Blockstack PBC and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Digital Currencies are Currently Unregulated
As of the date of these consolidated financial statements, digital currencies are not subject to specific regulation. Accordingly, there are uncertainties related to the regulatory regimes governing blockchain technologies, cryptocurrencies, digital assets, cryptocurrency exchanges, the Stacks blockchain and Stacks Tokens, and new international, federal, state and local regulations or policies may materially adversely affect the Company and the value of the Stacks Tokens.
The Stacks Tokens are novel, and the application of U.S. federal and state securities laws is unclear in certain respects. Because of the differences between the Stacks Tokens and traditional securities, there is a risk that issues that might easily be resolved by existing law if traditional securities were involved may not be easily resolved for the Stacks Tokens. In addition, because of the novel risks posed by the tokens, it is possible that securities regulators may interpret laws in a manner that adversely affects the Company or the value of the Stacks Tokens.
Various legislative and executive bodies in the United States and in other countries may, in the future, adopt laws, regulations, or guidance, or take other actions that could severely impact the permissibility of the Stacks Tokens, tokens generally and, in each case, the technology behind them or the means of transacting in or transferring them. It is difficult to predict how or whether regulatory agencies may apply existing or new regulation with respect to this technology and its applications, including the Stacks Tokens, the Stacks blockchain and the network. In addition, self-regulatory bodies may be established that set guidelines regarding cryptocurrencies, the Stacks Tokens, and the network, which could have similar effects to new policies adopted by government bodies.
Any future regulatory actions applicable to the Stacks Tokens, the Stacks blockchain, the network and related activities could severely impact the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company. The Company may need to restructure operations significantly to comply with any new regulation or guidance. These efforts could be costly and could involve fundamentally changing core portions of the Company’s business, operations and network. On the other hand, failure to restructure for compliance adequately or quickly enough could result in regulatory action (such as investigations by the government or a self-regulatory organization or government or private litigation or administrative actions) that requires the Company to spend significant time and effort, which could potentially deplete the Company’s resources. It could also result in negative publicity. Regulatory change could even potentially result in the Stacks Tokens or certain operations being viewed as impermissible, which could result in a need for the Company to dramatically alter or cease activities. Regulatory action could also affect the rights of holders of the Stacks Tokens, for example by severely limiting the ability of holders to transfer or sell their tokens.
Cryptocurrency networks, blockchain technologies, and coin and token offerings also face an uncertain regulatory landscape in many foreign jurisdictions, including (among others) the European Union, China and Russia. Various foreign jurisdictions may, in the future, adopt laws, regulations or directives that affect the Company. These laws, regulations or directives may conflict with those of the United States or may directly and negatively impact results of operations. The effect of any future regulatory change is impossible to predict, but any change could be substantial and materially adverse to the Company, its results of operations and adoption and value of the Stacks Tokens.
New or changing laws and regulations or interpretations of existing laws and regulations, in the United States and other jurisdictions, may materially and adversely impact the Company, its results of operations and the Stacks Tokens, including with respect to their value, their liquidity, the ability of purchasers to access marketplaces or exchanges on which to trade the tokens, and the structure, rights and transferability of the Stacks Tokens.
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