therein. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. We are required to file reports and other information with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, including annual reports on Form 20-F and reports of foreign private issuer on Form 6-K.
The SEC maintains a website that contains reports and other information regarding issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the website is www.sec.gov. The information on our website (www.retoeco.com), other than our SEC filings, is not, and should not be, considered part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference into this document.
We are subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we are required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. We also maintain a corporate website at www.retoeco.com, at which you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information contained in, and that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated into and is not part of this prospectus.
Additionally, under the Act the holders of our Class A Shares are entitled, upon giving written notice to us, to inspect (i) our M&A, (ii) our register of members, (iii) our register of directors and (iv) minutes of meetings and resolutions of members, and to make copies of, and take extracts from the, these documents and records. However, our directors can refuse access if they are satisfied that to allow such access would be contrary to our interests.
38
ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc.
US$300,000,000
Class A Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Units
PROSPECTUS
, 2026
No dealer, salesperson or any other person is authorized to give any information or make any representations in connection with any offering pursuant to this prospectus other than those contained in this prospectus and, if given or made, the information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security other than the securities offered by this prospectus, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities by anyone in any jurisdiction in which the offer or solicitation is not authorized or is unlawful.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 8. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Act allows a BVI company to indemnify any current or former director against any expense, judgment, fine or amount paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with any legal, administrative or investigative proceedings brought against the director because the director served as a director of the company if: (i) the director acted honestly and in good faith and in what the director believed to be in the best interests of the company; and (iii) (in the case of criminal proceedings) the director had no reasonable cause to believe that the director’s conduct was unlawful. An indemnity that breaches the Act is void.
The Act allows a BVI company to pay any expenses incurred by any current or former director in defending any legal, administrative or investigative proceedings before the proceedings are finally concluded if the company is given an undertaking from, or on behalf of, the director to repay all amounts paid by the company if it is ultimately determined that the director is not entitled to be indemnified by the company.
With regard to conflicts of interest, any director of ReTo who is interested in a transaction into which ReTo has entered or will enter may vote on a matter relating to that transaction as long as he or she has disclosed the interest to each other director of ReTo.
Item 9. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference:
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 1.1+ | Form of Underwriting Agreement | |
| 3.1 | Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 6-K (File No. 001-38307) filed on May 13, 2025) | |
| 4.1* | Form of Indenture Relating to Debt Securities | |
| 4.2+ | Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of Warrant Certificate) | |
| 4.3+ | Form of Right Agreement (including form of Right Certificate) | |
| 4.4+ | Form of Unit Agreement (including form of Unit Certificate) | |
| 5.1* | Opinion of Appleby | |
| 23.1* | Consent of YCM CPA INC., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
| 23.2* | Consent of Appleby (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
| 23.3* | Consent of Yuan Tai Law Offices (included in Exhibit 99.1) | |
| 24.1* | Power of Attorney (included on signature page of the initial filing of this Registration Statement on Form F-3) | |
| 25.1** | Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of the Trustee under the Indenture | |
| 99.1* | Opinion of Yuan Tai Law Offices | |
| 107* | Calculation of Filing Fee Tables |
| * | Filed herewith. |
| ** | The Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Indenture will be incorporated herein by reference from a subsequent filing under the electronic form type “305B2” in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. |
| + | To be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report of the registrant filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if applicable, and incorporated herein by reference. |
II-1
Item 10. Undertakings.
| (a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
| (1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act 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, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of 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 subsections (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those subsections is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 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) | To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A. of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Form F-3. |
| (5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser: |
| (i) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this registration statement; and |
| (ii) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall be deemed to be part of and included in this 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. |
II-2
| (6) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
| (i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
| (ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
| (iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
| (iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
| (b) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (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, as amended), that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (c) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
| (d) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. |
| (f) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes 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, or the Act, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under section 305(b)(2) of the Act. |
II-3
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Beijing, China, on June 25, 2026.
| RETO ECO-SOLUTIONS, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Johnny Tiong Sie Wei | ||
| Name: | Johnny Tiong Sie Wei | ||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement, as amended, has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Johnny Tiong Sie Wei | Chief Executive Officer and Director | June 25, 2026 | ||
| Johnny Tiong Sie Wei | ||||
| /s/ Xinyang Li | President and Chief Operating Officer | June 25, 2026 | ||
| Xinyang Li | (Principal Operating Officer) | |||
| /s/ Yue Hu | Chief Financial Officer | June 25, 2026 | ||
| Yue Hu | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |||
| /s/ Guangfeng Dai | Chairman of the Board | June 25, 2026 | ||
| Guangfeng Dai | ||||
| /s/ Zhizhong Hu | Chief Technology Officer | June 25, 2026 | ||
| Zhizhong Hu | ||||
| /s/ Di Gan | Director | June 25, 2026 | ||
| Di Gan | ||||
| /s/ Tonglong Liu | Director | June 25, 2026 | ||
| Tonglong Liu | ||||
| /s/ Lidong Liu | Director | June 25, 2026 | ||
| Lidong Liu | ||||
| /s/ Austin Xiaofeng Huang | Director | June 25, 2026 | ||
| Austin Xiaofeng Huang | ||||
II-4
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc., has signed this Registration Statement in New York, NY on June 25, 2026.
| Authorized U.S. Representative | ||
| By: | /s/ Xinran Li | |
| Name: Xinran Li | ||
II-5
Exhibit 4.1
ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc., as
ISSUER
and
[ ], as
INDENTURE TRUSTEE
INDENTURE
Dated as of [ ]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | |||
| ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | 1 | ||
| Section 1.01 | Definitions | 1 | |
| Section 1.02 | Other Definitions | 4 | |
| Section 1.03 | Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 4 | |
| Section 1.04 | Rules of Construction | 4 | |
| ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES | 5 | ||
| Section 2.01 | Issuable in Series | 5 | |
| Section 2.02 | Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities | 5 | |
| Section 2.03 | Execution and Authentication | 6 | |
| Section 2.04 | Registrar and Paying Agent | 7 | |
| Section 2.05 | Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 7 | |
| Section 2.06 | Holder Lists | 7 | |
| Section 2.07 | Transfer and Exchange | 7 | |
| Section 2.08 | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 8 | |
| Section 2.09 | Outstanding Securities | 8 | |
| Section 2.10 | Treasury Securities | 8 | |
| Section 2.11 | Temporary Securities | 8 | |
| Section 2.12 | Cancellation | 9 | |
| Section 2.13 | Defaulted Interest | 9 | |
| Section 2.14 | Global Securities | 9 | |
| Section 2.15 | CUSIP Numbers | 10 | |
| ARTICLE III REDEMPTION | 10 | ||
| Section 3.01 | Notice to Trustee | 10 | |
| Section 3.02 | Selection of Securities to be Redeemed | 10 | |
| Section 3.03 | Notice of Redemption | 11 | |
| Section 3.04 | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 11 | |
| Section 3.05 | Deposit of Redemption Price | 11 | |
| Section 3.06 | Securities Redeemed in Part | 11 | |
i
| ARTICLE IV COVENANTS | 11 | ||
| Section 4.01 | Payment of Principal and Interest | 11 | |
| Section 4.02 | SEC Reports | 11 | |
| Section 4.03 | Compliance Certificate | 12 | |
| Section 4.04 | Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 12 | |
| ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS | 12 | ||
| Section 5.01 | When Company May Merge, etc. | 12 | |
| Section 5.02 | Successor Corporation Substituted | 12 | |
| ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | 13 | ||
| Section 6.01 | Events of Default | 13 | |
| Section 6.02 | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 13 | |
| Section 6.03 | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 14 | |
| Section 6.04 | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 14 | |
| Section 6.05 | Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities | 14 | |
| Section 6.06 | Application of Money Collected | 15 | |
| Section 6.07 | Limitation on Suits | 15 | |
| Section 6.08 | Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest | 15 | |
| Section 6.09 | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 15 | |
| Section 6.10 | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 16 | |
| Section 6.11 | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 16 | |
| Section 6.12 | Control by Holders | 16 | |
| Section 6.13 | Waiver of Past Defaults | 16 | |
| Section 6.14 | Undertaking for Costs | 16 | |
ii
| ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE | 17 | ||
| Section 7.01 | Duties of Trustee | 17 | |
| Section 7.02 | Rights of Trustee | 18 | |
| Section 7.03 | Individual Rights of Trustee | 18 | |
| Section 7.04 | Trustee’s Disclaimer | 19 | |
| Section 7.05 | Notice of Defaults | 19 | |
| Section 7.06 | Reports by Trustee to Holders | 19 | |
| Section 7.07 | Compensation and Indemnity | 19 | |
| Section 7.08 | Replacement of Trustee | 19 | |
| Section 7.09 | Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. | 20 | |
| Section 7.10 | Eligibility; Disqualification | 20 | |
| Section 7.11 | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company | 20 | |
| ARTICLE VIII SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE | 20 | ||
| Section 8.01 | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 20 | |
| Section 8.02 | Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification | 21 | |
| Section 8.03 | Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series | 21 | |
| Section 8.04 | Covenant Defeasance | 22 | |
| Section 8.05 | Repayment to Company | 23 | |
| Section 8.06 | Reinstatement | 23 | |
| ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS | 23 | ||
| Section 9.01 | Without Consent of Holders | 23 | |
| Section 9.02 | With Consent of Holders | 24 | |
| Section 9.03 | Limitations | 24 | |
| Section 9.04 | Compliance with Trust Indenture Act | 25 | |
| Section 9.05 | Revocation and Effect of Consents | 25 | |
| Section 9.06 | Notation on or Exchange of Securities | 25 | |
| Section 9.07 | Trustee Protected | 25 | |
iii
| ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS | 25 | ||
| Section 10.01 | Trust Indenture Act Controls | 25 | |
| Section 10.02 | Notices | 26 | |
| Section 10.03 | Communication by Holders with Other Holders | 26 | |
| Section 10.04 | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 26 | |
| Section 10.05 | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 27 | |
| Section 10.06 | Rules by Trustee and Agents | 27 | |
| Section 10.07 | Legal Holidays | 27 | |
| Section 10.08 | No Recourse Against Others | 27 | |
| Section 10.09 | Counterparts | 27 | |
| Section 10.10 | Governing Laws | 27 | |
| Section 10.11 | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 27 | |
| Section 10.12 | Successors | 27 | |
| Section 10.13 | Severability | 27 | |
| Section 10.14 | Table of Contents, Headings, etc. | 27 | |
| Section 10.15 | Securities in a Foreign Currency | 28 | |
| Section 10.16 | U.S.A. Patriot Act | 28 | |
| Section 10.17 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 28 | |
| ARTICLE XI SINKING FUNDS | 28 | ||
| Section 11.01 | Applicability of Article | 28 | |
| Section 11.02 | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 28 | |
| Section 11.03 | Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 28 | |
iv
ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc.
Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and
Indenture, dated as of [ ].
| Section 310 (a)(1) | 7.10 | |
| (a)(2) | 7.10 | |
| (a)(3) | NOT APPLICABLE | |
| (a)(4) | NOT APPLICABLE | |
| (a)(5) | 7.10 | |
| (b) | 7.10 | |
| Section 311 (a) | 7.11 | |
| (b) | 7.11 | |
| (c) | NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Section 312 (a) | 2.06 | |
| (b) | 10.03 | |
| (c) | 10.03 | |
| Section 313 (a) | 7.06 | |
| (b)(1) | 7.06 | |
| (b)(2) | 7.06 | |
| (c)(1) | 7.06 | |
| (d) | 7.06 | |
| Section 314 (a) | 4.02, 10.05 | |
| (b) | NOT APPLICABLE | |
| (c)(1) | 10.04 | |
| (c)(2) | 10.04 | |
| (c)(3) | NOT APPLICABLE | |
| (d) | NOT APPLICABLE | |
| (e) | 10.05 | |
| (f) | NOT APPLICABLE | |
| Section 315 (a) | 7.01 | |
| (b) | 7.05 | |
| (c) | 7.01 | |
| (d) | 7.01 | |
| (e) | 6.14 | |
| Section 316 (a) | 2.10 | |
| (a)(1)(a) | 6.12 | |
| (a)(1)(b) | 6.13 | |
| (b) | 6.08 | |
| Section 317 (a)(1) | 6.03 | |
| (a)(2) | 6.04 | |
| (b) | 2.05 | |
| Section 318 (a) | 10.01 |
v
INDENTURE, dated as of [ ], between ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc., a British Virgin Islands business company (“Company”), and [ ], as trustee (“Trustee”).
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified herein or therein and which are owing to such Holders, as calculated by the Company.
“Affiliate” of any specified person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.
“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Global Security or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of DTC or any successor Depositary, in each case to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by an authorized officer of the Company have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.
“Capital Interests” means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock, including, without limitation, with respect to partnerships, partnership interests (whether general or limited) and any other interest or participation that confers on a person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, such partnership.
“Company” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.
“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
“Company Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer and delivered to the Trustee.
1
“Corporate Trust Office” means the address of the Trustee specified in Section 10.02, or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Holders and the Company.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depositary for such Series by the Company, which Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of such Series.
“Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.
“Dollars” and “$” means the currency of The United States of America.
“DTC” means the Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of The United States of America.
“Foreign Government Obligations” means, with respect to Securities of any Series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, (i) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession.
“Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.02 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depositary for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depositary or nominee.
“Holder” means a person in whose name a Security is registered.
“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.
“interest” with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity means interest payable after Maturity.
“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, or any other officer of the Company designated by the Board of Directors, as the case may be.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
2
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.
“person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.
“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02 hereof.
“Stated Maturity” means when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the partners’ Capital Interests (considering all partners’ Capital Interests as a single class), is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such person or combination thereof; or in the case of a partnership, joint venture, association or other business entity, with respect to which such person or any of its subsidiaries has the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such entity by contract or otherwise, or if in accordance with GAAP such entity is consolidated with such person for financial statement purposes.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.
“Trustee” means the person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of The United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of The United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by The United States of America, and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
3
Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
| TERM | Defined in Section | |||
| Bankruptcy Law | 6.01 | |||
| Custodian | 6.01 | |||
| Event of Default | 6.01 | |||
| Legal Holiday | 10.07 | |||
| mandatory sinking fund payment | 11.01 | |||
| Market Exchange Rate | 10.15 | |||
| optional sinking fund payment | 11.01 | |||
| Paying Agent | 2.04 | |||
| Registrar | 2.04 | |||
| Successor Person | 5.01 | |||
Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“Commission” means the SEC.
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
“indenture security holder” means a Holder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.
Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) references to “generally accepted accounting principles” and “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;
(d) “or” is not exclusive;
(e) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; and
(f) provisions apply to successive events and transactions.
4
ARTICLE II
THE SECURITIES
Section 2.01 Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
Section 2.02 Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities. At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.02(a) and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.02(b) through 2.02(s)) by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate:
(a) the form and title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);
(b) the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;
(c) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Sections 2.07, 2.08, 2.11, 3.06 or 9.06);
(d) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;
(e) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
(f) the place or places where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;
(g) if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(h) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
5
(i) the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;
(j) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
(k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;
(l) the currency of denomination of the Securities of the Series, which may be Dollars or any Foreign Currency, and the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;
(m) the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the Securities of the Series;
(n) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02;
(o) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Articles IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;
(p) the provisions, if any, relating to conversion of any Securities of such Series, including, if applicable, the securities into which the Securities are convertible, the conversion price, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be mandatory, at the option of the Holders or at the option of the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion if such Series of Securities are redeemed;
(q) whether the Securities of such Series will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and, if applicable, a description of the subordination terms thereof;
(r) any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein; and
(s) any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series).
All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, and, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, a Series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for increases in the aggregate principal amount of such Series and issuances of additional Securities of such Series.
Section 2.03 Execution and Authentication. At least one Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid. A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Such Company Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to electronic instructions in PDF from the Company or its duly authorized agent or agents. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate. The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02, except as provided in Section 2.02 or 2.08. Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.02) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 10.04 and (c)(1) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.04 or (2) an Opinion of Counsel (or reliance letter with respect to an Opinion of Counsel) that the Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and such Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
6
Section 2.04 Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.02, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (“Paying Agent”), and where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar or Paying Agent. The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars or additional paying agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar and a Paying Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.02 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar or additional paying agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as the initial Registrar and Paying Agent for each Series unless another Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.
Section 2.05 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Holders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Holders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon an Event of Default under Section 6.01(d) or (e), the Trustee shall be the Paying Agent.
Section 2.06 Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten (10) days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders of each Series of Securities.
Section 2.07 Transfer and Exchange. Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.06 or 9.06). Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days immediately preceding the delivery of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such delivery, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.
7
Section 2.08 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
(a) If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
(b) Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith. Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder. The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 2.09 Outstanding Securities. The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding. If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser. If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.
Section 2.10 Treasury Securities. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Company shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
Section 2.11 Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon request shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.
8
Section 2.12 Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation in accordance with its customary procedures. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.13 Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest at the rate established for the particular Series, if any, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Holders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix the special record date and payment date; provided that if no rate for defaulted interest is specified for any Series of Securities, then the defaulted interest rate shall be the interest rate specified for such Series of Securities. At least ten (10) days before the special record date, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee and to each Holder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the related payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may also pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.
Section 2.14 Global Securities.
(a) Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.
(b) Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.07 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.07 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depositary for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.
(c) Except as provided in this Section 2.14(c), a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary, by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.
(d) Legend. Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.”
(e) Acts of Holders. The Depositary, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.
9
(f) Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.
(g) Consents, Declaration and Directions. Except as provided in Section 2.14(g), the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depositary with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.
(h) The Depositary or its nominee, as registered owner of a Global Security, shall be the Holder of such Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture and the Securities, and owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security shall hold such interests pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. Accordingly, any such owner’s beneficial interest in a Global Security will be shown only on, and the transfer of such interest shall be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary or its nominee and such owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be considered the owners or holders thereof. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Global Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with applicable Depositary procedures.
Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change in “CUSIP” numbers of which the Company becomes aware.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01 Notice to Trustee. The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of the Series of Securities to be redeemed.
Section 3.02 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed. Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of the Series to be redeemed in any manner that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption. Securities of a Series and portions selected for redemption shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.02(j), the minimum principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption. The Trustee shall not be liable for the selection made in accordance with this Section 3.02.
10
Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.
(a) Unless otherwise specified for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall deliver notice of redemption to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed. The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:
(i) the redemption date;
(ii) the redemption price or the manner of the calculation of the redemption price;
(iii) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(iv) that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(v) that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(vi) the CUSIP number, if any; and
(vii) any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.
At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least five Business Days (or such shorter period as the Trustee may consent to in writing) before notice of redemption is required to be delivered or caused to be delivered to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03, an Officers’ Certificate of the Company requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.
Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is delivered as provided in Section 3.03, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date; provided that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the redemption date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities (or one or more predecessor Securities) registered at the close of business on the relevant record date therefor according to their terms and the terms of this Indenture.
Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price. Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, on or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.
Section 3.06 Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
Section 4.02 SEC Reports. Any information, documents or other reports that the Company shall file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is filed with the Commission; provided that any such information, documents or reports filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (or EDGAR) system shall be deemed filed with the Trustee as of the time such information, documents or reports are filed or furnished via EDGAR.
11
Section 4.03 Compliance Certificate. The Company shall, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate stating whether or not to the knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder), and if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, specifying all such Defaults or Events of Default and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.
Section 4.04 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities or any other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of, or interest on, the Securities as contemplated in the Indenture, any indenture supplemental thereto relating to the Securities or the Securities and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01 When Company May Merge, Etc. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, another person (a “Successor Person”) unless:
(a) the Company is the surviving corporation or the Successor Person (if other than the Company) is organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction or under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and expressly assumes the Company’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture; and
(b) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and any supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.
Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such Successor Person has been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company in the case of a sale, conveyance or other disposition (other than a lease) shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
12
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01 Events of Default.
“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default or the terms of such Event of Default have been modified or superceded as set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate for such Securities of any Series:
(a) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days); or
(b) default in the payment of principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity; or
(c) default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty for which the consequences of nonperformance or breach are addressed elsewhere in this Section 6.01 and other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a Series of Securities other than that Series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(d) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences a voluntary case or proceeding;
(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(v) makes an admission in writing that it is generally unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or
(e) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,
(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or
(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or
(f) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.02(n).
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
Section 6.02 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.01(d) or (e)), then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(d) or (e) shall occur, the principal amount (or specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities shall be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any Series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article; provided that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that Series, other than the non-payment of the principal and interest, if any, of Securities of that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
13
Section 6.03 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(a) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(b) default is made in the payment of principal of any Security at the Maturity thereof, then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or deemed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 6.04 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and (b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.05 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
14
Section 6.06 Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07; and
Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
Third: To the Company.
Section 6.07 Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;
(b) the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holder or Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
Section 6.08 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
15
Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.08, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 6.12 Control by Holders. Subject to Section 7.02(f), the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that:
(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,
(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(c) subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
Section 6.13 Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default (i) in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or (ii) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of such Series affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).
16
ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.
(ii) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely and is fully protected, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officers’ Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein) .
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.
(ii) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
(iii) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
(e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power at the request or direction of any Holder unless it receives indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
(h) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including the right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and to its agents. The provisions set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section shall apply to the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and its agents.
17
Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting at the direction of the Company, it may require an Officers’ Certificate. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate.
(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care. No Depositary shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depositary.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or willful misconduct.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder without negligence and in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(g) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by the Trustee to be genuine and to have been signed or delivered by the proper person.
(h) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default, other than a failure by the Company to make any payment hereunder when due if the Trustee is the Paying Agent, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities generally or the Securities of a particular Series and this Indenture and states that it is a “notice of default.”
(i) The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.
(j) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any special, indirect, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, lost profits) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(k) Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligation under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; wars; acts of terrorism; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemic; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental action; it being understood that each of the Trustee and Agents shall use commercially reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
(l) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.
Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
18
Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.
Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to each Holder of the Securities of that Series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of that Series.
Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after March 15 in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by deliver to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar a brief report dated as of such March 15, in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA Section 313. A copy of each report at the time of its delivery to Holders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel. The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (including the cost of defending itself) against any loss, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it except as set forth in this Section 7.07 in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure or delay by the Trustee to so notify the Company of any claim for which it may seek indemnity shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder except to the extent such failure or delay shall have materially prejudiced the Company. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any such persons as determined by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(d) or (e) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any insolvency, bankruptcy or similar law. The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination or discharge of this Indenture.
Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section. The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any insolvency, bankruptcy or similar law;
19
(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.
If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall deliver a notice of its succession to each Holder of each such Series. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to the date of such replacement.
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business (including administration of this Indenture) to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5) and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b).
Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.
ARTICLE VIII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.01), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(a) any of the following shall have occurred:
(i) no Securities have been issued hereunder;
(ii) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(iii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (1) have become due and payable, or (2) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or (3) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company; and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;
(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
20
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.07 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.07, 2.08, 8.01, 8.02 and 8.05 shall survive.
Section 8.02 Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.05, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.01, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (other than the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or analogous payments as contemplated by Sections 8.03 or 8.04.
(b) The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Sections 8.03 or 8.04 or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.
(c) The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Sections 8.03 or 8.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.
Section 8.03 Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series. Unless this Section 8.03 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.02(s), to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of any Series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, at Company Request, execute such instruments reasonably requested by the Company acknowledging the same), except as to:
(a) the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest, and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series; and
(b) the provisions of Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.07, 2.08, 8.02, 8.03 and 8.05; and
(c) the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder; provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
21
(d) with reference to this Section 8.03, the Company shall have deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.02(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;
(e) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
(f) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;
(g) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;
(h) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company;
(i) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with; and
(j) such defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless such trust shall be registered under such Act or exempt from registration thereunder.
Section 8.04 Covenant Defeasance. Unless this Section 8.04 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.02(s), to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof, the Company may omit to comply with respect to the Securities of any Series with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.02, 4.03, and 5.01 as well as any additional covenants specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02 (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series under Section 6.01) and the occurrence of any event specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02 and designated as an Event of Default shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(a) with reference to this Section 8.04, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.02(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;
22
(b) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
(c) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;
(d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred;
(e) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the covenant defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with; and
(f) Such defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless such trust shall be registered under such Act or exempt from registration thereunder.
Section 8.05 Repayment to Company. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and after such time, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.
Section 8.06 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money deposited with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 8.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and under the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders. Unless otherwise specified for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Holder:
(a) to evidence the succession of another person to the Company under this Indenture and the Securities and the assumption by any such Successor Person of the obligations of the Company hereunder and under the Securities;
(b) to add covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company provided such action does not adversely affect the interests of the Holders;
23
(c) to add any additional Events of Default;
(d) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form;
(e) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no such Security Outstanding;
(f) to establish the forms or terms of the Securities of any series issued pursuant to the terms hereof;
(g) to cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in this Indenture;
(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;
(i) to qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
(j) to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to certificated securities;
(k) to supplement any provisions of this Indenture necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities, provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series;
(l) to conform the Indenture to any Description of Securities for a particular Series of Securities; and
(m) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded.
Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders. The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series. It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Company shall deliver to the Holders of Securities affected thereby a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to deliver such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.
Section 9.03 Limitations. Unless otherwise specified for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:
(a) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
24
(b) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security;
(c) reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
(d) reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;
(e) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(f) make the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;
(g) make any change in Sections 6.08, 6.13, or 9.03; or
(h) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security.
Section 9.04 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.05 Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment is set forth in a supplemental indenture or a waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date of the supplemental indenture or the date the waiver becomes effective. Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Holder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.03. In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.
Section 9.06 Notation on or Exchange of Securities. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.
Section 9.07 Trustee Protected. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall receive, in addition to the documents required by Section 10.04, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent in this Indenture to the execution of such supplemental indenture, if any, have been complied with, such supplemental indenture is authorized hereunder, and, that such supplemental indenture is the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company. The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.
25
Section 10.02 Notices.
(a) Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other, or by a Holder to the Company or the Trustee, is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail or sent by telecopier transmission or electronic transmission in PDF addressed as follows:
if to the Company:
ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc.
X-702, Tower A, 60 Anli Road, Chaoyang District,
Beijing, China 100101
(+86) 10-64827328
Copy to:
if to the Trustee:
[ ]
(b) The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications. Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be delivered to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Failure to deliver a notice or communication to a Holder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders of that or any other Series. If a notice or communication is delivered in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Holder receives it. If the Company delivers a notice or communication to Holders, it shall deliver a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
(c) Any notice or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Company may, at the Company’s written request received by the Trustee not fewer than five (5) Business Days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee) to the date on which such notice must be given or served, be given or served by the Trustee in the name of and at the expense of the Company.
Section 10.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA
Section 10.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a) an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
26
Section 10.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:
(a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 10.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 10.07 Legal Holidays. Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
Section 10.08 No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
Section 10.09 Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 10.10 Governing Laws. This Indenture and the Securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
Section 10.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 10.12 Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
Section 10.13 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 10.14 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
27
Section 10.15 Securities in a Foreign Currency. Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars, then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at such time. For purposes of this Section 10.15, “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Company shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question or such other quotations as the Company, shall deem appropriate. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture. All decisions and determinations of the Company regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, to the extent permitted by law, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee and all Holders. The Trustee shall have no duty to calculate or verify the calculations made pursuant to this Section 10.15.
Section 10.16 U.S.A. Patriot Act. The Company acknowledges that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions, and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The Company agrees that it will provide the Trustee with such information as it may reasonably request as required in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.
Section 10.17 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING AS BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE ONLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES.
ARTICLE XI
SINKING FUNDS
Section 11.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.02. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.
Section 11.02 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (2) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been repurchased by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.02, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.
Section 11.03 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.02, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.02 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.03. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.04, 3.05 and 3.06.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
28
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
| RETO ECO-SOLUTIONS, INC., a British Virgin Islands business company | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| [ | ]. | |
| as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
Exhibit 5.1
| ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. | Email kchan@applebyglobal.com | ||
| Vistra Corporate Services Centre, | |||
| Wickhams Cay II, | |||
| Road Town, | Tel +852 2905 5722 | ||
| Tortola, British Virgin Islands | |||
| Attn: The Board of Directors | Appleby Ref 476069.0001 | ||
| 25 June 2026 | |||
| Dear Sirs | |||
Suites 3504B-06 35/F, Two Taikoo Place 979 King’s Road Quarry Bay Hong Kong
Tel +852 2523 8123
applebyglobal.com
Managing Partner David Bulley
Partners Fiona Chan Kitty Chan Vincent Chan Chris Cheng Richard Grasby Judy Lee Michael Makridakis John McCarroll SC Lorinda Peasland Eliot Simpson |
ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. (Company)
We act as counsel as to British Virgin Islands law to the Company, and this legal opinion as to British Virgin Islands law is addressed to you in connection with the Company’s filing of a Form F-3 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Form F-3) relating to the issuance and sale of securities of the Company in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of US$300,000,000 (or its equivalent in foreign or composite currencies) (Offering).
We are furnishing this opinion as Exhibits 5.1 and 23.1 to the Form F-3.
OUR REVIEW
For the purposes of giving this opinion we have examined and relied upon the Documents and the documents listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (Documents). We have not examined any other documents, even if they are referred to in the Documents.
We have not made any other enquiries concerning the Company and in particular we have not investigated or verified any matter of fact or opinion (whether set out in any of the Documents or elsewhere) other than as expressly stated in this opinion.
Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms have the meanings assigned to them in Schedule 1.
LIMITATIONS
Our opinion is limited to, and should be construed in accordance with, the laws of the British Virgin Islands at the date of this opinion. We express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction.
This opinion is limited to the matters stated in it and does not extend, and is not to be extended by implication, to any other matters. | ||
Bermuda ■ British Virgin Islands ■ Cayman Islands ■ Guernsey ■ Hong Kong ■ Isle of Man ■ Jersey ■ Mauritius ■ Seychelles ■ Shanghai ■ Shenzhen
ASSUMPTIONS AND RESERVATIONS
We give the following opinions on the basis of the assumptions set out in Schedule 2 (Assumptions), which we have not verified, and subject to the reservations set out in Schedule 3 (Reservations).
OPINIONS
| 1. | Incorporation and Status: The Company is a company limited by shares incorporated under the BVI Business Companies Act (as amended) (BCA) and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and is separate legal entities capable of suing or being sued in its respective own name. The Company is in good standing with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs of the British Virgin Islands (BVI Registrar). |
| 2. | Authorized Share Capital: Based solely on our review of the Constitutional Documents, the Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares (as defined in the Constitutional Documents) designated as follows: |
| (a) | an unlimited number of Class A Shares; and |
| (b) | up to a maximum of 2,000,000 Class B Shares, |
or any combination of the above classes of Shares.
| 3. | Authorisation: The Company has taken all necessary corporate action to authorise the issuance of the Shares under the Form F-3. |
| 4. | Issue of Shares: The Shares to be allotted and issued by the Company under the Offering have been duly authorized, and when fully paid, allotted and issued by the Company in the manner set out in the Form F-3 and in accordance with the Resolutions, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The reference in this opinion to Shares being non-assessable shall mean solely that no further sums of money are required to be paid by the holders of such Shares in connection with the issuance thereof. |
Bermuda ■ British Virgin Islands ■ Cayman Islands ■ Guernsey ■ Hong Kong ■ Isle of Man ■ Jersey ■ Mauritius ■ Seychelles ■ Shanghai ■ Shenzhen
2
| 5. | Disclosure: The statements under the heading “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities” in the Form F-3, insofar as such statements constitute statements of British Virgin Islands law and only to the extent governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands, are accurate in all material respects. |
| 6. | Withholding Taxes: No stamp duties or similar documentary taxes imposed by or in the British Virgin Islands are payable in respect of the Offering and the Company will not be required by any laws of the British Virgin Islands to make any deduction or withholding from any payment it may make under the Offering. |
CONSENT
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Form F-3 and to the reference to our firm in the Form F-3. In providing our consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States of America (as amended) or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Yours faithfully
Appleby
Bermuda ■ British Virgin Islands ■ Cayman Islands ■ Guernsey ■ Hong Kong ■ Isle of Man ■ Jersey ■ Mauritius ■ Seychelles ■ Shanghai ■ Shenzhen
3
Schedule 1
Documents Examined
| 1. | A scanned copy of the certificate of incorporation of the Company dated 7 August 2015 (Certificate of Incorporation). |
| 2. | A scanned copy of the certificate of incumbency of the Company dated 19 May 2026 (Certificate of Incumbency). |
| 3. | Scanned copies of the amended and restated memorandum of association and articles of association of the Company adopted on 13 May 2025 (Constitutional Documents). |
| 4. | A scanned copy of the certificate of good standing dated 2 June 2026 issued by the Registrar of Companies in respect of the Company (Certificate of Good Standing). |
| 5. | A scanned copy of the written resolutions by all the directors of the Company dated 4 June 2026 (Resolutions). |
| 6. | A scanned copy of the register of directors of the Company as of 27 May 2026 (Register of Directors). |
| 7. | A scanned copy of the draft Form F-3 to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the issuance and sale of securities of the Company in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of US$300,000,000 (or its equivalent in foreign or composite currencies), which has been furnished to us on 23 June 2026 (Form F-3). |
Bermuda ■ British Virgin Islands ■ Cayman Islands ■ Guernsey ■ Hong Kong ■ Isle of Man ■ Jersey ■ Mauritius ■ Seychelles ■ Shanghai ■ Shenzhen
4
Schedule 2
Assumptions
We have assumed:
| 1. | (i) that the originals of all documents examined in connection with this opinion are authentic, accurate and complete; and (ii) the authenticity, accuracy, completeness and conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies; |
| 2. | that there has been no change to the information contained in the Certificate of Incorporation, the Certificate of Good Standing and the Register of Directors and that the Constitutional Documents remain in full force and effect and are unamended; |
| 3. | that the signatures, initials and seals on all documents and certificates submitted to us as originals or copies of executed originals are authentic, and the signatures and initials on all such documents the signatures and initials of a person or persons authorised to execute such document; |
| 4. | that where incomplete documents, drafts or signature pages only have been supplied to us for the purposes of issuing this opinion, the original documents have been duly completed and correspond in all material respects with the last version of the relevant documents examined by us prior to giving our opinion; |
| 5. | that none of the Company’s directors or its registered office have received any notice of any litigation or threatened litigation to which the Company is or may be party; |
| 6. | that the Company is not a land owning company for the purposes of section 242 of the BCA, meaning that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries has an interest in any land in the British Virgin Islands; |
| 7. | that the Company does not carry on any activities which would require it to be licensed under any of the British Virgin Islands financial services legislation in force from time to time; |
Bermuda ■ British Virgin Islands ■ Cayman Islands ■ Guernsey ■ Hong Kong ■ Isle of Man ■ Jersey ■ Mauritius ■ Seychelles ■ Shanghai ■ Shenzhen
5
| 8. | that (i) the Resolutions were duly passed in accordance with the Constitutional Documents, (ii) all interests of the directors of the Company on the subject matter of the Resolutions, if any, were declared and disclosed in accordance with the law and Constitutional Documents, (iii) the Resolutions have not been revoked, amended or superseded, in whole or in part, and remain in full force and effect at the date of this opinion, and (iv) the directors of the Company have concluded that documents approved by the Resolutions and the transactions contemplated thereby are bona fide in the best interests of the Company and for a proper purpose of the Company; |
| 9. | that the Register of Directors accurately reflect the names of all directors of the Company as at the date the Resolutions were passed or adopted and as at the date of this opinion; |
| 10. | that there are no records of the Company, agreements, documents or arrangements other than the Constitutional Documents, the Resolutions and the documents expressly referred to herein as having been examined by us which materially affect, amend or vary the transactions contemplated in the documents or the Resolutions or restrict the powers and authority of the directors of the Company in any way which would affect opinions expressed in this opinion; |
| 11. | that the Offering, the entry into any documents and carrying out each of the transactions referred to herein will not conflict with or breach any applicable economic, anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing or other sanctions; |
| 12. | that any applicable escrow conditions have been met; and |
| 13. | that no resolutions to voluntarily wind up the Company have been adopted by the respective directors and no event of a type which is specified in the Constitutional Documents as giving rise to the winding up of the Company (if any) has in fact occurred. |
Bermuda ■ British Virgin Islands ■ Cayman Islands ■ Guernsey ■ Hong Kong ■ Isle of Man ■ Jersey ■ Mauritius ■ Seychelles ■ Shanghai ■ Shenzhen
6
Schedule 3
Reservations
Our opinion is subject to the following:
| 1. | Currency of Court Judgments: It is our view that, in the event of proceedings being brought in the British Virgin Islands in respect of a monetary obligation in connection with the Documents, it is likely to be expressed in the currency in which such claim is made, since the courts have power to grant a monetary judgment expressed otherwise than in the currency of the British Virgin Islands. With respect to winding up proceedings, British Virgin Islands law may require that all debts and claims are converted into U.S. Dollars (the currency of the British Virgin Islands) at an exchange rate prevailing on the date of the winding up. Currency indemnity provisions have not been tested, so far as we are aware, in the courts of the British Virgin Islands. |
| 2. | Modification of documents: We express no view on any provision in any of the Documents requiring written amendments and waivers of any of the provisions of such Documents insofar as it suggests that oral or other modification, amendments or waivers could not be effectively agreed upon or granted by or between the parties or implied by the course of conduct of the parties. |
| 3. | Limitations on liability: The effectiveness of any terms releasing or limiting a party from a liability or duty owed is limited by law. |
| 4. | Foreign law: Relevant foreign law will not be applied by the British Virgin Islands courts if it is not pleaded and proved, is not a bona fide and lawful choice of law, or it would be contrary to public policy in the British Virgin Islands for that law to be applied. |
| 5. | Fettering of Statutory Powers: We express no opinion as to the validity or binding effect of any provision in the Resolutions which provides that the Company will not exercise its respective statutory powers. This may constitute an unlawful fetter on the statutory powers of the respective Company. |
| 6. | Financial Capacity: We express no opinion upon the financial capacity of the Company to perform any obligations under the Offering. |
Bermuda ■ British Virgin Islands ■ Cayman Islands ■ Guernsey ■ Hong Kong ■ Isle of Man ■ Jersey ■ Mauritius ■ Seychelles ■ Shanghai ■ Shenzhen
7
| 7. | Good Standing: The term good standing as used in this opinion means solely that a Company has received a Certificate of Good Standing from the BVI Registrar because it has paid all fees, annual fees and penalties due and payable under the BCA; has filed with the BVI Registrar in accordance with regulation 25 of the BVI Business Companies Regulations (as amended): |
| (a) | a copy of its register of directors (or the Company is not yet due to file that register); and |
| (b) | a declaration in the approved form attesting that the Company has filed with its registered agent the Company’s annual financial return in accordance with section 98A of the BCA (unless exempted from that requirement or the Company is not yet due to file such annual financial return), |
and the Company is on the Register of Companies. Failure to (a) pay such fees, annual fees or penalties; (b) file with the BVI Registrar a copy of its register of directors that is due; or (c) file with the BVI Registrar such declaration in respect of any annual financial return that is due, would in each case make the Company not in good standing and liable to be struck off the Register of Companies and cease to exist under the laws of the British Virgin Islands if any such default is not remedied before the BVI Registrar publishes a notice of striking off in the British Virgin Islands Gazette.
| 14. | Register of Directors: This opinion is subject to the Register of Directors not containing any manifest error and the absence of fraud or other extraordinary circumstances which may lead to the Register of Directors being rectified pursuant to an order of the competent court. |
| 15. | Issue of Shares: Based on the decision in the English case of Houldsworth v City of Glasgow Bank (1880) 5 App Cas 317 HL, in the event of a misrepresentation by a Company on which a shareholder relied in agreeing to subscribe for shares in such Company, the shareholder may be entitled to rescind the share subscription agreement and thereafter claim damages against such Company for any additional loss suffered as a result of the misrepresentation. Such a claim for damages will not arise unless and until the shareholder has successfully rescinded the share subscription agreement. A shareholder may be barred from rescinding on the grounds of delay or affirmation and if such Company is wound up (whether voluntarily or compulsorily), such shareholder will lose the right to rescind the share subscription agreement. |
Bermuda ■ British Virgin Islands ■ Cayman Islands ■ Guernsey ■ Hong Kong ■ Isle of Man ■ Jersey ■ Mauritius ■ Seychelles ■ Shanghai ■ Shenzhen
8
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. of our report dated May 1, 2026, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 2025. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the Registration Statement.
/s/ YCM CPA INC.
PCAOB ID 6781
Irvine, California
June 25, 2026
Exhibit 99.1
|
中国上海浦东新区浦东南路256号华夏银行大厦14楼 邮编：200120 电话：86-21-51150298 传真：86-21-51150398 |
14/F,Huaxia Bank Plaza,256 South Pudong Road Pu Dong New Area Shanghai 200120, P.R.China Tel: 86-21-51150298 Fax: 86-21-51150398
|
Date: June 25, 2026
Legal Opinion
| To: | RETO ECO-SOLUTIONS, INC. |
X-702, Tower A, 60 Anli Road
Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
Dear Sirs or Madams,
We are qualified lawyers of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”, for the purpose of this Opinion, excluding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan Province) and are qualified to issue this Legal Opinion (the “Opinion”) based on the PRC Laws (as defined below). We have acted as the PRC legal counsel to ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) in connection with the disclosure in the Registration Statement on Form F-3 of the Company in relation to the offer, issue and sell from time to time Class A shares of no par value, debt securities, warrants, rights or units up to US$300,000,000 or its equivalent in any other currency, currency units, or composite currency or currencies in one or more issuance of the Company (the “Shelf Registration”) as set out in the Registration Statement, filed on June 25, 2026 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
In our capacity as PRC counsel to the Company, we have examined the originals and/or copies of the documents as we have considered necessary or relevant for the purpose of providing this Opinion (collectively, the “Documents”). However, we have not carried out independent investigations and rely on the information provided by the Company which the Company represents is authentic, accurate and complete. We have assumed that all facts and information provided by the Company are true, correct and complete and the in response to our inquiries and requests for the purpose of this Opinion, all the information and materials provided to us by the Company are true, accurate, complete and not misleading.
In our examination of the Documents, we have assumed, with your consent, that (a) all Documents submitted to us as copies conform to their originals and all Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic; (b) all signatures, seals and chops on such Documents are genuine; and (c) other than the PRC entities, all parties have the requisite power and authority to enter into, and have duly executed and delivered under the laws other than those of the PRC, the Documents; (d) all facts and information stated or given in such Documents are true, correct and complete; (e) all natural persons who purport to act for and on behalf of the PRC entities have sufficient legal capacity to enter into and perform the transactions contemplated by the relevant agreements or to carry out their respective roles in such transactions; (f) each of the Documents has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the parties other than the PRC entities; and (g) in response to our due diligence inquiries, requests and investigations for the purpose of this Opinion, all the information and materials provided to us by the PRC entities are true, accurate, complete and not misleading.
We have further assumed, with your consent, that the Company is duly incorporated, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its establishment.
For the purpose of this Opinion, we have relied on factual representations and confirmations made by the Company (including all the companies, subsidiaries and affiliated entities of the Company) with respect to the business conducted by them. Where we render an opinion “to our knowledge” or concerning an item “known to us”, “after due inquiry”, or otherwise refers to our knowledge or awareness or matters that have come to our attention, it is intended to indicate that during the course of our representation of the Company with respect to the inquiries, no information that would give us current actual knowledge of the inaccuracy of such statement has come to the attention of the attorneys in this firm principally responsible for representing the Company. Except as set forth herein, we have not undertaken any independent investigation to determine the accuracy of such statement and any limited inquiry undertaken by us during the preparation of this Opinion should not be regarded as such an investigation; no inference as to our knowledge of any matters bearing on the accuracy of any such statement should be drawn from the fact of our representation of the Company.
In rendering the opinions set forth in this letter, we may have relied (as to matters of fact but not as to legal conclusions), to the extent we deem proper, on Letter of Undertaking issued by the Company (the “Letter of Undertaking”).
This Opinion is rendered on the basis of the PRC Laws effective as of the date hereof and there is no assurance that any of such laws will not be changed, amended or replaced in the immediate future or in the longer term with or without retrospective effect. Any such changes, amendments or replacement may be made by an order of the President of the PRC or the State Council or, in the case of administrative, regulatory and provincial laws and regulations, by the relevant administrative, regulatory or provincial bodies and may become effective immediately on promulgation.
We do not purport to be an expert on and to be generally familiar with or qualified to express legal opinions based on any laws other than the PRC Laws (as defined below). Accordingly, we express and imply no opinion herein based on the laws of any jurisdiction other than the PRC.
The following terms as used in this Opinion are defined as follows:
“CSRC” means the China Securities Regulatory Commission.
“PRC Governmental Authorities” means any national, provincial or local court, governmental agency or body, stock exchange authorities or any other regulator in the PRC.
“PRC Governmental Authorizations” means licenses, consents, authorizations, sanctions, permissions, declarations, approvals, orders, registrations, clearances, annual inspections, waivers, qualifications, certificates and permits from, and the reports to and filings with, PRC Governmental Authorities pursuant to any applicable PRC Laws.
“PRC Laws” means all applicable laws, regulations, rules, orders, decrees, guidelines, judicial interpretations, public policies and other legislation of the PRC or any PRC governmental authorities in effect on the date of this Opinion.
“PRC Subsidiaries” means the Company’s subsidiaries that were incorporated in mainland China.
2
Based on and subject to the foregoing and the disclosures contained in the Registration Statement and the qualifications set out below, we are of the opinion that:
| 1. | Each PRC Subsidiary has been duly organized and validly exists as a limited liability company with independent legal person status under the PRC Laws. Its business license and articles of association, as filed with the competent PRC Governmental Authorities, are in full force and effect and comply in all material respects with applicable PRC Laws. The registered capital of each PRC Subsidiary, which shall be paid in accordance with the payment schedule as provided in its articles of association, has been subscribed, and the equity interests in each PRC Subsidiary are legally owned by its respective shareholder(s). |
| 2. | To the best of our knowledge after due inquiry and based on our review of the public records of National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System online, the registered capital of each PRC Subsidiary is owned free and clear of any pledge, lien, attachment or other encumbrance, and no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue or other rights to convert any obligations into any registered capital of the PRC Subsidiaries are outstanding. |
| 3. | On February 17, 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises, which became effective on March 31, 2023 (the “Trial Measures”). The CSRC also circulated Supporting Guidance Rules No. 1 through No. 5, Notes on the Trial Measures, Notice on Administration Arrangements for the Filing of Overseas Listings by Domestic Enterprises and relevant CSRC Answers to Reporter Questions, or collectively, the Guidance Rules and Notice, on CSRC’s official website, on the same day. Under the Trial Measures, together with the Guidance Rules and Notice (collectively, the “New Overseas Listing Rules”), PRC domestic enterprises conducting overseas securities offering and listing, either directly or indirectly, shall complete filings with the CSRC pursuant to the New Overseas Listing Rules’ requirements within three business days following the submission of application for an initial public offering or listing. Direct overseas securities offering and listing by domestic enterprises refers the overseas offering and listing of a PRC incorporated and registered company limited by shares; and indirect overseas securities offering and listing by domestic enterprises refers to the overseas offering and listing of an overseas incorporated and registered company whose main business activities are within the territory of mainland China and the offering and listing are based on the equity, assets, income or other similar interests of PRC domestic enterprises. If both of the following conditions are satisfied, the offering and listing will be deemed as an indirect overseas securities offering and listing by domestic enterprises: (1) more than 50% of the audited financial indicators (operating revenue, profits, total assets or net assets) for the most recent accounting year is accounted for by the PRC domestic companies; and (2) main aspects of business activities or operations are conducted in mainland China, or main place of business are located in mainland China or the majority of senior management responsible for the operation and management domicile in mainland China or are Chinese citizens. Companies already listed overseas as of March 31, 2023 are not required to make immediate filing with the CSRC, but are required to file with the CSRC within three business days after the completion of subsequent securities offerings in the same overseas market where its securities were previously offered and listed, or file the required filing materials with the CSRC within three working days after the submission of relevant application for subsequent securities offerings and listings in other overseas markets. In addition, an overseas listed company is required to report to the CSRC within three business days after the occurrence and announcement of any of the following material events: (1) a change of control of the listed company; (2) the investigation, sanction or other measures undertaken by any foreign securities regulatory agencies or authorities in respect of the listed company; (3) a change of listing status or transfer of listing segment; and (4) the voluntary or mandatory delisting of the listed company. |
The Company is subject to the filing requirements under the Trial Measures and the filing will be required to be submitted to CSRC within three business days after the closing of the initial offering under the Shelf Registration.
3
| 4. | Based on our understanding of the current PRC Laws after due and reasonable inquiry, we believe: (i) Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Trial of Private Lending Cases (2020 Second Revision) does not prohibit the Company from using cash generated from one subsidiary to fund another subsidiary’s operations. However, such intra-group fund transfers may be subject to other PRC legal requirements, including but not limited to foreign exchange control regulations, tax laws, and restrictions on unlawful fundraising; (ii) neither the Company nor any of its PRC Subsidiaries (a) has received official notification from any PRC Governmental Authority designating it as an “operator of critical information infrastructure”; none of the PRC Subsidiaries falls within the definition of “online platform operators” as defined by the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021 version) which was promulgated and took effect on February 15, 2022; and (b) is in possession of personal information of more than one million users, because none of them collects or stores personal information from the individual end-users; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its PRC Subsidiaries is directly subject to the regulatory actions or statements which the PRC Governmental Authorities initiated recently on securities market, cybersecurity review and anti-monopoly enforcement, as the Company and its PRC Subsidiaries have not implemented any monopolistic behavior and their business does not involve the collection of user data, implicate cybersecurity, or involve any other type of restricted industry; and (iv) other than those requisite permissions that the Company’s PRC Subsidiaries have obtained for a domestic company in China to engage in the similar businesses, neither the Company nor any of its PRC Subsidiaries is required to obtain any permission from any PRC Governmental Authorities, including, without limitation, the CSRC and the Cyberspace Administration of China, to conduct its operations and the offering of securities. However, since the Measures for Cybersecurity Review was adopted, and there remains significant uncertainty as to the enactment, interpretation and implementation of regulatory requirements related to current and future PRC Laws, overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities, there can be no assurance that the PRC Governmental Authorities will take a view that is not contrary to or otherwise different from our opinion stated above. |
| 5. | As there is no unified and complete enquiry system of litigation or other legal proceedings in the PRC, we cannot independently investigate the legal proceedings against the PRC Subsidiaries. Based solely on our review of public available information and after due inquiry, save for the two PRC Subsidiaries, namely Beijing ReTo Hengda Technology Co., Ltd. (北京瑞图恒达科技有限公司, the “ReTo Hengda”) and Beijing REIT Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. (北京瑞图装备技术有限公司, the “REIT Equipment”) have been involved in a litigation1, there is no civil or administrative proceedings in progress or pending in the PRC to which the Company, or any of the PRC Subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or of any of the PRC Subsidiaries is the subject which has a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or the PRC Subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate, and there are no governmental proceedings involving the Company or PRC Subsidiaries. As used in this Opinion, “Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, operations, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company and the PRC Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. |
| 1 | ReTo Hengda, as a defendant, is claimed to bear joint and several liability for liquidate damages and compensations of approximately RMB2,031,016 in total, and REIT Equipment, as a defendant, shall bear joint and several liability for the aforesaid guarantee debt of ReTo Hengda. The case has been ordered to be transferred to the competent court for further proceedings. |
4
| 6. | The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedure Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocal arrangements with the United States or the British Virgin Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedure Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against the Company or its directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or the British Virgin Islands. |
| 7. | To the best of our knowledge after due inquiry, none of the PRC Subsidiaries has taken any corporate action, nor does it have any legal proceedings commenced against it, for its liquidation, winding up, dissolution, or bankruptcy, for the appointment of a liquidation committee, administrator or similar officers in respect of its assets or for the suspension, withdrawal, revocation or cancellation of any of its PRC Governmental Authorizations. |
This Opinion is subject to the following qualifications:
| 1. | This Opinion relates only to the PRC Laws and we express no opinion as to any other laws and regulations. There is no guarantee that any of the PRC Laws, or the interpretation thereof or enforcement thereof, will not be changed, amended or replaced in the immediate future or in the longer term with or without retrospective effect. |
| 2. | We have not verified, and express no opinion on, the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of all factual statements expressly made in the Documents. |
| 3. | This Opinion is intended to be used in the context which is specifically referred to herein. Each paragraph should be looked at as a whole and no part should be extracted and referred to independently. |
This Opinion is solely for the benefit of the persons to whom it is addressed and the respective counsels of such persons. It may not be relied upon by anyone else or used for any other purpose, in each instance, without our prior written consent.
Yours faithfully,
For and on behalf of
| Yuan Tai Law Offices | |
| /s/ Shao Jun | |
| Name: Shao Jun | |
| Designation: Partner |
5