Security threats or unauthorized or impermissible access to our datacenters, our operations or our digital wallet from U.S. or non-U.S. actors could result in a loss of our bitcoin and assets or cause damage to our reputation, each of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Security breaches, computer malware, software supply chain attacks and computer hacking attacks have been a prevalent concern in the digital asset exchange markets. Any security breach caused by hacking, which could be by U.S. or non-U.S. actors, and involves efforts to gain unauthorized access to information or systems, cause intentional malfunctions or loss, encryption or corruption of data, software, hardware or other computer equipment, and transmit computer viruses or ransomware could harm our business operations or result in the loss of our digital assets. Furthermore, we believe that, as our business grows, we could become a more appealing target for cybersecurity threats.
As discussed elsewhere herein, we rely on cold storage custody solutions from NYDIG to safeguard our bitcoin from theft, loss, destruction or other issues relating to hackers and technological attack. Nevertheless, cold storage security systems may not be impenetrable and may not be free from defect or immune to acts of God, and any loss due to a security breach, software defect or act of God will be borne by TeraWulf. Additionally, our security systems, physical datacenters and operational infrastructure could be breached by outside parties, software defects, action of an employee of TeraWulf, or otherwise and, as a result, an unauthorized party may obtain access to TeraWulf’s private keys, sensitive data control, operation of miners and our bitcoin. In addition, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees of TeraWulf to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our infrastructure. As the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently, or may be designed to remain dormant until a predetermined event and often are not recognized until launched against a target, TeraWulf may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. If an actual or perceived breach of our security system occurs, the market perception of the effectiveness of TeraWulf’s security system could be harmed, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, in the event of a security breach, TeraWulf may be forced to cease operations or suffer a reduction in digital assets, which could adversely affect TeraWulf’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to Regulatory Matters
We are subject to a highly-evolving regulatory landscape and any adverse changes to, or our failure to comply with, any laws and regulations could adversely affect our business, reputation, prospects or operations.
Until recently, relatively little regulatory attention has been directed toward bitcoin and the bitcoin network by U.S. federal and state governments, foreign governments and self-regulatory agencies. We currently only operate in the United States, and do not currently have any plans to expand our operations beyond the United States. As bitcoin has grown in popularity and in market size, the U.S. regulatory regime – namely the Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Congress and certain U.S. agencies (e.g., the SEC, the CFTC, FinCEN and the Federal Bureau of Investigation) have begun to examine the operations of the bitcoin network, bitcoin users and the bitcoin exchange market. The complexity and evolving nature of our business and the significant uncertainty surrounding the regulation of the cryptocurrency industry requires us to exercise our judgment as to whether certain laws, rules, and regulations apply to us, and it is possible that governmental bodies and regulators may disagree with our conclusions. To the extent we have not complied with such laws, rules, and regulations, we could be subject to significant fines, revocation of licenses, limitations on our products and services, reputational harm, and other regulatory consequences, each of which may be significant and could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Additionally, the recent bankruptcy filings of FTX, the third largest digital asset exchange by volume at the time of its filing, and its affiliated hedge fund Alameda Research LLC, in addition to other bankruptcy filings of crypto companies throughout calendar year 2022, will likely attract heightened regulatory scrutiny from U.S. regulatory agencies such as the SEC and CFTC. Increasing regulation and regulatory scrutiny may result in new costs for the Company and Company’s management having to devote increased time and attention to regulatory matters, change aspects of the Company’s business or result in limits on the utility of bitcoin. In addition, regulatory developments and/or the Company’s business activities may require the Company to comply with certain regulatory regimes. Increasingly strict legal and regulatory requirements and any regulatory investigations and enforcement may result in changes to our business, as well as increased costs, and supervision and examination for ourselves and