As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 5, 2026
Registration No. 333-[●]
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| 6199 | 39-2506682 | |||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Twenty One Capital, Inc.
111 Congress Avenue, Suite 500
Austin, Texas 78701
(206) 552-9859
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
C
T Corporation System
1999 Bryan Street, Suite 900
Dallas, TX 75201-3136
(214) 979-1172
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Lorenzo Corte, Esq.
Maria Protopapa, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
22 Bishopsgate
London EC2N 4BQ
United Kingdom
+44 20 7519 7000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box: ☒
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) 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. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ |
| Smaller reporting company | |
| Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check
mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.
The registrant hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant and co-registrants 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 the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Neither we nor the Selling Securityholders may sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. 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.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS, SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED January 5, 2026
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC.
1.00% Convertible Notes due 2030
Up to 35,068,912 Shares of Class A Common Stock Underlying 2030 Convertible Notes
This prospectus relates to the resale by the selling holders (the “Selling Securityholders”) of up to $486,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of 1.00% convertible senior notes due 2030 (the “Convertible Notes”) issued by Twenty One Capital, Inc. (“Company” or “Pubco” or “Twenty One Capital”), which includes (i) $340,200,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes (the “Subscription Notes”) issued pursuant to subscription agreements entered into on April 22, 2025, by and among the Company and Cantor Equity Partners, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“CEP”), (the “Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements”) with certain investors (the “Convertible Note Investors”, and such subscription, the “Initial Convertible Notes PIPE”), (ii) $100,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of additional Convertible Notes (the “Option Notes”) issued pursuant to an option granted by the Company to Convertible Note Investors pursuant to the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements on a pro rata basis based on such Convertible Note Investor’s participation in the Initial Convertible Notes PIPE (the “Option”), which Option Notes have been fully subscribed for by the Convertible Note Investors and Cantor EP Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”) (pursuant to the Sponsor Convertible Notes Subscription Agreement (as defined below)), (iii) $46,300,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes issued to the upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement (as defined below) (the “Closing”) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Agreement (as defined below).
This prospectus also relates to the resale or disposition from time to time by the Selling Securityholders of up to 35,068,912 shares of Class A common stock of Twenty One Capital, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”) issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes.
On April 22, 2025, CEP, Twenty One Capital, Twenty One Merger Sub D, a Cayman Islands exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Twenty One Capital (“CEP Merger Sub”), Twenty One Assets, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Twenty One”), Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V., an El Salvador sociedad anónima de capital variable (“Tether”), iFinex, Inc., a British Virgin Islands company (“Bitfinex” and, together with Tether, the “Sellers”) and, solely for certain limited purposes, Stellar Beacon LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SoftBank”), entered into a business combination agreement (as amended on July 26, 2025, the “Business Combination Agreement”).
Concurrently with the signing of the Business Combination Agreement, (i) CEP, Twenty One Capital and the Sponsor entered into the sponsor support agreement (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2025, the “Sponsor Support Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other matters described below, Twenty One Capital and the Sponsor agreed to enter into a Securities Exchange Agreement (the “Securities Exchange Agreement”) at Closing, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to exchange a number of its shares of Class A Common Stock as determined in accordance with the Securities Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Shares”) in exchange for Convertible Notes (the “Exchange Notes”) equal in value to the product of (1) the total number of the Exchange Shares multiplied by (2) $10.00 per share, and (ii) Twenty One Capital, CEP and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (“CF&Co.”) entered into an engagement letter (as amended by the amendment thereto, dated as of June 25, 2025, the “PIPE Engagement Letter”), which provided, among other matters, CF&Co. may receive Convertible Notes (the “Engagement Letter Notes”), such that the aggregate principal value of the Engagement Letter Notes and the Exchange Notes is equal to the sum of (i) 1.5% of the value of the Bitcoin to be contributed by Tether and Bitfinex pursuant to the Contribution Agreement (as defined below), (ii) 1.5% of the gross proceeds received by the Company and CEP pursuant to the April PIPE Investments (as defined below), subject to certain adjustments and (iii) $98,963 in additional consideration. Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Agreement, at Closing, the Sponsor exchanged 4,630,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in exchange for $46,300,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes. CF&Co. did not receive any Engagement Letter Notes.
The Selling Securityholders may offer, sell or distribute all or a portion of the shares of Class A Common Stock or Convertible Notes registered hereby publicly or through private transactions at prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices or as distributions in kind to their members, partners or stockholders pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part by delivering a prospectus with a plan of distribution. We provide more information about how the Selling Securityholders may sell the securities in the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.”
We will pay all fees and expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the Class A Common Stock or the Convertible Notes and will not receive proceeds from the sale of the shares of Class A Common Stock or the Convertible Notes by the Selling Securityholders.
Our Class A Common Stock is listed on NYSE under the symbol “XXI.” The Convertible Notes are not, and will not be, listed for trading on any national securities exchange.
We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company” under applicable federal securities laws and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.
INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS THAT ARE DESCRIBED IN THE “RISK FACTORS” SECTION BEGINNING ON PAGE 7 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued under this prospectus 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 contained in this prospectus. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in this prospectus. This prospectus is dated as of the date set forth on the cover hereof. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than that date.
For investors outside the United States: We have not done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. You are required to inform yourselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus.
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About This Prospectus
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-1 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using the “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the Selling Securityholders may, from time to time, sell the securities offered by them described in this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale by such Selling Securityholders of the Convertible Notes or shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes described in this prospectus.
Neither we nor the Selling Securityholders have authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. Neither we nor the Selling Securityholders take responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. Neither we nor the Selling Securityholders will make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
We may also provide a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the registration statement to add information to, or update or change information contained in, this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the registration statement together with the additional information to which we refer you in the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” The Selling Securityholders may offer and sell the securities directly to purchasers, through agents selected by the Selling Securityholders, or to or through underwriters or dealers. A prospectus supplement, if required, may describe the terms of the plan of distribution and set forth the names of any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of securities. See the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.”
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Basis of Presentation
Twenty One Capital
Twenty One Capital was incorporated in Texas on March 7, 2025, for the purpose of effectuating the Business Combination. The financial statements of Twenty One Capital included in this prospectus have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
Cep
The financial statements of CEP included in this prospectus have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Twenty One
Twenty One was incorporated in Delaware on March 7, 2025, as a Delaware corporation, and converted into a Delaware limited liability company on April 17, 2025. The financial statements of Twenty One included in this prospectus have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
This prospectus contains:
| ● | the audited financial statements of the Company as of June 30, 2025 and for the period from March 7, 2025 to June 30, 2025 and the unaudited financial statements of Company as of September 30, 2025 and for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and for the period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to September 30, 2025. |
| ● | the audited financial statements of CEP as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and the unaudited financial statements of CEP as of September 30, 2025 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024. |
| ● | the audited financial statements of Twenty One as of April 30, 2025, and for the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to April 30, 2025 and the unaudited financial statements of Twenty One as of September 30, 2025 and for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and for the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to September 30, 2025. |
Unless indicated otherwise, financial data presented in this prospectus has been taken from the audited and unaudited financial statements of the Company, CEP and Twenty One, as applicable, included in this prospectus.
In this prospectus, unless otherwise specified, all monetary amounts are in U.S. dollars, all references to “$,” “US$,” “USD” and “dollars” mean U.S. dollars.
Certain monetary amounts, percentages and other figures included herein have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables and charts may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them, and figures expressed as percentages in the text may not total 100% or, as applicable, when aggregated may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the percentages that precede them.
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Frequently Used Terms
Unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” and “our” refers to Twenty One Assets, LLC prior to the Business Combination and Twenty One Capital, Inc. and its subsidiaries after giving effect to the Business Combination, as the context suggests. In this document the following terms, when capitalized, have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires.
“$,” “USD,” “US$” and “U.S. dollar” each refer to the legal currency of the United States.
“Accrual Period” means the actual number of calendar days for the period beginning on and including the applicable Accrual Start Date to, but excluding, the Closing Date.
“Accrual Rate” means the sum of (A) the arithmetic average (rounded to the nearest five decimal places) of the Term SOFR Screen Rate on each U.S. Government Securities Business Day during the Accrual Period and (B) 3.00%.
“Additional PIPE Bitcoin” means the 4,422.688667 Bitcoin purchased by Tether (being equal to 10,500 Bitcoin minus (i) the Initial PIPE Bitcoin, minus (ii) the Option PIPE Bitcoin, and minus (iii) the April In-Kind PIPE Bitcoin).
“Additional PIPE Bitcoin Purchase Price” means an amount equal to the Additional PIPE Bitcoin multiplied by the Signing Bitcoin Price.
“Additional Shares” means additional shares of Class A Common Stock surrendered for conversion under certain circumstances described in the Indenture, increasing the Conversion Rate for the Convertible Notes.
“Affiliate(s)” when used with respect to a particular person, means any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person as of the date on which, or at any time during the period for which, the determination of affiliation is being made, whether through one or more intermediaries or otherwise, and the term “control” (including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Amended and Restated Bylaws” means the amended and restated bylaws of Twenty One Capital adopted in connection with Closing.
“Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation” or “Amended and Restated Company Charter” means the amended and restated certificate of formation of Twenty One Capital adopted in connection with Closing.
“Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Registration Agreement executed at Closing by and among Twenty One Capital, CEP, the Sponsor, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank.
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“Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement” means Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2025, by and among CEP, Twenty One, Twenty One Capital, CEP Merger Sub, the Sellers and, solely for certain limited purposes, SoftBank.
“Anchorage” means Anchorage Digital Bank, NA, a digital asset custodian servicing institution.
“Ancillary Agreement(s)” means each agreement, instrument or document attached to the Business Combination Agreement as an exhibit, and the other agreements, certificates and instruments executed or delivered by any of the Parties in connection with or pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement or the Transactions, including the Contribution Agreement, the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Securities Exchange Agreement, the Lock-Up Agreements, the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, the Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements, the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements, the Services Agreement, the Organizational Documents and the SoftBank Purchase Agreement.
“Anniversary Release” means six months after the date of the Closing.
“Applicable Rate” means a percentage (rounded to the nearest five decimal places) obtained by multiplying the Accrual Rate by (A) the Accrual Period, divided by (B) 365 (as mutually agreed by SoftBank and Tether).
“April Equity PIPE” means the issuance and sale by CEP of the April Equity PIPE Shares to the April Equity PIPE Investors which occurred immediately prior to the CEP Merger.
“April Equity PIPE Investors” means the investors that entered into the April Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements with CEP and Twenty One Capital.
“April Equity PIPE Shares” means the 20,000,000 CEP Class A Ordinary Shares issued by CEP to the April Equity PIPE Investors prior to the CEP Merger.
“April Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements” means the Subscription Agreements, dated April 22, 2025, by and among CEP, Twenty One Capital and each of the April Equity PIPE Investors.
“April In-Kind PIPE Bitcoin” means the 259.2396 Bitcoin that certain April Equity PIPE Investors have agreed to contribute to CEP in exchange for April Equity PIPE Shares pursuant to their Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements.
“April PIPE Bitcoin” means, collectively, the Initial PIPE Bitcoin and the Option PIPE Bitcoin.
“April PIPE Bitcoin Cost Amount” means (A) the quotient of (x) the Initial PIPE Bitcoin plus the Option PIPE Bitcoin, in each case valued at the average of the Bitcoin Price for the ten-day period ending on the Business Day immediately prior to the closing of the Twenty One Merger and (y) three, multiplied by (B) the Applicable Rate.
“April PIPE Investments” means, collectively, the April Equity PIPE and the Convertible Notes PIPE.
“ASU 2023-08” means the updated accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to address accounting and disclosure of certain crypto assets.
“ATS(s)” means alternative trading system.
“Bitcoin Price” or “BRRNY” means with respect to any given day, the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate—New York Variant index for such day.
“Bitfinex” means iFinex, Inc., a British Virgin Islands company.
“Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
“BPS” means a ratio calculated by dividing the amount of Bitcoin held by Twenty One by the outstanding shares of Twenty One Capital Stock.
“BRR” means the rate at which BPS grows over time.
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“Business Combination” or “Transactions” means, collectively, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.
“Business Combination Agreement” means the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2025, by and among CEP, Twenty One, Twenty One Capital, the CEP Merger Sub, the Sellers and, solely for certain limited purposes, SoftBank, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement.
“Business Combination Marketing Agreement” means the letter agreement, dated August 12, 2024, by and between CF&Co. and CEP.
“Business Day(s)” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday on which commercial banking institutions in New York, New York, Austin, Texas, and the Cayman Islands are authorized to close for business or for purposes of the Pre-Closing Restructuring, any day on which the Delaware Secretary of State is authorized to close for business.
“Cantor” means Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, an affiliate of the Sponsor and CF&Co. and, prior to the Closing, CEP.
“Cantor F&F Sale” means the sale by Tether to the Sponsor of an aggregate of 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at a price of $10.00 per share pursuant to the Cantor F&F SPA.
“Cantor F&F SPA” means the sale and purchase agreement, dated as of October 16, 2025, by and between Tether and the Sponsor.
“Cash Settlement” means the settlement by the Company of the conversion of a Convertible Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, by paying the applicable amount of cash to the relevant converting Holder, as further described under “Description of Securities—Convertible Notes—Conversion—Conversion Procedures.”
“Cayman Act” or means the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands.
“CEP” means Cantor Equity Partners, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company. CEP merged with and into CEP Merger Sub at Closing.
“CEP Board” means the board of directors of CEP.
“CEP Class A Ordinary Shares” means class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of CEP.
“CEP Class B Ordinary Shares” means class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of CEP.
“CEP Founder Shares” or “Founder Shares” means, initially, the 2,500,000 CEP Class B Ordinary Shares purchased by the Sponsor for $25,000 in a private placement prior to the CEP IPO; provided that following the Closing, CEP Founder Shares refers to the shares of Class A Common Stock received by the Sponsor in exchange for CEP Class A Ordinary Shares in the CEP Merger, after the conversion of CEP Class B Ordinary Shares into CEP Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to the CEP Memorandum and Articles and after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Sponsor Support Agreement and Securities Exchange Agreement.
“CEP IPO” means the initial public offering of the Public Shares by CEP which was consummated on August 14, 2024.
“CEP Memorandum and Articles” means the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of CEP as of the date hereof, as amended and in effect under the Cayman Act.
“CEP Merger” means the merger of CEP with and into CEP Merger Sub, with CEP Merger Sub continuing as the CEP Surviving Company.
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“CEP Merger Sub” means Twenty One Merger Sub D, a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Twenty One Capital.
“CEP Ordinary Shares” means collectively, the CEP Class A Ordinary Shares and the CEP Class B Ordinary Shares.
“CEP Plan of Merger” means the plan of merger entered into by CEP Merger Sub, CEP and Twenty One Capital.
“CEP Pre-Closing Statement” means the pre-Closing statement delivered by CEP prior to the Closing in accordance with the Business Combination Agreement.
“CEP Private Placement” means the sale of the 300,000 CEP Class A Ordinary Shares to the Sponsor that occurred concurrently with the CEP IPO.
“CEP Shareholders” means the holders of CEP Ordinary Shares.
“CEP Subsidiary A” means CEP Sub A, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of CEP.
“CEP Subsidiary B” means CEP Sub B, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of CEP Subsidiary A.
“CEP Surviving Subsidiary” means CEP Merger Sub continuing as the surviving entity after CEP merges with and into CEP Merger Sub in the CEP Merger.
“CF&Co.” means Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., a New York general partnership, the representative of the underwriters in the CEP IPO and an affiliate of the Sponsor, Cantor and, prior to the Closing, CEP.
“CFGM” means CF Group Management, Inc., a New York corporation, the managing general partner of Cantor.
“CFTC” means the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
“Change in Capitalization” means, pursuant to the Incentive Plan, in each case of an event of a merger, consolidation, reclassification, recapitalization, spin-off, spin-out, repurchase, reorganization, special or extraordinary dividend or other extraordinary distribution, stock split, reverse stock split, subdivision, consolidation, combination or exchange of shares, other change in corporate structure or a similar corporate event affecting the Class A Common Stock.
“CLARITY Act” means the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on July 17, 2025, that is now awaiting Senate action.
“Class A Common Stock” means the shares of class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Twenty One Capital.
“Class B Common Stock” means the shares of class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Twenty One Capital.
“Class A Merger Consideration Shares” means an aggregate number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to (a) the product of (1) 31,500, multiplied by (2) the Signing Bitcoin Price ($84,863.57), divided by (b) $10.00.
“Class B Merger Consideration Shares” means an aggregate number of shares of Class B Common Stock equal to (a) the product of (1) 31,500, multiplied by (2) the Signing Bitcoin Price ($84,863.57), divided by (b) $10.00.
“Closing” means the closing of the Transactions.
“Closing Date” means the date of the Closing.
“CME” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Collateral” means collectively, whether now existing or hereafter from time to time arising and whether now owned or hereafter from time to time acquired by the Company: (i) the Collateral Accounts; (ii) all Crypto Assets (as defined in the Security Agreement) at any time on deposit in any Collateral Account, including all income, deposits, earnings and distributions thereon and all proceeds, products and accessions of and to any and all of the foregoing, including whatever is received or receivable upon any collection, exchange, sale or other disposition of any of the foregoing; (iii) any property into which any of the foregoing is converted, whether cash or non-cash proceeds; (iv) any and all other amounts paid or payable under or in connection with any of the foregoing; (v) all “security entitlements” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(17) of the NYUCC) of Twenty One Capital in any and all of the foregoing; (vi) and all rights, claims and causes of action, if any, that the Company may have against any person in respect of the foregoing.
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“Collateral Accounts” means the segregated accounts established by Anchorage holding the collateral as Securities Intermediary, as set out in the Security Agreement.
“Collateral Agent” means Anchorage Digital Bank, N.A.
“Combination Period” means the 24-month period that CEP has to consummate an initial business combination from the closing of the CEP IPO to August 14, 2026, or such earlier date as determined by the CEP Board, or as such date may be extended pursuant to the CEP Memorandum and Articles.
“Combination Settlement” means the settlement by the Company of the conversion of a Convertible Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, by delivering and paying, as applicable, a combination of cash and shares of Class A Common Stock to the relevant converting Holder, as further described under “Description of Securities—Convertible Notes—Conversion—Conversion Procedures.”
“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936.
“Company” or “Pubco” or “Twenty One Capital” means Twenty One Capital, Inc., a Texas corporation.
“Company Board” means the board of directors of Twenty One Capital.
“Company Stock” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Twenty One Capital.
“Contribution” means the contribution made immediately prior to Closing, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, of (i) 24,500 Bitcoin by Tether to Twenty One, and (ii) 7,000 Bitcoin by Bitfinex to Twenty One, for an aggregate contribution of 31,500 Bitcoin.
“Contribution Agreement” means the Contribution Agreement, dated April 22, 2025, by and among Twenty One, Tether and Bitfinex.
“Convertible Note Investors” means the investors that entered into the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements with CEP and Twenty One Capital.
“Convertible Notes” means the 1.00% convertible senior secured notes due 2030 issued by the Company pursuant to the Indenture.
“Convertible Notes PIPE” means the sale and issuance of Convertible Notes pursuant to the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements and the agreements with the Sponsor and CF&Co. in an aggregate principal amount of $486,500,000 (inclusive of the Option Notes).
“Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements” means the Subscription Agreements, dated April 22, 2025, by and among Twenty One Capital, CEP and each of the Convertible Note Investors.
“Conversion Date” means the date that the Holder has complied with the requirements of conversion in the Indenture.
“Conversion Price” means as of any date, $1,000, divided by the Conversion Rate as of such date.
“Conversion Rate” means the initial conversion rate determined based on the formula set forth in the Indenture as calculated at the Closing, subject to customary adjustments.
“Corporate Event” means each of a Fundamental Change, Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Share Exchange Event.
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“Custody Agreement” means the custody agreement entered into prior to Closing among the Company, Twenty One and the Securities Intermediary regarding the custody of Collateral.
“Deemed Redemption” has the meaning given in “Description of Securities—Conversion—Conversion Upon Call for Redemption.”
“Directors” means the directors of Twenty One Capital from time to time, and each a Director.
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.
“Effective Date” means the date this Registration Statement is effective.
“Engagement Letter Notes” means the Convertible Notes, if any, issued to CF&Co. pursuant to the PIPE Engagement Letter.
“Equity PIPE Investors” means, collectively, the April Equity PIPE Investors and the June Equity PIPE Investors.
“Equity PIPE Shares” means the 27,857,143 CEP Class A Ordinary Shares issued by CEP to the Equity PIPE Investors prior to the CEP Merger.
“Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements” means, collectively, the April Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements and the June Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements.
“Equity PIPEs” means, collectively, the April Equity PIPE and the June Equity PIPE.
“ETF(s)” means exchange-traded funds.
“ETP(s)” means exchange-traded products.
“Event of Default” means each of the events as set out in the section “Description of Securities—Event of Default.”
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exchange Notes” means the $46,300,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes issued to the Sponsor immediately after the Closing pursuant to the Securities Exchange Agreement.
“Exchange Shares” means the Founder Shares that the Sponsor transferred and assigned to the Company in exchange for the Exchange Notes pursuant to the Securities Exchange Agreement, in an amount of 4,630,000 Class A Common Stock, being equal to the number of CEP Class A Ordinary Shares received by the Sponsor in exchange for its CEP Class B Ordinary Shares and retained by the Sponsor in accordance with the Sponsor Support Agreement, less 3,415,104.
“Ex-Dividend Date” means the first date on which shares of the Class A Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from the Company or, if applicable, from the seller of Class A Common Stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market, as further described under the Indenture.
“FCA” means the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority.
“FDIC” means Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
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“Form S-4 Registration Statement” means the registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-290246) filed by the Company and Twenty One with the SEC.
“FSMA 2023” means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 adopted and implemented by the United Kingdom in June 2023.
“Fundamental Change” means any of the occurrences as set out in the section “Description of Securities—Fundamental Change Repurchase.”
“Fundamental Change Repurchase Date” means the date specified by the Company pursuant to the Indenture, where if a Fundamental Change occurs at any time prior to the Maturity Date, each Holder will have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Convertible Notes or any portion thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.
“GENIUS Act” means the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act passed by the U.S. Congress on July 17, 2025, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 18, 2025.
“Governance Agreement” means the Governance Agreement entered into at Closing, by and among the Company, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank.
“Governance Term Sheet” means the Governance Term Sheet, dated April 22, 2025, by and among Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank.
“Holder(s)” or “Securityholder(s)” means the registered holder of a Convertible Note.
“In-Kind PIPE Bitcoin” means, collectively, the April In-Kind PIPE Bitcoin and the June In-Kind PIPE Bitcoin.
“Incentive Plan” means the Twenty One Capital, Inc. 2025 Stock Incentive Plan, adopted at Closing and effective as of December 8, 2025, as amended from time to time.
“Indenture” means the Indenture executed at Closing by the Company, the Collateral Agent and the Trustee.
“Initial Convertible Notes PIPE” means the proposed sale and issuance of the Subscription Notes pursuant to the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements with an aggregate principal amount of $340.2 million.
“Initial PIPE Bitcoin” means the 4,812.220927 Bitcoin that Tether purchased within ten (10) business days of the execution of the Business Combination Agreement in an amount equal to the Initial PIPE Net Proceeds.
“Initial PIPE Net Proceeds” means $458.7 million, being equal to the aggregate gross cash proceeds of the April PIPE Investments less a holdback of $52 million.
“Insider Letter” means the letter agreement, dated as of August 12, 2024, and as amended, by and among CEP, the Sponsor and the officers and directors of CEP at the time of the CEP IPO.
“Investment Company Act” means the United States Investment Company Act of 1940.
“IRA” means United States Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
“Issue Date” means the date the Convertible Notes are issued.
“JOBS Act” means the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended.
“June Equity PIPE” means the issuance and sale by CEP of the June Equity PIPE Shares to the June Equity PIPE Investors immediately prior to the CEP Merger.
“June Equity PIPE Investors” means the investors that entered into the June Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements with CEP and Twenty One Capital.
“June Equity PIPE Shares” means the up to 7,857,143 CEP Class A Ordinary Shares issued by CEP to the June Equity PIPE Investors prior to the CEP Merger.
“June Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements” means the Subscription Agreements, dated June 19, 2025, by and among CEP, Twenty One Capital and each of the June Equity PIPE Investors.
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“June In-Kind PIPE Bitcoin” means the 132.9547 Bitcoin that certain June Equity PIPE Investors have agreed to contribute to CEP in exchange for June Equity PIPE Shares pursuant to their respective June Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements.
“June PIPE Bitcoin” means the 1,381.15799423 Bitcoin that Tether purchased in an amount equal to the June Equity PIPE Net Proceeds.
“June PIPE Bitcoin Cost Amount” means (A) the June PIPE Bitcoin valued at the average of the Bitcoin Price for the ten-day period ending on the Business Day immediately prior to the closing of the Twenty One Merger multiplied by (B) SoftBank’s percentage ownership of Twenty One Capital at the Closing after giving effect to the transfer of the SoftBank Shares pursuant to the SoftBank Purchase Agreement, but excluding the effect of the June Equity PIPE, multiplied by (C) the Applicable Rate.
“June PIPE Bitcoin Sale and Purchase Agreement” means the June PIPE Bitcoin Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 23, 2025, by and among Twenty One Capital, Tether, SoftBank and CEP.
“June PIPE Net Proceeds” means an amount equal to approximately $147.5 million, being the aggregate gross cash proceeds of the June Equity PIPE less a holdback of $3.3 million.
“Last Reported Sale Price” means the last reported sale price of the Class A Common Stock, as determined and specified under the Indenture.
“Lock-Up Agreement(s)” means the Lock-Up Agreement executed at Closing by the Company and each of the Sellers and SoftBank.
“M&A Engagement Letter” means the letter agreement, dated as of April 22, 2025, by and between CEP and CF&Co. for CF&Co. to provide financial advisory services to CEP in connection with the Business Combination.
“Make-Whole Fundamental Change” means any transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change (after giving effect to any exceptions to or exclusions from such definition, but without regard to clause (i) of the proviso in clause (2) of the definition of Fundamental Change).
“Maturity Date” means December 1, 2030.
“Measurement Period” means the period prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the date that is six (6) months prior to the Maturity Date, where a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Convertible Notes for conversion at any time during the five business day period immediately after any five consecutive trading day period.
“Merger Consideration Shares” means the Class A Merger Consideration Shares together with the Class B Merger Consideration Shares.
“Mergers” means the CEP Merger and the Twenty One Merger.
“MiCA” means the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation.
“MLRs” means the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017.
“MTM” means marked-to-market.
“Nasdaq” means The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.
“Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Convertible Notes and/or Class A Common Stock that is not a U.S. Holder.
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“NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.
“OCC” means the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the United States.
“Option” means the option granted by the Company during the Option Period to the Convertible Notes Investors to purchase $100,000,000 additional principal amount of Convertible Notes, which was fully subscribed for by Convertible Notes Investors and the Sponsor.
“Option Notes” means the additional Convertible Notes subscribed to by certain Convertible Note Investors and the Sponsor on May 22, 2025, pursuant to the Option.
“Option Period” means the 30-day period from April 22, 2025, to May 22, 2025, during which Convertible Note Investors electing to do so exercised the Option.
“Option PIPE Bitcoin” means the 917.47360612 Bitcoin purchased by Tether within ten (10) Business Days of the end of the Option Period in an amount equal to the Option PIPE Bitcoin Purchase Amount.
“Option PIPE Net Proceeds” means $99,500,000, being an amount equal to the gross proceeds of the Option Notes less a holdback of 0.5% of the gross proceeds of the Option Notes.
“Optional Redemption” means the redemption of all or any portion of the Notes by the Company at the Redemption Price on or after the date that is three years from the Issue Date, in accordance with the provisions of to the Indenture.
“Organizational Documents” means the Amended and Restated Company Charter and the Amended and Restated Bylaws.
“Partial Redemption Limitation” means the requirement that if the Company elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Convertible Notes, at least $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes must be outstanding and not subject to Optional Redemption as of the time Twenty One Capital delivers, and after giving effect to the delivery of, the Redemption Notice.
“Parties” means the parties to the Business Combination Agreement, being CEP, Twenty One, Twenty One Capital, CEP Merger Sub, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank.
“Permitted Liens” means any:
| ● | liens which are junior in priority to the lien securing the Convertible Notes and subject to an intercreditor agreement that is on customary terms (as determined by the Company in good faith); |
| ● | liens in favor of the Securities Intermediary (as defined in the Security Agreement); |
| ● | liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges, claims or levies that are (i) not yet due or payable or (ii) that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor for any such liens described in clause (ii); |
| ● | liens arising or imposed by law, including carriers’, warehousemen’s, landlord’s, mechanics’ liens and other like liens, and customary liens retained by or granted to carriers, landlords and mechanics under the terms of agreements pursuant to which services are rendered or property is leased by such persons to the Company or any of its subsidiaries and liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods; |
| ● | liens in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including, without limitation, rights of set-off and credit balances) with respect to deposit accounts (as defined under the Uniform Commercial Code) that are within the general parameters customary to the banking industry; |
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| ● | liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including rights of offset and set-off; |
| ● | liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; |
| ● | liens incurred as a result of a judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction that does not otherwise give rise to an Event of Default under the Indenture; |
| ● | liens arising solely by virtue of the holding of the Collateral by a custodian, including any technical, administrative or contractual liens in favor of such custodian pursuant to the terms of the custodial arrangement; provided that such liens secure only obligations of the custodian in its capacity as such and do not secure any indebtedness; and |
| ● | liens securing the Convertible Notes (other than Additional Notes (as defined in the Indenture)). |
“PFIC(s)” means a passive foreign investment company.
“Physical Settlement” means the settlement by the Company of the conversion of a Convertible Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, by delivering the applicable number of shares of Class A Common Stock to the relevant converting Holder, as further described under “Description of Securities—Convertible Notes—Conversion—Conversion Procedures.”
“PIPE” means private investment in public equity.
“PIPE Bitcoin” means the Option PIPE Bitcoin, the Initial PIPE Bitcoin and the June PIPE Bitcoin.
“PIPE Bitcoin Cost Amount” means the April PIPE Bitcoin Cost Amount and the June PIPE Bitcoin Cost Amount.
“PIPE Engagement Letter” means the letter agreement, dated April 22, 2025, by and among CF&Co., CEP and Twenty One Capital, as amended by the amendment thereto, dated as of June 25, 2025, pursuant to which CF&Co. has agreed to provide placement agent services in connection with each of the PIPE Investments and certain future capital markets advisory and other non-financial advisory services to Twenty One Capital.
“PIPE Investments” means the Equity PIPEs and the Convertible Notes PIPE.
“PIPE Investors” means the Equity PIPE Investors and the Convertible Note Investors.
“PIPE Subscription Agreements” means, collectively, the Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements, the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements and the Sponsor Convertible Notes Subscription Agreement.
“Preferred Stock” means the shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Twenty One Capital.
“prospectus” means this prospectus included in the Registration Statement.
“Public Shareholders” means the holders of Public Shares.
“Public Shares” means the 10,000,000 CEP Class A Ordinary Shares issued in the CEP IPO.
“QEF” means qualified electing fund.
“Redemption Event” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Sponsor Note.
“Redemption Notice” means a notice delivered by the Company with respect to an Optional Redemption, in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.
“Registration Statement” or “Resale Registration Statement” means this registration statement on Form S-1 filed by the Company with the SEC to register the resale of the shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Convertible Notes, of which this prospectus forms a part.
“Regulation S-K” means Regulation S-K of the Securities Act.
“Repurchase Date” means the date where each Holder will have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash on the date that is three (3) years as of the date of issuance of the Convertible Notes.
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“RFIA” Responsible Financial Innovation Act of 2025.
“SAB” means the Staff Accounting Bulletin issued by the SEC.
“Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as may be amended.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Securities Exchange Agreement” means the Securities Exchange Agreement executed by and between Twenty One Capital and the Sponsor at Closing.
“Securities Intermediary” means Anchorage, in its capacity as securities intermediary under the Security Agreement.
“Security Agreement” means the Security Agreement executed at Closing by the Company, the Securities Intermediary and the Collateral Agent.
“Sellers” means the shareholders of Twenty One prior to the Closing, being Tether and Bitfinex.
“Selling Securityholder(s)” means Holders of Convertible Notes that may sell any or all of the Convertible Notes as set out in the table in section “Selling Securityholders”.
“Services Agreement” means the Services Agreement executed at Closing by and between the Company and Tether.
“Share Exchange Event” means in each case as a result of which the common stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.
“Share Reserve” means 24,358,536 shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan.
“Signing Bitcoin Price” means $84,863.57 (which is equal to the average Bitcoin Price for the ten-day period ending April 21, 2025, the day prior to the date of the Business Combination Agreement).
“SoftBank” means Stellar Beacon LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“SoftBank Bitcoin Amount” means 10,500 multiplied by the Bitcoin Price on the Business Day immediately prior to the closing of the Twenty One Merger.
“SoftBank Purchase Agreement” means the sale and purchase agreement, dated as of April 22, 2025, as amended and restated on June 23, 2025, by and between Tether and SoftBank.
“SoftBank Shares” means an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock purchased by SoftBank pursuant to the SoftBank Purchase Agreement.
“Sponsor” means Cantor EP Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is 100% owned by Cantor.
“Sponsor Convertible Notes Subscription Agreement” means the subscription agreement, dated May 22, 2025, by and among the Sponsor, CEP and Twenty One Capital.
“Sponsor Loan” means the amended and restated promissory note entered into by CEP in favor of the Sponsor on November 5, 2024, and effective as of August 12, 2024, evidencing the loan of up to $1,750,000 committed to CEP by the Sponsor to fund CEP’s expenses after the CEP IPO and prior to a business combination relating to investigating and selecting an acquisition target and other working capital requirements.
“Sponsor Note” means the promissory note entered into by CEP in favor of the Sponsor on August 12, 2024, evidencing the loan the Sponsor made to CEP in connection with the consummation of a business combination, an extension of the Combination Period or CEP’s liquidation (each, a “Redemption Event”), such that an amount equal to $0.15 per Public Share being redeemed in connection with the applicable Redemption Event are added to the Trust Account and paid to the holders of the applicable redeemed Public Shares.
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“Sponsor Support Agreement” means the Sponsor Support Agreement, dated April 22, 2025, by and among Twenty One Capital, CEP and the Sponsor.
“Sponsor Support Agreement Amendment” means Amendment No. 1 to Sponsor Support Agreement, dated June 25, 2025, by and among Twenty One Capital, CEP and the Sponsor.
“Strike” means Strike Limited.
“Subscription Notes” means Convertible Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $340.2 million.
“TBOC” means the Texas Business Organizations Code.
“Term SOFR Screen Rate” shall mean the forward-looking SOFR term rate for a three-month tenor administered by CME (or any successor administrator determined by Purchaser in consultation with Seller) and published on the applicable Reuters screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by Purchaser in consultation with Seller).
“Tether” means Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V., an El Salvador Sociedad anónima de capital variable.
“Texas Business Combination Law” means the Business Organizations Code adopted by the State of Texas.
“Treasury Regulations” means regulations promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury.
“Trust Account” means the trust account of CEP that holds the net proceeds of the CEP IPO and the CEP Private Placement.
“Trustee” means U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.
“Twenty One” means Twenty One Assets, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Twenty One Class A Interests” means class A common membership interests of Twenty One.
“Twenty One Class B Interests” means class B common membership interests of Twenty One.
“Twenty One Interests” means Twenty One Class A Interests and Twenty One Class B Interests.
“Twenty One Merger” means the merger of Twenty One with and into Twenty One Merger Sub, with Twenty One Merger Sub as the Twenty One Surviving Subsidiary.
“Twenty One Merger Sub” means CEP Merger Sub C, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of CEP Subsidiary B.
“Twenty One Surviving Subsidiary” means the surviving company after the Twenty One Merger.
“U.S.” means the United States of America.
“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
“Working Capital Loans” means the funds that the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of CEP’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan CEP as may be required if the Sponsor Loan is insufficient to cover the working capital requirements of CEP.
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Market and Industry Data
In this prospectus, we rely on and refer to industry data, information and statistics regarding the markets in which we compete from publicly available information, industry and general publications and research and studies conducted by third parties. We have taken such care as it considers reasonable in the extraction and reproduction of information from such data from third-party sources.
Industry publications, research, studies and forecasts generally state that the information they contain has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. The industry in which the Company operates is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors.” Furthermore, such information and data cannot always be verified with complete certainty due to limits on the availability and reliability of data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties. Finally, while we believe our own internal estimates and research are reliable, and we are not aware of any misstatements regarding such information and data presented in this prospectus, such research has not been verified by any independent source. Forecasts and other forward-looking information obtained from these sources are subject to the same qualifications and uncertainties as the other forward-looking statements in this prospectus. These forecasts and forward-looking information are subject to uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forecasts or estimates from independent third parties and us.
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this prospectus may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding CEP, Twenty One Capital, Twenty One and their respective management teams’ expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about:
| ● | financial results or strategies regarding the Company, |
| ● | Twenty One and the Transactions, the Cantor F&F Sale and statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the Transactions and the Cantor F&F Sale, |
| ● | the assets held by the Company, |
| ● | the price and volatility of Bitcoin, |
| ● | Bitcoin’s growing prominence as a digital asset and as the foundation of a new financial system, |
| ● | the macro and political conditions surrounding Bitcoin, |
| ● | the planned business strategy including Twenty One Capital’s ability to develop a corporate architecture capable of supporting financial products built with and on Bitcoin and future innovations that will replace legacy financial tools with Bitcoin-aligned alternatives, |
| ● | Twenty One Capital’s ability to grow its Bitcoin per share, and Bitcoin return rate, |
| ● | Twenty One Capital’s ability to build Bitcoin financial services and build on top of Bitcoin with high-margin, high-growth cash flow opportunities, |
| ● | Twenty One Capital’s ability to give its shareholders Bitcoin exposure to participate in Bitcoin in the capital markets plans and use of proceeds as well as any potential future capital raises, |
| ● | objectives of management for future operations of Twenty One Capital, |
| ● | the upside potential and opportunity for investors, |
| ● | Twenty One Capital’s plan for value creation and strategic advantages, market size and growth opportunities, technological and market trends, and |
| ● | future financial condition and performance and expected financial impacts of the Transactions and the Cantor F&F Sale. |
The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Future developments affecting us may not be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors,” as well as:
| ● | the failure of Twenty One Capital to maintain the listing of its securities on NYSE; |
| ● | costs related to the Transactions and as a result of Twenty One Capital becoming a public company; |
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| ● | changes in business, market, financial, political and regulatory conditions; |
| ● | risks relating to Twenty One Capital’s operations and business, including the highly volatile nature of the price of Bitcoin; |
| ● | the risk that Twenty One Capital’s stock price will be highly correlated to the price of Bitcoin and the price of Bitcoin may decrease at any time after the Closing; |
| ● | risks related to increased competition in the industries in which Twenty One Capital operates; |
| ● | risks relating to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertainty regarding Bitcoin; |
| ● | risks relating to the treatment of crypto assets for U.S. and foreign tax purposes; |
| ● | risks that Twenty One Capital experiences difficulties managing its growth and expanding operations; |
| ● | the risks that growing Twenty One Capital’s learning programs and educational content could be difficult; |
| ● | challenges in implementing Twenty One Capital’s business plan including Bitcoin-related financial and advisory services, due to operational challenges, significant competition and regulation; |
| ● | the outcome of any potential legal proceedings that may be instituted against Twenty One Capital or others following the Transactions. |
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. These risks and others described under “Risk Factors” may not be exhaustive.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus. In addition, even if our results or operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.
Information contained on or accessible through Twenty One Capital’s website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of Twenty One Capital’s website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.
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Summary of the Prospectus
This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you in making an investment decision. Before investing in our securities, you should read this entire document carefully, including our financial statements and the related notes included in this prospectus and the information set forth under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Twenty One’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
Twenty One Capital
The Company was incorporated in Texas on March 7, 2025, solely for the purpose of effectuating the Business Combination described herein. As of the Closing, the Company engages in two principal activities: (i) actively accumulating Bitcoin and managing its Bitcoin holdings and (ii) commencing development of educational materials and branded content intended to drive increased institutional and retail investor Bitcoin literacy. The Company’s Class A Common Stock has been listed on NYSE under the ticker “XXI” since December 9, 2025. For descriptions of the Company’s securities, see “Description of Securities.”
The mailing address of the Company’s registered office is 111 Congress Avenue, Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701 and its telephone number is (206) 552-9859.
The Business Combination and related transactions
On April 22, 2025, CEP, the Company, CEP Merger Sub, Twenty One, Tether, Bitfinex and, solely for certain limited purposes, SoftBank, entered into the Business Combination Agreement (as amended on July 26, 2025).
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, on December 8, 2025, upon the consummation (the “Closing”) of the Transactions, (i) CEP merged with and into CEP Merger Sub, pursuant to the Plan of Merger, with CEP Merger Sub continuing as the surviving entity, as a result of which CEP Shareholders received one share of Class A Common Stock for each CEP Class A Ordinary Share held by such CEP Shareholder, and (ii) Twenty One merged with and Company Merger Sub, with Company Merger Sub continuing as the surviving company, as a result of which the Sellers received shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in exchange for their membership interests in the Company.
Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, Tether and SoftBank entered into the SoftBank Purchase Agreement as amended and restated on June 23, 2025 (the “SoftBank Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, immediately following the Closing, Tether transferred to SoftBank 89,106,748 shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (the “SoftBank Shares”), and SoftBank paid Tether a consideration of $999,300,487.76, based on a formula described thereunder.
On October 16, 2025, Tether and the Sponsor entered into the Cantor F&F SPA, pursuant to which, the Sponsor agreed to purchase from Tether, and Tether agreed to sell to the Sponsor, (i) 490,000 shares of Class A Common Stock immediately after the consummation of the CEP Merger, and (ii) 10,000 shares of Class A Common Stock immediately after the completion of the sale of SoftBank Shares, for an aggregate purchase price of $5,000,000 payable in cash. Such shares are subject to the same lock-up terms as the Class A Common Stock that Sponsor received in exchange for the CEP Founder Shares at Closing.
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The PIPE Financings
Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements, the Indenture and the Security Agreement
Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, Twenty One Capital and CEP entered into the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements with the Convertible Note Investors, pursuant to which the Convertible Note Investors have agreed to purchase $340.2 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein. In addition, Twenty One Capital granted the Convertible Note Investors an option to purchase, for a period of 30 days following the execution of the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements, additional Convertible Notes in an aggregate principal amount of up to $100 million, on a pro rata basis based on such Convertible Note Investor’s participation in the Initial Convertible Notes PIPE. This option was fully subscribed as of the expiration of the Option Period on May 22, 2025 by the Convertible Note Investors and the Sponsor. In addition, in connection with the full exercise of the Option by the Convertible Note Investors and the Sponsor, on May 22, 2025, the Sponsor entered into the Sponsor Convertible Notes Subscription Agreement on substantially the same terms as the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements with respect to its $12,791,000 pro rata allotment of the Option Notes. The Convertible Notes were issued on December 8, 2025. The total aggregate principal value of the Convertible Notes is $486.5 million.
The Convertible Notes are senior, secured obligations of Twenty One Capital and accrue interest at a rate of 1.00% per annum payable semi-annually in arrears and will mature on December 1, 2030, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. The initial conversion rate was determined based on the formula set forth in the Indenture as calculated at the Closing, of 72.0841 shares of Class A Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes. The conversion price is based on a reference price of $10.00 per share, multiplied by a ratio of (i) the BRRNY as averaged over the ten consecutive days prior to Closing to (ii) $84,863.57, representing the Bitcoin Price as averaged over the ten consecutive days prior to April 22, 2025, and is subject to a 30% premium. If Twenty One Capital undergoes a Fundamental Change, holders of the Convertible Notes may require Twenty One Capital to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their Convertible Notes at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. In addition, holders of the Convertible Notes have the right to require Twenty One Capital to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their Convertible Notes beginning three years from the Issue Date at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.Pursuant to the Security Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, the Convertible Notes are secured by a first priority security interest in 16,116.31574065 Bitcoin representing $1,459.5 million, calculated based on the Bitcoin Price as averaged over the ten consecutive days immediately prior to the Closing.
The descriptions of the terms of the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements in this section are also applicable to the Sponsor Convertible Notes Subscription Agreement.
Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements
Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, CEP and Twenty One Capital entered into the April Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements with the April Equity PIPE Investors, pursuant to which, at Closing, CEP issued, and the April Equity PIPE Investors purchased, the April Equity PIPE Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $200 million ($10.00 per share). On June 19, 2025, CEP and Twenty One Capital entered into the June Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements with the June Equity PIPE Investors, pursuant to which, at Closing, CEP issued, and the June Equity PIPE Investors purchased, the June Equity PIPE Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $165 million ($21.00 per share). Pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement and the June PIPE Bitcoin Sale and Purchase Agreement, the net proceeds from the Equity PIPEs and the Convertible Notes PIPE were used by Twenty One Capital to purchase the PIPE Bitcoin from Tether.
Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
For a description of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of the Convertible Notes and Class A Common Stock, see the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
2
Emerging Growth Company
As of the date of this prospectus, the Company is an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. The Company will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest to occur of (i) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the Closing of the Business Combination, (b) in which Twenty One Capital has total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion or (c) in which the Company is deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of shares of Company Stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of Twenty One Capital’s prior second fiscal quarter, and (ii) the date on which the Company issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. The Company intends to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to most other public companies that are classified as “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, an exemption from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring that Twenty One Capital’s independent registered public accounting firm provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.
Further, section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. Twenty One Capital has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, Twenty One Capital, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of Twenty One Capital’s financial statements with certain other public companies difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used. See “Twenty One’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Emerging Growth Company Status.” See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Being a Public Company—The Company is an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company.” The reduced public company reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make Class A Common Stock less attractive to investors.”
Controlled Company
As of this prospectus, the Company is a “controlled company” under the NYSE rules. Under the NYSE rules, for example, a company may elect to utilize exemptions from certain of NYSE’s corporate governance requirements, as applicable, including the requirements (a) that a majority of the board consists of independent directors; (b) for an annual performance evaluation of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees; (c) that the company has a nominating and corporate governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and (d) that the company has a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibility. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Being a Public Company—Twenty One Capital expects to qualify as a controlled company under applicable securities exchange rules and expects to avail itself of applicable exemptions from the corporate governance requirements thereof.”
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Smaller Reporting Company
We are also a “smaller reporting company,” and we will continue to be a “smaller reporting company” if either (i) the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250.0 million as of the last business day of our second fiscal quarter or (ii) our annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million as of the last business day of our second fiscal quarter. If we are a smaller reporting company at the time we cease to be an emerging growth company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company, we may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements and only two years of management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations disclosures and, similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Being a Public Company—The Company is an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company.” The reduced public company reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make Class A Common Stock less attractive to investors.”
Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 before making a decision to invest in the Convertible Notes or the Common Stock underlying the Convertible Notes. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations would likely be materially adversely affected. In such case, the trading price of our securities would likely decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Set forth below is a summary of some of the principal risks associated with the Company:
| ● | Twenty One has limited operating history and has not yet produced any revenues, which make it difficult to evaluate Twenty One Capital’s business and future prospects, and Twenty One Capital may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability in any given period. |
| ● | Twenty One Capital’s operating results, revenues and expenses may significantly fluctuate, including due to the highly volatile nature of Bitcoin, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of Class A Common Stock. |
| ● | We plan to accelerate Bitcoin adoption and Bitcoin literacy. We have not previously engaged in the business of online learning programs and educational content, and growing these operations could be difficult for us, including, without limitation, due to operational challenges and significant competition. |
| ● | A substantial part of Twenty One Capital’s assets is its Bitcoin holdings and cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds of the Business Combination and the PIPE Investments not invested in Bitcoin. Although the Company is expected to have certain other operations, the Company will depend on such retained cash and cash equivalents to pay its debts and other obligations. |
| ● | The issuance of additional shares or convertible securities by the Company could make it difficult for another company to acquire the Company, may dilute the ownership of Twenty One Capital shareholders and could adversely affect the price of Class A Common Stock. |
| ● | The Company is an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company.” The reduced public company reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make Class A Common Stock less attractive to investors. |
| ● | Because our Class A Common Stock is non-voting, we and our stockholders are exempt from certain provisions of U.S. securities laws. This may limit the information available to holders of our Class A Common Stock and Convertible Notes. |
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| ● | Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank, whose interests may conflict with yours, can individually exercise significant influence over the Company. You will have no voting rights of Class A Common Stock except as required by the TBOC and the concentrated ownership of Company Stock may prevent you and other shareholders from influencing significant decisions in the very limited circumstances in which the TBOC will give you the right to vote and may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for Company Stock, and that may adversely affect the trading price of Class A Common Stock. |
| ● | Tether and Bitfinex, through their voting control of Twenty One Capital, are in a position to control actions that require shareholder approval and may make decisions that are adverse to other shareholders. |
| ● | Twenty One Capital may or may not pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. |
| ● | Twenty One Capital is a controlled company under applicable securities exchange rules and expects to avail itself of applicable exemptions from the corporate governance requirements thereof. |
| ● | Twenty One Capital’s indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the Convertible Notes and could have a further material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. |
| ● | Twenty One Capital’s obligation to offer to redeem the Convertible Notes upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change will be triggered only by certain specific transactions, and may discourage a transaction that could be beneficial to the holders of Class A Common Stock and the Convertible Notes. |
| ● | Twenty One Capital may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of its indebtedness, including the Convertible Notes, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy its obligations under its indebtedness, which may not be successful or be on commercially reasonable terms, which would materially and adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s financial position and results of operations and Twenty One Capital’s ability to satisfy its obligations under the Convertible Notes. |
| ● | The Indenture contains terms which restrict Twenty One Capital’s current and future operations, particularly its ability to respond to changes or to take certain actions. |
| ● | Our obligation to repurchase the Convertible Notes at the Convertible Note Investors’ option could significantly strain our liquidity and financial condition. |
| ● | The increase in the conversion rate applicable to the Convertible Notes that holders convert in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption may not adequately compensate you for the lost option time value of your Convertible Notes as a result of that Make-Whole Fundamental Change. |
| ● | Liquidity, regulatory actions, changes in market conditions and other events may adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the Convertible Notes and the ability of investors to implement a convertible note arbitrage trading strategy. |
| ● | Upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, you may receive less valuable consideration than expected because of the value of Class A Common Stock may decline after you exercise your conversion right but before the Company settles the conversion obligation. |
| ● | The Indenture contains cross-default provisions that could result in the acceleration of all of Twenty One Capital’s indebtedness. |
| ● | A lowering or withdrawal of the ratings assigned to Twenty One Capital’s debt securities by rating agencies, if any, may increase Twenty One Capital’s future borrowing costs and reduce its access to capital. |
| ● | There may not be sufficient collateral securing the Convertible Notes to pay all or any portion of the Convertible Notes, including because there are circumstances other than repayment or discharge of the Convertible Notes under which the collateral will be released automatically, without holders’ consent or the consent of the trustee under the Indenture. |
| ● | There is no existing public trading market for the Convertible Notes, and a holder of the Convertible Notes ability to sell such notes will be limited. |
| ● | The accounting method for convertible debt securities that may be settled in cash, including the Convertible Notes, may have a material effect on Twenty One Capital’s reported financial results. |
| ● | The market price of the Class A Common Stock, which may fluctuate significantly, may directly affect the market price for the Convertible Notes. |
| ● | As a holder of the Convertible Notes, you will not be entitled to any rights with respect to the Class A Common Stock, but you will be subject to all the changes made with respect to the Class A Common Stock. |
| ● | The Convertible Notes are convertible into Class A Common Stock, which will not be entitled to voting rights even after the Convertible Notes are converted. As a result, you will be subject to all the risks associated with holding Class A Common Stock. |
| ● | Other risks and uncertainties indicated in this prospectus, including those set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors.” |
5
The Offering
|
Resale of Class A Common Stock and Convertible Notes |
||
| Convertible Notes Offered by the Selling Securityholders | Up to $486,500,000 aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes. | |
| Class A Common Stock Offered by the Selling Securityholders | Up to 35,068,912 shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Convertible Notes. | |
| Shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding (as of January 2, 2026) | 346,548,153 shares | |
| Offering Prices for Resales | The Selling Securityholders will determine when and how they will dispose of the Convertible Notes and Class A Common Stock registered under this prospectus for resale. | |
| Use of Proceeds | We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of Class A Common Stock or Convertible Notes by the Selling Securityholders. | |
| Market for Class A Common Stock | The Company Class A Common Stock is listed on NYSE under the symbol “XXI.” | |
| No Market for Convertible Notes | The Convertible Notes are not, and will not be, listed on any stock exchange. | |
| Risk Factors | Any investment in the securities offered hereby is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. |
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Risk Factors
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, before deciding to invest in our securities. If any of the following events occur, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors that adversely affect our business or results of operations. Throughout this section, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” and other similar terms refer to Twenty One Capital and/or Twenty One Assets prior to the Business Combination and Twenty One Capital and its subsidiaries after giving effect to the Business Combination, the context requires.
Risks Related to the Business and Strategy of Twenty One Capital
Twenty One Capital has limited operating history and has not yet produced any revenues, which make it difficult to evaluate Twenty One Capital’s business and future prospects, and Twenty One Capital may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability in any given period.
Twenty One Capital was incorporated as a Texas corporation on March 7, 2025. Twenty One Capital has limited operating history and the volatile nature of the price of Bitcoin, which constitutes a substantial part of our assets, makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects. Twenty One Capital’s lack of operating history also makes it difficult to accurately forecast the future results of operations, which is subject to a number of uncertainties including Twenty One Capital’s ability to grow its BPS and BRR, and the market size and growth opportunities in each of Twenty One Capital’s anticipated lines of business.
Twenty One Capital’s initial business strategy depends on its ability to raise capital to continue to acquire additional Bitcoin and fund its learning programs and educational content. Twenty One Capital cannot guarantee its ability to raise additional capital, or to raise additional capital on favorable terms, which may adversely impact our business. See “—Twenty One Capital’s ability to timely raise capital in the future may be limited, or may be unavailable on acceptable terms, if at all. Twenty One Capital’s failure to raise capital when needed could harm its business, operating results and financial condition.”
Twenty One Capital’s ability to generate cash flow is largely dependent on its ability to raise capital to acquire additional Bitcoin and to develop and improve its learning programs and educational content towards greater adoption of Bitcoin. Twenty One Capital expects to commence the provision of Bitcoin-related financial and advisory services once it is generating sufficient revenues from its Bitcoin accumulation and management activities. Twenty One Capital’s business strategy may not be realized as quickly as hoped, or even at all. Further, even if we achieve growth, in future periods, that growth could slow or decline for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to, Bitcoin volatility, increased competition, digital coins that compete with and may result in a decline in utilization of Bitcoin or replace Bitcoin, our inability to develop, improve or effectively scale Bitcoin acquisition or the educational programs or financial and advisory services, government regulation or Twenty One Capital’s failure, for any reason, to continue to take advantage of growth opportunities.
Bitcoin market opportunity estimates and growth forecasts are subject to significant uncertainty and are based on assumptions and estimates that may not prove to be accurate. There is no assurance that any estimates driving Bitcoin acquisition strategies will accurately reflect any particular level of revenue or growth prospects for Twenty One Capital.
We will encounter risks and difficulties as described in this section. If we do not manage these risks successfully, our business may be adversely impacted. If Twenty One Capital’s assumptions regarding these risks and uncertainties and its future growth are incorrect or change adversely, or if the Company does not address these risks successfully, Twenty One Capital’s operating and financial results could differ materially from its expectations, and its business could suffer. If our revenue growth rate, when we are at a revenue generation stage, were to decline significantly or become negative, it could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. If we are not able to achieve or maintain positive cash flow from operations, or if the price of Bitcoin declines significantly, our business may be adversely impacted and we may require additional financing, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all, may restrict the distribution of dividends or other payments to shareholders, or may be dilutive to our shareholders.
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Twenty One Capital may not be able to successfully execute its business strategies.
A significant part of Twenty One Capital’s strategy is Bitcoin acquisition, however:
| ● | our acquisition strategy is susceptible to various risks associated with Bitcoin, including volatility; |
| ● | we may compete with others to acquire Bitcoin, and as competition increases, decreased availability or increased prices for acquisition could result; |
| ● | we may experience difficulty in anticipating the timing and availability of Bitcoin acquisition; |
| ● | we may not be able to obtain further financing, on favorable terms or at all, to finance any of our potential Bitcoin acquisitions; and |
| ● | we may not be able to generate the cash necessary to execute our Bitcoin acquisition strategy. |
The occurrence of any of these factors could adversely affect our Bitcoin acquisition strategy.
Twenty One Capital also expects to develop learning programs and educational content geared towards greater adoption of Bitcoin, and in the future Bitcoin-related financial and advisory services, both of which are subject to significant risks. See “—We plan to accelerate Bitcoin adoption and Bitcoin literacy. We have not previously engaged in the business of online learning programs and educational content, and growing these operations could be difficult for us, including, without limitation, due to operational challenges and significant competition.” See also “We seek to engage in the future in other Bitcoin-related activities, including Bitcoin-related financial and advisory services, Bitcoin-related debt and equity structured products and Bitcoin-related lending activities, all of which are subject to regulation. We have not previously engaged in these business lines and we may be unable to implement our business plan, including, without limitation, due to operational challenges, significant competition and regulation.”
Twenty One Capital’s operating results, revenues and expenses may significantly fluctuate, including due to the highly volatile nature of Bitcoin, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of Class A Common Stock.
Our operating results are dependent on the broader Bitcoin economy. Due to the rapidly evolving nature of digital assets and the volatile price of Bitcoin, which has experienced and continues to experience significant volatility, we expect that our operating results will fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter in accordance with market sentiments and movements in the broader Bitcoin economy. We expect that our operating results will fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are unpredictable and in certain instances are outside of our control, including:
| ● | fluctuations in the price of Bitcoin, of which we have significant holdings, and in which we expect we will continue to make significant purchases and announcements about our transactions in Bitcoin; |
| ● | regulatory, commercial and technical developments related to Bitcoin or the Bitcoin blockchain; |
| ● | investor perception of Twenty One Capital, including as compared to investment vehicles that are designed to track the price of Bitcoin, such as spot Bitcoin ETPs; |
| ● | changes in the legislative or regulatory environment or actions by U.S. or Non-U.S. governments or regulators, including fines, orders or consent decrees; |
| ● | regulatory changes or scrutiny that impact our ability to offer certain products or services; |
| ● | pricing for or temporary suspensions of products and services we expect to offer in the future in accordance with our strategy; |
| ● | investments we may make in the development of products and services, and sales and marketing; |
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| ● | market conditions of, and overall sentiment towards, Bitcoin, including negative publicity, media or social media coverage, or sentiment due to events in or relating to, or perception of, Bitcoin or the broader digital assets industry, for example: (i) public perception that Bitcoin can be used as a vehicle to circumvent sanctions, including sanctions imposed on Russia or certain regions related to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, or to fund criminal or terrorist activities, such as the purported use of digital assets by Hamas to fund its terrorist attack against Israel in October 2023; (ii) previous, pending, or expected civil, criminal, regulatory enforcement or other high profile actions against major participants in the Bitcoin ecosystem, including the SEC’s dismissed enforcement actions against Coinbase, Inc., Payward Ventures, and Binance Holdings Ltd.; (iii) additional filings for bankruptcy protection or bankruptcy proceedings of major digital asset industry participants, such as the bankruptcy proceeding of FTX Trading Ltd. and its affiliates; and (iv) the actual or perceived environmental impact of Bitcoin and related activities, including environmental concerns raised by private individuals, governmental and non-governmental organizations and other actors related to the energy resources consumed in the Bitcoin mining process; |
| ● | the fact that Bitcoin holdings have been and may continue to be concentrated among Bitcoin treasuries, in particular that the largest Bitcoin wallets are believed to hold, in aggregate, a significant percentage of the Bitcoin in circulation; it is possible that other persons or entities control multiple wallets that collectively hold a significant number of Bitcoin, even if they individually only hold a small amount; concentrated Bitcoin holdings may permit large holders of Bitcoin, alone or in coordination, to manipulate the price of Bitcoin by restricting or expanding the supply of Bitcoin; or the market price of Bitcoin may be susceptible to large sales or distribution by such holders, whether purposeful or forced as a result of such holders becoming illiquid; and the concentration of Bitcoin holdings, and susceptibility to such holders, may also erode investor confidence in Bitcoin and investment strategies of Bitcoin treasuries; |
| ● | investment and trading activities, such as (i) trading activities of highly active retail and institutional users, speculators, miners and investors; (ii) actual or expected significant dispositions of Bitcoin by large holders, including the expected liquidation of digital assets associated with entities that have filed for bankruptcy protection, such as FTX Trading Ltd., which in late 2023 and early 2024 sold several billion dollars worth of digital assets, including Bitcoin, and the transfer and sale of Bitcoin associated with significant hacks, seizures or forfeitures, such as the transfers of Bitcoin to (a) creditors of the hacked cryptocurrency exchange Mt. Gox which began in July 2024, (b) claimants following restitution proceedings allocating $9 billion of recovered Bitcoin related to a 2016 hack of Bitfinex, (c) the German government following the seizure of about 50,000 Bitcoin in January 2024 from the operator of the website Movie2k.to, or (d) the government of the United Kingdom after £5 billion worth of Bitcoin seizures from criminal defendants, (e) the United States government after the Southern District of New York seized 51,680 Bitcoin in late 2021 and early 2022 from a defendant convicted of wire fraud or (f) the U.S. Department of Justice which in January 2025 gained approval from the Northern District Court of California to liquidate 69,370 Bitcoin seized from the Silk Road marketplace; and (iii) actual or perceived manipulation of the spot or derivative markets for Bitcoin or spot Bitcoin ETPs; |
| ● | macroeconomic conditions, including interest rates, inflation and central banking policies; |
| ● | regulatory, legislative, enforcement and judicial actions that adversely affect the price, ownership, transferability, trading volumes, legality or public perception of Bitcoin, or that adversely affect the operations of or otherwise prevent digital asset custodians, trading venues, lending platforms or other digital assets industry participants from operating in a manner that allows them to continue to deliver services to the digital assets industry; |
| ● | the development and introduction of existing and new products and services by our competitors; |
| ● | competition from other digital assets that exhibit better speed, security, scalability or energy efficiency, that feature other more favored characteristics, that are backed by governments, including the U.S. government, or reserves of fiat currencies, or that represent ownership or security interests in physical assets; |
| ● | a decrease in the price of other digital assets, including stablecoins, or the crash or unavailability of stablecoins that are used as a medium of exchange for Bitcoin purchase and sale transactions, such as the temporary or total loss of value of the stablecoins Terra USD, USDT and USDC in recent years, including to the extent the decrease in the price of such other digital assets or the unavailability of such stablecoins may cause a decrease in the price of Bitcoin or adversely affect investor confidence in digital assets generally; |
9
| ● | disruptions, failures, unavailability or interruptions in service of trading venues for Bitcoin, such as, for example, the announcement by the digital asset exchange FTX Trading Ltd. that it would freeze withdrawals and transfers from its accounts and subsequent filing for bankruptcy protection and the SEC enforcement action brought against Binance Holdings Ltd., which initially sought to freeze all of its assets during the pendency of the enforcement action and has since resulted in Binance Holdings Ltd. discontinuing all fiat deposits and withdrawals in the U.S.; |
| ● | the identification of Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous person or persons who developed Bitcoin, or the transfer of substantial amounts of Bitcoin from Bitcoin wallets attributed to Mr. Nakamoto; |
| ● | the development and introduction of new products and services by us; |
| ● | our ability to control costs, including our operating expenses incurred to grow and expand our operations and to remain competitive; |
| ● | system failure, outages or interruptions, including with respect to our Bitcoin custodian and our platforms, including those due to third-party actions; |
| ● | our lack of control over decentralized or third-party blockchains and networks that may experience downtime, cyber-attacks, critical failures, errors, bugs, corrupted files, data losses or other similar software failures, outages, breaches and losses; |
| ● | breaches of security or privacy; |
| ● | further reductions in mining rewards of Bitcoin, including due to block reward halving events, which are events that occur after a specific period of time (the most recent of which occurred in April 2024) that reduce the block reward earned by “miners” who validate Bitcoin transactions, or increases in the costs associated with Bitcoin mining, including increases in electricity costs and hardware and software used in mining, or new or enhanced regulation or taxation of Bitcoin mining, which could further increase the costs associated with Bitcoin mining, any of which may cause a decline in support for the Bitcoin network; |
| ● | transaction congestion and fees associated with processing transactions on the Bitcoin network; |
| ● | developments in mathematics or technology, including in digital computing, algebraic geometry and quantum computing or new applications of current knowledge in these fields, that could result in the cryptography used by the Bitcoin blockchain becoming insecure or ineffective; |
| ● | legal, commercial and regulatory uncertainty regarding Bitcoin and other digital assets due to their novelty, see “—Bitcoin and other digital assets are novel assets, which expose the Company to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertainty, which could materially adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s financial position, operations and prospects”; |
| ● | changes in national and international economic and political conditions, including, without limitation, federal government policies, trade tariffs and trade disputes, the adverse impacts attributable to the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the economic sanctions adopted in response to the conflict and the broadening of the Israel-Hamas conflict to other countries in the Middle East; |
| ● | our ability to establish and maintain any future partnerships, collaborations, joint ventures or strategic alliances with third parties; and |
| ● | our ability to attract and retain talent. |
As a result of these factors, it is difficult for us to forecast growth trends accurately and our business and future prospects are difficult to evaluate, particularly in the short term.
Further, we cannot predict what further action may be taken with respect to tariffs or trade relations between the U.S. and other governments. Any such changes could fundamentally alter the competitive and regulatory landscape in which we operate, and political tensions as a result of trade policies could reduce trade volume, investment, technological exchange and other economic activities between major international economies, resulting in a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets, all of which could potentially having a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.
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In addition, the stock market and the markets for both Bitcoin-influenced and technology companies have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies in those markets. In particular, future trading prices in Class A Common Stock may reflect market dynamics that are not connected to valuation methods commonly associated with operating companies in similar industries or with companies engaged predominantly in passive investments in Bitcoin or other commodities, such as ETFs. Equity market capitalizations of other such companies are often in excess of stockholders’ equity calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and in excess of valuations that might traditionally be expected based on their operating performances, cash flows and net assets. Investors may therefore be unable to assess the value of the shares of Class A Common Stock or evaluate the risks of an investment in us using traditional or commonly used enterprise valuation methods. We cannot predict how these dynamics may evolve over time, or whether or how long they may last. These market and industry factors may significantly harm the market price of Class A Common Stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. Further, to the extent that a market develops in the Convertible Notes, the trading prices of the Convertible Notes will likely be affected by the trading prices of our Class A Common Stock, and therefore, the Convertible Notes trading prices will also likely be affected by these factors.
Our Bitcoin acquisition strategy exposes us to various risks associated with Bitcoin.
Our Bitcoin acquisition strategy exposes us to various risks associated with Bitcoin, including the following:
Bitcoin is a highly volatile asset. For example, based on BRRNY, Bitcoin has traded below $77,000 per Bitcoin and above $125,000 per Bitcoin over the course of 2025. The trading price of Bitcoin significantly increased during 2024 and has traded between approximately $40,000 and $105,000 per Bitcoin. As of November 1, 2025, the price of Bitcoin had increased by over 2,800% in U.S. dollar terms since January 1, 2019. However, Between November 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025, BRRNY dropped from $110,040.70 to $87,315.53, according to Bloomberg. Volatility may continue in the future and historical trends could reverse dramatically. See “—Twenty One Capital’s operating results, revenues and expenses may significantly fluctuate, including due to the highly volatile nature of Bitcoin, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of Class A Common Stock.” See also “—We may suffer losses due to abrupt and erratic market movements.”
Bitcoin does not pay interest, dividends or other returns and we can only generate cash from our Bitcoin holdings if we sell our Bitcoin or implement strategies to create income streams or otherwise generate cash by using our Bitcoin holdings, for example, through provisions of financial and advisory services that we may offer in the future. Even if we pursue any such strategies, we may be unable to create income streams or otherwise generate cash from our Bitcoin holdings, and any such strategies may subject us to additional risks.
Our Bitcoin holdings may significantly impact our financial results and in turn may impact the market price of Class A Common Stock. If we continue to increase our overall holdings of Bitcoin relative to the other parts of our business in the future, our Bitcoin holdings will have an even greater impact on our financial results and the market price of Class A Common Stock. We intend to purchase additional Bitcoin and increase our overall holdings of Bitcoin in the future. The concentration of our Bitcoin holdings limits the risk mitigation that we could take advantage of by purchasing a more diversified portfolio of treasury assets, and the absence of diversification enhances the risks inherent in our Bitcoin acquisition strategy. See “—Twenty One Capital’s operating results, revenues and expenses may significantly fluctuate, including due to the highly volatile nature of Bitcoin, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of Class A Common Stock.” See also “—We may suffer losses due to abrupt and erratic market movements.”
Our Bitcoin acquisition strategy has not been tested by us to date. While certain issuers have operating histories that involve a Bitcoin acquisition strategy that may be comparable to the Bitcoin acquisition strategy the Company executes, these have not been tested over an extended period of time or under different market conditions. We will continuously examine the risks and rewards of our Bitcoin acquisition strategy. For example, although we believe Bitcoin, due to its limited supply, has the potential to serve as a hedge against inflation in the long term, the short-term price of Bitcoin declined in recent periods during which the inflation rate increased. Some investors and other market participants may disagree with our Bitcoin acquisition strategy or actions we undertake to implement it. If Bitcoin Prices were to decrease or our Bitcoin acquisition strategy otherwise proves unsuccessful, our financial condition, results of operations and the market price of Class A Common Stock may be materially adversely impacted. See also “—A significant decrease in the market value of our Bitcoin holdings could adversely affect our ability to satisfy our financial obligations.”
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Our Bitcoin acquisition strategy exposes us to the risk of non-performance by counterparties, whether contractual or otherwise. Risk of non-performance includes the inability or refusal of a counterparty to perform for any reason, including because of a deterioration in the counterparty’s financial condition and liquidity. Custodians, or other counterparties might fail to perform in accordance with the terms of future agreements with them, which could result in a loss of Bitcoin, a loss of the opportunity to generate funds, or other losses. Although we implement various measures that are designed to mitigate our counterparty risks, including by storing substantially all of the Bitcoin in custody accounts at U.S.-based, custodians that service institutions and negotiating contractual arrangements intended to establish that our property interest in custodially-held Bitcoin is not subject to claims of our custodians’ creditors, applicable insolvency law is not fully developed with respect to the holding of digital assets in custodial accounts. While all of our custodians are expected to be subject to regulatory regimes intended to protect customers in the event of a custodial bankruptcy, receivership or similar insolvency proceeding, no assurance can be provided that our custodially-held Bitcoin will not become part of the custodian’s insolvency estate if one or more of our custodians enters bankruptcy, receivership or similar insolvency proceedings. If our custodially-held Bitcoin were nevertheless considered to be the property of our custodians’ estates in the event that any such custodians were to enter bankruptcy, receivership or similar insolvency proceedings, we could be treated as a general unsecured creditor of such custodians, inhibiting our ability to exercise ownership rights with respect to such Bitcoin and this may ultimately result in the loss of the value related to some or all of such Bitcoin. Even if we are able to prevent our Bitcoin from being considered the property of a custodian’s bankruptcy estate as part of an insolvency proceeding, it is possible that we would still be delayed or may otherwise experience difficulty in accessing our Bitcoin held by the affected custodian during the pendency of the insolvency proceedings. Any such outcome could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the market price of Class A Common Stock.
Our primary counterparty risk with respect to our Bitcoin is expected to be custodian performance obligations under the custody arrangements we will enter into. Additionally, if we pursue any strategies to create income streams or otherwise generate funds using our Bitcoin holdings, we would become subject to additional counterparty risks. Any significant non-performance by counterparties, including in particular the custodians with which we custody substantially all of our Bitcoin, could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. See “—The Company faces risks relating to the custody of its Bitcoin, including the loss or destruction of private keys required to access our Bitcoin and cyberattacks or other data loss relating to our Bitcoin. If Twenty One Capital or its third-party service providers, including Anchorage, experience a security breach or cyberattack and unauthorized parties obtain access to the Company’s Bitcoin, or if Twenty One Capital’s private keys are lost or destroyed, or other similar circumstances or events occur, including the ability to reverse engineer private keys, the Company may lose some or all of its Bitcoin and Twenty One Capital’s financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.”
The broader digital assets industry is subject to counterparty risks, which could adversely impact the adoption rate, price and use of Bitcoin. For example, a series of high-profile bankruptcies, closures, liquidations, regulatory enforcement actions and other events relating to companies operating in the digital asset industry, including the filings for bankruptcy protection by Three Arrows Capital, Celsius Network, Voyager Digital, BlockFi Lending, Core Scientific, FTX Trading, Alameda Research and Genesis Global Capital, the closure or liquidation of certain financial institutions that provided lending and other services to the digital assets industry, including Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank, the potential of SEC enforcement actions, the placement of Prime Trust, LLC into receivership following a cease-and-desist order issued by Nevada’s Department of Business and Industry, and the filing and subsequent settlements of lawsuits by the New York Attorney General against Galaxy Digital Holdings, Genesis Global Capital, Genesis’ parent company Digital Currency Group, Inc., and former partner Gemini Trust Company, had highlighted the counterparty risks applicable to owning and transacting in digital assets. Bankruptcies, closures, liquidations and other events may impact our access to Bitcoin and could negatively impact the adoption rate and use of Bitcoin. Additional bankruptcies, closures, liquidations, regulatory enforcement actions or other events involving participants in the digital assets industry in the future may further negatively impact the adoption rate, price and use of Bitcoin, limit the availability to us of financing collateralized by Bitcoin or create or expose additional counterparty risks.
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The broader digital assets industry, including the technology associated with digital assets, the rate of adoption and development of and use cases for, digital assets, market perception of digital assets and the legal, regulatory, and accounting treatment of digital assets are constantly developing and changing, and there may be additional risks in the future that are not possible to predict. See “—Bitcoin and other digital assets are novel assets, which expose the Company to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertainty, which could materially and adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s financial position, operations and prospects.”
A significant decrease in the market value of our Bitcoin holdings could adversely affect our ability to satisfy our financial obligations.
As of the Closing, our outstanding indebtedness was $486.5 million. As part of our Bitcoin strategy, we may incur or continue to incur additional indebtedness and other fixed charges. If our businesses do not generate cash flow in future periods sufficient to satisfy our financial obligations, including our debt and other financial obligations, we intend to fund our obligations using cash flow generated by equity or debt financings. Our ability to obtain equity or debt financing may in turn depend on, among other factors, the value of our Bitcoin holdings, investor sentiment and the general public perception of Bitcoin, our strategy and our value proposition. Accordingly, a significant decline in the market value of our Bitcoin holdings or a negative shift in these other factors may create liquidity and credit risks, as such a decline or such shifts may adversely impact our ability to secure sufficient equity or debt financing to satisfy our financial obligations, including our debt and other financial obligations. These risks could materialize at times when Bitcoin is trading below its carrying value on our most recent balance sheet or below our cost basis. As Bitcoin constitutes a substantial part of our balance sheet, if we are unable to generate revenue from our anticipated development of Bitcoin-related learning programs and educational content or, in the future, Bitcoin-related financial and advisory services or secure equity or debt financing in a timely manner, on favorable terms, or at all, we may be required to sell Bitcoin to satisfy these obligations. Any such sale of Bitcoin may have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition, and could impair our ability to secure additional equity or debt financing in the future. Our inability to secure additional equity or debt financing in a timely manner, on favorable terms or at all, or to sell our Bitcoin in amounts and at prices sufficient to satisfy our financial obligations, including our debt service obligations, could cause us to default under such obligations. Any default on our indebtedness may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
The Company operates in a highly competitive environment and competes against companies and other entities with similar strategies, including companies with significant Bitcoin holdings and ETFs and ETPs for Bitcoin and other digital assets, and Twenty One Capital’s business, operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected if the Company is unable to compete effectively.
The digital assets industry is highly innovative, rapidly evolving and characterized by healthy competition, experimentation, changing customer needs, frequent introductions of new products and services, and subject to uncertain and evolving industry and regulatory requirements. We expect competition to further intensify in the future. We compete against a number of companies operating both within the United States and abroad, and both those that focus on traditional financial services and those that focus on Bitcoin-based services. Our main competition falls into the following categories:
| ● | traditional financial firms that have entered the Bitcoin market in recent years and offer overlapping features targeted at our future customers; |
| ● | financial technology providers that do not focus on Bitcoin and may attempt to position themselves as a safer alternative to our future products and services; |
| ● | companies with significant Bitcoin holdings; and |
| ● | companies focused on the Bitcoin market, some of whom choose to operate outside of local rules and regulations or in jurisdictions with less stringent local rules and regulations and are potentially able to more quickly adapt to trends and to develop new Bitcoin-based products and services due to a different standard of regulatory scrutiny. |
If we are unable to compete successfully, or if competing successfully requires us to take costly actions in response to the actions of our competitors, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.
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The range of options to gain exposure to Bitcoin may expand in the future. If investors choose to gain such exposure through ETPs, companies with significant Bitcoin holdings or other similar strategies, rather than shares of Class A Common Stock, Twenty One Capital’s business, operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected.
Investors may view Class A Common Stock as an alternative to an investment in an ETP, and choose to purchase shares of a spot Bitcoin ETP instead of Class A Common Stock. They may do so for a variety of reasons, including if they believe that ETPs offer a “pure play” exposure to Bitcoin that is generally not subject to federal income tax at the entity level as we may be, or the other risks that may affect other parts of our business. Additionally, unlike spot Bitcoin ETPs, we (i) use BPS and BRR and do not seek for our shares of Class A Common Stock to passively track the value of the underlying Bitcoin we hold before payment of expenses and liabilities, (ii) do not benefit from various exemptions and relief under the Exchange Act, including Regulation M, and other securities laws, which enable ETPs to continuously align the value of their shares to the price of the underlying assets they hold through share creation and redemption, (iii) are a Texas corporation rather than a statutory trust, and do not operate pursuant to a trust agreement that would require us to pursue one or more stated investment objectives, and (iv) are not required to provide daily transparency as to our Bitcoin holdings or our daily net asset value. Furthermore, recommendations by broker-dealers to buy, hold or sell complex products and non-traditional ETPs, or an investment strategy involving such products, may be subject to additional or heightened scrutiny that would not be applicable to broker-dealers making recommendations with respect to Class A Common Stock. Based on how we are viewed in the market relative to ETPs, and other vehicles which offer economic exposure to Bitcoin, such as Bitcoin futures ETFs, leveraged Bitcoin futures ETFs and similar vehicles offered on international exchanges, any premium or discount in Class A Common Stock relative to the value of our Bitcoin holdings may increase or decrease in different market conditions.
As a result of the foregoing factors, availability of spot ETPs for Bitcoin and other digital assets could have a material adverse effect on the market price of Class A Common Stock.
We may suffer losses due to abrupt and erratic market movements.
The Bitcoin market has been characterized by significant volatility and unexpected price movements, and has previously experienced significant declines. Bitcoin may become more volatile and less liquid in a very short period of time. As previously discussed in this section, a series of recent high-profile bankruptcies, closures, liquidations, regulatory enforcement actions and other events relating to companies operating in the digital asset industry have highlighted the counterparty risks applicable to owning and transacting in digital assets. See “Twenty One Capital’s operating results, revenues and expenses may significantly fluctuate, including due to the highly volatile nature of Bitcoin, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of Class A Common Stock.”
These bankruptcies, closures, liquidations and other events have created significant volatility in the markets for cryptocurrency generally and for Bitcoin particularly. Additional bankruptcies, closures, liquidations, regulatory enforcement actions or other events involving participants in the digital assets industry in the future could result in market prices being subject to erratic and abrupt market movement, which could harm our business. Further, because there is no centralized authority which determines the price of Bitcoin, pricing often differs between exchanges. When some exchanges are viewed as higher risk, that price differential can widen as traders attempt to exploit these differences. Volatility in the price of Bitcoin, as well as the lack of a standard price, could lead consumers to see Bitcoin as an unsafe asset. In addition, if we were to attempt to monetize the Bitcoin we hold on our balance sheet, such price volatility could lead to trading losses, impacting our financial position.
For example, based on the BRRNY index, on May 31, 2024, the price of Bitcoin was $67,488.19 On December 31, 2025, the price of Bitcoin was $87,315.53. Between those dates, Bitcoin experienced significant volatility. For example, on August 1, 2024, the price of Bitcoin was $63,212.98, and on August 5, 2024, the price of Bitcoin was $53,127.99. On August 23, 2024, the price of Bitcoin had risen again to $63,575.17. In 2023, price swings were even more drastic, with prices as low as $16,606 at the beginning of the year and as high as $44,103 at the end of the year. Such volatility will impact the overall value of our business and could cause volatility in the price of our stock.
The trading volume of Bitcoin typically increases during periods of extreme volatility. For example, in the days following the U.S. federal elections in November 2024, the price of Bitcoin rose sharply from $69,289.27 on November 2, 2024, to $87,250.43 on November 14, 2024, and volumes increased from $18,184,612,091 to $87,616,705,248 during that time period according to aggregate data from US exchange markets collected by CoinMarketCap. Such volume increases can lead to extreme pressures on trading platforms and infrastructure that can lead to inadvertent suspension of services across parts of the platforms or the entire platforms, and we may experience outages. Outages can lead to increased service expense, can cause reputational damage, result in inquiries and actions by regulators, and can lead to other damages for which we may be responsible, any of which could harm our business.
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The emergence or growth of other digital assets, including those with significant private or public sector backing, including by governments, consortiums or financial institutions, could have a negative impact on the price of Bitcoin and adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s business.
As a result of our Bitcoin acquisition strategy, a substantial part of our assets is concentrated in our Bitcoin holdings. Accordingly, the emergence or growth of digital assets other than Bitcoin may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. As of December 31, 2024, Bitcoin was the largest digital asset by market capitalization. However, there are numerous alternative digital assets and many entities, including consortiums and financial institutions, are researching and investing resources into private or permissioned blockchain platforms or digital assets that do not use proof-of-work mining like the Bitcoin network. For example, in late 2022, the Ethereum network transitioned to a “proof-of-stake” mechanism for validating transactions that requires significantly less computing power than proof-of-work mining. The Ethereum network has completed another major upgrade since then and may undertake additional upgrades in the future. If the mechanisms for validating transactions in Ethereum and other alternative digital assets are perceived as superior to proof-of-work mining, those digital assets could gain market share relative to Bitcoin.
Additionally, central banks in some countries have started to introduce digital forms of legal tender. For example, China’s central bank digital currency project was made available to consumers in January 2022, and governments including the United States, the European Union, and Israel have been discussing the potential creation of new central bank digital currencies. Whether or not they incorporate blockchain or similar technology, central bank digital currencies, as legal tender in the issuing jurisdiction, could also compete with, or replace, Bitcoin and other digital assets as a medium of exchange or store of value. As a result, the emergence or growth of these or other digital assets could cause the market price of Bitcoin to decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
The Company is highly dependent on the services of Jack Mallers, who is our Chief Executive Officer and President.
The Company is highly dependent on the services of Jack Mallers, who is our Chief Executive Officer and President. Although Jack Mallers spends a substantial portion of his business time and attention on the Company and is highly active in our management, he does not devote his full time and attention to Twenty One Capital. Jack Mallers continues to remain Chief Executive Officer of Zap Solutions Holding, Inc. and its direct or indirect subsidiaries (doing business as Strike). As a result, he may devote less time to us than if he was not engaged in other business activities; he owes fiduciary duties to our shareholders, and may owe fiduciary duties to shareholders of other companies with which he may be affiliated. Further, there may be potential competition between the products Twenty One Capital may offer in the future and products that Strike currently offers, or may offer in the future. We do not have “key person” life insurance policies. Jack Mallers is not bound by his employment agreement for any specific term and, if we are unable to retain him, we may not be able to successfully attract and retain a qualified replacement. If we are not successful in managing these risks, our business, financial condition and operating results may be harmed.
The Company relies on Tether, which has a controlling interest in the Company, for certain administrative and operational services.
The Company relies on Tether to provide certain services including information technology services, such as the development and maintenance of IT systems and cybersecurity; legal services related to regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and intellectual property; health, safety, and environmental services; management and commercialization of intellectual property; treasury and risk management, including Bitcoin trading; human resources services like payroll and benefits administration; and investor relations services, pursuant to the terms of the Services Agreement at a cost of $30,000 per calendar quarter, which was entered into in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination. Tether may have interests that are not aligned with our interests or the interests of our other shareholders and which could affect Tether’s performance of services to Twenty One Capital.
15
In the event of a default under or termination of the Services Agreement, we may be unable to contract with substitute service providers on similar terms, in a timely fashion, or at all, and the costs of substituting service providers may be substantial. In addition, a substitute service provider may not be able to provide the same level of services due to a lack of pre-existing knowledge or synergies. Any termination of our relationship with Tether, or decrease in provision of services by Tether, and any delay in appointing or finding a suitable replacement provider, if one exists, could adversely and negatively impact our business.
Stablecoins compete with Bitcoin in certain ways. Tether, our controlling shareholder, currently operates the largest stablecoin by market capitalization. There can be no assurance we will not experience competition from Tether.
Other alternative digital assets that compete with Bitcoin in certain ways include “stablecoins,” which are designed to maintain a constant price because of, for instance, their issuers’ promise to hold high-quality liquid assets (such as U.S. dollar deposits and short-term U.S. treasury securities) equal to the total value of stablecoins in circulation. Stablecoins have grown rapidly as an alternative to Bitcoin and other digital assets as a medium of exchange and store of value, particularly on digital asset trading platforms. Stablecoin is generally seen as more suitable for digital financing, specifically for transaction payments and business settlements, which accounts for its growing market share among digital currencies, and there have been significant developments in the U.S. stablecoin regulatory environment that may result in an increase in competition. Additionally, Tether, our controlling shareholder, operates the largest stablecoin by market capitalization. There can be no assurance we will not experience competition from Tether, including on any future Bitcoin-related financial or advisory services we may offer that may compete with any future products or services Tether may offer.
Twenty One Capital’s Bitcoin holdings are less liquid than its cash and cash equivalents and may not be able to serve as a source of liquidity for Twenty One Capital.
A substantial part of Twenty One Capital’s assets are Bitcoin. Pursuant to the Indenture for the Convertible Notes issued at Closing, 16,116.31574065 Bitcoin, being the number of Bitcoin equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Convertible Notes issued at Closing multiplied by 3, and then divided by the BRRNY as averaged over the ten consecutive days immediately prior to the Closing, are held as collateral to the Convertible Notes. The Bitcoin that serves as collateral to the Convertible Notes cannot be used as a source of liquidity for Twenty One Capital.
Further, historically, the Bitcoin markets have been characterized by significant volatility in price, limited liquidity and trading volumes compared to sovereign currencies markets, relative anonymity, a developing regulatory landscape, potential susceptibility to market abuse and manipulation, compliance and internal control failures at exchanges and various other risks inherent in its entirely electronic, virtual form and decentralized network. During times of market instability, we may not be able to sell our Bitcoin at favorable prices or at all. For example, a number of Bitcoin trading venues temporarily halted deposits and withdrawals in 2022, although the Coinbase, Inc. exchange has, to date, not done so. As a result, our Bitcoin holdings may not be able to serve as a source of liquidity for us to the same extent as cash and cash equivalents. Further, Bitcoin held by custodians, including our custodians, does not enjoy the same protections as are available to cash or securities deposited with or transacted by institutions subject to regulation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Additionally, we may be unable to enter into term loans, bonds or other capital raising transactions collateralized by our unencumbered Bitcoin or otherwise generate funds using our Bitcoin holdings, including in particular during times of market instability or when the price of Bitcoin has declined significantly. If we are unable to sell our Bitcoin, enter into additional capital raising transactions using unencumbered Bitcoin as collateral, or otherwise generate funds using our Bitcoin holdings, or if we are forced to sell our Bitcoin at a significant loss, in order to meet our debt obligations, or our working capital requirements, our business and financial condition could be negatively impacted.
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The Company faces risks relating to the custody of its Bitcoin, including the loss or destruction of private keys required to access our Bitcoin and cyberattacks or other data loss relating to our Bitcoin. If Twenty One Capital or its third-party service providers, including Anchorage, experience a security breach or cyberattack and unauthorized parties obtain access to the Company’s Bitcoin, or if Twenty One Capital’s private keys are lost or destroyed, or other similar circumstances or events occur, including the ability to reverse engineer private keys, the Company may lose some or all of its Bitcoin and Twenty One Capital’s financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
We hold our Bitcoin with a regulated custodian that has duties to safeguard our private keys. Generally, custodial services contracts do not restrict the ability to reallocate Bitcoin among custodians. However, all of the Bitcoin that we own is initially held in custody accounts at Anchorage, a digital asset custodian servicing institution. In light of the significant amount of Bitcoin we hold, we may seek to engage additional custodians to achieve a greater degree of diversification in the custody of our Bitcoin as the extent of potential risk of loss is dependent, in part, on the degree of diversification. If there is a decrease in the availability of digital asset custodians that we believe can safely custody our Bitcoin, for example, due to regulatory developments or enforcement actions that cause custodians to discontinue or limit their services in the United States, we may need to enter into agreements that are less favorable or take other measures to custody our Bitcoin, and our ability to seek a greater degree of diversification in the use of custodial services could be materially adversely affected.
Anchorage, through its parent company, maintains a commercial crime insurance policy, which is intended to cover the loss of client assets held in cold storage, including from employee collusion or fraud, physical loss including theft, damage of key material, security breach or hack, and fraudulent transfer, subject to its terms and conditions. The insurance maintained by Anchorage is shared among all of its customers, is not specific to Twenty One Capital, and may not be available or sufficient to protect Twenty One Capital from any or all possible losses or sources of losses.
Insurance to cover losses of our Bitcoin holdings will likely only cover a small fraction of the value of the entirety of the Bitcoin holdings, and there can be no guarantee that such insurance may be obtained or maintained as part of the custodial services we will have or that such coverage will cover losses with respect to our Bitcoin. Moreover, our use of custodians exposes us to the risk that the Bitcoin our custodians will hold on our behalf could be subject to insolvency proceedings and we could be treated as a general unsecured creditor of the custodian, inhibiting our ability to exercise ownership rights with respect to such Bitcoin. Any loss associated with such insolvency proceedings is unlikely to be covered by any insurance coverage we will maintain related to our Bitcoin.
Bitcoin is controllable only by the possessor of both the unique public key and private key(s) relating to the local or online digital wallet in which the Bitcoin is held. While the Bitcoin blockchain ledger requires a public key relating to a digital wallet to be published when used in a transaction, private keys must be safeguarded and kept private in order to prevent a third party from accessing the Bitcoin held in such wallet. To the extent the private key(s) for a digital wallet are lost, destroyed, or otherwise compromised and no backup of the private key(s) is accessible, neither we nor our custodians will be able to access the Bitcoin held in the related digital wallet. Furthermore, we cannot provide assurance that our digital wallets, nor the digital wallets of our custodians held on our behalf, will not be compromised as a result of a cyberattack. The Bitcoin and blockchain ledger, as well as other digital assets and blockchain technologies, have been, and may in the future be, subject to security breaches, cyberattacks or other malicious activities.
Security breaches and cyberattacks are of particular concern with respect to our Bitcoin. Bitcoin and other blockchain-based cryptocurrencies and the entities that provide services to participants in the Bitcoin ecosystem have been, and may in the future be, subject to security breaches, cyberattacks or other malicious activities. For example, in October 2021 it was reported that hackers exploited a flaw in the account recovery process and stole from the accounts of at least 6,000 customers of the Coinbase, Inc. exchange, although the flaw was subsequently fixed and Coinbase, Inc. reimbursed affected customers. Similarly, in November 2022, hackers exploited weaknesses in the security architecture of the FTX Trading Ltd. digital asset exchange and reportedly stole over $400 million in digital assets from customers. In 2024, hackers stole an estimated total of $2.2 billion in digital assets from cryptocurrency platforms. In February 2025, $1.5 billion of digital assets was stolen from a single cryptocurrency exchange, Bybit, operated by Bybit Fintech Limited. A successful security breach or cyberattack could result in:
| ● | a partial or total loss of our Bitcoin in a manner that may not be covered by insurance or the liability provisions of the custody agreements with the custodians who hold our Bitcoin; |
| ● | harm to our reputation and brand; |
| ● | improper disclosure of data and violations of applicable data privacy and other laws; or |
| ● | significant regulatory scrutiny, investigations, fines, penalties and other legal, regulatory, contractual and financial exposure. |
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Further, any actual or perceived data security breach or cybersecurity attack directed at other companies with digital assets or companies that operate digital asset networks, regardless of whether we are directly impacted, could lead to a general loss of confidence in the broader Bitcoin blockchain ecosystem or in the use of the Bitcoin network to conduct financial transactions, which could negatively impact us.
Attacks upon systems across a variety of industries, including industries related to Bitcoin, are increasing in frequency, persistence and sophistication, and, in many cases, are being conducted by sophisticated, well-funded and organized groups and individuals, including state actors. The techniques used to obtain unauthorized, improper or illegal access to systems and information (including personal data and digital assets), disable or degrade services, or sabotage systems are constantly evolving, may be difficult to detect quickly, and often are not recognized or detected until after they have been launched against a target. These attacks may occur on our systems or those of our third-party service providers or partners. We may experience breaches of our security measures due to human error, malfeasance, insider threats, system errors or vulnerabilities or other irregularities. In particular, unauthorized parties may attempt to gain access to our systems and facilities, as well as those of our partners and third-party service providers, through various means, such as hacking, social engineering, phishing and fraud. Threats can come from a variety of sources, including criminal hackers, hacktivists, state-sponsored intrusions, industrial espionage and insiders. In addition, certain types of attacks could harm us even if our systems are left undisturbed. For example, certain threats are designed to remain dormant or undetectable, sometimes for extended periods of time or until launched against a target and we may not be able to implement adequate preventative measures. The risk of cyberattacks could also be increased by cyberwarfare in connection with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, or other future conflicts, including potential proliferation of malware into systems unrelated to such conflicts. Any future breach of our operations or those of others in the Bitcoin industry, including third-party services on which we rely, could materially and adversely affect our business.
Our limited insurance protection exposes us and our shareholders to the risk of loss of our Bitcoin for which no person is liable.
We do not expect to maintain insurance coverage for our Bitcoin holdings, which are held in custody by our custodians. Therefore, a loss may be suffered with respect to our Bitcoin that is not covered by insurance and for which no person is liable in damages, which could adversely affect our operations and, consequently, an investment in us. Our future custodians may maintain a certain insurance coverage of such types and amounts as they assert to be commercially reasonable for their custodial services provided under our custody agreements with them, including certain commercial crime insurance of limited aggregate principal amount which covers losses stemming from fraud, security breach, hack and asset theft. However, such insurance coverage may be insufficient to protect us against all losses of our Bitcoin holdings held in custody with our custodians, whether or not stemming from security breaches, cyberattacks or other types of unlawful activity. Therefore, a loss may be suffered with respect to our Bitcoin that is not covered by insurance and for which no person is liable in damages, which could adversely affect our operations and, consequently, an investment in us.
The accounting treatment of our Bitcoin holdings is likely to have significant accounting impacts, including volatility of our results. If financial accounting standards undergo significant changes, our operating results could fluctuate.
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-08, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2023-08, which will require us to measure in-scope crypto assets (including our Bitcoin holdings) at fair value in our statement of financial position, and to recognize gains and losses from changes in the fair value of our Bitcoin in net income each reporting period. ASU 2023-08 also requires us to provide certain interim and annual disclosures with respect to our Bitcoin holdings, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the annual reporting period in which we adopt the guidance. Due in particular to the volatility in the price of Bitcoin, we expect ASU 2023-08 to have a material impact on our financial results in future periods, including the volatility of our financial results, and affect the carrying value of our Bitcoin on our balance sheet, and it could also have adverse tax consequences, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and the market price of Class A Common Stock (and correspondingly, any trading prices of the Convertible Notes).
Additionally, on March 31, 2022, the staff of the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 121 (“SAB 121”), which represented a significant change regarding how a company safeguarding crypto assets held for its platform users reports such crypto assets on its balance sheet and required retrospective application as of January 1, 2022. In January 2025, the staff of the SEC issued SAB No. 122 (“SAB 122”), which rescinds the previously issued interpretive guidance included within SAB 121.
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The broader digital assets industry, including the technology associated with digital assets, the rate of adoption and development of and use cases for, digital assets, market perception of digital assets and the legal, regulatory, and accounting treatment of digital assets are constantly developing and changing, and there may be additional risks in the future that are not possible to predict. Uncertainties in or changes to regulatory or financial accounting standards could result in the need to change our accounting methods and may retroactively affect previously reported results and impair our ability to provide timely and accurate financial information, which could adversely affect our financial statements, result in a loss of investor confidence, and our business, operating results and financial condition.
Bitcoin and other digital assets are novel assets, which expose the Company to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertainty, which could materially and adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s financial position, operations and prospects.
Bitcoin and other forms of digital assets are relatively novel and have been the source of much regulatory uncertainty, resulting in differing definitional outcomes without a single unifying statement, which subjects them to significant uncertainty that could adversely impact their price.
Bitcoin and other digital assets are viewed differently by different regulatory and standards setting organizations globally as well as in the United States on the federal and state levels. Certain governments have prohibited certain digital asset activities or have severely curtailed the use of digital assets by prohibiting the acceptance of payment in Bitcoin and other digital assets for consumer transactions and barring banking institutions from accepting deposits of digital assets. Other nations, however, allow digital assets to be used and traded without restriction. In some jurisdictions, such as in the United States, digital assets are subject to extensive, and in some cases overlapping, unclear and evolving regulatory requirements. There is a risk that relevant authorities in any jurisdiction may impose more onerous regulation on Bitcoin, for example banning its use, regulating its operation or otherwise changing its regulatory treatment. The application of state and federal securities laws and other laws and regulations to digital assets is unclear in certain respects, and it is possible that regulators in the United States or foreign countries may interpret or apply existing laws and regulations in a manner that may introduce a cost of compliance, or have a material impact on our business model, and therefore impact our financial performance and shareholder returns and/or adversely affect the price of Bitcoin. The U.S. federal government, states, regulatory agencies and foreign countries have recently enacted and may also enact additional new laws and regulations, or pursue regulatory, legislative, enforcement or judicial actions, that could materially impact the price of Bitcoin, the ability of individuals or institutions such as us to own or transfer Bitcoin and/or the competitive landscape for our products and services. For example:
| ● | On January 23, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to promote the growth and use of digital assets, blockchain technology and related technologies across all sectors of the economy. Among other things, the Executive Order established a working group comprised of representatives from key federal agencies, tasked with developing a federal regulatory framework for digital assets and evaluating measures that can be taken to provide regulatory clarity and certainty built on technology-neutral regulations for individuals and firms involved in digital assets, including through well-defined jurisdictional regulatory boundaries. On July 30, 2025, the working group published a report on strengthening American leadership in digital financial technology, which recommended several regulatory and legislative proposals to advance President Trump’s January 2025 Executive Order. The Executive Order also instructed the U.S. Department of Treasury, the SEC, and other relevant agencies to identify regulations, guidance, documents, orders and other items affecting the digital asset sector and submit recommendations for what should be rescinded, modified or, to the extent applicable, adopted into regulations. Additionally, it revoked President Biden’s prior Executive Order from March 9, 2022, relating to cryptocurrencies, and all policies, directives and guidance issued pursuant to that Executive Order, including the Department of the Treasury’s framework for international engagement on digital assets issued on July 7, 2022, and the White House framework for digital asset development released on September 16, 2022. The establishment of a new working group within the National Economic Council to propose a federal regulatory framework for digital assets could lead to significant changes in market structure, oversight, consumer protection and risk management. The evolving regulatory environment may pose challenges to our operations, particularly if new regulations introduce additional compliance costs or restrict certain activities. |
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| ● | There have also been several bills introduced in Congress that propose to establish additional regulation and oversight of the digital asset markets, including certain legislation to establish a federal supervisory framework for payment stablecoins. With respect to stablecoins, on July 17, 2025, the U.S. Congress passed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (“GENIUS Act”), which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 18, 2025. The GENIUS Act introduces the first federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, addressing consumer protection, financial stability, national security and anti-money laundering compliance, and establishes prudential requirements for the issuance, reserve backing and supervision of U.S.-dollar-pegged stablecoins. However, it is not yet in effect and certain provisions depend on final implementing regulations, which are issued by the primary federal stablecoin regulators. As a result, we may be subject to certain regulatory requirements and restrictions. This may implicate new costs for us and our management may have to devote increased time and attention to regulatory matters or change aspects of our business. Additionally, the regulatory treatment of fiat-backed stablecoins across other jurisdictions remains uncertain. |
| ● | Increased regulation may also result in limitations on the use cases of Bitcoin. In addition, regulatory developments may require us to comply with certain existing and new regulatory regimes, such as if any of our activities cause us to be deemed a “money service business” under the regulations promulgated by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the United States under the authority of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, including those that would require us to implement certain anti-money laundering programs, submit certain reports to Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the United States and maintain certain records. |
| ● | In addition to the stablecoin legislation, the U.S. Congress has continued to take steps towards enacting legislation regarding the digital assets market structure. For instance, on July 17, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (“CLARITY Act”), which—if ultimately enacted—would allocate jurisdiction between the SEC and CFTC with respect to digital assets and create a market-structure framework for digital commodities; the bill also seeks to resolve regulatory ambiguity regarding the meaning of “security” and “commodity” and is now awaiting Senate action. Additionally, the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs also released an initial discussion draft of the Responsible Financial Innovation Act of 2025 (“RFIA”) in July 2025, and a second discussion draft in September 2025, which is currently under negotiation. The RFIA proposes a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets aimed at clarifying jurisdiction, enhancing consumer protections and fostering innovation. It seeks to resolve whether digital assets should be regulated as securities or commodities by introducing a classification system based on decentralization and functionality. Under this classification system, more decentralized digital assets would be regulated by the CTFC and more centralized digital assets would be regulated by the SEC. The classification of digital assets under the RFIA would be subject to change over time under the classification system. However, the RFIA materially differs from the CLARITY Act by providing a more significant role for the SEC to determine the classification of a crypto-asset, and it is an open question as to how the Senate will proceed. |
| ● | The U.S. federal banking agencies have revoked prior guidance that restricted the ability of financial institutions to engage in digital asset related activities. On March 7, 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) issued a letter rescinding its previous guidance that required national banks and federal savings associations to receive prior written non-objection before engaging in crypto-asset-related activities, and reaffirmed these institutions are permitted to provide crypto-asset custody, hold stablecoin reserves and use distributed ledger and stablecoins to engage in payment activities. On March 28, 2025, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) issued a letter rescinding a previous letter from 2022 that required prior notification from FDIC-supervised institutions that wanted to engage in crypto-related activities, and confirmed that such institutions may engage in certain permissible digital assets-related activities, if they adequately manage the associated risks (including market and liquidity, operational and cybersecurity and anti-money laundering risks). On April 24, 2025, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (“Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve”) announced that it had withdrawn previous guidance that required state member banks to provide advance notification and, in certain cases, obtain nonobjections to engage in certain crypto-asset and dollar-token activities. In July 2025, the OCC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, and the FDIC issued a statement for banking organizations regarding the safekeeping of digital assets, which focused on how existing laws, regulations and risk management principles apply to such activities, and signaled additional progress in the increasing regulatory clarity for digital assets by key financial regulators in the United States. As a result of these regulatory changes, competition on the offering of certain of our products and services may increase, potentially impacting our revenue, as well as the market price of Bitcoin and in turn may adversely affect the market price of Class A Common Stock. On May 7, 2025, the OCC issued a letter confirming that national banks and federal savings associations may provide and outsource cryptocurrency custody and execution services on behalf of customers. Additionally, on December 9, 2025, the OCC issued a new letter, confirming that national banks may, as part of their business of banking, engage in riskless principal crypto-asset transactions, which involve a bank acting as principal in a crypto-asset transaction with one customer while simultaneously entering into an offsetting transaction with another. See “—The Company operates in a highly competitive environment and competes against companies and other entities with similar strategies, including companies with significant Bitcoin holdings and ETFs and ETPs for Bitcoin and other digital assets, and Twenty One Capital’s business, operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected if the Company is unable to compete effectively.” |
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| ● | The U.S. federal banking agencies have enhanced the supervision of novel activities conducted by banking organizations, especially following the failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank in March 2023, which were entities perceived as integral to the digital asset ecosystem, causing a number of digital asset industry participants to struggle in finding banks willing to work with them. Reports have also suggested that U.S. regulatory agencies, including the Department of the Treasury, may have advised financial institutions to approach crypto-related clients with caution. While some policymakers and industry participants have argued that this activity constituted a coordinated effort to limit banking access to crypto companies, regulators have not publicly confirmed such an initiative. Congressional hearings continue to explore the extent to which government influence may have contributed to banking challenges for crypto businesses. While recent regulatory developments suggest a more measured approach to crypto-related banking services, as discussed above, and shifts on risk management practices signaling that debanking of digital asset industry participants without individualized risk assessments would not be supported, there is no guarantee that similar measures will not be reintroduced in the future. If banking restrictions tighten due to a shift in U.S. regulatory priorities, the digital asset ecosystem could face challenges in securing banking relationships, which could impact digital asset liquidity, market stability, operational security and institutional adoption, all of which could negatively affect the digital assets market and therefore the value of digital assets. |
| ● | On September 8, 2022, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a report in coordination with other federal agencies relating to the climate and energy implications of digital assets, including Bitcoin, in the United States. Among its finding are that digital assets are energy intensive and drive significant environmental impacts, and the report recommends further study of the environmental impact of digital assets and the development of environmental performance regulations for digital asset miners, which may include limiting or eliminating digital assets that use high energy intensity consensus mechanisms, including the proof-of-work consensus mechanisms on which the Bitcoin blockchain is based. In addition to the United States, other governments or governmental bodies globally have introduced or are contemplating environmental and energy legislative and regulatory changes in response to the increasing focus on power consumption required to operate large-scale data centers. A changing legislative environment could create economic and regulatory uncertainty for our business because the industries in which we operate, with their high energy demand, could become targets for future environmental and energy regulations. |
| ● | On April 14, 2023, the SEC re-opened the comment period for its proposal to amend the definition of “exchange” under Exchange Act Rule 3b-16 to encompass trading and communication protocol systems for digital asset securities and trading systems that use distributed ledger or blockchain technology, including both so-called “centralized” and “decentralized” trading systems. On June 12, 2025, the SEC issued a notice to withdraw this proposal. If the SEC seeks to adopt a similar proposal in the future, the new definition would have a sweeping impact on digital asset trading venues and other digital asset industry participants. |
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| ● | On January 21, 2025, the SEC announced that then-Acting SEC Chairman Mark Uyeda “launched a crypto task force dedicated to developing a comprehensive and clear regulatory framework for crypto assets.” The task force is focused on helping the SEC “draw clear regulatory lines, provide realistic paths to registration, craft sensible disclosure frameworks and deploy enforcement resources judiciously.” While the SEC has formed the crypto task force to provide clarity on the application of the federal securities laws to the crypto asset market and to recommend practical policy measures that aim to foster innovation and protect investors, the task force has only recently begun. Additionally, on April 4, 2025, the SEC issued a statement concluding that “covered stablecoins” do not involve the offer or sale of securities within the meaning of the Securities Act or Exchange Act. While it provided a definition of what is a “covered stablecoin,” it is still unclear how this determination would affect non-covered stablecoins, and how it would interact with other proposed bills and regulations proposed by other agencies. |
| ● | On April 8, 2025, CFTC Acting Chairman Caroline Pham directed CFTC Staff, pursuant to Executive Order 14219, to deprioritize actions involving violations of registration requirements under the Commodity Exchange Act unless there is evidence that the non-registrant knew of the registration requirement and violated it willfully. The CFTC’s deprioritization of such enforcement actions, including against unregistered intermediaries who offer derivatives trading on crypto-assets, could add risk to the digital asset ecosystem. |
| ● | The European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (“MiCA”), a comprehensive digital asset regulatory framework for the issuance and provision of services in relation to digital assets, like Bitcoin, became effective in June 2023, with various requirements phasing into effect through 2024. MiCA regulates the authorization requirement for and supervision of crypto-asset service providers, as well as crypto-asset issuers, offerors and persons seeking admission to trading of crypto-assets in the European Union. In addition, MiCA also requires the European Commission (i) to provide a report on the environmental impact of crypto-assets and (ii) based upon such report, introduce measures that might be warranted to mitigate the adverse impacts on the environment of technologies employed in markets in crypto-assets like the consensus mechanisms such as mandatory minimum sustainability standards for consensus mechanisms, including the proof-of-work consensus mechanisms on which the Bitcoin blockchain is based. |
| ● | In November 2023, the SEC filed a complaint against Payward Inc. and Payward Ventures Inc., together known as Kraken, alleging, among other claims, that Kraken’s crypto trading platform was operating as an unregistered securities exchange, broker, dealer and clearing agency, which the SEC agreed to dismiss on March 3, 2025. Additionally, individual states have the ability to file similar lawsuits on the grounds of violations of state securities laws. For example, the Oregon state attorney general filed a lawsuit against Coinbase, Inc. in April 2025, for alleged violations of Oregon state securities law, and there have been similar claims against other digital asset industry participants at a state level. |
| ● | Firms engaging in crypto-asset activities in the UK must currently be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”) under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (“MLRs”), and are subject to various requirements and obligations as a result. The marketing of crypto-assets is also restricted and may only be conducted by firms that are authorized by the FCA or registered under the MLRs. The FCA has also introduced rules prohibiting the marketing and sale of derivatives that reference certain types of crypto-assets to retail customers in the UK. A similar ban on the marketing and sale of exchange-traded notes referencing crypto-assets to retail customers was lifted in October 2025. The UK regulatory framework for crypto-assets continues to evolve rapidly, and firms operating in this space face an increasingly complex and restrictive compliance landscape. The FSMA 2023 established a framework to bring certain crypto-asset activities, including issuance and trading, within the UK’s financial regulatory perimeter. In December 2025, His Majesty’s Treasury laid draft legislation before the UK Parliament to bring a wide range of crypto-asset activities within the scope of the UK’s regulatory perimeter, including operating a crypto-asset trading venue, providing custody services and dealing in crypto-assets. The legislation will come into effect following approval from both Houses of Parliament, which is expected to be a formality, and the new regime will start to apply on 25 October 2027. Further detailed rules relating to the regime are still under consultation by the FCA. In particular, the FCA is consulting in respect of the issuance of stablecoins, the custody of crypto-assets and prudential requirements for crypto-asset businesses. The final rules are expected to come into force in parallel with the broader regime. |
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| ● | In June 2023, the SEC filed a complaint against Coinbase, Inc. charging it with operating as an unregistered securities exchange, broker and clearing agency, and for the unregistered offer and sale of securities in connection with its staking-as-a-service program. Recently, in February 2025, the SEC announced the filing of a joint stipulation with Coinbase, Inc and Coinbase Global Inc. to dismiss the civil enforcement action against their crypto platform. |
| ● | In November 2023, Binance Holdings Ltd. and its then chief executive officer reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, the CFTC, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control, and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to resolve a multi-year investigation by the agencies and a civil suit brought by the CFTC, pursuant to which Binance Holdings Ltd. agreed to, among other things, pay $4.3 billion in penalties across the four agencies and to discontinue its operations in the United States. |
| ● | In China, the People’s Bank of China and the National Development and Reform Commission have outlawed cryptocurrency mining and declared all cryptocurrency transactions illegal within the country. Other jurisdictions, including Egypt, Morocco and the Dominican Republic have also made the use of Bitcoin illegal. If the use of Bitcoin is made illegal in other jurisdictions, particularly where Bitcoin is currently traded in heavy volumes, the available market for Bitcoin may contract. Additionally, if another government with considerable economic power were to ban digital assets or related activities, this could have further impact on the price of Bitcoin. As a result, the markets and opportunities discussed herein may not reflect the markets and opportunities available to us in the future. |
While the current administration has expressed support regarding the development and use of digital assets and the U.S. enacted the GENIUS Act in July 2025, the specific regulatory frameworks, including the potential adoption of the CLARITY Act or the RFIA, are still to be developed. The exact timeline and impact of these efforts on our business is uncertain, and there is uncertainty regarding enforcement actions by several U.S. agencies involving digital asset issuers and trading platforms. Additionally, it is not possible to predict whether, or when, any of these developments will lead to Congress granting additional authorities to the SEC or other regulators, or the impact of any such additional authorities, including the authority that Congress has already granted to the banking agencies under the GENIUS Act. It is also not possible to predict how additional legislation, regulation or other form of regulatory or supervisory oversight—such as the implementing regulations under the GENIUS Act or any Senate amendments to the CLARITY Act or the RFIA—might impact the ability of digital asset markets to function or the willingness of financial and other institutions to continue to provide services to the digital assets industry, nor how any new regulations or changes to existing regulations might impact the value of digital assets generally and Bitcoin specifically.
We cannot be certain as to how future regulatory developments will impact the treatment of Bitcoin under the law, and ongoing and future regulation and regulatory actions could significantly restrict or eliminate the market for or uses of Bitcoin and materially and adversely impact our business. If we fail to comply with such additional regulatory and registration requirements, we may seek to cease certain of our operations or be subjected to fines, penalties and other governmental action. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern or to pursue our business model at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects or operations. The consequences of increased regulation of digital assets and digital asset activities could adversely affect the market price of Bitcoin and any other digital assets we may hold or expect to hold at such time and in turn adversely affect the market price of Class A Common Stock.
Moreover, the risks of engaging in a Bitcoin acquisition strategy are relatively novel and have created, and could continue to create, complications due to the lack of experience that third parties have with companies engaging in such a strategy, such as increased costs of director and officer liability insurance or the potential inability to obtain such coverage on acceptable terms in the future.
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The novelty of Bitcoin may increase the risk of employee or service provider misconduct or error, which may adversely impact the business of Twenty One Capital. Employee or service provider misconduct or error could subject us to legal liability, financial losses and regulatory sanctions and could seriously harm our reputation and negatively affect our business. Such misconduct could include engaging in improper or unauthorized transactions or activities, failing to supervise other employees or service providers, improperly using confidential information, as well as improper trading activity. Employee or service provider errors could expose us to the risk of material losses even if the errors are detected. Moreover, the risk of employee or service provider error or misconduct may be even greater for novel Bitcoin products and services which we may offer in the future. It is not always possible to deter misconduct, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. If we were found to have not met our regulatory oversight and compliance and other obligations, we could be subject to regulatory sanctions, financial penalties, restrictions on our activities for failure to properly identify, monitor and respond to potentially problematic activity and seriously damage our reputation. Our employees, or any contractors and agents we may contract with, could also commit errors that subject us to financial claims for negligence, as well as regulatory actions, or result in financial liability. Further, allegations by regulatory or criminal authorities of improper trading activities could affect our brand and reputation.
The growth of the digital assets industry in general, and the use and acceptance of Bitcoin in particular, may also impact the price of Bitcoin and is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. The pace of worldwide growth in the adoption and use of Bitcoin may depend, for instance, on public familiarity with digital assets, ease of buying, accessing or gaining exposure to Bitcoin, institutional demand for Bitcoin as an investment asset, the participation of traditional financial institutions in the digital assets industry, consumer demand for Bitcoin as a means of payment and the availability and popularity of alternatives to Bitcoin. Even if growth in Bitcoin adoption occurs in the near or medium-term, there is no assurance that Bitcoin usage will continue to grow over the long-term. In addition, private actors that are wary of Bitcoin or the regulatory concerns associated with Bitcoin have in the past taken, and may in the future take, further actions that may have an adverse effect on our business or the market price of Class A Common Stock.
Because Bitcoin has no physical existence beyond the record of transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain, a variety of technical factors related to the Bitcoin blockchain could also impact the price of Bitcoin. For example, malicious attacks by miners, inadequate mining fees to incentivize validating of Bitcoin transactions, hard “forks” of the Bitcoin blockchain into multiple blockchains, and advances in digital computing, algebraic geometry and quantum computing could undercut the integrity of the Bitcoin blockchain and negatively affect the price of Bitcoin. The liquidity of Bitcoin may also be reduced and damage to the public perception of Bitcoin may occur, if financial institutions were to deny or limit banking services to businesses that hold Bitcoin, provide Bitcoin-related services or accept Bitcoin as payment, which could also decrease the price of Bitcoin. Liquidity of Bitcoin may also be impacted to the extent that changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements negatively impact the ability of exchanges and trading venues to provide services for Bitcoin and other digital assets.
The regulatory environment for digital assets in the United States and globally remains highly uncertain and is evolving rapidly. U.S. policymakers are only beginning to define a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. As a result, Twenty One Capital may face challenges in adapting to proposed or newly enacted laws and regulations, which could materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and operations.
As crypto assets have grown in both popularity and market size, various U.S. federal, state and local and foreign governmental organizations, as well as consumer agencies and public advocacy groups, have increasingly scrutinized the operations of crypto networks, users and platforms, with a focus on how crypto assets can be used to launder the proceeds of illegal activities and fund criminal or terrorist enterprises. In addition, the safety and soundness of platforms and other service providers that hold crypto assets for users have drawn regulatory and public attention. These concerns have led to calls for heightened regulatory oversight, and new laws and regulations.
Unlike traditional financial institutions, which have cultivated long-standing relationships with policymakers and regulators, participants in the cryptoeconomy are relatively new to the U.S. legislative and regulatory landscape. While engagement with policymakers and regulators has begun, it is still at a relatively nascent stage and may be insufficient to influence future legislation and regulation. As a result, new laws and regulations may be proposed and adopted in the United States and internationally, or existing laws and regulations may be interpreted in new ways, that adversely affect the cryptoeconomy or crypto asset platforms. Consequently, Twenty One Capital may be disproportionately impacted by such developments, potentially restricting its ability to operate or innovate. Additionally, any future political activities to further our mission may be perceived unfavorably by investors and the public and have an adverse impact on our brand and reputation.
Several spot Bitcoin ETPs have received approval from the SEC to list their shares on a U.S. national securities exchange with continuous share creation and redemption at net asset value. Even though we are not, and do not function in the manner of, a spot Bitcoin ETP, it is possible that we nevertheless could face regulatory scrutiny from the SEC or other federal or state agencies due to our Bitcoin holdings.
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As also noted above, there has been increasing focus on the extent to which digital assets can be used to launder the proceeds of illicit activities, fund criminal or terrorist activities, or circumvent sanctions regimes, including those sanctions imposed in response to ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. If we are found to have purchased any of our Bitcoin from bad actors that have used Bitcoin to launder money or persons subject to sanctions, we may be subject to regulatory proceedings and any further transactions or dealings in Bitcoin by us may be restricted or prohibited.
Additional laws, guidance and policies may be issued by domestic and foreign regulators following the bankruptcy of FTX Trading Ltd., one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, in November 2022, which has been widely cited as a catalyst for increased regulatory and enforcement focus on the digital assets industry and certain market participants and practices. Increased enforcement activity and changes in the regulatory environment, including changing interpretations and the implementation of new or varying regulatory requirements by the government or any new legislation affecting Bitcoin, as well as enforcement actions involving or impacting our trading venues, counterparties and custodians, may impose significant compliance and other costs on the Company, significantly limit our ability to hold and transact in Bitcoin or materially reduce the value of Twenty One Capital’s Bitcoin holdings.
Bitcoin’s status as a product that may be offered and sold as a “security” in any relevant jurisdiction, as well as the status of Bitcoin-related products, and services in general, is subject to a high degree of uncertainty, and if the Company is unable to properly characterize such product or service offering, Twenty One Capital may be subject to regulatory scrutiny, inquiries, investigations, fines and other penalties, which may adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s business, operating results and financial condition.
The SEC and its staff have taken the position that a range of crypto assets, products and services fall within the definition of an investment contract that is offered or sold as a “security” under the U.S. federal securities laws. The legal test for determining whether any given crypto asset, product or service that is offered and sold is an investment contract was set forth in the 1946 U.S. Supreme Court case SEC v. W.J. Howey Co. and requires a highly complex, fact-driven analysis. Accordingly, whether any given crypto asset, product or service that would be ultimately deemed to be offered and sold as a security is uncertain and difficult to predict notwithstanding the conclusions of the SEC or any conclusions we may draw based on our risk-based assessment regarding the likelihood that a particular crypto asset, product or service could be deemed to be offered or sold as a “security” or “securities offering” under applicable laws.
Public statements made by previous senior officials at the SEC indicate that the SEC does not intend to take the position that Bitcoin (as currently offered and sold) is a “security” under the U.S. federal securities laws. As of the date of this prospectus, Bitcoin is a crypto asset which senior officials at the SEC have publicly stated is unlikely to be considered a “security.” However, such statements are not official policy statements by the SEC and reflect only the speakers’ views, which are not binding on the SEC or any other agency or court and cannot be generalized to any other crypto asset. In addition, the SEC and courts have taken the position that a crypto asset that is not itself a security can be offered and sold in securities transactions, which carry many of the same regulatory risks and consequences summarized above. For example, the SEC has taken the position that yield, lending products, services or protocols can constitute the offer and sale of security even if the underlying crypto asset is not a security.
Any enforcement action by the SEC or any international or state securities regulator asserting that Bitcoin should be offered and sold as a “security” or a court decision to that effect, or any international or state securities regulator asserting that Bitcoin itself is a “security”, would be expected to have an immediate material adverse impact on the trading value of Bitcoin, as well as our business.
Several foreign jurisdictions have taken a broad-based approach to classifying crypto assets, products and services that are being offered or sold as “securities”, while other foreign jurisdictions have adopted a narrower approach. As a result, certain crypto assets, products or services, including those relating to Bitcoin, may be deemed to be offered and sold as a “security” under the laws of some jurisdictions but not others. Various foreign jurisdictions may, in the future, adopt additional laws, regulations or directives that affect the characterization of crypto assets, products or services that are offered or sold as “securities.”
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The classification of a crypto asset, product or service that is offered and sold as a security under applicable law has wide-ranging implications for the regulatory obligations that flow from the offer, sale, trading and clearing, as applicable, of such assets, products or services. For example, a crypto asset, product or service that is offered and sold as a security in the United States may generally only be offered or sold in the United States pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC or in an offering that qualifies for an exemption from registration. Persons that effect transactions in crypto assets, products or services that are offered or sold as securities in the United States may be subject to registration with the SEC as a “broker” or “dealer.” Platforms that bring together purchasers and sellers to trade crypto assets that are offered or sold as securities in the United States are generally subject to registration as national securities exchanges, or must qualify for an exemption, such as by being operated by a registered broker-dealer as an alternative trading system (“ATS”) in compliance with rules for ATSs. Persons facilitating clearing and settlement of securities may be subject to registration with the SEC as a clearing agency. If Bitcoin should be offered and sold as a “security”, these intermediaries may be unable to buy and sell Bitcoin under current SEC regulations, which may cease facilitation of Bitcoin trading by these intermediaries and have a significant adverse impact on the liquidity and price of Bitcoin. Foreign jurisdictions may have similar licensing, registration and qualification requirements.
In its initial business activities, which constitute (i) actively accumulating Bitcoin and managing its Bitcoin holdings and (ii) commencing development of educational materials and branded content intended to drive increased institutional and retail investor Bitcoin literacy, Twenty One Capital does not plan to offer or sell Bitcoin as “investment contracts” or otherwise as a “security”. The Company is not registered or licensed with the SEC or foreign authorities as a broker-dealer, national securities exchange or ATS (or foreign equivalents), and we believe that Bitcoin in itself or as a result of the manner in which we intend to purchase or sell Bitcoin in our initial business activities, is not a security (including based on prior statements by a number of SEC senior officials). However, statements, settlements and enforcement actions are not rules or regulations of the SEC and are not binding on the SEC. Regardless of public statements made by senior officials at the SEC and our conclusions, we could in the future be subject to legal or regulatory action in the event the SEC or a state or a foreign regulatory authority were to assert, or a court were to determine, that either Bitcoin itself or a product or service that we may offer or sell in the future related to Bitcoin, such as lending, rewards or savings products, could be viewed a “security” under applicable laws. There can be no assurance that we will properly characterize over time any given Bitcoin product or service that is offered and sold as a security or non-security, or that the SEC, foreign regulatory authority or a court having final determinative authority on the topic, if the question was presented to it, would agree with our assessment. We expect our risk assessment policies and procedures to continuously evolve to take into account case law, legislative developments, facts and developments in technology.
If an applicable regulatory authority or a court, in either case having final determinative authority on the topic, were to determine that a product or service that is offered or sold by us in the future is a security, we would not be able to offer such product or service until we are able to do so in a legally compliant manner. A determination by the SEC, a state or foreign regulatory authority, or a court that a product or service that is offered or sold constitutes a security may result in us ceasing to offer that product or service, and may also result in us determining that it is advisable to cease offering products and services entirely, that have similar characteristics to the product or service that was alleged or determined to be a security. Alternatively, we may determine to continue to offer certain future products or services even if the SEC or another regulator alleges that the product or service is offered or sold as a security, pending a final judicial determination as to that product or service’s proper characterization, and the fact that we waited for a final judicial determination would generally not preclude penalties or sanctions against us for our having previously made that product or service available without registering that product or service with the SEC. As such, we could be subject to judicial or administrative sanctions for failing to offer or sell the product or service in compliance with the registration requirements, or for acting as a broker, dealer or national securities exchange without appropriate registration. Such an action could result in injunctions, cease and desist orders, as well as civil monetary penalties, fines and disgorgement, criminal liability, and reputational harm. Additionally, the SEC has brought and may in the future bring enforcement actions against other cryptoeconomy participants and their product offerings and services that may cause us to modify or discontinue a product offering or service. If we were to modify or discontinue any product offering or service for any reason, our decision may be unpopular with users, may reduce our ability to attract and retain customers (especially if similar products or services continue to be offered by our competitors), and may adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
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Regulatory changes classifying Bitcoin as a “security” could lead to Twenty One Capital’s classification as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act and could adversely affect the market price of Bitcoin and the market price of shares of Class A Common Stock.
While senior SEC officials have stated their view that Bitcoin is not a “security” for purposes of the U.S. federal securities laws, a contrary determination by the SEC could lead to our classification as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act, which would subject us to significant additional regulatory controls that could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations and may also require us to substantially change the manner in which we conduct our business.
In addition, if Bitcoin is determined to constitute a security for purposes of the federal securities laws, the additional regulatory restrictions imposed by such a determination could adversely affect the market price of Bitcoin and in turn adversely affect the market price of shares of Class A Common Stock.
The Company is not subject to the same legal and regulatory obligations, including certain compliance and reporting obligations intended to protect investors, that apply to investment companies such as mutual funds and ETFs, or to obligations applicable to investment advisers.
Mutual funds, ETFs and their directors and management are subject to extensive regulation as “investment companies” and “investment advisers” under U.S. federal and state law; this regulation is intended for the benefit and protection of investors.
We believe we are currently not subject to, and do not otherwise voluntarily comply with, these laws and regulations. Consequently, shareholders of Twenty One Capital do not have the regulatory protections provided to shareholders in registered and regulated investment companies, which, for example, require investment companies to have a certain percentage of disinterested directors and regulate the relationship between the investment company and certain of its affiliates. Further, Twenty One Capital may hold or trade in commodity futures contracts in order to hedge its Bitcoin holdings. A futures contract, which is a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of loss caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain futures contracts leading to the possible inability to sell or close out a futures contract at the desired time or price. Commodity futures are regulated by the Commodity Exchange Act, as administered by the CFTC. We do not believe that we are a commodity pool for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act. Consequently, shareholders will not have the regulatory protections provided to shareholders in Commodity Exchange Act-regulated instruments or commodity pools.
This means, among other things, that the execution of, or changes to, our Bitcoin acquisition and management strategy, our use of leverage, the manner in which our Bitcoin is custodied, our ability to engage in transactions with affiliated parties and our operating and investment activities generally are not subject to the extensive legal and regulatory requirements and prohibitions that apply to investment companies and investment advisers. For example, although a significant change to our Bitcoin acquisition strategy would require the approval of the Company Board, no shareholder or regulatory approval would be necessary. Consequently, the Company Board has broad discretion over the investment, leverage and cash management policies it authorizes, whether in respect of our Bitcoin holdings or other activities we may pursue, and has the power to change our current policies, including our strategy of acquiring and holding Bitcoin. In the future, the Company could be deemed to be a commodity pool based on CFTC guidance or changes in the regulatory environment, such as passage of the CLARITY Act, which could subject the Company to additional regulatory requirements and compliance burdens.
Due to the unregulated nature and lack of transparency surrounding the operations of many Bitcoin trading venues, Bitcoin trading venues may experience greater fraud, security failures or regulatory or operational problems than trading venues for more established asset classes, which may result in a loss of confidence in Bitcoin trading venues and adversely affect the value of Twenty One Capital’s Bitcoin holdings.
Bitcoin trading venues are relatively new and, in many cases, unregulated. Furthermore, there are many Bitcoin trading venues which do not provide the public with significant information regarding their ownership structure, management teams, corporate practices and regulatory compliance. As a result, the marketplace may lose confidence in Bitcoin trading venues, including prominent exchanges that handle a significant volume of Bitcoin trading and/or are subject to regulatory oversight, in the event one or more Bitcoin trading venues cease or pause for a prolonged period the trading of Bitcoin or other digital assets, or experience fraud, significant volumes of withdrawal, security failures or operational problems.
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In 2022, there were reports claiming that more than half of Bitcoin trading volume on trading venues was false or non-economic in nature, with specific focus on unregulated exchanges located outside of the United States. The SEC has also brought actions against individuals and digital asset market participants alleging such persons artificially increased trading volumes in certain digital assets through wash trades, or repeated buying and selling of the same assets in fictitious transactions to manipulate their underlying trading price. Such reports and allegations may indicate that the Bitcoin market is significantly smaller than expected and that the United States makes up a significantly larger percentage of the Bitcoin market than is commonly understood. Any actual or perceived false trading in the Bitcoin market, and any other fraudulent or manipulative acts and practices, could adversely affect the value of our Bitcoin. Negative perception, a lack of stability in the broader Bitcoin markets and the closure, temporary shutdown or operational disruption of Bitcoin trading venues, lending institutions, institutional investors, institutional miners, custodians or other major participants in the Bitcoin ecosystem, due to fraud, business failure, cybersecurity events, government-mandated regulation, bankruptcy, or for any other reason, may result in a decline in confidence in Bitcoin and the broader Bitcoin ecosystem and greater volatility in the price of Bitcoin. For example, in 2022, each of Celsius Network, Voyager Digital, Three Arrows Capital, FTX Trading Ltd., and BlockFi filed for bankruptcy, following which the market prices of Bitcoin and other digital assets significantly declined. The SEC also alleged as part of its June 5, 2023, complaint that Binance Holdings Ltd. committed strategic and targeted “wash trading” through its affiliates to artificially inflate the volume of certain digital assets traded on its exchange. In addition, in June 2023, the SEC announced enforcement actions against Coinbase, Inc., and Binance Holdings Ltd., two providers of large trading venues for digital assets, which similarly was followed by a decrease in the market price of Bitcoin and other digital assets. These were followed in November 2023, by an SEC enforcement action against Payward Inc. and Payward Ventures Inc., together known as Kraken, another large trading venue for digital assets. While the current U.S. administration has dismissed these enforcement actions, it is uncertain when or whether new enforcement actions may be brought. The price of Class A Common Stock may be affected by the value of our Bitcoin holdings and the failure of a major participant in the Bitcoin ecosystem could have a material adverse effect on the market price of Company Stock.
Twenty One Capital’s compliance and risk management methods might not be effective and may result in outcomes that could adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s reputation, operating results and financial condition.
Our ability to comply with applicable complex and evolving laws, regulations and rules is largely dependent on the establishment, maintenance and scaling of our compliance, internal audit and reporting systems, as well as our ability to attract and retain qualified compliance and other risk management personnel. We cannot assure you that our policies and procedures will always be effective or that we have been and will always be successful in monitoring or evaluating the risks to which we are or may be exposed in all market environments or against all types of risks, including unidentified or unanticipated risks. Our risk management policies and procedures rely on a combination of technical and human controls and supervision that are subject to error and failure. Some of our methods for managing risk are discretionary by nature and are based on internally developed controls and observed historical market behavior, and also involve reliance on standard industry practices. Accordingly, in the future, we may identify gaps in such policies and procedures or existing gaps may become higher risk, and may require significant resources and management attention. Our risk management policies and procedures also may not adequately prevent losses due to technical errors if our testing and quality control practices are not effective in preventing failures. In addition, we may elect to adjust our risk management policies and procedures to allow for an increase in risk tolerance, which could expose us to the risk of greater losses.
Any potential regulators who may have jurisdiction over us, including in the future, may periodically review our compliance program, including our policies and procedures, and with applicable law. We may from time to time receive examination reports citing violations of applicable law and inadequacies in existing compliance programs requiring us to enhance certain practices with respect to our practices or compliance program, including due diligence, training, monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping. If we fail to comply with these, or do not adequately remediate certain findings, regulators and financial institution partners could take a variety of actions that could impair our ability to conduct our business, including, but not limited to, delaying, denying, withdrawing or conditioning approval of certain products and services. In addition, regulators have broad enforcement powers to censure, fine, issue cease and desist orders, that may prohibit us from engaging in some of our business activities, or revoke any licenses we have or may obtain in the future. We face significant intervention by regulatory authorities, including extensive auditing and surveillance activities, and will continue to face the risk of significant intervention by regulatory authorities and potential future financial institution partners. In the case of non-compliance or alleged non-compliance, we could be subject to investigations and proceedings that may result in substantial penalties or civil lawsuits, including by customers, for damages, which can be a significant loss to us or our financial institution partner(s). Any of these outcomes would adversely affect our reputation and brand and our business, operating results and financial condition. Some of these outcomes could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
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We plan to accelerate Bitcoin adoption and Bitcoin literacy. We have not previously engaged in the business of online learning programs and educational content, and growing these operations could be difficult for us, including, without limitation, due to operational challenges and significant competition.
A central pillar of Twenty One Capital’s mission is to accelerate Bitcoin adoption and literacy at both institutional and retail levels, through online learning programs, publishing educational content, and partnering with institutions. The Company and its management have not previously engaged in the business of online learning programs or the business of publishing educational content. The creation of new online academic programs may not be accepted by prospective customers.
Building awareness of our online learning programs is critical to our ability to acquire prospective customers and generate revenue. A substantial portion of our online learning program expenses will likely be attributable to developing, marketing, and selling our online learning programs, which we cannot guarantee will result in successfully attracting customers. We seek to generate revenue based on prospective customers purchasing our online learning programs, so it is critical to our success that we identify prospective customers in a cost-effective manner and that any customers who purchase our products remain active in our offerings.
In addition, our efforts to develop online learning programs may be materially adversely affected by increased competition in the online education market and our competitors’ increasing use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, or because of problems with the performance or reliability of our future online program infrastructure.
We seek to engage in other Bitcoin-related activities, including Bitcoin-related financial and advisory services, Bitcoin-related debt and equity structured products and Bitcoin-related lending activities, all of which are subject to regulation. We have not previously engaged in these business lines and we may be unable to implement our business plan, including, without limitation, due to operational challenges, significant competition and regulation.
It is our long-term strategy to expand our operations in the future to include Bitcoin-related financial and advisory services. This may include Bitcoin-related debt and equity structured products and Bitcoin-related lending activities. We may also incur indebtedness or enter into other financial instruments in the future that may be collateralized by our Bitcoin holdings or pursue other strategies to create income streams or otherwise generate funds using our Bitcoin holdings. These offerings are expected to be highly regulated, any failure to obtain or maintain necessary money transmission, banking services and/or virtual currency business activity registrations and licenses, or comply with any applicable laws, rules and regulations could adversely affect our ability to offer these services. See risk factor “Bitcoin’s status as a product that may be offered and sold as a “security” in any relevant jurisdiction, as well as the status of Bitcoin-related products, and services in general, is subject to a high degree of uncertainty, and if the Company is unable to properly characterize such product or service offering, Twenty One Capital may be subject to regulatory scrutiny, inquiries, investigations, fines and other penalties, which may adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s business, operating results and financial condition.” Regulators and payment processors have historically taken actions relating to access to banking services. Heightened scrutiny by regulators could be detrimental to our long-term strategy and failure to comply with regulators during and after our engagement in such activities could damage our brand, reputation, business, operating results and financial condition.
Further, Twenty One Capital has not previously engaged in such Bitcoin-related services, and may be unable to implement a business strategy to successfully deliver these services. We cannot guarantee our success in delivering these services. However, if we fail to keep pace with rapid industry changes to provide new and innovative products and services, and are unable to offer such financial services to generate revenue, this could adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition. The further development and acceptance of cryptocurrency networks and other cryptocurrencies financial services, which represent a new and rapidly changing industry, are subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to predict and evaluate. Conversely, the slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of digital asset systems may also adversely affect our ability to implement this business strategy.
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Even if we are able to expand our operations to include Bitcoin-related financial and advisory services, we cannot guarantee that we will convince our customers to use these services. If our customers decrease their level of engagement with our products, services and platform, our business, operating results and financial condition may be significantly harmed.
Twenty One Capital may be unable to recognize the economic benefit of a “fork” or an “airdrop”, which could adversely impact an investment in the Company.
The only digital asset held by the Company is Bitcoin.
From time to time, Twenty One Capital may come into possession of, acquire, or otherwise establish dominion and control over, digital assets or other assets or rights, or be entitled to acquire any of the foregoing, incidental to Twenty One Capital’s ownership of Bitcoin and that arise without any action of Twenty One Capital (“Incidental Rights”, and such digital assets, other assets and rights, “IR Virtual Currency”). Incidental Rights can arise in a number of ways, including a fork in the Bitcoin blockchain, or an airdrop to holders of Bitcoin (each described below). Twenty One Capital may elect not to take advantage of such Incidental Rights, or may be unable to do so, or may irrevocably abandon the Incidental Rights or IR Virtual Currency, even if this may be economically detrimental to the Company.
Network Forks.
Bitcoin, along with many other digital assets, are open-source projects. As a result, any individual can propose modifications or improvements through one or more software upgrades that could alter the protocol layer of the Bitcoin network. In most cases, when a modification is proposed, a substantial majority of miners adopt it, especially if the new version would be incompatible with the then-current version. However, when a substantial majority of miners do not adopt the modified version, the result is a “hard fork” with two incompatible networks and two incompatible digital assets. Bitcoin has undergone a number of hardforks since its inception. For example, on August 1, 2017, after extended debates among developers as to how to improve the Bitcoin network’s transaction capacity, the Bitcoin network was forked by a group of developers and miners resulting in the creation of a new blockchain, which underlies the new digital asset “Bitcoin Cash.” Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash now operate on separate, independent blockchains. Since then, the Bitcoin network has forked several times to launch new digital assets, such as Bitcoin Gold, Bitcoin Silver and Bitcoin Diamond. Litecoin was also the result of a fork from the original Bitcoin blockchain.
Forks can occur for other reasons as well. For example, after a significant security breach, stakeholders on the network could elect to “fork” the network to its state before the hack, effectively reversing the hack. A fork could also be introduced unintentionally through a software bug or network activity.
Significant forks are typically announced several months in advance. The circumstances of each fork are unique, and their relative significance varies. It is possible that a particular fork may result in a significant disruption to Bitcoin and, potentially, may result in broader market disruption should pricing become difficult following the fork. It is not possible to predict with accuracy the impact that any anticipated fork could have or for how long any resulting disruption may exist.
Forks may have a detrimental effect on the value of Bitcoin, including by negatively affecting cryptocurrency allocations or by failing to capture of the full value of the newly forked Bitcoin if it is excluded from the BRRNY index. Forks can also introduce new security risks. For example, forks may result in “replay attacks,” or attacks in which transactions from one network were rebroadcast to nefarious effect on the other network. After a hard fork, it may become easier for an individual miner or mining pool’s hashing power to exceed 50% of the processing power of the digital asset network, thereby making digital assets that rely on proof of work more susceptible to attack. For example, when the Ethereum and Ethereum Classic networks, two other digital asset networks, split in July 2016, replay attacks, in which transactions from one network were rebroadcast to nefarious effect on the other network, plagued Ethereum exchanges through at least October 2016. An Ethereum exchange announced in July 2016 that it had lost 40,000 Ethereum Classic, worth about $100,000 at that time, as a result of replay attacks. Similar replay attack concerns occurred in connection with the Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin SV networks split in November 2018. Another possible result of a hard fork is an inherent decrease in the level of security due to significant amounts of mining power remaining on one network or migrating instead to the new forked network.
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A hard fork may adversely affect the price of Bitcoin at the time of announcement or adoption. For example, the announcement of a hard fork could lead to increased demand for the pre fork digital asset, in anticipation that ownership of the pre fork digital asset would entitle holders to a new digital asset following the fork. The increased demand for the pre fork digital asset may cause the price of the digital asset to rise. After the hard fork, it is possible the aggregate price of the two versions of the digital asset running in parallel would be less than the price of the digital asset immediately prior to the fork. While the Company will determine which network is generally accepted as the Bitcoin network and should therefore be considered the appropriate network for Twenty One Capital’s purposes, there is no guarantee that the Company will choose the network and the associated digital asset that is ultimately the most valuable fork. Either of these events could therefore adversely impact the value of the shares of Class A Common Stock. When Bitcoin Cash forked from the Bitcoin network, the value of Bitcoin went from $2,800 to $2,700.
In principle, a hard fork could change the source code for the Bitcoin network, including the source code which limits the supply of Bitcoin to 21 million. Although many observers believe this is unlikely at present, there is no guarantee that the current 21 million supply cap for outstanding Bitcoin, which is estimated to be reached by approximately the year 2140, will not be changed. If a hard fork changing the 21 million supply cap is widely adopted, the limit on the supply of Bitcoin could be lifted, which could have an adverse impact on the value of Bitcoin and the value of the shares of Class A Common Stock.
If Bitcoin were to fork into two digital assets, Twenty One Capital may hold, in addition to its existing Bitcoin balance, a right to claim an equivalent amount of the new “forked” asset following the hard fork. However, BRRNY index does not track forks involving Bitcoin. The holder of Bitcoin has no discretion in a hard fork; it merely has the right to claim the new Bitcoin on a pro rata basis while it continues to hold the same number of Bitcoin.
Anchorage, which is the custodian of Twenty One Capital’s Bitcoin, retains the right to determine whether or not to support (or cease supporting) a forked network. The outcome of such decisions by Anchorage may impact the price of Class A Common Stock.
Airdrops.
Owners of Bitcoin may also become subject to an “airdrop.” In an airdrop, the promotors of a different digital asset, typically one that is newly launched, will send that digital asset to the wallet of holders of an existing digital asset for no charge. Airdrops are not always announced and while in some cases the wallet owner needs to take a step to “claim” the new digital asset, in other cases, the wallet owner possesses the new digital asset without taking any actions. For example, in March 2017, the promoters of Stellar Lumens announced that anyone that owned Bitcoin as of June 26, 2017, could claim, until August 27, 2017, a certain amount of Stellar Lumens. Airdrops are not included in BRRNY index under its current methodology. Twenty One Capital may or may not participate in airdrops.
If Twenty One Capital notifies Anchorage in writing of an upcoming airdrop, Anchorage may, among other actions, elect to: (i) custody the airdropped digital asset for an additional fee or (ii) not pursue obtaining the airdropped digital assets. The outcome of such decisions by Anchorage may impact the price of Class A Common Stock.
In the ordinary course of business managing its Bitcoin holding as a Bitcoin treasury company, Twenty One Capital may purchase Bitcoin through spot markets which may be exposed to fraud and market manipulation, including through front running and wash trading, which may adversely affect the value of the shares of Class A Common Stock.
The blockchain infrastructure could be used by certain market participants to exploit arbitrage opportunities through schemes such as front-running, spoofing, pump-and-dump and fraud across different systems, platforms or geographic locations. As a result of reduced oversight, these schemes may be more prevalent in digital asset markets than in the general market for financial products.
The SEC has identified possible sources of fraud and manipulation in the Bitcoin market generally, including, among others (1) “wash trading”; (2) persons with a dominant position in Bitcoin manipulating Bitcoin pricing; (3) hacking of the Bitcoin network and trading platforms; (4) malicious control of the Bitcoin network; (5) trading based on material, non-public information (for example, plans of market participants to significantly increase or decrease their holdings in Bitcoin, new sources of demand for Bitcoin, etc.) or based on the dissemination of false and misleading information; (6) manipulative activity involving purported “stablecoins,” including Tether; and (7) fraud and manipulation at Bitcoin trading platforms.
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In the ordinary course of business managing its Bitcoin holding as a Bitcoin treasury company, Twenty One Capital may purchase Bitcoin through spot markets. Over the past several years, a number of Bitcoin spot markets have been closed or faced issues due to fraud. In many of these instances, the customers of such Bitcoin spot markets were not compensated or made whole for the partial or complete losses of their account balances in such Bitcoin exchanges.
In 2022, there were reports claiming that more than half of Bitcoin trading volume on digital asset exchanges was fake. Such reports alleged that certain overseas exchanges have displayed suspicious trading activity suggestive of a variety of manipulative or fraudulent practices. Other academics and market observers have put forth evidence to support claims that manipulative trading activity has occurred on certain Bitcoin exchanges. For example, in a 2017 paper titled “Price Manipulation in the Bitcoin Ecosystem” sponsored by the Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center at Tel Aviv University, a group of researchers used publicly available trading data, as well as leaked transaction data from a 2014 Mt. Gox security breach, to identify and analyze the impact of “suspicious trading activity” on Mt. Gox between February and November 2013, which, according to the authors, caused the price of Bitcoin to increase from around $150 to more than $1,000 over a two-month period. In August 2017, it was reported that a trader or group of traders nicknamed “Spoofy” was placing large orders on Bitfinex without actually executing them, presumably in order to influence other investors into buying or selling by creating a false appearance that greater demand existed in the market. In December 2017, an anonymous blogger (publishing under the pseudonym Bitfinex’d) cited publicly available trading data to support his or her claim that a trading bot nicknamed “Picasso” was pursuing a paint-the-tape-style manipulation strategy by buying and selling Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash between affiliated accounts in order to create the appearance of substantial trading activity and thereby influence the price of such assets.
The potential consequences of a spot market’s failure or failure to prevent market manipulation could adversely affect the value of the shares of Class A Common Stock. Any market abuse, and a loss of investor confidence in Bitcoin, may adversely impact pricing trends in Bitcoin markets broadly, as well as an investment in shares of Class A Common Stock.
The price of Bitcoin on available spot markets may be exposed to wash trading.
Spot markets on which Bitcoin trades, through which Twenty One Capital may purchase Bitcoin, may be susceptible to wash trading. Wash trading occurs when offsetting trades are entered into for other than bona fide reasons, such as the desire to inflate reported trading volumes. Wash trading may be motivated by non-economic reasons, such as a desire for increased visibility on popular websites that monitor markets for digital assets so as to improve their attractiveness to investors who look for maximum liquidity, or it may be motivated by the ability to attract listing fees from token issuers who seek the most liquid and high-volume exchanges on which to list their coins. Results of wash trading may include unexpected obstacles to trade and erroneous investment decisions based on false information.
Even in the United States, there have been allegations of wash trading even on regulated venues. Any actual or perceived false trading in the digital asset exchange market, and any other fraudulent or manipulative acts and practices, could adversely affect the value of Bitcoin and/or negatively affect the market perception of Bitcoin.
To the extent that wash trading either occurs or appears to occur in spot markets on which Bitcoin trades, investors may develop negative perceptions about Bitcoin and the digital assets industry more broadly, which could adversely impact the price Bitcoin and, therefore, the price of shares of Class A Common Stock. Wash trading also may place more legitimate digital asset exchanges at a relative competitive disadvantage.
The price of Bitcoin on available spot markets may be exposed to front-running.
Spot markets on which Bitcoin trades, through which Twenty One Capital may purchase Bitcoin, may be susceptible to “front-running,” which refers to the process when someone uses technology or market advantage to get prior knowledge of upcoming transactions. Front-running is a frequent activity on centralized as well as decentralized exchanges. By using bots functioning on a millisecond-scale timeframe, bad actors are able to take advantage of the forthcoming price movement and make economic gains at the cost of those who had introduced these transactions. The objective of a front runner is to buy a chunk of tokens at a low price and later sell them at a higher price while simultaneously exiting the position. Front-running happens via manipulations of gas prices or timestamps, also known as slow matching. To extent that front-running occurs, it may result in investor frustrations and concerns as to the price integrity of digital asset exchanges and digital assets more generally.
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Bitcoin is susceptible to various types of malicious attacks, including a “51% attack” and such an attack, even temporarily, could adversely impact the price of Bitcoin and the value of shares of Class A Common Stock.
Digital asset networks, including the Bitcoin network, are subject to control by entities that capture a majority of the network’s computational power. If a single attacker, or a group of attackers acting in concert, control (even temporarily) a majority of the network mining power (known as hash rate) of the Bitcoin network, known as a “51%” attack, they could engage in harmful acts that could threaten the integrity of the network. For example, such attackers could reverse completed transactions, approve or reject transactions solely for their own benefit, or modify the ordering of transactions. This might allow these malicious actors to “double-spend” their own Bitcoin (i.e., spend the same Bitcoin in more than one transaction) and prevent the confirmation of other users’ transactions for so long as it maintained control. To the extent that such malicious actors did not yield its control of the processing power on the Bitcoin network or the network community did not reject the fraudulent blocks as malicious, reversing any changes made to the Bitcoin network may not be possible.
Further, a malicious actor could create a flood of transactions in order to slow down confirmations of transactions on the Bitcoin network. For example, on June 2, 2018, the Horizen network was the target of a double-spend attack by an unknown actor that gained more than 50% of the processing power of the Horizen network. The attack was the result of delayed submission of blocks to the Horizen network. The core developers of Zen subsequently implemented mitigation procedures to significantly increase the difficulty of attacks of this nature by introducing a penalty for delayed block submissions.
Bitcoin mining pools, where miners combine their computational resources (hash power) to increase their chances of mining new blocks and earning rewards, have become a crucial part of the Bitcoin network. If large mining pools were to combine their resources and act maliciously, it could increase the risk of a 51% attack. Moreover, if a majority of miners used the same hardware to mine Bitcoin and such hardware contained malicious code, it is possible that the distributor of that code could launch a 51% attack. For example, in May 2019, the Bitcoin Cash network, a proof-of-work network, experienced a >50% attack when two large mining pools reversed a series of transactions to stop an unknown miner from taking advantage of a flaw in a recent Bitcoin Cash protocol upgrade. Although this particular attack was arguably benevolent, certain individuals believe it negatively impacted the Bitcoin Cash network.
A 51% attack is more likely to happen in the context of digital assets with smaller market capitalizations due to the reduced computing power threshold required to control a majority of a given network. Nevertheless, it is theoretically possible to mount a similar 51% attack on Bitcoin or other digital assets with large market capitalization. If the feasibility of a bad actor gaining control of the processing power on the Bitcoin network increases, there may be a negative effect on the value of Bitcoin and the value of the shares of Class A Common Stock.
There are only a few developers who have the authority to maintain the Bitcoin code. A malicious actor could obtain control over the Bitcoin network by influencing or exerting control over one more maintainers. The malicious actor could, for example, convince or pressure a maintainer to modify the code in a manner that benefits the malicious actor. If such amended code is then unknowingly incorporated by a majority of miners, the malicious actor might be able to manipulate the bitcoin network to their benefit. To the extent the malicious actor is successful, and such amendments enable the malicious exploitation of the Bitcoin network, the risk that a malicious actor may be able to obtain control of the Bitcoin network in this manner exists, which may adversely affect the value of Class A Common Stock.
To the extent that the Bitcoin ecosystem, including the core developers and the administrators of mining pools, does not act to ensure greater decentralization of mining processing power, the feasibility of a malicious actor obtaining control of the processing power on the Bitcoin network will increase, which may adversely affect the value of the shares of Class A Common Stock.
If any of these exploitations or attacks occur, it could result in a loss of public confidence in Bitcoin and a decline in the value of Bitcoin and, as a result, adversely impact shares of Class A Common Stock.
Although the Company has relevant due diligence procedures regarding anti-money laundering (“AML”) and know-your-customer (“KYC”), these procedures may fail to prevent illegal transactions, which could subject the Company to criminal and civil liabilities and impact the value of the shares of Class A Common Stock and the trading price of the Convertible Notes.
Although transaction details of peer-to-peer transactions are recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain, a buyer or seller of digital assets on a peer-to-peer basis directly on the Bitcoin network may never know to whom the public key belongs or the true identity of the party with whom it is transacting. Public key addresses are randomized sequences of alphanumeric characters that, standing alone, do not provide sufficient information to identify users. In addition, certain technologies may obscure the origin or chain of custody of digital assets. The opaque nature of the market poses asset verification challenges for market participants, regulators and auditors and gives rise to an increased risk of manipulation and fraud, including the potential for Ponzi schemes, bucket shops and pump and dump schemes. Digital assets have in the past been used to facilitate illicit activities. If a digital asset was used to facilitate illicit activities, businesses that facilitate transactions in such digital assets could be at increased risk of potential criminal or civil lawsuits, or of having banking or other services cut off, and such digital asset could be removed from digital asset exchanges. Any of the aforementioned occurrences could adversely affect the price of the relevant digital asset, the attractiveness of the respective blockchain network and an investment in shares of Class A Common Stock and the Convertible Notes. If Twenty One Capital were to transact with a sanctioned entity, we would be at risk of potential criminal or civil lawsuits or liability.
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Twenty One Capital aims to take measures with the objective of reducing illicit financing risks in connection with our activities. However, illicit financing risks are present in the digital asset markets, including markets for Bitcoin. There can be no assurance that the measures employed by the Company will prove successful in reducing illicit financing risks, and the Company will be subject to the complex illicit financing risks and vulnerabilities present in the digital asset markets. If such risks eventuate, Twenty One Capital could face civil or criminal liability, fines, penalties, or other punishments, be subject to investigation, have our assets frozen, lose access to banking services or services provided by other service providers, or suffer disruptions to their operations, any of which could negatively affect Twenty One Capital’s ability to operate or cause losses in the value of the shares of Class A Common Stock or the Convertible Notes.
At Closing, the Company adopted and implemented policies and procedures that are designed to ensure that Twenty One Capital does not violate applicable AML and sanctions laws and regulations and to comply with any applicable KYC laws and regulations. Twenty One Capital aims to only interact with known authorized third-party service providers with respect to whom it has engaged in a due diligence process to ensure a thorough KYC process, such as Anchorage.
Anchorage has adopted and implemented an anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance program, which provides additional protections to ensure that Twenty One Capital does not transact with a sanctioned party. Notably, Anchorage performs Know-Your-Transaction (“KYT”) screening using blockchain analytic tools, screening systems, and in-house built systems to identify, detect, and mitigate the risk of transacting with a sanctioned or other unlawful actor. Pursuant to Anchorage’s KYT program, any Bitcoin that is delivered to Twenty One Capital’s custody account will undergo screening to ensure that the origins of that Bitcoin are not illicit.
There is no guarantee that such procedures will always be effective. If third parties have inadequate policies, procedures and controls for complying with applicable anti-money laundering and applicable sanctions laws or Twenty One Capital’s diligence is ineffective, violations of such laws could result, which could result in regulatory liability for the Company under such laws, including governmental fines, penalties, and other punishments, as well as potential liability to or cessation of services by Anchorage. Any of the foregoing could impact the value of the shares of Class A Common Stock or negatively affect Twenty One Capital’s ability to operate.
Twenty One Capital’s business activities may be subject to review or approval by regulatory authorities pursuant to certain U.S. or foreign laws or regulations.
Certain business activities are subject to review or approval by regulatory authorities pursuant to certain U.S. or foreign laws or regulations. In the event that such regulatory approval or clearance is not obtained, or such approval or clearance are subject to conditions that are not acceptable to us, we may not be able to engage in such activities.
Among other things, the offering of certain financial products may be subject to state, federal or foreign laws or regulations. U.S. or foreign laws or regulations may also affect our ability to acquire interests in other businesses. In the United States, certain mergers that may affect competition may require filings and review by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, and investments or acquisitions that may affect national security are subject to review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”). CFIUS is an interagency committee authorized to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States by foreign persons in order to determine the effect of such transactions on the national security of the United States.
Risks Related to Being a Public Company
The market price of Class A Common Stock may be volatile and decline materially as a result of volatility in Bitcoin or the digital asset markets generally, or for other reasons. You should be aware that you may lose some or all of your investment. Similarly, the trading prices of the Convertible Notes, if a market develops, may be volatile.
The trading price of Class A Common Stock may be volatile. The stock market has recently experienced and in the future may experience extreme volatility. This volatility has often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies. You may not be able to resell your shares of Class A Common Stock at an attractive price due to a number of factors such as the following:
| ● | Twenty One Capital’s operating and financial performance and prospects; |
| ● | risk of Twenty One Capital’s credit rating being downgraded; |
| ● | Twenty One Capital’s quarterly or annual earnings or those of other companies in its industry compared to market expectations; |
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| ● | conditions that impact demand for Twenty One Capital’s future products and/or services; |
| ● | future announcements concerning Twenty One Capital’s business, its customers’ businesses or its competitors’ businesses; |
| ● | the public’s reaction to Twenty One Capital’s press releases or other public announcements and filings with the SEC; |
| ● | the market’s reaction to Twenty One Capital’s reduced disclosure and other requirements as a result of being an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act; |
| ● | the size of Twenty One Capital’s public float; |
| ● | volatility in Bitcoin, Twenty One Capital’s principal asset; |
| ● | the control by Tether and Bitfinex over the Company, which results in Twenty One Capital being a “controlled company” under securities exchange rules, and may create conflicts of interest between the Company and Tether or Bitfinex; |
| ● | coverage by or changes in financial estimates by securities analysts or failure to meet their expectations; |
| ● | market and industry perception of Twenty One Capital’s success, or lack thereof, in pursuing its strategy; |
| ● | strategic actions by the Company or its competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings; |
| ● | changes in laws or regulations which adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s industry or Twenty One Capital; |
| ● | privacy and data protection laws, privacy or data breaches, or the loss of data; |
| ● | changes in Twenty One Capital’s accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles; |
| ● | changes in Twenty One Capital’s senior management or key personnel; |
| ● | issuances, exchanges or sales, or expected issuances, exchanges or sales of Class A Common Stock; |
| ● | changes in Twenty One Capital’s dividend policy; |
| ● | the lack of voting rights; |
| ● | failure by the Company to comply with regulatory requirements, including those related to governance and control requirements in particular jurisdictions, international sanctions or a change in regulations or enforcement policies that adversely affects our operations; |
| ● | adverse resolution of new or pending investigation, regulatory action or litigation against Twenty One Capital; and |
| ● | changes in general market, economic and political conditions in the United States and other global economies or financial markets, including those resulting from inflation and related monetary policy in response to inflation, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, acts of war and responses to such events. |
Broad market and industry factors may materially reduce the market price of Class A Common Stock, regardless of Twenty One Capital’s operating performance. In addition, price volatility may be greater if the public float and trading volume of Class A Common Stock is low. As a result, you may suffer a loss on your investment.
Twenty One Capital’s share price may be exposed to additional risks because our business became a public company through a “de-SPAC” transaction. There has been increased focus by government agencies on such transactions, and Twenty One Capital expects that increased focus to continue. Twenty One Capital may be subject to increased scrutiny by the SEC and other government agencies on holders of Twenty One Capital securities as a result, which could adversely affect the price of Class A Common Stock. Similarly, the trading prices of the Convertible Notes, if a market develops, may be volatile.
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A substantial part of Twenty One Capital’s assets is its Bitcoin holdings and cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds of the Business Combination and the PIPE Investments not invested in Bitcoin. Although the Company is expected to have certain other operations, the Company will depend on such retained cash and cash equivalents to pay its debts and other obligations.
As of consummation of the Business Combination, a substantial part of Twenty One Capital’s assets is its Bitcoin holdings and cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds of the Business Combination and the PIPE Investments not invested in Bitcoin. While Twenty One Capital plans to generate revenue through its educational content platforms and, in the future, its provision of Bitcoin-related financial and advisory services, as well as active management of its Bitcoin holdings, these business strategies are subject to risks as described in this section. Twenty One Capital’s ability to pay taxes and operating expenses, as well as its debt service obligations in the future, if any, is largely dependent upon the financial results and cash flows resulting from its business strategies. There can be no assurance that the Company will generate sufficient cash flow from its educational programs or financial and advisory services, or that applicable law and contractual restrictions, including negative covenants under any debt instruments, if applicable, will permit the sale of Bitcoin that secures then-outstanding notes in order to fund working capital needs. Twenty One Capital may default on contractual obligations or have to borrow additional funds. In the event that the Company is required to borrow additional funds, it could adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s liquidity and subject it to additional restrictions imposed by lenders. If Twenty One Capital enters into additional financing or other agreements in the future, Twenty One Capital cannot make assurances that these agreements will be on favorable terms or that they will not restrict the distribution of dividends or other payments to shareholders.
Twenty One Capital’s ability to timely raise capital in the future may be limited, or may be unavailable on acceptable terms, if at all. Twenty One Capital’s failure to raise capital when needed could harm its business, operating results and financial condition.
Twenty One Capital cannot be certain if it will generate sufficient cash through its educational content platforms and, in the future, its provision of Bitcoin-related financial and advisory services, or the active management of its Bitcoin holdings to fund future operations or growth of its business. Additional financing may not be available on favorable terms, if at all. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, Twenty One Capital may be unable to invest in future growth opportunities, which could harm Twenty One Capital’s business, operating results and financial condition. The Company incurred debt at Closing pursuant to the issuance of the Convertible Notes, and may from time to time issue additional notes in order to further its Bitcoin acquisition strategy. If Twenty One Capital incurs additional debt, the debt holders could also have rights senior to holders of Company Stock to make claims on Twenty One Capital’s assets. The terms of any debt could restrict Twenty One Capital’s operations, including its ability to pay dividends on Class A Common Stock. As a result, the Company shareholders bear the risk of future issuances of debt securities, reducing the value of the shares of Class A Common Stock.
The issuance of additional shares or convertible securities by the Company could make it difficult for another company to acquire Twenty One Capital, may dilute the ownership of Twenty One Capital shareholders and could adversely affect the price of Class A Common Stock.
Twenty One Capital may obtain additional financing and may issue additional shares and/or offering debt or other equity securities, including senior or subordinated notes, debt securities convertible into equity and/or preferred shares. Issuing additional shares of Company Stock, other equity securities, and/or securities convertible into equity may dilute the economic and voting rights of Twenty One Capital’s existing shareholders, reduce the market price of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, or both. Debt securities convertible into equity could be subject to adjustments in the conversion ratio pursuant to which certain events may increase the number of equity securities issuable upon conversion. Preferred shares, if issued, could have a preference with respect to liquidating distributions or a preference with respect to dividend payments that could limit Twenty One Capital’s ability to pay dividends to the holders of Class A Common Stock. The potential issuance of additional securities may delay or prevent a change in control of us, discourage bids for our securities at a premium to the market price, and materially and adversely affect the market price and the voting and other rights of the holders of our securities, including Class A Common Stock. Twenty One Capital’s decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond its control, which may adversely affect the amount, timing or nature of its future offerings. As a result, holders of Class A Common Stock bear the risk that Twenty One Capital’s future offerings and exercise of any options under any stock option plans that Twenty One Capital may implement may reduce the market price of Class A Common Stock and dilute their percentage ownership.
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Future resales of Class A Common Stock may cause the market prices of Twenty One Capital’s securities to drop significantly, even if Twenty One Capital’s business is doing well.
Pursuant to the Lock-Up Agreements and the Insider Letter (which were amended at Closing in accordance with the Sponsor Support Agreement), subject to certain exceptions, the Company Stock received by the Sponsor, Tether, Bitfinex and the Company Stock transferred by Tether to SoftBank is locked-up and subject to transfer restrictions, as described below, subject to certain exceptions.
However, following the expiration of such lock-up, the Sponsor, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank will not be restricted from selling Company Stock held by them, other than by applicable securities laws. As of completion of the Business Combination (and the Cantor F&F Sale), the Sponsor, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank collectively beneficially own approximately 88% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, excluding the 35,068,912 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes based on the initial conversion rate of 72.0841, determined based on the formula set forth in the Indenture as calculated at the Closing, or the shares issuable under the Incentive Plan.
In addition, pursuant to the Ancillary Agreements, the Company agreed to register for resale, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, shares of Class A Common Stock that are held by the Sponsor, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank. Pursuant to the Ancillary Agreements, such parties have customary registration rights, including demand and piggy-back rights. 309,182,606 shares of Class A Common Stock held by such holders is subject to registration rights following Closing
As restrictions on resale end and registration statements (filed after the Closing to provide for the resale of such shares from time to time) are available for use, the sale or possibility of sale of these shares could have the effect of increasing the volatility in the market price of Class A Common Stock and the market price of Class A Common Stock could decline if the holders of currently restricted shares sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them.
The Company incurs significant costs as a result of being a public company, including additional legal, accounting, insurance and other expenses, as well as costs associated with public company reporting requirements.
The Company incurs significant legal, accounting, insurance and other expenses, including costs associated with public company reporting requirements. The Company incurs significant costs associated with complying with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, and related rules implemented by the SEC and NYSE, or any other national securities exchange on which it may list its securities in the future. As of the Business Combination, Twenty One Capital expects these laws and regulations to increase its legal and financial compliance costs and to render some activities more time-consuming and costly, although the Company is currently unable to estimate these costs with any degree of certainty. The Company may need to hire more employees or engage outside consultants to comply with these requirements, which will increase its costs and expenses. These laws and regulations could make it more difficult or costly for the Company to obtain certain types of insurance, including directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, and Twenty One Capital may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. These laws and regulations could also make it more difficult for the Company to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on the Company Board or board committees or as executive officers. Furthermore, if the Company is unable to satisfy its obligations as a public company, it could be subject to delisting of its Class A Common Stock, fines, sanctions and other regulatory action and potentially civil litigation.
Twenty One Capital’s management team has limited experience managing and operating a U.S. public company.
Certain members of Twenty One Capital’s management team have limited experience managing and operating a U.S. publicly traded company, interacting with U.S. public company investors, and complying with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to U.S. public companies. Its transition to being a U.S. public company subjects the Company to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws and the continuous scrutiny of securities analysts and investors. These new obligations and constituents require significant attention from Twenty One Capital’s senior management and could divert their attention away from the day-to-day management of its business. Twenty One Capital may not have adequate personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge, experience and training in the accounting policies, practices or internal control over financial reporting required of U.S. public companies. The development and implementation of the standards and controls necessary for the Company to achieve the level of accounting standards required of a public company may require costs greater than expected. To support its operations as a U.S. public company, the Company plans to recruit additional qualified employees or external consultants with relevant experience, which will increase its operating costs in future periods. Should any of these factors materialize, Twenty One Capital’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
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If Twenty One Capital is unable to maintain an effective system of internal controls and compliances, its business and reputation could be adversely affected.
Twenty One Capital plans to manage regulatory compliance by monitoring and evaluating its internal controls to ensure that it is in compliance with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, but there can be no assurance that deficiencies in its internal controls and compliances will not arise, or that it is able to implement, and continue to maintain, adequate measures to rectify or mitigate any such deficiencies in its internal controls, in a timely manner or at all. Twenty One Capital cannot assure that there will be no instances of inadvertent non-compliances with statutory requirements, which may subject it to regulatory action, including monetary penalties, which may adversely affect its business and reputation. See also “Twenty One Capital’s compliance and risk management methods might not be effective and may result in outcomes that could adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s reputation, operating results and financial condition.”
Twenty One Capital’s failure to timely and effectively implement controls and procedures required by Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and prospects.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires the Company to evaluate the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of the end of each fiscal year, including a management report assessing the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting beginning with its first Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year in which the Business Combination is consummated. Additionally, once Twenty One Capital ceases to be an emerging growth company, its independent registered accounting firm will also be required to attest to the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting in each Annual Report on Form 10-K to be filed with the SEC. Twenty One Capital may, in the future, identify material weaknesses or significant deficiencies that it may be unable to remedy before the requisite deadline for those reports. Twenty One Capital’s ability to comply with the annual internal control reporting requirements will depend on the effectiveness of its financial reporting and data systems and controls across its company. Twenty One Capital expects these systems and controls to involve significant expenditures and to become increasingly complex as its business grows. To effectively manage this complexity, the Company will need to continue to improve its operational, financial and management controls and its reporting systems and procedures. Any weaknesses or deficiencies or any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in the implementation or operation of these controls, could harm its operating results and cause it to fail to meet its financial reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in its financial statements, which could adversely affect our business and reduce the market price of Class A Common Stock.
The Company is an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company”. The reduced public company reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make Class A Common Stock less attractive to investors.
The Company qualifies as an “emerging growth company”, as defined in the JOBS Act. While Twenty One Capital remains an emerging growth company, it is permitted to and plans to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These provisions include: (i) an exemption from compliance with the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of Twenty One Capital’s internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, (ii) not being required to comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements, (iii) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation arrangements in Twenty One Capital’s periodic reports, registration statements and proxy statements, and (iv) exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, the information Twenty One Capital provides is different than the information that is available with respect to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.
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In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the exemption from complying with new or revised accounting standards provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act as long as the Company is an emerging growth company. An emerging growth company can therefore delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, but any such election to opt out is irrevocable.
Additionally, the Company qualifies as a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements.
Twenty One Capital cannot predict whether investors will find Class A Common Stock less attractive if it relies on these exemptions. If some investors find Class A Common Stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for Class A Common Stock. The market price of Class A Common Stock may be more volatile.
Twenty One Capital expects to remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (i) the last day of the fiscal year (1) following the fifth anniversary of the consummation of the Business Combination, (2) in which Twenty One Capital has total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, or (3) in which the Company is deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of Company Stock that is held by non-affiliates equaled or exceeded $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter, and (ii) the date on which Twenty One Capital has issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. The Company expects to remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (i) the market value of the Company’s ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $250 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter, or (ii) its annual revenues is equal to or exceeds $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of the Company’s ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about Twenty One Capital’s business or publish negative reports, the market price of Class A Common Stock could decline.
The trading market for Class A Common Stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about Twenty One Capital’s business. Twenty One Capital may be unable or slow to attract research coverage and if one or more analysts cease coverage of the Company, the price and trading volume of Twenty One Capital’s securities would likely be negatively impacted. If any of the analysts that may cover the Company change their recommendation regarding Twenty One Capital’s securities adversely, or provide more favorable relative recommendations about Twenty One Capital’s competitors, the price of Twenty One Capital’s securities would likely decline. If any analyst that may cover the Company ceases covering the Company or fails to regularly publish reports on the Company, it could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause the price or trading volume of Twenty One Capital’s securities to decline. If one or more of the analysts who cover the Company downgrades Class A Common Stock or if Twenty One Capital’s reporting results do not meet their expectations, the market price of Class A Common Stock could decline. Moreover, the market price of Class A Common Stock may decline after the Business Combination if the Company does not achieve the perceived benefits of the Business Combination as rapidly or to the extent anticipated by financial analysts, or the effect of the Business Combination on Twenty One Capital’s financial results is not consistent with the expectations of financial analysts. Accordingly, holders of Company Stock following the consummation of the Business Combination may experience a loss as a result of a decline in the market price of Class A Common Stock. In addition, a decline in the market price of Class A Common Stock following the consummation of the Business Combination could adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s ability to issue additional securities and to obtain additional financing in the future.
Twenty One Capital may be subject to material litigation, including individual and class action lawsuits, as well as investigations and enforcement actions by regulators and governmental authorities. These matters are often expensive and time consuming, and, if resolved adversely, could harm Twenty One Capital’s business, financial condition and operating results.
We may from time to time become subject to claims, arbitrations, individual and class action lawsuits with respect to a variety of matters, including employment, consumer protection, advertising and securities. In addition, we may from time to time become subject to government and regulatory investigations, inquiries, actions or requests, other proceedings and enforcement actions alleging violations of laws, rules and regulations, both foreign and domestic. The scope, determination and impact of claims, lawsuits, government and regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, disputes and proceedings to which we are subject cannot be predicted with certainty, and may result in:
| ● | substantial payments to satisfy judgments, fines or penalties; |
| ● | substantial outside counsel, advisor and consultant fees and costs; |
| ● | substantial administrative costs, including arbitration fees; |
| ● | additional compliance and licensure requirements; |
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| ● | loss or non-renewal of then-existing licenses or authorizations, or prohibition from or delays in obtaining additional licenses or authorizations, required for our business; |
| ● | loss of productivity and high demands on employee time; |
| ● | criminal sanctions or consent decrees; |
| ● | termination of certain employees, including members of our executive team; |
| ● | barring of certain employees from participating in our business in whole or in part; |
| ● | orders that restrict our business or prevent us from offering certain products or services; |
| ● | changes to our business model and practices; |
| ● | an inability to deliver on our strategy; |
| ● | delays to planned transactions, product launches or improvements; and |
| ● | damage to our brand and reputation. |
Regardless of the outcome, any such matters can have an adverse impact, which may be material, on our business, operating results or financial condition because of legal costs, diversion of management resources, reputational damage and other factors.
The Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation includes (a) an exclusive forum provision, which could limit a shareholder’s ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with the Company or its directors, officers or other employees and (b) a jury trial waiver for any “internal entity claim”.
The Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation provides that unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum for the following purposes, the sole and exclusive forum for any of the filing, adjudication and trial of (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director or officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s shareholders, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any current or former director or officer or other employee of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the TBOC or the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation or the Amended and Restated Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), (d) any action asserting a claim related to or involving the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine, (e) any action asserting an “internal entity claim” as that term is defined in Section 2.115 of the TBOC, or (f) any other action or proceeding in which the Business Court of the State of Texas has jurisdiction, shall be the Business Court in the First Business Court Division of the State of Texas (provided that if the Business Court determines that it lacks jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division or, if such federal court lacks jurisdiction, the state district court of Dallas County, Texas); provided, however, that such exclusive forum provision shall not apply to direct claims under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation also includes a jury trial waiver consisting of the following language: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE TBOC AND APPLICABLE LAW, AS THE SAME EXISTS OR MAY HEREAFTER BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION, THE COMPANY, EACH SHAREHOLDER, EACH DIRECTOR, AND EACH OFFICER OF THE COMPANY, AS WELL AS EACH OTHER PERSON WHO ACQUIRES AN INTEREST IN ANY SHARES OF STOCK OF THE COMPANY, IRREVOCABLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY CONCERNING ANY “INTERNAL ENTITY CLAIM” AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION 2.115 OF THE TBOC. ANY PERSON OR ENTITY PURCHASING OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRING ANY INTEREST IN SHARES OF STOCK OF THE COMPANY WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NOTICE OF, AND TO HAVE KNOWINGLY AND INFORMEDLY CONSENTED AND ACQUIESCED TO, THE WAIVER PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION.
Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. However, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such an exclusive forum provision as written in connection with claims arising under the Securities Act, and the Company’s shareholders will not be deemed to have waived the Company’s compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the exclusive forum provision of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws.
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Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any Company Stock will be deemed to have notice of and consented to each of the exclusive forum provision and the waiver of jury trial provision, in each case, as set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation. This exclusive forum provision in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents, or could result in increased costs for a shareholder to bring a claim, particularly if they do not reside in or near Texas, both of which may discourage the filing of lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the exclusive forum provision contained in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Company may incur additional costs associated with resolving such actions in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.
Furthermore, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation contains a waiver of the right to trial by jury with respect to any “internal entity claim” as that term is defined in Section 2.115 of the TBOC. The Company, each shareholder, director and officer of the Company, and each other person who acquires an interest in any shares of stock of the Company will be bound by this provision. Section 2.115(a) of the TBOC defines “internal entity claim” as “a claim of any nature, including a derivative claim in the right of an entity, that is based on, arises from, or relates to the internal affairs of the entity.” In turn, Section 1.105 of the TBOC defines “internal affairs” as “(1) the rights, powers, and duties of its governing authority, governing persons, officers, owners, and members; and (2) matters relating to its membership or ownership interests.” To our knowledge, the scope of “internal entity claim” under the TBOC or whether the applicable jury trial waiver set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation includes claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by any applicable federal or state court.
We believe this waiver of the right to trial by jury with respect to any “internal entity claim” as that term is defined in Section 2.115 of the TBOC benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Texas law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, and to the extent that this provision is enforceable, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against the Company’s directors, officers, employees and shareholders, including, but not limited to, increased costs to bring such lawsuits or claims; however, the Company shareholders will not be deemed to have waived the Company’s compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. If a lawsuit is brought against any of the Company’s directors, officers, employees and shareholders, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable court as set forth in the exclusive forum provision of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation, which would be conducted according to different procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have.
We believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of Texas. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision, courts will generally consider whether the visibility of the jury trial waiver provision within the applicable agreement is sufficiently prominent such that a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial.
We believe that this is the case with respect to the waiver of jury trial provision set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation. You should consult legal counsel regarding the waiver of this jury trial provision prior to purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any Company Stock. Alternatively, if a court were to find the waiver of jury trial provision set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions or before a jury, which could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Furthermore, investors bringing a claim subject to the waiver of jury trial provision set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation may face increased costs and delays compared to a traditional jury trial, as alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (such as arbitration, which is often a condition of such waivers) can sometimes be more expensive and may not offer the same avenues for discovery or appeal. The waiver of jury trial provision set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation may also discourage or limit investors from bringing lawsuits against us or our directors and officers, even in instances where they might otherwise have a valid claim, due to the perceived disadvantages of a non-jury process or the potential for increased costs. We believe this provision is beneficial to us by helping to control litigation costs and focus disputes on legal and factual arguments, but prospective investors should carefully consider the implications of this waiver before making an investment decision.
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Because our Class A Common Stock is non-voting, we and our stockholders are exempt from certain provisions of U.S. securities laws. This may limit the information available to holders of our Class A Common Stock and Convertible Notes.
Because our Class A Common Stock is non-voting, significant holders of our common stock are exempt from the obligation to file reports under Sections 13(d), 13(g), and 16 of the Exchange Act. These provisions generally require periodic reporting of beneficial ownership by significant stockholders, including changes in that ownership. As a result of our capital structure, holders are not obligated to disclose changes in ownership of our Class A Common Stock, so there can be no assurance that you, or we, will be notified of any such changes. Our directors and officers are required to file reports under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Our significant stockholders, other than directors and officers, are not subject to the reporting or the “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and related rules with respect to their purchases and sales of our securities. As such, stockholders will be unable to bring derivative claims for disgorgement of profits for trades by significant stockholders under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act unless the significant stockholders are also directors or officers.
Since our Class A Common Stock is our only class of stock registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and that class is non-voting, we are not required to file proxy statements or information statements under Section 14 of the Exchange Act, unless a vote of the Class A Common Stock is required by applicable law. Accordingly, legal causes of action and remedies under Section 14 of the Exchange Act for inadequate or misleading information in proxy statements may not be available to holders of our Class A Common Stock. If we do not deliver any proxy statements, information statements, annual reports, and other information and reports to the holders of our Class B Common Stock, then we will similarly not provide any of this information to holders of our Class A Common Stock. Because we are not required to file proxy statements or information statements under Section 14 of the Exchange Act, any proxy statement, information statement, or notice of our annual meeting may not include all information under Section 14 of the Exchange Act that a public company with voting securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act would be required to provide to its stockholders. Most of that information, however, will be reported in other public filings. But some information required in a proxy statement or information statement is not required in any other public filing. For example, we are not required to comply with the proxy access rules or the “pay versus performance” disclosure rules under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. If we take any action in an extraordinary meeting of stockholders where the holders of Class A Common Stock are not entitled to vote, we will not be required to provide the information required under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. Nor will we be required to file a preliminary proxy statement under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. If that information is also not required in a Form 10-K, holders of Class A Common Stock may not receive the information required under Section 14 of the Exchange Act with respect to extraordinary meetings of stockholders. In addition, we are not subject to the “say-on-pay” and “say-on-frequency” provisions of the Dodd–Frank Act. As a result, holders of our Class A Common Stock do not have an opportunity to provide a non-binding vote on the compensation of our executive officers. Moreover, holders of our Class A Common Stock will be unable to bring matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or nominate directors at such meeting, nor can they submit stockholder proposals under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act.
Risks Related to Ownership of Company Stock
Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank, whose interests may conflict with yours, can individually exercise significant influence over the Company. You will have no voting rights of Class A Common Stock except as required by the TBOC and the concentrated ownership of Company Stock may prevent you and other shareholders from influencing significant decisions in the very limited circumstances in which the TBOC will give you the right to vote and may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for Company Stock, and that may adversely affect the trading price of Class A Common Stock.
As of the Closing, and reflecting the transfer of Company Stock pursuant to the Cantor F&F SPA, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank each beneficially own approximately 45.1%, 17.1% and 25.7%, respectively, of the issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock. Further, only Class B Common Stock has voting rights at the Company and all shares of Class B Common Stock are owned by Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank. For so long as Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank hold large shares of the voting interests of Twenty One Capital through their ownership of Class B Common Stock, they will each individually have the ability to significantly influence decision-making with respect to Twenty One Capital’s business direction and policies.
Class B Common Stock is not transferable by Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank, other than as permitted under the Amended and Restated Bylaws. However, the Organizational Documents of Twenty One Capital provide that the shares of Class B Common Stock shall be canceled pro rata upon any transfer of shares of Class A Common Stock by Tether, Bitfinex or SoftBank to any third party (other than their respective Affiliates). Transfers of Class A Common Stock will be subject to the provision of the Lock-Up Agreements that the Company entered into at Closing, pursuant to which Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank agreed not to, subject to certain exceptions, transfer its shares of Company Stock for a period of six months from the Closing, which may be extended pursuant to the terms of such Lock-Up Agreements. The shares of Class A Common Stock shall acquire full voting rights upon cancellation of all shares of Class B Common Stock. Twenty One Capital cannot predict when Class A Common Stock may gain voting rights, if at all.
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Tether and SoftBank are also entitled to board designation rights under the Organizational Documents and the Governance Agreement. Matters over which Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank may individually, directly or indirectly, exercise significant influence include: (i) the election of the directors on the Company Board; (ii) business combinations and other merger transactions requiring shareholder approval, including proposed transactions that would result in Twenty One Capital’s shareholders receiving a premium price for their shares; (iii) amendments to the Amended and Restated Company Charter; (iv) increases or decreases in the size of the Company Board; and (v) the other matters identified as 20% Reserved Matters and 10% Reserved Matters. Such concentrated control may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for Company Stock that you may feel are in your best interest as one of Twenty One Capital’s shareholders. As a result, such concentrated control may adversely affect the market price of Class A Common Stock.
Tether and Bitfinex, through their voting control of Twenty One Capital, are in a position to control actions that require shareholder approval and may make decisions that are adverse to other shareholders.
As of Closing, Tether owns approximately 51.3% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, and Bitfinex owns approximately 19.5% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, based on the shares issued at Closing and reflecting the transfer pursuant to the Cantor F&F SPA. As a result, Tether and Bitfinex have the ability to exercise control over certain decisions requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors, amendments to the Amended and Restated Company Charter and approval of significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of Twenty One Capital or our assets. In addition, the Company Board consists of seven persons, including four directors designated by Tether, although two of them are required to qualify as independent directors under the rules of NYSE or another national securities exchange. Accordingly, Tether and Bitfinex have significant influence over us and our decisions, including the appointment of management and any other action requiring a vote of the Company Board. In addition, this concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control of us and may negatively affect the market price of Class A Common Stock.
Holders of Class A Common Stock do not have voting rights. Other than as required by applicable law, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall only acquire full voting rights upon cancellation of all shares of Class B Common Stock. The shares of Class B Common Stock will be canceled pro rata to each of Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank’s ownership of Class B Common Stock, upon any transfer of shares of Class A Common Stock by Tether, Bitfinex or SoftBank to any third party (other than their respective Affiliates). Transfers of Class A Common Stock are subject to the provision of the Lock-Up Agreements that the Company entered into at Closing, pursuant to which Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank agreed not to, subject to certain exceptions, transfer its shares of Company Stock for a period of six months, which may be extended pursuant to the terms of such Lock-Up Agreements. The Company cannot predict when holders of Class A Common Stock may gain voting rights, if at all.
Tether’s and Bitfinex’s interests may be different from or conflict with our interests or the interests of our other shareholders. Tether is one of the largest holders and acquirers of Bitcoin and, as a result, may have interests in the price and performance of Bitcoin that are not aligned with our interests or the interests of the other shareholders and which could affect the timing, scale or nature of Twenty One Capital’s Bitcoin-related activities. Tether, Bitfinex and their respective affiliates provide products and services, and may develop products and services, that may compete directly or indirectly with our future products and services. Furthermore, Tether and its respective affiliates are in the business of making investments in companies and may from time to time acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. Tether and Bitfinex may also pursue acquisition opportunities that are complementary to our business, and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. Accordingly, the interests of Tether and Bitfinex may not always coincide with our interests or the interests of other shareholders, and Tether and Bitfinex may seek to cause us to take courses of action that, in their judgment, could enhance their investment in Twenty One Capital, but which might involve risks to our other shareholders or adversely affect us or our other shareholders.
Volatility in Twenty One Capital’s share price could subject the Company to securities class action litigation.
The market price of the shares of Class A Common Stock may be volatile and, in the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their shares have been subject to securities class action litigation. Twenty One Capital may be the target of this type of litigation and investigations. Securities litigation against Twenty One Capital could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could seriously harm Twenty One Capital’s business.
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Public Shareholders and future shareholders of Twenty One Capital cannot be sure about whether the shares of Class A Common Stock will develop an active trading market or whether the Company is able to maintain the listing of Class A Common Stock in the future, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in shares of Class A Common Stock and subject the Company to additional trading restrictions.
As of the Business Combination, each outstanding CEP Class A Ordinary Share (including the CEP Class A Ordinary Shares issued upon conversion of the outstanding CEP Class B Ordinary Shares) was converted automatically into one share of Class A Common Stock. Twenty One Capital is a newly formed entity and prior to the Business Combination, it had not issued any securities in the U.S. markets or elsewhere nor had there been extensive information about it, its businesses or its operations publicly available. A successful listing does not ensure that a market for the shares of Class A Common Stock will develop or the price at which the shares will trade or that the Company will be able to maintain the listing of Class A Common Stock in the future. No assurance can be provided as to the demand for or trading price of the shares of Class A Common Stock following the Closing.
Even if Twenty One Capital is successful in developing a public market, there may not be enough liquidity in such market to enable Twenty One Capital’s shareholders to sell their shares of Class A Common Stock. If a public market for the shares of Class A Common Stock does not develop, investors may not be able to re-sell their shares of Class A Common Stock, rendering their shares illiquid and possibly resulting in a complete loss of their investment. The Company cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in the Company will lead to the development of an active, liquid trading market. The trading price of and demand for the shares of Class A Common Stock following completion of the Business Combination and the development and continued existence of a market and favorable price for the shares of Class A Common Stock will depend on a number of conditions, including the development of a market following, including by analysts and other investment professionals, the businesses, operations, results and prospects of the Company, general market and economic conditions, governmental actions, regulatory considerations, legal proceedings and developments or other factors. These and other factors may impair the development of a liquid market and the ability of investors to sell shares at an attractive price. These factors also could cause the market price and demand for shares of Class A Common Stock to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their shares and may otherwise affect negatively the price and liquidity of the shares of Class A Common Stock. Many of these factors and conditions are beyond the control of the Company or shareholders of the Company.
Reports published by analysts, including projections in those reports that differ from Twenty One Capital’s actual results, could adversely affect the price and trading volume of Company Stock.
Twenty One Capital’s management currently expects that securities research analysts will establish and publish their own periodic projections for its business. These projections may vary widely and may not accurately predict the results Twenty One Capital actually achieves. Twenty One Capital’s share price may decline if its actual results do not match the projections of these securities research analysts. Similarly, if one or more of the analysts who write reports on Twenty One Capital downgrades its stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about its business, its share price could decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of Twenty One Capital or fails to publish reports on it regularly, its share price or trading volume could decline. While Twenty One Capital’s management expects research analyst coverage, if no analysts commence coverage of Twenty One Capital, the trading price and volume for Company Stock could be adversely affected.
Twenty One Capital may or may not pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future is made at the discretion of the Company Board and will depend on, among other things, applicable law, regulations, restrictions, Twenty One Capital’s and Twenty One’s respective results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, contractual restrictions, the future projects and plans of Twenty One Capital and Twenty One and other factors that the Company Board may deem relevant. In addition, Twenty One Capital’s ability to pay dividends depends significantly on the extent to which it receives dividends from Twenty One and there can be no assurance that Twenty One will pay dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of Class A Common Stock is an investor’s sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.
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Twenty One Capital is a controlled company under applicable securities exchange rules and expects to avail itself of applicable exemptions from the corporate governance requirements thereof.
Twenty One Capital is a “controlled company” as defined under the NYSE rules, or any other national securities exchange on which its shares may be listed, since Tether and Bitfinex together beneficially own more than 50% of our total voting power. For so long as we remain a controlled company under this definition, we are also permitted to elect to rely on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules. As a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements. For example, Twenty One Capital expects to utilize the exemption that controlled companies are not required to have a Board that is composed of a majority of “independent directors”, as defined under the rules of NYSE or another national securities exchange.
Risks Related to the Convertible Notes
Twenty One Capital’s indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the Convertible Notes and could have a further material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In the future, we may seek to raise or borrow additional funds to expand our product or business development efforts, make acquisitions or otherwise fund or grow our business and operations. Our indebtedness could have important consequences to the holders of Company Stock, including:
| ● | increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; |
| ● | requiring us to dedicate a portion of our cash flow from operations to principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and investments and other general corporate purposes; |
| ● | making it more difficult for us to optimally capitalize and manage the cash flow for our businesses; |
| ● | limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our businesses and the markets in which we operate; |
| ● | possibly placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; |
| ● | limiting our ability to borrow additional funds or to borrow funds at rates or on other terms that we find acceptable; |
| ● | federal and state fraudulent transfer laws may permit a court to void the Convertible Notes and, if that occurs, the noteholders may not receive any payments on the Convertible Notes; |
| ● | Twenty One Capital may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions of the Convertible Notes, repurchase the Convertible Notes upon a fundamental change, purchase the Convertible Notes if tendered at the option of holders at the date specified in the indenture or repay the Convertible Notes in cash at their maturity, and Twenty One Capital’s future debt may contain limitations on its ability to pay cash upon conversion, redemption or repurchase of the Convertible Notes; |
| ● | the accounting method for convertible debt securities that may be settled in cash, including the Convertible Notes, may have a material effect on Twenty One Capital’s reported financial results; and |
| ● | the market price of the Convertible Notes, which may fluctuate significantly, may directly affect the market price for the Class A Common Stock. |
We may be able to incur significant additional indebtedness in the future and this could result in additional risk. Although the Indenture contains certain restrictions on the incurrence of additional secured indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and the additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial.
If we incur any additional indebtedness that ranks equally with the Convertible Notes, subject to any collateral arrangements, the holders of that debt will be entitled to share ratably in any proceeds distributed in connection with our insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up as a company. This may have the effect of reducing the amount of proceeds paid to our creditors and shareholders. These restrictions also will not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness. If new indebtedness is added to our current indebtedness levels, the related risks that we now face could increase. Any of these risks could materially impact our ability to fund our operations or limit our ability to expand our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Twenty One Capital’s obligation to offer to redeem the Convertible Notes upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change will be triggered only by certain specific transactions, and may discourage a transaction that could be beneficial to the holders of Class A Common Stock and the Convertible Notes.
If a Fundamental Change occurs prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes, holders of the Convertible Notes will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their Convertible Notes. In addition, if a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the Maturity Date, we will in some cases be required to increase the conversion rate for a holder that elects to convert all or a portion of their Convertible Notes in connection with such Make-Whole Fundamental Change. Furthermore, the Indenture prohibits us from engaging in certain mergers or acquisitions unless, among other things, the surviving entity assumes our obligations under the Convertible Notes. These and other provisions in the Indenture could deter or prevent a third party from acquiring us even when the acquisition may be favorable to you.
Twenty One Capital may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of its indebtedness, including the Convertible Notes, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy its obligations under its indebtedness, which may not be successful or be on commercially reasonable terms, which would materially and adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s financial position and results of operations and Twenty One Capital’s ability to satisfy its obligations under the Convertible Notes.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations, including the Convertible Notes, depends on our financial condition and results of operations, which in turn are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We may not be able to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, including the Convertible Notes.
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness, including the Convertible Notes. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on, among other things, the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. The terms of existing or future debt instruments and the Indenture that governs the Convertible Notes may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. In addition, any failure to make payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness on a timely basis would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness. In the absence of such cash flows and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations.
Further, the Indenture that governs the Convertible Notes contains provisions that restrict our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from any such disposition. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain the proceeds that we could realize from them and these proceeds may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations.
There are no assurances that the Company will have sufficient funds available to satisfy the Convertible Notes at the Maturity Date, or that the holders will elect to convert the Convertible Notes into shares of Class A Common Stock. Pursuant to the Indenture, 16,116.31574065 Bitcoin, being the number of Bitcoin equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Convertible Notes issued at Closing multiplied by 3, and then divided by the BRRNY as averaged over the ten consecutive days immediately prior to the Closing, are held as collateral to the Convertible Notes. If we cannot make scheduled payments on our indebtedness, or if we breach the covenants under the Indenture, or any other indebtedness to the extent applicable, we will be in default; holders of the Convertible Notes or our other indebtedness could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable and foreclose against the assets securing their borrowings and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. All of these events could result in the noteholders losing their entire investment in the Convertible Notes. Such defaults may also adversely and significantly affect our financial results and business, and if our assets are insufficient to repay such debt in full, our equity holders could experience a partial or total loss of their investment. Even if we are able to repay any indebtedness on an event of default, the repayment of these sums may significantly reduce our working capital and impair our ability to operate as planned.
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The Indenture contains terms which restrict Twenty One Capital’s current and future operations, particularly its ability to respond to changes or to take certain actions.
The Indenture governing the Convertible Notes contains a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and may limit our ability to engage in acts that may be in our long-term best interest, including, among other things, restrictions on our ability to incur indebtedness secured by the same collateral as the Convertible Notes.
These restrictive covenants could adversely affect our ability to:
| ● | finance our operations; |
| ● | make needed capital expenditures; |
| ● | make strategic acquisitions or investments or enter into joint ventures; |
| ● | withstand a future downturn in our business, the industry or the economy in general; |
| ● | engage in business activities, including future opportunities, that may be in our best interest; and |
| ● | plan for or react to market conditions or otherwise execute our business strategies. |
These restrictions may affect our ability to expand our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
As a result of these restrictions, we are limited as to how we conduct our business and we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. The terms of any future indebtedness we may incur could include more restrictive covenants. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain compliance with these covenants in the future and, if we fail to do so, that we will be able to obtain waivers from the lenders and/or amend the covenants.
Our failure to comply with the restrictive covenants described above and/or the terms of any future indebtedness from time to time could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in our being required to repay these borrowings before their due date and the termination of future funding commitments by our lenders. If we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms or cannot refinance these borrowings, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Our obligation to repurchase the Convertible Notes at the Convertible Note Investors’ option could significantly strain our liquidity and financial condition.
Under the terms of the Indenture, Convertible Note Investors have the one-time right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their notes for cash beginning on the third anniversary of the Closing Date. The repurchase price will be 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. If a significant number of Convertible Note Investors exercise this put right, we could be required to expend a substantial amount of cash. Our ability to satisfy these repurchase demands will depend on our financial resources at such time, including cash flows from operations and access to capital markets. We may not have sufficient funds available to meet all such obligations, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations. Our inability to satisfy these obligations could also trigger defaults under other debt agreements or necessitate the issuance of additional equity or debt on unfavorable terms, further diluting existing holders of Class A Common Stock or increasing our leverage.
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The increase in the conversion rate applicable to the Convertible Notes that holders convert in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption may not adequately compensate you for the lost option time value of your Convertible Notes as a result of that Make-Whole Fundamental Change.
If a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs before the Maturity Date of the Convertible Notes or if we deliver a Redemption Notice, we will under certain circumstances increase the conversion rate applicable to holders who convert their Convertible Notes within a specified time frame. The amount of the increase in the conversion rate depends on the date when the Make-Whole Fundamental Change becomes effective or the date of the notice of redemption, as the case may be, and the applicable price described in the Indenture. See “Description of Securities—Conversion—Increased Conversion Rate Upon Make-Whole Fundamental Changes and Redemption Notice.”
Although the increase in the conversion rate is designed to compensate you for the lost option time value of your Convertible Notes as a result of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change or in connection with the relevant redemption, as the case may be, the increase in the conversion rate is only an approximation of the lost value and may not adequately compensate you for the loss. In addition, you will not be entitled to an increased conversion rate if:
| ● | you surrender a Convertible Note for conversion in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change we have announced, but the Make-Whole Fundamental Change is not consummated; or |
| ● | the price of Class A Common Stock is greater than $100 per share or less than $10 per share, subject to adjustment. |
Furthermore, a holder will not receive the Additional Shares as a result of the increase in the conversion rate until the effective date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the relevant redemption, or even later, which could be a significant period of time after the date the holder has surrendered its Convertible Notes for conversion. Our obligation to increase the conversion rate as described above also could be considered a penalty, in which case its enforceability would be subject to general principles of reasonableness of economic remedies. In addition, we will not increase the conversion rate to an amount, subject to adjustment, that exceeds 100 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes.
Liquidity, regulatory actions, changes in market conditions and other events may adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the Convertible Notes and the ability of investors to implement a convertible note arbitrage trading strategy.
Investors in, and potential purchasers of, the Convertible Notes may employ, or seek to employ, a convertible arbitrage strategy with respect to the Convertible Notes. Investors that employ a convertible arbitrage strategy with respect to convertible debt instruments would typically implement such a strategy by selling short the common stock underlying the convertible notes and dynamically adjusting their short position while continuing to hold the convertible notes. Investors may also implement this type of strategy by entering into swaps on Class A Common Stock in lieu of or in addition to short selling Class A Common Stock. As a result, any specific rules regulating equity swaps or short selling of securities or other governmental action that interferes with the ability of market participants to effect short sales or equity swaps with respect to Class A Common Stock could adversely affect the ability of investors in, or potential purchasers of, the Convertible Notes to conduct the convertible arbitrage strategy that we believe they will employ, or seek to employ, with respect to the Convertible Notes. This could, in turn, adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the Convertible Notes.
The SEC and other regulatory and self-regulatory authorities have implemented various rules and may adopt additional rules in the future that may impact those engaging in short selling activity involving equity securities (including Class A Common Stock). Such rules and actions include Rule 201 of SEC Regulation SHO, which generally restricts short selling when the price of a “covered security” triggers a “circuit breaker” by falling 10% or more from the security’s closing price as of the end of regular trading hours on the prior day, the adoption by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the national securities exchanges of a “Limit Up-Limit Down” mechanism, which prevents trades in individual listed equity securities from occurring outside of specific price bands during regular trading hours, the imposition of market-wide circuit breakers that halt trading of securities for certain periods following specific market declines, and the implementation of certain regulatory reforms required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.
Any governmental or regulatory action that restricts the ability of investors in, or potential purchasers of, the Convertible Notes to effect short sales of our common stock, borrow Class A Common Stock or enter into swaps on Class A Common Stock could adversely affect the trading price and the liquidity of the Convertible Notes.
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Upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, you may receive less valuable consideration than expected because of the value of Class A Common Stock may decline after you exercise your conversion right but before the Company settles the conversion obligation.
Under the Convertible Notes, a converting holder will be exposed to fluctuations in the value of Class A Common Stock during the period from the date such holder surrenders Convertible Notes for conversion until the date we settle our conversion obligation.
Upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, we have the option to pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of Class A Common Stock, or a combination of cash and shares of Class A Common Stock. If we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation in cash or a combination of cash and shares of Class A Common Stock, the amount of consideration that you will receive upon conversion of your Convertible Notes will be determined by reference to the volume-weighted average prices of Class A Common Stock. Accordingly, if the price of Class A Common Stock decreases compared to the volume-weighted average, the amount and/or value of consideration you receive will be adversely affected. In addition, if the market price of Class A Common Stock at the end of such period is below the average volume-weighted average price of Class A Common Stock during such period, the value of any shares of Class A Common Stock that you will receive in satisfaction of our conversion obligation will be less than the value used to determine the number of shares that you will receive.
If we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation solely in shares of our Class A Common Stock upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, we will be required to deliver the shares of Class A Common Stock, together with cash for any fractional share. Accordingly, if the price of Class A Common Stock decreases during this period, the value of the shares that you receive will be adversely affected and would be less than the conversion value of the Convertible Notes on the Conversion Date.
The Indenture contains cross-default provisions that could result in the acceleration of all of Twenty One Capital’s indebtedness.
A breach of the covenants under the Indenture could result in an event of default under the applicable indebtedness. Such a default may allow the creditors to accelerate the related indebtedness and may result in the acceleration of any other indebtedness to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. If we were unable to repay amounts due and payable under the Indenture, those noteholders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. In the event our noteholders accelerate the repayment of our borrowings, we and our guarantors may not have sufficient assets to repay that indebtedness. Additionally, we may not be able to borrow money from other lenders to enable us to refinance our indebtedness.
A lowering or withdrawal of the ratings assigned to Twenty One Capital’s debt securities by rating agencies, if any, may increase Twenty One Capital’s future borrowing costs and reduce its access to capital.
There can be no assurances that any rating assigned to our debt securities will remain for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in that rating agency’s judgment, future circumstances relating to the basis of the rating, such as adverse changes, so warrant. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of the Convertible Notes. Credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell the Convertible Notes, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time. Additionally, credit ratings may not reflect the potential effect of risks relating to the structure or marketing of the Convertible Notes.
Any future lowering of our ratings likely would make it more difficult or more expensive for us to obtain additional debt financing. If any credit rating initially assigned to the Convertible Notes is subsequently lowered or withdrawn for any reason, our noteholders may not be able to resell their Convertible Notes at a favorable price or at all.
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There may not be sufficient collateral securing the Convertible Notes to pay all or any portion of the Convertible Notes, including because there are circumstances other than repayment or discharge of the Convertible Notes under which the collateral will be released automatically, without holders’ consent or the consent of the trustee under the Indenture, and notwithstanding any future decline in the value of the Bitcoin serving as collateral, there is no mechanism to reinstate the collateral once it is released.
The amount of Bitcoin that currently secures the Convertible Notes was determined based on the Bitcoin Price at Closing. Bitcoin is a highly volatile asset and a significant decrease in the value of Bitcoin may prevent sufficient collateral to pay all or any portion of the Convertible Notes. See “—Twenty One Capital’s operating results, revenues and expenses may significantly fluctuate, including due to the highly volatile nature of Bitcoin, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of Class A Common Stock.” Given the volatile nature of the price of Bitcoin, in the event of a foreclosure, liquidation, bankruptcy or a similar proceeding, the proceeds from any sale or liquidation of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay all of the Convertible Notes in the event of enforcement. Furthermore, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation may be materially different. In the event of a foreclosure, liquidation, bankruptcy or a similar proceeding, the proceeds from any sale or liquidation of the collateral may not be sufficient to pay the Convertible Notes, in full or at all.
Releases of collateral from the liens securing the Convertible Notes will be permitted under some circumstances, including the following circumstances as described in the Indenture:
| ● | as of the end of each calendar quarter, if the Average Bitcoin Price (as defined in the Indenture) is greater than the Qualifying Bitcoin Price (as defined in the Indenture), then the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Convertible Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (1) forty percent (40%) of the product of (x) the difference between the Average Bitcoin Price and the Average Closing Bitcoin Price and multiplied by (y) the Collateralized Bitcoin Amount, divided by (2) the Average Closing Bitcoin Price, shall be automatically and irrevocably released (each such release, a “Bitcoin Price Collateral Release”). For each calendar quarter subsequent to a Bitcoin Price Collateral Release, additional Bitcoin Price Collateral Releases shall occur only to the extent that the Average Bitcoin Price calculated as of the end of such quarter exceeds the highest Average Bitcoin Price at which any previous Bitcoin Price Collateral Release occurred (the “Prior Average Bitcoin Price”). In such event, the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (1) forty percent (40%) of the product of (x) the difference between the Average Bitcoin Price and the Prior Average Bitcoin Price multiplied by (y) the Collateralized Bitcoin Amount, divided by (2) the Average Closing Bitcoin Price, shall be automatically and irrevocably released (and, for avoidance of doubt, be considered a “Bitcoin Price Collateral Release”); and |
| ● | as of the end of each calendar quarter, if the Public Float (as defined in the Indenture) is greater than the Qualifying Public Float (as defined in the Indenture), then the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (1) sixty-six and six tenths percent (66.6%) of the difference between (x) the Public Float and (y) the Qualifying Public Float, divided by (2) the Average Closing Bitcoin Price, shall be automatically and irrevocably released (each such release, a “Public Float Collateral Release”). For each calendar quarter subsequent to a Public Float Collateral Release, additional Public Float Collateral Releases shall occur only to the extent that the Public Float calculated as of the end of such quarter exceeds the highest Public Float at which any previous Public Float Collateral Release occurred (the “Prior Public Float”). In such event, the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (1) sixty-six and six tenths percent (66.6%) of the difference between (x) the Public Float and (y) the Prior Public Float, divided by (2) the Average Closing Bitcoin Price, shall be automatically and irrevocably released (and, for avoidance of doubt, be considered a “Public Float Collateral Release”). |
When collateral is released, the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent will be irrevocably released. Even if there is a subsequent decline in the value of Bitcoin, there is no mechanism by which the collateral would be increased or reinstated once it is released.
There is no existing public trading market for the Convertible Notes, and a holder of the Convertible Notes ability to sell such notes will be limited.
There is no existing public market for the Convertible Notes. No market for the Convertible Notes may develop, and any market that develops may not persist. We cannot assure you as to the liquidity of any market that may develop for the Convertible Notes, your ability to sell your Convertible Notes or the price at which you would be able to sell your Convertible Notes. Future trading prices of the new notes will depend on many factors, including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, our operating results and the market for similar securities.
We do not intend to apply for listing of the Convertible Notes on any securities exchange or other market. The liquidity of any trading market and the trading price of such notes may be adversely affected by changes in our financial performance or prospects and by changes in the financial performance of or prospects for companies in our industry generally.
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The accounting method for convertible debt securities that may be settled in cash, including the Convertible Notes, may have a material effect on Twenty One Capital’s reported financial results.
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board published an Accounting Standards Update, which we refer to as ASU 2020-06, to reduce the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments. The elimination of the separate accounting to reduce the interest expense that we have recognized and expect to recognize in the future for the notes for accounting purposes. Under ASU 2020-06, the embedded conversion features are no longer separated from the host contract for convertible instruments with conversion features that are not required to be accounted for as derivatives under Topic 815, or that do not result in substantial premiums accounted for as paid-in capital. Consequently, the notes are accounted for as a single liability measured at amortized cost. Further, ASU 2020-06 eliminated the use of the treasury stock method for convertible instruments that can be settled in whole or in part with equity, and instead requires application of the “if-converted” method. Under that method, diluted earnings per share would generally be calculated assuming that all the notes were converted solely into shares of Class A Common Stock at the beginning of the reporting period, unless the result would be anti-dilutive. The application of the if-converted method may reduce our reported diluted earnings per share.
Furthermore, if any of the conditions to the convertibility of the notes is satisfied, then we may be required under applicable accounting standards to reclassify the liability carrying value of the notes as a current, rather than a long-term, liability. This reclassification could be required even if no noteholders convert their notes and could materially reduce our reported working capital.
The market price of the Class A Common Stock, which may fluctuate significantly, may directly affect the market price for the Convertible Notes.
We expect that the trading price of the Convertible Notes will be significantly affected by the market price of Class A Common Stock. The stock market in recent years has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated to the operating performance of companies. The market price of Class A Common Stock could fluctuate significantly for many reasons, including in response to the risks described in this section, elsewhere in this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or for reasons unrelated to our operations, such as reports by industry analysts, investor perceptions or negative announcements by our competitors or suppliers regarding their own performance, as well as industry conditions and general financial, economic and political instability. A decrease in the market price of our Class A Common Stock would likely adversely impact the trading price of the Convertible Notes. The market price of Class A Common Stock could also be affected by possible sales of Class A Common Stock by investors who view the Convertible Notes as a more attractive means of equity participation in us and by hedging or arbitrage trading activity that we expect to develop involving Class A Common Stock. This trading activity could, in turn, affect the trading price of the Convertible Notes. Holders who receive Class A Common Stock upon conversion of the Convertible Notes will also be subject to the risk of volatility and depressed prices of Class A Common Stock.
As a holder of the Convertible Notes, you will not be entitled to any rights with respect to the Class A Common Stock, but you will be subject to all the changes made with respect to the Class A Common Stock.
As a holder of the Convertible Notes, you will not be entitled to any rights with respect to Class A Common Stock (including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on Class A Common Stock), but you will be subject to all changes affecting Class A Common Stock. You will only acquire rights with respect to our Class A Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of your Convertible Notes on the date you are deemed to be the record holder of such shares. Such date is on the relevant Conversion Date, if we have elected to deliver solely shares of Class A Common Stock (other than solely cash in lieu of any fractional share upon conversion of the Convertible Notes), or on the last trading day of the applicable observation period, if we have elected to deliver cash in respect of a portion of the conversion obligation, and only to the extent that we are obligated to deliver to you shares of Class A Common Stock in respect of your conversion obligation. For example, in the event that an amendment is proposed to our charter or bylaws requiring approval of holders of Class A Common Stock and the record date for determining the stockholders of record entitled to vote on the amendment occurs prior to the date you are deemed to be the record holder of the shares of Class A Common Stock, if any, upon conversion, you will not be entitled to vote on the amendment, although you will nevertheless be subject to any changes in the powers, preferences or special rights relating to Class A Common Stock. In addition, because the Convertible Notes may only be converted under certain circumstances and subject to the settlement method we elect, you may not be able to convert your Convertible Notes at any given time, and you may not receive any shares upon conversion.
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The Convertible Notes are convertible into Class A Common Stock, which will not be entitled to voting rights even after the Convertible Notes are converted. As a result, you will be subject to all the risks associated with holding Class A Common Stock.
The Convertible Notes are convertible into Class A Common Stock (if we have elected to deliver shares of Class A Common Stock) which will not be entitled to voting rights even after the Convertible Notes are converted. See risk factors “—Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank, whose interests may conflict with yours, can individually exercise significant influence over the Company. You will have no voting rights of Class A Common Stock except as required by the TBOC and the concentrated ownership of Company Stock may prevent you and other shareholders from influencing significant decisions in the very limited circumstances in which the TBOC will give you the right to vote and may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for Company Stock, and that may adversely affect the trading price of Class A Common Stock” and “Tether and Bitfinex, through their voting control of Twenty One Capital, are in a position to control actions that require shareholder approval and may make decisions that are adverse to other shareholders.” As a result, holders of the Convertible Notes will be subject to all the risk associated with holding Class A Common Stock. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Ownership of Company Stock.”
The Convertible Notes will be secured by a substantial portion of the assets of Twenty One Capital. As a result of these security interests, such assets would only be available to satisfy claims of Twenty One Capital’s general creditors or to holders of Twenty One Capital’s equity securities if Twenty One Capital were to become insolvent to the extent the value of such assets exceeded the amount of Twenty One Capital’s secured indebtedness and other obligations. In addition, the existence of these security interests may adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s financial flexibility.
A substantial portion of Twenty One Capital’s Bitcoin holdings are expected to be used as the required collateral for the Convertible Notes. In the event of Twenty One Capital’s insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, or reorganization, the assets securing the Convertible Notes will be available to satisfy the claims of the holders of the Convertible Notes and other secured creditors before any remaining value is available to satisfy the claims of Twenty One Capital’s unsecured creditors or holders of its equity securities. If the value of the secured assets is insufficient to repay all amounts owed under the Convertible Notes and other secured obligations, Twenty One Capital’s general creditors and equity holders may not receive any recovery. Because a significant portion of Twenty One Capital’s assets consist of Bitcoin, the value of the collateral securing the Convertible Notes is subject to extreme volatility.
Furthermore, the existence of these security interests may limit Twenty One Capital’s ability to incur additional secured indebtedness, dispose of assets, or obtain additional financing, thereby reducing its financial flexibility and ability to respond to business opportunities or adverse developments.
Federal and state fraudulent transfer laws may permit a court to void the Convertible Notes and, if that occurs, the Convertible noteholders may not receive any payments on the Convertible Notes.
Under U.S. federal and state laws, a court may void or otherwise decline to enforce the Convertible Notes, or subordinate the Convertible Notes to other obligations of Twenty One Capital, if it finds that, at the time the Convertible Notes were issued, Twenty One Capital received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the Convertible Notes and, among other things, (i) was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the issuance of the Convertible Notes, (ii) was engaged in a business or transaction for which Twenty One Capital’s remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital, or (iii) intended to incur, or believed it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay as they mature. In addition, a court could void the Convertible Notes if it finds that they were issued with actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud creditors. If a court were to take any such action, noteholders could lose their right to payment on the Convertible Notes, which would have a material adverse effect on their investment.
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The conversion rate of the Convertible Notes may not be adjusted for all dilutive events that may occur.
The terms of the Convertible Notes provide for adjustments to the conversion rate in certain circumstances, such as stock splits, stock or cash dividends, certain distributions, tender or exchange offers or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change. However, the conversion rate will not be adjusted for every event that could have a dilutive effect on the value of the Convertible Notes or the underlying Twenty One Capital Stock. As a result, events may occur that adversely affect the value of the Convertible Notes or the Company Stock into which the Convertible Notes are convertible, but that do not result in an adjustment to the conversion rate. This could result in noteholders receiving less value upon conversion than they would have if the conversion rate had been adjusted for all such events.
Risks Related to Taxation
You may be subject to tax if we adjust, or fail to adjust, the conversion rate of the Convertible Notes, even though you will not receive a corresponding cash distribution.
We will adjust the conversion rate of the Convertible Notes for certain events, including the payment of cash dividends. If we adjust the conversion rate as a result of a dividend that is taxable to holders of Class A Common Stock, such as a cash dividend, then you may be deemed, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to have received a taxable dividend to the extent of our earnings and profits, without the receipt of any cash or other property. In addition, if we do not adjust (or adjust adequately) the conversion rate after an event that increases your proportionate interest in us, then you could be deemed to have received a taxable dividend. If a make-whole fundamental change occurs prior to the maturity date, then, under some circumstances, we will increase the conversion rate for Convertible Notes converted in connection with that make-whole fundamental change. Such increase may also be treated as a distribution subject to U.S. federal income tax as a dividend. In the case of Non-U.S. Holders (defined below under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”), any such deemed dividends may be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, which may be withheld from interest on the Convertible Notes, shares of the Class A Common Stock, or proceeds from a sale. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” for additional U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in the Convertible Notes.
Unrealized fair value gains on our Bitcoin holdings could cause us to become subject to the corporate alternative minimum tax under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
The U.S. enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”) in August 2022. Unless an exemption applies, the IRA imposes a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) on a corporation with respect to an initial tax year and subsequent tax years, if the average annual adjusted financial statement income for any consecutive three-tax-year period preceding the initial tax year exceeds $1 billion. On September 12, 2024, the Department of Treasury and the IRS issued proposed regulations with respect to the application of CAMT.
Additionally, we are required to adopt ASU 2023-08, under which Bitcoin holdings must be measured at fair value in our statement of financial position, with gains and losses from changes in the fair value of our Bitcoin recognized in net income each reporting period. When determining whether we are subject to CAMT and when calculating any related tax liability for an applicable tax year, the proposed regulations provide that, among other adjustments, our adjusted financial statement income must include any unrealized gains or losses reported in the applicable tax year. On September 30, 2025, the IRS announced that it intends to revise the proposed regulations and provided interim guidance that, for purposes of determining whether CAMT applies, companies may exclude unrealized gains or losses with respect to certain assets such as Bitcoin assuming certain requirements are met. Taxpayers are generally allowed to rely on such interim guidance until such proposed regulations are issued.
If we do become subject to CAMT, it could result in a material tax obligation that we would need to satisfy in cash, which could materially affect our financial results, including our earnings and cash flow, and our financial condition.
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Use of Proceeds
All of the shares of Class A Common Stock and the Convertible Notes offered by the Selling Securityholders pursuant to this prospectus will be sold by the Selling Securityholders for their account. We will not receive any of the proceeds from these sales.
Determination of Offering Price
The Company Class A Common Stock is listed on NYSE. The Convertible Notes are not listed on any securities exchange.
The offering by the Selling Securityholders will be determined by prevailing market prices at the time of sale, by private transactions negotiated by the Selling Stockholders or as otherwise described in the section entitled “Plan of Distribution”.
The initial conversion rate was determined based on the formula set forth in the Indenture as calculated at the Closing, of 72.0841 shares of Class A Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes. The conversion price was based on a reference price of $10.00 per share, multiplied by a ratio of (i) the BRRNY as averaged over the ten consecutive days prior to Closing to (ii) $84,863.57, representing the Bitcoin Price as averaged over the ten consecutive days prior to April 22, 2025, and is subject to a 30% premium.
The conversion rate is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain events prior to the maturity date or if the Company delivers a notice of redemption, the Company will increase the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its notes in connection with such corporate event or notice of redemption, as the case may be, in certain circumstances. The specific methodology for calculating the conversion price is set forth in the Indenture.
Market Price for Our Securities and Dividend Policy
Market Price Information
The Company Class A Common Stock are listed on NYSE under the ticker symbol “XXI”. As of the date of this prospectus, Twenty One Capital had 19 holders of record of its Class A Common Stock.
Dividends
Twenty One Capital has not paid any cash dividends on its equity securities to date. The payment of cash dividends by the Company in the future is dependent upon the revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition. The Company Board will consider whether or not to institute a dividend policy. It is presently intended that the Company will retain its earnings for use in business operations and, accordingly, it is not anticipated that the Company Board will declare dividends in the foreseeable future. Further, if the Company incurs further indebtedness, its ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants the Company may agree to in connection therewith.
Description of Registrant’s Securities
A description of our capital stock and Convertible Notes is in the section entitled “Description of Securities.”
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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information
Introduction
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information presents the combination of financial information of CEP, the Company and Twenty One, adjusted to give effect to the Business Combination and related transactions. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses” to depict the accounting for the transaction (“Transaction Accounting Adjustments”) and present the reasonably estimable synergies and other transaction effects that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur (“Management’s Adjustments”). The Company has elected not to present Management’s Adjustments and will only be presenting Transaction Accounting Adjustments in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2025, assumes that the Business Combination occurred September 30, 2025. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, presents pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it had occurred on January 1, 2025.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect what the combined Company’s financial condition or results of operations would have been if the acquisition occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the pro forma condensed combined financial information also may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of the combined Company. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2025, has been derived from:
| ● | The historical unaudited financial statements of CEP as of September 30, 2025, and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus; |
| ● | The historical unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2025, and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus; and |
| ● | The historical unaudited financial statements of Twenty One as of September 30, 2025, and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. |
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, has been derived from:
| ● | The historical unaudited financial statements of CEP for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus; |
| ● | The historical unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the period from March 7, 2025 (Inception) to September 30, 2025, and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus; and |
| ● | The historical unaudited financial statements of Twenty One for the period from April 17, 2025 (Inception) to September 30, 2025, and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. |
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, has been derived from the historical audited financial statements of CEP for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. The Company was incorporated on March 7, 2025, and Twenty One was incorporated on April 17, 2025; therefore, there is no historical statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations as of December 31, 2024.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as in effect on the date of this prospectus which incorporates Transaction Accounting Adjustments. The Company, Twenty One and CEP have elected not to present any estimates related to potential synergies and other transaction effects that are reasonably expected to occur or have already occurred and will only be presenting Transaction Accounting Adjustments in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.
This information should be read together with the financial statements and related notes, as applicable, of each of the Company, Twenty One and CEP included in this prospectus and the section “Twenty One’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus.
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Description of the Transactions
Business Combination
As previously disclosed, on April 22, 2025, CEP, the Company, CEP Merger Sub, Twenty One, Tether, the Sellers and, solely for certain limited purposes, SoftBank, entered into the Business Combination Agreement.
On December 3, 2025, CEP held an extraordinary general meeting of its shareholders (the “Meeting”) in connection with the Business Combination. At the Meeting, CEP shareholders voted to approve the Business Combination and the other related proposals. After giving effect to redemption reversals, a total of 1,596 CEP Class A Ordinary Shares were presented for redemption for cash at a price of approximately $10.75 per share in connection with the Meeting.
Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, immediately prior to the Closing, Tether and Bitfinex contributed (the “Contribution”) to Twenty One 24,500 Bitcoin and 7,000 Bitcoin, respectively, in exchange for (i) in the case of Tether, 208 Twenty One Class A Interests and 208 Twenty One Class B Interests, and (ii) in the case of Bitfinex, 59 Twenty One Class A Interests and 59 Twenty One Class B Interests.
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, on December 8, 2025, upon the Closing, (i) CEP merged with and into CEP Merger Sub, with CEP Merger Sub continuing as the surviving entity (such surviving entity, the “CEP Surviving Subsidiary,” such transaction, the “CEP Merger”), as a result of which CEP Shareholders received one share of Class A Common Stock for each CEP Class A Ordinary Share held by such CEP Shareholder, and (ii) Twenty One merged with and into CEP Merger Sub C, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect subsidiary of CEP (“Twenty One Merger Sub”), with Twenty One Merger Sub continuing as the surviving company (such surviving company, the “Twenty One Surviving Subsidiary,” such transaction, the “Twenty One Merger” and Twenty One Merger together with the CEP Merger, the “Mergers”), as a result of which the Sellers received shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, in exchange for their membership interests in Twenty One. Immediately following the Business Combination, CEP Surviving Subsidiary and Twenty One Surviving Subsidiary became wholly owned subsidiaries of Company.
Further, as previously disclosed, on April 22, 2025, Company and CEP entered into the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements with the Convertible Note Investors, who agreed to make a private investment in Company by purchasing the Convertible Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $340.2 million (the “Subscription Notes” and such subscription, the “Initial Convertible Notes PIPE” and together with the option for the Option Notes, the exchange for the Exchange Notes and any issuance of the Engagement Letter Notes, the “Convertible Notes PIPE”). Pursuant to the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements, Company granted the Convertible Note Investors an option to purchase up to an aggregate of $100 million additional principal amount of Convertible Notes (the “Option Notes”) at any time before May 22, 2025 (the “Option Period”) on a pro rata basis based on such Convertible Note Investor’s participation in the Initial Convertible Notes PIPE, which Option Notes have been fully subscribed for by the Convertible Note Investors and the Sponsor (the “Option”). In connection therewith, on May 22, 2025, the Sponsor entered into the Sponsor Convertible Notes Subscription Agreement on substantially the same terms as the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements with respect to its pro rata allotment of the Option Notes. At the Closing, Company issued $486.5 million of Convertible Notes to the Convertible Notes Investors and the Sponsor.
Further, as previously disclosed, on April 22, 2025, the Company and CEP also entered into the April Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements with the April Equity PIPE Investors, who have agreed to make a private investment in CEP by purchasing 20,000,000 CEP Class A Ordinary Shares for $200 million in the aggregate, which includes the value of an aggregate of 259.2396 Bitcoin (the “April In-Kind PIPE Bitcoin”) invested by certain April Equity PIPE Investors instead of cash (the “April Equity PIPE” and together with the Convertible Notes PIPE, the “April PIPE Investments”). On June 19, 2025, CEP and the Company entered into the June Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements with the June Equity PIPE Investors, pursuant to which CEP agreed to issue, and the June Equity PIPE Investors agreed to purchase, 7,857,143 CEP Class A ordinary shares (the “June Equity PIPE Shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of $165 million ($21.00 per share), which includes the value of an aggregate of 132.9547 Bitcoin (the “June In-Kind PIPE Bitcoin” and together with the April In-Kind PIPE Bitcoin, the “In-Kind PIPE Bitcoin”) invested by certain June Equity PIPE Investors instead of cash (the “June Equity PIPE,” together with the April Equity PIPE, the “Equity PIPEs,” and collectively with the Convertible Notes PIPE, the “PIPE Investments”). The April Equity PIPE Investors and June Equity PIPE Investors confirmed, at the time of entering into their respective subscription agreements, the amounts, if any, that they will contribute as In-Kind PIPE Bitcoin.
At the Closing, the Company issued 20,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to the April Equity PIPE Investors and 7,857,143 shares of Class A Common Stock to the June Equity PIPE Investors.
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Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, (i) Tether purchased 4,812.220927 Bitcoin (the “Initial PIPE Bitcoin”) for an aggregate purchase price of $458.7 million (the “Initial PIPE Net Proceeds”), being equal to the aggregate gross cash proceeds of the Initial Convertible Notes PIPE and the April Equity PIPE less a holdback of $52 million, and, at Closing, Tether sold the Initial PIPE Bitcoin to the Company for an amount equal to the Initial PIPE Net Proceeds, and (ii) Tether has purchased 917.47360612 Bitcoin (the “Option PIPE Bitcoin”) for an aggregate purchase price of $99.5 million (the “Option PIPE Net Proceeds”), being equal to the gross proceeds of the Option Notes less a holdback of $500,000, and, at Closing, Tether sold the Option PIPE Bitcoin to Company at a purchase price equal to the Option PIPE Net Proceeds.
Additionally, as previously disclosed, on June 23, 2025, Tether, the Company, SoftBank and, solely for certain limited purposes, CEP, entered into the June PIPE Bitcoin Sale and Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which Tether has purchased 1,381.15799423 Bitcoin (the “June PIPE Bitcoin” and together with the Initial PIPE Bitcoin and the Option PIPE Bitcoin, the “PIPE Bitcoin”) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $147.5 million (the “June PIPE Net Proceeds”) being the aggregate gross cash proceeds of the June Equity PIPE less a holdback of $3.3 million. At the Closing and upon the funding of the June Equity PIPE, the Company purchased from Tether the June PIPE Bitcoin for an aggregate price equal to the June PIPE Net Proceeds.
The sale of the Initial PIPE Bitcoin, the Option PIPE Bitcoin and the June PIPE Bitcoin by Tether to the Company are referred to herein as the “PIPE Bitcoin Sale.” Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, Tether agreed to purchase a number of Bitcoin (the “Additional PIPE Bitcoin”), if the sum of the Initial PIPE Bitcoin and the Option PIPE Bitcoin is less than 10,500 Bitcoin. Tether has purchased 4,422.688667 Bitcoin as the Additional PIPE Bitcoin and immediately prior to Closing, Tether contributed such amount of Bitcoin to Company at Closing (such contribution, the “Additional PIPE Bitcoin Sale”) in exchange for additional shares of 37,532,514 shares of Class A Common Stock and 37,532,514 shares of Class B Common Stock.
Concurrently with the signing of the Business Combination Agreement, (i) CEP, the Company and the Sponsor entered into the sponsor support agreement (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2025, the “Sponsor Support Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other matters described below, Company and Sponsor agreed to enter into a Securities Exchange Agreement (the “Securities Exchange Agreement”) at Closing, pursuant to which Sponsor agreed to exchange a number of its shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Exchange Shares”) in exchange for Convertible Notes (the “Exchange Notes”), and (ii) the Company, CEP and CF&Co. entered into the PIPE Engagement Letter, pursuant to which, among other matters, CF&Co. may receive the Engagement Letter Notes, such that the aggregate principal value of the Engagement Letter Notes and the Exchange Notes is equal to the sum of (i) 1.5% of the value of the Bitcoin to be contributed by Tether and Bitfinex pursuant to the Contribution Agreement dated April 22, 2025 among Tether, Bitfinex and Twenty One, (ii) 1.5% of the gross proceeds received by the Company and CEP pursuant to the April PIPE Investments, subject to certain adjustments and (iii) $98,963 in additional consideration. Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Agreement, at Closing, the Sponsor exchanged 4,630,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in exchange for $46,300,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes. CF&Co. did not receive any Engagement Letter Notes.
Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, Tether and SoftBank entered into the SoftBank Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, immediately following the Closing, Tether transferred to SoftBank 89,106,748 shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (the “SoftBank Shares”), and SoftBank paid Tether a consideration of $999,300,487.76 based on a formula described thereunder.
As previously disclosed, on October 16, 2025, Tether and the Sponsor entered into a sale and purchase agreement (the “Cantor Sale and Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which, at Closing, the Sponsor purchased from Tether, and Tether sold to the Sponsor, (i) 490,000 shares of Class A Common Stock immediately after the consummation of the CEP Merger, and (ii) 10,000 shares of Class A Common Stock immediately after the completion of the sale of SoftBank Shares, for an aggregate purchase price of $5,000,000 payable in cash (the “Cantor F&F Sale”).
Lock-Up Agreement
Concurrently with the Closing, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank each entered into a Lock-Up Agreement with the Company (the “Lock-up Agreements”), pursuant to which each Seller and SoftBank agreed that the shares of Class A Common Stock received by each Seller and the shares of Class A Common Stock transferred by Tether to SoftBank will be locked-up and subject to transfer restrictions, as described below, subject to certain exceptions.
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The shares of Class A Common Stock held by each Seller and SoftBank will be locked up until the earlier of (i) the Anniversary Release; provided that, in the event the Resale Registration Statement has not been declared effective on or prior to the Anniversary Release, then the Anniversary Release will be deemed to be the date such Resale Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC and (ii) the date on which the Company consummates a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction after the Closing which results in all of Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their shares of the Company Stock for cash, securities or other property.
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
Concurrently with the Closing, CEP, the Company, the Sponsor, each Seller and SoftBank entered into an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement that amended and restated the registration rights agreement entered into between CEP and the Sponsor at the time of CEP’s initial public offering and pursuant to which Company (i) assumed the registration obligations of CEP under such registration rights agreement, with such rights applying to the shares of Class A Common Stock and (ii) provides registration rights with respect to the resale of shares of Class A Common Stock held by the Sponsor, each Seller and SoftBank. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, at least once in any 12-month period, Significant Specified Holders (as defined in the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement) may request to sell all or any portion of their Registrable Securities (as defined in the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement) in an underwritten offering so long as the total offering price is reasonably expected to exceed $25 million. The Company has also agreed to provide customary “piggyback” registration rights, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions. The Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement provides that Company will pay certain expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify the stockholders against certain liabilities.
309,182,606 shares of Class A Common Stock are subject to registration rights pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement.
Services Agreement
Concurrently with the Closing, Company and Tether entered into the Services Agreement, pursuant to which Tether agreed to provide, or cause to be provided, certain services to Company and its subsidiaries in exchange for a services fee in the amount of $30,000 per calendar quarter or such other amounts as may be agreed by the parties thereto.
Securities Exchange Agreement
At Closing, the Company and the Sponsor entered into the Securities Exchange Agreement, pursuant to which the Sponsor exchanged 4,630,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for $46,300,000 principal amount of Exchange Notes. The Exchange Notes and shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof have the same registration rights as set forth in the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements. The Securities Exchange Agreement includes customary representations and warranties for both Company and the Sponsor.
Indenture
Concurrently with the Closing, pursuant to the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements, the Company, the Trustee, and Collateral Agent, entered into the Indenture, pursuant to which Company issued the Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes were issued at 100% of the aggregate principal amount. The Convertible Notes will mature on December 1, 2030 and bear interest at 1.00% per year. The interest on the Convertible Notes is payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2026. The Notes are senior, secured obligations of Company.
The initial conversion rate was determined based on the formula set forth in the Indenture as calculated at the Closing, of 72.0841 shares of Clas A Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of convertible notes. The conversion price is based on a reference price of $10.00 per share, multiplied by a ratio of (i) the BRRNY as averaged over the ten (10) consecutive days prior to Closing to (ii) $84,863.57, representing the Bitcoin Price as averaged over the ten (10) consecutive days prior to April 22, 2025, and is subject to a 30% premium.
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The conversion rate is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain events prior to the maturity date or if the Company delivers a notice of redemption, the Company will increase the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its notes in connection with such corporate event or notice of redemption, as the case may be, in certain circumstances. The specific methodology for calculating the conversion price is set forth in the Indenture.
The Convertible Notes will be convertible into cash, shares of Class A Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Class A Common Stock, at the Company’s election. Commencing after the calendar quarter ending on December 31, 2025 and prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the date that is six (6) months prior to the maturity date, the Convertible Notes will be convertible at the option of holders only upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and during certain periods, including if the last reported sale price of Class A Common Stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price for certain specified periods. Thereafter, holders of the Convertible Notes may convert their Convertible Notes at their option at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date.
The Company may redeem for cash all or any portion of the Convertible Notes, at its option, on or after the date that is three (3) years after the Issue Date if the last reported sale price of Class A Common Stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which Company provides notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.
If the Company undergoes a Fundamental Change, holders of the Convertible Notes may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their Convertible Notes at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. In addition, holders of the Convertible Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their Convertible Notes beginning three years from the Issue Date at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
The Indenture contains customary terms and covenants, including that upon certain events of default occurring and continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes then outstanding may declare the entire principal amount of all the Convertible Notes, and the interest accrued on such Convertible Notes, if any, to be immediately due and payable. Upon events of default involving specified bankruptcy events involving the Company, the Convertible Notes will be due and payable immediately.
The Indenture provides that, if the Company fails to meet certain registration deadlines described in the Indenture, the interest rate on the Convertible Notes will increase by 3.00% per annum for so long as such failure continues.
Security Agreement
Concurrently with the Closing, pursuant to the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements, the Company and Anchorage Digital Bank, N.A., as collateral agent and securities intermediary, entered into the Security Agreement. Pursuant to the Security Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, the Convertible Notes are secured by a first priority security interest in 16,116.31574065 Bitcoin, representing $1,459.5 million, calculated based on the Bitcoin Price as averaged over the ten (10) consecutive days immediately prior to the Closing.
Governance Agreement
Concurrently with the Closing, the Sellers, SoftBank and the Company entered into the Governance Agreement (the “Governance Agreement”) which provides that, among other things, Company will be incorporated pursuant to the TBOC, and Company will utilize certain of the controlled company exemptions of its relevant national securities exchange, and also provides guidance as to the selection of the chair of the Company Board, meeting quorum, reserved matters and committees to be established by the Company Board as well as the appointment of the key management team and the corporate policies to be adopted by the Company Board after Closing.
59
Indemnification Agreements
Concurrently with the Closing, the Company entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These indemnification agreements provide the directors and executive officers with contractual rights to indemnification and the advancement of certain expenses incurred by each such director or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of Company’s directors or executive officers.
Insider Letter Agreement and Amendment
On December 5, 2025, pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, CEP, the Sponsor and the Company entered into an amendment to the Insider Letter (the “Insider Letter Amendment”) to (a) add the Company as a party to the Insider Letter; (b) revise the terms of the Insider Letter to include Class A common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, which pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement is issued in exchange for the CEP’s Class A ordinary shares; and (c) shorten the lock-up restrictions applicable to the Founder Shares from one (1) year to six (6) months and amend the terms of the lock-up set forth in Section 7 of the Insider Letter to reflect the terms of the lock-up agreements to be entered into pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, at Closing.
The following table summarizes the pro forma number of shares of Company Stock outstanding following the consummation of the Business Combination and the Cantor F&F Sale, discussed further in the sections below, excluding the potential dilutive effect of the shares underlying the Convertible Notes.
Equity Capitalization Summary | Shares | % | ||||||
| Twenty One Class A members | 304,852,729 | 88.0 | % | |||||
| Public Shareholders | 9,508,404 | 2.7 | % | |||||
| Sponsor | 4,339,847 | 1.3 | % | |||||
| Equity PIPE Investors | 27,857,143 | 8.0 | % | |||||
| Total shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding | 346,548,153 | 100.0 | % | |||||
| Shares | % | |||||||
| Twenty One Class B members | 304,842,759 | 100.0 | % | |||||
| Total shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding | 304,842,759 | 100.0 | % | |||||
The following table shows the per share value of Company Stock held by non-redeeming holders of Class A Common Stock:
| Shares | 346,548,153 | |||
| Book equity per share | $ | 10.34 |
Accounting for the Business Combination
The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP with CEP being treated as the acquired company for financial reporting purposes and Twenty One as the accounting “acquirer.” Accordingly, the financial statements of Twenty One Capital will represent a continuation of the financial statements of Twenty One with the business combination treated as the equivalent of Twenty One issuing stock for the net assets of CEP, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of CEP were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination were those of Twenty One.
This determination was primarily based on the assumption that:
| ● | Twenty One’s members hold a majority of the voting power of Company post Business Combination; |
| ● | The Company Board consists of seven directors, four directors designated by Tether with at least two of them qualifying as independent directors under applicable securities exchange rules, two directors designated by SoftBank, with at least one of them qualifying as an independent director under applicable securities exchange rules and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company; |
| ● | Twenty One’s operations will substantially comprise the ongoing operations of Company; and |
| ● | Twenty One’s senior management will comprise the senior management of Company. |
Another determining factor was that CEP does not meet the definition of a “business” pursuant to ASC 805-10-55, and thus, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, within the scope of ASC 805. The net assets of CEP will be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.
60
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE
SHEET
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2025(1)
|
Company
(Historical) |
Twenty One (Historical) |
Contribution Agreement Transaction Accounting Adjustments |
Twenty
One Pro Forma Adjusted |
CEP
(Historical) |
Transaction Accounting Adjustments |
Convertible Notes Transaction Accounting Adjustments |
Equity
PIPE Transaction Accounting Adjustments |
Pro
Forma Combined |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | - | $ | 808,230 | $ | - | $ | 808,230 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 105,989,694 | B | $ | 440,200,000 | G | $ | 178,000,000 | A | $ | 119,335,864 | |||||||||||||||
| (43,641,113 | )C | 150,799,992 | N | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (99,500,000 | )G | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 343,104 | )J | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (9 | )J | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (466,200,000 | )O | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (147,499,995 | )P | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (239 | )S | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11,200 | U | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | - | - | - | - | 218,208 | 382,500 | C | - | - | 9,850,708 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9,250,000 | H | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due from affiliate | - | 15,600 | - | 15,600 | - | (15,600 | )W | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivable from related party | - | - | - | - | 11,200 | (11,200 | )U | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | - | 823,830 | - | 823,830 | 254,408 | (640,891,658 | ) | 440,200,000 | 328,799,992 | 129,186,572 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale debt securities held in Trust Account | - | - | - | - | 105,301,074 | (105,989,589 | )B | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 705,434 | L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 239 | R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (17,158 | )R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Digital assets | - | - | 2,852,652,600 | M | 2,852,652,600 | - | 83,086,777 | G | - | 23,476,844 | A | 3,940,655,449 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 443,800,122 | O | 12,040,431 | N | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 125,078,220 | P | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 400,520,455 | Q | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forward sale securities asset | - | - | - | - | 1,559,663 | (1,559,663 | )V | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other assets | - | - | - | - | 105 | (105 | )B | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-current assets | - | - | 2,852,652,600 | 2,852,652,600 | 106,860,842 | 945,624,732 | - | 35,517,275 | 3,940,655,449 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | - | $ | 823,830 | $ | 2,852,652,600 | $ | 2,853,476,430 | $ | 107,115,250 | $ | 304,733,074 | $ | 440,200,000 | $ | 364,317,267 | $ | 4,069,842,021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses | $ | 49,954 | $ | 639,982 | - | 639,982 | $ | 1,111,688 | $ | (1,264,505 | )C | - | - | $ | 537,119 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | - | 47,300 | - | 47,300 | - | (26,190 | )C | - | - | 21,110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due to related party | 15,600 | - | - | - | - | (15,600 | )W | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes payable - related party | - | - | - | - | 904,335 | 343,104 | J | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1,247,439 | )J | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor note payable | - | - | - | - | - | 239 | R | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (239 | )S | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 65,554 | 687,282 | - | 687,282 | 2,016,023 | (2,210,630 | ) | - | - | 558,229 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible notes payable | - | - | - | - | - | 440,200,000 | G | - | 486,500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 46,300,000 | H | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | - | - | - | - | - | (2,201,000 | )C | - | (2,201,000 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-current liabilities | - | - | - | - | - | (2,201,000 | ) | 486,500,000 | - | 484,299,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 65,554 | 687,282 | - | 687,282 | 2,016,023 | (4,411,630 | ) | 486,500,000 | - | 484,857,229 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | - | - | - | - | 106,801,179 | (105,989,694 | )F | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 705,434 | L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1,500,000 | )L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 239 | R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (17,158 | )R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Twenty One Class A Interests | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Twenty One Class B Interests | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company Class A Common Stock | - | - | - | - | - | 2,673,202 | D | - | - | 3,465,481 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 416,954 | K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 375,325 | Q | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company Class B Common Stock | - | - | - | - | - | 2,673,202 | D | - | - | 3,048,427 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 375,325 | Q | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (100 | )T | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CEP preference shares | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CEP Class A Ordinary Shares | - | - | - | - | 30 | 1,000 | F | - | 2,000 | A | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 342 | I | 786 | N | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (4,170 | )K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | J | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CEP Class B Ordinary Shares | - | - | - | - | 250 | 92 | H | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (342 | )I | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | - | 1,200,000 | 2,852,652,600 | M | 2,853,852,600 | - | (33,154,066 | )C | (46,300,000 | ) H | 201,474,844 | A | 3,642,635,005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (5,346,404 | )D | 162,839,637 | N | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (6,574,747 | )E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 105,988,694 | F | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9,249,908 | H | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (412,784 | )K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,247,418 | J | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 399,769,805 | Q | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 100 | T | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (65,554 | ) | (1,063,452 | ) | - | (1,063,452 | ) | (1,717,262 | ) | (6,612,852 | )C | - | - | (64,164,121 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 6,574,747 | E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15,030 | F | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (16,413,223 | )G | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,500,000 | L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (22,399,878 | )O | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (22,421,775 | )P | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (239 | )R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1,559,663 | )V | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | - | - | - | - | 15,030 | (15,030 | )F | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total equity (deficit) | (65,554 | ) | 136,548 | 2,852,652,600 | 2,852,789,148 | (1,701,952 | ) | 415,945,883 | (46,300,000 | ) | 364,317,267 | 3,584,984,792 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total equity and liabilities | $ | - | $ | 823,830 | $ | 2,852,652,600 | $ | 2,853,476,430 | $ | 107,115,250 | $ | 304,733,074 | $ | 440,200,000 | $ | 364,317,267 | $ | 4,069,842,021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2025, combines the historical unaudited balance sheet of Twenty One as of September 30, 2025, with the historical unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Company as of September 30, 2025, and with the historical unaudited balance sheet of CEP as of September 30, 2025. |
61
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025(2)
| Company
(Historical Statement of Operations) | Twenty
One (Historical Statement of Operations) | Contribution
Agreement Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Twenty
One Pro Forma Adjusted | CEP (Historical Statement of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income) | Transaction
Accounting Adjustments |
Convertible
Notes Transaction Accounting Adjustments |
Equity
PIPE Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Pro
Forma Combined | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative costs | $ | (57,798 | ) | $ | (980,152 | ) | $ | - | $ | (980,152 | ) | $ | (1,621,662 | ) | (47,813 | )CC | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (2,707,425 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | - | (83,300 | ) | - | (83,300 | ) | - | - | (83,300 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation expense | - | - | - | - | - | (14,595,965 | )HH | - | - | (14,595,965 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Administrative expenses - related party | - | - | (90,000 | ) | 90,000 | BB | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (57,798 | ) | (1,063,452 | ) | - | (1,063,452 | ) | (1,711,662 | ) | (14,553,778 | ) | - | - | (17,386,690 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income on investments held in Trust Account | - | - | - | - | 3,404,414 | (3,404,414 | )AA | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gain on sale of available-for-sale debt securities | - | - | - | - | - | 15,030 | EE | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (15,030 | )EE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of forward sale securities | - | - | - | - | 1,559,663 | (1,559,663 | )GG | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | - | - | - | - | - | - | (3,648,750 | )DD | - | (3,978,900 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (330,150 | )FF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | - | - | - | - | 4,964,077 | (4,964,077 | ) | (3,978,900 | ) | - | (3,978,900 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (57,798 | ) | $ | (1,063,452 | ) | $ | - | $ | (1,063,452 | ) | $ | 3,252,415 | $ | (19,517,855 | ) | $ | (3,978,900 | ) | $ | - | $ | (21,365,590 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized depreciation of available-for-sale debt securities | - | - | - | - | (79,606 | ) | 79,606 | EE | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income (loss) | - | - | - | - | (79,606 | ) | 79,606 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (57,798 | ) | $ | (1,063,452 | ) | $ | - | $ | (1,063,452 | ) | $ | 3,172,809 | $ | (19,438,249 | ) | $ | (3,978,900 | ) | $ | - | $ | (21,365,590 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per share | $ | (57,798 | ) | $ | (1,063,452 | ) | $ | 0.25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 346,548,153 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro forma loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.06 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Please refer to Note 3 (“Net Loss per Share”) for details. |
| (2) | The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, combines the historical unaudited statement of operations of Company for the period from March 7, 2025 (Inception) to September 30, 2025 with the unaudited statement of operations of Twenty One for the period April 17, 2025 (Inception) through September 30, 2025, with the historical unaudited statement of operations of CEP for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. |
62
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024(2)
|
Company (Historical Statement of Operations) |
Twenty One (Historical Statement of Operations) |
Other
Related Transaction Accounting Adjustments |
Twenty
One Pro Forma Adjusted |
CEP
(Historical Statement of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income) |
Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Convertible Notes Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Equity PIPE Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative costs | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (297,816 | ) | $ | (4,812,852 | )CC | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (5,174,418 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| (63,750 | )FF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction costs | (1,800,000 | )DD | - | - | (1,800,000 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation expense | - | - | - | - | - | (19,461,287 | )JJ | - | - | (19,461,287 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Administrative expenses - related party | - | - | - | - | (46,129 | ) | 46,129 | BB | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | - | - | - | - | (343,945 | ) | (26,091,760 | ) | - | - | (26,435,705 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | - | - | - | - | (343,945 | ) | (26,091,760 | ) | - | - | (26,435,705 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income on investments held in Trust Account | - | - | - | - | 1,881,736 | (1,881,736 | )AA | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gain on sale of available-for-sale debt securities | - | - | - | - | - | 94,636 | HH | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (94,636 | )HH | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | - | - | - | - | - | - | (4,865,000 | )GG | - | (5,305,200 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (440,200 | )II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on settlement of derivative liability | - | - | - | - | - | (61,234,876 | )EE | - | - | (61,234,876 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense): | - | - | - | - | 1,881,736 | (63,116,612 | ) | (5,305,200 | ) | - | (66,540,076 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 1,537,791 | $ | (89,208,372 | ) | $ | (5,305,200 | ) | $ | - | $ | (92,975,781 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Other Comprehensive Income: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized appreciation of available-for-sale debt securities | - | - | - | - | 94,636 | (94,636 | )HH | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income | - | - | - | - | 94,636 | (94,636 | ) | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 1,632,427 | $ | (89,303,008 | ) | $ | (5,305,200 | ) | $ | - | $ | (92,975,781 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per share | $ | 0.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 346,548,153 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro forma loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.27 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Please refer to Note 3 — “Net Loss per Share” for details. |
| (2) | The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, contains the historical audited statement of operations of CEP for the year ended December 31, 2024. Company was incorporated on March 7, 2025, and Twenty One was incorporated on April 17, 2025, therefore there are no historical statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations as of December 31, 2024. |
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Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements
Note 1 — Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies
The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP with CEP being treated as the acquired company for financial reporting purposes and Twenty One as the accounting “acquirer.” Under this method of accounting, although CEP acquired all the outstanding equity interests of Twenty One in the Business Combination, CEP was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Company issuing stock for the net assets of CEP, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of CEP were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination were those of Twenty One.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2025, assumes that the Business Combination and related transactions occurred on September 30, 2025. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, and the year ended December 31, 2024, presents pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it had been completed on January 1, 2024.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2025, has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:
| ● | CEP’s unaudited balance sheet as of September 30, 2025, and the related notes for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, included in this prospectus; |
| ● | Company’s unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2025, and the related notes for the period from March 7, 2025 (Inception) through September 30, 2025, included in this prospectus; and |
| ● | Twenty One’s unaudited balance sheet as of September 30, 2025, and the related notes for the period from April 17, 2025 (Inception) through September 30, 2025, included in this prospectus. |
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:
| ● | CEP’s unaudited statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, and the related notes, included in this prospectus; |
| ● | Company’s unaudited consolidated statement of operations for the period from March 7, 2025 (Inception) through September 30, 2025, and the related notes, included in this prospectus; and |
| ● | Twenty One’s unaudited statement of operations for the period from April 17, 2025 (Inception) through September 30, 2025, and the related notes, included in this prospectus. |
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The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, has been derived from the historical audited financial statements of CEP for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. Company was incorporated on March 7, 2025, and Twenty One was incorporated on April 17, 2025; therefore, there are no historical statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations as of December 31, 2024.
As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented.
The historical financial statements of Company and Twenty One have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The historical financial statements of CEP have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information reflects U.S. GAAP, the basis of accounting used by Twenty One.
Upon consummation of the Business Combination, management has performed a comprehensive review of the three entities’ accounting policies. As a result of the review, management has not identified differences between the accounting policies of the three entities which have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company. Based on its analysis, management did not identify any differences that would have a material impact on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. As a result, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not assume any differences in accounting policies.
Note 2 — Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Business Combination and has been prepared for informational purposes only.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses” to depict the accounting for the transaction (“Transaction Accounting Adjustments”) and present the reasonably estimable synergies and other transaction effects that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur (“Management’s Adjustments”). Company has elected not to present Management’s Adjustments and is only presenting Transaction Accounting Adjustments in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. The historical financial statements have been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to include all necessary Transaction Accounting Adjustments pursuant to Article 11 of Regulation S-X, including those that are not expected to have a continuing impact.
The unaudited historical financial statements have been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to give pro forma effect to transaction accounting adjustments that reflect the accounting for the transaction under GAAP. Company, Twenty One and CEP have not had any historical relationship prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, no pro forma adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies.
The pro forma basic and diluted earnings per share amounts presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations are based upon the number of the Company’s shares outstanding, assuming the Business Combination occurred on January 1, 2024.
Transaction Accounting Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet
The Transaction Accounting Adjustments to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2025, are as follows:
| A. | Reflects the proceeds received from the April Equity PIPE of $178.0 million and 259.2396243 Bitcoin, valued at $90,528.44 per Bitcoin as of the Closing date of December 8, 2025, or $23.5 million, pursuant to the April Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements, for the issuance of 20,000,000 CEP Class A Ordinary Shares at $10 per share, par value $0.0001. |
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| B. | Reflects the liquidation and reclassification of $106.0 million of funds held in the Trust Account to cash that became available following the Business Combination. |
| C. | Reflects the payment of $10.1 million of CEP transaction costs at the Closing of which $1.0 million of these fees were accrued as of September 30, 2025. The $4.3 million of these fees related to the PIPE Investments have been recorded as additional paid-in capital. The remaining amount of $4.8 million is reflected as an adjustment to accumulated losses. | |
| Reflects the payment of $33.5 million of Twenty One transaction costs at the Closing of which $0.3 million of these fees were accrued as of September 30, 2025. The legal success fee of $1.8 million has been recorded to accumulated deficit, the $0.4 million for the D&O tail policy with a term of six years has been recorded as prepaid expenses, the $2.2 million related to the debt issuance has been recorded to debt issuance costs and the remaining $28.9 million has been recorded to additional paid-in capital. |
| D. | Represents the exchange of Twenty One Interests for the issuance of 267,320,426 shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock upon Closing. |
| E. | Represents the elimination of CEP’s historical accumulated losses after recording the transaction costs incurred by CEP of $4.8 million as described in (C) above, the reversal of the $0.15 per public share accrual in ordinary shares subject to redemption of $1.5 million, as described in (L) below, the reversal of $0.02 million of the accumulated other comprehensive income in adjustment (F) below, the recording of interest earned in the Trust of $0.7 million as described in (L) below, the accretion of ordinary shares subject to redemption of $0.7 million as described in (L) below, and the reversal of the forward sale securities asset of $1.6 million as described in (V) below. |
| F. | Reflects the reclassification of 9,998,404 CEP Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption to permanent equity. |
| G. | Reflects the proceeds received in connection with Initial Convertible Note PIPE for the issuance of the Convertible Notes with an aggregate principal of $340.2 million and the Option Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million. Company analyzed the accounting treatment of the Convertible Notes and determined the Convertible Notes are required to be classified as a liability under ASC 480 and the conversion features do not meet the definition of an embedded derivative under ASC 815. As such Company recorded the proceeds from the Convertible Notes less a debt discount representing debt issuance costs on the date of the issuance. |
| H. | Reflects the purchase of 917.4736061 Bitcoin at an aggregate purchase price of $99.5 million. Pursuant to the Business Combination agreement, Tether purchased 917.47360612 Bitcoin for an aggregate purchase price of $99.5 million at an average price per Bitcoin of $108,449.99 and placed such Bitcoin in a digital wallet held or operated by or on behalf of Tether. At inception this agreement was determined to meet the definition of a derivative pursuant to ASC 815 which requires the fair valuing of a liability at inception with changes in fair value recorded in the Company’s profit and loss statement. The digital assets were valued at the per Bitcoin value of $90,560.40 as of the Closing date of December 8, 2025, or $83.1 million, and a loss of $16.4 million was recognized for the difference between the digital asset value and the purchase price which reflects the settlement of the derivative liability at the Closing. |
| I. | Reflects 9,463,886 CEP Class A ordinary shares issued to the Sponsor upon conversion of its CEP Class B ordinary shares pursuant to the anti-dilution right in the CEP Memorandum and Articles of which there were 2,500,000 existing CEP Class B Ordinary Shares, an additional 915,104 Class B ordinary shares issued, 1,418,782 CEP Class A Ordinary Shares forfeited and 4,630,000 CEP Class A Ordinary Shares issued, exchanged for an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock and then canceled in exchange for Convertible Notes at $10 per share. Also reflects the Cantor advisory services fee of $9.3 million recognized at the Closing for services to be performed at a future time. |
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| J. | Reflects the conversion of CEP Class B Ordinary Shares into CEP Class A Ordinary Shares upon the Closing. |
| K. | Reflects the additional draw on the Sponsor loan subsequent to September 30, 2025, of $0.3 million and the conversion of the CEP Sponsor loan of $1.2 million into CEP Class A Ordinary Shares at a conversion price of $10.00 per share upon the Closing. |
| L. | Reflects the conversion of CEP Class A Ordinary Shares into shares of Class A Common Stock upon the consummation of the CEP Merger at the Closing. |
| M. | Reflects the reversal of the accrual of the $0.15 per public shares for the redeeming Public Shareholders of $1.5 million, the interest earned in the Trust Account subsequent to September 30, 2025 of $0.7 million and the accretion of the Class A ordinary shares subject to redemption of $0.7 million. |
| N. | Reflects the contribution of 31,500 Bitcoin, valued at $90,560.40 per Bitcoin as of the Closing date of December 8, 2025, or $2.9 billion, by Tether and Bitfinex for (i) 208 Twenty One Class A Interests and 208 Twenty One Class B Interests for Tether and (ii) 59 Twenty One Class A Interests and 59 Class B Interests for Bitfinex upon the Closing. At inception the Contribution Agreement was determined to meet the definition of a liability under ASC 815-40, which requires fair valuing at inception with changes in fair value recorded on the Company’s profit and loss statement. |
| O. | Reflects proceeds received from the June Equity PIPE of $150.8 million and 132.9546968 Bitcoin, valued at $90,560.40 per Bitcoin as of the Closing date of December 8, 2025, or $12.0 million, pursuant to the June Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements, for the issuance of 7,857,143 CEP Class A Ordinary Shares at $21.00 per share, par value $0.0001. |
| P. | Reflects the sale of 4,900.598072 Bitcoin from Tether to Company for a purchase price of $466.2 million. This agreement meets the definition of a derivative pursuant to ASC 815 and requires the fair valuing of a liability at inception with changes in fair value recorded in Twenty One’s profit and loss statement. The digital assets were valued at a per Bitcoin price of $90,560.40 as of the Closing date of December 8, 2025, or $443.8 million and a loss of $22.4 million was recognized for the difference between the Bitcoin value and the purchase price which reflects the settlement of the derivative liability at Closing. |
| Q. | Reflects the sale of 1,381.157994 Bitcoin from Tether to Company for a purchase price of $147.5 million. This agreement meets the definition of a derivative pursuant to ASC 815 and requires the fair valuing of a liability at inception with changes in fair value recorded in Twenty One’s profit and loss statement. The digital assets were valued at a per Bitcoin price of $90,560.40 as of the Closing date of December 8, 2025, or $125.1 million and a loss of $22.4 million was recognized for the difference between the Bitcoin value and the purchase price which reflects the settlement of the derivative liability at Closing. |
| R. | Reflects the contribution of the Additional PIPE Bitcoin of 4,422.68867 Bitcoin by Tether to Company for shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock with a value of $84,863.57 per Bitcoin, or $375.3 million, at $10.00 per share, or 37,532,514 shares, pursuant to Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement, at $10 per share, par value $0.01. The digital assets were valued at a per Bitcoin price of $90,560.40 as of the Closing date of December 8, 2025, or $400.5 million. |
| S. | Reflects the draw on the Sponsor note of $239.40 for the $0.15 per public share for the 1,596 public shares redeemed that was deposited in the Trust Account. Reflects the redemption of 1,596 shares at a redemption price of $10.75, or $17,158. |
| T. | Reflects the payment of the Sponsor note payable upon the Closing. |
| U. | Reflects the 10,000 shares of Class B Common Stock cancelled pursuant to the Cantor F&F Sale. |
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| V. | Reflects the payment of the receivable due from related party upon the Closing. |
| W. | Reflects the reversal of the forward sale securities asset upon the issuance of the shares in the April Equity PIPE as described in (A) above and the June Equity PIPE as described in (N) above. |
| X. | Reflects the elimination of the intercompany balances between Company and Twenty One upon the Closing. |
Transaction Accounting Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations
The Transaction Accounting Adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, are as follows:
| AA. | Reflects the elimination of the interest income earned on funds in the Trust Account which funds were released from the Trust Account upon the Closing . |
| BB. | Reflects the elimination of the administrative service fees that ceased to be paid upon the Closing. |
| CC. | Reflects the amortization of the prepaid D&O insurance policy for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, amortized over a term of 6 years. |
| DD. | Reflects the accrual of interest expense on the Convertible Notes at 1.00% per year for the period ended September 30, 2025. |
| EE. | Reflects the realization of unrealized depreciation of available-for-sale debt securities and the elimination of the realized gain. |
| FF. | Reflects the amortization of the debt issuance costs, based on the 5 year term of the Convertible Notes. |
| GG. | Reflects the reversal of the change in fair value of forward sale securities upon the issuance of the shares in the April Equity PIPE as described in (A) above and the June Equity PIPE as described in (N) above. |
| HH. | Reflects the recognition of compensation expense for 1,267,230 options that vest over a four-year period and 12,179,268 options that vest over a five-year period at a fair value of $7.07 per share, upon the closing of the Business Combination. |
Transaction Accounting Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations
The Transaction Accounting Adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, are as follows:
| AA. | Reflects the elimination of the interest income earned on funds in the Trust Account which were released from the Trust Account upon the Closing . |
| BB. | Reflects the elimination of the administrative service fees that ceased to be paid upon the Closing. |
| CC. | Reflects the transaction costs of CEP. |
| DD. | Reflects the success fee paid to legal advisors upon Closing. |
| EE. | Reflects the loss on the settlement of the derivative liabilities for the sale of Bitcoin from Tether to Company as described in (G), (O) and (P) above for an aggregate amount of $61.2 million. |
| FF. | Reflects the amortization of the prepaid D&O insurance policy for the year ended December 31, 2024, amortized over a term of 6 years. |
| GG. | Reflects the accrual of interest expense on the Convertible Notes at 1.00% per year for the year ended December 31, 2024. |
| HH. | Reflects the realization of unrealized depreciation of available-for-sale debt securities and the elimination of the realized gain. |
| II. | Reflects the amortization of the debt issuance costs, based on the 5-year term of the Convertible Notes. |
| JJ. | Reflects the recognition of compensation expense for 1,267,230 options that vest over a four-year period and 12,179,268 options that vest over a five-year period at a fair value of $7.07 per share, upon the closing of the Business Combination. |
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Note 3 — Net Loss per Share
Represents the loss per share calculated using the historical weighted average shares outstanding, and the issuance of additional shares in connection with the Business Combination, assuming the shares were outstanding since January 1, 2024. As the Business Combination is being reflected as if it had occurred at the beginning of the period presented, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted loss per share assumes that the shares issued in connection with the Business Combination have been outstanding for the entire period presented.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared with the actual redemptions of Public Shares by CEP’s Public Shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, and the year ended December 31, 2024:
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 | ||||
| Pro forma net loss | $ | (21,365,590 | ) | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A Common Stock – basic and diluted (1) | 346,548,153 | |||
| Net loss per share – basic and diluted | $ | (0.06 | ) | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||
| Pro forma net loss | $ | (92,975,781 | ) | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A Common Stock – basic and diluted (1) | 346,548,153 | |||
| Net loss per share – basic and diluted | $ | (0.27 | ) | |
| (1) | The 35,068,912 potentially dilutive shares underlying the Convertible Notes and the 13,446,498 potentially dilutive shares underlying the options were excluded from the computation of pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. |
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Business
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this section of the prospectus to “Twenty One”, “we,” “us” “our,” and other similar terms refer to Twenty One Capital, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries after giving effect to the Business Combination.
Overview
Twenty One Capital is a newly formed operating company focused exclusively on Bitcoin-related business lines that, among other things, offer shareholders a differentiated opportunity to gain exposure to Bitcoin through the equity markets. With a Bitcoin-native operating structure and a strategy designed to deliver long-term value, Twenty One Capital intends to become a leading vehicle for capital-efficient Bitcoin accumulation and related business development.
Twenty One Assets, LLC was incorporated in Delaware on March 7, 2025, and converted to a Delaware limited liability company on April 17, 2025. Twenty One Capital was incorporated in Texas on March 7, 2025.
Our Business Strategies
Twenty One is an operating company engaged in a number of businesses focused on Bitcoin. Twenty One engages in two principal activities: (i) actively accumulating Bitcoin and managing its Bitcoin holdings and (ii) commencing development of educational materials and branded content intended to drive increased institutional and retail investor Bitcoin literacy. In addition, following these initial activities, Twenty One expects to engage in Bitcoin-centric financial services that would leverage Twenty One’s Bitcoin expertise to provide solutions tailored for institutions and individuals investing in, holding, and utilizing Bitcoin. Preparation for the launch of these financial services is expected to begin shortly, with launch timing subject to regulatory approvals, market needs, and the macroeconomic environment.
Bitcoin Accumulation and Management Strategy
Twenty One’s Bitcoin accumulation and management strategy involves (i) the acquisition of Bitcoin (from initial investments, debt and equity financings, and operating cash flows in excess of operating expenses) according to a discretionary, macro-driven investment thesis, (ii) active management of its Bitcoin holdings, subject to market conditions and other factors, and (iii) the issuance of debt or equity securities or other capital raising transactions, from time to time, subject to market conditions and other factors, with the objective of generating proceeds to be used for the purchase of Bitcoin and other operating expenses. Twenty One does not currently intend to hold any other cryptocurrencies as a treasury asset.
Twenty One is committed to a long-term Bitcoin accumulation strategy grounded in its belief that Bitcoin represents a superior monetary asset and a foundation for long-term shareholder value. Twenty One’s active management of its Bitcoin holdings does not involve speculative trading based on short-term market movements. Instead, it consists of ongoing assessment and adjustment of our capital allocation strategy in accordance with its long-term, macro-driven Bitcoin investment thesis.
Determinations with respect to Twenty One’s Bitcoin accumulation and management strategy will be made from time to time by assessing market factors including, but not limited to, (i) the current market price of Bitcoin, (ii) price trends and market level analysis, (iii) analysis of the broader macroeconomic environment, (iv) Twenty One’s relative stock performance, (v) the availability and cost of capital of equity and debt financing to Twenty One, and (vi) the price per share of Twenty One’s stock relative to the Net Asset Value of its Bitcoin holdings.
In pursuit of this strategy, Twenty One currently intends to utilize Bitcoin-specific key performance indicators including Bitcoin per share (“BPS”) and Bitcoin Rate of Return (“BRR”) to assess its performance guide its operations. These KPIs are intended to efficiently communicate Twenty One’s mission of providing the best vehicle for Bitcoin exposure in the market. This strategy also contemplates that Twenty One may, from time to time, subject to market conditions and other factors, (i) sell Bitcoin under exceptional circumstances as described below, (ii) enter into additional capital raising transactions, and (iii) consider the pursuit of strategies which monetize or otherwise utilize its Bitcoin holdings to generate funds or income streams through the development and commercialization of Bitcoin-centric financial services and products. While Twenty One expects to allocate the majority of its available treasury capital into Bitcoin over time, it retains flexibility to manage liquidity and operations prudently.
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At present, Twenty One has no intention to sell Bitcoin, and views its Bitcoin position as a strategic reserve asset. However, we may consider selling Bitcoin under exceptional circumstances, such as to meet operational needs, comply with legal or regulatory obligations, pursue high-conviction strategic investments, or for general corporate purposes, subject to oversight by management and the Board.
Twenty One does not currently plan to engage in hedging its Bitcoin exposure. We believe that our long-term thesis on Bitcoin’s appreciation and adoption makes hedging unnecessary. We will revisit this policy periodically as part of our risk management processes.
Our Bitcoin Holdings
The initial Bitcoin holdings have been acquired through a combination of purchases and contributions made by Tether and Bitfinex in accordance with the Business Combination Agreement and related agreements, as described below.
During the 10-day period following the signing of the Business Combination Agreement, pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, Tether purchased 4,812.220927 Bitcoin at an aggregate purchase price of $458.7 million, being equal to the net cash proceeds from the April Equity PIPE and Convertible Notes PIPE. These Bitcoin were acquired by the Company at Closing at the same aggregate purchase price.
During the 10-day period following the expiry of the Option Period for Convertible Note Investors as granted pursuant to the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements, Tether purchased an additional 917.47360612 Bitcoin at an aggregate purchase price of $99.5 million, being equal to the net proceeds from the full exercise of the Option, which were acquired by the Company at Closing at the same aggregate purchase price, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Business Combination Agreement.
During the 10-day period following the signing of the June Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements, pursuant to the terms of the June PIPE Bitcoin Sale and Purchase Agreement, Tether purchased 1,381.15799423 Bitcoin at an aggregate purchase price of $147.5 million, being equal to the net cash proceeds from the June Equity PIPE. These Bitcoin were acquired by the Company at Closing at the same aggregate purchase price that Tether paid to purchase such Bitcoin.
In addition, at the Closing, pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement, the Company acquired 4,422.688667 Bitcoin from Tether at a value of $84,863.57 per Bitcoin, such that, with the addition of this Bitcoin, the sum of the Initial PIPE Bitcoin, the Option PIPE Bitcoin and the April In-Kind PIPE Bitcoin equals 10,500 Bitcoin.
At Closing, certain April Equity PIPE Investors invested an aggregate of 259.2396 Bitcoin, and certain June Equity PIPE Investors will invest an aggregate of 132.9547 Bitcoin, in each case in lieu of cash consideration, and in accordance with the terms of their respective subscription agreements.
Pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement and the Contribution Agreement, at the Closing and prior to the Mergers, Tether contributed 24,500 Bitcoin to Twenty One, and Bitfinex contributed 7,000 Bitcoin to Twenty One, in each case at a value of $84,863.57 per Bitcoin.
As a result of these transactions, Twenty One held approximately 43,500 Bitcoin as of the Closing.
Custody of our Bitcoin
As of the Closing, we hold all of our Bitcoin in custody accounts with Anchorage, a U.S.-based, institutional-grade custodian that has demonstrated records of regulatory compliance and information security. Anchorage is a qualified custodian under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and chartered by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) to custody clients’ digital assets in trust on their behalf. As a result, the primary counterparty risk we are exposed to with respect to our Bitcoin is performance obligations under the custody arrangements into which we entered with Anchorage. Our Bitcoin holdings are, and from time to time may be, concentrated with a single custodian.
Our custodial services contracts do not restrict our ability to reallocate our Bitcoin among multiple custodians. In light of the significant amount of Bitcoin we hold, we may seek to engage additional digital asset custodians to diversify the custody of our Bitcoin and our potential risk exposure to any one custodian
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We have and will continue to carefully select our Bitcoin custodians after undertaking a due diligence process. As part of our custodian selection process, we have and will continue to evaluate and select custodians that can demonstrate that they operate with strict security protocols, including multifactor authentication procedures designed to safekeep our Bitcoin. In addition, our custodial services agreements specify that the private keys that control our Bitcoin are to be held in a cold storage compliant manner, which is designed to mitigate risks that a system may be susceptible to when connected to the internet, including the risks associated with unauthorized network access and cyberattacks. We also negotiate liability provisions in our custodial contracts, pursuant to which our custodians are held liable in certain situations for their failure to safekeep our Bitcoin. In addition to our custodial arrangements, we also utilize affiliates of our Bitcoin custodians to execute Bitcoin acquisition and disposition transactions on our behalf. We leverage the due diligence we conduct in connection with our custodial arrangements when conducting due diligence of these trade execution service providers.
We also plan to conduct due diligence reviews during the custodial relationship to monitor the safekeeping of our Bitcoin. As part of our process, we will obtain and review our custodians’ Services Organization Controls reports. We are also contractually entitled to periodically review and discuss our custodians’ relevant internal controls. We expect to conduct in the future, supplemental due diligence when we believe it is warranted by market circumstances or otherwise.
We negotiate specific contractual terms and conditions with our custodians that we believe will help establish, under existing law, that our property interest in the Bitcoin held by our custodians is not subject to the claims of the custodian’s creditors in the event the custodian enters bankruptcy, receivership or similar insolvency proceedings. All of our custodians are subject to regulatory regimes intended to protect customers in the event that a custodian enters bankruptcy, receivership or similar insolvency proceedings. Based on existing law and the terms and conditions of our contractual arrangements with our custodians, we believe that the Bitcoin held on our behalf by our custodians would not be considered part of a custodian’s bankruptcy estate were one or more of our custodians to enter bankruptcy, receivership or similar insolvency proceedings.
In addition, the following provides a more detailed description of the material terms of our custody arrangement with Anchorage:
At Closing, the Company entered into a custody agreement with Anchorage (the “Custody Agreement”). The Custody Agreement has an initial term of three (3) years. The agreement automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless either provides written notice of non-renewal at least thirty (30) days prior to the end of the then-current term.
The Custody Agreement may be terminated by either party for cause under several specific conditions. These include a reasonable determination that the services may violate applicable laws or pose material regulatory, risk or reputational issues. The agreement may also be terminated if the other party acts fraudulently, files for bankruptcy, is declared insolvent or violates the confidentiality provisions outlined in the agreement.
Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, Twenty One’s Bitcoin is held in a cold storage compliant manner in a segregated digital wallet, which is unique to Twenty One and not commingled with the assets of other Anchorage clients or Anchorage’s proprietary assets. Only designated and authorized personnel of Twenty One have the authority to initiate transactions from our custody account. This authority is subject to a multi-party approval process that is implemented and managed by Anchorage. The existence and balance of our Bitcoin held with Anchorage is verifiable at any time by any party by using a publicly available wallet address and a blockchain explorer.
Anchorage, through its parent company, maintains a commercial crime insurance policy, which is intended to cover the loss of client assets it custodies, including from employee collusion or fraud, physical loss including theft, damage of key material, security breach or hack, and fraudulent transfer, subject to its terms and conditions. The insurance maintained by Anchorage is shared among all of its customers, is not specific to Twenty One, and may not be available or sufficient to protect Twenty One from any or all possible losses or sources of losses. For a discussion of risks relating to the custody of our Bitcoin, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Business and Strategy of Twenty One Capital”.
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Policies on Airdrops, Forks, and Incidental Rights
As a holder of Bitcoin, Twenty One may from time to time become entitled to receive additional rights or assets in the form of airdrops, forks, or other incidental entitlements. These events are not initiated by us and are not part of our business strategy.
Twenty One will not proactively seek or rely upon any such entitlements, and does not consider them to be material to its business or investment thesis.
Anchorage, as the custodian of Twenty One’s Bitcoin following Closing, retains the right to determine whether or not to support (or cease supporting) a forked network. Similarly, if Twenty One notifies Anchorage in writing of an upcoming airdrop, Anchorage may, among other actions, elect to: (i) custody the airdropped digital asset for an additional fee or (ii) not pursue obtaining the airdropped digital assets.
Twenty One does not intend to hold or invest in any digital assets other than Bitcoin. Any value realized from incidental rights, if material, will be disclosed in accordance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
Potential Advantages and Disadvantages of Holding Bitcoin
We believe that Bitcoin is an attractive asset because it can serve as a store of value, supported by a robust and public open-source architecture, that is insulated from certain external factors such as governments and financial firms. Due to Bitcoin’s immutable, verifiable supply limit of 21 million Bitcoin, Bitcoin has the potential to serve as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation in the long-term and, if its adoption increases, the opportunity for appreciation in value.
Bitcoin exists entirely in digital form, as virtually irreversible public transaction ledger entries on the blockchain, and transactions in Bitcoin are recorded and authenticated not by a central repository or authority, but by a decentralized peer-to-peer network. This decentralization mitigates the risks of certain threats common to centralized computer networks, such as denial-of-service attacks, and reduces the dependency of the Bitcoin network on any single system. The decentralization of user nodes and miners also mitigates the risk of a 51% attack, which would be very costly and difficult to execute with respect to Bitcoin because the Bitcoin network is open source and widely distributed, and transactions on the blockchain require significant computing power to be validated. However, while the Bitcoin network as a whole is decentralized, the private keys used to access Bitcoin balances are not widely distributed and are susceptible to phishing and other attacks designed to obtain sensitive information or gain access to password-protected systems. Loss of such private keys can result in an inability to access, and effective loss of, the corresponding Bitcoin. Consequently, Bitcoin holdings are susceptible to all of the risks inherent in holding any electronic data, such as power failure, data corruption, security breach, communication failure and user error, among others. These risks, in turn, make Bitcoin substantially more susceptible to theft, destruction, or loss of value from hackers, corruption, viruses and other technology-specific factors as compared to conventional fiat currency or other conventional financial assets. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Business and Strategy of Twenty One Capital”.
In addition, the Bitcoin network relies on open-source developers to maintain and improve the Bitcoin protocol. Accordingly, Bitcoin may be subject to protocol design changes, governance disputes such as “forked” protocols, competing protocols, and other open source-specific risks that do not affect conventional proprietary software.
Bitcoin Education and Branding Strategy
Education and Twenty One branded content are a central pillar of Twenty One’s mission to accelerate Bitcoin adoption and Bitcoin literacy at both institutional and retail levels. Shortly following the consummation of the Business Combination, Twenty One will create an education division that will commence the creation of high-quality content tailored for policymakers, institutional investors, financial advisors, corporations, and retail investors. With the accelerating institutional adoption of Bitcoin and digital assets-and the growing demand for education that is both credible and brand-compatible, Twenty One will create and license modular educational content, produce branded video media, and act as the go-to content partner for major conferences, Web3 firms, and fintech institutions. Although preparation of educational materials and branded content will commence shortly after the Closing, the timing of the deployment and commercialization of the educational and branded content will depend on a number of factors, including Twenty One’s determinations relating to operational conditions and optimal market demand for its content.
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Twenty One believes its education efforts can generate both direct revenue and indirect value for us and our shareholders. We plan to create and monetize high-quality educational content through channels such as subscriptions, licensing fees for enterprises, and sponsored partnerships, which are expected to contribute to our revenue streams. Furthermore, by advancing Bitcoin literacy and accelerating adoption, our educational initiatives are designed to have a material, indirect benefit. As more individuals and institutions understand and embrace Bitcoin, demand for the asset is expected to increase, which could contribute to its long-term appreciation. As a company holding a significant Bitcoin treasury, Twenty One’s financial performance and shareholder value are tied to the value of Bitcoin, Twenty One’s educational initiatives will directly support its overall financial objectives. In essence, Twenty One views its educational efforts as a strategic investment in both the broader Bitcoin ecosystem and as a source of direct revenues.
Initially, much of Twenty One’s educational reach is expected to be driven by its co-founder and CEO, whose existing platform and voice in the crypto-asset industry is intended to allow us to catalyze meaningful public discourse around Bitcoin. We believe that this strategy will prove to be a powerful and cost-effective means of brand-building and community engagement.
In order to successfully monetize its content through subscriptions, licensing fees and sponsored partnerships, Twenty One plans to scale its educational initiatives over time, which is expected to involve a number of development steps. Twenty One expects to build a dedicated content team and infrastructure capable of producing and distributing a broad range of educational materials. This is expected to involve the creation of multimedia educational materials-short-form videos, explainers, interviews, and white-labelled learning modules-designed to be informative, visually engaging, and easily distributed. Twenty One plans to develop all content in collaboration with economists, technical experts, and compliance consultants to seek to ensure intellectual integrity and accessibility. These materials will be designed to scale across audiences, from financial advisors and journalists to developers and policymakers. Twenty One plans to continually update to reflect new developments in the Bitcoin ecosystem and tailor its content for impact across geographies.
Initial development costs are estimated at $1 million to $2 million, including content production, platform development, legal/compliance review, and early hiring. Twenty One anticipates these costs will be funded through operating cash flow and existing capital resources.
Twenty One expects to be working at the intersection of content, conferences, and community, as described in more detail below.
Content Development
Twenty One plans to develop an extensive multimedia content library as part of its education and branding strategy. While development is subject to ongoing resource allocation and market conditions, Twenty One currently anticipates that the content library will include:
| (1) | Modular Educational Video Series |
Twenty One intends to produce professionally developed video segments, which may range from 3 to 7 minutes in length, covering topics such as:
| ● | Bitcoin fundamentals: history, technical design, decentralization |
| ● | Macroeconomic narratives: inflation hedge, monetary alternatives |
| ● | Mining and energy use: sustainability, hardware, policy |
| ● | Regulatory frameworks: U.S., EU, Asia-Pacific compliance landscapes |
| ● | Bitcoin vs. crypto: narrative clarity and market distinctions |
| ● | Custody: methods to securely storing Bitcoin for individuals and institutions |
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| (2) | Branded and Sponsored Thought Leadership |
Twenty One is exploring potential opportunities to create branded content aligned with industry events and sponsor engagement, which may include:
| ● | Panels and interviews filmed live at 20+ major conferences annually |
| ● | Branded content packages featuring industry leaders and sponsors |
| ● | Post-production content designed for social media and digital distribution |
| (3) | White-Labeled Enterprise Modules |
Twenty One is also evaluating opportunities to offer customizable educational solutions for enterprise clients, such as:
| ● | Customizable packages for onboarding, training and client education |
| ● | Legal and compliance reviews for institutional distribution |
| ● | Integration with client platforms via secure API or LMS solutions |
While these plans remain subject to further evaluation, Twenty One believes that a multimedia content library could serve as a strategic asset to support revenue growth. Twenty One recognizes challenges, including regulatory scrutiny of financial content, localization for international audiences, and ensuring institutional-grade compliance. However, Twenty One believes its direct connection with the Bitcoin community, deep subject-matter expertise and clear brand identity uniquely position it to succeed in this domain.
Memberships
As part of its strategic plan to diversify and expand its revenue streams, Twenty One intends to develop a three-tiered membership program designed to generate recurring revenue and support community engagement. While no final decisions have been made, the membership model under consideration includes the following tier structure:
| (1) | Foundational Membership |
This entry-level tier would provide individual users with access to core educational and community features, including:
| ● | Full access to Twenty One’s video library; |
| ● | Monthly live webinars with educators and Bitcoin experts; |
| ● | A research newsletter focused on Bitcoin and macroeconomic trends; and |
| ● | Priority access to conference recordings and digital events. |
| (2) | Professional Membership |
This tier would be designed for professionals seeking enhanced educational resources and client-facing content rights, including all benefits of the Foundational Membership, in addition to:
| ● | Continuing education credits for financial professionals; |
| ● | Licensing rights to redistribute content to clients or students; and |
| ● | Early access to research briefings and video interviews. |
| (3) | Institutional Partnership |
Tailored for enterprise clients, this highest tier would offer fully customized content and data services, including:
| ● | Fully customizable content packages; |
| ● | Private onboarding workshops and strategic briefings; |
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| ● | Branded studio production and integration with enterprise platforms; and |
| ● | Quarterly usage reports and learning analytics. |
Twenty One believes that this multi-tiered membership structure would enable scalable monetization of future intellectual property and educational resources, while also strengthening user engagement and brand positioning.
Technology Infrastructure
Twenty One plans to design its platform for scale. Twenty One expects the backend architecture will be designed to support content hosting, analytics, API distribution and secure B2B delivery. The planned membership site is expected to include features for video streaming, learning management, credentialing and enterprise integration. This infrastructure is intended to support delivery of content both broadly (via social media and media partnerships) and deeply (within institutional training environments).
Event & Conference Partnerships
In addition to the foregoing, Twenty One will explore ways to integrate its educational products with the global calendar of technology and finance events by producing branded content at these events—moderated panels, keynote interviews and behind-the-scenes segments. Twenty One’s future production teams may travel to conferences to generate real-time, high-quality media that can be streamed, published or used for internal training, with the goal of making Twenty One not only a media partner but an educational layer within the conference economy.
Education Team
Twenty One’s education efforts will be led by CEO and President Jack Mallers, a globally recognized voice in the Bitcoin space known for his work advancing Bitcoin literacy through public speaking, media and high-impact content. Our CEO’s personal platform has been instrumental in shaping the narrative around Bitcoin’s role in monetary history, economic sovereignty and global financial inclusion.
Initially, our CEO will be supported by our Head of Brand & Communication Strategy and two unaffiliated agencies: a communications agency supporting media positioning, messaging strategy and distribution and a creative agency focused on animation, video production and branded visual content.
Operational Relationship with Tether
Concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination, Twenty One entered into the Services Agreement with Tether pursuant to which Tether provides certain support services. Under the Services Agreement, Tether provides Twenty One and its subsidiaries with access to select services The services include: information technology services, such as the development and maintenance of IT systems and cybersecurity; legal services related to regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and intellectual property; health, safety, and environmental services; management and commercialization of intellectual property; treasury and risk management, including Bitcoin trading; human resources services such as payroll and benefits administration; and investor relations services. These services are available on an as-needed basis and are administered under customary commercial terms for such services. The Services Agreement is designed to enhance Twenty One’s operational efficiency and reduce overhead costs during early growth stages.
Tether’s support reflects a deep strategic alignment between Twenty One and its controlling shareholder. As one of the most successful and established companies in the digital asset industry, Tether brings world-class expertise, infrastructure, and operational excellence. Twenty One believes that its ability to selectively leverage these capabilities positions it to accelerate its go-to-market efforts, strengthen compliance readiness, and operate with leaner fixed costs, in particular during its initial growth phase.
While Twenty One benefits from Tether’s operational support, Twenty One’s Board of Directors is responsible for all material business decisions, strategic direction, risk management and regulatory compliance. Twenty One maintains its own Board of Directors, executive team, treasury management policies and hiring plans. The Services Agreement does not confer any management rights to Tether and may be terminated under mutually agreed conditions or pursuant to its contractual terms.
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This structure enables Twenty One to combine the independence and transparency of a public company with the support of a globally recognized digital asset leader, creating a scalable foundation for long-term value creation. For additional information, see the risk factor titled “The Company relies on Tether, which will have a controlling interest in the Company, for certain administrative and operational services.”
Financial Services Strategy
Following its initial activities of actively accumulating and managing Bitcoin and commencing development of educational materials and branded content, Twenty One will explore the potential for providing Bitcoin-centric financial services that would leverage its Bitcoin expertise to provide solutions tailored for institutions and individuals investing in, holding, and utilizing Bitcoin. These may include, among other possibilities, Bitcoin-related financial and advisory services, the offering of structured debt and equity products linked to Bitcoin, and Bitcoin-related lending.
The launch of these financial services will require significant preparation and planning, which will commence once Twenty One is generating sufficient revenues from its initial activities. Twenty One will need to develop and implement the necessary organizational and compliance structures for each service it plans to offer, which may include the offering of Bitcoin-related debt and equity structured products and Bitcoin-related lending. Because these activities are pervasively regulated, Twenty One will be required to address a wide range of regulatory considerations, including compliance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, FinCen, and various state financial and business regulators. Additionally, we will be required to develop and implement anti-money laundering (AML) protocols and comply with various domestic and potentially foreign laws and regulations. The timing, cost and feasibility of these efforts are highly uncertain and subject to numerous variables, including the evolving regulatory landscape, our financial resources and the overall macroeconomic and market environment for Bitcoin and related services.
Our Competitive Strengths
Twenty One believes it is well-positioned to become a differentiated public market vehicle for investors seeking exposure to Bitcoin. Twenty One is being established as a purpose-built platform for Bitcoin investment via the public equity markets, with a strategy focused exclusively on Bitcoin-related operations. Twenty One’s model is intended to unlock a potentially compelling opportunity for long-term value creation through multiple Bitcoin-focused business lines.
Twenty One’s business strategy is based on a Bitcoin-native operating structure designed to result in significantly lower operating costs relative to other companies that hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets but operate unrelated legacy businesses. This structure also enables Twenty One to prioritize Bitcoin-centric key performance indicators, such as BPS and BRR, which Twenty One expects to use in guiding its capital allocation and strategic decisions.
Twenty One intends to utilize proceeds from future financings to pursue strategic acquisitions of Bitcoin—an asset that has historically exhibited significant long-term performance characteristics—and to support the execution of its broader growth initiatives. Twenty One believes it can strategically raise and deploy capital with the goal of increasing BPS over time.
Twenty One is launched with an initial holding of approximately 43,500 Bitcoin and will seek to execute a capital-efficient accumulation strategy. Twenty One believes this structure offers a potentially more favorable growth trajectory relative to existing large-scale Bitcoin-holding companies whose greater scale may reduce the marginal impact of incremental capital deployment on per-share metrics.
As of the Closing, Twenty One is majority-owned by Tether, the world’s largest issuer of U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoins, and Bitfinex, a global digital asset trading platform, with significant minority ownership by SoftBank, a leading global technology investment firm. Twenty One believes that this ownership structure provides meaningful alignment with its Bitcoin-focused strategy and long-term vision.
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As a Bitcoin-native entity, Twenty One offers several structural and operational advantages over existing public vehicles for Bitcoin exposure, including:
| ● | Exclusive focus on Bitcoin-related business lines, with no unrelated legacy business; |
| ● | Strategic accumulation of Bitcoin rather than passive holding; |
| ● | Simplified balance sheet providing flexibility for future strategic capital raises; |
| ● | Bitcoin-specific operational metrics (BPS, BRR) to guide performance; |
| ● | Deliberate financing strategy to deliver superior performance for shareholders; and |
| ● | A long-term goal of promoting the global adoption of Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset. |
Twenty One plans to grow responsibly and in accordance with prevailing market conditions, while maintaining its strategic focus on maximizing long-term value for holders of its common stock.
Overview of the Bitcoin Industry and Market
Bitcoin is a digital asset that is issued by and transmitted through an open-source protocol, known as the Bitcoin protocol, collectively maintained by a peer-to-peer network of decentralized user nodes. This network hosts a public transaction ledger, known as the Bitcoin blockchain, on which Bitcoin holdings and all validated transactions that have ever taken place on the Bitcoin network are recorded. Balances of Bitcoin are stored in individual “wallet” functions, which associate network public addresses with one or more “private keys” that control the transfer of Bitcoin. The Bitcoin blockchain can be updated without any single entity owning or operating the network.
Creation of New Bitcoin and Limits on Supply
The Bitcoin protocol limits the total number of Bitcoins that can be generated over time to 21 million. As of July 30, 2025, approximately 19.9 million Bitcoins have been generated. The remaining approximately 1 million Bitcoin are expected to be generated over the next 120 years. New Bitcoins are created and allocated by the Bitcoin protocol through a “mining” process that rewards users that validate transactions in the Bitcoin blockchain. Validated transactions are added in approximately 144 daily “blocks”. The mining process serves to validate transactions and secure the Bitcoin network. Mining is a competitive and costly operation that requires a large amount of computational power to solve complex mathematical algorithms. This expenditure of computing power is known as “proof of work”.
To incentivize miners to incur the costs of mining Bitcoin, the Bitcoin protocol rewards miners that successfully validate a block of transactions with newly generated Bitcoin. As of December 30, 2025, the current reward for miners that successfully validate a block of transactions is 3.125 Bitcoin per mined block. The mining reward is reduced by half, which is referred to as a Bitcoin halving, after every 210,000 blocks are mined. Given the approximately 144 daily blocks and 3.125 Bitcoin per block, there are approximately 450 Bitcoin generated daily. The next Bitcoin halving is expected to occur in April 2028, at which point the mining reward will reduce to 1.5625 Bitcoin per block.
Modifications to the Bitcoin Protocol
Bitcoin is an open-source network that has no central authority, so no one person can unilaterally make changes to the software that runs the network. However, there is a core group of developers that maintains the code for the Bitcoin protocol, and they can propose changes to the source code and release periodic updates and other changes. Unlike most software that has a central entity that can push updates to users, Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer network in which individual network participants, called nodes, decide whether to upgrade the software and accept the new changes. As a practical matter, a modification becomes part of the Bitcoin protocol only if the proposed changes are accepted by participants collectively having more than 50% of the processing power, known as hash rate, on the network. If a certain percentage of the nodes reject the changes, then a “fork” takes place, and participants can choose the version of the software they want to run. For additional information, see the risk factor titled “Company may be unable to recognize the economic benefit of a “fork” or an “airdrop”, which could adversely impact an investment in the Company.”
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Forms of Attack Against the Bitcoin Network and Wallets
Blockchain technology has many built-in security features that make it difficult for hackers and other malicious actors to corrupt the protocol or blockchain. However, as with any computer network, the Bitcoin network may be subject to certain attacks. Some forms of attack include unauthorized access to wallets that hold Bitcoin and direct attacks, like “51% attacks” or “denial-of-service attacks” on the Bitcoin network.
Bitcoin is controllable only by the possessor of both the unique public key and private key(s) relating to the local or online digital wallet in which the Bitcoin is held. Private keys used to access Bitcoin balances are not widely distributed and are typically held on hardware (which can be physically controlled by the holder or by a third party such as a custodian) or via software programs on third-party servers. One form of obtaining unauthorized access to a wallet occurs following a phishing attack where the attacker deceives the victim and manipulates them into sharing their private keys for their digital wallet or other sensitive information. Other similar attacks may also result in the loss of private keys and the inability to access, and effective loss of, the corresponding Bitcoin.
A “51% attack” may occur when a group of miners attain more than 50% of the Bitcoin network’s mining power, thereby enabling them to control the Bitcoin network and protocol and manipulate the blockchain. The Bitcoin network is designed to discourage 51% attacks by making the economic incentive for mining greater than the economic incentive of re-mining all necessary blocks to manipulate the blockchain. See “Creation of New Bitcoin and Limits on Supply” above. A “denial-of-service attack” occurs when legitimate users are unable to access information systems, devices or other network resources due to the actions of a malicious actor flooding the network with traffic until the network is unable to respond or crashes. The Bitcoin network has been, and can be in the future, subject to denial-of-service attacks, which can result in temporary delays in block creation and in the transfer of Bitcoin.
Bitcoin Industry Participants
The primary Bitcoin industry participants are miners, investors and traders, digital asset exchanges and service providers, including custodians, brokers, payment processors, wallet providers and financial institutions.
Miners range from Bitcoin enthusiasts to professional mining operations that design and build dedicated mining machines and data centers, including mining pools, which are groups of miners that act cohesively and combine their processing power to mine Bitcoin blocks. See “Creation of New Bitcoin and Limits on Supply” above.
Bitcoin investors and traders include individuals and institutional investors who, directly or indirectly, purchase, hold and sell Bitcoin or Bitcoin-based derivatives. As Bitcoin adoption accelerates, large institutions are becoming increasingly significant Bitcoin investors. As of June 30, 2025, over 10% of Bitcoin’s supply is held by corporations, governments and large institutions.
Digital asset exchanges provide trading venues for purchases and sales of Bitcoin in exchange for fiat or other digital assets. Bitcoin can be exchanged for fiat currencies, such as the U.S. dollar, at rates of exchange determined by market forces on Bitcoin trading platforms, which are not regulated in the same manner as traditional securities exchanges. In addition to these platforms, over-the-counter markets and derivatives markets for Bitcoin also exist. The value of Bitcoin within the market is determined, in part, by the supply of and demand for Bitcoin in the global Bitcoin market, market expectations for the adoption of Bitcoin as a store of value, the number of merchants that accept Bitcoin as a form of payment and the volume of peer-to-peer transactions, among other factors. For a discussion of risks associated with digital asset exchanges, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Business and Strategy of Twenty One Capital”.
Service providers offer a multitude of services to other participants in the Bitcoin industry, including custodial and trade execution services, commercial and retail payment processing, loans secured by Bitcoin collateral and financial advisory services. If adoption of the Bitcoin network continues to materially increase, we anticipate that service providers may expand the currently available range of services and that additional parties will enter the service sector for the Bitcoin network.
Bitcoin Education Market
Educational products focused specifically on Bitcoin represent a growing niche within the broader trend towards financial literacy among individuals and the adoption of Bitcoin among institutions, globally. Twenty One sees a gap in the market for high-quality, non-promotional, multilingual educational material that collates and presents Bitcoin’s key features in an accessible and digestible format for novice and professional users alike.
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We believe that a substantial market opportunity exists to develop and scale a purpose-built Bitcoin education platform that creates and distributes courses designed to address two distinct, large and under-served segments. These segments are (i) the retail market, which consists of individual investors, investment advisors and other professionals seeking a trustworthy guide to financial decision-making, protection against fraud & misuse and up-to-date guidance on tax treatment and compliance regulations and (ii) the institutional market, which consists of asset managers, college and university systems, governments and any business integrating Bitcoin into its operations and strategy. The institutional segment requires the same key resources needed in the retail market as well as guidance for enhanced security, utilization and application, and credentialing—in many cases across borders or in multiple regions.
Twenty One intends to provide users at all levels of proficiency with access to a dedicated platform that delivers this information in a structured, digestible and modular format.
Competition
Our Bitcoin strategy generally involves from time to time, subject to market conditions, (i) issuing debt or equity securities or engaging in other capital raising transactions with the objective of using the proceeds to purchase Bitcoin and (ii) acquiring Bitcoin with our liquid assets that exceed working capital requirements. When we engage in such capital raising transactions, we compete for capital with, among others, other companies that hold Bitcoin or other digital assets as treasury reserve assets, ETPs, Bitcoin miners, digital assets exchanges, other digital assets service providers, private funds that invest in Bitcoin and other digital assets, and similar vehicles. The current average daily buying volume from other companies that hold Bitcoin as treasury reserve assets already exceeds the current average number of Bitcoin mined per day. This trend is likely to continue given future Bitcoin halving events and the ongoing growth in popularity of Bitcoin treasury strategies. An increase in the competition for sources of capital could adversely affect the availability and cost of financing for our Bitcoin purchases, and thereby could adversely affect the market price of shares of Class A Common Stock.
The market for Bitcoin education products is highly fragmented but rapidly evolving and characterized by low barriers to entry. Companies operating in this market compete on a variety of factors, including (i) quality of educational content, (ii) brand reputation, (iii) user experience (iv) pricing, and (v) accessibility across geographies, languages, and proficiency levels.
Existing providers include a range of participants such as (i) traditional education platforms (e.g., Coursera and Udemy), (ii) financial services firms with content offerings (e.g., Binance), and (iii) publicly accessible media channels (e.g., YouTube-based content creators). Additionally, we could face competition from any number of new entrants from (i) crypto-native platforms, (ii) content creators, and (iii) non-profit & academic organizations.
The market for Bitcoin education products is subject to material uncertainties, including volatility in public interest, changes in regulatory treatment of cryptocurrencies, and reputational risks associated with the broader cryptocurrency sector. These and other factors may materially impact the business, financial condition, and results of operations of companies operating in this sector.
Government Regulation
The laws and regulations applicable to Bitcoin and digital assets are evolving and subject to interpretation and change.
Governments around the world have reacted differently to digital assets. Certain governments have deemed them illegal, and others have allowed their use and trade without restriction, while in some jurisdictions, such as the U.S., digital assets are subject to overlapping, uncertain and evolving regulatory requirements.
As digital assets have grown in both popularity and market size, the U.S. Executive Branch, Congress and a number of U.S. federal and state agencies, including the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the CFTC, the SEC, FINRA, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the IRS and state financial regulators, have been examining the operations of digital asset networks, digital asset users and digital asset exchanges, with particular focus on the extent to which digital assets can be used to violate state or federal laws, including to facilitate the laundering of proceeds of illegal activities or the funding of criminal or terrorist enterprises, and the safety and soundness and consumer-protective safeguards of exchanges or other service-providers that hold, transfer, trade or exchange digital assets for users. Many of these state and federal agencies have issued consumer advisories regarding the risks posed by digital assets to investors. In addition, federal and state agencies, and other countries have issued rules or guidance regarding the treatment of digital asset transactions and requirements for businesses engaged in activities related to digital assets.
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Depending on the regulatory characterization of Bitcoin, the markets for Bitcoin in general, and our activities in particular, our business and our Bitcoin strategy may be subject to regulation by one or more regulators in the United States and globally. Ongoing and future regulatory actions may alter, to a materially adverse extent, the nature of digital assets markets, the participation of industry participants, including service providers and financial institutions in these markets, and our ability to pursue our Bitcoin strategy. Additionally, U.S. state and federal and foreign regulators and legislatures have taken action against industry participants, including digital assets businesses, and enacted restrictive regimes in response to adverse publicity arising from hacks, consumer harm or criminal activity stemming from digital assets activity. U.S. federal and state energy regulatory authorities are also monitoring the total electricity consumption of cryptocurrency mining, and the potential impacts of cryptocurrency mining to the supply and dispatch functionality of the wholesale grid and retail distribution systems. Many state legislative bodies have passed, or are actively considering, legislation to address the impact of cryptocurrency mining in their respective states.
The CFTC takes the position that some digital assets, including Bitcoin, fall within the definition of a “commodity” under the Commodities Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the “CEA”). Under the CEA, the CFTC has broad enforcement authority to police market manipulation and fraud in spot digital assets markets in which we may transact. Beyond instances of fraud or manipulation, the CFTC generally does not oversee cash or spot market exchanges or transactions involving digital asset commodities that do not utilize margin, leverage, or financing. In addition, CFTC regulations and CFTC oversight and enforcement authority apply with respect to futures, swaps, other derivative products and certain retail leveraged commodity transactions involving digital asset commodities, including the markets on which these products trade.
The SEC and its staff have taken the position that certain other digital assets fall within the definition of a “security” under the U.S. federal securities laws. Public statements made by senior officials and senior members of the staff at the SEC indicate that the SEC does not consider Bitcoin to be a security under the federal securities laws. However, such statements are not official policy statements by the SEC and reflect only the speakers’ views, which are not binding on the SEC or any other agency or court and cannot be generalized to any other digital assets.
In addition, since transactions in Bitcoin provide a degree of anonymity, they are susceptible to misuse for criminal activities, such as money laundering. This misuse, or the perception of such misuse, could lead to greater regulatory oversight of Bitcoin and Bitcoin platforms, and there is the possibility that law enforcement agencies could close or blacklist Bitcoin platforms or other Bitcoin-related infrastructure with little or no notice and prevent users from accessing or retrieving Bitcoin held via such platforms or infrastructure. For example, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued updated advisories regarding the use of virtual currencies, added a number of digital asset exchanges and service providers to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list and engaged in several enforcement actions, including a series of enforcement actions that have either shut down or significantly curtailed the operations of several smaller digital asset exchanges associated with Russian and/or North Korean nationals. Additionally, in January 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced that it is seeking public input on privacy protections and surveillance in digital payments, particularly those offered through large technology platforms.
In addition, there has been increasing focus on the extent to which digital assets can be used to launder the proceeds of illegal activities, fund criminal or terrorist activities, or circumvent sanctions regimes, including those sanctions imposed in response to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In order to address these risks, as of Closing, Twenty One has implemented and will maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance with applicable AML, KYC and sanctions laws and regulations. Twenty One’s compliance framework is designed to primarily rely on transacting with regulated third-party entities, such as registered money services businesses or financial institutions, that are themselves subject to robust AML, KYC, and related compliance rules in the United States, thereby mitigating these risks. For additional information, see the risk factor titled “Although the Company will have relevant due diligence procedures at Closing regarding anti-money laundering (“AML”) and know-your-customer (“KYC”), these procedures may fail to prevent illegal transactions, which could subject the Company to criminal and civil liabilities and impact the value of the shares of Class A Common Stock.”
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As noted above, activities involving Bitcoin and other digital assets may fall within the jurisdiction of more than one financial regulator and various courts and such laws and regulations are rapidly evolving and increasing in scope. On January 23, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled, Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology. While the executive order did not mandate the adoption of any specific regulations, the executive order identifies certain key objectives to guide agencies involved in crypto regulation, including (i) protecting the sovereignty of the United States dollar by promoting the development of United States dollar-backed stablecoins, (ii) providing regulatory clarity and certainty built on technology-neutral regulations for individuals and firms involved in digital assets, including through well-defined jurisdictional regulatory boundaries, and (iii) taking measures to protect Americans from the risks of Central Bank Digital Currencies. To achieve these objectives, the executive order established a working group on digital asset markets within the National Economic Council, comprised of representatives from key federal agencies, with a tight timeline for examining existing regulations and proposing a new regulatory framework. There have also been several bills introduced in Congress, including the CLARITY Act, the RFIA and the GENIUS Act (which became law in July 2025) that propose to establish additional regulation and oversight of the digital asset markets. For additional information, see the risk factor titled “Bitcoin and other digital assets are novel assets, which will expose the Company to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertainty, which could materially adversely affect Twenty One Capital’s financial position, operations and prospects.”
Intellectual Property
As of the date of this prospectus, Twenty One does not own or have the right to use any Bitcoin educational products. We anticipate that its intellectual property portfolio will expand over time through the iterative development of (i) new course materials, (ii) technical updates, and (iii) regionally customized content. Twenty One will regularly review and update its educational materials in response to developments in technology, regulation, user feedback and market trends.
Twenty One also maintains and uses trade names, registered and unregistered trademarks, domain names and logos, which it considers material to its brand identity. Twenty One may pursue registration of certain marks or content in additional jurisdictions as appropriate.
Human Capital
Twenty One has three employees, who are based in the United States. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We may engage third-party contractors and consultants on an as-needed basis. The executives and board members of Twenty One may hire additional employees as needed based on operational expansions.
Human capital management is critical to our ongoing business success, which requires investing in our people. Our aim is to create a highly engaged and motivated workforce where employees are inspired by leadership, engaged in purpose-driven, meaningful work and have opportunities for growth and development.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, Twenty One or any of their respective subsidiaries may become involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of their business. None of Twenty One or any of their respective subsidiaries is currently a party to any legal proceedings, the outcome of which, if determined adversely, would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on their business or financial condition.
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TWENTY
ONE’S MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of Twenty One’s financial condition and results of operations together with Twenty One’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. Certain of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this prospectus, including information with respect to plans and strategy for Twenty One’s business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors, including those factors set forth in the section “Risk Factors”, Twenty One’s actual results could differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. You should carefully read the section entitled “Risk Factors” to gain an understanding of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Twenty One’s forward-looking statements. Please also see the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
On December 8, 2025, Twenty One Assets LLC (“Twenty One Assets”) completed its business combination with Cantor Equity Partners, Inc. (“CEP”) pursuant to a double-dummy merger structure. The business combination, consummated on December 8, 2025, was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization under ASC 805-40. As part of the transaction, both Twenty One and CEP became wholly owned subsidiaries of a newly formed parent company, Twenty One Capital Inc. (“Twenty One”, “the Company” or “Pubco”). This Registration Statement on Form S-1 is filed by Twenty One Capital Inc. under its current name and CIK. However, because the business combination closed after the period covered by this report (September 30, 2025), the financial statements and related disclosures presented herein reflect the historical operations of Twenty One and Pubco os stand-alone companies. CEP filed its Form 10-Q on November 14, 2025. The operations of Twenty One and CEP will be included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements beginning with the Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2025.
For purposes of Management’s Discussion and Analysis, the references to “we”, “us”, “our” or "Twenty One", refers to the combined entities of Twenty One, Pubco and CEP .
Overview
Twenty One is a newly formed operating company focused exclusively on Bitcoin-related business lines that among other things, offer shareholders a differentiated opportunity to gain exposure to Bitcoin through the capital markets. With a Bitcoin-native operating structure and a strategy designed to deliver long-term value, Twenty One intends to become a leading vehicle for capital-efficient Bitcoin accumulation and related business development.
Twenty One engages in two principal activities: (i) actively accumulating Bitcoin and managing its Bitcoin holdings and (ii) commencing development of educational materials and branded content intended to drive increased institutional and retail investor Bitcoin literacy. In addition, following these initial activities, Twenty One expects to engage in Bitcoin-centric financial services that would leverage the Bitcoin accumulated by Twenty One. Preparation for the launch of these financial services is expected to begin shortly, with launch timing subject to regulatory approvals, market needs and the macroeconomic environment. Twenty One’s ability to generate revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend on its ability to raise capital and to develop and improve its learning programs and educational content towards greater adoption of Bitcoin. In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, Twenty One merged with and into Twenty One Merger Sub, with Twenty One Merger Sub continuing as Twenty One Surviving Subsidiary and a wholly owned subsidiary of Company.
Business Combination with CEP
On April 22, 2025, CEP, Company, CEP Merger Sub, Twenty One Assets, Tether, Bitfinex and, solely for certain limited purposes, SoftBank, entered into the Business Combination Agreement (as amended on July 26, 2025). Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, on December 8, 2025 (Closing), (i) CEP merged with and into CEP Merger Sub in the CEP Merger, with CEP Merger Sub continuing as the CEP Surviving Subsidiary, as a result of which CEP Shareholders received one share of Class A Common Stock for each CEP Class A Ordinary Share held by such CEP Shareholder (including the CEP Class A Ordinary Shares issued upon conversion of the CEP Class B Ordinary Shares in accordance with the CEP Memorandum and Articles), and (ii) Twenty One Assets merged with and into Twenty One Merger Sub in Twenty One Merger, with Twenty One Merger Sub continuing as Twenty One Surviving Subsidiary, as a result of which the Sellers received shares of Company Stock in exchange for their Twenty One Interests.
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Concurrently with the signing of the Business Combination Agreement, on April 22, 2025, Tether, Bitfinex and Twenty One Assets entered into the Contribution Agreement pursuant to which, immediately prior to Closing, such parties consummated the Contribution whereby (i) Tether contributed to Twenty One Assets 24,500 Bitcoin, and (ii) Bitfinex contributed to Twenty One Assets 7,000 Bitcoin, for an aggregate contribution of 31,500 Bitcoin, in each case in exchange for an equal number Twenty One Class A Interests and Twenty One Class B Interests. Following completion of the Contribution, but immediately prior to Closing, the Sellers owned 100% of the issued and outstanding Twenty One Interests.
On July 26, 2025, the parties to the Business Combination Agreement entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement (“Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement”) which amends the Business Combination Agreement, to among other things, provide that the Additional PIPE Bitcoin Purchase Price (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) used to determine the value of Tether’s contribution of the Additional PIPE Bitcoin (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) to Twenty One Assets at the Closing and the number of shares of Company Stock to be issued to Tether at the Closing in exchange for the sale of the Additional PIPE Bitcoin by Tether to Twenty One Assets shall be based on the Signing Bitcoin Price of $84,863.57, rather than on the aggregate amount Tether paid to purchase the Additional PIPE Bitcoin.
Principal Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations and Material Trends
Twenty One’s future results are expected to be impacted by the highly volatile nature of Bitcoin’s valuation, as well as conditions and trends relating to demand for Bitcoin or other digital assets, and other factors including the successful execution of Twenty One’s business lines including the Bitcoin acquisition strategy, regulatory and technical developments surrounding Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, and the effectiveness of our marketing and sales efforts to develop a robust and diverse client base with respect to Twenty One’s educational and branding strategy. The primary factors that are expected to impact Twenty One’s results and present significant opportunities, as well as pose risks and challenges, are described below. Twenty One believes that its performance and future success depend on the factors discussed below, those mentioned in the section titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.
The following macroeconomic factors and trends as they relate to Bitcoin may specifically impact our business:
| ● | Price of Bitcoin: Our business is expected to be heavily dependent on the price of Bitcoin, which has historically experienced significant volatility. As of Closing, we have acquired Bitcoin, and may in the future acquire additional Bitcoin through at-market purchases to build our strategic reserve of Bitcoin. Under ASU 2023-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Crypto Assets (Subtopic 350-60): Accounting for and Disclosure of Crypto Assets (“ASU 2023-08”), Bitcoin is revalued at fair value at the end of each reporting period, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. As a result, fluctuations in the price of Bitcoin may significantly impact our results of operations. |
| ● | Awareness: The perception of Bitcoin as a legitimate and secure asset class and technology by the general public plays a crucial role. The pace and effectiveness of continued education and awareness is expected to impact adoption rates. Due to the rapidly evolving nature of digital assets and the volatile price of Bitcoin, which has experienced and continues to experience significant volatility, we expect that our operating results will fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter in accordance with market sentiments and movements in the broader Bitcoin economy. |
| ● | Regulation: The global regulatory landscape for Bitcoin, including clarity around legal status, accounting and tax treatment, and other compliance requirements will significantly impact its growth. Favorable regulations can encourage adoption, while restrictive measures can hinder it. |
| ● | Institutional Adoption: Increased participation by institutional investors, including hedge funds, mutual funds, corporations, and nation states can drive market confidence and liquidity, supporting continued growth. |
| ● | Political Environment: Bitcoin has entered the political conversation in the United States and abroad. We cannot be certain as to how future regulatory developments will impact the treatment of Bitcoin under the law, and ongoing and future regulation and regulatory actions could significantly restrict or eliminate the market for or uses of Bitcoin and materially and adversely impact our business. |
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| ● | Monetary Policy: Central bank monetary policies, especially those related to interest rates and monetary supply, can influence Bitcoin adoption. Low-interest rates and expansive monetary policies that lead to currency debasement may lead to a search for alternative investments like Bitcoin. |
| ● | Technological Innovation: Advances in blockchain technology, improvements in scalability, and enhanced security protocols can increase Bitcoin adoption and integration into various financial systems. At the same time, we expect competition to further intensify in the future. We compete against a number of companies operating both within the United States and abroad, and both those that focus on traditional financial services and those that focus on Bitcoin-based services. |
Plan of Operations and Expected Revenue Sources
Twenty One anticipates revenue generation through the following key business lines in the initial period following the Business Combination:
| ● | Actively accumulating Bitcoin and managing its Bitcoin holdings: Twenty One’s Bitcoin accumulation and management strategy will involve (i) the acquisition of Bitcoin (from initial investments, debt and equity financings, and operating cash flows in excess of operating expenses) according to a discretionary, macro-driven investment thesis, (ii) active management of its Bitcoin holdings, subject to market conditions and other factors, and (iii) the issuance of debt or equity securities or other capital raising transactions, from time to time, subject to market conditions and other factors, with the objective of generating proceeds to be used for the purchase of Bitcoin and other operating expenses. Twenty One may, from time to time, subject to market conditions and other factors, (i) sell Bitcoin under exceptional circumstances as described “Business — Bitcoin Accumulation and Management Strategy” in this prospectus, (ii) enter into additional capital raising transactions pursuant to which its Bitcoin holdings serve as collateral, and (iii) consider the pursuit of strategies which monetize or otherwise utilize its Bitcoin holdings to generate funds or income streams through the development and commercialization of Bitcoin-centric financial services and products. While Twenty One expects to allocate the majority of its available treasury capital into Bitcoin over time, it retains flexibility to manage liquidity and operations prudently. |
| ● | Commencing development of educational materials and branded content intended to drive increased institutional and retail investor Bitcoin literacy: Education and Twenty One branded content will be a central pillar of Twenty One’s mission to accelerate Bitcoin adoption and Bitcoin literacy at both institutional and retail levels. Shortly following the consummation of the Business Combination, Twenty One will create an education division that will commence the creation of high-quality content tailored for policymakers, institutional investors, financial advisors, corporations, and retail investors. With the accelerating institutional adoption of Bitcoin and digital assets-and the growing demand for education that is both credible and brand-compatible, Twenty One will create and license modular educational content, produce branded video media, and act as the go-to content partner for major conferences, Web3 firms, and fintech institutions. Twenty One expects to build a dedicated content team and infrastructure capable of producing and distributing a broad range of educational materials. Although preparation of educational materials and branded content will commence shortly after the Closing, the timing of the deployment and commercialization of the educational and branded content will depend on a number of factors, including Twenty One’s determinations relating to operational conditions and optimal market demand for its content. Twenty One plans to create and monetize high-quality educational content through channels such as subscriptions, licensing fees for enterprises, and sponsored partnerships, which are expected to contribute to its revenue streams. |
Results of Operations
Results of Operations – Twenty One Assets LLC (Predecessor)
From April 17, 2025 (inception) through September 30, 2025, Twenty One Assets, LLC did not have any operating history and had not yet generated any revenue.
For the three months ended September 30, 2025 and the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to September 30, 2025, Twenty One Assets, LLC had a net loss of approximately $656,070 and $1,063,452, respectively, which consists primarily of general and administrative expenses and sales and marketing expenses.
Results of Operations – Twenty One Capital, Inc. (Successor)
From March 7, 2025 (inception) through September 30, 2025, Twenty One Capital, Inc. did not have any operating history and had not yet generated any revenue., For the three months ended September 30, 2025 and the period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to September 30, 2025, Twenty One Capital, Inc. had a net loss of approximately $57,798 and $65,554, respectively, which consists primarily of general and administrative expenses.
Our ability to generate revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend on our ability to successfully raise capital and to develop and improve our learning programs and educational content towards greater adoption of Bitcoin. As part of its strategic plan to diversify and expand its revenue streams, Twenty One expects to engage clients on its educational content platform through a three-tiered membership program designed to generate recurring revenue and support community engagement.
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Risks and Uncertainties Associated with Future Results of Operations
Our lack of operating history will also make it difficult to accurately forecast the future results of operations, which is subject to a number of uncertainties including Company’s ability to grow its BPS and BRR, and the market size and growth opportunities in each of our anticipated lines of business.
Our ability to generate cash flow initially will largely be dependent on its ability to raise capital and to develop and improve its learning programs and educational content towards greater adoption of Bitcoin. Company expects to commence the provision of Bitcoin-related financial and advisory services once it is generating sufficient revenues from its initial activities. Our business strategy may not be realized as quickly as hoped, or even at all. Further, even if we achieve growth, in future periods, that growth could slow or decline for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to, Bitcoin volatility, increased competition, digital coins that compete with and may result in a decline in utilization of Bitcoin or replace Bitcoin, our inability to develop, improve or effectively scale Bitcoin acquisition or the educational programs or financial and advisory services, government regulation or our failure, for any reason, to continue to take advantage of growth opportunities.
For additional information see the section entitled “Risk Factors — Risks Related to the Business and Strategy of Twenty One Capital” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Twenty One Capital, Inc. reported loss from operations of $65,554 for the period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to September 30, 2025. As of September 30, 2025, Twenty One Capital, Inc. had no cash and a net working capital deficit and accumulated deficit of $65,554.
Twenty One Assets, LLC reported loss from operations of $1,063,452 for the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to September 30, 2025. As of September 30, 2025, Twenty One Assets, LLC had an aggregate cash balance of $808,230, a net working capital of $136,548 and accumulated deficit of $1,063,452.
The Company assesses its liquidity in terms of its ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet current and future needs, as well as outstanding debt, obligations under that debt and the value of its Bitcoin holdings. Its expected primary uses of cash on a short and long-term basis are for working capital requirements and other liquidity needs.
The Company’s management expects that future operating losses and negative operating cash flows may increase from historical levels because of additional costs and expenses related to the business operations and the development of market and strategic relationships with other businesses.
The Company’s future capital requirements will depend on many factors. In order to finance its growth, the Company will need to raise additional financing. If additional financing is required from outside sources, the Company may not be able to raise such capital on terms acceptable to the Company or at all.
If the Company is unable to raise additional capital when desired, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
As a result of the above, in connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern ,” management has determined that the Company’s liquidity condition raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern through twelve months from the date our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company received net cash proceeds of approximately $119.3 million.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Twenty One’s unaudited condensed financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, costs and expenses, and related disclosures. We base our estimates on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ significantly from our estimates. To the extent that there are differences between our estimates and actual results, our future financial statement presentation, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows will be affected.
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Given the limited operating history, we currently do not have any critical accounting policies. See Note 3, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of Twenty One Asset, LLC’s unaudited condensed financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for a description of our significant accounting policies.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Other than as otherwise described in this prospectus, we do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues, expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” described in Note 3 of our unaudited condensed financial statements included in this prospectus.
Emerging Growth Company Status
The Company is an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act, until such time as to those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that it (i) is no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opts out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, these unaudited condensed financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The following discussion about our market risk exposures involves forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
Bitcoin market price risk
Our Bitcoin treasury assets will be measured using observed prices from active exchanges which could result in volatility in our financial results in future periods. Adjustments are recorded in net income through “gain (loss) on digital assets” on the statements of operations. Therefore, negative swings in the market price of Bitcoin could have a material impact on our earnings and on the carrying value of our digital assets.
Custodian Risk
The Company’s Bitcoin is held with third-party custodians, currently Anchorage, which we select based on various factors, including their financial strength and industry reputation. Custodian risk refers to the potential loss, theft, or misappropriation of our Bitcoin assets due to operational failures, cybersecurity breaches, or financial difficulties experienced by these third parties. Although we periodically monitor the financial health, insurance coverage, and security measures of our custodians, reliance on such third parties inherently exposes us to risks that we cannot fully mitigate.
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Management
Management and the Company Board
The following sets forth certain information, concerning the persons who currently serve as executive officers and members of the Company Board.
| Name | Age | Title | ||
| Executive Officers | ||||
| Jack Mallers | 31 | Chief Executive Officer, President, Director | ||
| Steven Meehan | 61 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
| James Nguyen | 42 | General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer | ||
| Directors | ||||
| Paolo Ardoino | 41 | Director | ||
| Zachary Lyons | 34 | Director | ||
| Robert “Bo” Hines | 30 | Director | ||
| Raphael Zagury | 49 | Director | ||
| Jack Mallers | 31 | Chief Executive Officer, President, Director | ||
| Jared Roscoe | 42 | Director | ||
| Vikas J. Parekh | 43 | Director |
Biographical Information
Biographical information on our directors and executive officers is set forth below.
Pursuant to the Government Agreement entered into at Closing, the Company Board is made up of seven directors, including four designated by Tether (with at least two (2) of them qualifying as independent directors under NYSE rules), two designated by SoftBank (with at least one of them qualifying as an independent director under NYSE rules) and the seventh being the Chief Executive Officer of Twenty One Capital. Mr. Ardoino, Mr. Lyons, Mr. Hines and Mr. Zagury are designees of Tether. Mr. Roscoe and Mr. Parekh are designees of SoftBank.
Jack Mallers
Jack Mallers serves as the Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of Twenty One Capital. Mr. Mallers is a visionary entrepreneur and one of Bitcoin’s most influential advocates, shaping its perception and furthering its adoption by institutions, corporations and governments. As the Founder & CEO of Strike, he built one of the world’s leading digital payment providers built on Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, pioneering Bitcoin brokerage infrastructure and Bitcoin’s integration into corporate balance sheets. His leadership was instrumental in El Salvador’s historic decision to become the first nation to adopt Bitcoin as an official currency, a major milestone in sovereign Bitcoin policy. Beyond Strike, Mr. Mallers is a key advocate for Bitcoin’s integration into global finance, engaging with institutional investors, policymakers and enterprises to accelerate its adoption as the world’s premier monetary asset. Now, as Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Twenty One, he is building the first true Bitcoin-native public company, designed to maximize Bitcoin Per Share and redefine corporate treasury strategy for the Bitcoin era.
We believe Mr. Mallers is well suited to serve on the Company Board due to his position as Twenty One Capital’s Chief Executive Officer, as well as his leadership and strong advocacy for Bitcoin’s integration into global finance and years of experience in the sector.
Steven Meehan
Steven Meehan serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Twenty One Capital. Mr. Meehan is a financial services & management professional with 25+ years of financial and operational leadership experience spanning corporate strategy, M&A, capital raising and financial planning and analysis. Previously, Mr. Meehan served as the CFO of Kadmon Holdings, Inc., a publicly traded life science company, where he assisted in the development of a drug from the lab to FDA approval, and the subsequent sale for ~$2 Billion to Sanofi. Before Kadmon, Mr. Meehan served as a partner in the Healthcare Group of Moelis & Company, leading their effort in Life Sciences and Advanced Diagnostics. Prior to Moelis, Mr. Meehan was Head of Life Sciences within the Global Healthcare Group in the New York office of UBS Investment Bank. During his tenure at UBS, Mr. Meehan was Chief Executive Officer of UBS Russia and the former Soviet Union across all businesses, including securities, banking and wealth management.
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He was also a member of the UBS Group’s EMEA Management Committee. Mr. Meehan also served as a Managing Director/Head of M&A and Co-Head of Life Sciences at Scale Consulting where he provided advisory and due diligence consultancy services for private equity companies. During his investment banking career, Mr. Meehan also held senior roles in M&A, leveraged finance and capital markets at Salomon Smith Barney, NatWest Securities and Drexel Burnham Lambert. In addition, he has served on several healthcare boards of directors and advisors. Mr. Meehan holds a B.S. in Business Administration/Finance from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
James Cong Hoan Nguyen
James Nguyen serves as General Counsel of the Company, where he leads the Company’s legal function. Mr. Nguyen is an experienced general counsel with prior leadership roles in the crypto and tech industries. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Nguyen served as General Counsel at Sky Mavis, a global blockchain and technology company that pioneered the use and adoption of blockchain technology in digital gaming and experiences. Prior to Sky Mavis, Mr. Nguyen was an executive at Robinhood serving in various leadership roles until he departed, having last served as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of its crypto business. Early in his career, Mr. Nguyen represented leading financial services and technology companies in private practice while at Morrison & Foerster. Mr. Nguyen holds a J.D. from Berkeley Law, as well as an M.P.P. from Harvard Kennedy School and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from California State University San Marcos.
Paolo Ardoino
Paolo Ardoino is the CEO of Tether since December 2023 and the CTO of Bitfinex. He is a technology scientist with a background in distributed systems and cryptography. Paolo’s career journey has seen him co-found Keet, a secure video calling app, and assume leadership positions in the cryptocurrency and tech sectors, in addition to his 10 years of experience at Tether. He’s a driving force behind innovation in finance and technology, empowering global communications and promoting financial freedom. At Tether, Paolo leads the global team daily, with deep focus on strategy, technology and execution.
We believe Mr. Ardoino is well suited to serve on the Company Board due to his more than 20 years’ experience in technology engineering and research, with a strong focus on cryptography, distributed applications and decentralization, as well as his position as the CEO of Tether, which is a majority shareholder of Twenty One Capital’s Class B Common Stock.
Zachary Lyons
Zachary Lyons is the Deputy Chief Investment Officer of Tether, where he heads Tether’s venture investment arm.
In addition to his work with Tether over the last seven years, he is also the Principal of Marlin Capital Partners, a Fund Management and Advisory firm located in Nassau, Bahamas. Previously, he was Chief Investment Officer at BankPro Limited, where he led the development of the investment product offering of BankPro’s “digital private banking” service. Zachary was a Senior Investment Analyst at Deltec Bank & Trust, where he co-built the Institutional Asset Management business, and led the management of the Deltec Dynamic Cash Management Fund. Prior to Deltec, Zachary worked as an Investment Specialist at BSI (Overseas) Bahamas branch. Zachary graduated magna cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.Sc. in Economics, and a minor in Italian. He has been a CFA charter holder since 2019.
We believe Mr. Lyons is well suited to serve on the Company Board due to his extensive financial and capital markets experience spanning over a decade, a vision for leading innovation and development and his position as the Deputy Chief Investment Officer of Tether.
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Robert “Bo” Hines
Robert “Bo” Hines is a legal and policy expert specializing in financial regulation, digital assets and blockchain technology. He formerly served as the Executive Director of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets, where he played a critical role in shaping policy and regulatory frameworks for the evolving digital economy. Mr. Hines is currently a strategic advisor for Tether, the world’s largest issuer of stablecoins.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, where he also played as a wide receiver for the Yale Bulldogs football team. He later obtained his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2022.
With a background in law, public policy and financial regulation, Bo has been actively involved in legal strategy, legislative affairs and financial innovation. His expertise spans regulatory compliance, digital asset governance and the intersection of blockchain technology with institutional finance. Prior to his current role, he worked extensively on legislative initiatives and policy development, focusing on capital markets, financial technology and the responsible integration of blockchain solutions within regulatory frameworks.
Mr. Hines’ leadership in digital assets and financial policy continues to position him as a key voice in the future of blockchain regulation and digital finance.
We believe Mr. Hines is well suited to serve on the Company Board due to his policy expertise and experience in shaping policy and regulatory frameworks for the evolving digital economy, as well as his background in law and financial regulation.
Raphael Zagury
Raphael Zagury is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Elektron Energy, a Bitcoin mining and energy infrastructure company. From 2023 to 2024, Mr. Zagury was Chief Investment Officer at Swan Bitcoin. Before that, he founded One Partners, an investment bank, and co-founded OpenCo, a lending fintech, where he also served as Chief Financial Officer, leading multiple capital raises through Series D with global investors. Earlier in his career, Mr. Zagury was based in New York City, where he held executive and trading roles at Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, and Deutsche Bank. Mr. Zagury holds an MBA from Yale University and a B.A. in Economics from IBMEC.
We believe Mr. Zagury is well suited to serve on the Company board due to his experience in the Bitcoin space as well as his career in the financial industry.
Jared Roscoe
Jared Roscoe serves as Partner, Deputy General Counsel, and Senior Advisor for Government Affairs at SoftBank Group International, where he leads global disputes, investigations, and regulatory matters, negotiates cross-border M&A transactions, and advises on policy and government affairs. He also serves on the boards of Stack AV, an autonomous trucking company, and Graphcore, an AI chip developer.
Prior to joining SoftBank in 2019, Mr. Roscoe was a senior aide to U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner. He previously held senior roles at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and worked for Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. He began his legal career at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, following a clerkship with Judge Roger L. Gregory of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Mr. Roscoe holds a B.A. from Pomona College and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.
We believe Mr. Roscoe is well suited to serve on the Company Board due to his experience in navigating regulatory and governmental affairs both in the public and private sectors, and his extensive legal experience at SoftBank.
Vikas J. Parekh
Vikas J. Parekh is a Managing Partner at SoftBank Group International, where he leads investments and initiatives in AI, robotics, automation, and next-generation infrastructure technologies. He serves on the board of several leading public and private companies, including Symbiotic Inc., WeWork Inc. and Autostore Holdings Ltd. Prior to joining SoftBank in 2016, Vikas worked in private equity at KKR and at Boston Consulting Group. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was a George F. Baker Scholar, and an MS and BSc in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
We believe Mr. Parekh is well suited to serve on the Company Board due to his extensive business and investment experience at SoftBank, as well as his experience serving on public company boards.
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Governance of Twenty One Capital
Board Composition
The Company’s business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Company Board. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Governance Agreement, all members of the Company Board are elected for a one (1) year term and may be re-elected for successive terms without limitations. The Company Board is composed of seven (7) directors, including:
| ● | four (4) directors designated by Tether, with at least two (2) of them qualifying as independent directors under NYSE rules; |
| ● | two (2) directors designated by SoftBank, with at least one (1) of them qualifying as an independent director under NYSE rules; and |
| ● | the President/Chief Executive Officer of Twenty One Capital. |
Tether is entitled to designate, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Governance Agreement, (i) four (4) directors as long as Tether and Bitfinex hold (in aggregate) 50% or more of the Company’s voting rights, (ii) three (3) directors as long as Tether and Bitfinex hold (in aggregate) 30% or more of the Company’s voting rights, (iii) two (2) directors as long as Tether and Bitfinex hold (in aggregate) 20% or more of the Company’s voting rights, (iv) one (1) director as long as Tether and Bitfinex hold (in aggregate) 10% or more of the Company’s voting rights and (v) no directors, if Tether and Bitfinex hold less than 10% of the Company’s voting rights.
SoftBank is entitled to designate, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Governance Agreement, (a) two (2) directors as long as it holds 20% or more of the Company’s voting rights, (b) one (1) director as long as it holds 10% or more of the Company’s voting rights and (c) no directors, if SoftBank holds less than 10% of the Company’s voting rights.
The Company Board selects the chairperson of the Company Board from among the independent directors, who exercise such powers and perform such other duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Company Board, in accordance with the Company Organizational Documents and shall not have any special voting rights or casting vote in the event of a tie.
All members of the Company Board shall be elected for a one-year term and may be re-elected for successive terms.
Board Meetings and Quorum
A majority of members of the Company Board constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business; provided that (a) at least two (2) directors designated by Tether as long as Tether is entitled to designate at least two (2) directors, or one (1) director designated by Tether as long as Tether is entitled to designate only one (1) director, (b) one (1) director designated by SoftBank as long as SoftBank is entitled to designate one or more directors, and (c) one (1) independent director is present.
If a quorum is not met, the meeting will adjourn to a date no later than seven (7) calendar days after the date on which the meeting was initially scheduled to be held. If a quorum is not met in the second meeting, the meeting will adjourn again for seven (7) calendar days, and any directors present at such meeting will constitute a valid quorum; provided that they represent a majority of the members of the Company Board.
The Company Board holds regular quarterly meetings which may be held either in person or by teleconference. Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank together may change the frequency of such meetings.
Board Decisions
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Governance Agreement, all decisions of the Company Board must be adopted by a simple majority of directors in attendance and voting at a duly convened meeting of the Company Board, unless these decisions are 20% Reserved Matters (as defined below) or 10% Reserved Matters (as defined below).
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All decisions of the Company Board relating to the matters listed below, subject to Texas law and as set forth in the Governance Agreement, require approval by all the directors designated by such party who holds 20% or more of the Company’s voting rights (the “20% Reserved Matters”):
| ● | any material alteration in the nature of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Group”), including changes to the scope of the Company or any of its subsidiary’s asset management activities, including its management of cash and Bitcoin reserves, and any changes that would result in the Company or any subsidiary becoming an investment company; |
| ● | any sale of Bitcoin by the Group, other than sales needed for the purpose of funding operations of the Company with a maximum aggregate value in any fiscal year not to exceed the lesser of (a) $1 million, and (b) ten percent (10%) of the annual operating expenses budget approved by the Board; |
| ● | approval of the terms and conditions of any financing transaction involving the Group, including any issuance of bonds, shares, rights, convertible securities or equity-linked securities; |
| ● | amendments of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation or Amended and Restated Bylaws or other constituent documents of the Company that are adverse to a party that holds 20% Reserved Matters rights; |
| ● | any amendment or change of the rights, preferences, privileges or powers of, or the restrictions provided for the benefit of, the shares of Company Stock; |
| ● | change in size of the Company Board; |
| ● | approval of the remuneration of the directors; |
| ● | any transaction involving a related party exceeding $100,000 in value (whether cash or in kind), individually, or $500,000 in value (whether cash or in kind), in the aggregate or any amendments or modifications thereto, waivers related thereto or non-automatic renewals thereof or any amendments or modifications to. non-automatic renewals of or waivers of any related-party agreements, contracts or arrangements that exist as of the Closing, including the Services Agreement; |
| ● | any changes to decisions that require approval by the Company’s audit committee; |
| ● | any changes to material governance policies; |
| ● | any change to the jurisdiction of incorporation/organization of the Company; |
| ● | any merger or acquisition transaction with an aggregate value exceeding $1 million in aggregate transaction value or consideration; |
| ● | any declaration and issuance/payment of any dividends or buybacks; |
| ● | the selection of the Company’s independent auditor; |
| ● | any contract, arrangement or engagement involving fees paid to any financial advisory service firm, investment bank or similar firm, in each case exceeding an aggregate value of $1 million in any twelve- month (12) period; |
| ● | changes to the compensation of the initial Chief Executive Officer, initial Chief Financial Officer and initial chief compliance officer; |
| ● | the dismissal or termination of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and chief compliance officer; and |
| ● | the appointment of any replacement of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and chief compliance officer and any compensation determinations with respect to such replacements. |
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All decisions of the Company Board relating to the matters listed below, subject to Texas law and as set forth in the Governance Agreement, require approval by all the directors designated by such party who holds 10% or more of the Company’s voting rights (the “10% Reserved Matters”):
| ● | amendments of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation or Amended and Restated Bylaws or other constituent documents of the Company that are adverse to a party that holds 20% Reserved Matters rights; |
| ● | any material alteration in the nature of the Group’s business, including changes to the scope of the Company or any of its subsidiary’s asset management activities, including its management of cash and Bitcoin reserves, and any changes that would result in the Company or any subsidiary becoming an investment company; |
| ● | any sale of Bitcoin by the Group, other than sales needed for the purpose of funding operations of the Company with a maximum aggregate value in any fiscal year not to exceed the lesser of (a) $1 million, and (b) ten percent (10%) of the annual operating expenses budget approved by the Board; |
| ● | any amendment or change of the rights, preferences, privileges or powers of, or the restrictions provided for the benefit of, the shares of Company Stock; |
| ● | change in size of the Company Board; |
| ● | any transaction involving a related party exceeding $100,000 in value (whether cash or in kind), individually, or $500,000 in value (whether cash or in kind), in the aggregate, or any amendments or modifications thereto, waivers related thereto or non-automatic renewals thereof or any amendments or modifications to, non-automatic renewals of or waivers of any related-party agreements, contracts or arrangements that exist as of the Closing, including the Services Agreement; |
| ● | any changes to decisions that require approval by the Company ‘s audit committee; |
| ● | any changes to material governance policies; |
| ● | any change to the jurisdiction of incorporation/organization of the Company; and |
| ● | any contract, arrangement or engagement involving fees paid to any financial advisory service firm, investment bank or similar firm, in each case exceeding an aggregate value of $1 million in any twelve (12) month period. |
Subject to prior consultation with the Company’s audit committee, the Company Board has the authority to approve (a) the issuance of any equity securities of the Company and (b) the incurrence or issuance of any indebtedness or debt securities by the Company.
Corporate Governance
The Company structures its corporate governance in a manner that it believes closely aligns its interests with those of its shareholders. Notable features of this corporate governance include:
| ● | The Company has independent director representation on its audit, compensation and nominating committees and its independent directors meet regularly in executive sessions without the presence of its corporate officers or non-independent directors; |
| ● | The Company’s audit committee is comprised entirely of “independent directors” under the NYSE rule and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act; |
| ● | at least one of the Company’s directors qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the SEC; and |
| ● | the Company implements a range of other corporate governance best practices, including implementing a robust director education program. |
Director Independence
The Company considers each of Bo Hines, Jared Roscoe, Vikas J. Parekh and Raphael Zagury to be an “independent director,” as defined under the rules of the NYSE or another national exchange, as applicable.
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Board Committees
The Company Board directs the management of the Company’s business and affairs, as provided by Texas law, and conducts its business through meetings of the Company Board and standing committees. Following the Closing, the Company has a standing audit committee, nominating committee and compensation committee.
In addition, from time to time, special committees may be established under the direction of the Company Board when necessary to address specific issues. For so long as any of Tether, Bitfinex or SoftBank holds 10% or more of the Company’s voting rights, such shareholder’s designees will have proportionate representation on any ad hoc/special committee unless prohibited by applicable law or an actual conflict would prevent such designee from serving on such committee.
Audit Committee
Twenty One Capital’s audit committee is responsible for, among other things:
| ● | appointing, compensating, retaining, evaluating, terminating and overseeing its independent registered public accounting firm; |
| ● | discussing with its independent registered public accounting firm their independence from management; |
| ● | reviewing, with its independent registered public accounting firm, the scope and results of their audit; |
| ● | overseeing the financial reporting process and discussing with management and its independent registered public accounting firm the quarterly and annual financial statements that its files with the SEC; |
| ● | overseeing its financial and accounting controls and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; |
| ● | reviewing its policies on risk assessment and risk management; |
| ● | reviewing its related person policy, procedures and transactions; |
| ● | reviewing its code of conduct and ethics policy, procedures and transactions; and |
| ● | reviewing confidential anonymous submissions of concerns regarding questionable accounting, internal controls or auditing matters. |
In addition to any approval required by the 20% Reserved Matters and the 10% Reserved Matters, the audit committee reviews and approves the declaration and issuance/payments of dividends or buybacks, capital expenditures exceeding an aggregate value of USD 5 million and perquisites.
The audit committee consists solely of three independent directors. For so long as SoftBank holds 10% or more of the Company’s voting rights, one of the independent directors will be designated by SoftBank; provided that for so long as SoftBank has a director designee who is independent, such independent director designated by SoftBank shall be a member of the audit committee.
The Company’s audit committee consists of Bo Hines, Jared Roscoe and Raphael Zagury with Bo Hines serving as chair. Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and the NYSE rules require that the Company’s audit committee must be composed entirely of independent members. The Company Board has affirmatively determined that Bo Hines, Jared Roscoe and Raphael Zagury each meets the definition of “independent director” for purposes of serving on the audit committee under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and the NYSE rules. Each member of the Company’s audit committee also meets the financial literacy requirements of the NYSE listing standards. In addition, the Company Board has determined that Raphael Zagury qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company Board has adopted a written charter for the audit committee, which is available on the Company’s website at https://investors.xxi.money/. The information on any of the Company’s websites is deemed not to be incorporated in this prospectus or to be part of this prospectus.
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Compensation Committee
Twenty One Capital’s compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:
| ● | reviewing and approving the corporate goals and objectives, evaluating the performance of and reviewing and approving or recommending, as applicable, the compensation of its Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers; |
| ● | administering any incentive compensation plans of the Company approved by the Company Board; |
| ● | making recommendations to the Company Board regarding the compensation of the Company’s directors; and |
| ● | retaining and overseeing any compensation consultants. |
The compensation committee consists of three independent directors. For so long as SoftBank holds 10% or more of the Company’s voting rights, one of the independent directors will be designated by SoftBank; provided that for so long as SoftBank has a director designee who is independent, such independent director designated by SoftBank shall be a member of the compensation committee.
The Company’s compensation committee consists of Bo Hines, Jared Roscoe and Raphael Zagury with Bo Hines serving as chair. The Company Board has affirmatively determined that Bo Hines, Jared Roscoe and Raphael Zagury each meets the definition of “independent director” for purposes of serving on the compensation committee under the NYSE rules, and are “non-employee directors” as defined in Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act. The Company Board adopted a written charter for the compensation committee, which is available on the Company’s website at https://investors.xxi.money/. The information on any of the Company’s websites is deemed not to be incorporated in this prospectus or to be part of this prospectus.
Nominating & Governance Committee
Twenty One Capital’s nominating and governance committee is responsible for, among other things:
| ● | developing the criteria and qualifications for membership on the Company Board; |
| ● | recruiting, reviewing, nominating and recommending candidates for election to the Company Board or to fill vacancies on the Company Board; and |
| ● | reviewing candidates proposed by shareholders and conducting appropriate inquiries into the background and qualifications of any such candidates. |
The nominating and governance committee consists of three independent directors. For so long as SoftBank holds 10% or more of the Company’s voting rights, one of the independent directors will be designated by SoftBank; provided that for so long as SoftBank has a director designee who is independent, such independent director designated by SoftBank shall be a member of the nominating and governance committee.
The Company’s nominating and governance committee consists of Bo Hines, Jared Roscoe and Raphael Zagury with Bo Hines serving as chair. The Company Board has affirmatively determined that Bo Hines, Jared Roscoe and Raphael Zagury each meets the definition of “independent director” under the NYSE rules. The Company Board adopted a written charter for the nominating and governance committee, which is available on the Company’s website at https://investors.xxi.money/. The information on any of the Company’s websites is deemed not to be incorporated in this prospectus or to be part of this prospectus.
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Risk Oversight
One of the key functions of the Company Board is informed oversight of the Company’s risk management process. The Company Board does not anticipate having a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through the Company Board as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of the Company Board that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, the Company Board is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, and the Company’s audit committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps its management will take to monitor and control such exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. The audit committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Company’s compensation committee also assesses and monitors whether the Company’s compensation plans, policies and programs comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Company has adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to its directors, officers and employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of the code is posted on the Company’s website at https://investors.xxi.money/. The nominating and corporate governance committee of the Company is responsible for overseeing the Code of Conduct and must approve any waivers of the Code of Conduct for employees, executive officers and directors. In addition, the Company intends to post on Twenty One Capital’s website all disclosures that are required by law or the NYSE listing standards, or the listing standards of another national securities exchange, concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the code. The information on any of the Company’s websites is deemed not to be incorporated in this prospectus or to be part of this prospectus.
Status as a Controlled Company
Twenty One Capital is a “controlled company” under NYSE listing standards. The Company has two classes of shares , with Class A Common Stock having no voting rights (except as required by applicable law), while any shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding, and Class B Common Stock having voting rights. Only Tether, Bitfinex, SoftBank and their permitted transferees are permitted to own shares of Class B Common Stock. Since Tether and Bitfinex together hold more than 50% of Class B Common Stock, and together beneficially own more than 50% of Twenty One Capital’s total voting power, the Company is a controlled company under NYSE listing standards.
As a controlled company, under NYSE rules, for example, the Company is able to utilize the controlled company exemptions. Under these rules, the Company may elect to utilize exemptions from certain of NYSE’s corporate governance requirements, as applicable. The Company utilized the exemption from the requirement that a majority of the board consists of independent directors. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Ownership of Company Stock—Twenty One Capital expects to qualify as a controlled company under applicable securities exchange rules and expects to avail itself of applicable exemptions from the corporate governance requirements thereof.”
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
As authorized by Chapters 7 and 8 of the TBOC, the certificate of formation of a corporation may provide that a director or officer of the corporation is not liable, or is liable only to the extent provided by the certificate of formation to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for an act or omission by the person in the person’s capacity as a director or officer, as applicable, subject to certain exceptions.
The Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation and Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that its directors and officers are not liable to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty in their capacity as a director or officer to the fullest extent provided by applicable Texas law. A director or officer may, however, be found personally liable for:
| ● | any breach of the director’s or officer’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders; |
| ● | acts or omissions not in good faith that constitute a breach of the director’s or officer’s duty to the Company; |
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| ● | acts or omissions not in good faith that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
| ● | any transaction from which the director or officer receives an improper benefit; and |
| ● | acts or omissions for which the liability of the director or officer is expressly provided by an applicable statute. |
The TBOC provides that a corporation must indemnify a director for their service at the corporation and for service at the corporation as a representative of another entity against reasonable expenses actually incurred by the director in connection with a proceeding because of such service if the director is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of the proceeding. If a court determines that a director, former director or representative is entitled to indemnification, the court will order indemnification by the corporation and award the person expenses incurred in securing the indemnification. The TBOC also permits corporations to indemnify present or former directors and representatives of other entities serving as such directors in certain situations where indemnification is not mandated by law; however, such permissive indemnification is subject to various limitations. Section 8.052 of the TBOC provides that a court may also order indemnification under various circumstances, and Section 8.105 provides that officers must be indemnified to the same extent as directors.
To the fullest extent permitted by TBOC, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation and Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify (and advance expenses to) its directors and officers, and may indemnify its agents (and any other persons to which the TBOC permits the Company to provide indemnification) through provisions set forth in the Amended and Restated Bylaws, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
The TBOC permits the Company to purchase insurance on behalf of existing or former officers, employees, directors or agents against any liability asserted against and incurred by that person in such capacity, or arising out of that person’s status in such capacity. Pursuant to this authority, the Company may purchase and maintain such insurance at its expense for any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company.
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Executive and Director Compensation
Twenty One Capital
The Company is an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act and has elected to comply with the reduced compensation disclosure requirements available to such emerging growth companies.
As Twenty One Capital was incorporated on March 7, 2025, it had no management or directors as of December 31, 2024. No compensation was paid by the Company to its named executive officers during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2024, and no compensation was paid by the Company to its directors as of December 31, 2024. There are no outstanding equity awards held by the Company’s named executive officers or directors as of December 31, 2024.
CEO Employment Agreement
The Company and Jack Mallers entered into an employment agreement on December 8, 2025, effective as of the Closing Date, pursuant to which Mr. Mallers is employed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the CEO Employment Agreement, Mr. Mallers will be paid an annual base salary of $600,000, and he will be eligible to receive an annual performance-based bonus of up to $700,000, subject to (i) the achievement of individual and company performance criteria established by the Board in consultation with Mr. Mallers, and (ii) Mr. Mallers’ continued employment through the payment date. The actual annual bonus, to the extent payable, will be paid 50% in cash and 50% in freely tradeable shares of Class A Common Stock, subject to trading restrictions under applicable securities laws and the Company’s insider trading policy, and applicable withholding. According to the CEO Employment Agreement, around the Closing Date, Mr. Mallers will receive an award of stock options to purchase 12,179,268 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “CEO Initial Award”), subject to the Equity Incentive Plan and an award agreement entered into by the Company and Mr. Mallers evidencing such award (the “CEO Option Award Agreement”). Please refer to the below subsection entitled “CEO Option Award Agreement” for additional details of the CEO Initial Award. In addition, pursuant to the CEO Employment Agreement, Mr. Mallers will receive an award of restricted stock units of the Company covering 3,215,732 shares of Class A Common Stock (“CEO RSU Award”) as soon as practicable following the Closing Date and after the Company becomes eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-8. The CEO RSU Award will be subject to the same vesting and acceleration conditions and be in the same proportions as the CEO Initial Award, and will be subject to the terms and conditions under the Equity Incentive Plan and an award agreement to be entered into by the Company and Mr. Mallers evidencing such award. After the fifth anniversary of the grant date of the CEO Initial Award, Mr. Mallers will be eligible to receive annual equity grants, consistent with Mr. Mallers’ role as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as reasonably determined by the Board based on its good faith assessment and in consultation with Mr. Mallers.
If Mr. Mallers’ employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined in the CEO Employment Agreement), or Mr. Mallers resigns his employment for Good Reason (as defined in the CEO Employment Agreement), then, in addition to certain accrued amounts, he is entitled to the following severance, subject to his execution of a release of all claims against the Company and related persons and continued compliance with certain restrictive covenants: (i) continued payment of his base salary for 12 months following his termination; (ii) reimbursement of the monthly premium for coverage under the Company’s group health plans or an equivalent monthly cash payment thereof, until the earlier to occur of the end of the 12 months following his termination, or the date on which Mr. Mallers obtains health and welfare benefits from a subsequent employer; and (iii) any rights with respect to the equity awards that Mr. Mallers might have under the applicable award agreements evidencing such equity awards.
The CEO Employment Agreement contains restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation covenants effective for 12 months following termination of employment.
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CFO Employment Agreement
The Company and Steven Meehan entered into an employment agreement on December 8, 2025, effective as of the Closing, pursuant to which Mr. Meehan is employed as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the “CFO Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the CFO Employment Agreement, Mr. Meehan will be paid an annual base salary of $500,000, and he will be eligible to receive an annual performance-based bonus of up to $500,000, subject to (i) the achievement of individual and company performance criteria established by the Board, and (ii) Mr. Meehan’s continued employment through the payment date. According to the CFO Employment Agreement, around the Closing Date, Mr. Meehan will receive an award of stock options to purchase 941,620 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “CFO Initial Award”), subject to the Equity Incentive Plan and an award agreement entered into by the Company and Mr. Meehan evidencing such award. Please refer to the below subsection entitled “CFO Option Award Agreement” for additional details of the CFO Initial Award and the amendment thereto. In addition, pursuant to the CFO Employment Agreement, Mr. Meehan will receive an award of restricted stock units of the Company covering 248,619 shares of Class A Common Stock (“CFO RSU Award”) as soon as practicable following the Closing Date and after the Company becomes eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-8. The CFO RSU Award will be subject to the same vesting and acceleration conditions as the CFO Initial Award, and will be subject to the terms and conditions under the Equity Incentive Plan and an award agreement to be entered into by the Company and Mr. Meehan evidencing such award.
If Mr. Meehan’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined in the CFO Employment Agreement), or Mr. Meehan resigns his employment for Good Reason (as defined in the CFO Employment Agreement), then, in addition to certain accrued amounts, he is entitled to the following severance, subject to his execution of a release of all claims against the Company and related persons and continued compliance with certain restrictive covenants: (i) continued payment of his base salary for 12 months following his termination; (ii) reimbursement of the monthly premium for coverage under the Company’s group health plans or an equivalent monthly cash payment thereof, until the earlier to occur of the end of the 12 months following his termination, or the date on which Mr. Meehan obtains health and welfare benefits from a subsequent employer; and (iii) any rights with respect to the equity awards that Mr. Meehan might have under the applicable award agreements evidencing such equity awards.
The CFO Employment Agreement contains restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation covenants effective for 12 months following termination of employment.
CEO Option Award Agreement
Pursuant to the CEO Employment Agreement, on December 8, 2025, Jack Mallers and the Company entered into the CEO Option Award Agreement, where Mr. Mallers received the CEO Initial Award of stock options to purchase 12,179,268 shares of Class A Common Stock, with an exercise price of $14.43 per share. 50% of the CEO Initial Award is subject to service-based vesting conditions (such portion of the CEO Initial Award, the “CEO Time-Based Award”) and 50% of the CEO Initial Award is subject to both performance-based vesting conditions and service-based vesting conditions (such portion of the CEO Initial Award, the “CEO Performance-Based Award”).
The CEO Time-Based Award will vest as follows: (x) 20% of the CEO Time-Based Award will vest on the first anniversary of April 1, 2025, and (y) 80% of the CEO Time-Based Award will vest quarterly in equal installments between the first anniversary and the fifth anniversary of April 1, 2025, in each case, subject to Mr. Mallers’ continued employment through the applicable vesting date. The CEO Performance-Based Award will vest in 3 equal tranches, with each tranche subject to the satisfaction of the following performance and service conditions: (x) the addition of an incremental 42,000 Bitcoins for each such tranche to the Company’s treasury after the Closing Date and prior to April 1, 2030, excluding the first 42,000 Bitcoins owned by the Company as of the Closing Date (the “Bitcoin Target”), (y) the achievement of the required growth rate of at least 15% in Bitcoins per share of Class A Common Stock on a fully diluted basis from the Closing Date to the date of the satisfaction of the Bitcoin Target applicable to such tranche (the “Growth Rate Condition”), and (z) Mr. Mallers’ continued employment through the date of the achievement of such performance-based conditions.
In the event that Mr. Mallers is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined in the CEO Employment Agreement), due to death or disability, or if Mr. Mallers resigns for Good Reason (as defined in the CEO Employment Agreement) (each such termination, a “Qualifying Termination”), and if the Qualifying Termination occurs within 3 months before or 12 months after a change in control of the Company (the “CIC Period”), then the CEO Initial Award shall fully vest on the later of (a) the closing date of such change in control, and (b) the date of such Qualifying Termination. If the Qualifying Termination occurs outside the CIC Period, then (a) the portion of the CEO Time-Based Award which would have vested in the following 12 months after the termination date will vest immediately on the termination date, (b) the Performance-Based Award will remain outstanding for 6 months following the termination date and be eligible to vest during such period if each of the Bitcoin Target and the Growth Rate Condition is satisfied during such 6 month-period, and (c) the remaining portion of the CEO Initial Award will be canceled and forfeited immediately as of Mr. Mallers’ termination date, with no consideration to Mr. Mallers.
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In the event that a change in control occurs, and the CEO Initial Award, to the extent outstanding, is not assumed or substituted in connection therewith by the successor of the Company, the CEO Initial Award will vest in full and become exercisable immediately prior to the consummation of the change in control.
CFO Option Award Agreement
Pursuant to the CFO Employment Agreement, on December 8, 2025, Steven Meehan and the Company entered into an option award agreement, where Mr. Meehan received the CFO Initial Award of stock options to purchase 941,620 shares of Class A Common Stock, with an exercise price of $14.43 per share (the “Prior Option Award Agreement”). On January 2, 2026, Mr. Meehan and the Company entered into a new option award agreement (the “CFO Amended Option Award Agreement”), which superseded and replaced the Prior Option Award Agreement. Pursuant to the CFO Amended Option Award Agreement, January 2, 2026, Mr. Meehan received an award of stock options to purchase 970,201 shares of Class A Common Stock, with an exercise price of $14.43 per share (such award, the “CFO Amended Award”). Of the CFO Amended Award, options covering 796,951 shares of Class A Common Stock are subject to service-based vesting conditions (such portion of the CFO Amended Award, the “CFO Time-Based Award”), and options covering 173,250 shares of Class A Common Stock are subject to both performance-based vesting conditions and service-based vesting conditions (such portion of the CFO Amended Award, the “CFO Performance-Based Award”).
The CFO Time-Based Award will vest as follows: (x) 25% of the CFO Time-Based Award will vest on April 1, 2026, and (y) the remaining 75% of the CFO Time-Based Award will vest quarterly in equal installments between April 1, 2026 and April 1, 2029, in each case, subject to Mr. Meehan’s continued employment through the applicable vesting date. The CFO Performance-Based Award will vest annually in 4 equal tranches on each of the first 4 anniversaries of April 1, 2025, starting on April 1, 2026, and each such tranche will vest subject to (x) Mr. Meehan’s continued employment through the applicable performance vesting date; and (y) the satisfaction of each of the following performance conditions during the applicable vesting year, as determined by the Board in good faith: (i) the annual operating budget of the Company shall be within 10% of estimates as approved by the Board; (ii) the Company shall have an unqualified audit of financials, and an unqualified internal controls audit; (iii) there is no loss or misappropriation of, or loss of access to, the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ digital assets (including any digital assets held by a custodian or other third-party on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries), excluding a loss or loss of access where the Board’s actions materially contributed to such loss or loss of access; and (iv) the growth rate in Bitcoin per share of Class A Common Stock on a fully diluted basis is at least 15% between the Closing Date and the applicable performance vesting date.
In the event that Mr. Meehan is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined in the CFO Employment Agreement), or if Mr. Meehan resigns for Good Reason (as defined in the CFO Employment Agreement), Mr. Meehan will be entitled to exercise the portion of the CFO Amended Award that has vested as of such termination, to the extent not exercised, in accordance with the CFO Amended Option Award Agreement. The remaining portion of the CFO Amended Award will be canceled and forfeited as of the termination date, with no consideration to Mr. Meehan.
In the event that a change in control occurs, and the CFO Amended Award, to the extent outstanding, is not assumed or substituted in connection therewith by the successor of the Company, the CFO Amended Award will vest in full and become exercisable immediately prior to the consummation of the change in control.
Summary of the Material Terms of the Incentive Plan. The Company adopted the Incentive Plan, which became effective on December 8, 2025, with the following material terms:
Eligibility
Officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants of Twenty One Capital and its subsidiaries will be eligible to receive awards under the Incentive Plan.
Administration
The Company Board, or a committee of directors or any person or group of persons authorized by the Company Board will administer the Incentive Plan (the “plan administrator”). Subject to applicable laws and regulations, the plan administrator is authorized to delegate its administrative authority under the Incentive Plan to one or more officers of Twenty One Capital.
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The plan administrator will have the authority to exercise all powers either specifically granted under the Incentive Plan or necessary and advisable in the administration of the Incentive Plan, including, without limitation: (i) to select those eligible recipients who will be granted awards; (ii) to determine whether and to what extent awards are to be granted thereunder to participants; (iii) to determine the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be covered by each award; (iv) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Incentive Plan, of each award granted thereunder; (v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Incentive Plan, which will govern all written instruments evidencing awards; (vi) to determine the “Fair Market Value” (as such term is defined in the Incentive Plan) in accordance with the terms of the Incentive Plan; (vii) to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absence which may be granted to a participant without constituting termination of the participant’s employment or service for purposes of awards; (viii) to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Incentive Plan as it will from time to time deem advisable; (ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws or qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws, which rules and regulations may be set forth in an appendix or appendices to the Incentive Plan; and (x) to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Incentive Plan and any award issued under the Incentive Plan (and any award agreement relating thereto), and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Incentive Plan and to exercise all powers and authorities either specifically granted under the Incentive Plan or necessary and advisable in the administration of the Incentive Plan.
Shares Available; Limitation on Awards and No Repricing
The maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan is 24,358,536 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Share Reserve”); provided, however, that the Share Reserve will automatically increase on January 1st of each calendar year (each, an “Evergreen Date”), prior to the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date (as such term is defined in the Incentive Plan), in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis on the December 31st immediately preceding the applicable Evergreen Date and (ii) a number of shares of Class A Common Stock determined by the plan administrator. All the shares reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan as of the Effective Date (as such term is defined in the Incentive Plan) may be granted as incentive stock options.
Shares of Class A Common Stock subject to an award under the Incentive Plan that remain unissued upon the cancellation, termination or expiration of the award will again become available for grant under the Incentive Plan. However, shares of Class A Common Stock that are exchanged by a participant or withheld by the Company as full or partial payment in connection with any award under the Incentive Plan, as well as any shares of Class A Common Stock exchanged by a participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any award, will not be available for subsequent awards under the Incentive Plan. To the extent an award is paid or settled in cash, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock previously subject to the award will again be available for grants pursuant to the Incentive Plan. To the extent that an award can only be settled in cash, such award will not be counted against the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for grant under the Incentive Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to equitable adjustments as discussed below, Twenty One Capital not, without first obtaining the approval of Twenty One Capital’s shareholders, (i) amend the terms of outstanding options or stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to reduce the exercise price or base price, as applicable, of such options or SARs, (ii) cancel outstanding options or SARs in exchange for options or SARs with an exercise price or base price, as applicable, that is less than the exercise price or base price of the original options or SARs or (iii) cancel outstanding options or SARs with an exercise price or base price, as applicable, that is above the current per share stock price, in exchange for cash, property or other securities.
Non-employee directors may not be granted awards during any calendar year that, when aggregated with such non-employee director’s cash fees during such calendar year, exceed $500,000 in total value.
Equitable Adjustments
The Incentive Plan provides that, in the event of a merger, consolidation, reclassification, recapitalization, spin-off, spin-out, repurchase, reorganization, special or extraordinary dividend or other extraordinary distribution, stock split, reverse stock split, subdivision, consolidation, combination or exchange of shares, other change in corporate structure or a similar corporate event affecting the Class A Common Stock (in each case, a “Change in Capitalization”) (including a change in control, as described below), the plan administrator will make, in its sole discretion, an equitable substitution or proportionate adjustment in (i) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock reserved under the Incentive Plan, (ii) the kind and number of securities subject to, and the exercise price or base price of, any outstanding options and SARs granted under the Incentive Plan, (iii) the kind, number and purchase price of shares of Class A Common Stock, or the amount of cash or amount or type of property, subject to outstanding restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock bonuses, other stock-based awards and cash awards granted under the Incentive Plan and (iv) the performance goals and performance periods applicable to any awards granted under the Incentive Plan. The plan administrator may make other equitable substitutions or adjustments as it determines in its sole discretion.
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In addition, in the event of a Change in Capitalization (including a change in control), the plan administrator may cancel any outstanding awards for the payment of cash or in-kind consideration, subject in all events to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. However, if the exercise price or base price of any outstanding award is equal to or greater than the fair market value of the shares of Class A Common Stock, cash or other property covered by such award, the Company Board may cancel the award without the payment of any consideration to the holder.
Awards
Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and restricted stock may be granted under the Incentive Plan. The plan administrator will determine the purchase price, vesting schedule and performance objectives, if any, applicable to the grant of RSUs and restricted stock. If the restrictions, performance objectives or other conditions determined by the plan administrator are not satisfied, the RSUs and restricted stock will be forfeited. Subject to the provisions of the Incentive Plan and the applicable individual award agreement, the plan administrator may provide for the lapse of restrictions in installments or the acceleration or waiver of restrictions (in whole or part) under certain circumstances as set forth in the applicable individual award agreement, including the attainment of certain performance goals, a participant’s termination of employment or service, or a participant’s death or disability. The rights of holders of RSUs and restricted stock upon a termination of employment or service will be set forth in individual award agreements.
Unless the applicable award agreement provides otherwise, participants with restricted stock will generally have all of the rights of a stockholder during the restricted period, including the right to receive dividends declared with respect to such restricted stock; provided that any dividends declared during the restricted period with respect to such restricted stock will generally only become payable if the underlying restricted stock vests. During the restricted period, participants with RSUs will generally not have any rights of a stockholder, but, if the applicable individual award agreement so provides, may be credited with dividend equivalent rights that will be paid at the time that shares of Class A Common Stock in respect of the related RSUs are delivered to the participant. Any dividend or dividend equivalent awarded with respect to restricted stock or RSUs will be subject to the same restrictions, conditions and risks of forfeiture as the underlying restricted stock or RSUs.
Twenty One Capital may issue stock options under the Incentive Plan. Options granted under the Incentive Plan may be in the form of non-qualified options or “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code as set forth in the applicable individual option award agreement. The exercise price of all options granted under the Incentive Plan will be determined by the plan administrator, but in no event may the exercise price be less than 100% of the fair market value of the related shares of Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. The maximum term of all options granted under the Incentive Plan will be determined by the plan administrator, but may not exceed ten years. Each stock option will vest and become exercisable (including in the event of the optionee’s termination of employment or service) at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the plan administrator in the applicable individual award agreement. Prior to exercise, participants with options will generally not have any rights of a stockholder.
SARs may be granted under the Incentive Plan either alone or in conjunction with all or part of any option granted under the Incentive Plan. A free-standing SAR granted under the Incentive Plan entitles its holder to receive, at the time of exercise, an amount per share equal to the excess of the fair market value (at the date of exercise) of a share of Class A Common Stock over the base price of the free-standing SAR. A SAR granted in conjunction with all or part of an option under the Incentive Plan entitles its holder to receive, at the time of exercise of the SAR and surrender of the related option, an amount per share equal to the excess of the fair market value (at the date of exercise) of a share of Class A Common Stock over the exercise price of the related option. Each SAR will be granted with a base price that is not less than 100% of the fair market value of the related shares of Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. The maximum term of all SARs granted under the Incentive Plan will be determined by the plan administrator, but may not exceed ten years. The plan administrator may determine to settle the exercise of a SAR in shares of Class A Common Stock, cash, or any combination thereof. Prior to exercise, participants with SARs will generally not have any rights of a stockholder.
Each free-standing SAR will vest and become exercisable (including in the event of the SAR holder’s termination of employment or service) at such time and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the plan administrator in the applicable individual free-standing SAR agreement. SARs granted in conjunction with all or part of an option will be exercisable at such times and subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to the related option.
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Other stock-based awards, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, shares of Class A Common Stock (including dividend equivalents) may be granted under the Incentive Plan. Any dividend or dividend equivalent awarded under the Incentive Plan will be subject to the same restrictions, conditions and risks of forfeiture as the underlying awards and will only become payable if the underlying awards vest. The plan administrator will determine the terms and conditions of such other stock-based awards, including the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be granted pursuant to such other stock-based awards, the manner in which such other stock-based awards will be settled (e.g., in shares of Class A Common Stock or cash or other property), and the conditions to the vesting and payment of such other stock-based awards (including the achievement of performance objectives).
Stock bonuses payable in fully vested shares of Class A Common Stock and cash awards that are payable solely in cash may also be granted under the Incentive Plan.
Change in Control
In the event that a “change in control” (as such term is defined in the Incentive Plan) occurs, any outstanding award will be treated in accordance with the applicable award agreement. If the applicable award agreement does not specify the treatment of the award in a change in control, the award will be treated as determined by the administrator in its sole discretion, and the administrator will not be obligated to treat all outstanding awards similarly.
Withholding Taxes
Each participant will be required to make arrangements satisfactory to the plan administrator regarding payment of an amount up to the maximum statutory rates in the participant’s applicable jurisdictions with respect to any award granted under the Incentive Plan, as determined by the Company. Twenty One Capital has the right, to the extent permitted by law, to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the participant. With the approval of the plan administrator, the participant may satisfy the foregoing requirement by either electing to have the Company withhold from delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock, cash or other property, as applicable, or by delivering already owned unrestricted shares of Class A Common Stock, in each case, having a value not exceeding the applicable taxes to be withheld and applied to the tax obligations. Twenty One Capital may also use any other method of obtaining the necessary payment or proceeds, as permitted by law, to satisfy Twenty One Capital’s withholding obligation with respect to any award.
Right to Offset
The Company will have the right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Class A Common Stock (or other property or cash) under the Incentive Plan or any award agreement any outstanding amounts (including, without limitation, travel and entertainment or advance account balances, loans, repayment obligations under any Awards, or amounts repayable to Twenty One Capital pursuant to tax equalization, housing, automobile or other employee programs) that the participant then owes to the Company and any amounts the plan administrator otherwise deems appropriate pursuant to any tax equalization policy or agreement, except if such offset could subject the participant to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A of the Code in respect of an outstanding award.
Amendment, Termination and Clawback Provisions
The Incentive Plan provides the Company Board with the authority to amend, alter or terminate the Incentive Plan, but no such action may adversely affect the rights of any participant with respect to outstanding awards without the participant’s consent. The plan administrator may amend an award, prospectively or retroactively, but no such amendment may adversely affect the rights of any participant without the participant’s consent. Stockholder approval of any such action will be obtained if required to comply with applicable law.
All awards will be subject to the provisions of any clawback policy implemented by the Company as in effect from time to time, and will be further subject to such deductions and clawbacks as may be required to be made pursuant to any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement.
Term
No award will be granted pursuant to the Incentive Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date (as such term is defined in the Incentive Plan), but awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.
Transferability
Until they are fully vested and/or exercisable, awards under the Incentive Plan are generally non-transferrable, subject to the plan administrator’s consent, and are generally exercisable only by the participant.
Director Compensation
Each non-employee director will receive a quarterly cash retainer of $2,000, commencing on the later of December 8, 2025 or the date such director begins service.
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Description of Securities
The following description summarizes the material terms of the Organizational Documents, but does not purport to be complete, and it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of Texas law and the Organizational Documents. We urge you to read our Organizational Documents in their entirety for a complete description of the rights and preferences of our Company Stock, and the Indenture for the Convertible Notes.
Authorized Capital Stock
The authorized capital stock of Twenty One Capital consists of 5,501,000,000 shares of common stock, which include 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, 5,000,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 500,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. As of the date of this prospectus, there was 346,548,153 share of Class A Common Stock and 304,842,759 shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding and no shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. All outstanding shares of Twenty One Capital stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
Company Stock
Dividend Rights. Holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Company) when, as and if declared thereon by the Company Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of Twenty One Capital legally available therefore and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions. Holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall not be entitled to dividends or distributions.
Voting Rights. Holders of Class A Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any matter coming before any meeting of shareholders, including, without limitation, the election of directors, and for the avoidance of doubt, the Class A Common Stock shall not have the right to vote, on a class basis or otherwise, on any matter submitted to shareholders for a vote, including any fundamental action or fundamental business transaction. Immediately at such time, when no share of Class B Common Stock remains outstanding, each share of Class A Common Stock shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of Twenty One Capital or its shareholders, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, be entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of Twenty One Capital. The Amended and Restated Bylaws expressly prohibit cumulative voting.
The Company Board will be elected annually, and each director shall hold office for one year or until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Organizational Documents and the Governance Agreement.
Transferability. Shares of Class A Common Stock will be freely transferable, subject to any restrictions pursuant to the TBOC and applicable federal securities laws. Transfer of shares of Class A Common Stock (i) held by Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank are subject to the lock-up restrictions pursuant to their respective Lock-Up Agreements and (ii) received by the Sponsor pursuant to the CEP Merger and the Cantor F&F Sale will be subject to the lock-up restrictions pursuant to the Insider Letter, as amended. Subject to the Organizational Documents, shares of Class B Common Stock will not be freely transferable, except to Affiliates. If Tether, Bitfinex or SoftBank transfers any of their shares of Class A Common Stock to third parties other than their respective affiliates, then an equal number of shares of Class B Common Stock will be canceled.
Liquidation and Dissolution Rights. Subject to applicable law, upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Twenty One Capital’s affairs, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of Twenty One Capital, and subject to the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock in respect thereof, holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of Twenty One Capital available for distribution to its shareholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock held by them. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Organizational Documents, holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall not entitled to any assets or distributions upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Twenty One Capital.
Election and Appointment of Directors. Under Texas law and the Amended and Restated Bylaws, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote in the election of directors at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of formation or the bylaws of a corporation.
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The Company’s Certificate of Formation provides that holders of Class A Common Stock shall not have the right to vote in the election of directors. Each holder of Class B Common Stock is entitled to one (1) vote for each share held of record as of the record date on all matters voted on by shareholders, including the election of directors. Immediately at such time when no share of Class B Common Stock remains outstanding, each share of Class A Common Stock shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of the Company or its shareholders, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, be entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company.
The Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the directors of the Company are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election at a meeting of the shareholders at which a quorum is present. Directors need not be shareholders of the Company or residents of the State of Texas.
Vacancies on the Board of Directors. As provided in Amended and Restated Bylaws and the Governance Agreement, any vacancies occurring on the Company Board (apart from a vacancy created by the death, disability, retirement or removal of a director appointed by Tether or SoftBank) may be filled at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders called for that purpose, or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even when the majority of the remaining directors constitute less than a quorum of the Company Board. Any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term of such director’s predecessor in office.
Amended and Restated Bylaws state that any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be filled by election at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders called for that purpose, or may be filled by the Company Board for a term of office continuing only until the next election of one or more directors by the shareholders. No more than two directorships vacant by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be filled by the Company Board in the time period between two consecutive annual meetings.
In the event that a vacancy is created on the Company Board at any time by the death, disability, retirement, or resignation or removal of any director appointed by Tether, Bitfinex or SoftBank, then Tether, Bitfinex or SoftBank, as applicable, will be entitled to designate for nomination an individual to fill such nominating shareholder’s vacancy. The Company Board shall take all necessary action to elect such nominee.
Removal of Directors. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of formation or the bylaws of a corporation, Texas law provides that at any meeting of shareholders called expressly for the purpose of removing a director, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at any election of directors.
The Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that any director or the entire Company Board may be removed with or without cause, by a vote of holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of the director or directors, at any meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose. The Governance Agreement provides that directors nominated by Tether or SoftBank may be removed from the Company Board only upon the written request or consent of Tether or SoftBank, as applicable.
Amendments to the Organizational Documents. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment with all shares voting as a single class (without providing any separate vote to nonvoting shares).
The Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the Company Board may amend or repeal Company’s bylaws, or adopt new bylaws unless (a) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation or the laws of the State of Texas reserves the power exclusively to the shareholders in whole or part; or (2) the shareholders, in amending, repealing or adopting a particular bylaw, expressly provide that the Company Board may not amend or repeal such bylaw. Furthermore, unless the Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation or a bylaw adopted by the shareholders provides otherwise as to all or some portion of Company’s bylaws, the bylaws of Company may be amended, repealed or adopted with the approval of a majority of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon, even though the bylaws may also be amended, repealed or adopted by the Company Board.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Under Texas law, shareholders of a corporation may act without a shareholder meeting by unanimous written consent, without prior notice and without a vote, if the shareholders could otherwise act at a meeting of the shareholders of the corporation under either Texas law or the certificate of formation or bylaws of the corporation.
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The Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation provides that while any share of Class B Common Stock remains outstanding, any action required or permitted by the TBOC to be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holder or holders of shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to take the action at a meeting at which holders of all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and vote, or, at such time when no share of Class B Common Stock remains outstanding, any action required or permitted by the TBOC to be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all holders of shares entitled to vote on such action. Any such action taken by written consent shall be delivered to Company at its principal office.
Prompt notice of the taking of any action by shareholders without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those shareholders who did not consent in writing to the action.
Special Meeting of Shareholders. Under Texas law, special meetings of the shareholders of a corporation may be called by the president, by the board of directors or by any other person authorized to call special meetings by the certificate of formation or bylaws of the corporation. A special meeting may also be called by the holder of the percentage of shares specified in the certificate of formation, not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the shares entitled to vote, or if no percentage is specified, at least ten percent (10%) of all of the shares of the corporation entitled to vote at the proposed special meeting.
The Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that special meetings of the shareholders may be called at any time by the President, by the Company Board, or by the holders of at least thirty percent (30%) of all the shares entitled to vote at the election of directors. The notice of a special meeting shall include the purpose for which the meeting is called and the date and time of the meeting. Business transacted at the special meeting shall be confined only to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice or executed waiver of notice of such special meeting.
Record Date. Under the Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Company Board may set a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, which date may not be more than sixty (60) or less than ten (10) days before the meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to call a special meeting is the date the first eligible shareholder signs the notice of that meeting.
For action by consent without a meeting, the Company Board may fix a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to consent to that action, which record date shall not precede, and shall not be more than ten (10) days after, the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Company Board.
For determining shareholders entitled to receive a distribution by Company (other than a distribution involving a purchase or redemption by the Corporation of any of its own shares) or a share dividend, the Company Board may, at the time of declaring the distribution or dividend, set a date no more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of such distribution or dividend. If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive a distribution (other than a distribution involving a purchase or redemption by Company of any of its own shares) or a share dividend, the date on which the resolution of the Company Board declaring the distribution or share dividend is adopted shall be the record date for the determination of shareholders.
Quorum. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Governance Agreement, and in accordance with the Amended and Restated Bylaws, a quorum of the Company Board shall be a majority of directors including: (a)(i) at least two (2) directors appointed by Tether, if Tether and Bitfinex are entitled to designate for nomination at least two (2) individuals to the Company Board or (ii) one (1) director appointed by Tether, if Tether and Bitfinex are entitled to designate for nomination at least one (1) individual to the Company Board; (b) one (1) director by SoftBank, if SoftBank is entitled to designate for nomination one (1) or more individuals to the Company Board; and (c) one (1) independent director. The act of such directors present at a meeting shall be the act of the Copany Board.
If the quorum of the Company Board is not met pursuant to the above sentence, Company will adjourn the meeting of the Company Board to a date no later than seven (7) calendar days after the date on which the meeting was initially scheduled to be held. If a quorum is not met for a second time, Company will adjourn the meeting of the Company Board for an additional seven (7) calendar days provided that any number of directors present at such third meeting representing at least a majority of members of the Company Board will constitute a valid quorum.
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The Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that, except as otherwise provided by the Organizational Documents or the TBOC, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors constitutes a quorum for a meeting of the shareholders.
Unless otherwise required by the TBOC, or the Organizational Documents the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on a matter represented at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the shareholders with respect to that matter; and the shareholders represented in person or by proxy at a meeting at which a quorum is present may conduct any business properly brought before the meeting until adjournment, and the subsequent withdrawal from the meeting of any shareholder or the refusal of any shareholder represented in person or by proxy to vote shall not affect the presence of a quorum at the meeting.
If a quorum is not present, the shareholders represented in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting until a time and place determined by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy at that meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which the required number of voting shares shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.
Notice of Shareholder Actions/Meetings. The Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that Company must give written notice not less than ten (10) and not more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, personally, by electronic transmission (if consented to by a shareholder), or by mail, by or at the direction of the President, the Secretary, or the officer or person calling the meeting, to each shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting. If mailed, the notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears on the share transfer records of the Corporation, with postage prepaid. The notice shall include the place, day and hour of the meeting, the means of any remote communications by which shareholders may be considered present and may vote at the meeting, and in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.
Notice of a shareholder meeting regarding a fundamental business transaction, as defined by Texas law, must be given to each shareholder of Company not later than twenty-one (21) days prior to the meeting, regardless of the shareholder’s right to vote on the matter. Notice of such action shall comply with any other requirements set by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation will provide notice of any meeting at which proposals properly submitted by shareholders in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act will be considered, in accordance with applicable law and the rules and regulations thereunder. A written waiver of any notice signed by a Company shareholder or director, before or after the time of the meeting for which notice is to be given, will be deemed equivalent to giving notice to such director or shareholder. Participation or attendance of a shareholder or director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, unless where the shareholder or director participates in or attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Nominations and Other Proposals. The Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that a notice of a shareholder for business (including, but not limited to, director nominations) shall be made in writing and received by the secretary of Company at the principal executive offices of Company not later than the 30th day nor earlier than the 60th day before the first anniversary of the date on which Company first mailed its proxy materials or a notice availability of proxy materials (whichever is earlier) for the preceding year’s annual meeting provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after the one-year anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting, then for notice by the shareholder to be timely, it must be so received by the secretary of Company not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (1) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting, or (2) the tenth day following the day on which public announcement (as defined in the Amended and Restated Bylaws) of the date of such annual meeting is first made.
In the event of a special meeting of the shareholders, such notice must be received by the secretary of Company at the principal executive offices of Company not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which the public announcement (as defined in the Amended and Restated Bylaws) is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Company Board to be elected or re-elected at such meeting.
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A shareholder’s notice must also comply with the procedural, informational and other requirements, including, but not limited to, Texas law and Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as outlined in the Amended and Restated Bylaws.
Limitation of Liability of Directors and Officers. Texas law provides that the certificate of formation of a corporation may provide that a director or officer of the corporation is not liable, or is liable only to the extent provided by the certificate of formation to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for an act or omission by the person in the person’s capacity as a director or officer; provided, that, as stated in TBOC Section 7.001, the certificate of formation may not exculpate for (1) a breach of the officer’s or director’s duty of loyalty; (2) an act or omission not in good faith that either constitutes a breach of fiduciary duty or involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (3) a transaction from which the director or officer received an improper benefit; or (4) an act or omission for which the liability of such director or officer is expressly provided by an applicable statute. Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation provides that its directors and officers are not personally liable to Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, respectively, to the fullest extent permitted by the TBOC. Any amendment, modification, or repeal of the foregoing sentence, unless otherwise required by law, will be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to further limit or eliminate the liability of directors or officers) and shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer of Company existing at the time of such inconsistent repeal, amendment or adoption of such provision with respect to any act or omission prior to such amendment, modification or repeal. If the TBOC is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors or officers, then the liability of a director or officer of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the TBOC, as so amended.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for mandatory indemnification to the fullest extent allowed by TBOC of any person who was, or is a party to, or is threatened to be a made a party to, any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative), including any appeal thereof or any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such a proceeding, because such person (or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative) (a) is or was a director or officer of Company or (b) while a director or officer of Company is or was serving at the request of Company as a partner, director, officer, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, administrator or agent of another entity, organization, or an employee benefit plan, against all judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes and punitive damages), fines, settlements and reasonable expenses (including court costs and attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. However, such indemnitee must have acted in good faith and in a manner such indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Company, and for any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
The right to indemnification also includes the right to be paid by Company reasonable expenses incurred by an indemnitee in defending any such proceeding in the foregoing paragraph in advance of its final disposition. However, such payment of expenses shall only be made upon delivery to Company of a (a) written affirmation by such indemnitee of his or her good-faith belief that he or she met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under the TBOC and (b) a written undertaking, by or on behalf of such person, to repay all advanced amounts if determined such indemnitee has not met such required standard of conduct set forth in the TBOC or that such indemnification is prohibited by the TBOC.
The Amended and Restated Bylaws and Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation permit indemnification of any officer, employee or agent of Company (and any other persons to which the TBOC permits Company to provide indemnification) to the fullest extent and manner provided by the TBOC and the Amended and Restated Bylaws.
The Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that Company may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any present or former director, officer employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, proprietorship or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss regardless of whether Company would have the power to indemnify such person against that expense, liability or loss under the TBOC.
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Rights of Dissenting Shareholders. Under Texas law, a shareholder of Company has the rights of dissent and appraisal with respect to a fundamental business transaction, defined as a merger, interest exchange, conversion or sale of all or substantially all assets. However, under Texas law, a shareholder may not dissent from a plan of merger or conversion in which there is a single surviving or new Texas entity, or from a plan of exchange, if (a) the shareholder is not required by the terms of the plan of merger, conversion, or exchange to accept for the shareholder’s ownership interest any consideration that is different from the consideration to be provided to any other holder of an ownership interest of the same class or series as the ownership interest held by the owner; and (b) the shareholder is not required by the terms of the plan of merger, conversion or exchange to accept for the shareholder’s ownership interest any consideration other than (i) ownership interests, or depository receipts in respect of ownership interests, that, immediately after the effective date of the merger, conversion, or exchange will be part of a class or series of ownership interests, or depository receipts in respect of ownership interests, that are (A) listed on a national securities exchange or authorized for listing on the exchange on official notice of issuance or (B) held of record by at least 2,000 owners; (ii) cash instead of fractional ownership interests the shareholder would otherwise be entitled to receive; or (iii) any combination of such ownership interests and cash.
Exclusive Forum. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation provide that unless Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for any of the filing, adjudication and trial of (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of Company, (b) any action asserting a claim for or based on a breach of fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee of Company to Company or Company’s shareholders, including any claim alleging a conspiracy to breach a fiduciary duty, knowing participation in a breach of a fiduciary duty or aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty, (c) any action asserting a claim against Company or any current or former director or officer or other employee of Company arising pursuant to any provision of the TBOC or Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation or the Amended and Restated Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), (d) any action asserting a claim related to or involving Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine, (e) any action asserting an “internal entity claim” as that term is defined in Section 2.115 of the TBOC, or (f) any other action or proceeding in which the Business Court of the State of Texas has jurisdiction, shall be the Business Court in the First Business Court Division of the State of Texas (provided that if the Business Court determines that it lacks jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division or, if such federal court lacks jurisdiction, the state district court of Dallas County, Texas). This exclusive forum section does not apply, for the avoidance of doubt, to any direct claims under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the 1934 Act, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Stock Ownership Requirement for Derivative Suits; Waiver of Jury Trial. As permitted by the TBOC, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation provides that no shareholder or group of shareholders may institute or maintain a derivative proceeding brought on behalf of Company against any director and/or officer of Company in his or her official capacity, unless the shareholder or group of shareholders, at the time such derivative proceeding is instituted, beneficially owns a number of shares of common stock sufficient to meet an ownership threshold of at least three percent (3%) of the outstanding shares of Company, which percentage shall automatically increase to match the maximum allowable minimum ownership threshold as allowed under future amendments to the TBOC, as applicable, without any further action by Company or its shareholders.
The Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation provides that unless Company consents in writing to a jury trial, Company and each shareholder, director and officer irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right to jury trial for all “internal entity claims” (as that term is defined in Section 2.115 of the TBOC), and each shareholder has agreed that such shareholder’s holding or acquisition of shares of stock of Company or, to the extent permitted by law, options or rights to acquire shares of stock of Company following the adoption of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation constitutes such shareholder’s intentional and knowing waiver of any right to trial by jury with respect to such claims.
Waiver of Corporate Opportunities. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation explicitly waives corporate opportunities for Tether, SoftBank and their affiliated companies, as well as the successors, partners, principals, directors, officers, members, managers of Tether, SoftBank and their affiliated companies, including any of the foregoing who serve as officers or directors of Company, subject to certain exceptions.
Other. Company Stock has no preemptive, subscriptive or conversion rights and is not entitled to the benefits of any redemption or sinking fund provision.
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Preferred Stock
The authorized share capital of the Company following Closing includes 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share. In accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation, the Company Board may issue Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more series pursuant to a resolution or resolutions providing for such issue duly adopted by Company Board (authority to do so being hereby expressly vested in the Company Board). As of the date of this prospectus, there were no shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. The Company Board is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law, to fix by resolution or resolutions and to set forth in a certification of designations filed pursuant to the TBOC the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participation, optional or other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, of any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, including, without limitation, dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption price or prices, and liquidation preferences, of any such series, and the number of shares constituting any such series and the designation thereof, or any of the foregoing. As of the date of this prospectus, the Company Board has not designated or established any series of preferred stock.
Registration Rights
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
Concurrently with the Closing, CEP, Twenty One Capital, the Sponsor, each Seller and SoftBank entered into the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement that amended and restated the registration rights agreement entered into between CEP and the Sponsor at the time of the CEP IPO, and pursuant to which the Company (i) assumed the registration obligations of CEP under such registration rights agreement, with such rights applying to the shares of Class A Common Stock and (ii) provided registration rights with respect to the resale of shares of Class A Common Stock held by the Sponsor, each Seller and SoftBank.
309,182,606 shares of Class A Common Stock are subject to registration rights pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, representing approximately 88% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and assuming, among other things, that no Convertible Notes are converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and that no shares of Class A Common Stock are issued pursuant to the Incentive Plan.
Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements
Pursuant to the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements, Twenty One Capital has agreed to certain obligations to register and maintain the registration of the Convertible Notes and the shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Convertible Notes including that, within 30 calendar days after the Closing, the Company will file with the SEC (at the Company’s sole cost and expense) the Resale Registration Statement registering the resale of the Convertible Notes and the shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Convertible Notes, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than 90 calendar days after the Closing, which may be extended an additional 90 calendar days depending on the level of SEC review involved.
Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements
Pursuant to the Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements, CEP and the Company have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the shares of Class A Common Stock into which the Equity PIPE Shares will be converted upon consummation of the CEP Merger to be registered on the Form S-4 Registration Statement. To the extent that any such shares of Class A Common Stock are unable to be included on the Form S-4 Registration Statement, the Company has agreed to certain obligations to register and maintain the registration of the Equity PIPE Shares, including that, within 30 calendar days after the Closing, the Company will file with the SEC (at the Company’s sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of the Equity PIPE Shares, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than 90 calendar days after the Closing, which may be extended an additional 90 calendar days depending on the level of SEC review involved. The Equity PIPE Shares were registered on the Form S-4 Registration Statement.
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Anti-Takeover Provisions
Certain Certificate of Formation and Bylaw Provisions Potentially Having an Anti-Takeover Effect
The Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, both of which are subject to the Governance Agreement, contain certain provisions that could have an anti-takeover effect and thus discourage potential takeover attempts and make it more difficult for Twenty One Capital’s shareholders to change management or receive a premium for their shares. These non-exclusive provisions:
| ● | authorize the Company Board to issue shares pursuant to a resolution or resolutions for such issue of one or more series of Preferred Stock, the terms of which, including voting power, are set by the Company Board, without shareholder approval; |
| ● | limit the ability of shareholders to call special meetings to those shareholders or groups of shareholders owning at least 30% of the shares of Company Stock entitled to vote at such meeting; |
| ● | permit the Company Board to alter, amend, or repeal the Amended and Restated Bylaws or to adopt new bylaws; |
| ● | provide that any director or the entire Company Board may only be removed from, with or without cause by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote; |
| ● | require shareholders who wish to bring business before Twenty One Capital’s annual meeting of shareholders or nominate candidates for election as directors at Twenty One Capital’s annual meeting of shareholders to provide timely notice of their intent in writing; |
| ● | provide that vacancies on the Company Board, including vacancies occurring by reason of removal or increase in membership, may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, and such elected director shall be elected for the unexpired term of such director’s predecessor in office; |
| ● | require (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of Twenty One Capital, (b) any action asserting a claim for or based on a breach of fiduciary duty, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any current or former director, officer or employee of Twenty One Capital pursuant to any provision of the TBOC or the Organizational Documents, (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, (e) any action asserting an “internal entity claim” as that term is defined in Section 2.115 of the TBOC, or (f) any other action or proceeding in which the Business Court in the Eighth Business Court Division of the State of Texas (provided that if such Business Court determines that it lacks jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division or, if the such federal court lacks jurisdiction, the state district court of Tarrant County, Texas); |
| ● | waive the right to trial by jury for any internal entity claim; |
| ● | limit the ability of a shareholder or group of shareholders to institute or maintain a derivative proceeding against any director or officer of Twenty One Capital to an ownership threshold of at least three percent (3%) of the outstanding shares of Twenty One Capital, which percentage shall automatically increase to match the maximum allowable minimum ownership threshold as allowed under future amendments to the TBOC, as applicable, without any further action by the Corporation or its shareholders; and |
| ● | prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors. |
Texas Law
A number of provisions of Texas law, Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation and Amended and Restated Bylaws could have an anti-takeover effect and make more difficult the acquisition of Twenty One Capital by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise and the removal of its directors or management. These provisions are intended to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of Twenty One Capital to negotiate first with its board of directors.
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The Company is subject to the provisions of Title 2, Chapter 21, Subchapter M of the TBOC, which is referred to herein as the “Texas Business Combination Law.” This law provides that a Texas corporation that qualifies as an “issuing public corporation” (as defined in the Texas Business Combination Law) may not engage in specified types of business combinations, including mergers, consolidations and asset sales, with a person or an affiliate or associate of that person, who is an “affiliated shareholder”. For purposes of the Texas Business Combination Law, an “affiliated shareholder” is a shareholder who is, or was, during the prior three (3) years, the beneficial owner of twenty percent (20.0%) or more of the corporation’s voting shares. The prohibition on certain transactions with such affiliated shareholders extends for a three-year (3) period from the date such shareholder first becomes an affiliated shareholder. These prohibitions do not apply if (a) the business combination or the acquisition of shares by the affiliated shareholder was approved by the board of directors of the corporation before the affiliated shareholder became an affiliated shareholder; or (b) the business combination was approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation not beneficially owned by the affiliated shareholder or an affiliate or associate of the affiliated shareholder, at a meeting of shareholders called for that purpose, not less than six (6) months after the affiliated shareholder became an affiliated shareholder.
As of the date of this prospectus, the Company has more than 100 shareholders. Therefore, the Company is considered an “issuing public corporation” for purposes of this law. The Texas Business Combination Law does not apply to the following:
| ● | The business combination of an issuing public corporation where the corporation’s original certificate of formation or bylaws contains a provision expressly electing not to be governed by the Texas Business Combination Law, or its certificate of formation or bylaws have been amended by the affirmative vote of the holders, other than affiliated shareholders, of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation, expressly electing not to be governed by the Texas Business Combination Law and so long as the amendment does not take effect for eighteen (18) months following the date of the vote and does not apply to a business combination with an affiliated shareholder who became affiliated on or before the effective date of the amendment; |
| ● | a business combination of an issuing public corporation with an affiliated shareholder that became an affiliated shareholder inadvertently, if the affiliated shareholder divests itself, as soon as possible, of enough shares to no longer be an affiliated shareholder and would not at any time within the three-year (3) period preceding the announcement of the business combination have been an affiliated shareholder but for the inadvertent acquisition; |
| ● | a business combination with an affiliated shareholder who became an affiliated shareholder through a transfer of shares by will or intestacy and continuously was an affiliated shareholder until the announcement date of the business combination; or |
| ● | a business combination of an issuing public corporation with its wholly owned Texas subsidiary, if the subsidiary is not an affiliate or associate of the affiliated shareholder other than by reason of the affiliated shareholder’s beneficial ownership of voting shares of the issuing public corporation. |
Neither the Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation or Amended and Restated Bylaws contain any provision expressly providing that the Company will not be subject to the Texas Business Combination Law. As a result, the Texas Business Combination Law may have the effect of inhibiting a non-negotiated merger or other business combination involving the Company, even if such a merger or combination would be beneficial to Twenty One Capital’s shareholders.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for Company Stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Listing
Shares of Class A Common Stock are traded on NYSE under the symbol “XXI.”
Convertible Notes
This prospectus relates to the resale by the Selling Securityholders of up to $486,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes, which includes (i) $340,200,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes issued to Convertible Note Investors pursuant to the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements, (ii) $100,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Option Notes issued pursuant to the Option, which Option Notes have been fully subscribed for by the Convertible Note Investors and the Sponsor (pursuant to the Sponsor Convertible Notes Subscription Agreement (as defined below)) and (iii) $46,300,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes issued to the Sponsor at Closing pursuant to the Securities Exchange Agreement and the PIPE Engagement Letter.
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The Convertible Notes are governed by the Indenture executed at Closing by the Company, the Collateral Agent and U.S. National Bank, N.A., as the Trustee.
The registered holder of a Convertible Note (the “Holder”) will be treated as its owner for all purposes.
The following summary of certain material terms and provisions of the Convertible Notes and the Indenture does not purport to be a complete description of the Convertible Notes and the Indenture, and is subject to the detailed provisions of, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Convertible Notes and the Indenture.
Maturity and Interest
The Convertible Notes will mature on December 1, 2030 (the “Maturity Date”) unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased.
The Convertible Notes will bear interest at a rate of 1.00% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears, until conversion, redemption or repurchase. Interest accrues from the issue date or from the most recent date on which interest has been paid. Interest on the Convertible Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months, and, for partial months, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month. Additional interest will be payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below).
Ranking
The Convertible Notes are general senior secured obligations of Twenty One Capital and:
| ● | are secured on a first-priority lien basis by the Collateral; and |
| ● | are effectively senior to all of Twenty One Capital’s unsecured senior indebtedness to the extent of the value of the Collateral. |
Security
The Convertible Notes are secured by a first-priority security interest in the Collateral. The Collateral will be pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement executed at Closing by the Company and the Collateral Agent.
The “Collateral” consists of, collectively, whether now existing or hereafter from time to time arising and whether now owned or hereafter from time to time acquired by the Company: (i) the segregated accounts established by Anchorage (the “Collateral Accounts”); (ii) all Crypto Assets at any time on deposit in any Collateral Account, including all income, deposits, earnings and distributions thereon and all proceeds, products and accessions of and to any and all of the foregoing, including whatever is received or receivable upon any collection, exchange, sale or other disposition of any of the foregoing; (iii) any property into which any of the foregoing is converted, whether cash or non-cash proceeds; (iv) any and all other amounts paid or payable under or in connection with any of the foregoing; (v) all “security entitlements” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(17) of the NYUCC) of Twenty One Capital in any and all of the foregoing; (vi) and all rights, claims and causes of action, if any, that Twenty One Capital may have against any person in respect of the foregoing.
The book value of assets comprising the Collateral may not be indicative of the fair market value of such assets, which could be substantially lower. Moreover, the value of the Collateral is subject to fluctuations based on factors that include, among others, the condition of the particular assets and availability of competing assets, general economic conditions, and the ability to realize on the Collateral as part of a going concern and in an orderly fashion to available and willing buyers and not under distressed circumstances. By its nature, large portions of the Collateral may be illiquid and may have no readily ascertainable market value. Likewise, there can be no assurance that the Collateral will be saleable, or, if saleable, that there will not be substantial delays in its liquidation. Further, the ability of the Holders of the Convertible Notes to realize on the Collateral may be subject to certain bankruptcy law limitations in the event of a bankruptcy.
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As such, there is no assurance that a foreclosure or other exercise of remedies after an Event of Default will result in proceeds of Collateral that are sufficient to repay the Convertible Notes, or that the amount of such proceeds so available would not be substantially less than amounts owing under the Convertible Notes. If the proceeds of any of the Collateral were not sufficient to repay all amounts due on the Convertible Notes, the Holders of the Convertible Notes (to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the Collateral) would have only an unsecured claim against the remaining assets of Twenty One Capital. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to the Convertible Notes – There may not be sufficient collateral securing the Convertible Notes to pay all or any portion of the Convertible Notes, including because there are circumstances other than repayment or discharge of the Convertible Notes under which the collateral will be released automatically, without holders’ consent or the consent of the trustee under the Indenture.”
Use and Release of Collateral
Use of Collateral
Subject in each case to the terms of the Indenture and the Security Agreement (including the release of Collateral in compliance with the terms of the Indenture and the Security Agreement, the incurrence of Permitted Liens on the Collateral and the disposition of assets permitted under the Indenture or the Security Agreement), the Collateral Agent shall retain exclusive control of the Collateral and Anchorage shall only transfer the Collateral held in the Collateral Accounts pursuant to the instructions of the Collateral Agent made in accordance with the terms of the Security Agreement.
Release of Collateral
The Indenture and the Security Agreement provide that the liens on all or a portion of the Collateral securing the Convertible Notes will automatically be released without the need for further action by any person under any one or more of the following circumstances:
| ● | as of the end of each calendar quarter, if the Average Bitcoin Price is greater than the Qualifying Bitcoin Price, then the Security Interest granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Convertible Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (1) forty percent (40%) of the product of (x) the difference between the Average Bitcoin Price and the Average Closing Bitcoin Price and multiplied by (y) the Collateralized Bitcoin Amount, divided by (2) the Average Closing Bitcoin Price, will be automatically and irrevocably released (each such release, a “Bitcoin Price Collateral Release”). For each calendar quarter subsequent to a Bitcoin Price Collateral Release, additional Bitcoin Price Collateral Releases will occur only to the extent that the Average Bitcoin Price calculated as of the end of such quarter exceeds the highest Average Bitcoin Price at which any previous Bitcoin Price Collateral Release occurred (the “Prior Average Bitcoin Price”). In such event, the Security Interest granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Convertible Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (1) forty percent (40%) of the product of (x) the difference between the Average Bitcoin Price and the Prior Average Bitcoin Price multiplied by (y) the Collateralized Bitcoin Amount divided by (2) the Average Closing Bitcoin Price will be automatically and irrevocably released; |
| ● | as of the end of each calendar quarter, if the Public Float is greater than the Qualifying Public Float, then the Security Interest granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Convertible Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (1) sixty-six and six tenths percent (66.6%) of the difference between (x) the Public Float and (y) the Qualifying Public Float, divided by (2) the Average Closing Bitcoin Price, will be automatically and irrevocably released (each such release, a “Public Float Collateral Release”). For each calendar quarter subsequent to a Public Float Collateral Release, additional Public Float Collateral Releases will occur only to the extent that the Public Float calculated as of the end of such quarter exceeds the highest Public Float at which any previous Public Float Collateral Release occurred (the “Prior Public Float”). In such event, the Security Interest granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Convertible Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (1) sixty-six and six tenths percent (66.6%) of the difference between (x) the Public Float and (y) the Prior Public Float, divided by (2) the Average Closing Bitcoin Price, shall be automatically and irrevocably released; |
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| ● | upon the full and final payment and performance of the obligations under the Indenture, the Convertible Notes and the Security Agreement; |
| ● | in applicable part, upon the conversion, the repurchase or the redemption of any Convertible Notes pursuant to the terms of the Indenture; |
| ● | upon satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture; and |
| ● | with the written consent of the Holders of at least 66-2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Convertible Notes. |
Certain Limitations on the Collateral
The right of the Collateral Agent to take possession and dispose of the Collateral following an Event of Default is likely to be significantly impaired by applicable bankruptcy law if a bankruptcy proceeding were to be commenced by or against Twenty One Capital prior to the Collateral Agent having taken possession and disposed of the Collateral. Under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, a secured creditor is prohibited from taking its security from a debtor in a bankruptcy case, or from disposing of security taken from such debtor, without bankruptcy court approval. Moreover, the U.S. Bankruptcy Code permits the debtor in certain circumstances to continue to retain and to use collateral owned as of the date of the bankruptcy filing (and the proceeds, products, offspring, rents or profits of such Collateral) even though the debtor is in default under the applicable debt instruments provided that the secured creditor is given “adequate protection.” The meaning of the term “adequate protection” may vary according to circumstances. In view of the lack of a precise definition of the term “adequate protection” and the broad discretionary powers of a bankruptcy court, it is impossible to predict how long payments under the notes could be delayed following commencement of a bankruptcy case, whether or when the Collateral Agent could repossess or dispose of the Collateral, or whether or to what extent Holders would be compensated for any delay in payment or loss of value of the Collateral through the requirement of “adequate protection.”
Applicable U.S. bankruptcy laws permit the payment and/or accrual of post-petition interest, costs and attorneys’ fees during a debtor’s bankruptcy case only to the extent the claims are oversecured or the debtor is solvent at the time of reorganization. However, in the event a U.S. bankruptcy court determines the value of the Collateral (after giving effect to any prior liens) is not sufficient to repay all amounts due on the Convertible Notes and any other indebtedness that shares equally in the Collateral, the Holders of the Convertible Notes and such other indebtedness would hold secured claims to the extent of the value of the Collateral, and would hold unsecured claims with respect to any shortfall. In such event, the secured claims of the Holders of the Convertible Notes would be limited to the value of the collateral. Other consequences of a finding of under-collateralization would include, among other things, a lack of entitlement on the part of the Holders of the Convertible Notes to receive post-petition interest, fees, and expenses and a lack of entitlement on the part of the unsecured portion of the Convertible Notes to receive “adequate protection” under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. In addition, if any payments of post-petition interest had been made at any time prior to such a finding of under-collateralization, those payments could be re-characterized by the bankruptcy court as a reduction of the principal amount of the secured claim with respect to the Convertible Notes.
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In addition, if the Company were to become the subject of a bankruptcy case, the bankruptcy court, among other things, may avoid certain prepetition transfers made by the entity that is the subject of the bankruptcy filing, including, without limitation, transfers held to be preferences or fraudulent conveyances, including the issuance of the Convertible Notes and the granting of any Collateral. Specifically, under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer or conveyance laws, which may vary from state to state, the issuance of the Convertible Notes (or the grant of Collateral securing such obligations) could be voided as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance if the Company or any entity providing Collateral, as applicable, (a) issued the Convertible Notes and/or granted the Collateral with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors, or (b) received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration in return for either issuing the Convertible Notes and/or granting the Collateral and, in the case of (b) only, one of the following is also true at the time thereof:
| ● | The Company or any entity issuing the Convertible Notes or providing Collateral, as applicable, was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the issuance of the Convertible Notes or the grant of Collateral; |
| ● | the issuance of the Convertible Notes or the grant of Collateral left the Company or any of the entities issuing the Convertible Notes or providing Collateral, as applicable, with an unreasonably small amount of capital or assets to carry on the business; or |
| ● | the Company or any entity issuing the Convertible Notes or providing Collateral, as applicable, intended to, or believed that we or such entity, would, incur debt beyond Twenty One Capital’s or such entity’s ability to pay as they mature. |
If a court were to find that the issuance of the Convertible Notes or the grant of security was a fraudulent conveyance or was voidable for another reason, the court could void the payment obligations under the Convertible Notes or void the grant of collateral, or further subordinate the Convertible Notes to presently existing and future indebtedness of Twenty One Capital or grantor of Collateral or require the holders of the Convertible Notes to repay any amounts received with respect to the Convertible Notes.
Conversion
General
The Convertible Notes will be convertible into cash, shares of Class A Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Class A Common Stock, at Twenty One Capital’s election. Prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the date that is six (6) months prior to the Maturity Date, the Convertible Notes will be convertible at the option of Holders only upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and during certain periods. Thereafter, holders of the Convertible Notes may convert their Convertible Notes at their option at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the Maturity Date. The initial conversion rate was determined based on the formula set forth in the Indenture as calculated at the Closing, of 72.0841 shares of Class A Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (the “Conversion Rate”). The conversion price (the “Conversion Price”) is based on a reference price of $10.00 per share, multiplied by a ratio of (i) the BRRNY as averaged over the ten (10) consecutive days prior to Closing to (ii) $84,863.57, representing the Bitcoin Price as averaged over the ten (10) consecutive days prior to April 22, 2025, and is subject to a 30% premium.
A Holder may convert fewer than all of such Holder’s Convertible Notes so long as the principal amount of Convertible Notes to be converted is an integral multiple of $1,000.
Conversion Based on Measurement Period
Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the date that is six (6) months prior to the Maturity Date, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Convertible Notes for conversion at any time during the five business day period immediately after any five consecutive Trading Day (as defined below) period (the “Measurement Period”) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes for each trading day of the Measurement Period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Class A Common Stock, as determined pursuant to the Indenture, on each such trading day and the Conversion Rate on each such trading day. “Trading Day” for purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion means a day on which (x) there is no Market Disruption Event (as defined in the Indenture) and (y) trading in the Class A Common Stock generally occurs on Nasdaq.
Conversion Based on Reported Sale Price
Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the date that is six (6) months prior to the Maturity Date, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Convertible Notes for conversion at any time during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on December 31, 2025 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the Class A Common Stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the Conversion Price on each applicable trading day.
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Conversion Upon Certain Distributions
If, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding June 1, 2030, the Company elects to:
(A) issue to all or substantially all holders of the Class A Common Stock any rights, options or warrants (other than in connection with a shareholder rights plan so long as such rights have no separated from the shares of the Class A Common Stock) entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Class A Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Class A Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance; or
(B) distribute to all or substantially all holders of the Class A Common Stock the Company’s assets, securities or rights to purchase securities of the Company (other than pursuant to a shareholder rights plan so long as such rights have not separated from the shares of the Class A Common Stock), which distribution has a per share value, as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith, exceeding 10% of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Class A Common Stock on the Trading Day preceding the date of announcement for such distribution, then, in either case, the Company shall notify in writing all Holders of the Convertible Notes, the Trustee and the conversion agent for the Convertible Notes (if other than the Trustee) at least 25 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution (subject to further conditions as set forth in the Indenture), a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Convertible Notes for conversion at any time until the earlier of (1) the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution and (2) the Company’s announcement that such issuance or distribution will not take place, in each case, even if the Convertible Notes are not otherwise convertible at such time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holders may not convert their Convertible Notes under if they participate at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Class A Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Convertible Notes, in any of the transactions described above without having to convert their Convertible Notes as if they held a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the then-effective Conversion Rate multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Convertible Notes held by such Holder.
Conversion Upon Corporate Event
If a Fundamental Change or Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the date that is six months prior to the Maturity Date, or if the Company is party to a Share Exchange Event (subject to certain exceptions) that occurs prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the date that is six months prior to the Maturity Date (each such Fundamental Change, Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Share Exchange Event, a “Corporate Event”), all or any portion of a Holder’s Convertible Notes may be surrendered for conversion at any time from or after the effective date of such Corporate Event until the earlier of (x) 35 Trading Days after the effective date of such Corporate Event (or, if the Company gives notice after the effective date of such Corporate Event, until 35 trading days after the date Twenty One Capital gives notice of such Corporate Event) or, if such Corporate Event also constitutes a Fundamental Change (subject to certain exceptions), until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and (y) the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the Maturity Date.
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Conversion Upon Call for Redemption
If Twenty One Capital calls any or all of the Convertible Notes for redemption pursuant prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the date that is six months prior to the Maturity Date, then a Holder may surrender all or any part of such of its Convertible Notes as called for redemption for conversion at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day prior to the Redemption Date, even if the Convertible Notes are not otherwise convertible at such time. After that time, the right to convert such Convertible Notes will expire, unless Twenty One Capital defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price, in which case a Holder of Convertible Notes may convert its Convertible Notes until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Redemption Price has been paid or duly provided for. If Twenty One Capital elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Convertible Notes for Optional Redemption, and the Holder of any Convertible Note is reasonably not able to determine, prior to the close of business on the 24th scheduled trading day immediately before the relevant Redemption Date (or if the Company delivers a notice with respect to an Optional Redemption, in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture (“Redemption Notice”), electing Physical Settlement not less than 10 nor more than 45 scheduled trading days prior to the related Redemption Date, then prior to close of business on the 9th scheduled trading day immediately before the relevant Redemption Date), whether such Convertible Note is to be redeemed pursuant to such Optional Redemption (and, as a result thereof, convertible on account of the related Redemption Notice in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture), then such Holder will be entitled to convert such Convertible Note at any time before the close of business on the scheduled trading day prior to such Redemption Date, unless Twenty One Capital defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price, in which case such Holder will be entitled to convert such Convertible Note until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Redemption Price has been paid or duly provided for, and each such conversion will be deemed to be of a Convertible Note called for Optional Redemption, and such Convertible Note or beneficial interest will be deemed called for Optional Redemption solely for the purposes of such conversion (“Deemed Redemption”). If a Holder elects to convert Convertible Notes called for Optional Redemption or subject to a Deemed Redemption pursuant to the terms of the Indenture (“Called Notes”) during the related Redemption Period, the Company will, under certain circumstances, increase the Conversion Rate for such Called Notes pursuant to the terms of the Indenture. Accordingly, if the Company elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Convertible Notes, Holders of the Convertible Notes that are not Called Notes will not be entitled to convert such Convertible Notes in the manner provided for Called Notes and will not be entitled to an increase in the Conversion Rate on account of the Redemption Notice for conversions of such Convertible Notes during the related Redemption Period.
Increased Conversion Rate Upon Make-Whole Fundamental Changes and Redemption Notice
If (i) a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the Maturity Date or (ii) the Company issues a Redemption Notice with respect to any or all of the Convertible Notes and, in each case, a Holder elects to convert its Convertible Notes “in connection with” such Make-Whole Fundamental Change or a Redemption Notice, as applicable, the Company will, under certain circumstances described in the Indenture, increase the Conversion Rate for the Convertible Notes so surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”).
A conversion of notes will be deemed to be “in connection with” a Make-Whole Fundamental Change if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the period from, and including, the effective date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change up to, and including, the business day immediately prior to the related Fundamental Change repurchase date (or, in the case of certain exempted events, up to the 35th trading day following the effective date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change). Similarly, a conversion will be deemed to be “in connection with” a redemption if the relevant Conversion Date for conversions of notes called for redemption occurs during the period from, and including, the date Twenty One Capital provides the Redemption Notice up to, and including, the business day immediately prior to the related redemption date.
The number of Additional Shares, if any, by which the Conversion Rate will be increased will be determined by reference to a table set out in the Indenture, based on the date on which the Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs or becomes effective, or the date of the Redemption Notice, as the case may be, and the price paid, or deemed to be paid (as determined pursuant to the Indenture), per share of the Class A Common Stock in the Make-Whole Fundamental Change or determined with respect to the Optional Redemption, as the case may be.
Conversion Procedures
Upon conversion of any Convertible Note, and subject to the below procedures, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, to the converting Holder, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes being converted, cash (“Cash Settlement”), shares of Class A Common Stock, together with cash, if applicable, in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Class A Common Stock (“Physical Settlement”) or a combination of cash and shares of Class A Common Stock (“Combination Settlement”), at Twenty One Capital’s election, subject to the terms set forth in the Indenture.
As further set out in the Indenture, subject to the Company’s irrevocable election of a Settlement Method (as defined in the Indenture) pursuant to the Indenture, if, in respect of any Conversion Date, the Company elects to deliver a notice (the “Settlement Notice”) of the relevant Settlement Method in respect of such Conversion Date (or such period, as the case may be), the Company, shall deliver such Settlement Notice to the Trustee, the Conversion Agent (as defined in the Indenture) and the converting Holders no later than the close of business on the Trading Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date. If the Company does not elect a Settlement Method prior to the deadline set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall no longer have the right to elect Cash Settlement or Physical Settlement with respect to the relevant Conversion Date (or such period, as the case may be) and the Company shall be deemed to have elected Combination Settlement in respect of its Conversion Obligation (as defined in the Indenture), and the Specified Dollar Amount (as defined in the Indenture) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be equal to $1,000.
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Before any Holder shall be entitled to convert a Convertible Note, such Holder must comply with the following requirements, among others set out in the Indenture:
| ● | in the case of a Global Note, comply DTC’s in effect at that time and, if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next interest payment date to which such Holder is not entitled and, if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes, if any; and |
| ● | in the case of a Physical Note (1) complete, manually sign and deliver an irrevocable notice as set forth in the Indenture (a “Notice of Conversion”), (2) surrender such Convertible Notes, duly endorsed to the Company or in blank, (3) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, (4) if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next interest payment date to which such Holder is not entitled and (5) if required, pay all transfer on similar taxes, if any. |
A Convertible Note shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the date (the “Conversion Date”) that the Holder has complied with the requirements set forth above and in the Indenture.
If a Holder has already delivered a repurchase notice in connection with the events described below under “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders” with respect to a Convertible Note, the Holder may not surrender such Convertible Note for conversion until the Holder has withdrawn the notice in accordance with the Indenture.
Once a Convertible Note is converted in accordance with the Indenture, such Convertible Note will no longer have the benefit of any security interest in the Collateral.
Twenty One Capital shall not issue any fractional share of common stock upon conversion of the Convertible Notes and shall instead pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share of common stock issuable upon conversion.
The Company’s settlement of the full conversion obligation shall be deemed to satisfy in full its obligation to pay the principal amount of the Note and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date.
Conversion Rate Adjustments
The Conversion Rate will be adjusted according to the terms of the Indenture upon the occurrence of certain events, as described below and in the Indenture, except that the Company will not make any adjustments to the Conversion Rate if Holders of the Convertible Notes participate (other than in the case of a share split or share combination or a tender or exchange offer), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Class A Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Convertible Notes, in any of the transactions described below, without having to convert their Convertible Notes, as if they held a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate, multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Convertible Notes held by such Holder.
Dividends or distributions
Pursuant to Section 14.04(a) of the Indenture, if the Company exclusively issues shares of Class A Common Stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of the Class A Common Stock, or if the Company effects a share split or share combination, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
where,
|
CR0 |
= | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date of such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the effective date of such share split or share combination, as applicable; |
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| CR1 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or effective date; |
| OS0 | = | the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or effective date (before giving effect to any such dividend, distribution, split or combination); and |
| OS1 | = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination. |
Any adjustment made pursuant to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination, as applicable, will become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the effective date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described above is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate will be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Company Board determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.
Issuance of rights, options or warrants
Pursuant to Section 14.04(b) of the Indenture, if the Company issues to all or substantially all holders of the Class A Common Stock any rights, options or warrants (other than in connection with a shareholder rights plan) entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Class A Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
where,
|
CR0 |
= | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance; |
| CR1 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date; |
| OS0 | = | the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date; |
| X | = | the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and |
| Y | = | the number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Class A Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants. |
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Any increase made pursuant to any such rights, options or warrants shall be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance. To the extent that shares of the Class A Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Class A Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance had not occurred.
For the purposes of adjustments pursuant to any rights, options or warrants described above, in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders of the Common Stock to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Class A Common Stock at less than such average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement for such issuance, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Class A Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Company Board.
Other distributions
Pursuant to Section 14.04(c) of the Indenture, if the Company distributes shares of its capital stock, evidences of its indebtedness, other assets or property of the Company or rights, options or warrants to acquire its capital stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of the Class A Common Stock, excluding (i) dividends, distributions or issuances as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to Sections 14.04(a) or 14.04(b) of the Indenture above, (ii) dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which the provisions set forth in Section 14.04 (d) of the Indenture shall apply, (iii) except as otherwise set forth below, rights issued pursuant to shareholder rights plan of the Company, (iv) any dividends or distributions of Reference Property (as defined in the Indenture) in exchange for Class A Common Stock in connection with a transaction described in the Indenture and (v) Spin-Offs (as defined below) as to which the provisions set forth below shall apply (any of such shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, other assets or property or rights, options or warrants to acquire capital stock or other securities, the “Distributed Property”), then the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
where,
|
CR0 |
= | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; |
| CR1 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date; |
| SP0 | = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Class A Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; and |
| FMV | = | the fair market value (as determined by the Company Board) of the Distributed Property with respect to each outstanding share of the Class A Common Stock on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution. |
Any increase made based on the above shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “FMV” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Convertible Note shall receive, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount thereof, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Class A Common Stock receive the Distributed Property, the amount and kind of Distributed Property such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Ex-Dividend Date for the distribution. If the Company Board determines the “FMV” (as defined above) of any distribution for purposes of the adjustment described above by reference to the actual or when-issued trading market for any securities, it shall in doing so consider the prices in such market over the same period used in computing the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Class A Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.
With respect to an adjustment pursuant to Section 14.04(c) of the Indenture, where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on the Class A Common Stock of shares of capital stock of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to a subsidiary or other business unit of the Company, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange (a “Spin-Off”), the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
where,
|
CR0 |
= | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the end of the Valuation Period; |
| CR1 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the end of the Valuation Period; |
| FMV0 | = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the capital stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of the Class A Common Stock applicable to one share of the Class A Common Stock (determined by reference to the definition of Last Reported Sale Price under the Indenture as if references therein to Class A Common Stock were to such capital stock or similar equity interest) over the first 10 consecutive Trading Day period after, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of the Spin-Off (the “Valuation Period”); and |
| MP0 | = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Class A Common Stock over the Valuation Period. |
The increase to the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall occur at the close of business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of Convertible Notes for which Physical Settlement is applicable, if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the Valuation Period, references to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of such Spin-Off to, and including, the Conversion Date in determining the Conversion Rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of the Convertible Notes for which Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement is applicable, for any Trading Day that falls within the relevant Observation Period (as defined in the Indenture) for such conversion and within the Valuation Period, references to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of such Spin-Off to, and including, such Trading Day in determining the Conversion Rate as of such Trading Day. If any dividend or distribution that constitutes a Spin-Off is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately decreased, as of the date the Company Board determines not to pay or make such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared or announced.
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For purposes of Section 14.04(c) of the Indenture (and subject in all respect to Section 14.11 of the Indenture regarding shareholder rights plans), rights, options or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of the Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company’s Capital Stock, including Common Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Trigger Event”): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of the Common Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of the Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of Section 14.04(c) of the Indenture (and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under Section 14.04(c) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Rate shall be made under Section 14.04(c).
Cash dividend or distribution
Pursuant to Section 14.04(d) of the Indenture, if any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

where,
| CR0 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; |
| CR1 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; |
| SP0 | = | the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; and |
| C | = | the amount in cash per share the Company distributes to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock. |
Any increase pursuant to Section 14.04(d) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to make or pay such dividend or distribution, to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “C” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of shares of the Common Stock, the amount of cash that such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Ex-Dividend Date for such cash dividend or distribution.
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Tender or Exchange Offer
Pursuant to Section 14.04(e) of the Indenture, if the Company or any of its Subsidiaries make a payment in respect of a tender or exchange offer for the Common Stock that is subject to the then-applicable tender offer rules under the Exchange Act, other than an odd lot tender offer, to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of the Common Stock exceeds the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
where,
| CR0 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; |
| CR1 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; |
| AC | = | the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by the Company in good faith) paid or payable for shares of Common Stock purchased in such tender or exchange offer; |
| OS0 | = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the date such tender or exchange offer expires (prior to giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); |
| OS1 | = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the date such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and |
| SP1 | = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires. |
The increase to the Conversion Rate under Section 14.04(e) shall occur at the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of Notes for which Physical Settlement is applicable, if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the 10 Trading Days immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date that such tender or exchange offer expires to, and including, the Conversion Date in determining the Conversion Rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of Notes for which Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement is applicable, for any Trading Day that falls within the relevant Observation Period for such conversion and within the 10 Trading Days immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such Trading Day in determining the Conversion Rate as of such Trading Day.
If the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is obligated to purchase the Common Stock pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer described in Section 14.04(e) of the Indenture but the Company or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchase or any such purchase is rescinded, then the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender or exchange offer had not been made or had been made in respect of the purchases that have been effected.
General
Notwithstanding Section 14.04 or any other provision of the Indenture or the Convertible Notes, if a Conversion Rate adjustment becomes effective on any Ex-Dividend Date, and a Holder that has converted its Notes on or after such Ex-Dividend Date and on or prior to the related Record Date would be treated as the record holder of the shares of Common Stock as of the related Conversion Date as described under Section 14.02(i) of the Indenture based on an adjusted Conversion Rate for such Ex-Dividend Date, then, notwithstanding the Conversion Rate adjustment provisions in Section 14.04, the Conversion Rate adjustment relating to such Ex-Dividend Date shall not be made for such converting Holder. Instead, such Holder shall be treated as if such Holder were the record owner of the shares of Common Stock on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.
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The Indenture also provides that except as stated in Section 14.04, the Company shall not adjust the Conversion Rate for the issuance of shares of the Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of the Common Stock or the right to purchase shares of the Common Stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.
In addition to those adjustments required by clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Section 14.04 of the Indenture, and to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the applicable rules of any exchange on which any of the Company’s securities are then listed, the Company from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for a period of at least 20 Business Days if the Board of Directors determines that such increase would be in the Company’s best interest. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the applicable rules of any exchange on which any of the Company’s securities are then listed, the Company may (but is not required to) increase the Conversion Rate to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock (or rights to acquire shares of Common Stock) or similar event.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article 14 of the Indenture, the Conversion Rate shall not be adjusted:
| i. | upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock at a price below the Conversion Price or otherwise, other than any such issuance described in clause (a), (b) or (c) of Section 14.04 of the Indenture; |
| ii. | upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Company’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any plan; |
| iii. | upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries; |
| iv. | upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in clause (ii) of this subsection and outstanding as of the date the Notes were first issued (other than any rights plan as described under Section 14.04(c) of the Indenture); |
| v. | upon the repurchase of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an open-market share repurchase program or other buy-back transaction that is not a tender offer or exchange offer of the nature described in Section 14.04(e) of the Indenture; |
| vi. | solely for a change in the par value of the Common Stock; or |
| vii. | for accrued and unpaid interest, if any. |
Notwithstanding Section 14.04 or any other provision of this Indenture or the Convertible Notes, the Company shall not be required to make an adjustment pursuant to Section 14.04 of the Indenture unless such adjustment would result in a change of at least 1% in the then-effective Conversion Rate. However, the Company shall carry forward any adjustments that the Company would otherwise have to make and take that adjustment into account in any subsequent adjustment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all such carried-forward adjustments shall be made (1) in connection with any subsequent adjustment to the Conversion Rate of at least 1% (when all such carried-forward adjustments not yet made are aggregated and taken into account), (2) (x) on the Conversion Date for any Convertible Notes (in the case of Physical Settlement) and (y) on each Trading Day of any Observation Period (in the case of Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement), (3) on the Effective Date of any Fundamental Change and/or Make-Whole Fundamental Change and (4) on or after June 1, 2030 unless the adjustment has already been made. All calculations and other determinations under Article 14 of the Indenture shall be made by the Company and shall be made to the nearest one-ten thousandth (1/10,000th) of a share.
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Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee (and the Conversion Agent if not the Trustee) an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the Conversion Rate after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received such Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment of the Conversion Rate and may assume without inquiry that the last Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge is still in effect. Promptly after delivery of such certificate, the Company shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate setting forth the adjusted Conversion Rate and the date on which each adjustment becomes effective and shall deliver such notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate to each Holder.
Exchange in Lieu of Conversion.
Pursuant to the Indenture, when a Holder surrenders its Notes for conversion, the Company may, at its election (an “Exchange Election”), direct the Conversion Agent in writing to surrender, on or prior to the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date, such Notes to a financial institution designated by the Company for exchange in lieu of conversion. In order to accept any Notes surrendered for conversion, the designated institution must agree to timely pay and/or deliver, in exchange for such Notes, cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, at the Company’s election, that would otherwise be due upon conversion. If the Company makes an Exchange Election, the Company shall, by the close of business on the Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date, notify in writing the Holder surrendering its Notes for conversion, the Trustee and Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing that the Company has made the Exchange Election and the Company shall notify the designated institution of the Settlement Method the Company has elected with respect to such conversion and the relevant deadline for payment and/or delivery of the Conversion Consideration. If the designated institution accepts any such Notes, it shall pay and/or deliver, as the case may be, the cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof due upon conversion to the Conversion Agent, and the Conversion Agent shall pay and/or deliver such cash and/or shares of Common Stock to such Holder on the third Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date. Any Notes exchanged by the designated institution will remain outstanding, subject to applicable DTC procedures. If the designated institution agrees to accept any Notes for exchange but does not timely pay and/or deliver the related Conversion Consideration, or if such designated institution does not accept the Notes for exchange, the Company shall pay and/or deliver the relevant Conversion Consideration as if the Company had not made an Exchange Election.
Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock
In the case of:
| ● | any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Class A Common Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination or change of par value or to no par value), |
| ● | any consolidation, merger or combination involving the Company, |
| ● | any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of the consolidated assets of Twenty One Capital and its subsidiaries substantially as an entirety, or |
| ● | any statutory share exchange, |
in each case as a result of which the common stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (each, a “Share Exchange Event”), then, at the effective time of the Share Exchange Event, the right to convert a Convertible Note will be changed into a right to convert it into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the conversion rate immediately prior to such transaction would have owned or been entitled to receive (the “reference property”) upon such Share Exchange Event. If the Share Exchange Event causes the Class A Common Stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), the reference property into which the Convertible Notes will be convertible will be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of our Class A Common Stock that affirmatively make such an election. Twenty One Capital has agreed in the Indenture not to become a party to any such Share Exchange Event unless its terms are consistent with the foregoing provisions.
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Repurchase at the Option of Holders
General
Each Holder will have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash on the date that is three (3) years as of the date of issuance of the Convertible Notes (the “Repurchase Date”), all or a portion of such Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price that is equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Repurchase Date (provided that any such accrued and unpaid interest will be paid not to the Holders submitting the Convertible Notes for repurchase on the Repurchase Date but instead to the Holders of such Convertible Notes at the close of business on the record date immediately preceding the Repurchase Date, as specified in the Indenture).
Fundamental Change Repurchase
If a Fundamental Change occurs at any time prior to the Maturity Date, each Holder will have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Convertible Notes, or any portion thereof, on the date (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Date”) specified by the Company that is not less than 20 business days or more than 35 business days following the date of notice by the Company of a Fundamental Change at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (unless the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date falls after a record date but on or prior to the interest payment date to which such record date relates, as specified in the Indenture, in which case the Company will instead pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to Holders of record as of such record date, and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased).
“Fundamental Change” means the occurrence of any of the following:
| (1) | a “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries and the employee benefit plans of Twenty One Capital and its direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries, files a Schedule TO or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act disclosing that such person or group has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of shares of Company Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Company Stock; |
(2) | the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Company Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination) as a result of which the Company Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets; (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of Twenty One Capital pursuant to which the Company Stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets; or (C) any sale, conveyance, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of Twenty One Capital and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person other than one or more of Twenty One Capital’s direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries; provided, however, that neither (i) a transaction described in clause (A) or (B) in which the holders of all classes of the Twenty One Capital’s common equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of common equity of the continuing or surviving corporation or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions (relative to each other) as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction nor (ii) any merger of Twenty One Capital solely for the purpose of changing Twenty One Capital’s jurisdiction of incorporation that results in a reclassification, conversion or exchange of outstanding shares of the Company Stock solely into shares of common stock of the surviving entity that is “listed stock” (as defined below) and such “listed stock” becomes the reference property for the Convertible Notes, is a Fundamental Change pursuant to this clause (2); |
| (3) | the shareholders of Twenty One Capital approve any plan for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or |
(4) | the Company Stock (or other common stock underlying the Convertible Notes) ceases to be listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors); |
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provided, however, that a transaction or transactions described in clause (1) or clause (2) above do not constitute a Fundamental Change, if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by the holders of Company Stock, excluding cash payments for fractional shares or pursuant to statutory appraisal rights, in connection with such transaction or transactions consists of shares of common stock or other common equity that are listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors) or will be so listed or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or transactions and as a result of such transaction or transactions the Convertible Notes become convertible into such consideration, excluding cash payments for fractional shares or pursuant to statutory appraisal rights (subject to certain conversion provisions).
“Make-Whole Fundamental Change” means any transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change (as defined above and determined after giving effect to any exceptions to or exclusions from such definition, but without regard to clause (i) of the proviso in clause (2) above).
On or before the 20th Business Day after the occurrence of the effective date of a Fundamental Change, pursuant to the Indenture, the Company shall provide to all Holders of Notes, the Trustee, the Conversion Agent and the Paying Agent a notice (the “Fundamental Change Company Notice”) of the occurrence of the effective date of the Fundamental Change and of the repurchase right at the option of the Holders arising as a result thereof. In the case of Physical Notes, such notice shall be by first class mail or, in the case of Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary. Simultaneously with providing such notice, the Company shall publish such information on the Company’s website or through such other public medium as the Company may use at that time.
Repurchases of Notes upon a Fundamental Change shall be made, at the option of the Holder thereof, upon:
(i) delivery to the Paying Agent by a Holder of a duly completed notice (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice”), if the Notes are Physical Notes, or in compliance with the Depositary’s procedures for surrendering interests in Global Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in each case on or before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date; and
(ii) delivery of the Notes, if the Notes are Physical Notes, to the Paying Agent at any time after delivery of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice (together with all necessary endorsements for transfer) at the address of the Paying Agent set forth in the Fundamental Change Company Notice, or book-entry transfer of the Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in compliance with the procedures of the Depositary, in each case such delivery being a condition to receipt by the Holder of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price therefor.
Optional Redemption by the Company
The Convertible Notes are not redeemable by the Company prior to the date that is three (3) years from the issue date of the Convertible Notes. On or after such date and prior to the 21st scheduled trading day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, Twenty One Capital may redeem (an “Optional Redemption”) for cash all or any portion of the Convertible Notes (subject to the Partial Redemption Limitation), at the price that is 100% of the principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (unless the Redemption Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the immediately succeeding Interest Payment Date, in which case interest accrued to the Interest Payment Date will be paid to Holders of record of such Notes as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date on, or at the Company’s election, before, such Interest Payment Date and the Redemption Price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Notes) (such price, the “Redemption Price”), if the last reported sale price of the Company Stock has been at least 130% of the Conversion Price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive), including the trading day immediately preceding the date on which Twenty One Capital provides a Redemption Notice, during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which Twenty One Capital provides the Redemption Notice.
In case the Company exercises its Optional Redemption right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Notes, it shall fix a date for redemption (each, a “Redemption Date”) and it or, at its written request received by the Trustee not less than 5 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Redemption Date (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee), the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company, shall deliver or cause to be delivered a notice of such Optional Redemption (a “Redemption Notice”) not less than 30 nor more than 40 Scheduled Trading Days (as defined in the Indenture) prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes so to be redeemed as a whole or in part; provided, however, that, if the Company shall give such notice, it shall also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Trustee and the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee).
If Twenty One Capital elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Convertible Notes, at least $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes must be outstanding and not subject to Optional Redemption as of the time the Company delivers, and after giving effect to the delivery of, the Redemption Notice (such requirement, the “Partial Redemption Limitation”). If fewer than all of the outstanding Convertible Notes are to be redeemed and the Convertible Notes to be redeemed are Global Notes, the Convertible Notes to be redeemed will be selected by DTC in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC. If fewer than all of the outstanding Convertible Notes are to be redeemed and the Convertible Notes to be redeemed are not Global Notes, the Trustee will select the Convertible Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the Trustee considers to be fair and appropriate. If any Convertible Note selected for partial redemption by the Trustee (or DTC, with respect to Global Notes) is submitted for conversion in part after such selection, the portion of the Convertible Note submitted for conversion shall be deemed (so far as may be possible) to be the portion selected for redemption, subject, in the case of Convertible Notes represented by a Global Note, to DTC’s applicable procedures.
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Certain Covenants
The Convertible Notes are subject to various covenants that restrict Twenty One Capital’s ability to, among other things:
| ● | take certain actions that would have the result of materially impairing the security interest with respect to the Collateral; |
| ● | incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness secured by a lien over the Collateral; and |
| ● | merge or consolidate with other companies or transfer all or substantially all of Twenty One Capital’s assets. |
Impairment of Security Interest
Twenty One Capital may not, and may not permit any of its subsidiaries to, knowingly take or omit to take any action that would have the result of materially impairing the security interest with respect to the Collateral for the benefit of the Holders, and Twenty One Capital may not, and may not permit any of its subsidiaries to, grant to any person other than the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Holders, any interest in the Collateral; provided that the foregoing will not prohibit the release of Collateral in compliance with the terms of the Indenture, the incurrence of Permitted Liens (as defined in the Indenture) on the Collateral, the disposition of assets otherwise permitted or not prohibited under the Indenture, any amendment, extension, renewal, restatement, supplement or modification of the Security Agreement in accordance with their terms or any other action or inaction that is otherwise permitted or not prohibited by the Indenture. Twenty One Capital may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Collateral except in the limited circumstances permitted by the Indenture or the Security Agreement.
Limitation on Debt Secured by the Collateral
Twenty One Capital may not, and may not permit any of its subsidiaries to incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness (including any additional Convertible Notes issued pursuant to the Indenture) secured by a lien (other than (i) any Permitted Lien and (ii) the Convertible Notes (excluding any additional Convertible Notes issued pursuant to the Indenture)) on the Collateral.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
Twenty One Capital may not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to another person (other than any such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease to one or more of the Twenty One Capital’s direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries), unless:
| ● | the Company is the surviving corporation (in the case of a consolidation or merger) or the resulting, surviving or transferee person, if not the Company, will be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, or under the laws of the Cayman Islands or Bermuda, and the successor company (if not the Company) will expressly assume all of the obligations of Twenty One Capital under the Convertible Notes, the Indenture and the Security Agreement; and |
| ● | immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under the Indenture. |
Event of Default
Each of the following events shall be an “Event of Default” with respect to the Convertible Notes:
| ● | default in any payment of interest on the Convertible Notes when due and payable, and the default continues for a period of 30 calendar days; |
| ● | default in the payment of principal of the Convertible Notes when due and payable on the maturity date, upon any Optional Redemption, upon any required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise; |
| ● | failure by the Company to comply with its obligation to convert the Convertible Notes in accordance with the Indenture upon exercise of a Holder’s conversion right, and such failure continues for a period of five business days; |
| ● | failure by the Company to issue (i) required notices in respect of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or a Fundamental Change when due, and such failure continues for a period of five business days or (ii) required notices with respect to certain corporate events, and such failure continues for a period of three business days; |
| ● | failure by the Company to comply with certain of its obligations under the Indenture, including relating to consolidation, merger and sale of assets, the maintenance of security interest in the Collateral and limitation on debt secured by the Collateral; |
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| ● | failure by the Company for 60 calendar days after written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Convertible Notes then outstanding has been received by the Company to comply with any other covenants and obligations of Twenty One Capital contained in the Indenture or the Convertible Notes; |
| ● | default by the Company or any significant subsidiary, or solely with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $75,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) in the aggregate of Twenty One Capital or any significant subsidiary (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal of any such debt when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, in each case after the expiration of any applicable grace period, if such acceleration shall not have been rescinded or annulled or such failure to pay or default is not cured or waived, or such acceleration is not rescinded within 30 days after written notice to the Company and the Trustee by either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes then outstanding determined in accordance with the Indenture; |
| ● | the Company or any significant subsidiary commences a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to Twenty One Capital or any significant subsidiary or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of Twenty One Capital or any significant subsidiary or any substantial part of its property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; |
| ● | an involuntary case or other proceeding has been commenced against the Company or any significant subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to Twenty One Capital or significant subsidiary or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of Twenty One Capital or significant subsidiary or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding remains undismissed and unstayed for a period of 60 consecutive calendar days; |
| ● | (i) any material provision of the Security Agreement at any time after its execution and delivery, ceases to be in full force and effect for any reason other than in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Security Agreement, (ii) Twenty One Capital contests the validity or enforceability of the Indenture or the Security Agreement or (iii) Twenty One Capital denies in writing that it has any further liability under the Indenture or the Security Agreement, other than in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Security Agreement; or |
| ● | any lien purported to be created under any Collateral Document ceases to be a valid lien on any material portion of the Collateral except (A) to the extent that any such lien is not required to be maintained pursuant to the Indenture and the Security Agreement, (B) to the extent such failure results from the failure of the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Security Agreement or to file UCC continuation statements, (C) to the extent such deficiency arose through no fault of Twenty One Capital and such deficiency is corrected with reasonable diligence promptly upon Twenty One Capital obtaining knowledge thereof or (D) to the extent any such failure results from acts or omissions of any secured party or from the application of applicable law. |
If an Event of Default occurs, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Convertible Notes, the whole amount then due and payable on the Convertible Notes for principal and interest, if any, with interest on any overdue principal and interest, if any, at the rate borne by the Convertible Notes at such time (to the extent such interest on overdue principal and interest is permitted by law), and, in addition thereto, such further amount as sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee under the Indenture. If Twenty One Capital fails to pay such amounts upon 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 the Convertible Notes and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of Twenty One Capital or any other obligor upon the Convertible Notes, wherever situated.
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Subject to certain exceptions, the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with the Indenture 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 Convertible Notes; provided, however, that (a) such direction is not in conflict with any rule of law or with the Indenture, and (b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. The Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that it determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability (it being understood that the Trustee shall have no obligation to make such determination). Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification or security satisfactory to it against loss, liability and expense.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes at the time outstanding (determined in accordance with the Indenture and including waivers obtained in connection with a repurchase or, or tender or exchange offer for, Convertible Notes) may direct the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent in connection with any action required or permitted by the Indenture and the Security Agreement and may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Convertible Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences except any continuing defaults relating to (i) a default in the payment of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, or the principal (including any Redemption Price, any Repurchase Price and any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) of, the Convertible Notes when due that has not been cured pursuant to the provisions the Indenture, (ii) a failure by the Company to pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due upon conversion of the Convertible Notes or (iii) a default in respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Convertible Note affected.
Modification and Amendment
The Indenture and the Security Agreement may be amended with the consent of the Holders of at least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes then outstanding. However, without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Convertible Note affected, no amendment may, among other things:
(i) reduce the amount of Convertible Notes whose Holder must consent to an amendment; (ii) reduce the rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on the Convertible Notes; (iii) reduce the principal of or extend the Maturity Date of the Convertible Notes; (iv) except as required by the Indenture, make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights relating to the Convertible Notes; (v) release any of the Collateral, except as expressly permitted under the Indenture and the Security Agreement; (vi) reduce the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price or the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price of any Convertible Note or amend or modify in any manner adverse to the Holders Twenty One Capital’s obligation to make such payments, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise; (vii) make any Convertible Note payable in a currency, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the Convertible Note; (viii) change the ranking of the Convertible Notes in any manner adverse to Holders; (ix) impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes; (x) make certain changes with respect to provisions relating to supplemental indentures that require each Holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions in the Indenture; (xi) contractually subordinate the Convertible Notes in right of payment or contractually subordinate the liens securing the Convertible Notes to liens securing other indebtedness; or (xii) amend or modify the amendment provisions of the Indenture or any other provision specifying the number or percentage of Holders required to waive, amend or modify any rights under this Indenture.
Twenty One Capital may amend the Indenture and the Security Agreement without prior notice to or consent of any Holder for a number of customary purposes, including (but not limited to): to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; to provide for the assumption by a successor company of the obligations of Twenty One Capital under the Indenture, the Security Agreement and the Convertible Notes; to add guarantees; to make, complete or confirm any grant or release of Collateral; to add to the covenants or Event of Default for the benefit of Holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon Twenty One Capital; to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder as determined by the Company in good faith; to comply with the rules of DTC; to add additional assets as Collateral; to appoint a successor trustee; to increase the Conversion Rate; to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee, collateral agent, registrar, paying agent, bid solicitation agent or conversion agent; to irrevocably elect or eliminate one of the Settlement Methods and/or irrevocably elect a maximum cash amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes to be received upon conversion, to the extent that no election or deemed election has been effected in those respects; to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary in a manner that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder; or to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
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Governing Law
The Indenture, the Convertible Notes and the Security Agreement are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Rule 144 and Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies
Rule 144
Pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), a person who has beneficially owned restricted Class A Common Stock for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been an affiliate of the Company at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) the Company is subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and has filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the 12 months (or such shorter period as it was required to file reports) preceding the sale.
Persons who have beneficially owned restricted Class A Common Stock for at least six months but who are affiliates of the Company at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of:
| ● | 1% of the total number of Class A Common Stock then outstanding; or |
| ● | the average weekly reported trading volume of Class A Common Stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale. |
Sales by affiliates of the Company under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and by the availability of current public information about the Company.
Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. However, Rule 144 also includes an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:
| ● | the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company; |
| ● | the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; |
| ● | the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and materials required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Current Reports on Form 8-K; and |
| ● | at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company. |
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Beneficial Ownership of Securities
The following table and accompanying footnotes set forth information regarding as of the date of this prospectus beneficial ownership of shares of Company Stock.
This ownership information is provided in respect of:
| ● | each person that is a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Stock after the completion of the Business Combination and the Cantor F&F Sale; |
| ● | each of Twenty One Capital’s current executive officers and directors; and |
| ● | all of Twenty One Capital’s executive officers and directors as a group. |
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
Unless otherwise noted in the footnotes to the following table, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to their beneficially owned securities. Except as indicated in the footnotes to the table, each of the security holders listed below has sole voting and investment power with respect to Company Stock owned by such shareholders.
| Class A Common Stock (non-voting) | Class B Common Stock (voting) | |||||||||||||||
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Approximate Percentage of Class | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Approximate Percentage of Class | ||||||||||||
| Named Executive Officers and Directors(4) | ||||||||||||||||
| Jack Mallers | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Steven Meehan | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Paolo Ardoino | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Zachary Lyons | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Robert “Bo” Hines | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Raphael Zagury | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Jared Roscoe | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Vikas J. Parekh | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| All officers and directors as a group (8 individuals) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Other 5% Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||
| Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V.(1) | 156,331,512 | 45.1 | % | 156,331,512 | 51.3 | % | ||||||||||
| iFinex, Inc.(2) | 59,404,499 | 17.1 | % | 59,404,499 | 19.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Stellar Beacon LLC(3) | 89,106,748 | 25.7 | % | 89,106,748 | 29.2 | % | ||||||||||
| (1) | The principal business address of Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V. is Final Av. La Revolucion, Colonia San Benito, Edif. Centro, Corporativo Presidente Plaza, Nivel 12, Oficina 2, Distrito de San Salvador, Municipio de San Salvador Centro, Republica de El Salvador. The shares reported herein will be directly owned by Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tether Holdings, S.A. de C.V. Mr. Giancarlo Devasini, individually and through entities controlled by Mr. Devasini, holds a greater than 50% voting interest in Tether Holdings, S.A. de C.V. and thus indirectly holds voting and dispositive power with respect to the securities held by Tether Holdings, S.A. de C.V., including securities held by Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V., its wholly owned subsidiary. As such, each of Tether Holdings, S.A. de C.V. and Mr. Devasini may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares directly held by Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V. Each such entity or person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly. |
| (2) | The principal business address of iFinex, Inc. is c/o iFinex c/o SHRM Trustees (BVI) Limited, Trinity Chambers, PO Box 4301, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands. The shares reported herein will be directly owned by iFinex, Inc. Mr. Giancarlo Devasini, individually and through Digfinex Inc. (BVI), which owns a majority interest in iFinex, Inc., holds a greater than 50% voting interest in iFinex, Inc. Each of Digfinex Inc. (BVI), and Mr. Devasini may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares directly held by iFinex, Inc. Each such entity or person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly. |
| (3) | The shares reported herein will be directly owned by Stellar Beacon LLC. SoftBank Group Corp., a publicly traded company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, is the sole shareholder of SoftBank Group Overseas GK, which is the sole member of Stellar Beacon LLC. As a result of these relationships, each of the foregoing entities may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the securities held of record by Stellar Beacon LLC. The principal business address of Stellar Beacon LLC is 300 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States of America. The principal business address of each of SoftBank Group Corp. and SoftBank Group Overseas GK is 1-7-1 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-7537 Japan. |
| (4) | Unless otherwise noted the business address of each of the following individuals is 111 Congress Avenue, Suite 500 Austin, Texas 78701. |
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Selling Securityholders
This prospectus relates to the resale by the Selling Securityholders of up to $486,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes.
This prospectus also relates to the resale or disposition from time to time by the Selling Securityholders of up to 35,068,912 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes.
The Selling Securityholders may from time to time offer and sell any or all of the securities as set forth below pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. When we refer to the “Selling Securityholders” in this prospectus, we mean the persons listed in the tables below, and the pledgees, donees, transferees, assignees, successors, designees and others who later come to hold any of the Selling Securityholders’ interest in the Convertible Notes or the Class A Common Stock other than through a public sale.
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all securities that they beneficially own, subject to community property laws where applicable.
The Securityholders may sell or otherwise transfer all, some or none of such shares in this offering. Selling Securityholder information for each additional Selling Securityholder, if any, will be set forth in a supplement to this prospectus or, if required, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Any such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment may add, update, substitute or change the information contained in this prospectus, including the identity of each Selling Securityholder and the number of Convertible Notes or Class A Common Stock registered on its behalf. See “Plan of Distribution.” We cannot advise you as to whether the Selling Securityholders will in fact sell any or all of such securities. In addition, the Selling Securityholders may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, at any time and from time to time, the ordinary shares in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act after the date of this prospectus, subject to applicable law.
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Convertible Notes and Class A Common Stock Underlying the Convertible Notes
The following table sets forth the names of the Securityholders, the aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes held by each Securityholder and that may be sold by each Securityholder under this prospectus and the number of Convertible Notes and shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Convertible Notes that each Securityholder will beneficially own after this offering. For purposes of the table below, we have assumed that (i) after termination of this offering none of the Convertible Notes or the shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes and covered by this prospectus will be beneficially owned by the Securityholders and (ii) the Securityholders will not acquire beneficial ownership of any additional securities during the offering. In addition, we assume that the Securityholders have not sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, our securities in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
| Beneficial Ownership prior to this offering | Beneficial Ownership after this offering | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name of Selling Note holder | Principal Amount of Convertible Notes ($)(1) | Percentage | Principal Amount of Convertible Notes to be sold in this offering ($) | Shares
of Common Stock Issuable Upon Conversion of the Principal Amount of Convertible Notes That
May be | Number | Percentage | ||||||||||||||||||
| Anson East Master Fund LP(3) | 11,726,000 | 2.4 | 11,726,000 | 845,258 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Anson Investments Master Fund LP(3) | 41,966,000 | 8.6 | 41,966,000 | 3,025,082 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Anson North Star Tactical Equity Fund LP(3) | 2,571,000 | 0.5 | 2,571,000 | 185,328 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Anson Opportunities Master Fund LP(3) | 8,023,000 | 1.6 | 8,023,000 | 578,330 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| GRAF Investments (4) | 35,000,000 | 7.2 | 35,000,000 | 2,522,944 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| LMR CCSA Master Fund Limited(5) | 19,286,000 | 4.0 | 19,286,000 | 1,390,214 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| LMR Multi-Strategy Master Fund Limited(5) | 19,286,000 | 4.0 | 19,286,000 | 1,390,214 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Pantera Blockchain Fund LP(6) | 38,572,000 | 7.9 | 38,572,000 | 2,780,428 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hypersphere Atlas Master Fund Ltd. (7) | 34,715,000 | 7.1 | 34,715,000 | 2,502,400 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jane Street Global Trading, LLC(8) | 32,143,000 | 6.6 | 32,143,000 | 2,316,999 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jain Global Master Fund Ltd(9) | 28,929,000 | 5.9 | 28,929,000 | 2,085,321 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sculptor Special Funding, LP (10) | 27,000,000 | 5.5 | 27,000,000 | 1,946,271 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| MMCAP International Inc. SPC (11) | 24,686,000 | 5.1 | 24,686,000 | 1,779,468 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund(12) | 25,715,000 | 5.3 | 25,715,000 | 1,853,643 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Graham Macro Strategic Ltd. (13) | 13,661,000 | 2.8 | 13,661,000 | 984,741 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Graham Credit Opportunities Ltd. (13) | 2,411,000 | 0.5 | 2,411,000 | 173,794 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| BH Digital Liquid Directional Master Fund I, LP (14) | 12,858,000 | 2.6 | 12,858,000 | 926,857 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Funds managed by Weiss Asset Management LP (15) | 12,858,000 | 2.7 | 12,858,000 | 926,856 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| CSS LLC (16) | 9,643,000 | 2.0 | 9,643,000 | 695,107 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| YA II PN, Ltd. (17) | 7,715,000 | 1.6 | 7,715,000 | 556,129 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Harraden Circle Investors, LP (18) | 3,536,000 | 0.7 | 3,536,000 | 254,889 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Harraden Circle Special Opportunities, LP (18) | 3,536,000 | 0.7 | 3,536,000 | 254,889 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Harraden Circle Concentrated, LP (18) | 643,000 | 0.1 | 643,000 | 46,350 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Funicular Funds, LP (19) | 6,429,000 | 1.3 | 6,429,000 | 463,428 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Alyeska Master Fund, L.P. (20) | 3,215,000 | 0.7 | 3,215,000 | 231,750 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Republic Digital Opportunistic Digital Assets Master Fund, Ltd (21) | 1,286,000 | 0.3 | 1,286,000 | 92,700 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cantor EP Holdings, LLC (22) | 59,091,000 | 12.1 | 59,091,000 | 4,259,522 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 486,500,000 | 100.0 | $ | 486,500,000 | 35,068,912 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| (1) | The number of Convertible Notes owned prior to this offering includes both the outstanding Convertible Notes and the maximum amount of Convertible Notes that can or will be issued in the future in respect of additional in-kind interest payments on the currently outstanding Convertible Notes through their maturity date. |
| (2) | Calculated based on an initial conversion rate of of 72.0841 shares of Pubco Class A Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes. |
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| (3) | Anson Advisors Inc and Anson Funds Management LP, the Co-Investment Advisers of Anson Investments Master Fund LP, Anson East Master Fund LP, Anson Opportunities Master Fund LP, Anson North Star Tactical Equity Fund LP (“Anson”), hold voting and dispositive power over the Convertible Notes held by Anson. Tony Moore is the managing member of Anson Management GP LLC, which is the general partner of Anson Funds Management LP. Moez Kassam and Amin Nathoo are directors of Anson Advisors Inc. Mr. Moore, Mr. Kassam and Mr. Nathoo each disclaim beneficial ownership of these Convertible Notes except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The principal business address of Anson is Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. The mailing address of Ansen is 181 Bay Street, Suite 4200, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2T3. |
| (4) | The beneficial owner is Fabio Frontini and the registered business address of GRAF Investments is L’Astoria, 26 Bis Boulevard Princesse Charlotte, Monaco, Monaco, 98000. |
| (5) | Investment discretion of LMR CCSA Master Fund Limited, including, but not limited to, the voting and dispositive power of the Convertible Notes, has been delegated to LMR Partners AG and certain of its affiliates. LMR Partners AG and its affiliates disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities. Investment discretion of LMR Multi-Strategy Fund Limited, including, but not limited to, the voting and dispositive power of the Convertible Notes, has been delegated to LMR Partners AG and certain of its affiliates. LMR Partners AG and its affiliates disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities. The address for LMR Partners AG is Ground Floor, Glärnischstrasse 8, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland. |
| (6) | Pantera Blockchain Fund LP is under management by Pantera Capital Partners LP (“PCP LP”). PCP LP serves as investment advisor to Pantera Blockchain Fund LP and has control and discretion over the Convertible Notes held by Pantera Blockchain Fund LP. As such, PCP LP may be deemed the beneficial owner of the Convertible Notes held by Pantera Blockchain Fund LP. PCP LP disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported Convertible Notes other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. The registered business address of Pantera Blockchain Fund LP is 600 Montgomery St. 45th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111. |
| (7) | Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement, Hypersphere Atlas Management Ltd. has voting and investment control over the Convertible Notes held by Hypersphere Atlas Master Fund Ltd., and the registered business address of Hypersphere Atlas Master Fund Ltd. is c/o Harneys Fiduciary (Cayman) Limited, 4th Floor, Harbor Place, 103 Church Street, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, KY1-1002. |
| (8) | Jane Street Global Trading, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jane Street Group, LLC. Turner Batty and Matthew Berger are the members of Jane Street Group’s Management Committee who exercise dispositive power over the securities of the Company. Each of these individuals will disclaim beneficial interest of the securities of the Company, except to the extent of his or her pecuniary interest. The registered business address of Jane Street Global Trading, LLC is 250 Vesey Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10281. |
| (9) | Jain Global LLC is the investment manager for Jain Global Master Fund Ltd. Jain Holdings is the sole member of Jain Global LLC. Robert Jain is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Jain Global LLC, and owns a controlling interest in Jain Holdings. Each of Jain Global LLC, Jain Holdings, and Robert Jain disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported securities, except to the extent of their individual pecuniary interests therein. The address of Jain Global Master Fund Ltd and Jain Global LLC is c/o Jain Global LLC, 9 West 57th Street, 39th Floor, New York, New York 10019. |
| (10) | Sculptor Special Funding, LP (“NRMD”), a Cayman Islands company is wholly owned by Sculptor Master Fund, Ltd. (“SCMD”), a Cayman Islands company. Sculptor Capital LP (“Sculptor”), a Delaware limited partnership, is the investment manager of SCMD. Sculptor Capital Holding Corporation (“SCHC”), a Delaware corporation, is the general partner of Sculptor. Sculptor Capital Management, Inc. (“SCU”), a Delaware corporation is the sole shareholder of SCHC. Rithm Capital Corp. (“RITM”), a Delaware corporation, is the sole shareholder of SCU and is publicly traded on the New York Stock exchange. Accordingly, SCMD, Sculptor, SCHC, SCU and RITM, may be deemed to be beneficial owners of NRMD. The registered business address of NRMD is 9 West 57th Street, 40th Floor, New York, New York 10019. |
| (11) | The registered business address of MMCAP International Inc. SPC is c/o Mourant Governance Service (Cayman) Ltd, 94 Solaris Ave, Camana Bay, BO 1348, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands KY1-1108. |
| (12) | The registered business address of Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund is 1 York Street, Suite 1900, Toronto, ON M5J 0B6. |
| (13) | Kenneth Tropin is the beneficial owner of Graham Macro Strategic Ltd. and Graham Credit Opportunities Ltd (“Graham”) and the registered business address of Graham is c/o Graham Capital Management, L.P., 40 Highland Avenue, Rowayton, CT 06853. |
| (14) | The Board of Directors of Brevan Howard General Partner Limited, the general partner of BH Digital Liquid Directional Master Fund I, LP. has voting and investment control of the securities held by BH Digital Liquid Directional Master Fund I, LP. The Board of Directors of Brevan Howard General Partner Limited, however, disclaim any beneficial ownership of the securities held by BH Digital Liquid Directional Master Fund I, LP. The registered business address of BH Digital Liquid Directional Master Fund I, LP is c/o Walkers Corporate Limited, 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-9008, Cayman Islands. |
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| (15) | Consists of (i) $7,072,000 aggregate principal amount of convertible notes held by Brookdale Global Opportunity Fund (“BGO”), convertible into up to 509,778 shares of common stock; and (ii) $5,786,000 aggregate principal amount of convertible notes held by Brookdale International Partners, L.P. (“BIP”), convertible into up to 417,078 shares of common stock. Andrew Weiss is the Manager of WAM GP LLC, which is the general partner of Weiss Asset Management LP, the investment manager of BGO and BIP. WAM GP LLC is also the Manager of BIP GP LLC, the general partner of BIP. Mr. Weiss has voting and dispositive power with respect to the securities held by BGO and BIP. Mr. Weiss, WAM GP LLC, Weiss Asset Management LP and BIP GP LLC each disclaim beneficial ownership of the Convertible Notes held by BGO and BIP, except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interests therein. The business address of the foregoing entities is c/o Weiss Asset Management, 222 Berkeley Street, 16th Floor, Boston, MA 02116. |
| (16) | The registered business address of CSS LLC is One N. Wacker Dr, Ste 3075, Chicago, IL 60606. |
| (17) | Mr. Mark Angelo makes investment decisions for YA II PN, Ltd. and the registered business address of YA II PN, Ltd is 1012 Springfield Avenue, Mountainside, NJ 07092. |
| (18) | Frederick V. Fortmiller, Jr., Managing Member of Harraden Circle Investors, LP, Harraden Circle Special Opportunities, LP and Harraden Circle Concentrated (“Harraden Circle”), has voting and investment control of the Convertible Notes held by Harraden Circle and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such Convertible Notes. Frederick V. Fortmiller, Jr. disclaims any beneficial ownership of such securities. The registered business address of Harraden Circle is 885 Third Avenue, Suite 2600B, New York, NY 10022. |
| (19) | The general partner of Funicular Funds, LP is Cable Car Capital, LP and Jacob Ma-Weaver, who is the managing member. The registered business address of Funicular Funds, LP is 601 California Street, Suite 1151, San Francisco, CA 94108. |
| (20) | Alyeska Investment Group, L.P., the investment manager of Alyeska Master Fund, L.P. has voting and investment control of the Convertible Notes held by Alyeska Master Fund, L.P. Anand Parekh is the Chief Executive Officer of Alyeska Investment Group, L.P. and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such Convertible Notes. Mr. Parekh, however, disclaims any beneficial ownership of the Convertible Notes held by Alyeska Master Fund, L.P. The registered address of Alyeska Master Fund, L.P. is at c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited, P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, South Church Street George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. Alyeska Investment Group, L.P. is located at 77 W. Wacker, Suite 700, Chicago IL 60601. |
| (21) | Republic Digital Fund Manager LLC (“Republic Digital”) serves as the investment manager to Republic Digital Opportunistic Digital Assets Master Fund, Ltd. Joseph Naggar is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Republic Digital and, in such capacity, holds voting and investment power over the Convertible Notes held by the Republic Digital Opportunistic Digital Assets Master Fund, Ltd. Accordingly, Republic Digital and Mr. Naggar may each be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the Convertible Notes held by the Republic Digital Opportunistic Digital Assets Master Fund, Ltd. Each of Republic Digital and Mr. Naggar disclaims beneficial ownership of such Convertible Notes except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The address for the Republic Digital Opportunistic Digital Assets Master Fund, Ltd. is 149 5th Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10010. |
| (22) | Cantor EP Holdings, LLC is the record holder of such Convertible Notes. Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. (“Cantor”) is the sole member of the Cantor EP Holdings, LLC. CF Group Management, Inc. (“CFGM”) is the managing general partner of Cantor and controls Cantor. Mr. Brandon G. Lutnick is the controlling trustee of the trusts owning all of the voting shares of CFGM and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cantor and CFGM. As such, each of Cantor, CFGM and Mr. Brandon G. Lutnick may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the securities held directly by Cantor EP Holdings, LLC. Each such entity or person disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported securities other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly. The principal business address of the Cantor EP Holdings, LLC is 110 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022. |
Material Relationships with Selling Securityholders
See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”.
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Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
Policies and Procedures for Related Persons Transactions
The Company Board adopted a written conflicts policy that sets forth the following policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions. A “related person transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries was, is or will be a participant, the amount of which involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. A “related person” means:
| ● | any person who is, or at any time during the applicable period was, one of Twenty One Capital’ executive officers or directors; |
| ● | any person who is known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Twenty One Capital voting stock; |
| ● | any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of a director, executive officer or a beneficial owner of more than 5% of Twenty One Capital’s voting stock, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer or beneficial owner of more than 5% of Twenty One Capital’s voting stock; and |
| ● | any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is a partner or principal, or in a similar position, or in which such person has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest in Company Stock. |
The Company has policies and procedures designed to minimize potential conflicts of interest arising from any dealings it may have with its affiliates and to provide appropriate procedures for the disclosure of any real or potential conflicts of interest that may exist from time to time. Specifically, pursuant to its audit committee charter, the audit committee has the responsibility to review related party transactions.
PIPE Engagement Letter
On April 22, 2025, Twenty One Capital and CEP entered into the PIPE Engagement Letter with CF&Co., which was amended by the amendment thereto dated as of June 25, 2025, pursuant to which they engaged CF&Co. as the exclusive placement agent for the PIPE Investments and Twenty One Capital engaged CF&Co. for certain future capital markets advisory and other non-financial advisory services. For the services provided thereto, CF&Co. received a cash fee at the Closing equal to approximately $19,900,000, which is equal to the sum of (i) 0.5% of the value of the Bitcoin to be contributed by Tether and Bitfinex pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, (ii) 0.5% of the gross proceeds received by the Company and CEP pursuant to the April PIPE Investments, and (iii) 2.0% of the gross proceeds received by the Company and CEP pursuant to the June Equity PIPE. Additionally, it was agreed that based on the terms therein and depending upon the number of redemptions of Public Shares in connection with the Business Combination, CF&Co. will also receive Convertible Notes, such that the aggregate principal value of the Engagement Letter Notes and the Exchange Notes is equal to the sum of (i) 1.5% of the value of the Bitcoin to be contributed by Tether and Bitfinex pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, (ii) 1.5% of the gross proceeds received by the Company and CEP pursuant to the April PIPE Investments, subject to certain adjustments and (iii) $98,963 in additional consideration. CF&Co. did not receive any Engagement Letter Notes at Closing. The PIPE Engagement Letter also provides that, for the 24-month period following the date of the PIPE Engagement Letter, in consideration for the other fees to be received by CF&Co., Twenty One Capital may engage CF&Co. or its affiliates to provide certain to be agreed capital markets advisory or other non-financial advisory services with a value of up to $9,250,000 for no additional consideration payable to CF&Co. CF&Co. is not entitled to receive any fees pursuant to the M&A Engagement Letter but will be indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of its engagement.
Sponsor Convertible Note Subscription Agreement
On May 22, 2025, Twenty One Capital, CEP and the Sponsor entered into the Sponsor Convertible Notes Subscription Agreement on substantially the same terms as the Convertible Note Subscription Agreements, as described above, pursuant to which, the Sponsor purchased Option Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $12,791,000 at the Closing.
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Sponsor Support Agreement
On April 22, 2025, Twenty One Capital, CEP and the Sponsor entered into the Sponsor Support Agreement and, pursuant thereto, at Closing, the Sponsor and the Company entered into the Securities Exchange Agreement. Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Agreement, the Sponsor exchanged 4,630,000 Exchange Shares for Exchange Notes in the principal amount of $46,300,000, being equal in value to the product of (1) the total number of the Exchange Shares multiplied by (2) $10.00 per share. The Exchange Notes and shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof have the same registration rights as set forth in the Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements.
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
Concurrently with the Closing, CEP, Twenty One Capital, the Sponsor, each Seller and SoftBank entered into the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement that amended and restated the registration rights agreement entered into between CEP and the Sponsor at the time of the CEP IPO, and pursuant to which the Company (i) assumed the registration obligations of CEP under such registration rights agreement, with such rights applying to the shares of Class A Common Stock and (ii) provides registration rights with respect to the resale of shares of Class A Common Stock held by the Sponsor, each Seller and SoftBank. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, at least once in any 12-month period, Significant Specified Holders may request to sell all or any portion of their Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering so long as the total offering price is reasonably expected to exceed $25 million. Twenty One Capital has also agreed to provide customary “piggyback” registration rights, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions. The Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement provides that Twenty One Capital will pay certain expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify the stockholders against certain liabilities.
309,182,606 shares of Class A Common Stock are subject to registration rights pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement.
Lock-Up Agreements
Concurrently with the Closing, each of the Sellers and SoftBank entered into a Lock-Up Agreement with the Company, pursuant to which each Seller and SoftBank agreed that the shares of Class A Common Stock received by each Seller and the shares of Class A Common Stock transferred by Tether to SoftBank will be locked-up and subject to transfer restrictions, as described below, subject to certain exceptions.
The shares of Class A Common Stock held by each Seller and SoftBank will be locked up until the earlier of (i) the Anniversary Release; provided that, in the event the Resale Registration Statement has not been declared effective on or prior to the Anniversary Release, then the Anniversary Release will be deemed to be the date the Resale Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC and (ii) the date on which the Company consummates a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction after the Closing which results in all of Twenty One Capital’s shareholders having the right to exchange their shares of Company Stock for cash, securities or other property.
Services Agreement
Concurrently with the Closing, the Company and Tether entered into the Services Agreement. Under the Services Agreement, Tether will provide Twenty One and its subsidiaries with access to select services. The services will include: information technology services, such as the development and maintenance of IT systems and cybersecurity; legal services related to regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and intellectual property; health, safety, and environmental services; management and commercialization of intellectual property; treasury and risk management, including Bitcoin trading; human resources services like payroll and benefits administration; and investor relations services. These services will be available on an as-needed basis and will be administered under customary commercial terms for such services. The Services Agreement is designed to enhance Twenty One’s operational efficiency and reduce overhead costs during early growth stages. The Services Agreement will remain in effect unless and until terminated by either Tether or Twenty One Capital by providing 30 days’ prior written notice.
Business Combination Agreement
See “Twenty One’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations—Business Combination.”
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of the Convertible Notes, and Class A Common Stock issuable upon a conversion of such Convertible Notes, by holders that acquire Convertible Notes from the Selling Securityholders pursuant to this prospectus. This summary is based on the Code, treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Treasury Regulations”), rulings, official pronouncements, and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date of this offering memorandum and all of which are subject to change and differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect.
This summary addresses tax considerations only for holders that purchase the Convertible Notes pursuant to this offering and that hold the Convertible Notes and/or any Class A Common Stock as “capital assets” as defined in the Code (generally, property held for investment). Moreover, this summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to specific investors in light of their particular circumstances or to investors subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws (such as financial institutions or financial services entities; insurance companies; regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts; tax-exempt entities; broker-dealers; taxpayers that are subject to the mark-to-market accounting rules; expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes; controlled foreign corporations; passive foreign investment companies; governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof; persons that own, directly or indirectly, actually or constructively, 5% or more of our voting shares or 5% or more of the total value of all classes of our shares; persons that hold their Convertible Notes or Class A Common Stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated or similar investment; persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; and persons subject to any alternative minimum tax), all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized below. The discussion below does not address U.S. federal estate and gift tax considerations, the Medicare tax or the effect of any state, local or non-U.S. tax law. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Services (the “IRS”) will not take, or that a court will not sustain, a contrary position with respect to the U.S. federal income tax considerations described herein.
Prospective Investors Should Consult Their Tax Advisors as to the Tax Consequences to Them of the Ownership and Disposition of the Convertible Notes and the Ownership and Disposition of Class A Common Stock, If Any, Issuable Upon Conversion of the Convertible Notes, as Well as the Applicability of U.S. Federal, State or Local Tax Laws, Non-U.S. Tax Laws or Income Tax Treaties.
For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Convertible Notes and/or Class A Common Stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| ● | an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
| ● | a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| ● | an estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or |
| ● | a trust if (i) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
For purposes of this summary, a “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Convertible Notes and/or Class A Common Stock, other than an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is not a U.S. Holder.
If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds the Convertible Notes or Class A common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of its partners will generally depend upon the status of the partners and the activities of such partnership. A partnership holding the Convertible Notes or Class A Common Stock and each of its partners should consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of holding and disposing of Convertible Notes or Class A Common Stock in light of their particular circumstances.
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General
Pre-Acquisition Accrued Interest
A portion of the price paid for the Convertible Notes may be allocable to interest that accrued prior to the date the Convertible Notes are purchased (the “pre-acquisition accrued interest”). In this case, a portion of the stated interest received in an amount equal to the pre-acquisition accrued interest will be treated as a return of the pre-acquisition accrued interest and not as a payment of interest on the Convertible Notes. Amounts treated as a return of pre-acquisition accrued interest is generally not taxable when received, and pre-acquisition accrued interest is generally excluded from a holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Convertible Notes. All prospective investors in the Convertible Notes should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of pre-acquisition accrued interest.
U.S. Holders
Ownership and Disposition of Convertible Notes
Payments of Interest on the Convertible Notes
Subject to the discussion of above in “—General—Pre-acquisition Accrued Interest,” interest paid on the Convertible Notes will generally be includible in a U.S. Holder’s gross income as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s usual method of tax accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Market Discount
A U.S. Holder will be considered to have purchased a Convertible Note with market discount to the extent that the sum of the face amount of the Convertible Note and the pre-acquisition accrued interest exceeds the purchase price paid for the Convertible Note by at least a statutorily defined de minimis amount. A U.S. Holder will generally be required to treat any principal payment and any gain recognized on the sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of a Convertible Note with market discount as ordinary interest income to the extent of the accrued market discount not previously included in income. In addition, a U.S. Holder may be required to defer, until the maturity of the Convertible Note or its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of all or a portion of such U.S. Holder’s interest expense on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry the Convertible Note.
Alternatively, a U.S. Holder may elect to include market discount in income currently as it accrues (either ratably or on a constant yield basis), in which case the preceding rules will not apply. The adjusted tax basis of a Convertible Note subject to such an election will be increased to reflect market discount included in gross income, thereby reducing any gain or increasing any loss on a sale or other taxable disposition of the Convertible Note. The election to include market discount in income currently, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies, and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.
Bond Premium
A U.S. Holder will be considered to have purchased a Convertible Note at a premium to the extent that the purchase price paid for the Convertible Note exceeds the sum of the face amount of the Convertible Note and the pre-acquisition accrued interest. The U.S. Holder may elect to amortize any such premium as an offset to interest income, using a constant yield method, over the remaining term of the Convertible Note. If a U.S. Holder makes this election, the election will generally apply to all taxable debt instruments held by the U.S. Holder during or after the taxable year for which the election is made. In addition, a U.S. Holder may not revoke the election without the consent of the IRS. If a U.S. Holder elects to amortize the premium, the U.S. Holder will be required to reduce its tax basis in the Convertible Note by the amount of the premium amortized during the U.S. Holder’s holding period. If a U.S. Holder does not elect to amortize the premium, the amount of the premium will be included in the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Convertible Note and will decrease the gain or increase the loss otherwise recognized upon a disposition of the Convertible Note. A U.S. Holder that does not elect to amortize the premium and that holds the Convertible Note to maturity will generally recognize a capital loss when the Convertible Note matures.
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Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Retirement, or other Taxable Disposition of Convertible Notes
A U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement, or other taxable disposition of a Convertible Note in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the disposition (except to the extent attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be subject to tax as described above under “—Payments of Interest on the Convertible Notes”) and (ii) such holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Convertible Note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Convertible Notes will generally be equal to the U.S. Holder’s cost of the Convertible Notes, increased by the amount of any constructive distribution treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes as described below under “—Adjustments to Conversion Rate”. Any gain or loss recognized on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a Convertible Note will generally be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of such disposition, the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the Convertible Note exceeds one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Holders will generally be eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitation.
Conversion of Convertible Notes Solely into Cash
If a U.S. Holder’s Convertible Note is converted solely into cash, such conversion will be treated as a taxable sale or exchange of the Convertible Note and such holder will recognize gain or loss as described above under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Retirement, or other Taxable Disposition of Convertible Notes.”
Conversion of Convertible Notes Solely into Class A Common Stock
A U.S. Holder that receives solely Class A Common Stock (or solely Class A Common Stock and cash in lieu of a fractional share of Class A Common Stock) upon conversion of a Convertible Note will generally not recognize any gain or loss, except to the extent of cash received in lieu of a fractional share, which will be subject to tax as gain or loss from the sale or exchange of Convertible Notes (as described above under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Retirement, or other Taxable Disposition of Convertible Notes”), and except to the extent of the fair market value of Class A Common Stock received with respect to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be subject to tax as interest income (as discussed above under “—Payments of Interest on the Convertible Notes”) to the extent not previously included in income by the U.S. Holder.
A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class A Common Stock received upon a conversion (other than Class A Common Stock attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, the tax basis of which will equal its fair market value at the time of receipt) will equal the tax basis in the Convertible Note that was converted (excluding the portion of the tax basis that is allocable to any fractional share). A U.S. Holder’s holding period for Class A Common Stock received will generally include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the Convertible Notes, except that the holding period of any Class A Common Stock received with respect to accrued but unpaid interest will commence on the day after the date of receipt.
The amount of gain or loss recognized on the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share will be equal to the difference between the amount of cash the U.S. Holder receives in respect of the fractional share and the portion of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Convertible Note that is allocable to the fractional share. Any gain recognized on conversion will generally be capital gain and will be long-term capital gain if, at the time of the conversion, the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the Convertible Note exceeds one year.
Conversion of Convertible Notes into Cash and Class A Common Stock
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of the conversion of a Convertible Note into cash and Class A Common Stock is unclear and subject to different characterizations. We intend to treat such conversion as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent permissible under applicable law at the time of the conversion. If the conversion is treated as a recapitalization, then, except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share and cash or Class A Common Stock received with respect to accrued but unpaid interest (each discussed below), a U.S. Holder should generally recognize gain, but not loss, equal to the lesser of (i) the amount of cash received and (ii) the excess of the amount of cash and the fair market value of Class A Common Stock received (and any fractional shares deemed received) at the time of the conversion over the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Convertible Notes. Any such gain should generally be capital gain and will be long-term capital gain if, at the time of the conversion, the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the Convertible Note exceeds one year.
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A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in Class A Common Stock received in the recapitalization (other than any such stock received with respect to accrued but unpaid interest and any fractional share deemed received) should generally equal the holder’s tax basis in the Convertible Note reduced by the amount of cash received (excluding cash attributable to accrued interest and cash received in lieu of a fractional share) and increased by the amount of any taxable gain recognized on the conversion (other than with respect to a fractional share), reduced by the basis allocable to the fractional share of Class A Common Stock deemed received.
If the receipt of cash and Class A Common Stock on the conversion of a Convertible Note is not treated as a recapitalization, such conversion could be treated as a sale of a portion of the Convertible Note solely for cash and as an exchange of a portion of the Convertible Note solely for Class A Common Stock. In such event, a U.S. Holder should generally be subject to the tax treatment described above under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Retirement, or other Taxable Disposition of Convertible Notes” with respect to the portion of the Convertible Note treated as sold solely for cash (other than cash attributable to accrued but unpaid interest or received in lieu of a fractional share) and should generally not be subject to tax on the receipt of Class A Common Stock, except to the extent such stock is received with respect to accrued but unpaid interest.
Although the law on this point is not entirely clear, if the conversion is treated as described in the immediately preceding paragraph, a U.S. Holder’s basis in the Class A Common Stock received in such conversion (other than any such stock received with respect to accrued interest) should generally equal a proportionate part of the basis of the surrendered Convertible Note (based on the relative fair market values of such stock and the amount of cash received in the conversion (other than cash attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, but including any cash received in lieu of a fractional share)).
Cash received in lieu of a fractional share will generally be treated as a payment in exchange for the fractional share. The amount of gain or loss on the deemed sale of a fractional share will be equal to the difference between the amount of cash such U.S. Holder receives in respect of such fractional share and the portion of such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares treated as received that is allocable to the fractional share. Any such gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of such deemed sale, the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the Convertible Note exceeds one year.
Any cash and the fair market value of any Class A Common Stock received with respect to accrued but unpaid interest will be subject to tax as described above under “—Payments of Interest on the Convertible Notes.” The U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such shares will be equal to their fair market value when received.
A U.S. Holder’s holding period for Class A Common Stock received in a conversion described in this section will generally include the period during which the holder held the Convertible Notes, except that the holding period of any Class A Common Stock received with respect to accrued interest should commence on the day after the receipt of such stock.
Adjustments to Conversion Rate
The conversion rate of the Convertible Notes is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as described above under “Description of Securities—Conversion.” Under Section 305(c) of the Code, adjustments (or failures to make adjustments) that have the effect of increasing a U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in assets or earnings of the Company may in some circumstances cause the U.S. Holder to have received a constructive distribution of, or with respect to, Class A Common Stock even though no cash or property is received. Adjustments to the conversion rate made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the holders of the Convertible Notes will generally not be considered to result in a constructive distribution. Certain of the possible adjustments to the conversion rate (including adjustments in respect of taxable dividends to our shareholders) do not qualify as made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula. In addition, an adjustment to the conversion rate in connection with a make-whole fundamental change or in connection with a notice of redemption may be treated as a constructive distribution. If such adjustments are made, we intend to take the position that you have received constructive distributions from us, even though you have not received any cash or property as a result of such adjustments. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Convertible Notes would be increased by the amount of any such constructive distribution, with the other tax consequences of the receipt of such a distribution generally as described below under “Ownership and Disposition of Class A Common Stock—Dividends and Distributions.” However, it is not entirely clear whether such deemed distributions would be eligible for the reduced tax rate applicable to certain dividends paid to non-corporate holders or for the dividends-received deduction applicable to certain dividends paid to corporate holders. The U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a Convertible Note will generally be increased to the extent of any constructive distribution that is treated as a dividend. In certain circumstances, the failure to make an adjustment to the conversion rate may result in a taxable distribution to holders of the Convertible Notes if, as a result of such failure, the proportionate interest of the Convertible Note holders in the assets or earnings and profits of the Company is effectively increased.
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Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of any adjustment (or the absence of any adjustment) to the conversion rate and any resulting deemed distribution.
Ownership and Disposition of Class A Common Stock
Dividends and Distributions
Distributions with respect to Class A Common Stock will generally be includible in a U.S. Holder’s gross income as ordinary dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions to the extent in excess of such current or accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital that reduces the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A Common Stock (but not below zero). Any remainder will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of such stock subject to tax as described under “—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A Common Stock” below. Dividends received by individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Holders will generally qualify for the lower rates of tax applicable to “qualified dividend income,” provided that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied. Corporate U.S. Holders will generally be entitled to a dividends received deduction in respect of dividends received on Class A Common Stock, subject to applicable limitations.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A Common Stock
A U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of Class A Common Stock in an amount equal to the difference between the holder’s adjusted tax basis in such stock and the amount realized on the disposition. Any such gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss and will be long-term if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such stock exceeds one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Holders are generally eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitation.
Non-U.S. Holders
Payments of Interest on the Convertible Notes
A Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on payments of interest on the Convertible Notes (including any Class A Common Stock received on a conversion of the Convertible Notes that is attributable to accrued but unpaid interest on the Convertible Notes); provided that (i) such interest is not effectively connected with such Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (or, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires, is not attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. holder in the United States), (ii) such holder certifies as to its non-U.S. status and that no withholding is required pursuant to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (discussed below) on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form).
Interest on the Convertible Notes that is effectively connected with a Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States) will generally not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements (generally by providing an IRS Form W-8ECI). Instead, such interest will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular rates generally applicable to U.S. Holders and, in the case of corporate Non-U.S. Holders, may also be subject to branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty).
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A Non-U.S. Holder that does not satisfy any of the requirements described above will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on payments of interest on the Convertible Notes at a rate of 30%. Under certain treaties, the U.S. federal withholding tax on such payments of interest may be reduced or eliminated provided that the Non-U.S. Holder certifies as to its eligibility for treaty benefits (generally, by providing a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E).
Dividends and Distributions on Class A Common Stock
Dividends received by a Non-U.S. Holder with respect to Class A Common Stock (including any constructive distributions resulting from an adjustment to the conversion rate as described above under “—U.S. Holders—Ownership and Disposition of Convertible Notes—Adjustments to Conversion Rate” that are treated as dividends) will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides proper certification of its eligibility for a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty (generally on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E). Distributions (including constructive distributions) will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under the Code. Distributions to the extent in excess of such current or accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital that reduces the Non-U.S. Holder’s basis in its Class A Common Stock (but not below zero). Any remainder will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other taxable disposition of Class A Common Stock and will be treated as described under “—Sale or Other Disposition of Convertible Notes or Class A Common Stock” below.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Non-U.S. Holders should expect that the gross amount of any actual or constructive distributions with respect to Class A Common Stock will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, unless the applicable withholding agent elects to withhold a lesser amount based on a reasonable estimate of the amount of the distribution that would be treated as a dividend. Because constructive distributions will not give rise to cash from which any applicable U.S. federal withholding tax can be satisfied, any applicable withholding tax may be withheld from cash payments of interest or from cash or Class A Common Stock otherwise deliverable to a holder upon a conversion, exchange, redemption, retirement, or repurchase of a Convertible Note.
Dividends that are effectively connected with a Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States) will generally not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements (generally by providing an IRS Form W-8ECI). Instead, such dividends will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular U.S. federal income tax rates generally applicable to U.S. Holders and, in the case of corporate Non-U.S. Holders, may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty).
Sale or Other Disposition of Convertible Notes or Class A Common Stock
A Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of Convertible Notes (including upon a conversion or exchange) or Class A Common Stock, unless:
| ● | the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and if an applicable income tax treaty so requires, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States), in which case the gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular rates generally applicable to U.S. Holders and, in the case of corporate Non-U.S. Holders, may also be subject to branch profits tax at a rate of 30%; |
| ● | the Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition, and certain other requirements are met, in which case the gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) and may be offset by U.S. source capital losses in certain circumstances; or |
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| ● | we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” (a “USRPHC”), as defined in the Code, at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion, or other disposition of the Convertible Notes or Class A Common Stock, and the period that the Non-U.S. Holder held the Convertible Notes or Class A Common Stock, and certain other conditions are met, in which case the gain will generally be subject to tax on a net income basis as gain that is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States as described in the first bullet above. |
A corporation is generally a USRPHC if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we are not a USRPHC, have not been a USRPHC at any point during the last five years, and do not anticipate becoming a USRPHC in the foreseeable future.
Any amounts (including Class A Common Stock) that a Non-U.S. Holder receives on a sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other taxable disposition of a Convertible Note that are attributable to accrued but unpaid interest will be treated as interest and may be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in accordance with the rules described above under “—Payments of Interest on the Convertible Notes.”
Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Convertible Notes or Class A Common Stock and the effects of any applicable income tax treaties.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and the regulations and administrative guidance promulgated thereunder (“FATCA”), withholding at a rate of 30% will generally be required on payments of interest on the Convertible Notes and dividends in respect of Class A Common Stock (including constructive dividends) held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution otherwise qualifies for an exemption or (i) enters into, and complies with, an agreement with the IRS to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to interests in, and accounts maintained by, the institution that are owned by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments, or (ii) if required under an intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and an applicable foreign country, reports such information to its local tax authority, which exchanged such information with the U.S. authorities. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or other guidance, may modify these requirements. Similarly, in certain circumstances, interest payments in respect of Convertible Notes and dividends in respect of Class A Common Stock, in each case, held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions will generally be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i) certifies that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which we will in turn provide to the IRS. Accordingly, the entity through which an investor holds the Convertible Notes or Class A Common Stock will affect the determination of whether withholding under the rules described in this paragraph is required. No additional amounts will be paid to holders in respect of any amounts withheld. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these rules on an investment in the Convertible Notes and the Class A Common Stock into which such Convertible Notes may be converted.
146
Plan of Distribution
This prospectus relates to the resale by the Selling Securityholders of up to $486,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes.
This prospectus also relates to the resale or disposition from time to time by the Selling Securityholders of up to 35,068,912 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the securities by the Selling Securityholders.
Upon effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the securities beneficially owned by the Selling Securityholders covered by this prospectus may be offered and sold from time to time by the Selling Securityholders. The term “Selling Securityholders” includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors in interest selling securities received after the date of this prospectus from a Selling Securityholder as a gift, pledge, partnership or limited liability company distribution or other transfer. The Selling Securityholders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale. Such sales may be made on one or more exchanges or in the over-the-counter market or otherwise, at prices and under terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price or in negotiated transactions. Each Selling Securityholders reserves the right to accept and, together with its respective agents, to reject, any proposed purchase of securities to be made directly or through agents. The Selling Securityholders and any of their permitted transferees may sell their securities offered by this prospectus on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities are traded or in private transactions.
Subject to the limitations set forth in any applicable registration rights agreement, the Selling Securityholders may use any one or more of the following methods when selling the securities offered by this prospectus, as applicable:
| ● | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by such broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to this prospectus; |
| ● | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers; |
| ● | block trades in which the broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
| ● | an over-the-counter distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; |
| ● | settlement of short sales entered into after the date of this prospectus; |
| ● | agreements with broker-dealers to sell a specified number of the securities at a stipulated price per share; |
| ● | in “at the market” offerings, as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, at negotiated prices, at prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, including sales made directly on a national securities exchange or sales made through a market maker other than on an exchange or other similar offerings through sales agents; |
| ● | directly to purchasers, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process or in privately negotiated transactions; |
| ● | through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise; |
| ● | through a combination of any of the above methods of sale; or |
| ● | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
147
In addition, a Selling Securityholder that is an entity may elect to make an in-kind distribution of securities to its members, partners or stockholders pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part by delivering a prospectus with a plan of distribution. Such members, partners or stockholders would thereby receive freely tradeable securities pursuant to the distribution through a registration statement. To the extent a distributee is an affiliate of ours (or to the extent otherwise required by law), we may file a prospectus supplement in order to permit the distributees to use the prospectus to resell the securities acquired in the distribution.
The Selling Securityholders also may transfer the securities in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors-in-interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus. Upon being notified by the Selling Securityholders that a donee, pledgee, transferee, other successor- in-interest intends to sell our securities, we will, to the extent required, promptly file a supplement to this prospectus to name specifically such person as a Selling Securityholders.
There can be no assurance that the Selling Securityholders will sell all or any of the securities offered by this prospectus. In addition, the Selling Securityholders may also sell securities under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if available, or in other transactions exempt from registration, rather than under this prospectus. The Selling Securityholders have the sole and absolute discretion not to accept any purchase offer or make any sale of securities if they deem the purchase price to be unsatisfactory at any particular time.
To the extent required, the securities to be sold, the name of the Selling Securityholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the proceeds to be received from the sale, if any, and other material terms of the offering, the settlement of short sales entered into after the date of this prospectus, the names of any agents, dealer or underwriter, any applicable commissions or discounts or any other items constituting compensation from the Selling Securityholders with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.
In connection with the sale of our securities, the Selling Securityholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of our securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling Securityholders may also sell our securities short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge our securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these shares. The Selling Securityholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters or agents, as the case may be, involved in the offering of such securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our securities. Specifically, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in our securities for their own account. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of our securities, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may bid for, and purchase, such securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allotted to an underwriter or a broker-dealer for distributing such securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. The underwriters or agents, as the case may be, are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.
In offering the securities covered by this prospectus, the Selling Securityholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents who execute sales for the Selling Securityholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of those securities may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
The Selling Securityholders may solicit offers to purchase the securities directly from, and it may sell such securities directly to, institutional investors or others. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. The terms of any of those sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if utilized, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
148
It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in our securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for our securities. Our Class A Common Stock is listed on NYSE under the ticker symbol “XXI”. The Convertible Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
The Selling Securityholders may authorize underwriters, broker-dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we or the Selling Securityholders pay for solicitation of these contracts.
A Selling Securityholders may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by any Selling Securityholder or borrowed from any Selling Securityholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from any Selling Securityholder in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, any Selling Securityholder may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
In effecting sales, broker-dealers or agents engaged by the Selling Securityholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate. Broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions, discounts or concessions from the Selling Securityholders in amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to the sale.
To our knowledge, there are currently no plans, arrangements or understandings between the Selling Securityholders and any broker-dealer or agent regarding the sale of the securities by the Selling Securityholders. Upon our notification by a Selling Securityholders that any material arrangement has been entered into with an underwriter or broker-dealer for the sale of securities through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution, secondary distribution or a purchase by an underwriter or broker-dealer, we will file, if required by applicable law or regulation, a supplement to this prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act disclosing certain material information relating to such underwriter or broker-dealer and such offering.
The underwriters, broker-dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us or the Selling Securityholders, or perform services for us or the Selling Securityholders, in the ordinary course of business.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Selling Securityholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, to the extent applicable, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of Common Stock by the Selling Securityholders and any other participating person. To the extent applicable, Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of Common Stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of Common Stock. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of Common Stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of Common Stock. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the Selling Securityholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The Selling Securityholders may indemnify any agent, broker-dealer or underwriter that participates in transactions involving the sale of the securities against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
We have agreed to indemnify the Selling Securityholders against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law. Agents, broker-dealers and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us and the Selling Securityholders against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents, broker-dealers or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
We have agreed with certain Selling Securityholders pursuant to the Subscription Agreements to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part effective until such time as (i) such Selling Securityholders cease to hold any of the registrable securities issued under such Subscription Agreements or, (ii) the first date all such registrable securities may be sold without restriction under Rule 144 without limitation on volume and manner of sale which may be applicable to affiliates under Rule 144 and without the requirement for us to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c)(1) or Rule 144(i)(2).
149
Legal Matters
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP.
Experts
The financial statements of CEP as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 appearing in this prospectus have been audited by WithumSmith+Brown, PC, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance on such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of Twenty One as of April 30, 2025, and for the period from April 17, 2025, through April 30, 2025, appearing in this prospectus have been audited by WithumSmith+Brown, PC, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about the ability of Twenty One to continue as a going concern as described in Note 2 to the financial statements), appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of Twenty One Capital as of June 30, 2025, and for the period from March 7, 2025, through June 30, 2025, appearing in this prospectus have been audited by WithumSmith+Brown, PC, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about the ability of Twenty One Capital to continue as a going concern as described in Note 2 to the financial statements), appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Where You Can Find More Information
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-1, including exhibits, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information pertaining to us and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits.
In addition, we have or will file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public on a website maintained by the SEC located at ww.sec.gov.
We make available, free of charge, annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information. All information contained in this document relating to Twenty One Capital has been supplied by the Company.
If you would like copies of our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information, you should contact via phone or in writing:
Twenty One Capital, Inc.
111 Congress Avenue, Suite 500
Austin, Texas 78701
Attention: Steven Meehan
Tel. 206 552 9859
150
Index to Financial Statements
Cantor Equity Partners Inc.
Twenty One Assets, LLC
Twenty One Capital, Inc.
F-1
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Receivable from related party | ||||||||
| Total Current Assets | ||||||||
| Available-for-sale debt securities held in Trust Account, at fair value (amortized cost $ | | |||||||
| Forward sale securities asset | ||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit: | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Note payable – related party | ||||||||
| Payable to related party | ||||||||
| Total Liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | ||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ Deficit: | ||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares, $ | ||||||||
| Class B ordinary shares, $ | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | ||||||||
| Total Shareholders’ Deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total Liabilities, Commitments and Contingencies and Shareholders’ Deficit | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-2
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| General and administrative costs | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Administrative expenses – related party | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Interest income on investments held in the Trust Account | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of forward sale securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Class A – Public shares | ||||||||||||||||
| Class A – Private placement | ||||||||||||||||
| Class B – Ordinary shares | (1) | (1) (2) | ||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Class A – Public shares | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Class A – Private placement | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Class B – Ordinary shares | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| (1) | |
| (2) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-3
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of available-for-sale debt securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-4
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(UNAUDITED)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025
| Ordinary Shares | Additional | Accumulated Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | Class B | Paid-In | Accumulated | Comprehensive | Shareholders ’ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Income | Deficit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – December 31, 2024 | $ | | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of redeemable Class A ordinary shares to redemption value | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – March 31, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of redeemable Class A ordinary shares to redemption value | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – June 30, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of redeemable Class A ordinary shares to redemption value | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – September 30, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
| Ordinary Shares | Additional | Accumulated Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | Class B | Paid-In | Accumulated | Comprehensive | Shareholders ’ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Income | Deficit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – December 31, 2023 | $ | (1) | $ | (1) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – June 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sale of Class A ordinary shares to Sponsor in private placement | | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrender of Class B ordinary shares by Sponsor at $ | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of redeemable Class A ordinary shares to redemption value | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-5
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | ||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses paid by related party | ||||||||
| Interest income on investments held in Trust Account | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Change in fair value of forward sale securities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Receivable from related party | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other assets | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Payable to related party | ||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Maturity of available-for-sale debt securities held in Trust Account | ||||||||
| Purchase of available-for-sale debt securities held in Trust Account | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from initial public offering | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from private placement | ||||||||
| Offering costs paid | ( | ) | ||||||
| Deferred offering costs paid by related party | ( | ) | ||||||
| Payment on Note payable – related party | ( | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from Note payable – related party | ||||||||
| Payment on Payable to related party | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Net change in Cash | ||||||||
| Cash – beginning of the period | ||||||||
| Cash – end of the period | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-6
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1—Description of Organization, Business Operations and Basis of Presentation
Cantor Equity Partners, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on November 11, 2020 as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”).
Although the Company is not limited in its search for target businesses to a particular industry or sector for the purpose of consummating the Business Combination, the Company intends to focus its search on companies operating in the financial services, healthcare, real estate services, technology and software industries. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
As of September 30, 2025, the Company had not commenced operations. All activity through September 30, 2025 relates to the Company’s formation, the initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”) described below, and the Company’s efforts toward locating and completing a suitable Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of the Business Combination, at the earliest. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company used the net proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement (as defined below) to generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from direct investments in U.S. government debt securities. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company also recognized changes in the fair value of the forward sale securities (as further described below) as other income.
The Company’s sponsor is Cantor EP Holdings,
LLC (the “Sponsor”). The registration statement for the Initial Public Offering was declared effective on August 12, 2024.
On August 14, 2024, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial
Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of
The net proceeds of the Private Placement were deposited into the Trust Account (as defined below) and will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares subject to the requirements of applicable law (see Note 4).
Offering costs amounted to approximately $
Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering
and the Private Placement on August 14, 2024, an amount of $
F-7
Business Combination — The Company’s
management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the Private
Placement, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating the Business Combination.
There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete the Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or
more Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least
The Company will provide the holders of the Public
Shares (the “Public Shareholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion
of the Business Combination either (i) in connection with a shareholders meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by
means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek shareholder approval of the Business Combination or conduct
a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The Public Shareholders will be entitled to redeem their Public
Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (which was initially $
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Amended and
Restated Memorandum and Articles provides that a Public Shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person
with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be
restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of
The Sponsor and the Company’s officers and
directors have agreed not to propose an amendment to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles (i) that would affect the substance
or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemption in connection with the Business Combination or to redeem
F-8
Business Combination Agreement — On April 22, 2025, the Company entered into a business combination agreement (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”) by and among (i) the Company, (ii) Twenty One Capital, Inc., a Texas corporation (“Pubco”), (iii) Twenty One Assets, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Twenty One”), (iv) Twenty One Merger Sub D, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“SPAC Merger Sub”), (v) Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V., an El Salvador Sociedad anónima de capital variable (“Tether”), (vi) iFinex, Inc., a British Virgin Islands company (“Bitfinex”), and (vii) with respect to certain sections specified in the Business Combination Agreement, Stellar Beacon LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SoftBank”).
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, (a) the Company will merge with and into SPAC Merger Sub, with SPAC Merger Sub continuing as the surviving entity (the “SPAC Merger”) and Company shareholders receiving one share of Pubco Class A common stock for each Class A ordinary share held by such shareholder; and (b) Twenty One will merge with and into CEP Merger Sub C, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Twenty One Merger Sub”), with Twenty One Merger Sub continuing as the surviving company (the “Twenty One Merger” and, together with the SPAC Merger, the “Mergers”) and with the members of Twenty One receiving shares of Pubco common stock in exchange for their membership interests in Twenty One. As a result of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement (the “Transactions”), SPAC Merger Sub and Twenty One Merger Sub will become wholly-owned subsidiaries of Pubco and Pubco will become a publicly traded company, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.
Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business
Combination Agreement, the Company and Pubco entered into (i) subscription agreements (the “Convertible Note Subscription Agreements”)
with certain investors (the “Convertible Note Investors”), pursuant to which the Convertible Note Investors agreed to acquire,
in a private placement,
On June 19, 2025, the Company and Pubco entered
into subscription agreements (the “June Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements” and, together with the April Equity PIPE Subscription
Agreements, the “Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements”) with certain investors (the “June Equity PIPE Investors”),
pursuant to which the June Equity PIPE Investors agreed to purchase, in a private placement,
F-9
On June 25, 2025, the Company, Pubco and the Sponsor
entered into Amendment No. 1 to Sponsor Support Agreement (the “Sponsor Support Agreement Amendment”), which amends the Sponsor
Support Agreement. Pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement Amendment, the Sponsor has agreed that it may, subject to the conditions
specified therein, forfeit a number of Class A ordinary shares it receives upon conversion of its Class B ordinary shares of the Company,
par value $
On July 26, 2025, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement by and among, Pubco, Twenty One, SPAC Merger Sub, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank (the “BCA Amendment”) in order to amend the price of Bitcoin used to determine the number of shares of Pubco Stock (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) to be received by Tether in exchange for the sale of the Additional PIPE Bitcoin (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) to Pubco at the Closing.
Certain existing agreements of the Company will be amended or amended and restated in connection with the Transactions.
For more information regarding the Transactions, refer to the Company’s and Pubco’s filings with the SEC, including the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the SEC on April 23, 2025, April 28, 2025, May 29, 2025, June 20, 2025, June 27, 2025, and July 29, 2025, Pubco’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-290246), initially filed with the SEC on September 12, 2025, as amended, the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on November 6, 2025, and the other filings the Company and Pubco may make from time to time with the SEC.
Forward Sale Securities — As described
above, in connection with the Business Combination Agreement, the April Equity PIPE Investors committed, pursuant to the April Equity
PIPE Subscription Agreements, to purchase in a private placement
Failure to Consummate the Business Combination — The Company has until August 14, 2026, or until such earlier liquidation date as the Company’s board of directors may approve or such later date as the Company’s shareholders may approve pursuant to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles (the “Combination Period”), to consummate the Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete the Business Combination by the end of the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders and the Company’s board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in each case, to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
The Sponsor and the Company’s directors
and officers have agreed to waive their liquidation rights from the Trust Account with respect to the Founder Shares and the Private Placement
Shares held by them if the Company fails to complete the Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Sponsor or
any of the Company’s directors and officers acquire Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, they will be entitled
to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such Public Shares if the Company fails to complete the Business Combination
within the Combination Period. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining
available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be less than $
F-10
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of both September 30, 2025 and December 31,
2024, the Company had $
The Company’s liquidity needs through September
30, 2025 have been satisfied through a contribution of $
Based on the foregoing, management believes that the Company will have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity from the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors, to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of the Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, the Company will be using these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective target businesses, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, and reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position as of September 30, 2025 and the results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain information and disclosures normally included in unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year or any future period. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the SEC on March 28, 2025. Certain reclassifications have been made to previously reported amounts to conform to the current presentation.
Principles of Consolidation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Going Concern
In connection with the Company’s going concern
considerations in accordance with guidance in ASC 205-40 Presentation of Financial Statements–Going Concern, the Company has until August 14, 2026
to consummate the Business Combination. The Company’s mandatory liquidation date, if the Business Combination is not consummated,
raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. These condensed consolidated financial statements
do not include any adjustments related to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities should the Company
be unable to continue as a going concern. As discussed above, in the event of a mandatory liquidation, within ten business days, the Company
will redeem the Public Shares, at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account
(which was initially $
F-11
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company”, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.
This may make comparison of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements with another public company that is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. One of the more significant accounting estimates included in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements is the determination of the fair value of the forward sale securities. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available, and accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments (if any) with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company had cash equivalents in its operating account or the Trust Account as of both September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
F-12
Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
The Company’s investments held in the Trust Account as of both September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 comprised of a direct investment in U.S. government treasury bills.
The Company accounts for its investment in debt securities in accordance with the guidance in ASC 320, Investments — Debt and Equity Securities. When the Company has the ability and positive intent to hold debt securities until maturity, such securities are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost. None of the Company’s debt securities met the criteria for held-to-maturity classification as of both September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024. As the Company does not have the ability or positive intent to hold its debt securities until maturity, the securities are classified as available-for-sale. Unrealized gains and losses from available-for-sale debt securities carried at fair value are reported as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ deficit. Interest income recognized on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations reflects accretion of discount. Investments in debt securities are recorded on a trade-date basis.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject
the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash accounts in financial institutions which, at times, may exceed the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation maximum coverage limit of $
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), “fair value” is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820 approximates the carrying amounts presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature, with the exception of the available-for-sale debt securities and the forward sale securities.
Offering Costs Associated with the Initial Public Offering
Offering costs consisted of legal and other fees
incurred in connection with the preparation for the Initial Public Offering. These costs amounted to approximately $
Forward Sale Securities
The Company accounts for the forward sale securities as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the specific terms of the Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements using applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the forward sale securities are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the forward sale securities are indexed to the Company’s own shares. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of the execution of the Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements and as of each subsequent quarterly period-end date while the forward sale securities are outstanding. The forward sale securities that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification are required to be recorded at their initial fair value at the time of the execution of the Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements and on each balance sheet date thereafter. Changes in the estimated fair value of the forward sale securities are recognized on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations in the period of the change.
The Company accounts for the forward sale securities in accordance with guidance in ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, pursuant to which the forward sale securities do not meet the criteria for equity classification and must be recorded as liabilities or assets. See Note 8 for further discussion of the methodology used to determine the fair value of the forward sale securities.
F-13
Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its Class A ordinary
shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC 480. Class A ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption
(if any) are classified as liability instruments and measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable Class A ordinary shares (including
Class A ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon
the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times,
Class A ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. All of the Public Shares feature certain redemption rights that
are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, as
of both September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024,
As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, as presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, are reconciled in the following table:
| Gross proceeds | $ | |||
| Less: | ||||
| Issuance costs allocated to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | ( | ) | ||
| Plus: | ||||
| Accretion of carrying value to redemption value | ||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, December 31, 2024 | $ | |||
| Plus: | ||||
| Accretion of carrying value to redemption value | ||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, September 30, 2025 | $ |
Net Income Per Ordinary Share
The Company complies with the accounting and disclosure requirements of ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. Net income per ordinary share is computed by dividing net income applicable to shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the applicable periods. The Company applies the two-class method in calculating earnings per share and allocates net income pro rata to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, nonredeemable Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Accretion associated with the redeemable Class A ordinary shares is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value is not in excess of the fair value.
F-14
The following tables reflect the calculation of basic and diluted net income per ordinary share:
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A – Public shares | Class A – Private placement shares | Class B – Ordinary shares | Class A – Public shares | Class A – Private placement shares | Class B – Ordinary shares | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocation of net income | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| For the Nine Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A – Public shares | Class A – Private placement shares | Class B – Ordinary shares | Class A – Public shares | Class A – Private placement shares | Class B – Ordinary shares | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocation of net income | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method as prescribed under ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to basis differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis.
ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold that a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. The Company provides for uncertain tax positions, based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. Management is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Because significant assumptions are used in determining whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, actual results may differ from management’s estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. As of both September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company has not recorded any amounts related to uncertain tax positions.
The Company is considered an exempted Cayman Islands company and is presently not subject to income taxes or income tax filing requirements in the Cayman Islands or the United States. As such, the Company recorded no income tax provision for the periods presented.
F-15
Segment Reporting
The Company has
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The guidance was issued in response to requests from investors for companies to disclose more information about their financial performance at the segment level. The ASU does not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates them or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. The standard requires a public entity to disclose significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis, and to provide in interim periods all disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that were previously required annually. Public entities with a single reportable segment are required to provide the new disclosures and all the disclosures previously required under ASC 280. The Company adopted the standard on the required effective date for the financial statements issued for the annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2024 and applies the guidance for the interim periods beginning on January 1, 2025. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-02, Codification Improvements—Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements. The Conceptual Framework establishes concepts that the FASB considers in developing standards. The ASU was issued to remove references to the Conceptual Framework in the Codification. The FASB noted that references to the Concepts Statements in the Codification could have implied that the Concepts Statements are authoritative. Also, some of the references removed were to Concepts Statements that are superseded. The Company adopted the standard on the required effective date beginning on January 1, 2025 using a prospective transition method for all new transactions recognized on or after the effective date. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The standard improves the transparency of income tax disclosures by requiring consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. The ASU also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The new guidance will become effective for the Company’s consolidated financial statements issued for annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2025, will require prospective presentation with an option to apply it retrospectively for each period presented, and early adoption is permitted. Management is continuing its implementation effort of the new guidance, including drafting new financial statement disclosures required by the standard and developing appropriate internal controls. The adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income— Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. The standard improves financial reporting and responds to investor input that additional expense detail is fundamental to understanding the performance of an entity, assessing its prospects for future cash flows, and comparing its performance over time and with that of other entities. The new guidance requires public business entities to disclose in the notes to financial statements specified information about certain costs and expenses at each interim and annual reporting period. Specified expenses, gains or losses that are already disclosed under existing U.S. GAAP will be required by the ASU to be included in the disaggregated income statement expense line item disclosures, and any remaining amounts will need to be described qualitatively. The new guidance will become effective for the Company’s consolidated financial statements issued for annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2027 and interim reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2028, will require either prospective or retrospective presentation, and early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
In May 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-03, Business Combinations (Topic 805) and Consolidation (Topic 810): Determining the Accounting Acquirer in the Acquisition of a Variable Interest Entity. The standard revises current guidance for determining the accounting acquirer for a transaction effected primarily by exchanging equity interests in which the legal acquiree is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) that meets the definition of a business. The amendments differ from current U.S. GAAP because, for certain transactions, they replace the requirement that the primary beneficiary of a VIE is always the acquirer with an assessment that requires an entity to consider the factors to determine which entity is the accounting acquirer. Under the amendments, acquisition transactions in which the legal acquiree is a VIE will, in more instances, result in the same accounting outcomes as economically similar transactions in which the legal acquiree is a voting interest entity. The ASU does not change the accounting for a transaction determined to be a reverse acquisition or a transaction in which the legal acquirer is not a business and is determined to be the accounting acquiree. The new guidance will become effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2027, will require a prospective transition method for business combinations that occur after the initial adoption date, and early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-16
SEC Rule on Climate-Related Disclosures
In March 2024, the SEC adopted final rules relating to The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors, that would require registrants to provide climate-related disclosures in a note to their audited financial statements. The disclosures under the final rules would include certain effects of severe weather events and other natural conditions, including the aggregate amounts and where in the financial statements they are presented. If carbon offsets or renewable energy credits or certificates (“RECs”) are deemed a material component of the registrant’s plans to achieve its disclosed climate-related targets, registrants would be required to disclose information about the offsets and RECs. Registrants would also be required to disclose whether and how (1) exposures to risks and uncertainties associated with, or known impacts from, severe weather events and other natural conditions and (2) any disclosed climate-related targets or transition plans materially impacted the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the financial statements. Finally, registrants would be required to disclose additional contextual information about the above disclosures, including how each financial statement effect was derived and the accounting policy decisions made to calculate the effects, for the most recently completed fiscal year and, if previously disclosed or required to be disclosed, for the historical fiscal year for which audited consolidated financial statements are included in the filing. In April 2024, the SEC released an order staying the rules pending judicial review of all of the petitions challenging the rules and in March 2025, the SEC voted to end its defense of the rules. Absent these developments, the rules would have been effective for the Company upon its registration under the Exchange Act on August 12, 2024 and phased in starting in 2027. Management is continuing to monitor the developments pertaining to the rules and any resulting potential impacts on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
The Company’s management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Note 3—Initial Public Offering
Pursuant to the Initial Public Offering, the Company
sold
Note 4—Related Party Transactions
Founder Shares
In November 2020, the Sponsor purchased
On August 14, 2024, due to the underwriter advising
the Company that it would not be exercising the over-allotment option,
The Sponsor and the Company’s directors
and officers have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares until the earlier
to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of the Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the Business Combination, (x) if the last
reported sale price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $
F-17
Private Placement Shares
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial
Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased
Investments Held in the Trust Account
Starting on August 15, 2024, the Company’s investments in U.S. government treasury bills have been held in the Trust Account that is custodied by CF Secured with Continental acting as trustee.
Underwriter
CF&Co., the lead underwriter of the Initial Public Offering, is an affiliate of the Sponsor (see Note 5).
Business Combination Marketing Agreement
The Company has engaged CF&Co. as an advisor
in connection with the Business Combination to assist the Company in holding meetings with its shareholders to discuss the potential Business
Combination and the target business’ attributes, introduce the Company to potential investors that are interested in purchasing
the Company’s securities, and assist the Company with its press releases and public filings in connection with the Business Combination.
The Company will pay CF&Co. a cash fee of $
Sponsor Convertible Note Subscription Agreement
On May 22, 2025, the Company, the Sponsor and
Pubco entered into a subscription agreement (the “Sponsor Convertible Note Subscription Agreement”) on substantially the same
terms as the Convertible Note Subscription Agreements, as described in Note 1, pursuant to which, the Sponsor has agreed to purchase Option
Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $
Sponsor Support Agreement and Sponsor Support Agreement Amendment
On June 25, 2025, the Company, the Sponsor, and Pubco entered into the Sponsor Support Agreement Amendment, which amends the Sponsor Support Agreement dated April 22, 2025, as described in Note 1.
M&A Engagement Letter
On April 22, 2025, the Company entered into a letter agreement with CF&Co. (the “M&A Engagement Letter”), pursuant to which the Company engaged CF&Co. as its exclusive financial advisor for the Transactions. CF&Co. is not entitled to receive any fees pursuant to the M&A Engagement Letter but will be indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of its engagement.
PIPE Engagement Letter
On April 22, 2025, the Company entered into a
letter agreement with Pubco and CF&Co. (as amended on June 25, 2025, the “PIPE Engagement Letter”), pursuant to which
CF&Co. agreed to provide placement agent services in connection with each of the PIPE Investments and certain future capital markets
advisory and other non-financial advisory services to Pubco. Pursuant to the PIPE Engagement Letter, CF&Co. may receive a cash fee
at the Closing equal to the sum of (i)
F-18
Additionally, pursuant to the PIPE Engagement
Letter, CF&Co. may also receive the Engagement Letter Notes, such that the aggregate principal value of the Engagement Letter Notes
and the Exchange Notes is equal to the sum of (i)
Related Party Loans
On May 27, 2021, the Sponsor agreed to loan
the Company up to $
In order to finance transaction costs in connection
with the Business Combination, the Sponsor has committed up to $
If the Sponsor Loan is insufficient to cover the working capital requirements of the Company, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes the Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that the Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. As of both September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.
In addition, the Sponsor has agreed to lend the
Company up to $
The Sponsor pays expenses on the Company’s
behalf. The Company reimburses the Sponsor for such expenses paid on its behalf. The unpaid balance is included in Payable to related
party on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had $
F-19
Administrative Services Agreement
The Company has agreed to pay $
Note 5—Commitments and Contingencies
Registration Rights Agreement
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered
into on August 12, 2024, the holders of Founder Shares (only after conversion of such shares to Class A ordinary shares), the Private
Placement Shares and any Class A ordinary shares issued upon conversion of up to $
Underwriting Agreement
The Company granted CF&Co. a
CF&Co. was paid a cash underwriting discount
of $
Business Combination Marketing Agreement
The Company has engaged CF&Co. as an advisor in connection with the Business Combination (see Note 4).
M&A Engagement Letter
The Company has engaged CF&Co. as its exclusive financial advisor for the Transactions (see Note 4).
PIPE Engagement Letter
The Company has engaged CF&Co. to provide placement agent services in connection with each of the PIPE Investments (see Note 4).
Independent Directors Compensation
Commencing on August 12, 2024, the Company compensates
its independent directors through cash payments for their services on the Company’s board of directors. As a result, during the
three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company recognized approximately $
Risks and Uncertainties
The Company’s results of operations and its ability to complete the Business Combination may be adversely affected by various factors that could cause economic uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. The Company’s results of operations and its ability to consummate the Business Combination could be impacted by, among other things, downturns in the financial markets or in economic conditions, fluctuations in interest rates, and geopolitical instability, such as the military conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Management continues to evaluate the impact of these factors and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that these factors could have an effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and completion of the Business Combination, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
F-20
Note 6—Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
The following tables present the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains (losses), fair value and other information for the available-for-sale debt securities held in the Trust Account:
| September 30, 2025 | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
| U.S. government debt securities(1) (2) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
| U.S. government debt securities(1) (2) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
| (1) | |
| (2) |
The Company did not have any sales of its available-for-sale debt securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024.
Note 7—Shareholders’ Deficit
Class A Ordinary Shares –
The Company is authorized to issue
Class B Ordinary Shares –
The Company is authorized to issue
Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, only holders of Class B ordinary shares will have the right to vote on the appointment and removal of directors and be entitled to vote on continuing the Company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including any special resolution required to adopt new constitutional documents as a result of the Company approving a transfer by way of continuation to a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands). Other than as described above, holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all other matters submitted to a vote of shareholders except as required by law.
The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into nonredeemable Class A ordinary shares in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination or at any time and from time to time at the option of the holder thereof, on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment. Class A ordinary shares issued in connection with the conversion of Class B ordinary shares issued prior to the consummation of the Business Combination are subject to the same restrictions as applied to Class B ordinary shares prior to such conversion, including, among other things, certain transfer restrictions, waiver of redemption rights and the obligation to vote in favor of a Business Combination.
In the case that additional Class A ordinary shares,
or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts sold in the Initial Public Offering and related to the
closing of the Business Combination, the ratio at which Class B ordinary shares shall convert into Class A ordinary shares will be adjusted
(unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding Class B ordinary shares agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance
or deemed issuance) so that the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all Class B ordinary shares will equal,
in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis,
Preference Shares – The Company
is authorized to issue
F-21
Note 8—Fair Value Measurement on a Recurring Basis
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used in measuring fair value.
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
| ● | Level 1 measurements – unadjusted observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; |
| ● | Level 2 measurements – inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and |
| ● | Level 3 measurements – unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. |
In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The following tables present information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the inputs that the Company utilized to determine such fair value.
September 30, 2025
| Description | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total | ||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets held in Trust Account – U.S. government debt securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Forward sale securities asset | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2024
| Description | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total | ||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets held in Trust Account – U.S. government debt securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, Level 1 assets include a direct investment in the U.S. government treasury bills classified as available-for-sale debt securities. The Company uses inputs such as actual trade data, benchmark yields, quoted market prices from dealers or brokers, and other similar sources to determine the fair value of its investments.
Forward Sale Securities
The fair value of the forward sale securities
to be issued under the Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements is based on the fair value of Bitcoin as of the measurement date. The excess
(asset) or deficit (liability) of the fair value of the forward sale securities to be issued as of September 30, 2025, as compared to
the fair value of Bitcoin stipulated under the Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements, is discounted to derive present value and then reduced
to account for the probability of consummation of the Business Combination. The primary unobservable input utilized in determining the
fair value of the forward sale securities is the probability of consummation of the Business Combination. As of September 30, 2025, the
probability assigned to the consummation of the Business Combination was
F-22
The following table presents the changes in the fair value of the forward sale securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025:
| Forward Sale Securities | ||||
| Fair value at inception | $ | |||
| Change in valuation inputs or other assumptions(1) | ||||
| Fair value as of June 30, 2025 | $ | |||
| Change in valuation inputs or other assumptions(1) | ||||
| Fair value as of September 30, 2025 | $ | |||
| (1) |
Note 9—Segment Information
The Company has not yet commenced operations,
thus all activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 relates to the Company’s formation, the Initial
Public Offering, and the Company’s efforts toward locating and completing a suitable Business Combination.
The Company does not have operating income and
therefore, it does not have any operating revenues. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of
the Business Combination, at the earliest. During the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company earned approximately
$
As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024,
the Company had total assets of approximately $
Note 10—Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were issued and determined that, other than as described below, there have been no events that have occurred that would require adjustments to the disclosures in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
On November 5, 2025, Pubco’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-290246) became effective.
On November 6, 2025, the Company filed with the SEC its definitive proxy statement with respect to its extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to approve the Transactions.
F-23
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Cantor Equity Partners, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Cantor Equity Partners, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related statements of operations, statements of comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ deficit and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
New York, New York
March 28, 2025
PCAOB Number 100
F-24
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Total Current Assets | ||||||||
| Available-for-sale debt securities held in Trust Account, at fair value (amortized cost $ | ||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit: | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Notes payable – related party | ||||||||
| Payable to related party | ||||||||
| Total Liabilities | | |||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | ||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ Deficit: | ||||||||
| Preference shares, $ | ||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares, $ | ||||||||
| Class B ordinary shares, $ | (1) | (2) | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | ||||||||
| Total Shareholders’ Deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total Liabilities, Commitments and Contingencies and Shareholders’ Deficit | $ | $ | ||||||
| (1) |
| (2) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-25
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | Year Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| General and administrative costs | $ | | $ | | ||||
| Administrative expenses – related party | ||||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Interest income on investments held in the Trust Account | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding: | ||||||||
| Class A – Public shares | ||||||||
| Class A – Private placement | ||||||||
| Class B – Ordinary shares(1) | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share: | ||||||||
| Class A – Public shares | $ | $ | ||||||
| Class A – Private placement | $ | $ | ||||||
| Class B – Ordinary shares | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| (1) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-26
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | Year Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Other comprehensive income: | ||||||||
| Change in unrealized appreciation of available-for-sale debt securities | ||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income | ||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-27
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
For the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
| Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ordinary Shares | Additional | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | Class B | Paid-In | Accumulated | Comprehensive | Shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Income | Deficit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – December 31, 2022 | $ | (1)(2) | $ | (1)(2) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – December 31, 2023 | $ | (1) | $ | (1) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sale of Class A ordinary shares to Sponsor in private placement | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrender of Class B ordinary shares by Sponsor at $ | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of redeemable Class A ordinary shares to redemption value | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
| (2) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-28
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses paid by related party | ||||||||
| Interest income on investments held in the Trust Account | ( | ) | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Deferred offering costs | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Cash deposited in Trust Account | ( | ) | ||||||
| Purchase of available-for-sale debt securities held in Trust Account | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from initial public offering | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from private placement | ||||||||
| Offering costs paid | ( | ) | ||||||
| Deferred offering costs paid by related party | ( | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from Notes payable – related party | ||||||||
| Payment on Payable to related party | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Net change in cash | ||||||||
| Cash – beginning of the period | ||||||||
| Cash – end of the period | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-29
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Description of Organization, Business Operations and Basis of Presentation
Cantor Equity Partners, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on November 11, 2020 as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”).
Although the Company is not limited in its search for target businesses to a particular industry or sector for the purpose of consummating the Business Combination, the Company intends to focus its search on companies operating in the financial services, healthcare, real estate services, technology and software industries. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had not commenced operations. All activity through December 31, 2024 relates to the Company’s formation, the initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”) described below, and the Company’s efforts toward locating and completing a suitable Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of the Business Combination, at the earliest. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company has generated non-operating income in the form of interest income from direct investments in U.S. government debt securities from the net proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement (as defined below).
The Company’s sponsor is Cantor EP Holdings,
LLC (the “Sponsor”). The registration statement for the Initial Public Offering was declared effective on August 12,
2024. On August 14, 2024, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial
Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of
The net proceeds of the Private Placement were deposited into the Trust Account (as defined below) and will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares subject to the requirements of applicable law (see Note 4).
Offering costs amounted to approximately $
Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering
and the Private Placement on August 14, 2024, an amount of $
Business Combination — The
Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering
and the Private Placement, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating the
Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete the Business Combination successfully. The Company
must complete one or more Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least
F-30
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Description of Organization, Business Operations and Basis of Presentation (cont.)
The Company will provide the holders of the Public
Shares (the “Public Shareholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion
of the Business Combination either (i) in connection with a shareholders meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by
means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek shareholder approval of the Business Combination or conduct
a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The Public Shareholders will be entitled to redeem their Public
Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (which was initially $
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Amended and
Restated Memorandum and Articles provides that a Public Shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person
with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act),
will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of
The Sponsor and the Company’s officers and
directors have agreed not to propose an amendment to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles (i) that would affect the substance
or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemption in connection with the Business Combination or to redeem
Failure to Consummate the Business Combination — The Company has until August 14, 2026, or until such earlier liquidation date as the Company’s board of directors may approve or such later date as the Company’s shareholders may approve pursuant to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles (the “Combination Period”), to consummate the Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete the Business Combination by the end of the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders and the Company’s board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in each case, to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
F-31
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Description of Organization, Business Operations and Basis of Presentation (cont.)
The Sponsor and the Company’s directors
and officers have agreed to waive their liquidation rights from the Trust Account with respect to the Founder Shares and the Private Placement
Shares held by them if the Company fails to complete the Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Sponsor or
any of the Company’s directors and officers acquire Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, they will be entitled
to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such Public Shares if the Company fails to complete the Business Combination
within the Combination Period. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining
available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be less than $
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company
had $
The Company’s liquidity needs through December 31,
2024 have been satisfied through a contribution of $
F-32
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Description of Organization, Business Operations and Basis of Presentation (cont.)
Based on the foregoing, management believes that the Company will have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity from the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors, to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of the Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, the Company will be using these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective target businesses, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain reclassifications have been made to previously reported amounts to conform to the current presentation.
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company”, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.
This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company that is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available and, accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
F-33
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments (if any) with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company had cash equivalents in its operating account or the Trust Account as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
The Company’s investments held in the Trust Account as of December 31, 2024 comprised of a direct investment in U.S. government treasury bills.
The Company accounts for its investment in debt securities in accordance with the guidance in ASC 320, Investments — Debt and Equity Securities. When the Company has the ability and positive intent to hold debt securities until maturity, such securities are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost. None of the Company’s debt securities met the criteria for held-to-maturity classification as of December 31, 2024. As the Company does not have the ability or positive intent to hold its debt securities until maturity, the securities are classified as available-for-sale. Unrealized gains and losses from available-for-sale debt securities carried at fair value are reported as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ deficit. Interest income recognized on the statements of operations reflects accretion of discount. Investments in debt securities are recorded on a trade-date basis.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject
the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash accounts in financial institutions which, at times, may exceed the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation maximum coverage limit of $
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), “fair value” is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820 approximates the carrying amounts presented in the balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature, with the exception of the available-for-sale debt securities.
Offering Costs Associated with the Initial Public Offering
Offering costs consisted of legal, accounting, and other costs incurred in connection with the preparation for the Initial Public Offering. These costs, together with the underwriting discount, were charged against the carrying value of the Public Shares upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering.
F-34
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its Class A
ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC 480. Class A ordinary shares subject
to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable
Class A ordinary shares (including Class A ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the
control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s
control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, Class A ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’
equity. All of the Public Shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control
and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023,
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, as presented in the accompanying balance sheets, are reconciled in the following table:
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, December 31, 2023 | $ | |||
| Gross proceeds | ||||
| Less: | ||||
| Issuance costs allocated to Class A ordinary shares | ( | ) | ||
| Plus: | ||||
| Accretion of carrying value to redemption value | ||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, December 31, 2024 | $ |
Net Income (Loss) Per Ordinary Share
The Company complies with the accounting and disclosure requirements of ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. Net income (loss) per ordinary share is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the applicable periods. The Company applies the two-class method in calculating earnings per share and allocates net income (loss) pro rata to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, nonredeemable Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Accretion associated with the redeemable Class A ordinary shares is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.
The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share:
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A – Public shares | Class A – Private placement shares | Class B – Ordinary shares | Class A – Public shares | Class A – Private placement shares | Class B – Ordinary shares | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocation of net income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
F-35
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method as prescribed under ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to basis differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis.
ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold that a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. The Company provides for uncertain tax positions, based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. Management is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Because significant assumptions are used in determining whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, actual results may differ from management’s estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as provision for income taxes on the statements of operations.
amounts were accrued for the payment of interest and penalties as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company has not recorded any amounts related to uncertain tax positions.
The Company is considered an exempted Cayman Islands company and is presently not subject to income taxes or income tax filing requirements in the Cayman Islands or the United States. As such, the Company recorded no income tax provision for the periods presented.
Segment Reporting
The Company has
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The guidance was issued in response to requests from investors for companies to disclose more information about their financial performance at the segment level. The ASU does not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates them or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. The standard requires a public entity to disclose significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis, and to provide in interim periods all disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that were previously required annually. Public entities with a single reportable segment are required to provide the new disclosures and all the disclosures previously required under ASC 280. The Company adopted the standard on the required effective date for the financial statements issued for the annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2024 and will apply the guidance for the interim periods beginning on January 1, 2025. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The standard improves the transparency of income tax disclosures by requiring consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. The ASU also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The new guidance will become effective for the Company’s financial statements issued for annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2025, will require prospective presentation with an option to apply it retrospectively for each period presented, and early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on the Company’s financial statements.
F-36
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-02, Codification Improvements — Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements. The Conceptual Framework establishes concepts that the FASB considers in developing standards. The ASU was issued to remove references to the Conceptual Framework in the Codification. The FASB noted that references to the Concepts Statements in the Codification could have implied that the Concepts Statements are authoritative. Also, some of the references removed were to Concepts Statements that are superseded. The new guidance became effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2025 and will be applied prospectively to all new transactions recognized on or after the adoption date. The adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. The standard improves financial reporting and responds to investor input that additional expense detail is fundamental to understanding the performance of an entity, assessing its prospects for future cash flows, and comparing its performance over time and with that of other entities. The new guidance requires public business entities to disclose in the notes to financial statements specified information about certain costs and expenses at each interim and annual reporting period. Specified expenses, gains or losses that are already disclosed under existing U.S. GAAP will be required by the ASU to be included in the disaggregated income statement expense line item disclosures, and any remaining amounts will need to be described qualitatively. The new guidance will become effective for the Company’s financial statements issued for annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2027 and interim reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2028, will require either prospective or retrospective presentation, and early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on the Company’s financial statements.
SEC Rule on Climate-Related Disclosures
In 2024, the SEC adopted final rules relating to The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors, that would require registrants to provide climate-related disclosures in a note to their audited financial statements. The disclosures under the final rules would include certain effects of severe weather events and other natural conditions, including the aggregate amounts and where in the financial statements they are presented. If carbon offsets or renewable energy credits or certificates (“RECs”) are deemed a material component of the registrant’s plans to achieve its disclosed climate-related targets, registrants would be required to disclose information about the offsets and RECs. Registrants would also be required to disclose whether and how (1) exposures to risks and uncertainties associated with, or known impacts from, severe weather events and other natural conditions and (2) any disclosed climate-related targets or transition plans materially impacted the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the financial statements. Finally, registrants would be required to disclose additional contextual information about the above disclosures, including how each financial statement effect was derived and the accounting policy decisions made to calculate the effects, for the most recently completed fiscal year and, if previously disclosed or required to be disclosed, for the historical fiscal year for which audited consolidated financial statements are included in the filing. Subsequent to the issuance of the final rules, the SEC has released an order staying the final rules pending judicial review of all of the petitions challenging the rules. Absent the stay, the rules would have been effective for the Company upon its registration under the Exchange Act on August 12, 2024 and phased in starting in 2027. Management is currently monitoring the developments pertaining to the final rules and any resulting potential impacts on the Company’s financial statements.
The Company’s management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
F-37
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3 — Initial Public Offering
Pursuant to the Initial Public Offering, the Company
sold
Note 4 — Related Party Transactions
Founder Shares
In November 2020, the Sponsor purchased
On August 14, 2024, due to the underwriter
advising the Company that it would not be exercising the over-allotment option,
The Sponsor and the Company’s directors
and officers have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of its Founder Shares until the earlier to
occur of: (A) one year after the completion of the Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the Business Combination, (x) if
the last reported sale price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $
Private Placement Shares
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial
Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased
Available-for-Sale Debt Securities Held in the Trust Account
As of December 31, 2024, the fair value of
the Company’s investments in U.S. government treasury bills held in the Trust Account at CF Secured was approximately $
F-38
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 4 — Related Party Transactions (cont.)
Underwriter
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (“CF&Co.”), the lead underwriter of the Initial Public Offering, is an affiliate of the Sponsor (see Note 5).
Business Combination Marketing Agreement
The Company has engaged CF&Co. as an advisor
in connection with the Business Combination to assist the Company in holding meetings with its shareholders to discuss the potential Business
Combination and the target business’ attributes, introduce the Company to potential investors that are interested in purchasing
the Company’s securities, and assist the Company with its press releases and public filings in connection with the Business Combination.
The Company will pay CF&Co. a cash fee of $
Related Party Loans
On May 27, 2021, the Sponsor agreed to loan
the Company up to $
In order to finance transaction costs in connection
with the Business Combination, the Sponsor has committed up to $
If the Sponsor Loan is insufficient to cover the working capital requirements of the Company, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes the Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that the Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.
In addition, the Sponsor has agreed to lend the
Company up to $
F-39
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 4 — Related Party Transactions (cont.)
If the Company is unable to consummate the Business Combination, the Sponsor Note would be repaid only out of funds held outside of the Trust Account. The Sponsor has waived any claims against the Trust Account in connection with the Sponsor Note.
The Sponsor pays expenses on the Company’s
behalf. The Company reimburses the Sponsor for such expenses paid on its behalf. The unpaid balance is included in Payable to related
party on the Company’s balance sheets. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had approximately $
Administrative Support Agreement
The Company has agreed to pay $
Independent Directors Compensation
Commencing on August 12, 2024, the Company
compensates its independent directors through cash payments for their services on the Company’s board of directors. As a result,
during the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized approximately $
Note 5 — Commitments and Contingencies
Registration Rights
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered
into on August 12, 2024, the holders of Founder Shares (only after conversion of such shares to Class A ordinary shares), the
Private Placement Shares and any Class A ordinary shares issued upon conversion of up to $
Underwriting Agreement
The Company granted CF&Co. a
CF&Co. was paid a cash underwriting discount
of $
Business Combination Marketing Agreement
The Company has engaged CF&Co. as an advisor in connection with the Company’s Business Combination (see Note 4).
F-40
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 5 — Commitments and Contingencies (cont.)
Risks and Uncertainties
Management continues to evaluate the impact of the military conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East on the financial markets and on the industry, and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the conflicts could have an effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Note 6 — Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
The following table presents the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains (losses), fair value and other information for the available-for-sale debt securities held in the Trust Account:
December 31, 2024 | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
| U.S. government debt securities(1)(2) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
| (1) |
| (2) |
The Company did not have any sales of its available-for-sale debt securities during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Note 7 — Shareholders’ Deficit
Class A Ordinary Shares — The
Company is authorized to issue
Class B Ordinary Shares — The
Company is authorized to issue
Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, only holders of Class B ordinary shares will have the right to vote on the appointment and removal of directors and be entitled to vote on continuing the Company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including any special resolution required to adopt new constitutional documents as a result of the Company approving a transfer by way of continuation to a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands). Other than as described above, holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all other matters submitted to a vote of shareholders except as required by law.
F-41
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 7 — Shareholders’ Deficit (cont.)
The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into nonredeemable Class A ordinary shares in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination or at any time and from time to time at the option of the holder thereof, on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment. Class A ordinary shares issued in connection with the conversion of Class B ordinary shares issued prior to the consummation of the Business Combination are subject to the same restrictions as applied to Class B ordinary shares prior to such conversion, including, among other things, certain transfer restrictions, waiver of redemption rights and the obligation to vote in favor of a Business Combination.
In the case that additional Class A ordinary
shares, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts sold in the Initial Public Offering and related
to the closing of the Business Combination, the ratio at which Class B ordinary shares shall convert into Class A ordinary shares
will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding Class B ordinary shares agree to waive such adjustment with
respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all Class B
ordinary shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis,
Preference Shares — The
Company is authorized to issue
Note 8 — Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used in measuring fair value.
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
| ● | Level 1 measurements — unadjusted observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; |
| ● | Level 2 measurements — inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and |
| ● | Level 3 measurements — unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. |
In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
F-42
CANTOR EQUITY PARTNERS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 8 — Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis (cont.)
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2024, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the inputs that the Company utilized to determine such fair value.
December 31, 2024
Description | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total | ||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets held in Trust Account – U.S. government debt securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2024, Level 1 assets include a direct investment in the U.S. government treasury bills classified as available-for-sale debt securities. The Company uses inputs such as actual trade data, benchmark yields, quoted market prices from dealers or brokers, and other similar sources to determine the fair value of its investments.
Note 9 — Segment Information
The Company has not yet commenced operations,
thus all activity for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 relates to the Company’s formation and the Initial Public
Offering.
The Company does not have operating income and
therefore, it does not have any operating revenues. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of
the Business Combination, at the earliest. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company earned approximately
$
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company
had total assets of approximately $
Note 10 — Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial statements were issued and determined that there have been no events that have occurred that would require adjustments to the disclosures in the financial statements.
F-43
TWENTY ONE ASSETS, LLC
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
| September 30, 2025 | April 30, 2025 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | 808,230 | $ | - | ||||
| Due from affiliate | 15,600 | - | ||||||
| Total current assets | 823,830 | - | ||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 823,830 | $ | - | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 47,300 | $ | - | ||||
| Accrued expenses | 639,982 | 51,800 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 687,282 | 51,800 | ||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 687,282 | 51,800 | ||||||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 5) | ||||||||
| MEMBERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | ||||||||
| Member interest units, 1 Class A member unit issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2025 and April 30, 2025 | - | - | ||||||
| Subscription receivable | - | (200,000 | ) | |||||
| Additional paid in capital | 1,200,000 | 200,000 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (1,063,452 | ) | (51,800 | ) | ||||
| TOTAL MEMBERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | 136,548 | (51,800 | ) | |||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | $ | 823,830 | $ | - | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
F-44
TWENTY ONE ASSETS, LLC
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Period from April 17, 2025 (Inception) to | |||||||
| September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2025 | |||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||
| General and administrative | $ | 581,070 | $ | 980,152 | ||||
| Sales and Marketing | 75,000 | 83,300 | ||||||
| Loss from operations | (656,070 | ) | (1,063,452 | ) | ||||
| Net Loss | $ | (656,070 | ) | $ | (1,063,452 | ) | ||
| Weighted average member unit, basic and diluted | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Net loss per member unit, basic and diluted | $ | (656,070 | ) | $ | (1,063,452 | ) | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
F-45
TWENTY ONE ASSETS, LLC
UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 17, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
| Member’s Units | Subscription | Additional paid in | Accumulated | Total Member’s Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Units | Amount | Receivable | Capital | Deficit | (Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 17, 2025 (inception) | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||||||||
| Issuance of member unit | 1,000 | - | (200,000 | ) | 200,000 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | - | (51,800 | ) | (51,800 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2025 | 1,000 | - | (200,000 | ) | 200,000 | (51,800 | ) | (51,800 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Subscription proceeds received | - | - | 200,000 | - | - | 200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | - | (355,582 | ) | (355,582 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at June 30, 2025 (unaudited) | 1,000 | - | - | 200,000 | (407,382 | ) | (207,382 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Capital contribution from member | - | - | - | 1,000,000 | - | 1,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | - | (656,070 | ) | (656,070 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2025 (unaudited) | 1,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 1,200,000 | $ | (1,063,452 | ) | $ | 136,548 | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
F-46
TWENTY ONE ASSETS, LLC
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
| For the Period from April 17, 2025 (Inception) to | ||||
| September 30, 2025 | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||
| Net loss | $ | (1,063,452 | ) | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||
| Accounts payable | 47,300 | |||
| Accrued expenses | 639,982 | |||
| Due from affiliate | (15,600 | ) | ||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (391,770 | ) | ||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||
| Receipt of subscription proceeds | 200,000 | |||
| Proceeds received from contributed capital | 1,000,000 | |||
| Net cash from financing activities | 1,200,000 | |||
| Net change in cash | 808,230 | |||
| Cash, beginning of period | - | |||
| Cash, end of period | $ | 808,230 | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
F-47
Note 1 — Description of Organization and Business Operations
Twenty One Assets, LLC (the “Company” or “Twenty One”) was incorporated in Delaware as a limited liability company on April 17, 2025. The Company will be focused exclusively on Bitcoin-related business lines.
On April 22, 2025, the Company, Twenty One Capital, Inc., a Texas corporation (“Pubco”), Cantor Equity Partners, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“CEP”), Twenty One Merger Sub D, a Cayman Islands exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Pubco (“CEP Merger Sub”), Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V., an El Salvador sociedad anónima de capital variable (“Tether”), iFinex, Inc., a British Virgin Islands company (“Bitfinex” and, together with Tether, the “Sellers”) and, solely for certain limited purposes, Stellar Beacon LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SoftBank”), entered into a business combination agreement (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”).
On July 26, 2025, the parties to the Business Combination Agreement entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement (“Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement”) which amends the Business Combination Agreement, to among other things, provide that the Additional PIPE Bitcoin Purchase Price (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) used to determine the value of Tether’s contribution of the Additional PIPE Bitcoin (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) to Pubco at the Closing and the number of shares of Pubco Stock (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) to be issued to Tether at the Closing in exchange for the sale of the Additional PIPE Bitcoin by Tether to Pubco shall be based on the Signing Bitcoin Price of $84,863.57, rather than on the aggregate amount Tether paid to purchase the Additional PIPE Bitcoin.
Note 2 — Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company reported a loss from operations of $1,063,452 for the for the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to September 30, 2025. As of September 30, 2025, the Company had an aggregate cash balance of $808,230, a net working capital of $136,548 and an accumulated deficit of $1,063,452.
The Company assesses its liquidity in terms of its ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet current and future needs. Its expected primary uses of cash on a short and long-term basis are for working capital requirements, business acquisitions and other liquidity needs. The Company’s management expects that future operating losses and negative operating cash flows may increase from historical levels because of additional costs and expenses related to the business operations and the development of market and strategic relationships with other businesses.
The Company’s future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the Company’s timing of the consummation of the Business Combination. In order to finance these opportunities, the Company will need to raise additional financing. While there can be no assurances, the Company intends to raise such capital through issuances of additional member units. If additional financing is required from outside sources, the Company may not be able to raise such capital on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital when desired, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
As a result of the above, in connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern,” management has determined that the Company’s liquidity condition raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern through twelve months from the date these unaudited condensed financial statements were issued. These unaudited condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
F-48
Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), expressed in U.S. dollars. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments including normal recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented in accordance with GAAP. The unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of unaudited condensed financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed financial statements. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available and accordingly the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the unaudited condensed financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis and makes revisions to these estimates.
Segment Information
ASC 280, “Segment Reporting” (“ASC 280”), defines operating segments as components of an enterprise where discrete financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company operates as a single operating segment. The Company’s CODM is the chief executive officer, who has ultimate responsibility for the operating performance of the Company and the allocation of resources. The CODM uses operating expenses which comprises mainly of general and administrative expenses and cash flows as the primary measures to manage the business and does not segment the business for internal reporting or decision making.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution. Cash accounts in a financial institution may at times exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation limit (“FDIC limit”). At September 30, 2025, the cash balance of $808,230 was under the FDIC limit. Any loss incurred or a lack of access to such funds could have a significant adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2025 and April 30, 2025, there were no cash equivalents.
F-49
Net Loss per Member Unit
Basic net loss per member unit is computed by dividing net income attributable to members by the weighted average number of member units outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted net loss per member unit is computed similar to basic net loss per member unit except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional member units that would have been outstanding if the potential member unit equivalents had been issued and if the additional member units were dilutive.
For the three months ended September 30, 2025 and for the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to September 30, 2025, the Company’s diluted weighted-average member units outstanding is equal to the basic weighted-average member units, as there are no potentially dilutive securities currently issued and outstanding at September 30, 2025.
Income Taxes
The Company is a single member limited liability company treated as a disregarded entity for federal and state tax purposes with all income tax liabilities and benefits of the Company being passed through to the member. As such, no recognition of federal or state income taxes for the Company has been provided for in the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements.
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for accounting for uncertain tax positions and also provides guidance on various related matters such as derecognition, interest, penalties, and disclosures required. The Company does not have any entity-level uncertain tax positions. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdictions and various state jurisdictions. Generally, the Company is subject to examination by U.S. federal (or state and local) income tax authorities for three years from filing a tax return.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
Recent Accounting Pronouncements, not yet adopted:
ASU 2024-03, “Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“DISE”)” (“ASU 2024-03”) requires disclosures about specific types of expenses included in the expense captions presented on the face of the income statement as well as disclosure about selling expenses. ASU 2024-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its financial statements and disclosures.
Note 4 — Related Party Transactions
From time to time, the Company covers the costs of operating expenses on behalf of an affiliate company. For the three ended September 30, 2025 and the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to September 30, 2025, the Company advanced $15,600 on behalf of the affiliate company. As September 30, 2025 and April 30, 2025, $15,600 and $0, respectively, is outstanding and included in due from affiliate on the accompanying balance sheets. The balance is due on demand.
Note 5 — Members’ Equity (Deficit)
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited amount of Class A member units and Class B member units (collectively the “Member Units”). Class A member units and Class B member units are identical in all respects. As of September 30, 2025 and April 30, 2025, there was 1 Class A member unit issued and outstanding.
For the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) through September 30, 2025, the Company received capital contributions in the amount of $1.2 million.
F-50
Note 6 — Commitments and Contingencies
The Company enters into contractual relationships that contain may indemnification provisions in its normal course of business with other parties. The Company may agree to hold other parties harmless against specific losses, such as those that could arise from a breach of representation, covenant, or third party infringement claims. It may not be possible to determine the maximum potential amount of liability under such indemnification agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances that are like to be involved in each particular claim and indemnification provision. Historically, there have been no such indemnification claims. Management believes any liability arising from these agreements will not be material to the Company’s unaudited condensed financial statements.
The Company may from time to time involve in legal proceedings, legal actions, and claims arising in the normal course of business, including proceedings relating to intellectual property, safety and health, employment and other matters. Management believes that the outcome of such legal proceedings, legal actions, and claims will not have a significant adverse effect, individually, or in the aggregate, on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Note 7 — Segment Information
ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” establishes standards for companies to report in their financial statement information about operating segments, products, services, geographic areas, and major customers. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities from which it may recognize revenues and incur expenses, and for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the Company’s CODM, or group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.
The Company’s CODM has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer, who reviews the assets, operating results, and financial metrics for the Company as a whole to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing financial performance. Accordingly, management has determined that there is only one reportable segment.
The CODM assesses performance for the single segment and decides how to allocate resources based on net loss that also is reported on the unaudited condensed statement of operations as net loss. As the Company is in the start-up phase, the CODM currently reviews operating expenses to manage and forecast cash to ensure enough capital is available to achieve its business plan over the short-term period ( less than a year). The CODM also reviews operating expenses to manage, maintain and enforce all contractual agreements to ensure costs are aligned with all agreements and budget. All of the Company’s operating expenses, which consists of general and administrative expenses and sales and marketing expenses, relate to this single operating segment as reported on the statement of operations, and are the significant segment expenses provided to the CODM on a regular basis.
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Period from April 17, 2025 (Inception) to | |||||||
| September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2025 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 581,070 | 980,152 | ||||||
| Sales and Marketing | 75,000 | 83,300 | ||||||
| TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES | 656,070 | 1,063,452 | ||||||
Note 8 — Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the unaudited condensed financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify any other subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the unaudited condensed financial statements.
F-51
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Members of
Twenty One Assets, LLC:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Twenty One Assets, LLC (the “Company”) as of April 30, 2025, and the related statements of operations, changes in members’ equity, and cash flows for the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to April 30, 2025, and the related notes to the financial statements (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2025, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to April 30, 2025, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Substantial Doubt About the Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has recurring and expected future losses and negative cash flows from operations that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
We have served as Twenty One Assets, LLC’s auditor since 2025.
East Brunswick, New Jersey
July 2, 2025
F-52
TWENTY ONE ASSETS, LLC
BALANCE SHEET
APRIL 30, 2025
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY | ||||
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 51,800 | ||
| Total current liabilities | 51,800 | |||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 51,800 | |||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 5) | ||||
| MEMBERS’ EQUITY | ||||
| Member interest units, 1 Class A member unit issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2025 | — | |||
| Contributed Capital Receivable | (200,000 | ) | ||
| Additional paid in capital | 200,000 | |||
| Accumulated deficit | (51,800 | ) | ||
| TOTAL MEMBERS’ EQUITY | (51,800 | ) | ||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY | $ | — | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-53
TWENTY ONE ASSETS, LLC
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 17, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO APRIL 30, 2025
OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||
| General and administrative | $ | 51,800 | ||
| Loss from operations | (51,800 | ) | ||
| Net loss | $ | (51,800 | ) | |
| Weighted average participating member units, basic and diluted | 1 | |||
| Net loss per participating member units, basic and diluted | $ | (51,800.00 | ) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-54
TWENTY ONE ASSETS, LLC
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 17, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO APRIL 30, 2025
| Member Units | Contributed Capital | Additional paid in | Accumulated | Members’ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Units | Amount | Receivable | Capital | Deficit | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, April 17, 2025 (inception) | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||
| Issuance of member units | 1 | — | (200,000 | ) | 200,000 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | — | (51,800 | ) | (51,800 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance, April 30, 2025 | 1 | $ | — | $ | (200,000 | ) | $ | 200,000 | $ | (51,800 | ) | $ | (51,800 | ) | ||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-55
TWENTY ONE ASSETS, LLC
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 17, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO APRIL 30, 2025
Cash flows used in operating activities | ||||
| Net loss | $ | (51,800 | ) | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss | — | |||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 51,800 | |||
| Net cash used in operating activities | — | |||
| Net change in cash | — | |||
| Cash, beginning of period | — | |||
| Cash, end of period | $ | — | ||
| Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||
| Sale of member units via a contributed capital receivable | $ | 200,000 | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-56
TWENTY ONE ASSETS, LLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 17, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO APRIL 30, 2025
Note 1 — Description of Organization and Business Operations
Twenty One Assets, LLC (the “Company” or “Twenty One”) was incorporated in Delaware as a limited liability company on April 17, 2025. The Company will be focused exclusively on Bitcoin-related business lines.
Note 2 — Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company reported loss from operations of $51,800 for the for the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to April 30, 2025. As of April 30, 2025, the Company had an aggregate cash balance of $0, a net working capital deficit of $51,800 and accumulated deficit of $51,800.
The Company assesses its liquidity in terms of its ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet current and future needs. Its expected primary uses of cash on a short and long-term basis are for working capital requirements, business acquisitions and other liquidity needs. The Company’s management expects that future operating losses and negative operating cash flows may increase from historical levels because of additional costs and expenses related to the business operations and the development of market and strategic relationships with other businesses.
The Company’s future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the Company’s timing of the consummation of the Business Combination. In order to finance these opportunities, the Company will need to raise additional financing. While there can be no assurances, the Company intends to raise such capital through issuances of additional member units. If additional financing is required from outside sources, the Company may not be able to raise such capital on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital when desired, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
As a result of the above, in connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern ,” management has determined that the Company’s liquidity condition raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern through twelve months from the date these financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), expressed in U.S. dollars. The accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments including normal recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented in accordance with GAAP. References to GAAP issued by FASB in these accompanying notes to the financial statements are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). The financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available and accordingly the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis and makes revisions to these estimates.
F-57
TWENTY ONE ASSETS, LLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 17, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO APRIL 30, 2025
Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
Segment Information
ASC 280, “Segment Reporting” (“ASC 280”), defines operating segments as components of an enterprise where discrete financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company operates as a single operating segment. The Company’s CODM is the chief executive officer, who has ultimate responsibility for the operating performance of the Company and the allocation of resources. The CODM uses cash flows as the primary measure to manage the business and does not segment the business for internal reporting or decision making.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution and notes receivables. Cash accounts in a financial institution may at times exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation limit. There was no cash at April 30, 2025.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At April 30, 2025, there were no cash and cash equivalents.
Net Loss per Participating Member Unit
Basic net loss per participating member unit is computed by dividing net income attributable to members by the weighted average number of member units outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted net loss per participating member unit is computed similar to basic net loss per participating member unit except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional member units that would have been outstanding if the potential member unit equivalents had been issued and if the additional member units were dilutive.
For the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to April 30, 2025, the Company diluted weighted-average member units outstanding is equal to basis weighted-average member units, due to the Company’s net loss position. Hence, no member unit equivalents were included in the computation of diluted net loss per participating member unit since such inclusion would have been antidilutive. At April 30, 2025, there are no potentially dilutive securities currently issued and outstanding.
Income Taxes
The Company is a single member limited liability company treated as a disregarded entity for federal and state tax purposes with all income tax liabilities and benefits of the Company being passed through to the member. As such, no recognition of federal or state income taxes for the Company has been provided for in the accompanying financial statements.
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for accounting for uncertain tax positions and also provides guidance on various related matters such as derecognition, interest, penalties, and disclosures required. The Company does not have any entity-level uncertain tax positions. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdictions and various state jurisdictions. Generally, the Company is subject to examination by U.S. federal (or state and local) income tax authorities for three years from filing a tax return.
F-58
TWENTY ONE ASSETS, LLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 17, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO APRIL 30, 2025
Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
Recent Accounting Pronouncements, not yet adopted:
ASU 2024-03, “Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“DISE”)” (“ASU 2024-03”) requires disclosures about specific types of expenses included in the expense captions presented on the face of the income statement as well as disclosure about selling expenses. ASU 2024-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its financial statements and disclosures.
Note 4 — Members’ Equity
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited amount Class A member units and Class B member units (collectively the “Member Units”). Class A member units and Class B member units are identical in all respects. At April 30, 2025, there were 1 Class A member units issued and outstanding.
Note 5 — Commitments and Contingencies
The Company enters into contractual relationships that contain may indemnification provisions in its normal course of business with other parties. The Company may agree to hold other parties harmless against specific losses, such as those that could arise from a breach of representation, covenant, or third party infringement claims. It may not be possible to determine the maximum potential amount of liability under such indemnification agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances that are like to be involved in each particular claim and indemnification provision. Historically, there have been no such indemnification claims. Management believes any liability arising from these agreements will not be material to the Company’s financial statements.
The Company may from time to time involve in legal proceedings, legal actions, and claims arising in the normal course of business, including proceedings relating to intellectual property, safety and health, employment and other matters. Management believes that the outcome of such legal proceedings, legal actions, and claims will not have a significant adverse effect, individually, or in the aggregate, on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Note 6 — Related Party Transactions
For the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to April 30, 2025, there were no related party transactions other than the initial contribution from the members which had not been paid as of April 30, 2025 so is shown as Contributed Capital Receivable on the accompanying balance sheet.
Note 7 — Segment Information
ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” establishes standards for companies to report in their financial statement information about operating segments, products, services, geographic areas, and major customers. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities from which it may recognize revenues and incur expenses, and for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the Company’s chief operating decision maker, or group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.
The Company’s chief operating officer decision maker (“CODM”) has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer, who reviews the assets, operating results, and financial metrics for the Company as a whole to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing financial performance. Accordingly, management has determined that there is only one reportable segment.
F-59
TWENTY ONE ASSETS, LLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 17, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO APRIL 30, 2025
Note 7 — Segment Information (cont.)
The CODM assesses performance for the single segment and decides how to allocate resources based on net loss that also is reported on the statements of operations as net loss. As the Company is in the start-up phase, the CODM currently reviews general and administrative expenses. to manage and forecast cash to ensure enough capital is available to achieve its business plan over the short-term period (ie less than a year). The CODM also reviews general and administrative costs to manage, maintain and enforce all contractual agreements to ensure costs are aligned with all agreements and budget. General and administrative costs, as reported on the statement of operations, are the significant segment expenses provided to the CODM on a regular basis.
| For the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to April 30, 2025 | ||||
| General and administrative | $ | 51,800 | ||
Note 8 — Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, other than as described below, the Company did not identify any other subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
As of June 30, 2025, the Company received $200,000 for the issuance of member interest units as recorded as Contributed Capital Receivable on the accompanying balance sheet.
F-60
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| September 30, 2025 | June 30, 2025 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Due to affiliate | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 6) | ||||||||
| Stockholder's Deficit | ||||||||
| Class A Common stock, $ | ||||||||
| Additional paid in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total Stockholder's Deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S DEFICIT | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-61
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
| For the Three Months ended | For the Period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to | |||||||
| September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2025 | |||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||
| General and administrative | $ | $ | ||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net loss | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Net loss per Class A common share, basic and diluted | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-62
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
(UNAUDITED)
| Common Stock | Additional Paid in | Accumulated | Total Stockholder’s | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Deficit | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 7, 2025 (inception) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Class A common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at June 30, 2025 | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-63
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
(UNAUDITED)
Period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to
| September 30, 2025 | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||
| Net Loss | $ | ( | ) | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | ||||
| Due to affiliate | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ||||
| Net change in cash | ||||
| Cash, beginning of period | ||||
| Cash, end of period | $ | |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-64
Note 1 — Description of Organization and Business Operations
Twenty One Capital, Inc (the “Company”
or “Pubco”) was incorporated in Texas on
On April 22, 2025, the Company, Cantor Equity Partners, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“CEP”), Twenty One Merger Sub D, a Cayman Islands exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Pubco (“CEP Merger Sub”), Twenty One Assets, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Twenty One”), Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V., an El Salvador sociedad anónima de capital variable (“Tether”), iFinex, Inc., a British Virgin Islands company (“Bitfinex” and, together with Tether, the “Sellers”) and, solely for certain limited purposes, Stellar Beacon LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SoftBank”), entered into a business combination agreement (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”) (See Note 4).
Note 2 — Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company reported a loss from operations of
$
The Company assesses its liquidity in terms of its ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet current and future needs. Its expected primary uses of cash on a short and long-term basis are for working capital requirements and other liquidity needs. The Company’s management expects that future operating losses and negative operating cash flows may increase from historical levels because of additional costs and expenses related to the business operations and the development of market and strategic relationships with other businesses.
The Company’s future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the Company’s timing of the consummation of the Business Combination. In order to finance these opportunities, the Company will need to raise additional financing. While there can be no assurances, the Company intends to raise such capital through issuances of additional common stock. If additional financing is required from outside sources, the Company may not be able to raise such capital on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital when desired, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
As a result of the above, in connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern ,” management has determined that the Company’s liquidity condition raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern through twelve months from the date these consolidated financial statements were issued. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
F-65
Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), expressed in U.S. dollars. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments including normal recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented in accordance with GAAP. The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.
Principles of consolidation
These condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, all wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling voting interest and, when applicable, variable interest entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest or is the primary beneficiary. Investments in affiliates where the Company does not exert a controlling financial interest are not consolidated.
All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available and accordingly the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis and makes revisions to these estimates.
Segment Information
ASC 280, “Segment Reporting” (“ASC 280”), defines operating segments as components of an enterprise where discrete financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company operates as a single operating segment. The Company’s CODM is the chief executive officer, who has ultimate responsibility for the operating performance of the Company and the allocation of resources. The CODM uses operating expenses and cash flows as the primary measure to manage the business and does not segment the business for internal reporting or decision making.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject
the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution. Cash accounts in a financial institution
may at times exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation limit (“FDIC limit”). Any loss incurred or a lack of access
to funds held at financial institutions could have a significant adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows. At September 30, 2025, the Company had an aggregate cash balance of
F-66
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2025 and June 30, 2025, there were cash and cash equivalents.
Fair value measurements
Fair value is defined as the exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. The authoritative guidance establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based upon the best information available in the circumstances. The categorization of financial assets and liabilities within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels:
| ● | Level 1: Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
| ● | Level 2: Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. |
| ● | Level 3: Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability. |
The carrying amounts of certain financial instruments, such as accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturities.
Net Loss per Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding the effects of any potential dilutive securities. Diluted loss per share is computed similar to basic loss per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common share equivalents had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. Loss per share excludes all potential dilutive shares of common shares if their effect is anti-dilutive.
For the three months ended September 30, 2025 and for the period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to September 30, 2025, the Company diluted weighted-average shares outstanding is equal to basis weighted-average shares, as there were potentially dilutive securities currently issued and outstanding at September 30, 2025.
Income Taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
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FASB ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
Recent Accounting Pronouncements, not yet adopted:
ASU 2024-03, “Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” (“DISE”) (“ASU 2024-03”) requires disclosures about specific types of expenses included in the expense captions presented on the face of the income statement as well as disclosure about selling expenses. ASU 2024-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its financial statements and disclosures.
Note 4 — Business Combination Agreement
On April 22, 2025, the Company, Cantor Equity Partners, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“CEP”), Twenty One Merger Sub D, a Cayman Islands exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Pubco (“CEP Merger Sub”), Twenty One Assets, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Twenty One”), Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V., an El Salvador sociedad anónima de capital variable (“Tether”), iFinex, Inc., a British Virgin Islands company (“Bitfinex” and, together with Tether, the “Sellers”) and, solely for certain limited purposes, Stellar Beacon LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SoftBank”), entered into a business combination agreement (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”).
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement,
upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby (the “Closing”), (i) CEP will merge with and into CEP Merger
Sub, with CEP Merger Sub continuing as the surviving entity (such surviving entity, the “CEP Surviving Subsidiary,” such transaction,
the “CEP Merger”), as a result of which CEP Shareholders will receive one share of Class A common stock of Pubco, par value
$
In addition, on April 22, 2025, Pubco and CEP
entered into subscription agreements (the “Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements”) with certain investors (the “Convertible
Note Investors”), who have agreed to make a private investment in Pubco by purchasing
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On April 22, 2025, Pubco and CEP also entered
into subscription agreements (the “April Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements,” and, together with the Convertible Notes Subscription
Agreements, the “April PIPE Subscription Agreements”) with certain investors (the “April Equity PIPE Investors” and
together with the Convertible Note Investors, the “April PIPE Investors”), who have agreed to make a private investment in CEP
by purchasing
which includes the value of an aggregate of
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement,
(i) Tether has purchased
On June 23, 2025, Tether, Pubco, SoftBank and,
solely for certain limited purposes, CEP, entered into a sale and purchase agreement (the “June PIPE Bitcoin Sale and Purchase Agreement”),
pursuant to which Tether has purchased
At the Closing and upon the funding of the June Equity PIPE, Pubco shall purchase from Tether the June PIPE Bitcoin for an aggregate price equal to the June PIPE Net Proceeds.
The sale of the Initial PIPE Bitcoin, the Option
PIPE Bitcoin and the June PIPE Bitcoin by Tether to Pubco are referred to herein as the “PIPE Bitcoin Sale.” Pursuant to the
Business Combination Agreement, Tether agreed to purchase a number of Bitcoin equal to the Additional PIPE Bitcoin, if the sum of the
Initial PIPE Bitcoin and the Option PIPE Bitcoin is less than
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Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business
Combination Agreement, Tether, Bitfinex and the Company entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”),
pursuant to which, immediately prior to the Closing, Tether and Bitfinex will contribute to the Company
Concurrently with the signing of the Business
Combination Agreement, (i) CEP, Pubco and Cantor EP Holdings, LLC (the “Sponsor”) entered into the sponsor support agreement
(as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2025, the “Sponsor Support Agreement”), pursuant
to which, among other matters described below, Pubco and Sponsor agreed to enter into a Securities Exchange Agreement (the “Securities
Exchange Agreement”) at Closing, pursuant to which Sponsor will exchange a number of its shares of Pubco Class A Stock as determined
in accordance with the Securities Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Shares”) in exchange for Convertible Notes (the “Exchange
Notes”) equal in value to the product of (1) the total number of the Exchange Shares multiplied by (2) $
The Sponsor Support Agreement also provides that,
among other things, (i) the Sponsor will vote its CEP Class A Ordinary Shares, and its Class B ordinary shares of CEP, par value $
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On June 25, 2025, Pubco, CEP and the Sponsor entered
into the Sponsor Support Agreement Amendment, pursuant to which the Sponsor has agreed to forfeit a number of CEP Class A Ordinary Shares
it receives upon conversion of its CEP Class B Ordinary Shares so that such number of CEP Class A Ordinary Shares retained by the Sponsor
equals the lesser of (a)
Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, Tether and SoftBank entered into a sale and purchase agreement, as amended and restated on June 23, 2025, pursuant to which, among other things, immediately following the Closing, Tether will transfer to SoftBank an equal number of shares of Pubco Class A Stock and Pubco Class B Stock, and SoftBank will pay Tether consideration calculated based on a formula described thereunder.
On April 22, 2025, along with the Business Combination Agreement, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank entered into the Governance Term Sheet, which sets out the main terms upon which Pubco will prepare the Proposed Organizational Documents, which will be adopted at or prior to Closing. At Closing, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank will enter into the Governance Agreement, which will implement the terms of the Governance Term Sheet. Pursuant to the Governance Agreement, Pubco will issue two (2) classes of shares of Pubco Stock, with different voting and economic rights attached to them. The shares of Pubco Class A Stock will have no voting rights other than as required by applicable law, until all shares of Pubco Class B Stock are canceled, whereas, holders of shares of Pubco Class B Stock will be entitled to one vote per share. Once all shares of Pubco Class B Stock are canceled, holders of Pubco Class A Stock will acquire full voting rights. Holders of Pubco Class A Stock will be entitled to receive distributions in proportion to the number of shares of Pubco Class A Stock held by them, whereas, holders of Pubco Class B Stock will not have any economic rights. In addition, the shares of Pubco Class A Stock will be listed for trading and will be freely transferable, subject to the terms of the Lock-Up Agreements, the Insider Letter and any restrictions pursuant to applicable laws. The shares of Pubco Class B Stock will not be listed or freely transferable, except to Affiliates. The parties agreed to take all necessary action so that effective as of the Closing, the board of directors of Pubco will consist of seven individuals, six of which are to be designated by the Sellers and SoftBank, with the final director to be the chief executive officer of Pubco.
On July 26, 2025, the parties to the Business
Combination Agreement entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement, which amends the Business Combination Agreement,
among other things, to provide that the Additional PIPE Bitcoin Purchase Price used to determine the value of Tether’s contribution of
the Additional PIPE to Pubco at the Closing and the number of shares of Pubco Class A Stock and Pubco Class B Stock to be issued to Tether
at the Closing in exchange for the sale of the Additional PIPE Bitcoin by Tether to Pubco shall be $
Concurrently with the Closing, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank will each enter into a Lock-Up Agreement with Pubco, pursuant to which each Seller and SoftBank will agree that the shares of Pubco Class A Stock received by each Seller and the shares of Pubco Class A Stock transferred by Tether to SoftBank will be locked-up and subject to transfer restrictions, as described below, subject to certain exceptions.
Concurrently with the Closing, CEP, Pubco, the Sponsor, each Seller and SoftBank will enter into an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement that will amend and restate the registration rights agreement, dated as of August 12, 2024, by and between CEP and the Sponsor.
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Concurrently with the Closing, Pubco and Tether
will enter into a Services Agreement, pursuant to which Tether will agree to provide, or cause to be provided, certain services to Pubco
and its subsidiaries in exchange for a services fee in the amount of $
Upon the completion of the Business Combination and the consummation of the PIPE Investments, and assuming, among other things, that no Public Shareholders exercise redemption rights with respect to their Public Shares upon completion of the Business Combination, that all PIPE Investors fund their commitments in their PIPE Subscription Agreements, that no Convertible Notes are converted into shares of Pubco Class A Stock and that no shares of Pubco Class A Stock are issued pursuant to the Twenty One Capital, Inc. 2025 Incentive Award Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, to become effective upon the Closing (the “Incentive Plan”), (i) Public Shareholders, (ii) the April Equity PIPE Investors, (iii) the June Equity PIPE Investors, (iv) the Sponsor and its Affiliates, (v) the directors and officers of CEP, (vi) the Sellers and (vii) SoftBank will own, pursuant to the respective agreements, shares of the issued and outstanding shares of Pubco Class A and Class B Common Stock.
Each holder of shares of Pubco Class A Stock will
have no voting rights except as required by the Texas Business Organizations Code (“TBOC), until all shares of Pubco Class B Stock
are canceled. Once all shares of Pubco Class B Stock are canceled, holders of Pubco Class A Stock will acquire full voting rights. Each
holder of shares of Pubco Class B Stock will be entitled to
The price per share of Pubco Class A Stock is
$
The value of the consideration that the Public
Shareholders are each receiving in connection with the Business Combination is thus $
The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, CEP will be treated as the acquired company for financial reporting purposes, and Twenty One will be the accounting acquirer. Accordingly, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Twenty One issuing stock for the net assets of CEP, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of CEP were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination were those of Twenty-One.
If Pubco’s application for listing is approved, shares of Pubco Class A Stock are expected to be traded on NYSE, Nasdaq or another national securities exchange under the symbol “XXI.” The CEP Class A Ordinary Shares will not trade after the Closing.
Note 5 — Related Party Transactions
During the three months ended September 30, 2025,
an affiliate of the Company advanced a total of $
Note 6 — Stockholder’s Deficit
The Company is authorized to issue
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Note 7 — Commitments and Contingencies
The Company enters into contractual relationships that contain may indemnification provisions in its normal course of business with other parties. The Company may agree to hold other parties harmless against specific losses, such as those that could arise from a breach of representation, covenant, or third party infringement claims. It may not be possible to determine the maximum potential amount of liability under such indemnification agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances that are like to be involved in each particular claim and indemnification provision. Historically, there have been no such indemnification claims. Management believes any liability arising from these agreements will not be material to the Company’s financial statements.
The Company may from time to time involve in legal proceedings, legal actions, and claims arising in the normal course of business, including proceedings relating to intellectual property, safety and health, employment and other matters. Management believes that the outcome of such legal proceedings, legal actions, and claims will not have a significant adverse effect, individually, or in the aggregate, on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Note 8 — Segment Information
ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” establishes standards for companies to report in their financial statement information about operating segments, products, services, geographic areas, and major customers. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities from which it may recognize revenues and incur expenses, and for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the Company’s CODM, or group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.
The CODM assesses performance for the single segment
and decides how to allocate resources based on net loss that also is reported on the statements of operations as net loss. As the Company
is in the start-up phase, the CODM currently reviews operating expenses to manage and forecast cash to ensure enough capital is available
to achieve its business plan over the short-term period ( less than a year). The CODM also reviews operating expenses to manage, maintain
and enforce all contractual agreements to ensure costs are aligned with all agreements and budget.
| For the Three Months ended | For the Period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to | |||||||
| September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2025 | |||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Note 9 — Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the consolidated financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of
Twenty One Capital, Inc:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Twenty One Capital, Inc (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2025, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholder’s equity, and cash flows for the period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to June 30, 2025, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2025, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to June 30, 2025, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Substantial Doubt About the Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has recurring and expected future losses and negative cash flows from operations that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
We have served as Twenty One Capital, Inc’s auditor since 2025.
East Brunswick, New Jersey
September 9, 2025
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TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
JUNE 30, 2025
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY | ||||
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | |||
| Total current liabilities | ||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | ||||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 5) | ||||
| Stockholder’s Deficit | ||||
| Class A common stock, $ | ||||
| Additional paid in capital | ||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ||
| TOTAL STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT | ( | ) | ||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT | $ | |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2025
| OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||
| General and administrative | $ | |||
| Loss from operations | ( | ) | ||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | |
| Weighted average Class A common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | ||||
| Net loss per Class A common share, basic and diluted | $ | ( | ) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2025
| Common Stock | Additional paid in | Accumulated | Stockholder’s | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Deficit | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 7, 2025 (inception) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Class A common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance, June 30, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2025
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities | — | |||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | ||||
| Net change in cash | ||||
| Cash, beginning of period | ||||
| Cash, end of period | $ | |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2025
Note 1 — Description of Organization and Business Operations
Twenty One Capital, Inc (the “Company”
or “Pubco”) was incorporated in Texas on
On April 22, 2025, the Company, Cantor Equity Partners, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“CEP”), Twenty One Merger Sub D, a Cayman Islands exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Pubco (“CEP Merger Sub”), Twenty One Assets, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Twenty One”), Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V., an El Salvador sociedad anónima de capital variable (“Tether”), iFinex, Inc., a British Virgin Islands company (“Bitfinex” and, together with Tether, the “Sellers”) and, solely for certain limited purposes, Stellar Beacon LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SoftBank”), entered into a business combination agreement (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”) (See Note 4).
Note 2 — Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company reported loss from operations of $
The Company assesses its liquidity in terms of its ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet current and future needs. Its expected primary uses of cash on a short and long-term basis are for working capital requirements and other liquidity needs. The Company’s management expects that future operating losses and negative operating cash flows may increase from historical levels because of additional costs and expenses related to the business operations and the development of market and strategic relationships with other businesses.
The Company’s future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the Company’s timing of the consummation of the Business Combination. In order to finance these opportunities, the Company will need to raise additional financing. While there can be no assurances, the Company intends to raise such capital through issuances of additional common stock. If additional financing is required from outside sources, the Company may not be able to raise such capital on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital when desired, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
As a result of the above, in connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern ,” management has determined that the Company’s liquidity condition raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern through twelve months from the date these consolidated financial statements were issued. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), expressed in U.S. dollars. The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments including normal recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented in accordance with GAAP. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.
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TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2025
Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
Principles of consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, all wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling voting interest and, when applicable, variable interest entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest or is the primary beneficiary. Investments in affiliates where the Company does not exert a controlling financial interest are not consolidated.
All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available and accordingly the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis and makes revisions to these estimates.
Segment Information
ASC 280, “Segment Reporting” (“ASC 280”), defines operating segments as components of an enterprise where discrete financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company operates as a single operating segment. The Company’s CODM is the chief executive officer, who has ultimate responsibility for the operating performance of the Company and the allocation of resources. The CODM uses operating expenses and cash flows as the primary measure to manage the business and does not segment the business for internal reporting or decision making.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject
the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution and notes receivables. Cash accounts
in a financial institution may at times exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation limit (“FDIC limit”). At June 30,
2025, the Company had a cash balance of
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At June 30, 2025, there were cash and cash equivalents.
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TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2025
Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
Fair value measurements
Fair value is defined as the exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. The authoritative guidance establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based upon the best information available in the circumstances. The categorization of financial assets and liabilities within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels:
| ● | Level 1: Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
| ● | Level 2: Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. |
| ● | Level 3: Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability. |
The carrying amounts of certain financial instruments, such as accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturities.
Net Loss per Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding the effects of any potential dilutive securities. Diluted loss per share is computed similar to basic loss per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common share equivalents had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. Loss per share excludes all potential dilutive shares of common shares if their effect is anti-dilutive.
For the period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to June 30, 2025, the Company diluted weighted-average shares outstanding is equal to basis weighted-average shares, as there were no potentially dilutive securities currently issued and outstanding at June 30, 2025.
Income Taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
FASB ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
Recent Accounting Pronouncements, not yet adopted:
ASU 2024-03, “Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“DISE”)” (“ASU 2024-03”) requires disclosures about specific types of expenses included in the expense captions presented on the face of the income statement as well as disclosure about selling expenses. ASU 2024-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its financial statements and disclosures.
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TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2025
Note 4 — Business Combination Agreement
On April 22, 2025, the Company, Cantor Equity Partners, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“CEP”), Twenty One Merger Sub D, a Cayman Islands exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of Pubco (“CEP Merger Sub”), Twenty One Assets, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Twenty One”), Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V., an El Salvador sociedad anónima de capital variable (“Tether”), iFinex, Inc., a British Virgin Islands company (“Bitfinex” and, together with Tether, the “Sellers”) and, solely for certain limited purposes, Stellar Beacon LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SoftBank”), entered into a business combination agreement (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”).
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement,
upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby (the “Closing”), (i) CEP will merge with and into CEP
Merger Sub, with CEP Merger Sub continuing as the surviving entity (such surviving entity, the “CEP Surviving Subsidiary,”
such transaction, the “CEP Merger”), as a result of which CEP Shareholders will receive one share of Class A common stock
of Pubco, par value $
In addition, on April 22, 2025, Pubco and
CEP entered into subscription agreements (the “Convertible Notes Subscription Agreements”) with certain investors (the “Convertible
Note Investors”), who have agreed to make a private investment in Pubco by purchasing
On April 22, 2025, Pubco and CEP also entered
into subscription agreements (the “April Equity PIPE Subscription Agreements,” and, together with the Convertible Notes Subscription
Agreements, the “April PIPE Subscription Agreements”) with certain investors (the “April Equity PIPE Investors”
and together with the Convertible Note Investors, the “April PIPE Investors”), who have agreed to make a private investment
in CEP by purchasing
F-82
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2025
Note 4 — Business Combination Agreement (cont.)
Class A ordinary shares (the “June
Equity PIPE Shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of $
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement,
(i) Tether has purchased
On June 23, 2025, Tether, Pubco, SoftBank and,
solely for certain limited purposes, CEP, entered into a sale and purchase agreement (the “June PIPE Bitcoin Sale and Purchase Agreement”),
pursuant to which Tether has purchased
The sale of the Initial PIPE Bitcoin, the Option
PIPE Bitcoin and the June PIPE Bitcoin by Tether to Pubco are referred to herein as the “PIPE Bitcoin Sale.” Pursuant to the
Business Combination Agreement, Tether agreed to purchase a number of Bitcoin equal to the Additional PIPE Bitcoin, if the sum of the
Initial PIPE Bitcoin and the Option PIPE Bitcoin is less than
Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business
Combination Agreement, Tether, Bitfinex and the Company entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”),
pursuant to which, immediately prior to the Closing, Tether and Bitfinex will contribute to the Company
Concurrently with the signing of the
Business Combination Agreement, (i) CEP, Pubco and Cantor EP Holdings, LLC (the “Sponsor”) entered into the sponsor
support agreement (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2025, the “Sponsor
Support Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other matters described below, Pubco and Sponsor agreed to enter into a
Securities Exchange Agreement (the “Securities Exchange Agreement”) at Closing, pursuant to which Sponsor will exchange
a number of its shares of Pubco Class A Stock as determined in accordance with the Securities Exchange Agreement (the
“Exchange Shares”) in exchange for Convertible Notes (the “Exchange Notes”) equal in value to the product of
(1) the total number of the Exchange Shares multiplied by (2) $
F-83
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2025
Note 4 — Business Combination Agreement (cont.)
The Sponsor Support Agreement also provides that,
among other things, (i) the Sponsor will vote its CEP Class A Ordinary Shares, and its Class B ordinary shares of CEP,
par value $
On June 25, 2025, Pubco, CEP and the Sponsor entered
into the Sponsor Support Agreement Amendment, pursuant to which the Sponsor has agreed to forfeit a number of CEP Class A Ordinary Shares
it receives upon conversion of its CEP Class B Ordinary Shares so that such number of CEP Class A Ordinary Shares retained by the Sponsor
equals the lesser of (a)
Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, Tether and SoftBank entered into a sale and purchase agreement, as amended and restated on June 23, 2025, pursuant to which, among other things, immediately following the Closing, Tether will transfer to SoftBank an equal number of shares of Pubco Class A Stock and Pubco Class B Stock, and SoftBank will pay Tether consideration calculated based on a formula described thereunder.
F-84
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2025
Note 4 — Business Combination Agreement (cont.)
On April 22, 2025, along with the Business Combination Agreement, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank entered into the Governance Term Sheet, which sets out the main terms upon which Pubco will prepare the Proposed Organizational Documents, which will be adopted at or prior to Closing. At Closing, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank will enter into the Governance Agreement, which will implement the terms of the Governance Term Sheet. Pursuant to the Governance Agreement, Pubco will issue two (2) classes of shares of Pubco Stock, with different voting and economic rights attached to them. The shares of Pubco Class A Stock will have no voting rights other than as required by applicable law, until all shares of Pubco Class B Stock are canceled, whereas, holders of shares of Pubco Class B Stock will be entitled to one vote per share. Once all shares of Pubco Class B Stock are canceled, holders of Pubco Class A Stock will acquire full voting rights. Holders of Pubco Class A Stock will be entitled to receive distributions in proportion to the number of shares of Pubco Class A Stock held by them, whereas, holders of Pubco Class B Stock will not have any economic rights. In addition, the shares of Pubco Class A Stock will be listed for trading and will be freely transferable, subject to the terms of the Lock-Up Agreements, the Insider Letter and any restrictions pursuant to applicable laws. The shares of Pubco Class B Stock will not be listed or freely transferable, except to Affiliates. The parties agreed to take all necessary action so that effective as of the Closing, the board of directors of Pubco will consist of seven individuals, six of which are to be designated by the Sellers and SoftBank, with the final director to be the chief executive officer of Pubco.
On July 26, 2025, the parties to the Business
Combination Agreement entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement, which amends the Business Combination Agreement,
among other things, to provide that the Additional PIPE Bitcoin Purchase Price used to determine the value of Tether’s contribution
of the Additional PIPE to Pubco at the Closing and the number of shares of Pubco Class A Stock and Pubco Class B Stock to be issued to
Tether at the Closing in exchange for the sale of the Additional PIPE Bitcoin by Tether to Pubco shall be based on $
Concurrently with the Closing, Tether, Bitfinex and SoftBank will each enter into a Lock-Up Agreement with Pubco, pursuant to which each Seller and SoftBank will agree that the shares of Pubco Class A Stock received by each Seller and the shares of Pubco Class A Stock transferred by Tether to SoftBank will be locked-up and subject to transfer restrictions, as described below, subject to certain exceptions.
Concurrently with the Closing, CEP, Pubco, the Sponsor, each Seller and SoftBank will enter into an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement that will amend and restate the registration rights agreement, dated as of August 12, 2024, by and between CEP and the Sponsor.
Concurrently with the Closing, Pubco and Tether
will enter into a Services Agreement, pursuant to which Tether will agree to provide, or cause to be provided, certain services to Pubco
and its subsidiaries in exchange for a services fee in the amount of $
Upon the completion of the Business Combination and the consummation of the PIPE Investments, and assuming, among other things, that no Public Shareholders exercise redemption rights with respect to their Public Shares upon completion of the Business Combination, that all PIPE Investors fund their commitments in their PIPE Subscription Agreements, that no Convertible Notes are converted into shares of Pubco Class A Stock and that no shares of Pubco Class A Stock are issued pursuant to the Twenty One Capital, Inc. 2025 Incentive Award Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, to become effective upon the Closing (the “Incentive Plan”), (i) Public Shareholders, (ii) the April Equity PIPE Investors, (iii) the June Equity PIPE Investors, (iv) the Sponsor and its Affiliates, (v) the directors and officers of CEP, (vi) the Sellers and (vii) SoftBank will own, pursuant to the respective agreements, shares of the issued and outstanding shares of Pubco Class A and Class B Common Stock.
Each holder of shares of Pubco Class A Stock
will have no voting rights except as required by the Texas Business Organizations Code (“TBOC”), until all shares of Pubco
Class B Stock are canceled. Once all shares of Pubco Class B Stock are canceled, holders of Pubco Class A Stock will acquire
full voting rights. Each holder of shares of Pubco Class B Stock will be entitled to
The price per share of Pubco Class A Stock
is $
F-85
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2025
Note 4 — Business Combination Agreement (cont.)
The value of the consideration that the Public
Shareholders are each receiving in connection with the Business Combination is thus $
The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, CEP will be treated as the acquired company for financial reporting purposes, and Twenty One will be the accounting acquirer. Accordingly, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Twenty One issuing stock for the net assets of CEP, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of CEP were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination were those of Twenty-One.
If Pubco’s application for listing is approved, shares of Pubco Class A Stock are expected to be traded on NYSE, Nasdaq or another national securities exchange under the symbol “XXI.” The CEP Class A Ordinary Shares will not trade after the Closing.
Note 5 — Stockholder’s Deficit
The Company is authorized to issue
Note 6 — Commitments and Contingencies
The Company enters into contractual relationships that contain may indemnification provisions in its normal course of business with other parties. The Company may agree to hold other parties harmless against specific losses, such as those that could arise from a breach of representation, covenant, or third party infringement claims. It may not be possible to determine the maximum potential amount of liability under such indemnification agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances that are like to be involved in each particular claim and indemnification provision. Historically, there have been no such indemnification claims. Management believes any liability arising from these agreements will not be material to the Company’s financial statements.
The Company may from time to time involve in legal proceedings, legal actions, and claims arising in the normal course of business, including proceedings relating to intellectual property, safety and health, employment and other matters. Management believes that the outcome of such legal proceedings, legal actions, and claims will not have a significant adverse effect, individually, or in the aggregate, on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Note 7 — Segment Information
ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” establishes standards for companies to report in their financial statement information about operating segments, products, services, geographic areas, and major customers. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities from which it may recognize revenues and incur expenses, and for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the Company’s chief operating decision maker, or group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.
F-86
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 7, 2025 (INCEPTION) TO JUNE 30, 2025
Note 7 — Segment Information (cont.)
The CODM assesses performance for the single
segment and decides how to allocate resources based on net loss that also is reported on the statements of operations as net loss.
As the Company is in the start-up phase, the CODM currently reviews operating expenses to manage and forecast cash to ensure enough
capital is available to achieve its business plan over the short-term period ( less than a year). The CODM also reviews operating
expenses to manage, maintain and enforce all contractual agreements to ensure costs are aligned with all agreements and budget.
| For the period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to June 30, 2025 | ||||
| General and administrative | $ | |||
| Total Operating expenses | $ | |||
Note 8 — Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the consolidated financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.
On July 26, 2025, the parties to the Business
Combination Agreement entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement (“Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination
Agreement”), which amends the Business Combination Agreement, to among other things, provide that the Additional PIPE Bitcoin Purchase
Price (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) used to determine the value of Tether’s contribution of the Additional
PIPE Bitcoin (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) to Pubco at the Closing and the number of shares of Pubco Stock (as defined
in the Business Combination Agreement) to be issued to Tether at the Closing in exchange for the sale of the Additional PIPE Bitcoin by
Tether to Pubco shall be based on the Signing Bitcoin Price of $
F-87
Part II: Information Not Required in Prospectus
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be borne by the registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the shares of common stock being registered hereby.
| Expense | Estimated Amount | |||
| Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee | $ | 67,185.65 | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses | $ | 100,000 | † | |
| Legal fees and expenses | $ | 250,000 | † | |
| Printing expenses | $ | 10,000 | † | |
| Transfer agent fees and expenses | $ | * | ||
| Miscellaneous expenses | $ | * | ||
| Total | $ | 427,185.65 | ||
| * | These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be defined at this time. |
| † | Estimated solely for purposes of this section. Actual expenses may vary. |
We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the securities offered by this prospectus, whereas the Selling Securityholders will bear all incremental selling expenses, including commissions, brokerage fees and other similar selling expenses.
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The TBOC permits a corporation to indemnify a director who was, is or is threatened to be a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding as a result of the performance of that person’s duties if such person acted in good faith and, in the case of conduct in the person’s official capacity as a director, in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and, in all other cases, that the person reasonably believed that their conduct was not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, that such person had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The TBOC further permits a corporation to eliminate in its charter all monetary liability of the corporation’s directors or officers to the corporation or its shareholders for conduct in performance of such director’s or officer’s duties. In addition, the TBOC requires a corporation to indemnify a director or officer for any action that such director or officer is wholly successful in defending on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of the proceeding. Twenty One Capital’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation provides that a director or officer will not be liable to Twenty One Capital or its shareholders for monetary damages for an act or omission in such person’s capacity as a director or officer, as applicable, except that there will be no limitation of liability to the extent the director or officer has been found liable under applicable law for: (i) a breach of the director’s or officer’s duty of loyalty owed to Twenty One Capital or Twenty One Capital’s shareholders; (ii) an act or omission not in good faith that constitutes a breach of duty of the director or officer to Twenty One Capital or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; (iii) a transaction from which the director or officer received an improper benefit, regardless of whether the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of the director’s or officer’s duties; or (iv) an act or omission for which the liability of the director or officer is expressly provided for by an applicable statute.
Sections 8.101 and 8.103 of the TBOC provide that a corporation may indemnify a person who was, is or is threatened to be a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding because the person is or was a director only if a determination is made that such indemnification is permissible under the TBOC: (i) by a majority vote of the directors who at the time of the vote are disinterested and independent, regardless of whether such directors constitute a quorum; (ii) by a majority vote of a board committee designated by a majority of disinterested and independent directors and consisting solely of disinterested and independent directors; (iii) by special legal counsel selected by the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors as set forth in (i) or (ii); (iv) by the stockholders in a vote that excludes the shares held by directors who are not disinterested and independent; or (v) by a unanimous vote of the stockholders.
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Section 8.104 of the TBOC provides that the corporation may pay or reimburse, in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding, reasonable expenses incurred by a present director who was, is or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding after the corporation receives a written affirmation by the director of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under Section 8.101 and a written undertaking by or on behalf of the director to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that he or she has not met that standard or if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of the director is not otherwise permitted under the TBOC. Section 8.105 of the TBOC also provides that reasonable expenses incurred by a former director or officer, or a present or former employee or agent of the corporation, who was, is or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding may be paid or reimbursed by the corporation, in advance of the final disposition of the action, as the corporation considers appropriate.
Section 8.105 of the TBOC provides that a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to a person who is not a director, including an officer, employee or agent of the corporation as provided by: (i) the corporation’s governing documents; (ii) an action by the corporation’s governing authority; (iii) resolution by the shareholders; (iv) contract; or (v) common law. As consistent with Section 8.105, a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to persons who are not directors to the same extent that a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to directors.
The Company has also entered into, concurrently with the Closing, indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements provide, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by the TBOC and Twenty One Capital’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation and Amended and Restated Bylaws against (i) any and all liabilities and reasonable expenses, including damages, judgments, fines, penalties, ERISA excise taxes and amounts paid in settlement of any claim with the Company’s approval and reasonable counsel fees and disbursements and (ii) any liabilities incurred arising out of, relating to or resulting from the indemnitee’s acting on behalf of the Company in connection with the operation, administration or maintenance of the employee benefit plan or any related trust or funding mechanism. The indemnification agreements provide for, the advancement or payment of expenses to the indemnitee and for reimbursement to the Company if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law and Twenty One Capital’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation and Amended and Restated Bylaws or the terms of the indemnification agreements.
Twenty One Capital’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation and Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that Twenty One Capital must indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by law. The Company is also expressly required to advance certain expenses to its directors and officers. Twenty One Capital may also purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, on behalf of any person existing or former director, officer, employee or agent of Twenty One Capital, or is serving at the request of Twenty One Capital as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, proprietorship or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the TBOC. Twenty One Capital’s directors and officers will be covered by insurance indemnifying them against certain liabilities which might be incurred by them in their capacities as such, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers, or persons controlling us under any of the foregoing provisions, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
As of the consummation of the Business Combination, in connection with the Business Combination and the PIPE Investments, Twenty One Capital issued the following securities that were not registered under the Securities Act. Each of these securities were issued in reliance upon the exemptions provided by Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act. No underwriters were involved in these issuances of securities.
Convertible Notes Subscription Agreement
Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, the Company and CEP entered into the Convertible Note Subscription Agreements and with the Convertible Note Investors, pursuant to which the Convertible Note Investors have agreed to purchase $340 million aggregate principal amount of 1.00% convertible senior secured notes due 2030, the Convertible Notes and such subscriptions, the Convertible Notes PIPE, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein. In addition, for a period of 30 days following the execution of the Convertible Note Subscription Agreements, Twenty One Capital has agreed to grant the Convertible Note Investors an option to purchase additional Convertible Notes in an aggregate amount of up to $100 million, on a pro rata basis based on such Convertible Note Investor’s participation in the Convertible Note PIPE, the “Option Convertible Notes.
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Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statements.
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| * | Previously filed. |
| ** | Filed herewith. |
| *** | To be filed by amendment. |
| (1) | Certain schedules, exhibits and similar attachments have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(a)(5). The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted information to the SEC upon its request. |
| † | Certain personally identifiable information has been omitted from this exhibit pursuant to Item 601(a)(6) of Regulation S-K. |
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Item 17. Undertakings.
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: |
| ii. | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; |
| iii. | 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 |
| iv. | 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. |
| (2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
| (4) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. 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 first use, 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 date of first use. |
| (5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act 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. |
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Santa Barbara, State of California, on the 5th day of January, 2026.
|
|
Twenty One Capital, Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ Jack Mallers | ||
| Name: | Jack Mallers | ||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | ||
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned constitutes and appoints Jack Mallers, Steven Meehan and James Cong Hoan Nguyen his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, their true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this Registration Statement on Form S-1 (including all pre-effective and post-effective amendments and registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that any such attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Jack Mallers | Chief Executive Officer | January 5, 2026 | ||
| Jack Mallers | (Principal executive officer) | |||
| /s/ Steven Meehan | Chief Financial Officer | January 5, 2026 | ||
| Steven Meehan | (Principal financial officer) | |||
| /s/ Paolo Ardoino | Director | January 5, 2026 | ||
| Paolo Ardoino | ||||
| /s/ Zachary Lyons | Director | January 5, 2026 | ||
| Zachary Lyons | ||||
| /s/ Robert “Bo” Hines | Director | January 5, 2026 | ||
| Robert “Bo” Hines | ||||
| /s/ Raphael Zagury | Director | January 5, 2026 | ||
| Raphael Zagury | ||||
| /s/ Jared Roscoe | Director | January 5, 2026 | ||
| Jared Roscoe | ||||
| /s/ Vikas J. Parekh | Director | January 5, 2026 | ||
| Vikas J. Parekh |
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Exhibit 4.1
EXECUTION VERSION
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC.
AND
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee,
AND
ANCHORAGE DIGITAL BANK, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent
INDENTURE
Dated as of December 8, 2025
1.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | |
| ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS | |
| Section 1.01. Definitions | 1 |
| Section 1.02. References to Interest | 16 |
| ARTICLE 2 ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES | |
| Section 2.01. Designation and Amount | 17 |
| Section 2.02. Form of Notes | 17 |
| Section 2.03. Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Defaulted Amounts | 18 |
| Section 2.04. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Notes | 19 |
| Section 2.05. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary | 20 |
| Section 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes | 26 |
| Section 2.07. Temporary Notes | 27 |
| Section 2.08. Cancellation of Notes Paid, Converted, Etc. | 27 |
| Section 2.09. CUSIP Numbers | 28 |
| Section 2.10. Additional Notes; Repurchases | 28 |
| ARTICLE 3 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | |
| Section 3.01. Satisfaction and Discharge | 28 |
| ARTICLE 4 PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY | |
| Section 4.01. Payment of Principal and Interest | 29 |
| Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency | 29 |
| Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office | 30 |
| Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent | 30 |
| Section 4.05. Existence | 32 |
| Section 4.06. Rule 144A Information Requirement and Annual Reports | 32 |
| Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 32 |
| Section 4.08. Compliance Certificate; Statements as to Defaults | 32 |
| Section 4.09. Further Instruments and Acts | 33 |
| Section 4.10. Impairment of Security Interest | 33 |
| Section 4.11. Limitation on Debt Secured by the Collateral | 33 |
i
| ARTICLE 5 LISTS OF HOLDERS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE | |
| Section 5.01. Lists of Holders | 34 |
| Section 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists | 34 |
| Section 5.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders | 34 |
| ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | |
| Section 6.01. Events of Default | 34 |
| Section 6.02. Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment | 36 |
| Section 6.03. Additional Interest | 37 |
| Section 6.04. Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor | 38 |
| Section 6.05. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee | 39 |
| Section 6.06. Proceedings by Holders | 40 |
| Section 6.07. Proceedings by Trustee | 41 |
| Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing | 41 |
| Section 6.09. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders | 42 |
| Section 6.10. Notice of Defaults | 42 |
| Section 6.11. Undertaking to Pay Costs | 42 |
| ARTICLE 7 CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE AND COLLATERAL AGENT | |
| Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee | 43 |
| Section 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc. | 45 |
| Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. | 46 |
| Section 7.04. Trustee, Collateral Agent, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents, Bid Solicitation Agent or Note Registrar May Own Notes | 46 |
| Section 7.05. Monies to Be Held in Trust | 47 |
| Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee | 47 |
| Section 7.07. Officer’s Certificate as Evidence | 48 |
| Section 7.08. Eligibility of Trustee | 48 |
| Section 7.09. Resignation or Removal of Trustee | 48 |
| Section 7.10. Acceptance by Successor Trustee or Successor Collateral Agent | 49 |
| Section 7.11. Succession by Merger, Etc. | 50 |
| Section 7.12. Trustee’s or Collateral Agent’s Application for Instructions from the Company | 51 |
| Section 7.13. Collateral; Trustee’s and Collateral Agent’s Disclaimer | 51 |
| Section 7.14. Preferential Collection of Claims against the Company | 51 |
| Section 7.15. Reports by the Trustee to the Holders | 51 |
ii
| ARTICLE 8 CONCERNING THE HOLDERS | |
| Section 8.01. Action by Holders | 52 |
| Section 8.02. Proof of Execution by Holders | 52 |
| Section 8.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners | 52 |
| Section 8.04. Company-Owned Notes Disregarded | 53 |
| Section 8.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound | 53 |
| ARTICLE 9 HOLDERS’ MEETINGS | |
| Section 9.01. Purpose of Meetings | 53 |
| Section 9.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee | 54 |
| Section 9.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Holders | 54 |
| Section 9.04. Qualifications for Voting | 54 |
| Section 9.05. Regulations | 54 |
| Section 9.06. Voting | 55 |
| Section 9.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting | 55 |
| ARTICLE 10 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | |
| Section 10.01. Supplemental Indentures and Amendments to the Collateral Documents Without Consent of Holders | 55 |
| Section 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders | 57 |
| Section 10.03. Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 58 |
| Section 10.04. Notation on Notes | 59 |
| Section 10.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished Trustee | 59 |
| ARTICLE 11 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE | |
| Section 11.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms | 59 |
| Section 11.02. Successor Corporation to Be Substituted | 60 |
| Section 11.03. Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Given to Trustee and Collateral Agent | 60 |
| ARTICLE 12 IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, SHAREHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS | |
| Section 12.01. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations | 60 |
iii
| ARTICLE 13 COLLATERAL AND SECURITY | ||
| Section 13.01. Collateral | 61 | |
| Section 13.02. Further Assurances | 61 | |
| Section 13.03. Release of Liens on Collateral | 62 | |
| Section 13.04. Authorization of Actions to be Taken by the Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents | 64 | |
| Section 13.05. Information Regarding Collateral | 65 | |
| Section 13.06. Collateral Documents | 66 | |
| Section 13.07. Additional Provisions Regarding the Collateral Agent | 66 | |
| ARTICLE 14 CONVERSION OF NOTES | ||
| Section 14.01. Conversion Privilege | 67 | |
| Section 14.02. Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion | 72 | |
| Section 14.03. | Increased Conversion Rate Applicable to Certain Notes Surrendered in Connection with Make-Whole Fundamental Changes or a Redemption Notice | 77 |
| Section 14.04. Adjustment of Conversion Rate | 80 | |
| Section 14.05. Adjustments of Prices | 89 | |
| Section 14.06. Shares to Be Fully Paid | 89 | |
| Section 14.07. Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock | 89 | |
| Section 14.08. Certain Covenants | 91 | |
| Section 14.09. Responsibility of Trustee | 92 | |
| Section 14.10. Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions | 92 | |
| Section 14.11. Shareholder Rights Plans | 93 | |
| Section 14.12. Exchange in Lieu of Conversion | 93 | |
| ARTICLE 15 REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS | ||
| Section 15.01. Repurchase at Option of Holders | 94 | |
| Section 15.02. Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change | 96 | |
| Section 15.03. Withdrawal of Repurchase Notice or Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice | 99 | |
| Section 15.04. Deposit of Repurchase Price or Fundamental Change Repurchase Price | 99 | |
| Section 15.05. Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes | 100 | |
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| ARTICLE 16 OPTIONAL REDEMPTION |
|
| Section 16.01. Optional Redemption | |
| Section 16.02. Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes | 101 |
| Section 16.03. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption | 102 |
| Section 16.04. Restrictions on Redemption | 103 |
| ARTICLE 17 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | |
| Section 17.01. Provisions Binding on Company’s Successors | 103 |
| Section 17.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation | 103 |
| Section 17.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc. | 103 |
| Section 17.04. Governing Law; Jurisdiction | 104 |
| Section 17.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee | 105 |
| Section 17.06. Legal Holidays | 106 |
| Section 17.07. No Security Interest Created | 106 |
| Section 17.08. Benefits of Indenture | 106 |
| Section 17.09. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. | 106 |
| Section 17.10. Authenticating Agent | 106 |
| Section 17.11. Execution in Counterparts | 107 |
| Section 17.12. Severability | 107 |
| Section 17.13. Waiver of Jury Trial | 107 |
| Section 17.14. Force Majeure | 107 |
| Section 17.15. Calculations | 108 |
| Section 17.16. USA PATRIOT Act | 108 |
| Section 17.17. Trust Indenture Act Controls | 108 |
EXHIBIT
| Exhibit A | Form of Note | A-1 |
v
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
| Trust Indenture Act Section | Indenture Section | |
| §310(a)(1) | 7.08 | |
| (a)(2) | 7.08 | |
| (a)(3) | N/A | |
| (a)(4) | N/A | |
| (a)(5) | 7.08 | |
| (b) | 7.08, 7.09 | |
| §311(a) | 7.14 | |
| (b) | 7.14 | |
| §312(a) | 5.01, 5.02 | |
| (b) | 5.03 | |
| (c) | 5.03 | |
| §313(a) | 7.15 | |
| (b)(1) | 7.15 | |
| (b)(2) | 7.15 | |
| (c) | 7.15, 17.03 | |
| (d) | 7.15 | |
| §314(a) | 4.06, 4.08, 17.03 | |
| (b) | 13.05 | |
| (c)(1) | 17.05 | |
| (c)(2) | 17.05 | |
| (c)(3) | N/A | |
| (d) | 13.05 | |
| (e) | 17.05 | |
| (f) | N/A | |
| §315(a) | 7.01, 7.02 | |
| (b) | 6.10, 17.03 | |
| (c) | 7.01 | |
| (d) | 7.01 | |
| (e) | 6.11 | |
| §316(a)(last sentence) | 8.04 | |
| (a)(1)(A) | 6.09 | |
| (a)(1)(B) | 6.09 | |
| (a)(2) | N/A | |
| (b) | 6.06 | |
| (c) | 8.01 | |
| §317(a)(1) | 6.04 | |
| (a)(2) | 6.04 | |
| (b) | 4.04 | |
| §318(a) | 17.17 | |
| (b) | N/A | |
| (c) | 17.17 |
| * | This Cross Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Indenture. |
INDENTURE dated as of December 8, 2025 between Twenty One Capital, Inc., a Texas corporation, as issuer (the “Company,” as more fully set forth in Section 1.01) and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee,” as more fully defined in Section 1.01), and Anchorage Digital Bank, N.A., as collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent,” as more fully defined in Section 1.01).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its 1.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”), initially in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $486,500,000, and in order to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, the Form of Note, the certificate of authentication to be borne by each Note, the Form of Notice of Conversion, the Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice and the Form of Assignment and Transfer to be borne by the Notes are to be substantially in the forms hereinafter provided; and
WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent and the Collateral Agent, as provided in this Indenture, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed, and the execution of this Indenture and the issuance hereunder of the Notes have in all respects been duly authorized.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises and of the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Notes (except as otherwise provided below), as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.
“Additional Interest” means all amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 6.03.
“Additional Notes” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.10.
“Additional Shares” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(a).
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“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the determination of whether one Person is an “Affiliate” of another Person for purposes of this Indenture shall be made based on the facts at the time such determination is made or required to be made, as the case may be hereunder.
“Average Bitcoin Price” shall mean the Bitcoin Price as averaged over the ten consecutive days immediately prior to the end of any calendar quarter.
“Average Closing Bitcoin Price” shall mean $90,560.40.
“BCA” means that certain business combination agreement, dated as or around the date hereof, by and among (i) the Company (ii) Cantor Equity Partners, Inc. (“SPAC”), (iii) Twenty One Merger Sub D, (iv) Twenty One Assets, LLC (“Newco”), (v) iFinex, Inc., (vi) Tether Investments, S.A. de C.V., and (vii) with respect to certain section specified therein, Stellar Beacon, LLC, as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.
“Bid Solicitation Agent” means the Company or the Person appointed by the Company to solicit bids for the Trading Price of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.01(b)(i). The Company shall initially act as the Bid Solicitation Agent.
“Bitcoin Price” shall mean, with respect to any given day, the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate New York Variant (BRRNY) for such day.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means, with respect to any Note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.
“Called Notes” means Notes called for Optional Redemption pursuant to ARTICLE 16 or subject to a Deemed Redemption.
“Capital Stock” means, for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that entity, but shall not include any debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for any securities otherwise constituting Capital Stock pursuant to this definition.
“Cash Settlement” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a).
2
“Class B Common Stock” means the class B common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, at the date of this Indenture.
“Clause A Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“Clause B Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“Clause C Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“close of business” means 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).
“Collateral” shall have the meaning specified in the Security Agreement; provided, however, that any Collateral that is released pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall, upon such release, cease to constitute Collateral for all purposes hereunder and under the Collateral Documents.
“Collateral Accounts” shall have the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.
“Collateral Agent” means the Person named as the “Collateral Agent” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor collateral agent shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Collateral Agent” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Collateral Agent hereunder.
“Collateral Documents” means the Security Agreement.
“Collateralized Bitcoin Amount” shall mean an amount equal to 16,116.31574065 Bitcoin.
“Combination Settlement” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a).
“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Equity” of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that is generally entitled (a) to vote in the election of directors of such Person or (b) if such Person is not a corporation, to vote or otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control the management or policies of such Person.
“Common Stock” means the class A common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, at the date of this Indenture, subject to Section 14.07.
“Company” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and subject to the provisions of Article 11, shall include its successors and assigns.
“Company Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.01(a).
“Company Order” means a written order of the Company, signed by (a) the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or President and (b) any such other Officer designated in clause (a) of this definition or the Company’s Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Conversion Agent” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.02.
3
“Conversion Consideration” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.12.
“Conversion Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(c).
“Conversion Obligation” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(a).
“Conversion Price” means as of any date, $1,000, divided by the Conversion Rate as of such date.
“Conversion Rate” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(a).
“Corporate Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(b)(iii).
“Corporate Trust Office” means (i) with respect to the Trustee, the designated office of the Trustee at which at any particular time this Indenture shall be administered, which office as of the date hereof is located at U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, 633 West 5th Street, 24th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071, Attention: B. Scarbrough (Twenty One Capital Inc. Administrator) or such other address as the Trustee may from time to time designate in writing to the Company or (ii) the designated corporate trust office of any successor trustee (or such other address as such successor trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).
“Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.
“Daily Conversion Value” means, for each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days during the Observation Period, one-twentieth (1/20th) of the product of (a) the Conversion Rate on such Trading Day and (b) the Daily VWAP for such Trading Day.
“Daily Measurement Value” means the Specified Dollar Amount (if any), divided by 20.
“Daily Settlement Amount” for each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days during the Observation Period, shall consist of:
(a) cash in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Daily Measurement Value and (ii) the Daily Conversion Value on such Trading Day; and
(b) if the Daily Conversion Value on such Trading Day exceeds the Daily Measurement Value, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the difference between the Daily Conversion Value and the Daily Measurement Value, divided by (ii) the Daily VWAP for such Trading Day
“Daily VWAP” means, for each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on Bloomberg page “XXI <EQUITY> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of the Common Stock on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by the Company). The “Daily VWAP” shall be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.
“Deemed Redemption” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(b)(v).
“Default” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.
“Defaulted Amounts” means any amounts on any Note (including, without limitation, the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, principal and interest) that are payable but have not been paid or duly provided for.
“Depositary” means, with respect to each Global Note, the Person specified in Section 2.05(c) as the Depositary with respect to such Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.
“Distributed Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
4
“Distribution Trigger Irrevocable Physical Settlement Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(b)(ii).
“Effective Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(c), except that, as used in Section 14.04 and Section 14.05, “Effective Date” means the first date on which shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable, referred to in Section 14.04 and Section 14.05.
“Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.01.
“Ex-Dividend Date” means the first date on which shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from the Company or, if applicable, from the seller of Common Stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market. For the avoidance of doubt, any alternative trading convention on the applicable exchange or market in respect of shares of the Common Stock under a separate ticker symbol or CUSIP number will not be considered “regular way” for this purpose.
“Exempted Fundamental Change” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(f).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Exchange Election” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.12.
“Form of Assignment and Transfer” means the “Form of Assignment and Transfer” attached as Attachment 4 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
“Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” means the “Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” attached as Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
“Form of Note” means the “Form of Note” attached hereto as Exhibit A.
“Form of Notice of Conversion” means the “Form of Notice of Conversion” attached as Attachment 1 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
“Form of Repurchase Notice” shall mean the “Form of Repurchase Notice” attached as Attachment 3 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
“Fundamental Change” shall be deemed to have occurred at the time after the Notes are originally issued if any of the following occurs:
(a) Except in connection with transactions described in clause (b) below, a “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, the employee benefit plans of the Company and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and any Permitted Holder files a Schedule TO or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act disclosing that such person or group has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of the Common Stock and/or the Class B Common Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock taken together;
(b) the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than a change to par value, or from par value to no par value, or changes resulting from a subdivision or combination ) as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets; (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Company pursuant to which the Common Stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets; or (C) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than one or more of the Company’s direct or indirect Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; provided, however, that neither (i) a transaction described in clause (A) or (B) in which the holders of all classes of the Company’s Common Equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of Common Equity of the continuing or surviving corporation or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions (relative to each other) as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction nor (ii) any merger of the Company solely for the purpose of changing the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation that results in a reclassification, conversion or exchange of outstanding shares of the Common Stock solely into shares of common stock of the surviving entity that is “listed stock” (as defined below) and such “listed stock” becomes the Reference Property for the Notes shall be a Fundamental Change pursuant to this clause (b);
(c) the shareholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or
5
(d) the Common Stock (or other common stock underlying the Notes) ceases to be listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors);
provided, however, that a transaction or transactions described in clause (a) or clause (b) above shall not constitute a Fundamental Change, if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by the holders of Common Stock, excluding cash payments for fractional shares or pursuant to statutory appraisal rights, in connection with such transaction or transactions consists of shares of common stock or other Common Equity that are listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors) or will be so listed or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or transactions and as a result of such transaction or transactions the Notes become convertible into such consideration (“listed stock”), excluding cash payments for fractional shares or pursuant to statutory appraisal rights (subject to the provisions of Section 14.02(a)). If any transaction in which the Common Stock is replaced by the securities of another entity occurs, following completion of any related Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period (or, in the case of a transaction that would have been a Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change but for the proviso immediately following clause (d) of this definition, following the effective date of such transaction), references to the Company in this definition shall instead be references to such other entity. For the avoidance of doubt, the transactions contemplated by the BCA shall not constitute a “Fundamental Change.”
“Fundamental Change Company Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(c).
“Fundamental Change Repurchase Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).
“Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(b)(i).
“Fundamental Change Repurchase Price” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).1
The terms “given”, “mailed”, “notify” or “sent” with respect to any notice to be given to a Holder pursuant to this Indenture, shall mean notice (x) 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 accepted practices or applicable procedures at the Depositary (in the case of a Global Note) or (y) mailed to such Holder by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the Note Register (in the case of a Physical Note), in each case, in accordance with Section 17.03. Notice so “given” shall be deemed to include any notice to be “mailed” or “delivered,” as applicable, under this Indenture.
“Global Note” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b).
6
“Holder,” as applied to any Note, or other similar terms (but excluding the term “beneficial holder”), means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Note is registered on the Note Register.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, (a) any indebtedness of such Person (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, accrued expenses, trade payables and hedging obligations) in respect of borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments to the extent the same would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, (c) all obligations described in clauses (a), (b) and (d) of others secured by any Lien on any asset owned or held by such Person regardless of whether the obligations secured thereby have been assumed by such Person or is non-recourse to the credit of such Person and (d) any guarantee by such Person of obligations described in clauses (a) and (b) of another.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.
“Interest Payment Date” means each June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2026.
“Last Reported Sale Price” of the Common Stock (or any other security for which a closing sale price must be determined) on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is traded. If the Common Stock (or such other security) is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be the last quoted bid price for the Common Stock (or such other security) in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If the Common Stock (or such other security) is not so quoted, the “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the Common Stock (or such other security) on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Company for this purpose. “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of regular trading session hours. If such principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is traded operates on a continuous or extended trading basis, including 24-hour trading, then as of any date, the “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be determined as of the last sale reported prior to 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such date (or such other time as the Company may reasonably determine to be consistent with market practice and disclosed in accordance with the terms of this Indenture).
“Lien” means any lien, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof and any agreement to give any security interest).
“Make-Whole Fundamental Change” means any transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change (as defined above and determined after giving effect to any exceptions to or exclusions from such definition, but without regard to clause (i) of the proviso in clause (b) of the definition thereof).
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“Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(a).
“Market Disruption Event” means, for the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion (a) a failure by the primary U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (b) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Scheduled Trading Day for the Common Stock for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in the Common Stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts traded on any U.S. exchange relating to the Common Stock.
“Maturity Date” means December 1, 2030.
“Measurement Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(b)(i).
“Note” or “Notes” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of the recitals of this Indenture.
“Note Register” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).
“Note Registrar” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).
“Notice of Conversion” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(b).
“Obligations” means with respect to any Person, all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) under the documentation governing any indebtedness of such Person and all accrued and unpaid fees (including fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and all other advances to, debts, liabilities and obligations to any lender, holder of indebtedness of such Person or any beneficiary of any indemnification obligations arising under documentation governing any indebtedness of such Person, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute, contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising; provided that Obligations with respect to the Notes shall not include fees, reimbursements or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Secured Parties.
“Observation Period” with respect to any Note surrendered for conversion means: (i) subject to clause (ii), if the relevant Conversion Date occurs prior to June 1, 2030, the 20 consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the second Trading Day immediately succeeding such Conversion Date; (ii) if the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after the date of the Company’s issuance of a Redemption Notice with respect to the Notes pursuant to Section 16.02 and prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant Redemption Date, the 20 consecutive Trading Days beginning on, and including, the 21st Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding such Redemption Date; and (iii) subject to clause (ii), if the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after June 1, 2030, the 20 consecutive Trading Days beginning on, and including, the 21st Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date.
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“Officer” means, with respect to the Company, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, or the Treasurer.
“Officer’s Certificate,” when used with respect to the Company, means a certificate that is delivered to the Trustee and that is signed by an Officer of the Company. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 17.05 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section. The Officer executing an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Section 4.08 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
“open of business” means 9:00 a.m. (New York City time).
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or other counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that is delivered to the Trustee, which opinion may contain customary exceptions and qualifications as to the matters set forth therein and which legal counsel may, in providing such opinion, rely upon certifications or other representations as to matters of fact. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 17.05 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section 17.05.
“Optional Redemption” shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.01.
“outstanding,” when used with reference to Notes, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:
(a) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or accepted by the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Notes, or portions thereof, that have become due and payable and in respect of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent);
(c) Notes that have been paid pursuant to Section 2.06 or Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.06 unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that any such Notes are held by protected purchasers in due course;
(d) Notes converted pursuant to Article 14 and required to be cancelled pursuant to Section 2.08;
(e) Notes redeemed pursuant to Article 16; and
(f) Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Section 2.10.
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“Paying Agent” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.02.
“Pending Collateral Release Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.03(c).
“Permitted Holder” means any holder or "beneficial owner," as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of the Class B Common Stock and permitted transferees of such holder or beneficial owner under the terms of the Class B Common Stock as of the date hereof.
“Permitted Liens” means any:
(a) Liens which are junior in priority to the Lien securing the Notes and subject to an intercreditor agreement that is on customary terms (as determined by the Company in good faith);
(b) Liens in favor of the Securities Intermediary (as defined in the Collateral Documents);
(c) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges, claims or levies that are (i) not yet due or payable or (ii) that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor for any such Liens described in clause (ii)
(d) Liens arising or imposed by law, including carriers’, warehousemen’s, landlord’s, mechanics’ Liens and other like Liens, and customary Liens retained by or granted to carriers, landlords and mechanics under the terms of agreements pursuant to which services are rendered or property is leased by such Persons to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
(e) Liens in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including, without limitation, rights of set-off and credit balances) with respect to deposit accounts (as defined under the Uniform Commercial Code) that are within the general parameters customary to the banking industry;
(f) Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including rights of offset and set-off;
(g) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(h) Liens incurred as a result of a judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction that does not otherwise give rise to an Event of Default under this Indenture;
(i) Liens arising solely by virtue of the holding of the Collateral by a custodian, including any technical, administrative or contractual Liens in favor of such custodian pursuant to the terms of the custodial arrangement; provided that such Liens secure only obligations of the custodian in its capacity as such and do not secure any indebtedness; and
(j) Liens securing the Notes (other than Additional Notes).
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“Person” means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or any other entity or organization, including a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.
“Physical Notes” means permanent certificated Notes in registered form issued in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof.
“Physical Settlement” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a).
“PIPE Transaction” means the private placement of Class A ordinary shares of SPAC issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreements
“Predecessor Note” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.06 in lieu of or in exchange for a mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note that it replaces.
“Principal Market” shall mean The Nasdaq Capital Market (or any nationally recognized successor thereto); provided, however, that in the event the Common Stock are ever listed or traded on The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE American, the NYSE Arca, the OTC Bulletin Board, or the OTCQX or OTCQB operated by the OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or any nationally recognized successor to any of the foregoing), then the “Principal Market” shall mean such other market or exchange on which the Common Stock are then listed or traded.
“Public Float” shall mean an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Common Stock held by persons other than affiliates of the Company (as determined pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act) multiplied by (y) the closing price for the Common Stock as reported by the Principal Market, as averaged over the ten consecutive Business Days immediately prior to the end of any calendar quarter.
“Qualifying Bitcoin Price” shall mean an amount equal to one hundred thirty-three and three tenths percent (133.3%) of the Average Closing Bitcoin Price.
“Qualifying Public Float” shall mean an amount equal to two hundred percent (200%) of the aggregate principal of the Convertible Notes then outstanding.
“Record Date” means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of Common Stock (or other applicable security) have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock (or such other security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of the Common Stock (or such other security) entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board of Directors, by statute, by contract or otherwise).
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“Redemption Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.02(a).
“Redemption Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.02(a).
“Redemption Period” means, with respect to any Optional Redemption, the period from, and including, the relevant date on which the Company delivers a Redemption Notice for such Optional Redemption until the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the related Redemption Date (or, if the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price, until the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Redemption Price has been paid or duly provided for).
“Redemption Price” means, for any Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 16.01, 100% of the principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (unless the Redemption Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the immediately succeeding Interest Payment Date, in which case interest accrued to the Interest Payment Date will be paid to Holders of record of such Notes as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date on, or at the Company’s election, before, such Interest Payment Date and the Redemption Price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Notes).
“Reference Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).
“Registrable Securities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.03(a).
“Registration Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.03(a).
“Registration Obligation” shall have the meaning specified in the Subscription Agreements.
“Registration Statement” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.03(a).
“Regular Record Date” with respect to any Interest Payment Date, means the June 1 or December 1 (whether or not such day is a Business Day) immediately preceding the applicable June 15 or December 15 Interest Payment Date, respectively.
“Repurchase Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.01(a).
“Repurchase Expiration Time” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.01(a).
“Repurchase Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.01(a).
“Repurchase Price” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.01(a).
“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent (as applicable), any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent (as applicable), including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and, in each case, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
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“Restricted Securities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).
“Restrictive Notes Legend” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 as promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A as promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Scheduled Trading Day” means a day that is scheduled to be a Trading Day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading. If the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “Scheduled Trading Day” means a Business Day.
“Secured Parties” means the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Holders of the Notes.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Security Agreement” means that certain Securities Account Control and Security Agreement, dated December 8, 2025, by and between the Company and the Collateral Agent, as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.
“Settlement Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a)(iv).
“Settlement Method” means, with respect to any conversion of Notes, Physical Settlement, Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement, as elected (or deemed to have been elected) by the Company.
“Settlement Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a)(iii).
“Share Exchange Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).
“Significant Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company that meets the definition of “significant subsidiary” in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.
“Specified Dollar Amount” means the maximum cash amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes to be received upon conversion as specified (or deemed as specified) in the Settlement Notice related to any converted Notes.
“Spin-Off” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“Stock Price” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(c).
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“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
“Subscription Agreements” means those certain Subscription Agreements, each dated or on around the date hereof, by and between the Company and the respective investors party thereto, with such Class A ordinary shares of SPAC to be converted into shares of Common Stock in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the BCA.
“Successor Company” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.01(a).
“Trading Day” means, except for purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion as set forth in the proviso below, a day on which (i) trading in the Common Stock (or other security for which a closing sale price must be determined) generally occurs on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or, if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not then listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is then listed or, if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is then traded and (ii) a Last Reported Sale Price for the Common Stock (or closing sale price for such other security) is available on such securities exchange or market; provided that if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not so listed or traded, “Trading Day” means a Business Day; and provided, further, that for purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion only, “Trading Day” means a day on which (x) there is no Market Disruption Event and (y) trading in the Common Stock generally occurs on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading, except that if the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “Trading Day” means a Business Day.
“Trading Price” of the Notes on any date of determination means the average of the secondary market bid quotations obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent for $5,000,000 principal amount of Notes at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such determination date from three independent nationally recognized securities dealers the Company selects for this purpose; provided that if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent but two such bids are obtained, then the average of the two bids shall be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably be obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent, that one bid shall be used. If the Bid Solicitation Agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $5,000,000 principal amount of Notes from a nationally recognized securities dealer on any determination date, then the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes on such determination date shall be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate.
“transfer” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).
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“Trigger Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date of execution of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date hereof, the term “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as so amended.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder.
“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York except as such term may be used in connection with the perfection of Collateral and then the applicable jurisdiction with respect to such affected Collateral shall apply.
“unit of Reference Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).
“Valuation Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person, except that, solely for purposes of this definition, the reference to “more than 50%” in the definition of “Subsidiary” shall be deemed replaced by a reference to “100%,” the calculation of which shall exclude nominal amounts of the voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests in the relevant Subsidiary not held by such Person to the extent required to satisfy local minority interest requirements outside of the United States.
Section 1.02. References to Interest. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note in this Indenture shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to Section 6.03. Unless the context otherwise requires, any express mention of Additional Interest in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.
ARTICLE 2
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES
Section 2.01. Designation and Amount. The Notes shall be designated as the “1.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030.” The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is initially limited to $486,500,000, subject to Section 2.10 and except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Notes to the extent expressly permitted hereunder.
Section 2.02. Form of Notes. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Notes shall be substantially in the respective forms set forth in Exhibit A, the terms and provisions of which shall constitute, and are hereby expressly incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture. To the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. In the case of any conflict between this Indenture and the Note, the provisions of this Indenture shall control and govern to the extent of such conflict.
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Any Global Note may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture as may be required by the Custodian or the Depositary, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or any regulation thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Notes may be listed or traded or designated for issuance or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.
Any of the Notes may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such notations, legends or endorsements as the Officer executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, or to conform to usage or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.
Each Global Note shall represent such principal amount of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect redemptions, repurchases, cancellations, conversions, transfers or exchanges permitted hereby. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in such manner and upon instructions given by the Holder of such Notes in accordance with this Indenture. Payment of principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, a Global Note shall be made to the Holder of such Note on the date of payment, unless a record date or other means of determining Holders eligible to receive payment is provided for herein.
Section 2.03. Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Defaulted Amounts.
(a) The Notes shall be issuable
in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the date specified on the face of such Note. Accrued
interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for partial months, on the
basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month.
(b) The Person in whose name any Note (or its Predecessor Note) is registered on the Note Register at the close of business on any Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date. The principal amount of any Note (x) in the case of any Physical Note, shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained by the Company for such purposes in the United States, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office and (y) in the case of any Global Note, shall be payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Company shall pay, or cause the Paying Agent to pay, interest (i) on any Physical Notes (A) to Holders holding Physical Notes having an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or less, by check mailed to the Holders of these Notes at their address as it appears in the Note Register and (B) to Holders holding Physical Notes having an aggregate principal amount of more than $5,000,000, either by check mailed to each Holder or, upon application by such a Holder to the Note Registrar not later than the relevant Regular Record Date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that Holder’s account within the United States if such Holder has provided the Company, the Trustee or the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) with the requisite information necessary to make such wire transfer, which application shall remain in effect until the Holder notifies, in writing, the Note Registrar to the contrary or (ii) on any Global Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.
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(c) Any Defaulted Amounts shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant payment date but shall accrue interest per annum at the rate borne by the Notes, subject to the enforceability thereof under applicable law, from, and including, such relevant payment date, and such Defaulted Amounts together with such interest thereon shall be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:
(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Amounts to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Amounts, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of the Defaulted Amounts proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment (which shall be not less than 25 days after the receipt by the Trustee of such notice, unless the Trustee shall consent to an earlier date), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Amounts or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Amounts as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Company shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Amounts which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment, and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment (unless the Trustee shall consent to an earlier date). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of such special record date and the Company or the Trustee at the request of and in the name and at the expense of the Company (delivered at least three (3) Business Days before such notice is to be sent (or such shorter time period as agreed by the Trustee)), shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Amounts and the special record date therefor to be delivered to each Holder not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Amounts and the special record date therefor having been so delivered, such Defaulted Amounts shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on such special record date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii) of this Section 2.03(c).
(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Amounts in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
(iii) The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Notes to determine the Defaulted Amounts, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of Defaulted Amounts owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Defaulted Amounts.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any interest which is paid prior to the expiration of the 30-day period set forth in Section 6.01(a) shall be paid to Holders as of the record date for the Interest Payment Date for which such interest has not been paid.
Section 2.04. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Notes. The Notes shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual, electronic or facsimile signature of its Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, or Treasurer.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Notes, and the Trustee in accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Notes, without any further action by the Company hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, except in respect of the Notes issued pursuant to this Indenture on the date hereof, for which no Opinion of Counsel will be required, the Trustee shall not be obligated to authenticate a Note hereunder unless and until it has received a Company Order, Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel in accordance with the terms hereof.
Only such Notes as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth on the Form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto, executed manually by an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee as provided by Section 17.10), shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee (or such an authenticating agent) upon any Note executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Note so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
In case any Officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Notes shall cease to be such Officer before the Notes so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such Officer of the Company; and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be the Officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an Officer.
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Section 2.05. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary.
(a) The Company shall cause
to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office a register (the register maintained in such office or in any other office or agency of the Company
designated pursuant to Section 4.02, the “Note Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may
prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. Such register shall be in written form or
in any form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable period of time. The Trustee is hereby initially appointed
the “Note Registrar” for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein provided. The Company may
appoint one or more co-Note Registrars in accordance with Section 4.02.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note to the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar, and satisfaction of the requirements for such transfer set forth in this Section 2.05, the Company shall execute, and upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and bearing such restrictive legends as may be required by this Indenture.
Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at any such office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Notes that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive, bearing registration numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.
All Notes presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange, repurchase or conversion shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Note Registrar and the Company and duly executed, by the Holder thereof or its attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar, any co-Note Registrar or the Paying Agent for any exchange or registration of transfer of Notes, but the Company, the Trustee or the Note Registrar may require a Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax required in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of new Notes issued upon such exchange or registration of transfer being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer.
None of the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar shall be required to exchange or register a transfer of (i) any Notes surrendered for conversion or, if a portion of any Note is surrendered for conversion, such portion thereof surrendered for conversion, (ii) any Notes, or a portion of any Note, surrendered for required repurchase (and not withdrawn) in accordance with Article 15 or (iii) any Notes selected for redemption in accordance with Article 16, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
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All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with this Indenture shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(a) So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry settlement with the Depositary, unless otherwise required by law, subject to the fourth paragraph from the end of Section 2.05(c) all Notes shall be represented by one or more Notes in global form, without interest coupons (each, a “Global Note”) registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary. Each Global Note shall bear the legend required on a Global Note ser forth in Exhibit A hereto The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in a Global Note that does not involve the issuance of a Physical Note shall be effected through the Depositary (but not the Trustee or the Custodian) in accordance with this Indenture (including the restrictions on transfer set forth herein) and the procedures of the Depositary therefor.
(b) Every Note that bears or is required under this Section 2.05(c) to bear the Restrictive Notes Legend (together with any Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes that is required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.05(d), collectively, the “Restricted Securities”) shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 2.05(c) (including the Restrictive Notes Legend set forth below), unless such restrictions on transfer shall be eliminated or otherwise waived by written consent of the Company, and the Holder of each such Restricted Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, agrees to be bound by all such restrictions on transfer. As used in this Section 2.05(c) and Section 2.05(d), the term “transfer” encompasses any sale, pledge, transfer or other disposition whatsoever of any Restricted Security.
Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (the “Restrictive Notes Legend”) (or any similar legend, not inconsistent with this Indenture, required by the Depositary for such Global Note):
THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK, IF ANY, ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE ISSUE DATE HEREOF OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:
(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, OR
(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND IS EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER, OR
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(C) TO A PERSON THAT IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(A) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR
(D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT; OR
(E) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(E) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
No transfer of any Note will be registered by the Note Registrar unless the applicable box on the Form of Assignment and Transfer has been checked.
Any Note (or security issued in exchange or substitution therefor) (i) that has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become effective or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer or (ii) that has been sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, may, upon surrender of such Note for exchange to the Note Registrar in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.05, be exchanged for a new Note or Notes, of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, which shall not bear the Restrictive Notes Legend required by this Section 2.05(c) and shall not be assigned a restricted CUSIP number. The Company shall be entitled to instruct the Custodian in writing to so surrender any Global Note as to which any of the conditions set forth in clause (i) through (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence have been satisfied, and, upon such instruction, the Custodian shall so surrender such Global Note for exchange; and any new Global Note so exchanged therefor shall not bear the Restrictive Notes Legend specified in this Section 2.05(c) and shall not be assigned a restricted CUSIP number. The Company shall promptly after a registration statement, if any, with respect to the Notes or any Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes has been declared effective under the Securities Act, notify the Trustee.
The Company shall be entitled to instruct the Custodian in writing to so surrender any Global Note as to which any of the conditions set forth in clause (i) through (ii) of the first sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph have been satisfied, and, upon such instruction, the Custodian shall so surrender such Global Note for exchange; and any new Global Note so exchanged therefor shall not bear the Restrictive Legend specified in this Section 2.05(c) and shall not be assigned (or deemed assigned) a restricted CUSIP number.
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Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture (other than the provisions set forth in this Section 2.05(c)), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole or in part except (i) by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or 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 successor Depositary and (ii) for exchange of a Global Note or a portion thereof for one or more Physical Notes in accordance with the second immediately succeeding paragraph.
The Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act as Depositary with respect to each Global Note. Initially, each Global Note shall be issued to the Depositary, registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the nominee of the Depositary, and deposited with the Trustee as custodian for Cede & Co.
If (i) the Depositary notifies the Company at any time that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days, (ii) the Depositary ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing and a beneficial owner of any Note requests that its beneficial interest therein be issued as a Physical Note, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Notes, shall authenticate and deliver (x) in the case of clause (iii), a Physical Note to such beneficial owner in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Note corresponding to such beneficial owner’s beneficial interest and (y) in the case of clause (i) or (ii), Physical Notes to each beneficial owner of the related Global Notes (or a portion thereof) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes, and upon delivery of the Global Notes to the Trustee such Global Notes shall be canceled.
Physical Notes issued in exchange for all or a part of the Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, or, in the case of clause (iii) of the immediately preceding paragraph, the relevant beneficial owner, shall instruct the Trustee in writing. Upon execution and authentication, the Trustee shall deliver such Physical Notes to the Persons in whose names such Physical Notes are so registered.
At such time as all interests in a Global Note have been converted, canceled, repurchased, redeemed or transferred, such Global Note shall be, upon receipt thereof, canceled by the Trustee in accordance with standing procedures and existing instructions between the Depositary and the Custodian. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Physical Notes, converted, canceled, repurchased, redeemed or transferred to a transferee who receives Physical Notes therefor or any Physical Note is exchanged or transferred for part of such Global Note, the principal amount of such Global Note shall, in accordance with the standing procedures and instructions existing between the Depositary and the Custodian, be appropriately reduced or increased, as the case may be, and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction or increase.
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None of the Company, the Paying Agent, the Trustee or any agent of the Company, the Paying Agent or the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in, the Depositary or other Person for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Note or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Notes (including any transfers between or among the Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Notes) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any of their respective agents shall have any responsibility or liability for any act or omission of the Depositary. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders in respect of the Notes shall be given or made only to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder(s) (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note).
The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
(c) Any stock certificate or book entry representing Common Stock issued upon conversion of a Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (unless such Common Stock has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or such Common Stock has been issued upon conversion of a Note that has transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or unless otherwise agreed by the Company with written notice thereof to the Trustee and any transfer agent for the Common Stock):
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THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE SERIES OF NOTES UPON THE CONVERSION OF WHICH THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:
(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, OR
(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR
(C) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR
(D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
Any such Common Stock that has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer or that has been sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, may, upon surrender of the certificates representing such shares of Common Stock for exchange in accordance with the procedures of the transfer agent for the Common Stock, be exchanged for a new certificate or certificates for a like aggregate number of shares of Common Stock or, if applicable, like interest in a beneficial interest in a global certificate representing a share of Common Stock, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required by this Section 2.05(d).
(d) Any beneficial interest in a Global Note or Common Stock issued upon the conversion or exchange of a Note that is repurchased or owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company (or any Person who was an Affiliate of the Company at any time during the three months immediately preceding) may not be resold by the Company or such Affiliate (or such Person, as the case may be) unless registered under the Securities Act or resold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in a transaction that results in such Note or Common Stock, as the case may be, no longer being a “restricted security” (as defined under Rule 144).
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(e) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither the Trustee nor the Note Registrar shall be responsible for ascertaining whether any transfer complies with the registration provisions of, or exemptions from, the Securities Act, applicable state securities laws or other applicable law.
Section 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. In case any Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request in a Company Order, the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Note, bearing a registration number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security and/or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless from any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.
The Trustee or such authenticating agent may authenticate any such substituted Note and deliver the same upon the receipt of a Company Order and such security and/or indemnity as the Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, such authenticating agent may require. No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar, any co-Note Registrar or the Paying Agent upon the issuance of any substitute Note, but the Company and/or the Trustee may require a Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax required in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new substitute Note being different from the name of the Holder of the old Note that became mutilated or was destroyed, lost or stolen. In case any Note that has matured or is about to mature or has been surrendered for required repurchase or is about to be converted in accordance with Article 14 shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, in its sole discretion, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of or convert or authorize the conversion of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Note), as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent evidence of their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.
Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.06 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Notes shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement, payment, redemption, conversion or repurchase of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement, payment, redemption, conversion or repurchase of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
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Section 2.07. Temporary Notes. Pending the preparation of Physical Notes, the Company may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon written request of the Company in a Company Order, authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Temporary Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Physical Notes but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Company. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Physical Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Physical Notes (other than any Global Note) and thereupon any or all temporary Notes (other than any Global Note) may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02 and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Physical Notes. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Physical Notes authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 2.08. Cancellation of Notes Paid, Converted, Etc. The Company shall cause all Notes surrendered for the purpose of payment at maturity, repurchase, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee (including the Company or any of the Company’s agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates, in each case that the Company controls), to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. Concurrently with surrendering such Notes to the Trustee, the Company shall deliver a cancellation order to the Trustee. All Notes delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall be canceled promptly by it in accordance with its customary procedures upon receipt of a written cancellation order. Except for any Notes surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, or as otherwise expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture, no Notes shall be authenticated in exchange for any Notes surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures and, after such disposition, shall deliver evidence of such disposition to the Company, at the Company’s written request in a Company Order.
Section 2.09. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Company and/or the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in all notices issued to Holders as a convenience to such Holders; provided that the Trustee shall have no liability for any defect in the CUSIP number as they appear on any Notes, notice or elsewhere and that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or on such notice and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.
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Section 2.10. Additional Notes; Repurchases. The Company may, without the consent of the Holders and notwithstanding Section 2.01, reopen this Indenture and issue additional Notes hereunder with the same terms as the Notes initially issued hereunder (other than differences in the issue date, the issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of such additional Notes and, if applicable, restrictions on transfer in respect of such additional Notes) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount (the “Additional Notes”); provided that if any such additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes initially issued hereunder for U.S. federal income tax or securities law purposes, such additional Notes shall have one or more separate CUSIP numbers. Prior to the issuance of any such additional Notes, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a Company Order, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to state that such Notes, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to customary qualifications and assumptions. In addition, the Company may, to the extent permitted by law, and, without the consent of or notice to the Holders, directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such Notes are surrendered to the Company), repurchase Notes in the open market or otherwise, whether by the Company or its Subsidiaries or through a private or public tender or exchange offer or through counterparties to private agreements, including by cash-settled swaps or other derivatives. The Company may, at its option, cause any Notes so repurchased to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 2.08. Any Notes repurchased by the Company will be considered outstanding for all purposes under this Indenture (other than voting) unless and until such time the Company surrenders them to the Trustee for cancellation and, upon receipt of a written order from the Company, the Trustee will cancel all Notes so surrendered. For the avoidance of doubt, for so long as the Notes remain secured by the Collateral, no Additional Notes shall be issued that are secured by the same Collateral or any portion thereof.
ARTICLE 3
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 3.01. Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture and the Notes shall upon request of the Company contained in an Officer’s Certificate cease to be of further effect, and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute such instruments reasonably requested by the Company acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Notes, when (a) (i) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (x) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced, paid or converted as provided in Section 2.06 and (y) Notes for whose payment money has heretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 4.04(d)) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (ii) the Company has deposited with the Trustee or delivered to Holders, as applicable, after the Notes have become due and payable, whether on the Maturity Date, any Redemption Date, the Repurchase Date, any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, upon conversion or otherwise, cash or shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof, as applicable, solely to satisfy the Company’s Conversion Obligation, sufficient to pay all of the outstanding Notes and all other sums due and payable under this Indenture by the Company; and (b) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.06 shall survive.
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ARTICLE 4
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
Section 4.01. Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be paid the principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, each of the Notes at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Notes.
Any applicable withholding taxes (including backup withholding) may be set off against interest and payments upon conversion, repurchase or maturity of the Notes, or if any withholding taxes (including backup withholding) are paid on behalf of a Holder or beneficial owner, those withholding taxes may be set off against payments of cash or Common Stock, if any, payable on the Notes (or, in some circumstances, any payments on the Common Stock) or sales proceeds received by, or other funds or assets of, the Holder or beneficial owner.
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in the United States of America, an office or agency where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or repurchase (“Paying Agent”) or for conversion (“Conversion Agent”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be made or served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office or the office or agency of the Trustee in the United States of America so designated by the Trustee as a place where Notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer; provided that the Trustee shall not be deemed an agent of the Company for service of legal process.
The Company may also from time to time designate as Paying Agent or Co-Note Registrars one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the United States of America, for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. The terms “Paying Agent” and “Conversion Agent” include any such additional or other offices or agencies, as applicable.
The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as the Paying Agent, Note Registrar, Custodian and Conversion Agent and the Corporate Trust Office as the office or agency in the United States of America where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or repurchase or for conversion and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be made or served.
In acting hereunder and in connection with the Notes, the Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Custodian, and Note Registrar shall act solely as agent of the Company and will not assume any fiduciary duty or other obligation towards or relationship of agency or trust for or with any of the owners or Holders of the Notes.
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Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.09, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent.
(a) If the Company shall appoint
a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in
which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04:
(i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes and the Trustee;
(ii) that it will give the Trustee prompt notice of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes when the same shall be due and payable; and
(iii) that at any time, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust;
provided that a Paying Agent appointed as contemplated under Section 4.02 shall not be required to deliver any such instrument.
The Company shall, on or before each due date of the principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) or accrued and unpaid interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit must be received by the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date.
(b) If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) and accrued and unpaid interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.
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(c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay, cause to be paid or deliver to the Trustee all sums or amounts held in trust by the Company or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 4.04, such sums or amounts to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment or delivery by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Company or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability but only with respect to such sums or amounts.
(d) Any money and shares of Common Stock deposited with the Trustee, the Conversion Agent, or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, accrued and unpaid interest on and the consideration due upon conversion of any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), interest or consideration due upon conversion has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on request of the Company contained in an Officer’s Certificate, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee, the Conversion Agent or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money and shares of Common Stock, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.
(e) Upon any Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.01(h) or (i), the Trustee shall automatically be designated as the Paying Agent for the Notes if the Trustee is not acting in such capacity at such time.
Section 4.05. Existence. Subject to Article 11, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.
Section 4.06. Rule 144A Information Requirement and Annual Reports.
(a) At any time the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall, so long as any of the Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall, at such time, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, promptly provide to the Trustee and, upon written request by a Holder, any Holder, beneficial owner or prospective purchaser of such Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Notes, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act to facilitate the resale of such Notes or shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 144A.
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee and the Holders, within 15 days after the same are required to be filed with the Commission (giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act and other relief granted by the Commission), copies of any documents or reports that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information, documents or reports, or portions thereof, subject to confidential treatment and any correspondence with the Commission). Any such document or report that the Company files with the Commission via the Commission’s EDGAR system (or any successor system thereto) shall be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee and the Holders for purposes of this Section 4.06(b) at the time such documents are filed via the EDGAR system (or each such successor), it being understood the Trustee shall not be responsible for determining whether such filings have been made.
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(b) Delivery of the reports and documents described in subsection (b) above to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely on an Officer’s Certificate). The Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for the filing, timeliness, or content of any such report or document.
Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall 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 or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; 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 had been enacted.
Section 4.08. Compliance Certificate; Statements as to Defaults. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025) an Officer’s Certificate stating whether the signers thereof have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default that has occurred during the previous year and, if so, specifying each such Default or Event of Default and the nature thereof, and as to their knowledge of such obligor’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture.
In addition, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, as soon as possible, and in any event within 30 days after the Company obtains knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Default, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default, its status and the action that the Company is taking or proposing to take in respect thereof; provided that no such Officer’s Certificate shall be required if such Event of Default or Default has been cured or waived before the date the Company is required to deliver such Officer’s Certificate.
Section 4.09. Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Indenture.
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Section 4.10. Impairment of Security Interest. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, knowingly take or omit to take any action that would have the result of materially impairing the security interest with respect to the Collateral for the benefit of the Holders, and the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, grant to any Person other than the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, any interest in the Collateral; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit the release of Collateral in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, the incurrence of Permitted Liens on the Collateral, the disposition of assets otherwise permitted or not prohibited under this Indenture, any amendment, extension, renewal, restatement, supplement or modification of the Collateral Documents in accordance with their terms or any other action or inaction that is otherwise permitted or not prohibited by this Indenture. The Company shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Collateral except as permitted by this Indenture or the Collateral Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing sentence will not prohibit sales, transfers or other dispositions of assets that constitute (or previously constituted) Collateral that has been released or permitted to be released from the Liens securing the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to this Indenture or the Collateral Documents.
Section 4.11. Limitation on Debt Secured by the Collateral. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to incur, assume or guarantee any Indebtedness (including any Additional Notes) secured by a Lien (other than (i) any Permitted Lien and (ii) the Notes (excluding any Additional Notes)) on the Collateral.2
ARTICLE 5
LISTS OF HOLDERS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
Section 5.01. Lists of Holders. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each June 1 and December 1 in each year beginning with June 1, 2026, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request (or such lesser time as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to enable it to timely provide any notice to be provided by it hereunder), a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders as of a date not more than 15 days (or such other date as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to so provide any such notices) prior to the time such information is furnished, except that no such list need be furnished so long as the Trustee is acting as Note Registrar, and shall otherwise comply with the Trust Indenture Act § 312(a).
Section 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists. The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
Section 5.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee and anyone else shall have the protection of the Trust Indenture Act § 312(c).
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ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default. Each of the following events shall be an “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes:
(a) default in any payment of interest on any Note when due and payable, and the default continues for a period of 30 days;
(b) default in the payment of principal of any Note when due and payable on the Maturity Date, upon Optional Redemption, upon any required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;
(c) failure by the Company to comply with its obligation to convert the Notes in accordance with this Indenture upon exercise of a Holder’s conversion right and such failure continues for a period of five Business Days;
(d) failure by the Company to issue (1) a Fundamental Change Company Notice in accordance with Section 15.02(c), notice of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change in accordance with Section 14.03(b), in either case when due and such failure continues for five Business Days, or (2) notice of a specified corporate event in accordance with Section 14.01(b)(ii) or of a Corporate Event specified in Section 14.01(b)(iii), and, in each case, such failure continues for three Business Days;
(e) failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Article 11, Section 4.10, or Section 4.11;
(f) failure by the Company for 60 days after written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding has been received by the Company and the Trustee to comply with any of its other agreements contained in the Notes or this Indenture;
(g) default by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $75,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of the Company and/or any such Significant Subsidiary, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal of any such debt when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, in each case after the expiration of any applicable grace period, if such acceleration shall not have been rescinded or annulled or such failure to pay or default is not cured or waived, or such acceleration is not rescinded within 30 days after written notice to the Company and the Trustee by either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04;
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(h) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company or any such Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company or any such Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of its property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(i) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company or such Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company or such Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of 60 consecutive days;
(j) (i) any material provision of any Collateral Document at any time after its execution and delivery, ceases to be in full force and effect for any reason other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Collateral Documents, (ii) the Company contests the validity or enforceability of this Indenture or any Collateral Document or (iii) the Company denies in writing that it has any further liability under this Indenture or any Collateral Document, other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Collateral Documents; or
(k) any Lien purported to be created under any Collateral Document shall cease to be a valid Lien on any material portion of the Collateral except (A) to the extent that any such Lien is not required to be maintained pursuant to this Indenture and the Collateral Documents, (B) to the extent such failure results from the failure of the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Collateral Documents or to file UCC continuation statements, (C) to the extent such deficiency arose through no fault of the Company and such deficiency is corrected with reasonable diligence promptly upon the Company obtaining knowledge thereof or (D) to the extent any such failure results from acts or omissions of any secured party or from the application of applicable law.
Section 6.02. Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment. If one or more Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), then, and in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) with respect to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries), unless the principal of all of the Notes shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall automatically be immediately due and payable, anything contained in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all Notes shall become and shall automatically be immediately due and payable.
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The immediately preceding paragraph, however, is subject to the conditions that if, at any time after the principal of the Notes shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, and if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) any and all existing Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on Notes that shall have become due solely by such acceleration, shall have been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.09, then and in every such case (except as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence) the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all Defaults or Events of Default with respect to the Notes and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences and 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 or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary therein, no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any Default or Event of Default resulting from (i) the nonpayment of the principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or any accrued and unpaid Interest on, any Notes (ii) a failure to repurchase any Notes when required or (iii) a failure to pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due upon conversion of the Notes.
Section 6.03. Additional Interest.
(a) If (i) a registration statement registering the resale of the Notes and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes (such Notes and shares of Common Stock, the “Registrable Securities” and such registration statement, the “Registration Statement”) has not been filed by the Company with the Commission on or prior to January 22, 2026, (ii) the Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission on or prior to March 8, 2026 or (iii) a Suspension Event (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) occurs (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), a “Registration Default”), the Company shall pay Additional Interest on the Notes at a rate equal to 3.00% per annum of the principal amount of Notes for each day during such period for which a Registration Default has occurred and is continuing. Additional Interest pursuant to a Registration Default will be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date following such Registration Default in the same manner as regular interest on the Notes. Following the earliest of (x) the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to the Registrable Securities, (y) the sale of all outstanding Registrable Securities registered under the Registration Statement and (z) the point when all the Registrable Securities may be sold freely under Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any other similar provision then in force) without volume limitations or public information requirements of Rule 144(c), provided that the Company complies with the requirements of Rule 144(i)(2), the interest rate borne by the relevant Registrable Notes will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by such Registrable Notes and the accrual of Additional Interest will cease with respect to such Registrable Notes.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the amount of Additional Interest payable shall not increase because more than one Registration Default has occurred and is pending and (ii) a Holder of Notes that is not entitled to the benefits of the Registration Statement (because, e.g., such Holder has not elected to include information or has not timely delivered such information to the Company pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof) shall not be entitled to Additional Interest with respect to a Registration Default that pertains to the Registration Statement.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary, if the Company so elects, the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) shall, for the first 360 days after the occurrence of such an Event of Default (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not commence until the notice described in Section 6.01(f) has been given, and the related 60-day period described in such Section 6.01(f) has passed), consist exclusively of the right to receive Additional Interest on the Notes at a rate equal to (i) 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding for each day during the first 180-day period on which such Event of Default is continuing beginning on, and including the date on which such an Event of Default first occurs and (ii) 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding for each day during the period from, and including, the 181st day after the occurrence of such Event of Default to, and including, the 360th day after the occurrence of such Event of Default, during which such Event of Default is continuing. If the Company so elects, such Additional Interest shall be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the Notes. On the 361st day after such Event of Default (if the Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to file is not cured or waived prior to such 361st day), the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02. The provisions of this paragraph will not affect the rights of Holders of Notes in the event of the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b). In the event the Company does not elect to pay Additional Interest following an Event of Default in accordance with this Section 6.03(b) or the Company has elected to make such payment but does not pay the Additional Interest when due, the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02.
In order to elect to pay Additional Interest as the sole remedy during the first 360 days after the occurrence of any Event of Default described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company must notify in writing all Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Paying Agent of such election prior to the beginning of such 360-day period (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not commence until the notice described in Section 6.01(f) has been given, and the related 60-day period described in such Section 6.01(f) has passed). Upon the failure to timely give such notice, the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02.
(c) The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine Additional Interest, or with respect to the nature, extent or calculation of the amount of Additional Interest owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of Additional Interest.
Section 6.04. Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor. If an Event of Default described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 shall have occurred, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the whole amount then due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest, if any, with interest on any overdue principal and interest, if any, at the rate borne by the Notes at such time (to the extent such interest on overdue principal and interest is permitted by law), and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06. If the Company shall fail 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 the Notes and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes, wherever situated.
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In the event there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes under Title 11 of the United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Company or such other obligor, the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in the event of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Company or such other obligor upon the Notes, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Notes 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 pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.04, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, in respect of the Notes, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such other actions as it may deem 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 proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Notes, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make such payments to the Trustee, as administrative expenses, 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 reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including agents and counsel fees, and including any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06, incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, monies, securities and other property that the Holders of the Notes may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.
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 such Holder 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.
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All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or 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 Notes.
In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Notes, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Notes parties to any such proceedings.
In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of any waiver pursuant to Section 6.09 or any rescission and annulment pursuant to Section 6.02 or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Holders and the Trustee shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Holders and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 6.05. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee. Any monies or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6 with respect to the Notes shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies or property, upon presentation of the several Notes, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:
First, to the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent (in each case, acting in any capacity hereunder), including its agents and counsel, under Section 7.06;
Second, in case the principal of the outstanding Notes shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of any accrued and unpaid interest on, and any cash due upon conversion of, the Notes in default in the order of the date due of the payments of such interest and cash due upon conversion, as the case may be, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon such overdue payments at the rate borne by the Notes at such time, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto;
Third, in case the principal of the outstanding Notes shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, and be unpaid to the payment of the whole amount (including, if applicable, the payment of the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) then owing and unpaid upon the Notes for principal and interest, if any, with interest on the overdue principal and, to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee, upon overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Notes at such time, and in case such monies shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Notes, then to the payment of such principal (including, if applicable, the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) and interest without preference or priority of principal over interest, or of interest over principal or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to the aggregate of such principal (including, if applicable, the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) and accrued and unpaid interest; and
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Fourth, to the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.
Section 6.06. Proceedings by Holders. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal (including, if applicable, the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) or interest when due, or the right to receive payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, no Holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as herein provided;
(b) Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holders shall have offered and, if requested, provided, to the Trustee such security and/or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense to be incurred therein or thereby;
(d) the Trustee has not complied with such request for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of such security and/or indemnity; and
(e) no direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee by the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding within such 60-day period pursuant to Section 6.09, it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Note with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee that no one or more 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 Holder, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders (except as otherwise provided herein), it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any actions or inactions would be unduly prejudicial to any other Holders. For the protection and enforcement of this Section 6.06, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision of any Note, each Holder shall have the right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of (x) the principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, (y) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, and (z) the consideration due upon conversion of, such Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in such Note or in this Indenture, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be, and such right to receive such payment or delivery, as the case may be, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.07. Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default, the Trustee may proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. Except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 2.06, all powers and remedies given by this Article 6 to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any of the Notes to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or any acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.06, every power and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.
Section 6.09. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders. The Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 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 Notes; provided, however, that (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, and (b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. The Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that it determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any actions or inactions are unduly prejudicial to any other Holders) or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any such action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification and/or security satisfactory to it against all losses, liabilities, expenses caused by taking or not taking such action. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding (determined in accordance with Section 8.04 and including waivers obtained in connection with a repurchase or, or tender or exchange offer for, Notes) may direct the Collateral Agent in connection with any action required or permitted by this Indenture and the Collateral Documents and may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except any continuing defaults relating to (i) a default in the payment of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, or the principal (including any Redemption Price, any Repurchase Price and any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) of, the Notes when due that has not been cured pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.01, (ii) a failure by the Company to pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due upon conversion of the Notes or (iii) a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 10 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected. Upon any such waiver the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.09, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Notes and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
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Section 6.10. Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence and continuance of a Default of which a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge, deliver to all Holders notice of all Defaults known to a Responsible Officer, unless such Defaults shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), or accrued and unpaid interest on, any of the Notes or a Default in the payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.
Section 6.11. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by its 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 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 and expenses, 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; provided that the provisions of this Section 6.11 (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply 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 Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on any Note (including, but not limited to, the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) on or after the due date expressed or provided for in such Note or to any suit for the enforcement of the right to convert any Note, or receive the consideration due upon conversion, in accordance with the provisions of Article 14.
ARTICLE 7
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee and Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent, at all times, and the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default that may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and the Security Agreement. In the event an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent (as the case may be) shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and the Security Agreement, and the Trustee shall use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs; provided that neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent will be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture and the Security Agreement at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered and, if requested, provided, to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent (as the case may be) indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
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No provision of this Indenture or the Security Agreement shall be construed to relieve the Trustee or the Collateral Agent from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default that may have occurred:
(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Collateral Documents, and the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and the Collateral Documents and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture or the Collateral Documents against the Trustee or the Collateral Agent; and
(ii) in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein);
(b) neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(c) the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture or the Security Agreement;
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(d) neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written direction of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 8.04 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, under this Indenture;
(e) whether or not therein provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall be subject to the provisions of this Section;
(f) neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable in respect of any payment (as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters relating to payment) or notice effected by the Company or any Paying Agent or any records maintained by any co-Note Registrar with respect to the Notes;
(g) if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee had actual knowledge of such event;
(h) all cash received by the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall be held in cash and the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to invest any amounts held hereunder; and
(i) in the event that the Trustee is also acting as Custodian, Note Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or transfer agent hereunder, the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article 7 shall also be afforded to such Custodian, Note Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or transfer agent.
None of the provisions contained in this Indenture or the Security Agreement shall require the Trustee or the Collateral Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.
Section 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:
(a) the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, judgment, order, bond, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company; provided that the Trustee and the Collateral Agent will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith reliance on such Officer’s Certificate;
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(c) each of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may consult with counsel of its selection and require an Opinion of Counsel and any advice of such counsel or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance on such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
(d) neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, judgment, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but each of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if either of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(e) the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, custodian, nominee or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder;
(f) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent in each of their capacities hereunder, and each agent and other Person employed to act hereunder;
(g) the permissive rights of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties;
(h) neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts, powers, and duties under this Indenture;
(i) the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;
(j) neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible or liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(k) before either the Trustee or the Collateral Agent acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible or liable for any action it takes, suffers or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel;
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(l) neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary; in no event shall either the Trustee or the Collateral Agent be liable or responsible for any punitive, special, indirect, incidental, punitive or any consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action; and
(m) neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes, unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office (with a copy to the Collateral Agent) and such notice references the Notes, the Company and this Indenture and states that it is a notice of Default or Event of Default.
Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Notes (except in the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent assumes responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee and the Collateral Agent make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Notes or the proceeds of any Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 7.04. Trustee, Collateral Agent, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents, Bid Solicitation Agent or Note Registrar May Own Notes. The Trustee, the Collateral Agent, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company or any Affiliate thereof) or Note Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent or Note Registrar. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.08 and 7.13.
Section 7.05. Monies to Be Held in Trust. All monies received by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent (or their respective designee) shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received. Money held by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be under liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as may be agreed from time to time by the Company and the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable.
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Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee and Collateral Agent. The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent in any capacity under this Indenture, from time to time, and each of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to receive such compensation agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, as applicable, for all services rendered by them hereunder in any capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to in writing between the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, as applicable, and the Company, and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee and the Collateral Agent upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, as applicable, in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture in any capacity thereunder (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ and including those incurred with respect to the enforcement of this Section 7.06) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall have been caused by its gross negligence or willful misconduct (as adjudicated in a final non-appealable decision by a court of competent jurisdiction). The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and the Collateral Agent in any capacity under this Indenture and any other document or transaction entered into in connection herewith and its agents and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, their officers, directors, agents, employees, successors or assigns, or such agent or authenticating agent, as the case may be (as adjudicated in a final non-appealable decision by a court of competent jurisdiction), and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or in any other capacity hereunder (whether such claims arise by or against the Company or a third person), including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim of liability. The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.06 to compensate or indemnify the Trustee and the Collateral Agent and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, as applicable, for expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a senior lien to which the Notes are hereby made subordinate on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, except, subject to the effect of Section 6.05, funds held in trust herewith for the benefit of the Holders of particular Notes, and, for the avoidance of doubt, such lien shall not be extended in a manner that would conflict with the Company’s Obligations to its other creditors. The Trustee’s and the Collateral Agent’s right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.06 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or indebtedness of the Company. The obligation of the Company under this Section 7.06 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The indemnification provided in this Section 7.06 shall extend to the officers, directors, agents and employees of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, as applicable, and any successor trustee or collateral Agent hereunder.
Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent under applicable law, when the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and their agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.
Section 7.07. Officer’s Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, and such Officers’ Certificate, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
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Section 7.08. Eligibility of Trustee. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign promptly in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
Section 7.09. Resignation or Removal of Trustee or Collateral Agent.
(a) The Trustee or the Collateral Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and by delivering notice thereof to the Holders. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or collateral agent by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee or Collateral Agent and one copy to the successor trustee or the successor collateral agent, as applicable. If no successor trustee or successor collateral agent shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within ten (10) days after the giving of such notice of resignation to the Holders, the resigning Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, may, at the expense of the Company, upon ten Business Days’ notice to the Company and the Holders, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee or a successor collateral agent, as applicable, or any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months (or since the date of this Indenture) may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, on behalf of himself or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee or a successor collateral agent, as applicable. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee or a successor collateral agent, as applicable.
(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(i) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.08 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or
(ii) the Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in either case, the Company may by a Board Resolution remove the Trustee or the Collateral Agent and appoint a successor trustee or collateral agent, as applicable, by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent so removed and one copy to the successor trustee or collateral agent, as applicable, or, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months (or since the date of this Indenture) may, on behalf of himself or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, and the appointment of a successor trustee or a successful collateral agent, as applicable. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee or the Collateral Agent and appoint a successor trustee or a successor collateral agent, as applicable.
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(c) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, as determined in accordance with Section 8.04, may upon 30 days’ written notice to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, remove the Trustee or the Collateral Agent and nominate a successor trustee or a successor collateral agent, as applicable, that shall be deemed appointed as successor trustee or as collateral agent, as applicable unless within ten days after notice to the Company of such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case the Trustee or the Collateral Agent so removed or any Holder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in Section 7.09(a) provided and at the expense of the Company, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee or a successor collateral agent, as applicable.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent and appointment of a successor trustee or a successor collateral agent pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.09 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee or the successor collateral agent as provided in Section 7.10.
Section 7.10. Acceptance by Successor Trustee or Successor Collateral Agent. Any successor trustee or successor collateral agent appointed as provided in Section 7.09 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee or predecessor collateral agent, as applicable an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee or the predecessor collateral agent, as applicable, shall become effective and such successor trustee or successor collateral agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor trustee or the successor collateral agent, the trustee or the collateral agent ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee or successor collateral agent all the rights and powers of the trustee or the collateral agent so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor trustee or successor collateral agent, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee or successor collateral agent all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a senior claim to which the Notes are hereby made subordinate on all money or property held or collected by such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of particular Notes, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06.
No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 7.10 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.08.
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Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or a successor collateral agent as provided in this Section 7.10, each of the Company and the successor trustee or the successor collateral agent, as applicable, at the written direction and at the expense of the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered notice of the succession of such trustee or collateral agent, as applicable, hereunder to the Holders. If the Company fails to deliver such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee or the successor collateral agent, the successor trustee or successor collateral agent, as applicable, shall cause such notice to be delivered at the expense of the Company.
Section 7.11. Succession by Merger, Etc. Any corporation or other entity into which the Trustee or the Collateral Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of this Indenture) or the Collateral Agent, shall be the successor to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that in the case of any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee such corporation or other entity shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.08.
In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent appointed by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by such successor trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor trustee hereunder or in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or to authenticate Notes in the name of any predecessor trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 7.12. Trustee’s or Collateral Agent’s Application for Instructions from the Company. Any application by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent for written instructions from the Company (other than with regard to any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent that affects the rights of the Holders of the Notes under this Indenture) may, at the option of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable to the Company for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than three Business Days after the date any officer that the Company has been deemed given pursuant to Section 17.03, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date), unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of any omission), the Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall have received written instructions in accordance with this Indenture in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
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Section 7.13. Collateral; Trustee’s and Collateral Agent’s Disclaimer. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for and makes any representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Notes or the Collateral Documents. Neither Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall have any duty to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms of this Indenture, the Notes or any of the Collateral Documents by any other party thereto. The Trustee shall have no liability from any action or inaction of the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall have no liability from any action or inaction of the Trustee. The Trustee has no obligation whatsoever to the Holders or any other Person to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by the Company or is cared for, protected, or insured or has been encumbered, or that the Collateral Agent’s Liens have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected, maintained or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to determine whether all of the Company’s property constituting Collateral intended to be subject to the Lien and security interest of the Collateral Documents has been properly and completely listed or delivered, as the case may be, or the genuineness, validity, marketability or sufficiency thereof or title thereto. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the perfection or maintenance of the perfection of the security interest in the Collateral, including no duty to file any financing statements, continuation statements, amendments or other documents in connection therewith. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be obligated to take possession of or distribute Bitcoin.
Section 7.14. Preferential Collection of Claims against the Company. The Trustee shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in the Trust Indenture Act § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to the Trust Indenture Act § 311(a) to the extent indicated.
Section 7.15. Reports by the Trustee to the Holders. Within 60 days after each December 1, beginning December 1, 2026, for so long as the Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of such December 1 that complies with the Trust Indenture Act § 313(a) if and to the extent required thereby. The Trustee also shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act § 313(b) and the Trust Indenture Act § 313(c). A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the Commission and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Notes are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee in writing whenever the Notes become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof and the Trustee shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act § 313(d).
ARTICLE 8
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS
Section 8.01. Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action, the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 9, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders. Whenever the Company or the Trustee solicits the taking of any action by the Holders of the Notes, the Company or the Trustee may, but shall not be required to, fix in advance of such solicitation, a date as the record date for determining Holders entitled to take such action. The record date if one is selected shall be not more than fifteen days prior to the date of commencement of solicitation of such action.
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Section 8.02. Proof of Execution by Holders. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, Section 7.02 and Section 9.05, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or its agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register or by a certificate of the Note Registrar. The record of any Holders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 9.06.
Section 8.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. The Company, the Trustee, any authenticating agent, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent and any Note Registrar may deem the Person in whose name a Note shall be registered upon the Note Register to be, and may treat it as, the absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon made by any Person other than the Company or any Note Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal (including any Redemption Price, any Repurchase Price and any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) of and (subject to Section 2.03) accrued and unpaid interest on such Note, for conversion of such Note and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Conversion Agent nor any Note Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. The sole registered holder of a Global Note shall be the Depositary or its nominee. All such payments or deliveries so made to any Holder for the time being, or upon its order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sums or shares of Common Stock so paid or delivered, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for monies payable or shares deliverable upon any such Note. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or the Notes following an Event of Default, any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note may directly enforce against the Company, without the consent, solicitation, proxy, authorization or any other action of the Depositary or any other Person, such holder’s right to exchange such beneficial interest for a Note in certificated form in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 8.04. Company-Owned Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, consent, waiver or other action under this Indenture, Notes that are owned by the Company, by any Subsidiary thereof or by any Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent, waiver or other action only Notes that a Responsible Officer actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 8.04 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to so act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company, a Subsidiary thereof or an Affiliate of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all Notes, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above described Persons; and, subject to Section 7.01, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.
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Section 8.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Note that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Notes the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Note. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Note and of any Notes issued in exchange or substitution therefor or upon registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Note or any Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor or upon registration of transfer thereof.
ARTICLE 9
HOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Section 9.01. Purpose of Meetings. A meeting of Holders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 for any of the following purposes:
(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee or to give any directions to the Trustee permitted under this Indenture, or to consent to the waiving of any Default or Event of Default hereunder (in each case, as permitted under this Indenture) and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Holders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article 6;
(b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article 7;
(c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.02; or
(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Notes under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.
Section 9.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders to take any action specified in Section 9.01, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Holders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting and the establishment of any record date pursuant to Section 8.01, shall be delivered to Holders of such Notes. Such notice shall also be delivered to the Company. Such notices shall be delivered not less than 20 nor more than 90 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
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Any meeting of Holders shall be valid without notice if the Holders of all Notes then outstanding are present in person or by proxy or if notice is waived before or after the meeting by the Holders of all Notes then outstanding, and if the Company and the Trustee are either present by duly authorized representatives or have, before or after the meeting, waived notice.
Section 9.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Holders. In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Holders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have delivered the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Holders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 9.01, by delivering notice thereof as provided in Section 9.02.
Section 9.04. Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
Section 9.05. Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders, in regard to proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.
The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders as provided in Section 9.03, in which case the Company or the Holders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes represented at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, at any meeting of Holders each Holder or proxyholder shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes held or represented by him or her; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Notes held by it or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating it as the proxy to vote on behalf of other Holders. Any meeting of Holders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02 or Section 9.03 may be adjourned from time to time by the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented at the meeting, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
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Section 9.06. Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders shall be by written ballot on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders or of their representatives by proxy and the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Notes held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was delivered as provided in Section 9.02. The record shall show the aggregate principal amount of the Notes voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.
Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
Section 9.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting. Nothing contained in this Article 9 shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Holders or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Notes.
ARTICLE 10
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 10.01. Supplemental Indentures and Amendments to the Collateral Documents Without Consent of Holders. The Company, when authorized by the resolutions of the Board of Directors and the Trustee (or, with respect to any Collateral Documents, the Collateral Agent), at the Company’s expense, may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto or amend or supplement any Collateral Document, in each case, for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
(b) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Notes pursuant to Article 11;
(c) to add guarantees with respect to the Notes;
(d) to make, complete or confirm any grant of Collateral permitted or required by this Indenture or any of the Collateral Documents or any release of Collateral pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or any of the Collateral Documents;
(e) to add to the covenants or Events of Default of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;
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(f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder as determined by the Company in good faith;
(g) in connection with any Share Exchange Event, to provide that the Notes are convertible into Reference Property, subject to the provisions of Section 14.02, and make such related changes to the terms of the Notes to the extent expressly required by Section 14.07;
(h) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depositary, including The Depositary Trust Company, so long as such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect;
(i) to add additional assets as Collateral;
(j) to appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Notes;
(k) to increase the Conversion Rate as provided in this Indenture;
(l) to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee, collateral agent, registrar, paying agent, bid solicitation agent or conversion agent or facilitate the administration of the trusts under this Indenture by more than one trustee or paying agent;
(m) to irrevocably elect or eliminate one of the Settlement Methods and/or irrevocably elect a Specified Dollar Amount to the extent that no election or deemed election of any Settlement Method or Specified Dollar Amount has been effected, all as described in Section 14.02(a)(iii)(B);
(n) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary in a manner that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder; or
(o) to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
Upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent are hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture or any amendment or supplement to any Collateral Document, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to, but may, enter into any supplemental indenture or any amendment or supplement to any Collateral Document that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, privileges, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture or amendment or supplement to any Collateral Document authorized by the provisions of this Section 10.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee (or with respect to any Collateral Document, the Collateral Agent) without the consent of the Holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 10.02.
In addition, the Holders will be deemed to have consented for purposes of this Indenture and the Collateral Document to any of the foregoing amendments, replacements and other modifications to this Indenture and the Collateral Documents and the entry into any intercreditor agreement that is on customary terms (as determined by the Company in good faith) to establish that the Liens on any Collateral securing any pari passu or junior lien indebtedness of the Company (in each case, to the extent not prohibited hereby) shall be pari passu or junior, as applicable, to the Liens on such Collateral securing the Notes and the obligations under this Indenture and the Collateral Agreement.
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Section 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 8) of the Holders of at least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (determined in accordance with Article 8 and including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, Notes) (the “Required Holders”), the Company, when authorized by the resolutions of the Board of Directors and the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto or amend or supplement any Collateral Document for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Notes, the Collateral Documents or any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders; provided, however, that, without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected, no such supplemental indenture shall:
(a) reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment;
(b) reduce the rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any Note;
(c) reduce the principal of or extend the Maturity Date of any Note;
(d) except as required by this Indenture, make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights of any Notes;
(e) release any of the Collateral, except as expressly permitted under this Indenture and the Collateral Documents;
(f) reduce the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price or the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price of any Note or amend or modify in any manner adverse to the Holders the Company’s obligation to make such payments, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise;
(g) make any Note payable in a currency, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the Note;
(h) change the ranking of the Notes in any manner adverse to Holders;
(i) impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes;
(j) make any change in this Article 10 that requires each Holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions in Section 6.02 or Section 6.09;
(k) contractually subordinate the Notes in right of payment or contractually subordinate the liens securing the Notes to liens securing other indebtedness; and
(l) amend or modify the amendment provisions of this Indenture or the definition of “Required Holders” or any other provision specifying the number or percentage of Holders required to waive, amend or modify any rights under this Indenture.
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Upon the written request of the Company, and upon the filing with the Trustee (or the Collateral Agent, as applicable) of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid and subject to Section 10.05, the Trustee (or the Collateral Agent, as applicable) shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture or such amendment or supplement to the Collateral Documents unless such supplemental indenture or amendment or supplement to a Collateral Document affects the Trustee’s (or the Collateral Agent’s, as applicable) own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee (or the Collateral Agent, as applicable) may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture or such amendment or supplement to such Collateral Document.
Holders do not need under this Section 10.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or amendment or supplement to any Collateral Document. It shall be sufficient if such Holders approve the substance thereof. After any such supplemental indenture or amendment or supplement to a Collateral Document becomes effective, the Company shall send to the Holders (with a copy to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent) a notice briefly describing such supplemental indenture or amendment or supplement to a Collateral Document. However, the failure to give such notice to all the Holders, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the supplemental indenture or the amendment or supplement to any Collateral Document.
Section 10.03. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, privileges, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 10.04. Notation on Notes. Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10 may, at the Company’s expense, bear a notation in a form approved by the Company and the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may, at the Company’s expense, be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated, upon receipt of a Company Order, by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 17.10) and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then outstanding.
Section 10.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished Trustee. In addition to the documents required by Section 17.05, the Trustee shall receive an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article 10 and is permitted or authorized by this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture constitutes the legal valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications.
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ARTICLE 11
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE
Section 11.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Company shall not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to another Person (other than any such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease to one or more of the Company’s direct or indirect Wholly Owned Subsidiaries), unless:
(a) The Company is the surviving corporation (in the case of a consolidation or merger) or the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”), if not the Company, shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, or under the laws of the Cayman Islands or Bermuda, and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture and supplemental Collateral Documents all of the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture and the Collateral Documents; and
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture.
For purposes of this Section 11.01, the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company to another Person, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company to another Person.
Section 11.02. Successor Corporation to Be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and upon the assumption by the Successor Company, by supplemental indenture (or with respect to any Collateral Document, by amendment, supplement or delivery of required instruments), executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee (or with respect to any Collateral Document, the Collateral Agent), of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the Notes, the due and punctual delivery or payment, as the case may be, of any consideration due upon conversion of the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture, the Notes and the Collateral Documents to be performed by the Company, such Successor Company (if not the Company) shall succeed to and, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the Company’s properties and assets, shall be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part. Such Successor Company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company any or all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the written order of such Successor Company instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver, or cause to be authenticated and delivered, any Notes that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the Officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Notes that such Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Notes so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Notes theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Notes had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. In the event of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer (but not in the case of a lease), upon compliance with this Article 11 the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture (or any successor that shall thereafter have become such in the manner prescribed in this Article 11) may be dissolved, wound up and liquidated at any time thereafter and, except in the case of a lease, such Person shall be released from its liabilities as obligor and maker of the Notes and from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.
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In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
Section 11.03. Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Given to Trustee and Collateral Agent. If such Successor Company is not the Company, the Trustee and Collateral Agent shall receive an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and any such assumption and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, complies with the provisions of this Article 11.
ARTICLE 12
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, SHAREHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 12.01. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or accrued and unpaid interest on any Note, nor for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Note, nor because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, employee, agent, Officer or director or Subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes.
ARTICLE 13
COLLATERAL AND SECURITY
Section 13.01. Collateral.
(a) From and after the date hereof, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes (other than any Additional Notes) when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether on an Interest Payment Date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise, interest on the overdue principal of and interest (to the extent permitted by law), if any, on the Notes (other than any Additional Notes) and performance of all other obligations under this Indenture, including the obligations of the Company set forth in Section 7.06, and the Notes (other than any Additional Notes) and the Collateral Documents, shall be secured by Liens on the Collateral as provided in this Indenture and the Collateral Documents to which the Company shall become a party to on the date hereof and will be secured by all of the Collateral pledged pursuant to the Collateral Documents hereafter delivered as required or permitted by this Indenture and the Collateral Documents. The Company, for the benefit of the holders, hereby appoints Anchorage Digital Bank, N.A., as the initial Collateral Agent, and the Collateral Agent is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver the Collateral Documents. Each Holder by its acceptance of any Notes irrevocably consents and agrees to such appointment.
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(b) Each Holder, by its acceptance of any Notes, consents and agrees to the terms of the Collateral Documents (including the provisions providing for foreclosure and release of Collateral and the automatic amendments, supplements, consents, waivers and other modifications thereto without the consent of the holders) as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and this Indenture and authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to perform its obligations and exercise its rights under the Collateral Documents in accordance therewith, binding such holder to the terms thereof.
(c) The Trustee and each holder, by accepting the Notes, acknowledge that, as more fully set forth in the Collateral Documents, the Collateral as hereafter constituted shall be held by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of all the Holders (other than the Holders of Additional Notes) and the Trustee, and that the Lien of this Indenture and the Collateral Documents in respect of the Trustee and the Holders is subject to and qualified and limited in all respects by the Collateral Documents and actions that may be taken thereunder.
Section 13.02. Further Assurances. (a) To the extent required under this Indenture or any of the Collateral Documents (and subject to the limitations and exceptions set forth under this Indenture and the Collateral Documents), from and after the date hereof, the Company shall execute and file any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all further actions that may be required under applicable laws, or that the Collateral Agent or the Trustee may reasonably request, in order to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and priority of the security interests and Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents in the Collateral, it being understood that neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent is under any obligation to make such request. In addition, to the extent required under this Indenture or the Collateral Documents, from time to time, the Company will reasonably promptly secure the obligations under this Indenture and Collateral Documents by pledging or creating, or causing to be pledged or created, perfected security interests and Liens with respect to the Collateral to the extent required by this Indenture and/or the Collateral Documents.
Section 13.03. Release of Liens on Collateral.
(a) The Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes shall be released automatically and irrevocably, without the need for any further action by any other Person, with respect to the Notes as contemplated by Article 10.
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(b) The Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes shall be released automatically and irrevocably, without the need for any further action by any Person, upon payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, on, the Notes (other than any Additional Notes) and all other obligations under this Indenture (other than with respect to any Additional Notes) and the Collateral Documents that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, are paid (including pursuant to a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 3). Upon such event, the Trustee, at the written request and expense of the Company and in reliance on an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel of the Company stating that all conditions precedent for the release have been complied with, shall give written notice to the Collateral Agent that its security interest in the Collateral and all assets therein have automatically ceased. Upon receipt of such notice, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall have no further right to originate instructions with respect to the assets in the Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall thereafter forward any amounts held by the Collateral Agent in the Collateral Accounts solely as instructed by the Company, and the Collateral Agent shall be relieved and discharged of any further responsibilities with respect to its duties hereunder.
(c) The Liens on all or a portion of the Collateral securing the Notes shall be automatically and irrevocably released in the following circumstances:
| (i) | As of the end of each calendar quarter, if the Average Bitcoin Price is greater than the Qualifying Bitcoin Price, then the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (1) forty percent (40%) of the product of (x) the difference between the Average Bitcoin Price and the Average Closing Bitcoin Price and multiplied by (y) the Collateralized Bitcoin Amount, divided by (2) the Average Closing Bitcoin Price, shall be automatically and irrevocably released (each such release, a “Bitcoin Price Collateral Release”). For each calendar quarter subsequent to a Bitcoin Price Collateral Release, additional Bitcoin Price Collateral Releases shall occur only to the extent that the Average Bitcoin Price calculated as of the end of such quarter exceeds the highest Average Bitcoin Price at which any previous Bitcoin Price Collateral Release occurred (the “Prior Average Bitcoin Price”). In such event, the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (1) forty percent (40%) of the product of (x) the difference between the Average Bitcoin Price and the Prior Average Bitcoin Price multiplied by (y) the Collateralized Bitcoin Amount, divided by (2) the Average Closing Bitcoin Price, shall be automatically and irrevocably released (and, for avoidance of doubt, be considered a “Bitcoin Price Collateral Release”). |
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| (ii) | As of the end of each calendar quarter, if the Public Float is greater than the Qualifying Public Float, then the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (1) sixty-six and six tenths percent (66.6%) of the difference between (x) the Public Float and (y) the Qualifying Public Float, divided by (2) the Average Closing Bitcoin Price, shall be automatically and irrevocably released (each such release, a “Public Float Collateral Release”). For each calendar quarter subsequent to a Public Float Collateral Release, additional Public Float Collateral Releases shall occur only to the extent that the Public Float calculated as of the end of such quarter exceeds the highest Public Float at which any previous Public Float Collateral Release occurred (the “Prior Public Float”). In such event, the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (1) sixty-six and six tenths percent (66.6%) of the difference between (x) the Public Float and (y) the Prior Public Float, divided by (2) the Average Closing Bitcoin Price, shall be automatically and irrevocably released (and, for avoidance of doubt, be considered a “Public Float Collateral Release”). |
In the event that one or more of the foregoing conditions is satisfied but the Company is not in compliance with the Registration Obligation (the “Pending Collateral Release Event”), the corresponding portion of the Collateral otherwise eligible for release shall not be released until a registration statement registering the resale of the Notes and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes has been declared effective and shall be released automatically upon such registration statement being declared effective. Within five (5) Business Day following the Pending Collateral Release Event, the Company shall provide to the Trustee (and request the Trustee to provide a copy to the Holders) written notice of the Collateralized Bitcoin Amount that will be released once the registration statement referenced in the prior sentence has been declared effective.
(d) Upon the conversion of any Notes pursuant to Article 14, the repurchase of any Notes pursuant to Article 15 or Section 2.10 (together with the cancellation thereof) or the redemption of any Notes pursuant to Article 16, the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent in a number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral that secures the Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company) equal to (w) the total number of Bitcoin constituting Collateral immediately prior to such conversion, repurchase or redemption multiplied by (x) the principal amount of the Note or Notes being converted, repurchased or redeemed divided by (y) the aggregate principal amount of all Notes (other than any Additional Notes) outstanding immediately prior to such conversion, repurchase or redemption, shall be automatically and irrevocably released. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall have any obligation to verify the Company’s calculations in connection with the foregoing or to determine whether any applicable conditions have been satisfied.
(e) Each time Collateral is released in accordance with this Section 13.03 the Company shall give written notice to the Collateral Agent (with a copy to the Trustee) to transfer such Collateral to the Company as instructed by the Company.
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(f) Upon release or termination hereof in accordance with this Section 13.03, the Collateral Agent shall, at the request and cost of the Company, execute, deliver, acknowledge, and/or authorize the filing of any statements, documents, or other instruments of release reasonably requested and provided by the Company, in order to release the Liens placed on the Collateral Accounts at the direction of the Company.
(g) Five (5) Business Days prior to the release of Collateral pursuant to this Section 13.03 the Company shall provide to the Trustee (and request the Trustee to provide a copy to the Holders) written notice of the Collateralized Bitcoin Amount to be released pursuant to this Section 13.03, as determined by the Company in good faith, together with the Company’s calculations in making such determination. In addition, within ten (10) Business Day following the end of each fiscal year starting with the year ending December 31, 2025, the Company shall provide to the Trustee (and request the Trustee to provide a copy to the Holders) an annual statement of the Collateral Account prepared by the Collateral Agent confirming the amount of Bitcoin in the Collateral Account.
Section 13.04. Authorization of Actions to be Taken by the Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Article 13 and the provisions of the Collateral Documents, the Collateral Agent may (but shall in no event be required to), in its sole discretion and at the direction of the Required Holders, on behalf of the Holders, take all actions it is so directed in order to (i) enforce any of its rights or any of the rights of the Holders under the Collateral Documents and (ii) collect and receive any and all amounts payable in respect of the Collateral in respect of the obligations of the Company hereunder and thereunder. Subject to the provisions of the Collateral Documents, the Collateral Agent shall have the power, but not the obligation, to institute and to maintain such suits and proceedings as it may deem expedient to prevent any impairment of the Collateral by any acts that may be unlawful or in violation of the Collateral Documents or this Indenture, and such suits and proceedings as the Collateral Agent may (without having any obligation whatsoever to pursue) deem expedient to preserve or protect its interest and the interests of the Holders in the Collateral (including the power, but not the obligation, to institute and maintain suits or proceedings to restrain the enforcement of or compliance with any legislative or other governmental enactment, rule or order that may be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid if the enforcement of, or compliance with, such enactment, rule or order would impair the security interest hereunder or be prejudicial to the interests of the Holders or the Trustee).
(b) Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for the existence, genuineness or value (or diminution of value) of any of the Collateral or for the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the Liens in any of the Collateral, whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or inaction on its part hereunder, for the validity or sufficiency of the Collateral or any agreement or assignment contained therein, for the validity of the title of the Company to the Collateral, for insuring the Collateral or for the payment of taxes, charges, assessments or Liens upon the Collateral or otherwise as to the maintenance of the Collateral. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall have responsibility for recording, filing, re-recording or refiling any financing statement, continuation statement, termination statement, document, instrument, other notice or any amendment thereto in any public office at any time or times or to otherwise take any action to perfect or maintain the perfection of any security interest granted to it under the Collateral Documents or otherwise. Beyond the exercise of reasonable care in the custody thereof, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any agent or bailee or any income thereon or as to preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which they accord their own property and shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or diminution in the value of any of the Collateral by reason of the act or omission of any carrier, forwarding agency or other agent or bailee selected by the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, in good faith. The Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms of this Indenture or the Collateral Documents by the Company.
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Section 13.05. Information Regarding Collateral. (a)
(a) The Company will furnish to the Collateral Agent (with a copy to the Trustee) written notice of any change in its (1) legal name, (2) jurisdiction of organization or formation, (3) form of organization or (4) organizational identification number to the extent such organizational identification number is necessary for the perfection of the Collateral. The Company agrees to make all filings, publications and registrations under the UCC or other applicable law that are required in order for the Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected first priority (subject to Permitted Liens) security interest to the extent required under this Indenture in all the Collateral for its own benefit and the benefit of the other Secured Parties.
(b) Upon qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, the Company will comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act §314(b). Promptly after qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall deliver the opinion(s) required by §314(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act. Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Indenture, upon qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee on or prior to each anniversary of the date hereof, an Opinion of Counsel, dated as of such date, stating either that (i) in the opinion of such counsel, all action has been taken with respect to any filing, re-filing, recording or re-recording with respect to the Collateral as is necessary to maintain the Liens on the Collateral in favor of the Holders or (ii) in the opinion of such counsel, that no such action is necessary to maintain such Liens.
(c) (i) The Company will cause §313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, relating to reports, and §314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act, relating to the release of property and to the substitution therefor of any property to be pledged as collateral for the Notes, to be complied with, upon qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required by §314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act may be made by an Officer of the Company except in cases where §314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 13.05(c), the Company will not be required to comply with all or any portion of §314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act if it determines, in good faith based on written advice of counsel, that under the terms of §314(d) and/or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the Commission and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, all or any portion of §314(d) is inapplicable, whereupon the Company shall provide to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent an Officer’s Certificate certifying that the Company reasonably believes, based on the written advice of counsel (a copy of which shall be attached thereto), that the Company is not required to comply with all or any portion of §314(d). Upon qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall comply with the other applicable provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as they relate to the Collateral.
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Section 13.06. Collateral Documents. The provisions in this Indenture relating to Collateral are subject to the provisions of the Collateral Documents. The Company, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and each Holder (by its acceptance of a beneficial interest in a Note) acknowledge and agree to be bound by the provisions of the Collateral Documents.
Section 13.07. Additional Provisions Regarding the Collateral Agent.
(a) By accepting a Note, each Holder will be deemed to have irrevocably appointed the Collateral Agent to act as its agent under the Collateral Documents and to have irrevocably authorized and directed the Collateral Agent to (i) perform the duties and exercise the rights, powers and discretions that are specifically given to it under the Collateral Documents or other documents to which it is a party, together with any other incidental rights, powers and discretions; and (ii) execute each document expressed to be executed by the Collateral Agent on its behalf. Each of the holders hereby exempts the Collateral Agent from any restrictions on representing several persons and self-dealing under any applicable laws to the extent legally possible for such Holder.
(b) The Collateral Agent is authorized and empowered to appoint one or more subagents or co-collateral agents as it deems necessary or appropriate.
(c) The Collateral Agent shall have all the rights and protection provided in the Collateral Documents as well as the rights and protections afforded to it hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Collateral Agent through the Collateral Agent’s own willful misconduct or gross negligence, as determined by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(d) None of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys or agents will be responsible or liable for the existence, genuineness, value or protection of any Collateral, for the legality, enforceability, effectiveness or sufficiency of the Collateral Documents, for the creation, perfection, continuation of perfection, priority, sufficiency or protection of any Lien securing the Notes or any defect or deficiency as to any such matters, except to the extent any possessory collateral is delivered to the Collateral Agent for perfection purposes.
(e) Subject to the Collateral Documents, except as directed by the Trustee (acting in accordance with the terms of this Indenture) as required or permitted by this Indenture, the Holders acknowledge that the Collateral Agent will not be obligated:
(i) to act upon directions purported to be delivered to it by any other Person;
(ii) to foreclose upon or otherwise enforce any Lien securing the Notes; or
(iii) to take any other action whatsoever with regard to any or all Liens securing the Notes, the Collateral Documents or the Collateral.
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(f) In acting as Collateral Agent, co-collateral agent or sub-collateral agent, the Collateral Agent, each co-collateral agent and each sub-collateral agent may rely upon and enforce each and all of the rights, powers, immunities, indemnities and benefits of the Trustee under Article 7 hereof.
(g) Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall have any duty to file any financing statements, continuation statements or amendments thereto or any other agreement or instrument to record or perfect or maintain the perfection of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Collateral.
In providing any direction to the Collateral Agent hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled (or required, as the case may be) to first obtain direction from the requisite Holders to the extent required under this Indenture or the Security Documents; for the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall not seek consent from Holders to any action which the Company is permitted to take under this Indenture, including any release of Collateral as specifically provided in this Indenture.
ARTICLE 14
CONVERSION OF NOTES
Section 14.01. Conversion Privilege. (a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article 14, each Holder of a Note shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to convert all or any portion (if the portion to be converted is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) of such Note (i) subject to satisfaction of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b), at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding June 1, 2030 under the circumstances and during the periods set forth in Section 14.01(b), and (ii) regardless of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b), on or after June 1, 2030 and prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, in each case, at an initial conversion rate of 72.0841 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in this Article 14, the “Conversion Rate”) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (subject to, and in accordance with, the settlement provisions of Section 14.02, the “Conversion Obligation”).
(b) (i) Prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding June 1, 2030, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time during the five Business Day period immediately after any five consecutive Trading Day period (the “Measurement Period”) in which the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, as determined following a request by a Holder of Notes in accordance with this subsection (b)(i), for each Trading Day of the Measurement Period was less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on each such Trading Day and the Conversion Rate on each such Trading Day. The Trading Prices shall be determined by the Bid Solicitation Agent pursuant to this subsection (b)(i) and the definition of Trading Price set forth in this Indenture. At such time as the Company instructs the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) in writing to obtain bids, the Company shall provide the Bid Solicitation Agent with the names and contact information for the securities dealers the Company has selected and the Company shall instruct such securities dealers to provide bids to the Bid Solicitation Agent. The Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) shall have no obligation to determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes unless the Company has requested such determination, and the Company shall have no obligation to make such request (or, if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, the Company shall have no obligation to determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes) unless a Holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes requests in writing that the Company make such a determination and provides the Company with reasonable evidence that the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes on any Trading Day would be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on such Trading Day and the Conversion Rate on such Trading Day, at which time the Company shall instruct the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) to determine, or if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, the Company shall determine, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes beginning on the next Trading Day and on each successive Trading Day until the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate. If (x) the Company is not acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, and the Company does not instruct the Bid Solicitation Agent to determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes when obligated as provided in the preceding sentence, or if the Company instructs the Bid Solicitation Agent to obtain bids and the Bid Solicitation Agent fails to make such determination, or (y) the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent and the Company fails to make such determination when obligated as provided in the preceding sentence, then, in either case, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate on each Trading Day of such failure. If the Trading Price condition set forth above has been met, the Company shall so notify in writing the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee). Any such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error. If, at any time after the Trading Price condition set forth above has been met, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate for such date, the Company shall so notify in writing the Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) and thereafter neither the Company nor the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) shall be required to solicit bids (or determine the Trading Price of the Notes as set forth in this Indenture) again unless a new Holder request is made as provided in this subsection (b)(i).
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(i) If, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding June 1, 2030, the Company elects to:
(A) issue to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock any rights, options or warrants (other than in connection with a shareholder rights plan so long as such rights have no separated from the shares of the Common Stock) entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance; or
(B) distribute to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock the Company’s assets, securities or rights to purchase securities of the Company (other than pursuant to a shareholder rights plan so long as such rights have not separated from the shares of the Common Stock), which distribution has a per share value, as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith, exceeding 10% of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day preceding the date of announcement for such distribution,
then, in either case, the Company shall notify in writing all Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) at least 25 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution (or, if later in the case of any such separation of rights issued pursuant to a shareholder rights plan, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company becomes aware that such separation or triggering event has occurred or will occur); provided, however, that if the Company elects Physical Settlement (to the extent that the Company has not elected another Settlement Method to apply, including pursuant to Section 14.02) in the applicable notice in respect of any conversions that occurs from, and including, the date the Company provides such notice to, and including, the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution or issuance (or, if earlier, the date the Company announces that such issuance or distribution will not take place) (the “Distribution Trigger Irrevocable Physical Settlement Period”), the Company shall be permitted to provide no less than 10 Scheduled Trading Days’ notice prior to the Ex-Dividend Date for the applicable issuance or distribution, in which case the Company shall be required to settle all conversions of Notes with a Conversion Date occurring during the Distribution Trigger Irrevocable Physical Settlement Period by Physical Settlement, and the Company shall describe the same in such notice. Once the Company has given such notice, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time until the earlier of (1) the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution and (2) the Company’s announcement that such issuance or distribution will not take place, in each case, even if the Notes are not otherwise convertible at such time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holders may not convert their Notes under this Section 14.01(b)(ii) if they participate (other than in the case of a share split or share combination) at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Notes, in any of the transactions described under this Section 14.01(b)(ii)(A) or (B) without having to convert their Notes as if they held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the then-effective Conversion Rate multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Notes held by such Holder.
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(ii) If a transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding June 1, 2030, regardless of whether a Holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase the Notes pursuant to Section 15.02, or if the Company is a party to a Share Exchange Event (other than a Share Exchange Event that is solely for the purpose of changing the Company’s jurisdiction of organization that (x) does not constitute a Fundamental Change or Make-Whole Fundamental Change) and (y) results in a reclassification, conversion or exchange of outstanding shares of Common Stock solely into shares of common stock of the surviving entity and such common stock becomes Reference Property for the Notes) that occurs prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding June 1, 2030, in (each such Fundamental Change, Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Share Exchange Event, a “Corporate Event”) all or any portion of a Holder’s Notes may be surrendered for conversion at any time from or after the effective date of such Corporate Event until the earlier of (x) 35 Trading Days after the effective date of such Corporate Event (or, if the Company gives notice after the effective date of such Corporate Event, until 35 Trading Days after the date the Company gives notice of such Corporate Event) or, if such Corporate Event also constitutes a Fundamental Change (other than an Exempted Fundamental Change), until the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and (y) the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date. The Company shall notify in writing Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing as promptly as practicable following the effective date of such Corporate Event.
(iii) Prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding June 1, 2030, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on December 31, 2025 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the last Trading Day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the Conversion Price on each applicable Trading Day. The Company shall determine at the beginning of each calendar quarter commencing after December 31, 2025 whether the Notes may be surrendered for conversion in accordance with this clause (iv) and shall provide written notice to the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) if the Notes become convertible during such calendar quarter in accordance with this clause (iv).
(iv) If the Company calls any or all of the Notes for redemption pursuant to Article 16 prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding June 1, 2030, then a Holder may surrender all or any part of such of its Notes as called for redemption for conversion at any time prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day prior to the Redemption Date, even if the Notes are not otherwise convertible at such time. After that time, the right to convert such Notes pursuant to this Section 14.01(b)(v) shall expire, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price, in which case a Holder of Notes may convert its Notes until the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Redemption Price has been paid or duly provided for. If the Company elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Notes for Optional Redemption pursuant to Article 16, and the Holder of any Note (or any owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Note) is reasonably not able to determine, prior to the close of business on the 24th Scheduled Trading Day immediately before the relevant Redemption Date (or if, as permitted by Section 16.02(a), the Company delivers a Redemption Notice electing Physical Settlement not less than 10 nor more than 45 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the related Redemption Date, then prior to close of business on the 9th Scheduled Trading Day immediately before the relevant Redemption Date), whether such Note or beneficial interest, as applicable, is to be redeemed pursuant to such Optional Redemption (and, as a result thereof, convertible on account of the related Redemption Notice in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture), then such Holder or owner, as applicable, will be entitled to convert such Note or beneficial interest, as applicable, at any time before the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day prior to such Redemption Date, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price, in which case such Holder or owner, as applicable, will be entitled to convert such Note or beneficial interest, as applicable, until the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Redemption Price has been paid or duly provided for, and each such conversion will be deemed to be of a Note called for Optional Redemption, and such Note or beneficial interest will be deemed called for Optional Redemption solely for the purposes of such conversion (“Deemed Redemption”). If a Holder elects to convert Called Notes pursuant to this Section 14.01(b)(v) during the related Redemption Period, the Company will, under certain circumstances, increase the Conversion Rate for such Called Notes pursuant to Section 14.03. Accordingly, if the Company elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Notes pursuant to Article 16, Holders of the Notes that are not Called Notes will not be entitled to convert such Notes pursuant to this Section 14.01(b)(v) and will not be entitled to an increase in the Conversion Rate on account of the Redemption Notice for conversions of such Notes during the related Redemption Period, even if such Notes are otherwise convertible pursuant to any other provision of this Section 14.01(b) and are converted during the related Redemption Period.
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Section 14.02. Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion.
(a) Subject to this Section 14.02, Section 14.03(b) and Section 14.07(a), upon conversion of any Note, the Company shall pay or deliver, as the case may be, to the converting Holder, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes being converted, cash (“Cash Settlement”), shares of Common Stock, together with cash, if applicable, in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock in accordance with subsection (j) of this Section 14.02 (“Physical Settlement”) or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, together with cash, if applicable, in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock in accordance with subsection (j) of this Section 14.02 (“Combination Settlement”), at its election, as set forth in this Section 14.02.
(i) All conversions (x) for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs after the Company’s issuance of a Redemption Notice with respect to the Notes and prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the related Redemption Date (y) for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after June 1, 2030 and (z) following the Company’s irrevocable election of a Settlement Method pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(iii)(B), in each case shall be settled using the same Settlement Method.
(ii) Except (w) for any conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the related Redemption Period, (x) for any conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after June 1, 2030, (y) to the extent the Company elects Physical Settlement to apply pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(ii) and (z) for any conversions following the Company’s irrevocable election of a Settlement Method pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(iii)(B), in each case the Company shall use the same Settlement Method for all conversions with the same Conversion Date, but the Company shall not have any obligation to use the same Settlement Method with respect to conversions with different Conversion Dates.
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(iii) (A) Subject to the Company’s irrevocable election of a Settlement Method pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(iii)(B), if, in respect of any Conversion Date (or any conversions of Called Notes for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the related Redemption Period, or for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after September 1, 2030 or for which the Company has irrevocably elected Physical Settlement pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(ii) in a notice as described in such Section), the Company elects to deliver a notice (the “Settlement Notice”) of the relevant Settlement Method in respect of such Conversion Date (or such period, as the case may be), the Company, shall deliver such Settlement Notice to the Trustee, the Conversion Agent and the converting Holders no later than the close of business on the Trading Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date (or, in the case of any conversions of any Notes (x) for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs (A) during the Redemption Period or (B) on or after June 1, 2030, no later than the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding June 1, 2030 or (y) for which the Company has irrevocably elected Physical Settlement pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(ii), in the related notice described therein). If the Company does not elect a Settlement Method prior to the deadline set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall no longer have the right to elect Cash Settlement or Physical Settlement with respect to the relevant Conversion Date (or such period, as the case may be) and the Company shall be deemed to have elected Combination Settlement in respect of its Conversion Obligation, and the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be equal to $1,000. Such Settlement Notice shall specify the relevant Settlement Method and in the case of an election of Combination Settlement, the relevant Settlement Notice shall indicate the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. If the Company delivers a Settlement Notice electing Combination Settlement in respect of its Conversion Obligation but does not indicate a Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes in such Settlement Notice, the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be deemed to be $1,000.
(A) By notice to the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee), the Company may prior to the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding June 1, 2030, at its option, irrevocably elect to satisfy its Conversion Obligation with respect to the Notes through any Settlement Method that the Company is then permitted to elect, including Combination Settlement with a Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes of at least $1,000 for all Conversion Dates occurring subsequent to the delivery of such notice and for which another Settlement Method does not otherwise apply. If the Company irrevocably elects Combination Settlement with an ability to continue to set the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes at or above a specific amount, the Company shall, after the date of such election, inform Holders converting their Notes, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing of such Specified Dollar Amount no later than the close of business on the Trading Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date, or, if the Company does not timely notify Holders, such Specified Dollar Amount will be the specific amount set forth in the election notice or, if no specific amount was set forth in the election notice, such Specified Dollar Amount will be $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. Such irrevocable election shall apply for all conversions of Notes with Conversion Dates occurring subsequent to delivery of such notice; provided, however, that no such election will affect any Settlement Method theretofore elected (or deemed to be elected) with respect to any Note. For the avoidance of doubt, such an irrevocable election, if made by the Company, will be effective without the need to amend this Indenture or the Notes, including pursuant to Section 10.01(m). However, the Company may nonetheless choose to execute such an amendment at its option. If the Company irrevocably fixes the Settlement Method pursuant to the provisions set forth in this paragraph, then, concurrently with providing notice to the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) of such election, the Company shall either post the fixed Settlement Method on the Company’s website or disclose the same in a current report on Form 8-K (or any successor form) that is filed with the Commission (and make such determination of such Specified Dollar Amount on or prior to the dates set forth above in respect of a Combination Settlement as if an irrevocable election had not otherwise occurred, or if the Company does not make such determination by such date the Specified Dollar Amount shall be $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes).
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(iv) The cash, shares of Common Stock or combination of cash and shares of Common Stock payable or deliverable by the Company in respect of any conversion of Notes (the “Settlement Amount”) shall be computed as follows:
(A) if the Company elects to satisfy its Conversion Obligation in respect of such conversion by Physical Settlement, the Company shall deliver to the converting Holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes being converted a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Conversion Date (plus cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock issuable upon conversion pursuant to Section 14.02(j));
(B) if the Company elects to satisfy its Conversion Obligation in respect of such conversion by Cash Settlement, the Company shall pay to the converting Holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes being converted cash in an amount equal to the sum of the Daily Conversion Values for each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days during the related Observation Period; and
(C) if the Company elects (or is deemed to have elected) to satisfy its Conversion Obligation in respect of such conversion by Combination Settlement, the Company shall pay or deliver, as the case may be, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes being converted, a Settlement Amount equal to the sum of the Daily Settlement Amounts for each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days during the related Observation Period (plus cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock issuable upon conversion pursuant to Section 14.02(j)).
(v) The Daily Settlement Amounts (if applicable) and the Daily Conversion Values (if applicable) shall be determined by the Company promptly following the last day of the Observation Period. Promptly after such determination of the Daily Settlement Amounts or the Daily Conversion Values, as the case may be, and the amount of cash payable in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock, the Company shall notify the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) of the Daily Settlement Amounts or the Daily Conversion Values, as the case may be, and the amount of cash payable in lieu of delivering fractional shares of Common Stock. The Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) shall have no responsibility for any such determination.
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(b) Subject to Section 14.02(e), before any Holder of a Note shall be entitled to convert a Note as set forth above, such Holder shall (i) in the case of a Global Note, comply with the procedures of the Depositary in effect at that time and, if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 14.02(h) and, if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes, if any, and (ii) in the case of a Physical Note (1) complete, manually sign and deliver an irrevocable notice to the Conversion Agent as set forth in the Form of Notice of Conversion (or a facsimile or electronic communication in PDF format) (a “Notice of Conversion”) at the Corporate Trust Office or the office of the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) and state in writing therein the principal amount of Notes to be converted and the name or names (with addresses) in which such Holder wishes the certificate or certificates for any shares of Common Stock to be delivered upon settlement of the Conversion Obligation to be registered, (2) surrender such Notes, duly endorsed to the Company or in blank (and accompanied by appropriate endorsement and transfer documents), at the Corporate Trust Office or the office of the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee), (3) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, (4) if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 14.02(h) and (5) if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes, if any. The Trustee (and if different, the Conversion Agent) shall notify the Company of any conversion pursuant to this Article 14 on the Conversion Date for such conversion. No Notice of Conversion with respect to any Notes may be surrendered by a Holder thereof if such Holder has also delivered a Repurchase Notice or Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice to the Company in respect of such Notes and has not validly withdrawn such Repurchase Notice or Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, as the case may be, in accordance with Section 15.03.
Subject to any procedures or requirements of the applicable Depositary in the case of any Global Note, if more than one Note shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the Conversion Obligation with respect to such Notes shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (or specified portions thereof to the extent permitted thereby) so surrendered.
(c) A Note shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the date (the “Conversion Date”) that the Holder has complied with the requirements set forth in subsection (b) above. Except as set forth in Section 14.03(b) and Section 14.07(a), the Company shall pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due in respect of the Conversion Obligation on the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date, if the Company elects Physical Settlement (provided that, with respect to any conversion following the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date where Physical Settlement applies, the Company shall settle any such conversion on the Maturity Date or, if the Maturity Date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, and the Conversion Date shall be deemed to be the second Business Day immediately before such date), or on the second Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of the Observation Period, in the case of any other Settlement Method. If any shares of Common Stock are due to a converting Holder, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued, and deliver (if applicable) to such Holder, or such Holder’s nominee or nominees, the full number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder shall be entitled, in book-entry format through the Depositary, in satisfaction of the Company’s Conversion Obligation.
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(d) In case any Note shall be surrendered for partial conversion, the Company shall execute and upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or upon the written order of the Holder of the Note so surrendered a new Note or Notes in authorized denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the surrendered Note, without payment of any service charge by the converting Holder but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or similar governmental charge required by law or that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such conversion being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such conversion.
(e) If a Holder submits a Note for conversion, the Company shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of any shares of Common Stock upon conversion, unless the tax is due because the Holder requests such shares to be issued in a name other than the Holder’s name, in which case the Holder shall pay that tax. The Company may refuse to deliver the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock being issued in a name other than the Holder’s name until the Company receives a sum sufficient to pay any tax that is due by such Holder in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence.
(f) Except as provided in Section 14.04, no adjustment shall be made for dividends on any shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of any Note as provided in this Article 14.
(g) Upon the conversion of an interest in a Global Note, the Trustee, or the Custodian at the direction of the Trustee, shall make a notation on such Global Note as to the reduction in the principal amount represented thereby. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any conversion of Notes effected through any Conversion Agent other than the Trustee.
(h) Upon conversion, a Holder shall not receive any separate cash payment for accrued and unpaid interest, if any, except as set forth below. The Company’s settlement of the full Conversion Obligation shall be deemed to satisfy in full its obligation to pay the principal amount of the Note and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date. As a result, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date shall be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. Upon a conversion of Notes into a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, accrued and unpaid interest will be deemed to be paid first out of the cash paid upon such conversion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Notes are converted after the close of business on a Regular Record Date but prior to the open of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date, Holders of such Notes as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date will receive the full amount of interest payable on such Notes on the corresponding Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion. Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the open of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date must be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of interest payable on the Notes so converted; provided that no such payment shall be required (1) for conversions following the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date; (2) if the Company has specified a Redemption Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately following the corresponding Interest Payment Date; (3) if the Company has specified a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Business Day immediately following the corresponding Interest Payment Date; or (4) to the extent of any Defaulted Amounts, if any Defaulted Amounts exists at the time of conversion with respect to such Note. Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, all Holders of record as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date, a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or a Redemption Date shall receive the full interest payment due on the Maturity Date, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or the Redemption Date in cash regardless of whether their Notes have been converted following such Regular Record Date and the converting Holder shall not be required to make a corresponding payment.
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(i) The Person in whose name the shares of Common Stock shall be issuable upon conversion shall be treated as a shareholder of record as of the close of business on the relevant Conversion Date (if the Company elects to satisfy the related Conversion Obligation by Physical Settlement) or the last Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period (if the Company elects to satisfy the related Conversion Obligation by Combination Settlement), as the case may be. Upon a conversion of Notes, such Person shall no longer be a Holder of such Notes surrendered for conversion.
(j) The Company shall not issue any fractional share of Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes and shall instead pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock issuable upon conversion based on the Daily VWAP for the relevant Conversion Date (or, if such Conversion Date is not a Trading Day, the immediate preceding Trading Day), in the case of Physical Settlement or based on the Daily VWAP for the last Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period (in the case of Combination Settlement). For each Note surrendered for conversion, if the Company has elected Combination Settlement, the full number of shares that shall be issued upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate Daily Settlement Amounts for the relevant Observation Period and any fractional shares remaining after such computation shall be paid in cash.
Section 14.03. Increased Conversion Rate Applicable to Certain Notes Surrendered in Connection with Make-Whole Fundamental Changes or a Redemption Notice.
(a) If (i) the Effective
Date of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the Maturity Date or (ii) the Company issues a Redemption Notice pursuant to Section
16.02 with respect to any or all of the Notes and, in each case, a Holder elects to convert its Notes in connection with such Make-Whole
Fundamental Change or a Redemption Notice, as applicable, the Company shall, in each case, under the circumstances described below, increase
the Conversion Rate for the Notes so surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of Common Stock (the “Additional
Shares”), as described below. A conversion of Notes shall be deemed for these purposes to be “in connection with”
such Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Redemption Notice if (x) in the case of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the relevant Conversion
Date occurs during the period from, and including, the Effective Date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change up to, and including, the Business
Day immediately prior to the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (or, in the case of an Exempted Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole
Fundamental Change that would have been a Fundamental Change but for clause (i) of the proviso in clause (b) of the definition thereof, the 35th Trading
Day immediately following the Effective Date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change) (such period, the “Make-Whole Fundamental
Change Period”) or (y) in the case of a Redemption Notice, the relevant Conversion Date for conversions of Called Notes occurs
during the related Redemption Period. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Notes
pursuant to Article 16, Holders of the Notes that are not Called Notes will not be entitled to convert such Notes pursuant to
Section 14.01(b)(v) and will not be entitled to an increase in the Conversion Rate on account of the Redemption Notice during the applicable
Redemption Period, even if such Notes are otherwise convertible pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(i)-(iv) and are converted during the
related Redemption Period.
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(b) Upon surrender of Notes for conversion in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(iii) or upon surrender of Called Notes during a Redemption Notice pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(v), the Company shall, at its option, satisfy the related Conversion Obligation by Physical Settlement, Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement in accordance with Section 14.02; provided, however, that if, at the effective time of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (b) of the definition of Fundamental Change, the Reference Property following such Make-Whole Fundamental Change is composed entirely of cash, for any conversion of Notes following the Effective Date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Conversion Obligation shall be calculated based solely on the Stock Price for the transaction and shall be deemed to be an amount of cash per $1,000 principal amount of converted Notes equal to the Conversion Rate (including any adjustment for Additional Shares), multiplied by such Stock Price. In such event, the Conversion Obligation shall be paid to Holders in cash on the second Business Day immediately following the Conversion Date. The Company shall notify in writing the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) of the Effective Date of any Make-Whole Fundamental Change no later than five Business Days after such Effective Date.
(c) The number of Additional Shares, if any, by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased shall be determined by reference to the table below, based on the date on which the Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs or becomes effective, or the date of the Redemption Notice, as the case may be (in each case, the “Effective Date”) and the price paid (or deemed to be paid) per share of the Common Stock in the Make-Whole Fundamental Change or determined with respect to the Optional Redemption, as the case may be (the “Stock Price”). If the holders of the Common Stock receive in exchange for their Common Stock only cash in a Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (b) of the definition of Fundamental Change, the Stock Price shall be the cash amount paid per share. Otherwise, the Stock Price shall be the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the five Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Effective Date. If a conversion of Called Notes during a Redemption Period would also be deemed to be in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, a Holder of the Notes to be converted shall be entitled to a single increase to the Conversion Rate with respect to the first to occur of the Effective Date of the Redemption Notice of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change, , as applicable, and the later event shall be deemed not to have occurred for purposes of this Section 14.03. The Company shall make appropriate adjustments to the Stock Price, in its good faith determination, to account for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the Conversion Rate where the Ex-Dividend Date, Effective Date (as such term is used in Section 14.04) or expiration date of the event occurs during such five consecutive Trading Day period.
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(d) The Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table below shall be adjusted as of any date on which the Conversion Rate is otherwise adjusted. The adjusted Stock Prices shall equal the Stock Prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such adjustment giving rise to the Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the Conversion Rate as so adjusted. The number of Additional Shares set forth in the table below shall be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 14.04.
(e) The following table sets forth the number of Additional Shares by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased per $1,000 principal amount of Notes pursuant to this Section 14.03 for each Stock Price and Effective Date set forth below:
| Stock Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effective Date | $10.00 | $11.90 | $13.87 | $16.00 | $18.03 | $20.00 | $25.00 | $30.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 | $60.00 | $100.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issue Date | 27.9159 | 24.3824 | 18.5213 | 14.2000 | 11.2906 | 9.2025 | 5.8164 | 3.9143 | 1.9953 | 1.1162 | 0.6547 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 years to maturity | 27.9159 | 24.3824 | 18.1860 | 13.6463 | 10.6461 | 8.5295 | 5.1864 | 3.3760 | 1.6258 | 0.8640 | 0.4805 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 years to maturity | 27.9159 | 23.4975 | 16.9012 | 12.2831 | 9.3256 | 7.2955 | 4.2088 | 2.6183 | 1.1645 | 0.5734 | 0.2927 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 years to maturity | 27.9159 | 20.2933 | 14.2790 | 10.0806 | 7.4210 | 5.6255 | 2.9924 | 1.7227 | 0.6660 | 0.2870 | 0.1247 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 year to maturity | 27.9159 | 18.0185 | 11.4629 | 7.2269 | 4.7842 | 3.2870 | 1.4024 | 0.6770 | 0.2020 | 0.0686 | 0.0202 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maturity Date | 27.9159 | 11.9495 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The exact Stock Price and Effective Date may not be set forth in the table above, in which case:
(i) if the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices in the table above or the Effective Date is between two Effective Dates in the table, the number of Additional Shares shall be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of Additional Shares set forth for the higher and lower Stock Prices and the earlier and later Effective Dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day year;
(ii) if the Stock Price is greater than $100 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table above pursuant to subsection (d) above), no Additional Shares shall be added to the Conversion Rate; and
(iii) if the Stock Price is less than $10 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table above pursuant to subsection (d) above), no Additional Shares shall be added to the Conversion Rate.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Conversion Rate per $1,000 principal amount of Notes exceed 100 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04.
(f) Nothing in this Section 14.03 shall prevent an adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04 in respect of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change.
Section 14.04. Adjustment of Conversion Rate. The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by the Company if any of the following events occurs, except that the Company shall not make any adjustments to the Conversion Rate if Holders of the Notes participate (other than in the case of (x) a share split or share combination or (y) a tender or exchange offer), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Notes, in any of the transactions described in this Section 14.04, without having to convert their Notes, as if they held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate, multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Notes held by such Holder.
(a) If the Company exclusively issues shares of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of the Common Stock, or if the Company effects a share split or share combination, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

where,
| CR0 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date of such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or share combination, as applicable; |
| CR1 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date; |
| OS0 | = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date (before giving effect to any such dividend, distribution, split or combination); and |
| OS1 | = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination. |
Any adjustment made under this Section 14.04(a) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the Effective Date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section 14.04(a) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.
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(b) If the Company issues to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock any rights, options or warrants (other than in connection with a shareholder rights plan) entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

where,
| CR0 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance; |
| CR1 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date; |
| OS0 | = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date; |
| X | = | the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and |
| Y | = | the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants. |
Any increase made under this Section 14.04(b) shall be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance. To the extent that shares of the Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance had not occurred.
For purposes of this Section 14.04(b) and for the purpose of Section 14.01(b)(ii)(A), in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders of the Common Stock to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at less than such average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement for such issuance, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.
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(c) If the Company distributes shares of its Capital Stock, evidences of its indebtedness, other assets or property of the Company or rights, options or warrants to acquire its Capital Stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, excluding (i) dividends, distributions or issuances as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to Section 14.04(a) or Section 14.04(b), (ii) dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which the provisions set forth in Section 14.04(d) shall apply, (iii) except as otherwise set forth below in this Section 14.04(c), rights issued pursuant to shareholder rights plan of the Company, (iv) any dividends or distributions of Reference Property in exchange for Common Stock in connection with a transaction described in Section 14.07 and (v) Spin-Offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this Section 14.04(c) shall apply (any of such shares of Capital Stock, evidences of indebtedness, other assets or property or rights, options or warrants to acquire Capital Stock or other securities, the “Distributed Property”), then the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
where,
| CR0 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; |
| CR1 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date; |
| SP0 | = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; and |
| FMV | = | the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) of the Distributed Property with respect to each outstanding share of the Common Stock on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution. |
Any increase made under the portion of this Section 14.04(c) above shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “FMV” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount thereof, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock receive the Distributed Property, the amount and kind of Distributed Property such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Ex-Dividend Date for the distribution. If the Board of Directors determines the “FMV” (as defined above) of any distribution for purposes of this Section 14.04(c) by reference to the actual or when-issued trading market for any securities, it shall in doing so consider the prices in such market over the same period used in computing the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.
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With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this Section 14.04(c) where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock of shares of Capital Stock of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange (a “Spin-Off”), the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

where,
| CR0 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the end of the Valuation Period; |
| CR1 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the end of the Valuation Period; |
| FMV0 | = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Capital Stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of the Common Stock applicable to one share of the Common Stock (determined by reference to the definition of Last Reported Sale Price as set forth in Section 1.01 as if references therein to Common Stock were to such Capital Stock or similar equity interest) over the first 10 consecutive Trading Day period after, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of the Spin-Off (the “Valuation Period”); and |
| MP0 | = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the Valuation Period. |
The increase to the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall occur at the close of business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of Notes for which Physical Settlement is applicable, if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the Valuation Period, references to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of such Spin-Off to, and including, the Conversion Date in determining the Conversion Rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of Notes for which Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement is applicable, for any Trading Day that falls within the relevant Observation Period for such conversion and within the Valuation Period, references to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of such Spin-Off to, and including, such Trading Day in determining the Conversion Rate as of such Trading Day. If any dividend or distribution that constitutes a Spin-Off is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately decreased, as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay or make such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared or announced.
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For purposes of this Section 14.04(c) (and subject in all respect to Section 14.11), rights, options or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of the Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company’s Capital Stock, including Common Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Trigger Event”): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of the Common Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of the Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 14.04(c) (and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(c) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Rate shall be made under this Section 14.04(c). If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants distributed prior to the date of this Indenture, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Ex-Dividend Date with respect to new rights, options or warrants with such rights (in which case the existing rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to terminate and expire on such date without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the immediately preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(c) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or purchased without exercise by any holders thereof, upon such final redemption or purchase (x) the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options or warrants had not been issued and (y) the Conversion Rate shall then again be readjusted to give effect to such distribution, deemed distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or purchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or purchase, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase made for the distribution of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of the Common Stock actually delivered upon exercise of such rights, options or warrants.
For purposes of Section 14.04(a), Section 14.04(b) and this Section 14.04(c), if any dividend or distribution to which this Section 14.04(c) is applicable also includes one or both of:
(A) a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock to which Section 14.04(a) is applicable (the “Clause A Distribution”); or
(B) a dividend or distribution of rights, options or warrants to which Section 14.04(b) is applicable (the “Clause B Distribution”),
then, in either case, (1) such dividend or distribution, other than the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution, shall be deemed to be a dividend or distribution to which this Section 14.04(c) is applicable (the “Clause C Distribution”) and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by this Section 14.04(c) with respect to such Clause C Distribution shall then be made, and (2) the Clause A Distribution and Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to immediately follow the Clause C Distribution and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by Section 14.04(a) and Section 14.04(b) with respect thereto shall then be made, except that, if determined by the Company (I) the “Ex-Dividend Date” of the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to be the Ex-Dividend Date of the Clause C Distribution and (II) any shares of Common Stock included in the Clause A Distribution or Clause B Distribution shall be deemed not to be “outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date” within the meaning of Section 14.04(a) or “outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date” within the meaning of Section 14.04(b).
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(d) If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

where,
| CR0 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; |
| CR1 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; |
| SP0 | = | the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; and |
| C | = | the amount in cash per share the Company distributes to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock. |
Any increase pursuant to this Section 14.04(d) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to make or pay such dividend or distribution, to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “C” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of shares of the Common Stock, the amount of cash that such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Ex-Dividend Date for such cash dividend or distribution.
(e) If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries make a payment in respect of a tender or exchange offer for the Common Stock that is subject to the then-applicable tender offer rules under the Exchange Act, other than an odd lot tender offer, to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of the Common Stock exceeds the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
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where,
| CR0 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; |
| CR1 | = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; |
| AC | = | the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by the Company in good faith) paid or payable for shares of Common Stock purchased in such tender or exchange offer; |
| OS0 | = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the date such tender or exchange offer expires (prior to giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); |
| OS1 | = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the date such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and |
| SP1 | = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires. |
The increase to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(e) shall occur at the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of Notes for which Physical Settlement is applicable, if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the 10 Trading Days immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date that such tender or exchange offer expires to, and including, the Conversion Date in determining the Conversion Rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of Notes for which Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement is applicable, for any Trading Day that falls within the relevant Observation Period for such conversion and within the 10 Trading Days immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such Trading Day in determining the Conversion Rate as of such Trading Day.
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If the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is obligated to purchase the Common Stock pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer described in this Section 14.04(e) but the Company or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchase or any such purchase is rescinded, then the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender or exchange offer had not been made or had been made in respect of the purchases that have been effected.
(f) Notwithstanding this Section 14.04 or any other provision of this Indenture or the Notes, if a Conversion Rate adjustment becomes effective on any Ex-Dividend Date, and a Holder that has converted its Notes on or after such Ex-Dividend Date and on or prior to the related Record Date would be treated as the record holder of the shares of Common Stock as of the related Conversion Date as described under Section 14.02(i) based on an adjusted Conversion Rate for such Ex-Dividend Date, then, notwithstanding the Conversion Rate adjustment provisions in this Section 14.04, the Conversion Rate adjustment relating to such Ex-Dividend Date shall not be made for such converting Holder. Instead, such Holder shall be treated as if such Holder were the record owner of the shares of Common Stock on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.
(g) Except as stated herein, the Company shall not adjust the Conversion Rate for the issuance of shares of the Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of the Common Stock or the right to purchase shares of the Common Stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.
(h) In addition to those adjustments required by clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this Section 14.04, and to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the applicable rules of any exchange on which any of the Company’s securities are then listed, the Company from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for a period of at least 20 Business Days if the Board of Directors determines that such increase would be in the Company’s best interest. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the applicable rules of any exchange on which any of the Company’s securities are then listed, the Company may (but is not required to) increase the Conversion Rate to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock (or rights to acquire shares of Common Stock) or similar event.
(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 14, the Conversion Rate shall not be adjusted:
(i) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock at a price below the Conversion Price or otherwise, other than any such issuance described in clause (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 14.04;
(ii) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Company’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any plan;
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(iii) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries;
(iv) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in clause (ii) of this subsection and outstanding as of the date the Notes were first issued (other than any rights plan as described under Section 14.04(c));
(v) upon the repurchase of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an open-market share repurchase program or other buy-back transaction that is not a tender offer or exchange offer of the nature described in Section 14.04(e);
(vi) solely for a change in the par value of the Common Stock; or
(vii) for accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
(j) Notwithstanding this Section 14.04 or any other provision of this Indenture or the Notes, the Company shall not be required to make an adjustment pursuant to this Section 14.04 unless such adjustment would result in a change of at least 1% in the then-effective Conversion Rate. However, the Company shall carry forward any adjustments that the Company would otherwise have to make and take that adjustment into account in any subsequent adjustment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all such carried-forward adjustments shall be made (1) in connection with any subsequent adjustment to the Conversion Rate of at least 1% (when all such carried-forward adjustments not yet made are aggregated and taken into account), (2) (x) on the Conversion Date for any Notes (in the case of Physical Settlement) and (y) on each Trading Day of any Observation Period (in the case of Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement), (3) on the Effective Date of any Fundamental Change and/or Make-Whole Fundamental Change and (4) on or after June 1, 2030 unless the adjustment has already been made. All calculations and other determinations under this Article 14 shall be made by the Company and shall be made to the nearest one-ten thousandth (1/10,000th) of a share.
(k) Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee (and the Conversion Agent if not the Trustee) an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the Conversion Rate after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received such Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment of the Conversion Rate and may assume without inquiry that the last Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge is still in effect. Promptly after delivery of such certificate, the Company shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate setting forth the adjusted Conversion Rate and the date on which each adjustment becomes effective and shall deliver such notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate to each Holder. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such adjustment.
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(l) For purposes of this Section 14.04, the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company so long as the Company does not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company, but shall include shares of Common Stock issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock.
(m) For the avoidance of doubt, the closing of the transactions contemplated by the BCA (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the PIPE Transaction) shall not result in any adjustment of the Conversion Rate, Conversion Price or any other terms of the Notes.
Section 14.05. Adjustments of Prices. Whenever any provision of this Indenture requires the Company to calculate the Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAPs, the Daily Conversion Values or the Daily Settlement Amounts over a span of multiple days (including, without limitation, an Observation Period and the period for determining the Stock Price for purposes of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or a Redemption Notice), the Company shall, in good faith, make appropriate adjustments to each to account for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the Conversion Rate where the Ex-Dividend Date, Effective Date or expiration date, as the case may be, of the event occurs, at any time during the period when the Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAPs, the Daily Conversion Values or the Daily Settlement Amounts are to be calculated.
Section 14.06. Shares to Be Fully Paid. The Company shall provide, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares or shares held in treasury, sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for conversion of the Notes from time to time as such Notes are presented for conversion (assuming delivery of the maximum number of Additional Shares pursuant to Section 14.03 and that at the time of computation of such number of shares, all such Notes would be converted by a single Holder and that Physical Settlement were applicable).
Section 14.07. Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock.
(a) In the case of:
(i) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination),
(ii) any consolidation, merger, combination or similar transaction involving the Company,
(iii) any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety or
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(iv) any statutory share exchange,
in each case, as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (any such event, a “Share Exchange Event”), then, at and after the effective time of such Share Exchange Event, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of Notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such Share Exchange Event would have owned or been entitled to receive (the “Reference Property,” with each “unit of Reference Property” meaning the kind and amount of Reference Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock is entitled to receive) upon such Share Exchange Event and, prior to or at the effective time of such Share Exchange Event, the Company or the successor or purchasing Person, as the case may be, shall execute with the Trustee a supplemental indenture permitted under Section 10.01(g) providing for such change in the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes; provided, however, that at and after the effective time of the Share Exchange Event (A) the Company or the successor or acquiring Person, as the case may be, shall continue to have the right to determine the form of consideration to be paid or delivered, as the case may be, upon conversion of Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 and (B) (I) any amount payable in cash upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 shall continue to be payable in cash, (II) any shares of Common Stock that the Company would have been required to deliver upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 shall instead be deliverable in the amount and type of Reference Property that a holder of that number of shares of Common Stock would have been entitled to receive in such Share Exchange Event and (III) the Daily VWAP shall be calculated based on the value of a unit of Reference Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock would have received in such Share Exchange Event.
If the Share Exchange Event causes the Common Stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of shareholder election), then (i) the Reference Property into which the Notes will be convertible shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of Common Stock, and (ii) the unit of Reference Property for purposes of the immediately preceding paragraph shall refer to the consideration referred to in clause (i) attributable to one share of Common Stock. If the holders of the Common Stock receive only cash in such Share Exchange Event, then for all conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs after the effective date of such Share Exchange Event (A) the consideration due upon conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be solely cash in an amount equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Conversion Date (as may be increased by any Additional Shares pursuant to Section 14.03), multiplied by the price paid per share of Common Stock in such Share Exchange Event and (B) the Company shall satisfy the Conversion Obligation by paying cash to converting Holders on the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date. The Company shall notify in writing Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) of such weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made.
If the Reference Property in respect of any such Share Exchange Event includes, in whole or in part, shares of Common Equity or American depositary receipts (or other interests) in respect thereof, such supplemental indenture described in the second immediately preceding paragraph shall provide for anti-dilution and other adjustments that shall be as nearly equivalent as is possible to the adjustments provided for in this Article 14 with respect to the portion of the Reference Property consisting of such Common Equity or American depositary receipts (or other interests) in respect thereof. If, in the case of any Share Exchange Event, the Reference Property includes shares of stock, securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) of a Person other than the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such Share Exchange Event, then such supplemental indenture shall also be executed by such other Person, if such Person is an Affiliate of the Company or the successor or acquiring Person, and shall contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Holders of the Notes as the Company shall in good faith reasonably consider necessary by reason of the foregoing, including the provisions providing for the purchase rights set forth in Article 15.
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If the Notes become convertible into Reference Property, the Company shall notify the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) and issue a press release containing the relevant information, disclose the relevant information in a Current Report on Form 8-K or post such information on the Company’s website.
(b) When the Company executes a supplemental indenture pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 14.07, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or amount of cash, securities or property or asset that will comprise a unit of Reference Property after any such Share Exchange Event, any adjustment to be made with respect thereto and that all conditions precedent have been complied with, and shall promptly deliver notice thereof to all Holders. The Company shall cause notice of the execution of such supplemental indenture to be delivered to each Holder within 20 days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such supplemental indenture.
(c) The Company shall not become a party to any Share Exchange Event unless its terms are consistent with this Section 14.07. None of the foregoing provisions shall affect the right of a holder of Notes to convert its Notes into cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, as set forth in Section 14.01 and Section 14.02 prior to the effective date of such Share Exchange Event.
(d) The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to successive Share Exchange Events.
Section 14.08. Certain Covenants.
(a) The Company covenants
that all shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Notes will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Company and free from all
taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.
(b) The Company covenants that, if any shares of Common Stock to be provided for the purpose of conversion of Notes hereunder require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law before such shares of Common Stock may be validly issued upon conversion, the Company will, to the extent then permitted by the rules and interpretations of the Commission, secure such registration or approval, as the case may be.
(c) The Company further covenants that if at any time the Common Stock shall be listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system the Company will list and keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or automated quotation system, any Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes.
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Section 14.09. Responsibility of Trustee. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine the Conversion Rate (or any adjustment thereto) or whether any facts exist that may require any adjustment (including any increase) of the Conversion Rate, or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities, property or cash that may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Note; and the Trustee and any other Conversion Agent make no representations with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property or cash upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Article. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to Section 14.07 relating either to the kind or amount of shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by Holders upon the conversion of their Notes after any event referred to in such Section 14.07 or to any adjustment to be made with respect thereto, but, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, may accept (without any independent investigation) as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon, the Officer’s Certificate (which the Company shall be obligated to file with the Trustee prior to the execution of any such supplemental indenture) with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor the Conversion Agent shall be responsible for determining whether any event contemplated by Section 14.01(b) has occurred that makes the Notes eligible for conversion or no longer eligible therefor until the Company has delivered to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent the notices referred to in Section 14.01(b) with respect to the commencement or termination of such conversion rights, on which notices the Trustee and the Conversion Agent may conclusively rely, and the Company agrees to deliver such notices to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent immediately after the occurrence of any such event or at such other times as shall be provided for in Section 14.01(b). In no event shall the Trustee or the Conversion Agent be charged with knowledge of or have any duty to monitor the Stock Price or Measurement Period. The parties agree that all notices to the Trustee or the Conversion Agent under this Article 14 must be in writing.
Section 14.10. Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions. In case of any:
(a) action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries that would require an adjustment in the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04 or Section 14.11;
(b) Share Exchange Event; or
(c) voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
then, in each case (unless notice of such event is otherwise required pursuant to another provision of this Indenture), the Company shall deliver to each Holder, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee), as promptly as possible but in any event at least 20 days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (i) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record are to be determined for the purposes of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) the date on which such Share Exchange Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is expected to become effective or occur, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such Share Exchange Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, Share Exchange Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up.
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Section 14.11. Shareholder Rights Plans. If the Company has a shareholder rights plan in effect upon conversion of the Notes, each share of Common Stock, if any, issued upon such conversion shall be entitled to receive the appropriate number of rights, if any, and the certificates representing the Common Stock issued upon such conversion shall bear such legends, if any, in each case as may be provided by the terms of any such shareholder rights plan, as the same may be amended from time to time. However, if, prior to any conversion of Notes, the rights have separated from the shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable shareholder rights plan, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted at the time of separation as if the Company distributed to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock Distributed Property as provided in Section 14.04(c), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.
Section 14.12. Exchange in Lieu of Conversion.
(a) When a Holder surrenders
its Notes for conversion, the Company may, at its election (an “Exchange Election”), direct the Conversion Agent in
writing to surrender, on or prior to the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date, such Notes to a financial
institution designated by the Company for exchange in lieu of conversion. In order to accept any Notes surrendered for conversion, the
designated institution must agree to timely pay and/or deliver, in exchange for such Notes, cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination
of cash and shares of Common Stock, at the Company’s election, that would otherwise be due upon conversion as described in Section
14.02 (the “Conversion Consideration”). If the Company makes an Exchange Election, the Company shall, by the close
of business on the Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date, notify in writing the Holder surrendering its Notes
for conversion, the Trustee and Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing that the Company has made the Exchange Election
and the Company shall notify the designated institution of the Settlement Method the Company has elected with respect to such conversion
and the relevant deadline for payment and/or delivery of the Conversion Consideration.
(b) If the designated institution accepts any such Notes, it shall pay and/or deliver, as the case may be, the cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof due upon conversion to the Conversion Agent, and the Conversion Agent shall pay and/or deliver such cash and/or shares of Common Stock to such Holder on the third Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date. Any Notes exchanged by the designated institution will remain outstanding, subject to applicable DTC procedures. If the designated institution agrees to accept any Notes for exchange but does not timely pay and/or deliver the related Conversion Consideration, or if such designated institution does not accept the Notes for exchange, the Company shall pay and/or deliver the relevant Conversion Consideration as if the Company had not made an Exchange Election.
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(c) The Company’s designation of a financial institution to which the Notes may be submitted for exchange does not require such institution to accept any Notes. The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into a separate agreement with any designated institution that would compensate it for any such transaction.
ARTICLE 15
REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS
Section 15.01. Repurchase at Option of Holders.
(a) Each Holder shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash on December 8, 2028 (the “Repurchase Date”), all of such Holder’s Notes, or any portion thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000 principal amount, at a repurchase price that is equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Repurchase Date (the “Repurchase Price”); provided that any such accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid not to the Holders submitting the Notes for repurchase on the Repurchase Date but instead to the Holders of such Notes at the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Repurchase Date. Not later than 20 Business Days prior to the Repurchase Date, the Company shall mail a notice (the “Company Notice”) by first class mail to the Trustee, to the Paying Agent, to the Conversion Agent and to each Holder at its address shown in the Note Register of the Note Registrar (and to beneficial owners as required by applicable law). The Company Notice shall include a Form of Repurchase Notice to be completed by a holder and shall state:
(i) the last date on which a Holder may exercise its repurchase right pursuant to this Section 15.01 (the “Repurchase Expiration Time”);
(ii) the Repurchase Price;
(iii) the Repurchase Date;
(iv) the name and address of the Conversion Agent and Paying Agent;
(v) that the Notes with respect to which a Repurchase Notice has been delivered by a Holder may be converted only if the Holder withdraws the Repurchase Notice in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(vi) that the Holder shall have the right to withdraw any Notes surrendered prior to the Repurchase Expiration Time; and
(vii) the procedures a Holder must follow to exercise its repurchase rights under this Section 15.01 and a brief description of those rights.
At the Company’s request, which shall be provided at least three Business Days before such notice is to be sent (or such shorter time period as agreed by the Trustee), the Trustee shall give such notice in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided, however, that, in all cases, the text of such Company Notice shall be prepared by the Company.
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Simultaneously with providing the Company Notice, the Company shall publish a notice containing the information included in the Company Notice in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York or publish such information on the Company’s website or through such other public medium as the Company may use at that time.
Repurchases of Notes under this Section 15.01 shall be made, at the option of the Holder thereof, upon:
(A) delivery to the Paying Agent by the Holder of a duly completed notice (the “Repurchase Notice”) in the form set forth in Attachment 3 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A, if the Notes are Physical Notes, or in compliance with the Depositary’s procedures for surrendering interests in global notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in each case during the period beginning at any time from the open of business on the date that is 20 Business Days prior to the Repurchase Date until the close of business on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Repurchase Date; and
(B) delivery of the Notes, if the Notes are Physical Notes, to the Paying Agent at any time after delivery of the Repurchase Notice (together with all necessary endorsements) at the address of the Paying Agent set forth in the Company Notice, or book-entry transfer of the Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in compliance with the procedures of the Depositary, in each case such delivery being a condition to receipt by the Holder of the Repurchase Price therefor.
Each Repurchase Notice shall state:
(A) in the case of Physical Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be delivered for repurchase;
(B) the portion of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, which must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof; and
(C) that the Notes are to be repurchased by the Company pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Notes and this Indenture;
provided, however, that if the Notes are Global Notes, the Repurchase Notice must comply with appropriate Depositary procedures.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to the Paying Agent the Repurchase Notice contemplated by this Section 15.01 shall have the right to withdraw, in whole or in part, such Repurchase Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Repurchase Date by delivery of a duly completed written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent in accordance with Section 15.03.
The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Repurchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.
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No Repurchase Notice with respect to any Notes may be delivered and no Note may be surrendered for repurchase pursuant to this Section 15.01 by a Holder thereof to the extent such Holder has also delivered a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect to such Note in accordance with Section 15.02 and not validly withdrawn such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with Section 15.03.
Section 15.02. Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change.
(a) If a Fundamental Change
occurs at any time prior to the Maturity Date, each Holder shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company
to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Notes, or any portion thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,
on the date (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Date”) specified by the Company that is not less than 20 Business Days
or more than 35 Business Days following the date of the Fundamental Change Company Notice at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal
amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (the “Fundamental
Change Repurchase Price”), unless the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to
the Interest Payment Date to which such Regular Record Date relates, in which case the Company shall instead pay the full amount of accrued
and unpaid interest to Holders of record as of such Regular Record Date, and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price shall be equal to
100% of the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased pursuant to this Article 15. To the extent that the provisions of any securities
laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture relating to the Company’s obligation to purchase
Notes upon a Fundamental Change, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed
to have breached its obligation under the provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such conflict.
(b) Repurchases of Notes under this Section 15.02 shall be made, at the option of the Holder thereof, upon:
(i) delivery to the Paying Agent by a Holder of a duly completed notice (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice”) in the form set forth in Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A, if the Notes are Physical Notes, or in compliance with the Depositary’s procedures for surrendering interests in Global Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in each case on or before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date; and
(ii) delivery of the Notes, if the Notes are Physical Notes, to the Paying Agent at any time after delivery of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice (together with all necessary endorsements for transfer) at the address of the Paying Agent set forth in the Fundamental Change Company Notice, or book-entry transfer of the Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in compliance with the procedures of the Depositary, in each case such delivery being a condition to receipt by the Holder of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price therefor.
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The Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in respect of any Notes to be repurchased shall state:
(i) in the case of Physical Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be delivered for repurchase;
(ii) the portion of the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased, which must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof; and
(iii) that the Notes are to be repurchased by the Company pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Notes and this Indenture;
provided, however, that if the Notes are Global Notes, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice must comply with appropriate Depositary procedures.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to the Paying Agent the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice contemplated by this Section 15.02 shall have the right to withdraw, in whole or in part, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent in accordance with Section 15.03.
The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.
(c) On or before the 20th Business Day after the occurrence of the effective date of a Fundamental Change, the Company shall provide to all Holders of Notes, the Trustee, the Conversion Agent (in the case of a Conversion Agent other than the Trustee) and the Paying Agent (in the case of a Paying Agent other than the Trustee) a notice (the “Fundamental Change Company Notice”) of the occurrence of the effective date of the Fundamental Change and of the repurchase right at the option of the Holders arising as a result thereof. In the case of Physical Notes, such notice shall be by first class mail or, in the case of Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary. Simultaneously with providing such notice, the Company shall publish such information on the Company’s website or through such other public medium as the Company may use at that time. Each Fundamental Change Company Notice shall specify:
(i) the events causing the Fundamental Change;
(ii) the effective date of the Fundamental Change;
(iii) the last date on which a Holder may exercise the repurchase right pursuant to this Article 15;
(iv) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price;
(v) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date;
(vi) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee), if applicable;
(vii) if applicable, the Conversion Rate and any adjustments to the Conversion Rate;
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(viii) that the Notes with respect to which a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice has been delivered by a Holder may be converted only if the Holder validly withdraws the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and
(ix) the procedures that Holders must follow to require the Company to repurchase their Notes.
No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no defect therein shall limit the Holders’ repurchase rights or affect the validity of the proceedings for the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 15.02.
At the Company’s request, which shall be provided at least three Business Days before such notice is to be sent (or such shorter time period as agreed by the Trustee), the Trustee shall give such notice in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided, however, that, in all cases, the text of such Fundamental Change Company Notice shall be prepared by the Company.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Notes may be repurchased by the Company on any date at the option of the Holders upon a Fundamental Change if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes). The Paying Agent will promptly return to the respective Holders thereof any Physical Notes held by it during the acceleration of the Notes (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes), or any instructions for book-entry transfer of the Notes in compliance with the procedures of the Depositary shall be deemed to have been cancelled, and, upon such return or cancellation, as the case may be, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, the Company shall not be required to purchase, or make an offer to repurchase, the Notes upon a Fundamental Change otherwise required under this Section 15.02 if a third party makes an offer to purchase the Notes in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to such an offer by the Company as if the Company made it, and such third party purchases all Notes properly surrendered and not validly withdrawn under its offer in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to such an offer by the Company.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 15.02, the Company shall not be required to send a Fundamental Change Company Notice, or offer to repurchase or repurchase any Notes, as set forth in this Article 15, in connection with a Fundamental Change occurring pursuant to clause (b)(A) or (B) (or pursuant to clause (a) that also constitutes a Fundamental Change occurring pursuant to clause (b)(A) or (B)) of the definition thereof, if: (i) such Fundamental Change constitutes a Share Exchange Event whose Reference Property consists entirely of cash in U.S. dollars; (ii) immediately after such Fundamental Change, the Notes become convertible (pursuant to Section 14.07 and, if applicable, Section 14.03) into consideration that consists solely of U.S. dollars in an amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes that equals or exceeds the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (calculated assuming that the same includes the maximum amount of accrued but unpaid interest payable as part of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price for such Fundamental Change); and (iii) the Company timely sends the notice relating to such Fundamental Change required pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(iii). Any Fundamental Change with respect to which, in accordance with the provisions described in this Section 15.02(f), the Company is not required to offer to repurchase any Notes is referred to as herein as an “Exempted Fundamental Change.”
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Section 15.03. Withdrawal of Repurchase Notice or Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice.
(a) A Repurchase Notice or Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice may be withdrawn (in whole or in part) by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the address of the Paying Agent set forth in the Company Notice or the Fundamental Change Company Notice, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 15.03 at any time prior to the close of business on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Repurchase Date or prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, as the case may be, specifying:
(i) the principal amount of the Notes with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted,
(ii) if Physical Notes have been issued, the certificate number of the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and
(iii) the principal amount, if any, of such Note that remains subject to the original Repurchase Notice or Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, as the case may be, which portion must be in principal amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000;
provided, however, that if the Notes are Global Notes, the notice must comply with appropriate procedures of the Depositary.
Section 15.04. Deposit of Repurchase Price or Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.
(a) The Company will deposit
with the Paying Agent, (or if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section
4.04) on or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Repurchase Date or Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, as the case may be,
an amount of money sufficient to repurchase all of the Notes to be repurchased at the appropriate Repurchase Price or Fundamental Change
Repurchase Price. Subject to receipt of funds and/or Notes by the Paying Agent, payment for Notes surrendered for repurchase (and not
withdrawn prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Repurchase Date or prior to the close of business
on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date) will be made on the later of (i) the Repurchase Date
or Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, as the case may be (provided the Holder has satisfied the conditions in Section 15.01 or
Section 15.02, as the case may be) and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of such Note to the Paying Agent by the Holder
thereof in the manner required by Section 15.01 or Section 15.02, as applicable, by mailing checks for the amount payable to the Holders of such Notes entitled thereto as they
shall appear in the Note Register; provided, however, that payments to the Depositary shall be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Paying Agent shall, promptly after such payment and upon
written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Repurchase Price or Fundamental Change Repurchase Price,
as the case may be.
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(b) If by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on the Repurchase Date or Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, as the case may be, the Paying Agent holds money sufficient to make payment on all the Notes or portions thereof that are to be repurchased on such Repurchase Date or Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, as the case may be, then, with respect to the Notes that have been properly surrendered for repurchase and have not been validly withdrawn, (i) such Notes will cease to be outstanding, (ii) interest will cease to accrue on such Notes (whether or not book-entry transfer of the Notes has been made or the Notes have been delivered to the Trustee) and (iii) all other rights of the Holders of such Notes will terminate (other than the right to receive the Repurchase Price or Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, as the case may be).
(c) Upon surrender of a Note that is to be repurchased in part pursuant to Section 15.01 or Section 15.02, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder a new Note in an authorized denomination equal in principal amount to the unrepurchased portion of the Note surrendered.
Section 15.05. Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes. In connection with any repurchase offer, the Company will, if required:
(a) comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4, Rule 14e-1 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act;
(b) file a Schedule TO or any other required schedule under the Exchange Act; and
(c) otherwise comply with all federal and state securities laws in connection with any offer by the Company to repurchase the Notes;
in each case, so as to permit the rights and obligations under this Article 15 to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified in this Article 15.
To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations enacted or adopted after the date of this Indenture conflict with the provisions of this Indenture relating to the Company’s obligations to repurchase the Notes upon a Fundamental Change, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under such provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such conflict.
ARTICLE 16
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
Section 16.01. Optional Redemption. No sinking fund is provided for the Notes. The Notes shall not be redeemable by the Company prior to December 8, 2028. On or after December 8, 2028 and prior to the 21st Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, the Company may redeem (an “Optional Redemption”) for cash all or any portion of the Notes (subject to the Partial Redemption Limitation), at the Redemption Price, if the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock has been at least 130% of the Conversion Price then in effect for at least 20 Trading Days (whether or not consecutive), including the Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides a Redemption Notice, during any 30 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides the Redemption Notice in accordance with Section 16.02.
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Section 16.02. Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes.
(a) In case the Company exercises
its Optional Redemption right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Notes pursuant to Section 16.01, it shall fix a date
for redemption (each, a “Redemption Date”) and it or, at its written request received by the Trustee not less than
5 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Redemption Date (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee), the Trustee,
in the name of and at the expense of the Company, shall deliver or cause to be delivered a notice of such Optional Redemption (a “Redemption
Notice”) not less than 30 nor more than 40 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes so to
be redeemed as a whole or in part; provided, however, that, if the Company shall give such notice, it shall also give written
notice of the Redemption Date to the Trustee and the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee). However, if in accordance with Section
14.02(a)(iii) the Company elects to settle all conversions with a Conversion Date that occurs on or after the date of the Redemption Notice
and before the related Redemption Date by Physical Settlement, or if Physical Settlement otherwise applies as a result of the Company’s
irrevocable election of a Settlement Method pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(iii)(B), then the Company may instead provide such Redemption
Notice not less than 30 nor more than 45 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date. The Redemption Date must be a Business Day.
(b) The Redemption Notice, if delivered in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such Redemption Notice by mail or any defect in the Redemption Notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note.
(c) Each Redemption Notice shall specify:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price;
(iii) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each Note to be redeemed, and that interest thereon, if any, shall cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;
(iv) the place or places where such Notes are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;
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(v) that Holders may surrender their Notes for conversion at any time prior to the close of business on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date;
(vi) the procedures a converting Holder must follow to convert its Notes and the Settlement Method and Specified Dollar Amount, if applicable;
(vii) the Conversion Rate and, if applicable, the number of Additional Shares added to the Conversion Rate in accordance with Section 14.03;
(viii) the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if any, assigned to such Notes; and
(ix) in case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof shall be issued.
At the Company’s request which shall be provided at least three Business Days before such notice is to be sent (or such shorter time period as agreed by the Trustee), the Trustee shall give such notice in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided, however, that, in all cases, the text of such Redemption Notice shall be prepared by the Company. A Redemption Notice shall be irrevocable. A Redemption Notice may, at the Company’s discretion, state that such redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent. In addition, if a Redemption Notice is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such Redemption Notice may state that, in the Company’s discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such Redemption Notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion) by the Redemption Date (whether the original Redemption Date or the Redemption Date so delayed).
(d) If the Company elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Notes, at least $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes must be outstanding and not subject to Optional Redemption as of the time the Company delivers, and after giving effect to the delivery of, the Redemption Notice (such requirement, the “Partial Redemption Limitation”). If fewer than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed and the Notes to be redeemed are Global Notes, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Depositary in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary. If fewer than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed and the Notes to be redeemed are not Global Notes, the Trustee shall select the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $1,000 or multiples thereof) by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the Trustee considers to be fair and appropriate. If any Note selected for partial redemption by the Trustee (or the Depositary, with respect to Global Notes) is submitted for conversion in part after such selection, the portion of the Note submitted for conversion shall be deemed (so far as may be possible) to be the portion selected for redemption, subject, in the case of Notes represented by a Global Note, to the Depositary’s applicable procedures.
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Section 16.03. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption.
(a) If any Redemption Notice has been given in respect of the Notes in accordance with Section 16.02, the Notes shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date at the place or places stated in the Redemption Notice and at the applicable Redemption Price. On presentation and surrender of the Notes at the place or places stated in the Redemption Notice, the Notes shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price.
(b) Prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent or, if the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company is acting as the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 7.05 an amount of cash (in immediately available funds if deposited on the Redemption Date), sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of all of the Notes to be redeemed on such Redemption Date. Subject to receipt of funds by the Paying Agent, payment for the Notes to be redeemed shall be made on the Redemption Date for such Notes. The Paying Agent shall, promptly after such payment and upon written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Redemption Price. Upon surrender of a Note that is to be redeemed in part pursuant to Section 16.01, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder a new Note in an authorized denomination equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
Section 16.04. Restrictions on Redemption. The Company may not redeem any Notes if the Redemption Date would fall after the Maturity Date. In addition, no Notes may be redeemed on any date if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to the Redemption Date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Redemption Price with respect to such Notes).
ARTICLE 17
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 17.01. Provisions Binding on Company’s Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the Company contained in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.
Section 17.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or Officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any corporation or other entity that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Company.
Section 17.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc. Any notice or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders on the Company shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company with the Trustee) to 111 Congress Avenue, Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701. Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be in writing (including facsimile or electronic communications in PDF format). Notices by certified or registered mails shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed to the Corporate Trust Office. Notice to the Trustee by electronic mail shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if sent to the Corporate Trust Office or such other address as the Trustee may from time to time designate in writing to the Company the Holders absent receipt of a failure to deliver notice.
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The Trustee, by notice to the Company, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication delivered or to be delivered to a Holder of Physical Notes shall be mailed to it by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the Note Register and shall be sufficiently given to it if so mailed within the time prescribed. Any notice or communication delivered or to be delivered to a Holder of Global Notes shall be delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary and shall be sufficiently given to it if so delivered within the time prescribed. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any Redemption Notice, Company Notice or Fundamental Change Company Notice) to a Holder of a Global Note (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 the Depositary’s applicable procedures.
Failure to mail or deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or delivered, as the case may be, in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon any notice, instruction, or other communication, including any funds transfer instruction, (each, a “Notice”) received pursuant to this Agreement by electronic transmission (including by e-mail, facsimile transmission, web portal or other electronic methods) and shall not have any duty to confirm that the person sending such Notice is, in fact, a person authorized to do so. Electronic signatures believed by the Trustee to comply with the ESIGN Act of 2000 or other applicable law (including electronic images of handwritten signatures and digital signatures provided by DocuSign, Orbit, Adobe Sign or any other digital signature provider identified by any other party hereto and acceptable to the Trustee) shall be deemed original signatures for all purposes. Each other party to this Agreement assumes all risks arising out of the use of electronic signatures and electronic methods to send Notices to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on an unauthorized Notice and the risk of interception or misuse by third parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee may in any instance and in its sole discretion require that a Notice in the form of an original document bearing a manual signature be delivered to the Trustee in lieu of, or in addition to, any such electronic Notice.
Section 17.04. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. THIS INDENTURE AND EACH NOTE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS INDENTURE AND EACH NOTE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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The Company irrevocably consents and agrees, for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Notes and the Trustee, that any legal action, suit or proceeding against it with respect to obligations, liabilities or any other matter arising out of or in connection with this Indenture or the Notes may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, New York and, until amounts due and to become due in respect of the Notes have been paid, hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in personam, generally and unconditionally with respect to any action, suit or proceeding for itself in respect of its properties, assets and revenues.
The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Indenture brought in the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, New York and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Section 17.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and/or Opinion of Counsel stating that such action is permitted by the terms of this Indenture.
Each Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel provided for, by or on behalf of the Company in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act § 314(e) and shall include (a) a statement that the person signing such certificate has read such covenant or condition; (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement contained in such certificate is based; (c) a statement that, in the judgment of such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed judgment as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the judgment of such person, such covenant or condition has been complied with; provided that no Opinion of Counsel shall be required to be delivered in connection with (1) the original issuance of Notes on the date hereof under this Indenture, (2) the mandatory exchange of the restricted CUSIP of the Restricted Securities to an unrestricted CUSIP pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depositary upon the Notes becoming freely tradable by non-Affiliates of the Company under Rule 144 unless a new Note is to be authenticated, or (3) a request by the Company that the Trustee deliver a notice to Holders under this Indenture where the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate with respect to such notice. With respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 17.05, if any provision in this Indenture specifically provides that the Trustee shall or may receive an Opinion of Counsel in connection with any action to be taken by the Trustee or the Company hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to, or entitled to request, such Opinion of Counsel.
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Section 17.06. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, any Redemption Date or the Maturity Date is not a Business Day, then any action to be taken on such date need not be taken on such date, but may be taken on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if taken on such date, and no interest shall accrue in respect of the delay.
Section 17.07. No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction.
Section 17.08. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the Holders, the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, any Custodian, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 17.09. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The table of contents and the titles 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.
Section 17.10. Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Section 2.04, Section 2.05, Section 2.06, Section 2.07, Section 10.04 and Section 15.04 as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes “by the Trustee” and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 7.08.
Any corporation or other entity into which any authenticating agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation or other entity is otherwise eligible under this Section 17.10, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation or other entity.
Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor authenticating agent (which may be the Trustee), shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall deliver notice of such appointment to all Holders.
103
The Company agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services although the Company may terminate the authenticating agent, if it determines such agent’s fees to be unreasonable.
The provisions of Section 7.02, Section 7.03, Section 7.04, Section 8.03 and this Section 17.10 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.
If an authenticating agent is appointed pursuant to this Section 17.10, the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
_________________________________,
as Authenticating Agent, certifies that this is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.
By:_______________________________
Authorized Signatory
Section 17.11. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, PDF or other electronic 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 17.12. Severability. In the event any provision of this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
Section 17.13. 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 ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 17.14. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
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Section 17.15. Calculations. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Company shall be responsible for making all calculations called for under the Notes. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the Trading Price, the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock, the Daily VWAPs, the Daily Conversion Values, the Daily Settlement Amounts, accrued interest payable on the Notes and the Conversion Rate. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for making any calculations with respect to Bitcoin, including the Average Bitcoin Price, the Average Closing Bitcoin Price and the Bitcoin Price. The Company shall make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, the Company’s calculations shall be final and binding on Holders of Notes, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent. The Company shall provide a schedule of its calculations to each of the Trustee and the Conversion Agent, and each of the Trustee and Conversion Agent is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification (and neither the Trustee nor the Conversion Agent shall have any responsibility for such calculations). The Trustee will forward the Company’s calculations to any Holder of Notes upon the written request of that Holder at the sole cost and expense of the Company.
Section 17.16. USA PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA 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 parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.
Section 17.17. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or with another provision (an “incorporated provision”) included in this Indenture by operation of, Sections 310 to 317 of the Trust Indenture Act, inclusive, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
| TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Steven Meehan | ||
| Name: | Steven Meehan | ||
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee |
|||
| By: | /s/ Bradley E. Scarbrough | ||
| Name: | Bradley E. Scarbrough | ||
| Title: | Vice President | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| ANCHORAGE DIGITAL BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent | |||
| By: | /s/ Rachel Anderika | ||
| Name: | Rachel Anderika | ||
| Title: | Bank COO | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
[INCLUDE FOLLOWING LEGEND IF A GLOBAL NOTE]
THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK, IF ANY, ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE ISSUE DATE HEREOF OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:
(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, OR
(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND IS EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER, OR
(C) TO A PERSON THAT YOU REASONABLY BELIEVE TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR
(D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT; OR
(E) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(E) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
A-1
Twenty One Capital, Inc.
1.00% Convertible Senior Note due 2030
| No. 144A-1 | Initially $[●]3 |
CUSIP No. 90138L AB5
Twenty One Capital, Inc., a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Texas (the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation or other entity under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum as set forth in the "Schedule of Exchanges of Notes" attached hereto, which amount, taken together with the principal amounts of all other outstanding Notes, shall not, unless permitted by the Indenture, exceed $[●] in aggregate at any time, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary, on December 1, 2030 and interest thereon as set forth below.
This Note shall bear interest at the rate of 1.00% per year from December 8, 2025 or from the most recent date to which interest had been paid or provided for to, but excluding, the next scheduled Interest Payment Date until December 1, 2030. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each June 15 and December 15, commencing on June 15, 2026, to Holders of record at the close of business on the preceding June 1 and December 1 (whether or not such day is a Business Day), respectively. Additional Interest will be payable as set forth in Section 6.03 of the within-mentioned Indenture, and any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note therein shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to Section 6.03, and any express mention of the payment of Additional Interest in any provision therein shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions thereof where such express mention is not made.
Any Defaulted Amounts shall accrue interest per annum at the rate borne by the Notes from, and including, the relevant payment date to, but excluding, the date on which such Defaulted Amounts shall have been paid by the Company, at its election, in accordance with Section 2.03(c) of the Indenture.
The Company shall pay or cause the Paying Agent to pay the principal of and interest on this Note, if and so long as such Note is a Global Note, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of such Note. As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Company shall pay the principal of any Notes (other than Notes that are Global Notes) at the office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose. The Company has initially designated the Trustee as its Paying Agent and Note Registrar in respect of the Notes and its Corporate Trust Office located in the United States of America, as a place where Notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer and exchange.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, including, without limitation, provisions giving the Holder of this Note the right to convert this Note into cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, on the terms and subject to the limitations set forth in the Indenture. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Note, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Note, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.
In the case of any conflict between this Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control and govern.
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
A-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed.
| TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
A-3
Dated:
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signatory |
A-4
[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC.
1.00% Convertible Senior Note due 2030
This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company, designated as its 1.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030 (the "Notes"), limited to the aggregate principal amount of $[●], all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of [●] (the "Indenture"), between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association as trustee (the "Trustee") and Anchorage Digital Bank, N.A., as collateral agent (the "Collateral Agent"), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, the Company and the Holders of the Notes. Additional Notes may be issued in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture. Capitalized terms used in this Note and not defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Indenture.
In case certain Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of, and interest on, all Notes may be declared, by either the Trustee or Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, and upon said declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions and certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, the Company will make all payments and deliveries in respect of the Repurchase Price on the Repurchase Date, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Redemption Price on the relevant Redemption Date and the principal amount on the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the Holder who surrenders a Note to a Paying Agent to collect such payments in respect of the Note. The Company will pay cash amounts in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee in certain circumstances, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, and in certain other circumstances, with the consent of the Holders of at least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, evidenced as in the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures modifying the terms of the Indenture and the Notes as described therein. It is also provided in the Indenture that, subject to certain exceptions, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences.
Each Holder shall have the right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of (x) the principal (including the Redemption Price, the Repurchase Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, (y) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, and (z) the consideration due upon conversion of, this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the lawful money or shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, herein prescribed.
The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof. At the office or agency of the Company referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, without payment of any service charge but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer or similar tax that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such exchange of Notes being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such exchange.
A-5
The Notes shall be redeemable at the Company's option on or after June 8, 2028 in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions specified in the Indenture. No sinking fund is provided for the Notes.
Upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change (other than an Exempted Fundamental Change) prior to the Maturity Date, the Holder has the right, at such Holder's option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder's Notes or any portion thereof (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof) on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date at a price equal to the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.
The Holder has the right, at such Holder's option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder's Notes or any portion thereof (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof) on June 8, 2028 at a price equal to the Repurchase Price.
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder hereof has the right, at its option, during certain periods and upon the occurrence of certain conditions specified in the Indenture, prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, to convert any Notes or portion thereof that is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, into cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, at the Conversion Rate specified in the Indenture, as adjusted from time to time as provided in the Indenture.
A-6
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM = as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT = Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
CUST = Custodian
TEN ENT = as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN = joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
A-7
SCHEDULE A
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF NOTES
TWENTY ONE CAPITAL, INC.
1.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is [_______] DOLLARS ($[_________]). The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
| Date of exchange | Amount of decrease in principal amount of this Global Note | Amount of increase in principal amount of this Global Note | Principal amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase | Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee or Custodian | |||||
A-8
ATTACHMENT 1
[FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION]
To: U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Conversion Agent
633 West 5th Street, 24th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby exercises the option to convert this Note, or the portion hereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, into cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Note, and directs that any cash payable and any shares of Common Stock issuable and deliverable upon such conversion, together with any cash for any fractional share, and any Notes representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered Holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below. If any shares of Common Stock or any portion of this Note not converted are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes, if any in accordance with Section 14.02(d) and Section 14.02(e) of the Indenture. Any amount required to be paid to the undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Note. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture, governing this Note.
| Dated: | ||
| Signature(s) | ||
| Signature Guarantee | ||
| Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible Guarantor Institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15 if shares of Common Stock are to be issued, or Notes are to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder. |
| Fill in for registration of shares if to be issued, and Notes if to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder: | |
(Name) |
|
(Street Address) |
|
| (City, State and Zip Code) Please print name and address |
|
| Principal amount to be converted (if less than all): $______,000 | |
| NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever. | |
| Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number |
ATTACHMENT 2
[FORM OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE REPURCHASE NOTICE]
To: U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Paying Agent
633 West 5th Street, 24th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from Twenty One Capital, Inc. (the "Company") as to the occurrence of a Fundamental Change with respect to the Company and specifying the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and requests and instructs the Company to pay to the registered holder hereof in accordance with Section 15.02 of the Indenture referred to in this Note (1) the entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, and (2) if such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date does not fall during the period after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture, governing this Note.
In the case of Physical Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be repurchased are as set forth below:
| Dated: | |
| Signature(s) | |
| Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number | |
| Principal amount to be repurchased (if less than all): $______,000 | |
| NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever. |
ATTACHMENT 3
[FORM OF REPURCHASE NOTICE]
To: Twenty One Capital, Inc.
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Paying Agent
633 West 5th Street, 24th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from Twenty One Capital, Inc.(the "Company") regarding the right of Holders to elect to require the Company to repurchase the entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture referred to in this Note, at the Repurchase Price to the registered Holder hereof. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.
In the case of certificated Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be purchased are as set forth below:
Certificate Number(s): __________________
| Dated: | |
| Signature(s) | |
| Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number | |
| Principal amount to be repurchased (if less than all): $______,000 | |
| NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever. |
ATTACHMENT 4
[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER]
For value received ____________________________ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto _________________ (Please insert social security or Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Note, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints _____________________ attorney to transfer the said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.
[In connection with any transfer of the within Note occurring prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, as defined in the Indenture governing such Note, the undersigned confirms that such Note is being transferred:]
☐ To Twenty One Capital, Inc. or a subsidiary thereof; or
☐ Pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or
☐ Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or
☐ Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
| Dated: _______________ | |
| Signature(s) | |
| Signature Guarantee |
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible Guarantor Institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15 if Notes are to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder.
NOTICE: The signature on the assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
Exhibit 5.1
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom llp
1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 6800 Houston, Texas 77002-5026 --------- TEL: (713) 655-5100 FAX: (713) 655-5200 www.skadden.com |
FIRM/AFFILIATE OFFICES ----------- BOSTON CHICAGO LOS ANGELES NEW YORK PALO ALTO WASHINGTON, D.C. WILMINGTON ----------- | |
| January 5, 2026 | ABU DHABI BEIJING BRUSSELS FRANKFURT HONG KONG LONDON MUNICH PARIS SÃO PAULO SEOUL SINGAPORE TOKYO TORONTO |
Twenty One Capital, Inc.
111 Congress Avenue, Suite 500
Austin, Texas 78701
| Re: | Twenty One Capital, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Twenty One Capital, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the resale by certain selling securityholders named therein (the “Selling Securityholders”) from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of (i) up to $486,500,000 aggregate principal amount of 1.00% convertible senior notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) issued by the Company to the Selling Securityholders pursuant to (w) the indenture, dated as of December 8, 2025 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association as trustee and Anchorage Digital Bank, N.A., as collateral agent, (x) (A) subscription agreements, dated as of April 22, 2025 (the “PIPE Investor Subscription Agreements”), among the Company, Cantor Equity Partners, Inc. (“CEP”), and the investors party thereto and (B) the subscription agreement, dated as of May 22, 2025 (the “Sponsor Subscription Agreement” and, together with the PIPE Investor Subscription Agreements, the “Subscription Agreements”), among the Company, CEP and Cantor EP Holdings, LLC (the “Sponsor”), (y) the securities exchange agreement, dated as of December 8, 2025, among the Company and the Sponsor (the “Securities Exchange Agreement”), and (z) the letter agreement, dated as of April 22, 2025, among Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., CEP and the Company, as amended by the engagement letter, dated as of June 25, 2025 (the “Engagement Letter”) among Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., CEP and the Company, and (ii) up to 35,068,912 shares of Class A common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, initially issuable upon conversion of the Notes (the “Conversion Shares” and, together with the Notes, the “Securities”).
Twenty One Capital, Inc.
January 5, 2026
Page 2
This opinion letter is being furnished in accordance with the re quirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:
(a) the Registration Statement;
(b) an executed copy of the Indenture;
(c) the global certificate evidencing the Notes executed by the Company and registered in the name of Cede & Co. (the “Note Certificate”);
(d) executed copies of the Subscription Agreements;
(e) an executed copy of the Securities Exchange Agreement;
(f) an executed copy of the Engagement Letter;
(g) an executed copy of a certificate of Steven Meehan, Secretary of the Company, dated as of January 5, 2026 (the “Secretary’s Certificate”);
(h) a copy of the Company’s Certificate of Formation, certified by the Texas Secretary of State as of January 5, 2026, and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate, as being in effect on the date of the resolutions referred to below;
(i) a copy of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation, certified by the Texas Secretary of State as of January 5, 2026 (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation”), and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate, as being in effect as of the date hereof;
(j) a copy of the Company’s By-laws, as in effect as of the date of the resolutions referred to below, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;
(k) a copy of the Company’s Amended and Restated By-laws, as in effect as of January 5, 2026, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate, and as of the date hereof; and
(l) copies of certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company, adopted on December 8, 2025, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate.
We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.
Twenty One Capital, Inc.
January 5, 2026
Page 3
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials, including the facts and conclusions set forth in the Secretary’s Certificate and the factual representations and warranties contained in the Subscription Agreements, the Securities Exchange Agreement and the Engagement Letter.
We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than (i) the laws, of the State of New York and (ii) the Texas For-Profit Corporation Law (the “TFPCL”) (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on Law”).
As used herein, (a) “Transaction Documents” means the Indenture, the Note Certificate, the Subscription Agreements, the Securities Exchange Agreement and the Engagement Letter and (b) “Organizational Documents” means those documents listed in paragraphs (h) through (k) above.
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Note Certificate constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms under the laws of the State of New York.
2. The Conversion Shares have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the TFPCL and, when issued upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
The opinions stated herein are subject to the following assumptions and qualifications:
(a) we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws or governmental orders affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the opinions stated herein are limited by such laws and governmental orders and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);
Twenty One Capital, Inc.
January 5, 2026
Page 4
(b) we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;
(c) except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, we have assumed that each of the Transaction Documents constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction Document, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms;
(d) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Document relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release, limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent any such provision purports to, or has the effect of, waiving or altering any statute of limitations;
(e) the opinions stated herein are limited to the agreements and documents specifically identified in the opinions contained herein (the “Specified Documents”) without regard to any agreement or other document referenced in any such Specified Document (including agreements or other documents incorporated by reference or attached or annexed thereto) and without regard to any other agreement or document relating to any such Specified Document that is not a Transaction Document;
(f) we call to your attention that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Document, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the availability of such court as a forum for resolution of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any action arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document;
(g) to the extent that any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Document, the opinions stated herein are subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General Obligations Law Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 and (ii) principles of comity and constitutionality;
(h) in rendering the opinion set forth in paragraph 2 above, we have assumed that the Company’s authorized capital stock is as set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation, and we have relied solely on the certified copy thereof issued by the Texas Secretary of State and have not made any other inquiries or investigations;
Twenty One Capital, Inc.
January 5, 2026
Page 5
(i) we have assumed that the Company’s issuance of the Conversion Shares does not and will not (i) except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, violate any statute to which the Company or such issuance is subject, or (ii) constitute a violation of, or a breach under, or require the consent or approval of any other person under, any agreement or instrument binding on the Company (except that we do not make this assumption with respect to the Organizational Documents although we have assumed compliance with any covenant, restriction or provision with respect to financial ratios or tests or any aspect of the financial condition or results of operations of the Company contained in such agreements or instruments) and that the Company will continue to have sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock;
(j) in rendering the opinion set forth in paragraph 2 above, we have assumed that the Conversion Price (as defined in the Indenture) will be at least equal to the par value of the Conversion Shares at the time of conversion;
(k) we do not express any opinion with respect to the creation, perfection or priority of any security interest;
(l) in connection with rendering the opinion set forth in paragraph 2, we draw your attention to Section 630 of the New York Business Corporation Law (the “NYBCL”). Section 630 may impose liability for unpaid debts, wages or salaries owing to any laborers, servants or employees other than contractors for services performed by them on the ten largest shareholders of (i) corporations organized under the laws of the State of New York or (ii) corporations organized under the laws of other jurisdictions when the unpaid services were performed in the State of New York. NYBCL § 630 does not apply to a corporation that has shares listed on a national securities exchange or regularly quoted in an over-the-counter market. We have assumed that § 630 of the NYBCL does not presently apply to the Company and that such section will continue to be inapplicable to the Company;
(m) we do not express any opinion whether the execution or delivery of any Transaction Document by the Company, or the performance by the Company of its obligations under any Transaction Document will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any covenant, restriction or provision with respect to financial ratios or tests or any aspect of the financial condition or results of operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and
(n) this opinion letter shall be interpreted in accordance with customary practice of United States lawyers who regularly give opinions in transactions of this type.
In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have further assumed that, at all applicable times:
(a) the Company (i) was duly formed and was validly existing, (ii) had requisite legal status and legal capacity under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (iii) has complied and will comply with all aspects of the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization in connection with the transactions contemplated by, and the performance of its obligations under, the Transaction Documents;
Twenty One Capital, Inc.
January 5, 2026
Page 6
(b) the Company had the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform all its obligations under each of the Transaction Documents;
(c) each of the Transaction Documents had been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company;
(d) the Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;
(e) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the Securities: (i) conflicted or will conflict with the Organizational Documents, (ii) constituted or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (ii) with respect to those agreements or instruments expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York which are listed in Part II of the Registration Statement), (iii) contravened or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject, or (iv) violated or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iv) with respect to the Opined-on Law); and
(f) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the Securities, required or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.
We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of and is included in the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement being filed on the date hereof. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion letter is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated March 28, 2025 relating to the financial statements of Cantor Equity Partners, Inc., as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for the years then ended, which is contained in that Prospectus.
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
New York, New York
January 5, 2026
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated July 2, 2025, relating to the financial statements of Twenty One Assets, LLC (the “Company”) as of April 30, 2025 and for the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to April 30, 2025, which includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, appearing in the Company’s financial statements for the period from April 17, 2025 (inception) to April 30, 2025.
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
East Brunswick, New Jersey
January 5, 2026
Exhibit 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated September 9, 2025, relating to the consolidated financial statements of the Twenty One Capital, Inc. (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2025 and for the period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to June 30, 2025, which includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, appearing in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the period from March 7, 2025 (inception) to June 30, 2025.
We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
East Brunswick, New Jersey
January 5, 2026
Exhibit 25.1
securities and exchange commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
Statement of Eligibility Under
The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of a
Corporation Designated to Act as Trustee
Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of
a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) ☐
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)
91-1821036
I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
|
800 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota |
55402 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Bradley E. Scarbrough
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
633 West 5th Street, 24th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 615-6047
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Twenty One Capital, Inc.
(Issuer with respect to the Securities)
| Texas | 39-2506682 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
111 Congress Avenue, Suite 500 Austin, TX |
78701 | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Debt Securities
(Title of the Indenture Securities)
FORM T-1
| Item 1. | GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee. |
| a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of the Currency
Washington, D.C.
| b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
Yes
| Item 2. | AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation. |
None
| Items 3-15 | Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee. |
| Item 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification. |
| 1. | A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 1. |
| 2. | A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2. |
| 3. | A copy of the authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, included as Exhibit 2. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 4. |
| 5. | A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6. |
| 7. | Report of Condition of the Trustee as of March 31, 2025, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Los Angeles, State of California on the 5th of January 2026.
| By: | /s/ Bradley E. Scarbrough | |
| Bradley E. Scarbrough | ||
| Vice President |
Exhibit 1
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
U. S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association (the “Association”) to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned enter into the following Articles of Association:
FIRST. The title of this Association shall be U. S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the Association shall be in the city of Portland, county of Multnomah, state of Oregon. The business of the Association will be limited to fiduciary powers and the support of activities incidental to the exercise of those powers. The Association may not expand or alter its business beyond that stated in this article without the prior approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.
THIRD. The board of directors of the Association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, the exact number to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the Association or of a holding company owning the Association, with an aggregate par, fair market, or equity value of not less than $1,000, as of either (i) the date of purchase, (ii) the date the person became a director, or (iii) the date of that person’s most recent election to the board of directors, whichever is more recent. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the Association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may increase the number of directors up to the maximum permitted by law. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the Association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determined the number of directors of the Association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the Bylaws, or if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the Association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases, at least 10 days’ advance notice of the meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
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In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares he or she owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the Association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by the shareholders at a meeting called to remove him or her, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove him or her is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect him or her under cumulative voting is voted against his or her removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of the Association shall be 1,000,000 shares of common stock of the par value of ten dollars ($10) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States. The Association shall have only one class of capital stock.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the Association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the Association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the Association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix.
Transfers of the Association’s stock are subject to the prior written approval of a federal depository institution regulatory agency. If no other agency approval is required, the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency must be obtained prior to any such transfers.
Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the Articles of Association must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
-2-
Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval.
Unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
The Association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether subordinated, which may be issued by the Association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this Association and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the Association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this Association. A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the Bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| (1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the Association. |
| (2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the Association. |
| (3) | Fix the compensation and enter employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| (4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| (5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| (6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the Association’s management or committees of the board. |
| (7) | Regulate the manner any increase or decrease of the capital of the Association shall be made; provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the Association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
-3-
| (8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. |
| (9) | Adopt initial Bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the Articles of Association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the Association. |
| (10) | Amend or repeal Bylaws, except to the extent that the Articles of Association reserve this power in whole or in part to the shareholders. |
| (11) | Make contracts. |
| (12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any authorized branch within the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of the Association for a location outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, but not more than thirty miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any office or offices of the Association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this Association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of the Association, or any shareholder owning, in the aggregate, not less than 25 percent of the stock of the Association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws or the laws of the United States, or waived by shareholders, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed at least 10, and no more than 60, days prior to the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record at his/her address as shown upon the books of the Association. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. These Articles of Association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount; provided, that the scope of the Association’s activities and services may not be expanded without the prior written approval of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the Articles of Association for submission to the shareholders.
-4-
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 11th of June, 1997.
| /s/ Jeffrey T. Grubb | |
| Jeffrey T. Grubb | |
| /s/ Robert D. Sznewajs | |
| Robert D. Sznewajs | |
| /s/ Dwight V. Board | |
| Dwight V. Board | |
| /s/ P.K. Chatterjee | |
| P.K. Chatterjee | |
| /s/ Robert Lane | |
| Robert Lane |
-5-
Exhibit 2
CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND FIDUCIARY POWERS
I, Michael J. Hsu, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that:
1. The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations.
2. “U.S. Bank Trust National Association,” Wilmington, Delaware (Charter No. 24090), is a national banking association formed under the laws of the United States and is authorized thereunder to transact the business of banking and exercise fiduciary powers on the date of this certificate.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today, February 20, 2024, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia.
| /s/ Michael J. Hsu | |
| Acting Comptroller of the Currency |
2024-00560-C
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Exhibit 4
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1.1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders, for the election of directors and the transaction of any other proper business, shall be held at a time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. Notice of such meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days prior to the date thereof, to each shareholder of the Association, unless the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) determines that an emergency circumstance exists. In accordance with applicable law, the sole shareholder of the Association is permitted to waive notice of the meeting. If, for any reason, an election of directors is not made on the designated day, the election shall be held on some subsequent day, as soon thereafter as practicable, with prior notice thereof. Failure to hold an annual meeting as required by these Bylaws shall not affect the validity of any corporate action or work a forfeiture or dissolution of the Association.
Section 1.2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specially provided by law, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose, at any time by a majority of the board of directors (the “Board”), or by any shareholder or group of shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding stock.
Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called upon not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
Section 1.3. Nominations for Directors. Nominations for election to the Board may be made by the Board or by any shareholder.
Section 1.4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting and any adjournments of such meeting and shall be filed with the records of the meeting.
Section 1.5. Record Date. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting will be thirty days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise determined by the Board.
Section 1.6. Quorum and Voting. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Association.
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Section 1.7. Inspectors. The Board may, and in the event of its failure so to do, the Chairman of the Board may appoint Inspectors of Election who shall determine the presence of quorum, the validity of proxies, and the results of all elections and all other matters voted upon by shareholders at all annual and special meetings of shareholders.
Section 1.8. Waiver and Consent. The shareholders may act without notice or a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all shareholders.
Section 1.9. Remote Meetings. The Board shall have the right to determine that a shareholder meeting not be held at a place, but instead be held solely by means of remote communication in the manner and to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 2.1. Board of Directors. The Board shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the Association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board.
Section 2.2. Term of Office. The directors of this Association shall hold office for one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Section 2.3. Powers. In addition to the foregoing, the Board shall have and may exercise all of the powers granted to or conferred upon it by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws and by law.
Section 2.4. Number. As provided in the Articles of Association, the Board of this Association shall consist of no less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the Association from the twenty-five- member limit. The Board shall consist of a number of members to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of the Board or the shareholders at any meeting thereof, in accordance with the Articles of Association. Between meetings of the shareholders held for the purpose of electing directors, the Board by a majority vote of the full Board may increase the size of the Board but not to more than a total of twenty-five directors, and fill any vacancy so created in the Board; provided that the Board may increase the number of directors only by up to two directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was fifteen or fewer, and by up to four directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was sixteen or more. Each director shall own a qualifying equity interest in the Association or a company that has control of the Association in each case as required by applicable law. Each director shall own such qualifying equity interest in his or her own right and meet any minimum threshold ownership required by applicable law.
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Section 2.5. Organization Meeting. The newly elected Board shall meet for the purpose of organizing the new Board and electing and appointing such officers of the Association as may be appropriate. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within thirty days thereafter, at such time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum present, the directors present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum is obtained.
Section 2.6. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the Board shall be held, without notice, as the Chairman or President may designate and deem suitable.
Section 2.7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time, at any place and for any purpose by the Chairman of the Board or the President of the Association, or upon the request of a majority of the entire Board. Notice of every special meeting of the Board shall be given to the directors at their usual places of business, or at such other addresses as shall have been furnished by them for the purpose. Such notice shall be given at least twelve hours (three hours if meeting is to be conducted by conference telephone) before the meeting by telephone or by being personally delivered, mailed, or electronically delivered. Such notice need not include a statement of the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.
Section 2.8. Quorum and Necessary Vote. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board, except when otherwise provided by law; but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Unless otherwise provided by law or the Articles or Bylaws of this Association, once a quorum is established, any act by a majority of those directors present and voting shall be the act of the Board.
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Section 2.9. Written Consent. Except as otherwise required by applicable laws and regulations, the Board may act without a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all directors, to be filed with the Secretary of the Association as part of the corporate records.
Section 2.10. Remote Meetings. Members of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone, video or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 2.11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, the remaining members of the Board may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the Board, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 3.1. Advisory Board of Directors. The Board may appoint persons, who need not be directors, to serve as advisory directors on an advisory board of directors established with respect to the business affairs of either this Association alone or the business affairs of a group of affiliated organizations of which this Association is one. Advisory directors shall have such powers and duties as may be determined by the Board, provided, that the Board’s responsibility for the business and affairs of this Association shall in no respect be delegated or diminished.
Section 3.2. Trust Audit Committee. At least once during each calendar year, the Association shall arrange for a suitable audit (by internal or external auditors) of all significant fiduciary activities under the direction of its trust audit committee, a function that will be fulfilled by the Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association. The Association shall note the results of the audit (including significant actions taken as a result of the audit) in the minutes of the Board. In lieu of annual audits, the Association may adopt a continuous audit system in accordance with 12 C.F.R. § 9.9(b).
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The Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association, fulfilling the function of the trust audit committee:
(1) Must not include any officers of the Association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the Association’s fiduciary activities; and
(2) Must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the Association.
Section 3.3. Executive Committee. The Board may appoint an Executive Committee which shall consist of at least three directors and which shall have, and may exercise, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all the powers of the Board between meetings of the Board or otherwise when the Board is not meeting.
Section 3.4. Trust Management Committee. The Board of this Association shall appoint a Trust Management Committee to provide oversight of the fiduciary activities of the Association. The Trust Management Committee shall determine policies governing fiduciary activities. The Trust Management Committee or such sub-committees, officers or others as may be duly designated by the Trust Management Committee shall oversee the processes related to fiduciary activities to assure conformity with fiduciary policies it establishes, including ratifying the acceptance and the closing out or relinquishment of all trusts. The Trust Management Committee will provide regular reports of its activities to the Board.
Section 3.5. Other Committees. The Board may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more persons who need not be directors, for such purposes and with such powers as the Board may determine; however, the Board will not delegate to any committee any powers or responsibilities that it is prohibited from delegating under any law or regulation. In addition, either the Chairman or the President may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more officers, employees, agents or other persons, for such purposes and with such powers as either the Chairman or the President deems appropriate and proper. Whether appointed by the Board, the Chairman, or the President, any such committee shall at all times be subject to the direction and control of the Board.
Section 3.6. Meetings, Minutes and Rules. An advisory board of directors and/or committee shall meet as necessary in consideration of the purpose of the advisory board of directors or committee, and shall maintain minutes in sufficient detail to indicate actions taken or recommendations made; unless required by the members, discussions, votes or other specific details need not be reported. An advisory board of directors or a committee may, in consideration of its purpose, adopt its own rules for the exercise of any of its functions or authority.
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ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 4.1. Chairman of the Board. The Board may appoint one of its members to be Chairman of the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Chairman shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board.
Section 4.2. President. The Board may appoint one of its members to be President of the Association. In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at any meeting of the Board. The President shall have general executive powers, and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the office of President, or imposed by these Bylaws. The President shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board.
Section 4.3. Vice President. The Board may appoint one or more Vice Presidents who shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board and to perform the duties of the President on those occasions when the President is absent, including presiding at any meeting of the Board in the absence of both the Chairman and President.
Section 4.4. Secretary. The Board shall appoint a Secretary, or other designated officer who shall be Secretary of the Board and of the Association, and shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws to be given; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the Association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the Association; shall, upon request, authenticate any records of the Association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the Secretary, or imposed by these Bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board. The Board may appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries with such powers and duties as the Board, the President or the Secretary shall from time to time determine.
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Section 4.5. Other Officers. The Board may appoint, and may authorize the Chairman, the President or any other officer to appoint, any officer as from time to time may appear to the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other officer to be required or desirable to transact the business of the Association. Such officers shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by these Bylaws, the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other authorized officer. Any person may hold two offices.
Section 4.6. Tenure of Office. The Chairman or the President and all other officers shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, subject to the right of the Board or authorized officer to discharge any officer at any time.
ARTICLE V
Stock
Section 5.1. The Board may authorize the issuance of stock either in certificated or in uncertificated form. Certificates for shares of stock shall be in such form as the Board may from time to time prescribe. If the Board issues certificated stock, the certificate shall be signed by the President, Secretary or any other such officer as the Board so determines. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall, in proportion to such person’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. Each certificate of stock shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the Association properly endorsed. The Board may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the Association for stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings, and related matters, and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
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ARTICLE VI
Corporate Seal
Section 6.1. The Association shall have no corporate seal; provided, however, that if the use of a seal is required by, or is otherwise convenient or advisable pursuant to, the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction, the following seal may be used, and the Chairman, the President, the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix such seal:
ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 7.1. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, checks, drafts, orders, indentures, notes, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, endorsements, assignments, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, guarantees, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, countersigned, executed, acknowledged, endorsed, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the Association, whether in a fiduciary capacity or otherwise, by any officer of the Association, or such employee or agent as may be designated from time to time by the Board by resolution, or by the Chairman or the President by written instrument, which resolution or instrument shall be certified as in effect by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Association. The provisions of this section are supplementary to any other provision of the Articles of Association or Bylaws.
Section 7.2. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws as revised or amended from time to time and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board, and standing committees of the Board, shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for the purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the Secretary, or other officer appointed to act as Secretary of the meeting.
Section 7.3. Trust Files. There shall be maintained in the Association files all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.
Section 7.4. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and according to law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made and does not vest in the Association a discretion in the matter, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under law.
Section 7.5. Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws or law, such notice shall be by mail, postage prepaid, e- mail, in person, or by any other means by which such notice can reasonably be expected to be received, using the address of the person to receive such notice, or such other personal data, as may appear on the records of the Association.
Except where specified otherwise in these Bylaws, prior notice shall be proper if given not more than 30 days nor less than 10 days prior to the event for which notice is given.
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ARTICLE VIII
Indemnification
Section 8.1. The Association shall indemnify such persons for such liabilities in such manner under such circumstances and to such extent as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as now enacted or hereafter amended. The Board may authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance and/or the execution of individual agreements for the purpose of such indemnification, and the Association shall advance all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding to all persons entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.1. Such insurance shall be consistent with the requirements of 12 C.F.R. § 7.2014 and shall exclude coverage of liability for a formal order assessing civil money penalties against an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12
U.S.C. § 1813(u).
Section 8.2. Notwithstanding Section 8.1, however, (a) any indemnification payments to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), for an administrative proceeding or civil action initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be reasonable and consistent with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) and the implementing regulations thereunder; and (b) any indemnification payments and advancement of costs and expenses to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), in cases involving an administrative proceeding or civil action not initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be in accordance with Delaware General Corporation Law and consistent with safe and sound banking practices.
ARTICLE IX
Bylaws: Interpretation and Amendment
Section 9.1. These Bylaws shall be interpreted in accordance with and subject to appropriate provisions of law, and may be added to, altered, amended, or repealed, at any regular or special meeting of the Board.
Section 9.2. A copy of the Bylaws and all amendments shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the principal office of the Association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during Association hours.
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ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 10.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January in each year and shall end on the thirty-first day of December following.
Section 10.2. Governing Law. This Association designates the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, as the governing law for its corporate governance procedures, to the extent not inconsistent with Federal banking statutes and regulations or bank safety and soundness.
***
(February 8, 2021)
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Exhibit 6
CONSENT
In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.
| Dated: January 5th, 2026 | ||
| By: | /s/ Bradley E. Scarbrough | |
| Bradley E. Scarbrough | ||
| Vice President |
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Exhibit 7
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
Statement of Financial Condition
as of 9/30/2025
($000’s)
| 9/30/2025 | ||||
| Assets | ||||
| Cash and Balances Due From | $ | 1,949,886 | ||
| Depository Institutions | ||||
| Securities | 4,656 | |||
| Federal Funds | 0 | |||
| Loans & Lease Financing Receivables | 0 | |||
| Fixed Assets | 713 | |||
| Intangible Assets | 574,611 | |||
| Other Assets | 162,279 | |||
| Total Assets | $ | 2,692,145 | ||
| Liabilities | ||||
| Deposits | $ | 0 | ||
| Fed Funds | 0 | |||
| Treasury Demand Notes | 0 | |||
| Trading Liabilities | 0 | |||
| Other Borrowed Money | 0 | |||
| Acceptances | 0 | |||
| Subordinated Notes and Debentures | 0 | |||
| Other Liabilities | 222,254 | |||
| Total Liabilities | $ | 222,254 | ||
| Equity | ||||
| Common and Preferred Stock | 200 | |||
| Surplus | 1,171,635 | |||
| Undivided Profits | 1,298,056 | |||
| Minority Interest in Subsidiaries | 0 | |||
| Total Equity Capital | $ | 2,469,891 | ||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital | $ | 2,692,145 | ||
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