Exhibit 5.1
October 19, 2021
Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc.
595 Madison Avenue, 29th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-1 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the proposed offer and sale (the “Offering”) by the Company of shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Shares”), pursuant to a prospectus forming a part of a Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-258188, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2021 (such Registration Statement, as amended at the effective date thereof, being referred to herein as the “Initial Registration Statement”). On the date hereof, the Company has filed a registration statement supplement to the Initial Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (the “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement” and, together with the Initial Registration Statement, the “Registration Statement”) that incorporates by reference the Initial Registration Statement, which was declared effective on October 19, 2021. The Rule 462(b) Registration Statement relates to the registration of the offer and sale by the Company of an additional 925,696 shares of Common Shares (the “Additional Shares”) (including up to 120,743 shares issuable upon exercise of an overallotment option granted by the Company to the underwriters), after taking into account the Stock Split (as defined and as described in the Registration Statement and the prospectus relating thereto).
In connection with this opinion, we have assumed that (i) the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, will have become effective, (ii) the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Stronghold Digital Mining Holdings LLC, in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, will have become effective, (iii) the Stock Split will have been effected in the manner described in the Registration Statement and the prospectus relating thereto, (iv) the Additional Shares will be issued and sold in the manner described in the Registration Statement and the prospectus relating thereto and (v) a definitive underwriting agreement, in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, with respect to the sale of the Additional Shares will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto.
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October 19, 2021 Page 2
In connection with the opinion expressed herein, we have examined, among other things, (i) the form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (ii) the form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (iii) the form of Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Stronghold Digital Mining Holdings LLC, (iv) the records of corporate proceedings that have occurred prior to the date hereof with respect to the Offering, (v) the Registration Statement and (vi) the form of underwriting agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We have also reviewed such questions of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate. As to matters of fact relevant to the opinion expressed herein, and as to factual matters arising in connection with our examination of corporate documents, records and other documents and writings, we relied upon certificates and other communications of corporate officers of the Company, without further investigation as to the facts set forth therein. In making such examination and rendering the opinions set forth below, we have assumed without verification the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the legal capacity of all individuals executing any of the foregoing documents.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that, when the Additional Shares have been issued and delivered in accordance with a definitive underwriting agreement approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein (not less than the par value of the Additional Shares), such Additional Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
The foregoing opinions are limited in all respects to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (including the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws) and the federal laws of the United States of America, and we do not express any opinions as to the laws of any other jurisdiction. This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, and the foregoing opinions are limited to the matters expressly stated herein, and no opinion is to be inferred or implied beyond the opinions expressly set forth herein. We undertake no, and hereby disclaim any, obligation to make any inquiry after the date hereof or to advise you of any changes in any matter set forth herein, whether based on a change in the law, a change in any fact relating to the Company or any other person or any other circumstance.
October 19, 2021 Page 3
We hereby consent to the statements with respect to us under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. |