PRELIMINARY OFFERING CIRCULAR DATED MAY 18, 2019 PURSUANT TO
REGULATION A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FORM 1-A: PART II – OFFERING CIRCULAR FORMAT
EmpireBIT, Inc. (A Delaware Corporation)
36 Christopher Columbus Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527
732-654-2600 www.EmpireBIT.com
5,000,000 Shares of Class A Common Stock at $10.00 per Share convertible into Shares
Minimum Investment: 25 Shares of Class A Common Stock ($250.00)
Maximum Offering: $50,000,000.00
See The Offering – Page 19 and Securities Being Offered – Page 92 For Further Details of the terms of the Offering and a full description of the securities being offering. None of the securities offered are being sold by present security holders. The securities offered have no voting rights other than those reserved under Delaware law. See Page 93 for further details. The Company will accept Bitcoin and Ether as payment for the Shares, subject to the procedures and limitations set out below. See Page 114 for further details.
This Offering Will Commence Upon Qualification Of This Offering By The Securities And Exchange Commission And Will Terminate 180 Days From Commencement, Unless Extended Or Terminated Earlier By The Company.
| Price To Public | Commissions (1) | Proceeds To Company | Proceeds To Other Persons |
Price Per Share | $10.00 | $0.50 | $9.50 | None |
Minimum Investment | $250.00 | $12.50 | $237.50 | None |
Maximum Offering | $50,000,000.00 | $2,500,000.00 | $47,500,000.00 | None |
(1) Commissions to be paid to Cuttone & Co., LLC, a FINRA licensed broker-dealer. In addition to a FINRA 5110 filing fee and a due diligence fee paid by the Company, the Company is obligated to pay Cuttone & Co., LLC up to $10,000.00 of out of pocket expenses, if incurred. See “Plan of Distribution” for details.
PLEASE REVIEW ALL RISK FACTORS ON PAGE 22 THROUGH PAGE 58 BEFORE MAKING AN INVESTMENT IN THIS COMPANY.
THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION DOES NOT PASS UPON THE MERITS OF OR GIVE ITS APPROVAL TO ANY SECURITIES OFFERED OR THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING, NOR DOES IT PASS UPON THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY OFFERING CIRCULAR OR OTHER SELLING LITERATURE. THESE SECURITIES ARE OFFERED PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION WITH THE COMMISSION; HOWEVER, THE COMMISSION HAS NOT MADE AN INDEPENDENT DETERMINATION THAT THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREUNDER ARE EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION.
AN OFFERING STATEMENT PURSUANT TO REGULATION A RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRELIMINARY OFFERING CIRCULAR IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED BEFORE THE OFFERING STATEMENT FILED WITH THE COMMISSION IS QUALIFIED. THIS PRELIMINARY OFFERING CIRCULAR SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR MAY THERE BE ANY SALES OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL BEFORE REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE. WE MAY ELECT TO SATISFY OUR OBLIGATION TO DELIVER A FINAL OFFERING CIRCULAR BY SENDING YOU A NOTICE WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF OUR SALE TO YOU THAT CONTAINS THE URL WHERE THE FINAL OFFERING CIRCULAR OR THE OFFERING STATEMENT IN WHICH SUCH FINAL OFFERING CIRCULAR WAS FILED MAY BE OBTAINED.
GENERALLY, NO SALE MAY BE MADE TO YOU IN THIS OFFERING IF THE AGGREGATE PURCHASE PRICE YOU PAY IS MORE THAN 10% OF THE GREATER OF YOUR ANNUAL INCOME OR NET WORTH. DIFFERENT RULES APPLY TO ACCREDITED INVESTORS AND NON-NATURAL PERSONS. BEFORE MAKING ANY REPRESENTATION THAT YOUR INVESTMENT DOES NOT EXCEED APPLICABLE THRESHOLDS, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REVIEW RULE 251(D)(2)(I)(C) OF REGULATION A. FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ON INVESTING, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REFER TO WWW.INVESTOR.GOV.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION, DISCLOSURES AND LEGENDS | 5 |
OFFERING SUMMARY AND RISK FACTORS | 18 |
OFFERING SUMMARY | 18 |
The Offering | 19 |
Summary of Risk Factors | 20 |
Investment Analysis | 21 |
RISK FACTORS | 22 |
DILUTION | 59 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | 62 |
USE OF PROCEEDS | 66 |
USE OF PROCEEDS TABLE | 67 |
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS | 68 |
General | 68 |
Where It All Began: The Story of Michael and Evan Almeida and Their “Empire” | 70 |
The Existing Marketplace And The Opportunity To Bring Cryptocurrency Mainstream | 72 |
The EmpireBIT Solution | 73 |
The Company's Competitive Advantage | 74 |
EmpireBIT Crypto ATMs | 75 |
Software Platform for Crypto ATMs | 76 |
Online Marketplace | 76 |
The Investment Offered: EmpireBIT, Inc. Offers Only Shares Convertible Into Security Tokens | 76 |
The EmpireBIT Security Token | 77 |
The Company’s Cryptocurrency: The EmpireBIT Coin | 78 |
The Company’s Wallet | 78 |
The Company’s Native Blockchain | 79 |
Master Node Capability | 80 |
Proof of Stake | 80 |
Proof of Work | 80 |
Dedicated Operating System | 80 |
EmpireBIT Cryptocurrency ATMs | 81 |
Point of Sale System | 81 |
The EmpireBIT Ecosystem and Community | 82 |
Proposed Acquisitions | 83 |
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY | 83 |
LITIGATION | 83 |
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | 83 |
BUSINESS | 84 |
Overview | 84 |
Results of Operations | 84 |
Liquidity and Capital Resources | 85 |
Plan of Operations | 85 |
Trend Information | 86 |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | 86 |
Critical Accounting Policies | 86 |
Revenue Recognition | 87 |
Additional Company Matters | 87 |
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES | 88 |
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | 89 |
Executive Compensation | 89 |
Employment Agreements | 89 |
Equity Incentive Plan | 89 |
Board of Directors | 90 |
Committees of the Board of Directors | 90 |
Director Compensation | 90 |
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors | 90 |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN SECURITYHOLDERS | 91 |
CAPITALIZATION TABLE | 91 |
INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN CERTAIN RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND AGREEMENTS | 92 |
SECURITIES BEING OFFERED | 92 |
Subscription Price | 93 |
Voting Rights | 93 |
Dividends | 94 |
Indemnification Clause In Subscription Agreement | 95 |
Jurisdiction of Disputes | 95 |
Revenue Share | 95 |
Liquidation Rights | 96 |
Conversion Rights | 96 |
Right of First Refusal | 97 |
Additional Matters | 97 |
PERKS | 98 |
TOKENIZATION OF SHARES | 99 |
General | 100 |
ERC-20 Standard | 100 |
Smart Contracts, Wallets and Whitelists | 101 |
How The Security Tokens Are Created | 102 |
How The Security Tokens Are Issued | 104 |
How The Shares Are Cleared By The Broker-Dealer, Before Being Issued | 105 |
The Distributed Ledger | 105 |
The Smart Contracts | 106 |
How the Security Tokens and Transactions on the Ethereum Blockchain Will Be Validated | 107 |
Subsequent Token Transfers | 107 |
DISQUALIFYING EVENTS DISCLOSURE | 109 |
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS | 110 |
INVESTOR ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS | 112 |
HOW TO INVEST USING CRYPTOCURRENCY | 114 |
TAXATION ISSUES | 118 |
SECTION F/S: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 120 |
SIGNATURES | 136 |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ADOPTING TYPED SIGNATURES | 137 |
PART III EXHIBITS: Index to Exhibits | 138 |
1
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION, DISCLOSURES AND LEGENDS
OFFERING CIRCULAR PURSUANT TO
REGULATION A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FORM 1-A: PART II –OFFERING CIRCULAR FORMAT
Dated: May 18, 2019
EmpireBIT, Inc. (A Delaware Corporation)
36 Christopher Columbus Blvd
Jackson, NJ 08527
732-654-2600
www.EmpireBIT.com
5,000,000 Shares of Class A Common Stock at $10.00 Per Share
Convertible Into Security Tokens
Minimum Investment: 25 Shares of Class A Common Stock ($250.00)
Maximum Offering: $50,000,000.00
6199 | | 82-4794548 |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
This Preliminary Offering Circular shall only be qualified upon order of the Commission, unless a subsequent amendment is filed indicating the intention to become qualified by operation of the terms of Regulation A.
PLEASE REVIEW ALL RISK FACTORS ON PAGES PAGE 22 THROUGH PAGE 58 BEFORE MAKING AN INVESTMENT IN THIS COMPANY. AN INVESTMENT IN THIS COMPANY SHOULD ONLY BE MADE IF YOU ARE CAPABLE OF EVALUATING THE RISKS AND MERITS OF THIS INVESTMENT AND IF YOU HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO BEAR THE ENTIRE LOSS OF YOUR INVESTMENT, SHOULD THAT OCCUR.
THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION DOES NOT PASS UPON THE MERITS OF OR GIVE ITS APPROVAL TO ANY SECURITIES OFFERED OR THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING, NOR DOES IT PASS UPON THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY OFFERING CIRCULAR OR OTHER SELLING LITERATURE. THESE SECURITIES ARE OFFERED PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION WITH THE COMMISSION; HOWEVER, THE COMMISSION HAS NOT MADE AN INDEPENDENT DETERMINATION THAT THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREUNDER ARE EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION.
AN OFFERING STATEMENT PURSUANT TO REGULATION A RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRELIMINARY OFFERING CIRCULAR IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED BEFORE THE OFFERING STATEMENT FILED WITH THE COMMISSION IS QUALIFIED. THIS PRELIMINARY OFFERING CIRCULAR SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR MAY THERE BE ANY SALES OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL BEFORE REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE. WE MAY ELECT TO SATISFY OUR OBLIGATION TO DELIVER A FINAL OFFERING CIRCULAR BY SENDING YOU A NOTICE WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF OUR SALE TO YOU THAT CONTAINS THE URL WHERE THE FINAL OFFERING CIRCULAR OR THE OFFERING STATEMENT IN WHICH SUCH FINAL OFFERING CIRCULAR WAS FILED MAY BE OBTAINED.
Because these securities are being offered on a “best efforts” basis, the following disclosures are hereby made:
| Price to Public | Commissions (1) | Proceeds to Company (2) | Proceeds to Other Persons (3) |
Per Share | $10.00 | $0.50 | $9.50 | None |
Minimum Investment | $250.00 | $12.50 | $237.50 | None |
Maximum Offering | $50,000,000.00 | $2,500,000.00 | $47,500,000.00 | None |
(1) The Company shall pay Cuttone & Co. LLC (“Cuttone”) a cash success fee equivalent to 5% of the gross proceeds raised in the Offering. In addition to the fees above, the Company shall grant to Cuttone (or its designees and assignees) cashless warrants equivalent to 3% of the gross proceeds raised in the Offering. The cashless warrants will be valued at the same $5.00 per share price to the public for the purpose of determining how many securities Cuttone will be issued. Fees in the chart above only reflect the cash fee (5%), and do not reflect the warrants, which are also not represented in the capitalization table herein. Cuttone may engage the services of additional FINRA member broker-dealers as part of a selling group, and those additional broker-dealers may be paid additional fees to those disclosed herein. Should such additional broker-dealers be engaged, an amendment to this Offering Circular will be filed disclosing the additional fees. Cuttone is not an underwriter and will not be paid underwriting fees, but will be paid service fees. See “Plan of Distribution.”
(2) Does not reflect payment of expenses of this Offering, which are estimated to not exceed $500,000.00 and which include, among other things, legal fees, accounting costs, reproduction expenses, due diligence, marketing, consulting, broker-dealer retainer and advisory fees, broker-dealer out-of-pocket expenses, administrative services, other costs of blue sky compliance, and actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Company selling the Shares of Class A Common Stock, but which do not include success fees or commissions paid to Cuttone. If the Company engages the services of additional broker-dealers in connection with the Offering, their commissions will be an additional expense of the Offering. See the “Plan of Distribution” for details regarding the compensation payable in connection with this Offering. This amount represents the proceeds of the Offering to the Company, which will be used as set out in “Use of Proceeds.”
(3) There are no finder’s fees or other fees being paid to third parties from the proceeds, other than those disclosed above. See "Plan of Distribution."
GENERALLY, NO SALE MAY BE MADE TO YOU IN THIS OFFERING IF THE AGGREGATE PURCHASE PRICE YOU PAY IS MORE THAN 10% OF THE GREATER OF YOUR ANNUAL INCOME OR NET WORTH. DIFFERENT RULES APPLY TO ACCREDITED INVESTORS AND NON-NATURAL PERSONS. BEFORE MAKING ANY REPRESENTATION THAT YOUR INVESTMENT DOES NOT EXCEED APPLICABLE THRESHOLDS, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REVIEW RULE 251(D)(2)(I)(C) OF REGULATION A. FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ON INVESTING, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REFER TO WWW.INVESTOR.GOV.
This offering consists of Shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Shares” or individually, each a “Share”) that are convertible, at the option of each shareholder, at a later date to be determined in the Company’s sole discretion, on a one-to-one basis into Security Tokens of the same class and with the same rights, preferences and privileges as the Class A Common Stock (the “Security Tokens” or individually, each a “Security Token”) that are being offered on a “best efforts” basis, which means that there is no guarantee that any minimum amount will be sold. The term “Offering” refers to the offer of Shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Offering Circular. The Shares are being offered and sold by EmpireBIT, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (“EmpireBIT”, “we”, “our” or the “Company”). The Shares referred to in this Offering Circular are 5,000,000 Class A Common Stock that may later, at the option of each shareholder, be “tokenized” into non-certificated, book-entry digital securities as set out herein. The “Security Tokens” as used in this Offering Circular do not presently exist, but will be tokenized Shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company, for investors who choose to tokenize their Shares when the Company offers this option at a presently-undetermined later date.
The Shares of Class A Common Stock are being offered at a price of $10.00 per Share with a minimum purchase of twenty-five (25) Shares per investor. The Shares are being offered on a best efforts basis to an unlimited number of accredited investors and an unlimited number of non-accredited investors only by the Company and through Cuttone & Co., LLC (“Cuttone”), a broker/dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The maximum aggregate amount of the Shares of Class A Common Stock offered is $50,000,000.00 (the “Maximum Offering”). There is no minimum number of Shares that needs to be sold in order for funds to be released to the Company and for this Offering to hold its first closing.
The Company was originally formed as EmpireBIT LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on or about January 16, 2018 and was converted into a Delaware corporation on or about August 3, 2018. The Company was formed for the general purpose of developing a network of cryptocurrency automatic teller machines and a blockchain ecosystem for the Company’s cryptocurrency, should one be created in the future.
The Shares are being offered pursuant to Regulation A of Section 3(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for Tier 2 offerings. The Shares will only be issued to purchasers who satisfy the requirements set forth in Regulation A. This Offering will commence after qualification by the Commission and is expected to expire on the first of: (i) all of the Shares offered are sold; or (ii) the close of business 180 days from the date of qualification by the Commission, unless sooner terminated or extended by the Company’s CEO, or (iii) the date upon which a determination is made by the Company to terminate the Offering in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion. Pending each closing, payments for the Shares will be deposited in a bank account to be held for the Company. Funds will be promptly refunded without interest, for sales that are not consummated. All funds received shall be held only in a non-interest-bearing bank account. Upon each closing under the terms as set out in this Offering Circular, funds will be immediately transferred to the Company where they will be available for use in the operations of the Company’s business in a manner consistent with the “Use Of Proceeds” in this Offering Circular.
The Company’s website and white paper are not incorporated into this Offering Circular. If you review the Company’s white paper, please be aware that the white paper is summary in nature and subject to the legal disclaimers provided therein as well as the Risk Factors in this Offering Circular and all disclaimers in this Offering Circular. The photographs, drawings and graphics in the white paper are for illustrative purposes only, and may not be accurate representations of the crypto ATM units and other matters or items depicted, when they are ultimately created and deployed by the Company.
THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS CONCERNING THE COMPANY OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON.
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PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE NOT TO CONSTRUE THE CONTENTS OF THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR, OR OF ANY PRIOR OR SUBSEQUENT COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR AFFILIATES, AS INVESTMENT, LEGAL, FINANCIAL OR TAX ADVICE.
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BEFORE INVESTING IN THIS OFFERING, PLEASE REVIEW ALL DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY, ASK ANY QUESTIONS OF THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE ANSWERED AND CONSULT YOUR OWN COUNSEL, ACCOUNTANT AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS AS TO LEGAL, TAX AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS CONCERNING THIS INVESTMENT.
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THERE IS NO PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK CONVERTIBLE INTO CLASS A SECURITY TOKENS OR ANY OTHER SECURITIES OF THIS COMPANY, NOR WILL ANY SUCH MARKET DEVELOP AS A RESULT OF THIS OFFERING. A LEGALLY COMPLIANT TRADING MARKET FOR THE SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK CONVERTIBLE INTO CLASS B SECURITY TOKENS MAY NEVER BE DEVELOPED AND PEER-TO-PEER TRADING OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK CONVERTIBLE INTO CLASS A SECURITY TOKENS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED UNLESS AND UNTIL SECURITY TOKENHOLDERS ARE NOTIFIED OTHERWISE BY THE COMPANY, WHICH MAY REQUIRE HOLDERS TO HOLD THEIR SECURITY TOKENS INDEFINITELY. AN INVESTMENT IN THIS OFFERING IS HIGHLY SPECULATIVE, AND YOU SHOULD ONLY INVEST IF YOU ARE PREPARED TO LOSE YOUR ENTIRE INVESTMENT.
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THE SHARES ARE OFFERED BY THE COMPANY SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO REJECT ANY TENDERED SUBSCRIPTION, IN ITS ABSOLUTE DISCRETION, AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE SHARES. THE COMPANY MAY REJECT ANY OFFER AND NEED NOT ACCEPT OFFERS IN THE ORDER RECEIVED.
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INVESTORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPRESENT THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO BEAR THE ECONOMIC RISK OF THEIR INVESTMENT AND THAT THEY (OR THEIR PURCHASER REPRESENTATIVES) ARE FAMILIAR WITH AND UNDERSTAND THE TERMS AND RISKS OF THIS OFFERING. THE CONTENTS OF THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. EACH INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN ATTORNEY, ACCOUNTANT OR BUSINESS ADVISOR AS TO LEGAL, TAX AND RELATED MATTERS CONCERNING THIS INVESTMENT. ALL FINAL DECISIONS IN RESPECT TO SALES OF SECURITIES WILL BE MADE BY THE COMPANY, WHICH RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVOKE THE OFFER AND TO REFUSE TO SELL TO ANY PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR.
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NO PERSONS, EXCEPT THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENTS AND SUCH REGISTERED BROKER-DEALERS AS THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO UTILIZE, HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR NOR ANY SALE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE THE IMPLICATION THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
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THE INVESTMENT DESCRIBED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR INVOLVES RISK AND IS OFFERED ONLY TO INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN AFFORD TO ASSUME SUCH RISKS FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME AND WHO AGREE TO PURCHASE THE SECURITIES THAT ARE BEING OFFERED HEREUNDER ONLY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TOWARDS A TRANSFER, RESALE, EXCHANGE OR FURTHER DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH. FEDERAL LAW AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS LIMIT THE RESALE OF SUCH SECURITIES AND IT IS THEREFORE URGED THAT EACH POTENTIAL INVESTOR SEEK COUNSEL CONCERNING SUCH LIMITATIONS.
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THE COMPANY AS DESCRIBED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR HAS ARBITRARILY DETERMINED THE PRICE OF SECURITIES, AND EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD MAKE AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF THE FAIRNESS OF SUCH PRICE UNDER ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES AS DESCRIBED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR.
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THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR DOES NOT KNOWINGLY CONTAIN ANY UNTRUE STATEMENT OF A MATERIAL FACT OR OMIT A MATERIAL FACT, AND ANY SUCH MISSTATEMENT OR OMISSION IS DONE WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PREPARERS OF THIS DOCUMENT OR THE COMPANY. AS SUCH, THE COMPANY BELIEVES THAT THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR CONTAINS ALL MATTERS, DOCUMENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES MATERIAL TO THIS OFFERING.
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PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS WHO HAVE QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFERING OR WHO DESIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTATION TO VERIFY THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR SHOULD CONTACT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE COMPANY. ANY PROJECTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN OR OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO A POTENTIAL INVESTOR MUST BE VIEWED ONLY AS ESTIMATES. ALTHOUGH ANY PROJECTIONS ARE BASED UPON ASSUMPTIONS, WHICH THE COMPANY BELIEVES TO BE REASONABLE, THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY WILL DEPEND UPON FACTORS BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN THAT THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL PERFORMANCE WILL MATCH THE PROJECTIONS.
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PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE NOT TO CONSTRUE THE CONTENTS OF THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR, OR OF ANY PRIOR OR SUBSEQUENT COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR AFFILIATES, AS INVESTMENT, LEGAL, FINANCIAL OR TAX ADVICE.
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BEFORE INVESTING IN THIS OFFERING, PLEASE REVIEW ALL DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY, ASK ANY QUESTIONS OF THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE ANSWERED ANDEACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN PROFESSIONAL TAX, LEGAL AND INVESTMENT ADVISORS TO ASCERTAIN THE MERITS AND RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE SHARES DESCRIBED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR PRIOR TO SUBSCRIBING TO SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY.
NASAA UNIFORM LEGEND
FOR RESIDENTS OF ALL STATES: THE PRESENCE OF A LEGEND FOR ANY GIVEN STATE REFLECTS ONLY THAT A LEGEND MAY BE REQUIRED BY THAT STATE AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO MEAN AN OFFER OR SALE MAY BE MADE IN A PARTICULAR STATE. IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT OFFERS OR SALES MAY BE LAWFULLY MADE IN ANY GIVEN STATE, YOU ARE HEREBY ADVISED TO CONTACT THE COMPANY. THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS (COMMONLY CALLED "BLUE SKY" LAWS).
IN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION INVESTORS MUST RELY ON THEIR OWN EXAMINATION OF THE PERSON OR ENTITY CREATING THE SECURITIES AND THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING, INCLUDING THE MERITS AND RISKS INVOLVED. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN RECOMMENDED BY ANY FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY. FURTHERMORE, THE FOREGOING AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT CONFIRMED THE ACCURACY OR DETERMINED THE ADEQUACY OF THIS DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT, AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM. INVESTORS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL RISKS OF THIS INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.
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NOTICE TO FOREIGN INVESTORS
IF THE PURCHASER LIVES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, IT IS THE PURCHASER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FULLY OBSERVE THE LAWS OF ANY RELEVANT TERRITORY OR JURISDICTION OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN CONNECTION WITH ANY PURCHASE OF THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING OBTAINING REQUIRED GOVERNMENTAL OR OTHER CONSENTS OR OBSERVING ANY OTHER REQUIRED LEGAL OR OTHER FORMALITIES. THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DENY THE PURCHASE OF THE SECURITIES BY ANY FOREIGN PURCHASER.
NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS IN AUSTRALIA:
Neither this Offering Circular, nor any other disclosure document in relation to the Securities, has been, will be, or needs to be, lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission. This Offering Circular is not a product disclosure statement under Division 2 of Part 7.9 of the Corporations Act 2001 (CTH) (the “Australia Act”) nor is it a prospectus under Chapter 6D of the Australia Act, and the Securities have not been, and will not be, registered as a managed investment scheme under the Australia Act.
An offer of the Shares is made in Australia only to “wholesale clients” as defined by the Australia Act (“Wholesale Clients”), and can only be accepted by a recipient if they are a Wholesale Client. No Shares will be issued or arranged to be issued, and no recommendations to acquire Shares will be made, which would require the provision of a product disclosure statement under Division 2 of Part 7.9 of the Australia Act or the provision of a financial services guide or a statement of advice under Division 2 or 3 of Part 7.7 of the Australia Act.
Neither this Offering Circular, the offer contained herein nor any other disclosure document in relation to the Shares can be partially or wholly distributed, published, reproduced, transmitted or otherwise made available or disclosed by recipients to any other person in Australia.
NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS IN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA:
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a “Member State”), which has implemented the Prospectus Directive, the Company has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Member State it has not made and will not make an offer of the Shares to the public in a Member State, except that it may, with effect from and including such date, make an offer of Shares in a Member State at any time under the following exemptions as provided by the Prospectus Directive:
(a)to legal entities which are qualified investors, as defined in the Prospectus Directive;
(b)to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospective Directive;
(c)in any other circumstances falling within the scope of Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive.
For the purposes of the above, (i) the expression an “offer of the Securities to the public” in relation to any Shares in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the Offering and the Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Shares, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and (ii) the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including Directive 2010/73/EU), and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Member State.
NOTICE TO PURCHASERS IN FRANCE:
The Offering is not being made, directly or indirectly, to the public in the Republic of France ("France"). Neither this Offering Circular nor any other documents or materials relating to the Offering have been or will be distributed to the public in France and only (i) providers of investment services relating to portfolio management for the account of third parties (personnes fournissant le service d'investissement de gestion de portefeuille pour compte de tiers) and/or (ii) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) acting for their own account (other than individuals), and all as defined in, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, D.411-1 and D.411-4, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code Monétaire et Financier, are eligible to participate in the Offering. Neither this Offering Circular nor any other documents or materials relating to the Offering have been or will be submitted for clearance to or approved by the Autorité des marchés financiers. The direct or indirect distribution to the public in France of any so acquired Shares may be made only as provided by Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L. 412-1 and L.621-8 to L.621-8-3 of the French Code Monétaire et financier and applicable regulations thereunder.
This Offering Circular, and any related document or material, shall not be considered, nor construed, as any form of financial investment advice, solicitation or advertisement.
NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS IN HONG KONG:
The Shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the “SFO”) and any rules made thereunder, or in circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) of Hong Kong.
No person has issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, or will issue or have in its possession of the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Shares, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the Shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the SFO and any rules made thereunder.
NOTICE TO PROSPECT INVESTORS IN ISRAEL:
This Offering Circular does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this Offering Circular is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters purchasing for their own account, venture capital funds, and entities with shareholders’ equity in excess of NIS 250 million, each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time, collectively referred to as institutional investors). Institutional investors may be required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum.
NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS IN SINGAPORE:
Each investor has acknowledged that this Offering Circular has not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (the “MAS”). Accordingly, this Offering Circular and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Shares, may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289 of Singapore) (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provisions of the SFA.
Where the Shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
(a)a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or
(b)a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,
Securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the units, as the case may be, pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:
(1)to an institutional investor pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;
(2)where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;
(3)where the transfer is by operation of law;
(4)as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; and/or
(5)as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.
By accepting receipt of this Offering Circular, any person in Singapore represents and warrants that he is entitled to receive such Offering Circular in accordance with the restrictions set forth above and agrees to be bound by the limitations contained herein.
NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS IN THE NETHERLANDS:
The Shares may not be offered or sold in The Netherlands to any persons other than qualified investors within the meaning of the Prospectus Directive. For purposes of the above, the expression “Prospectus Directive” shall have the meaning given to it in the paragraph “Notice to Prospective Purchasers in the European Economic Area” above.
NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM:
With respect to offers and sales of the Shares that are the subject of this Offering Circular, offers or sales of any of such Shares to persons in the United Kingdom are prohibited in circumstances which have resulted in or will result in such Shares being or becoming the subject of an offer of transferable securities to the public as defined in Section 102B of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) (the “FSMA”) and all applicable provisions of the FSMA must be complied with, with respect to anything done in relation to such Shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
To the extent this Offering Circular is distributed in the United Kingdom, it will only be distributed to and directed at: (i) persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended) (the "FPO"); (ii) high net worth entities and other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated falling within Article 49 of the FPO; (iii) certified sophisticated investors falling within Article 50 of the FPO; or (iv) other persons to whom it may lawfully be directed under an exemption contained in the FPO (the persons specified in (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above are, together, referred to as “relevant persons”). Persons who are not relevant persons must not act on or rely on this Offering Circular or any of its contents. Any investment or investment activity to which this Offering Circular relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Relevant persons in receipt of this Offering Circular must not distribute, publish, reproduce, or disclose this Offering Circular (in whole or in part) to any person who is not a relevant person.
In addition, any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received in connection with the issue or sale of such Shares will only be communicated, or be caused to be communicated, in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Company.
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CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 1-A and Offering Circular and any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein contain “forward-looking statements.” As used in this Form 1-A and Offering Circular, the term “forward-looking statements” include statements containing a projection of revenues, income (including income loss), earnings (including earnings loss) per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure, or other financial items; statements of the plans and objectives of management for future operations, including plans or objectives relating to the products or services of the Company; statements of future economic performance, including any such statement contained in a discussion and analysis of financial condition by the management or in the results of operations included in this Form 1-A and Offering Circular; and any statements of the assumptions underlying or relating to any statements in this paragraph.
The forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this Offering Circular and any documents incorporated by reference and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company with respect to, among others things: (i) the development of the Company and its products; (ii) the targeting of markets; (iii) trends affecting the Company’s financial condition or results of operation; (iv) the Company’s business plan and growth strategies; (v) the industries in which the Company participates; and (vi) the ability of the Company to generate sufficient cash from operations to meet its operating needs and pay off its existing indebtedness, all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact or relating to present facts or current conditions included in this Offering Circular, and any documents incorporated by reference are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give the Company's current reasonable expectations and projections relating to its financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “assume,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “predict,” “project,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative of these terms, and other comparable terminology and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected, expressed or implied, in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. They involve risks, uncertainties (many of which are beyond the Company's control) and assumptions. are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect its actual operating and financial performance and cause its performance to differ materially from the performance anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of these assumptions prove incorrect or change, the Company's actual operating and financial performance may vary in material respects from the performance projected in these forward-looking statements.
The Company discloses important factors that could cause its actual results to differ materially from its expectations under the caption “Risk Factors” below. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf. The Company has based its forward-looking statements on its current expectations about future events. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Although the Company believes its forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect its actual operating and financial performance and cause its performance to differ materially from the performance anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of these assumptions prove incorrect or change, the Company's actual operating and financial performance may vary in material respects from the performance projected in these forward-looking statements
Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this Offering Circular or any documents incorporated by reference herein speak only as of the date of this Offering Circular or any documents incorporated by reference herein. Factors or events that could cause the Company’s actual operating and financial performance to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. The Company disclaims any obligation, and undertakes no obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events/developments or otherwise or to conform these statements to actual results. whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company urges you to carefully consider these matters, and the risk factors described in this Offering Circular, prior to making an investment in its Shares.
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About This Form 1-A and Offering Circular
In making an investment decision, you should rely only on the information contained in this Form 1-A and Offering Circular. The Company has not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this Form 1-A and Offering Circular. The Company are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy the Shares only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this Form 1-A and Offering Circular is accurate only as of the date of this Form 1-A and Offering Circular, regardless of the time of delivery of this Form 1-A and Offering Circular. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since that date. Statements contained herein as to the content of any agreements or other documents are summaries and, therefore, are necessarily selective and incomplete and are qualified in their entirety by the actual agreements or other documents. The Company will provide the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the Company's management concerning terms and conditions of the Offering, the Company or any other relevant matters and any additional reasonable information to any prospective investor prior to the consummation of the sale of the Shares. This Form 1-A and Offering Circular do not purport to contain all of the information that may be required to evaluate the Offering and any recipient hereof should conduct its own independent analysis. The statements of the Company contained herein are based on information believed to be reliable. No warranty can be made that circumstances have not changed since the date of this Form 1-A and Offering Circular. The Company does not expect to update or otherwise revise this Form 1-A, Offering Circular or other materials supplied herewith. The delivery of this Form 1-A and Offering Circular at any time does not imply that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of this Form 1-A and Offering Circular. This Form 1-A and Offering Circular are submitted in connection with the Offering described herein and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose.
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OFFERING SUMMARY AND RISK FACTORS
OFFERING SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Offering Circular and/or incorporated by reference in this Offering Circular. For full offering details, please (1) thoroughly review this Form 1-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (2) thoroughly review this Offering Circular and (3) thoroughly review any attached documents to or documents referenced in, this Form 1-A and Offering Circular.
Issuer: | EmpireBIT, Inc. |
Type of Offering: | Shares of Class A Common Stock convertible into Class B Security Tokens. |
Price Per Share: | $10.00 per Share (5,000,000 Shares) |
Minimum Investment: | $250.00 per investor |
Maximum Offering: | $50,000,000.00 The Company will not accept investments greater than the Maximum Offering amount. |
Maximum Shares Offered: | 5,000,000 Shares |
Purchasers: | Purchasers may be accredited investors or non-accredited investors. Non-accredited investors are limited in the number of Shares they may purchase. |
Use of Proceeds: | See the description in section entitled “Use of Proceeds” on page 66 herein. |
Revenue Share: | As a class, the Shares of Class A Common Stock are entitled to 10% of all Transaction Fees (as defined below in “Securities Being Offered.” Please carefully review “Securities Being Offered” for details of the revenues to be shared. |
Voting Rights: | The Shares have no voting rights other than those reserved under Delaware law. See “Voting Rights” section of “Securities Being Offered” below for details. |
Length of Offering: | Shares will be offered on a continuous basis until either (a) the date upon which the Company confirms that it has received in the TD Bank account gross proceeds of $50,000,000.00 in deposited funds; (b) the expiration of 180 days from the date of this Offering Circular unless extended in its sole discretion by the Company; or (c) the date upon which a determination is made by the Company to terminate the Offering in its sole discretion. |
The Offering
Class A Non-Voting Common Stock Outstanding | 23,876,318 Shares |
Class B Common Stock Outstanding | 50,000,000 Shares |
Class A Non-Voting Common Stock in this Offering (1) | 5,000,000 Shares |
Class B Common Stock in this Offering | 0 Shares |
Total Common Stock to be outstanding after the Offering (2) | 78,876,318 Shares |
Class A Security Tokens Outstanding (3) | 0 Security Tokens |
Class B Security Tokens Outstanding (3) | 0 Security Tokens |
Class A Security Tokens in this Offering (3) | 0 Security Tokens |
Class B Security Tokens in this Offering (3) | 0 Security Tokens |
Total Security Tokens to be outstanding after the Offering (3) | 0 Security Tokens |
(1) There are two classes of Common Stock issued by the Company. For a full description of the rights of the classes of Common Stock, please see the section of this Offering Circular entitled “Securities Being Offered” below. The total number of Shares of Shares of Class A Common Stock (5,000,000) in the chart assumes that the maximum number of Shares of Class A Common Stock are sold in this Offering.
(2) The number of Shares to be outstanding after the Offering assumes that the Offering is fully subscribed, and this number will be less if the Offering is not fully subscribed. Shares outstanding after the Offering does not include a number of Shares equivalent to 3% of the gross proceeds raised in the Offering, which will be exercisable by the broker-dealer or their assigns via warrants in the future based on the terms of said warrants.
(3) As noted herein, at present, the authorized and outstanding equity of the Company is in Common Stock, not Security Tokens. The Company plans at a later date to be determined in the Company’s absolute discretion, as set out herein, to allow each Shareholder convert some or all of its Common Stock on a one-for-one basis into Security Tokens, with the Security Tokens having the same classes, rights, preferences and privileges as the corresponding classes of Common Stock. However, as of the date of this Offering Circular, no Security Tokens have been issued, and no Common Stock has been converted into Security Tokens.
The Company may not be able to sell the Maximum Offering amount. The Company will conduct one or more closings on a rolling basis as funds are received from investors. Funds tendered by investors will be kept in a bank account at TD Bank until the next closing after they are received by the bank. At each closing, with respect to subscriptions accepted by the Company, funds held in the bank account will be distributed to the Company, entitling the investor to receive the Shares when they are later issued as set out herein. Investors may not withdraw their funds tendered from the bank account unless the Offering is terminated without a closing having occurred. Investors are not entitled to any refund of funds transmitted by any means to the Company, or to the bank account, for any reason, unless the Investor does not clear compliance by the broker-dealers involved.
While the Company's Shares are not presently listed on any trading market, Alternative Trading System ("ATS") or national exchange, it is the Company's intent for the Shares, if they are converted into Security Tokens, to become eligible for trading on an SEC-registered ATS to provide a secondary market for the Security Tokens at some point in the future, in order to provide some level of liquidity for investors and Security Tokenholders. If and when such a listing will occur is uncertain at this time, because as of the date of this Offering Circular, there is no currently SEC-approved or SEC-registered third-party platform or ATS that can support the secondary trading of security tokens.
In this regard, the Company has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent with Pro Securities LLC to potentially qualify the Company's Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, for trading on the ProSecurities ATS, an SEC-registered alternative trading system powered by technology owned and licensed from Pro Securities LLC's parent, tZERO Group, Inc. This Letter of Intent merely constitutes an outline of tentative terms and conditions of a definitive service agreement that has not been entered into by the Company. The Letter of Intent does not guarantee that the Shares will qualify for trading on the ATS or that any broker-dealer or other subscriber to the ATS will make a market or otherwise facilitate secondary trading of the Company's Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, on the ATS. No investor should rely upon this Letter of Intent as evidence that a secondary market or any liquidity for the Shares, or the Security Tokens if conversion occurs, will exist.
Summary of Risk Factors
This Offering involves significant risks and you should consider the Shares highly speculative. The following important factors, and those important factors described elsewhere in this Offering Circular, including the matters set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors,” could affect (and in some cases have affected) the Company’s actual results and could cause such results to differ materially from estimates or expectations reflected in this Offering Circular and in any forward-looking statements made herein or by the Company. These important risk factors include, but are not limited to:
The Company is a relatively newly formed entity with limited tangible assets and its continued operation requires substantial additional funding.
The Company has a very short operating history and there is no assurance that the business plan can be executed, or that the Company will generate revenues or profits.
Investors in this Offering risk the loss of their entire investment. The industry in which the Company is participating is highly speculative and extremely risky.
There is no minimum number of Shares that needs to be sold in order for funds to be released to the Company and for this Offering to close; therefore, there is no assurance the Company will receive funds sufficient to further its business plan.
If you invest and purchase the Shares, you will be acquiring a minority interest in the Company and will have little to no effective control over, or input into, the management or decisions of the Company, primarily because the Shares have no voting rights other than those reserved under Delaware law.
There is no market for the Company’s Shares at present and there is no assurance such a market will develop subsequent to this Offering. The Shares are illiquid and should be considered a long-term investment.
There are substantial restrictions on the transferability of the Shares and in all likelihood, you will not be able to liquidate some or all of your investment in the immediate future.
The Company has broad discretion in its use of proceeds and, as an investor, you are relying on management’s judgment.
The price of the Shares is arbitrary and may not be indicative of the value of the Shares or the Company.
The Company is entering into a relatively new industry where there is great uncertainty, little regulatory or legal guidance or precedent, and numerous and substantial risks that are known, as well as many that will likely arise that are unknown at this time, that could negatively affect the Company and your investment.
The Company is selling Shares, and plans to later develop what they believe to be a cryptocurrency, and will be basing portions of their business on blockchain technology, all of which are relatively new, and are fraught with great uncertainty. There is little to no regulatory or legal guidance or precedent, and numerous and substantial risks that are known, as well as many that will likely arise that are unknown at this time that could negatively affect the Company and your investment.
The tax treatment of the Shares, if converted into Security Tokens, is uncertain.
If the Shares are converted into Security Tokens, security token transactions may be irreversible and losses due to fraudulent or accidental transactions may not be recoverable.
The Company does not expect there to be any market makers to develop a trading market in the Shares.
Some market participants may oppose the development of distributed ledger or blockchain-based systems.
The prices of blockchain assets are extremely volatile and fluctuations in the price of digital assets could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, and the Security Tokens may also be subject to significant price volatility, if they are eventually listed on an exchange or ATS.
The popularity of cryptocurrencies and tokenized security offerings may decrease in the future, which could have a material impact on the Company’s operations and financial conditions.
For a more detailed discussion of these and other significant risks, please thoroughly review and understand “Risk Factors” in the main body of this Offering Circular. Potential investors will be given an opportunity, if the potential investor requests to do so, to review the current status of all material contracts and make appropriate questions of management prior to subscribing to this Offering.
Investment Analysis
The Company believes that it has strong economic prospects by virtue of the following dynamics of the industry, the success of its founders in their related business endeavors, and other reasons:
1.Management believes that the trends for growth in the crypto ATM industry in the United States are favorable.
2.The demand for cryptocurrency in the United States is expected to grow, creating an opportunity for the Company as it is already ahead of many competitors because of its ability to use the footprint of Empire ATM Group to establish crypto ATMs in many locations.
3.Management believes that its experience in the traditional ATM market will position EmpireBIT, Inc. for profitable operations and will create new market opportunities in the United States.
Despite Management’s beliefs, there is no assurance that EmpireBIT, Inc. will be profitable, or that management’s opinion of the industry’s favorable dynamics will not be outweighed in the future by unanticipated losses, adverse regulatory developments and other risks. Investors should carefully consider the various risk factors below before investing in the Shares.
RISK FACTORS
The purchase of the Company’s Shares involves substantial risks. You should carefully consider the following risk factors in addition to any other risks associated with this investment. The Shares offered by the Company constitute a highly speculative investment and you should be in an economic position to lose your entire investment. The risks listed do not necessarily comprise all those associated with an investment in the Shares and are not set out in any particular order of priority. Additional risks and uncertainties may also have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and your investment in the Shares. An investment in the Company may not be suitable for all recipients of this Offering Circular. You are advised to consult an independent professional adviser or attorney who specializes in investments of this kind before making any decision to invest. You should consider carefully whether an investment in the Company is suitable in the light of your personal circumstances and the financial resources available to you.
The Company is, in addition to the risks set out below, subject to all the same risks that all companies in its business, and all companies in the economy, are exposed to. These include risks relating to economic downturns, political and economic events and technological developments (such as hacking and the ability to prevent hacking). Additionally, early-stage companies inherently involve greater risk than more developed companies. You should consider general risks as well as specific risks when deciding whether to invest.
Before investing, you should carefully read and carefully consider the following:
Risks Relating to The Company
The Company Has Limited Operating History
The Company has a limited operating history and there can be no assurance that the Company's proposed plan of business can be realized in the manner contemplated and, if it cannot be, Shareholders may lose all or a substantial part of their investment. There is no guarantee that the Company will ever realize any significant operating revenues or that its operations will ever be profitable.
The Company Has Incurred Operating Losses In The Past, Expects To Incur Operating Losses In The Future And May Never Achieve Or Maintain Profitability.
Since the Company’s inception, it has experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operations. The Company expects its operating expenses to increase in the future as it expands its operations. If the Company’s revenue does not grow at a greater rate than its operating expenses, the Company will not be able to achieve and maintain profitability. The Company expects to incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including without limitation the other risks and uncertainties described herein. Additionally, the Company may encounter unforeseen operating or legal expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other factors that may result in losses in future periods. If the Company’s expenses exceed its revenue, the Company may never achieve or maintain profitability and the Company’s business may be harmed.
The Company Is Dependent Upon Its Management, Key Personnel and Consultants to Execute the Business Plan, And Some of Them Will Have Concurrent Responsibilities at Other Businesses
The Company's success is heavily dependent upon the continued active participation of the Company's current executive officers as well as other key personnel and consultants. Many of them will have concurrent responsibilities at other entities such as at Empire ATM Group (an affiliated company as discussed below). Loss of the services of one or more of these individuals could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. Further, the Company's success and achievement of the Company's growth plans depend on the Company's ability to recruit, hire, train and retain other highly qualified technical and managerial personnel. Competition for qualified employees among companies in industries that the Company is participating in is intense, and the loss of any of such persons, or an inability to attract, retain and motivate any additional highly skilled employees required for the expansion of the Company's activities, could have a materially adverse effect on it. The inability to attract and retain the necessary personnel, consultants and advisors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
Although Dependent Upon Certain Key Personnel, The Company Does Not Have Any Key Man Life Insurance Policies on Any Such People
The Company is dependent upon management in order to conduct its operations and execute its business plan, however, the Company has not purchased any insurance policies with respect to those individuals in the event of their death or disability. Therefore, should any of these key personnel, management or consultants die or become disabled, the Company will not receive any compensation that would assist with such person's absence. The loss of such person could negatively affect the Company and its operations.
The Company Is Subject to Income Taxes as Well As Non-Income Based Taxes, Which May Include Payroll, Sales, Use, Value-Added, Net Worth, Property and Goods and Services Taxes.
Significant judgment is required in determining the Company’s provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although the Company believes that the Company’s tax estimates will be reasonable: (i) there is no assurance that the final determination of tax audits or tax disputes will not be different from what is reflected in the Company’s income tax provisions, expense amounts for non-income based taxes and accruals and (ii) any material differences could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations in the period or periods for which determination is made.
The Company Is Not Subject to Sarbanes-Oxley Regulations and Lack the Financial Controls and Safeguards Required of Public Companies.
The Company does not have the internal infrastructure necessary, and is not required, to complete an attestation about the Company’s financial controls that would be required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. There can be no assurances that there are no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the quality of the Company’s financial controls.
The Company Has Engaged in Certain Transactions with Related Persons or Entities.
The Company has, and will continue to engage in transactions with related parties and/or entities, such as Empire ATM Group and United Armor. While the Company believes the terms of such transactions are fair and equitable, these other parties and/or entities are under the control of, and are majority owned by, Michael and Evan Almeida, the Company’s founders, directors, officers and majority shareholders, so the transactions have not been, and will not in the future be, at arm’s length. Please see the section of this Offering Circular entitled “Interest of Management and Others in Certain Related-Party Transactions and Agreements” for further details. If you have concerns about these transactions in the past or in the future, you may ask questions of the Company’s management. However, if you choose to invest in the Company, you will do so knowing and understanding that these transactions have occurred and will continue to occur in the future.
Changes in Employment Laws or Regulation Could Harm the Company’s Performance.
Various federal and state labor laws govern the Company’s relationship with the Company’s employees and contractors and affect the Company’s operating costs. These laws may include minimum wage requirements, overtime pay, healthcare reform and the implementation of various federal and state healthcare laws, unemployment tax rates, workers' compensation rates, citizenship requirements, union membership and sales taxes. A number of factors could adversely affect the Company’s operating results, including additional government-imposed increases in minimum wages, overtime pay, paid leaves of absence and mandated health benefits, mandated training for employees, changing regulations from the National Labor Relations Board and increased employee litigation including claims relating to the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Company’s Bank Accounts Will Not Be Fully Insured
The Company’s regular bank accounts and the TD Bank account for this Offering each have federal insurance that is limited to a certain amount of coverage. It is anticipated that the account balances in each account may exceed those limits at times. In the event that any of Company’s banks should fail, the Company may not be able to recover all amounts deposited in these bank accounts.
The Company’s Business Plan Is Speculative
The Company’s present business and planned business are speculative and subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. There is no assurance that the Company will generate significant revenues or profits. An investment in the Company’s Shares is speculative and there is no assurance that investors will obtain any return on their investment. Investors will be subject to substantial risks involved in an investment in the Company, including the risk of losing their entire investment.
The Company Will Likely Incur Debt
The Company will likely incur debt (including secured debt) in the future and in the continuing operations of its business. Complying with obligations under such indebtedness may have a material adverse effect on the Company and on your investment.
The Company’s Expenses Could Increase Without a Corresponding Increase in Revenues
The Company’s operating and other expenses could increase without a corresponding increase in revenues, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results and on your investment. Factors which could increase operating and other expenses include, but are not limited to (1) increases in the rate of inflation, (2) increases in taxes and other statutory charges, (3) changes in laws, regulations or government policies which increase the costs of compliance with such laws, regulations or policies, (4) significant increases in insurance premiums, (5) increases in borrowing costs, and (5) unexpected increases in costs of supplies, goods, materials, construction, equipment or distribution.
Computer, Website or Information System Breakdown Could Affect the Company’s Business
Computer, website and/or information system breakdowns as well as cyber security attacks could impair the Company’s ability to service its customers leading to reduced revenue from sales and/or reputational damage, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results as well as your investment.
Changes in The Economy Could Have a Detrimental Impact
Changes in the general economic climate, both in the United States and internationally, could have a detrimental impact on consumer expenditure and therefore on the Company’s revenue. It is possible that recessionary pressures and other economic factors (such as declining incomes, future potential rising interest rates, higher unemployment and tax increases) may decrease the disposable income that customers have available to spend on products and services like those of the Company and may adversely affect customers’ confidence and willingness to spend. Any of such events or occurrences could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results and on your investment.
The Amount of Capital the Company Is Attempting to Raise in This Offering Is Not Enough to Sustain the Company's Current Business Plan
In order to achieve the Company's near and long-term goals, the Company will need to procure funds in addition to the amount raised in the Offering. There is no guarantee the Company will be able to raise such funds on acceptable terms or at all. If the Company is not able to raise sufficient capital in the future, the Company will not be able to execute the Company’s business plan, the Company’s continued operations will be in jeopardy and the Company may be forced to cease operations and sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of the Company’s remaining assets, which could cause you to lose all or a portion of your investment.
Additional Financing May Be Necessary for The Implementation of The Company's Growth Strategy
Whether the Company is successful in selling the maximum number of Shares in this Offering or not, the Company may require additional debt, equity or security token financing to pursue the Company’s growth and business strategies. These growth and business strategies include, but are not limited to enhancing the Company’s operating infrastructure and otherwise responding to competitive pressures. Given the Company’s limited operating history and existing losses, there can be no assurance that additional financing will be available, or, if available, that the terms will be acceptable to the Company. Lack of additional funding could force the Company to curtail substantially the Company’s growth plans. Furthermore, the issuance by the Company of any additional securities pursuant to any future fundraising activities undertaken by the Company or could result in an issuance of securities or tokens whose rights, preferences and privileges are senior to those of existing Shareholders including you, and could dilute the ownership or benefits of ownership of existing Shareholders including, but not limited to reducing the value of Shares subscribed for under this Offering.
The Company's Executive Officers, Directors and Affiliate Token Holders Beneficially Own or Control a Substantial Portion of Its Outstanding Shares
The Company's executive officers, directors and affiliates beneficially own or control a substantial portion of the Company’s outstanding Shares which may limit your ability and the ability of the Company’s other Shareholders, whether acting alone or together, to propose or direct the management or overall direction of the Company. Additionally, this concentration of ownership could discourage or prevent a potential merger or acquisition of the Company that might otherwise result in an investor receiving a premium over the market price for his or her Shares. Accordingly, the Company’s employees, directors, executive officers and affiliate Shareholders may have the power to control the election of the Company’s directors and the approval of actions for which the approval of the Company’s Shareholders is required. If you acquire the Company’s Shares, you will have no effective voice in the management of the Company. Such concentrated control of the Company may adversely affect the value of the Company’s Shares and could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for the Company’s Shares.
The Company’s Operating Plan Relies in Large Part Upon Assumptions and Analyses Developed by The Company. If These Assumptions or Analyses Prove to Be Incorrect, The Company’s Actual Operating Results May Be Materially Different from The Company’s Forecasted Results
Whether actual operating results and business developments will be consistent with the Company’s expectations and assumptions as reflected in its forecasts depend on a number of factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, including, but not limited to:
whether the Company can obtain sufficient capital to sustain and grow its business
the Company’s ability to manage its growth
whether the Company can manage relationships with key vendors and third parties
demand for the Company’s products and services
the timing and costs of new and existing marketing and promotional efforts
competition
the Company’s ability to retain existing key management, to integrate recent hires and to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel
the overall strength and stability of domestic and international economies
consumer habits
Unfavorable changes in any of these or other factors, most of which are beyond the Company’s control, could materially and adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition.
To Date, The Company Has Had Operating Losses and Does Not Expect to Be Initially Profitable For At Least The Foreseeable Future, And Cannot Accurately Predict When It Might Become Profitable
The Company has been operating at a loss since the Company's inception, and the Company expects to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future. Further, the Company may not be able to generate significant revenues in the future. In addition, the Company expects to incur substantial operating expenses in order to fund the expansion of the Company's business. As a result, The Company expects to continue to experience substantial negative cash flow for at least the foreseeable future and cannot predict when, or even if, the Company might become profitable.
The Company May Be Unable to Manage Their Growth or Implement Their Expansion Strategy
The Company may not be able to expand the Company's product and service offerings, the Company's markets, or implement the other features of the Company's business strategy at the rate or to the extent presently planned. The Company's projected growth will place a significant strain on the Company's administrative, operational and financial resources. If the Company is unable to successfully manage the Company's future growth, establish and continue to upgrade the Company's operating and financial control systems, recruit and hire necessary personnel or effectively manage unexpected expansion difficulties, the Company's financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
If The Company Is Unable to Effectively Protect Its Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets, It May Impair The Company’s Ability to Compete
The Company’s success will depend on its ability to obtain and maintain meaningful intellectual property protection for any Company intellectual property. The names and/or logos of Company brands may be challenged by holders of trademarks who file opposition notices, or otherwise contest, trademark applications by the Company for its brands. Similarly, domains owned and used by the Company may be challenged by others who contest the ability of the Company to use the domain name or URL. Patents, trademarks and copyrights that have been or may be obtained by the Company may be challenged by others, or enforcement of the patents, trademarks and copyrights may be required. The Company also relies upon, and will rely upon in the future, trade secrets. While the Company uses reasonable efforts to protect these trade secrets, the Company cannot assure that its employees, consultants, contractors or advisors will not, unintentionally or willfully, disclose the Company's trade secrets to competitors or other third parties. In addition, courts outside the United States are sometimes less willing to protect trade secrets. Moreover, the Company's competitors may independently develop equivalent knowledge, methods and know-how. If the Company is unable to defend the Company's trade secrets from others use, or if the Company's competitors develop equivalent knowledge, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
Any infringement of the Company's patent, trademark, copyright or trade secret rights could result in significant litigation costs, and any failure to adequately protect the Company's trade secret rights could result in the Company's competitors offering similar products, potentially resulting in loss of a competitive advantage and decreased revenues. Existing patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws afford only limited protection. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect the Company's rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. Therefore, the Company may not be able to protect the Company's Existing patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret rights against unauthorized third-party use. Enforcing a claim that a third party illegally obtained and is using the Company's Existing patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret rights could be expensive and time consuming, and the outcome of such a claim is unpredictable. This litigation could result in diversion of resources and could materially adversely affect the Company's operating results.
The Company's Business Model Is Evolving
The Company's business model is unproven and is likely to continue to evolve. Accordingly, the Company's initial business model may not be successful and may need to be changed. The Company's ability to generate significant revenues will depend, in large part, on the Company's ability to successfully market the Company's products and services to potential users who may not be convinced of the need for the Company's products and services or who may be reluctant to rely upon third parties to develop and provide these products. The Company intends to continue to develop the Company's business model as the Company's market continues to evolve.
The Company Needs to Increase Brand Awareness, and if the Company Fails to Maintain and Enhance Awareness of The Company's Brand, The Company's Business and Financial Results Could Be Adversely Affected
The Company believes that increasing, maintaining and enhancing awareness of the Company's brand is critical to achieving widespread acceptance and success of the Company's business. Further, the importance of brand recognition will increase as competition in the Company's market increases. Successfully promoting and positioning the Company's brand, products and services will depend largely on the effectiveness of the Company's marketing efforts. Maintaining and enhancing the Company's brand awareness may require the Company to spend increasing amounts of money on, and devote greater resources to, advertising, marketing and other brand-building efforts, and these investments may not be successful. Further, even if these efforts are successful, they may not be cost-effective. If the Company is unable to continuously maintain and enhance the Company's brand, the Company's market may decrease and the Company may fail to attract customers, which could in turn result in lost revenues and adversely affect the Company's business and financial results.
The Company Faces or Will Face Competition in the Company's Markets
The Company either faces, or will face significant competition in the United States and elsewhere. In some cases, the Company’s competitors have or may have longer operating histories, established ties to the market and consumers, greater brand awareness, and greater financial, technical and marketing resources. The Company's ability to compete depends, in part, upon a number of factors outside the Company's control, including the ability of the Company's competitors to develop alternatives that are superior. If the Company fails to successfully compete in its markets, or if the Company incurs significant expenses in order to compete, it would have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
A Data Security Breach Could Expose the Company to Liability and Protracted and Costly Litigation, And Could Adversely Affect the Company's Reputation and Operating Revenues
To the extent that the Company's activities involve the storage and transmission of confidential information and/or other data, the Company and/or third-party processors will receive, transmit and store confidential customer and other information. Encryption software and the other technologies used to provide security for storage, processing and transmission of confidential customer and other information may not be effective to protect against data security breaches by third parties. The risk of unauthorized circumvention of such security measures has been heightened by advances in computer capabilities and the increasing sophistication of hackers. Improper access to the Company's or these third parties' systems or databases could result in the theft, publication, deletion or modification of confidential customer and other information, as well as numerous other problems. A data security breach of the systems on which sensitive account information are stored could lead to fraudulent activity involving the Company's products and services, reputational damage, and claims or regulatory actions against the Company. If the Company is sued in connection with any data security breach, the Company could be involved in protracted and costly litigation. If unsuccessful in defending that litigation, the Company might be forced to pay damages and/or change the Company's business practices or pricing structure, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating revenues and profitability. The Company would also likely have to pay fines, penalties and/or other assessments imposed as a result of any data security breach.
The Company Depends on Third-Party Providers for A Reliable Internet Infrastructure and The Failure of These Third Parties, Or the Internet in General, For Any Reason Would Significantly Impair the Company's Ability to Conduct Its Business
The Company will outsource some or all of its online presence and data management to third parties who host the actual servers and provide power and security in multiple data centers in each geographic location. These third-party facilities require uninterrupted access to the Internet. If the operation of the servers is interrupted for any reason, including natural disaster, financial insolvency of a third-party provider, or malicious electronic intrusion into the data center, its business would be significantly damaged. As has occurred with many Internet-based businesses, the Company may be subject to "denial-of-service" attacks in which unknown individuals bombard its computer servers with requests for data, thereby degrading the servers' performance. The Company cannot be certain it will be successful in quickly identifying and neutralizing these attacks. If either a third-party facility failed, or the Company's ability to access the Internet was interfered with because of the failure of Internet equipment in general or if the Company becomes subject to malicious attacks of computer intruders, its business and operating results will be materially adversely affected.
The Company's Employees May Engage in Misconduct or Improper Activities
The Company, like any business, is exposed to the risk of employee or contractor fraud or other misconduct. Misconduct by employees or contractors could include intentional failures to comply with laws or regulations, provide accurate information to regulators, comply with applicable standards, report financial information or data accurately or disclose unauthorized activities to the Company. In particular, sales, marketing and business arrangements are subject to extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud, misconduct, kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commission, customer incentive programs and other business arrangements. Employee misconduct could also involve improper or illegal activities which could result in regulatory sanctions and harm to the Company's reputation.
Limitation on Director, Officer and Other’s Liability
The Company may provide for the indemnification of directors, officers and others to the fullest extent permitted by law and, to the extent permitted by such law, eliminate or limit the personal liability of directors, officers and others to the Company and its Shareholders for monetary damages for certain breaches of fiduciary duty. Such indemnification may be available for liabilities arising in connection with this Offering. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or others controlling or working with the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. Despite this, should the Company provide such indemnification, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Inability to Maintain and Enhance Product Image Could Affect the Company
It is important that the Company maintains and enhances the image of its existing and new products and services. The image and reputation of the Company’s products may be impacted for various reasons including but not limited to, bad publicity, litigation, customer complaints, and complaints from regulatory bodies. Such problems, even when unsubstantiated, could be harmful to the Company’s image and the reputation of its products. From time to time, the Company may receive complaints from customers regarding products purchased from the Company. The Company may become subject to lawsuits from customers alleging injury because of a purported defect in products or services sold by the Company, claiming substantial damages and demanding payments from the Company. These claims may not be covered by the Company’s insurance policies, if any exist. Any resulting litigation could be costly for the Company, divert management attention, and could result in increased costs of doing business, or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. Any negative publicity generated as a result of customer or regulator complaints about the Company or its products could damage the Company’s reputation and diminish the value of the Company’s brand and brand equity (brand image, reputation and product quality), which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition, as well as your investment.
There Are Doubts About the Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.
The Company’s independent auditors have raised doubts about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds required during the next year or thereafter will be generated from operations or that funds will be available from external sources, such as security token, debt or equity financings or other potential sources. The lack of additional capital resulting from the inability to generate cash flow from operations, or to raise capital from external sources would force the Company to substantially curtail or cease operations and would, therefore, have a material adverse effect on its business. The Company intends to overcome the circumstances that impact its ability to remain a going concern through a combination of the commencement of revenues, with interim cash flow deficiencies being addressed through additional financing. The Company anticipates raising additional funds through public or private financing, securities token financing and/or strategic relationships or other arrangements in the near future to support its business operations; however, the Company may not have commitments from third parties for a sufficient amount of additional capital. The Company cannot be certain that any such financing will be available on acceptable terms, or at all, and its failure to raise capital when needed could limit its ability to continue its operations. The Company’s ability to obtain additional funding will determine its ability to continue as a going concern. Failure to secure additional financing in a timely manner and on favorable terms would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial performance, results of operations and Share price and require it to curtail or cease operations, sell off its assets, seek protection from its creditors through bankruptcy proceedings, or otherwise. Furthermore, additional equity financing may be dilutive to the holders of the Company’s Shares, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants, and strategic relationships, if necessary to raise additional funds, and may require that the Company relinquish valuable rights. Any additional financing could have a negative effect on Shareholders.
The Company May Not Fully And/Or Successfully Develop, Market And Launch The EmpireBIT Coin/Cryptocurrency Or Enable The Use Of The EmpireBIT Coin/Cryptocurrency And Investors May Not Receive The EmpireBIT Coin/Cryptocurrency.
The Company may not fully and/or successfully develop, market and launch the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency or enable the use of the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency and investors and others may not ever be able to own or use the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency. Should any of these occur, your investment in the Company’s Shares may be adversely affected.
Even If The Company Successfully Develops The EmpireBIT Coin/Cryptocurrency, It May Not Ever Be Deployed In The Ecosystem Or The Marketplace If The Company Does Not Have A Sufficient Basis To Believe The EmpireBIT Coin/Cryptocurrency Will Not Be Considered A Security By Government Regulators And Others.
Even if the Company creates the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency, it may never be deployed in the Company’s ecosystem or taken to the marketplace. As set out herein, the Company will not distribute the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency until a point in time in the future once the Company’s blockchain ecosystem is functional, the coins are able to be used in the business ecosystem and other regulatory or legal guidance exists to assure the Company that the EmpireBIT coins are not securities, and are not governed by securities laws and regulations. Unless the regulatory or legal guidance to assure the Company that the EmpireBIT coins are not securities exists, these EmpireBIT coins will not be distributed to anyone.
Potential investors in this Offering should not make an investment decision based in whole or in part on the possible receipt or use, or the creation or distribution, of EmpireBIT coins as there is a substantial likelihood that the regulatory or legal guidance the Company will require to distribute the EmpireBIT coins to anyone may not occur in the foreseeable future, and may never occur. Should the Company not ever be able to distribute the EmpireBIT coins, or if the distribution of the EmpireBIT coins is delayed for any reason, your investment in the Company’s Shares may be adversely affected.
The EmpireBIT Coin/Cryptocurrency May Not Gain Market Acceptance, and May Require Substantial Modifications In Order to Meet Market Demands.
Because the Company has not yet launched the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency or the platform or ecosystem in which the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency will be utilized, market acceptance of the ecosystem, platform and the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency are speculative. Even if the ecosystem, platform and the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency go to market and are accepted, substantial modifications may be required to meet market demands, and such modifications could be at substantial cost to the Company. The EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency, even if successfully developed, modified and maintained, may not meet market expectations at the time of their use. Furthermore, despite good faith efforts to develop and launch the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency, it is still possible that the EmpireBIT platforms, ATMs and ecosystem will experience malfunctions or otherwise fail to be adequately developed, modified or maintained, which may negatively impact the Company’s financial well-being and your investment.
The Company May Not Have, Or May Not Be Able To Obtain, The Technical Skills And Expertise Needed To Successfully Develop Or Maintain The Business, The Ecosystem And Later The EmpireBIT Coin/Cryptocurrency
The Company will use the proceeds of this Offering to make significant investments to develop and launch both the Shares, the business, the ecosystem and later the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency. The Company may not have, or may not be able to obtain, the technical skills and expertise needed to successfully develop or maintain the business, the ecosystem and later the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency. If the Company is not successful in its efforts to demonstrate to users the utility and value of the business, the ecosystem and the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency, there may not be sufficient demand for the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency to enable the Company to be successful, which would negatively impact the Company’s financial well-being and your investment.
There Are Many Known And Unknown Risks Associated With The Automatic Teller Machine Industry That Could Negatively Affect Your Investment In The Company
There are many known and unknown risks associated with the automatic teller machine industry that could negatively affect your investment in the company. The list of known risks includes, but is not limited to:
The physical security of automatic teller machines (ATMs) is an ongoing challenge and the theft from an ATM could cause financial loss for the Company.
Criminal acts against ATMs, and their customers, are an ongoing concern and any such criminal acts could cause financial loss for the Company.
Over the past few years, criminals' use of "skimming" devices (those that capture the magnetic stripe and keypad information from ATM machines, gas pumps and retail and restaurant checkout devices) has been an ongoing concern. The use of such devices on the Company’s ATMs could cause financial loss for the Company.
Criminals may use items to rob ATMs such as torches, forklifts and even earth-moving vehicles. These physical attacks, sometimes called ram-raids or smash & grab burglaries, can be carried out in a number of ways. One of the most common is through physical attacks, which attempt to break into the safe or vault inside the ATM. In others, criminals may knock an ATM off its foundation using vehicles, trucks, front end loaders, backhoes or forklifts, and then load the ATM into a truck and move to a hideout to break into at their leisure. Other attacks use saws to cut though the ATM's metal case to pull out the vault. The occurrence of such criminal activity on the Company’s ATMs could cause financial loss for the Company.
Theft of ATM cards or PIN numbers, which can lead to unauthorized withdrawals. The occurrence of such unauthorized withdrawals on the Company’s ATMs could cause financial loss for the Company.
Other methods of ATM fraud include card trapping (where the customer’s card is trapped by a criminal to be retrieved later) and keypad overlays (which are used to match up with the buttons of the legitimate keypad below it and but records or transmits to a criminal the keylog of the PIN entries. The occurrence of such events on the Company’s ATMs could cause financial loss for the Company.
Cyber fraud including cassette manipulation fraud (where the ATM is programmatically altered to dispense multiples of the withdrawal amount with a single cash withdrawal transaction); surcharge fraud; confidentiality compromise (where the perpetrator gains unauthorized access to ATM system logs and the confidential information stored therein that can then be exploited); and other forms of software compromise fraud. The occurrence of such events on the Company’s ATMs could cause financial loss for the Company.
Fraud committed “from the inside” by the Company’s employees or others with access to the ATMs such as the actual person replenishing or servicing the ATM who could commit theft or fraud in a number of different ways. The occurrence of such events on the Company’s ATMs could cause financial loss for the Company.
Risks Relating to This Offering and Investment
The Shares Are Offered On A “Best Efforts” Basis and The Company May Not Raise the Maximum Amount Being Offered
Since the Company is offering the Shares on a “best efforts” basis, there is no assurance that the Company will sell enough Shares to meet its capital needs. If you purchase Shares in this Offering, you will do so without any assurance that the Company will raise enough money to satisfy the full Use of Proceeds which the Company has outlined in this Offering Circular or to meet the Company’s working capital needs.
Investor Funds Will Not Accrue Interest While in the TD Bank Account Prior To Closing
All funds delivered in connection with subscriptions for the Shares will be held in a non-interest-bearing bank account at TD Bank until a closing of the Offering, if any. Investors in the securities offered hereby may not have the use of such funds or receive interest thereon pending the completion of the Offering or a closing. If the Company fails to hold a closing prior to the termination date, investor subscriptions will be returned without interest or deduction.
The Company Has Not Paid Dividends in The Past and Does Not Expect to Pay Dividends in The Future, So Any Return on Investment May Be Limited to The Value of the Shares
The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Shares and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on the Company’s Shares will depend on earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting it at such time that management may consider relevant. If the Company does not pay dividends, the Company’s Shares may be less valuable.
An Investment in the Company's Shares Could Result in A Loss of Your Entire Investment
An investment in the Company's Shares offered in this Offering involves a high degree of risk and you should not purchase the Shares if you cannot afford the loss of your entire investment. You may not be able to liquidate your investment for any reason in the near future.
There is No Public Trading Market for the Company's Shares or Security Tokens If Converted
At present, there is no active trading market for the Company’s Shares and the Company cannot assure that a trading market will develop. The Company’s Shares have no trading symbol. There may never be a trading market available for the Shares and peer-to-peer trading may not be permitted. If any of the Company's Shares are converted into Security Tokens, as a result of recent regulatory developments, conventional crypto exchanges are currently unwilling to list securities tokens, such as the Company’s Security Tokens. As a result, the Security Tokens may only be traded on a U.S. registered Alternative Trading System or a U.S. registered exchange. Currently, the Company is unaware of any operational ATS or exchange capable of supporting secondary trading in the Security Tokens. If and when such a listing will occur is uncertain at this time, because as of the date of this Offering Circular, there is no currently approved or SEC-registered third-party platform or ATS that can support the secondary trading of security tokens. As a result, holders of Shares should be prepared to hold their Shares, and Security Tokens if converted, indefinitely. In the event that the Shares, and Security Tokens if converted, remain untradeable indefinitely, the value of the Shares, and Security Tokens if converted, would be materially adversely affected. In addition, even if a trading market develops, there is absolutely no assurance that the Shares, and Security Tokens if converted, could be sold under Rule 144 or otherwise unless the Company becomes a current public reporting company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and otherwise is current in the Company’s business, financial and management information reporting, and applicable holding periods have been satisfied.
Should the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens Become Quoted on A Public Market or Exchange, Sales of A Substantial Number of Shares or Security Tokens May Cause the Price of the Shares or Security Tokens To Drop
Should a market develop and the Company’s Shareholders or Security Tokenholders sell substantial amounts of the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens in the public market, Shares or Security Tokens sold may cause the price to decrease below the current Offering price. This may also make it more difficult for the Company to sell future Shares or Security Tokens, equity or equity-related securities at a time and price that the Company deems reasonable or appropriate.
If The Shares or Security Tokens Are Eventually Traded On An Alternative Trading System Or Exchange, The Securities And Exchange Commission May Suspend Trading In Securities When It Is Of The Opinion That A Suspension Is Required To Protect Investors And The Public Interest.
If the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens are eventually listed and traded on a national securities exchange or an Alternative Trading System, the Securities And Exchange Commission may suspend trading in its securities if it the Commission of the opinion that a suspension is required to protect investors and the public interest. A suspension of the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens could adversely affect its business. Recently, the SEC has issued trading suspension on the common stock of the issuers making false or misleading claims about their “Initial Coin Offerings” which the Company asserts are different from this Offering, but which also involve digital assets, so they must be considered. In those suspensions, the SEC has stated specific instances of circumstances that might lead to a trading suspension including:
A lack of current, accurate, or adequate information about the company – for example, when a company has not filed any periodic reports for an extended period.
Questions about the accuracy of publicly available information, including in company press releases and reports, about the company’s current operational status and financial condition.
Questions about trading in the stock, including trading by insiders, potential market manipulation, and the ability to clear and settle transactions in the stock.
While the Company does not believe any of these circumstances will apply to the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens if they are listed and traded, the SEC could believe otherwise, or find other reasons to suspend the trading of the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens, and if the Commission suspended the trading of the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens, it could have an adverse effect on the Company and your investment.
The Price For The Company’s Shares or Security Tokens May Be Volatile.
The market price of the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens, if any trading begins in the future, is likely to be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond its control, including the following:
•The Company may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors.
•The Company’s ability to obtain working capital financing.
•Additions or departures of key personnel.
•Sales of the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens.
•The Company’s ability to execute the business plan.
•Operating results that fall below expectations.
•Regulatory developments, particularly those affecting blockchain technology for the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens.
In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens. As a result, you may be unable to resell your Shares or Security Tokens at a desired price.
The Company Has Made Assumptions in Its Projections and In Forward-Looking Statements That May Not Be Accurate
The discussions and information in this Offering Circular may contain both historical and “forward-looking statements” which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology including the terms “believes,” “anticipates,” “continues,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances. Forward-looking statements contained in this Offering Circular, based on past trends or activities, should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. To the extent that the Offering Circular contains forward-looking statements regarding the financial condition, operating results, business prospects, or any other aspect of the Company’s business, please be advised that the Company’s actual financial condition, operating results, and business performance may differ materially from that projected or estimated by the Company. The Company has attempted to identify, in context, certain of the factors it currently believes may cause actual future experience and results to differ from its current expectations. The differences may be caused by a variety of factors, including but not limited to adverse economic conditions, lack of market acceptance, reduction of consumer demand, unexpected costs and operating deficits, lower sales and revenues than forecast, default on leases or other indebtedness, loss of suppliers, loss of supply, loss of distribution and service contracts, price increases for capital, supplies and materials, inadequate capital, inability to raise capital or financing, failure to obtain customers, loss of customers and failure to obtain new customers, the risk of litigation and administrative proceedings involving the Company or its employees, loss of government licenses and permits or failure to obtain them, higher than anticipated labor costs, the possible acquisition of new businesses or products that result in operating losses or that do not perform as anticipated, resulting in unanticipated losses, the possible fluctuation and volatility of the Company’s operating results and financial condition, adverse publicity and news coverage, inability to carry out marketing and sales plans, loss of key executives, changes in interest rates, inflationary factors, and other specific risks that may be referred to in this Offering Circular or in other reports issued by the Company or by third-party publishers.
The Company Has Significant Discretion Over the Net Proceeds of This Offering
The Company has significant discretion over the net proceeds of this Offering. As is the case with any business, particularly one without a proven business model, it should be expected that certain expenses unforeseeable to management at this juncture will arise in the future. There can be no assurance that management's use of proceeds generated through this Offering will prove optimal or translate into revenue or profitability for the Company. You are urged to review the Use of Proceeds in this Offering Circular but to understand that the actual use of the net proceeds of this Offering may vary significantly. In all cases, you should consult with their attorneys, accountants and personal investment advisors prior to making any decision to invest in the Company.
The Offering Price for The Shares Has Been Determined by The Company
The price at which the Shares are being offered has been arbitrarily determined by the Company. There is no relationship between the Offering price and the Company’s assets, book value, net worth, or any other economic or recognized criteria of value. Rather, the price of the Shares was derived as a result of internal decisions based upon various factors including prevailing market conditions, the Company’s future prospects and needs, and the Company’s capital structure. These prices do not necessarily accurately reflect the actual value of the Shares or the price that may be realized upon disposition of the Shares, or at which the Shares might trade in a marketplace, if one develops.
You Should Be Aware of The Long-Term Nature of This Investment
There is not now, and may never be, a public market for the Shares or for the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted. Because the Shares are being sold under exemptions to registration, and therefore have not been registered under the Securities Act or under the securities laws of any state or non-United States jurisdiction, the Shares and the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, may have certain transfer restrictions. It is not currently contemplated that registration under the Securities Act or other securities laws will occur for the Shares and the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted,. Limitations on the transfer of the Shares and the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, may also adversely affect the price that you might be able to obtain for the Shares and the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, in a sale in the future. Investors in the Company, therefore, will not receive any of the benefits that such registration would otherwise provide. You must assess the adequacy of disclosure and the fairness of the terms of this Offering on your own or in conjunction with your personal advisors. You should be aware of the long-term nature of your investment in the Company.
There Is Uncertainty As To When The Company Will Offer Conversion of the Shares into Security Tokens, And As To The Amount Of Time It Will Take For The Company To Deliver The Security Tokens, If The Shares Are Converted, To Investors Under This Offering.
At present, the Company has not set a date to permit investors to convert the Shares into Security Tokens, other than noting that the date that permission to convert will occur will be after the final termination of this Offering. Once permission to convert the Shares into Security Tokens is given, there is uncertainty as to how long the process will take, and as to how long it will take for the Security Tokens to be delivered. The presently planned process for conversion of the Shares into Security Tokens, and the issuance of the Security Tokens after conversion, should that occur, is set out in this Offering Circular. However, there is no guarantee the Company will ever allow the conversion of the Shares into Security Tokens, nor is there a guarantee as to when such a conversion might occur or how long it will take. There may be a substantial delay between the time you execute your subscription agreement, tender funds and are issued Shares, and the time Security Tokens are offered through conversion and delivered to you, if such conversion occurs at all. The Company cannot guarantee that you will receive your Security Tokens, if a conversion from Shares occurs, by a specific date or within a specific timeframe. Note that you will not be entitled to a refund or a return of your investment (other than as set out in this Offering Circular) no matter (a) how long the process of allowing conversion to Security Tokens takes, (b) how long the actual conversion takes or (c) how long it takes to deliver the Security Tokens.
The Shares in This Offering Have No Protective Provisions.
The Shares in this Offering, as well as the Security Tokens should those Shares be converted, have no protective provisions. As such, you will not be afforded protection, by any provision of the Shares or as a Shareholder, in the event of a transaction that may adversely affect you, including a reorganization, restructuring, merger or other similar transaction involving the Company. If there is a "liquidation event" or "change of control" for the Company, the Shares being offered do not provide you with any protection. In addition, there are no provisions attached to the Shares in the Offering that would permit you to require the Company to repurchase the Shares in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction involving the Company.
The Shares in This Offering Are Subject to A Right of First Refusal
The Shares in this Offering are subject to a right of first refusal whereby the Company may, under certain circumstances, purchase your Shares back from you if certain contingencies occur. For full details on the right of first refusal, see the Company’s Bylaws attached to this Offering Circular.
If Conversion Of The Shares to Security Tokens Occurs, The Digital Wallets You Will Use To Hold Your Security Tokens May Be Subject To Cybersecurity Breaches. Digital Wallets Are Vulnerable To Physical Or Electronic Computer Break-Ins, Viruses And Similar Disruptive Issues And Security Breaches.
Recently, two wallets, MyEtherWallet and EtherDelta, have experienced such cybersecurity breaches. The Company has not performed due diligence on wallet providers and those or other wallet providers could be subject to security breaches; further, even if the Company had performed such diligence there can be no assurance that a wallet provider would not be vulnerable. Although the fact that the stock transfer agent will be the ultimate authority with respect to your ownership of Security Tokens if the Shares are converted which means that your ownership will not be affected by such a breach, a security breach or similar problem could mean that you will have to spend the time and go through administrative procedures to have your Security Tokens re-issued.
If Conversion Of The Shares to Security Tokens Occurs, The Smart Contracts Will Have Limited Functionality And You Will Only Be Able To Transfer Tokens Through The Transfer Agent.
If conversion of the Shares to Security Tokens occurs, the smart contracts that govern the Security Tokens will be different from other smart contracts used for blockchain related coins, tokens and cryptocurrencies and also will be different from security tokens that may be issued in other offerings. The smart contracts the Company anticipates it will use for the Security Tokens, if converted from Shares in this Offering, will provide that wallet holders and third parties will not be able to transfer the Security Tokens in and out of the wallet without the involvement of the Company’s transfer agent. The Company’s transfer agent will need to validate all transfers and communications before any transfers may be made. Though you will receive a token in your wallet to represent your Security Tokens, the company’s stock ledger maintained by VStock, the Company’s transfer agent, will be the definitive determinant for ownership. To the extent there is any discrepancy between what is reflected in a wallet and the Company’s Security Token ledger as maintained by the transfer agent, the information in the Security Token ledger will govern.
If Conversion Of The Shares to Security Tokens Occurs, The Company Will Be Relying On A Third Party Network Relating To The Smart Contracts.
If conversion of the Shares to Security Tokens occurs,the smart contracts that will govern the Security Tokens will be executed on a third party network that relies on the coding of existing Ethereum protocol. Disruptions to either the network or protocol could limit your ability to hold your Security Tokens or perform functions related to your Security Tokens. If such a disruption should occur, you may be required to go through administrative procedures in order to establish ownership of the Security Tokens.
If Conversion Of The Shares to Security Tokens Occurs, The Smart Contracts May Be Vulnerable And May Not Work As Anticipated, And You May Have To Go Through Administrative Hassles To Have Your Security Tokens Re-Issued.
There are currently known vulnerabilities of certain smart contracts that may cause transactions on the blockchain to be executed not in accordance with the agreed upon terms with certain token holders. Wallets may be subject to cyberattacks and the smart contracts that are typically used to create digital assets have limited ability to stop or unwinds transactions. While the Company believe the impact of these vulnerabilities may be limited by the limited functionality of the smart contracts the Company plans to use, and while, as discussed above, the definitive ownership the Company’s Security Tokens will be established by the Security Token ledger maintained by the Company’s transfer agent, it is possible that a failure of the Company’s smart contract to operate as expected may result in digital wallets reflecting transactions that cannot be reversed, with the Security Token holdings reflected in the digital wallet being inconsistent with the Company’s transfer agent’s records. In such cases you will have to spend the time and go through administrative procedures to have your Security Tokens re-issued.
No Guarantee of Return on Investment
There is no assurance that you will realize a return on your investment or that you will not lose your entire investment. For this reason, you should read this Offering Circular and all Exhibits and referenced materials carefully and should consult with your own attorney and business advisor prior to making any investment decision.
The Exclusive Forum Provision In The Subscription Agreement May Have The Effect Of Limiting An Investor’s Ability To Bring Legal Action Against The Company And Could Limit An Investor’s Ability To Obtain A Favorable Judicial Forum For Disputes.
The subscription agreements for this Offering include a forum selection provision that requires any claims against the Company based on the subscription agreement to be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of New York, unless the claims are brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the rules and regulations thereunder. This provision may have the effect of limiting the ability of investors to bring a legal claim against the Company due to geographic limitations. There is also the possibility that the exclusive forum provision may discourage tokenholder lawsuits, or limit tokenholders’ ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with the Company and its officers and directors. Alternatively, if a court were to find this exclusive forum provision inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, the Company may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect the Company’s business and financial condition.
The Subscription Agreement Contains An Indemnification Clause That Requires You To Indemnify The Company And Hold The Company Harmless Under Certain Circumstances.
The Subscription Agreement and/or Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement you must sign to invest in this Offering contains an indemnification clause. The clause provides that you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and all of its affiliates, attorneys, accountants, employees, officers, directors, broker-dealers, placement agents, tokenholders and other agents from any liability, claims, costs, damages, losses or expenses incurred or sustained by them as a result of your representations and warranties being made when you sign the Subscription Agreement and/or Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement or otherwise being untrue or inaccurate, or because of a breach of the Subscription Agreement and/or Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement by you. By signing the Subscription Agreement and/or Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement, you also grant to the Company the right to setoff against any amounts payable by the Company to the you, for whatever reason, of any and all damages, costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney’s fees) which are incurred by the Company or any of its affiliates as a result of matters for which the Company is indemnified pursuant to the Subscription Agreement and/or Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement.
There Are Significant Risks Associated With Using Cryptocurrency To Invest In This Offering.
The Company is accepting two cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) from investors to purchase the securities offered herein. There are significant risks associated with paying for the Shares using cryptocurrencies. These risk include:
As an investor, you will bear the risk of volatility in the valuation of the cryptocurrency between your submission of the subscription agreement and the acceptance by the Company of your offer to purchase the Shares. In addition, using cryptocurrency to invest in this offering involved the following risks, amongst others:
There may be significant income tax, capital gains tax and other tax ramifications to converting any cryptocurrency or other digital asset into U.S. Dollars.
Because of the volatility of the cryptocurrency and/or digital asset marketplaces, investors may suffer a significant financial loss as a result of converting his, her or its cryptocurrency or other digital asset into U.S. Dollars.
Risks and losses associated with a decrease in value of the investor’s cryptocurrency are borne by the investor.
Risks and losses associated with an increase in value of the investor’s cryptocurrency are borne by the investor.
The number of Shares being purchased through this Offering will be determined at the time of conversion of the cryptocurrency or digital asset to U.S Dollars and the number of Shares purchased will not have any direct correlation to the value of the investor’s cryptocurrency or digital asset at any time other than at the moment of conversion to U.S. Dollars as set out in this Offering Circular.
If investor fails to deliver the cryptocurrency or other digital asset within 24 hours of the notification that the subscription agreement has been fully executed and electronic receipt of instructions for payment, the Company may reject the offer to purchase the Shares and void the executed subscription agreement in its absolute discretion.
Once the cryptocurrency or other digital asset is delivered by the undersigned to the address or wallet provided by the Company, absolutely no refunds whatsoever may occur, unless as specifically set out in this Offering Circular.
You Will Need To Keep Records Of Your Investment For Tax Purposes.
As with all investments in securities, if you sell the Shares, or the Security Tokens if converted, you will probably need to pay tax on the long-term or short-term capital gains that you realize if sold at a profit or set any loss against other income. If you do not have a regular brokerage account, or your regular broker will not hold the Shares, or the Security Tokens if converted, for you (and many brokers refuse to hold Regulation A securities for their customers and are not set up to hold securities in token form) there will be nobody keeping records for you for tax purposes and you will have to keep your own records, and calculate the gain on any sales of any securities you sell.
Risks Relating to Blockchain Technology, Cryptocurrency and Token Offerings
The Lack Of A Proven Regulatory Framework Creates Significant Uncertainty In The Security Token Market.
The lack of a regulatory framework creates significant legal uncertainty in the security token market. Moreover, tokens are censorship-resistant and arguably regulation-resistant by design, leading some to argue that regulatory uncertainty associated with security token offerings may sooner or later lead the Securities and Exchange Commission or other state, federal or international regulators to declare security token offerings or the use of security tokens after purchase illegal, or to be significantly restricted. Security token valuation is also largely uncertain and subject to incalculable risks. Many previous security token offerings believed they were not subject to predefined regulatory procedures and many white papers do not follow securities disclosure guidelines and are not reviewed or audited by any authorities. While the Company has made an effort to follow securities laws guidelines in this Offering, the security token offering arena is still in its early stages, and the proper regulations to follow are uncertain. Any unforeseen or unexpected change in the security token offering arena, or any unforeseen or unexpected change in regulations, could have a material adverse effect on your investment in the Company.
There is Significant Regulatory Risk Associated with An Undeveloped And Emerging Body Of Law Both In The United States And Internationally
Blockchain technology, smart contracts and the use of tokens and/or cryptocurrency are relatively new concepts in many jurisdictions. As a result, United States and international jurisdictions may apply existing laws or introduce new regulations regarding blockchain technology-based applications, and such regulations may conflict with the Company’s current and proposed smart contract setup, business plan and token concepts. This may result in the need to make substantial modifications to the Company’s smart contract setup, business plan, and/or token concepts, including but not limited to the termination of the Company’s smart contract setup, business plan, and/or token concepts, the loss of tokens, and the suspension or termination of all token functions, and thus, an adverse effect on your investment in the Company.
The Tax Treatment of The Company’s Security Tokens, If The Shares Are Converted, Is Uncertain.
The tax treatment of the Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, is uncertain. There may be adverse tax consequences for investors upon certain future events, both known and unknown. An investment in the Company may result in adverse tax consequences to investors, including, but not limited to, withholding taxes, income taxes and tax reporting requirements. Because the tax characterization of the Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, and the Company’s coin/cryptocurrency is uncertain, each potential investor should consult with and must rely upon the advice of its own professional tax advisors with respect to the United States and non-U.S. tax treatment of an investment in the Company.
The Tax Treatment of The Company’s Security Tokens, If The Shares Are Converted, Is Uncertain.
The tax treatment of the Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, is uncertain. There may be adverse tax consequences for investors upon certain future events, both known and unknown. An investment in the Company may result in adverse tax consequences to investors, including, but not limited to, withholding taxes, income taxes and tax reporting requirements. Because the tax characterization of the Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, and the Company’s coin/cryptocurrency is uncertain, each potential investor should consult with and must rely upon the advice of its own professional tax advisors with respect to the United States and non-U.S. tax treatment of an investment in the Company.
The Potential Application Of U.S. Laws Regarding Investment Securities To The Security Tokens, If The Shares Are Converted, Is Unclear.
If the Shares are converted into Security Tokens, the concept and use of securities tokens in general is still novel and the application of U.S. federal and state securities laws is unclear. Because of the differences between the Security Tokens, if conversion occurs, and traditional investment 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 Security Tokens. The occurrence of any such issue or dispute could have a material adverse effect on the holders of Security Tokens.
If Federal, State or International Legislatures or Agencies Release Tax Determinations That Classify Security Tokens As Property Or Otherwise For Tax Purposes (In The Context Of When Such Security Tokens Are Held As An Investment or Otherwise), Such Determination Could Have A Negative Tax Consequence On The Company, Its Shareholders And, If The Shares Are Converted, Its Security Tokenholders.
It has been reported that the Internal Revenue Service indicates that digital assets such as cryptocurrencies should be treated and taxed as property, and that transactions involving the payment of cryptocurrencies for goods and services should be treated as barter transactions. While this treatment creates a potential tax reporting requirement for any circumstance where the ownership of a cryptocurrency passes from one person to another, it may preserve the right to apply capital gains treatment to those transactions, which may have an adverse effect on an investment in the Company. Such treatment also may have an adverse effect on any investor who uses cryptocurrency to purchase the Shares offered by the Company, or Security Tokens of the Company in the future.
Foreign jurisdictions may also elect to treat digital assets such as security tokens differently for tax purposes than the IRS. To the extent that a foreign jurisdiction with a significant share of the market of security token users imposes onerous tax burdens on said users, or imposes sales or value added tax on purchases and sales of security tokens for fiat currency, such actions could result in decreased demand for security tokens in such jurisdiction, which could impact the price of said security tokens and negatively impact an investment in the Company, if any shareholder in the Company converts his, her or its Shares to Security Tokens.
Before investing in the Company, potential investors are strongly urged to consider the tax consequences of such an investment, or of using cryptocurrency to make such an investment, and should rely on the advice of its own professional tax advisors with respect to the United States and non-U.S. tax treatment of an investment in the Company.
It May Be Illegal in The Future to Acquire, Own, Hold, Sell or Use Security Tokens In One Or More Countries, And Ownership Of, Holding Or Trading In The Company’s Security Tokens, If The Shares Are Converted, May Thus Be Considered Illegal And Subject To Sanctions.
One or more countries may take regulatory actions in the future that severely restrict the right to acquire, own, hold, sell or use security tokens or to exchange them for fiat currency. Such an action may also result in the restriction of ownership, holding or trading in the Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, and may adversely affect an investment in the Company.
The Security Tokens Are Not Insured.
The Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, will be entirely uninsured. Security tokens are not like bank accounts or other similar accounts. Security tokens are entirely uninsured and any value they may hold at any time may decrease or be eliminated in the future. If this occurs, there will be no insurance in place to protect those holding the Company’s Security Tokens.
The Nature Of The Security Tokens, If The Shares Are Converted, Means That Any Technological Difficulties Experienced By An Exchange or ATS May Prevent Access To The Security Tokens.
Any exchange or ATS will be subject to the risk of technological difficulties that may impact trading of the Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted. Trading of the Security Tokens will depend on the operation and functionality of the applicable exchange, ATS or peer-to-peer trading system and if such system were to fail for any reason, trading in the Security Tokens could be impossible until such failure was corrected and full functionality were restored and tested. Any such technological difficulties may prevent the access to the Security Tokens. This could have a material impact on the applicable exchange, ATS or peer-to-peer trading system’s ability to execute or settle trades of the Security Tokens, to maintain accurate records of the ownership of the Security Tokens and to comply with obligations relating to records of the ownership of the Security Tokens and could have a material adverse effect on the holders of the Security Tokens.
The Company Does Not Expect There To Be Any Market Makers To Develop A Trading Market In The Security Tokens, If The Shares Are Converted.
Most securities that are publicly traded in the United States have one or more broker-dealers acting as “market makers” for the security. A market maker is a firm that stands ready to buy and sell the security on a regular and continuous basis at publicly quoted prices. In the event that the Shares are converted and an exchange, ATS or peer-to-peer trading system is created and the Security Tokens are listed, the Company does not believe that the Security Tokens will have any market makers, which could contribute to a lack of liquidity in the Security Tokens, and could have a material adverse effect on your ability to trade the Security Tokens.
The Security Tokens Will Not Be Legal Tender, Will Not Be Backed By The Government, And Accounts And Value Balances Will Not Be Subject To Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Or Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) Protections.
If the Shares are converted, the Security Tokens will not be legal tender, will not be backed by the government, and accounts and value balances will not be subject to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or Securities Investor Protection Corporation protections. Any investment in the Security Tokens is made at the risk of the purchaser.
The Company’s Blockchain Platforms, Blockchain Ecosystem, ATMs, Secondary Trading Platforms And Wallets May Be Subject To Security Weaknesses, Hackers And Theft.
Hackers or other groups or organizations may attempt to interfere with the Company, the Company’s blockchain platform, blockchain ecosystem, and/or secondary trading platforms where the Security Tokens (if the Shares are converted) are listed and digital wallets in any number of ways, including denial of service attacks, Sybil attacks, spoofing, smurfing, malware attacks, or consensus-based attacks. There is a risk that the Company’s technology infrastructure, blockchain platform or blockchain ecosystem and digital wallets and the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted may include security weaknesses or bugs, which may interfere with the use, or cause the complete loss in value of the Company and its Security Tokens. Advances in cryptography may present additional risks which may result in the theft or complete loss of the Security Tokens. The Company may be the target of malicious cyberattacks that may find exploitable flaws in its underlying code, which may result in security breaches and the loss or theft of the Security Tokens. If the Company’s platform, ecosystem or ATM security is compromised or if it is subjected to attacks that frustrate or thwart users’ ability to access the platform, ecosystem or ATM, it could significantly affect the Company’s business. For example, if the Company is subject to unknown and known security attacks (such as double-spend attacks, 51% attacks, or other malicious attacks), this may materially and adversely affect the Company’s business. Any such interference, hacking, breach or theft could have a significant negative effect on the Company and on your investment.
If The Company Is Unable To Satisfy Data Protection, Security, Security Audits, Privacy, And Other Government And Industry Specific Requirements, Its Business Model Could Be Harmed.
If the Company is unable to satisfy data protection, security, security audits, privacy, and other government and industry specific requirements, its business model could be harmed. There are a number of data protection, security, security audits, privacy and other government and industry specific requirements, including those that require companies to notify individuals of data security incidents involving certain types of personal data. Security compromises could harm the Company’s reputation, erode user confidence in the effectiveness of its security measures, negatively impact its ability to attract new users, or cause existing users to stop using the Company’s blockchain platform and/or blockchain ecosystem and/or cryptocurrency/coins.
Smart Contracts Have Significant Limitations.
The Company’s business, platform and ecosystem will employ various smart contracts. Smart contract technology is still in its early stages of development, and its application is experimental in nature. This carries significant operational, technological, regulatory, reputational, and financial risks. Smart contracts may not be fit for the purposes intended by the Company and may contain flaws, vulnerabilities, or other issues, which may cause technical problems or the loss of Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted. Any such problems with smart contracts could have a significant negative effect on the Company and on your investment.
The Regulations Governing Blockchain Technologies, Security Tokens And Offerings Of Digital Assets Such As The Security Tokens, Is Uncertain, And New Regulations Or Policies May Materially Adversely Affect The Development And The Value Of The Company and the Security Tokens, If The Shares Are Converted.
Regulation of digital assets, like the Security Tokens if the Shares are converted, and offerings such as this Offering where the Shares are convertible into Security Tokens by the Company, as well as blockchain technologies in general and all matters related to this new industry is currently undeveloped and likely to rapidly evolve as government agencies take greater interest in them. At present such regulation varies significantly among international, federal, state and local jurisdictions and is subject to significant uncertainty. 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, which may severely impact the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, and the technology behind them. Failure by the Company to comply with any laws, rules and regulations, some of which may not exist yet or are subject to interpretation and may be subject to change, could result in a variety of adverse consequences, including civil penalties and fines.
Distributed ledger technologies and security token offerings also face an uncertain regulatory landscape in many foreign jurisdictions such as the European Union, China and Russia. Various foreign jurisdictions may, in the near future, adopt laws, regulations or directives that affect the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, or the Company’s crypto ATM business. Such laws, regulations or directives may conflict with those of the United States or may directly and negatively impact the Company’s business. The effect of any future regulatory change is impossible to predict, but such change could be substantial and materially adverse to the adoption and utility of the Company’s business. 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 value of the Security Tokens, the liquidity of the Security Tokens, the ability to access marketplaces or exchanges on which to trade the Security Tokens, and the structure, rights and transferability of Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted.
The Further Development And Acceptance Of Blockchain Networks, Including Those Of The Company, Are Part Of A New And Rapidly Changing Industry And Are Subject To A Variety Of Factors That Are Difficult To Evaluate.
The further development and acceptance of blockchain networks, including those of the Company, are part of a new and rapidly changing industry and are subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate. The slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of blockchain networks and blockchain assets would materially harm the successful development and adoption of the Company’s platform and ecosystem, and the Company’s cryptocurrency and/or coin. The growth of the blockchain industry in general, as well as the blockchain networks with which the Company’s platform and ecosystem will rely and interact, is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. The factors affecting the further development of the cryptocurrency industry, as well as blockchain networks, include, but are not limited to: worldwide growth in the adoption and use blockchain technologies; Government and quasi-government regulation of blockchain technologies, and other blockchain assets and their use, or restrictions on or regulation of access to and operation of blockchain networks or similar systems; The maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of blockchain networks; Changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences; The availability and popularity of other forms or methods of buying and selling goods and services, or trading assets including new means of using fiat currencies or existing networks; General economic conditions and the regulatory environment relating to cryptocurrencies; and a decline in the popularity or acceptance of blockchain-based tokens and cryptocurrencies. The slowing or stopping of the development, general acceptance and adoption and usage of blockchain networks and blockchain assets may deter or delay the acceptance and adoption of the Company’s platform, ecosystem and cryptocurrency/coin, which would adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.
The Prices Of Blockchain And Digital Assets Are Extremely Volatile.
The prices of blockchain and digital assets are extremely volatile. Fluctuations in the price of digital assets could materially and adversely affect the Company. The prices of blockchain assets such as Bitcoin and Ether have historically been subject to dramatic fluctuations and are highly volatile, and the market price of the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, or any future digital assets of the Company, may also be highly volatile. Several factors may influence the market price of the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, or any future digital assets of the Company, including, but not limited to: global blockchain asset supply; global blockchain asset demand, which can be influenced by the growth of retail merchants’ and commercial businesses’ acceptance of blockchain assets like cryptocurrencies as payment for goods and services, the security of online blockchain asset exchanges and digital wallets that hold blockchain assets, the perception that the use and holding of blockchain assets is safe and secure, and the regulatory restrictions on their use; investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation; changes in the software, software requirements or hardware requirements underlying the Company’s blockchain platform, blockchain ecosystem or ATMs; changes in the rights, obligations, incentives, or rewards for the various participants in the Company’s blockchain platform, blockchain ecosystem or ATMs; Interest rates; currency exchange rates, including the rates at which digital assets may be exchanged for fiat currencies; fiat currency withdrawal and deposit policies of blockchain asset exchanges on which the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, or other future digital assets may be traded and liquidity on such exchanges; Interruptions in service from or failures of major blockchain asset exchanges on which the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, or other future digital assets may be traded; Investment and trading activities of large investors, including private and registered funds, that may directly or indirectly invest in the Company or its blockchain assets; monetary policies of governments, trade restrictions, currency devaluations and revaluations; regulatory measures, if any, that affect the use of blockchain assets such as the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, and the Company’s cryptocurrency and non-security tokens; global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations; and/or expectations among the Company’s users or investors that the value of the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, or other blockchain assets will soon change.
A Decrease In The Price Of A Single Blockchain Asset, Even Those of Other Companies, May Cause Volatility In The Entire Blockchain Asset Industry And May Affect Other Blockchain Assets Including the Shares.
A decrease in the price of a single blockchain asset, even those of another company, may cause volatility in the entire blockchain asset industry and may affect other blockchain assets including the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted. For example, a security breach that affects investor or user confidence in Ether may affect the industry as a whole and may also cause the price of the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, and other blockchain assets to fluctuate.
As Blockchain Networks And Blockchain Assets Have Grown In Popularity And In Market Size, Federal State, Local And International Agencies Have Begun To Take Interest In, And In Some Cases Regulate, Their Use And Operation.
As blockchain networks and blockchain assets have grown in popularity and in market size, federal state, local and international agencies have begun to take interest in, and in some cases regulate, their use and operation.For example, in the case of virtual currencies, state regulators like the New York Department of Financial Services have created regulatory frameworks. Others, as in Texas, have published guidance on how their existing regulatory regimes apply to virtual currencies. Some states, like New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Washington, have amended their state’s statutes to include virtual currencies into existing licensing regimes. Treatment of virtual currencies continues to evolve under federal law as well. The Department of the Treasury, the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”), for example, have published guidance on the treatment of virtual currencies. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service released guidance treating virtual currency as property that is not currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Both federal and state agencies have instituted enforcement actions against those violating their interpretation of existing laws. The regulation of non-currency use of blockchain assets is also uncertain. The CFTC has publicly taken the position that certain blockchain assets are commodities, and the SEC has issued a public report stating federal securities laws require treating some blockchain assets as securities. To the extent that a domestic government or quasi-governmental agency exerts regulatory authority over a blockchain network or asset, the Company’s platform and ecosystem and the Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, may be materially and adversely affected.
Blockchain networks also face an uncertain regulatory landscape in many foreign jurisdictions such as the European Union, China and Russia. Various foreign jurisdictions may, in the near future, adopt laws, regulations or directives that affect the Company’s platform and ecosystem and the Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted. Such laws, regulations or directives may conflict with those of the U.S. or may directly and negatively impact the Company’s business. The effect of any future regulatory change is impossible to predict, but such change could be substantial and materially adverse to the development and growth of the Company’s platform and ecosystem and Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted.
Some Market Participants May Oppose The Development Of Distributed Ledger Or Blockchain-Based Systems Like Those Central To The Company’s Business Plan.
Many participants in the system currently used for trading public securities in the United States may oppose the development of capital markets systems and processes that utilize distributed ledger and blockchain-based systems. The market participants who may oppose such a system may include market participants with significantly greater resources, including financial resources and political influence, than the Company has. The ability of the Company to operate and achieve its commercial goals could be adversely affected by any actions of any such market participants that result in additional regulatory requirements or other activities that make it more difficult for the Company to operate, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and financial conditions.
The Company’s Security Tokens, If The Shares Are Converted, Will Be Newly Formed Tokens On The Public Ethereum Blockchain.
The Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, will be tokens on the public Ethereum blockchain, which is susceptible to mining attacks, including double-spend attacks, majority mining power attacks, “selfish-mining” attacks, and race condition attacks, as well as other new forms of attack that may be created. Any successful attacks present a risk to the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, and to the Company, and your investment. The Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, and expected proper execution and sequencing of Ethereum contract computations in general, may also be subject to mining attacks. Mining attacks may also target other blockchain networks with which the Company’s Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, interact, which may consequently significantly impact the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, the Company, and your investment.
There Are Risks Associated With The Ethereum Protocol.
Because the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, and their ecosystem will be based on the Ethereum protocol, any malfunction, breakdown or abandonment of the Ethereum protocol may have a material adverse effect on the ecosystem or Security Tokens. Moreover, advances in cryptography, or technical advances such as the development of quantum computing, could present risks to the Security Tokens and the ecosystem, by rendering ineffective the cryptographic consensus mechanism that underpins the Ethereum protocol.
There Is Risk Associated With Secondary Markets For The Security Tokens, If The Shares Are Converted
If secondary trading of the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, is facilitated by third-party exchanges or Alternative Trading Systems (ATS) such exchanges and ATS will be relatively new and may be subject to little or no regulatory oversight, making them more susceptible to fraud or manipulation. Furthermore, to the extent that third parties do ascribe an external exchange value to the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, (e.g., as denominated in a digital or fiat currency), such value may be extremely volatile and diminish to zero.
There Is A Risk of Losing Access To The Security Tokens, If The Shares Are Converted Due to Loss of Private Keys, Custodial Error or Other User Error.
A private key, or a combination of private keys, will likely be necessary to control and dispose of the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, stored in your digital wallet or vault. Accordingly, loss of requisite private key(s) associated with your digital wallet or vault storing the Security Tokens will result in loss of the Security Tokens. Moreover, any third party that gains access to such private key(s), including by gaining access to login credentials of a hosted wallet service you use, may be able to misappropriate your Security Tokens. Any errors or malfunctions caused by or otherwise related to the digital wallet or vault you choose to receive and store the Security Tokens, including your own failure to properly maintain or use such digital wallet or vault, may also result in the loss of your Security Tokens. Additionally, your failure to precisely follow the procedures set forth in for buying and receiving the Security Tokens, including, for instance, if you provide an incorrect receipt address, or provides an address that is not compatible, may result in the loss of your Security Tokens.
Security Tokenholders, If The Shares Are Converted, May Be Required To Take Certain Actions, Such As Opening And Maintaining An Online Brokerage Account With An Approved Broker-Dealer, In Order To Hold The Security Tokens.
There is still significant uncertainty as to many aspects of the marketplace relating to tokenized securities, and great uncertainty as to how trading will occur and how the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted may be held. As a result, you may be required to take certain actions, such as opening and maintaining a brokerage account, in order to hold and trade the Security Tokens. As such you may be subject to the risk of unanticipated expenses in connection with ownership of the Security Tokens. Because the full range of such requirements is currently unknown, such additional requirements may subject investors to the risk of unanticipated fee and expense increases.
Law Enforcement Officials May Face Particular Challenges When Investigating Blockchain Activities And, As A Result, Investor Remedies May Be Limited.
There are particularized challenges for law enforcement in investigating unlawful conduct related to blockchain technology, including some that may affect investors in this offering:
Tracing money. Because the blockchain technology involves decentralized currency, it may be more difficult to track the exchange of money, especially for law enforcement authorities that want to track theft and misappropriation of funds.
International scope. Blockchain transactions and users span the globe. Although enforcement agencies, such as the SEC, regularly obtain information from abroad, there may be restrictions on how they can use the information and it may take more time to get the information. In some cases, the agencies may be unable to obtain information from persons or entities located overseas.
No central authority. As there is no central authority that collects blockchain user information, the regulatory and enforcement agencies generally must rely on other sources for this type of information.
Freezing or securing blockchain wallets. Law enforcement officials may have difficulty freezing or securing investor funds that are held in a blockchain wallet and involved in illegal activity.
These and other challenges may make it more difficult for law enforcement to investigate unlawful conduct related to the blockchain and recover investor funds.
The Further Development And Acceptance Of Digital Assets Such As Security Tokens And The Use Of Blockchain Technology, 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 Digital Assets Or Use Of Blockchain Technology May Adversely Affect The Company’s Business And Your Investment.
The growth of the digital asset industry, and blockchain technology in general, is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. In addition, adverse actions outside the United States may have an impact on markets in the United States. The factors affecting the further development of the digital asset industry and blockchain technology include:
Continued worldwide growth in the adoption and use of digital assets and blockchain technology.
Government and quasi-government regulation of blockchain technology and digital assets and their use, or restrictions on or regulation of access to and operation of blockchain systems including bans in China and Hong Kong on ICOs.
Changes in consumer demographics and public taste preferences.
General economic conditions and regulatory environment relating to digital assets and blockchain technology.
Negative consumer perception of digital assets or blockchain technology, including in response to actions brought against fraudulent or unregistered offerings of digital assets by the SEC.
Overall, a decline in the popularity or acceptance of digital or blockchain technology could impact the value of the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, and investment in the Company. Because the Security Tokens have limited functionality, it is not clear whether they would be treated as ICOs and be subject to proscriptions or limitations in other jurisdictions.
There Will Be Unanticipated Risks Due To The New, Evolving and Unsettled World of Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, Security Tokens, Tokens/Coins, And Digital Assets.
Security tokens, cryptocurrencies, tokens/coins, blockchain and digital assets in general, such as those of the Company, are a new and untested technology and an unproven concept in the mainstream financial world. In addition to the risks included herein, there are other risks associated with your investment, possession, trading and use of the Security Tokens and, later, the Company’s cryptocurrency/coins, including unanticipated risks. Such risks may further materialize as unanticipated variations or combinations of the risks discussed in this document. Before investing in the Company, you should assess your tolerance for such uncertainty and risk in an industry where change occurs rapidly and unanticipated risks are certain to arise, many of which could substantially affect the Company, and your investment.
Risks Relating to Cryptocurrency and/or Non-Security Tokens
As stated herein, the Company intends to develop a non-security token or cryptocurrency that follows all applicable laws and regulations related to digital currencies such as those that may exist or in the future be promulgated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and others. As also noted herein, the Company plans to produce and release its non-security token or cryptocurrency only after the Company’s ecosystem is built giving the non-security token or cryptocurrency utility within the system and only after the Company has assurance through (a) the Securities and Exchange Commission, (b) the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission or other regulatory agencies, (c) the legal opinion of experienced securities counsel that based on laws, regulations and judicial precedent, that at the time of the release of the, non-security token or cryptocurrency, it is not a security.
The following risk factors related to the non-security token or cryptocurrency the Company plans to develop in the future.
The Lack Of A Proven Regulatory Framework Creates Significant Uncertainty In The Non-Security Token And/Or Cryptocurrency Markets.
The lack of a regulatory framework creates significant legal uncertainty in the non-security token market and the cryptocurrency market. Moreover, cryptocurrencies and non-security tokens are censorship-resistant and arguably regulation-resistant by design, leading some to argue that regulatory uncertainty associated with token offerings may sooner or later lead the Securities and Exchange Commission or other state, federal or international regulators to declare non-security token offerings, cryptocurrency offerings or the use of non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies after purchase illegal, or to be significantly restricted. Valuation of non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies is also largely uncertain and subject to incalculable risks. Many non-security token offerings and/or cryptocurrency offerings are not subject to predefined regulatory procedures and many white papers do not follow securities disclosure guidelines and are not reviewed or audited by any authorities. While the Company has made an effort to follow securities laws guidelines in this Offering, the cryptocurrency and token offering arenas are still in their early stages, and the proper regulations to follow are uncertain. Any unforeseen or unexpected change in the cryptocurrency and token offering arenas, or any unforeseen or unexpected change in regulations, could have a material adverse effect on your investment in the Company.
Regulatory Changes Or Actions May Restrict The Use Of Cryptocurrency and/or Non-Security Tokens Or The Operation Of Cryptocurrency and/or Non-Security Token Networks In A Manner That Adversely Affects An Investment In The Company.
In the relatively recent past, new regulatory attention has been directed toward Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, tokens, and coin and token offerings by United States federal and state governments, foreign governments and self-regulatory agencies. For example, as Bitcoin has grown in popularity and in market size, the Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Congress and certain U.S. agencies (including the CFTC, SEC, FinCEN and the Federal Bureau of Investigation) have begun to examine the use and marketplaces of Bitcoin as well as Bitcoin users. On July 25, 2017, the SEC issued a report which concluded that digital assets or tokens issued for the purpose of raising funds may be securities within the meaning of the federal securities laws, and would thus be subject to securities laws and regulation. The CFTC has determined that Bitcoin and other virtual currencies are commodities and the sale of derivatives based on digital currencies must be done in accordance with the provisions of the CEA and CFTC regulations. Also, of significance, is that the CFTC appears to have taken the position that Bitcoin is not encompassed by the definition of currency under the CEA and CFTC regulations. The CFTC defined bitcoin and other “virtual currencies” as “a digital representation of value that functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and/or a store of value, but does not have legal tender status in any jurisdiction. Bitcoin and other virtual currencies are distinct from ‘real’ currencies, which are the coin and paper money of the United States or another country that are designated as legal tender, circulate, and are customarily used and accepted as a medium of exchange in the country of issuance.”
To the extent that Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies or the Company’s non-security tokens, coins and/or cryptocurrencies are determined to be a security, commodity, future, or other regulated asset, or to the extent that a U.S. or foreign government or quasi-governmental agency exerts regulatory authority over cryptocurrency, coin or security token trading and ownership, trading or ownership in the Company’s non-security tokens, coins and/or cryptocurrencies or an investment in the Company. While the Company has made efforts to follow existing U.S. federal and state securities laws and regulations this Offering, the Company cannot possibly anticipate new laws or regulations which may be passed or promulgated, or changes to existing laws or regulations that may affect this Offering or the Company’s business plan.
The Tax Treatment of The Company’s Non-Security Token and/or Cryptocurrency Is Uncertain.
The tax treatment of the Company’s non-security token and/or cryptocurrency once created, is uncertain. There may be adverse tax consequences for investors or users of the non-security token and/or cryptocurrency upon certain future events, both known and unknown. An investment in the Company, or later the use of the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency may result in adverse tax consequences to investors, including, but not limited to, withholding taxes, income taxes and tax reporting requirements. Because the tax characterization of the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency is uncertain, each potential investor should consult with and must rely upon the advice of its own professional tax advisors with respect to the United States and non-U.S. tax treatment of an investment in the Company, and the receipt of and subsequent use of the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency in the future.
If Federal, State or International Legislatures or Agencies Release Tax Determinations That Change the Classification Of Cryptocurrencies or Non-Security Tokens As Property For Tax Purposes (In The Context Of When Such Cryptocurrencies or Non-Security Tokens Are Held As An Investment or Otherwise), Such Determination Could Have A Negative Tax Consequence On The Company Or Its Non-Security Token Holders and/or Cryptocurrency Holders.
It has been reported that the Internal Revenue Service indicates that digital assets such as cryptocurrencies should be treated and taxed as property, and that transactions involving the payment of cryptocurrencies for goods and services should be treated as barter transactions. While this treatment creates a potential tax reporting requirement for any circumstance where the ownership of a cryptocurrency passes from one person to another, it may preserve the right to apply capital gains treatment to those transactions, which may have an adverse effect on an investment in the Company. Such treatment also may have an adverse effect on any investor who uses cryptocurrency to purchase the securities offered by the Company, or non-security tokens cryptocurrency that may be offered for sale by the Company in the future.
Foreign jurisdictions may also elect to treat digital assets such as cryptocurrencies differently for tax purposes than the IRS. To the extent that a foreign jurisdiction with a significant share of the market of cryptocurrency or non-security token users imposes onerous tax burdens on said users, or imposes sales or value added tax on purchases and sales of cryptocurrencies or non-security tokens for fiat currency, such actions could result in decreased demand for cryptocurrencies or non-security tokens in such jurisdiction, which could impact the price of said cryptocurrencies or non-security tokens and negatively impact an investment in the Company.
Before investing in the Company, potential investors are strongly urged to consider the tax consequences of such an investment, or of using cryptocurrency to make such an investment, and should rely on the advice of its own professional tax advisors with respect to the United States and non-U.S. tax treatment of an investment in the Company, as well as the receipt of and subsequent use of the Company’s non-security token and/or cryptocurrency in the future.
It May Be Illegal in The Future to Acquire, Own, Hold, Sell or Use Cryptocurrencies Or Non-Security Tokens In One Or More Countries, And Ownership Of, Holding Or Trading In The Company’s Cryptocurrencies Or Non-Security Tokens May Thus Be Considered Illegal And Subject To Sanctions.
Although Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are, in many cases, currently not regulated, or are lightly regulated in most countries, one or more countries may take regulatory actions in the future that severely restrict the right to acquire, own, hold, sell or use cryptocurrencies and/or non-securities tokens or to exchange them for fiat currency. Such an action may also result in the restriction of ownership, holding or trading in the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies and may adversely affect an investment in the Company.
The Company’s Non-Security Tokens and/or Cryptocurrencies Are Not Insured.
The Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies will be entirely uninsured. Cryptocurrencies and non-security tokens are not like bank accounts or other similar accounts. Non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies are entirely uninsured and any value they may hold at any time may decrease or be eliminated in the future. If this occurs, there will be no insurance in place to protect those holding the non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies.
The Company’s Blockchain Platforms, Blockchain Ecosystem, Secondary Trading Platforms And Wallets May Be Subject To Security Weaknesses, Hackers And Theft.
Hackers or other groups or organizations may attempt to interfere with the Company, the Company’s blockchain platform and blockchain ecosystem, and/or secondary trading platforms where the non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies are listed and digital wallets in any number of ways, including denial of service attacks, Sybil attacks, spoofing, smurfing, malware attacks, or consensus-based attacks. There is a risk that the Company’s technology infrastructure, blockchain platform or blockchain ecosystem and digital wallets and the non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies may include security weaknesses or bugs, which may interfere with the use, or cause the complete loss in value of the Company and its non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies. Advances in cryptography may present additional risks which may result in the theft or complete loss of the Company’s cryptocurrencies and/or non-security tokens. The Company may be the target of malicious cyberattacks that may find exploitable flaws in its underlying code, which may result in security breaches and the loss or theft of cryptocurrencies and/or non-security tokens. If the Company’s blockchain platform or blockchain ecosystem security is compromised or if it is subjected to attacks that frustrate or thwart users’ ability to access the blockchain platform or blockchain ecosystem, it could significantly affect the Company’s business. For example, if the Company is subject to unknown and known security attacks (such as double-spend attacks, 51% attacks, or other malicious attacks), this may materially and adversely affect the Company’s business. Any such interference, hacking, breach or theft could have a significant negative effect on the Company and on your investment.
Smart Contracts Have Significant Limitations.
The Company’s business, platform and ecosystem will employ various smart contracts. Smart contract technology is still in its early stages of development, and its application is experimental in nature. This carries significant operational, technological, regulatory, reputational, and financial risks. Smart contracts may not be fit for the purposes intended by the Company and may contain flaws, vulnerabilities, or other issues, which may cause technical problems or the loss of the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies. Any such problems with smart contracts could have a significant negative effect on the Company and on your investment.
Decentralized Networks and Platforms Provide Limited Control.
The Company’s platform and ecosystem will be comprised of technologies that depend on a network of computers to run certain software programs to process transactions. Because of this decentralized model, Company will have limited control over the platform and ecosystem and the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies once the ecosystem is launched.
The Regulations Governing Cryptocurrencies And/Or Non-Security Tokens Is Uncertain, And New Regulations Or Policies May Materially Adversely Affect The Development And The Value Of The Company and its Cryptocurrency And/Or Non-Security Tokens.
Regulation of digital assets, like the Company’s cryptocurrency and non-security tokens and all matters related to these new industries are currently undeveloped and likely to rapidly evolve as government agencies take greater interest in them. At present such regulation varies significantly among international, federal, state and local jurisdictions and is subject to significant uncertainty. 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, which may severely impact the Company’s non-security tokens and cryptocurrency generally and, in each case, the technology behind them. Failure by the Company to comply with any laws, rules and regulations, some of which may not exist yet or are subject to interpretation and may be subject to change, could result in a variety of adverse consequences, including civil penalties and fines.
Cryptocurrencies and non-security tokens also face an uncertain regulatory landscape in many foreign jurisdictions such as the European Union, China and Russia. Various foreign jurisdictions may, in the near future, adopt laws, regulations or directives that affect the Company’s non-security tokens and cryptocurrency or the Company’s business. Such laws, regulations or directives may conflict with those of the United States or may directly and negatively impact the Company’s business. The effect of any future regulatory change is impossible to predict, but such change could be substantial and materially adverse to the adoption and utility of the Company’s business. 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 value and utility of the Company’s non-security tokens and cryptocurrency.
The Further Development And Acceptance Of Non-Security Tokens And/Or Cryptocurrencies, Including Those Of The Company, Are Part Of A New And Rapidly Changing Industry And Are Subject To A Variety Of Factors That Are Difficult To Evaluate.
The further development and acceptance of non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies, including those of the Company, are part of a new and rapidly changing industry and are subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate. The slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies would materially harm the successful development and adoption of the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies. The growth of the non-security token and/or cryptocurrency industries in general, as well as the blockchain networks with which the Company’s platform and ecosystem will rely and interact, is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. The factors affecting the further development of the non-security token and/or cryptocurrency industries, include, but are not limited to: worldwide growth in the adoption and use of non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies; government and quasi-government regulation of non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies; changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences; the availability and popularity of other forms or methods of buying and selling goods and services, or trading assets including new means of using fiat currencies or existing networks; general economic conditions and the regulatory environment relating to non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies; and a decline in the popularity or acceptance of non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies. The slowing or stopping of the development, general acceptance and adoption and usage of non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies may deter or delay the acceptance and adoption of the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrencies which would adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.
A Decrease In The Price Of A Single Blockchain Asset, Even Those of Other Companies, May Cause Volatility In The Entire Blockchain Asset Industry And May Affect Other Blockchain Assets Including the Company’s Non-Security Tokens And/Or Cryptocurrencies.
A decrease in the price of a single blockchain asset, even those of another company, may cause volatility in the entire blockchain asset industry and may affect other blockchain assets including the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency. For example, a security breach that affects investor or user confidence in Ether may affect the industry as a whole and may also cause the value or utility of the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency and other blockchain assets to fluctuate.
As Blockchain Networks And Blockchain Assets Have Grown In Popularity And In Market Size, Federal State, Local And International Agencies Have Begun To Take Interest In, And In Some Cases Regulate, Their Use And Operation.
As blockchain networks and blockchain assets have grown in popularity and in market size, federal state, local and international agencies have begun to take interest in, and in some cases regulate, their use and operation.For example, in the case of virtual currencies, state regulators like the New York Department of Financial Services have created regulatory frameworks. Others, as in Texas, have published guidance on how their existing regulatory regimes apply to virtual currencies. Some states, like New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Washington, have amended their state’s statutes to include virtual currencies into existing licensing regimes. Treatment of virtual currencies continues to evolve under federal law as well. The Department of the Treasury, the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”), for example, have published guidance on the treatment of virtual currencies. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service released guidance treating virtual currency as property that is not currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Both federal and state agencies have instituted enforcement actions against those violating their interpretation of existing laws. The regulation of non-currency use of blockchain assets is also uncertain. The CFTC has publicly taken the position that certain blockchain assets are commodities, and the SEC has issued a public report stating federal securities laws require treating some blockchain assets as securities. To the extent that a domestic government or quasi-governmental agency exerts regulatory authority over a blockchain network or asset, the Company’s platform and ecosystem and the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency may be materially and adversely affected.
Blockchain networks also face an uncertain regulatory landscape in many foreign jurisdictions such as the European Union, China and Russia. Various foreign jurisdictions may, in the near future, adopt laws, regulations or directives that affect the Company’s platform and ecosystem and the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency. Such laws, regulations or directives may conflict with those of the U.S. or may directly and negatively impact the Company’s business. The effect of any future regulatory change is impossible to predict, but such change could be substantial and materially adverse to the development and growth of the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency .
There Is Risk Associated With Potential Secondary Markets For The Company’s Non-Security Tokens And/Or Cryptocurrency.
While at present the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency do not exist, and their contemplated utility will be within the Company’s blockchain platform or blockchain ecosystem, should the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency be eligible for legal and compliant trading in a third-party marketplace in the future, such marketplace may be relatively new and subject to little or no regulatory oversight, making it more susceptible to fraud or manipulation. To the extent that third parties do ascribe an external value to the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency in the future (e.g., as denominated in a digital or fiat currency), such value may be extremely volatile and diminish to zero.
There Is A Risk of Losing Access To The Company’s Cryptocurrency And/Or Non-Security Tokens Due to Loss of Private Keys, Custodial Error or Other User Error.
A private key, or a combination of private keys, may necessary in the future to control and dispose for the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency, stored in your digital wallet or vault. Accordingly, loss of requisite private key(s) associated with your digital wallet or vault storing the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency will result in loss of the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency. Moreover, any third party that gains access to such private key(s), including by gaining access to login credentials of a hosted wallet service you use, may be able to misappropriate the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency. Any errors or malfunctions caused by or otherwise related to the digital wallet or vault you choose to receive and store the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency, including your own failure to properly maintain or use such digital wallet or vault, may also result in the loss of Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency. Additionally, your failure to precisely follow the procedures set forth in for buying and receiving the Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency, including, for instance, if you provide an incorrect coin receipt address, or provides an address that is not compatible, may result in the loss of Company’s non-security tokens and/or cryptocurrency.
IN ADDITION TO THE RISKS LISTED ABOVE, BUSINESSES ARE OFTEN SUBJECT TO RISKS NOT FORESEEN OR FULLY APPRECIATED BY THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO FORESEE ALL RISKS THAT MAY AFFECT THE COMPANY. MOREOVER, THE COMPANY CANNOT PREDICT WHETHER THE COMPANY WILL SUCCESSFULLY EFFECTUATE THE COMPANY'S CURRENT BUSINESS PLAN. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS ENCOURAGED TO CAREFULLY ANALYZE THE RISKS AND MERITS OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES AND SHOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN MAKING SUCH ANALYSIS, AMONG OTHER FACTORS, THE RISK FACTORS DISCUSSED ABOVE, AS WELL AS OTHERS NOT DISCUSSED ABOVE.
2
DILUTION
The term "dilution" refers to the reduction (as a percentage of the aggregate Shares outstanding) that occurs for any given Share when additional Shares are issued. If all of the Shares in this Offering are fully subscribed and sold, the Shares offered herein will constitute approximately 6.34% of the total Shares of the Company.
The Company anticipates that subsequent to this Offering, the Company may require additional capital. Such future fund raising will further dilute the percentage ownership of the Shares sold herein in the Company. Your stake in the Company could be diluted due to the Company issuing additional Shares of Class A Common Stock or other securities such as stock, or securities or debt convertible into stock or additional classes of security tokens. When the Company issues more shares or other securities, the percentage of the Company that you own will decrease, even though the value of the Company may increase. If this event occurs, you may own a smaller piece of a larger company. An increase in number of shares outstanding could also result from a securities offering (such as an initial public offering, an equity crowdfunding round, a venture capital round, or an angel investment), employees or others exercising stock options, or by conversion of certain instruments such as convertible bonds, other classes of stock or warrants into stock or other equity. If the Company decides to issue more stock or other securities, an investor could experience value dilution, with each Share being worth less than before, and control dilution, with the total percentage an investor owns being less than before. There may also be earnings dilution, with a reduction in the amount earned per Share, although this typically occurs only if the Company offers dividends, and most early stage companies like the Company are unlikely to offer dividends, preferring to invest any earnings into the Company.
The type of dilution that negatively affects early-stage investors most occurs when the Company sells more shares or securities in a “down round,” meaning at a lower valuation than in earlier offerings. This type of dilution might also happen upon conversion of convertible notes into shares of stock. Typically, the terms of convertible notes issued by early-stage companies provide that in the event of another round of financing, the holders of the convertible notes get to convert their notes into equity at a “discount” to the price paid by the new investors, i.e., they get more shares than the new investors would for the same price. Additionally, convertible notes may have a “price cap” on the conversion price, which effectively acts as a share price ceiling. Either way, the holders of the convertible notes get more shares for their money than would new investors in that subsequent round. In the event that the financing is a “down round” the holders of the convertible notes will dilute existing equity holders, and even more than the new investors do, because they get more shares for their money. Investors should pay careful attention to the amount of convertible notes that a company has issued and may issue in the future, and the terms of those notes. At present, the Company has not issued any convertible notes, but it is possible that such notes could be issued in the future.
If you are making an investment expecting to own a certain percentage of the Company or expecting each Share to hold a certain amount of value, it’s important to realize how the value of those Shares can decrease by actions taken by the Company. Dilution can make drastic changes to the value of each Share, ownership percentage, control, share of revenues and earnings per Share.
If you invest in the Company’s Shares, your interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the Offering price per Share and the pro forma net tangible book value per Share after this Offering. As of December 31, 2018, the net tangible book value of the Company was $88,984.37 since the Company has not generated any revenue to date but had cumulative expenses equal to $127,194.68 and $206,896.93 in paid-in-capital. Based on the number of Shares of Class A Common Stock (23,876,318) and Class B Shares (50,000,000) issued and outstanding as of the date of this Offering Circular, that equates to a net tangible book value of approximately $0.001 per Share on a pro forma basis. Net tangible book value per Share consists of token holders’ equity adjusted for the retained earnings (deficit), divided by the total number of Shares outstanding. The pro forma net tangible book value, assuming full subscription in this Offering, would be $0.635 per Share.
Thus, if the Offering is fully subscribed, the net tangible book value per Share owned by the Company’s current token holders will have immediately increased by approximately $0.634 without any additional investment on their part and the net tangible book value per Share for new investors will be immediately diluted to $0.635 per Share. These calculations do not include the costs of the Offering, and such expenses will cause further dilution.
The following tables illustrate the per Share dilution which would occur under each of the “Use of Proceeds” section scenarios shownbelow (after deducting the appropriate offering expenses for each scenario):
If the total capital raised is $5,000,000: |
Offering price per Share* | $10.00 |
Net Tangible Book Value per Share before Offering (based on 73,876,318 Shares) | $0.001 |
Increase in Net Tangible Book Value per Share Attributable to Securities Offered Hereby (based on 500,000 Shares) | $0.067 |
Net Tangible Book Value per Share after Offering (based on 74,376,318 Shares) | $0.068 |
Dilution of Net Tangible Book Value per Share to Purchasers in this Offering | $9.932 |
*Before deduction of offering expenses |
If the total capital raised is $10,000,000: |
Offering price per Share* | $10.00 |
Net Tangible Book Value per Share before Offering (based on 73,876,318 Shares) | $0.001 |
Increase in Net Tangible Book Value per Share Attributable to Securities Offered Hereby (based on 1,000,000 Shares) | $0.134 |
Net Tangible Book Value per Share after Offering (based on 74,876,318 Shares) | $0.135 |
Dilution of Net Tangible Book Value per Share to Purchasers in this Offering | $9.865 |
*Before deduction of offering expenses |
If the total capital raised is $25,000,000: |
Offering price per Share* | $10.00 |
Net Tangible Book Value per Share before Offering (based on 73,876,318 Shares) | $0.001 |
Increase in Net Tangible Book Value per Share Attributable to Securities Offered Hereby (based on 2,500,000 Shares) | $0.327 |
Net Tangible Book Value per Share after Offering (based on 76,376,318 Shares) | $0.328 |
Dilution of Net Tangible Book Value per Share to Purchasers in this Offering | $9.672 |
*Before deduction of offering expenses |
If the total capital raised is $50,000,000: |
Offering price per Share* | $10.00 |
Net Tangible Book Value per Share before Offering (based on 73,876,318 Shares) | $0.001 |
Increase in Net Tangible Book Value per Share Attributable to Securities Offered Hereby (based on 5,000,000 Shares) | $0.634 |
Net Tangible Book Value per Share after Offering (based on 78,876,318 Shares) | $0.635 |
Dilution of Net Tangible Book Value per Share to Purchasers in this Offering | $9.365 |
*Before deduction of offering expenses |
There is a material disparity between the price of the Shares in this Offering and the effective cash cost to officers, directors, promoters, affiliated persons and existing shareholders for shares acquired by them in transactions during the past year. The average effective cash contribution for shares acquired by officers, directors, promoters, affiliated persons and existing shareholders in transactions during the past year was. The Company’s operations to date have been funded by the founders (include any repayment options to Empire ATM Group, etc.) Total funding provided by these sources from inception through December 31, 2018 amounted to $207,635.70 and has continued since then. The average effective cash contribution for Shares acquired by investors in transactions during the past year was approximately $0.003 per Share, whereas the public contribution under this Offering will be $10.00 per Share.
The following table summarizes the differences between the total consideration and the weighted-average price per share paid by, on the one hand, officers, directors, promoters and affiliates of the Company who have acquired shares of Common Stock prior to the date of this Offering Circular and, on the other hand, investors participating in this Offering, before deducting estimated offering expenses, assuming that the maximum gross cash proceeds from the offering of $50,000,000.00 are raised and that the maximum number of tokens are sold at the $10.00 per share.
| Total Shares | Total Consideration | Weighted Average Price Per Share |
Existing Shareholders Prior To This Offering | 73,876,318 | $0.00 | $0.003 |
Investors In This Offering | 5,000,000 | $50,000,000 | $5.000 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company is offering a Maximum Offering of up to $50,000,000.00 of its Shares of Class B Common Stock, which the Company intends to allow Shareholders to convert into Class B Security Tokens on a one-to-one basis, with the same rights, privileges and preferences.. The Offering is being conducted on a best-efforts basis without any minimum number of Shares or amount of proceeds required to be sold. There is no minimum subscription amount required (other than a per investor minimum purchase) to distribute funds to the Company. The Company may add additional commissioned broker-dealers after the commencement of the offering. Any such arrangement will add to its expenses in connection with the offering. If the Company engages one or more commissioned sales agents, the Company will supplement this Form 1-A and Offering Circular to describe the arrangement.
The Company will undertake one or more closings on a rolling basis as funds are received from investors. Considerations as to when such closings will occur will include the amount of funds raised in the Offering prior to each such proposed closing, the feedback received from market participants regarding their interest in participating in the Offering and the impact that a closing would have on the continuation of the Offering. Furthermore, the Company anticipates that closings will be held such that no cleared investor funds will remain in the TD Bank account for more than approximately 30 business days. At each closing, funds held in the bank account will be distributed to the Company, and the associated Shares will be issued to all investors at time of each closing for investors whose funds and subscription have been cleared. Investors will be notified by the Company via e-mail or another form of written communication when a closing occurs involving their subscription and will be notified that their Shares have been issued at that time. Funds tendered by investors will be kept in the TD Bank account until the next closing after they are received by the bank. At each closing, funds for subscriptions accepted from investors who have been issued will be immediately available for the Company's use during the term of the Offering.
All subscribers will be instructed by the Company or its agents to transfer funds by wire or ACH transfer directly to the TD Bank account established for this Offering or deliver checks made payable to “EmpireBit Inc. FBO Investors in EmpireBit Inc.” which shall be deposited into the TD Bank account and released to the Company at each closing. The Company may also accept debit and/or credit cards. Should the Company choose to accept credit or debit cards as payment of the subscription amount, processing fees and other charges may be added to the subscription amount to pay for the third-party costs of processing such payments.
Except as stated above, subscribers have no right to a return of their funds unless no closings have occurred by the termination date of the Offering, in which event investor funds held in the TD Bank account will promptly be refunded to each investor without interest or deductions. The Company may terminate the Offering at any time for any reason at its sole discretion, and may extend the Offering past the planned termination date in the absolutely discretion of the Company.
Subscribers may also pay for the Shares by converting certain cryptocurrencies into United States Dollars as set out in the section below titled “How To Invest Using Cryptocurrency.” Refunds related to subscribers who pay using cryptocurrencies are also set out in the section below titled “How To Invest Using Cryptocurrency.”
None of the Shares being sold in this Offering are being sold by existing securities holders. All of the Shares were authorized as of August 3, 2018.
After the Offering Circular has been qualified by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Company will accept tenders of funds to purchase the Shares. The Company has engaged TD Bank as the bank to hold investor funds until bank to hold investor funds until compliance by the broker-dealer is complete. Because this is not a contingent offering, no escrow account will be established and no escrow agreement will be filed as Exhibit 1A-8 to this Form 1-A of which this Preliminary Offering Circular is a part.
The Company initially will use its existing website, www.EmpireBIT.com, to provide notification of the Offering. Persons who desire information will be directed to either www.EmpireBIT.com, or a website owned and operated by an unaffiliated third party that provides technology support to issuers engaging in equity crowdfunding efforts. This Preliminary Offering Circular will be furnished to prospective investors via download 24 hours per day, 7 days per week on the above-referenced websites.
You will be required to complete a subscription agreement in order to invest. The subscription agreement includes a representation that if you are not an “accredited investor” as defined under federal securities law, you are investing an amount that does not exceed the greater of 10% of your annual income or 10% of your net worth, as described in the subscription agreement.
The Company has engaged Cuttone & Company, LLC (“Cuttone”), a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), to perform the following administrative and technology related functions in connection with this Offering, but not for underwriting or placement agent services:
1.Accept investor data from the Company, generally via a software system from a similar technology provider, but also via other means as may be established by mutual agreement;
2.Review and process information from potential investors, including but not limited to running reasonable background checks for anti-money laundering ("AML"), IRS tax fraud identification and USA PATRIOT Act purposes, and gather and review responses to customer identification information;
3.Review subscription agreements received from prospective investors to confirm their participation in the Offering;
4.Contact the Company and/or the Company's agents, if needed, to gather additional information or clarification from prospective investors;
5.Provide the Company with prompt notice about inconsistent, incorrect or otherwise flagged (e.g. for underage or AML reasons) subscriptions;
6.Transmit data to the Company's transfer agent in the form of book-entry data for maintaining the Company's responsibilities for managing investors, investor relationship management, and record keeping and for facilitating any such similar matters related to the Security Tokens on the Ethereum blockchain, if the Shares are converted;
7.Keep investor details and data confidential and not disclose to any third party except as required by regulators or by law (e.g. as needed for AML); and
8.Comply with any required FINRA filings including filings required under Rule 5110 for the offering.
The Company has agreed to pay Cuttone & Co., LLC a broker-dealer services fee equivalent to 5% of all capital raised in the Offering and 3% cashless exercise warrants on all capital raised in the Offering, exercisable for up to 5 years. Administrative service fees will be charged to Issuer at the time of the service.
The Company may engage Cuttone, or additional broker-dealers to perform additional services, including possibly forming or joining a syndicate or selling group of broker-dealers for placement agent services. Additional fees to those disclosed in this Offering Circular, may be paid to these additional broker-dealers if they are retained.
Cuttone is not participating as an underwriter in this Regulation A Offering and under no circumstance will it solicit any investment in the Company in this Regulation A Offering, recommend the Company's securities in this Regulation A Offering or provide investment advice to any prospective investor in this Regulation A Offering, or make any securities recommendations to investors in this Regulation A Offering. Cuttone is not distributing any securities offering prospectuses in this Regulation A Offering or making any oral representations concerning the securities offering prospectus in this Regulation A Offering or the Regulation A Offering itself. Based upon Cuttone's anticipated limited role in this Offering, it has not and will not conduct extensive due diligence of this Regulation A offering and no investor should rely on Cuttone's involvement in this offering as any basis for a belief that it has done extensive due diligence. Cuttone does not expressly or impliedly affirm the completeness or accuracy of the Form 1-A and/or Offering Circular presented to investors by the Company. All inquiries regarding this Offering should be made directly to the Company.
This Offering will commence on the qualification of this Offering Circular, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission and continue for a period of 180 days. The Company may extend the Offering for an additional time period unless the Offering is completed or otherwise terminated by the Company. Funds received from investors will be counted towards the Offering only if the form of payment clears the banking system and represents immediately available funds held by the Company prior to the termination of the subscription period, or prior to the termination of the extended subscription period if extended by the Company, or as otherwise set out herein.
If you decide to subscribe for any Shares in this Offering, you must deliver a funds for acceptance or rejection. The minimum investment amount for a single investor is $250.00 for 25 Shares unless reduced on a case-by-case basis by the Company. If paying by check, all subscription checks should be sent to the Company at the following address: EmpireBit, Inc., 36 Christopher Columbus Blvd, Jackson, NJ 08527. In such case, subscription checks should be made payable to “EmpireBit Inc. FBO Investors in EmpireBit Inc.” In such case, subscription checks should be made payable to “EmpireBit Inc. FBO Investors in EmpireBit Inc.” If a subscription is rejected, all funds will be returned to subscribers within ten days of such rejection without deduction or interest, with the exception of payments via cryptocurrency, which will be subject to the rules set out in the section of this Offering Circular entitled “How To Invest Using Cryptocurrency.” Upon acceptance by the Company of a subscription, a confirmation of such acceptance will be sent to the investor.
The Company maintains the right to accept or reject subscriptions for any reason or for no reason. The Company maintains the right to accept subscriptions below the minimum investment amount in its discretion. All monies from rejected subscriptions will be returned by the Company to the investor, without interest or deductions, with the exception of rejected subscriptions where payment was made via cryptocurrency, which will be subject to the rules set out in the section of this Offering Circular entitled “How To Invest Using Cryptocurrency.”
This is an offering made under an exemption from registration via “Tier 2” of Regulation A. At present, at some time after the final closing of this Offering, if conversion of the Shares into Security Tokens occurs, the Company plans to attempt to list the Security Tokens on one or more registered national securities exchanges or SEC-registered alternative trading systems (“ATS”), but no formal agreement to do so has occurred as of the date of this Offering Circular. If and when such a listing will occur is uncertain at this time, because as of the date of this Offering Circular, there is no currently SEC-approved or SEC-registered third-party platform or ATS that can support the secondary trading of security tokens. There is no guarantee the Security Tokens will be listed on a registered national securities exchange or an ATS at all, or that a registered national securities exchange or an ATS will accept the Security Tokens to be listed or traded. Even if listed or offered for trade on a registered national securities exchange or an ATS, there is no guarantee that a market will develop for the Security Tokens, or that any purchaser of the Security Tokens will be able to sell their Security Tokens for a profit even if such a listing occurs.
The Shares will be sold only to an investor who is not an accredited investor if the aggregate purchase price paid by such investor is no more than 10% of the greater of such investor’s annual income or net worth, not including the value of the investor’s primary residence, as calculated under Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In the case of sales to fiduciary accounts (Keogh Plans, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Qualified Pension/Profit Sharing Plans or Trusts), the above suitability standards must be met by the fiduciary account, the beneficiary of the fiduciary account, or by the donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds for the purchase of the Shares. Investor suitability standards in certain states or jurisdictions may be higher than those described in this Form 1-A and/or Offering Circular. These standards represent minimum suitability requirements for prospective investors, and the satisfaction of such standards does not necessarily mean that an investment in the Company is suitable for such persons. Different rules apply to accredited investors.
Each investor must represent in writing that he/she/it meets the applicable requirements set forth above and in the Subscription Agreement, including, among other things, that (i) he/she/it is purchasing the Shares for his/her/its own account and (ii) he/she/it has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he/she/it is capable of evaluating without outside assistance the merits and risks of investing in the Shares, or he/she/it and his/her/its purchaser representative together have such knowledge and experience that they are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of investing in the Shares. Selling broker-dealers and other persons who may participate in the offering may make additional reasonable inquiries in order to verify an investor's suitability for an investment in the Company. Transferees of the Shares may also be required to meet the above suitability standards or other standards applicable under federal and state securities law/
The Shares may not be offered, sold, transferred, or delivered, directly or indirectly, to any person who (i) is named on the list of “specially designated nationals” or “blocked persons” maintained by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) at www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn or as otherwise published from time to time, (ii) an agency of the government of a Sanctioned Country, (iii) an organization controlled by a Sanctioned Country, or (iv) is a person residing in a Sanctioned Country, to the extent subject to a sanctions program administered by OFAC. A “Sanctioned Country” means a country subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn or as otherwise published from time to time. Furthermore, the Shares may not be offered, sold, transferred, or delivered, directly or indirectly, to any person who (i) has more than fifteen percent (15%) of its assets in Sanctioned Countries or (ii) derives more than fifteen percent (15%) of its operating income from investments in, or transactions with, sanctioned persons or Sanctioned Countries.
The sale of Shares of the same class as those to be offered for the period of distribution will be limited and restricted to those sold through this Offering. Because the Shares being sold are not publicly or otherwise traded, the market for the securities offered is presently stabilized.
VStock Transfer LLC will serve as transfer agent to maintain Shareholder information.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Use of Proceeds is an estimate based on the Company’s current business plan. The Company may find it necessary or advisable to reallocate portions of the net proceeds reserved for one category to another, or to add additional categories, and the Company will have broad discretion in doing so. Because the Offering is a “best efforts” offering, the Company may close the Offering without sufficient funds for all the intended purposes set out below or even to cover the costs of the Offering.
The maximum gross proceeds from the sale of the Shares in this Offering are $50,000,000.00. The net proceeds from the Offering, assuming it is fully subscribed, are expected to be approximately $46,500,000.00 after the payment of offering costs including broker-dealer fees. The estimate of the budget for offering costs is an estimate only and the actual offering costs may differ from those expected by management.
Management of the Company has wide latitude and discretion in the use of proceeds from this Offering. Ultimately, management of the Company intends to use a substantial portion of the net proceeds for operation and general working capital. At present, management’s best estimate of the use of proceeds, at various funding milestones, is set out in the chart below. However, potential investors should note that this chart contains only the best estimates of the Company’s management based upon information available to them at the present time, and that the actual use of proceeds is likely to vary from this chart based upon circumstances as they exist in the future, various needs of the Company at different times in the future, and the discretion of the Company’s management at all times.
A portion of theproceeds from this Offering may be used to compensate or otherwise make payments to officers or directors of the issuer. The officers and directors of the Company may be paid salaries and receive benefits that are commensurate with similar companies, and a portion of the proceeds may be used to pay these ongoing business expenses.
The Company reserves the right to change the use of proceeds set out herein based on the needs of the ongoing business of the Company and the discretion of the Company’s management. The Company may reallocate the estimated use of proceeds among the various categories or for other uses if management deems such a reallocation to be appropriate.
USE OF PROCEEDS TABLE
| $5,000,000.00 | $10,000,000.00 | $25,000,000.00 | $50,000,000.00 |
ATM Vault Cash | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $10,000,000.00 |
Operations | $550,000.00 | $1,100,000.00 | $2,250,000.00 | $3,000,000.00 |
R&D | $250,000.00 | $500,000.00 | $1,250,000.00 | $2,500,000.00 |
EmpireBIT ATMs | $3,450,000.00 | $7,400,000.00 | $10,500,000.00 | $14,500,000.00 |
Working Capital & Acquisitions (1) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $9,250,000.00 | $17,000,000.00 |
Offering Expenses (2) | $500,000.00 | $500,000.00 | $500,000.00 | $500,000.00 |
Broker-Dealer Fees (3) | $250,000.00 | $500,000.00 | $1,250,000.00 | $2,500,000.00 |
TOTAL | $5,000,000.00 | $10,000,000.00 | $25,000,000.00 | $50,000,000.00 |
(1) The Company intends, depending on the amount raised in the Offering, to acquire one or more other entities, as further described in this Offering Circular. See “Proposed Acquisitions.” However, such acquisitions will be in the sole discretion of the Company and may not occur at all. If such acquisitions do not occur, the proceeds in this table for “Working Capital and Acquisitions” will be used for working capital or other purposes in the Company’s discretion. Proposed investors should not invest in the Company with the belief or assumption that any acquisitions will occur, as no formal agreements or letters of intent to make such acquisitions have been entered into by the Company as of the date of this Offering Circular.
(2) The Offering Expenses are estimated at a total of $500,000 in the chart above, but may vary from that total. The estimated Offering Expenses in this chart include, among other things, legal fees, accounting costs, reproduction expenses, due diligence, marketing, consulting, broker-dealer out-of-pocket expenses, administrative services, other costs of blue sky compliance, and actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Company selling the Shares, but which do not include fees to be paid to any technology provider or service fees paid to Cuttone or any type of commissions to be paid to any broker-dealer.
(3) The Company shall pay Cuttone & Co. LLC (“Cuttone”) a cash success fee equivalent to 5% of the gross proceeds raised in the Offering. In addition to the fees above, the Company shall grant to Cuttone (or its designees and assignees) cashless warrants equivalent to 3% of the gross proceeds raised in the Offering. Fees in the chart above only reflect the cash fee (5%), and do not reflect the warrants, which are also not represented in the capitalization table herein. Cuttone may engage the services of additional FINRA member broker-dealers as part of a selling group, and those additional broker-dealers may be paid additional fees to those disclosed herein. Should such additional broker-dealers be engaged, an amendment to this Offering Circular will be filed disclosing the additional fees. Cuttone is not an underwriter and will not be paid underwriting fees, but will be paid service fees. See “Plan of Distribution.”
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
General
EmpireBIT, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation formed in 2018. Its predecessor company, EmpireBIT LLC, was formed on January 16, 2018 and was converted to a corporation on or about August 3, 2018. EmpireBIT, Inc. shares common founders, brothers Evan and Michael Almeida, with Empire ATM LLC (“Empire ATM Group”), a strategic partner with a successful track record of 13 years in the ATM industry, more than 7,600 ATMs placed across the United States with approximately $20,000,000.00 in revenues in 2018. EmpireBIT, Inc. plans to translate Empire ATM Group’s success into the crypto ATM arena.
EmpireBIT, Inc. has entered into a contractual agreement with Empire ATM Group to share office space, allow access to existing client base for marketing purposes, and use of existing and future Empire ATM distribution centers situated throughout the United States through December 31, 2019. EmpireBIT, Inc. will have use of current accounting personnel, service technicians, customer service representatives, account managers and management personnel at Empire ATM Group’s offices, at no charge, through December 31, 2019. EmpireBIT, Inc. will have the use of all vehicles and transportation available at Empire ATM Group, at no charge, through December 31, 2019. EmpireBIT, Inc. will have use of all Empire ATM Group equipment, facilities and intellectual property related to service centers, dispatch and routing, technicians, repair facility, tracking and routing software, sales and CRM automation, and ATM Shield - protection and security for the crypto ATM kiosks, at no charge, through December 31, 2019. Because of the "hands on" ATM operations experience of the founders and this strategic partnership, EmpireBIT, Inc. plans to capitalize on the business, connections and relationships built by Empire ATM Group over the past 13 years. A copy of this agreement is attached in the Material Contracts Exhibit 1A-6 to this Offering Circular.
EmpireBIT, Inc. has also entered into a contractual agreement with United Armor Inc. (who also shares common founders, brothers Evan and Michael Almeida) to allow the Company to have use of all presently existing United Armor offices, at no charge, through December 31, 2019. In addition, EmpireBIT, Inc. will have use of all current United Armor bonded and insured service technicians to provide repairs, installations, maintenance, and cash replenishments through December 31, 2019. The Company will also have the use of all current vehicles and transportation available at United Armor, at no charge, through December 31, 2019. Finally, EmpireBIT, Inc. will have the use of all United Armor equipment, facilities and intellectual property, at no charge, through December 31, 2019. A copy of this agreement is attached in the Material Contracts Exhibit 1A-6 to this Offering Circular.
EmpireBIT, Inc. will own and manage all aspects of its crypto ATM operation including providing management expertise, staff training, hardware and software installation and ongoing support, state and federal licensing, regulatory compliance, cash handling logistics, acquisition and expansion.
EmpireBIT, Inc. realizes and understands the importance of cryptocurrency and the impact the Company believes it will have on the global economy. Instead of denying and resisting the new technology because of the perceived threat to the existing cash ATM industry, the Company’s founders prefer to accept and embrace the idea that cryptocurrency will benefit the global economy. By utilizing Empire ATM Group’s existing infrastructure through the Company’s strategic partnership, the Company plans to bring value to users and adopters by making multiple cryptocurrencies, eventually including the Company’s own cryptocurrency - EmpireBIT coin, more accessible.
Through its strategic partnership with Empire ATM Group, EmpireBIT, Inc. has relationships with top-level executives and owners at most of Empire ATM Group’s 7,600 nationwide ATM locations. The Company will leverage this vast network to facilitate not only the placement of EmpireBIT crypto ATMs, but also to educate business owners about the benefits of accepting cryptocurrency in their business and by offering a price protection guarantee. The Company plans to leverage Empire ATM Group’s current ATM placements, which service about 1.5 million consumers per month, by eventually allowing users to get their surcharge fees reimbursed in EmpireBIT cryptocurrency, and by encouraging users to download the EmpireBIT wallet.
The Company plans to make multiple cryptocurrencies accessible through their ATMs bringing crypto into the physical realm by capitalizing on Empire ATM Group’s network. In addition to Empire ATM Group’s 7,600 present locations, they also have access to more than 100,000 units within affiliated ATM networks and trade associations. By capitalizing on this network, the Company’s planned platform and proposed crypto ATMs will provide an economical solution for lower income households to securely send/receive payments to/from friends and family members, as well as provide an ability to convert various cryptocurrencies into fiat currency, as well as buy, sell and trade cryptocurrencies in an easy and user friendly manner. EmpireBIT, Inc. also plans to eventually provide access to more cryptocurrencies than any competitors and to offer a platform that new cryptocurrencies entering the market can take advantage of to promote their coins and to promote release dates of new cryptocurrencies.
EmpireBIT, Inc. plans to leverage the strong network of Empire ATM Group using its legacy technology and vast infrastructure to emerge as a cryptocurrency ATM world leader in a new and emerging market. EmpireBIT, Inc. plans to facilitate commerce both between merchant and consumer, and for business to business, through the exchange and use of cryptocurrencies in a crypto ATM network, and by eventually introducing the EmpireBIT cryptocurrency, eliminating or reducing the need for costly middlemen such as banks or credit card companies. The Company intends to use their crypto ATMs to make cryptocurrency transactions easier and more readily accessible for customers, allowing users to buy and sell multiple cryptocurrencies, transfer and send coins to others and to possibly even allow users to exchange both cryptocurrency and Shares through strategic partnerships with various exchanges and alternative trading systems. The Company’s goal is to have transactions take seconds, instead of hours or days as some crypto transactions presently require.
Where It All Began: The Story of Michael and Evan Almeida and Their “Empire”
Michael and Evan Almeida started down a path to an “empire” nearly 20 years ago with their deep passion for business, along the way receiving many accolades and praise for their accomplishments and success. Their philosophy has always been simple: success will come by being determined, working hard, and making sacrifices. As Michael has said, “You can’t build an empire with excuses.”
When Michael graduated high school, he made a decision to work full time at a small New Jersey farm instead of furthering his education at a university. It was here where he was mentored in business and in life all while learning the valuable skills and the mechanics of operating a successful business. The owner’s motivation and hard work ethic taught Michael valuable lessons and how to properly manage a work place, including how to be both a leader and a team player. This work experience paved the way and would later translate to the start of his entrepreneurial path that would lead him to form his own landscape company by initially going door-to-door mowing lawns with his younger brother, Evan. Despite the hard work, this taste of self-employment gave them the inspiration that has ultimately brought them to their success.
Shortly after the start of the landscaping business, Evan was presented with an opportunity to trade commodities in New York City that he could not pass up. Evan became an open outcry commodities trader on Wall Street after starting as a clerk and working up to the broker level, where he specialized in coffee and sugar markets. As a commodities trader, Evan became proficient in market analytics, charting, supply and demand, and market needs and trends.
Now that Michael was on his own, he decided to restructure the business. To him, it was simple math. He would have to mow about one hundred lawns to make approximately five thousand dollars. This seemed daunting when he could design and landscape a single house for the same amount. Thus, a new business - Hollywood Landscapes - was born. Michael began to build his fleet and infrastructure immediately to handle the workflow around his new model. Projects started small, averaging around $50,000-$70,000 within the first two years. However, by the end of his eighth year, Michael had started his own landscape architect division, which averaged roughly $700,000 a project. Michael’s keen eye to design and sell large projects made Hollywood Landscapes one of the most sought after landscape design companies in the area. Prior to selling the business, Michael’s largest landscaping project was just over $1.4 million.
Meanwhile, the commodities trading business than Evan was participating in was purchased by an electronics exchange. Evan learned quickly that computers could dominate an industry in a more efficient and effective way than humans could; and resolved that in his own business he would always remain innovative in the face of changing technology.
Evan and Michael realized that they were more powerful together as a team than they were apart. In 2005, Evan and Michael officially opened their ATM business, Empire ATM Group, which grew to a full-time venture for both of them in only 3 years. Empire ATM Group began with 3 ATMs and has organically grown to more than 7600 machines located around the United States, both mobile and permanently stationed. In the ATM business, Evan is an expert in sales; client onboarding and relationship building; marketing; communication and negotiation; employee retention and motivation; and training who seeks to be on the forefront of technology, changing trends and markets and anticipating client needs. Michael is acting CEO of Empire ATM Group with his 20 years of executive leadership experience. Michael has shown unparalleled commitment that has spanned multiple roles throughout their organization. Over the years, he has been involved in sales, creating leasing programs, customer retention, corporate accounts, strategic growth, partnership development, mergers and acquisitions, marketing, and he even cleans the bathrooms from time to time.
Michael and Evan have frequently been asked to collaborate and consult on many topics and projects within both the payment processing world and the ATM industry. Their leadership approach has been to inspire and collaborate with employees, which spreads through six Empire ATM Group offices in 5 different states and growing. From a very humble beginning with only 3 ATMs at the start, Empire ATM Group grossed close to $18 million in 2017 revenue.
Additionally, Empire ATM Group is the parent company to several sister companies under the Empire umbrella. ATM Transit was one of the first spin off companies created and is currently one of the largest. ATM Transit is a mobile ATM company that provides cash services to events around the country such as concerts, state fairs, and air shows. Since its start, ATM Transit became so popular and busy that the company had to sell off territories to areas ATM Transit could not physically service. Michael oversaw and worked closely with franchise attorneys to develop proper franchise and disclosure documents to allow this to occur. From this, Michael and Evan saw an opportunity to leverage the millions of people a year that walked by their machines at events, and later developed and sold sponsorship programs to provide branding on the mobile units deployed to events.
ATM Shield is the second division formed under Empire ATM Group. This was created from a product developed out of necessity. ATM Shield is an ATM accessory designed and created by Michael and Evan’s ingenuity to protect key components of the ATM machine against weather, spills, harsh environments, dust and debris. In 2012, a patent on their invention was issued (US8469264B1) and now the ATM Shield is sold domestically and internationally, and has since evolved into several different products.
The third division started by Michael and Evan was aimed at creating additional revenue streams utilizing their current ATM footprint across the country. ATM Media Group is a digital media platform with several advertising products available for advertisers looking to get their brand or message out into the market. Michael and Evan worked closely with developers to create a media platform that manages content, groups machines into certain demographics, as well as disperses media to digital screens fixed to the tops of ATM machines with the simple push of a button. ATM Media Group’s goal is to help advertisers plan, optimize and launch their product or service into the marketplace utilizing their ATM media platform.
The merger with United Armor has proved to be key in the growth of the Empire brand over the last 4 years. United Armor is Empire ATM Group’s armored guard division that provides vaulting services and is able to pick up directly from the Federal Reserve through a banking relation out of the Midwest. The addition of United Armor has allowed Empire ATM Group to solicit and sell more business because they are now able to fund an unlimited number of machines.
Michael and Evan’s passion and commitment to the Empire brand goes much further then ATM placements. For example, in 2017, they received calls from banks and credit unions out of Houston, Texas prior to Hurricane Harvey. Anticipating that the destruction of the hurricane was going to have a tremendous impact on the state, the banks and credit unions asked Michael and Evan if they felt they would be able to help with mobile cash services since most banks in the area would be affected. Knowing electricity would be affected and security would be an issue, Michael and Evan designed three self-contained units out of shipping containers that would best service the post-hurricane banking needs. These could be used not only for disaster relief, but also when a branch undergoes remodeling, or to test new markets. Three units were built. The first was a ten-foot ATM Pod housing up to four built-in ATMs. The second was a 20 foot mini-branch that could house up to three bank tellers, a bank safe, and up to three ATMs. The third unit was a 40-foot mini-branch that could house up to six tellers or personnel, up to four ATMs, a bank level safe, and all the creature comforts of their home branch, even including a coffee maker. These disaster relief containers became a huge hit among banks, credit unions, and even their insurance companies. Michael, Evan and the Empire team were praised for their unique design of a repurposed shipping container and the ability to have them built and deployed at a fraction of the cost to the next available solution to the industry.
In 2018, Michael and Evan approached a small local not-for-profit credit union based out of New York that was on the verge of closing and now they sit on the credit union’s board, where they have been tasked with bringing more members, current technology solutions and services that any other bank would offer to its clients. Michael and Evan have rebranded the federal charter to Empire Financial Federal Credit Union. Michael and Evan plan to modernize the credit union and raise its standards, in addition to their focus on catering to those industries that have suffered from account closures due to the type of business they are in. Not only will Empire Financial Federal Credit Union helping the people within those industries, but they are also solving issues within banking to better serve MSBs (Money Services Businesses) such as check cashers and ATM operators. In addition to MSBs, Empire Financial Federal Credit Union will be focusing on banking MRBs (Marijuana Related Businesses).
The Existing Marketplace And The Opportunity To Bring Cryptocurrency Mainstream
The St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank noted in a recent report1 about cryptocurrency that “cash has many advantages, but its end might be near.” The New York Times added that “there are few corners of the world where electronic transactions are now growing faster than cash.”2The consulting firm Capgemini recently estimated that electronic payments are expected to grow 10.9 percent a year between 2015 and 2020.”3 Once a fringe topic for hobbyists, cryptocurrency is now an emerging economic force worldwide. The explosive growth of cashless transactions and investments presents a potential “fatal flaw” for traditional ATM providers, who do not have the capability of exchanging cryptocurrency for fiat currency, such as U.S. dollars.
EmpireBIT, Inc., through its founders’ connections, customers and networks, plan to have a foothold in the ATM industry and intends to roll out thousands of EmpireBIT crypto ATMs where users can transact cryptocurrencies with nearly the same ease as a bank customer using a traditional ATM to withdraw cash.
ATMs that support buying and selling of cryptocurrencies are gaining in popularity,4 with Business Insider reporting in December 2017 that “global cryptocurrency markets are now averaging the same daily trading volumes as the New York Stock Exchange.”5 Forbes recently noted that “the rise of Bitcoin ATMs clearly demonstrates the advancement of digital payments.”6 NASDAQ reports that “transaction fees that banks charge for the exchange of money may be lower by using cryptocurrency or even avoided altogether.”7
At present, half of the market’s existing crypto ATM providers deal only in Bitcoin and 66% are one-way machines meaning they offer the ability to only buy, but not sell, Bitcoin.8 Bitcoin is known for being difficult to scale, slow and cumbersome to transfer, and to burdens user with expensive transaction fees.9
EmpireBIT, Inc. believes the Company’s access to Empire ATM Group’s current nationwide footprint and support infrastructure, the founders’ 13 years of relationships with manufacturers that currently build the majority of the crypto ATMs in existence today, and the Company’s planned cloud-based crypto ATM management platform will allow them to solve the existing issues in the marketplace by allow customers to buy or sell in a variety of cryptocurrencies, as well as the EmpireBIT coin, in real time with no delays.
The EmpireBIT Solution
EmpireBIT, Inc. aims to revolutionize the future of ATM usage by facilitating quick and easy access to purchase, sell, or trade cryptocurrency. EmpireBIT, Inc.’s crypto ATMs will run on proprietary blockchain software and a backend platform incorporating Coinbase or another appropriate cryptocurrency exchange, which will facilitate easy buying and selling of cryptocurrency at the point of sale.
Currently, cryptocurrency enthusiasts must overcome multiple barriers in order to purchase and sell their desired crypto coins. For example, many of the major banks (Citi, JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, Wells Fargo) have blocked their customers from using their credit/debit cards to purchase cryptocurrencies online. There are less than 3,000 crypto ATMs located in the U.S. Many are custom built and provide their customers with a questionable experience regarding security and do not have timely execution of their transactions. Through the Company’s proprietary app and conveniently located crypto ATMs, a user will have the ability to securely purchase/sell multiple cryptocurrencies in a safe and fully compliant manner that addresses regulatory requirements such as all Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti Money Laundering (AML) federal mandates.
The Company’s plan is for its ecosystem to provide business owners and individual users with:
Hardware and software for crypto ATMs that can be deployed,
A planned future Point of Sale (“POS”) system that would allow merchants to accept cryptocurrency as payment,
A collective network of partners and merchants ready to adopt the EmpireBIT coin as payment for goods,
A future online marketplace of products available for redemption in exchange for EmpireBIT coins, and
The EmpireBIT coin, a planned cryptocurrency that will be easy to acquire and spend, will be readily mineable via GPU, will have capability for master nodes, and will offer a dedicated operating system.
The Company's Competitive Advantage
EmpireBIT, Inc. is company designed and built for both the seasoned cryptocurrency veteran and the uninitiated consumer who has never used cryptocurrency before.
There are presently less than 3,000 cryptocurrency ATMs in the United States and their ownership is widely dispersed among many small operators, some of whom already rely on the Company’s strategic partner, Empire ATM Group, for cash management and logistics. The majority of the existing competitors only deal in Bitcoin, which is difficult to scale for large users. The Company believes its access to Empire ATM Group’s nationwide footprint and support infrastructure, its founders 13 years of experience and industry relationships with manufacturers that currently build the majority of the crypto ATMs in existence today, and its planned cloud-based crypto ATM management platform, give the Company a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
It has taken Empire ATM Group 13 years to acquire their existing 7,600 locations, which the Company believes makes it extremely difficult for a competitor in this space to reach that volume cost effectively in a shorter period of time. This barrier to entry for competitors, the Company believes, gives EmpireBIT, Inc. a strategic advantage.
In addition, EmpireBIT, Inc. has a contractual agreement in place with United Armor, Inc. a fully licensed and bonded armored car company owned by the Company’s founders which provides the Company with unique cost savings advantages over other crypto ATM deployers. United Armor provides the Company with priority access to cash logistics -- the primary obstacle for other crypto ATM companies looking to enter into or grow in this industry.
EmpireBIT Crypto ATMs
The Company plans for EmpireBIT crypto ATMs that will initially accept Bitcoin and Ethereum, and, once it is created, the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency. Other cryptocurrencies may also be included in the ATMs under appropriate financial arrangements. Transactions using the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency will always be “free” - no transaction or processing fee, and the Company plans to refund other user fees in the form of EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency which the user may keep in his or her wallet. The Company believes this use of the EmpireBIT coin/cryptocurrency could lead to wide adoption of the cryptocurrency in the marketplace.
In addition to the Company’s own crypto ATMs. EmpireBIT, Inc. will serve as retailer, distributor and service provider of cryptocurrency ATMs for the growing list of traditional providers that seek to adopt and support cryptocurrency. Providers will be able to purchase or finance ATMs directly from EmpireBIT, Inc.
For the Company’s crypto ATMs that the Company owns and operates:
(1)The Company intends to charge a fee or percentage for every cash transaction. The fees will vary based on the placement location, but will range from 8%-17% of the face amount of the buy/sell transaction. The fee may be, in whole or in part, rebated (or discounted) to the customer if they use EmpireBIT coin as the form of payment once it becomes available, in the discretion of management.
(2)The Company intends to offer a price protection guarantee. Because most cryptocurrencies are inherently volatile, it’s difficult for retailers to accept it as payment. The Company plans to build risk-reducing factors into the Company’s back-end software and the Company’s proposed back-end exchange platform as incentive for business owners to accept the EmpireBIT coin. In order to achieve wide spread usage and acceptance of cryptocurrencies as forms of payment, price volatility needs to be reduced or eliminated to assure the merchant is compensated fairly for consummating the sale.
(3)The Company plans to include with each crypto ATM, a manufactured wireless box with a GPS component which improves safety. Customers will be able to purchase these wireless devices to power the Company’s crypto ATMs and to provide programming for the digital toppers on the machines, adding an additional revenue source.
For crypto ATMs that the Company services, but doesn’t own, the Company plans to leverage its strategic partnership with United Armor, Inc., which will provide cash logistics services for companies with crypto ATMs that need a qualified entity to pick up cash from the machines, transmit it to the Company, and safely manage large amounts of cash while remaining compliant with federal laws for cash-handling. The Company will also include a GPS component which provides location tracking. This feature will improve safety and security for the Company’s equipment. These devices will be offered to Customers to purchase which will generate additional revenue for EmpireBIT, Inc. The Company also intends to offer software and platform licensing for third-party ATM companies that want to offer cryptocurrency on their own machines. The Company plans to offer this through their proprietary transaction processing software once developed.
For crypto ATMs that the Company don’t own, operate or service, the Company intends to offer software and platform licensing for ATM companies that want to offer cryptocurrency on their own machines. This will be offered through the Company’s proprietary transaction processing software system, once developed. The Company also intends to offer custom wrapping, custom receipt printers, or digital toppers through the Company’s strategic partnership, and eventual acquisition of, ATM MG.
Software Platform for Crypto ATMs
All ATMs require both hardware and software to operate. The Company plans to develop proprietary software for the Company’s crypto ATMs and to license that software to others. This software will eventually allow other companies to launch cryptocurrency ATMs, and to process crypto transactions via the Company’s software platform. The Company plan for the its software to provide flexibility, so a provider may process any cryptocurrency that the provider chooses.
Ultimately, and subject to regulatory and legal approval, The Company also plans to eventually have the Company’s software platform allow the trading of Shares, in addition to buying and selling utility coins and cryptocurrencies. Through a planned strategic partnerships with one or more ATSs like Coinbase or tZero, and with crypto exchanges that use smart routing (software that searches multiple exchanges to find the best price at a certain time) the Company ultimately will endeavor to allow buying, selling and trading of Shares, utility coins and cryptocurrencies through the Company’s ATMs and through others who use the Company’s software platform.
Online Marketplace
The Company is currently building the user interface, network of merchants, selection of desirable consumer products, and back end for an online marketplace of items that can be purchased in exchange for EmpireBIT cryptocurrency, once it becomes available. The Company intends for the marketplace to act much like loyalty rewards program commonly seen with credit card issuers. The Company’s intentions for the marketplace are that anyone holding EmpireBIT cryptocurrency from surcharge reimbursements or from other means will be able to redeem their EmpireBIT cryptocurrency within the online marketplace if they choose.
The Investment Offered: EmpireBIT, Inc. Offers Only Shares Convertible Into Security Tokens
The cryptocurrency industry faces great uncertainty as a result of recent regulatory actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), state securities regulators, and other state, federal and international regulators. Given that the Chair of the SEC has publicly proclaimed that, in his opinion, every coin, token or cryptocurrency sold in an ICO was actually a security and should have been subject to regulatory overview, EmpireBIT, Inc. has made the conscious decision to comply with all securities laws and sell its Shares, convertible into Security Tokens, in compliance with existing securities laws, rules and regulations. In this Offering, EmpireBIT, Inc. is only raising capital through the sale of its Shares of Class A Common Stock convertible into Class A Security Tokens as set out below, and not any other coin, token, utility token, non-security token or cryptocurrency. The Security Tokens, if any Shares are converted, will be uncertificated, book-entry, digital shares of stock in EmpireBIT, Inc., as further described below.
EmpireBIT, Inc. plans to produce and release its cryptocurrency, the EmpireBIT Coin, in the future once the EmpireBIT ecosystem is built giving the EmpireBIT Coin utility within the system. The Company believes that, when it reaches these milestones, it will be able to sell and distribute the EmpireBIT Coin as a cryptocurrency, without it being subject to securities laws and regulations. However, EmpireBIT, Inc. plans to adhere to all existing laws and regulations related to cryptocurrencies at the time the EmpireBIT Coin is created and released. The EmpireBIT Coin will not be created or released until the Company has assurance through (a) a no-action letter or other guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission indicating that the EmpireBIT Coin is not a security, (b) written guidance from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission or other regulatory agencies indicating that the EmpireBIT Coin is not regulated by securities laws, (c) the legal opinion of experienced counsel that based on an interpretation of existing laws and regulations, or those to be enacted in the future that the EmpireBIT Coin is not a security and/or (d) the legal opinion of experienced counsel that based on an interpretation of existing judicial decisions, caselaw and precedent at the time of the release of the EmpireBIT Coin, that the EmpireBIT Coin is not a security.
The EmpireBIT Security Token
The EmpireBIT Security Token, if any Shares are converted, will be an ERC-20 token, and will give an investor equity in EmpireBIT, Inc. Each Class A Security Token converted from the Shares of Class A Common Stock sold in this Offering will constitute equity in the Company, with the same rights, privileges and preferences of the Shares of Class A Common Stock from which it was converted. The EmpireBIT Security Token will be a security that the Company intends to eventually be tradable on an SEC-registered Alternative Trading System (“ATS”) such as an ATS by projected industry leaders like Coinbase and/or tZero, assuming the Company meets their criteria or that of another ATS and an agreement is reached to list, none of which have occurred as of the date of this Offering Circular. If and when such a listing will occur is uncertain at this time, because as of the date of this Offering Circular, there is no currently approved or registered third-party platform or ATS that can support the secondary trading of security tokens, and there is no guarantee that projected industry leaders Coinbase and/or tZero, or anyone else, will meet the requirements of the SEC and become registered and qualified to list and trade security tokens. The Company plans to list the EmpireBIT Security Token on at least one ATS, to provide investors with potential liquidity, if at all possible once these platforms are registered with the SEC for listing and trading security tokens. The EmpireBIT Security Token will not be a cryptocurrency, and will not have any utility in the EmpireBIT ecosystem. The EmpireBIT Security Token will not be tradable on any cryptocurrency or “coin” exchange, but will only be tradable, if at all, on an exchange or ATS that legally allows the trading of securities.
For a more detailed description of the EmpireBIT Security Token, please see “Securities Being Offered.”
The Company’s Cryptocurrency: The EmpireBIT Coin
The Company intends to develop a cryptocurrency, the EmpireBIT coin. The Company intends for the EmpireBIT coin, once it is developed, to utilize the X11 algorithm based off Dash’s code base with many customizations to performance and security. The Company chose this code base because of its scalability and customizability. The Company plans for the EmpireBIT cryptocurrency to be a hybrid coin supporting both PoW (proof of work) and PoS (proof of stake). The Company intends for the EmpireBIT coin to be able to be minable, to feature staking and master node capability and to be used in the Company’s ecosystem and crypto ATMs upon being issued, and for other uses at a later date as the ecosystem grows. It is the Company’s belief that the Company’s EmpireBIT coins will be a pure cryptocurrency when it is created and released, and not a security for the following reasons, amongst others:
EmpireBIT coins will not exist or be available to anyone until the Company’s ecosystem is functional and the coins will be able to be used in the Company’s system, and
Once they exist, EmpireBIT coins will not be sold to anyone as an “investment” or in order to finance the creation of the business or ecosystem in which they are used, but rather will be sold for use in the fully operational ecosystem.
When the EmpireBIT coin is developed and released, the Company intends to follow all applicable laws and regulations related to digital currencies that apply to the EmpireBIT coin, such as those that may exist or in the future be promulgated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and others. As noted above, EmpireBIT, Inc. plans to produce and release its cryptocurrency only after the EmpireBIT ecosystem is built giving the EmpireBIT Coin utility within the system and the Company has assurance through (a) the Securities and Exchange Commission, (b) the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission or other regulatory agencies, (c) the legal opinion of experienced securities counsel that based on an laws, regulations and judicial precedent, that at the time of the release of the coin, it is not a security.
The Company’s Wallet
The Company plans for the EmpireBIT wallet to be its ecosystem hub for users, giving them news as to any new features and service offerings as well as app updates. The Company plans for the EmpireBIT wallet will allow users to send and receive EmpireBIT cryptocurrency between wallets and will utilize the EmpireBIT native blockchain
Using the EmpireBIT wallet app on his/her phone, the Company plans for a user to be able to send/receive EmpireBIT cryptocurrency to/from other users, as well as link to a proposed EmpireBIT marketplace where the user will be able to redeem EmpireBIT cryptocurrency for goods or services. The Company plans to make all purchases secure and plans for the purchases to be transmitted directly on the blockchain.
The Company plans for the EmpireBIT wallet to have a version for mobile and desktop. On the mobile side, the Company plans to support Apple and Android, and on the desktop side both Windows and iOS, as well as Linux. The Company also plans for the EmpireBIT wallet to have QR code integration. The Company plans to have its wallet allow users to send and receive EmpireBIT cryptocurrency between wallets and to utilize the EmpireBIT native blockchain, and not operate on top of any other blockchain.
The Company plans for the EmpireBIT wallet software (Android & Apple) to have GPS details and a ATM locator to help a customer find the nearest EmpireBIT ATM location.
The EmpireBIT Wallet described above will relate only to the Company’s cryptocurrency, once it is created. The Shares offered in this Offering will be issued to a different wallet, an Ethereum wallet capable of supporting the ERC-20 standard. Shareholders will be required to establish an Ethereum ERC-20 compatible wallet that provides each Shareholder with ownership of the private key, so that it can interact with smart contract functions and have the ability to transfer and receive the Shares, through the Company’s transfer agent, or as otherwise required to comply with securities laws and regulations. This Ethereum ERC-20 compatible wallet will be investor held and not a crypto exchange wallet.
The Company’s Native Blockchain
The Company plans for the EmpireBIT cryptocurrency to have its own blockchain, and does not plan to depend on any other cryptocurrency network. The Company believes this minimizes some of the most common security risks and bottlenecks. The Company plans to choose providers that have multiple redundancy points for both the network and servers. The Company plans to couple this with aggressive security measures that the Company believes will isolate DDOS and hack attempts, allowing them to be quickly resolved. As more and more master nodes and EmpireBIT ATMs come online, the Company plans to have a primarily self-healing and extremely fast network on a custom X11-algorithm blockchain. The Company intends for its blockchain and nodes to be secure and to perform all necessary tasks for the network and to be cloud-based. The Company will use only the top tier cloud providers for the fastest and most secure experience. Examples of such cloud providers the Company may use are Microsoft Azure Cloud services and Amazon AWS.
The Company plans to build its blockchain to be able to withstand high transaction volume with on-chain scalability up to 1198MB. The blockchain will be proprietary and the build of the Company’s cryptocurrency, the Company believes, will be compared most closely to Dash in terms of speed. As master nodes come online, the Company believes its network will become even faster and more stable. The Company plans for EmpireBIT ATMs to function as nodes for the blockchain, speeding up and securing the network. The Company plans to create a block explorer webpage where all transactions can be tracked that will be located on the EmpireBIT domain. The Company intends for the EmpireBIT cryptocurrency to support master nodes and mining and intends for most of the nodes to hold a full copy of the blockchain from the genesis block to the then-current block. The Company believes this will help to secure the blockchain and ensure against double spending, and so if one node comes under attack there will be multiple points of redundancy.
The Company’s native blockchain, once developed, will not have any applicability to the Company’s Security Tokens, if Shares are converted, as the Security Tokens will utilize the Ethereum blockchain.
Master Node Capability
The Company plans to add master node capability in the future. The Company believes that a blockchain that has the capability for master nodes is more attractive to long-term holders of the cryptocurrency in question, since the holders of master nodes are rewarded for using their available energy to process more information on the network than “average” nodes. Master nodes, by nature, create a loyal community, which creates stability in the token’s ecosystem and economy.
The Company plans to utilize master nodes to verify transactions among a smaller trusted pool, making transaction times much faster than most coins available today.
This master node capability will not apply in any way to the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted.
Proof of Stake
The Proof of Stake (or PoS) concept states that a person can mine or validate block transactions according to how many coins he or she holds. For example, the more Bitcoin or altcoin owned by a miner, the more mining power he or she has. The concept incentivizes users to hold cryptocurrency rather than sell. In the future, the Company plans to implement PoS to distribute staking rewards to its cryptocurrency holders.
The Proof of Stake concept, if implemented, will have no applicability to the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted.
Proof of Work
Proof of Work (POW) occurs through internal EmpireBIT cryptocurrency miners who solve exceptionally difficult math problems to clear transactions. This will happen at the Company’s secured distributed private server level. The Company intends to keep all POW mining private to feed its ecosystem and may offer staking or master nodes to the EmpireBIT community in the future.
The Proof of Work concept, if implemented, will have no applicability to the Company’s Shares or Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted.
Dedicated Operating System
The Company is planning to build its own operating system to be named EmpireOS. The Company plans to build EmpireOS off of Debian and plans for it to be available to users and for download. This planned powerful and secure operating system will explain to users how to set up a master node, how the wallet works, and other new features to be added later. The Company plans to allow users to download the operating system from the Company’s website in ISO form to make it easy to install on a USB memory stick or DVD disc. The Company also plans to have instructions available on the EmpireBIT website.
EmpireBIT Cryptocurrency ATMs
There are existing Bitcoin ATMs that are typically one-way machines, meaning that a user puts money in and receives Bitcoin out. The Company’s planned crypto ATMs are anticipated to work as 2-way machines, even 3-way, where a user can buy, sell and trade cryptocurrencies, and possibly even securitized tokens if this can be done in a legal and compliant manner, on the platform. Most traditional machines only allow users to buy Bitcoin and there are a select few that also allow the purchase of Ethereum. The Company plans to open its ATMs to top cryptocurrencies and to add additional cryptocurrencies over time, creating additional revenue streams for the Company. The Company plans to initially use a major cryptocurrency exchange as a strategic partner embedded in the ATMs for the buy/sell/trade cryptocurrency exchange features. The Company also plans to have their ATMs reward cash withdrawal customers with EmpireBIT cryptocurrency to reimburse fees once the EmpireBIT cryptocurrency is created in the future. The Company believes the EmpireBIT reward for fees will draw in new customers and keep current customers loyal to the EmpireBIT ecosystem. In all cases, the Company plans to have all crypto ATMs remain compliant with any and all applicable KYC/AML requirements and other legal and regulatory requirements.
Diagram of the proposed EmpireBIT ATM network
Point of Sale System
In the Company's future roadmap, it plans to include a Point of Sale (POS) system. In this proposed POS system, users would link a credit or debit card to their EmpireBIT wallet so users would have access to an ecosystem with businesses accepting and paying out the EmpireBIT cryptocurrency. The Point of Sale system would allow merchants to charge their customers for products or services in EmpireBIT, in addition to accepting traditional methods of payments. The Company plans to create a POS software system that will enable retailers to accept EmpireBIT and other cryptocurrencies for their products and services just as easily as accepting a debit or credit card. The proposed POS system would also handle inventory management for the retailer or service provider.
Diagram of the proposed EmpireBIT POS system
The EmpireBIT Ecosystem and Community
The EmpireBIT ecosystem is being designed and built to benefit several different markets: investors in token securities, retail customers, businesses, cryptocurrency enthusiasts and “noobs” (those new to the cryptocurrency world). The design of the EmpireBIT coin economy, the versatility of the Company’s user wallet, the Company’s proposed EmpireBIT coin mining algorithm and native blockchain, the Company’s proposed retail applications, partnerships and roadmap, and the Company’s anticipated program for business adoption, will all provide incentives for usership and loyal, long-term adoption with built-in revenue streams that the Company believes will drive growth and stickiness. To make it even easier for the Company’s future EmpireBIT coin users, the Company even plans to have dedicated mining hardware available that is currently in a development phase.
EmpireBIT, Inc. intends to build an active community - one that the Company envisions developing into a globally available and accepted monetary system based on the Company’s EmpireBIT cryptocurrency. While initial investors in this Share Offering may buy the Company’s Shares looking solely for the potential of profit through an investment and for the revenue share provisions, the Company believes others will participate in this Offering for ethical and sociopolitical reasons. The Company also believe that when it completes its ecosystem and releases the EmpireBIT coins, the support of developers and users behind EmpireBIT’s cryptocurrency will provide stability and focus, enabling better value for the ecosystem, and for the Company and its Shareholders.
EmpireBIT, Inc. also plans to bring modern access to financial services to millions of people who don’t have access to traditional banking services through EmpireBIT coins, and the Company’s crypto ATM network. One of the Company’s goals is to bring not just the Company’s EmpireBIT coin, but also as many legitimate cryptocurrencies as possible into the mainstream, through the Company’s proposed global network. The Company believes that the EmpireBIT coin will ultimately be popular in countries that currently have significant unbanked or underbanked consumers – a huge international market that includes more that 2 billion adults who remain without an account at a financial institution or through a mobile money provider.10
Proposed Acquisitions
Depending on the amount of capital raised, EmpireBIT, Inc. plans to make strategic acquisitions to provide additional revenues to the Company. United Armor, Inc. is an armored car and cash transport company, owned by the Company’s founders, that has been servicing crypto ATMs for more than a year. If acquired, United Armor, Inc. would generate revenues for EmpireBIT, Inc. by servicing ATM customers’ need for cash transport to and from crypto ATMs. Very few ATM providers offer such a service, which would give the Company another a competitive advantage in the market. The Company’s business plan also includes eventually acquiring one or more independent ATM operators. This would allow for additional ATM placement opportunities at relatively low cost. Such acquisitions could provide the Company with additional end-to-end revenue, from manufacturing through distribution to retail, along with revenue from servicing the machines.
However, such acquisitions will be in the sole discretion of the Company and may not occur at all. Any such acquisitions are in the sole discretion of the Company and would be subject to the negotiation of commercially reasonable terms. In addition, due to the partial common ownership of United Armor, Inc. with the Company, any such acquisition would require additional measures to assure fairness to all parties involved in the transaction. Proposed investors should not invest in the Company with the belief or assumption that any acquisitions will occur, as no formal agreements or letters of intent to make such acquisitions have been entered into by the Company as of the date of this Offering Circular.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
The Company owns no real property.
LITIGATION
The Company is not involved in any litigation and is not aware of any pending or threatened legal actions.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of the Company's operations together with the Company's financial statements and related notes appearing at the end of this Offering Circular.This discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting the Company’s current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Offering Circular.
BUSINESS
EmpireBIT, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation formed in 2018. Its predecessor company, EmpireBIT LLC, was formed on January 16, 2018 and was converted to a corporation on or about August 3, 2018. The Company was formed for the general purpose of engaging in any lawful activity for which corporations may be organized under the laws of Delaware.
Overview
Even though the Company was formed on January 16, 2018 and converted to a Delaware corporation on or about August 3, 2018, the Company’s strategic partner, Empire ATM Group has been operating for more than 13 years.
There are two classes of Shares in the Company: Shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Shares.For purposes of this Offering Circular, the terms “Shares” or “Share” will be used to denote the shares of stock in the Company that will be convertible into Security Tokens at a future time in the Company’s absolute discretion after this Offering terminates. The Shares to be issued pursuant to this Offering will be Class A Shares of Common Stock. For more details on the rights of the classes of Shares, see the Bylaws attached hereto and the section “Securities Being Offered”
below.
Results of Operations
The period of January 16, 2018 (date of inception) to December 31, 2018
Revenue. Total revenue for the period from January 16, 2018 (date of inception) to December 31, 2018 was $0.00 as the Company was in the start-up phase.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses for the period from January 16, 2018 to December 31, 2018 were $127,194.68. Operating expenses for the period were comprised of the types of expenses shown in the “Use of Proceeds” chart above.
Net Loss. Net loss for the period from January 16, 2018 to December 31, 2018 was $127,194.68. This is equal to the operating expenses plus accrued interest of $0 since there were no revenues during that start-up period.
Charge to Retained Earnings for pre-inception costs: None
Liquidity and Capital Resources
During the period from January 16, 2018 to December 31, 2018, the Company received funding consisting of cash and services from the founders, which were used to cover the operating expenses. The Company had net cash of $(23,155.98) on December 31, 2018.
The Company will have additional capital requirements during 2019 and 2020. The Company does not expect to be able to satisfy our cash requirements through sales, and therefore will attempt to raise additional capital through the sale of its Shares in this Offering, and perhaps additional securities in additional offerings. If this Offering is fully subscribed, the Company believes the proceeds from this Offering will satisfy its cash needs for the next six months to implement its plan of operations. However, depending on the amounts raised in this Offering, the Company may need to raise additional capital or otherwise finance operations through other means.
The Company cannot assure that it will have sufficient capital to finance its growth and business operations or that such capital will be available on terms that are favorable to it or at all. The Company is currently incurring operating deficits that are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Plan of Operations
The Company's plan of operation for the 12 months following the commencement of this Offering is to continue with capital raising and development of its business. Upon receipt of the proceeds from the initial capital raise, it is the intention of the Company to begin the process of becoming licensed at the state and federal levels. Acting concurrently with the licensing in the states where the Company plans the initial rollout of its crypto ATMs, the Company will begin the purchasing process from ATM manufacturers. As the machines arrive at the Company’s facilities, the Company will begin to fully test the components and install its proprietary software. Placement agreements will be finalized and the Company plans to begin deploying the machines with the locations prioritized by anticipated transaction volumes.
As the crypto ATMs come online, the Company’s service and support teams will be constantly monitoring the transaction volumes, error codes and attending to the machines as necessary. Cash loading/pickup schedules will be developed and routes created via GPS software that will maximize the Company’s courier time and minimize transportation costs.
In the Company’s opinion, the proceeds from this Offering will not satisfy the Company’s cash requirements indefinitely, so the Company anticipates that it will be necessary to raise additional funds in the next 1-3 years to implement the plan of operations as it evolves over time. During that time frame, the Company does not expect to be able to satisfy its cash requirements through sales and the proceeds from this Offering alone, and therefore the Company anticipates that it will attempt to raise additional capital through the sale of additional securities in additional offerings, or through other methods of obtaining financing such as through loans or other types of debt. The Company cannot assure that it will have sufficient capital to finance its growth and business operations or that such capital will be available on terms that are favorable to the Company or at all. The Company is currently incurring operating deficits that are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Trend Information
Because the Company is still in the startup phase and because the Company has only recently launched, the Company is unable to identify any recent trends in revenue or expenses since the latest financial year. Thus, the Company is unable to identify any known trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events involving its business that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on its revenues, income from continuing operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause the reported financial information in this Offering to not be indicative of future operating results or financial condition.
Despite this, the Company believes that the market for its products and services will continue to improve if economic conditions in the United States remain consistent or improve. Not specific to the Company, but the trends in the general market appear to favor a growing market outlook. Globally, the Company believes the market will expand and also offer opportunities. For example, more than 67 countries (including the U.S.) now deploy Bitcoin ATMs. In the last few years, more than 3,000 crypto ATMs have been installed worldwide. The speed of installations seems to be accelerating over previous years. With growing number of installations, diversity on the market also grows. This is reflected in new manufacturers entering the market, new operators installing machines, and with machines are installed in countries where there were no bitcoin ATMs previously. The Company believes that the current U.S. government’s policies have are beneficial towards this emerging technology. As a result, the Company sees a good opportunity for growth in the U.S. and abroad.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company has identified the policies outlined below as critical to its business operations and an understanding of its results of operations. The list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of its accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, with no need for management's judgment in their application. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on the Company’s business operations is discussed throughout Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation where such policies affect the Company’s reported and expected financial results. Note that the Company’s preparation of the financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of its consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
Income taxes are one such critical accounting policy. Income taxes are recorded on an accrual basis of accounting based on tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. A tax position is defined as a position in a previously filed tax return or a position expected to be taken in a future tax filing that is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Tax positions are recognized only when it is more likely than not (i.e., likelihood of greater than 50%), based on technical merits, that the position would be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. Tax positions that meet the more likely than not threshold are measured using a probability-weighted approach as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if all, or some portion, of such assets will more than likely not be realized. Should they occur, the Company’s policy is to classify interest and penalties related to tax positions as income tax expense. Since the Company’s inception, no such interest or penalties have been incurred.
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606), which replaces numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, and provides companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The Company has adopted the requirements of ASC Topic 606 and all the related amendments to all of its contracts using the modified retrospective method. Upon completing the Company’s implementation assessment of Topic ASC 606, the Company concluded that no adjustment was required to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of initial application. The comparative information has also not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Additional disclosures required by ASC Topic 606 are presented within the aforementioned Revenue Recognition policy disclosure.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when: (1) persuasive evidence exists of an arrangement with the customer reflecting the terms and conditions under which products or services will be provided; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been provided; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (4) collection is reasonably assured.
The Company’s planned sources of revenue include: (1) cryptocurrency transaction fees from affiliate owned ATMs, (2) ATM cash replenishment services, and (3) cash vaulting services. No revenues have been earned or recognized for the period ended December 31, 2018. The Company has had no product returns to date.
Additional Company Matters
The Company has not filed forbankruptcy protection nor has it ever been involved in receivership or similar proceedings. The Company is not presently involved in any legal proceedings material to the business or financial condition of the Company. The Company does not anticipate any material reclassification, merger, consolidation, or purchase or sale of a significant proportion of assets (not in the ordinary course of business) during the next 12 months.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES
As of the date of this Offering Circular, the Company has no full-time employees and is still relying on the employees and overhead expenses covered by Empire ATM Group. The Company plans to actively hire its own employees at such time as the Company has sufficient capital or financing to fund the launch of its business activities.
The directors and executive officers of the Company as of the date of this Offering Circular are as follows:
Name | Position | Age | Term of Office | Approx. Hours Per Week |
Executive Officers: |
Michael Almeida | Chief Executive Officer | 39 | January 16, 2018 to present | 30 |
Evan Almeida | Chief Financial Officer | 35 | January 16, 2018 to present | 30 |
Directors: |
Michael Almeida | Director | 39 | January 16, 2018 to present | 1 |
Evan Almeida | Director | 35 | January 16, 2018 to present | 1 |
Michael Almeida – Chief Executive Officer and Director
Michael Almeida is the Chief Executive Officer of EmpireBIT, Inc. and one of two members of the Board of Directors. Michael’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident at a young age with a landscape company that began as a door-to-door lawn mowing business and evolved into a landscape architectural company that averaged approximately $700,000 per project. In 2005, Michael and his brother Evan formed Empire ATM Group, where Michael is the acting CEO of a business that involves 7,600 ATMs around the country and grossed approximately $18 million a year in revenue in 2017. Michael also oversees and handles most sponsor partner relations for ATM Transit and oversees product development and testing, manufacturing, as well as distribution through wholesalers and authorized resellers for ATM Shield. Michael worked closely with developers to create a media platform that manages content, groups machines into certain demographics, as well as disperses media to digital screens fixed to the tops of ATM machines with the simple push of a button for ATM Marketing Group and he actively searches for acquisition candidates that will align with United Armor’s covered territories.
Evan Almeida – Chief Financial Officer and Director
Evan Almeida is the Chief Financial Officer of EmpireBIT, Inc. and one of two members of the Board of Directors. Evan was an open outcry commodities trader on Wall Street from 2002-2008, starting as a clerk and working up to the broker level, where he specialized in coffee and sugar markets. Evan became proficient in market analytics, charting, supply and demand, and market needs and trends. When the industry was purchased by an electronics exchange, Evan observed that computers could dominate an industry in a more efficient and effective way than humans could; and resolved that in his own business he would always remain innovative in the face of changing technology. In 2005, he and Michael officially opened their ATM business, Empire ATM Group, which grew to a full-time venture in only three years. Empire ATM Group began with three ATMs and organically grew to more than 7600 machines located around the United States, both mobile and permanently stationed. In the ATM business, Evan is an expert in sales; client onboarding and relationship building; marketing; communication and negotiation; employee retention and motivation; and training who seeks to be on the forefront of technology, changing trends and markets and anticipating client needs.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
From January 16, 2018 to the date of this Offering Circular, the Company has paid no compensation to its officers or directors. The Company may pay existing officers in the future, and may hire additional officers in the future and pay them, and may also choose to compensate its directors in the future.
Executive Compensation
From January 16, 2018 to the date of this Offering Circular, EmpireBIT, Inc. paid no compensation to its executive officers as set out in the chart below. The Company may pay existing officers in the future, and may hire additional officers in the future and pay them, and may also choose to compensate its directors in the future.
Name | Capacity in which compensation was received | Cash Compensation | Other Compensation | Total Compensation |
Executive Officers: |
Michael Almeida | Chief Executive Officer | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Evan Almeida | Chief Financial Officer | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Employment Agreements
The Company has not entered into any employment agreements with its executive officers to date. It may enter into employment agreements with them in the future.
Equity Incentive Plan
In the future, the Company may establish an equity incentive plan pursuant to which Shares, options and awards may be authorized and granted to the Company’s directors, executive officers, employees and key employees or consultants. Details of such a plan, should one be established, have not been decided upon as of the date of this Offering. Shares, options or a significant equity ownership position in the Company may be utilized by the Company in the future to attract one or more new key senior executives to manage and facilitate the Company’s growth. Any equity incentive plan, grant of equity or options to purchase equity would cause dilution to all Shareholders at that time.
Board of Directors
The Company’s board of directors currently consists of 2 directors: Michael Almeida and Evan Almeida.
None of the Company’s directors are “independent” as defined in Rule 4200 of FINRA’s listing standards. The Company may appoint an independent director(s) to its board of directors in the future, particularly to serve on appropriate committees should they be established.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Company may establish an audit committee, compensation committee, a nominating and governance committee and other committees to its Board of Directors in the future, but have not done so as of the date of this Offering Circular. Until such committees are established, matters that would otherwise be addressed by such committees will be acted upon by the entire Board of Directors.
Director Compensation
The Company currently does not pay its directors any compensation for their services as board members, with the exception of reimbursing board related expenses. In the future, the Company may compensate directors, particularly those who are not also employees and who act as independent board members, on either a per meeting or fixed compensation basis.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The Company Bylaws limit the liability of directors and officers of the Company to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. The Bylaws state that the Company shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, indemnify each of its directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the Company. The Company also has the power, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, to indemnify each of its employees and agents (other than directors and officers) against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the Company. The indemnification provided by the Company’s Bylaws is not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of token holders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in an official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, to the extent that such additional rights to indemnification are authorized in the Certificate of Incorporation and/or Bylaws.
For additional information on indemnification and limitations on liability of the Company’s directors and officers, please review the Company’s Bylaws, which are attached as Exhibit 1A-2B to this Offering Circular.
There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of the Company’s directors or officers as to which indemnification is required or permitted, and the Company is not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for indemnification.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN SECURITYHOLDERS
The following capitalization table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock as of the date of this Offering Circular. There is beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock at the time of this Offering by its directors or executive officers as set out below in the capitalization table. Note that the Shares in the capitalization table are shares of common stock at present that may, at some time in the future after the close of this Offering, be converted on a one-for-one basis into Security Tokens of the same class and with the same rights, preferences and privileges as each present class of stock.
Beneficial ownership and percentage ownership are determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and include voting or investment power with respect to Shares. This information does not necessarily indicate beneficial ownership for any other purpose.
Unless otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property laws, to the Company’s knowledge, each token holder named below possesses sole voting and investment power over their Shares, where applicable. Percentage of beneficial ownership before the offering is based on 78,876,318 Shares outstanding as of the date of this Offering Circular.
The following capitalization table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of all classes of the Company’s Shares as of the date of this Offering Circular.
CAPITALIZATION TABLE
Name | Class A Non-Voting Shares Prior to Offering | Class A Non-Voting Shares After Offering | Class B Voting Shares Prior to Offering | Class B Voting Shares After Offering | Total Shares Prior to Offering | Total Shares After Offering |
QTY | % | QTY | % | QTY | % | QTY | % | QTY | % | QTY | % |
Michael Almeida | 11,281,560 | 47.2% | 11,281,560 | 39.1% | 23,625,000 | 47.3% | 23,625,000 | 47.3% | 34,906,560 | 47.2% | 34,906,560 | 44.3% |
Evan Almeida | 11,281,560 | 47.2% | 11,281,560 | 39.1% | 23,625,000 | 47.3% | 23,625,000 | 47.3% | 34,906,560 | 47.2% | 34,906,560 | 44.3% |
Other Founders | 1,313,198 | 5.5% | 1,313,198 | 4.5% | 2,750,000 | 5.5% | 2,750,000 | 5.5% | 4.063,198 | 5.5% | 4.063,198 | 5.2% |
Reg A Round Investors | 0 | 0.0% | 5,000,000 | 17.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 5,000,000 | 6.34% |
TOTAL | 23,876,318 | 100.0% | 28,876,318 | 100.0% | 50,000,000 | 100.0% | 50,000,000 | 100.0% | 73,876,318 | 100.0% | 78,876,318 | 100.0% |
Michael Almeida is the Chief Executive Officer and a director of EmpireBIT, Inc. and has beneficial ownership of 11,281,560 of the Company’s Shares of Class A Common Stock and of 23,625,000 of the Company’s Class B Shares as of the date of this Offering Circular. Evan Almeida is the Chief Financial Officer and a director of EmpireBIT, Inc. and has beneficial ownership of 11,281,560 of the Company’s Shares of Class A Common Stock and of 23,625,000 of the Company’s Class B Shares as of the date of this Offering Circular. No other executive officer of the Company has beneficial ownership of any of the Company’s Shares.
INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN CERTAIN RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND AGREEMENTS
Evan Almeida and Michael Almeida own the grand majority of equity in the Company, and effectively control nearly every aspect of the Company at present. Evan Almeida and Michael Almeida also own 100% of Empire ATM Group, with whom the Company has a strategic partnership as set out herein. Evan Almeida and Michael Almeida also own two-thirds of United Armor, the armored car company discussed herein, and an eventual acquisition target of the Company. EmpireBIT Inc. has entered into agreements with both Empire ATM Group and United Armor to provide certain expenses and services to EmpireBIT Inc. These agreements are attached to the Material Contracts section of this Offering Circular and should be reviewed in their entirety before you make an investment decision.
SECURITIES BEING OFFERED
The Company is offering up to $50,000,000.00 of its Shares of Class A Common Stock to investors in this Offering. The Shares being offered are shares of stock held in book-entry form, that are convertible and may, at the Shareholder’s option, later be tokenized into Security Tokens at a point in time of the Company’s choosing, in its absolute discretion. The conversion of the Shares to Security Tokens will be at no cost to the Shareholder, and the value of the Security Token will be the same as the value of the Share, immediately before conversion. As of the date of this Offering Circular, the equity in the Company are shares of stock as set out in the Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation. There are two classes of shares of stock: Class A and Class B. These shares of stock are convertible into Security Tokens, on a one-for-one basis, at some point in time in the Company’s absolute discretion, after the conclusion of this Offering. If converted, each Security Token will have the same rights, preferences and privileges as the share of stock from which it was converted. The Security Tokens, if converted, will be shares of equity in the Company, and will be digitized securities that will be held in book entry form without certificates. For more information on the tokenization process, see “Tokenization Of Shares” below. The Shares being sold in this offering, and the Security Tokens if the stock is converted, when issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable. This Offering Circular and this section includes all material information regarding the rights of the securities being offered: Shares of Class A Common Stock and the Security Tokens if converted. Additional information is available by reviewing the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (Exhibit 1A-2A) and its Bylaws (Exhibit 1A-2B), copies of which have been attached as Exhibits to this Offering Circular.
If all of the Shares in this Offering are sold, the Shares would represent approximately 6.34% of the issued and outstanding combined Shares of the Company. The Offering will remain open for 180 days from the date of this Offering Circular, unless terminated for any reason at the discretion of the Company, or unless extended for up to an additional one hundred eighty (180) days by the Company.
The Company reserves the unqualified discretionary right to reject any subscription for Shares. If the Company rejects any offer to subscribe for the Shares, it will return the subscription payment, without interest or reduction, with the exception of payment via cryptocurrency, where the process of returning a rejected subscription payment is set out in “How To Invest Using Cryptocurrency” below. The Company's acceptance of your subscription will be effective when an authorized representative of the Company signs the Subscription Agreement.
The Company does not expect to create any additional classes of stock or Security Tokens during the next 12 months, but the Company is not limited from creating additional classes which may have preferred dividend, voting and/or liquidation rights or other benefits not available to holders of its Shares if it chooses to do so. The holders of the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares have equal rights provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware for stockholders of a Delaware corporation and the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares are identical in all respects, except that the holders of Class B Shares (which are being sold in this Offering) have no voting rights, except where expressly required by Delaware law. The rights, preferences and privileges of the Class A and Class B Shares are set forth in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (Exhibit 1A-2A) and Bylaws (Exhibit 1A-2B) and are described in summary form in this section of the Offering Circular.
Subscription Price
The price per Share in this Offering is $10.00 per Share. The minimum subscription that will be accepted from an investor is Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) (the "Minimum Subscription"), however, the Company reserves the right to accept a lower amount in the Company’s absolute discretion.
A subscription for Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) or more in Shares may be made only by tendering to the Company the executed Subscription Agreement (Exhibit 1A-4) or Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement, if converting cryptocurrency to USD to purchase the Shares (also Exhibit 1A-4) delivered with this Offering Circular and the subscription price in a form acceptable to the Company. The execution and tender of the documents required, as detailed in the materials, constitutes a binding offer to purchase the number of Shares stipulated therein and an agreement to hold the offer open until the offer is accepted or rejected by the Company.
The subscription price of the Shares has been arbitrarily determined by the Company's management without regard to the Company's assets or earnings or the lack thereof, book value or other generally accepted valuation criteria and does not represent nor is it intended to imply that the Shares being offered have a market value or could be resold at that price, even if a sale were permissible. The valuation was arbitrarily determined by the Company, and not by an independent third party applying a specified valuation criteria. The subscription price is payable in check, wire transfer, ACH, credit or debit card payment or some other form acceptable to the Company as set out in this Offering Circular.
Voting Rights
The Shares of Class A Common Stock being offered in this Offering Circular have no voting rights other than those set out below and in the Company’s Bylaws, and those reserved under Delaware law. Control of the Company and nearly all management decisions affecting the Company will be exercised only by those holding Class B Shares, which are not being offered herein. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company’s Bylaws or its Certificate of Incorporation, each Class B Shareholder shall be entitled to vote equally, one vote per Share on all matters for which Shareholders are entitled to vote. Holders of the securities being sold in this Offering, Shares of Class A Common Stock, should not expect to be able to influence any decisions by management of the Company through voting on Company matters as a result.
Class A Shareholders are not entitled to vote on any matter on which the Shareholders of the Company are entitled to vote, and Class A Shareholders will not be included in determining the number of Shareholders voting or entitled to vote on any such matters, with the following, extremely limited exceptions:
(1)Holders of Shares of Class A Common Stock shall have the right to vote as a separate class onany voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, a sale of the Company, or any recapitalization or reorganization, in which Class A Shareholders would receive or be exchanged for consideration different on a per share basis from consideration received with respect to or in exchange for the Class B Shares or would otherwise be treated differently from Class B Shareholders in connection with such transaction, except that Class A Shareholders may, without such a separate class vote, receive or be exchanged for non-voting securities, or electronic tokens, which are otherwise identical on a per share basis in amount and form to the voting securities received with respect to or exchanged for the Class B Shares,
(2)Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders of Shares of Class A Common Stock are entitled to vote as a separate class on any amendment, repeal or modification of any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws that adversely affects the powers, preferences or rights of the holders of the Shares of Class A Common Stock , and
(3)Any other matter for which a Class A Shareholder would be entitled to vote under Delaware law.
For a full description of the voting rights of the Shares offered herein, please review the Certificate of Incorporation (Exhibit 1A-2A) and Bylaws (Exhibit 1A-2B).
Dividends
The Company does not expect to declare dividends for holders of Shares in the foreseeable future. Dividends will be declared, if at all (and subject to the rights of holders of additional classes of securities, if any), in the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. Dividends, if ever declared, may be paid in cash, in property, or in Shares of the Company, subject to the provisions of law, the Company’s Bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Company available for dividends such sums as the Board of Directors, in its absolute discretion, deems proper as a reserve for working capital, to meet contingencies, for equalizing dividends, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Company, or for such other purposes as the Board of Directors shall deem in the best interests of the Company. Holders of the Company’s Class A Shares shall rankpari passu with each other and with any other series or class of the Company’s with respect to the payment of dividends.
Indemnification Clause In Subscription Agreement
The Subscription Agreement and/or Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement you must sign to invest in this Offering contains an indemnification clause. The clause provides that you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and all of its affiliates, attorneys, accountants, employees, officers, directors, broker-dealers, placement agents, tokenholders and other agents from any liability, claims, costs, damages, losses or expenses incurred or sustained by them as a result of your representations and warranties being made when you sign the Subscription Agreement and/or Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement or otherwise being untrue or inaccurate, or because of a breach of the Subscription Agreement and/or Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement by you. By signing the Subscription Agreement and/or Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement, you also grant to the Company the right to setoff against any amounts payable by the Company to the you, for whatever reason, of any and all damages, costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney’s fees) which are incurred by the Company or any of its affiliates as a result of matters for which the Company is indemnified pursuant to the Subscription Agreement and/or Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement. If the Company were to enforce this clause against an investor, in all likelihood the matter would be litigated in the State of Delaware, or applying Delaware law. If the matter were litigated in a court of law, a judge or jury would determine the validity of the Company’s claim, and the amount of damages you would owe the Company, if any.
Jurisdiction of Disputes
The Subscription Agreement and Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement contain forum selection provisions identifying the state of New York as the exclusive forum for certain legal actions. This provision does not apply to legal actions arising under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Revenue Share
As a class, holders of the Shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to 10% of the transaction fees (“Transaction Fees”) charged to EmpireBIT crypto ATM users, once 500 EmpireBIT crypto ATMs owned and operated by the Company are deployed by the Company and are fully operational. Each Class A Shareholder shall be entitled to a pro-rata share of this revenue pool for the issued Shares in this class as a whole.
Transaction Fees that are subject to this revenue share pool are as follows:
1.Crypto withdrawal surcharges,
2.Crypto purchase surcharges, and
3.Crypto trade surcharges.
The Transaction Fees that are part of the revenue share pool are only from:
a.EmpireBIT crypto ATMs owned and operated by EmpireBIT, Inc. and
b.Any affiliate-owned crypto ATMs that are processed by the EmpireBIT, Inc. network.
In addition, Transaction Fees added to the revenue share pool will include, for all traditional (non-crypto) ATMs acquired by the Company, 2% of surcharged withdrawal fees will be added to the revenue share pool.
Transaction Fees do not include (and the fees the list below are, thus, not included in the revenue share pool):
1.Advertising/ marketing revenue from any ATM,
2.Sponsorship revenues or opportunities, from any ATM,
3.Revenues from armored services conducted by in house or third party companies,
4.Interchange fees,
5.Balance inquiry fees,
6.Fees related to denials, reversals, fraudulent, cancelled, voided, charged back or not authorized by the financial institution or account owner upon which they are drawn, and
7.Any other fees or revenues not specifically enumerated in this section above.
Revenue share distributions, once commenced, will be made from the revenue share pool to Shareholders twice per year on a schedule to be announced by the Company at a later date. All such revenue share distributions shall be made in USD (United States Dollars) and it is anticipated that all distributions will be made using ACH, although the Company reserves the right to make such revenue share distributions in another manner in their sole discretion. .
An example of Transaction Fees and the revenue share pool is as follows: Once 500 EmpireBIT owned and operated crypto ATMs are in the marketplace, if a user of one of these EmpireBIT owned and operated crypto ATMs converts $2,000.00 worth of bitcoin into USD, assume the surcharge (for illustrative purposes as fees will vary) is 12%. The Transaction Fee would be $240.00. 10% of this Transaction Fee of $240 ($24) goes into the revenue share pool. If a Shareholder owned 25% of all issued Shares of Class A Common Stock , that Shareholder would be entitled to 25% of the revenue share pool, or a distribution of $6.00.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of any liquidation of the Company, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Company, the holders of Shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Shares will be entitled to share ratably (based on the number of Shares held by each such holder), share and share alike, in the remaining net assets of the Company.
Conversion Rights
Each Class B Shareholder has the right to convert the Class B Shares into Shares of Class A Common Stock under certain circumstances. Any such conversion would dilute the percentage of Shares of Class A Common Stock held by anyone who purchases Shares of Class A Common Stock in this Offering, but would not dilute the percentage of total shares of common stock of the Company. For a full explanation of the conversion rights of the Class B shares, which are not being sold in this Offering, please read the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws attached as Exhibits 1A-2A and 1A-2B to this Offering Circular.
Right of First Refusal
The Shares of Class A Common Stock offered herein are subject to a right of first refusal. This right of first refusal states that no holder of the Shares may sell, assign, pledge, or in any manner transfer any of the Shares or any right or interest therein, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, or by gift or otherwise, except by a transfer which meets the requirements set out in the Company’s Bylaws.
If the Shareholder desires to sell or otherwise transfer any of his or her Shares, the Shareholder must first give written notice thereof to the Company. The notice shall name the proposed transferee and state the number of Shares to be transferred, the proposed consideration, and all other terms and conditions of the proposed transfer. For thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice, the Company shall have the option to purchase the Shares specified in the notice at the price and upon the terms set forth in such notice; provided, however, that the Company shall have the option to purchase a lesser portion of the Shares specified in said notice at the price and upon the terms set forth therein. In the event of a gift, property settlement or other transfer in which the proposed transferee is not paying the full price for the Shares, and that is not otherwise exempted from the provisions of the right of first refusal, the price shall be deemed to be the fair market value of the Shares at such time as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors. In the event the corporation elects to purchase all of the Shares or a lesser portion of the Shares, it shall give written notice to the transferring Shareholder of its election and settlement for said Shares shall be made as provided in the Company’s Bylaws.
The following transactions, amongst others, are exempt from the right of first refusal provisions of the Company’s Bylaws:
(1)A Shareholder’s transfer of any or all Shares held either during such Shareholder’s lifetime or on death by will or intestacy to such Shareholder’s immediate family or as otherwise set out in the Bylaws,
(2)A Shareholder’s bona fide pledge or mortgage of any Shares with a commercial lending institution, provided that any subsequent transfer of said Shares by said institution shall be conducted in the manner set forth in the Bylaws,
(3)A Shareholder’s transfer of any or all of such Shares to the Company or to any other Shareholder of the Company,
(4)A corporate Shareholder’s transfer of any or all of its Shares to any or all of its stockholders, and
(5)A transfer by a Shareholder that is a limited or general partnership to any or all of its partners or former partners.
In any such case, the transferee, assignee, or other recipient shall receive and hold such Shares subject to the provisions of the Company’s Bylaw, including the right of first refusal, and there shall be no further transfer of such Shares except in accordance with said Bylaws.
The Company’s right of first refusal shall terminate on either of the following dates, whichever shall first occur:
(1)Upon the date that any restricted Shares of the Company issued under a Regulation D exemption (“Restricted Securities”) are listed on any national exchange, alternate trading system or other marketplace providing liquidity for such Restricted Securities, subject to the Board of Directors’ declaration of waiver of such rights prior to such date; or
(2)Upon the date that any Shares of the Company, other than Restricted Securities, are first offered to the public pursuant to a registration statement filed with, and declared effective by, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or upon the date that any securities of the corporation, other than Restricted Securities, are first offered to the public pursuant to a Regulation A exemption from registration.
For a complete description of this right of first refusal, please review the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws attached as Exhibits 1A-2A and 1A-2B to this Offering Circular
Additional Matters
The Shares will not be subject to further calls or assessment by the Company. There are no restrictions on alienability of the Shares in the corporate documents other than those disclosed in this Offering Circular.The Company intends to engage VStock Transfer, LLC to serve as the transfer agent and registrant for the Shares.
PERKS
The Company plans to create a cryptocurrency in the future – the EmpireBIT coin. For further details regarding the EmpireBIT coin, please see “The Investment Offered: EmpireBIT, Inc. Offers Only Shares Convertible Into Security Tokens” and “The Company’s Cryptocurrency: The EmpireBIT Coin” above. As set out in those sections of this Offering Circular, the EmpireBIT coins will not be distributed until a point in time in the future once the Company’s blockchain ecosystem is functional, the coins are able to be used in the business ecosystem and other regulatory or legal guidance exists to assure the Company that the EmpireBIT coins are not securities, and are not governed by securities laws and regulations. Unless the regulatory or legal guidance to assure the Company that the EmpireBIT coins are not securities exists, these EmpireBIT coins will not be distributed to anyone.
However, if the Company obtains regulatory or legal guidance to assure the Company that the EmpireBIT coins are not securities, then the Company plans to distribute the EmpireBIT coins as a perquisite (“perk”) to investors in this Offering as set out below.
Potential investors in this Offering should not make an investment decision based in whole or in part on the possible receipt of these EmpireBIT coins as there is a substantial likelihood that the regulatory or legal guidance the Company will require to distribute the EmpireBIT coins to investors in this Offering may not occur in the foreseeable future, and may never occur, meaning investors in this Offering may never receive these EmpireBIT coins as perks.
If, and only if, the Company obtains regulatory or legal guidance to assure the Company that the EmpireBIT coins to be distributed are not securities in the future, then the Company plans to provide the following to investors in this Offering, in addition to the Shares purchased, at each level of investment defined below. Under no circumstances will the EmpireBIT coins be distributed to anyone until after this Offering has terminated. The timing as to when these EmpireBIT coins will be distributed is unknown, and the distribution may never occur at all.
For any investor who purchases 25-49 Shares, the investor would receive, at a future date and time and in a manner to be determined by the Company in its discretion, 1 EmpireBIT coin for each Share purchased.
For any investor who purchases 50-99 Shares, the investor would receive, at a future date and time and in a manner to be determined by the Company in its discretion, 3 EmpireBIT coins for each Share purchased.
For any investor who purchases 100-499 Shares, the investor would receive, at a future date and time and in a manner to be determined by the Company in its discretion, 10 EmpireBIT coins for each Share purchased.
For any investor who purchases 500 or more Shares, the investor would receive, at a future date and time and in a manner to be determined by the Company in its discretion, 25 EmpireBIT coins for each Share purchased.
The perks set out above are not cumulative. To avoid any doubt, for example, if an investor purchases 60 Shares in this Offering, the investor would be entitled to 180 EmpireBIT coins and an investor who purchases 500 Shares in this Offering would be entitled to 125,000 EmpireBIT coins, if they are ever distributed at all.
TOKENIZATION OF SHARES
As stated above, the Company plans to allow, at a future date to be determined by the Company, Shareholders to convert their Class A Shares in this Offering into tokenized shares of stock in the Company, or Security Tokens.
THE PLAN FOR TOKENIZATION OF SHARES AS SET OUT BELOW IS BASED ON THE COMPANY'S INTENTIONS AS OF THE DATE OF THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR. DUE TO NUMEROUS FACTORS WITHIN AND BEYOND THE COMPANY'S CONTROL, THE METHOD AND PROCESSES USED TO CONVERT THE SHARES INTO SECURITY TOKENS MAY ULTIMATELY BE DIFFERENT THAN THAT SET OUT BELOW. THE SECURITY TOKEN ARENA IS NEW AND CONSTANTLY CHANGING, AND THE LACK OF STABILITY OR GUIDANCE AT PRESENT REQUIRES THE COMPANY TO KEEP ALL OPTIONS OPEN AS TO WHETHER TO TOKENIZE, HOW TO TOKENIZE AND WHEN TO TOKENIZE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE. NO INVESTOR SHOULD INVEST IN THIS OFFERING UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE SHARES BEING SOLD WILL BE CONVERTED INTO TOKENIZED SECURITIES AS SET OUT HEREIN, OR USING ANY OF THE SPECIFIC METHODS OR PROCEDURES DISCUSSED BELOW. THE DISCUSSION BELOW IS MERELY THE COMPANY’S PRESENT PLAN FOR TOKENIZATION, BUT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN THE COMPANY’S ULTIMATE DISCRETION.
General
A token is a digital asset that is tracked in a blockchain. The Company’s Security Tokens will be deployed on the Ethereum blockchain and will utilize a smart contract that follows the ERC-20 standard, but adds all features of traditional securities such as restricting transfers of the tokens based on the exemption from registration under which the Share converted into the Security Token was sold. Each ERC-20 Security Token converted from the Shares sold by the Company in this Offering will have certain rules defined and enforced in a smart contract that is immutable once it is deployed to the Ethereum blockchain.
The Company’s Security Tokens will be created at some point in time following the final closing of this Offering and will be issued to all Shareholders who have had their subscription approved and their trade cleared by the broker dealer in the Offering.
ERC-20 Standard
The ERC-20 standard contains 6 key functions that must be implemented to meet the standard. The functions are outlined below:
totalSupply() – Used to get the token supply of a specific ERC-20 token.
balanceOf() – Keeps track of the token balance in each Ethereum wallet.
transfer() – Upon token creation, this function can send all the tokens to one wallet or distribute them to investors.
transferFrom() – Enables token holders to exchange tokens with one another after the initial distribution occurs.
approve() – Used to “approve” other accounts to withdraw a certain amount of tokens from the account calling the function.
allowance() – After approve() is used, allowance() is used to see the amount of tokens the approved account is allowed to withdraw from the original account.
In addition to these ERC-20 standards, the Company’s Security Tokens will have additional restrictions and features that are not present in the ERC-20 standard. For example, the Security Tokens will require a transfer agent to perform transfer functions whereas non-security token smart contracts on Ethereum permit peer-to-peer transfers. Other additional restrictions and features of the Security Tokens not present in the ERC-20 standard include:
Limits on the number of investors per offering
Restrictions on who can send or receive a transfer. The concept of a whitelist does not exist in ERC-20, for example
The ability to report trades on behalf of affiliates through a flag that identifies “insider” wallets in order to automate the reporting of transactions
The ability to replace tokens that are lost due to misplaced private keys, or upon death, divorce or settlement when the beneficiary has no access to the private keys.
Accommodate automated adherence to transfer and other restrictions based on the regulatory jurisdiction of the issuer and/or investors.
Smart Contracts, Wallets and Whitelists
The Security Tokens will be issued to an Ethereum wallet capable of supporting the ERC-20 standard. When the Security Tokens are issued, Security Tokenholders will be required to establish an Ethereum ERC-20 compatible wallet that provides each Security Tokenholder with ownership of the private key, so that it can interact with smart contract functions and have the ability to transfer and receive the Security Tokens, through interactions with the Company’s transfer agent. This Ethereum ERC-20 compatible wallet will be investor held and not a crypto exchange wallet. Investors will not be able to transfer the Company’s Security Tokens to others except with the consent and assistance of the Company’s transfer agent. A “wallet” is a software program that stores private and public keys and interacts with various blockchains to enable users to send and receive digital assets or currencies and to monitor their balances. Wallets store the private keys that authorize the transfer of a token from one wallet to another. There are three groups of wallets that may be involved in the Company’s Share lifecycle: Issuer Wallets, Investor Wallets, and eventually, Exchange Wallets.
When the Company’s Shares are created, they will be transferred to the Issuer Wallet. The Issuer’s Wallet will be managed by the Company’s registered transfer agent, VStock Transfer, LLC (“VStock”). For all investors whose purchase of Shares has been cleared by the broker-dealer, Cuttone, the investor’s Shares will be transferred by VStock to the Investor’s Wallet. Transfers of the Company’s Shares to the investors will occur, as noted above, at each closing held by the Company in this Offering.
If the Company, at a later date, lists the Security Tokens on a national securities exchange or Alternative Trading System (“ATS”), (assuming such an exchange or ATS is ultimately registered with the SEC and allowed to list and trade security tokens) then an Exchange Wallet will become involved. When investors trade tokens on an exchange or ATS, their tokens will be transferred from their Investor Wallet to the Exchange Wallet and the transfer will be recorded on the blockchain, and in the transfer agent’s records. When the Security Tokens are in the Exchange Wallet, the exchange or ATS (and/or the transfer agent, to the extent required by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and by federal and state law) will be responsible for managing the investor’s token account balances and facilitating the transfers. When the Security Tokens are transferred to the wallet for the person or entity who bought the Security Tokens on the exchange or ATS, the blockchain records the transaction and updates the seller’s wallet, the Exchange Wallet and the purchaser’s wallet to reflect the transfer, and the transfer agent, VStock, also keeps a book-entry record of the transfer. Each transaction is recorded in real time as it occurs and is validated by the blockchain.
EmpireBIT Security Tokens in each wallet will be tracked in the Ethereum blockchain based on their smart contracts which will have a token address on the blockchain. Using that address, anyone can navigate to that smart contract on a website (such as Etherscan.io) and see all of the transactions, source code, and other contract details related to that Share.
Security Tokenholders will initially have a private key that is necessary to transfer their tokens to another individual, an exchange, or any other wallet. These transfers are managed on the blockchain through the use of “whitelists.” A whitelist is a separate smart contract that resides on the blockchain that provides a set of rules for the transfer of Security Tokens, based on its interactions with the smart contract in each Security Token. For example, a whitelist may list additional wallet addresses that have been cleared by the transfer agent and/or through other legally required compliance to which the Security Tokens may be transferred. This list of additional wallet addresses would be created, maintained (including meeting periodic updated AML/KYC requirements) and updated by the transfer agent or another “Authorized Validator” who has permission to do so under existing securities regulations, and pursuant to the restrictions of the Company’s Security Tokens.
For the Company’s Security Tokens, the Authorized Validators may include national exchanges or alternative trading systems and others who may be required for regulatory/compliance purposes. These will be the only entities given access to add or update the Ethereum addresses on the whitelist that are allowed to be a destination for the EmpireBIT Security Tokens. The EmpireBIT smart contract will consult the whitelist prior to executing any transfer to any wallet, and only those transactions allowed by the Security Token smart contract, and the whitelist smart contract, and the transfer agent, will be validated and allowed to take place, moving a Security Token from one wallet to another. AML/KYC status of the transferee of the Security Tokens will be performed as directed by the whitelist smart contract.
In addition, in order to perform certain duties imposed upon it by law as a registered transfer agent, VStock will be involved as the transfer agent in every transfer of the Security Tokens, and will also have the ability to perform operations on behalf of the Security Tokenholders in special cases (such as the death of a token holder or the replacement of Security Tokens due to loss of a private key) or to manage securities-related rights such as liquidation rights, where appropriate, through the smart contracts.
How The Security Tokens Are Created
EmpireBIT’s ERC-20 Security Tokens will be created by OKTO.io, a division of Idea2 Ltd., an LLC headquartered at 1624 Market Street #202, Denver, CO 80202. The EmpireBIT Security Tokens will include information such as the Company’s name, the number of tokens, issue date, and any regulatory requirements to restrict the tokens’ trading which are managed by a whitelist. The Shares will be issued in conjunction with VStock, the transfer agent. OKTO will perform the following functions during the token creation and issuance process:
Code and deploy the smart contracts.
Establish the Security Tokenon VStock’s platform to implement the required investor interactions and notifications, reporting, view and data sharing requirements with the Company’s designated professional services providers and investors.
Implement new functionality on the transfer agent platform as new requirements emerge.
The smart contracts for the Security Tokens have been developed and exist as an open-source repository at the following link: https://github.com/okto-platform/ethereum-security-tokens. The smart contracts for the Company’s Security Tokens, as they exist, are attached as Exhibit 1A-14. At present, the smart contracts have not been customized for the Company or for this Offering. Prior to the Security Tokens being issued, the smart contracts will be customized to include all necessary features to be compliant with this Offering, and all applicable security laws including Regulation A.
The parameters of the EmpireBIT Security Token smart contracts will be coded in the Solidity programming language and then published to the Ethereum blockchain. Solidity is a contract-oriented, high-level programming language for implementing smart contracts. It was influenced by C++, Python and JavaScript and is designed to target the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Each node on the Ethereum blockchain is a computer or cluster of computers that have downloaded the EVM and have agreed to perform the functions of a node on the blockchain. There are at least 14,000 nodes on the EVM. Once a smart contract is deployed (when the Security Token is created), the Ethereum blockchain undertakes the process whereby it clones the smart contract on each node of the Ethereum network. The process for encoding and deploying the whitelist smart contract is the same.
The Shares sold in this Offering, when converted into Security Tokens, will have the rights, preferences and privileges of the Company’s Class B security holders as set out in this Offering Circular, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, and the Company’s Bylaws embedded in each Security Token’s smart contract. These rights will be transferred along with the Security Token in any secondary trading.
Typically, when an ERC-20 security token’s smart contract is defined and deployed, the issuer may decide whether fractional tokens can be issued and traded. In this Offering, the Company’s Security Tokens will not allow for fractional tokens to be issued or traded.
The Company will troubleshoot the functionality of the Security Tokens on the Ethereum distributed ledger prior to issuance of the Security Tokens. There are several Solidity smart contract code libraries that are used as the basis for most security tokens by a very active developer community. While the developers will use well-tested smart contracts as the base of code of the Security Tokens, once the EmpireBIT smart contract is complete, it will be deployed on one of the Ethereum test networks where it will be audited by a third party professional services team to ensure that the smart contract does not have any vulnerabilities.
At present, the Company has not set a date to permit investors to convert the Shares into Security Tokens, other than noting that the date that permission to convert will occur will be after the final termination of this Offering. Once permission to convert the Shares into Security Tokens is given, there is uncertainty as to how long the process will take, and as to how long it will take for the Security Tokens to be delivered. The presently planned process for conversion of the Shares into Security Tokens, and the issuance of the Security Tokens after conversion, should that occur, is set out in this Offering Circular. However, there is no guarantee the Company will ever allow the conversion of the Shares into Security Tokens, nor is there a guarantee as to when such a conversion might occur or how long it will take. There may be a substantial delay between the time you execute your subscription agreement, tender funds and are issued Shares, and the time Security Tokens are offered through conversion and delivered to you, if such conversion occurs at all. The Company cannot guarantee that you will receive your Security Tokens, if a conversion from Shares occurs, by a specific date or within a specific timeframe. Note that you will not be entitled to a refund or a return of your investment (other than as set out in this Offering Circular) no matter (a) how long the process of allowing conversion to Security Tokens takes, (b) how long the actual conversion takes or (c) how long it takes to deliver the Security Tokens.
How The Security Tokens Will Be Issued
When a potential investor submits an application to invest in this Offering and makes payment as set out in the offering documents, the application and potential investor are reviewed and vetted by the broker-dealer as would take place with any securities transaction, with all requirements of state, federal and/or other securities laws being applied to the transaction at hand by the broker-dealer. Once the potential investor, as well as the funds and the trade, are cleared by the broker-dealer, the Company will be free to close on each trade, under the parameters set out in the Offering documents. When such a closing occurs, funds will be released from the TD Bank account to the Company, and investors will be issued their Shares, and those Shares are convertible into Security Tokens at a point in time of the Company’s choosing after the Offering closes. The transfer agent will maintain all required records of the Shares and Security Tokens, if converted, for the Company, as they would in any sale of traditional securities, in uncertificated, book-entry form. After the Offering closes, if conversion occurs, the process of issuing the Security Tokens to investors will be as set out below.
The broker-dealer will notify the transfer agent of the closing of all investments in the Shares and will transmit all required investors’ information to the transfer agent for all investors in the Offering. When the conversion occurs, the transfer agent will, following state and federal law related to their duties as a registered transfer agent, issue the Security Tokens to the Shareholders who convert their stock into Security Tokens, and keep records of who owns each Security Token, how those tokens are held, and how many tokens each investor owns. The transfer agent will also keep records of who owns each unconverted share of stock, as they would in any securities offering not involving tokenization of the securities.
The transfer agent will, for each Security Token, cause the smart contract to be deployed on the Ethereum blockchain and create a record in the transfer agent system according to their existing processes including but not limited to the name, address, social security number, and Ethereum wallet address of each investor. Once this information is captured in the transfer agent’s system, they will initiate the process to issue the Security Tokens that are created using the following method:
When the broker-dealer has completed its trade reviews and cleared the sale of all investors’ Shares, the broker-dealer will relay instructions to the transfer agent who will perform the normal, regulated duties of the transfer agent. When the conversion to Security Tokens is to occur, the transfer agent will (i) add each investor’s Ethereum wallet address to the appropriate whitelist and (ii) from within the transfer agent’s applications, execute an action that calls the function in the smart contract to issue the Security Tokens to each and every investor from the Offering.
As the Security Tokens are issued, both the Ethereum blockchain and the transfer agent applications will record the number of tokens in each Ethereum wallet.
In this Offering, it is important to understand that Shares of Class A Common Stock are being sold that are convertible into Security Tokens. At some point after the termination of this Offering, the Company will give all investors the option of tokenizing - converting their Shares into Security Tokens. Thus, all investors will have already undergone a trade review by the broker-dealer and the sale of the Shares to them will have been cleared, and the investor will have been issued the Shares of Class A Common Stock before any conversion option will exist. The transfer agent will already have created a book entry, uncertificated entry for the Shares of Class A Common Stock in its system identifying each investor and the number of and manner in which the investor will hold the Shares of Common Stock. When Company decides to allow conversion, investors will be given the option of having their Shares “tokenized” into Security Tokens. If investors so choose, at that time they will provide an Ethereum wallet address as the destination for the Security Token transfer. The transfer agent will publish that wallet address to the whitelist smart contract, will mint the Security Tokens, and will transfer the Security Token to the wallet.
The smart contract of each Security Token has parameters encoded that define the total number of Security Tokens that may be issued to investors from this Offering. Once deployed, the value in this parameter cannot be changed. Once the total number of Security Tokens is issued, the smart contract is “flagged” and it is no longer possible to issue additional Security Tokens.
How The Shares Are Cleared By The Broker-Dealer, Before Being Issued
As noted above, when a potential investor submits an application to invest in this Offering and makes payment, the application and investor are reviewed and cleared by Cuttone, a licensed broker-dealer, in the same manner as would take place with any traditional securities transaction, by applying the requirements of applicable securities laws. This process includes, but it not limited to, the broker-dealer reviewing all documents, written or electronic, related to the transaction for completeness and validity, complying with KYC/AML requirements and clearing any AML exceptions that occur, and otherwise performing the compliance duties required by a licensed broker-dealer. Once the broker-dealer’s compliance processes are complete, the sale or trade of the Shares is cleared.
The Distributed Ledger
A distributed ledger (also known as a “blockchain”) is a distributed database that is not owned by a central authority. Instead, there are nodes all over the world that, using cryptographic proofs, validate transactions and keep the ledger current on each independent node. No individual or entity can arbitrarily change a distributed ledger.
All transactions involving the EmpireBIT Security Tokens will occur on the Ethereum blockchain/distributed ledger. Once the Security Tokens are issued, any movement of the tokens on the distributed ledger from one wallet to another is restricted by (a) the transfer agent and (b) the smart contracts based on the rules relating to the type of securities sold and the exemption from registration in effect. Any such transfer of tokens will be limited to those approved by the rules in the smart contract, and will occur only through the transfer agent, VStock. Each such transfer is published to the Ethereum blockchain and validated by every Ethereum network node. Each node executes and records the same transactions, which are grouped into blocks. Only one block can be added at a time, and every block contains a mathematical proof that verifies that it follows in sequence from the previous block. In this way, the distributed ledger is kept in consensus across the whole network.
In order for any transaction to be successfully processed on the distributed ledger, at least 12 more blocks must confirm the transaction after the transaction was initially confirmed by the first block. This normally occurs approximately 3 minutes after the transaction has been successfully processed by the first block. By waiting for 12 confirmation blocks, invalid transactions are prevented, a primary security feature of distributed ledger technology.
The smart contract, which exists on every node in the network, keeps track of the balance of tokens in each Ethereum wallet. This information is stored in the blockchain and is accessible via the issuer, broker-dealer and transfer agent systems.
Smart contracts emit “events” when a transaction is performed. These events contain all the information associated with a transaction and are logged in the blockchain. They are public and can be queried at any time to check what transactions have been made. All events related to the Shares will also be automatically captured in the transfer agent application to simplify the management of transactions, reporting, and investor communications.
The Smart Contracts
Each EmpireBIT Security Token has a smart contract that has the following features encoded and deployed on the Ethereum blockchain:
Records the issue date of each Security Token,
Enforces restrictions on trade, total number of investors (such as in this Offering, to prevent the sale of more Security Tokens than are being offered), and accredited investor status, and other restrictions related to the exemption (in this Offering, Regulation A) under which the Security Token is issued,
Tracks the balance of Security Tokens in each wallet address,
Supports token issuance during the initial offering,
Executes the transfer of tokens from a source Ethereum address to a destination Ethereum address, with all requirements for transfers validated by the smart contract,
Legal requirements for KYC/AML are governed by the smart contract, which communicates with a separate whitelist smart contract to ensure that jurisdiction-specific securities regulations are followed in these processes,
Manages lock-up periods,
Manages forced transfers for the transfer agent (such as upon the death of a token holder),
Records events when transfers are executed, and
Any other legal or compliance-related requirements of the securities as set out in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.
Each feature is defined in a module which is added to the token while it is in draft status. These modules add each of the features necessary to ensure regulatory and operational compliance under existing regulations. Once the token is released, no modules can be added or removed. As such, the smart contract is not subject to change at that point by anyone.
How the Security Tokens and Transactions on the Ethereum Blockchain Will Be Validated
A blockchain is a distributed computing architecture where every network node executes and records the same transactions, which are grouped into blocks. Only one block can be added at a time, and every block contains a mathematical proof that verifies that it follows in sequence from the previous block. In this way, the blockchain’s “distributed database” is kept in consensus across the whole network. Individual user interactions with the ledger (transactions) are secured by strong cryptography. Nodes that maintain and verify the network are incentivized by mathematically enforced economic incentives coded into the protocol.
Transactions in the Ethereum blockchain are validated by every node in the network. At the time this Offering Circular was drafted, there were approximately 14,000 nodes in the Ethereum network. Users of the Ethereum blockchain must pay small transaction fees to the network. This protects the Ethereum blockchain from frivolous or malicious computational tasks, like DDoS attacks or infinite loops. The sender of a transaction must pay for each step of the “program” they activated, including computation and memory storage. These fees are paid in amounts of Ethereum’s native value-token, Ether.
These fees (the cost associated with each transaction on a blockchain network) on the Ethereum network are known as “gas” and it is typically paid by spending fractional Ether (ETH) tokens. Each time a transaction is initiated, the entity that initiates the transaction must authenticate the transaction using a private key associated with a wallet that has enough “gas” to publish the transactions. In the case of the Company’s Security Tokens, the Company will pay the “gas” fees to issue the transactions. Thereafter, the transferor of the Security Tokens will pay for any additional fees related to the transaction or transfer via the transfer agent, as is standard practice.
These transaction fees are collected by the nodes that validate the network. These “miners” are nodes in the Ethereum network that receive, propagate, verify, and execute transactions. The miners then group the transactions – which include many updates to the “state” of accounts in the Ethereum blockchain – into what are called “blocks,” and miners then compete with one another for their block to be the next one to be added to the blockchain. Miners are rewarded with Ether for each successful block they mine. This provides the economic incentive for people to dedicate hardware and electricity to the Ethereum network.
Subsequent Token Transfers
The process for transfer of the Security Tokens will be initiated by the Security Tokenholder, who will request a transfer of the Security Tokens by the transfer agent to a transferee. Upon receipt of the notification, the transfer agent will utilize their existing procedures and compliance protocols to collect any required documentation and/or other requirements before initiating the transfer. Once the propriety and legality of the transfer is confirmed, the transfer agent will initiate the transfer of the Security Tokens from the transferor’s wallet on the Ethereum blockchain to the transferee’s wallet on the Ethereum blockchain. The same smart contract as discussed above will be used by the transfer agent to effectuate this transfer.
After they are initially issued, the Company’s Security Tokens will be subject to transfer to another tokenholder only if compliance is met with all regulations surrounding the exemption under which the Security Token was issued, in this case Regulation A. These compliance restrictions are built into each Security Token’s smart contract to prevent the unauthorized transfer of such Security Tokens.
When a Security Tokenholder or other entity submits a transfer to the blockchain, the Security Token’s smart contract will run the logic embedded in the smart contract to mark the transaction as valid. The logic to perform this validation will include:
Checking the whitelist to see that the destination address is on the whitelist of allowable Ethereum addresses.
Check that the jurisdictions involved in the transfer allows the transaction by checking a whitelist to ensure that the jurisdiction associated with the purchaser's Ethereum address is authorized to receive the Security Token.
Verify securities-related rights and restrictions and restrictions based on the exemption under which the Security Token was issued (such as lock-up periods).
Check any other restrictions built into the smart contract.
Additional compliance functions may be accomplished by deploying additional smart contracts or whitelists that are published to the blockchain and referenced by the Security Token smart contracts when transactions are initiated. Changes to the whitelists are secured by the provisions in the smart contract and may include security steps that involve multiple parties such as the transfer agent, broker/dealer or issuer.
In all circumstances with the Company’s Security Tokens, the transfer agent will control the process. For example, the transfer agent will evaluate, select and manage any third parties who wish to publish additions to the whitelists. These third parties may include exchanges or KYC/AML providers who are engaged to ensure that whitelists are updated and accurate.
In order to transfer the Security Tokens, the tokenholder will initiate a transaction in their wallet to designate the recipient wallet for the transfer. When the tokenholder initiates a transfer, the smart contract will determine (a) whether the transfer is restricted through the rules programmed in the smart contract and (b) whether the destination wallet address is an approved address on the whitelist. If both conditions are met, and the transfer agent finds the transaction meets its legal criteria, the token will be transferred from the transferor’s wallet address to the transferee’s wallet address, and the transaction will be recognized and recorded in the transfer agent system and on the blockchain. If the destination wallet is not on the whitelist, the transferee will be required to contact the transfer agent to deliver the required documentation to execute a KYC/AML process or any other required process on the designation wallet before the transfer will be authorized. In all cases, if the destination wallet is not on the whitelist or added to the whitelist by the transfer agent or another authorized party, the transfer will fail.
If the Security Tokens are listed on an exchange or ATS, the transfer agent will add the exchange or ATS wallet to the whitelist. Once the Security Token is listed at the exchange or ATS, the exchange or ATS will be responsible to conducting the appropriate KYC/AML, adding wallet addresses to the whitelist and managing any trading restrictions that might exist, along with any additional duties of the transfer agent. When an investor chooses to move their Security Tokens from the exchange or ATS to their individual wallet, the exchange or ATS will deliver appropriate KYC/AML approvals so that the transfer agent may update their system and any whitelist with any new and approved wallet address, as needed.
In addition to secondary market transfers made through an exchange or ATS, the transfer agent will be able to execute at least two types of Security Token transfers on behalf of issuers:
(a) The Company may issue Security Tokens for later release to employees and others, such as through an equity incentive plan. In this case, the Company would give the transfer agent the designation wallets of the Security Token recipients. Using an issuer or broker-dealer designed security process, the transfer agent would execute a transaction with a multi-signature wallet (which includes designated individuals who must approve the transaction) or a master key that can execute the transfer unilaterally.
(b) Forced transfers may be executed by the transfer agent after compliance with existing verification and validation processes for purposes of transfer on death, divorce, and to manage liquidation rights, voting rights, rights of first refusal and any other rights that apply to the Security Tokens.
Each of these transactions will be entered in the transfer agent system and subsequently validated and posted to the distributed ledger.
In addition, as stated above, the Company and the transfer agent will implement securities law compliant systems that allow a Security Tokenholder who has lost his or her private key, or otherwise no longer has access to their Security Tokens, to have those missing or lost Security Tokens burned and replaced, with all smart contracts, ledgers and other records updated to reflect the new Security Tokens as replacements for the lost or missing Security Tokens. The process will be similar to that presently used by issuers and transfer agents to replace lost stock certificates in certificated securities offerings. However, rather than replacing a lost stock certificate, the Company will replace a lost Security Token, after appropriate proof, identification and other regulatory and legal requirements are met by the Security Tokenholder.
DISQUALIFYING EVENTS DISCLOSURE
Recent changes to Regulation A promulgated under the Securities Act prohibit an issuer from claiming an exemption from registration of its securities under such rule if the issuer, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, executive officer, other officer participating in the offering of the interests, general partner or managing member of the issuer, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the voting power of the issuer’s outstanding voting equity securities, any promoter connected with the issuer in any capacity as of the date hereof, any investment manager of the issuer, any person that has been or will be paid (directly or indirectly) remuneration for solicitation of purchasers in connection with such sale of the issuer’s interests, any general partner or managing member of any such investment manager or solicitor, or any director, executive officer or other officer participating in the offering of any such investment manager or solicitor or general partner or managing member of such investment manager or solicitor has been subject to certain “Disqualifying Events” described in Rule 506(d)(1) of Regulation D subsequent to September 23, 2013, subject to certain limited exceptions. The Company is required to exercise reasonable care in conducting an inquiry to determine whether any such persons have been subject to such Disqualifying Events and is required to disclose any Disqualifying Events that occurred prior to September 23, 2013 to investors in the Company. The Company believes that it has exercised reasonable care in conducting an inquiry into Disqualifying Events by the foregoing persons and is aware of the no such Disqualifying Events.
It is possible that (a) Disqualifying Events may exist of which the Company is not aware and (b) the SEC, a court or other finder of fact may determine that the steps that the Company has taken to conduct its inquiry were inadequate and did not constitute reasonable care. If such a finding were made, the Company may lose its ability to rely upon exemptions under Regulation A, and, depending on the circumstances, may be required to register the Offering of the Company’s Shares with the SEC and under applicable state securities laws or to conduct a rescission offer with respect to the securities sold in the Offering.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Trustees and other fiduciaries of qualified retirement plans or IRAs that are set up as part of a plan sponsored and maintained by an employer, as well as trustees and fiduciaries of Keogh Plans under which employees, in addition to self-employed individuals, are participants (together, “ERISA Plans”), are governed by the fiduciary responsibility provisions of Title 1 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). An investment in the Shares by an ERISA Plan must be made in accordance with the general obligation of fiduciaries under ERISA to discharge their duties (i) for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to participants and their beneficiaries; (ii) with the same standard of care that would be exercised by a prudent man familiar with such matters acting under similar circumstances; (iii) in such a manner as to diversify the investments of the plan, unless it is clearly prudent not do so; and (iv) in accordance with the documents establishing the plan. Fiduciaries considering an investment in the Shares should accordingly consult their own legal advisors if they have any concern as to whether the investment would be inconsistent with any of these criteria.
Fiduciaries of certain ERISA Plans which provide for individual accounts (for example, those which qualify under Section 401(k) of the Code, Keogh Plans and IRAs) and which permit a beneficiary to exercise independent control over the assets in his individual account, will not be liable for any investment loss or for any breach of the prudence or diversification obligations which results from the exercise of such control by the beneficiary, nor will the beneficiary be deemed to be a fiduciary subject to the general fiduciary obligations merely by virtue of his exercise of such control. On October 13, 1992, the Department of Labor issued regulations establishing criteria for determining whether the extent of a beneficiary’s independent control over the assets in his account is adequate to relieve the ERISA Plan’s fiduciaries of their obligations with respect to an investment directed by the beneficiary. Under the regulations, the beneficiary must not only exercise actual, independent control in directing the particular investment transaction, but also the ERISA Plan must give the participant or beneficiary a reasonable opportunity to exercise such control, and must permit him to choose among a broad range of investment alternatives.
Trustees and other fiduciaries making the investment decision for any qualified retirement plan, IRA or Keogh Plan (or beneficiaries exercising control over their individual accounts) should also consider the application of the prohibited transactions provisions of ERISA and the Code in making their investment decision. Sales and certain other transactions between a qualified retirement plan, IRA or Keogh Plan and certain persons related to it (e.g.,a plan sponsor, fiduciary, or service provider) are prohibited transactions. The particular facts concerning the sponsorship, operations and other investments of a qualified retirement plan, IRA or Keogh Plan may cause a wide range of persons to be treated as parties in interest or disqualified persons with respect to it. Any fiduciary, participant or beneficiary considering an investment in Shares by a qualified retirement plan IRA or Keogh Plan should examine the individual circumstances of that plan to determine that the investment will not be a prohibited transaction. Fiduciaries, participants or beneficiaries considering an investment in the Shares should consult their own legal advisors if they have any concern as to whether the investment would be a prohibited transaction.
Regulations issued on November 13, 1986, by the Department of Labor (the “Final Plan Assets Regulations”) provide that when an ERISA Plan or any other plan covered by Code Section 4975 (e.g., an IRA or a Keogh Plan which covers only self-employed persons) makes an investment in an equity interest of an entity that is neither a “publicly offered security” nor a security issued by an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the underlying assets of the entity in which the investment is made could be treated as assets of the investing plan (referred to in ERISA as “plan assets”). Programs which are deemed to be operating companies or which do not issue more than 25% of their equity interests to ERISA Plans are exempt from being designated as holding “plan assets.” Management anticipates that we would clearly be characterized as an “operating” for the purposes of the regulations, and that it would therefore not be deemed to be holding “plan assets.”
Classification of our assets of as “plan assets” could adversely affect both the plan fiduciary and management. The term “fiduciary” is defined generally to include any person who exercises any authority or control over the management or disposition of plan assets. Thus, classification of our assets as plan assets could make the management a “fiduciary” of an investing plan. If our assets are deemed to be plan assets of investor plans, transactions which may occur in the course of its operations may constitute violations by the management of fiduciary duties under ERISA. Violation of fiduciary duties by management could result in liability not only for management but also for the trustee or other fiduciary of an investing ERISA Plan. In addition, if our assets are classified as “plan assets,” certain transactions that we might enter into in the ordinary course of our business might constitute “prohibited transactions” under ERISA and the Code.
Under Code Section 408(i), as amended by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, IRA trustees must report the fair market value of investments to IRA holders by January 31 of each year. The Service has not yet promulgated regulations defining appropriate methods for the determination of fair market value for this purpose. In addition, the assets of an ERISA Plan or Keogh Plan must be valued at their “current value” as of the close of the plan’s fiscal year in order to comply with certain reporting obligations under ERISA and the Code. For purposes of such requirements, “current value” means fair market value where available. Otherwise, current value means the fair value as determined in good faith under the terms of the plan by a trustee or other named fiduciary, assuming an orderly liquidation at the time of the determination. We do not have an obligation under ERISA or the Code with respect to such reports or valuation although management will use good faith efforts to assist fiduciaries with their valuation reports. There can be no assurance, however, that any value so established (i) could or will actually be realized by the IRA, ERISA Plan or Keogh Plan upon sale of the Shares or upon liquidation of us, or (ii) will comply with the ERISA or Code requirements.
The income earned by a qualified pension, profit sharing or stock bonus plan (collectively, “Qualified Plan”) and by an individual retirement account (“IRA”) is generally exempt from taxation. However, if a Qualified Plan or IRA earns “unrelated business taxable income” (“UBTI”), this income will be subject to tax to the extent it exceeds $1,000 during any fiscal year. The amount of unrelated business taxable income in excess of $1,000 in any fiscal year will be taxed at rates up to 36%. In addition, such unrelated business taxable income may result in a tax preference, which may be subject to the alternative minimum tax. It is anticipated that income and gain from an investment in the Shares will not be taxed as UBTI to tax exempt shareholders, because they are participating only as passive financing sources.
INVESTOR ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS
The Shares will be sold only to a person who is not an accredited investor if the aggregate purchase price paid by such person is no more than 10% of the greater of such person’s annual income or net worth, not including the value of his primary residence, as calculated under Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In the case of sales to fiduciary accounts (Keogh Plans, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Qualified Pension/Profit Sharing Plans or Trusts), the above suitability standards must be met by the fiduciary account, the beneficiary of the fiduciary account, or by the donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds for the purchase of the Shares. Investor suitability standards in certain states may be higher than those described in this Offering Circular. These standards represent minimum suitability requirements for prospective investors, and the satisfaction of such standards does not necessarily mean that an investment in the Company is suitable for such persons.
Each investor must represent in writing that he/she meets the applicable requirements set forth above and in the Subscription Agreement, including, among other things, that (i) he/she is purchasing the Shares for his/her own account and (ii) he/she has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he/she is capable of evaluating without outside assistance the merits and risks of investing in the Shares, or he/she and his/her purchaser representative together have such knowledge and experience that they are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of investing in the Shares. Transferees of the Shares will be required to meet the above suitability standards.
All potential purchasers of the Shares will be required to comply with know-your-customer and anti-money laundering procedures to comply with various laws and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act. The USA Patriot Act is designed to detect, deter and punish terrorists in the United States and abroad. The Act imposes anti-money laundering requirements on brokerage firms and financial institutions. Since April 24, 2002, all United States brokerage firms have been required to have comprehensive anti-money laundering programs in effect. To help you understand these efforts, the Company wants to provide you with some information about money laundering and the Company’s efforts to help implement the USA Patriot Act.
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegally obtained money so that the funds appear to come from legitimate sources or activities. Money laundering occurs in connection with a wide variety of crimes, including illegal arms sales, drug trafficking, robbery, fraud, racketeering and terrorism. The use of the United States financial system by criminals to facilitate terrorism or other crimes could taint its financial markets. According to the United States State Department, one recent estimate puts the amount of worldwide money laundering activity at $1 trillion a year. As a result, the Company believes it is very important to fully comply with these laws.
By submitting a subscription agreement to the Company, you will be agreeing to the following representations. You should check the Office of Foreign Assets Control (the “OFAC”) website athttp://www.treas.gov/ofac before making the following representations:
(1)You represent that the amounts invested by you in this Offering were not and are not directly or indirectly derived from any activities that contravene federal, state or international laws and regulations, including anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Federal regulations and Executive Orders administered by the OFAC prohibit, among other things, the engagement in transactions with, and the provision of services to, certain foreign countries, territories, entities and individuals. The lists of the OFAC-prohibited countries, territories, individuals and entities can be found on the OFAC website athttp://www.treas.gov/ofac. In addition, the programs administered by the OFAC (the “OFAC Programs”) prohibit dealing with individuals11or entities in certain countries, regardless of whether such individuals or entities appear on any OFAC list;
(2)You represent and warrant that none of: (a) you; (b) any person controlling or controlled by you; (c) if you are a privately-held entity, any person having a beneficial interest in you; or (d) any person for whom you are acting as agent or nominee in connection with this investment is a country, territory, entity or individual named on an OFAC list, or a person or entity prohibited under the OFAC Programs. Please be advised that the Company may not accept any subscription amounts from a prospective purchaser if such purchasers cannot make the representation set forth in the preceding sentence. You agree to promptly notify the Company should you become aware of any change in the information set forth in any of these representations. You are advised that, by law, the Company may be obligated to “freeze the account” of any purchaser, either by prohibiting additional subscriptions from it, declining any redemption requests and/or segregating the assets in the account in compliance with governmental regulations, and that the Company may also be required to report such action and to disclose such purchaser’s identity to the OFAC;
(3)You represent and warrant that none of: (a) you; (b) any person controlling or controlled by you; (c) if you are a privately-held entity, any person having a beneficial interest in you; or (d) any person for whom you are acting as agent or nominee in connection with this investment is a senior foreign political figure12, or any immediate family13 member or close associate14 of a senior foreign political figure, as such terms are defined in the footnotes below; and
(4)If you are affiliated with a non-U.S. banking institution (a “Foreign Bank”), or if you receive deposits from, make payments on behalf of, or handle other financial transactions related to a Foreign Bank, you represent and warrant to the Company that: (a) the Foreign Bank has a fixed address, and not solely an electronic address, in a country in which the Foreign Bank is authorized to conduct banking activities; (b) the Foreign Bank maintains operating records related to its banking activities; (c) the Foreign Bank is subject to inspection by the banking authority that licensed the Foreign Bank to conduct its banking activities; and (d) the Foreign Bank does not provide banking services to any other Foreign Bank that does not have a physical presence in any country and that is not a regulated affiliate.
The Company is entitled to rely upon the accuracy of your representations. The Company may, but under no circumstances will it be obligated to, require additional evidence that a prospective purchaser meets the standards set forth above at any time prior to its acceptance of a prospective purchaser’s subscription. You are not obligated to supply any information so requested by the Company, but the Company may reject a subscription from you or any person who fails to supply such information.
HOW TO INVEST USING CRYPTOCURRENCY
The Company will accept investment or purchase of the Shares using certain cryptocurrencies or other digital assets (BTC and ETH). As set out below, the Company will accept BTC and ETH as payment from investors and then immediately convert them to U.S. Dollars. The Company, as discussed below, does not intend to hold the cryptocurrencies it accepts for any significant period of time. The Company will not accept any other cryptocurrency as payment. The Company has put into effect the following procedures to allow potential investors to purchase the Shares using cryptocurrencies which the Company will convert into U.S. Dollars.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THERE MAY BE SIGNIFICANT INCOME TAX, CAPITAL GAINS TAX AND OTHER TAX RAMIFICATIONS TO CONVERTING ANY CRYPTOCURRENCY OR OTHER DIGITAL ASSET INTO U.S. DOLLARS. BEFORE DOING SO, ALL POTENTIAL INVESTORS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO ANY SUCH RAMIFICATIONS.
IN ADDITION, INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWIG PROCEDURES BEFORE CONVERTING ANY CRYPTOCURRENCY OR OTHER DIGITAL ASSET INTO U.S. DOLLARS IN ORDER TO PURCHASE THE SHARES. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT AS SET OUT BELOW. BECAUSE OF THE VOLATILITY OF THE CRYPTOCURRENCY AND/OR DIGITAL ASSET MARKETPLACES, INVESTORS MAY SUFFER SIGNIFICANT LOSSES AS A RESULT OF CONVERTING CRYPTOCURRENCY OR OTHER DIGITAL ASSET INTO U.S. DOLLARS, AND INVESTORS MUST BE PREPARED TO BEAR THE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH LOSSES CAUSED BY SUCH CONVERSION.
The Company notes that the SEC, in its Note to Paragraph (a) of 17 CFR §230.251, states “If securities are not offered for cash, the aggregate offering price or aggregate sales must be based on the value of the consideration as established by bona fide sales of that consideration made within a reasonable time, or, in the absence of sales, on the fair value as determined by an accepted standard. Valuations of non-cash consideration must be reasonable at the time made.” In order to comply, the Company has established the following procedures to convert the cryptocurrency or digital asset into U.S. Dollars in a reasonable time, and to provide notice of the accepted standard the Company plans to use for conversion.
In order to convert cryptocurrency or a digital asset to U.S. Dollars to purchase the Shares, you (“Purchaser”) must follow the following procedures:
1.Specify the type: Bitcoin (BTC) or Ether (ETH) of the cryptocurrency to be converted in the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement.
2.Specify the aggregate amount of the elected cryptocurrency that will be delivered (“Purchaser Commitment Amount”) to a wallet to be held by EmpireBIT, Inc. until converted, as set out below, into U.S. Dollars (“USD”).
3.Sign and return the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement.
4.Following execution and delivery of the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement by the Purchaser, the Company and/or its Broker-Dealer will review the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement and, if acceptable to the Company, deliver to the Purchaser either (i) a fully executed Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement or (ii) notification that the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement has been fully executed electronically (each of clause (i) or (ii), the “Execution Notification”). At this time, instructions for payment of the applicable Purchaser Commitment Amount in the selected payment currency will be made available to Purchaser via electronic transmission or otherwise. The Company may reject the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement for any reason, or for no reason at all, in its absolute discretion.
5.Upon execution of the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement by the Company, Purchaser will be provided within 24 hours from the Execution Notification to deliver the Purchaser Commitment Amount. If purchaser fails to deliver the Purchaser Commitment Amount within 24 hours of the Execution Notification, the Company may (but shall not be obligated to) reject the offer to purchase the Shares and void the executed Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement in its absolute discretion. Once the Purchaser Commitment Amount of cryptocurrency is delivered by Purchaser to the address or wallet provided to Purchaser, absolutely no refunds whatsoever may occur, unless as specifically set out in Paragraph 13 below.
6.BTC Delivery – If converting BTC, each Purchaser will have a unique address for sending BTC to the Company, which will be provided to the Purchaser by electronic communication or otherwise. This unique address will be utilized to identify Purchaser and to attribute a received Purchaser Commitment Amount to the applicable Purchaser.
7.ETH Delivery – If converting ETH, each Purchaser will send ETH to a single Ethereum multi-signature wallet controlled by the Company, the address of which will be provided to the Purchaser by electronic communication or otherwise. Purchaser will be identified by the unique ETH address from which the Purchaser sends their Purchaser Commitment Amount and such amount will be attributed to the applicable Purchaser.
8.The applicable number of Shares to be purchased based on the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement will be determined at the time of conversion by the Company of the cryptocurrency into USD. The Purchaser will agree that the USD value of the cryptocurrency at the time Purchaser signs and returns the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement may increase or decrease significantly in the interim between signing and returning the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement, and the actual date and time of the conversion of the cryptocurrency to USD. Thus, there is no guarantee to the Purchaser at the time of the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement execution, or at the time of sending the cryptocurrency to the Company or at any other time prior to the actual conversion, as to the number of Shares to be purchased.
9.The number of Shares purchased will be computed by dividing the amount of USD immediately after conversion of the BTC or ETH, divided by the price of the Shares as of the date and time the conversion is completed. Fractional Shares will not be sold, and any amount of USD from the conversion remaining after applying the converted USD amount to the number of Shares purchased, will be refunded to the Purchaser.
10.The conversion of the BTC or ETH into USD shall take place as follows:
(a)If the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement has been signed by the Purchaser and Company and the BTC or ETH is received in accordance with the instructions provided, prior to 12 Noon Eastern Standard Time on any business day (Monday through Friday), the conversion will take place at some time between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM on that business day. The Company will convert BTC into USD based upon the price quoted at the time of conversion on the Bloomberg XBT. The Company will convert ETH into USD based upon the price quoted at the time of conversion on the Bloomberg ETH.
(b)If the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement has been signed by the Purchaser and Company and the BTC or ETH is received in accordance with the instructions provided, at 12 Noon or after Eastern Standard Time on any business day (Monday through Friday), the conversion will take place between at some time between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM on the following business day. The Company will convert BTC into USD based upon the price quoted at the time of conversion on the Bloomberg XBT. The Company will convert ETH into USD based upon the price quoted at the time of conversion on the Bloomberg ETH.
(c)If the Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreement has been signed by Purchaser and Company and the BTC or ETH is received in accordance with the instructions provided, on any weekend day (Saturday or Sunday), the conversion will take place between at some time between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM on the Monday following the weekend. The Company will convert BTC into USD based upon the price quoted at the time of conversion on the Bloomberg XBT. The Company will convert ETH into USD based upon the price quoted at the time of conversion on the Bloomberg ETH.
Any expense, such as any transaction fee or other conversion cost of converting either BTC or ETH by the Company into USD will be borne by the Purchaser, and said amount will reduce the total amount of USD available to purchase the Shares. While awaiting any needed compliance from the broker-dealer, the amount of USD from the conversion will be held in the Company’s JP Morgan Chase bank account.
11.Once the conversion takes place, the Purchaser will be notified within 24 hours of the conversion price, the number of Shares to be purchased, and the amount of any refunds of excess USD.
12.During the process described above and for as long as required after, the compliance process of clearing the trade by the broker-dealer will take place. When the broker-dealer has satisfied all compliance needs, the trade will be cleared, and the Shares will be available to be issued after the Offering is terminated. The Purchaser will be notified when the Shares are issued by the Company.
13.Refunds. Once the Purchaser Commitment Amount of cryptocurrency is delivered by Purchaser to the address or wallet provided to Purchaser, absolutely no refunds whatsoever may occur, except as follows:
(a) Any amount of USD from the conversion remaining after applying the converted USD amount to the number of Shares purchased as set out in Paragraph 9 above, will be refunded to the Purchaser, without interest.
(b)If a trade review fails to clear the sale of the Shares to the Purchaser, and the broker-dealer rejects the trade for any reason, the Purchaser will be refunded the amount of USD after conversion, without interest, regardless of the value of the cryptocurrency paid as the Purchaser Commitment Amount, had it not been converted.
(c)If a Purchaser has funded the Purchaser Commitment Amount and the Offering is (i) subsequently terminated such that the Purchaser’s Purchaser Commitment Amount must be refunded or (ii) subsequently materially modified and Purchaser elects to withdraw from its participation in the Offering such that the Purchaser’s Purchaser Commitment Amount shall be refunded, Purchaser will be refunded, in USD without interest, the amount of the Purchaser Commitment Amount after conversion to USD, regardless of the value of the cryptocurrency paid as the Purchaser Commitment Amount, had it not been converted.
TAXATION ISSUES
As noted above, this Offering Circular is not providing, or purporting to provide any tax advice to anyone. Every potential investor is advised to seek the advice of his, her or its own tax professionals before making this investment. While the Company believes that the Shares being sold in this offering, and the Security Tokens if the Shares are converted, are securities and should be subject to taxation as such, there is no certainty as to how various government bodies and regulators will treat the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, from a taxation standpoint. In addition, when the Company issues its non-security token and/or cryptocurrency in the future, the Company is unsure as to how its non-security token and/or cryptocurrency will be treated for taxation purposes. In addition, the securities sold in this Offering may have issues related to taxation at many levels, including tax laws and regulations at the state, local and federal levels in the Unites States, and at all levels of government in non-U.S. jurisdictions. The following information is provided for educational purposes only, and should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.
There is great uncertainty in how various governmental agencies both in the Unites States and abroad will treat taxation of cryptocurrencies and blockchain related transactions. For example, On March 24, 2014, the United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued Notice 2014-21 in which it provided answers to frequently asked questions about virtual currencies, such as bitcoin. In this notice, the IRS concluded that, in general, the sale or exchange of convertible virtual currency, or the use of convertible virtual currency (for example, a cryptocurrency that is convertible into U.S. dollars) to pay for goods or services in a real-world economy transaction, has tax consequences that may result in a tax liability. The IRS further noted that virtual currency is treated as property for U.S. federal tax purposes and that general tax principles that apply to property transactions apply to transactions using virtual currency. Among other things, the IRS noted that this means that the character of gain or loss from the sale or exchange of virtual currency depends on whether the virtual currency is a capital asset in the hands of the taxpayer and that a payment made using virtual currency is subject to information reporting to the same extent as any other payment made in property. In simple terms, this means that the IRS capital gains rules may apply to any gains or losses. The ramifications of this should be explored with your tax advisors before you make an investment in this Offering, and also if you intend to liquidate or otherwise use cryptocurrency or other digital assets to purchase the Shares, should that option be available in this Offering.
The Company is aware of no regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions involving the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of instruments with substantially the same terms as the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted. Thus, the characterization of these instruments is uncertain. It should be expected that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or a court would determine this characterization based on a consideration and weighing of the characteristics of these instruments. Except for purposes of withholding on payments to non-U.S. persons discussed below, the Company intends to treat the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, as equity in the Company. Other characterizations of the Security Tokens may have less favorable U.S. federal income tax consequences for investors. Potential purchasers are strongly advised to consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S. federal income tax characterization of the Security Tokens, and any dividends paid, or revenue share paid to investors, as a result of holding the Security Tokens.
Non-U.S. investors or holders of the Security Tokens, if the Shares are converted, are strongly advised to consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S. and non-U.S. tax characterization of the Security Tokens, and any dividends paid to investors, as a result of holding the Security Tokens. For example, any dividend paid to a non-US Security Tokenholder may be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividend. A non-US Security Tokenholder may be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of the Security Tokens under certain circumstances.
Distributions made to Security Tokenholders and proceeds paid from the sale, exchange, redemption or disposal of Security Tokens may be subject to information reporting to the IRS. Such payments may be subject to backup withholding taxes unless the Security Tokenholder (i) is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii) provides taxpayer identification number and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding has occurred. Security Tokenholders that are not U.S. persons generally are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, such a Security Tokenholder may be required to provide a certification of its non-U.S. status in connection with payments received within the United States or through a U.S.-related financial intermediary to establish that it is an exempt recipient.
THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF THE SECURITY TOKENS, IF THE SHARES ARE CONVERTED, IS NOT CLEAR AND THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION DOES NOT ADDRESS ALL ASPECTS OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO A PARTICULAR SECURITY TOKENHOLDER IN LIGHT OF ITS INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, NOR DOES SUCH DISCUSSION ADDRESS ANY ASPECTS OF STATE, LOCAL, OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS OR OF ANY U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS OTHER THAN THE INCOME TAX LAWS. ACCORDINGLY, PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS AS TO THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SHARES AND/OR SECURITY TOKENS, AS WELL AS THE OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE SHARES AND/OR SECURITY TOKENS IN THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
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SECTION F/S
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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1 https://research.stlouisfed.org/publications/review/2018/02/13/the-case-for-central-bank-electronic- money-and-the-non-case-for-central-bank-cryptocurrencies/
2https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/11/14/business/dealbook/cashless-economy.html
3Id.
4 http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/cryptocurrencies-gain-popularity-1002291574
5 http://markets.businessinsider.com/currencies/news/daily-cryptocurrency-volumes-vs-stock-market- volumes-2017-12-1011680451
6 https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelwolfson/2018/02/21/the-future-of-banking-cryptocurrency-atms-and- blockchain-based-drones/#3a337963c866
7 https://www.nasdaq.com/article/will-cryptocurrency-replace-other-forms-of-payment-cm831638
8 https://coinatmradar.com/charts/#share-by-manufacturer
9 https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/19/big-transactions-fees-are-a-problem-for-bitcoin.html
10 http://globalfindex.worldbank.org/
11 These individuals include specially designated nationals, specially designated narcotics traffickers and other parties subject to OFAC sanctions and embargo programs.
12 A “senior foreign political figure” is defined as a senior official in the executive, legislative, administrative, military or judicial branch of a foreign government (whether elected or not), a senior official of a major foreign political party, or a senior executive of a foreign government-owned corporation. In addition, a “senior foreign political figure” includes any corporation, business or other entity that has been formed by, or for the benefit of, a senior foreign political figure.
13 “Immediate family” of a senior foreign political figure typically includes such figure’s parents, siblings, spouse, children and in-laws.
14 A “close associate” of a senior foreign political figure is a person who is widely and publicly known to maintain an unusually close relationship with such senior foreign political figure, and includes a person who is in a position to conduct substantial domestic and international financial transactions on behalf of such senior foreign political figure.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation A, the issuer certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Offering Circular and has duly caused this offering statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of ______, State of _______________, on ______________, 201__.
EmpireBIT, Inc.
By: /s/ Michael Almeida
Chief Executive Officer
This offering statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: /s/ Michael Almeida
Michael Almeida
Chief Executive Officer and Director
__________, 201_
By: /s/ Evan Almeida
Evan Almeida
Chief Financial Officer and Director
_________________, 201_
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ADOPTING TYPED SIGNATURES
The undersigned hereby authenticate, acknowledge and otherwise adopt the typed signatures above and as otherwise appear in this filing and Offering.
By: /s/ Michael Almeida
Michael Almeida
Chief Executive Officer and Director
__________, 201_
By: /s/ Evan Almeida
Evan Almeida
Chief Financial Officer and Director
_________________, 201_
\
PART III: EXHIBITS
Index to Exhibits
Description Item Exhibit
Broker-Dealer Services Agreement with Cuttone & Co., LLC | Item 17.1 | 1A-1 |
Charters (including amendments) | Item 17.2 | 1A-2A |
Bylaws | Item 17.2 | 1A-2B |
Form Of Non-Cryptocurrency And Cryptocurrency Subscription Agreements | Item 17.4 | 1A-4 |
Material Contracts | Item 17.6 | 1A-6 |
Consent of Independent Auditors | Item 17.11 | 1A-11 |
Legal Opinion of Kendall Almerico | Item 17.12 | 1A-12 |
Testing The Waters | Item 17.13 | 1A-13 |
Smart Contracts | Item 17.14 | 1A-14 |
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