UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Form 10–K
(Mark One)
[X] | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 20182020
OR
[ ] | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number001-32698
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 13–4148725 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| ||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(914) 630–7430
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered under section 12(b) of the Act:
common stock, par value $0.001 per shareNot applicable
Securities registered under section 12(g) of the Act:
Not applicablecommon stock, par value $.001 per share
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirement for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer [ ] | Accelerated filer [ ] |
Non-accelerated filer [ ] | Smaller reporting company [X] |
Emerging growth company [ ] |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by checkmark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No
[X] [X]
As of June 30, 2018,2020, the last day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter; the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non–affiliates of the registrant was approximately $49,154,105.$7,578,370.
As of April 15, 2019,14, 2021, the registrant had outstanding 195,770,183536,649,910 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value. (the “Common Stock”)
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESSUBSIDIARY
INDEX
($ in thousands, except share and per–share amounts)
2 |
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKINGFORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K and other written and oral statements made from time to time by us may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “plans,” “will,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “intends,” “estimates,” and other words of similar meaning. One can identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements are likely to address our growth strategy, financial results and product and development programs. One must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ from our forward lookingforward-looking statements. These factors may include inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties, including some that are known and some that are not. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially.
These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and the risks set out below, any of which may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks include, by way of example and not in limitation:
● | The uncertainty of profitability based upon our history of losses; | |
● | Risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms to continue as going concern; and | |
● | Other risks and uncertainties related to our business plan and business strategy. |
This list is not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect any of our forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.
Information regarding market and industry statistics contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is included based on information available to us that we believe is accurate. It is generally based on industry and other publications that are not produced for purposes of securities offerings or economic analysis. We have not reviewed or included data from all sources. Forecasts and other forward-looking information obtained from these sources are subject to the same qualifications and the additional uncertainties accompanying any estimates of future market size, revenue and market acceptance of products and services. As a result, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
As used in this annual report, the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, “MGT” and the “Company” mean MGT Capital Investments, Inc. and its subsidiaries,subsidiary, unless otherwise indicated.
All dollar amounts set forth in this Annual Report as of and for the year ended December 31, 20182020 on this Form 10–K are in thousands, except per–share amounts.
MGT Capital Investments, Inc.The Company is a Delaware corporation that was incorporated in 2000. The predecessor of the CompanyMGT was originally incorporated in Utah in 1977. Our corporate officeMGT is located in Durham, North Carolina. MGT was formerly comprised of the parent company and its wholly–wholly owned subsidiaries MGT Cybersecurity, Inc., Medicsight, Inc., MGT Sports, Inc. MGT Studios, Inc. (“MGT Studios”), MGT Interactive, LLC, MGT Gaming, Inc., MGT Mining One, Inc. and MGT Mining Two, Inc., andsubsidiary MGT Sweden AB. MGT Studios also owned a controlling minority interestMGT’s corporate office is in the subsidiary M2P Americas, Inc. During the first quarter of 2019, MGT dissolved all its wholly-owned subsidiaries excluding MGT Sweden AB.Raleigh, North Carolina.
Cryptocurrency Mining Business
Industry Summary
Bitcoin is a world–recognized cryptocurrency, which can be traded and converted into major fiat currencies on cryptocurrency exchanges. Cryptocurrencies are a medium of exchange that are transacted through and recorded on a decentralized distributed ledger system, called the “Blockchain.” The Blockchain is built by a chronological addition of transactions, which are grouped into blocks. Each new block requires a mathematical problem to be solved before it can be confirmed and added to the Blockchain. The speed at whichprocessing power used to solve these mathematical problems are solved is called Hash Rate. It represents the overall computing power of the network and is measured inby Hash Rate or Hashes per second (“H/s”). The complexity of these problems, also referred to as mining difficulty, increases with the network’s growing Hash Rate.
Bitcoin mining entails solving these complex mathematical problems using custom designed and programmed application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) computers (also referred to as “miners”). Bitcoin miners perform a vital function on the Bitcoin Blockchain network, by performing these Hash calculations and adding transactionstransaction blocks to the Blockchain ledger. When a miner is successful in adding a block to the Blockchain, it is rewarded with a fixed number of Bitcoin; a miner can also be compensated by network transaction fees.
Additional information about Bitcoin, Blockchain and cryptocurrencies can be found on publicly available educational sources such aswww.Bitcoin.org.
Our Operations
In September 2016,Cryptocurrency mining
Following a review of its Bitcoin mining operations in early 2019, we commenceddetermined to consolidate our activities in a Company-owned and managed facility. Central to this strategy was the purchase of land in LaFayette, GA and the entry into a favorable contract for electricity in the second quarter of 2019. Located adjacent to a utility substation, the several acre property has access to over 20 megawatts (MW) of low-cost power.
The Company owned approximately 669 and 649 Antminer S17 Pro Bitcoin miners located in LaFayette, GA as of December 31, 2020 and April 15, 2021, respectively. All miners were purchased from Bitmaintech Pte. Ltd., a Singapore limited company (“Bitmain”), and are collectively rated at approximately 30 Ph/s in computing power. Bitmain has acknowledged manufacturing defects, combined with inadequate repair facilities, rendering approximately one half of our miners in need of repair or replacement. The Company’s miners are housed in three modified shipping containers. The Company’s current electrical load is estimated at under 1.0 MW. The entire facility, including the land, two 2500 KVA 3-phase transformers, the mining containers, and miners, are owned by MGT. As the Company is presently using only a portion of the built-out available electrical load, it is exploring ways to grow and maintain its current operations including but not limited to further equipment sales, leasing space to other Bitcoin miners, and raising capital to acquire newest generation miners.
Prior to establishing our Company-owned and managed facility, we conducted our Bitcoin mining operations in the Wenatchee Valley area of central Washington. Throughout 2017, we expanded our mining capacity with the purchase of additional Bitcoin mining machines and by entering intothrough third-party hosting and power agreements with Washington facilities owners.arrangements. We have also entered into management agreements with third party investors whereby the investors purchased the mining hardware, and we receivereceived both a fee to manage the mining operations plus one-half of the net operating profit.
Towards the end of 2017, we determined that there was inadequate electric power in Washington to support our growth, and we moved swiftly to find a new facility to conduct our mining operations. By the end of 2017, we made the decision to move our principal mining operations to northern Sweden, a geographic location with historically low ambient temperatures and available inexpensive electricity. We entered into a hosting agreement (the “Hosting Agreement”) with Beacon Leasing LLC (“Beacon”), pursuant to which Beacon agreed to deliver a turn-key solution in northern Sweden with up to 15 megawatts of electricity capacity, including a facility with power, cooling, and hosting services for a fixed price of $810 per month. The facility in Sweden is owned by the city of Älvsbyn and leased by a subsidiary of Beacon. Beacon committed to provide a fully functional facility by the end of In March 2018. The Hosting Agreement required us to pay $1,620 to Beacon, representing the first and last month of service. During the first quarter of 2018, we took delivery of an additional 2,000 Bitcoin mining machines in Sweden and moved 4,300 machines (including 2,100 investor-owned machines) from Washington to Sweden.
Beacon failed to deliver the fully built out facility and necessary power supply levels required by us by the end of March 2018. Through the first quarter of 2018 and into the second quarter, our personnel made visits to Sweden and assisted Beacon with efforts to get the facility up and running. We also advanced additional funds to Beacon to maximize operational capacity as quickly as possible. During April 2018, we became involved in the design and setup of the Sweden facility due to concern that Beacon may have overstated their construction abilities and financial capacity.
On May 16, 2018, we were informed that none of the amounts due from Beacon to the electric utility serving the Älvsbyn facility had been paid and that the utility would begin shutting down the electricity to the Älvsbyn facility. On the same day, we notified Beacon that it was in material breach of the Hosting Agreement. In order to avoid a shutdown of the facility and a suspension of mining operations, we paid the utility provider $368, as a good faith deposit. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, we paid an additional aggregate of $947 to the utility provider for power consumed.
Subsequent to May 16, 2018, we intensified our efforts to determine the extent of Beacon’s non-performance under the Hosting Agreement. Management made several more trips to Sweden to supervise the completion of the facility as well as investigate Beacon’s accounting records. We determined that Beacon also was faced with unpaid invoices from various material and service providers to the facility.
Beginning in late May 2018, we took steps to become the direct operator of the Swedish facility to gain control of the situation, protect our assets, and maximize operational capacity as quickly as possible. These actions included paying some of the outstanding amounts owed by Beacon in order to maintain key vendor relationships needed to complete the facility. We also formed MGT Sweden AB in anticipation of assuming the building lease and the power agreements.
Continuing issues arising from poor engineering and demands from the electric utility forced us to devote a significant amount of time and effort to the operations in Sweden. Further, we determined that the financial investment to fully assume the position of Beacon was excessive. Simultaneously, based on an analysis of available facilities in the United States, we concluded that the United States provided hosting opportunities for us. On September 24, 2018, the combination of these factors led us to decide to forgo any further monetary investment in Sweden. We have subsequently relocated all of the miners in Sweden to facilities in Colorado and Ohio.
As of December 31, 2018, MGT owned and operated approximately 500 miners located in a leased facility in Quincy, Washington. Prior to the relocation of the mining assets to the United States, the Company conducted a physical observation concluding there were approximately 5,750 operating machines in Sweden. In connection with the relocation to the U.S., approximately 3,000 machines were shipped to Colorado and 2,750 machines were shipped to Ohio. Of the 5,750 machines relocated to the U.S, 3,800 of these machines are owned by the Company, while the remaining are investor owned. All miners owned or managed by us are S9 Antminers sold by Bitmain Technologies LTD. In addition to the S9 Antminers, we own 50 custom designed GPU-based Ethereum mining rigs. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we mined 245 Bitcoin for total revenue of $2,010. In addition, the miners we operate pursuant to the management agreements mined 184 Bitcoin during the same period.
Because the price of Bitcoin has steadily decreased during 2018, and throughout the first quarter of 2019, the Company decided it is not economically feasible to commence mining operations in Colorado or Ohio. Until the price of Bitcoin rises, the Company does not plan to commence mining with these machines.
Management Agreements
On October 12, 2017, we entered into two management agreements (each, a “Management Agreement”, collectively “Management Agreements”) with two accredited investors, Deep South Mining LLC and BDLM, LLC. On November 21, 2017, we entered into a thirdsettlement agreement to terminate our hosting agreement in Washington and conveyed ownership of its onsite mining assets for full satisfaction of $77 in outstanding hosting service fees. In August and September 2019, we terminated all our management agreementagreements with another accredited investor, Buckhead Crypto, LLC (all three accredited investors together are “Users”). Each of the Users agreed on substantially similar terms to purchase an aggregate of 2,376 Bitmain Antminer S9 mining computers (the “Bitcoin Hardware”) for a total of $3,650 to mine Bitcoin with us acting as the exclusive manager for each of the Users. In addition, the Users have agreed to pay to us, in advance, the first three months of expected electricity costs of the Bitcoin mining operations in the sum of $691. Initial electricity cost for the first three months following delivery of the Bitcoin Hardware was reimbursed to the Users within the first three months of operations. Each Management Agreement is in effect for 24 months from the date that the Bitcoin Hardware begins mining operations, and may be terminated by mutual written agreement.
Pursuant to the Management Agreements, the Company shall provide for installation, hosting, maintenance and repair and provide ancillary services necessary to operate the Bitcoin Hardware. In accordance with each of the Management Agreements, each of the Users will gain a portion of the Bitcoin mined called the User Distribution Portion. The User Distribution Portion is 50% of the amount of Bitcoin mined net of the operating fee (10% of the total Bitcoin mined) and the electricity cost.
On February 13, 2018, the Company entered into a new management agreement with a third party with substantially the same terms as the other Management Agreements. The third party agreed to purchase 200 Bitmain Antminer S9 mining computers for a total of $428 to mine Bitcoin with the Company acting as the exclusive manager. This management agreement isinvestors, and in effect for 24 months from the date that the Bitcoin Hardware begins mining operations,December 2019, we terminated our final remaining hosting arrangements in Colorado and may be terminated by mutual written agreement.
On February 28, 2018, the Company and Buckhead Crypto, LLC terminated their Management Agreement. The Company agreed to purchase the Bitcoin mining machines and the prepaid electricity from Buckhead Crypto, LLC for an aggregate amount of $767.Ohio.
Bitcoin And Blockchain Overview
A Bitcoin is one type of a digital asset that is issued by, and transmitted through, an open source, math-based protocol platform using cryptographic security (the “Bitcoin Network”). The Bitcoin Network is an online, peer-to-peer user network that hosts the public Blockchain transaction ledger known as the “Blockchain,” and the source code that comprises the basis for the cryptography and math-based protocols governing the Bitcoin Network. No single entity owns or operates the Bitcoin Network, the infrastructure of which is collectively maintained by a decentralized user base. Bitcoin can be used to pay for goods and services or can be converted to fiat currencies, such as the US Dollar, at rates determined on Bitcoin exchanges or in individual peer to peer end-user-to-end-user transactions under a barter system.transactions.
Bitcoins are “stored” or reflected on the digital transaction ledger known as the “Blockchain,” which is a digital file storedBlockchain in a decentralized manner on the computers of each Bitcoin Network user. The Blockchain records the transaction history of all Bitcoin in existence and, through the transparent reporting of transactions, allows the Bitcoin Network to verify the association of each Bitcoin with the digital wallet that owns them.it. The Bitcoin Network and Bitcoin software programs can interpret the Blockchain to determine the exact Bitcoin balance, if any, of any digital wallet listed in the Blockchain as having taken part in a transaction on the Bitcoin Network.
The Bitcoin Network, isbeing decentralized, and does not rely on either governmental authorities or financial institutions to create, transmit or determine the value of Bitcoin. Rather, Bitcoin are created and allocated by the Bitcoin Network protocol through a “mining” process subject to a strict, well-known issuance schedule. The value of Bitcoin is determined by the supply and demand of Bitcoin in the Bitcoin exchange market (and in private end-user-to-end-userpeer to peer transactions), as well as the number of merchants that accept them.it. As Bitcoin transactions can be broadcast to the Bitcoin Network by any user’s Bitcoin software and Bitcoin can be transferred without the involvement of intermediaries or third parties, there are little or noonly minor transaction costs in direct peer-to-peer transactions on the Bitcoin Network. Third party service providers such as Bitcoin Exchangesexchanges and Bitcoin third party payment processing services may charge significant fees for processing transactions and for converting, or facilitating the conversion of, Bitcoin to or from fiat currency.
Miners dedicate substantial resources to mining. Given the increasing difficulty of the target established by the Bitcoin Network, current miners must continually invest in expensive mining devices withhardware to achieve adequate processing power to hash at a competitive rate.
Bitcoin is an example of a digital asset that is not a fiat currency (i.e., a currency that is backed by a central bank or a national, supra-national or quasi-national organization) and are not backed by hard assets or other credit. As a result, the value of Bitcoin is determined by the value that various market participants place on Bitcoin through their transactions.
The supply of Bitcoin is finite. Once 21 million Bitcoin are generated, the network will stop producing more. Currently, there are approximately 19 million Bitcoin in circulation, or 90% of the total supply of Bitcoin. Within the Bitcoin protocol is an event referred to as Bitcoin halving (“Halving”) where the Bitcoin provided upon mining a block is reduced by 50%. Halvings are scheduled to occur once every 210,000 blocks, or roughly every four years, until the maximum supply of 21 million Bitcoin is reached. The most recent Halving occurred in May 2020, with a revised reward payout of 6.25 Bitcoin per block.
Given a stable hash rate, a Halving reduces the number of new Bitcoin being generated by the network. While the effect is to limit the supply of new coins, it has no impact on the quantity of total Bitcoin outstanding. As a result, the price of Bitcoin could rise or fall based on overall investor and consumer demand. Should the price of Bitcoin remain unchanged after the next Halving, the Company’s revenue would be reduced by 50%, with a much larger negative impact to profit.
The cryptocurrency markets have grown rapidly in both popularity and market size. These markets are local, national and international and include an ever-broadening range of products and participants. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and other governmental agencies around the world, are evaluating the cryptocurrency markets and are likely to institute new rules and regulations within this market to protect investors and such regulations could result in the restriction of the acquisition, ownership, holding, selling, use or trading of our common stock.
Legacy Businesses
Cybersecurity
On May 9, 2016, MGT entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire certain assets owned by D–Vasive, Inc. (“D-Vasive”), a company in the business of developing and marketing certain privacy and anti–spy applications. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company would purchase assets including applications for use on mobile devices, intellectual property, customer lists, databases, project files and licenses. The proposed purchase price for D–Vasive was $300 in cash and 23.8 million shares of MGT common stock.
On May 26, 2016, the Company agreed to acquire certain technology and assets of Demonsaw LLC (“Demonsaw”), a company in the business of developing and marketing secure and anonymous information sharing applications. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, the Company would purchase assets including the source code for the Demonsaw solution, intellectual property, customer lists, databases, project files and licenses. The proposed purchase price for Demonsaw was 20.0 million shares of MGT common stock.
On July 7, 2016, and prior to the closing of either of the above transactions, the Company and Demonsaw terminated their agreement. Simultaneously, D–Vasive entered an agreement with the holders of Demonsaw’s outstanding membership interests, whereby D–Vasive would purchase all such membership interests. Accordingly, the proposed purchase price for D–Vasive (inclusive of the Demonsaw assets) was increased to 43.8 million shares of MGT common stock.
Both D-Vasive and Demonsaw were partly owned by Future Tense Secure Systems (“FTS”), an entity controlled by the wife of cybersecurity pioneer John McAfee, and as an integral part of the acquisition, Mr. McAfee would become Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MGT, and the Company would enter into a consulting agreement with FTS.
On August 8, 2016, the Company filed a Definitive Proxy Statement to solicit, among other things, shareholder approval of the D–Vasive acquisition, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. On September 8, 2016, shareholder approval was obtained. However, on September 19, 2016, the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) informed the Company that it would not approve for listing on the Exchange the 43.8 million shares required to be issued to complete the closing of the D–Vasive acquisition, resulting in the termination of the acquisition.
In March 2017, MGT purchased 46% of the outstanding membership interests of Demonsaw from FTS for 2.0 million shares of MGT common stock.
Notwithstanding the termination of the D-Vasive acquisition, John McAfee agreed to join MGT in November 2016 and served as Chairman and CEO until August 2017, at which time he was appointed Chief Cybersecurity Visionary, a position he held until his relationship with the Company ended in January 2018.
Prior to the expected September 2016 closing of the above transaction, the Company added employees and consultants to develop a cybersecurity business, and position itself to address various cyber threats through advanced protection technologies for mobile devices and corporate networks. In November 2016, we acquired intellectual property from a third party for 150,000 shares of our common stock for a total acquisition price of $495. In August 2017, we commenced commercial development of our cybersecurity business, including Sentinel, a network intrusion detector released in October 2017. We incurred $47 and $346 in research and development expenses in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Prior to the sale described below, we realized nominal revenue from our cybersecurity business.
On March 19, 2018, we announced the end of our cybersecurity operations by selling the Sentinel product line to a new entity formed by the unit’s management team and stopping development of a secure mobile phone. The Sentinel assets were sold for consideration of $60 in cash and a $1,000 promissory note, convertible into a 20% equity interest of the buyer.
Online and Mobile Gaming
Prior to the second quarter ending June 30, 2016, the Company and its subsidiaries were principally engaged in the business of acquiring, developing and monetizing assets in the online and mobile gaming space as well as the social casino industry.
Strategy
MGT’s strategy is to oversee the operation of approximately 5,750 cryptocurrency mining machinesits Bitcoin miners in Colorado and Ohio and continue to execute on an expansion model to secure low cost power and grow its cryptocurrency assets.La Fayette, Georgia. The Company’s immediate focus is to grow free cash flow. Ourflow, with a longer-term objective is focused towards vertical integration of our cryptocurrencyto expand its mining business as well as diversification into other areas of the rapidly emerging Blockchain and cryptocurrency industry.operation.
Competition
Our industry is extremely new and subject to rapid change and constant innovation. We face significant competition, including from companies that have entered this space much earlier than us and are better capitalized, with vertically integrated business models. Some of these companies are our suppliers. We compete to attract, engage, and retain personnel, educated and skilled in the Blockchain and cryptocurrency mining space.
We compete with vertically integrated companies such as Bitfury Group Limited and Bitmain Technologies LTD that engage in both the design and distribution of mining machines, as well as cryptocurrency mining. We also compete with many other companies that are engaged in cryptocurrency mining, some of which may have lower operating costs or cost of capital than MGT.
Employees
Currently, the Company and its subsidiariessubsidiary have 42 full–time employees. None of our employees are represented by a union and we believe our relationships with our employees are good.
Available Information
MGT maintains a website at www.mgtci.com. The Company makes available free of charge our annual reports on Form 10–K, quarterly reports on Form 10–Q and current reports on Form 8–K, including any amendments to the foregoing reports, as soon as is reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. These materials along with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are also available through our corporate website at www.mgtci.com. A copy of this Annual Report is located at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1–800–SEC–0330. The public may also download these materials from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Any amendments to, and waivers of, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be posted on our corporate website. The Company is not including the information contained atmgtci.com as a part of this Annual Report.
Discussion of our business and operations included in this Annual Report should be read together with the risk factors set forth below. They describe various risks and uncertainties to which we are or may become subject. These risks and uncertainties, together with other factors described elsewhere in this report, have the potential to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, strategies or prospects in a material and adverse manner. New risks may emerge at any time, and we cannot predict those risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial performance. Each of the risks described below could adversely impact the value of our securities. These statements, like all statements in this report, speak only as of the date of this Annual Report (unless another date is indicated), and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the statements in light of future developments.
The Company generates limited revenue from operations upon which an evaluation of our prospects can be made. The Company’s prospects must be considered keeping in mind the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered in the establishment of a new business in a constantly changing industry. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve profitable operations in the foreseeable future, if at all.
The Company has identified a number ofseveral specific risk areas that may affect our operations and results in the future:
Risks Related to Our Business
We have had limited commercial results and revenues, and we may be required to curtail operations if adequate funds are not available to us.
Our commercial results have been limited. Historically, the Company has not generated significant revenues to fund its operations, and the Company cannot be certain that revenues will be sufficient to fund operations for the foreseeable future. The Company’s primary source of operating funds since inception has been debt and equity financings. The Company has also earned a limited amount of revenue through its Bitcoin operations. At December 31, 2018,2020, MGT’s cash and cash equivalents were approximately $96.$236.
The Company may raise additional capital, either through debt or equity financings, in order to achieve its business plan objectives. Management believes that it can be successful in obtaining additional capital; however, no assurance can be provided that the Company will be able to do so. There is no assurance, moreover, that any funds raised will be sufficient to enable the Company to attain profitable operations or continue as a going concern. To the extent that the Company is unsuccessful, the Company may need to curtail its operations and implement a plan to extend payables or reduce overhead until sufficient additional capital is raised to support further operations. The Company may also attempt to obtain funds through entering into arrangements with collaborative partners or others that may require the Company to relinquish rights to certain of our technologies or products that the Company would not otherwise relinquish. There can be no assurance that any such plan will be successful.
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, and do not include adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2018,2020, the Company had incurred significant operating losses since inception, and continues to generate losses from operations, and has an accumulated deficit of $405,285.$418,389. These matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Annual Report do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts or the classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
The further development and acceptance of Bitcoin and other cryptographic and algorithmic protocols governing the issuance of transactions in Bitcoin and other digital currencies, which represent a new and rapidly changing industry, are subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate. The slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of Bitcoin may adversely affect our results of operations.
The use of digital currencies such as Bitcoin to, among other things, buy and sell goods and services, and the acquisition of digital currencies as an investment, is part of a new and rapidly evolving industry that employs digital assets based upon a computer-generated mathematical and/or cryptographic protocol. Bitcoin is a prominent, but not a unique part of this industry. The growth of this industry in general, and Bitcoin in particular, is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. The factors affecting the further development of this industry, include, but are not limited to:
● | continued worldwide growth in the adoption and use of Bitcoin and other digital currencies; |
● | government and quasi-government regulation of Bitcoin and other digital assets and their use, or restrictions on or regulation of access to and operation of the Bitcoin network or similar digital asset systems; |
● | changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences; |
● | the maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of the Bitcoin network; |
● | the availability and popularity of other forms or methods of buying and selling goods and services, including new means of using fiat currencies; |
● | general economic conditions and the regulatory environment relating to digital assets; and |
● | negative consumer perception of Bitcoin specifically and cryptocurrencies generally. |
A decline in the popularity or acceptance of Bitcoin may adversely affect our results of operations.
The supply of Bitcoin is limited, and production of Bitcoin is negatively impacted by the Bitcoin halving protocol expected every four years.
The supply of Bitcoin is finite. Once 21 million Bitcoin are generated, the network will stop producing more. Currently, there are approximately 19 million Bitcoin in circulation, or 90% of the total supply of Bitcoin. Within the Bitcoin protocol is an event referred to as Halving where the Bitcoin reward provided upon mining a block is reduced by 50%. Halvings are scheduled to occur once every 210,000 blocks, or roughly every four years, with the latest Halving having occurred in May 2020, with a revised payout of 6.25 Bitcoin per block.
Given a stable hash rate, a Halving reduces the number of new Bitcoin being generated by the network. While the effect is to limit the supply of new coins, it has no impact on the quantity of total Bitcoin outstanding. As a result, the price of Bitcoin could rise or fall based on overall investor and consumer demand. Should the price of Bitcoin remain unchanged after the next Halving, the Company’s revenue would be reduced by 50%, with a much larger impact to profit.
Currently, there is relatively small use of Bitcoin in the retail and commercial marketplace in comparison to relatively large use by speculators, thus contributing to price volatility that could adversely affect our results of operations.
Bitcoin has only recently become accepted as a means of payment for goods and services by certain major retail and commercial outlets, and use of Bitcoin by consumers to pay such retail and commercial outlets remains limited. Conversely, a significant portion of Bitcoin demand is generated by speculators and investors seeking to profit from the short- or long-term holding of Bitcoin. Many industry commentators believe that Bitcoin’s best use case is as a store of wealth, rather than as a currency for transactions, and that other cryptocurrencies having better scalability and faster settlement times will better serve as currency. This could limit Bitcoin’s acceptance as transactional currency. A lack of expansion by Bitcoin into retail and commercial markets, or a contraction of such use, may result in increased volatility or a reduction in the Bitcoin Index Price,price, either of which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Security threats could result in the halting of our operations and a loss of assets or damage to our reputation, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Security breaches, computer malware and computer hacking attacks have been a prevalent concern in the Blockchain industry. Any security breach caused by hacking, which involves efforts to gain unauthorized access to information or systems, or to cause intentional malfunctions or loss or corruption of data, software, hardware or other computer equipment, and the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses, could harm our business operations or result in loss of our assets. Any breach of our infrastructure could result in damage to our reputation.
Any Bitcoin we mine may be subject to loss, damage, theft or restriction on access.
There is a risk that some or all of the Bitcoin we mine could be lost, stolen or destroyed. Although we will seek to use various technology to minimize the risk of loss, damage and theft, we cannot guarantee the prevention of such loss, damage or theft, whether caused intentionally, accidentally or by an act of God. Access to our Bitcoin could also be restricted by natural events (such as an earthquake or flood) or human actions (such as a terrorist attack). Any of these events may adversely affect our operations. In addition, government regulations in the United States and abroad could materially alter the landscape for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies use and accessibility, including through tax regulations, restrictions on use in transactions and regulation or prohibition of cryptocurrency exchanges.
7 |
If we do not keep pace with technological changes, our solutions may become less competitive and our business may suffer.
The market for Bitcoin technology is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent product and service innovation and evolving industry standards. We may need to continuously modify and enhance our solutions to keep pace with changes in internet-related hardware, software, communication, browser and database technologies. We may not be successful in either developing these modifications and enhancements. Furthermore, uncertainties about the timing and nature of new network platforms or technologies, or modifications to existing platforms or technologies, could increase our research and development expenses. Any failure of our solutions to keep pace with technological changes or operate effectively with future network platforms and technologies could adversely affect our business.
Adverse economic conditions or reduced technology spending may adversely impact our business.
Our business depends on the overall demand for technology and on the economic health of our prospective customers. In general, worldwide economic conditions remain unstable, and these conditions may make it difficult for our prospective customers and us to forecast and plan future business activities accurately. Weak global economic conditions, or a reduction in technology spending even if economic conditions improve, could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations in a number of ways, including longer sales cycles, lower prices for our solutions, reduced bookings and lower or no growth.
Our ability to attract, train and retain qualified employees is crucial to our results of operations and any future growth.
To execute our growth plan, we must attract and retain highly qualified personnel. Competition for these individuals is intense, especially for engineers with high levels of experience in designing and developing software and internet-related services, and professional services personnel with appropriate financial reporting experience. We have, from time to time, experienced, and we expect to continue to experience, difficulty in hiring and retaining employees with appropriate qualifications. Many of the companies with which we compete for experienced personnel have greater resources than we have. If we hire employees from competitors or other companies, their former employers may attempt to assert that these employees have breached their legal obligations or that we have induced such breaches, resulting in a diversion of our time and resources. If we fail to attract new personnel or fail to retain and motivate our current personnel, our business and future growth prospects could be adversely affected.
Regulatory changes or actions may alter the nature of an investment in the Company or restrict the use of cryptocurrencies in a manner that adversely affects the Company’s business, prospects or operations.
Governments around the world have reacted differently to cryptocurrencies, with certain governments deeming them illegal while others have allowed their use and trade. On-going and future regulatory actions may impact the ability of the Company to continue to operate and such actions could affect the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern or to pursue this segment at all, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or operations of the Company.
The effect of any future regulatory change on the Company or any cryptocurrency that the Company may mine or hold for others is impossible to predict, and such change could have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern or to pursue this segment at all, which would have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or operations of the Company.
Governments may in the future curtail or outlaw the acquisition, use or redemption of cryptocurrencies. Ownership of, holding or trading in cryptocurrencies may then be considered illegal and subject to sanction. Governments may also take regulatory action that may increase the cost and/or subject cryptocurrency companies to additional regulation.
On July 25, 2017, the SEC released an investigative report which states that the United States would, in some circumstances, consider the offer and sale of Blockchain tokens pursuant to an initial coin offering (“ICO”) subject to federal securities laws. Thereafter, China released statements and took similar actions. Although the Company does not participate in ICOs, its clients and customers may participate in ICOs and these actions may be a prelude to further action which chills widespread acceptance of Blockchain and cryptocurrency adoption and have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern or to pursue this segment at all, which would have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or operations of the Company.
Further, the Peoples Bank of China has instituted restrictions on certain exchange trading in cryptocurrencies and ICOs. Further governmental regulation in that country or others could negatively impact pricing for Bitcoin. In addition, the Company’s sole source of mining computers is a Chinese company, and we are exposed to existing tariffs for certain equipment used in our operations. If outright restrictions or even more punitive tariffs are placed on the export of such computers, it could have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern or to pursue this segment at all, which would have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or operations of the Company.
Governments may in the future take regulatory actions that prohibit or severely restrict the right to acquire, own, hold, sell, use or trade cryptocurrencies or to exchange cryptocurrencies for fiat currency. Similar actions by governments or regulatory bodies (such as an exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed, quoted or traded) could result in restrictions of the acquisition, ownership, holding, selling, use or trading in the Company’s securities. Such a restriction could result in the Company liquidating its inventory at unfavorable prices and may adversely affect the Company’s shareholders and have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern or to pursue this segment at all, raise new capital or maintain a securities listing with an exchange which could have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or operations of the Company and harm investors in the Company’s securities.
Terrorist actions and attacks may have a negative impact on economic conditions and market liquidity.
There is a risk of terrorist attacks on the United States and elsewhere causing significant loss of life and property damage and disruptions in the global market. Economic and diplomatic sanctions may be in place or imposed on certain states and military action may be commenced. The impact of such events is unclear, but could have a material effect on general economic conditions and market liquidity.
The real estate assets we own subject to the risks associated with real property.
Real estate assets are subject to various risks, including:
● | declines in the value of real estate; |
● | acts of nature, including earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters, which may result in uninsured losses; |
● | adverse changes in national and local economic and market conditions; |
● | changes in governmental laws and regulations, fiscal policies and zoning ordinances and the related costs of compliance with laws and regulations, fiscal policies and ordinances; |
● | costs of remediation and liabilities associated with environmental conditions such as indoor mold; and |
● | the potential for uninsured or under-insured property losses. |
The occurrence of any of the foregoing or similar events may reduce the value of our property, impair our ability to conduct our mining operations and, consequently, materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We face possible risks associated with the renewal of our contract for electricity.
In June 2019, the Company entered into a contract for electric power with the City of Lafayette, Georgia, a municipal corporation of the State of Georgia (“the City”). The Company makes monthly payments based upon electricity consumed, at a negotiated kilowatt per hour rate, inclusive of transmission charges and exclusive of state and local sales taxes. This agreement expires on September 30, 2021, and the Company will shortly begin negotiations for an extension or new contract. There can be no assurance that the Company and City will reach agreement with acceptable price and volume metrics, if at all.
We face possible risks associated with the physical effects of climate change.
The physical effects of climate change could have a material adverse effect on our properties, operations, and business. However, the impacts of climate change on our operations are highly uncertain and their significance will vary depending on the type and geographic location of any physical impact. The impacts of climate change could include changing temperatures, flooding, water shortages, changes in weather and rainfall patterns, and changing storm patterns and intensities. To the extent that climate change impacts changes in weather patterns, some of our properties could experience increases in storm intensity, loss of power, and rising sea levels. Climate change may also have indirect effects on our business by increasing the cost of, or availability of, property insurance on terms we find acceptable or increasing the cost of energy. There can be no assurance that climate change will not have a material adverse effect on our properties, operations, or business.
Our business is subject to risks arising from epidemic diseases, such as the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 illness.
The recent outbreak of COVID-19, which has been declared by the World Health Organization to be a pandemic, has spread across the globe and is impacting worldwide economic activity. A pandemic, including COVID-19, or other public health epidemic poses the risk that we or our employees, suppliers, and other partners may be prevented from conducting business activities at full capacity for an indefinite period of time, including due to spread of the disease within these groups or due to shutdowns that may be requested or mandated by governmental authorities. While it is not possible at this time to estimate the impact that COVID-19 could have on our business, the continued spread of COVID-19 and the measures taken by the governments of countries affected and in which we operate could disrupt the operation of our business. The COVID-19 outbreak and mitigation measures may also have an adverse impact on global economic conditions, which could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition, including on our potential to conduct financings on terms acceptable to us, if at all. In addition, we may take temporary precautionary measures intended to help minimize the risk of the virus to our employees, including temporarily requiring all employees to work remotely, and discouraging employee attendance at in-person work-related meetings, which could negatively affect our business. The extent to which the COVID-19 outbreak impacts our results will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning the severity of the virus and the actions to contain its impact.
Reliance on third parties to operate our mining machines may cause delays in production and mining and could have an impact on our business, financial condition and prospects.
The Company relies on third parties to operate its Bitcoin mining machinery. These third parties are not our employees and, except for restrictions imposed by our contracts with such third parties, we have limited ability to control the amount or timing of resources that they devote to our programs. Although we rely on these third parties to operate our mining machinery, we remain responsible for the overall mining operations. Many of the third parties with whom we contract may also have relationships with other commercial entities, some of which may compete with us. If the third parties operating our machinery do not perform their contractual duties or obligations, we may need to enter into new arrangements with alternative third parties. This could be costly, and mining operations may be delayed or terminated. If any of our relationships with these third parties terminate, we may not be able to enter into arrangements with alternative third party contractors or to do so on commercially reasonable terms. Though we carefully manage our relationships with our contract machinery operators, there can be no assurance that we will not encounter similar challenges or delays in the future or that these delays or challenges will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and prospects.
The Company’s reliance on a third-party mining pool service provider, such as Slush Pool or Antpool,PoolIn, for our mining revenue payouts may have a negative impact on the Company operations.
We use a third–party mining pool to receive our mining rewards from the network. Bitcoin mining pools allow miners to combine their computing power, increasing their chances of solving a block and getting paid by the network. The rewards are distributed by the pool operator, proportionally to our contribution to the pool’s overall mining power used to generate each block. Should the pool operator’s system suffer downtime due to a cyber-attack, software malfunction or other similar issues, it will negatively impact our ability to mine and receive revenue.
Banks and financial institutions may not provide banking services, or may cut off services, to businesses that provide cryptocurrency-related services or that accept cryptocurrencies as payment, including financial institutions of investors in the Company’s securities.
A number of companies that provide Bitcoin and/or other cryptocurrency-related services have been unable to find banks or financial institutions that are willing to provide them with bank accounts and other services. Similarly, a number of companies and individuals or businesses associated with cryptocurrencies may have had and may continue to have their existing bank accounts closed or services discontinued with financial institutions. We also may be unable to obtain or maintain these services for our business. The difficulty that many businesses that provide Bitcoin and/or other cryptocurrency-related services have and may continue to have in finding banks and financial institutions willing to provide them services may be decreasing the usefulness of cryptocurrencies as a payment system and harming public perception of cryptocurrencies and could decrease its usefulness and harm its public perception in the future. Similarly, the usefulness of cryptocurrencies as a payment system and the public perception of cryptocurrencies could be damaged if banks or financial institutions were to close the accounts of businesses providing Bitcoin and/or other cryptocurrency-related services. This could occur as a result of compliance risk, cost, government regulation or public pressure. The risk applies to securities firms, clearance and settlement firms, national stock and commodities exchanges, the over the counter market and the Depository Trust Company, which, if any of such entities adopts or implements similar policies, rules or regulations, could result in the inability of our investors to open or maintain stock or commodities accounts, including the ability to deposit, maintain or trade the Company’s securities. Such factors would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern or to pursue this segment at all, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or operations of the Company and harm investors.
To the extent that the profit margins of Bitcoin mining operations are not high, operators of Bitcoin mining operations are more likely to immediately sell Bitcoin earned by mining in the market, resulting in a reduction in the price of Bitcoin that could adversely impact the Company and similar actions could affect other cryptocurrencies.
Over the past twoseveral years, Bitcoin mining operations have evolved from individual users mining with computer processors, graphics processing units and first generationfirst-generation ASIC servers. Currently, new processing power is predominantly added by incorporated and unincorporated “professionalized” mining operations. Professionalized mining operations may use proprietary hardware or sophisticated ASIC machines acquired from ASIC manufacturers. TheyThese operations require the investment of significant capital for the acquisition of this hardware, the leasing of operating space (often in data centers or warehousing facilities), incurring of electricity costs and the employment of technicians to operate the mining farms. As a result, professionalized mining operations are of a greater scale than prior miners and have more defined, regular expenses and liabilities. These regular expenses and liabilities require professionalized mining operations to more immediately sell Bitcoin earned from mining operations, whereas it is believed that individual miners in past years were more likely to hold newly mined Bitcoin for more extended periods. The immediate selling of newly mined Bitcoins greatly increases the supply of Bitcoin creatingmay create downward pressure on the price of Bitcoin.
The extent to which the value of Bitcoin mined by a professionalized mining operation exceeds the allocable capital and operating costs determines the profit margin of such operation. A professionalized mining operation may be more likely to sell a higher percentage of its newly mined Bitcoin rapidly if it is operating at a low profit margin—and it may partially or completely cease operations if its profit margin is negative. In a low profit margin environment, a higher percentage of mined Bitcoin could be sold more rapidly, thereby potentially reducing Bitcoin prices. Lower Bitcoin prices could result in further tightening of profit margins, particularly for professionalized mining operations with higher costs and more limited capital reserves, creating a network effect that may further reduce the price of Bitcoin until mining operations with higher operating costs become unprofitable and remove mining power. The network effect of reduced profit margins resulting in greater sales of newly mined Bitcoin could result in a reduction in the price of Bitcoin that couldwould adversely impact the Company.
The foregoing risks associated with Bitcoin could be equally applicable to other cryptocurrencies, existing now or introduced in the future. Such circumstances would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern or to pursue this segment at all, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or operations of the Company and potentially the value of any cryptocurrencies the Company holds or expects to acquire for its own account.
Political or economic crises may motivate large-scale sales of Bitcoin and Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies, which could result in a reduction in value and adversely affect the Company.
As an alternative to fiat currencies that are backed by central governments, digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, which are relatively new, are subject to supply and demand forces based upon the desirability of an alternative, decentralized means of buying and selling goods and services, and it is unclear how such supply and demand will be impacted by geopolitical events. Nevertheless, political or economic crises may motivate large-scale acquisitions or sales of Bitcoins and EthereumBitcoin and other cryptocurrencies either globally or locally. Large-scale sales of Bitcoin and Ethereum or other cryptocurrencies would result in a reduction in their value and couldwould adversely affect the Company. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern or to pursue this segment at all, which would have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or operations of the Company and potentially the value of any cryptocurrencies the Company holds or expects to acquire for its own account.
It may be illegal now, or in the future, to acquire, own, hold, sell or use Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies, participate in the Blockchain or utilize similar digital assets in one or more countries, the ruling of which could adversely affect the Company.
Although currently Bitcoin Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies, the Blockchain and digital assets generally are not regulated or are lightly regulated in most countries, including the United States, one or more countries such as China and Russia may take regulatory actions in the future that could severely restrict the right to acquire, own, hold, sell or use these digital assets or to exchange for fiat currency. Such restrictions may adversely affect the Company. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern or to pursue this segment at all, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or operations of the Company and potentially the value of any cryptocurrencies the Company holds or expects to acquire for its own account and harm investors.
If regulatory changes or interpretations require the regulation of Bitcoin or other digital assets under the securities laws of the United States or elsewhere, including the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940 or similar laws of other jurisdictions and interpretations by the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”), the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), Department of Treasury or other agencies or authorities, the Company may be required to register and comply with such regulations, including at a state or local level. To the extent that the Company decides to continue operations, the required registrations and regulatory compliance steps may result in extraordinary expense or burdens to the Company. The Company may also decide to cease certain operations. Any disruption of the Company’s operations in response to the changed regulatory circumstances may be at a time that is disadvantageous to the Company.
Current and future legislation and SEC rulemaking and other regulatory developments, including interpretations released by a regulatory authority, may impact the manner in which Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency is viewed or treated for classification and clearing purposes. In particular, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency may not be excluded from the definition of “security” by SEC rulemaking or interpretation requiring registration of all transactions, unless another exemption is available, including transacting in Bitcoin or cryptocurrency amongst owners and require registration of trading platforms as “exchanges” such as Coinsquare.exchanges. The Company cannot be certain as to how future regulatory developments will impact the treatment of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies under the law. If the Company fails to comply with such additional regulatory and registration requirements, the Company may seek to cease certain of its operations or be subjected to fines, penalties and other governmental action. Such circumstances could have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern or to pursue this segment at all, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or operations of the Company and potentially the value of any cryptocurrencies the Company holds or expects to acquire for its own account and harm investors.
There have been calls for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency regulation in China, which might make Bitcoin mining uneconomical for us.
The Peoples Bank of China has recently instituted restrictions on certain exchange trading in cryptocurrencies and ICOs. Further governmental regulation could negatively impact pricing for Bitcoin. In addition, the Company’s sole source of mining computers is a Chinese company, exposing the Company to risk if restrictions are placed on the export of such computers.
Demand for Bitcoin is driven, in part, by its status as the most prominent and secure digital asset. It is possible that a digital asset other than Bitcoin could have features that make it more desirable to a material portion of the digital asset user base, resulting in a reduction in demand for Bitcoins.
Bitcoin holds a “first-to-market” advantage over other digital currencies. This first-to-market advantage is driven in large part by having the largest user base and, more importantly, the largest combined mining power in use. Having a large mining network results in greater user confidence regarding the security and long-term stability of a digital asset’s network and its Blockchain; as a result, the advantage of more users and miners makes a digital asset more secure, which makes it more attractive to new users and miners, resulting in a network effect that strengthens the first-to-market advantage. Nonetheless, it is possible that another form of digital currency could become materially popular due to either a perceived or exposed shortcoming of the Bitcoin network or a perceived advantage of another form of digital currency. If another form of digital currency obtains significant market share, this could reduce the profitability of our Bitcoin operations.
Because the number of Bitcoin awarded for solving a block in the Bitcoin network Blockchain continually decreases, miners must invest in increasing processing power to maintain their yield of Bitcoins, which might make Bitcoin mining uneconomical for the Company.
The award of new Bitcoin for solving blocks continually declines, so that Bitcoin miners must invest in increasing processing power in order to maintain or increase their yield of Bitcoin. The Company is committed to increasing its investment in its Bitcoin mining operations, but if the pricing of Bitcoin were to decline significantly, there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to recover its investment in the computer hardware and processing power required to upgrade its mining operations. There can, moreover, be no assurance that the Company will have the resources to upgrade its processing power in order to maintain the continuing profitability of its Bitcoin mining operations. Also, the developers of the Bitcoin network or other programmers could propose amendments to the network’s protocols and software that, if accepted, might require the Company to modify its Bitcoin operations, and increase its investment in Bitcoin, in order to maintain profitability. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be able to do so.
The Company continues to have discussions with potential investors to purchase more Bitcoin mining machines, but we cannot assure you that we will be successful in obtaining the necessary financing.
The Company is considering further increasing the processing power of its Bitcoin mining operations, as the Company seeks to leverage its experience and expertise in this area of operations. To do so, however, the Company will need to raise additional investment capital. While we are in discussions with potential investors to provide the necessary capital to purchase additional Bitcoin mining machines, we cannot assure you that these discussions will lead to our obtaining additional capital or that we will otherwise be successful in obtaining the necessary financing to expand our Bitcoin operations. If we are successful in raising capital to expand our Bitcoin operations, the form in which the capital is invested could be different from the way we have traditionally structured capital investments in the Company. For example, funds could be invested through a joint venture or similar arrangement, in which the Company does not have the entire equity ownership interest.
A number of claims have beenThe SEC has filed an action against the Company alleging violations of federal securities laws.
A number of law firms have filed claims, or announced an intention to file, on behalf of stockholders of the Company, alleging that the company has violated the Exchange Act. While the Company believes that there are no merits to claims that the Company violated applicable securities laws, the results of any investigation, or the outcome of any claims that may brought against us, if any, cannot be predicted with certainty. Moreover, regardless of the outcome, investigations can have an adverse impact on us because they may entail a significant amount of costs to defend the Company against any claims, such claims may negatively affect morale of employees and may divert the attention of management.
A claim has been filed against the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer alleging violations of federal securities laws.laws which could result in liabilities for the Company.
On September 7, 2018, the SEC commenced a legal action,SEC v. Barry C. Honig et al. (the “SEC Action”), in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) naming as defendant RobertMr. Ladd, the Company’s then Chief Executive Officer and President, among others. An amended complaint in the SEC Action was filed on March 8, 2019. On May 24, 2019, the SEC issued a subpoena in the SEC Action to the Company and on October 31, 2019, the SEC issued subpoenas in the SEC Action to our Chairman and our Independent Director. The SEC filed a second amended complaint in the SEC Action on March 16, 2020 asserting additional civil charges against Robert Ladd. The SEC Action asserts civil charges against multiple individuals and entities, including former shareholders of the Company, who are alleged to have violated the securities laws by engaging in pump and dump schemes in connection with certain microcap stocks. To our knowledge therestocks and three unidentified companies. The Company is no other ongoing investigation by any government agency related toone of the Company or any of its officers or directors.three unidentified companies but is not named as a defendant. We cannot predict the outcomeimpact that this action may have on the Company, or impact of any ongoing matters, and there existswhether it might result in future actions, penalties or other liabilities against the possibility that we could be subject to liability, penalties and other restrictive sanctions and adverse consequences if the SEC, the Department of Justice, or any other government agency were to pursue legal action in the future.Company. Moreover, we expect to incur costs in responding to related requests for information and subpoenas, and if instituted, in defending against any resulting governmental proceedings.
proceedings that may be instituted against the Company.
The Company hasand its directors and officer have received a subpoenasubpoenas from the SEC.SEC, which is imposing costs on the Company and creating a perception of wrongdoing.
OnAt various times since September 15, 2016, and most recently in October 2019, the Company and its then officers and directors received a subpoenasubpoenas from the SEC requesting information, including but not limited to, with respect to risk factors contained in certain informationof the Company’s filings with the SEC. On October 21, 2020, the SEC notified the Company this investigation concluded, and it does not intend to recommend an enforcement action by the Commission against MGT in this matter. This notice was sent pursuant to guidelines set out in Securities Acts Release 5310, which states in part that the notice “must in no way be construed as indicating that the party has been exonerated or that no action may ultimately result from the Company, and in December 2017 our President and Chief Executive Officer also received a subpoena from the SEC. Except as detailed in the previous paragraph, we have no indication or reasonStaff’s investigation.” Response to believe that the Company or its officers or directors are or will be the subject of any enforcement proceedings. The Company has publicly announced its receipt of the subpoena and is fully cooperating to comply with the SEC’s request. Nevertheless, response to the subpoena has entailed,subpoenas entail, and may continue to entail, legal costs and the diversion of management’s attention, and the issuance of the subpoenasubpoenas may create a perception of wrongdoing that could be harmful to our business.
A number of shareholder class actions and shareholder derivative actions were filed against the Company and its CEO alleging violations of federal securities laws imposing costs on the Company and creating a perception of wrongdoing.
Certain shareholders of the Company filed class action and derivative lawsuits against the Company and its directors, alleging violations of federal securities laws and seeking damages. These legal actions followed and referenced allegations made against Mr. Ladd and others in a complaint filed by the SEC in the SEC Action. All these legal actions have been settled pursuant to Court-approved agreements, however, there can be no assurance that other shareholders will not bring other shareholder class actions or derivative lawsuits alleging different violations of law. Responses to lawsuits entail, and may continue to entail, legal costs and the diversion of management’s attention, and the filing of lawsuits may create a perception of wrongdoing that could be harmful to our business.
The SEC’s actions against the Company’s CEO could result in the loss of his services or otherwise divert his attention from the management of the Company.
Mr. Ladd is a director of the Company and has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company since January 2012 (except for the periods from November 2016 through August 2017 and September 10, 2018 through April 30, 2019). During this time, he has been largely responsible for the Company’s strategic direction and has been influential in all major policy decisions of the Company. As described above, the SEC has filed a lawsuit against Mr. Ladd, alleging violations of securities laws. In addition to injunctive relief and monetary penalties, the complaint seeks an officer and director bar with respect to Mr. Ladd, which if obtained by the SEC would prevent him from continuing to serve in such capacities with the Company. While the Company has no reason to believe that Mr. Ladd has failed to comply with applicable securities law in respect of the Company, the outcome of this litigation is uncertain. In the event Mr. Ladd is prevented from serving as an executive officer and/or director of the Company, the Company’s business, operations and strategic direction may be adversely impacted. Also, the SEC Action may divert Mr. Ladd’s attention from the management of the Company and has resulted in an increase in our director and officer insurance costs.
The Company’s directors and officers insurance policies have been exhausted and will cause the Company to increase spending on legal expenses.
Under its bylaws and certain indemnification agreements, the Company has obligations to indemnify current and former officers and directors and certain current and former employees. Based on cumulative legal fees and settlements incurred, the Company has fully exhausted its directors and officers insurance coverage. Additional expenses currently expected to be incurred and that may occur in the future, or liabilities that may be imposed in connection with actions against certain of the Company’s past and present directors and officers and certain current and former employees who are entitled to indemnification will be funded by the Company with its existing cash resources. Such expenses could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The SEC charges against the Company’s CEO has created a perception of wrongdoing, and has impacted the Company’s ability to raise capital and attract investors to the Company.
The SEC Action has created a public perception of wrongdoing. The perception of wrongdoing has caused current investors to restrict trading in the Company’s common stock, and may cause potential investors to forego investment in the Company’s common stock, thereby reducing the Company’s ability to raise capital and finance its operations. Most brokerage firms, overseen by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (known as “FINRA”), will not accept deposits of our stock by potential investors. Further, FINRA will not permit a company in which an executive is being investigated by the SEC to effect certain corporate actions such as a reverse stock split, even if approved by directors and stockholders. Continued perception of wrongdoing could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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Risks Related to Our Stock
The Company is subject to the risks relating to penny stocks.Penny stock regulations may impose certain restrictions on marketability of our securities.
Trading in our Common Stock is also subject to the requirements of certain rules promulgated under the Exchange Act. These rules require additional disclosure by broker–dealers in connection with any trades involving a stock defined asThe SEC has adopted regulations which generally define a “penny stock” and impose various sales practice requirements on broker–dealers who sell penny stocks to persons other than established customers and accredited investors, generally institutions. These additional requirements may discourage broker–dealers from effecting transactions in securities that are classified as penny stocks, which could severely limit the market price and liquidity of such securities and the ability of purchasers to sell such securities in the secondary market. A penny stock is defined generally asbe any non–exchange listed equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. A security listed on a national securities exchange is exempt from the definition of a penny stock. Our common stock is not currently listed on a national security exchange. Our common stock is therefore subject to rules that impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell such securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors (generally those with assets in excess of $1,000 or annual income exceeding $200, or $300 together with their spouse). For transactions covered by such rules, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchase of such securities and have received the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to the purchase.
Additionally, for any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require the delivery, prior to the transaction, of a risk disclosure document mandated by the SEC relating to the penny stock market. The broker-dealer must also disclose the commission payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the securities and, if the broker-dealer is the sole market maker, the broker dealer must disclose this fact and the broker-dealer’s presumed control over the market. Finally, monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks. Broker-dealers must wait two business days after providing buyers with disclosure materials regarding a security before effecting a transaction in such security. Consequently, the “penny stock” rules restrict the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and affect the ability of investors to sell our securities in the secondary market and the price at which such purchasers can sell any such securities, thereby affecting the liquidity of the market for our common stock.
Stockholders should also be aware that, according to the SEC, the market for penny stocks has suffered in recent years from patterns of fraud and abuse. Such patterns include:
● | control of the market for the security by one or more broker-dealers that are often related to the promoter or issuer; |
● | manipulation of prices through prearranged matching of purchases and sales and false and misleading press releases; |
● | “boiler room” practices involving high pressure sales tactics and unrealistic price projections by inexperienced salespersons; |
● | excessive and undisclosed bid-ask differentials and markups by selling broker-dealers; and |
● | the wholesale dumping of the same securities by promoters and broker-dealers after prices have been manipulated to a desired level, along with the inevitable collapse of those prices with consequent investor losses. |
Our stock price and trading volume may be volatile, which could result in losses for our stockholders.
The equity markets may experience periods of volatility, which could result in highly variable and unpredictable pricing of equity securities. The market price of our Common Stockcommon stock could change in ways that may or may not be related to our business, our industry or our operating performance and financial condition and could negatively affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our Common Stock.common stock. We cannot predict the potential impact of these periods of volatility on the price of our Common Stock.common stock. The Company cannot assure you that the market price of our Common Stockcommon stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they publish inaccurate or unfavorable research reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our Common Stockcommon stock will, to some extent, depend on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more of the analysts who cover us should downgrade our shares or change their opinion of our business prospects, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our Company or fails to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price and volume to decline.
14 |
Future sales and issuances of our equity securities or rights to purchase our equity securities, including pursuant to equity incentive plans, would result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our stockholders and could cause our stock price to fall.
To the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities through convertible notes or otherwise, our stockholders may experience substantial dilution. We may, as we have in the past, sell common stock, rights, warrants, options or convertible securities or other equity securities in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner we determine from time to time. If we sell common stock, rights, warrants, options or convertible securities or other equity securities in more than one transaction, investors may be further diluted by subsequent sales. Such sales may also result in material dilution to our existing stockholders, and new investors could gain rights superior to existing stockholders. Because we are quoted on the OTCQB instead of a national securities exchange or quotation system, our investors may experience significant volatility in the market price of our stock and have difficulty selling their shares.
Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTC Market Group’s OTCQB market quotation system under the ticker symbol “MGTI.” The OTCQB is a regulated quotation services that displays real-time quotes and last sale prices in over-the-counter securities. Trading in shares quoted on the OTCQB is often thin and characterized by volatility in trading prices. This volatility may be caused by a variety of factors, including the lack of readily available price quotations, the absence of consistent administrative supervision of bid and ask quotations, lower trading volume and market conditions. As a result, there may be wide fluctuations in the market price of the shares of our common stock for reasons unrelated to operating performance, and this volatility, when it occurs, may have a negative effect on the market price for our securities. Moreover, the OTCQB is not a stock exchange, and trading of securities on this platform is more sporadic than the trading of securities listed on a national quotation system or stock exchange. Accordingly, our stockholders may not be able to realize a fair price from their shares when they determine to sell them or may have to hold them for a substantial period of time until the market for our common stock improves.
A significant number of additional shares of our common stock may be issued at a later date, and their sale could depress the market price of our common stock.
As of April 15, 2021, we have an unknown, but substantial, amount of our common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding notes. These convertible notes allow the holder to convert the principal amount of the note into the Company’s common stock at 70% of the lowest trading price of the common stock for the 10 days prior to the conversion date. The possibility of the issuance of all or some of the shares could substantially reduce the market price for our common stock.
Offers or availability for sale of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stockcommon stock may cause the price of our Common Stockcommon stock to decline.
If our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our Common Stockcommon stock in the public market, including upon the expiration of any statutory holding period under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or registration for resale, or the conversion of preferred stock or exercise of warrants, circumstances commonly referred to as an “overhang” could result, in anticipation of which the market price of our Common Stockcommon stock could fall. The existence of an overhang, whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, could also make more difficult our ability to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity–related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.
The price of our common stock has fluctuated considerably and is likely to remain volatile, in part due to the Company’s shareslimited market for our common stock, and you could be subject to wide price swings since the valuelose all or part of cryptocurrencies may be subject to pricing risk and have historically been subject to wide swings in value.your investment.
The Company’s shares are subject to arbitrary pricing factors that are not necessarily associated with traditional factors that influence stock prices or the value of non-cryptocurrency assets such as revenue, cashflows, profitability, growth prospects or business activity levels since the value and price, as determined by the investing public, may be influenced by future anticipated adoption or appreciation in value of cryptocurrencies or the Blockchain generally, factors over which the Company has little or no influence or control. The Company’s share prices may also be subject to pricing volatility due to supply and demand factors associated with few orThere is a limited public company optionsmarket for investment in the segment.
Cryptocurrencyour common stock, and we cannot provide assurances that a more active trading market prices are determined primarily using data from various exchanges, over-the-counter markets, and derivative platforms. Furthermore, such prices may be subject to factors such as those that impact commodities, more so than business activities, which could be subjected to additional influence from fraudulentwill develop or illegitimate actors, real or perceived scarcity, and political, economic, regulatory or other conditions. Pricing may be thecontinue. As a result of andlow trading volume in our common stock, the purchase or sale of a relatively small number of shares could result in significant share price fluctuations. Additionally, the market price of our common stock may continue to resultfluctuate significantly in speculation regarding future appreciationresponse to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control.
Moreover, several brokerage firms restrict opening purchases of our common stock, allowing only closing trades to sell out a position. Such activities limit the addressable market for our common stock.
For these reasons and others, an investment in our securities is risky and you should invest only if you can withstand a total loss of, and wide fluctuations in, the value of cryptocurrencies, or the Company or its share price, inflating and making their market prices more volatile or creating “bubble” type risks.
In addition, the success of the Company, the Company’s share price, and the interest in investors and the public in the Company as an early entrant into the Blockchain and cryptocurrency ecosystem may in large part be the result of the Company’s early emergence as a publicly traded company in which holders of appreciated cryptocurrency have an opportunity to invest inflated cryptocurrency profits for shares of the Company, which could be perceived as a way to maintaining investing exposure to the Blockchain and cryptocurrency markets without exposing the investor to the risk in a particular cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency holders have realized exponential value due to large increases in the prices of cryptocurrencies and may seek to lock in cryptocurrency appreciation, which investing in the Company’s securities may be perceived as a way to achieve that result, but may not continue in the future. As a result, the value of the Company’s securities, and the value of cryptocurrencies generally may be more likely to fluctuate due to changing investor confidence in future appreciation (or depreciation) in market prices, profits from related or unrelated investments or holdings of cryptocurrency. Such factors or events would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern or to pursue this segment at all, or on the price of the Company’s securities, which would have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or operations of the Company and potentially the value of any cryptocurrencies the Company holds or expects to acquire for its own account.
your investment.
Investor relations activities, nominal “float” and supply and demand factors may affect the price of our stock.
The Company may utilize various techniques such as non–deal road shows and investor relations campaigns in order to create investor awareness for the Company. These campaigns may include personal, video and telephone conferences with investors and prospective investors in which our business practices are described. The Company may provide compensation to investor relations firms and pay for newsletters, websites, mailings and email campaigns that are produced by third–parties based upon publicly–available information concerning the Company. The Company does not intend to review or approve the content of such analysts’ reports or other materials based upon analysts’ own research or methods. Investor relations firms should generally disclose when they are compensated for their efforts, but whether such disclosure is made or complete is not under our control. In addition, investors in the Company may, from time to time, also take steps to encourage investor awareness through similar activities that may be undertaken at their own expense. Investor awareness activities may also be suspended or discontinued, which may impact the trading market for our Common Stock. Any of these activities could affect our stock price in a manner that is unrelated to the underlying value of our Company.
The ability of our board of directors (the “Board”) to issue additional stock may prevent or make more difficult certain transactions, including a sale or merger of the Company.
Our board of directors is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with powers, rights and preferences designated by it. Shares of voting or convertible preferred stock could be issued, or rights to purchase such shares could be issued, to create voting impediments or to frustrate persons seeking to effect a takeover or otherwise gain control of the Company. The ability of the Board to issue such additional shares of preferred stock, with such rights and preferences it deems advisable, could discourage an attempt by a party to acquire control of the Company by tender offer or other means. Such issuances could therefore deprive stockholders of benefits that could result from such an attempt, such as the realization of a premium over the market price for their shares in a tender offer or the temporary increase in market price that such an attempt could cause. Moreover, the issuance of such additional shares of preferred stock to persons friendly to the board of directors could make it more difficult to remove incumbent officers and directors from office even if such removal would be favorable to stockholders generally. In addition, the Board is authorized to issue up to 2,500,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The issuance of these authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock may dilute the ownership interests of existing stockholders and may have a dilutive effect on our Common Stock.
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
We have not declared or paid cash dividends on our Common Stock to date. We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. In addition, the terms of any existing or future debt agreements may preclude us from paying dividends.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Our principal corporate office is located at 512 S. Mangum150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 408 Durham,1110 Raleigh, NC 2770,27601, occupied under a subleaselease that expires on January 31, 2020.2023. Monthly rent is $7$3 until expiration of the lease. A security deposit of $13$3 was required upon execution of the sublease. The Company believeslease. We believe our office is in good condition and is sufficient to conduct our operations.
The Company has aWe have constructed our own Bitcoin mining operationfacility on 6 acres in the state of Colorado under a lease that expires on November 1, 2010. The CompanyLaFayette, GA which we acquired in May 2019. We believe our mining facility is in the process of negotiating a formal management agreement with respectgood condition and is sufficient to a mining operation in Ohio. The Company had a month-to-month mining operation in Washington which it terminated on March 22, 2019.conduct our operations.
In September 2016, various shareholders in the Company filed putative class action lawsuits against the Company, its president and certain of its individual officers and directors. The cases were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and alleged violations of federal securities laws and seek damages. On April 11, 2017, those cases were consolidated into a single action (the “2016 Securities Class Action”) and two individual shareholders were appointed lead plaintiffs by the Court. On June 30, 2017, the lead plaintiffs filed an amended complaint.
On August 29, 2017, the defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint, which the plaintiffs opposed. The Court heard oral argument on the motion to dismiss on February 7, 2018. On February 27, 2018, the Court issued a Memorandum and Order dismissing the 2016 Securities Class Action in its entirety, with prejudice. The time for plaintiffs to file a notice of appeal expired on March 30, 2018.
Separately, on September 15, 2016, the Company received a subpoena from the SEC and in December 2017, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and President received a subpoena from the SEC. The Company has cooperated fully with the SECresolved all shareholder legal actions formerly pending in state and its staff in a timely manner. The Company intends to fully comply with any additional requests the Company may receive from the SEC in the future.federal courts.
On January 24, 2017, the Company was served with a summons and complaint filed by plaintiff shareholder Atul Ojha in New York state court against certain officers and directors of the Company and naming the Company as a nominal defendant. The lawsuit is styled as a derivative action (the “Ojha Derivative Action”) and was originally filed (but not served on any defendant) on October 15, 2016. The Ojha Derivative Action substantively alleges that the defendants, collectively or individually, inadequately managed the business and assets of the Company resulting in the deterioration of the Company’s financial condition. The Ojha Derivative Action asserts claims including, but not limited to, breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment and waste of corporate assets.
On February 27, 2017,December 12, 2018, a shareholder derivative action was filed by shareholder Bob Thomas against certain current and former directors, officers and shareholders of the parties toCompany, and naming the Company as a nominal defendant, in New York state court, alleging breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, and waste and seeking declaratory relief and damages (the “Thomas Derivative Action”). The underlying allegations in the Thomas Derivative Action largely repeat the allegations of wrongdoing in the 2018 Securities Class Actions (as defined below).
On April 23, 2020, the Company entered into a stipulation of settlement (the “Stipulation”) in connection with the Ojha Derivative Action executed a stipulated stay of proceedings pending resolutionand the Thomas Derivative Action (together, the “State Derivative Actions”). The consideration for the settlement of the 2016 Securities Class Action. Shortly after issuanceDerivative Actions is as follows: (i) adoption by the Company of certain corporate governance reforms, the terms of which are fully set forth in Exhibits A and B to the Stipulation; (ii) Robert B. Ladd, H. Robert Holmes, Michael Onghai, and Nolan Bushnell shall collectively pay or cause to be paid $75 to the Company; and (iii) Barry C. Honig, John Stetson, Michael Brauser, John O’Rourke III, and Mark Groussman shall collectively pay or cause to be paid $150 to the Company. Further, the Company shall, subject to court approval, pay a fee and expense award to plaintiffs’ counsel in the Derivative Actions of $150 and service awards to each of the February 27, 2018, ruling dismissingtwo plaintiffs in the 2016 Securities Class Action,Derivative Actions of $1.5 each, to be paid from the partiesfee and expense award. On April 24, 2020, the New York state court entered an order preliminarily approving the Stipulation and the settlement contemplated therein and providing for the notice of the settlement to be made to current MGT Stockholders. The Preliminary Approval Order further provided for a Court hearing on the settlement on June 26, 2020. On May 4, 2020, pursuant to the Ojha Derivative Action agreed to extendPreliminary Approval Order, MGT provided notice of the stay indefinitely,settlement on its website, by press release and by filing a Form 8-K with the plaintiff havingSecurities and Exchange Commission.
Final approval of the option to vacatesettlement of the stayState Derivative Actions was granted on thirty days’ notice. Should the plaintiff seek to vacate the stay, the Company will address and defend the Ojha Derivative Action.July 2, 2020.
On September 7, 2018,August 28, 2019, a shareholder derivative action was filed by shareholder Tyler Tomczak against the SEC commencedcertain directors, officers and shareholders of the Company, and naming the Company as a legal actionnominal defendant, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging breach of fiduciary duties, waste and unjust enrichment and seeking declaratory relief and damages (the “SEC“Tomczak Derivative Action”) which asserts civil charges. The underlying allegations in the Tomczak Derivative Action largely repeat the allegations of wrongdoing in the 2018 Securities Class Actions.
On September 11, 2019, a shareholder derivative action was filed by shareholder Arthur Aviles against multiple individualscertain directors, officers and entities who are alleged to have violatedshareholders of the securities laws by engagingCompany, and naming the Company as a nominal defendant, in pump-and-dump schemesthe United States District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging breach of fiduciary duties, waste and unjust enrichment and seeking declaratory relief and damages (the “Aviles Derivative Action”). The underlying allegations in the Aviles Derivative Action largely repeat the allegations of wrongdoing in the 2018 Securities Class Actions.
On May 7, 2020, the Company entered into a stipulation of settlement (the “Federal Stipulation”) in connection with certain microcap stocksthe Tomczak Derivative Action and three unidentified companies.the Aviles Derivative Action (together, the “Federal Derivative Actions”). The Company is oneconsideration for the settlement of the three unidentified companies butFederal Derivative Actions is not named as follows: (i) adoption by the Company of a defendant. However,certain corporate governance reform, the terms of which are fully set forth in Exhibit A to the Federal Stipulation; and (ii) Robert B. Ladd, H. Robert Holmes, and Michael Onghai shall collectively pay or cause to be paid $65 to the Company. Further, the Company shall, subject to court approval, pay a fee and expense award to plaintiffs’ counsel in the Federal Derivative Actions of $30 and incentive awards to each of the two plaintiffs in the Federal Derivative Actions of $0.4 each. The parties to the Federal Stipulation presently intend to file the Federal Stipulation with the appropriate federal court after final approval of the settlement of the two state Derivative Actions referred to above.
Final approval of the settlement of the Federal Derivative Actions was granted on August 5, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded $119 as other income in relation to the settlement of the Federal Derivative Actions.
In October 2019, the Company and its then officers and directors received subpoenas from the SEC named as defendants Robert Ladd,requesting information, including but not limited to, with respect to risk factors contained in certain of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and President, as well as certain individuals alleged to have participated infilings with the schemes while they were stockholders inSEC. On October 21, 2020, the SEC notified the Company among others.this investigation concluded, and it does not intend to recommend an enforcement action by the Commission against MGT in this matter. This notice was sent pursuant to guidelines set out in Securities Acts Release 5310, which states in part that the notice “must in no way be construed as indicating that the party has been exonerated or that no action may ultimately result from the Staff’s investigation.”
In November 2018, the Company’s board received a shareholder demand letter dated November 6, 2018, from shareholders Nicholas Fulton and Kelsey Thacker (the “Fulton Demand”). The Fulton Demand referenced the SEC filed an amended complaintAction, and the allegations therein, and demanded that the board take action to investigate, address and remedy the allegations raised in the SEC Action. Shortly after the New York state court entered the order preliminarily approving the stipulation of settlement in connection with the Ojha Derivative Action on March 8, 2019. Theand the Thomas Derivative Action, counsel for the Company through itsinformed counsel is monitoringfor shareholders Nicholas Fulton and Kelsey Thacker of that stipulation of settlement and of counsel for the progressCompany’s view that the releases in the settlement covered the matters raised in the Fulton Demand.
Settlement of the SEC Action.Class Action
In September 2018 and October 2018, various shareholders of the Company filed putative class action lawsuits against the Company, its former Chief Executive Officer and certain of its individual officers and shareholders, alleging violations of federal securities laws and seeking damages (the “2018 Securities Class Actions”). The 2018 Securities Class Action followed and referenced the allegations made against the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and others in the SEC Action. The first putative class action lawsuit was filed on September 28, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and alleges that the named defendants engaged in a pump-and-dump scheme to artificially inflate the price of the Company’s stock and that, as a result, defendants’ statements about the Company’s business and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at relevant times. The second putative class action was filed on October 9, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and makes similar allegations. The Company intends
On May 28, 2019, the parties to defend against the 2018 Securities Class Actions vigorously.entered into a binding settlement term sheet, and on September 24, 2019, the parties entered into a stipulation of settlement. On August 7, 2019, the lead plaintiff in the first class action filed a notice and order of voluntary dismissal with prejudice, and on October 11, 2019, the lead plaintiff in the second class action filed in the federal court in New York an unopposed motion for preliminary approval of the proposed class action settlement. On December 17, 2019, the court issued an order granting preliminary approval of the settlement.
In November 2018,Final approval of the Company’s board received a shareholder demand letter dated November 6, 2018, from shareholders Nicholas Fulton and Kelsey Thacker (the “Fulton Demand”). The Fulton Demand referenced the SEC Action and the allegations therein, and demanded that the board take action to investigate, address and remedy the allegations raised in the SEC Action. The Company’s counsel has communicated with counsel for the shareholders, advising them concerning the existence and statussettlement of the 2018 Securities Class Actions the Ojha Derivative Action, and the Thomas Derivative Action (defined below). Shareholders’ counsel has indicated a general willingness to defer further action until resolutionwas granted on May 27, 2020. The plaintiff shareholder class received $750 in cash settlement, inclusive of the 2018 Securities Class Actions, and counsel continue to communicate concerning the details.
On December 12, 2018, a shareholder derivative actionattorney fees. This amount was filedpaid by shareholder Bob Thomas against the Company and certain of its current and former directors, officers and shareholders in New York state court, alleging breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, and waste and seeking declaratory relief and damages (the “Thomas Derivative Action”). The underlying allegations in the Thomas Derivative Action largely repeat the allegations of wrongdoing in the 2018 Securities Class Actions. Based on recent communications between the Company’s counsel and plaintiff’s counsel in the Thomas Derivative Action, plaintiff intends to seek consolidation of this case with the Ojha Derivative Action, and then to stay the consolidated derivative action pending resolution of the 2018 Securities Class Actions. The Company-related defendants’ time to respond to the Thomas Derivative Action has been extended until thirty days after the Court rules on plaintiff’s motion.insurance carrier.
With respect to the Thomas Derivative Action, plaintiffs’ counsel have indicated that they intend to move for an order consolidating the Thomas Derivative Action with the shareholder derivative action captioned Oiha v. Ladd, et al., Index No. 65647/2016 (New York Supreme Court, Westchester County) and staying the consolidated action pending resolution of the pending parallel class actions captioned Klinabera v. MGT Capital Investments, et al.. No. 2:18-cv-14380 (United States District Court, District of New Jersey), and Guver v. MGT Capital Investments. Inc., et al.. No. 1:18-cv-09228 (United States District Court, Southern District of New York). Plaintiffs’ counsel in the Thomas Derivative Action have also extended the Company’s time to respond to the complaint until 30 days after the Court rules on that motion.
The Company believes that the claims in the actions filed against the Company are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against these actions.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters And Issuer’s Purchases Of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our Common Stockcommon stock is traded on the OTC QB tier of OTC Markets LLC under the symbol “MGTI.”
The following table sets forth the high and low last reported sales prices of our Common Stock for each quarterly period during 2019, 2018 and 2017.
High | Low | |||||||
2019 | ||||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.03 | ||||
2018 | ||||||||
Fourth quarter | $ | 0.19 | $ | 0.05 | ||||
Third quarter | 1.08 | 0.10 | ||||||
Second quarter | 2.18 | 0.68 | ||||||
First quarter | 5.39 | 1.21 | ||||||
2017 | ||||||||
Fourth quarter | $ | 8.14 | $ | 1.54 | ||||
Third quarter | 4.26 | 0.92 | ||||||
Second quarter | 1.45 | 1.45 | ||||||
First quarter | 1.37 | 1.37 |
Holders
On April 15, 2019,14, 2021, the Company’s Common Stockcommon stock closed on the OTC QB tier of OTC Markets LLC at $0.06$0.08 per share and there were 359362 stockholders of record.
Dividends
The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on its Common Stockcommon stock and has no intention to do so in the foreseeable future.
Unregistered sales of equity securities
None
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Not applicable.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
In September 2016,Following a review of its Bitcoin mining operations in early 2019, we commenceddetermined to consolidate our activities in a Company-owned and managed facility. Central to this strategy was the purchase of land in LaFayette, GA and the entry into a favorable contract for electricity in the second quarter of 2019. Located adjacent to a utility substation, the several acre property has access to over 20 megawatts (MW) of low-cost power.
The Company owned approximately 669 and 649 Antminer S17 Pro Bitcoin miners located in LaFayette, GA as of December 31, 2020 and April 15, 2021, respectively. All miners were purchased from Bitmaintech Pte. Ltd., a Singapore limited company (“Bitmain”), and are collectively rated at approximately 30 Ph/s in computing power. Bitmain has acknowledged manufacturing defects, combined with inadequate repair facilities, rendering approximately one half of our miners in need of repair or replacement. The Company’s miners are housed in three modified shipping containers. The Company’s current electrical load is estimated at under 1.0 MW. The entire facility, including the land, two 2500 KVA 3-phase transformers, the mining containers, and miners, are owned by MGT. As the Company is presently using only a portion of the built-out available electrical load, it is exploring ways to grow and maintain its current operations including but not limited to further equipment sales, leasing space to other Bitcoin miners, and raising capital to acquire newest generation miners.
Prior to establishing our Company-owned and managed facility, we conducted our Bitcoin mining operations in the Wenatchee Valley area of central Washington. Throughout 2017, we expanded our mining capacity with the purchase of additional Bitcoin mining machines and by entering intothrough third-party hosting and power agreements with Washington facilities owners.arrangements. We have also entered into management agreements with third party investors whereby the investors purchased the mining hardware, and we receivereceived both a fee to manage the mining operations plus one-half of the net operating profit.
Towards the end of 2017, In March 2019, we determined that there was inadequate electric powerentered into a settlement agreement to terminate our hosting agreement in Washington to supportand conveyed ownership of its onsite mining assets for full satisfaction of $77 in outstanding hosting service fees. In August and September 2019, we terminated all our growth,management agreements with third party investors, and in December 2019, we moved swiftly to find a new facility to conductterminated our mining operations. By the end of 2017, we made the decision to move our principal mining operations to northern Sweden, a geographic location with historically low ambient temperatures and available inexpensive electricity. We entered into the Hosting Agreement with Beacon, pursuant to which Beacon agreed to deliver a turn-key solution in northern Sweden with up to 15 megawatts of electricity capacity, including a facility with power, cooling, andfinal remaining hosting services for a fixed price of $810 per month. The facility in Sweden is owned by the city of Älvsbyn and leased by a subsidiary of Beacon. Beacon committed to provide a fully functional facility by the end of March 2018. The Hosting Agreement required us to pay $1,620 to Beacon, representing the first and last month of service. During the first quarter of 2018, we took delivery of an additional 2,000 Bitcoin mining machines in Sweden and moved 4,300 machines (including 2,100 investor-owned machines) from Washington to Sweden.
Beacon failed to deliver the fully built out facility and necessary power supply levels required by us by the end of March 2018. Through the first quarter of 2018 and into the second quarter, our personnel made visits to Sweden and assisted Beacon with efforts to get the facility up and running. We also advanced additional funds to Beacon to maximize operational capacity as quickly as possible. During April 2018, we became involved in the design and setup of the Sweden facility due to concern that Beacon may have overstated their construction abilities and financial capacity.
On May 16, 2018, we were informed that none of the amounts due from Beacon to the electric utility serving the Älvsbyn facility had been paid and that the utility would begin shutting down the electricity to the Älvsbyn facility. On the same day, we notified Beacon that it was in material breach of the Hosting Agreement. In order to avoid a shutdown of the facility and a suspension of mining operations, we paid the utility provider $368, as a good faith deposit. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, we paid an additional aggregate of $947 to the utility provider for power consumed.
Subsequent to May 16, 2018, we intensified our efforts to determine the extent of Beacon’s non-performance under the Hosting Agreement. Management made several more trips to Sweden to supervise the completion of the facility as well as investigate Beacon’s accounting records. We determined that Beacon also was faced with unpaid invoices from various material and service providers to the facility.
Beginning in late May 2018, we took steps to become the direct operator of the Swedish facility to gain control of the situation, protect our assets, and maximize operational capacity as quickly as possible. These actions included paying some of the outstanding amounts owed by Beacon in order to maintain key vendor relationships needed to complete the facility. We also formed MGT Sweden AB in anticipation of assuming the building lease and the power agreements.
During the three months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded restructuring expense of $2,499, which included the write-off of the unamortized balance of the initial deposit paid to Beacon in the amount of $1,350 and $1,149, for additional costs paid by us to service providers and vendors engaged to complete the facility. These costs consisted of unpaid obligations for services provided prior to the second quarter of 2018, including:
Costs to bring electricity provider current and set up additional transformers | $ | 893 | ||
Satisfaction of payables for materials, repairs and supplies | 206 | |||
Satisfaction of payables for payroll and consulting fees | 50 | |||
TOTAL | $ | 1,149 |
Continuing issues arising from poor engineering and demands from the electric utility forced us to devote a significant amount of time and effort to the operations in Sweden. Further, we determined that the financial investment to fully assume the position of Beacon was excessive. Simultaneously, based on an analysis of available facilities in the United States, we concluded that the United States provided hosting opportunities for us. On September 24, 2018, the combination of these factors led us to decide to forgo any further monetary investment in Sweden. We have subsequently relocated all the miners in Sweden to facilitiesarrangements in Colorado and Ohio.
As of December 31, 2018, MGT owned and operated approximately 500 miners located in a leased facility in Quincy, Washington. Prior to the relocation of the mining assets to the United States, the Company conducted a physical observation concluding there were approximately 5,750 operating machines in Sweden. In connection with the relocation to the U.S., approximately 3,000 machines were shipped to Colorado and 2,750 machines were shipped to Ohio. Of the 5,750 machines relocated to the U.S, 3,800 of these machines are owned by the Company, while the remaining machines are investor owned. All miners owned or managed by us are S9 Antminers sold by Bitmain Technologies LTD. In addition to the S9 Antminers, we own 50 custom designed GPU-based Ethereum mining rigs. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we mined 245 Bitcoin for total revenue of $2,010. In addition, the miners we operate pursuant to the management agreements mined 184 Bitcoin during the same period.
Based on the significant decline in the price of Bitcoin during the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company performed a recoverability test of its cryptocurrency mining assets. Due to the unpredictable volatility of bitcoin’s price, the Company believes there are indications that the decrease in Bitcoin’s price could be other than temporary. Accordingly, the Company decided to fully impair its cryptocurrency mining assets as of December 31, 2018. In addition to the $3,668 impairment charge recorded in the third quarter of 2018, the Company recorded an additional impairment charge of $2,677 during the fourth quarter of 2018. As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s cryptocurrency mining assets have no carrying value on the Company’s balance sheet, however, they are still operational and management plans to commence mining in the Colorado and Ohio locations upon improvement of Bitcoin economics.
Critical accounting policies and estimates
Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report describe our significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The preparation of these financial statements requires us 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 periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We continually evaluate our critical accounting policies and estimates.
We believe the critical accounting policies listed below reflect significant judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue recognition
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which was subsequently amended by ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12, and ASU 2017-13. These ASUs outline a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance includes a five-step framework that requires an entity to: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when the entity satisfies a performance obligation. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. A full retrospective or modified retrospective approach was required upon adoption. The Company has adopted ASU No. 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018.
The Company has elected to apply the modified retrospective method and the impact was determined to be immaterial on the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the new revenue standard has been applied prospectively in our consolidated financial statements from January 1, 2018 forward and reported financial information for historical comparable periods will not be revised and will continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect during those historical periods.
The Company has performed an analysis and identified its revenues and costs that are within the scope of the new guidance. The Company determined that its methods of recognizing revenues have not been significantly impacted by the new guidance.
The Company’sOur primary revenue stream is related to the mining of digital currencies. The Company derives itsWe derive our revenue by solving “blocks” to be added to the blockchain and providing transaction verification services within the digital currency networksnetwork of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, and Ethereum, commonly termed “cryptocurrency mining.” In consideration for these services, the Company receiveswe receive digital currency (“Coins”). The Coins are recorded as revenue, using the average spot price of Bitcoin on the date of receipt. The Coins are recorded on the balance sheet as inventoryan intangible digital asset valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Any gain or loss on sale would be recorded to cost of revenues. Costs of revenues includes equipment depreciation, rent, and electricity costs. Net realizable value adjustments, to reduceadjust the value of the Coins to their market value, is included in cost of revenue on the Company’sour consolidated statementsstatement of operations.
Due Further, any gain or loss on the sale of Coins would be recorded to a lack of authoritative and non-authoritative guidance, the Company had previously recorded the Coins as a security, where the Company would record revaluation gains and losses to costcosts of revenue. AsCosts of September 30, 2018, the Company reviewed certain non-authoritative guidancerevenue include hosting fees, equipment and changed its accounting policy to reflect that its Coins should be an Intangible Digital asset. The Company determined that this change in accounting policy had no effect on its previously filed financial statements.infrastructure depreciation, net realizable value adjustments, and electricity costs.
The CompanyWe also recognizesrecognized revenue from itsour management agreements. The Company receivesagreements through their termination in August and September 2019. We received a fee from each management agreement based on the amount of Bitcoin mined, half of profits and iswere reimbursed for any electricity costs incurred to run the Bitcoin mining machines it managesthey managed in its facility.their facilities. Additionally, we had machines located in hosted facilities in Ohio and Colorado. We received an allocation of profits from these facilities. We terminated both hosting arrangements in December 2019.
We also recognize a royalty participation upon the sale of modified shipping containers manufactured by Bit5ive LLC of Miami, Florida under the terms of a collaboration agreement entered in August 2018.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight–line method on the various asset classes over their estimated useful lives, which range from one to ten years when placed in service. The cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in income in the year of disposition. Deposits on property and equipment are initially classified as Other Assets and upon delivery, installation and full payment, the assets are classified as property and equipment on the consolidated balance sheet.
Stock–based compensation
The Company recognizesWe recognize compensation expense for all equity–based payments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation”. Under fair value recognition provisions, the Company recognizes equity–based compensation net of an estimated forfeiture rate and recognizes compensation cost only for those shares expected to vest over the requisite service period of the award.
Restricted stock awards are granted at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors of the Company.Company (the “Board”). These awards are restricted as to the transfer of ownership and generally vest over the requisite service periods, typically over a 12 to 24 month period (vesting on a straight–line basis). The fair value of a stock award is equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company’s Common Stock on the grant date.
The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black–Scholes option valuation model. The Black–Scholes option valuation model requires the development of assumptions that are inputs into the model. These assumptions are the expected stock volatility, the risk–free interest rate, the expected life of the option, the dividend yield on the underlying stock and the expected forfeiture rate. Expected volatility is calculated based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over the expected term of the option. Risk–free interest rates are calculated based on continuously compounded risk–free rates for the appropriate term.
Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards requires the input of the subjective assumptions described above. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards represent management’s best estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. The Company isWe are required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and recognize expense only for those shares expected to vest.
The Company accountsWe account for share–based payments granted to non–employees in accordance with ASC 505–50, “Equity Based Payments to Non–Employees”. The Company determinesWe determine the fair value of the stock–based payment as either the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more readily determinable. If the fair value of the equity instruments issued is used, it is measured using the stock price and other measurement assumptions as of the earlier of either (1) the date at which a commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the equity instruments is reached, or (2) the date at which the counterparty’s performance is complete.
Equity-linked instruments
The Company accounts for equity-linked instruments with certain anti-dilution provisions in accordance with ASC 815 and ASC 260. Under this guidance, the Company excludes instruments with certain down round features when determining whether a financial instrument (or embedded conversion feature) is considered indexed to the Company’s own stock. As a result, financial instruments (or embedded conversion features) with down round features are not required to be classified as derivative liabilities. The Company recognizes the value of a down round feature only when it is triggered and the exercise or conversion price has been adjusted downward. For equity-classified freestanding financial instruments, such as warrants, the Company treats the value of the effect of the down round, when triggered, as a deemed dividend and a reduction of income available to common stockholders in computing basic earnings per share. For convertible instruments with embedded conversion features containing down round provisions, the Company recognizes the value of the down round as a beneficial conversion discount to be amortized to earnings.
Any incentive-based compensation received by the Optionee from the Company hereunder or otherwise shall be subject to recovery by the Company in the circumstances and manner provided in any Incentive-based Compensation Recovery that may be adopted or implemented by the Company and in effect from time to time on or after the date hereof, and Optionee shall effectuate any such recovery at such time and in such manner as the Company may specify.
Derivative Instruments
Derivative financial instruments are recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at fair value in accordance with ASC 815. When the Company enters into a financial instrument such as a debt or equity agreement (the “host contract”), the Company assesses whether the economic characteristics of any embedded features are clearly and closely related to the primary economic characteristics of the remainder of the host contract. When it is determined that (i) an embedded feature possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the primary economic characteristics of the host contract, and (ii) a separate, stand-alone instrument with the same terms would meet the definition of a financial derivative instrument, then the embedded feature is bifurcated from the host contract and accounted for as a derivative instrument. The estimated fair value of unvested equity instrumentsthe derivative feature is re–measured each reporting period and such re-measuredrecorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets separately from the carrying value is amortized overof the requisite remaining service period.host contract. Subsequent changes in the estimated fair value of derivatives are recorded as a gain or loss in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Impairment
UnderLong-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever facts or circumstances either internally or externally may suggest that the guidancecarrying value of ASC 360, a long-livedan asset (or asset group) should be tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Based onrecoverable, Should there be an indication of impairment, we test for recoverability by comparing the significant decline in the price of Bitcoin during the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company performed a recoverability test, in which it measured theestimated undiscounted future cash flows of its cryptocurrency mining assets. This recoverability test indicated that its cryptocurrency mining assets might be impaired. The Company then performedexpected to result from the second stepuse of the analysis, whereby it measuredasset to the faircarrying amount of the asset or asset group. Any excess of the carrying value of the cryptocurrency mining assets. The Company used a weighted approach where it measured both the discounted cash flows expected from the cryptocurrency mining assetsasset or asset group over its estimated fair value is recognized as well as determining the market value of the assets. The Company does not believe that the mining assets will provide value to the Company’s structure. Furthermore, from December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2018, the price of Bitcoin dropped by more than two-thirds. Due to the unpredictable volatility of Bitcoin’s price, the Company believes there are indications that the decrease in Bitcoin’s price could be other than temporary. Based on the aforementioned reasons, the Company has decided to fully impair the long-lived assets as of December 31, 2018.an impairment loss.
Recent accounting pronouncements
Note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report includes Recent Accounting Pronouncements.
Results of operations
Years ended December 31, 20182020 and 20172019
Revenues
Our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018 decreased2020 increased by $1,104,$990, or 35.2%220%, to $2,030$1,440 as compared to $3,134$450 for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. Our revenue is primarily derived from cryptocurrency mining.mining which totaled $1,434 during 2020. The decreaseincrease in revenues is a result of decreaseincreased Bitcoin mining production and Bitcoin prices.
The Company is also entitled to a royalty from the sale of POD5 mining containers manufactured and sold by Bit5ive, LLC. During 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $4 and $44, respectively, in the priceroyalties under this agreement due to a lower number of Bitcoin during 2018. Additionally, our mining machines in Sweden were dormant for the fourth quarter of 2018 in connection with the move back to the U.S.POD5 sales.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased2020 decreased by $1,211,$3,640, or 4.9%46%, to $25,953$4,311 as compared to $24,742$7,951 for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. The increasedecrease in operating expenses was primarily due to an increasecomprised of $2,689 in cost of sales from cryptocurrency mining operations resulting from additional costs to operate in Sweden, an impairment charge to the Company’s cryptocurrency mining assets of $6,345 and a charge of $2,499 for the Sweden restructuring with no similar costs in 2017, offset by a decrease inlower general and administrative expenses of $9,537 explained below,$4,857, offset by an increase in cost of revenue of $1,218.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by $1,218, or 239%, to $1,728 as compared to $510 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The primary reasons for this increase included higher electricity usage of $560 from increased bitcoin mining, and higher depreciation expense of $932 resulting from recognition of a $482 decreasefull year of service our bitcoin mining machines and related assets; these assets were placed in sales and marketing and research and development costs related to the termination of the Company’s cybersecurity businessservice in the firstfourth quarter of 2018.2019, and were depreciated for just one quarter in 2019. These increases were offset by approximately $276 relating to other costs of revenue.
General and Administrative Expenses
The decrease in general and administrative expenses of $9,537,$4,857 or 42.7%,65% to $12,816$2,584 as compared to $22,353$7,441 for the year ended December 31, 20172019, was primarily due tocaused by a decrease in stock-based compensation of $10,178 primarily as$2,078 based on fewer shares issued or vested and a result oflower stock price in 2020 compared to 2019, a decrease in payroll and related expenses of $436, a decrease of consulting fees in the Company stock price used to measure stock compensation compared to the prior year,amount of $643, and a decrease in legal and professional fees of $520 primarily resulting from settlement of certain legal matters during 2018,$208. These decreases were partly offset by an increase in payroll and related expenses of $472 primarily forto the appointment of a Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer in 2018 and administrative costs to operate our SwedenCompany’s mining facility of $983 with no similar costs in 2017.$104.
Other Income and Expense
For the year ended December 31, 2018,2020, non–operating income and expensesexpense consisted of accretion of debt discount of $882, a loss on sale of property and equipment of $352, and interest expense of $347, partially offset by the change in fair value of the liability associated with the termination of management agreements of $26, the change in fair value of derivative liability of $309, funding from PPP Loan of $111, and other income of $119.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, non–operating expense consisted of accretion of debt discount of $5,605, partially offset by a gain on extinguishment of debt of $1,295, offset by$3,540, interest expenseincome of $3, accretion of debt discount of $905, a warrant modification expense of $139, and a loss on disposal of investments and assets of $174. During the comparable period ended December 31, 2017, non–operating expenses consisted of inducement expense of $20,312, accretion of debt discount of $5,627, interest expense of $385, all related to the conversion of all our outstanding notes payable and a loss on sale of investments of $2,871, offset by$10, a gain on salessale of property and equipment of $370.
$599, and a change in the fair value of the liability associated with the termination of the management agreements of $176.
Liquidity and capital resources
Sources of Liquidity
We have historically financed our business through the sale of debt and equity interests. We have incurred significant operating losses since inception and continue to generate losses from operations and as of December 31, 20182020 have an accumulated deficit of $405,285.$418,389. At December 31, 2018,2020, our cash and cash equivalents were $96$236, and our working capital deficit was $2,079.$1,527. As of December 31, 2018,2020, we had notesone note payable outstanding with a face valueprincipal amount of $3,200.$230.
Management’s plans include overseeingIn January 2020, management completed the operationinitial phase of approximately 5,750 cryptocurrency mining machinesits plan to consolidate its activities in ColoradoCompany-owned and Ohio and continue to executemanaged facilities, executing on anits expansion model to secure low cost power and grow its cryptocurrency assets. As discussed in Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements,In connection with this plan, the Company experienced additional delaysterminated its management agreements and costs due to the non-performance of a key vendor. The Company has relocated all its miners from Sweden to facilitiesthird-party hosting arrangements in Colorado and Ohio. Based on current budget assumptions, the Company believes that it will be able to meet its operating expenses and obligations for one year from the date these consolidated financial statements are issued.2019. The Company will need to raise additional funding to grow its operations and to pay current maturities of debt. There can be no assurance however that the Company will be able to raise additional capital when needed, or at terms deemed acceptable, if at all. Such factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to sustain operations for at least one year from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. Management’s plans, including the operation of its existing cryptocurrency mining machines, the raising of additional capital and potentially curtailing its operations alleviate such substantial doubt. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts or the classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
The price of Bitcoin is volatile, and fluctuations are expected. Declines in the price of Bitcoin hashave had a negative impact in our operating results and liquidity and could harm the price of our Common Stock. Movements may be influenced by various factors, including, but not limited to, government regulation, security breaches experienced by service providers, as well as political and economic uncertainties around the world. Since we record revenue based on the price of earned Bitcoin and we may retain such Bitcoin as an asset or as payment for future expenses, the relative value of such revenues may fluctuate, as will the value of any Bitcoin we retain. The high and low exchange rate per Bitcoin for the year ending December 31, 2018,2020, as reported by Blockchain.info, were approximately $3$5 and $17$29 respectively.
The supply of Bitcoin is finite. Once 21 million Bitcoin are generated, the network will stop producing more. Currently, there are approximately 19 million Bitcoin in circulation, or 90% of the total supply of Bitcoin. Within the Bitcoin protocol is an event referred to as Halving where the Bitcoin reward provided upon mining a block is reduced by 50%. Halvings are scheduled to occur once every 210,000 blocks, or roughly every four years, until the maximum supply of 21 million Bitcoin is reached. The most recent Halving occurred in May 2020, with a revised reward payout of 6.25 Bitcoin per block.
Given a stable hash rate, a Halving reduces the number of new Bitcoin being generated by the network. While the effect is to limit the supply of new coins, it has no impact on the quantity of total Bitcoin outstanding. As a result, the price of Bitcoin could rise or fall based on overall investor and consumer demand. Should the price of Bitcoin remain unchanged after the next Halving, the Company’s revenue would be reduced by 50%, with a much larger negative impact to profit.
The COVID-19 pandemic represents a fluid situation that presents a wide range of potential impacts of varying durations for different global geographies, including locations where we have offices, employees, customers, vendors and other suppliers and business partners. Like most US-based businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate the same began to have impacts on our business in March 2020. By that time, much of our first fiscal quarter was completed. In light of broader macro-economic risks and already known impacts on certain industries, we have taken, and continue to take targeted steps to lower our operating expenses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on our operations closely and this situation could change based on a significant number of factors that are not entirely within our control and are discussed in this and other sections of this annual report on Form 10-K. To date, travel restrictions and border closures have not materially impacted our ability to operate. However, if such restrictions become more severe, they could negatively impact those activities in a way that would harm our business over the long term. Travel restrictions impacting people can restrain our ability to operate, but at present we do not expect these restrictions on personal travel to be material to our business operations or financial results. Like most companies, we have taken a range of actions with respect to how we operate to assure we comply with government restrictions and guidelines as well as best practices to protect the health and well-being of our employees. We have also undertaken measures to reduce our administrative and advisory costs required as a publicly reporting company. Actions taken to date include salary reductions for senior management and termination of certain consulting agreements. However, the impacts of COVID-19 and efforts to mitigate the same have remained unpredictable and it remains possible that challenges may arise in the future.
Our primary source of operating funds has been through debt and equity financing. On August 30, 2018, the Company and L2 Capital, LLC (“L2 Capital”), a Kansas limited liability company,
Equity Purchase Agreements
In June 2019, we entered into an equity purchase agreement (the “Equity Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company maywe could issue and sell to L2 Capitalan investor from time to time up to $35,00076,558,643 shares of the Company’s Common Stock that isour common stock registered with the SEC under a Form S-1. Through October 2019, 52,000,000 shares were issued and sold under this registration statement on a Form S–3. The amountfor net proceeds of the Equity Purchase Agreement was amended to $50,000 on December 3, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 33,650,000 shares of its Common Stock in exchange for $2,459. During the period January 1, 2019 through April 15, 2019, the Company issued 58,600,000 shares of its Common Stock in exchange for $3,277. On April 16, 2019, the Company’s registration statement on Form S–3 lost its effectiveness as the aggregate market value of the Company’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates was below the regulatory threshold of $75,000. Therefore the Company will not be able to use its Equity Purchase Agreement as a source of operating funds until such time as the Common Stock potentially issuable under the Equity Purchase Agreement is subject to an effective Registration Statement.
$1,654.
Sale of Preferred Stock
On April 12, 2019, the Company’sour Board of Directors approved the authorization of 200 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.001 and a stated value of $10,000 per share (“Preferred Shares”). The holders of the Preferred Shares are not entitled to vote their sharesvoting rights or to receive dividends. At any time prior to the one-year anniversary from the issuance date, the Company may redeem the Preferred Shares at 1.4 times the Stated Value, following which the Companywe may redeem the Preferred Shares at 1.2 times the Stated Value.
Each Preferred Share is convertible into shares of the Company’sour common stock in an amount equal to the greater of: (a) 200,000 shares of common stock or (b) the amount derived by dividing the Stated Value by the product of 0.7 times the market price of the Company’sour common stock, defined as the lowest trading price of the Company’sour common stock during the ten day period preceding the conversion date. The holder may not convert any Preferred Shares if the total amount of shares, together with holdings of its affiliates, following a conversion shall exceed 9.99% of the Company’s commonsour common stock. The common shares issued upon conversion have been registered under the Company’sour registration statement on Form S-3. On April 12, 2019 the Companyand July 15, 2019, we sold 190 Preferred Shares for $2,000.
$1,890 and 10 Preferred Shares for $100, respectively.
Sale of Common Stock
On April 12, 2019, the Companywe entered into a Purchase Agreementpurchase agreement with an accredited investor whereby itwe sold 17,500,000 shares of itsour common stock for $525 pursuant to the Company’sour registration statement on Form S-3. The holder of these shares is also the holder of an unsecured promissory note in the amount of $3,600 (the “June 2018 Note”) and an affiliate of the acquirer of 160 shares of the Preferred Shares of which 115 are issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020.
On January 28, 2021 and February 18, 2021, we issued 2,597,403 and 27,272,727 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, to Chicago Venture Partners L.P., a Utah limited partnership, and Uptown Capital LLC, a Utah limited liability company, in connection with the conversion of 10 and 105 shares of the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred”). Following these conversions, the Company has no Series C Preferred issued or outstanding.
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||
2018 | 2017 | |||||||
Cash (used in) / provided by | ||||||||
Operating activities | $ | (8,763 | ) | $ | (2,377 | ) | ||
Investing activities | (6,507 | ) | (3,065 | ) | ||||
Financing activities | 5,847 | 14,616 | ||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (9,423 | ) | $ | 9,174 |
Debt Financing
December 2020 Note
On December 8, 2020, we entered into a securities purchase agreement pursuant to which we issued a convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $230 which is convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to 70% of the lowest price for a share of common stock during the ten trading days immediately preceding the applicable conversion. The Company received consideration of $200 for the convertible promissory note. The note bears interest at a rate of 8% per annum and matures in twelve months.
On March 5, 2021, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with Bucktown Capital, LLC (the “Investor”), pursuant to which the Company issued a convertible promissory note in the original principal amount of $13,210 (the “2021 Note”). The 2021 Note is convertible, at the option of the Investor, into shares of common stock of the Company at a conversion price equal to 70% of the lowest price for a share of common stock during the ten trading days immediately preceding the applicable conversion (the “Conversion Price”); provided, however, in no event shall the Conversion Price be less than $0.04 per share. The 2021 Note bears interest at a rate of 8% per annum and will mature in twelve months.
The 2021 Note will be funded in tranches, with the initial tranche of $1,210 funded by the Investor on March 5, 2021 for consideration of $1,000. Six subsequent tranches (five tranches, each for $1,200 and one tranche for $6,000) will be funded upon the notice of effectiveness of a Registration Statement on Form S-1 covering the common stock issuable in connection with the 2021 Note. Further, the final tranche requires the mutual agreement of the Company and Investor. Until such time as Investor has funded the subsequent tranches, the Company will hold a series of Investor Notes that offset any unfunded portion of the 2021 Note.
The PPP Loan
On April 16, 2020, we entered into a promissory note with Aquesta Bank for $111 in connection with the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “PPP Loan”). The PPP Loan bears interest at 1% per annum, with monthly installments of $6 commencing on November 1, 2021 for 18 months through its maturity on April 1, 2023. The principal amount of the PPP Loan will be forgiven if the loan proceeds are used to pay for payroll costs, rent and utilities costs over the 24-week period after the PPP Loan is made. Not more than 40% of the forgiven amount may be used for non-payroll costs. The amount of the loan forgiveness may be reduced if the Company reduces its full-time head count. On April 1, 2021, the Company received notice of forgiveness in the amount of $108 in relation to the PPP Loan. The Company used all proceeds from the PPP Loan to maintain payroll and other allowable expenses. As a result, management believes that the Company has met the PPP eligibility criteria for forgiveness for the remaining payable of $3 to the SBA and has concluded that the loan represents, in substance, a government grant that is expected to be forgiven in its entirety.
Property & Equipment Acquisitions and Commitments
In connection with consolidating our activities in a Company-owned and managed facility in LaFayette, Georgia, we acquired the following assets during 2019 and 2020:
● | 6 acres of land in Lafayette, Georgia for $55 |
● | 1,500 Bitcoin miners valued at $2,313 |
● | Infrastructure costs totaling $905, including transformers and related equipment, land preparation, fencing, electrical contracting, permits, design and architectural fees |
● | 5 modified Bitcoin mining containers for $761 |
Phase I of the LaFayette site is structurally complete. The entire facility, including the land, electrical transformers, the mining containers and the miners, are owned by MGT. As we are presently using only a small percentage of the available electrical load, we are exploring ways to grow our current operations.
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
Cash (used in) / provided by | ||||||||
Operating activities | $ | (650 | ) | $ | (3,960 | ) | ||
Investing activities | 359 | (3,314 | ) | |||||
Financing activities | 311 | 7,394 | ||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 20 | $ | 120 |
Cash Flows
Operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $8,763$650 for the year ended December 31, 20182020 as compared to $2,377$3,960 for the year ended December 31, 2017. Cash used2019. The amount in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 20182020 primarily consisted of a net loss of $23,849 partially$3,887 offset by non-cash charges of $15,961 primarily consisting of:$2,536 (including: stock-based compensation of $6,402,$222, an impairment charge of $6,345 to the Company’s intangible cryptocurrency mining assets of $49, depreciation expense of $3,291,$1,102, amortization of debt discount of $905, partially offset$882, non-cash interest expense of $355 and loss on sale of property and equipment of $352), and reduced by a gain on extinguishmentother non-cash items, including funding from the PPP Loan recognized as income in the amount of debt$111, the change in the fair value of $1,295, lessthe liability associated with the termination of the management agreements of $26, the change in the fair value of the derivative liability of $309, and a change in working capital excluding cash of $875. Cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily consisted of a net loss of $50,433, partially offset by non-cash charges of $46,546 primarily consisting of: inducement expense of $20,312, stock-based compensation of $16,574 and impairment/loss on sale of long-term investments of $2,787, amortization of debt discount of $5,627, depreciation and amortization expense of $1,111, plus a decrease due to changes in working capital of $1,510.$701.
Investing activities
Net cash used inprovided by investing activities was $6,507$359 for the year ended December 31, 20182020 as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $3,065$3,314 for the year ended December 31, 2017. Net cash used2019. The amount in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was2020 primarily due to ourconsisted of purchases of property and equipment of $6,994 partially$376, offset by proceeds from the sale of property and equipment of $427 and proceeds from the sale of our cybersecurity assets of $60. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company used $4,067 in the purchase of property and equipment, and realized $26 in net proceeds from sales of various investments in the open market and $976 from the sale of property and equipment.$686.
Financing activities
During the year ended December 31, 2018,2020, cash provided by financing activities totaled $5,847,$311 which includes $5,200 from the net proceeds of notes payable, $1,309 from the sale of Common Stock under our equity purchase agreement, $80 from private placements of our Common Stock and $907 from the exercise of stock purchase warrants offset by $1,649 from the repayments of notes payable. During the year ended December 31, 2017, cash provided by financing activities totaled $14,616, comprised of $4,971$200 in net proceeds from convertible debt instruments, $395 from the proceedsissuance of exercisenotes payable and $111 of warrants, $100 from the proceeds from the sale of common stock warrants and $9,150 from the proceeds of a private placement of Common Stock.PPP Loan.
Off–balance sheet arrangements
As of December 31, 20182020, we had no obligations, assets or liabilities which would be considered off–balance sheet arrangements. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off–balance sheet arrangements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
The Company is not exposed to market risk related to interest rates on foreign currencies.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See Financial Statements and Schedules attached hereto.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under the rules and forms of the SEC. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our acting Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. As required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive) and acting Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2018.2020. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in paragraph (e) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) were not effective as December 31, 2018 due to a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as described below.2020.
Limitations on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
An internal control system over financial reporting has inherent limitations and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process used to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of our board of directors and management; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive) and acting Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial officer and principal accounting officer), we performed a complete documentation of the Company’s significant processes and key controls, and conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2018 due to the material weaknesses described below.2020.
A material weakness is defined within the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Auditing Standard No. 5 as a deficiency or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We determined that our internal control of financial reporting had the following material weaknesses:
The Company is evaluating these weaknesses to determine the appropriate remedy. Because disclosure controls and procedures include those components of internal control over financial reporting that provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, management also determined that its disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as a result of the foregoing material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of ourthe Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting as such reportsince the Company is not required fora smaller reporting companies.company under the rules of the SEC.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the quarteryear ended December 31, 2018,2020, there were no changes in internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Name | Age | Position | ||
Michael Onghai | Chairman of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Member, Independent Director | |||
Directors are elected based on experience, qualifications and in accordance with the Company’s by–laws to serve until the next annual stockholders meeting and until their successors are elected in their stead. Officers are appointed by the Board and hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified, until their death or until they resign or have been removed from office. All corporate officers serve at the discretion of the Board. There are no family relationships between any director or executive officer and any other director or executive officer of the Company.
H. Robert HolmesB. Ladd was electedjoined the Company in December 2010 as a directorDirector. He was named Interim President and CEO in MayFebruary 2011, and appointed President and CEO in January 2012, positions held continuously with the exception of November 2016 through August 2017, a period during which Mr. Ladd was President. He also served as our Interim CFO from November 2015 through February 2018 and acting Chief Financial Officer since July 1, 2020. On September 10, 2018, Mr. Ladd took a leave of absence from his positions as President and Chief Executive Office and was appointed Interimreappointed as President and Chief Executive Officer on September 10, 2018. From 2008May 1, 2019. Mr. Ladd was the Managing Member of Laddcap Value Advisors, LLC, which served as the investment manager for various private partnerships, including Laddcap Value Partners LP. Prior to 2012,forming his investment partnership in 2003, Mr. Holmes hasLadd was a Managing Director at Neuberger Berman Group. Mr. Ladd is a former Director of InFocus Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ – INFS, 2007 to 2009), and served on the boardboards of Dejour EnergiesDelcath Systems, Inc. (NYSE–MKT: DEJ, 2008–2013)(NASDAQ – DCTH, 2006–2012) and Pyxis Tankers (NASDAQ – PXS, 2016 – 2017). Mr. Holmes wasLadd has earned his designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst (1986). Based on Mr. Ladd’s familiarity with the founderCompany in serving as our Chief Executive Officer since 2011 and general partnerhis overall background and experience as an executive in the financial industry, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of Gilford Partners Hedge Fund. From 1980 to 1992, Mr. Holmes was the Co–Founder, and President of Gilford Securities, Inc. Previously, Mr. Holmes served in various positions with Paine Webber and Merrill Lynch. Mr. Holmes has served on the Board of Trustees North Central College in Naperville, II; Board of Trustees of Sacred Heart Schools, Chairman of Development Committee, in Chicago, IL; Board of Trustees of Crested Butte Academy where he was Chairman of Development Committee; and the Board of Trustees Mary Wood Country Day School, Rancho Mirage, CA. The Board believesconcluded that Mr. HolmesLadd has the requisite experience, qualifications, attributes and skillsskill necessary to serve as a director becausemember of his years of business experience and service as a director for many companies over his career.the Board.
Michael Onghai was appointed a director in May 2012. Mr. Onghai has been the CEO of LookSmart (OTC: LKST), since February 2013. He has been the founder and Chairman of AppAddictive, an advertising and social commerce platform since July 2011. Mr. Onghai is the President of Snowy August Management LLC, a special situations fund concentrating on the Asian market, spin–offs and event–driven situations. Mr. Onghai is the founder of Stock Sheet, Inc., and Daily Stocks, Inc. – the web’s early providers of financial information and search engine related content for financial information. Mr. Onghai has founded several other internet technology companies for the last two decades. Mr. Onghai is an advisor to several internet incubators and is a panelist who advises FundersClub on which companies to accept for its pioneering venture capital platform. Mr. Onghai has earned his designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst (2006) and holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Los Angeles and graduated from the Executive Management Certificate Program in Value Investing (The Heilbrunn Center for Graham & Dodd Investing) Graduate School of Business at Columbia Business School. The Board believes that Mr. Onghai has the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills necessary to serve as a director and chairman of the Audit Committee because of his years of business experience and financial expertise.
Robert B. Ladd joined the Company in December 2010 as a Director. He was named Interim President and CEO in February 2011, and appointed President and CEO in January 2012, positions held continuously with the exception of November 2016 through August 2017, a period during which Mr. Ladd was President. He also served as our Interim CFO from November 2015 through February 2018. On September 10, 2018, Mr. Ladd took a leave of absence from his positions as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Ladd is also the Managing Member of Laddcap Value Advisors, LLC, which serves as the investment manager for various private partnerships, including Laddcap Value Partners LP. Prior to forming his investment partnership in 2003, Mr. Ladd was a Managing Director at Neuberger Berman Group. Mr. Ladd is a former Director of InFocus Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ – INFS, 2007 to 2009), and served on the boards of Delcath Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ – DCTH, 2006–2012) and Pyxis Tankers (NASDAQ – PXS, 2016 – 2017). Mr. Ladd has earned his designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst (1986). Based on Mr. Ladd’s familiarity with the Company in serving as our Chief Executive Officer since 2011 and his overall background and experience as an executive in the financial industry, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board concluded that Mr. Ladd has the requisite experience, qualifications, attributes and skill necessary to serve as a member of the Board.
Robert S. Lowrey was appointed as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary on March 1, 2018. Mr. Lowrey most recently served as a Director of Finance for Bioventus LLC, a privately held medical device company, from January 2013 through September 2017. Prior to Bioventus, Mr. Lowrey served as the Controller and Principal Accounting Officer for BioCryst Pharmaceutics, Inc., a NASDAQ listed company, from January 2011 through January 2013. Mr. Lowrey has previously served in various financial roles at Dex One, a NYSE listed company, and was employed by Ernst & Young, LLP for 11 years, where he served both public and private companies. Mr. Lowrey holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration from Grove City College and is a licensed CPA in North Carolina as well as a Charted Global Management Accountant. Mr. Lowrey is also a member of the America Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Association of CPAs.
Stephen Schaeffer was appointed as Chief Operating Officer on July 11, 2018. Mr. Schaeffer most recently served as the Company’s President of MGT Crypto-Capital Strategies since August 2017. For the five years prior to joining MGT, Mr. Schaeffer was self-employed building and operating large scale crypto mining centers.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among any of the Company’s directors and executive officers.
Board Role in Risk Oversight
The Board’s primary function is one of oversight. The Board as a whole works with the Company’s management team to promote and cultivate a corporate environment that incorporates enterprise-wide risk management into strategy and operations. Management periodically reports to the Board about the identification, assessment and management of critical risks and management’s risk mitigation strategies. Each committee of the Board is responsible for the evaluation of elements of risk management based on the committee’s expertise and applicable regulatory requirements. In evaluating risk, the Board and its committees consider whether the Company’s programs adequately identify material risks in a timely manner and implement appropriately responsive risk management strategies throughout the organization. The audit committee focuses on assessing and mitigating financial risk, including risk related to internal controls, and receives at least quarterly reports from management on identified risk areas. In setting compensation, the compensation committee strives to create incentives that encourage behavior consistent with the Company’s business strategy, without encouraging undue risk-taking. The nominating committee considers areas of potential risk within corporate governance and compliance, such as management succession. Each of the committees reports regularly to the Board as a whole as to their findings with respect to the risks they are charged with assessing.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
On July 11, 2018, the Board revised the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which applies to all directors and employees including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or persons performing similar functions. Prior to July 11, 2018, the Company’s employees and directors were subject to the previous Code of Ethics adopted by the Board on June 25, 2012.
Copies of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be obtained, without charge by writing to the Corporate Secretary at MGT Capital Investments, Inc., 512 S. Mangum150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 408, Durham,1110, Raleigh, NC 27701,27601, or through our corporate website atmgtci.com.
Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of the Company’s stock (collectively, “Reporting Persons”) to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and changes in ownership of the Company’s Common Stock. Reporting Persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. Other than as disclosed below and based solely on a review of the reports furnished to us, or written representations from reporting persons that all reportable transaction were reported, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, our officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders timely filed all reports and did not miss any filings as required to file under Section 16(a).
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
On November 25, 2004, the Board established an Audit Committee to carry out its audit functions. At December 31, 2018,2020, the membership of the Audit Committee was Michael Onghai and H. Robert Holmes.Onghai.
The Board has determined that Michael Onghai, an independent director, is the Audit Committee financial expert, as defined in Regulation S–K promulgated under the Exchange Act, serving on its Audit Committee.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes Fiscal Years 20182020 and 20172019 compensation for services in all capacities of the Company’s named executive officers and other individuals:
Name | Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Stock awards(1) | All other compensation | Total compensation | Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Stock awards | All other compensation | Total compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Robert Holmes | Interim President and Chief Executive Officer(2) | 2018 | $ | 112 | $ | - | $ | 248 | $ | - | $ | 360 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert B. Ladd | President and Chief | 2018 | $ | 350 | $ | - | $ | 1,116 | $ | - | $ | 1,466 | President, Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer(1) | 2020 | $ | 282 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | $ | 282 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Officer(3) | 2017 | $ | 240 | $ | 240 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 480 | 2019 | $ | 360 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 360 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Robert Holmes | Interim President and Chief Executive Officer (2) | 2020 | $ | 40 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | $ | 125 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 125 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert S. Lowrey | Chief Financial Officer(4) | 2018 | $ | 200 | $ | 10 | $ | 1,665 | $ | - | $ | 1,875 | Chief Financial Officer (3) | 2020 | $ | 155 | $ | 40 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 195 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen Schaeffer | Chief Operating Officer(5) | 2018 | $ | 250 | $ | 100 | $ | 73 | $ | - | $ | 423 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | $ | 240 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 240 |
(1) | |
| |
Mr. Holmes was appointed Interim Chief President and Chief Executive Officer from September 10, 2018 to May 1, 2019. Compensation for Mr. Holmes in 2019 included $75 in Director fees and $50 in salary. Compensation for Mr. Holmes in 2020 included $40 in Director fees. H. Robert Holmes resigned from his position as a director of the Company on May 26, 2020 | |
(3) | Mr. Lowrey was appointed Chief Financial Officer on March 1, |
Employment Agreements
Robert B. Ladd
On July 7, 2016, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Robert B. Ladd, to act as its President and Chief Executive Officer. The terms of his agreement were reviewed and approved by the Company’s Nominations and Compensation Committee and ratified by stockholders on September 8, 2016. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Ladd served as President and Chief Executive Officer with a salary of $240 per year and was eligible for a cash and/or equity bonus as determined by the Nomination and Compensation Committee. Further, Mr. Ladd received 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, 1/3 of which vested within 12 months from the execution of the agreement, another 1/3 at 18 months, and the remaining 1/3 at 24 months from the execution of the agreement. Lastly, the agreement also provides for certain rights granted to Mr. Ladd in the event of his death, permanent incapacity, voluntary termination or discharge for cause.
From November 18, 2016 through August 15, 2017, Mr. Ladd relinquished his duties as Chief Executive Officer, while remaining President.
On April 1, 2018, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Ladd, which was executed on April 6, 2018. The Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Ladd has been reappointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company for an initial term of two years. Mr. Ladd is entitled to receive an annualized base salary of $360 and is also eligible for a cash and/or equity bonus as the Compensation Committee may determine, from time to time, based on meeting performance objectives and bonus criteria to be mutually identified by Mr. Ladd and the Compensation Committee. In connection with the execution of the Employment Agreement, the Company issued to Mr. Ladd 600,000 shares of the Company’s restricted Common Stock, pursuant to the Company’s 2016 Stock Option Plan, vesting over a two-year period. On September 10, 2018 through May 1, 2019, Mr. Ladd took an indefinitea leave of absence as an executive and officer of the Company in order to focus on allegations levied against him in an SEC complaint filed on September 7, 2018.
On November 11, 2020, the Company and Mr. Ladd agreed to amend the Employment Agreement, by resetting its effective date to November 1, 2020, and reducing the annualized base salary to $240,000.
Robert S. Lowrey
On March 8, 2018, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Lowrey, effective March 1, 2018. Mr. Lowrey’s employment agreement provides that he has been appointed2018 for an initial term of two years. Mr. Lowrey is entitled to receiveyears with an annualized base salary of $240,000. Mr. Lowrey also received a one-time signing bonus of $10,000. Mr. Lowrey iswas also eligible for a cash and/or equity bonus as the Compensation Committee may determine, from time to time, based on meeting performance objectives and bonus criteria to be mutually identified by Mr. Lowrey and the Compensation Committee.determine. In connection with the execution of his employment agreement, the Company issued to Mr. Lowrey 750,000 shares of the Company’s restricted Common Stock, pursuant to the Company’s 2016 Stock Option Plan, one-third of which vested on each of March 8, 2019, one-third of which shall vest on September 8, 2019, and March 8, 2020. On August 1, 2018, the Company issued Mr. Lowrey 250,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, pursuant to the Company’s 2016 Stock Option Plan, one-third of which shall vestvested on March 8,each of January 31, 2019, July 31, 2019, and January 1, 2020. The employment agreement expired on February 28, 2020, after which time, Mr. Lowrey remained an employee with the same title, responsibilities, compensation and benefits.
Stephen Schaeffer
On July 11, 2018,June 30, 2020, in connection with the end of his employment, Mr. Lowrey and the Company entered into the Second Amendeda separation and Restated Executive Employmentrelease agreement dated June 30, 2020 (the “Separation Agreement”). The Separation Agreement with Stephen Schaeffer. The Agreement providesprovided that Mr. Schaeffer has been appointed Chief Operating OfficerLowrey would be paid a lump sum of $25,000, representing all compensation earned or deferred through the Company.end of Mr. Schaeffer will continueLowrey’s employment. In addition, the Separation Agreement provided for the payment of $19,525 to serve as President of Cryptocurrency Operations, the positionMr. Lowrey for which he was originally hired pursuant to his original Executive Employment Agreement dated August 15, 2017. Mr. Schaeffer is entitled to receive an annualized base salary of $250unreimbursed taxes and is also eligible for a cash and/or equity bonus as the Compensation Committee may determine, from time to time, based on meeting performance objectives and bonus criteria to be mutually identified by Mr. Schaeffer and the Compensation Committee.Company-paid COBRA health insurance coverage.
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 20182020
Outstanding Stock Awards at Fiscal Year-End for 20182020
Name | Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#) | Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested ($) | Equity incentive plan awards: number of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested (#) | Equity incentive plan awards: market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested ($) | ||||||||||||
Robert B. Ladd | 900,000 | $ | 48 | - | - | |||||||||||
H. Robert Holmes | 350,000 | 19 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Robert Lowrey | 1,000,000 | 53 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Steven Schaeffer | 700,000 | 37 | - | - |
None
Director Compensation
The following table sets forth the compensation of persons who served as a member of our Board of Directors during all or part of 2018,2020, other than Robert B. Ladd, who is not compensated separately for Board service, and H. Robert Holmes whose compensations arecompensation is discussed under “Executive Compensation” below.Compensation.”
Name | Fees Earned Or Paid in Cash | Stock Awards | All Other Compensation | Total | Fees Earned Or Paid in Cash | Stock Awards | All Other Compensation | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Onghai | $ | 50 | $ | 248 | $ | – | $ | 298 | $ | 29 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 29 | ||||||||||||||||
Nolan Bushnell | $ | 21 | $ | 248 | $ | – | $ | 269 |
Directors are reimbursed for their out–of–pocket expenses incurred in connection with the performance of Board duties. On May 31, 2018, Mr. Bushnell resigned as a Director.
Independent Director Compensation
For fiscal year 2018,In 2020, the Company changed its cash compensation policy for independent directors. Each independent director will receive annual compensation of $50. The Chairman of the Board will receive an additional $25.$30.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management Andand Related Stockholder Matters
Security OwnerOwnership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership and voting power of the Common Stock as of April 15, 2019,14, 2021, of:
● | each person serving as a director, a nominee for director, or executive officer of the Company; | |
● | all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group; and | |
● | all persons who, to our knowledge, beneficially own more than five percent of the Common Stock. |
“Beneficial ownership” here means direct or indirect voting or investment power over outstanding stock and stock which a person has the right to acquire now or within 60 days after April 15, 2019.14, 2021. See the accompanying footnotes to the tables below for more detailed explanations of the holdings. Except as noted, to our knowledge, the persons named in the tables beneficially own and have sole voting and investment power over all shares listed.
Percentage beneficially owned is based upon 195,770,183536,649,910 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of April 15, 2019.14, 2021.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | Percentage of Beneficial Ownership | ||||||
Current Directors and Officers: | ||||||||
Robert B. Ladd (2) | 1,773,334 | 0.91 | % | |||||
Robert S. Lowrey (3) | 1,000,000 | 0.51 | % | |||||
Steven Schaeffer (4) | 440,000 | 0.22 | % | |||||
H. Robert Holmes | 702,819 | 0.36 | % | |||||
Michael Onghai | 586,000 | 0.30 | % | |||||
All directors and executive officers (5 persons) | 4,502,153 | 2.30 | % |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | [Percentage of Beneficial Ownership] | ||||||
Current Directors and Officers: | ||||||||
Robert B. Ladd | 1,773,334 | 0.33 | % | |||||
Michael Onghai | 586,000 | 0.11 | % | |||||
All directors and executive officers (2 persons) | 2,359,334 | 0.44 | % | |||||
5% Stockholders | ||||||||
None |
(1) | Unless otherwise noted, the addresses for the above persons are in care of the Company at | |
29 |
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The table below provides information on our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2018:2020:
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted–average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted–average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | |||||||||||||||||||
Plan category | (a) | (b) | (c) | (a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1) (2) | 6,000,000 | $ | 0.71 | 5,202,586 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1) | 0 | $ | - | 5,102,586 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||||||
Total | 6,000,000 | $ | 0.71 | 5,202,586 | 0 | $ | - | 5,102,586 |
(1) | ||
On September 8, 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved the MGT Capital Investments, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company received approval to issue up to a maximum of 18,000,000 shares of Common Stock, including 6,000,000 options and 2,000,000 restricted |
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Janice Dyson, wife of John McAfee, the Company’s former Chief Cybersecurity Visionary, is the sole director of FTS and owns 33% of the outstanding common shares of FTS. On March 3, 2017, the Company purchased from FTS its 46% ownership interest Demonsaw for 2,000,000 shares of MGT Common Stock (approximate value of $2,500), as described fully in Item 1. The Company impaired the investment during the year ended December 31, 2017.
On May 9, 2016, the Company entered a consulting agreement with FTS, pursuant to which FTS would provide advice, consultation, information and services to the Company including assistance with executive management, business and product development and potential acquisitions or related transactions. On January 26, 2018, the Company terminated its agreement with FTS. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded consulting fees of $137 and $360, respectively, to FTS for such services. As of December 31, 2018, the Company owed $0 to FTS.
In January 2018, our agreement with FTS was terminated.None.
Director Independence
Michael Onghai is considered independent under Section 803A of NYSE MKT rules.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Effective January 5, 2017, RBSM LLP became our current independent auditor. The following is a summary of the fees billed by our independent auditors for professional services rendered for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20182020 and 2017.2019.
Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Audit fees | $ | 197 | $ | 195 | $ | 264 | $ | 262 | ||||||||
Tax fees | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||
Audit-related fees | – | – | – | 18 | ||||||||||||
Other fees | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||
$ | 197 | $ | 195 | $ | 264 | $ | 280 |
Audit fees consist of fees billed for services rendered for the audit of our financial statements and review of our financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10–Q.
Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services related to the preparation of our U.S. federal and state income tax returns and tax advice.
Audit–related fees consists of fees reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements that are not reported as “Audit Fees.”
All other fees consist of fees for other miscellaneous items.items, including fees related to registrations statements.
All services provided by the Company’s independent auditor were approved by the Company’s audit committee.
Pre–Approval Policy of Services Performed by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre–approve all audit and non–audit related services, tax services and other services. Pre–approval is generally provided for up to one year, and any pre–approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The Audit Committee has delegated the pre–approval authority to its chairperson when expedition of services is necessary. The independent registered public accounting firm and management are required to periodically report to the full Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with this pre–approval and the fees for the services performed to date.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years covered by this Annual Report are located on pages F-1 to F-37 of this Annual Report.
* | Filed |
Not applicable.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC | ||
April 15, 2021 | ||
By: | /s/ | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ | April | |||
Robert B. Ladd | (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |||
/s/ Michael Onghai | Director | April | ||
Michael Onghai | ||||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
TheTo the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
MGT Capital Investments, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Opinion on the Financial StatementsStatement
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MGT Capital Investments, Inc. and Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”)its subsidiary (the Company) as of December 31, 20182020 and 2017, and2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, and comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ (deficit) equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the two year period ended December 31, 2018,2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”)statement). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company atas of December 31, 20182020 and 2017,2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the two year period ended December 31, 2018,2020, in conformity with U.S.accounting principles generally accepted accounting principles.in the United States of America.
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 financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and will require additional capital to fund its current operating plan.continue as a going concern. This raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Revenue from mining of digital currencies – Refer to Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements
/s/ RBSM LLPCritical Audit Matter Description
As disclosed in Note 3, the Company’s primary revenue stream is related to the mining of digital currencies. The Company derives its revenue by solving “blocks” to be added to the blockchain and providing transaction verification services within the digital currency network of Bitcoin, commonly termed “cryptocurrency mining.” In consideration for these services, the Company receives digital currency (“Coins”). The Coins are recorded as revenue, using the average spot price of Bitcoin on the date of receipt. The Coins are recorded on the balance sheet as an intangible digital asset valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value adjustments, to adjust the value of Coins to market value, are included in cost of revenue on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Further, any gain or loss on the sale of Coins would be recorded to costs of revenue. Costs of revenue include electricity costs, equipment and infrastructure depreciation, and net realizable value adjustments. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized net cryptocurrency mining revenue of approximately $1,440,000.
We have servedidentified the accounting for and disclosure of cryptocurrency mining revenue recognized as a critical audit matter for the following reasons. Currently, no authoritative guidance exists for the accounting for and disclosure of cryptocurrency mining revenue recognized in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s auditor since 2017.management has exercised significant judgment in their determination of how existing GAAP should be applied to the accounting for and disclosure of cryptocurrency mining revenue recognized.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following:
● | Performed a site visitation of the bitcoin mining facility where the Company’s mining hardware is located, which included an observation of the physical and environmental controls and mining equipment inventory observation procedures; | |
● | Evaluated management’s rationale for the application of ASC 606 to account for its cryptocurrency awards earned, which included evaluating the provisions of the contract between the Company and the Pool; | |
● | Evaluated management’s disclosures of its cryptocurrency activity in the financial statement footnotes; | |
● | Evaluated and tested management’s rationale and supporting documentation associated with the valuation of cryptocurrency awards earned; | |
● | Examined the Company’s hash rate and other assumptions to verify the Company’s mining capacity during the year; | |
● | Examined and verified certain bitcoins mined by the Company agree to public blockchain; and | |
● | Examined supporting sale and cash receipt evidence for cryptocurrency sales, including management’s processes for calculating any gains on sales of cryptocurrencies mined by the Company. |
/s/ RBSM LLP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New York, NY
April 15, 2021 PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands, except
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Dollars in thousands, except
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, (Dollars in thousands, except
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in thousands, except
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
Note 1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
Organization
MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (“ MGT’s corporate office is
Cryptocurrency mining
Basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, COVID-19 pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic represents a fluid situation that presents a wide range of potential impacts of varying durations for different global geographies, including locations where we have offices, employees, customers, vendors and other suppliers and business partners. Like most US-based businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate the same began to have impacts on our business in March 2020. By that time, much of our first fiscal quarter was completed. During the year ending December 31, 2020, the affects of COVID-19 were most noticeable in the daily interactions employees and consultant. Due to the volatility of bitcoin, it is difficult to quantify the effects of COVID-19. Given the daily evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak and the global responses to curb its spread, we are not able to estimate the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity for the year ended December 31, 2021. In light of broader macro-economic risks and already known impacts on certain industries, we have taken, and continue to take targeted steps to lower our operating expenses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on our operations closely and this situation could change based on a significant number of factors that are not entirely within our control and are discussed in this and other sections of this annual report on Form 10-K. To date, travel restrictions and border closures have not materially impacted our ability to operate. However, if such restrictions become more severe, they could negatively impact those activities in a way that would harm our business over the long term. Travel restrictions impacting people can restrain our ability to operate, but at present we do not expect these restrictions on personal travel to be material to our business operations or financial results. Like most companies, we have taken a range of actions with respect to how we operate to assure we comply with government restrictions and guidelines as well as best practices to protect the health and well-being of our employees. We have also undertaken measures to reduce our administrative and advisory costs required as a publicly reporting company. Actions taken to date include salary reductions for senior management and termination of certain consulting agreements. However, the impacts of COVID-19 and efforts to mitigate the same have remained unpredictable and it remains possible that challenges may arise in the future.
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARIES NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts) The actions we have taken so far during the COVID-19 pandemic include, but are not limited to:
Note 2. Going Concern and Management’s Plans
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of December 31,
Since January 2020, the Company has secured working capital from a PPP loan, the issuance of a convertible note, and the sale of assets. Such factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to sustain operations for at least one year from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements.
Note 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MGT and
Use of estimates and assumptions and critical accounting estimates and assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and also affect the amounts of revenues and expenses reported for each period. Actual results could differ from those which result from using such estimates. Management utilizes various other estimates, including but not limited to determining the estimated lives of long-lived assets, stock compensation, determining the potential impairment of
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
The Company Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight–line method on the various asset classes over their estimated useful lives, which range from one to ten years when placed in service. The cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in income in the year of disposition. Deposits on property and equipment are initially classified as Other Assets and upon delivery, installation and full payment, the assets are classified as property and equipment on the consolidated
Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with
Revenue recognition The
The Company also recognized revenue from its management agreements through their termination in August and September 2019, as further described in Note 9. The Company received a fee from each management agreement based on the amount of Bitcoin mined, half of the profits and was
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
Additionally, the Company had machines located in hosted facilities in Ohio and Colorado. The Company received an allocation of profits from these facilities, as further described in Note The Company also recognizes a royalty participation upon the sale of Pod5ive Containers, manufactured by Bit5ive LLC of Miami, Florida under the terms of a five-year collaboration agreement entered in August 2018.
Loss per share
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common shareholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potential dilutive securities, comprised of unvested restricted shares, convertible debt stock warrants,
Accordingly, the computation of diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31,
Stock–based compensation
The Company ASC
Restricted stock awards are granted at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors of the
The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black–Scholes option valuation model. The Black–Scholes option valuation model requires the development of assumptions that are inputs into the model. These assumptions are the expected stock volatility, the risk–free interest rate, the expected life of the option, the dividend yield on the underlying stock and the expected forfeiture rate. Expected volatility is calculated based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over the expected term of the option. Risk–free interest rates are calculated based on continuously compounded risk–free rates for the appropriate term.
Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards
ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” provides the framework for
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a Level 3 financial instrument related to the derivative liability. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had a Level 3 financial instrument related to the management agreement termination liability. Observable transactions are not available to aid in determining the fair value of the management agreement termination liability or the derivative liability. Therefore, the fair value for the management agreement termination liability was determined based on the remaining payments which include two components that are based on market conditions, Bitcoin price and Difficulty Rate, thus requiring the liability to be adjusted to fair value on a periodic basis. The fair value of Bitcoin price and Difficulty Rate are obtained on quoted prices in active markets. The Black-Scholes pricing model was used to determine the fair value of the derivative liability based on volatility, underlying stock price, the conversion price, the term, and the risk-free rate.
Leases Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the guidance of ASC 842, Leases, which requires an entity to recognize a right-of-use asset and
Equity-linked instruments
The Company accounts for equity-linked instruments with certain anti-dilution provisions in accordance with ASC 815 and ASC 260. Under this guidance, the Company excludes instruments with certain down round features when determining whether a financial instrument (or embedded conversion feature) is considered indexed to the Company’s own stock. As a result, financial instruments (or embedded conversion features) with down round features are not required to be classified as derivative liabilities. The Company recognizes the value of a down round feature only when it is triggered and the exercise or conversion price has been adjusted downward. For equity-classified freestanding financial instruments, such as warrants, the Company treats the value of the effect of the down round, when triggered, as a deemed dividend and a reduction of income available to common stockholders in computing basic earnings per share. For convertible instruments with embedded conversion features containing down round provisions, the Company recognizes the value of the down round as a beneficial conversion discount to be amortized to earnings.
Any incentive-based compensation received by the Optionee from the Company hereunder or otherwise shall be subject to recovery by the Company in the circumstances and manner provided in any Incentive-based Compensation Recovery that may be adopted or implemented by the Company and in effect from time to time on or after the date hereof, and Optionee shall effectuate any such recovery at such time and in such manner as the Company may specify.
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
Management’s evaluation of subsequent events
The Company evaluates events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. Based upon the review, other than what is described in Note
Digital Currencies Digital currencies are included in current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Digital currencies are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value adjustments, to adjust the value of Coins to market value, are included in cost of revenue on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Further, any gain or loss on the sale of Coins would be recorded to costs of revenue. Costs of revenue include hosting fees, equipment and infrastructure depreciation, net realizable value adjustments, and electricity costs. Halving – The Bitcoin blockchain and the cryptocurrency reward for solving a block is subject to periodic incremental halving. Halving is a process designed to control the overall supply and reduce the risk of inflation in cryptocurrencies using a Proof-of-Work consensus algorithm. At a predetermined block, the mining reward is cut in half, hence the term “Halving.” A Halving for bitcoin occurred on May 12, 2020. Many factors influence the price of Bitcoin and potential increases or decreases in prices in advance of or following a future halving is unknown. The following table presents the activities of digital currencies for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, “Debt – Debt with Conversion and
In June 2020, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in conjunction with the Financial Accounting Standards Board developed Technical Question and Answer (“TQA”) 3200.18, “Borrower Accounting for a Forgivable Loan Received Under the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program”, which is intended to provide clarification on how to account for loans received from the PPP. TQA 3200.18 states that an entity may account for PPP loans under ASC 470, “Debt” or, if the entity is expected to meet PPP eligibility criteria and the PPP loan is expected to be forgiven, the entity may account for the loans under IAS 20, “Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance”. The Company has elected to account for PPP loan proceeds under IAS 20 as allowed by TQA 3200.18.
Note
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
The Company recorded depreciation expense of
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $64 in connection with the termination of its hosting agreement in Ohio. See Note 9 for a further description of this termination.
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
During September
Note
May 2018 Notes
On May 23, 2018, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with two accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued $840 in unsecured promissory notes for aggregate consideration of $700 (the “May 2018 Notes”)
On April 9, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to another of its May 2018 Notes, whereby the parties agreed to extend the maturity date of the note to August 15, 2019, agreed to forego certain monthly installments, and provided a substantial conversion feature allowing the lender, in its sole discretion, the right to convert prospective installments into shares of the Company’s common stock, at a price equal to the lowest intra-day price of the Company’s common stock during the preceding twenty trading days multiplied by 70%, or any lower price made available to any other holder of the Company’s securities. In consideration of this amendment, the Company incurred an extension fee of $50. Because this amendment was considered a substantive change, the Company accounted for this modification as an extinguishment of debt and recorded a gain $127 during the year ended December 31, 2019. On May 10, 2019, the original holders of the Company’s May 2018 Notes assigned and sold all notes to Oasis Capital, LLC (“Oasis Capital”). On the same date, the Company and Oasis Capital executed a letter agreement to amend the terms to allow Oasis Capital to convert the total outstanding principal amount of $421 into shares of the Company’s common stock, at a price equal to the lowest trading price of the Company’s common stock during the preceding twenty trading days multiplied by 70%, or any lower price made available to any other holder of the Company’s securities. On May 15, 2019, Oasis executed a full conversion of the May 2018 Notes and was issued 10,568,087 shares of the Company’s common stock. June 2018 Note
On June 1, 2018, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with an accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company issued an unsecured promissory note in the amount of $3,600 (the “June 2018 Note”) for consideration of $3,000. The outstanding balance
On
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARIES NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts) On May 10, 2019, the Company entered into a fourth amendment, allowing the lender to convert the total outstanding principal amount of $3,159 into shares of the Company’s common stock, at a price equal the lowest intra-day trade price of the Company’s common stock during the preceding twenty trading days multiplied by 70%, or any lower price made available to any other holder of the Company’s securities. This amendment also eliminated the Company’s mandatory monthly amortization payments and extended the maturity to December 15, 2019. After such date, and within 10 business days, any outstanding balance shall be satisfied, at the Company’s election, either with cash, common stock conversion, or any combination thereof. The Company accounted for this amendment as an On December 31, 2019, the Company entered into a fifth amendment extending the maturity date to June 30, 2020 and deleting in its entirety, the requirement to settle the outstanding balance with cash, common stock conversion or any combination thereof, no later than December 15, 2019. An extension fee of $84 was added to the outstanding balance bringing the total outstanding principal balance to $929 as of December 31, 2019. The Company accounted for this amendment as an extinguishment of debt and recorded a gain of $792 during the year ended December 31, 2019. In connection with recording the new debt, the Company recorded debt discount of $877 including both (i) the time value of money and (ii) the discount related to the conversion feature underlying the debt instrument. The Company obtained a waiver from the holder of the June 2018 Note. The holder of the June 2018 Note also acquired 17,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on April 12, 2019, and is an affiliate of the acquirer of 160 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.001 and a stated value of $10,000 per share (“Preferred Shares”) acquired during 2019, of which 115 Preferred Shares remain outstanding as of December 31, 2020. See Note 7 below for a further description of the Preferred Shares. The holder of the June 2018 Note and its affiliates are collectively subject to a maximum beneficial ownership of 9.99%. On July 28, 2020, the holder of the June 2018 Note converted $154 of debt principal into 17,164,732 shares of common stock, reducing the outstanding principal to zero. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued
December 2018 Note
On December 6, 2018, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with an accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company issued an unsecured promissory note in the amount of $598 (the “December 2018 Note”) for consideration of December 2020 Note On December 8, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement pursuant to which it issued a convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $230 which is convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to 70% of the lowest price for a share of Common Stock during the ten trading days immediately preceding the applicable conversion. The The Company determined that the
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
The Company’s activity in its derivative liability was as follows for the year ended December 31, 2020:
The Company did not have any derivative liability activity during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Fluctuations in the Company’s stock price are a primary driver for the changes in the derivative valuations during each reporting period. As the stock price increases for each of the related derivative instruments, the value to the holder of the instrument generally increases, therefore increasing the liability on the Company’s balance sheet. Additionally, stock price volatility is one of the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of each of the Company’s derivative instruments. The simulated fair value of these liabilities is sensitive to changes in the Company’s expected volatility. Increases in expected volatility would generally result in higher fair value measurement. A 10% change in pricing inputs and changes in volatilities and correlation factors would not result in a material change in our Level 3 fair value. The following table summarizes the Company’s derivative as of December 31, 2020:
The PPP Loan
Notes payable consisted of the following:
During the years ended December 31,
In
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
Total future minimum payments required under the lease agreement are as follows:
The Company’s former executive office was located in Durham, North Carolina under a sublease agreement that was terminated in December 2019, with monthly rent of $7 in the final year of the sublease agreement. The Company recorded rent expense of $36 and $64 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. At December 31, 2020, the weighted average remaining lease term for the operating lease was 2.0 years. The Company’s lease agreement does not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Note
Equity Purchase Agreement under Form S-3
On August 30, 2018, the Company and L2 Capital, LLC (“L2 Capital”)
During the year ended December 31,
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
Through December 31, 2019, the Company sold 52,000,000 shares of its common stock under the Form S-1 for net proceeds of $1,654, net of deferred offering costs of $70 and transaction clearing fees of $30 and no shares were sold during the year ended December 31, 2020. By way of a post-effective amendment on June 25, 2020, the company filed to terminate the effectiveness of the S-1 and to deregister all shares of common stock that remained unsold. The SEC permitted this post-effective amendment to go effective July 2, 2020. Other Common Stock Issuances On April 12, 2019, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with an accredited investor whereby it sold 17,500,000 shares of its common stock for $525 pursuant to the Company’s then-effective registration statement on Form S-3. The holder of these shares is also the holder of the June 2018 Note and an affiliate of the acquirer of 150 shares of the Preferred Shares acquired on April 12, 2019 described below. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 160,500 shares of its common stock, to consultants in exchange for services. These services were valued at $60 during 2019 based upon the value of the shares issued. No shares were issued to consultants during the year ended December 31, 2020. In connection with Preferred Stock On January 11, 2019, the Company’s Board of
On
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
The common shares issued upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Shares have been registered under the Company’s then-effective registration statement on Form S-3. On April 12, 2019, the Company sold 190 Series C Preferred Shares for $1,890, net of issuance costs and on July 15, 2019 sold 10 Series C Preferred Shares for $100. During the second and third quarters of 2019, holders converted 50 Series C Preferred Shares into 14,077,092 shares of common stock and 35 Series C Preferred Shares into 13,528,575 shares of common stock, respectively. 115 shares of Series C Preferred Stock are issued and Upon issuance of the Series C Preferred Shares during the second and third quarters of 2019, the Company recorded a deemed dividend based on the beneficial conversion feature underlying the Preferred Shares, measured as the difference between the conversion price of the Series C Preferred Shares and the fair value of the underlying common stock Accordingly, on April 12, 2019 and for the July 2019 issuances, the Company recorded deemed dividends of $959 and $46, respectively.
Warrants
The following table summarizes information about shares issuable under warrants outstanding during the year ended December 31,
On
Note
Issuance of restricted common stock – directors, officers and employees
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
The Company’s activity in restricted common stock was as follows for the year ended December 31,
For the years ended December 31,
As of December 31,
Stock options
As of December 31,
2020. As of December 31,
Note
The Company may incur legal expenses related to the indemnification of our Chief Executive Officer in relation to the SEC Action. During the year ending December 31, 2020, the Company has recorded $200 as general and administrative expense related to ongoing legal matters related to this action.
Electricity Contract In June 2019, the Company entered into a contract for electric power with the City of Lafayette, Georgia, a municipal corporation of the State of Georgia (“the City”). The Company makes monthly payments based upon electricity consumed, at a negotiated kilowatt per hour rate, inclusive of transmission charges and exclusive of state and local sales taxes. Over time, the Company is entitled to In connection with this agreement, the Company paid
This agreement expires on September 30, 2021, and the Company will shortly begin negotiations for an extension or new contract. There can be no assurance that that the Company and City will reach agreement with acceptable price and volume metrics, if at all.
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
On August 31, 2019, the Company entered into two Settlement and
Legal
On January 24, 2017, the Company was served with a summons and complaint filed by plaintiff shareholder Atul Ojha in New York state court against certain officers and directors of the Company and naming the Company as a nominal defendant. The lawsuit is styled as a derivative action (the “Ojha Derivative Action”) and was originally filed (but not served on any defendant) on October 15, 2016. The Ojha Derivative Action substantively alleges that the defendants, collectively or individually, inadequately managed the business and assets of the Company resulting in the deterioration of the Company’s financial condition. The Ojha Derivative Action asserts claims including, but not limited to, breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment and waste of corporate assets. On On April 23, 2020, the Company entered into a stipulation of settlement (the “Stipulation”) in connection with the Ojha Derivative Action MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARIES NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands, except share and per–share amounts) Final approval of the
On On September 11, 2019, a shareholder derivative action was filed by shareholder Arthur Aviles against On May 7, 2020, the Company entered into a stipulation of settlement (the “Federal Stipulation”) in connection with Final approval of the settlement of the Federal Derivative Actions was granted on August 5, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded $119 as other income in relation to the settlement of the Federal Derivative Actions. In October 2019, the Company and its then officers and directors received subpoenas from the SEC In November 2018, the Company’s board received a shareholder demand letter dated November 6, 2018, from shareholders Nicholas Fulton and Kelsey Thacker (the “Fulton Demand”). The Fulton Demand referenced the SEC Settlement of
In September 2018 and October 2018, various shareholders of the Company filed putative class action lawsuits against the Company, its
MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (
Significant components of deferred tax assets were as follows:
As of December
The Company As it is not more likely than not that the
The reconciliation of income tax expense computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate to the income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
The Company has adopted the provisions of ASC 740-10-25, which provides recognition criteria and a related measurement model for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. ASC 740-10-25 requires that a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return be recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities.
Note
The Company maintains defined contribution benefit plans under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code covering substantially all qualified employees of the Company (the “401(k) Plan”). Under the 401(k) Plan, the Company may make discretionary contributions of up to 100% of employee contributions. During the MGT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDARIES NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands, except share and
Note
On January 28,
On March 5, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with Bucktown Capital, LLC (the “Investor”), pursuant to which the Company issued a convertible promissory note in the original principal amount The 2021 Note will be funded in tranches, with the
On April
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